Menin Road
1st During night Sept 30th - Oct 1st front line garrison was increased by 3 sections & wire was repaired. 5 am to 6 am heavy enemy shelling: our protective barrage opened at 5.15 am. S.O.S. went up on our left at 6am but no infantry action followed on our front. Heavily shelled about 12.30 pm especially round Batt H.Q. Enemy aeroplanes active all day flying low and firing : fire was opened from the ground but without effect. 6.30 pm enemy bombarded & at 7 pm was seen massing: the artillery put down the barrage promptly in reply to our S.O.S. & quashed the attack; after this, the night was quiet.
2nd Protective barrage at dawn. Intermittent shelling during the day. Relieved by 1st R. West Kents. Relief complete 11.45 pm.
Casualties during tour killed 1 officer 3 O.R. Wounded 3 officers 22 O.R.s: Missing 3 O.R.s
3rd Battalion moved to METEREN area by bus, embussing at 2 pm and arriving in billets by 6 pm.
METEREN
4th - 8th Kit, clothing, box respirator, rifle inspections etc. Specialists carried out training under their own officers.
5th The Commanding Officer inspected the Bn. on the 5th inst.
2nd Lt D H WEBBE was transfered to England & struck off the strength. Capt C Palmer ordered a Medical Board and also struck off (Authy A G No D/1981)
7th The Bn attended a Brigade Church Parade. Winter time was adopted on this date.
8th All officers attended a Lecture by the A.D.M.S. in the Y.M.C.A. hut at METEREN.
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9th Two companies fired on No. 2 Range whilst the other 2 companies carried out Musketry and Physical training and Bayonet Fighting. A class for Junior N.C.Os under the RSM was held during the morning. At 4 pm the Bn embussed for RIDGE WOOD arriving there at 7 pm and bivouacking for the night.
10th At 2pm the Bn moved to the front line and relieved the 11th Bn W. Yorks.
11 to 14 Casualties Capt. S. Riddell killed 2Lts A. J. Walters & R Coyles wounded 12 O.R. killed 77 OR wounded 4 OR missing believed killed. Night of 14th to MICMAC camp.
(Around 10% of the Battalion killed or wounded in 3 days.)
Major Gylls A.R. wounded to England 1-10-17. 2Lt A Barber ditto 2-10-17. 2Lt H G Smith ditto 29-9-17 2Lt J.E. Hall ditto 25-9-17
15 & 16 MICMAC CAMP. cleaning up: C.Os inspection. 2Lt A J Walker died of wounds 16th: Capt S. W. Wicks hosp? sick 16th.
17 Relieved 11 W Yorks in reserve Zillebeke Bund about5.30 pm
18 Batt moved to line and relieved 8 KOYLI. 2 Lt Wheliker to England.
20 Btt relieved by 11 W Yorks. Batt H.Q. B & D Coys to BUND: A Coy relieved Coy of 11 W Y nr J 11 a & became support coy to 8 York: C Coy to bout J s c in support to 11 W Y. Total casualties for tour 4 O.R. killed, 20 O.R. wounded.
21 To Brewery Camp.
22 Cleaning up 2Lt H Park to Eng wnd. 22-10-17
23 Batt less A & C Coys (Harry is in C Coy) entrained at Dickebush Stn for Wozerines - on detraining to billets in Esquerides area: arrived 5.30 pm. H. Q. in Leulise: B & D coys in Audenthun.
24 Cleaning up: A & C Coys rejoined: C. O's inspection. 2Lts N S Wilson & RCM Douthwaite joined batt 18.10.17 : 2LtH Hyes reoined 25.10.17. 2Lts F Lempton & R Roberts joined 24.10.17. Hon Lt & QM J Bll to Engand 24.10.17 & struck off strength. In this area, programmes of work were carried out, close order drill, P.T. Arms Drill. specialists trained: G.O.C. brigade inspected billets.
26: scabies inspection by M.O.
27 range practice at Quelms.
28 To billets in Wizennes 2.15 pm arrived 5 pm. instructions recvd to recall all men on leave, courses etc.
29 G.O.C. Div inspected batt 10 a.m. draft of 95 O.R. joined.
30 range practice for the draft; cleaning up etc. for C in C's inspection. 2Lt W T S Smith joined.
31 C in C inspected the Brigade
drafts of 50 O.Rs & 75 O.R.s joined.
September 1917
WIPPENHOEK
1st & 2nd
Batt under canvas in WIPPENHOEK AREA k30 c3.0
3rd
Left 8 a.m. for NORTPEENE AREA by march - route through STEENVORDE, OXELERE, BAYINCHOVE. Arrived in billets at OOSTHOEK at 6 p.m.
4th -11th
Batt at OOSTHOEK training was carried out which included bombing, musketry, bayonet fighting, practice formations for the attack & flag courses. Coy drill etc. Special training on 7th- & 10th.
12th
Moved to LUYTPENE area at 2.15 pm. arr 5 pm.
13th
11 am STEENVORDE area (east) arrived billets 5.30 pm
14th Moved 6 am to DICKEBUSCH area; arrived camp 3 pm.
