1919 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 1919

1-31 Jan 1918 THE BATTALION WAS BILLETED AT SEVIGNY FROM 1ST TO 31ST JANUARY 1919

INCREASE: Lieut. D.F.HOWARD MC [Douglas Frederick HOWARD] rejoined Battalion from 54th Bde. Intelligence Officer and taken on strength 1.1.19.

DECREASE Lieut.T.J.Pemberton appointed 54th Brigade Intelligence Officer and Struck off Strength.

During January the Following Officers and 163 Other Ranks were Demobilized: -

2/Lieut. I.L.Whittingham MC [Ivor Lancelot WHITTINGHAM, MC] demobilized 1.1.19.

Lieut. P.W. Priestley [Peter William PRIESTLEY] demobilized 17.1.19.

2/Lieut.C.J.Sturges [Charles James STURGES] demobilized 21.1.19.

Lieut. G.W. Manners [Gilbert Wilson MANNERS] Demobilized 24.1.19

2/Lieut.C.L. Tooley [Christopher Lawrence TOOLEY] Demobilized 27.1.19.

HONOURS & AWARDS:

Lt.Colonel A.E. Percival DSO, MC [Arthur Ernest PERCIVAL, DSO, MC] - Mentioned in Despatches 27.12.18.

No.9707 Sergeant G.H.Rickard MM [George H. RICHARD, DCM, MM] - Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal (B.O.2.1.19)

Capt. (A/Lt.Col) A.E.Percival DSO, MC [Arthur Ernest PERCIVAL, DSO, MC] - To be Brevet Major Gazette dt.1.1.19

9000 C/QMS. A.Sumner [Alexander Albert Victor SUMNER, DCM] Awarded D.C.M. - Gazette dated 2.1.19

20783 Cpl.T.Adams [Thomas ADAMS] awarded Belgian Decoration Militaire 16.1.19

7091 Supt.Clk. J.A.Shrives [John Albert SHRIVES, MSM] Awarded Meritorious Service Medal 18.1.19

17047 QMS E.P.Kerrison DCM [Edward Phillip KERRISON, DCM, MSM] - Awarded Meritorious Service Medal 18.1.19

9283 Pnr.Sgt.J.Wheeler MM [John WHEELER, MM, MSM] - Awarded Meritorious Service Medal 18.1.19

43580 L.C. T.Holt [Thomas HOLT, MSM] - Awarded Meritorious Service Medal 18.1.19

Lt.Colonel A.E.Percival DSO MC [Arthur Ernest PERCIVAL, DSO, MC] Awarded CROIX DE GUERRE avec etoile en Argent 26.1.19

Captain R.L.V.Doake DSO MC [Richard Lionel Vere DOAKE, DSO, MC] Awarded CROIX DE GUERRE avec etoile en Argent 26.1.19

2/Lieut.W.Tysoe DSO MC [William TYSOE, DSO, MC] Awarded CROIX DE GUERRE avec etoile en Argent 26.1.19

SPORTS 18TH DIVISION KNOCK-OUT FOOTBALL COMPETITION - 1ST ROUND Battalion defeated 6th Bn. Northamptonshire Regt. 5 - 0 Battalion defeated 11th Bn. Royal Fusiliers 3 - 0 Battalion defeated 18th Div. Royal Engineers 3 - 0 Battalion defeated 8th Royal Berks 4 - 1 18TH DIVISIONAL KNOCK-OUT FOOTBALL COMPETITION FINAL Battalion defeated 18th Division Ammunition Column 1 - 0 and won the Division Cup XIII CORPS KNOCK-OUT FOOTBALL COMPETITION 1ST ROUND: - Battalion defeated Corps H.A. Team 5 -2 L/Cpl. GOUGH. 1st man of 18th Division home in Corps Cross-Country Race and awarded Civ. Cross-Country Cup

War Diary for February 1919

During the month of February 1919, the Battalion were billeted in SELVIGNY. The Battalion was engaged in demobilization, training etc.

