7 Field Company Royal Engineers July - December 1917 Diary
War Diary July - December 1917
1 July 1917: The Company ceased work on the artillery dug outs near Heninel, and Nos 2, 3 and 4 Sections marched to new dugouts, which they constructed for themselves in Niger trench just west of Wancourt Cemetery.
2 July 1917: A new Sector of trenches, from Kesterel Avenue to Arras Cambrai Road was taken over from the 56th Division. Work was commenced on this sector on the 3rd, the following distribution to work being used:- Nos 3 & 4 Sections working in front of support line according to the wishes expressed by the G.O.C. of Brigade sector, at this time 151st.
No 3 Section on the front line in Jackdaw Trench, No 4 Section in digging Hoe Trench, the support line between the river Cojeul and the Cambrai Road.
Nos 1 & 2 sections working further behind on the reserve or intermediate lines, chiefly on dug outs under the instructions of the C.R.E. The sector was very quiet during this period except for an occasional bombardment or raid, both by ourselves and the enemy.
The trenches, which were mostly less than six weeks old , except for a few old German ones, (this ground having been only captured in April) were on the whole bad. They were mostly very shallow and contained no cover of any kind with the result that they had been 'undercut' everywhere by men trying to get into some shelter. No revetting and very little trench boarding or sand bagging had been done. There was no fire trench with traverses, properly made firebays, wire and shelters in the whole area. While from 76% of the fire trenches it was impossible to fire at all. Owing to fine weather and little shelling, work progressed rapidly the following being the main works done:-
Sector R Cojeul to Cambrai Road
a. Support line, Hoe Support re-dug to 6' depth, sandbagged,trench boarded and provided with splinter proof shelter in each bay.
b. Splinter proofs put in, in Cavalry Trench, Rake Trench and Farm Trench.
C. Tunnel 200ft long dug to two M.G nests in front of Rake Trench.
Sector. R Cojeul to Kesterel Avenue
a, Communication trench from Bison to Ape Support, now called Shikar Avenue, dug and boarded.
b. Ape Support line dug to 6 foot depth, firebays and shelters put in, and the whole trench boarded.
c. Guemappe - Cherisy road make good for wheeled traffic up to the crossing over Kesterel Avenue. Several other small jobs were also carried out.
On the 10th July, 2nd Lt Littlewood was killed by a stray field gun shell when walking across the open from Shikar to Kesterel Avenues by night.
On the 31st July, Major Mcqueen returned from his one months leave but went direct to Divisional Headquarters to work as acting C.R.E during the latters absence on leave.
2 July 1917: A new Sector of trenches, from Kesterel Avenue to Arras Cambrai Road was taken over from the 56th Division. Work was commenced on this sector on the 3rd, the following distribution to work being used:- Nos 3 & 4 Sections working in front of support line according to the wishes expressed by the G.O.C. of Brigade sector, at this time 151st.
No 3 Section on the front line in Jackdaw Trench, No 4 Section in digging Hoe Trench, the support line between the river Cojeul and the Cambrai Road.
Nos 1 & 2 sections working further behind on the reserve or intermediate lines, chiefly on dug outs under the instructions of the C.R.E. The sector was very quiet during this period except for an occasional bombardment or raid, both by ourselves and the enemy.
The trenches, which were mostly less than six weeks old , except for a few old German ones, (this ground having been only captured in April) were on the whole bad. They were mostly very shallow and contained no cover of any kind with the result that they had been 'undercut' everywhere by men trying to get into some shelter. No revetting and very little trench boarding or sand bagging had been done. There was no fire trench with traverses, properly made firebays, wire and shelters in the whole area. While from 76% of the fire trenches it was impossible to fire at all. Owing to fine weather and little shelling, work progressed rapidly the following being the main works done:-
Sector R Cojeul to Cambrai Road
a. Support line, Hoe Support re-dug to 6' depth, sandbagged,trench boarded and provided with splinter proof shelter in each bay.
b. Splinter proofs put in, in Cavalry Trench, Rake Trench and Farm Trench.
C. Tunnel 200ft long dug to two M.G nests in front of Rake Trench.
Sector. R Cojeul to Kesterel Avenue
a, Communication trench from Bison to Ape Support, now called Shikar Avenue, dug and boarded.
b. Ape Support line dug to 6 foot depth, firebays and shelters put in, and the whole trench boarded.
c. Guemappe - Cherisy road make good for wheeled traffic up to the crossing over Kesterel Avenue. Several other small jobs were also carried out.
On the 10th July, 2nd Lt Littlewood was killed by a stray field gun shell when walking across the open from Shikar to Kesterel Avenues by night.
On the 31st July, Major Mcqueen returned from his one months leave but went direct to Divisional Headquarters to work as acting C.R.E during the latters absence on leave.
7 Field Company RE 1917 War Diary source: The National Archives, Kew,TW9 4DU
7 Field Company War Diary in Blue Text
Capt Glubb M.C. Diary in Black Text
Capt Glubb M.C. Diary in Black Text
I had written up to Baker, who was in the advanced billet near Wancourt, to ask if I might come and dine with them, with two bottles of the boy, to celebrate my rise in life'. The same messenger had brought back the note to say that Littlewood was missing. How frivolous and silly my first note suddenly seemed. I was sitting in the company office (a tarpaulin on a frame-work of poles) after getting a note to say that Littlewood was found dead, when Rimbod came in with the bottles of champagne. I could only say 'Oh, he's dead', and then could stand it no longer. I ran out of the office and over the downs behind, for fear anyone should see me in tears. He was buried at midday next day, in the little cemetery of Neuville-Vitasse, close to Chaplin.
As he was a Roman Catholic, Father Evans came up to read the service, the greater part of which was in Latin. Nevertheless I could not stop the tears, when that body so strong, so gallant and so young, was let down by the ropes into its grave. ·
We continued all July, working on the trenches, deepening them and putting in shelters for the men. There were comparatively few casualties, as nearly all the work was done at night. The shelters were cut into the back of the trenches, covered with curved steel corrugated sheets and sandbags. Not a really permanent job, but they were very quick to do, and did not require too many stores, except the steel sectors, which were awkward to carry.
By the end of the month, we had almost every man in the trenches under cover. All north of the Cojeul were anyhow. South of the river we had not quite finished, as there was so much other work to do. Early in the month, the Boche 'came over' in front of Monchy-le-Preux, and took a small piece of trench from the 12th Division. This produced a certain amount of liveliness for the rest of the month, the 12th Division first retaking it, and then the Boche taking it back again. The enemy then became increasingly uppish, seemed to have more guns than we had, and kept the 12th Division rather busy. Most of our guns seemed to have been moved elsewhere. Our barrage was a pitiful affair of about three field guns! In addition, the Boche got up a new, very big gun, reported to be seventeen-inch, which used to shoot at Monchy-le -Preux. It certainly made a noise like an express tram, even when several miles away. A voice once called out from the enemy trenches to the 12th Division, 'We'll have Monchy back on the 31st of this month ' This created huge alarm, but it seemed to me to be a sign that they did not mean to try, or they would not have told us. Boche trench mortars became very troublesome late in July, especially on the sector south of the Cojeul, where they kept firing almost continuously all night, along Buffalo, Ape, Jackdaw and Bison. These 'fishtail' bombs exploded with a very loud detonation, and some of them contained gas, but there did not seem to be much iron in them. The complement of all the work in the trenches, as already noted, was that we had to carry up all the stores, such as sandbags, iron pickets, wire netting, expanded metal, trench boards and, most difficult of all, curved corrugated steel sheets to roof dugouts. Although we held Monchy-le-Preux, the Boche still held ' Boix-du-Vert, just east of Monchy, and which overlooked the whole of our area. Stores could consequently only be moved up at night, and there were no roads passable to wagons in front of Marliere.
