The War Diary for the 1/6th Sherwood Foresters is missing for September 1918
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On this day 1st September 1918: operations against Scott and Hunters Posts
See here for details of the Operations
The four men killed on the 1st September were:-
- Second Lieutenant Leonard Victor Burrows aged 26 and the son of JR and Florence Burrows of Belper and Husband of Jessie Burrows of Stirton Grange in Skipton, Yorkshire.
- 5040/235021 Pte. Albert Victor Jackson aged 21 and the son of William and Emma Jackson of Hyson Green in Nottingham. Albert enlisted into the 3/7th Battalion in September 1915 and after service with the 5th Reserve and 1/5th Battalions he was posted to the 1/6th Battalion on 29th January 1918 with the 45th Reinforcement.
- 82872 L/Cpl Frederick Murfin aged 24 and husband of Nellie Murfin, of 48 Brook St. in Derby. Frederick attested in January 1915 and was mobilised in March 1917 and posted to the 3rd Battalion. He was transferred to the 1/6th Battalion on 20th January 1918 with the 43rd Reinforcement and joined the Battlion in the field on 18th February.
- 97990 Pte Lewis Spencer aged 19 and the son of George Thomas and Lilly Flora Spencer of Dunston in Lincolnshire. Lewis attested in January 1917 and was mobilised in March 1917. He was initially posted to the 11th Training Reserve Battalion before transferring to the Sherwood Foresters in December 1917. He was transferred to the 1/6th Battalion from the 2nd Battalion on 10th February 1918 with the 48th Reinforcement and joined the Battlion in the field on 25th March.
On this day 31st August 1918: the capture of Epinette East Keep
See here for details of the Operations
The four men killed during the attacks on the 31st August were:-
- 3588/241139 Pte Walter Gratton aged 25 and the son of Benjamin and Mary Gratton of 3 Rose Cottages in Upper Town near Bonsall, Matlock. Walter enlisted in November 1914 and would have arrived in France during 1916.
- 60573 Pte Albert Edward Hook aged 21 and the son of Emma Annie and the late Frederick Hook of West View on Alfreton Rd. in Derby. Albert had previously served with the 15th and 1/7th Battalions.
- 91366 Pte. Edwin Harold Hoyle who was the husband of Alice Hoyle of 6 East St. Ilkeston in Derbyshire. Edwin was conscripted in early 1917 and posted to the Sherwood Foresters.
- 3052/240873 L/Cpl Peter Ryan aged 32 and a fitter from Chapel-en-le-Frith. Peter was from Ballynahinch in County Tipperary and enlisted in October 1914. He went to France with the 46th Division in February 1915. He had served a total of 3 years and 317 days overseas, but had only just rejoined the 1/6th Battalion on 31st July. He is commemorated on the Ballynahinch and Chapel War Memorials.
All four men are buried in FOUQUIERES CHURCHYARD EXTENSION, Plot IV, Graves F1-3 & 8.
On this day 31st August 1918: Major Francis Cursham was accidentally killed
On this day 30th August 1918: front line trenches
30.8.1918: Battalion relieved 5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters in the front line GORRE SECTOR.
‘A’ Coy on left, ‘B’ centre, ‘D’ right
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
30.8.1918: Quite day. Line advanced to approx Sloane Square.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
On these days 27th – 29th August 1918: patrols in touch with enemy along whole front
27.8.1918: Quite day. Our patrols were constantly in touch with the enemy.
28.8.1918: A good deal of heavy artillery fire on the area F4. Patrols in touch with the enemy along whole front.
29.8.1918: Artillery fire normal. At dawn our left piquet was advanced.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
75th Trench Duty: 26th August
26.8.1918: Battalion relieved the 5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment in the left subsection of the main line of resistance GORRE SECTOR.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
30.8.18: Relieved 138 Infantry Brigade night 26/27.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
On this day 25th August 1918: Battalion was inspected
25.8.18 VAUDRICOURT PARK: Battalion was inspected by GOC Division on the training ground at HESDIGNEUL. Reported stated “satisfactory”. Great pains had been taken with the turnout.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
On this day 24th August 1918: Military Medals were Awarded
The following awarded the Military Medal for Gallantry in action on a fighting patrol led by 2/Lieu Lake.
240526 Cpl James Vanes
240286 Pte Fred Wright
306187 Pte Charles Swift
On this day 22nd August 1918: working party
22.8.18 VAUDRICOURT PARK: Battalion provided a working party of 500 other ranks for work on trenches in vicinity of NEWCASTLE LINE GORRE SECTOR.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 