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. 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 23rd August 1916

23^rd August 1916 –

1st Battalion – TRENCHES WEST OF DEVILLE WOOD.

The Battalion had one Company in the front line 2 in support and one in reserve. The enemy shelled our Front and Support Line continuously throughout day & night.

Operation orders were issued by the 100^th Inf Bde for an assault on the new German position to be made by the 16/K.R.R.C. 2^nd Worcesters & 1^st Queen’s Rgts on the afternoon of the 24^th inst.

Killed 2 Lt Collings – E d’A – 5.0, Ranks

Wounded – 11 O Ranks. 

2nd Battalion – Coy Training – Generals Watts & Ford rode round camp and watched Coys training. 2 Lieut H.B. Secretan took over duties of a/Adj fr, Capt J.B. Hayes – Sick.

Coy Training.

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

Details of strength.

Officers 30. O.Rks 840.

1 To Hosp.

2/4^th Battalion – KANTARA.

Battn moved to KANTARA. Work consists of providing guards for alternate days, which uses up two companies. Battalion exercises & Company Training carried out by remainder of Bttn.

Strength. During the past month the Battn has been reinforced by 5 OFF 39 O.R. It has been diminished by 3 OFF 46 O.R.

Health. On the whole good. Average amount of sickness approx 4% Diarrhoea & septic cuts being chief causes.

Weather. Hot days with cool nights & heavy dew. Working hours 05.15 to 07.45 & 16.30 to 17.30 daily except on Urgent matters.

1/5^th Battalion –

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

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – The Bn remained at the CITADEL.

10^th Battalion – Billets – The Battn moved to BUIGNY L’ABBE. Entrained at NOOTE BOOM at 6.30 am. Detrained PONT REMY 2.30 pm – Marched to BUIGNY L’ABBE.

11^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 22nd August 1916

22^nd August 1916 –

1st Battalion – The Battalion received orders to move up to relieve the 9/H L I in the front line trenches to the West of DEVILLE WOOD. The Battalion moved by Companies at about 5 pm the relief being completed by about 11 pm. No casualties were incurred.

2nd Battalion – Coy Training.

9 pm – Night operations practice assault consolidation of captured position – wiring.

Details of strength.

Officers 30. O.Rks 841.

12 Draft.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Grenades Rifle grenades were placed in Nos 4, 5&7 posts.

1/6^th Battalion – IN THE TRENCHES.

Extremely quiet, busy improving trenches & wiring at night.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – The 8^th Queen’s moved to the CITADEL area (F 21 b 9 1) a draft of 74 O.R. joined the Bn for duty.

10^th Battalion – Billets – route march & drill etc.

11^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 21st August 1916

21^st August 1916 –

1st Battalion – POMIER TRENCHES.

The Battlns still remained in the same reserve trenches until moved up into support to an attack by the 9/H L I and 2^nd Worcesters on the new German position on the West DELVILLE WOOD, at about 10.45 pm. The Battalion were not required and moved back again to POMIER TRENCHES at about 1 am 22^nd inst.

2nd Battalion – Coy Training.

3 pm – 1^st South Staffords Regtl Sports.

Officers 30. O.Rks 829

2/4^th Battalion – Lt Col H.W.M. Watson D.S.O. took over command of the Battn.

1/5^th Battalion –

1/6^th Battalion – BEAUMETZ.

The battalion proceeded to the trenches opposite FICHEUX relieving the 11^th Manchester Regt 34^th Bde. Relief was complete at 12.45 pm “A” Coy were on the Right in Front Line “C” Coy on the Left in Front Line “B” & “D” Coys in Support.

7^th Battalion –

8^th Battalion – The Battalion attacked in conjunction with 17^th Bde on the left. “Zero” time was 4.30 pm. The right of our Bn attacking force was held up, as the enemy was found to be very close and severe bomb fighting ensued. The left progressed however and made touch with the 1^st R. Fusiliers (17^th Bde) in the neighbourhood of the GREEN ST – HILL ST road junction. The Bn on our left (1^st R. Fusiliers) reached the HIGH HOLBORN line without much difficulty.

Later on however the whole line was withdrawn to its original position.

The 8^th Queen’s suffered 7 Officer casualties & 89 other rank casualties. The Officer casualties were as follows :-

Captain C.H. Woollatt O.C. A Coy – Killed.

Temp Capt (2 Lt) D.W. Lane-Nichols O.C. B Coy – Killed.

2/Lt J.E. Tollemache – Killed.

2/Lt R.H. Hoole – Killed.

2/Lt A.W. Powell – Killed.

Major H.J.C. Peirs – Wounded (at duty)

Temp Capt (Lt) F.D. Higham – Wounded.

