Richmond Park.
After a short period the Battalion went into camp at Richmond Park with other third-line units of the 1st and 2nd London T.F. Divisions, under Brigadier-General C. S. O. Monck. Living together in camp made it possible to commence instilling into the men that sense of military discipline which is the first qualification of a soldier, and progress in this direction soon became apparent. At first the training was necessarily on somewhat elementary lines owing to various causes, such as the want of experienced officers and N.C.O.’s, lack of arms and equipment, etc., but in the course of time, as these disabilities became gradually less and the syllabus of training more systematised, there followed marked improvement.
An early difficulty felt by the Commanding Officer was in regard to senior officers. A number of smart and promising junior officers had been posted to the Battalion, many of whom later on served with distinction at the Front, both in France and Palestine, but at the time they were new to military duties. This difficulty was met to a great extent by the transfer, first, of Major G. W. Turk from the 101st Provisional Battalion, and shortly afterwards, of Major H. D. Lewis from the 2nd Battalion. In August, 1915, when the latter officer was transferred, the organisation of the Battalion consisted of two companies of six strong platoons each.
Captain C. J. Bowen was gazetted as Adjutant, which post he held until August, 1917, when he was seconded for service in East Africa. He was succeeded in turn by Captains R. F. Guyton, W. L. C. Rathbone, M.C., A.M., and F. C. Olliff. The important post of Quartermaster was filled by the appointment of Captain W. G. Hodge, late Quartermaster-Sergeant of the 2nd Battalion, and, except for a period of ten months, when he exchanged duties with Captain A. Toomey, of the 1st Battalion, he remained with the Battalion until the end. It is difficult to overestimate his services: his untiring zeal and efficiency, combined with firmness and tact, have given him a place in the front rank of those officers who have served the Regiment in a similar capacity. He was ably assisted by Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant J. S. McIntyre, until the latter went overseas early in 1918.
The Battalion was very fortunate in its Medical Officer, Captain F. M. Hughes. He endeared himself to all ranks by his kindly interest in, and attention to, all his patients, and when he left for France the whole Battalion turned out to give him a send off. Every one learnt with gratification that he was the recipient later of the Legion of Honour for gallant conduct.
Sergeant-Major G. Weaver was appointed Regimental Sergeant-Major, and was succeeded in 1917 by Sergeant-Major B. J. Jolliffe, from the 1st Battalion.
Barnes.
The Battalion remained under canvas in Richmond Park until the 20th November—the last few weeks under trying conditions of cold and wet—and was then transferred to billets in Barnes. Here training was continued for six weeks under the disadvantages consequent upon the separation of the men at the close of each day’s work.
Hazeley Down.
Early in January, 1916, the Battalion was moved to Hazeley Down, 3½ miles to the south of Winchester, where a camp of considerable size was formed, consisting mainly of third-line units of the 2nd London T.F. Divisions, including at first the Kensingtons and the Queen’s Westminsters and later, when these two Battalions left, the London Scottish—the three other Battalions of the 4th Reserve London Brigade.
The camp was situated in an ideal position on the southern slope of one of the many downs in the neighbourhood: with stretches of well-wooded country, intersected by good roads, it formed altogether a most suitable region for military training. There was a range close by, at Chilcomb; there were trenches on Fawley Down, about a mile away, and at the camp there was plenty of space for digging, and bombing, and assault courses, as well as a good miniature range.
For two years—the greater part of its life—the Battalion made its home at this camp, and from here draft after draft was sent out, mainly to the 1st, partly to the 2nd Battalion, and occasionally to other units at the respective Fronts. The drafts had been trained, thanks very largely to the efforts of the disabled officers and N.C.O.’s from Overseas, as far as possible in the limited time at disposal.
When leave was given at the beginning of 1917 to enrol boys of 18, the strength of the Battalion mounted rapidly, and for some months stood at a total of about 2,400. These lads were of an excellent type, and as it was possible to give them a much longer training than the other recruits, they became quite good soldiers and many of them proved suitable for, and were given, commissions. Under the special recruiting system, admirably worked by Lieutenant C. E. Doubleday, Officer Commanding Depot, the ranks of the Battalion were reinforced by much the same class of man as joined the Regiment in pre-war days. When that system ceased, in 1918, the Battalion had to accept whatever men were sent to it by the Recruiting Officer, but particular pains were taken, and with great success, to imbue them with a sense of the best traditions of the Regiment. Indeed, throughout its career, whether on or off duty, both in billets and in camp, the conduct of the Battalion was worthy of the regimental badge.
