Monday 30th October 1916

Barracks in Ypres

The day was spent largely in cleaning weapons, uniform and equipment. Meanwhile, a number of men were sent away to undertake a variety of courses, in, for example, “signalling, sniping, repairing of gumboots and gas”. This latter occupation was considered particularly pressing and the whole Battalion was given further instruction in the use of the new box respirators which had been issued to the men before their last tour in the trenches. In the evening, four working and carrying parties, comprising 200 men in total, were provided for the Royal Engineers.

In the afternoon Lt. Col. Sydney Hayne (see passim) had relinquished command and left the Battalion to return to England. He was replaced as CO by Lt. Col Robert Richmond Raymer, DSO.

Image by kind permission of Scott Flaving

Raymer had been born on 1st November, 1870 and was educated at Farnham Grammar School before going on to gain a science degree at London University and later a Master of Arts degree at Trinity College in Dublin. He became an assistant master at Tollington Park School in North London from 1890 before then being appointed master in Mathematics and Science at Kibworth School, Market Harborough in 1894.

He first experienced active service in the army during the South African War, where he served with the 1st Battalion, The Leicestershire Regiment and would receive the Queen’s South Africa Medal with five clasps. Colonel Raymer later transferred to the Royal Militia, Island of Jersey as a Captain with the 2nd (or East Battalion) in 1904, on becoming a master at Victoria College in Jersey, later being promoted to Major in 1910. He commanded the College’s Cadet Corps where he made major improvements, and which at that time, and until 1908 when it became a Junior Officers’ Training Corps (JOTC), was affiliated to the Militia’s 2nd Battalion.

He married Ethel Annie Raymer on 2nd August, 1905 and they had one son, Charles Robert Peyton Raymer who was born on 3rd October, 1914.

At the outbreak of the Great War, Raymer was a master at the Clifton College (Douglas Haig’s old school), having left Victoria College and Jersey in December, 1912, all the while retaining his commission with the Jersey Militia, and transferred to the 5th Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment on the 12th October, 1914 with the rank of Major. He was appointed Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel in February, 1915, and became the CO of the 1/5th Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment in February, 1915, taking over from Lieutenant-Colonel AR Crawley shortly before that Battalion’s departure for France. Colonel Raymer remained in command of the Battalion until he was wounded during the assault on Gommecourt on 1st July, 1916. He had arrived back in France, en route to join 10DWR, on 25^th October.

Lt. Col. Robert Richmond Raymer

(This detailed information on Robert Richmond Raymer from the Channel Islands Great War Study Group; http://greatwarci.net).

Pte. John Edward Atkinson (see 10^th March) departed for England on ten days’ leave.

Pte. John William Mallinson (see 17^th June) was ordered to be confined to barracks for three days having been “unshaven on parade”.

Pte. Sydney Exley (see 17^th July) reported sick, suffering from influenza; he was admitted, via 69^th Field Ambulance, to 23^rd Division Rest Station where he would remain for five days before returning to duty. 

After spending a month in hospital being treated for rheumatic fever, both Ptes. Ernest Ashness (see 30^th September) and Patrick Ferguson (see 29^th September) were discharged from hospital and posted to 34^th Infantry Base Depot at Etaples. Also posted to 34^th IBD was Pte. Harold Best (see 22^nd September) who had spent almost six weeks in hospital.

Pte. Harry Smith (see 30^th October) was transferred from 13^th Battalion, Training Reserve to 25^th (Works) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.

A payment of £4 17s. 8d. was authorised, being the amount outstanding in pay and allowances to the late L.Cpl. William Knox (see 29^th July), who had died of wounds following the actions around Munster Alley in July; the payment would go to his widow, Ethel.

The monthly meeting of Bowland Rural Council passed a vote of condolence following the death of Pte. Anthony Lofthouse (see 20^th October). His father, Mr. J. T. Lofthouse, being a member of the Council. It was later reported that, “In moving the resolution, the Chairman said that if there was any consolation for Mr. Lofthouse, it was the knowledge that his son died in the service of his King and Country. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Gill, and the members signified their approval by standing”.

Pte. Anthony Lofthouse