WAR DIARY FOR OCTOBER 1914

1 Oct 1914 - Jury-sur-Aisne Marched at 10 pm back to S. bank of Aisne, & billeted at JURY in mill & farm near by

2 Oct 1914 - Launoy 7 pm. Left JURY & marched through Namptenil to Launoy: billeted there for night

3 Oct 1914 - Corcy Left Launoy at 6 pm. marched through Hartennes Longepont to CORCY billeted there, at Chateau.

4-5 Oct 1914 - Vattier Left Corcy about 6 pm, & marched with Bde marched thro Villar-Cotterets [sic] to Vattier arriving 5 a.m.: billeted there

6 Oct 1914 - Bethisy-St-Pierre Left Vattier, & marched thro' GILLOCOURT [sic] to BETHISY ST.PIERRE. Billeted there for night.

7 Oct 1914 - onboard train 7 a.m. marched thro' Saintines [,] Verberie to Pont St.Maxena [sic] and arrived there about 11 a.m. Outspanned in a field near Railway station. No room on train for 'C' Company & one wagon; which had to come on later 4 pm Entrained: passed thro' CREIL, Amiens, Abbeville

8 Oct 1914 - Gennes-Ivergny 5 a.m. detrained Noyelles, & marched to Millancourt [sic] arriving about 10 a.m. 6 pm. marched with Brigade thro' Agenvilliers [sic], Brailly, Boufflers to Genne-Ivergny [sic], arriving about midnight. Marched about 28 miles in all; tiring day.

9 Oct 1914 - Haravesnes 2.15 pm. Battn started without transport towards HARAVESNES to be picked up by motor buses (French) at 7 p.m. Waited - no 'buses. Continued to wait by roadside.

10 Oct 1914 - la Thieuloye Motor 'buses arrived about 10 a.m. Moved by 'bus through FILLIEVRES, St.POL, to LA THIEULOYE, where Battn was billeted. Transport, which had started by road on afternoon of 9th, arrived soon after the Battn.

11 Oct 1914 - Essars 6.30 a.m. Marched, as Adv. Guard to Division, through Dival towards BETHUNE. Found Bethune occupied by French; & moved at 2 pm. across canal to ESSARS to hold line there. Found Essars occupied by French territorials. After a little discussion finally decided that the Territorials should withdraw, & Battn took over trenches from them.

12 Oct 1914 - Givenchy-les-la-Basse Left ESSARS in morning early, & proceeded East. Ordered to occupy GIVENCHY. Occupied village & rough trench E. of it without much opposition except a few shells & a little rifle fire. Considerable shelling towards evening, of which a proportion was enfilade fire. Dorsets on our right; line on left unable to advance as far as intended. 17 casualties.

13 Oct 1914 Heavy bombardment of trenches & village all day. About midday cannonade became terrific. Practically every house damaged & neighbourhood of church continually shelled. Our front trenches, in continuation of Dorsets, unable to hold on in afternoon after Dorsets were enfiladed & withdrew. Smoke of shells & dust of falling houses made it impossible to see clearly what was going on to flanks. Enemy attacked front & flanks & Battn retired about 300 yards in rear of village & reformed on new line holding road to Pont Fixe in continuation of Dorsets. Norfolks on our left. Losses 7 officers & 140 other ranks. [Comment; Lt Claude Charles STAFFORD killed]

14 Oct 1914 Held out new line. [Comment; 2/Lt James Reginald SHIPPEY DOW]

15 Oct 1914 2nd Lt [Edwin Allan James] EDWARDS wounded, badly, also stretcher bearers who went to his assistance. Altogether 5 casualties. Enemy reported retiring during night.

16 Oct 1914 Lieut. [Leonard Wyndham] RENDELL & scouts reconnoitred Givenchy: & found enemy had evacuated It except for two or three snipers. Lt. RENDELL mortally wounded, but carried in & reported 'all clear'. [Comment; Lt RENDALL died on the 19th]Battalion reoccupied the village, & recovered a number of wounded officers & men, most of whom had been given rough 1st aid by enemy.

