8th Battalion War Diary, January 1917

8th Border Regiment War Diary Transcriptions (1915-1918) The National Archives WO/95/2251
	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.

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.

See also

References / notes