War Diary of the 1/4th Battalion (TF) – The Gordon Highlanders, 1915.
Transcribed from National Archives WO/95/1421
The following is an initial draft transcription of the first year of the Battalion war diary. At the moment it is a direct verbatim transcription. It has not been checked for accuracy in every respect and also contains several omissions where writing was illegible. Eventually this diary will be linked to outher resources as they are added to the site. One of the projects here is to begin to link names from casualty lists with particular incidents, actions and locations. Unlike some battalion war diaries, that of the 4th Gordons does not record casualties by name. The primary exception to this being officers who are more likely to be metioned. As this site evolves I hope to post corrected versions of this diary hyperlinked to individual records and accounts. It is posted in this draft form simply to make it available to those who may be interested. Where words were illegible or ambiguous I have substituted "?"
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Place |
Date |
Hour |
Summary of Events and Information |
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BEDFORD |
1915-02-19 |
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Battalion left BEDFORD in three trains between 5:45am, 7:10am and 9:45am arrived at Southampton and embarked on transport Archimedes sailed at 7pm |
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HAVRE |
1915-02-20 |
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Landed at HAVRE 12 noon, marched to No2 Rest Camp were completed with clothing and necessaries |
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1915-02-21 |
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In rest camp |
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1915-02-22 |
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Marched from rest camp at 4am, entrained and started at 9:30m |
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BAILLEUL |
1915-02-23 |
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Arrived at BAILLEUL at 10am detrained and billeted in the GRAPPARIES |
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1915-02-24 |
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Still in the GRAPPERIES |
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1915-02-25 |
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Still in the GRAPPERIES |
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1915-02-26 |
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Still in the GRAPPERIES |
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LA CLYTTE |
1915-02-27 |
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Marched out of BALLIEUL to LA CLYTTE joined 8th Inf Bde 3rd Division 2nd Army Corps. Billeted in Huts |
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1915-02-28 |
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Still at La Clytte |
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MARCH |
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1915-03-01 |
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Still at La Clytte |
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1915-03-02 |
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A Coy went into trenches with the 4th Middlesex Regt for 4 days of instruction, Platoon to each Coy |
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1915-03-04 |
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B Coy went into trenches with the 1st Gordon Highlanders |
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1915-03-06 |
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C Coy went into trenches with the 2nd Royal Scots & 1 MG section to 1st Gordon Highlanders 1 man of which was severely wounded by shell. |
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1915-03-08 |
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D Coy went into trenches with 2nd Suffolk Regiment. 1 man killed and 2 wounded of B Coy while in reserve from bursting outside (?) 1 signaller wounded with Royal Scots died in Hospital on the 9th |
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1915-03-09 |
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1 man wounded with the 2nd Suffolks and 1 man wounded with 2nd Royal Scots |
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1915-03-10 |
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A Coy went into trenches with 4th Middlesex Regt. Given L5 to hold by themselves with ½ Company |
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1915-03-11 |
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Batt still in huts. D Coy in trenches. 1 man killed |
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1915-03-12 |
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B Coy went into trenches with 1st Gordon Highlanders. 2 men wounded |
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1915-03-13 |
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Officers of C Coy reconnoitered G3 &4 Trenches. B Coy with 1st Gordons 1 man wounded |
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1915-03-14 |
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Ordered to take over trenches G3 & 4 and H1 with 2 Coys remainder to take up billets in LOCRE. C & D Coys paraded for trenches but whole move cancelled on account of German attack on St ELROI [D Coy officers reconnoitered H.1.2.3 & 4 trenches] 1 man wounded. |
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1915-03-15 |
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Inspection of transport by BGC] A Coy came out of trenches. |
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1915-03-16 |
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Battalion took over G3 & 4 H1, 2, 3 &4 trenches with C and D Coys A Coy in support. B Coy rejoined from trenches with 1st Batt. In Reserve at ROSIGNAL. |
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1915-03-17 |
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Batt holding G3 & 4 H1 2 3 & 4 trenches changed that night to K2 A,B & C with C Coy and 2 MG. D Coy in reserve. A & B Coy back to LA CLYTTE. 2 men wounded C Coy, 1 man killed D Coy. |
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1915-03-18 |
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C Coy still in trenches. D in reserve. Officers of A & B Coys reconnoitered new M trenches |
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1915-03-19 |
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C Coy relieved by D Coy. 2 men killed one man wounded C Coy. A & B Coy took over new part of line. Headquarters attached to 1st Gordons at VIERSTRAT. B Coy in trenches 2 men killed one man wounded. |
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1915-03-20 |
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A & B in “N” Trenches C&D in “K” trenches. 1 man accidentally shot. |
