Captain R. R. Grigor, of Balclutha, who has been captain of the local mounted squadron for a number of years, has been promoted to the rank of Major as from November last. We congratulate Major Grigor on his deserved promotion. -Bruce Herald, 16/3/1914.
VALEDICTORY.
TO MAJOR GRIGOR.
When the Balclutha Court was adjourned on Wednesday morning, Mr R. R. Stewart, on behalf of the legal fraternity and others attending the court, bade good-bye to his fellow counsel, Mr R. R. Grigor (Major in the 12th Regiment M.R.), who, he understood, was about to leave for the war. All felt it keenly when these matters came so close to us that we lost for a time the services of men like Major Grigor. Mr Stewart, in saying good-bye to him, wished him good fortune at the wars.
The Justices also added their tribute, Mr E. J. Boyd saying that he felt sorry that Major Grigor was leaving us, and all they could do now was to wish him success, Godspeed and a safe return home. His memory would live among the residents of Balclutha, to many of whom he had proved himself a good friend.
Mr G. W. Wood referred to his lengthy acquaintance with the Major, whom he had found to be a thorough volunteer and a gentleman. While sorry that he was going away, he hoped that their esteemed friend would return with laurels. When duty called those capable of rendering assistance should respond. If the speaker was a younger man he would like to go out under Major Grigor.
Major Grigor, replying, said that the remarks were perhaps a bit previous, he had volunteered, but he could not tell if he would be accepted, although he thought it most probable that he would. He thanked the speakers for their kind remarks, and said that although there had been wrangles in the Court in the past, that was all over and done with. His friends had tried to dissuade him from offering for the war, and many arguments had been advanced to stop him, but they could not dissuade him from doing what he considered was his duty. -Clutha Leader, 14/8/1914.
PRESENTATION.
HORSE PRESENTED TO MAJOR GRIGOR.
There was a large gathering at the Balclutha District High School on Thursday afternoon to see Major Grigor presented with a fully equipped horse, the gift of the pupils and staff of the school.
Mr Arch. McEwan (chairman of the committee) explained the position in a neat little speech, and called on the children to sing "The Bed, White and Blue."
Mr Turner (rector of the school) said that when news of the outbreak of war came to hand a wave of patriotism swept over the country, and he took the opportunity to inculcate a lesson in patriotism to the pupils. The suggestion that the school give a horse was taken up with enthusiasm, and in a couple of days the subscriptions which came in from the infants to Standard VII and from the teaching staff were sufficient to purchase the horse with full equipment, and it was decided to give the horse to Major Grigor to ride throughout the war. This was appropriate in many ways, because Major Grigor was the son of a very much respected teacher who had once been headmaster of the Balclutha school, and because the Major had been closely connected with Balclutha and the school. (Applause.)
Mr Turner then presented Major Grigor with a fine stamp of troop horse, with full equipment. The horse, "Larry," it may be mentioned, was purchased from Mr Hugh Blaikie, and had previously been in Major Grigor's possession and is used to troop work.
Mr A. S. Malcolm, M.P., congratulated the school on giving the horse. He referred to British history, and asked all present to remember the great and glorious name which had been handed down to them. They would follow Major Grigor's career with great interest, and hoped he would return to them safe and sound. He would ask him to note that the horse had been given to him as commanding officer, and asked him to let the others from Clutha know they also thought of them. He called for three cheers for each man by name and individually, and these were lustily given.
The Mayor (Mr E. J. Boyd) said the day was a memorable one — it would live for ever in the memories of all present. He remembered Major Grigor in the old days as an officer of the Clutha Mounted Rifles, and he was sure he would prove a good soldier and a good man. He wished him a prosperous time and a safe return.
Mr Turner intimated that the girls of the school had sought to get a name for the horse. Balclutha District High School would be rather long for the Major when he was in a hurry — (laughter) — so the girls thought he might shorten it to "Bal-hi" — that was the name officially/ he said, but of course the Major would continue to call it "Larry" as before. (Laughter and applause.)
Major Grigor, in replying, said he could not say much about a soldier's life yet — he might be able to tell them something interesting when he came back. The only thing he could do was to tell them why he had volunteered for service, it was not so much a case of duty as simply that the time had come for which he had been trained, and he had done what he expected he might have to do some day. Britain had no standing army like Continental nations, but relied on her citizen army, which must now come forward. Some day all the boys present would be citizen soldiers, and he knew if they were called on they would not be behind. To the girls he would say they had the hardest part, to stay behind — to be bright and happy. If, however, they were as good bricks as his womenfolk had been then all would be well. He knew the position as regards the presentation of the horse — that it was an outcome of the patriotic wish to help the country, and he would make it a point to tell the men from Clutha that they had been remembered. (Applause and cheers for Major and Mrs Grigor and the children.)
The flag was saluted, and after a verse of the National Anthem had been sung the children were given a holiday for the remainder of the day. -Clutha Leader, 21/8/1914.
PERSONAL.
Mr Malcolm, M.P., leaves for Wellington by the five o'clock express tonight. Major Grigor was in Balclutha for the week-end, and was farewelled by a number of friends at the Balclutha station yesterday morning, three hearty cheers being given as the train steamed out from the station.
Major Grigor was met on Saturday night by representatives of the Clutha Club, Golf Club and Tennis Club, and presented with a handsome cheque with which to buy a set of field glasses, the gift of members of these bodies and a few friends. Mr Bishop, vice-president of the Golf Club, made the presentation. The proceedings were quite informal, and there was no "social" in connection with the presentation. -Clutha Leader, 25/8/1914.
EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.
OTAGO SECTION LEAVES. (abridged)
The Otago troopships left Port Chalmers on Tuesday afternoon under escort of warships. The troops were in good spirits and evidently delighted that their days of waiting at Tahuna camp were over. The revielle for the mounted troops went at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, and the first batch of men and horses started their route march to Port Chalmers while many of the good people of Dunedin lay still abed. No difficulty was met with in the embarking of the horses, and they were all got aboard with commendable expedition. Some few had to be slung to the lower decks, but most of them were led up the specially prepared ramps as easily as passengers could be embarked up the ordinary gangways. The infantry were trained to Port Chalmers, the last train leaving Tahuna Park shortly after 10 a.m., going right through to Port Chalmers without a stop. .
