Grimsby's Own - The Story of the Chums Part 2 by Grimsby Telegraph

Grimsby Telegraph Saturday, July 19, 2014

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First World War - centenary commemorations: Grimsby’s Own – IN COMPANY: Staff Sgt Stebbings and Capt Bellamy in an ‘A’ Company group.

NUMBER ONE: Regimental Sergeant Major (later Captain/ Quartermaster) George Cheffings who bore the Chums’ number 1.

It was the Chums’ first introduction to death ... IN March, as spring welcomed 1915, the Sergeants’ Mess laid on a spot of entertainment for the officers, an event organised by the first Mess President, Toby Atkinson.

SURVIVOR: Pte Arthur Stockil, who survived.

Colonel Heneage, Major (acting Lieutenant Colonel) Cordeaux, Captain Bennett and Captain (and Quartermaster) Howkins headed the guests. Regimental Sergeant Major Cheffings was master of ceremonies and entertainment was provided by Ser-

We continue the serialisation of Grimsby’s Own: The Story Of The Chums, by Peter Chapman. Today, Chapter 1: Prelude To War continues geants Tozer, Genders, Whitehead, Spence and Moore. There was great applause for Sgt Blanch’s piano solo and for Sgt E W Killoran, until

SEASONED CAMPAIGNER: Regimental Sergeant Major WJ Baldwin, late of the Northamptonshire Regiment, had joined up in the 1880s and had fought in the Tirah campaign on the North West Frontier in the 1890s and throughout the Boer War. Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, he was retired in 1914 but joined up again to become the Chums’ ‘C’ Company Sergeant Major and was promoted RSM when READY FOR THE OFF: No 7 and 8 sections, ‘C’ Company before departure from Brocklesby. Cheffings was commissioned. He died in 1936.

recently the bandmaster and drum major for Howkins and Bennett’s old unit, the Royal Garrison Artillery in Victoria Street. The officers replied with rousing songs from Major Stream, from Capt Pratte. The latter’s son, Lt Arthur Pratte, gave a violin solo. There was also the more sombre moment. In late May, Pte John Flemming died on Whit leave at his home in Tunnard Street. It was decided to bury him with full military honours. The band, the bugles and the whole

of ‘B’ Company took a special train from Brocklesby. Capt Pratte was in charge of the burial detail with his son Arthur and Lt Holloway. After a service at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Fleming was buried to the accompaniment of a volley of blanks from the old Lee Metfords over his grave in Scartho Road Cemetery. It was the Chums’ first introduction to death. ● Continued on Monday and read each week’s chapters as an online e-book, uploaded each Sunday at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

VETERAN: Company Quartermaster Sergeant John W (Toby) Atkinson, veteran of Omdurman.

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The Story Of The Chums

Grimsby Telegraph Saturday, July 19, 2014

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DON’T MISS! MASCOT: In this famous picture, Colonel Heneage (right) and Major Cordeaux, both on horseback, lead the battalion (still all in blue) over the Brocklesby Railway station bridge on a route to Barnoldby-le-Beck on April 23, 1915. Behind them is RSM Cheffings and behind him ‘A’ Company led by Capt Pratte and Staff Sgt Stebbings. Against the railings can be seen a small white fox terrier. Chips belonged to Cpl John Davey who farmed at Thornton Curtis. Despite all Cpl Davey did to dissuade him from soldiering, Chips loved the life and followed the drum throughout the Chums’ happy sojourn at Brocklesby.

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LIGHTER SIDE: Winners of the inter platoon soccer fixtures, May 1915, Brocklesby. Back row, from left, S/Sgt Salter, Lieut Portus, Ptes Cooper, Winters, Grey, Fisher, L/Cpl Clarke and Sgt Dixon. Centre: L/Cpl Oates, Pte Rendle and Pte Vickers. Front: Sgt Sheehan, Ptes Green, Brammer, Crome, Lacy and Brookes.

