| Regiment | 8th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, NOEUX-LES-MINES |
| Entry | 2:0PM. The 1st Infantry Brigade was inspected by Field-Marshall Sir J.D.P. FRENCH, Commander-in-Chief, the British Army in the Field. After the inspection, the Field-Marshall said: "General REDDIE, Officers, NCOs and men, this is the first time since the great battle of LOOS, that I have had an opportunity of being present, to address you on parade after the splendid battle." "Therefore as the IV Corps took the most prominent part in the great battle, I wish, in the first place to fully express my heartiest congratulations to General RAWLINSON." "I cannot find words to express the admiration I feel of the conduct of you all on that occasion; from its leaders down to the privates who took part in that battle." "The 1st Division, of which you are the 1st Brigade, took the most prominent part. I think when this war is over, every man who has ever been part of the 1st Division in the years 1914 and 1915 will have reason to be proud." "They have splendidly conducted themselves." "They have been in the thick of everything from the first." "It is a matter of thorough regret to me to think that I am not addressing any men on parade who have been through all these fights." "Possibly I am mistaken, I hope I am, and that there may be some here who have been through all these fights. The terrible losses which you have suffered have caused the Division to change its individuality, several times over." "Now we come to the first Brigade." "The 1st Brigade, up to last September, was under the command of General LOWTHER, and it was he who went through all that work, and then General REDDIE took it over before the battle of LOOS." "Now time does not avail me to go through all that I know that you were able to advance, you did advance with tremendous gallantry." "The 10th GLOSTERS and 8th BERKSHIRES have a magnificent record with the IV Corps and 1st Brigade." "I know the splendid work that you did, which helped very materially in that battle to capture the large number of prisoners which were taken. I can only tell you that if the results of the Battle of LOOS are not appreciated now, they will be in the future." "It was one of the biggest battles that the British Army has ever won. To see what a difficult ground it was and how strongly fortified were the trenches it was all the more praiseworthy to take them as you did." "I can only regret the losses that you suffered." "I am quite sure that you had honour by that which you have won, in future generations it will not be forgotten that you worked hard for your country." "It was with great pride I learnt that those two battalions of the New Armies (8th Berkshires and 10th Glosters) led that advance with the gallantry that they did. It is a most promising thing to see the Battalions of the New Armies behaving so splendidly. I heartily congratulate you." "I am quite certain that no task now will be a greater honour than having taken such a prominent part in that battle." "Officers and men, I thank you for the praiseworthy part which you took in that battle." |
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