War Diaries Talk
Position of Assembly
SANCTUARY WOOD and MENEIN road mentioned as location. These are possibly the plans for the Battle of Sanctuary Wood.
(cont) No. 3 MotorMachine Gun Bty, 40" Bde, R.F.A., H.Q. 14' Division, 56 Coy: RE
Copies to 2nd Royal Scotts, 2nd Suffolk, Regt., 4th Middlesex regt., 1st & 4th Gordon Highlanders, 24" trench Howitzers,
mention of #snipers and other weapons to corral Germans
This seems to be an order and plan to trap and to lure the enemy into trenches that are loaded with explosives, grenades and explosives.
Orders continued to keep down the enemies fire
Operation order No.1, To capture ground lost yesterday on 29/ 9/15
(28 officers), 9 officers, Other ranks 643,
I can make little out of this signal.
"3rd. Div report center will be in the RAMPARTS of YPRES, S. of SALLY PORT"
Name f unit, trench location , Number of machine guns, garrison numbers, no date or name attached.
Please ignore my last comment. This signal is a request by battalions for guides for machine guns to be delivered to HQ by 8:15pm.
Request for machine guns
trench howitzers and machine guns to fire on any target available. #snipers also in action. #nightoperations beginning at 2:45am.
Orders for Artillary and Infantry assault to take pace at 3:15 am to mislead enemy. Belgian batteries to bombard enemy trenches at 2:45am
#nominalroll of officers seving 1st Gordon Highlanders. officers 23, other ranks 875, total 898
Further orders as to placement of Battalions into trenches
Report on what will be left to next relief batt ie. artillary, ammunition, information about enemy, their gun placements and habits
Number of casualties dealt with in No 7 F.A.to period ending 18 april, 1916.was 25,595 Extract from London Gazette, dated Ap. 1916
"SECRET" orders received from A.D.M.S. to prepare skeleton orders for an emergency move by rail.
Why is someone "struck off strength of unit" and a number of men are followed by words "from base details".
Canadian DAC join.
Map sheet 27 Belgium, 1 in 40,000
Total # of cases treated to date - 25,364, for the week-1130 including 13 German #prisoners.
4 wounded #prisoners treated. Canadian advance parties sent in to assist
Court of Inquiry assembled to look into illegala absence of 3 men. Heavy bombardment causes fll use of medical assistance.
Received a new #Talbotcar from base. Notified that a #bombattack would happen. It does the next dawn. All casualties removed.
30 #prisoners and 2 officers passed thru dressing station. Cases pulled out from craters and ruined dug-outs.
Ambulances and bearers were replaced while dressing station staffs were shorthanded and these were severely taxed, relief hard to find.
Heavy rainfall all night renders ground very heavy for carrying. carriers constantly waist deep in mud and water.
strecher bearers meet continuous heavy shelling. casualties among bearers, difficulty retrieving casualties from trenches and craters
35
Enemy #snipers taking out and wounding many allies.Thise officers who are casualties are quickly relaced by new officers who report for duty
Weather very hot. Btn. reorganized. #snipers, are very active. from previous days battle 4 hosptalized for #gas poisoning
Attack at Z hour 3:45am met with very heavy M.G. fire, made little progress. Men take shelter in shell holes One casualty mentioned ??
Further info of formation of ranks in diary.
B&C Coys left to dig cover for selves.Enemy bomb Bgd. heavily with gas shells & shells of different calibre. Casualties, chaos and delay.
orders received that9th Bde. to attack BOIS DU SART on Z day. A & D Coys occupy trenches
In billets for a month
In Billets for month of Jan
Battle of Yepres began Oct 18,1914. Division is finally approaching Yepres
March for 5 days and finally settle at billets in Locom for next 8 days
marched ad billeted over nine days
18 more days of travel 6 days of rest until they finally arive at Lesges and their billets.
Marched or entrained through a large number of cities over 5 days. 6 guns captured by Lincoln Reg. loaded on trucks and sent to railhead
While regiment is in reserve, it supplies 878 men for working parties, 18 O.R. join Heavy Machine Gun Corps.
#christmas day.. absolutely no mention. Pte. Ellis takes Bosche prisoner. Rain daily #nightoperation artillery both sides
Bat'n is stationary, 1308 O.R. sent as working parties on various days in week.. Many sent for training and classes. Weather cold and wet.
Cold heavy rains. Largeparties work during night carrying and wiring
Heavy bombardment by enemy and retaliation. Formed working parties that worked by night carried materials and did wiring.
Marching & in billets
Hostike artillery shelled Bde area very heavily with guns of all calibers on tenches all night.
