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

26^th June 1916 –

1st Battalion – All quiet. 1 man accidentally wounded. Mine exploded near MIDNIGHT crater & 3 men wounded in bombardment afterwards. 2/Lt Gurrey promoted Tempoary Captain with effect from 15^th inst.

2nd Battalion – Heavy bombardment all day. Companies training. Rain in the evening. “W” day.

Officers 38.    Other Ranks 966.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – At 6.30 am Lt Col Dunsford commanding 12^th Bde inspected the Battn at loading up etc. Loads were laid out ready at 6.30 am & the Battn had loaded and fallen in ready to move at 7.10 am. The short distance on broken ground & found the camels very difficult.

Surgeon General T.J. O’Donnell D.M.S. Indian Army inspected the lines of the Battn at 6 pm.

Pte Strachey B Coy stepped into the river whilst washing & was drowned.

8 pm A further test of Very lights was made men singly, in groups it being placed over a section of ground from 50 to 250 yards away and a number of lights were fired. Nothing was visible beyond 150 yards.

1/6^th Battalion – The Battalion remained in billets & continued training. Capt Clerk R.M. rejoined the Battalion.

7^th Battalion – Incessant bombardment continued – Enemy shelled BRAY with 5 rounds H.E. shrapnel, two of which exploded, (doing no damage to regiment) at 2 pm. 2 Lt T.C. Filby evacuated to England sick.

8^th Battalion – Training of Machine Gunners was continued.

10^th Battalion – Wounded with working parties No G/7712 Pte Belsham.G.P.; G/10367 Pte H. Blout.

11^th Battalion – Working parties continue to be found N.E Corner of PLOEGSTEERT WOOD.