The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 30th September 1915

30^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Clearing up trenches and collecting & burying dead all day. Major T. Weeding wounded. Relieved by 19^th Bde, at 11pm and went back to billets at BEUVRY the rear of the Battn, did not reach billets until 6am on the 1^st of Oct, 2 Lieut A.J. Crichton and 2 Lieut R.E.C Harland joined the Battn.

2nd Battalion – Officers 19.    Other Ranks 750.

To Hospital 6.

“Missing” rejoined 3.

All the men were given a bath & deficiencies after being in action made good.

F.C. Longbourne. Major.

1/6^th Battalion – DROUVIN.

At 7am orders were received that the Battn, would be prepared to move by the afternoon – at 11.30am orders were received to be ready to move off at 12.30pm. The Battalion with all transport moved off at 1pm & marched via NOEUX LES MINES – MAZINGARBE to CORONS DE RUTOIRE South of VERMELLES – where the battalion was billeted. The Battalion was now in divisional reserve. The 35 & 30^th Bdes being in the trenches between along the LENS – HULLOCH ROAD.

R.W.B.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – In billets, nothing to report.

M KEMP-WELCH,

Capt & Adjt.

7^th (SERVICE) Bn, THE QUEEN’S (R.W.S. REGT.)

8^th Battalion – At BERGUETTE resting.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 29th September 1915

29^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – BEUVRY.

Marched to CAMBRIN at 2pm and took over trenches from 10^th HLI. Trenches in a very bad state.

Casualties Nil.

2nd Battalion – Officers 19.    Other Ranks 750.

The Bn, was relieved this evening by two Coys of the 2^nd E.Yorks, & assembled at the Brewery VERMELLES at 12.10am the 30^th inst. – Arrived at billets at SAILLY LABOURSE at 2.40am.

1/6^th Battalion – The Transport & Machine Guns & all horses paraded at 5am & proceeded by road to DROUVIN LES MARAIS arriving there at 5pm. The Battalion paraded at 5.30am & marched to STEENWERCK railway station & entrained at 8.30am for FOURQUEREUIL where it arrived at 10.15 am. No guides met the Battn, at the station & no orders were received as to where the Bn, was to billet. The battalion formed up in a field close to the station & awaited orders – At 2.30pm orders were received to march to VAUDRECOURT at 3pm – on arrival at this place the billets were found to be occupied. The battn, therefore went on to DROUVIN LES MARAIS which it reached at 5pm & was billeted there for the night.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – In billets, nothing to report.

8^th Battalion – BERGUETTE.

At BERGUETTE resting.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 28th September 1915

28^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Received orders to be ready to take over trenches at CAMBRIN this afternoon, but orders were cancelled later. Marched to billets in BEUVRY at 6pm.

Casualties Nil.

2nd Battalion – Officers 19.    Other Ranks 750.

The 2^nd E. Yorks took over trench on our left from 13^th Middlesex & 10^th & 12^th Gordons, more bombing in SLAG ALLEY near pt 60, fighting here was almost continuous throughout the day.

1/6^th Battalion – ARMENTIERES.

Remained in billets – orders received to move at 5.30am on the 29^th. The transport was moved from PONTCEAU to ARMENTIERES  & parked in the Place de la Republique. All baggage was as far as possible loaded during the evening. 

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – In billets, nothing to report.

8^th Battalion – NOEUX.

Capt Cox transferred to 2nd Battn The Queens. Received sudden order to move at 7 p m. New draft of 82 men. Four hours spent in reaching station owing to entrainment of the Division at NOEUX station. Drenching with rain and very cold. Men got soaked many of them having lost their coats and equipment in action. Arrived BERGUETTES at 11 p.m. Men billeted in farms

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 27th September 1915

27^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – LE PREOL.

Received orders to stand to at LE PREOL at 4pm ready to reinforce either the CUINCHY section or the section south of LA BASSEE Road. Returned to billets at 7pm.

Casualties Nil,  Draft of 8 joined.

2nd Battalion – Officers 19.    Other Ranks 750.

Reinforcements Capt K.T. Cox,

24 other ranks.

The enemy made a strong bomb attack on CITE ST ELIE communication trench at about 6am, about 150 yards to our right, & were driven back by a counter attack.

Enemy also very active on our left flank in SLAG ALLEY.

 1/6^th Battalion – The night passed quietly – orders were received at 8am that the Battn, would be relieved by the 7^th E. Surrey Regt in the evening – at 1pm this was cancelled & we were ordered to hand over the trenches to 9^th D.L.I., 50^th Div. Guides were sent to MOTOR CAR CORNER at 8pm and the relief was completed by 11.20pm. The Battalion proceeded to billets in ARMENTIERES. Headquarters being at 45 GOLBERT. Orders were received to hold the Battn, in readiness to move.

