The Bedfordshire Regiment in the Great War |
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1915 War Diary NOTES: All remarks in squared brackets are my own additions, amendments or comments and are not part of the original document I have adjusted all names to show in bold and capital letters, to make them easier to pick out. This is not how they appear in the original document. WAR DIARY FOR JANUARY 19151-3
Jan 1915 - Bailleul Remained in billets at BAILLEUL in Divisional
Reserve: Battn. exercised in Short Route Marches, drills etc. 4
Jan 1915 - Dranouter Brigade relieves 14th. Bde. in trenches. Battn
in support at DRANOUTRE. Capt [John Jenkins] MOYSE joined
the Battn for duty. 5-6
Jan 1916 Battn. remained in support, supplying fatigues etc. for
front line. 7
Jan 1915 - Wulvergem Took over section of trenches from 1st Bn.
Dorset Regt. trenches in very bad state; full of water, sides fallen
in. 8
Jan 1915 Quiet except for sniping. Casualties 6 killed, 2 wounded.
We shot 1 or 2 of enemy's snipers. Enemy shelled our trenches &
neighbourhood without causing damage. 9
Jan 1915 Enemy brought up quick-firer (probably motor-gun) within
a few hundred yards of our trenches & fired obliquely on them.
Casualties 7 men wounded. Owing to convex ground, unable to bring
effective rifle fire on gun. We shot 2 of enemy at close range who
were moving along parapet of their communication trench: probably
their trench was full of water. Our trenches & Germans' only
about 30 yards apart in places. Men keep busy each night in endeavouring
to bale water out of trenches, & revet landslips in trenches
caused by constant rain & unstable soil. 10
Jan 1915 - Dranouter Continual work carried out draining & revetting
trenches etc but without very much apparent result. Casualties 2
killed 2 wounded. Battn. relieved by Dorsets at about 6 pm. &
returned to support in billets near Dranoutre. 11-12
Jan 1915 In support. Men employed in making fascines, hurdles etc.
for revetting firing line. 13
Jan 1915 - Wulvergem Returned to Wolverghem trenches & took
over from Dorset Regt. 1 man wounded whilst taking over. 14
Jan 1915 Quiet day. Enemy shelled right of trenches (where they
were unoccupied owing to water in them) without doing damage. 5
casualties from rifle fire. Three hand grenades thrown into enemy's
trenches. 15
Jan 1915 Enemy shelled our left trenches in the afternoon. Capt
[Basil John] ORLEBAR killed by shrapnel. Casualties 1 officer
& 4 men killed, 11 wounded. 16
Jan 1915 Quiet day: relieved in the [sic] by the K.O.S.B. (13th
Bde.) - 1 Casualty. 17-23
Jan 1915 - Bailleul Battn in Divisional Reserve, in same billets
as on previous occasion, 2nd Lts
[Charles Sidney] KIRSH & [Esmund Lawrence] KELLIE joined
on probation. 2nd Lt. [Charles Cuthbert] ASTON joined from
4th Battn. Battn. exercised daily in route marching etc. 24-25
Jan 1915 - Dranouter Battn. moved to Dranoutre, in Bde reserve.
26
Jan 1915 Battn. received orders about 10.45 pm. to move before dawn
following morning to support firing line in case of attack by enemy
on occasion of Kaiser's birthday.
27
Jan 1915 - near Lindenhoek Crossroads Battn. left Dranoutre at 4.30
am & moved as follows. 'A' Company to support 1/Cheshire Regt.
'B' Company to support Dorset Regt. in the trenches. Hd Qrs &
C & D Companies to farm houses near LINDENHOEK cross roads in
general support. Draft of 60 N.C.O & men joined the Battalion
28 Jan 1915 - Wulvergem Battn. moved to WOLVERGHEM in the afternoon & took over section of trenches from 1st Dorset Regt. 1 Company Dorsets remained in reserve, under orders of O.C. Bedfords. 29
Jan 1915 Considerable work needed in improving trenches, etc. 1
man killed, 1 wounded whilst constructing communicating trench at
night. 1 wounded on patrol, but 2 Germans killed by the other men
who accompanied him. Casualties - three. 30
Jan 1915 Quiet day as regards artillery fire on the whole, but one
of our front trenches was shelled considerably, fortunately without
any serious damage to occupants. Casualties - 2 31
Jan 1915 Quiet day. A little shelling & sniping. casualties
– 2 WAR
DIARY FOF FEBRUARY 1915 1
Feb 1915 - Bailleul Heavy outbursts of firing at about 5.15 a.m.
