7th (SIH) Bn, Royal Irish Regt War Diaries. September 1917 to May 1918.
|
Place
|
Date
|
Summary of Events and Information |
|
Beaurainville
|
1.9.17-
30.9.17 |
Organisation of Battalion and general preparations for Infantry training |
|
Maresequel
|
3.9.17
|
Surplus Personnel disposed of as under: |
|
"
|
|
Detail of Yorkshire Hussars formerly attached 2nd Sth Irish Horse despatched to 33rd Infantry Base Depot. 4-9-17 |
|
"
|
|
Surplus personnel of AOC despatched to AOC Depot Calais. 5-9-17 |
|
"
|
|
Surplus Officers {Unfit} of 2nd South Irish Horse sent to British Cavalry Base Depot. 5-9-17 |
|
"
|
to
|
Details of Herts Yeomanry formerly attached 2nd South Irish Horse despatched to British Cavalry Base Depot. 6-9-17 |
|
"
|
|
Farriers, Shoeing Smiths & Sadlers of 1st & 2nd Sth Irish Horse surplus to Battalion despatched to British Cavalry Base Depot. 7-9-17 |
|
"
|
|
Surplus ASC personnel despatched to AHT Depot Abbeville & ASC Depot Harve |
|
"
|
30.9.17
|
Officers and NCOs attended Course in Lewis Gunnery, Bombing, Sniping and P & B Training. |
|
"
|
11.9.17
|
Officers and NCOs from 16th Division attached to Battalion as Instructors |
|
"
|
to
|
Officers and NCOs of Battalion attached to 16th Division in Line for instruction |
|
"
|
30.9.17
|
Note:- Also authority received for the designation of the battalion to be 7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion Royal Irish Regiment. |
|
Marsequel
|
1.10.17
|
Training as infantry in Lewis Gun, Bombing, Squad Drill, Manual, Musketry |
|
"
|
2.10.17
|
ditto & battalion had baths at HESDIN |
|
"
|
3.10.17
|
Platoon Drill, Bayonet Fighting, Physical Training, Bombing |
|
"
|
4.10.17
|
More advanced Platoon Drill, Bayonet Fighting & Physical Training |
|
"
|
5.10.17
|
as on 4th |
|
"
|
6.10.17
|
Battalion route march of 9 miles. Draft from EGYPT arrived, 2 officers & 60 OR from conducting horses from MARSEILLES to EGYPT |
|
"
|
7.10.17
|
Inspection of billets |
|
"
|
8.10.17
|
Elementary Company drill, Physical games & controlled charges |
|
"
|
9.10.17
|
Musketry by companies. Lewis Gun & Rifle bombing. Draft from Egypt drilling. |
|
"
|
10.10.17
|
Company drill, & Physical games. Lewis Gun & Musketry |
|
"
|
11.10.17
|
Lewis Gun firing, Company schemes for open warfare attacks. |
|
"
|
12.10.17
|
Bayonet fighting on assault course. Wiring & trench digging |
|
"
|
13.10.17
|
Advance party of 1 officer & 30 OR proceeded BOILEUX to take over camp at ERVILLERS. Physical Training & preparing for move. |
|
"
|
14.10.17
|
Entrained at BEAURAINVILLE and proceeded to BOISLEUX au MONT to join 16th Division. Took over camp from 7th Royal Irish Rifles. (Belfast Camp) |
|
Ervillers
|
15.10.17
|
Company drill and manoeuvre, bombing & Lewis Gun. Provided working party of officer & 50 OR to Town Major of ERVILLERS |
|
"
|
16.10.17
|
Training in Special Attack Platoons. Physical Training, bombing & Lewis Gun |
|
"
|
17.10.17
|
Further training in attack principles. Phys Trg, Bombing & Rifle bombing Lewis Gunnery |
|
"
|
18.10.17
|
ditto. Improvement of camp commences |
|
"
|
19.10.17
|
Battalion inspected by Maj Gen WB Hickie CB GOC 16th Division |
|
"
|
20.10.17
|
Company drill Phys. Trg. Improvement of camp continued. ???? of huts &c |
|
"
|
21.10.17
|
Church parade & baths at ERVILLERS |
|
Left support, centre, Div.
