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| 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 |
| EECKE | 1st | Companies continued training under new organisation. In afternoon | |
| 2nd | Two Coys fired on [Berthune?] Musketry Range. Coy training in morning - Bn route march via FLETRE, THIEUSHOOK in afternoon – cold & misty weather. | ||
| 3rd | Coy drill & training of | ||
| 4th | Church Parade & Recreational training – Also inter platoon football matches begun. OC of a 2nd in Com [acting second in command?] & Adj on staff ride. OC corps rode in afternoon to reconnoiter ground for next days practice attack. | ||
| 5th | Owing to high wind &much snow Attack Scheme postponed – Bn route march via STEENVORDE & practice of small attack. | ||
| EBBLINGHEM | 6th | Bn moved to EDDLINGHEM & billeted there for the night – 11 miles. | |
| NORTBECOURT | 7th | Bn marched to NORTBECOURT – 16 miles, where billets had been arranged – Transport - with personnel billeted at LA WATTINE. | |
| 8th | Day spent cleaning up – inspections of feet & kits. | ||
| 9th | Firing on range of 2nd Army Musketry School – abandoned owing to snow & high wind - coy training in billets - lecture to offices by Capt. Wilkinson on [Interior?] Economy. | ||
| 10th | Bn fired on musketry range "B" – 32 targets – firing practice 13, 14,& 19, the same as musketry school as the other 32 targets – Coys not firing–under Coy arrangements on miniature range – PT & BF Army Comdr inspected firing – afterwards G.O.C. also who criticised firing behind cover as wasted time. | ||
| 11th | Lecture to officers & NCOs by MO on first Aid – Voluntary Church Service in afternoon – Battn under Coy arrangements in billets – Football match between Bn & 2nd Army School – Score Border 8 – A.S. - O. CO on ride with 75Bde having left afternoon of 10th. | ||
| 12th | Bn fired on musketry Range – 14, 15, 16, & 17 practices. 80 men of B Coy to baths at HOULLE - (Musketry School baths) | ||
| 13th | Bn route march via LA WATTINE – MORINGHEM – INGLINGDEM thence practice attack on windmill at CHISLINGHEM returning 3pm. 40 [moun? – mountain?] battery at HOUILLE - weather rain & misty in morning afterward warm & sunny. | ||
| 14th | Btn fired on Musketry Range practiced 20, 21, 22, 23. Morning wet & windy – clear till 4 then dull. G) Bde visited billets. | ||
| 15th | Bn under Coy arrangements – night marching for companies for Officers - weathervery fine. Football with RFC postponed. | ||
| 16th | Bn fired on Musketry Range practice 23, 24 & 25 the 2 latter being shot at 200yds with Box Respirators. | ||
| 17th | Bn drill 9-10.15am afterwards Coy arrangements. Usual LG classes – cross country race 8th Border v musketry school (15 men per team) 8th Borders won 15 men out of first 17 home. Weather very fine – strong wind. | ||
| 18th | Church Parade. Staff ride from ACQUIN for Co 2 in C & Adj. Afternoon Musketry Field Practice – Day fine. | ||
| 19th | Coy training. In afternoon – preparation for marching off next day – football matches against musketry school detachment, Borders won 3 goals to 1 Boxing tournament in Evening. Col Bond to hospital with Rubella (German Measles). | ||
| ACQUIN | 20th | March to ACQUIN – Afternoon high wind & sleet. | |
| EBBLINGHEM | 21st | March to Ebblinghem - cold & sleet. | |
| BORRE | 22nd | March to BORRE – Inspected on march by Lt Gen GODLEY 2nd ANZAC Corps – cold & slight snow. | |
| 23rd | Inspection & Coy training. | ||
| 24th | March to OUTTERSTEENE. | ||
| 25th | Church Parade in morning – LG & Bombing classes in afternoon. | ||
| 26th | Coy training & classes in L. Guns, Bombing etc. Offices classes & lecture by LG officer to officers & NCOS. | ||
| OUTTERSTEENE | 27th | Bn inspected by Gen Sir H. Plumer 2nd Army Commander Coy training & specialist classes – lecture by Capt Dawson on Reconnaissance. Day fine. | |
| 28th | Coy training lecture by Bombing Officer & lecture to men by MO Usual classes – Showery. CAPT COXON reported – Brigade scheme for Adjt, Coy Commanders, Signal Officer & Bn signallers. | ||
| 29th | Coy training. Lecture by TMB [trench mortar battery] officer – 1st round of football match AVC coy for Brigade Cup. (A Coy won 5 -0) Bayonet instruction by Bde Staff Sgt. Col Bond returned. | ||
| 30th | Route march via FLETRE to 1 kilometre S of GODWAERSVAELDE. A coy beat Brigade 5-0 , 3-0, tie I Goal each. | ||
| 31st | Coy practice attack over flagged course at DUTTERSTEENE. B Coy beat D 3-1.
[Signed] T.S. Wilkinson, Major
8th 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.