There was no formal farewell ceremony at Port Chalmers; nevertheless the town was given an opportunity to say au revoir to the departing troopers, and the Mayor of formally saying farewell. There was a large crowd of people at the Port, so large, indeed, that several officers who came down later could scarcely make their way through, and it was only by dint of football "scrumming" that they got aboard their troopships.
Seen just before embarking on the Hawkes Bay (Troopship No. 9), Major Grigor sent his best wishes to the Clutha people. All the Clutha boys were well, he said, and indeed those seen by our representative spoke for themselves—all glad that the waiting was over and the "real thing" was getting nearer.
TELEGRAM FROM MAJOR GRIGOR.
The Mayor yesterday received the following wire from Major Grigor at Wellington: — ''Good-bye. Please thank Balclutha and district folks and Patriotic Committee for many kindnesses to my squadron." -Clutha Leader, 25/9/1914.
A letter was received by a Balclutha resident yesterday from Major Grigor, who stated that he was leaving for the Dardanelles on the day of writing. -Clutha Leader, 2/7/1915.
IN GALLIPOLI.
HUMOUR IN THE TRENCHES.
BRIGHT LETTER FROM "GUS."
Sergeant-major W. A. Gustafson, who left from Balclutha to go on active service, introduces a good deal of his characteristic humour into a letter which he writes from the trenches to his friend, Mr W. Harte, Balclutha, who kindly permits us to publish the letter. The censor has been somewhat ruthless with his big black pencil, but what is left of the epistle is as follows:
Gallipoli Peninsula, July 30.
Dear Will, — Just a few lines to let you know I am still in the land of existence, and enjoying the climatic conditions of Turkey, although the conditions under which one has to live and the hairbreadth escapes keeps one from getting despondent or from attacks of | melancholia. Our "Little Grey Home in the West" is not quite as luxurious as a certain place I know in Balclutha. I shall try and give you a description of
OUR LIFE OUT HERE.
Firstly, we are in a consolidated position commanding our friend, James Turk. Where that position is Mr Censor won't allow me to disclose, but suffice to say I am quite content to remain where I am, and keep on missing Jimmy's (the Turks') shrapnel and snipers, whom, I might mention, are numerous. My abode consists of a hole dug in the side of a hill about 4ft wide, 6ft long, and about 3ft deep at the top end to ground level at the foot. In this capacious abode yours truly receives his guests, partakes of his bully beef and biscuits — oh, they are delicious, I don't think — and sleeps when he can. Our diet is not all beer and skittles, and if I could only get a few of the drinks I refused whilst in Egypt, or partake of a decent respectable meal I would not care. There is one Godsend: that is the beach. There we can have a swim, and it is a treat, I can assure you. The next treat is the privilege of being allowed to search one's shirt and pants daily; this treat is otherwise known as the
ANZAC HUNT CLUB.
Great gambling can take place on the events in this club's card. Some men are more unfortunate than others, and have quite an extraordinary haul. Believe me, it is a common sight to see thousands of men sitting on the beach "hunting" their shirts and pants. I did laugh the first time I witnessed this performance; it was a wonderful sight, but now I am one of the entrants in the principal handicap, but I cannot say I am carrying "top weight."
You will have read about the doings of the New Zealanders and Australians. Rather high coloured, but nevertheless the landing was an absolutely
WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE
It would have reflected the highest credit on the pick of the British Army, so it speaks well for the "contemptible little colonial army," and they are still holding their own, even against heavier odds. The latest Balclutha man to be killed with the Mounteds was R. G. Bradshaw, who was shot through the head. But W.A.G. is still hanging on. The shrapnel is deadly. It varies from a 12-pounder to a 6in, and "Jimmy's" high explosives vary from 12lb to a 12in — that is about 1000lb. Very nice for one to land in your dug-out, eh?
AEROPLANE RECONNAISANCE.
is our principal means of gaining information. Practically all day aeroplanes are hovering about. There are all kinds, namely, biplanes, seaplanes, hydroplanes, monoplanes, and an occasional German Taube. One of the last-named has just, passed over. Those aboard were good enough to drop a couple of bombs, which, I might say, fell into the deep blue sea, killing onlv a few fish. Oh, the Huns!
OUR GUNS
are many and of all kinds, from French mortars and machine guns to the large howitzers. Then we get the large guns from the battleships, and broadsides fairly make the ground shake, but still the world goes on. The sinking of the Triumph and Majestic were wonderful sights which one does not like to see happen too frequently.
Well, Will, old boy, I shall have to draw to a close. 1 am sorry I cannot give you any information, as Mr Censor objects, but suffice to say I am quite well and enjoying a whole skin. I can say the same about
MAJOR GRIGOR,
who is a "brick." He has turned out a good officer, and commands the best squadron. Au revoir, and remember me to all my friends in Balclutha. — W. A. Gustafson. -Clutha Leader, 21/9/1915.
BACK FROM THE WAR.
TROOPER EDWARDS' STORY.
