“Officers, Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of the 4th Battalion the Buffs, East Kent Regiment. On your departure from India I desire to place on record my high appreciation of your services to the Empire during the period of the Great War.
“Many of you, previous to the outbreak of War, had by joining the Territorial Force already given proof of that patriotism and public spirit for which the Force has rendered itself so conspicuous.
“On the declaration of War, your ranks were filled by eager volunteers animated by the same spirit of self-sacrifice. When called upon to undertake the further obligation of service overseas your response was immediate and unanimous. By so doing you set free a large number of regular units for service in the main theatres of war, at a time when every trained soldier was of the greatest value. Many of you have seen service, and by your conduct and bearing have added to the reputation of the famous regiment whose name you bear.
“Since the termination of active fighting in all the theatres of war you have been subjected to the further stress of waiting for your relief. That you appreciated the difficulties which the authorities have had to face in this respect is clear from the patience with which you have borne this trying period.
“You are returning to your homes in Kent, and I bid you God Speed and a Happy Homecoming.
“As an old Commander of a Territorial Division at home I am proud to have again been associated with you in India.”
The government of India, in a long resolution at Delhi (dated 31.12.19), recorded that:—
“The Governors-General in Council desire to express to all ranks of the 4th Battalion the Buffs, East Kent Regiment, the thanks of the Government of India for their patriotic services, which will long be remembered and will serve as a noble and enduring example of good citizenship to future generations.”
II. 5th Battalion
On the 1st April, 1917, the defeated Turkish 14th Corps was broken into fragments and driven up the two great rivers and the Diala, while their 13th Corps was falling back before the Russians, who were coming down from the hills to the north-east of Baghdad. Our own people were covering the city from any possible attempt that the enemy might make down the rivers. On the 2nd April touch was established with the Russians, so our people from the Diala were withdrawn, a further advance up both banks of the Tigris considered and, as a preliminary, about the 8th of the month portions of the enemy were driven over the Shatt el Adhaim river. The Buffs at this time were at Hinaidi, which is about two miles below Baghdad, but in view of the contemplated operations the battalion started for the north on the 3rd April, doing no less than twenty-six miles the first day, the distance being divided into two considerable marches. This journey was continued during the following two or three days, and on the 8th April the battalion was at Dugamia. It was discovered, however, on this date that over six thousand of the enemy, with thirty-two guns, had issued from the Jebel Hamrin and were moving down the right bank of the Nahr Khalis Canal towards Deltawa. Indeed, by the evening of the 9th they had reached a point seven miles or so south-west of Deli Abbas. The Buffs, with the rest of the brigade, were ordered at short notice to Deltawa, in support of a force under Lt.-Colonel Champain, and a picquet line was thrown out to the north of the place, Dogras being on the left and Buffs on the right. The following day it was found impossible to reach the position which it was intended to occupy, owing to the presence of several very steep nullahs deep with water, and the brigade counter-marched and moved through Deltawa.