X550/2/5/1612

War Diary for December 1916 1 Dec 1916 - Front Line near Neuve-Chapelle Relieved 16/R.Warwickshire Rgt. in sub section 2 to left of one held previously, just to right of NEUVE-CHAPELLE 1/NORFOLKS on right. 1/7 MIDDLESEX. 56. Division on left. 2 Coys. in line. 2 in support. Line fairly quiet except for trench mortar activity. 2-4 Dec 1916 In trenches as above. Fairly quiet except for Trench Mortars. On 3. Lt.Colonel W.Allason D.S.O. was severely wounded while going round the trenches accidentally by a revolver Bullet. T.Major J.J.Moyse assumed command of Bn. 5 Dec 1916 - Bethune Relieved by 12/Gloucestershire Rgt. 95th.Bde. by day & withdrew to Billets in BETHUNE. Fairly good Billets but poor training accommodation. 6 Dec 1916 In Billets as above. Training & firing on 30yds range 7 Dec 1916 In Billets as above. Training & firing on 30yds range 8 Dec 1916 In Billets as above. Training & firing on 30yds range 9 Dec 1916 In Billets as above. Training & firing on 30yds range. Inspection by B.G.C. 15th Infy. Bde. 10 Dec 1916 In Billets as above. Training 11 Dec 1916 In Billets as above. Inspection by Lt.-General Sir R.C.B.Haking, K.C.B. comdg XI Army Corps. 12 Dec 1916 In Billets as above. Training. 13 Dec 1916 In Billets as above. Training. 14 Dec 1916 In Billets as above. Training. 15 Dec 1916 In Billets as above. Training. 16 Dec 1916 In Billets as above. Training. 17 Dec 1916 In billets as above. Presentation of Montenegran Orders & Medal Ribbons after Church Parade in Municipal Theatre by General Sir H.S.Horne K.C.B. Cmdg First Army. Brig.General M.Turner CB cmdg 15th Infy Bde received Order of Danilo 2nd Class The following Officers & Men of this Battalion received Medal Ribbons 2nd Lieut. S.Norrish Military Cross 18257 Pte H.W.Fish D.C.M. 13610 Cpl.McHugh Military Medal 43031 Pte C.J.Cross Military Medal 18 Dec 1916 In Billets as above. Training. Lt Col.F.N.BUTLER 5th Bedf R. joined from 1/E.Surrey Rgt (95th Inf Bde) and assumed command. 2nd Lt J.M.STANTAN who had been temporarily attached to 16 R.Warwick Regt, joined for duty. 19 Dec 1916 In Billets as above. Training and making preparations for move, Company Commanders reconnoitred Village Line S. of La Bassee Canal, with a view of taking over next day - Lieut. A.GROVER joined the Battalion and was posted to "D" Coy. 20 Dec 1916 - Village Line, Cuinchy Battalion (less 1 Coy) relieved 1st Leicesters in Village Line, Cuinchy Sub Sector. A Coy garrisoned MOUNTAIN, STAFFORD, CUINCHY KEEPS. "C" & "D" Coys billeted in HARLEY STREET. "B" Coy went to ESPERANTO TERRACE under Command of O.C. 16 R.Warwick Rgt. This SubSector was taken over from Left Battn of 71st Bde VI Divn. Detailed 25 men permanent fatigue for Tunnellers. 21 Dec 1916 Battalion (less 1 Coy) in Village Line. Day chiefly occupied by fatigues for L.T.Ms & M.T.Ms carrying ammunition up to front line. B Coy in ESPERANTO TRENCH heavily "minnied" about 9 a.m. No damage done except to officers breakfast. 22 Dec 1916 Battalion in Village Line. B Coy relieved by Coy of 16th R.Warwick Rgt. On relief they in turn relieved a Coy of 2/Y&L Regt. in PONT FIXE REDOUBT just north of Canal. Large fatigues for T.Ms as usual. Major MOYSE, A/Adjt I.O. & O's C "A", "C", "D" Coys reconnoitred front Line of Brickstacks with a view to taking over on 24th. 23 Dec 1916 Battalion in Village Line. Double fatigues for T.Ms to carry them over day of relief. All available Officers & N.C.Os reconnoitre front line with a view to finding means of intercommunication and dispositions A/Adjt. went to KINGSCLERE to arrange reliefs with 16th R.Warwicks. 24 Dec 1916 Battalion relieved 16th R.Warwickshire Rgt in CUINCHY RIGHT (BRICKSTACKS). Dispositions as follows: - R.Firing Line - 'D' Coy. Centre 'A'Coy. L.Firing Line - 'C' Coy. Support "B" Coy (in ESPERANTO) H.Q. in KINGSCLERE. Cookhouse in HARLEY STREET at entrance to DAWSON STREET. Trenches near firing line in an awful state. EDGWARE RD in particular being almost impassible. 