25th & 26th August 1918. 

ADDERLEY’S ‘The Warwickshire Yeomanry in the Great War’ records that ‘B’ Battalion M.G.C, received orders in the middle of August 1918 that henceforth they would be known as the 100th (Warwick and South Nott’s Yeo) Battalion, M.G.C.

They then commenced preparations for a move to an unknown destination for active operations somewhere in France. 

They entrained at Etaples on the 25 August 1918 at 4.30pm. Cady HOYTE records in his diary that they were loaded into trucks similar to those they had travelled in from Taranto and six hours later having passed through Abbeville arrived at Longeau, just outside Amiens. They unloaded the guns and limbers in which the machine guns and ammunition were carried and it was nearly midnight before they commenced a route march. The distant horizon was alight with gun flashes and star shell. 

Some four hours later they arrived at the village of Pont-Noyles which had been badly battered – the Battalion settled down for the night amidst the rubble of many roofless houses. After a quick wash at the village pump followed by a hasty breakfast, they continued their route march.

‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies proceeded to Warloy and Frankvillers respectively but eventually the whole Battalion concentrated at Warloy, which was still inhabited having escaped serious damage. 

Training continued at this location: Two Officers and 2 NCO’s per company were then attached to other Machine Gun Companies in the line for 48 hours duration to see how things were done; this proved most effective.

We shall pick up their story again on 4 September.

4th to 14th September 1918.

ADDERLEY’S ‘The Warwickshire Yeomanry in the Great War’ records that by the end of August 1918 the 100th (Warwick and South Nott’s Hussars) Battalion, M.G.C. attached to the Fourth Army under General Sir Henry RAWLINSON, was ready to take part in the great offensive which began in July with the general advance of the Allied Forces, which led to the victorious termination of the war.

During much of July and August 1918 the Battalion had received Machine Gun instruction from Officers and NCO’s of the 1stLife Guards MGC. This picture of the 1st Life Guards instructors was in all probability taken at the Machine Gun Range at Camiers located near thick woodland in August 1918. This photo is part of collection of photos of a Warwickshire Yeoman who had previously served with the 1st Life Guards.

On 4 September orders were received for the Battalion to march from Warloy-Baillon to Trones Wood a distance of some 15 miles. Passing through Albert Cady HOYTE records that shells had ceased to fall on this unhappy town which had changed hands several times but not before it had been reduced to a town of brick dust. The streets such as they were, lay inches deep in red brick dust as they threaded their shell pitted course through heaps of bricks and broken furniture and shattered buildings.

Trones Wood existed in name only and amidst the devastation the Battalion bivouacked in the open or in some half dug trenches. On 7 September the Battalion went to 58th Division with Battalion HQ initially at Combles but was moved later to Nurla. ‘A’ Company was located at Nurla and ‘B’ Company at Bouchavesnes and Guyencourt.

On 8 September ‘A’ Company took up a defensive line on Saulcourt Ridge, north of Guyencourt on the evening of the 9 September moved to more forward positions preparatory to putting up a barrage on Peiziers on the morning of the 10th , being heavily shelled and suffering some casualties, retiring after dusk.

On the 14 September ‘B’ Company which had been held in reserve, moved up to continue a harassing fire by night and day on an area north of Peiziers being relieved the following day.

16th – 28th September 1918

ADDERLEY’S ‘The Warwickshire Yeomanry in the Great War’ records that on the 16th September 1918 3rd Corps commenced to attack on the whole of the Corps front, the object being through the Hindenburg Line by taking Ephy. The 100th (Warwick and South Nott’s Yeo) Battalion, M.G.C. was under orders of the 12th Division and the Companies took up their positions in the trenches by night, being heavily shelled with H.E. and gas the next day.

