On the Western Front

From their Moscar base, 21st Battalion entrained at 0235 on the 21 March 1916 for Alexandria, arriving at 1310 for

embarkation on HMT Minne aska, where life belts were issue and submarine drills performed. The Battalion arrived at Marseilles at 1630 on the 24 March 1916, disembarking on the 25th at 0730 and entraining at 0937 to Aire [Aire-sur-la-Lys where the rail track and station are still visible] where they arrived at 1540 on the 27 March 1916 before a route march to their billet at Glomenghem, a distance of 3.5 miles (5.5km) and 15 miles (24.3km) north-west of Bethune. Left: 21st Bn on Marseilles Quay, 25 March 1916 ©Williams

As Brigade Major - a synopsis

Searching Nelson's war record suggests he was seconded from 21st Battalion AIF to act as Brigade Major ¹ (Captain GSOIII - General Staff Officer Grade III) to various Australian Divisions and a British Brigade with two periods of three months back with the 21st Battalion.

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The 17th AIF Brigade was formed in England, on Salisbury Plain, as part of the 6th Division on 25 April 1917. The formation did not see any action and was disbanded on 26 September 1917. (Source: Wikipedia)

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Staff College

On 01 October 1917, Nelson attended the First Junior Course at the Staff School, Cambridge in his current role of Brigade Major 17th Brigade AIF. At the end of the course Brig. General RAM Currie assessed Nelson's performance as:

Nelson was recommended to remain in his present appointment. On 28 December 1917 Nelson was attached to 2nd Australian Division.

Brigade Major to 16th Brigade 02 February 1918 to 03 June 1918

The 16/Brigade, part of the 6th Division, was a Regular Army division sent to France on 09 September 1914 serving on the Western Front with III Corps. By February 1918, the Division, as part of Byng's 3^rd Army, manned the Lagnicourt Sector and was there on 22 March when the Germans launched Operation Michael ² in their Spring Offensive. Although on the British left flank, it was driven back with 3,900 of its 5,000 infantry as casualties.

6th Division moved northwards to relive 25th Division in the Lagnicourt sector between the villages of Quéant and Pronville where, expecting an attack, the defences had been strengthened. It was tank friendly rolling downland of broad spurs and narrow valleys. The advantage lay, unless attacked by tanks, with the impervious British defence. No Mans Land averaged 1320 yards (1.2km). The front line valleys were sown with instantaneously fused 2" trench-mortar bombs to disable anything heavier than man. The wire was broad and thick. Once complete the defences would have been impregnable. Brigade Major, Capt. Wellington arrived at Frémicourt, 4 miles (6.3km) south-west of Lagnicourt, on 5 February 1918. Capt. RB LESLIE MC, returned to England for six months of home duties on 06 February 1918. On 10 February 1918, 16/Brigade moved up to Favreuil and took over the Left Brigade Sub-Sector of the line on the night of 12/13th instant. 2 16/Brigade held a frontage of 1500 yards (1.37km) with battalions of just over half strength on undulating ground defended by a series of outposts with limited fields of fire. The Vaulx-Morchies Line, a good corps line, had been dug about a mile behind the reserve line. Left: Nelson in World War 1 and friend with his staff officer collar tabs perhaps when attached to 16/Brigade Source: Wellington p.5

Left: Nelson Wellington's signature from the January 1918 War Diary of 16/Brigade. Source: TNA W 95/1607/2.1 p.5

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On the night of 03-04 February 1918 16/Brigade was relieved by 17/Brigade and moved out of the line from Beaumetz to Frémicourt, where the Battalion was engaged on working parties and training. Its War Diary records Nelson taking over as Brigade Major on 5 February 1918. ⁴ On 09 February at 7.30 am Nelson issued the Brigade movement directives for 16/Brigade to take over the front at Vaulx-Vraucourt on 13 February 1918.

Above: A map locating places mentioned in the Battle Narrative

In an appendices to a Brigade conference of 12 February 1918, Nelson detailed the defensive plan for the Right Battalion with specific reference to the wiring and Lewis Gun posts in the valley.

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Above: Map locating 16/Brigade disposition at Lagnicourt where Nelson was gassed Click on the map to open a 617kB A3 .pdf in a new window

On 14 February, whilst Nelson was inspecting the Right Front in front of Lagnicourt, the Germans fired gas shells to 16/Brigade's left. It is possible that Nelson was caught in the gas drift causing him to be evacuated by 16/Field Ambulance. 16/Brigade War Diary records:

At the time when Nelson was gassed, 16/Field Ambulance, attached 16/Brigade, was based at Favreuil, 2.5 miles (3.75km) east-north-east of Bapaume, having just decamped from Beugny. Nelson was evacuated to 49/CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) based at Achiet-le-Grand and sited near the railway sidings, 3.5 miles (5.5km) north-west of Bapaume, between April 1917 and March 1918.

