The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 30th April 1916

30^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – BEUVRY.

Much quieter day – 1 wounded. Relieved by 16^th K.R.R. & returned to billets in BEUVRY. Working parties of 2 officers & 70 men at night. Draft of 44 other ranks joined regiment today –

L.M. Crofts Lt, Col,

Cmdg, 1^st Queens.

2nd Battalion – Sunday. Church Parade.

Battalion on fatigue.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 899.

To Hospital 5.

H. ALLARDICE. Major

Comdg, 2^nd Bn. The Queens.

2/4^th Battalion – FAYOUM EGYPT.

The Battalion remains under canvas with the 160^th Infantry Brigade. The past month has been occupied in Company and Battalion Training & Battalion & Brigade Route Marches, Musketry has been continued & on 30/4/16, 749 all ranks had passed on the open range.

Special attention has been given to physical exercises & Bayonet fighting, & 50 men have qualified as 1^st class Bombers. 4 Lewis Guns are in possession & full team is in course training.

The training of other specialists has been continued.

Officers & N.C.O’s. Special classes of instruction have been held & examination for promotion of N.C.O’s is now being conducted.

Transport. Two more Field  kitchens have now arrived, but G.S. Limbered wagons & riding Horses for officers are still badly needed.

Strength. Strength of Battalion on 30/4/16 was 36 Officers 839 O.R. This does not include 37 O.R. who are classed as permanent B.

Health of Battalion is on the whole good, but during the past fortnight there has been a marked increase in diarrhoea & illness due to heat, 80% of the Battalion have now been inoculated against Paratyphoid. Inoculation against Cholera & vaccination are being proceeded with.

Weather. During the past month there has been a marked increase in temperature, & this has necessitated alteration in hours of parade. It is now practically impossible to conduct training satisfactorily between the hours of 10.00 & 17.00. In addition there has ben several violent dust storms which have interfered with training.

A.F. Tredgold

Maj & Adj,

For 2/4 Queens.  

1/5^th Battalion – Church Parade 7.30am. Fall of KUT announced.

Equipment – By the end of this month practically all indents had been compiled with & as far as possible the equipment of the Battalion was in a satisfactory state.

Health – the health of the Battalion continued good out of 31 officers and 958 other ranks in NASIRIYEH the average number in hospital was only 15.

Training – Throughout the month the company going on duty in the afternoon had been allowed to train in the morning & this practice had done good both to the new men & the draft.

Discipline – The behaviour of the Battalion continued good. After a few cases of insubordination from members of the draft the numbers of minor offences very considerably decreased towards the end of the month.

W.P. Speens, Lt & Adjt,

1/5 Queen’s.

1/6^th Battalion – 9am Normal conditions resumed. Brigade Church Parade held in morning.

H.F. Warden

Lieut Colonel,

Comdg, 6^th Bn, “The Queen’s” (R.W.S.) Regt.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – At 12.40am. The enemy opened rapid bursts of M.G. fire opposite us which was kept up for some minutes.

12.45am gas was released in dense clouds and swept all over the Brigade front lasting until 2am. Our Machine Guns swept the enemy parapet with the intention of piercing any gas cylinders. A small party of 12 of the enemy attempted to enter trench C 4 but were easily repulsed. A larger party succeeded in entering Trench D 4 held by the Bn on our Left – The 1 N/Staffs Regt. The enemy were quickly ejected by bombing attacks. Owing to the barrage put behind our lines, the Bn on our left were unable to bring up their Reserve bombs quickly enough so we supplied them.

Gas had passed over at 2am. Reserve Ammunition & Bombs were sent up to the front line. The situation then assumed its normality.

We suffered 110 casualties chiefly by gas. Very little warning was given of the arrival of the gas as the enemys Machine Gun fire successfully deafened the noise of egress from the pipes.

One officer has been evacuated, suffering from the effects of gas – 2/Lt J.M. Clarke, our M.G.O. Major H.J.C. Peirs is in command of the Bn, Lt Col Tringham being on leave to England.

The rest of the day passed quietly.

W.R.G. Bye Capt, Adjt,

8 Queen’s

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 29th April 1916

29^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – Heavy bombardment of Hohenzollern in early morning – Some 5.9”, L.H.V & T.M activity during day – German Fokker brought down on our right.

2nd Battalion – Company Parades. Platoon & extended order drill. Musketry.