164684 HOYTE records in his diary that on the night of the 16th under cover of darkness the whole Company moved up into a very shallow trench. They then spent the night deepening the trench, making a good parapet, gun emplacements and dugouts. Just before dawn they ceased digging and were given a rum issue. They rested throughout much of the day and under cover of darkness continued to dig their trenches even deeper. The guns were then laid for firing a barrage. Reveille was to be at quarter to five the next morning. During the night they were aroused from their slumbers with the shout ‘Gas Over‘ and hastily donning their gas masks they waited for the atmosphere to clear. When Zero hour arrived it was raining. The artillery commenced firing along the entire line and the Machine Guns opened up on their unseen targets. For an hour and half the deafening barrage lasted and at a given signal the firing stopped and the infantry came up and went over the top.

ADDERLEY records that on 19th September ‘A’ Company moved forward to the railway to put down a barrage on Deelish Avenue and Ockenden Trench which lasted 40 minutes and then they proceeded to move forward to a fresh position for another barrage. Meanwhile ‘B’ Company were employed in harassing fire on Old Copse, and a barrage in support of an infantry attack, when they had a gun knocked out and 2 O.R.s wounded. In the first advance to the railway that morning a sight presented itself to the Company bearing evidence of the effective fire in the previous attack. On the east side of the line were seen five German machine guns with teams practically complete, their gunners killed and guns mostly damaged. Two German machine gun teams had evidently been killed while attempting to retire.

Private 164684 Cady HOYTE records in his diary for Sunday 22 September 1918 that ‘after another rain filled night, rations were brought up under cover of darkness, when men from each section were detailed to go to a certain point about half a mile away to draw them.’ Cady was part of a ration party and on their return journey whilst crossing a stretch of open ground before reaching the trenches a battery of artillery passed them.  As it did several bombs from a German aircraft crashed in close proximity smothering them with lumps of mud and earth as they lay flat on their stomachs. Fortunately no one in their ration party was injured - they then scurried back to the trenches as quickly as their legs would carry them.

ADDERLEY’S ‘The Warwickshire Yeomanry in the Great War’ records that on the night of the 23rd September two gun teams moved up to Heythorpe Post near Ephy to carry on harassing fire using two captured German machine guns, but on coming into action had to retire as they encountered heavy shell and machine gun fire. 

The same evening one section of ‘A’ Company under 2nd-Lieut C.F.McANDREW moved to a fresh position near Ephy and should have been in position by midnight but due to heavy shelling and road blocks did not arrive until dawn. As they approached their new position the section was shelled by the enemy who had been watching them - McANDREW was killed along with 5 ORS.

On the 24th September Battalion HQ was at Nurla when ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies of the 100th(Warwick and South Nott’s Yeo) Battalion, M.G.C. were ordered to proceed to Bernes to come under 9th Corps, being transported in lorries and by means of a light railway.

The following morning positions were reconnoitred for the machine gun batteries for the impending attack on Bellinglise. The night of the 28th was very dark and the enemy gas shelled the valley which had to be crossed but by 3am on the 29th they were in position. The objectives were the St Quentin Canal and portions of Bellinglise.

29th September to 8th October 1918.

ADDERLEY records that the night of the 28th September was very dark and the enemy gas shelled the valley which had to be crossed but by 3am on the 29th they were in position. The objectives were the St Quentin Canal and portions of Bellinglise; the barrage put up by ‘B Company was much appreciated by the Infantry who gained all their objectives according to plan and timetable. Both Companies were continually under fire and suffered causalities. ‘A’ Company had 3 men killed and 3 wounded and ‘B’ Company had a machine gun team knocked out. Both Companies now moved to defensive positions west of Bellinglise.

On the 30th September 5 Officers and 60 O.R.s joined from the M.G. Base bringing the strength of the Battalion to 44 Officers and 822 O.R.s. On the 1st October the Battalion withdrew concentrating at Bernes, marching next day to Moislams to join the 25thDivision –a march of 20 miles in the wrong direction, for at midnight they received orders to join in the advance of the Division and the Battalion less ‘B’ Company then marched to St Emile, where they were held in reserve, while ‘B’ Company proceeded to Lovries to operate with the 7thBrigade.

