18.6.1917 FOSSE 10: Lt.-Col. CB JOHNSON returned from CO’s Conference and proceeded to Hospital.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
June 18 Trenches: Left Subsector taken over by 18th Brigade, 6th Division. 7th Sherwood Foresters moved to BULLY GRENAY. 2nd Cav Brigade Pioneer Battalion dug assembly trench.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
June 17 Trenches: Quite day.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
Despite 139 Brigade recording ‘quite day’ the 1/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters had 45 casualties including 10 men killed or dying of gas poisoning over a period of 3 days.
Enemy Gas On night 15/16 at 11/30 pm the enemy shelled the area between the RIGHT Company Posts in NOVEL and the Company HQ with 300 to 400 Priester Gas Bombs causing 45 casualties mostly in D (Right) Company.
The effects of the gas lasted about 30 minutes but all the outposts were kept fully manned and a relief of posts carried out immediately the gas cleared. The following were killed or died in hospital:-
2466/240584 Sergeant Gershon Shimwell awarded the Military Medal.
“For conspicuous gallantry in the Lievin Sector on the night 2nd/3rd June 1917 when out with a working party that was caught in heavy bombardment”
1939/240333 L/Cpl John Laurence Adams awarded the Military Medal.
“For conspicuous gallantry in the Lievin Sector on the night 2nd/3rd June 1917 when out with a working party that was caught in heavy bombardment”
2283/240504 Pte Henry Fletcher awarded the Military Medal
The Officer was Sergeant was 2nd Lieut. Leslie Nethercote Johnson (who later died of wounds) and the Sergeant was William Booth, a quarryman from Peak Dale.
16 June Trenches: Disposition of units as follows:-
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
15.6.1917 MARQUEFFLES FARM: Battalion relieved 6th South Staffs Regt in RIGHT SUPPORT, ST PIERRE SECTOR.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
15 June: 139 Brigade relieved the 137 Brigade in the LEFT (ST PIERRE) SECTOR.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
13.6.1917 MARQUEFFLES FARM: Battalion inspected by GOC DIVISION.
Major-General William Thwaites
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
June 13: Training as for previous day. Divisional Horse Show.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
June 12: Training in rapid wiring and ceremonial. 139 Brigade Horse Show.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
11.6.1917 MARQUEFFLES FARM: 139 Bde Horse Show. The Battalion won tug of war, 1st in Officers jumping, 1st in VC Race, 2nd Cross Country race, 3rd in turnouts.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
June 11: Relief complete by 3am. Disposition of units as follows:-
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
10.6.1917 FOSSE 10: Lt Col CB JOHNSON proceeded to CO’s Conference at BOULOGNE. Major W SEATON assumed command of the Battalion.
Cyril Benton Johnson
Battalion received a wire of congratulation from 139th Bde on the digging of the advanced trench in RIAUMONT. The assaulting Battalion assembled in it without detection.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
10 June: 139 Brigade relieved in the line by the 138 Brigade on the night of the 10/11th.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
9.6.1917 FOSSE 10 SAINS EN GOHELLE: Battalion inspected by GENERAL SIR WILLIAM ROBERSTON (Chief of Imperial General Staff).
The GOC Division expressed his great satisfaction with the work done by the Battalion during the last tour in the trenches.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
June 9: On the night of the 9/10th the 8th Sherwood Foresters raided the enemy’s trenches at N.19.a.2.7. The party entered the trench and found it unoccupied.
(139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
In the line at LIEVIN W of LENS June 8: At 8.30pm the 138th Brigade raided Hill 65 and FOSSE 3. The 137th Brigade on the left raided Nash Alley and the CANADIANS on the right carried out raids on the fronts of two Divisions.
It is estimated that about 300 Germans were killed on our Divisional front. Three machine guns and one trench mortar were destroyed in addition to several dugouts.
Unknown soldier of the Lincolnshire Regiment (138th Brigade) and map of Hill 65
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 