Tag Archives: SAILLY

On this day 11th March 1915

11.3.15 (Bac St. Maur): Battalion with Sherwood Foresters Brigade marched at an hour notice and billeted in factories – Remainder of N. Midland Division about SAILLY. BAND at HAZEBROUCK where they played before Sir JOHN FRENCH and the PRINCE OF WALES.

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On MARCH 11th we marched 16 miles to a place called Bac St-Maur, and there we were billeted in a mill where rope is made from hemp.  Next to the mill is a building that has been blown up by our 2nd Battalion.  It was an ammunitions store belonging to the Germans, when they were here our 2nd Battalion lost a lot of men in the canal close by.  This mill belonged to a German firm.

[1415 L/Cpl Alfred Afford]

11th March 1915. Standing by until 10-30 when we got a sudden order to move. We were going by 11-30. We marched sixteen miles through Estaires to Bac St-Maur. Here we were billeted in a weaving shed. I slept under a warping machine. At this place we were local reserves to the 1st Army Corps under General Haig a big battle going on at Neuve Chappelle.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Then marched 12 miles (Mar 11th) to Bac St Maur & stayed in a cotton or twine mill in reserve for 2 nights. (Rather cold).

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]