FORE-ARMED: In the hope of hand-to-hand fighting, Lieut Leslie Cummins, centre, behind the protagonists, Brocklesby early 1915.

Grimsby Telegraph Monday, July 21, 2014

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LINE-UP: ‘A’ Company with Lieutenant Cummins at Brocklesby.

Town’s first chance to see men ONLY the recruit knows the deep joy – the thrill – of the passing out parade.

And the Chums were not to be denied that excitement. The Major, Alderman James William Eason, whose son was serving as a subaltern in the Battalion, determined that the Chums would not be allowed to leave Brocklesby before the good citizens of Grimsby and Cleethorpes were accorded the chance to see their very own soldiers. On Wednesday, May 19, 1915, therefore, the entire Battalion, some 1,200 strong and accompanied by their band, marched off for a triumphal tour of their home towns. They arrived at Cleethorpes railway station at 6pm. Gone were the old blue makeshift uniforms. Now in orderly ranks, the Companies fell in and set off, bursting with pride down Cleethorpes

BROCKLESBY BOXERS: Pte Billy Croft, left, and Pte Sid Dilnot.

We continue the serialisation of Grimsby’s Own: The Story Of The Chums, by Peter Chapman. Today, Chapter 1: Prelude To War continues Promenade, up St Peter’s Avenue, down Isaac’s Hill and along Grimsby Road and Cleethorpe Road. Thousands lined the route, some cheering, some tearful, small boys marching alongside. To Riby Square they went and down Freeman Street, along Hainton Avenue and wheeling righting into Welholme Road braced themselves and stiffened up, throwing out their chests for the reception committee awaiting them at the People’s Park gates. The Mayor took the salute flanked by members

of the recruiting committee, none among them chests, marched with a confident swagger. prouder than Alderman Captain Tate. Though brief, it was a very fitting – and a very And away they went, drums beating, bugles necessary – passing out parade. blowing, the band striking up rousing airs, away ● Continued tomorrow. down Abbey Park Road, Abbey Road on to Bargate, down Dudley Street, Littlefield Lane and via A special 32-page souvenir Yarborough Street into Corporation Road and back into Victoria Street to the Old Market Place publication FREE in your and the train back to Brocklesby. Telegraph on Tuesday, July 29, By 8.30 is was all over. It was a very special occasion, an occasion for including a replica 1914 edition the towns to see their boys, all in khaki, all their of the Grimsby Telegraph. badges and basses glittering, all their hopes for PLUS, from July 28, collect your the future on parade. The officers, many of them instantly recog7-part First World War Day By nisable to the crowd, were proud of their men and Day set of booklets the Chums themselves, boys of 16, and veteran Sergeant Majors with medal ribbons on their

LIGHTER MOMENTS: After the match, Lieutenant Cummins and Lieutenant Eason in white, centre left and right, and Pte ‘Dusty’ Miller, far right.

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Grimsby Telegraph Monday, July 21, 2014

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The Story Of The Chums

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SGT TOM SPENCE: Soldier, wit, survivor, stoic, a man of words and enthusiasm, who, reversing his surname became the inspired ECNEPS of the Chums’ post-war years, the advertising manager of the old Grimsby News and a contributor to charitable causes in the town. The photograph was taken on October 22, 1915.

THE SAGE AND HIS PUPILS: S/Sgt Charles Stebbings with his young charges at Brocklesby, Spring 1915.

PASSING OUT DAY: And the big Grimsby parade on May 19, 1915. From left, Major TM Howkins, Major George Bennett, RSM Cheffings, Lt Walter Vignoles and Lt EK Cordeaux lead the Battalion.

DIGGING IN: ’A’ Company officers at Brocklesby, spring 1915. From left, 2nd Lieut Raymond Eason, Capt Pratte, 2nd Lieut Leslie Cummins, Lt Arthur Pratte and 2nd Lieut R Coote Green.

PARADE: Capt WS Pratte on his horse Bobo which, allegedly, had two speeds, slow and stop, negotiates Isaac’s Hill, Cleethorpes.