I personally reconnoitred a footpath through Guemappe, running over the heaps of rubble and round the shellholes. We, therefore, decided to use our horses in turn as pack animals, one man leading each horse. A dump was established in Marliere, in front of which all stores were taken by pack horse. Later on, we made a track passable for wagons at night through Guemappe, up to Rake Trench, though we suffered some losses in the process. This, however, greatly,relieved the transport situation.
The sector south of the Cojeul was easier, as horsed wagons could reach the west end of Shikar Trench at night. From there, it was possible to use pack horses along the old railway line as far as Egret and Panther trenches. The great object was to save the infantry having to carry all the stores, rations and ammunition up to the line on their backs every night.
McQueen was away on leave the whole of July, and I commanded the company. My daily routine was something as follows:
5.30 am: Got up and dressed and attended morning stables.
7.30am: Breakfast, usually alone . All the officers worked all night and half of them were living in the Wancourt dugouts :
8.00am: Office work, including detailed report to
C. R. E. on work done in the previous twenty four hours.
Then I girded on my tin hat, box respirator and spurs and mounted Minx, and rode across to Brigade Headquarters, south-east of Wancourt, where they occupied an old German mined dugout. I normally found them all having breakfast, and was offered a cup of tea. Daly, the Brigade Major, usually had one of his jokes ready. One day he began, in a serious voice, 'O, I say, Glubb, I've got a job I wish you'd do for us.' Self: 'Certainly. With pleasure. What is it?' Daly: 'Just two or three of your fellows only, to make a railing round my canvas bath. The general always steps into it, when he comes past to breakfast.' This One-Five One Brigade Mess was the most delightful I ever knew. General Cameron, lively, cheerful, humorous, yet keen as mustard, full of ideas, always interested in and grateful for the work we did, and the most conscientious man alive. Daly, neat, cool, always joking, even at the expense of the general. Having escaped from this pleasant piece of liaison, I remounted Minx and rode on down to the bridge between Wancourt and Marliere. Here I dismounted, took off my spurs and sent the horses home. One day I would walk round the trenches north of the Cojeul, and normally the next day round those south of the river. It took about three hours to visit either sector, and at about 1pm, I would be back at our advanced billet in front of Wancourt.
The sector south of the Cojeul was easier, as horsed wagons could reach the west end of Shikar Trench at night. From there, it was possible to use pack horses along the old railway line as far as Egret and Panther trenches. The great object was to save the infantry having to carry all the stores, rations and ammunition up to the line on their backs every night.
McQueen was away on leave the whole of July, and I commanded the company. My daily routine was something as follows:
5.30 am: Got up and dressed and attended morning stables.
7.30am: Breakfast, usually alone . All the officers worked all night and half of them were living in the Wancourt dugouts :
8.00am: Office work, including detailed report to
C. R. E. on work done in the previous twenty four hours.
Then I girded on my tin hat, box respirator and spurs and mounted Minx, and rode across to Brigade Headquarters, south-east of Wancourt, where they occupied an old German mined dugout. I normally found them all having breakfast, and was offered a cup of tea. Daly, the Brigade Major, usually had one of his jokes ready. One day he began, in a serious voice, 'O, I say, Glubb, I've got a job I wish you'd do for us.' Self: 'Certainly. With pleasure. What is it?' Daly: 'Just two or three of your fellows only, to make a railing round my canvas bath. The general always steps into it, when he comes past to breakfast.' This One-Five One Brigade Mess was the most delightful I ever knew. General Cameron, lively, cheerful, humorous, yet keen as mustard, full of ideas, always interested in and grateful for the work we did, and the most conscientious man alive. Daly, neat, cool, always joking, even at the expense of the general. Having escaped from this pleasant piece of liaison, I remounted Minx and rode on down to the bridge between Wancourt and Marliere. Here I dismounted, took off my spurs and sent the horses home. One day I would walk round the trenches north of the Cojeul, and normally the next day round those south of the river. It took about three hours to visit either sector, and at about 1pm, I would be back at our advanced billet in front of Wancourt.
The officers were usually just dressing, having been working all the previous. night in the trenches. After discussions and consultations, I heaved myself once again on to my weary legs, and dragged myself over a couple of miles of desolate hillside to the rear billet.
Three months before, during the Arras battle, these downs had been a vast brown desert of contiguous water soaked shell holes. Now the whole hillside was covered with long weeds, almost breast-high, clothing the whole area in rank green. I should not have believed that nature could have worked so fast.
I particularly remember the ground east and south of Wancourt, covered with great splodges of red poppies and blue cornflowers, the most deep, brilliant patches of flowers I have seen for 'years.
Three months before, during the Arras battle, these downs had been a vast brown desert of contiguous water soaked shell holes. Now the whole hillside was covered with long weeds, almost breast-high, clothing the whole area in rank green. I should not have believed that nature could have worked so fast.
I particularly remember the ground east and south of Wancourt, covered with great splodges of red poppies and blue cornflowers, the most deep, brilliant patches of flowers I have seen for 'years.
Arriving back at the company soon after 2 pm, I would eat a hasty lunch, probably bully beef and milk pudding, and soon after 2.30 pm. I would look into the company office again, to read or sign some routine correspondence. Then, sometimes, I had a short snooze.
At 4 pm, I arose from my snooze, feeling much worse than when I lay down, and returned to the mess for tea. A pile of toast an inch thick and lots of jam made the most appetizing meal of the day. Back to the company office at 4.30 pm, to write orders for tomorrow, reports to brigade, lists of stores and transport required, and the usual routine. Then evening stables, and a talk to the drivers.
About every third or fourth day, I would go round the trenches again at night. The position of an O.C. whose company is all on night work is a difficult one. For practical reasons, he has to be about all day. The daily report of work done has to be sent to Divisional Headquarters at 8.15 am, so even if I stayed out on the work till 3 am, I had to be in the office again at 8 am. Moreover work carried out at night can be much better inspected by daylight. Interviews with superiors, such as the C.R.E. or brigade headquarters, are all day events. The O.C. company is thus the connecting link between his junior officers, who work only at night, and his seniors, who work by day.
The presence of the' O.C. on night work in the trenches has a moral object. He should not countermand the orders of his juniors, or interfere much with them. But the O.C., having given the order for night work, should show that he is not too lazy to share its hardships as well, which may silence a lot of grumbling.
The other great object of the O.C.'s presence is to encourage and set an example. Nos 1 and 3 Sections at this period were inclined to be a little nervous, so I usually walked on top of the trenches when near them, and called odd men up to do the same, as if it were the most everyday affair. Similarly a little bravado I think to be good, such as remaining standing up and not ceasing to talk, when a shell goes close by, and a thousand other little acts of scorn. These really involve no more danger than flinging oneself on the ground, as one can never do so in time. If the shell is going to hit you, you don't hear it coming!
Finally I would arrive back at about 1 am with an ache between my shoulders, and a burning thirst. 'And so to Bed', as Pepys says.
I took to having the drivers to my hut if it were a wet night, after their return from night work, if I was in. I would tell the guard to send them in to me when they got home, and would be woken in the small hours by subdued voices, the light of a hurricane lantern and someone fumbling at the canvas door. Then I sat up in my flea-bag and distributed a tot of neat whisky to each in my tin shaving mug.
