Berkshire and The War: the "Reading Standard" pictorial record. Volume 4. p 940
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Image Details
| Title | Berkshire and The War: the "Reading Standard" pictorial record. Volume 4. p 940 |
|---|---|
| Page number | 940 |
| Date | 1919 |
| Edition | |
| Publisher | Unknown |
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OCR Text
Return of the 2nd Batt. Royal Berkshires - continued.
... general engagement was that of Neuve Chapelle, on March 9th, 1915, and the following few days. The battalion went in with 22 officers and about 800 men , and came out with two officers fit for duty and less than 400 men. In the following May the battalion was again in the thick of the fight at Fromelles, where Lieut.-Colonel Finch and about 14 other officers were killed, while there were 173 casualties in the ranks. In September, during an attack on German trenches at Bois Grenier, the battalion lost seven more officers and 32 men killed, and five officers and 116 men wounded, while a further 143 other ranks were missing. At Ovilliers in July, 1916, there were again exceptionally heavy losses, Lieut.-Colonel Holdsworth being among the killed. In 1917 the unit participated in heavy fighting at Pallais and Villers Guislanes. In July their ranks were heavily depleted at Passchendaele, and again in December. During the great German drive which began in March, 1918, the battalion fought rearguard actions throughout. Another Commanding Officer, making the third during the war, was lost in Lieut.-Colonel Sterling, who died of wounds received. On April 25th, during a counter-attack at Villers Brettoneux, the battalion took 35 machine guns and about 300 prisoners off its own bat. Late in May they took part in the operations against the enemy's offensive at Giencourt, and suffered terrible casualties, estimated at 23 officers and 600 other ranks. They were at Vimy Ridge in August and took part in the offensive up to the termination of hostilities.
Thus it will be seen that breed is true to breed, and that the heroes of Maiwand have their worthy successors in the men of Neuve Chapelle, Fromelles and Giencourt.
Of the officers who went out with the battalion in 1914, but two returned with the cadre. They were: - Captain H. T. W. Quick, M.C., who has served 32 years with the battalion. He went out with them to South Africa in 1898. He served ten years as R.S.M. of the battalion. He gained the M.C. in January, 1918. Lieut. W. Weston, M.C., first of all served as R.S.M. to the battalion. He obtained the M.C. in March, 1917. The warrant officers, N.C.O.'s and men who went out in 1914 and returned with the cadre were: R.S.M. Vokins, R.Q.M.S. Booker, Sergt. Smith, Lce.-Corpl. Hunt, Lce.-Corpl. Evans, Lce.-Corpl. Allen, Pte. Burson, Pte. Chapman, Pte. Cripps, Pte. Horwood, Pte. Chandler, Pte. Dines. Their photo appears on page 943.
[photo, group, exterior] THE MEN OF THE 2nd BERKS ENTERING ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
[photo, group, exterior] MOVING OFF FROM THE STATION SQUARE.
[Photos by C. E. & A. May.]