{"records":[{"altName":"","places":[],"corpBodies":[],"taxonomies":["C10065","C10072"],"formerReferenceDep":"H&A177/1943","formerReferencePro":"","heldBy":["The National Archives, Kew"],"context":"Admiralty, and Ministry of Defence, Navy Department: Correspondence and Papers. SERIES I: 1938-1945 (plus strays 1892-1937). 1943 Papers.","content":"","urlParameters":null,"department":"ADM","note":"","adminHistory":"","arrangement":"","mapDesignation":"","mapScale":"","physicalCondition":"","catalogueLevel":6,"openingDate":"","closureStatus":"O","closureType":"N","closureCode":"30","documentType":null,"coveringDates":"1943","description":"CONVOYS AND ESCORTS (27): Rescue of survivors of convoy in Russian waters: awards for personnel of H.M.T. LORD MIDDLETON.","endDate":"31/12/1943","numEndDate":19431231,"numStartDate":19430101,"startDate":"01/01/1943","id":"C4789458","reference":"ADM 1/14263","score":347.832275,"source":"100","title":"CONVOYS AND ESCORTS (27): Rescue of survivors of convoy in Russian waters: awards for personnel..."},{"altName":"","places":[],"corpBodies":[],"taxonomies":["C10002","C10016","C10019","C10065","C10072","C10075","C10108","C10128","C10014","C10049","C10136","C10127","C10092","C10124","C10126"],"formerReferenceDep":"","formerReferencePro":"","heldBy":["The National Archives, Kew"],"context":"Admiralty: Historical Section: Records used for Official History, First World War. East Indies general operations telegrams, part 1, 27 July-30 September 1914. (Described at item level)....","content":"","urlParameters":null,"department":"ADM","note":"","adminHistory":"","arrangement":"","mapDesignation":"","mapScale":"","physicalCondition":"","catalogueLevel":7,"openingDate":"","closureStatus":"O","closureType":"N","closureCode":"30","documentType":null,"coveringDates":"1914","description":"Folio 567: telegram from Director of Royal Indian Marine, Bombay to Admiralty 24th September 1914 - [HMS] Yarmouth left Rangoon 23rd September. Folio 568: telegram from Intelligence Officer, Colombo to Admiralty 24th September 1914 - [British India Steam Navigation ship] Itinda sent to Madras from Colombo at request of [HMS] Hampshire; 2,000 tons of coal Madras for use of ships detached against [German cruiser] Emden placed at disposal of Commander-in-Chief China by Commander-in-Chief East Indies for this purpose. Folio 570: telegram from [HMS] Espiegle, Muscat to Admiralty 24th September 1914 - [HMS] Espiegle arrived Muscat. Folio 572: telegram from Intelligence Officer Colombo to Admiralty 24th September 1914 - [German ship] Christian X at Massawa. Folio 573: telegram from Mohammerah to Admiralty 24th September 1914 - [RIM] Dalhousie arrived Shatt al Arab. Folio 574: telegram from Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief East Indies 24th September 1914 - [HMS] Ocean and [HMS] Goliath delayed by defects should arrive Suez 4th and 5th October 1914. [HMS] Minerva will relieve [HMS] Black Prince and arrives Suez 3rd October 1914. [HMS] Vengeance relieves [HMS] Duke of Edinburgh later. If Red Sea safe, [HMS] Duke of Edinburgh might return with you to Bombay for next convoy. Handwritten note, Winston Churchill First Sea Lord: Convoy work in Indian Ocean and blockade of Dardanelles to be dones so as to free 1st Cruiser Squadron for work with Grand Fleet. Folio 578: History Section Precis. M no number. (c&d) Letter from Foreign Office to F.C.Strick Esq 21st September 1914 - Government Insurance scheme covers the small risk to Mohammerah and the Shatt-el-Arab but responsibility for Seistan proceeding beyond Mohammerah cannot be accepted. If Admiralty concur coal may be conveyed in lighters to Basra. M no number. (e) D.T.D. 26th September 1914 - Messrs Strick & Co were informed that steamers may proceed to and from Basra if local British authority gives permission. Sir Edmund Slade:- there is no objection to coal being taken in lighters but the ship will not get her freight. M no number. Folio 580: telegram from [HMS] Espiegle, Muscat to Admiralty 25th September 1914 - sailed 25th September. Folio 581: telegram from Admiralty to Commander-in-Chief East Indies 25th September 1914 - the complaints of the Turkish authorities as regards presence of British war ships in Shatt al Arab are to be ignored. Folio 585: telegram from Intelligence Officer, Colombo to Admiralty 26th September 1914 - [HMS] Hampshire arrived at Colombo 6am. Folio 586: telegram from Intelligence Officer, Singapore