When I had an hour off in the evening, I used to have a session with Driver Enderby. He is one of the best drivers we have for care of his horses and for cheerful hard work. He is the only man I have known in the army who could not read or write, and I am trying to complete his education. The horses are turned out to graze every morning at about 9 am and brought in at 11.15. After about a week, they got quite used to it and there was practically no galloping about. Many of them would come in of their own ·accord at about 11 am, and stand waiting on the picket line. There was no fence on the downs for about ten miles, but we had a few men out to watch them. Most of the horse camps were much further back and we had no units round us. It was curious to see these bare hills covered with loose horses grazing, like herds of wild mustangs on the prairies.
At the end of July, we handed our sector of the front line to the Second Northumbrian Field Company, or rather to the 447th Field Company, territorial designations being now abolished. We are due to work for a fortnight on jobs in the back area. I am not much interested in these, but they provide me with pleasant rides across the downs, the various jobs being widely scattered. Minx is now arrayed like a lily of the field. I have an R E. Corps 'breastplate', for her which I bought last year, a white head rope and brass rosettes on her head-collar. All these were ordinary officer's equipment in peacetime, but are rarely seen now. Add to this that she is a compact little cob, round and full of meat and muscle without belly, and a light minxish trot, ears pointed, neck bent, snorting and side stepping at every object.
I have been reading a book called Horses, by Roger Pocock. In it, he says that, if his horse goes badly, he examines his own conduct to see what he has done wrong. Partly owing to this book, I very rarely get angry with Minx now, and I only laugh at her as being a little minx, bursting with the joy of life. She is well balanced, light mouthed, and understands all my signs. Moreover she has learnt to go everywhere, as I like doing, across shell holes, over railway lines, in and out and along trenches, and even slowly and gingerly through wire entanglements.
At 4 pm, I arose from my snooze, feeling much worse than when I lay down, and returned to the mess for tea. A pile of toast an inch thick and lots of jam made the most appetizing meal of the day. Back to the company office at 4.30 pm, to write orders for tomorrow, reports to brigade, lists of stores and transport required, and the usual routine. Then evening stables, and a talk to the drivers.
About every third or fourth day, I would go round the trenches again at night. The position of an O.C. whose company is all on night work is a difficult one. For practical reasons, he has to be about all day. The daily report of work done has to be sent to Divisional Headquarters at 8.15 am, so even if I stayed out on the work till 3 am, I had to be in the office again at 8 am. Moreover work carried out at night can be much better inspected by daylight. Interviews with superiors, such as the C.R.E. or brigade headquarters, are all day events. The O.C. company is thus the connecting link between his junior officers, who work only at night, and his seniors, who work by day.
The presence of the' O.C. on night work in the trenches has a moral object. He should not countermand the orders of his juniors, or interfere much with them. But the O.C., having given the order for night work, should show that he is not too lazy to share its hardships as well, which may silence a lot of grumbling.
The other great object of the O.C.'s presence is to encourage and set an example. Nos 1 and 3 Sections at this period were inclined to be a little nervous, so I usually walked on top of the trenches when near them, and called odd men up to do the same, as if it were the most everyday affair. Similarly a little bravado I think to be good, such as remaining standing up and not ceasing to talk, when a shell goes close by, and a thousand other little acts of scorn. These really involve no more danger than flinging oneself on the ground, as one can never do so in time. If the shell is going to hit you, you don't hear it coming!
Finally I would arrive back at about 1 am with an ache between my shoulders, and a burning thirst. 'And so to Bed', as Pepys says.
I took to having the drivers to my hut if it were a wet night, after their return from night work, if I was in. I would tell the guard to send them in to me when they got home, and would be woken in the small hours by subdued voices, the light of a hurricane lantern and someone fumbling at the canvas door. Then I sat up in my flea-bag and distributed a tot of neat whisky to each in my tin shaving mug.
When I had an hour off in the evening, I used to have a session with Driver Enderby. He is one of the best drivers we have for care of his horses and for cheerful hard work. He is the only man I have known in the army who could not read or write, and I am trying to complete his education. The horses are turned out to graze every morning at about 9 am and brought in at 11.15. After about a week, they got quite used to it and there was practically no galloping about. Many of them would come in of their own ·accord at about 11 am, and stand waiting on the picket line. There was no fence on the downs for about ten miles, but we had a few men out to watch them. Most of the horse camps were much further back and we had no units round us. It was curious to see these bare hills covered with loose horses grazing, like herds of wild mustangs on the prairies.
At the end of July, we handed our sector of the front line to the Second Northumbrian Field Company, or rather to the 447th Field Company, territorial designations being now abolished. We are due to work for a fortnight on jobs in the back area. I am not much interested in these, but they provide me with pleasant rides across the downs, the various jobs being widely scattered. Minx is now arrayed like a lily of the field. I have an R E. Corps 'breastplate', for her which I bought last year, a white head rope and brass rosettes on her head-collar. All these were ordinary officer's equipment in peacetime, but are rarely seen now. Add to this that she is a compact little cob, round and full of meat and muscle without belly, and a light minxish trot, ears pointed, neck bent, snorting and side stepping at every object.
I have been reading a book called Horses, by Roger Pocock. In it, he says that, if his horse goes badly, he examines his own conduct to see what he has done wrong. Partly owing to this book, I very rarely get angry with Minx now, and I only laugh at her as being a little minx, bursting with the joy of life. She is well balanced, light mouthed, and understands all my signs. Moreover she has learnt to go everywhere, as I like doing, across shell holes, over railway lines, in and out and along trenches, and even slowly and gingerly through wire entanglements.
McQueen returned from his leave in England on 1 August, but no sooner had he done so than Colonel Rathbone, the C.R.E, went on a fortnight's leave. McQueen remained at Divisional Headquarters as C.R.E, and I remained in command of the company. In addition to back area work, we began to lay a light tramline from Marliere through Guemappe, and also worked on the improvement of natural chalk caves under Marliere, as shelter for infantry. ·
At the beginning of this brief 'rest' period, we received notice of a VI Corps Horse Show, to be held on 18 August. There was to be an event for R.E. Tool Carts with a team of four horses, for which we decided to enter. All the men took the competition immensely to heart. All steel work was burnished and the harness polished. The wagon also was beautifully painted, and every piece of steel on it burnished, and the wooden handles of all the tools scraped and varnished (at my expense). The drivers were fitted with new suits by the company tailor, and all their small kit was new and polished.
We have been fortunate recently in being issued with a mess cart, a two wheeled vehicle with springs, and the only vehicle in the service which it is permissible to drive at a trot. The show horses and the tool cart went on, on the 17 August, to Achiet-le -Grand, where the show was to be held. I set out at dawn on 18th, driving the mess cart. McQueen had fortunately returned two days before and resumed command. It was a most beautiful summer morning, brilliant, clear and sunny, but still fresh and cool in the early air. Michael, in the shafts, was a very fine trotter and we had an unforgettable drive through unspoilt country, back to Corps Headquarters at Achiet.
The field was a mass of flags and tents, giving as festive an appearance as Derby Day. The tool cart did not have to turn out until 5 pm and I must say it looked beautiful. A general murmur of admiration went up from the crowd, as we came on to the field. We seemed to me easily the best turnout, but I was by no means confident. The judges made the competitors drive round the ring, walk, trot and halt. We were the only team which sat up like soldiers and used their whips properly.
I was in an agony all the time, which only increased at the end, when the judges began discussing, pointing to us and then to someone else. Finally, they announced that the winners were the 7th Field Company, Royal Engineers! Sergeant Church, meanwhile,had gone in for the N.C.O.'s tent-pegging event, in which he came second . There followed the parade of prize-winners, the tool-cart first, and Sergeant Church second. Some people said, and I think so myself, that our tool-cart was the best turn out of any vehicle in the whole show.