Trooper L. Edwards dodged bullets, shrapnel and sickness for weeks and weeks, till one day, when he was trenchdigging, a bullet put him "out." The deadly little missile did a remarkable thing: it went right through his right knee, and did not harm a bone. He got off remarkably lucky, and after a pleasant sojourn in a Cairo hospital was put on the Tahiti, which conveyed him back to New Zealand. Last Thursday night he arrived at the home of his parents in Balclutha. We give Trooper Edwards' story of doings at the front and elsewhere as he told it to our reporter at his father's fireside last Friday: —
''I went from Mataura in the Otago Mounted of the main body, and being in the mounted, never saw the memorable fighting on the morning of the first landing at Gaba Tepe. But I saw the place where they landed, and can tell you it was a stiff proposition. I went over with the mounteds to act as infantry, and we landed in Gallipoli on May 20. Going over to Turkey the Jack Tars proved themselves to be grand fellows; they gave us all their tobacco and other things useful to us, saying, 'Take it; you fellows will need it over there but we can get more for ourselves.' In landing we had to go through the same process as the first lot, but the opposition which we met was not nearly so fierce. It rained the first night we were in the trenches, and straight away we were put on to relieve the men who had borne the hard brunt of the earlier fighting. We expected an attack from the enemy that night, as things were pretty hot at that time, but that night passed off quietly. No, I cannot say I felt nervous; you see, our solid training in Egypt had made us fit and eager for a go at the Turks. For about the next fortnight we just dug in —trench-digging, — and plugged away at the other chaps whenever we saw anything to fire at. Then we were shifted to the left flank, known as the Fisherman's Hut, as Nos. 1 and 2 outposts. There were about 200 in each outpost; Otago was No. 1 and Canterbury No. 2. We did outpost duty for over 10 weeks, and this work is pretty severe on one's nerves, and after a while I would sooner have been in the trenches. We rested in the day and worked at night. On a few occasions the Turks charged us at night. Once, on June 12, I think, about 1500 came at us. Of course, we got reinforced. The Turks got to within 50 yards of our No. 1 outpost trenches, but our machine guns cut them down like rabbits. One night previously our side had captured a Turkish outpost, and the night I am speaking of the enemy charged us with 1500 men and recaptured that position, which had been occupied by the Canterbury men. After that the Turks held it, till I left, at anyrate. This scrap lasted from midnight till 4.30 a.m., and it was solid plugging all through. We gave the enemy something to think about, because that night they lost heavily. Otago had only one man wounded, but Canterbury had heavy casualties, and the Wellington men were driven right back on to the beach. Our machine guns eventually saved the position, but the trouble was that we had not half enough machine guns there. We had only two going that night, but our rifle fire, which was deadly, was a big help. I was kept on at outpost duty in the same position till I was wounded on July 1 by a bullet going right through by right knee while I was trench-digging. That night I was taken to the hospital boat, and landed at Cairo seven days after, where I stayed till I got on the Tahiti to come home. I want to say that I appreciate the good treatment which I received in the Cairo hospital, and the civilians of Cairo were especially kind to us. They could not do enough for us."
"What about the Red Cross?" we asked. ''
"The Red Cross staff have the worst job on the Peninsula, and any person who knows what he is talking about cannot run them down. I know," declared Trooper Edwards in vindicating the reputation of the Australasian Red Cross workers. ''They were very prompt about fixing me up, and I will just speak of them as I found them; but there are some people who are always complaining about something or other, and if those people did a bit of fighting instead of looking for trouble there would never have been anything said against the Red Cross."
Reverting to Gallipoli, Trooper Edwards remarked that all the time he was on the Peninsula the Allies, so far as he knew, had not made much headway, but they would take some shifting, and he was confident they would soon wear the other side out. "We were at Gaba Tepe, and the French and Tommies were at Cape Helles, and so I never came in contact with them. You out here get more news of the Dardanelles than what the soldiers do in the trenches, but I know that the Tommies had the hottest time of the lot, and they fought and died gloriously. The Dublin Fusiliers and the Munsters were practically wiped out to a man."
"How did you find the Turks?"
"The Turks are the fairest and cleanest fighters going. I know a lot of rot has been written against them— some people who were never in a scrap seem to have the most to say. Any amount of fellows say they have heard of dirty work by the Turks, but not one could say he had seen it done. Give them their due, although they are our enemies.''
"How do you think they treat prisoners?"
"From what I have heard I think they treat prisoners well. I know for a fact that they have bandaged up and tended to our own wounded. The Turks are all right, but I cannot say anything about the Germans who are among them. You see, the German officers had it drilled into them that we were something like cannibals, and once when a few Turks came into us as prisoners they were a bit shaky until they found out how they had been deceived. We had some prisoners working for us, and they seemed to be. quite .contented."
"Tucker? Well, at first we got fresh beef twice a week, and bacon every day then there was bully beef and biscuits whenever we wanted it. We cooked our stuff in 'dixies' (soldiers' pans). In the last two weeks I was there we did not get any fresh meat, but then we got fresh bread every day. This came from Tenedos Island, where it was baked and shipped over to us. One morning we got as far as bacon and eggs — fresh eggs, too; it was spoils of war taken from some enemy boat which had been captured. Of course, in the matter of 'tucker' some divisions fare worse than others. Yes, the principal pastimes are swimming and 'reading shirts.' Some chaps have been shot while swimming, but not much notice seemed to be taken of this. The trenches were lousy, and some men have made hauls of 150 out of their clothes. The flies were very bad, too. They would almost eat you alive, and if we left out a piece of bread and jam they would beat us for it in no time. The climate was right enough; a bit hot in daytime, and cold at night.
"You might as well know the truth about all those gifts we were supposed to get," added the wounded soldier. "All the time we were in Egypt — about six months — the only gift we got, as far as 1 know, was one tin of Capstan tobacco, and once, from the Daily Mirror or Mail, we got some plum duff."
"Oh, where did the gifts which New Zealanders so liberally gave go to?" we asked.
"That is what I cannot find out, and I don't think we ever will get to the bottom of it. There was no use making any complaints about it, because we would get no hearing at all. They (the authorities) would not listen to us. On the Peninsula four packets of cigarettes are given out to the men every week, but very often we could not smoke the stuff — it was poor, mouth-burning stuff. The Australians would not take this tobacco; they said it was no good to them, and they burnt it. The Australians seem to look after themselves better than the New Zealanders do; they are more united, and whenever they had any complaints the whole lot would back up the deputation which went to the officers, but the New Zealanders grumble individually and do nothing in a body. We were cut out of rum for a long time till the doctors complained about it, and when I left the soldiers were getting the rum, but they were sometimes given their weekly allowance in one lot, and that was no good, because some of the fellows would drink their week's share in one night.
"Major Grigor was also on the outpost with us. The men thought an awful lot of him, and he is a splendid officer. I don't want to skite about the ]2th Mounted Squadron, as I was a member of it, but for a while when we were in Egypt they put Major Grigor in charge of another squadron to smarten it up, so you can believe what you hear about the Otago Mounted to be fairly true. Major Grigor was out on his own for smartening men up. He was quite well when I left.''
Trooper Edwards gave his story without striving after effect. He appeared to be one of our ideal civilian soldiers who take things as they come, not searching for something to grumble about, but able to make a straight-out protest when he thought it was required. What he said went down. -Clutha Leader, 21/9/1915.
MAJOR GRIGOR PROMOTED.
Mr A. Grigor (Auckland) a few days ago received a cable from his brother, Robert R. Grigor, of Balclutha, who left with the main body with the office of major in command, of the 12th (South Otago) Mounted Squadron, stating that he had been promoted to be a lieutenant-colonel, and was now in charge of the Otago Mounted Regiment. -Otago Daily Times, 1/10/1915.
