October 31

The seaplane carrier, HMS Hermes, is sunk by the German submarine U27 in the Dover Straits.

HMS Hermes

In the Battle of the Yser, with the German offensive having stalled, the Allies claim victory by preventing Germany gaining total control of Belgium.

The Battle of the Vistula River, which began on 29 September, ends in a Russian victory.

The Siege of Tsingtao begins with Japanese forces shelling the port and digging trenches.

The 26th Brigade RFA remains in action all day.

October 30

The hospital ship SS Rohilla is sunk after hitting the Whitby Rock just east of Whitby harbour. 144 lives are saved by the sterling efforts of RNLI lifeboat crews and the community of Whitby. You can read more about this on the BBC Website.

The 26th Brigade RFA is again in action. Firing continues in the area surrounding Poezehoek.

October 29

Prince Louis of Battenberg

Turkey enters hostilities against Russia by bombarding the ports of Odessa, Sevastopol and Theodosia.


Prince Louis of Battenberg resigns as First Sea Lord. His letter to the First Lord of the Admiralty (Winston Churchill) is dated 28 October, to which Churchill replies (on 29th) accepting his resignation. In this letter Churchill stated, "I cannot further oppose the wish, you have during the last few weeks expressed to me, to be released from the burden of responsibility which you have borne thus far with so much honour and success."

The 26th Brigade, RFA was again in action all day. The Germans attacked the British trenches at 5.30am, with the batteries firing against the German batteries.The Germans were eventually driven back near Poezehoer.

October 28

Lord Kitchener announces that a further 100,000 men are urgently needed for the Army.

Punch publishes another political cartoon, "The Limit"

THE LIMIT

The Kaiser: "What are the wild waves saying?"

Wild Waves: "We were just saying, thus far and no farther!"

The 26th Brigade, RFA remains in action all day in the general area of the Ypres-Menin Road.

October 27 - The battleship that didn't sink

HMS Audacious

HMS Audacious sinks after hitting a mine during gunnery exercises off Tory Island. The mine had been laid by the German auxiliary minelayer, Berlin. The Audacious struck the mine at 8.45am, but did not sink until 8.45pm. Assistance was given by the White Star liner the Olympic, whose passengers witnessed the disaster. Admiral Jellicoe urged the Admiralty not to announce the news publicly. The Cabinet agreed and the incident was not officially reported until 14 November 1918 by an announcement in The Times.

Prince Maurice

Prince Maurice of Battenberg is killed in action at Zonnebeke, aged 23 years. He is buried in Ypres Town Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery

Prince Maurice is the youngest son of Prince Henry of Battenberg (1858-1896) and Princess Beatrice (1857-1944), the youngest child of Queen Victoria.

Batteries of the 26th Brigade RFA are in action during the day near the Menin-Ypres road, near Becelaere, Terhand and Westhoer.

October 26

Battle of the Yser

In the continuing Battle of the Yser, the Belgians begin to open the sluices on the canal and sea defences at Nieuport to stop the German advance.

The 26th Brigade RFA is now based at Zillebeke. During the day, the 57th howitzer battery is in action at Veldoek firing against Poezehoer; 117 is in action east of Gheluvelt firing against trenches north of Reidelbeek; 116 is in action  at Veldhuer firing against trenches south of Zuidhuer. 

October 25

Sir Charles Douglas (1850-1914)

In the continuing Battle of the Yser, due to unrelenting pressure from the German forces, the Belgians decide to open the canal and sea defences at Nieuport in a desperate bid to stop the German advance.

The 26th Brigade RFA marches to Zillebeke.

The death is announced of Sir Charles Douglas, Chief of the Imperial General Staff.