Battalion on fatigue.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 904.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Work continued steadily every day in Bund & huts & in addition the Battn & the 90^th Punjabis dug a large drain out of the N.W. corner of the camp into a nullah in the desert which effectually ran off practically all water which had percolated through the Bund.

1/6^th Battalion – The Battalion carried out Physical Training, Close order Drill, Musketry parades during the morning. 2^nd Lt F.W. Elliott reported for duty.

At 8.20pm orders received to be ready to move at 3 hrs notice.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 28th April 1916

28^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – Usual exchange of rifle grenades & T.M’s round R.W.F. craters – A little shelling on communication trenches. 1 killed, 3 wounded. In evening, gas reported on both flanks, but nothing came of it.

2nd Battalion – BOIS des TAILLES.

Company parades – close order drill.

Battalion on fatigue.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 904.

Wounded 3.

To Hospital 1.

To Base for discharge 1.

To 7^th Battn, 1.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – The Battalion carried out Physical Training, Close order Drill, Musketry parades during the morning. 2^nd Lt F.W. Elliott reported for duty.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 27th April 1916

27^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – Gas attack at Hulluck at 6am; gas drifted up to us; helmets worn for 1 hour. Rest of day quiet. No casualties. We fired many rifle grenades, as enemy were active with them. Good patrol by 2/Lt Rouquette.

2nd Battalion – BRAY TO BOIS DES TAILLES.

Today the battalion instead of going back to CORBIE for a few days rest left BRAY after dinners & marched to BOIS des TAILLES about 1¾ miles along the BRAY-CORBIE ROAD. It is a very pretty spot & most delightful so long as the weather remains fine. The Battn, lives in huts accommodating 36 men.

Battalion on fatigue.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 910.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – IN THE FIELD.

The Battalion stood to ready to move off at ½ hours notice from 8.45am till 2pm. Normal conditions then resumed. Rest of day spent cleaning up.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – 27^th 28^th 29^th April

The days have been quiet on the whole, but nights have been marked by brisk M.G. & Rifle Fire on the part of the enemy. Our Patrols report that the enemy works on his trenches at night. No hostile Patrols have been encountered. ‘GAS ALERT’ has been the order the whole time as the wind is invariably EAST. Deserters to the 50^th Div on our left have reported the presence of gas in enemy trenches & that it was the intention of the enemy to release gas on the morning of the 28^th. This did not happen. Two prisoners again on the 28^th report that the enemy intends ‘gassing’ our trenches & making an attack with 2 objectives (1) straightening out 2 small salient’s (2) Destroying Mine Shafts which they suspect in our trenches.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 26th April 1916

26^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – AUCHY LEFT.

Ordinary routine in morning. Evening, relieved 4^th King’s Regiment in AUCHY LEFT; 2^nd Worcesters on right. 2 wounded.

2nd Battalion – Battalion on fatigue.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 910.

From Hospital 1.

Transferred to B.M.G. Coy 9.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion remained in billets, day spent in cleaning up & kit inspections.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – The Bn relieved the 8^th R.W. Kent Regt in the right subsection the relief being complete at 10pm. The disposition of the Bn was as follows:-

Trench C 3 – D Coy.

Trench C 4 & Pt D 1  – A Coy.

Trench D 2 – C Coy.

Reserve Coy at SOUVENIR Fme & KANDHAR FARM – B Coy.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 25th April 1916

25^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – Ordinary routine. C.O & Company Commanders inspected trenches of AUCHY LEFT.

2nd Battalion – Battalion on fatigue.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 918.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – A Company & the M.G. Section took part in a practice parade of the Moveable Column, starting at 5.45am & returning at 10.30am. 1^st & 2^nd line transport were taken. A noticeable improvement has taken place in the quickness & sureness in which loads are tied & loaded. The march tired some of the draft very considerably. After an interval of nearly 3 weeks mails were again received.

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion was relieved by 7^th K.O.S.B. and went into Divisional Rest Area. Relief complete 11.30am. Battalion marched to NOEUX-LE-MINES where it entrained & detrained at LILLERS from thence marched to ALLOUAGNE where it went into billets. Battalion arrived in billets 5.30pm. 2^nd Lts Elshaw W, Ord and A.D.W. Ward reported for duty.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 24th April 1916

24^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – Short Battalion route march in morning. Afternoon, inspection of Battalion by Army Commander, General Sir Charles Monro, who addressed Battalion -

2nd Battalion – Battalion on fatigue.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 918.

