To overcome the first difficulty, each company in turn was set a simple examination paper, which consisted of a short précis, a short piece of dictation, the interpretation and correct use of half a dozen four-syllable words, and some simple questions in arithmetic. From the results obtained—and it should be stated that but for the cordial co-operation of all ranks the results would have been nil—we were able to grade the battalion into three classes in English and arithmetic, "N," "Y" and "Z." From this, again, we were able to divide the battalion into three main groups: the General Education Group, subdivided into elementary and intermediate classes for English subjects and arithmetic respectively; the Commercial Group, who did book-keeping, commercial correspondence, shorthand, and languages, in addition to a restricted programme of general subjects; and the Preliminary Group, who were instructed in reading and writing.
The organization required to work this rather ambitious scheme was not inconsiderable. Large supplies of note-books and text-books were ordered from England, and many books were sent for by members of the battalion and loaned to the educational staff. Volunteer instructors were called for, and stepped nobly into the breach. Syllabuses for all the subjects were drawn up and timetables prepared, which had to be reconciled with parades, guards, leave, etc., both as regards teachers and pupils. Our Battalion Comforts Fund in Liverpool and other friends of the battalion subscribed generously to the considerable expense of the venture, which but for the sudden rapidity of demobilization that soon set in would have proved valuable in its results. Regimental Sergeant-Major Heyworth, Company Sergeant-Major Griffiths, Sergeant-Major Lane, and many other N.C.Os. and men, not to mention some of the officers, worked very hard to make the scheme a success.
It should in passing be noted that, apart from technical classes, which were well organized by the Higher Command, the assistance received from the Army Authorities was negligible. The Director of Education for Liverpool, on the other hand, to whom application was made for advice, proved most helpful in the selection of suitable text-books and in drawing up of syllabuses.
Throughout this last chapter of the battalion's history the work of education was carried on under the most bewildering and irritating difficulties, and the results cannot be really appraised, but it must be admitted that at the worst they cannot have been harmful, and in some cases were distinctly beneficial.
On December 12th Lieutenant-Colonel C. C. Stapledon, of the Manchester Regiment, arrived and took over the command of the battalion.
From this time till Christmas the daily life of the battalion varied but little. A certain number of parades and route marches, frequent football matches, latterly education classes in the Y.M.C.A. hut, an occasional concert in the same place, varied by motor-lorry trips to Lille, Cambrai, Armentières, and other places of interest, made up our daily round. The fact that we were in a town, dilapidated though it might be, helped to relieve the monotony, as there were some shops open, and a certain number of things to be seen. The departure of thirty-five coal-miners for demobilization about this time also stimulated the hope of early dissolution, albeit some feeling was caused by the fact that the total war service of some of these men amounted to about as many days as the war had lasted years.
Preparations for Christmas were an important part of our work at this period. Our unexpected rest at Christmas, 1917, had caught us unprepared, and we could do but little; but this time the funds received from home, which included a handsome contribution from the 5th (Territorial Force) Reserve Battalion Private Fund, made it possible for us to arrange an entertainment almost regardless of expense. The Army provided us with excellent plum-puddings, and we took care to have these delivered early. Enormous quantities of turkeys were ordered from the Expeditionary Force Canteen, and the country was scoured for fruit, vegetables, and beer. The "Cheerios" set to work on a most excellent programme for Christmas night, and the prospect of a really good Christmas seemed assured. But, alas! for the hopes of the men. The Expeditionary Force Canteen, on whom we had relied, were lavish in their promises, and that was all. Up till 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve they assured us that the turkeys, like John Gilpin's hat and wig, were "upon the road," and, indeed, expected every moment. They never came. A number of pheasants, however, which arrived at the eleventh hour and fifty-ninth minute, were purchased, and the town was scoured in every direction for pork. In the end, two companies only had their Christmas dinner on Christmas Day, the other two on Boxing Day. It was a great disappointment, especially after the valiant exertions of our Quartermaster's staff and others.
However, that Christmas Day was a success few will deny, and the "Cheerios," filled with the good food and (possibly) drinks suitable to the day, produced an excellent programme, which was highly appreciated.
On the following day the Officers played the Sergeants at football; but the Sergeants were so overcome, apparently, by the proceedings of the previous day that the Officers won by five goals to nil. The rest of the day was occupied with the usual activities connected with a move which had to be made on December 27th to Warlus Camp, a distance of about five miles.