The Bn was relieved in the trenches by the 1^st N. Staffords. The relief was complete at 2 am. On relief the Bn moved to the CRATERS Area.

10^th Battalion – Billets – Inspected by G.O.C. Bde.

11^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 20th August 1916

20^th August 1916 –

1st Battalion – POMIER TRENCHES near MAMETZ VILLAGE.

The Battalion still in the same place Carrying & Fatigue parties furnished for front line regiments.

2nd Battalion – Brigade Church Parade Rev P.N. Waggett officiated.

Details of strength.

Officers 30. O.Rks 829.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion –

1/6^th Battalion – The Battalion attended church parade, at 5 pm the battalion proceeded to BEAUMETZ arriving at 8.30 pm & went into billets for the night, Lt H.A. Parkinson joined the battalion for duty.

7^th Battalion – Quiet day. Nothing to report.

8^th Battalion – The enemy was found to be holding the HILL ST line, so the patrol’s could not  establish posts. One platoon however under 2907 Sgt Sheppard P. B Coy, remained in position and dug itself in, and greatly assisted the attack carried out the next afternoon.

10^th Battalion – Billets – route marching drill etc.

11^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 19th August 1916

19^th August 1916 –

1st Battalion – The Battalion received orders to move into reserve trenches near MANETZ Village at about 10 am. The line was reconnoitred by an officer in the morning – Lt Col L.M. Crofts went up with the Battalion which moved at about 4.30 pm and were in position in the reserve trenches by 7 pm.

Carrying parties were found by the battalion for the 9/H L I and 2^nd Worcester’s who were in the line, the brigade relieved 41^st Bde in the line between DELVILLE WOOD and HIGH WOOD.

2nd Battalion – Coy Training. Map Reading for Officers in the evening. “Immediate Awards” announced Capt J.B. Hayes, M.C – C.S.M. Wes,t M.C. – R.S.M. Routley, D.C.M.

Details of strength.

Officers 30. O.Rks 829.

1 From Hospital.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion –

1/6^th Battalion – The battalion remained in billets, at 3 pm the G.O.C. 12^th Division presented medal ribbons to the following N.C.O’s & men.

D.C.M.

1016 L/Cpl Moxley E.H.

196 Pte Overton W.J.

MILITARY MEDAL.

123 Sergt Smith J.R.

1086 Sergt Woods J.

5657 L/Cpl Rowland E.P.

1072 Pte Moxley H.A.

495 Smith P.

The following men were away, evacuated & could not receive their ribbons.

D.C.M.

No 356 Pte Holland G.S.

MILITARY MEDAL.

5880 Cpl Girling P.

116 Sergt Johnson V.

895 Forsyth W.

934 L/Cpl Pyett F.

1037 Pte Tyler E.V.

The above decorations were all granted for conspicuous gallantry in the fighting opposite OVILLERS on 3^rd July 1916.

7^th Battalion – Enemy shelled BOIS GRENIER on battalions right – Artillery retaliated on German Headquarters of Battn. Some Trench Mortar work by enemy on Battalions left. Very slight damage to material.

No casualties.

8^th Battalion – The Bn remained at the CRATERS.

10^th Battalion – Billets.

11^th Battalion – 

The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment 18th August 1916

18^th August 1916 –

1st Battalion – The day passed quietly with the exception of Slight Shelling by the Enemy’s artillery of some Gun Positions immediately in rear of Bttn Hd Qrs near the Shrine in FONQUEVILLERS village.

11 O Ranks Reinforcements arrived mostly wounded men & men from Hospital. 35 men & 1 officer 1 having gone into Hospital returned from 3^rd Army Rest Camp. 9 O Ranks went.

2nd Battalion – Coy Training.

3 pm – 20^th Bde Race Meeting.

Details of strength.

Officers 30. O.Rks 828.

11 To Hospital.

2 Lieut H.B. Secretan rejoined.

2/4^th Battalion –

1/5^th Battalion – Animals, Transport Work was started on new mule lines, as 1^st line Transport is to be handed over to units.

1/6^th Battalion – SOMBRIN.

The battalion remained in billets, cleaning up & refitting for the trenches.

7^th Battalion – Quiet day. Nearly all shelling appeared to be counter battery work.

8^th Battalion – The Bn was relieved in the trenches by 13^th Middlesex Regt (73^rd Brigade). On relief the Bn went into the CRATERS.

10^th Battalion – NOOTE BOOM.

Normal – The Battn was relieved in Rest Billets by 8^th York’s Regt and marched to billets at NOOTE BOOM Area

11^th Battalion – The battalion proceeded by march routes to billets at FONTAINE HOUCK where it was billeted in 5 farm houses. There the time was spent in route marches and athletics to make the men fit after their tour of the trenches.