July 1917

July 1, 1917. The Battalion remained in the line. The day passed fairly quietly. Weather was very bad. The casualties for the day were 4 other ranks wounded. 2^nd Lieut. J C Lyal and 8 other ranks proceeded to 2^nd Army rest camp for period of 14 days. 2^nd Lieut.’s R F T Irwin and T De Val proceeded to IX Corps school with 3 sergeants for one month’s course.

July 2, 1917. MONT KENNEL. The Battalion was relieved by the 10^th Battalion Warwickshire Regiment and the 10^th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment and moved to camp in the DRANOURRE – KEMMEL area at N.31.a.9.9.

July 3, 1917. MONT KEMMEL. The Battalion arrived in camp in the early hours of the morning. The day was spent in resting and cleaning up.

July 4, 1917. Companies were placed at the disposal of company commanders for kit inspection and cleaning up of arms and equipment. A party of 200 ORs worked on salvage of R E material from all trenches in the vicinity. 8 ORs transferred to 234^th Division Employment Company.

July 5, 1917. In the morning, companies held inspection of arms and equipment, and cleaned up camp lines. In the evening, 2 companies were working on the construction of the reserve line. One OR attached to the 152^nd field company RE was killed in action.

July 6, 1917. Commanding Officer and 2 Company Commanders proceeded to reconnoiter the Ridge defenses. 2 companies were salvaging material from the old British line throughout the day.

July 7, 1917. Training was carried out by 2 companies, the remaining 2 companies were in working parties, constructing the reserve line. In the afternoon, the baths at DRANOUTRE were used by 2 companies.

July 8, 1917. Voluntary Services were held. The weather was very bad. One company and a half supplied working companies for the reserve line. The baths at KEMMEL Château will used by the other companies.

July 9, 1917. Training was carried out by companies, afternoon being devoted chiefly to  rapid loading. Patrols in the morning. In afternoon, specialist training was carried out.

July 10, 1917. As on the previous day, training was proceeded with.

July 11, 1917. Battalion marched to the lines to relieve the 8^th Lincolns Regiment in support. Battalion headquarters was situated at TORREKEN FARM. (O20 d 23 Ref. Wytschack French Map) relief was completed satisfactorily by 11:30 PM, there were no casualties. Major M C C Miers was crossposted to 8^th Somerset Light Infantry today assuming command of that Battalion.

July 12, 1917. The Battalion was engaged upon salvage work and cleaning up the trenches so far as possible during daylight under direct observation of enemy. During night (12/13) all companies were engaged as working parties on the digging of communication trenches. Enemy artillery activity normal.

July 13, 1917. Enemy artillery quiet during the day. A and B companies relieved the left companies of the 8^th Lincolns Regiment in front and close support lines respectively. A company occupied shell holes in frontlines. The other 2 companies were engaged as working parties. C company digging forward communication trenches. Enemy opened very severe barrage at 10 PM, lasting 50 minutes, greatly impeding the relief. D company sustained 3 casualties, one man killed and 2 wounded.

July 14, 1917. There was a heavy bombardment on frontline and along railway line on right of L sector at about 3 AM. Enemy artillery, inactive during day, bombarded heavily at long intervals during the night. A Company had one man wounded. Working parties of C and D companies were at work during the night.

July 15, 1917. Rained during the evening, fairly heavily. Salvage operations were proceeded with. At usual enemy artillery fairly quiet during the day, becoming very active at intervals during the night. The company has 5 men in one Lewis gun section wounded. Working parties from the 2 support companies continued the work on frontline and communication trenches.

July 16, 1917. As usual, the day passed quietly except for some considerable aerial activity. Enemy artillery was vigorous during evening on sectors on right and left. During night, working parties again detailed for frontline trenches from companies in support. 2^nd Lieut. J H Hodgan rejoined Battalion from reinforcement camp at Calais where he had been employed as instructor and assumed duties of Transport Officer.

