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.