|
22.10.17
|
49th Brigade relieved 48th Brigade. South Irish Horse moved into support in left sub-section relieving 2nd Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers. B. Company attached left sub-section line battalion (7th/8th Royal Irish Fusiliers). A. Company to Sunken Road T17 c.7.6. C. Company Strong points C.6 to C.10. S. Company Sunken road T22 a.3.2. Battn. Hdqrs at T 22 d.8.9. |
|
"
|
23.10.17
|
Work on improvements to dug-outs &c begun. Provided working parties for REs. |
|
"
|
24 to 27
|
Improvements to dug-outs. New dug-outs commenced at Bn Hdqrs. Working parties under RE. |
|
"
|
28.10.17
|
South Irish Horse relieved 7/8 Royal Irish Fusiliers in left sub-section front line. B. Coy left, Hdqrs of Coy in Pug Avenue. C. Company left centre, Hdqrs in Shaft Avenue. A. Company right centre, Hdqrs in Shaft Trench. S. Company right, Hdqrs in Bing Support. Bn Hdqrs in Shaft Avenue. Shaft No 122. |
|
"
|
29.10.17
|
Working parties under RE. Pug lane shelled & 2 men killed by direct hit on Lewis Gun emplacement. Enemy's trenches raided with success by 7/8 R Inniskilling Fusiliers. Three men of ours wounded in enemy's retalliatory shell fire, some portions of trenches slightly damaged. Officers patrol went out & reported on wire in front of V.1.5. |
|
"
|
30.10.17
|
Working parties under RE. Officers patrol recconoitered wire in V.1.4. & V. 1.3. Wiring carried out at V.1.5. |
|
"
|
31.10.17
|
Working parties & improvements of trenches, duck boarding &c. Situation Normal |
|
Nov
|
1.11.17
|
Relieved by 10th R.Dublin Fus. in Left Subsection & returned to BELFAST CAMP |
|
"
|
2.11.17
|
General cleaning up - Baths |
|
"
|
3.11.17
|
General training - Baths |
|
"
|
4.11.17
|
Battln. inspected by GOC 49th Inf. Bde. 2 officers and 80 men on practice digging. |
|
"
|
5&6
|
Trainig on Lewis Gun, Bombing, Coy. & platoon in the attack, digging. 1 officer & 50 men on fatigue party at Div. HQ |
|
"
|
7.11.17
|
Lewis Gun training, Bombing, Lectures on Trench warfare. 1 officer & 50 men on fatigue party at Div. HQ |
|
"
|
8.11.17
|
Trench to Trench attack - Coy & Battn - Bombing down trenches. Bayonet Fighting. Lewis Gun Classes. Rapid wiring. 1 off & 50 OR fatigue party at Div. HQ |
|
"
|
9.11.17
|
Physical training & Bayonet fighting. Company Drill. Rapid wiring. Fatigue party of 1 officer & 5 men at Div HQ. Live Bombing. Lewis Gun classes. Marking out trenches & marching on tasks. |
|
"
|
10.11.17
|
Physical training & Bayonet fighting. Musketry. Trench to trench attack. Live bombing. Rapid wiring. Lewis Gun classes. Fatigue party 1 officer & 50 men at Div. HQ. Lt.Col. CM Truman DSO left the Regt. on transfer to "Tanks". |
|
"
|
11.11.17
|
Church Parades |
|
"
|
12.11.17
|
Left BELFAST CAMP and relieved 8/9th R. Dublin Fus. holding left Sector Position in line:- "B" Coy Left, "C" Left Centre, "A" Right Centre, "S" Right. Battn. front:- U1a06 (Pug Lane) to U7d29 (Lump Lane) Situation quiet. relief Completed 3/0pm. Patrolled wire between U1d45.50 & U1d75.35 & found in good condition. Patrolled SENSEE RIVER bed to U13b37. Nothing seen; enemy snipers active |
|
"
|
13.11.17
|
Cleaning up positions. Working parties under RE daily (125 men) Cleaning trenches, fixing "A" frames, revetting, repairing OPs, building traverses, draining trenches, repairing & improving Cookhouses, fixing & repairing duck boards, completed Gum Boot store, general improving of posts, putting out wire etc. Situation quiet. |
|
"
|
14.11.17
|
Situation quiet. Enemy machine guns active during night. |
|
"
|
15.11.17
|
