The 7th Battalion in France, 1916

War Diary for January 1916

1-1-16 Trenches D1 2.0am M.T.R. Patrols have been out all night between the gaps on our front but nothing unusual is reported. A German working party at F10C7555 appeared but being fired on at once by our machine guns dispersed immediately. A bombing party has been all night at the far end of sap in 83 trench. This sap is being deepened, already 16 yds have been accomplished. Six reels of barbed wire have been put out opposite 83 trench. Enemy quiet in our sector but at 11.30 and onwards during the last ½ hour of the old year, kept up Machine Gun and Artillery fire on Sector D2. Our guns retaliated. Enemy are being kept under very close supervision by patrols. 1-1-16 2.0pm E.T.R. Very quiet day. Our artillery fired a few registering shots. Enemy working party seen at F1De55, Artillery informed & point registered, if see again will be fired at. Wind S.S.W.

2-1-16 2.0am M.T.R. Night very quiet. Advanced standing patrols, report work being carried on in enemy's lines at about F9D7880 and the German trench running from AEROPLANE trench to WHITE crater was held by about one man every 4 or 5 yards. About 5 yards of sap in 83 has been completed. 42 feet of wire has been put up in MATTERHORN gap. A continuous line of wire has now been erected opposite 83 trench but this will be still further strengthened. Wind W-W.S.W. Battalion on our left 11th Bn Royal Fus. 2-1-16 2.0pm A working party was shelled in CANTERBURY AVENUE at 11.30 A.M. Our guns retaliated and enemy ceased fire. Morning very quiet. trenches very wet again after rain. Wind W.

3-1-16 2.0am M.T.R. Enemy sent up flares on left subsector and rifle fire in this quarter more frequent. A patrol went out to investigate Sunken Rd. A specimen of wire opposite German trenches in front of 83 trench is sent for inspection. This patrol was one of numerous ones sent out and was led by an officer 2/Lt Rawes in order to give men confidence Its object was to examine enemies' wire and to instruct and train new patrol leaders. Night otherwise very quiet. Wind S.W. Work has been continued on sap in 83 trench and 30ft of wire has been put up opposite 79 trench. Our patrols again active in crater gaps. battalion on our right 1st Cheshires

3-1-16 2.0pm E.T.R. Our guns registered sap head at F10D0506 on C2. Four grenades were sent over 77 trench we replied with West Guns and T.Mortars. Enemy fired a few small shells into 83 trench at 11.45 A.M. Our howitzers replied on the Aeroplane trench. Wind W. strong 4-1-16 2.0am M.T.R. This afternoon enemy shelled RUE ALBERT with small H.E. and a T.M. fell behind 75 trench. This was in retaliation to our guns which fired on F10C96 and Mametz. At 8 P.M. we sent over 4 T.M. shells and several bombs from West guns in reply to some bombs which enemy put into 78 trench. Our T.M. is now out of action having destroyed its own firing platform. patrols have been continually sent out but report nothing up to present. Work has been carried on in sap at 83 trench. Communication with Batt on our left has been improved by digging a path parallel to existing impassible trench. 12 yds of wire completed opposite 83.

4-1-16 2.0pm E.T.R. Enemies' trench mortar emplacement located F3A7850. Enemy working party located opposite to Matterhorn and dispersed by our guns. Occasional Rifle grenades on Front trenches. Situation otherwise quiet. Wind S.W. 12 noon G.O.C. 18th Div. inspected section D/1.

5-1-16 2am M.T.R. Patrol was sent out last night to investigate German sap by white crater. Specimen of wire and report of patrol following. between 3 and 4pm enemy fired several whiz-bangs & rifle grenades. We replied with 10 rifle grenades and 12 T.M.Bombs on F10C6970 where wood wa seen to fly in the air. All enemy activity them ceased. Enemy machine guns regulated by red and green rockets very active on our working parties. Wind S.S.W. strong. 5-1-16 9-11am Bombardment going on somewhere left of our lines - ALBERT way. Weather Fair to dry 5-1-16 2pm E.T.R. Much aeroplane activity this morning. Our guns registered on enemy trenches in front of 77 trench. Enemy noted signalling with flash lamps in trenches in front of Quarry F10C76. Enemy snipers more active firing at periscopes. Wind W.

6-1-16 2am M.T.R. Enemy sent over 2 rifle grenades near Watling Street at 6.30pm and at midnight we replied with 4. Considerable more rifle fire than usual. Enemy busy trying to smash our periscopes. Enemy heavy howitzers search for our guns at 9.30pm. Night otherwise quiet. Wind W. 6-1-16 2.15pm E.T.R. At 8.15am enemy sent over numerous rifle grenades and trench mortars apparently aimed at L/18. Their grenades outnumbered ours so we retaliated with trench mortars. These did exceedingly good work. Timber was blown into the air from enemy lines opposite to the Fort. We must have inflicted serious damage on enemy. All active hostilities ceased on their part after our mortars had fired. Wind W. Weather Fair

