X550/3/WD/1511A

War Diary for November 1915 1 Nov 1915 - Bellerive Capt. J.H. MAYNE admitted to Hospl. sick - Lieut L.F.BEAL took over duties of A/Adjutant. 2 Nov 1915 2/Lieut. W. HOBBS and 6 O.R. proceeded on leave. 3 Nov 1915The following Special Order of the day received from His Majesty the King. I am happy to have found myself once more with my Armies. It is especially gratifying to me to have been able to see some of those that have been newly created. For I have watched with interest the growth of these Troops from the first days of Recruit Drill and through the different stages of training until their final inspection on the eve of departure for the Front as organised Divisions. Already they have justified the general conviction then formed of their splendid fighting worth. Since I was last among you, you have fought many strenuous battles. In all you have reaped renown and proved yourself at least equal to the highest traditions of the British Army. In company with our noble Allies you have baffled the infamous conspiracy against law and liberty in Europe, so long and insidiously prepared. These achievements have involved vast sacrifices. But your countrymen who watch your campaign with sympathetic admiration will, I am well assured, spare no effort to fill your ranks and afford you all supplies. I have decorated many of you. But had I decorated all who deserve recognition for conspicuous valour, there would have been no limit, for the whole Army is illustrious. It is a matter of sincere regret to me that my accident should have prevented my seeing all the Troops I had intended, but during my stay amongst you I have seen enough to fill my heart with admiration of your patient cheerful endurance of life in the trenches, a life either of weary monotony or of terrible tumult. It is the dogged endurance evinced by all ranks which will at last bring you to victory. Keep the goal in sight and remember it is the final lap that wins. GEORGE R.I. Nov. 1st 1915. 4 Nov 1915 Major H.S. POYNTZ joined the Battalion. Coy's at Drill & bomb instruction Major H.S. Poyntz was slightly wounded in the forehead about 11 a.m. whilst witnessing a bomb practice, but remained at duty. Sick wastage Week ending 5/11/15 18 Other Ranks. 5 Nov 1915 - Bethune Battalion left at 2.30 p.m. for billets in BETHUNE arriving about 4.15 p.m. 6 Nov 1915 - la Basse Canal near Duck's Bill BILLETS BETHUNE ("E".11.b.20. ref. Map BETHUNE 1/40,000). Battalion left at 9 a.m. to relieve the 2nd Bn. YORKSHIRE REGT. in "B".2.a. Sub-section of the GIVENCHY trenches situated just N. of the LA-BASSEE CANAL which included the DUCKS BILL in front of which was a System of CRATERS. The section extended from WILLOW ROAD (right flank) to SHAFTESBURY AVENUE (left flank) the 2/Bn. R.S.F. being on our Right and the 20th Bde. on our left. At 11.30 a.m. while the relief was proceeding verbal orders were received from the Brigadier to the effect that a mine would be exploded at 3 p.m. if possible and that the LIP of the resulting CRATER must be occupied, at the same time the near edges of the other CRATERS in front of the DUCKS BILL was [sic] to be occupied and also that of the detached CRATER on the left towards which there was already a Sap. As it was expected our Trenches would be filled with debris, parties were to de detailed to clear and hold them. All men within 200x of the mine were to be withdrawn. Orders were accordingly issued, and by 3.45 p.m. the battalion was ready. the Companies detailed to go forward were "B" Coy. (left) "C" Coy. (centre) & "A" Coy. (Right). D Company in Support. A Company commanded by Capt.H.de BURIATTE. B Company commanded by Capt. R.B.GIBSON. C Company commanded by Capt. R.O.WYNNE. D Company commanded by Capt. P.C.CAVAN. They were to send out small parties of 3 Riflemen & 3 bombers to occupy the CRATER edges, each party to be followed by a consolidating party of 10 men with shovels. Six of each were detailed. Additional bombs and Sandbags were sent up to CAMBRIDGE TERRACE. At 4.10 p.m. the mine was exploded, all the parties went over the parapet, the near edge of the CRATER on the left was occupied and made good & the SAP completed. The new CRATER was just in front of the two old ones, these were occupied & observation & communication saps were dug. One party got across the NEW CRATER and for a short time established themselves on the far edge of it, they were however bombed out, losing 2/Lieut. H.C. LOVELY (Wounded) and 3 Other Ranks wounded by bombs. A fairly heavy rifle fire was developed by the enemy on the lips of the CRATERS occupied, and 2/Lieut. F.ANNS was killed whilst superintending a digging party in one of them. Work was continued all night, and by the morning the position, which was required for observation only was secure. The enemy had thrown a large number of bombs but they all fell just short of the CRATERS occupied. The whole of the CRATERS A B and C can be seen from the observation posts, and are connected up by trenches as shown [diagram not included]. The G.O.C. 1st Army presented No.4/6722 Pte W. JACKSON with the French decoration CROIX de GUERRE. This man was awarded the D.C.M. for the following act of gallantry. On the night of 30th Sept. 1915, near HULLOCK [sic] when the enemy had gained a footing in GUN TRENCH he continued firing his Machine Guns although attacked on three sides. On his GUN failing he picked it up & retired across the open for 50x with the GERMANS at his heels and succeeded in regaining our trench. 7 Nov 1915 The day passed without any unusual incident. 2/Lieut. LAWRENCE & 9 O.R. proceeded on leave. The casualties during this 48 hours tour of duty was - One Officer Killed. One Officer Wounded. One Other Rank Killed. Twelve Other Ranks Wounded. 8 Nov 1915 - Bethune Battalion relieved by the 2nd Bn. YORKSHIRE REGT. relief completed by 2.0 p.m. and marched to billets in BETHUNE arriving about 4.15 p.m. 9 Nov 1915 BILLETS BETHUNE. ("E".11.b.2.0.). 