#aeroplane. ZEPPS reported in vicinity. Enemy and Batn artillery very active, constant rain. Trenches in bad condition
Officers sent out daily to reconnoiter enemy wire. Days are very wet and dull, observation of their activities is difficult
Remain at same billets, daily work of training #roadcondition bad enough that cleaning of roads is a daily task.
Remain in same billets near LOUVENCOURT, very wet. trenches very muddy, #draft of 188 O.R. joined plus some O.R.
Battalion place in reserve but sending men forward to trenches as working and carrying parties. Finally went into very wet billets.
Sent to trenches, for 5 day have had very severe shelling and T.M. Many killed and wounded, One #shellshock
a great deal of marching and billeting.
Remain in same billets until months end. Continue hard training.
March all day and arrive at billets at about 7:30pm. Remain in various billets for duration of 4 days. Reinforcements - 19 O.R.
Battalion billeted about every 12 miles. Billets very comfortable. Hostile #aeroplanes flew over and dropped bombs close to road.
Meaning of "RATS" please.
"Many officers
Battalion relieved and remains at rest and as supportAll is quiet. many Officers and O.R. sent for training.
What does "RATS" mean, as in "carrying of "RATS" to front line".
B Co.trenches under heavy bombardment. Excellent retaliation . #gas alert and attack, but enemy did not take advantage of favourable wind
Captain SIR R.E. Dumbar awarded #militarycross .
Batt. moving to trenches in 15 minute intervals. trenches heavily mortared. by both sides thru night. Batt. trench mortars continue
Battalion ordered to take over trenches Military medals awarded to 6 N.C.O. and men.
Involved in two failed attacks because of German machine guns. Also the group were fired on by their own artillery for some time.
Not sure what this report is about.
Marched for 4 days. seems to have ended up where at their starting point. #roadconditions, "showery weather, very heavy marching."
#draft-109 O.R. The Corps. Comm. has sent out letter complementing 3rd. div for clean up and salvage work carried out in area.
#aeroplanes dropped bombs on troops on the march near MEAULT.
#shellshock-2nd lieut R. Bellis during surprise attack. Two surprise attacks by Battn. utterly failed due to heavy machine gun fire
much shuffling of commanding officers & Coys. All of the trenches are heavily shelled. casualty report seems light. One case of #shellshock
Battn. have marched to Ville-sur-Ancre near Meaulte. Have a #draft 298 reinforcement from various areas
Met heavy casualties among gunners and bombers. Heavily shelled all day while moving to Longueyal to ready for next attack.
C.O. Major Oswald died of wounds. Second line completely levelled by heavy bombardment. Assistance sent to rebuild. Btn. tries to rebuild.
Loosing officers and men to enemy machine guns & artillery. C.O. replaced, all officers in reserve sent for. 6 officers killed, 7 wounded
orders sent to Brigade, July 13. Next day after the artillery is lifted, the brigade moves forward for attack
At day they rest. Day 9 are final preparation for attack with fatigues etc.
Battalion readies for an attack.#nightoperations It as been marching and entraining by night only for 6 nights to reach destination.
7 days of training readiness including #nightoperations. Battalion to be held for readiness for 9 hrs and then 6 hrs.
#draft 20 O.R. join for duty. #nightoperations mentioned. Not sure if it was for training or for a true operation.
Follow up :It worked in next pages though
When trying to tag of a person, the little round symbol moves to the far right and disappears into the border unable to control it
#draft of 42 O.R.'s, 22nd Batt Canadian Infantry move into old trenches. Sudden orders for old Batt to move out.
#kings birthday;parades, inspection, #leisure sports held. One case of #shellshock, 2 men accidentally wounded #friendlyfire (bomb accident)
Last page in May.
Am having a trouble placing tags...1 O.R. killed, 13th K.L.R. relieved in Front line, 200 men in R.E. fatigue relieved by 5th N. Fusiliers
Thank you, all, suelaine
#draft 200 men found for R.E. work what does R.E. mean?
What does O.R. mean?,...K.L.R.
#friendlyfire, one Cpl killed and 1 wounded in bomb accident in Div. Grenade school.
#draft of 221 N.C.O.'s and men for duty
#gas @ 12:30am, on right of Batt. Batt "stood to" all night
letter of satisfaction.
#mines explosion at St Eloi
I believe that this is a report of work done after the explosions at St. Eloi. Men were under constant German barrage after explosion.
List of Officers in Field , 12 battalion West Yorkshire Regiment
#leisure x 3 ...results of Battalion sporting events. Batt. Team disqualified, team weighed over 90 stone.
The initials R.A.M.C. after a name, what does that mean?
Sir A.E. Dunbar. Bart. has the abbreviation.. "Bart" after his name. What does "Bart" mean?
Temporary Lieut. Sir A.E. Dunbar. Bart. promoted to temporary Captain as of 24.9.15
#king General SIR Douglas Haig Visits Battalion sees Coy A & B at work.
SORRYeeeeE.......
British night raid German trench. No sign of gas apparatus seen. Two German warning systems found found
#nightoperations. British raid German trenches
Heather C can you send this page back to me and I will tag the names. Thanks Suelaine
change days for names above
Typing all these pages would take me days. Can't do.
More orders. #advertisement for opening performance of "THE MUDLARKS" in tent behind Y.M.C.A. /price of admission.
Instructions about dealing with socks per man. Instructions about dealing with kits left by wounded or dead soldiers.
Orders for Battalion to move to trenches on following day.
Lieut. Sir Ed. Dunbar goes to grenade school. Lieut. Sharp to England to buy textbooks for all officers.
Bright moonlight on 19th prevents raid on germ. trenches. Later raids are partially successful
Lt. SIR #EdwardDunbar ( of Royal family ) returns from leave. Men returning from work in trenches become tired then sick
#Miners (20) and additional 172 at frontline sent for tunnelling. four wounded by #friendlyfire
#nominalroll, a list of officers of 12th. (SERVICE) OF BATTALION WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT.
March Tables
2nd Lt. Barwile in charge of 20 #miners
#gasattack north of YPRES. Br. receive order to STAND TO. Expecting more gas attacks, all men are issued gas helmets
#casualties-2 officers, 5 wounded, #friendlyfire. Officer GORBUTT hit by one of his own bombers
"Br. in ....sea of mud... difficult to do much training owing to climactic conditions. "
12th(Service) Battalion West Yorkshire Reg,t, War Diary, December 1915.
Nominal Roll of Officers, 12th Battt. West Yorkshire Reg.
Due to shortage of tools in trenches. 500 Shovels to be delivered to various areas
12/WEST YORKS with 30 #miners ...attached
Operation Orders marked Secret (App. I )
Dec 22,1915 to 29th. There is no mention of Christmas at all in Diary, although men frequently relieved from trenches after 2 days.
G Camp described as, " tents and a few wooden huts eking out a miserable existence in a sea of mud" 20 men on #mining duties.
172 men in #tunnelling or #mining Coy. Battalion broken up/ sent to various trenches
Kitcheners army interchanged with regular units
There is a small hand written note on bottom right of page.
#MAP
three day march to Thiennes, resupply & rest. They have new designation and now in #secondarmy
because of lack of officers men are bivouacked in a rain drenched field
Captain Branch tries to stop Germans alone by firing until out of ammo. line is reformed
which cannot be accounted for. Brigadier is killed trying to rally men. Many officers knocked over in rush.
Enemy #snipers, CO hit. ,Battalions are still jockeying for positions men frantically digging themselves in with entrenching tools
new troops scramble for their positions
NORTHHAMPTONS having won the ground are now replaced by the 12 WEST YORKS.
ReThe #Christmas day 4 man patrol that lost two men in front of the German wire. Bodies not found.
germans fire 7 -8 shells into Maricourt. #nightoperations a lot of shells fired on both sides. Many, many changes of battalions and men.
#mines, #sniper kill a German, #snipers join with other...
#trenches improved, 14 allied #aeroplanes return from german lines. heavy shelling,
Bn #snipers receive 4 sniper rifles which are tested and #equipmentevaluation and evaluated. German #Aeroplane drops bombs on SUZANNE.
New #machinegunbrigade formed with men and many weapons
Excellent #sketch of new shelters, built by sappers, set into sides of trenches.
Morning patrol unable to find Private King or other two. #trenches are in appalling mess . 3 feet of water, sides crumbling.
1 is left behind, on return they are unable to find him.
#casualty x 3, #christmas, Patrol sent out in #nightoperation. 3 wounded near German lines. 2 wounded able to return.
Men are again moved told mud fill trenches. Some get stuck and are dug out. Coys are allocated to their trenches.
Each man is given a 2 lb. plum pudding from King and Surrey news.Men very cheerful, morale high.
#Christmas are brought to another camp to celebrate with christmas gifts. Change space and a bath house.
Bn. go into camp in ZUZANNE
#map sector A4
THE Brigadier has been transferred and replaced. Germans have a rifle battery placed to enfilade Brits. Germans heard singing and talking
#medical. Trenchfoot.
Sunday, men work busy clearing themselves up. Do not attend church parade.
#enemymorale seems to be good enough to help arrange meeting with 9 Inniskillings beyond wire.
2 men crawl within 40 yds of Germans. They are talking and working. bodies of 3 Germans & 1 Frenchman found and then buried by British.
"postes d'alerte" give some of the men some shelter from rain
sticky mud, men have to have help out & leave boots behind. F.T. unable to communicate with one another because of mud.
old FT 31 is waterlogged, new one require Brigadier does opposite of what is suggested, new trench is dug in front of old waterlogged one.