7-1-16 1.45am M.T.R. At 4.30pm enemy fired 8 H.E. shells in rear of the Bn HQrs but did no damage. Rifle fire more frequent especially opposite trench 83 where enemy very persistently hitting our parapet. At 10.30pm enemy started to send over bombs and rifle grenades but upon our replying with 2 trench mortars they at once ceased. Every endeavour is being made to reclaim Matterhorn trench. Wind W. 16th R.Warwicks on our right flank C/2 Sector. 7-1-16 2.30pm E.T.R. Enemy fired a few shells at our working parties in Rue Albert and one or two rifle grenades but morning otherwise very quiet. Wind W. weather Fair to rain & mist

8-1-16 Morning Tactical Report. At 7.30am in response to our rifle grenades enemy shelled Bn H.Q. and Watling Street quite heavily for about 10 minutes. They were silenced by our Guns and trench Mortars. Several of enemy's shells fell also either side of Old Kent Road and between Maple Redoubt and 71 South. More flares were sent up by enemy last night but less firing. Wind L[ight?] N.W. 8-1-16 Evening Tactical. German working party observed at F10C2062 about 10am. dispersed by our Guns. German working at F.10.C.45-61 fired at by one of our patrols and was sent [seen?] to fall. Corroborated by 2 N.C.O.'s who were observing at the time. Wind - W.N.W. Relieved by 12th Middx midday. Good weather 16th Warwicks on Right, 11th R.FUS.on Left.

9-1-16 Méaulte Nothing to report. Good weather

10-1-16 Nothing to report. Weather Fair. Some Sun.

11-1-16 The Commander-in-Chief was in neighbourhood but did not pay us a visit

12-1-16 Nothing to report. Weather dull

13-1-16 8 shells fell in fields behind Hd.Qrs. near a bombing party & a football match. No damage.

14-1-16 Nothing to report. Instruction in Wire erecting by R.E.

15-1-16 Nothing to report. Instruction in Wire erecting by R.E.

16-1-16 Relief of 12th Middx in D/1. Good weather. Enemy shelled the hill after all our men were over. Wind S.S.E. 16th Warwicks on right flank, 6th Northants on left D/1 Trenches

17-1-16 2am Morning Tactical Report From 3.30pm-4.30pm enemy fired several whiz bangs on to our left sub sectors. At 6.15pm our machine guns dispersed enemy working party opposite to the Fort. At 9pm enemy sent over sausages and canisters all of which hit the roof of a dug out and severely bruised six men. We retaliated with trench mortars and enemy are now quiet 17-1-16 2pm Evening Tactical Report Smoke seen issuing from dugouts opposite Matterhorn Gap. Morning quiet. Our Artillery Registering. Wind S.E.E. Some excitement prevails in well-informed circles on account of a sham attack and heavy strafing which we intend administering tonight. Reports will appear later

18-1-16 2am M.T.R. Detailed reports on mine operations were despatched to you at 9.30pm. Night quiet except for occasional trench mortar from enemy. After mine explosion enemy traversed our line with trench mortars doing a good deal of damage in places. This is being repaired. Wind S.E. 18-1-16 2pm E.T.R. Work is being carried out on sap round edge of new crater. Situation quiet. Wind S.

19-1-16 2am M.T.R. Full report of mine explosion forwarded at 6.15pm. The explosion appears to have been a double one. Enemy kept up persistent bombardment with trench mortars and rifle grenades until 11pm when they were silenced by our trench mortars and guns. Total casualty from Gas 13, 2 of whom have died. Gas casualties were greatly reduced by coolness of Cpl.Blanshard & Cpl.Ivory who entered mine shaft & removed all gassed men. Work is being carried on cleaning damaged tenches. Wind S.S.W. 19-1-16 2pm E.T.R. Morning quiet until 12 noon when our 4.5 guns commenced firing on German trench mortar positions about F10.C65.60 and enemy replied with trench mortars on 79 trench. Work is being continued on clearing front trench round Matterhorn. Wind S.S.W. slight

20-1-16 2.25am M.T.R. At 2.45pmthis afternoon Germans sent over whiz-bangs in rear of trench 84 which was followed by 10 more. No damage done. Mine felt about 9pm apparently in Tambour. Germans also fired 8 salvos from light field pieces at R.Sussex Pioneers working in Rue Albert some of which fell near Park Lane. Our 18 pounders replied and the enemy ceased fire. Enemy trench mortar fairly active between hours of 5pm and 11pm. Our trench mortars replied in every case. Saps are being pushed out in new crater and wire put out in front. Wind S.W. 20-1-16 4.5pm E.T.R. Situation abnormally quiet until 9.30am when Germans sent over some rifle grenades into right sector. During the morning mud was observed being thrown out of trench 81 the snipers were informed and were able to stop the enemy working. In right sector a German working party was observed throwing up earth at F10C42.6 at about 8.30am. The F.O.O. turned the 18 pounders on and work ceased. At 11am several Germans were seen looking over their trench at F10C45.60. None of them wore hats and they continued to observe for some time. The T.M.Officer was informed and two footballs were sent over which fell near the spot. Our machine gun fired 500 rounds into the German wire which had been put out round new crater in Fort gap. The wire was considerably damaged and the enemy were not able to continue their wiring. Wind S.W.