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Above: A composite map of the Favreuil area showing where Nelson operated with 16/Brigade and was evacuated by 16/Field Ambulance. Click on the map to open a 687kB pdf map in a new window

The War Diary then records him inspecting the line, being gassed and then being evacuated. 16/Brigade remained in line until 21 February 1918 when they were relieved to working parties and training in the Favreuil area. They returned to Vaulx-Vraucourt on 1 March 1918 and on 06 March 'The Brigade Major (Capt. WELLINGTON) rejoined from CCS'. ⁵

On 21 March 1918 'The long expected attack took place in renewed fine weather'. ⁶ [Author - typically British weather comment!!]

The War Diary of 2/York & Lancasters (2/Y&L) contains a vivid, hand written battle narrative, describing the hard pressed 2/Y&L, implying the effect on 16/Brigade's other battalions and should be read with Nelson's MC in mind.

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2/Y&L War Diary concludes:
The losses suffered by the Battalion during the offensive were 24 Officers & 391 OR killed wounded & missing. ⁸

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The War Diary 16/Brigade gives a full Battle Narrative but not in the same detail. ⁹ However, it is evident from the narrative that within 16/Brigade, 2/Y&L and 1/Buffs took the brunt of this attack and the casualties. Vaulx-Vauxcourt, three or four miles behind the front line, was captured and then retaken by counter attack. Marden, in A Short History of the 6th Division Aug 1914 - March 1919 ¹⁰ gives a fuller account of the battle.

The Division had stood to twice before 21 March. On that day troops had to be in their battle positions by 5am, the exact time the German barrage opened up. Fog hid the stormtroppers and supporting infantry waves who concentrated on the three main valleys, of which the Lagnicourt valley was the central, so avoiding the enfilade fire from the higher spurs. The tremendous five hours bombardment, which dropped gas and HE on the back areas, was replaced at about 7 to 8am with smoke and HE that annihilated the forward systems leaving few survivors to reach the reserve line.

The 59th Division, on the 6th Division's left, were driven back leaving the 16/Brigade's left in the air and unsupported. 16/Brigade were gradually squeezed out of their lines, retiring to the corps line where, with reorganization and after darkness counter attacks, the line was held with heavy casualties.

At 0730 on 22 March 16/Brigade repulsed an attack but with the heavy artillery and mortars the persistent enemy renewed its attack at 0930 in the area of Vaux and Méricourt Woods. Despite counter attacks, the division was forced back some 1000 yards (914m) to the corps line.

Above: 6/Division's withdrawal in the face of German attacks and their defensive lines Click on the map to open an A4 landscape version in .pdf

Marden reports the situation at Brigade Headquarter, which may have involved Nelson twice in its defence and in a counter attack.

The Headquarters of 16/Brigade changed hands three times. On the left 40th Division, had pushed forward to Vaux-Vraucourt, but there was a widening six mile gap between it and 16/Brigade which 6th Division could not fill. There was a gap between Beaumetz and Mory. The enemy's pressure on the flank of 16/Brigade caused the line to fall back, in good order, on the new Army line which was being dug and wired.

On 24 March 1918, following the battle, 'The Brigade was with drawn from the defensive position in rear of ACHIET-LE-GRAND (the location of 49th CCS) and proceeded by train from PUISIEUC-AU-MONT (sic) to DOULLENS and there commenced entraining for ROUSBRUGGE, NW of POPERINGHE.' ¹¹ to be part of 2 ^nd Army.

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Sir Julian Byng, GOC 3^rd Army, wrote of the Division's proud resistance:

'I cannot allow the 6th Division to leave the Third Army without expressing my appreciation of their splendid conduct during the first stages of the great battle now in progress. By their devotion and courage they have broken up overwhelming attacks and prevented the enemy gaining his objective, namely a decisive victory. I wish them every possible good luck.'

Above: Map showing route from Achiet-le-Grand to Rousbrugge

Above: Nelson Wellington, as a staff officer but with no MC, and friends Source: Geoffrey Hutson

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Nelson's Military Cross - The battle for Lagnicourt

The War Diary for the 16th Brigade does not mention the award of Nelson's Military Cross. It is assumed that this is because he was no longer on the strength and was en route to the Boulogne Hospital. This account is purely speculative and is based on the position 16/Brigade found itself between 21 and 24 March 1918. His service record notes the award on 05 June 1918. It was Gazetted, in London, on 7 January 1919. Right: An example of a Military Cross

'The Military Cross is granted in recognition of an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land.' ¹² At this point, there is no citation that explains Nelson's awarded of his MC. However, in the 'great battle' ¹³ at Lagnicourt, between 21 March and 24 March 1918, battalions of 16/Brigade were heavily attacked and suffered serious casualties at the front and when retiring. Nelson, having signed 16/Brigade War Diary for the month of March 1918, was present. For Nelson to be awarded his MC in this battle he must have been directly involved in the intense fighting, as described by 2/Y&L's battle narrative, and performed some act of exemplary gallantry. If the date of the award is 05 June 1918, ¹⁴ then a ten-week 'delay' seems a reasonable time for an act of gallantry in the battle at Lagnicourt to be recognised.