July 17, 1917. Our own artillery was very active, especially at night, when a raid was carried out by battalion on her left. A company advanced the shell hole line approximately 200 yards ran from O 23 c 3.6 to O 23 a 8 4. Communications was therefore obtained with right company of Battalion of Cheshire Regiment on our left. Enemy shelled fairly heavily during night especially on our close support company who suffered 8 casualties, 3 killed, 3 wounded and 2 men buried.

July 18, 1917. In the early morning, the new type of gas shell was noticed in most companies. Severe swelling and watering at eyes resulted. The smell of the gas was too faint for any adequate idea of its character to be given. During evening, at about 9 PM, enemy put up heavy barrage on Brigade on left where it was obvious he was counter attacking Junction Building, captured by them on previous day. During the night number 5 platoon in close support relieved by a platoon of C company. More gas shells were observed during night on railway leading past Malice Farm.

July 19, 1917. Battalion was relieved by the 10^th Loyal North Lancashire. Enemy shelled DOSTAVERNE ROAD heavily during the relief which was accomplished by 1:30 AM on the 20^th. The Battalion suffered 2 casualties during the relief.

July 20, 1917. Beaver Camp, Mt. KEMMEL. Battalion arrived at Beaver Camp during early morning. The day was spent in rest and cleaning.

July 21, 1917. Beaver Camp. Companies placed at disposal of company commanders for general fitting of equipment and cleaning. 2^nd Lieut. S J Bear joined the Battalion. 2^nd Lieut. H R Odling proceeded to 95^th Corps signals school for 6 weeks course. Lieut. Fsuir rejoined Battalion on being relieved from employment as area commandant (No 4 Sub Area).

July 22, 1917. Companies bathed during the day beginning at 8 AM. 2^nd Lieut. R G Williams proceeded to 63^rd Brigade School for course of instruction. 2^nd Lieut. C W Ridgeway rejoined Battalion from 63^rd Brigade School. 2^nd Lieut. P H Steele proceeded to 9^th Corps Bombing and Lewis gun school for course of instruction. Notification was received of the awards of green cards for gallantry and devotion to duty in action during operations north of Scarpe River to No 13323 CSM J Walker, No 29337 Corp. C Burden.

July 23, 1917. The Battalion practiced in the attack in view of future operations. Battalion marched to Spy Farm at 10:15 AM, returning to camp about 2:30 PM. Subsequently gas drill was carried out.

July 24, 1917. Battalion again carried out practice of attack, returning to camp at 1 PM. One other rank joined the Battalion (specialist in Saddlery).

July 25, 1917. Battalion proceeded to line, relieving the 10^th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Relief completed by 2:30 AM 26–7–17.

July 26, 1917. Battalion in line, quietness prevailed throughout the day. During the afternoon, orders were received that the Battalion would be relieved, same took place, by the 13^th Battalion Rifle Brigade, relief completed by 4:30 AM next morning. One other rank wounded.

July 27, 1917. Battalion, upon relief, proceeded to camp, in early hours of the morning. Hot meals were prepared for troops upon arrival. Remainder of day was spent resting.

July 28, 1917. Battalion placed at disposal of company commanders for general cleaning of clothes, equipment and arms. Owing to inclement weather, the afternoon was spent in lectures on box respirators and various points of interest concerning active operations. A fatigue party under Capt. E Belfield worked on the deepening and connecting of Shell Hole Line with Battalion on the left, party returning at 6 AM next morning, no casualties occurred.

July 29, 1917. Battalion was placed at disposal of company commanders. Inclement weather prevailed throughout the morning. Lectures were given on various points concerning active operations. Remainder of day was spent in gas drill with new box respirators extensions. Lieut. A C Mitchell and 2^nd Lieut. H F Bowser proceeded to 9^th Corps school of instruction for courses (duration of course one month).

July 30, 1917. Battalion in the line, intermittent shelling took place on both sides. 7 other ranks wounded. Inclement weather throughout the day.

