1916/06/26

In which Gordon Munro writes from London, England while on "pass" to Jessie Munro. Includes description of a battle in early June near Ypres followed by the defense of the village Zillebeke against the Germans -- both battles incurred heavy casualties.

9 Winchester Rd.
Highgate London W
June 26/16

Dear Mother,-

Well I suppose you will notice I made the grade all right at last. We had some time too. About 3 weeks ago I got my check & had 3 hrs to wait before train time & the passes were cancelled. At the time we were in a camp called Scottish lines about 8 miles from Ypres. All that day there had been an intense bombardment on the top of the Salient so when we got the order to "Stand to" & get 2 days rations I was'nt surprised. The bombardment was mostly on the 3rd Division at Hooge just on our left. It was about the worst I ever heard. The third Division was badly cut up by noon of the first day, especially the 4th C.M.R's & Princess Pats. I believe less than a hundred came out of each. I see Harvey Lightbourne is missing, but have never heard of Snyder or "Teet" Harris or Kenneth M.

About 8 p.m. we started off & got as far as Ypres after a hard March & lay down in a field near the road, waiting orders. We were attached to the 3rd Division just then along with 14th, 10th, 7th Battalions. The rest of the 1st Division was holding our own front & didn't lose any ground. About 1 A.M. we got orders to move again, this time we went to Zillebecke Station about 1 mile from the original front. The Germans had by this time taken the 1st 2 lines on a 1500 yard front & were pushing on for Zillebecke village, so they had a good hold. They could have come further had they known because there was no one in front of them for several hrs, as the 3rd Div. had been practically wiped out or the best part of it. At Zillebecke Station we each got 15 bombs & the whole Battalion got the order to extend & fix bayonet, the it was just dawn. we advanced across 2 or 3 fields on the double & lay down behind a hedge to wait for the attack to start. It was postponed till 10 o'clock in the morning & there we lay out under a heavy shell fire for hours. At 10 p.m. the attack started. Say talk about your wild West shows, they were tame along side this. Our objective was a point beyond observation ridge which was reached all right but the loss was something fierce. You could see men falling everywhere. We stuck there till night at about 12 & were relieved. In about 20 hours we lost nearly 400 men. The other Batt'n on our left lost heavier. We lost most of our officers. The bombs were to make a bomb attack on Sanctuary woods & it was called off just at the last minute, a good job too. We went out to a place called Abeele for 8 days & got 500 Reinforcements & 15 new officers, then we got inspected & were told we were to make an attack next morning at dawn. The whole 1st Division was in it. We were in Reserve as we had got cut up the time before. We lay in Reserve trenches about 2 mi. back. The attack was very successful & cleverly worked out. The artillery preparation was a peach & there wasnt much left of Fritz's line. They captured about 400 prisoners, & all kinds of ammunition & rifles & bombs etc. & also a part of Fritz's line. Thats the 1st Division for you. Best in France, take back trenches that other people lose on short notice. The 1st Div. is now the oldest British Div. in the line & nullius secundus.

I have been having a great time at Dr. Fishers & intended to write a longer letter but havent time till I get back to the trenches tomorrow. We are going out to Hampton Court to day. I sent a parcel of souvenirs to day & the one in the tin I got out of a wounded mans pack just the way it is now. I hope Bill likes the watch. If its too big you can get a link taken out.

love to all

Gordon

Enclosing a cheque for the money I drew & didn't need. I still have some in my book. Dr. Fisher took it & gave me a cheque to save exchange. Put to my acc.

G.

2017.22.92