https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/british-airmans-brave-attack-lf027xqmv
Almost single-handed he flew straight into the middle of the 22 machines, and both himself and his observer at once opened fire. All the enemy machines opened fire also, so he was horribly outnumbered. The volume of fire to which he was subjected was too awful for words. To give you a rough idea — there were 22 machines, each machine had four guns, and each gun was firing about 400 rounds per minute. Your son never hesitated. He flew straight on until, as I should imagine, he must have been riddled with bullets. The machine then put its nose right up in the air and fell over, and went spinning down into the sea from 14,000ft. I unfortunately had to witness the whole ghastly affair. The machine sank so quickly that it was, I regret, impossible to save your son’s body, he was so badly entangled in the wires, &c. HMS --- rushed to the spot, but only arrived in time to pick up your son’s observer, who, I regret to state, is also dead. He was wounded six times, and had a double fracture in the skull.”
In forwarding the letter Mr W S Young states that it “will serve to assure us all that our splendid boys who, from their point of view, had the privilege had also the will and the pluck to put up noble efforts for our protection and for the defeat of the vilest enemy in all history.”
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-07-12/register/sinn-fein-victory-in-east-clare-g0zc2pr2h
The policy for which Mr de Valera invited the support of the electors was stated with the utmost candour. The Sinn Fein Party demands absolute independence for Ireland and representation at the Peace Conference. It contemplates revolution if necessary, but only at a time when England’s difficulties will give another rebellion a chance of success. It repudiates Ireland’s share of the National Debt. If the Sinn Fein Party secures an independent Ireland and Ulster resists Ulster must be coerced.
Scenes of wild excitement followed the declaration of the poll. Addressing the crowd, Mr de Valera, the new member, said it was a victory which would be celebrated all over the world. It could not now be said that the people of Ireland did not want absolute independence. The election would be a glorious monument to the men who died in Easter Week, and would show the world that if Ireland only had the ghost of a chance, she would fight for independence. It was a victory for an Irish Republic.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-07-11/register/promotions-and-decorations-vhrqrtc3j
We find, for instance, that General Duff and General Barrow were both raised to the highest rank of a very distinguished Indian Order last year — after it had become apparent that there were deplorable shortcomings in the expedition for which they were responsible. General Barrow, moreover, has actually been placed in the impregnable position of a Member of the Council of the Secretary of State. The Hindenburg line is a trifle compared with the entrenchments which shield a Member of Council from anything less explosive than an address of both Houses to His Majesty.
The main case in this question of honours in the public services is against the deadening system of decorating mediocrities for mere continuity of employment from which no failure seems able to expel them. It is bad for the nation, and an intolerable injustice to the best of our public servants, that “the KCBs” should be a generic term for any body of obstructionist bureaucrats.
Meanwhile the question of continued employment must be dealt with. Every excuse made for the heads of the Indian Medical Service adds to the condemnation of the Finance Department, and especially of Sir William Meyer, who has just, quite inexcusably, been given a new sphere of employment. Surgeon-General Hathaway, still DDMS in the Western Command, is one of the gross culprits of the Mesopotamia Report, condemned not only by the Commission, but out of his own mouth. We bracket him with Sir Beauchamp Duff as being the most flagrant objects of condemnation in this sorry business.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-07-10/register/parliament-and-the-air-raid-6plf337ms
july 10, 1917
The published summary of Mr Lloyd George’s statement certainly confirms this impression. The crux of the situation is that we do not yet possess nearly enough aeroplanes. Our shortcomings were revealed to hundreds of thousands of Londoners on Saturday when they watched the German aircraft manoeuvre with an irritating and humiliating impunity. Their tactics suggested confidence in their own safety and contempt for our response, and it is the very ease and deliberation of their movements which has so angered London.
This is not unreasonable. There is a real distinction to be drawn between the event of Saturday morning and an enemy air raid over the British lines in France. These attacks on the heart of the Empire and the nerve centre of the war are not to be treated lightly, however ineffective they may have been in a military sense, and the more that the public are taken into the confidence of the Government the better.
We are glad to learn that the Government propose to consider afresh the desirability of giving a general warning. Men and women should not be left to discover the presence of the enemy through the dropping of bombs and the firing of guns. All should have a chance of taking cover.
