Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal

Military Appointments. I —— ■" I Lieut.-Gen. F. R. Earl of Cavan, K.P., K.C.B., M.V.O., brother of the Rev. the Hon. E. E. Lambart, Archdeacon of Salop, relin- quishes the temp. rank of general, Jan. 21. Bt.-Col. (temp. Brig.-Gen.) C. de Saus- marez, C.M.G., D.S.O. A., from a Dep. Dir. at the War Office irgazetted Inspector of Demobilization, and to retain his tern;). rank while so employed, Feb. 1 (substituted for notification in "Gazette," Feb. 14). He married a daughter of the Rev. J. P. Morgan, Rector of Llandyssil. Capt. (act. Maj.) A. J. Mayhew, Denbigh Yeo., relinquishes the acting rank of major ¡ on ceasing to be employed on the headquart- ers of a Yeo. Regt., Dee. 3, 1918. Staff-Captain G. E. Hamer Lewis, the eldest son of the Rev. Hamer Lewis, diocesan inspector of schools, Bias Elwy, St. Asaph, has been appointed Assistant Director at the War Office with the rank of staff-major. Lieut. (acting Capt.) W. E. Rutter (attd. 23rd Bn.), R.W.F., only son of Mr. W. H. Rutter, relieving officer, Ellesmere, is restored to the establishment of the 4th Bn., Jan. 19, and relinquishes the acting rank of captain. Lieut. O. H. Mason, 4th Bn., Shrops. Regt., relinquishes his commission on account of ill-health contracted on active service (Feb. 27), and retains the rank of lieut. He was -gazetted on Jan. 25, 1917. Temp. Lieut. T. R. Wilson-Jones, M.C., R.W.F., son of Mr. Pryce Wilson-Jones, New- town, relinquishes his commission on account of ill-health contracted on active service (Feb. 28), and retains the rank of lieut. He was j awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in the field on Oct. 13, 1916, when he led a iar- ing raid with great courage and ability, cap- turing three prisoners. He had previously done very fine work. Sec.-Lieut. W. G. W. Griffiths. 4th Bn., R.W.F., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Griffiths, Pembroke. Wrexham, is gazetted lieut,, Nov. 30, 1918. Before the war he was a clerk at the National Provincial Bank, Oswestry, and was gazetted in June, 1917. Temp. Sec. Lieut. Leslie B. Pritchard, M.C., K.S.L.I., relinquishes the acting rank of captain on ceasing to command a Co., Dec. 2, 1918. He is the son of Mr. B. Pritchard, Port Hill, Shrewsbury, and received his edu- cation at Deytheur Grammar School.

of 5, Ju^ Oar portrait is of Mr. Cook of 5, Justice-street, Aberdeen, who writes I h-a-ve been L great sufferer from Lumbago ■ #nd BJhe>uma.tism for the last ten years. Some jaontbs ago I was told by a Mr. F. Butterfieid ■rfjtaic Olarkfe's Blood Mixt ure' had done for him, go I started with it. and had not finished one botSia before I was Sible to go about again. I bave now had four bottles, and can .go about my work as easy as if I were 20, but, in fact, am 46. I cannot be too thankful that. I ever started Clarke's Blood Mixture.' It is never out of f.h e- tuornse, and if any of the children are ill I give tthezn a short course of it. It gives them a good appetite for their food." ARE YOU ONE of the many who suffer from Rheumatism, or Lumbago, or Sciatica, or «Q Jut, or Gouty Eczema, etc.; Ii so, don't waste time on owtlWard applications, which can but, give tj&rapoi^ry relief. Whalt you want is a mediome tba-t will free the blojod of the poisonoua matter (Excess Uric Acid), the true cause of all your suffering. Clarke13 Blood Mixture is composed of ingredients which quickly attack, overcome and expel the impurities, and by rendering it clean and pure can be relied on as a safe and lasting remedy. Ask for and see you get Clarke's Blood Mixture ♦•EVERYBODY'S BLOOD PURIFIER. 1 8f all Chemists and Stores. 2s. 9d. per Bottle.

