1st Battalion War Diary, September 1917

1st Border Regiment War Diary Transcriptions (1915-1918) The National Archives WO/95/4311 & WO/95/2305
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1918

Instructions regarding War Diaries and Intelligence Summaries are contained in F.S. Regs., Part II, and the Staff Manual respectively. Title Pages will be prepared in manuscript.

WAR DIARY or   INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY   (Erase heading not required.)

Army Form C. 2118

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
Sheet 1
POLLHILL CAMP	1st		Training at POLLHILL CAMP.
	2nd		1st Battalion visited 2nd Battalion at OUDEZEELE – tug of war & football contest. 1st Battalion won the 1st & drew for the second event.
"	3rd		Brigade Ceremonial Parade under B.g. Gen. Lucas DSO where General B. de Lisle presented medal ribbons to those who had won decorations 16/8/17.
"	4th		Inspection parade under [?C].
"	5th		Training parade.
"	6th		Do.
	7th		Parades & Staff [?] & tactical Ex for CO. & 2nd in Command & Coy Commanders.
	8th		Battalion moved to HERZEELE training ground. billeted in village – very good billets.
	9th		Field Day Training 9 AM – 3 PM. with lunch in the open. Glorious day troops worked excellently – most successful & pleasant day.
	10th		As for yesterday. Casualties for week ending 7th. Increase Draft from Base Off. 6     O.R. 64 2Lt LB Clapp 2Lt B [?Gast] Rejoined from Hospital         2 2Lt JH Smith 2Lt CW [?Saipior] 2Lt SM [?] 2Lt D [?Miller]        6         66
Sheet 2
POLLHILL CAMP near HAANDEKOT	7th		Decrease. Evacuated. 10. Transferred 1. Total 11 O.R.
	11th		Brigade training field day similar to the previous battalion ones.
	12th		Moved back to POLLHILL CAMP again at conclusion of training.
	13th		Brigade sports this afternoon. Battalion won Band Race. Officers Pick a back race. Dog Show. Bicycle race 2nd & 3rd. Tug of War 2nd.
	14th		Marched to Bandaginghem station and entrained for Elverdinghe to MICHEL FARM & supplied working parties to the RE.
ELVERDINGHE MICHEL FM.	15th		Increase during week ended 14/10/17 (sic) Draft from Base OR 74 O.R. 64 Decreased Rejoined from Hospital 2 To Base [?] 1 OR       –       under arrest 1 Evacuated 8 OR Total 77 Other Ranks Total 9 Other Ranks
"	15th		Working parties to RE as before.
	16th		Battalion returned to POLLHILL CAMP. Today by train to BANDAGINGHEM.
	17th		Sunday. Two Parades.
	18th		Brigade ceremonial parade before Gen. LaCAPELLE cmd. 3rd French Army Corps who presented French decorations including CROIX DE GUERRE to PTE MASSEY no.4927 1st Border Regt
Sheet 3
POLLHILL CAMP	19th		Bathing & inspections.
HENLEY CAMP (FOREST AREA)	20th		Battalion moved to HENLEY CAMP behind ELVERDINGHE. Very comfortable camp. Enemy aeroplanes dropped bombs fairly near tonight but no casualties nor damage done.
	21st		Training at HENLEY CAMP & started Battalion inter platoon football matches.
	22nd		Training etc. as yesterday. Casualties week ending 21st Off O.R. Increase Rejoined from Hospital 1 Draft from base 1 12 2Lt GRW Raine On appointment 1 2Lt TS [?Gayes] Decrease Transferred to 7th Bn 1 2Lt Burkmar On appointment [?] Transferred to 87 TMB 1 2Lt RL [?Beckh] To base [?] 1 Evacuated 10 Promoted to Commission 1 (Segt) to 2Lt [?Gayes]
	23rd		Church parade.
	24th to 30th		Training at Henley Camp.
Sheet 4
HENLEY CAMP	29th		Casualties for week ended 29th Off O.R. Arrivals from Corps Depot 17 Rejoined 2 – 19 Transferred to 89th TMB 3 Wounded (Gas) 1 Wounded 2 Evacuated 6 12
			[Signed] AW Sutcliffe Capt. a/adjutant 1/Border Regiment

References / notes

• National Archives Catalogue Reference: WO/95/2305/1
• The transcription above is available under the National Archives Open Government Licence for public sector information.
• War diary transcribed by Hugh Fulton