Author Archives: mikebriggs1910

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About mikebriggs1910

I'm not a Historian by profession - merely an (over) enthusiastic amateur. By day I'm a Professor of Genetics at Newcastle University with a translation research interest in rare bone diseases. At weekends I can be classified as a Yorkshire Cricket & Psychedelic Rock fan, but mostly I'm just on the Fells (or in the pub - when they were open!).

On these days 10th-12th August 1918: quite days…..but there were casualties

10.8.18: Quite day. Enemy gas shelled our left sub sector.

11.8.18: Quite day. Six patrols were out during night.

12.8.18: A good deal of blue and yellow cross was fired into Gore Wood: otherwise the day was quite. Six patrols were out.

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]


202174 Pte Albert Butterworth aged 30. Son of Matilda Butterworth, of 31, East Barnet Rd., New Barnet, Herts, and the late William Butterworth. Attested in March 1916.

102477 Pte Harry Glover aged 19. Son of Jane Glover, of 60, Ruby St., Old Kent Rd., London. Called up for service in May 1917.

265576 Pte James McGraw aged 23. Son of Eliza McGraw, of 30, Lambert Street, Hyson Green, Nottingham, and the late Joseph McGraw.

On this day 9th August 1918

9th Aug GORRE: 2/Lieut DJ CLARKSON killed in action when on patrol.

1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]


9.8.18 GORRE SECTOR: Right Battalion HQ shelled with 200 10.5 & 15cm shells. 8 patrols out. one of which encountered the enemy. 2/Lt CLARKSON 6th SF was killed, his body being Brough in.

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]

On the night 5th/6th August 1918 – a working party suffers casualties

Night 5th/6th Aug:

Battalion provided a working party of 500 Other Ranks on cable trench in forward area (ESSARS).

Lieut F TOUCH DCM wounded in action.


3129/240913 PteThomas James Neep died of wounds aged 26

On this day 4th August 1918 – William Herbert Hopcraft joins

4th Aug VAUDRICOURT PARK:

Major WG HUTCHENCE proceeded to 5th Army School of Instruction.

2/Lieut WH HOPCRAFT joined battalion from 5th Sherwood Foresters.

1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]

On this day 2nd August 1918 – trench relief

2/8/18 ESSARS: Battalion relieved by the 1/6th Battalion North Staffs in the Left Subsection of the ESSARS SECTOR and moved into Divisional Reserve in VAUDRICOURT PARK.

1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]


2.8.18: Relieved by 137th Infantry Brigade night 2nd/3rd August.

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]