2/4^th Battalion – Battn. Employed on various Beach Fatigues.

LEONARD S. B. HULL Capt. Cdg. 2/4th Queen's

7^th Battalion – VILLE-SOUS-CORBIE.

In billets, nothing to report.

8^th Battalion – The remainder of the battalion and isolated parties of men who bad become separated from the others joined up again. . We then moved in the evening to NOEUX where we bivouacked. Very cold and raining.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 26th September 1915

26^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Relieved by the HLI at 3.30 pm and went back to billets at LE PREOL.

Draft of 30 joined.

2nd Battalion – Officers 18.    Other Ranks 726.

The enemy commenced an attack on FOSSE No8 & organised the bombing down of SLAG ALLEY – on our left the machine guns & trench mortars assisted a counter attack made by the 9^th Division – Very wet & no dugouts for the men.

1/6^th Battalion – There was very little retaliation to our bombing parties during the night. The trench mortars fired at the hostile trenches at 12 noon & 4pm no material damage was done. The enemy replied to this by firing trench mortars into trench 92, & LUKERS HOUSES doing some damage to our front parapet & the houses. The remainder of the day was quiet. At 6.45 – 6^th Bd, The Buffs who held the trenches on our left, raised a cheer & immediately the Germans opened rapid fire & machine gun fire all along our parapet & also Artillery fire on our communication trenches – they kept this up for about 15 minutes.

Casualties – wounded Capt, Luxmoore, and one other ranks.

2/4^th Battalion – Battn. Moved to A Reserve Area, and dug themselves in from Shell Fire.

7^th Battalion – Our artillery bombardment continued at 2.35pm. Enemy shelled our front line & communication trenches at 1pm & 4.30pm. Some damage was done to a M.G emplacement & 5 casualties were caused in C Company in TAMBOUR.

Battalion relieved by 8^th East Surrey Regt & marched back to billets at VILLE-SOUS-CORBIE. A clean village, best billets yet occupied.

Strength of Battalion,-

Officers 29, Other ranks 1026.

Number of men in Hospital 15.

Battalion was at this date finding the following detachments,

Salvage Corps 5. Mining Section 15. Sanitary Section 2. Total details not included in Battalion Fighting Strength – 57.

Casualties during period of occupation of trenches,

Killed, Officers 3.  O.R. 1.

Wounded, Officers 1.  O.R. 13*

(*Includes 2 who were not evacuated)

8^th Battalion – TRENCHES E of VERMELLES.

C.O. called to Brigade Hqrs at 9.45 to receive orders for the attack, returns at 10.30 am with them. Attack begins at 11.5 am & the battalion advances under heavy machine gun and shrapnel fire in lines of platoons in extended order. As the advance continues over the LENS - LA BASSEE road, the machine gun fire from. The flanks was very heavy - On reaching the enemy trenches it was found to be protected by barbed wire, which has not been cut and it being impossible to get through it, the brigade retired. There appeared to be no panic & the men walked back still under machine gun and shrapnel fire - Col. F. H. Fairtlough C.M.G. Captain Cooke and Lieutenant Cressy were killed, Captain and Adjutant Stacey, Captain Thompson, Lieutenants Brooks Lofting, Price were wounded Lieut Duke was wounded and a prisoner, Lieut. Waldie was wounded 2nd Lieut Burgess & Johnson were missing. 409 OR's were casualties

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 25th September 1915

25^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Our leading line advanced 6.7am and reached the German 3^rd line without great opposition. The attack was evidently a complete surprise.

The Battn, advanced on a frontage of two platoons. D Coy (Major Bunbury) on the right and B Coy (Capt Brooke) on the left. The advance was necessarily slow to keep behind the smoke, B & D Companies reached the German lines and gained touch with 2/Oxford L.I and the 2/HLI on the left and right respectively. The support Company (C Coy) under Capt Weeding held on front line of trenches and, about 8.15am two platoons of this Company reinforced B & D Companies, taking up a supply of Bombs with them. Lieut E.D. Drew commanded this party.

The Enemy developed a strong bombing attack on both flanks of the Regt, and our men were unable to reply effectively owing to lack of bombs. At about 9.45am the two and a half Companies were obliged to fall back into our own lines, under a very heavy machine gun fire from the right flank.

Casualties :- 2 Lts A.W.A. Bradshaw, C.D.M Fowler and M.I.B Howell killed & missing, 2 Lt F.G Plant wounded & missing, Major J.K.M Bunbury, Capt C.B Brooke, Lieut E.D. Drew, Lieut H.P. Foster and 2 Lieut R.C. Joynson-Hicks wounded.

