Database improved

March 3rd, 2008

On the details page for soldiers in the database the embodiment, entry to theatre and disembodiment dates are now shown, if known.

Battalion war diary April 1916

January 14th, 2008

1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire war diaries

APRIL NEUVILLE ST VAAST
1st Saturday In Brigade Reserve.
2nd Sunday ditto.
3rd Monday ditto.
4th Tuesday Battalion relieved the 1/5th Battn South Staffs Regt in the trenches, relief being reported complete at 8-35 p.m.
5th Wednesday Quiet day. Enemy fired a few shells over OS63.OS65 and POUQUET this morning from 10-35 a.m. to 11-30 a.m.
6th Thursday Quiet day.
7th Friday Quiet day.
8th Saturday Quiet day. Seven kites observed in a chain over Sector on our right.
9th Sunday Quiet day. Our heavy and Field Artillery active opposite 064. Some reply from enemy’s Field Guns.

Battalion relieved in the trenches by the 1/5th Btn South Staffs Regiment.

ECOIVRES
10th Monday In Divisional Reserve.
11th Tuesday ditto.
12th Wednesday ditto.
13th Thursday ditto.
14th Friday ditto.
  NEUVILLE ST VAAST
15th Saturday Battalion relieved 1/5th Battn South Staffs Regiment in the trenches. Relief reported complete 11-15 p.m.
16th Sunday Artillery activity from dawn till noon by enemy Howitzers and Field Guns against fire and support trenches. Also 063 and OS63 bombarded with light aerial torpedoes.

Artillery active on both sides between 6 p.m. & 7 p.m. our artillery bombarding the enemy trenches.

About midnight two mines were exploded on our left, followed by a heavy bombardment.

17th Monday Quiet day.
18th Tuesday At 6-55 p.m. the enemy blew in left side of Y Listening Post, and we occupied & consolidated the rear lip of the crater, known as B5.

Otherwise a quiet day.

19th Wednesday From 10-30 p.m. to 11-30 p.m. our artillery bombarded the enemy’s position opposite the left of the Divisional Sector. Some artillery reply from enemy.

Otherwise a quiet day.

20th Thursday Enemy bombarded the trenches on our left at 6-30 p.m. for 3/4 of an hour.

Otherwise a quiet day.

21st Friday The Battalion was relieved in the trenches by the 8th Border Regt, 75 Bde, 25th Division, and proceeded to MONCHY BRETON, the 46th Division being ordered to rest.
22nd Saturday Battalion resting.
23rd Sunday Easter Day.
24th Monday Cleaning of clothing and equipment.
25th Tuesday ditto.
26th Wednesday “B” Company inspected by Brigadier General Commanding 137th Bde.

Lecture by Commanding Officer to Officers, C.S. Majors and Platoon Sergeants on Bayonet Fighting.

Inspection of clothing by Quartermaster.

Battalion Training.

27th Thursday Physical Drill. Squad Drill. Platoon Drill. Bayonet Fighting. Lecture and instruction by Adjutant to N.C.O’s on Guards and Guard Mounting.
28th Friday ditto.
29th Saturday Physical Drill. Platoon Drill. Bayonet Fighting. Rifle Exercises.
30th Sunday SUNDAY.

Casualties for tour :-

5 other ranks killed.

2 other ranks died of wounds.

1 other ranks missing.

10 other ranks wounded.

6 other ranks Wounded but still at duty.

  Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding 1/6th Battalion,The South Staffordshire Regiment