10 Nov 1915 - la Basse Canal near Duck's Bill Major H.S. POYNTZ took over command of battalion from Lt.Col. H.F. BIDDER (Royal Sussex Regt.) The Battalion left at 8.45 a.m. to relieve the 2 YORKSHIRE REGT in the same Section of trenches as last period. relief completed at 2.5 p.m. The R.S.F. were on our Right and 2/BORDER REGT. on our left. the battalion's disposition was as follows: B. Company Left flank. C. Company Right flank. D. Company SUPPORT A. Company RESERVE. The day and night passed quietly. 11 Nov 1915 TRENCHES GIVENCHY. From 12 Noon to 5 p.m. the enemy shelled PONT-FIXE with about 550 H.E. Shells. 12 Nov 1915 - Bethune The night passed quietly. the Battalion was relieved by the 2nd and 6th GORDONS relief completed about 2.30 p.m. and marched to billets in BETHUNE (billeted in the AVENUE de BOURAY [sic]). 4 Other Ranks was [sic] wounded during this tour in the Trenches. 2/Lieut R.T.OLDFIELD and 11 O.R. proceeded on leave. Lieut. T.E.AMYOT R.A.M.C. was admitted to Hospital Sick. Lieut. B.E. WRIGHT R.A.M.C. joined the Battalion. 25 O.R. joined from 7th Intrenching [sic] Battalion. Sick Wastage for week ending 12th 7 - Other Ranks. 13 Nov 1915 - Bellerive The Battalion left at 10 a.m. for billets BELLERIVE arriving at 12 noon. BILLETS BELLERIVE (road running through "V".6.c.d. ref Map BETHUNE 1/40,000.[)] 14 Nov 1915 The C.O. inspected Coy's and last Draft of 25 men. BILLETS BELLERIVE 15 Nov 1915 Church Parade. Major H.F. BIDDER left the Battalion. 16 Nov 1915 17 Nov 1915 - Essars Bn. left at 9.30 a.m. for billets in ESSARS arriving at 12 noon. Bn. Billeted on road running through X.25.a. ref. Map BETHUNE 1/40,000. The Bn. had the services of 7th Divisional Band on the march from BELLERIVE to ESSARS. 18 Nov 1915 - trenches near Givenchy-les-la-Basse BILLETS ESSARS. 2/Lieut. R.E. OAKLEY & 11 O.R. proceeded on leave. Battalion left at 8.45 a.m. to relieve the 2/YORKSHIRE REGT. in the Trenches GIVENCHY ("B"3 Sub Section). Bn. held line from BERKLEY STREET to GRENADIER ROAD. Relief completed by 2 p.m. Disposition of Bn. D. Co. Left. A Co. Right. C. Co. SUPPORT. B. Co. RESERVE. Bn. H.Q. WINDY CORNER. Nothing unusual occurred during the day. 25 Other Ranks joined the Bn. from 7th Intrenching [sic] Bn. 19 Nov 1915 TRENCHES GIVENCHY. Night passed quietly. - about 10 a.m. The enemy sent over GAS BOMBS on left Coy's. front "6 men gassed". casualties week ending 19/11/15. Wounded 1 O.R. Gassed 6 O.R. Sick wastage 7. 20 Nov 1915 - Essars Bn. relieved by 2 YORKS relief completed - 1.15 p.m. Bn. returned to billets in ESSARS. 21 Nov 1915 BILLETS ESSARS. Church Parade. 22 Nov 1915 - trenches near Givenchy-les-la-Basse Battalion left at 8.30 a.m. to relieve 2 YORKS in "B"3 Sub-Section line held same as Nov. 18th. Relief completed 1 p.m. C. Co. left. B. Co. Right. A. Co. Support. D. Co. Reserve. One Coy. of 19th Royal Fusiliers attached to Bn. for instruction. 23 Nov 1915 TRENCHES GIVENCHY. Nothing unusual occurred. 2 Lt. H.A. DEACON and 11 O.R. proceeded on leave. A/C.S.M. STRINGER Wounded. 24 Nov 1915 - Ferme du Roi Nothing unusual occurred. Casualties during this tour 5 Other Ranks wounded. The Battalion was relieved by the 2 Yorkshire Regt. Relief completed about 1 p.m. & marched to billets at FERME DU ROI. 2/Lieut. R.J. SAUNDERS 4/BEDF. R. 2/Lieut. E.E.A. COLLISSON 2/BEDF.R. joined the Battalion. 25 Nov 1915 BILLETS FERME DU ROI E.6.c. and d. ref. BETHUNE Map 1:40,000. On Oct. 28th 11.30 a.m. H.M. the KING inspected representative troops of 1st Corps near HESDIGNEUL-LES-BETHUNE. None of the 21st Infantry Brigade were able to be present on account of the Brigade being in the trenches. Brigadier general Cochrane 5th Inf. Bde. commanded the parade. the King rode up with the G.O.C. 1st Army and G.O.C. 1st Corps and G.O.C. Divisions of 1st Corps and received the Royal Salute, after which the massed Divisional Bands of 2nd and 7th Divisions played selections while the King rode along the front line. After this H.M. the King returned to the centre of the line. The A.Q.M.G. 1st Army having presented Captain C.C. FOSS to his Majesty read out the official account of Captain Foss's act. Captain Foss then advanced and the King pinned the VICTORIA CROSS on to Captain Foss's jacket and shook hands and said "I have very great pleasure in presenting you with the VICTORIA CROSS. I am very proud to hear of your gallant deed and am glad I have been able to do so on this occasion. I hope you will live long to enjoy the reward of your act ["]. Captain Foss then saluted and withdrew and the parade gave three hearty cheers for His Majesty as he rode off the parade ground. It was as His Majesty was leaving the next parade of the FLYING CORPS that he met with his most unfortunate accident. 26 Nov 1915 - trenches near Givenchy-les-la-Basse BILLETS FERME DU ROI Battalion left at 8.30 a.m. to relieve the 2 YORKS in "B" 3. Sub-Section. Battalion held the line as on Nov.18th. Relief completed 1.15 p.m. A Co. Right. C. Co. 19 R. Fusiliers Left. B. Co. Support. D. Co. Billets WINDY CORNER. O.C. D. Co. Officers & Sergeants of D. Co. attached to C. Co. R.F. to instruct this new unit in Trench Duty. 30 Other Ranks joined the Bn. 27 Nov 1915 TRENCHES GIVENCHY. Our Artillery fired about 500 rds. to cut the enemy's wire on a front of about 80 yds. The enemy artillery was also active. 28 Nov 1915 - Ferme du Roi The Battalion was relieved by the 2 YORKSHIRE REGT. relief completed 1.30 p.m. The battalion then marched back to billets in the FERME DU ROI with the exception of one Officer & 120 men of "C" Coy. which remained behind as a working party until the night of the 30th. The casualties during this tour of duty was [sic] - 2 Other Ranks Killed. 4 Other Ranks Wounded. 29 Nov 1915 BILLETS FERME DU ROI. Church Parade. 2/Lieut. E.H. GUDGEON admitted to Hospital sick. 30 Nov 1915 2/Lieut. E.G. HANKINSON 2/Bedf. R. joined the Battalion & posted to A Company.

