15th-24th September 1915

Carnoy

15th September 1915

The morning was fine and warm after a quiet night. Nothing of importance happened.

In the evening the attached company of the ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS took over “C” company trenches working as a company. “C” company withdrew to support lines.

Casualties during the day-Nil

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Carnoy 

16th September 1915

Nothing of Importance happened. Another company of the ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS came up in the evening and went into the trenches by platoon being attached as 14th infantry.

Casualties- 2 men of the ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS

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CARNOY

17th September 1915

A very warm close day. Nothing of importance happened. In the evening the company of the ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS attached again took over “C” company’s trenches.

At night the Battalion was relieved by the

2nd WEST RIDING REGIMENT

where it withdrew to billets at BRAY.

Relief was completed by 9.10pm. Casualties during the day- 1 man injured.

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BRAY

18th September 1915

Nothing of importance happened. Large working parties were found at night. The battalion was comfortably billeted. About 7.30pm a very heavy bombardment was heard to the SE of BRAY.

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BRAY

19th September 1915

The battalion attended a lecture on the effects of a gas attack and how to overcome them by the chemical advisers of the 3rd Army.

After the lecture all the men put on their smoke helmets and passed through a barn in which a gas cylinder was turned on. Beyond getting an unpleasant taste no effects were felt from the gas.

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BRAY

20th September 1915 

Nothing of importance happened. The battalion furnished large working parties.

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BRAY

21st September 1915

Nothing of importance happened. Very heavy gunfire to the SE about 10.30pm. Nearly the whole battalion was on fatigue most days while in BRAY except for those on duty or to whom the divisional baths had been allotted

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BRAY

22nd September 1915.

A fine day, nothing of importance happened. About 6pm a German aeroplane passed over BRAY and being attacked by one of our aeroplanes was seen to descend very rapidly in the direction of MAMETZ. It could not be seen whether it came down within our lines or not.

Company Officers reconnoitered the enemy trenches in our front during the afternoon.

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BRAY

23rd-24th September 1915 

Nothing of importance happened. 15th INFANTRY BRIGADE relieved the 13th INFANTRY BRIGADE in the trenches. The whole of the 13th INFANTRY BRIGADE were now out of trenches.

Large working parties were found each day and night by the battalion.

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ON THIS DAY

16th September
Pinsk taken by German forces.
Battle of Tarnopol ends
18th September
Vilna taken by German forces 
21st September
Bulgarian Government order partial mobilisation 
Greek Premier (M. Venizelos) asks for guarantee of 150,000 British and French troops as condition for Greek intervention 
Viscount Ishii succeeds Marquis Okuma as Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs 

22nd September
“Dede Agatch Agreement” concluded between Turkey and Bulgaria rectifying Turkish frontier in favour of Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Government order general mobilisation for 25th.
Second Advance on Yaunde (Cameroons) begins
23rd September
Greek Government order precautionary mobilisation.
24th September
French and British Governments inform Greek Government that they are prepared to send troops requested 
25th September
Allied Autumn Offensive begins:- Battle of Loos begins 
Third Battle of Artois begins 
Second Battle of Champagne begins 

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11th-14th September 1915

11th September 1915

Carnoy

Another very fine day. During the morning our artillery were employed cutting the barbed wire in front of the battalion on our left with shrapnel fire. The enemy was very quiet in our sub section but there was a lot of gun fire from both sides on both sides.

Much work was done during the day and night on front trenches, support trenches and communication trenches and a keen rivalry existed between companies in the amount of work done.

All fire trenches showed a great improvement since they were taken over from the French especially as regards the parapets which when taken over were in no way bullet proof. These were all reveted inside with sandbags and the fire steps also formed of sandbags and the trenches themselves deepened.

Sump holes were also dug in all the trenches and communications trench at frequent intervals to drain water away.

4 old soldiers per company lived at Battalion headquarters and worked continuously on the communication trenches leveling the bottoms and making sump holes which were boarded over with gratings supplied from the brigade RE store in BRAY. This system worked well and the communication trenches were much improved during this spell of fine weather.

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Carnoy

12th September 1915 

The fine weather continued and much useful work was done during the day. Brevet Lt. Colonel P.M ROBINSON CMG was appointed to command the 112th Infantry Brigade with the temporary rank of Brigadier General. He went around the trenches in the afternoon and said goodbye to all the officers and Company Sergeants Majors before leaving about 6PM.

