Category Archives: On this day

On this day 12th April 1918

12.4.18 PETIT SAINS: Battalion marched into huts at HOUCHIN.

1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]


12/4/18: 139th Infantry Brigade was ordered to proceed to OURTON area. This order was cancelled and we went to VAUDRICOURT area instead.

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]

On this day 12th April 1918 – Frederick Gaunt died of wounds

269889 Pte Frederick William Gaunt from Pleasley died of wounds at the 23rd Casualty Clearing station

Enlisted into the 1/8th and arrived in France in August 1915. Later transferred to the 1/7th Battalion and posted to the 1/5th Battalion on the disbandment of the Robin Hood Rifles in 1918.

On this day 11th April 1918

11.4.18: ST EMILE SECTOR: Relieved by 58th Canadians (3rd Canadian Division) moved back to billets at PETIT SAINS.

1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]


11/4/18: Hostile artillery very active on whole SECTION throughout the day. 139th Infantry Brigade was relieved by 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade night of 11/12th and proceeded to SAINS-EN-GOHELLE area.

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]

On this day 8th April 1918 – hostile artillery was active

27179 Pte Charles Scholes was killed in action aged 19

Son of Charles and Sarah Ann Scholes of I The Roach in Stapleford, Nottingham.

Charles had enlisted underage into the 16th Battalion (Chatsworth Rifles)


8/9/18: Hostile artillery was active.

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]

On this day 7th April 1918 – a prisoner was captured

7/4/18: ST PIERRE back areas were heavily gas shelled during the night. A prisoner was captured while on patrol and an enemy officer killed in N13b. They belonged to 55th RIR (Normal). Gas was projected on enemy trenches opposite right subsector.

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]

On this day 6th April 1918

70151 Pte Richard Parcell from Herford was killed in action


5/4/18: Hostile artillery active on Its. Our heavy artillery bombarded enemy’s front system during the morning doing considerable damage. Our snipers hit an enemy sentry. Reserve line and Its were heavily shelled during the evening.

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]

On this day 5th April 1918

5.4.18: Battalion relieved by 1/5th Sherwood Foresters and moved into Brigade Support in Cite St Pierre

1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]


5/4/18: Hostile artillery carried out scattered harassing fire on back areas during the day. It was suspected that 18 pounder shrapnel was being used.

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]

On this day 4th April 1918

No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]


4/4/18: Artillery and TMs only showed slight activity. We had 6 patrols out during the night, one of which encountered the enemy, but did not secure identification.

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]

On this day 3rd April 1918 – our snipers claim 2 hits

3.4.18: Lt. Col. BW VANN rejoined from leave and resumed Command of Battalion

1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]


3/4/18: Hostile artillery very active in harassing line during night and early morning. Our snipers claim 2 hits.

139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]