21-1-16 4.15am M.T.R. Enemy very quiet up to 10.30pm when several rifle grenades were fired into 84 trench from the Aeroplane all falling short. We replied with our Ribemont grenades from battery. At 8.40pm a sentry reported 3 Germans at about F10.C65.50. Bombs were thrown at them and they disappeared. Movements were observed on further edge of crater opposite 82. We fired 2 Mills rifle grenades which had the desired effect. Canister fired from F10C70.65 at 10.35 which landed behind Fort - a dead Wind S.W. 21-1-16 4.15pm E.T.R. Enemy very quiet except for a few rifle grenades over 79 & 82 trenches this morning. We retaliated with our Ribemont batteries & the enemy ceased. Wind S.S.W.

22-1-16 4.10am M.T.R. Between 5 & 7pm enemy fairly active with their trench mortars, one landing in a small dug out in 77 trench containing 4 persons. 1 N.C.O. & 1 Man killed. Mine blown by us at 10pm. A special report has been sent in. Enemy very quiet in left sub sector subsequently evidently mending his own parapet. At 12.35am a patrol of 3 Germans was seen in lip of new German crater. Three shots were fired and one of them was hit. Wind S.S.W. 22-1-16 4.15pm E.T.R. There was some artillery activity during the morning our 18 pounders shelling Aeroplane trench & fire trench east of it. The Germans replied vigorously on Rue Albert, 83 communication trenches and Canterbury Avenue. they were also shelling a few men who were wiring in front of gun positions. Possibly they suspected a relief. Wind W.

23-1-16 4.15am M.T.R. Enemy very quiet up to 5pm yesterday afternoon the time we exploded the mine. It was entirely successful and filled in greater part of Quarry Gap the new crater extending to within 5 yards of Round Pond on right and about 5 yds of Fort crater on left being about 30yds from our front line at nearest point. This information was brought in by 2nd Lt.G.H.A.Hughes with patrol. This patrol and also a party sent out from Quarry were fired on from further side of Round Pond. Two saps are being dug to new crater one from left of Quarry and the other from right of Fort. 23-1-16 4.15pm E.T.R. Morning very quiet until 9.30am when enemy sent over a few rifle grenades in the Rue Albert. Our rifle grenade battery silenced enemy. One German was shot by a sentry post opposite Fort. Heavy bombardment heard this morning further south. Wind S.S.W.

24-1-16 4.15am M.T.R. Enemy very quiet up to 5.15pm at about which time the T.M. in C/2 sent over 4 or 5 footballs. This brought retaliation on our sector behind 77 trench one falling right in fire trench & blocking it. Our T.M. then joined in and after sending a few more trench mortars and rifle grenades enemy sent over two 5.9" shrapnel shells aimed at our T.M. position. This finished the strafe and except for one more T.M. at 12.45 the rest of night has been quiet. Two bearings taken on German T.M. position shows it to be about F10.C90.65. They apparently have two machines, one laid on C/2 and the other on 77 trench. Examination of new crater in Quarry Gap shows it to be very deep with steep sides. Wind slight W. breeze. 24-1-16 E.T.R. Enemy very quiet and no activity on either side 3pm Relieved by 12th Middlesex

25-1-16 Méaulte Bathing carried out

26-1-16 10.30am Enemy sent over one round battery fire at men playing football North Rd end. No damage done. 3pm Enemy sent two rounds battery fire over MÉAULTE one round of which were duds, otherwise day quiet. Parades carried out.

27-1-16 10.30am Enemy sent over 6 shells which landed North Rd end of Village. No material damage. 8pm Notification received that 48th Division were being gassed. Stood-to with helmets ready. All clear by 8.33pm. Enemy sent another round battery fire at same place at about 10pm. Parades carried out.

28-1-16 Day quiet nothing to report. Bombardment heard on our right. Germans gain ground from French.

29-1-16 Day quiet until 2.30pm when Germans sent over 6 high explosives shrapnel which landed behind No.101 High St. injuring two Ptes in R.E. They repeated this again at 4.15pm since when all has been quiet, except for increased bombardment heard on our right

30-1-16 Day quiet. Nothing unusual to report. Weather misty

31-1-16 Day quiet until 5 pm when enemy gassed D/2 sector. Battalion move off, battle order, to sandpits on Le Carcaillot-Bray Road. After an exchange of artillery & machine gun fire during which period several enemy shells passed over Méaulte, everything quietened down and Battalion returned to billets at 7.15pm

War Diary for February 1916

1-2-16 Meaulte Nothing to report. Day quiet

2-2-16 Nothing to report. Day quiet

3-2-16 11.30am Enemy sent over 3 dud shells one of which slightly damaged a house near church 2pm March to La Houssoye according to attached table of moves [attached moves, section missing] ...soon as relief has been reported complete. After this 6th Northants and 1 Company 7th Bedfords at Bécordel will come under G.O.C. 20th Bde. The Coy 7th Bedfords at Bécordel will remain as Garrison until relieved by a Coy of 20th Bde. On 5th Feby, after which it will join its Bn at La Houssoye. O.C.Garrison will report when he has handed over and will not move until permission is obtained from 20th Bde HQrs. 1 Btn 20th Bde will be relieving the 7th Queens in D/3 on 5th Feby. This Btn will move by the Willow Ravine its transport by the Albert-Bellevue Farm Road. Completion of relief will be reported by both Btns to 54th Bde HQrs Méaulte. 54th Bde HQrs will close at Méaulte on completion of relief on 4th Feby. It will open for routine correspondence at the Shooting Lodge at 12 noon 4th. 6pm Arrived La Houssoye

4-2-16 La Houssoye Nothing to report. Day quiet

5-2-16 to 14-2-16 Nothing to report. Day quiet. Conference at Bde H.Qrs.

