Battalion war diary October 1915
1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire war diaries
1915
| OCTOBER | CANADA HUTS |
| 1st Friday | Bayonet fighting, Company drill etc. |
| ROBECQ | |
| 2nd Saturday | Battalion marched to ABEELE, and entrained for FOUQUEREUIL, from there marching to ROBECQ. |
| 3rd Sunday | Sunday. |
| 4th Monday | Rapid marching and doubling Physical drill, bayonet fighting. Instruction in bomb throwing. |
| 5th Tuesday | Rapid marching and doubling Physical drill, bayonet fighting Instruction in bomb throwing. |
| VAUDRICOURT | |
| 6th Wednesday | The battalion marched to Vaudricourt, and took up billets in the colliery buildings. |
| 7th Thursday | Rapid marching and doubling. Battalion route march. Instruction in bomb throwing Bayonet fighting. |
| 8th Friday | Rapid marching and doubling. Special instruction in bomb throwing. Rapid loading. Battalion route march. |
| 9th Saturday | Rapid marching and doubling Special instruction in bomb throwing Rapid loading. Battalion route march. |
| 10th Sunday | Instruction as to blocking up Communications Trenches Arms drill and muscle exercises. Cleaning arms and ammunition Signalling instruction. Inspection of Iron rations. |
| 11th Monday | Battalion Bombing parties paraded under Bomb Officer for special instruction Machine Guns tested. Practicing advancing over open ground in fighting kit. Rapid loading and muscle exercises. |
| VERMELLES | |
| 12th Tuesday | The Batttalion marched into assembly trenches North East of VERMEILLES. |
| 13th Wednesday and 14th Thursday |
The 46th (North Midland) Division having been ordered to capture the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT and FOSSE No 8, the 137th Infantry Brigade carrying out the right attack, the Battalion was formed as follows- “A” & “C” Companies in the front line of assembly trenches, and with two Companies of the 1/6th North Staffs Regt formed the 3rd line, and were ordered to follow the 2nd line at 200 paces distance, and carry R.E. materials, the other two Companies “B” & “D”, with 2 Companies 1/6th North Staffs Regiment forming the fourth line, and ordered to at once follow the third line, and occupy DUMP trench on the frontage allotted to the Brigade The attack was covered by a two hour Artillery bombardment commencing at 12 noon, gas was used at 1 p.m. also smoke shells which at times completely hid the points of attack. Enemy Machine Guns were heard ranging on our assembly trenches at 1-30 p.m., which was notified to Brigade Headquarters. Having received no message that our front line had not been able to advance, and not being able to see their position for smoke, the two Companies forming the third line followed the second line and suffered very heavy casualties. The fourth line then advanced, and also suffered from Maching Gun fire, from the direction of SOUTH FACE. All that remained of the 3rd line reached our fire trench between point 87 and 89 to assist the 5th South Staffs Regt to hold that portion until this Battalion was ordered to retire at noon on the 14th. The remainder of the fourth line were assembled in the old British front line trench and when reinforcements were called for, were sent up to support the fire trench. |
| 14th Thursday | The Battalion was relieved in the trenches by the Guards, and billeted for the night at SAILLY la BOURCE. |
| 15th Friday | The Battalion returned to its former billets at the colliery buildings, VAUDRICOURT. |
| VAUDRICOURT | |
| 16th Saturday | Cleaning clothing equipment, clothing etc. Inspection by G.O.C. Commanding 46th (N.M.) Division |
| 17th Sunday | Sunday. |
| 18th Monday | Bombing, bayonet fighting, rapid loading etc. |
| VAUDRICOURT & ALLOUAGNE | |
| 19th Tuesday | The Battalion marched to ALLOUAGNE. Bombing and bayonet fighting. |
| ALLOUAGNE | |
| 20th Wednesday | Bombing, bayonet fighting, muscle exercises. Inspection of smoke helmets. |
| 21st Thursday | Rapid marching. Bombing instruction. Bayonet fighting. |
| 22nd Friday | Bombing instruction. Throwing of bombs. Musketry. Bayonet fighting. |
| 23rd Saturday | Instruction in use of bombs. Route march. Bayonet fighting. |
| 24th Sunday | Sunday. Inspection by Brigadier General E. Feetham. Commanding 137th Infantry Brigade. |
| FOUQUEREUIL | |
| 25th Monday | The Battalion marched to FOUQUEREUIL and took up billets in the Hutments there. |
| 26th Tuesday | Instruction in the use of bombs, and throwing of bombs. Bayonet fighting. Rapid loading and muscle exercises. |
| 27th Wednesday | Running drill. Parties engaged in the movement of huts to fresh ground. |
| 28th Thursday | One Composite Company paraded for King’s inspection. Parties engaged in the movement of huts to fresh ground. |
| 29th Friday | Instruction in the use of bombs, and bomb throwing. Bayonet fighting. Route march by companies. 3 officers 110 other ranks engaged as working party at LABOURSE. |
| 30th Saturday | 3 officers 110 other ranks engaged as working party at LABOURSE. Instruction in the use of bombs. Formation of bombing parties. Bomb throwing. Bayonet fighting. Route march by Companies. |
| 31st Sunday | Sunday Casualties for tour :- Officers killed 5. Officers wounded 14. O. Ranks killed 35. O. Ranks died wounds 5. Other Ranks wounded 239. Other Ranks missing 105. Total casualties. Officers 19 Other ranks 384 |
| F. N. Law, Major Commanding 6th Battalion,The South Staffordshire Regiment 2-11-1915 |