Position in line changed as follows:- "A" Coy SHAFT TRENCH. N of SENSEE RIVER to junction of SHAFT and HORN trenches (exclusive). "C" Coy - junction of SHAFT and HORN trenches (inclusive) to PUG AVENUE. "B" Coy - SHAFT AVENUE and one Platoon in HIND TRENCH. "S" Coy - N. of SENSEE RIVER U7a5.8 to LUMP LANE (inclusive). Relief completed 4/0pm. Situation quiet. |
|
"
|
16.11.17
|
Working parties under RE supervision as on 13th inst. Our machine guns active. SENSEE RIVER patrolled. Situation normal |
|
"
|
17.11.17
|
Working parties under RE supervision. Situation normal |
|
"
|
18.11.17
|
Position in line changed as follows:- "A" Coy - N. side SENSEE RIVER to junction FOP LANE and SHAFT TRENCH. "B" Coy - SHAFT AVENUE & 1 platoon on HIND AV. "C" Coy - part HORN TRENCH & SHAFT TRENCH to junction FOP LANE also junction HIND SUPPORT & FOP LANE to about 150 yds S. of SENSEE RIVER. "S" Coy - Strong points C6 to C10. Situation normal. Our machine guns very active during night. Working parties under RE ceased at mid-day. |
|
"
|
19.11.17
|
Repairing duck boards, and general repairs to trenches. Situation normal. Our machine guns active during night. |
|
"
|
20.11.17
|
at 6/20am our artillery and machine guns opened intense bombardment on enemys' positions - shooting reported very good. 1 officer & 40 men from "B" & "S" Coys went over at zero and dug communication trench connecting up LUMP LANE and TUNNEL TRENCH as shown in Red on Map attached. During this operation a gas cylinder was unearthed and damaged causing the following casualties;- 1 officer (Lt H Brocklebank) and 22 OR. Also 4 OR sustained shell wounds. An excellent communication trench was dug. "A" and "C" Coys held front line as shown on map - "B" & "S" in support. The enemys' reply was heavy at irregular intervals. Four counter attacks made on front occupied by troops on our right were all successfully repulsed. Feint attacks with dummy figures carrid out by us in vicinity of RIVER ROAD proved most successful. Seven Germans entered our lines where the SENSEE RIVER cuts HIND SUPPORT and surrendered - 2 were badly wounded. They belonged to the 470th Regt. |
|
"
|
21.11.17
|
Our artillery & machine guns continued heavily bombarding the enemy. Enemy retaliated on our lines shelling HIND SUPPORT. During the day the situation became normal. Patrols were sent out at night to ascertain if concentration of troops was taking place, but no sound of movement was heard from the enemys' lines |
|
"
|
22.11.17
|
Lewis Guns active. Situation normal. Trenches destroyed by shell fire repaired, wiring done at night. Patrol sent out to ascertain if ROTTEN TRENCH was occupied. This was found to be so, but rather lightly held |
|
"
|
23.11.17
|
Trenches cleaned, and repaired where blown in. Lewis guns active. Patrol went out to ascertain if ROTTEN TRENCH was strongly held - single shots fired at intervals - opinion being that it was not strongly held. Enemy artillery active - SHAFT TRENCH and HIND SUPPORT shelled but no damage done. Wiring parties went out at night. |
|
"
|
24.11.17
|
Heavy enemy artillery on our Right about 6/30am. Otherwise the day was quiet |
|
"
|
25.11.17
|
Battalion relieved by 7/8th R.Irish Fusiliers and returned to BELFAST CAMP |
|
"
|
26.11.17
|
Cleaning and checking equipment |
|
"
|
27.11.17
|
Baths |
|
"
|
28.11.17
|
Inspection by GOC 49th Inf Bde |
|
"
|
29.11.17
|
Practiced trench to trench attack first by Coys and then as a Battalion. Full marching order parade. Certain officers went to reconnoitre the Centre Subsection |
|
"
|
30.11.17
|
Left BELFAST CAMP and took over Centre Subsection from 2nd R.Dublin Fusiliers. 1 officer (Capt GC Colvill) and 5 OR killed. 2 OR missing and 1 OR slightly wounded during the relief. |
