X550/5/3/1704

WAR DIARY FOR APRIL 1917 1-7 Apr 1917 - Manqueville Battalion in rest billets - Training. 4 Apr 1917 Major J.H. Baird, M.C. joined from senior officers course in England. 8 Apr 1917 - Maisnil-les-Ruitz Battalion marched to MAISNIL LE RUITZ [sic]. 9-10 Apr 1917 Battalion standing by to move. 11 Apr 1917 - Hermin Battalion moved to HERMIN 12-13 Apr 1917 Battalion standing by to move. 14 Apr 1917 - front line near Gavrelle Battalion moved to ARRAS by motor busses and took over line from 23rd N.F. 15 Apr 1917 Reconnaissance of GAVRELLE in conjunction with 10/R.D.F. Casualties Killed 2/Lts FREAR & MARSHALL WOUNDED left [Lieut?] WRAY 2/LTS. ROMAIN & MOGRIDGE. 55 O.Rs 16-21 Apr 1917 - support line near Arras Battalion relieved by 17/R.F. 22 Apr 1917 - front line facing Gavrelle Battalion moved to front line and occupied assembly trenches in front of GAVRELLE 189th Brigade on our right 17/R.F. on our left. Objective of Battalion - right boundary main road through GAVRELLE to the far side of the village. Left boundary GAVRELLE-OPPY system of trenches 200 yards North of GAVRELLE. 23 Apr 1917 Attacked at 4.45 A.M. captured village & reached objective. Shelled very heavily during the day and counter-attacked in the afternoon. Casualties - Killed 2/LT MULLIGAN 2/LT MUIR Wounded Capt BERRY 2/Lts PRIMROSE-WELLS, BRIDGES, LEWIS, Thomas, HUNT, KNAPP. O.Rs. 260. CAPT MILLS 2/LT Worth BRODIE, FISHWICK, MORRISH. 24 Apr 1917 - St.Catherine's Battalion relieved by 2/R.Ms. at midnight and marched down to St.Catherines. 25-27 Apr 1917 Battalion resting at St.Catherine's. 28 Apr 1917 - Oppy Line Battalion received sudden orders to move up to front line under orders of G.O.C. 188th Brigade. Battalion sent to assembly trenches to attack OPPY trench system from Rly. on right to 500 yards North of Rly. on left. 29 Apr 1917 Battalion attacked at dawn & captured objective, was counter attacked and driven out and recaptured trench and consolidated it about 11.0 A.M. Trench heavily shelled by Bosches all day. Battalion relieved at night by H.A.C. who in turn were relieved by a unit of the 37th Division Casualties Wounded 2/LT. BLOODWORTH 2/LT DEAN. 30 Apr 1917 - Roclincourt Battalion moved to tents near ROCLINCOURT. APPENDIX I MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATIONS. "Following wire has been sent by the Commander in Chief Sir Douglas Haig, to 1st Army begins aaa My congratulations to you and the troops engaged on the good work done yesterday especially in the capture of GAVRELLE ends aaa" Headquarters, 190th Infantry Brigade. 29th April, 1917. I wish to express to the Officers, N.C.Os. and men of the Brigade my high appreciation of the work they have carried out during the last tour of duty in the trenches. In spite of the very heavy casualties units have sustained, objectives have not only been gained but held, thus enabling the Brigade to retain the high reputation which it already holds. I trust C.Os. will acquaint all ranks of the above, and that the past fiurteen days may serve as a fresh incentive to the training of the men of the Brigade. (Sd.) W.H.E. Finch Brigadier General, Commanding 190th Infantry Brigade

1-30 Apr 1917

From: 1917 To: 1917

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Freear, Eric Charles,
Marshall,
Mogridge,
Wray,
Romain,
Mulligan, Sidney Gerald,
Muir, Horace Wellesley,
Berry,
Primrose-Wells, James Bowen,
Bridges, William Robert,
Lewis,
Hunt,
Thomas,
Knapp,
Mills, S.D.,
Brodie, John,
Fishwick,
Morrish,
Worth,
Bloodworth,
Dean,
Haig, Douglas [1st Earl],
Finch, W.H.E.,
Baird, J H

4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, deaths, omnibuses, 23rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, 10th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 189th Infantry Brigade, 190th Infantry Brigade, 17th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion Royal Marine Light Infantry, out county railways, 188th Infantry Brigade, 37th Division, 1st Battalion Honourable Artillery Company, 1st Army, Gavrelle, Roclincourt, Oppy, St.Catherine's [Arras], Arras, Hermin, Maisnil-les-Ruitz, Manqueville