The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 7th May 1916

7^th May 1916–

1st Battalion – Quieter day; very little shelling or T.M. fire, but bombing round QUEEN’S crater all night.

5 wounded; 1 wounded at duty yesterday admitted to hospital.

2nd Battalion – The Battalion relieved the 21^st Bn. The Manchester Regt in the trenches. Two Companies are in the front line & 2 Companies in dug-out in Grantown. B & C Trenches, A & D Grantown. At the present time the accommodation is bad & the men are rather crowded. Headquarters are in BRAY but will probably move soon to GRANTOWN.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 905.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Church Parade Service at 7.30am in Fort Ditch as the church was flooded.

1/6^th Battalion – The Battn attended Brigade Devine Service at 11am Capt R.A.M. Bassett 6^th Bn The Queens Regt, appointed Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General 20^th Division.

7^th Battalion – Capt J.R. Walpole, Capt I.P.W. Bennett, and 2/Lt D. Neilson-Terry departed on leave. Lt W. Wigham-Richardson 2/Lts M. Shuldham-Legh, H. Whittet, & F.L. Gammon admitted to hospital. All companies on fatigue.

8^th Battalion –

10^th Battalion –5am The Bn (less “A” Coy Capt Bessell) entrained for STEENBECQUE.

5pm “A” Coy entrained for EBBLINGHEM.

11^th Battalion – STRAZEELE.

The training of the battalion was continued without delay – chiefly in various phases of trench

warfare.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 6th May 1916

6^th May 1916–

1st Battalion – At 5.55am enemy mine blown S of BABY crater; 2 men buried in sap-head in EASTERN TWIN crater. Barrage of 77mm & 4.2” shells for half an hour, & again after an hour. Part of B Coy occupied far lip at once & prevented enemy from leaving his trenches by rifle fire & bombs; 2 Lt Crichton, 8867 Sgt Elderkin, 8814 L, cpl Wyber & 891 L, cpl Harding did very well, 2 Lt Crichton being slightly wounded (at duty) by shell fire. 2 Lt Crichton recommended for Military Cross, the other three ranks for Military Medal. Work on saps all day.

Light shelling & heavy minnies about mid-day & in afternoon; heavy bombardment with L.H.V. , 4.2” & minnies for an hour at dusk.

Day’s casualties, 4 killed, 8 wounded, (2 at duty) & 2 Lt Crichton wounded (at duty).

New crater called QUEEN’S crater.

2nd Battalion – Battalion Attack (Trench Warfare). The G.O.C. 7^th Division was present in the afternoon; Bayonet Exercises & Musketry by Companies. Lecture to N.C.O’s & junior officers by the M.O. Regimental football match in the evening against the 9^th Devons. A very good game ending in our favour by 3 goals to 1.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 905.

1 to Base for discharge.

Lieut H.H. Greig & 10 O.R. taken back on the strength.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – A medical Commission comprising Sir William Vincent & Gen Bingley  who had

arrived on the 5^th on the SHUSHAN sat to take evidence – The C.O. Major Smallpiece Capt Bray Capt Jardine Lieut Stoop & Capt Bailey R.A.M.C. gave evidence.

At 5pm Capt Morton Lieut Evetts Lieut Wigan 97 other ranks of A Coy & 6 signallers took over “One Tree Post” from the 114^th Mahrattas for a week. This post was established 2 miles NW of Cantonments to protect the Bund from being attacked.

In addition 30 N.C.O’s & men had to be sent to No 8 Post to find a permanent patrol of 10 N.C.O’s & men to patrol by night from No 8 Post towards the Tree Post & meeting another similar patrol from One Tree Post.

1/6^th Battalion – The Battn continued Training, Physical Training, Saluting & Musketry.

Two Coys fired on the range.

7^th Battalion – Nothing to report. All Coys on fatigue Lt B.C. Haggard rejoined and 2/lt joined Battalion & taken on strength.

8^th Battalion –

10^th Battalion – Le Havre.

6am Disembarked and marched to Dock Rest Camp. 2/Lts, Brown, Bird, Bain & Erackson to Base.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 5th May 1916

5^th May 1916–

1st Battalion – Quiet day. 1 wounded. Our T.M’s did good work on R.W.F. craters.

