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

7^th July 1916 –

1st Battalion – BUSNETTES.

After some delay while waiting for transport, moved off at 1.0 am & marched via BETHUNE & CHOQUES to BUSNETTES, arriving 4.40 am. Distance, 9 miles. Were billeted here in quite good billets; troops rested all day. In evening, got orders to be ready to move at 1 hours notice next morning.

2nd Battalion – Physical Training – Musketry & Arm, drill – Lewis gun & bombing classes started.

Strength: Officers 30. Other Ranks 785.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Death. No.4483 Pte E.Foster D Coy died of cholera and was buried at 6.45 pm.

1/6^th Battalion – At 7.30 am we opened intense bombardment on enemy trenches, smoke barrage was put up at 7.15 am but owing to wind being wrong was not continued. At 8.30 am the attack was started & enemy opened M.G. & rifle fire, 36^th Inf Bde suffered severe losses, but captured some of the German trenches. Our front line was bombarded we had 1 Killed 10 Wounded.

7^th Battalion – Page Missing

8^th Battalion –

10^th Battalion – Rest Billets.

11^th Battalion – Enemy’s 16 pounders and snipers were more active than usual, especially during the evening. Captain W. Sharpe accidentally wounded and O.R. 1 accidentally wounded.

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

6^th July 1916 –

1st Battalion – Baths at BEUVRY all day; ordinary company parades.

At 6.30 pm received sudden order to be ready to move tonight. Between 11.0 & 12.0 pm were relieved by a battalion of the Hampshire Regt (138 Brigade) & formed up outside billets. Draft of 6 other ranks arrived today.

2nd Battalion – BUIRE.

Refitting & reorganising Bn.

Strength: Officers 30. Other Ranks 785.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Death. No.4073 Pte H.Gardiner B Coy died of asthma followed by cardiac failure & was buried at 6.45 pm.

1/6^th Battalion – The Battalion received orders to relieve 7^th East Surrey Regt in front line “C” Coy went into front line, with its right on RIVINGTON St, left on THORNBY St. “A” & “C” Coys remained in CONISTON ST & “B” Coy in RIBBLE ST. Relief was complete at 3.15 pm. At 7 pm received orders to co-operate with 36th Inf Bde who were to attack in our right flank “C” Coy who were in our front line were to form a “Smoke Barrage” & D Coy were sent up to same position to give covering fire. Our guns heavily bombarded enemy trenches during the night.

Casualties 2 wounded.

7^th Battalion – Page Missing

8^th Battalion –

10^th Battalion – Rest Billets.

11^th Battalion – 

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

5^th July 1916 –

1st Battalion – Working parties of 510 men during day & night. Very few parades in consequence.

2nd Battalion – MINDEN POST.

3.40 pm Marched via HALT FRICOURT CEMETERY and DERNANCOURT to billets at BUIRE.

6.30 pm Albert combd Sheet D.29.b.

20^th Inf Bde TREUK, 22^nd Inf Bde HEILLY.

Strength: Officers 30. Other Ranks 785.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Defence. Owing to the sniping & raiding which is alleged to of taken place on the E side of the city the old No.4 Post was established at its old sight & a new No.5 Post was erected & occupied on the circular bund halfway between No.4 & No.6.

Swimming.  Swimming lessons were started in a shallow part of the river near No.8 Post which has been enclosed.

Death. No.1309 Pte A.Pennell D Coy died of jaundice & was buried at 9.0 am on the 6^th.

1/6^th Battalion – The day was quiet. Found a bomb carrying party of 1 Officer & 60 men “A” & “C” Coys relieved two Companies of the Buffs in CONISTON ST. The 12^th Division moved into X Corps 5^th (Reserve) Army.

The following officers joined the Battalion. Lt C.E.S.Beadle, 2/Lt E.T.Trend, 2/Lt S.V.Vagnolini, 2/Lt R.G.Danks.