Increase 2/Lt Crees joined.

Decrease To Base discharged 1.

To Hospital 1.

Granted commission 1.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion furnished working parties under R.E. also RATION PARTY for Battalion in Front Line.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 23rd April 1916

23^rd April 1916 –

1st Battalion – Church parade in morning. Rugger match, officers of Queen’s & Worcesters v A.S.C., who won -

2nd Battalion – Easter Day. Beautiful Day.

During morning our trenches were shelled by 77mm guns. At 7.30pm to the minute the enemy opened concentrated artillery & trench mortar fire on B 2 Subsector (chiefly MANSEL COPSE) For an hour this continued during which time our guns had opened with intense retaliation. The regiment on our immediate left is the 2^nd Borders (20^th Bde) & it was against them that the enemy made this raid. It is still unknown for certain whether the enemy actually entered the Borders trenches& secured a few prisoners. The Borders casualties were 1 Officer & 18 O.R. Killed, & 2 Officers & about 40 O.R. wounded. Our trenches were slightly shelled – 2 wounded. All was normal again by 10pm.

Officers 34.    O.R. 921.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Easter Sunday. No work. Parade service at 9.30. 30 huts had now been completed except in a few cases the floors for which owing to the work on the Bunds, mules could not be spared during the last half of last week. There had also been some delay owing to scarcity of reeds.

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion furnished working parties under R.E. also RATION PARTY for Battalion in Front Line.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 22nd April 1916

22^nd April 1916–

1st Battalion – Ordinary routine. No proper parades owing to rain.

2/Lt Grook joined the battalion.

2nd Battalion – Rained hard all day. Whole battn, on fatigue.

During morning our trenches were shelled by 77mm guns. At 7.30pm to the minute the enemy opened concentrated artillery & trench mortar fire on B 2 Subsector (chiefly MANSEL COPSE) For an hour this continued during which time our guns had opened with intense retaliation. The regiment on our immediate left is the 2^nd Borders (20^th Bde) & it was against them that the enemy made this raid. It is still unknown for certain whether the enemy actually entered the Borders trenches& secured a few prisoners. The Borders casualties were 1 Officer & 18 O.R. Killed, & 2 Officers & about 40 O.R. wounded. Our trenches were slightly shelled – 2 wounded. All was normal again by 10pm.

Officers 34.    O.R. 921.

Struck off 3.

To Hospital 4.

From Base 1.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Battalion worked on the Bunds from 7.0 till noon, & took a holiday in the afternoon. Percolation in some quantity started where our lines joined those of the 90^th Punjabis & water reached our extreme W hut. A subsidiary bund 30 yards from river was built.

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion furnished working parties under R.E. also RATION PARTY for Battalion in Front Line.

Casualties NIL

Capt Higgens Lt C.W Fitch 2^nd Lt Barton reported for duty.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 21st April 1916

21^st April 1916 –

1st Battalion – Ordinary routine.

2nd Battalion – BRAY.

Rained hard all day.

During morning our trenches were shelled by 77mm guns. At 7.30pm to the minute the enemy opened concentrated artillery & trench mortar fire on B 2 Subsector (chiefly MANSEL COPSE) For an hour this continued during which time our guns had opened with intense retaliation. The regiment on our immediate left is the 2^nd Borders (20^th Bde) & it was against them that the enemy made this raid. It is still unkown for certain whether the enemy actually entered the Borders trenches& secured a few prisoners. The Borders casualties were 1 Officer & 18 O.R. Killed, & 2 Officers & about 40 O.R. wounded. Our trenches were slightly shelled – 2 wounded. All was normal again by 10pm.

Officers 34.    O.R. 926.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Good Friday. Parade service 9.30am C & D Companies attended it. Remainder had to work.

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion relieved by 6^th Buffs & went into Support “A” Coy in O B 1. “B” Coy cellars in VERMELLES “C” Coy LANCASHIRE TRENCH “D” Coy RESERVE TRENCH relief complete 11.35am. Battalion furnished working parties under R.E.

Casualties 2 wounded 2^nd Lieut M. Wallick reported for duty from 3^rd Bn.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 20th April 1916

20^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – Ordinary routine. Riding school started for young officers.