Men are getting very tired of constant of incessant shifting. Especially those with a lot of gear to shift.
#nightoperations. @ 4am 2 fieldguns and a howitzer fire steadily at germans for 3/4 hour. No response.
#Trenches in appalling state. Various parties exchange places to work on them.
#sniper. Supposed British working party turns out to be German Patrol of 7 on a #nightoperation had cut the wire in several places.
.....over shelters Is made of wooden beams and wet soil which collapses. Men sleep sitting down.
Meals delivered after dark and before daybreak. #Trenchesdeplorable in condition, waist, knee deep in H2O & mud. French built roofing
difficulty getting mud off/ out of clothing, drying room set up. Will move to trenches the next day. Jerkins and coats distributed
Men are issued 4 pairs of socks 1 to wear, two for pack and 1 pair to the laundry
#medical #inspections daily on men's boots and socks and feet & those who had #trenchfoot and #frostbite.
men are warned that any further damage to property caused by men for firewood will be severely fined. #nightoperations from 4pm to 12mn.
Nov 26th to Dec7, 1915 #medical, 1 man killed, 2 officers wounded, 2 other ranks wounded, 77 men admitted to hospital from trench feet
Division Commander arrives to enquire about trench foot & frost bite. these men are relieved and replaced. #demolition of Petit Chateau
39 treated for trench foot and frost bite. little offensive. enemy has been baling water. believes that enemy are in as bad shape as Brits.
Officers and NCOs of "A" Coy train to take over as a company. Trenches in terrible shape with mud up to thighs. hard to get food
Trench conditions worse than ever and some streets almost impassible. 33 men with frost bite. Some walk down, others are carried down
Everyone set to clearing up trenches including sappers and snipers. Little shelling or sniping today
In meeting concern was about trench maintenance, collecting intelligence, anti frost bite treatment
Record of times and colours of lights observed in Y wood
#Bombingparty of 4 took 2 Mills grenades each. All exploded, all returned. #Catapaltbattery
Early am white flag flown from enemy trench. At 11:30am 3 persons in civilian wear came out of enemy trench. Were fired on , one wounded
DIXON AND MATTEWS creep up to within 10 yds. of 6 germans. were fired at on return.
Hostile #aeroplane fired on and returned. enemy fired rifle grenade, 3 wounded. Replied with twice the number of rifle grenades. Cows seen
Continuation of Previous page ...bombardment of Y WOOD with catapult and trench Htow
#Intelligence report on German and 14th Brigade shots by artillery, snipers, and machine gun.
Enemy was heard at work and singing in Y WOOD. Green light sent up from Y wood.
R.E. report of enemy #mining near gallery G.A. .
At A29 D88 some was shot. Was wearing grey uniform with yellow band on left arm.
In woods, report of enemy sending up a red flare & rifle shots later on enemy were heard hammering in iron slates in front of A.29.D.7.5.
Extract of a letter from German volunteer Konrad Malek, written to his sister, hours before he was killed by British. Dated Nov.1, 1915
custom of making grooves along side of trench to fit telephone wires result in collapsed of trenches and hence a mud baths for those nearby
Sandbags from #mines used to revet 19 S.T. All available men tasked with cleaning mud from trenches.
rain and severe cold makes roads and trenches very slippery. Food carried over slippery trenches by support platoons, two men per #cooker.
hard frost, strong north wind, trenches very cold, one blanket per man, except men in trenches, each got cardigans,gloves &mitts & gumboots
with a very weak line they've adjusted platoon to stretch over a 1460 yard firing trench, manned by 500 men all ranks, one man to 3 yards
improved shelters improver to have an entrance and an exit.German trenches are 200 to 300 yards distance. a good field of fire everywhere.
the #mine in 19F.T. #listeningposts jutting out the side of the trenches. Germans fire H.E. shells onto road, in night , only half explode
#meaningof F.T.?
patrol hears wood chopping. Little shelling on with side of sector
rain has pushed down revetments. #Faultyconstruction of shelters .#fallenleaves have #exposedhill. day time work produces shelling
A much better day with little shelling from with side. hard at work repairing. #orderly asleep
British wire is badly damaged. A night patrol is sent out to examine the enemy wire & to see what damage we have done.
Because of the slope of the ground the British are unable to to shell the wire. Germans are #mining toward to British
...and French. Officers and NCO's lament the lament the ignorance of military engineering.
trenches filled with 6 of liquid mud, sump holes overflowing, trench boards floating away, all due to faulty construction by British...
heavy rain all day,All avenues flooded and fire trenches falling in in places. Extracts from German's letter translated
German Malek a "fine looking fellow, nearly 6 Feet high and about 19 years of age.....was armed with a hand grenade and bayonet".
