STORY OF THE NORTH SOMERSETS

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXX, Issue 11189, 3 March 1915, Page 7

STORY OF THE NORTH SOMERSETS

SPLENDID WORK AT YPRB3. Mention has already been madepf the gallant way In which the men of the North Somerset Yeomanry bore * themselves in their- action against’odds at Ypres, and we are now able to give a more detailed adoonnt of the splendid, work they achieved—’Work which will long redound to the credit of the men who responded so cheerfully „to the call to arms. “On the night of November 15th the regiment was moved up to take their turn battle, and for the first 24 hours the front trenches were held by A Squadron. They were subjected to very heavy shell fite for fully half the day, yet there, were few casualties. The trenches, which were old ones, were not of the best description, as they were too hroad, and the. soil was sandy. At dusk, on November 16th, B Squadron was ordered up to relieve A Squadron in the front trenches, and during the night they endeavoured to improve the trenches. At 8 o’clock on the morning of November 17th shelling began again and continued until midday, when it became absolutely furious. After a time it Blackened, and heavy fire and Maxim gun firing started. This was followed at 1 o’clock by a of the enemy, which was repulsed in Ithe most gallant fashion by the Yeomen. The Germans got within a few yards of the trenches, when the . attack finally failed. Then- the shelling started again furiously and continued, for three hours, but the men behaved splendidly and kept very cool all through, although . the circumstances were exceedingly trying and nerve-racking, and the sand caused the rifles to jamb badly. At 4 o’clock the Germans made another determined atte b, which went on tor a long time, but which also finally failed. The performance of the regiment was undoubtedly a very fine one, and they wer6 Vannly congratulated by their Divisional Commander and by their Brigadier. The latter officer inspected ..the regiment on the morning of November 38th, and was most complimentary in bis remarks. He referred to the difficulties the'y had encountered, and jmrticnlarly to the fact that when they first arrived they had been shelled very heavily in their billets, out of which they were turned almost at once, and “hen next day went into action for 48 hours. A DESPERATE ATTACK. “The regiment has learned since that tne Germans have seldom made such a determined attack, and that the artillery lire was as severe as it bad ever been in any previous tight. O Squadron also took its part in the battle, and was in reserve to the 10th Hussars on November loth and 17tb. They had their share also of shell fire, though happily tne losses of this squadron were light as compared with those of B Squadron, which were much the - heaviest in the regiment. Considering the circumstances of the regiment, the casualties were undoubtedly heavy. A large number of Bristol men have always belonged to the North Somerset Yeomanry, as the regiment has ever been deservedly popular in the city, and it, is probably the fact that, comparatively speaking, there are more casualties among the Bristol men in this regiment than in any other regiment in which Bristol men are found. Special mention should be made of the Maxim gun section, which had to remain in the front trenches the whole_ of _ the 48 hours. This section, which is under the command of Major Bertram Matthews, who is well known in Bristol, did magnificent work, and gained high praise for the coolness and steadiness of all ranks in their first action under circumstances of exceptional severity. IN FAMOUS COMPANY.

“The North Somerset Yeomanrv now forms part of the 6th Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Division, the other regiment consisting of the Ist Royal Dragoons, tne 10th Unseats, and the 3rd Dragcou Guards, Col. Geoffrey Carr Glyn, who was in command of the regiment in this memorable battle, is an officer who i has seen service before, and gained the D.S.O. in the Sooth African War and was also mentioned in despatches. He was for some years Military Secretary to the Governor nf Madras, Since then he has been for some time Conservative candidate for the Bigglesade Division of Bedfordshire, which constituency he contested at the last general election. He is to he congratulated upon the magnificent performances of his regiment, and he may .be assured that all who live in the district from which the regiment is recruited, both in Bristol and its neighbourhood, are proud ot him and the gallant and brave men under his command.