May 27-31: During the period the enemy showed considerable activity – during the day his artillery fire on back areas greatly increased – and at night he constantly bombed and attacked our forward posts. In almost every case he was driven off with loss but with very few casualties to ourselves.
A new trench was dug through the Cite de RIAUMONT.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
William enlisted as a drummer boy in August 1910 aged 14 and was posted to “A” (Chesterfield) and Headquarters Company. He arrived in France in February 1915 and was wounded in the arm at Ypres. He was badly gassed on this day at Lievin. Disembodied in April 1919 and awarded the 14/15 Trio.
26.5.1917 TRENCHES: LIEUT-COLONEL Cyril Benton Johnson rejoinded from short leave and resumed Command of the Battalion.
Cyril Benton Johnson
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
25.5.1917 PETIT SAINS: Battalion relieved 1/5th LEICESTER REGIMENT in RIGHT SUBSECTOR of Right Brigade Front.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
25/26 May: Relive the 138 Brigade in the LIEVIN SECTOR. See Operation ORDER N. 117. Relief complete by 4pm.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
Casualties on this day
21.5.1917 PETIT SAINS: Draft of 21 other ranks arrived as reinforcements.
This was the 33rd Reinforcement
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
May 21-24 Rest: No change. Time devoted to close order Ceremonial and Attack drill. Two Battalions employed on wiring the “CRASSIER SWITCH” Line and on working for 137 Bde.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
Service Record for 1729/240235 Pte Thomas Beswick recording his arrival in France with the 33rd Reinforcement, which had embarked from Folkestone on the 6th April 1917. Tom was a quarryman from Peak Dale who worked at the Buxton Lime Firm. He was a Pre-War Territorial who enlisted in September 1914 aged 18 and served with “B” (Chapel-en-le-Frith) Company. Tom arrived in France with the 46th Division in February 1915 and returned to England in October 1916 suffering from sycosis. Tom was finally disembodied on the 24th February 1919.
No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
20 May: Relief completed by 4am
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
3578/241134 Pte Joseph Dale a brick maker from Matlock died of a gun shot wound received on the 23rd April during the attack on FOSSE 3 DE LIEVIN.
3314/241010 Pte William Lovell a gardener from Welwyn died of a gun shot wound received on the 23rd April during the attack on FOSSE 3 DE LIEVIN.
19.5.1917 TRENCHES: Battalion relieved by 1/5th North Staffordshire Regiment and moved back into Divisional Reserve billets at PETIT SAINS.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
17/18 May: On the night of the 17/18th a raid was attempted by the 7th Sherwood Foresters.
19 May: This was repeated on the following night. For detailed report on both nights operations see App6. Pages from WO-95-2693-1
The 139 Bde was relieved in the line by the 137 Brigade.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
18.5.1917 Trenches: The following awards made to Officers and NCO for gallantry on 23rd April Fosse 3 De Lievin.
Military Cross 2/Lt Vernon Hay Armitage
Bar to Military Cross Captain Victor Owen Robinson
DCM 240513 Sergeant Frank Longson
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
Many awards were given to our Division for the brilliant work in the last big attack and for my part in the affair I was awarded the D.C.M. That in itself was great, but was more interesting when I was to leave the Battalion and proceed to England to an Officer Cadet Battalion. The last time I left the trenches was a very trying experience. I was sure the Germans were trying to prevent me getting out in one piece, perspiration rolled down by body and face, but I made it and with a sigh of relief I reached the rear area which was considered fairly safe from enemy shelling. A couple of week’s leave at home and then the usual week at the Officer Cadet Battalion. Soon after being commissioned I was posted to the Royal Flying Corps and was serving in that Corps when the Armistice was signed.
[2305 Pte Frank Longson]
To be completed
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
May 16: No change.
May 17: On the night of the 17th/18th a raid was attempted by the 7th Sherwood Foresters. Operational Order No 115.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 