own supports, with B Coy. in
reserve. Front from Boyau 109
(exclusive) to Mud Alley G.4.a.8.8.
(inclusive). Four men wounded.
May 20-- do. do. Our saphead at G.4.a. 8½. 8½.
blown in by enemy. Seven O.R.
wounded.
May 21-- do. do. 12.45 p.m. enemy sprung mine
between craters 3 and 4, filling
up our saps and connecting trench.
The damage was repaired. A severe
bombing fight took place. Casualties:
one officer killed. O.R., 5
killed 19 wounded. Enemy driven
back.
May 22-- do. do. Our engineers sprang mine in
centre sub-section in front of
junction of Poker Street and the
fire trench.
May 23-- do. do. At 7.30 a.m. enemy completely
surprised us by springing another
mine at point G.4.d. 6½. 5½. Saps 9.
9A Argyle Sap Hogsback and part
of Northampton trench filled with
debris; relief postponed until we
cleared trenches, etc. Relieved
by 8th Seaforths, moving into
Brigade support. Disposition:
A Coy.--1 platoon in Junction
Keep, 3 platoons in Lancashire
Trench; B Coy.--1 platoon in
Central Keep, 3 platoons in Railway
Reserve Trench. C and D Coys.
in Lancashire Trench. H.Q. at
point G. 3.c. 8.2. Casualties:
O.R. 3 killed, 46 wounded.
May 24/26-- do. do. Every available man employed in
working parties.
May 27--Right Sub-Section Battalion relieved 9th Black
Hohenzollern Watch. Disposition: B Coy. right,
Section A Coy. centre, D Coy. left finding
their own supports, C Coy. reserve.
Front extended from the junction
of Sackville Street and Hulluch
Alley on left to junction of
Quarry Bay and Brookwood Trench
on right. 9 p.m. our artillery
dispersed enemy working party
opposite Rabbit's Hole.
May 28-- do. do. Two intelligence reports stated
enemy intended to attack and to
use gas. Killed O.R. 1, wounded
4.
May 29-- do. do. Similar reports received from air
reconnaissance. Abnormal transport
movement near Haines and 5000
enemy seen moving in the open.
Artillery activity by our left
and right groups. O.R. wounded
3.
May 30-- do. do. Enemy trench knocked in by our
artillery. Enemy shelled Hulluch
Alley and rifle grenaded Rabbit's
Hole. Heavy trench mortar bomb
fell on our mine shaft heads
in front line, inflicting several
casualties. Enemy showed two
yellow flags with red St. Andrews
Crosses over parapet at the
Kink.
May 31-- do. do. Heavy shelling by both sides.
O.R., 1 killed, 9 wounded.
June 4--Bethune Relieved by 7/8th K.O.S.B.'s.
A Coy. proceeded to Gosnay. The
remainder of the Battalion were
billeted at Bethune in the Tobacco
Factory. O.R. 1 wounded.
June 10-- do. In billets. A Coy. rejoined Battalion.
June 12--Brigade Support Relieved 6/7th R.S.F. in Brigade
support, Hulluch Sector. Disposition:
A Coy. Curley Crescent, B Coy.
2 platoons O.B.1, 2 platoons
O.B.5., C Coy. Tenth Avenue
between Hay Alley and Hulluch
Road. D Coy., 2 platoons
Lone Tree Redoubt. H.Q. at Junction
of Curley Crescent and Fosse
Way. Four platoons K.O.R. Lancaster
Regiment attached for instruction.
O.R. 2 wounded.
June 16--Right Sub-Section Relieved 8th Seaforths. Disposition:
Hulluch Section C Coy., left, two platoons. B
centre, D Coy. right finding
their own supports. A Coy. and
2 platoons of B in reserve trench
between Wings Way and Vendin
Alley. O.R. 2 killed, 20 wounded.
June 22-- do. do. Disposition changed to: B Coy.
left, 2 platoons of East Surrey
Regiment in centre, A Coy. on
the right finding their own support.
Half Coy. 13th East Surrey Regiment
and C and D Coys. in reserve
trench. Surreys in for instruction.
O.R. 2 killed, 19 wounded.
June 26-- do. do. Coy. of East Surrey Regiment
left trenches.
June 28--Bethune After discharge of gas four patrols
of 39 men attempted to raid
enemy's trenches. 3 patrols held
up owing to uncut wire. Fourth
patrol bombed the German front
line and returned, leaving one
man killed. Battalion was relieved
by 10th/11th Scottish Rifles.
In billets. A and C Coys. Orphanage,
Bethune, B and D Coys. in Verquinal.
H.Q. Bethune. Casualties: killed 9,
wounded 19.
July 6--Left Sub-Section Relieved 6/7th R.S.F. Disposition:
Hohenzollern D Coy. left, C Coy. centre, A Coy.
Section right finding their own supports,
B Coy. reserve.
July 7-- do. do. Enemy shelled junction of Mud
Alley and Sticky Trench, and
Northampton Trench, doing considerable
damage. O.R. 3 wounded.
July 8-- do. do. Mud Alley and Quarry shelled
with H.E. Four enemy seen in
crater wearing khaki caps our
pattern. O.R. 3 wounded.
July 9-- do. do. More shelling on both sides.
Enemy exploded mine. O.R. 4
wounded.
July 10-- do. do. Relieved by 8th Seaforths. Battalion
in support. O.R. 4 wounded.
July 12/13-- do. Found working parties. Officer
1, O.R. 2 wounded.
July 14--Right Sub-Section Relieved 9th Black Watch. Disposition:
B Coy. left, D Coy. centre, C Coy.
right finding their own supports,
A Coy. reserve. O.R. 1 wounded.
July 15-- do. do. At 7.40 a.m. enemy exploded
small mine near Sap 98 A. No
damage done. O.R. 2 wounded.
July 16-- do. do. From 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. our
artillery bombarded enemy's wire
and trenches. From 9 to 9.30
enemy retaliated on Crown and
Border trenches, doing considerable
damage. Casualties: 4 killed,
11 wounded. At 4 a.m. enemy
exploded mine near the right
crater of the Hairpin. R.E.'s
exploded 2 mines in the same
vicinity. These explosions filled
in our trenches.
July 17--Right Sub-Section At 9 p.m. enemy started heavy
Hohenzollern bombardment on our front, and
Section under cover of this raided our
trenches in the vicinity of Alexander
Sap, capturing one officer and
12 O.R. Casualties: killed 3,
wounded 5.
July 18-- do. do. At 6 p.m. R.E.'s exploded 2
mines at junction of Rifleman's
Alley and Alexander Trench, destroying
Border Redoubt and Alexander
Sap. Two craters were formed,
the left the larger. Our bombers
occupied the far lip of the
left crater, and tried to hold
the right crater, which was found
to be untenable owing to rifle
grenades and aerial darts. A
bombing post was constructed,
and the work of consolidating
craters carried out. Casualties:
One officer and 6 men killed;
4 officers and 32 men wounded;
1 crushed; 1 shell shock.
July 19-- do. do. The enemy sprang a mine in existing
craters at Hairpin; 2 killed,
4 wounded.
July 20-- do. do. Intermittent shelling by enemy;
5 wounded.
July 22--Houchin Relieved by 2nd Royal Berkshire
Regiment and proceeded to billets
at Houchin. O.R. 1 wounded.
July 23--Dieval Left Houchin and proceeded via
Bruay to billets at Dieval.
July 26--Gouy-en-Ternois Left Dieval and marched via La
Trieuloye and Averdoingt to
billets Gouy-en-Ternois.
