1st Bn, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regt) in France and Belgium 1914

From British Battalions in France and Belgium 1914 by Ray Westlake.

Dover. Part of 12th Brigade, 4th Division. Moved to Cromer in 2 trains (8th) and Norwich (10th). Billets in St. Andrews Hill area. To Horsham St. Faith (l2th). "A" and "B" Companies billeted in the workhouse, "C" in the school, "D" in village. To Norwich (l8th) and entrained for Wemblev. Arrived 1.40 am and to camp in Neasden area. To Wembley (21st) and by train to Southampton. Embarked SS Saturnia and sailed for France 9 am (22nd) Arrived Boulogne 11 pm. Disembarked 6 am (23rd) and marched to test camp at St. Leonards. Returned to Boulogne and entrained 9 pm. Strength - 26 officers, 974 other ranks. Arrived Betry 10 am (24th) and to Ligny. Bivouacked north of village. Marched to Vies1y during night. Came under shell fire during afternoon (25th) then at 9 pm moved via Béthencourt, Caudry and Ligny to Haucourt. Advanced (26th) moving via the Cattenières road and down slope across Wamelle Brook. Took up positions on high ground 6 am. Came under machine gun and shrapnel fire. Commanding Officer - Lieutenant-Colonel A. McN. Dykes, DSO killed. Colonel J.M. Cowper in his history of the King's Own records that "C" Company were almost wiped out. Fell back to line in front of Haucourt. Another advance attempted about 8 am, but again driven back. Part of Battalion withdrew via Selvigny to Gouy. Remainder came under attack about 9.30 pm — enemy entering village but eventually driven out. War Diary records that the detachment in village retired about 11 pm. passing through German lines and rejoining rest of Battalion during afternoon (27th). Casualties - Lieutenant-Colonel Dykes. Captains F.G. Theobald, H. Clutterbuck, H.R Sparenborg, Lieutenant C.S. Steel-Perkins and Second-Lieutenant L.S. Brocklebank killed, 4 other officers wounded, 2 missing, 431 other ranks killed, wounded or missing. Moved to cover withdrawal of 7th Division at Sancourt (28th). Later crossed the Sarnbre at Offoy then to Campagne. Continued retreat via Noyon to Sempigny (29th), to Fontenoy (30th) and to Verberie (31st).

To Baron (1st) then marched through night to Dammartin. Left 10.30 pm (2nd) for Serris, marching via Lagny. "B" Company detached as escort to III Army Corps Headquarters. To Chateau Rothschild Ferrieres (4th) and during night to Brie-comte-Robert. Bivouacked 2 miles to the south on banks of the Yerres. Began advance (6th), Marching via Jossigny to Coupvray. Crossed the Grande Morin (7th) and to la Haute Maison. Continued advance (8th), moving in artillery formation north of la Haute Maison to Pierre Levée. Patrol under Lieutenant W.E.G. Starter engaged enemy with some casualties. Reached Jouarre about 12 am. As advance guard, went forward 1 pm towards La Ferté-sous-Jouarre. Part of A Company came under fire while crossing the Petit Morin. Two Uhlans killed and party advanced to crossroads in middle of town. "D" Company came forward under fire. Lieutenant L.S. Woodgate and 2 other ranks killed in the square. Colonel Cowper records that an attempt was made by Major R.G. Parker and some volunteers to reach Lieutenant Woodgate's body. The men had moved from the crossroads via back gardens on the right of the road. Moving into the square from the east side the party came under fire from across the Maine. Corporal J.C. Pike mortally wounded, Private S. Everson killed and Major Parker wounded. Battalion relieved by 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers during evening and fell back to reserve bivouacs. Moved forward to reserve positions near Luzancy (9th) and via Dhuisy and Coulombs to Vaux (10th). "B" Company rejoined from III Corps. Marched via Montigny to Billy-sur-Ourq (11th) and via Tigny to billets in farm ½mile north of Septmonts (12th). Moved to positions north of Billy-sur-Aisne (13th) and came under shell fire from direction of Croupy Venizel. Crossed the Aisne at Veniael and via Bucy-le-Long advanced to Ste. Marguerite. Dug in on hill north of village. German author Walter Bloom was with the 12th Brandenburg Grenadiers on the Chivres Spur and recalled the advance of the 12th Brigade in his book Vormarch (The Advance from Mons, 1914) - "Stretched out across the broad expanse of meadows between us and the river was a long line of dots wide apart, and looking through glasses one saw that these dots were infantry advancing, widely extended … A field battery on our left spotted them, and we watched their shrapnel bursting over the advancing line. Soon a second line of dots emerged from the willows along the river bank, at least ten paces apart, and began to advance. More of our batteries came into action; but it was noticed that a shell, however aimed, seldom killed more than one man, the lines being so well and widely extended. Our guns now fired like mad, but it did not stop the movement: a fifth and sixth line came on, all with the same wide intervals between and same distance apart. It was magnificently done." War Diary records being shelled nearly all day (14th), 2 men killed (15th), village heavily shelled (24th), enemy gun 1,000 yards due north "opened accurate fire" (29th).