Other ranks 19 Killed, 21 missing believed killed, 138 wounded, 80 missing and wounded & missing, 7 suffering from gas. 1 died of wounds. Total 266 other ranks. The remainder of the day was spent in reorganising the line and in collecting wounded, burying dead etc.  

2nd Battalion – At about 5.50am the intense bombardment against the enemy’s trenches commenced & lasted until 6.30am at which hour the attack was launched.

The Regt moved up & occupied the sidings & then the front line in the following order-

“C” Coy Comdg by Capt Philpot.

“B” Coy Comdg by Capt Brocklehurst.

“D” Coy Comdg by Capt R.L.G. Heath.

“A” Coy Comdg by Capt Maddock.

Bn, Granade Coy Comdg by 2/Lt, C. Taylor Jones.

The M.G.Detatchment Comdd by 2/Lt, Pilleau were placed in a forward position to support the advance & bring long range fire on the German communication trenches.

The following officers were also present & took part in the attack –

Lt, Col, M.G. Heath   Comdg.

Capt, F.C. Longbourne A/Adjt.

2Lt, Hopkinson.

2Lt, Sillem.

2Lt, Walter.

2Lt, Chapman.

2Lt, Welch.

2Lt, Brown.

2Lt, Thrupp.

On reaching the front line of our own trenches the Bn, followed in close support of the 2/R.Warwicks, 1^st S.Staffords, & the R.Welsh Fusiliers – towards the German trenches – C Coy directing just to the right of FOSSE No8 & crossed over the German first & second line of trenches without much opposition – The other three Coy encountered considerable opposition from the German 1^st line & while outflanking & bombing down same, had many casualties, including Capt Brocklehurst, 2Lt Strode, Brown & Taylor Jones – After making good these two lines of trenches, these Coys were directed on CITE ST ELIE where they established themselves in the German trench about 150 yards N of the same by 11am.

Half of C Coy under 2Lt Chapman were directed to take the QUARRIES which was successfully carried out & 2 Officers & about 40 men captured in same.

The Coys near CITE ST ELIE entered the North side of the same at 2pm but had to withdraw while our artillery shelled these houses. The men had by now got v.much disorganised & mixed up with the 9^th Division who were on our left (N.) –

This line was maintained until dark when a new line was consolidated about 200 yards in front of (East) the

QUARRIES –

At about 11.15pm owing to a counter attack made by the enemy a fresh position was taken up in the German Support Line.

The Bn, held about 250 yards of the German support Trench about 100 yards East of Sap.

Officers 29.    Other Ranks 987.

Casualties   

Col, M.G. Heath, missing believed Killed.

Capt R.L.G. Heath, Killed.

2/Lieut, J.B. Walsh, Killed.

2/Lieut, C. Taylor-Jones, Killed.

2/Lieut, A.L. Brown.

Wounded

Capt, T.P.  Brocklehurst.

Lieut, J.A.L. Hopkinson.

2/Lieut, L.A. Crook.

2/Lieut, M. Strode.

2/Lieut, J.A. Pilleau.

2/Lieut, R.O.Sillem.

Other Ranks.

24 Killed.

110 Wounded.

127 Missing.

261 Total.

1/6^th Battalion – The smoke curtain that was ordered to commence at 4.50am was postponed at 4.35pm, to 5.56am this did not allow sufficient time for the Companies in the trenches to stop the lighting of the straw which in one company had commenced when the order was received. It was put out. At 5am the Artillery commenced a slow bombardment of the SALIENT – At 5.56am the smoke grenades etc, were lighted. The effect was very good – in some cases a thick belt of smoke hung between the trenches for about an hour. The enemy opened a rapid fire on our parapet while this lasted. The artillery and the trench mortars continued firing at the hostile trenches intermittently during the day. From 4.30am till 3pm the 7^th E. Surrey Regt, were brought up in our trenches. Having their Hqrs at SURREY FM and a Company in the support trench & the remainder in the Subsidiary Line – There was no indication that the enemy had evacuated the SALIENT. During the afternoon the Artillery bombarded the BLACK SANDBAG REDOUBT and made a small V shaped hole in the parapet about this place. In order to deceive the enemy & to make him think that we still intended to attack burst of rifle fire were kept up during the afternoon till dusk & during the night bombing patrols were sent out to the enemy’s trenches.

Casualties killed other ranks 2, wounded other ranks 6.

2/4^th Battalion – The Commanding Officer Col. F. D. Watney and the Adjutant Maj. A. F. Tredgold both went to hospital sick.