July 27--Occoches Marched from Gouy-en-Ternois
via Honval, Rebreuve and Canteleux
to billets at Occoches.
July 28--Autheux Marched from Occoches to billets
at Autheux.
July 30-- do. Draft of 25 O.R. arrived from base.
July 31--Naours Marched from Autheux via Fienvilliers
and Candas to billets at Naours.
Aug. 4--Mirvaux Marched at 4.45 a.m. via Talmas
and Septenville to Mirvaux.
Aug. 5--La Houssoye Marched to La Houssoye via Behencourt.
Billets and bivouac.
Bathing in river L'Hallue.
Aug. 8--Albert E.7.b. Instructions issued 4th platoon
in each Coy. to be pioneer platoon,
1 2 and 4 platoons to be full
strength of fighting unit of
10's. 3 platoons to be weak
platoons.
Aug. 11-- do. Found working parties of 400 O.R.
Aug. 12--E.5.b.7.6. Replaced 9th Black Watch in
bivouac at E.5.b.7.6. Bde. in
Division reserve.
Aug. 14--X.22.a (Peakwood) Brigade in "C" area.
Aug. 15-- do. Found working parties making
Highland trench.
Aug. 16--"B" area Relieved the 9th Black Watch
(the Cutting) "B" area Brigade support. Disposition:
H.Q. The Cutting, C (less 1
platoon) and D Coy., Gourlay
Trench; 1 platoon C Coy. and
1 Lewis gun, Villa Keep; A Coy.
Contalmaison; B Coy. Cutting
Contalmaison X17.A. Received
orders from Brigade to attack
next morning.
Aug. 17--"A" area Attacked Switch Elbow. Relieved
(Front Line) by 8th Seaforths during the
night and early morning. Casualties:
killed 4 officers, died of wounds
1, wounded 9; O.R., 40 killed,
4 died of wounds, 9 missing
believed killed, missing 7, missing
believed wounded 7, wounded 160.
Aug. 18--"C" area In Brigade reserve--reorganising.
Aug. 19--"C" area Found working parties. O.R. killed
2, wounded 3.
Aug. 20--"B" area Replaced 8/10th Gordons in Brigade
support. Heavy gas shelling
by enemy.
Aug. 21--"B" area Found working parties. Casualties
6 wounded.
Aug. 22--"A" area Relieved 8/10th Gordons front
line. Disposition: A Coy.--2
platoons Gourlay trench, 2 platoons
Lancashire trench; B Coy. Gourlay
trench; C Coy.--Cameron trench,
between Gordon Alley and Gloucester
Alley with supports in Highland
trench; D Coy.--Cameron trench
between Gordon Alley and Munster
Alley, with supports in Butterworth
trench. H.Q. in Gourlay trench.
Commenced construction of 6
strong points in front of front
line during the night. Casualties:--killed
4, died of wounds 1, wounded 7.
Aug. 23-- do. 5 of strong points completed and
occupied. O.R. 3 killed, 3
wounded.
Aug. 24--Scotts Redoubt In Brigade reserve. Relieved by
9th Black Watch replacing 8/10th
Gordons in Scotts Redoubt. Found
working parties.
Aug. 26--"C" area Replaced 8/10th Gordons in "C"
Battalion area 4.30 a.m.; in new
position by 6.30 a.m. C and D
Coys.; A and B Coys. 7 a.m. Disposition:
C and D Coys. Contalmaison; A and
B Coys. X22.b. Found working parties.
Aug. 28--"B" area In Brigade support. Replaced
8/10th Gordons A Coy. and B
(less one platoon) Gourlay trench
(one platoon B Coy. keep Contalmaison),
C Coy. Contalmaison and D Coy.
Cutting. Wiring party Highland
trench. O.R. 1 killed, 1 wounded.
Aug. 29--"B" area Party completes wiring Highland
trench. O.R. 1 wounded.
Aug. 30--Bivouac O.B.1 Brigade moved into Divisional
Trench Reserve. Relieved by 24th Northumberland
Fusiliers and occupied bivouac
at O.B.1 trench X.26.d. O.R.
2 wounded.
Sept. 5--Front Line Right Battalion relieved 12th H.L.I. and
Brigade Area 10th Scottish Rifles in front line.
Right Brigade. Support. B Coy.
left front Swansea trench, D
Coy. 1 platoon Intermediate
trench, 1 platoon Quarry, 2
platoons Mill Street; A Coy.
Right front Bethel Sap, Clarkes
trench and strong point; C Coy.
support Argyle Alley Chester
Street. H.Q. in the Quarry.
Sept. 6-- do. Killed 2, wounded 4.
Sept. 7--O.G.1 between Battalion moved into position
S.7.c.2.1 and O.G.1 from S.7.c.2.1. to S.14.a.3.6.
S.14.a.5.6 (behind Bazentin-le-Petit-Wood),
being relieved by 8th Seaforths.
Disposition: from left to right
D, B, C, (less 1 platoon) and A Coys.
1 platoon C Coy. and 4 Lewis guns
relieved the garrison of the keep
held by D Coy. 8th Seaforths at
about Point S.7.b.4.8. Casualties--killed
1, wounded 10.
Sept. 10--"B" area Relieved by "B" Battalion 149th
Infantry Brigade and "B" Battalion
159th Infantry Brigade, and
moved into "B" area. A and C
Coys., Cutting, B and D Pearl
Alley, H.Q. Peakewood. Casualties--wounded
6.
Sept. 11--Front Line Relieved the 8/10th Gordons in
Sanderson the front line. Disposition: A
Trench Coy., 2 platoons Sanderson trench,
2 platoons Egg trench and 6th
Avenue, C Coy., 2 platoons front
line to Pioneer trench, 2 platoons
near Villa wood, B Coy. Koyli
trench. Casualties: Officers 1
wounded; O.R. killed 3, wounded
14.
Sept. 13--Bivouac E.7 Relieved by 6/7th R.S.F. and
Central proceeded via Contalmaison, Scotts
Redoubt, Becourt Wood, Albert,
Albert-Amiens Road to bivouacs
at E.7 Central.
Sept. 14--Shelter Birch Battalion moved into Brigade
and reserve at Shelter-Wood, Birch-Wood,
Round-Woods. Round-Wood.
Sept. 18--Koyli Trench Brigade support. Disposition:
D Coy. Ham trench, A Coy. Egg
trench, C Coy. Post trench and
part of Sanderson trench, B Coy.
Tangle trench. H.Q. junction of
Koyli trench and Welch trench.
Sept. 19--Bivouac E.5.b. Battalion relieved by 8th Yorks
and Lavieville 23rd Division on night of 18th,
and morning of 19th rested in
Bivouac (E.5.b.), afterwards proceeding
to camp at Lavieville.
Sept. 20--Franvillers In billets.
Sept. 22-- do. In billets.
Oct. 6--Becourt-Wood Brigade sports cancelled and
Brigade moved up to Becourt-Wood
and bivouaced; men's lines in
cemetery and officers on other
side of road.
Oct. 8--Crescent Alley Battalion line. A Coy. O.G.1
B Coy. Starfish trench, C, D Coys.
(less one platoon) Prue trench,
H.Q. one platoon D Coy. Crescent
Alley. Casualties:--Officers, 1
wounded; O.R.'s, killed 2, wounded 27.
Oct. 11--Front Line Relieved 9/10th Gordons night of
10/11th in front line. Disposition
D Coy. on left of Le Sars-Bapaume
Road, B Coy. on right of Le
Sars-Bapaume Road. C Coy. Cutting
in M.16.c. A Coy. 2 platoons Tangle
M.22.a. 2 platoons in O.G.2. H.Q.
at M.22.a.2.1. Casualties:--Officers,
wounded 2; O.R.'s, killed 5,
wounded 22, shell shock 5.
