May 1917
4th Friday
Changed from Ward Duty, and went into Dressing Station.
18th Friday
Part of B Sect leave Aix-Noulette, and march to Lievin, myself going by Car.
19th Saturday
Day Stretcher Bearer.
Lens 2 miles.
26th Saturday/27th Sunday
At 12pm o’clock we left Lievin in small parties, and marched to Aix-Noulette. Germans shelled continually all the way and we arrived at the latter place at 3am o’clock 27th, and slept til 7am. At 8.30am marched away from Aix-Noulette for (blank, probably Labeuvrière) a 17 miles journey. The weather being extremely hot, we arrived at our destination at 4pm o’clock, all of us beat. Billeted at Hospital. C and part of B Sect run the Corps Rest Station, which is a lovely place. The village being nice country. The rest of the Unit work the line in front of Lens.
Saturday 28 November 2009
April 1917
April 1917
1st Sunday
Left and marched to Malonely Farm near Ham. This is a fine Chateau surrounded with water, and has an old castle. A party of 22 men of B Sect open up hospital. Rest of Unit at Ecquedecques.
2nd Monday/6th Friday
Night Hospital Duty.
Football match with N Staffs, score, Staffs 7, Unit 0.
13th Friday
March away from Malonely Farm, and Unit arrive at Béthune.
14th Saturday
Béthune.
Company and Physical Drill during morning. Germans shell the town at night, one shell dropped a few yards from hospital.
15th Sunday
General duty. Church service during afternoon in Hospital Ward, and I also went to a fine service at night, held in theatre.
16th Monday
Company and Physical Drill in Hospital grounds, and in the course of same a German plane flies over us, and drops bombs in Béthune Square about 100 yards from Hospital, a few civilians and our soldiers killed and wounded, our Bearers turn out.
17th Tuesday
Unit take a march out and pass through Hinges.
18th Wednesday
Stretcher bearer at hospital for 24 hours.
19th Thursday
Unit march away from Béthune to Aix-Noulette which is a shell ruined village, billeted in Brewery cellar.
23rd Monday
Division make a Charge in front of Lens, Notts & Derbys & Leics, many casualties.
26th Thursday
Staff Sgt Hiddins killed in action.
[Staff Serjeant Hidens, RAMC]
1st Sunday
Left and marched to Malonely Farm near Ham. This is a fine Chateau surrounded with water, and has an old castle. A party of 22 men of B Sect open up hospital. Rest of Unit at Ecquedecques.
2nd Monday/6th Friday
Night Hospital Duty.
Football match with N Staffs, score, Staffs 7, Unit 0.
13th Friday
March away from Malonely Farm, and Unit arrive at Béthune.
14th Saturday
Béthune.
Company and Physical Drill during morning. Germans shell the town at night, one shell dropped a few yards from hospital.
15th Sunday
General duty. Church service during afternoon in Hospital Ward, and I also went to a fine service at night, held in theatre.
16th Monday
Company and Physical Drill in Hospital grounds, and in the course of same a German plane flies over us, and drops bombs in Béthune Square about 100 yards from Hospital, a few civilians and our soldiers killed and wounded, our Bearers turn out.
17th Tuesday
Unit take a march out and pass through Hinges.
18th Wednesday
Stretcher bearer at hospital for 24 hours.
19th Thursday
Unit march away from Béthune to Aix-Noulette which is a shell ruined village, billeted in Brewery cellar.
23rd Monday
Division make a Charge in front of Lens, Notts & Derbys & Leics, many casualties.
26th Thursday
Staff Sgt Hiddins killed in action.
[Staff Serjeant Hidens, RAMC]
March 1917
March 1917
1st Thursday
I left Gaudiempre and joined my Sect at Berles-au-Bois and immediately sent to Dugout at Farnborough Road Trench. Germans evacuate Gommecourt Wood and village just on right of this front.
2nd Friday
Farnborough Road Dugout. Plenty of shelling takes place on both sides. Visit to Berles during afternoon, and on Gas guard at dug-out from 10pm ‘til 3am.
3rd Saturday
Dug-out.
Went to Berles during afternoon, and at that time heavily bombarded and killed 2, wounding several.
4th Sunday
Farnborough Road Dug-out.
Went to Berles-au-Bois during afternoon, and there witnessed air duel with 5 German planes against 1 of our scout planes. The former planes opened out with all their Maxim guns, and shot off the tail of our plane, and riddled the air men with bullets, the plane crashing to the ground. A squad of 4 of us was sent out to bring in the 2 corpses, and we had to go 2 miles to get at same which was just on our line. The Germans shelled heavy and trained Maxim gun on area where plane had dropped. After 4 hours we returned with corpses, and also left Farnborough Road Dug-out and came back to Berles-au-Bois.
5th Monday
Berles.
