CRAWFORD, Arthur Stanley, Boundary House, Westgate Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Enlisted December 2nd, 1915, joining N.C.B. in January 14th, 1916.

At Hulton Terrace, Newcastle, after a month’s training, all moved to Darlington. In April we got orders to join our 2nd line of N.C.B’s, who were stationed at Anderby Creek, Lincs. I did several patrols there and then we changed our Headquarters to Skegness, where I also spent many happy days. Patrolling etc., and also on detachments through Boston, Fosdyke and Holbeach.

In September, 1917, we were all split up and sent to different regiments. I got to the 1/8 Lancashire Fusiliers at Gommecourt, France, after a fortnight’s training. I had my first experience of trench warfare. We went over at Ypres. Several times we went over to find the strength of the enemy, where we lost a great number of the N.C.B.’s. I spent September and October, 1917 at Ypres, and then went to Nieuport.

First time up there I was doing bridge guard. There was Guards at each end, and our duty was to stop troops passing each other on the Bridge, as it was so narrow. The third night I was on duty a shell burst 20 yards from my dugout, and the concussion knocked me several yards away, my dugout being knocked in. I myself was none the worse. November and December, 1917, we spent in the lines at Civinchy and Festubert on outpost, where we had many surprises. Xmas Day in line. Dinner comprised of bully beef and biscuits. On Xmas night I went on a patrol, and on this patrol I lost all my pals, only two of us returning.

After coming out of the line I applied for transport, and succeeded in being accepted. I was first put on to a pack mules, taking rations, water, etc for our Battalion. I continued with this until I got to driving a pair of mules at a place called Bus, not far from Sailly a Bois. One day I was on the water cart and, having finished my duties, from 7.30 a.m. to 6 p.m., I was returning back to the horse lines, thinking I had been lucky to get out of heavy shell fire, when a shell burst not far from me and killing my offside mule leaving my rider and myself unhurt, it gave me a great shock, but soon recovered. I had several experiences of this kind afterwards.

In March, 1918, I was up at Arras, where the Germans started their advance we having to clear as soon as possible to get the horses into safety, but I and four others were cut off and missing for five days, having travelled day and night getting our food for horses and men where we could. I at last came across the remainder of our transport at a place called Merriment; from there we tramped through Havrincourt Wood, Cambrai etc., our Battalion being in action all the time. On November 11th, we landed at a place called Hautmont in the afternoon, where our bands met the transport and played us into the village. The civilians carried torch lights and paraded us through the streets.

Time went on until we were moved up to Charleroi, Belgium, when I took ill in March, 1919, and was invalided home. After recovering I was sent to Aldershot, and only being there three weeks I was sent abroad again to the 9th East Lancs. At a place called Chanak, near Constantinople. I was General’s groom there to G.O.C., the 83rd Division. I was employed by him four months, and then was demobbed in September, 1919. It took me five weeks, having been held up by the railway strike.