30-04-1916

Battalion war diary March 1916

January 14th, 2008

1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire war diaries


1916

MARCH AUTHEUX
1st Wednesday Battalion Training:-
Rapid loading. Fire direction & control. Route march by Companies. Bayonet Fighting. Bomb practice.
2nd Thursday Battalion training:-
Judging Distance. Fire Direction & Control. Bayonet Fighting. Platoon drill. Route March by Companies. Battalion Drill.
3rd Friday Battalion Training:-
Musketry on Range. Battalion Drill.
4th Saturday Battalion Training:-
Bayonet Fighting. Fire Direction & Control. Judging Distance. Musketry on Range. Battalion Drill.
5th Sunday SUNDAY
6th Monday Battalion marched to New Billets at REBREUVIETTE.
7th Tuesday The Battalion marched into assembly trenches North East of VERMEILLES.
8th Wednesday Battalion marched to New Billets at HOUVIN.
9th Thursday Battalion marched to New Billets at MAZIERES.
10th Friday Battalion training in billets.
11th Saturday Battalion march to New Billets at MONT ST ELOY.
Advance party proceeded
to Trenches at NEUVILLE ST. VAAST.
12th Sunday Machine Gunners, Bombers, Signallers proceeded to Trenches.
13th Monday Battalion relieved the 50th French Regiment in the Trenches at NEUVILLES ST. VAAST. Relief reported complete Midnight 13/14-3-1916
14th Tuesday Quiet day.
15th Wednesday Quiet day.
  NEUVILLE ST. VAAST
16th Thursday Quiet day.
17th Friday Quiet day except for a little bombing which ceased when we replied vigorously.
18th Saturday Quiet day.
19th Sunday Enemy directed many rifle grenades against Y listening post. A little H.E. Shelling by enemy over Parallel 8 & ST. VAAST. Battalion was relieved in the trenches by 1/5th South Staffs Regt.
20th Monday Working parties found for Hutments etc.
21st Tuesday ditto.
22nd Wednesday ditto.
23rd Thursday ditto.
24th Friday ditto.
25th Saturday The Battn. relieved the 1/5th South Staffs Regt in the Trenches. Relief reported complete 11-15 p.m.
26th Sunday Quiet day on our front.
Our Field Guns shelled trenches beyond B6.
Heavy Bombing and M.G. fire in the sector on our right.
27th Monday Very quiet day, until 10 p.m. when enemy commenced heavy fire with mortars, Field Guns, rifle grenades, and machine Guns on ground between 063 ans OS63,064 and OR64. This ceased upon vigorous action of our Field Guns.
Enemy trench mortars fired intermittently single bombs during the night.
28th Tuesday Enemy fired eleven heavy trench bombs which fell behind 065 and 064 between 6 a.m. and noon.
29th Wednesday Enemy shelled our trenches heavily from 2 p.m. to 2-20 p.m. using Howitzers and H.E., concentrating upon 063, 064, OS03, OS64 with H.E. and the ground between these trenches with Howitzers.
Our Artillery barrage operated very quickly.
At 6-50 p.m. last night we sprang a mine which formed a crater on left of B4. The whole was occupied and partly consolidated.
Our Artillery support followed prompt upon the explosion, and was excellent in effect.
The enemy severely bombarded PAYERNE TRENCH and 063, 064, OS63, OS64 with H.E. His Howitzers damaged BOYOU DES ONDES and DENIS LAROQUE.
Intermittent artillery fire continued till 8 p.m. and from that time the situation was quiet, and the work of repairing and consolidating was pressed on.
30th Thursday Quiet day.
Battalion relieved by 1/5th Btn South Staffs Regt in the trenches, and went into Brigade Reserve in billets at NEUVILLE ST VAAST.
31st Friday In Brigade Reserve
Casualties for tour :-
2/Lieutenant C.R. Pearson. Killed. 18-3-1916.
Lieutenant G.H. Smith. Died of wounds. 29-3-1916.
Lieutenant P.H. Highfield-Jones. Wounded 16-3-1916.
Captain H.A. Page. Slightly wounded. (At duty) 18-3-1916.
2/Lieutenant J.P. Miller. Wounded. 30-3-1916
3 Other Ranks killed.
15 Other Ranks Wounded. (2 slightly remaining at duty)
  J H J Thursfield, Major, for OC1 6th Battalion,The South Staffordshire Regiment 31-03-1916

Articles reorganised

December 1st, 2007

The articles pages have now been reorganised.

The pages have been subdivided into fout sections to make navigation easier.

