June 1, 1917. The Battalion moved in motor buses to MANIN, arriving there about 8 PM. The Battalion was billeted there.
June 2, 1917. MANIN. The companies carried out route marches. Each company commander selecting his own route. Lieut. P W Farr and 2nd Lieut. A D Reid with 136 other ranks joined the Battalion.
June 3, 1917. There was a voluntary Divine Service held in the morning. In the afternoon companies were at the disposal of the company commanders for training. 3 other ranks joined the Battalion.
June 4, 1917. Company route marches were again carried out in the morning. Training and firing on the rifle range took place in the afternoon. 2nd Lieut. H E Heffer awarded the Military Cross; Capt. A D Sharpe, RAMC, also awarded the Military Cross.
June 5, 1917. The Battalion moved by motor buses to BEAUVOIS there are to be billeted. The accommodation was rather bad, and the majority of the men slept in the open.
June 6, 1917. The Battalion marched to TANGRY to be billeted there. The billets were very good, and there was ample accommodation for all ranks.
June 7, 1917. The Battalion marched to MATRINGHEM, arriving there about 8 PM. The billets were very good but rather scattered.
June 8, 1917. MATRINGHEM. Company offices and bombing officer reconnoitered the area for training grounds. The day was spent in cleaning up the billeting area.
June 9, 1917. Companies were at the disposal of the company commanders. A working party was supplied to work on the range at HEZECQUES. 2nd Lieut. J H Hodgson, 2nd Lieut. F E Beauchamp, 2nd Lieut. H Donnell and 28 other ranks joined the Battalion. 2nd Lieut. S S Sutherland rejoined from rest camp; 2nd Lieut. D F Hurr from 37th Divisional Depot.
June 10, 1917. Training was carried out as per training programme. 2nd Lieut. F I Rogers and 10 other ranks joined the Battalion. Capt. and Adjutant T L Boden, MC, awarded a bar to the Military Cross, Capt. P W Smith, 2nd Lieut. A D Hooke, 2nd Lieut. J C Lyle awarded the Military Cross. No. 12572 a/CSM G. Beattil and No. 2323 H L Gold awarded the DCM. Authorities, 6th Corps c/138/179/1/A/ dated 10.6.17 and 3rd Army H R /475/dated 4.5.17.
June 11, 1917. Training was carried out as per the programme. Major M M C Murs rejoined from 63rd Brigade School. Draft of 44 other ranks joined the Battalion.
June 12, 1917. Training was carried on. 2 offices per company attended a lecture on “Operations on Vimy Ridge” by Brig. Gen. P de B Radcliffe, DSO.
June 13, 1917. Training was carried on with. 2 offices from each company attended continuing of lecture on “Operations on Vimy Ridge” by Lieut. Col. Webber, DSO.
June 14, 1917. Training carried on. 2nd Lieut. G W Wridgeway joined the Battalion.
June 15, 1917. Companies fired on brigade rifle range, at HEZECQUES, throughout the day. Battalion sports were held in the evening.
June 16, 1917. Battalion carried on training. 7 other ranks joined the Battalion.
June 17, 1917. Divine Services were held in the training grounds. 2nd Lieut. S Mirams (a/Adjutant) proceeded on leave to the UK until 30th instant. 2nd Lieut. G S Sutherland assumed duties of Acting Adjutant for. 17th instant to 27th instant. Capt.P W Smith, MC, assumed command of B company.
June 18, 1917. Training carried out as per the programme. One platoon worked on making bayonet fighting gallows. No 8550, Private H Jackman’s sentence of 6 months IHL was remitted by GOC 63rd Infantry Battalion for (i) continuous good conduct in the field. (ii) gallantry in action on April 24, 1917 north of the River Scarfe.
June 19, 1917. Training was carried out as per the programme. Baths were allotted to A company and Headquarters.
June 20, 1917. Companies carried out musketry practice on the rifle range at HEZECQUES throughout the day. Grenadiers carried out practice with live bombs under the direction of the Bombing Officer. 5 other ranks proceeded to 1st Army rest camp for 14 days. Battalion sports were continued in the evening.
June 21, 1917. The day was regarded as a general holiday. Brigade sports were held in FROSES. A presentation of medal ribbons was made by the 1st Army Commander. A detachment from D company under Lieut. A G Mitchell represented the Battalion in the Brigade Guard of Honour. Capt.P W Smith, MC, and 2nd Lieut. J G Lyle, MC, received medal ribbons.
June 22, 1917. The Battalion marched to AUCHY-AU-BOIS, there to be billeted for the night. Bad weather.
June 23, 1917. AUCHY-AU-BOIS. The Battalion marched to THIENNES, moving off at 5 AM. 2nd Lieut. A G Coombs was admitted to the field ambulance.
June 24, 1917. THIENNES. At 4 AM, the Battalion marched to CAESTRE. Billets were very scattered there.
June 25, 1917. CAESTRE. The Battalion marched to the KEMMEL area. The 2nd Army Commander inspected the Battalion on the line of march at METEREN. The Battalion was billeted at Butterfly Farm.
June 26, 1917. Near KEMMEL. Companies were at the disposal of the company commanders. The camp was in a filthy condition, great wastage lying about. It was generally cleaned up, and many articles of value, quite fit for use, was salvaged. 5 other ranks joined the Battalion.
June 27, 1917. Companies trained under arrangement of company commanders. Company offices and company commanders reconnoitered the forward area to be taken over.
June 28, 1917. The Battalion moved off at 8 PM. At midnight the Battalion relieved the 11th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers near Zero Wood.
June 29, 1917. The Battalion remained in the support lines. Hostile artillery was very active. 2nd Lieut. J C Lyal MC was wounded.
June 30, 1917. 2 AM. The 8th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment relieve the Battalion. The Battalion then retired to the 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in the line. Relief completed about 3:15 AM. C and D companies were in the frontline, A and B companies were in support. As much as possible, work was carried out throughout the day. During the relief our casualties were 2 killed and 2 wounded. Battalion headquarters were at O.14.B.10.5.
4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment 