In May 1915, Lieutenant Colonel Harman Grisewood, from Bognor was given command of the 11th Battalion Royal Sussex regiment, (1st South Downs). He replaced the battalion founder Lieutenant Colonel Claude Lowther , however on the eve of the attack at Boars Head on 30th June 1916, he had serious doubts about the success of the plan of attack.
The plan had to be carried out and Major General R. Dawson dismissed Grisewood beacause of his doubts and dropped the 11th Battalion to a supporting role, replacing them with the 13th Battalion. Lieutenant Colonel Grisewood left his men on the eve of the battle, never to return. After a period in England, he was posted to the 17th Manchesters in 1917 and commanded them in the field until severely gassed.
Lieutenant Colonel Grisewood sent a final message to his battalion which found its way into the Eastbourne Gazette courtesy of Privates D and W Ashby.
“Colonel Grisewood’s Farewell Message
Writing to their parents Mr and Mrs D. Ashby of Woodside, Hellingly. Privates D and W Ashby of the Southdown battalion says: - “We are both keeping well and getting on nicely; hope you are keeping fit too. Our Colonel (Lieutenant Colonel H.J. Grisewood) has left us. He was very much upset at going and so were all the men. Everybody was sorry when he went as he was respected by all. I am sending you his last message to the men.
“In relinquishing the command I have been so proud to hold during the past fourteen months. I wish to record my gratitude to each and every man in the battalion for the loyal co-operation they have given me in the great work we undertook together and so to express my appreciation of all the assistance each has rendered. The battalion has earned a great name and a splendid reputation and I know they will add to a record of glory and bravery worthy of the regiment to which we belong. The memory of the two years we spent together will always be with me, and to everyone in the battalion I wish God’s speed and good fortune.””
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