WIEN THE HUNS BROKE I THROUGH. I ON THE BULLECOURT SECTOR. I (By a Returned Soldier). I In consequence of Russia having fallen out of the Allied ranks, the Germans, towards the close of 1917, seized the golden opportunity of assem- bling malDY fresh divisions and immensely aug- menting their force on the Western Front. By this momentous change in circumstance, the Allies were compelled to alter their plans and tactics and reorganise their forces. The strength of a division was reduced from 13 battalions to 10 battalions, and when this change was effect- ed our division, the 31st, gave away some bat- talions of Lancashire and Yorkshire troops and took to its bosom the 4th Guards Brigade, com- prising the 2nd Irish Guards, the 3rd Coldstream Guards. and the 4th Grenadier Guards. As a Field Ambulance our unit was detailed to look after this brigade. On March 2nd, 1918, the division moved from the Vimy sector into'a back area, where the training and preparation of the, troops to meet thermans in the coming great enemy offeneive m'Mit be carried out without interruption and in comparative safety. We were billeted in villages near St. Pol, and dur- i ing our period of preparation there were omin- I ous signs of a tremendous Armageddon, for al- I ready high velocity shells were passing over us II and falling into the town of St. Pol; and the j nearest enemy gun would probably be 20 miles | awav. We were to be a flying division, and three schemes were prepared whereby a move could I be made—either by route marching, by 'bus, or by rail; or by a combination of all three. These schemes were obviously secret, and were known under Group E. F. G. Our division could there- fore be rapidly transported by rail or 'bus to meet an emergency on any part of the British front. It fell to my lot to study these schemes and prepare for my unit an extract- of the part which affected them. so that when a cryptic message came along from headquarters, I should be able at once to inform my commanding I officer what time the unit must start, what .route they should takx the mode of their transport, and their probable destination. The Germans launched their attack on March 21st. and at 11-30 that night I was awakened by a dispatch rider's imperious call. "Gome on, boys; wake up. Jerry has broken through." That nocturnal visit has made such an impres- sion on me that I do not believe I shall ever outlive, and even now, nearly twelve months later—and I have had many ups and downs since then-I sometimes wake up with a start, expect- ing again to see the same rider and receive the same call. The wire read "Carry out Group G. Zero hour, six o'clock." It was but the work of a moment to reach my copies of the scheme and hand them to a runner to take to the com- manding officer. Our boys were scattered all over the village, in barns, and they had to be got together, the waggons had to be packed, and the troopwere to march off at four o'clock. What- a. raw morning it was! That thick curtain of fog which enabled the enemy to make the first part of his advance so successfully, hung hoav-. ily on the morning and retarded the break of I day. It was indeed a pillar of cloud by day." < • The embussing point was distant a march of I about five miles, and the journey from there to the Bullecourt sector was by 'bus. Yes, the dear ? old London 'busses, stripped of their original j garb, were to be the agency by which our I division would be able to meet the enemy on < the night of March 22nd. about St. Leger, where 1 Britiah troops, after fighting desperately against overwhelming odds, had been pushed back from Bullecourt. a retirement of some four miles. Our division was at this time under the command of Maior-General R. J. Bridgford, C.B., C.M.G. I D.S.O. (who, I believe, was formerly commando ) of the 2nd Kind's Shropshire Light Infantry, and comes from Ford Hall, Shrewsbury), and we had j now left the Thirteenth Corps of the First Army [ for the Sixth Corps of the Third Army. V- terrific battle was fought about St. Leger (,; i March 23rd, and the attacks of two German divisions were driven off with heavy loss by our own division, many prodigious feats of valour being performed alike by ofifcers and men. We had an advanced dressing station at Hamelin- court. and here the work of succouring the wounded was carried on under the most trying and difficult circumstances, for all hutments in I the vicinity were being blown to .smithereens by the implacable fire of the German gunners. That day, at Hamelincourt, our own unit suffered heavy losses: two officers and Jline other ranks were killed and several men were wounded. Two d?va later we buried them along with twenty other heroes m a trench at Blairville, a village with a name only, because in previous fighting every building had been reduced to a heap of ruins. < Notwithstanding the stubborn and unpar- alleled gallarftry of our troops, it became pain- fully evident that there would have to be further retirement, for the field greys seemed to spring up faster than our men could mow them down, and on March 25th. in order to enable our troops to make,a better stand, the Guards sent a pioneer battalion to dig zag-zag trenches for two miles over the plains in frcdSt of Blairville. That was the quickest work of its kind I have ever seen done, and' it was an outstanding proof of the grit and determination of our race, the work being completed in a few hours. During these days, the weather was remarkably fine, and gave us much cause for thankfulness. Owing to the relief of divisions and the constant retirement of our troops, the roads for miles were packed with men and transport, and it took hours to get through, to villages on the fringe of the war zone. It was an unforgettable scene, a-nd one marvels that enemy planes failed to take advant- age of a situation which must have been glorious from their point of view. In some places the congestion was indescribably great. Three columns. of traffic were on some roads, and there was scarcely an inch of spare room; on the right were heavy guns and heavy motor transport, in the middle lighter guns and transport would be working through, and on the left troops and' ears were threading their way out. So imagine the work for the traffic oiffcer on cross roads, with his problem bristling with difficulties! Yet there was no confusion—only sad hearts! Ah I I None of the people at home guessed how -heavy our hearts were in those strenuous, days, when, in spite of a plucky defence and the great losses that were inflicted on the enemy, the Huns still seemed as numerous as the sands on the sea shore. i ) The tactics which the Germans adopted with so much success consisted of the employment of small parties of their men who were constantly searching for gaps in our line, and where they found them, bodies of their infantry would press through in force and compel our troops to make further withdrawals. With distinguished bravery and doggedness, the Guards fought like lions, and their steadiness and valour and assistance to the troops fighting on their right and left. When they were ordered to retire in conformity with certain plans, they obeyed only on the point of discipline, and not because they were not equal to the task of holding the enemy legions "t: at bay, for they fought with magnificent courage and beat off a succession of heavy attacks. An authentic story reached me of an officer I knew very well. It was, I believe, his first experience in the line, and, alas! it waa also his last. York- shire troops were being pressed back by over- whelming numbers of the enemy, who were three to one here, so it was estimated by a com- petent judge-and this officer rallied them with an appeal in sonorous tones to fight like Eng- lishmen: they fought and conquered, netting 150 .v renewed his streagth, prisoners. Again the enemy renewed his strength, and on this occasion neither the inspiring ex- ample nor the eloquent appeals of my friend, nor the intrepid fighting of the Yorkshires could stem the onrush of a multitude of Huns. My friend was heard of no more, and I am afraid he has joined the invisible hosts of brave men, whose duty has been nobly done. ♦. Many deeds of gallantry were performed in the next few days, and our retirement was very gradual. On March 27th, about mid-day, the Germans made a series of exceptionally strong attacks all along our front, and the enemy. gain- ed possession of Ayette, having previously pushed us back from Hamelincourt and Moyenville. The enemy was never allowed to debouch from Ayette. He was defeated by our division after all-day fighting on March 28th. and he was held there. What the losses of the Germans were on I the whole of the Fifth and Third Army fronts in killed and wounded during the enemy offen- sive in March. 1918. it would be impossible to say. Our losses, mostly in prisoners, ran into a few hundred thousand, and I imagine that the German losses in killed and wounded alone would far exceed our total losses, for their men were so thick on the ground that our gunners had an admirable target all the time. Our division was relieved on March Slot. Eaeter Sunday, and we stayed the night at La Couchie, which the Germans shelled with high explosives. Next day we moved to Worluzel. into which village the Guards, much depleted in numbers, marchec1 with their char act eristic steady, measured move- ment, the envy of the whole world. The follow- ing day we marched into Tircques, on the main road from Arras to St. Pol. and in that district we rested for a few days, while the division was reinforced. A filyther artiole will aopear depling with the ij s ituation on the Hazebrouck sector in April of 'last year.

