IV. 6th Battalion
On the 1st October, then, the 6th Buffs proceeded by bus and by march route into billets at Caucourt, which village may be about twelve miles or so north-west of Arras, but rest here was for an extremely short period and the 6th of the month found the battalion in buses again for Avion, from whence it marched into trenches at Mericourt, just south-east of Lens. This region was not yet clear of the enemy, who had been driven back since August considerably further in some directions than in others. The old and familiar machine gun was soon heard again, therefore, and they were very active the day after the battalion arrived, and the usual patrols which went out in front experienced also their fire on the 8th. However, these patrols established themselves at Molly Villers, a thousand yards in front of our own line, being relieved by the West Kent soon afterwards. On the 13th the 6th Royal West Kent advanced from Mericourt to the Drocourt-Queant trenches, and they had the Buffs in support during the move which brought both regiments into this line for the night, the Buffs’ headquarters being at Floquieres. At this time there was a certain amount of movement occasioned by the readjustment of the larger commands preparatory to a grand processional march towards the east; the enemy was at his last gasp, so to speak, and there was no longer any very strenuous opposition. The 37th Brigade ultimately concentrated at Auby on the 18th October and the advance commenced the next day, the units taking turn to lead and encounter any opposition that might have been organized. Thus the West Kents led off and the Buffs followed, the first day taking the brigade to Flines. On the 20th the Buffs led and advanced as far as Beuvry, arranging the front line at Orchies-Beuvry. This was a very satisfactory day, because the Buffs were able to set free hundreds of unfortunate civilians who had been in the power of the beastly Germans, who, of course, had not actually evacuated the country which was now being passed over. There was always an attempt to sting during the great retreat, even if no regular resistance was made. Thus a soldier was killed on the way to Beuvry, and 2nd Lieut. Roper-Curzon and four men wounded.
On the 21st the Queen’s led the way, and the West Kent, being in front on the 22nd, reached the banks of the River Scarpe, where it was found that all civilians had been released by the retreating German. On the 23rd, when the Buffs were in front, a little more opposition was met with, in so far that a fairly strong machine-gun fire was encountered at Cubray; but this was successfully dealt with, heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy and several prisoners taken. During the night the Buffs rushed what was in front of them and established themselves in Haute Rive. Captain H. Hunter, M.C., and nine men were wounded on this day, the success of which was marred by the death on the same day of the gallant captain from the result of his injuries.
The enemy were making a better stand now than had been the case during the last week, and on the 24th it was found that the villages of Bivridon and Bruille were strongly held. Nothing however at this time, when success had been ours for days, was at all likely to stop the British dash. The Buffs attacked at 9 a.m. and so rapidly and unexpectedly that the enemy was taken by surprise during his breakfast meal and utterly discomfited, so that our line was established upon the River Escaut, after capturing some prisoners, four machine guns and two trench mortars, the Buffs being the first on the whole Corps front to reach that stream; but they lost 2nd Lieut. J. D. Thornley, M.C., and one man killed, Captain Kidd, M.C., Lieuts. Fiske and Hoskyn, 2nd Lieut. Foreman and sixteen wounded.
The General Officer Commanding the Army Corps appreciated the work done on the 24th, for he sent a message to the 12th Division: “Please convey to the officers, N.C.O.’s and men of the 6th Buffs my appreciation of the well-thought-out plan and good organization and fine offensive spirit that led to the capture of Bruille on the 24th of October. It is an operation that reflects great credit not only on all who took part in it, but also on the brigade and the fine division to which they belong.” Thus this good and glorious battalion finished up their war history, for it was its last action. Very few old officers of four years back, not even perhaps Colonel Eaton himself, could have thought it possible to manufacture and train a new fighting unit, even though that unit bore an ancient and honourable name, that could do the deeds that the 6th Buffs had done, not once or twice, but over and over again, and could earn at the last such an eulogy from an experienced general as is quoted above.
The battalion now moved back in support and ultimately found itself in billets at Coutiches, where it remained till the 10th November, on which date it marched to Rumegies, so that it was at this latter village that Armistice Day was spent. The great news came through at 10 a.m., and at 11 o’clock, the hour of cessation of hostilities, a thanksgiving service was held in front of battalion headquarters, the commanding officer and the padre both addressing the battalion, which then marched through the village with its drums beating and the men singing at the top of their voices. On the 14th of November Captain Gullick, M.C., 2nd Lieut. Ayres and forty men formed part of a guard of honour for the Army Commander on the occasion of his entering Mons accompanied by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. On the 25th the battalion moved south-west to Auberchicourt, there to be quartered, the time being taken up with salvage fatigues and the soldiers kept fit by means of running drill. Christmas Day was properly and religiously kept, and for once the stereotyped wish of the season contained some sense in it. The interval between the great peace day and the end of the year brought some honours to the 6th Battalion which were awarded at different dates. Thus Sgt. and Acting C.S.M. J. Smith obtained a bar to his M.M., and Sgt. Sparks and Corpls. Mount and Penfold were given that decoration itself. Captain Gullick was awarded a clasp to his M.C., Lieut. Fiske got the M.C. and Pte. Mitchell the D.C.M. L.-Corpl. McDonald a little later headed a batch by virtue of a clasp to his M.M., and the following got that coveted decoration for the first time: Sgts. Fisher, Latter, Odell, Pennell, Shelley and Smurthwaite; L.-Sgt. Knappett; Corpls. Allbright, Buxton, Holman, Miller, O’Rourke and Williams; L.-Corpls. Istead, Richardson, Soulsby and Stobart; Ptes. Brazier, Jones, Setchfield, Smithers and Wise. Also at the end of the year Lt.-Colonel Smeltzer, D.S.O., M.C., was again mentioned in despatches, as was Corpl. Pilcher.