Grimsby Telegraph Tuesday, July 22, 2014

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SUBALTERNS AT EASE: Left to right, 2nd-Lieuts Leslie Cummins, Raymond Eason and R Coote Green. Brocklesby, April 1915. MAKING DO: On the ranges with the old Lee-Metfords. The chairs acted as rests.

UNAWARE OF WHAT WAS TO COME: The Chums adopt a casual approach in a march through Ripon, July 1915.

KITTED OUT: The beautifully lettered drum belonged to the 1st Lincolnshrie Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers, evidently purloined for the duration by the Chums from the RGA Barracks in Victoria Street. MAJOR VIGNOLES: Officer Commanding ‘D’ Company, Brocklesby 1915. IN THE SWIM: In training at Strensall, 1915. Below, the camp entrance at Strensall, August 1915.

IN CAMP AT STRENSALL 1915: Back row, left to right, George Sizer (Grimsby), J Turner (Wakefield), H Tidder (Grimsby), A Noakes (Bilston), J Turton (Bilston). Front row: Sgt Mason (W Bromwich), H Gitting (Staffs), A Thompson (Grimsby), W Drinkell (Grimsby), W Foster (Grimsby), F Ellis (Cleethorpes), A Houghton (Wakefield), L/Cpl M Kirk (Grimsby).

PERHAM DOWN CAMP, SALISBURY PLAIN: The Chums’ tents are in the middle distance.

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The Story Of The Chums

A sign of the things to come

We continue the serialisation of Grimsby’s Own: The Story Of The Chums, by Peter Chapman. Today, Chapter 1: Prelude To War continues LORD Yarborough’s hospitality thankfully received and the splendid park at Brocklesby having yielded its all, the Chums moved away to become, for the first time, part of that larger army taking shape all over the country.

In June 1915, they went to Studley Royal, near Ripon, not merely for musketry courses, not merely for three months of extremely strenuous training on the Yorkshire Moors, but, importantly, to become part of an infantry brigade in the 34th Division. Here they met other units of similar background, notably the 15th Royal Scots (with whom they were to weld an enduring partnership) and to absorb into their own ranks 150 men from Wakefield, volunteers all, out on a lonely limb and looking for a unit. At Studley Royal the Chums came across their first brass hat. Major General Hugh Gregory Fitton, one of the tallest men in the British Army – he stood 6ft 7ins – had joined the Royal Berkshire Regiment from the Militia way back in 1884 and first saw service the following year in the Sudan. In 1896, he was awarded the DSO with the Dongola Expedition and, two years later, was an Intelligence Staff captain at the Atbara – the prelude to the victory over the Dervishes at Omdurman. ‘Joey’ Fitton, as the troops had christened him, was a thoroughly experienced infantryman, highly regarded and quite the right man to take his civilian volunteers and mould them into a Brigade. Studley Royal was a far cry from the luxury of Brocklesby’s wood huts, providing the Chums’ first experience of life under canvas. Pte Wetherall wrote home to Grimsby: “Reckon Brockelsby is best. Twelve pairs of feet are too much in a tent.” And recalling those weekend leaves, added wistfully: “Rather miss Saturdays. Ah well, we shall get over it.” After three months, the Chums moved briefly to Strensall, another tented camp in Yorkshire and then on to Perham Down, a camp part hutted, part tented. The Chums got the tents. They stayed until September. The training became more intense, but despite it the Chums did what so many proud soldiers have done, both in the years before 1915 and since, and laid out their regimental name and badge near their Guard Room, a design picked out in chalk, garnished at the corners with red geraniums. It was a symbol of maturity. Pte Sid Watts, wrote to his mother in Ainslie Street, Grimsby: “Am feeling very fit but too busy to write. We have an inspection tomorrow.” Perham Down, it was acknowledged by all who had the misfortune to be stationed there, was a soggy, filthy place, a primitive and smelly place, albeit a taste of things to come. The Chums were not alone in being delighted to leave. But it was not far from the reality. At least one of the Chums already knew what that was like. Colonel Heneage had seen it for himself when, in August, he spent a five-day introductory tour in the front line in France. ● Continued tomorrow and read each week’s chapters as an online e-book, uploaded each Sunday at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

ON THE MOVE: The famous photograph of the Chums marching down Isaac’s Hill, Cleethorpes, on their way to Grimsby, before they departed for Yorkshire. Inset, Pte E Wetherell, who favoured Brocklesby to Studley Royal.