Footnotes:
¹  Nelson Wellington's service record - National Archives of Australia B883, VX12732
²  TNA WO 95/1607/2/1 p.37
³  Service Record
⁴  TNA WO 95/1607/2/1 p.27 
⁵  ibid p.81
⁶  ibid p.84
⁷  War Diary 2/York and Lancaster Regiment TNA WO 95/1610/7 p.6-11 Battle Narrative
⁸  ibid p.25 The nominal battalion strength was over 1000 but it was not unknown for this to be 200 rifles. The nominal company strength was 227 men. This represents a casualty rate of 41.5% of a full strength battalion and a very high officer rate.
⁹  TNA WO 95/1607/2/1 p.67-73
¹⁰ Marden, TO (Ed), A Short History of the 6th Division Aug. 1914-March 1919, Hugh Rees Ltd, London, 1920 pp.44-52 (Accessed 14 June 2017) ¹¹ TNA WO 95/1607/3 part 2 pdia
¹³ TNA WO 95/1607/2/1 p.84
¹⁴ Service record

The British Army was beginning to adopt a policy of lightly holding the front line during the bombardments, allowing the enemy to pass through before engaging the attack in the British 'battle zone' behind the front line. This tactic had not been employed by 16/Brigade on 21 March 1918 until after the attack. The Battle Narrative reports 'This was afterwards found to be very effective'. This illustrates the slow percolation of ideas at the expense of casualties!

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A chest wound at Zillebeke

My father was wounded in action in Belgium, at Ypres, receiving a bullet in the lung and it remained there for the rest of his life. He was sent to England for convalescence in one of the stately homes used for this purpose and was very proud of the fact that he and other patients received a visit from Princess Mary. He later was sent to Sandhurst Military College. [Nelson's military record shows that he was posted to Junior Staff School, Cambridge ³ on 1 October 1917] for further training and promotion to Captain. At the end of the French campaign he was awarded the Military Cross on 05 June 1918, for his services at Ypres. [Wellington op cit pp. 6/8]

A tired and decimated Division that had faced Operation Michael now held the Ypres front.

'On the 30th March, whilst resting in the neighbourhood of Steenvoorde, the Division had the honour of a visit from His Majesty the King. Representative survivors of all ranks from the recent fighting were drawn up in the square and were inspected by His Majesty, who spoke most graciously to every individual, questioning all as to their experiences during the fighting, and thanking them for and congratulating them on their services.' ¹

At the beginning of April, 16/Brigade took over the front from Broodseinde to Polygon Wood. Though reinforced up to a reasonable strength by any means available, the men lacked training in infantry methods. Officers and men were new to each other and, with the whole Division in the trenches; there was no chance to train together. 16/Brigade, for its Order of Battle had three Battalions attached: the 1/Buffs (West Kent), the 1/King's Shropshire Light Infantry (1/KSLI) and the 2/York and Lancaster (2/Y&L). Each Battalion comprised of four Companies: A to D. Generally, each Battalion put two Companies in the front line, with the third in support a short way behind the front in case the front was pressed, and the fourth in reserve to move forward in two stages when the need arose.

During the Battle of the Lys (Operation Georgette 7-29 April 1918) the Germans attacked from Zandvoorde southwards pushing the British Army off the Passchendaele ridge towards the town of Ypres. On 29 March 1918, 16/Brigade were in the line at Molenaarelhoek (modern Molenarrelst) with its Headquarters based at Hussar Camp, near the village of Potijze (Potaze). Four days later the General Officer Commanding, the Brigade Major and the Intelligence Officer visited the Advanced BHQ. ² The Brigade were in action on 11 April 1918 against the German advance. The next day a withdrawal was considered and implemented on the 14th. On 16 April the Division retired to the battle zone leaving outposts in pill boxes.

