29651 - 4 JULY 1916
Notice of Intended Distribution of Naval Salvage Money.
Department of the Accountant-General of the Wavy, Admiralty,
S.W. 29th June, 1916.
Notice is hereby given
to the Officers, Seamen, and Marines, and to all persons interested
therein, that the distribution of the award for the salvage of the
Norwegian barque "Bellglade," by His Majesty's Trawlers
"Albatross II." and "Penguin," between
the 19th and 24th June, 1915, will commence on Monday, the 3rd proximo,
(followed by administration details)
________
Admiralty, 30th June, 1916.
The KING (is) pleased to
confer the Royal Naval Reserve Officers' Decoration upon the
following Officers: -
Cdr. Orry A. de L. Cowin
(retd.).
Lieut.-Cdr. Linzee T.
Wooldridge (retd.).
Lieut. Arthur S. Fullam.
Payr. William J.
Ferrins.
29652 - 4 JULY 1916
INDIAN EMPIRE OPERATIONS
ARMY DESPATCH dated 9 March 1916
including Red Sea and Madras
(excerpts)
War Office, 4th July, 1916.
The Government of India
has forwarded for publication the following despatch from General Sir
Beauchamp Duff, G.C.B., Commander-in-Chief, India, on military
operations in the Indian Empire since the outbreak of war: -
Army Headquarters, India, Delhi, 9th March, 1916.
From the
Commander-in-Chief, India,
To the Secretary to the
Government of India, Army Department.
SIR,-I have the honour
to submit the following despatch, which deals with the minor military
operations undertaken since the outbreak of the present war, on the
North-West Frontier and elsewhere in the Indian Empire, including Aden.
They are described in the following order: -
Aden.
Gulf of Oman.
Sistan.
Baluchistan.
North-West Frontier-
(a)
The Tochi Valley and Derajat,
(b)
Mohmands, Swat and Buner,
(c)
Black Mountain,
Burma.
Madras.
Preventive measures.
OPERATIONS IN THE VICINITY OF ADEN.
2. On the outbreak of
war with Turkey, on 31st October, 1914, reports indicated that the
Turks were in some strength in the Shaikh Sa’id peninsula, and tlhat
they were preparing to despatch troops to act against the Aden
Protectorate. Consequently on November 3rd orders were issued to
Brigadier-General H. V. Cox, C.B., C.S.I., Commanding 29th Indian
Infantry Brigade, then on the voyage to Suez, to capture Shaikh Sa’id
and destroy the Turkish works, armaments and wells at that place. Three
battalions from the 29th Indian Infantry Brigade and the 23rd Sikh
Pioneers were detailed for this operation, in which H.M.S. “Duke of
Edinburgh” cooperated.
On November 10th the
transports conveying the force arrived off the coast of the Shaikh
Sa’id peninsula, but adverse weather conditions prevented a landing at
the point first selected. While the transports were moving to an
alternative landing place, H.M.S. “Duke of Edinburgh” engaged the
Turkish defences with satisfactory results.
Covered by the fire of
the naval guns, a landing was effected, all opposition encountered was
overcome and the enemy were driven in land, abandoning their field
guns. On November 11th Turbah Fort and other Turkish works in the
vicinity were destroyed by the troops and a naval demolition party,
and the force, having effected its object, re-embarked.
In forwarding his report
on these operations, General Cox brings to notice the valuable
assistance received by him in the disembarkation and re-embarkation of
his force from Captain H. Blackett, R.N., H.M.S. “Duke of Edinburgh”
and all under his command.
For some time after the
operations described above the Turks did not show signs of advancing
with a view to attacking Aden; but their presence on the northern
boundary of the Protectorate rendered it desirable to strengthen
somewhat the garrison of Aden.
Shaikh Sa’id was again
occupied by the enemy, and on the night of June 14th-15th, 1915, he
endeavoured to effect a landing on the north coast of the Island of
Perim. This attack was successfully driven off by the detachment, 23rd
Sikh Pioneers, which formed the garrison of the island, under the
command of Captain A. G. C. Hutchinson.
3. During May 1915 the
enemy was reported to be becoming more active, and during the latter
half of June reports indicated a possible Turkish advance on Lahai from
Mawiyah. On definite information being received that such an advance
was about to be made, Major- General D. G. L. Shaw, commanding Aden
Brigade, ordered the Aden Moveable Column, under Lieutenant-Colonel H.
F. A. Pearson, 23rd Sikh Pioneers, to move out to Shaikh ‘Othman on the
evening of the 3rd July.
Early the following
morning the advance was continued to Lahaj, to which place the Aden
Troop had previously been despatched. The intense heat, sand and shortage
of water rendered the march and the subsequent operations most trying,
but nevertheless the advanced guard reached their objective, and
engaged the Turks just beyond Lahaj on the evening of the 4th July.
But the desertion of the
hired camels and the severe climatic conditions so delayed and
distressed the main body as to necessitate a withdrawal from Lahaj to
Khor ‘Maksar on July 5th.
In recording this,
Major-General Shaw pays a tribute to the devotion to duty of the men of
the Royal Artillery, who effected the withdrawal of their guns under
the most trying conditions.
4. On the withdrawal of
the Aden Moveable Column to the Khor Maksar line the Turks occupied
Shaikh ‘Othman, and it was decided to increase temporarily the Aden
garrison.
On July 20th, the 28th
(Frontier Force) Brigade, with a battery Royal Horse Artillery and a
detachment of Sappers and Miners, afterwards reinforced by another
battery and the Aden Troop, the whole under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel A. M. S. Elsmie, 56th Punjabi Rifles (Frontier
Force), moved out of Aden to attack the enemy next morning. The Turks,
completely surprised, were expelled from Shaikh ‘Othman. Their
casualties were some 50-60, in addition to several hundred prisoners,
mostly Arabs.
On August 24th a small
column under the command of Major W. J. Ottley, 23rd Sikh
Pioneers, engaged the garrison of the Turkish post of Fiyush and forced
the enemy to retire on Lahaj.
Again on August 28th a
similar successful reconnaissance was made towards Waht.
In September reports
indicated that the Turks were preparing to retire from Lahaj; a column
under Lieutenant-Colonel A. M. S. Elsmie, 56th Punjabi Rifles (Frontier
Force), was therefore directed to ascertain the situation at Waht. On
September 25th this column surprised the enemy, estimated at 700 Turks
with 8 guns and 1,000 Arabs, and seized and occupied Waht.
Major-General Sir G. J.
Younghusband, K.C.I.E., C.B., who was commanding the Aden Brigade
during a portion of the period when these operations took place, brings
to notice the great assistance he received on all occasions both by sea
and land from Captain Hall Thompson, R.N., H.M.S. “Philomel.’’
5. In October, and again
in December, our cavalry have had small affairs with hostile
reconnoitring parties, in which the latter were driven off with loss,
and in December friendly Arabs, supported by a small infantry
detachment, drove off a hostile Turkish and Arab force which was
advancing on ‘Imad.
Owing to the Turks
despatching troops to coerce the tribes in the East of the Aden
Protectorate, a demonstration in support of these tribes was made by
the Aden Moveable Column on January 12th, 1916, in the direction of
Subar. The column located a Turkish force near Subar and engaged it,
inflicting considerable losses on it. As a result of this action the
Turkish pressure on the Arab tribes is reported to have been relieved.
OPERATIONS IN THE GULF OF OMAN.
6. Arab unrest, which
had been growing in ‘Oman for some time past, culminated on the night of
10th-11th January, 1915, in an attack by some 3,000 Arab rebels against
our outpost line covering Masqat and Matrah. In the early morning of
the 11th January the whole available British force, under the command
of Colonel S. M. Edwardes, D.S.O., 102nd King Edward’s Own Grenadiers,
took the offensive and defeated and drove back the rebels, who fled
into the interior, having suffered losses estimated at over 300 killed
and wounded.
Colonel Edwardes brings
to notice the very valuable assistance rendered by Lieutenant-Colonel
R. A. E. Benn, Political Agent, Masqat.
7. On the night of
16th-17th April, 1915, a raid against the British post at Jask by
disaffected tribesmen was successfully repulsed by the garrison under
the command of Major W. H. Lane, 95th Russell’s Infantry.
8. On the night of
2nd-3rd May, 1915, a body of tribesmen made a determined attack on the
British post at Chahbar, commanded by Lieutenant C. M. Maltby, 95th
Russell’s Infantry. The attack was driven off with loss.
SISTAN.
9. Owing to the
activities of certain Germans and other enemy subjects in Persia during
the latter half of 1915, it was found necessary to strengthen our
outposts on the borders of Sistan.
The troops under the
command of Lieutenant- Colonel J. M. Wikely, 28th Light Cavalry, have
successfully carried out their orders and co-operated effectively with
the Russian forces.
OPERATIONS IN BALUCHISTAN.
NORTH-WEST- FRONTIER.
BURMA.
(not included here)
MADRAS.
22. The German
cruiser “Emden” appeared in the Bay of Bengal in September, 1914,
and on the night of 22nd~23rd September this vessel opened fire
on the port of Madras. The troops in garrison promptly turned out and
engaged the “Emden,” the guns causing her to cease fire at once and to
sheer off. She made no further attempts on the coasts of India.
In reporting thisi
incident the Officer Commanding, Madras, states that he was afforded
great assistance by the Madras Artillery Volunteers, under the command
of Major H. H. G. Mitchell. There were also in Madras the Madras
Volunteer Guards, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel F. D. Bird, I.S.O.,
V.D., the Madras and Southern Mahratta Railway Rifles, under the
command of Lieutenant-Colonel P. G. Porteous, V.D., and “ G “ Troop,
Southern Provinces Mounted Rifles, commanded by Lieutenant W. J. U.
Turnbull. These units, together with His Excellency the Governor’s
Bodyguard, are reported to have been most prompt in getting to their
posts.
He also comments on the
good work of Commander W. B. Huddlestone, R.I.M.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
23. In August 1915,
owing to tihe activity of Germans in the Far East, certain preventive
measures were instituted to safeguard the Indian coasts and to prevent
the smuggling into the country of arms and ammunition. These measures
were arranged by the General Officers Commanding, Karachi, Presidency
and Rangoon Brigades; His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief,
China Station, subsequently taking over control of those in the Bay
of Bengal.
24. I desire to take
this opportunity of placing on record my sense of obligation to His
Excellency Vice-Admiral Sir R. H. Peirse, K.C.B., M.V.O., Naval
Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station, as also to His Excellency
Vice-Admiral Sir T. H. M. Jerram, K.C.B., and Vice-Admiral W. L. Grant,
C.B., Naval Commanders-in-Chief, China Station.
To these officers and to
all under their command I am greatly indebted for the very cordial
co-operation that I have at all times received from them.
……. (concludes)
I have the honour to
be, SIR, Your obedient servant,
(Sd.) BEAUCHAMP DUFF,
General, Commander-in-Chief, India.
29656 - 7 JULY 1916
Whitehall, July 4, 1916.
The KING has been
pleased to give and grant unto Mr. Robert Carey, Master of the s.s.
"Queen," of London, His Majesty's Royal licence and
authority to wear the Insignia of Chevalier of the Order of Leopold,
which Decoration has been conferred upon him by .His Majesty the King
of THE BELGIANS in recognition of valuable services rendered by
him.
________
Whitehall, July 5, 1916.
His Majesty The KING
(is) pleased to grant the Imperial Service Medal to the
following retired members of His Majesty' Civil Service as a
recognition of long and meritorious service: -
HOME CIVIL SERVICE.
(including)
Chiverton, Thomas,
Rigger, Portsmouth Dockyard.
Constable, James Henry,
Skilled Labourer, Chatham Dockyard.
Duckworth, William,
First Engineer (Yard Craft), Portsmouth Dockyard.
Edwards, John, Skilled
Labourer, Pembroke Dockyard.
Grist, William, Stoker,
Royal Victoria Yard, Deptford.
Hall, Joseph Charles,
Skilled Labourer, Chatham Dockyard.
Harvey, William George,
Shipwright, Devonport Dockyard.
Hopkins, John, Skilled
Labourer, Pembroke Dockyard.
Jolliffe, Joseph
William, Joiner, Portsmouth Dockyard.
Jones, Arthur Seccombe,
Ship Fitter, Pembroke Dockyard.
Joryeff, William Henry,
Chief Stoker (Yard Craft), Devonport Dockyard.
Juniper, Walter
Benjamin, Skilled Labourer, Chatham Dockyard.
Kingwell, Thomas James,
Foreman of Boilermakers, Sheerness Dockyard.
Lemmon, John Edward,
Second Class Draftsman, Admiralty.
May, William Henry,
.Skilled Labourer, Devonport Dockyard.
Morris, Robert, Jointer,
Submarine Depot, Engineering Department, Woolwich.
Richards, William,
Shipwright, Chatham Dockyard.
Shepherd, Richard
Wonnacott Blight, Shipwright, Devonport Dockyard.
Sherris, David,
Shipwright, Sheerness Dockyard.
Shrubsole, William,
Leather Hosemaker, Chatham Dockyard.
Stephens, Richard,
Skilled Labourer, Pembroke Dockyard.
Stevens, Thomas John,
Shipwright (Chargeman), Devonport Dockyard.
Trethowan, William Stephen,
Skilled Labourer, Devonport Dockyard.
Warren, William John,
Ship Fitter, Portsmouth Dockyard.
Williams, Elias, Skilled
Labourer, Devonport Dockyard.
29664 - 11 JULY 1916
GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN - NAVAL MENTIONS
ARMY DESPATCH dated 12 July 1916
War Office, 12th July, 1916.
With reference to the
despatch published on the 10th April (London Gazette, No. 29541), the
following are mentioned for distinguished and gallant services rendered
during the period of General Sir Charles Monro's Command of the
Mediterranean Expeditionary Force: -
General Headquarters Staff, Etc
(included in Army
list)
Armstrong, Lt-Col. St.
G. B., R.M.L.I.
Lee, Lt. E. M., Anson
Bn., R.N.V.R.
Mercer, Col. (temp.
Brig.-Gen.) D., C.B., R.M.
Smyth, Col. (temp.
Brig.-Gen.) N. M., V.C., C.B., R.M.L.I.
Stroud, Lt.-Col. E. J.,
R.M.L.I.
(included in Army
lists)
Royal Navy and Marines.
Teale, Temp. Maj. J. W.,
D.S.O., R.M. (R.N. Divl. Engineers.).
Grattan, Lt.-Comdr. E.
L. C., D.S.O., R.N.
Swabey, Comdr. G. T. C.
P., D.S.O., R.N.
Staveley, Capt. C. M.,
C.M.G., R.N.
Dent, Capt. D. L.,
C.M.G., R.N.
King, Comdr. H. D.,
D.S.O., V.D., R.N.V.R. (Drake Bn.).
Freyberg, Comdr. B. C.,
D.S.O., R.N.V.R. (Hood Bn.).
Laws, Temp. Maj. H. W.,
D.S.O., R.E.
Eyres, Capt. C. J.,
R.N.R. (retired Rear- Admiral).
Mulock, Acting Comdr. G.
F. A., D.S.O., R.N.
Langton-Jones, Lt. R.,
D.S.O., R.N.
Stroud, Lt.-Col. E. J.,
R.M.L.I., 2nd Bde., H.Q.
Pollock, Lt.-Comdr. H.
B., R.N.V.R. (Drake Bn.).
Ramsay-Fairfax, Acting
Comdr. W. G. A., R.N. (Hawke Bn.).
Hancock, Sub-Lt. S. P.,
R.N.V.R. (Hawke Bn.).
Bradbury, Surg. W.,
M.B., R.N. (Hawke Bn.).
Evans, Capt. A. K.,
R.M.L.I. (No. 1 Bn., R.M.L.I.).
Hutchison, Lt.-Col. A.
R. H., R.M.L.I. (No. 2 Bn., R.M.L.I.).
Edwards, Lt.-Comdr. P.
H., R.N.V.R. (Howe Bn.).
de la Motte, Lt. C. D.
F., R.N.V.R. (Howe Bn.).
Marriott, Comdr. J. P.
R., R.N. (attached A. & N.Z. Corps Staff).
McDowall, Po./855 (S)
Acting Corpl. R., R.M.L.I. (Divl. Cy. Co. R.N.D.).
Coles, London, 8/2922
P.O. C. L., R.N.V.R. (Drake Bn.).
Johnson, London, Z. 385
C.P.O. W. C., R.N.V.R. (Drake Bn.).
Mason, Mersey 7/5 C.P.O.
W. J., R.N.V.R. (Nelson Bn.).
Dewar, Clyde, Z. 232
Leading Seaman J., R.N.V.R (Drake Bn.).
Quinn, Tyneside, Z. 1299
Leading Seaman G. F., R.N.V.R. (Hawke Bn.).
Melton, Tyneside, Z. 960
Leading Seaman H. E., R.N.V.R. (Hawke Bn.) (died of wounds).
Webster, K.W. 747 A.B.,
G., R.N.V.R. (Hood Bn.).
Walker, Clyde, 2/61
C.P.O., E., R.N.V.R. (Hood Bn.).
Hopper, Ch./276773 P.O.
A. E. (Hood Bn.).
Smith, No. Ply./191(S)
Pte. G., R.M.L.I.
Hunting, Po./16280
Serjt. A. H. (No. 1 Bn., R.M.L.I.).
Bell, Ply./1881 Acting
Serjt.-Maj. E., W.O., Cl.1., R.M.L.I. (now Qrmr. and Hon. Lt.).
Grindey, Po./15585
Acting Corpl. E. A. (No. 2 Bn., R.M.L.I.).
Turner, Po./343 (S.)
Pte. M. (No. 2 Bn., R.M.L.I.).
Arnold, Ch./SS/105803
E.F.E./B/ . C.P.O., T. (Howe Bn.).
Matthews, Sussex, 1/218
Leading Seaman G. W., R.N.V.R. (Howe Bn.).
Graham, Clyde, Z. 1646
Leading Seaman D., R.N.V.R. (Howe Bn.).
Pilgrim, Po./.846 (S.)
R.M.L.I. Corpl. F. (No. 2 Bn., R.M.L.I.).
Hoskins, Ch.E.F.E.
B/1952 Pte. T. H., R.M.L.I., Chatham Bn.
Royal Naval Armoured Car Division.
Borton, Lt.-Comdr. A.
D., R.N.V.R. (since transferred to Army).
Bird, F.856 P.O.
Mechanic F. B.
Chappell, F.1391 P.O. M.
A.
Hurst, F.1255 P.O. J. V.
Kerr, F.1172 P.O. J. H.
Royal Naval Air Service.
Samson, Comdr. C. B.,
D.S.O., R.N., Wing Comdr., R.N.A.S.
Gerrard, Lt.-Col. E. L.,
R.M.L.I., Wing Comdr., R.N.A.S.
Davies, Lt. E. B., V.C.,
D.S.O., R.N., Wing Comdr., R.N.A.S.
Fawcett, Capt. H.,
R.M.L.I., Acting Wing Comdr., R.N.A.S.
Thomson, Flight Lt. G.
L., D.S.C., R.N.A.S.
Stanley-Adams, Flight
Comdr. H.,.R.N.A.S.
St. Aubyn, Midshipman E.
K. H., D.S.C., R.N.
Jones, 2nd Lt. W. B.,
E.M. Auldjo-Jamieson, Flight Lt. E. A. O., R.N.A.S.
Brownridge, Carpenter J.
J., R.N., Wt. Off., 1st Grade, R.N.A.S.
Royal Naval Division.
Staff
Divisional Headquarters.
Buller, Maj. J. D.,
A.S.C.
Sketchley, Maj. E. F.
P., D.S.O., R.M.
Paris, Capt. A. C. M.,
Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.
Walmesley, Capt. C. T.
J. G., R.M.
Lockett, Paymr. H. A.,
R.N.V.R.
Darlow, Serjt. (acting
Serjt.-Maj.) W. J.
Skinner, Clyde, Z407
Petty Off, L. P., R.N.V.R.
Owen, Tyneside, Z.3812
Writer 1st Class W. M., R.N.V.R.
Bryan, London, Z.395
C.P.O., W. H., R.N.V.R.
Loweth, Mersey 3/184
Writer 1st Class A. J., R.N.V.R.
1st Brigade.
Galloway, Acting Lt. J.
D., R.N.V.R. (Acting Staff Capt.).
Nicolson, Lt. B. H.,
R.N.V.R.
Drake Battalion.
Ballantine, Lt. W. H. D.
C. B., R.N.V.R.
Henley, Lt. The
Honourable F. E., R.N.V.R.
Sterndale-Bennett, Lt.
W., R.N.V.R.
Sparks, Sub-Lt. H. E.
A., R.N.V.R.
Ross, Clyde, Z.231
Leading Seaman A., R.N.V.R.
Fry, Z.176 Petty Off. J.
W.
Horan, K.W.463 Petty
Off. T., R.N.V.R.
West, Po/SS/109042 Petty
Off. H., R.N.
Nelson Battalion.
Gates, Lt. J. A., R.M.
Sowerby, Lt. F. W.,
R.N.V.R.
Davies, Lt. R. E. L.,
R.N.V.R.
Lamont-Fisher, Lt. H.
D., R.N.V.R.
Barrett, 5/21 Petty Off.
E. B., R.N.V.R.
Jones, Dev/SS/107315
Petty Off. T. O., R.N.
Corrigan, Mersey, 3/163
Petty Off. J., R.N.V.R.
Thomson, Clyde, 2/1801
C.P.O., J. C., R.N.V.R.
Hawke Battalion.
Cotter, Lt. A. V. W.,
R.N.V.R.
Jerrold,. Lt. D. F.,
R.N.V.R.
Price, Lt. G. U.,
R.N.V.R.
Stevenson, Lt. A. F.,
R.N.V.R.