Casualties 2/Lt A.J.Sells wounded & 5 O.R. wounded.

7^th Battalion – Page Missing

8^th Battalion –

10^th Battalion – Rest Billets.

11^th Battalion – 5 am In accordance with B.O.O. No 11, the frontage occupied by the battalion was increased. Trenches 96 -98 were handed over to the 23^rd Middlesex, and also 7 Trees Redoubt. That portion of the line was occupied by the 10^th Bn the Queen’s was taken over by A&B Companies and 2 Platoons of D Company. The dispositions were then as under –

A Company –

1 Platoon – Lancashire Support farm.

3 Platoons Cheshire Avenue.

B Company –

Trenches 108-111.

C Company –

1 Platoon – Trench 99

1 Platoon Bachelors Walk & part of 985.

1½ Platoons – Paternoster Row.

½ Platoon – Reserve Farm & Fort Paul.

D Company – 2 Platoons & Glasgow Redoubt & 2 Platoons – Trenches 105-107

Also in Fusilier Terrace was 1 Company of 10^th Royal West Kent. They were in support, and came under orders of O.C. Left Sub-Sector. Second Lieutenant R. Love and 2 O.R. wounded by the premature bursting of a rifle grenade, which they were in the act of firing.

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

4^th July 1916 –

1st Battalion – LE QUESNOY.

General cleaning up & rest, after 20 days continuous in the trenches. In evening, had company commanders conference. A wet day.

2nd Battalion – 3 am to 12 noon. 22^nd Inf Bde made strong reconnaissance of WOOD CLIFF & QUADRANGLE TRENCHES. Supported by covering fire from Lewis gun at strong point M.X.29.b.5.6 –

3 pm Relieved by 2^nd R.Warwickshire Regt – Very wet afternoon – Enemy’s shelling v.lively at QUEEN’S NULLAH. –

6 pm Bivouacked at MINDEN POST – The following officers & other ranks performed especially good work during these operations – Capt R.C.G. Foster, 2^nd Lt H.B. Secratan, 2^nd Lt J.T. Roberts and Lieut P.M. Turnbull, R.A.M.C. 7833 Sgt P.Mawditt, 9213 Sgt E.Constant, 990 Cpl P.Pratt, 4989 Pte S.Waite, 4940 Pte F.Whibley, 1052 Pte H.Morley, 330 Pte J.Osborne, 4314 Pte A.Bishop, 8714 Pte E.Lover.

Casualties during operations 1^st to 4^th July 1916.

Officers killed –

2/Lt (T/Capt) T.P.Brocklehurst.

2/Lt L.S.Ford.

2/Lt J.M.Foord Kelcey.

2/Lt E.Hobbs.

2/Lt W.Cress.

2/Lt J.Gillies.

Officers Wounded.

Captain R.H.Philpot.

2/Lieut (T/Capt) E.C.Thorneycroft.

Lieut F.A.Jacobs.

2/Lieut G.C.Smith.

2/Lieut H.E.Harvey.

2/Lieut E.E.Johnson.

2/Lieut W.A.L.Raeburn.

Other Ranks Killed:-           40

Other Ranks Wounded:- 226

Other Ranks Missing:-       41

Total:-                                307  

Also 12 other ranks to Hospital.

Strength of the Battalion on coming out of action.

Officers  - 30.

Other Ranks – 785.     

2/4^th Battalion – Col F.D.Watney T.D. relinquished command of the Battn which was taken over temporarily by Major R.J.Few.

Strength. During the past month the Battn which has been reinforced by 10 Officers & 86 O.R. It has been diminished by 3 Off, 26 O.R. Present Strength 36 Off 900 O.R.

Health. On the whole good. Average amount of sickness daily, approximately 3% Heat, Diarrhoea & septic cuts being chief causes.

Weather. Hot days with cool nights & heavy dew. Working hours 05.00 to 08.30 & 16.30 to 18.00 daily, except on urgent matters.

