Tag Archives: ACQ

On this Day 22nd March 1916

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22.3.1916 TRENCHES: Bn relieved by 5th SHERWOOD FORESTERS in trenches and marched into Billets & Hutments at ACQ. 12 days tour

Casualties during tour of duty:-

KILLED OR 3

DIED OF WOUNDS OR 1

WOUNDED OR 11

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

22nd: The Z 46th  medium trench mortar battery went up to the trenches with 2 guns. Weather broken down and raining again – makes work much harder.

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

 Trench foot 

The cold winter weather also caused an increase in the number of men reporting to the North Midland Field Ambulance with cases of trench foot.2011 Clowes

Amongst these men were:-

  • 1425 Pte Ernest Swift, a pipe moulder from Brimington and a Pre-War Territorial with “F” Company.
  • 1626 Pte Leonard Bagshaw, a miner from Clowne and a Pre-War Territorial with “F” Company.
  • 2011 Pte William Clowes, an engine cleaner from Buxton and a Pre-War Territorial with “C” Company.
  • 2114 Pte Samuel Barker, a labourer from Ashbourne and a Pre-War Territorial with “C” Company.
  • 2049 Pte Frederick Ernest Whitehead, a miller’s labourer from Rowsley and a Pre-War Territorial with “D” Company.

On these days 17th – 19th March 1916

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

17th: Drafts averaging about 120 arrived for each Battalion. Our guns fired on the German communication trenches this evening. There was little or no retaliation. The weather is now warm and dry which is making a great difference to our trenches.

18th: The enemy shelled the Railway Station this morning doing no damage.

The trench line was re-adjusted this evening (see copy of Operation Order 51, attached). The 5th Battn S.F. were pulled out and the 6th & 7th Battn Sherwood Foresters extended inwards to join. 2 Companies of the 2nd Batt R.I.R moved up to the CHEMIN DE CARRIERS. The 5th Batt Sherwood Foresters on relief moved to ACQ, and went into DIVISIONAL RESERVE.

Good progress has been made with the trenches and GUERIN is now a respectable defensive line.

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

3140 Pte George Taylor was killed in action and buried in Mont St Eloi.

3140 Taylor

 

On these days 1st – 5th March 1916

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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]139 Brigade signature

 Taken sick during the time were:-

  • 2192 Pte Leonard Allen, a collier from Clay Cross and Pre-War Territorial that served with “G” Company. Leonard arrived in France in August 1915 and joined the 1/6th Battalion ‘in the field’ on the 24th August. He was treated for scabies at the 1st North Midland Field Ambulance and was discharged to duty. Leonard was killed in action on the 1st July 1916.2192 Allen
  • 1449 Pte Frank Allen, a farm labourer and Pre-War Territorial from Matlock. Frank arrived in France with the 46th Division in February 1915 and was treated for scabies in the 1st North Midland Field Ambulance. 2192 Allen
  • 2905 RSM Edward Pullen, a Pre-War Regular Soldier from Somerset suffered from influenza.
  • 2415 Pte Stephen Mann from Staveley who arrived in France with the 46th Division in February 1915 and was treated for rheumatism in the 1st North Midland Field Ambulance and 1st General Hospital in Etretat. He was transferred to England but returned to France with 22nd Reinforcement in September 1916. 2415 Mann