| 8th Border Regiment War Diary Transcriptions (1915-1918) The National Archives WO/95/2251
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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 |
| TRENCHES PLOEGSTEERT | 1st | Quiet day nothing to report. | |
| 2nd | The Battn left the line and came into billets at NIEPPE for a fortnights training. | ||
| 3rd | Cleaning billets, rifles, equipment. | ||
| 4th | A Coy was on 30yd range all day. The remaining Coys underwent instruction in wiring under RE officer. | ||
| 5th | B Coy on the range at ROMARIN. The remainder of the Battn did Bayonet fighting, physical drill etc. | ||
| 6th | The same as the 5th, in addition extended order drill was practiced and a lecture given by the MO in the evening. | ||
| 7th | Church parade and recreation. | ||
| 8th | C & D companies marched to the training ground at BAILLEUL and practiced the attack by companies. Remaining coys bayonet fighting, physical drill, extended order drill and musketry exercises. | ||
| NIEPPE | 9th | C Coy on the range at NIEPPE remaining coys as on the 8th. | |
| 10th | A & B companies marched to the training ground at BAILLEUL and practiced the attack by companies. | ||
| 11th | D company on the range, remaining coy bayonet exercises etc. | ||
| 12th | The Battalion marched to BAILLEUL and practiced attack. | ||
| 13th | The Battalion started to march to the training ground for practice attack in Brigade, but ordered to return on account of the weather. | ||
| 14th | Church parade & recreation. 8th Border beat 2nd S. Lancs in 1st round for cup at football. | ||
| 15th | The Brigade marched to the training ground and practiced the attack. | ||
| 16th | The day given up to cleaning billet, equipment etc. Final football played in afternoon. 8 Borders beat 8 S. Lancs 2 goals to 0. | ||
| 17th | The Battn. was relieved by the X Cheshire at NIEPPE and marched to PONT DE NIEPPE and relieved the 1st Wilts Regt. | ||
| PONT DE NIEPPE | 18th | [Five?] carrying parties numbering 170 men were supplied by the Battn for carrying material to the trenches. | |
| 19th-21st | During these days the Battn furnished the same carrying parties as on the 18th. The remainder were exercised in bayonet fighting. | ||
| 22nd | The Battn was ordered at 6pm to hold itself in readiness to proceed to the trenches as the Germans made a raid on the trenches held by the 74th brigade. | ||
| TRENCHES | 23rd | The Battn relieved the XI Cheshire Regt in the front line trench. B Coy on the right, D in the centre & A on the left. C Coy being in support ar TANCREZFARM (the 8th S. Lancs were on our left with the Australians on our right). The [rear?] Lts being the dividing line. | |
| 24th | Fairly quiet day. No casualties. Keen frost. | ||
| 25th | Very little work could be done on account of the frost. The 3 companies in the front line were engaged in wiring. | ||
| 26th | About 3pm the Germans opened heavy artillery fire on TOUQUET STATION little damage was done & no casualties. | ||
| 27th | A quiet day, all companies engaged in strengthening their front. Frost still too severe for other work. | ||
| 28th | The German artillery more active than yesterday. One man wounded by shrapnel bullet. Usual wiring was carried out. | ||
| 29th | The Battn was relieved by the XI Cheshires and went to LE BIZET and were distributed as follows: A & D Companies in LE BIZET. One company (B) occupied LANCASHIRE SUPPORT FARM, RESERVE FARM and GUNNERS FARM. One company (C) occupied LYS FARMS, STATION REDOUBT and SEVEN TREES REDOUBT. | ||
| 30th | The Battn engaged in cleaning arms, equipment & clothing. | ||
| 31st | 85 men were employed in carrying materials up to the front line trenches. The remainder practiced bomb throwing, physical exercises & bayonet fighting.
[Signed] P Strahan, Major
Cmdg 8th Batt Border Regt. |
See also
References / notes
- National Archives Catalogue Reference: WO/95/2251
- The transcription above is available under the National Archives Open Government Licence for public sector information.
- War diary made available by M. Deacon and transcribed by P. Bramham.