The Sherwood Foresters in the Great War 1914-1919 | Page 2

written rather at length on this period for I consider the
metamorphosis of a Territorial Battalion into as fine a fighting
Battalion as ever took the field, is well worth the study of all those who
have joined since those days or will join in the future.
It is only fitting that some acknowledgment be made to the memory of
the man who did more than any other to make the North Midland
Division worthy to take its place in line with the Regular Army. I refer
to the late Major-General Hubert Hamilton, who commanded the
Division from 1911 to June, 1914, and fell early in the war at
Richebourg-St. Vaast. He foresaw that war with Germany must come
and worked with all his power to make the Division efficient in every
way--in Training as in Organisation. And it was very largely due to his
efforts that Mobilisation was carried out so successfully.
One word more. I am fully convinced that if every Officer and man
who joined up in 1914 after the outbreak of war, had joined the

Territorial Force and made himself efficient before August, 1914, there
would have been no war. If Germany had known that England could
put 1,000,000 men into the field within a few weeks of the declaration
of war, instead of only 160,000, she would never have dared to embark
on her campaign of spoliation. The risk would have been too great.
If this story of the doings of a Territorial Battalion in the Great War can
do anything to bring that Battalion up to strength, to keep it there, and
to encourage all ranks to make themselves thoroughly efficient, I am
sure that the author will consider himself well repaid for all the time
and all the trouble he has spent on it.
C. T. SHIPLEY. 12th September, 1920.

AUTHOR'S NOTE.
In compiling this history of the 1/8th Sherwood Foresters in the Great
War, I have relied for my main facts on the Official War Diary, but
from many other sources I have received much help. My thanks are due
especially to Lieut.-Col. H. Mellish, C.B., for advice on many general
points; to Lieut.-Col. A. Hacking, D.S.O., M.C., for much help with
"The Salient" and "Lens" chapters, and for kindly revising the whole of
the book; to Capt. A. L. Ashwell, D.S.O., for most of the
"Hohenzollern" chapter, and for much general assistance; to Capt. A.
Andrews, M.C., for much of the detail of the "Gorre and Essars"
chapter, and information on many other points, and to Capt. A. B.
Miners, M.C., for help with the account of the "Battle of Ramicourt"
and subsequent fighting.
I have also to thank Capt. C. Davenport for some details of Transport
work; Capt. R. H. Piggford for a few notes and the sketch dealing with
Mining operations; and Lieuts. C. H. S. Stephenson and E. W. Warner,
M.C., for some Signalling items, and the diagram of Signal
communications. I am also indebted to Capt. J. D. Hills, M.C., of the
5th Leicestershire Regiment, for many hints on the general arrangement
of the work, and to Pvte. A. Hunstone of the 6th Battalion for the

excellent plans. To many others who have supplied me with
information and helped me on various points, I offer my grateful
thanks.
The book is not intended in any way to be a literary effort. All that has
been attempted has been a simple narrative of our doings for the use
primarily of persons connected with the Battalion. My main endeavour
throughout, has been to secure accuracy, but it will be understood that
in sifting the mass of material placed at my disposal, errors may have
crept in. I trust, however, that these are few.
W. C. C. WEETMAN. Hereford, October, 1920.

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER. Summary of Events 1. England 2. France 3. The Salient 4.
Hohenzollern 5. Richebourg--Marseilles--Candas 6. Vimy Ridge 7. The
Battle of Gommecourt 8. Bellacourt 9. The Capture of Gommecourt 10.
Lens 11. St. Elie and Hill 70 12. Spring, 1918 13. Gorre and Essars 14.
Auchel to Pontruet 15. Bellenglise 16. Ramicourt and Montbrehain 17.
The Last Fight 18. Home Again
Appendix. 1. Roll of Honour 2. Honours

ILLUSTRATIONS.
Lieut.-Colonel G. H. Fowler Officers at Harpenden, Nov. 1914 The
Avenue, Kemmel Major J. P. Becher, D.S.O. R.S.M. Westerman and
N.C.O.'s of A Company R.S.M. Mounteney and N.C.O.'s of C
Company Lieut.-Colonel B. W. Vann, V.C., M.C. The Brasserie,
Foncquevillers Air Photograph of Lens and Loos Area Air Photograph
of Part of St. Elie Sector The Beuvry--La Bassée Road Gorre Brewery
The Clock Tower, Béthune St. Quentin Canal, Bellenglise

MAPS AND PLANS.
Sketch of Mine Galleries Kemmel Sector Hooge and Sanctuary Wood
Hohenzollern Redoubt Gommecourt Lens District Diagram of Signal
Communications Battle of Ramicourt Battle of Regnicourt Battle