Major H.D BUCHANAN-DUNLOP D.S.O assumed command of the battalion. Captain W. NEWTON took over the duties of acting adjutant.

Lieutenant Colonel H.D. Buchanan Dunlop

About 5.45pm the enemy put 2 shells into CARNOY just by the communication trench named MONTAUBAN avenue. At the moment a carrying party from “A” Company was passing along this trench. 2 of the party were killed and 5 wounded by these shells.

Our artillery put 4 high explosive shells and 4 shrapnel into MAMETZ village which is occupied by the Germans and is just behind their lines. This was done in retaliation for the shells the enemy had just put into CARNOY.

Casualties during the day, 2 Killed and 5 wounded.

In the evening the officers and N.C.O’s of one company of the new army 10th WELSH FUSILIERS were attached for 24 hours instruction in trench duties.

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Carnoy

13th September 1915

Warm and fine. During the early night of yesterday a mine explosion was heard. It turned out that the enemy had blown in a mine sap opposite the K.O.S.B’s who were in the trench section on our left. 1 man was killed.

The officers and men of another company of the 10th WELSH FUSILIERS relieved those already in the trenches.

In the afternoon the enemy put 4 howitzers shells into CARNOY to which our artillery replied by shelling MAMETZ.

Captain RUSSELL was wounded by a “whiz-bang” shell which stuck the inside of a communication trench close to where he was standing. The enemy exploded a mine on our left about 8pm but no damage was done.

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Carnoy 

14th September 1915

A dull warm day. The enemy’s artillery fairly active but only light artillery shells fell near our trenches and no damage was done. About 37 fell around in a position of our reserve trenches. In the evening one company of the 11th ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS went into the front trenches for instruction. 2 Platoons were attached to “A” company and 2 platoons to “C” company.

At nightfall there was a lot of shelling on our left and immediately on our left the enemy were using a MINNENWERTER,

No casualties suffered.

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3rd-10th September 1915

Bronfay

3rd September 1915

Nothing of importance happened. Lt Colonel ROBINSON rejoined and took over command of the Battalion.

The Weather improved slightly but it was still showery. The usual working parties went out.

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Bronfay

4th September 1915

Nothing of Importance happened. 2nd Lt’s CROSS and 2nd Lt GILLET joined the battalion. The usual working parties went out. About 3.30pm heavy rifle fire was heard. It was discovered the next day the enemy had blown up two mines in front of the trenches occupied by the K.O.V.L.I but no damage was done.

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Bronfay

5th September 1915

Nothing of importance happened. A fine warm day.

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Bronfay

6th September 1915

Nothing of importance happened. A fine warm day.

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Bronfay 

7th September 1915

Beautiful day but nothing of importance happened. Pte O’CALLAGHAN one of the battalion cyclists was accidentally drowned bathing in the river SOMME at BRAY.

2nd Lt BULLEN rejoined from a short leave in ENGLAND.

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 Bronfay

8th September 1915

Nothing of importance happened during the day. In the afternoon the enemy put a few shells near BRONFAY farm but without doing any damage.

The day was very warm and fine and the usual working parties were provided by the battalion.

Pte O’CALLAGHAN’S body was brought up by the field ambulance to BRONFAY and carried from there by the stretchers bearers to CARNOY where the funeral took place in the brigade cemetery where men of the battalion killed in the trenches were buried.

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Bronfay

9th September 1915

Another fine day. Nothing of importance happened.

In the evening the battalion relieved the 2nd DUKE of WELLINGTON regiment in the trenches. The trenches were the same occupied by the battalion when last in the trenches.

“B“, “A” and “C” companies were in the firing line from right to left and “D” comapny in reserve at CARNOY.

The first company to move off was “A” company at 7.15pm followed by “C“, “B” and “D” companies at 10 minute intervals. The Grenade company and machine gun section came in rear.

Relief was considerably delayed owing to one of our machine guns having to remain in an Anti Aircraft position till dusk.

All relief was completed by 10.40pm the DUKE of WELLINGTON regiment withdrawing to BRONFAY farm and BILLON farm.