At night Germans pour hundreds of gas shells into this village just as we got to bed. Alarm was given and all gas helmets immediately worn and all men up.
Civilians gassed, cows killed with gas, and good number of casualties. None of our men could sleep in same dug-out as it was full of gas. I got to bed at 12pm in cave.
12th Monday
Hospital Orderly Duty.
At night 137 Bgde attack in front of Gommecourt and get in German lines but had to retire later.
14th Wednesday
200 stretcher cases all wounded came into our place and about 300 Sitting went direct to Cas. Cle. Sta. (Casualty Clearing Station)
15th Thursday
Hospital Duty.
Germans start a retirement. British and French still advance.
22nd Thursday
The Unit marched away from Gaudiempre at 2pm o’clock and arrived at Bus (Bus-lès-Artois) 9 miles away. Billeted in huts.
23rd Friday
Bus.
Spent the day overhauling medical and surgical panniers.
24th Saturday
The Unit march away from Bus at 2.30pm and arrive at Contay, a distance of 10 miles. Billeted in School.
25th Sunday
We marched away from Contay at 2pm o’clock and arrived at Villers-Bocage.
26th Monday
Left Villers-Bocage and motored to Saveuse passing through Amiens.
28th Wednesday
Saveuse.
29th Thursday
Entrained at Bacouel and detrained at Berguette. 12 hours journey
31st Saturday
Ecquedecques.
Smoke helmet inspector.
1st Thursday
I left Gaudiempre and joined my Sect at Berles-au-Bois and immediately sent to Dugout at Farnborough Road Trench. Germans evacuate Gommecourt Wood and village just on right of this front.
2nd Friday
Farnborough Road Dugout. Plenty of shelling takes place on both sides. Visit to Berles during afternoon, and on Gas guard at dug-out from 10pm ‘til 3am.
3rd Saturday
Dug-out.
Went to Berles during afternoon, and at that time heavily bombarded and killed 2, wounding several.
4th Sunday
Farnborough Road Dug-out.
Went to Berles-au-Bois during afternoon, and there witnessed air duel with 5 German planes against 1 of our scout planes. The former planes opened out with all their Maxim guns, and shot off the tail of our plane, and riddled the air men with bullets, the plane crashing to the ground. A squad of 4 of us was sent out to bring in the 2 corpses, and we had to go 2 miles to get at same which was just on our line. The Germans shelled heavy and trained Maxim gun on area where plane had dropped. After 4 hours we returned with corpses, and also left Farnborough Road Dug-out and came back to Berles-au-Bois.
5th Monday
Berles.
At night Germans pour hundreds of gas shells into this village just as we got to bed. Alarm was given and all gas helmets immediately worn and all men up.
Civilians gassed, cows killed with gas, and good number of casualties. None of our men could sleep in same dug-out as it was full of gas. I got to bed at 12pm in cave.
12th Monday
Hospital Orderly Duty.
At night 137 Bgde attack in front of Gommecourt and get in German lines but had to retire later.
14th Wednesday
200 stretcher cases all wounded came into our place and about 300 Sitting went direct to Cas. Cle. Sta. (Casualty Clearing Station)
15th Thursday
Hospital Duty.
Germans start a retirement. British and French still advance.
22nd Thursday
The Unit marched away from Gaudiempre at 2pm o’clock and arrived at Bus (Bus-lès-Artois) 9 miles away. Billeted in huts.
23rd Friday
Bus.
Spent the day overhauling medical and surgical panniers.
24th Saturday
The Unit march away from Bus at 2.30pm and arrive at Contay, a distance of 10 miles. Billeted in School.
25th Sunday
We marched away from Contay at 2pm o’clock and arrived at Villers-Bocage.
26th Monday
Left Villers-Bocage and motored to Saveuse passing through Amiens.
28th Wednesday
Saveuse.
29th Thursday
Entrained at Bacouel and detrained at Berguette. 12 hours journey
31st Saturday
Ecquedecques.
Smoke helmet inspector.
Thursday 26 November 2009
Feb 1917
February 1917
1st Thursday
Left Cross Street Dug-out for Bienvillers.
2nd Friday
Left Bienvillers with C Sect for Gaudiempre, who relieve 2nd Fld. Amb.
A & C run Hospital and 36 men of B run the line.
4th Sunday
I was sent to 137 Inf Bgde Depot St Amand, as Medical orderly, and billeted in hut’s Aid Post.
5th Monday
I took charge of Sick Parade at 8am, which numbered about 30.
6th Tuesday
Same routine. Bitter frost prevails, ice hanging from exterior of huts.
16th Friday
Still Medical Orderly for 137 Bgde School St Amand. MOs out of New London Division take sick parades.
20th -22nd Tuesday
Sick and temperature of 100.2, but still carrying on.
23rd Friday
I was taken into Gaudiempre Hospital, temp 103.8.
27th Tuesday
Gaudiempre.
