801 MT COY ASC
May 1918 to July 1918
After attending a series of 16th Corps technical committee meetings at TASLI, RAJANOVA and KARAMUDLI, the CO went on leave and Lieutenant (acting Captain) Hocken took temporary command, but not before Major Holland expressed his displeasure at the DST’s inability to find a replacement Mechanist Staff Sergeant, here are his thoughts in full:
‘Ref Estabt Personnel
Considerable trouble is being experienced by this Unit over the question of obtaining a M.S.S. fitter. On taking command in Nov/17 I found that the Road Sergt who acted as C.S.M. had been given the, Rank of a/MSS with pay a most improper arrangement which deprived the workshop of a Foreman & put a Road Sergt in an untenable position as he had no workshop qualifications. Arranged for D.S.T. with 3rd Echelon to adjust the matter by reposting the a/MSS to a Coy with no C.S.M on Estabt & was promised a good MSS fitter to replace him. This reposting took place on 28/5/18 & I then applied for the MSS fitter to replace him. After considerable delay an MSS reported to me on 28/6/18. This N.C.O. found to be a, Rubber tyre expert specially sent from 910 Coy to B.M.T.D. to take charge of tyre presses. I represented to D.S.T. that the N.C.O. was useless to me & requested a MSS fitter in, exchange. This was agreed to & on 29/6/18 another M.S.S. reported to me from B.M.T.D. This N.C.O. found to be a MSS Wheeler and consequently of no service to us. Representations have been made to D.S.T. for 16 C.H.Q. on this matter. I wish to point out the inconvenience caused to this unit. It is obvious that when a M.S.S fitter is required it would save time and trouble if steps were taken to find one instead of sending Rubber Experts & Wheelers who are of no use to this unit.
H.N. Holland Major A.S.C.
O.C. 801 M.T. Coy A.S.C.'
At the beginning of summer 1918 it was business as usual for the 801st MT company. The Lorries were out on the road and the light rail tractors busy along the valley and an assortment of cars and cycles were in for repair, including some Greek army vehicles. There are a few comings and goings; Lieutenant Martyn and 2nd Lieutenant Hawkins left, 2nd Lieutenant Gibson Lieutenant Hocken and Sergeant Hollands joined, one man went on detachment to the Greek 1st Division.
In May and June sickness became a serious concern, with 13 men admitted to Hospital 5 of whom were struck off the strength. In early June the company moved camp from K70 in the mosquito infested Struma valley up to K59 in the mountains, as a result there is only 1 hospital admission in July.
Image - Old and new a Mule Train passes a Motor Lorry on a road near Salonika