I took the competitors back with me in the mess cart, leaving reserve drivers to bring the horses home. Michael carried us back through the evening country-side at a spanking trot. I do believe.this was one of the happiest days of my life.
Meanwhile McQueen had returned and we took over the right sector of the divisional front line, south of Kestrel Lane. The roads up to the line had a bad reputation in this area, our predecessors having had some wagons and horses hit by shell fire. I went up with the wagons for the next three nights, having now less to do, not being O.C.
We went up through Heninel, after which the track forked into two, one branch going up to Foster Dump and one to Pelican Dump. One night, I think it was 20 August, I took two wagons through to Foster and we had a troublesome time. The track was very narrow, with shell holes and trenches on both sides, up to the dump itself, where there was just room to turn. The infantry brought up a lot of wagons to the same point, so that vehicles were packed pretty close all down the track, waiting their turn to come up and unload. There was only one way out, back down the same road, pushing past the waiting wagons.
Just as we were getting near to our turn, the Boche put over three or four shells, 4.2's I should say, with very loud bursts, in quick sccesion, just on top of the dump, they .· knew exactly where it was. I remember our two dnvers (White and Thomas) ducking behind their horses, and my saying, 'What's the matter? You don't mind those things, do you? They make a lot of noise, but there is no iron in them!'
In front of us was a G.S. wagon with a team of four mules, belonging to the Trench Mortar Battery. As they turned round, one of the mules put his foot through a coil of barbed wire, and began to drag it, became terrified and began to plunge. The man managed to pull up and get off (it was the off - side mule), but the mule stood still tremblmg. As soon as the man went up to it to lift its leg, however, the mule lost its head again and began plunging wildly about. A strand of wire had got jammed between the mule's foot and its shoe. We sent a man to look for wire-cutters, but with no result. No one could get near the mule's leg. The wagon was completely blocking the track. It as a dark night. The Very lights shot up every now and again from the front line, burst and sailed down again, showing up the country for a few seconds in its quivering light. Then suddenly pitch darkness again.
I kept on thinking I heard some more of those shells coming over, on top of this mess. It was one of those desperate nights, when it seems as if one will never get home; and one feels inclined to sit down and cry. I decided to make an attempt myself and went up to the mule and patted him on the neck and shoulder, saying soothingly, 'It's all right, old man. Just let me take it out. He let me bring my hand down his leg as far as the knee. Then he suddenly lost his head again and began to plunge, mad with fear. I flung myself into a ditch beside the track to avoid being trampled on, when, to my great joy, I suddenly saw the mules set off down the track.
The driver, who was still holding the reins, soon stopped them. By great luck, the mule had given such a wild plunge that it had wrenched the wire out from between its shoe and foot. I made a resolution always to see that my wagons were provided with wire-cutters in future.
I worked extremely hard for the four or five days after McQueen got back. Except for the day of the horse show, I went up the line every night with the wagons, getting home at about 1 am, very tired with an aching pain across my back. I was thus working much harder than the drivers, whose turn to go up the line at night came only about every third night.
I set out on the evening of 21 August to go down to the dump at Henin, to see certain stores loaded up correctly. I was riding an old black mare, most unsuitably called Geisha, for nothing in the world could be less like a dancing girl. She would not walk, but jogged endlessly, her nose stuck out, her neck as stiff as wood, and her mouth like iron. The champion tool-cart team was out that night in G.S. wagons, proudly wearing their prize-winning rosettes. .
I was expecting to meet some infantry wagons in Henin, but, as they did not turn up, I rode on through St Martin sur-Cojeul, to see my own wagons which had gone on ahead, but had been obliged to halt there. The road beyond St Martin was in view of the enemy, and it was not yet quite dark. I dismounted and sat on a stone for a short time, and then rode back through St Martin 'village', which consisted of a sea of untidy mounds of broken bricks, covered with grass (see Map 18).
Some long range shells whined over, and burst about 120 yards beyond the road. It seemed to me to be a 4-inch gun at extreme range. I began to trot at first, but finding shells bursting well over I pulled back to a walk, determined not to run away. Just as I left St Martin, the shelling ceased. Here I met Driver Gowans coming up with a G.S. wagon, and stopped him to tell him he would have to ,do two trips, as the infantry wagons had failed to come. No shells had fallen for the last five minutes, since those which had passed over my head a few hundred yards back. As I spoke to Gowans, I think I heard for a second a distant shell whine, then felt a tremendous explosion almost on top of me. For an instant I appeared to rise slowly into the air and then slowly to fall again. I seemed to have dimly heard the rattle of wagon wheels and then for a moment I saw my horse's neck in front of my face.
I dropped off to the ground and set out at a half run towards Henin. I must have been dazed, for I remembered nothing afterwards of the wagon or of where my poor horse had gone. Scarcely had I begun to run towards Henin, when the floodgates in my neck seemed to burst, and the blood poured out in torrents. I could actually hear the regular swish of the artery, like a firehose, but coming and going in regular floods and pauses. I was in a kind of dazed panic, deserted by all my bravado, and I cowered down as the shells whipped by and burst all around. Then I got up and stumbled on as quick as I could. I had a vague idea that I might be going to die, but was not alarmed by it. At the cross roads to Henin; no traffic man was to be seen, but beyond it some artillery wagons were waiting for the shelling to cease, before trying to pass. I could not speak, but I paused in the middle of the road, and gave one or two sobbing groans, hereupon the traffic man appeared, from where he had been crouching in a shell hole to avoid the shells. He called to a gunner driver to watch the post, and led me a little further down the road to a dressing station in an old cellar under a mound of bricks. I could feel something long lying loosely in my left cheek, as though I had a chicken bone in my mouth. It was in reality half my jaw, which had been broken off, teeth and all, and was floating about in my mouth.
I sat on the table in the cellar, while they dressed my wound. The R.A.M.C. orderly put some plug into my neck which stopped the bleeding. They also put a rubber tube in my wound, sticking out of the bandage. They told me there was no ambulance in Henin and I should have to walk to Boiry-Becquerelle. We accordingly set out, I leaning on the medical orderly's arm. I was not looking forward to the long walk at all, but luckily the orderly remembered that there was some regimental medical officer, who lived in a dugout at the south end of the village. We turned in there and I sat down on a stone at the entrance to the dugout.
This doctor said it was all rubbish not getting an ambulance, and sent the orderly back to the dressing station to telephone to Heninel for one. He took my temperature and said that I was all right for the moment, but I heard him tell the orderly that it was a good thing they dressed me at once, or I should have been done for. I felt no anxiety about whether I should live or die, but I was very cold, and the broken pieces of jawbone in my mouth .were unpleasant. I felt no pain.
I gave the doctor my name and unit, and told him that our camp was on the Neuville-Vitasse road, next to the battalion in reserve. I wrote down, 'Please let them know', for I could not speak. I heard later that the doctor sent the company a telegram, saying that I was badly wounded and was not expected to live.
At last the ambulance arrived and we set off. I was horribly cold, which I conveyed to the medical orderly by signs and he put a blanket round me. We went through Boiry-Becquerelle to the main Casualty Clearing Station (No 20 C.C.S.) at Ficheux. Here they helped me out and into a chair, when a doctor came up and said, 'What's the matter here, old man?' and took off and redid my bandage. I was put into the 'pending operations' ward, and slept like a log till the morning.
