T H E C O V E N A N T E R
From Erbil onwards we had to forego all housetops into the West York’s camp. This
wheeled transport: henceforward all tents fire was responded to con amore, and Lewis
and blankets were carried on that prince Guns barked for an hour or so. The total
of rapidity, the camel, who sometimes casualties on the West York’s side were a
did not arrive in camp until nearly dusk. sentry’s waterbottle with a hole in it and
On the 4th April the march, which was a tent with four rents! Some thirty empty
tiring enough, was rendered more trying cases were found next day on one house-
by steady downpours of rain. We finally top in the town, but the raiders themselves
reached Koi Sanjak about three in the got away.
afternoon. There was then a wait of nearly The column left Koi Sanjah at seven
an hour while the Brigade-Major allotted next morning, marching to Serkhuma,
billets, which were inevitable, owing to some thirteen miles distant, which it was
the impossibility of pitching camp under intended to use as a base for operations,
the conditions prevailing. Battalion H.Q. owing to it being the junction of five
and H.Q. Wing went into the Fort; the tracks. From here one could see the snow-
other Companies were spread about the topped mountains of Persia, which looked
town. The Sikhs were all accommodated comparatively near. The track to Serkhuma
in the Khan, the West Yorks in the School, led over a range of steep mountains, which
Column H.Q. the Hospital, Supplies and alone took 2
1
/2 hours to surmount, and
Signals were established in the Fort. at the top of which half a company of
Substitute sun for rain, eradicate the Sikhs was left as a permanent piquet. We
glamour of the East-that is, the Oriental had not been long in camp at Serkhuma
tolerance of disease and filth - and Koi before definite information was to be had
would be as pleasant a spot as any to be regarding the adventures of the night
found in Kurdistan. Trees and green fields before. They consisted of a party of 30
abound, and there is plenty of water. Turks, who had beaten a hasty retreat to
Hidden in the valley and overlooked by Rania, a village ten miles away, noteworthy
the Turkish fort, built as usual on a mound, as a hot-bed of Turco-Kurdish intrigue, and
the town itself is a maze of unrepaired to Serkabhan, an adjacent village five miles
and tortuously-winding alleys, never more north of Rania.
that a couple of yards broad. There is a big It was decided to execute a night march
bazaar, in which one was able to obtain all in two columns and to attack both villages
that is usually to be found in these towns. at dawn. The Sikhs were to compose the
It had been intended to camp out as northern column and the West Yorks were
soon as possible when weather conditions to march against Rania; both Battalions
improved, but this was found to be were to leave camp at midnight. The
impossible. On the 16th B.H.Q. and H.Q. remainder of the force was to march in
Wing moved out of the Fort into the support of the West Yorks, leaving camp at
School, which had been vacated by the 4.30 a.m. Unfortunately, we had to leave
West Yorks, who had decided, rashly as it ‘C’ Company behind to look after the
turned out, to move under canvas. Within camp, the tents of which were to be left
two days their camp was a sea of mud. standing as though the column were still
We spent five days in Koi altogether, the there. In order to follow the track Rania it
Companies having singsongs to pass the was necessary to ford a swiftly-flowing river
time. As the days passed the inhabitants some twenty yards broad. In the darkness
began to show their faces with more the West Yorks had considerable difficulty
temerity; at first one had hardly seen a sign in crossing the river, and were delayed five
of life in the place as they were obviously hours. The effect of surprise was thereby
extremely nervous. The billets occupied lost, as the West Yorks did not arrive at
were all vacated with considerable speed Rania before 9.30am., the remainder of the
on the approach of the troops, and the force close at heel. On the march a herd of
owners completely disappeared. Colonel wild pig careered madly along the column,
Lee arrived on the afternoon of the 9th to and then broke through the Battalion and
take over command, having flown from made off. The General, seizing the lance
Baghdad to Koi in three hours. The same carried by his Sowar, galloped after them,
afternoon the Battalion moved out into and tried to enjoy some pig-sticking,
camp prior to marching on the following but was unable to catch up with them.
day. About one o’clock that night a few Meanwhile the Sikhs had carried out their
enterprising spirits opened fire from some task with success, and by the time the West
30
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