Position of Assembly
SANCTUARY WOOD and MENEIN road mentioned as location. These are possibly the plans for the Battle of Sanctuary Wood.
(cont) No. 3 MotorMachine Gun Bty, 40" Bde, R.F.A., H.Q. 14' Division, 56 Coy: RE
Copies to 2nd Royal Scotts, 2nd Suffolk, Regt., 4th Middlesex regt., 1st & 4th Gordon Highlanders, 24" trench Howitzers,
mention of #snipers and other weapons to corral Germans
This seems to be an order and plan to trap and to lure the enemy into trenches that are loaded with explosives, grenades and explosives.
Orders continued to keep down the enemies fire
Operation order No.1, To capture ground lost yesterday on 29/ 9/15
(28 officers), 9 officers, Other ranks 643,
I can make little out of this signal.
"3rd. Div report center will be in the RAMPARTS of YPRES, S. of SALLY PORT"
Name f unit, trench location , Number of machine guns, garrison numbers, no date or name attached.
Please ignore my last comment. This signal is a request by battalions for guides for machine guns to be delivered to HQ by 8:15pm.
Request for machine guns
trench howitzers and machine guns to fire on any target available. #snipers also in action. #nightoperations beginning at 2:45am.
Orders for Artillary and Infantry assault to take pace at 3:15 am to mislead enemy. Belgian batteries to bombard enemy trenches at 2:45am
#nominalroll of officers seving 1st Gordon Highlanders. officers 23, other ranks 875, total 898
Further orders as to placement of Battalions into trenches
Report on what will be left to next relief batt ie. artillary, ammunition, information about enemy, their gun placements and habits
Number of casualties dealt with in No 7 F.A.to period ending 18 april, 1916.was 25,595 Extract from London Gazette, dated Ap. 1916
"SECRET" orders received from A.D.M.S. to prepare skeleton orders for an emergency move by rail.
Why is someone "struck off strength of unit" and a number of men are followed by words "from base details".
Canadian DAC join.
Map sheet 27 Belgium, 1 in 40,000
Total # of cases treated to date - 25,364, for the week-1130 including 13 German #prisoners.
4 wounded #prisoners treated. Canadian advance parties sent in to assist
Court of Inquiry assembled to look into illegala absence of 3 men. Heavy bombardment causes fll use of medical assistance.
Received a new #Talbotcar from base. Notified that a #bombattack would happen. It does the next dawn. All casualties removed.
30 #prisoners and 2 officers passed thru dressing station. Cases pulled out from craters and ruined dug-outs.
Ambulances and bearers were replaced while dressing station staffs were shorthanded and these were severely taxed, relief hard to find.
Heavy rainfall all night renders ground very heavy for carrying. carriers constantly waist deep in mud and water.
strecher bearers meet continuous heavy shelling. casualties among bearers, difficulty retrieving casualties from trenches and craters
35
Enemy #snipers taking out and wounding many allies.Thise officers who are casualties are quickly relaced by new officers who report for duty
Weather very hot. Btn. reorganized. #snipers, are very active. from previous days battle 4 hosptalized for #gas poisoning
Attack at Z hour 3:45am met with very heavy M.G. fire, made little progress. Men take shelter in shell holes One casualty mentioned ??
Further info of formation of ranks in diary.
B&C Coys left to dig cover for selves.Enemy bomb Bgd. heavily with gas shells & shells of different calibre. Casualties, chaos and delay.
orders received that9th Bde. to attack BOIS DU SART on Z day. A & D Coys occupy trenches
In billets for a month
In Billets for month of Jan
Battle of Yepres began Oct 18,1914. Division is finally approaching Yepres
March for 5 days and finally settle at billets in Locom for next 8 days
marched ad billeted over nine days
18 more days of travel 6 days of rest until they finally arive at Lesges and their billets.
Marched or entrained through a large number of cities over 5 days. 6 guns captured by Lincoln Reg. loaded on trucks and sent to railhead
While regiment is in reserve, it supplies 878 men for working parties, 18 O.R. join Heavy Machine Gun Corps.
#christmas day.. absolutely no mention. Pte. Ellis takes Bosche prisoner. Rain daily #nightoperation artillery both sides
Bat'n is stationary, 1308 O.R. sent as working parties on various days in week.. Many sent for training and classes. Weather cold and wet.
Cold heavy rains. Largeparties work during night carrying and wiring
Heavy bombardment by enemy and retaliation. Formed working parties that worked by night carried materials and did wiring.
Marching & in billets
Hostike artillery shelled Bde area very heavily with guns of all calibers on tenches all night.
#aeroplane. ZEPPS reported in vicinity. Enemy and Batn artillery very active, constant rain. Trenches in bad condition
Officers sent out daily to reconnoiter enemy wire. Days are very wet and dull, observation of their activities is difficult
Remain at same billets, daily work of training #roadcondition bad enough that cleaning of roads is a daily task.