2nd Battalion – Between 2.30 & 3pm enemy again shelled MANSEL COPSE with 77mm guns & 10.5 cm Hows. At about 9.20pm MANSEL COPSE was again shelled but our artillery was ready & replied instantaneously. At 10.14 & again at 10.30pm our Heavy Artillery opened on MAMETZ & enemy’s trenches in front of us & did excellent work. The South Staffords relieved us tonight, after 8 days in the trenches.

During morning our trenches were shelled by 77mm guns. At 7.30pm to the minute the enemy opened concentrated artillery & trench mortar fire on B 2 Subsector (chiefly MANSEL COPSE) For an hour this continued during which time our guns had opened with intense retaliation. The regiment on our immediate left is the 2^nd Borders (20^th Bde) & it was against them that the enemy made this raid. It is still unkown for certain whether the enemy actually entered the Borders trenches & secured a few prisoners. The Borders casualties were 1 Officer & 18 O.R. Killed, & 2 Officers & about 40 O.R. wounded. Our trenches were slightly shelled – 2 wounded. All was normal again by 10pm.

Officers 34.    Other Ranks 926.

Wounded 2.

Reinforcement 30 O.R.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – The day was quiet, till 5pm when enemy opened intense bombardment with heavy T.M’s on the two right Coys bombardment stopped at 7pm. The night was quiet, except enemy’s M.G’s were active.

Casualties 3 killed 17 wounded 2^nd Lieuts A.J. Sells & F.C. Woods reported for duty from 3^rd Bn.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – The Bn was relieved by the 8^th R.W. Kent regt. Relief complete 1am & the Bn went back into Bde Reserve.

Disposition as follows:-

H.Q C & D Coys at KANDHAR FARM. (T 10 b.7.8), A, B & Specialists at AIRCRAFT FARM (N 32 c 9 8).

20^th – 26^th April

The Bn remained in Reserve. Bn H.Q. moved to BUS FARM (N 33 d 4 1) on the night of the 24^th. 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 19th April 1916

19^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – Baths & cleaning up all day.

2nd Battalion – During morning our trenches were shelled by 77mm guns. At 7.30pm to the minute the enemy opened concentrated artillery & trench mortar fire on B 2 Subsector (chiefly MANSEL COPSE) For an hour this continued during which time our guns had opened with intense retaliation. The regiment on our immediate left is the 2^nd Borders (20^th Bde) & it was against them that the enemy made this raid. It is still unknown for certain whether the enemy actually entered the Borders trenches& secured a few prisoners. The Borders casualties were 1 Officer & 18 O.R. Killed, & 2 Officers & about 40 O.R. wounded. Our trenches were slightly shelled – 2 wounded. All was normal again by 10pm.

Officers 34.    Other Ranks 898.

Struck off 1.

To Base 1.

To Hospital 2.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – A strong gale down stream started at 3pm & blew all night. Result was a serious rise in the river about 9 inches. The wash caused by the gale also damaged the Bunds in several places. Accordingly orders were issued for strong as possible working parties every day.

1/6^th Battalion – The day was quiet, enemy sent over a few T.M’s and rifle grenades.

Casualties 5 Killed 10 Wounded.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 18th April 1916

18^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – BETHUNE.

Quiet again, & wet. In evening, C.Q.M.S. Longhurst (C COY) & 1 man killed, & 2 other ranks wounded in brickstacks. Relieved by 1^st Cameronians, & proceeded to billets in Montmorency Barracks, Bethune.

Capt Nicholas (3^rd Buffs) admitted to hospital with shell shock.

2nd Battalion – During last night the enemy was heard to shout “Gentlemen = the Queen’s, how are you” Enemy’s artillery more active during day – apparently registering. Raining today.

Officers 34.    Other Ranks 902.

Wounded 2.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – The Battn carried out a route march, leaving camp at 7am & moving out 2½ N.W. until the floods were reached. Thence turning E to RUTHERS TOWER & returning to camp at 9.22am

Strength 22 officers 671 other ranks.

1/6^th Battalion – We blew a mine at 6am opposite SAVILLE ROW crater too far out to occupy. There was no retaliation by enemy. Quiet night.

Casualties 1.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 17th April 1916

17^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – Quiet day. 2 wounded. In evening, party of D Coy, made reconnaissance of S crater, with mining officers, to look for suspected mine shaft. No shaft found; one mining officer killed; 4118 Pte Jones & 4737 Pte Edwards showed much gallantry in recovering his body from crater.

2nd Battalion – At about 5am today some men were seen walking about near ORCHARD ALLEY & PT 3437 (F.10.a) one was dressed in white, another had white tunic & a third white trousers.