IN GALLIPOLI.
EXCITING BAYONET CHARGE LED BY MAJOR GRIGOR.
LETTER FROM TROOPER ATKINSON.
Trooper P. H. Atkinson, of Warepa, writes from Luna Park, Egypt, on August IG, to a Balclutha friend as follows: —
I was in a very big bayonet charge a week ago. I got through all right and got to the Turks with my bayonet. Most of them threw away their rifles and ran. Our squadron took about half a mile of trenches. I got shot through the chest the day after, but am getting better quickly. The bullet went in the left shoulder and the doctor took it out of the right one. I am walking about very little the worse, and, in fact, I think I will get back to the fighting line next week. We lost heavily, but the Turks lost far more than we did. I do not think the Turks will fight much longer, because they are sick of it. I will be pleased when it is over. Gallipoli is a very rough place to fight in, as there is so much cover for the enemy snipers. It was a sniper that got me, but I am pleased to say that I have given their snipers a good go. Major Grigor was all right when I left. He was close to me when I was hit, and went for a stretcher for me. He led us in the charge which I have told you of, and we could not have had a better leader. I was very sorry Lieut.-Colonel Bauchop and Captain Hay were killed. They will be missed very much. I have lost a lot of mates, and I am afraid our Balclutha hoys have suffered very much. If I live to get through this war all right I hope to go back to Balclutha and find all my friends there well. -Clutha Leader, 8/10/1915.
THE CAPTURE OF BAUCHOP’S HILL.
[By a Trooper. O.M.R.]
[Being an account of the movements of the Otago Mounted Rifles and the Canterbury Mounted Rifles by which Bauchop’s Hill and the Turkish Headquarters were captured on Friday night, August 6, 1915.]
For a week previous to the attack there had been rumors in the air that we wore going to be concerned in a big movement, and various dates were given as to when the battle was to start; but all doubts were set at rest on Friday morning, when our major (Orbell), in a few soldierly words, told us that the attack would take place that night, and that the 5th, 7th, and 12th Squadrons of the O.M.R., together with Canterbury, Wellington, and Auckland Mounted Rifles, and the Maoris, were to make the first move, and that when we had taken the positions assigned to us (Bauchop’s Hill) the Australians and the New Zealand Infantry, with the Gurkhas, would then make their attack on the main ridge, being the continuation of the position which we have held since the landing. All day Friday our little outpost was in a state of bustle; ammunition was being brought in, together with stores to feed a large body of men, and everything pointed to No. 2 Outpost being a busy spot in the near future. A big lot of stretchers were also landed, and this looked as if the authorities were expecting casualties on a large scale. The day passed much as other days had done in the doing of our various military duties, but the air was electrical. Everybody was discussing the proposed charge, and wondering what the outcome would be, and how many of the now laughing fellows would be perhaps lying dead in a few hours’ time. To make a long story short, after we had had had our tea and been served out with our rum ration, the troops were ordered to get their equipment on and "fall in” on the flat below, where our bivouacs were fixed. As soon as the various troops had fallen in the order was given “Fix bayonets” and we were told that all trenches were to be
— Taken With the Bayonet, —
and that not a shot was to be fired until ordered, as there would be a big chance of shooting our own men, and that this was to be a “Sheffield charge’’— i.e., cold steel. Of course, with a large body of men moving about in the dark, we had to nave a distinguishing mark on each man so that he could be picked from the enemy, and this difficulty was got over by each man wearing a big white patch of calico on the back, and also two armlets of white calico, and this plan worked admirably. At 9 o’clock one of our torpedo destroyers, whose duty it was to patrol the bay, started shelling the Turkish trenches opposite our outpost, and after shelling for a certain period she stopped and the word was passed down the waiting line that the 5th Squadron would advance, and as I happened to be a trooper in that squadron the future account will concern them principally until we functioned with the other squadrons on the captured hill known to us all as Bauchop’s Hill. Punctually at 9.30 p.m. the order came for the 5th Squadron to advance and we left the shelter of our own trenches and started to advance along the face of a hill, with the object of skirting the flank of the Turkish outpost and getting in from the back, thus taking the enemy in the rear, and cutting off their retreat. The squadron (113 men, in command of Major Orbell and Captain Bruce Hay) had only advanced about 100 yds when we were spotted by “Johnny Turk,” and they proceeded to pour
— A Heavy Fire —
of rifles, machine guns, and bombs into us, and we were compelled to halt and take what cover we could, as it was impossible to make any headway without the loss of large number of our small company. For about half an hour this inferno continued, and men were beginning to drop wounded, although, luckily so far no men had been killed up to this time. Eventually it was seen to be impossible to attain our object by that route, so the squadron was turned round, and what had been the tail became the head of the column, and the major and captain then led us by another track, which, although swept by fire, was a trifle less dangerous than the first road we had taken. Although we lost some men executing this movement, we managed to get over the dangerous ground and out of the immediate fire of the enemy. Scrambling down the face of a gully overgrown with prickly shrubs and full of holes, into which we stumbled and fell, and got out and fell in again, we at last managed to get to the bottom of the gully, and I can assure you we were a badly-scratched .and mixed-up squadron by this time. I omitted to mention that we were accompanied by two companies of Maoris, and right here I want to say that the Maori, as a fighting man, is quite up to New Zealand standard, and will hold his own in any company. This comes from a man who has fought shoulder to shoulder with him. But to continue the advance: After getting to the bottom of the gully we struck a Turkish track, and following this we came to the first line of trenches which we had to take. Taking shelter at the foot of the trench, Lieutenant Millard, who was in command of the leading troop, gave orders to bomb the trench, and then rush it. This we did, but the bombs were evidently too much for Turkish nerves, as after a hasty volley Mr Turk cleared out, and I when we got into the trench prepared for a stiff fight, we met no opposition. So far we had been very lucky with regard to losing men, although we had by no means escaped scot-free; still, we had not met with the heavy loss we had expected. But the worst and hardest task was to come. Continuing on our way we came to a dry water-course about 25ft high, and the only means of getting down was to slide down and trust to luck to land right side up at the bottom. Eventually we all succeeded in getting to the bottom of this gully, and continued on our way over shrubs and rough country generally till wo came to the
— Second Line of Trenches, —