|
In the Field
|
1.12.17
|
Battln. holding Centre Subsection - Situation normal - 2 ORs seriously wounded and died |
|
"
|
2.12.17
|
Relieved by 21st Middlesex Rgt & marched back to Belfast Camp ERVILLERS |
|
"
|
3.12.17
|
Battln. left ERVILLERS at 10/30am marched to BARASTRE & occupied billets |
|
"
|
4.12.17
|
Standing to to move at very short notice from BARASTRE. Lewis Gun Class firing |
|
"
|
5.12.17
|
Marched to TINCOURT & billeted there for the night |
|
"
|
6.12.17
|
Battln. marched to ST EMILIE |
|
"
|
7.12.17
|
Occupied posts at Support Outpost Line in front of ST EMILIE from 5.0am to 9.0am & then returned to Billets. Equipment Checked. Battln. left ST EMILIE & relieved the 1st R. Dublin Fusiliers in the Left Section |
|
"
|
8.12.17
|
Battln in Left Section - Situation normal |
|
"
|
9.12.17
|
Situation normal - Repairing trenches etc. - wiring parties at night |
|
"
|
10.12.17
|
Situation quiet during the day - Trenches cleaned etc. During enemy bombardment at night about 25 Germans seen by our post W. side of LEMPIRE RD. proceeded towards PRIEL CUTTING. About 1/2 an hour later portion of this party when returning towards CATELET COPSE, was bombed by our post & also fired on by our Lewis Gun. 2 of the enemy were killed & several believed wounded (identification obtained) 2 of our men were wounded. For gallant conduct the M. Medal was awarded to 1498 Cpl Bolton C. by Corps Commdr. & Parchment Certificate to 4 other ranks by GOC Divn. |
|
"
|
11.12.17
|
Trenches repaired. Enemy artillery active shelling front line from PRIEL FARM to CATELET COPSE (50 shells 3" calibre) Our machine guns active during night. Patrol went to PRIEL FARM & were fired on from vicinity of EAGLE QUARRY |
|
"
|
12.12.17
|
Battln. relieved in evening by 7/8 R. Innis. Fus. & returned to billets at ST EMILIE. Billets shelled & 28 men killed & 40 wounded. Capt. Vernon & 1 OR wounded during relief. Battln moved out of billets & occupied Railway Cutting. |
|
"
|
13.12.17
|
2 Coys had baths at Villers Faucon. Battln mainly occupied cleaning up & erecting bivouacs etc in Railway Cutting |
|
"
|
14.12.17
|
Remaining 2 Coys had baths at Villers Faucon. A working party of 4 officers and 170 ORs was supplied to work under Hants Pioneers in forward area |
|
"
|
15.12.17
|
Improving shelters etc during morning. In afternoon a working party of 4 offrs and 200 men was supplied to work in forward area under Hants Pioneers |
|
"
|
16.12.17
|
Equipment checked - small working parties supplied to Town Major & RE. District heavily shelled at night, 1 man wounded |
|
"
|
17.12.17
|
Battln. relieved by 8/9 R. Dublin Fus and marched to BUIRE and occupied billets vacated by the 2nd R. Dublin Fus. Heavy fall of snow |
|
"
|
18.12.17
|
Battalion rested |
|
"
|
19.12.17
|
Battln. marched to TINCOURT & entrained for VILLERS FAUCON & occupied billets vacated by 6th Leicesters |
|
"
|
20.12.17
|
Baths for half of Battln. Lewis Gun Class resumed |
|
"
|
21.12.17
|
Baths for remainder of Battln |
|
"
|
22.12.17
|
Parades by Coys for inspection & checking of equipment. Left Section of the Right Sector reconnoitered by a party |
|
"
|
23.12.17
|
Church Parades - Relieved 6th Conn Rangers in the Left Section of the Right Sector. Heavy shelling of LEMPIRE VILLAGE during night |
|
"
|
24.12.17
|
Day quiet. Intermittent shelling from 6.0pm. Many shells dropped round Battln. HQ between 7 & 8pm |
|
"
|
25.12.17
|
Heavy shelling of village of LEMPIRE all round Battn HQ at 5/0am. Day was quiet |
|
"
|
26.12.17
|
Enemy aircraft dropped 4 bombs on TOMBOIS FARM at 9/0am - no damage done. Coys in front line were intermittently shelled - no casualties. One man wounded by a stray bullet |
