SEPTEMBER 1 1918 - PYS
The Battalion (in Divisional Reserve) was in bivouacs in and near the Gully in
G33 c. Bn. H.Q. G32 d75.15.
In case of enemy counter attack the Battalion was to be prepared to occupy or
deliver attacks against the trench system South West of LOUPART WOOD.
The day was spent in Resting, Cleaning up and Reorganization of Companies.
Lieut. Col. T.E. TETLEY D.S.O. left the Battalion for the Base.
Major A. HODGE D.S.O. M.C. assumed command of the Battalion.
The weather remained cool and fresh.
SEPTEMBER 2 1918 - PYS
During the day the Battalion was engaged in cleaning up and bathing, kit
inspections & reorganization. A Company Commanders Conference was held at
2 pm.
At 11.45 pm Orders were received to be ready to move at half an hour's notice to
occupy the trenches in N3 c & 9a.
SEPTEMBER 3 1918 - PYS
At 7.30 am information was received from Bde. H.Q. by telephone that the
Battalion was to be ready to move forward at once - as a first bound to N9 b - as
the Division was making rapid progress forward. All preparations were made but
the Battalion actually marched off at 12.15 pm. Route WARLENCOURT-
EAUCOURT, Le BARQUE & LIGNY TILLOY. The Battalion Bivouaced at N10
b4.2 and ate the midday meal.
In accordance with verbal orders - written orders were received on the line of
march - the Battalion marched off at 6 pm through RIENCOURT and VILLERS-
au-FLOS and bivouaced in O14 a - Bn. H.Q. O14 a16.
As there were trenches and a number of shelters and a fair amount of material in
the area the night was spent comfortably.
SEPTEMBER 4 1918 - VILLERS-AU-FLOS
Orders were received at 2 am that the Battalion would probably move forward
during the morning East of BARRASTRE as the Division was continuing the
attack at 7 am. Preparations were made for an early start which did not
materialize. Defensive Positions were reconnoitred in case of enemy attack. The
weather was fine and the rest helped the men to recover from their previous
heavy fatigue.
SEPTEMBER 5 1918 - VILLERS-AU-FLOS
As considerable resistance was being met with the advance of the Division was
rather slower than it had been and the Battalion did not move from the place of
bivouac.
In the afternoon there was a heavy shower of rain which flooded all the shelters
of the Battalion.
An advance party was sent to LE BARQUE to reconnoitre the village for billets
as the Division was expected to be relieved that night.
SEPTEMBER 6 1918 - VILLERS-AU-FLOS
The Battalion marched to billets & bivouacs in LE BARQUE where as part of
42nd Division it was to be in IV Corps Reserve. Route via BEAULENCOURT and
LIGNY-THILLOY. The Divisional Commander watched the Battalion march past
at N9 a00 (approx.) and expressed himself well satisfied with the appearance of
the Battalion.
SEPTEMBER 7 1918 - LE BARQUE
The Battalion was very comfortable in the billets as accommodation was good
and plentiful. The day was spent in cleaning up, kit inspections and
reorganization.
SEPTEMBER 8 1918 - LE BARQUE
Sunday. Parade Services were held for the Church of England, Roman Catholic
& Nonconformist Denominations.
At 12 noon the Divisional Commander made an informal inspection of the
Battalion and addressed the men. Although considerably interfered with by
heavy rain the Battalion marched past in Columns of Route.
SEPTEMBER 9 1918 - LE BARQUE
Training Continued but was somewhat interfered with by rain. Two ranges - one
of 250 yds. and the other 100 yds. were available. As there are plenty of wide
open spaces in the vicinity (over which a considerable amount of fighting has
actually taken place) there is plenty of scope for tactical training.
SEPTEMBER 10 1918 - LE BARQUE
Training continued. The rifles of one company inspected by the armourer
sergeant. Range Practices, Tactical Schemes were the chief points of the
training besides the ordinary smartening up drill and recreation.
SEPTEMBER 11 1918 - SEPTEMBER 13 1918 - LE BARQUE
Training continued but considerably impeded by the weather remaining
unsettled. The Regimental Concert Troupe gave a concert on Wednesday and
were very successful. The Divisional Band & Troupe also gave performances
during the week.
SEPTEMBER 14 1918 - LE BARQUE
Showery. Battalion Concert in the Evening. During the night orders were
received to be ready to move off towards the line, at 5.30 am. Nothing however
materialized.
SEPTEMBER 15 1918 - LE BARQUE
Sunday. News wired through that the enemy had attacked but had been driven
off with heavy losses.
Church Parades were held in the morning for all denominations. A successful
inter platoon sports meeting was held during the afternoon.
The Corps Line (East of YTRES) was reconnoitred.
SEPTEMBER 16 1918 - SEPTEMBER 17 1918 - LE BARQUE
Training Continued - special attention being paid to Company Formations &
Company Tactical Schemes. The Weather remained showery. Concert in the
Evening by the Divisional Troupe.
SEPTEMBER 18 1918 - LE BARQUE
Orders received in the afternoon that the Brigade was to stand to at once ready
to move forward as the S.O.S. had gone up along the Corps Front. Later orders
were issued that the Battalion was at half an hour's notice to move.
SEPTEMBER 19 1918 - LE BARQUE
Information received that the Situation now normal.
During the day various orders were received concerning the move of the Brigade
into the Line. Move orders received at 10.45 pm.
