FOREWORD

BY

COLONEL H. A. R. MAY, C.B., V.D.,

recently Commanding the Artists’ Rifles.

As one who has been intimately connected with the Corps for nearly forty years, and who yields place to none in his interest in, and love for, his old Regiment, I have awaited the publication of this Roll of Honour of the Artists’ Rifles with an eagerness that I would find it hard to describe. For it is a Record of which, not only every past or present member of the Regiment, but everyone who values the proved possibilities of the Territorial Force may rightly be proud.

The story it tells is one of alert and patriotic acceptance of the responsibilities cast upon us by the war, of many thousands of officers trained for service in the field, of duty nobly done, of gallant service rendered—even unto death. And in no boasting rhetoric is the tale related: the narrative unfolds itself, modestly and simply, in columns of names and figures which speak more eloquently perhaps than any letterpress that could accompany them. Every line records good service voluntarily rendered: one in every seven lines denotes the splendid tragedy of a promising young life sacrificed for his country.

The book contains a complete record of all whose names have been inscribed in our Muster Roll since August, 1914; of Commissions obtained; of honours and decorations awarded (with particulars, where published, of the deeds by which they were gained); and of casualties suffered.

This colossal work, although I know it has been a labour of love, has been compiled and edited with immense and continuous care, spread over some years, by Major S. Stagoll Higham, V.D., assisted by a devoted band of willing and enthusiastic helpers, to all of whom the gratitude of every comrade is due—and is given. It is issued with pride to preserve for future generations the memory of men who, when the occasion arose voluntarily served their country and their Regiment in the greatest emergency.

The time has almost come when the feelings with which we regard the greatest possible Sacrifice made by our best and bravest during the awful days of 1914–18 begin to be free from regret and longing and sadness. And my earnest wish and hope is that when the relatives and friends of those Artists who were then called upon to give up all turn the pages of this book, they will be strengthened to do so with pride and thankfulness only.

Despite the gloom that may sometimes come to us at happenings in these present times, my firm conviction is that so long as we can produce men of the quality of those whose names and deeds are enshrined in this Roll of Honour we can go forward joyfully and with every confidence into the unknown future. And may we all be inspired to carry out our present obligations and duties patriotically, and to live henceforth lives worthy of the example of those 2,003 Artists who died for us that we as an Empire might live. This would be the best War Memorial of all.

November 11th, 1921.