No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
No record in the 139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
On this day 21st December 1916
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On this day 20th December 1916
No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
Men wounded on this day were:-
2655 Pte Edwin Moyns who was serving with “B” Company. A coal miner from Worksop he had previously served with the 1/8th Battalion and returned to France with the 26th Reinforcement. Originally enlisted in April 1908 and had previously served with the 4th Volunteer Battalion (1904-1908). Eventually discharged and awarded a Silver War Badge.
4096 Pte James McCormack who was serving with “C Company. A collier from Wards Yard in Chesterfield who enlisted into the 3/6th Battalion in March 1915 and arrived in France with the IV Reinforcement in October 1915. James had a poor disciplinary record and was tried by a Field General Courts Martial in November 1916 and sentenced to 2 years imprisonment for offering violence to his superior Officer whilst drunk. This sentence was later commuted to 3 months; never-the-less he is recored as wounded on the 20th December 1916. James would also be wounded on the 22nd April 1917 during the attack on Fosse 3 de Lievin, transferred to England and discharged in December 1917.
4046 Pte Frederick Woodward who was serving with “A” Company. Enlisted in March 1915 and arrived in France in 1916. Later served with the Labour Corps and was awarded a Silver War Badge.
20th: Our trenches near Gommecourt Road heavily shelled for 3 minutes at 6pm & 11pm.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
On this day 19th December 1916
No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
In trenches – during enemy raid on trenches of our left Battalion (7th Sherwood Foresters) on 19th he heavily bombarded our Battalion front for about 2 hours commencing at 8.30 pm causing considerable damage to our trenches and inflicting 5 casualties
1/5th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
Amongst the casualties was 6018 Pte Harry Edge.
No record
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
On this day 18th December 1916
18.12.1916 TRENCHES: Battalion relieved by 5th Battalion and marched into Brigade Support billets.
- Two Companies & Headquarters moving to SOUASTRE.
- Two Companies staying in FONQUEVILLERS.
Battalion finding fatigue parties during Brigade Support.
Casualties during the Tour – 4 other ranks wounded:-
- 1913 Pte Alfred McIntye serving with “D” Company and wounded on the 13th December. A bleacher from Bakewell who enlisted in May 1913 aged 17 and arrived in France in February 1915. Qualified as a Lewis Gunner
- 4483 Pte Joshua Smith Snowden serving with “A Company and wounded on the 16th December. Enlisted in August 1915 and arrived in France in 1916. Discharged and awarded the Silver War Medal.
- 4381 Pte William Holmes serving with “C” Company and wounded on the 16th December. A brick maker from Youlgreave who enlisted in June 1915 and arrived in France with the 17th Reinforcement in August 1916. Qualified as a Signaller.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
Sherwood Foresters Battalion H.Q. The Brasserie, Fonquevillers, March 1917. Showing Strombos horn and shell case gas alarms. Imperial War Museum © IWM (Q 4919).
18th: Centre Company of left sub sector heavily trench mortared during the afternoon to which our mortars replied. 5th and 7th Battalions take over front line trenches.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
On this day 17th December 1916
No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
17th: Light trench mortars fired by both sides during the day. A small path of Germans dispersed by our Lewis Gun near the Gommecourt Road in the afternoon.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
On this day 16th December 1916
No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
16th: Our left sub sector shelled with trench mortars during the afternoon and about 60 rifle grenades and light bombs fell near the Gommecourt Road to which our mortars replied.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
On this day 15th December 1916
15.12.1916 TRENCHES: Lieut HW HIGHAM rejoined from 3rd Army School.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
15th: Enemy mortars of all sizes active – our TMs replying effectively.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
On this day 14th December 1916
14.12.1916 TRENCHES: Lieut DS FOX to Brigade School as Lewis Gun Instructor.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
14th: German artillery again active. Trenches have become very wet after several days of rain.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
On this day 13th December 1916
13.12.1916 TRENCHES: LIEUT DS FOX rejoined from leave.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
13th: Centre Company of left Battalion heavily trench mortared during the morning. Fonquevillers shelled during the night.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
37th Trench Duty 12th – 18th December 1916
12.12.1916 SOUASTRE: Battalion relieved 5th Battalion in RIGHT SECTOR (X1 Sub Sector) trenches (GOMMECOURT). Disposition of Battalion as under:-
- Letter “C” Company LEFT Sub-Sector
- Letter “B” Company CENTRE Sub-Sector
- Letter “A” Company RIGHT Sub-Sector
- BLUFF Letter “D” Company
- Headquarters THORPE STREET
Relief completed by 12.30 pm.
2/Lieut. FW HIPKINS to Divisional School.
The Bluff: "On the evening of the 4th June we moved up through Foncquevillers, and relieved the 5th Sherwood Foresters in the right sector, opposite Gommecourt Park. A road and bank, running parallel with the front line, and about 100 yards behind it, provided Battalion Headquarters. Behind this again, the "Bluff," a steep bank, gave the support Company a good home". The Fifth Leicestershire, A record of the 1/5th Battalion the Leicestershire Regiment, T.F., during the War, 1914-1919
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
Communication Trenches and Centre and Left Sector front lines in a very bad state, in place knee deep in mud and water.
1/7th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
12th: Enemy Trench Mortar action against our left Battalion during the night. 6th & 8th Battalions relieved 5th & 7th in the front line, the later returning to Divisional Reserve.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 