2/6th Battalion war diary January 1918

« 2/6th Battalion war diary December 1917
2/6th Battalion war diary February 1918 »

2/6th Battalion South Staffordshire war diaries

1918

January RUE
1/1/18

Morning Route March and afternoon kit inspection. Bathing. The following conratulatory message recieved from V Corps Commander:-

“On the withdrawal of the 59th Division from the line, and on its departure from the V Corps the Corps Commander wishes me to say that he much appreciates the good work done by the Division during the time it has been under his command.
The Division has used experienced gained, to its advantage, and has throughout a difficult period, shewn good fighting qualities.
Orders issued, both with regard to battle and work, have been carried out with cheerfulness and entirely in the right spirit.
The Corps Commander will be glad to have the Division again in the Corps.
He wishes all ranks a happy Christmas”
     (sd) G.F. Boyd B.G. G.S. V Corps 22/12/17

With reference to the above the G.O.C. 176th Bde. sent the following message:-

“The Brigade Commander is glad to be able to forward the accompanying memorandum from the G.O.C. V Corps.
He wishes the memorandum to be read by Compandy Commanders to their men, so that all ranks may know the good work they had done is appreciated.”
3-5/1/18 Usual parades for specialists. Bathing daily. Lieut. E.E. Owens R.A.M.C. previously Medical Officer awarded Military Cross. Capt. W.A. Adam joined in command of “D” Company.
On the 4th all men who were in Bourlon Wood were inspected by DADMS
G.O.C. 59th Division inspected billets.
6/1/18 Church Parades.
7-10/1/18 Usual morning parades. Bathing daily. Inclement weather interrupted parades on several occasions.
11/1/18 Morning parades. Men who were in Bourlon Wood inspected by ADMS 59th Division
12/1/18 Morning parades. G.O.C. 176th Infantry Brigade inspected billets.
13/1/18 Church parades. Inspection during the afternoon by DMS 3rd Army and DDMS VIth Corps for remainder of men who were in Bourlon Wood, 50 present.
14/1/18 50 Signallers under 2/Lieut. Newcombe left Rue to rejoin the Brigade.
Captain JORDAN joined from 1/6th Bn. South Staffs Regiment and took over Command of “C” Company.
Usual morning parades and bathing at Abbeville.
15/1/18 Morning parades and bathing. Captain & ADjutant C.E.L. Whitehouse rejoined unit from base.
16/1/18 Usual parades. 16 Officers joined ex Depot Battalion and Third Line
17/1/18 Usual parades.
18/1/18 Usual parades. Concerts in afternoon and evening in Town Hall Miss Lena Ashwell’s Party.
19/1/18 Battalion route march in conjuction with 2/6th Bn. North Staffs. Regiment to LE CROTOY.
Returned to Rue at 8 p.m.
20/1/18 Church Parades.
21/1/18 Morning parades. Advance party of 5 Officers and 5 N.C.O.s left Rue to proceed to BEAUFORT.
22/1/18 Battalion left Rue at 11 a.m. for BEAUFORT via Abbeville and Frevent. Arrived Frevent 6 p.m. and proceeded by Light Railway to BEAUFORT arriving there at 8 p.m.
Billeted in huts, barns etc.
  BEAUFORT
23/1/18 No parades. Cleaning billets etc.
24/1/18 Training commenced. Specialist classes started.
25/1/18 Training continued. Morning parades. Afternoon Recreational Training.
Tactical scheme for Signallers under Brigade arrangements.
26/1/18 Training continued. Recreational training in afternoon.
27/1/18 Church parades. Church of England at MANIN.
28/1/18 Training. 2 companies only. Bathing for remainder , at BERLENCOURT.
29/1/18 Training. 2 companies only. Bathing for remainder , at BERLENCOURT.
30/1/18 Inspection of the Battalion by G.O.C. 176th Brigade. Parades by companies. Transport inspected also.
During the afternoon a Cross Country Run took place, arranged by 176th Inf. Bde. Whole Battalion took part each company starting at quarter of hour intervals.
”C” Company won, with 47% of starters in at a given time.
31/1/18 Usual parades carried out. Firing on range.
Commanding Officer, Adjutant & Company Commanders proceeded to visit prospective Battalion front in the Bullecourt sector.
  HONOURS & AWARDS: London Gazette 28/12/17:
MAJOR H.M.C. CURTIS: Awarded the Distinguished Service Order
241208 SGT. GOODEY A.T. Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatch 7/1/17:
Major H.M.C. Curtis, Capt. H.M. Sheppard, CSM Aston & Private Perks
B.E.F. France
1/1/1918
  J Stuart-Wortley LT. COLONEL:
Commanding 2/6th Bn. South Staffs. Regt:

NA WO 95/3021

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007 at 8:43 am and is filed under 2/6 Battalion, War Diary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Leave a Reply