& 6.15 a.m. mostly to the left of our section of trenches. Remainder
of day unusually peaceful. No.7 trench was shelled for a short time
by small quickfiring gun from direction of Messines. One shell fell
right into the trench, causing 4 casualties. The Battn. (& Brigade)
were relieved by 13th Bde. in the evening, & retired into Divisional
Reserve in billets at BAILLEUL arriving there about 11.30 pm. 2
Feb 1915 In billets 3
Feb 1915 Inspection of companies, route march, hand-grenade classes,
etc. 4-7
Feb 1915 In billets 4
Feb 1915 Major [Walter] ALLASON rejoined from England. 8
Feb 1915 Capt. [Francis Hyde] EDWARDS rejoined the Battn
together with Draft of 60 men. 9
Feb 1915 - Bus Farm, Cooker Farm etc., Wulvergem Brigade returns
to trenches. Hd.Qrs. & two companies of the Battn to
'Bus Farm' near Lindenhoek Cross
Roads, two remaining companies in support to 1st Cheshires in Cooker
Farm & Farms near Dressing Station, respectively. 10-12
Feb 1915 Remained as above. 13
Feb 1915 Took over 'D' Sector Trenches from 1st Cheshire Regt. Quiet
day, a little desultory shelling. 14
Feb 1915 No casualties. Heavy Artillery & Infantry fire to Northwards
during night. Baling & pumping carried on all night in order
to reduce water in trenches. 15
Feb 1915 Quiet except for sniping during the day: heavy artillery
& rifle fire to North during the night. Baling & pumping
in trenches all night. Casualties - Lt. [William Henry Fitzroy]
LANDON (attached) killed, 4 wounded. 16
Feb 1915 Nothing special. Casualties 2 killed, & 3 wounded.
17
Feb 1915 Orders for relief by 13th Brigade cancelled. Casualties
- 2 killed. 2 bombs fired at enemy who at once replied with eight.
18
Feb 1915 Orders for relief issued, but cancelled shortly afterwards,
2 companies 1/Dorset Regt. took over firing line in section, the
2 Bedford Companies relieved going into Section Reserve. Casualties
1 killed, 1 wounded. 19
Feb 1915 Lieut. [William] POTTLE and draft of 90 men joined
Battn. in trenches. Two Dorset Companies relieved by Bedfords in
firing line, & went into support. 2 bombs from mortar fired
into German trenches: latter at once replied with 8 bombs. Didn't
know they had mortars in that section of their trenches previously.
Dorset casualties 1 killed, 2 wounded during day. 20
Feb 1915 - Dranouter Battn. moved into Brigade Reserve near Dranoutre:
relieved in trenches by 1st Cheshire Regt. - Casualties 2 killed.
21-22
Feb 1915 In Brigade reserve at Dranoutre. 23
Feb 1915 Draft of 20 men joined the Battalion. Battn returned to
trenches (Section D) relieving 1st Battn. Cheshire Regt. 1 man wounded
during the relief. 24
Feb 1915 In conjunction with Norfolk Regt., the Battn fired bombs
from mortar, also rifle grenades from 12 trench at German works
on WYTSCHAETE road near 13 trench. Mortar in Norfolks trench burst,
damaging R.E. officer & 1 man & killing another. Most of
our bombs were short, but 1 or 2 appeared to reach enemy's trench.
Germans replied with heavier bombs. Our Casualties 2 men wounded.
25
Feb 1915 Enemy dropped 2 heavy howitzer shells close to Battn.Hd.Qrs.
No damage done, also fired shrapnel at 11 trench - no damage. Casualties
- Capt. [Richard] RATCLIFFE wounded, in 13 trench, and 3
men. 26
Feb 1915 Quiet day. Casualties 2 killed & 1 wounded. 27 Feb 1915 - Bailleul Message received that lamp message signalled from German lines stated enemy intended attacking at 12 noon. Precautions taken; but no attack took place. Casualties - 1 killed, 2 wounded. Brigade relieved by 84th Brigade (28 Div.) 28
Feb 1915 In billets at Bailleul. 1-2
Mar 1915 - Bailleul Battn remained in billets at Bailleul. Draft
of 25 men joined Battn. 27th ult. 3
Mar 1915 - Ouderdom Battn. proceeded with remainder of 15th Bde
by march route to OUDERDOM to form part of new composite 28th Division
in relief of 28th Div. S.E. of Ypres Battn camped in newly constructed
huts. 4
Mar 1915 Battn marched at night to take over position in support
from R.Scots Fusiliers 6
Mar 1915 - canal bank south of Ieper Battn took over sector of trenches
North of Canal, relieving 9th Brigade 1/Cheshire Regt. took over
section S. of Canal. K.O.Y.L.I. on our left. Casualties in going
up to trenches 3 wounded 7
Mar 1915 Head Quarters shelled, 1 man killed. Sniping very considerable,
total casualties 3 killed 1 wounded. 8
Mar 1915 A certain amount of shelling & sniping during day.
Battn. relieved by Dorset Regt. at night & returned to support.
Casualties Capt [Leonard H.G.] ANDREWS wounded: 2 killed
& 9 others wounded 9
Mar 1915 Battn in support 10
Mar 1915 Battn relieved Dorset Regt in trenches at about 6.30 pm.
