| Regiment | 8th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, LILLERS |
| Entry | 9:0AM.The 1st Infantry Brigade was inspected by Lieutenant General Sir H.S. Rawlinson, Bart, K.C.B., C.V.O., Commanding the IX Army Corps. After his inspection, General Rawlinson addressed the Brigade: "General Reddie, Officers, N.C.O.s, and men of the 1st Brigade, as commander of the IV Corps, I have come here today to inspect you, and to thank you for the magnificent work you did on September 25th last, especially the two battalions who led the assault, the 8th Royal Berkshires and the 10th Gloucesters, supported by the Camerons." "I have been over the ground since, and standing the other day on the old first line of German trenches, and taking into consideration the nature of the ground and the strongly fortified condition of the trenches, I must say it seemed to me a marvel how you managed to take the position. I can assure you no more brilliant feat of arms has ever been performed by any body of men during the present war, and I am proud to have such regiments under my command." "I am well aware of the thorough preparation for this attack and the plans worked out in detail with great skill by General Holland and his staff; also the hard work for weeks previous in preparing the trenches from which you made the assault, and of the small loss of life in constructing them, which in itself, is most meritorious." "Of the courage and fearlessness of the two leading battalions who were ordered to take the first line German trench, I cannot speak too highly, for on their efforts depended much of the success of those following them." "Having taken the first-line trenches you wisely pushed forward and took the second, third and fourth, and some of your gallant comrades, I feel safe in saying, actually got into, and took possession of some of the houses in HULLUCH." "The Second Brigade, on your right, was not at first successful, and the fine courage you displayed in pushing on with your flank exposed, is worthy of all admiration. The great lesson to be learned from it is that, in battle it behoves a battalion to push on, irrespective of anything that is happening on the flanks." "It has pleased me greatly to ride through your ranks today and to notice the fine spirit displayed by all; also to see the improvement in your condition since coming into rest, you will shortly be called upon again to go into the trenches and I feel sure that whatever work you are allotted will be done with the same cheerful spirit as in the past, and which has ever been a characteristic of the first Brigade." "I wish to thank you again for your work on September 25th, especially the battalions who led the assault." |
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