7 Field Company RE Diary of Events 1916 Page Two
1 October 1916
Work continued on tram line between Prue Trench & Crescent Alley all 4 Sections engaged, 2 by day and 2 by night - a good deal of intermittent shelling and plenty of "overs" on this position. 2 sappers wounded
2 October 1916
As on the 1st. Track reached Crescent Alley, material brought up for bridging Crescent Alley and the road ditch of the Martinpuich - Eaucourt L' Abbaye Road (objective). 50th Division relieved by 47th Division
3 October 1916
Work on tramway completed as far as objective at M.28.a.2.4 on Martipuich- Eaucourt Road. (total 2400 yds since 23rd)
3 -17 October: The infantry of the 50th Division are going out to rest, but sappers and gunners will stay in the line. We also extended the tramline back from High Wood to Bazentin -le-Petit, to relieve the road . The roads in the forward area are becoming incredibly bad. They were originally required in a tremendous hurry on 15 September, behind the advancing infantry, and so the shell holes were filled in with any old rubbish. Bricks from ruined villages are the best material, but sometimes bits of wood or logs were used, earth, dead horses, or even human corpses. These methods made the roads passable in a few hours,while the battle was still going on, but the holes began to sink in a week or two. In places in front of Bazentin-le-Petit the mud on the roads is so deep and gluey·that it is all one can do to get a riding horse through, let alone a wagon. The road from Mametz to Bazentin-le-Petit is not much better and is constantly blocked by wagons stuck fast in the mud, while abandoned vehicles, sunk axle deep, are dotted all along it. Everything on the roads is indescribably wretched, deep
mud below, low grey skies and a steady drizzle above, strings of starved-looking horses, caked all over with mud, their tails tucked in and their heads down, plodding miserably along. On their backs, men in great coats and field boots, almost as muddy as the horses, their collars turned up, slapping their arms together to keep warm. We have been told we are to leave the 50th Division and work on the tramlines under the Corps - a beastly job we don't like at all. General Shreiber, the Chief Engineer of the III Corps, told McQueen we have been chosen from all the field companies in the Corps to do this extraordinarily important job, owing to the speed and quality of our past work. So it is a compliment, if nothing else.
4 October 1916
Trench tracking of newly laid tramway track commenced and tramway track extension southwards ( to avoid bad corner of road by High Wood) commenced platelaying on this extension, started the same night.
5 October 1916
Under instructions of CRE 50 Div, during the period when 50 Div is out at rest, hours of work are curtailed to 8 hours per day and Sections frequently given a days rest - this will enable the Coy to be really "fresh" when the Division returns to the line.Tramway rails laid to within 50 yds of the Bazentin - High Wood Rd. Trench boards laid (but not fixed) as far as Boast Trench. Orders received: that on completion of above tramway the Coy is to be employed on making good the Contalmaison - Martinpuich Rd - this work now in the hands of 101 Coy RE of 23 Div - O.C. on Friday reconnoitred this work with O.C 101 Coy RE.The road generally in bad condition in places (600 yds) of new road to be made. (covering work with metal on top) - 100 D.L.I. superintended by Lt Baker RE, commenced clearing this road from Martinpuich end - 350 yds cleared down to the road metal - the road very bad being a series of shell holes
6 October 1916
No 1 & 2 Sections employed on maintenance of trench tramway & laying trench boards ( 1 Section being rested on alternative days if possible) the other Section working on day and night reliefs as to line likely to be broken up by shell fire at any time. It is necessary to effect repairs at once, the line being much used for bringing up rations, ammo, water, bombs etc for both Divisions working on the frontage Le Sars - Eaucourt L' Abbaye and beyond. Dumps are found at Prue Trench & Crescent Alley. Trench boards laid to 100 yds beyond Boast Trench - 7 D.L.I. Party under Lt Baker employed clearing track and filling in shell holes with timber from Martinpuich village. Line relaid from Vaux Post and covering made over High Wood - Martinpuich Road.
7 October 1916
Sidings put in on trench tramway at its junction at High Wood - Martinpuich Rd. Trench boards laid to point 100 yds short of Starfish C.T. Orders received from CRE not to proceed with work on the Contalmaison - Martinpuich Rd but insisted to make him line from X roads immediately N of Bazentin - Le Grand Wood to join up with the present terminus on the Bazentin - High Wood Rd - Track reconnoitred by OC with Lt Baker and approved by CRE.
8 October 1916
New tramway extension commenced (No 3 Sect) with working party of 100 (7 D.L.I.) Track worked on for 260 yds from commencement. The first 400-500 yds of this line is very hilly, requires a good deal of cuttings. Work of laying trench boards proceeded with also repairs carried out (by 9.30pm on the 7/9/16) Numerous shell attacks (5.9" shells) between Prue trench & crescent Alley - Corporal Martin wounded
9 October 1916
Near tramway extension worked on for 400 yds from commencement. About 300 yds of rail collected ready for laying. Trench boards fixed as far as Starfish C.T.
12 new leaks recorded in the road tram line. These leaks mainly caused by 5.9 shelling on a dump of ammo recklessly made in an exposed site 300 yds short of Crescent Alley.
10 October 1916
150 yds rail laid on new line and work on track extended. For the shell leaks on S side on Prue Trench mended - Trench boards fixed to 100 yds beyond Starfish C.T.
11 October 1916
200 yds rail laid and crossing made over track - Formation prepared for further 400 yds to PT S.9.d.4.6. Trench boards laid and fixed as far as Rutherford C.T. Dump formed between Rutherford C.T.and Crescent Alley consistently shelled, blown up, and track in this neighbourhood much broken. (40 yds replaced) 2nd Cpl Maclaren with a party of 7 D.L.I. placed sand bags on burning dump and sand most of the bombs from making fire but not the S.A.A ammo.
12 October 1916
Rail laid for further 260 yds and formation with deep cuttings carried to Pt: S.9.d.4.9. Instructions received placing the Coy temporarily under orders of CRE 9 Div. Instructions received from CRE 9 Div to effect that rail as far as S.3.d central is required to be completed by 15th. This priority of sufficient rail material with junction sleepers and bolts. Large consignment 760 yds of rail broken up today but of this only 390 yds can be utilised the remainder being without junction sleepers.
O.C. visited CRE 9 Div RE work in hand.
13 October 1916
In addition to normal working party of 100 7 D.L.I, 200 Infantry 9 Div employed this day on tramway - also 2 Sections of Coy - 900 yds formation prepared (easy surface) - completing the formation except for drainage, reinforced gradient if required.
14-15 October 1916
Work on tramways as above. On 13th instructions received necessitating the completion of tramway by evening of 15th if possible -- Tramway laid throughout by evening the 15th -- but only graded for hand pushing. (gradient 1/25) Coy placed under orders CRE 9 Div for period during which 50 Div was out at rest
16-20 October 1916
Work on tramway track of making numerous "crossings" grading line to max gradient 1/40 (to take petrol deliveries) -- This completed by 18th, widening, cutting, wiring in the track. On account of damage being done by Artillery using the track for wagons and also "tanks" crossing it. On the evening of the 17th orders received from the Corps notifying that the Company was "selected" to maintain, extend and entirely control all III Corps Tramways -- Permanent parties of 200 Pioneers, 200 Infantry, 50 heavy artillery attached to the Coy. - For this purpose it was considered that appointment of a senior officer in general charge of the work would be required but CE directed O.C to perform these duties. Making of new huts for the Coy at point immediately N E of Mametz Wood put in hand (No 3 Section 2nd Lt Thompson) on the 16th -- Billets shelled intermittently throughout the night of 16th and 18th, no casualties which was lucky. S.O to CE III Corps visited O,C on 19th reference tramway work and give details of the numerous requirements to enable the new system to operate early.
17-23 October: The Boche has taken to strafing our little dugouts here nearly every night with Silent Susan. They fire four or five rounds every hour or so all night, exactly on our. dugouts, so that it is almost impossible to get any sleep. Just as one is dozing off after one salvo, there is a crash and a shower of falling mud and stones, which wakes one up with a start again. Susan comes so fast that there is no warning whistle as she approaches. One night, one burst against the side of Baker's dugout and pushed it in, when he and McQueen were inside it. Two or three other little shelters were knocked in, but no casualties. I only had a waterproof sheet over my head, and nobody had more than a sheet of corrugated iron, so we were lucky. A permanent working party is to be formed for us, on the basis of two or three men from each battalion in III Corps. Naturally every battalion has sent the men they don't want. A number of officers has also been collected on the same basis! We had a little horse-coping incident with a Canadian officer the other day. He walked into our B court camp with a splendid looking chestnut draught horse, which he wanted to swop for one of our pack ponies. He said that his unit was entirely pack animals, so that this magnificent draught horse was no good to him. We said we would try it in a wagon, whereupon he said it was getting late and he must be moving. The new horse stepped up and down in fine style with an empty wagon. So we loaded the wagon with chalk, but just as the driver was mounting, the new horse lay down! Nothing on earth would make that horse pull a wagon - whenever the idea was suggested, he lay down! His Canadian owner later palmed him off on some innocent unit further down the road. A new young regular officer, straight from Chatham, has just joined us. His name is Littlewood. There are now two main systems of tramlines. One from Bazentin-le -Petit to High Wood and down to Eaucourt L'Abbaye. The other from behind Contalmaison to Martinpuich and forward. It is eight miles to walk all round them. McQueen is now commanding the whole Tramway system, involving a lot of administrative work, for which he has a Tramways Office. I am, therefore, commanding the 7th Field Company. The Boche has taken to strafing round our camp area with
his 4-inch gun, firing single shells by day. One of these fell about twenty yards away when I was in the latrine at 9 p.m., a horrid place to be killed. I am rather pleased with myself now, having constructed a stable for all our horses at Becourt. The timber was obtained by scrounging from dugouts round about, in the old front line before July. The roof is old tarpaulins. All the work was done by the drivers themselves in their spare time.
