|
 | |  | |
Phyl Menyhart was born Phyl Mortimer at Liverpool in 1946. During her working life she has worked in many industries. She emigrated to Australia and has befriended so many people throughout her life, but one particular person still stands out in her mind with great affection, her grandfather:--
Sergeant Mortimer of the King's Royal Rifles spent a short leave in Folkestone. This gallant young fellow is one of the 'contemptible little army' which left these shores three years ago and was one of those to help to withstand the onrush of the Kaiser's hordes when the Germans undoubtedly had the great advantage of being prepared.
In July 1914, William, who was on the reserve, was employed by the London and South Coast Motor Company, and immediately on the declaration of war he responded to the call to rejoin.
Anyone who was privileged to see him during his brief sojourn in Folkestone recently could not but be struck by his bearing and his absolute fitness. He was indeed a tribute to the training and discipline of the old British Army.
His record of service at the front is indeed a superb one, and not withstanding the tremendous battles in which he has taken a part, he is still as ever the proverbial British Tommy, happy go lucky and anxious to prove to the Huns that their cast iron system of militarism will break down under the pressure of the Allies, who are fighting for liberty and justice.
Sergeant Mortimer went through the terrible trials and strain of the retreat from Mona, the battles of the Marne, the Alone and the first battle for Ypren. He was unfortunately wounded at Zilleheke on February 15th 1915.
In December of the same year he was out on active service again, and since that time he has had no leave until a few days ago. His experiences are crammed full of excitement and hair breath escapes, and that he is alive and well now he accounts himself a fortunate man.
He went through the battle of Somme, and has been in many engagements since. He was in the King's Royal Rifles, which regiment together with the Northamptonshire Regiment, recently withstood the onslaught of the Germans in the dunes of Belgium.
The bravery displayed by these two regiments in face of fearful odds is still fresh in the memory of everyone. It was on July 10th that the Germans started their terrific bombardment of the British lines on the Ostend side of the river Yper.
The bridges over the river were blown up, which meant that no retreat was possible, therefore the two British regiments fought until the last man.
They took a terrible toil of the Germans, and the marvel is that with the opposition against them there were many unable to rejoin the British forces again. Some of them did not accomplish that feat until two nights after.
Sergeant Mortimer with several of his comrades got to the river bank and the trouble then was to get across to the opposite side. One of the men could not swim, so Sergeant Mortimer and another man swam the river with a rope.
In trying to make their escape they where spotted by German sentries who fired at them as they were trying to get their comrade, who could not swim, across to the other side.
They were successful in their efforts although the young soldier who could not swim was wounded.
When the small party arrived back they received the congratulations of all ranks and a little later they were granted leave, which was jointly deserved by them.
William was my grandfather.
Phyl Menyhart, Queensland, Australia, 2002
| |  | |  |
To add a comment you must first login or join for free, up in the top left corner.
|
|
