Complete Works of Rudyard Kipling (Illustrated), page 931
Here some of our men noticed, first, how keenly curious were the natives to discover exactly what the strangers had in their minds, and, that point established, exactly how far they might presume upon their limitations. It was soon felt that our armies boasted no tradition nor ritual of victory as the Germans understood it — that the utmost they could devise was some form of polite police-work and traffic regulation. So, as one observer put it “There was Jerry takin’ stock of us, under his hatbrim at the street-corners in the wet; and there was those little steamers with some of our officers in charge (an’ the Irish flag flyin’ at the bows of course) convoyin’ prisoners an’ refugees an’ details an’ all, up an’ down that Rhine River, like pirates play actin’! An’ there was the Jerry frowlines so polite an’ anxious for to please, playin’ the ‘Marseillaise’ an’ ‘God Save the King’ to the officers in the evenin’, an’ every Jerry willin’ to sell us everything he thought we’d like to buy. An’ there was us Micks mountin’ guard on the dumps, an’ patrollin’ the streets an’ sittin’ on machine-guns acrost bridges in that wet an’ cold an’ — an’ ‘twas all like play-actin’. Nothin’ real to it at all, except the long waitin’ an’ we crazy to get home. Maybe the new hands an’ the cease fire drafts liked the victoriousness of it, but for us, the old birds, that had come through great doin’s for so long, ‘twas not in nature, ye’ll understand. All false-like, except the dam’ ceremonials.”
The last was quite true. The “smartening-up” that overtook both battalions in Cologne was of a thoroughness new even to the extended experience of the “old birds.” Sergeants, sickened by long months of gritty and dusty hutments that ruin the bloom and port of the ideal “soldier,” with officers on the rebound from service requirements to a desperate interest in the haberdashery and appurtenances of real, and possible, life, fell upon them from either flank; while colonels in the background and generals on far heights proclaimed the iniquity of deviating by one hair’s breadth from the highest standards of propriety in kit, conduct, and bearing while they were among the late enemy. So they said, with justice, that Jerry managed to give them as much trouble when they occupied him as when he was occupying them on the Somme.
It was an insane interval of waiting, as the world did in those days, for the immediate demobilisation of democratic hosts, all units of which were convinced that they had the right to go home before all others. “The prisoner at the Bar,” as men then styled Germany, being entirely at home, was saving himself to continue the War underground when time, occasion, and dissension among his conquerors should show him his chance. But of this there was no foreknowledge. The hearts of the men who had borne the burden were still pulsing to the thud of the guns; their minds still obsessed in their leisure by the return of horrors seen and beard; their souls crying out for something that should veil them from themselves; and at the hour when the spent world, like a spent battalion, most needed a few low-voiced, wholly unsentimental orders and an orderly return to light but continuous mechanical work, when, above all, it was in no shape to be talked at or to or over, it was delivered to whirlwinds and avalanches of allocutions, exhortations, and strenuously conflicting “ideals” that would have shaken the sanity of the gods themselves. Thus the barren months passed. The most fortunate people were those who had their hands full of necessary and obvious work — mere detail to be put through for immediate needs. “We cursed it enough at the time, but we would have given a good deal for it afterwards. You see, it kept one from thinking.”
And in the spring of ‘19 came the release, and the return of the Guards to England, and, on a grey March day, the Division, for the last time, was massed and moved through London, their wounded accompanying them on foot, or in the crowded lorries, while their mascots walked statelily in the intervals.
To see the actual weapons with which great works have been done is always astonishing. The stream of troops seemed scanty between the multitudes that banked it. Their faces, too, told nothing, and least of all the faces of the veterans — the sergeants of twenty-three, and the commanding officers of twenty-eight, who, by miracle or the mercy of severe wounds, had come through it all since that first hot August evening, at the milestone near Harmignies, when the first bullet fell on the turf, and men said, “This is The War!” The wounded, in civil kit, having no more fear of their superior officers before their eyes, occasionally, when they shouted to a friend, gave away by unguarded tone, or change of countenance, a hint of the hells which they had shared together. And London, solid on its pavements; looked, counted over, compared, hailed, but never too loudly, some known face in the ranks or figure on horseback, and rejoiced or grieved as the fortune of war had dealt with its men. For the Guards belong to London, and, by that time, even the Irish Guards were half London recruits.
The Second Battalion of the Irish Guards was marked to be disbanded later, with thousands of others. Their loyalty, their long endurance, their bravery — the ceaseless labour, love, and example that had gone to their making and upholding, in which work men had died as directly as any killed by gas or shell — had done all that was called for. They made no claim to have accomplished or suffered more than others. They knew what load had been laid upon all.