2 Platoons of 1st Norfolks relieved 2 Platoons 1st Cheshires between our Left and Canal. 11th ESSEX on our right. Line consists of a number of saps, mostly approached by tunnels. A line of craters, for the most part impassible between our line and the Germans. Advanced sapheads only about 20-30 yds from Germans. Support Company and H.Q. had to carry stores and rations and hot food to Coys in Line. Xmas bombardment lasting 3 days commenced when relief was complete. One L.G. team of Warwicks could not be relieved till about 4 pm owing to their being cut off by fallen in trench. Constant T.M. firing by both sides. 25 Dec 1916 Xmas day in Brickstacks! Conditions by no means improved, in spite of constant work when possible. A&.S.H (Pioneers) had 2 large parties working, one in BERKSHIRE, one in MARYLEBONE. Xmas bombardment continued. Some parts of trenches blown in by Minnies. Otherwise no damage. Arrangements for reliefs of men in Saps made as far as possible. Also L.Gs. Major Moyse proceeded on leave. Capt Halford assumes 2nd in Cmd. Had Drummers up to help carrying. Billetted in dug outs at HARLEY STREET end of DAWSON STREET. 26 Dec 1916 Battalion in BRICKSTACKS. Xmas bombardment continued. Very little retaliation. One or two portions of trenches improved. 1st Cheshire & 1st Norfolk C.Os reconnoitre line. Cheshire officers reconnoitre Coy fronts in afternoon. 27 Dec 1916 Battalion in BRICKSTACKS. Xmas bombardment ceased 12 noon. Practically no retaliation in R.Subsector. Carried on with what improvements in Saps and communication trenches were possible. Got A&S.H. on to EDGWARE ROAD, but not much impression was made on it. 1st Norfolk officers and NCOs reconnoitred trenches. 28 Dec 1916 - le Quesnoy and Beuvry Battalion relieved by 1st CHESHIRE Rgt. Relief complete by 12.30pm Battalion proceeded to Bde Reserve in billets at LE QUESNOY. B Coy billeted with 1/2 H.Q. in GIRL'S SCHOOL, BEUVRY. Town MAJOR, BEUVRY, tried to turn them out alleging they belonged to 1st ROYAL WEST KENTS, 95th Bde. They remained pending orders from Brigade. Battn H.Q. in CHATEAU, LE QUESNOY. 29 Dec 1916 Battalion in Billets as above. Considerable trouble about billets with TOWN MAJORS of BEUVRY & LE QUESNOY. C & D Coy Officers had to turn out to other & worse billets to make room for M.Gs. Staff Captains of 15th & 13th I.B's saw Town Major BEUVRY and arranged for GIRLS SCHOOL to be retained by us till Jan 1st. This reversed by Division and we had to turn out into much worse billets. Had to give up D Coy bunk for GLOSTER Officers billets. Baths allotted at LE QUESNOY, but baths were closed midday and no others allotted. Later we had to turn out of No20 billet to give place to 13th M.G.C. 30 Dec 1916 Battalion in Billets as above. Morning spent in Coy Training. Considerable difficulty over Bath question. Men had Xmas dinners at 2p.m. A/Adjt & M.O. visited 16th Warwicks H.Q. in CUINCHY RIGHT to learn dispositions etc. 91 Reinforcements arrived, a very good draft in appearance & Billetted in BEUVRY. 31 Dec 1916 Battalion in Billets as above. Usual Town Majors Road fatigue. Officers reconnoitred new line, reported considerable amount of water, but no mud. Another draft of 91 reinforcements arrived late in evening. Also billeted in BEUVRY. It was decided with concurrence of Divisional & A/Brigadier General, not to take them up to Trenches, but to leave them under Command of Major Halford for training and sorting out. OPERATION ORDERS No.39 1st BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 4th Dec., 1916 1. The Battalion will be relieved by the 12/Gloucester Regiment to-morrow, commencing about 10 a.m. 2. Four Guides per Company will be at Battalion Headquarters at 10.0 a.m. The Companies of the 12/Glosters will come in in the following order: - Left Firing Line; Left Support; Right Firing Line; Right Support. 