Peckham, Lt.-Comdr. G.
E., R.N.V.R.
Herbert, Lt. A. P., R.N.V.R.
Davidson, Clyde, Z..827
Petty Off. D., R.N.V.R.
Cook, Tyneside, Z.909
A.B. N., R.N.V.R.
Codner, London, Z.1230
Petty Off. C. S., R.N.V.R.
Balls, Tyneside, Z.1278
Petty Off. W. R.N.V.R.
Wilson, Tyneside, Z.998
Able Seaman W., R.N.V.R.
Hood Battalion.
Heald, Lt. I., R.N.V.R.
Edmondson, Sub-Lt. C.
A., R.N.V.R.
Hill, Sub-Lt. F. C.,
R.N.V.R.
Hilton, Lt. J. C..
R.N.V.R.
Nobbs, Lt. and Qrmr. E.,
R.M.L.I. (now temp. Lt. R.N.V.R.).
Leith, C.Z.2635 Petty
Off. D.
Tobin, Mersey, 7/134
Petty Off. E. H., R.N.V.R.
Vamplew, K.W.666 A.B.,
J. W., R.N.V.R.
Shuttleworth, Tyneside
Z.616 A.B., J., R.N.V.R. (killed).
Radcliffe, Mersey 3/193
Signalman S. V., R.N.V.R. (deceased).
2nd Brigade.
Saunders, Maj. F. J.,
D.S.O., R.M.L.I., Bde. Maj.
White, Ch. 10171
Qrmr.-Serjt. W.
Whelan, R.F.R.,
Ch.B.1826 Pte. J. J., R.M.L.I.
Howe Battalion.
Collins, Lt.-Col. C. G.,
R.M.
Campbell, Lt. A.,
R.N.V.R.
Larrabee, Lt. S. L.,
R.N.V.R.
Ellis, Lt. E. V.,
R.N.V.R.
Cassidy, 2/19M. P.O., H.
A.
Damerall, Dev.176156
C.P.O. E. W. J., R.N.
Paling, Sussex Z.64 Able
Seaman W. E., R.N.V.R.
Scott, Sussex, 1/352
Leading Seaman G., R.N.V.R.
Anson Battalion.
Kane, Lt. and Qrmr. R.,
R.M.
Jay, Bristol, 2/1221
Able Seaman G. H., R.N.V.R.
Walker, London, Z.2088
Able Seaman J. W., R.N.V.R.
Murray, Clyde, Z.3018
Able Seaman J., R.N.V.R.
Crone, London, Z. 1216
Able Seaman A. G., R.N.V.R.
Holmes, Clyde, Z.971
Leading Seaman C. M., R.N.V.R.
1st Royal Marine Battalion.
Mullins, Lt.-Col. G. J.
H., R.M.
Burton, Capt. T. H.,
R.M.
Farmer, Capt. J. C.,
R.M.L.I.
Goldring, Lt. T. A.,
R.M.
Fiennes, Lt. C. W., R.M.
Dewhurst, Lt. F. W.,
R.M.
Pearson, Temp. 2nd Lt.
J., R.M.
Gwynne, Ch/11201 Acting
Serjt.-Maj. W., R.M.L.I.
Pickering, Ply.12001,
Serjt, J. L.
Masters, Ch.9244
Clr.-Serjt. F., R.M.L.I.
Downey, Ch.328 (S) Pte.
S., R.M.L.I.
2nd Royal Marine Battalion.
Roe, Acting Lt. E. G.
M., R.M.
Brooks, Acting Lt. R. A.
D., R.M.
Room, Temp. Lt. L. C.
T., R.M.
Rutherford, Lt. G., R.M.
Farquharson, Capt. C.
G., R.M.
Loxley, Capt. V. D.,
R.M.L.I.
Hutchings, Ply. 14106
Acting Serjt. S. J., R.M.L.I.
Paull, Ply. 16706 Pte.
F. S., R.M.L.I.
Staite, Po1. R.F.R.,
B.1027 Acting Corpl. R. J., R.M.L.I.
Rimmer, Ply. 12302
Acting Serjt. W., R.M.L.I.
(Divisional Units)
Divisional Cyclist Company.
Jameson, Acting Lt. T.
H., R.M.
Gardner, Ch. R.F.R.,
B.1609 Serjt. B., R.M.L.I.
McLeish, 6889 Serjt. P.
R., R.M.A.
Divisional Engineers.
Marshall, Capt: J. S.,
R.M.
Oakden, Lt. A. M., R.M.
(died of wounds).
Revell, Capt. J. W.,
R.M.
Edwin, Lt. C. F., R.M.
Grierson, Capt. R., R.M.
Ainsworth, Depot/S/421
Serjt. S., R.M.
Burn, 587 Serjt. G. A.
Thomson, Depot/S/234
Serjt. R. O. C., R.M.
Dutton, Depot/S/314
Serjt. A. B. L., R.M.
Widdington, 26 Serjt. F.
P.
Divisional Signal Company.
Bollam, Lt. C., R.M.
Branch, 466 Serjt. A. C.
Jayne, Depot/S/642
Serjt. W. H., R.M.
Turner, Depot/S/11
Serjt. J. H., R.M.
Smith, 1215 Corpl. W. J.
Burchett, Depot/S/51
Sapper J. H. P., R.M.
Curtis, Depot/S/335
Sapper W. E., R.M.
Summers, Depot/S/1008
Sapper L. F., R.M.
Norie, Depot/S/5022
Sapper R. S., R.M.
Divisional Train.
Burrell, Lt. E. L., R.M.
Murdoch,.Capt. L. M.,
R.M.
Smith, Ch. R.F.R.,
B.1968 Qrmr.-Serjt. E., R.M.L.I.
Brown, Ch. 16907 Pte. W.
J., R.M.L.I.
Doherty, Depot/S/1744
Pte. P., R.M.
Medical Units.
Burdett, Surg. J. H.,
R.N.
Kenny, Staff Surg. E.
B., M.B., R.N.
Mayne, Temp. Surg. C.
F., R.N.
Taylor, Temp. Surg. C.
H. S., M.D., R.N.
Onslow-Ford, Temp. Surg.
M., R.N.
Hamilton, Temp. Surg.
G., R.N.
Fortescue, Depot/S/3278
Serjt. M., R.M.
Oates, Depot/S/3265 Pte.
G., R.M.
Stead, Depot/S/3200 Pte.
G. E., R.M.
Holmes, Depot/S/3058
Serjt. R., R.M.
Crabtree, Depot/S/3105
Corpl. J. H., R.M.
Chaplains.
Close, Rev. R. B. M.,
M.A., Chaplain, R.N.
Failes, Rev. B. J.,
B.A., Chaplain, R.N. (attached R.N.D.).
Foster, Rev. H. C.,
B.A., Chaplain, R.N. (attached R.N.D.).
Moore, Rev.. C. W. G.,
M. A., R.N.
Ordnance Company (Royal Naval Division).
West; DV/143447 C.P.O.,
J., R.N.
Blake, Tyneside, Z. 1109
Serjt. L. A.
29665 - 1 JULY 1916
MESOPOTAMIAN CAMPAIGN - NAVAL MENTIONS
ARMY DESPATCH dated 13 July 1916
War Office, 13th July, 1916.
With reference to the
last paragraph of General Sir John Nixon's despatch dated 17th January,
1916 (London Gazette No. 29576, dated 10th May, 1916), the following is
a list of officers and men brought to notice by Major-General C. V. F.
Townshend, C.B., D.S.O., in connection with the operations under his
command:
Royal Navy.
Eddis, Lieut.-Comdr. C.
J. F.
Harden, Lieut. G. E.
Tudway, Sub-Lieut. L. C.
P., D.S.C.
Wood, Sub.-Lieut. J. G.,
R.N.R.
Royal Naval Air Service.
Blackburn, Flight-Lieut.
V. G., D.S.C.
Robertson, Flight-Lieut.
A. K.
Nelson, Mr G. D.,
Warrant Officer, 2nd grade.
(followed by Army lists)
(included in other
units)
Royal Indian Marine.
Goad, Lt.-Comdr. C. R.
Kerr, Engineer, Lt. T.
River Transport Service.
Cowley, Lt.-Comdr. C.,
R.N.V.R., Comdr. of "Mejidieh".
Moorey, Mr., Comdr. of
"T-2."
Hussain, Comdr. of
"Salimi."
Basa Meah, Syrang.
Amzat Ali, Subhanni.
29667 - 14 JULY 1916
Whitehall, July 11, 1916.
The KING has been
pleased to give and grant unto the undermentioned Naval Officers His
Majesty's Royal licence and authority to wear Decorations (as stated
against their respective names) which have been conferred upon them by
His Majesty the King of ITALY in recognition of valuable
services rendered by them: -
Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus
Officer
Captain Judge D'Arcy,
R.N.
Commander Edward
Courtney Boyle, V.C., R.N.
Chevalier
Lieutenant-Commander
Kenneth Mervyn Bruce, D.S.O., R.N.
Lieutenant-Commander
John Robert Auber Codrington, R.N.
________
Notice of Intended Distribution of Naval Salvage Money.
Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy, Admiralty,
S.W. 12th July, 1916.
Notice is hereby given
to the Officers, Seamen, and Marines, and to all Persons interested
therein, that the Distribution of the award for the Salvage of Casks of
Oil, between the 11th and 16th August, 1915, by His Majesty's Yacht
"Amethyst III.," and His Majesty's Trawlers
"Eveline Nutten" and "Vasco de Gama,"
will commence on Monday, the 17th instant, (followed by
administration details)
29668 - 14 JULY 1916
NAVAL GALLANTRY AWARDS
Admiralty, 14th July, 1916.
The Lords Commissioners
of the Admiralty have received with much satisfaction from the officers
in charge of the Auxiliary Patrol areas at home and abroad reports on
the services performed by the officers and men serving under their
orders during the period 1st January, 1915, to 31st January, 1916.
These reports show that the officers and men serving in Armed
Yachts, Trawlers and Drifters of the Auxiliary Patrol during the
period in question have carried out their duties under extremely
arduous and hazardous conditions of weather and exposure to enemy
attack and mines with marked zeal, gallantry and success.
The KING (is) pleased to
give orders for the following appointments to the Distinguished Service
Order and for the award of the Distinguished Service Cross to the
undermentioned officers in recognition of the services referred to in
the reports mentioned above:-
To be Companions of the Distinguished
Service Order.
Capt. William Vansittart
Howard, R.N.
Cdr. Sutton Smith, R.N.
Cdr. Evelyn Leonard
Beridge Boothby, R.N.
Cdr. William Marshall,
R.D., R.N.R.
Cdr. Alfred Spencer
Gibb, R.D., R.N.R.
Lieut.-Cdr. Hugh Edward
Murray Archer, R.N.R.
Lieut.-Cdr. (Act. Cdr.)
George William Cavendish Venn, R.N.R.
To receive the Distinguished
Service Cross
Lieut. George Metcalfe
Mercer, R.N.R.
Lieut. Albert James
Coles, R.N.R.
Lieut. Horace Bowyer
Smith, R.N.R.
Lieut. Vernon Lamonnarie
Delves Broughton, R.N.R.
Lieut. George Worley,
R.N.R.
Lieut. Henry James Bray,
R.N.R.
Lieut. Hugh Holmes,
R.N.R.
Lieut. Frederick Henry
Peterson, R.N.R.
Lieut. William Rodger
Mackintosh, R.N.R.
Lieut. Albert Charles
Allman, R.N.R.
Lieut. Allan Lansley,
R.N.R.
Sub-Lieut. (now Act.
Lieut.-Cdr.) Wybrants Olphert, R.N.R.
Act. Lieut. Walter
George Morgan, R.N.R.
Act. Lieut. Robert
Linaker, R.N.R.
Sub-Lieut. Thomas
Francis Lanktree, R.N.R.
Chief Gunner (now
Lieut.) Michael Carey, R.N.
Skipper Jabez George
King, R.N.R., 1436 W.S.A.
Skipper Alexander Watt,
R.N.R., 702 W.S.A.
Skipper Albert Waters,
R.N.R., 512 W.S.A.
Skipper William Bruce,
R.N.R., 1386 W.S.A.
Skipper Andrew Noble
Duthie, R.N.R., 1216 W.S.A.
Skipper Leonard Morley,
R.N.R., 4148.A.
Skipper Alfred
Alexander, R.N.R., 152 W.S.A.
Skipper James Edwin
Mitchell Duncan, R.N.R., 1337 W.S.A.
The following awards
have also been approved : -
To receive the Distinguished
Service Medal.
Petty Officer John Dodd
Winter, R.N.R., O.N.C.2399.
Seaman Malcolm Morrison,
R.N.R., O.N. B.3411.
Leading Boatman Alfred
Quick Noall, O.N. 216792.
Deckhand Charles Robert
Dyble, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.6478.
Able Seaman Frederick
Arthur Knight, O.N. 204763 (R.F.R.Ch./B.10751).
Second Hand (now
Skipper) Charles Joseph Cress Bond, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.2153.
Seaman Cecil Bray,
R.N.R., O.N.A.6053.
Second Hand Henry
Lawrence, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.115.
Cook Robert Leckie,
Mercantile Rating.
Deckhand Charles
Frederick Roberts, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.1822.
Engineman George
Phimister, R.N.R., O.N. E.S.1206.
Second Hand (now
Skipper) John Henderson, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.2924.
Second Hand William
Leask, R.N.R., O.N. S.A.865.
Second Hand James
Christie, R.N.R., O.N.B. 3691.
Deckhand James Charles
Rising, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.2897.
Second Hand Simon Henry
Barker, R.N.R., O.N.S.A.888.
Deckhand Edgar Wileman,
R.N.R., O.N.D A. 2002.
Trimmer Joseph Edward
Scott, R.N.R.. O.N.T.S.1117.
Deckhand Clifford
Stanley Tofton, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.1779.
Second Hand Andrew
Smith, R.N.R., O.N. S.A.652.
Second Hand Herbert
Hodgson, R.N.R., O.N.S.A.508.
Seaman Robert Leask,
R.N.R., O.N.C.3620.
Second Hand (now
Skipper) John McPherson, R.N.R., O.N.S.A.761.
Second Hand Robert
Cowling, R.N.R., O.N.S.A.1183.
Leading Seaman .William
Brown, R.N.R., O.N.T.1728.
Second Hand William Murt
James, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.1969.
Seaman George Murray
McIntosh, R.N.R., O.N.A.4046.
Seaman James Hugh McKay,
R.N.R., O.N.A..4418.
Leading Seaman Patrick
Henry Green, R.N.R., O.N.B.5344.
Seaman Donald MacRae,
R.N.R., O.N.A. 2292.
Engineman Daniel Pigeon,
R.N.R., O.N.E.S.1650.
Engineman Robert Farrow,
R.N.R., O.N.E.S.656.
Engineman Robert George
Jacobs, R.N.R., O.N.T.S.2193.
Chief Petty Officer
Charles Digby Austin Simmons, O.N.104480, (R.F.R., Po/A. 521).
Petty Officer, 1st
Class, Charles Reid, O.N. 116282; (R.F.R. Dev/A.1280).
Second Hand John
Alexander Cowie, R.N.R., O.N.S.A.1640.
Second Hand Henry Alfred
Hoggett, R.N.R., O.N.S.A.1527.
Second Hand Walter
Nickerson, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.4547.
Engineman James Arthur
Denton, R.N.R., O.N.E.S.2701.
Leading Stoker George
Alfred Parker, R.N.R., O.N.V.617.
Engineman John Francis
Carter, R.N.R., O.N.E.S.1928.
Deckhand Thomas William
Scrivens, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.5563.
Engineman Ambrose Thomas
Mayhew, R.N.R., O.N.E.S.1511.
Leading Seaman Angus
McIver, R.N.R., O.N.D.1953.
Leading Seaman David
Jones, O.N. 164478, (R.F.R.Ch./B.1878).
Trimmer Robert McCroft,
R.N.R., O.N.T.S. 3267.
Second Hand John Soanes,
R.N.R., O.N.S.A. 2115.
Cook Richard G. Meek,
Mercantile Rating.
Able Seaman Arthur
Denyer, O.N.J.19380.
Deckhand William Good,
R.N.R., O.N.S.D. 225.
Able Seaman Bertie David
Wraight, O.N.J. 21635.
Able Seaman Jabez Thomas
Kingston, O.N.J.4293.
Chief Steward Wilson
Shaw Whiteford, Mercantile Rating.
Second Hand (now
Skipper) James Henry Wood, R.N.R., O.N.S.A.2220.
Leading Trimmer George
Wouldhave, R.N.R., O.N.S.T.1313.
Boy Telegraphist Royland
Christopher Hetherington, O.N.J.43015.
Leading Seaman James
Bright, O.N.21673T, (R.F.R. Dev/B.5211).
Leading Seaman Alfred
West, O.N.B.4575.
Second Hand John Wilson,
R.N.R., O.N.S.A.697.
Seaman George Leask,
R.N.R., O.N.C.2601.
Second Hand John
Campbell, R.N.R., O.N.S.A.2277.
Engineman William George
Elby, R.N.R., O.N.E.S.4245.
The undermentioned
rating has been awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Service Medal
for a subsequent act of gallantry: -
Leading Seaman Alfred
Button, O.N.203867.
(The award of the Distinguished
Service Medal was notified in Gazette dated 13th September, 1915, page
9065.)
The following officers
and men are mentioned for their services in vessels of the Auxiliary
Patrol: -
Cdr. Odiarne Unett
Coates, R.N.
Cdr. Ronald Scott
Jervoise Wigram, R.N.
Cdr. Samuel Robson
Crabtree, R.N.
Lieut.-Cdr. John Walter
Pugh, R.N.
Lieut. Charles Wood,
R.N.R.
Lieut. Charles Claude
Humphreys, R.N.R.
Act. Lieut. Joseph Cowe
Gibson, R.N.R.
Act. Lieut; Henry Brodie
Conby, R.N.R.
Eng. Sub-Lieut. Edward
S. Manning, R.N.R. (since died).
Skipper Thomas May,
R.N.R., 141W.S.A.
Skipper William Parker,
R.N.R., 5928.A.
Skipper Herbert Knights,
R.N.R., 351 W.S.A.
Skipper James Sidney
Harris, R.N.R., 854 W.S.A.
Skipper George Daniel
Thacker, R.N.R., 1342W.S.A.
Skipper William Alfred
Capps, R.N.R., 1796W.S.A.
Second Hand Victor
Adolphus Smith, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.2183.
Able Seaman Walter
Daniel Ring, O.N.S.S.82 (R.F.R., Ch./B.5333).
Engineman Arthur
Stevenson, R.N.R., O.N.E.S.1238.
Second Hand Albert Henry
Reeve, R.N.R., O.N.S.A.1177.
Engineman Albert France,
R.N.R., O.N.E.S. 2130.
Petty Officer, 1st
Class, Herbert Whipp, O.N. 171897 (R.F.R., Ch./B. 10926).
Seaman (now Skipper)
John Harkness Bird, R.N.R., 2109W.S.A,
Seaman Stanley Pollard,
R.N.R., O.N.7783 S.A.
Seaman William Furse,
R.N.R., O.N.A.3239.
Deckhand Frank Lewis,
R.N.R., O.N.D.A. 802.
Seaman George Henry Pow,
R.N.R., O.N.D. 1800.
Deckhand George William
Barrett, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.4412.
Deckhand Charles
Fountain, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.3442.
Deckhand Albert Edward
Hitchman, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.8963.
Trimmer Joseph Graham,
R.N.R., O.N.T.S. 4748.
Trimmer Peter Barclay,
R.N.R., O.N.T.S. 4033.
Deckhand William Robert
Aldred, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.4359.
Deckhand George Richard
Walker, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.244.
Deckhand William Stout,
R.N.R., O.N.D.A. 5303.
Deckhand Francis William
Scholfield, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.2752.
Engineman William
Richard Youngman, R.N.R., O.N.E..S.3758.
Leading Seaman Thomas
Purcell, R.N.R., Newfoundland, O.N.X.1231.
Seaman Roderick
McDonald, R.N.R., O.N.A. 7090.
Second Hand John Smith,
R.N.R., O.N.D.A. 588.
________
The KING has also been
graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments to the
Distinguished Service Order and for the award of the Distinguished
Service Cross to the undermentioned officers in recognition of their
services in connection with the evacuation of the Serbian Army and
Italian troops from Durazzo in December, 1915, and January and
February, 1916: -
To be Companions of the Distinguished
Service Order.
Capt. Denis Burke
Crampton, M.V.O., R.N.
Cdr. James Olden
Hatcher, R.N.
Lt.-Cdr. Morris Edward
Cochrane, R.N.
To receive the Distinguished
Service Cross.
Act. Lt. Arnaud Adams,
R.N.R.
Act. Lt. Edward Maitland
Rae, R.N.R.
Act. Lt. Harry
Cuthbertson Campbell Fry, R.N.R.
Skipper Robert Aaron
George, R.N.R., 973W.S.A.
Skipper John Hughes,
R.N.R., 1138W.S.A.
Skipper Frederick James
Andrews, R.N.R., 937W.S.A.
Skipper William James
Dow, R.N.R.., 1257W.S.A.
Skipper William Cowie,
R.N.R., 1488W.S.A.
Skipper Walter Charles
Alfred Scrivener, R.N.R., 1924W.S.A.
Skipper Hugh Mortimer
Nesling, R.N.R., 2107S.A.
The following awards
have also been .approved: -
To receive the Distinguished
Service Medal.
Trimmer Robert John
Claxton, R.N.R., O.N.T.S.2502.
Deck Hand Edward Ernest
Godbold, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.3321.
Deck Hand Arthur William
Maughton, R.N.R., O.N.D.A. 5260.
Deck Hand Thomas
Matthews, R.N.R., O.N.D.A.8278.