SEPTEMBER 20 1918 - LE BARQUE
Advance parties to the line and to the billets for the night left at 8 am. The
Battalion marched out at 10.15 am via THILLOY, the outskirts of BAPAUME and
FREMICOURT to a Nissen Hut Camp in I29 central.
SEPTEMBER 21 1918 - West of LEBUCQUIERE
Company Commanders reconnoitred the new line.
At 5.30 pm the Battalion marched out to Relieve 6th Bn. Middlesex Regiment in
the Front Line. Route via BERTINCOURT, RUYALCOURT, MATHESON ROAD
and HAVRINCOURT WOOD. Relief Complete 11.05 pm.
Dispositions shown on attached map.
During the night there was some spasmodic shelling.
SEPTEMBER 22 1918 - FRONT LINE [near HAVRINCOURT WOOD]
Between 2 & 4 am the enemy fired about 2000 rounds of gas shell - yellow cross
- chiefly on the Eastern Portion of HAVRINCOURT WOOD. The Remainder of
day fairly quiet - spasmodic shelling and a few Light T.M. from the enemy
although our artillery remained active throughout the day. Our patrols were very
active during the night. Battalion Dispositions slightly altered to secure more
depth with a more thinly held front line.
SEPTEMBER 23 1918 - FRONT LINE [near HAVRINCOURT WOOD]
Much quieter - little artillery activity on either side. Visibility good. Dispositions
further altered - the front line now now (sic) held comparatively thinly.
Enemy M.G.s active at night - on BUTLERS CROSS ROAD. About 10 - 10.30
pm about 30 light aeroplane bombs were dropped near BUTLERS CROSS.
SEPTEMBER 24 1918 - FRONT LINE [near HAVRINCOURT WOOD]
Very quiet. Officers of 125th & 127th Inf. Bdes. reconnoitred the line to view the
ground over which they shortly expected to attack.
During the night two enemy patrols approached our line but were driven off by
our Lewis Gun Fire.
SEPTEMBER 25 1918 - FRONT LINE [near HAVRINCOURT WOOD]
Quiet. Considerable increase in the amount of artillery covering the front. Tanks
also came up in the rear.
SEPTEMBER 26 1918 - FRONT LINE [near HAVRINCOURT WOOD]
Quiet. In the evening A Company took over the whole of the Battalion Front. Two
companies of 1/5 Manch. R. came into the Battalion Area and the Battalion
withdrew leaving A Co. in the front line until 4 am to enable the 1/5 Manch. R. to
form up for the attack.
The night was very wet and after the withdrawal the Battalion proceeded to P4
and bivouaced in the open and in our old trench.
SEPTEMBER 27 1918 - FRONT LINE [near HAVRINCOURT WOOD]
The Division attacked at 8.20 am & the Bn. as part of the Reserve Bde. was
ready to move forward at very short notice.
At 5 pm orders were received to occupy the old front line before dark. This was
done. The Battalion passed the night without incident although all preparations
were made to advance at once.
SEPTEMBER 28 1918 - LINE [near HAVRINCOURT WOOD]
Verbal Orders were received at about 11 am for the Battalion to move forward in
artillery formation to the valley in L31. Here the battalion was to form up ready to
advance through the most advanced troops to exploit as much as possible up to
WELSH RIDGE. It was understood that the front line ran along HIGHLAND
RIDGE (L32, R2 & 7). Information was then received that the 1/10th Bn.
Manchester Regiment had advanced further and was occupying WELSH RIDGE.
The Battalion moved forward from the position of assembly at about 3.30 pm.
Right to Left A & C Cos. in Front, D & B in Rear. Coming under fire from WELSH
RIDGE whilst crossing HIGHLAND RIDGE, the Battalion at once extended
widely and A & C Companies pushed forward through the 1/10th Manchester R.,
over the difficult wooded & scrub covered COUILLET VALLEY, across the
Railway & up the Ridge. Here considerable opposition was met with from about
four M.G.s near the top of the ridge and although casualties were incurred chiefly
in A Company progress was continued chiefly by infiltration.
Bn. H.Q. was established in COUILLET AVENUE at about L32 b70 which
afforded very good observation of WELSH RIDGE. Visual Communication lamp
& shutter was maintained successfully the whole time with the two forward
companies.
At about 7.30 pm orders were received that early next day the N.Z. Division were
to pass through the Division and make an attack.
Our line then ran approximately along CENTRAL AVENUE & SAILOR
RESERVE (R3 d & b) with outposts on the road running N.E. through R9 c & b,
R3 d, R4 a.
The Intelligence Officer was sent to reconnoitre for any available accommodation
for the battalion in L32.
Casualties Killed 1 Officer (2LT A. McLAUCHLAN) 5 O.R. Wounded 1 Officer
(2LT GILPIN) 18 O.R.
SEPTEMBER 29 1918 - LINE [near RIBECOURT]
At 2 am the two forward companies withdrew to shelters in the sunken road in
L32. The Support Companies (and shortly afterwards Bn. H.Q. withdrew) at 2.30
am. Bn. H.Q. L32 a91.
At 12 noon the Battalion marched out first to Q6 and then when new orders were
received to Q1 & P12 a & c.
The Battalion was comparatively comfortable in bivouacs of corrugated iron.
SEPTEMBER 30 1918 - [near HAVRINCOURT WOOD]
The day spent in cleaning up, bathing and improving the accommodation - 30
tents were received so that accommodation was now quite good.
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Casualties
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Killed
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Wounded
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Sick to hospital
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42nd WD
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