To trenches at Missy-sur-Aisne (2nd). Relieved and to Septrnonts (6th). Moved forward to Chacrise (8th) and now in support of French troops holding line between Bucy and Ciry. Travelled in French lorries to Le Meux (11th), then by train to Hazebrouck (12th). Took part in attack on Meteren (13th). Leading company reached outskirts of Meteren about 2 pm. War Diary records heavy Maxim and rifle fire from the enemy "… who had excellent field of fire." Shelled at close range about 4 pm but trenches held. Relieved (14th) and to Bailleul. Casualties - Lieutenant A.G.A. Morris, Second-Lieutenant A. Waterhouse and 44 other ranks killed, 2 officers and 32 other ranks wounded and missing, 15 other ranks missing. Moved forward (15th) and held in support during 11th Brigade's attack on Erquinghem. To support line at Petit Pont (16th) and took part in attack on Le Touquet (18th). Moved forward via Ploegsteert to line on Le Bixet-Le Touquet road. War Diary records railway being taken "without much opposition." Later came under heavy fire from enemy trenches across river. Positions held from Le Touquet as far as crossroads by evening. Casualties Major J.H. Morrah killed and 3 other ranks wounded, "C" Company moved forward to new line (19th) and came under attack at dawn (20th). Enemy gained strong hold in line and company forced to retire to line on Le Gheer-Le Touquet road. "A" Company later sent forward as reinforcement. Another counter-attack (21st) forced "A" and "C" Companies back 200 yards. Battalion relieved (22nd) and to bivouacs at Le Bizet. Casualties (20th-21st) - Major N.L.S. Lysons, Captain P.B. Lendon and Second-Lieutenant P. Heaney killed, 4 other officers wounded, 2 wounded and missing. 21 other ranks killed, 78 wounded, 76 missing. To la Chapelle d'Armentieres (23rd). "D" Company in front line assisting 2nd Essex near railway. Relieved 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers in front line - Rue de Bois to Lille road during night (24th). Section of "D" Company sent to assist 2nd Durham Light Infantry in front line to left of railway (27th). Enemy attack repulsed. Casualties - 2 officers wounded, 3 other ranks killed. Battalion relieved by 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers 6pm and to Chapelle d'Armentières. Relieved 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers in front line (29th).

Relieved by 2nd Essex and to la Chapelle d'Armentières (6th). Went forward to Le Bizet (7th) in support of 1st Rifle Brigade holding line running from the Lys near Frélinghien via La Touquet to cross roads about ½ mile south of La Gheer. Took over line from 1st Rifle Brigade (10th). Relieved by 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers (29th) and to Armentières.

Inspected by HM The King at Nieppe (2nd). Relieved 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers in trenches (3rd). Relieved by 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers and to Armentières (7th). Relieved 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers (10th). Second-Lieutenant R.A.C. Aitchison mortally wounded (13th). Relieved by 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers and to Le Bizet (15th). Relieved 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers (20th). Relieved by 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers and to Le Bizet (24th). Relieved 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers (28th).