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

8^th May 1916–

1st Battalion – Quiet day. An O.P. knocked out by direct hit in morning. 1 killed, 3 wounded. G.O.C. Division (General Landon) complimented B Coy on their quick action in preventing occupation of QUEEN’S crater by the enemy. Relieved by 16^th K.R.R. & returned to billets in BEUVRY. 2 Lt Buist joined the battalion this evening.

2nd Battalion – BRAY & TRENCHES.

The hot weather has come to an end & now it is cold & showery. The 2 Companies at GRANTOWN are on fatigue most of the day. Things fairly quiet in the trenches.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 901.

4 To Hospital.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – The river continued to rise & the state of Bunds was now  causing considerable anxiety.

1 officer & 21 other ranks of the 1/4 Dorsets arrived with baggage etc of their Battn which is marching from BASRA as part of the 42^nd Brigade.

1/6^th Battalion – The Battn moved off at 5am and proceeded to new billets in FLECHIN (H.Q. & A & C Coys) & CUHEM ( B & D Coys) adjoining 1^st Army Special Manoeuvre Area Coys were in their billets by 11am.

7^th Battalion – Lt R. Romney joined and taken on strength of the Battalion No 1511 L/CPL Epps died of wounds in hospital, Vellum certificates signed by Lt Gen Maxse were given to the following N.C.O’s & men 342 Sgt Wilson O.R; 1231 L/Cpl Rowe P.S; 5687 Pte Bedford G; 4785 Pte Bennett E; 1582 Pte Douglas A.W; 625 Sgt Smallbones; 1930 Pte Morgan W; 931 C.S.M. Hart T. All these had been recommended for “mention in despatches” for “conspicuous and gallant conduct in the field”.

8^th Battalion – On the evening of the 8^th May the Bn relieved the 8^th R.W. Kent Regt in the right subsector. The Bn did not pass the road junction N33 d.1.5 before 11pm. Relief complete at 12.45am (9^th).

The trenches were held as follows :-

C3 - D Coy.

C4 & Part D1 – B Coy.

D2 & Part D1 – A Coy.

Coy in Bn Reserve – C Coy.

Total Trench Strength was 410.

10^th Battalion – STEENBECQUE.

4am Disentrained and marched to EBBLINGHEM (less A Coy)

2pm EBBLINGHEM A Coy where the Battn went into billets. Cold showers – good roads.