Oct. 13--Crescent Alley Relieved by 8th Seaforths. A
Coy. Crescent Alley, B and D
Coys. Prue trench Coy., O.G.1 H.Q.
Crescent Alley. Casualties:--Officers,
wounded 1, O.R., killed
10, wounded 17, shell shock 6.
Oct. 14--Contalmaison Relieved by 12th H.L.I. proceeding
Cutting into reserve area.
Oct. 19--Right Section "C" area, relieved the 9th Black
Front Area Watch. Starfish trench. A, C,
B Coys. 2 platoons, D Coy. Tangle
trench, 2 platoons D, Tyne trench
H.Q. M33.D.4.4.
Oct. 21--"A" area Front Relieved 8/10th Gordons front
Line line. Disposition: A, C Coys.
front line, B Coy. Sunken Road,
Tangle, D Coy. O.G.2. Battalion
carried in two day's rations.
Oct. 23--"B" area Relieved by the 9th Black Watch
moved into "B" area in support,
A, C Coys. Prue trench, B Coy.
Crescent Alley, D Coy. O.G.1,
H.Q. Crescent Alley.
Oct. 24--Contalmaison In reserve. Battalion relieved by
Cutting 12th H.L.I. Casualties: killed
3, wounded 5, shell shock 8.
Oct. 27--"C" Area Battalion relieved 10th Scottish
Starfish Rifles. A and C Coy. Starfish,
Line D Coy. Tyne, Tangle, H.Q. Martin
Alley. Casualties: 4 wounded.
Oct. 30--Front Line Battalion relieved 10th Scottish
Rifles in "A" area. B and D
front line, A Coy. Sunken Road,
C Coy. O.G.1, H.Q. 26th Avenue.
Oct. 31--"D" Area, Relieved by 8/10th Gordons. B
Reserve and D Coys. Swansea trench, A
Coy. O.G.1, C Coy. Gourlay trench,
H.Q. Bazentin-le-Petit. Casualties:
killed 4, wounded 8, shell
shock 3.
Nov. 2--Becourt Hill Battalion was relieved and moved
into Camp.
Nov. 5--Bresle In Camp.
Nov. 10-- do. Inspected by G.O.C.-in-C., who
expressed himself as greatly pleased
with appearance of Battalion, and
thanks them for work done.
Nov. 20-- do. Brigade was inspected by Lieut.-General
Sir W. P. Putteney, K.C.B., D.S.O.,
Commanding 3rd Corps.
Nov. 21-- do. Brigade Sports.
Nov. 26-- do. In Camp. Inspection by G.O.C.
15th Division.
Dec. 1--Albert Proceeded via Lavieville and
Millencourt to billets. Whole
Battalion on working parties.
Dec. 7--Camp X23. To camp via La Boiselle and
Central Contalmaison. Found working
parties. Relieved 6/7th R.S.F.
about X23. Central.
Dec. 16--Shelter-Wood In camp. Transport at C Hapes
Scotts Redoubt Spur. Relieved 8th Worcester's
North at Shelter-Wood Scots Redoubt
North.
Dec. 17-- do. Found working parties.
Dec. 19--Acid Drop South Battalion relieved 6th Camerons.
Dec. 21--Front Line 26th Relieved 8/10th Gordons, Right
Avenue Sub-Section C Coy. Scotland
trench, Warlincourt and Gilbert
Alleys, A Coy. O.G.1. B Coy. and
H.Q. 26th Avenue, D Coy. Martinpuich.
Officers missing 1, wounded 1,
O.R. wounded 4.
Dec. 23-- do. C relieved D, D relieved B, B
relieved A, A relieved C.
Dec. 25--Acid Drop Camp Relieved by 8th Seaforths and
South proceeded by platoons to Acid
Drop camp south, 100 yds. interval.
Dec. 26--Shelter Wood Relieved by 10th Scottish Rifles.
South Finding working parties.
Dec. 31--Front Right Relieved 6/7th R.S.F. B Coy.
Sector right front, C Coy. left front, A
Coy. support Sunken Road, D
Coy. reserve Flers line. Q.M.
Stores Pioneer Camp.
1917.
Jan. 2-- do. A and D Coys. relieved C and B
Coys. respectively.
Jan. 4--Support Area Relieved by 4th Seaforths. A Coy.
moved to Prue trench, C Coy. to
Starfish, D Coy. to Seven Elms,
B Coy. to Starfish, H.Q. Seven
Elms.
Jan. 5-- do. Dug new communication trench
near Spur trench.
Jan. 7--Pioneer Camp Relieved by 8/10th Gordons.
Jan. 8--Scots Redoubt Relieved 10th Scottish Rifles less
North B Coy. forming Brigade working
party at R.36.c.
Jan. 12--Villa Camp Copse Moved to Villa Camp.
Jan. 14--Acid Drop In reserve, relieved by 8/10th
Gordons.
Jan. 16--Front Line Relieved 9th Black Watch: Right
Section left Sector A Coy. on
right, C on left, B in support,
3 platoons in O.G.1., one platoon
Destremont Farm, D Coy. in reserve
26th avenue.
Jan. 18-- do. B and D Coys. relieved C and A
Coys. respectively.
Jan. 20--Scots Redoubt Relieved by 12th H.L.I. Killed
North 1, O.R. wounded 1 officer, 4 O.R.
Jan. 24--Front Right Relieved 6/7th R.S.F. in left
Sector sub-sector, C Coy. left, A Coy.
right, B support, Sunken Road,
D Coy. Flers line.
Jan. 26-- do. D and B Coys. relieved A and C
Coys. respectively.
Jan. 28--Support Line Relieved by 8th Seaforths, A Coy.
Prue trench, C Martinpuich, B
Starfish, B Coy. and H.Q. Seven
Elms.
Jan. 30--Pioneer Camp Relieved by 9th Black Watch.
Feb. 1--Becourt Camp Relieved by 18th Australian Battalion.
The 5th Australian Brigade.
Feb. 4--Contay In billets training.
Feb. 14--Beauval Moved to Beauval route Herressart,
Le val de Maison Vert,
Grand Fare.
Feb. 15--Gazaincourt Moved here at 11 a.m.
Feb. 16--Bouque-maison Moved here at 8 a.m.
Feb. 17--Croisette Moved here less two Coys. to
Framecourt at 7.45 a.m.
Feb. 18--Moncheaux Moved here at 9.15 a.m. via
Framecourt, Houvin Station, Buneville.
Feb. 22-- do. Working party of 16 officers, 544
other ranks sent to Milly.
Feb. 24--Maisieres Moved here less working party.
Mar. 2-- do. Working party rejoined Battalion.
Mar. 6-- do. The 44th Brigade inspected by
Commander-in-Chief at Ambrine.
Mar. 11--Arras The 44th Brigade relieved the
45th Brigade. Battalion in reserve.
1.3. Sector. Route:--Penin, Tilloy,
Hermaville, St. Pol-Arras Road.
A Coy. relieved 8/10th Gordons
as permanent Garrison of the
Cemetery Defences. Men in Arras
only allowed out between 5.45 p.m.
and 9.30 p.m. Transport and Q.M.
Stores at Duisans.
Mar. 15--Front Line Battalion relieved 8/10th Gordons
in right sub-sector of 1.3. sector.