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ABOVE: The camp at Sutton Veny, which was purpose-built and, unlike Perham down, had baths. LEFT: At Strensall, the Chums first met other troops in their Brigade, including this man from the Royal Scots. Pte E Wetherell kneels (far right) and Pte Sid Dixon is seated, centre.

The Chums head THE final move was on a fine, purpose-built and completely hutted camp at Sutton Veny, near Warminster, in Wiltshire, where the constituent brigades of 34 Division were brought together.

Just my luck. No sleep for your old jampot tonight so am sending you one last word from England.” On January, 4, 1916, the Chums embarked for France. But not everyone went. Toby Atkinson, the QMS, was one of them. He was broken-hearted. The MO, however, had the last word. Toby, they ship-builder. High ranking officers also arrived on said, had “a tobacco heart or summats”. tours of inspection, on two occasions Toby went to the newly-created 11th accompanied by military attaches from Russia and Japan. Finally the Chums were told of their destination – East Africa. The campaign in East Africa where von Lettow-Vorbeck was holding out strenuously against all comers, was regarded Battalion sergeant as a side show. Indeed some recalled the scathing words of General Wilson when Battalion, in effect a Grimsby depot bathe had spoken of “shadow armies for talion, commanded by Alderman Tate, shadow campaigns”. also bitterly disappointed not to be able Tropical kit was issued, including the to go to France. He gave up his grocery famous pale khaki sun helmet, and the business for the duration to become a Chums lined up to receive their inocu- full-time soldier. lations. The Battalion embarked piecemeal on But it was a false alarm and came to ships of varying quality and style. nothing. One of the Chums’ sergeants On one of them nine officers shared the wrote home to his wife in Grimsby: floor of one small and very stuffy cabin. “They called in those Dardenelles hel- On the Archangel, however, a commandmets I told you about in my last letter. We eered one-time Harwich to Hook of Holbreakfast at 4am tomorrow and thence to land steamer, Colonel Cordeaux found France. I’m battalion orderly sergeant. himself alone in an enormous state room

We go up into the trenches in a day or two

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“It is,” wrote Pte Jimmy Dobson to his young brother in Grimsby, “a corner of heaven compared with Perham Down. We are quite comfy. The work is hard and plenty of it. Grub of course not up to much. Still we manage with outside help.” Sutton Veny, unlike Perham down, had baths. Perhaps they were Pte Dobson’s “outside help”. Here at Sutton Veny the Chums were introduced to their second high ranking officer, their Divisional Commander Major General Edward Charles Ingouville Williams, CB, DSDO, a man on the threshold of his 54th birthday, and, by reputation, a martinet. Ingouville Williams was also an ex-Militia man, joining the East Kents when he was 20. He had transferred to the Egyptian army in 1898, had also been at Omdurman and, during the South African war, had been a most successful Mounted Infantry column commander serving alongside the baronet Sir Henry Rawlinson. Although put on half-pay in 1908 he’d been recalled two years later and now commanded the 34th, an archetypal example of Kitchener’s new divisions. Although far from home, the Chums enjoyed frequent visits from relatives and friends eager to see their sons in training. There was even an official, municipal visit, headed of course by Alderman Tate, now the deputy mayor and accompanied by the Town Clerk JW BROKEN-HEARTED: Company Quarter Master Sergeant John W (Toby) Atkinson, veteran of Jackson and Coun JS Doig, the doughty Omdurman. Scott who was to become the town’s first