to Admiralty 26th September 1914 - [Russian cruiser] Askold, [British armed merchant cruiser] Empress of Asia, [British transports] Carnarvonshire, Arcadia and Nile, [French transport] Cordillere arrived at destination [Singapore] 7pm. Folio 588: telegram from Commander-in-Chief China to Admiralty 26th September 1914 - [British transports] Nile, Carnarvonshire and Arcadia sail 28th for Colombo and Bombay escorted by [Russian cruiser] Askold and [British armed merchant cruiser] Empress of Asia. [French transport] Cordillere with 50,000 rifles from Japan goes with them to Colombo thence escorted by [French cruiser] Dupleix to Aden as rifles are urgently required. [French cruiser] Dupleix sails Penang tonight for Colombo to make good defects. Folio 594: telegram from Commander-in-Chief East Indies to Admiralty 27th September 1914 - quite safe for present convoy to proceed Suez with [HMS] Black Prince and [RIM] Northbrook. Escort for next convoy from Bombay [HMS] Swiftsure, [RIM] Dufferin, from Karachi [HMS] Duke of Edinburgh, [RIM] Hardinge. Should join and form one convoy. East Africa Force leave when [HMS] Ocean and [HMS] Goliath join. Folio 597: telegram from Commander-in-Chief East Indies 27th September 1914 - request permission for [HMS] Fox to embark 2 engine room artificers, 6 stokers and [HMS] Dartmouth 10 stokers from survivors of [HMS] Pegasus. Also for [HMS] Fox to bring 10 additional stokers for [HMS] Swiftsure. Ratings are much needed in ships named to replace sick and in view of continuous steaming. Folio 599: telegram from Marine Bordeaux to Admiralty 27th September 1914 - [French cruiser] Dupleix reports she is cruising to Singapore. Folio 600: telegram from Admiralty to Marine Bordeaux 27th September 1914 - Admiral Jerram says [French cruiser] Dupleix is escorting [French transport] Cordillere to Aden. Handwritten note, Admiral Sir Henry Jackson:- the three transports from Singapore may go direct to Aden under escort of [French cruiser] Dupleix and [Russian cruiser] Askold. Folio 601: telegram from [HMS] Duke of Edinburgh at Aden to Admiralty 27th September 1914 - [HMS] Black Prince and [RIM] Hardinge left. Folio 602: telegram from Intelligence Officer, Colombo to Admiralty 27th September 1914 - trade route Colombo - Singapore declared reasonably safe. Folio 603: telegram from Commander-in-Chief East Indies to Admiralty 27th September 1914 - [HMS] Swiftsure, [RIM] Dufferin arrived Aden, leave for Bombay tomorrow. [HMS] Black Prince and [RIM] Northbrook take convoy of 35 ships to Suez. [HMS] Duke of Edinburgh and [RIM] Hardinge leave for Karachi tomorrow. Folio 606: telegram from Commander-in-Chief China to Admiralty 28th September 1914 - German collier with 6,000 tons of coal left Manila night 26th September but returned 28th September; this may indicate frustrated attempt to convey coal to one or more German armed ships. German mercantile auxiliary Prince Eitel Frederick is certainly armed and possibly also captured Russian Volunteer Fleet ship Ria San [Ryasan]. Their whereabouts are unknown as is also that of [German gunboat Geier reported active in early part of war. Folio 608: telegram from Commander-in-Chief East Indies to Admiralty 28th September 1914 - collier transport Bronwen due Aden 1st October is being ordered to Mombasa for [HMS] Chatham, [HMS] Weymouth, [HMS] Dartmouth. Folio 611: telegram from War Office to Commander-in-Chief India 28th September 1914 – you do not mention the departure of the 17th Infantry for Mauritius. It had been arranged by the Admiralty that HMS Fox should proceed from Aden to escort that Battalion. Please cable what date the 17th Infantry will probably leave, as the departure of the half Battalion Essex Regiment from Mauritius depends on this. Folio 615: telegram from Transports to Packsaddle, War Office 28th September 1914 - [British India Steam Navigation ship] Dilwara [with Irish rifles] and Braunfels left today.","endDate":"31/12/1914","numEndDate":19141231,"numStartDate":19140101,"startDate":"01/01/1914","id":"C12813022","reference":"ADM 137/12/11","score":9.25585651,"source":"100","title":"Folio 567: telegram from Director of Royal Indian Marine, Bombay to Admiralty 24th September 1914..."