Robert Stanley Rogers

History while in the forces

10 Aug 1914: through the Royal Automobile Club, accepted as Motor Cycle Dispatch Rider, Royal Engineers
18 Oct 1914: called up and reported Royal Engineers Headquarters, Chatham (left Corn Row)
03 Nov 1914: ordered to France, order cancelled and posted to 21st Signal Company Royal Engineers then to Headquarters 21st Division
29 Jan 1915: motor accident in snow storm at Berkhamsted resulted in dislocated knee, 4 months' sick leave and hospital etc
May 1915: light duty as clerk to Headquarters Staff officers
Jun 1915: dispatch riding again in Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey etc
Aug 1915: to France, landed at Havre, riding for District Headquarters
Sep 1915: Loos Battle, replaced casualty in Infantry Brigade Dispatch Rider's place, separated from them during battle
Oct 1915: Joined Royal Artillery Headquarters to replace another missing Dispatch Rider, moved with Royal Artillery to Belgian Frontier after exciting experiences in Loos district. 2/ Where I lost my first motorcycle. Stayed at a place near the Belgian frontier about one mile from the trenches for considerable period
Feb 1916: home 6 days' leave
Mar 1916: moved about 70 miles south in the Somme district
Jun 1916: very active with motorcycle preparations for battle
Jul 1916: Somme battle. Saw bombardment and attack entered Fricourt, Mametz, Montauban slept in German dugouts
08 Jul 1916: recommended by Brigadier General R.C. Wellesley CMG for Commission in the artillery. 28: War Office telegram calls me back to England to train for Commission
01 Sep 1916: Leave, then in training
29 Dec 1916: gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in Royal Garrison Artillery. Served as Corporal Royal Engineers Signal Service (RESS) in each of our four armies in France and Belgium
19 Feb 1917: moved to Winchester
Aug 1917: left England for Salonika