With the British advance in October 1918, the Germans lines had fallen back to Tournai. By mid-October the 15th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Bn. Suffolk Regiment were in the line to the east of Orcq, on the outskirts of Tournai, the village being strongly held by machine guns. The British dug their own line of resistance, and the Battalion spent a few days in the trenches followed by similar period in billets. In the latter part of October these were at Marquain, just 2000 yards from the front line. When billeted the Battalion carried on with a certain amount of training with Lewis guns and in gas drill.
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A British soldier
demonstrates a small box respirator |
On the evening of October 30th the 15th Suffolks were relieved by the 10th Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, and they moved to billets in Haudion, south west of Marquain. 2nd Lieutenant T.B. Minshall 15th Bn. Suffolk Regiment may have come across some old pals at this time, having served with 10th Bn. KSLI in Egypt and Palestine, prior to his Commission and transfer to the Suffolks in December 1917.
The first few days of November were spent in training and working on the line of resistance – at this time Private Charles Sydney Stevens (No. 51856) 15th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Bn. Suffolk Regiment was killed from artillery fire. The Battalion was also sent to the baths at Baisieux on 3/4 November.
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| Background map of Tournai area (scale 1:20,000) from the papers of 2nd Lieut. T.B. Minshall 15th Bn. Suffolk Regiment |
On November 8th, the 15th Suffolks were billeted at Hertain, 4.5 miles (approx. 7 km) west of Tournai. At 2000hrs “Orders received that Bn. Would march out at 0800 and take over pickets from 24th Welsh, on eastern exit of TOURNAI, from O.23.a.6.0 – O.30.b.1.9.” The Battalion were to ensure that “all exits & entrances to town were to be sealed, & no soldier or civilian could pass unless in possession of a special pass. The Battalion marched out at 0800 on November 9th and the relief of the 24th Welsh was complete by 1500. By this time the Germans had been driven well to the east of the town.
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| Triumphant entry of British Troops into Tournai. After occupying the picturesque Flemish town on the Scheldt for four years the Germans evacuated it on the night of November 8th, before the rapidly advancing British. Contrary to their practice the Huns refrained from wanton destruction, even leaving the old Pont des Trous unhurt when destroying the modern bridges that gave access to the town (The War Illustrated, 7th December 1918) |
Guard duty in Tournai continued through the day of November 10th, and on the morning of November 11th at 0900 the 15th Suffolks were relieved by the 18th Londons. At 0915 a wire from Brigade was received stating the “hostilities would cease at 1100. Battalion to stand fast.” At 1115 new orders were received that the Battalion were to march eastwards to Dime, where they billeted for the night.
On November 12th orders were received that the Battalion would continue their march eastwards, and billet at La Hamaide.
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| Private Charles Sydney Stevens No. 51856 15th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Bn. Suffolk Regiment
Pte. Charles Sidney Stevens, 3rd* Suffolk Regiment, son Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, 2a, Albert-street, Tring, was 28, and had served in the Army for over two years, but only proceeded to France some nine weeks ago. Information was received from his platoon officer Thursday week that Stevens had been killed in action at Louvain on Nov. 2nd. Before joining the Army Stevens was employed at the Museum, and was held in the highest esteem. (Bucks Herald - Saturday 16 November 1918)
(*) 3rd (Reserve) Battalion - When posted to France, Pte. Stevens joined the 15th Bn.
Buried at Lamain Communal Cemetery, Belgium.
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