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The Wellington Regiment (NZEF) 1914 - 1919

Chapter LII

page 329

Chapter LII.

Solesmes—Beauvois—The Armistice—Preparing for the March to the Rhine.

During the next few days not a great deal was done, we cleaned up our billets and buried the enemy dead in our area. The weather which had been showery, now turned fine and frosty. "B" teams marched from Beauvois and rejoined the battalions. Major. W. F. Narbey arrived back from England and took command of the 2nd Battalion. 2nd Lieut. C. G. Stewart was appointed acting-adjutant of the 1st Battalion, while Lieut. D. Cowan became adjutant of the 2nd Battalion.

On the 10th November, the 1st. Brigade was ordered to move to Solesmes. In the morning, 1st and 2nd Wellington held a combined church service. Early in the afternoon, both battalions marched out of Villereau via Beaudignies-Rome-ries to Solesmes, going into billets there in Rue de L'Abbaye. Early on the 11th, both battalions left Solesmes for Beauvois. At about half past nine in the morning during the march, the news was made known that the Armistice with (Germany had been signed, and would take effect at 11 o'clock that morning. The news was received very quietly. There was no demonstration. Deep down in everyone's mind, there was no doubt a feeling of profound relief and of profound thank fulness.

First Wellington were marching through Quievy at 11 a.m. (Armistice hour) and the baud struck up the familiar strains of "Bonnie Dundee."

Both battalions arrived at Beauvois shortly after midday. Billets there were good, all companies having plenty of page 330accommodation. The 1st Battalion was in some good buildings around the junction of the Cambrai Road and the main street of Beauvois, with its transport in a ruined factory.

On the 13th, General Russell met all the officers of the Division and explained the proposed demobilisation orders and the educational scheme. He also stated that the New Zealand Division would form part of the Army of Occupation that was to proceed to the River Rhine. The following morning, both battalions attended the General Thanksgiving Service of the whole division.

On Sunday, the 17th, a Combined Church Service of the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Regiment was held in the Divisional Theatre. During the afternoon, 2nd "Wellington played 2nd Auckland at football. On the 18th, there was a slight fall of snow. In the morning, both battalions took part in a divisional route march. 1st Wellington was the leading battalion, followed by 2nd "Wellington. In the afternoon, the officers of the 1st Battalion played football against a combined fifteen from the squadron of the Royal Air Force and a. Scotch Battalion, our team winning 18 to nil.

A good deal of time was now given to ceremonial drill, and both battalions were being made spick and span for the move to the Rhine. Some route marching was done, and a good deal of football played. In the first round of the New Zealand Division's Senior Rugby Competition, 1st Wellington defeated 2nd Otago, while our 2nd Battalion went under to a team from the divisional train after a hard fought game.

The 2nd Battalion was now to lose its popular R.M.O., for Captain "W. F. Currie, who had been with ii so long was now transferred to the Second Field Ambulance, Captain Rowley taking his place.

Major (Temporary Lieut.-Col.) F. K. Turnbull, D.S.O., M.C., O.C. 1st Battalion was now promoted Lieutenant-Colonel. Major W. F. Narbey, commanding the 2nd Battalion, was now promoted Temporary Acting Lieut.-Col. and Capt. M. Urquhart, M.C., Temporary Acting Major. Lieut. H. H. Mackrell, M.M., so long Sergeant Major o£ Hawkes Bay Company in the 2nd Battalion, and now returned from Eng-page 331land with his commission, was appointed Assistant-adjutant in his old battalion.

There were many now in both battalions to receive awards, who for long had borne the heat and burden of the day. C.S.M. W. H. James had been acting as Company Sergeant Major of Taranaki Company's 1st Battalion from 17th. September to 11th November—a period during which his batttalion was on several occasions engaged in heavy fighting. He had always shown conspicuous gallantry, particularly in Briastre on the 11th and 12th October, when his company suffered severe casualties, and at Le Quesnoy, when he did fine reconnaissance work, Sergt. S. Gaston, too, had done good work for the 1st Battalion. During the period from 17th September to 11th November, on many occasions, he had taken charge of ration and supply waggons when it was necessary to deliver stores under heavy shell and machine-gun fire and had always set a splendid, example. Sergt. T. Muir had served as transport Sergeant to the 2nd Battalion and had been present during all active operations throughout 1918, and had at all times displayed marked courage and had never once failed to deliver a single load of cither ammunition, water or food. Then there was C.S.M. R. A. Boyd, who had had long service with Hawkes Bay Company (2nd Battalon) and had, on more than one occasion, shown conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Both in the line and out his gallantry, ability and initiative had always been a fine example. Thrn too, there was Sergt. J. Tannahill. During an attack near Beaumont Hamel on 30th March he had shown splendid leadership as a. platoon Sergeant. In the consolidation of the captured position, under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, his coolness and courage had spurred on and inspired his men. Then for the rest of the year his work both as platoon Sergeant and Q.M.S. had been consistently excellent.