2. The Allies compelled 193,000 German POWs to stay on and work as part of the Clearing Up Army in France and Belgium.
3. Four Royal Army Medical doctors were serving at Huy at this time, Captains W Simpson, RW Swayne, F Morres, and CH Hicks.
4. When Ben’s mother died in 1947, he found an old sewing box in which she had stashed every letter and postcard he had ever sent during the war, including the letter written by the nurse.
5. Sister Annie Lord Hoyle of the Territorial Force Nursing Service had served in France since October 1914. After the war, she worked at Namur from May 24th 1919 until July 6th 1919, after which she proceeded to Boulogne to report to the Matron-in-Chief, prior to returning to England.
Epilogue
When Ben finally left the army in 1921, he left the war, although the war did not quite leave him, for the slight dose of chlorine gas he received in 1915 ensured that he had bad nose bleeds every May for the next fifty years. Fortunately, the wound to his ankle did not trouble him afterwards, and, like many soldiers with ‘exemplary’ service records, he was able to join the police force, first in the City of London, then later at Eastbourne. He might have made the police a long term career, but a business proposition put to him in 1934 led to his leaving the force and setting up a window-cleaning service in Reading, a business that was to last him literally a lifetime. Ben built the County Window Cleaning Service up from scratch, and was awarded a Royal Warrant in 1950 to wash the windows of Windsor Castle. As late as 1990, he continued arriving at work at 6.30am every weekday to ensure that the vans were full of petrol and had the right ladders for their respective jobs. Ben had given up window-cleaning, but when the need arose he still turned out, washing the window of Mothercare in Reading town centre on one occasion, to the surprise of the staff, when he was aged nearly 90.
He married Beatrice in 1923, and later had two children, Derek and Pearl, both of whom married and continued to live in Reading, Derek eventually taking over his father’s company. Ben had over sixty one years of marriage before his wife died, curiously enough on the seventieth anniversary of that first shot, on August 22nd 1984. Ben continued to keep busy, and remained healthy almost until the end. He died on August 13th 1990. It was speculated at the time that he was aiming to die on the 22nd; whether he was or not, I do not know, but knowing Ben I could well believe it.
Select Bibliography
Unpublished Sources
The Public Record Office
Unit War Diaries: WO 95, and Medical Records, MH 106.
The Imperial War Museum
The Photocopied Diary of Lieutenant Chance, 4th Dragoon Guards The Diary of Corporal W A Hardy, 4th Dragoon Guards
The National Army Museum
The Rikards Records
The Museum of the Royal Dragoon Guards, York
The Diary of Lieutenant A Wright
The Regimental Magazines of the 4th/7th Dragoon Guards, which contained the personal recollections of: Corporal Dyer, Second Lieu-tenant Stanley, Corporal Tilney, and other anonymous articles.
Published Books
Bridges, Sir Tom, Alarms and Excursions, Longmans Green & Co, 1938.
Carton de Wiart, Adrian, Happy Odyssey, Jonathan Cape, London, 1950.
De Lisle, General Sir Henry B, Reminiscences of Sport and War, London, 1939.
Edmonds, Sir James E, Military Operations, France and Belgium, 1914, Vols 1, 2 & 3, Macmillan, 1925.
Edmonds, Sir James E, The Occupation of the Rhineland, 1918–1929, The Imperial War Museum, HMSO, 1987.
Gibb, Rev Harold, Record of the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards in the Great War 1914–1918, Canterbury, 1925.
Holmes, Richard, Riding the Retreat, Mons To The Marne 1914 Revisited, Jonathan Cape, London, 1995.
Macdonald, Lyn, 1914, Michael Joseph, London, 1987.
Osburn, Arthur, Unwilling Passenger, Faber & Faber, London, 1926.
Scott, Peter T, Dishonoured, Tom Donovan Publishing, London, 1994.
Thwaites, Norman, Velvet & Vinegar, Grayson & Grayson, London, 1932.