17 Oct 1914 Troops in trenches & supports in one or [sic] ruined houses, with trenches close at hand.

18 Oct 1914 French attack through Devons on our right; Bedfords in reserve. French advance some little distance towards La Basse along canal.

19 Oct 1914 Quiet. 'B' Company sent to join Cheshire Regt on our left near VIOLAINES. Subsequently at dawn on 22nd inst. were in support close to Cheshire front trenches when the latter were rushed by Germans, who came through on to 'B' Co. Lts. [William St. John] COVENTRY & [John] LITCHFIELD [sic LITHFIELD] missing, believed to be killed. About 40 other ranks killed, wounded or missing. [Comment; both Officers confirmed as killed today]

20 Oct 1914 Quiet. Little Shelling.

21 Oct 1914 Fairly quiet. Some shelling

22 Oct 1914 GIVENCHY somewhat heavily shelled in morning: several men wounded. battn ordered to move to CHAPELLE ST.ROCH about 12 noon & report to O.C. 13th Inf. Bde. On arrival, ordered to assist in attack on farms near VIOLAINES about dusk. Attack not pushed home, & orders received for Bde to fall back at midnight to new line running through GIVENCHY & about 1 mile E. of FESTUBERT. 'B' Company rejoined the Battalion.

23-25 Oct 1914 - trenches 1 mile east of Festubert Occupied line of trenches south of FESTUBERT - RUE QUINQUE road about 1 mile East of Festubert. Enemy particularly active & pertinacious, constantly sapping forward & making attacks at various hours of night & day: all successfully repulsed. Owing to length of line held, nearly whole Battn had to be kept in front trenches, & constantly on the alert.

26 Oct 1914 Battn was relieved from the trenches by 1st Battn Manchester Regt in the evening. Lt. [Walter Arthur Beaumont] WALKER [comment; died on the 30th] & about 14 men killed & wounded.

27 Oct 1914 - Gorre Moved to GORRE to billets, arriving about 7 am.

28 Oct 1914 Sent out to FESTUBERT for the night as support returning to GORRE following morning.

29 Oct 1914 - Festubert 1 p.m. Hd Qrs & B & D Companies ordered to proceed to assist Manchester Regt. part of whose trenches had been occupied by enemy. Assisted Manchesters to regain their trenches & remained in support.

30-31 Oct 1914 4 a.m. returned towards Gorre 12 noon. Ordered to reinforce Indian Troops E. of Festubert, found Germans had driven back Ghurkhas (8th) & occupied part of their trenches. West Ridings, 58th Wilde's Rifles, 107th Pioneers, 41st Dogras ordered to assist. Whole, including Devon Regt & 8 Ghoorkhas put under command of Lt.Col. [Charles Richard Jebb] GRIFFITH D.S.O. 1/Bedf Regt. Difficulty in ascertaining which trenches were occupied by enemy as enemy called out 'We are Gurkhas' & it was impossible to see in the dark. Line finally re-established. Capt [F.H.] GALE, Sergt [6792 Allen] COOPER & 2 or 3 men wounded.

 

