1916 27th October - from Charley to Dad

Hotel Atlantic

Paris

Oct 27^th 1916

Dear Father

We leave today for Havre, S’ton and London where I shall be busy for a few days-pourquoi j’ai perdee tout – mes dents, certificats,vetements, etc. I shall reach Guthries, 31 Baker St about 1 p.m. Saturday, so please drop me a line

Love to All

Charley

[Charley had been aboard the S.S. Mombasa, torpedoed and sunk 20 Oct 1916 by U39 off Cape Corbelin, Algeria en route to Zanzibar from London. According to elsewhere on the www the ship went down in 9 minutes, but all but one of the crew of 110 were saved as were the 19 passengers]

1916: 20th October - the sinking of the S.S. Mombassa

On 20 Oct 1916 she was torpedoed by U39 off Cape Corbelin, Algeria (London 
for Zanzibar with general cargo). The ship went down in nine minutes but of 
the 109 crew and nineteen passengers on board only one crew member was lost.

[Laxon & Perry "BI" - fleet history]

1916: 20th October - Charles Brewers account of the sinking of the S.S. Mombassa

[account in Tom Brewers' handwriting]

Account of the loss of S.S. Mombassa
Torpedoed in the Mediterranean without warning
_______________________________________

All was well at 7.30 a.m. on the Friday morning of 20th October. Charley had done two watches, one at 2 a.m. and another from 6 to 7, but as all seemed quiet he went to his cabin for a little sleep before 9 o clock breakfast. At 20 minutes to 8 he was awakened by a thump which shook the ship from one end to the other. A moment later he received a message from the Captain to "send out the S.O.S. call as the vessel had been struck by a torpedo." He at once went to the wireless room just as he was, in his night attire, (without socks or slippers) and sent out the call; afterwards reporting himself to the Captain to assure him that had been done. The captain said "Very good my lad now look after yourself."
He ran back to his cabin and slipped on his uniform, over his pyjamas, then once more rushed to the wireless cabin and again sent out the "S.O.S." call, as the Apparatus was still working well. During this time the vessel had been sinking by the stern, at which end she had been struck; and Charley found that all the boats had been lowered, and had gone. Only the Captain and two other Officers were left - these with C. jumped into the sea with their lifebelts on and swam to the nearest boats. The forepart of the ship was now about 18 feet out of the water, it was from this height that he jumped. After swimming for about 80 yards he was picked up after the Captain. On the second occasion of him returning to the wireless cabin he saw his watch, this he put in his pocket, and it stopped at 7.39, the moment he was in the water, that was 9 minutes after the vessel was hit. 5 minutes later she had gone down throwing up cinders, soot, and coal dust as the boilers exploded.
When in the boat they saw one of the officers in a life belt face downward tossing about - the sea was choppy - very - and running fast. C. took an oar and helped row to the man whom they eventually picked up unconscious. He was brought round and recovered.
During this time a French Destroyer which had picked up the "S.O.S" call, came on the scene and had commenced taking on board the occupants of the various 6 boats, casting these latter adrift. In all there were 140 souls. The ladies were in night attire - also many of the men - one gentleman was in his bath at the time and only had his gown. The Captain was shaving, and was seen all over the boat, his face covered in soap.
Only 1 coolie was lost, but these men behave badly in these circumstances - they only pray and cry and beat their breasts, causing more trouble than enough. This particular man, altho' he had a belt refused to move.
No one saw the U boat. The "Mombassa" carried a gun and gun crew. The man on duty at the gun was searching the surface for signs of submarines - he had just left the "starboard" side for "port" when the shock was felt. The gun platform was wrecked and collapsed. Had the shot got home in the fore part, the vessel would have blown up as she was carrying shells and ammunition there. The French Destroyer wasted no time in taking them all into "Bougie Bay". At this place they were given food, and some garments and then sent on by train to Algiers. Here again they were very friendly treated and received more clothing and comforts - socks for bare feet and boots and a cap. After a day or two they crossed to Marseilles - travelling overland to Paris to "Havre" - reaching Southampton on Saturday morning having crossed the Channel in a terrible storm.
Charley, like the others, lost everything he possessed - even his set of teeth went down and he arrived home with a chill, very hoarse, and chest cough, tho' otherwise in good spirits.


Kindly pass this round to the undermentioned and return to 16 Belair Road Peverell, Plymouth when finished with

Avenue Road
Annie
Edith Burton and sisters
Maggie
Frances and Adeline
Charlotte Peacock
May Kirby
Mrs Eyles
Mrs Malcomson
Mrs O Brien

1916: 20th September - to Father

Signals

20/09/16

Dear Father

Received your letter with news of Char’s arrival. It was something like a welcome, special boat, who were the reporters? Glad C. is well and hope he is having a good time if he is doing all I should like to do he certainly is. Still write to you in a day or two do not send anything until I write am well and still out of it.

Best of Luck and love to all

Tom

1916: 15th September - 1/6th Gloucesters

Photo taken 15th September

24/9/16

a few familiar faces from funny fellows full of fury for flying fokkers in France

Best of Luck to all Tom

[T.V. Brewer second row up, 6th from right]


[T.V. Brewer 2nd row up, 6th from right]

1916: 5th September - to Mother

Sept 5.16

Dear Mother

Many thanks for letter of 31^st Aug recd. Tonight I will write in a day or two when we hope to b___ and ___ out [indistinct] for a bit. All well so far, it is a bit wet and the trenches are muddy again hope all at home are feeling better and that Char will soon be there. I may be too during the next five years

Au revoir

Tom

[21/22nd August 1/6 was fighting near Thiepval]

1916: 23rd August - Private A.H. King wrote...