While at Hazeley the Battalion was organised in six companies as follows:—
“A.” Major G. W. Turk.
“B.” Major H. D. Lewis.
“C” and “D.” Various officers, mostly from Overseas, amongst others: Majors F. M. Warne and E. W. Neales, Captains A. C. Bull, L. D. Eccles, D. H. Miall, W. L. C. Rathbone, M.C., A.M.
“E.” Captain G. H. Stone.
“F.” (Men from Overseas.) Various officers from Overseas.
Attached to “B” Company were Machine Gun and Signalling Detachments under the command of Lieutenants A. E. Smith and O. H. Mattison, respectively.
The gradually increasing number of experienced officers and N.C.O.’s returning from Overseas, either from partial disablement or for periods of rest, rendered most valuable service by furnishing the Battalion with instructors in all branches of training. Exceptionally good was the work of the Musketry Staff, in charge, successively, of Captain H. A. Berry, Lieutenants J. A. G. Falkner and C. S. McKay; and of the Physical Exercises Staff, under Captain H. G. Edney.
As regards messing, the men were well looked after, as was always the case in the regiment, which has been particularly fortunate in its Quartermasters. The food was good and varied, and the arrangements generally were on several occasions the subject of most favourable comment on the part of Inspecting Officers. Sergeant T. V. Weaver rendered valuable service with this work.
The Regimental Institute, which had been started in Richmond Park, with Major H. D. Lewis as P.R.I., was much developed at Hazeley and, as there were plenty of funds forthcoming from the rebate on the canteen money, everything was done to make the Institute attractive. The G.O.C. Southern District, on the occasion of a visit to it in 1917, said that it was one of the best he had seen in the command. Liberal grants were made for the purpose of adding to the men’s comfort and towards meeting the expenditure on games and sports.
Shortly before leaving Richmond permission had been given to form a band, subject to the proviso that fit men were not withheld from draft, and while at Barnes and during the first year at Hazeley the Battalion possessed a really good Brass Band; but as the men composing it were gradually dispersed, its place was taken by quite a fair drum and fife band.
Close touch was kept with the 1st Battalion in France, and while at Hazeley visits which were much appreciated in the Battalion were paid by Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. E. Segrave, D.S.O., and by the late Major F. W. Parish, D.S.O., M.C., both of whom had endeared themselves to the Regiment.
Wimbledon.
On Saturday, December 22nd, 1917, the Battalion said good-bye to Hazeley Down, and entrained for Wimbledon, where it went into camp with the third-line units of the Queen’s Westminsters and the 17th London, and where it remained until disbanded at the end of 1918.
Here the work of training was carried on as earnestly as at Hazeley, varied with occasional air-raid alarms, culminating in that of Whit-Sunday.
In May, 1918, occurred the serious accident to Colonel Hayes, which caused his retirement from the command, and about the same time another change also took place. Brigadier-General H. P. Burn, C.M.G., D.S.O., of the Gordon Highlanders, from the famous 51st Highland Division, succeeded Brigadier-General C. S. O. Monck in command of the Brigade.
In October, Major H. D. Lewis was appointed Officer Commanding Depot, and was followed in the command of “B” Company by Lieutenant L. C. Morris, M.C., a young officer, who distinguished himself while in command of a Company of the 1st Battalion in the fighting at Bourlon Wood.
Shortly after the Armistice the Battalion was broken up, most of the men not due for demobilisation being transferred to the 6th London Regiment at Blackdown, and the officers to the 9th London, also in the Aldershot Command.
The number of recruits that passed through the 3rd Battalion was approximately 6,000.
Regimental Aid Fund.
In July, 1916, Sir John Lithiby, a former member of the Regiment, inaugurated a Fund with the object of providing comforts for the men at the front, food and other necessaries for the prisoners of war, and temporary help, where needed, for the widows and dependents of men killed.
An influential Committee, representative of almost all the Government Departments, was formed; with an Executive Committee, consisting of past and present Officers of the Regiment, with Sir H. J. Gibson, K.C.B., as Chairman, and Sir John Lithiby as Honorary Secretary.