Above: 16/Brigade locations Ypres March to June 1918 Click on the map to open a 350kB A3 .pdf in a new window

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Two days later 16/Brigade's headquarters withdrew to the Rampart Dugouts, off The Esplanade in Ypres. On the following day, the enemy pressed forward over Broodseinde Ridge (Broodseinde translates apprpriately from the Flemish as End of the mire) with the War Diary showing a map for the defence of Hellfire Corner, the closest the Germans got to Ypres. On 19 April 1918, Brigade Major took 30 days leave to England, ³ when he wrote his family history letter, to his father, from Bristol . [.pdf file with additional research] He reported back on 20 May 1918. During May, 16/Brigade were based east of Dickesbusch (Dikkebus) holding a north-east to south-west Reserve Line until, on 24 May 1918, they relieved 18/Brigade on the Zillebeke Lake to Ypres-Comines Canal front line. On 27 May 1918, Brigade HQ took a number of direct hits, without damage. The next day the War Diary records Nelson visiting the Battalions. ⁴

On the night of 24/25 May 1918 the 2/Y&L and the 1/KSLI moved from Reserve to take over the Zillebeke line between Zillebeke Lake and the Ypres to Comines Canal, south of Ypres. On 01 June 1918 'B' and 'A' Companies of the 1/KSLI held the left front line of about 750 yards and 'C' and 'D' Companies of the 2/Y&L held the right. They took over a series of unconnected forward posts with two defensive lines to the rear: the Dolls House or GHQ1 Line and the Krisstraat or GHQ2 Line. Advanced Brigade Headquarters, where it is assumed Nelson was based, was located at Andes Farm, 3 miles (4.8km) west of the Zillebeke Lake and front line.

The War Diaries paint an idyllic wartime scenario. Saturday 01 June 1918 was a glorious day of brilliant sunshine, which would continue for several days. On the night of 02 June 1918, 2/Y&L recorded a 'perfect moonlight night and no unusual enemy activity'. ⁵ The enemy was inactive apart from some night shelling of roads and the reporting of many aircraft over the British lines.

Hellfire Corner in art

This well named locality was continually under observation and notorious for its danger. At night this road was crammed with traffic, limbers, guns, pack animals, motor lorries and troops. The dead bodies of horses, mules and men were often to be seen lying where the last shell had got them. The neighbourhood was piled with the wreckage of all kinds of transport. A 'sticky' spot that was always taken at the trot. Note the hessian screen to make transport 'invisible'. Unknown photographer.  AWM E01889

Horse transport moving along silhouetted behind the camouflaged Menin Road, in the Ypres sector, in Belgium. Note the angled posts on the right used to hold up the poles supporting the camouflage netting. Unknown Australian photographer. AWM E01407

A scene on the Menin road beyond Ypres. Note that the soldiers are wearing shorts, and in foreground beside the damaged rail lines are two dead horses - Frank Hurley AWM E00700

The Menin Road, 1919, by Paul Nash. The Menin Road is a large oil painting that depicts a First World War battlefield. Nash was commissioned by the British War Memorials Committee to paint a battlefield scene for the proposed national Hall of Remembrance.

Near Hellfire Corner, Menin Road, Ypres. A view along a section of the Menin Road near the notorious Hell Fire Corner, the junction of the Menin Road and the Ypres-Roulers railway kept under constant observation by German artillery. There are trees on either side of the road that have been reduced to bare stumps by artillery fire. Haydn Reynolds Mackey 1918-1919

The Menin Road looking towards Hooge, c.1918, by William Lionel Wyllie,

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Above: Composite image of 16th Brigade War Diary June 1918 Source: TNA WO 95/1607/3

Above: Trench map showing the distribution of troops around Zillebeke Lake June 1918 Click on the map to open a 5mB A3 pdf in a new window

16 Brigade Major

Hoverbox Photo Gallery - 16/Bdg HQ, Andes Farm Author: 04 October 2017
This feature does not function correctly on phones and tablets

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Andes Farm, located at 28NW3 H.22.a.2.7 (50.835950 , 2.830609), was the Headquarters of 16/Brigade and Nelson 'office' whilst on the Ypres front. The present owner, Wim Vanrobaeys of Zorgulietstraat 61, 8908 Vlaumertinge, knows little of its history in World War 1, even showing me the SRD flagon of World War 1 vintage. When explained, he kindly gave the flagon to me. Perhaps it was of Nelson's vintage. As the farm is being modernised, the only surviving building of World War 1 vintage is the barn . I suspect that it was from here that Nelson began his final visit to the front. Wim was familiar with its history in World War 2 when his land was part of a Luftwaffe fighter base. The runways are still visible under the grass and several ' barns' have been created as reinforced ammunition bunkers or hangers.