where the Turks put up a stiff fight; but we got among them and dug them out, and they retired hurriedly to their third, or main, line of defence and waited for us to come at them. They did not have to wait long, as we were now right into our stride, and nothing could stop us, although we had had numerous casualties in our ranks, and our small squadron was growing alarmingly smaller the further we went, and the Turks were being reinforced; but this could not prevent us charging the trench, with a good old yell of Otago from our boys, and an impromptu war dance and yell from our Maori pals we banged right into the melee, and under a heavy rifle and shrapnel fire we completely routed the Turks out of the trench, and got them well on the run. We had now reached our destination, and were ordered to “halt,” charge our magazines, “and form a firing line" preparatory to beating off any counterattack which the Turks might make on our small party. No sooner had we formed our firing line and got into position than the Turks attacked us with bombs and rifle fire, and it looked as if we would all be wiped out, as men were being hit all along the line, and the enemy was continually making bayonet rushes, which it took us all our time to hold in check; but our bomb-throwers got in some good work, and we kept up the rifle fire, until the Turks, seeing there was no chance of shifting us, retired, and gave us a slight breathing spell. And we wanted a breather badly, as so far we had not been able to attend to our wounded; but this gave us the opportunity, and willing hands lifted up our poor wounded pals and roughly bandaged them to ease their pain until they could be transferred to our medical base, which had been set up in one of the gullies leading to the hill which we had captured. Some of our chums, alas! required no attention — their time had come, and never more would they answer to the call of Fall in, the Fifth.” Each man there had lost a pal, and no doubt the
— Heaviest Loss of All —
was our captain (Bruce Hay), who was shot dead while commanding the squadron. He was a soldier, every inch of him, popular with all, both rank and file, and, better still, we had every confidence in his ability to lead us; and no man faltered where he led — we knew that he knew his work, and would have followed him to the last man if he had called on us. During the whole period since we had left the shelter of our own trenches, he (Captain Hay) had been in the lead, guiding us, cheering us on, and leading us to the attack on the various trenches, and when we had gained our object he walked about backward and forward along the firing line, holding us in hand, keeping us together, scorning to take cover until he fell mortally wounded and expired in a few minutes. When Captain Hay fell, Lieutenant Millard, who was now in charge of the squadron, deemed it advisable to fall back to the captured Turkish main trench, as that would give us a very much stronger position in case of being attacked; and having secured our wounded, we moved into the above trench about 100 yards to the rear of the position we were then holding. But the enemy were not too keen to give us another go, and turned their attention to the Auckland Mounted Rifles, who were on our right flank; but Auckland soon shook them off and judging by the firing gave them a hot reception. In the meantime our colonel (Bauehop) had come up with some men of the 7th Squadron, O.M R and took charge of the position, and very soon we had covering parties out on the flanks to prevent a surprise attack, and we all waited patiently for daylight. When
— Colonel Bauchop Joined Us —
he was delighted with the ground gained, and made us a short, soldierly speech which touched us all. I forbear to give the colonel’s speech — let that be sacred to the men who were there to hear it. I well know that not one of them will ever forget it while he lives. Just about this time we heard the Gurkhas, Australians, and New Zealand Infantry cheering as they started to take the different positions assigned to them, and as these troops advanced up the different ridges and cleared the Turks out of their trenches. While doing so our colonel called for cheers to hearten our boys on and to let them know that we were following their progress very keenly. During one of these bursts of cheering a Turkish sniper fired on out position, and the colonel, who was standing up leading the cheers, was struck by the rifle bullet in the back, very close to the spine, and fell mortally wounded. He was perfectly conscious that he was badly hit, and wanted to be left while other wounded men were attended to before him; but it was considered advisable to get him to the hospital as soon as possible to locate the bullet and give the medical authorities every chance. After the doctor had made an examination it was found that the spine had been touched by the bullet and that paralysis had set in, and that is was only a matter of a few hours for our colonel to be with us. When the news spread throughout the regiment that we had lost the colonel
— A Gloom Seemed to Settle on Everybody, —
and it was thoroughly brought home to us what a heavy price we had paid for our victory. We were prepared to pay a price, but we had never reckoned on losing two such leaders as Colonel Bauchop and Captain Hay. When day broke we found that we were the complete masters of the hill, and that our other squadrons (the 7th and 12th) had each been successful in their attack, and that the concerted movement had been a wonderful success. It had been a brilliant charge, and, taking the Turks completely off their guard, it caused them to beat a hasty retreat, and had left their headquarters entirely at our mercy. Armed parties were at once despatched to search the Turkish headquarters, and a great collection of rifles, bayonets, bombs, ammunition, and barbed, wire was removed to our base, to be used against the late owners in future movements. The Turks had. evidently considered themselves perfectly safe, as their bivouacs were furnished with eiderdown quilts and luxuries of every description, and apparently they had been completely surprised; in fact, it looked as if the owners had just had time to bolt, as overcoats, clothing, and food were scattered everywhere. Some of our fellows took a number of prisoners who had hidden themselves in the scrub, and were routed out when we made our descent on them. To make our position secure, machine guns were brought up and put into position, and a strong party left to guard them. The balance of the regiment then proceeded to entrench on the top of Bauchop's Hill, and to make it impossible for the Turks to recapture this position. By the time the trenches had been dug and the men of the three squadrons had fixed their dugouts it was Saturday night, and although we had had no sleep since Thursday night, we had again to man the trenches, although by this time it was a task for most of us to keep our eyes open. Morning came at last, and the firing easing off we were enabled to get some rest.
Sunday, August 8. — We were very short of water — only two pints a day per man — and half-rations of food, still we are all standing up to it, although we keep losing men from snipers and stray bullets. Most of the wounds are flesh wounds, but they take a man from the firing line, and thus deplete our already much reduced regiment.
August 9 (Monday). — The regiment is pretty well played out, and we were, very pleased to be joined by our reinforcements from Alexandria. This will give the men of the main body a chance to have a spell. The Turkish artillery has been shelling us all day, and some of the men have had to go away with shrapnel wounds.
