Battalion war diary January 1916
1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire war diaries
1916
| JANUARY | MARSEILLES FRANCE |
| 1st Saturday | Battalion held in readiness to embark. |
| 2nd Sunday | The Battalion embarked at Mole “D” MARSEILLES on board H.M.S. “MAGNIFICENT”, together with 1/5th South Staffs Rgt, 1/1st and 1/2nd Field Coys R.E. 46th N.M. Division. |
| 3rd Monday to 7th Friday |
At sea. |
| ALEXANDRIA EGYPT |
|
| 8th Saturday | Ship entered ALEXANDRIA HARBOUR and anchored for the night. |
| 9th Sunday | First portion of the Battalion entrained for SHALLUFA STATION at 11 p.m. |
| 10th Monday | Remainder of Battalion entrained for SHALLUFA STATION at 2 a.m. 10-1-1916, arriving there at 1 p.m. Crossing the SUEZ CANAL from SHALLUFA STATION. |
| SHALLUFA | |
| 11th Tuesday | Day spent in bringing the remainder of baggage and rations across the SUEZ CANAL from SHALLUFA STATION. |
| 12th Wednesday | Physical drill. Company drill. Inspection of arms and ammunition. Lecture to Coys on “CUSTOMS OF THE COUNTRY”. |
| 13th Thursday | Entire Battalion engaged on fatigue work in connection with the arrival at station of remainder of Brigade. |
| 14th Friday | Physical Exercise. Drill by Platoons. Lectures to Coys on “DUTIES OF PICQUET IN OUTPOST LINE”. Extended order drill. Fire Control. Rapid loading. Company drill. Drill in guards and guard mounting. |
| 15th Saturday | Drill by Platoons. Extended order drill. Fire control. Rapid loading. Company drill. Drill in guards and guard mounting. |
| 16th Sunday | 137th I. Brigade less 1/5th S. Staffs Rgt assembled at 8 a.m. for a manoeuvre parade, returning at 3 p.m. |
| 17th Monday | Brig. General Commanding 137th I. Bde inspected the Battn at drill. Company drill etc. performed afterwards. |
| 18th Tuesday | Kit inspection. Drill by Platoons. Company drill. Btn drill. |
| 19th Wednesday | Physical exercise. Squad drill. Battn drill. Bayonet fighting. Lecture to Coys on “Extended order drill”. |
| 20th Thursday | Physical exercise. Squad drill. Battn drill. Bayonet fighting. Lecture to Coys on “Extended order drill”. |
| 21st Friday | Physical exercise. Squad drill. Platoon drill. Battn drill. Company drill. Lecture to Coys on “Fire control and fire discipline”. Lecture to officers on the compass. |
| 22nd Saturday | Physical exercise. Guards and Sentry duties. Platoon drill. Company drill. Battn drill. Lecture to Coys on “Outposts”. |
| 23rd Sunday | SUNDAY |
| 24th Monday | Physical exercise. |
| 25th Tuesday | (Musketry Instruction.) Inspection tests. |
| 26th Wednesday | The Battalion proceeded into the Desert to No 3 Post, 61 1/2 o N.E. of SHALLUFA, true bearing, and proceeded to construct this Post. Trenches were dug, and revetting and wiring were commenced. |
| 27th Thursday | Work on No 3 Post continued. |
| 28th Friday | The Battalion were ordered to return to former Camp, arriving there at 4 p.m. |
| 29th Saturday | Battalion in attack. Fire control. Fire direction. Judging distance. |
| 30th Sunday | The Battalion entrained at SHALLUFA STATION at 8 a.m. for ALEXANDRIA, detraining at SIDI GABA STATION at 6 p.m. and then proceeded to SIDI BISHR CAMP, encamping there. |
| 31st Monday | All tents repitched and camp put in order. |
| R.C. Piper. Catain and Adjutant for Lieut. Colonel. Commanding 1/6th Battn South Staffs Regiment. |