The 1/KSLI War Diary castes doubt on the date of Nelson's wound: 16/ Brigade War Diary records it as 02 June 1918 and 1/KSLI recording ' 3rd June 1918 [...] Brigade Major badly wounded going round our lines'. 6 Due perhaps to the chaos of war, the date is debatable. Left: Nelson on horse back, with sword, in World War 1 Source: Wellington p.5

16/Brigade's War Diary was remote from the incident and if Nelson was evacuated from the front, the loss of the Brigade Major relied on a messaged being relayed from the front. The acting Brigade Major may have been confused by hasty reports and the passage of time before the War Diary was written. The 1/KSLI were on the spot. However, their War Diary was either written nightly or in the confusion of active service when time permitted. Whatever, the handwriting suggests the June War Diary was written at one sitting, when dates could have been confused. On 02 June 1918, the 2/Y&L reported a 'perfect moonlight night', which would make Nelson an easier target, but 'no unusual enemy activity'. However, on 03 June 1918, 1/KSLI recorded 'considerable enemy harassing MG fire all along our line', ⁷ and Nelson did suffer a machine gun wound. Nelson's was wounded somewhere along the 750 yard (686m) front held by 1/KSLI.

Nelson's Service record paints a slightly different picture and states:

• 03/06/18 GSW [Gun shot wound] abdomen, Dang[erously] ill ⁸

Nelson Wellington's final action - a pictorial record 04 October 2017

On 04 October 2017, I walked Nelson's last action, getting as close as possible to the features defined in Nelson's distribution of troops around Zillebeke Lake in June 1918 - see above. The map at the top of the previous page locates the images in the slideshow and the camera direction. This map is better seen in the enlarged .pdf window. The locations can only be approximate, the landscape will have changed but the topography remains dangerously flat and open. The building featured have been rebuilt from the original farms which may have housed machine guns. Standing, looking through a lens, it is very possible to recreate an imaginative atmosphere. The map also locates Andes Farm, the headquarters of 16/Brigade, Hellfire Corner and Hussar Camp at Potijze, which are to be seen in their own photo display.

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1.1 Looking across Zillebeke Lake.

1.2 Zillebeke Lake looking towards Railway Dugout Cemetery.  It is possible that 'B' Coy 1/ King's Shropshire LI had its HQ in a dugout in the bank behind the photograph. If so, it is likely this would have been on Nelson's round.

2.1 Rail crossing possibly on the German front line of 13 July 1918. A defensive action took place in the field to the right behind the white sign.

2.2 From the railway crossing looking west into the area defended  by 'C' Coy 1/ King's Shroshire LI. The photograph shows the flat land over which Nelson may have travelled.

3.1 The entrance to Blauwepoort Farm Cemetery with 91 casualties of whom 83 are identified from the period February 1915 to February 1916.

3.2 Modernised farm house adjacent to Blauwepoort Farm Cemetery.

3.3 Behind the modernised farm house looking towards the German lines of 13 July 1918.

4.1 Waastensestraat Farm's iron harvest.  The drive bands at the flat end of all shells shows they are still 'live'.

4.2 Waastensestraat Farm looking back across the German rear towards Blauwepoort Farm Cemetery and modernised farm house just below the horizon.

4.3 Waastensestraat Farm.  Perhaps a German strongpoint containing machine guns?

5.1 On the bridge of the overgrownYpres-Comines Canal with the Demarcation Stone showing the maximum extent of the German advance on Ypres. The stone is crowned by a representation of an Adrian steel helmet.

5.2 Along side the Ypres-Comines Canal looking east towards Spoilbank Cemetery behind the German lines.

6.1 Kasteel Rosendaal, known to the British Troops as Bedford House, was a moated country house set in woodlands, just behind the British lines. Though the chateau was never captured it was destroyed by shell fire.  It was used by field ambulances and as brigade headquarters.

6.2  The remains of the moated Bedford House, with 'consolidation' Cemetery Enclosure 6 in the backgound.

6.3 Bedford House looking towards the rebuilt farm buildings in the direction of The Stables, which housed the Company Headquarters of 'C' and 'D' Coys 2/York and Lancashire Regiment. These too may have been on Nelson's inspection rounds.

6.4 Bedford House Cemetery looking across the open flat land held by 'C' Coy 2/Yorks & Lancs towards Railway Dugout Cemetery.

6.5 Bedford House Cemetery looking across the open flat land held by 'C' Coy 2/Yorks & Lancs more towards the east.

7.1  The entrance to Swan Chateau's overgrown grounds, which once housed the Regimental Aid Post.

8.1 Hellfire Corner roundabout with the Demarcation Stone showing the maximum extent of German advance on Ypres. The stone is crowned by a representation of an Adrian steel helmet.