Lieutenant (acting Capt) Glubb MC RE was patched up before eventually being evacuated to England, where he had several operations, and made a complete recovery. It was shortly after his return to the UK that he learned he had been awarded the Military Cross. Whilst convalescing he volunteered to work in the food office in Kensington Town Hall. In June 1918 he persuaded a medical board to pass him fit to re-join the Front in France. He then asked his dad to arrange a posting back to
7 Field Company RE, which he rejoined in July 1918.
At the beginning of this brief 'rest' period, we received notice of a VI Corps Horse Show, to be held on 18 August. There was to be an event for R.E. Tool Carts with a team of four horses, for which we decided to enter. All the men took the competition immensely to heart. All steel work was burnished and the harness polished. The wagon also was beautifully painted, and every piece of steel on it burnished, and the wooden handles of all the tools scraped and varnished (at my expense). The drivers were fitted with new suits by the company tailor, and all their small kit was new and polished.
We have been fortunate recently in being issued with a mess cart, a two wheeled vehicle with springs, and the only vehicle in the service which it is permissible to drive at a trot. The show horses and the tool cart went on, on the 17 August, to Achiet-le -Grand, where the show was to be held. I set out at dawn on 18th, driving the mess cart. McQueen had fortunately returned two days before and resumed command. It was a most beautiful summer morning, brilliant, clear and sunny, but still fresh and cool in the early air. Michael, in the shafts, was a very fine trotter and we had an unforgettable drive through unspoilt country, back to Corps Headquarters at Achiet.
The field was a mass of flags and tents, giving as festive an appearance as Derby Day. The tool cart did not have to turn out until 5 pm and I must say it looked beautiful. A general murmur of admiration went up from the crowd, as we came on to the field. We seemed to me easily the best turnout, but I was by no means confident. The judges made the competitors drive round the ring, walk, trot and halt. We were the only team which sat up like soldiers and used their whips properly.
I was in an agony all the time, which only increased at the end, when the judges began discussing, pointing to us and then to someone else. Finally, they announced that the winners were the 7th Field Company, Royal Engineers! Sergeant Church, meanwhile,had gone in for the N.C.O.'s tent-pegging event, in which he came second . There followed the parade of prize-winners, the tool-cart first, and Sergeant Church second. Some people said, and I think so myself, that our tool-cart was the best turn out of any vehicle in the whole show.
I took the competitors back with me in the mess cart, leaving reserve drivers to bring the horses home. Michael carried us back through the evening country-side at a spanking trot. I do believe.this was one of the happiest days of my life.
Meanwhile McQueen had returned and we took over the right sector of the divisional front line, south of Kestrel Lane. The roads up to the line had a bad reputation in this area, our predecessors having had some wagons and horses hit by shell fire. I went up with the wagons for the next three nights, having now less to do, not being O.C.
We went up through Heninel, after which the track forked into two, one branch going up to Foster Dump and one to Pelican Dump. One night, I think it was 20 August, I took two wagons through to Foster and we had a troublesome time. The track was very narrow, with shell holes and trenches on both sides, up to the dump itself, where there was just room to turn. The infantry brought up a lot of wagons to the same point, so that vehicles were packed pretty close all down the track, waiting their turn to come up and unload. There was only one way out, back down the same road, pushing past the waiting wagons.
Just as we were getting near to our turn, the Boche put over three or four shells, 4.2's I should say, with very loud bursts, in quick sccesion, just on top of the dump, they .· knew exactly where it was. I remember our two dnvers (White and Thomas) ducking behind their horses, and my saying, 'What's the matter? You don't mind those things, do you? They make a lot of noise, but there is no iron in them!'
In front of us was a G.S. wagon with a team of four mules, belonging to the Trench Mortar Battery. As they turned round, one of the mules put his foot through a coil of barbed wire, and began to drag it, became terrified and began to plunge. The man managed to pull up and get off (it was the off - side mule), but the mule stood still tremblmg. As soon as the man went up to it to lift its leg, however, the mule lost its head again and began plunging wildly about. A strand of wire had got jammed between the mule's foot and its shoe. We sent a man to look for wire-cutters, but with no result. No one could get near the mule's leg. The wagon was completely blocking the track. It as a dark night. The Very lights shot up every now and again from the front line, burst and sailed down again, showing up the country for a few seconds in its quivering light. Then suddenly pitch darkness again.
I kept on thinking I heard some more of those shells coming over, on top of this mess. It was one of those desperate nights, when it seems as if one will never get home; and one feels inclined to sit down and cry. I decided to make an attempt myself and went up to the mule and patted him on the neck and shoulder, saying soothingly, 'It's all right, old man. Just let me take it out. He let me bring my hand down his leg as far as the knee. Then he suddenly lost his head again and began to plunge, mad with fear. I flung myself into a ditch beside the track to avoid being trampled on, when, to my great joy, I suddenly saw the mules set off down the track.
The driver, who was still holding the reins, soon stopped them. By great luck, the mule had given such a wild plunge that it had wrenched the wire out from between its shoe and foot. I made a resolution always to see that my wagons were provided with wire-cutters in future.
I worked extremely hard for the four or five days after McQueen got back. Except for the day of the horse show, I went up the line every night with the wagons, getting home at about 1 am, very tired with an aching pain across my back. I was thus working much harder than the drivers, whose turn to go up the line at night came only about every third night.
I set out on the evening of 21 August to go down to the dump at Henin, to see certain stores loaded up correctly. I was riding an old black mare, most unsuitably called Geisha, for nothing in the world could be less like a dancing girl. She would not walk, but jogged endlessly, her nose stuck out, her neck as stiff as wood, and her mouth like iron. The champion tool-cart team was out that night in G.S. wagons, proudly wearing their prize-winning rosettes. .
I was expecting to meet some infantry wagons in Henin, but, as they did not turn up, I rode on through St Martin sur-Cojeul, to see my own wagons which had gone on ahead, but had been obliged to halt there. The road beyond St Martin was in view of the enemy, and it was not yet quite dark. I dismounted and sat on a stone for a short time, and then rode back through St Martin 'village', which consisted of a sea of untidy mounds of broken bricks, covered with grass (see Map 18).
Some long range shells whined over, and burst about 120 yards beyond the road. It seemed to me to be a 4-inch gun at extreme range. I began to trot at first, but finding shells bursting well over I pulled back to a walk, determined not to run away. Just as I left St Martin, the shelling ceased. Here I met Driver Gowans coming up with a G.S. wagon, and stopped him to tell him he would have to ,do two trips, as the infantry wagons had failed to come. No shells had fallen for the last five minutes, since those which had passed over my head a few hundred yards back. As I spoke to Gowans, I think I heard for a second a distant shell whine, then felt a tremendous explosion almost on top of me. For an instant I appeared to rise slowly into the air and then slowly to fall again. I seemed to have dimly heard the rattle of wagon wheels and then for a moment I saw my horse's neck in front of my face.
I dropped off to the ground and set out at a half run towards Henin. I must have been dazed, for I remembered nothing afterwards of the wagon or of where my poor horse had gone. Scarcely had I begun to run towards Henin, when the floodgates in my neck seemed to burst, and the blood poured out in torrents. I could actually hear the regular swish of the artery, like a firehose, but coming and going in regular floods and pauses. I was in a kind of dazed panic, deserted by all my bravado, and I cowered down as the shells whipped by and burst all around. Then I got up and stumbled on as quick as I could. I had a vague idea that I might be going to die, but was not alarmed by it. At the cross roads to Henin; no traffic man was to be seen, but beyond it some artillery wagons were waiting for the shelling to cease, before trying to pass. I could not speak, but I paused in the middle of the road, and gave one or two sobbing groans, hereupon the traffic man appeared, from where he had been crouching in a shell hole to avoid the shells. He called to a gunner driver to watch the post, and led me a little further down the road to a dressing station in an old cellar under a mound of bricks. I could feel something long lying loosely in my left cheek, as though I had a chicken bone in my mouth. It was in reality half my jaw, which had been broken off, teeth and all, and was floating about in my mouth.
