James BOLTON

13 November 1914

BARNOLDSWICK PRIVATE'S EXPERIENCES - Story of German Treachery

In a letter to his father (Mr. T. Bolton, 15, Gisburn Street), dated Nov. 8th, Private James Bolton, of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, writes:-

"Just a few lines to let you know I have not forgotten you. After fifteen days and nights fighting I found myself knocked out with a bullet through my arm. I am doing as well as can be expected: don't you worry. I saw one or two of the Germans off before they got me. My word! But the sights you see out here are awful. It is a pity to see the Belgian villages shattered and burnt to the ground.

We lost a good old Major by a cowardly German trick. We were fighting in the trenches when we heard them shouting "We want to surrender! me English waites!" [waiter] So the Major went out to see them, and as soon as he got up to them they blew his face off. We jolly soon routed them after that. They didn't get the chance to surrender. All who didn't escape were killed. They called him Major Allen, D.S.O. [Major William Lynn Allen, 2nd Bn. Border Regiment, killed, 28 October 1914.]

The Germans have splendid artillery-those big shells of theirs make a hole in the ground you could put a tram car in. If one of them bursts within ten yards of a trench all the trench falls in, and then you are busy digging yourself out. I was cooking my bacon one morning at the back of a cottage when a shell plumped in the ground not three yards away, but thank goodness it didn't burst, or I shouldn't have been here now.

I would dearly like to tell you the names of a few places I have been to, but we are not allowed. But if God spares me I shall be able to tell you a fine story-but that can wait. So I will now close, hoping and trusting that this finds you and all at home in the best of health, as it leaves me at present."

04 December 1914

TURCOS' GRIM MEMENTOES - Wounded Barnoldswick Soldier's Letter from the Front

In a letter recently received by his father, Mr. T. Bolton, 25, Gisburn Street, Pte. J. Bolton, of the 2nd Border Regiment, writing from the Convalescent Camp, at Rouen, France, says:-

I am getting along fine now. I have just been dismissed hospital, and am now in the Convalescent Camp. The wound is doing fine. It is healing up champion, but it has left my thumb and first finger rather stiff. I fancy the bullet must have just caught the guiders. Anyhow, the doctor says it will be alright in a day or two, so I suppose I shall get dismissed altogether in about ten days; then I shall get to the base, and from there to the firing line again. I was rather unfortunate in not getting sent to England, as it is jolly cold out here at present. I don't know what it is like in England, but I do know it will be a good job when it is all over.

You see some awful sights out here. I remember just after a bayonet charge down at-(tell you some other time) by the Turcos, those French Algerians, it was awful. They neither look for nor give quarter. Well, just after they had reformed, you would see some of them with German heads in their haversacks; two of them had a sting of ears they had cut off, and they cried like children when their officers took them off 'em. And yet they are a fine lot of chaps. They care nothing-they think if they die fighting they will live ever after. A queer lot of chaps to have for an enemy, I can assure you.

The officer I was servant to-Mr. Bevis-has got shot in the legs, but I believe he is doing well. He was a good friend to me, and I hope he gets over it. You might make me up a little parcel of envelopes and writing paper, and (if you can afford it) a few packets of Woodbines-I will repay you some fine day.

30 April 1915

BARNOLDSWICK - War Trophies

Mr. Maitland Livsey has this weak displayed in his shop window a massive nickel-plated helmet taken from a Prussian officer. In a letter to his father, Mr. J. Bolton, Gisburn Street, Private James Bolton, of the Machine Gun Section Border Regiment, Seventh Division, who been at the front since the early stages of the war, enclosed a spent German bullet, from which he escaped serious injury through the intervention of a tin box he was carrying. "You will notice how the bottom of the bullet is torn open, while the nose is complete. I had the lead and aluminium tip from inside it, but sorry to say I lost them. If you get this all right save it for me - I shall have it mounted on my watch-chain. The position I was carrying the box in was that it hung just above my knee, and if it hadn't been for the end of the box I should have had the bullet in my knee - a very nasty place to have one. I have had one in the arm and I don't want another I can assure you."

