The following notes written by Major C.E. Lawder, late commanding "A" Battery of the 168th Brigade, 32nd Division, Royal Field Artillery, reveals how smoothly things ran in that all important section of co-operation—that between Infantry and Artillery. In the eyes of those accustomed to military affairs the following statements will likely be recognised as perhaps the finest tribute that could be paid to the 17th H.L.I., for it is not so much an item of direct praise, as a sure indication of the high quality of efficiency attained by all ranks of the Battalion, not to mention the pleasant reflection given of "good humoured gentlemen." The 17th was ever proud to serve with the gunners of the 168th Brigade, whose fine shooting inspired confidence and courage:—
"We first met the famous 17th H.L.I. about New Year, 1916, in the La Boiselle Sector and much concern as to the pronunciation of the Scottish names given to the trenches was felt by my Yorkshire gunners—Sauchiehall Street in particular defeated them. They wished the Jocks would use Christian Huddersfield names! All my officers were much impressed by the great kindness and hospitality shown them by the 17th H.L.I. Messes when liaison Officer with the Infantry or when going round the front line, which we did constantly, myself as Battery Commander every third day, and the subalterns daily—all to try and get suggestions to better strafe the Boche and to show the Jocks that the gunners wanted to share the pleasures of the front line with our splendid Infantry.
"The 17th were commonly known as the Raiders, and most excellent they were at the job—the Hun had a holy horror of the men from Glasgow. I well remember a chat after a good raid with the big drummer and a little corporal of the H.L.I. Both had greatly distinguished themselves and they asked me not to question them as to details of the raid, as some very dirty work took place across the way! I expect it did from the look in their eye and the happy way they handled their clubs.
"A great entente cordiale existed between my Battery and the Regiment and this was referred to by Major-General Budworth, C.R.A., 4th Army, at the Conference at Flixecourt before July 1st, 1916. All the gunners at the gun position, then in the Orchard of Martinsart, sent in a signed petition to be allowed to have the honour of going over the top with the 17th in their next raid. The 17th returned the compliment by Major W. Paul and about 20 raiders coming up to the guns from Rest billets and carrying ammunition for us all night while we were covering another regiment's raid. I got Major Paul on the firing seat of one of the guns and some of the men at other guns. They did a lot of firing but did not enjoy it. They all preferred the Infantry!
"The 17th were badly cut up on 1st July, 1916, and my men were much concerned about them. We were all greatly relieved to hear that both Col. Morton and Major Paul were not among the casualties. Some of the Officers will doubtless remember a cheery Entente Dinner at Bouzincourt—Cocktails by our Adjutant, Lobsters and Rouen Ducks are still fresh in my memory. The Division moved up north to the Hulluch Sector after the Somme July Battle. We were put to another Division for a short time, and then our own Infantry turned up. It was cheery meeting our old friends again, but many familiar names and faces were, sad to say, missing.
"We had a very safe and nice gun position on a peninsula in a marsh at Annieguin. This we made into a very smart and show position—lots of "spit and polish." We had many visitors from the 17th and a lot of their men used to come and bathe with ours. We fixed up a regular bathing pool with springboard complete. All this was under cover of trees and shrubs and quite out of sight of the Hun. I remember two of the H.L.I. being pulled from or being stabbed in, a sap in No Man's Land near the famous Brickstacks. We all wanted to have a Raid at once in revenge. I forget whether it came off. Shooting here was difficult, as the trenches were so close together, and very difficult to observe fire. Very different was the supply of ammunition in mid and late 1916 to early in the year. It was a horrible feeling for a Battery when asked to shoot and help the poor old Infantry, to have to refuse for lack of shells. At the Brickstacks we used to often fire—almost daily—from 150 to 350 rounds Agressive Action on Hun Tender Spots. It was then that we could retaliate about 50 to 1 if they were sufficiently "agressed" to fire back. That kept the line—our side (!)—quiet.
"We all moved down in October, 1916, to the Ancre show, and a horrible wet march it was. We separated for a bit, the Battery going to the Scottish 51st Division. We were then rejoined by our own Infantry at Beaumont Hamel. I got smashed up and was evacuated home, and just after, my best Officer, Lieut. H.W. Ainley was burned to death at the Wagon Line. He was a splendid fellow and very well known to the 17th.
"Officers and men of both Units were always together and better feeling between them could not exist. It was a great honour to know the 17th and we gloried in being the Battery to cover them at the P. of E. in a raid." [The P. of E. is the Point of Entry, necessitating very accurate gunlaying, timing, and strict adherence to the barrage programme.]