1/5^th Battalion – Death. Officers revolver practice was started. The death of No.4981 pte C.W.Read D Coy (late 6^th Royal Fusiliers) was reported from BASRA to of taken place from enteric on the way down stream.

1/6^th Battalion – The Battalion remained at DONNET POST.

The day was quiet

7^th Battalion – Page Missing

8^th Battalion –

10^th Battalion – Trenches. A Coy withdrawn from Lancashire Support Farm to rest billets at Creslow.

11^th Battalion – TRENCHES.

A quiet day, only the usual sniping.

Casualties O.R. 1 killed & 2 wounded.

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

3^rd July 1916 –

1st Battalion – A quiet morning. “Minnie” very active in right & left company frontages in afternoon & evening.

Casualties 4 killed, 2 wounded.

At 10.30 pm were relieved by 1^st Middlesex & proceeded to billets in LE QUESNOY.

2nd Battalion – QUEEN’S NULLAH.

8 am Division on our left attacked FRICOURT Village, wood & area West of latter including RAILWAY ALLEY, SHELTER WOOD & THE POODLES –

2 pm During the above operations our m,guns & Lewis guns successfully delt with various units of the enemy who exposed themselves in moving to SHELTER WOOD from RAILWAY ALLEY & THE POODLES & vice versa – range verified from 1100 to 1500 yards & on one occasion our m,gun near QUEEN’S NULLAH wiped out a party of about 40 Germans who were trying to reinforce near SHELTER WOOD in X.28.a.10.95 – Again from CLIFF TRENCH our Lewis guns dropped from 40 to 50 of the enemy who were trying to retire from BOTTOM WOOD to QUADRANGLE COPSE.

Rations received each night; cookers brought up to MAMETZ – stores of S.A.A. – Bombs – R.E. stores - & water in petrol tins established at Bn, Hd Qrs.

8 pm One 77mm gun brought in behind WHITE TRENCH – The other gun could not be moved owing to one of its wheels being damaged.

A patrol under A/C.S.M. Whitney brought back samples of clothing found in large stores in embankment close to & S of MAMETZ WOOD – (large artillery shelters containing ammunition clothing & food) –

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Hutments. A start was made at last with the building of the officers huts. Owing to the poor quality of reeds now obtainable they are to be built with flat roofs & upright down the middle

1/6^th Battalion – Received final orders at 1 am with reference to attack The Battalion attacked the German trenches at 3.15 am “B” Coy (Right Coy).

At 3.15 am 1^st Platoon closely followed by 2^nd 3^rd & 4^th advanced. 1^st Platoon got to enemy parapet where the officer in charge was killed and the majority of the men hit by M.G. & rifle fire, the bombers knocked out an enemy M.G. in an advanced sap. 2^nd Platoon got to enemy wire & were stopped by M.G. & rifle fire. 3^rd Platoon were stopped behind the second, 4^th Platoon got about half way across but lost heavily & concluded it was useless to advance further.

“C” Coy (Left Coy)

1^st Platoon went too much to their left, only about 8 getting to the German wire the bombers getting into the trench with the R.W. Kent Regt who were on the left, 2^nd Platoon caught up 1^st with about 5 men the remainder being hit by M.G. fire, the Lewis Gun also entered enemy trench with R.W. Kent Regt and was captured. 3^rd Platoon suffered heavily & were stopped by fire, 4^th seeing things hopeless & losing heavily also stopped, the Company Commander being wounded.

“A” Coy (Left Rear) Coy

Followed “C” Coy over the top but went more to the right. 1^st Platoon got up to German wire but had to stop owing to its not being sufficiently cut & suffered heavily, 2^nd & 3^rd Platoons followed & suffered from M.G. & rifle fire. The Company Commander is still missing. 4^th Platoon owing to the trench being blocked did not arrive till late & were ordered not to advance.

D Coy (Right Rear) Coy.

