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]
On this day 26th May 1917
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Category Archives: On this day
46th Trench Duty: 25th – 31st May 1917
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.
- 8th Sherwoods on the LEFT
- 6th Sherwoods on the RIGHT
- 7th Sherwoods in SUPPORT
- 5th Sherwoods in RESERVE
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
On this Day 24th May 1917
Casualties on this day
- 3638/241149 Pte Harry Beeson a miner from Clay Cross was killed in action on this day. Harry enlisted in January 1915 and arrived in France with the 6th Reinforcement in April 1916. He was the Son of Samuel and Martha Beeson, of Thanet St. in Clay Cross and is buried in MAROC BRITISH CEMETERY.
- 4449/241518 Pte Arthur Moore who served with “B” Company was wounded on this day. Arthur enlisted in August 1915 and was discharged in December 1918. He also served with the 2/7th Battalion.
On this day 21st May 1917
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]
1729/240235 Pte Thomas Beswick and the 33rd Reinforcement
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.
On this day 20th May 1917
No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
20 May: Relief completed by 4am
- 5th SF to BUELY GRENAY
- 6th SF to SAINS EN GOHIELE
- 7th SF to FOSSE 10
- 8th SF to NOEUX LES MINES
- 139 MGC & TMB to BEULY GRENAY
- BDE HQ to BUELY GRENAY
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
Died of wounds on this day
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.
On this day 19th May 1917
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]
On this day 18th May 1917
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]
On these days 16th and 17th May 1917
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]
On this day 15th May 1917
15.5.1917 TRENCHES: Military Medal warded for following NCOs & men for gallantry on 23rd April at FOSSE 3 DE LIEVIN:-
- 1134/240076 Sgt John George RAVEY
- 3819/241233 L/Cpl Francis William HOBBS
- 3208/240951 Pte Thomas DRABBLE
- 3004/242442 Pte Leslie BEASTALL
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
May 15: No change. Quiet day.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
On this day 14th May 1917
No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
May 14: During the night the 7th Sherwood Foresters established advanced posts at N.1.a.55.90. 49.81 60.72. 45.49. These posts were consolidated and held against bombing attacks by the enemy.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 