County Council Elections, DENBIGHSHIRE. The nominations for the Denbigh County Council elections include the following: Wrexham (North) Mr. Thomas Jones (unop- posed). South: Mrs. W. E. Samuel, widow of Alderman Samuel (unopposed). East. Dr. Ed. wards Jones (unopposed). West: Mr. A. Sev- mour Jones (unopposed). Stansty: Mr, W. Aston (sitting member), Mr. Julian Soames, Bryn Estyn (who hals rendered distinguished service with the forces during the war). DENBIGHSHIRE NOMINATIONS. Gwersyllt: Mr. J. Allen (unopposed). rhostylwn- I Mr. H. B. Parry, Mr. E. Williams, Mr. J. WHbraham Jones. Minera: Mr. Itobt, Sauvage, Mr. J. Edwards (Brithdir). Brymbo: Mr., Meredith Williams. Broughton: Mr. F. A. Sturge (retiring member), Mr. H. Edwards (Labour). Ruabon: 8ir W. W. Wynn, Bt. In the Llangollen Urban District Aid. W. G. Dodd and Mr. E. R. Parry are unopposed; and Mr. Trevor Lloyd Jones is also unopposed in the rural district. WHITTINGTON RESULT. | 1. Polling took place on Tuesday for We election oi a member to represent the WTiittington district on the County Council, the seat for which was vacated by Mr. Horace Lovett. The candidät were Mr. | Thomas Morris, coal miner, St. Martina, Parllament- ary candidate for the Oswestry Division at the last r genenil elaction, and Mr. Henry Charles Holland, I larmer, Cross Keys, St. Martins. Polling proceeded 1 very quietly during the day, but in the evening a heavy snowstorm interfered with the voting, the re- sult of which was declared late, on Tuesday night t Whittington by the deputy returning officer, Mr. [ H. Bull, as follows: THOMAS MORRIS 556 Henry Charles Holland 391.} There was one spoilt vote, and the electorate num- bered 2,038.