Remain in same billets near LOUVENCOURT, very wet. trenches very muddy, #draft of 188 O.R. joined plus some O.R.
Battalion place in reserve but sending men forward to trenches as working and carrying parties. Finally went into very wet billets.
Sent to trenches, for 5 day have had very severe shelling and T.M. Many killed and wounded, One #shellshock
a great deal of marching and billeting.
Remain in same billets until months end. Continue hard training.
March all day and arrive at billets at about 7:30pm. Remain in various billets for duration of 4 days. Reinforcements - 19 O.R.
Battalion billeted about every 12 miles. Billets very comfortable. Hostile #aeroplanes flew over and dropped bombs close to road.
Meaning of "RATS" please.
"Many officers
Battalion relieved and remains at rest and as supportAll is quiet. many Officers and O.R. sent for training.
What does "RATS" mean, as in "carrying of "RATS" to front line".
B Co.trenches under heavy bombardment. Excellent retaliation .
#gas alert and attack, but enemy did not take advantage of favourable wind
Captain SIR R.E. Dumbar awarded #militarycross .
Batt. moving to trenches in 15 minute intervals. trenches heavily mortared. by both sides thru night. Batt. trench mortars continue
Battalion ordered to take over trenches Military medals awarded to 6 N.C.O. and men.
Involved in two failed attacks because of German machine guns. Also the group were fired on by their own artillery for some time.
Not sure what this report is about.
Marched for 4 days. seems to have ended up where at their starting point. #roadconditions, "showery weather, very heavy marching."
#draft-109 O.R. The Corps. Comm. has sent out letter complementing 3rd. div for clean up and salvage work carried out in area.
#aeroplanes dropped bombs on troops on the march near MEAULT.
#shellshock-2nd lieut R. Bellis during surprise attack. Two surprise attacks by Battn. utterly failed due to heavy machine gun fire
much shuffling of commanding officers & Coys. All of the trenches are heavily shelled. casualty report seems light. One case of #shellshock
Battn. have marched to Ville-sur-Ancre near Meaulte. Have a #draft 298 reinforcement from various areas
Met heavy casualties among gunners and bombers. Heavily shelled all day while moving to Longueyal to ready for next attack.
C.O. Major Oswald died of wounds. Second line completely levelled by heavy bombardment. Assistance sent to rebuild. Btn. tries to rebuild.
Loosing officers and men to enemy machine guns & artillery. C.O. replaced, all officers in reserve sent for. 6 officers killed, 7 wounded
orders sent to Brigade, July 13. Next day after the artillery is lifted, the brigade moves forward for attack
At day they rest. Day 9 are final preparation for attack with fatigues etc.
Battalion readies for an attack.#nightoperations It as been marching and entraining by night only for 6 nights to reach destination.
7 days of training readiness including #nightoperations. Battalion to be held for readiness for 9 hrs and then 6 hrs.
#draft 20 O.R. join for duty. #nightoperations mentioned. Not sure if it was for training or for a true operation.
Follow up :It worked in next pages though
When trying to tag of a person, the little round symbol moves to the far right and disappears into the border unable to control it
#draft of 42 O.R.'s, 22nd Batt Canadian Infantry move into old trenches. Sudden orders for old Batt to move out.
#kings birthday;parades, inspection, #leisure sports held. One case of #shellshock, 2 men accidentally wounded #friendlyfire (bomb accident)
Last page in May.
Am having a trouble placing tags...1 O.R. killed, 13th K.L.R. relieved in Front line, 200 men in R.E. fatigue relieved by 5th N. Fusiliers
Thank you, all, suelaine
#draft 200 men found for R.E. work what does R.E. mean?
What does O.R. mean?,...K.L.R.
#friendlyfire, one Cpl killed and 1 wounded in bomb accident in Div. Grenade school.
#draft of 221 N.C.O.'s and men for duty
#gas @ 12:30am, on right of Batt. Batt "stood to" all night
letter of satisfaction.
#mines explosion at St Eloi
I believe that this is a report of work done after the explosions at St. Eloi. Men were under constant German barrage after explosion.
List of Officers in Field , 12 battalion West Yorkshire Regiment
#leisure x 3 ...results of Battalion sporting events. Batt. Team disqualified, team weighed over 90 stone.
The initials R.A.M.C. after a name, what does that mean?
Sir A.E. Dunbar. Bart. has the abbreviation.. "Bart" after his name. What does "Bart" mean?
Temporary Lieut. Sir A.E. Dunbar. Bart. promoted to temporary Captain as of 24.9.15
#king General SIR Douglas Haig Visits Battalion sees Coy A & B at work.
