1914 and 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 November and December 1914

1-11-14. The Bn received orders to be ready by the 5th to embark.

2-11-14. Preparations for embarkation proceeded satisfactorily.

3-11-14. Preparations proceeded satisfactorily and the Bn was issued out with the Short Rifle. [Comment; this refers to the SMLE, or the "Short Magazine Lee Enfield" Rifle].

4-11-14. Preparations for embarkation proceeded satisfactorily.

5-11-14. The Bn left BURY ST. EDMONDS in two trains and in the evening embarked on the "CITY OF CHESTER", sailing at midnight.

6-11-14. Arrived at HAVRE on the morning and landed at HAVRE about 12 Midday and marched 3 ½ miles to No.2 REST CAMP.

7-11-14. Remained at REST CAMP. [Comment; Battalions first death in France - Private 2682 Charles CASTLE of Ware died from illness]

8-11-14. Bn entrained early and left in one train for ST. OMAR [sic; ST. OMER] at 9.19pm.

9-11-14. The Bn arrived at ST. OMAR [sic; St. OMER] at 7am and marched to billets about 3 miles away at TATINGHAM.

10-11-14. The Commander in Chief came up for a few minutes and inspected one of the Companies.

11-11-14. The Bn moved out to prepare an entrenched position. Shortly after arrival received orders to proceed by Motor Bus to VLAMENTINGHE. On arrival marched through YPRES and bivouacked KILO 3 ¾ Mile West of HOOGE. The Bn came under shrapnel fire passing through YPRES and had one Officer and one man struck but only one man needed medical attention.

12-11-14. Bn moved about 2 miles along the YPRES-ZONNEBEKE Railway and entrenched in a wood for cover against shrapnel. Returned to bivouac.

13-11-14. Remained in bivouac (and had an unburst shrapnel shell through the farm and one man was struck by splinters).

14-11-14. The Bn moved in the evening to NONNE-BOSSEN and took over trenches from the Oxfordshire Light Infantry - 3 Companies in trenches, 5 in support.

15-11-14. Same position. One man wounded.

16-11-14. Handed over our trenches to 153rd Regiment and marched back to 3 KILO YPRES-MELLEN [sic; MENIN] Road.

17-11-14. We were shelled in the morning and had to leave the farm shortly after had one man killed and two severely wounded. In the evening we went into the trenches again & took over from the 1st Royal Dragoons and 10th Hussars 1 mile S.E. of ZILLEBEKE. Had 4 Companies in the trenches, 1 in support, 1 in reserve, remaining 2 at KILO 3.

18-11-14. Remained in trenches. Corporal Boardman [2270 Ernest Arthur BOARDMAN] killed and one man missing. [Comment; Missing man was Private 2238 Frederick James DARLOW of Royston who was found to have been killed In action]

19-11-14. E Company was heavily shelled and lost 3 men killed, 19 wounded, 2.Lieut C.M. Down [Charles M. DOWN] wounded. In the evening we were relieved by the 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards and marched back to our own former bivouacs. Slight fall of snow. [Comment; Killed in action today - Privates 2504 William BUTTS, 2747 George Haslear CATLIN, 2518 George Edward ELLIS, 2426 Walter William FLANDERS, 2428 Joseph William JOHNSON, 1911 Frank PULLEY, 2636 Phillip James ROBINSON, 2746 Henry WEST]

20-11-14. Marched at 11pm to METEREN, about 18-20 miles. Had tea at OUDERDAM. A very cold night. Joined our Brigade 4th (Guards) Brigade for the first time.

21-11-14. Arrived at METEREN and went into billets.

22-11-14 to 21-12-14. Bn remained at METEREN refitting and training. [Comment; 29-11-14. Private 2598 Walter George WALKER of Hertford died in England from his wounds today]

22-12-14. Brigade marched from METEREN to BETHUNE and billeted there the night.