Deck Hand Alfred
Bickers, R.N.R., O.N. D.A.9003.
Engineman William Robert
Harvey, R.N.R., O.N.E.S. 4128.
Engineman James George
Gordon, R.N.R., O.N.E.S.4146.
Trimmer George Clark,
R.N.R., O.N.T.S. 3174.
Second Hand William
Tolmie, R.N.R., O.N.S.A.1303.
Trimmer David Watters,
R.N.R., O.N.T.S. 2188.
The following Officer is
mentioned for service in connection with the above-mentioned
operations : -
Sub-Lieut. Harold
Barnett Deakin, R.N.R. (killed in action).
________
The KING has further
been graciously pleased to approve of the following appointments to the
Distinguished Service Order and of the award of the Distinguished
Service Cross to the undermentioned officers in recognition of the
services stated: -
To be Companions of the Distinguished
Service Order.
Cdr. The Hon. Richard
Orlando Beaconsfield Bridgeman, R.N. Cdr. Bridgeman displayed great
courage and coolness on the 19th August, 1915, in command of two
whalers which proceeded into Tanga Harbour. The manner in which
the whalers endeavoured, though subjected to a heavy and accurate fire,
to carry out their orders and board the S.S. Markgraf was worthy of the
best traditions of the Royal Navy.
Cdr. Henry Dalrymple
Bridges, R.N. Cdr. Bridges proceeded into Sudi Harbour with two
whalers on the 11th April, 1916, and remained under fire with his
vessels in a very hot corner, spotting the fall of shot from H.M.S.
Hyacinth; to enable her to destroy a store ship which was in the
harbour, In order to reach the requisite position the whalers were
obliged to run up a narrow harbour, where they were confronted with a
heavy fire from 4-in. guns at close range.
To receive the Distinguished
Service Cross.
Lieut. Howard Canute
Davis, R.D., R.N.R. Lieut. Davis was in command of the whaler which led
the way into Tanga Harbour on the 19th August, 1915.
Lieut. Herbert Keer
Case, R.N.R. Lieut. Case was in command of one of the whalers which
proceeded into Sudi Harbour on the 11th April, 1916, and handled
his vessel under fire in the confined waters of the harbour with great
skill and gallantry. His quiet and calm behaviour set a perfect example
to those under him.
Bosn. John Park
Mortimore, R.N. Mr. Mortimer was in one of the whalers which entered Sudi
Harbour on the 11th April,, 1916, and gave every assistance to his
Captain, encouraging the guns' crews, making good spotting corrections,
and rendering first aid readily and efficiently to the wounded.
The following awards
have also been approved: -
To receive the Conspicuous
Gallantry Medal.
Seaman Lawrence J.
Walsh, R.N.R., O.N.2131. In recognition of his services in one of the
whalers which entered Sudi Harbour on the llth April, 1916. He
continued to steer the whaler after being seriously wounded, his leg
being badly shattered, until out of range of gun fire, when it was
possible to remove the conning tower plates and relieve him.
To receive the Distinguished
Service Medal.
Leading Seaman Philip
Harold Griffiths, O.N.J.3818.
Petty Officer Ernest
Charles Richards, O.N. 201732.
Leading Seaman Andrew
Murphy, O.N. 191827.
Engine-Room Artificer,
1st Class, Arthur Towle, O.N.269635.
Yeoman of Signals Daniel
Greenshields, O.N. 144628.
Petty Officer, 1st
Class, George Edwin Hayman, O.N.138869 (R.F.R.Dev./A.3180).
Leading Signalman Thomas
Down, O.N. 143451 (R.F.R.Dev./B.229).
Leading Signalman Arthur
Harvey, O.N. 220047.
Seaman John Allen,
R.N.R., O.N.A.2257.
Petty Officer Benjamin
Smith, O.N.217840.
Private Frederick George
Clarke, R.M.L.I., Ch./13918.
Petty Officer, 1st
Class, Daniel Joseph Murphy, O.N.201992.
Petty Officer Declan
Flynn, O.N.198423.
Able Seaman, R.N.R.,
Jeremiah Brien, O.N. D.2332.
Engine-Room Artificer,
1st Class, R.N.R., Hubert Berry, O.N.E.A.1483.
Acting Chief Petty
Officer Sidney Lang, O.N. 175475.
The following Officers
and men are mentioned for their services in the action between
H.M.S. "Alcantara" and S.M.S. "Greif" on the
29th February, 1916: -
Lieut. Ernest Alva
Hernandez, R.N.R.
Surg. John Parton Berry,
R.N.
Act. Lieut. George Henry
Walker Williamson R.N.R.
Sub-Lieut. Alfred
Wallace Kay, R.N.R.
Eng. Sub-Lieut. Reginald
John Mackintosh, R.N.R.
Chief Steward George
Frederick Lee Temple, Mercantile Rating (killed in action).
Officer's Cook Matthew
Joseph Plunkett, Mercantile Rating.
Yeoman of Signals Frank
Coombes, O.N. 205280.
Fireman Robert Fearon,
Mercantile Rating.
Trimmer Thomas Parris,
Mercantile Rating.
Trimmer Joseph, Perry,
Mercantile Rating.
Boy, 1st Class, Edward
George May, O.N.J. 37942.
29675 - 21 JULY 1916
Notice of Intended Distribution of Naval Salvage Money.
Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy, Admiralty,
S.W., 19th July, 1916.
Notice is hereby given
to the Officers, Seamen, and Marines, and to all Persons interested
therein, that the Distribution of the Award for the Salvage of the ss.
"Hirondelle" by His Majesty's Trawler "Houbara,"
on the 17th December, 1915, will commence on Monday, the 24th instant,
(followed by administration details)
29676 - 21 JULY 1916
IRISH EASTER RISING
ARMY DESPATCH dated 29 May 1916
War Office, 21st July, 1916.
The following despatches
have been received by the Secretary of State for War from the
Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, Home Forces: -
General Headquarters, Home Forces, Horse Guards, London, S.W.
29th May, 1916.
MY LORD,-
I have the honour to
forward herewith a Report which I have received from the General
Officer Commanding-in-chief, Irish Command, relating to the recent
outbreak in Dublin and the measures taken for its suppression.
2. It will be observed
that the rebellion broke out in Dublin at 12.15 p.m. on April 24th, and
that by 5.20 p.m. on the same afternoon a considerable force from the
Curragh had arrived in Dublin to reinforce the garrison, and other
troops were on their way from Athlone, Belfast, and Templemore. The
celerity with which these reinforcements became available says much for
the arrangements which had been made to meet such a contingency.
3. I was informed of the
outbreak by wire on the afternoon of the 24th ult., and the 59th
Division at St. Albans was at once put under orders to proceed to
Ireland, and arrangements were put in train for their transport. After
seeing General Friend I gave orders for the movement of two brigades to
commence as soon as their transport could be arranged. I am aware that
in doing so I was acting beyond the powers which were delegated to me,
but I considered tne situation to be so critical that it was1 necessary
to act at once without reference to the Army Council.
4. On the morning of the
28th April General Sir John Maxwell, K.C.B., .K.C.M.G., C.V.O., D.S.O.,
arrived in Ireland to assume command.
5. I beg to bring to
your notice the assistance afforded to me by the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty, who met every request made to them for men, guns
and transport with the greatest promptitude, and whose action enabled
me to reinforce and maintain the garrisons in the South and West of
Ireland without unduly drawing upon the troops which it was desirable
to retain in England.
I have the honour to
be, Your Lordship's most obedient Servant,
FRENCH,
Field-Marshal, Commanding-in-Chief, Home Forces.
________
From the General Officer, Commanding-in-Chief, The Forces in
Ireland.
To the Field-Marshal, Commanding-in-Chief, The Home Forces
Headquarters, Irish Command, Dublin, 25th May, 1916.
My Lord,-
I have the honour to
report the operations of the Forces now under my command from Monday,
24th April, when the rising in Dublin began.
(1) On Easter Monday,
24th April, at 12.15 p.m., a telephone message was received from the
Dublin Metropolitan Police saying that Dublin Castle was being attacked
by armed Sinn Feiners. This was immediately confirmed by the Dublin
Garrison Adjutant, who reported that in the absence of Colonel Kennard,
the Garrison Commander, who had left his office shortly before, and was
prevented by the rebels from returning, he had ordered all available
troops from Portobello, Richmond and Royal Barracks to proceed to the
Castle, and the 6th Reserve Cavalry Regiment towards Sackville Street.
The fighting strengths
of the troops available in Dublin at this moment were: -
6th Reserve Cavalry
Regiment, 35 officers, 851 other ranks.
3rd Royal Irish
Regiment, 18 officers, 385 other ranks.
10th Royal Dublin
Fusiliers, 37 officers, 430 other ranks.
3rd Royal Irish Rifles,
21 officers, 650 other ranks.
Of these troops, an
inlying picquet of 400 men, which for some days past had been held in
readiness, proceeded at once, and the remainder followed shortly
afterwards.
At 12.30 p.m. a
telephone message was sent to General Officer Commanding, Curragh, to
mobilize the mobile column, which had been arranged for to meet any
emergency, and to despatch it dismounted to Dublin by trains which were
being sent from Kingsbridge.
This column, under the
command of Colonel Portal, consisted of 1,600 officers and other ranks
from the 3rd Reserve Cavalry Brigade.
Almost immediately after
the despatch of this message telephonic communication in Dublin became
very interrupted, and from various sources it was reported that the
Sinn Feiners had seized the General Post Office in Sackville Street,
the Magazine in Phoenix Park, The Four Courts, Jacobs' Biscuit Factory,
and had occupied many buildings in various parts of the City.
As the occupation of the
General Post Office by the Sinn Feiners denied the use of the
telegraph, a message reporting the situation in Dublin was sent at 1.10
p.m. to the Naval Centre at Kingstown, asking that the
information of the rising might be transmitted by wireless through the
Admiralty to you. This was done.
(2) The first objectives
undertaken by the troops were to recover possession of the Magazine in
Phoenix Park, where the rebels had set fire to a quantity of
ammunition, to relieve the Castle, and to strengthen the guards on
Vice-Regal Lodge and other points of importance.
The Magazine was quickly
re-occupied, but the troops moving on the Castle were held up by the
rebels who had occupied surrounding houses, and had barricaded the
streets with carts and other material.
Between 1.40 p.m. and
2.0 p.m., 50 men of 3rd Royal Irish Rifles, and 130 men of the 10th
Royal Dublin Fusiliers reached the Castle by the Ship Street entrance.
At 4.45 p.m. the first
train from the Curragh arrived at Kingsbridge station, and by 5.20 p.m.
the whole Cavalry Column, 1,600 strong, under the command of Colonel
Portal, had arrived, one train being sent on from Kingsbridge to North
Wall by the loop line to reinforce the guard over the docks.
(3) During the day the
following troops were ordered to Dublin : -
(a) A battery of four
18-pounders R.F.A., from the Reserve Artillery Brigade at Athlone.
(b) The 4th Dublin
Fusiliers from Templemore.
(c) A composite
battalion from Belfast.
(d) An additional
1,000 men from the Curragh. This message being sent by one of the troop
trains returning to the Curragh.
During the afternoon and
evening small parties of troops were engaged with the rebels.
The 3rd Royal Irish
Regiment on their way to the Castle were held up by the rebels in the
South Dublin Union, which they attacked and partially occupied; a
detachment of 2 officers and 50 men from the 6th Reserve Cavalry
Regiment which was convoying some ammunition from North Wall, was
surrounded in Charles Street, but succeeded in parking their convoy and
defended this with great gallantry for 3 ½ days, when they were
relieved; during this defence the officer in command was killed and the
remaining officer wounded.
The rebels in St.
Stephen's Green were attacked, and picquets with machine guns were
established in the United Service Club and the Shelbourne Hotel with a
view to dominating the square and its exits.
At 9.35 p.m. Colonel
Kennard, Officer Commanding Troops, Dublin, reached the Castle with
another party of 86 men of the 3rd Royal Irish Regiment.
The defence of the Docks
at North Wall was undertaken by Major H. F. Somerville, commanding a
detachment from the School of Musketry, Dollymount, reinforced by 330
officers and men of the 9th Reserve Cavalry Regiment.
The occupation of the
Customs House, which dominated Liberty Hall, was carried out at night,
and was of great assistance in later operations against Liberty Hall.
(4) The situation at
midnight was that we held the Magazine, Phoenix Park, the Castle and
the Ship Street entrance to it, the Royal Hospital, all Barracks, the
Kingsbridge, Amiens Street, and North Wall railway stations, the Dublin
telephone exchange in Crown Alley, the Electric Power Station at Pigeon.House
Fort, Trinity College, Mountjoy Prison, and Kingstown Harbour. The Sinn
Feiners held Sackville Street and blocks of buildings on each side of
this, including Liberty Hall, with their headquarters at the General
Post Office, the Four Courts, Jacobs' biscuit factory, South Dublin
Union, St. Stephen's Green, all the approaches to the Castle except the
Ship Street entrance, and many houses all over the city, especially
about Balls Bridge and Beggar's Bush.
(5) The facility with
which the Sinn Feiners were able to seize so many important points
throughout the city was, in my opinion, due to the fact that armed
bodies of civilians have been continually allowed to parade in and
march through the streets of Dublin and throughout the country without
interference.
The result was that the
movement of large forces of armed civilians, particularly on a holiday
such as Easter Monday, passed, if not unnoticed, unchecked, and no
opposition could be offered to them at the moment when they decided to
act.
Further, the Dublin
police, being unarmed and powerless to deal with these armed rebels,
were withdrawn from the areas occupied by them.
(6) At the time of the
rising Major-General Friend, then commanding the troops in Ireland, was
on short leave in England, and when visiting your headquarters at the
Horse Guards on that day heard the serious news from Dublin. He
returned that night, and arrived in Dublin early on the morning of the
25th April.
He has informed me that
at a conference with you it was decided to despatch at once two
infantry brigades of the 59th Division from England to Ireland, and
that the remaining infantry brigade and artillery of this Division were
to be held in readiness to follow if required.
(7) On April 25th,
Brigadier-General W. H. M. Lowe, Commanding the Reserve Cavalry Brigade
at the Curragh, arrived at Kingsbridge station at 3.45 a.m. with the
leading troops from the 25th (Irish) Reserve Infantry Brigade, and
assumed command of the forces in the Dublin area, which were roughly
2,300 men of the Dublin garrison, the Curragh Mobile Column of 1,500
dismounted cavalrymen, and 840 men of the 25th Irish Keserve Infantry
Brigade.
(8) In order to relieve
and get communication with the Castle, Colonel Portal, Commanding the
Curragh Mobile Column, was ordered to establish a line of posts from
Kingsbridge station to Trinity College via the Castle. This was
completed by 12 noon, 25th April, and with very little loss. It divided
the rebel forces into two, gave a safe line of advance for troops
extending operations to the north or south, and permitted communication
by despatch rider with some of the Commands.
The only means of
communication previous to this had been by telephone, which was
unquestionably being tapped.
The Dublin University
O.T.C., under Captain E. H. Alton, and subsequently Major G. A. Harris,
held the College buildings until the troops arrived. The holding of
these buildings separated the rebel centre round the General Post
Office from that round St. Stephen's Green; it established a valuable
base for the collection of reinforcements as they arrived, and
prevented the rebels from entering the Bank of Ireland, which is
directly opposite to and commanded ; by the College buildings.
(9) During the day the
4th Royal Dublin Fusiliers from Templemore, a composite Ulster
battalion from Belfast, and a battery of four 18-pounder guns from the
Reserve Artillery Brigade at Athlone arrived, and this allowed a cordon
to be established round the northern part of the city from Parkgate,
along the North Circular Road to North Wall. Broadstone Railway Station
was cleared of rebels, arid a barricade near Phibsborough was destroyed
by artillery fire.
As a heavy fire was
being kept up on the Castle from the rebels located in the Corporation
buildings, Daily Express offices and several houses opposite the City
Hall, it was decided to attack these buildings.
The assault on the Daily
Express office was successfully carried out under very heavy fire: by a
detachment of the 5th Royal Dublin Fusiliers under 2nd Lieut. F.
O'Neill.
The main forces of the
rebels now having been located in and around Sackville Street, the Four
Courts, and adjoining buildings, it was decided to try to enclose that
area north of the Liffey by a cordon of troops so as to localise as far
as possible the efforts of the rebels.
(10) Towards evening,
the 178th Infantry Brigade began to arrive at Kingstown, and in
accordance with orders received the brigade left Kingstown by road in
two columns.
The left column,
consisting of the 5th and 6th Battalions, Sherwood Foresters, by the
Stillorgan-Donnybrook road and South Circular road to the Royal.
Hospital, where it arrived without opposition.
The right column,
consisting of the 7th and 8th Battalions, Sherwood Foresters, by the
main tram route through Ballsbridge, and directed on Merrion
Square and Trinity College.
This column, with 7th
Battalion leading, was held up at the northern corner of Haddington
Road and Northumberland Avenue, which was strongly held by rebels; but
with the assistance of bombing parties organized and led by Captain
Jeffares, of the Bombing School at Elm Park,athe rebels were driven
back.
At 3.25 p.m. the 7th
Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, met great opposition from the rebels
holding the schools and other houses on the .north side of the road
close to the bridge at Lower Mount Street, and two officers; one of whom
was the Adjutant, Captain Dietrichsen, were killed and seven wounded,
including Lieutenant-Colonel Fane, who, though wounded, remained in
action.
At about 5.30 p.m.
orders were received that the advance to Trinity College was to be
pushed forward at all costs, and therefore at about 8 p.m., after
careful arrangements, the whole column, accompanied by bombing parties,
attacked the schools and houses where the chief opposition lay, the
battalions charging in successive waves, carried all before them, but,
I regret to say, suffered severe casualties in doing so.
Four officers were
killed, 14 wounded, and of other ranks 216 were killed and wounded.
The steadiness shown by
these two battalions is deserving of special mention, as I understand
the majority of the men have less than three months' service.
In view of the
opposition met with, it was not considered advisable to push on to
Trinity College that night, so at 11 p.m. the 5th South Staffordshire
Regiment, from the 176th Infantry Brigade, reinforced this column, and
by occupying the positions gained allowed the two battalions Sherwood
Foresters to be concentrated at Ballsbridge.
In connection with this
fighting at Mount Street Bridge, where our heaviest casualties
occurred, I should like to mention the gallant assistance given by a
number of medical men, ladies, nurses and women servants, who at great
risk brought in and tended to the wounded, continuing their efforts
even when deliberately fired at by the rebels.
(11) Meanwhile severe
fighting had taken place in the Sackville Street quarter. At 8 a.m.
Liberty Hall, the former headquarters of the Sinn Feiners, was attacked
by field guns from the south bank of the River Liffey, and by a gun
from the patrol ship Helga, with the result that considerable
progress was made.
During the night of
26th/27th April several fires broke out in this quarter and threatened
to become dangerous, as the fire brigade could not get to work owing to
their being fired upon by the rebels. Throughout the day further troops
of the 176th Brigade arrived in the Dublin area.
(12) On 27th April the-
5th Leinsters,
2/6th Sherwood
Foresters,
3rd Royal Irish
Regiment, The Ulster composite battalion,
under the command of
Colonel Portal, began and completed by 5 p.m. the forming of a cordon
round the rebels in the Sackville Street area, which operation was
carried out with small loss.
About 12.45 p.m. Linen
Hall barracks, which were occupied by the Army Pay Office, were
reported to have been set on fire by the rebels and were destroyed.
By night-fall the 177th
Infantry Brigade had arrived at Kingstown, where it remained for the
night.
(13) At 2 a.m. on the
28th April, I arrived at North Wall and found many buildings in
Sackville Street burning fiercely, illuminating the whole city, and a
fusilade of rifle fire going on in several quarters of the city.
Accompanied by several
Staff Officers who had come with me, I proceeded to the Royal Hospital.
After a conference with
Major-General Friend and Brigadier-General Lowe, I instructed the
latter to close in on Sackville Street from East and West, and to carry
out a house-to-house search in areas gained.
Iwas able to place the
2/4th Lincolns at his disposal for the purpose of forming a cordon
along the Grand Canal, so enclosing the southern part of the city and
forming a complete cordon round Dublin.
During the afternoon the
2/5th and 2/6th South Staffords arrived at Trinity College, and this
additional force allowed me to begin the task of placing a cordon round
the Four Courts area in the same way as the Sackville Street area,
which had already been so successfully isolated.
During the evening the
detachment of the 6th Reserve Cavalry Regiment, which had been
escorting ammunition and rifles from North Wall, and had been held up
in Charles Street, was relieved by armoured motor lorries, which nad
been roughly armoured with boiler plates by the Inchicore Railway works
and placed at my disposal by Messrs. Guinness.
Throughout the night the
process of driving out the rebels in and round Sackville Street
continued, though these operations were greatly hampered by the fires
in this area and by the fact that some of the burning houses contained
rebel stores of explosives which every now and again blew up.
In other quarters of the
city the troops had a trying time dealing with the numerous snipers,
who became very troublesome during the hours of darkness.
(14) Owing to the
considerable opposition at barricades, especially in North King Street,
it was not until 9 a.m. on the 29th April that the Four Courts area was
completely surrounded.
Throughout the morning
the squeezing out of the surrounded areas was vigorously proceeded
with, the infantry being greatly assisted by a battery of Field
Artillery commanded by Major Hill, who used his guns against the
buildings held by the rebels with such good effect that a Red Cross
Nurse brought in a message from the Rebel leader, P. H. Pearse, asking
for terms. A reply was sent that only unconditional surrender would be
accepted. At 2 p.m. Pearse surrendered himself unconditionally, and was
brought before me, when he wrote and signed notices ordering the
various "Commandos" to surrender unconditionally.
