2278/240778 Richard Milnes, a labourer from Whaley Bridge enlisted in October 1914 and arrived in France with the 46th Division in February 1915. He served with “B” Company and was wounded on 16.7.15 at Zillebeke.
30.8.1918: Battalion relieved 5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters in the front line GORRE SECTOR.
‘A’ Coy on left, ‘B’ centre, ‘D’ right
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
30.8.1918: Quite day. Line advanced to approx Sloane Square.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
27.8.1918: Quite day. Our patrols were constantly in touch with the enemy.
28.8.1918: A good deal of heavy artillery fire on the area F4. Patrols in touch with the enemy along whole front.
29.8.1918: Artillery fire normal. At dawn our left piquet was advanced.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
25.8.18 VAUDRICOURT PARK: Battalion was inspected by GOC Division on the training ground at HESDIGNEUL. Reported stated “satisfactory”. Great pains had been taken with the turnout.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
22.8.18 VAUDRICOURT PARK: Battalion provided a working party of 500 other ranks for work on trenches in vicinity of NEWCASTLE LINE GORRE SECTOR.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
21.8.18 to 25.8.18 FOUQUIRES: Cleaning and bathing under Battalion arrangements. Training. The GOC inspected the 6th Sherwood Foresters and expressed his satisfaction. Each Battalion spent on night in the forward area digging.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
20th Aug FOUQUIRES: 2/Lieut CE WARDLE and 2/Lt JC CAIRD join the Battalion.
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
Our patrols very active.
During this tour signs of retirement on part of enemy observed and on the 18th the Division on left report the evacuation of enemy posts.
On 19th we commenced to push forward and advanced line to King Street and got around the village of LE TOURET.
8 of the enemy together with 2 machine guns were captured. Many of the enemy were killed.
1/5th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
19.8.1918: Quite day. Patrols were in touch with enemy during the day. After dusk we established a post X.8.b.55.85. At 12.10am we successfully projected 300 Gas Drums into LE TOURET. No retaliation was noticed.
20.8.1918: Quite. By 9am posts were established along King Street from Canal at X.8.b.4.5. to X.9.c.5.7.
By evening our line ran X3c, X9b, X16a, X16d, X17c approx. In touch with Brigades on flanks. Captures during the day.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
Killed at this time were….
4430/201551 Pte Frank Arthur Southam from Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Arrived in France in 1916 and only served overseas with the 1/5th Battalion.
203673 Pte Arthur Willis from Staveley.
201253 Pte Reginald Cecil Pritchett from Nottinghamshire. See here
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 