11
Mar 1915 Situation in 32 (a) trench unpleasant. Germans hold one
end of it & also have trench parallel to it about 40 yards away
& partly enveloping it at the end they hold. Impossible to show
a periscope for more than a few seconds without getting a bullet
through it; & quite impossible to see where firing comes from
as no heads (enemy's) show above their parapets & no rifles
can be seen at loopholes. Capt. [C.A.] OGDEN wounded &
five other ranks. Enemy bombed junction of 32(a) trench & 33
trench (held by 5th Fusiliers [sic 3rd Royal Fusiliers?]) with heavy
trench howitzer. About 20 yards of parapet blown in, killing or
burying about 16 of 5th Fusiliers. 12
Mar 1915 Enemy continued to drop bombs in same place, thus partly
isolating garrison of 32(a) trench. [diagram in original] 2nd
Lt.J.H. [John Hewitt Sutton] MOXLEY [sic MOXLY] killed
2 N.C.O. killed, 1 man wounded. Battn. relieved by Dorset Regt.
at 8 pm. Draft of 20 men arrived. 13
Mar 1915 Battn in support. 2 officers & 9 men wounded by shell
fire; 1 man killed. 14
Mar 1915 Headquarters shelled with shrapnel for about 20 minutes.
Battn relieved 1st Dorset Regt. in trenches About 5.25 pm. Enemy
opened very heavy bombardment on section to our right, near St.ELOI
heavy artillery fire opened again also on Batt.Headquarters &
on Chateau buildings where 'B' Company was billeted. Casualties
- 2 wounded. 15
Mar 1915 Battn in trenches. Casualties 2 killed 4 wounded. Draft
of 45 arrived. 16
Mar 1915 - Ieper Battn. relieved at night by 13th Brigade (Manchester
Regt.) 32(a) trench heavily bombed & sniped. casualties 3 killed
and 11 wounded. Battn. returned to YPRES about midnight 17
Mar 1915 - south of Vlamertinge Battn. left YPRES and returned to
billets in newly erected huts S. of VLAMERTINGE. Brigade being in
reserve. 18-20
Mar 1915 Battn. remained resting in billets. 21-22
Mar 1915 - Ieper Brigade returned to trenches. The Battn. remained
in support at YPRES. 23
Mar 1915 - canal bank south of Ieper The Battn relieved 1/Cheshire
Regt. in 'D' Sector trenches; our left being in touch with the French.
1 man wounded during the relief. 24
Mar 1915 Quiet day - 2 casualties. Trenches very zig-zag & confusing,
as they face in three directions. Considerable work required to
make them satisfactory 25
Mar 1915 - Ieper Lieut [Sidney] TABOR slightly wounded in
head. 1 man killed and 4 wounded. Battn relieved (except 2 platoons)
at 9 pm. & returned to support at Ypres. 2nd Lts [Dennis]
JAMES, HARVEY, [William Bernard] KNIGHT & SCOTT joined for
duty 26-27
Mar 1915 Battalion remained in support. 1 casualty (wounded whilst
with working party) 2nd Lt. [John] WEBB (4th N.Staffords)
joined for duty. [Comment; KIA 21 April 1015] 28
Mar 1915 Battn relieved 1st Cheshire Regt. in trenches. 2nd Lts
[Charles Alan Smith] MORRIS, [Hubert Henry Worsley] PULLEINE
& 119 men joined for duty. 29
Mar 1915 Quiet day. Much work done in improving trenches, making
sniping posts etc. 30
Mar 1915 Do. Do. Constant duel between number 50 trench & opposing
German trench with rifle grenades. Usual difficulty in obtaining
various component parts of rifle-grenades, which are issued separately.
On this occasion no blank rounds available, & shortage of detonators.
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WAR DIARY FOR APRIL 19151-3
Apr 1915 - hutments west of Ieper Battn in reserve at Hutments
W. of Ypres Bishop of London visited & addresses troops.
4
Apr 1915 Still in reserve 5
Apr 1915 - Ieper Battn moved into support at YPRES. 6
Apr 1915 Enemy put a few shells into Ypres. 1 fell each side of
Bn.Hd.Qrs. damaging the houses concerned 7
Apr 1915 - Reningelst Enemy shelled Ypres at about 8.30 a.m. First
howitzer shell smashed up house next to Bn.Hd.Qrs. 2nd smashed
house on other side of Hd.Qrs, Breaking Hd.Qrs. windows. Other
shells broke up houses in neighbourhood causing considerable casualties.