On 5th October Battalion HQ were at Montbrehain and two sections were sent with two Battalions of Infantry, to help in the consolidation of Beaurevoir. For three days and nights the sections of ‘A’ Company were continuously in action, and at times were compelled to cease fire as they were drawing fire on the advancing Infantry. The casualties on the 8thamounted to two O.R.s wounded and five horses killed in the advance to the outskirts of Premont and Serain.

9th to 23rd October 1918.

On the 9th October 1918 the 100th (Warwick and South Nott’s Hussars) Bn. M.G.C. concentrated near Maretz and Avelu and on the following day commenced preparing for the attack on Le Cateau, the infantry having advanced to St.Benin south of the town. ADDERLEY records that the 100th Bn. retired to Premont, which was crowded with troops and rested until the 16th October when they moved up to take part in the attack on Le Cateau.

On the 17th October ‘A’ & ‘B’ Companies were divided into Groups or Batteries and put up barrages to cover the Infantry advance. One of the Batteries in No.1 Group from ‘A’ Company completed its task in fifteen minutes only to be shelled out of it’s position. The others fired for about some 50 minutes when a direct hit put one machine gun out of action. No.3 group from ‘B’ Company directed their fire on the Railway Triangle and Cutting south of Le Cateau to cover the attack, and on the following day the Battalion supported the right flank of the Division (25th and 13th Corps) west of the town.

Both Companies remained in position until after dark on the 19th October when they were relieved and returned to their billets at Premont on the 20th October 1918.

The fighting around Le Cateau continued until the 23rd October and in the evening of that day the Battalion concentrated there in billets. We will pick up their story again on the 23rd October.

This group photo is likely to be those serving in ‘B’ Company of the 100th (Warwick & South Nott’s Hussars) Bn. M.G.C. The location possibly Camiers, when training on the Kangaroo Ranges prior to them joining 4th Army on 26th August 1918.

23rd October to 10th November 1918.

The 100th Battalion MGC remained at Le Cateau until the 4th November and was occupied in cleaning up, including drawing stores and clothing. The strength of the Battalion was 51 Officers and 843 Other Ranks. On the 4th they moved to Pommerereuil - the Sections of ‘A’ Company were split up and attached as follows:

No.1 Section to the 199thBrigade

No.2 Section to South African Brigade

No.3 Section to 198th Brigade.

The following day they were employed in supporting an attack by the 25th Division on Landrecies, but the enemy retired after setting fire to the place, and the Battalion moved into billets there with the 66th Division, and on the 6th and 7th November they advanced on Noyelles. 164684 Pte Cady HOYTE records in his diary that ‘it had been pouring with rain and horses and mules are not the nicest of things to look after in such weather especially at night.’

On the 8th the 66th Division was ordered to continue the pursuit of the enemy with the utmost vigour. ‘B’ Company was attached to the 199th Brigade. HOYTE records that ‘B’ Company. left early on the 8th for Dompierre; the approach being difficult, for the enemy had blown up bridges and roads. The transport remained at Dompierre while the Company went into the line East and North East of Bas Lieu. 

The enemy threatened some resistance on the 9thbut soon resumed their hasty retreat. The Battalion then concentrated at Bas Lieu on the 10th. The rain having ceased HOYTE recalls ‘sleeping in an open field, the night of the 10th during which there was a sharp frost but next morning it was fine and bright with sunshine. As we harnessed up, there were rumours of an Armistice but nothing official.’

10th November and 11th November 1918.

The 100th (Warwickshire Yeomanry and South Nottinghamshire Hussars) Battalion, Machine Gun Corps concentrated at Bas Lieu on the 10th November, 1918.

ADDERLEY records it was late at night on the 10th November that Lieut R.P. PRANKERD was killed. He had been attached to ‘C’ Company (the South Nott’s Hussars) with the South African Brigade, forming part of a mobile column engaged in pressing the pursuit, and with 2 O.R.s was killed by a shell at the Company’s rear HQ, about a mile south of Hestrud. He was known as a capable Officer and was the first Recruit Officer to join the 3/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry in May 1915. He had been posted to the 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry in November 1915 - it was indeed bad luck that he was killed within 12 hours of the Armistice.