The appeal for subscriptions met with a ready response. £2,850 was received for the general objects of the Fund, chiefly from the Public Offices and the Officers and men of the Regiment; while a further £5,000 was subscribed for the prisoners of war, by the Regiment, the Public Departments, the Central Prisoners of War Committee, and the relatives and friends of the men themselves.
The comforts most appreciated by the Battalions overseas seemed to be luxuries wherewith to supplement the ordinary rations, and consignments of various kinds were, from time to time, sent out from home both to France and Palestine. In addition, the Commanding Officers were supplied with funds to use at their discretion in brightening the sombre monotony of trench life whenever opportunity offered.
The appeals from widows and dependents were fewer than had been expected, but many necessitous cases were helped in a quiet and unobtrusive way.
The chief activities of the Fund were connected with the care of the prisoners of war, of whom there were about 210 at the date of the Armistice, scattered throughout the various prison camps in Germany and Palestine. Each man was provided at intervals with a complete outfit of clothing, and three food parcels with bread, tobacco and cigarettes were sent to him every fortnight. This work was carried out at the Depot under the direction of the Officer Commanding, Captain C. E. Doubleday. Most of the parcels reached their destination safely, and the men, on their return after the Armistice, expressed great appreciation of what had been done for them. Only a few, happily, had to complain of exceptionally harsh treatment at the hands of their German captors.
In accordance with its rules the Aid Fund was closed early in 1921, and the General Committee, with the approval of the Charity Commissioners, disposed of the unexpended balance of £1,929, by presenting £1,500 to the Old Comrades’ Association, and the remainder to the Officer Commanding the Regiment to be applied to the erection of a Memorial to the officers and men who had fallen during the War.
C. DOUBLEDAY,
CHAPTER XLIII
THE RECONSTITUTED BATTALION
The first step towards securing the future of the Battalion may be said to have been taken when friends of the Regiment in 1918 approached authority with a view to the Prince of Wales assuming the Honorary Colonelcy, so long held by his grandfather, but it had been considered advisable to wait the termination of hostilities. In 1919, however, a letter was received from the Controller to his Royal Highness, stating that the Prince of Wales would accept the position. The appointment which followed in due course was received with unbounded delight in the Regiment.
Many months of delay on the part of the Army Council in forming their post-war policy in regard to the Territorial Force had a most deleterious effect, and thus when the task of reconstituting the Regiment was commenced many difficulties were experienced, the bands of comradeship had loosened, and there was a marked disinclination among the greater part of those who had worn khaki for so long in war to put it on again in peace, whilst the absence of a “young entry” into H.M. Civil Service destroyed our main source of recruits.
The command of the Regiment was offered to Major Viscount Bury, M.C., Special Reserve Scots Guards, who accepted and was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel in February, 1920. He was thus the third of his name to have the honour of commanding the Regiment. A letter was received on behalf of Lord Grenfell, Colonel of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, pointing out that during the war the Civil Service Rifles, among other battalions, had been affiliated by Army Council instructions to the regiment of which he was Chief, and requesting that the feeling of the Regiment as to the continuance of the connection should be made known to him in reply. Answer was accordingly made that though the Regiment highly appreciated the honour of having been linked to the tradition of so distinguished a Corps, yet they now felt that they would like to stand on the merits of their war record rather than to shelter under the magnificent reputation in the making of which they had not taken part. It was added that the Regiment had for years carried out line drill and had only for a short period drilled as riflemen.
The Commanding Officer was fortunate in securing as Adjutant, Captain (Brevet Major) W. H. Ramsbotham of the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales’s Own). He also applied successfully to the Coldstream Guards for a Regimental Sergeant-Major in the person of C.S.M. Stevens, D.C.M., and later, through the instrumentality of General Jeffreys, two Sergeant Instructors were obtained from the same regiment. Captain A. A. Joslin was appointed Quartermaster, a position he held in the Second Battalion throughout the war. Captain A. E. Evans, R.A.M.C., who had served in that capacity with the 1st Battalion in France, was appointed Medical Officer. The following Officers and N.C.O.’s were appointed to the various companies:—
“A” Company.—Major H. F. M. Warne, Captain G. E. Thompson, D.S.O., Lieutenant F. W. Hounsell, C.S.M. Hyder, C.Q.M.S. Lewis, M.M.