Battn. unexpectedly relieved in evening, & moved back into
Reserve along with remainder of Brigade
at RENINGHELST 8-10
Apr 1915 Battn remained in reserve 11
Apr 1915 - trenches opposite Hill 60 Battn took over trenches
38 to 45 opposite Hill 60. 12-16
Apr 1915 Battn in trenches. Work carried out day & night in
reconnoitring old disused French & German trenches & in
opening up communication trenches, preparing dugouts etc. to shelter
extra Battns about to be brought up for attack on Hill 60 17
Apr 1915 Headquarters 13th Inf. Bde arrived & took over command
of sector. R.W.Kent Regt. & K.O.S.B. arrived & went into
dugouts & part of front trench. 2 companies of Bedfords withdrawn
into support to make room for 13th Bde. 7 pm. precisely, 6 mines
under Hill 60 exploded in 3 groups of two each. Heavy Artillery
bombardment commenced, & hill 60 rushed by British (R.W.K)
18
Apr 1915 Enemy counterattacked during early morning. Casualties
considerable. 2 Companies Bedfords recalled in afternoon: &
counter attack on Hill 60 (part of which had been lost by 13th
Bde) commenced at 6 pm. Line re-established on Hill 60. G.O.C.
13th Bde. handed over immediate control of sector to Lt.Colonel
[Charles Richard Jebb] GRIFFITH D.S.O. (Bedf.Regt.) &
withdrew with staff to point about a mile in rear. 19
Apr 1915 Front line occupied in early morning by Bedfords &
1/East Surrey Regt. Work carried out under difficulties to consolidate
position on Hill 60. Considerable shelling and bombing by enemy.
20
Apr 1915 Enemy counter attacked: tremendous bombardment carried
out against Hill 60, & our trenches & supports. Enemy's
heavy guns enfiladed position, other guns firing from various
directions: bombardment all night. 21
Apr 1915 - Reningelst Bombardment & counter attacks continued
during early morning & position critical at times. Casualties
very heavy. Enemy's machine guns partially enfiladed reverse
of Hill 60, trench mortar bombarded it, & field guns were
brought up to within about 30 yards & fired point blank at
parapet, blowing it to pieces & mangling the defenders. Our
artillery unable to compete with enemy's heavy guns, or to locate
small guns which were too close to Hill 60 to be easily shelled.
Casualties of Bedfords 4 officers killed, 8 wounded. Other ranks
over four hundred. [Comment; Lt John WEBB
and 2/Lt William KNIGHT of 4th Btn Prince Of
Wales, attached to the Bedfords were 2 of the casualties, as was
A/Cpt Charles Sidney Kirch].
Cameron Highlanders & 1 Devons arrived during morning &
relieved E.Surreys & Bedfords who went into reserve at RENINGHELST
for sleep & rest. 22
Apr 1915 - Ouderdom Sudden alarm in evening: Germans having broken
some trenches N. of YPRES Battn ordered to move at once to OUDERDOM.
Reached Ouderdom 9.30 pm: & eventually lay down in empty huts
ready to move at short notice. Battn was visited by Sir J.French
in afternoon & congratulated on excellent performance on Hill
60 23
Apr 1915 Bedfords & E.Surreys (under Colonel Griffith) in
Divisional Reserve at OUDERDOM in readiness to move at short notice.
Constant heavy artillery & rifle fire going on, but no news
of situation reaches me. 24
Apr 1915 - west of Zillebeke Lake Two drafts of 99 and 89 men
respectively joined during past 2 days, also 4 young officers.
Capt H. [Hugh] COURTENAY reported for duty on 21st inst.
& took over duties of Adjutant 1/Bedf Regt. At 5.45 pm Battn
moved forward to position W. of ZILLEBEKE pond in support to front
line trenches & Hill 60. 25
Apr 1915 - left of Hill 60 Battn took over Sector on left of Hill
60 from 1 Cheshire Regt. 26
Apr 1915 In trenches. 2nd Lieut. [Robert Heath] FAWCETT
killed, 3 other ranks wounded. Very heavy Artillery & Rifle
fire on our left, & rear (- counter-attack by V Corps against
Germans N.E. of Ypres) 27
Apr 1915 In trenches. Five men wounded 28
Apr 1915 Do. Casualties 1 man 29
Apr 1915 Do. Casualties 1 killed 1 wounded. 30 Apr 1915 Do. Draft of three officers & 300 other ranks arrived at OUDERDOM. One officer & 100 men sent on same night to trenches. Some difficulty in getting stores & supplies to trenches recently owing to constant & persistent shelling of all roads & approaches by enemy. Casualties - 1 killed, 1 wounded WAR
DIARY FOR MAY 1915 |
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WAR DIARY FOR JUNE 1915 1
Jun 1915 - Hill 60 Battn moved into trenches at Hill 60 relieving
1st Dorset Regt. Casualties 3 wounded 2
Jun 1915 Things have been very quiet in these trenches recently,
but enemy shelled Head Quarters & railway cutting at intervals
during day & night, with 4.9 howitzers. casualties slight 2
killed, 3 wounded. 3
Jun 1915 Quiet day. Casualties - 7 wounded. 4-5
Jun 1915 Situation normal 1 killed, 7 wounded 6
Jun 1915 Some of our trenches shelled accurately by 15 prs. parapets
brought down on self & other officers on two occasions 8
Jun 1915 Hd.Quarters & railway cutting shelled with howitzers.