WAR DIARY NOVEMBER 1914

1 Nov 1914 - Gorre 4 a.m. returned to GORRE
2 Nov 1914 - in trenches east of Festubert 5 pm ordered back to support native troops on line E. of FESTUBERT.
3 Nov 1914 6 a.m. returned to Gorre. 4 pm ordered to proceed to trenches occupied by Black Watch & reinforce them. This section of line to be under command of Lt. Col. [Charles Richard Jebb] GRIFFITH 1 Bedf Regt.
4 Nov 1914 - Gorre Relieved about 9 p.m. by Indian Troops, & returned to GORRE about midnight. 1 man killed.
5 Nov 1914 - Locon Hd Qrs & 2 companies received orders at 5pm to move at once to LOCON, en route to rejoin 15th Infantry Brigade. Battn moved at 7pm.
6 Nov 1914 - trenches south of Menin Road Left LOCON 7 a.m. in motor 'buses, & proceeded to near YPRES where we halted. Moved again on foot at 5 p.m. via Ypres, & Hooge to trenches in wood south of road, where remaining two companies of Battn had arrived on previous day. Passed 2nd Bn. Bedf. Regt near BAILLEUL, resting: 1st Battn relieved them in firing line.
7 Nov 1914 Enemy broke through line held by Regt about 200 yards to our left, carrying next Regt & some of our men with them. Our supports were moved to left by self, Capt. [John Casells] MONTEITH & Adjutant, & assisted in driving enemy back. Qr. Mr.Sergt. [4893 Thomas William] BYFORD (awarded Distinguished C. Medal) collected about 40 men & captured trench held by 21 Germans, killing or capturing all. Pte. [8095 William] FALLA (awarded Distinguished C. Medal) ran on in advance, & getting on left of trench enfiladed enemy whilst remainder were rushing the trench. Our casualties about 7 officers & 140 other ranks killed wounded 7 missing.
8 Nov 1914 No serious attack
9 Nov 1914 Sergt. [7815 Alfred J.] MART, assisted by Corporal [10129 Phillip G.] CYSTER succeeded in creeping up to trench occupied by enemy, where 2 machine guns had been previously lost. Found only about 1 German actually with guns, though adjoining trench, a few yards away in prolongation, was occupied. Sergt. [7814 A.J.] MART shot the German & guns were safely brought back. 1 wounded soldier found in trench also. He was brought back by MART assisted by 2nd Lt. [Alfred Guy Rowland] GARROD & others. MART & GARROD in turns facing the enemy to keep their heads down by accurate fire at a few yards range. Battalion thanked in wire from Corps Commander. Sergt.MART wounded. Casualties about 17 killed 7 wounded.
10 Nov 1914 No serious attack: 2 Lt.GARROD wounded.
11 Nov 1914 Enemy broke through Fusiliers line about 200 yds from our left. In attack on our line about 5 killed & 17 wounded. Line partially restored by counter attack on our left.
12-13 Nov 1914 Fairly quiet in Bedfordshire front, except for heavy shelling which affected other Battns more than us. Our casualties about 5 men from rifle fire. Battn ordered to prepare new line of front, as withdrawal possible owing to situation on our left
14 Nov 1914 In consequence of enemy having broken through line to left of Battn Bedfords & Cheshires ordered to withdraw front line to new position about 300 yards in rear, about 4 pm. Germans enfiladed & drove back part of Cheshire Regt advanced trench on right of small advanced trench held by Bedfords leaving our right 'in the air'. In subsequent hand to hand fighting in advanced trench, Lt [Cyril] POPE & about 10 men missing, believed to be captured [comment; POPE later confirmed as POW]; about 11 men killed & wounded. Hard to see exactly what happened as it was getting dark.
15-18 Nov 1914 Fairly quiet. Usual bursts of rifle fire at intervals, & constant intermittent shelling only mild attacks at various parts of line. 3 killed 7 wounded. Shells usually over front trenches & slightly to left of supports.
19 Nov 1914 - Sanctuary Wood, Hooge Relieved at 8.30 pm by Worcester Regt, & retired about 3/4 mile to reserve dugouts in wood, near HOOGE, arriving about midnight.
20 Nov 1914 Remained in dugouts awaiting relief by French. Occasional shelling, nor very near us.
21 Nov 1914 - Loker Battn relieved in support trenches by French troops: marched via YPRES, VLAMERTINGE to LOCRE to billets. Road shelled occasionally with shrapnel,
22-23 Nov 1914 Remained in billets at LOCRE. Endeavoured to reorganize as far as possible & to get all ranks washed: considerable difficulties as freezing hard & accommodation [sic] very limited
24 Nov 1914 - St-Jans-Cappel Marched to St.JANS CAPPEL to be billeted
25 Nov 1914 Remained in billets
26 Nov 1914 Major [John] MaCKENZIE V.C. joined the Battn. bringing with him 2nd Lt. BAKER (4th Kings Own) & 11 N.C.O. & men.
27 Nov 1914 Remained in billets; drawing clothing etc as far as possible to make good deficiencies
28 Nov 1914 - trenches north west of Wulvergem Marched via DRANOUTRE to trenches N.W. of Wolverghem, & relieved Worcester Regt. at 8 pm
29 Nov 1914 Trenches disconnected & in bad condition: communicating trenches full of water. Men kept hard at work trying to revet & improve trenches, & bail out water. Casualties - 8 wounded.
30 Nov 1914 An extra section of trench about 300 yards in extent handed over to the battn. This section full of unburied French soldiers & old trenches. In very close contact with Germans, whose trenches, on slightly higher ground, were within about 25 yards. A company of another Regt. detailed to assist in reserve owing to weakness of Battn.