Tuesday, August 10. — This morning at daylight our artillery and the warships in the bay commenced
— A Furious Bombardment —
of the Turkish position, and as the Turks advanced over a clear space along the main ridge the shrapnel, machine-guns, and rifle fire played on them, and they must have lost thousands of men, until the fire got too hot for them, and they retired back over the main ridge, where it was impossible for our guns to fire with any certainty of doing damage. For the next few days things were fairly quiet, although we were constantly under lire from snipers and machine guns, which swept our position and made life very miserable, as you never knew the moment when you might be sniped either in your “bivy” or out of it. Water is also very scarce, and we are still on half rations of food. The majority of the members of the main body are all suffering from sores on the hands, arms, legs, and body, and owing to the poor condition we are in these obstinately refuse to heal, and cause us a great deal of inconvenience. A number of the men are also suffering from dysentery and stomach troubles, caused by the lack of fresh meat and vegetables; in fact, this trouble has become so acute that the doctor of the regiment has started ordering the men away for a good spell, as it is very evident that nothing but a complete change of scene and diet and a good rest will enable the sufferers to take their place in the firing line with their comrades of the O.M.R. We have been under fire since Friday, August 6, and it is now Tuesday, August 17, so that I do not think there is much chance of the Turks recapturing Bauchop’s Hill, and there we will leave the Otago Mounted Rifles, knowing that the position is safe in their hands, and that whatever work they are called upon to do in the future the people of Otago and Southland may rest quite assured that the
— Boys of the O.M.R. —
will be found “Ready, Aye, Ready.” Before concluding this letter I would like to mention the good work done by the men of the 7th and 12th squadrons of the O.M.R.; although not personally with them I have heard of the part they played in the great movement. All those who saw their work and the soldierly manner in which these two squadrons carried out their parts, and the dashing manner in which they rushed the enemy’s trenches, and their coolness under shrapnel, rifle, and bomb fire have nothing but the highest of praise for both of these squadrons. Captain Padden, in command of the 7th, was wounded early in the fight and was forced to retire, but this did not deter the squadron from going on and doing all that was asked of them, and their losses will show that they had plenty of fighting to do ere they gained the position assigned to them and linked up with the 12th and 5th squadrons. The 12th squadron was under the command of Major Grigor, who led his men from the shelter of No. 2 Outpost under a heavy five of machine guns, rifles, and bombs, and by a clever move succeeded in penetrating the Turkish defences with a comparatively slight loss of men, following up this initial success with a dash that completely demoralised the Turks and left the 12th in command of the situation, thus enabling them to link up with the 7th on the right of their position and the Canterbury Mounted Rifles on their left with luckily very few casualties. The Canterbury Mounted Rifles also made good, and in fact the whole mounted brigade did work of a very high order and quite earned the right to be put on the same plane as fighting men as the New Zealand Infantry, who made the now world-famous landing at Gaba Tepe. The Otago Infantry had not been idle during the period when these stirring events were taking place, and had in conjunction with the Australians, Gurkhas, and the other New Zealand Infantry regiments been rushing trench after trench, leading in to the main ridge, and although they had met with heavy losses from machine gun and rifle fire this had not prevented them from winning the positions, and on Saturday afternoon we were masters of practically the whole ridge, and had the Turks well beaten. After beating off numerous counter-attacks the
— Otago Boys, —
who were completely played out, were relieved by one of the Home regiments, and they came down to the lower country to have a spell, and to take stock of their casualties, which were unfortunately very heavy. The Australians, who were holding the original positions along the main ridge, assisted the attack by making a demonstration against the Turkish trenches opposite to them, thus preventing the Turks from detaching reinforcements to help their threatened positions and keeping them busy. On the left flank, known as Little Anafarta Bay, a landing was forced by a large number or “Tommies,” and these regiments proceeded to fight their way inland, with the object of cutting off the Turks’ hues of communications and preventing reinforcements being sent from the Turkish headquarters. I understand they were in the main successful, although they lost a lot of men in the doing, and it was a sad sight to see rows and rows of wounded men lying about at the various hospital bases waiting to be shipped to the hospital ships which were lying out in the bay waiting to receive their freight of human sufferers. In conclusion, it would be unfair on mv part not to mention the splendid work done by the members of the Army Medical Corps, who, often under a heavy fire, went out and rescued wounded men and carried them to safety — a dangerous and also a laborious work calling for courage and nerve of a high order. The doctors attached to the various medical bases are also to be commended, as the cases brought to them very often called for the exercise of all their surgical skill, and under conditions calculated to try the nerve of the pluckiest but they came through it all with flying colors, like the brave gentlemen that they are. I cannot close this account without paying a high tribute of respect to the courage of the men of the 5th. 7th, and 12th Squadrons, Otago Mounted Rifles, who fell in the attack, and many of whom now remain silent guardians of Bauchop’s Hill. May the sod rest lightly on their graves! They were brave men. and met their deaths facing the enemy and fighting for all we hold most dear, King and country. -Evening Star, 26/10/1915.
CLUTHA AT THE FRONT.
Every returned soldier who has been associated with Lieutenant-Colonel Grigor is loud in his praises. He is described as one of the best officers on the field. The soldiers praise his firmness and decision, his kindliness and reasonableness, and his knowledge of his work. They say that he has more than once saved them from calamity, and that every man under him has the utmost confidence in him. He keeps wonderfully fit, for although he went away with the main body, he has scarcely ever been off duty, and as one soldier put it, is "quite chirpy" still. Some of those who saw the evacuation of Gallipoli write that Lieuteuant-Colonel Grigor was one of the very last, if not the last, to leave the peninsula. -Clutha Leader, 10/3/1916.
CLUTHA AT THE FRONT.
Thanks to the kindness of a correspondent in immediately forwarding us the news, we were able to give in our last issue some detailed news of the second attack on the Senussi a day or two before Mr Malcolm Ross' account appeared in the papers. All the boys are happy, and apart from expeditious are having a very easy life. One talks of only two hours' duty out of 24. They expect more strenuous times at an early date, and expect to be sent to France, but confess they know nothing definite. In New Zealand it was thought they would be sent to Salonika. Zeitoun, Cairo.
January 22, 1915. Dear Mr Ramsay, — Your note re parcels has just reached me. On arrival back from Anzac, we found a large case of presents, evidently from your association, as on one of the parcels inside the case was "F. Ramsay, Balclutha." The other cases would go to the infantry, I suppose. Colonel Grigor divided the presents out. I am now in command of the 5th Squadron (Otago Hussars), and so not in command of the South Otago boys. Will you, however, please accept our best thanks for the seasonable and appropriate gifts sent by your association.
We go on trek to the canal to-morrow morning — six days of it. Kind regards to all.