|
"
|
27.12.17
|
A quiet day - more snow fell & visibility bad |
|
"
|
28.12.17
|
Visibility good. Enemy aircraft active, otherwise a quiet day. Intermittent shelling during night |
|
"
|
29.12.17
|
Enemy aircraft active, otherwise a quiet day. Battln was relieved by 7/8 R. Irish Fus. & marched to support line in RONSSOY taking over billets vacated by 7/8th Innis. Fus. |
|
"
|
30.12.17
|
A very quiet day with visibilty bad. Small working parties supplied to RE |
|
"
|
31.12.17
|
A quiet day, working parties of 1 officer and 45 other ranks per Coy were supplied to RE for work on RONSSOY defences |
|
Ronssoy
|
Jan 1
|
Visibility very good - numerous German aeroplanes came over. Working parties of 1 offr and 45 men per Coy were again supplied to RE. They were seen & promptly shelled & the village was vigorously shelled all day |
|
"
|
2.1.18
|
A quiet day until the evening when LEMPIRE RD and RONSSOY village were heavily shelled from 6 to 8pm & again between 9 and 10pm. Retaliation asked for and given at 10:15pm. |
|
"
|
3.1.18
|
Apart from air activity - a very quiet day |
|
"
|
4.1.18
|
Slightly foggy which interfered with visibility - Battn. was relieved by 8/9 R.Dublin Fusiliers, entrained at ST EMILIE and proceded to billets at TINCOURT. |
|
"
|
5.1.18
|
The whole of the Battn. had baths at MARQUAIX |
|
"
|
6.1.18
|
Working party of 6 offrs and 200 ORs supplied for wiring under RE between RONSSOY and STE EMILIE. Sig/ Sergt. Bolton presented with Military Medal by Gen. Leveson Gower |
|
"
|
7.1.18
|
All Box respirators minutely inspected. Xmas dinner for the men in Cinema TINCOURT |
|
"
|
8.1.18
|
Training of Lewis Gunners continued. PT & Swedish games - Bayonet Fighting |
|
"
|
9.1.18
|
Training as on previous day. All box respirators inspected by Divl. Gas NCO |
|
"
|
10.1.18
|
Proceeded by train to STE EMILIE and marched to relieve the 6th Conn. Rangers in the Right Subsection of the Left Section. The relief was carried out without incident |
|
"
|
11.1.18
|
Quiet day - bad visibility. A patrol of 1 offr & 35 OR was sent out & patrolled the district around little PRIEL FARM & the valley to the East but the enemy was not seen |
|
"
|
12.1.18
|
Quiet day. 2 Patrols of 1 offr & 10 ORs each sent out at night for 3 hrs. Enemy not encountered |
|
"
|
13.1.18
|
Great aerial activity - hostile shelling of HEYTHROP POST and THE NEST. 3 Patrols sent out at night, constg. of 1 off. 20 men, 1 off. 10 men & 1 off . 10 men. The enemy was not encountered. |
|
"
|
14.1.18
|
Quiet day. Front line trenches intermittently shelled and retaliation obtained. Three patrols (1 off & 20, 1 off & 5 and 1 off & 12) sent out at night. No enemy encountered |
|
"
|
15.1.18
|
Front line trenches shelled during morning and retaliation obtained twice. The thaw caused some trenches to be filled with water, particularly those in HEYTHROP LANE. A patrol of 1 off & 20 men were sent out at night, but no enemy was encountered |
|
In the Field
|
16.1.18
|
Quiet day. Front line trenches in deplorable conditions owing to thaw. Battln. relieved in front line at night by 7/8 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and marched to Brigade Reserve Line at STE EMILIE |
|
"
|
17.1.18
|
Heavy rain fall. cleaning and checking of equipment. Working parties supplied - 1 Sergt & 20 men to Brigade & 1NCO and 24 ORs to 180 Tunneling Coy working in shifts of 4 hours |
|
"
|
18.1.18
|
Battn had baths at VILLERS FAUCON. Working parties supplied - 1 Sgt & 10 ORs to Brigade HQ & usual parties to 180 Tunneling Coy & Town Major |
|
"
|
19.1.18
|