During the evening the
greater part of the rebels in the Sackville Street and Four Courts area
surrendered.
(15) Early on the 30th
April two Franciscan monks informed me that the Rebel leader Macdonagh,
declining to accept Pearse's orders, wished to negotiate.
He was informed that
only unconditional surrender would be accepted, and at 3 p.m., when all
preparation for an attack on Jacobs' Biscuit Factory, which he held,
had been made, Macdonagh and his band of rebels surrendered
unconditionally.
In the St. Stephen's
Green area, Countess Markievicz and her band surrendered and were taken
to the Castle. These surrenders practically ended the rebellion in the
City of Dublin.
(16) Throughout the
night of the 30th April/1st May isolated rebels continued to snipe the
troops, but during the 1st May these were gradually cleared out, and in
conjunction with the police a systematic house-to-house search for
rebels and arms was continued.
(17) During the severe
fighting which took place in Dublin the greatest anxiety was caused by
the disquieting reports received from many parts of Ireland, and
chiefly from-
(a)
County Dublin,
(b)
County Meath,
(c)
County Louth,
(d)
County Galway,
(e)
County Wexford,
(f)
County Clare,
(g)
County Kerry.
(18) On the 27th April,
as soon as troops became available a detachment was sent by sea from
Kingstown to Arklow to reinforce the garrison at Kynoch's Explosive
Works, and a small party was sent to assist the R.I.C. post over the
wireless station at Skerries.
On the 28th April a
battalion of the Sherwood Foresters was despatched by rail to Athlone
to protect the artillery-and military stores there and to hold the
communication over the River Shannon.
(19) Brigadier-General
Stafford, the Garrison Commander at Queenstown, was directed to use his
discretion in the employment of troops under his command, and on 30th
April he was reinforced from England by one battalion of the 179th
Brigade, 60th Division, a battalion of the Royal Marines, and
later by the remainder of the 179th Brigade.
(20) Brigadier-General
Hackett-Pain, who assumed command of the troops in Ulster, made
effective use of the troops under his command, and it was largely due
to the dispositions made by these two Commanders that the Sinn Feiners
in the South and North of Ireland were restrained from taking a more
active part in the rebellion.
I received the greatest
assistance from the Inspector-General, Royal Irish Constabulary, and
from all his inspectors and men, and throughout the rebellion I worked
in the closest co-operation with them. In many districts small posts of
these gallant men were isolated and had to defend themselves against
overwhelming numbers, which they successfully did except in very few
cases.
It was with great regret
I received the report on 28th April that a body of Royal Irish Constabulary,
under Inspector Gray, had been ambushed by the rebels at Ashbourne,
which resulted in Inspectors Gray and Smith and eight constables being
killed and 14 wounded.
It was not until 30th
April that I was able to spare a mobile column to deal with this body
of rebels, the leaders of which were secured.
In other parts of
Ireland similar attacks on police posts had been made by armed bands of
Sinn Feiners. In order to deal with these, as soon as the Dublin rebels
had been crushed, I organised various mobile columns, each consisting
of from one to two companies of infantry, a squadron of cavalry, one
18-pounder gun and an armoured car.
Each column was allotted
a definite area, which, in close co-operation with the local police,
was gone through, and dangerous Sinn Feiners and men who were known to
have taken an active part in the rising were arrested; in addition many
arms belonging to Sinn Feiners were surrendered or seized.
I am glad to be able to
report that the presence of these columns had the best possible effect
on the people in country districts, in many of which troops had not
been seen for years.
(22) That splendid body
of men, the Dublin Metropolitan Police, could give me little or no
assistance, because they were unarmed. Had they been armed I doubt if
the rising in Dublin would have had the success it did.
(23) I am glad toreport
that the conduct of the troops was admirable; their cheerfulness,
courage and good discipline, under the most trying conditions, was
excellent.
Although doors and
windows of shops and houses had to be broken open, no genuine case of
looting has been reported to me, which I consider reflects the greatest
credit on all ranks.
(24) I wish to
acknowledge the great assistance I received from the Provost of Trinity
College; the clergy of all denominations; civilian medical men;
Red Cross nurses, who were untiring in their attention to the
wounded, often rendered under heavy fire; ambulances provided by Royal
Ambulance Corps; the Irish Volunteer Training Corps and the members of
St. John's Ambulance Corps; the Civilian and Officers Training Corps
motor cyclists, who fearlessly carried despatches through streets
infested with snipers; telegraph operators and engineers; and from the
lady operators of the Telephone Exchange, to whose efforts the only
means of rapid communication remained available.
I am glad to be able to
record my opinion that the feelings of the bulk of the citizens of
Dublin being against the Sinn Feiners materially influenced the collapse
of the rebellion.
(25) I deplore the
serious losses which the troops and the civilian volunteers have
suffered during these very disagreeable operations.
I have the honour to
be, Your most obedient servant,
J. G. MAXWELL.
General.
________
From the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, The Forces in
Ireland, to The Secretary of State for War.
Headquarters, Irish Command, Dublin, 26th May, 1916.
My Lord,
In amplification of the
report on the operations undertaken by the troops in Dublin, which I
forwarded to Field-Marshal Lord French on 25th May, I think it
desirable to bring to your notice the difficult conditions under which
the troops had to act.
(1) The rebellion began
by Sinn Feiners, presumably acting under orders, shooting in cold blood
certain soldiers and policemen, simultaneously they took possession of
various important buildings and occupied houses, along the routes into
the City of Dublin, which were likely to be used by troops taking up
posts.
(2) Most of the rebels
were not in any uniform, and by mixing with peaceful citizens made it
almost impossible for the troops to distinguish between friend and foe
until fire was opened.
(3) In many cases troops
having passed along a street seemingly occupied by harmless people were
suddenly fired upon from behind from windows and roof-tops. Such were
the conditions when reinforcements commenced to arrive in Dublin.
(4) Whilst fighting
continued under conditions at once so confused and so trying, it is
possible that some innocent citizens were shot. It must be remembered
that the struggle was in many cases of a house-to-house character, that
sniping was continuous and very persistent and that it was often
extremely difficult to distinguish between those who were or had been
firing upon the troops and those who had for various reasons chosen to
remain on the scene of the fighting, instead of leaving the houses and
passing through the cordons.
(5) The number of such
incidents that has been brought to notice is very insignificant.
(6) Once the rebellion
started the members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police - an unarmed
uniformed force - had to be withdrawn, or they would have been
mercilessly shot down, as, indeed, were all who had the bad luck to
meet the rebels. In their absence a number of the worst elements of the
city joined the rebels and were armed by them. The daily record of the
Dublin Magistrates' Court proves that such looting as there was was
done by such elements.
(7) There have been
numerous incidents of deliberate shooting on ambulances, and those
courageous people who voluntarily came out to tend to the wounded. The
City Fire Brigade, when turned out in consequence of incendiary fires,
were fired on and had to retire.
(8) As soon as it was
ascertained that the rebels had established themselves in various
centres, the first phase of operations was conducted with a view to
isolate them by forming a cordon of troops round each.
(9) To carry out this,
streets were selected, along which the cordon could be drawn. Some of
these streets, for instance, North King Street, were found to be
strongly held, rebels occupying the roofs of houses, upper windows, and
strongly constructed barricades.
(10) Artillery fire was
only used to reduce the barricades, or against a particular house known
to be strongly held.
(11) The troops suffered
severe losses in establishing these cordons, and, once established, the
troops were subjected to a continuous fire from all directions,
especially at night time, and invariably from persons concealed in
houses.
(12) To give an idea of
the opposition offered to His Majesty's troops in the execution of
their duty, the following losses occurred: -
|
|
Killed.
|
Wounded.
|
|
Officers
|
17
|
46
|
|
Other ranks
|
89
|
288
|
(13) I wish to
draw attention to the fact that, when it became known that the leaders
of the rebellion wished to surrender, the officers used every endeavour
to prevent further bloodshed; emissaries were sent in to the various
isolated bands, and time was given them to consider their position.
(14) I cannot imagine a
more difficult situation than that in which the troops were placed;
most of those employed were draft-finding battalions or young
Territorials from England, who had no knowledge of Dublin.
(15) The surrenders, which
began on April 30th, were continued until late on May 1st, during which
time there was a considerable amount of isolated sniping.
(16) Under the
circumstances related above, I consider the troops as a whole behaved
with the greatest restraint, and carried out their disagreeable and
distasteful duties in a manner which reflects the greatest credit on
their discipline.
(17) Allegations on the
behaviour of the troops brought to my notice are being most carefully
enquired into. I am glad to say they are few in number, and these are
not all borne out by direct evidence.
(18) Numerous cases of
unarmed persons killed by rebels during the outbreak have bean reported
to me. As instances, I may select the following for your information: -
J. Brien, a constable of
the Dublin Metropolitan Police, was shot while on duty at Castle Gate,
on April 24th. On the same day another constable of the same force,
named M. Lahiff, was shot while on duty at St. Stephen's Green. On
April 25th B. Waters, of Recess, Monkstown, Co. Dublin, was shot at
Mount Street Bridge, while being driven into Dublin by Captain Scovell,
R.A.M.C.
All these were unarmed,
as was Captain Scovell. In the last case, the car was not challenged or
asked to stop.
(19) I wish to emphasize
that the responsibility for the loss of life, however it occurred, the
destruction of property and other losses, rests entirely with those who
engineered this revolt, and who, at a time when the Empire is engaged
in a gigantic struggle, invited the assistance and co-operation of the
Germans.
I have the honour to
be, My Lord, Your obedient Servant,
(Sgd.) J. G. MAXWELL,
General
29679 - 25 JULY 1916
Naval Salvage Money.
Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy, Admiralty,
S.W., 22nd July, 1916.
Notice is hereby given
to all persons interested therein, that preparations are now being made
for the intended distribution of the Award for the Salvage of Gold from
the s.s. "Batavier V" by H.M. ships between the 26th
May and the 1st June, 1916. (followed by administration details)
________
Admiralty, 24th July 1916.
The KING (is) pleased to
confer the R.N.R. Officers' Decoration upon the following
Officers: -
Cdr. Charles H. Watkins,
R.N.R. (Retd.).
Lieut.-Cdr. Sidney K.
Bacon, D.S.O., R.N.R.
Lieut. Aulay B.
Macaulay, R.N.R.
29680 - 25 JULY 1916
DOVER PATROL OPERATIONS
NAVAL DESPATCH dated 29 May 1916
North Sea Sandbanks and Dover Straits (with
later defences)
Admiralty, 25th July, 1916.
The following despatch
has been received from Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald H. S. Bacon, K.C.B.,
C.V.O., D.S.O., commanding the Dover Patrol, reporting the operations
of the Dover Patrol since 3rd Dec. 1915: -
To the Secretary of the Admiralty.
Office of the Vice-Admiral, Dover, 29th May, 1916.
Sir,
Since my last Despatch
to their Lordships on 3rd December, 1915, the varied duties of this
Patrol have been carried out with unremitting energy on the part of the
Officers and men under my command.
During the winter
month's offensive operations on the Belgian Coast were much impeded by
the shortness of the daylight hours and by gales of wind and bad
weather. These same factors that impeded offensive action facilitated
the work of the enemy in laying mines and in attacking our commerce in
these narrow waters, since it assisted them to elude our patrols of
protective vessels.
The Services of the
Dover Patrol can be best appreciated from the following facts: -
Over 21,000 Merchant
Ships, apart from Men-of-War and Auxiliaries, have passed through this
Patrol in the last six months. Of these twenty-one have been lost or
have been seriously damaged by the enemy. The losses in Merchant
Vessels, therefore, have been less than one per thousand. On the other
hand, to effect this very considerable security to our Merchant Shipping
I regret that over 4 per cent, of our Patrol Vessels have been sunk and
the lives of 77 Officers and men lost to the Nation. No figures could
emphasise more thoroughly the sacrifice made by the personnel of the
Patrol and the relative immunity ensured to the commerce of their
country.
Besides the foregoing
the Patrol assists in the protection of the flank of all the sea
Transport to and from our Army in France. The number of vessels that
have passed and also of the troops that have been carried are known to
Their Lordships, but it is well to call attention to the fact that this
vast transport of troops has been so thoroughly safeguarded that not
one single life has been lost during the sea passage.
The work of the
Destroyer Flotilla throughout the winter has been incessant and arduous
and thoroughly well carried out.
Certain opportunities
have arisen of bombarding the enemy's positions in Belgium. On these
occasions the necessary minor operations have been carried out.
In addition to the daily
reconnaissance and protective work performed by the Royal Naval Air
Service on the coast, eleven organised attacks against the enemy's
Aerodromes and thirteen attacks on enemy vessels have been carried out.
Nine enemy machines and one submarine have been destroyed by air attack
and appreciable damage has been inflicted on military adjuncts.
The services rendered by
the Naval Airmen in Flanders, under Acting Captain Lambe, have been
most valuable.
It is equally
advantageous to maintain the offensive in the air as it is to do so on
land or at sea. It is with considerable satisfaction, therefore, that I
am able to report that, with only one exception, all the aeroplanes
destroyed were fought over the enemy's territory and that all the
seaplanes were brought down into waters off the enemy's coast.
The advent of spring
weather has lately enabled me to take measures to limit the extent to
which the submarine and other vessels of the enemy had free access to
the waters off the Belgian coast.
The success achieved
has, so far, been considerable, and the activities of submarines
operating from the Belgian Coast have been much reduced.
We have destroyed
several of the enemy's submarines and some of his surface vessels.
Our losses, I regret to
say, were four Officers killed, one wounded; men: 22 killed, two
wounded.
It is to the energy and
endurance of the Officers and men of the vessels that have been
employed, and who are now daily on patrol that the success of these
operations has been due. Whether of our Royal Navy, of the French Navy,
of our Mercantile Marine or our Fishermen, all have exhibited those
qualities most valued at sea in time of war.
My cordial thanks are
due to Rear-Admiral de Marliave for the hearty co-operation he has
afforded me during the whole of the foregoing period.
During these operations
I was afforded much assistance by Commodore R. Tyrwhitt, C.B.,
Commodore C. D. Johnson, .M.V.O., D.S.O., and Captain F. S.
Litchfield-Speer, as well as Commandant Excelman, of the French Navy.
Captain H. W. Bowring,
D.S.O., acted most ably as Chief of my Staff throughout the operations.
Enclosed is a list of
Officers and men I desire to bring to their Lordships' notice for
distinguished and meritorious services, in addition to those of the
Auxiliary patrol and Rqyal Naval Air Service previously specially
forwarded by me during the period under report.
I have the honour to
be, Sir, Your obedient Servant,
(Sd.) R. H.
BACON, Vice-Admiral Dover Patrol.
Officers Recommended.
Captain F. S.
Litchfield-Speer, D.S.O. Carried out several important operations under
difficult circumstances off the enemy's coast.
Commander George Louis
Downall Gibbs. Commanded a Division of Destroyers with marked ability
and dash in action against the enemy.
Commander Henry Gerard
Laurence Oliphant, M.V.O. Commanded a Division of Destroyers in action
and on patrol duties off the enemy’s coast.
Commander Reginald
Lionel Hancock. Carried out surveying operations of considerable
importance under heavy gun fire off the enemy's coast.
Lieutenant Henry
Forrester. Carried out dangerous patrol duties with marked
ability.
Lieutenant Rudolf Henry
Fane De Salis. Commanded a detached Division on several occasions in
close proximity to the enemy's coast.
Acting Lieutenant James
Towrie Muir, R.N.R. In command of a Division of Drifters during several
operations off the enemy's coast.
Skipper Robert George
Hurren, R.N.R. Distinguished conduct which led to the destruction of an
enemy Submarine Boat.
Chief Artificer Engineer
Thomas Robson Hall, R.N. Exceptional services during War operations.
Commander Edward
Ratcliffe Garth Russell Evans, C.B., R.N.
Lieut.-Commr. John
Stewart Gordon Fraser, R.N.
Lieut.-Commr. Mountague
Robert Bernard, R.N.
Lieutenant John
Cracroft-Amcotts, R.N.
Lieutenant James Douglas
Godfrey, D.S.C., R.N.
Sub-Lieutenant Robert
Don Oliver, R.N.
Skipper Isaac Lilly
Manthorpe, R.N.R.
Chief Gunner John Steel,
R.N.
Artificer Engineer
William George Jackson, R.N.
Men Recommended.
Yeoman of Signals A. W.
Harding, O.N. 229905.
Chief Stoker J. Brown,
O.N. 290363.
Leading Signalman J.
Wise, O.N. 222824.
Petty Officer, 1st
Class, C. W. Moore, O.N. 179983.
Chief Engine Room
Artificer R. Sheppard, O.N. 270663.
Chief Petty Officer H.
Barber, O.N. 165446.
Chief Engine Room
Artificer Robert Shires, O.N. 271126.
Engine Room Artificer,
1st Cl., H. Robertson, O.N. 270936.
Chief Engine Room
Artificer, 1st Cl., G. F. Cockrell, O.N. 268235.
Acting Chief Petty
Officer Wm. Ewles, O.N. 154421.
Stoker Petty Officer A.
A. Bradley, O.N 300678.
Stoker Edward Madden,
O.N.(K.) 25097.
Chief Petty Officer
Charles Darton, O.N. 187656.
Ch. Armourer J. T.
Lewis, O.N. 340703.
Ch. Armourer H. Goodwin,
O.N. 345418.
Petty Officer J.
Hailstone, O.N. 181161.
Electrical Artificer,
2nd Cl., H. A. Hughes, O.N. 347720.
Ldg. Seaman C. H.
Holmes, O.N. 191648.
Chief Petty Officer T.
A. W. Collard, O.N. 133361.
Signalman J. C. Duley,
O.N.J. 13042.
Chief Petty Officer Jas.
Southwood, O.N. 117014.
2nd Hand J. Gardiner,
R.N.R., O.N. 1431 S.A.
2nd Hand F. W. Saunders,
R.N.R., O.N. 910 S.A.
2nd Hand W. J. Sutton,
O.N. 891 S.A.
Chief Motor Boatman G.
Culverwell, M.B. 242.
Chief Engine Room
Artificer G. Barrowman, O.N. 269387.
Leading Signalman G. V.
McKenzie, O.N. 233487.
Leading Signalman C. W.
Lumley, O.N. 226962.
Leading Signalman R.
Giddings, O.N. J.4044.
Chief Engine Room
Artificer J. E. Pether, O.N. 270497.
Chief Engine Room
Artificer A. Matthews, O.N. 271000.
Leading Signalman T.
Young, O.N. 223558.
Engine Room Artificer L.
C. Boggust, O.N. 271134.
Petty Officer Charles
Nason, O.N. 191247.
Leading Seaman Albert
Mercer, O.N. 235474.
Petty Officer William
Foley, O.N. 209001.
Acting Chief Petty
Officer W. J. Brown, O.N. 160889.
Able Seaman William
Austin, O.N. 194423.
Petty Officer W. A.
Osborne, O.N. 235133.
Ldg. Seaman E. Savage,
O.N. J. 8986.
Yeoman of Signals W. C.
Chapman, O.N. 213631.
Able Seaman O. J.
Broers,O.N.J. 9965.
Petty Officer, 1st Cl,
G. Arlingham, O.N. 174787.
Petty Officer G. J. L.
Staff, O.N. 237841.
Petty Officer J. Penman,
O.N. 231159.
Engineman J. Berry,
R.N.R., O.N. 1715 E.S.
Stoker (Acting
Engineman) D. B. Knowles, R.N.R., O.N. 2557 T.
Able Seaman W. J. Hunt,
R.N.R. O.N.J. 19181.
Deck Hand James Latta,
R.N.R., O.N. 2364 S.D.
Leading Deck Hand
William Wigg, O.N. 2722 S.D.
Deck Hand, R.N.R.,
Francis William Beamish, O.N. 3239 D.A.
________
Admiralty, 25th July, 1916.
The KING (is) pleased to
give orders for the following appointments to the Distinguished Service
Order and for the award of the Distinguished Service Cross to the
undermentioned Officers in recognition of their services as mentioned
in the foregoing despatch: -
To be Companions of the Distinguished
Service Order.
Commander George Louis
Downall Gibbs, R.N.
Commander Reginald
Lionel Hancock, R.N.
Commander Henry Gerard
Laurence Oliphant, M.V.O.,R.N.
To receive the Distinguished
Service Cross.
Lieutenant Henry
Forrester, R.N.
Acting Lieutenant James
Towrie Muir, R.N.R.
Skipper Robert George
Hurren, R.N.R.
Chief Artificer Engineer
Thomas Robson Hall, R.N.
The following awards
have also been made: -
To receive the Distinguished
Service Medal.
Chief Petty Officer
Harry Barber, O.N.165446.
Chief Petty Officer
Thomas Arthur William Collard O.N.133361 (R.F.R.Ch.A.1300).
Chief Petty Officer
Charles Darton, O.N; 187656.
Chief Petty Officer
James Samuel Southwood, O.N.117014 (R.F.R.Po.A.1166).
Acting Chief Petty
Officer William Ewles, O.N.154421.
Petty Officer Jesse
Hailstone, O.N.181161.
Petty Officer, 1st
Class, Charles William Moore, O.N. 179983.
Leading Seaman Charles
Henry Holmes, O.N.191648.
Yeoman of Signals Alfred
William Harding, O.N.229905.
Leading Signalman Joseph
Wise, O.N.222824.
Signalman Joseph Charles
Duley, O.N.J. 13042.
Chief Engine Room
Artificer, 1st Class, George Frederick Cockrell, O.N.268235.
Chief Engine Room
Artificer, 2nd Class, Richard Sheppard, O.N.270663.
Chief Engine Room
Artificer, 2nd Class, John Robert Shires, O.N.271126.
Engine Room Artificer, 1st
Class, Harry Robertson, O.N.270936.