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Carnoy

10th September 1915

A beautiful day. Several areoplanes both friendly and hostile were about during the morning. Casualties NIL

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 ON THIS DAY:

3rd September
Grodno captured by German forces 
5th September
The Tsar supersedes the Grand Duke Nicholas in supreme command of the Russian Armies with General Alexeiev as Chief of Staff [Though nominally Chief of Staff, General Alexeiev was virtually Commander-in-Chief and performed the duties of that office till the Tsar’s abdication on March 15th, 1917 and continued as Commander-in-Chief thereafter without further appointment.] 
Action of Hafiz Kor (North-West Frontier of India).
7th September
Russian counter-offensive in Galicia. Battle of Tarnopol begins.
8th September
The Grand Duke Nicholas appointed Viceroy of the Caucasus .
Second Allied Attack on Mora (Cameroons) .
9th September
Battle of Dvinsk begins.
Battle of Vilna begins.
Bushire (South Persia) again attacked by tribesmen.
Turco-Bulgarian Frontier Convention signed at Dimotika.
United States Government request recall of Austro-Hungarian Ambassador, Dr. Dumba (appointed to United States, March 1913) 

1st-2nd September 1915

1st September 1915

Carnoy

Nothing of importance happened during the day. At night the battalion having been relieved by the DUKE of WELLINGTON regiment withdrew to BRONFAY Farm and BILLON Wood.

The relief was completed about 11pm and all the companies were in their new positions by 12 midnight.

There was a lot of rain during the afternoon and early evening making relief more difficult to carry out. Casualties-Nil

In the evening the enemy put four shrapnel on to the CARNOY road just in front of our transport. No damage was done but it became evident that the enemy had this road fully registered and could therefore shell the transport arriving at CARNOY whenever they wished.

This road has to be used by all the transport coming into CARNOY and the noise made by carts arriving can be distinctly heard in the front trenches.

For this reason the battalion carts are only sent down in one at a time when they off load and get away before the next cart is sent down.

Confusingly often other battalions do not proceed on these lines and the consequence is that the road is often blocked with the transport of 3 battalions very often with large R.E wagons bringing on Gabions etc and cookers belonging to a battalion of the brigade on our left which at present having no headquarters of its own makes use of CARNOY.

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Map of Carnoy and Billon Wood September 1915

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Bonfray

2nd September 1915

A very wet day owing to frequent showers. This farm is about one mile south of CARNOY situated on the rear slope of the hill and thus hidden from view from the German lines.

BILLON wood is about 500 yards N.W of BONFRAY farm and in a large wood in a hollow.

The companies were billeted as follows:

“A” company in dugouts around BONFRAY and in the farm. “B“, “C” and “D” companies in shelters in BILLON wood.

During the wet weather therefore the men were not very comfortable. Large working parties were found daily for various duties in the trenches while one company each day was allowed into BRAY to bathe.

Lieutenant G.Y GROSS left the battalion to instruct reinforcements at base.

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ON THIS DAY:

1st September
German Government inform United States Government that United States demands for limitation of submarine activity are accepted.
Ruad Island, off Syrian coast, occupied by French forces.

1st – 4th May 1915

1st May 1915

The battalion together with the rest of the 13th INFANTRY BRIGADE (less the DUKE of WELLINGTON REGIMENT which had been detached from the brigade sine the 22nd April) was bivouacked in a wood about 1 mile N.W of VLAMERTINGHE.

Here the brigade remained all day and the rest of the night. The weather was fine and warm and the much needed rest was much enjoyed by everyone. this was the first nights rest since the 21st April. One man wounded.

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2nd May 1915 

The day was fine and warm and everything was quiet till 6.15pm when a message (SEE ATTACHED) was received that the enemy were attacking the 12th INFANTRY BRIGADE and in consequence the brigade was to move up in support.

The battalion moved off and layout in a field about 1 1/2 miles West of BRIELEN.

An Example of an order received by the battalion while in the field.

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3rd May 1915

About 3pm a message was received to return to Bivouacs in the wood which were reached about 4am.

The day was again fine but everything seemed to disturb and chance of resting as at 4.40pm a message was received to be ready to move.

At 5pm another message was received to be ready to move. The battalion moved off about 5.30pm and owing to the enemy shelling the roads had proceed mostly across country.