},{"altName":"","places":[],"corpBodies":[],"taxonomies":null,"formerReferenceDep":"","formerReferencePro":"","heldBy":["Vickers MG Collection & Research Association"],"context":"Machine Gun Corps Database Collection.Machine Gun Corps Database.Individual Records.","content":"","urlParameters":null,"department":"","note":"","adminHistory":"","arrangement":"","mapDesignation":"","mapScale":"","physicalCondition":"","catalogueLevel":10,"openingDate":"","closureStatus":"","closureType":"","closureCode":"","documentType":"","coveringDates":"2000-2024","description":"The user is advised to read the FINDING AIDS document linked to this catalogue for an explanation of the method by which this record has been created and any terms used. Surname: BROWN; Forename(s): George; Initials: G; Number: 97218; Rank: Gnr; MGC Branch: Heavy Branch (Tanks) ; MGC Unit: \"H\" Bn; Other Data: N DOC 020 Tank Museum document: 6 + sheets of typescript, staples removed, so it may have been included in a book? Typed NL Jan 1998. ------------------------------------------------------------ SOME REMINISCENCES OF CAMBRAI and THE GERMAN MARCH OFFENSIVE by 97218 PRIVATE GEORGE BROWN ----------------------------------------------------- 97218 Private George Brown date of birth 2 Nov 1898 Enlisted 17 March 1917 demobilised 19 Feb 1919 H Bn (8th Bn) - C Coy - TC Name of Tank - “Hurricane”, a Mk IV female. Crew Lt Henderson Tank Commander Scot Sgt Morgan Lewis gunner Welsh Cpl Groves W Driver Manchester Pte Boylett Lewis gunner Liverpool Pte Brown George Lewis gunner Manchester Pte Jones W Lewis gunner Notts Pte Allen Stan E Secondary gearsman Birmingham Pte Clarke Secondary gearsman London CAMBRAI, 20 NOVEMBER 1917. On 5 Nov 1917, 3 days after my 19th birthday, I landed at Boulogne with a party of about 40 from Wareham. We stayed some days at Le Treport which was the base for Tank Corps personnel. About a dozen of us were posted to H Bn who were at that time at Wailly near Arras. On 16 Nov we moved to Dessart Wood near Havrincourt Wood where we set to greasing the many points outside and inside the tank, making sure that the magazines for the Lewis guns were filled and the panniers ready for stacking away in the tank. I was trained as a driver but I had to serve a Lewis gun now. At the time I was very apprehensive about the situation, the constant rattle of machine guns and shellfire, the uncertainty of the outcome. Until now I had only read in the newspapers about the fighting on the Western front, and it seemed to me that we were not exactly winning the war. However, I believed this was going to be different; the officers were extremely confident of success. Before we moved off, my tank commander asked my age. I replied “19, sir”. He said “You do not look 19, if you are not telling the truth I can get you out of this.” Again I said “I am 19, sir”. Later on he offered his flask of rum for the crew to have a drink, not all of us did. When we moved off it was about 0620 hrs, and it seemed a long time before we were given the order to open fire. At first we were just firing in the general direction of the enemy lines, and even at this early stage, the atmosphere inside the tank was now beginning to get unpleasant, the fumes from the engine, the cordite fumes, the heat from the exhaust pipe which was now red-hot. The noise was terrific, the rattle of the Lewis guns, the empty cartridge cases landing on the floor of the tank, and in addition to this the driver hanging on to the engine cover signalling to the secondary gearsmen. Sometimes the two gunners on one side of the tank were not in a position to see any targets on which to fire; this enabled them to relax and perhaps have a drink from their water bottles. We were attacking Ribécourt now, and I saw one male tank using its 6 pdrs with good effect on enemy positions. Two of our tanks were out of action, the crews had baled out, they waved to us; eventually we lost sight of them. We were now firing onto the German lines, and we saw many prisoners being escorted by our troops away from the trenches, many of them wounded. We stopped for a little while, had some tea and biscuits from our iron rations. Later we moved on towards, as I discovered later, Flesquieres Ridge. The German artillery was firing from positions that must have been well out of range of our machine guns; as yet we had not received any instructions to open fire. There was nothing to aim at, so we continued forward, hoping we would be lucky enough to survive the barrage until we reached our objective. Like the rest of the crew, I was feeling very tired and hoping that there would be a chance to have some sleep very soon, but as I found out later