Electrical Artificer,
2nd Class, Harold Archibald Hughes, O.N.347720.
Chief Stoker James
Brown, O.N.290363.
Stoker Petty Officer
Arthur Alfred Bradley, O.N.300678 (R.F.R.B.6874).
Stoker, 1st Class,
Edward Madden, O.N.K. 25097.
Chief Armourer Harry
Goodwin, O.N.345418.
Chief Armourer James
Thomas Lewis, O.N. 340703.
Chief Motor Boatman W.
G. Culverwell, O.N. M.B.242.
Second Hand, R.N.R.,
John Gardiner, O.N. 1431SA.
Second Hand, R.N.R.,
Florence Westgate Saunders, O.N.910SA.
Second Hand, R.N.R.,
Walter James Sutton, O.N. 891 S.A.
Deck Hand, R.N.R.,
Francis William Beamish, O.N. 3239 D.A.
The following officers
and men are commended for service in action:-
Captain Frederick
Shirley Litchfield-Speer, D.S.O., R.N.
Commander Edward
Ratcliffe Garth Russell Evans, C.B., R.N.
Lieutenant Rudolf Henry
Fane De Salis, R.N.
Lieutenant-Commander
John .Stewart Gordon Fraser, R.N.
Lieutenant-Commander
Mountague Robert Bernard, R.N.
Lieutenant John
Cracroft-Amcotts, R.N.
Lieutenant James Douglas
Godfrey, D.S.C., R.N.
Sub-Lieutenant Robert
Don. Oliver, R.N.
Skipper Isaac Lilly
Manthorpe, R.N.R.
Chief Gunner John Steel,
R.N.
Artificer Engineer
William George Jackson, R.N.
Acting Chief Petty
Officer William Joseph Brown, O.N. 160889.
Petty Officer, 1st Class
(O.S.), George Allingham, O.N. 174787.
Petty Officer William
Foley, O.N. 209001.
Petty Officer Charles
Nason, O.N. 191247.
Petty Officer William
Arthur Osborn,.O.N. 235133.
Petty Officer James
Penman, O.N. 231159.
Petty Officer George
John Louis Staff, O.N. 237841.
Leading Seaman Ernest
Savage, O.N. J.8986.
Leading Seaman Albert
Mercer, O.N. 235474.
Able Seaman William
Charles Austen, O.N. 194423.
Able Seaman Oliver
Joseph Broers, O.N. J.9965.
Able Seaman William
Joseph Hunt, O.N. J.19181.
Yeoman of Signals
Wilfred Cubit Chapman, O.N. 213631.
Leading Signalman Robert
Giddings, O.N. J.4044.
Leading Signalman
Charles William Lumley, O.N. 226962.
Leading Signalman George
Victor Mackenzie, O.N. 233487.
Leading Signalman Thomas
Young, O.N. 223558.
Chief Engine Room
Artificer, 2nd Class, George Dunsmuir Barrowman, O.N. 269387.
Chief Engine Room
Artificer, 2nd Class, Arthur Matthews, O.N. 271000.
Chief Engine Room
Artificer, 2nd Class, John Ernest Pether, O.N. 270497.
Engine Room Artificer,
2nd Class, Limbrough Charles Boggust, O.N. 271134.
Deck Hand, R.N.R.
(Special Service), James Latta, O.N. 2364S.D.
Leading Deck Hand,
R.N.R. (Special Service), William Wigg, O.N. 2722S.D.
Engineman, R.N.R., John
Berry, O.N. 1715 E.S.
Stoker, R.N.R. (Acting
Engineman), David Bannerman Knowles, O.N. 2557T.
29685 - 27 JULY 1916
BUSHIRE OPERATIONS, PERSIAN GULF
ARMY DESPATCH dated 15 January 1916
Bushire and Tangistani Raid - from
"The Navy Everywhere" by
Conrad Gato (believed out of copyright),
click maps to enlarge
Click the title for some of the story - Chapter
13
War Office, 27th July, 1916.
The following despatch
from General Sir John Nixon, K.C.B., relative to the operations at
Bushire and its vicinity between July and September, 1915, has been
forwarded by the Government of India for publication: -
15th January, 1916.
From General Sir John
Nixon, K.C.B., A.D.C. General, Commanding Indian Expeditionary Force
" D."
To the Chief of the
General Staff, Army Headquarters, India.
Sir,
I have the honour to
furnish a report on operations conducted at Bushire and in its vicinity
between July and September, 1915.
2. On July 12th, 1915, a
force of Tangistani tribesmen, at the instigation of enemy agents in
Persia, made an unprovoked attack on the British detachment at
Bushire.
3. The attack was
repulsed, but two British officers (Major E. H. Oliphant, 96th Berar
Infantry, and Captain J. G. L. Ranking, Assistant Political Officer)
and one sepoy were killed, and two sepoys wounded.
4. As the Persian
Government failed to make reparation for the hostile action of the
Tangistanis, His Majesty's Government ordered forcible measures to be
taken.
5. It was decided that
the port and town of Bushire should be seized and occupied by a naval
and military force until the Persian. Government complied with our
demands.
6. Further, as a
punishment to the tribesmen implicated in the incident of July 12th,
orders were issued for a naval and military force to attack Dilwar, a
fortified village which was the headquarters of the hostile Tangistanis.
7. On August 8th,
Bushire was occupied by a British force without opposition.
8. A naval squadron
under the command of Captain D. St. A. Wake, R.N., arrived off Dilwar
on August 10th, but weather conditions were unfavourable for landing
operations until August 13th. On that day a mixed force, composed of
troops and a naval landing party, under the command of Major C. E. H.
Wintle, successfully disembarked on the beach in the face of opposition
by the Tangistanis.
The operation was
assisted by the naval guns which made excellent practice and
drove the enemy inland.
9. Several actions took
place with the tribesmen on August 14th and 15th. Stiff opposition was
encountered and the heat was great. As a result of the operations
Dilwar fort and village were destroyed, and heavy losses were inflicted
on the Tangistanis by rifle and machine gun fire, also by shell fire
from the ships. Our casualties were comparatively small.
10. The object of the
expedition having been successfully accomplished, the force was
reembarked, without interference by the enemy, on the night of August
15th-16th.
11. The combined naval
and military expedition against Dilwar is an excellent example of
co-operation between the two Services, and it was very creditably carried
out by all concerned.
12. On the eastern side
of Bushire, a lowlying sandy tract joins the "island" to the
mainland. This is known as the "Mashileh." It is about seven
miles across to the mainland, and the same distance divides the sea,
which flanks the Mashileh on the north and south. During high tides it
is liable to inundation. Along the edge of Bushire Island, overlooking
the Mashileh, extends a line of cliffs, much intersected by nullahs and
broken ground.
13. During the period
under report the British garrison at Bushire maintained an outpost line
for the protection of the northern part of the island from attack from
the mainland. The eastern section of the outposts lay along the line of
cliffs; the southern section extended across the island to the sea on
the west side of the island.
14. Tangistani raiding
parties frequently crossed the Mashileh at night and attempted to break
through the outpost line. Early in September it was reported that they
intended to make an attack in force.
15. At daybreak on
September 9th a patrol from the outposts located a party of enemy in
the nullahs at the edge of the Mashileh, at a spot where the
Tangistanis had collected a strong force on a previous occasion.
16. On receiving this
report, Brigadier-General H. T. Brooking, C.B., commanding the British
garrison, immediately made dispositions to attack the enemy in front
and to turn their left flank, and for the cavalry to move out on the
Mashileh on their line of retreat.
17. After several hours
fighting, the turning attack, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Lane,
96th Berar Infantry, charged with the bayonet. The enemy, some 600
strong, broke and fled across the Mashileh. The cavalry then charged
them in the open, and our guns shelled them across the Mashileh until
they were out of range.
18. Throughout the
period of his command at Bushire, General Brooking dealt with an
awkward situation in a most capable manner. On the occasion of the
action of September 9th, thanks to his energetic and skilful command,
the Tangistanis were defeated and lost heavily before they had time to
deliver a serious attack.
19. In this action, the
bravery and endurance of the troops in most trying heat, which claimed
several victims, was most commendable.
A landing party of the Royal
Navy afforded valuable assistance.
The charge by a squadron
of the 16th Cavalry, led by Major W. H. Pennington, 12th Cavalry, in
which both British officers and half of the Indian officers lost their
lives, was a most gallant affair.
20. I append a list of
names (all Army) of those specially brought to notice in
connection with the operations at Bushire and Dilwar.
I have the honour to
be, SIR, Your most obedient servant,
JOHN NIXON, General,
Commanding Indian Expeditionary Force "D."
29687 - 28 JULY 1916
Naval Prize Bounty Money.
Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy. Admiralty,
26th July 1916.
Notice is hereby given
to all persons interested therein, that preparations are now being made
for the intended distribution of the Prize Bounty awarded for the
undermentioned services : -
Sinking of
"Nachtigal" by H.M.S. "Dwarf." 16th Sept.
1914.
Sinking of
"Senator Von. Berenberg Gossler," by H.M. Submarine E 4.
28th July 1915.
Sinking of Torpedo Boat
Destroyer "V 188," by H.M. Submarine E 16. 26th July
1915.
Sinking of "Kaiser
Wilhelm der Grosse," by H.M.S. "Highflyer." 27th
August 1914.
(followed by
administration details)
________
Admiralty, 28th July, 1916.
The KING (is) pleased to
give orders for the following appointments to the Distinguished Service
Order: -
To be a Companion of the
Distinguished Service Order: -
Captain Cyril Thomas
Moulden Fuller, C.M.G., R.N. In recognition of the ability and success
with which he organised the Naval operations in the Cameroons,
where he was Senior Naval Officer throughout the campaign.
29690 - 1 AUGUST 1916
SOMALILAND PROTECTORATE CAMPAIGN
ARMY DESPATCH dated 20 February 1916
(4 pages)
29692 - 1 AUGUST 1916
NYASALAND PROTECTORATE CAMPAIGN
ARMY DESPATCH dated 1 November 1915
including Lake Nyasa operations
War Office, 3rd August, 1916.
The Colonial Office has
forwarded for publication the fOllowing Despatch on military operations
in the Nyasaland Protectorate: -
From the Governor of Nyasaland
To the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Government House, Zomba, Nyasaland, 1st November, 1915.
Sir,-With the advent of
reinforcements from the Union of South Africa the military operations
in Nyasaland enter upon a new phase, and the moment appears to be
opportune for a brief review of the work of the local forces since the
outbreak of war and for bringing to your notice the names of many
officers whose services deserve recognition. With this object in view
the accompanying report has been prepared by the Officer Commanding the
Forces in Nyasaland.
All Lieutenant-Colonel
Hawthorn's recommendations have my hearty support. With the work of
many of the junior officers I have not been in direct contact, but I
have closely watched the operations throughout, and a recent visit to
Karonga has enabled me to judge better all that has been done to
maintain successfully for fourteen months the defence of the
Protectorate as well as the cheerful and willing spirit which pervades
all ranks.
Lieutenant-Colonel
Hawthorn refers to the good services of Captains Barton and Stevens in
the command of the troops. He is debarred from mentioning himself, but
I desire to bring to notice the excellent work he has done since he
assumed command in December last, and to recommend that this be marked
by a Companionship in the Distinguished Service Order.
I have been much in
contact with the work of Captain Thorburn. In addition to his duties
connected with the Base and Lines of Communication, he has rendered important
services as Commanding Officer of the Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve, and
I was able to mention him specially in connection with the native
rising in January, 1915. I feel that I cannot speak too highly of the
valuable assistance he has rendered in many directions, and of
his cheerfulness and indefatigability at all times.
With regard to the Marine
section, the report refers to the work of Captain Rhoades in
surprising and disabling the German gun-boat "Hermann von Wissmann
" in August, 1914, which gave Nyasaland the command of the Lake.
Captain Rhoades and Lieutenant Tate (until their departure on leave in
October and December respectively on grounds of ill-health), as well as
the remainder of the staff of the Marine Transport Department, rendered
efficient service in the movement of troops and stores and in attacking
positions of the enemy on the Lake. With the arrival of
Lieutenant-Commander Dennistoun and the Naval contingent this
Section has been placed on a more satisfactory basis for naval operations,
and excellent work was done at Sphinxhaven at the end of May, of which
you and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have already expressed
your appreciation.
Associated with the Government
Naval section must be noticed the services of the staff of the
"Chauncey Maples," the steam vessel of the Universities
Mission, which was commandeered by Government on the outbreak of
hostilities, and of the African Lakes Corporation's ss. "Queen
Victoria," which has been requisitioned on frequent occasions.
I desire to take this
opportunity of expressing again my appreciation of the readiness with
which the Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve - and they represent practically
the whole of the British male population of military age - have come
forward, and the services they have rendered in various capacities in
connection with the military operations and the native rising of
January last. Several are specially mentioned by Lieutenant-Colonel
Hawthorn.
For the rank and file of
the 1st Battalion, King's African Rifles, there are recommendations
with which I cordially associate myself. This splendid corps has won
fame for itself on active service in Africa on many previous occasions.
In this war, both here and in British East Africa, it has fully
maintained fts reputation.
It remains to me to add
a few words on the services rendered by the civil officers of the
Government. Many who had had previous military training joined the
Forces at once, others were detailed for special work, but in all
branches the state of hostilities has imposed much extra work which has
been ungrudingly and most cheerfully undertaken.
I have, etc.,
G. SMITH, Governor.
ENCLOSURE DESPATCH RELATING TO FIELD OPERATIONS.
From Lieut.-Colonel G.
M. P. Hawthorn, 1st K.A.R., Commanding Troops, Nyasaland.
To His Excellency the
Governor and Commander- in-Chief, Nyasaland Protectorate.
Zombo, 11th October, 1915.
Your Excellency,
In view of the impending
arrival of the Central African Imperial Service Contingent in this
Protectorate, and the consequent reorganisation of the forces in the
field, I have the honour to submit for your Excellency's approval and
favour of transmission to His Majesty's Secretary of State for the
Colonies a report on the operations carried out by the Nyasaland Field
Force as hitherto constituted.
At the outset of the
war, on receipt of a telegram from His Majesty's Secretary of State
with orders that precautionary measures should be adopted, all troops
were immediately mobilised, men on leave recalled, and the K.A.R.
Reserve called up, a staff was formed of officers and civil officials,
and retired officers were posted to K.A.R. Reserve. The force was
organised in double companies of African troops, the whole under the
command of Captain C. W. Barton, D.S.O., Northamptonshire Regiment.
Immediately after
receipt of a telegram to the effect that war was declared between
England and Germany the troops marched from Zomba, arriving at Fort
Johnston on the 9th and 10th August.
On August 8th the Government
armed steamer "Guendolen," (sic) commanded by
Commander E. L. Rhoades, was ordered to proceed north to reconnoitre
Sphinxhaven, where it was reported that the German Government steamer
"Wissmann" was undergoing repairs.
Commander Rhoades
surprised the ''Wissman" on the stocks at dawn, August 13th. He
found that it was impossible to refloat her, so, after removing the
armament and important parts of the engines, he returned to Fort
Johnston on August 15th with the captured crew.
The Field Force embarked
in the s.s. "Guendolen'', "Chauncey Maples,"
"Queen Victoria," "Pioneer" and
"Adventure" on August 16th and 17th, and disembarked at Vua
on August 19th and 20th. By August 22nd it had concentrated at Karonga.
On August 20th an enemy
patrol crossed the Songwe River, which forms the Anglo-German boundary,
and fired on a police patrol of ours.
Between August 20th and
September 8th various reconnaissances were made towards the border, the
enemy holding an advanced position at Kapora, about 5 miles south of the
Songwe.
At this time the enemy
was reported to have about 700 rifles with 8 maxims and 1 field gun in
the New Langenburg and Songwe district, but this was probably an
over-estimate.
In the beginning of
September a reinforcement of 2 officers and 54 British Volunteers of
the Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve arrived at Karonga.
On September 8th the
force marched northwest from Karonga towards the Lufira River, leaving
a garrison at Karonga under command of Lieutenant P. D. Bishop, K.A.R.
Reserve. It was the intention of the Officer Commanding to attack and
capture the enemy advanced post at Kapora. The main body of the enemy,
however, advanced simultaneously close to the lake shore to attack
Karonga, strength, as subsequently ascertained, about 400 with 2 light
field guns and 3 maxims. At about 7 a.m. September 9th a double company
K.A.R. was ordered to attack a company of the enemy reported on the
north bank of the Lufira. The enemy company retired, and at about 8
a.m. gun firing was heard from the direction of Karonga, and it was
also reported by scouts that the main enemy force had passed east of
our position during the night, marching south. A double company with 1
maxim under Captain A. H. Griffiths, 1st K.A.R., was ordered to march
with the utmost speed to relieve Karonga. The remainder of the force
with the transport, as soon as the double company from the north bank
of the Lufira had rejoined, followed towards Karonga.
The enemy had attacked
Karonga at about 7 a.m., and a continuous fire was kept up from 400
yards range against the post by about 350 rifles and three maxims; a
few shells were also fired by two field guns (1.4”).
Captain Griffiths
arrived on the scene at about 11 a.m., completely surprising the enemy,
whom he put to flight, capturing two maxim guns.
In the meantime our main
body, hampered by transport, was slowly returning towards Karonga; at
about 11 a.m. it met half a company of the enemy, which was quickly
routed. At about 1 p.m. when crossing the Kasoa stream, the force came
into contact with the enemy, who had reformed during the retirement
from Karonga. After a sharp action of two hours' duration the enemy was
completely defeated and retired in disorder towards the German border,
losing two field guns, a quantity of small arms, ammunition and stores.
The enemy having been completely scattered, our force was again
concentrated at Karonga.
Our total casualties on
this day were: -
Killed.-3 officers, 2
British Volunteers, N.V.R., 8 K.A.R. rank and file.
Wounded.-3 officers, 4
British Volunteers, N.V.R., 42 K.A.R. rank and file.
The enemy left on the
field: -
Killed.-7 Europeans, 51
native rank and file.
Wounded and prisoners.-2
officers.
Unwounded prisoner.-1
officer.
Wounded and unwounded
prisoners.-69 natives.
Reliable reports confirm
that at least two other Europeans were severely wounded, and 30 or 40
natives.
In addition two field
guns and two machine guns, 72 small arms, about 10,000 rounds of
ammunition, and a complete maxim tripod and spare parts, with a
quantity of stores and explosives, were captured.
Captain Barton was
himself wounded, and Captain H. W. Stevens assumed command of the Field
Force.
After this success it
would have been quite possible to take up a position beyond the border,
but as the enemy could have reinforced from other parts of their colony
in a short time it was decided to put Karonga into a state of defence
and establish the force permanently there. From this date until the
commencement of the rains in December various minor encounters and
patrol actions took place, with no serious loss to either side, but
resulting advantageously to us. After the commencement of the rains the
country became impracticable for operations, and the greater part of
the British Volunteers were allowed to return to their ordinary duties.
I arrived in Nyasaland
in December 1914, and assumed command of the Field Force on December
29th.
On January 25th 1915 I
received a telegram from Your Excellency asking for troops to assist in
quelling a native rising in the Chiradzulu district. I ordered Captain
H. G. Collins, 1st K.A.R., to proceed with the utmost speed to Zomba,
with one double company 1st K.A.R., one machine gun, and one field gun.
The Government steamer "Guendolen " landed this force at
Fort Johnston on January 27th. Captain Collins detached half a company
under Captain J. L. Portal, 1st K.A.R., to proceed to Ncheu, where
there had also been a disturbance. Captain Collins' force reached Zomba
on January 29th, having marched 86 miles from Fort Johnston in 47
hours. The rebel force had meanwhile been defeated and scattered by a
force of 40 British Volunteers and 100 K.A.R. Recruits under the
command of Captain L. E. L. Triscott, K.A.R. Reserve. Captain Collins,
on arrival, assumed command of the operations, and instituted a
vigorous pursuit of the rebels by small patrols, by which considerable
numbers of the fugitives were captured. The rising at Ncheu collapsed
before Captain Portal arrived there. Your Excellency has already been
furnished with detailed reports by the officers who took part in the
suppression of the rising.
During March a naval
detachment under the command of Lieutenant-Commander G. H.
Dennistoun, R.N., with naval guns, arrived in the Protectorate.
Reports having been
received that the enemy were repairing the ss. "Wissmann," it
was decided to send a combined naval and military expedition to
Sphinxhaven, to refloat the steamer if possible, otherwise to complete
her destruction. The detachment undter Captain Collins was detailed for
this duty. The expedition embarked in ss. "Guendolen"
and "Chauncey Maples" at Fort Johnston on May 26th. A landing
was effected three miles south of Sphinxhaven at about 3 a.m. on May
30th, and the enemy's position was assaulted and captured by 11 a.m.
after a bombardment by the "Guendolen's" guns. The
"Wissmann " was completely disabled by dynamite charges, and
the force re-embarked about 2.30 p.m. The enemy returned before the
last section was withdrawn, and opened fire with a maxim and about 40
rifles. The section was re-embarked under cover of gun, rifle and maxim
fire from the ships. Our only casualty was Volunteer Sutherland
wounded. About 7,000 rounds of ammunition, one maxim carriage and spare
parts, some rifles and stores, a green flag with crescent and star, and
a German flag were captured.
Captain Collins' force
rejoined at Karonga on June 1st.
Early in June reports of
a considerable increase in the enemy forces in the New Langenburg
district were confirmed from several sources, the reinforcements being
estimated at 200 Europeans and 400 native troops.
Enemy patrols became
more active, but owing no doubt to the extremely thick nature of the
country, the grass being still green and varying from six to ten feet
in height, no serious movements were attempted, though the hostile
garrison at Ipiana, about three miles north of the Songwe and five
miles from the lake shore, was considerably strengthened, and new posts
were established at points along the Songwe.
During July patrol
activity increased, and one or two affairs of scouts took place. At the
end of July it was reported that a considerable portion of the troops
from New Langenburg had moved north, presumably to take part in an
attack on the post of Saisi, about 25 miles south of Abercorn, which
was held by Rhodesian and Belgian troops.
On August 12th news was
received that Saisi had been invested by the enemy. Though it was
unlikely that at a distance of 180 miles it would affect the situation
at Saisi, I decided to make a demonstration against the enemy's
position on the Songwe on the 13th, while the "Guendolen "
under Lieutenant-Commander Dennistoun made a simultaneous
demonstration at the north end of the lake. A letter, however, was
received on the night of the 12th which informed me that the enemy had
retired from Saisi, and I returned to Karonga on the evening of the
13th.
The Nyasaland Imperial
Service Contingent from the Union of South Africa arrived in the
Protectorate early in September and was conveyed in two detachments to
Karonga. The first detachment arrived at Karonga on the 15th September,
and the second detachment on the 23rd.
During September and
October there were numerous encounters between patrols in the vicinity
of the Lufira River, Captains Galbraith and Griffiths, of the 1st
K.A.R., being prominent in the conduct of these enterprises.
The health of the troops
since the outbreak of the war has been satisfactory. There has been a
considerable amount of malaria and dysentery, but the percentage of
sickness has not been so high as the average of previous years at
Karonga; this is no doubt due to the large amount of clearing which has
been done and to the sanitary measures carried out by the medical
staff. There was one case of enteric at the end of 1914; the majority
of Europeans have since been inoculated, and there has been no further
case.
The Europeans have been
fortunately placed in the matter of supplies at Karonga, cattle and
fresh milk being obtainable, also vegetables and fresh fish, at most
times of the year. Rations for native troops, principally rice, were
brought by steamer from lake ports, and a full ration, with additional
issues of beans and fresh meat, was maintained.
The rains at the north
end of the lake fell between the end of November and the early part of
May, and in the Songwe district the rainfall must have reached nearly
150 inches. In Karonga itself the rainfall did not exceed 30 inches,
and this difference favoured our forces very greatly as compared with
the enemy in the matter of health. This in itself thoroughly justified
the selection of Karonga as our defensive position.
It was impossible to
maintain our telegraphic communication with Rhodesia owing to the
proximity of the line to the border and the positions of the enemy's
main posts.
I wish to acknowledge
the cordial assistance which has always been rendered by all the civil
officials, on whom a great amount of additional work has been thrown,
also the ready help which has been given by the Free Church of Scotland
Mission and the Universities Mission. The former placed all their
buildings at Karonga at the disposal of the Field Force for hospital
purposes, and also helped greatly by supplying labour and growing
vegetables for the use of the force. The steamer owned by the
latter was taken over by Government for transport purposes, and her
staff has worked unremittingly during the whole period dealt with.
A considerable number of
the Nyasaland Volunteer Reserve has been employed during the whole
period with the Field Force in various capacities, and has for the last
eight months furnished a machine-gun section with two guns. About 60
took part in the action at Kasoa on September 9th 1914, where their
services were most valuable, two being killed while working maxims.
The men of the 1st
K.A.R. and the K.A.R. reservists have given entire satisfaction, and
their conduct reflects the greatest credit on the company officers,
especially as the men were mostly young soldiers.
I have the honour to
bring to Your Excellency's notice the names of the following officers,
non-commissioned officers and men: -
(included in Army lists)
Mr. H. A. Channon,
Universities Mission. Although he is properly under the Senior Naval
Officer, his assistance to us has been so constant and cheerful,
and I feel that I should make special mention of him.
I would also request
that the services of Lieutenant-Commander G. H. Dennistoun, R.N.,
may be brought to the notice of the Lords of the Admiralty. In addition
to the admirable manner in which he carried out the expedition to
Sphinxhaven on May 30th 1915, his cordial co-operation at all times has
been invaluable in overcoming difficulties.
I have, etc.,
G. M. P. HAWTHORN,
Lieut.-Colonel, 1st K.A.R., Officer Commanding the Troops, Nyasaland.
29698 - 8 AUGUST 1916
Whitehall, August 7, 1916.
The KING has been
pleased to give and grant unto the undermentioned Naval Officers His
Majesty's Royal licence and authority to wear Decorations (as stated
against their respective names) which have been conferred upon them by
His Majesty the King of Italy in recognition of valuable services
rendered by them: -
Order of the Crown of Italy
Commander
Captain Hughes Campbell
Lockyer, C.B., R.N.
Captain Denis Burke
Crampton, M.V.O., D.S.O., R.N.
Captain Vivian Henry
Gerald Bernard, R.N.
Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus
Officer
Captain Forster
Delafield Arnold-Forster, R.N.
Lieutenant-Commander
Basil Richard Poe, R.N.
Chevalier
Lieutenant Edward
Bernard Cornish Dicken, R.N.
Assistant-Paymaster
Victor Cecil Gould Eason, R.N.
________
Naval Prize Bounty Money.
Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy. Admiralty,
S.W., 5th Aug. 1916.
Notice is hereby given
to all persons interested therein, that preparations are now being made
for the intended distribution of the Awards of Prize Bounty for the
destruction of the armed enemy vessels "Hela" and "S.
126" by H.M. Submarine E 9, on the 13th September, 1914,
and the 6th October, 1914, respectively. (followed by administration
details)
29701 - 8 AUGUST 1916
War Office, 10th August, 1916.
His Majesty The KING
(is) pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the
field to the undermentioned Non-commissioned Officers and Men: -
(included in Army
lists)
Deal/3582 (S.) Pte. W.
Aldred, R.M.
Ply./350 (S.) Pte. R. J.
Hulme, R.M.L.I.
29703 - 11 AUGUST 1916
Whitehall, August 9, 1916.
The KING has been
pleased to give and grant unto Acting Vice-Admiral Sir John. Michael de
Robeck, K.C.B., His Majesty's Royal licence and authority to wear the
Insignia of Grand Officier of the Legion of Honour, which
Decoration has been conferred upon him by the President of the FRENCH
REPUBLIC in recognition of valuable services rendered by him.
________
Whitehall, August 10, 1916.
The KING has been
pleased to give and. grant unto Commander (Acting Captain) Mansfield
George Smith-Cumming, C.B., R.N., His Majesty's Royal licence and
authority to wear the Insignia of the Second Class of the Order of
St. Stanislas, which Decoration has been conferred upon him by His
Majesty the Emperor of RUSSIA, in recognition of valuable
services rendered by him.
________
Whitehall, August 10, 1916.
The KING has been
pleased to give and grant unto Commander Hubert Searle Cardale, R.N.,
His Majesty's Royal licence and authority to wear the Insignia of the
Fourth Class of the Order of Kara George, which Decoration has
been conferred upon him by His Majesty the King of SERBIA, in
recognition of valuable services rendered by him.
_________
Naval Prize Bounty Money.
Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy. Admiralty,
S.W., 10th August, 1916.
Notice is hereby given
to all persons interested therein, that preparations are now being made
for the intended distribution of the Prize Bounty awarded for the
destruction of the armed enemy vessel "G. 194" by H.M.S.
"Cleopatra" on the 25th March, 1916. (followed by
administration details)
________
Admiralty, 11th August, 1916.
The KING (is) pleased to
confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal of the First Class on-
Lieutenant Frederick
Joseph Rutland, R.N. (Flight Lieutenant, Royal Naval Air Service).
The following is the
account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been
conferred: -
During the transhipment of
the crew of H.M.S. "Warrior" to H.M.S. "Engadine"
on the morning of the 1st of June, 1916, succeeding the naval battle
off the coast of Jutland, one of the severely wounded, owing to the
violent motion of the two ships, was accidentally dropped overboard
from a stretcher and fell between the ships. As the ships were working
most dangerously, the Commanding Officer of the "Warrior" had
to forbid two of his officers from jumping overboard to the rescue of
the wounded man, as he considered that it would mean their almost
certain death. Before he could be observed, however, Lieutenant
Rutland, of H.M.S. "Engadine," went overboard from the
forepart of that ship with a bowline, and worked himself aft. He
succeeded in putting the bowline around the wounded man and in getting
him hauled on board, but it was then found that the man was dead,
having been crushed between the two ships. Lieutenant Rutland's escape
from a similar fate was miraculous. His bravery is reported to have
been magnificent.
29711 - 18 AUGUST 1916
Chancery of the Royal Victorian Order
The KING (is) pleased,
on the occasion of the recent visit of His Majesty to his Army in
the Field, to make the following promotions in, and
appointments to, the Royal Victorian Order: -
To be Knights Commander
(including)
Vice-Admiral Sir
Reginald Hugh Spencer Bacon, K.C.B., C.V.O., D.S.O.
29716 - 18 AUGUST 1916
WESTERN FRONT
ARMY DESPATCH dated 31 July 1916
(2 pages)
29718 - 22 AUGUST 1916
Whitehall, August 21, 1916.
The KING has been pleased
to give and grant unto Vice-Admiral Sir Arthur Henry Limpus, K.C.M.G.,
C.B., Admiral Superintendent of Malta Dockyard, His Majesty's Royal
licence and authority to wear the Insignia of Grand Officer of the Legion
of Honour, which Decoration has been conferred upon him by the
President of the FRENCH REPUBLIC in recognition of valuable
services rendered by him.
________
Naval Salvage Money.
Department of the Accountant-general of the Navy, Admiralty,
S.W., August, 1916.
Notice is hereby given
to all persons interested therein, that preparations are now being made
for the intended Distribution of the Award for the Salvage of S.S.
"Bandoeng" by certain of H.M. Ships of the Nore Flotillas
on the 15th and 16th February, 1916. (followed by administration
details)
29727 - 29 AUGUST 1916
Whitehall, August 25, 1916.
The KING has been
pleased to give and grant unto …..
….. Admiral Sir John
Rushworth Jellicoe, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., Commander-in-Chief of the Grand
Fleet, His Majesty's Royal licence and authority to wear the Insignia
of the Third Class of the Order of Saint George which Decoration
has been conferred upon him by His Majesty the Emperor of RUSSIA in
recognition of valuable services rendered by him.
….. Vice-Admiral Sir
David Beatty, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., D.S.O., Commanding the Battle Cruiser
Fleet, His Majesty's Royal licence and authority to wear the Insignia
of the Fourth Class of the Order of Saint George, which
Decoration has been conferred upon him by His Majesty the Emperor of RUSSIA
in recognition of valuable services rendered by him.
________
Admiralty, 15th August 1916.
The KING (is) pleased to
confer the R.N.R. Officers' Decoration upon the following
Officers: -
Cdr. Albert G. Cubitt,
R.N.R. (Retd.).
Act.-Cdr. Graham C.
Holloway, R.N.R.
Lieut.-Cdr. Sidney S.
Richardson, R.N.R.
Lieut.-Cdr. Francis J.
Stenson, R.N.R.
Payr. Alfred E. Craddy,
R.N.R.
29735 - 5 SEPTEMBER 1916
Whitehall, September 2, 1916.
The KING has been
pleased to give and grant unto Captain Herbert Algernon Adam, R.N.
(Commodore, 2nd Class), and Captain Robert Nesham Bax, R.N., His
Majesty's Royal licence and authority to wear the Insignia of Commander
of the Order of the Crown of Italy, which Decoration has been
conferred upon them by His Majesty the King of ITALY in
recognition of valuable services rendered by them.
29736 - 5 SEPTEMBER 1916
Chancery of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George,
Downing Street, 6th September, 1916.
The KING (is) pleased to
give directions for the following appointments to the Most
Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, in
recognition of services with the Royal Naval Division in the Gallipoli
Peninsula: -
To be Additional Members
of the Third Class, or Companions of the said Most Distinguished
Order: -
Lieut.-Col. (now Col.
2nd Comdt.) Edward James Stroud, R.M.L.I.
Lieut.-Col. Alexander
Richard Hamilton Hutchison, R.M.L.I.
Temp. Lieut.-Col. Leslie
Orme Wilson, D.S.O., M.P. (Reserve of Officers, R.M.).
Fleet Surg. Ernest James
Finch, R.N.
NAVAL GALLANTRY AWARDS
Admiralty, 6th September, 1916.
The KING (is) pleased to
give orders for the appointment of the undermentioned Officers to be
Companions of the Distinguished Service Order: -
Lieut.-Cdr. Thomas
Stephen Lewis Dorman, R.N. For his gallant conduct at Reshire (Bushire?)
on the 9th September, 1915, when he volunteered and endeavoured to
bring a machine-gun into action, exposed to a heavy fire from the
enemy, at about 300 yards range. A Yeoman of Signals who accompanied
Lieut.-Cdr. Dorman was mortally wounded.
Eng. Lieut.-Cdr. William
Howard Clarke. R.N. After his ship had been holed below the water-line
in action off the Belgian coast, he kept the engines running
under most difficult conditions.
Lieut.-Cdr. William
Markham Egerton, R.N.V.R.
St.-Surg. Aloysius
Francis Fleming, R.N.
Capt. (temp. Maj.)
Reginald Dawson Hopcraft Lough, R.M.L.I.
In recognition of their
services with the Royal Naval Division in the Gallipoli Peninsula.
________
The KING has further
been graciously pleased to give orders for the award of the Distinguished
Service Cross to the undermentioned Officers: -
Lieut. Frederick
Septimus Kelly, R.N.V.R.
Capt. Bernard George
Weller, R.M.L.I.
Temp. Lieut. Thomas
Nixon Riley, R.M.
In recognition of their
services with the Royal Naval Division in the Gallipoli Peninsula.
Flight Sub-Lieut.
Roderic Stanley Dallas, R.N.A.S. Flight Sub-Lieut. Dallas, in addition
to performing consistently good work in reconnaissances and fighting
patrols since December, 1915, has been brought to notice by the
Vice-Admiral, Dover Patrol, for the specially gallant manner in
which he has carried out his duties. Amongst other exploits is the
following: On the 21st May, 1916, he sighted at least 12 hostile
machines, which had been bombing Dunkerque. He attacked one at 7,000
feet, and then attacked a second machine close to him. After reloading,
he climbed to 10,000 feet, and attacked a large hostile two-seater
machine off Westende. The machine took fire and nose-dived seawards.
Another enemy machine then appeared, which he engaged and chased to the
shore, but had to abandon owing to having used all his ammunition.
Sub-Lieut, (now Act.
Lieut.) Christopher Bernard Oxley, R.N. Sub-Lieut. Oxley was acting as
Observer with Flight-Lieut. Edward H. Dunning, D.S.C., as Pilot, on
escort and reconnaissance patrol for a flight of bombing machines on
the Bulgarian coast, on the 20th June, 1916. Two enemy machines
were engaged at close, range and forced to retire, and as our machine
withdrew Flight-Lieut. Dunning was hit in the left leg and the machine
itself was badly damaged. Sub-Lieut. Oxley, having first improvised a
tourniquet, which he gave to Flight Lieut. Dunning, took control of the
machine, whilst the latter put on the tourniquet. The pilot was obliged
to keep his thumb over a hole in the lower part of the petrol tank in
order to keep enough fuel to return to the aerodrome, where he made an
exceedingly good landing.
Flight Sub-Lieut. Donald
Ernest Harkness, R.N.A.S.
Flight Sub-Lieut. Ralph
Harold Collett, R.N.A.S.
In recognition of their
services on the morning of the 9th August, 1916, when they dropped
bombs on the airship sheds at Evere and Berchem St.
Agathe. Flight Sub-Lieut. Collett dropped all his bombs on the shed at
Evere from a height of between 300 and 500 feet, under very heavy
rifle, machine-gun and shrapnel fire from all directions. Flight
Sub-Lieut. Harkness could not descend so low owing to the very heavy
antiaircraft fire which had by this time been opened on the machines,
but he dropped some of his bombs on the shed, and then proceeded to
Berchem St. Agathe, which he also bombed.
Act. Lieut. Frank
Stewart Lofthouse, R.N.R. Lieut. Lofthouse showed admirable
presence of mind on the occasion of the attack by an Austrian cruiser
on a group of drifters in the Adriatic on the 9th July, 1916.
When the cruiser opened fire on his drifter at point-blank range, this
officer ordered the crew to put on lifebelts, and immediately went to
the wireless apparatus himself and twice sent out a message as to the
presence of the cruiser. Whilst he was sending this message three shots
hit the ship. He then came on deck and, finding his ship was sinking,
he got his crew overboard and by his example and behaviour kept them
together until they were picked up six hours later.
Skipper Harold John
Goldspink, R.N.R., 1937 W.S.A.
Skipper James Ritchie,
R.N.R., 1271 W.S.A. Skipper Ritchie behaved in an admirable manner and
displayed great coolness under fire on the occasion of the attack by an
Austrian cruiser on a. group of drifters in the Adriatic, on the
9th July, 1916. He was instrumental in saving many lives by taking his
drifter alongside damaged drifters and by picking up men who were in
the water.
Skipper Frederick George
Harris, R.N.R., 1147 W.S.A. Skipper Harris showed most seamanlike
qualities on the occasion of the attack by an Austrian cruiser on a
group of drifters in the Adriatic on the 9th July, 1916. He went
to the assistance of the damaged drifters, took them in tow, and brought
them safely into harbour.
________
The following awards
have also been approved: -
To receive the Conspicuous
Gallantry Medal.
Pte. Thomas Henry
Hoskins, R.M.L.I., No. Ch. 12888 (R.F.R. B./1952). For conspicuous
gallantry at Gaba Tepe, on the 30th April, 1915, when, after
volunteering for the duty, he moved across the open under very heavy
and very close range fire to another sector of the outpost line with an
urgent message for ammunition and water. Having delivered the message,
he courageously attempted to return to his unit, and in doing so was
twice wounded.
To receive the Distinguished
Service Medal.
L.S. Frederick William
Andrews, O.N. 230697.
L.S. Charles John
Colbran, O.N. 208778.
Act. L. Sto. Herbert
Heath, O.N. K.946.
Qrmr. John Drinkall
(Mercantile Rating).
Pte. George Yates,
R.M.L.I., No. Ply./15209.
Royal Naval Division.
Corpl. John McDowell,
R.M.L.I., Ply./15925.
Corpl. Albert Robert
Grainger, R.M.L.t., Ch./15463.
Pte. Charles Robert
Bell, R.M.L.I., Ch./8882.
Sergt. John Charles
Dunn, R.M.L.I., Po./7770.
Sergt. Marcus William
Minter, R.M.L.I., Po./8622.
A.B. George Ramsey,
R.N.V.R., ON. Z.2736.C.
Lce.-Cpl. David George
Denver, R.M.L.I., Po./12125.
Pte. Harry Mills,
R.M.L.I., Ply./16368.
Pte. Albert Dunkley,
R.M., Deal/3176 (S.) (Medical Unit).
Pte. Percy Berry,
R.M.L.I., Ch.13352.
Sto. Thomas Bell,
R.N.V.R., ON.Po./109000.
Lce.-Sergt. Frederick
Wolstenholme, R.M.L.I. Ply./481 (S.).
Sto. Tom Arnold,
Ch./R.F.R./S. (S. 105803) (C.P.O., R.N.D.).
Sapper Walter Bottomley,
R.M., Depot/614 (S.) (Divl. Engrs.).
Sergt. Albert Henry
Hunting, R.M.L.I., Po./16280.
A.B. George William
James, R.N.V.R., ON.Z.2837.T.
A.B. Daniel Bullen,
R.N.V.R., ON.KP.3.
Pte. Frank Hunt,
R.M.L.I., Po./319 (S.).
Nigerian Marine (Natives).
Isaac, Deckhand.
Yesufu, Boatswain.
Sam Druder, Boatswain.
William M'Beh,
Quartermaster.
The undermentioned
rating has been awarded a Bar to his Distinguished Service Medal
for a subsequent act of gallantry: -
Leading Signalman Isaac
Overton, O.N. 225837. (The award of the Distinguished Service
Medal was notified in Gazette dated 16th August, 1915, page 8135.)
The following have been mentioned
in despatches for good services in action: -
Lieut.-Cdr. Arthur John
Layard Murray, R.N.
Yeo. Sigs. Frederick
Samuel Wood, O.N. 211530 (killed in action - 9 September 1915, HMS
Pyramus, Persia (nhn)).
Nigerian Marine (West Indian).
Joshua Cockburn, Master
of the Flotilla Storeship "Trojan."
Nigerian Marine (Natives).
Isaiah Briggs,
Quartermaster.
Pom Pom, Deckhand.
Micassa Dumba (locally
entered).
Ndgea Noah (locally
entered).
29739 - 8 SEPTEMBER 1916
Naval Prize Bounty Money.
Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy. Admiralty,
S.W., 6th September, 1916.
Notice is hereby given
to all Persons interested therein, that preparations are now being made
for the intended Distribution of the Prize Bounty awarded for the
undermentioned services: -
Destruction of a German
Armed Auxiliary by H.M. Submarine E.5, 25th September, 1915.
Destruction of
"Pelenk-i-Deria" by H.M. Submarine E.11, 23rd May,
1915.
Destruction of
"Hairedin Barbarossa" by H.M. Submarine E.11, 8th August,
1915.
Destruction of "Yar
Hissar" by H.M. Submarine E.11, 3rd December, 1915.
Destruction of a German
Armed Auxiliary by H.M. Submarine E.16, 22nd December, 1915.
(followed by
administration details)
29744 - 12 SEPTEMBER 1916
Notice Of Intended Distribution of Naval Prize Bounty Money.
Department of the Accountant General of the Navy, Admiralty, S.W.
llth September, 1916.
Notice is hereby given
to the Officers, Seamen, and Marines, and to all Persons interested
therein, that the Distribution of the Prize Bounty awarded for the
destruction of "Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse" by H.M. Ship
"Highflyer," 27th August, 1914, "Hela" and
German Torpedo Boat S.126 by H.M. Submarine "E.9,"
13th September and 6th October, 1914," "Nachtigal," by H.M.
