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

Chapter XIV. — Veirstratt

page 61

Chapter XIV.
Veirstratt.

The Battalion remained in the area of Brandhoek for three days, when the enemy got our range with his guns, and as there were acres of shells (reserve dumps) around the vicinity, it was thought advisable to move. So tents were procured and the Battalion moved to an open field 1,000 yards south of Poperinghe where a camp was erected.

At this time the battle was raging furiously. The enemy attempt to advance was being met gallantly by the French and our 21st Division, but numbers told, and the enemy was gradually making progress along the line Kemmel-Zillebeke Lake. Things were becoming serious for the safety of the Poperinghe Flat, and our Unit was told to be ready to move at short notice.

On the morning of the 25th we received orders to move forward, and after reporting at Ouderdom received orders to " stop a gap" near Veirstratt. We accordingly moved off (with the Mounted men) and reached Hallebast Corner amid awful shelling. We proceeded in small parties and on arrival at Swan and Edgar Corner, three enemy planes followed and peppered us with their M.G.'s. It was decided by Captain McHugh to leave the cycles on Veirstratt Road and proceed on foot in artillery formation. We were advised by a returning wounded officer that the enemy had advanced in huge numbers. Our patrols soon reported this fact, and it was impossible to get within 600 yards of the line given us to take up, owing to the enemy having advanced in such numbers it was beyond our power to push him back. The Companies took up a defensive line astride the Veirstratt Road, filling a gap of 1,000 yards, and for four days held the enemy off with page 62determination and with such success that he did not advance past the point where our men stopped him. That night small organised out-flanking movements gained us prisoners, from whom valuable information was obtained.

Battalion Headquarters were established at Hallebast Corner, but owing to its unhealthy region for shelling moved 100 yards back next day.

On the morning of 26th April an attempt was made by Nos. 1 and 3 Companies to straighten out the line. These two Companies advanced at 5 a.m., but owing to the troops on the right flank not conforming to the action as arranged, we were left "in the air" and had to return to our original line suffering some casualties during the movement.

The C.O., Major Evans and Captain Dickeson (Adjutant) left Headquarters later in the morning to make a reconnaissance of the line. On the road down an enemy shell burst between them, killing the Adjutant instantly. Major Evans escaped unhurt, but was severely shaken by the explosion, together with having been gassed at Kemmel, and was advised by the M.O. to give in and he left for hospital that day, Captain H. D. McHugh, M.C., assuming command of the Battalion in his absence. Lieut. G. Clark Walker was appointed Adjutant.

Up to the 28th instant the Battalion held on to their positions. The enemy made no further progress, although he made several attempts which were held off by our troops. On the evening of the 28th we were relieved, and moved into support slightly right of our original line. This position was open and swampy. The men dug in during the night and remained in these slit trenches for the next two days. During the daytime no movement was allowed, so the inevitable was to remain up to the knees in water, wishing for the night to speedily come so that cramped limbs could be revived. Our cycles were still on Veirstratt Road, and received a page 63fair amount of she1lfire and were badly damaged. On the nights of 29th and 30th small parties of men who could be spared from the line were engaged in moving the cycles back to the rear, and this saved the total loss of several; as it was some 90 cycles were so badly damaged as to be totally useless.

We had many casualties in this sector, as all the time the shelling and M.G. fire was intense.

Lieut. (A. Capt.) Dickeson, killed.

Lieuts. McLean and Branson, wounded.

Among the N.C.O.'s and men, Sergt. H. Gilchrist M.M., Privates R. H. Curtis, O. Fisher, A. Gold, D. Mulcahy, J. D. Welsh and H. R. Williams were killed or subsequently died of wounds.

The whole engagement cost the Unit 4 officers and 96 other ranks, besides 100 cycles.

On the 1st May the Battalion was relieved and moved out to Hillhoek (between Poperinghe and Abeele) where comfortable billets in huts were obtained. Here the Battalion remained till the 12th May, carrying on re-organisation and training, and enjoying a spell after the six weeks strenuous operations.

Decorations for gallantry were awarded the following N.C.O.'s and men —

M.M. Sergt. F. G. Matthews
Sergt. H. M. Carr
Corpl. F. C. Forrester
Private C. Brown
Private C. McLean
Private T. Nimmo
Private I. G. West
Private A. A. Close

Reinforcements to the number of 93 arrived on the 8th inst., also three officers from Infantry Units for attachment, viz., 2nd Lieuts. D. C. Griffiths, R. G. R. Sinclair, and E. Malcolm. The two latter did not remain long, rejoining their units a few days later.

page 64

On the 12 th May the Battalion moved to Polinchove Area under orders received from Corps and went into billets at a village called Ruminghem, near Watten. The inhabitants were very kind to all ranks who enjoyed, their stay in this place.

2nd Lieut. Bloomfield (O.I.R.) joined the Battalion as an attached officer, and 2nd Lieut. A. H. Coe, M.M., left for England to embark for New Zealand on a tour of duty.

On the 17th May, Major Evans, D.S.O., returned from hospital and resumed command, and the same day the Battalion were attached to 2nd Army for cable burying with the French.

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MajorH. D. McHugh,M.C. 2nd. I/C N.Z. Cyclist Battalion.

MajorH. D. McHugh,
M.C. 2nd. I/C N.Z. Cyclist Battalion.

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