Quiet day. usual working parties supplied. practiced projected raid |
|
"
|
20.1.18
|
Church Services at VILLERS FAUCON |
|
"
|
21.1.18
|
Usual working parties. Raid practiced |
|
"
|
22.1.18
|
Relieved 7/8th Royal Innis. Fus. in the Right Subsection of the Left Section. Billets in Reserve Line handed over to 7/8 R.Irish Fus. |
|
"
|
23.1.18
|
Intermittent shelling of all parts of the Battn. area. Patrol of 1 officer & 9 ORs was sent out and obtained much valuable information |
|
"
|
24.1.18
|
Quiet day - visibility poor - small patrols out in early morning. Working parties supplied to RE |
|
"
|
25.1.18
|
Enemy barrage was put down on HEYTHROP POST at 4.30am. SOS signal was given and our barrage opened at 4.40am. An infantry attack followed. A listening post of 1 NCO & 6 ORs in LITTLE PRIEL FARM saw an enemy patrol and fired on them. Our patrol returned, but one man (the NCO) is missing. Our artillery shelled the vicinity of LARK POST and EAGLE QUARRY and damaged the wire |
|
"
|
26.1.18
|
Visibility bad owing to heavy mist. Much wiring carried on on the whole front. Contemplated raid postponed |
|
"
|
27.1.18
|
Heavy mist until the afternoon when it began to lift. much work done on improving the posts. Quiet day |
|
"
|
28.1.18
|
Visibility good, much aerial activity. Battalion relieved by 7/8th R.Innis. Fusiliers and moved into Brigade Support occupying positions vacated by them |
|
"
|
29.1.18
|
Working parties supplied to RE at night. Quiet day |
|
"
|
30.1.18
|
Usual parties supplied. Much aerial activity. Baths commenced |
|
"
|
31.1.18
|
Visibility low owing to fog. Some intermittent shelling of area. Continued baths. |
|
"
|
|
Signed up to this point by ADH Lawson Capt & Adjt
|
|
Lempire
|
Feb1
|
In support slight shelling quiet day generally |
|
"
|
2.2.18
|
" " enemy occaisionally shelled XRoads, very quiet |
|
"
|
3.2.18
|
" " quiet day, Relieved by the 1st Royal Dublin Fus, relief completed by 8pm, Batt entrained at St EMILIE for Billets at HAMEL |
|
Hamel
|
4.2.18
|
Day was spent in cleaning up and checking equipment |
|
"
|
5.2.18
|
The day was spent training. Football match in the afternoon A&B v C&S |
|
"
|
6.2.18
|
Training was carried on, two Coys, A&B being at Musketry, each man fired 5rds Grouping, 5rds Application & 10rds Rapid |
|
"
|
7.2.18
|
General Sir H de la P Gough KCB, KCVO visited the Brigade & presented Medal Ribbons to Officers & Other Ranks, two Coys were found for the Guard of Honour |
|
"
|
8.2.18
|
Day was spent training, all Lewis Gunners fired a practice on the 300 yard Range |
|
"
|
9.2.18
|
The Batt relieved the 2nd Royal Irish Regt. at VILLERS FAUCON. Relief was completed by 1pm. |
|
Villers Faucon
|
10.2.18
|
A working party of three Officers & 200 OR was working
behind RONSSOY wiring, position was shelled & Pte Daly & Pte Haugh
were wounded Upon reorganisation of Brigade 6 Officers & 317 OR joined from the 6th Royal Irish Regt. |
|
"
|
11.2.18
|
Four Officers & 200 OR working on new line of trenches remainder of Batt training Officers revolver competition in the afternoon Lt R G Brewster winning |
|
"
|
12.2.18
|
Training & 200 working party |
|
"
|
13.2.18
|
" " " " |
|
"
|
14.2.18
|
Church Parades, strict inspection, Battn proceeded to the line 7 relieved the 15th Durham Light Infantry in the Left Sub Sect of the Left Sector |
|
Epehy
|
15.2.18
|
Very quiet, patrols were sent out |
|
Left Sect
|
16.2.18
|
Some shelling in the morning, Pte Peel, Pte Hennessey & Pte Fogarty were wounded while on a working party |
|
"
|
17.2.18
|
Enemy air-craft were active a low flying machine fired on men of the Batt wounding Cpl Rodman, Pte Edgehill was also wounded |
|
"
|
