14.9.1917 ANNEQUIN: Lieuts BE JOHNSON and ES WOOD to be Acting Captains (additional).
Brian Eccles Johnson
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
14/IX/17: Quite day. Our snipers claim to have hit a hostile sentry.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
24.8.1917: Lieut BE JOHNSON, Lt ES WOOD and 2/Lt KH BOND authorised to wear badges of Captain.
Brian Eccles Johnson and Kenneth Hills Bond
Edgar Stanley Wood transfered to the Royal Flying Corp in March 1918 and after a months training he joined No. 7 Squadron in France flying RE8 reconnaissance planes. He was wounded on the 4th May 1918 and did not return to flying duties. More information on 7 Squadron can be found here
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
6.7.1917 FREVILLERS: Capt J TOLSON proceeded on 1 month’s leave. Lieut BE JOHNSON proceeded on short leave. 2/Lieut KH BOND assumed Command of Letter “B” Company.
Joseph Tolson and Brian Eccles Johnson
1/6th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
28.12.1916 SOUASTRE: Capt CVHC BLACKWALL to 2nd in Command Divisional School. Lieut BE JOHNSON rejoined from leave.
Charles Henry Cheetham Blackwall
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
After an intense bombardment commencing 3 am the enemy attempted a raid in strength on our centre and left sectors. A few Germans entered our trenches in two places but were immediately ejected.
2/Lt J Barnes was seriously wounded by a bomb thrown by a German on our parapet whom he was firing at with his revolver, he died in the evening in the 1st North Midland Field Ambulance.
Our casualties were 2 killed, 4 wounded and 2 missing. Our trenches were badly damaged by the heavy bombardment.
1/7th Battalion War Diary [WO/95/2694]
28th 3am: Enemy artillery & trench mortars opened a very heavy bombardment of our line, particularly on the Communication Trenches & Support line on the left Sub-Sector. After about forty five minutes intense bombardment a party of the enemy estimated at 40 strong commenced to enter our trenches. between Leicester Lane & the Gommecourt Road.
They were apparently held of by the wire and retired on being fired on by Lewis Guns. One or more of the enemy entered entered our front line at the top of Lincoln Lane but were immediately driven out.
A patrol of 3 men also entered our left Companies trench but retired almost immediately.
The casualties were:-
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
9.12.1916 SOUASTRE: Lieut BE JOHNSON proceeded on leave.
War Diary [WO/95/2694]
9th: Gommecourt Wood shelled during the morning by 77mm & our left sector shelled by light trench mortars.
139 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters War Diary [WO95/2692]
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 