“B” Company.—Captain R. J. S. Gold, Captain P. Davenport, M.C., Lieutenants S. A. Seys, M.C., J. L. Hutchison, M.C., C.S.M. Torbell, C.Q.M.S. F. Trout.
“C” Company.—Captain L. D. Eccles, Captain H. M. Blomfield, (from 5th Buffs), Lieutenant P. E. Beddow, Second-Lieutenant J. S. Oldcorn, D.C.M., C.Q.M.S. Ibbett, M.M., and Sergeant (A/C.S.M.) A. C. Ridlington, M.C.
“D” Company.—Captain T. N. Sharratt, Lieutenant W. D. Hooper, Lieutenant P. H. Hall, C.S.M. Callingham, C.Q.M.S. Sale.
Recruiting started slowly and by midsummer some eighty members had joined, to which number was added the Band of twenty-four members, under Band-Sergeant H. W. Blackmore. The Band had all served in this capacity on the Western Front with the 1st Battalion.
It was felt that there was no better way of influencing recruiting than by reviving the Annual Midsummer Camp. This battalion, alone of the 2nd London Division, was fortunate in obtaining leave for this, and a contingent of the Regiment, under command of Major Warne, spent a happy fortnight at St. Martin’s Plain, Shorncliffe. R.S.M. Stevens at this camp earned the commendation of the G.O.C. London District, General Jeffreys, for the remarkable progress made by recruits under his zealous teaching.
After camp recruiting began to quicken in pace. The Sergeants’ Mess was re-established. The custom of holding two yearly dinners of the Officers’ Mess had been revived, and the first of these was held in November. Among the guests was the newly-appointed Commander of the 4th (Grey) London Infantry Brigade, Colonel F. G. Lewis. Subsequently, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales was approached and he honoured the Regiment by attending the Mess Dinner held in the Alexandra Room of the Trocadero on the 4th April, 1921. There were also present Sir Warren Fisher, K.C.B. (Secretary to Treasury); Sir Henry Gibson (Auditor-General); Major-General Jeffreys (G.O.C. London District); Sir Neville Smyth, V.C. (G.O.C. 47th (2nd London) Division); Colonel F. G. Lewis, Holland Martin, Esq., C.B.E. (Chairman County of London Territorial Force Association); and many old commanding officers of the Regiment, including Colonel A. M. Renny, Lieutenant-Colonel Segrave, Lieutenant-Colonel R. Fielding, Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. K. Newson, Lieutenant-Colonel A. W. Gaze, Colonel R. G. Hayes, T.D., Major A. C. H. Benké, Sir John Lithiby and Sir Charles Walker, K.C.B.
A third dinner, held in November, 1921, at the Civil Service Rifles’ Club, was honoured by the attendance of Lieutenant-General Sir Francis Lloyd, G.C.V.O., who in an admirable speech gave encouragement to those who are working hard for the continued existence and future of their Regiment.
During the time which had elapsed since the Armistice, the activities of the Regiment had been kept well in the public view. The Regiment had taken part in the processional march of the London troops in 1919, when the representatives of the 1st and 2nd Battalions were led respectively by Lieutenant-Colonel Feilding and Lieutenant-Colonel Gaze; at the unveiling by the Duke of York of the memorial to London troops erected in front of the Royal Exchange, and on the occasion of the presentation of colours to battalions of the 56th Division at the Horse Guards’ Parade by H.R.H. Princess Mary it had helped, in company with other troops of the 47th Division, to line the parade ground. The Regiment also sent detachments to the unveiling of the memorial to King Edward VII, and also to the unveiling of the memorial to those men of the Post Office (many of whom served in the Regiment) who fell in the late war.
At Easter, 1921, the pre-war custom of a visit to the Guards Depot at Caterham was revived, and over 100 other ranks received the traditional hospitality and welcome from all ranks of the Depot. This was a great success and had much influence on recruiting. After this camp great efforts were made by members of the Regiment, and the effects were just beginning to be shown, when an event disastrous to the Regiment, as far as recruiting was concerned, occurred. For the month previous to April, 1921, recruits had been coming in at the rate of twelve to fifteen per week, and had that rate of increase been maintained a satisfactory increase of strength would have been seen by midsummer. In April, 1921, the Defence Force was formed. Members of H.M. Civil Service were forbidden to join. The Headquarters Staff were taken away and Headquarters given up to a force which had nothing in common with the Regiment. With the exception of shooting, all its activities were suspended. For over three months this state of affairs continued and had a blighting effect on the regimental prosperity. The other regiments of the Division on the disbandment of the Defence Force secured a large number of recruits from those who had served in the Defence Unit bearing their names, whilst the Civil Service Rifles, through no fault of their own, lost not only those who would have joined had not the Defence Force been formed, but received merely a few individuals as recruits from among all those who had enlisted in the Defence Force. In spite of these difficulties the task was resumed. The Regimental Shooting Programme, seriously curtailed, was carried out, while in July, 1921, at the first post-war camp of the Grey Brigade at Shorncliffe, over 200 other ranks attended. The Regiment there maintained its reputation for efficiency, and the Battalion signallers under Sergeant Maddocks earned commendation by the Inspecting Officer of being the best trained signallers in the Division, whilst the band by their excellent performances on the Leas at Folkestone and in Camp brought themselves into deserved prominence.
In the world of sport the Battalion team reached the semi-final of the Divisional Football Championship, whilst the Civil Service Rifles Harriers gained second place in the Cross Country Championship. The season’s shooting at Bisley was crowned by winning the Middlesex Cup on 10th September, 1921; this cup conferring the primacy for the year on the Regimental team over those from all Territorial units in the six Home Counties. Relative to the winning of this Trophy a letter was received from the Secretary to the Prince of Wales expressing his Royal Highness’s pleasure. Accompanying the letter was a large signed photograph of H.R.H., which, sent as it was on the eve of the departure of H.R.H. on his visit to India gave to all ranks highest gratification as evidence of the support and interest felt for his own Civil Service Rifles by the Prince of Wales.
To face appendix I.
To face appendix I.
APPENDIX I
Regimental Plate
| Serial No. | Regimental Plate. | Battalion or Company Cup. | Year Given. | By Whom. | What Purpose. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prince of Wales Cup | Battalion Cup | 1863 | H.R.H. Albert Edward Prince of Wales | Best Shot. |
| 2 | Lord Bury Cup (Replica of Rifleman) | ““ | 1862 | The Viscount Bury (First Commanding Officer) | Best Shooting Company. |
| 3 | Lord Albemarle Cup | ““ | 1896 | Lord Albemarle (Eighth Earl) | Company General Efficiency. |
| 4 | Lord Arran Bowl | ““ | 1908 | Lt.-Colonel Earl ofArran | Shooting. |
| 5 | Daily Telegraph Cup (1902) | ““ | 1902 | Proprietors, Daily Telegraph | |
| 6 | “““(1903) | ““ | 1903 | All troops in London District. | |
| 7 | “““ (1904) | ““ | 1904 | ||
| 8 | “““ (1905) | ““ | 1905 | ||
| 9 | Harris Inter-Company Cup | ““ | 1899 | Private L. Harcourt Smith (Harris) | Tug-of-War. |