2nd Battalion – Battalion Attack (Trench Warfare). The B.G.C. was present & watched with interest. Finals of the Boxing Competition.

Officers 34.    Other Ranks 896.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion - The nullah into which all the percolating water had been drained now reached the SHATRA ROAD & the G.O.C. at 11am gave orders it was to be bunded so as not to allow water across the road. C & A companies working in reliefs from 11 – 4 completed the bund.

1/6^th Battalion – The Battn continued Training, Physical Training, Saluting & Musketry.

7^th Battalion – No.1655 Pte Holgate,P accidentally drowned while washing at the river. All Companies on fatigue at night laying water pipe from SUZANNE to MARICOURT.

8^th Battalion –

10^th Battalion – ALDERSHOT.

9am The Battn left Aldershot (3 train loads) for port of Embarkation.

SOUTHAMPTON.

7pm  Embarked and sailed for Le Havre.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 4th May 1916

4^th May 1916–

1st Battalion – AUCHY LEFT.

Working parties of 110 men in afternoon. Relieved 16^th K.R.R. in AUCHY Left, after dark. 2 Lt Slatter relinquished post of Brigade Intelligence Officer, & took over temporary command of A Coy.

2nd Battalion – Battalion attack (Trench Warfare) In the afternoon there were the first rounds of a Boxing Competition. Capt E.K.B. Fuze appointed staff Captain 22^nd Inf, Bde.

Officers 34.    Other Ranks 896.

Captain E.K.B. Fuze & Pte Bull seconded.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion –

1/6^th Battalion – The Battn carried out only the before breakfast parades, then attended Brigade Sports at LOZIMGHEM.

7^th Battalion – BRAY.

Battn went into billets at BRAY less D Company at SUZANNE.

8^th Battalion – 4^th – 8^th May.

The Bn continued its ‘training’ programme especially with respect to the training of new Bombers, Lewis Gunners, & Snipers.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 3rd May 1916

3^rd May 1916 –

1st Battalion – Ordinary routine. Working parties of 325 men.

2nd Battalion – Coy parades. Attack, open warfare. Company Drill.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 897.

3 to Base.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – The Battalion was ordered to improve the trench line inside the barbed wire entanglement with a view to holding it to defend the Bridgehead. A large proportion of the line had fallen in but a start was made by A & C Companies. D Company doing work on the Bund. The river rose 5 inches during the last 24 hours.

At 6.45pm the Brigade Major issued orders that 2 companies were to fall in at once & move out to RUTHERS TOWER to repair a break in the Bund there. A & B companies were detailed & at 7.10pm Major Hodges & 2 platoons moved out as an advanced guard. The remainder under Capt P.R. Whittington followed immediately each man in addition to his rifle & equipment carrying a gaming bag. On approaching RUTHERS TOWER the party had to halt for some time as CARTERS village & others near had taken the alarm. Eventually work was started & it took some 4 hours to complete the work. The party returned to camp at 3.30am.

1/6^th Battalion – The Battn received orders at 5am to pass the Starting Point (crossroads W. of ALLOUAGNE) at 6.30am on a test of a defence scheme. The Battn marched to LILLERS, where it should, according to the scheme, have entrained. The Brigade continued on a route march getting back to billets about 11am.

7^th Battalion – ETINEHAM.

Battn rested at ETINEHAM CAMP

8^th Battalion – the points of assembly (marked B) at T.15 b 92 (sheet 28SW) and at N33 d 38 were reconnoitred. These points are applicable to the Bn of the 72 I.B. in Divisional Reserve.

10th Battalion – ALDERSHOT.

The battalion, under the command of Lieut Col H.B. Burnaby D.S.O. left Aldershot for Southampton, the port of embarkation. The following officers were present with the battalion :-

Lieut Col H.B. Burnaby D.S.O. (in command)

Major H. Wardell (2^nd in command)

Major R.C. Graham Clark

Captain R.C. Smith (Durham Light Infantry Adjutant)

Captain C.J. Hogan

Captain F.C. Vignoles

Captain A.A. Langley

Captain T. Kelly

Captain Wilbur C. Sharpe

Lieut E.G. Bowden

Lieut W.L.S. Cox

Lieut J.P.H. Cookson

Lieut W.J. Hedley

Lieut W. McDonald (Transport officer)