10-2-16 Major Mills on leave. Capt.Meautys C.O.

13-2-16. 2/Lts B.C.Foster & Ross Taylor arrived

15-2-16 Information from Bde. That a German captured by the French stated that the Germans were attacking over D Sector on early morning of 15th but nothing happened

16-2-16 Nothing to Report. Very rough weather

17-2-16 Nothing to Report. Played Middlesex Rugger - Won

18-2-16 Nothing to Report. Lieut.E.W.Benson rejoined from Hospital

19-2-16 Rained all day. Zeppelin over Amiens with a bomb. Brigade visited Orderly Room

20-2-16 Fine Day. Played 12th Middlesex Soccer - Won

21-2-16 Rained all day. Conference for C.O.s & Adjutants at Bde.Hqrs

22-2-16 Nothing to Report. First night of Bde. Boxing Competition - New Bde Major arrived (Capt.R.Davidson)

23-2-16 New Staff Captain (Lt.Stutfield) arrived & Visited Orderly Room

24-2-16 Snowed very heavy. Accident at Bde. Bombing School Lt.Smith & 2nd Lt.I.H.M.Ross-Taylor injured

25-2-16 Snowed all day. Nothing to report

26-2-16 Beat Middlesex Soccer. Brigade Boxing Final

27-2-16 Nothing to Report

28-2-16 Nothing to Report

29-2-16 Move to Corbie ordered for 1.3.16. Vide 54th Brigade Operation Order attached. 18th Division transferred to 13th Corps.

War Diary for March 1916

1-3-16 Corbie Arrival at Corbie. Conference for C.O. & Adjt. At 8pm at Bde.H.Q.

2-3-16 C.O. Adjt. & Coy Commanders visited trench which it is proposed we are taking over - A Sector 3-3-16 C.O. & Adjt. Conf. At Bde. 11am

3-4-16 Fine Day. Enemy quiet. 11th R.Fus. relieved last night from Bronfay & now in A.1.

4-3-16 9am Fitting Clothing and Route Marches under company arrangements. Weather very cold and windy - frequent sleet & snow.

5-3-16 3.30pm Marched from Corbie to BRAY-SUR-SOMME. G.O.C. 54th Brigade and G.O.C. 18th Div. Both inspected the battalion while on the march and expressed their approval of march discipline and general appearance of troops. March orders attached herewith. Carnoy Trenches

6-3-16 2pm Relieved 2^nd Yorkshire Regt. In Sector A.2. Relief Completed 9.30pm. Relief Orders attached herewith. 12th Middx on right 22nd Manchesters on left.

7-3-16 Night very quiet. Sharp Frost which made trenches very sticky. Work commenced on Dug out at H.Qrs. and cleaning of communication trenches. General Maxse visited the sector.

8-3-16 3.30am Morning Tactical Report. At 5.20pm enemy sent over some heavy shells towards BRAY and fired several rifle grenades, most of which fell short near 50 trench. Situation otherwise calm. Wind N.N.E. Br.Gen.Shoubridge visited sector 10am. 8-3-16 3.15pm Evening Tactical Report. Enemy sent over one or two rifle grenades which fell short of 48 trench. We dispersed a working party by our Artillery Fire at A2D8152. At 2pm enemy whizzbanged Centre Coy. And Montauban Road but were silenced by our guns. Enemy aircraft was driven back over its own lines by one of our aeroplanes. Wind E.N.E. Situation quiet.

9-3-16 Day fine but dull and cold. C Coy. relieved B Coy. in centre sub sector. 11th R.Fus. relieved 12th Middx on our right and 22nd Manchesters relieved 21st Manchesters on our left last night. G.O.C. 54th Brigade inspected our trenches with O.C. R.E. Enemy very quiet except for an occasional rifle Grenade into centre subsector

10-3-16 Day fine but dull. Considerable fall of snow which made trenches very muddy. Battn. conference over Defence scheme at H.Qrs. 2 pm. Enemy very quiet all day and night. Heavy bombardment has been going on tonight N. of Albert.

12-3-16 Bray Nothing to report. Fine Day.

13-3-16 Nothing to report. Fine day.

14-3-16 Day fine. Adjutant and Brigadier Visited trenches together. A Bosch aeroplane dropped 2 bombs at the end of Bray 9pm. 53rd Brigade moved into 30th Div.

15-3-16 Relieved 6th Northants in A2. Relief completed 10.40pm. Operation Orders attached. part of 53rd Brigade moves as per March Table.