FOOTBALL. BENEFIT MATCH AT WREHAM. (By X. i.L) With the commendable object of assisting R. B- Evans of Sheffield Fn ted F.C., who recently broke his leg in a works game, a benefit match between representative elevens drawn from various parts of Lancashire, Cheshire, and North Wales, took place at Wrexham Racecourse on Saturday afternoon. Betweea sixteen and eighteen hundred spectators came to- gether amongst them R. E. Evans himself looking very cheerful notwithstanding his crutches and all that they mean. It seems only the other day when he was wearing the Wrexham club colours, but one is apt to forget the gap created by the war and it is quite hard to believe that Evans played his first Bnglish International games close upon nine years ago, and he had left Wrexham long before the season of 1910-11. ENGLISH AND WELSH INTERNATIONAL. Evans is one of the very tew players who have appeared in International games for two countries. John Reynolds (Wert Brosmwtch Albion and Aston Villa) played for England and Ireland. R. E. Evans played ten Internationals for Wales and was then chosen to play for England on a birth qualification. This was in 1910-11 when ho played against Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Wales played Evans in the belief that he was born at Saltney in Flintshire, but it appears that he first saw light on the English side of the River Dee and the English F.A. were able to claim his services. The incident arousfed great in- terest in pre-war days when Evans was a leading left winger in the English League, He had a regular place in the Sheffield United team, and before arriy. ing at the cutlery town had made a name for him- self with the Aston Villa club. Evans has many friends amongst the League clubs and a large num- ber of them promised to assist at Saturday's benefit match. W Meredith, who is it ill able to keep his place in the Manchester City team, was unable to turn out and E. J. Peers (Stoke), Lot Jones (Man- chester), Kitchen (Sheffield United), Robinson (Liver- pool), Hildridge (Manchester lJnited), were compelled to cry oft." Fortunately a number of reserves were available, and the following teams took the field:- Reds: J. Morris (Gresford), Knight (Pentre, Queens- ferry)), Hayes (Pentre), 6. Wynne (Neston), Hayden (Pentre), Matthias (Wrexham) Oarr (Manchester I United), Littlewoojl (Pentre), Matcalf (Liverpool), Moores (Manchester United) and Evans (Manchester and Everton). Blues: Farrell (Pentre), Lumberg (Manchester United), Williams (Stockport), E. Hughes (Manchester City), F. Rowlands (Wrexham), A. Jones Rhosddu), E. Bughei (Saltney), G. Jones (Bolton), Jenkins (Bradley), Murray (Pentre), and W. Jones, (Pentre). Mr, G. H. Ellis was in charge of the teams and Messrs. G. Atherton and W. Grady acted as the linesmen. I EXHIBITION PLAY. There is not much to say about the match which was of an exhibition character, and fought at in the friendliest fashion. After thirty-nine minutes' play E. Jenkins opened the scoring for the Blues who, having started with nine men, were now at full strength, whilst their opponents had had the mis- fortune to lose Moores (Manchester United) in the opening stages of the match. Soon after the inter- val, Murray scored a second point for the BIuea from the penalty mark, a free kick being given against Matthias for an illegal intervention. From this point onwards the Blues began to tire and Met- calf of Liverpool scored two goals in quick succession, and a little later Littlewood placed the Reds in front by deftly turning the ball into the net with his head as it came from the corner flag. COMMENTS ON PLAYFIRS. The outstanding feature of a pleasant game waa the wing play of Carr (Manchester United). This young player will be heard of again. He has pace and power and, with experience, should make a first- class winger. He develops a remarkable turn, of epeed and when tie went away his opponents, had to be content with a glimpse of his heels and before they had time to double back the ball was in the centre- not always in the spot that Simpson or He reditu would choose, but judgment in the length and position of X centre will come later. Carr is only eighteen. I MR. GEORGE J. DOODY'S NEW POST. The Association have been lucky in securing the services of Mr. George J. Doody, who for some years I was a well-known figure in Association football, being identified as a referee with the Welsh Amateur Cup Competition (says the Yorkshire Evening Press). Mr. Doody, who is now resident in York, baa decided to threw in his lot in support of Association foot- ball in York. He will be welcomed. He comes with high credentials. He was instrumental in forming the Oswestry and District League (of which he was for some time the hon. secretary), Osweatry St. Oswald's. Oswestry Casuals, and OiiJwestry Ivanhoe, and was (the referee of many county (ând district League matches in Wales, in Shropshire, and the Birmingham I area. Mr. Doody is a very enthusiastic football worker and is a great believer in the importance of developing the game among juniors. NORTH WALES ALLIANCE JUNIOR CUP. The draw for the North Wales Alliance Junior Cup has been made as follows:—Group 1--Southea Res. v. Rovers, Wrexham; referee, T. E. Jones. Rhosnessney v. Rhostyllen; referee, T. Griffiths. Rhosymedre and Powell's Athletic, byes. Group 2-Buckley Alliance v. Rhosrobtn Res.; referee, W. Jackson. Saltney Res. v. Cefnybedd; referee, W. Gandy. Byes, Cross i St., GweisyUt and Stansty Villa. To be played off not later than March 29th. THE BIRMINGHAM LEAGUE. .1 The Birmingham and District Football League met on Thursday, when preliminary arrangements were made for re-starting the competition next season. Most of the old clubs were present, but Coventry City and Dudley were not represented. Some doubt was expressed as to whether Wellington and Brierley Hili Alliance would be able to re-join the League. Mr. E. Robinson, who attended on behalf of the Wrex- ham Club, intimated that the Club would continue in the League next September. We understand that Shrewsbury F.C. will also remain. A date was fixed for the doubtful clubs to come to a. decision, after which the secretary, Mr. A. W. Cccknell, will adver- tise any vacancies, and these will be filled at the annual meeting of the League in April or May. The registration of players for the League will begin on May 1st, and all clubs will be on an equal footing in the matter of registration and fixing up players.

