Another very wet night - and there was a misty rain until about twelve. However, it stopped for the afternoon and, at one forty-five there was quite a big collection on the hill, with the band playing, (2nd Division). The first race was run at about two. The section jumping was the first interesting event, won by the 15th, who put up a very good performance. One of our sections was going well when Sergeant Nott's horse came down and ruined our chance. The leading horse jumping was very good, but I can't think who won it – Wrate, one of my men, was well up. The subalterns' jumping was good fun, and I was in with the last three and took second, Thorborn of the 15th winning with a nice horse. In the wrestling on horseback, we had no opposition. The open jumping was good fun too and my Ginger ran into the first five there and jumped very well. The whole show was excellent and went off very well, thanks to the way Captain Palmer ran it. The 48th had more than their share of the spoils, which I think surprised the 15th, who had practised hard.
The soldiers mentioned would seem to be Serjeant James Knott (19619) - later Battery Serjeant Major, probably of 48th Bty - and Driver Alfred Wrate (74638); both prewar regulars. I imagine 'Thalborn' is Lt Stephen Kirth Thorburn
ReplyDeleteThank you dne1 - I'd thought Wrate might be a misspelling, but it appears not. I will change Thalborn (probably either my misreading or the vagaries of voice recognition)
ReplyDeleteCuriously, elsewhere (the Great War Forum) I have just encountered online the grandson of a Lt B B Murdoch who was injured when 36th Brigade HQ a Cambrin was shelled 28 Dec 1915 - as seen by Manifold and described in his diary .. small world .. I suggested he might want to follow this blog.
ReplyDeleteThat is rather wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSorry for very delayed response, but I am following this blog with utter amazement. The internet and the knowledgeable people who frequent it, never cease to amaze me. Alistair Murdoch.
ReplyDelete