Officers 34.    Other Ranks 904.

Wounded 2.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Capt Bray & the attachment of D Coy from HAKIKA returned – They also picked up with them & brought the remains of the drafts from BASRA

1 officer & 43 other ranks.

1/6^th Battalion – IN THE TRENCHES.

Battalion relieved the 11^th Middlesex Regt in the Front Line Trenches, Battalions right was on RIFLEMANS ALLEY exclusive LEFT on SAVILLE ROW inclusive. Order of Coys readingright to left was “A” “B” “C” “D”. Relief was completed at 12.30pm. Enemy blew a mine under A & B Coys at 6pm. Otherwise the day was quiet except for a few rifle grenade.

Casualties 1 Killed 14 Wounded.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 16th April 1916

16^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – Quiet day again. 1 wounded. A few 5.9” shells in Cuinchy Village again in evening.

2nd Battalion – Hostile aeroplane flew over our lines (F.11.4.) this morning at 9am. It appeared to be hit by our A.A. guns & descended very suddenly & rapidly behind enemy’s lines.

Officers 34.    Other Ranks 906.

2/4^th Battalion – 

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion furnished working parties under R.E.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 15th April 1916

15^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – Quiet day. 1 killed, 1 wounded. A few 5.9” shells in Cuinchy Village.

2nd Battalion – Hostile aeroplane active early this morning but they soon retired when our A.A. guns opened fire.

Officers 34.    Other Ranks 906.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion furnished working parties under R.E.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – 15^th – 20^th April

This tour in trenches has been much quieter than the last. All night patrols report repeatedly that the enemy is very quiet & that no hostile patrols are seen by any chance.

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

14^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – CUINCHY LEFT.

Working party of 60 in morning. Relieved 16^th K.R.R. in CUINCHY LEFT, 1/6 Scottish Rifles on night, 4 officers & 8 N.C.O’s completed duty with 17^th K.R.R.

2nd Battalion – Several of the enemy were observed in their trenches early this morning opposite F.11.3. Our snipers killed one of these.

Officers 34.    Other Ranks 906.

O.R. struck off 10.

Reinforcement 12.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – ANNEQUIN.

Battalion relieved the 7^th East Surrey Regt in ANNEQUIN relief complete at 11.30am.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – The Bn relieved the 8^th R.W. Kent regt in the right trenches on the night of 14/15 April.

The relief was complete at 1am, as the Bn could not pass ROAD JUNCTION at N.33 d 1 4 before 10.30pm.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 13th April 1916

13^th April 1916 –

1st Battalion – Working parties morning & night, total 150 men. Company commanders conference to settle programme of work for Brigade rest.

2nd Battalion – At 2.30am heavy hostile artillery bombardment commenced on sector on our right. For nearly 2 hours the enemy’s & our bombardment lasted. The enemy raided the trenches & secured a few prisoners. During this period our men “stood to” but nothing happened on our front.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 904.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – 13^th - 15^th April

Hut building continued hard. Owing to the rise of the river, on the 15^th we were ordered to find strong as possible fatigue parties to strengthen the Bunds every second day.

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion remained in billets & continued training.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 12th April 1916

12^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – Ordinary Routine, working parties of 140 again in evening. Battalion had baths.

2nd Battalion – BRAY TO TRENCHES.

Battalion relieves 22^nd Manchesters in B.1. Subsection today. Three coys (A,B & D) in front line. C Coy in reserve at RAT-HOLE. Hd Qrs MINDEN POST.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 904.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – 5.30am Lieut A.E. Clark-Kennedy, 1 Sergt & 12 privates of C Coy composed a firing party to execute a Turkish officer named Hussein Effendi proved guilty of espionage.

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion remained in billets & continued training.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – 12^th – 13^th April

Bn remained in Divl Reserve – Training could not be proceeded with owing to wet weather.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 11th April 1916

11^th April 1916 –

1st Battalion – cleaning up & ordinary routine. Working parties of 140 in evening. 4 officers & 8 N.C.O’s attached to 17^th K.R.R. in GUINCHY Right to give instruction.

2nd Battalion – Whole Battalion working.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 904.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – BETHUNE.

Battalion remained in billets & cleaned up.

7^th Battalion – Y III S/S.

