Report on Operations

1^st Bn COLDSTREAM GDS
Sept 14^th 1914

On the morning of Sept 14^th after bivouacking near Paissy the Bn was ordered to form the Advance Guard to 1^st Brigade marching by Moulin & Vendresse on Cerny at 6.45am. Upon reaching Vendresse we found the 2nd brigade outposts engaged with the enemy, after passing Vendresse at Pt. A on map the Bn was ordered by Brigadier to move through woods onto high ground and move northwards along the Ridge towards Cerny. The Bn deployed with Nos 4 & 1 Coy in firing line and 2 & 3 Coys in support, upon reaching the high ground we came under rifle fire from the direction of the factory and West of it.

The 2 Coys in support was soon brought into the firing line and the centre of the Bn was directed on the factory with the Cameron Highlanders on our left. We then came under a very heavy rifle and shell fire and the sunken road at the factory was reached by short rushes with considerable loss.

The Bn from this point became divided No 3 Coy & part of No 2 Coy under Maj. L Hamilton crossed the sunken road and swung round northwards to the Chemin des Dames where they prolonged the right of a Coy of 4^th Bn K.R.R under Major Jelt (see map position B).

Here they remained fighting throughout the day although on occasions owing to retirement of our line W factory they were forced to retire to position C by high bank. At dusk under orders of the Brigadier this portion of the Bn was ordered to withdraw and reorganise at Pt. D. The other portion of the Bn numbering about 150 composed of Nos 2 & 4 Coys under Lt Col J. Ponsonby became divided from the reminder at the factory which was originally occupied by the M Gun section of the R Sussex.

When the chimney fell this party pushed forward under very severe shellfire to a sunken road running N into Cerny which was found to be unoccupied. Maj Grant was ordered to go round E side of village, while Col Ponsonby push through with the remainder but touch was lost and never regained. Major Grant eventually rejoining Major Hamilton's party. (6pm).

When Col Ponsonby’s party reach the N edge of the village 3 Coys of German Infantry were seen on the ridge ½ mile N.E of village & other Germans on the ridge N.W of village. Col Ponsonby & his party pushed on & 6 M Gun limbers were surprised, the horses of 4 of which were shot.

They afterwards pushed onto a small plantation (shown on sketch of Capt Warde-Aldam’s?) which was reached about 10.15am where the Colonel was wounded, the party then remained hidden till midnight when the rejoined as shown on the sketch.

(The report of Col Ponsonby’s party was taken from Capt Warde-Aldam who was present with the Col from early in the morning.

N of Troyon 29.9.14.