Letter from Col W.C. Walton [my great-grandfather] to
his wife, from France:
28th Sept. 1915 [i.e. 3 days into the
Battle of Loos]
My Dearest
Just a line to say that I hope to follow this at the very shortest
possible space. To go to Aden to take up Command of the Mobile Column
there - Thank God I have been spared without a scratch after taking
part in the greatest fight in history. Since Saturday 25th at 5.30 A.M.
I have been in the firing line - at the very forefront and am of course
dog tired as they ought to have relieved us earlier, but I was quite
happy in my Regiment which did grandly and earned high praise - The
losses very severe - I took in 20 officers + about 900 men + the
remaining effective strength when I left them at 9 A.M. today was
myself + 2 other officers + 220 men - All the rest were killed wounded
or missing - I hope many may still turn up. Peacock, Hicks, Berlein +
Cassels and perhaps Keable all reported killed, remainder only wounded
I hope. I kept Major Bartlett Capt Edwards, Capt Coote Mr Robinson, Mr
Cloake + Mr Spartali in reserve so they are now available + have joined
since the first fight. I have handed over command to Major B
[ie. Bartlett] . but am sorry to say I left him looking
poorly + he had got lumbago badly. The battle was at an extremely
interesting stage when I left - the great fear I had was that our
reserves may be insufficient, but in fighting spirit we are undefeated
and must be victorious please God. Major Brakspeare [sic]
+ Tosetti are not badly wounded I hear + many wounds are not severe -
your loving Husband
Am just going to get ticket + collect kit - Hope arrive tomorrow 29th
[After writing this letter, Col Walton left the battalion to proceed to
Aden - he had been posted there by the India Office in order to take
command of a Mobile Column]