Tag Archives: Sherwood Foresters Brigade

On this day 13th March 1915

Leave a reply

On MARCH 13th we marched 9 miles to a place called Neuf-Barquin, and there we were billeted in a barn. Here they have split our Division up, the Sherwood Foresters Brigade is attached to General Cough’s Cavalry Division.  We have been near the firing line all the time we have been in France, the Germans occupied this place on March 9th and they have been driven back 12 miles.  While we are here we have a route march everyday, from 12 to 15 miles.

[1415 L/Cpl Alfred Afford]

13th March 1915. Standing by till 2 o’clock when we got orders to move. Marched about eight miles to Neuf Berquin. Marched past General Gough on our way. Slept in an outhouse all night. Very comfortable.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

Mar 13th. Marched to Neuf Berquin. Billeted in a house till 3 p.m.

[3289 Pte George William Beardsley]

On this day 12th March 1915

Leave a reply

12.3.15 (Bac St. Maur): SHERWOOD FORESTERS Brigade detached to II CAVALRY DIVISION under Major Gen. Gough.

————————————

12th March 1915: We were standing by all day. At night we could see an artillery duel in the distance. Part of the mill here has been used as an ammunition stores by the Germans. The English had blown it up. I never saw iron twisted as much in my life. On this day the Notts and Derby Brigade was attached to a Cavalry Division Commanded by General Gough. Nearby was a big naval gun 15.7 ins. Shook the whole factory when fired. Aeroplanes flying in all directions.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]

On this day 11th March 1915

Leave a reply

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.

——————————————

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]

On this day 9th March 1915

Leave a reply

9.3.15 (Outtersteene): Battalion with S.F. Brigade marched to billets picking up band at BAILLEUL.

———————————————————————

MARCH 9th. We marched away from Nieppe to a place called Outtersteene, a distance of 14 miles. The Germans were at this place on the retreat from Mons, they were in the same billet as I am for 9 days. On coming through Nieppe we saw an aeroplane duel, one German and two English, they did not fetch him down but flew wide so that our guns could find him, they fired 11 shells at him, but he escaped. We are in France again.

[1415 L/Cpl Alfred Afford, D Company]

9th March 1915. Reveille 5-30 a.m. Left the barn at 8-00 a.m. Marched to Outresteen, a distance of about eleven miles, going through Bailleul. We got a very good billet in an empty house which was in charge of a Belgian refugee. Guarded by aeroplanes all the way.

[2381 Pte. George Potter Bagshaw]