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1915-03-21 |
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A & B in “N” Trenches C&D in “K” trenches. |
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1915-03-22 |
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A & B in “N” Trenches C&D in “K” trenches. 1 man killed, one wounded. |
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1915-03-23 |
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A & B in “N” Trenches C&D in “K” trenches. |
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1915-03-24 |
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A & B in “N” Trenches C&D relieved in K2 trenches by the East Surreys returning to huts at LA CLYTTE. 1 man killed. |
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1915-03-25 |
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B Coy relieved. A Coy in trenches. C&D in huts at LA CLYTTE |
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1915-03-26 |
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A & B Coys came out of N trenches being relieved by 1st Gordon Highlanders and rejoined the rest of the battalion in huts |
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1915-03-27 |
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Battalion in huts at LA CLYTTE |
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1915-03-28 |
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Battalion in huts at LA CLYTTE |
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1915-03-29 |
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C & D Coys relieved 2 Coys of 1st Gordons in N trenches. Also 2 trenches from 2nd Royal Scots |
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1915-03-30 |
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C & D Coys in N2 and M3 trenches |
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1915-03-31 |
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C & D Coys in N2 and M3 trenches |
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SP McClintock (Capt & Adj) 4th Gordon Highlanders |
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APRIL |
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LA CLYTTE |
1915-04-01 |
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C & D Coys in N 1, 2 & 7 & MS trenches. A &B in LA CLYTTE. 1 man killed |
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1915-04-02 |
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C & D Coys in N 1, 2 & 7 & MS trenches. A &B in LA CLYTTE. 1 man wounded (died on the 10th) |
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1915-04-03 |
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C & D Coys in N 1, 2 & 7 & MS trenches. A &B in LA CLYTTE. 1 man wounded (died on the 4th) |
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1915-04-04 |
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A & B Coys took over K2 ABCD&E K3 & L1 from 1st East Surreys. C & D Coys relieved by them. 1 man killed 1 man wounded. |
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1915-04-05 |
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A & B Coys in K2 & 3 & L1 trenches |
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1915-04-06 |
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A & B Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches. 6 men wounded 4 by rifle grenades |
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1915-04-07 |
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A & B Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches |
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1915-04-08 |
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A & B Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches |
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1915-04-09 |
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A & B Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches. 2nd Lieut. Hopkinson slightly wounded in shoulder. 3 men wounded. |
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1915-04-10 |
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C& D Coys relieved A & B Coys in K2 and 3 & L1 trenches. A & B back to huts. 1 man killed, 1 man wounded. |
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1915-04-11 |
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C & D Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches |
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1915-04-12 |
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C & D Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches |
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1915-04-13 |
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C & D Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches |
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1915-04-14 |
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C & D Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches. 2 men wounded |
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1915-04-15 |
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C & D Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches. 1 man killed, 1 wounded. |
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1915-04-16 |
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A & B Coys relieved C & D Coys in K2 and 3 & L1 trenches. C & D back to huts. 3 men wounded. |
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1915-04-17 |
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A & B Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches. 1 man wounded |
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1915-04-18 |
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A & B Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches. 2 men wounded |
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1915-04-19 |
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A & B Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches. 1 man killed, 5 wounded |
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1915-04-20 |
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A & B Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches. 2nd Lieut. Calder wounded – left side. 1 man killed, 1 wounded. |
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1915-04-21 |
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A & B Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches. Capt McClintock accidentally wounded in leg falling on bayonet. Capt Wilson wounded in thumb. |
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1915-04-22 |
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C & D Coys relieved A & B Coys in K2 and 3 & L1 trenches. C & D back to huts. Lieutenant Crombie slightly wounded, 2 men killed, 1 wounded. Battle north of Ypres began. A & B Coys ordered to hold themselves in readiness to move at ½ hrs notice. |
