page 32

Chapter VI.
Training—With The Cavalry.

Our new billets were situated about one mile from Doulieu and as we were to stay there for the winter months, the Corps let us have some huts and other material to make ourselves comfortable. Training in various subjects was carried on every day. Sports were indulged in, and leave being opened to England a number of men got away for the usual ten days. The weather gradually got colder and the hard frosts started. The cold was severe on us, coming as we did from sunny climes. The Platoon from No. 2 Company under Lieut. Comer, who had been with the N.Z. Division to the Somme and had been through all the adventures of the Division, returned to the Battalion on 6th December. The G.S.O. I. (Major Temperley) of the Division sent a letter to the C.O. conveying the G.O.C. Division's appreciation of the excellent work done by this Platoon.

Christmas was celebrated by an extra special dinner being put on, officers messing with the men on this occasion. A splendid menu was arranged by the Company cooks, whose health was loudly toasted at the conclusion of the meal. Our dear folk in New Zealand were not forgotten, as the toast of "New Zealand, Home and Beauty" was the brightest and best of the day, and why not, for most of the cheer that adorned our tables came from far-away New Zealand.

Instructional Schools, under the auspices of Army and Corps, embracing General Courses, Bombing, Bayonet Fighting, Sniping, Gas, Musketry, Signalling, etc., were in full swing during the winter months, and this Battalion sent several Officers and N.C.O.'s for instruction, with the result that considerable benefit was derived. Early in January, 1917, it was decided to equip Cyclist Battalions with Lewis Guns on the scale page 33of two guns per Company (six in Battalion) and Officers and men were instructed to proceed to the G.H.Q. Lewis Gun School at Le Touquet, near Etaples, for in struction.

Training was continued during January when the weather permitted, and in addition the Officers and N.C.O.'s carried out a reconnaissance of the whole Corps front, in order to become familiar with roads and tracks positions of Brigade and Brigade Headquarters, front line, etc., in view of offensive operations to take place later on.

On 15th February the Corps Mounted Regt. left for attachment to 2nd Cavalry Division near Boulogne for training. Major C. H. Evans proceeded on leave to United Kingdom for a period of ten days, Captain H. McHugh commanding the Battalion (temporarily) in his absence.

On the 1st January, 1917, orders were received for the Battalion to proceed by route march to Hennev-Eux, near Boulogne, there to rejoin the Corps Mounted Regiment and be attached to 2nd Cavalry Division for combined training in open warfare. Accordingly the necessary orders were issued by Battalion Headquarters, and at 9 a.m., 2nd February, the Battalion set out in full marching order with transport. The distance, some 50 miles or so, had to be done in two days. The route selected was from Daulieu via Rue-Provost, Neuf Berquin, Merville, Lesart, Haverskerque, Thiennes-Aire, Therou-Anne-Dohem, Remilly, Wavrans to Lumbres, where the Battalion billeted for the night. The day was intensely cold and the roads frozen, and in some places covered with snow so deep as to render riding impossible, and the task of pushing a loaded cycle up hill through snow was a hard one, especially after leaving Therouanne, as the country was very hilly.

Arriving at Lumbres we found billets all arranged and allotted by Lieut. G. Clark Walker (the Battalion page 34Billetting Officer) who was in charge of the advance party. It was a very cold night and no heating conveniences existed in the staging billets, but the majority of the men were provided with beds by the inhabitants of that town who did everything possible to make the men comfortable. Lumbres will be remembered by many tor the hospitality extended on that cold night. The distance covered that day was roughly thirty miles. Next morning at 9 a.m. the Battalion moved en route again towards their final destination. This time we kept to the main road "Route National" Stomer Boulogne Road. These National roads of France are well built and substantial, but as they are mostly very straight, the builders were not particular as to gradients. Some of our climbs were long and steep and our energy and endurance was severely taxed in negotiating some of the rises, particularly on a frozen road which was as slippery as glass. Spills were frequent and our temper sullen.

We arrived at Henneveux about 1 p.m. after a ride of about thirteen miles. Our advance party had secured us good billets in farms which were made very comfortable. Battalion Headquarters was in a fine Chateau owned by the Countess de Belleville. In the next village, Bournenville, the Otago Mounted Rifles were located, with the other squadrons at Crem-Arest and Bellebrun; the Motor M.G. Battery at Alinethun; Regimental Headquarters in a Chateau about a mile from our location. The whole of Corps Mounted Troops were attached to the 9th Cavalry Brigade under Brig. Gen. Leggard, D.S.O., for training.

For the first week little outdoor work was done as the weather was very wintry and snow fell frequently. Training consisted in Lectures on Compass Map Reading, etc. As soon as the weather was suitable, manoeuvres were carried out daily, such as Advance and Flank Guards, Outposts, etc., and much valuable instruction gained. We covered long distances on cycles, and the page 35training was thoroughly enjoyed by all ranks. We were only ten miles from Boulogne and leave was given to half the Unit every Sunday for the day and this made a good break in the work.

Desvres, a large manufacturing town celebrated for its pottery, was about six miles distant as well as other small places of interest.

Our period of training ended on the 13th March, when orders were received to return to our Corps Area. On 15th March the Battalion marched out. Our route was via Lumbres Arques to Racquinghem where we billetted for the night. The weather was much warmer and the roads free from frost, consequently progress was easier. Next morning we departed at 9 a.m. and returned to Doulieu via Aire Haverskerque and Merville. On arrival we reoccupied the same billets that we vacated some six weeks beforehand. Our transport (2nd Lieut. Hay in charge) did not travel with us either going to Henneveux or returning. It took three days each way.