| 10 | Sway Ambulance Cup | ““ | 1905 | Inhabitants of Sway | Inter-Battalion Competition in 23rd Field Army Brigade. |
| 11 | Royal Military Tournament Tug-of-War Cup | ““ | 1901, 1902, 1903. | Royal Military Tournament. | Won outright in 1903. |
| 12 | Wolsley Cup | “I” (Cyclists) Coy. | 1904 | Proprietors, Daily Telegraph | Competition in Southern District. |
| 13 | Audit Challenge Cup | “A” (Audit) Coy. | 1873 | — | Inter-Company Shoot. |
| 14 | Battalion Match Challenge Cup | Battalion Cup. | 1894 | Battalion | Shooting. |
| 15 | Lombard Cup | “A” (Audit) Coy. | 1876 | Mrs. Lombard | Drill. |
| 16 | Jeston Bowl | “A” (Audit) Coy. | 1884 | Captain Jeston | Shooting. |
| 17 | Trendall Cup (gilt, 1918) | “H” (Admiralty) Coy. | 1907 | Captain Trendall | Shooting. |
| 18 | Challenge Cup | “A” (Audit) Coy. | 1912 | — | Sectional |
| 19 | Edmund Yates Cup | Post Office Companies | 1871 | Edmund Yates | Shooting. |
| 20 | Battalion Challenge Cup No. 8 | “C” Coy. (Post Office) | 1883 | Battalion | Shooting (Inter-Company). |
| 21 | Battalion Challenge Cup No. 14 | “D” (Inland Revenue) Coy. | 1894 | Battalion | Shooting (Inter-Company). |
| 22 | Laboratory Cup | “E” (Inland Revenue) Coy. | 1895 | Government Laboratory. | Marching and Shooting (Inter-Section). |
| 23 | Old Members’ Bowl | “E” (Inland Revenue) Coy. | 1902 | Old Members of “E” Company. | Most Efficient Member. |
| 24 | Du Cros | “H” (Admiralty) Coy. | 1898 | Harvey Du Cros | Shooting. |
| 25 | Marriott Cup | “H” (Admiralty) Coy. | 1909 | Corporal Norman J. Marriott. | Shooting. |
| 26 | Acland Cup | “I” (Cyclists) Coy. | 1905 | Lieutenant F. D. Acland (afterwards Under-Secretary of State for War). | Sectional Efficiency. |
| 27 | McKay Challenge Cup | “H” (Admiralty) Coy. | 1885 | McKay | Shooting. |
| 28 | Austen Chamberlain Bowl | “H” (Admiralty) Coy. | 1900 | The Right Honourable Austen Chamberlain. | Shooting. |
| 29 | Lamb Bowl | Sergeants’ Mess. | 1902 | Major and Adjutant G. Lamb. | |
| 30 | Old Boys’ Bowl | “B” (Savings Bank) Coy. | 1909 | Past and Honorary Members. | Team Competitions. |
| 31 | Campbell Snuff Box in Case | “A” (Audit) Coy. | 1862 | J. D. Campbell. | |
| 32 | Woods Cigarette Box | “A” (Audit) Coy. | 1892 | Captain R. Lennox Woods. | |
| 33 | Dickson Cigarette Box (wood) | Battalion Cup. | 1910 | Surgeon-Major T. H. Dickson. | Officers’ Mess. |
| 34 | Baillie Hamilton Spirit Lamp | “A” (Audit) Coy. | 1870 | J. B. Baillie Hamilton. | |
| 35 | Eccles Hammer and Stand | “A” (Audit) Coy. | 1888 | Major Dorset Eccles. | |
| 36 | Middlesex Cup (for the year 1921/2) | Challenge Trophy. | 1860 | London and Middlesex Rifle Association. | Inter-Battalion Team Shoot. |
| 37 | Hayes Cup | 3rd Battalion. | — | Brevet-Colonel R. G. Hayes. | |
| 38 | Plain two-handled Silver Cup | No details. | No details. |
APPENDIX II
STAFF.
Commanding Officers.
| Colonel William Coutts, Viscount Bury, K.C.M.G., V.D., A.D.C. | 1860-1890. |
| Colonel Richard Mills, C.B., V.D. | 1890-1892. |
| Colonel Arnold Alan, Viscount Bury (became 8th Earl of Albemarle in 1894) | 1892-1901.[17] |
| Lieutenant-Colonel H. B. H. Tytheridge, V.D. | 1900-1904. |
| Lieutenant-Colonel The Earl of Arran, K.P. | 1904-1908. |
| Lieutenant-Colonel The Hon. C. S. H. Willoughby | 1908-1912. |
| Lieutenant-Colonel R. G. Hayes, T.D. | 1912-1914. |
[17] In command of Infantry C.I.V., South Africa, 1900.
THE GREAT WAR.
1/15 Bn. London Regiment.
| Lieutenant-Colonel The Earl of Arran | November, 1914-July, 1915. |
| Lieutenant-Colonel H. V. Warrender, D.S.O. | July, 1915-November, 1916. |
| Major (acting Lieutenant-Colonel) W. F. K. Newson | December, 1916-January, 1917. |
| Captain (acting Lieutenant-Colonel) H. Marshall, M.C. | February, 1917-July, 1917. |
| Lieutenant-Colonel F. W. Parish, D.S.O., M.C. | July, 1917-September, 1917. |
| Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. E. Segrave, D.S.O. | September, 1917-August, 1918. |
| Lieutenant-Colonel R. C. Feilding, D.S.O. | August, 1918-March, 1919. |