3. Stores. A list of stores to be handed over will reach Battalion Headquarters by 8 a.m.at latest. 4. The Transport Officer will make all necessary arrangements. 5. O.C. Companies will hand over to the relieving unit a list of stores and a written report containing all information about the line and of the work done and proposed, together with any sketch maps that may be in their possession. Particular attention will be paid to statements about, and sketches of the state of our own wire. 6. On relief, Companies will withdraw to the ECOLE des JEUNES FILLES, BETHUNE. 7. Companies will withdraw to BETHUNE by route RICHEBOURG S. VAAST - LE TOURET, marching by sections at 200 yards interval as far as RICHEBOURG St.VAAST, by platoons as far as LE TOURET, thence by Companies. 8. Transport will move to the PLACE de LILLE (E.10.c.6/8) 9. Billeting party, consisting of 3 other ranks per company and 3 for Headquarters, will parade at Battalion Headquarters at 6 a.m. 10. Companies will send cooks as soon as soon [sic] as breakfast is disposed of. The Sergeant Cook will make arrangements to serve dinners as soon as the men arrive in BETHUNE OPERATION ORDER No.39/1 1st BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 4th Dec., '16 1. Three limbers and the mess carts will be at WINDY CORNER 9 a.m. to-morrow, 5th inst., Dixies and cooking gear will be at WINDY CORNER by 9 a..m. at which hour one limber will proceed under Sgt.Washington, accompanied by the cooks. Officers' trench kits will be at WINDY CORNER 12 noon. 2. The following code will be used for sending the completion of relief over the telephone: - "A" Coy.: "ALL CORRECT" "B" Coy.: "YOUR B.D.10 RECEIVED" "C" Coy.: "A HAVE NO OFFICER TO RECOMMEND" "D" Coy.: "No.10205 PTE.TARPY" OPERATION ORDER No. 40 1st BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 19th Dec., 1916 1. The Battalion, less 1 Company, will relieve the 1/Leicester Regt. in the VILLAGE LINE to-morrow, 20th inst.. 2. Reliefs. "A" Coy. will relieve "B" Coy. 1/Leics. "C" Coy. will relieve "A" Coy. 1/Leics. "D" Coy. will relieve "C" Coy. 1/Leics. 3. "B" Coy. will be at TOBACCO FACTORY at 10 a.m. O.C.Company will report to O.C.16/Royal Warwick Regt., and will be under his orders. 4. "A" Coy. will move off at 10.30 a.m. "C" Coy. at 11 a.m. "D" Coy. at 11.30 a.m. H.Qrs. at 12 noon. They will march by Coys. to Draw Bridge over LE PREOL [sic] Canal (F.10.e.7/0), thence by platoons at 200 yds interval. Guides will meet them at the Draw Bridge. 5. O.C. "B" Coy. will see that the men's feet are rubbed with oil before proceeding to the trenches. A certificate to this effect will be rendered to Orderly Room. 6. Stores. A list of stores that have been taken over will be sent to Bn.H.Qrs. as soon as possible after relief. 7. Coys. will report as soon as relief is complete, by Orderly. 8. Cooks under Sgt.Washington will move off at 9 a.m. They will report at H.Qrs. 1/Leicester Regt. in HARLEY STREET, and ask for guides. 9. Officers' Kits. Transport Officer will arrange to convey officers' complete kits. Kits must be ready by 9 p.m. at Qr.Master's Stores. 10. Blankets will be made up in rolls of 10, labelled, and piled in Workshop by 8 a.m. 1 man per Coy. to be detailed to load and accompany wagons. 11. Posts. will be furnished as under: - Bridge Guards "A" Coy. 1 N.C.O. and 3 men, PONT FIXE N. "C" Coy. 1 N.C.O. and 3 men, WESTMINSTER. "D" Coy. 1 N.C.O. and 3 men, IRON BRIDGE. Caretakers. "A" Coy. 2 men, WESTMINSTER KEEP. "C" Coy. 2 men, MARRAIS, and 2 men GORRE S. "D" Coy. 2 men, LE QUESNOY. Reliefs to be complete by 4 p.m. These men will be relieved on the 22nd. OPERATION ORDER No.40/1 1st BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 21-12-16 1. "B" Company will be relieved in ESPERANTO TRENCH by "D" Coy. 16/R.Warwickshire Regt. to-morrow, 22nd inst. 2. On relief they will relieve a Company of the 2/York & Lancs.Regt. and take over PONT FIXE REDOUBT. 