Ship "Dwarf," 16th September, 1914, German Destroyer
"V.188" by H.M. Submarine "E.16," 26th July,
1915, "Senator von Bereuberg Gossler" by H.M. Submarine
" E.4," 28th July, 1915, and German Torpedo Boat
Destroyer "G.194" by H.M. Ship "Cleopatra,"
25th March, 1916, will commence on Wednesday, the 13th September, 1916,
(followed by administration details)
29749 - 12 SEPTEMBER 1916
War Office, 14th September, 1916.
His Majesty The KING
(is) pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the
field to the undermentioned: -
(included in Army
list)
R.M.A./14286 Actg.
Bombr. E. J. Goff, R.M.A.
R.M.A.10040 Gunner J. Halden,
R.M.A.
29758 - 19 SEPTEMBER 1916
War Office, 2lst September, 1916.
His Majesty The KING
(is) pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the
field to the undermentioned Non-commissioned Officers and Men: -
(included in Army
lists)
Ply./980 (S.) Pte. D. J.
James, R.M.L.I.
R.M.A./937 (S.) Gunner
H. H. Jarman, R.M.A.
Clyde/Z/1040 Able Seaman
N. Smith, Royal Naval Division.
R.M.A. 12029 Gunner W.
Wright, R.M.A.
29759 - 22 SEPTEMBER 1916
Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood.
With reference to the
announcement which appeared in the Supplement to the London Gazette,
dated 15th September, 1916, the name of the following Officer should
have been included in the list of those whom The KING (is) pleased to
appoint to the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in recognition
of their services in the Battle of Jutland: -
To be an Additional
Member of the Military Division of the Third Class, or Companions,
of the said Most Honourable Order:-
Captain James Rose Price
Hawkesley, M.V.O., R.N. (Commodore, 2nd Class).
________
Chancery of the Royal Victorian Order,
The KING (is) pleased to
make the following appointment to the Royal Victorian Order: -
To be Commander.
Captain James
Clement Ley, Royal Navy.
29763 - 22 SEPTEMBER 1916
EGYPTIAN CAMPAIGN
ARMY DESPATCH dated 1 June 1916
Also Salonika
War Office, 25th September, 1916.
The following Despatch
has been received by the Secretary of State for War from General Sir
Archibald Murray, Commander-in-Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force:-
General Headquarters, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, 1st June,
1916.
Sir,-I have the honour
to submit a report on the operations of the Force under my command from
the date on which I assumed command to the 31st May, 1916.
1. On 9th January, 1916,
I arrived in Cairo, and, on the following day, took over the command of
the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from General Sir C. C. Monro,
G.C.M.G., K.C.B., who had himself arrived from Mudros but a few days
before. At that date the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force was in a
state of transition as regards its larger component, the Dardanelles
Army. On the night of the 8th/9th January this Army had completed its
successful evacuation of Cape Helles; its units were still concentrated
at Mudros and Imbros awaiting transport to Egypt, where all the Force,
excluding the Salonica Army, had been ordered to concentrate.
Meanwhile, a portion of the Force, which had been set free by the
earlier evacuation of the Suvla Bay and Anzac positions, had already
arrived in Egypt, where it had come under the command of General Sir
John Maxwell, K.C.B., K.C.M.G. The concentration of the Australian and
New Zealand Army Corps, for instance, was practically complete, and the
53rd Division was occupied in operations on the Western Frontier of
Egypt. General Headquarters of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force
were temporarily established in Cairo.
The instructions which I
had received from the Secretary of State for War placed under my
command all organized formations then in. Egypt, or on their way to
Egypt, with the exception of such troops as might be considered
necessary for the defence of Egypt and the Nile Valley against attack
from the west, or for maintaining order in the Nile Valley and the Nile
Delta. The function assigned to me was that of protecting Egypt against
attack from the east, and the westward limit of my command was roughly
fixed by a line running north and south approximately five miles west
of the Suez Canal. The British Force at Salonica was also placed under
my general supervision.
2. During the period
under review, in addition to the extensive military preparations
required for the defence of the eastern front, the amount of purely
administrative work thrown on all sections of my Staff has been
extremely heavy. The exigencies of the Gallipoli campaign had placed
the Force under my command in a state of serious disorganisation. Some
units were in Egypt, others on the sea, others in Aegean ports. It was
not until the end of February that the last units of the Dardanelles
Army reached Egypt. Every day for over six weeks ship loads of troops,
guns, animals and transport were arriving at Alexandria and Port Said.
The components of this mass had to be disentangled and forwarded to
their proper destinations; old units had to be reorganised, new units
to be created, brigades, divisions, Army Corps to be re-formed. The
British troops from Gallipoli were incomplete in personnel and
material. It was urgently necessary to bring them up to strength, re-equip
them, and provide them with train and mechanical transport on a
modified scale. The Australasian troops also needed re-equipment, and,
in their case, there was the additional problem of dealing with a mass
of unabsorbed reinforcements. Further training of officers and men was
an urgent necessity. Moreover, the embarkation of troops for service
elsewhere began in February and continued without intermission till the
end of April. To this work must be added not only the maintenance of my
Force, both in Egypt and Salonica, with animals, supplies, ordnance
stores, works material, and medical and veterinary stores, but also the
provision and despatch of ordnance stores, works material, and supplies
specially demanded for Basrah and East Africa.
The bulk of the work of
disembarkation and embarkation, including the very heavy work of
railway transport, fell upon the staffs of my Deputy
Quartermaster-General and Inspector General of Communications, to whom
great credit is due. This work, together with the task of supplying and
maintaining the troops operating on the eastern, and subsequently also
on the western, front, was efficiently carried out by the Ordnance,
Supply and Transport, Remount, and Works departments.
As regards instruction,
a training centre for Australasian reinforcements was started at Tel el
Kebir and continued until it was decided that the Australasian training
depots should be transferred to England. Further, a machine gun school
was formed at Ismailia which, after producing excellent results, was
merged in the Imperial School of Instruction at Zeitoun. The latter
institution, which came under my control after 19th March, has since
been increased in size so as to train officers in all branches of
warfare. Under its commandant, Lieut.-Colonel the Hon. E. M. Colston,
M.V.O., its work has been most valuable. Besides the ordinary courses,
for officers and non-commissioned officers, it holds machine gun, Lewis
gun, signal and telephone, artillery, Stokes gun, and grenadier
classes. Between 7th January and 31st May, 1,166 officers and 5,512
other ranks attended and passed in the various classes. A machine gun
school was also started at Salonica.
Excellent work has been
done by the signal service during this period. In the first place, it
has efficiently carried out the work of refitting the signal units from
the Peninsula, reorganising them to suit the conditions peculiar to
Egypt, and training locally officers and men to fill the gaps
and meet the increased demand for signallers and telegraphists.
Ninety-four officers and 1,305 other ranks have been trained in these
duties at Zeitoun and Alexandria this year. Secondly, it has had to
provide intercommunication for troops engaged upon over 1,000 miles of
front, which has involved the development of an unusually extensive
network of military telegraphs. All the resource and ingenuity of the
service has been taxed to cope with the conditions peculiar to this
field of operations - abnormal distances, unusual means of transport,
desert, sand storms and mirage. Lastly, it has substituted a military
telegraph and telephone service for the civil system which, until this
year, had been the only available means of communication throughout
Egypt and was worked mainly by native personnel.
I would also specially
mention the survey work that has been carried out since the arrival of
the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in Egypt. In addition to the
standardisation, printing and issue of tactical maps of Sinai to the
whole of the army on the eastern front, a new survey on a large scale
of the Canal zone and certain areas east of our lines and advanced
posts has been continuously carried on by the Topographical Section of
the Intelligence Branch, working in close co-operation with the Royal
Flying Corps. This survey, which has now been in process for nearly six
months, is now approaching Qatia. I believe that the map based on this
survey is the first map entirely constructed on this principle. The
work was initiated by Mr. E. M. Dowson, Director-General, Survey of Egypt,
who placed his resources at the disposal of the Mediterranean
Expeditionary Force. The actual direction of the work has been in the
hands of the Intelligence Branch of my General Staff, and is based on
experience, gained in Gallipoli, of the production of trench maps from
aeroplane photographs, controlled by ordinary field survey methods.
Co-operation in this survey has been part of the routine of the Royal
Flying Corps.
These labours, most of
which demanded the utmost despatch in their completion, were carried
out concurrently with the conduct of more strictly military operations,
to my report on which I will now proceed.
3. When I arrived in
Egypt the intentions of the enemy as regards an attack on the Suez
Canal were by no means certain. Though his new means of communication
in southern Syria and Sinai, commenced with this end in view, were
still in a backward state, he undoubtedly had at his disposal the
troops, amounting to 250,000 men or more, necessary for such an attack.
The adequate defence of the Canal was, therefore, a matter of serious
importance. The outline of a scheme of defence had already been
prepared; certain works were being constructed, railways and pipe-lines
and roads commenced, and troops were being concentrated in the three
sections of the Canal defences, which were based on Suez, Ismailia and
Port Said respectively. A satisfactory agreement was arrived at between
Sir John Maxwell and myself regarding the delimitations of our
respective spheres of command and the troops to be allotted to him. On
22nd January General Headquarters opened at Ismailia.
My chief concern was now
the defence of the Canal. The work on the stationary defences was
backward. Difficulties of water supply on the east bank were increased
by shortage of piping; labour troubles had delayed the progress of
roads and railways. Guns had still to be emplaced, and no part of the
front defence line was actually occupied by troops. Nevertheless, as
there were no signs of an imminent advance on the part of the enemy,
the question of the stationary defences caused me no serious anxiety,
though everything possible was done to hasten on their completion. The
organisation of the offensive defence, which time has proved to be
paramount, was, however, a pressing matter hitherto untouched.
Practically nothing had been done towards the organisation of mobile
forces. The collection of a large number of riding and transport camels
had to be undertaken at once and a plan of campaign to be devised.
Moreover, time was short, for it was plain that any offensive on a
large scale by the enemy must be commenced before the middle of March.
For the force under my command the only possible line of advance was
along the northern line from Qantara towards Qatia and El Arish, and
the task was at once taken up of examining the possibilities of an
offensive on this line and solving the problem of maintaining a
considerable force at Qatia during the summer months. The result of
these investigations is to be seen in my memorandum of 15th February
addressed to the Chief of the Imperial General Staff, in which I stated
that the first step towards securing the true base for the defence of
Egypt was an advance to a suitable position east of Qatia and the
construction of a railway to that place.
Up to the middle of
February aeroplane reconnaissance was the only active military
operation possible, owing to the need for reorganising the units of the
Force and for pushing on the work of laying roads, pipe-lines and
railways to enable an adequate force to be maintained on, and beyond,
the front lines. The magnitude of the latter task may be judged from
the fact that, during the period covered by this despatch, 114 miles of
road, 154 miles of pipe-lines, and 252 miles of railway were laid. The
work of the Royal Flying Corps, most actively and gallantly pursued,
enabled me to keep the enemy's posts at Hassana, Nekhl and El Arish
under close observation, and neither their reports nor those of the
equally gallant and efficient Naval Air Service, which observed
by seaplane the garrisons of southern Syria, showed any concentration
of enemy troops for a big attack on the Canal. On February 16th the
Russian Army entered Erzerum, inflicting a heavy defeat on the Turkish
Army opposed to it. It seemed likely then that all the enemy's schemes
for attacking the Canal in force must, for the present, fall to the
ground, and such has proved to be the case. The garrisons in Syria were
gradually reduced, until it was estimated that not more than 60,000 men
were available for an attack on Egypt. During the latter half of
February the work of reconnaissance beyond the front line began in
earnest, especially in the northern section, where the 15th Corps
patrolled as far as Bir El Nuss and Hod Um Ugba, establishing the fact
that the country was all clear and practically deserted. At this
period, too, a reconnaissance was undertaken from Tor. This post, and
that of Abu Zeneima, both on the Sinaitic coast south of Suez, were
then garrisoned by a battalion of the Egyptian Army - subsequently
by the 14th Sikhs - and had, by arrangement with General Maxwell, come
under my direction. The reconnaissance from Tor was undertaken against
a concentration of a small body of the enemy at Wadi Ginneh, some miles
distant from the coast. This minor operation was in every way
successful, though tne enemy had fled before their camp was reached,
leaving behind their baggage, which was destroyed. The troops then
returned without further incident.
4. From March onwards,
the rapid embarkation of troops for France depleted my forces
considerably. During this month the military operations on the eastern
front, if not momentous, were satisfactory. On 6th March a very gallant
and successful attack on Hassana was made by the Royal Flying Corps,
which resulted in the destruction of the pumping station. Bomb attacks
were made on Nekhl and other places in Sinai, and on 24th March Hassana
was again attacked in force with bombs. In the northern sector, the
preliminary steps were being taken for the advance to Qatia. Week by
week permanent posts were pushed further ahead, special reconnaissances
were made with a view to testing the water supply, and the broad gauge
railway from Qantara to Qatia was being carried forward as fast as
possible.
5. On 11th March I
received instructions from the late Secretary of State for War that the
command of the troops in Egypt was to be reorganised, and that I was
appointed General Officer Commanding-in-Chief all the Imperial forces
in this country, which added to my original command the command held by
General Sir John Maxwell. The preliminary details for carrying this
change into operation were fixed at a Conference with General Maxwell
held on 13th March, and on 19th March I formally took over the whole
command in Egypt, thus ending a system of dual control which had of
necessity been unsatisfactory, especially from the point of view of
economy. By this change I not only became responsible for the
administration of martial law in Egypt and the maintenance of order
throughout the Nile Valley and Delta, but I also succeeded to the
direction of the operations against the Senoussi (sic) on the
Western Frontier, which had very appropriately been brought to a
triumphant period by General Maxwell by his victories which led to the
occupation of Sollum on 14th March, the capture of Gaafer, the
dispersal, with the loss of all his guns, of Nuri's force, and the
recapture from the enemy of 90 British prisoners taken by hostile
submarines. The unification of the command in Egypt made large economies
in staff possible, and these were carried out at once. The Levant Base
also ceased to exist, General Sir Edward Altham, K.C.B., remaining as
Inspector-General of Communications. The work of reorganising the
forces and staffs for the Delta and Western Frontier Force was pushed
on as fast as possible. I decided to keep General Headquarters at
Ismailia, and to establish at Cairo a General Officer Commanding the
Delta District, who would also act as Commander of L. of C. Defences.
For operations on the west I formed a Western Frontier Force, divided
into two sections, a north-western and a southwestern, divided by a
line drawn east and west through Deirut. These staffs and forces were
definitely established and at work by 1st April. The whole force under
my command now took the name of Egyptian Expeditionary Force. Towards
the end of March, at the request of the Sirdar, I undertook the
responsibility for the defence of the reach of the Nile between Assouan
and Wadi Haifa. Captain F. H. Mitchell, R.N., D.S.O., was sent for this
purpose to make all arrangements for an armed naval patrol of
this reach.
On 18th March, Captain
H. R. H. the Prince of Wales took up his duties as Staff Captain on my
Staff, remaining till his departure from Egypt on 1st May.
6. As soon as the
conduct of operations on the Western Frontier devolved upon me,
I took steps, in consultation with the various officers who were then
best acquainted with the situation, to estimate the size of the hostile
forces with which I should have to deal, and to determine the policy
along this front of over 800 miles by which the Nile Valley could best
be protected. It appeared from the information placed at my disposal
that the Senoussi forces, spread over the whole Western desert, did not
exceed 3,000, and it was certain that the enemy's moral had been
severely shaken by Sir John Maxwell's recent successful operations. The
chief dangers, therefore, against which I had to guard were enemy raids
upon the Nile Valley, the stirring up of native tribes that were
inclined to be well-disposed towards the Senoussi, and the creation of
unrest in the Nile Valley and Delta among disaffected or nervous
elements of the population. The chief end to be held in view was to
prevent any local success on the part of the Sencnissi.
On 15th April the Kharga
Oasis, which had previously been reported by aerial reconnaissance and
resident agents to be clear of the enemy, was occupied without
incident. The movement of troops was effected by the existing light
railway, and by the 18th April a force numbering 1,660 of all ranks was
concentrated in the Oasis.
On the 27th April the
small oasis of Moghara was occupied. A strongly entrenched post has
been constructed. The occupation of this post has materially assisted
in preventing the passage of foodstuffs from the Nile Valley to the
west, and denies the water to any enemy force attempting to move in the
contrary direction.
During April frequent
raids and reconnaissances, chiefly with a view to capturing concealed
depots of ammunition, were undertaken on the Western Front; in these
enterprises our armoured and light motor cars have been of inestimable
value. On 7th April a detachment of four armoured cars, accompanied by
the machine-gun section of the 2/7th Middlesex Regiment, conducted a
raid from Sollum upon an ammunition depot at Moraisa, eighteen miles
north-west of Sollum. After a very slight resistance from the guard of
thirty Muhafzia, twenty-one boxes of 8.9 centimetre Mantelli gun
ammunition and 120,000 rounds of small arms ammunition were taken and
destroyed. On 11th April a motor car reconnaisance found and removed
eleven rifles and 7,000 rounds of small arms ammunition some twenty
miles west of Sollum. On 23rd April an armoured car reconnaissance from
Sollum discovered and brought in 140,000 rounds of small arms
ammunition from a concealed depot. On the 30th April a further 20,000
rounds were discovered and brought in to Sollum. During this month,
also, four prisoners, including a Turkish officer, were captured sixty
miles west of Minia, and two small camel convoys were captured near El
Alamein. The light car patrols were responsible for all these captures.
7. During the month of
April reconnaissance was active all along the Eastern Front,
with the result that by the middle of the month all water supplies of
any importance within thirty miles of the Canal were patrolled by our
troops, and mobile columns were ready to go out and deal with enemy
parties approaching them, or, in the event of serious threat, to demolish
the rock cisterns. In No. 1 Section, on 20th April, a patrol from Bir
Mabeiuk came in contact with an enemy patrol, fifty strong, on the sand
hills near the mouth of the Wadi Hamatha, some eighteen miles W.S.W. of
Suez. A squadron and fifty rifles endeavoured to cut the enemy off, but
he at once retired and scattered among the hills. Our casualties were
two men killed. On 23rd April and the following days four columns, each
composed of mounted troops and infantry, carried out reconnaissances of
the approaches from the west to Ain Sudr and Sudr El Heitan. The
columns returned to their respective posts on 26th April.
In No. 2 Section, on
27th March, the 2nd Australian and New Zealand Army Corps came into
existence on the departure of the 1st Australian and New Zealand Army
Corps to France. The Corps was commanded by Lieutenant-General Sir
Alexander Godley, K.C.M.G., C.B., and consisted of the 4th Australian
Division, commanded by Major- General Sir H. V. Cox, K.C.M.G., C.B.,
C.S.I., the 5th Australian Division, commanded by Major-General Hon. J.
MacCay, V.D., and the Anzac Mounted Division, commanded by
Major-General H. G. Chauvel, C.B., C.M.G. (attached). In this section,
the wells at Moiya Harab and Wadi Um Muksheib having been brought into
the regular patrolling area, a very successful reconnaissance to
Jifjaffa was carried out between 11th and 15th April. The troops for
this enterprise were a squadron of the 9th Australian Light Horse
Regiment, accompanied by a detachment of Bikanir Camel Corps, and
commanded by Major Scott, D.S.O., 9th Australian Light Horse. The
objective was fifty-two miles from the starting point, and a
jumping-off place for the attack, eight miles south-west of the
objective, was reached at 2.30 a.m. on 13th April. From here an attack
was launched by three troops upon the enemy's position at 9 a.m. The
enemy, cut off in their attempted retreat by the right flanking party
of the attack, stood at bay on one of the hills above the village, and
lost six men killed and five wounded before surrendering. One Austrian
lieutenant of engineers and thirty-three other prisoners were captured,
our own casualties being one man and one horse killed. The destruction
of the enemy's camp was thoroughly carried out, a quantity of
correspondence was taken, and the elaborate well-boring plant, which
had been at work for five months, was completely demolished. The manner
in which this operation was carried out was most creditable, both to
the commander of the column and to all ranks composing it.
In conjunction with this
reconnaissance, a mounted column was sent out in No. 1 Section to
reconnoitre Bir el Giddi and the roads leading east from it. This force
satisfactorily accomplished its mission, and, after an encounter with a
hostile patrol, captured unwounded three armed Arabs.
In the Qatia District,
where alone there is sufficient water supply to maintain a large body
of troops, preliminaries to the accomplishment of our ultimate aim -
the permanent occupation of the well-watered zone radiating 15 miles
east and south-east of Qatia - were steadily pushed on. On 2nd April, a
squadron of the Gloucestershire Hussars under Lieut.-Colonel Yorke,
with a detachment of Bikanir Camel Corps, reconnoitred Bir el Abd, some
15 miles east of Qatia, met with no resistance, and burnt some tents
and stores belonging to the enemy. On the following day, Bir Mageibra,
10 miles south-east of Qatia, was reconnoitred by the Worcestershire
Yeomanry. On the 6th April Brigadier-General E. A. Wiggin, commanding
the 5th Mounted Brigade, took command of the Qatia District, and was
made responsible direct to the headquarters of No. 3 Section.
On 9th April, a further
reconnaissance of Bir el Abd was undertaken by a squadron of
Worcestershire Yeomanry. This time a strong party of enemy were found
in possession of a ridge north-east of Bir el Abd. A sharp skirmish
ensued when the Yeomanry attacked, and the enemy was driven eastwards
from his position, but, owing to the heaviness of the sand, it was
impossible for our cavalry to keep up the attack, and, after easily
fending off an attempt at a flank attack, they withdrew unmolested. On
12th April, on orders being received for General Home to proceed to
France, Major-General The Hon. H. A. Lawrence took over the command of
No. 3 Section.