Having arrived at the position the battalion lay down in the fields until next morning when orders were received to move to the hut near OUDERDOM.

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4th May 1915 

These were reached about 6am. A draft under 2nd Lt McCELLAND were waiting there for the battalion and during the day a small draft under 2nd Lt BURNETT arrived.

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On This Day 

1st May
Austro-German Spring Offensive in Galicia: Battle of Gorlice-Tarnow begins 
Battle of Dilman (North Persia).
S.S. “Gulflight” torpedoed without warning: damaged, but reaches port. First United States ship attacked by German submarine 

4th May

Italy denounces the Triple Alliance 
Battle of St. Julien (Ypres) ends 

27th-30th April 1915

27th April 1915

St Jean

After a quiet night when it was possible to walk about anywhere even up to the front line established on the 26th without being fired at, the attack was again commenced at 2pm with much the same result as yesterday.

A little more ground was gained and many more casualties suffered.

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28th April 1915

St Jean

A lovely fine day and quiet morning. The enemy shelled St JEAN from 3 directions with heavy shells. The headquarters farm was also shelled and hit on several occasions but no material damage was done.

The French attacked and made further slight progress.

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29th April 1915

St Jean

During the afternoon the battalion brought down a hostile aeroplane with rifle and machine gun fire killing both occupants. A very fine day.

As usual the night was quiet all around the trenches and working parties were able to work on the front line of the trenches without being molested and parties were able to go out and collect and bury some of the dead of which there were very large numbers lying about.

Sgt BRADMAN “A” coy discovered 2nd Lt DAUBENEY’S body which he buried (in Square C.14.C.64 Ypres Map)

The nights were so quiet that it seemed obvious that the enemy were probably at work on their trenches and therefore didn’t wish to be disturbed. For this reason it seemed a pity that instead of attacking their position by day and thereby suffering enormous casualties and advance was not made each night under the cover of darkness and lines established from which attacks could be launched.

ST JEAN was set on fire and the 13th INFANTRY BRIGADE had to retire on account of the shellfire.

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St Jean

30th April 1915

Another very fine day. The French commenced an attack about 11.15am. They made slight progress. The bombardment from both sides was continuous and terrific.

In the evening the 12th INFANTRY BRIGADE relieved the 13th INFANTRY BRIGADE in the trenches and it was apparent that the enemy must of known of the relief as from darkness onwards all roads and bridges over the YSER canal were continually bombarded with the result that the relieving battalion suffered many casualties.

Relief was completed by midnight when the battalion marched back about 2 1/2 miles where tea was provided by for the men. Only 3 men were wounded when getting across the canal which was very fortunate.

2nd Lt CROUCHER was killed in the trenches.

The casualties for this period since the 25th were 2nd Lt CROUCHER killed, 2nd Lt SHARPIN wounded, 2nd Lt HILDER overcome with asphyxiating gases and other ranks. 3 killed and 42 wounded and 26 missing. The latter were for the most part overcome by asphyxiating fumes who were taken to a French dressing station.

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ON THIS DAY

 27th April
Ain ed Douleh appointed Persian Prime Minister 
Mohtashem ed Douleh appointed Persian foreign Minister 
28th April
First Battle of Krithia (Dardanelles) 
British Government conclude a treaty with the Idrisi for co-operation against the Turks 
30th April
Shavli (Baltic Provinces) occupied by German forces 

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24th-26th April 1915

St Jean

24th April 1915

At 1pm an urgent message was received that the battalion was to move back again at once to the canal bank here to be in support as it was reported the Canadian Division was being hard pressed.

Here the battalion remained till dusk when it took up an entrenched position on the west side of the canal. All afternoon the French had been attacking and had been gaining ground slowly.

Their method was to make short advances of about 100 yards and there dig trenches in preparatory to making a further advance.

The night was very wet and was spent by the battalion on the canal bank.

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St Jean  

25th April 1915

The day was spent on the canal. The French were supposed to be attacking all day. The Battalion and the King’s Own Scottish Borderers were placed under the command of Major Robinson for the defence of the canal bank.

An observation post was formed at the highest point on the highest part of the canal bank from which the progress of the attack could be watched and hourly reports had to be furnished to the 13th Infantry Brigade headquarters.

