Tag Archives: GAUDIEMPRE

On these days 1st – 3rd March 1917

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1.3.1917 FOSSEUX: Battalion marched to HALLOY (HQ at GRENAS).

2.3.1917 HALLOY: Battalion marched to SOUSTRE and billeted in huts.

3.3.1917 SOUSTRE: Moved into billets vacated by 4th Leicester’s.

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

1st: Bde HQ Pommera

  • 5th SF move from Halloy to St Amand
  • 6th SF move from Fosseux to Halloy
  • 8th SF move from Grenas to Soustre

2nd: Bde HQs move from Pommera to Gaudiempre

  • 5th SF from St Amand to Fonquevillers under 138th Infantry Brigade
  • 6th SF from Halloy to Soustre
  • 7th SF from Pommera to Souastre

3rd: 139th relieve 138th Infantry Brigade in the line

  • 5th SF on the right K.6.C.3.2. RADFAHRER GRABEN
  • 8th SF in the centre RADFAHRER GRABEN E.28.b.7.5.
  • 7th SF on the left in HANNESCAMPS sub sector
  • 6th SF in FONQUEVILLERSRadfahrer GrabenGommecourt 1917

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

200520 Lance Corporal Ernest William Edwards of “C” Company 1/5th Battalion was killed in action aged 21 and buried in Fonquevillers. Son of Arthur Jesse and Emma Edwards of Butterley Park in Derby. At the time of his death “C” Company were attached to the 138th Brigade and were providing carrying parties for 1/5th Leicester’s.

203414 Pte Isaac Ernest Keeling of 1/5th Battalion died of multiple shrapnel wounds (Nottingham Post Notice) in the casualty clearing station at Warlincourt. The eldest son of Isaac and Charlotte Keeling of 21 Ayr St., Forest Rd., in Nottingham.203414 Keeling

On U day 23rd – 24th June 1916

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23/24.6.1916 TRENCHES: Battn continued digging advanced trench with 7th Battn finding covering party & reserve diggers. Rather heavy MG fire and shelling. Owing to the heavy rain the trench although linked up was not finished in depth.

24.6.1916: Battn marched into billets on the GAUDIEMPRE-PAS ROAD. Every man wet through & covered with mud from digging.

23.6.1916 GAUDIEMPRE: Capt CJ Wheatcroft rejoined from Base.

24.6.1916 GAUDIEMPRE: Lt TL Darbyshire rejoined from England.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

23: A very heavy thunder storm this afternoon, which completely filled all the trenches with water – just like winter again. Pumps going hard to get the water out. Work on the new forward trench was continued this evening. Owing to the state of the ground work was very much hampered.

The enemy shelled a good deal too, but we were fortunate and only sustained a few casualties viz 1 killed & 12 wounded. The trench by the morning still required a good deal of work to complete it.

24: This is “U” day. Wire cutting by our artillery commenced today in accordance with pre arranged programme (see copy of Brigade Instruction & Operations Order No 63 attached). The enemy replied with crimps on our front line trench at various places knocking in the end of ROBERTS AVENUE to some extent. Work in the trenches had to be concentrated on pumping out the trenches which are in an awful state of water & mud.

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

 

On this day 10th May 1916

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

 May 10: 5pm left BOULOGNE.

[Lieutenant Joshua Taylor]

The 8th Battn Sherwood Foresters moved into billets in BIENVILLERS-AU-BOIS. Their transport remained at GAUDIEMPRE.

The 7th Battn S.F. worked all night on the VIENNA TRENCH and cleared it all considerably.

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

Vienna Trench was a communication trench leading from BIENVILLERS-AU-BOIS to the front line just in front of Foncquevillers.

On this day 7th May 1916

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7.5.1916 IVERGNY: Battn marched into billets and huts at HUMBERCAMPS.

War Diary [WO/95/2694]

 

May 7th: The Brigade continued to march in accordance with the above OO & reached the following places.

  • Bde HQrs, 6th and 7th Battn at HUMBERCAMPS.
  • 8th Battn, MG Coy and 139/1 & 139/2 ™ Batts at GAUDIEMPRE.

It came on very wet during the march, the hour of the start for which was postponed till 1-30 pm.

There was a long halt of 3 hours near SAULTY waiting for dusk to cross the ARRAS-DOULLENS Road. All units got to their billets all right and found them roomy & sufficient.

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