20 August 1915

TEN MONTHS IN THE FIRING LINE - Barnoldswick Soldier's Vivid Recollections

Pte. James Bolton, of the 2nd Battalion Border Regiment (Machine Gun Section), who came home on furlough last week, narrated a few of his indelible impressions of the war to a 'CRAVEN HERALD' representative before returning to the front on Wednesday morning. He is one of three soldier sons of Mr. Thos. Bolton, 25 Gisburn Street, Barnoldswick. The 2nd Battalion Borderers, in which private Bolton is the only 'Barlicker,' is not to be confused with the Scottish Borderers, being mainly recruited from the counties of Cumberland and Westmorland, and, as will be gathered from the following remarks, the regiment has won its share of glory, especially during the earlier stages of the war. Private Bolton looked the picture of health despite the trying experiences through which he has passed. Discussing the rigours of trench warfare last winter (after recovering from a bullet through his forearm) he paid a grateful tribute to the recuperative effect of the daily ration of rum served out to the troops, and dismissed the arguments of teetotal faddists with, a contemptuous "Let them go and try it!"

The Regiment left England on the 4th October, arriving in Belgium on the 6th. At Bruges they received a boisterous welcome from the townspeople, and after spending the night in a Catholic School left the following morning for Antwerp. After two days' march, however, they came across the Belgian Army retreating, and acted as rearguard. This was the time of the Naval Brigade's evacuation of Antwerp. The Borderers retired to Ostend where, after receiving ammunition, they entrained for Ghent. The advance guard of the German Army being reported at Thorout, they retreated three hours before the enemy forces entered the town. Crossing the Yser canal they reached Ypres on October 19th, and were hailed by the populace as the "saviours of Belgium." Shortly after entering the city the civilian population, realising their danger, commenced to leave.

Leaving Ypres the regiment went towards Menin, encountering the Germans at a small village called Amerika. Here it was they received their baptism of shell fire, and were forced to retire to a position on the Zandvoode Ridge, across the Menin road. The 20th Brigade, composed of the Scots Guards, the Grenadiers, the Gordon Highlanders and the Border Regiment, took up a position at Zillebeke on the 21st October, and the first shell was dropped in Ypres on the 23rd. "From that day onwards" (Private Bolton went on) "we were continually subjected to heavy attacks, 'Jack Johnsons' and all sorts of shells flying wholesale - an experience I never wish to go through again. For seventeen days we repelled all attacks, until relieved by the 1st Army Corps from Mons and the Aisne. We had only 340 men left out of the 1,250 who left England. We then went into dug-outs on the Menin road for a rest, until recalled as reinforcements to the 1st Army Corps."

Describing a subsequent charge by the Northumberland Hussars at Klein Zillebeke, Private Bolton said this was the first Territorial force to come into action, and braver lads he never hoped to see. The charge was made under Sir John French's personal direction, aided by the Cavalry of the 1st Division. The following day the Infantry were again driven back, the enemy being so close (1,000 yds.) that "our guns were firing fuse shells bursting at the muzzle." The men were ordered to stand ready for the charge, and it was here that Private Bolton was wounded on the 31st of October. As the hospital train in which he was seated left the station it was hit by a shell, two men being killed outright and 17 more wounded. After a month in hospital at Rouen, he was discharged on the 4th December and went to a Convalescent Camp for a fortnight, rejoining his regiment on Christmas day.

"The Christmas truce was on when I returned, all arms being left in the trenches by mutual consent, and our men fraternized with the Germans on ' dead man's ground' half-way between the trenches, shaking hands and exchanging compliments with them. That lasted until New Year's Day when the Staff-officer came along and ordered three volleys to be fired into the air. At that signal the Germans disappeared into their trenches and we resumed business on the old footing of killing each other at sight."

