The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 14th March 1916

14^th March 1916–

1st Battalion – A little shelling.

2nd Battalion – Very quiet day. Large hostile aeroplane flew over our lines during morning. Driven off by our M.G. fire.

Officers 31.    Other Ranks 836.

Killed 3.

Wounded 1.

Reinforcements O. Ranks 49.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – The Battn mitraileuse teams on the T 4 were allowed a little practise with ball ammunition. The boat proceeded about 2 miles up stream & then came into the bank opposite a piece of open ground on the left bank rising slightly to a distance of 2000 yards. A screen 7 feet by 2½ was erected at 550 yards & each of the 6 men were allowed 10 rounds at this target. Result was 17 hits.

On the whole the shooting was fairly accurate for men who had never seen the gun fired before. Then a row of 30 head & shoulders were erected at 940 yards & each man was again allowed 10-15 round. The first 3 men fired with the second gun & could get nowhere near the target. On examination the barrel was found absolutely worn. With the original gun more satisfactory was obtained, 7 hits being recorded out of 120 rounds fired. The practice was under the direction of Capt P.R. Whittington. The drill of the crews was bad. Br Gen Tidswell 34^th Bde & Major Rowlandson his Bde Major were present, also Major Locke Bde Major 12^th Bde. After the practice it was decided further crews were to be trained, also 3 officers who were also to make themselves acquainted with all guns on board & command the armament in action. Lieut J.E.B. Jardine, E.F. Evetts J.L.C. Mercer were selected.

1/6^th Battalion – “C” Coy relieved “A” Coy in CRATER “C” & “B” & “A” Coy went to MUD TRENCH. The day was quiet, Enemy again active in evening with heavy TM’s, rifle grenades & bombs 2^nd Lt’s Coppen & Pam both wounded. Enemy made a bombing attack in small numbers but were driven back.

Casualties 6 Killed & 19 wounded.

7^th Battalion – In billets nothing to record.

8^th Battalion – Camp E H 19 b 3 6.

Training continued.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 13th March 1916

13^th March 1916–

1st Battalion – Inter Coy Relief – all quiet.

2nd Battalion – Very quiet day. Aeroplane activity throughout morning. Beautiful day.

Officers 31.    Other Ranks 790.

2/4^th Battalion – 1 Company (Strength 5 Officers 125 O.R. marched to KAFR MAHFOUD where they relieved 1 Company of 2/10 Middlesex Regt. Half Company (2 Officers 70 O.R.) marched to FAYOUM; 1 Platoon (2 Off 30 O.R.) proceeded to KOM ABU RADI, & 1 Platoon (1 Officer 30 O.R.) proceeded to KOM SHE SHA in each case to relieve detachments of 2/10 Middlesex Regt.

1/5^th Battalion – The Battn signalling section was taken out to practice work with all the signallers of the Brigade particularly in connection with fire direction messages to the Sussex Battery. Such practice proved most necessary as the signallers had had no previous brigade training whatever.

Work carried on the Bund.

Lt P.F.A. Cocks 3/5^th Queens and 2/Lt  F.C. de L Kirk Norfolk Regt arrived with 23 men of the draft

1/6^th Battalion – The Battalion relieved the 7^th East Surrey Regt in the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT “A” Coy in CRATERS “C” & “B” “D” Coy in WEST FACE & NO 3 CRATER “B” Coy in STICKY & NORTHAMPTON TRENCH. “C” Coy in MUD TRENCH. Relief was complete by 7.55pm. Enemy were active with heavy Trench Mortars Rifle Grenades & Bombs 2^nd Lt Varndell was killed early in the evening & 5 wound. The night was quiet with the exception that enemy sent over occasionally TM’s & Rifle Granades.

7^th Battalion – In billets nothing to record. Reinforcement consisting of 34 N.C.O’s & Men joined the Battalion.

8^th Battalion – Similar working parties; Training of extra Lewis Gunners, Grenadiers, Scouts, Snipers.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 12th March 1916

12^th March 1916–

1st Battalion – TRENCHES AUCHY LEFT.

Bn – to trenches – Relieved K.R.R. 16^th – 4^th Suffolks on left, 2^nd Worcesters on right.

2nd Battalion – BRAY to TRENCHES.

The Battalion relieved the 1^st South Staffs, in the trenches this evening. Trenches almost dry.

Officers 31.    Other Ranks 790.

To hospital 10.

To England for Munitions work 1.

