1st Trench duty 7-12 April 1915

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Casualties 1 Officer Lieutenant I Davies slightly wounded (at duty).

5 N.C.O.s and men killed 8 wounded.

4 being killed & 1 wounded by one H.E. shell (‘C’ Company) in one garrison of 1 Sergt / Sergt Dakin & 12 men – Sergt Dakin reported in for coolness.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

The shell fell on 9 Platoon of “C” Company comprising Sergeant 570 George Dakin and 12 men; killing four men outright and wounding one other. The men killed were:-

  • 1592 Pte. Walter Blake aged 20 and a corset worker from Ashbourne who enlisted in March 1912.
  • 1457 Pte. Frederick Bull aged 26 and a photographer from Ashbourne who enlisted in June 1911.
  • 1814 Pte. Albert Harry Harrison aged 19 and a gas fitter from Ashbourne who enlisted in March 1913.
  • 2717 Pte. Percy Madin aged 23 and a bricklayer from Cross Street in Brampton who enlisted on 14th October 1914.

9th April Grave

For a full account of this trench duty please see the main site here.

On this day 7th April 1915

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Kemmel 7.4.15: The Battalion took over G & H trenches from the 8th Battalion. The two battalions working in paris and remained in trenches four days.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

Kemmel map

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On APRIL 7th we went in the trenches for our first real experience, and very quiet it was compared with other parts of the line.

[1415 Cpl. Alfred Afford]

7th April 1915. We were having one or two inspections and preparing for the trenches all day for at night we are to relieve the 8th out of the trenches. Stretcher bearers had their rifles and ammunition taken off them. At 7-45 we fell in to go to the trenches at Kemmel. We marched to Kemmel which is about four miles from Locre. From Kemmel we marched to the trenches by platoon. Here there is about 2,000 yards of open country which is swept by fire all night long. As you march along you come to Jack Johnson holes in the road which would easily bury two or three horses, first one then another tumbling in them with it being so dark. When the star shells go up, which are very bright, everybody has to lie down wherever they are. We took H2, 3 and 4 trench. We were very lucky to get up without casualties. On our left are the Royal Scots. On the right were C Company of our Battalion, A Company being in reserve. All the men were put to their posts and then they began to find their dugouts which were not very good.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Apr 7th. Bayonet practice in morning. Set off to trenches at 7-30 p.m. to Kemmel. Very risky had to cross open country for about ¾ mile. (1st time).

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

Kemmel G H trenchesKemmel H trenchesKemmel Trenches

Thank you for visiting

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99 years ago the 6th Sherwood Foresters were about to hold the front line trenches, on their own, for the first time.

I thought it would be a good time to do some general ‘housekeeping’. Thank you all for visiting and either emailing me directly or posting comments – all gratefully accepted.

The site has nearly received up to 5000 views which is tremendous!

For many of the photos that I have uploaded (at least the pre-War Camps) I have the original postcards so please feel free to download them and use as you wish. If you want a higher resolution version then please email me.

I’m probably breaking some copyright laws by uploading images of the Medal Index Cards, Army Service Records and Officer’s Records – but I believe that these should belong to, and be shared by, the Nation.

I’ve been busy uploading content and some of the pages are still ‘work in progress’. I will add legends and review the text when I get the chance – so please forgive any mistakes.

cheers

MikeStats

 

On this day 6th April 1915

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

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On Easter Monday APRIL 6th our platoon went up to the trenches on fatigue from 6.30 p.m. [to] 1.a.m. on Tuesday morning with our 8th Battalion, and we were under very heavy rifle fire. Before we could get to the first line of trenches we had to go over 1200 yds of open ground, the Germans kept sending up starlight’s and it was on this open ground where the Germans spotted us, they sent a volley or two.

Church

All round this place there are churches and all kinds of other buildings burnt and blown down. This place is called Kemmel.

[1415 Cpl. Alfred Afford]

6th April 1915. Nothing else but inspections all day. In the morning we had a look through.the windmill while it was working. Rained very hard at night.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Apr 6th. Rose about 9 a.m. Boot inspn & bayonet practice. Dull day.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

On this day 5th April 1915

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Locre 5.4.15: The Battalion with the 5th Battalion marched to billets.

War Diary [WO/95/2694].

On APRIL 5th we marched off again to a place called Locre in Belgium, a distance of 5½ miles, we are within range of the Germans big guns.