As to the larger issues, we have insisted again and again — and the Prime Minister’s statement admits it — that the chief necessity is a great increase in aircraft construction. The problem must be attacked with the same dynamic energy with which Mr Lloyd George and others solved the difficulties of shell production in 1915. It must never again be said that London or any town in these islands cannot have reasonably adequate protection against air raids. But defence is the least part of the business. Victory in the air, as on land and sea, will be gained only by increasing vigour in attack. and that means more and more machines.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-07-08/register/london-on-the-battlefront-x8jwz6pjx
“They’re ours, aren’t they?” asked an apprehensive stranger at my side. But when I took another glance I realized that they were strangely like the Taubes that we had seen flying over Gallipoli, and, later, across No Man’s Land in France and Flanders. I had to answer in the negative and advise my unknown acquaintance to make for the nearest dugout — in this case the tunnels of the District Railway. As for me, fresh from the front as I was, the spectacle held me spellbound. Never had I seen so many Boche aeroplanes above our lines in such close order, even on the battlefields. It was truly magnificent. Evidently their slow deliberateness meant that they were out to terrorize “the Fortress of London”.
The bombing machines were in the centre; the escorting battleplanes on the wings. Almost immediately, they were in the thick of bursting shrapnel from anti-aircraft guns, and wavered and swerved like a covey of partridges at the first guns fired from the butts on a moorland heath. But they seemed to recover from this momentary swerving and came straight for the street from which I watched. I had seen enough. A District Railway station did not seem altogether safe from high-explosive bombs, so, without waiting for a ticket, I dashed into a passing train. The ticket-girl must have thought me anything but a brave soldier. But even a soldier does not want to get killed on holiday in London!
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-07-07/register/a-fallen-officers-gifts-2v2zgjfjt
Harry Erskine Tyser was the only son of the late W H Tyser, of Tyser and Co, the Tyser Line, and was killed on April 9 last. Harry Tyser was at Eton and Trinity, Oxford, and since 1895 had lived the ordinary life of a young man of wealth engaged in business in London. No one of his friends of those days would ever have suspected that the generous but somewhat idle pleasure-loving friend, always at the opera or the bridge table, whose only excursion into military life, a short-lived commission in the Berkshire Volunteers, had quite failed to interest him, would turn into the keen soldier who joined the Black Watch at an age at which no one could have pointed the finger of scorn at him for standing aside, who gave his CO no peace till he was allowed to take his place in the firing line. and who spent no happier years than the two passed in his beloved regiment. There is no harm in saying now that, besides his gifts to the Government and Red Cross, he gave large sums to regimental objects and, perhaps even more characteristic of him, the gift to every man in his platoon of a wristwatch the day before the act in which he fell.
A correspondent writes: “Those who knew Tyser at Trinity, Oxford, 20 odd years ago, recall a simple, straight, and lovable soul. He was happier at lawn-tennis or other games than with books, and appeared to be destined to a safe life of business and affluence. For 20 years he had it. His quality of serene directness and simplicity emerges in his surrendering all and giving his life for his country in the lowest commissioned rank at the age of 42.”
july 13, 1917
British airman’s brave attack
The death of another officer of the Royal Flying Corps during the fight with German raiders on Saturday is revealed by letters published in the Streatham News today. The officer was Second Lieutenant J E R Young, whose gallantry in attacking the raiders is described by his Major in a letter to his father, Mr W S Young, of Mitcham Lane, Streatham. The Major’s letter is as follows: “It is with the deepest regret and sympathy that I have to inform you of your son’s death, which took place on Saturday during the enemy aircraft attack on this country. Your son, as you know, had only been in my squadron for a short time, but quite long enough for me to realize what a very efficient and gallant officer he was, and what a tremendous loss he is to me. He had absolutely the heart of a lion and was a very good pilot. He has been up on every raid of late, and has always managed to get in contact with the enemy machines. The last raid, which unfortunately resulted in his death, shows what a very gallant officer we have lost.Almost single-handed he flew straight into the middle of the 22 machines, and both himself and his observer at once opened fire. All the enemy machines opened fire also, so he was horribly outnumbered. The volume of fire to which he was subjected was too awful for words. To give you a rough idea — there were 22 machines, each machine had four guns, and each gun was firing about 400 rounds per minute. Your son never hesitated. He flew straight on until, as I should imagine, he must have been riddled with bullets. The machine then put its nose right up in the air and fell over, and went spinning down into the sea from 14,000ft. I unfortunately had to witness the whole ghastly affair. The machine sank so quickly that it was, I regret, impossible to save your son’s body, he was so badly entangled in the wires, &c. HMS --- rushed to the spot, but only arrived in time to pick up your son’s observer, who, I regret to state, is also dead. He was wounded six times, and had a double fracture in the skull.”
In forwarding the letter Mr W S Young states that it “will serve to assure us all that our splendid boys who, from their point of view, had the privilege had also the will and the pluck to put up noble efforts for our protection and for the defeat of the vilest enemy in all history.”