Lieut A. McKenzie

Lieut R.V. Peddar

Lieut M.C.L. Porter

Lieut G.P. White

Sec Lieut W.H.G. Chapman

Sec Lieut H.N.F. Cook

Sec Lieut J.A. Cowan

Sec Lieut H.A. Head

Sec Lieut G.M. Lewis

Sec Lieut C.A. Lindup

Sec Lieut A.L. Keep

Sec Lieut R. Love

Sec Lieut O.J. Partington

Sec Lieut G.E. Penman

Sec Lieut T.B. Smith

J. Wardroper (Signalling Officer)

C.W. Wiley

D.C.H. O’Byrne

Lieut & Quarter-master B.J. Jordan

Regimental Sergt Major A.C. Middleton

Other Ranks – 924.

After a delay of 24 hours, owing to a fog, the battalion, having embarked on S.S. CAESAREA, arrived at HAVRE in the early hours of 5^th May 1916. Left HARVRE on the evening of 5^th May by train, arriving at GODEVAERSVELDE – afternoon 6^th May – thence by march route to

STRAZEELE, where it was billeted in 5 separate farm – houses.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 2nd May 1916

2^nd May 1916–

1st Battalion – Working parties of 2 officers & 200 men.

Divisional Commander, General Strickland inspected horses of transport in afternoon.

2nd Battalion – Yesterday’s program reversed.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 900.

From Hospital 1.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – The Battalion went for a route march starting at 6.30am from No 6 Post & going E to SADANIWIYAH CREEK thence turning N & back near MONSINS village reaching camp at 9.30am.

Strength 24 Officers 611 Other Ranks. Going out there was a fresh breeze but coming home the sun was very hot & many of the draft especially from the Middlesex Regt felt the heat excessively.

1/6^th Battalion – The Battn remained in ALLOUAGNE and continued with Physical Training, Rifle Exercises, & Company Training. Two Companies fired on the range.

7^th Battalion – Considerable annoyance from the enemy 77mm gun fired from directions of MONTAUBAN. One shell unfortunately pierced the roof of a shelter in FARGNY WOOD, killing 1 Sergt and wounding 1 L/CPL and 1 man (1973 Sgt Neville, E.E 1511 L/Cpl Epps, P.E and 1514 Botting W.A.)

2/Lts T.C. Filby & M. Penrose Fitz Gerald went on leave. Capt R.E. Le Bas returned from leave. Battn was relieved by 16^th Manchesters and marched to ETINEHAM CAMP.

8^th Battalion – The day passed quietly. In the evening the Bn was relieved in the right subsector by the 8^th R.W. Kent Regt. Relief complete at 12.45am. The Bn on relief moved into Divl, Reserve at

DRANOUTRE.

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 1st May 1916

1^st May 1916 –

1st Battalion – BEUVRY.

Battalion had baths all day. 4 officers & 180 men on working parties. Conference of officers & platoon sergeants in afternoon.

2nd Battalion – BOIS DES TAILLES.

Coy parades. A&B route march. C&D attack on trenches. Wiring & smoke helmet drill.

Officers 35.    Other Ranks 899.

2/4^th Battalion – EL AZAB FAYOUM EGYPT.

Battalion remains under canvas with 160^th Brigade & is occupied in Company & Battalion training Battalion & Brigade Route Marches; with special classes in Musketry, Bayonet fighting, Bombing, Signalling, Lewis Gun & instruction for junior officers & H.C.O’s. An examination in N.C.O’s has been held & 15 promoted to Sergeant & 18 to Corporal.

1/5^th Battalion – NASRIYEH.

In view of the greater heat of the weather the hours for working on garrison fatigues were altered from 7am – 11am to 6am – 10am, 3pm – 5pm to 4pm – 6pm.

As the latter hours occupied practically all the time when British troops could be comfortably out of doors the G.O.C. decided that for the future afternoon work should only be done every second day.

1/6^th Battalion – The Battn remained in ALLOUAGNE and continued with Physical Training, Rifle Exercises, & Company Training.

7^th Battalion – Y III SUBSECTOR.

Quiet day. Nothing to report. Draft of 37 men arrived.

8^th Battalion – TRENCHES.

The day was quiet on the whole. Aircraft active.