X550/3/WD/1804

War Diary for April 1918 1 Apr 1918 - Catigny, Arrest In BIllets at CATIGNY ARRESTE [sic] Battalion at Training. major R.O.Wynne D.S.O. assumed command of the Battalion. 2 Apr 1918 In Billets at CATIGNY ARRESTE Battalion at Training. 3 Apr 1918 In Billets at CATIGNY ARRESTE Lieut.H.Pomcrantz, M.O.R.C., U.S.A. joined Battalion and took over duties of Medical Officer. Captain P.J.Reiss, M.C., M.M., 2nd Lieut.F.C.Baldwin, 2nd Lieut.A.Baker, 2nd Lieut.S.H.Smith, 2/Lieut.P.A.Page, 2nd Lieut.C.Shekury, M.C., rejoined from leave. 4 Apr 1918 - en route from Feuquieres-en-Vimeu - Fressenneville to Rousbrugge At 8.30 p.m. the Battalion marched to FLUQUIERES FRESSENNVILLE [sic] Station and entrained for ROUSBRUGGE (Ref.Map ABBEVILLE, 1/100,000) 2nd Lieut.E.A.Maddison proceeded on probation to Royal Flying Corps. 2nd Lieut.E.E.Bath to England wounded. 5 Apr 1918 - Dragon Camp The Battalion marched from ROUSBRUGGE STATION to DRAGON CAMP A.15.b.5.3. (ref.Map Sheet 28 France & Belgium) arriving at 7.30 p.m. 6 Apr 1918 Battalion in DRAGON CAMP 7 Apr 1918 - Huddleston Camp At 11.30 a.m. the Battalion Marched to HUDDLESTON CAMP C.7.c.5.3. and took over 2 Sections of the BATTLE ZONE "A" & "B" Coys were responsible for "E" Section taking over from 1st/1st Yorkshire Dragoons Cyclist Regiment. "C" & "D" Coys. were responsible for "F" Section taking over from 1st Black Watch. 8 Apr 1918 Dispositions as on 7th 9 Apr 1918 Dispositions as on 7th 10 Apr 1918 Dispisitions as on 7th 11 Apr 1918 Dispositions as on 7th A/Captain W.S.Deller appointed Adjutant II Corps Reinforcement Camp and struck off strength of Battalion. 2/Lieut.A.J.H.Rogers from Hospital Major & Quartermaster H.Cressingham D.S.O., D.C.M. to Depot 12 Apr 1918 Dispositions as on 7th. 13 Apr 1918 - between Pilckem and Langemarck At 5.0 a.m. the Battalion took up position in BATTLE ZONE between Pilckem and LANGEMARCK. Battalion H.Q. at STRAY FARM. Companies distributed in Depth as follows: - "D", "C", "B", "A" from Front to Rear. One Battalion was withdrawn from Forward Zone, 17th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regt. remained as Outposts. 1st Battalion 10th Belgian Infantry Regiment were on the Left, 2nd Bn.Yorkshire Regt. on the Right. 14 Apr 1918 In the same positions in BATTLE ZONE. Companies working on the Defences. A quiet day. Viscount Obert joined Battalion as Interpreter. 15 Apr 1918 In same positions. A quiet day. Companies working in their own areas. "D" Company was relieved by a Company of 18th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regt and went into reserve near PILCKEM 16 Apr 1918 During the night 15th/16th the Outposts were withdrawn and the line of the STEENBEEK was taken up. This left the Battalion in the Front Line. The Bridges over the STEENBEEK were all blown up. The withdrawal was carried out without trouble and was not noticed by the enemy until the afternoon. After 3.0 p.m. he could be seen advancing in small paryies and at 6.0 p.m. 200 were reported to be entering LANGEMARCK. "D" Company took over front position again during the day. 2nd Lieut.C.Shekury M.C. Killed in Action. A quiet night and patrols which were out saw no enemy. Lieut. & Quartermaster F.Wombwell joined Battalion from England. 17 Apr 1918 Enemy Patrols pushed forward to the STEENBEEK and attempted to cross at PICCADILLY BRIDGE soon after dawn. During the day hostile artillery was active particularly on our left were [sic] enemy made an attack on Belgians, but were repulsed. Enemy pushed forward into LANGEMARCK all day. Our guns caused him considerable casualties in LANGEMARCK. Half "A" Company sent up to reinforce "D" Company. Captain P.J.reiss M.C., M.M. took charge of the forward positions. During the evening two Boche patrols crossed the STEENBEEK & established themselves in Pillboxes. The Battalion were relieved by 2nd Bn.10th Belgian Infantry Regiment. 18 Apr 1918 - Erie Camp, Brandhoek Relief complete 2.30 a.m. marched back to MANNING CAMP near ELVERDINGHE. Left MANNING CAMP 2.30 p.m. and marched to ERIE CAMP (28.G.11.c.) near BRANDHOEK. A very cold & windy day. 19 Apr 1918 A very cold day with Sleet and Snow. Companies left Camp at 10.0 a.m. and were employed in digging Strong points between VLAMERTINGHE and RENINGHELST. At 10 p.m. we were recalled to camp and had word that the Battalion was going into the Line again. A Composite Brigade under Brig.general Goodman was formed. the three Battalions were as follows: - No.1 Battalion 2 Coys 2nd Bn.Bedfordshire Regt. 2 Coys. 2nd Bn. Wiltshire Regt. (Administered by Bedf.H.Q.) No.2 Battalion. 2 Coys 16th Manchesters & 2 Coys 17th Bn.Manchester Regt. No.3 Battalion. 