The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 14th March 1916

14^th March 1916–

1st Battalion – A little shelling.

2nd Battalion – Very quiet day. Large hostile aeroplane flew over our lines during morning. Driven off by our M.G. fire.

Officers 31.    Other Ranks 836.

Killed 3.

Wounded 1.

Reinforcements O. Ranks 49.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – The Battn mitraileuse teams on the T 4 were allowed a little practise with ball ammunition. The boat proceeded about 2 miles up stream & then came into the bank opposite a piece of open ground on the left bank rising slightly to a distance of 2000 yards. A screen 7 feet by 2½ was erected at 550 yards & each of the 6 men were allowed 10 rounds at this target. Result was 17 hits.

On the whole the shooting was fairly accurate for men who had never seen the gun fired before. Then a row of 30 head & shoulders were erected at 940 yards & each man was again allowed 10-15 round. The first 3 men fired with the second gun & could get nowhere near the target. On examination the barrel was found absolutely worn. With the original gun more satisfactory was obtained, 7 hits being recorded out of 120 rounds fired. The practice was under the direction of Capt P.R. Whittington. The drill of the crews was bad. Br Gen Tidswell 34^th Bde & Major Rowlandson his Bde Major were present, also Major Locke Bde Major 12^th Bde. After the practice it was decided further crews were to be trained, also 3 officers who were also to make themselves acquainted with all guns on board & command the armament in action. Lieut J.E.B. Jardine, E.F. Evetts J.L.C. Mercer were selected.

1/6^th Battalion – “C” Coy relieved “A” Coy in CRATER “C” & “B” & “A” Coy went to MUD TRENCH. The day was quiet, Enemy again active in evening with heavy TM’s, rifle grenades & bombs 2^nd Lt’s Coppen & Pam both wounded. Enemy made a bombing attack in small numbers but were driven back.

Casualties 6 Killed & 19 wounded.

7^th Battalion – In billets nothing to record.

8^th Battalion – Camp E H 19 b 3 6.

Training continued.