that was not to be. Pte Boylett from Liverpool was manning a machine gun on the left side of the tank next to me. Suddenly he shouted “I’ve been hit in my shoulder!” it turned out to be a splinter of metal from inside our tank which only just penetrated his tunic. He continued to stay behind his gun, but from then on he was very quiet. As we were approaching Flesquieres Ridge we met a great deal of resistance both from the artillery and machine gun fire. We could now see in the distance the German positions still out of range except from our own artillery. Suddenly there was a terrible noise; without any warning a shell had ripped off our right track. The officer left the tank to have a look at the damage; he soon returned and ordered us to evacuate the tank. A few minutes later I was struck by a piece of shrapnel which cut through my left boot, injuring my foot. I took off my boot and one of our crew bandaged my foot with my field dressing. The officer and crew wished me luck, and taking some Lewis guns and magazines went on their way. The RAMC picked me up and later drove me to Peronne where I stayed I hospital for 3 weeks. I rejoined the Bn who were now at Betincourt. Regretfully I learned that almost all the ground we had won was back in enemy hands. I was left wondering why so many lives were lost taking positions that were not retained either by the tanks or by the infantry. For the time being we were very quiet behind the lines. Little did I know what was in store for me in March 1918. EAST OF BAPAUME, MARCH 1918. Although we had lost our tank “Hurricane” at Cambrai, the crew were now back together again waiting for what was to be our final battle which very nearly cost me my life. We had been very quiet at Bertincourt, a village not very far from Bapaume, certainly not expecting the attack which was launched on 21 March. Thursday 21 March 1918. At about 04.00 hrs the German artillery opened fire and hundreds of medium sized shells began to fall on our positions, Nissen huts on the side of a sunken road. There were no trenches so we just had to watch and wait for orders to move to the tanks which were in Velu Wood half a mile away. One time I needed to use the latrine which was only 15 yds from the hut. All went well for me. Then Stan Allen, one of our crew, said “I’m dying to us the latrine.” I said “You can go, the shelling has died down.” He ran across the field, sat down and a shell came screaming across and dropped just a few yards from him, but did not explode. He quickly came back after having such a scare. Late in the afternoon we were marched to Velu Wood where we had to service the tanks. We did not sleep that night. The shelling continued now and again, gas shells caused us to use our respirators but we did not have any casualties. Friday 22/3/18: Next morning we moved on with six tanks. We were not told what was happening or if the Germans were advancing. We resembled cattle going to be slaughtered. No senior officer appeared on the scene to enlighten us as they would do today. We drove across the fields along Bertincourt, Ytres, Bus. Later I saw a signpost to Villers-au-Flos. That night we slept roughly without coming under fire. Saturday 23/3/18: Early in the morning we started off again stopping now and again for meals. Another day without incident. Another night slept under the tank. It was intensely cold. Sunday 24/3/18: next morning we had breakfast of bacon and eggs. Artillerymen gave us the eggs. Our six tanks started forward still unaware how close we were to the enemy. At about 11.00 hrs the Tank Commander ordered the driver to stop the tank, then he said to us “The enemy are less than one mile away. I will tell you when to open fire.” Only a few minutes later he shouted “Farm buildings. Open fire!” although we could not see any Germans, we just fired at the buildings moving along at top speed and receiving return fire from machine guns and mortars. Short time later our engine stopped, we tried to restart it but failed to do so. The officer ordered “Evacuate the tank!” Turning to me, he said “You come with me.” We ran into an open barn in which there were several bales of hay. All the time we were under fire. That happened at about 12.00 hrs. All we had were our revolvers which were useless, the Germans were too far away from us. Suddenly we saw one of our tanks passing by us. The officer said, “Come on, we will get inside that. I think he is pulling out.” We