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The Wellington Regiment (NZEF) 1914 - 1919

Chapter LIII

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Chapter LIII.

The March to the Rhine—Verviers—We Cross the German Frontier—The Journey Completed by Train—Cologne—Leichlingen—Longenfeld—Christmas 1918—Demobilisation.

On the mornimg of the 27th November, orders were received that the New Zealand Division would commence a move to Charleroi on the follwing day. The day was spent in preparing for the march In the evening, the orders were altered, and we were not to move until the 29th. The New Zealand Division was now to become part of the II. Army, and the move to Charleroi was to bring us into the II. Army area.

On the 29th, the first day's march en route for Charleroi was commenced. Both Wellington battalions started before 7 o'clock in the morning. The dress was full marching order with felt hats. Blankets were carried by the transport. The 1st Battalion marched as far as Haussy via Bevillers-Quievy-Fontaine-au-Tertre Farm-Solesmes. The 2nd Battalion covered twelve miles reaching Vendignies before noon. On the following day, the march was continued, 1st Wellington proceeding to Wagnies-le-Grand via St. Martin-Bermerian, while the 2nd Battalion reached Wagnies-le-Petit.

We shall not follow the Regiment all the way to the German frontier; but a list of the places al which we were billetted on the march is given in Appendix "A."

On the march to Lobbes, we crossed the French-Belgian border. The inhabitants of the liberated provinces received us most cordially. The windows of the town were placarded with posters welcoming the British troops. We stayed at page 333Lobbes, two days and the 2nd Battalion's Band became extremely popular. It played selections which were greatly appreciated by the inhabitants, so much so, that, on our marching out, they collected at various points along the thickly populated route and pleaded for music.

At Tamines, our men had a good welcome, as, indeed, everywhere. While at Isnes and Spy, many of them took the opportunity of visiting the fortress city of Namur. At Spy one company of the 2nd Battalion was billetted in the Municipal Theatre.

By the 13th December, the Regiment had marched one hundred and seven miles, and was now in the Anthiet area. Here a halt was made for four days, mainly because boots wore in such urgent need of repair and replacement that we could hardly have continued the march. In Petit Wanze, the little village where the 2nd Battalion was billeted, two dances were given during our stay. From here also, large numbers bad leave to go to Huy,

The march to Jemeppe was a particularly interesting one along the banks of the Meuse. The valley of the Meuse is very thickly populated and the inhabitants lined the route giving us a most cordial reception. Here, general leave was granted to Liege—thirty-five minutes' journey by train. In Jemeppe itself, a concert was given by the civil population in honour of the troops. Shortly after leaving Jemeppe, we crossed the Meuse and passed the Fort d'Embourg. It was a stiff pull up the hill leading to and past d'Embourg.

By the 19th December, we had reached Verviers. Here we had a most enthusiastic welcome from the inhabitants, who lined the streets in thousands. It was hard indeed to get through the crowd. In Verviers, there was general leave. The local morning paper was eulogistic in our praise.

On the 20th, the frontier was crossed. The inhabitants of Verviers gave us a most enthusiastic send off, and it was almost impossible for the band to play, as the people insisted on giving our gallant makers of music a proper farewell. To the strains of "Bonnie Dundee", the Regiment marched briskly into Germany.

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On the following day, both battalions entrained at Herbesthal station. At the station, a hot tea and biscuits were served by the Y.M.C.A. After a journey of about five hours, we arrived at Ehrenfeld station, near Cologne. Here tea was again served by the Y.M.C.A., and we marched off in fighting order to our destinations, the 1st Battalion to Leichlingen, and the 2nd Battalion to Longenfeld. The route followed was via Colognc-Mulhcim-Weisdorf-Opladen. The Rhine was crossed by the famous Bridge of Boats, and the bands played the regimental march from bank to bank. The inhabitants seemed to take our entry as a matter of course. After detraining, it had been a sixteen miles march. The distance marched from Beauvois to the entraining station had been about 159 miles, and these additional 16 miles, made a total of 175 miles actually marched.

The Regiment was not, long in settling down in billets. Both battalions had to supply a number of guards, piquets and patrols. The behaviour of the German inhabitants was very orderly and large numbers used to assemble to see guard mounting.

Dinner on Christmas Day was hardly up to expectations The 2nd Battalion had to postpone its official dinner on account of non-arrival of the turkeys. However, there was plum pudding, and an issue of beer. The 1st Battalion had its officers mess in Tannenhoff Hotel, while Baron von Eppinghoven's residence provided the mess for the officers of the 2nd Battalion.

Leave to Cologne was now freely granted, and nearly everyone made the most of his opportunity of seeing that city.

The 26th December, marked the beginning of the end of the Regiment in the field, for on that day, Lieut. Farrington and 56 other ranks left the 1st Battalion on return to New Zealand, to be followed the following day by Capt. B. H. Morison and seven 1914 and twenty-five 1915 class men from the 2nd Battalion. A very enthusiastic send off was given them.

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Demobilisation now set in apace, and drafts left for England every few days.

During January, the weather was for the most part fine, but cold. The education classes were in full swing; but both battalions found time to play a good deal of football.

On the 17th, H.R.H The Prince of Wales visited both battalions. He spoke to nearly all the officers and chatted with many of the men.

By the end of January, the ranks had been so depleted by demobilisation, that it was decided to amalgamate both battalions, and, accordingly on the 5th February the 2nd Battalion marched from Longenfeld to Leichlingen, and a composite Wellington Battalion was organised under Lieut.-Col. F. K. Turnbull, D.S.O., M.C., with Major M. Urquhart, M.C., second in command, and Lieut. D. Cowan, adjutant. We may well take leave of the Regiment there.

"Ten thousand glorious actions that might claim Triumphant laurels and immortal fame, Comprised in crowds of glorious actions lie, And troops of heroes undistinguished die."