Diary of service on the Western Front, 1914-1915, World War One

Smith, William Douglas

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Title:: Diary of service on the Western Front, 1914-1915, World War One

Collection:: SMITH, Maj Gen Sir William Douglas (1865-1939)

Archive reference:: SMITH, WD 2/2

Catalogue record URL (AtoM):: https://archives.kingscollections.org/index.php/smith-wd-2-2

Level of description:: Item

Date of material:: 31 Oct 1914 - 22 Apr 1915

Creator:: Smith, William Douglas

Source collection title:: SMITH, Major General Sir William Douglas (1865-1939)

Extent:: 1 volume

Description (scope):: Manuscript copy diary relating to Smith’s command of 9 Infantry Brigade in 3 Division, 2 Corps, British Expeditionary Force (BEF) on the Western Front, 31 Oct 1914 – 22 Apr 1915, including: the First Battle of Ypres, Nov 1914, with the loss of many named officers serving under Smith; a visit to the troops by King George V, 3 Dec 1914; the waterlogged state of trenches near Kemmel, Belgium, Dec 1914; a demonstration of grenade throwing, 20 Dec 1914, and thoughts on the difficulty of deploying hand grenades from trenches; reference to a meeting of British and German troops on Christmas Day, 25 1914, and Smith's disapproval; initiatives to improve conditions in trenches, Jan 1915; demonstration of a mortar to be used from a trench, 16 Jan 1915; the execution of two deserters, 6 Feb 1915; the deployment of miners from Britain to undermine German trenches, 19-24 Feb 1915; a German counter-attack, 11 Mar 1915, Battle of Neuve Chapelle, with heavy Allied casualties; details of material used to improve trenches, 25 Mar 1915; frequent criticism of British press coverage of the war, Apr 1915. Also inserted items, including: press cuttings chiefly relating to Smith’s promotions; account of 1 Royal Scots Fusiliers’ operations at Jemappes, 23 Aug 1914, by Captain Thomas Balfour Traill; a detailed account by Smith of 9 Infantry Brigade operations during early Nov 1914, First Battle of Ypres; sketch maps and accounts relating to 9 Infantry Brigade operations, Nov 1914; a letter from Clara Barton, mother of Lieutenant Harold William Ferguson Barton (died 18 Oct 1914), quoting a letter from a German officer praising her son’s bravery; illustrated manuscript poem, ‘New Year’s Eve in the Trenches’, possibly by Major Athol [Athel, Atholl] Murray Hay Forbes, [1914]; letters of praise about 9 Infantry Brigade from Field Marshal Herbert Charles Onslow Plumer, Commander of 5 Corps, and Lieutenant General Sir Charles Fergusson, Commander of 2 Corps, Feb 1915; programme for a concert by personnel of 9 Infantry Brigade, 9 Mar 1915.

Copyright:: Copies, subject to the condition of the original, may be supplied from open material for research purposes only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Trustees of the Liddell Hart Centre for Military Archives, via the Archives.; King's College London Archives

Full text

We were not more than 6 or 7 yards from the trench & were being subjected to a heavy rifle fire. Eventually the company was removed but I regret with the loss of Lieutenant Anderson killed and about 30 men killed wounded or missing. We then retired back to our wall & then found there was great activity amongst the enemy, & it appeared that they were advancing. I informed Captain Foster I then retired as our position was untenable. With regard to the episode of Second Lieutenant Judge & several men being captured [illegible] trench with many traverses the enemy stole round behind them & forced each batch of men between the traverses to lay down their arms & file out of the trench. This was stopped directly it was known what was going on. I estimate that we must have accounted for at least 50 or 60 of the enemy during the 24 hours operation. The enemy were fine men & brave & looked in good condition. An officer when all his men were shot down attempted to charge us sword in hand. I myself shot several with my Mauser Pistol A L MacKinnon Captain before Royal Scots Fusiliers can return - orders issued to retake trenches, but unsuccessful - heavy - casualties Captain Barrett, Lieutenant Lyon & Captain Gordon (Cameronians) reported killed - orders then issued for Yorkshire Light Infantry to retake these trenches. Successful but a little later they report they have vacated them as they are surrounded by Germans - ordered to reoccupy which is done later in the evening without opposition - in the meanwhile the stable & trenches near them are held by Germans, decide to take them during the night. An 18 pounder gun to be taken up within 50 yards of the stable & to fire four

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