4 Coys 2nd Bn.Yorkshire Regt. No.1 Composite Battalion was made up as follows: - No.1 Coy. Capt.P.J.reiss M.C. M.M. (Our "A" & "B" Coys) No.2 Coy. Lieut.S.E.Cline (Our "C" & "D" Coys) No.3 Coy. Capt.Druitt (Wilts.R.) No.4 Coy. Capt.Wilson (Wilts R.) the Battalion took over the Line from 1 Coy 6th K.O.S.B's. relief complete about 3.0 a.m. (20th). Dispositions as follows: - No.4 Coy. In Front Line by the BLUFF 28.I.34.c. No.3 Coy. In Dugouts in CANAL BANK No.1 Coy. In Dugouts in SPOIL BANK 28.I.34.c. No.2 Coy. In Dugouts by LOCK 7. Battn.H.Q. LOCK 7. 28.I.32.b.6.4. Manchesters on the Right. Yorkshires on the Left. 20 Apr 1918 - front line, Bluff, Canal Bank, Spoil Bank, Lock 7 A quiet day. At night the 2nd Bn.Yorkshire Regt took over our piece of Front Line. No.1 & No.2 Coys remained in their old positions. No.4 Coy. moved in Strong points just North of CANAL. Company H.Q. near NORFOLK BRIDGE 28.I.33.d.3.6. No.3 Company moved to LOCK 8. 21 Apr 1918 A quiet day. Companies & Headquarters remained in same positions 22 Apr 1918 A quiet day. At night enemy did a lot of gas shelling round YPRES & BEDFORD HOUSE. Remained in same positions 23 Apr 1918 Remained in same positions. A quiet day but a lot of gas shelling on Back Areas at night. 24 Apr 1918 - The Bluff to the Caterpiller A quiet day except at the BLUFF, where the enemy were shelling. Took over front line from right Coy of 2nd Bn.Yorkshire Regiment. No.1 Company on right, from the BLUFF exclusive to 28.I.34.b.5.0. No.2 Company on left from 28 I.34.b.5.0. to the CATERPILLER 28 I.35.a.8.7. inclusive. No.3 Company in Support about NORFOLK BRIDGE. No.4 Company in reserve at LA CAPPELLE 28 I.33.b.5.9. Battalion Headquarters at LOCK 7. 25 Apr 1918 Heavy Gas shell bombardment by the enemy at 2.30 a.m. Chiefly on back areas. Heavy bombardment south of Canal. Enemy attacked at dawn to South of Canal. Our Outpost Line driven back a little. Quiet on our front. Enemy advanced to the South and took KEMMEL HILL. 26 Apr 1918 Enemy pushing forward a little just south of Canal. Battalion Heqdauerters in SPOIL BANK had to evacuate as enemy got very near them. Enemy also got the MOUND at ST.ELOI and nearly all our troops withdrew to line of LOCK 8. A lot of heavy shelling by the enemy. At 9 a.m. Battalion Headquarters moved from Lock 7 to BEDFORD HOUSE. We formed a defensive flank along Canal from Lock 8 to Spoil Bank, No.4 Company were employed for this. Captain Wilson (Wilts R.) wounded. Later in the day two Companies of 1st Bn.West Yorkshire Regiment were sent to LA CAPELLE Ridge to strengthen our right flank. During the day enemy made repeated attempts to capture the BLUFF. These attempts were broken up by 2nd Lieut.P.A.Page and his Platoon. Enemy captured the BLUFF in the afternoon and at about 7.30 p.m. he crossed the Canal at NORFOLK BRIDGE. Captain Smith (Wilts R.) and part of his Company were captured. No.1 Company had to withdraw on the line LA CAPELLE - RAVINE in 28 I.34.a. has [sic] the enemy were working round behind them. At 12 midnight we received orders to withdraw 27 Apr 1918 - Scottish Camp At 2 a.m. we withdrew from our line and passed through 110th Brigade who were holding the line ZILLEBEKE BUND - LOCK 8. This is now the Front Line. Withdrawal carried out successfully and without any casualties. During the day we suffered Casualties from heavy shell fire. TOTAL CASUALTIES 107 Killed, Wounded and Missing. Withdrawal complete at 4.30 a.m. Marched back to SCOTTISH CAMP 28.G.23.a. 28 Apr 1918 - Montreal Camp Remained in Camp til l1.30 p.m., when we moved forward to MONTREAL CAMP 28.H.19.b.7.8. We are now in Divisional Reserve and may have to help either the 110th or 89th Infantry Brigade. Heavy Gun fire just before Dusk. S.O.S. went up in several places on VIERSTRAAT Line. 29 Apr 1918 - 500 yards in front of Montreal Camp Moved from Montreal Camp at about 4 a.m. to Trenches just South of the Camp. Enemy barrage started at 4 a.m. Remained in the Trenches till about 9.30 a.m. when we moved forward about 500 or 600 yards. Battalion Headquarters in Farm at 28.H.20.c.1.5. Heavy fighting all day between YPRES and SCHERDENBERG. Enemy apparently repulsed everywhere and suffered heavy losses. 30 Apr 1918 - Dickebusch Lake Moved forward to trenches about DICKEBUSCH HUTS 28.H.26.b. at 3.30 a.m. Battalion Headquarters in Farm at 28 H.26.b.0.8. At 10 p.m. Battalion moved forward to DICKEBUSCH LAKE. No.2 and 4 Companies occupying a position North of the LAKE. 1 and 3 Companies occupying a position South of the LAKE. Battalion Headquarters in FARM South of the Lake. Battalion supporting the 89th Infantry Brigade. Slight shelling during the day. (REFERENCE MAP: - BELGIUM Sheet 28 1/20,000)

