Page 31 - Last Chargers example

that J Battery switched their re to depth targets and the dismounted Lancer Squadrons ceased re. The guns, when they lifted, had the luck to strike a formed body of enemy infantry which had assembled in the wood north of La Folie. It was dispersed, leaving many dead and wounded behind.
The Squadron ‘went in like madmen’78. C Squadron brought their lances to the ‘engaged’ position and, roaring and shouting, charged with the Commanding Of cer, the Adjutant, the Trumpet Major, and two order- lies some twenty yards ahead of them. Though the surprise was complete, the majority of the Germans rose to their feet and fought gallantly, though a few put up their hands, and others cowered face downwards among the roots crops they were lying in79.
The Commanding Of cer was immediately wounded, though not before he had trans xed one German with his sword (a new Wilkinson thrusting sword80), which buckled like an ‘S’ so thoroughly that it was only extricated later with some dif culty from the man’s dead body. The Adjutant was using the old cutting sword81, well sharpened, which went in and out of the Germans like a ‘pat of butter’. One of the Commanding Of cer’s orderlies, Private Nolan82, was killed, and the other, Private Pacey83, had his horse shot under him, but after extricating himself, seized the ri e from a German who was trying to shoot him as he lay under his horse, and not only killed this man, but four other Germans who were close by84 as well85. CorporalWebb86 lost his weapon in the rst German he engaged, the lance going right
78 Webb
79 Charrigton – 1 (Part 3, p12)
80 1912 Pat Sword
81 1896 Pat Sword – property of 9/12L Regimental Museum,
912L:1979/1
82 1748 Private A Nolan
83 3698 Private A Pacey
84 Stewart p254
85 Pacey – Major Crawley informed Pacey he was to be
recommended for the Victoria Cross – Awarded DCM
London Gazette 11 March 1916
86 1423 Private AE Webb
Capt Bryant’s sword, serial number 40197 purchased 30th August 1904
through the man’s chest and he was unable to withdraw it. By his own admission,Webb was not really sure what happened as he had closed his eyes at the point of impact87.
Trumpet Major Mowlam, who was follow- ing the Commanding Of cer, was severely wounded in the thigh. Sergeant Swell’s88 horse 89 was shot down and Captain Michell and Corporal Gore were killed. Captain
87 Webb
88 5044 Sergeant AE Swell
89 Lawrence – the ‘Don’
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