On this day 18th April 1918 – an attack is expected

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Information was received at 2am that an attack was expected today N of the LA BASSEE CANAL.

  • 5th Sherwoods Foresters were ordered to move to CAMBRIN locality to act under orders of 1st Division.
  • 8th Sherwood Foresters move to SAILLY-LABOURSE locality.
  • 6th Sherwood Foresters moved from HOUCHIN to VAUDRICOURT.

Brigade is under orders to move at an hours notice, but this order is cancelled in the evening.

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

The 1/8th Battalion suffered casualties – all sons of Nottinghamshire and served overseas since 1915

269361 Pte Charles Harry Aram. Son of Mr A Aram of 2 Hall Street, Mansfield, Notts. Formerly 2206 1st Notts Yeomanry. Arrived in Egypt in April 1915 with the 2nd Mounted Division.

1622/305199 Cpl George Caudwell aged 22 Son of Edward and Susan Caudwell of 21 Bowling St., Mansfield, Notts. Arrived in France in March 1915 with the North Midland Division.

2778/305762 Pte Alfred Leader from Newark. Arrived in France in March 1915 with the North Midland Division.

On this day 15th April 1918 – John Carruthers died of wounds aged 19

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94581 John Joseph Carruthers died of wounds aged 19 at No 1 Casualty Clearing Station and buried in Chocques Military Cemetery.Son of Joseph and Ellen Carruthers of Hovingham in Malton Yorkshire. Native of Terrington.

Posted to the 3rd Battalion Sherwood Foresters on 7th September 1917 under Auth CRCC 100685/ 3.9.17. Arrived in France late 1917/early 1918 and posted to the 1/6th Sherwood Foresters.

On this day 12th April 1918

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12.4.18 PETIT SAINS: Battalion marched into huts at HOUCHIN.

1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]

12/4/18: 139th Infantry Brigade was ordered to proceed to OURTON area. This order was cancelled and we went to VAUDRICOURT area instead.

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

On this day 12th April 1918 – Frederick Gaunt died of wounds

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269889 Pte Frederick William Gaunt from Pleasley died of wounds at the 23rd Casualty Clearing station

Enlisted into the 1/8th and arrived in France in August 1915. Later transferred to the 1/7th Battalion and posted to the 1/5th Battalion on the disbandment of the Robin Hood Rifles in 1918.

On this day 11th April 1918

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11.4.18: ST EMILE SECTOR: Relieved by 58th Canadians (3rd Canadian Division) moved back to billets at PETIT SAINS.

1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]

11/4/18: Hostile artillery very active on whole SECTION throughout the day. 139th Infantry Brigade was relieved by 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade night of 11/12th and proceeded to SAINS-EN-GOHELLE area.

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

64th Trench Duty 9th – 11th April 1918

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9.4.18 ST EMILE SECTOR: Battalion relieved 1/8th Sherwood Foresters in LEFT SUBSECTOR.

9.4.18: C in C’s List No 182 Lt FS Rowland MC to A/Capt whilst Commanding a Company

Frank Skinner Rowland

1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]

9/4/18: Back areas were shelled with gas during the night. One of our patrols entered enemy trench in vicinity of NORMAN brick stacks and found dead German of 209th Infantry Regiment.

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

On this day 8th April 1918 – hostile artillery was active

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27179 Pte Charles Scholes was killed in action aged 19

Son of Charles and Sarah Ann Scholes of I The Roach in Stapleford, Nottingham.

Charles had enlisted underage into the 16th Battalion (Chatsworth Rifles)

8/9/18: Hostile artillery was active.

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

On this day 7th April 1918 – a prisoner was captured

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7/4/18: ST PIERRE back areas were heavily gas shelled during the night. A prisoner was captured while on patrol and an enemy officer killed in N13b. They belonged to 55th RIR (Normal). Gas was projected on enemy trenches opposite right subsector.

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