11th Battalion War Diary, July 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
AUTHUILLE WOOD
1/7/16
Zero time 7.30 am. Battalion advanced from assembly trenches at 8 am and came under very heavy machine gun fire suffering over 500 casualties. The following officers were killed:-

Lt Col P.W. Machell C.M.G. D.S.O., Capt R. Smith, Capt A.E. Corbett, Capt C. Brown, 2Lt A.E. Monkhouse, 2Lt J.C. Parker[1], 2Lt G. Coe[2], 2Lt G.P. Dunstan, 2Lt W.S. Paton, Lt F.A. Ruff. Officers wounded - Major P.G.W. Diggle, Capt B.C. Harrison, Capt C.P. Moore, Lieut W.A. Hobson, Lt C.H. Walker, Lt C.W. Margerison, Lt J.H. Hodgkinson, Lt M. Gordon, Lt M McKerrow, 2Lt J.R.S. Borman, 2Lt J.W. Moore, 2Lt W Green, 2Lt G. Black, 2Lt F.M. Ransom, 2Lt L. Machell.

AUTHUILLE WOOD
2/7/16
Battalion assisted in holding the line and found fatigues for carrying up grenades from Authuille Dump.
AUTHUILLE WOOD
3/7/16
Battalion withdrawn to Crucifix dug-out.
Crucifix
4/7/16
Battalion found fatigues for detonating and carrying up bombs to front line.
CRUCIFIX CORNER
4/7/16
Night of the 4th - 5th Battalion attached to 2nd KOYLI and marched to CONTAY WOOD.
CONTAY WOOD
5/7/16 to 7/7/16
Reorganising into two Coys in CONTAY WOOD.

Battalion strength 11 officers & 480 O.R.

SENLIS
8/7/16
Battalion marched to SENLIS and took over billets. Capt Palmer 2nd KOYLI took over command from Lt Welsh. 2Lts Brown and [?-King] 17th H.L.I. attached.
F1 SUB SECTOR
9/7/16
Battalion paraded at 8.0pm and marched to trenches, taking over part of F1 subsector. One coy in front line, and one in reserve.
F1 SUB SECTOR
10/7/16 & 11/7/16
Battalion remained in line.
CRUCIFIX CORNER
12/7/16
Battalion withdrawn to Crucifix dug-outs - Lt Kirkwood RAMC[3] relieved by Lt. Webster RAMC.
CRUCIFIX CORNER
13/7/16 to 15/7/16
Battalion found fatigues for the line - Major Chamberlayne 1st DYO Lancers[4] took over command from Capt Palmer 2nd KOYLI on the 14/7/16.

Major Girdwood, D.S.O., N. Fusiliers[5] took over command from Major Chamberlayne who was appointed 2nd in command on the 14/7/16.

BOUGENCOURT[6]
16/7/16
Battalion withdrawn to Bougencourt and billeted into huts. Battalion marched to AMPLIERS, via ACHEUX and SARTON and took over huts.
17/7/16
Divisional Commander (General Rycroft) addressed Brigade congratulating them on their achievement - Battalion paraded at 2.55 pm and marched to SUS-ST-LEGER via HALLOY - LUCHEUX and took over billets.
SUS ST LEGER
18/7/16
Battalion remained resting in SUS ST LEGER.
19/7/16
Battalion marched to NEUVILLE-AU-CORNET via BEAUDICOURT - ETREE - WANIN - HOUVIN - HOUVIGNEUL.
20/7/16
Battalion marched to CONTEVILLE via OSTREVILLE - BRYAS and took over billets. The following officers reported their arrival and were taken on strength of the Battalion: 2Lt D.W. Brady, 2Lt C.W. McConnon, 2Lt [?-J.H. Simcock], 2Lt H.N. Spence, 2Lt G.G. Bickers, Lt T. Story, 2Lt S.W. Wilson, 2Lt R.S. Jones.
21/7/16
Battalion marched to ALLOUAGNE, via PARNES - FLORINGHEM - AUCHEL - LOZINGHEM and took over billets.
ALLOUAGNE
22/7/16
Battalion remained in billets - baths and clean clothing issued. The under mentioned officers reported their arrival and was taken on the strength of the Battalion.

Major E. Lake-Greere, Capt M.G. Nelson, Capt C.B. Dove, 2Lt C.J. Holme-Parker, 2Lt W.L. Allcroft, 2Lt H.J.S. Stone, 2Lt W.R. Gillespie.

ALLOUAGNE
23/7/16
Church parade at 11.0 am. The Rev. Crosse presided.
24/7/16
The Battalion paraded in the morning for foot and rifle drill etc. In the afternoon for kit inspection.
ALLOUAGNE
25/7/16
Battalion paraded for drill in the morning under Company arrangements, and for gas helmet and iron ration inspection in the afternoon.
26/7/16
The Battalion marched to BETHUNE via PONT DE REVEILLON - CHOCQUES and took over billets.
BETHUNE
27/7/16
Battalion paraded for physical drill and rifle exercises in the morning and the afternoon was devoted to cleaning up of equipment etc.
28/7/16
The Battalion marched to point J.6.a.7.7. For inspection by General [?-Monro] commanding 1st Army. The 14th & 97th Brigade was on parade in marching order. The Battalion was congratulated by the Army Commander on its smart appearance and steadiness on parade, and marched back to billets in BETHUNE.
29/7/16
The Battalion was attached to the 8th Division and found carrying parties for [?-HAIRPIN] and HOHENZOLLERN MINES. Headquarter of Battalion being billeted in huts in NOYELLES.
NOYELLES
30/7/16
Carrying parties for mines.
NOYELLES
31/7/16
Carrying parties for mines.
[signed] G.C. Girdwood, Major
Comdg 11th Border Regt.

References / notes

  • National Archives Catalogue Reference: WO/95/2403
  • The transcription above is available under the National Archives Open Government Licence for public sector information.
  1. 2nd Lieutenant John Caird Parker, see: http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=532291
  2. 2nd Lieutenant G. Coe, see: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29341/supplements/10621
  3. Royal Army Medical Corps.
  4. Duke of York Own Lancers, Indian Army.
  5. Northumbrland Fusiliers.
  6. Possibly another spelling variant for Bouzincourt.
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