Disposition: D Coy. Front Line,
C Coy. 2 Platoons support trench,
1 platoon reserve trench, 1 platoon
in billets near H.Q., B Coy. billets
78.79. Grand Place. Casualties:
Killed, 9 O.R., wounded 16 O.R.,
died of wounds 50 O.R.
Mar. 16-- do. Cleaning trenches. B Coy. relieved
D Coy. in front line.
Mar. 18--Arras, Front (1). D Coy. raided the enemy's
Line trenches between points G.21.d.
5½.4.-2½.3.-0½.5.-3.5½. Zero hour
2.50 a.m. (2). The 9th and 12th
Division co-operated at zero hour
by similar raids on their divisional
fronts. Casualties were: 18 O.R.
wounded.
Mar. 19-- do. Battalion relieved in right sub-sector
1.3. section by the 12th H.L.I.
Mar. 20--Harbarcq Moved to Harbarcq at 7.15 p.m.
Reserve. Casualties: Killed, 1
O.R., missing believed killed 1 O.R.,
wounded 1 officer, 35 O.R., died
of wounds 2 O.R.
Mar. 26--Arras In support. Relieved 9th Black
Watch and were attached to the
46th Brigade Infantry.
do. Found working parties. Casualties:
4 O.R. wounded. Transport at
Duisans.
Mar. 31--Front Line Front Line. The 44th Brigade
relieved on the right sub-sector
of the 1.3 sector. Battalion relieved
the 12th H.L.I. A Coy. front
line. D Coy. 3 platoons support
line, 1 platoon reserve line.
C Coy. in cemetery defences.
B Coy. in Billets.
April 3--Arras, Grand Reserve. Relieved by the 8/10th
Place Gordons and moved into billets
in cellar Grand Place. 2 O.R.
wounded.
April 8--Arras Battle In support. At 11.30 p.m. Battalion
moved out of cellars in the
Grand-Place, via the sewer and
communication trenches to assembly
trench in front of the Cemetery.
H.Q. in cellars in Rue-de-Douai.
April 9-- do. Battalion reported in support
position ready for attack. At
5.30 a.m. (zero hour) under intense
barrage assaulting battalions
(8/10th Gordons on right and
9th Black Watch on left), supported
by 7th Camerons, attacked the
first system of enemy trenches.
The Black Line gained. Battalion
occupied O.G.1. and O.G.2.
At 7.50 a.m. attack on the second
objective began. The 9th Black
Watch on the left held up by
the Railway Triangle, so also
were the 8/10th Gordons. With
the assistance of a tank the 9th
Black Watch captured the Rail-Triangle
(Blue Line).
At 3 p.m. received orders to
relieve the 9th Black Watch on
the left. Reorganised in Hermes
trench.
April 10--Front Line B and D Coys. moved forward,
2 platoons into Hecq trench and
2 platoons into Helle trench.
A and B Coys. moved to Cable
trench.
At 1 p.m. Battalion ordered to
proceed to the east side of Feuchy
to support the 45th Infantry
Brigade. Move completed by 4
p.m. Relieved by 6th Camerons,
Battalion proceeding to trenches
previously occupied.
April 11-- do. At 3 a.m. received orders to
occupy part of the Brown Line.
A Coy. right front. C Coy. left
front. B Coy. right support.
D left support. Move completed
by 4 a.m. Received orders to
take objective line running
through I 22.23.24. At 11 a.m.
coys. moved from their position
in artillery formation to the
attack, moving half right for
Orange Hill. Battalion then
occupied a system of trenches
about H.29 Central. Orders received
that at 2.50 p.m. a barrage
was commencing in Loue-Copse,
and that at 3 p.m. the Brigade
was to attack. Despite heavy
fire Battalion succeeded in
reaching a position running
between Lone Copse and Monchy.
At 7.30 p.m. orders received
from Brigade that Battalion was
to be relieved by a Battalion of
the 50th Brigade. The greater
portion of the Brigade reached
Monchy. The men of the Battalion
in and around Monchy ordered
to place themselves under the
the command of the C.O. Essex
Yeomanry, then in charge of the
defences of Monchy.
April 12-- do. At 3.30 a.m. O.C.'s Coys. ordered
to link up with the 8/10th Gordons
and to form a line about 100 yards
in front of the Sunken Road. This
movement completed relieved by a
company of the Worcester Regiment.
Battalion moved back to Helle
trench, arriving there about
5.30 a.m., where it remained till
3 p.m., when it moved back into
billets at Arras. 23 officers and
521 men proceeded to attack, 11
officers and 346 men returned.
Therefore the total casualties
were 12 officers and 175 men.
April 14--Arras In reserve. 4 O.R. killed, 2
officers and 21 O.R. wounded,
1 O.R. missing. Died of wounds
1 O.R. Casualties during the
operations during 9/12th April,
killed 5 officers, 19 O.R. Wounded,
7 officers and 128 O.R. Missing
24 O.R.
April 22--Front Line Battalion relieved 8/10th Gordons,
taking over the Left Sub-Section,
leaving the Grand Place billets
at 6.30 p.m. Route via St. Saveur,
Tilloy, N.15.d.7.9. N.16. C.1.8.
N.10.d.5.1 and thence by trolley
line to front line. Disposition:
A Coy. on right. D Coy. on left.
C Coy. in support about N.11.a.2.6.
B Coy. in reserve, and H.Q. about
N.11.a.5.2. O.R. killed 3, wounded 1.
April 23-- do. The 15th Division attacked the
enemy, their objective being the
Blue Line Bridge at O.14 Central
to O.8 Central to small wood in
O.8.B.1.2.
At zero hour 4.45 a.m., under
an intense barrage, the Battalion
attacked the front line trench.
At Bullet trench we captured
about 40 prisoners and a machine
gun at N.18.b.9.8. Finding ourselves
out of touch, we dug ourselves
in. At 5.45 a.m. the centre
of the Battalion moved up, fortifying
a post about the sunken Road
(N.18.b.9.5.)
At 10.30 a.m. the trench up to
the Cambrai Road was cleared.
At mid-day, under a new barrage,
we were enabled to push forward,
forming a new post about N.13.a.2.6,
probably part of Hammer trench.
At 6 p.m. the 46th Brigade advanced
through us, enabling our Lewis
Guns to do good work as the
Germans retired from the trenches.
April 24--Arras Front At 2 a.m. after reorganisation the
Line Battalion moved back to behind
the Brown line, N.15.b. Central,
the 44th Brigade becoming supports.
April 25-- do. Battalion relieved the 10th Scottish
Rifles in front line from Cambrai
Road to about 300 yards south,
the Coys. from left to right
being C, D, B and A Coys.
April 26-- do. At 10.30 a.m. the 44th Brigade
advanced to the attack, one
objective being Cavalry Farm and
the German trenches to the east
of it. The advance was made in
2 waves, A and B in first wave,
and C and D Coys. in second wave,
20 yards between waves. The
advance reached the farm without
much difficulty, where they found
the trench very strongly held, and
at the same time a machine gun
opened fire on the left, coming
from the trenches which the 46th
Brigade had failed to capture.
The Battalion was forced to withdraw,
leaving a strong point on the
German line and another small
post to the east of the farm.
The remainder withdrew to our
original position.
April 27-- do. About 2 a.m. orders were received
to try and reorganise the attack.
This idea was given up when it
was learnt that the 46th Brigade
on our left had failed to attain
their objective. Officers and
patrols were sent out to try and
establish posts to link up with the
Black Watch, who had advanced
and made posts. This endeavour
failed. At 10.30 p.m. the Battalion
was relieved by the Seaforths
moving into support in the O.B.
trenches and Shovel trench.
