| 11th Border Regiment War Diary Transcriptions (1915-1918) The National Archives WO/95/2403
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 1915 | ✔ | |||||||||||
| 1916 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 1917 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| 1918 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Place | Date | Hour | Summary of Events |
| On the night 31st/1st the Battn moved forward on the ROUPY - ETRELLIERS road in fighting order. Battn halted there&a ration of rum was issued out. At 3.30 am Battn moved forward 1700 yds to a position 500 yds SW of the village SAVY then it extended into attacking formation & took up a position along a previously laid tape. At 5am the Artillery Barrage opened up & the Battn moved forward to the attack on SAVY. The Battn moved forward with all possible speed behind the barrage and drove the enemy through & out of the village & dug in on the opposite side with the exception of one Company which remained in the village to mop it up of any concealed enemy. Several prisoners were taken & a number of the enemy killed. The capture of the village was secured and consolidation started. By 6.30 am all consolidation was practically complete & the village put in a state of defence. Number of Boche prisoners taken 50 - killed 71.
During afternoon from 2.30 - 3.30pm enemy heavily shelled our positions. Later on the Battn also took over the line held by the 17th HLI, who withdrew. Battn worked on defences all day. | |||
| Battn remained in defences around SAVY. Working parties all day on the village. Salvage of material, collecting of dead etc. Cleaning and clearing of road through village. Improvement of defences. | |||
| Salvage and collection of dead. Working parties in village. Clearing of road. Working parties also supplied eslewhere. Two companies out in Bois de Holnon, digging outposts. | |||
| Working parties in ERTELLIERS also working parties during night. C.O. & Company Commanders went forward & reconnoitered ground & enemy lines near village of HOLNON. | |||
| Battn remained in SAVY. Working parties also during night. | |||
| Battn remained in SAVY. Working parties also during night. | |||
| Battn left SAVY 8pm arriving HOLNON 9.30, dug shelters & remained as support to two Battns in front. | |||
| Work done on shelters and position. | |||
| Remained in support to two Battns in front line. One Coy immediate support to 17th HLI. Work done on shelters etc. | |||
| Battn (less one Coy) remained in support to two Battns in front line. Improving shelters etc. Commenced relief of 17th HLI in front line from M33 south to 3.15. (62.b.sw 1/20,000). Relief complete 10.30pm. | |||
| Battn in front line. Improving trenches, fire positions & communication trenches. Reconnaissance of ground in front. | |||
| Battn remained in front line. Improving positions etc. | |||
| Battn remained in front line. Improving positions etc. | |||
| Assault on FAYET 2nd KOYLI and 16th HLI. Commenced 4.30 am. Battn remained in line ready to concentrate if ordered. Battn was ordered to attack TWIN COPSES at 1.0pm. Artillery opened up barrage at 1.0 pm and Battn advanced on objective in extended order. At 1.26pm Battn reached terraced road in M28c & M34b. A M.G. opened fire from left front & inflicted several casualties to the left flank of the leading Coy. Two platoons of the reserve Coy were ordered up to deal with it at 1.33pm. in this they were successful & captured the gun complete. A telephone line was run out to Battn at 1.30pm & communications established. | |||
N. of FAYET |
A report was received at 1.45pm to the effect that the right Coys had obtained their objectives and were consolidating. By 2pm all Coys were consolidating their lines. Left Coy in M25b. Left centre Coy in M28d & M35a. Touch was established on the left with the 17th HLI, who were in GRICOURT. Except for slight shelling around M28bd & M29e, the situation remained quiet. Work was carried on all night upon defences. | ||
| Battn remained in line, strengthening defences etc. Relief of Battn by 16th L.F. & 16th N.F. commenced 8.30pm. | |||
| Relief complete at 11.30pm. Battn marched to GERMAINE via HOLNON, SAVY, ETRELLIERS and VAUX & arrived at 5.0am. Cleaning equipment, baths etc. | |||
| Cleaning up generally. Issuing new clothing. | |||
| Cleaning up generally. Issuing new clothing. | |||
| Battn moved at 1.0pm to HOMBLEUX via DOUILLY - TOULE - OFFOY arriving at 4.30pm. | |||
| Battn occupied day by physical - platoon & company drill. Training of specialists. | |||
| Battn training & recreation. | |||
| Church Parade at 9.30am. Presentation of Military Medal ribbon by BDE Commander (Lt Col Girdwood DSO) at 11.0am. | |||
| Battn route march towards HAM also tactical exercise. Musketry in afternoon. | |||
| Battn moved from HOMBLEUX to OFFOY [J15c (66d 1/20000)]. | |||
| Battn training and smartening up generally. Draft of 91 OR arrival from I.B.D. | |||
| Battn training. Gas demonstration by divisional Gas Officer in afternoon. 12 Military Medals awarded for operations N. of FAYET 14/4/17. | |||
| Baths at VOYENNES for Battn. Occupied all day. | |||
| Preliminary parades for Corps Commanders inspection. Training. | |||
| Preliminary parades for Corps Commanders inspection. Recreation. Three Military Crosses awarded for operations at SAVY 1/4/17. | |||
| Brigade parade for inspection by Divisional Commander. B.O.C. compliments for good work in recent operations.
J. Malley-Martin, 2 Lt I.O.
11th Border Regt. G. Chamberlayne, Major
11th Border Regt. |
References / notes
- Transcription by K. Johnstone.
- National Archives Catalogue Reference: WO/95/2403
- The transcription above is available under the National Archives Open Government Licence for public sector information.