45th Trench Duty: 6th-12th May 1917

6/5/1917 PETIT SAINS: Battalion relieved 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment in RIGHT SUBSECTOR of Left Brigade Front, East of CITE ST PIERRE. M.12.d.50.10 to N.1.c.40.35 (Ref Map 36C.SW.1)map

Our new sector was one of the worst we ever held. The front line, "A" Company (Petch), consisted of "Cooper Trench"—an exposed salient in front of Cité St. Pierre, overlooked and shelled from every direction and absolutely unapproachable during daylight, except for those who were willing to crawl. "B" and "C" Companies (Wynne and Moore) were behind in cellars, and "D" (Shields) and Battalion Headquarters still further back in the Cité. On the left could be seen the low slag heap and railway line of St. Pierre coal mine.
[1/5th Leicesters]

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

“The 6th May saw us back in trenches, relieving the 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment in the right sub-sector of the left Brigade front east of Cite St. Pierre, for the commencement of a spell which was as comfortable as most the Battalion had enjoyed. For the whole of the months of May and June the weather was glorious, the health of the Battalion was of a very high standard, and the two months spent in the various parts of the Divisional sector…..will be remembered as a happy and not too exciting period”

[1/6th Battalion History]


6th: The 139 Brigade relieve the 138 Brigade in the left (St. PIERRE) Sector.

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

On this day 1st May 1917

7704/242495 Pte Alfred Tugby died of wounds aged 20

Alfred was the son of Mrs MA Tugby of 5 Burgass Place, Carrington in Nottingham. He had originally served in the South Nottinghamshire Hussars (2275) and transferred to the 1/6th Battalion in late1916. Only served overseas with the 1/6th Sherwoods. Buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.Poppy

On these days 1st to 5th May 1917

No record in the 1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]


2nd-5th May: During this period of rest training was carried out in attack under new formations i.e. sections. Close order and ceremonial drill was practised.

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

On this day 30th April 1917

30.4.1917 ANGES: Battalion relieved by 6th South Staffords and proceeded into huts and billets at SAINS EN GOHELLE (Divisional Reserve).

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


7675/242472 Pte William Town died of wounds on this day aged 23242472 Town

The son of John and Harriett Town of Woodville. Husband of Adelaide Town of 10 Jackson Terrace, Simkin St in Nottingham.

William was sent to Ireland and in December 1916 he was drafted into the Sherwood Foresters 1/6th Battalion, C Company and sent to France on 4th January 1917. He was seriously wounded in the legs, arms and jaw on the 23rd April 1917 at Fosse 3 de Leivin and died on the 30th April 1917. My father was born 6 weeks later on the 6th June 1917.

See here

Poppy

On this day 29th April 1917

29.4.1917: Capt CVHC BLACKWALL proceeded to 1st Corps School as Instructor.

Blackwall CVHC

Charles Victor Henry Cheetham Blackwall

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


To be completed

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


3233/240966 Pte George Donald Seaston died of wounds aged 20

George was the son of Joseph and Annie Eliza Seaston of chesterfield in Derbyshire and is buried in WIMEREUX COMMUNAL CEMETERY.Poppy

On this day 26th April 1917

3380/241261 Pte William Gascoigne died of wounds

William served with “D” Company and was wounded on the 23rd April during the attack on Fosse 3 at Lievin. He was the son of Robert and Annie Gascoigne of 1 New Hall Rd in  Brampton and is buried in LILLERS COMMUNAL CEMETERY.Poppy

On this day 25th April 1917

25.4.1917: Major CB Johnson and Captain W Seaton authorised by GOC Division to wear Badges of rank of LIEUT COL & MAJOR respectively, pending announcement in LONDON GAZETTE.

Johnson Seaton

25.4.1917 MARQUEPPLES FERME: Battalion Marched to ANGRES and Relieved 8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters in Brigade Reserve. HQ at RED MILL.red mills

Red Mill, Lens 1917

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


To be completed

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

On this day 23rd April 1917

23.4.1917 LIEVIN: The Battalion attacked FOSSE 3 De LIEVIN see report attached.

See here for full account of the action.Fosse 3 arial

Casualties in this action:-

OfficersBrown CA

Cecil Arthur Brown (1893-1917)

  • Wounded & missing Lt Cecil Arthur Brown
  • Wounded Capt Evelyn Brownlow Johnson, 2/Lts Vernon Hay Armitage, Bertram Noel Parker, Walter Archer, Kenneth Hills Bond (at duty)

Other Ranks

  • Killed 21.
  • Wounded 71 with 5 at duty. The names of 40 wounded man are known.
  • Missing 3.

23.4.1917 LIEVIN: The Battalion by 5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters and marched into billets at MARQUEFFLES FERME (Divisional Reserve).

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


To be completed

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

A break from the diary…….

I’ve managed to acquire three year books for the 2nd Volunteer Battalion and the 6th Battalion from 1907, 1908 and 1909.Year Book

A fascinating source on information to share……

These year books belonged to George Holmes from Whaley Bridge, who enlisted into the 2nd Volunteer Battalion in February 1883 and was given the Regimental number 1315 and served with “H” Company.

Holmes

George Holmes in 1909

On this day 22nd April 1917

22.4.1917 PETIT SAINS: 2/Lt VTG HORE rejoined Battalion from Heavy Branch MGC.Hore

Victor Thomas George Hore

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


To be completed

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


7640/244437 Pte Francis Thompson was killed in actionArras Memorial


4096/241353 Pte James McCormack and 241513 Pte Ernest Aaron Elvidge were both wounded in action

241363 mcCormack