Discharged from hospital for Light Duty on Car as Orderly.
1st Thursday
Left Cross Street Dug-out for Bienvillers.
2nd Friday
Left Bienvillers with C Sect for Gaudiempre, who relieve 2nd Fld. Amb.
A & C run Hospital and 36 men of B run the line.
4th Sunday
I was sent to 137 Inf Bgde Depot St Amand, as Medical orderly, and billeted in hut’s Aid Post.
5th Monday
I took charge of Sick Parade at 8am, which numbered about 30.
6th Tuesday
Same routine. Bitter frost prevails, ice hanging from exterior of huts.
16th Friday
Still Medical Orderly for 137 Bgde School St Amand. MOs out of New London Division take sick parades.
20th -22nd Tuesday
Sick and temperature of 100.2, but still carrying on.
23rd Friday
I was taken into Gaudiempre Hospital, temp 103.8.
27th Tuesday
Gaudiempre.
Discharged from hospital for Light Duty on Car as Orderly.
Jan1917
January 1917
1st Monday
Left St Amand for Bienvillers to joint part of B Sect who are attached to C, working the line, and A Sect at Foncquevillers. I was billeted in cellar on Souastre Road.
2nd Tuesday
Bienvillers.
A party of us started on sandbagging round Dressing Station. The inner part being Elephant steel tubing, and quite a safe place against shell fire.
3rd Wednesday
I in a squad of 4, left Bienvillers in the afternoon for Shell Street Trench. Our dug-out was steel and situated in support line near medical aid post, a distance of 200 yards to fire trench.
4th Thursday
We were called out of bed at 2.30am o’clock to take 2 wounded cases to Bienvillers, the same occurred whilst out on patrol at .... (damaged page)
took us 2 1/2 hours .... stretcher case down.
8th Monday
Relieved by another squad at night, and we returned to Bienvillers for 3 days.
10th Wednesday
Germans shell our village at night, which is quite a daily occurrence.
At night Germans shell our Batteries, we had to collect under heavy fire.
12th Friday
Left Bienvillers for Support trenches.
Bitter cold weather prevails.
22nd Monday
Left Barrier Dugout and returned to Souastre Road, Bienvillers, for 3 days rest.
27th Saturday
Left Bienvillers for Cross Street Aid post, in Support lines.
1st Monday
Left St Amand for Bienvillers to joint part of B Sect who are attached to C, working the line, and A Sect at Foncquevillers. I was billeted in cellar on Souastre Road.
2nd Tuesday
Bienvillers.
A party of us started on sandbagging round Dressing Station. The inner part being Elephant steel tubing, and quite a safe place against shell fire.
3rd Wednesday
I in a squad of 4, left Bienvillers in the afternoon for Shell Street Trench. Our dug-out was steel and situated in support line near medical aid post, a distance of 200 yards to fire trench.
4th Thursday
We were called out of bed at 2.30am o’clock to take 2 wounded cases to Bienvillers, the same occurred whilst out on patrol at .... (damaged page)
took us 2 1/2 hours .... stretcher case down.
8th Monday
Relieved by another squad at night, and we returned to Bienvillers for 3 days.
10th Wednesday
Germans shell our village at night, which is quite a daily occurrence.
At night Germans shell our Batteries, we had to collect under heavy fire.
12th Friday
Left Bienvillers for Support trenches.
Bitter cold weather prevails.
22nd Monday
Left Barrier Dugout and returned to Souastre Road, Bienvillers, for 3 days rest.
27th Saturday
Left Bienvillers for Cross Street Aid post, in Support lines.
Dec 1916
December 1916
1st Friday
Brévillers.
Smoke Helmet Drill, with box helmet.
The Unit play 5 N Staffs Lucheux in semi-final of cup. Robbed. Result Staffs 2 Unit 1.
5th Tuesday
Left Brévillers by car with 10 of B Sect, for Bienvillers, and take over Dressing Station, plenty of runs on Ambulance to Gaudiempre.
6th Wednesday
Bienvillers.
Gas shells poured into village. Many journeys with gassed patients, some of which died.
8th Friday
Left Bienvillers with Car of wounded, and had a breakdown on road to Souastre, and could not move for 5 hours. The Car was towed to St Amand at 8.30pm.
9th Saturday
Left St Amand on Ambulance as Orderly for Foncquevillers, continual journeys with sick and wounded to Couin.
A Sect work Foncquevillers.
10th Sunday
Foncquevillers shelled continually, many journeys with sick.
11th Monday
Foncquevillers. Continual journeys with sick to Couin and wounded to Gaudiempre.
14th Thursday
Left Foncquevillers at night, returned by another car. We returned to Head Quarters at St Amand for 6 days.
18th Monday
Left St Amand for Souastre, to work Foncquevillers line, journeys at night.