WAR DIARY FOR DECEMBER 1914

1 Dec 1914 - trenches north west of Wulverghem Trenches improved by communication trenches & addition of steel loopholes. Casualties - 1 wounded.

2 Dec 1914 Major [Benjamin Robert] ROCHE, with 6 other officers & 190 other ranks joined at 8 p.m., as reinforcements from England.

3 Dec 1914 Trenches constantly falling in owing to wet, & nature of soil. R.E. assisted our men at night in revetting, bailing out trenches etc. but without much avail. Casualties 2.

4 Dec 1914 Our right trench dug a 'sap' which surprised enemy at dawn, several of their ration party being shot from there. Casualties - six.

5 Dec 1914 - Dranouter Relieved by 2nd K.O.S.B. at about 6 pm & moved into billets in support near DRANOUTRE, leaving 3 officers & 200 men to assist K.O.S.B. who were too weak to hold the line. Casualties 1 officer; 1 man killed.

6 Dec 1914 Remained in billets.

7 Dec 1914 3 officers & 200 men left in trenches were relieved & arrived at billets about 10 p.m.

8 Dec 1914 - trenches near Wulvergem Reinforcements numbering 140 Sergeants, R.& F. arrived from BAILLEUL. Battn unexpectedly received orders about 12.45 p.m. to return to firing line. Proceeded to WOLVERGHEM and took over line near there from 1st Norfolk Regt. at dusk

9 Dec 1914 Quiet day in trenches except for occasional sniping & shrapnel. 2 killed & 1 man wounded.

10 Dec 1914 Patrols & scouts reconnoitred German trenches during early morning: found Germans alert, & trenches protected by wire. Casualties 2 killed 3 wounded. Relieved by 1st R.West Kent Regt. at dusk, & returned to billets at St.JANS CAPPEL about 8 1/2 miles away.

11 Dec 1914 - St-Jans-Cappel Arrived in billets about 1 a.m. Billeted in farms some distance apart. The Brigade in Divisional Reserve.

11-12 Dec 1914 Reorganized companies, made up numbers of acting ranks to complete vacancies amongst N.C.O.

13 Dec 1914 Orders received about 4 p.m. to move early next morning. No opportunity of washing clothes or men, as Battalion's turn at baths, Bailleul, on 14th cancelled owing to move.

14 Dec 1914 - Nieuwkerke Brigade in Corps Reserve, marched from billets arriving at DRANOUTRE 8 a.m. Spent day bivouacing in muddy field whilst attack on enemy's trenches taking place near WYSCHAETE [sic]. Moved after dark to billets at NEUVE EGLISE

15-16 Dec 1914 Remained at Neuve Eglise in Reserve. Arranged baths for about 1/2 Battalion.