They were the younger battalion, born in Warley, officered from the first by special reserve officers, always most intimately bound up with their sister battalion, yet always most strictly themselves. They had been a “happy” battalion throughout, and, on the admission of those whose good opinion they most valued, one that had “done as well as any” in a war that had made mere glory ridiculous. Of all these things nothing but the memory would remain. And, as they moved — little more than a company strong — in the wake of their seniors, one saw, here and there among the wounded in civil kit, young men with eyes which did not match their age, shaken beyond speech or tears by the splendour and the grief of that memory.
COMMANDING OFFICERS
2ND BATTALION
FROM AUGUST 16, 1915
Rank
Name.
From
To
Lt.-Col.
“
“
Major
Lt.-Col.
“
Hon. L. J. P. Butler, C.M.G., D.S.O
P. L. Reid, O.B.E.
E. B. Greer, M.C
R. H. Ferguson
H. R. Alexander, D.S.O., M.C
A. F. L. Gordon, D.S.O., M.C.
16.8.15
12.5.16
13.1.17
1.8.17
2.10.17
6.11.18
5.5.16
12.1.17
31.7.17
1.10.17
3.11.18
To return to
England.
Appendix A
The compiler gives below as many of the accounts of acts of bravery that won decoration, as he understands were published in the London Gazette on various dates. These are what were known as “immediate rewards.” The details of services acknowledged by decorations which did not come under this category were not given in the Gazette.
10th March 1915. M.C. to Second Lieutenant A. C. W. Innes, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and ability at Cuinchy on 1st February 1915. When all the officers of the attacking company had been put out of action, this officer was sent forward to take command. Leading his men he captured the enemy’s post, and then advancing a further 60 yards captured another.”
10th March 1915. M.C. to Lieutenant R. St. J. Blacker-Douglass, late 1st Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in continuing to lead an attack after he had been wounded. He was killed in this attack.”
6th September 1915. M.C. to Lieutenant (Temp. Captain) Montague Vernon Gore-Langton, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry on the night of 10th August 1915, at Cuinchy, when with an orderly and one bomber, he carried out a successful and daring reconnaissance. He crawled out across a crater and discovered another crater reaching to within a few yards of the enemy’s trenches. Here he was seen by a German on patrol, who came within 8 yards, when he was killed by the orderly. He still lay out, aided by Very’s pistol lights fired from his own trenches for the purpose; he examined carefully the whole of the enemy’s wire entanglements and trenches hidden behind the craters.”
31st May 1916. M.C. to Temporary Captain Philip Randal Woodhouse, M.B., R.A.M.C. (attached 1st Battalion, Irish Guards) “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He tended the wounded under heavy shell fire, and, though himself wounded, continued his work. On another occasion he went across the open under shell fire to attend to the wounded.”
24th June 1916. M.C. to Lieutenant Charles Richard Tisdall, Special Reserve (attached 1st Battalion, Irish Guards): “For conspicuous gallantry. When on patrol with two men he discovered a strong enemy patrol, who evidently intended to rush an isolated post. With great determination he dispersed the enemy patrol with one of his men, after sending the other for reinforcements. His promptness in all probability saved the post.”
20th October 1916. D.S.O. to Captain the Hon. Harold Rupert Leofric George Alexander, M.C., 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry in action. He was the life and soul of the attack, and throughout the day led forward not only his own men but men of all regiments. He held the trenches gained in spite of heavy machine-gun fire.”
11th May 1917. M.C. to Lieutenant Edward Budd. Irish Guards, Special Reserve (attached 1st Battalion): “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He carried out a dangerous reconnaissance under very heavy fire, and brought back most valuable information. He has on many occasions done fine work.”
8th January 1918. D.S.O. to Lieutenant (Acting Captain) the Hon. William Sigismund Patrick Alexander, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst leading his company in an attack he came under heavy machine-gun fire from a concrete emplacement. He immediately led a successful attack through a gap in our barrage, and outflanked three gun positions, capturing three machine-guns and fourteen men. He then continued the attack, and seized his objective within the scheduled time, in spite of having to pass through our own barrage as well as that of the enemy. He set a splendid example of fearlessness and resource.”
8th January 1918. Bar to M.C. to Lieutenant Edward Budd, M.C., Irish Guards, Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After a personal reconnaissance of an enemy blockhouse which was harassing his front line, he made sound and skilful disposition for its capture which was effectively carried out. The capture of the blockhouse not only relieved the front line from annoyance and loss, but enabled the whole line in this vicinity to be advanced about 200 yards. He showed very great initiative and military skill.” (M.C. gazetted 11th May 1917).
