On this day 27th March 1915

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

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27th March 1915. Battalion went for a route march. We had a lecture on first aid. In the morning we could see four aeroplanes being shelled in the distance. Rather a pretty sight to see the shells bursting over the aeroplanes. Do not know whether any damage was done. I had a bath all over at night and a clean change.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Mar 27th. 10 mile route march in morning. Pay in afternoon (10 frcs).

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

 

On this day 26th March 1915

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

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26th March 1915. Battalion went for a route march while we had lecture on ambulance, and we each drew 10 Francs.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Mar 26th. Route march about 12 miles.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

On this day 25th March 1915

NEUF BERQUIN 25.3.15. 1st Battalion marched to SAILLY.

War Diary [WO/95/2694].

25th March 1915. The battalion went out trenching. I got a pass to go down to Neuf Berquin to see the Sherwood Foresters go. Had a chat with Ges Barnes and Joe Bennett, they had many tales to tell of what they had seen. They marched of at about 4-30 with our band.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Mar 25th. Trench digging ( for bomb throwers to practice in) 9-11 a.m. 5-7 p.m.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

Note: I have not been able to identify either Ges Barnes or Joe Bennett although there are several candidates.

On this day 24th March 1915

NEO’F BERQUIN 24.3.15. 1st Battalion Commanded by MAJOR MORLEY took over our old billets. They were met by the C.O. & Band & Drums & Drums of 5th Battalion and the 6th Battalion lined the road and cheered.

War Diary [WO/95/2694].

 MARCH 24th we left our billets and marched about a mile away to some more billets to make room for our 1st Battalion, and the 4th Cameronians (Terriers).  We are still in Neuf-Barquin.

[1415 Cpl. Alfred Afford]

 24th March 1915. Reveille at 5-00 a.m. Breakfast at 6-00 a.m. Moved at 8-30 a.m. about two miles into fresh billets. Fell in at 5-00 p.m. to watch the 1st Sherwoods in, who were coming in for a rest from the trenches. It was a pathetic sight to see the soldiers coming in tired out. Ges Barnes and Joe Bennett was among them and it was a touching sight to see Ges Barnes break down in tears when he saw all his companions from Whaley Bridge. Many of the men met brothers who they hadn’t seen for years. Some of the men had beards two or three inches long. They all looked ready for a rest.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

 Mar 24th. Changed billets  again. Another  barn  about  1½  miles away. Met 1st Batt at night.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

On this day 23rd March 1915

NEO’F BERQUIN 23.3.15. Battalion moved to Billets about 1 1/2 miles further out

War Diary [WO/95/2694].

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23rd March 1915. Battalion fell in at 9-00 a.m. for field operations watched by General Gough. Stretcher bearers fell in for lecture at 11-30 a.m.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

 Mar 23rd. Practicing  skirmishing  again.  Still  off  with  bad  feet. Parcel from home arrived.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

On this day 22nd March 1915

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

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22nd March 1915. Brigade fell in at 8-30 a.m. for field operations. Stretcher bearers fell in for ambulance lectures. Lovely weather, could hear the distant boom of guns.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Mar 22nd. Practicing skirmishing in a wood. Off with bad feet again. Grand day.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

On this day 21st March 1915

NEO’F BERQUIN 21.3.15. Lt. Col. GOODMAN & Major HALL visited 1st Battalion at ROUGE CROIX when Gen. SMITH-DORRIAN addressed the Battalion.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

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Mar 21st. Service in a field at 11 a.m. Very nice day again. Band played in village 6-7 p.m.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

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1904 Pte. William Wall suffered an ear ulcer and was admitted to the 1st NMFA and 2 General Hospital. He was transferred to England by ‘HMHS Asturias’ and returned with the 7th Reinforcement in March 1916.

1904 WallHMHS_Asturias

On this day 20th May 1915

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

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20th March 1915. We were inspected by Colonel Goodman at 11 O’clock. German aeroplane drops bombs on Estaires, but is fetched down by shells. We had a Church parade, during service many aeroplanes up which were being shelled towards Estaires. Very warm day. Aeroplanes flying about all day.

 [2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Mar 20th. Inspection by Colonel. Very nice day.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

On this day 19th March 1915

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

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19th March 1915. When we got up ground covered with snow. Fell in at 8-15 a.m. I was out two hours when we had to come back because it snowed so very hard. Brigade field day. Bitter cold all day, up all night with sick man.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Mar 19th. Sham fight but cancelled owing to snowstorm. Stood by all day.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

On this day 18th March 1915

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

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18th March 1915. We had a route march of about eleven miles.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

 Mar 18th. Route march. Off with bad feet.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]