17 Dec 1914 - trenches near Wulvergem Brigade took over line of Trenches. Bedfords on left, close to WOLVERGHEM, between R.W.Kent & Dorset Regt. Communication trenches full of water, other trenches wet in parts. 1 Company 6th Cheshire Regt. (Territorials) attached to Bedfords for duty. Half Battn in trenches, remainder in support at NEUVE EGLISE. 1 casualty.

18 Dec 1914 Attack on our left against WYTSCHAETE continued. Heavy bombardment of Enemy along our front, combined with bursts of Infantry fire from our trenches ordered at intervals throughout the day. Remainder of Battn. sent up to reinforce at 6 a.m. but no room for them in trenches, so were sent back again to Neuve Eglise. Wolverghem & neighbourhood of trenches shelled intermittently by Enemy; shells fell in some cases very close to trenches, or almost into them, but no actual casualties caused in Battn.

19 Dec 1914 'B' Company from Support in Neuve Eglise sent to front, so as to arrive by 6 a.m.. with instructions to crowd into trenches or failing room to get any cover available in Wolverghem (N.B. Wolverghem, owing to shelling has no complete houses standing). Reconnaissance of front ordered with view to ascertaining possibility of advancing. Enemy's trenches in front form more or less arc of a circle so that any advance on our part likely to be partially enfiladed.

20 Dec 1914 Heavy bombardment of enemy's trenches, to cooperate with attack from other parts of our line, during yesterday, & to a lesser extent today. Enemy did not respond with much rifle fire, but shelled our trenches. About 12 yards of our front trench blown in by heavy explosive shell, & machine gun damaged. 2 men killed, 2 wounded by 'snipers'.

21 Dec 1914 No change in situation. Enemy put two heavy shells through Hd Quarters of Battn., a partially damaged farm: 1 shell an 8 inch armour piercing pierced three walls & fortunately failed to explode. Several shells struck the trenches, but owing to amount of water in trenches the portions damaged happened to be unoccupied.

22 Dec 1914 No change: frost in early morning rendered the situation in the wet & muddy trenches very unpleasant. Enemy shelled the roads along which rations were coming at dusk, but without result.

23 Dec 1914 No change

24 Dec 1914 Relieved by Manchester Regt. at 8pm. Battn took over a section on their right from Dorset Regt. at about 9 pm. without any casualties. Wolverghem & Battn. Hd Qrs shelled by enemy. Reinforcements 69 R & File arrived.

25 Dec 1914 Christmas cards from Their Majesties the King & Queen distributed to all ranks of the Battn. Also present from Her R. Highness Princess Mary. Cold & frosty day. Quiet day. Germans semaphored over that they were not going to fire. Hard frost all day. [note that a private diary by a battalion member records fraternisation between men of B Company and the Germans in No Man's Land]

26 Dec 1916 Another quiet day. A little shelling by both sides. Some Germans came forward unarmed apparently with a view to friendly intercourse. A few shots fired in their direction as a hint to withdraw. Later, enemy shelled trenches & Wolverghem: damaged several rifles, but only wounded 1 man.

27 Dec 1916 No change in situation. Enemy shelled trenches & section generally. 2 men wounded. New fire trench dug in advance.

28 Dec 1914 No change. Heavy outburst of rifle fire from enemy's line at dusk.

29 Dec 1914 - Bailleul Battn. relieved by Duke of Wellington's Regt. at about 8.30 pm. & moved into Divisional Reserve along with remainder of 15th Bde. Billeted at BAILLEUL. Lt.Col. [Charles Richard Jebb] GRIFFITH D.S.O. temporarily takes over command of 15th Brigade from Br.Gen.Count Gleichen who proceeds to England.

30 Dec 1914 In billets in Bailleul

31 Dec 1914 All men inoculated against Enteric who have not been inoculated within past 2 years.