8th January 1918. M.C. to Lieutenant Reginald Ellice Sassoon, Irish Guards, Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an attack, when his company was held up by hostile machine-gun fire, he organised and led a party to the capture of a concrete strong point and of a machine-gun and trench mortar. He was then subjected to machine-gun fire from another strong point, which he promptly and successfully attacked from the flank, capturing another machine-gun and killing and capturing several of the enemy. His dash and initiative at a critical moment were worthy of the highest praise.”
7th March 1918. D.S.O. to Captain William Archer Redmond, Irish Guards, Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a company holding a line of posts. When, following a heavy barrage, the enemy attacked in strength and a bomb fell in his post, knocking out half the occupants, he immediately led the survivors out and drove the enemy back, which enabled him to establish a new defensive line and to hold it against repeated attacks until day broke.”
6th April 1918. M.C. to Lieutenant Arthur Ronald Stansmore Nutting, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In spite of heavy shell fire at night he brought up the rations to Battalion Headquarters in the second objective, and remained there until his duty was finished. He has never failed to supply his battalion with rations in most dangerous situations.”
6th April 1918. M.C. to Second Lieutenant Eric Edwin Anderson, Irish Guards, Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of his platoon. He attacked a machine-gun position, capturing the two guns, and killed all the garrison. He was responsible for capturing two more machine-guns at the first objective. He had previously carried out a very valuable reconnaissance.”
6th April 1918. M.C. to Lieutenant James Black, Irish Guards, Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as Adjutant during three days’ operations. When the trenches of one of the support companies were being blown to pieces he went from Battalion Headquarters and led the company forward into a new position.”
23rd April 1918. M.C. to Second Lieutenant Ronald Hubert Mungo Park, Irish Guards, Special Reserve, attached M.G. Corps “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of a section of machine-guns which he established in a well-chosen position from which to bring in direct fire upon the enemy’s approaches. He worked untiringly to establish a large reserve of ammunition, and when the enemy counter-attacked they were twice subjected to a heavy fire from his guns.”
23rd April 1918. M.C. to Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Robert Bruce Stephen Reford, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in command of the right flank company in an attack, and maintained the direction of the Battalion under very difficult conditions. Though encountering many ‘pillboxes’ and strong points, he reached his final objective.”
23rd April 1918. M.C. to Second Lieutenant Edward Murray Harvey, Irish Guards, Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of the platoon guides and the marking out of the assembly areas, which he successfully carried out under shell fire and the most trying weather conditions. He led his platoon with skill and judgment in the attack, until wounded at the final objective.”
5th July 1918. M.C. to Lieutenant Stewart Sandbach Harrison. Irish Guards, Special Reserve, attached M.G. Corps: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. Whilst he was in charge of a section of forward machine-guns the right flank of the line was held up by a party of enemy with several machine-guns. He rushed forward with one of his guns in front of the leading infantry under very heavy rifle and machine-gun fire and enfiladed the enemy, thus enabling the line to go forward again.”
5th July 1918. M.C. to Second Lieutenant Donald Arthur Birbeck Moodie, Irish Guards, Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the company commander becoming a casualty, he took command and successfully checked several enemy attempts to get round the flank of his company, which was for some hours critically situated. Later, when the trenches held by his company were attacked and entered by the enemy, he directed his men with great skill and judgment, and himself fought with splendid courage and determination.”
5th July 1918. Second Bar to M.C. to Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Edward Budd, M.C., Irish Guards, Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his company with great skill and judgment, and during the subsequent consolidation displayed marked ability and disregard of danger, reorganising his own company and rendering great assistance to neighbouring company commanders. Later, when, during an enemy attack, all communications were cut, he volunteered to go up to the front line and clear up the situation. He successfully accomplished this task, in spite of continuous sniping and machinegun fire. Throughout the operations his coolness was most marked, and his sound judgment was of the greatest help to his battalion commander.”
5th July 1918. M.C. to Second Lieutenant Cyril Elmore Hammond, Irish Guards, Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an attack, at a time when the position was most obscure, he was sent forward on patrol. Though under fire for the whole time, and in spite of suffering several casualties, he kept his battalion commander in touch with the situation, furnishing accurate and valuable information.”
18th July 1918. M.C. to Captain the Hon. Harold Alfred Vyvyan St. George Harmsworth, Irish Guards, Special Reserve: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. He led his company forward under heavy fire, and himself put out of action two enemy machine-guns. It was entirely due to his splendid example that his company reached their objective.”
26th July 1918. M.C. to Captain the Hon. Henry Barnaby O’Brien, 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the enemy broke the line on the right, this officer, collecting all the available men, formed a defensive bank under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, saving the situation.”
26th July 1918. M.C. to Lieutenant Frederick Sydney Leslie Smith, 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst in process of relief the enemy broke through on his right. Promptly realising the situation, this officer formed a defensive flank, supervising the placing of his men under heavy machine-gun fire.”