Casualties - 2 killed, 21 wounded. 9
Jun 1915 Enemy used rifle grenades effectively against 39 trench.
Hd.Qrs. & railway cutting shelled by howitzers at 7 pm. Heavy
rain & thunderstorm: trenches became flooded. casualties - 6
wounded. 10
Jun 1915 Trenches very wet. Hd.Qrs & cutting shelled by howitzers.
Casualties 1 killed, 2 wounded, 1 missing 11
Jun 1915 Almost 20 yards of 38 trench blown in by shell fire. 4
wounded, 1 missing. 12
Jun 1915 Hd.Qrs & railway cutting shelled by howitzers about
4.30 pm. 1 killed, 12 wounded. 13
Jun 1915 - railway embankment in support of Hill 60 38 trench blown
in by shell fire in places. Hd.Qrs & railway cutting shelled
by howitzers. battn. relieved at 9.30 pm by 1 Dorset Regt. &
returned into support in railway embankment. casualties - 2 killed,
12 wounded 14-16
Jun 1915 In support, Furnishing large working parties. Attack near
HOOGE by 3rd Division on our left, on 16th inst. Did not affect
us. Casualties - 1 killed, 1 wounded 17
Jun 1915 - Hill 60 Relieved 1 Dorset Regt in trenches on Hill 60.
Casualties - 2 wounded. 18
Jun 1915 Quiet day. 2 wounded 2nd Lt [Rupert Edward GASCOYNE-]
CECIL rejoined (wounded previously) 19
Jun 1915 Shelled at intervals: parapet of 38 trench badly damaged.
2 killed, 2 wounded 20
Jun 1915 Germans mined & caused big explosion outside our trenches.
1 man wounded by explosion. Previously in morning blew up one of
our mine shafts, killing 2 miners. 21
Jun 1915 - railway embankment in support of Hill 60 Relieved by
1st DORSETS and returned to Railway Embankment into support. Casualties
1 killed 1 wounded 22-26
Jun 1915 In support. Furnishing working parties on 23rd Brigadier
wounded, Lt.Colonel [Charles Richard Jebb] GRIFFITH took
temporary command of Brigade. Casualties during this period 1 killed
5 wounded including Lt. [Hugh Armine Wodehouse] PEARSE wounded
on 25th. 27
Jun 1915 - Hill 60 Relieved 1st DORSETS in trenches on Hill 60 28
Jun 1915 Quiet day. Casualties one killed one wounded 29
Jun 1915 Quiet day. Casualties one killed. Battn.
Casualties one wounded. WAR DIARY FOR JULY 1915 1
Jul 1915 - Hill 60 Railway cutting and HQ dugouts heavily shelled
during morning. Casualties 1 killed, 3 wounded 2
Jul 1915 Usual shelling, Lt. [Percival Frank] HART &
8 other ranks wounded 3
Jul 1915 - in support of Hill 60 Battn relieved by 1st Dorsets &
moved into support. Casualties 1 killed 3 wounded 4
Jul 1915 In support near railway line, furnishing large working
parties. casualties - 1 wounded 5
Jul 1915 In support Pte E.WARNER
(since deceased) [comment, Pte 7602 Edward Warner VC, died
of wounds 2 May 1915] awarded Victoria Cross for gallantry
on May 1st near Hill 60. 6-8
Jul 1915 In support, furnishing large working parties day &
night. Casualties - 1 killed, 7 wounded 9
Jul 1915 - Hill 60 Battn. relieved 1st Dorsets in front trenches.
Major [Benjamin Robert] ROCHE, Capt [Harold W.M.] TOLLEMACHE
& Lt. [Bartle Laurie Stuart] FRERE admitted to hospital with
Fever: 2nd Lts VYVVAN & HORNE (3rd Queens) & Lt.C.[H.]
DOUGLAS, 2nd Lts. [Frank Luckyn] WILLIAMS, [Alexander Harry] WADDY,
[Westropp Orbell Payton] WINMILL & [A.O.R.] BEAL [sic BEALE]
joined for duty 10
Jul 1915 Usual shelling. Casualties 2 killed 1 wounded. 11
Jul 1915 Enemy blew up a mine near trenches 38 & 39 creating
a very large crater. Our trenches practically undamaged, but several
men injured by falling debris & bombardment by artillery. Casualties
2nd Lt. [Rupert Edward GASCOYNE-]CECIL & four other ranks
killed. 34 wounded, 2 missing (believed killed) 13
Jul 1915 - Boeschepe Battn withdrew into reserve at Reninghelst.
arriving there about 4.30 a.m. In afternoon Battn marched on into
billets at BOESCHEPE, for rest 14-20
Jul 1915 Battn notified that 5th Division now ceased to belong to
2nd Army Corps. Resting in billets. 21
Jul 1915 - north of Abeele Battn moved into billets N. of ABEELE.