We continue the serialisation of Grimsby’s Own: The Story Of The Chums, by Peter Chapman. Today, Chapter 1: Prelude To War continues

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The Story Of The Chums

Grimsby Telegraph Wednesday, July 23, 2014

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RIGHT: Col Cordeaux, far left, and the Chums with their regimental badge at Sutton Veny. BBELOW: The less comfy Perham Down.

to the battlefield

with two large four-poster beds. Such was the luck of the draw. Reformed in Le Havre, they marched to the Bleuville rest camp, the effort of the trek proving too much for some, still suffering the after-effects of flu. At the first of their variably permanent camps (at Wallon Capell) – to which they had been taken by train, 36 men to a cattle truck and the officers only fractionally better off – they heard news of their first casualty. Incredibly, it was their brigadier, General Fitton. “Joey” Fitton had gone ahead to the front line on January 18, near Ypres, largely to inspect his own brigade’s future accommodation. While crossing an open space, his enormous height had attracted the attention of a German

sniper who had shot him through the legs. A Chums subaltern wrote home to his family in Grimsby: “Poor General Fitton has died. Ah well, he was a fine chap. I doubt if we shall get another as good.” From Wallon Capell the Chums moved to a tented camp at Morbeque. It was very cold. “We seem to be on the main road to the firing line and can hear the guns. Everybody is at work laying the duck-boards. A very dirty unit must have been here before us”, wrote home a lance corporal to his mother. “Bombing classes are being held daily under Harold Oldroyd. Machine gun classes are practising hard too. It looks as tho we are going to be in it soon.” On February 4, they moved towards Armentieres. “We go up into the

trenches in a day or two,” wrote a Battalion sergeant. And so, indeed they did, to receive old-soldier instruction from a regular battalion in a quiet section of the front line, to be broken into the conditions with which they were all soon to become fully acquainted. They were withdrawn after a day or two of “initiation”. One of the officers wrote home: “We had a quiet time. The Boches behaved like gentlemen. One has to look after the top of one’s head, however, as the trenches are so low in parts and the Boche has a habit of skimming the top with bullets. “Rifle fire keeps spluttering away and now and then a machine gun opens fire. Our men were very keen.” Earlier the Chums had been inspected by the famous French General Joffre, an event which left them unimpressed. Joffre had apparently said he was impressed with the 10th. “Possibly the same message was conveyed to other units,” wrote a jaundiced subaltern. On February 15, however, the Father of the New Armies, Kitchener himself, inspected several units including the Chums. It was raining hard and Kitchener was not on time. The men were kept waiting until the great man arrived. Sodden they finally marched away unimpressed again. Of such matters of transient moment was the spring of 1916, the months that were to be the Chums’ prelude to battle. ● Continued tomorrow and read each week’s chapters as an online e-book, ROLE: Alderman Capt JH Tate, Mayor of Grimsby 1914 and “father” of the Chums, who uploaded each Sunday at www.grimsbytele- commanded the 11th Battalion after being disappointed not to have been able to go to France. graph.co.uk

Grimsby Telegraph Thursday, July 24, 2014

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First World War - centenary commemorations: Grimsby’s Own – ANOTHER DESTINATION: With the logic only known to the War Office postings, the 11th (Reserve) Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, was sent to Newcastle on Tyne where this pictured of 'D' Company was taken in May 1916.

Prelude to Battle of GRADUALLY they were made acquainted with the reality of the Western Front and to the appalling way of life suffered by British troops both in and just behind the front line.

LT COL JOHN KENNINGTON, DSO, MC: He would lead the men.