23-12-14. The Brigade marched to LES LACONS FARM and spent the day there. In the evening the Bn moved forward to Cross Roads - RUE DE BOIS and RUE L'EPINETTE in support of 2 ½ battalions of the Brigade in the trenches.

24-12-14. The Bn moved back to LES LACONS FARM and in the evening went into the trenches south of RUE DE BOIS taking over from 6th GHATS. 6 Companies in the trenches, 2 in support close to Headquarters.

25-12-14. L.Sgt Gregory [2301 Thomas Edward GREGORY] and Private Huggins [2701 Percy Henry HUGGINS] killed.

27-12-14. One Company was removed from the fire trenches to support. Each Company had 36 hours in support in rotation.

War Diary for January 1915

2-1-15. The Bn was relieved by the 1st Bn K.R.R. Corps and marched about 5 miles into billets about 1 ½ miles north of LOCON.

8-1-15. Marched from our billets about 4 ½ miles to RICHEBOURG ST VAAST where we remained until evening of 10th.

10-1-15. Took over trenches from Irish Guards. We had 6 posts of 8 men in trenches and 4 Companies in RUE DU BOIS, SE of RICHEBOURG in support. Remaining 3 Companies in reserve. Company in trenches relieved every 12 hours.

11-1-15. Lieut. H.J. Snowden [Harcourt John SNOWDEN] was killed (in support).

12-1-15. Relieved by Irish Guards and returned to RICHEBOURG.

14-1-15. Moved to same position in RUE DU BOIS as we took over on Dec. 24th. 2 Companies in trenches, 3 in support, 3 in reserve. [Comment; Acting Sergeant 1193 Harold DRAPER of Hoddesden died of wounds].

16-1-15. Our line slightly increased so had 3 Companies in trenches, 2 in support and 3 in reserve.

18-1-15. We were relieved in the trenches by 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards and went into Brigade Reserve at LE TOURET.

20-1-15. The Brigade moved into Corps Reserve - 1st Bn Herts Regt to HINGETTE.

25-1-15. The Brigade was ordered to fall in about 10am owing to German attack at GIVENCHY and CUINCHY. Two Battalions moved forward about ½ mile E of GORRE, remainder including 1st Bn Herts Regt marched to HALTE 1 mile S.W. of ECLAS D'ESSAIRES and returned to billets at HINGETTE about 6pm.

26-1-15. The commanding Officer, Lieut. Col. The Viscount HAMPDEN returned to England to take up an appointment as Brigadier General.

27-1-15. The Bn moved to ESSAIRES very early and remained there until after dinners and then returned to HINGETTE.

29-1-15. The Bn again moved to ESSAIRES and after dinners went on to ½ mile E of GORRE, marching back to HINGETTE about 6.15pm.

30-1-15. Moved off early again to ESSAIRES and after dinners marched to BEUVRY where the Bn was in reserve to the Brigade.

31-1-15. A draft of 2 Officers and 195 OR's arrived. In the evening No.3 Coy was ordered to report to 2nd Bn Welch Regiment. Two platoons GIVENCHY, two PONT FIXE ½ mile S.W. of GIVENCHY.

War Diary for February 1915.

1-2-15. No.4 Coy relieved No.3.

2-2-15. Captain Lowry [Sidney Henry LOWRY, MC], Lieut. Molony [Brian Charles MOLONY], Lieut. Gibbons [Thomas Pilling GIBBONS, MC], Lieut. M. RATELY [?], Lieut. Oldham [Reginald Doyle OLDHAM] arrived from Reserve Battalion. The Bn moved to ANNEQUIN, one Company in support trenches in CUINCHY, two Companies and H.Q. at ANNEQUIN.

3-2-15. No.4 Coy returned in the evening from being attached to 3rd Brigade. No.1 Coy in support trenches lost 2 men killed [Comment; Privates 1755 George COLES and 1750 George Richard John LEWIS both killed in action]

4 and 5-2-15. One Company in support trenches near CUINCHY INCO & 20 men in Barricade Guard.