1-30 Nov 1915

From: 1915 To: 1915

item

Mayne, J H,
Beal, Leonard Frank,
George V,
Foss, Charles Calverley,
Hobbs, W.,
Poyntz, Hugh Stainton,
de Buriatte, H.,
Gibson, Robert Bowness,
Wynne, Richard Owen,
Cavan, P.C.,
Loveley, H.C.,
Anns, Frederick,
Deacon, H.A.,
Stringer,
Jackson, W,
Bidder, Harold Francis,
Oldfield, R T,
Amyot, T.E.,
Wright, B.E.,
Oakley, R.E.,
Saunders, R.J.,
Gough, Hubert de la Poer,
Haig, Douglas [1st Earl],
Collisson, Evelyn Ernest Arnold,
Walker, William George,
Cochrane, James Kilvington,
Watts, Herbert Edward,
Furse, William Thomas,
Briggs, Charles James,
Gudgeon, E.H.,
Hankinson, E.G.

2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, Royal Flying Corps, 7th Division, 1st Army, I Corps, land weaponry, maps, general royalty, canals, 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, deaths, Germans, Royal Sussex Regiment, 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion Border Regiment, 20th Infantry Brigade, 21st Infantry Brigade, 1st/6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, 7th Entrenching Battalion, Royal Army Medical Corps, church services, 19th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, Ferme du Roi [Bethune], Bethune, Bellerive, Givenchy-les-la-Bassee, Duck's Bill [Givenchy], Willow Road [Givenchy], Shaftesbury Avenue [Givenchy], Windy Corner [Cuinchy], Cambridge Terrace [Cuinchy], Hulluch, Pont-Fixe, Bethune Avenue de Brouay, Berkeley Street [Givenchy], Grenadier Road [Givenchy], Essars, Hesdigneul-les-Bethune