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

6^th May 1916–

1st Battalion – At 5.55am enemy mine blown S of BABY crater; 2 men buried in sap-head in EASTERN TWIN crater. Barrage of 77mm & 4.2” shells for half an hour, & again after an hour. Part of B Coy occupied far lip at once & prevented enemy from leaving his trenches by rifle fire & bombs; 2 Lt Crichton, 8867 Sgt Elderkin, 8814 L, cpl Wyber & 891 L, cpl Harding did very well, 2 Lt Crichton being slightly wounded (at duty) by shell fire. 2 Lt Crichton recommended for Military Cross, the other three ranks for Military Medal. Work on saps all day.

Light shelling & heavy minnies about mid-day & in afternoon; heavy bombardment with L.H.V. , 4.2” & minnies for an hour at dusk.

Day’s casualties, 4 killed, 8 wounded, (2 at duty) & 2 Lt Crichton wounded (at duty).

New crater called QUEEN’S crater.

2nd Battalion – Battalion Attack (Trench Warfare). The G.O.C. 7^th Division was present in the afternoon; Bayonet Exercises & Musketry by Companies. Lecture to N.C.O’s & junior officers by the M.O. Regimental football match in the evening against the 9^th Devons. A very good game ending in our favour by 3 goals to 1.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 905.

1 to Base for discharge.

Lieut H.H. Greig & 10 O.R. taken back on the strength.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – A medical Commission comprising Sir William Vincent & Gen Bingley  who had

arrived on the 5^th on the SHUSHAN sat to take evidence – The C.O. Major Smallpiece Capt Bray Capt Jardine Lieut Stoop & Capt Bailey R.A.M.C. gave evidence.

At 5pm Capt Morton Lieut Evetts Lieut Wigan 97 other ranks of A Coy & 6 signallers took over “One Tree Post” from the 114^th Mahrattas for a week. This post was established 2 miles NW of Cantonments to protect the Bund from being attacked.

In addition 30 N.C.O’s & men had to be sent to No 8 Post to find a permanent patrol of 10 N.C.O’s & men to patrol by night from No 8 Post towards the Tree Post & meeting another similar patrol from One Tree Post.

1/6^th Battalion – The Battn continued Training, Physical Training, Saluting & Musketry.

Two Coys fired on the range.

7^th Battalion – Nothing to report. All Coys on fatigue Lt B.C. Haggard rejoined and 2/lt joined Battalion & taken on strength.

8^th Battalion –

10^th Battalion – Le Havre.

6am Disembarked and marched to Dock Rest Camp. 2/Lts, Brown, Bird, Bain & Erackson to Base.