8.2 Hellfire Corner looking over the land of the German advance toward the Demarcation Stone.

8.3 Hellfire Corner roundabout looking along the modern Menin Road.

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Above: Locations of photos Wellington's last action
Click on the map to open a 1.16mB A3 .pdf in a new window

The AIF considering the sentiment of her fighting troops so much decided that an officer can retain his equipment belt , sword, strap, whistle etc. by paying 2/3rds of their original value. If fact if they are not handed in the amount is deducted in your pay book i.e. my belt 3½ years old and only fit for another six months can be retained by me paying £1-2-0 [...] 9 Right: A Trophy of war. Nelson Wellington's sword as seen above - Curtsey: John Hutson

Evacuation to Blighty

In the Order of Battle for 16/Brigade, part of 6 Division, the 16/Field Ambulance was attached. The relevant War Diary (ref: TNA WO 95/1602/1 part 3) gives very sketchy dispositions of the unit and no information as to the CCS they fed. Unlike the evacuation flow chart of September 1917, there are very few informative appendices. The War Diary of April, May and June 1918 paints a picture time the base for 16/Field Ambulance was the settlement of Proven, with an Advanced Dressing Stations (ADS) and HQ at Vlamertinge Mill, some 5 miles (8km) from Zillebeke Lake together with two emergency ADS in case the Mill was evacuated during the pending German attack.

Above: Details of the Proven ADS 05 July 1918. Note the hospital buildings in square 6d and the two railway lines are from Ypres

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Nelson's service records him being admitted to the 2nd Canadian CCS ¹⁰ then at Esquelbecq, an approximate distance of 25 miles (41km) from Zillebeke, having been withdrawn from Remy Sidings at Lijsenthoek on 14 April 1918. It is possible that Nelson was carried in a bearer relay and ambulance to the ADS first at Vlamertinge Mill and then by horse or motor ambulance to Esquelbecq, 10 miles (16km) west of 16/Field Ambulance's HQ at Proven. The distribution of 16/Field Ambulance at the time of Nelson's wound is shown below.

Above: Distribution map of 16/Field Ambulance's posts. Click on the map to open a 263kB pdf map in a new window  Source: TNA WO 95/1602/1 part 3

Nelson's record initially show he was evacuated on 16/06/18 Adm LofC Hosps - an unnamed unit in the medical evacuation Line of Communication Hospital ⁴ before being admitted to a Base Hospital in Boulogne. Here his record shows ' To RC Hospital, Boulogne G.S.W Abdomen'. This was likely to have been No 8 BRCS known as the British Red Cross Hospital or the Baltic & Corn Exchange Hospital of 250 beds ...

Left: Believed to be the Red Cross Hotel, Boulogne

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... before being transferred to England 22 July 1918 on the Hospital Ship St Andrew to 3rd London General Hospital 5 where his record shows, G.S.W. L. CHEST SEV[ERE] and is S.O.S. 11 Right: Hospital Ship St Andrew

On 23 November 1918 the Ballarat Star reported Nelson being wounded in three places in the German offensive of March, and he and his batman narrowly escaped being captured by the Germans. The paper also mentions Nelson being mentioned in Dispatches for the Southland incident. Later, on 31 December 1918 on page one, the Star reported that Capt. Nelson Wellington, who was dangerously wounded in France of 3 June, is now reported to be in a stationary condition.

End notes

1. Marden p.53
2. 16/Brigade War Diary TNA WO 95/1607/2 part 1 p.126
3. ibid p.129
4. 16/Brigade War Diary TNA WO 95/1607/3 part 1 p.2
5. 2/York & Lancaster War Diary TNA WO 95/1607/7 p.38
6. 1/Kings Shropshire Light Infantry War Diary TNA WO 95/1609/4 p.86
7. ibid p.86
8. Nelson Wellington's service record - National Archives of Australia B883, VX12732
9. Major Victor Morse DSO CO AE&M&BC, letter to his wife Finlayson 2018, p.277
10. Nelson Wellington's service record - National Archives of Australia B883, VX12732
11. ibid

Sources

• 16th Brigade War Diary ref: TNA WO 95/1607/2 part 2
• 16th Brigade War Diary ref: TNA WO 95/1607/3 part 1
• 1/Kings Shropshire Light Infantry War Diary TNA WO 95/1609/4
• 2/York & Lancaster War Diary TNA WO 95/1607/7
• Finlayson, Damien, Supporting Tunnelling Operations in the Great War, Pen & Sword Military, Barnsley, 2018, originally published as The Lightning Keeper: The AIF Alphabet Company in the Great War, Big Sky Publishing, 2017
• Marden, TO (Ed), A Short History of the 6th Division Aug. 1914-March 1919, Hugh Rees Ltd, London, 1920 pp.53-54 (Accessed 14 June 2017)
• Nelson Wellington's service record - National Archives of Australia B883, VX12732