Seeing the hopelessness of further attack, this company was stopped advancing but in consequence of orders received at 4.30 am stating “Suffolk’s on our right have got in AAA endeavour to push on and support them” they were launched about 4.35 am supported by the “Buffs”, but they immediately came under by M.G. fire & did not get far. All the officers were killed or wounded.

The attack failed for the following reasons :-

The enemy M.G. whose fire completely swept the ground.

The enemy wire was insufficiently cut.

The short time to arrange the attack & not knowing the ground or being able to see the enemy trenches from our parapet, consequent loss of direction.

The enemy trenches were thick with Germans, so the bombardment cannot have been very successful.

Casualties

KILLED

Lt C.W.Fitch

2/Lt C.S.Hall.

WOUNDED

Captain C.H.R.Butler.

Lieut R.E.Johnson.

2/Lt T.L.Ormerod.

2/Lt F.W.Elliot.

MISSING

Captain E.Wright (Killed).

Captain R.B.Rutherford. (Killed).

Lieut M.G.L.Wallich.

2/Lt A.D.W.Ward. (since rejoined).

Total 10 out of 18

N.C.O’s and men

23 Killed 154 Wounded

117 Missing

Total 294.

During the morning after the attack the enemy shelled the front line & support trenches with H.E. & shrapnel. The Battalion was relieved by 7^th East Surrey Regt & went back to DONNET POST & RIBBLE ST. Relief complete at 4 pm.

7^th Battalion – Page Missing

8^th Battalion – 3^rd – 7^th July The Bn remained at LOCRE and provided working parties of 450 each evening.

10^th Battalion – Trenches

11^th Battalion – LE BIZET.

10 pm The Battalion relieved 10^th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment in the front line trenches. No alterations in previous dispositions.

5 pm A reinforcement from the 8^th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers arrived and were taken on the strength of the battalion.This draft consisted of 58 men.

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

2^nd July 1916 –

1st Battalion – heavy rifle grenade, T.M. & artillery bombardment by us 12.15 am – 1.15 am; 2^nd Worcesters and 16^th K.R.R. carried out raids on CUINCHY front; Worcesters very successful, killing many & bringing in about a dozen prisoners; K.R.R. got enfiladed by M.G. fire & suffered heavily. Our trenches somewhat knocked about by enemy retaliation. Repaired damage all day; some T.M. activity.

Casualties 1 killed, 1 wounded.

2nd Battalion – FRITZ TRENCH.

7 am A lot of movement noticed in BOTTOM WOOD, giving our machine guns a good target

11 am Bn moving forward via BEETLE ALLEY captured CLIFF TRENCH 7 occupied WHITE TRENCH, Bn Hd Qrs in QUEEN’S NULLAH –

Captain Foster with headquarters bombers captured a machine gun & ammunition & 5 prisoners in CLIFF TRENCH this M.G. section were surprised & made very little resistance after a few bombs had been throw at them.

Two 77 mm. Field guns, abandoned by the enemy, were found about 150x N of WHITE TRENCH –

1.30 pm 3^rd objective S.25.b.4.5 – X29.b.5.6 made good – The work of consolidating & placing M.G. & Lewis Guns in position was started – WHITE TRENCH was only from 2’ to 3’ deep in places which necessitated some hard digging –

7.30 pm Durham Fd Coy R.E. brought up materials & assisted in making strong points at X.29.b.9.0. – (L) X.29.b.5.6 strengthened (M) X.30.a.5.2 – (K) – Left flank strengthened by wiring from M- QUEENS NULLAH & placing two m. Guns to sweep the West side of wire –

Situation .

1/S.Staffs, 21^st Manch, Regt less 1 Coy in MAMETZ – 22^nd Manch R, FRITZ TRENCH – 2^nd QUEEN’S CLIFF TRENCH, WHITE TRENCH – Hd Qrs QUEEN’S NULLAH. 1^st Coy 21^st Manch, R, in West end of QUEEN’S NULLAH.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion –

1/6^th Battalion – IN THE TRENCHES (opposite OVILLERS).