Battalion relieved 7^th Buffs at Y III SUBSECTOR. At 9.10am 2 Coys front line – C & D “C” RIGHT D LEFT. A Coy 2 Platoon S works – Commanded by Lieut D.R. Heaton – 2 Platoons at R works commanded by Captain R.J. Walpole – B Coy under Captain Martin – Counter Attack – nothing of importance occurred – this day – with the exception that the Germans were shelling – artillery position – about point – X West of the SUZANNE – MERICOURT RD - & piece of shell – very slightly wounded – Pte Weston -  

8^th Battalion – A concert was given by the Bn in the Y.M.C.A. tent.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 10th April 1916

10^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – LE QUESNOY.

Quiet day – 1 Wounded – Relieved by 16^th K.R.R. & proceeded to billets in LE QUESNOY.

2nd Battalion – Whole Battalion working.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 904.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion relieved by 7^th Norfolk Regt & went into billets at the Tobacco Factory BETHUNE relief complete at 12.40.

7^th Battalion – Captain G.H.H. Scott proceeded on leave -

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 9th April 1916

9^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – Usual light shelling; very quiet on whole. No reply to our snipers or rifle grenades, 1 killed, 1 wounded. Good patrol by 2/Lt Buckner & L. Cpl Mitchel.

Two coys. 17^th K.R.R. left after instruction.

Lt Symons granted leave to England; admitted to hospital; had not rejoined by end of month.

2nd Battalion – Whole Battalion on fatigues.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 904.

From Hospital 2.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Church Parade. C.O. inspected huts occupied of which 12 were now completed & 280 N.C.O’s & men housed in them. 2/Lieut Hopkins I.A.R.O. arrived for attachment.

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion remained in billets & furnished Ration & working parties under R.E.

Casualties 1 wounded.

7^th Battalion – Lieut Col F.B.B Pickard proceeded to 4^th ARMY SCHOOL for 1 weeks course – Command of the Battalion devolved on Captain C.M.W. Price “B” Coy -

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 8th April 1916

8^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – Some heavy T.M. bombs near brickstacks. Light shelling with 77mm’s. 1 killed, 1 wounded.

2nd Battalion – BRAY.

Bathing & rest.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 902.

From Hospital 1.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Capt Herman was posted to the 2^nd R.W. Kent Regt.

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion remained in billets & furnished Ration & working parties under R.E.

7^th Battalion – In Billets nothing to report -

8^th Battalion – The Bn was relieved in the trenches by the 8^th R.W. Kent Regt. Relief complete by 10.30pm – The Bn marched back to DRANOUTRE, into Divisional Reserve.

DRANOUTRE. 8^th – 13^th April

The Bn occupied billets & tents, and during the day training was carried on. Every available man was taught to use the MILLS Bomb.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 7th April 1916

7^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – GUINCHY LEFT.

Quiet day; a few L.H.V. shells in brickstacks. 1 Killed, 2 wounded. Two coys. 17^th K.R.R. attached for instruction.

2nd Battalion – TRENCHES TO BRAY.

Battalion relieved in trenches by 9^th Devons (20^th Bde). The Divisional front has now been much reduced. In future we shall hold from the CARMOY-MAMETZ Rly to the CARMOY-MAMETZ ROAD with Hd Qrs at MINDEN POST. (B1 Subsector).

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 901.

Wounded 3.

To Hospital 3.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – IN BILLETS VERMELLES & NOYELLES.

Battalion remained in billets & furnished Ration & working parties under R.E. Major N.T. Trolls was appointed SECOND in COMMAND of the battalion VICE major S.T. Watson appointed to Command 8^th Royal Irish Fusiliers dated 5^th March 1916.

7^th Battalion – In Billets nothing to report -

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 6th April 1916

6^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – LE QUESNOY.

Working party of 100 men in morning – Relieved 16^th K.R.R. in GUNCHY Left. 1/6 Scottish Rifles on right.

2nd Battalion – Nothing unusual.

 Officers 35.    Other Ranks 907.

Killed 1.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion relieved by 6^th Buffs relief complete by 11.20am “A & C Coys went into billets at NOYELLES, B & D Coy in VERMELLES H.Q in Brewery VERMELLES.

Furnished working parties under R.E. also pushed Rations up for other battalion.

Casualties NIL.

7^th Battalion – In Billets nothing to report -

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 5th April 1916

5^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – C.O & O’s C Coys reconnoitred “GUINCHY Left” in morning – Afternoon, moved to billets at LE QUESNOY. Working parties, 100 men in morning, 70 at night.

