CHAPTER IX.
Conclusion.
Nov.–Dec., 1918
Little remains to be told. The great conflict was over, with overwhelming victory on our side. What followed might have been of importance and interest in the ordinary peace time experience of the Battalion but, after its searching test of the past four years, current events assumed the complexion of the commonplace and even dull. What will always remain of imperishable importance and interest, is that the Battalion emerged from its trials with jealously guarded reputation untarnished, and fit to hand on to successors, as an incentive to maintain the high standard of the 4th King’s Own Royal Regt.
On Sunday, 17th November, 8 Officers attended a solemn Te Deum in Ath, and the Battalion took part in a combined Church of England and Nonconformist Thanksgiving Service. On the 18th we moved to Chappelle-a-Wattines, and became attached to the 271st Company R.E., for work on stripping railways. This was varied by football and organized games, concerts, and liberal leave to visit Ath. On the 7th December a Guard of Honour was furnished to mark the passing of His Majesty the King, to whom the Brigadier-General Commanding was presented. On the 15th December the Battalion left Leuze, and by a series of marches via Ath—Enghein—Buysinghem, reached Uccle, near Brussels, where we arrived on the 18th, after a few days’ march. Christmas Day in Uccle was seasonably marked by attending Church Parade in the morning. This was followed by the men’s dinner at 1 o’clock, and the Sergeants’ dinner at 6 o’clock. In the afternoon the Battalion Football Team played the champion Belgian Team, on the latter’s ground, the game ending in a draw of 2 goals each. The men enjoyed themselves, and everybody spent a very happy Christmas Day.
Jan.–March, 1919
On the 3rd January, 1919, the Division was inspected by the General Officer Commanding, on the third anniversary of its formation. The Division was drawn up on the road running through Bois-de-Cambre. The G.O.C. and Staff rode down the line, and afterwards the Earl of Derby, K.G., motored slowly over the same course. The Division, led by the 4th King’s Own Regt., as the senior Regiment of the Division, marched past in fours, the salute being taken by H.M. The King of the Belgians. The Belgians attending the ceremony were very enthusiastic, especially when the Colours passed the saluting base. The Colours were carried on this occasion by Lieut. Tucker and Second-Lieut. Dane, M.C. On the 26th January, H.M. The King of the Belgians reviewed the III Corps Troops, to which we belonged. The march through Brussels commenced at the Avenue Louise, and proceeded to the Place des Palais, where the salute was taken by King Albert. Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and Prince Albert were both present at the ceremony.
Life in and around Brussels at this period was very agreeable. Many Concerts and Dances were given, and proved most popular. Meanwhile heavy drafts were being prepared, and despatched to the Army of Occupation at Bonn, and to England on demobilization. This so reduced the strength that no training was possible, all the men being employed in special capacities, and on guard duties. On the 24th February the Battalion was reorganised as two Companies—the Cadre Company and the Rhine Draft Company—the total strength being now under 200. The Regimental Colours were removed from the Officers’ Mess, and handed over to the Quarter-Master for safe custody. On the 12th March, Brigadier-General G. I. Stockwell, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., relinquished the Command of the 164th Infantry Brigade, on being appointed Commandant of the Staff College, Camberley. On the 14th all Officers attended at Divisional Headquarters to say good-bye to Major-General Sir Hugh Jeudwine, K.C.B., the Divisional Commander, on his departure to command the Lancashire Division of the Army of Occupation on the Rhine. Sir Hugh also made a tour of the Division and said good-bye to as many as possible of the rank and file.
June, 1919
Finally, the Cadre Party of the Battalion, composed of Lieut.-Colonel R. Gardner, M.C., Lieut. T. H. Pritchard, M.C., Lieut. R. W. Higginson, M.C., and Captain P. W. Powell, M.C., the Quarter-Master, and 24 Other Ranks, left Brussels early on Saturday morning, June 7th, for England. They arrived at Ulverston on Wednesday, June 11th, and were met at the station by the Battalion Band, under Bandmaster F. W. Garnett, and an enthusiastic concourse of the population. On the following day there was a Civic ceremony of welcome to the returning troops. This was attended by Lieut.-Colonel W. F. A. Wadham, V.D., Colonel G. H. Huthwaite, V.D., Major N. E. Barnes, T.D., Captain R. H. Horne, and Captain J. Rawlinson, of the late Volunteers. Speeches of welcome were made by Councillor C. J. Chapman of the Ulverston Urban District Council, and Alderman Mawson and Alderman Bradshaw, of the Barrow Municipal Council. A procession was then formed to the Ulverston Parish Church, and the Colours, carried by Lieuts. Pritchard and Higginson, were deposited for safe custody in the hands of the Rector, the Rev. J. Stuart Rimmer, M.A. The Cadre Party then re-formed, and marched back to the Drill Hall, where some of them had mobilized nearly five years previously—an event which seemed to belong to a period incredibly remote.
J. CROSSLEY, Captain,