On this day 6th May 1916

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6.6.1916 PENIN: Battn marched to billets in IVERGNY.

6.6.1916 IVERGNY: 2/Lt F.W.A. STUBBS rejoined from Hospital.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

May 6th: The Brigade moved in accordance with attached copy of Operations Order 55 and billeted the night as under

  • Bde HQrs at IVERGNY
  • 6th Battn SF at IVERGNY
  • 7th Battn SF at IVERGNY
  • 8th Battn SF at REBREUVIETTE
  • Bde MG Coy at CANNOTTEMENT
  • 139/1 & 139/2 ™ Batts at CANNOTTEMENT

The Division is now on its way to join the VIIth Corps having left the XVIIth Corps.

The billets are very good and everyone will be sorry to move.

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

 

During the 1st week in May

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The following men were taken ill and/or returned to England Time Expired

Taken ill:-

  • 1588 Pte Walter Wragg a cotton operator from Little Hucklow and a Pre-War Territorial who served in “D” Company. Admitted to 1st North Midland Field Ambulance with scabies.1588 Wragg
  • 1012 Pte Edward Nightingale a coal miner from Eckington and Pre-War Territorial who served in “F” Company. Admitted to 1st North Midland Field Ambulance with scabies.
  • 2609 Pte Arthur Collier a labourer from Whaley Bridge who enlisted in October 1914. Admitted to 1st North Midland Field Ambulance with scabies.2609 collier
  • 1804 Pte Harry Bagshaw a stonemason from Matlock and a Pre-War Territorial who served with “E” Company. Admitted to 1st North Midland Field Ambulance with scabies.1804 Samuel Bagshaw1804 Bagshaw
  • 4101 Pte Alfred Allen from Old Whittington who enlisted in March 1915 and arrived in France with the 6th Reinforcement in March 1916. Admitted to 1st North Midland Field Ambulance, 30th Casualty Clearing Station and 22nd General Hospital with bronchial pneumonia. Transferred to England and discharged October 1916.4101 Allen

Time Expired:-

  • 1317 Pte William Haywood a miner from  Bolsover and Pre-War Territorial in “F” Company. Returned to England on the “SS Lydia” pending discharge due to Termination of Engagement.1317 Haywood
  • 1418 Charles Vernon Lee a cabinet maker from Chesterfield and Pre-War Territorial in “A” Company. Retuned to England pending discharge due to Termination of Engagement.1418 lee
  • 1409 Pte George Smart a miner from Clay Cross and Pre-War Territorial in “G” Company. Retuned to England pending discharge due to Termination of Engagement.1409 Smart
  • 1404 Pte John Davenport a coal miner from Bolsover and Pre-War Territorial in “F” Company. Retuned to England on “SS Copenhagen” pending discharge due to Termination of Engagement.1404 Davenport

On these days 1st – 5th May 1916

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2.5.1916 PENIN: Battn practised smoke attack with 139th Bde, (less 5th Battn) at TINQUES.

3.5.1916 PENIN: Capt V.O. Robinson to 3rd Army School of Instruction.

5.5.1916 PENIN: Lt E.M. JELLICOE & 2/Lt J.E. BARKER rejoined from 46th Divl School of Instruction.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

May 1st: Units cleaning up and training.

May 2nd: Brigade practiced an attack under a smoke cloud near TINQUES – see Operations Order X.

May 3rd: Attack (as above) was postponed today (at last minute) until tomorrow at the same hour. The attack was again practised but owing to the wind having changed the attack today was made from West to East.

May 4th: The exhibition attack under a gas cloud was carried out today. It was most successful & instructive. The smoke bombs and smoke candles gave a very efficient smoke cloud behind which the attackers came on

Two aeroplanes and a kite balloon observed our movements from above.

May 5th: Brigade preparing for move tomorrow.

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

 

On this day 30th April 1916

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Men taken sick during last week of April

1828 Pte Claude Hancock, a labourer from New Mills and a Pre-War Territorial who served with “H” Company was admitted to the North Midland Field Ambulance with scabies.1828 Hancock

1637 Pte Thomas Wheatcroft, a gas works labourer from Matlock Bath and a Pre-War Territorial in “E” Company was admitted to the North Midland Field Ambulance with scabies.1637 wheatcroft

2561 Pte George William Chadwick a plate former electrician from Bakewell who enlisted in October 1914 was admitted to the North Midland Field Ambulance with scabies. 2561 Chadwick

1490 Pte Jeremiah Thompson a miner from New Barlboro and Pre-War Territorial who served in “F” Company was admitted to the North Midland Field Ambulance with inflamed connective tissue (cellulosis) of the right knee. He was treated in the 12th Stationary and 9th General Hospitals before being transferred to England. He returned to France with the 2/6th Battalion in February 1917 and was wounded in December 1917. 1490 Thompson

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