Letters of Lt.-Col. George Brenton Laurie Part 15

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY BY HIS MAJESTY THE KING.[14]

OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN--

I am very glad to have been able to see my Army in the Field.

I much wished to do so in order to gain a slight experience of the life you are leading.

I wish I could have spoken to you all, to express my admiration of the splendid manner in which you have fought and are still fighting against a powerful and relentless enemy.

By your discipline, pluck and endurance, inspired by the indomitable regimental spirit, you have not only upheld the tradition of the British Army, but added fresh l.u.s.tre to its history.

I was particularly impressed by your soldierly, healthy, cheerful appearance.

I cannot share in your trials, dangers and successes; but I can a.s.sure you of the proud confidence and grat.i.tude of myself and of your fellow countrymen.

We follow you in our daily thoughts on your certain road to victory.

GEORGE, R.I.

_December 5th, 1914._

GENERAL HEADQUARTERS.

R.I.R.'s AT NEUVE CHAPELLE.

[_A Poem written by Rifleman J. d.i.c.kson._]

DEAR FRANC,

Just a few lines of verse about the Royal Irish Rifles at Neuve Chapelle.--Yours truly,

No. 9180 RIFLEMAN J. d.i.c.kSON, _"A" Coy., 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, Dublin._

Come, please just pay attention, and a story I will tell Of how the gallant R.I.R.'s were the first in Neuve Chapelle; Colonel Laurie gave the order for the regiment to advance, And when they met the Germans our boys did make them dance.

With bayonets fixed we rushed them, though outnumbered five to one; Each one did prove a hero, and many a gallant deed was done; Our n.o.ble Colonel, he was killed, our Major fell as well, And a score of our brave officers lost their lives at Neuve Chapelle.

Our men were lost in hundreds, no regiment could do more, And when the fight was over our officers numbered four; Yet manfully they struggled amidst that living h.e.l.l, And out of all the British Army were the first in Neuve Chapelle.

Then here's to the gallant R.I.R., those riflemen so brave, Who n.o.bly did their duty and found a soldier's grave; So may their glory ever s.h.i.+ne, for they have proved their worth, And laurels brought to Ireland for the honour of the North.

"THE MAN OF SORROWS."

G.o.d hath sent thee many trials, But strength is as thy day; Do not despair or say, my child, "I have no heart to pray."

For G.o.d's ways are not your ways, And tho' thou art bereft Of all that's most endearing, There is one comfort left.

When a dear one has departed To enter into rest, And you feel so broken-hearted That you cannot say "'Tis best"; There is One Who will always help you And bring you great relief: For He was a Man of Sorrows And acquainted sore with grief.

When your dearest idol's taken And you are dumb with pain; When your faith in man is shaken And everything seems vain, There is One you can rely on, Tho' of sinners you are chief: For He was a Man of Sorrows And acquainted sore with grief.

Oh! weary, wandering, wilful child, Think of that dying thief, Who sought his Saviour, e'en tho' late, In the bitterness of grief; And say no more you are alone, Bereft of every friend: The Man of Sorrows is your stay And comfort to the end.

--DORCAS SKEFFINGTON.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Major Herbert Stepney, Irish Guards, was killed while commanding the Battalion in the first Battle of Ypres.

[2] Major Osbert Clinton-Baker, of Bayfordbury, Hertfords.h.i.+re, Second-in-Command 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, gazetted Colonel of the Regiment in May, about two months after Colonel Laurie fell. He was mortally wounded and missing at Fromelles on May 9th, 1915.

[3] Capt. Haliburton Laurie fell in the South African War at Philippolis, on a kopje, while rescuing a wounded patrol.

[4] Afterwards Brigadier-General Napier. Previous to the war he commanded the 2nd Bn. Royal Irish Rifles in Aldershot and Dover. He was killed while landing troops in Gallipoli during the summer of 1915.

[5] Sir Nevil Macready, at this time Adjutant-General of our Forces.

[6] The number of killed amounted to 44 and 88 wounded.

[7] Colonel Horsborgh was taken ill suddenly on the transport returning from Aden, and he was buried at sea by Colonel Laurie.

[8] See page 119.

[9] General Laurie and his brother. Colonel Dyson-Laurie, went to the Crimean War when quite young boys, aged respectively 18 and 15. Appended is an article written by the former, and is of interest in drawing a contrast between the conditions of war in 1854 and those of the late war.

[10] Brigadier-Gen. Lowry Cole fell in action at the Battle of Fromelles, May 9th, 1915.

[11] General Bird commanded the 2nd Bn. Royal Irish Rifles, and was through the severe fighting of the Battle of the Aisne and the Retreat from Mons, where he was terribly wounded and lost his leg.

[12] Lieut. W.F.E. Denison (Sherwood Foresters) served in the Great War, and fell mortally wounded in the last German advance near Cambrai on March 24th, 1918.

[13] Civil and Military.

[14] See page 29.