  • 1/6th Battalion War diary
  • 2/6th Battalion War Diary
  • Other articles
  • Selected bibliography
  • Battalion war diary February 1916

    June 18th, 2007

    1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire war diaries


    1916

    FEBRUARY ALEXANDRIA
    1st Tuesday Platoon drill. Company Drill. Bathing for whole Battalion.
    2nd Wednesday Platoon drill. Company Drill. Bathing for whole Battalion.
    3rd Thursday Inspection by G.O.C. 137th Infantry Brigade.
    4th Friday Day spent in issuing and fitting of equipment etc, and clearing of Camp prior to moving.
    5th Saturday Battalion entrained at SIDI BISHR tram station for the Docks, embarking on H.T. “Transylvania” at 10 a.m. together with the remainder of the 137th Infantry Brigade.
    6th Sunday
    to
    9th Wednesday
    AT SEA
      MARSEILLES
    10th Thursday Ship arrived in MARSEILLES HARBOUR, FRANCE at 1 p.m.
    11th Friday Troops did not disembark.
    12th Saturday Battalion disembarked at 8-15 a.m. and entrained at ARENC station at 10 a.m.
    13th Sunday Journey continued.
      VAUCHELLES
    14th Monday Battalion detrained at 10 a.m. at LONG PRE station, and marched to VAUCHELLES, taking up billets there.
    15th Tuesday Route march during morning by Companies.
    Company and platoon drill in the afternoon.
    16th Wednesday Bayonet Fighting. Route march. Lectures to companies.
    Company and platoon drill.
    17th Thursday Running Drill. Route march. Practice in bomb-throwing.
    Bayonet fighting. Instruction given to Lewis Machine Gun Section under formation.
    Lecture to N.C.O’s by Rgt Sgt Major.
    18th Friday Extended order drill. Physical exercises. Bayonet fighting. Bomb throwing practice.
    Lecture to N.C.O’s on “Company in attack” by Adjutant.
    19th Saturday Physical exercises. Bayonet fighting. Judging distance.
    Route march by Companies. Fire control and Fire discipline.
    Lecture to N.C.O’s on “Fire discipline and control”.
    20th Sunday SUNDAY
      BEAUMETZ
    21st Monday The Battalion moved into new billets at BEAUMETZ, arriving there at 2 p.m.
    22nd Tuesday Instruction carried out on range.
    Trained bombers put through a refresher course at trenches.
    Companies at disposal of Company Commanders for Company and Platoon drill.
    23rd Wednesday Bayonet fighting. Route march by companies.
    Trained bombers continued refresher course.
    Snipers practiced on Range.
    Judging distance. Fire control. Fire discipline.
    Lecture to Companies on “C.D.S.307.C.D.S.312″.
    Lewis M.G. instruction continued.
    24th Thursday Programme for 23rd repeated.
    25th Friday Programme for 23rd repeated.
    26th Saturday Physical exercises. Bayonet fighting. Route march.
    Judging distances. Fire direction and control.
    Rapid loading.
    27th Sunday Bomb throwing instruction. Lectures on bombs to Coys.
    Bad weather interfered with programme of work, which could not be carried out.
    28th Monday Physical exercises.
    Route march by Companies.
    Bayonet fighting. Platoon drill.
      AUTHEUX
    29th Tuesday The Battalion moved into fresh billets at AUTHEUX, arriving there at 1 p.m.
      F. N. Law,Lieut. Colonel Commanding 6th Battalion,The South Staffordshire Regiment
    29-02-1916

    Notes:
    CDS 307 “Defensive Measures Against Gas Attack”.

    Battalion war diary January 1916

    June 16th, 2007

    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.

