Quotes by H. C. Wylly

The following quotes are by Colonel H. C. Wylly – from The Border Regiment in the Great War (1925). Gale & Polden Ltd. ISBN 1847342728. The majority of these quotes relate directly to the Lonsdale Battalion, however, some relate to more general events such as the state of affairs prior to a battle. These have been included to provide some background information about what was about to transpire in the battles the Lonsdales would, in some form or another, take part in.

Moving to assembly trenches in Authuille Wood

From the British front line the ground sloped upwards to the strongly held village of Thiepval, with a ridge in rear of it whence the Germans could sweep the whole approach. At 10pm on the 30th June the Lonsdales moved from dug-outs at Crucifix Corner to assembly trenches, which had been specifically dug for them in the thickest part of Authuille Wood, where it had not been so far much shelled, and in these the Battalion spent the remainder of the night incurring no casualties.

Zero hour: Leaving the relative safety of Authuille Wood

The task assigned to the 97th Brigade in general and to the 11th Border Regiment in particular was a very difficult one; the objective was Mouquet Farm, but in order to effect its capture the 97th brigade on the right of the [32nd] Division – the 96th brigade being on the left and the 14th in support – had first to move north east and then swing to the east, while the Lonsdale battalion had to move north out of Authuille Wood for some little distance and then swing due east; this movement, moreover, had not only to be calculated exactly as to time, but had to be done under heavy fire. The companies moved out from the wood in "blob" formation....On leaving the trenches in the wood, even before arriving at the front British trench, the Battalion came under terrific machine-gun fire – the shell fire was practically negligible while such musketry as came in its direction was too high. There was no question of flinching; the companies, men dropping every moment, moved steadily on, and, on leaving the advanced British trench, pushed on straight to their front for a time and then, as had been ordered, wheeled eastward. The attacking line, supported by the Lonsdales, was having a hard fight to try and reach the German trenches, but few were able to get so far since the enemy machine guns were taking a terrible toll, mowing down the men in scores and causing very heavy losses.

The death of Lt-Col. Machell & slaughter of Lonsdales

Colonel Machell, gallantly leading his men, was shot dead almost immediately after leaving the forward trench; his adjutant, Lieutenant Gordon, was severely wounded, as he stooped over his body; Major Diggle, the second in command, was already wounded, and within a very short time out of 28 officers and 800 other ranks who left the wood, 25 officers and some 500 non-commissioned officers and men were out of action. Men could do no more.

The last days of the Battle of the Ancre

pp.103-104