Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Regimental History of New Zealand Cyclist Corps in The Great War 1914-1918

Chapter XXII. — Presentation of Fanion, Epernay

Chapter XXII.
Presentation of Fanion, Epernay.

It will be remembered that the Battalion was in July and August, 1918, with the Corps in the Champagne District, where it gained considerable glory for its work whilst associated with the Fifth French Army under General A. Berthelot.

The Maire and Municipality of the the town of Epernay (Department of the Marne) wishing to signalise the victory of the Second Battle of the Marne which, by turning the enemy back when within a few kilometers of the town saved Epernay and adjoining towns from devastation from the enemy, presented through General Berthelot to our Corps and several of the French units who were in action at that time, fanions or banners to commemorate the victory. Our Corps Commander nominated our Battalion to receive the honour, his selection being made from all the British Battalions engaged.

This was a very high compliment to us, and gave the greatest satisfaction to all.

The presentation of the fanion was fixed to take place at Epernay on the 20th July, 1919, the anniversary of the opening of the Second Battle of the Marne, and the C.O. was invited by the Maire to visit Epernay with a delegation to receive the presentation.

As the Unit was disbanded and most of the officers and men had already left for New Zealand, it was not easy to secure a party. Eventually, after one postponement, a small party consisting of three officers and nine other ranks left London for Epernay, via Paris, arriving there a day or so before the eventful day, which was fixed for Sunday, 27th July, 1919.

page break
The Fanion presented to the Battalion by the people of Epernay.

The Fanion presented to the Battalion by the people of Epernay.

page break page 113

The town, the home of the champagne manufacture, was en fete for the occasion, and representatives of ten French Units and one Italian Unit, which had also participated in the operations of the Second Battle of the Marne, were present to receive fanions allotted to them.

Our Unit was represented by:—
Lieut. Col.C. Hellier Evans, D.S.O.
CaptainT. H. Dickinson, Adjutant
CaptainC. G. Johnson, Quartermaster
R.S.M.A. Turner
Q.M.SE. F. Bisney
SergeantTasker
SergeantPaget
CorporalT. Taylor
PrivatePemberton
PrivateMay
PrivateWinkie
PrivateStorm
whilst Captain G. L. Comer, Lieut. N. P. Branson, and Lieut. C. C. Southey, M.C., M.M., were with the parties as visitors.

The ceremonies started on the Saturday night by a torchlight procession and military tattoo by the 54th French Infantry Regiment. On Sunday morning the lengthy programme started by the reception of M. Nail, Minister of Justice and General A. Berthelot, who arrived rom Paris. The Maire was visited and welcoming speeches were made, then followed the visit to the military cemetery. The principal event, the presentation of the fanion, took place in the Square at 11 a.m. before a large crowd, the recipients forming a hollow square in front of a dias erected for the purpose. Several speeches were made by Dignitaries and at their conclusion the Maire of Epernay presented the banners; our Unit was first, and as Captain Dickinson stepped forward to receive it, the cheers of the assembled page 114multitude testified to the popularity of our troops and the town's gratitude to us for our share in freeing it from the danger of the enemy. The other presentations followed, first the Italian Delegation and then the ten French Units, all of which were accorded hearty applause. More speeches followed, and then the troops marched through the streets, our party leading the procession. The Military and Civil Dignataries, with all the visiting officers then adjourned to the Maire, where a splended lunch was provided, and some very congratulatory speeches were made; the Maire's reference to our Army was most cordially received.

The next day (Monday) the group was photographed and afterwards left for Paris where the night was spent, the journey to England via Boulogne being continued next day.

Whilst at Epernay facilities were given us by the French Authorities to visit the scenes of our Battle at Marfaux, over a year previous. All the party visited the battlefield, and those who had been in the scrap found satisfaction in living again the stirring times. The graves of those who fell were visited also.

M. Le Comte de Chandon-Moét, the principal of the great firm of champagne makers (Moét and Chandon) was particularly kind to us. He entertained the officers at his house and did all he could to make our stay enjoyable. The N.C.O.'s and men were the guests of the French Red Cross, and were very well looked after.

Everyone of the party thoroughly enjoyed the trip—it formed a very fine break in the monotony of life, and all carry with them the most cordial recollections of the kindness and hospitality of our Gallant French Allies.

The fanion has been greatly admired by all who have seen it, and many congratulations have been received by the Unit on being the only N.Z. Unit to have such a high honour conferred on it.

page break
The Fanion Presentation Party.

The Fanion Presentation Party.

A Captured German Cycle.

A Captured German Cycle.

page break page 115

So ends the history of the Cyclists' part in the Great War which engaged the close attention of all British subjects during the years of 1914 to 1918.

The majority of members have returned to New Zealand, a few taking their discharges in England, and settling in other parts of the world.

Of our Battalion 59 of our lads have been left behind on the Glorious Battlefields of France where they fell. The inspiration given by the deeds of these brave lads did not end with their lives, but is passed on to build up the soul of our Empire, and furthermore we lay, as it were, a wreath upon their graves.

We take this opportunity of congratulating the majority of our lads on their safe return to the Homeland, and may they prosper.

With undaunted spirit they went forth to give all they had to give, and we crown them with laurel for their efforts in the Great Cause of the Empire.

It is sure to say that our lads have gained materially by their War experience, besides receiving an education generally from the peoples on the other side of the world, and all are proud to have formed a part in that Great Army which rid the world of a Prussian menace.

page 116

New Zealand Cyclist Battalion.
Statistics.

Strength:
Officers Other Ranks Total
The original Cyclist Company 6 *211 217
Reinforcements 16 475 491
708

The above figures do not include 6 Officers and 200 other tanks, Australian Personnel, with 2nd Anzac Cyclist Battalion from 21/7/16 to 16/1/18.

Killed in action, N.Z. Officers Other Ranks Total
   Personnel only 4 55 59
Wounded.* 7 252 259

Number with Unit at Armistice, 11/11/18 8 Officers, 286 other ranks.

Billets.

During service in France and Belgium from 18/7/16 to 18/3/19, equalling 2 years and 8 months, the Unit occupied 82 different Billets and Bivouacs.

Three of these absorbed 11 months of the period, therefore for the balance of the time the Unit moved its location on an average about once a week.

page break
Grave of our Adjutant.Captain C. A. Dickeson, M.C. at Abeele.Private Dickeson, brother to the above in rear of cross.

Grave of our Adjutant.
Captain C. A. Dickeson, M.C. at Abeele.
Private Dickeson, brother to the above in rear of cross.

Our First Casualty.Grave of Corp. C. S. Des Barres, at Bois Grenier.

Our First Casualty.
Grave of Corp. C. S. Des Barres, at Bois Grenier.

One of our Last Casualties.Grave of Pvte. R. D. Walker. at Saultain.

One of our Last Casualties.
Grave of Pvte. R. D. Walker. at Saultain.

page break