6-2-15. [Comment: The Winter Actions at Cuinchy] The Bn paraded at 5.20am and moved to trenches in PONT FIXE road. No.4 Company in support trenches. Later No.3 Company went up under orders of Officer Commanding Irish Guards and later still No.2 Coy went up under orders of Officer Commanding 3rd Bn Coldstream Guards. Heavy bombardment 2-2.15pm. At 2.15pm parties of 3rd Bn Coldstream Guards and Irish Guards assaulted Brickstacks and took the same. The Bn returned to billets in the evening - one man killed [Comment; Private 1777 John Odell SMITH killed].

7-2-15. Two Companies under Captain Jones [Edgar Montague JONES] reported to O.C. 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards at 6.30am at CUINCHY. No.2 Coy sent 2 platoons to Fire Trench. 1 man killed in No.1 Company in support [Comment; Lance Corporal 86 Edward David NEWALL killed and Private 2181 William HALL died of wounds later that day]. Lieut. J. PAWLE dangerously wounded.

8-2-15. The trench on our right made an attack, took some trenches but later retired.

10-2-15. The following message was received from the G.O.C. 2nd Division; "The GOC received with unqualified satisfaction your report of the steady soldier like bearing under heavy fire of the 1st Bn Herts. Regt. (TF) both in support of the attack on the 6th February and again during the bombardment in the afternoon on the following day. He will be glad if you would convey to Major Croft [Henry Page CROFT, CMG, MP] and the Officers, NCO's and men his appreciation of their action".

14-2-15. Two Maxims of the Regiment were in action when the French attempted an advance.

20-2-15. The Bn had orders to stand to arms about 5.30am owing to a false alarm.

21-2-15. Lieut. Colonel The Viscount HAMPDEN mentioned in dispatched by Field Marshall Sir John FRENCH, the Commander in Chief, dated January 14th 1915.

28-2-15. The Brigade moved into Corps Reserve at BETHUNE, being relieved by the 5th Infantry Brigade.

War Diary for March 1915.

1-3-15. Battalion in Corps Reserve at School in BETHUNE.

2-3-15. Two Companies vacated billets and marched to VENDIN.

5-3-15. Remaining two companies joined up with the battalion at VENDIN.

6 to 9-3-15. Bn in Corps Reserve at VENDIN.

10-3-15. Battalion moved to St. PREOL in support on CANAL BANK and in the evening returned to billets at BETHUNE.

11-3-15. At 5am we again moved up to the same position at St. PREOL, remained in support all day and in the evening relieved the 1st Bn Kings Royal Rifles at GIVENCHY, two companies going into the trenches, 2 in billets in reserve.

12-3-15. Two Companies in trenches, 2 in support. Casualties - 6 wounded of which 3 only slight. In the evening engaged in digging.

13-3-15. Ditto. Digging in the evening. Casualties 4 wounded (C.S.M. Raven [2798 George RAVEN, DCM] left trenches and went out and brought in Cpl Beaver of the 1st Bn Kings Royal Rifles who had been wounded 2 days previously).

14-3-15. The Brigadier congratulated the Bn on the excellent work and intelligent reports of the patrols that went out on the previous evening and especially congratulated C.S.M. Raven [2798 George RAVEN, DCM] on his gallant conduct in saving the life of Cpl Beaver of the 1st Bn Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Casualties 2 wounded.

16-3-15. One Coy digging in the evening.2 killed, 2 wounded [Comment; Privates 3707 Amos HEAD and 1801 Arthur SPANSWICK both died of wounds]

17-3-15. The GOC 2nd Division congratulated the Bn on the fine progress made on the new trench. In the evening 4 platoons of the 7th Bn Kings Liverpool Regiment (TF) (one platoon of which lost its way and did not arrive) were engaged in digging trench. Our casualties, 5 wounded, 1 dying of wounds in hospital at BETHUNE [Comment; Private 3640 William Arthur STONE died of wounds]

18-3-15. Heavy artillery fire [Comment; Private 2955 John Edward HEWITT died of wounds the following day]

19 to 31-3-15. Nothing of importance happened.