22nd Friday
Left Souastre for Foncquevillers. Major Lloyd-Jones wounded at Foncquevillers, and died as soon as we reached 20 Cas Cle Sta (Casualty Clearing Station) S.W. back.
25th Monday
Left Souastre at 11am o’clock for St Amand and had a fine day. Lovely Xmas dinner and tea, and kept the night up well.
31 Sunday
St Amand. Fetched out of bed at 3am New Year’s morn to collect wounded at Bienvillers, as Germans had shelled the billets.
1st Friday
Brévillers.
Smoke Helmet Drill, with box helmet.
The Unit play 5 N Staffs Lucheux in semi-final of cup. Robbed. Result Staffs 2 Unit 1.
5th Tuesday
Left Brévillers by car with 10 of B Sect, for Bienvillers, and take over Dressing Station, plenty of runs on Ambulance to Gaudiempre.
6th Wednesday
Bienvillers.
Gas shells poured into village. Many journeys with gassed patients, some of which died.
8th Friday
Left Bienvillers with Car of wounded, and had a breakdown on road to Souastre, and could not move for 5 hours. The Car was towed to St Amand at 8.30pm.
9th Saturday
Left St Amand on Ambulance as Orderly for Foncquevillers, continual journeys with sick and wounded to Couin.
A Sect work Foncquevillers.
10th Sunday
Foncquevillers shelled continually, many journeys with sick.
11th Monday
Foncquevillers. Continual journeys with sick to Couin and wounded to Gaudiempre.
14th Thursday
Left Foncquevillers at night, returned by another car. We returned to Head Quarters at St Amand for 6 days.
18th Monday
Left St Amand for Souastre, to work Foncquevillers line, journeys at night.
22nd Friday
Left Souastre for Foncquevillers. Major Lloyd-Jones wounded at Foncquevillers, and died as soon as we reached 20 Cas Cle Sta (Casualty Clearing Station) S.W. back.
25th Monday
Left Souastre at 11am o’clock for St Amand and had a fine day. Lovely Xmas dinner and tea, and kept the night up well.
31 Sunday
St Amand. Fetched out of bed at 3am New Year’s morn to collect wounded at Bienvillers, as Germans had shelled the billets.
November 1916
1st Wednesday
Marched away from Brévillers at 7am o’clock, arrived at Outrebois at 11am o’clock. 10 miles.
3rd Friday
Reveille 4.30am.
Marched away from Outrebois 6am and arrived at Gapennes at 11.30am o’clock, a distance of 18 miles.
5th Sunday
Gapennes.
Marched to Church Parade, which unfortunately did not take place.
6th Monday
Gapennes.
The Unit commended a course of Training. Physical Drill at 7.30am, Company Drill 10am to 12am.
Lecture afternoon.
8th Wednesday
Gapennes.
News of Fred (Franks brother) being sent to No 16 Base General Hospital.
11th Saturday
Left Gapennes at 11am o’clock and marched to Froyelles, a distance of 4 miles. The Unit is billeted in a Farm, 3 miles from Crécy and its ancient battlefield.
13th Monday
The Unit march in all 15 miles to be inspected by General, all 3 Amb being present, everything went off well.
14th Tuesday
Reveille 6.30am.
Drill in full marching order during morning.
Fetched out of bed at night to go on Hospital duty.
Very cold weather.
15th Wednesday
Day Hospital duty, in double walled marquee which is only for our Units sick.
Hospital duty.
22nd Wednesday
Marched away from Froyelles at 1pm o’clock and arrived at Yvrench at 3.30pm o’clock, a distance of 7 miles, billeted in barn.
23rd Thursday
Reveille at 5am. Breakfast 6am. Left Yvrench at 7.15am and marched to Bachimont a distance of 12 miles passing through Auxi-le-Chateau.
24th Friday/30thThursday
No entries
[Presumably during this time there ws a march to Brévillers, about 20km (about 12 miles) to the South-East, where they were on 31st October.]
1st Wednesday
Marched away from Brévillers at 7am o’clock, arrived at Outrebois at 11am o’clock. 10 miles.
3rd Friday
Reveille 4.30am.
Marched away from Outrebois 6am and arrived at Gapennes at 11.30am o’clock, a distance of 18 miles.
5th Sunday
Gapennes.
Marched to Church Parade, which unfortunately did not take place.
6th Monday
Gapennes.
The Unit commended a course of Training. Physical Drill at 7.30am, Company Drill 10am to 12am.
Lecture afternoon.
8th Wednesday
Gapennes.
News of Fred (Franks brother) being sent to No 16 Base General Hospital.
11th Saturday
Left Gapennes at 11am o’clock and marched to Froyelles, a distance of 4 miles. The Unit is billeted in a Farm, 3 miles from Crécy and its ancient battlefield.
13th Monday
The Unit march in all 15 miles to be inspected by General, all 3 Amb being present, everything went off well.
14th Tuesday
Reveille 6.30am.