Quiet day. Battalion received orders to make all preparations to attack at dawn. Front line was shelled during the day. During the day the Battn took over the front line of the Brigade, but moved back to original position during the night.

Casualties 4 wounded.

7^th Battalion – Page Missing

8^th Battalion – KEMMEL DEFENCES were reconnoitred by O’s C Coys etc, orders being obtained from the O.C. KEMMEL DEFENCES whose H.Q. are at LOCRE. Working party of 400 found by Bn at night. 200 worked on cable laying at LYNDEN HOEK, and 200 on KEMMEL.

10^th Battalion – Trenches – Heavy artillery fire by our gunners – reply fairly well sustained, no casualties.

11^th Battalion –

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

1^st July 1916 –

1st Battalion –CUINCHY LEFT.

Some T.M. & rifle grenade activity, otherwise quiet. Aeroplanes on both sides very active; one of ours brought down in flames.

Casualties, 1 killed, 1 wounded.

Our offensive in the Somme started today.

2nd Battalion – GRANTOWN.

12.5 am En route from BOIS DES TAILLES to position of assembly – halted for about 50 minutes, men given water & 2 bandoliers S.A.A. after wh: Bn, proceeded by Companies via NORFOLK AVENUE & MINDEN POST to their positions.

SUPPORT TRENCHES. 4 am From left to right – “A” Coy in LONDON ROAD W.

“B” Coy in LONDON ROAD E of Francis Ave.

“C” Coy in CROSS ST.

“D” Coy in CROSS ST & PORTLAND ROAD.

Hd,Qrs CROSS ST near junct, of HIGH ST.

Situation of other units from left to right –

Front line 1^st S Staffords – 22^nd Manchesters

Support – 21^st Manchesters – 2^nd Queens.

91^st Bde H.Q. DURHAH TRENCH 250 x’s of MINDEN POST.

20^th Inf Bde on left, 11^th R. Fus (18^th Div) on right.

1^st Objectives. MAMETS village 7 high ground East along MONTAUBAN-MAMETS road.

2^nd Objectives. FRITZ TRENCH – BRIGHT ALLEY, BUNNY ALLY (strong & well made German trenches).

3^rd Objectives. High ground 150x South of MAMET Wood.

21^st Div: attacking on N.W. side of FRICOURT to establish their front line on N side of BOTTOM WOOD with a strong point just W of X.20.b.5.6 to protect our left flank.

ASSEMBLY TRENCHES. 2/Lt Ford-Kelsey killed & several casualties among other ranks from enemy’s artillery.

7.30 am ZERO hour – 22^nd Manchesters & 1^st S. Staffs in conjunction with units on either flanks advanced - & captured German Front & Support trenches, S edge of Mamets; BULGER ALLEY.

8 am 2^nd QUEEN’S occupied front trenches evacuated by 22^nd Manchesters on West & East side of The Mound in (F.11.b.85.00).

9.50 am A&C Coys advance towards DANZIG ALLEY on E of Mamets, came under enemy M.G. fire from East Edge of MAMETZ & DANZIG ALLEY, causing a good many casualties among both officers & other ranks including Capt Philpot & 2 Lt Jacobs wounded, 2 Lts Crees,Gillies Killed –

With their right on BLACK HEDGE A&C Coys continued the advance to BUCKET TRENCH, BULGAL ALLEY & trench running west of & out of latter to E edge of MAMETZ.

1.10 pm to 3.30 pm DANZIG ALLEY.