I sat on the table in the cellar, while they dressed my wound. The R.A.M.C. orderly put some plug into my neck which stopped the bleeding. They also put a rubber tube in my wound, sticking out of the bandage. They told me there was no ambulance in Henin and I should have to walk to Boiry-Becquerelle. We accordingly set out, I leaning on the medical orderly's arm. I was not looking forward to the long walk at all, but luckily the orderly remembered that there was some regimental medical officer, who lived in a dugout at the south end of the village. We turned in there and I sat down on a stone at the entrance to the dugout.
This doctor said it was all rubbish not getting an ambulance, and sent the orderly back to the dressing station to telephone to Heninel for one. He took my temperature and said that I was all right for the moment, but I heard him tell the orderly that it was a good thing they dressed me at once, or I should have been done for. I felt no anxiety about whether I should live or die, but I was very cold, and the broken pieces of jawbone in my mouth .were unpleasant. I felt no pain.
I gave the doctor my name and unit, and told him that our camp was on the Neuville-Vitasse road, next to the battalion in reserve. I wrote down, 'Please let them know', for I could not speak. I heard later that the doctor sent the company a telegram, saying that I was badly wounded and was not expected to live.
At last the ambulance arrived and we set off. I was horribly cold, which I conveyed to the medical orderly by signs and he put a blanket round me. We went through Boiry-Becquerelle to the main Casualty Clearing Station (No 20 C.C.S.) at Ficheux. Here they helped me out and into a chair, when a doctor came up and said, 'What's the matter here, old man?' and took off and redid my bandage. I was put into the 'pending operations' ward, and slept like a log till the morning.
Lieutenant (acting Capt) Glubb MC RE was patched up before eventually being evacuated to England, where he had several operations, and made a complete recovery. It was shortly after his return to the UK that he learned he had been awarded the Military Cross. Whilst convalescing he volunteered to work in the food office in Kensington Town Hall. In June 1918 he persuaded a medical board to pass him fit to re-join the Front in France. He then asked his dad to arrange a posting back to
7 Field Company RE, which he rejoined in July 1918.
1-4 August 1917: During this period the Coy continued to work in the forward trench area, held by the left Bde to the N & S of the R. Cojeul. - The work mainly consisted of clearing trench boarding and putting in cubby holes and fire trays in the Support Trenches (Hoe, Ape, Ibis Support Trenches). Constructing an Artillery Obsevation Post in Lion Tr. (deep dugout with revetted shaft) and repairing roads from Marliere through through Guemappe towards Cherisy. - Work on these roads (mainly clearing debris and filling shell holes was completed by the 4th). The remaining work being handed over on that date to 447 Field Coy RE. On the 3rd a small Sapper party (1 N.CO. + 3) was sent with Bangalore Torpedoes with raid carried out by 149 Bde against enemy trenches N of R. Cojeul. These Torpedoes were made of 11/2" piping (12' long) filled with Ammonium - Enemy trenches were entered but found empty. The Torpedoes were tried on the raiding party withdrawing to confuse the enemy as to intention of raid - Maj McQueen returned from leave on 31 July but remained at D.H.Q acting for the C.R.E. during latter's absence on leave till the12th. Owing to Sections having been necessarily employed on continuous night work for a somewhat prolonged period a rather high % of casual sickness was experienced early in August, which diminished on sections commencing day work again.
4-17 August 1917: During this period the Coy was employed mainly in the "back area" on works directly under C.R.E. namely constructing settling tanks and filter tanks etc, at Boisleax and Mont Neuville Vitasse, an Artillery Observation Post, Rifle Range near Neuville Vitasse, Water Point S of Beaurains, making Barbed Wire Concertinas at 50 Div RE Park at Henin, and various miscellaneous works. 1 Section was employed for a week in collecting and repairing rails for tramlines under construction from Marlibre running to R. Cojeul valley with branches to serve Battalions on either side of the valley. No3 Section was employed on laying this line - This work was taken over from the 447 Field Coy RE. Considerable difficulty was experienced in that the rail available consisted of six different types. Not all could be used, this delayed the rate of progress somewhat, 310 yds per night being the expected length built. Work was also done in ventilating Marliere Caves Dressing Station by making an additional shaft. All the above works were completed with exception of the tramline, and ventilating Marliere Caves Dressing Station by the 16th, when arrangements were made to relieve 446 Fd Coy RE, then working in the trench area held by the right (149 Bde) -The C.R.E. (Lt Col Rathbone DSO) returning on the 12th August, Maj McQueen resumed command from Capt Glubb who had then acted since 1st July 1917.
17-31 August 1917: At the time of taking over from 446 Coy RE, the work consisted mainly as follows: Making fire trays and cubby hole shelters in the reserve line (Mallard Trench) and in the intermediate line (Egret Trench and Egret Loop Trench), opening up Cuckoo reserve trench for active communication purposes, making a Regimental Aid Post, ( turned dug outs into shelters) 2 chambers made 10'x 9' each to take 6 stretcher cases and 2 chambers 10'x14'. Other jobs were a small water supply using an old German pump and an Artillery Observation post situated at some distance off in the 21st Div area. It was found possible to arrange so that the major part of the work was day work. After a few days the rates of progress were measured as follow: 1 Sapper and 1 Inf' could make and erect 1 firetray per day (with materials at site) &1 Sapper and 1 Inf' could make 1 mined cubby hole a day (with materials at site and sound ground in which to mine) about 180 Infantry per day were given by 149 Bde for work and carrying. - Some annoyance experienced in the almost nightly shelling of roads and dumps nescessarily used by transport, and the weather being very bad. On the whole dry weather tracks could not always be used. - Capt Glubb was somewhat severely wounded in the face and neck on the 21st. This officers loss to the Coy will be much felt. - On the 18th VI Corps sports day where 1st prize for best turned out Tool Cart was won, 2nd prize foe Tent Pegging won by Sgt Church. The Coy Tug of War team trained by C.S.M. Parker represented the Div but was pulled over after 18 mins contest by the eventual winning team. (Lincolns)
Orders were received on 27th for the 2 sections employed under G.O.C Bde (149) to be employed entirely on front line entrenchments and CTs to front line. - Consequently work on Reserve and intermediate lines was stopped (from 29th) at which Mallard, Egret and Egret Loop trenches had been finished and with cubby hole shelters almost throughout lengths in hand and the work on the Regimental Aid Post had reached stage where only finishing up jobs were required.
Nos 3 and 4 Sections were on 28th and 29th respectfully move into forward dug outs in Mallard and in Shaft trench to be near the work. - Nos 1 & 2 Sections being employed on the many miscellenous works in hand other than in front line - At this time these works were dug outs, improvements to Addits, completing R.A.P,Artillery Post in Plum Lane, digging out Lark Lane, constructing winter horse standings in Boiry Becquerelle. - On Capt Glubb being evacuated, 2nd Lt Baker MC took over the duties of acting Capt, 2nd Lt Rebbeck taking command of No 2 Section.