Drill in full marching order during morning.
Fetched out of bed at night to go on Hospital duty.
Very cold weather.
15th Wednesday
Day Hospital duty, in double walled marquee which is only for our Units sick.
Hospital duty.
22nd Wednesday
Marched away from Froyelles at 1pm o’clock and arrived at Yvrench at 3.30pm o’clock, a distance of 7 miles, billeted in barn.
23rd Thursday
Reveille at 5am. Breakfast 6am. Left Yvrench at 7.15am and marched to Bachimont a distance of 12 miles passing through Auxi-le-Chateau.
24th Friday/30thThursday
No entries
[Presumably during this time there ws a march to Brévillers, about 20km (about 12 miles) to the South-East, where they were on 31st October.]
Oct 1916
October 1916
2nd Monday
Changed from Night to Day Duty, No 1 ward.
14th Saturday
Berles heavily shelled by Germans. Horace Harding killed, Wolverhampton Bty.
17th Tuesday
Left Hospital La Herlière and marched to Berles to work the line, relieving C Sect.
I took up Night Duty in Dressing Station, which was situated in cellar.
18th Wednesday
Berles.
Night Duty.
Wet weather.
Bombing raid by Leicesters. German officer killed.
22nd Sunday
Heavy bombarding by both artilleries.
24th Tuesday
Changed from Night to Day Duty, Dressing Station next door to Signals, at which J.E. was on duty.
25th Wednesday
Berles-au-Bois.
Day Duty Dressing Station. 6th S Staffs make bombing raid, a party of 120, a great success, 6 unwounded prisoners taken.
26th Thursday
Berles-au-Bois.
Day Hospital Duty.
At night went up with Infantry as a Stretcher Bearer, as Gas was being taken up.
27th Friday
Hospital Day Duty. Received many birthday cards, and spent a good day at Dressing Station,
29th Sunday
Day Duty at Dressing Station. Relieved by another Field Ambulance and marched back to La Herlière arriving at 6.30pm o’clock. Had a good time with M.
30th Monday
Marched away from La Herlière at 11am o’clock in pouring rain, and reached Brévillers at 3pm o’clock a distance of 12 miles. B and C Sect billeted in one large room.
2nd Monday
Changed from Night to Day Duty, No 1 ward.
14th Saturday
Berles heavily shelled by Germans. Horace Harding killed, Wolverhampton Bty.
17th Tuesday
Left Hospital La Herlière and marched to Berles to work the line, relieving C Sect.
I took up Night Duty in Dressing Station, which was situated in cellar.
18th Wednesday
Berles.
Night Duty.
Wet weather.
Bombing raid by Leicesters. German officer killed.
22nd Sunday
Heavy bombarding by both artilleries.
24th Tuesday
Changed from Night to Day Duty, Dressing Station next door to Signals, at which J.E. was on duty.
25th Wednesday
Berles-au-Bois.
Day Duty Dressing Station. 6th S Staffs make bombing raid, a party of 120, a great success, 6 unwounded prisoners taken.
26th Thursday
Berles-au-Bois.
Day Hospital Duty.
At night went up with Infantry as a Stretcher Bearer, as Gas was being taken up.
27th Friday
Hospital Day Duty. Received many birthday cards, and spent a good day at Dressing Station,
29th Sunday
Day Duty at Dressing Station. Relieved by another Field Ambulance and marched back to La Herlière arriving at 6.30pm o’clock. Had a good time with M.
30th Monday
Marched away from La Herlière at 11am o’clock in pouring rain, and reached Brévillers at 3pm o’clock a distance of 12 miles. B and C Sect billeted in one large room.
In the following weeks there were other attacks, and Frank (16th September 1916) tells us about a great British advance, and the capture of several villages; also of 'a new type of armoured car' with caterpillar tracks. This was the first appearance on the battlefield of a new weapon, now universally known as the Tank.
The Tank had been developed and transported to the war in great secrecy, and caused great consternation in the enemy ranks. Often arriving in front of their positions in a smoke screen, causing initial panic and cries of 'Der Teufel kommt!' (the Devil is coming). At this stage it was a weapon of unknown effect, so was not used in strength.
The Tank had been developed and transported to the war in great secrecy, and caused great consternation in the enemy ranks. Often arriving in front of their positions in a smoke screen, causing initial panic and cries of 'Der Teufel kommt!' (the Devil is coming). At this stage it was a weapon of unknown effect, so was not used in strength.
Sept 1916
September 1916
2nd Saturday
Hospital.
Changed from Day Duty to Night after 1 month on days.
Hospital Night Duty.
written in a French hand -
Lucie Branle
La Herlière
Par L’Arbret
Pas de Calais
11th Monday
Part of B Sect are sent up the line nightly in readiness for our Gas attack.
