Category Archives: On this day

On this day 19th September 1916

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No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694]

Septr 19: Lecture on moral by Major Fuller

[Lieutenant Josiah Taylor]

large minenwerfer19th: A dozen rounds fired by a heavy Minenwerfer into the right sector. Operation carried out by 5th & 7th Battalions. Both parties of the 5th Battalion cut the enemies wire successfully but were unable to get through the remaining strands. The 7th Battalion patrols bombed their objective – two men being wounded.

The 139 Trench Mortar Battery carried out their programme well.

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

1/5th Battalion Raid

19 September 1916 raidParties under Lieut W DOUGLASS and 2/Lieut JC HUTCHINSON attempted to blow gaps in enemy’s wire at X.1.d.50.50. and X.2.c.15.60. with tubes of ammonal 24′ long and afterwards raid enemy saps at points X.1.d.54.52. and X.2.c.20.70.

Lieut W DOUGLAS’s party were unable to get through the wire after successfully exploding the tube.

2/Lieut JC HUTCHINSON’s party successfully exploded the tube but were unable to enter the enemy sap.

1/5th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2695]

The 1/7th Battalion Raid

Three bombing parties (patrols) in charge of 2/Lts METCALFE, BARNES and WIGHTMAN went out with the object of bombing enemy saps to distract attention of the enemy from operations of the 5th Sherwood Foresters and 137th Brigade on our right. They successfully bombed the enemy saps & returned safely. Two of our men were slightly wounded.

1/7th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694] 

On this day 18th September 1916

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18.9.1916 BAILLEULVAL: CAPT R SAXBY took over Command of the Battalion during the absence of LIEUT COLONEL G.D. GOODMAN C.M.G. on short leave.Saxby 1909-15

Captain Reginald Saxby

18.9.1916: 2/Lt WB DAVIES died in Hospital.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

Septr 18: Opening address by Commandant. Lecture on discipline by Major Fuller GSO2.

[Lieutenant Josiah Taylor]

18th: Enemy fired a few Trench Mortars bombs into into our left sector. A very wet day.

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

William Bryan Davies

2/Lt William Bryan Davies died in Hospital on 17th September; he had only joined the Battalion two months earlier on the 18th August. Although there is no mention in the War Diary or Battalion History as to why he was in Hospital, the 1/6th Officer’s Role sadly states “suicide”.

avesnes

Davies WB granveWilliam was 35 years old and the son of Thomas and Mary Davies of Welshpool in Montgomeryshire. He is now buried in AVESNES-LE-COMTE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, which was near the VI Corps Headquarters and the site of several Casualty Clearing Stations. There is no medal index card for William, suggesting that his medals were not claimed by his grieving parents.

William was Idwal Davies' older brother.

On this day 17th September 1916

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17.9.1918 BAILLEUVAL: CAPT W SEATON & LIEUT J TAYLOR to 3rd Army School

Taylor JoshuaWar Diary [WO/95/2694]

Septr 17: Went to 3rd Army School at ———————. Cmae to a billet more like BRAINTREE. A splendid life. No responsibility, the comforts of an Officer with the duties and worries of as private.

[Lieutenant Josiah Taylor]

 

Blaireville quarry17th 1am: A patrol of the 7th Battalion located two German parties in front of BLAIRVILLE WOOD engaged them with a Lewis Gu & inflicted several casualties. 

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

On this day 16th September 1916

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16.9.1916 BAILLEUVAL: Draft of 22 other ranks arrived.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

16th: The enemy were being quite all days – making no reply to our short bombardment of the BLOCKHOUSE at 4pm.

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

On this day 15th September 1916

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15.9.1916 TRENCHES: Battalion relieved by 5th Battalion and moved back to Divisional Reserve occupying billets at BAILLEUVAL.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

Septr 15: Came out of trenches.

[Lieutenant Josiah Taylor]

15th: A quite day 5th and 7th Battalions relieved 6th & 8th in the front line.

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

On this day 12th September 1916

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No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694]

12th: MARTINETS WOOD and our left sector support line shelled during the afternoon.

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

3905 Pte John Lovett3905 Lovett

3905 Pte John Lovett a miner from Brampton who enlisted in February 1915 and arrived in France with the V Reinforcement in November 1915 was admitted to the 1/3rd North Midland Field Ambulance having received an acute kid in the abdomen from a horse. He was later transferred to the 20 Casualty Clearing Station where he died of his injuries 3 days later. He is buried in WARLINCOURT HALTE BRITISH CEMETERY.