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-07-12/register/sinn-fein-victory-in-east-clare-g0zc2pr2h
july 12, 1917
Sinn Fein victory in East Clare
The result of the East Clare election was declared at Ennis today as follows: Mr Eamonn de Valera (Sinn Fein), 5,010. Mr P Lynch (Official Nationalist), 2,035. Sinn Fein majority, 2,975. The figures were received with jubilation by Mr de Valera’s supporters. Mr Lynch’s followers were thunderstruck by the utterly unexpected size of the Sinn Fein majority. A similar feeling prevailed in Dublin when the news became known. Men of all parties admitted that here was a portent in Irish politics which must have far-reaching results. Previously the Sinn Feiners had shown their strength in South Longford and North Roscommon. Their victories were attributed less to the appeal of a definite programme, which indeed did not exist, than to discontent with the Nationalist Party and anger at the treatment of the rebellion prisoners. In order to make an atmosphere for the Irish Convention the Government released the rebellion prisoners. The result was not according to its hopes. Mr de Valera and Mr Macneill instantly asserted leadership of the Sinn Fein party, proclaimed a policy of open war on British authority in Ireland, and were fortunate in finding in East Clare a dramatic opportunity for the beginning of their campaign.The policy for which Mr de Valera invited the support of the electors was stated with the utmost candour. The Sinn Fein Party demands absolute independence for Ireland and representation at the Peace Conference. It contemplates revolution if necessary, but only at a time when England’s difficulties will give another rebellion a chance of success. It repudiates Ireland’s share of the National Debt. If the Sinn Fein Party secures an independent Ireland and Ulster resists Ulster must be coerced.
Scenes of wild excitement followed the declaration of the poll. Addressing the crowd, Mr de Valera, the new member, said it was a victory which would be celebrated all over the world. It could not now be said that the people of Ireland did not want absolute independence. The election would be a glorious monument to the men who died in Easter Week, and would show the world that if Ireland only had the ghost of a chance, she would fight for independence. It was a victory for an Irish Republic.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-07-11/register/promotions-and-decorations-vhrqrtc3j
july 11, 1917
Promotions and decorations
In response to a question in the House of Commons, a table of the “promotions and decorations” to the principal figures in the Mesopotamia Report was published yesterday. It illustrates precisely that “abuse of honours” to which we have often called attention in these columns. There is, of course, no question here of the purchase of titles, whether by cash or by party service, which is the worst scandal of the honours system. Promotion in the great orders of knighthood, however assiduously courted, is at least free from that taint. But it is far too often the solace of a thoroughly mediocre career in the public service, and in some cases it is bestowed as a matter of course even in the face of notorious failure.We find, for instance, that General Duff and General Barrow were both raised to the highest rank of a very distinguished Indian Order last year — after it had become apparent that there were deplorable shortcomings in the expedition for which they were responsible. General Barrow, moreover, has actually been placed in the impregnable position of a Member of the Council of the Secretary of State. The Hindenburg line is a trifle compared with the entrenchments which shield a Member of Council from anything less explosive than an address of both Houses to His Majesty.
The main case in this question of honours in the public services is against the deadening system of decorating mediocrities for mere continuity of employment from which no failure seems able to expel them. It is bad for the nation, and an intolerable injustice to the best of our public servants, that “the KCBs” should be a generic term for any body of obstructionist bureaucrats.
Meanwhile the question of continued employment must be dealt with. Every excuse made for the heads of the Indian Medical Service adds to the condemnation of the Finance Department, and especially of Sir William Meyer, who has just, quite inexcusably, been given a new sphere of employment. Surgeon-General Hathaway, still DDMS in the Western Command, is one of the gross culprits of the Mesopotamia Report, condemned not only by the Commission, but out of his own mouth. We bracket him with Sir Beauchamp Duff as being the most flagrant objects of condemnation in this sorry business.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-07-10/register/parliament-and-the-air-raid-6plf337ms
july 10, 1917
Parliament and the air raid
The private sitting of the House of Commons last night was of doubtful value from the public point of view. The Prime Minister said that there were facts and figures which it would be undesirable or even dangerous to disclose except under the veil of secrecy. That is true enough. Nevertheless, we think that it was possible to impart what was required without a form of procedure which is always regarded with suspicion.The published summary of Mr Lloyd George’s statement certainly confirms this impression. The crux of the situation is that we do not yet possess nearly enough aeroplanes. Our shortcomings were revealed to hundreds of thousands of Londoners on Saturday when they watched the German aircraft manoeuvre with an irritating and humiliating impunity. Their tactics suggested confidence in their own safety and contempt for our response, and it is the very ease and deliberation of their movements which has so angered London.
This is not unreasonable. There is a real distinction to be drawn between the event of Saturday morning and an enemy air raid over the British lines in France. These attacks on the heart of the Empire and the nerve centre of the war are not to be treated lightly, however ineffective they may have been in a military sense, and the more that the public are taken into the confidence of the Government the better.