April 28-- do. Support line. The Battalion was
relieved from the support line by
the A Coy. of the 3rd London
Regiment at 9.30 p.m. Casualties:--13
officers and 570 men went into
action; 6 officers and 191 men
returned; the total casualties
being 7 officers and 369 men,
of these 64 n.c.o.'s and men
were killed.
April 29--Simincourt In rest. Battalion moved from
Arras to Simincourt at 2.45 p.m.,
via Rue St. Aubert, L.29.d.
Danville, L.34.c. Bernville.
April 30-- do. In rest cleaning up, etc.
May 1-- do. In rest. Training under Coy.
to arrangements. Casualties in
May 7-- operations 23rd to 28th April.
Killed, 4 officers and 78 O.R.
Wounded, 249 O.R. Missing 42 O.R.
Died of wounds, 3 O.R.
May 8--Grand Rullecourt In rest. Battalion moved to
billets in Grand Rullecourt at
8.20 a.m.
May 21--Vacqueril The 15th Division was transferred
le Boucq to the XIX. Corps. Battalion
moved to Vacqueril at 5.45 a.m.
May 22--St. Georges Moved to St. Georges at 7.30 a.m.
via Conchy and Wail. Battalion
training.
June 21--Croix Moved at 3.15 a.m. to Croix with
1 Coy. at Siracourt. Route: Willeman,
Oeuf, Siracourt.
June 22--Pernes Moved to Pernes at 3.15 a.m.
St. Pol-Pernes Road.
June 23--Bourecq Moved to Bourecq. C and D Coy.
with A and B Coys. at Ecquedeque
at 9.20 a.m.
June 24-- do. Major General H. F. Thullier,
C. B., C.M.G., assumed command
of the 15th Division (17/6/17).
June 26--Steenbecque Moved to Steenbecque at 7 a.m.
June 26--St. Sylvestre Moved to billeting area, S.E. of
Cappel St. Sylvestre Cappel at 4.20 a.m.
June 27--Vlamertinghe Moved into 9th Army area camp
about 2 miles S.W. of Vlamertinghe
at 3.15 a.m.
July 1--Vlamertinghe In reserve.
Eerie Camp
July 2--East of Battalion moved into Brigade
Ypres-Menin Road support as follows:--C Coy. Half
Moon trench. D and B Coys. in
the Ecole. A Coy. in the Convent.
H.Q. in the Menin Road (19.d.05.45).
Battalion went into line 600
strong with 1 Coy. Commander
and 3 officers per Coy.
July 3/4-- do. In support. Finding working
parties. O.R. killed 2, wounded 8.
July 5--Front Line Battalion relieved the 9th Black
Dragoon Farm Watch in the left sub-section
right sector. Disposition: C Coy.
in front line (left). B Coy. in
front line (right). A Coy. in St.
James' trench. D Coy. Millcotts
(1 platoon). Potiize defences
(1 platoon), Potiize Road (2
platoons). H.Q. at Dragoon Farm.
Finding working parties. Casualties:
Wounded, 2 officers and 8 O.R.
July 8-- do. Front line. Patrols. A patrol
of 1 officer and 10 O.R. proceeded
at night across No Man's Land
to the Stables. No enemy encountered.
Casualties: Killed 7 O.R., wounded
11 O.R.
July 9--Vlamertinghe In reserve. Battalion relieved by
13th Royal Scots. Relief platoons
proceeded independently to Eerie
Camp. Casualties: O.R. 1 killed
and 2 wounded.
July 10--Rubrouck Battalion marched to Popperinghe,
Training trained to Arneke, marched to Le
Area Cloche. Transport by road.
July 17--Winnezelle In rest. Battalion moved by
Billeting Area route march to Winnezelle area,
under orders of 46th Infantry
Brigade at 7.30 a.m. Route: Esquelbecq,
Wormhoudt, to billets half a
mile north of L in Lodgehoek.
July 18--Toronto Camp In reserve. Battalion moved at
Brandhoek. 12.30 a.m. to Toronto Camp by
route march via Winezeele, Droglanet,
Watou, Popperinghe.
July 21--Camp at In support. Battalion moved into
H.16.a.5.8. support camp at H.16.a.5.8., relieving
8th Seaforths. O.R. 1 killed.
July 23--Front Line Front line. Battalion relieved
Railway. Dugout 8th Seaforths in the right sub-section
at Southlane I Sector. Disposition: A Coy.
in right front. D Coy. in left.
B Coy. in support (Half Moon).
C Coy. in reserve (Ecole). H.Q.
at Dugout under Railway at South
Lane. Strength of Battalion
going into trenches: 15 officers,
342 O.R.'s.
July 24-- do. A raid on enemy's trenches by one
officer and 12 O.R. captured 1
prisoner and a machine gun. The
party had one man slightly wounded.
Casualties: Wounded in action
(2 gassed), 8 O.R., missing
1 O.R.
July 25-- do. No Man's Land was patrolled.
Casualties: Wounded (1 gassed)
11 O.R., killed 10 O.R.
July 28-- do. A raid was carried out upon the
enemy's front line trenches by
D Coy. and 3 platoons from A
Coy. at 7 p.m. under an intense
barrage. Simultaneous with this
raid another party of 1 officer
and 14 O.R. proceeded from the
right of our line in search
of suspected M/G. This party
bombed Culvert and Dugout (where
the suspected machine gun was).
Both parties returned
about 7.30 p.m., having inflicted
many casualties and taken prisoner
1 officer and 39 O.R. with 1 machine
gun. Our casualties were slight,
being: Killed 1 O.R., missing
2 O.R., wounded 1 officer and
6 O.R.
July 29--H.16.d.5.8. At 9 p.m. the Battalion
was relieved by the 8/10th Gordons
and returned to camp at H.16.d.5.8.
Casualties: Killed 2 O.R., missing
2 O.R., wounded 2 officers and
17 O.R., died of wounds 1 officer.
July 30-- do. In reserve. Battalion marched
to position of assembly of attack,
being 20 officers and 588 men
strong. The Battalion was in
reserve to the 44th Infantry Brigade.
Disposition: A Coy. 2 platoons
"A.R.A." Dump, 30 men "A.R.B."
Dump (Thatch Barn), 30 men Half
Moon trench, B Coy. St. James
trench, C Coy. in Half Moon
trench Right of West Lane, D Coy.
Hedge trench south of West Lane.
H.Q. I.10.d.5.5. (South Lane).
Route to trenches via "F" Track.
July 31--I.10.d.5.15. Brigade reserve. Zero hour 3.50
a.m. Shortly after zero hour
Thatch Barn dump (A.R.B.) was
blown up, inflicting considerable
casualties to one platoon. This
necessitated platoon detailed for
A.R.A. Dump carrying forward to
A.R.C. Dump. Heavy casualties
among carrying parties. At 10
a.m. Battalion less A Coy. moved
forward into German front system
and came under heavy shell fire.
At 1 p.m. H.Q. went forward to
German reserve line. At 2 p.m.
one platoon went forward to construct
a strong point on Black Line
under R.E. officer, but owing
to heavy shelling it had to retire.
One Coy. went forward into Blue
Line, constructing and occupying
5 strong points.
Aug. 1--German Reserve At 5 a.m. the Battalion moved
Line forward as Battalions in support.
Disposition: 2 Coys. in trench
immediately behind North Station
Buildings, 1 Coy. in strong point
in Blue Line. The enemy counter-attacked
the right front of the Brigade,
but they were driven back, 4
men being taken prisoner and
many killed. We occupied the
original front line. Relieved
8/10th Gordons in front line.
