The liberation of the French town of Le Quesnoy holds an important place in New Zealand military history. It was the last action of New Zealand forces in the Great War, it was executed with dash and ingenuity and it chased the Germans out without having to use artillery - a facet which was and is still deeply appreciated by those who were liberated and by their descendants.
But the liberation of Le Quesnoy was not without cost on both sides. One of the men who fell was Private Edward Jensen.
Edward Jensen joined the army in November, 1916, part of the 23rd NZ Reinforcements. By June 1917 he was with the 2nd Battalion of the Wellington Infantry Regiment in France. The following August he was hospitalised with an ingrown toenail. Not the most glamorous injury for a soldier, but still debilitating. He was out of action for just under two weeks.
In March of 1918, Ernest was punished with 28 days of "Field Punishment No. 2" for "hesitating to obey an order" and "insolence to an NCO." He might have committed the crimes believing himself not under orders as it occurred during a period of UK leave from the 10th to the 26th of that month.
On September 29th, 1918, in an action which the Wellingtons' Official History describes as being "carried out with splendid dash by all ranks" Ernest was awarded the Military Medal. His citation for it reads as follows: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the 29th September 1918, near La Vacquerie while acting as Battalion Runner Private Jensen carried important messages at frequent intervals to forward troops through heavy enemy shell and Machine Gun fire. His gallantry and tenacity in delivering his messages showed an utter contempt of personal danger. He has done splendid service throughout recent operations." - London Gazette, 14 May 1919, p6062, Rec No 2893.
The Wellingtons' part in the Le Quesnoy operation of November 4 was as part of an enveloping force which made rapid progress against a demoralised German army. The Regiment's Official History describes the action: "At 8.50 a.m., 1st and 2nd (Ernest's unit) Wellington moved to the attack, 1st Wellington on the right, 2nd Wellington on the left. As Wellington went forward, the Aucklanders turned to the right, and faced Le Quesnoy, linking up with the Rifle Brigade. The town was being rapidly surrounded.
On September 29th, 1918, in an action which the Wellingtons' Official History describes as being "carried out with splendid dash by all ranks" Ernest was awarded the Military Medal. His citation for it reads as follows: "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the 29th September 1918, near La Vacquerie while acting as Battalion Runner Private Jensen carried important messages at frequent intervals to forward troops through heavy enemy shell and Machine Gun fire. His gallantry and tenacity in delivering his messages showed an utter contempt of personal danger. He has done splendid service throughout recent operations." - London Gazette, 14 May 1919, p6062, Rec No 2893.
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| Picton Cemetery. |
The Wellingtons' part in the Le Quesnoy operation of November 4 was as part of an enveloping force which made rapid progress against a demoralised German army. The Regiment's Official History describes the action: "At 8.50 a.m., 1st and 2nd (Ernest's unit) Wellington moved to the attack, 1st Wellington on the right, 2nd Wellington on the left. As Wellington went forward, the Aucklanders turned to the right, and faced Le Quesnoy, linking up with the Rifle Brigade. The town was being rapidly surrounded.
"1st Wellington found little resistance to its advance. There was some fighting on the Villereau Road, and at one point where an enemy machine-gun gave trouble, Sergeant R. Charteris rushed the post single handed, put the gun out of action, and captured the crew. In most cases, the enemy, although in considerable strength, seemed content to withdraw more quickly than our troops could advance.
"The 2nd Battalion, moving through the woods on the steep Rhonelle bank, encountered little opposition. A small party of 2nd Battalion signallers under Lance-Corporal J. H. Griffiths came upon three 77 m.m. guns of the enemy still in action. Such a chance was too good to miss. The signallers promptly dropped their wire, and charged the guns. They captured the guns and took two of the enemy prisoners, the others making good their escape. In Villereau, the 2nd Battalion found some fifty civilians and also came upon a party of the enemy (two officers and twenty-two men).
"Early in the evening of the 4th, 1st and 2nd Wellington were ordered to push further forward to the Sarioton Road. Under a light barrage, Hawkes Bay Company of the 1st Battalion pushed through Mormal Forest, two platoons being led by Lieut, (Acting-Captain) C. G. Stewart, who displayed great coolness and initiative. One post only of the enemy was encountered by the 1st Battalion, and this was dealt with effectively. The 2nd Battalion, with Wellington-West Coast Company and Ruahine Company leading, continued the advance, and, by 1.30 a.m., they had reached the Sarioton Road, Taranaki Company wheeling to the left to form a defensive flank. The operation was entirely successful, the enemy having withdrawn, albeit only a few hours before. During this operation, while 2nd Battalion Headquarters were moving forward to an advanced position, Major H. E. McKinnon, M.C., commanding the 2nd Battalion, and his adjutant, Lieutenant S. A. Murrell, were killed by an enemy shell.
"What bad luck it was to go right through only to be struck down when everyone knew the War was won, and Germany's capitulation but a matter of hours. McKinnon was one of the original platoon commanders of Wellington-West Coast Company in the Main Body. He took part in the whole of the Gallipoli Campaign; was at the landing at Anzac; saw those few days of stiff fighting at Cape Helles; was one of the very few to cross the "Daisy Patch" and survive.
"The capture of the 2nd Battalion were:—prisoners, 15 officers and 414 other ranks, 33 field guns. 33 machine-guns, 5 trench mortars, 1 team of artillery horses, 1 chestnut hack, 7 wagons."
It was bad luck indeed for Major McKinnon and his family, equally so for Private Ernest Jensen and his. The Official History continues: "On the 6th, Major (temp. Lieut-Col.) H. E. McKinnon M.C. (Acting Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion), Lieut. S. A. Murrell (Adjutant 2nd Battalion) and Lieut. A. R. Blennerhassett (Adjutant 1st Battalion), Lieut. H. D. Banks (2nd Battalion) and Lieut. C. W. Quilliam and several men of 2nd Wellington, all of whom had been killed in action on the 4th, were buried in Le Quesnoy Cemetery with military honours. The funeral ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Mortimer Jones (1st Battalion), Rev. G. T. Brown (2nd Battalion) and Rev. Segreif (formerly 3rd Battalion). The Brigadier and Brigade Major attended the funeral, and the commanding officers, company commanders and twelve men per company from both battalions. After the service, a firing party from 2nd Wellington fired three volleys."
It was bad luck indeed for Major McKinnon and his family, equally so for Private Ernest Jensen and his. The Official History continues: "On the 6th, Major (temp. Lieut-Col.) H. E. McKinnon M.C. (Acting Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion), Lieut. S. A. Murrell (Adjutant 2nd Battalion) and Lieut. A. R. Blennerhassett (Adjutant 1st Battalion), Lieut. H. D. Banks (2nd Battalion) and Lieut. C. W. Quilliam and several men of 2nd Wellington, all of whom had been killed in action on the 4th, were buried in Le Quesnoy Cemetery with military honours. The funeral ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Mortimer Jones (1st Battalion), Rev. G. T. Brown (2nd Battalion) and Rev. Segreif (formerly 3rd Battalion). The Brigadier and Brigade Major attended the funeral, and the commanding officers, company commanders and twelve men per company from both battalions. After the service, a firing party from 2nd Wellington fired three volleys."
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