15th Relieved 8th BUFFS in rt subsector of divl front; relief complete about 7 pm. dispositions Bn HQ, C Coy & D Coy in HEDGE ST TUNNELS, B Coy on left in JAM SUPPORT. A Coy on right in BODMIN COPSE.
17th/18th Relieved by 15th HANTS + 8th KOYLI: Batt moved to RAILWAY DUGOUTS & became batt in reserve: afternoon of 18th to No 1 DICKEBUSCH area.
19th Moved from camp at 9.45 pm to BEDFORD HOUSE being "A" Battn of Reserve Brigade.
20th ATTACK DAY: at zero hour, 5.40 am A Coy lost 22 killed & wounded. 3 Coys & Batt H Q went into tunnels. 1 Coy in trenches on top: about 1 P.M. C Coy (Harry's Company) went forward to reinforce 68th Bde and dug in in rear of BLUE LINE nr JASPER TRENCH: 4.30 Batt ordered to relieve10th N.Fs in BLUE LINE: 5.45 pm to 7 pm terrific shelling: releif complete 10 pm.
20th -21st night Coys digging the whole night & by morning all coys had a continuous line of trench: B Coy formed defensive flank from right of 13th D.L.I. to left of 41st Div.
21st Very heavy shelling throughout the day. 6.30 p.m. Enemy counter- attack: C Coy moved forward to strengthen B Coy: Enemy did not reach our lines.
22nd Very misty morning: enemy shelling heavy especially near Batt H.Q; continual enemy sniping from TOWER HAMLETS. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. hurricane bombardment of our supports & defensive flank.
23rd misty: protective barrage 5.30 am. heavy bursts of enemy artillery throughout the day.
24th Protective barrage in early morning: heavy enemy shelling 5.15 a.m. to 7 a.m: 6 p.m to 7.30 p.m.
24th - 25th night relieved by 11th SUSSEX: relief complete 8.45 p.m. Enemy got to know of our relief and shelled heavily. Casualties during tour: Officers, killed 1, wnd 7: O.R's killed 22 wounded 83, missing 4.
25th Batt at CHIPPAWA CAMP cleaning, reorganising etc
26th Inspection by Divisional General.
27th Proceeded to RIDGE WOOD, arr 5 pm.
28th 10.00 am to BEDFORD HOUSE. 8.30 pm ordered to relieve 8th KOYLI in front line.
29th relief complete about 10 pm: took over right sector, right Brigade: relief slightly delayed by shelling. DISPOSITIONS: front line C Coy: close support A Coy less 2 platoons: counter-attack coy, D Coy: Batt reserve, 2 platoons A Coy & 2 plats B Coy: Gen reserve, B Coy less 2 platoons.
30th About 4 am very thick mist; 4.30 am intense bombardment helped on with minewerfers & smoke bombs: 5.15 am enemy discovered in large numbers advancing against our trench especially on our right: mist still very thick: enemy used bombs and flammerwerfer. Heavy fire with rifles, Lewis machine guns and bombs was opened on them & none reached our trench: S.O.S. sent up but was not seen at Batt H.Q. owing to mist: an orderly arrived with the first news at 7.20 am. About 6 am enemy again attacked but was driven off: took 2 prisoners, 1 flammenwerfer & a machine gun: 60 or 70 dead were left in front of our trenches: the attack was repulsed entirely with the fire of the infantry: the artillery did not barrage our front: a wire fence, put up during the previous night by a pioneer battn helped greatly to impede the enemy. A short barrage was put down on our lines at 10 am: the remainder of the day was normal
1st & 2nd
Batt under canvas in WIPPENHOEK AREA k30 c3.0
3rd
Left 8 a.m. for NORTPEENE AREA by march - route through STEENVORDE, OXELERE, BAYINCHOVE. Arrived in billets at OOSTHOEK at 6 p.m.
4th -11th
Batt at OOSTHOEK training was carried out which included bombing, musketry, bayonet fighting, practice formations for the attack & flag courses. Coy drill etc. Special training on 7th- & 10th.
12th
Moved to LUYTPENE area at 2.15 pm. arr 5 pm.
13th
11 am STEENVORDE area (east) arrived billets 5.30 pm
14th Moved 6 am to DICKEBUSCH area; arrived camp 3 pm.
15th Relieved 8th BUFFS in rt subsector of divl front; relief complete about 7 pm. dispositions Bn HQ, C Coy & D Coy in HEDGE ST TUNNELS, B Coy on left in JAM SUPPORT. A Coy on right in BODMIN COPSE.
17th/18th Relieved by 15th HANTS + 8th KOYLI: Batt moved to RAILWAY DUGOUTS & became batt in reserve: afternoon of 18th to No 1 DICKEBUSCH area.
19th Moved from camp at 9.45 pm to BEDFORD HOUSE being "A" Battn of Reserve Brigade.