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They learnt, listened, talked and, like all soldiers, moaned, taking and rejecting advice, seeing their first Germans, suffering their first casualties. On February 3, Pte Harry Wells was wounded. Caution was tightened. On the night of the 26th, a company was manning the trench fire-step and loosing off random rounds at the enemy trenches when the Germans traversed the parapet with a searchlight in the wake of whose light a stream of machine gun bullets followed. Everyone ducked except Sgt Dick Branston and Pte George Winters. Both were killed. The need for caution was endlessly urged, not least, on March 26, by Capt Wooller who warned his company that casualties were increasingly likely. Events proved him all too accurate. He was one of them that day. A picture of life at the front was provided for his parents at Utterby by one of the battalion’s most assiduous letter writers, young Harold Oldroyd. A sportsman of great promise and one of the two sons of Walter Oldroyd, proprietor of one of Grimsby’s big stores, he, like many of his calibre, had adjusted his age in order to enlist. Although he looked his 16 years he had said he was 19 and had been promoted to sergeant ahead of his older brother Jack. In March he began his letters home: “I am now at Brigade headquarters as instructor in bombing to our battalion. It

We continue the serialisation of Grimsby’s Own: The Story Of The Chums, by Peter Chapman. Today, Chapter 1: Prelude To War continues has been snowing all morning. The chaps are given rubber thigh-high boots to go into the trenches to keep their feet dry. Most of the chaps out here think the war will end soon. I hope it does”. April 6, 1916: “Our brigade bombarded the German trenches yesterday and made a proper mess of the them. We could see all sorts of stuff flying up in the air...” wrote home the Orderly Room Corporal. April 9, 1916: “We had a very rough time in the Corner-Fort Salient this trip. Captain Wooller was badly wounded. Captain Dent had a crack on the head and many men were hit.” The following day: “The enemy opened up on us with at least three heavy batteries. It was distinctly unpleasant.” Among the battalion’s many letter writers was John Coddington, Major Vignoles’ servant, a man of 36, who had left his wife Annie and four small children in Rendel Street, on Grimsby’s West Marsh. On April 10, 1916, he wrote: “ I have had a terrible time in the trenches. It was hell. It was a proper baptism of fire I can tell you. But we came out of it alright.” In May, Sgt Oldroyd wrote: “Sgt Major Baldwin is on leave. It is too hot to do much work. I have just been to see Jack. I expect you have got his letter about commissions. It is quite easy to get one out here.

“Do you think Colonel Fane would sign my papers? I would have to come home to Officers Training Corps for a month or two. I am at present in charge of the battalion’s bombers.” Later the same month he wrote again: “We are both going to see Colonel Heneage in a day or two. We have to get his permission before sending papers to Col Fane. I have just seen Wright. Col Fane signed his papers so expect he will get his commission soon.” At the end of May, Colonel Heneage reluctantly relinquished command of the battalion. He had been the CO for almost two years, steering it through its many training camps, watching it grow to maturity. A bachelor, George Edward Heneage had found a new family in the 10th. Now, a month short of his 50th birthday, he was felt to be too old for the task ahead. Against his wishes and despite his protests, he came back to Lincolnshire to head the country recruiting drive. Command now devolved on Colonel Cordeaux. On June 3, Harold Oldroyd wrote home: “We came out of the trenches on Tuesday. It is supposed to be the hottest part of the line where we have been. Colonel Heneage is in hospital at the moment. Our Division runs a picture show in the village. Get some quite decent pictures. Only charge 2d.” Life was not always unpleasant. June 14, 1916: “Battalion HQ is in an outhouse belonging to a Count of some sort,” wrote the Orderly Room Corporal. “He walks round his park every morning to see we don’t run off with his horse or chickens. The officers have a thin time. The

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Grimsby Telegraph Thursday, July 24, 2014

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BEHIND THE LINES, MAY 1916: The Battalion’s signallers with their somewhat reluctant French Countess hostess. Pte GE Barker is seated centre. Above right, Lt Col The Hon George Heneage, against his wishes and despite his protests, he came back to Lincolnshire to head the country recruiting drive. Right, Sgt Harold Oldroyd, just 16 years old, wrote home, but the letters stopped on June 25, 1916.

