13 September 1914 MOULINS
Marching at the head of the advance Guard, the Bn moved at 5 a.m. and on passing through BOURG, distinct signs of the enemy were seen, for a bridge over the canal had been blown up, & signs of an action also were seen. The 4th Dragoons had come to grips here suffering 4 killed & 9 wounded. On reaching the high hround on the other side of the town the Brigade took up position and a heavy Artillery duel commenced, the French troops being on our right flank. The enemy after a while retired in a northerly direction. During this action, only a few rounds were fired by the Bn. but Private Swaine was killed and 7 men were wounded by shrapnel. At about 6 p.m. the Bn moved into billets at MOULINS.
14 September 1914 VENDRESSE
(First day of the Battle of the Aisne.)
A reconnaissance was made on the evening of 13th Sept. which showed that the enemy had picquets between TROYON and about 5 Artillery Batteries at CERNY. The Bn. was sent to occupy the high ground above VENDRESSE and two coys of the K.Royal Rifles were ordered to occupy the high ground above TROYON. On reaching the village of VENDRESSE our Cavalry Patrols were heavily fired upon by the enemy's piquets near TROYON and the CHEMIN-DE-DAMES. The Bn having marched out of billets at 3 a.m. was on the spot to support the Cavalry, and at once seized the high ground about TROYON and North West of VENDRESSE, capturing 250 German prisoners who were surprised in bivouacs, and who surrendered under the white flag. As our men were in the act of rounding them up, the enemy opened fire on our men & their own troops which we had captured, causing considerable loss. The whole of the Division then came up and occupied the ridge running N.E. between VENDRESSE & TROYON. Heavy fighting continued all day against the 7th Reserve German Army Corps. The Division was ordered to hold on to the position occupied at all costs, and we entrenched ourselves accordingly, the French troops being expected to come up to our right, and the remainder of the British troops on our left. The French were unable to come up in any strength on our right that evening, but the 2nd Division began to come up on our left during the afternoon. In spite of very severe losses, especially among Officers, the Brigade managed to hold on. At nightfall there was a cessation in the Battle, with the exception of some sniping between piquets. On this date the Bn lost Lt.Col.E.H.Montresor, Major M.E.Cookson, Capt.L.Slater, Liet. & Adjt.Hon. H.L.Pelham, Lieut. E.C. Daren killed, Capt.J.S.Cameron, 2nd Lt. W.S.Hughes, 2nd Lt.M.Wallington & 2nd Lt.W.B.Churchill-Longman were wounded, 11 others were killed, 79 wounded & 114 missing. The large number of missing is due to the fact that a large number of killed and wounded had to be left in front of our trenches, and we were unable to recover them at nightfall on account of German snipers, & fire from the enemy trenches which were situated at a very close range. The weather on this day was very wet.