12th Tuesday
written in a French hand -
Madame Branle Dubois
La Herlière
Par L’Arbret
Pas de Calais
13th Wednesday
Night Hospital Duty.
Very cold.
15th Friday
Bombing party of 12 Germans attack 5 N Staffs, and are taken prisoner, the wounded Germans coming into our Hospital 6 am o’clock.
16th Saturday
Great British advance.
Flers, Martinpuich, and Courcelette captured, Foureaux & Bouleaux Woods
also won 2300 Prisoners. For the first time new kind of Armored Car is used, Caterpillar.
2nd Saturday
Hospital.
Changed from Day Duty to Night after 1 month on days.
Hospital Night Duty.
written in a French hand -
Lucie Branle
La Herlière
Par L’Arbret
Pas de Calais
11th Monday
Part of B Sect are sent up the line nightly in readiness for our Gas attack.
12th Tuesday
written in a French hand -
Madame Branle Dubois
La Herlière
Par L’Arbret
Pas de Calais
13th Wednesday
Night Hospital Duty.
Very cold.
15th Friday
Bombing party of 12 Germans attack 5 N Staffs, and are taken prisoner, the wounded Germans coming into our Hospital 6 am o’clock.
16th Saturday
Great British advance.
Flers, Martinpuich, and Courcelette captured, Foureaux & Bouleaux Woods
also won 2300 Prisoners. For the first time new kind of Armored Car is used, Caterpillar.
Saturday 21 November 2009
August 1916
4th Friday
Many casualties from Working Party, who were out in front of our line.
6th Sunday
Hospital Duty.
Many accidental wounds admitted.
7th Monday
Hospital Day Duty.
Lovely weather prevails.
8th Tuesday
Hospital Duty.
Fred lands at Rouen.
(Fred is Franks’ younger brother)
Good progress is being made on all fronts.
Hospital Day Duty Ward no 1, only one orderly. Wet weather prevails.
9th- 19th Saturday
Hospital Day Duty.
C and part of B Sect return from the line.
Lovely weather prevails.
26th Friday
Romania declares war on Austria, Germany’s Declaration on Romania.
Hospital Day Duty.
4th Friday
Many casualties from Working Party, who were out in front of our line.
6th Sunday
Hospital Duty.
Many accidental wounds admitted.
7th Monday
Hospital Day Duty.
Lovely weather prevails.
8th Tuesday
Hospital Duty.
Fred lands at Rouen.
(Fred is Franks’ younger brother)
Good progress is being made on all fronts.
Hospital Day Duty Ward no 1, only one orderly. Wet weather prevails.
9th- 19th Saturday
Hospital Day Duty.
C and part of B Sect return from the line.
Lovely weather prevails.
26th Friday
Romania declares war on Austria, Germany’s Declaration on Romania.
Hospital Day Duty.
The Somme
The Somme.
The Battle of the Somme started officially on 1st July 1916; an offensive in that sector of the Western Front had been in the planning for some months, originally for a combined French/British decisive blow. The start of the attack became more pressing when the Germans attacked heavily at Verdun, which the French were committed to defend as a matter on national honour. The German strategy was to inflict a massive defeat on the French Army at Verdun, which was holding this strongpoint; such a defeat was designed to inflict such a psychological blow to France that she would ask for an armistice and end the war to Germany's advantage.
The British and Commonwealth armies made their attack on 1st July in order to put pressure on German resources and force them to move troops away from the Verdun attack, and also to take advantage of a perceived weakening of the German defences in the Somme area.
The 1st Battalion the 6th South Staffordshire Regiment was ordered to attack enemy positions in the front and rear of Gommecourt Wood. An artillery barrage was to prepare the ground and cut the enemy barbed wire defences. The hour-long barrage lifted at 7.25 am, the troops went 'over the top' into a smoke screen, and in a repeat of the Hohenzollern Redoubt fiasco, were cut down in droves by heavy enemy machine-gun, rifle, and artillery fire. The few men who reached the opposing trenches found that the wire had been partially cut but not removed by the preparatory artillery fire, so were unable to make any progress. Just over half of the battalion was destroyed in that morning, mostly in the first few minutes. Later reports told that most of the casualties were the work of one enemy machine-gun that had not been suppressed in the north-west corner of Gommecourt village. The 1/6th South Staffordshire regiment now numbered about 250 men.
Over 19 000 men in the attacking force of 100 000 were killed in the first few hours alone. A total of nearly 60 000 casualties was recorded, counting those killed, wounded, missing, or taken prisoner. This was a truly shocking toll, never experienced by the British Army before or since, and it added to the growing undercurrent of unease at home about the strategy and tactics used. Haig became known in some circles as the Butcher of the Somme.