1-30 Apr 1918

From: 1918 To: 1918

item

Wynne, Richard Owen,
Pomerantz, H.,
Reiss, P.J.,
Baker, A.,
Shekury, Cecil,
Smith, S.H.,
Page, P.A.,
Baldwin, Frederick Charles,
Maddison, E.A.,
Bath, E E,
Rogers, A.J.H.,
Obert, Viscount,
Wombwell, F.,
Goodman, Godfrey Davenport,
Cline, S.E.D.,
Druitt,
Wilson,
Smith,
Deller, W.S.,
Cressingham, Hugh Montrein

2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, Royal Flying Corps, Belgium farms, trains, Americans, Feuquieres-en-Vimeu-Fressenneville Station, Rousbrugge Station, maps, deaths, Yorkshire Dragoons, 1st/1st Yorkshire Dragoons Cyclist Regiment, 1st Battalion Black Watch, II Corps, 17th Battalion (1st City) King's (Liverpool) Regiment, 10th Belgian Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, Belgians, 18th Battalion (2nd City) King's (Liverpool) Regiment, specific bridges, Germans, weather, 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, 16th Battalion (1st City) Manchester Regiment, 17th Battalion (2nd City) Manchester Regiment, 6th Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers, canals, land weaponry, 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, 110th Infantry Brigade, 89th Infantry Brigade, Montreal Camp [Ypres], Ypres, Scherdenberg, Dickebusch Huts [Ypres], Dickebusch Lake, Vierstraat, Bluff [Ypres], Caterpiller [Ypres], Norfolk Bridge [Ypres], la Capelle [Ypres], Ypres-Comines Canal [Ypres] Lock Seven, Mont Kemmel, Spoil Bank [Ypres], Bedford House [Ypres], Mont-Saint-Eloi, Ypres-Comines Canal [Ypres] Lock Eight, Ravine [Ypres], Zillebeke Bund [Ypres], Scottish Camp [Ypres], Vlamertinghe, Reninghelst, Canal Bank (Ypres), Pilkem, Langemarck, Stray Farm [Ypres], Piccadilly Bridge [Ypres], Elverdinghe, Manning Camp [Ypres], Brandhoek, Erie Camp [Ypres], Catigny, Arrest, Eu, Fressenneville, Feuquieres-en-Vimeu, Rousbrugge, Dragon Camp [Ypres], Huddleston Camp [Ypres]