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1915-04-23 |
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C & D Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches. 1 man wounded |
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1915-04-24 |
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C & D Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches. 5 men wounded 4 with rifle grenades. Coy in trenches ordered to hold itself in readiness to receive a possible German attack. |
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1915-04-25 |
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C & D Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches. 1 man killed, 1 wounded. |
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1915-04-26 |
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C & D Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches. 1 man killed, 2 wounded. |
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1915-04-27 |
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C & D Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches. 3 men wounded. |
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1915-04-28 |
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C & D Coys in K2 & 3&L1 trenches. 1 man killed 4 wounded. A & B Coys relieved C & D Coys in trenches |
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1915-04-29 |
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A & B Coys in K2 & 3 & L1 trenches. 3 men wounded |
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1915-04-30 |
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A & B Coys in K2 & 3 & L1 trenches. 1 killed. |
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Monthly Casualty totals Killed 15 W 5+44
Ian A Clarke Lt a/adj 4th Gordon Highlanders. |
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MAY |
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LA CLYTTE |
1915-05-01 |
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A & B Coys in trenches K2, K2A, K2B, L1 and K3. No casualties D Coy moves to SIEGEFARM at dark relieving Coy of 1st Gordon Highlanders to act as Brigade reserve in trench area. |
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1915-05-02 |
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A & B Coys in trenches K2, K2A, K2B, L1 and K3. |
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1915-05-03 |
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A & B Coys in trenches K2, K2A, K2B, L1 and K3. . Practice in trenches in putting on special respiratory pads to guard against asphyxiating gases. Work on CT. de MOL – trenches ? on. No casualties. |
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1915-05-04 |
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A & B Coys in trenches K2, K2A, K2B, L1 and K3. No casualties |
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1915-05-05 |
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C & D Coys in trenches K2, K2A, K2B, L1 and K3. C & D relieve A & B in trenches 1 killed 2 wounded – 1 killed, 1 wounded |
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1915-05-06 |
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C & D Coys in trenches K2, K2A, K2B, L1 and K3. no casualties |
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1915-05-07 |
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C & D Coys in trenches K2, K2A, K2B, L1 and K3. Heavy day of shelling – 1 killed |
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1915-05-08 |
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C & D Coys in trenches K2, K2A, K2B, L1 and K3. 1 wounded – quiet day. |
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1915-05-09 |
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C & D Coys in trenches K2, K2A, K2B, L1 and K3. Received orders 6:15am to hand over trenches at right to Notts and Derby Regt. And to proceed to ROZENHILL huts. Ordered to be ready to move at shortest possible notice. 1 man wounded. |
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1915-05-10 |
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Whole battalion reassembled at ROZENHILL huts by 4:30am. Rest day- Practiced attack in the afternoon and emergency turn out in the evening. |
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1915-05-11 |
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ROZENHILL huts. Practiced attack before GOC 8th Bde. |
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ZILLEBEKE |
1915-05-12 |
2:50pm
8:30pm |
ROZENHILL huts. Inspected by GOC 2nd Army Corps
Moved with rest of Bde to CHATEAU 1 ½ miles SW of YPRES
Moved from CHATEAU to dugouts ¾ mile WSW of ZILLEBEKE |
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1915-05-13 |
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At night dug a new switch line. 12 men wounded. |
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1915-05-14 |
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Fatigues and guiding parties. 1 man wounded. |
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ZILLBEKE |
1915-05-15 |
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Carrying and Working parties |
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1915-05-16 |
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Carrying and Working parties. 2 men wounded |
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1915-05-17 |
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Carrying and Working parties. 1 man wounded |
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1915-05-18 |
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Carrying and Working parties. 5 men wounded |
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1915-05-19 |
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Carrying and Working parties. 2 men wounded |
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1915-05-20 |
8:30pm |
Moved with rest of Brigade back to LA CLYTTE area. When into huts at ROZENHIL. (B Coy billeted at farm near LA CLYTTE huts) |
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REZENHIL |
1915-05-21 |
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Resting in huts. B Coy moved to ROZENHIL in afternoon |
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1915-05-22 |
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Resting in huts. |
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1915-05-23 |
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Resting in huts. |
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1915-05-24 |
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Resting in huts. 8pm A & B Coys proceed to K and L trenches. HQ, C & D Coys proceed to La CLYTTE huts Above order for 24th cancelled and the following substituted: 5pm Marched with the rest of Brigade to a point ½ mile E of VLAMERINGHE. Held as 5th Corps reserve. |
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VLAMERTINGHE |