The rain having ceased 164684 Pte Cady HOYTE recalls ‘sleeping in an open field, the night of the 10th, during which there was a sharp frost but next morning it was fine and bright with sunshine. As we harnessed up, there were rumours of an Armistice but nothing official.’

The Battalion left the village of Bas Lieu on the morning of the 11th November, Reveille was at 6.30am: ‘A’ Company for Les Fonteines and ‘B’ Company to join the 199th Brigade at Clairfayts, and were not far on their journey before they were met by the Adjutant (Capt. HOLDEN) waving a slip of paper in his hand containing the following momentous message:-

“Hostilities will cease at 11.00 hours, November 11th. Troops will stand fast on line reached at that hour which will be reported by wire to Headquarters 4th Army Advance Guard. Defensive precautions will be maintained. There will be no intercourse of any description with the enemy until receipt of instructions. 4th Army Advance Guard.”

The good news was soon spread amongst all ranks on the march, and ‘it is difficult to describe the impression created – one of intense relief but the joy was tempered by an over whelming wave of sorrow, and sympathy for all the brave comrades who had laid down their lives during the past four years and three months, and regret that they had not lived to hear the good news of the victory.’

165064 Pte R.C. BURBAGE (who was in ‘B’ Company of the 100th Bn) records in his diary for the 11th November that Reveille was at 6.30am – ‘HOSTILITIES CEASE AT 11am.

BURBAGE records: ‘Resumed March and passed Bas Lieu, Soire-le-Chateau, roads blown up in many places, French civvies with flags out. Arrived Claifayts and had tea. Rations very bad. Arrived Belgium Frontier at dusk, entered Sivry, had dinner and dug gun positions. “Strong line of defence.” Spent night in barn on the hay, strangely quiet. His diary mentions 5 South Africans killed at 10.55am. He also mentions Lieut PRANKERD who was actually killed at 10.50pm on the previous night.

PRANKERD’s medal index card confirms killed in action on the 10th November 1918, as does the enclosed photo of him; he was 23 years of age and is buried in the Pont-sur-Sambre Cemetery, Nord, France.

The Casualties in France amounted to three Officers and 24 O.R.s killed or died on active service and one Officer and 51 O.R.s wounded or gassed.

The total number of Officers and Men of the Regiment who were killed or died on active service since Mobilisation were 14 Officers (3 of whom were killed serving with other Regiments) and 115 O.R.s making 129 in all.

The Battalion concentrated at Sivry on the 13th November 1918 prior to the March to the Rhine .

13th November to 6th December 1918

The 100th (Warwickshire Yeomanry and South Nottinghamshire Hussars) Battalion, Machine Gun Corps concentrated at Sivry on the 13th November and remained there until the 18th when the advance to the Rhine began, the time being occupied in a general cleaning and polishing up. Special Divine Service was held in the Town Hall at Sivry on Sunday 14th, and on the 18th the Battalion marched to Fourbechies, and the next day to Jamiolle. The route was blocked by Artillery and billets were not reached until 9.45pm in complete darkness.

BURBAGE’s diary for the 19th records that ‘the going was bad and that at 3pm they got held up for two hours, the roads being blocked. They proceeded without transport, marching 8 Kilometres before reaching Jamiolee.’

ADDERLEY records they remained at Jamiolle till the 24th when they transferred to the 198th Brigade and ‘left that day for Rosee, finding billets at the Chateau de Rosee which had been left in a state of indescribable filth by the lately departed Germans.’ HOYTE records in his diary for the 24th ’here we were billeted in an empty chateau standing in its own large grounds and although the large bare rooms were rather cold, with many having stone floors, we were able to make ourselves fairly comfortable, ‘

Here they stayed for a further three weeks, football and other recreation being provided for the men, while the Officers engaged in wild boar hunting with a nondescript pack of “harriers.”

