The Grenadier Guards in the Great War of 1914-1918, Vol. 2 of 3

by Frederick Ponsonby

During the following day the shelling continued intermittently, but it was not until the 5th that the Germans began to search the ground in earnest. Two heavy Minenwerfers were firing from the left front, and the bombs were falling near the support line. The range was gradually lengthened until the Battalion Headquarters were reached. Then came a gas alarm, but the discipline was so good, and gas helmets were put on so promptly, that although a large number of gas shells pitched on our front line, there were no casualties. On the 6th the shelling continued, and one shell pitched in the support line, wounding

Lieutenant Hermon-Hodge and three sergeants, one of whom subsequently died.

On the 7th the Battalion was relieved, and retired into billets at Roussel Farm, where it remained until the 11th, ostensibly for a rest, though the men were constantly employed in carrying material to the front line. On the 11th they went up into the support system, where they were employed in repairing the trenches which were being constantly blown in by shell-fire. All available officers and N.C.O.’s were taken over the ground which had been selected as the forming-up area of the Battalion in the coming offensive, and were shown objectives and landmarks. On the 13th the Battalion was relieved and marched to Elverdinghe, where it entrained for Proven. On the following day it marched to Honflond, where it remained for a fortnight, carefully practising every stage of the attack over ground exactly representing the German lines, until even the men knew by heart the lie of the land and the position of the strong points and farmhouses. On the 15th Lieutenant F. A. Magnay arrived, and on the 16th Lieutenant G. R. Westmacott and Second Lieutenant S. H. Pearson joined the Battalion. On the 28th the Battalion moved up to Roussel Farm, and then to the Forest Area, preparatory to taking part in the offensive on the 31st.

The 3rd Battalion

3rd Batt. April.

The officers of the 3rd Battalion on April 1, 1917, were:

Lieut.-Colonel A. F. A. N. Thorne, D.S.O.	Commanding Officer.
Major G. E. C. Rasch, D.S.O.	Second in Command.
Lieut. the Hon. F. O. H. Eaton	Adjutant.
Lieut. K. Henderson	Intelligence Officer.
Lieut. M. Duquenoy	Transport Officer.
Lieut. G. H. Wall	Quartermaster.
Capt. J. C. Craigie, M.C.	No. 1 Company.
Lieut. the Hon. A. G. Agar-Robartes	”   ”
Lieut. F. J. Siltzer	”   ”
2nd Lieut. A. G. Elliott	”   ”
Lieut. G. F. R. Hirst	No. 2 Company.
Lieut. E. R. M. Fryer	”   ”
Lieut. F. W. R. Greenhill	”   ”
Lieut. C. A. Hall	”   ”
2nd Lieut. A. H. S. Adair	”   ”
2nd Lieut. L. Holbech	”   ”
Capt. W. W. S. C. Neville	No. 3 Company.
Lieut. N. Thornhill	”   ”
Lieut. J. C. D. Tetley	”   ”
2nd Lieut. the Hon. A. M. Borthwick	”   ”
2nd Lieut. G. A. I. Dury	”   ”
Capt. R. W. Parker	No. 4 Company.
Lieut. F. J. Heasman	”   ”
Lieut. J. F. Worsley	”   ”
2nd Lieut. C. W. Carrington	”   ”
Capt. J. N. L. Thoseby, R.A.M.C.	Medical Officer.

April was spent by the 3rd Battalion in road-mending, loading trucks, and other fatigues. As a rule half the Battalion was engaged on these works, while the other half, with the exception of those men required for the ordinary duties, was occupied in training.

May.

During May the Battalion continued training at Clery, Billon, Ville, and Wardrecques.