7^th Battalion – Artillery bombardment continued during the afternoon, period of rapid fire 4.45 to 5pm. Enemy replied with about 25 field gun shells, very little damage done.

Orders received that the Battalion would be relieved by 8^th East Surrey on night 26-27^th Sept.

8^th Battalion – BETHUNE.

Move out at mid-day to VERMELLES halt 3 hours behind our own batteries firing all the time. Move on through VERMELLES village at S. & slowly to trenches W of Le Rutoine farm. C.O. then ordered to prepare for an attack on the ground S. of Hulluch village - 8th W. Kent's & 9th E. Surreys in the attack. 8th Queen's in support of W. Kent's and 8th Buffs in support of the E. Surreys. No written orders and no time for the attack given, For a time we lose connection with W. Kent's owing to darkness & difficult nature of the country, which is a maze of trenches. Magnetic Compass bearing of the attack 1120. Are shelled at 11 pm. but no casualties reach trenches from which to begin the attack at 2 a.m. These are the communication trenches in rear of the German first line trenches captured in the morning.

Loos battlefield after British advance 1915

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 24th September 1915

24^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – SECTION B 2.

Took over reduced frontage in B 2 Section and occupied positions for attack tomorrow. Relief completed at 5pm. Draft of 40 joined

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 991.

To Hospital 4.

Great coats were collected and stacked in a house at VERQUIGNEUL at 10pm. – The Bn, marched off at 11.15pm and were in position in the reserve trenches in LANCASTER LINES by 3am.

1/6^th Battalion – The night passed quietly – At 7.30am orders were received that in case of a SALIET at LE TOUQUET being evacuated by the enemy during the Artillery bombardment & the smoke demonstration on the 25^th inst, it was to be taken by the 7^th E. Surrey Regt, & that we were assist by fire. During the night of the 23/24^th smoke grenades – Triple candles straw etc, were received at Bn, Hqrs, & distributed to Companies at 12.15pm orders for the smoke demonstration were received & orders issued to Companies. At 2.30pm the trench Howitzers & mortars commenced a bombardment of the wire around LE TOUQUET SALIENT. The effect was not very marked – considerable number of “bombs” being “blind”. At 2.30pm they ceased fire & the result was a small gap about 5 feet wide in the front row of knife rests. The enemy retaliated with 7.7cm shell at LUKERS HOUSES. At 4.pm our 4” Howitzers & 18 pdr commenced firing at the enemy’s wire about the SALIENT. Here again very little damage was done – During the night the enemy’s was heard repairing their wire round the SALIENT - & a constant machine gun fire was kept up at the working parties.Casualties – Wounded other ranks 3.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – Artillery continued bombardment 2 to 6pm. Little retaliation by Germans. Several patrols out at night failed to find that any material damage had been done to German wire. German snipers & M.G’s very active during night, especially opposite TAMBOUR. 2/Lt A.W.B. Kitchen killed by a sniper at about 3pm, while looking over parapet. Lt Travers wounded by premature explosion of No1 grenade in a catapult.

8^th Battalion – Move on at night to BETHUNE, billet in schools.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 23rd September 1915

23^rd September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – LE QUESNOY.

Relieved by 2/HLI at 5pm and marched back to billets in LE QUESNOY.

Casualties 2 Killed and 4 Wounded.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 995.

To Hospital 4.

The Bn, left BUSNETTES at 7.30pm & marched via CHOCQUES and BETHUNE to VERQUIGNEUL, billeted at 11.45pm.

1/6^th Battalion – During the day 62^nd & 64^th Brigades R.F.A. & the Howitzer (65^th Bde) carried out a registration of the hostile trenches in LE TOUQUET & opposite 94 trench – 50 rounds were fired per hour. The enemy retaliated very feebly – shelling LUKERS HOUSES and the S.F.T. behind 94 trench.

Wounded other ranks one.  

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – Our artillery continued bombardment. Little response by enemy. German snipers & M.G’s very active during night fire coming chiefly from second line trenches.

8^th Battalion – BERGUETTES.

Spend day resting.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 22nd September 1915

22^nd September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Relieved 2/ HLI by 3.30pm in Section B 2 near GIVENCHY.

Casualties :- 2 Wounded.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 997.

To Hospital 2.

1/6^th Battalion – A quiet night – An officers patrol went out at 5.30pm from the left of 93 trench & inspected the hostile wire round GERMAN MACHINE GUN HOUSE which was found to consist of a “curtain” fence reinforced with barbed wire & behind that a row of low knife rests. The enemy were very inactive during the whole day – Killed other ranks two.