On February 28th the regiment was relieved by the Canadian Light Infantry and went back for a week's rest preparatory to the big advance at Neuve Chapelle. The bombardment commenced at 3-30, and at 4 o'clock "we caught the Germans retreating and did dreadful execution with the machine guns," the section being personally commanded by General Heyworth. In that engagement 390 German prisoners were taken by the Borderers, including three women, besides a great deal of ammunition and small arms. The machine gun section took a gun which is still in possession of the regiment, and is destined as a trophy for, the officers' mess. Shortly afterwards Private Bolton was laid up in hospital four weeks with fever caused by drinking polluted water. Then came the famous charge at Festubert (May 2), where an advance of 250 yards was made on a 2,000 yds. front. From there they went to Givenchy in the La Basse region, where they experienced a terrible shelling and lost a considerable number of men. Here the Canadians made a splendid advance and got possession of a crater, but were driven out by enfilade fire, all the regiments having to fall back on their original positions. Since then the activities of the opposing forces in that neighbourhood have been practically confined to desultory trench fighting.

The Border Regt. has two V.C.s to its credit, gained at Rouges Bancs on December 18th - one of these (Private Acton) was killed later at Festubert - besides two military crosses and several D.C.M.s. Speaking of Lieut.-Col. Ironside Wood, a commanding officer of great popularity, who was killed at Festubert, the narrator told a characteristic story. In the trenches just before the charge four men were unconcernedly playing cards ('halfpenny brag') when the Colonel came along and remarked:- "Men, you will be gambling on the hob of Hell: do you know what you are doing?"

"Sir," replied the ringleader of the party, "we may be dead in half-an-hour's time, so we are trying to make the best of the opportunity."

"Well spoken, Nightingale. Proceed with the game, lads."

"We lost him directly afterwards," added Private Bolton, "together with Lance-Corporal Crossley, of Kendal, who was one of the party." From a chance remark by the speaker it appears that the pet aversion in the Army, next to the Germans, is "T-----'s Jam," to the demerits of which several other Barnoldswick soldiers have borne testimony.

15 October 1915

NEWS FROM BARNOLDSWICK SOLDIERS

Lance-Corporal James Bolton, 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment (machine gun section), who was recently over on furlough, writes from France, to his father, Mr. T. Bolton, Gisburn Street, as follows:-

"Dear old Dad - Here we are again! We have had a ----- of a scrap this last week, but I am still safe and sound. We played ----- with the Germans, but it is a crying shame that they should be able to give themselves up like they do when we get the best of them. They fight to kill until we get to their trenches, and then we must console ourselves by taking men prisoners who a moment before would have made mincemeat of us. We took hundreds, and advanced about 2,000 yards, capturing four field guns (18 pounders), 11 machine guns and a good lot of military stores. I was searching a party of prisoners and an officer captain-gave me a silver fountain pen with a 14 carat gold nib. He could speak English well, and said to me. "Corporal, I am glad I'm a prisoner. The British bombardment has driven us almost mad" He gave me the pen as a souvenir and I am going to send it to Dr. Glen as a token of gratitude. I also got a German helmet badge which I am sending you.

"After we had finished our advance and dug ourselves in, about 5 o'clock the Germans made a counter-attack, a half-hearted affair. They came on preceded by a bombing party of 30 to 40 men. We spotted them, but waited until they got quite close. My gun opened fire, and I don t think one of that party will ever return to the Fatherland. We caught them fairly bobbing, though we were a bit unlucky in losing three good men of my company. I got a bullet through my haversack but happily am no worse. The old regiment covered themselves with glory, and the Brigade General came and told us he was proud of the Cumberland lads. So I think I will now draw to a close, trusting this letter finds you and all at home in the best of health."