-0 I- -1 51. MARTINS. WAR SAVINGS.—The National War Savings Committee save a frea cinemotor entertainment here on Thursday evening.. The school (which was hired by the local Association for 10s.) Wad Crowded with au appre- ciative audience, many being unable to gain ad- mission. The funds of the association now amounts to £ 4,944. which is very creditable to the honorary officials, Messrs. J. Cutland and T. J. Parry. .—Mi— -I

Mr. Justice Atkin was unable to take his seat at Chester Assizes on Wednesday last week, owing to illness. The Rev. W. G. Permyman, formerly of St Mary's, Shrewsbury, was among those present at the funeral of Major-General Forbes Ma bean, C.V.O., C.B., late Gordon Highland- iers, at Woking last week.

SIR W. W. VfYNN'S HOUNDS I wfll meet Saturday, March 8—Gobowen. Meet at 11 o clock. Monday, March 10—^Garden (11.30). Wednesday, March 12-Oteley (11,80). Friday, March 14-Rennele (11.30).

The Mayoress of Hereford was on Saturday returned unopposed as the first woman mem- ber of the Herefordshire County Council. The bodies of two colliers have been ri covered from a North Staffordshire mine after being imprisoned 40 years. The Industrial Confereriece called by the Government was held at Westminster on Thursday. It resolved to appoint a committee consisting of equal numbers of employers :md employed, together with a chairman appoint- ed by the Government, to consider the au-ses of unrest and report to a further meeting ci the Conference early in April.

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