11th Battalion War Diary, November to December 1915

    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
CODFORD
22/11/15
Transport and passage with 2 officers and 101 other ranks. Proceeded under Major P.G.W. DIGGLE to HARVE.
CODFORD
23/11/15
Battalion proceeded in two trains to FOLKESTONE, for BOULOGNE, strength 23 officers, 896 other ranks.
BOULOGNE
24/11/15
At BOULOGNE, leaving [?] by train for LONGPRÉ.[1]
GORENFLOS
25/11/15
Marched from LONGPRÉ at 1.0am, arrive GORENFLOS 5.30am - billets.
GORENFLOS
26/11/15
[empty entry - presume nothing of importance happened on this day]
PICQUIGNY
27/11/15
Marched to PICQUIGNY, arriving there 1.30pm - billets.[2]
VILLERS BOCAGE
28/11/15
Marched to VILLERS BOCAGE - billets.
VILLERS BOCAGE
29/11/15
Close Order Drill.
VILLERS BOCAGE
30/11/15
Short Route March, and inspections.
VILLERS BOCAGE
1/12/15
[empty entry - presume nothing of importance happened on this day]
MOLLIENS AU BOIS
2/12/15
Marched to MOLLIENS AU BOIS, arrived 12.30pm - billets.
MOLLIENS AU BOIS
3/12/15 to 5/12/15
Battalion unable to do much work on account of very wet weather. Inspections, lectures, physical exercises.
MOLLIENS AU BOIS
6/12/15 to 11/12/15
8 men per platoon practiced in the use of live hand grenades under instruction of Lieut Kemp of MANCHESTER REGIMENT. Remainder of the Battalion was occupied with inspections, close order drill and short route marches.
BOUZINCOURT
12/12/15
Left half Battalion under Major P.G.W. DIGGLE proceeded to camp at MILLENCOURT.

Right half Battalion with Headquarters and transport proceeded to camp at BOUZINCOURT.
Officers and NCO’s right half Battalion, having been conveyed by motor bus from MOLLIENS AU BOIS, were attached for instruction in the trenches to garrison of F1 & F2 sub-sectors.

BOUZINCOURT
13/12/15
Four platoons right half Battalion attached for instruction in the trenches to garrison of F1 sub-sector.

Four platoons right half Battalion attached for instruction in the trenches to garrison of F2 sub-sector.[3]

BOUZINCOURT
14/12/15
Right half Battalion returned to BOUZINCOURT. Officers and NCO’s left half Battalion attached for instruction in the trenches to garrison F1 & F2 sub-sectors.[4]
BOUZINCOURT
15/12/15
Four platoons of left half Battalion attached for instruction in the trenches to garrison of F1 sub-sector.

Four platoons of left half Battalion attached for instruction in the trenches to garrison of F2 sub-sector.[5]

BOUZINCOURT
16/12/15
Left half Battalion returned to MILLENCOURT.
BOUZINCOURT
17/12/15 & 18/12/15
Right half Battalion relieved 2 Companies of garrison of F1 sub-sector.

Left half Battalion relieved 2 Companies of garrison of F2 sub-sector.

F1 Sub-Sector
19/12/15
Battalion took over F1 sub-sector for 1/6th ARGYLE and SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS.[6]
F1 Sub-Sector
20/12/15
[empty entry - presume nothing of importance happened on this day] [3]
F1 Sub-Sector
21/12/15 & 22/12/15
[empty entry - presume nothing of importance happened on this day] [7]
F1 Sub-Sector
23/12/15
Battalion relieved by 17th HLI[8] and proceeded to camp at BOUZINCOURT.
BOUZINCOURT
24/12/15
1 officer and 50 other ranks fatigue to RE[9] for erecting huts. Remainder Battalion cleaning rifles and equipment.
BOUZINCOURT
25/12/15
Church Parade. “A” Company proceeded to AVELUY accommodated in billets to find guards, fatigues etc. for 97th Brigade HQRS[10]
F1 Sub-Sector
27/12/15
Relieved 17th HLI in F1 SUB-SECTOR.
F.1 Sub-Sector
28/12/15 to 30/12/15
No unusual occurrence to report. Special attention was paid to the repairing of trenches and construction of dug-outs.[3]
F.1 Sub-Sector
31/12/15
Relieved by 17th HLI Battalion proceeded to AVELUY - billets.[11]

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. Remarks: Capt. L.B. HOGARTH and 3 other ranks left sick in hospital at BOULOGNE. Interpreter attached.
  2. Remarks: 2/Lt J.W. MOORE and batman rejoined. This officer had proceeded via HAVRE for disembarkation duties 19/11/15.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Remarks: One other rank wounded.
  4. Remarks: One other rank wounded, and died 14/12/15.
  5. Remarks: Two other ranks wounded. Capt L.B. HOGARTH attached for duty to CRE 51st Division.
  6. One other rank sent to Base for dental treatment.
  7. Remarks: Capt C. Clart, O.C. B Company admitted to hospital. Capt B.C. Harrison took over command of B Company.
  8. Highland Light Infantry.
  9. Royal Engineers.
  10. Headquarters.
  11. Remarks: One other rank wounded. One other rank sustained self inflicted wound in the foot. Court of Enquiry finding “accidental”.
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