Knife Rest

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – 2pm, Our artillery opened heavy bombardment along whole front. German trenches opposite left of D3 especially being heavily shelled. Very little reply by enemy. Very slight damage done to enemy wire.

8^th Battalion – GLEM.

Move on at 6.0pm, men having bathed in mill stream - reach billets BERGUETTES.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 21st September 1915

21^st September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Ordinary Routine. Pte, Dickinson accidentally drowned while bathing in the Canal.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 1002.

To Hospital 5.

From Hospital Nil.

1/6^th Battalion – IN THE TRENCHES.

A quiet day. The enemy shelled during the morning the vicinity of LUKERS HOUSES but no damage was done – Hostile working parties were observed during the afternoon North of LE TOUQUET, but on being fired at by our snipers, ceased work.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – 6-6.30pm Right & centre of sub-sector was shelled by enemy field guns & trench mortar, about 30 bombs from latter falling in or near TAMBOUR. No damage to trenches & no casualties. Our artillery retaliated immediately. Report that enemy had occupied creators in front of TAMBOUR was found to be untrue. Enemy cheered loudly during bombardment.

8^th Battalion – Move off at 7pm with Brigade towards firing line - Reach billets 11.30 pm. GLEM. Billets farms & a mill

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 20th September 1915

20^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion –  Ordinary Routine.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 1006.

From Hospital 2.

To Hospital 6.

Major Raineford Hannay struck off strength of Bn.

1/6^th Battalion – Relieved 7^th E. Surrey Regt, in the trenches at LE TOQUET. Relief commenced at 7pm from MOTOR CAR CORNER & was completed by 8.50pm. The night passed quietly except for the hostile snipers who were somewhat more active than usual – Wounded other ranks 5.

2/4^th Battalion – Battn. Employed digging winter quarters on Beach behind LALA BABA.

(Cooks, batmen and signallers of the 162nd Brigade, Lala Baba, Suvla Bay, August 1915.)

7^th Battalion – Orders received that Battalion would be relieved by 8^th East Surrey Regt on night 21-22 Sept. Periscope of Capt Martin who was looking out from post on creator in front of TAMBOUR was hit by steel shot from a shotgun.

8.30pm Orders received cancelling relief by 8^th E.S.R. on 21-22 Sept.

8^th Battalion – In billets - getting ready to move. 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 19th September 1915

19^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Relieved by 2/HLI about 6pm and marched back to billets near ESSARS.

Casualties 1 Wounded.

2nd Battalion – Officers 30.    Other Ranks 1010.

To Hospital 6.

From Hospital 5.

1/6^th Battalion – Rested in billets church parade.

2/4^th Battalion – Battn. Left trenches being relieved by Gloucestershire Regt.39th Bde. And proceeded to reserve trenches S. of SALT LAKE. The 2/10 Middlesex were detached from duties with this Battn.

7^th Battalion – Lt, N.C. Ingpen was detached as Acting  Brigade Machine Gun Officer.

Enemy snipers less active than usual. Draft of 66 N.C.O’s & men joined Battalion from 9^th Battalion. They were sent in to join companies in trenches on 20^th.

8^th Battalion – Church parade as before.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 17th September 1915

17^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Section B 2.

Battn, marched off at 3pm and relieved HLI in B 2 Section.

Casualties Nil.

2nd Battalion – Officers 30.    Other Ranks 1023.

To Hospital 2.

From Hospital 6.

Left VERQUIN at 8.45am & marched via FOUQUEREUIL & CHOQUES to billets at BUSNETTES, arriving at latter place at 11.30am.

1/6^th Battalion – Found working parties of 700 men by night.

2/4^th Battalion – Battn. Improved communication trenches

7^th Battalion – 55 Brigade too over newly allotted front, Brigade Head- Quarters moving to MOULIN DE VIVIER, MEAULTE & 7^th Royal West Kent Regt occupying E1 on our left.

8^th Battalion – Divisional night concentration & attack.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 16th September 1915

16^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Ordinary Routine.

2nd Battalion – Officers 30.    Other Ranks 1019.

Wounded 2.

To Hospital 4.

Relieved by the 2^nd Bedfords by 4.30pm. The Bn, bivouacked North of VERQUIN at 8.30pm.

1/6^th Battalion –Found working parties of 750 men by night working on the trenches.

2/4^th Battalion – The Battn moved out from Rest Camp to front trenches at SULAJIK relieving 1st Herefordshire Regt. The 2/10 Middlesex Regt. Being attached from this evening for instruction in trench warfare and discipline,

7^th Battalion – Capt Hebeler died in Central Clearing Station, CORBIE.