W. S. PENNYOOOK. Clutha Leader, 21/3/1916.
Mrs R. R. Grigor, who returned to Balclutha on Thursday, after an extended absence, has received a cablegram from Lieutenant-colonel Grigor stating that he is returning to New Zealand. No further information is contained in the cable message. The last information received concerning Lieutenant-colonel Grigor was that he was convalescent after his recent illness. -Evening Star, 8/5/1917.
PERSONAL
Lieutenant-colonel R. R. Grigor, D.S.O., returned to Balclutha on Saturday forenoon (says the 'Free Press'), after having been absent for nearly three years. Lieutenant-colonel Grigor (who then ranked as major) left New Zealand with the main body (in command of the 12th Squadron Otago Mounted Rifles) in August. 1914, and arrived in Egypt early in December. After the landing of the infantry at Gallipoli, the mounted men were taken over in the beginning of May, leaving their horses in Egypt. There he remained, with the exception of a week or two while reorganising at Lemnos, till the final evacuation, when he returned to Egypt, and remained there till the New Zealand Division went to France. On arrival in France the Otago Squadron was linked up with two Australian squadrons, so as to form a regiment, of which Lieutenant-colonel Grigor was in command at the time he was invalided to England. Lieutenant-colonel Grigor was, on the death of Colonel Bauchop, during the severe fighting in August, 1915, in Gallipoli, promoted on the field to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Besides this, he was twice, mentioned in despatches, and has been awarded the D.S.O. -Evening Star, 17/7/1917.
THE WAR IS OVER.
ARMISTICE DAY CELEBRATIONS.
SPONTANIETY LESS THAN FRIDAY'S.
BUT SIGNIFICANCE SINKS DEEPER. (abridged)
"The armistice has been signed by Germany. —W. F. Massey, Prime Minister." These were the words— expected — which quelled anxiety on Tuesday morning. The message was received at 9.4 a.m. by the Mayor and others through the telephone.
When the bells started their clanging, of their clamour, no need to ask "What now?" for all had been waiting for the message. Some had tipped it to come about midday, but the majority rightly anticipated that the glad tidings were waiting the opening of the telegraph offices to be flashed to all corners of the Dominion. Shutters and flags soon went up, and everyone knocked off work. As trains and microbes ran their course, some railway workers and the doctor remained at their posts. Others held high holiday. The demonstrations did not have that indescribable elation Which marked Friday's proceedings, for the simple reason, as we explained on Tuesday, that Nature does not give the human heart intense outbursts with frequency. Others summed it up as "We shot our bolts on Friday." Nevertheless, although there was not the same handshaking among men, and weeping among women, and tin-rattling and thistle-blowing with young people, the general mind more fully embraced the significance of the glorious news. The war was over — practically, if not technically — and all things that such a message conveyed struck, silently a joyful chord in the heart.
_______________________________________
After another selection by the band,
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL GRIGOR stepped up, and was received with prolonged cheers. He said: Those cheers were not for me; they were for the returned men. If they were not, give three cheers for them now. (Cheers.) Now three more for the boys who are still in the trenches. (Cheers.) I don't know what my words to you ought to be. This is a great and glorious day, and don't be niggardly with your emotions. You have not felt this war as it was felt by the nations which have been ravaged, but I would like you to think of what rejoicing there is in France to-day. Think how she has suffered, and how she has fought. It is well summed up in these few lines by Harold Begbie, entitled "Verdun":
She is a wall of brass:
You shall not pass! You shall not pass!
Spring up like summer grass, Surge at her, mass on mass,
Still shall you break like glass, Splinter and break like shivered glass,
But pass: You shall not pass! German, you shall not, shall not pass!
God's hand has written on the wall of brass — You shall not pass! You shall not pass!
The valleys are quaking,
The torn hills are shaking,
The earth and sky seem breaking,
But unbroken, undoubting, a wonder and sign,
She counts her wounded and her dead: You shall not pass!
She sets her teeth, she bows her head: You shall not pass!
Till the last soul in the fierce line has fled You shall not pass!
Gentlemen, continued the Lieutenant-colonel, that is the spirit of France — (cheers) — and in time to come, when the history of the war is written, and we read of the "bull-dog" pluck of Britain, let us also laud France for her tenacity and endurance. I would like to say a word about our good women. They have done much for us, and suffered keenly. Their wakeful nights, with the nameless terror dogging them, are over. Now we have joy and peace, and their sons, husbands, sweethearts, friends, will soon be back. While rejoicing for this, we should weep with those who weep, and sympathise with those who mourn in hallowed grief for the boys who have their bit. As a tribute to them, I ask you to take off your hats and bow your heads. Lieutenant-colonel Grigor then recited these touching lines:
Sleep well, heroic souls, in silence sleep!
Lapped in the encircling arms of kindly death,
No ill shall vex your slumber, no foul breath
of slander, hate, derision, mar the deep repose
That holds you close. Your kinsmen reap
The harvest you have sown, while each man saith:
"When danger threateneth let my death be as theirs."
We dare not weep, for you have scaled the starry heights of fame,
Nor ever shrunk from peril or distress
In fight undaunted for the conqueror's prize.
Therefore your death, engirt with loveliness
Of simple service done for England's name,
Shall shine like beacon stars of sacrifice.
Continuing, he said: That is your outward tribute. Don't forget it; never forget it; and if you can lend a helping hand to the boys who have fought, do it in memory of those lost loved ones who sleep in the sands of Gallipoli, in the groves of Palestine, or 'neath the sun of France. And now that we have smiling peace, what are we going to do about it? What is the lesson we have learned? We have seen the downfall of mis-government, the horror of war, the greed for wealth and lust for power; and what has come of it all? Well may we let ourselves see to it to keep our own stables clean. Let us not give way as other nations have given way to the national vices which caused Germany's downfall. Let that fraternity of spirit prevailing in the trenches prevail also with us, and may we all unite in the future and fight for one objective — to see right and justice done to all in this fair country of ours. (Cheers.) -Clutha Leader, 15/11/1918.