By the 21st April, the
railway towards Qatia had reached a point upon which a serious advance
to hold the whole district could be based, as soon as the necessary
dispositions could be made. On the 23rd, however, the enemy attempted
to forestall any such advance by making a sudden raid in force upon
Qatia. This operation, though comparatively small forces were engaged,
produced the severest fighting yet experienced by the force under my
command.
8. On 21st April, the
5th Mounted Brigade were disposed as follows: - The Worcestershire
Yeomanry at Qatia, the Warwickshire Yeomanry, less one squadron, at
Hamisah, 3 miles S.S.W. of Qatia, and Brigade Headquarters and the
Gloucestershire Yeomanry at Romani, 6 miles N.W. of Qatia. General
Wiggin, commanding the Brigade, had received orders to dispose his
Brigade in the Qatia District in such a manner as to protect all
railway, topographical and water survey parties, with special attention
to the exploitation of the water supply; also to observe the route eastwards
towards Bir el Abd, but not to take any serious offensive measures
without further orders. It had also been impressed on General Wiggin by
the General Officer Commanding No. 3 Section that, since it would take
two days to reinforce him with infantry, he was, in the event of a
heavy attack, to manoeuvre back upon Dueidar, 13 miles from Qantara on
the Qatia road, or upon the railhead near El Arais some 7 miles N.W. of
Qatia. On the evening of the 21st one squadron of Worcestershire
Yeomanry moved into bivouac at Oghratina, 7 miles E.N.E. of Qatia, to
cover an R.E. party detailed to prepare wells. On the 22nd another
squadron of Worcestershire Yeomanry proceeded to Oghratina, being
replaced in Qatia by a squadron of Gloucestershire Yeomanry, pending the
arrival of one regiment of the Anzac Mounted Division, which had been
ordered up from Salhia so as to reach Qatia on the 24th. The remainder
of the 2nd Australian Light Horse Brigade was marching to arrive at
Qantara on the 23rd.
In Qatia the squadron of
Gloucestershire Yeomanry was covered by good trenches for some 50 or 60
men, and a number of smaller shelters afforded good covers. Their
horses were picketed close to their camp.
The Officer Commanding
the two squadrons of Worcestershire Yeomanry at Oghratina had been told
to push on entrenchment as far as possible, and it was General Wiggin's
intention that these squadrons, if attacked in force, should retire on
Qatia and thence, if necessary, on Romani, with their left flank
covered by the Gloucestershire Yeomanry and their right by the
Warwickshire Yeomanry from Hamisah.
On the morning of the
23rd, both posts stood to arms at 4 a.m., and I have ascertained that
patrols had gone out by that hour, though those at Oghratina were
probably much hampered by a thick fog.
On the 22nd April the
Royal Flying Corps reported to No. 3 Section that new bodies of enemy
troops were at Bir el Bayud, 15 miles E.S.E. of Qatia, and Bir el
Mageibra, 10 miles S.E. of Qatia. Upon receipt of this information,
General Wiggin obtained leave from General Officer Commanding No. 3
Section, to attack the enemy at Mageibra that night, reporting that he
intended to use two squadrons of Warwickshire, and the one remaining
squadron of Worcestershire Yeomanry. General Wiggin, with
Lieut.-Colonel Coventry, commanding the Worcestershire Yeomanry,
accompanied the raid to Mageibra. Finding very few enemy, they
destroyed the camp and returned to Hamisah about 9 a.m. on the 23rd
with six Turkish prisoners. In the meantime the post at Oghratina was
attacked at 5.30 a.m. This attack was repulsed. No further information
was received from the Officer Commanding at Oghratina until 7 a.m.,
when he reported that he was again heavily attacked on all sides. This
attack carried the post, all the garrison of which were either killed,
wounded, or captured. No details of the fighting have, therefore, been
obtainable. Qatia itself was attacked about 9.30 a.m.
Lieutenant-Colonel Coventry was detached with one squadron of
Worcestershire Yeomanry from General Wiggin's Force to operate towards
Qatia. Unfortunately, this squadron became involved in the unsuccessful
resistance of the Qatia garrison, and, with the exception of some 60
men and one officer who were able to disengage themselves, fell with it
into the hands of the enemy. I have therefore been able to gather no
detailed information of the actual fighting at Qatia.
General Wiggin and
Colonel Yorke, commanding the Gloucestershire Yeomanry at Romani, both
showed great judgment in dealing with the situation, and did all that
was possible with their small forces against the enemy force of about
2,500, with four guns of small calibre. General Wiggin pushed forward
from Hamisah north-east against the enemy's left, south of Um Ugba, and
drove him back for about a mile; the advance was slow owing to the
nature of the ground and the determined resistance encountered. Colonel
Yorke. after hearing that Dueidar was safe, moved his whole force at 10
a.m. to attack the enemy's right advancing on Qatia. He skilfully drove
the Turkish right back to El Rabah, and caused their guns to shift
their position further east. The enemy gave ground slowly, and, since
by 3.30 p.m. it was evident that Qatia had fallen, General Wiggin
determined to fall back; he himself retired on Dueidar by way of
Hamisah, Colonel Yorke on Romani; neither were followed. Meanwhile, at
5.30 a.m. a Turkish force, 1,000 strong, with one gun, advancing from
the south, attacked Dueidar, the most advanced defensible post, which
was held by 100 men of the 5th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, under
the command of Captain Roberts, 5th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers.
This officer, who throughout showed conspicuous skill and ability,
succeeded in repelling two determined attacks on the position at 6.30 a.m.
and 8.30 a.m. respectively. Both attempts cost the enemy dear. At 9.30
a.m. reinforcements of two companies 4th Royal Scots Fusiliers, under
the command of Major Thompson, 4th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers,
who had been despatched from Hill 70, seven miles away, on the first
news of the attack, arrived at Dueidar. The various posts were
strengthened, and a counter-attack, delivered at 12.30 p.m. with great
spirit, forced the enemy to retire, leaving 30 prisoners in our hands
and 70 dead. The Turks were pursued in their retreat by the 5th
Australian Light Horse, who had only arrived at Qantara at 1 p.m., and
by aeroplanes, thereby suffering further loss. Besides the three and a
half squadrons of Yeomanry and details lost at Qatia and Oghratina, our
casualties on the 23rd were two officers and 18 men killed, four
officers and 21 men wounded. Aeroplane reconnaissance on the evening of
the 23rd established the fact that the enemy force, which included a
large body of picked Turkish regular troops, was already retiring. At
dawn on the 24th eight machines of the 5th Wing, Royal Flying Corps,
made a bomb and machine gun attack from a low altitude on the enemy
troops left in Qatia, causing very heavy casualties and completely
destroying the camp. One machine also located and attacked a large body
of enemy at Bir el Abd, and located another party retiring on Bir el
Bayud. On the morning of the 25th further bomb and machine gun attacks
were made by the Royal Flying Corps on enemy forces at Bir el Abd and
Bir el Bayud. Both attacks were extremely successful, working great
havoc among men and animals. I cannot speak too highly of the admirable
work done by the 5th Wing, Royal Flying Corps, during these few days.
The strain thrown on pilots and machines was very heavy, and the former
displayed the utmost gallantry and resource on all occasions. Chiefly
through their efforts the enemy was made to pay a very heavy price for
his partially successful raid. The general situation in front of No. 3
Section was not affected by these operations. Our Cavalry continued to
patrol the Qatia district, which was now practically clear of the
enemy, while our infantry posts at Dueidar and Romani were
strengthened, and the railway towards Romani was pushed on with all
speed.
9. After 16th January,
when General Sarrail assumed supreme control of the operations of the
Allied Forces at Salonica, the British Force there commanded by
Lieutenant- General Sir B. T. Mahon, K.C.V.O., C.B., D.S.O., only
remained under my control for administrative purposes. From the
beginning of January to the end of April no active operations of
importance took place. The general line of defences remained
practically unaltered. Some 200 miles of deep trenches, including
communication trenches, 710 emplacements for guns, 230 reduits or
strong posts, 160 miles of obstacles (barbed wire), and 1,300 miles of
telegraph cable have been completed; and the defences as a whole are
now quite ready for occupation should the situation demand it.
As in Egypt, so in
Salonica, the administrative work has been extremely heavy. At the,
outset the state of the communications was very unsatisfactory. There
were only two metalled roads leading to our lines, both in a shocking
state of repair; the few existing tracks soon became impassable in wet
weather for everything except pack animals. The construction and repair
of roads had, therefore, to proceed simultaneously with the preparation
of the defences. Roads in the forward area were all begun by the troops
themselves, and all ranks worked admirably, the men thoroughly
recognising the importance of the matter. Later, it was found possible
to organise local civilian, labour companies, who have largely been
employed to complete and maintain the road work begun by the troops.
Altogether about 90 miles of new metalled cart roads have been
constructed, and 105 miles of mule tracks, besides some 60 miles of
repairs to previously existing roads and tracks. Railway extensions
leading to the various depots on the Monastir road, with the necessary
sidings, have been constructed, and Decauville lines laid within the
depots themselves. Preparations havebeen made for further extensions.
Another great difficulty, that of insufficient wharfage accommodation,
has been met by the construction of new piers in the bay itself and at
Skala Stavros. These have reduced the congestion to an appreciable
extent and fully justified the labour and expense involved.
The supply system,
though hindered at first by the state of the communications and by the
fact that the equipment of the force with a special scale of transport
was only in process of gradual completion, has worked with
uninterrupted success. The health of the troops has been excellent, all
ranks having benefited by hard physical work in good climatic
conditions. In view of the approach of summer, when malaria is likely
to prevail in certain districts through which our line passes, special
precautions have been taken for the protection of the troops and, where
possible, alternative positions prepared.
Throughout the period
the importance of training the troops has been insisted upon. At first
one day weekly was devoted to training, as opposed to road-making or
work on the defences. This proportion has gradually risen to four days
weekly, excluding one day of rest. On 9th May, under orders from the
War Office, Lieut.-General G. F. Milne, C.B., D.S.O., succeeded
Lieut.-General Sir Bryan Mahon, K.C.V.O., C.B., D.S.O., in command of
the Salonica Army. General Mahor sailed on the same date to take up command
of the Western Frontier Force in Egypt.
10. In Egypt
during the month of May there was no major operation to record.
Intelligence received earlv in the month showed that the Turks had
materially increased theirnumbers in Sinai, doubtless with the view of
detaining troops in Egypt. The enemy's main concentrations were too far
away for me to strike at them, and I was in hopes that he might be
induced to cross the barrier of hills which extends from north to south
some sixty miles from the Canal: he would then have been exposed to
attack with the denies behind him. However, he made no such advance,
and, during the hot weather in the middle of May, there were
indications that he was drawing in his advanced posts. On the 8th and
21st May enemy aircraft attacked Port Said with bombs, doing no
material damage. On the first occasion three civilians were wounded; on
the second two civilians were killed, five soldiers and thirteen
civilians were wounded. In each case the attack was answered by prompt
and successful retaliation by the Royal Flying Corps. In all sections
of the Eastern front reconnaissances were frequent, particularly in No.
3 Section, to which were now allotted three brigades of the Anzac
Mounted Division. During the month the Mahemdia-Romani district has
been occupied in some force, and at a conference, held on 17th May, at
which General Lawrence, commanding No. 3 Section, was present, further
decisions regarding the occupation of the Qatia district were arrived
at.
During the month several
successful reconnaissances to the east were made by the Anzac Mounted
Division, which proved itself a unit upon which I could absolutely
depend to display energy, resource and endurance. On the 8th May,
starting early from Oghratina, the 2nd Light Horse Brigade reconnoitred
to Bir el Abd with patrols pushed out to Hod Salmana. On the 16th May,
a day of intense heat, the same brigade, starting from Hod el Sagia,
five miles E.S.E. of Qatia, reached Hod el Bayud, 15 miles on in the
same direction, at 7 a.m. Camels and dismounted men were seen making
off in a north-easterly direction. The enemy's camp was destroyed, and
one prisoner, 36 camels, and a quantity of ammunition were brought in.
The reconnaissance returned to Qatia, having covered 60 miles in 30
hours. During this time the Canterbury Mounted Rifles went out to Bir
Abu Afein, covering 40 miles in 30 hours.
On the 18th May a very
successful bombardment of El Arish from the sea and the air was carried
out. A sloop and two monitors of His Majesty's Navy bombarded
the town, reducing the fort S.W. of the town to ruins and damaging the
aerodrome. The seaplanes of the Royal Naval Air Service then
attacked with bombs, being followed later by 6 machines of the Royal
Flying Corps, who had orders to attack any enemy aircraft that appeared
and to bomb the enemy's camp and troops. The camps were effectively
bombed, and three bombs exploded in the middle of a body of a thousand
men who were on the march south of the town. A close reconnaissance of
El Arish from the air was made, and many valuable photographs taken at
the same time. All ships and aircraft returned safely. On 22nd May the
Royal Flying Corps carried out a highly effective bombardment of all
enemy camps on a 45 mile front roughly parallel to the Canal, during
which severe damage was done to the waterworks at Rodh Salem and to
buildings at El Hamma and Bir Mazar. On 23rd May the 2nd Australian
Light Horse Brigade reconnoitred Hod el Gedaidia, 15 miles east of
Qatia, where shots were exchanged with a patrol of 40 men on camels,
who retired. Finally, on 31st May, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles
Brigade, one regiment of Australian Light Horse, and a sub-section of
the Ayrshire Battery R.H.A., attacked the enemy's post at Bir Salmana,
20 miles E.N.E. of Qatia. The post was surrounded before dawn, and an
enemy post on the Ganadil road was rushed, while a camel detachment was
seen making off to the south-east. The enemy lost 15 men killed and 2
men captured. Our cavalry pursued till 8 a.m. when the pursuit was taken
up by aeroplanes which bombed scattered parties with effect, killing 20
camels and 8 more men. The force returned, having covered 60 miles in
36 hours besides fighting an engagement. The only casualties were two
men slightly wounded.
On the Western Front
during May preliminary measures for the occupation of the Baharia Oasis
have been in progress. A line of blockhouses has been established along
the Darb el Rubi which runs due west from Samalut on the Nile. Four
blockhouses were completed and occupied by 23rd May. Work on the two
remaining blockhouses has been postponed till the railway has reached a
point where it can materially assist in the supply of stores: this
should be about the end of June. From the most advanced blockhouse it
is now possible to reconnoitre as far as the Mohariq sand dunes, some
80 miles west of Samalut. The difficulty of maintaining such a line in
a waterless desert subject to frequent and severe sand storms has not
been small, but all ranks have worked well and with great keenness.
The enemy has a small
body of troops, under the command of Nuri, collected on the Libyan side
of the frontier west of Sollum, but as yet he has not openly displayed
his intentions. Two battalions of Italian troops landed at Moraisa
during the month and have occupied Bardia. The relations between the
Italian and British commanders on the frontier are excellent. The area
between Sollum and Barrani has been cleared of the Bedouin population,
and, though it has been impossible entirely to prevent communication
between the Bedouins and Siwa, the energy of our patrols, according to
numerous reports, is successfully restricting the entry of food
supplies into Siwa.
By means of patrols of
Imperial Camel Corps and motor cars, communication between the oases occupied
by the enemy and the Nile Valley and Delta has been rendered almost
impossible. In particular, the camel patrolling from Kharga towards
Dakhla and Beris has been carried out most efficiently by No. 1
Imperial Camel Company under especially trying conditions. The Farafra,
Baharia, Mognara and Wadi Natrun fronts have also been controlled with
great vigilance.
The Aulad Ali tribes in
Egyptian territory are now all west of Barrani, except for a receiving
camp at Sollum. Markets have been established for the sale of food at
Sollum, Mersa Matruh, Dabaa, El Hamman and Wadi Natrun, where they are
allowed to purchase what is necessary for their daily needs. This
restricts indiscriminate movement to the west or to the Delta.
In spite of the
occupation, during very hot weather, of so many advanced posts in the
desert or on its edge, I am glad to report that the health of the
troops has been remarkably good. I much regret, however, that General
Sir Bryan Mahon, shortly after his arrival in this country to take up
the command of the Western Frontier Force, had to be invalided home
owing to severe sunstroke. In the meantime, Major-General A. G. Dallas,
C.B., has continued, with great ability, in temporary command of that
force.
11. I beg to acknowledge
with great respect the valuable assistance I have received trom His
Highness the Sultan of Egypt. He has with great kindness placed at my
disposal his unrivalled knowledge of affairs affecting his country.
To His Excellency the
High Commissioner, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir A. H. McMahon, G.C.V.O.,
K.C.I.E., C.S.I., and to the Government of Egypt, I owe a deep debt of
gratitude for whole-hearted co-operation and help.
I am very greatlv
indebted to Vice-Admiral Sir R. E. Wemyss, K.C.B., C.M.G., M.V.O.,
and the naval forces under his command for constant assistance and
active co-operation.
The construction of
Roads, Waterworks, and kindred tasks in connection with the Canal
Defences, which I have described to you, owe their accomplishment in a
very large measure to the admirable services of Colonel Sir Murdoch
Macdonald, K.C.M.G., of the Public Works Department of Egypt. His wide
experience and capacity have been an indispensable asset to me in
dealing with these important problems.
I am particularly indebted
to the Railway Department, under Colonel Sir George .Macauley,
K.C.M.G., R. of O., Royal Engineers, for the highly successful manner
in which Railway communication has been carried on under great
difficulties. The movement of a large number of troops and impedimenta
of an Army has severely taxed the capacity of the railway, and has put
a great strain on its staff. That it never failed to accomplish what
was desired is due to the high efficiency this Department has attained,
and to the personal exertions of Colonel Sir George Macauley.
I wish to bring to your
notice the very responsible and important duties that have fallen to my
Director of Army Signals, Brigadier- General M. G. E. Bowman-Manifold,
D.S.O., R.E., and to the admirable way in which he has discharged them.
Military operations on
the two fronts have been spread over a very wide front, amounting to
close on 1,000 miles in the west and 90 miles in the east. Prompt and
reliable inter-communication has been a matter of vital importance.
In the successful
achievement of this I beg also to bring to your notice the services of
the Egyptian Telegraph Department under Lieuienant- Colonel J. S.
Liddell, D.S.O., Royal Engineers, and to express my thanks to the
Eastern Telegraph Company and the Telephone Company of Egypt, who have
given my Director of Army Signals unceasing valuable help.
I beg to bring to notice
the valuable services rendered to the Canal Defences by the
representative and principal officer of the Suez Canal Company, Charles
Comte de Serionne, Agent Superieur de la Compagnie du Canal de Suez,
and by the staff of that company.
The arduous and
important work of the care of the sick and wounded in the Hospitals has
been considerably lightened by a large amount of voluntary aid. I wish
specially to mention the work of the British Red Cross Society and
Order of St. John of Jerusalem under Sir Courtauld Thomson, C.B.
The Nursing services,
both English and Australian, have done admirable work, and the
voluntary aid of the Sisters of Notre Dame de la Delivrance, working at
the Austrian Hospital at Alexandria, have been specially brought to my
notice.
Finally, and in
conclusion, I wish to bring to notice the admirable services of my
Chief of the General Staff, Major-General A. L. Lynden-Bell, C.B.,
C.M.G., my Deputy Quartermaster-General, Major-General W. Campbell,
C.B., D.S.O., and my Deputy Adjutant-General, Major-General J. Adye,
C.B. No Commander-m-Chief has ever been more loyally served, and no
staff has ever worked with less friction.
I have other names to
bring to notice for distinguished and gallant service during the
operations under review, and these will form the subject of a separate
communication.
I have the honour to
be, Sir, Your most obedient Servant,
A. J. MURRAY,
General, Commander-in-Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force.
________
War Office, London, S.W. 25th September, 1916.
The following despatches
have been received by the Secretary of State for War from the
Commander-in-Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force: -
General Headquarters, 1st July, 1916.
Sir,
In accordance with the
closing paragraph of my despatch of 1st June, 1916, I have the honour
to submit a list of the names of those officers, non-commissioned
officers and men whose services I consider deserving of special
mention, and I beg to recommend them to your notice.
I will, at a later date,
submit to you a further list of names of officers, non-commissioned
officers and men, belonging to the Salonika Army, whom I desire to
mention in despatches and recommend for reward.
I have the honour to
be, Your most obedient Servant,
A. J. MURRAY,
General, Commander-in-Chief. Egyptian Expeditionary Force.
ROYAL NAVY.
Mitchell, Capt. F. H.,
D.S.O., R.N.
(followed by Army
lists)
________
General Headquarters, 13th July, 1916.
SIR,-In accordance with
the closing paragraph of my despatch of 1st June, 1916, and with
reference to the last paragraph of my letter, dated 1st July, 1916, I
have the honour to forward herewith a further list of the names of
officers, non-commissioned officers and men belonging to the Salonika
Army whom I desire to mention in despatches and recommend for
reward.
I have the honour to
be, Your most obedient servant,
A. J. MURRAY,
General, Commander-in-Chief, Egyptian Expeditionary Force.
(Army lists)
29769 - 29 SEPTEMBER 1916
Naval Prize Bounty Money.
Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy, Admiralty,
29th September, 1916.
Notice is hereby given
to all Persons interested therein, that preparations are now being made
for the intended Distribution of the Prize Bounty awarded for the
undermentioned services:-
Destruction of
"Demir Hissar" by H.M.S. "Wear,"
"Jed," and "Kennet," 16/4/1915
Destruction of
"Greif" by H.M.S. "Alcantara" and "Andes,"
29/2/1916.
Destruction of
"Emden" by H.M.A.S. "Sydney," 9/11/1914.
(followed by
administration details)
