page 67

Chapter XVI.
Oissy.

On arrival at Oissy we were allotted the chateau grounds for our billetting area, and as tents were available made a camp in the wood adjoining the chateau. The weather was good and the men were comfortable, though several wet nights were encountered during our stay. On arrival we were joined by 2nd Lieuts. Greville, Rowland, Wylie, Randall, D.C.M., and Yorke, new officers for attachment. This brought our complement of officers to full strength.

Our stay at Oissy was for five weeks, during which the Battalion was trained in its job for open warfare. Several practice "stunts" were carried out in conjunction with the Mounted Regiment and an Armoured Car Battalion. The latter was entirely a new organisation, having eight armoured cars to the Battalion. The cars were armed with two Hotchkiss guns, one in each turret, going into action at 60 miles per hour and coming out at 25 miles per hour without turning the car, having a driver both front and rear. This unit was very mobile and where decent roads existed proved most valuable in the offensive and defensive. They were included in Corps Mounted Troops and our practice "stunts" with them were valuable and instructive.

In the chateau grounds there was a fine ornamental lake, and this was much used by all ranks for bathing and aquatic sports. The recreational portion of the training was not forgotten, and sports in conjunction with the Mounted Regiment were held on three occasions, together with a race meeting organised by Corps Headquarters.

A ten mile cycle race (on service machines) was held one evening and great interest was manifested by all ranks. The winner was Sergt. Sutherland, M.M., out of eighteen starters.

page 68

On the 14th June the Corps Commander, Lieut.-Gen. A. J. Godley, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., inspected the Corps and expressed himself very well pleased with the turnout. On the 3rd July we were visited by the Hon. W.J. Massey, Prime Minister, and the Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, Finance Minister, of New Zealand, who, after inspection of the Battalion and the Otago Mounted Rifles, briefly addressed the assembled troops. The party afterwards inspected the camp and then proceeded by cars to Paris.

On the 13th July, after spending some five weeks in the woods of Oissy, a rumour went around of a move, as it was said that the Corps was under orders to move. Preparations in anticipation of orders were made, and next morning (Sunday, 14th July) orders to entrain the Unit arrived at an early hour. The transport and two Companies were to entrain at Pont Remy at noon, and Battalion Headquarters and one Company at Hangest at 3 p.m. for a destination then unknown.

Nos. 2 and 3 Companies under Capt. A. H. Richards left for Pont Remy and arrived in ample time to entrain. The transport, although a long march (10 miles) on heavy roads, was also on time. Battalion Headquarters and No. 1 Company arrived at Hangest at 1 p.m., and entrainment proceeded.

The Mounted Regiment Were also entraining two squadrons at Pont Remy,, and one squadron (O.M.R).

The trains moved out at 7 p.m.; our destination was then given as somewhere east of Paris. We travelled all night, the route being via Eu-Beauvais. The shorter route through Amiens was not used owing to the enemy shelling the fine. In the morning we stopped at Chars for breakfast and on again to Paris, passing west of that city via Versailles. At 5 p.m. we arrived at Pont Sur Seine and detrained, billeting in that village for the night.

Next day orders arrived to move on to Vertus about 70 kilometers away in an easterly direction. The day was very hot, and many hills had to be climbed, page 69consequently the going was slow and hard work. We stopped at Villeneux for lunch and made Sezanne at 4 p.m., where billets were found for the night.

Next morning the Battalion moved forward early and arrived at Vertus before lunch, and found our billets were at a small village named Chevigny, three kilometers further on, where we were very comfortable.

The next morning we were ordered to move into Vertus, as French troops were allotted this village. On arrival we had great difficulty about accommodation, and on learning that Chevigny was not occupied (the French troops not having arrived) we returned and re-occupied our old billets.