On our left were some French black troops and further to the left the Germans were reported to have crossed the canal and to be holding the western bank in the neighbourhood of LIZERNE.

A patrol was pushed out on our left to keep watch in case of a German advance down the western bank of the canal.

About 10pm a draft of 370 men under Capt KNOX joined the battalion. The following officers were also with the draft 2nd Lt LITTLEBOY and 2nd Lt GROSSE.

As the draft marched up to the canal bank a high explosive shell burst amongst the leading company killing 2 men and wounded several others including acting company Quartermaster Sergeant WOOD.

The draft were quickly got under cover of the bank of the canal and then distributed to their various companies.  Rations were issued under considerable difficulties as the enemy were shelling the country around continuously and had the road located perfectly.

At 2am the battalion marched off to take over trenches from various corps ( Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry– Yorks and Lancs and Queen Victoria’s Rifles). The trenches were difficult to find and the orders and arrangements were very incomplete.  The consequence of this was that companies were only able to get into the trenches just at daylight but fortunately the morning was misty and the enemy was 1000 yards away so that invisible of the enemy opening fire with machine guns. No casualties were incurred.

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St Jean 

26th April 1915 

Counting from the right the order of the companies was as follows “C“, “D“, “A“, “B” .

The trenches were very shallow and really only where troops had at some point dug themselves in and afforded in consequence little cover. Companies however had brought up 50 shovels a piece and were able to quickly improve the trenches in order to afford cover from shell fire. This was fortunate as during the whole time the battalion occupied the trenches they were subjected to every form of shellfire.

2nd Lt SHARPIN was wounded.

At 2pm a general attack was commenced by the French and a brigade of mixed British and Indian Troops. These advanced over open ground under heavy shell fire and in consequence were able to make little progress. In fact they were only able to establish a line slightly in front of that already held.

Heavy casualties were suffered by the attacking forces and it was difficult to see what advantage was gained. Nearly all the casualties were caused by the enemy’s shell fire as the attackers hardly got within rifle fire.

The battalion dressing station was in a farm about 400 yards in the rear of the trenches where also was the dressing station of the KINGS OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS and the two battalion headquarters.

The whole place was soon crowded out with wounded from many different corps as well as stragglers. The whole attack could be seen from this farm and it was soon apparent that it could not make much ground. In fact very shortly streams of men were seen to be retiring and it was thought that the attack had failed hopelessly but it turned out later that some of the attacking force had been able to establish itself some little distance in front of our line.

During the whole attack our trenches were of course subject to a heavy shell fire and asphyxiating fumes which the enemy employed to repel the attack. These fumes were very powerful and the wind being in the right quarter they were driven down towards our trenches, many men being overcome by them as well as 2nd Lt HILDER.

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  ON THIS DAY

24th April
Battle of St. Julien (Ypres) begins 

25th April
Allied Forces effect landing at the Dardanelles 
Bosporus forts shelled by Russian Black Sea Fleet 
Action of Gibeon (25th/26th) (German South-West Africa)

26th April
Secret agreement signed in London between Italian Government and the Entente for Italian co-operation in the war and declarations by which Italy adheres to the Pact of London 
The last German raider overseas (armed merchant cruiser “Kron prinz Wilhelm”) interned at Newport News (United States of America) 
French cruiser “Léon Gambetta” sunk by Austrian submarine in Straits of Otranto.
Mushir ed Doulch, Persian Prime Minister, resigns 
Muavin ed Douleh, Persian Foreign Minister, resigns 

Letters from the Front 1914

The Courier 18th September 1914.

One of the most interesting letters received from the front is that of Sergeant G.W Turner, of the Royal West Kent Regiment, who was wounded at Mons, who in a letter dated from Convent Nemy, Belguim, to his fiancee Miss Daisy Gibbons of Burnt Barn Farm, Leeds near Maidstone says:

I was wounded about one-and-a-half hours after battle commenced and lay in the trenches for nine hours. The bullets and shells were flying all round, and did not cease till after dark. Then was my only chance to get out.
I crawled on my hands and knees to a little inn and there my wounds were dressed. The officer of my company, who was some distance off sent a stretcher to carry me away but I had two wounded men with me who could not stand, so I let one of them have the stretcher and I managed to walk the distance of one mile.
We are in a convent which has been made into a convert which has been made into a temporary hospital, and the convent sisters and the other Belgian ladies are very kind to us.
Two of them are paying particular attention to me. They keep coming and propping me up in bed and giving me barley water and cigarettes and they bathe my head with ean de Cologne.
The women who are looking after us are very brave. The sight of the wounded when I came here last night was enough to turn trained nurses, but they do their work bravely.