27-3-15. Notification received to the effect that CSM Raven [2798 George RAVEN, DCM] had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal

31-3-15. One Coy of the 8th City of London (Post Office Rifles) took over NEW CUT TRENCH, GIVENCHY. No.2 Coy marched into billets at School in BETHUNE. [Comment; On 29-3-15 Acting L/Cpl 4523 William George GREE died of wounds, Privates 2076 Francis John Barr LAUGHTON and 2780 Frank Edgar MARCHAM were both killed in action.]

War Diary for April 1915.

1-4-15. The Post Office H.Q. came up and another company took over our trenches. No.1 Company marched into billets at BETHUNE. Two machine guns relieved by the Post Office Rifles.

2-4-15. H.Q., Nos.3 & 4 Coys, 2 machine guns marched into BETHUNE on being relieved by 2 Companies of the Post Office Rifles. [Comment; Private 1061 Frederick Vicry SMITH died of wounds]

2 to 6-4-15. Resting in BETHUNE.

6-4-15. Bn took over trenches at GIVENCHY from the 3rd Bn Coldstream Guards. Nos. 1&3 Coys in front line, Nos.2&4 Coys in second line.

8-4-15. Bn was relieved by 3rd Bn Coldstream Guards and went into billets at LE QUESNOY.

10-4-15. The Bn again took over B1 GIVENCHY from the 3rd Bn Coldstream Guards

13-4-15. Bn was relieved by the 15th Bn City of London (Civil Service Rifles) and went into billets a LE QUESNOY.

15-4-15. Battalion took over from 15th Bn City fo London Regt. (Civil Service Rifles).

17-4-15. Relieved by the 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards [Comment; Private 1626 Walter James CROFT died of wounds today and Private 1948 Frederick John JONES died of wounds on the 18th.]

19-4-15. Took over trenches at WINDY CORNER, GIVENCHY from 3rd Bn Coldstream Guards. 2 Companies in trenches, 2 in support. {Comment; Private 2755 Arthur PETTY died of wounds on the 20th.]

22-4-15. Relieved by the 15th County of London Regt. and went into billets at LE PREOL. [Comment; Private 2040 Henry Claud Robert BRUCE died of wounds]

23 to 25-4-15. Bn relieved by the 8th City of London Regt at B1 GIVENCHY.

25 to 28-4-15. Into billets at LE QUESNOY.

25-4-18. A draft of 30 men joined the battalion from England. Also 21 men rejoined the battalion from hospital.

28-4-15. Bn relieved by the 2nd Coldstream Guards at B1. [Comment; Private 3034 William CHALKLEY killed in action]

War Diary for May 1915.

1-5-15. The Bn was relieved by the 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards and went into billets at LE QUESNOY. [Comment; Private 2240 Arthur John COOTE killed in action and Private 3033 Trevor Joseph James BURNELL died of wounds]

3-5-15. Bn relieved the 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards at B1. [Comment; Acting L/Cpl 2425 Horace John TAYLOR died of wounds]

6-5-15. A draft of 2 Officers and 20 men arrived from England, also 8 men from ROUEN.

12-5-15. Bn was relieved by the Cameron Highlanders and marched to LE TOURET.

13-5-15. At LE TOURET the Bn bivouacked.

14 to 17-5-15. Moved into billets at LE TOURET.

17-5-15. Bn moved up in support of the Irish Guards in trenches ¾ mile East of RUE L'EPINETTE.

18-5-15. [The Battle of Festubert] Moved into trenches further east. The Irish Guards attacked at 4.30pm, No.1 Coy in close support of Irish Guards. No.4 Coy in support of Grenadier Guards who also attacked. No.1 Coy and 1 platoon of No.3 Coy and 50 men of No.3 Coy reinforced Irish Guards and entrenched themselves. The Bn took over the Irish Guards from the line about 9pm and dug in. No.2 & 4 Coys in front line, No.3 Coy less 1 platoon in second line, No.1 Coy plus 1 platoon and No.3 Coy third line.