SORRYeeeeE.......
British night raid German trench. No sign of gas apparatus seen. Two German warning systems found found
#nightoperations. British raid German trenches
Heather C can you send this page back to me and I will tag the names. Thanks Suelaine
change days for names above
Typing all these pages would take me days. Can't do.
More orders. #advertisement for opening performance of "THE MUDLARKS" in tent behind Y.M.C.A. /price of admission.
Instructions about dealing with socks per man.
Instructions about dealing with kits left by wounded or dead soldiers.
Orders for Battalion to move to trenches on following day.
Lieut. Sir Ed. Dunbar goes to grenade school. Lieut. Sharp to England to buy textbooks for all officers.
Bright moonlight on 19th prevents raid on germ. trenches. Later raids are partially successful
Lt. SIR #EdwardDunbar ( of Royal family ) returns from leave. Men returning from work in trenches become tired then sick
#Miners (20) and additional 172 at frontline sent for tunnelling. four wounded by #friendlyfire
#nominalroll, a list of officers of 12th. (SERVICE) OF BATTALION WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT.
March Tables
2nd Lt. Barwile in charge of 20 #miners
#gasattack north of YPRES. Br. receive order to STAND TO. Expecting more gas attacks, all men are issued gas helmets
#casualties-2 officers, 5 wounded, #friendlyfire. Officer GORBUTT hit by one of his own bombers
"Br. in ....sea of mud... difficult to do much training owing to climactic conditions. "
12th(Service) Battalion West Yorkshire Reg,t, War Diary, December 1915.
Nominal Roll of Officers, 12th Battt. West Yorkshire Reg.
Due to shortage of tools in trenches. 500 Shovels to be delivered to various areas
12/WEST YORKS with 30 #miners ...attached
Operation Orders marked Secret (App. I )
Dec 22,1915 to 29th. There is no mention of Christmas at all in Diary, although men frequently relieved from trenches after 2 days.
G Camp described as, " tents and a few wooden huts eking out a miserable existence in a sea of mud" 20 men on #mining duties.
172 men in #tunnelling or #mining Coy. Battalion broken up/ sent to various trenches
Kitcheners army interchanged with regular units
There is a small hand written note on bottom right of page.
#MAP
three day march to Thiennes, resupply & rest. They have new designation and now in #secondarmy
because of lack of officers men are bivouacked in a rain drenched field
Captain Branch tries to stop Germans alone by firing until out of ammo. line is reformed
which cannot be accounted for. Brigadier is killed trying to rally men. Many officers knocked over in rush.
Enemy #snipers, CO hit. ,Battalions are still jockeying for positions men frantically digging themselves in with entrenching tools
new troops scramble for their positions
NORTHHAMPTONS having won the ground are now replaced by the 12 WEST YORKS.
ReThe #Christmas day 4 man patrol that lost two men in front of the German wire. Bodies not found.
germans fire 7 -8 shells into Maricourt.
#nightoperations a lot of shells fired on both sides. Many, many changes of battalions and men.
#mines, #sniper kill a German, #snipers join with other...
#trenches improved, 14 allied #aeroplanes return from german lines. heavy shelling,
Bn #snipers receive 4 sniper rifles which are tested and #equipmentevaluation and evaluated.
German #Aeroplane drops bombs on SUZANNE.
New #machinegunbrigade formed with men and many weapons
Excellent #sketch of new shelters, built by sappers, set into sides of trenches.
Morning patrol unable to find Private King or other two. #trenches are in appalling mess . 3 feet of water, sides crumbling.
1 is left behind, on return they are unable to find him.
#casualty x 3, #christmas, Patrol sent out in #nightoperation. 3 wounded near German lines. 2 wounded able to return.
Men are again moved told mud fill trenches. Some get stuck and are dug out. Coys are allocated to their trenches.
Each man is given a 2 lb. plum pudding from King and Surrey news.Men very cheerful, morale high.
#Christmas are brought to another camp to celebrate with christmas gifts. Change space and a bath house.
Bn. go into camp in ZUZANNE
#map sector A4
THE Brigadier has been transferred and replaced. Germans have a rifle battery placed to enfilade Brits. Germans heard singing and talking
#medical. Trenchfoot.
Sunday, men work busy clearing themselves up. Do not attend church parade.
#enemymorale seems to be good enough to help arrange meeting with 9 Inniskillings beyond wire.
2 men crawl within 40 yds of Germans. They are talking and working.
bodies of 3 Germans & 1 Frenchman found and then buried by British.
"postes d'alerte" give some of the men some shelter from rain
sticky mud, men have to have help out & leave boots behind. F.T. unable to communicate with one another because of mud.
old FT 31 is waterlogged, new one require Brigadier does opposite of what is suggested, new trench is dug in front of old waterlogged one.