    Battalion War Diary December 1915

    June 16th, 2007

    1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire war diaries


    1915

    DECEMBER CROIX BARBEE
    1st Wednesday As much indoor training carried out as possible.
    All of the men of the Battalion bathed.
    2nd Thursday The Battalion relieved the 1/6th North Staffs Rgt in the Trenches.
    3rd Friday All quiet on our front.
    4th Saturday The Battalion was relived in the trenches by the 7th King’s Own Royal L. Rgt, 56th Brigade, 19th Division, and proceeded to Rest Billets at Croix Barbee.
      PACAUT
    5th Sunday The Battalion marched to PACAUT, and took billets there.
    6th Monday Inspection of clothing and kits.
    Inspection of arms and ammunition.
    Lectures on “Duties on board ship”, by Company Commanders.
    7th Tuesday Inspection of Companies by Commanding Officer.
    Inspection of Battalion by the G.O.C. 46th Division.
    8th Wednesday Inspection of Platoons by platoon Comanders.
    Drill in guard mounting.
    Route march by Companies.
    Lectures to Platoons on “Care of arms and ammunition”.
    9th Thursday The morning was devoted to the cleaning of equipment and clothing.
    Route march.
    10th Friday Drill in Guard Mounting.
    Route march by Companies.
    Lectures to Platoons on “Duties in Barracks” and Extended Order Drill.
    11th Saturday Platoon Drill under the Regimental Sgt. Major.
    Route march.
    All subaltern officers and senior N.C.O’s lectured by Rgt. Sgt. Major on “Barrack Discipline”.
    Company Drill.
    12th Sunday Sunday.
    13th Monday Platoon Drill.
    Company Drill.
    Route March.
    Lectures by Regimental Sgt. Major.
    14th Tuesday A Composite Company sent to Divisional Training School at CALONNE for training purposes, and retd same night.
    Brigadier General inspected No 4 Platoon in full marching order, and was also present at a lecture to No 10 Platoon on “EXTENDED ORDER”.
    15th Wednesday Platoon Drill, and Guard Mounting.
    Route March.
    Company Drill.
    Lectures to Platoons on “ADVANCE GUARDS”.
    16th Thursday Platoon Drill, and Guard Mounting.
    Route March.
    Company Drill.
    Lectures to Platoons on “REAR GUARDS”.
    17th Friday Battalion inspected by Commanding Officer.
    Company drill.
    Lectures to Companies on “COMPANY IN ATTACK”.
    18th Saturday Platoon drill.
    Inspection of rifles.
    Drill in Guards and Guard mounting.
    Lectures to Companies on “COMPANY IN DEFENCE”.
      LE PONT A BALQUE
    19th Sunday The Battalion marched to le Pont a Balque and took up billets there.
    20th Monday Company and Platoon drill.
    Lectures to Platoons on “Duties on board ship”.
    Arms drill under Section Commanders.
    21st Tuesday Company and Platoon drill. Lecture on “OUTPOSTS AT NIGHT”.
    Drill in Guard Mounting.
    Arms drill. Route march.
    22nd Wednesday Company and Platoon drill. Guards and Guard Mounting.
    Lecture by the Adjutant to all Subaltern Offs.
    Lectures to Coys on “DUTIES OF SENTRY GROUPS IN AN OUTPOST LINE”.
    Route march.
    23rd Thursday Company and Platoon drill. Guards and Guard Mounting.
    Saluting drill. N.C.O’s paraded under Rgt Sgt Major for instruction.
    24th Friday Observed by Battn as XMAS DAY in view of entrainment on December 25th 1915.
    25th Saturday THE BATTN ENTRAINED AT BERGETTE STATION at 3-40 p.m.
      TRAIN
    26th Sunday and
    27th Monday
    These days were spent in travelling, the Battn arrived at MARSEILLES at 9 p.m. 27th December 1915 and proceeded to SANTI CAMP.
      MARSEILLES
    28th Tuesday Drill in Guards and Guard Mounting. Platoon Drill.
    Route March. Lecture to coys “PATROLS FROM AN OUTPOST LINE”
    29th Wednesday Drill in Guards and Guard Mounting.
    Inspection of rifles by Armourer Q.M. Sgt.
    Lecture to Coys on “DUTIES ON BOARD SHIP”.
    Machine Gun Instruction. Signalling Instruction.
    Bugle Practice.
    30th Thursday Rapid loading and aiming. Route march.
    Lecture to coys on “FIRE CONTROL”.
    31st Friday Rapid loading and aiming. Route march.
    Lecture to coys on “FIRE CONTROL”.
    Total casualties for month.
    5 other ranks wounded.
      R.C. Piper Capt. & Adjutant for Lieut. Colonel.
    Commanding 6th Battalion,The South Staffordshire Regiment
    31-12-1915

