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

24^th August 1916 –

1st Battalion – The morning passed more quietly than before. Operation orders were issued to the Companies and everything explained to all Company by Lt Col L.M. Crofts – D & C Coys were the two assaulting Companies B were to be in immediate support and A in reserve. Companies were all allotted their assembly places and were to be in position by 3 pm.

Objective The two assaulting Companies were to capture and consolidate the new German position. From the point were the new German Line met WOOD LANE on the front going East of 300x. A bombing post was to be established as far up WOOD LANE in a Northerly direction as possible this task was allotted to the 16 Regimental Bombers under Lt Carpenter.

Zero was at 5.45 pm at 65 minutes after that hour our assaulting Coys launched their attack, with the 16/ K.R.R.C. and the 2^nd Worcesters co-operating on our right. There was a preliminary Artillery Bombardment of 2 Hours and a final Barrage of intense fire 30 minutes before the assault was launched, the Barrage lifting as the front line troops drew up to it.

The objective was reported as taken and the work of Consolidation in progress at 8.30 pm and reinforcements were asked for. 2 Companies of the 9/H L I were sent up in support – Messages were received from the front line to say that the Battalion had suffered very heavy Officer Casualties mostly due to shell fire prior to the assult.

24^th,25^th  At about 12 midnight Lt Col Crofts, 1^st Queen’s and Lt Col Darling of the 9/H.L.I. were sent up to ascertain the situation with a view to the relief of the Battalion by the 9/H.L.I. Lt Col Crofts was wounded before reaching the front line, leaving Capt Brodhurst Hill in command of the Battalion.

Col Darling continued on his way and arranged for the relief of the Battalion by the 9/H.L.I. with Capt Brodhurst Hill.

2nd Battalion – Coy Training.

6 pm Conference Bde H.Q. for all C.O’s & 2^nd in Command.

Details of strength.

Officers 30. O.Rks 839.

2 To Hosp.

1 From Hosp.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Death No 2626 Pte R.G. Johnson B Coy died of dysentery and was buried at 6.30 pm.

1/6^th Battalion – Extremely quiet, busy improving trenches & wiring at night.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – A draft of 40 other ranks joined the Bn for duty.

10^th Battalion – BUIGNY L’ABBE.

Billets – Battn training & drill.

11^th Battalion – Battalion proceeded by train from BAILLEUL STATION at 2.30 am to LONGPRE, arriving there at 10 am. Thence by march route to billets in BUSSUS-BUSSWEL. The next day rigorous training in the attack was commenced. Special attention being paid to the inculcation of the offensive spirit.

TOTAL CASUALTIES O.R. 12 Killed 27 Wounded.

H.R. BURNABY Lt Col.