Aug. 3--Camp H.16. Battalion was relieved by two
Coys. of the Munster Regiment
and went back into camp. Casualties
during operations: Officers,
6 killed, 1 died of wounds. O.R.'s
12 killed, 205 wounded, 23 missing
believed killed. 17 missing believed
wounded, 23 missing unknown,
5 died of wounds. Total: 7 officers,
285 O.R.'s.
Aug. 4--Winnezelle The 44th Brigade moved to Winnezelle
No. L 2 area by bus and billeted
in tents.
Aug. 8-- do. Battalion was inspected by G.O.C.
15th Division at 9.30 a.m.
Aug. 17--Brandhoek Camp In camp. Moved to Brandhoek
area No. L.3; route: Watou, St.
Janister, Biezen Switch Road.
March off 12.15 p.m.
Aug. 19-- do. Battalion proceeded to training
area, 17, 18, 23 and 24. Practising
attack. At 5.30 p.m. Battalion
moved to Bivouac Camp, H.17.A.1.9.
Aug. 20--Bivouac Camp The 15th Division was ordered to
continue the offensive on "2" day.
At 6.30 p.m. the Battalion moved
to relieve the 8th Battalion
Worcester Regiment at Pommern
Redoubt on the night of the
20/21st. After completion of
relief disposition of Battalion was
as follows: 2 platoons "A" Coy.
and 2 platoons "B" Coy. in
Pommern Redoubt; 2 platoons
"A" Coy. and 2 platoons "B" Coy.,
and "C" and "D" Coys. in shell
holes in neighbourhood of C.30.a.
and C.29.b. H.Q. in Pommern
Redoubt.
Aug. 21/22--Pommern At zero hour 4.45 a.m. on the
Castle 22nd, disposition of Battalion
was: A Coy. on right front; B
Coy. left front; C Coy. right and
support; D Coy. left and support.
The attack was launched and
the Battalion advanced to a
line about 200 west of Hill 35,
where it was held up owing to
heavy fire. Further advance was
impossible. On the night of the
22nd/23rd August, Battalion was
relieved by the 9th Black Watch.
Aug. 23--Rupprecht Farm After relief Battalion proceeded
to Rupprecht Farm.
Aug. 23/24--Eerie Camp Battalion relieved by 8/10th
Gordons and proceeded to Eerie
Camp, reaching it about 6 a.m.
Aug. 25-- do. Casualties 20th to 24th August:
Killed 4 officers, 30 O.R.; wounded
5 officers, 132 O.R.
Aug. 30--No. 2 Area Battalion moved to Watou No. 2
Watou training area at 2.30 p.m.
Sept. 1-- do. The 44th Infantry Brigade marched
to and entrained at 8 a.m. at
Caestre, and detrained at Arras
at 9 p.m., marching back from
Arras to billets at Montenescourt,
arriving about 1 a.m. (2/9/17).
Sept. --Montennescourt In rest. Company training.
Sept. 7--Blanchy Park Battalion moved at 3.45 p.m.
Route: L.2.C.2.4. St. Pol, Arras
Road, St. Nickolas, and relieved
the 10/11th H.L.I., 46th Brigade
at Blanchy Park (G.24.b.3.6.).
In reserve. Training.
Sept. 14--Left Sector Battalion relieved the 11th A. and
Trenches S.H. 45th Brigade on the left
sector of the Division, right
sector Brigade front, finding
isolated post J.25.b.10.25. C Coy.
front line and scabbard support.
D Coy., 2 platoons left front, 1
platoon scabbard support and 1
platoon Welford trench. B and
A Coys. right and left reserves in
Lancer Avenue. H.Q. in Johnstone
Avenue about H.30.d.1.4.
Sept. 18-- do. B and A relieved C and D respectively.
Casualties: O.R., 4 killed, 6 wounded.
Sept. 23--Middlesex Camp Battalion relieved on the night
22nd/23rd by the 8th Seaforths
and proceeded to Middlesex Camp
at G.17d.80.95 near Arras. Battalion
was in Brigade reserve. Company
training and working parties.
Oct. 1--Barossa Camp Battalion was relieved by the
10th Scottish Rifles, 46th Brigade,
and moved into Barossa Camp at
2 p.m. Company training and
working parties.
Oct. 2/9--Monchy Trenches Battalion relieved 13th Royal
Scots, right Sector, Monchy.
Disposition: D Coy. on right front,
C Coy. on left front, B Coy. in
support and A Coy. in reserve.
Oct. 13-- do. A Coy. relieved C Coy., B Coy.
D Coy. C Coy. moved on relief
into Happy Valley. D Coy. moved
into support in Musket Reserve
and Curb Switch.
Oct. 14-- do. In conjunction with a raid by the
Division on our right, Battalion
sent out two patrols each consisting
of one officer and 4 O.R. Of
No. 1 patrol only one man returned.
No. 2 patrol was seen to enter
enemy trench but never returned.
Killed 1 officer, missing 1
officer and 7 O.R.
Oct. 17--Rifle Camp Relieved by 8th Seaforths and
proceeding to Rifle Camp. Casualties:
4 O.R. killed, 6 wounded.
Oct. 21-- do. Battalion relieved 8/10th Gordons
in support. B and A Coys. Johnstone
Avenue, C and D Companies Rifle Camp.
Oct. 25--Arras Battalion (less A Coy.) relieved by
12th H.L.I. 46th Brigade. A Coy.
relieved by B Coy. 10th Scottish
Rifles. Battalion proceeded to
Oil Works, Arras.
Nov. 2--Front Line The 44th Infantry Brigade relieved
the 45th Infantry Brigade, left
sector Divisional front. Battalion
relieved one Company of 6/7th R.S.F.
and three Companies of 11th A. and S.H.
Disposition: D Coy. right front,
C Coy. left front, B Coy. support,
A Coy. reserve.
Nov. 7-- do. B and A Coys. relieved C and D
Coys.
Nov. 10--Rifle Camp Battalion relieved by 8th Seaforths
and proceeded to Rifle Camp.
O.R. 2 wounded. In Brigade reserve.
Nov. 14--Stirling Camp Relieved the 8/10th Gordons as
support Battalion. A Coy. in
Railway Cutting. C Coy. in
Embankment at Brigade H.Q. B Coy.
in Lancer Lane finding K.L.M.
posts. D Coy. in Stirling Camp.
Nov. 18--Oil Works Battalion in support to 44th
Brigade. Relieved by 12th H.L.I.
and proceeded to Oil Factory,
Place St. Croix, Arras.
Nov. 26--Wilderness Camp Relieved 6/7th R.S.F. at Wilderness
Camp in reserve.
Nov. 28--Oil Works Relieved by 1st Battalion Lancashire
Regiment and proceeded
to Oil Works at Arras.
Dec. 1--Trenches Battalion relieved 13th Royal
Scots in the left Div. Sect., front
line. Disposition: A Coy. on
right front, C Coy. on left front,
D Coy. in reserve. H.Q. in Candix
reserve (H.12.d.75.13).
Dec. 8--In the Trenches Inter Coy. Relief C Coy., relieved
A Coy., and D Coy. B Coy.
Dec. 13-- do. Relieved by 8/10th Gordons, Battalion
becoming support Battalion H.Q.
at H.11.c.7.9.
Dec. 17--Ecole, Arras The 46th Inf. Bde. relieved the
44th Inf. Bde. Battalion was
relieved by the 10th Scottish
Rifles and proceeded to the
Ecole des Jeunes Filles at Arras.
Companies occupied the Moat
Range for rifle practice and
Butte-de-Tir.
