Page 36 - Last Chargers example

Maj Swetenham
isolation and it is worth highlighting the role of the Scots Greys and 20th Hussars who had been successfully engaging the remainder of the German cavalry Brigade.
The main road from St Quentin to La Fère passes the head of the valley out of which C Squadron charged and is about 1000 yards west of their forming up point. The road and the valley were covered by the position held by C Squadron (Major Swetenham) of the Scots Greys with 2nd Troop (Captain Estcourt) and 4th Troop Second Lieutenant Sir Gawaine Baillie102) in position behind a hedge. 3rd Troop was in reserve, while 4th Troop (Lord St Germans) was detached. As the charge commenced, a patrol of the Germans was seen advancing with two squadrons about 800 yards behind. Orders were given to let the patrol come close up and, when it was only about 100 yards away, re began and every man fell. The German main body then dismounted for action on the for- ward slope at a range of 750 to 800 yards, and sent their horses back some 400 yards. These
102 Killed in Action 7th September 1914
horses were, however, in full view of Lieutenant Pigot-Moodie and his machine guns, and these, with the help of one section of J Battery RHA, quickly caused them to stampede103.
Once this initial contact was over the Greys (who were still mounted) formed line under their Commanding Of cer and once again traversed the scene of the 12th Lancers’ charge. Although the charge was sounded by the Trumpet-Major they found there was little work to be done as the Lancers who had preceded them had so thoroughly completed their task.
Major Swetenham was killed and 2nd Lieutenant Sir Gawaine Baillie and six other ranks wounded but the casualties in the Scots Greys were not heavy in view of the results achieved. Major Swetenham had been killed while directing the re of his Squadron and was a great loss. ‘An of cer of splendid talents, cool in battle and loved by his men, it was felt that such an exceptionally gifted individual was bound to have risen to high distinction in the course of the war’104. His place was taken by Captain Long, who was transferred from A Squadron. The other of cer casualty in the Greys, 2nd Lieutenant Sir Gawaine Baillie, was wounded in his thumb and had ve bullets through his clothes but he continued to lead and control his Troop only leaving to have his wound dressed when ordered to do so.
When the Brigadier told the 12th and the Greys to attack, he also sent orders to the 20th Hussars (under command of Lieutenant Colonel Edwards) to advance, keeping in touch with the Greys while still guarding the left ank of the Brigade. Edwards had, almost simulta- neously, located a battery of German guns in action away to his left front. Realising that it might prove a serious menace to Brigadier Chetwode’s main attack and to J Battery, the Colonel immediately decided to attack the
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