OCTOBER 1 1918 - CORPS RESERVE HAVRINCOURT WOOD
The Battalion spent the day in cleaning up, kit inspections, bathing, etc.
The men are quite comfortable - with 30 tents and plenty of old shelters there is
satisfactory accommodation for all.
OCTOBER 2 1918 - CORPS RESERVE HAVRINCOURT WOOD
The Brigade paraded for the Divisional Commander to present Medal Ribbons to
winners of decorations. The following O.R. of this Unit received decorations. Bar
to M.M. - 300448 Sgt HARRISON & 348019 Pte. MARTIN, W., M.M. - 300239
Sgt. BOARDMAN, E., 348012 Pte, HARRIS, H.S., 44764 Pte. HOOPER, H.
OCTOBER 3 1918 - CORPS RESERVE HAVRINCOURT WOOD
Commencement of Training. One company on 50 yards range, remainder
practicing the Initial Attack with Barrage. Afternoon Football (Inter Company
League) & Pool Shooting.
OCTOBER 4 1918 - CORPS RESERVE HAVRINCOURT WOOD
One Company on Range remainder practicing Advance Grounds & formations
for open warfare. Games & Pool shooting in the afternoon.
OCTOBER 5 1918 - CORPS RESERVE HAVRINCOURT WOOD
Battalion practiced assembly on tapes for initial attack.
Football & other games in afternoon.
Weather remained fine.
OCTOBER 6 1918 - CORPS RESERVE HAVRINCOURT WOOD
Church Parades in Morning - Bde. C. of E. Service.
Major A. HODGE proceeded on leave. Major C.G. MOORE took over the
Command of the Battalion.
Afternoon Games.
OCTOBER 7 1918 - CORPS RESERVE HAVRINCOURT WOOD
The Battalion carried out a practice for forming up for the attack and an initial
attack with a Barrage, with two objectives (the troops attacking the second
objective leap frogging the troops which had reached the first objective). The
Brigadier was present & observed the scheme.
OCTOBER 8 1918 - CORPS RESERVE HAVRINCOURT WOOD
The Battalion was at 10 minutes notice to move from 7 am onwards. The
Battalion actually marched off at 10.15 am. Route through METZ au COUTURE,
GOUZEAUCOURT, LA VACQUERIE to bivouacs in R5 c & R11 a (East FORK
SUPPORT). Here the Battalion was ordered to be ready to move off at short
notice during the night.
OCTOBER 9 1918 - N.E. of LA VACQUERIE
The Battalion marched off at 7 am via LE QUENNET FARM, RUES des
VIGNES, BOSQUET BRIDGE to bivouacs in the MASNIERE-BEAUREVOIR
LINE in M6 a. The march was continued at 12.15pm via LESDAIN, PELU
WOOD to BIVOUACS in the sunken road & banks in N10 b. Bn. H.Q.
BRISEAUX CHATEAU.
OCTOBER 10 1918 - [Near BRISEAUX WOOD]
The Battalion remained in this area all day. In the afternoon the Battalion played
1/5 E.L.R. at Football. Result 0-0.
OCTOBER 11 1918 - [Near BRISEAUX WOOD]
Battalion marched to FONTAINE le PIRE missing ESNES & HAUCOURT. Very
comfortable Billets in the village for the whole Battalion. A few civilians were still
left in the village.
OCTOBER 12 1918 - BRIGADE RESERVE [FONTAINE LE PIRE]
The Battalion ordered to be attached to the 125 Inf. Bde. The Division was to go
into the line that night - 125 Inf. Bde. is the Front Line, 126th Bde. Support, 127th
Bde. Reserve. The Bn. marched off at 11.15 via BEAUVOIS thence along the
CAMBRAI-INCHY Road. After dinner at junction with QUIEVY-CAUDRY Road
the Battalion marched to VIESLEY where we were to take over the billets of the
1st Auckland R. (N.Z.). It was found that the enemy were shelling VIESLEY and
that the N.Z. Battalion had withdrawn from the village. The Battalion then
Bivouaced in the open field behind the Village. The night was very wet but was
quiet.
OCTOBER 13 1918 - [VIESLEY]
Weather warm & dry. The men were able to build shelters with the wreckage
from VIESLEY. During the day routes to the front line reconnoitred and
arrangements made for counter attack (the Battalion was to form up E. of the
road from VIESLEY to FONTAINE au TERRE Fm).
OCTOBER 14 1918 - [VIESLEY]
During the afternoon there was no enemy shell fire at all and it was suspected that the
enemy had retired. It was soon found out that this was not the case however.
OCTOBER 15 1918 - [VIESLEY]
Training - smartening up drill, etc., musketry & platoon schemes. Some shelling
of the Battalion Area during the afternoon & evening. No casualties.