    Battalion War Diary November 1915

    June 15th, 2007

    1/6th Battalion South Staffordshire war diaries


    1915

    November FOUQHEREUIL
    1st Monday Instructions in bomb throwing.
    Bayonet fighting.
    Eoute march.
    2nd Tuesday Instructions in bomb throwing.
    Bayonet fighting.
    Route march.
    3rd Wednesday Platoon drill.
    Grouping practice.
    Bayonet fighting.
    Route march.
    4th Thursday Platoon drill.
    Grouping practice.
    Bayonet fighting.
    Route march.
      LESTREM
    5th Friday The battalion marched to LESTREM, and took up billets there.
    6th Saturday Bomb throwing.
    Formation of bombing parties.
    Platoon drill.
    Bayonet fighting.
    7th Sunday Sunday
    8th Monday Bayonet fighting.
    Bomb throwing etc.
    Six officers visited trenches occupied by SIRHIND BRIGADE.
    9th Tuesday Rapid marching and doubling. Bomb throwing. Bayonet Fgt. etc.
      CROIX BARBEE
    10th Wednesday The Battalion marched to CROIX BARBEE, and took up billets there as Brigade Reserve.
    11th Thursday Lectures given to troops on care of arms.
    Inspection of kits.
    Lecture by Medical Officer on sanitation and cleanliness.
    12th Friday Lectures given to troops on care of arms.
    Inspection of kits.
    Lecture by Medical Officer on sanitation and cleanliness.
    13th Saturday The Battalion relieved the 4th Kings Liverpool Regt in the trenches, to the right of NEUVE CHAPELLE.
    14th Sunday Quiet day.
    15th Monday Quiet day.
    16th Tuesday Quiet day.
    17th Wednesday Battalion relieved in the trenches by 5th Btn Lincolnshire Regiment, and proceeded into Brigade Reserve at CROIX BARBIE.
    18th Thursday Cleaning equipment, side arms etc.
    19th Friday Bathing.
    Inspection of kites.
    Cleaning up billets and surroundings.
    20th Saturday The Battalion relieved the 5th Btn Lincolnshire Regiment in the trenches.
    21st Sunday Fairly quiet day. Little shelling during afternoon.
    22nd Monday Fairly quiet day. Little shelling during afternoon.
    23rd Tuesday Battalion relieved in the trenches by the 1/6th North Staffordshire Regiment.
    24th Wednesday Cleaning equipment etc.
    25th Thursday Lectures by Company Commanders.
    26th Friday Battalion relieved by the 1/6th North Staffordshire Regiment in the trenches.
    27th Saturday Quiet day.
    28th Sunday Quiet day.
    29th Monday Quiet day.
    30th Tuesday Cleaning equipment etc.
    Total casualties for month:-
    Killed one (O.R.)
    Died of wounds one (O.R.)
    Wounded nine (O.R.)
    Captain Clifford Howl accidentally wounded 3-11-15.
      J Millner, Lieutenant. For Officer Commanding 1/6th Battn South Staffs Regt.

    Bourlon Wood

    March 18th, 2007

    Bourlon Wood, 30th November 1917

    For the 2/6th Battalion, there were two days during their war service which resulted in most of the deaths in the Battalion. The opening day of the German offensive, 21st March 1918, gave the largest number of casualties, but the defense of Bourlon Wood, the previous November, resulted in a large number of deaths, but also the invaliding out of the army a large proportion of the Battalion.
    Read the rest of this entry »

    2/6th Battalion war diary April 1917

    February 14th, 2007

    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