19-5-15. Consolidated position during the day, were heavily shelled and also when we were relieved during the night by the 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards. The Bn returned to billets at LE TOURET, all back about 12.30am (20th). During the 18th and 19th the Bn had the following casualties; Lieut. DAVIS H.G.J., Lieut. Palmer V.H. [Vernon Hugh PALMER], 2/Lieuts. Christie [John Fairfax CHRISTIE, MC], Oldham [Reginald Doyle OLDHAM] and Loyd [Reginald Percy LOYD] wounded. 17 NCO's and men killed, 91 NCO's & men wounded.

20-5-15. Bn moved into billets at BETHUNE.

22-5-15. Bn moved into billets at LA BEUVERIERE.

24-5-15. The General Officer commanding the Division inspected the Bn and congratulated it on its conduct during the recent operations and since it had joined the 4th (Guards) Brigade.

31-5-15. The Bn paraded at 4.10am and marched to NOUEX LES MINES. The Brigade went into billets there in reserve to the 5th and 6th Infantry Brigades.

War Diary for June 1915.

6-6-15. The Bn moved at 9.15pm. Nos. 1&2 Coys in billets at CAMBRIN.

13-6-15. Notification received the Company Sergeant Major Abbott [198 Ernest W. ABBOTT, DCM], Acting R.Q.M.S. Rayment [2108 Francis RAYMENT, DCM] and Sgt. Selby [845 Edward SELBY, DCM] have been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

20-6-15. The Bn moved from CAMBRIN and ANNEQUIN to SAILLY LE BOURSE, changing places with the Irish Guards.

21-6-15. The Bn relieved the 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards about 2 miles NE of VERMELLES.

23-6-15. The Bn was relieved by the 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards and moved into billets at SAILLY LE BOURSE. The following Officers, NCO's and men appeared in the Commander in Chief's dispatched dated 31-5-1915: Lieut. Colonel, The Viscount HAMPDEN, Major H.P. Croft, MP [Henry Page CROFT, CMG, MP], Major F. Page [Frank PAGE. DSO & Bar], Captain A.G. Clerk [Aylmer G. CLARK, DSO, MC], Captain & Adjutant, the Honourable N. Gathorne-Hardy [The Honourable N.C. GATHORNE-HARDY] (Rifle Brigade), Captain P.E. Longmore [Phillip Elton LONGMORE], Captain L.F. Smeathman [Lovel Francis SMEATHMAN, MC], Captain G.E. Whitfield [Geoffrey Ernest WHITFIELD, MC], No.14 Sgt J. Barber [John BARBER], 2108 Acting CQMS F. Rayment [2108 Francis RAYMENT, DCM], 2550 Sgt A.E Sandell [Arthur E SANDELL], 132 Sgt R. Shirtcliffe [Reginald SHIRTCLIFFE], 2662 L/Cpl R.A. Gough [Richard A. GOUGH], 2283 Pte. Curtis [George F. CURTIS, MM].

25-6-15. The Bn again relieved the 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards in trenches.

27-6-15. The Bn was relieved by the 1st Bn Loyal North Lancs Regt. and moved into billets at BETHUNE and MONTMORENCY BARRACKS. Major E.M. Jones [Edgar Montague JONES] left the Bn for England to take over command of the 3rd/1st Bn Hertfordshire Regiment.

28-6-15. Brigadier General the Earl of Cavan, C.B., M.V.O. issued the following order on relinquishing command of the 4th (Guards) Brigade; "On leaving the Brigade to take command of a Division it would not be seemly to recall the various actions since 18th September in which it has been my privilege and delight to command you but I may say - whether in action, in the trenches or in billets, no unit of the 4th (Guards) Brigade has ever disappointed me, nor has any battalion ever fallen short of that great standard set by our predecessors. We welcomed the 1st Herts Territorials at YPRES and most worthily have they bourne their part with the rest of us. To you all I convey the gratitude of a very full heart and I wish you Goodbye and Godspeed". The following awards were made: To be C.M.G.; Lieut. Colonel, the Viscount HAMPDEN, Major Croft MP [Henry Page CROFT, CMG, MP]. D.S.O.; Major F. Page [Frank PAGE. DSO & Bar], Military Cross; Captain L.F. Smeathman [Lovel Francis SMEATHMEN, MC].

