ANDREW, Harold C.,93 Grange Road, West Hartlepool.

Came to C Company from the 1/1 N.C.B., in which he had served before the war. He sends me the following interesting account of his experiences after leaving the Battalion;->

I left England on July 21st, 1917. All told, there were over a hundred on the draft. After a night’s rest (?) at St. Martin’s Camp, Boulogne, we marched to Etaples under Captain Rumbold. This march played a prominent part in my career in France. I was wearing new boots, and as a result arrived at Etaples with “two lovely” feet. The M.O., evidently thinking I wanted to dodge the “Bull Ring” was “ever so kind!!!”.

About August 11th nearly the whole draft was transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers, 42nd Division. We proceeded to Gommecourt, and I joined 1/8 Lancashire Fusiliers.

Lance-Corpl. T.F. Wilkinson (who passed away early this year) was sent to 1/5 Lancashire Fusiliers, much to our regret.

After a few days with my unit I developed septic feet, and periodically, during my overseas service I was troubled with them. Towards the end of August, 1917, the 42nd Division went to the Ypres Sector, and the 1/8 Lancashire Fusiliers occupied a position very near to Square Farm (Battalion Headquarters) at the foot of Gallipoli Ridge. My first night in the front line saw me bringing up the rear of a ration party down by G Duckboard Track. The party of thirty was caught in a German strafe, with bad results – three-fourths were killed at the rear of the party and, on examination, I found one of the poor chaps to be Bob Gray (Morpeth), who had come out from “old” C Company with myself. On September 8th the 1/5,1/6,1/7 and 1/8 Lancashire Fusiliers all went over to take the Ridge in front, which they did, but at a terrible cost, only to be driven back later in the day. A few days afterwards I learnt the very, very sad news of the deaths in action of a large number of our gallant draft, Sergt. T. Davidson, Isherwood, etc., etc.

From Ypres I went to Nieuport, and I was attached to 427 Field Company, 42nd Division R.E.’s. I spent a most exciting (too much so) six weeks on this sector, working on the various dams, etc., and drainage in the front line.

Christmas day, 1917, I spent in the front line at Festubert, and the night in an advanced post, famous as “Canadian Orchard”.

Early in 1918 I paid a visit to hospital. Returning to my unit on March 12th, I started “in pursuit” of a commission, but on March 18th, 1918 the Battalion M.O. “chased” me to hospital again (more septics). Much against my will I arrived at 25 General Hospital, Hardelot (near Boulogne).

Thus I was very fortunate in missing the March 21st offensive of the Germans.

I was at Etaples in May and June during four terrific air raids (including the Whit Sunday one), and had a lively time.

I returned to my unit in June, and after being in the line on the Hebuterne Sector for five to six weeks, I was sent on a Musketry Course. Over the top for the last time, October 21st, 1918, at 3.26 a.m. (on the right of Solesmes), near Vertigneu.

After this we periodically advanced, viz Le Quesnoy, Foret-de-Mormal, and was in the line at Hautmont, near Maubeuge on November 11th (Armistice day).

I was demobbed on February 6th, 1919. During my wanderings I saw many Ex-N.C.B-ites. I shall always look forward to re-unions of either C Company or of the whole Battalion. To all I send my very best wishes and every form of sound prosperity.