16-3-16 Trenches A2 Sniping fairly vigorous on part of enemy. 1 Cpl. Sniped in B Coy (in Saps) otherwise enemy quiet. Fine, but dull day, slight rain about 4 pm. 55th Brigade move to Corbie.

17-3-16 Vide March table. Day fine. More than usual aerial and artillery activity.

18-3-16 Day fine & quiet. Nothing to report.

19-3-16 Bedfords relieved by 6th Northants. 12th Middx vacated Bronfay for A.1. & 7th Beds took over Bronfay. Relief complete at 10.5 pm.

20-3-16 Bronfay Nothing to report.

21-3-16 Morning Quiet. Intermittant Shelling during Afternoon. fatigues all day.

22-3-16 Fine Day. Nothing to Report.

23-3-16Nothing to Report. G.O.C. Div. & Corps visited Bronfay & A2 Sector. Morning Wet.

24-3-16 Nothing to report.

25-3-16 A2 Sector Relieved 6th Northants in A2 - relief completed 9.15 pm. 11th Fusiliers on right. 26-3-16 Quiet Day. Cold. No movement at all.

27-3-16 Relieved 6th Northants & went to Bray. Fusiliers relieved by 12th Middx.

28-3-16 Bray Very quiet day. Much Finer. Fatigues & training carried on.

29-3-16 Attempted to Snow in morning, afternoon quiet. Nothing to report.

30-3-16 Nothing to report. Day Quiet

31-3-16 Nothing to report. Day Quiet & Fine.

War Diary for April 1916

1-4-16 Fine Day. Nothing to report.

2-4-16 Fine Day. Relieved 6th Northants in Sector A.2. Relief completed at 10.5p.m.

4-4-16 Fine Day. Enemy quiet. Nothing to report.

5-4-16 Considerable enemy activity with Artillery during morning. Several rifle grenades landed right into our trenches.

6-4-16 Situation calm. Nothing to report.

7-4-16 Concerted Strafe on craters with 2" T.M., Stokes Gun, 18 pdrs & Hows. Considerable damage done. Enemy reply very feeble.

8-4-16 Relieved by 6th Northants. Went to Bronfay Farm. Relief complete 9.30 p.m.

Bronfay 9-4-16 Nothing to report. Whole Battalion on fatigues.

10-4-16 Nothing to report. A German captured by the French gave particulars of an impending attack on "A" Sector but nothing so far happened.

11-4-16 Intermittent shelling of Bronfay & district. One shell hit extreme corner of barn but no damage.

12-4-16 An uneventful day.

13-4-16 2am Severe hostile bombardment of Bronfay & district with 10cm & 15cm shells. Battn. "Stood To" and "Stood Down" again at 4am. Germans raided A2 subsector (6th Northants holding the line). Several casualties. One man of ours on morning fatigue & in front line at the time - missing. Several dead Bosches lying out between the lines at 6am. 1 Captured & sent to Brigade.

14-4-16 Sorting out & burying Germans occupied our attention & no unusual movements of us or the Germans.

A2 15-4-16 Relieved 6th Northants in A2 yesterday. 12th Middx relieved by 11th R.Fus. Nothing to report.

16-4-16 Captured a Bosche prisoner of 6th Entrenching Bn who took part in raid with 62nd Regiment on 13/14 night.

17-4-16 Situation calm. Weather cold wet & windy. 18-4-16 Enemy very quiet. Nothing to report. Fine weather.

19-4-16 An uneventful day.

20-4-16 Relieved by 6th Northants. Nothing to report.

Bray 21-4-16 Nothing to report.

22-4-16 Day Quiet. Nothing to report.

23-4-16 Day Quiet. Nothing to report.

24-4-16 Day Quiet. Nothing to report.

25-4-16 Day Quiet. Nothing to report.

A2 26-4-16 Relieved 6th Northants in A2 Sector early morning. Relief complete 12.40pm. Hostile aeroplane dropped bombs just by Bray Church. A Hole in road and windows etc. broken was the only damage. No casualties. We raided German trenches night of 26/27th. No killed but 2/Lieut.H.Driver wounded & 13 others. [Comment; see Times article “Raid on Carnoy” and May Appendices]

27-4-16 Quiet day. Nothing to report.

28-4-16 Quiet day. Nothing to report.

29-4-16 Enemy shelled Carnoy for about 2½ hours. No damage nor casualties.

30-4-16 Quiet day up till evening. Enemy shelled support line & Hd.Qrs. for about 1½hrs. rather heavily - Communication trenches to front line damaged. 8 casualties.

War Diary for May 1916

1-5-16 Nothing happened of any importance in A2 Sector. 12th Middx. were relieved by 11th R.Fus. in A1. 31.4.16. 19th Manchesters on our left. General Officer Commanding 54th Brigade requested the C.O. to publish in Battn. Orders the communiqué appearing in the Times of 29th April respecting the raid carried out on night of 26/27th April by D Company. Complimentary Order attached. [Comment; see May 1916 Appndices].