[1415 Cpl. Alfred Afford]

 5th April 1915. We left Bailleul at 9-30 a.m. for Locre which is just behind the firing line. On our march we saw a New Mills man who is in the Royal Engineers. While in Bailleul we saw two or three that we knew who were in the Cheshires. On our way we passed an aerodrome. We got to our billets on the top of a hill near a windmill. We could see for miles around. We could see Ypres in the distance.

Mount Kemmel 2

It was a pretty sight to see the country round and it seemed a pity that it should be devastated by war. At night as you stood on the hilltop you could see our artillery firing and you could see the shells bursting over the German trenches. You could also see the Germans firing from just beneath their observation tower. It was a pretty sight to see the German star shells bursting over our trenches.

**Royal Garrison Artillery was quite near us. Just behind there is a 15 inch naval gun which has done a great deal of damage.

C and D Company went out on fatigues to our trenches, not a very pleasant experience. The 8th Battalion went in Saturday night and have lost so far – one killed and four wounded. Rained very hard all night. Our billet was a loft on the top of a pigsty, not a very pleasant smell. You could see the sky through the roof and there were holes in the floor.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Apr 5th. Moved on again to Locre (Belgium). On fatigue at trenches at night, & got back about 1 a.m. Tuesday. Risky job.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

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15how375

**It’s most likely that George Bagshaw meant a battery of the Royal Marine Artillery, which were equipped with 15-inch howitzers.

On this day 4th April 1915

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Bailleul Easter Day 4.4.15: Service & Church parade

War Diary [WO/95/2694].

4th April 1915. EASTER SUNDAY I had one of the best breakfasts that I have had in France – eggs and bacon. After breakfast saw them bring two spies in, also saw wounded coming in. Church parade.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Apr 4th. Easter Sunday. Went to Communion 8-30 a.m. in a hall. Matins 11.a.m. Band played in market place in afternoon. Went in cemetery in evening & saw graves of men died of wounds.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

Bailleul

On this day 3rd April 1915

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Bailleul 3/4/15: The Battalion with 5th Battalion marched to billets here.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

On APRIL 3rd we marched two miles further on towards the firing line to a place called Bailleul.

[1415 Cpl. Alfred Afford]

3rd April 1915. Left Outresteen after one or two inspections at 2 o’clock and marched to Bailleul. Arrived about 3-30. First time we had been billeted in a town. Rather a dirty place. We saw a number of prisoners being taken under escort to Havre. Had a walk round the town at night. Went in the church. One of the most beautiful Churches I have been in. Our billet was in a warehouse – Rue de Jardine

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Apr 3rd. Kit inspn 10 a.m. Set off at 1-30 to Bailleul. Billeted in a large school. Parcel from home arrived.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

On this day 2nd April 1915

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Outersteene Good Friday 2/4/15: The Battalion with the 5th Battalion marched to billets here from NEUF BERQUIN (DOULLEU COMMUNE).

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

On APRIL 2nd we marched 8 miles to a place called Outtersteene and there billeted, we are expecting another move.

[1415 Cpl. Alfred Afford]

2nd April 1915. GOOD FRIDAY Church parade at 8-40 a.m. Early dinner. Moved at 12-30. Marched four miles to Outresteen back to our old billet, the woman pleased to see us back. Stayed there all night, empty house, very comfortable.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Apr 2nd. Good Friday service at 8-30 a.m. in field. Set off at 12-30 (I rode) to Outersteene (4 miles). Billeted in an empty house there. Grand day again. Very warm marching.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

On this day 1st April 1915

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April 1915

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

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Air raid on Neuf Berquin on APRIL 1st by 3 German aeroplanes, one dropped 2 bombs on our Battalions water carts whilst they were being filled, but did not explode.

[1415 Cpl. Alfred Afford]

1st April 1915. Battalion went out on tactical exercises, stretcher bearers with them. In the afternoon B Company went to fill the brigade trenches ready for moving. Attached to North Midland Division in future.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Apr 1st. Sham fight. Hottest day yet this year (off with bad feet 30th Mar to 1st Apr).

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

On this day 31st March 1915

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

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31st March 1915. Battalion on tactical exercise. Lecture on first aid. Every day this week aeroplanes being shelled.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Mar 31st. Practicing defending trenches. Opposite to previous day.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]