The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 20th January1916

20^th January 1916 – 

1st Battalion – Ordinary Routine.

2nd Battalion – same as 18^th.

Officers 32.    Other Ranks 869.

1/5^th Battalion - A warm day enabled everyone to get clothes dry camp drained & generally cheered everyone up. A thorough inspection of kit clothes & equipment showed some worrying deficiencies Helmets, the abnormal rains at LUCKNOW in September and the hard usage since mobilisation culminating in the recent very bad weather had damaged these so that it is evident that they will not be serviceable in the ensuing hot weather. Boots In ordinary course the Battn. would have had an issue of 1 new pair per man In December which was missed on account of mobilisation. The boots which have been going since June now showed the effects of the heavy use to which they had been put since mobilisation. They had also suffered from the mud in the recent storms. There were actually 50 men with only 1 pair of boots & some of those only semi-serviceable. Clothing, The drill clothing has also seriously suffered from continual wear on fatigues & service since arriving in this country & requires renewing. In addition mess tins had been lost or damaged in the moves or in the action. Tents & other stores had suffered seriously in the move from NASARIYEH on hired camels & generally very considerable indents had to be submitted.

1/6^th Battalion – BUSNETTES.

Battalion remained in billets and spent the day in cleaning up & inspections. His Majesty The KING was graciously pleased to confer the following awards for Service in the Field,

Military Cross - Capt H.C. Cannon.

Military Cross - Lieut A.J. Pike.

Distinguished Conduct Medal – No 8371 a/C.Q.M.S. Coucher. A.

Distinguished Conduct Medal – No 1097 Cpl Kettle. C.F.

Distinguished Conduct Medal – No 1913 Pte Osmond. H.

Major Sandiford left the Battalion to take over 2^nd in command of 6^th Buffs.

7^th Battalion – 9.50am enemy fired 3 mines in rapid succession at F 3 c 59 & fired 4 heavy trench mortar shells into TAMBOUR F 3c immediately. Very little damage was done to our works. No casualties. A new crater was found at F 3 c 4585. 7^th Bedfordshire regt, relieved 11^th Royal Fusiliers in Sub-sector D2.

8^th Battalion – The battalion continued the work on the defence point and one Company was kept in camp for training purposes. Company grenadiers trained in throwing live bombs