2/6th Battalion war diary April 1917
2/6th Battalion South Staffordshire war diaries
1917
| April | MONS en CHAUSSEE |
| 30th Friday | One party consisting of 1 Officer and 50 Other Ranks at work under R.E. instructions. One party consisting of 20 Other Ranks at work under R.E. instructions. One party consisting of 3 Officers and 150 Other Ranks at work under R.E. instructions. |
| 31st Saturday | One party consisting of 3 Officers and 150 Other Ranks at work under R.E. instructions. One party consisting of 20 Other Ranks at work under R.E. instructions. |
| 1st Sunday | Church parades in morning. One party consisting of one Officer and 55 Other Ranks at work under R.E. instruction. |
| 2nd Monday | The Battalion marched to Hancourt via Estres-en-Chaussee and Vraignes. Time of departure 8.30 a.m. arrival at Hancourt 10.20 a.m. One party consisting of 1 Officer and 50 Other Ranks at work under R.E. instructions. |
| HANCOURT | |
| 3rd Tuesday | One party consisting of 1 Officer and 55 Other Ranks at work under R.E. instructions. Remainder of available men on reserve line of cruiform parts. |
| 4th Wednesday | 4 parties consisting in all of 4 Officers and 220 Other Ranks at work under R.E. Remainder of Battalion at work on reserve line of cruciform parts. We supplied a guard over one of our own aeroplanes which alighted E. of Vraignes about 4 p.m. 3/4/17. |
| 5th Thursday | |
| MONTIGNY FARM | |
| 6th Friday | 10.50 a.m. Battalion arrived at new position of K 35 d 97. Shelled by H.E. and Shrapnel during the afternoon. |
| 7th Saturday | Two companies engaged digging advanced posts. Post at L 26 a 74 held by 1 Sgt. and 20 men. |
| 8th Sunday | 2 Officers 40 men at work under R.E. supervision. |
| 9th Monday | 11.45 a.m. Patrol reported moving enemy in haste along line Chalson - Ascension Farm. "B" Company sort possession of Le Verguier and established themselves in enemy trenches South end of village. "C" company closed South end of Grand Preil Wood with rifle and H.E. fire and dug themselves in. |
| 10th Tuesday | Battalion moved into reserve at Isencourt. |
| 11th Wednesday | Major G. Stuart Wortley, C.O. Battalion wounded. |
| 12th Thursday
- 14th Saturday |
Battalion at work on new front line trenches and wiring in front of Isencourt under R.E. supervison. 14/4/17 one of our observation balloons brought down by hostile aeroplane in flames at 7.30 p.m. |
| 15th Sunday | 4 Officers and 145 O.R. at work under R.E. supervision. |
| 16th Monday | Battalion moved up to trenches in support of K.C. at L 21 d 95 to L 27 d 80. |
| 17th Tuesday | Relieved K.C. in advanced position. |
| ACHIET le PETIT | |
| 18th Wednesday | Patrols sent out found touch with enemy. Enemy artillery very active. |
| 20th Friday | Two patrols sent out before and after barrage came in contact with enemy patrols which were dispersed. Advanced parties at L 23 c 74 and L 28 c 57 moved through post at L 30 A 12 and 2 supply post L 30 A 13 dug. Enemy rifle patrols discovered by patrol at L 24 c 19. |
| 21st Saturday | Our Battalion relieved by K.E. and took up position in support trenches from L 20 c 02 to L 78 a 04. Some aerial activity on part of the enemy. Achet le Petit strengthened and improved. |
| 22nd Sunday | Enemy artillery quiet. Enemy O.P. discovered at L 24 b 25. Enemy Ob. balloon destroyed by us at 5.30 p.m. |
| 23rd Monday | 3 Off. and 96 O.R. employed digging mining from L 28 a 88 to L 22 c 8.5 & L 28 a 02 to L28 a 04. 1 Off. and 86 O.R. carrying for K.C. 1 Company standing to. 3 of our aircraft destroyed by enemy. |
| 24th Tuesday | K.C. pushed forward against enemy rifle pits. Enemy artillery active. |
| 25th Wednesday | German work at b 20 d 45 discussed. Battalion relieved R.C. in advanced posts. Post improved and strengthened. Enemy sent airplane at 6 a.m. |
| 26th Thursday | Enemy artillery quiet. Enemy work at b 20 d 45 skilled, infantry left hurriedly. Advanced wired and improved. |
| 27th Friday | Post No 4 at L 24 c 43 heavily shelled, also trenches at L 23 c 28. Wiring on advanced posts continued. |
| 28th Saturday | Battalion relieved in advanced posts by L.I. and moved to ROISEL. |
| 29th Sunday | Men employed cleaning up, bathing etc. |
| 30th Monday | Number Classes started in L.G. sweeping and scouting. |
| MacClxxx Major 2/6th South Staffordshire Regiment |