After daylight the enemy made no further attacks and this line, i.e. from 70 yards S.W. of 31 to 81 exclusive was handed over to Bucks Battalion about 11 am.

1916: August - Fransu - Whack at Fransu

Whack at Fransu
August 1916

1916: 22nd August - account of operations + Private A.H. Kings' memoir

22^nd August 1916

At 5 am. Under cover of a thick mist the Germans attacked and collected under the bank immediately N. of 31-19 and broke in E. and W. of 19. The platoon holding trench N.E. of 19 was cut off and scattered. The platoon N.W. of 19 retired on the 4^th Gloucesters via 81. The remainder of the Company was forced back onto the line 16-25-46, with small party holding on to the barricade 100 yards S. of 19.

O.C. “D” Company (Major NOTT) pushed out bombing parties, one in the direction of 19 and one in the direction of 27 via 25 and 46.

Two Lewis Guns were mounted on the parapet between 16 and 19 where they covered the left front.  While these guns were being mounted No. 2019 Pte. KERR spotted a German Machine Gun coming into action in the open just N. of 19. He got up and knelt on the parapet where he was exposed in full view of the enemy and succeeded in shooting three members of the enemy machine gun team and prevented the gun opening fire. A Lewis Gun of the Royal Sussex Regiment whom at the time of attack were just leaving our front line where they had been working, was mounted on 46. Capt. GILMORE commanding “C” Company was killed whilst organizing a counter attack against 22.

Situation at 6.15 am. Enemy were holding 19-29-27. We were holding barricades between 16 and 19, 16 and 27, 46 and 27.

Lieut. CLARE SMITH was in charge on the left and Lieut. FULLERTON on the right. A constant supply of bobs was organized and about 8 am. Point 27 was re-occupied. Enemy holding barricades at 29 and 19 and making large use of our bomb stores which they had captured there, still held out and after a time began to outthrow us. O.C. “D” Company then sent up a few selected bombers who altered the situation and we moved up one barricade nearer to 29. No. 2635 Acting Corporal GUNSTON particularly distinguished himself in this bombing from 27.

About 10-30 am. Lieut. COSTIN moved a Stokes Gun into trench between 25 and 46 and 2^nd Lieut. HARRIS went up to our barricade S. of 19 and registered the line 19-31. O.C. “D” Company moved up two fresh platoons into readiness. The Stokes guns opened intense barrage on the line 19-31 sat 11 am. They fired intense again at 11-30 and under cover of this, two platoons of “D” Company attacked. The right platoon found enemy all knocked out and re-occupied barricade N.W. of 29. Enemy at 19 had remained in his position, but the position was captured by the left platoon, all the enemy (11) being killed with the bayonet. This platoon got touch with the right platoon E. of 19 and re-occupied the barricade half way to 81.

About 1 pm. the remains of “C” Company were withdrawn and “D” Company took over all the front line. A patrol was sent out to 81 where six men of “C” Company were found and touch was gained with the 4^th Gloucesters. This patrol also brought in some of our men who had been captured but subsequently left behind by the enemy. Patrol was also sent out along trench 27-29. This trench was found to be unoccupied except by an enemy sentry 50 yards W. of 79.

At 5 pm. “A” Company took over the front line and “D” Company remained in support. About 7 pm. another patrol went through towards 79 and got touch with 7^th Worcesters just S. of that point.

About 8-30 pm. enemy attacked barricade N.W. of 29 using a large quantity of high explosive and smoke bombs. He almost captured the barricade, wounding the whole of the garrison with the exception of Lieut. TITLEY.

Lieut. TITLEY and 2897 Sgt, PEARCE (who had been knocked out by a bomb but had recovered) just managed to hang on. Two platoons of “D” Company were moved up into close support but did not become engaged. Stokes Mortars opened a heavy fire on 31 and from 31 down to our barricade.

About 10-30 pm. enemy shelled our front line heavily and buried one Stokes Gun and 200 rounds of ammunition. During the night the enemy made three more attacks but in each case were easily driven off.

At 2 am. Lieut. POOLE took out a patrol and reconnoitred ground N.W. of trench 19-31. He found all trenches within 100 yards N. of 19 had been abandoned by the enemy and “A” Company moved up to the old barricade 70 yards S.W. of 31 without opposition. A very large number of enemy dead were found in and about the trench between 19 and this barricade.

August 22^nd 1916 (Tuesday)

Private A.H. Kings memoir

at 4 A.M., 16 platoon was sent to a barricade to help repel an attack by the Germans.  Just after we got there Corporal Price, who was in charge of our party, was shot through the head by a sniper and died about an hour later.  We held the barricade by bomb throwing.  Corporal Gunston was about 5 yards behind us, stood upright with his helmet off, throwing bombs and never got touched.  Bob Kerr was also up top firing at a party of Germans who were trying to work a machine gun.  He shot 4 and then another shot took away the gun.  Bob was awarded the D.C.M. for this.

1916: 21st August - account of operations

21^st August 1916

On the 21^st about 5-30 am. The Germans made a weak attack against Barricade near 31 which was easily repelled. Between then and 12 noon we made three attempts to occupy 31. We occupied 31 for a short time but were bombed out. At 12 noon “B” Company had orders to take the line 31-51. Orders for this attack were received very late and the Company commander only had 50 minutes to get his men into position. They consequently started late and failed to reach their objective.

About 6 pm. “C” Company took over front line from “A” Company. “D” Company moved up in support and “A” and “B” were withdrawn.

Night of 21^st/22^nd was quiet.