Orders as to taking over a new front by 18^th Division received. Sub-sectors allotted to Brigades – 53^rd E2 & E3, 54^th D1 & D2, 55^th D3 & E1. At 10pm our miners in front of centre of TAMBOUR. Report was received that extensive German mines existed under right of sub-sector. No confirmation of this was received up to the time Battalion left sub-sector, 26-27^th Sept, under orders from Brigade the 50 yards of front on extreme left of sub-sector was not occupied. At 8pm enemy fired mine causing 3^rd creator in front of TAMBOUR.

8^th Battalion – As for 15th 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 15th September 1915

15^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – A draft of 18 other ranks joined the Battn. Route march at 2pm.

2nd Battalion – Officers 30.    Other Ranks 1025.

Wounded 4.

To Hospital 1.

From Hospital 2.

The following improvements were carried out by the Bn, in the trenches Y2(a) section – DEVON LANE deepened & cleaned No’s 1 & 2 New support trenches deepened & two saps in advance of front trench worked on by night.

1/6^th Battalion –LE BIZET.

Rested.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – SUB-SECTOR D3, BECOURT.

At 3.15pm enemy exploded a mine making a creator about 20 from parapet of TAMBOUR. On report being received that a shelter had fallen in & buried some men in TAMBOUR, Capt R.S. Hebeler & Lieut L.W.M. Howard went to investigate. A bomb from a trench mortar fell in a trench in which they were, killing Lt Howard & mortally wounding Capt, Hebeler, a corporal & 1 man were wounded by the same bomb. The report as to the shelter was much exaggerated.

8^th Battalion – In billets - bombers practise with live bombs. 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 14th September 1915

14^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Ordinary work including musketry, Bathing , Testing of smoke helmets, instruction of patrols etc.

2nd Battalion – Officers 30.    Other Ranks 1028.

Wounded 1.

To Hospital 11.

From Hospital 2.

1/6^th Battalion – A quiet day, enemy were busy working all day. Our snipers claimed two hits. The Bn, was relieved in the trenches by the 7^th E. Surrey Regt, the relief commenced at 7.30pm from MOTOR CAR CORNER & was completed at 9.40pm – The Battn returned to billets at LE BIZET.

Wounded other ranks one.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – Battalion relieved 12 Middlesex Regt in Sub-sector D 3. 7^th Northamptonshire Regt being on our right in D2 & 7 Seaforth Highlanders (T F) in C1 on left. One Company 9^th Kings Own was attached to the Battalion for instruction in the trenches.

8^th Battalion – Divisional field day - but it begins raining and everything washed out.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 13th September 1915

13^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – N.E BETHUNE.

Battn, assembled at 4.30pm and marched to cemetery area where billets were taken over from Cameronians.

2nd Battalion – Officers 13.    Other Ranks 1038.

Killed 6.

Wounded 9.

To Hospital 3.

Lt, Shelmerdine (R.A.M.C.) attd, to 2^nd Queen’s.

The German’s “morning hate” generally lasts from 7am to 9am; our artillery retaliates to the enemy’s whiz-bangs, 4.2” & 5.9” with field guns 4.7” & 6” guns. Most of our shooting (registration etc) takes place from 3pm to about 6pm – when the sun is behind us, i.e. in the West.

1/6^th Battalion – A quiet day. The enemy shelled the vicinity of SURREY FM, but did no damage. The enemy were busy working in their trenches all along the line – our snipers hit two of them.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – B Company relieved by Company 7^th Buffs at BECORDEL & PT 71. Orders received that Battalion would take over sub-sector D 3 on night 14/15.

8^th Battalion – In billets. 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 12th September 1915

12^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Ordinary Routine. Devine service 11.30am in chateau grounds. Received orders to move tomorrow to Cemetery area BETHUNE.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 1060.

Killed 1.

Wounded 3.

Lt J.A.L. Hopkinson joined.

Capt H.C. Storrie Killed (R.A.M.C. attd, 2^nd Queens).

The Bn, relieved the 2^nd Warwicks in the front line trenches near VERMELLES (Y.2(a)section) at 4.30pm this afternoon.

Left FOUQUEREUIL at 9.30am, dinners at LABOURSE at 11.45am, moved by Coy to NOYELLES & from hence to VERMELLES by platoons. Rather badly shelled in the evening loosing several men, some of the trenches being damaged by 5.9” shells.

1/6^th Battalion – The enemy was generally more active during the day & night – An officers patrol went out from trench 92 during the evening & located 3 hostile machine guns. They also examined the wire near POND HOUSE and brought back samples – our snipers hit 2 Germans, who were working near BLACK REDOUBT. Our Machine Gun also scattered a hostile working party near RED TILE HOUSE.