Enclosed is a picture of ‘B’ Company 100th (Warwick and South Notts Hussars) Bn. M.G.C. The location possibly Camiers, when training on the Kangaroo Ranges prior to them joining 4th Army on 26th August 1918. ‘A’ & ‘B’ being Warwickshire Yeoman ‘C’ & ‘D’ South Notts Hussars.

6th to 22nd December 1918

The 100th (Warwickshire Yeomanry and South Nottinghamshire Hussars) Battalion, Machine Gun Corps were billeted at the Chateau de Rosee which had been left in a state of indescribable filth by the lately departed Germans’ on the 24 November 1918. They remained at the Chateau for a further three weeks, football and other recreation being provided for the men, while the Officers engaged in wild boar hunting with a nondescript pack of “harriers.”

On the 14th December 1918 the Battalion left for Ciney*, crossing the Meuse at Dinant, where they billeted for the night, but three days after their arrival at Ciney they were ordered to proceed on the 19th to a village called Haversin about ten miles South East. The village proved inadequate for permanent quarters for the Battalion and accordingly ‘A’ Company was billeted at Haid and ‘B’ Company at Serinchamps.

*HOYTE records in his diary for the 14th December that Ciney was a typical Belgian town, with cobbled roads and footpaths with a good range of shops and estaminets where it was possible to purchase most commodities which came within the range of a soldier’s pay.

BURBAGE records in his diary for the 16th that he walked round the town in the afternoon ‘got boot polish & ‘sent Xmas Cards.’

HOYTE records that on the fourth day after their arrival at Ciney ‘we were taken away from the comforts of town life and stuck in a village called Serninchamps, where we were billeted in the harness rooms and outhouses of a large Chateau, while the Officers occupied the Chateau. However with thoughts of demob in our minds, coupled with the fact that Battalion Headquarters four or five kilometres away in a village called Haversin, we did not mind much.’

Football got into full swing, each section forming a football team with Transport and Company Staff combining and HOYTE records his old section wanted him to return and play for them but the Transport Officer and Company Sergeant–Major wanted him to stay and captain their side and consequently he was offered the easiest job in the Battalion if he would remain and be the Officer’s groom. Knowing that his Officer had only one horse and already had a groom HOYTE enquired what his duties would be. ‘Play Football’ was the response.

BURBAGE’s and HOYTE’s diaries confirm that much time was spent on fatigues, cleaning and painting kit, as well drill periods with football competitions. 

22nd December to 31st December 1918

2987 Pte Cady HOYTE records in his diary that ‘the war had been over for more than a month and we could not be persuaded to take any real interest in harness polishing, equipment cleaning and the ‘posh’ parades which General Officers are always so fond of holding when there is no actual fighting in progress.

The 100th (Warwick and South Nott's Hussars) Battalion, Machine Gun Corps moved from the comforts of Ciney on the 19thDecember 1918 to a village called Haversin about ten miles South East. The village proved inadequate for permanent quarters for the Battalion and accordingly ‘A’ Company was billeted at Haid, ‘B’ Company in the Chateau at Serinchamps – the men in the servant’s quarters and outhouses while the Officers occupied the Chateau. However with thoughts of demob in our minds, coupled with the fact that Battalion Headquarters was four or five kilometres away in a village called Haversin, we did not mind much.’

BURBAGE records on the 21st the Sgts have found billet in the Village and their room has been turned into a recreation room. In the lead up to Christmas 1918 their diaries record, fatigues such as road clearing, cleaning kit as well as sorting and moving stores. There are also Football matches with educational classes (book keeping and shorthand) including dancing - for the men have liberated a piano.

HOYTE records that ‘Christmas Day passed, with the exception of mail from England, very much as any other day, on fairly short rations. The excuse being given that the civilian population had to be fed for the time being.’ On the 25th Reveille was at 7am with a Church Parade at Haversin at 12 noon. 