ANZAC DAY
THE SOLDERS' DINNER (excerpt)
Lieutenant colonel Grigor, who was received by the men with applause, proposed "The Flag at Home." He had some diffidence in proposing this toast, but he would do so as if they were still in the trenches representing the Flag there. They all knew how much they thought of the flag there — lying in some filthy Turkish trench or frosty shell hole in France. They were like Ginger Mick — they had to fight— because they had to. (Laughter.). They remembered when they got the English papers, which talked of "our heroes." How sick they felt and when the New Zealand. papers came how much sicker! (Laughter.) The soldier was a pretty pessimistic chap, and he thought the whole world was going to a particularly hot place with the exception of New Zealand, which, led by Massey and Ward and its weak-kneed and jelly-fish Government, was going 10 miles further. (Laughter.) They knew where that was. The soldier did not think or look much at the red, white and blue. When he did he saw rotters at home tearing out the red and trying to make a red flag of it; or another set of rotters — shirkers and conscientious objectors — tearing out the white and making a white flag of it — and still another lot, led by some Mad-Mullahs in New Zealand who tore the blue out in handfuls, put it together, and pasted up on it a word called "Efficiency." (Laughter.) They had a great crowd of followers, but we didn't bear them any malice. We had the vote, hadn't we? (Loud laughter.) However, he thought that in spite of all the cheap cynicism of the soldier there was a day of confession, and that was this day. That was as it should be, and though they joked about the old flag they knew it was always there, and if they were called again tomorrow every one of them would go out again to fight for it. — (Voices: We would.) — When they looked back there were very few who had not done a great deal indeed. The work was not over yet, for their flag had to be fought for here as in the trenches. The people were backing up the returned soldiers and strengthening their representatives hands in the matter of pensions and settlement. He was sorry to say that there were more soldiers at the dinner than at the service, which was not as it should be. He hoped that what Mr Perkins said would be published, and if so that they should read it, for the soldiers had to help the workers at home and do their best with them. (Applause.)
Mr Hutton responded. He said that many of them present had seen the Flag flying in many countries. They had seen it in the oldest of the old lands — Egypt. When Egypt was at the height of its glory New Zealand was perhaps a coral reef 100 fathoms deep. This Egypt of the past had fallen from its great height until it was now the lowest of the low — the land, as someone had said, "of sin, so-and-so, and sore eyes." They had only to read Kipling to know what it was. It was in that land that the New Zealanders met his (the speaker's) countrymen — the Australians — and it was on Gallipoli that the blood brotherhood was formed. Never was there such a copious flow of blood as fell that day. Colonel Grigor had said that it was worse for those at home, and he agreed that the women had had a bad time. Their soldiers went to Gallipoli, the land of mystic surroundings, then to France, the land of chivalry. Then they went to London. Did it ever strike them there that where they stood was a swamp thousands of years after Egypt was at the height of its power? They had seen the flag in all these places, but the most joyous sight of all to them was when they returned to their New Zealand home and saw the flag flying there. (Applause.) They had worthily upheld the name of Britishers. The speaker proceeded to mention those of their citizens who had done great work in patriotic matters. Rev. J. Perkins had done remarkably good work, Mr E. J. Boyd had travelled hundreds of miles and had never charged a penny for motor or anything else, Mr Ramsay had given his services at innumerable gatherings, Mr Bishop (who had instituted concerts), Messrs Bunten and Landels and Hislop and Gibson had given the use of their motor cars gratuitously, and then there was their Mayor (Mr A. McNeil) and their member (Mr Malcolm). The recompense was in the gratitude of the mother who came with tears in her eyes and thanked them for what they had been able to do. He had sent probably 70 cables away, and only once were the patriotic funds drawn upon. In all other cases the charges were paid by a gentleman who refused to let his name be known. (Hear, hear.) Then Messrs Throp and D. Morgan had come to the assistance of the returned soldiers at Clifton by giving men. and horses to help them. That was the spirit they wanted to see, but the future depended on themselves. He was sure they did not want to be spoonfed. They only wanted justice, and he thought the country would do them justice. They had done their share in holding the nation together, and the wealth of the nation should be a part theirs in the future. (Applause.) -Bruce Herald, 1/5/1919.
"THE TRUTH ABOUT GALLIPOLI."
LECTURE BY COLONEL GRIGOR.
There have been, many lectures about Gallipoli — many good, some bad, and others indifferent. Few of the good ones ever have been told by eye-witnesses. The lecturers belonged for the most part to the non-combatant branches of the service, but to-night the local public will be given an opportunity in the Oddfellows' 'Hall of hearing the facts — "the glorious, pathetic, inspiring, indisputable facts," as the handbill describes it — by one who went through Gallipoli from within a few weeks of the landing to the actual evacuation, at which Major Grigor was in charge, of one of the last three covering parties that were supplied by his brigade. During his seven months' continuous service on the Peninsula Major Grigor led either his squadron or the regiments in the different "stunts," and should therefore be in a position to tell a story tense with interest. The proceeds are in aid of the R.S.A. funds. -Clutha Leader, 23/5/1919.
Colonel Grigor's name appears a number of time in stories of the commemoration of Anzac Days between the wars. He was President of the South Otago Aero Club at Balclutha in 1934 and, in 1935, greeted his old General, Sir Alexander Godley, on Godley's motor tour through the South Island. He continued his law practise.
Of course, he attended reunions of his old unit, the Otago Mounted Rifles.
“Men I Would Like To Kill”
Among the guests at the reunion of the Otago Mounted Rifles last evening was Mr R. R. Grigor, colonel of the regiment, who, in proposing the toast of “The Regiment,” mentioned that "a very senior officer at Home” had written a book entitled “Men I Have Killed.” “I don’t suppose many of, you would write such a book as that," Mr Grigor said, “but I suppose many of us would have liked to have written about ‘men I would like to kill.’ I wonder how many of you would have put me in the front page of that book?” -Southland Times, 28/8/1937.
N.Z. DEFENCE LEAGUE.
There was an attendance of over 30 at a meeting held in Balclutha last night to consider the formation of a branch of the New Zealand Defence League. Mr T. McCulloch was voted to the chair, and short addresses on the objects of the league and matters pertaining to defence were given by the chairman, Colonel R. R. Grigor, and Major F. Waite. Major A. C. Findlayson (Puerua) said that the members of the Legion of Frontiersmen numbering 10 would enlist as a body, an offer accepted with gratification. -Evening Star, 4/5/1939.
Later in 1939 a new war began and Colonel Grigor was prominent in fund-raising and farewells, as well as the customary Anzac Day services. His death in 1955 seems to have passed unreported.
Balclutha Cemetery.