OCTOBER 16 1918 & OCTOBER 17 1918 - [VIESLEY]
Quiet during the day but at night there were a considerable number of shells -
including a few gas shells - fired into the area. Training continued.
OCTOBER 18 1918 - [VIESLEY]
The 126th Inf. Bde. Relieved 125 Inf. Bde. in the Line. The Battalion less D Co.
remained in its present location but took over the role of the Support Bn. D Co.
relieved the two forward companies of 1/5th Lancs. Fus. A gas operation was
ordered but did not realize on account of the weather.
OCTOBER 19 1918 - BRIGADE RESERVE [SELLE RIVER near BRIASTRE]
Cold & misty. At dusk Battalion H.Q. & A Co. moved to the Gulley in D23 d. B &
C Cos. marched off independently to join the Battalions to which they were
attached as local reserve, for the forthcoming operation - 1/10th Manch. R. &
1/5th East Lancs. R. respectively. The night very damp & drizzling.
OCTOBER 20 1918 - BRIGADE RESERVE [SELLE RIVER near BRIASTRE]
At 0100 hrs. D Co. which had provided the covering party for the forming up of
the Bde. for the attack, withdrew West of the R. SELLE & rejoined the Bn. A & D
Cos. were thus the Brigade Reserves for the attack. At 0300 the 126 Inf. Bde. -
1/5th East Lancs. on Right & 1/10th Manch. on left, attacked the enemy under a
heavy barrage. This Battalion less B & C Cos. was in Bde. Reserve.
Considerable opposition - chiefly machine gun - was encountered but the
Brigade captured both objectives & 127 Inf. Bde. passed through. As the left
flank of the Bde. was in the air, at first B Co. were in a difficult
position. During the attack B Co. captured 90 prisoners.
At 1100 information was received that the Division on the Right - 5th Division -
had not gained its objectives & was being counter attacked. A Co. was at once
sent to 1/5th East Lancs. to form a defensive flank in E14 d & E20 b.
At about 1300 information was received from Bde. H.Q. that the enemy were
about to counter attack & that the situation was grave. D Co. was at once sent to
the Railway Cutting & Bn. H.Q. moved to the Chateau D30 b88. A, C & D Cos.
were now under the orders of the Battalion & were disposed as follows C & D
Cos. in the Railway cutting in E19 c, A Co. in E14 d & B Co. was in the Railway
Cutting in E19 a (attd. 1/10th Manch. R.).
The situation was comparatively quiet.
The Battalion was now attached to 127 Inf. Bde. as Reserve.
OCTOBER 21 1918 - LINE [near BRIASTRE]
At 0300 C & D Cos. moved forward to the sunken road running N.W. through
E14 b. The Battalion's dispositions remained unchanged until 1500 hrs, when the
Battalion reverted to the Command of 126 Inf. Bde. & withdrew to Billets in
VIESLEY. On the way from the line the Battalion was heavily shelled & some
casualties incurred.
OCTOBER 22 1918 - VIESLEY
The Battalion very comfortable in the Billets. Slight shelling. Afternoon the Bn.
marched back to CAUDRY Area to billets - A & D Cos. in GUISETTE Farm (with
Bn. H.Q.) B & C Cos. in CAUDRY.
OCTOBER 23 1918 - CAUDRY
Billets good but dirty. Day spent in resting, cleaning up, fitting equipment, etc.
Major Hodge returned from leave to U.K. & assumed Command of the Battalion.
OCTOBER 24 1918 - CAUDRY
Battalion marched to new billets in BEAUVOIS and on the way marched past the
Divisional & Brigade Commanders.
The new billets very dirty but otherwise very comfortable.
OCTOBER 25 1918 - BEAUVOIS
Cleaning up, bathing, kit inspections.
OCTOBER 26 1918 - BEAUVOIS
Training carried out in the morning - Smartening up, Close Order & Saluting Drill.
Afternoon Games.
OCTOBER 27 1918 - BEAUVOIS
Church Parades.
OCTOBER 28 1918 - BEAUVOIS
Training - A Co. on Range. B, C & D Close Order Drill, Smartening up & Saluting
Drill, Respirator Drill & Musketry. Platoon Tactical Schemes.
OCTOBER 29 1918 - BEAUVOIS
During the day the Battalion passed through the Gas Chamber to test Box
Respirators. Companies not actually at the Gas Chamber carried out training -
musketry & smartening up drill.
OCTOBER 30 1918 - BEAUVOIS
The Battalion carried out a combined tactical scheme & route march - via LA
FOLIE, GUISETTE & HERPIGNY Farms, to BEVILLERS. From here the
Battalion practised advanced guard formation back to billets.
OCTOBER 31 1918 - BEAUVOIS
The Divisional Commander presented medal ribbons to winners of decorations
on a Brigade Parade.
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42nd WD
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