BURBAGE had his Christmas Lunch – Turkey, Xmas Pudding, cigars and beer in room next to the Cookhouse.There was a  Battalion Parade and March Past on the 27th at Haversin requiring two hours Ceremonial Drill on the 26th followed by educational classes and a football match later that afternoon.

Enclosed is a photo of 2987 Pte C.C. HOYTE, 1/1st Warwickshire Yeomanry who when serving with 100th (Warwick and South Nott’s Hussars) Battalion, Machine Gun Corps was renumbered as 164684 Pte HOYTE. 2987 

Pte Cady HOYTE’s diary can be found in ‘Farewell to the Horses –Diary of a British Tommy 1915-19. 

By Robert ELVERSTONE ISBN 978 0 7509 5222 4.

1st January 1919 to 19th January 1919.

HOYTE records in his diary that “New Year’s Day arrived and life went on in the same easy but at times, monotonous manner, until a few days after the first batch of men left for demobilisation”. On the 7th January he received his declaration from the Advisory Committee, he duly filled in the required forms, receiving confirmation on the 19th January that he was to be ready to proceed for demobilisation on the following Wednesday.

The next day it was rumoured that demobilisation had been stopped and on the Tuesday this was officially confirmed HOYTE records that there was much grumbling and grousing, and that life went on in much the same monotonous manner as during the past month or so.

“It seemed to him “that it was going to be a much harder job to get out of the Army than it was to get in.”

Apart from giving the Officer’s groom the occasional hand with his horse he had little to do but play football.

Most mornings the groom and he walked to the village for a cup of Coffee. At one of the estaminets in December they had enquired whether there was anybody in the village who would do their washing - answer yes – ‘one morning a week we took round our laundry and a few days later called to collect it.

20 January 1919 – 1 March 1919

ADDERLEY’s ‘The Warwickshire Yeomanry in the Great War’ records ‘throughout January 1919, demobilisation proceeded steadily, five Officers and 165 O.R.s leaving the Battalion which by 6th February was reduced to two Companies – the one representing the Warwick Yeomanry under the command of Captain MOTION. All were at Haversin where the process of handing in guns, ammunition, etc; and animals was carried on until the end of the month.’

164684 Pte Cady HOYTE records in his diary that he bid farewell to his pals on the 26 January 1919 at 8am and ‘our little party marched gaily along the avenue which ran past the chateau and with no regrets at all turned, our backs for the last time at Seringchamps. At Battalion Headquarters a lorry was waiting to take us to Andenne, where it had been snowing. Andenne was one of those Belgian towns which had witnessed some of the worst German atrocities in the early days of the war.’ After spending a night in the town they entrained at 10.30am the following day for Dunkirk, which took 35 hours to reach. They arrived at Dunkirk at 9.30pm on the Tuesday and spent the night in the arrival camp after a compulsory shower/bath. The next morning they proceeded to Mardyck Departure Camp and remained there under canvas until the Friday morning; marching to the quay at 9.30am boarding the SS Scotia about midday. TSS Scotia (1902) - Wikipedia. 

Enclosed is a picture of this ship. It was bitterly cold and so they remained below decks

Cady records that ‘we didn’t much care whether the cliffs of Dover were white or black, as long as there was a gangway from the ship to allow us to step once again into England.’

At Dover they marched straight off the ship onto a train for the dispersal camp at Chiseldon arriving at midnight. They enjoyed a late meal and after a good night’s rest in army huts, demobilisation commenced the next morning. Cady records that the whole procedure was over within an hour or so and by 1.30pm he was on a train bound for home and although still in khaki was no longer 164684 Private HOYTE. After changing at Cheltenham and again at Birmingham he ‘returned home at about 8.30pm with a far different outlook on life than when, nearly four years previously, he had been given my first regimental number - 2987.’

We will pick up the story of those who remained behind with the 100th(Warwick and South Notts Hussars) Battalion, Machine Gun Corps in May of this year when they embark for Tilbury on the 9 May 1919.