Epilogue.
The following extract from a letter from an officer at Aleppo to a former "O.C." of the Squadron (now demobilized) will perhaps serve as a fitting close to the record of the service of the 20th Machine-Gun Squadron.
"Aleppo.
"4-10-19.
"Dear.....
"Just a line to let you know how we are getting on. The 14th B'de has been abolished and several Units disbanded. The Cadre of the Sherwoods also, who are now in the 13th Brigade, is going home, but there are only a few of them to go to U.K. The 20th M.G.S. is to be disbanded, and the personnel to go to the 19th Squadron. We got orders yesterday to wind up the '20th' and send the personnel to the '19th' and I have to report to the 10th Cav. Bde. at Homs. What for I don't know yet. One consolation, all the men but five are now eligible for U.K.!! Well, well, it can't be helped, and perhaps it is as well we were broken up now as the men will perhaps be home by Xmas if the Strike is over.
"Hope you are enjoying 'Civvy' life.
"Yours, &c.,
".....".
The following are extracts from The Times of the 24th July 1919 and the Daily Mail of 28th July 1919. They will not be read without sincere regret by all those members of the 20th "M.G.S." who had previously served in the 5th Cavalry Division.
General Sir Henry Macandrew.
Major-General Sir Henry John Milnes Macandrew, K.C.B., D.S.O., died from heart failure, resulting from burns, on the 16th inst. in Syria, where he was serving in command of the 5th (Indian) Cavalry Division.
A son of the late Sir Henry Macandrew, of Aisthorpe, Inverness, he was born on August 7th 1866, and joined the 2nd Batt. Cameron Highlanders in 1884, being transferred to the Lincoln Regiment two years later. Entering the Indian Army in 1888, he joined the 5th Cavalry, to which regiment he belonged until his promotion to major-general in 1917, and of which he was honorary colonel when he died.
He had extensive staff experience, being a graduate of the staff college and having spent about one-third of his service in the Indian Army on the staff. He went through the Tirah Campaign as brigade transport officer in 1897-98 (dispatches and frontier medal with two clasps), and he served through the South African War in various capacities, gaining the South African medal and four clasps, the King's medal and two clasps, and the D.S.O., and being twice mentioned in dispatches. He was brigade-major to the Inspector-General of Cavalry in India in 1903-5.
He served in France on the staff of the Indian Cavalry divisions from 1914 till 1917, when he was promoted major-general and received command of the 5th Cavalry Division. His services in France secured four mentions in dispatches and the K.C.B. He proceeded to Palestine with the Indian Cavalry Corps, and served under General Allenby in his successful advance from the Egyptian border to Aleppo. The division under his command was prominent in these operations, and the general was mentioned by Sir Edmund Allenby in dispatches for his excellent services.
General Macandrew was well known as a rider across country and on flat. He earned the reputation of being one of the best and most dashing of our cavalry leaders in the war, and his untimely death is a severe loss to the Indian Army. He married, in 1892, the youngest daughter of Mr. H.R. Cooper, J.P., of Ballindalloch, Stirlingshire, and leaves a young daughter.
From "The Times," July 24th 1919.
General Macandrew.
Killed by Petrol on Tunic.
Cairo, Friday.
Major-Gen. H.J. Macandrew, commander of the Fifth Division, stationed at Aleppo, died a tragic death last week. His tunic had been cleaned with petrol and was hanging in a room to dry when the general, wearing pyjamas, entered smoking a cigarette. The petrol vapours exploded, burning General Macandrew so severely that he died in hospital a week later.—Reuter.
It is possible that too much petrol was used or that the heat of the sun vaporised the petrol and thus rendered it so easily inflammable. An exactly similar accident is not recorded in our own climate.
From "Daily Mail," July 28th 1919.
French in Syria.
British Withdrawn.
Cairo, Dec. 10th 1919.
In accordance with arrangements with the Government concerned a change has been made in the military administration of Syria (north of Arabian Desert, including Palestine and Cilicia), the Valley of Adana, and Tarsus (which since the Allied occupation have been under the Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force). The administration of Cilicia and the area known as "occupied enemy territory (west)," including Lebanon, Beirut, Tripoli, and Alexandretta, has been handed over to General Gouraud, the French High Commissioner.
The British military posts in the Marash, Aintab, Urfa, and Jerablus areas, where the administration remains under the Turkish authorities, have also been relieved by the French.
The territory known as "occupied enemy territory (east)" including Damascus, Homs, Hamah, and Aleppo, has been handed over to the Arab administration under the Emir Feisul (whom the Syrians welcome).
All the British troops have been withdrawn from Syria, and the military administration of Syria by the British Commander-in-Chief has ceased.—Reuter.
Names and Addresses of the Members of the 20th Machine-Gun Squadron.
Note:—A copy of this list has been sent by post to the address of every member for verification before going to Press.—Author, 1st June 1920