22
Jul 1915 Battn visited by Major General T.PILCHER 23
Jul 1915 15th Inf. Bde inspected by Commander of 2nd Army &
complimented on present & past efficiency & excellent record.
24-28
Jul 1915 Remained in billets 29
Jul 1915 - Godewaersvelde Battn marched to GODEWAERSVELDE &
entrained there at 10.53 pm. 30
Jul 1915 - la Houssoye Detrained at CORBIE & marched to billets
at LAHOUSSOYE, E. of Amiens 31
Jul 1915 Battn remained in billets. C.O. visited trenches about
to be taken over from the French |
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WAR DIARY FOR AUGUST 1915 1
Aug 1915 - Morlancourt Battn marched to billets in MORLANCOURT.
Captains of Companies visited trenches about to be taken over from
the French. 2
Aug 1915 - trenches near Fricourt Subalterns of Companies went on
in advance during afternoon to inspect trenches. Battn relieved
410th French Regt. in trenches near FRICOURT (East of ALBERT) during
the night. 1st Norfolk Regt occupied sector on our left. 3
Aug 1915 Quiet day. 1st Cheshire Regt. took over sector on our right
during the night. Brigadier (15th Inf.Bde.) took over command of
area from French General 4-15
Aug 1915 In trenches near Fricourt. Very quiet. Much work done in
improving parapets, draining & paving communication trenches
etc. 7th Battn East Surrey Regt. attached to Battn for instruction
in trench warfare. 2nd Lieut. [Ernest Alfred] REX joined
for duty on 13th inst. 16-21
Aug 1915 Normal time in trenches. Total casualties during 3 weeks
tour in trenches 2 killed, 10 wounded, very much lighter casualties
than the Battn. has ever previously suffered in a corresponding
period 22
Aug 1915 - Morlancourt Battn relieved in trenches 8th Battn East
Surrey Regt at about 10 pm. Battn moved back into billets at MORLANCOURT
23
Aug 1915 - Sailly-Laurette Moved into billets at SAILLY-LAURETTE
on the R.Somme. 24-30
Aug 1915 remained in billets. Good bathing for men in river. Large
working parties furnished daily for digging trenches etc. 31
Aug 1915 - Maricourt Battn moved to MARICOURT to take over sector
of trenches. Health of Battn. good throughout the war. Average number
of admissions to Hospital - about 45 per month. Strength of battn
present 23 officers, 952 other ranks 1
Sep 1915 - trenches near Suzanne Battn. took over trenches 28-35
inclusive MARICOURT area near SUZANNE-sur-SOMME. Relieved 1/Devon
Regt. 13th Inf.Bde. on left. 1/Dorset Rgt. on right. 2
Sep 1915 Trenches good on the whole, & communication trenches
fairly numerous. A great deal of work necessary, however, to restore
parts of the line & to drain, revet & floor the communication
trenches with bricks where necessary. Enemy's trenches generally
about 300 or 400 yards away, but in parts where our advance post
trenches jut out, only about 50 yards away. Area generally much
quieter than the other areas the battalion has hitherto been in.
3-9
Sep 1915 Nothing of much interest to record. Lieuts [A.C.] CURTIS,
[C.R.] GLYN & HOGDEN (Indian Army unattached list) who have
been serving with the Battn a considerable time suddenly ordered
to return to England & struck off strength of Battn. A Draft
of 25 N.C.O. & men arrived 8/9/15 10
Sep 1915 - Morlancourt Relieved by 1/Devon Rgt. Battn. withdraw
to billets at MORLANCOURT. 11-15
Sep 1915 In Billets at MORLANCOURT. 16
Sep 1915 - trenches near Fricourt Bttn. took over Trenches 62-69
inclusive. Relieved 8th Norfolk Rgt, 53rd Inf.Bde. 13th Inf.Bde.
on left. 1/Norfolk Rgt. on right. 17
Sep 1915 Trenches in very indifferent repair. A very great deal
of work necessary in order to make parapets bullet-proof, construct
& revet fire-platforms, construct bomb proof shelters, drain
trenches & communication trenches, deepen trenches, where exposed
to enemy view, erect traverses against enfilade fire, construct
obstacles in front (wire entanglements being non-existent) &c.
Average distance of Enemy's trenches, about 160 yards. 18
Sep 1915 All water, stores, meals &c. have to be carried Distances
varying from 1/2 mile to 1 mile, by hand. Combined with the length
of trenches to be guarded, this fatigue work leaves very few men
available for the urgent alterations required in the defences &
throws a severe strain on all ranks. Casualties - 1 Killed. 1 Wounded.
19-24
Sep 1915 Work done in necessary improvement. Enemy quiet in front.