On 29th orders received: to get new trench made to join up Saps in front line, Lone Sap to Wren Lane Post. In nights (31st/1st) The weather continued bad throughout August, but health of Coy satisfactory (2-4 casual sick daily)
4-17 August 1917: During this period the Coy was employed mainly in the "back area" on works directly under C.R.E. namely constructing settling tanks and filter tanks etc, at Boisleax and Mont Neuville Vitasse, an Artillery Observation Post, Rifle Range near Neuville Vitasse, Water Point S of Beaurains, making Barbed Wire Concertinas at 50 Div RE Park at Henin, and various miscellaneous works. 1 Section was employed for a week in collecting and repairing rails for tramlines under construction from Marlibre running to R. Cojeul valley with branches to serve Battalions on either side of the valley. No3 Section was employed on laying this line - This work was taken over from the 447 Field Coy RE. Considerable difficulty was experienced in that the rail available consisted of six different types. Not all could be used, this delayed the rate of progress somewhat, 310 yds per night being the expected length built. Work was also done in ventilating Marliere Caves Dressing Station by making an additional shaft. All the above works were completed with exception of the tramline, and ventilating Marliere Caves Dressing Station by the 16th, when arrangements were made to relieve 446 Fd Coy RE, then working in the trench area held by the right (149 Bde) -The C.R.E. (Lt Col Rathbone DSO) returning on the 12th August, Maj McQueen resumed command from Capt Glubb who had then acted since 1st July 1917.
17-31 August 1917: At the time of taking over from 446 Coy RE, the work consisted mainly as follows: Making fire trays and cubby hole shelters in the reserve line (Mallard Trench) and in the intermediate line (Egret Trench and Egret Loop Trench), opening up Cuckoo reserve trench for active communication purposes, making a Regimental Aid Post, ( turned dug outs into shelters) 2 chambers made 10'x 9' each to take 6 stretcher cases and 2 chambers 10'x14'. Other jobs were a small water supply using an old German pump and an Artillery Observation post situated at some distance off in the 21st Div area. It was found possible to arrange so that the major part of the work was day work. After a few days the rates of progress were measured as follow: 1 Sapper and 1 Inf' could make and erect 1 firetray per day (with materials at site) &1 Sapper and 1 Inf' could make 1 mined cubby hole a day (with materials at site and sound ground in which to mine) about 180 Infantry per day were given by 149 Bde for work and carrying. - Some annoyance experienced in the almost nightly shelling of roads and dumps nescessarily used by transport, and the weather being very bad. On the whole dry weather tracks could not always be used. - Capt Glubb was somewhat severely wounded in the face and neck on the 21st. This officers loss to the Coy will be much felt. - On the 18th VI Corps sports day where 1st prize for best turned out Tool Cart was won, 2nd prize foe Tent Pegging won by Sgt Church. The Coy Tug of War team trained by C.S.M. Parker represented the Div but was pulled over after 18 mins contest by the eventual winning team. (Lincolns)
Orders were received on 27th for the 2 sections employed under G.O.C Bde (149) to be employed entirely on front line entrenchments and CTs to front line. - Consequently work on Reserve and intermediate lines was stopped (from 29th) at which Mallard, Egret and Egret Loop trenches had been finished and with cubby hole shelters almost throughout lengths in hand and the work on the Regimental Aid Post had reached stage where only finishing up jobs were required.
Nos 3 and 4 Sections were on 28th and 29th respectfully move into forward dug outs in Mallard and in Shaft trench to be near the work. - Nos 1 & 2 Sections being employed on the many miscellenous works in hand other than in front line - At this time these works were dug outs, improvements to Addits, completing R.A.P,Artillery Post in Plum Lane, digging out Lark Lane, constructing winter horse standings in Boiry Becquerelle. - On Capt Glubb being evacuated, 2nd Lt Baker MC took over the duties of acting Capt, 2nd Lt Rebbeck taking command of No 2 Section.
On 29th orders received: to get new trench made to join up Saps in front line, Lone Sap to Wren Lane Post. In nights (31st/1st) The weather continued bad throughout August, but health of Coy satisfactory (2-4 casual sick daily)
7 Field Company RE worked in the above areas at various stages of WW1
Acting Captain J.Glubb MC RE
St Martin sur Cojeul 1-15 September 1917: During this period the Company continued to be employed on the Right Section of the 50 Div area, that is with 2 sections employed entirely with the Bde in the trench area (150) Bde and with 2 sections on works as special detailed by the C.R.E. The first named Sections (nos 3 & 4) were employed almost extensively on revetting
(steel angle and wood) the Front line. -Progress was made at an average rate of 75 yds per Section per day completed, this figure rising on occasions to 105 yds, the main difficulty being to get the some trenches cut out quick enough. The 2 sections (Nos1 & 2) on C.R,E's works were mainly employed on (1) protecting the Hindenburg Line Tunnel (with drainage and construction) from wet. (2) Gas proofing of dugouts throughout area. (3) Deep dugouts and Artillery Observation Post. (4) Preparing winter dugouts and horse lines near Boiry Becquerelle and many minor jobs.
Early on 9th information was received of a large raid on enemy's front line near Cherisy being intended & orders to make arrangements to send RE demolition party to deal with departed German dugouts.- Experiments were made in existing and Boche dugouts with G.C. Charges and trench mortar bombs. 17 charges were made up. - 1 officer
2nd Lt Rebbeck and 4 N.C.Os from No2 Section: Corporals Matthews, McLaren, Munroe and Park with 8 Sappers were detailed for the work. - This party practised with the 3 Coys of the D.L.I on practice ground on 11th 12th 13th moved up on 14th. The raid took place on the 15th (4pm) with successful results. Of the 17 charges concerned, 14 were used to effect 12 dugouts entrances destoyed and one charge used on wire in front of German support line. 3 of the dugouts destroyed were undoubtedly occupied by enemy who in 2 instances tried effect their escape but were driven down by the demolition party and sentry, the charge then being placed.
G.O.C 151 Bde wrote to the effect the O.C. 9 D.L.I. reported the work as uniformly well done. The 4 above named N.C.O s also Sapper Ferry were specially reported on as having distinquished themselves and as a result Cpl Matthews, 2nd Cpl Munroe, Lcpl Park received the Military Medal. On the same occasion orders were received to construct and operate a dummy tank on the site of the actual attack.this was done with success and reports of infantry received that it drew considerable fire. The tank was made to design of Major Bourne R.M.A who was assisted by Capt Baker and Lt Pottle and No1 Sec'n in the work.
16-30 September 1917: During the period 10-16 owing to the large amount of carrying to be done for purposes connected with raid on 15th, infantry working parties were not available for work on revetments, this consequently decreased very considerably the daily of this work - During the period 16 - 30th work continued steadily on revetments of front line system - Nos 1 & 2 Sections having relieved 3 & 4 Sections on the 13th and being on turn again relieved on 29th - An average daily progress of 180 yds of revetment (to both sides of trench) was maintained. After the 15th hostile shelling and trench mortars on front line system did persistant damage to new work. - By the end of the month the whole of the
revetment of the front line N of Wood Trench C.T.from support to front line (byker, Dead noser, Wren Lane, Lark Lane) and a considerable portion of the Support Line had been revetted. Other works (carried out in this period were gas protection of deep dug outs, numbering of dugouts throughout, building winter accommodation for the Right Bde HQ, wiring the Intermediate Line, making up wire concertinas at Henin Camp, completing the protection against weather of the Hindenburg Line Tunnel, and various small miscelleneous works.
On the 29th, Major McQueen proceeded to Div HQ to act as C.R.E during temporary absence of Lt Col Rathbone, Capt H.A. Baker RE acting in command of the Company.
(steel angle and wood) the Front line. -Progress was made at an average rate of 75 yds per Section per day completed, this figure rising on occasions to 105 yds, the main difficulty being to get the some trenches cut out quick enough. The 2 sections (Nos1 & 2) on C.R,E's works were mainly employed on (1) protecting the Hindenburg Line Tunnel (with drainage and construction) from wet. (2) Gas proofing of dugouts throughout area. (3) Deep dugouts and Artillery Observation Post. (4) Preparing winter dugouts and horse lines near Boiry Becquerelle and many minor jobs.