18.2.18
|
An inter coy relief took place, B relieving C & S relieving A, slight shelling of front line, when transport was returning after delivering rations enemy air-craft dropped a bomb & killed Cpl Stoker & wounded L/C Hickey, Pte McGarvey, Pte Hartrey. One horse had to be destroyed |
|
"
|
19.2.18
|
Quiet day, strong patrols were sent with the object of obtaining identification but failed |
|
"
|
20.2.18
|
" |
|
"
|
21.2.18
|
5 am. Enemy put down a barrage on our front line the SOS was fired & replied to, nothing else happened Lt AS Wolfe-Smith & 2Lt J Smythe, Pte Fitzgibbon, Pte Byrne & Pte Rowden were wounded, remainder of the day was quiet |
|
"
|
22.2.18
|
Day quiet, relieved at night by the 2nd Batt Royal Irish Regt. relief was completed by 8.30pm. Batt went into support in EPEHY & took over the EPEHY Defences |
|
Epehy
|
23.2.18
|
Very quiet day |
|
"
|
24.2.18
|
Some slight shelling, working parties found for REDLINE |
|
"
|
25.2.18
|
Very quiet, " " " " " |
|
"
|
26.2.18
|
Some shelling on right in the morning, the Batt relieved the 7/8 Royal Irish Fus. in the Right Sub Sect relief was completed quietly by 8.30pm. |
|
Right Sub Sect
|
27.2.18
|
Quiet day some shelling to the right & left of Batt HQ, strong fighting patrols sent out |
|
"
|
28.2.18
|
Back areas were shelled lightly in the morning & more heavily in the afternoon, suddenly relieved by the 8th Batt Leicester Regt. proceeded by march route to VILLERS FAUCON & occupied ADRIAN CAMP |
|
"
|
|
Signed:- BJ Start, Capt+Adjt.
|
|
"
|
1-9.3.18
|
Holding Line EPEHY Sector |
|
"
|
10-12.3.18
|
Holding Line LEMPIRE Sector. Battn HQ LANCASTER HOUSE. Relieved on night 12/13 by 7/8 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers |
|
"
|
13-18.3.18
|
The Battn moving into Brigade Reserve, manning the RONSOY Defenses, with HQ at RONSOY VILLAGE |
|
"
|
18/19
|
Relieved the 2nd Royal Irish Regt in the line, with HQ at BASSE BOULOGNE |
|
"
|
19/20
|
Holding the line. S&B Coys in front line: A&C Coys at RONSOY in support |
|
"
|
20.3.18
|
A&C Coys relieved S&B Coys in the front line: S&B Coys going in support at RONSOY |
|
"
|
21.3.18
|
4.30am. The enemy opened a heavy bombardment mostly with gas shells lasting
about 4 hours. The morning was very foggy. |
|
"
|
22.3.18
|
Enemy continued to attack during the morning. The Battn now forming part of a composite Batt of units of 16th Division fought their way back to TINCOURT WOOD, where they were then formed as a Company of the 49th Brigade Battalion |
|
"
|
23.3.18
|
Continued rear-guard fighting back to RIVER SOMME and over, through PERONNE to BIACHES |
|
"
|
24.3.18
|
The Coy still forming part of the 49th Brigade Battn, took up a position SOUTH of the SOMME near MERICOURT sur SOMME |
|
"
|
25.3.18
|
49th Brigade Battn moved forward to position between CHUIGNOLLES and RIVER SOMME |
|
"
|
26.3.18
|
Retired to position between CHUIGNOLLES and MERICOURT sur SOMME |
|
"
|
27.3.18
|
Retired through MORCOURT and LAMOTTE and took up a position to the EAST of HAMEL WOOD |
|
"
|
28-31
|
Holding line EAST of HAMEL WOOD |
| Officers joining during the month:- | ||
|
||
| Officers joining off leave during the month:- | ||
|
||
| Officers leaving during the month:- | ||
|
||
| Officer Casualties during the month:- | ||
| Prisoners of War:- | ||
|
||
| Officers Missing:- | ||
|
||
| Officers Died of Wounds:- | ||
|
||
| Officers Killed:- | ||
|
||
| Officers Wounded:- | ||
|
||
| Officers Wounded & Missing:- | ||
|
||
| Officers sick to Hospital:- | ||
|
||
| Officers proceeding on Leave during month:- | ||
|
||
|
Signed:- J Roche-Kelly, LtCol. Comdg. 7th(SIH) Royal
Irish Regt.
