No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694]
15th: The enemy shelled MONT ST ELOY today and knocked the North part of the town pretty well about – there were few casualties however.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
13.3.1916 MONY ST ELOY: Capts TOLSON and JACKSON rejoined Battn from 3rd Army School.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
703 Pte Joseph Edge, a bricklayer from Cl;ay Cross suffered from rheumatism but returned to duty after treatment in the North Midland Field Ambulance.
14.3.1916 MONT ST ELOY: Capt C.J. WHEATCROFT proceeded to CENTRAL TRAINING SCHOOL, ROUEN and Capt E.M. BROOK-TAYLOR took over Command & payment of Lt “C” Company.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694]
12th: The enemy attacked the French on our immediate right after springing 2 mines. The 6th Battn Sherwood Foresters on our right sector cam in for a considerable amount of shelling & trench mortaring suffering some 14 casualties.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
For more details see here.
The men killed were:-
Amongst the wounded were:-
No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694]
11th to 14th: Battalions working on their trenches trying to get them in order.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
10.3.1916 Mont St Eloy: Battn proceeded to trenches and relieved the 125th Regiment Lt.-Col. MADELIN (French Army) in the RIGHT SECTOR (opposite LA FOLIE FARM).
Flanks:- 50th French Regt on right, 5th Battn SHERWOOD FORESTERS on left.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
For the full story please see here and here.
We took up trench life again and relieved a French regiment on the left of Arras.
[2305 Pte Frank Longson]
The relief of the 152nd French Division was completed tonight – the 6th Battalion S.F. relieving the right sector and the 8th Battn S.F. going into Support. The whole relief was complete by 12.30 AM without a hitch.
The French did all in their power to help us and were only too willing to assist us in every way the could. The impression gained by our own intercourse with the French is that their organisation & office work is very good. The morale of their Officers and men high.
As regards their trenches – their main Communication Trenches are excellent – very well kept and all boarded. Their main lines are fair with considerable good dug out accommodation, but the nearer the front you go, the worse things become.
The fire and support trenches have neither fire steps nor traverses. The parapets are either too low or feet too high and it is quite impossible to fire out of them – besides the parapets are not bullet proof.
There are very few communication trenches connecting the fire and support trenches. It is no citable that the French have very few sandbags and seem to get on quite well without them.
The Mining Operations on the front taken over is still being worked by the French miners and the labour for carrying etc furnished by the 8th Batt. Sherwood Foresters in support.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
8.3.1916 IVERGNY: Battn moved into Billets at MAIZIERES.
9.3.1916 MAIZIERES: Battn moved into Billets at MONT ST ELOY.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
The Units of the Brigade moved in accordance with O.O.47. Units rested for the night as under:-
The above marches were well done and very few men fell out. The Brigadier General Commanding the Bde and Brigade Major visited the Sector trenches to be taken over from the 152nd French Division.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
7.3.1916 INVERGNY: SHROVE TUESDAY football in village. Football presented by Ashbourne Committee. 1st goal by Private Robinson of “C” Company.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
7th: Brigade did not move.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
For a history of the Royal Shrovetide Football see here.
6.3.1916 BEAUVAL: Battn moved into billets at IVERGNY.
6.3.1916 IVERGNY: Lt V.T.G. Hore rejoined from Transport Course at HAVRE.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
It was a very difficult route march as there was snow on the ground, and a hard frost the previous night had made the roads very slippery in the early part of the march.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
No record in the War Diary [WO/95/2694]
4.3.1916: Brig.-General Commanding the Brigade, Brigade Major, Staff Captain, Brigade Grenade Officer and Brigade Signalling Officers proceeded by bus to ACQ and Mont St. Eloy to reconnoitre Headquarters and line to be taken over from the 152nd French Division – Very bad day – snowing all the time and bus ditched itself – did not arrive at the French Headquarters till 2-30 p.m., and it was therefore an unsatisfactory day as time was so short – arrived back at 9 p.m.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 