11th Battalion War Diary, December 1916

    11th Border Regiment War Diary Transcriptions (1915-1918)
The National Archives WO/95/2403    
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
1915
1916
1917
1918
Place Date Hour Summary of Events
BERTEAUCOURT
1/12/16
Training under Coy arrangements. Games etc. in the afternoon.
"
2/12/16
Church parade and inspection of billets by C.O.
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3/12/16
Training as on 1/12/16.
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4/12/16
Battn paraded for Route March. Route PERNOIS – BERNEUIL – DOMART practising advance and rear guards.
"
5/12/16
Bde. courses in Sniping and Lewis Guns. One Coy employed in constructing Bayonet Fighting Course. Remainder under Coy arrangements.
"
6/12/16
Training - one Coy under Physical Drill Instructor – remainder under Coy arrangements. Afternoon – practising cross country running.
"
7/12/16
Map Reading Course under Bde arrangements. 2 NCO's per Coy. Battn paraded for practice of inspection by Coy for Commander. Major H. Ross assumed command of Batt during Col. Girdwood's absence on leave.
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8/12/16
Battn paraded for Aeroplane Scheme – cancelled owing to rain. Temp. Capt. (acting Major) H. Moore transferred from 17th HLI to 11th Border Regt. with effect from 11th Oct as temporary Major.
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9/12/16
Church parade and inspection of billets by C.O.
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10/12/16
Battn paraded on Football Ground at 10 a.m. and inspected by General Fanshaw commanding 5th Corps.
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11/12/16
Battn paraded for baths.
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12/12/16
Bombing under Battn Bombing Officer, Battn Route March- route HALLOY – CANAPLES. All Officers attended Tactical Scheme without troops, under C.O. in the afternoon.
"
13/12/16
Bombing and Lewis Guns under Battn Instructors. Coy parades for Range, Physical Drill etc under the Coy arrangements.
"
14/12/16
As for 13/12/16.
"
15/12/16
Battn Route March. PERNOIS – BERNEUIL – DOMART.
"
16/12/16
Battn moved to Billets in PUSHEVILLERS. Inspected by Divisional Commander on march.
PUSHEVILLERS
17/12/16
Church Parade and inspection of Billets by C.O.
"
18/12/16
Battn Bombers paraded under Batt Bombing Officer. Remainder of Batt preparing new training grounds.
"
19/12/16
As for 18/12/16. One Officer per Coy attended Gas School for one day.
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20/12/16
Batt Sniping and Lewis Gun Course – Remainder of Battn paraded for Battn drill under C.O. and afternoon for Coy Training.
"
21/12/16
Ditto.
"
22/12/16
Battn paraded for Bde Route March - postponed owing to rain.
"
23/12/16
Training under Coy arrangements.
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24/12/16
Church Parade and inspection of Billets.
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25/12/16
Holy Communion at 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Games for remainder of day.
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26/12/16
Battn paraded for Bde Route March – Inspected by General Gough Commanding 5th Army- on the march.
"
27/12/16
Battn paraded under C.O. for Battn drill – Company Training and Battn Bombing and Lewis Gun Classes. Accident on Bombing Ground. 2Lt Rankin (A/Bombing Officer) wounded and 5 O.R. all slight.
"
28/12/16
As for 27/12/16.
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29/12/16
Bde Sniping and Map Reading Courses – Training under Coy arrangements. Lt. Col. Girdwood DSO assumed command of Battn.
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30/12/16
Battn paraded for Tactical Scheme – practising new formation for attack – Afternoon Bombing etc.
"
31/12/16
Church Parade – 150 O.R. Working Parties – Railhead etc. Fitting and testing of new Small Box Respirators.
[signed] H. Moore, Major

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.