Index
Adenauer, Konrad 152
Aisne, Battle of 77
Aisne, River 68–74
Aizlewood, Lieutenant 89
Albert, town of 122–3
Alexander, Major Ernest VC 56
Alfriston 5
Allenby, Major-General 29, 33, 49–50
Amiens 35, 145
Andover 166
Angre 49
Antwerp 158, 160
Archer, Fred 3
Armistice 149–50, 154, 163
Arnold, Sergeant Bob 100
Arras, Battle of 130–1
town of 129, 132
Ath 148
Aubers Ridge 113
Audregnies 49–50, 54–59, 118, 170
Slagheaps 49, 54
Sugar Factory 54, 57–8
Aylmer, Lieutenant ‘Jackie’ 37–8, 140–2
Baden Powell, Lord 4–5
Bailleul 77, 89, 109, 111, 118
Bairnsfather, Bruce, 96
Baisieux 50
Ballard, Colonel 56
Bapaume 123
Barrett, RSM ‘Liz’ 165
Bavai 57–8
Beddingham 1–2, 5, 8, 133, 168
Bell, ‘Ding Dong’ 15, 31
Bellewaarde Lake 103
Beloeil 149
Berlin 151
Birmingham 24, 31
Boer War 3, 121
Bois La Haut 35, 44
Boiselle, La 121, 123
Boulogne 33–35, 111–2, 117, 164, 170
Bourg 72, 75
Bourne, Major AH 57
Brand Hon Charles 1–2, 7, 8, 116, 119, 168
Betty 2, 4
Eve 2
Jack 2
Ruth 2
Bridges, Major Tom 10, 28, 32, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46–7, 50, 54, 66, 73, 76–7, 82–3, 119, 140, 170
Brighton 1, 3, 7, 10–11
Brighton Barracks 11
British Army
Second 151
Fifth 144
Corps
II 48, 117
IV 104
Divisions
1st Cavalry 33, 97, 151–2
4th 98
5th 49, 53, 57–8
19th 119
27th 98, 101
28th 97, 101
Brigades
1st Cavalry 58, 97, 109
2nd Cavalry 29, 33, 49, 56–7, 72, 89, 97–9, 101, 104, 109, 112, 151
3rd Cavalry 49, 56, 78, 101
12th Brigade 119, 126–9, 131–3, 140
15th Brigade 49
19th Independent 49
57th Brigade 123
85th Brigade 97, 145
Regiments
Army Service Corps 14, 31, 61, 79, 124
Cheshires, 1st 49–50, 56
Dragoon Guards, 2nd 12, 44–5
Dragoon Guards, 3rd 25, 142
Dragoon Guards, 4th Royal Irish 10–12, 15, 24, 33, 38, 43, 45–6, 48, 54–7, 64, 72–3, 75, 82, 86, 89, 97–8, 109, 117–9, 123, 142, 146–7, 151–4, 159, 165, 168–9
Squadrons
A 23, 44, 50, 53, 63, 75, 86, 100, 102, 152–3
B 33, 50, 53, 57, 63, 72, 98, 153, 165
C 14, 18, 31–3, 38, 44, 50, 53, 59, 61–3, 64, 66, 75, 82, 89, 131, 152–3
Troops of C Squadron
1st 40, 44, 50, 89
2nd 39, 50
3rd 46, 152
4th 15, 31, 38–40, 44, 63–4, 152
4th DG Machine Gun Section 50, 152
Dragoon Guards, 7th 149
Dublin Fusiliers, 2nd 73, 83
Durham Light Infantry, 5th 107
Gloucesters, 8th 119, 121–3
Green Howards, 4th 107
Hussars, 4th 32, 66, 77, 82, 86, 89, 154
Hussars, 11th 2
Hussars, 15th 107
Hussars, 18th 14, 18, 33, 49–50, 56, 101, 109, 118, 148
Hussars, 19th 107
Lancers, 5th 8
Lancers, 9th 14
, 32–3, 38, 49–50, 53–7,
Lancers, 16th 142
Life Guards, The 158
Loyal North Lancs, 7th 119–20
North Somerset Yeomanry 117
Norfolks, 1st 49–50, 56
North Staffordshires, 8th 119, 126
Rifle Brigade, 1st 14, 18
Royal Engineers, 1st Field Squadron 54, 85
Royal Field Artillery, 119th Battery 49–50, 55–6
Royal Fusiliers, 12th, 117
Royal Horse Artillery, D Battery 78
H Battery 29, 33
K Battery 33
L Battery 49–50, 53
Royal Sussex, 5th 113
Scots Guards 3
Sussex Yeomanry 8–9, 168
Warwickshires, 1st 73, 83
Warwickshires, 15th 117