30-6-15. In billets at MONTMORENCY BARRACKS, BETHUNE.

War Diary for July 1915.

1-7-15. It appeared in General Headquarters Orders that No.2140 Cpl C. Long [Charles LONG, DCM] had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

5-7-15. Two Companies went into trenches at CUINCHY A2 sector relieving the 5th Bn Kings Liverpool Regt. 2 Companies Brigade Reserve at ANNEQUIN.

8-7-15. Captain the Honourable N.C. Gathorne-Hardy [The Honourable N.C. GATHORNE-HARDY], Adjutant, left the Bn to command the 4th Bn Rifle Brigade

11-7-15. The Bn held A2 sector till the 13th, the 2 companies in reserve relieving the 2 companies in the trenches every 48 hours. [Comment; Private 2007 Leslie James TEARLE killed in action]

13-7-15. The Brigade frontage was shortened, the 4th Brigade holding from CANAL to LA BASSEE road. Bn was relieved in A2 sector by the Royal Munster Fusiliers and 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards. No.4 Coy relieved 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards in CUINCHY SUPPORT POINT and No.2 Coy relieved 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards at CAMBRIN SUPPORT POINT and BRADDELLS POINT.

14-7-15. A draft of 1 Officer and 70 men joined the Bn from England. 2nd Lieut. Lambert [Geoffrey Fontaine LAMBERT].

21-7-15. The Bn was relieved by the 9th Bn Highland Light Infantry and marched into MONTMORENCY BARRACKS, BETHUNE. 2 new Officers joined the Bn from England - 2/Lieut. Grimble [Eric George Norton GRIMBLE], 2/Lieut. Gudgeon [George Finlay Charles GUDGEON], and 2/Lieut. Lee [Edward LEE]. [Comment; Private 3406 William SELBY died from illness]

26-7-15. Lieut. Ransom [Phillip Lucas RANSOM] joined the Bn from England.

29-7-15. The Bn relieved the 1st Bn Kings Liverpool Regiment at GIVENCHY B1 sector, 3 Coys in the trenches and 1 at LE PREOL.

30-7-15. The Bn was relieved by the 3rd Bn Coldstream Guards and marched back to billets at LE QUESNOY.

31-7-15. Relieved the 2nd Bn Coldstream guards in B1 sector.

War Diary for August 1915.

2-8-15. The Bn was relieved by the 2nd Coldstream Guards and marched back to billets at LE QUESNOY.

4-8-15. 35 NCO's and men joined the Bn. The Bn relieved the 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards in B3.

6-8-15. We were relieved by the 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards.

8-8-15. The Bn relieved the 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards

10-8-15. Relieved by the 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards.

13-8-15. The Bn relieved the 2nd Bn Coldstream Guards.

15-8-15. The Bn was relieved by the 2nd Bn Worcestershire Regt. on the 4th (Guards) Brigade being relieved by the 5th Brigade. Bn marched back to billets at BEUVRY.

19-8-15. Bn left the 4th (Guards) Brigade. 1 Coy marched into BETHUNE to bid farewell to the Guards.

23-8-15. Into billets at BEUVRY.

25-8-15. Bn marched back into billets at VENDIN.

27-8-15. Bn went into bivouac at GORRE to dig new communications trench from PONT FIXE-WINDY CORNER road to junction of WHITEHALL and HATFIELD road. HQ etc remaining at VENDIN. Casualties; 1 man killed [Comment; Private 2565 Frederick CLARK], 2 wounded while digging. Amongst the Russian Award appearing in the press it was stated that No.2080 Pte. R. REDDING and 1342 Pte F.W. WILKINSON had been awarded the Medal of St. George 3rd Class.

