Page 196 - ATKCM_30.04.15
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When the bugles sounded the charge, everyone went
charging forward yelling like madmen. We charged
through and through them, stabbing and hacking at each
other until the Germans broke and ran like frightened
hares in terror of the hounds.”
Miraculously the Corps managed to disengage and withdraw
south. The total British casualties, of all ranks, were 7,842.
By early September the German advance had halted due to
exhaustion and lack of supplies. The British then drove them
back to Chateau Thierry.
So the battles continued, with the 1st Battalion Kings Royal
Rifles in the thick of it. Winter moved into 1915 as stalemate
developed in the trenches. Again the war diary records the
conditions for the troops –
“situation ... in sodden trenches .... miserable life to be
condemned to, shivering in these wretched holes in the
cold and dirt.”
By March 1915 1/KRR is at Cuinchy near Bethune.
“An attack on the German trenches is planned for 10th
March. The attack begins with a heavy bombardment for
about an hour but the wire is insufficiently cut and the
Kings Liverpool Regiment and the KRR, who led the attack
were compelled to retire.”
Trench warfare continued and it is during this phase that Charles
died on 18th March 1915.
We have deliberately not said “killed” as his medical record
states “Died of Syncope at Bethune.” Medical diagnosis was not
always too carefully considered with hundreds and thousands
dying each day, but “syncope” means losing consciousness. A
more careful examination of the literature shows that, in severe
cases, it can be brought on by extreme excitement and can
cause an excessive rate and inconsistency of pulse. It must be
remembered, that, although the tiny bugler had been in the army
for over 15 years, he had not before left Britain or seen action.
194
charging forward yelling like madmen. We charged
through and through them, stabbing and hacking at each
other until the Germans broke and ran like frightened
hares in terror of the hounds.”
Miraculously the Corps managed to disengage and withdraw
south. The total British casualties, of all ranks, were 7,842.
By early September the German advance had halted due to
exhaustion and lack of supplies. The British then drove them
back to Chateau Thierry.
So the battles continued, with the 1st Battalion Kings Royal
Rifles in the thick of it. Winter moved into 1915 as stalemate
developed in the trenches. Again the war diary records the
conditions for the troops –
“situation ... in sodden trenches .... miserable life to be
condemned to, shivering in these wretched holes in the
cold and dirt.”
By March 1915 1/KRR is at Cuinchy near Bethune.
“An attack on the German trenches is planned for 10th
March. The attack begins with a heavy bombardment for
about an hour but the wire is insufficiently cut and the
Kings Liverpool Regiment and the KRR, who led the attack
were compelled to retire.”
Trench warfare continued and it is during this phase that Charles
died on 18th March 1915.
We have deliberately not said “killed” as his medical record
states “Died of Syncope at Bethune.” Medical diagnosis was not
always too carefully considered with hundreds and thousands
dying each day, but “syncope” means losing consciousness. A
more careful examination of the literature shows that, in severe
cases, it can be brought on by extreme excitement and can
cause an excessive rate and inconsistency of pulse. It must be
remembered, that, although the tiny bugler had been in the army
for over 15 years, he had not before left Britain or seen action.
194