On 17th February, 1919 the Battalion was inspected by General Officer Commanding 54th Infantry Brigade

Lieut.S.W.Goble M.C. [Sidney Walsingham GOBLE, MC] proceeded to CAMBRAI for Demobilization on 5.2.19

Lieut.W.Dayrell-Steyning [William Joseph DAYRELL-STEYNING] proceeded to CAMBRAI for demobilization on 8.2.19

Lieut.W.J.Holbrook, M.C. [William James HOLBROOK, MC] proceeded to CAMBRAI for demobilization on 28.2.19

2nd Lieut.A.S.A.Nixon [A. St. Aubyn NIXON] proceeded to CAMBRAI for demobilization on 28.2.19.

During the month of February 341 O.R. were demobilized.

The following officers and 200 O.R. proceeded to join 11th Bn.Suffolk Regiment on 26.2.1919 for duty with Armies of Occupation. 2nd Lieut.L.S.ROWE. 2nd Lieut.C.P. Marris [Charles Percy MARRIS]. 2nd Lieut.A.E.THOMAS. 2nd Lieut.W.K. Harding [William Kesterton HARDING].

No.15083 Sgt.H.Swannell [Harry SWANNELL, MM & 2 Bars] awarded 2nd Bar to M.M. (Authy PEACE GAZETTE)

Sports: - The Battalion Beat the 1/8th R.Warwick Regiment at Football in the XIII Corps Knock-Out Football Competition, by 2 Goals to 1 on 17th Feb.1919.

The Battalion were defeated in the XIII Corps Competition by the Scottish Horse (50th Div) 4 Goals to 1 on 23.2.19.

War Diary for March 1919

Battalion at SEVIGNY during the whole of the month, awaiting instructions for Cadre to proceed home and dispersal of retainable personnel.

Lieut.W.J.Holbrook M.C. [William James HOLBROOK, MC] and 2nd Lieut.A.S.A.Nixon [A. St. Aubyn NIXON] proceeded to England for repatriation 28.2.19.

Capt.A.F.Mackenzie joined Battalion 8.3.19.

Capt.A.P. Methuen [Arthur Pemberton METHUEN] & Lieut.T.J.Pemberton proceeded to CAMBRAI for demobilization 8.3.19.

Lieut.T.H.Flavell [Thomas Henry FLAVELL] and 2nd Lieut.D.W.Boyd [Dudley W. BOYD] to CAMBRAI for demobilization 15.3.19.

2nd Lieut.W.H.Ridgewell [William Herbert RIDGEWELL] to CAMBRAI for demobilization 15.3.19

2nd Lieut.P.H. Luntley [Phillip Henry LUNTLEY] to CAMBRAI for demobilization 24.3.19.

Lieut.H.B.Lang M.C. [Harry Beckett LANG, MC] proceeded on leave to CANADA on 30.3.19 and struck off strength

Capt. (Rev) B.B.Beard, Chaplains Department proceeded for demobilization 31.3.19.

Capt.J.Thompson (R.A.M.C.) rejoined 54th Fd.Amb. on 8.3.19 and ceased to be attached.

2nd Lieut.G.B.Phipps [George Berridge PHIPPS] to England 30.3.19.

2nd Lieut.R.J.Vince [Rupert James VINCE] proceeded to join 92 Prisoners of War Company 10.3.19.

36 Other Ranks demobilized during month of March

Bt.Major Act.Lt.Colonel A.E.Percival D.S.O., M.C. [Arthur Ernest PERCIVAL, DSO, MC] granted temporary rank of Lt.Colonel under A.C.I.2. of 1919.

7468 A/R.S.M. S.C. Armstrong, D.C.M. [Samuel ARMSTRONG, DCM] awarded Rumanian Decoration "CROIX de VIRTUTE MILITARA, 1st CLASS"