were happy, but the thought of returning to safety only lasted very short as this engine also came to a stop. Same order came “Evacuate tank. Everybody try to get cover!” Just before that I had to leave the tank as the Commander of the second tank told me to help the driver of my tank who was lying on the ground about 10 yds away. The fire continued. When I reached my comrade he was dead. Before that he was running in front of the second tank shouting “Stick it, lads!” A truly brave soldier who came from Manchester. After the war I went to see his mother and his brothers to tell them how he died, it was very sad for them. Now to continue my story: there appeared only one route to escape that was alongside of a farm building. Allen, Boylett and me were together. First Boylett was hit, he fell dead at my side, three holes were in his helmet. Next I was hit by a single bullet. I still ran on having seen a shell hole about 10 yds away. I dived into it and a few seconds later Allen dropped beside me and said “I’ve been hit.” I said “So have I.” He was wounded in his leg. A bullet had ripped through my back into my chest and through my tunic. We were both very lucky in having wounds that with ordinary care would not prove fatal. We were even more fortunate that our particular shell hole led down to a long narrow shelter recently dug but not finished, having been started at the other end. We had just enough room to slide down quickly moving some way along the tunnel. After a while we heard voices of some Germans above, and we thought they were picking up our fallen comrades. Later on as it became dark, we intended to leave the shelter as darkness fell, however we fell asleep. Monday 25/3/18: When we awoke it was daylight. We had nothing to eat or drink, we left our iron rations and water bottles in the tank. Again we heard Germans talking above. Allen said to me “Shout up to them.” I asked “Shout what?” He replied “Kamerad.” “Oh yes,” I said. “Then they will throw down hand grenades.” We remained quiet. Nothing more happened. So we waited for darkness once again. - - Once again we slept. Tuesday 26/3/18: We did wake up about midnight, climbed up from our hideout, stayed in the shellhole looking across the fields; then we crawled forward not knowing which way to go. Eventually we stood up, we saw nothing but some trees. So we started walking until we came to a sunken road. We heard the sound of horses coming along the road. Laid down and watched them pass. It was a convoy of Germans, five or six wagons. Once they had gone we crossed the road onto the fields again. Now we needed a drink so we searched around, found some equipment, took off the water bottle, and found some water in a hole. We obtained only a drop, we both drank some, it was horrible. So we were in a bad way, laid down again in another shell hole, fell asleep. Soon Allen awoke and said “George, I’m very cold, let’s move on.” We started walking and it was beginning to become daylight. Then we saw some bell tents, we walked downhill towards them, not knowing whether they were occupied by German or English troops. We soon found out. Walking through the lines and listening we heard voices, German voices. Walking back up the hill two German soldiers were walking towards us. They were only about 30 yds at the point where we crossed. We could not get away quickly enough, so I said to Allen “do not turn round and do not run.” It was now just breaking dawn when we reached the top of the hill and just escaped from a dangerous situation. We laid down in a shell hole, and realising there were German troops in the same field we fell asleep still in need of food and drink. Probably it was the extreme cold that wakened me at that moment, but looking up I saw a German soldier stood on the edge of the shell hole. I do not know who was most surprised him or me. I nudged Allen and said “Here is a German soldier, stand up and do not panic.” We told the German we were wounded and had no food or drink since Sunday morning. Then seeing a comrade some distance away, he shouted to him that he had found two Englanders asleep. The other Germans came running up to us. Then to our surprise they put their arms around us and down the hill again to a field kitchen where we were surrounded by a large number of friendly looking German soldiers. They gave us soup, coffee, bread and jam. Later an officer came and asked us how we came to be there when our front