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The role of Brigade Major Roger Lee describes the important role of Brigade Major as [T]he brigade was the smallest formation to have a formal staff structure. To assist him in the execution of his duties, the brigade commander had two principal officers - the brigade major (or BM) and a staff captain. The brigade major - normally a major or senior captain in rank - fulfilled the 'G' [General Staff] functions for the brigade, his central task being to plan the brigade's operations within the larger context of the divisional or corps scheme. Much of his time was spent interpreting commands from higher headquarters and converting them into precise orders and detailed objectives for each of the brigade's subordinate formations. He was also called upon to keep his own commander abreast of all matters concerning the efficiency or strength of the brigade, to advise the brigadier- general as to which local objectives could and should be reached, and to co-ordinate whatever actions might be necessary by smaller units in order to secure those objectives. His responsibilities would therefore embrace liaison with neighbouring formations and the co-ordination of the relevant artillery and trench mortar support on the brigade front. In short, it was at his level 'that the minor tactical planning for the battle was undertaken.' and the brigade major's ability was a crucial factor in shaping a brigade's battle performance. Source: Lee, Roger, The Australian Staff: The Forgotten Men of the AIF, in Dennis and Grey (Ed), 1918: Defining Victory', The Army History Unit, Canberra, 1999, p.118-20 in Simpkins, Peter, Building Blocks, in Sheffield, Gary and Todman, Dan (Eds), Command and Control on the Western Front: The British Army's experiences in 1914-18 , Spellmont, Stroud, 2007, p.146-7 The pamphlet Preliminary Notes on the Tactical Lessons of Recent Operations (SS119) defined the importance of the Brigade Major by advising that the brigade commander and brigade major should not be away from headquarters at the same time. Anthony Eden, the future British Prime Minister (1951-1955) and The Earl of Avon, was, at 20, the youngest Brigade Major in the Army. He later recalled how [...] how strenuous the work was, even by the standards of trench warfare, he wrote, 'there was little chance of sleep; by day attack, by night preparing and issuing orders for the next advance'. Source: Simpkins ibid p.147 Peter Pedersen describes what Monash looked for in a staff officer. Although Nelson was attached to a British brigade, I'm sure he had Monash's qualities: qualities he took on to Brisbane as Australian liaison to MacArthur. Monash held strong views on what constituted the ideal staff officer: 'unfailing patience under the most trying conditions, unquenchable zeal under rebuffs and tireless energy'. As well as familiarity with tactical principles in the use of all arms, the staff officer had to understand fully the situation and how his commander intended to react. It was essential that the staff officer gained and kept the commander's confidence by tact and using suggestion devoid of forcefulness. He had to be able to speak and write fluently, telling the commander precisely what he needed to know and nothing else. Monash was especially critical of his own officers in this regard. When giving verbal reports, they stammered, hesitated and became confused, using incorrect names and words. He instructed them to anticipate what they were going to say, 'then say it crisply, without hesitation, correctly and fluently', while in written reports, the object was 'to convey pithily only the essentials'. Here was an outstanding reflection of his practice in civil life. Pedersen, PR, Monash as Military Commander, Melbourne University Press, Carlton, Victoria, 2005 edition p.25

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Operation Michael - The German Spring Offensive Beginning on 21 March 1918, the German Spring Offensive was one of a series of attacks along the Western Front, which marked the deepest advances by either side since 1914. In order to defeat the Allies, before American soldiers and resources arrived in France, the Germans realised there only chance of victory was to defeat the Allies in a series of quick and powerful attacks. They had the temporary advantage in numbers as nearly 50 divisions had returned from the east after the Russian surrender. Operation Michael was the main attack, which was intended to break through the Allied lines, outflank and defeat the British forces which held the front from the Somme River to the English Channel. Once achieved, it was hoped that the French would seek armistice terms. [...] No clear objective was established before the start of the offensives and once the operations were underway, the targets of the attacks were constantly changed according to the battlefield (tactical) situation. The Allies concentrated their main forces to protect the approaches to the Channel Ports and the rail junction of Amiens. The fast-moving stormtroopers leading the attack against 3rd Army could not carry enough food and ammunition to sustain themselves for long and all the German offensives petered out, in part through lack of supplies. The Germans were unable to move supplies and reinforcements fast enough to maintain their advance. By late April 1918, the danger of a German breakthrough had passed. The German Army had suffered heavy casualties and now occupied ground of dubious value which would prove impossible to hold with such depleted units. On 08 August 1918, the Allies began a counter-offensive at the Battle of Amiens with the Australians using new techniques of integrating infantry with artillery, tank and aircraft in new operational methods. This Hundred Days Offensive lead to the collapse of the German army and the November armistice. Source: Wikipedia