Dec. 23--Pudding Trench Battalion relieved the 11th A.
and S.H. in Brigade Reserve in
and about Corps Line. H.Q. in
Pudding trench (H.16.C.7.5.).
Dec. 27--Trenches Relieved the 8th Seaforths. B
Coy. on right front, C Coy. in
centre, D Coy. on left front, A Coy.
in support at Welford Reserve.
1918.
Jan. 2--Ecole, Arras The 44th Inf. Bde. was relieved
by the 2nd Guards Bde. Battalion
was relieved by the 3rd Grenadiers
and proceeded into billets at
Ecole des Jeunes Filles at Arras,
Feb. 5--Trenches Relieved 1st Duke of Wellingtons
and part of 2nd Battalion Essex
Regiment. Front line.
Feb. 8--Bois des Boeufs Re-adjustment of Brigade Front
Camp on night of 8/9th Feb. A Coy.
relieved by D Coy. 8th Seaforths;
B Coy. relieved by C Coy., 11th
A. and S. H. C Coy. relieved by
1 platoon 13th Royal Scots; D
Coy. relieved by 2 platoons 11th
A and S. H., B and C Coys. 8th
Seaforths. On relief, Battalion
became reserve Battalion in Bois
de Boeufs Camp.
Feb. 11--Trenches Battalion in support relieving
8/10th Gordons. Disposition: D
Coy. 3 pn. Fosse Farm, 1 pn. Brown
Line. C Coy. B.C.D. and E. Strong
Points. B Coy. and H.Q Fosse
Caves. A Coy. Brown line.
Feb. 17--Front Line Relieved 8/10th Gordons. A Coy.
3 pn. Fork Reserve, 1 Pn. Saddle
support, C.H.Q. Pick Caves. B
Coy. 3 Pn. Spade Reserve. 1 Pn.
Hoe trench, C.H.Q. Spade. C Coy.
3 Pn. left front line, 1 Pn. support,
C.H.Q. Saddle support, D Coy.
3 Pn. right front, 1 Pn. support,
C.H.Q. Saddle support.
Feb. 20--Front Line Inter Coy. relief. A Coy. relieved
C Coy., B Coy. relieved D Coy.
Feb. 23-- do. 1 officer and 28 O.R. raided the
enemy's trenches at 3.30 a.m.
There were no Germans in the
trenches, although 4 were found in
a saphead. 1 was killed and 3
made prisoners. Our casualties,
nil.
Feb. 23/24--Bois des Relieved by 8th Seaforths and
Boeufs became reserve Battalion. O.R.
2 wounded.
March 1-- do. Battalion relieved the 8/10th
Gordons, becoming support Battalion
in Les Fosse Farm. A Coy.
B.C.D. and E. strong points.
B Coy. 3 Pn. Fosse Farm, 1 Pn.
Brown Line. C and D Coys. Brown
Line.
Mar. 7--Front Line Relieved in support by the 8th
Seaforths, and on relief relieved
the 8/10th Gordons in the front
area. Disposition: A Coy. in
left support, B Coy. in right
support, C Coy. left front, D Coy.
right front.
Mar. 10-- do. Inter Coy. relief. A and B Coys.
relieved C and D Coys. O.R. 17
wounded.
Mar. 13--Reserve Line Relieved 8th Seaforths, becoming
reserve Battalion.
Mar. 19--In Support Relieved 8/10th Gordons in support
Battalion. A Coy. N.12.c. B Coy.
2 pn. N.12.c., 2 pn. North of
Fosse Cave. C Coy. strong points
B.C.D. and E. D Coy. 3 pn. Apple
and Pear trench, 1 pn. Gordon
Avenue. H.Q. Les Fosses Farm.
Mar. 22/23-- do. Battalion ordered to withdraw
to the Army Line in N.7.a. and b.
Mar. 23-- do. Battalion moved forward to support
the 8th Seaforths with their
right on N.8.c.8.0, and their left
on the Brown Line. This line
was held with 2 Coys. in front and
2 Coys. in support. H.Q. at
Shamrock Corner.
Mar. 25--Front Line Relieved by 8/10th Gordons. Moved
forward and relieved 8th Seaforths
in the front line. Disposition:
A Coy. left front, D Coy. left
support, B Coy. right support,
C Coy. right front, H.Q. in
N.9.C.8.5.
Mar. 27-- do. Inter Coy. relief. D Coy. relieved
A Coy., B Coy. relieved C Coy.
Mar. 28-- do. About 3 a.m. the enemy started
a heavy bombardment. About 7 a.m.
enemy infantry attacked and
gained a footing in the forward
trench and commenced to work
round our left in considerable
numbers. To avoid being cut
off D and B Coys. retired to rear
of Brown Line, here holding the
enemy attack until 1 p.m. About
3 p.m. the line was withdrawn to
the Army Line in front of Tilloy.
About midnight Battalion withdrawn
from action and proceeded via
Arras, Dainville to Wanquetin.
Mar. 28--Wanquetin Casualties sustained during battle:
Officers--Killed, 4; wounded 3;
missing 4; wounded and missing
4; wounded (believed P. of W.) 1.
Other Ranks--Killed 1; wounded
72; wounded (believed P. of W.)
22; wounded and missing 28; missing
(believed killed) 6; missing
(believed P. of W.) 28; missing
213. Total--16 officers; 372
other ranks.
Mar. 30--Arras Battalion proceeded to Arras and
were billetted in Petite Place.
Mar. 31-- do. 44th Infantry Brigade relieved
45th Infantry Brigade in the line
near Tilloy. Battalion being in
reserve. Formed into 2 double
Coys.
April 1--Army Line One Coy. of the 9th Gordons was
attached to the Battalion, which
occupied the old trenches in rear
of the intermediate Army line
with H.Q. at 9.35.D.15.90.
April 4--Arras Relieved by 13th Royal Scots and
proceeded to billets in Petite
Place, Arras.
April 9--In the Trenches Relieved 13th Royal Scots in
reserve. B and D Coys. occupied
the tunnel and A and B Coys. the
large dug-out at 19.5.6.3.7.
April 13--Arras Battalion was relieved by the 6th
Camerons 45th Brigade, and proceeded
to Petite Place, Arras, where
work parties were found. O.R.'s,
7 wounded.
April 18--In the Trenches Relieved the 8/10th Gordons at
9 a.m.
April 20-- do. Battalion relieved the 6th Camerons
in support. Disposition: A Coy.
in London Avenue and Inverness
Terrace (H.25.d.). B Coy. in
Blangy Front and support lines
between Pelves Lane and Cambrai
Road inclusive. C Coy. 2 platoons
in Tilloy Reserve (H.31.b.),
1 platoon St. Patrick's Road
(H.31.a. central) 1 platoon
with Coy. H.Q. at Devil's Wood.
D Coy. in Blancy Front. H.Q.
Imperial Cave.
April 23/24--Berneville The 44th Infantry Brigade was
relieved by the 167th Brigade.
Battalion was relieved by the
8th Middlesex Regiment and proceeded
to Berneville via Dainville
and Warlus.
April 24-- do. In camp.
April 25--Auchel Battalion moved by bus to Camblain
Chatelain and Auchel at 7.20 a.m.,
reaching Auchel about 1 p.m.
Transport by road independently.
May 4--Y Huts, Etrun The 44th Brigade moved to the
XVII. Corps area 8.30 a.m. Marched
to Calonne-Ricourt, entrained
to Acq, march to Etrun.
May 6-- do. Brigade moved to support area.
Disposition of Battalion: H.Q.
