2/6th Battalion war diary October 1917
2/6th Battalion South Staffordshire war diaries
Reference Maps:-
BELGIUM Sheet 28 : HAZEBROUCK 5a : LENS 11 : LENS 36, c, S, W, 1 : FRANCE Sheet 36B
1917
|
October |
YPRES (East) |
| 1/10/17 | On the 1st October 1917 this unit moved from the OLD BRITISH FRONT LINE (BELGIUM Sheet 28, C, 29, c,) to the camp SOUTH of Railway at VLAMERTINGHE at 6.30 p.m. |
| VLAMERTINGHE | |
| 2/10/17 | The Battalion less Transport entrained at VLAMERTINGHE at 10 a.m. and detrained at THIENNES (HAZEBROUCK 5a) at 4.15 p.m. The Battalion marched to ISBERGUES near AIRE (HAZEBROUCK 5a) and was billeted in the district. Headquarters were established at HOULERON and Company training was continued. |
| ISBERGUES | |
| 7/10/17 | On the 7th Oct, the Battalion moved from the ISBERGUES district to FONTAINES LES BOULANS (LENS 11) The first part of the journey was by motor bus and the second part by route march the Unit arriving in billets at 2.30 p.m. Training was in progress when orders were received to the Battalion to move nearer the line. |
| 10/10/17 | From FONTAINES LES BOULANS the Unit moved by motor bus to BOIS du FRISSART (Sheet 36 B) via BRUAY and BARLIN. Headquarters were at Q.18.a.7.3. (Sheet 36 B). Training while in this camp was prevented by heavy rain. |
| AIX-NOULETTE | |
| 14/10/17 | On the afternoon of the 14th Oct. the Battalion left Camp at BOIS du FROISSART and marched to NOULETTE HUTS (Sheet 36B.R.27.b.2.5) entering the Huts at dusk. The Quartermaster’s Stores and Transport were billeted in the village of BOUVIGNY BOYEFFLES. The Battalion remained in Camp at NOULETTE HUTS until 21st October during which time the roads and paths approaching the Camp were repaired and improved, the huts especially the roofs were repaired and the Camp improved generally. |
| 16/10/17 | During the morning of the 16th Oct. one Company moved forward to prepare billets in LIEVEN (LENS 36c.S.W.1.) Working parties were found on the nights of 18th, and 19th Oct. Both nights the parties worked under R.E. supervision on the Communication Trenches known as CROCODILE Trench and ABSOLOM Trench (Sheet 36c.S7W.L-M.24.a&b) |
| 21/10/17 | On the night of 21/22 Oct the Unit relieved the 2/5 Bn, South Staffordshire Regiment in the right sub section of the 176th Infantry Brigade Front. The front line was held by two Companies and extended from N.20.a.O.5 to N.20.o.O.1 (Sheet 36c.S.W.1). Three Companies proceeded by train on the Light Railway as far as WHIZBANG CORNER (M.22.d.4.6.). The Company which was previously stationed in LIEVIN proceeded by route march to take up a position in Support at M.30.a.S.9. Battalion Headquarters were at M.30.a.4.9. and the Reserve Company at M.30.a.*.3. in cellars. |
| FRONT LINE | |
| 24/10/17 | On the night of 24/25 Oct. the two Companies in the Front Line were relieved by the Companies in Support and Reserve respectively. |
| 25/10/17 | At 11 p.m. on the night of 25th/26th Oct “O” Special Company R.E. carried out a successful GAS ATTACK in the sector immediately on the right of this Unit’s front. Gas was discharged for about a quarter of an hour and the attack was supported by Divisional Artillery and a Heavy Artillery Group. During the eight days in the line the Battalion sustained only nine casualties, 2/Lt H.R. HAMILTON was severely wounded. |
| 29/10/17 | On the night 29/30th October the Unit was relieved by the 2/5th Bn. LINCOLN REGIMENT of the 177th Infantry Brigade. The relief was speedy and was completed without incident. On being relieved the Battalion proceeded by platoons to Camp at SOUCHEZ (Sheet 36c.S.W – S.8.a.3.1.) |
| 30/10/17 | The day was spent in cleaning arms and equipment. On the night 30/31 Oct and during the day of 31st Oct. working parties were found and work was carried out under R.E. supervision at S.7.d.8.15. and S.9.d.8.15. (Sheet 36c.S.W.) |
| Major H.M.C. Curtis took over the command of the Battalion on the 19th October 1917 when Lt. Col. J. Stuart Wortley proceeded on leave to England. | |
| H M C Curtis MAJOR, commanding 2/6th South Staffordshire Regiment In the field, 31st October 1917, |
NA WO 95/3021