B&D Coys advance from our old trenches E of Mound & with their right about 100x W of BLACK ALLEY & made good junct of FRITZ TRENCH & DANZIG ALLEY - Captain R.C.C. Foster assisted by Lt E. Hobbs made their way with a few bombers to the MAMETZ end of DANZIG ALLEY, via FERDINAND ALLEY & captured 2 M.Guns & 2 Automatic rifles, 1 officer & about 50 other prisoners. 2 Lt J.T. Roberts with B Coy commenced to clear FRITZ TRENCH & after capturing an automatic rifle & ammunition & a few prisioners found that DANZIG ALLEY near junct of FRITZ TRENCH was still occupied by the enemy – A bombing post was placed in FRITZ TRENCH & a party of bombers collected who successfully bombed two lots of Germans (20 & 1 officer & 25), who gave themselves up without showing much fight – The officer seeing how superior in numbers his party was tried to get at his revolver but on being shot in the right shoulder he again threw up his hands.

The remainder of A,B,C&D Coys were soon afterwards collected & reorganised in DANZIG ALLEY.

6.50 pm 2 Lt E. Roberts & Lt Day R.F.A. with a party of B Coy had by now cleared FRITZ TRENCH, both these officers being killed during this operation – Cpl Shaw had the satisfaction of turning the German automatic rifle on the enemy whilst they were trying to escape from FRITZ TRENCH.

1^st S. Staffs & 22^nd Manch, cleared BUNNY ALLEY & BRIGHT ALLEY, covering fire & bombing support being given in the latter from FRITZ TRENCH.

7.30 pm FRITZ TRENCH held and consolidated from right to left by A.B.C&D Coys 2^nd Queens 1 Coy 21^st Manch Regt – Three strong points made with the help of Durham Fd Coy R.E. & Machine Guns (91^st M.G. Coy) & Lewis gun placed to sweep the whole front including west end of BEETLE ALLEY (held & consolidated by 11^th R. Fusiliers) –

Rations & water arrived during the night – Bn Hd Qrs established at junct Fritz & DANZIG ALLY.

2/4^th Battalion – RAILHEAD FERRY POST.

Battalion forms part of “B” Subsection, No 2 Section Suez Canal Defences and is encamped at RAILHEAD, FERRY POST, ISMAILIA with one Company in Front Line at KATOOMBA 1, attached to 2/4 Royal West Kent Regt. Work consists in making & repairing Field Wokrs for local defence of the Camp & providing numerous picquets, guards & fatigues. Training of Lewis Gunners, Signallers & etc & daily setting up drill carried out.

1/5^th Battalion – NASARIYEH.

Death Pte Fitchett D Coy died of heat apoplexy.

1/6^th Battalion – BRESLE.

The battalion left BRESLE at 7 am and proceeded to MILLEN COURT where it arrived at 9 am and bivouacked in a field until 7 pm when orders were received to move to the intermediate line of trenches N.W. of ALBERT where it arrived at 9.15 pm. Orders were received at 9.30 pm to move up to front line trenches at once, where battalion relieved 2^nd Bn, Rifle Brigade. Relief was complete at 4.25 am. The right of Battn, was HEN TRENCH and its left on RIVINGTON STREET. B Coy on right “C” left “D” Coy in BARROW & FURNESS ST “A” Coy had their right on JOHN O’GAUNT’S ST and their left on RIVINGTON ST.

7^th Battalion – Page Missing

SHORT REPORT ON THE ACTION OF 1^st JULY 1916.

While holding the Brigade front for two days immediately before the assault, the Battalion had lost 40 Casualties and had become somewhat exhausted owing to enemy shelling & lack of sleep owing to constant clearing of front trenches owing to our bombardment and other activities –

During night previous to assault, the enemy intermittently shelled assembly trenches of the Battn, particularly in the vicinity of BATTY ROAD and N and S ends of PRINCESS STREET. The shelling increased in intensity from 6 am to the hour of assault. The battalion suffered four casualties only during the night. These were in the front line trench.

