The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 24th January1916

24^th January 1916 – 

1st Battalion – Bat, relieved 1 Coy of 18 R.F. and 1 coy A & Sutherlands in Z1. Relief complete at 7.40 & started at 5.30pm.

2nd Battalion – Company Parades – Instruction in Lewis Gun – Lecture by Sergt, Smith on German S.W. African Campaign.

 Officers 32.    Other Ranks 868.

1/5^th Battalion - B, C & D companies on night outposts 24/25th.

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion Route march in morning & Regimental exercise for all subaltern officers.

7^th Battalion – VILLE-SUR-ANCRE.

In billets nothing to record.

8^th Battalion – The night passed quietly; gentle S.W. wind prevailing.

Two casualties to-day, one by enemy sniper. Snipers post located opposite trench H 20. Our artillery intended to fire at it at 10.30am but the morning was misty & so this was not carried out. Day very quiet.

8.30pm At 8.30pm 2/Lt Burnley patrolled alone towards enemy’s wire in front of N. end of trench A1 and brought back a small German flag, bearing the eagle, which had been seen during the day. A private of the 8^th Buffs had attempted to get this flag the previous day but was wounded and could not return. He was rescued under heavy fire by Pte H.Homer 3014, of this Battn.

On the left side of the flag was written the following, “What is King Albert doing? On the right side “Thick (bulging ?) Bertha from Essen nickname for 42cm shells” “Follow the example of Servia and Montenegro whom you courageously betrayed”. “Kaiser’s Birthday 27/1/16”.

The night on our front was very quiet. Some bomb-throwing activity occurred in the lines of the

Battn, on our right – the 1^st N.Staffs, - at 9.30pm and 1.30am next morning.