Men are getting very tired of constant of incessant shifting. Especially those with a lot of gear to shift.
#nightoperations. @ 4am 2 fieldguns and a howitzer fire steadily at germans for 3/4 hour. No response.
#Trenches in appalling state. Various parties exchange places to work on them.
#sniper. Supposed British working party turns out to be German Patrol of 7 on a #nightoperation had cut the wire in several places.
.....over shelters Is made of wooden beams and wet soil which collapses. Men sleep sitting down.
Meals delivered after dark and before daybreak. #Trenchesdeplorable in condition, waist, knee deep in H2O & mud. French built roofing
difficulty getting mud off/ out of clothing, drying room set up. Will move to trenches the next day. Jerkins and coats distributed
Men are issued 4 pairs of socks 1 to wear, two for pack and 1 pair to the laundry
#medical #inspections daily on men's boots and socks and feet & those who had #trenchfoot and #frostbite.
men are warned that any further damage to property caused by men for firewood will be severely fined. #nightoperations from 4pm to 12mn.
Nov 26th to Dec7, 1915 #medical, 1 man killed, 2 officers wounded, 2 other ranks wounded, 77 men admitted to hospital from trench feet
Division Commander arrives to enquire about trench foot & frost bite. these men are relieved and replaced. #demolition of Petit Chateau
39 treated for trench foot and frost bite. little offensive. enemy has been baling water. believes that enemy are in as bad shape as Brits.
Officers and NCOs of "A" Coy train to take over as a company. Trenches in terrible shape with mud up to thighs. hard to get food
Trench conditions worse than ever and some streets almost impassible. 33 men with frost bite. Some walk down, others are carried down
Everyone set to clearing up trenches including sappers and snipers. Little shelling or sniping today
In meeting concern was about trench maintenance, collecting intelligence, anti frost bite treatment
Record of times and colours of lights observed in Y wood
#Bombingparty of 4 took 2 Mills grenades each. All exploded, all returned.
#Catapaltbattery
Early am white flag flown from enemy trench. At 11:30am 3 persons in civilian wear came out of enemy trench. Were fired on , one wounded
DIXON AND MATTEWS creep up to within 10 yds. of 6 germans. were fired at on return.
Hostile #aeroplane fired on and returned.
enemy fired rifle grenade, 3 wounded. Replied with twice the number of rifle grenades. Cows seen
Continuation of Previous page ...bombardment of Y WOOD with catapult and trench Htow
#Intelligence report on German and 14th Brigade shots by artillery, snipers, and machine gun.
Enemy was heard at work and singing in Y WOOD. Green light sent up from Y wood.
R.E. report of enemy #mining near gallery G.A. .
At A29 D88 some was shot. Was wearing grey uniform with yellow band on left arm.
In woods, report of enemy sending up a red flare & rifle shots later on enemy were heard hammering in iron slates in front of A.29.D.7.5.
Extract of a letter from German volunteer Konrad Malek, written to his sister, hours before he was killed by British. Dated Nov.1, 1915
custom of making grooves along side of trench to fit telephone wires result in collapsed of trenches and hence a mud baths for those nearby
Sandbags from #mines used to revet 19 S.T. All available men tasked with cleaning mud from trenches.
rain and severe cold makes roads and trenches very slippery. Food carried over slippery trenches by support platoons, two men per #cooker.
hard frost, strong north wind, trenches very cold, one blanket per man, except men in trenches, each got cardigans,gloves &mitts & gumboots
with a very weak line they've adjusted platoon to stretch over a 1460 yard firing trench, manned by 500 men all ranks, one man to 3 yards
improved shelters improver to have an entrance and an exit.German trenches are 200 to 300 yards distance. a good field of fire everywhere.
the #mine in 19F.T.
#listeningposts jutting out the side of the trenches.
Germans fire H.E. shells onto road, in night , only half explode
#meaningof F.T.?
patrol hears wood chopping. Little shelling on with side of sector
rain has pushed down revetments. #Faultyconstruction of shelters
.#fallenleaves have #exposedhill. day time work produces shelling
A much better day with little shelling from with side. hard at work repairing. #orderly asleep
British wire is badly damaged. A night patrol is sent out to examine the enemy wire & to see what damage we have done.
Because of the slope of the ground the British are unable to to shell the wire.
Germans are #mining toward to British
...and French. Officers and NCO's lament the lament the ignorance of military engineering.
trenches filled with 6 of liquid mud, sump holes overflowing, trench boards floating away, all due to faulty construction by British...
heavy rain all day,All avenues flooded and fire trenches falling in in places. Extracts from German's letter translated
German Malek a "fine looking fellow, nearly 6 Feet high and about 19 years of age.....was armed with a hand grenade and bayonet".