A Message from Colonel F.C. Garrett, O.B.E., D.Sc.

When the war ended I hoped to produce a book that should contain a full record of the doings and fate of the men of our incomparable Battalion, but the difficulties proved to be too great. I am very glad that C Company has done its part, and congratulate the Company and its Commander on its success. We were denied our ambition to go to France as a unit, but the Battalion did great things; to have served with it was an honour, and when I say that there was no better Company than C you realise that I am paying you a great compliment, and you know that I express my real opinion. I watched you at Bamburgh; I knew you on the coast; when you went overseas I followed your doings as closely as I was able. I had many reports from Commanding Officers and others, and never one that did not increase my pride at having commanded such men.

Some did not return; of them one can only say with Sir Richard Grenville: "If thou art brought back with all thy wounds in front I shall weep for thy mother, but shall have never a tear for thee." For what better fate would one wish?

Too many have returned broken in health or injured in body or fortune and may never be the same men again; for such the knowledge that we served – that we did our duty – is sufficient, and there need be no grumbling because the cost is great.

To everyone I would say this - we were not conscripts; when England and the world were in dire peril we were among the first to cast away all things and offer ourselves for service; through weary years on the East Coast Patrol and the terrible months in the fighting line the men of the Northern – the unequalled Mudguards – made themselves a great name; now that we are no longer in the Army let us continue to serve England as loyally, never thinking of our selfish interests, but striving always for the good of the community without counting the cost.

What the Q.M.S. tells is true – it was my desire to be a father to the Battalion.

I was interested in every man in it, and I must own to a peculiar liking for some of our so-called "black sheep"; please remember that, and that I shall always be glad to hear from any one of you.

F.C. Garrett
West Croft, Hexham