22 October 1915

BARNOLDSWICK - "THE NIGHT BEFORE THE BATTLE"

Writing to a Barnoldswick friend, Lance-Corpl. James Bolton, of the 2nd Border Regiment, relates several interesting incidents in connection with the recent big advance In France:-

"It was on the 23rd we were told to attack. Well, that did it. Me and my pals 'pooled' our cash and went to a nice little cook-shop and started drinking ale, wine (red and white), and had a good bust-up of chips and eggs -pomentaires and oeuffs, they called 'em. We did not intend to leave any cash for Johnny German, if he caught us. On the 24th we moved up to our position ready to attack the following morning At five o'clock the big guns started and at 6-30 off we went over the top. I won't say eager to get at them, not at all, at all; I haven't a bit of sense. But we were anxious to get the job over. Well, they started peppering us like -----

"They had barbed wire defences at least 15 yards wide. It had been cut in places by our shells, and not touched in others; and it was woe betide the men who got in front of the unbroken place - they were cut down like corn. I myself spotted a broken place and made for it as if it had been the Railway Hotel when I was thirsty in Barnoldswick. They shot our men down like rabbits, and when we reached their trenches and got the best of them in fair fight they gave themselves up wholesale. It is jolly hard lines to be cheated of your revenge but such are the laws of war.

"I will tell you a funny little incident. We captured an old quarry which they had used as a fort. In it were about forty Germans and lo! and behold! they had a "Jock " prisoner, one of the Gordons, who had walked right into their hands. We asked him if they had ill-treated him, to which Jock answered, "No! they have been admiring my kilt, that's all." I can tell you, if they had harmed him not one of those Germans could ever have returned to the Fatherland. We took them all prisoners, and one of the officers (who spoke perfect English) expressed his satisfaction after the terrible bombardment they had experienced from our big guns.

"During the attack I saw a touching example of a horse's faithfulness to its master, which I could not have believed possible. The rider got killed by a shell, and the horse, instead of bolting as one would surmise, stood looking at him and neighed as he lay on the ground, and kept walking round him until another shell came and killed the faithful steed also. It learnt me a lesson I shall never forget. I had read of such things in fiction, but I never thought it possible.

"I had a bullet through my haversack, but luckily am no worse. The 20th Brigade again won laurels (and our regiment had done its bit), but I am not the man I used to be. Kind regards to all at old Barlick."

14 July 1916

BARNOLDSWICK CASUALTIES - KILLED, WOUNDED AND MISSING

Lance-Corporal James Bolton, 2nd Border Regiment (Machine Gun Section) has been admitted to the Southern General Hospital, Edgbaston, Birmingham, suffering from shrapnel wounds in the forehead. He is the eldest son of Mr. Thos. Bolton, 25, Gisburn Street, and has been at the Front since the beginning of the war. He was home on furlough during whit-week.

01 September 1916

BARNOLDSWICK - War Trophies

A collection of war relics, kindly lent by Dr. Glen, of Barnoldswick, were on view at a Shakespearian Festival held in the grounds of Bank Hall Military Hospital on Tuesday in aid of the Mayor of Burnley's War Fund. The trophies were brought back by Sapper Kilshaw, Corpl. J. Bolton, and Pte. R.W. Eastwood.

30 November 1917

BARNOLDSWICK - ONE WOUNDED, ANOTHER MISSING

Mr. Thos Bolton, 25, Gisburn Street, Barnoldswick, has been notified that his son, Pte. Cephas Bolton, East Lancs. (Machine Gun Section), had been wounded in the arm and is now in hospital in France. His brother, Sergeant James Bolton, Border Regiment, is reported missing since October 23rd. The latter is married, his wife living in Coates House, Coates. He had been twice wounded. Both brothers were in the Regular Army before the war, and have served on the Western Front during the greater part of the hostilities.

27 September 1918

BARNOLDSWICK'S TOLL OF WAR - Sergeant James Bolton

Mrs. Bolton, 40 Wellington Street, Barnoldswick, has received a War Office notification presuming the death of her husband, Sergeant James Bolton, Border Regiment, who had previously been reported missing on October 26th 1917. Sergeant Bolton, who was 27 years of age, was in the Army three years prior to the present war, in which he had seen a good deal of service. He was in Antwerp during the siege, and twice wounded since. After recuperating he was engaged for several months as drill instructor at various centres in England, and returned to France at Easter 1917. His two brothers are also serving in France, and one in India. They are the sons of Mr. T. Bolton, 25 Gisburn Street, Barnoldswick.