20th ATTACK DAY: at zero hour, 5.40 am A Coy lost 22 killed & wounded. 3 Coys & Batt H Q went into tunnels. 1 Coy in trenches on top: about 1 P.M. C Coy (Harry's Company) went forward to reinforce 68th Bde and dug in in rear of BLUE LINE nr JASPER TRENCH: 4.30 Batt ordered to relieve10th N.Fs in BLUE LINE: 5.45 pm to 7 pm terrific shelling: releif complete 10 pm.
20th -21st night Coys digging the whole night & by morning all coys had a continuous line of trench: B Coy formed defensive flank from right of 13th D.L.I. to left of 41st Div.
21st Very heavy shelling throughout the day. 6.30 p.m. Enemy counter- attack: C Coy moved forward to strengthen B Coy: Enemy did not reach our lines.
22nd Very misty morning: enemy shelling heavy especially near Batt H.Q; continual enemy sniping from TOWER HAMLETS. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. hurricane bombardment of our supports & defensive flank.
23rd misty: protective barrage 5.30 am. heavy bursts of enemy artillery throughout the day.
24th Protective barrage in early morning: heavy enemy shelling 5.15 a.m. to 7 a.m: 6 p.m to 7.30 p.m.
24th - 25th night relieved by 11th SUSSEX: relief complete 8.45 p.m. Enemy got to know of our relief and shelled heavily. Casualties during tour: Officers, killed 1, wnd 7: O.R's killed 22 wounded 83, missing 4.
25th Batt at CHIPPAWA CAMP cleaning, reorganising etc
26th Inspection by Divisional General.
27th Proceeded to RIDGE WOOD, arr 5 pm.
28th 10.00 am to BEDFORD HOUSE. 8.30 pm ordered to relieve 8th KOYLI in front line.
29th relief complete about 10 pm: took over right sector, right Brigade: relief slightly delayed by shelling. DISPOSITIONS: front line C Coy: close support A Coy less 2 platoons: counter-attack coy, D Coy: Batt reserve, 2 platoons A Coy & 2 plats B Coy: Gen reserve, B Coy less 2 platoons.
30th About 4 am very thick mist; 4.30 am intense bombardment helped on with minewerfers & smoke bombs: 5.15 am enemy discovered in large numbers advancing against our trench especially on our right: mist still very thick: enemy used bombs and flammerwerfer. Heavy fire with rifles, Lewis machine guns and bombs was opened on them & none reached our trench: S.O.S. sent up but was not seen at Batt H.Q. owing to mist: an orderly arrived with the first news at 7.20 am. About 6 am enemy again attacked but was driven off: took 2 prisoners, 1 flammenwerfer & a machine gun: 60 or 70 dead were left in front of our trenches: the attack was repulsed entirely with the fire of the infantry: the artillery did not barrage our front: a wire fence, put up during the previous night by a pioneer battn helped greatly to impede the enemy. A short barrage was put down on our lines at 10 am: the remainder of the day was normal
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August 1917
METEREN
1st -5th
The Battn in Billets in the METEREN area. Training continued.
3rd
Bn Route march with Advance and rear Guards.
4th
All ranks have their S.B.R's tested & fitted under supervision of M.O.
6th
Bn left the METEREN area at 11 am & marched to CAESTRE & entrained for ARQUES, then by march route to camp1 mile N of ARQUES. Bn reached camp by 7.15 pm.
ARQUES
ALQUINES
7th
Bn left ARQUES at 10 am & marched to billets at ALQUINES, JOURNY arriving there by 7pm. Bn remained there until 8th inst.
9th
Bn left the ALQUINES area at 9.45 am & marched to billets in NORTLEVLINGHEM arriving in billets by 1 pm.
NORTLEVLINGHEM
10th
Bn left NORTLEVLINGHEMat 4.30 pm and marched to WATTEN station entraining at 12.45 am on the 11th for PROVEN, thence by march route to tunnelling camp at ST JANSTER BEIZEN. Bn reached camp by 8.30 am.
ST JANSTER BEIZEN
11th to 12th
Bn at tunnelling camp . Programmes of work were issued & carried out - including, artillery formation, ceremonial drill, intensive digging and company training. Specialists received careful attention
23rd
Bn left camp at 8 am & marched to DOMINION CAMP, arriving at 1 pm
DOMINION CAMP
24th
Bn in camp. Thorough inspection of platoons carried out by platoon commanders.
CHATEAU SEGARD
25th
The Bn less transport & Details left behind, moved to CHATEAU SEGARD by motor lorry, leaving camp at 2.30 pm & arriving at destination at 5 pm.
26th
Bn at CHATEAU SEGARD
27th
Bn left CHATEAU SEGARD at 6 pm & marched by companies to ZILLEBEKE BUND, arriving there at 8 pm.
ZILLEBEKE BUND
28th, 29th
Bn in brigade reserve at ZILLEBEKE BUND
30th
Bde relieved by 7th Bde.
The Bn left ZILLEBEKE BUND at 6.45 pm & moved to the ASYLUM YPRES. Thence by motor lorries to WIPPENHOEK area. Bn arrived in camp at K 30 c 3. 0. about 10 pm.
K 30 c 3. 0.
31st
Bn in camp at K 30 c 3. 0.
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