We lost a lot of men yesterday. One company was nearly wiped out. Of two companies of 400 men only 60 are left. To-day shrapnel has been bursting all round but the hospital was not touched, except for one bullet which struck a window.

The bullet that wounded me went into one breast pocket and came out of the other and in its course it passed through your photo making a hole in the breast as in mine. What a strange coincidence! It then passed through my watch and struck a large clasp knife, smashing it to pieces and driving it through my pocket.

It may be added that Sergeant Turner whose name first appeared among the missing was for some time drill and gymnastic instructor at Sutton Valance school and us well known both at Sutton Valanve and Maidstone.

23rd April 1915

St Jean

At 9.20am orders were received for the brigade to fall in at once and march via POTENHOEK to a point about one mile NW of BRIELEN where it was to form a reserve to the 5th Corps.

Units marched off in the following order: K.O.S.B’s less two Companies which formed an advance guard, R.W Kent, Y.L.I and QUEEN VICTORIA’s RIFLES.

On arrival at this point the brigade halted in fields concealing itself from aeroplanes as much as possible by forming up around hedges and buildings.

At 2pm orders were received to move at once to the YSER canal via BRIELEN and to cross the canal just north of NOORDHOFWYK where the brigade would attack the enemy whose position was known to be somewhere to the south of PILCKEM. The FRENCH were to attack on the left of the brigade and other British troops on the right.

Very little information was given and no time to explain to companies as only one hour was allowed from the time of receiving the order to march a distance of some 2 1/2 miles and commence the attack which was supposed to start at 3pm.

The 13th Infantry Brigade was to attack in 3 lines with its right resting on the LA BRIQUE-PILCKEM road and its left joining up with the FRENCH roughly along the YSER canal. The first objective was PILCHEM.

The first line consisted of the K.O.S.B’s on the right and the Royal West Kent’s on the left. The second line consisted of the K.O.Y.L.I and the third line of the 9th QUEEN VICTORIA’s RIFLES.

The K.O.S.B’s were on the right and the Royal West Kent’s on the left of the first firing line, after crossing the canal therefore the K.O.S.B’s moved off to the right and almost immediately came under shellfire while the R W Kent deployed along the canal cutting and the hollow ground to the west.

The battalion formed three lines each company having one platoon extended in the firing line.

Capt MOULTON-BARRETT commanded this firing line.

As soon as the K.O.S.B’s were ready the advance commenced when it was at once apparent that the French Algerian troops on the left would crowd out our firing line as they were coming across our front.

In consequence of this the supporting lines of the battalion were held back under cover of the canal bank and low ground and only one platoon at a time pushed up to support the firing line. This was fortunate for the battalion as it saved many many casualties.

The K.O.S.B’s suffered very heavily in the advance while the French Black troops either refused to advance or ran away altogether.  Eventually the K.O.S.B’s and our front line reached a line about 300 yards from the German position where they remained for some time until withdrawn after dark to a trench already dug about 100 yards in their rear.

Meanwhile the rest of the battalion had been pushed up on the left and slightly to their left where it also dug itself in and the K.O.Y.L.I coming up late continued this line to the canal.

All the time that these operations had been going on it was never apparent exactly what line the enemy were holding the only fact which was very evident was that they occupied a very strong entrenched position any way without artillery preparation and strong reinforcements it would be madness to assault.

As it was the K.O.S.B’s had lost many officers and about 250 other ranks. The Battalion which as mentioned above had been crowded out by the French troops came out with only 2 officers killed, 2 wounded and 101 other ranks killed, wounded and missing.

The greater part of the battalion having only moved up as it was getting dark had escaped heavy casualties. At 2am the line thus established was handed over to the 4th RIFLE BRIGADE and the battalion moved down into reserve in the canal bank.

Here it remained till daylight when it moved back about 2 miles and halted in a field tea being served from the cookers.

