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Chapter 1 No.1
To
COLONEL HIS GRACE DUKE OF RUTLAND, K.G.,
who has watched over us and lived with us
in all our losses and in all our joys,
this book is gratefully dedicated.
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PREFACE.
No literary merit is claimed for this book. It is intended to be a diary of our progress as a Battalion since mobilisation until the signing of peace, and the return of the Colours to Loughborough. I have written the first chapter, the remainder, including the maps, has been done by Captain J.D. Hills.
This is scarcely the place to attempt an estimate of what the members of our County Territorial Force Association, individually and collectively, have done for the 5th Leicestershire Regiment. We would merely place this on record, that there has ever been one keen feeling of brotherhood uniting us all, from President or Chairman, to the latest joined recruit or humblest member of the regiment, whether actively engaged on the battlefield, or just as actively engaged at home. Never has the Executive Committee failed us. And to Major C.M. Serjeantson, O.B.E., we would offer a special tribute for his untiring work, wonderful powers of organisation and grasp of detail, and hearty good fellowship at all times.
To the men of the regiment we hope that the incidents which we narrate here will recall great times we spent together, and serve as a framework on which to weave other stories too numerous for the short space of one book.
C.H. JONES.
Meadhurst,
Uppingham,
Sept., 1919.
* * *
AUTHOR'S NOTE.
The following narrative is based mainly on the Regimental War Diary. For the rest, my thanks are due to Lt.-Colonels C.H. Jones, C.M.G., T.D., and J. Ll. Griffiths, D.S.O., Major C. Bland, T.D., Captains D.B. Petch, M.C., J.R. Brooke, M.C., and A.D. Pierrepont, and R.Q.M.S. R. Gorse, M.S.M., for sending me notes and anecdotes; to Captains G.E. Banwell, M.C., and C.S. Allen, Corpl. J. Lincoln, and L/Corpl. A.B. Law, for taking me round the battlefields and explaining the Lens fighting of 1917; to 2nd Lieut. G.H. Griffiths, for supplying me with many of the battlefield photographs; to all officers, N.C.O.'s and men of the Battalion who have always been ready to answer my questions and to give me information; to Major D. Hill, M.C., Brigade Major, for the loan of his Brigade documents; and lastly to Mr. Deakin of Loughborough, for undertaking the publication of this book and for giving to it so much time and personal care.
J.D. HILLS.
16, Somerset St.,
London, W.1.
Sept., 1919.
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CONTENTS.
Chapter 1 No.1
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Chapter 2 ENGLAND.
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Chapter 3 EARLY EXPERIENCES.
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Chapter 4 THE SALIENT.
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Chapter 5 HOHENZOLLERN.
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Chapter 6 FLANDERS MUD TO THE MEDITERRANEAN.
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Chapter 7 THE VIMY RIDGE.
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Chapter 8 GOMMECOURT.
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Chapter 9 MONCHY AU BOIS.
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Chapter 10 GOMMECOURT AGAIN.
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Chapter 11 LENS.
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Chapter 12 HILL 65.
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Chapter 13 ST. ELIE LEFT.
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Chapter 14 CAMBRIN RIGHT.
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Chapter 15 GORRE AND ESSARS AT PEACE.
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Chapter 16 GORRE AND ESSARS AT WAR.
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Chapter 17 PONTRUET.
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Chapter 18 CROSSING THE CANAL.
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Chapter 19 FRESNOY AND RIQUERVAL WOODS.
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Chapter 20 THE LAST FIGHT.
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