Wednesday 14th November 1917

On trains.

One train halted at Mantova (Mantua) and the other at Marcaria. Men from both trains then marched to Sacca, covering 9 and 14 miles respectively.

Sgt. George Richard Goodchild (see 13^th November), concluded his account of the journey,

“Our journey was now nearing its end.  We travelled on and on – now in a north easterly direction – during the night, until at 5.30 am on the morning of the 14^th November we arrived at Mantova – our detraining point.  This town is a finely built place with a huge domed structure as it most noticeable and prominent feature.  Nearby – in fact on the line side – was the Lake Superiore with its islets of green shrubbery and thousands of water fowl.

We waited for daylight before detraining.  This was commenced at 8.15 am and about an hour later we marched away to the strains of lively airs from the band.  Our route wound round the lake for about 9 miles, and, after passing through one or two villages where the inhabitants turned out to see and welcome us, we reached our destination – Sacca – at 5 o’clock.  This is a small village north east of Mantova, near the River Minto, which feeds Lake Superiore and ultimately flows into the River Po a little to the south of Covernolo.  Away to our right could be seen the snow-capped mountains of the Alps – though whether they were the Swiss Alps or those over which our enemies had come I am not sure; quite possibly the latter.  The Swiss Alps are rather more to the west, and, I am told, Mont Blanc can be seen from Sacca.  I have not had it pointed out to me yet.  At Sacca we were warmly welcomed and the inhabitants were most kind.  Our Headquarters were in a large three storey house occupied by one of the estate agents of a wine merchant who owns all the village of Sacca itself and the land for miles round it.  The house is about 70 yards long and at one end contains a large number of huge wine vats where the grape juice is left to ferment prior to being sent away to be bottled for the market.  The Orderly Room was at the opposite end of the house and was provided with desks, tables and chairs.  We were also provided with a room for sleeping and herein I was fortunate enough to get a bed.  The Headquarters Mess was also comfortably housed next to the billiard room; perhaps more comfortably disposed than it had been for a long time past.  The agent himself was most kind and did all he could to make us comfortable.

As I have said the welcome of the Italians was very warm indeed.  Everybody was glad to see us.  Indeed some of the inhabitants broke down when they saw us and wept bitterly.  What tragedies lay behind those tears who can say, but some of us who have lost dear ones in this horrible cataclysm can make a shrewd guess.  Our duty it is to avenge those who have gone and to secure for our descendents the knowledge that the War God will no more try to impose its will on the whole word but that peace and goodwill will exist between all nations on this earth of ours”.

Goodchild also reflected on the journey as a whole, “In conclusion, it is necessary to place on record the fact that all the arrangements so carefully made at Zudausques worked like clockwork and were quite satisfactory.  Indeed the whole journey was carried out comfortably and satisfactorily under the benign direction of our popular Commanding Officer and Adjutant. One incident did occur which somewhat marred an otherwise pleasant journey for me and two or three others, by reason of the ungentlemanly behaviour of one of the Officers.  This narrative, however, I do not propose to darken with the story of his abusive nature, but hope that Providence, which guides and disposes of all things, will provide punishment for the crime.  These things are not for us mortals to judge”. The officer whose behaviour had so offended Goodchild has not been identified.

Pte. Harold Charnock (see 13^th November) had been on the train which had halted at Marcaria, rather than Mantova, and he remembered how, “the left half of the Battalion detrained at Mantova and the right half at Marcaria where the station was illuminated by the light of pine torches held by Italian soldiers.  The Battalion then marched from these stations to billets in and around Sacca.  The men were very popular and our only fears were that the potency of the local wines might militate against discipline; fortunately these fears proved groundless. Battalion Headquarters was at the country house of Signor Teni, a Mantua noble, and here we were made most comfortable by this gentleman and his charming daughters.  Some training was carried out at Sacca and an attempt was made to run a regular class for NCOs, as many of these were but lately promoted”. Capt. William Norman Town (see 13^th November), who had also detrained at Marcaria; “No one knew quite what the situation was or how far the Italian retirement would go.  So we detrained far back where there was no possibility of interference and where our mechanical transport, which had gone by road, could join us.  Even as it was, we were short of many things and had to depend in part on Italian rations.  At Marcaria a high platform for detraining vehicles was ready and, lighted by pine torches held by Italian soldiers, we detrained.  A march of some dozen miles brought us to Sacca and we enjoyed then, for the first time, the hospitality of Italian billets, of which we have many happy recollections.  The inevitable training programme was called for and rifle ranges were prospected”.

Lt. Frederick Lowther Dawson Barker (see 22^nd September 1916), who had been in England since having been taken ill in September 1916, re-joined the Battalion. 

After two months in hospital, Pte. Thomas Charles Jaques (see 10^th September) was discharged from 13^th Convalescent Depot and posted to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples.

Pte. George Barber (see 28^th July), serving with the Royal Defence Corps in Middlebrough, was reported for ‘improper conduct when on sentry’; he would ordered to be confined to barracks for seven days.

Cpl. Dennis Waller (see 30^th October), who had been reported as having deserted from 3DWR in August, appeared before a District Court Martial. He was convicted, not of desertion, but on the lesser charge of being absent without leave and was ordered simply to be reduced the rank of Private.

Capt. Alfred Percy Harrison MC (see 2^nd November), who was in England having been wounded on 7^th June, submitted his application for a wound gratuity. He was still being treated at the Officers Treatment Centre, Sidmouth.

Pte. Leonard Ellis (see 24^th October), who had suffered severe wounds to his right forearm in April, was formally discharged from the Army as no longer physically fit for service. He was granted a pension of 27s. 6d, to be reviewed in six months’ time.

A payment of £1 12s. 8d. was authorised, being the amount due in pay and allowances to the late Pte. Mark Ruckledge (see 19^th July), who had been killed in action on 19^th July; the payment would go to his widow, Sarah. She would also receive a parcel of his personal effects comprising of, “purse, watch (broken), belt, testament, knife, cigarette case, notebook, 3 photos, 2 discs”.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Sgt. John Thomas Hall MM (see 1^st September 1917) who had been killed in action in May 1917; his mother, Georgina, was awarded 9s. 6d. per week.

Sgt. John Thomas Hall MM

A pension award was made in the case of the late Cpl. George Benson Heap (see 23^rd May 1917), who had been killed in action on 23^rd May; his mother, Annie, was awarded 5s. per week.