line was 20 kms away. We told him, but he did not believe us and stormed away angrily. Next thing that happened, we were taken to a First Aid post where our wounds were dressed by a medical orderly who spoke god English. He said to me “You have been very lucky, the bullet missed your lung and you should be all right.” Nobody seemed interested. We walked along the road, and walking towards us were about 60 English prisoners with several German escorts. I asked them where they were going, they did not know. Anyway we joined the party just out of curiosity. About 10 mins later we were halted by a roadside sawmill, and about one hour later we were told to fall in. I asked one of the other prisoners where we were going now. He replied “Fins.” I asked him “How far is that?” he answered “Ten Kilometres.” I said “Not for me. I’m staying here.” The German escorts did not care, so I just sat down. Stan Allen went along, if he walked the full distance I do not know how he did it with his wounded leg. I never saw him again. After the war I tried to find him, but without success. It was now getting dark, a German soldier came and said “Kom mit Tommy.” He put his arm round my shoulder, we walked about a hundred yards to a large wooden hut. When I went through the door, I saw the hut was full of wounded German soldiers. Some asked me for cigarettes, I did not have any. I was placed on a seat in front of a huge log fire. One of the Germans gave me coffee, bread and jam. Later I was to my bed. I had no trouble getting to sleep as I had very little since the 21st March and it was now the 26th. All those Germans and not an angry word from one of them, they treated me as a comrade. On Wednesday 27th we had breakfast, then climbed into trucks and were taken to Fins where I stayed in a small hospital for a few days. Then to Le Cateau. Two days we, that were about 200 prisoners, British, American and several other nationalities, entrained to where we did not know. It was very cold in the train and nobody looked after my wound, the paper bandage was getting bad. Often I thought of the crew of our six tanks in those days. Al my comrades died on the 24th. Stan Allen and me were the only survivors. But where was Stan? Five days later we arrived at Hammerstein in West Prussia, 50 km from Danzig, now Gdansk, in Poland. Those who could walk from the station did so. Crowds of civilians lined the road, some jeered, some spat as we passed by, but when we arrived at the hospital we were fortunate to be treated as human beings. The doctors and nurses were very good, but the Head Sister really hated us; however, she did her duty. Three weeks later I left hospital and had to work in a Laager burying Russians who had died of tuberculosis. 12 or 14 were placed in plain coffins by us, then carried about 2 km to the cemetery, then buried in a large grave side by side. Later I joined a party to work on the railway at Rittel, several kilometres away and remained there until the end of the war. The food was horrible, Sauerkraut every day. The German soldiers were also badly fed. We received our Red Cross parcels every month, but the Russian prisoners had very little to eat. We sometimes gave some meat from our parcels to our German escorts. Most of the soldiers were not bad. When the war was over the Germans asked us to help them against revolutionizing Russians, but we refused. We did not like to have firearms again, we only wished to go home as soon as possible. December 5th 1918, I sailed from Danzig to Leith Scotland, on a Danish Red Cross ship. I arrived home in Manchester after being reported missing, believed dead, by the Regimental Chaplain. After two months leave granted by the Army I was demobilised. So back to civilian life again. 27/10/82 - G.R. -----------------------------------on Disk, ex Tank Corps Museum; END OF RECORD.","endDate":"","numEndDate":0,"numStartDate":0,"startDate":"","id":"8a68c57d-9966-4b61-8a0c-eb8ed8b67f96","reference":"SKR/DAT/IP/104247","score":2.45659542,"source":"600","title":"BROWN George Gnr 97218"}],"taxonomySubjects":[],"timePeriods":[{"code":"0","count":1},{"code":"1900","count":1},{"code":"1925","count":1}],"departments":[],"catalogueLevels":[],"closureStatuses":[],"sources":[{"code":"100","count":2},{"code":"600","count":1}],"repositories":[],"heldByReps":[{"code":"TNA","count":2},{"code":"OTH","count":1}],"referenceFirstLetters":[],"titleFirstLetters":[],"count":3,"nextBatchMark":""}