Brisle 123
Bruges 56
Brussels 38
Bulford Barracks 29
Burgess, Private 53, 56
Campbell, Colonel David 54
Campion, Colonel William 7–8, 10
Carter, Corporal ‘Nasty’ 89
Carton de Wiart, Adrian VC 10, 14, 32, 86, 97–8, 102, 119–24, 126, 129, 132, 140–1, 144–5
Casteau 39–40, 43, 46
Cateau, Le 57–8, 60
Cavalry School of Equitation 140
Cayeaux sur Mer 140–1, 144
Cerseuil 71
Chance, Lieutenant Roger 44, 48, 50, 53–4
Château Vert, Le 70
Chaussée Brunehaut 50, 58
Chemin des Dames 65, 73–5
Chichester 8, 112–3
Chouy 83
Church Parade 17, 22
Clark, Harold 7, 168
Clouting, Ben passim
Bessie, Great Aunt 3
Charlie, Uncle 3
Dorothy 1
Ellen 1, 113, 119, 125
Mabel 1
Nell, Aunt 3
Pat, Aunt 3
Sidney 3, 113, 168
Toby, Uncle 3
William 1, 115, 125, 168
William Jr 1, 116, 119
Cole, Sergeant 12
Collingboume Road 22
Cologne, Army of Occupation 46, 150–8
Compiègne 58
Comall, Lance Corporal 53, 56
Costick 7
County Window Cleaning Company 171
Crimean War 7
Cronkie (Clouting, Benjamin) 15, 53
Croxley Green 136, 165
Cuckmere, River 5
Cumber, Pte Thomas 15, 31, 53, 55–6, 169
Daily Mirror, 125, 136
Damousies 35–6, 87
Danny Park 8
Daye, Madame 141–3, 145
Daye, Monsieur, 141, 143, 145
de Lisle, General Sir Henry B. 29, 33, 45, 52, 56–7, 62
Cavalry Force 101
Derby 119
Deutz 153–4
Donnay de Casteau, Lt-Gen Gaston 45
Donnay de Casteau, Louise 43, 45
Dover 136
Dredge, Sergeant 124
Dunbar 169
Düren 152
Dyer, Private 57
Eicherscheid 151
Elkington, Captain Christopher 125
Elkington, Lt Colonel John 73–4, 83, 125
Elmcote Cottage 136
Elouges 49–50, 54–5, 57–8
Facey Pte 39
Fergusson, General Sir John 49–50, 57
Fetherstonhaugh, Lieutenant 166
Finch, Reverend 4–5
Firle 5, 168
Beacon 5
Park 5
Fitzgerald, Captain Pat 37, 72, 82
French, Sir John, 112
French Third Army 65
Sixth Army 65
7th Division 65
Gagny 65
Gallaher, Lieutenant Alexander 24, 53, 56, 90, 97, 103
Gallipoli 117, 168
Galtress, Private ‘Golly’ 103, 117
German First Army 65
IV Corps 49
7th Division 49
8th Division 49–50
4th Cuirassiers 43
GHQ Line 97, 106–7
Gibb, Reverend/Lieutenant 90, 98–101
Glynde 5, 10, 78, 168
Goldsmith, Driver Alf 78
Goodchilds, Trooper 39
Goodwood 115
Gordon-Munro, Lieutenant 37
Graylingwell War Hospital, Queens Ward 112–4, 117
Grenfell, Captain Francis VC 54–5, 118
Grunschi, Alaji 46
Guiscard 60
Gunn, Ben 46
Harmignies 35
Harrison, Lieutenant Archibald 38, 66–74, 77, 82
Harrison, ‘Cushy’ 15, 102
Hassocks 7–8
Hastings 33, 113
Hautmont 35
Hell Fire Corner 106–7
Hickman, Sir Arthur 12–13, 50, 56
High Wood 123
Hogg, Lt Colonel Ian 77
Hohe Strasse 156
Hohenzollem Bridge, Cologne 152–3
Holmes, Private 121–2, 132, 144
Hooge 104, 109
Horlix, Sir James 115
Hornby, Captain Charles 14, 28, 32, 37, 39–40, 42–7, 82, 140
Howell, Lt Colonel Philip 77, 81, 86, 117
Hoyle, Sister Annie 162–3, 170
Hudson’s Bay Company 169
Hunter, Major 26, 50, 54
Hurstpierpoint 8
Hutchison, Major 56
Huy 160, 170
Hynes, Sergeant 53, 56
Indian Mutiny 7
Ingram, Lieutenant 90
Inverness, Scotland 169
Isted, Pte 15