The Battle of the Somme started officially on 1st July 1916; an offensive in that sector of the Western Front had been in the planning for some months, originally for a combined French/British decisive blow. The start of the attack became more pressing when the Germans attacked heavily at Verdun, which the French were committed to defend as a matter on national honour. The German strategy was to inflict a massive defeat on the French Army at Verdun, which was holding this strongpoint; such a defeat was designed to inflict such a psychological blow to France that she would ask for an armistice and end the war to Germany's advantage.
The British and Commonwealth armies made their attack on 1st July in order to put pressure on German resources and force them to move troops away from the Verdun attack, and also to take advantage of a perceived weakening of the German defences in the Somme area.
The 1st Battalion the 6th South Staffordshire Regiment was ordered to attack enemy positions in the front and rear of Gommecourt Wood. An artillery barrage was to prepare the ground and cut the enemy barbed wire defences. The hour-long barrage lifted at 7.25 am, the troops went 'over the top' into a smoke screen, and in a repeat of the Hohenzollern Redoubt fiasco, were cut down in droves by heavy enemy machine-gun, rifle, and artillery fire. The few men who reached the opposing trenches found that the wire had been partially cut but not removed by the preparatory artillery fire, so were unable to make any progress. Just over half of the battalion was destroyed in that morning, mostly in the first few minutes. Later reports told that most of the casualties were the work of one enemy machine-gun that had not been suppressed in the north-west corner of Gommecourt village. The 1/6th South Staffordshire regiment now numbered about 250 men.
Over 19 000 men in the attacking force of 100 000 were killed in the first few hours alone. A total of nearly 60 000 casualties was recorded, counting those killed, wounded, missing, or taken prisoner. This was a truly shocking toll, never experienced by the British Army before or since, and it added to the growing undercurrent of unease at home about the strategy and tactics used. Haig became known in some circles as the Butcher of the Somme.
Thursday 19 November 2009
July 1916
July 1916
1st Saturday
Staffs Infantry lead Charge and go over top at 7.30am.
46 Division make a Charge at Foncquevillers and Staffs Bgde reach Germans where from which they are forced to return, being greatly outnumbered, the German shell fire was deadly and terrific casualties numbering 2000 for Div.
Notts & Derbys make an advance, British advance at several points.
[On this the first day of the first Battle of the Somme, British Army casualties were approximately 21000 killed and 25000 wounded.]
2nd Sunday
I am on Hospital duty during Charge, at Gaudiempre, wounded continue to come in convoys. Colley, B Sect killed on 1/7/16 and several Notts & Derbys. British continue to bombard on a long front and infantry attacks and successes at many points.
Bearers return from trenches.
46 Div come out of action.
3rd Monday
Advance party of B Sect leave Gaudiempre and march to Bailleulval and take over dressing station 1 1/2 miles in rear of line. Quiet time.
Motor orderly.
4th Tuesday
Bailleulval.
Motor orderly.
Travelling to La Herlière Headquarters and Hospital.
Aft. Berles and La Herlière.
9th Sunday
From Bailleulval to La Herlière.
No. 18 car finished first week up line.
10th Monday
Car returns to La Herlière and journeys to Couturelle and Doullens, Avesnes and Frevent.
12th Wednesday
Went to Bailleulval to baths, and on to ADMS.
Return to Hospital La Herlière and from there to Berles.
13th Thursday/14th Friday
Car goes to 2nd NMFA and 1st NMFA with dental cases. At night all Cars are sent up to Berles at 10pm o’clock in readiness for casualties from our bombing attack. Terrific bombarding by our artillery for some hours. Cars return to La Herlière at 5.30am o’clock.
15th Saturday
Doullens by Car, taking eye cases.
17th Monday
Motor Orderly.
Berles.
21st Friday
New General inspects the Unit and Cars, all is satisfactory.
22nd Saturday
Motor orderly.
Car staying at Head Quarters La Herlière
Went to Doullens and Frévent 60 miles in all.
26th Wednesday
Doullens by Car, and Bavincourt.
28th Friday
Left La Herlière for Berles to work the line, constantly taking sick and wounded from Dressing Station to Hospital La Herlière.
29th Saturday
Called up at 3am o’clock to take wounded man to Hospital La Herlière, again at 2pm and 10pm.
Heavy bombardments.
30th Sunday
Journeyed to Hospital at 2am, B Sect relieved from lines and take over Hospital at La Herlière, A Sect coming up the line.
31st Monday
Returned for duty to B Sect, who are running Hospital at Berles, at which I am put on Orderly Duty No. 1 ward, hours 7am to 7pm, all beds full.
1st Saturday
Staffs Infantry lead Charge and go over top at 7.30am.
46 Division make a Charge at Foncquevillers and Staffs Bgde reach Germans where from which they are forced to return, being greatly outnumbered, the German shell fire was deadly and terrific casualties numbering 2000 for Div.
Notts & Derbys make an advance, British advance at several points.
[On this the first day of the first Battle of the Somme, British Army casualties were approximately 21000 killed and 25000 wounded.]