2-5-16 General MacAndrew visited trenches in morning. Fine Day. Enemy very quiet day & night. 2/Lieut.H.J.Cartwright joined for duty. Capt.L.H.Keep & Capt.W.H.[Bull] sat as members of a F.G.C.M. in A1 Sector Headquarters at 10.30 a.m. Revd.G.Jarvis Smith (Wesleyan Chaplain) posted to the Battn. by 54th Brigade.

3-5-16 2nd Wiltshire Regiment relieved 11th Royal Fusiliers on our right. Day and night was fine & enemy quiet except for an occasional shell towards Bronfay.

4-5-16 Day quiet. relieved by 18th King's Liverpool Regt. 21st Brigade. Relief completed at 9.15 pm with no casualties. two companies proceeded to Froissy (A & B) & two companies (C & D) took over billets in BRAY. Battalion Headquarters in No.4 Rue Gambetta BRAY. Arrived in billets early morning of 5th

BRAY 5-5-16 2-3am A very heavy Artillery duel on our right in the direction of FROISSY. Fine day & warm. General cleaning up & resting prior to proceeding on fatigue tomorrow.

6-5-16 Fatigue taken over from 30th Division. D Company at BRONFAY working on tramway line from BRONFAY FARM to BILLON WOOD. A Company sent 50 men to Ecluse Mericourt for permanent fatigue of unloading barges. Brigade School of Instruction for Specialists commenced at Oissy. Sent 5 Officers & 70 Other ranks.

7-5-16 Fatigues & training carried on. Physical Training in early morning. Adjutant's parade for All N.C.O's & men available at 10 a.m. Weather Fine & dry.

8-5-16 Fatigues & training carried on as per programme. Weather cold rained most of the day. Nothing exciting occurred in BRAY. Everything very quiet.

9-5-16 Fatigues & training carried on as per programme. The Defence Post allotted to this Battn. by 30th Division is the area NE of BRAY with an Office representing the Battalion at road junction L 9 d 9/2. Musketry range opened at field just off Cappy Road. Brig.Genl.H.Shoubridge proceeded on leave Lt.Colonel G.D.Price in command of 54th Brigade. Weather Fine & dry.

10-5-16 Training & fatigues carried on as per programme. 2 Officers & 13 Other ranks proceeded on leave (12th to 21st) day quiet. Weather Fine & Dry. C.O. called a conference of Company Commanders at 10 a.m. Musketry carried out on the range. All employed men & details fired. Weather Fine & Dry.

11-5-16 Training & fatigues carried on as per programme. Nearly all men employed on fatigue. Those not on fatigue paraded at 10 a.m. under the Adjutant. Day cold & squally.

12-5-16 Training & fatigues carried on as per programme. Day very quiet; nothing of importance occurred. At night a few shells dropped near the La Neuville end of BRAY. Day wet & dull.

13-5-16 Early hours of morning a severe bombardment went on between the Germans & the French. A few shells fell near FROISSY & BRAY. A few bugles sounded the "Standfast" in BRAY but the excitement died down about 2.30 a.m. Fatigues carried on but parades cancelled on account of rain.

14-5-16 Fatigues & training carried on. Weather changeable with rain. Lieut.Colonel G.D.Price appointed Commandant of 18th Divisional School vice Colonel Fiennes to date from 20th May. Col.Price proceeded to 18th Div. Headquarters.

15-5-16 Fatigues & training carried out as usual. Captain E.Clegg assumed command of the Battn. until Major G.P.Mills returns from leave. A Company & B Company vacated billets at Froissy & joined the other two companies at Bray. French troops arrived at Froissy & took over our vacated billets.

16-5-16 Fatigues & training carried out as usual, most of the Battn. being on fatigues. 2/Lieuts.H.H.Pizey & W.H.Bennett joined for duty & posted to D Company. Fine weather & warm. Enemy aeroplane over Bray during morning about 8 a.m.

17-5-16 Major G.P.Mills returned from leave and assumes command of the Battn. from 18th inst. inclusive. Very fine weather. Training and fatigues carried out as usual. Nothing of importance occurred.

18-5-16 Fine day, very warm. Received notification that following decorations had been awarded by Commander-in-Chief.

D.S.O. - 2/Lieut.H.Driver;

D.C.M. - L/Sgt.Mills Cox;

Military Medal - Cpl.A.H.S.Joyce and L/Cpl.Lancaster. [From Raid on Carnoy, April]

Most of the Battn. on fatigue. Those who were left carried out Bombing & Bayonet Exercises under the Adjutant.

19-5-16 very Fine day - warm. Training and fatigues as usual. Nothing of importance happened in Bray. A few shells of large calibre dropped in the vicinity of Bray at about 7 p.m.

20-5-16 Night quiet. From 8 a.m. till about 9.30 a.m. the BRAY-CORBIE Road was steadily shelled by large calibre shells. No damage to our billets but a few casualties & a slight damage was sustained by the S.Staffords. Day very fine.

21-5-16 Divine Service, Voluntary. Fine & quiet day. No 15635 Pte.F.E.[J].Groves accidentally drowned while bathing near the Bridge on the BRAY-FROISSY Road. Court of Enquiry proceedings held & forwarded to A.G. & 54th Brigade.

22-5-16 Fine Day & quiet. A German aeroplane over BRAY during early hours but was dispersed by our A.A. Guns.