7.25 am first we left our trenches, and after a short wait in NO MANS LAND, advanced to the assault at 7.30 am. At zero the whole Battalion moved forward. Heavy rifle fire and Machine Gun fire was at once opened on the Battalion, coming chiefly from the E, end of the CRATER area, and BRESLAU SUPPORT and BACK TRENCH. “D” Company, left leading Company of the Battn, suffered very severely from Machine Gun fire from the CRATERS, only about twenty men of this Company reaching BRESLAU SUPPORT. The two sections that went round W, of the CRATERS were also decimated, and therefore failed in their mission of keeping touch with the Norfolk Regt on our laft.

7.35 am “B” Company, finding that the two leading Companies had suffered heavily, pushed on without halting and joined “A” and “D” in BRESLAU SUPPORT. The three platoons on the left of this Company suffered very severe casualties from rifle and Machine Gun fire in the CRATERS. Few of these ever reached BRESLAU SUPPORT. “A”, “C” and “D” Companies, were, from this time onward, hotly engaged in BRESLAU SUPPORT. About twenty men under 2^nd Lieut A.B. Marston were in position in shell holes and dis-used trenches about S, end of MIDDLE AVENUE and were engaged with enemy in a strong point at A.2.d.91 which they finally neutralised.

7.50 am “C” Company advanced from our front line trenches, forming line in NO MANS LAND, ready to advance. Up to this time they had suffered few casualties. On advancing beyond the cover supplied by the CRATERS and the formation of the ground in NO MANS LAND, the two right platoons suffered very severely, particularly from Machine Gun fire from point 91.

7.55 am “C” Company joined remainder of Battn in BRESLAU SUPPORT, the remains of No.12 platoon being employed in clearing BRESLAU TRENCH. By this time our artillery barrage had lifted from both BACK TRENCH and POMMIERE LINE leaving the Battalion with no artillery support. The severe losses suffered by the left flank of the Battalion, had caused a wide gap on the left of the Battalion, which was not filled till the late afternoon. The right of the Battalion at this time was in touch with the East Surreys. From now onwards, the Battalion being unsupported, either by artillery or by reinforcements, was definitely held up by BACK TRENCH. The East Surreys, on the right, moving on at about 8.45 am the connection was not maintained to either right or left.

8.30 am No news received at Battalion Report Centre from any Company . Capt G.H.H. Scott, commanding fourth Company, went forward to attempt to find his Company and report situation, but was unfortunately killed before reaching German lines.

9.15 am Message received at Battalion Report Centre that E, end of CRATERS remained untaken. Stokes Gun brought into action and CRATERS reported to be cleared of the enemy at 9.40 am.

10.30 am Pte Anscombe volunteered and went forward to find an officer of the Battalion and get situation. He found 2^nd Lieut H.J. Tortoise in BRESLAU SUPPORT, and obtained situation from him, returning with a fairly accurate report of the situation at 11.30 am.

11.45 am The C.C moved forward to find out the situation and get in touch with Battn, at junction of BRESLAU SUPPORT and CARNOY - MONTAUBAN ROAD. The situation was then as follows :- About 100 men of the Battn were in BRESLAU SUPPORT between CARNOY - MONTAUBAN ROAD and MIDDLE AVENUE. They were not in touch on either flank, The east Surreys having moved up towards DUGOUT TRENCH and no reinforcements having been received to fill the gap between the Battn and 8^th Norfolk Regt on the left. The advance of the Battalion was being held up by the enemy holding BACK TRENCH from A.2.d.13. They appeared to be of considerable strength with Machine Guns and kept up continuous rifle fire at any man who showed himself in  BRESLAU SUPPORT. A Stokes Gun under Lieut V. Hook was with the Battalion but out of action, owing to missing base plate. This gun was not ready for action until after 1 pm. Except for a few men of the Buffs under Capt Neame, no reinforcements had been received in this locality. A few men of the Battalion had got mixed with the East Surreys and moved up with them to POMMIERS LINE. 

