Cecil Henry Meares Letters
Predominantly letters from Cecil Henry Meares to his fiancée, Lola Spengler. Learn more.
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Ypres
Order by General Sir Douglas Haig, K.C.B., etc., Commanding 1st Corps.
Now that the troops under my command have been relieved, I wish to express my thanks to all ranks for the splendid manner in which they have upheld the honour of our country.
I am well aware of the great hardships which the officers and men in the trenches have been through during the last month, hardships which have been cheerfully endured. It is this capacity for grim endurance which makes the British soldier such a formidable opponent.
There have been critical moments during the fighting, but as I reported to Sir John French the stern fighting qualities of the British soldier and the initiative of subordinate commanders have always re-established the day. No general could ask to have finer troops than it has been my privilege to command.
Since the 21st October we have been in action every day. We have been opposed by the XXIII., XXVI., XXVII. and XV. Corps, and by strong forces belonging to the Prussian Guard and II. Corps. Each of these Corps have been beaten; the fighting has been severe and our losses heavy, but the enemy have lost much more heavily than ourselves and we held our ground. The enemy announced his intention of forcing his way to the coast at Calais and Boulogne; the brunt of his attack was delivered against Ypres, and it is only fitting that British troops should have been there to meet him. The value of your services is fully appreciated by your country.
There has been one outstanding feature of the operations, and that is the co-operation between the different arms and units. This spirit of comradeship and the confidence that support will always be given is mainly responsible for our success in battle.
The 1st Corps is going into reserve to re-fit and for a well-deserved rest. During this time we must take every opportunity to add to our fighting efficiency, and to encourage those qualities of self-reliance and comradeship which have been of such value in the past fighting.
(Signed) DOUGLAS HAIG, General, Commanding 1st Corps. 21st November, 1914.
No. 3 Section, 1st Printing Coy., R.E. 29/1600/11-14.
7th Div. began fighting Oct 14th Reinforcements arrived Oct 21st
BC Archives, MS-0455 Box 1 File 1 MEARES, Cecil Henry, 1877 – 1937. Victoria; traveler, British military officer. Predominantly selected letters and cards from Meares to his fiancée, Lola Spengler, 1914 – 1918.