Junior Staff College [...] the Junior Staff College under Lieutenant Colonel RAM Currie held two courses lasting six weeks for 50 officers training for junior staff appointments. [...] the two GHQ Staff Schools were re-opened on 1 October 1917 to train SOs during the autumn and winter of 1917 Field Marshal Lord Alanbrooke believed that the Cambridge Staff Course in March 1918 was ' the most excellent value .[This is Likely to be in one of the University Colleges. New College, Oxford held officer training courses. Source: Robbins, Simon, British Generalship on the Western Front 1914-1918: Defeat to Victory, Routledge, 2004 (Accessed: 05 February 2017)

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Medical evacuation The casualty is likely to have received first medical attention at aid posts situated in or close behind the front line position. Units in the trenches provided such posts and generally had a Medical Officer, orderlies and men trained as stretcher bearers who would provide this support. The Field Ambulance would provide relays of stretcher bearers and men skilled in first aid, at a series of 'bearer posts' along the route of evacuation from the trenches. All involved were well within the zone where they could be under fire. The Field Ambulance was a mobile medical unit, not a vehicle. Each British division had three such units, as well as a specialist medical sanitary unit. The Field Ambulances provided the bearer posts but also established Main and Advanced (that is, forward) Dressing Stations where a casualty could receive further treatment and be got into a condition where he could be evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station. Men who were ill or injured would also be sent to the Dressing Stations and in many cases returned to their unit after first aid or some primary care. Once treated at a Dressing Station, casualties would be moved rearward several miles to the Casualty Clearing Station. This might be on foot; or on a horse drawn wagon or motor ambulance or lorry; or in some cases by light railway. The CCS was the first large, well-equipped and static medical facility that the wounded man would visit. Its role was to retain all serious cases that were unfit for further travel; to treat and return slight cases to their unit; and evacuate all others to Base Hospitals. It was often a tented camp, although when possible the accommodation would be in huts. CCSs were often grouped into clusters of two or three in a small area, usually a few miles behind the lines and on a railway line. A typical CCS could hold 1,000 casualties at any time, and each would admit 15-300 cases, in rotation. At peak times of battle, even the CCSs were overflowing. Serious operations such as limb amputations were carried out here. Some CCSs were specialist units, for nervous disorders, skin diseases, infectious diseases, certain types of wounds, etc. CCSs did not move location very often, and the transport infrastructure of railways usually dictated their location. Most evacuated casualties came away from the CCS by rail, although motor ambulances and canal barges also carried casualties to Base Hospitals, or directly to a port of embarkation if the man had been identified as a ' Blighty' case. [...] The serious nature of many wounds defied the medical facilities and skills of a CCS, and many CCS positions are today marked by large military cemeteries. [...] Generally there was one provided for each Division. From the CCS, the casualty would be evacuated to a Base Hospital. Once admitted to a Base Hospital, the soldier stood a reasonable chance of survival. More than half were evacuated from a General or Stationary Hospital for further treatment or convalescence in the United Kingdom. The Stationary Hospitals, two per Division, could hold 400 casualties each. The General Hospital could hold 1040 patients. They were located near the army's principal bases at Boulogne, Le Havre, Rouen, Le Touquet and Etaples. The establishment of a General Hospital included 32 Medical Officers of the RAMC, 3 Chaplains, 73 female Nurses and 206 RAMC troops acting as orderlies, etc. The hospitals were enlarged in 1917, to as many as 2,500 beds. Source: The Long Long Trail (Accessed: 19 March 2017)

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The 3rd London General Hospital Soon after War broke out No.3 London General was mobilised at the Royal Patriotic School, Wandsworth Common. The CO Bruce Porter agreed to take on a group of men as RAMC orderlies, all members of the Chelsea Arts Club, who were either too old, or unfit for other military service. Thus, he accumulated a wonderful collection of artists, sculptors, writers and poets, and laid the foundations for a hospital journal 'The Gazette.' This magnificent building has been restored and converted into residential and commercial accommodation and is now known as the Royal Victoria Patriotic Building. It is situated opposite Wandsworth Prison and was used during World War 2 by the military intelligence sections responsible for detecting and interrogating spies, and operating the 'Double Cross system' of double-agents. Source: 'The Origins of the 3rd London General Hospital' reprinted from 'The Gazette', February 1917 (Accessed: 16 March 2017) An account of life in the 1800 bed hospital can be read at: Muir, Ward L, 'Observations of an orderly (January 1, 1917)', Kent and Co. Ltd., 1917, particularly Chapter 6, page 93, which deals with the arrival of the wounded. (Accessed with some complication 16 March 2017)

This page was created by Richard Crompton and maintained by Chris Glass		Version B10 Updated 01 July 2024