3. O.C. "B" Coy. will report relief complete to Bn.H.Qrs by orderly, and will send in complete list of all stores taken over by him. OPERATION ORDER 41 1st BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 23-12-16 1. The Battalion will relieve the 16th Royal Warwickshire Regiment in front line CUINCHY right sub-sector, to-morrow, 24th inst. 2. "D" Coy. will relieve right firing line from BOYAU 27 to 33 inclusive. "A" Coy. will relieve the centre Coy. from BOYAU 33 to 37 inclusive. "C" Coy. will relieve left Coy. in 11 and 15 BRICKSTACKS and CABBAGE PATCH KEEP. "B" Coy. will relieve Support Coy. in ESPERANTO TRENCH and No.3 BRICKSTACK KEEP. H.Q.Company will relieve H.Q. at KINGSCLERE. 3. Coys. will move in above-named order. "D" Coy. will move off at 9 a.m., remainder at 1/2 hour's intervals. These times and order of formation already issued will be strictly adhered to. H.Q. Coy. will move last. 4. Guides for "D" Coy. will meet them at Corner of EDGEWARE [sic] ROAD. Guides for remaining Coys. will be at Bn. H.Qrs., KINGSCLERE. 5. Gum Boots. "D" Coy. will draw Gum Boots from BRADDELL CASTLE. Remaining Companies will draw Gum Boots from Store in HARLEY STREET. 6. Cookhouse. The Bn. Cookhouse is in HARLEY STREET near GIRL'S SCHOOL. Sgt.Washington will arrange to take this over from 16/R.Warwickshire Regt. in time to get dinners ready for the Battalion. All hot food has to be carried up to the Coys. in trenches. the R.S.M. will arrange for the necessary carrying parties. O's.C. Coys will arrange for guides, 1 for each platoon, to be at Cookhouse to guide Carrying parties. 7. Blankets will be rolled in bundles of 10, labelled and brought to H.Qrs. in HARLEY STREET. Officers' Kits will be brought to H.Qrs. in HARLEY STREET. The R.S.M. will detail a sentry for these. Transport Officer will arrange to collect these when rations are brought up. 8. Coy. Commanders will immediately report the relief complete by runners. 9. A list of stores that have been taken over will be sent to Orderly Room as soon as possible after relief. 10. Dispositions. Coy.Commanders will render to Orderly Room as soon as possible a report on the Dispositions of their Coys. OPERATION ORDER No. 42 1st BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 27th Dec., 1916 1. The Battalion will be relieved to-morrow, 28th inst. by the 1st Bn. Cheshire Regt., commencing about 9.30 a.m. 2. "D" Coy. will be relieved by "A" Coy. 1/Cheshire Regt. "A" Coy. will be relieved by "B" Coy., 1/Cheshire Regt. "C" Coy. will be relieved by "D" Coy., 1/Cheshire Regt. "B" Coy. will be relieved by "C" Coy. 1/Cheshire Regt. 3. Guides will be sent by Coys. as under: - (a) "D" Coy. will send guides as already arranged for by Coy. Commanders concerned. (b) "A" "B" and "C" Coys. will arrange to have guides (1 for each platoon) at Bn. Headquarters, KINGSCLERE, by 10 a.m. 4. On relief platoons and Lewis Gus will proceed independently by Canal Bank to WESTMINSTER BRIDGE, where guides will be waiting to take them to billets at LE QUESNOY. The distance of 200 yards between parties must be adhered to rigidly. Officers' servants will attach themselves to a definite party, and not proceed independently. 5. Officers' kits etc., must be taken to Cookhouse in HARLEY STREET by 9 a.m. Transport Officer will arrange to collect these and bring them to billets. 1 man of each Coy. to remain with kits to help load in the evening. 6. Cooks will proceed as soon as possible after breakfast, under instructions of Sgt.Washington. 7. Coy. Commanders will report relief complete by Orderly to Bn. H.Qrs. at KINGSCLERE. 