2nd Battalion – 2/Lieut E. Hobbs in command of a patrol did some excellent work tonight & obtained valuable information. The patrol consisted of 1 officer, 1 Sergt, 2 Cpls, & 5 men leaving F.11.7 at 9pm & returning at 1.40am Information gained, Patrol reached wire in front of German trench F.11.a.3.o. to F.11.c.2.9. They cut their way through this wire & reached enemy’s parapet. They found the trench unoccupied & filled with a thick tangle of wire. The trench is too wide to be crossed without bridges. Patrol then crawled along parapet as far as BANK of F.11.c.2.9. Enemy’s trench at this point is carried through the bank by a tunnel. There was a sentry post on top of Bank which challenged the patrol. The patrol through bombs & the officer used his revolver. The enemy then opened fire on the patrol which got back to our own open lines unharmed.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 908.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – Quiet day continued consolidating sap out to left crater, during evening enemy knocked in sap with heavy T.M’s and bombed the working party, working party had to stop work.

Casualties 1 wounded.

7^th Battalion – In Billets nothing to report -

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 4th April 1916

4^th April 1916–

1st Battalion – Ordinary routine, as yesterday.

2nd Battalion – Enemy heavily shelled sector on our immediate left. Very quiet on our front.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 908.

Wounded 1.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – 4^th 5^th 6^th 7^th April

Hut building continued vigorously with 45 N.C.O’s & men from each company & by the end of the week 9 were in occupation & another 10 were in course of completion.

The T 1 was again taken over from the 2^nd R.W. Kents. On arrival of “Snakefly” “Transfly” the up river patrol was taken over by these boats. The T 4 was sent down to Kurne & the T 1 is being used for work between NASARIYEH & HAKIKA.

1/6^th Battalion – Quiet day, enemy sent over heavy T.M’s and rifle grenades otherwise quiet at 12.1am we blew 3 mines in front of NEW CUT, we sent out two parties to seize the near lip also consolidating parties & at the same time attacked German LOOKOUT CRATER, after the bombers had gone out we sent out two LEWIS GUNS. The mines were not successfully & the enemy immediately opened fire with heavy T.M’s our bombers & covering parties were wiped out & the remainder driven back, we held the left lip of the CRATER & started consolidating it, but were driven off Centre & Right 2^nd Lieut Passmore reported missing 2^nd Lt Springfield wounded O.R. Killed 3 Missing 3 Wounded 27.

7^th Battalion – In Billet SUZANNE.

Nothing to report except the Bn was finding fatigues – health of the Battalion good – weather during the week in trenches was fine & dry.

8^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 3rd April 1916

 3^rd April 1916 –

1st Battalion – Ordinary routine; practice of bombing attacks & new bayonet fighting course.

2nd Battalion – Patches of new wire observed in front of enemy’s lines opposite, F.11.8 & left of F.11.7. Hostile biplane flew over our lines at about 9.30am.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 909.

2/Lieut, Hine joined.

Killed 1.

Wounded 2.

2/4^th Battalion – Capt Herman 3^rd R.W. Kent Regt arrived with 93 N.C.O’s & men part of a draft of 142 sent from England of which 99 were Royal Fusiliers & 43 3/5^th Queen’s. Most of the Fusiliers have seen service in France, some of them are still suffering from the effects of wounds & some rather old for the country. Orders for the promotion of Lieut J.E.B. Jardine to temporary Captain vice Capt Master were received.

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – Day very quiet, Enemy sent over rifle grenades & heavy Trench Mortars about 6pm. Night passed quietly 2^nd Lt H.E. Smith wounded by rifle grenade.

Casualties 1 officer & 2 men wounded.

7^th Battalion – SUZANNE Y III Subsector.

The Battalion was relieved by 7^th Buffs at about 7-30pm relief would have been carried out earlier in the day but on account of a German observation Balloon coming up - on the left of our line – between CONTALMAISON & BAZENTIN LE GRAND about midway between our relief – caused a standstill - & we all got to a position behind cover – as far as possible – but unfortunately – “C” Coy which were standing in the trench – at S works point BEA 23-A-50 had 3 shrapnel shells fired into the trench which killed two men – Pte Street & Wisdom & Pte Jones & Cox were wounded. We arrived in billets SUZANNE about 8pm Captain R.S. Le Bas & Lieut & Q.M. S.C. Eastwood proceeded on leave.

