No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694]
July 7: Officers went to look at next lot of trenches as usual we were not very pleased with them & I expect we shall leave them in a much better state. I also sat as a member of a Field General Court Martial today. This is first time I have been a member. Before I have only watched for instruction or prosecuted.
Spent all night carting gas cylinders about.
[Lieutenant Josiah Taylor]
No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694]
5.7.1916 SAULTY: Major General The Honorable EJ STUART-WORTLEY CB CMG said goodbye to Officers who came out with DIvision.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
5th: Learnt from Dailey Mail that we had not done so badly. In fact there were 2 columns on most heroic deed of the war defeat that was really a victory & c. Read it out on parade & began to feel better.
[Lieutenant Josiah Taylor]
4.7.1916 BAILLEULMONT: Draft of 8 OR joined from Base.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
1618 Pte John Howe a Pre War Territorial from Tideswall who suffered a GSW in the right thigh.
3.7.1916 WARLINCOURT: Battn marched into billets vacated & handed over by 5th North Staffs.
(Divisional Reserve) at BAILLEULMONT.
Officers rejoined:- Capt W SEATON from England. Capt W SEATON to Command “D” Company – Capt Jackson to be 2nd in Command.
Officers joined:- 2/Lt WL COOPER (left), 2/Lt FS ROWLAND (right) from England.
Draft of 54 OR joined from Base.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
3 July: I went to the funeral of Lt RD Wheatcroft (above) 
our most popular Officer. Great sympathy felt for his brother Capt Wheatcroft who has now lost 2 brothers in this War.
We now expected rest but no such luck we moved to billets in the village of ———.
Here we learnt that Capt Robinson (bubbles) was dead. He was the cheeriest fellow ever known (above).
[Lieutenant Josiah Taylor]
The following men died of their wounds on this day and were buried in at Saulty
2315 Pte Charles Ricard Pell (above)
1681 Pte George Byfleet
2052 Pte Walter Francis Joseph Murph
2.7.1916 FONQUEVILLERS: Battn marched into huts at WARLINCOURT.
Capt TOLSON (above) to Command “B” Company vice Capt Dick.
Lt GKK MAUGHAN (above) appointed Adjutant vice Capt CB JOHNSON.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
[“The Robin Hoods” 1/7th, 2/7th & 3/7th Battns. Sherwood Foresters]
[Lieutenant Josiah Taylor]
Report of the part played by the 139th Infantry Brigade in the action on the 1st July 1916. Report from WO-95-2692-5 and 139 Brigade from WO-95-2692-5-29
Part played by the 3″ Stokes Trench Mortars in action on 1st July 1916. Trench Mortar from WO-95-2692-5-7
Part played by the Machine Guns during the action on 1st July 1916. Machine Guns from WO-95-2692-5-8
Part played by the 1/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters during the action on 1st July 1916. 5th Battn from WO-95-2692-5-9 and 1:5th account from WO-95-2692-5-17
1/5th Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters; Statements of men who reached the German Front Line (with sketch). Men statements from WO-95-2692-5-10
Includes statements from the following men:-
“A” Company A Coy 1:5th from WO-95-2692-5-20
Captain Dowman’s report from 1918 Dowman 1918
“B” Company B Coy 1:5th from WO-95-2692-5-21
“C” Company C Coy 1:5th from WO-95-2692-5-23
“D” Company D Coy 1:5th from WO-95-2692-5-24
Grenade Section
Fifth wave (Headquarters)
List of men that made it to the German first line. 1:5th men front line from WO-95-2692-5-27
1:6th from WO-95-2692-5-18 and 1:6th Battn from WO-95-2692-5-25
Part played by the 1/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters during the action on 1st July 1916. 1:7th Battn from WO-95-2692-5-11 and 1:7th account from WO-95-2692-5-16
Includes statements from the following men:-
List of men that made it to the German first line. 1:7th Battn front line from WO-95-2692-5-26
28.6.1916 GAUDIEMPRE: 2/Lt LN JOHNSON and 2/Lt AJ COOKE joined from England.
Capt PARBERRY Sanitary Officer ordered isolation and inoculation of 65 men.
28.6.1916 FONQUEVILLERS: Bn relieved 5th Sherwood Foresters in trenches (LEFT SECTOR) pending operations.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
28th: “Y” day.
Another wet day – well the rain never stop. All the preparation was completed for the fight tomorrow, when orders were received postponing everything till further orders. On strength of this the 5th Battn SF were taken out of the line and the 6th Battn SF put in the, the former being billeted in POMMIER alongside the 8th Batn SF. The relief was completed by 3.45am.
There was a fake smoke attack today, which drew very little retaliation from the Bosche. Wire cutting went on as usual. At 2-30 pm orders were received postponing Z day.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
27: “X” day. There was a bombardment followed by a “smoke cloud” early this morning. The enemy did not ——– and we had very few casualties. The ordinary bombardment took place during the day from 6.35 pm to 7.26 pm. There was an intense bombardment by us.
The enemy’s front line trenches were first taken on and severely dealt with especially LITTLE Z.
Then our guns lifted on to the enemy’s 2nd and 3rd lines & flattened them.
The enemy through comparatively little back the whole time.
Another very wet day – very heavy showers & trenches very bad in consequence.
The 5th Battalion SF relieved the 8th Battalion SF this evening and on relief the latter proceeded to billets in POMMIER vacated by the former Battalion.
Everything is now ready for “Z” Day.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
26.6.1916 GAUDIEMPRE: 2/Lt E Kershaw joined from England.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
June 26: During the last month of course we have been preparing for an attack. The weather has caused it to be postponed so at least we are having a rest.
[Lieutenant Josiah Taylor]
26: The is “W” day. Wire cutting & bombardment continued on enemy front.
From 9-45 am to 10.35 am his front was subjected to an “intense bombardment” – to look at this appeared very ordinary. There were lots of 19 Pdrs busy but very few howitzers & heavies and altogether it was a — affair to look at.
At 10.50 smoke was turned on and up to the point this enemy had not sent very much back, but he now began to shell our front line freely, but did not pay much attention to our back lines. We had only two casualties – one liked and one wounded. It is hoped the Germans suffered more.
The patrols who went out late at night reported the cutting of the enemies wire on the right as satisfactorily.
The weather is not improving – the men are having a very hard time of it & sticking it very well.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 