2nd Sunday
I am on Hospital duty during Charge, at Gaudiempre, wounded continue to come in convoys. Colley, B Sect killed on 1/7/16 and several Notts & Derbys. British continue to bombard on a long front and infantry attacks and successes at many points.
Bearers return from trenches.
46 Div come out of action.
3rd Monday
Advance party of B Sect leave Gaudiempre and march to Bailleulval and take over dressing station 1 1/2 miles in rear of line. Quiet time.
Motor orderly.
4th Tuesday
Bailleulval.
Motor orderly.
Travelling to La Herlière Headquarters and Hospital.
Aft. Berles and La Herlière.
9th Sunday
From Bailleulval to La Herlière.
No. 18 car finished first week up line.
10th Monday
Car returns to La Herlière and journeys to Couturelle and Doullens, Avesnes and Frevent.
12th Wednesday
Went to Bailleulval to baths, and on to ADMS.
Return to Hospital La Herlière and from there to Berles.
13th Thursday/14th Friday
Car goes to 2nd NMFA and 1st NMFA with dental cases. At night all Cars are sent up to Berles at 10pm o’clock in readiness for casualties from our bombing attack. Terrific bombarding by our artillery for some hours. Cars return to La Herlière at 5.30am o’clock.
15th Saturday
Doullens by Car, taking eye cases.
17th Monday
Motor Orderly.
Berles.
21st Friday
New General inspects the Unit and Cars, all is satisfactory.
22nd Saturday
Motor orderly.
Car staying at Head Quarters La Herlière
Went to Doullens and Frévent 60 miles in all.
26th Wednesday
Doullens by Car, and Bavincourt.
28th Friday
Left La Herlière for Berles to work the line, constantly taking sick and wounded from Dressing Station to Hospital La Herlière.
29th Saturday
Called up at 3am o’clock to take wounded man to Hospital La Herlière, again at 2pm and 10pm.
Heavy bombardments.
30th Sunday
Journeyed to Hospital at 2am, B Sect relieved from lines and take over Hospital at La Herlière, A Sect coming up the line.
31st Monday
Returned for duty to B Sect, who are running Hospital at Berles, at which I am put on Orderly Duty No. 1 ward, hours 7am to 7pm, all beds full.
Tuesday 10 November 2009
Friday, 6 November 2009
June 1916
1st Thursday/10th Saturday
Night Duty.
11th Sunday
Gaudiempre.
15th Thursday
Gaudiempre. Hospital night duty.
Operation to toe rt foot.
19th Monday
Gaudiempre.
Moved from tent Hospital to new huts, which are being completed, B Sect in bivouacs, A & C tent Sub Div in bell tents, remainder run line.
23rd Friday
No duty.
Heavy storm, watched kite balloon break loose and disappear.
Bgde working party out up trenches in advanced trench, whizz-banged by Germans 150 casualties, came through our Hospital Gaudiempre.
24th Saturday
Gaudiempre.
Made Motor Orderly.
Went up the line at night at Foncquevillers.
Heavy bombardment by our Artillery.
[The opening bombardments of the First Battle of the Somme were reportedly audible on Hampstead Heath, London.]
25th Sunday
Gaudiempre.
Went with Car to CCS Doullens.
[CCS - Casualty Clearing Station]
26th Monday
The Car goes to Savy 25 miles each way.
27th Tuesday
Doullens by car, taking wounded to CCS.
30th Friday
Return to my Sect for duties while the Charge is in progress.
Hospital duties.
Allies make combined offensives on this front.
Posted by staffordshiresoldiersgreatwar at 07:29
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June 1916
1st Thursday/10th Saturday
Night Duty.
11th Sunday
Gaudiempre.
15th Thursday
Gaudiempre. Hospital night duty.
Operation to toe rt foot.
19th Monday
Gaudiempre.
Moved from tent Hospital to new huts, which are being completed, B Sect in bivouacs, A & C tent Sub Div in bell tents, remainder run line.
23rd Friday
No duty.
Heavy storm, watched kite balloon break loose and disappear.
Bgde working party out up trenches in advanced trench, whizz-banged by Germans 150 casualties, came through our Hospital Gaudiempre.
24th Saturday
Gaudiempre.
Made Motor Orderly.
Went up the line at night at Foncquevillers.
Heavy bombardment by our Artillery.
[The opening bombardments of the First Battle of the Somme were reportedly audible on Hampstead Heath, London.]
25th Sunday
Gaudiempre.
Went with Car to CCS Doullens.
[CCS - Casualty Clearing Station]
26th Monday
The Car goes to Savy 25 miles each way.
27th Tuesday
Doullens by car, taking wounded to CCS.
30th Friday
Return to my Sect for duties while the Charge is in progress.
Hospital duties.
Allies make combined offensives on this front.
Posted by staffordshiresoldiersgreatwar at 07:29
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