Absentee struck off 1.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – As the telegraph wires had been interfered with just E of the city the C.O.C. decided to arrest all male inhabitants in the groves along the left bank of the river from the city to a

creek 2 miles further down. The cavalry were sent out to line the groves on the land side, the 90^th Punjaubis drove through the groves, & the Samara went down stream to prevent persons crossing the creek at the bottom and the T 4 with Lieut Mountford & 25 rifles in addition to the gun crews cruised up & down the river. 110 prisoners were taken & handed over to the A.P.O. There was no resistance. Heavy thunderstorms started at 5am and continued most of the day.  

1/6^th Battalion – “D” Coy relieved “B” Coy in ALEXANDRA TRENCH & the rest of battalion furnished the usual carrying & working parties.

7^th Battalion – In billets nothing to record. 2 Lieuts F.J. Miller, F.L. Garmon, E.F. Bennett.

8^th Battalion – Similar working parties; Training of extra Lewis Gunners, Grenadiers, Scouts, Snipers.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 11th March 1916

11^th March 1916–

1st Battalion – Working parties. BEUVRY shelled – Coy Commanders up to trenches to see the line.

2nd Battalion – Whole Battalion employed in working parties under R.E. supervision.

Officers 31.    Other Ranks 802.

Discharged 1.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Work continued daily during the week on the BUND 8am – 12 noon  2pm – 4pm.

Capt L.M. Yetts was appointed to help Major Hamilton the A.P.O. to superintend the construction of a BUND by Arab labour on the right bank of the river for 7 miles above the city & to act as paymaster & for this purpose he goes up daily on the up-river patrolling steamer.

The work on the Bunds being strengthened & widened on the left bank right above the city. The work is to be done by Arab but the Battn in addition to the original supervising party of 1 officer & 50 men is to supply an additional 3 officers & 50 men.

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion furnished bomb carrying parties also working parties under R.E. “B” Coy relieved “C” Coy in ALEXANDRA TRENCH.

Casualties 1 Killed 3 wounded.

7^th Battalion – In billets nothing to record.

8^th Battalion – Working party of 100 on R.S. Line, 48 for work on Bn, section of CANAL LINE.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 10th March 1916

10^th March 1916–

1st Battalion – Working parties 350 strong all day.

2nd Battalion – Whole Battalion employed in working parties under R.E. supervision.

Officers 31.    Other Ranks 803.

From Hospital 2.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – Battalion relieved by 7^th East Surrey Regt “C” Coy remained in the front line & relieved A Coy of 7^th East surrey Regt in ALEXANDRA TRENCH & came under command of O.C. Buffs “A” Coy went to LANCASHIRE TRENCH “D” Coy to RESERVE TRENCH & “B” Coy to RAILWAY RESERVE TRENCH.

Casualties 2 Killed & 5 wounded. Quiet night.

7^th Battalion – In billets nothing to record.

8^th Battalion – Camp E. Working party of 48 sent under Bn, arrangements for work on CANAL LINE.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 9th March 1916

9^th March 1916–

1st Battalion – BEUVRY.

Bn moved up to BEUVRY as Bde Reserve.

2nd Battalion – BRAY.

Whole Battalion employed in working parties under R.E. supervision.

Officers 31.    Other Ranks 801.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – “A” Coy relieved “D” Coy in CRATERS enemy again attacked with bombs & trench mortars about 8.25pm & were driven off.

Casualties 3 killed & 18 Wounded.

7^th Battalion – In billets nothing to record. Captain M. Kemp Welch was attached to 18 DIV STAFF. 2 Lieut T.C. Filby took over duties of A/Adjutant.

8^th Battalion – The Battalion moved to camp E, near OUDERDOM.

A working party of 100 was sent for work on R.S. Line HOOGE Sector.

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

8^th March 1916–

1st Battalion – Bn Route March of about 9 miles.

2nd Battalion – TRENCHES to BRAY.

After a quiet day the Battalion was relieved in the trenches by the 1^st South Staffordshire Regt & proceeded to billets in BRAY. The relief was complete by 9pm.

Officers 31.    Other Ranks 801.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion -

1/6^th Battalion – Relieved 7^th East Surrey Regt in HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. “D” Coy in Craters “A” Coy in WEST FACE “C” Coy in STICKY TRENCH “B” In MUD & NORTHAMPTON TRENCH. Enemy attacked CRATER at 6pm and again at 2am when bombing continued till dawn enemy were driven back

Casualties 4 Killed 40 Wounded Capt Hull wounded, also Lt Rutherford.

7^th Battalion – In billets nothing to record.

8^th Battalion –