30-8-15. HQ etc marched from VENDIN into MONTMORENCY BARRACKS, BETHUNE.

31-8-15. HQ in billets at BETHUNE, Bn still engaged digging trench.

War Diary for September 1915.

1-9-15. Bn marched to CAMBRIN, 1 Coy in CUINCHY SUPPORT POINT, 1 Coy in CAMBRIN SUPPORT POINT, 1 Coy in MAISON ROUGE dugouts, and 1 Coy in ANNEQUIN.

6-9-15. HQ moved from CAMBRIN to ANNEQUIN. [Comment; Private 3399 Frederick BENTLEY died of wounds]

8-9-15. The Bn moved into Z2 section and relived the 1st Bn Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Casualties during four days were - 2nd Lieut. N.P. Gold [Norman P. GOLD] wounded, 1 man killed [comment; Acting L/Cpl 2264 Alec Harry DODWELL killed 11-9-15], 3 wounded.

12-9-15. Bn was relieved by the 1st Bn Kings Royal Rifles and marched back into billets at BEUVRY.

16-9-15. The Bn relieved 1st Bn Kings Royal Rifles in A1 section.

19-9-15. The Bn was relieved by the 1st Bn Kings Royal Rifles in A1 section

20-9-15. The Bn relieved 1st Bn Kings Royal Rifles in A1 section

24-9-15. 2/Lieut. Grice [William Lucas GRICE] and 2/Lieut. Smallwood [Eric Butler SMALLWOOD, MC] joined the battalion from the 3rd/1st battalion. The Bn was relieved by the 1st Kings in A1 section, two Coys, No.2 and No.3 at BRADDELL POINT, No.4 Coy STAFFORD REDOUBT.

25-9-15 [The Battle of Loos]. About 6.30am the 1st Kings attacked but never reached the German trenches as they were held up by heavy machine gun fire and No.3 and No.4 Companies who were in close support were ordered not to advance. We then assumed normal conditions.

26-9-15. We relieved half of the Kings line with One company. [Comment; Private 3330 Bert MILLS died of wounds]

27-9-15. At 5pm we made another gas attack on the enemy as on the 25th but were ordered not to advance unless the enemy had suffered from it. At 5.30pm we sent out a patrol but they were immediately fired at by enemy machine guns and in consequence we did not attack. Neither did the 1st Kings. From 25th to 30th our casualties were approximately Captain Smeathman [Lovel Francis SMEATHMAN, MC] wounded, Lieut. Molony [Brian Charles MOLONY] suffered from gas poisoning, OR's wounded or suffering from gas poisoning 25. [Comment; Private 3936 George Thomas GINN died from illness in England and Private 1665 Alfred BURT VC won his Victoria Cross today]

30-9-15. The 6th Brigade was relieved, the Bn being relieved by the 9th Cheshire Regiment and marched back to billets at the eastern end of BETHUNE.

War Diary for October 1915.

1-10-15. Bn went into the trenches in front of VERMELLES, north of the HULLOCK [sic; HULLUCH] road, being in support of the 1st Kings who were holding the old front line German trench which had been captured a few days before.

2-10-15. The Commander in Chief wired to say he was pleased to confer the Distinguished Conduct Medal upon No.2170 Cpl R. Evans [Reginald EVANS, DCM] 1st Bn Herts Regt.

3-10-15. The Bn was relieved by the 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards. On relief the 1st Bn Kings Royal Rifles were attacked and the two Herts Machine Guns which were temporarily attached to the Kings Royal Rifles got quite a good target. The Bn marched back to BETHUNE. [Comment; Private 29996 Percy EVERITT killed in action and Private Arthur Cyril BRUTON died of wounds. Also Private 1842 Frederick WILLIAMS died of wounds on 4-10-15.]