Casualties. 1 L/Cpl missing from patrol, 2 men wounded. 2Lieuts
[Robert Leslie] SHAW & [Herbert John] WEST [comment; later M.C.]
joined the Battn. for duty 25
Sep 1915 Demonstration by our Artillery & Infantry against trenches
opposite, in conjunction with attack by our troops elsewhere. Enemy
made only very feeble reply. 2/Lieuts [Gerald] SHERRY & [Robert
William] FRIEND joined the Battn. for duty. 26-30
Sep 1915 Constant patrols sent out at
night to observe enemy, ascertain work he is carrying out &
cut his wire obstacles where possible. Numerous 'dummy' sniping
places erected, & real concealed sniping post constructed elsewhere.
The Dummy posts attract a gratifying amount of attention from enemy's
marksmen. An extra trench (number 61) added to our extended front.
casualties 1 Killed. 2 Wounded. 1
Oct 1915 - trenches near Fricourt Enemy bombarded our lines with
light guns (H.E. shell) at intervals throughout the day. His fire
enfiladed our trenches from the right, but did little damage. 2/Lt.
[Herbert John] WEST and 1 man wounded. 2
Oct 1915 One of our patrols returning to wrong point of our line
was unfortunately mistaken for enemy. 2 bombing parties under 2/Lt.
[A.O.R.] BEALE & [Robert Leslie] SHAW went out from different
parts of the parapet to surround them. Enemy also opened fire. Result.
2/Lt Shaw & 3 men wounded. 3-4
Oct 1915 Normal & quiet. 5
Oct 1915 Quiet day. Sergt. [6395 Albert Edward] SIRRELL
Killed, on the following day he would have left the Trenches, time
expired had he lived. 6
Oct 1915 - Bray-sur-Somme Bttn. Relieved by 1/Dorsets & moved
into reserve. 7-12
Oct 1915 In Billets at Bray, furnishing daily working parties. 2/Lts
[David Newbold] GAUSSEN, [Alexander Robert Charles] EATON, [E.G]
DONNISON, [William George] COURTHORPE & [Cecil Rees] THOMAS
joined for duty.
13
Oct 1915 - Etinehem and Chipilly Battn. moved to Billets at Etinehem
& Chipilly. Lt-Colonel [Charles Richard Jebb] GRIFFITH
takes temporary command of composite Brigade 14-21
Oct 1915 In reserve at Chipilly & Etinehem finding working parties
daily. A draft of 25 men arrived on 15th 22-26
Oct 1915 Bttn. comes under command of G.O.C. 15th Bde. again. In
reserve still. 27
Oct 1915 - Bray-sur-Somme Bttn. moved to Bray. 28
Oct 1915 - trenches near Fricourt Took over its line of trenches
again 29-31
Oct 1915 In trenches. Weather wet. |
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WAR DIARY FOR NOVEMBER 1915 1-2
Nov 1915 In C1 subsector, N. of BRAY, weather bad. 3-8
Nov 1915 - Bray-sur-Somme Bttn. relieved by 1/Dorset Rgt. returned
to Bde reserve in billets at BRAY. Daily working parties furnished
for work in trenches &c. & mining fatigues. 9-14
Nov 1915 - trenches near Fricourt Relieved 1/Dorsets in Trenches.
1/Norfolk Rgt. on our left, 13th Inf.Bde. on right. Weather bad.
Much work caused by landslides & collapse of parapets &
walls of trenches, owing to rain. Very strong revetting required.
Sandbag revetment found unsatisfactory, owing to occasional subsidence
of foundations & consequent collapse of whole revetment. Also
difficult to deal with Sandbags when they have to be filled with
wet mud. Quiet period. Casualties. 1 Killed. 1 Wounded. 15
Nov 1915 - Bray-sur-Somme Bttn. relieved at 7.30.p.m. by 1/Dorset
Rgt & returned to reserve Billets in BRAY. 16-20
Nov 1915 In billets at BRAY-SUR-SOMME. Large daily working parties
furnished 21-26
Nov 1915 - trenches near Fricourt Returned to Trenches on relief
by 1/Dorsets. Ordinary routine. Enemy shelled trenches more or less
in enfilade from right front most days, but did little material
damage & caused no casualties. Officers' patrols went out on
various occasions at night & examined enemy's wire entanglements
& threw bombs into their trenches, also succeeded in dropping
a number of Grenades into their lines with Catapults & 'West'
bomb throwers. Weather foggy some days & generally cold &
frosty. 28
Nov 1915 - Bray-sur-Somme Lts [Andrew Cecil] THOM- POSTLETHWAITE
& [Frederick Arthur] SANSOM joined the Battn. for duty a couple
of days ago. A little snow & hard frost. Bttn. relieved in evening
by 1/Dorsets & returned to Billets in BRAY. Casualties during
tour; 1 wounded by Bullet & 1 by Grenade. 29-30
Nov 1915 - Bray-sur-Somme and Etinehem In rest billets (Brigade
Reserve). A.Coy. moved to Billets at ETINEHEM. Thaw, followed by
very heavy rain caused collapse of parapets & communication
trenches. Larger working parties required to try & cope with
the situation. 1-2
Dec 1915 - Bray-sur-Somme and Etinehem In Rest Billets. Lts.