July 31, 1917. Up to this time, touch was maintained with the companies of 8^th Lincoln at June and July Farms. When the further advanced took place, the action of the companies became distinct, so that it would be better to follow them separately. A company advanced to search Bab Farm. They found 2 German medical offices and 8 other ranks. Almost at once, a counterattack came up, which they repelled and stood their ground waiting for more, C company moved forward to Rifle Farm to support them. About 2 more counterattacks repelled by rifle fire and rifle grenades. At this time the 2 companies had machine gun fire playing on them from the left front, front and right front and right. Finally, a counterattack came from the left front. The left was thrown back and extended to meet it. On it being repelled, very few men were left, and they were taken to the left by CSM Worboys to join the company. D company meanwhile advanced to its left, rested on Bee Farm on the other side of which were the 8^th KOR Lancaster Regiment. They were out of touch on the right. The farm was searched and about 40 prisoners taken, half of these were seen to fall to the hostile machine gun fire. Between 7 AM and 8 AM, hostile bombers approached and began to attack their right. They were met with rifle grenades, rifle and Lewis gun fire, and gave no further trouble. About 9 AM, when the remnants of A and D joined them, they was shelled heavily by 5.9’s until about midday, and suffered considerable casualties. Hostile rifle fire was also fairly active.

The best evidence is still not available. The order of advanced was: C company on the right, D company on the left, A company supporting C, and B company in reserve. At zero hour, the Battalion left the trenches and formed up “as on parade” parallel with the barrage. It was about dark at this time. C company had to form up on the east side of May Farm. As they passed over it one German ran forward with hands up and surrendered. During the first advance of the barrage (up till Z +40) touch was at first lost with the Battalion on our left but was regained by a divergence of the company to the left. At Z+ 40, the Battalion was on the objective, C company  Rifle Farm, D company after a gap on the left, A Company behind Rifle Farm. It’s left platoon had it’s right on the northern enclosing hedge.

At about 12:30 PM, from sounds of machine guns, it appears that the King’s Own was being attacked. At about 1:15 PM a counterattack. Advancing on their front, and also around the left rear. The position was considered untenable by the Officer in Command who ordered a retirement fighting on our front, Shell Holes Line. This was carried out, covered by Lewis gun fire. They retired into the front of the 19^th Division, having 4 privates of the King’s Own with them. No more of the 19^th division was seen and the line was held against the possible further advance. B company, in reserve, was in the Front Shell Hole Line. This was a week company (70 strong). Runners were sent forward to getting touch with the leading companies _____ after the advance of Z +40 no information came in.

Enemy at May Farm, commenced sniping at about 5:30 AM. The position was reconnoitered, and it was estimated that it contained about 50 in trenches. The company moved out to attack them, and cleaned out half of the positions. The officer commanding called on the platoon of the 8^th Lincolnshire Regiment to assist on the other side. The attack was then resumed on 3 sides, and the place finally cleared. About 8 Germans surrendered, and the remainder were killed. The officer commanding the Lincoln platoon was unfortunately killed here. As soon as was done the officer commanding the Battalion ordered the company to spread out along the Shell Hole Line, to prevent a possible hostile advance. Up until this time the whole of the Battalion had been fully occupied with the enemy. Immediately after, reinforcements of the East Lincolnshire Regiment began to arrive and was sent to regain touch on right and left.

It is not apparent whether the enemy in May Farm were in the trenches the when the leading companies passed over in the dawn, or whether they were hidden in shell holes. Beyond trenches, there was only one small concrete shelter there.

Capt. E Belfield, wounded and missing.

Lieut. P W Farr, wounded and missing.

Lieut. L C Thompson, killed in action.

2^nd Lieut. F J R Simpson, killed in action.

2^nd Lieut. H M Donnell killed in action.

2^nd Lieut. A Reid, wounded in action.

2^nd Lieut.  F B Beacham, wounded and missing.

2^nd Lieut. S J Bear, wounded and missing.

Other ranks: 15 killed in action, 97 wounded in action, 69 missing believed wounded, 23 missing believed killed.

The following congratulations have been received:

“The GOC, 34^th Division, wishes to convey to the officers, NCOs and men of this Battalion his appreciation of the steadfastness, and gallantry during the recent operations”.

He considers that they have fully maintained their name of ”DIE-HARDS”.

the GOC 63^rd Infantry Brigade thanks the offices, NCOs and men of this Battalion for the good work they have lately performed. He fully realizes the difficulties of ground and whether that they have encountered.