23-5-16 Day dull & Showery. Nothing of importance occurred.

24-5-16 Fine Day & quiet. Brigadier General Visited BRAY & called into our Hdqrs. Fatigues & Training carried on as usual. Nothing to report.

25-5-16 Fine day. 4 Officers arrived: 2/Lieut.R.B.Rednall, 2/Lieut.A.H.C.Gibson, 2/Lieut.G.J.Luscombe. 2/Lieut.J.Cunningham. Fatigues as before. Bn.Hq.Qrs. moved from Rue Gambetta to Rue Phillipe Auguste. Not such good billets as those we vacated but after being cleaned up they looked more respectable.

26-5-16 Bronfay tram line fatigue discontinued & carried on by 53rd Brigade. We took over fatigues of 7th Buffs, cable burying for XIII Corps Artillery. Draft of 7 N.C.O's & 70 men arrived from Base (5th Entrenching Battn.). Fine day & quiet.

27-5-16 Fine day. Captain J.H.Bridcutt proceeded on leave & 2/Lieut.F.E.Dealler took over the duties of Adjutant. 2/Lieuts J.D.Hopper & G.B.Hasler joined for duty.

28-5-16 Divine Service - Voluntary. Capt.L.H.Keep & Sergt.Cornell proceeded on course at 4th Army School. Brigadier General Shoubridge visited Hdqrs 10-11 a.m. Fine day, another lot of N.C.O.'s & men proceeded to 54th Brigade Schools of Instruction in place of those returned 27-5-16.

29-5-16 Fine day. fatigues carried on as usual. Town Major BRAY inspected the billets & congratulated on [sic] all ranks on the improvements effected.

30-5-16 Fatigues carried on as before but had to commence at 4.15 a.m. to enable men to get back to bathe during morning. Fine day. 7th Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's first despatch published in London Gazette Supplement 29-5-16.

31-5-16 G.O.C. 54th Brigade visited BRAY, called into our Headquarters to discuss matter of fatigues. Division require 600 men. Difficult to find them. Fine Day.

War Diary for June 1916

Bray 1-6-16 Quiet Day & Fine. 70 men of B Company employed on Barge Fatigue; remainder and all available N.C.O.s and men of A & D Companies employed on burying cable for 13" Corp[s] Heavy Artillery. Battn. H.Qrs. in Rue Phillippe Auguste. A Company next door B Company Rue Faidherbe, C Company Rue Phillippe August[e], D Company Rue Faidherbe.

2-6-16 Fine Day. Usual Fatigues during the morning. Similar fatigues at night commencing at about 10 pm so that men could get a holiday on Saturday & Sunday. During fatigue, heavy strafe of our guns began on German lines. (Manchesters said). We had 1 killed and wounded by M.G. fire.

3-6-16 No fatigues except B Company on Barge fatigue. Day fine. Instructions received that cable burying fatigue for Corps would cease from Sunday inclusive, and that we should be employed on cable burying fatigue for 18th Div. Sigs.

4-6-16 Day Quiet night of 3/4th saw some heavy Artillery duels. but nothing of importance occurred. B & D Companies marched to Corbie to take over fatigues of 1 Coy. 6th Northants and 1 platoon 12th Middx. Operation Orders attached. General Maxse visited Hd.Qrs. to discuss fatigues and arranged that we should furnish 70 men for barges and the remainder on cable burying fatigue for Sigs. 18th Division.

5-6-16 Day Quiet. Unsettled weather. Nothing unusual to report. Fatigues as usual. Furnished guard for 53rd Bde. H.Qrs. 2/Lieut.J.H.R.Rawes assumes command of D Company pending the return of Capt.T.E.Lloyd from leave. Leave allotment reduced from 13 places to 9 places. The following honours appeared in the King's Birthday Honours List:

D.C.M. : 3/7753 L/Cpl.A.Jones.

Military Medal: 3/7669 L/Cpl.A.Lancaster;

22101 Cpl.A.H.S.Joyce;

17514 Private W [sic C.].Wilsher.

6-6-16 Day quiet; wet weather. Draft of 7 N.C.O.s and 38 men arrived from No.2 Entrenching Battn. Fatigues as usual. Captain E.Clegg returned from leave after being a spectator of the great naval battle on H.M.S. "Revenge".

7-6-16 Wet day with occasional bursts of sun. News of the tragic death of Lord Kitchener reached Bray about 4 pm and caused great consternation and general depression. Fatigues as usual.

8-6-16 Wet day; very miserable weather. Captain J.H.Bridcutt returned from leave night of 7th inst and resumed duties of Adjutant morning of 8th inst. 2/Lieut.F.E.Dealler acting adjutant returns to his company at Corbie.

9-6-16 Day Quiet with showers of rain. C Company and part of A on cable fatigue, remainder of A on barge fatigues & other small guards etc. Leave allotment reduced to 4 places per Battalion. Amiens placed out of bounds to all British troops except those on very special urgent business.

10-6-16 Orders for move received. handed over fatigues t o 10th Essex Regt. (18th Div) B & D Companies moved by train from Corbie to Picquigny. Indifferent weather. Bray/Picquigny

11-6-16 A & C Companies and Bn Hd.Qrs. moved from Bray to Picquigny to commence Brigade Training. Operation Orders attached. Arrived Picquigny 10.20 am. Brigadier General T.H.Shoubridge met the Battn at the Station and watched it march to billets. Headquarters in the main Amiens road. [Picquigny]

12-6-16 Men were given a clear day. Brigadier, C.O. and all officers visited the practice trenches in the morning and the N.C.O.s proceeded to the same place at 12.30 pm. Weather dull and rainy. Draft of 49 arrived during night and early morning of 13th inst.

13-6-16 Wet morning. Draft paraded and sorted out. First real day of Brigade Training. All the Bn. out at practice trenches. Returned about 6 pm.

14-6-16 Fine Day. Brigade Training carried out according to programme. At 11 pm the time is advanced one hour, 11 pm becoming 12 midnight. Lieut.H.C.Browning relinquishes post of T.O. and returns to duty with B Coy.

15-6-16 Fine Day. Brigade Training carried out practice attack on trenches. Bn on duty for Brigade. Furnished Bde H.Q. Guard and Picquigny Sanitary fatigue.

16-6-16 Fine Day. Brigade carried out practise [sic] attack on trench. battn. returned to billets at 6.30 pm. 2/Lieut.R.Cathcart-Nicholls proceeded to Hd.Qrs R.F.C. on probation as an observer.

17-6-16 Good weather. Bn. proceeded to practise trenches for Brigade Training and returned to billets at 6 pm.

18-6-16 Orders received for Bn to move to Grovetown Camp and be attached to 53rd Bde. but were cancelled about noon. Bn out on the training are practising the attack. No 23738 Pte.Griffin J C.Coy shot himself - died in Field Amb.

19-6-16 Fine Day. Btn. on duty for Brigade. Furnished H.Qrs Guard & Town Major's Sanitary Fatigue.

20-6-16 Fine day. Companies training under company arrangements. leave allotment reduced to 3 places every 10 days. 2/Lieut.F.E.Tilton proceeded to R.E. Dump Bray to relieve 2/Lieut.Covell sick. Brigade Open Air Concert.

21-6-16 Companies training under company arrangements. Captain E.Clegg sat as member of F.G.C.M. at Town Hall Picquigny.

22-6-16 Quiet Day. Men given a rest to prepare for move tomorrow. [Picquigny/ Grovetown Camp]

23-6-16 Battn moved from Picquigny to Grovetown Camp in accordance with attached Operation Orders No.19. Arrived Grovetown Camp about 3 pm. Changeable weather. Very hot and much rain. [Grovetown Camp]

24-6-16 Battn. at Grovetown till 11.30 pm. Moved to A.2. Sector Trenches and took over 54th Brigade Battle Front. [Carnoy Trenches]

25-6-16 Holding the line. Area rather crowded and casualties a few above normal. Artillery bombardment going on all day and all night. Germans made feeble reply by day but seemed to wake up at night.

26-6-16 Artillery bombardment as yesterday. Heavy retaliation and many casualties. One shell fell in C Coy. Off. Mess. 2/Lts Baden & Hasler killed. Capt.Clegg, 2/Lts Doake & Johnson wounded.

27-6-16 Bombardment carrying on. 11th R.Fusiliers arrived at Carnoy and went into support line. Orderly Room and officers dugouts shared on account of limited space.

28-6-16 Fine Day. 12th Middlesex took over front line of 54th Brigade from 7 Bedfords. 7 Bedfords proceeded to Bray arriving at 1 am 29.6.16.

29-6-16 Fine Day. Btn. resting and cleaning up.

30-6-16 Fine Day. Battalion proceeded to trenches Carnoy. 54 Brigade concentrated in trenches of 54 Brigade Battle Front. 11th R.Fusiliers & 7 Bedfords in attacking line 6th Northants in support 12 Middx in Reserve. Operation orders in War Diary of July.

War Diary for July 1916

Carnoy Trenches 1-7-16 At about midnight on night of June 30th/July 1st 1916 the whole of the 54th Brigade was concentrated on its Battle Front ready for the assault on morning of 1st July. Assaulting Battalions were 7th Bedfords & 11th R.Fusiliers, in support: 6th Northants and in reserve 12th Middlesex. An artillery bombardment waged heavily all night and increased in intensity up till 7.30 am, Zero Hour, when the assaulting Battalions stormed the German first line trenches. Operation Orders appended. A special account of the events is being compiled by the Commanding Officer and will be appended hereto also [comment; see July appendices for casualty list and detailed reports and September Appendices for Cpt. Bull's report]

Pommiers 2-7-16 At about 2 am, after consolidating as much of Pommiers Redoubt Redoubt & Beetle Alley & New Trench as was possible in the time, the Battalion returned to Carnoy from the enemy's captured trenches & rested. At about 7 pm. the Battn. moved forward again as a reserve Battn to Emden & Austrian Trenches (German). Battn.Hd.Qrs. at Piccadilly.

3-7-16 Battn. remained in these Trenches all day till about 6 p.m. and then returned to Carnoy in