Reference
X550/7/1/1805
Title
War Diary for May 1918
Date free text
1-31 May 1918
Production date
From: 1918 To: 1918
Scope and Content
1 May 1918 - Rettermoy Farm support trenches
Battn in support near RETTERMOY FARM West of BUCQUOY. Working parties found. 2nd Lt. R.P.DEREHAM 2nd Lt. H.T.LOVELL arrived 52 O.Rs reinforcements; Line quiet.
2 May 1918
Battn in support. Working parties found. Line quiet.
3 May 1918
Battn in support. Working parties found. Line quiet.
4 May 1918
Battn in support, line very quiet.
5 May 1918
Battn in support, line very quiet. Lieut CARLES to R.A.F. 7 O.Rs reinforcements arrive.
6 May 1918
Battn in support, line very quiet. 1 O.R. killed, by Aeroplane bomb. Major Beal to England on 6 mths tour of duty.
7 May 1918 - front line near Bucquoy
Bn relieved 13th Bn R.FUSILIERS in front line S.W. of BUCQUOY. A.B.Coys front line, C support D reserve. Bn.Hd.Qrs RETTERMOY FARM. 4 O.Rs wounded - line very quiet. 1 prisoner captured. Most import identification. 1 AMERICAN officer attached for 3 days for instruction.
8 May 1918
Line very quiet. 41 O.Rs reinforcements arrive. 3 patrols sent out; 2nd Lts BAILEY & CHANDLER congratulated by B.G.C. 112th Inf. Bde. for good patrol work.
9 May 1918
Line very quiet. 2 O.Rs wounded 2 patrols sent out. Information received that Bn. is to be absorbed by 1/1 HERTS. Regt.
10 May 1918
RETTERMOY FARM intermittently shelled. No casualties. 2 patrols sent out. T.M. activity against "B" coy.
11 May 1918
Enemy shelled FONQUEVILLERS [sic] for 3 hours with gas shells. Casualties heavy. Lt.AUSTIN gassed. 4 O.Rs wounded 2 patrols sent out.
12 May 1918
RETTERMOY FARM shelled. 1 O.R.killed. 22 O.Rs attached R.Es gassed on 11/5/18 to hospital 2 patrols sent out.
13 May 1918
Line very quiet. 4 O.Rs wounded. 2 O.Rs reinforcements. 2 patrols sent out.
14 May 1918
Line very quiet. 2 O.Rs reinforcements. 2 patrols sent out.
15 May 1918
Line very quiet. 2 patrols sent out. Information definitely received that the Bn is to be absorbed by 1/1 HERTS.
16 May 1918
Line fairly quiet. T.Ms fairly active RETTERMOY farm shelled. 1 American officer attached for instruction. 4 O.Rs wounded.
17 May 1918 - Louvencourt
Battn relieved by 2nd Bn 5th WEST Yorkshire Regt. Battn relief complete midnight 17/18th by lorry from SOUASTRE to LOVENCOURT.
18 May 1918
Battn warned to prepare Training Staff for an American Bn. 7 O.Rs reinforcements.
19 May 1918
Battn clean up.
20 May 1918
Orders received that Bn less American training staff will proceed to 1/1 HERTS on 21/5/18. Dinner provided to Bn and officers have farewell dinner in evening. Brigade Staff present. No speeches made.
21 May 1918 - Audruicq
Training staff consisting of Lt.Col.F.H.EDWARDS M.C. (C.O.) a/capt D.M.SAUNDERS (adjt) Capt. A.W.ELLIOTT (M.C.) a/capt O.E.HOBSON, 2nd Lt. W.Johnson, 2nd Lt. A.E.ILIFFE (coy commanders) Lt.D.J.GREIG (L.G.O.) Lt.C.C.CLIFFORD (I.O.) 2nd Lt.E.E.ASHBY (signals) Capt. J.A.M.HISLOP (Q.Mr.) R.S.M., R.Q.M.S., 4 C.S.Ms, 4 C.Q.M.S. and 48 O.Rs proceeded to MONDICOURT to entrain for AUDRUICQ. Remainder of Bn. proceeded to 1/1 HERTS Regt. 6th Bedford Regt. still exists.
22 May 1918 - Nielles-les-Ardres
DEtrained at AUDRUICQ 1.30 p.m. marched to NIELLES 13th R.SUSSEX REGT. lent band for march, provided tea for all ranks on arrival; staff very cordially received into 39th Division. Very comfortable billets.
23-30 May 1918
Specialist training from 9.0 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. daily. & Intensive Recreational Training (consisting of Physical training, football, hockey, running) carried out each afternoon. Bathing parades, inspections, etc. carried out. Lectures by Lt.Col.F.H.Edwards, M.C. to all officers
Language
English
Level of description
item