Johnson, ‘Treacle’ 15–16
Johnstone, Sergeant 31–2, 78
Jones, Lieutenant 38, 68
Jury, Private 31, 39
Kingstown, Ireland 158
Kluck, Von, Field-Marshal 65
Landrecies 57
Langemarck 97
Lawson, Brigadier General 151
Lees, Private 37
Levinson, Major CH 52, 54
Lewes, Sussex 9–10, 115
Lille Gate 106
Little Dene, Sussex 1, 8, 116, 119
Lomax, General 75
Longueval, the Aisne 75–6
Loos 117
Lowe, Private Frank ‘Mickey’ 99–101, 111, 117
Luggershall 166
Magillicuddy, Captain 56
Mainwaring, Lt Colonel Arthur 73–4, 83, 125
Maisières 38
Malmédy 151
Marne 64–5 68–9
Martin, ‘Hoppy’ 16
Maurage 38
Meakin, Private Fred 78
Medical Services
No 3 Casualty Clearing Station 109, 118
No 48 Casualty Clearing Station 170
No 50 Casualty Clearing Station 170
St David Hospital Ship 112
Dieppe Hospital Ship 112
85th Field Ambulance 98
14th Stationary Hospital 163
Menin Road 99, 106–7
Messines Ridge 77, 89
Miller, Sergeant ‘Dusty’ 20, 146
Misa, Captain 166
Mons 38, 43–4, 46, 48, 58, 103, 148
Retreat from 12, 134
Mons-Condé Canal 38–9, 44, 48
Mont des Cats 86–7
Trappist Monastery 86
Mont Notre Dame 70
Morin, Petit 68
Mormel Forest 58, 60
Moulins 71, 74–5
Muggeridge, Corporal 162
Mullens, Colonel Richard 44, 47, 57–8, 116, 151
Murphy, Corporal 53, 55–6
Namur 162–3, 170
Nancy (de Wiart’s horse) 122, 129–30, 132, 141
Nancy (Ben’s girlfriend) 122
Nellie Dean 17
Neuve-Chapelle 46, 78
Newport 116, 122
Nippes 153
&nb
sp; Noyon 58, 60, 83
Nylon, Corporal ‘Bandy’ 166
Obourg 38, 48
Oldrey, Captain 37, 50
Osbum, Captain Arthur 43, 48, 52, 55, 83
Ostend 56
Ourcq 68
Paget, Sir Richard 84
Paissy 75
Paris 65
Paris Plage 130–1
Paschendaele, see Ypres, 3rd battle of
Patterson, Trumpeter 19, 26, 31, 33, 47, 53, 56
Perham Downs 27
Perth, Scotland 169
Pilkem Ridge 97
Pitman, General 166
Plessis, Le 65
Plumb, Clarice 165–6
Plumer, General Sir Hubert 151, 153
Police, City of London 170
Poperinge 109
Potijze 97
Potijze Château 98–9
Poziers 117
Price, Mr 5–7, 20
Mrs 5–7
Queen Mary 81
Querrier 123
Quevancamps 149
Quiévrain 49–50 54–5 57–8
Railston, Lieutenant 37
Ram Inn, The, Tidworth 15
Rancourt 58
Reading, Berkshire xi, 171
Reagan, Corporal 11
Regan, Corporal 44
Riding School 20–1
Rouen, Cavalry Base Depot 86
Rowlett SSM 46
Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich 164–5
Roye-St-Nicolas 77
Salisbury Plain 21, 28
Sandhurst Military Academy 26
Sandy, Shoeing Smith 15, 28–9
Sassoon, Sir Phillip 2, 115
Savory, Corporal Harry 38
Scouts, 1st Southdown Troop 4
Seaforth, Liverpool 11–14, 22, 24
Recruit’s Course of Training 111
Sewell, Captain 37, 54, 72, 97
Sharp, ‘Shit’ 15
Sharpe, Saddler Sergeant Major 44
Shepard, Betty 165
Sherlock, William 133
Sidbury Hill 29
Rifle Range 23
Smith-Dorrien, General, Sir Horace 58
Soignies 38–9
Solingen 155
Solly-Flood, Major Arthur 45, 123
Somaliland 86, 121
Somme, battle of the 117, 121, 123, 137
Southampton 33, 112, 117
Southdown Fox Hunt 10
Spooner, Ben 131
St Jean 104
St Nicholas 131
St Omer 111
St Patrick’s Day 25