the Somme begins Countess chunters if they light a fire and witters when they want to cook. Leave has been cancelled.” Although there was some weeding out of more elderly officers and NCOs when the Battalion went to Fraqnce, the headmaster of the Municicpal College, Major Stream, was not among them. He went to France with the Battalion, many of whom, of course, were his former pupils. His staying must have made for some awkwardness. On June 14, Sgt Oldroyd wrote with some relief: “It has been raining nearly every day for a week. Very pleased we have not to go into the trenches. They are dug in chalk and the least rain makes them into a horrible mess. “Expect Major Stream will be going on leave soon, Colonel Heneage is still in hospital. Don’t know what is the matter with him.” Gradually the Chums, like every other regiment got wind that something big was in the offing, and as June progressed, all doubt evaporated. June 16, 1916: “This working party stunt gets a bit real at times,” wrote home a Sergeant. “Night after night the lads are carrying up gas cylinders to the front line, or ammonal to the huge mines with which we are going to rouse Jerry one of these days.” Humour, of course, was never a casualty. “There is an owl which flies over to Jerry at dusk and comes flapping back in the early mornings. It seems to have been giving away our plans. I have had a shot at him twice but missed. I’m certain I heard the damn thing laugh.” On June 17, Pte Coddington wrote to his wife: “Be happy ‘til I cross the sea and step

on England’s shore again. There’s no place like good old Grimsby.” On Sunday, June 18, Oldroyd again put pencil to paper for his letter home: “We are in tents five miles behind the lines. It has done nothing but rain. I think Colonel Cordeaux is in command. We’ve got a new 2i/c from another battalion, Major EH Kendrick. He seems a decent sort.” Harold Oldroyd’s last letter was written on June 25. “I heard last night that Major Stream has gone to Divisional Transport and given up the command of ‘A’ company. Think everybody in ‘A ‘Company will be pleased. He would be a lot more useful at the college. “We have all been served with steel helmets. They are useful when we are in the trenches but I don’t like wearing them when we are out. They weigh a few pounds. Colonel Heneage is going to the 11th Battalion. “Hope you are well. With love from Harold.” It was the last his parents would ever hear from him. Pte Coddington, whose every letter was personally censored by Vignoles, to whom, as servant, he was devoted, wrote his last letter home on June 27. “I hope Herbert is a good boy and that he thinks of his Dad who is fighting for him. “And if I come out safe, and I shall, I will tell him all about the terrible war which his Dad has gone through and we will enjoy the fire-side again.” On June 26, the barrage that was the prelude to the Battle of the Somme began. “The noise is terrific,” wrote one of the Chum’s company commanders. “The most tremendous racket. We are just in front of

some of the guns, the shells passing right over us. I cannot describe the noise accurately, huge bangs, developing into a continuous roar. “Guns of all sizes are firing, field guns closest to us, howitzers, heavy howitzers, a 60pdr battery, naval guns, machine guns. Our old friend the trench mortar man joins in too. “It was a wonderful sight to see the shells striking the enemy’s parapets, cutting his wire and generally making life uncomfortable.” The firing went on and on, day in, through the night, day out. And then it rained. “We are very unlucky in our weather. Our billet is eight inches thick in mud. There is mud everywhere. “The trenches are ruined by this rain and are a foot deep in water. The mud is terribly smelly. The men have a rough time in this wet weather as there are not enough dug-outs to go round and the men have to sleep on the fire step as best they can and with such shelter as they can rig up. “It’s marvellous how they stick it out and remain cheerful.” Despite the nightmare, no man among the Chums could fail to see a beauty in all the horror. To seek it out was to survive. “The enemy’s trenches look very pretty sometimes in the sunlight, many being covered with a bright yellow weed; while between the heavy white lines of chalk marking their trenches, there are large fields of brilliant scarlet poppies.” The last letters home were written as night fell on June 30, 1916. ● Continued tomorrow and read each week’s chapters as an online e-book, uploaded each Sunday at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

PTE JOHN WILLIAM CODDINGTON: Major Vignoles’ servant, killed July 1, 1916.