12.45 pm A platoon of the Royal Sussex Pioneers who had been sent forward with a view to the consolidation of the POMMIERE LINE, was brought into line with the Battn.

1.0 pm Lieut D.R. Heaton collected a bombing party of the Royal Sussex Pioneers and the Battalion and advanced up MIDDLE AVENUE. On reaching point 91 they bombed the junction of BACK TRENCH and MIDDLE AVENUE and simultaneously the Battalion, with the Platoon of Sussex Pioneers and a few men of the Buffs under Capt Neame advanced to the attack from BRESLAU SUPPORT. The Germans holding BACK TRENCH at once left their trenches and surrendered, numbering about 160. Previous to this time 2^nd Lieut A.B. Marston led a party of about 15 men along BACK LANE and reached MINE ALLEY at point A.2.d.78 at 1. pm.

1.15 pm Lieut C.A. Haggard and Lieut D.R. Heaton collected all available men of the Battn and led them on towards the Battalions final objective, BLIND ALLEY was found to be occupied and 2 Lieut H.J. Tortoise and three men attacked it with one bomb and drove the twelve occupants of the trench out.

2. pm The Battalion reached MONTAUBAN – MAMETZ ROAD on its allotted front. A number of men now rejoined from 8^th East Surrey Regt as stray parties coming up from behind and brought the strength of the Battn on this line up to about 200. The situation this time was as follows :- MONTAUBAN ALLEY and trench running round N, side of MONTAUBAN was held by the East Surreys and Royal West Kents. The rest of the Battalion  was completely in the air, no connection whatever being obtained with the right of the 53^rd Brigade until much later in the day. MONTAUBAN ALLEY was held by the enemy from about S.26.d.87 to the left by Machine Guns which made further advance over a very open bit of ground imposable without reinforcements or artillery support.

2.30 pm The C.O. met C.O. 7^th Buffs in MINE ALLEY and explained the situation and asked for support to attempt to connect left of Battalion with 53^rd Brigade. The C.O. 7^th Buffs sent up all the men he had at his disposal (2 Platoons) to prolong left of Battalion.

5.0 pm Lieut V. Hook with Stokes Guns came into action at N, end of BLIND ALLEY and MONTAUBAN ORCHARD.

5.15 pm The F.O.O of 51^st Brigade R.F.A. put about four rounds on to MONTAUBAN ALLEY between CATERPILLAR TRENCH and 67 TRENCH. Stokes Guns also fired on this area. Immediately after this bombardment a party of the Battalion under 2^nd Lieut H.J. Tortoise and C.S.M. King assaulted and occupied this section of trench establishing connection with the R.W. Kent Regt on the right. Except for the presence of a small party of the 8^th Norfolks, no real connection was yet established with 53^rd Brigade.

6.45 pm Touch was established with the 53^rd Brigade who appear to of moved up in LOOP TRENCH and along MONTAUBAN ALLEY, a procedure which probably accounts for their delay in reaching this objective. The Battalion now consolidated the length of MONTAUBAN ALLEY which it had gained and occupied it during the night.

M.KEMP WELCH, Major,

Commdg. 7^th (S) Bn, “The Queen’s” Regt.

9.7.16.

8^th Battalion – DRANOUTRE.

On the nights of the 30^th June/1^st July & 1^st/2^nd July 1916, the 72^nd I.B. was relieved in the trenches & trench area by the 7^th Australian Brigade and the 17^th I.B.

LOCRE

The 8^th Queen’s Bn was replaced in billets at DRANOUTRE by the 12^th Royal Fusiliers (17^th I.B.) and moved into the BADAJOZ HUT Camp near LOCRE at M 29 a 70.

On arrival at LOCRE the 8^th Queen’s and the 9^th E, Surrey Regt became the garrison for the KEMMEL DEFENCES, if required as such.

10^th Battalion – TRENCHES 103-112.

Trenches – Wounded No G/10259 Pte R. Robinson.

11^th Battalion –