Author Archives: mikebriggs1910

Unknown's avatar

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 this day 22nd March 1918

22.3.18 ANNEQUIN: Capt T GREAVES rejoined from 1st Army Musketry School. 2/Lt SN DEURANCE rejoined from Hospital.

Thomas Greaves

Sydney Norman Deurance

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


22nd March: The enemy raided our trenches at 12.30am after intense bombardment. He penetrated as far as half way between front line and reserve line. Some of our men were missing, 1 unwounded, 1 wounded and 1 dead German remained in out hands.

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

On this day 20th March 1918

20.3.18 BEUVRY: Battalion relieved 1/8th Sherwood Foresters in the ANNEQUIN LOCALITY. Battalion HQ, “C” and “D” Companies in ANNEQUIN, “A” and “B” Companies in SAILLY LABOURSE.

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


20th March: 8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters relieved 5th Sherwood Foresters in the front line.

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

On this day 19th March 1918 – Award of Military Medals

Military Medals awarded to Cpl EH WHITE, Pte A KNOWLES and L/Cpl W THOMPSON, all “D” Company for Conspicuous Gallantry during enemy raid near HULLACH on Jan 2nd 1917.

On this day 19th March 1918

19.3.18 BEUVRY: Lieut WT STEPHENS rejoined from First Army Infantry School and took over Command of Letter “D” Company.

Warren Trestrail Stephens

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


19th March: Enemy artillery was active on the whole front. Trench Mortars also active.

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

On this day 18th March 1918

18.3.18 BEUVRY: Lt Col BW VANN MC proceeded on leave. Major VO ROBINSON MC took over Temporary Command of the Battalion

Bernard William Vann and Victor Owen Robinson

(Both with Military Cross Ribbons)

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


18th March: Slight shelling of Cambin.

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

On this day 17th March 1918

No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]


17th March: The enemy cut two gaps in our wire at A.28.c.1.6 and A.27.d.70.05 with his artillery. There was a good deal of activity with 105 mm shells on Reserve Line and Trench Junctions.

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


269235 Pte Albert Sleaford from Derby was killed in action

204577 Pte Frederick Lester Chapman from Tideswall died of wounds

On this day 15th March 1918

15.3.18 BEURY: 2/Lieut RW OAKLEY from hospital (South of France)

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


15th March: Enemy artillery was active during the day on :-

  • A.20.b.95.35.
  • A.27.b.1.9.
  • A.27.d.3.5.
  • A.21.d.1.9.
  • A.27.a
  • And CAMBRIN

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


73880 Pte Herbert Ashpole was killed in action

The first man of the North Midland Division to be buried in Cambrin Military Cemetery