Category Archives: On this day

On this day 29th April 1916

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29.4.1916 MAROEUIL: Battn relieved by 4th LINCS who took over mining fatigues. Battn marched to PENIN and took over billets vacated by 5th LINCS. Lt.-Col.- GOODMAN to temporary Command of 139th Infantry Brigade, during absence on leave of BRIG-GEN C.T. SHIPLEY C.B.

Hall EMajor Hall to temporary Command of Battn.

During the month 416 steel helmets were issued to the Battn.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

Units moved today in accordance with instructions contained in Operations Order 54 & Units are now situated as follows:-

  • Brigade HQrs at PENIN
  • 5th Battn at 3rd Army School (AUXI LE CHATEAU)
  • 6th Battn at PENIN
  • 7th Battn (HQrs & 2 Coys) at DOFFINE
  • 7th Battn (2 COys) at PENIN
  • 8th Battn at AVERDOINGT
  • M.G. Coy at AVERDOINGT
  • 139/1 & 139/2 T.M. Batteries at AVERDOINGT

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

 

On this day 28th April 1916

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1359 Pte William Robert Smith

Died at home at the age of 29

William was a Pre-War Territorial who enlisted in March 1911 and served with “A” Company. He arrived in France in February 1915 and was wounded on the 21st May and presumably returned to England some time soon after.

[The War Diary records that 7 men were wounded during that trench duty]

In the 1911 Census Robert is recorded as a coal miner (fitter) and living with his parents Robert and Mary at 112 Chester Street in Brampton. He is buried in Chesterfield Spital Cemetery.

WIlliam’s name is not recorded in “Soldiers Died in the Great War”.1359 smith

On this day 22nd-24th April 1916

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19.4.1916 to 29.4.1916 (inclusive): Battn provided mining fatigues on 51st (HIGHLAND) DIVISIONAL front for 181 & 185 Companies Royal Engineers & 7/1 FRENCH GENIE (latter on 25th Divisional Front).

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

2547 Pte Harry Robinson a 24 year old railway Clerk from Cromford via Matlock, who enlisted in October 1914, returned to England. He was discharged on the 5th May 1916 as Time Expired.2547 Robinson

2768 Pte Arthur Edward Dovinson a 21 year old coal miner from Grassmoor, who enlisted in October 1914, was admitted to the 1/2nd North Midland Field ambulance with scabies. He was discharged to duty on the 29th April 1916.2768 Dovinson 1

3638 Pte Harry Beeson, a 22 year old coal miner from Clay Cross, who enlisted in January 1915, was admitted to the 30 Casualty Clearing Station with myalgia (muscle pain).  After treatment in base hospital and rest in the Convalescent Depot he rejoined the Battalion in June 1916. Harry was later killed in action in May 1917.3638 beeson

On this day 20th April 1916

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19.4.1916 to 29.4.1916 (inclusive): Battn provided mining fatigues on 51st (HIGHLAND) DIVISIONAL front for 181 & 185 Companies Royal Engineers & 7/1 FRENCH GENIE (latter on 25th Divisional Front).

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

Another wet & wretched day. The trenches are going back.

The 7th Brigade relieved us in the trench line this evening (See OO No. 52 attached).

The 8th Battn LOYAL NORTH LANCS relieved the 5th Battn Sherwood Foresters in the RIGHT SECTOR, and the 10th CHESHIRES the 8th Battalion SF in the LEFT SECTOR.

Owing to a mine being put up by the Germans on the front of the Brigade on our left, there was considerable shelling on our front, which delayed the relief. Relief was not completed till 1.40 a.m.

On relief Units moved to places as under:-

  • Brigade HQrs in SAVY
  • 5th Battn SF in BRAY and BOIS DES ALLEUX
  • 8th Battn SF in TINQUES  and BERTHENCOURT
  • Bde M Gun Coy in BERTHENCOURT
  • 139/1 T.M. Battery in BERTHENCOURT

It was fortunate the enemy did not explode a mine on our front during the relief.

During the period we have been holding this bit of line (from the night 9th/10th March), our casualties have been as follows:-1916 April Casualties 139 Bde

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

On this day 19th April 1916

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19.4.1916 ACQ: Battn moved into billets as follows:-

  • Battn HQ C & D Coys & details MAROEUIL (Billets)
  • Lt B Coy & 1/2 A Coy ANZIN (Dug-outs)
  • 1/2 A Coy ROCLINCOURT (Dug-outs)

And relieved 3rd WORCESTER REGT. who took over Huts and Billets at ACQ.

1916 rear areas eloi

19.4.1916 to 29.4.1916 (inclusive): Battn provided mining fatigues on 51st (HIGHLAND) DIVISIONAL front for 181 & 185 Companies Royal Engineers & 7/1 FRENCH GENIE (latter on 25th Divisional Front).

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

The 6th Battn S.F. relieved the 3rd Battn Worcester Regt at MAROUIL & took over the duties of mining fatigue on the 51st Divisional Front.

The 7th Battn S.F. relieved the 1st Battn Wiltshire Regt on the ROUTE DE BUTHUNE & took over the mining fatigues on the 46th Divisional Front.

The weather continues to be extremely bad & the trenches are going back. Work was continued on the BROADMARSH CRATER improving the look out posts on the lip.

It was found quite impossible to complete the trench round the base of the Crater, as the mud there was knee deep & sticky to the spade.

A mine was exploded at 10.30 p.m. on the 138th front, which was the cause of considerable shelling on the front for some little time. afterwards; particular attention being paid to BOYAU CENTRAL.

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