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

30^th May 1916–

1st Battalion – Ordinary training all day – Major Parnell & 2 coy commanders inspected Village Line behind 16^th & 1^st Divisions. In the evening Col Crofts returned from the Brigade & resumed command of the Battalion. Complementary memo received from Division regarding Guard of Honour on 26^th inst.

General de WIGNACOURT

Commanding the Sub-Division of ARRAS BETHUNE.

To General LANDON.

Commanding 33^rd Division.

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I beg to thank you for the honour you have done to our gallant wounded and mutilated soldiers in sending a detachment of your troops to the ceremony of presentation of “Medailles Militaires” and “Croix de Guerre”.

Seeing your brave soldiers marching past, looking so high-spirited and stalwart, your old English motto “Je Raintiendrai” was brought back to my memory and I could not help saying to myself that in these days of heroic feats, there was not a man amongst them who was not ready to put this proud “devise” into practice to the very utmost of his power.

Will you please tell them that when one sees such soldiers, one has the impression that no adversary, however “Boche” he may be, can overcome them.

The above is a copy of a letter received by the G.O.C. in connection with Fridays (May 26^th) presentation of French and British Decorations.

The G.O.C. has great pleasure in publishing the above letter to all ranks who took part in the ceremony, his approval of their turn-out, smart soldierly appearance, and the highly satisfactory manner in which they handled their arms.

P. Commings

Lieut Colonel,

A.A. & Q.M.G.

33^rd Division.

2nd Battalion – Finer day. Nothing to report.

Officers 36.    Other Ranks 955.

1 Wounded.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – The Battalion remained in billets, orders to move at one hours notice.

7^th Battalion – Lt W.A.L. Marriott R.A.M.C. took over duty of M.O. temporarily attached vice Capt G.D. Yates who returned to his unit.

8^th Battalion – The Bn relieved the 8^th R.W. Kent Regt in the right trenches.

Relief complete at 1am. The Bn was distributed as follows :-

C3 – D Coy; D2 & Part D1 – C Coy.

C4 & Pt D1 – B Coy.

Coy in Reserve – A coy.

Total Trench Strength 435.

10^th Battalion – STEENWERCK.

8pm In billets - marched from OTTERSTEEN.

11^th Battalion –