8^th Battalion – 3^rd – 8^th April

During this tour in trenches, a great deal of work was done in repairing the trenches. On the 4^th 5^th and 7^th our Support Line was shelled by H.E. Shrapnel and Whizzbangs, but little damage was done. On the 5^th A Corps Retaliation Scheme, lasting for 20 mins was carried out, and effectively silenced the enemy. Our snipers gradually gained the upper hand, and our Grenade Company was active in retaliating on the enemy with Rifle Grenades etc. Good Patrol work was done by 2/Lt Hopgood, 2/Lt Lane Nicholls, Sgt Chacksfield, Cpl Johnson and other N.C.O’s of Grenade Coy. Useful information was given with respect to enemy works etc.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 2nd April 1916

2^nd April 1916–

1st Battalion – Church parade in morning. Afternoon, moved from MONTMORENCY BARRACKS to ECOLE DES JEUNES FILLES, relieving 1/4 Suffolks.

2nd Battalion – All quiet in our sector. Three hostile aeroplanes flew over our lines during morning but soon returned.

Officers 34.    Other Ranks 912.

2/4^th Battalion – EL AZAB.

One Company returned from detachment duty at KAFR MAHFOUZ, being relieved by a Coy 1/4^th R. Sussex Regt.

1/5^th Battalion – Church Service at 10am. Everyone busy all day getting rid of mud caused by the heavy rain of the previous day. – 3 tents had to be repitched on dryer sites. The huts erected by the Battn had let some water through but had otherwise stood the gale excellently. Lieut J.E.B. Jardine, J.L.C. Mercer, & E.F. Evetts went up the river on the T 1 & were instructed by Lieut Sewell Bombay Volunteer Battery in the working of the 3Pds. The T 4 was dismantled previous to being sent down the river.

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion relieved 6^th Buffs in the front line trenches A Coy on the right B Right Centre Coy “D” Left Centre Coy & “C” Left Coy Relief completed by 10.45am. The day was quiet enemy sent over a few rifle grenades & heavy Trench Mortars.

Casualties 1 wounded.

7^th Battalion – Captain J.R. Walpole – rejoined from 1^st Bn.

8^th Battalion – on the night of the 2/3^rd, the Bn relieved the 8^th R.W. Kent Regt in the Right trenches of the Bde Sector. The relief was complete at 3am, 3^rd, as the Bn did not move in relief until after midnight. The Trench Distribution was as follows:-

Trench C 3 – held by A Coy.

Trench C 4 & Part D 1 – held by B Coy.

Part D 1 & D2 – held by  Coy.

Battn, Reserve – D Coy billeted at SOUVENIR FARM and PETAWAWA FARM. Bn H.Q. was at ST QUENTIN CABARET T 5 d.2.4 WULVERGHEM. On our right was the 2^nd Leinster Regt a unit of  the 73^rd Bde. On our left was the 1^st N. Staffs Regt a unit of the 72^nd Bde.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 1st April 1916

1^st April 1916 –

1st Battalion – BETHUNE.

Ordinary routine- Wiring party of 100 men at Le PREOL – Awards, 2/Lt Inkyn, Military Cross; 9290 Sgt Brice, 3705 Cpl Geering; 3467 Pte Paterson, D.C.M’s.

2nd Battalion – BRAY TO TRENCHES.

Battalion relieved 1^st South Staffords in trenches.

Officers 34.    Other Ranks 912.

Reinforcements 58.

To Hospital 1.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – NASIRIYEH.

The day started with heavy showers which culminated at 3.30pm in a very violent storm & gale. As the centre of the camp lies in a hollow, by 7pm when the rain stopped parts of the camp had 8 inches of water in a hut. Parties were promptly turned out to cut drains & a number of men were turned out of their huts & put in the partly erected huts & the 4 which had been occupied the previous day.

1/6^th Battalion – IN THE TRENCHES.

Battalion still in support. Enemy blew three mines on the LEFT Bn (E Surrey Regt) front, we supplied a bomb carrying party also working party to clear left Bn trenches. The night was quiet. Casualties 3 wounded 2^nd Lieut J.T. Horsford joined the Battn, for duty from 9^th Bn.

7^th Battalion – Y III Subsector.

In trenches – nothing to report.

8^th Battalion – The Bn remained in Bde Reserve, being billeted at TEA FARM, AIRCRAFT FARM and KANDAHAR FARM.