The officers killed were 2nd Lieut DAUBENEY and Lieut BRADLEY. 2nd Lieut’s COBB and MAUNDER wounded.

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Casualties 23rd April 1914

Private JOHN MAPP Aged 24 23/04/1915
Private GEORGE JOSEPH WATTS Aged 34 23/04/1915
Private WILLIAM BENNETT 23/04/1915
Private GEORGE SMITH 23/04/1915
Serjeant ALBERT FRANK NOAKES Aged 22 23/04/1915
Private WILLIAM BREZE 23/04/1915
Private THOMAS WILLIAM MARTIN BROWN Aged 20 23/04/1915
Private RICHARD SAINT Aged 19 23/04/1915
Private ALBERT VINCENT SAUNDERS Aged 21 23/04/1915
Private LEONARD GEORGE FROST 23/04/1915
Private DAVID LEONARD ROBERTS Aged 19 23/04/1915
Private THOMAS DODSON Aged 37 23/04/1915
Private ALFRED JOHN CHANDLER Aged 19 23/04/1915
Private COOMBER 23/04/1915
Second Lieutenant GILES ROBERT DAUBENEY 23/04/1915
Private JOSEPH JAMES EDWARDS 23/04/1915
Private JAMES SAMUEL EDWARDS 23/04/1915
Private ALFRED GEORGE TIERNEY 23/04/1915
Private JOHN GEORGE TRUMAN Aged 23 23/04/1915
Private ALFRED PALLOTT Aged 27 23/04/1915
Private WALTER JAMES LONG Aged 40 23/04/1915
Lieutenant PHILIP WARDEN BRADLEY Aged 27 23/04/1915

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Gilles Daubeney remembered in St Peter’s Church, Ampney St Peter, Gloucestershire, England

 

19th – 22nd April 1915

Vlamertinghe

19th April 1915

The battalion rested in huts. The army commander General Sir H Smith-Dorrien and Corps Commander Sir Charles Ferguson visited the battalion and in the evening the Brigadier General Commanding 13th Infantry Brigade addressed the battalion.

Capt LYNCH WHITE proceeded on 6 days leave to England on a medical certificate.

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Vlamertinghe

20th April 1915

The Battalion rested. A draft of 22 rank and file joined the battalion. All day and night the enemy shelled YPRES and HILL 60 with heavy artillery, the explosions being plainly visible from the camp.

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Vlamertinghe 

21st April 1915

Battalion rested.

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Vlamertinghe

22nd April 1915

The Commander in chief, Sir JOHN FRENCH addressed the Brigade complimenting it on the work done in capturing and holding HILL 60.

In the evening the battalion marched off to take over some of the trenches occupied by part of the 15th Infantry Brigade.

The trenches to be taken over were SE of YPRES on the south of HILL 60. The whole brigade less the 2nd DUKE of WELLINGTON Regiment were to go into the trenches at the same time owing chiefly to its numerical weakness after the losses incurred at HILL 60.

After the start being postponed 1/2 hour on account of a hostile observation balloon being up, the battalion marched off at 7pm each man carrying 2 days rations 170 rounds of ammunition.

As the battalion arrived at VLAMERTINGHE transport, fugitives and FRENCH ALGERIAN troops in small groups were met and it was soon apparent that the whole road to YPRES was blocked by them.

The battalion were therefore halted just south of VLAMERTINGHE a report by telephone being made to the Brigadier General commanding who had already started to the trenches. Orders were soon received that the relief of the 15th Infantry Brigade was cancelled and later the brigade who had been marching by battalions was assembled in fields just west of YPRES.

News had been received that the Germans had broken through the French lines North of YPRES. Later the brigade was moved about 1/2 mile further back where it lay in the fields until morning.

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Casualties for 19th-22nd April 1915

Private H ASHENDEN 19/04/1915 
Private C BARR  19/04/1915 
Private CHARLES STANLEY MONDAY  aged 19 19/04/1915 
Second Lieutenant JOHN CRASTON  19/04/1915 
Private A B  WEBB 20/04/1915 
Private FRANK STEPHEN KENWARD  Aged 38 20/04/1915 
Private F BETTS  22/04/1915 
Private W HARDING  22/04/1915 

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