ISBN: 07524 35171 X Softback 192 pp £19.99 Published by Tempus Publishing Limited.
This book is the latest in the series recounting the war service of a Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment. It is written by Ian Cull with sources from regimental and national archives, family research and books on the battalion’s service during this period. There were also valuable contributions from three other enthusiasts who have a great interest in their county regiment, Len Webb, Martin McIntyre and John Chapman.
The book tells of a regular battalion’s service in India prior to its posting to France as part of the 25th Brigade, 8th Division. Its arrival on November 11th 1914 at Merville must have been a great relief to Sir John French who had seen his Divisions decimated during the 1st Battle of Ypres . The battalion was to have a torrid time, taking part as it did in a great many of the major battles of the war. They arrived to participate in the Christmas Truce but this was to be a quiet respite as they prepared to take part in the early battles of 1915; Neuve Chapelle, Fromelles, also seeing action also at Bois Grenier. The battalion suffered heavily in these engagements along with all the other regiments of the 25th Brigade. In June it received drafts of officers and men ,one of the officers being Lieutenant Hanbury - Sparrow who went to France with the 1st Battalion in August 1914 - He was not impressed with his posting by any means, comparing the 2nd battalion very unfavourably with the 1st. He was to figure prominently in much of the battalions future actions during the war eventually becoming its commanding officer. He was to be highly decorated and wrote the autobiographic “Land Locked Lake”
They took part in the battle of the Somme on July 1st, the 8th Divisions objective being Ovillers. Their casualties were horrendous. The battalion returned to the Somme in October having been spent some time in the area of Loos after their ordeal at Ovillers .This time the Divisions objectives were the strong German trench systems around Le Transloy and Beaulencourt. The attack was not a success and with the Divisions morale at low ebb it was taken out of the line. The arrival of a new Divisional commander, Major General William Henker made a great difference and the brigades performed well from now on. After a successful attack at Bouchavesnes the 8th Division was transferred from the 4th Army to the 2nd Army who were now in Belgium.
The battalion was now to experience some of its most severe fighting of the war around Westhoek and Passchendaele experiencing severe casualties .The author remarks that Gough had virtually wiped out the 1st Battalion at Loos by insisting upon an ill judged attack and had now repeated it with the 2nd Battalion. Following their actions in the Salient in 1917, the 8th Division was sent to help stem the German offensive in March 1918 . After severe fighting the Germans opposing them had been halted near Villers Bretonneux. The 2nd Battalion earned rare praise from the Australians for clearing a large area of the village.
The March offensive had cost the Division dearly and it was sent to the Aisne region; a supposed quiet area for a respite and refit , now part of the French Sixth Army. This time it was to receive the brunt the German attack in May 1918 . The Berkshires suffered 732 casualties, 674 being missing during this the last great German offensive of the war. They were again rebuilt and took part in the successful advance in August 1918, ending the war in Tilloy . As if they hadn’t seen enough action - a company of the regiment went to Russia in 1919, thereby completing the story of the Berkshires participation in the war. The history also contains many photographs, maps, biographies of members of the battalion, its honours and awards and a Roll Of Honour . It is meticulously researched, very well written and a fitting memorial to those who served and died in the 2nd Battalion of this fine county regiment. A worthy addition to reader’s libraries.
Reviewer: Maurice Johnson
