1.7.1917 Trenches: In conjunction with rest of Division one Company (“A” Company) attacked German positions West of Lens. Objective was gained but was not held.
Casualties during the operation:-
Reginald Charles Francis Dolley
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
30.6.1917 Bde Support: Letter “C” Company established advanced posts in CORNWALL TRENCH at N.7.C.80.22. N.7.C.40.10.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
29/30 June: Preparations for attack to be made on July 1st. 7th Sherwood Foresters attacked and consolidated German line from N.19.C.18.85 to N.13.C.60.12.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
27.6.1917 Bde Support: Battalion relieved 5th Sherwood Foresters in RIGHT SUB SECTOR ST PIERRE.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
27/28/ June: 5th Sherwood Foresters relieved by 6th Sherwood Foresters in St PIERRE SECTOR. 8th Sherwoods moved to MAROC.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
June 26: 8th Sherwood Foresters in Divisional Reserve in LIEVIN.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
June 24/25 TRENCHES: At 12.45 am on the night of the 24/25th the 5th Sherwood Foresters raided the enemys trenches at the point N.1.d.16.44. and N.1.d.11.20. It is estimated that about 50 Germans were killed. Several dugouts were bombed and blown up. One prisoner was taken but he died at battalion Headquarters. Our casualties were very slight.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
At 12.45am the enemy line was successfully raid between points N.1.d.16.44. and N.1.d.11.20 by “A” & “C” Companies. Strength 6 Officers and 110 other ranks. Gaps in enemy wire, through which parties entered enemy trenches had been very satisfactorily cut b7 79th Siege Battery.
All parties reached their objectives and remained in enemy line 30 minutes. A number of dead were found on entering enemy line, presumably killed by artillery barrage. The reminder of the enemy put up some show of resistance and were either bayonetted or bombed.
Total of killed and wounded by raiding party is estimated at 21 killed and a considerable number wounded. A number of the enemy were heard in dug-outs which were heavily bombed.
A party of about 5 of the enemy surrendered to an Officer and were passed back and sent over to our lines. One only of these was brought in and he died about 1 hour afterwards. The remainder appear to have offered resistance and further details as to this party is obscure.
Our casualties were slight:-
Bot the ‘missing’ are known to have got clear of enemy lines. A patrol searched for these men until daylight.
24.6.1917 Bde Support: 2/Lt HS PINK and 2/LT LV BURROWS joined from England.
Leonard Victor Burrows
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
23.7.1917 FOSSE 10: Battalion relieved by 5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters and moved into Brigade Support dugouts in ST PIERRE.
2/Lt FS ROWLAND awarded Military Cross.
Frank Skinner Rowland
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
23 June: No change.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
22.7.1917 FOSSE 10: 2/Lt GLEW 5th Battalion SF attached for duty.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
22 June: 7th Sherwood Foresters relieve the 6th North Staffs Regiment in the right sub sector.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
“The transport had very uncomfortable journeys in this sector, especially when passing Fosse Cite de Loos. On 21st June 1917, the whole column was wiped out by shell fire – All the animals were killed, the wagons wrecked, rations and ammunition strewn around. This necessitated the turning out of a fresh column & rations, and, as was invariably the case, they got through eventually. Unfortunately Sgt. Oldknow was killed by the first shell that dropped. He was a transport section in himself, one of those who not only did things, but got things done….”
Arthur’s brother, William Henry, also served with the 1/5th Battalion see here
21.6.1917 FOSSE 10: Lt.-Col CB JOHNSON rejoined and resumed Command of Battalion.
Cyril Benton Johnson
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
June 21: No Change. See disposition of units App 9.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
19.6.1917 FOSSE 10: Battalion relieved 5th Sherwood Foresters in RIGHT SUB SECTOR ST PIERRE SECTOR.
Cite St Pierre in 1919
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
June 19: 5th Sherwoods relieved by 6th Sherwood Foresters.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 