Regimental History of New Zealand Cyclist Corps in The Great War 1914-1918
Chapter IX. — The First Anniversary of the Battalion
Chapter IX.
The First Anniversary of the Battalion.
On the 21st July, the first anniversary of the formation of the Battalion was held, and to celebrate this occasion sports were held in which items were included for the Mounted Regiment. All ranks thoroughly enjoyed the day, which was free from work. Furthermore, a dinner for all ranks was specially prepared by our cooks and the usual ration, augmented by extras, provided an excellent meal. A concert was held after dinner and the Battalion was photographed.
The Corps Commander, desiring to reward men whose services had been valuable, but who by reason of their employment in the Unit were debarred from winning distinction in the line, instituted an admirable system of presenting Parchment Certificates called "Record of Good Service." On recommendation, these certificates were granted in limited number. The following were recommended in the Battalion and received the award:—
2nd Lieut. | C. G. Johnson | Quartermaster |
L. Corpl. | J. S. Hill | Artificer |
Driver | A. Grant | Headquarters |
Private | W. Attneave | Storeman No. 3 Coy |
Private | R.. C. Cruse | Cook No. 3 Coy. |
During August the Battalion was employed in various ways, cable burying, traffic control, training; several officers and men being sent to special courses.
Towards the end of August the Corps, which had been continually in the southern sector of the 2nd Army front, was withdrawn, and sent out to back areas for a rest, this Battalion moving on the 2nd September to La Motte area and going into billets near Vieux Berquin. The Battalion Lewis Guns and teams were sent to Hazebrouck on anti-aircraft defence of the railway station. The Mounted Regiment moved out of the Cavalry Area near Boulogne for training on the 7th.
We were just beginning to settle down when orders were received to report to X Corps in Dickebusch area for employment under A. D. Signals on our old job of burying cabled. Accordingly we moved on the 8th September by route march to La Clytte where we were billetted. Our job was to assist this Corps (X) to complete its buried system. They already had two Battalions of the N.Z. (R) B. working for them, but their System was incomplete, and some "linking up" was required.
Our route was about a mile through Sanctuary Wood, the scene of some bloody battles in 1915, where the Canadians fought so gallantly and where the enemy first used poison gas. The work was by night, and our first night on this job we were shelled lavishly with Mustard Gas, from which some 50 odd men and 1 officer went to hospital next day from gas burns on their bodies.
We finished our work with the X Corps on the 17th September, and received orders to move back to our Corps Area. On the 19th we moved out of La Clytte with our destination as Renescure via Bailleul Staple, but on arrival there were told to go on to Arques where we halted for the night. The distance travelled was 32 miles, mostly against wind, much traffic, and its attendant dust.
Next morning we left Arques at 9 a.m. and made Bouvelinghem (15 miles) by noon, and there settled down in fairly good billets.
We thought that we would be in this area for at least a fortnight, but were hardly settled down when the Corps which had been training and resting in the area were ordered once more into the fray and we had to return with them. So after three days' rest we took the road again and made some farm houses near Cassel that night: next day on to Watou, thence to billets near Poperinghe.
Next day it was ascertained that we were to be used on our old job of cable burying east of Ypres to complete the system required for the forthcoming assault on Passchendaele Ridges.
The new badge for the N.Z. Companies was approved and issued in August, 1917, It was a similar badge to that worn by Imperial Cyclist Units, having a wheel with crossed rifles surmounted by a crown and a scroll underneath with the words N.Z. Cyclist Corps (see illustration). also shoulder badges, bearing the letters N.Z.C.C. were issued to the N.Z. personnel.
The following letter was received from the G.O.C. X Corps:—
X Corps, No. 852.Headquarters,
2nd Anzac.It is difficult for me adequately to express to you my gratitude for the splendid work of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Battalions, 3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade and the 11 Anzac Corps Cyclists in burying cable on my Corps front during the last three weeks. Their achievement in digging over 13,000 yards of cable trench, laying the cable, and banking it up from three to four feet is an extraordinary one; the keenness that they displayed is universally admired, and their skill is acknowledged to be an example to any troops. Will you please tell these gallant men how much, while I deplore the casualties they suffered, I appreciate both their valuable work and their soldierly spirit.
(sd.) K. W. Moreland,
Lieut.-General,Commanding Xth Corps.
H. O. Xth Corps,
10th September, 1917.