Portsmouth Camp G.3.b.9.2. B
and C Coys. in Colinwood Camp
G.3.b.6.6. D Coy. Cinema Hut
G.3.b.8.3. A Coy. Trafalgar
Camp G.3.d.7.4.
May 10/11--In the Trenches Relieved 10th Scottish Rifles in
Right Sector, Left Sub Section
H.Q. at H.16.d.1.8.
May 13/14-- do. Battalion took over area held by
6th Camerons as far north as
H.17.b.35.60. Disposition: A
Coy. from H.17.d.0.8. to H.17.c.35.60
(3 platoons), 1 platoon in Cam.
Avenue from H.17.c.10.70. B
Coy. as at present. Coy. H.Q.
H.16.d.5.2. C Coy. in front line
from H.17.d.10.60 to H.23.a.30.90
(3 platoons). 1 platoon in a
cellar at H.17.c.45.35. D Coy. in
Pudding Trench (as far north as
H.16.c.79.60).
May 14/15-- do. Inter Coy. relief. D Coy. relieved
A Coy.
May 17--In Support Area Relieved by 8/10th Gordons. Took
over accommodation in Stirling
Camp. A and C Coys. with H.Q.
at Stirling Camp. B Coy. in
Cam. Valley. D Coy. in cellars,
and old gun pits Athies. O.R.,
3 wounded.
May 20-- do. 2 Camerons escaped from German
Internment Camp and came through
British lines.
May 24--Roclincourt Relieved by 13th Royal Scots
going into Divisional reserve at
Roclincourt Area. B and C Coy.
Collingwood Camp. A Coy. Trafalgar
Camp. B Coy. Cinema Hut.
H.Q. Portsmouth Camp.
June 1/2--In the Trenches Relieved the 10th Scottish Rifles
in left front line. Officers, 3
wounded: O.R.'s, 16 wounded,
4 killed.
June 6/7th--Arras Relieved by 4/5th Black Watch.
Battalion withdrew to Petite
Place, Arras. H.Q. at Rue des
Trois Visages.
June 10-- do. The 7th Camerons were amalgamated
with the 6th Camerons, Lieut.-Col.
N. Macleod, D.S.O., to command
the new Battalion. 21 officers
and 383 O.R.'s were absorbed
in the 6th Camerons. 9 officers
and 466 O.R.'s were transferred
to the Base M (S) Depot.
June 10--Lens Mardeuil Formed into a Cadre Battalion
for the purpose of training American
Battalions. Establishment: 10
officers and 60 O.R.'s. Designation:
7th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron
Highlanders Training Staff 118th
Infantry Brigade. 39th Division B.E.F.
Entrained at Mardeuil at 10 a.m.
and proceeded to Barlin
for Audruicq Hazelbrouck.
June 11--Hazelbrouck Arrived Hazelbrouck at 6 p.m.
(Ardruicq at 4 p.m.) Billeted
there for night.
June 12--Calais Left Nortkerque-Hazelbrouck at
9 a.m. and marched to Rodelinghem,
Calais, arriving 11 a.m.
June 17-- do. Left Rodelinghem for camp at
Calais 13.3F.86.75, arriving at
11 a.m. Affiliated to 3rd Battalion
119th Regiment A.E.F. Started
training.
June 21-- do. Lieut.-Col. F. Anderson, M.C.,
late C.O. of the 6th Camerons,
joined as C.O. of this Staff.
June 22-- do. Training Americans.
July 1-- do. General Pershing inspects 119th
Regiment at training.
July 2-- do. American Division leaves area.
Moved camp to a field in Veuse
Village.
July 26--Listergaux Left Listergaux at 3.30 p.m. for
VII. Corps Reinforcement Camp
Watten by march, arriving about
7 p.m.
July 29--Watten Received orders to receive 823
O.R. arriving Watten 30/7/28.
July 30--Arneke Left Watten at 12.30 p.m., arriving
Arneke about 4 p.m. In billets
about 8.30 p.m. Battalion made
up of Black Watch, Seaforths and
Gordons. Dropped 350 O.R. at
Cassell to join A. and S. H. Our
Battalion are reinforcements for
51st Division to be called XIX.
Corps Reinforcement.
July 31-- do. Left Arneke and marched via
Cassel to a staging camp in St.
Eloy Area, Hazelbrouck. Map
3 H. 30.85.
Aug. 1-- do. A and D Coys. left camp at 1 p.m.
and marched to L.33.C. area where
they billetted. H.Q., B and C
Coys. marched to 28 A.24.c.6.6,
arriving at 10 p.m.
Aug. 2--St. Eloy Area Moved back to old Chinese camp
at Sheet 28.G.14.A.05.70.
Aug. 3-- do. Found working parties.
Aug. 6-- do. 310 O.R.'s conducted by officers
left for 51st Division.
Aug. 7-- do. 248 O.R. conducted by 6 officers
left for 51st Division. Remainder
of reinforcements entrained at
Remy Siding for La Cloche, reaching
there at 8.30 p.m.
Aug. 8--La Cloche Cleaning up.
Aug. 10-- do. 7 officers and 71 O.R. leave for
51st Division, only 7th Camerons
now left.
Aug. 13-- do. Leave La Cloche and march to
Esquebecq, entraining there at
8.30 a.m. for Audruicq. Embus
at Audruicq for Listergaux, arriving
about midday. Received orders
that the 7th Camerons are to break
up and proceed to the 6th Battalion.
Lieut.-Col. F. Anderson to command
8th Seaforths.
Aug. 14--Listergaux Marched from Listergaux to Audruicq
and entrain at 11.30 a.m. for
15th Division via Etaples.
[Illustration]
JAMIESON & MUNRO, LTD., PRINTERS.
40 CRAIGS, STIRLING.
"THE 7TH CAMERONS ON HILL 70."
The frontispiece to this volume is a reproduction of a painting by the
distinguished War Artist, Joseph Gray. It was commissioned by Evan M.
Barron, Esq., Inverness, as a Memorial to the Battalion of which his
brother, Major James Barron, was second-in-command when he fell at the
Battle of Loos, on 25th September, 1915. The incident depicted by the
artist is thus described by Mr. John Buchan in _Nelson's History of
the War_:--
"Lieutenant-Colonel Sandilands of the 7th Camerons arrived on the
Hill. Being the Senior Officer present, he took command and planted
the headquarters' flag of his Battalion on the top. It was his
business to recall the van of the advance, now lost in the fog and
smoke of the eastern slopes, and to entrench himself on the summit.
The Redoubt was now out of our hands, and the line taken ran just
under the crest on the west, and was continued north of Loos by the
46th Brigade. To retire the van was no light task. Two officers,
whose names deserve to be remembered, Major Crichton of the 10th
Gordons, and Major Barron of the 7th Camerons, volunteered for the
desperate mission. They fell in the task, but the order reached the
stragglers, and they began to fight their way back. In the midst of
encircling fire it was a forlorn hope, and few returned to the
British lines on the Hill. All down the slopes towards Lens lay the
tartans, Gordon and Black Watch, Seaforth and Cameron, like the drift
left on the shore when the tide has ebbed."
Reproductions of the picture, measuring 25 inches by 12 inches, are on
sale as follows:--Signed Artist's Proofs, £3 3s.; Ordinary Prints, £1
1s.; but purchasers of this volume may obtain
Signed Artist's Proofs for £2 2s.,
on filling in name and address at foot of this page, and sending it,
along with a remittance, to
Messrs. ROBERT CARRUTHERS & SONS, "Courier" Office, INVERNESS.
_Name_ ..............................
_Address_ ............................
..........................