|
||
|
|
1-.4.18
|
Holding the Line at HAMEL WOOD |
|
|
4/5
|
Relieved and moved to SALEUX en route to reorganizing area |
|
Saleux
|
5.4.18
|
Moved to TOURS-EN-VIMEAU by march route |
|
Tours-en-
Vimeau |
6-9
|
Re-organizing the Battalion |
|
|
9.4.18
|
Moved to WOINCOURT by march route |
|
Woincourt
|
10.4.18
|
Marched to EU and entrained there for ARQUES |
|
Arques
|
11.4.18
|
Detrained at ARQUES and proceeded by march route to CAMPAGNE |
|
Campagne
|
12.4.18
|
Proceeded by march route to WAVRANS |
|
Wavrans
|
12-14
|
The remnants of the Battn formed "B" Coy of the 49th Inf Bde Composite Battn |
|
|
14.4.18
|
Proceded by march route to HERBELLE |
|
Herbelle
|
15.4.18
|
Proceeded by march route to STEENBECQUE |
|
Steenbecque
|
15-18
|
The Battalion was employed digging GHQ Line |
|
"
|
18.4.18
|
1 Officer & 106 Other Ranks all ex-cavalry men were sent
to cavalry Base for reposting to cavalry units. 106 Other ranks were posted to the 2nd Royal Irish Regt. The remainder of the Battn consisting of 8 Officers and 50 Other Ranks formed a training staff for training American Units. The 1st line Transport with personnel remained with the Training Staff |
|
"
|
19.4.18
|
The Training Staff proceeded by march route to THEROUANNE |
|
Therouanne
|
20.4.18
|
Proceeded by march route to ELNES |
|
Elnes
|
20-24
|
Training Staff carried out intensive training |
|
"
|
24.4.18
|
Proceede by march route to LEDINGHEM |
|
Ledinghem
|
25-29
|
Training Staff carried out intensive training |
|
"
|
30.4.18
|
Proceeded by march route to THEROUANNE |
| Officers joining during month:- Major J Roche Kelly MC 12:4:18, and took over Command. Lt FS Brereton 5:4:18. | ||
|
Officers leaving during month:- Capt R Blockett 18:4:18 to Cavalry Base. |
||
|
Signed:- J Roche-Kelly, LtCol. Comdg. 7th(SIH) Royal
Irish Regt.
|
||
|
Therouanne
|
1.5.18
|
Training Staff moved from THEROUANNE to PECQUER by march route |
|
Pecquer
|
1.5.18
|
700 Irish Reinforcements, Dublins and Munsters arrived for Digging Defensive Line. These were made up into companies and administered by Training Staff |
|
"
|
1-14
|
Work carried out every day under 157 Coy RE |
|
"
|
15.5.18
|
All Irish Reinforcements handed over to the 8th KRRC Training Staff. 7th (SIH) R. Irish Regt. Training Staff moved to DOHEM by march route |
|
Dohem
|
16.5.18
|
Training Staff moved to BLENQUIN by march route |
|
Blenquin
|
18.5.18
|
Training Staff moved to SAMER by march route |
|
Samer
|
19.5.18
|
Training Staff moved to HALINGHEM by march route. First line transport handed over to 16th Division for use of American Army |
|
Halinghem
|
20.5.18
|
Training Staff moved to FRENCQ by march route |
|
Frencq
|
21-31
|
Commenced training 12th M/Gun Batt and 4th Engineer Regt USA. Instruction carried out daily in Musketry, Bombing, L/Gun, Gas & P&BF also training of Transport personnel |
|
Officers joining during the month:-
|
||
|
||
| Officers leaving during the month:- | ||
|
||
| Honours & Awards during month:- | ||
|
~.Military Medal.~
|
||
|
25133 Cpl J Claxton; 25002 Pte G Adams; 25136 Pte J Cleary. |
||
|
~Italian Decoration, Bronze Medal for Military Valour~
|
||
|
25182 Sergt JJ Craigie |
||
|
Strength 31:5:18. 8 Officers 51 Other Ranks |
||
|
Signed:- J Roche-Kelly, LtCol. Comdg. 7th(SIH) Royal
Irish Regt.
|
||
© Hugh Vaugh England 17th September 2000 SIH page Contact me Here