8-10-15. A draft of 55 men and 1 Officer (conducting) joined the Bn from the 4th Entrenching Battalion.

17-10-15. The Bn marched to billets just outside GONNEHEM.

21-10-15. The Bn marched into billets at ANNEQUIN.

24-10-15. The Bn relieved the 5th Bn Kings Liverpool Regt. in A1 section.

26-10-15. The following Officers joined the Bn; 2/Lieuts. C.H. Gimingham [Charles Henry GIMINGHAM], J.W. Smith [John W.SMITH], H.Symons [Henry SYMONS]. [Comment; Private 3199 George Henry KEEN killed in action]

27-10-15. The Bn was relieved by the 1st Bn Royal Berkshire regt. and marched back to billets at BEUVRY. A draft of 20 men arrived from ROUEN.

30-10-15. 2/Lieut. Lee [Edward LEE] was wounded in a bomb accident. Also 6 Other Ranks.

War Diary for November 1915.

1-11-15. Captain E.C.M.Phillips [Eric Charles Malcolm PHILLIPS, CB, DSO, TD, DL, JP] joined the Bn from No.4 Entrenching battalion.

2-11-15. The Bn relieved the 5th Kings (Liverpool) Regiment in the trenches astride the LA BASSEE Road.

3-11-15. A draft of 50 men joined the Bn from ROUEN.

6-11-15. The Bn was relieved at 1pm by the 5th Scottish Rifles TR and marched to billets at ANNEQUIN.

7-11-15. Marched to billets at GONNEHEM. [Comment; Acting Sergeant 1658 William MILES died of wounds]

11-11-15. The Bn was inspected by Sir General GOUGH V.C. on the anniversary of their entering into action at YPRES (11th November 1914).

13-11-15. The Bn moved from GONNEHEM to billets at ANNEQUIN.

16-11-15. The Bn went into the trenches in the Brigade Support Area Y4 and Z0 sub sections and relieved the 5th Kings (Liverpool) Regiment north east of VERMELLES.

20-11-15. The Bn was relieved by the Kings Royal Rifles and relieved the 2nd Bn South Staffords in Z.0. sub section of the front line.

21-11-15. 1 Coy of the 18th Bn Royal Fusiliers was attached to the Bn for instruction on trench warfare. [Comment; Private 3419 John George NEWTON killed in action]

22-11-15. A second Coy of the 18th Bn Royal Fusiliers was attached to the Bn for instruction on trench warfare.

23-11-15. The Bn was relieved by the 5th Bn Kings (Liverpool) Regiment and marched to billets at ANNEQUIN FOSSE cottages.

26-11-15. The Bn relieved the 5th Kings (Liverpool) Regiment in Z.0. front line. [Comment; Private 4497 George PERRIN died of wounds 27-11-15.]

29-11-15. The Bn was relieved by the 2nd South Staffords and marched back to billets at the ORPHANAGE, BETHUNE. [Comment; Acting Sergeant 3718 James Henry MOSS died of illness 30-11-15.]

War Diary for December 1915.

2-12-15. The Bn relieved the 2nd South Staffords in Z.0.

5-12-15. The Bn was rather heavily shelled but was lucky in only having 3 casualties. Bn was relieved by the 2nd South Staffords and marched back to billets at MONTMORCENY BARRACKS, BETHUNE. [Comment; Private 3066 Joseph SAMFORD killed, Private 2211 Martin FAREY died of wounds]

8-12-15. The Bn relieved the 2nd South Staffords in Z.0.

12-12-15. The Bn was relieved by the 2nd South Staffords and marched back to billets at ANNEQUIN.

14-12-15. The Bn relieved the 1st Kings in Z.2 trenches at A.21641 (BETHUNE 2nd Edition 1/40,000).

16-12-15. The Bn was relieved by the 1st Royal Berks and marched back to billets in BETHUNE. The whole Brigade was relieved by the 99th Brigade. Christmas Day was spent in BETHUNE.

27-12-15. The Bn marched back to billets in HAM EN ARTOIS.