Wounded other ranks 2.

2/4^th Battalion –The Battn, left above named front trenches situated 117 R 1-3 ANAFARTA OVA and moved to Rest Camp on A BEACH

7^th Battalion – Orders received that Battalion would take over Sub-sector D 3 from 12 Middlesex Regiment on night 15/16 Sept, & that B Company would be relieved by Company 7^th Buffs on night 13/14^th Sept.

8^th Battalion – Church parade as on 5th anniversary of formation of the Battalion.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 11th September 1915

11^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – LE QUESNOY.

Ordinary Routine. The Battn was to have relieved Oxfords in Section B 3 at 5pm tomorrow, but orders cancelled at 9pm as the 19^th Bde, are relieving the 5^th Bde, on the 13^th.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 1060.

1/6^th Battalion – The hostile snipers were somewhat more active to-day. Chiefly from the houses in LE TOUQUET. Our snipers accounted for two of a hostile working party & a periscope. The enemy were active all day & night on their trenches and dugouts.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – B Company relieved C Company at BECORDEL & POINT 71. C Company taking over billets vacated by B.

8^th Battalion – Divisional Field day - leaving 3am. Sentry in A. Coy last night fire on an ambulance which did not stop when challenged.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 10th September 1915

10^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Casualties – One other rank. Oxfords Relieved the Battn, at 5pm and we marched back to billets in LE QUESNOY.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 1060.

To Hospital 5.

1/6^th Battalion – The day was very quiet. The hostile snipers were very inactive. A hostile machine gun was located by an officer’s patrol from trench 92, in the house at C.11.c.5.4. The house was strongly fortified. This patrol also examined the wire in front of POND HOUSE. There were no trip wire but a row of low knife rests about 50 yds from the enemy’s lines. The wire was very thick & heavily backed  - our Very lights set fire to the grass during the night in several places between the lines -

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – In billets. Nothing to report

8^th Battalion – ditto. Get Brigade order to move and are ready in an hour find it is only for practise. Inhabitants very sorry to see us going, & glad when we don't go, are warned of a spy -

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 9th September 1915

9^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – SECTION B 3.

Ordinary work as on the 4^th & 5^th. 2 Lieut C.W. Eltham, 2 Lieut J.R. Drew and 3 other ranks wounded by premature explosion of one of our PITCHER (double cylinder) bombs.

                                                                 PITCHER (double cylinder) bombs.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 1065.

To Hospital 3.

1/6^th Battalion – IN THE TRENCHES.

The enemy were busy working on their trenches all day. A patrol went out in front of trench 92 and found the grass in front of the German wire cut for a considerable distance. A great deal of walking on floor boards was heard during the evening in the enemy’s lines, it was believed that a relief was being carried out. The enemy were quiet during the whole day.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – Billets allotted rather better than those previously occupied in this village.

8^th Battalion – As for 8th

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 8th September 1915

8^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Battn, relieved Oxfords at 5.30pm in Section B 3.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 1068.

To Hospital 1.

1/6^th Battalion – Took over trenches from 7^th E. Surrey Regt. The relief commenced from MOTOR CAR CORNER at 7.30pm & was completed at 9.30pm. A quiet night – Wounded other ranks one.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion –

10am. Orders received to proceed to DERNANCOURT to relieve 7^th Bn, The Buffs in billets there, sending ½ Company to BECORDEL & ½ Company to point 71, to find fatigue parties for R.E. Tunnelling Companies.

8.30pm. reliefs in DERNANCOURT completed.

12mn.  reliefs in BECORDEL & pt 71 completed.

8^th Battalion – In billets. Coys, make ranges & practise rapid fire

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 7th September 1915

7^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – LE QUESNOY.

Ordinary Routine.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 1069.

1/6^th Battalion – Remained in billets. Rested.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – In billets, nothing to report. Billets are the best yet obtained.

8^th Battalion – Divisional Field day before General Baking - Very hot & men very tired - probable cause change of climate & food.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 6th September 1915

6^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – One of our mines was exploded at 5.30am, no casualties but our trenches slightly damaged by the explosion. Relieved by the Oxfords at 5.30pm and marched back to billets in LE QUESNOY.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 1060.

To Hospital 2.

From Hospital 1

Reinforcements (Drummers)1.

1/6^th Battalion – Remained in billets, found working parties of 600 men.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – 9.30pm Preliminary verbal instructions received as to an attack on German trenches S.W. of FRICOURT.

8^th Battalion – O.C and Coy. Officers ride to Brigade Headquarters to meet G.O.C. XI^th   Corps - General Haking – Battn, route march & practise bivouacs

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 5th September 1915

5^th September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Ordinary work in the trenches improving and deepening trenches, making dugouts, bricking comtn, trenches etc. Quiet nights.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 1064.