8. All Gum Boots to be taken back to Store from which they were drawn. N.B. Reference para.4, parties must not consist of more than 10. Reference O.O.42, para.5, issued to-day, Officers' Kits, Mess Boxes, etc., must be at Cookhouse in HARLEY STREET not later than 9 a.m. and will have to be carried a short distance up the CAMBRIAN ROAD, where the limbers will meet them. The Drummers will help, and will act as guides. Officers' servants will be responsible that officers' kits are loaded on the limbers. OPERATION ORDER No. 43 1st BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 31st Dec., 1916 1. The Battalion will relieve the 16/Royal Warwickshire Regt. in CUINCHY Left Sub-sector to-morrow, 1st Jan., 1917. 2. "D" Coy. will relieve "Canal" Coy. with 2 platoons South of Canal, under orders of O.C. Right Sub-sector Battalion; 2 platoons North of Canal near Lock. "A" Coy. will relieve right Coy. immediately North of Canal. "D" Coy.will relieve Left Coy. "C" Coy. will relieve Centre Coy. O.C. Coys. will arrange for their men to be at VAUXHALL BRIDGE where guides will meet them at the following times: - The 2 platoons of "D" Coy. for South of Canal 10 a.m. "A", or Right Coy 10.10 a.m. The 2 platoons in support of "B" Coy. 10.30 a.m. "D" or Left Coy. 10.40 a.m. "C", or Centre Coy. 11.0 a.m. Headquarters 11.20 a.m. Times and distances between parties must be adhered to rigidly. 3. Gum Boots will be drawn from Gum Boot Store; Map ref. A.14.a.8/9. 4. Coy. Commanders will report immediately that relief is complete, by orderly, and send in a list of all stores handed over to them, and their dispositions as soon as possible. 5. Officers' kits and Trench kits must be ready by 9 a.m. Transport Officer will arrange to collect these and send trench kits up with the rations. Guides to officers' billets must be at H.Qrs. by 9 a.m. 6. Blankets to be rolled in bundles of 10, securely labelled and collected in one pile outside the respective billets. 1 man per Coy. must be left as guard and to help in loading. 7. Cooks will be sent forward as soon as possible after breakfast. The Transport will collect cooking utensils etc., and take them to WESTMINSTER BRIDGE, from there they will be carried with the assistance of Drummers.

1-31 Dec 1916

From: 1914 To: 1919

item

Allason, Walter,
Moyse, John Jenkins,
Turner, Martin Newman,
Haking, Richard Cyril Bryne,
Horne, Henry Sinclair, 1st Baron,
Norrish, S.,
Fish, H.W.,
McHugh,
Cross, C.J.,
Butler, Francis Noel,
Stantan, J M,
Grover, A.,
Halford, M.W.,
Washington

1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment, 1st/7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, 16th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 56th Division, 12th Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, 95th Infantry Brigade, theatres, church services, 15th Infantry Brigade, 1st/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, 1st Battalion East Surrey Regiment, canals, 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, 71st Infantry Brigade, 6th Division, land weaponry, 2nd Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment, Christmas, 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment, 11th Battalion Essex Regiment, Germans, 1st/6th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Beuvry Ecole des Jeunes Filles, 5th Division, baths, 13th Company Machine Gun Corps, trench foot, clothing, food & drink, servants, Neuve-Chapelle, Bethune, Montenegro, Village Line [Cuinchy], Cuinchy, Cuinchy Keep, Mountain Keep [Cuinchy], Stafford Keep [Cuinchy], Harley Street [Cuinchy], Esperanto Terrace [Cuinchy], Pont Fixe Redoubt [Cuinchy], Kingsclere [Cuinchy], Brickstacks [Cuinchy], Dawson Street [Cuinchy], Edgware Road [Cuinchy], Berkshire Trench [Cuinchy], Marylebone Trench [Cuinchy], Beuvry, Bethune le Quesnoy, Richebourg-Saint-Vaast, le Touret, Bethune Place de Lille, Windy Corner [Cuinchy], Tobacco Factory [Cuinchy], Westminster Bridge [Cuinchy], Iron Bridge [Cuinchy], Westminster Keep [Cuinchy], le Preolan, Gorre, Marrais, Cabbage Patch Keep [Cuinchy], Brickstack Keep [Cuinchy], Braddell Castle [Cuinchy], Cambrian Road [Cuinchy], Vauxhall Bridge [Cuinchy]