25 October - 13 November: I usually walk round one or other of the two main tramlines in the morning and ride back to the horselines at Becourt in the afternoon. I am in command of the 7th Company and also of its permanent infantry working force, known as B Echelon. I have received the temporary rank of Captain. A week ago, the 8th and 9th Durham Light Infantry attacked the Butte de Warlencourt, a large spoil heap like the Bluff, which overlooks the country round . They took it, held it all day under heavy shelling and lost it again the next night. The 9th came out with only 5 officers and 90 men. Everything is mud. This show was followed, on 11 november, by a series of 'Chinese attacks'. This means that all our guns suddenly open up, including creeping barrages and all, as if we were launching an infantry attack . This, of course, alarms the Boche, who thinks we are coming over, and brings down all his artillery barrages too. These bombardments took place at 6 a.m. for several days. We were woken by the deafening roar of the guns.
21 October 1916
Coy HQ moved to NE corner of Mametz Wood. Commencement made with building 3 Corps tramway offices. Work continued on Bazentin -- High Wood Sector as before. Personnel of 7 Coy B Echelon arrived at S.13.d.8.5 -- O.C. Major Clarkson B Echelon 7 Field Coy formed as follows: 4 parties of Infantry, 4 parties of Pioneers each of 50 from the 1st, 9th,15th, 50 Divisions, also 50 RA personnel for work under 7 Field Coy RE on Tramways. None of 1 Div personnel arrived this day and other platoons very short -- few men in possession of blankets or winter clothing -- Total men B Echelon 10 officers 450 ORs
22 October 1916
Following officers and attached staff joined: Lt Hoebottom, (assistant and also acting as stores officer) Lts Musson, Seward, Smale,Good. Lt Musson placed in control of Peake Wood -- Martinpuich line with Lt Seward as assistant, Lt Good i/c of Bazentin -- High Wood -- Eaucourt line with Lt Smale as assistant. Lt Letherby RE attached as assistant (employed on work on Divisional branch lines) and Lt Sanderson RA attached as liaision officer for Corps heavy artillery. B Echelon operated by platoons A to K. 2nd Lt Glubb (acting capt 7 Fd Coy) put in charge under O.C. of all construction and maintenance, Lt Baker (No 2 Sectn) taking charge of this work on the Martinpuich line, Lt Thompson (No 1 Sectn) taking charge of work on the High Wood line. Infantry and Pioneer Platoons attached to the 2 lines as required, the greater portion the Sector Bazentin - High Wood where work was most backward. O.C. saw CRE 9 and 15 Div re: continuity of forward extension work, which at present cannot be done by B Echelon. CRE 9 Div - work to carry on for the present owing to the tactical situation. CRE 15 Div able to carry on the Le Sars extension
23 October 1916
Work as on 22nd (in cuttings, ballasting and repairing on High Wood Line -- ballasting and draining on Martinpuich line) Various parties took over for (a) guards and duties on Peake Wood line (taken from Infantry) (b) maintenance parties. (taken from Pioneer Platoons) Martinpuich line running 20 trains per day with 2 petrol tractors under good arrangements. Hand pushing only beyond Martinpuich -- on High Wood line handpushing only (some 60-80 loads per night), the Sector Bazentin --High Wood requires a good deal of work before this Sector can be opened.
24 October 1916
9 Div Platoons withdrawn from B Echelon to be replaced by 48th Div. B Echelon unable to attain all kinds of Ord or stores and must be put under ADOS III Corps for them. Work as previous day.
25-31 October 1916
Work on construction and maintenance proceeded. Average of 3 Platoons being employed on maintenance and ballasting on Peake Wood - Martinpuich Sector,
3 Platoons on Bazentin -- High Wood Sector, 1 Platoon (RA) on making tram lines for heavy artillery. 1 Platoon on unloading and general duties at the Bazentin sidings. A good deal of sickness in B Echelon owing to wet weather and indifferent camps -- Some 80 men with large proportion of NCOs necessarily withdrawn for permanent duties in connection with traffic control line. Maintenance - tramway, sufficient men only for ballasting on the back Sector and forward extension work necessarily carried out by the Divisions concerned. On the 28th a temporary trench line opened for Divisional supply from Bazentin to N edge of Mametz Wood. Ammo arrived at Bazentin sidings in bulk from the 28th and handled on this line. The appointment of a special officer to take over control of the work per O.C. 7 Fd Coy to look after construction and maintenance B Echelon, transport questions very apparent - main difficulties in the work is the difficulty in getting small important stores delivered by railway whilst their construction work is in hand, and insufficiency of horse and long transport available owing to the bad state of the roads. The CE III Corps or his S.O. Frequently visited the Tracks Tramways officer and informed as to such routes. Lt Seward Traffic Control Officer reported sick on the 31st and temporarily replaced by Lt Burgess from 9th Gordons Platoon of B Echelon
Work continued on tram line between Prue Trench & Crescent Alley all 4 Sections engaged, 2 by day and 2 by night - a good deal of intermittent shelling and plenty of "overs" on this position. 2 sappers wounded
2 October 1916
As on the 1st. Track reached Crescent Alley, material brought up for bridging Crescent Alley and the road ditch of the Martinpuich - Eaucourt L' Abbaye Road (objective). 50th Division relieved by 47th Division
3 October 1916
Work on tramway completed as far as objective at M.28.a.2.4 on Martipuich- Eaucourt Road. (total 2400 yds since 23rd)
3 -17 October: The infantry of the 50th Division are going out to rest, but sappers and gunners will stay in the line. We also extended the tramline back from High Wood to Bazentin -le-Petit, to relieve the road . The roads in the forward area are becoming incredibly bad. They were originally required in a tremendous hurry on 15 September, behind the advancing infantry, and so the shell holes were filled in with any old rubbish. Bricks from ruined villages are the best material, but sometimes bits of wood or logs were used, earth, dead horses, or even human corpses. These methods made the roads passable in a few hours,while the battle was still going on, but the holes began to sink in a week or two. In places in front of Bazentin-le-Petit the mud on the roads is so deep and gluey·that it is all one can do to get a riding horse through, let alone a wagon. The road from Mametz to Bazentin-le-Petit is not much better and is constantly blocked by wagons stuck fast in the mud, while abandoned vehicles, sunk axle deep, are dotted all along it. Everything on the roads is indescribably wretched, deep
mud below, low grey skies and a steady drizzle above, strings of starved-looking horses, caked all over with mud, their tails tucked in and their heads down, plodding miserably along. On their backs, men in great coats and field boots, almost as muddy as the horses, their collars turned up, slapping their arms together to keep warm. We have been told we are to leave the 50th Division and work on the tramlines under the Corps - a beastly job we don't like at all. General Shreiber, the Chief Engineer of the III Corps, told McQueen we have been chosen from all the field companies in the Corps to do this extraordinarily important job, owing to the speed and quality of our past work. So it is a compliment, if nothing else.
4 October 1916
Trench tracking of newly laid tramway track commenced and tramway track extension southwards ( to avoid bad corner of road by High Wood) commenced platelaying on this extension, started the same night.
5 October 1916
Under instructions of CRE 50 Div, during the period when 50 Div is out at rest, hours of work are curtailed to 8 hours per day and Sections frequently given a days rest - this will enable the Coy to be really "fresh" when the Division returns to the line.Tramway rails laid to within 50 yds of the Bazentin - High Wood Rd. Trench boards laid (but not fixed) as far as Boast Trench. Orders received: that on completion of above tramway the Coy is to be employed on making good the Contalmaison - Martinpuich Rd - this work now in the hands of 101 Coy RE of 23 Div - O.C. on Friday reconnoitred this work with O.C 101 Coy RE.The road generally in bad condition in places (600 yds) of new road to be made. (covering work with metal on top) - 100 D.L.I. superintended by Lt Baker RE, commenced clearing this road from Martinpuich end - 350 yds cleared down to the road metal - the road very bad being a series of shell holes
6 October 1916
No 1 & 2 Sections employed on maintenance of trench tramway & laying trench boards ( 1 Section being rested on alternative days if possible) the other Section working on day and night reliefs as to line likely to be broken up by shell fire at any time. It is necessary to effect repairs at once, the line being much used for bringing up rations, ammo, water, bombs etc for both Divisions working on the frontage Le Sars - Eaucourt L' Abbaye and beyond. Dumps are found at Prue Trench & Crescent Alley. Trench boards laid to 100 yds beyond Boast Trench - 7 D.L.I. Party under Lt Baker employed clearing track and filling in shell holes with timber from Martinpuich village. Line relaid from Vaux Post and covering made over High Wood - Martinpuich Road.
7 October 1916
Sidings put in on trench tramway at its junction at High Wood - Martinpuich Rd. Trench boards laid to point 100 yds short of Starfish C.T. Orders received from CRE not to proceed with work on the Contalmaison - Martinpuich Rd but insisted to make him line from X roads immediately N of Bazentin - Le Grand Wood to join up with the present terminus on the Bazentin - High Wood Rd - Track reconnoitred by OC with Lt Baker and approved by CRE.
8 October 1916
New tramway extension commenced (No 3 Sect) with working party of 100 (7 D.L.I.) Track worked on for 260 yds from commencement. The first 400-500 yds of this line is very hilly, requires a good deal of cuttings. Work of laying trench boards proceeded with also repairs carried out (by 9.30pm on the 7/9/16) Numerous shell attacks (5.9" shells) between Prue trench & crescent Alley - Corporal Martin wounded
9 October 1916
Near tramway extension worked on for 400 yds from commencement. About 300 yds of rail collected ready for laying. Trench boards fixed as far as Starfish C.T.
12 new leaks recorded in the road tram line. These leaks mainly caused by 5.9 shelling on a dump of ammo recklessly made in an exposed site 300 yds short of Crescent Alley.
10 October 1916
150 yds rail laid on new line and work on track extended. For the shell leaks on S side on Prue Trench mended - Trench boards fixed to 100 yds beyond Starfish C.T.
11 October 1916
200 yds rail laid and crossing made over track - Formation prepared for further 400 yds to PT S.9.d.4.6. Trench boards laid and fixed as far as Rutherford C.T. Dump formed between Rutherford C.T.and Crescent Alley consistently shelled, blown up, and track in this neighbourhood much broken. (40 yds replaced) 2nd Cpl Maclaren with a party of 7 D.L.I. placed sand bags on burning dump and sand most of the bombs from making fire but not the S.A.A ammo.
12 October 1916
Rail laid for further 260 yds and formation with deep cuttings carried to Pt: S.9.d.4.9. Instructions received placing the Coy temporarily under orders of CRE 9 Div. Instructions received from CRE 9 Div to effect that rail as far as S.3.d central is required to be completed by 15th. This priority of sufficient rail material with junction sleepers and bolts. Large consignment 760 yds of rail broken up today but of this only 390 yds can be utilised the remainder being without junction sleepers.
O.C. visited CRE 9 Div RE work in hand.
13 October 1916
In addition to normal working party of 100 7 D.L.I, 200 Infantry 9 Div employed this day on tramway - also 2 Sections of Coy - 900 yds formation prepared (easy surface) - completing the formation except for drainage, reinforced gradient if required.
14-15 October 1916
Work on tramways as above. On 13th instructions received necessitating the completion of tramway by evening of 15th if possible -- Tramway laid throughout by evening the 15th -- but only graded for hand pushing. (gradient 1/25) Coy placed under orders CRE 9 Div for period during which 50 Div was out at rest
16-20 October 1916
Work on tramway track of making numerous "crossings" grading line to max gradient 1/40 (to take petrol deliveries) -- This completed by 18th, widening, cutting, wiring in the track. On account of damage being done by Artillery using the track for wagons and also "tanks" crossing it. On the evening of the 17th orders received from the Corps notifying that the Company was "selected" to maintain, extend and entirely control all III Corps Tramways -- Permanent parties of 200 Pioneers, 200 Infantry, 50 heavy artillery attached to the Coy. - For this purpose it was considered that appointment of a senior officer in general charge of the work would be required but CE directed O.C to perform these duties. Making of new huts for the Coy at point immediately N E of Mametz Wood put in hand (No 3 Section 2nd Lt Thompson) on the 16th -- Billets shelled intermittently throughout the night of 16th and 18th, no casualties which was lucky. S.O to CE III Corps visited O,C on 19th reference tramway work and give details of the numerous requirements to enable the new system to operate early.
17-23 October: The Boche has taken to strafing our little dugouts here nearly every night with Silent Susan. They fire four or five rounds every hour or so all night, exactly on our. dugouts, so that it is almost impossible to get any sleep. Just as one is dozing off after one salvo, there is a crash and a shower of falling mud and stones, which wakes one up with a start again. Susan comes so fast that there is no warning whistle as she approaches. One night, one burst against the side of Baker's dugout and pushed it in, when he and McQueen were inside it. Two or three other little shelters were knocked in, but no casualties. I only had a waterproof sheet over my head, and nobody had more than a sheet of corrugated iron, so we were lucky. A permanent working party is to be formed for us, on the basis of two or three men from each battalion in III Corps. Naturally every battalion has sent the men they don't want. A number of officers has also been collected on the same basis! We had a little horse-coping incident with a Canadian officer the other day. He walked into our B court camp with a splendid looking chestnut draught horse, which he wanted to swop for one of our pack ponies. He said that his unit was entirely pack animals, so that this magnificent draught horse was no good to him. We said we would try it in a wagon, whereupon he said it was getting late and he must be moving. The new horse stepped up and down in fine style with an empty wagon. So we loaded the wagon with chalk, but just as the driver was mounting, the new horse lay down! Nothing on earth would make that horse pull a wagon - whenever the idea was suggested, he lay down! His Canadian owner later palmed him off on some innocent unit further down the road. A new young regular officer, straight from Chatham, has just joined us. His name is Littlewood. There are now two main systems of tramlines. One from Bazentin-le -Petit to High Wood and down to Eaucourt L'Abbaye. The other from behind Contalmaison to Martinpuich and forward. It is eight miles to walk all round them. McQueen is now commanding the whole Tramway system, involving a lot of administrative work, for which he has a Tramways Office. I am, therefore, commanding the 7th Field Company. The Boche has taken to strafing round our camp area with
his 4-inch gun, firing single shells by day. One of these fell about twenty yards away when I was in the latrine at 9 p.m., a horrid place to be killed. I am rather pleased with myself now, having constructed a stable for all our horses at Becourt. The timber was obtained by scrounging from dugouts round about, in the old front line before July. The roof is old tarpaulins. All the work was done by the drivers themselves in their spare time.
25 October - 13 November: I usually walk round one or other of the two main tramlines in the morning and ride back to the horselines at Becourt in the afternoon. I am in command of the 7th Company and also of its permanent infantry working force, known as B Echelon. I have received the temporary rank of Captain. A week ago, the 8th and 9th Durham Light Infantry attacked the Butte de Warlencourt, a large spoil heap like the Bluff, which overlooks the country round . They took it, held it all day under heavy shelling and lost it again the next night. The 9th came out with only 5 officers and 90 men. Everything is mud. This show was followed, on 11 november, by a series of 'Chinese attacks'. This means that all our guns suddenly open up, including creeping barrages and all, as if we were launching an infantry attack . This, of course, alarms the Boche, who thinks we are coming over, and brings down all his artillery barrages too. These bombardments took place at 6 a.m. for several days. We were woken by the deafening roar of the guns.
21 October 1916
Coy HQ moved to NE corner of Mametz Wood. Commencement made with building 3 Corps tramway offices. Work continued on Bazentin -- High Wood Sector as before. Personnel of 7 Coy B Echelon arrived at S.13.d.8.5 -- O.C. Major Clarkson B Echelon 7 Field Coy formed as follows: 4 parties of Infantry, 4 parties of Pioneers each of 50 from the 1st, 9th,15th, 50 Divisions, also 50 RA personnel for work under 7 Field Coy RE on Tramways. None of 1 Div personnel arrived this day and other platoons very short -- few men in possession of blankets or winter clothing -- Total men B Echelon 10 officers 450 ORs
22 October 1916
Following officers and attached staff joined: Lt Hoebottom, (assistant and also acting as stores officer) Lts Musson, Seward, Smale,Good. Lt Musson placed in control of Peake Wood -- Martinpuich line with Lt Seward as assistant, Lt Good i/c of Bazentin -- High Wood -- Eaucourt line with Lt Smale as assistant. Lt Letherby RE attached as assistant (employed on work on Divisional branch lines) and Lt Sanderson RA attached as liaision officer for Corps heavy artillery. B Echelon operated by platoons A to K. 2nd Lt Glubb (acting capt 7 Fd Coy) put in charge under O.C. of all construction and maintenance, Lt Baker (No 2 Sectn) taking charge of this work on the Martinpuich line, Lt Thompson (No 1 Sectn) taking charge of work on the High Wood line. Infantry and Pioneer Platoons attached to the 2 lines as required, the greater portion the Sector Bazentin - High Wood where work was most backward. O.C. saw CRE 9 and 15 Div re: continuity of forward extension work, which at present cannot be done by B Echelon. CRE 9 Div - work to carry on for the present owing to the tactical situation. CRE 15 Div able to carry on the Le Sars extension
23 October 1916
Work as on 22nd (in cuttings, ballasting and repairing on High Wood Line -- ballasting and draining on Martinpuich line) Various parties took over for (a) guards and duties on Peake Wood line (taken from Infantry) (b) maintenance parties. (taken from Pioneer Platoons) Martinpuich line running 20 trains per day with 2 petrol tractors under good arrangements. Hand pushing only beyond Martinpuich -- on High Wood line handpushing only (some 60-80 loads per night), the Sector Bazentin --High Wood requires a good deal of work before this Sector can be opened.
24 October 1916
9 Div Platoons withdrawn from B Echelon to be replaced by 48th Div. B Echelon unable to attain all kinds of Ord or stores and must be put under ADOS III Corps for them. Work as previous day.
25-31 October 1916
Work on construction and maintenance proceeded. Average of 3 Platoons being employed on maintenance and ballasting on Peake Wood - Martinpuich Sector,
3 Platoons on Bazentin -- High Wood Sector, 1 Platoon (RA) on making tram lines for heavy artillery. 1 Platoon on unloading and general duties at the Bazentin sidings. A good deal of sickness in B Echelon owing to wet weather and indifferent camps -- Some 80 men with large proportion of NCOs necessarily withdrawn for permanent duties in connection with traffic control line. Maintenance - tramway, sufficient men only for ballasting on the back Sector and forward extension work necessarily carried out by the Divisions concerned. On the 28th a temporary trench line opened for Divisional supply from Bazentin to N edge of Mametz Wood. Ammo arrived at Bazentin sidings in bulk from the 28th and handled on this line. The appointment of a special officer to take over control of the work per O.C. 7 Fd Coy to look after construction and maintenance B Echelon, transport questions very apparent - main difficulties in the work is the difficulty in getting small important stores delivered by railway whilst their construction work is in hand, and insufficiency of horse and long transport available owing to the bad state of the roads. The CE III Corps or his S.O. Frequently visited the Tracks Tramways officer and informed as to such routes. Lt Seward Traffic Control Officer reported sick on the 31st and temporarily replaced by Lt Burgess from 9th Gordons Platoon of B Echelon
November1916
1-4 November 1916
Coy employed as throughout October on special employment -- Maintenance, construction of III Corps Tramways with permanent working party " B Echelon 7 Field Coy -- consisting of 4 Platoons of Pioneers, 4 of Infantry drawn from; 1st, 15th, 48th and 50th Divisions. The Platoons at present greatly under strength, Pioneer Platoons of 15 in strength employed principally on maintenance and other duties on Peake Wood -- Martipuich line, 1/2 Platoon of 50 Pioneers on same work on Bazentin -- Eaucourt line. About 1 Platoon of Infantry employed on the traffic control duties on both lines. No 1 Section (Lt Chaplin) maintenance Bazentin- High Wood line. No 2 Section (Lt Baker) construction Peake Wood -- Martinpuich line. 3 Section (Lt Thompson) laying ballasting branch lines to secure heavy artillery. 4 Section (Lt Slattery) ballasting Bazentin - High Wood - work slow owing to scarcity of ballast. About 3 weeks work left though line nearly ready to take petrol tractor traffic.
3 November, No 1 Section put on work with tramways yard viz, making extensions and branches on the Decauville Sidings, tractor shed and hut for 20 men. 4 November; Work as usual. No 3 Section completed branch work.
5-6 November 1916
No 3 Section started on Corps lines at High Wood Station. No 2 Section and working party delayed by shelling somewhat. 1 killed and 2 wounded in B Echelon
7 November 1916
Work as usual. No petrol tractors being yet required for High Wood. Bazentin assignments to withdraw daily 12 tractors from the High Wood - Eaucourt line for day work on the former flank -- This necessitated for want of trucks -- Special arrangements for dealing with wounded on this line made on the 6th reported as having worked smoothly ( 26 trucks placed at disposal of the RAMC -- except between the hours of 2pm -6pm)
8 November 1916
Two "trains" of hand pushed trucks made available during day (10am -2pm) for use of Divisional RA as all required by Corps Artillery.
9 November 1916
Standard gauge rail cut 60cm track E of Bazentin which likely to interfere with traffic on this work for 2 days. No1 Section started on platform CT Bazentin sidings. Timber and materials for 75+ platforms sent by CE III Corps
10-12 November 1916
Work as usual. No 3 Section completed works at High Wood Stn and 1/2 completed drainage, also completed 2 loops between High Wood and Bazentin. Petrol tractor received and arrangements made to start tractor traffic for heavy artillery, only from the 15th. Mametz Wood trench for heavy artillery, supply extended and now in use by H.A. for hand pushed trolley lanes. 6 good Boa Boggy wagons received, each will carry 8 ton load.
13 November 1916
Standard gauge track doubled in Bazentin Stn, cutting 60cm line again. Divisional crossing required as likely to take 3 days to complete being at an acute angle.
No 4 Section commenced railing track in cuttings and further timbering and ballasting. Arrangements made on 12th for wounded evacuation, consequent on operations of 50 Div reported as having worked well - line much broken by shell fire in neighbourhood of Flers. Internal traffic held up, numerous shell holes in Martinpuich neighbourhood repaired fairly quickly
14 November 1916
Improved control required beyond Villa Jcn. Improvements made for post immediately E of Martinpuich, Portion of maintenance gang (9th Gordons) to be located there, also 48 Div assisting R.C.O.(Lt Buyers 9th Gordons) with further men and pioneers.
14 November: After a brigade relief, the Northumberland Fusiliers -149th Brigade -repeated the Durhams' attack of last week. They took 200 yards of enemy trenches, but did not attempt the Butte. There is an old German dump of engineer stores at Martinpuich, which is useful. On my round of the lines this morning, I came across Driver Thomas, who was stuck with a limber on the Bazentin-Martinpuich road. The mud was two or three feet deep and, there having been no rain for a few days, was very thick and glutinous. His horse, Blondin, had leaned forward to start the limber, but just as it was going forward, she found herself unable to draw her feet out of the mud, and so fell forward on to her shoulder.There were some infantry working on the road, and the officer gave me several men to help. We practically carried the limber out of the mud, as it was empty and could have been pulled by a terrier on a hard road. We are lucky in getting sleepers, ballast and trench boards from the German dump in Martinpuich.
22 November: Baker and I took a day off and rode into Albert, where we had lunch in the Cafe du Jeu de Paume. The worst of living in an area where there has been a push is that one is in a wilderness, and has to ride 8 or 10 miles back to find an inhabited village. It is marvellous how one longs for a sight of civilized life again. Albert is partly in ruins, and there are very few inhabitants, but it seemed like a metropolis to us. There were even two women in the cafe. I have not seen an unruined village since 1 September. We are sick of working on these horrid tramlines. I wish we were back with the infantry in the trenches, as we were at Zillebeke.
15 November 1916
Extension beyond Flers Switch much damaged, it was decided to abandon this position of High Wood - Eaucourt line for the present as infantry prefer to go around rather than use this portion. Petrol tractor service started -- 12 horse tip trucks converted for use with tram only. All are trucks of good distinction type, suited for tractor haulage or man handling. 2 engines taken off Peake Wood line giving 8 at Peake Wood, 4 at Bazentin
16 November 1916
Work as usual. Good progress being made on the ballasting and protection work on the Peake Wood -- Martinpuich line but more latting wanted which cannot be found. The Bazentin -- High Wood trenches ready for petrol tractor service. ? Peake Wood traffic services arranged with R.C.O (Lt Musson 9th Gordons) to run in 2 ? Services (2 trains leaving Peake Wood at 2am) to take rations for left Division: (48th) from Peake Wood to Martinpuich. Received orders from CE to get new trench put in fast to serve Rt: Bde of Rt: Div (1st) on their taking over Sector near Leed (?) by left Div of Australian Corps. Reconnoitred and settled on new line.
17-19 November 1916
Showed site of new night trench "High Wood -- Factory Corner" line to 2nd Lt Glubb & 2nd Lt Thompson (the latter taking charge of work with No3 Section and handing any present work to Section of 1st Lowland Field Company RE from 18th) Line chosen runs from: M.34.c.3.1 (jcn with High Wood -- Eaucourt line) to join up with Longueval -- Flers line in M.30.d then to Factory Corner in M.19.d -- total length of new line 2800 yds of which first 800 yds will be slow owing to difficult formation
(cuttings & embankments after which, formation is easy. 1 Platoon of B Echelon ( Welch Pioneers 1st Div) and working parties up to 300 of 1st Div will be available
109 Constr Coy RE completed standard gauge crossings in S.14.b. Starting tractor service being now run E of Bazentin -- 4 tractors as ordered badly required, 1 only received to date.
18 November, bad wet weather stopped Lt Thompsons levelling on new trench. Working parties of 1 Div commence from 19th. 150 yds formation prepared. 19 November,1st Div working parties on new extension received.and worked well. Work at present mainly night work as formation crosses exposed ridge - work done on it by day with smaller in parties
20 November 1916
Arranged with Lt Musson to further increase the petrol tractor service on the Peake Wood line, also receiving a train at 2 am. This line is now worked to its maximum capacity which could not be increased under pressure and may have to be cut down somewhat if found impracticable to continue at this pressure if tractors will not stand it. Officer of RA Heavy Artillery (Lt Gee RA) attached. Tramways by request to control the ammo supply service, which at present wants more control as Bde requirements not fully known.
21 November 1916
Work as usual but the No 1 Section working on the Peake Wood -- High Wood line, portions being work at Bazentin sidings and tramway yard being completed. Standard gauge, drained crossings E of Bazentin and tracks being relaid. 800 yds of Factory Corner line formation prepared to take rails, many shell leaks again immediately W of Flers Switch -- repaired. Longueval - Flers - Factory Corner taken over from 2nd Australian Div. for use of RT Bde RT Div. Pending condition of new trench.Traffic Control offices also maintenance gang furnished by 1 Div and located at Longueval. Went over to see if all correct. Martinpuich St extension commenced by Pioneers of 48 Div under CRE 48 Div. The High Wood left hand (Willows Ave to Crescent Alley) to be taken up and relaid from same point Crescent Alley back toward Martinpuich
22-23 November 1916
Rt Div extended Rt as far as Factory Corner, Left Div (48 Div) extended 2 nights as far as Eaucourt L' Abbaye. Work of boarding High Wood -- Eaucourt suspended for lack of timber (poling Boards)
24-25 November 1916
Work as usual. Rt Div working parties on new formation relieved by order of CE. Visited the Sausage Valley line, now in hands of 138.A.T. CRE of which portion E of Pozieres falls now within III Corps area. The line at present leaves II Corps entirely, is handling up to 100 tons daily -- Recommended that pending the connection now being made between it and the Peake Wood - Martinpuich line ( with R.O.D Steam Tractors) being completed that it continue to operate as at present and then be taken over by R.O.D present establishment. (III Corps Tramways) Largely difficulties to use the 2 long lines already in the Corps area.
26-27 November 1916
Work as usual. Track laying on High Wood -- Factory Corner -- line is slow owing to track not having enough sleepers -- 500 yds about laid to date. Arrangements for the supply to many Battalions E & W of Bazentin is working smoothly (40-60 tons of heavy ammo handled daily) 27 November, new loops sited on Martinpuich line -- Martinpuich Rt, extension progressing satisfactorily - work of ballasting between Martinpuich and Peake Wood remaining completion and should last well being boarded on sides and down centre of track. Started new trench to connect up Martinpuich - Peake Wood to Bazentin High Wood line -- Formation easy on the whole line. Will serve group of Heavy Batts, respectively E of Villa Jcn.
28-29 November 1916
Rt Div, working parties further reduced owing to Bde relief and losses. Considerable traffic growth experienced owing to large demand of RAMC for trenches for "Trench Feet" & wounded cases. Solution will be special pushing parties to the ADS-RAMC. Sapper Reynolds killed by shell fire.
30 November 1916
Lt Latersly RE with RA permanent working party commenced new line from neighbourhood of Villa Jcn -- all Artillery lines E of Bazentin in fine condition except 200 yds of track line unstability W of High Wood Jcn - Martinpuich Rt. Extension reached Bde HQ in Martinpuich. No 1 Section now wholley employed on track laying on Factory Corner extension. Progress about 250yds daily (including use of timber sleepers) Formation 2100 yds completed.
1-4 November 1916
Coy employed as throughout October on special employment -- Maintenance, construction of III Corps Tramways with permanent working party " B Echelon 7 Field Coy -- consisting of 4 Platoons of Pioneers, 4 of Infantry drawn from; 1st, 15th, 48th and 50th Divisions. The Platoons at present greatly under strength, Pioneer Platoons of 15 in strength employed principally on maintenance and other duties on Peake Wood -- Martipuich line, 1/2 Platoon of 50 Pioneers on same work on Bazentin -- Eaucourt line. About 1 Platoon of Infantry employed on the traffic control duties on both lines. No 1 Section (Lt Chaplin) maintenance Bazentin- High Wood line. No 2 Section (Lt Baker) construction Peake Wood -- Martinpuich line. 3 Section (Lt Thompson) laying ballasting branch lines to secure heavy artillery. 4 Section (Lt Slattery) ballasting Bazentin - High Wood - work slow owing to scarcity of ballast. About 3 weeks work left though line nearly ready to take petrol tractor traffic.
3 November, No 1 Section put on work with tramways yard viz, making extensions and branches on the Decauville Sidings, tractor shed and hut for 20 men. 4 November; Work as usual. No 3 Section completed branch work.
5-6 November 1916
No 3 Section started on Corps lines at High Wood Station. No 2 Section and working party delayed by shelling somewhat. 1 killed and 2 wounded in B Echelon
7 November 1916
Work as usual. No petrol tractors being yet required for High Wood. Bazentin assignments to withdraw daily 12 tractors from the High Wood - Eaucourt line for day work on the former flank -- This necessitated for want of trucks -- Special arrangements for dealing with wounded on this line made on the 6th reported as having worked smoothly ( 26 trucks placed at disposal of the RAMC -- except between the hours of 2pm -6pm)
8 November 1916
Two "trains" of hand pushed trucks made available during day (10am -2pm) for use of Divisional RA as all required by Corps Artillery.
9 November 1916
Standard gauge rail cut 60cm track E of Bazentin which likely to interfere with traffic on this work for 2 days. No1 Section started on platform CT Bazentin sidings. Timber and materials for 75+ platforms sent by CE III Corps
10-12 November 1916
Work as usual. No 3 Section completed works at High Wood Stn and 1/2 completed drainage, also completed 2 loops between High Wood and Bazentin. Petrol tractor received and arrangements made to start tractor traffic for heavy artillery, only from the 15th. Mametz Wood trench for heavy artillery, supply extended and now in use by H.A. for hand pushed trolley lanes. 6 good Boa Boggy wagons received, each will carry 8 ton load.
13 November 1916
Standard gauge track doubled in Bazentin Stn, cutting 60cm line again. Divisional crossing required as likely to take 3 days to complete being at an acute angle.
No 4 Section commenced railing track in cuttings and further timbering and ballasting. Arrangements made on 12th for wounded evacuation, consequent on operations of 50 Div reported as having worked well - line much broken by shell fire in neighbourhood of Flers. Internal traffic held up, numerous shell holes in Martinpuich neighbourhood repaired fairly quickly
14 November 1916
Improved control required beyond Villa Jcn. Improvements made for post immediately E of Martinpuich, Portion of maintenance gang (9th Gordons) to be located there, also 48 Div assisting R.C.O.(Lt Buyers 9th Gordons) with further men and pioneers.
14 November: After a brigade relief, the Northumberland Fusiliers -149th Brigade -repeated the Durhams' attack of last week. They took 200 yards of enemy trenches, but did not attempt the Butte. There is an old German dump of engineer stores at Martinpuich, which is useful. On my round of the lines this morning, I came across Driver Thomas, who was stuck with a limber on the Bazentin-Martinpuich road. The mud was two or three feet deep and, there having been no rain for a few days, was very thick and glutinous. His horse, Blondin, had leaned forward to start the limber, but just as it was going forward, she found herself unable to draw her feet out of the mud, and so fell forward on to her shoulder.There were some infantry working on the road, and the officer gave me several men to help. We practically carried the limber out of the mud, as it was empty and could have been pulled by a terrier on a hard road. We are lucky in getting sleepers, ballast and trench boards from the German dump in Martinpuich.
22 November: Baker and I took a day off and rode into Albert, where we had lunch in the Cafe du Jeu de Paume. The worst of living in an area where there has been a push is that one is in a wilderness, and has to ride 8 or 10 miles back to find an inhabited village. It is marvellous how one longs for a sight of civilized life again. Albert is partly in ruins, and there are very few inhabitants, but it seemed like a metropolis to us. There were even two women in the cafe. I have not seen an unruined village since 1 September. We are sick of working on these horrid tramlines. I wish we were back with the infantry in the trenches, as we were at Zillebeke.
15 November 1916
Extension beyond Flers Switch much damaged, it was decided to abandon this position of High Wood - Eaucourt line for the present as infantry prefer to go around rather than use this portion. Petrol tractor service started -- 12 horse tip trucks converted for use with tram only. All are trucks of good distinction type, suited for tractor haulage or man handling. 2 engines taken off Peake Wood line giving 8 at Peake Wood, 4 at Bazentin
16 November 1916
Work as usual. Good progress being made on the ballasting and protection work on the Peake Wood -- Martinpuich line but more latting wanted which cannot be found. The Bazentin -- High Wood trenches ready for petrol tractor service. ? Peake Wood traffic services arranged with R.C.O (Lt Musson 9th Gordons) to run in 2 ? Services (2 trains leaving Peake Wood at 2am) to take rations for left Division: (48th) from Peake Wood to Martinpuich. Received orders from CE to get new trench put in fast to serve Rt: Bde of Rt: Div (1st) on their taking over Sector near Leed (?) by left Div of Australian Corps. Reconnoitred and settled on new line.
17-19 November 1916
Showed site of new night trench "High Wood -- Factory Corner" line to 2nd Lt Glubb & 2nd Lt Thompson (the latter taking charge of work with No3 Section and handing any present work to Section of 1st Lowland Field Company RE from 18th) Line chosen runs from: M.34.c.3.1 (jcn with High Wood -- Eaucourt line) to join up with Longueval -- Flers line in M.30.d then to Factory Corner in M.19.d -- total length of new line 2800 yds of which first 800 yds will be slow owing to difficult formation
(cuttings & embankments after which, formation is easy. 1 Platoon of B Echelon ( Welch Pioneers 1st Div) and working parties up to 300 of 1st Div will be available
109 Constr Coy RE completed standard gauge crossings in S.14.b. Starting tractor service being now run E of Bazentin -- 4 tractors as ordered badly required, 1 only received to date.
18 November, bad wet weather stopped Lt Thompsons levelling on new trench. Working parties of 1 Div commence from 19th. 150 yds formation prepared. 19 November,1st Div working parties on new extension received.and worked well. Work at present mainly night work as formation crosses exposed ridge - work done on it by day with smaller in parties
20 November 1916
Arranged with Lt Musson to further increase the petrol tractor service on the Peake Wood line, also receiving a train at 2 am. This line is now worked to its maximum capacity which could not be increased under pressure and may have to be cut down somewhat if found impracticable to continue at this pressure if tractors will not stand it. Officer of RA Heavy Artillery (Lt Gee RA) attached. Tramways by request to control the ammo supply service, which at present wants more control as Bde requirements not fully known.
21 November 1916
Work as usual but the No 1 Section working on the Peake Wood -- High Wood line, portions being work at Bazentin sidings and tramway yard being completed. Standard gauge, drained crossings E of Bazentin and tracks being relaid. 800 yds of Factory Corner line formation prepared to take rails, many shell leaks again immediately W of Flers Switch -- repaired. Longueval - Flers - Factory Corner taken over from 2nd Australian Div. for use of RT Bde RT Div. Pending condition of new trench.Traffic Control offices also maintenance gang furnished by 1 Div and located at Longueval. Went over to see if all correct. Martinpuich St extension commenced by Pioneers of 48 Div under CRE 48 Div. The High Wood left hand (Willows Ave to Crescent Alley) to be taken up and relaid from same point Crescent Alley back toward Martinpuich
22-23 November 1916
Rt Div extended Rt as far as Factory Corner, Left Div (48 Div) extended 2 nights as far as Eaucourt L' Abbaye. Work of boarding High Wood -- Eaucourt suspended for lack of timber (poling Boards)
24-25 November 1916
Work as usual. Rt Div working parties on new formation relieved by order of CE. Visited the Sausage Valley line, now in hands of 138.A.T. CRE of which portion E of Pozieres falls now within III Corps area. The line at present leaves II Corps entirely, is handling up to 100 tons daily -- Recommended that pending the connection now being made between it and the Peake Wood - Martinpuich line ( with R.O.D Steam Tractors) being completed that it continue to operate as at present and then be taken over by R.O.D present establishment. (III Corps Tramways) Largely difficulties to use the 2 long lines already in the Corps area.
26-27 November 1916
Work as usual. Track laying on High Wood -- Factory Corner -- line is slow owing to track not having enough sleepers -- 500 yds about laid to date. Arrangements for the supply to many Battalions E & W of Bazentin is working smoothly (40-60 tons of heavy ammo handled daily) 27 November, new loops sited on Martinpuich line -- Martinpuich Rt, extension progressing satisfactorily - work of ballasting between Martinpuich and Peake Wood remaining completion and should last well being boarded on sides and down centre of track. Started new trench to connect up Martinpuich - Peake Wood to Bazentin High Wood line -- Formation easy on the whole line. Will serve group of Heavy Batts, respectively E of Villa Jcn.
28-29 November 1916
Rt Div, working parties further reduced owing to Bde relief and losses. Considerable traffic growth experienced owing to large demand of RAMC for trenches for "Trench Feet" & wounded cases. Solution will be special pushing parties to the ADS-RAMC. Sapper Reynolds killed by shell fire.
30 November 1916
Lt Latersly RE with RA permanent working party commenced new line from neighbourhood of Villa Jcn -- all Artillery lines E of Bazentin in fine condition except 200 yds of track line unstability W of High Wood Jcn - Martinpuich Rt. Extension reached Bde HQ in Martinpuich. No 1 Section now wholley employed on track laying on Factory Corner extension. Progress about 250yds daily (including use of timber sleepers) Formation 2100 yds completed.
December 1916
1-31 December 1916
The Company throughout December continued to be employed entirely on 3rd Corps tramlines that is in 2 systems (1) Bazentin - High Wood - Eaucourt L'Abbaye
(2) Peake Wood - Martinpuich and were responsible for all maintenance, traffic construction, forward extensions being used by the Divisions in the line. The W.W in No1 line, 48 Div relieved on the 15th by 15 Div on the left. No 2 line certain Traffic Control Officers appointed by 3 Corps worked under O.C 7 Field Coy RE on traffic control. Permanent working party (B Echelon 7 Fd Coy) made up with different units of 3 Corps, in strength about 9 officers and 400 O.R.s furnished permanent working parties further with 1 officer and 50 RA for work on the Artillery trench lines. 2nd Lt Glubb (acting Capt 7 Coy) acted i/c of all construction. 2nd Lt Baker 7 Coy- i/c of construction No2 line, 2nd Lt Thompson i/c construction No1 line. The main line and Artillery track lines were not in fit condition to take petrol traction by 1st December, reason as follows:- No1 line as far as High Wood (main difficulty being attaining ballast - no chalk quarry available. No 2 as far as Pt: M.33.c.3.6 immediately S of Martinpuich on the Rt hand track, at M.32.d.2.4 immediately S.W of Martipuich CM on the left hand -- beyond these points only hand pushing was in force. The situation as up to construction by 31 Dec as follows:- No1 line (Bazentin-High Wood) fit for petrol traction as far as High Wood only but carried on to
Pt: S.3.a.6.5 though not operated beyond High Wood Stn in S. 3.a.-- also the sector from Starfish Siding (M.34.a.7.4) to Flers Switch dump (1200 yds) M.29.a.2.2 was well timbered and boarded and fit for traction. This point was done before the track portion being very bad even for hand pushing. Branch line from Boast Trench Jcn to Factory Corner completed during the month by the 13 Dec -- Poling boarded as far as Turks Lane dump and fit for petrol traction to that point -- 4 loops on main line between Bazentin and High Wood put in, the heavy cuttings continued and many portions reballasted. Ballasting of artillery trench lines also completed - 140 yds of Platform AT Bazentin sidings made. On the Peake Wood- Martinpuich section, situation on the 31st Dec as follows:- The whole length from Peake Wood to Martinpuich Jcn (ballasted the previous month) straightened out and bad places made fit to carry bogey wagons, which it could not primarily carry - The line from Martinpuich Jcn to Gilbert Alley (M.26.b.3,5) ballasted (brick vc from Martinpuich) and boarded and made fit for petrol traction except the last 300 yds where final working is necessarily done by day by small parties. Right: trench from Martinpuich Jcn - the line ballasted from M.32.c.3,6 to Martinpuich Stn (NE of Martinpuich)
M.27.c.7.2 to which point motor traction pending. On the 14th the line extended (by 48th and 15th Div) to M.20.a.7.9 (limit of extension as beyond this point the extension not considered feasible. Various loops and sidings constructed.
Employment of Sections from 1st - 31st December
No1 Section (Lt Chaplin RE) - construction of new line from M.34.b.3.5 to Turks Lane (m.30.b.9.4)m - line was well prepared as far as Edward's Post. 15th-22nd Flers -- Turks Lane line, Ballasting and Sleepering. 23rd erecting huts for artillery ammo supply personnel on Bazentin artillery sidings. 25-27 making platforms at Bazentin sidings and work in tramways yard. 28th-31st constructing platforms on Bazentin sidings. No 2 Section (Lt Baker) 1st-8th Ballasting and improving between Peake Wood and Villa Stn. Ballasting between Martinpuich Jcn and Ammo siding. 9-16th straightening and improving from Villa Stn northwards. Ballasting and boarding from Martinpuich Jcn to Gun Pit Road - constructing Ammo sidings - putting in loop at M.27c.63. Putting in Orchard Loop 16-22nd Ballasting (day and night work) from Gun Pit Rd to Gilbert Alley. Ballasting Corps lines, putting in drainage Villa Stn. 26th-31st widening and improving Gun Pit Road, cuttings, straightening up and Ballasting between Gun Pit siding and Gilbert Alley. Draining the line in various places -- reballasting and improving Peake Wood and Bailiff Wood sidings.
No 3 Section (Lt Thompson) 1st-9th Ballasting and improving cuttings, draining from Boast trench Jcn to Turks Lane on the N.W branch of High Wood line.
10th-12th Timbering and boarding from Willows Jcn northwards. 13th-24th Boarding, sleepering, straightening the line and making fit for traction from 7 Elms to Star Fish siding on High Wood -- Eaucourt line. 26th-31st putting in sidings and loops at Flers Switch dump at water point siding and 7 Elms point and preparing this line in this neighbourhood for petrol traction. 14th -26th Laying and ballasting new line from Villa Jcn towards Bazentin -- Le Petit (about 800 yds completed fit for petrol traction) Raising by 5' on out piers and embankments 150 yds of line. Lt Thompson RE sent to work under D.G.T at GHQ on the 28th. No 3 Section taken over by 2nd Lt Littlewood RE
No 4 Section 1st-15th ballasting, raising and straightening line fro Cuttings Loop to High Wood Stn. 15th - 31st Ballasting throughout High Wood Stn to Rutherford Siding, putting in certain cross overs in High Wood Stn, platforming and draining the heavy cuttings on both sides of track where much work by pushing parties online between Bazentin Sidings and Cuttings Loop.
General:- All Sections had men employed throughout the month in the repair shops at Bazentin (III Corps Tramways HQ) and Peake Wood.
1 December: It is freezing and foggy. The only way ever to get warm is to walk up to Eaucourt or Martinpuich at 5 miles per hour, as soon as possible after breakfast. My daily afternoon ride back to Becourt is an agony for hands and feet.
11 December: Warmer again, and therefore rainy and incredibly muddy. Our Becourt camp is beyond words. We built it in September about 200 yards from the road in a good grass field. It is now surrounded by a sea of mud about two feet deep. It is impossible to get even empty wagons into the camp. The men have to ride in, the horses laboriously ploughing their way, plastering each other with showers of filth. The men are perpetually mud-soaked, the mud being almost knee-deep between their little huts. Trench boards are unobtainable. At Bazentin I have rigged up a tiny hut for myself, of corrugated iron and felt. It is nine feet by six, the size of a large dining table, is lined inside with green canvas and looks luxurious. For furniture I have a wire netting bed, a table and stool and a small stove. Over the bed, I have pinned up Lady Butler's picture of the Fusiliers at Albuera, entitled Steady the Drums and Fifes. Over the table, is a map of the Siege of Port Arthur, as I am studying the Russo-Japanese War, when I have an evening off. Donaghie, my batman, lights the stove at tea time with wood picked up in Mametz Wood, and I come in to thaw after my icy ride to Becourt. Then I make out company orders for the next day and work-tables for the sappers and B Echelon, in the intervals of being called to the telephone. I feel quite ashamed of all this luxury really. However I suppose one can be a fine soldier without always being in the front line of
danger, and the improvement of one's unit is always a joy. Presumably the whole object of life can be summed up in the words of the Church Catechism -'To do my duty in that state of life to which it has pleased God to call me.' As a matter of fact, however, our parties of sappers have been rather strafed recently, round and in front of Martinpuich.
My daily ride to Becourt has been getting increasingly wearisome lately. Minx finds it the same. She hates the road to Becourt and trails along it, stumbling and dragging her feet, with no interest in life. Then I lose my temper and strike her furiously. A few days ago, when going round the line with McQueen, which he rarely has time to do, I lost my temper and answered back his criticism. I am always very sorry for these episodes. A few minutes later, we heard the whine of a shell approaching. Everyone threw himself on the ground, including McQueen. Feeling ruffled, I deliberately re mained defiantly standing up, scornfully surveying the scene! The shell burst a little way off, and no one was hit. I find one gets one's mind very full of work here, living engrossed in a tiny world. The daily hustling and driving fill one's thoughts day and night. All the same, I try by reading for a short time in the evening, to keep my mind from this narrow groove. On 26 December, Dad sent a car to fetch me. It arrived at 4 p.m. and we had a long and difficult drive to Cassel in darkness and fog. I very much enjoyed the drive, as it was the first time for four months I had seen houses standing, and civilians and women. Doullens was a joy to me. The pavements shining and wet, the people bobbing past with umbrellas, the lighted shop windows, the women, wearing smart clothes, paying for their purchases in the shops. It is like paradise waking up in Cassel after four month s on the Somme front; hearing from bed a cock crow, the birds singing, and seeing a tree waving in front of the window. Then looking out of the window and seeing the meadows and the vale, stretching away to the misty horizon, thick with trees and hedges, and an occasional cluster of little roofs, surmounted by a tall church spire. After breakfast, I went for a ride on Dad's bay mare. In the fields, the old men were ploughing, while he women and girls were looking after the farmyards and the pigs. On 29 December, I returned to the company, having bought some under clothing and a football for the drivers. I felt much happier after three days away from my mud wilderness. The drivers are very good in some ways, especially in looking after their horses, but their camp is an indescribable morass of mud.
Although ten weeks have passed since our attack on 15 September and the capture of High Wood, the problem of transportation across the two mile belt to our new front line' is still as far from solution as ever. Every square yard of soil has been blown up, flung into the air and shaken into powder. The tiny roots which ordinarily keep the earth together have all been dusted out. The whole country has become a morass of thick lentil soup, almost impassable even on foot. In dry weather, the ground is soft like castor sugar. In wet weather, it defies all description.Sixty-centimetre gauge tramlines are in general better than roads jammed with horse traffic. A more or less levelled 'formation ' has first to be prepared and the rails laid along it. The rails with their sleepers distribute the load over a considerable area of surface and do not, therefore, sink in, like the wheels of a wagon. A comparatively small tramways truck can carry as much as a large cumbrous wagon.In areas west of High Wood and Martinpuich the tramway trains are now pulled by small motor tractors. In front of High Wood, in view of the enemy, the trucks are pushed by hand, but it is.much easier to push a truck than to carry the load on one 's back. Moreover if the Boche begin to shell, the men can scatter and take cover in shell holes, which is easier than having a mass of horses and wagons to disentangle. Sometimes, in the early morning, going up one of the tramlines, you come upon two or three waxen-faced corpses, lying distorted in little pools of blood, killed the night before by a shell, when going up the line.
There are also many rough crosses dotted about, made out of pieces of wooden ration boxes.
1-31 December 1916
The Company throughout December continued to be employed entirely on 3rd Corps tramlines that is in 2 systems (1) Bazentin - High Wood - Eaucourt L'Abbaye
(2) Peake Wood - Martinpuich and were responsible for all maintenance, traffic construction, forward extensions being used by the Divisions in the line. The W.W in No1 line, 48 Div relieved on the 15th by 15 Div on the left. No 2 line certain Traffic Control Officers appointed by 3 Corps worked under O.C 7 Field Coy RE on traffic control. Permanent working party (B Echelon 7 Fd Coy) made up with different units of 3 Corps, in strength about 9 officers and 400 O.R.s furnished permanent working parties further with 1 officer and 50 RA for work on the Artillery trench lines. 2nd Lt Glubb (acting Capt 7 Coy) acted i/c of all construction. 2nd Lt Baker 7 Coy- i/c of construction No2 line, 2nd Lt Thompson i/c construction No1 line. The main line and Artillery track lines were not in fit condition to take petrol traction by 1st December, reason as follows:- No1 line as far as High Wood (main difficulty being attaining ballast - no chalk quarry available. No 2 as far as Pt: M.33.c.3.6 immediately S of Martinpuich on the Rt hand track, at M.32.d.2.4 immediately S.W of Martipuich CM on the left hand -- beyond these points only hand pushing was in force. The situation as up to construction by 31 Dec as follows:- No1 line (Bazentin-High Wood) fit for petrol traction as far as High Wood only but carried on to
Pt: S.3.a.6.5 though not operated beyond High Wood Stn in S. 3.a.-- also the sector from Starfish Siding (M.34.a.7.4) to Flers Switch dump (1200 yds) M.29.a.2.2 was well timbered and boarded and fit for traction. This point was done before the track portion being very bad even for hand pushing. Branch line from Boast Trench Jcn to Factory Corner completed during the month by the 13 Dec -- Poling boarded as far as Turks Lane dump and fit for petrol traction to that point -- 4 loops on main line between Bazentin and High Wood put in, the heavy cuttings continued and many portions reballasted. Ballasting of artillery trench lines also completed - 140 yds of Platform AT Bazentin sidings made. On the Peake Wood- Martinpuich section, situation on the 31st Dec as follows:- The whole length from Peake Wood to Martinpuich Jcn (ballasted the previous month) straightened out and bad places made fit to carry bogey wagons, which it could not primarily carry - The line from Martinpuich Jcn to Gilbert Alley (M.26.b.3,5) ballasted (brick vc from Martinpuich) and boarded and made fit for petrol traction except the last 300 yds where final working is necessarily done by day by small parties. Right: trench from Martinpuich Jcn - the line ballasted from M.32.c.3,6 to Martinpuich Stn (NE of Martinpuich)
M.27.c.7.2 to which point motor traction pending. On the 14th the line extended (by 48th and 15th Div) to M.20.a.7.9 (limit of extension as beyond this point the extension not considered feasible. Various loops and sidings constructed.
Employment of Sections from 1st - 31st December
No1 Section (Lt Chaplin RE) - construction of new line from M.34.b.3.5 to Turks Lane (m.30.b.9.4)m - line was well prepared as far as Edward's Post. 15th-22nd Flers -- Turks Lane line, Ballasting and Sleepering. 23rd erecting huts for artillery ammo supply personnel on Bazentin artillery sidings. 25-27 making platforms at Bazentin sidings and work in tramways yard. 28th-31st constructing platforms on Bazentin sidings. No 2 Section (Lt Baker) 1st-8th Ballasting and improving between Peake Wood and Villa Stn. Ballasting between Martinpuich Jcn and Ammo siding. 9-16th straightening and improving from Villa Stn northwards. Ballasting and boarding from Martinpuich Jcn to Gun Pit Road - constructing Ammo sidings - putting in loop at M.27c.63. Putting in Orchard Loop 16-22nd Ballasting (day and night work) from Gun Pit Rd to Gilbert Alley. Ballasting Corps lines, putting in drainage Villa Stn. 26th-31st widening and improving Gun Pit Road, cuttings, straightening up and Ballasting between Gun Pit siding and Gilbert Alley. Draining the line in various places -- reballasting and improving Peake Wood and Bailiff Wood sidings.
No 3 Section (Lt Thompson) 1st-9th Ballasting and improving cuttings, draining from Boast trench Jcn to Turks Lane on the N.W branch of High Wood line.
10th-12th Timbering and boarding from Willows Jcn northwards. 13th-24th Boarding, sleepering, straightening the line and making fit for traction from 7 Elms to Star Fish siding on High Wood -- Eaucourt line. 26th-31st putting in sidings and loops at Flers Switch dump at water point siding and 7 Elms point and preparing this line in this neighbourhood for petrol traction. 14th -26th Laying and ballasting new line from Villa Jcn towards Bazentin -- Le Petit (about 800 yds completed fit for petrol traction) Raising by 5' on out piers and embankments 150 yds of line. Lt Thompson RE sent to work under D.G.T at GHQ on the 28th. No 3 Section taken over by 2nd Lt Littlewood RE
No 4 Section 1st-15th ballasting, raising and straightening line fro Cuttings Loop to High Wood Stn. 15th - 31st Ballasting throughout High Wood Stn to Rutherford Siding, putting in certain cross overs in High Wood Stn, platforming and draining the heavy cuttings on both sides of track where much work by pushing parties online between Bazentin Sidings and Cuttings Loop.
General:- All Sections had men employed throughout the month in the repair shops at Bazentin (III Corps Tramways HQ) and Peake Wood.
1 December: It is freezing and foggy. The only way ever to get warm is to walk up to Eaucourt or Martinpuich at 5 miles per hour, as soon as possible after breakfast. My daily afternoon ride back to Becourt is an agony for hands and feet.
11 December: Warmer again, and therefore rainy and incredibly muddy. Our Becourt camp is beyond words. We built it in September about 200 yards from the road in a good grass field. It is now surrounded by a sea of mud about two feet deep. It is impossible to get even empty wagons into the camp. The men have to ride in, the horses laboriously ploughing their way, plastering each other with showers of filth. The men are perpetually mud-soaked, the mud being almost knee-deep between their little huts. Trench boards are unobtainable. At Bazentin I have rigged up a tiny hut for myself, of corrugated iron and felt. It is nine feet by six, the size of a large dining table, is lined inside with green canvas and looks luxurious. For furniture I have a wire netting bed, a table and stool and a small stove. Over the bed, I have pinned up Lady Butler's picture of the Fusiliers at Albuera, entitled Steady the Drums and Fifes. Over the table, is a map of the Siege of Port Arthur, as I am studying the Russo-Japanese War, when I have an evening off. Donaghie, my batman, lights the stove at tea time with wood picked up in Mametz Wood, and I come in to thaw after my icy ride to Becourt. Then I make out company orders for the next day and work-tables for the sappers and B Echelon, in the intervals of being called to the telephone. I feel quite ashamed of all this luxury really. However I suppose one can be a fine soldier without always being in the front line of
danger, and the improvement of one's unit is always a joy. Presumably the whole object of life can be summed up in the words of the Church Catechism -'To do my duty in that state of life to which it has pleased God to call me.' As a matter of fact, however, our parties of sappers have been rather strafed recently, round and in front of Martinpuich.
My daily ride to Becourt has been getting increasingly wearisome lately. Minx finds it the same. She hates the road to Becourt and trails along it, stumbling and dragging her feet, with no interest in life. Then I lose my temper and strike her furiously. A few days ago, when going round the line with McQueen, which he rarely has time to do, I lost my temper and answered back his criticism. I am always very sorry for these episodes. A few minutes later, we heard the whine of a shell approaching. Everyone threw himself on the ground, including McQueen. Feeling ruffled, I deliberately re mained defiantly standing up, scornfully surveying the scene! The shell burst a little way off, and no one was hit. I find one gets one's mind very full of work here, living engrossed in a tiny world. The daily hustling and driving fill one's thoughts day and night. All the same, I try by reading for a short time in the evening, to keep my mind from this narrow groove. On 26 December, Dad sent a car to fetch me. It arrived at 4 p.m. and we had a long and difficult drive to Cassel in darkness and fog. I very much enjoyed the drive, as it was the first time for four months I had seen houses standing, and civilians and women. Doullens was a joy to me. The pavements shining and wet, the people bobbing past with umbrellas, the lighted shop windows, the women, wearing smart clothes, paying for their purchases in the shops. It is like paradise waking up in Cassel after four month s on the Somme front; hearing from bed a cock crow, the birds singing, and seeing a tree waving in front of the window. Then looking out of the window and seeing the meadows and the vale, stretching away to the misty horizon, thick with trees and hedges, and an occasional cluster of little roofs, surmounted by a tall church spire. After breakfast, I went for a ride on Dad's bay mare. In the fields, the old men were ploughing, while he women and girls were looking after the farmyards and the pigs. On 29 December, I returned to the company, having bought some under clothing and a football for the drivers. I felt much happier after three days away from my mud wilderness. The drivers are very good in some ways, especially in looking after their horses, but their camp is an indescribable morass of mud.
Although ten weeks have passed since our attack on 15 September and the capture of High Wood, the problem of transportation across the two mile belt to our new front line' is still as far from solution as ever. Every square yard of soil has been blown up, flung into the air and shaken into powder. The tiny roots which ordinarily keep the earth together have all been dusted out. The whole country has become a morass of thick lentil soup, almost impassable even on foot. In dry weather, the ground is soft like castor sugar. In wet weather, it defies all description.Sixty-centimetre gauge tramlines are in general better than roads jammed with horse traffic. A more or less levelled 'formation ' has first to be prepared and the rails laid along it. The rails with their sleepers distribute the load over a considerable area of surface and do not, therefore, sink in, like the wheels of a wagon. A comparatively small tramways truck can carry as much as a large cumbrous wagon.In areas west of High Wood and Martinpuich the tramway trains are now pulled by small motor tractors. In front of High Wood, in view of the enemy, the trucks are pushed by hand, but it is.much easier to push a truck than to carry the load on one 's back. Moreover if the Boche begin to shell, the men can scatter and take cover in shell holes, which is easier than having a mass of horses and wagons to disentangle. Sometimes, in the early morning, going up one of the tramlines, you come upon two or three waxen-faced corpses, lying distorted in little pools of blood, killed the night before by a shell, when going up the line.
There are also many rough crosses dotted about, made out of pieces of wooden ration boxes.
Goodbye Old Man:
Water colour by Italian artist Fortunino Matania showing a British soldier saying farewell to his dying horse. The painting was commissioned in 1916 to raise money for The Blue Cross Fund and now hangs in the charity’s animal hospital in Victoria, London
Water colour by Italian artist Fortunino Matania showing a British soldier saying farewell to his dying horse. The painting was commissioned in 1916 to raise money for The Blue Cross Fund and now hangs in the charity’s animal hospital in Victoria, London
| Bromley.W.W.H | Lance Corporal | 17146 | K.I.A | 19-7-1916 |
Many of the above sites have been revisited on the Black Horse Trail 2016
http://www.shiny7.uk/blackhorsetrail2016.html
http://www.shiny7.uk/blackhorsetrail2016.html