We are glad to learn that the Government propose to consider afresh the desirability of giving a general warning. Men and women should not be left to discover the presence of the enemy through the dropping of bombs and the firing of guns. All should have a chance of taking cover.
As to the larger issues, we have insisted again and again — and the Prime Minister’s statement admits it — that the chief necessity is a great increase in aircraft construction. The problem must be attacked with the same dynamic energy with which Mr Lloyd George and others solved the difficulties of shell production in 1915. It must never again be said that London or any town in these islands cannot have reasonably adequate protection against air raids. But defence is the least part of the business. Victory in the air, as on land and sea, will be gained only by increasing vigour in attack. and that means more and more machines.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-07-08/register/london-on-the-battlefront-x8jwz6pjx
July 8, 1917
London on the battlefront
To come to London from the Western front on a hard-earned holiday and find oneself still in the battle zone is a strange experience. Emerging from the dark caverns of the District Railway, from sheer force of habit I looked up, just as I might have done after climbing the steps from a dugout at Forward Brigade Headquarters during a battle. For the moment I thought imagination had played me a strange trick, for there, in the sky, flying very slowly, and at no great height, were many aeroplanes silhouetted against a thin grey cloud. I counted 15, but the left wing of the formation was hidden by tall buildings, so there were probably another four or five machines on that tip of the wing. They came so low — 7,000 or 8,000 feet — and flew so slowly that I thought they must be “some of ours”, and said to myself: “By Jove! the Air Board is making London pretty secure against the Boche at last!”“They’re ours, aren’t they?” asked an apprehensive stranger at my side. But when I took another glance I realized that they were strangely like the Taubes that we had seen flying over Gallipoli, and, later, across No Man’s Land in France and Flanders. I had to answer in the negative and advise my unknown acquaintance to make for the nearest dugout — in this case the tunnels of the District Railway. As for me, fresh from the front as I was, the spectacle held me spellbound. Never had I seen so many Boche aeroplanes above our lines in such close order, even on the battlefields. It was truly magnificent. Evidently their slow deliberateness meant that they were out to terrorize “the Fortress of London”.
The bombing machines were in the centre; the escorting battleplanes on the wings. Almost immediately, they were in the thick of bursting shrapnel from anti-aircraft guns, and wavered and swerved like a covey of partridges at the first guns fired from the butts on a moorland heath. But they seemed to recover from this momentary swerving and came straight for the street from which I watched. I had seen enough. A District Railway station did not seem altogether safe from high-explosive bombs, so, without waiting for a ticket, I dashed into a passing train. The ticket-girl must have thought me anything but a brave soldier. But even a soldier does not want to get killed on holiday in London!
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-07-07/register/a-fallen-officers-gifts-2v2zgjfjt
july 7, 1917
A fallen officer’s gifts
The Secretary of the War Office makes the following announcement: The Army Council desire gratefully to acknowledge the receipt of two gifts of £3,000 each for the provision of guns and machine-guns by the late Second Lieutenant H E Tyser, Black Watch. Mr Tyser had stipulated that his name should not be disclosed but, as he has been killed in action, his executor has agreed that his generosity should no longer remain unrecorded. Mr Tyser also made many contributions in aid of his regiment and of charitable funds connected with it, and by a codicil to his will executed a few days before his death he left a legacy of £2,000 to his battalion for the benefit of hard and deserving cases.Harry Erskine Tyser was the only son of the late W H Tyser, of Tyser and Co, the Tyser Line, and was killed on April 9 last. Harry Tyser was at Eton and Trinity, Oxford, and since 1895 had lived the ordinary life of a young man of wealth engaged in business in London. No one of his friends of those days would ever have suspected that the generous but somewhat idle pleasure-loving friend, always at the opera or the bridge table, whose only excursion into military life, a short-lived commission in the Berkshire Volunteers, had quite failed to interest him, would turn into the keen soldier who joined the Black Watch at an age at which no one could have pointed the finger of scorn at him for standing aside, who gave his CO no peace till he was allowed to take his place in the firing line. and who spent no happier years than the two passed in his beloved regiment. There is no harm in saying now that, besides his gifts to the Government and Red Cross, he gave large sums to regimental objects and, perhaps even more characteristic of him, the gift to every man in his platoon of a wristwatch the day before the act in which he fell.
A correspondent writes: “Those who knew Tyser at Trinity, Oxford, 20 odd years ago, recall a simple, straight, and lovable soul. He was happier at lawn-tennis or other games than with books, and appeared to be destined to a safe life of business and affluence. For 20 years he had it. His quality of serene directness and simplicity emerges in his surrendering all and giving his life for his country in the lowest commissioned rank at the age of 42.”
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