[C.G.] THOMSON, [Eric Chilver] WILSON, [R.J.] SAUNDERS & [Frederick]
WHITTEMORE joined Bttn. for duty. 2 men killed & 2 injured
in mine explosion where they were working with Bde. Tunnelling Coy,
in 73 Trench. 3
Dec 1915 - trenches near Fricourt Relieved 1/Dorsets in C.1. subsector.
4-5
Dec 1915 In Trenches. Lt. [Arthur
Norris] MARSHALL joined for duty. Weather very wet &
trenches bad. Large amount of work required to keep in repair. 6
Dec 1915 Lt.-Col.B.R. [Benjamin Robert] ROCHE took over command
of Bttn. vice Lt.-Col.C.R.J.[Charles Richard Jebb] GRIFFITH C.M.G.
D.S.O. appointed to command of 108th Bde. quiet day one man
wounded. [on reverse Lt.Col. [Charles Richard Jebb] GRIFFITH
C.M.G. D.S.O. left the Bn. on 3rd Decr.1915 to command 108th
Brigade. Capt.W.H.L. [William Harold Louis] BARNETT, 4th
Bn. Bedfordshire Att 1st Bn. commanded Bn, until arrival of Capt.F.H.
[Francis Hyde] EDWARDS 1st Bn. on 4th Dec] 7
Dec 1915 Quiet day, wet evening, two men wounded. 8
Dec 1915 at 2 am Bombing parties from Dorsets crept towards German
trenches opposite 65 trench found it impossible to get through wire
threw bombs and got back with a few slight casualties. rest of day
quiet. trenches very bad in places owing to rain. 9
Dec 1915 - Bray-sur-Somme Relieved by the Dorsets and returned to
billets arriving about 9.30 pm very wet night. 9-13
Dec 1915 In billets at Bray one man killed on mining fatigue on
10th. relieved 1st Dorsets in C.1. subsector relief complete at
7.45.p.m. trenches very wet and communication trenches very difficult
one man wounded during relief. 14
Dec 1915 - trenches near Fricourt Trenches required a lot of work
owing to rain. 69 trench very bad. Germans seen getting out of their
communication trench near MAMETZ and fired on. One man wounded.
15
Dec 1915 A few whizbangs about noon near 69 trench no damage done.
Quiet day. 3 offrs & 8 N.C.Os 16 Btn Royal Warwicks arrived
for instruction 16
Dec 1915 About 5 am a German Deserter surrendered to 67 trench he
was wounded by a bomb by his own people in escaping. About 5.30
am enemy made a feeble attempt to bomb the Mound (a salient from
62 trench) bombs fell short enemy hastily retreated no damage done.
Misty weather little improvement in state of trenches. Quiet day.
4 more officers & 1 compy 16th Warwicks arrived for instruction.
17
Dec 1915 Rain made trenches worse, quiet day, 5 or 6 whizbangs about
RAT HOLE about 12.30 pm 3 or 4 whizbangs about 69 trench about 9
pm no damage. The compy 16th R.Warwicks took over 65, 66 & 67
trenches about 5 pm. 18
Dec 1915 - Bray-sur-Somme Quiet day was relieved by 1st Dorsets
and returned to BRAY. relief complete 7.15 PM 19-22
Dec 1915 In Billets in BRAY. 22
Dec 1915 - trenches near Fricourt Relieved 1st Dorsets in C.1. subsector
relief complete 7.5 pm. Trenches very wet. Trench mortar bombs near
62 trench about 9 pm & whiz bangs about RAT HOLE at 11 p.m.
midnight & 1 a.m. no damage. 23
Dec 1915 Quiet day, approach to MINDEN POST shelled at 7.30 p.m.
no damage 24
Dec 1915 Some shelling about noon 68 & 69 trenches one man wounded,
one man wounded about 9 pm when working on top of dug out. Night
quiet. 25
Dec 1915 A quiet day some rifle fire and our guns opened fire at
noon on German trenches no reply. 26
Dec 1915 - Bray-sur-Somme Heavy rain in early morning quiet day
in C1. FRICOURT shelled about noon. Relieved by 1st Dorsets relief
complete 8.20 p.m. returned to BRAY. 27-29
Dec 1915 - Bray, Etinehem and Chipilly Billets at Bray at 4.30 pm
29th the battalion moved 2 coys and Hq Qrs to Etinehem and 2 coys
to Chipilly 30-31
Dec 1915 In billets at Etinehem & Chipilly returned to Bray
at 4.45 pm 31st Dec. |
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1st Battalion links Below are links to the other pages with information on the 1st battalion during the Great War:
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