To Hospital 4.

The Bn, was relieved in the evening by 1^st R.W.Fusiliers, relief completed by 7.30pm.

Great coats were collected & a holt made 500 yards W of NOYELLES for an hour, the men were given soup. After a ten (10) mile march th Bn, billeted at FOUQUEREUIL at 1am. (near BETHUNE).

1/6^th Battalion – Remained in billets. Church parade, found working parties of 600 by night.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – MERICOURT.

In billets, nothing to report.

8^th Battalion – Sunday - Church Parade in an orchard

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 4th September 1915

4-September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – SECTION B 3 GIVENCHY.

Ordinary work in the trenches improving and deepening trenches, making dugouts, bricking comtn, trenches etc. Quiet nights.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 1065.

To Hospital 1.

1/6^th Battalion – Remained in billets found working parties of 600 men during the night.

Wounded other ranks one.

2/4^th Battalion – The Battn. Left Trenches on Hill 10 and moved to front trenches situated 117 R 1-3 ANAFARTA OVA 2nd in command Major H.J. Few went to hospital sick.

7^th Battalion – 8.50pm 12^th Bn, MIDDLESEX REGT arrived to take over sub-sector. Relief completed about 11.15pm. Companies as relieved marched independently to new billet at MERICOURT, last company arriving there at 2am.

Strength of Battalion.

Officers 33  Other ranks 984.

Casualties during period of occupation of sub-sector 22^nd Aug – 4^th Sept. Killed, other ranks 4, Wounded, Other ranks 17, including 1 slightly at duty.

General health of Battalion while in the trenches was extremely good.

8^th Battalion – As for 3rd 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 3rd September 1915

3^rd September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – 5 Bde, relieved the 21^st Bde, during the afternoon. Our Battn took over from Bedfords in B 3 Section (old B 2) on North of GIVENCHY by 5.30pm. Quiet night.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 1025.

Reinforcements 40.

1/6^th Battalion – LE BIZET.

Remained in billets & rested.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion –

3pm.  Enemy fired about 20 field-gun shells at L 32 D 6/5 without doing material damage. Our artillery replied with 4 rounds on to 479.

5.30pm. We fired a camouflet in front of TAMBOUR, reported successful.

5.36pm. Our artillery opened on German trench opposite TAMBOUR.

8^th Battalion – HEVLY.

Very wet and unable to do anything. Men able to rest which they require

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 2nd September 1915

2^nd September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Ordinary Routine.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 1026.

To Hospital 1.

The Bn, relieved the 1^st S.Staffords in the front trenches in Y2(b) section. 2500 yards E.N.E of VERMELLES.

New trenches had been commenced 200x in front of old front trenches with saps made towards enemy’s line of trench this trench was worked on & finished by the Bn, by 4^th inst.

1/6^th Battalion – quiet day. The enemy were busy both by day & night working on their trenches. The Battalion was relieved in the trenches by the 7^th E. Surrey Regt. The relief commenced from MOTOR CAR CORNER at 7.30pm & was completed at 9.30pm. The Battn, returned to billets at LE BIZET.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – SUB-SECTOR D3 near BECOURT.

An unusually quiet day in the trenches.

8^th Battalion – MONTREUIL.

Battalion arrives by train 5. 30 am. Meets Transport and marches 12 miles East to Hevly - Into billets there and at Verdure. Billets in farms & rather crowded. Headquarters in the local school Village Maire very helpful –

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 1st September 1915

1^st September, 1915 –

1st Battalion – Ordinary Routine. The Battn, gave a concert from 6.30 to 8.45pm in theatre BETHUNE.

2nd Battalion – Officers 29.    Other Ranks 1027.

To Hospital 1.

Left BERGUETTE at 1.45pm & went into reserve trenches near NOYELLES-LES-VERMELLES halted near CHOQUES for tea at 4.30pm 16 mile march -

1/6^th Battalion – IN THE TRENCHES.

Very quiet day all along our front our snipers claimed two Germans.

Killed other ranks one.

2/4^th Battalion –

7^th Battalion – SUB-SECTOR D3.

Orders were received that the Battalion would be relieved by 12^th Bn, Middlesex Regt on night 4-5^th Sept.

M KEMP-WELCH, Capt & ADJT.

7^th (SERVICE) Bn, THE QUEEN’S (R.W.S. REGT)

7^th Bn, THE QUEEN’S REGT (18^th Division)

8^th Battalion – BOULOGNE.

Under canvas. Battalion prepared to move off: at 1am. Sept 2nd.