Early on 9th information was received of a large raid on enemy's front line near Cherisy being intended & orders to make arrangements to send RE demolition party to deal with departed German dugouts.- Experiments were made in existing and Boche dugouts with G.C. Charges and trench mortar bombs. 17 charges were made up. - 1 officer
2nd Lt Rebbeck and 4 N.C.Os from No2 Section: Corporals Matthews, McLaren, Munroe and Park with 8 Sappers were detailed for the work. - This party practised with the 3 Coys of the D.L.I on practice ground on 11th 12th 13th moved up on 14th. The raid took place on the 15th (4pm) with successful results. Of the 17 charges concerned, 14 were used to effect 12 dugouts entrances destoyed and one charge used on wire in front of German support line. 3 of the dugouts destroyed were undoubtedly occupied by enemy who in 2 instances tried effect their escape but were driven down by the demolition party and sentry, the charge then being placed.
G.O.C 151 Bde wrote to the effect the O.C. 9 D.L.I. reported the work as uniformly well done. The 4 above named N.C.O s also Sapper Ferry were specially reported on as having distinquished themselves and as a result Cpl Matthews, 2nd Cpl Munroe, Lcpl Park received the Military Medal. On the same occasion orders were received to construct and operate a dummy tank on the site of the actual attack.this was done with success and reports of infantry received that it drew considerable fire. The tank was made to design of Major Bourne R.M.A who was assisted by Capt Baker and Lt Pottle and No1 Sec'n in the work.
16-30 September 1917: During the period 10-16 owing to the large amount of carrying to be done for purposes connected with raid on 15th, infantry working parties were not available for work on revetments, this consequently decreased very considerably the daily of this work - During the period 16 - 30th work continued steadily on revetments of front line system - Nos 1 & 2 Sections having relieved 3 & 4 Sections on the 13th and being on turn again relieved on 29th - An average daily progress of 180 yds of revetment (to both sides of trench) was maintained. After the 15th hostile shelling and trench mortars on front line system did persistant damage to new work. - By the end of the month the whole of the
revetment of the front line N of Wood Trench C.T.from support to front line (byker, Dead noser, Wren Lane, Lark Lane) and a considerable portion of the Support Line had been revetted. Other works (carried out in this period were gas protection of deep dug outs, numbering of dugouts throughout, building winter accommodation for the Right Bde HQ, wiring the Intermediate Line, making up wire concertinas at Henin Camp, completing the protection against weather of the Hindenburg Line Tunnel, and various small miscelleneous works.
On the 29th, Major McQueen proceeded to Div HQ to act as C.R.E during temporary absence of Lt Col Rathbone, Capt H.A. Baker RE acting in command of the Company.
St Martin sur Conjeul. 1-3 October 1917: During this period Coy, continued to be employed (with 149 Bde) in the trench sector opposite Cherisy.- Nos 3&4 Sections being located in the forward dugouts and 2 Section at Coy HQ. Work in hand as follows:- Revettments of front support lines: this work required working parties up to 150 daily and proposed at a rate of over 200 yds daily (steel picket and sandbagged). Metal revetment with wooden "spreaders". - No 1 & 2 Sections employed on wiring Intermediate Line (completed on 3rd). Huting in and about Heninel, winter shelters for the Right Bde HQ. Making horse lines and winter quarters for a Field Coy RE. at Boiry Becquerelle, gas proofing dugouts. (all in Rt Sector except those in Hindenburg Tunnel completed. Notice boarding of dugouts (completed)
Orders were received on the 1st: to commence handing over of all work to 400 Highland Field Coy RE and to stop work on 3rd/4th.
4 October 1917: Baths, resting and work prepatory to marching to new area.
5 October 1917: Marched from St Martin 9 am reaching Gomiecourt about 12 noon.
6-16th October 1917: First 2 days of this period spent in resting, baths, overhaul of clothing and equipment (the Coy had been continuously in the line for a period of 7 weeks) Training then put in hand: Close Order Drills, Rapid laying of Trenchboard Track, Sandbagging, Demolitions, night work (night marching), with use of compass for laying out and tracing Trenches and assembly lines, experimenting with rapid construction of steel shelters and the carrying of various kinds of RE material on pack transport.
The weather was infinately bad during this period. Recreation- inter Section Tug of War, Football and an afternoon's sport formed part of training.
Orders received on 13th to be prepared to entrain on 16th, later orders received to entrain at Bapaume with 151 Bde group on morning of 17th.
On 7th, 2nd Lt Rebbeck awarded the Military Cross for conduct during raid carried out near Cherisy on 15th September.
17 October 1917: Marched from Gomiecourt 4pm, entrained Bapaume by 8.30 pm.
18 October 1917: Detrained Esquelbeck 8 am and marched Crotchte (nr Jaggers Cappel).
19 October 1917: Visited by C.R.E (Lt Col Rathbone DSO) - Route march and games.
20 October 1917: Marched Seinebuck (6km) nr Arneke.
21october1917: Marched from Seinebuck (with 151 Bde Group) to billets 3 mile E of Proven. - length of march 16 mile. No falling out.
22 October 1917: Marched 3 mile to Singapore Camp ( with 151 Bde Group). Visited by C.R.E who gave verbal information as to possible work of Coy reaching the line.
23 October 1917: No 3 Section marched 9 am to Ondank (XIV Corps Dump) for work there. - Remaining Sections marched to Elverdinghe (where Coy HQ and dismounted Sect'n located), Mounted Section proceeded to bivouac Nr Crossing Lodge. 1 mile S of Boesinghe (under Capt Baker).
24 October 1917: Commenced forming 50 Div RE Dump at Bard Causway - All stores required by 149 Bde proceeding to line on 24th (in relief of Bde of 35 Div). Supplied also Trench Boards to 7 D.L.I. No 2 Section commenced preparing new RE Dump site in Boesinghe.
25 October 1917: With Nos 1 & 2 Sections & 100 Infantry ( 2 reliefs of 50) near site at Boesinghe prepared for stores. All stores transported by 7 Coy to from Bard Causeway to Boesinghe where all demands met (1200 Trench Boards issued etc). Arrangements at new dump worked smoothly. - Mounted Sections employed in connection with above
(1/2 Sect'n in improving conditions at Mounted Section billets) - other misc work done.
26 October 1917: General attack by 1st French Army, 5th Army, 2nd Army - main work of Coy being to continue preparation of ground at Boesinghe for RE Dumps (levelling off etc), producing Trench Boards and other RE Materials at Ondank - transporting to Boesinghe - Over 900 Trench Boards issued to other Field Coys. Pioneers of this Div, on this day making shelters and sand bagging work at Div Bomb store, improvements to 7 Coy horse lines located in Bad Pound.
27 October 1917: Carrying out work as on 26th. Revetments completed at Boesinghe Dump and main levelling. The dump now has standings for 6 lorries and 9 Wagons clear of main road. - One 4.2 Howitzer and a Field Gun recovered in forward area, being fairly ditched and requiring RE to recover.
28 October 1917: Levelling a site at Boesinghe dumps for manufacture of barbed wire concertinas - final levelling etc at Boesinghe RE Dumps - other work as on 26th - O.C, 2 Section officers and 6 NCOs reconnoitred roads and Trench Board Tracks in forward area with view to running ground in case of being required to work forward - Mounted NCOs again sent to Reconnoitre roads.
29 October 1917: Work as of 28th
30-31 October 1917: Work as on 29th with addition of working and constructing large Adrian hut at Dublin Camp and making 2 large dugouts for advanced forward HQ, drying shed and Soup Kitchen in forward area and certain further works in back area.
Orders were received on the 1st: to commence handing over of all work to 400 Highland Field Coy RE and to stop work on 3rd/4th.
4 October 1917: Baths, resting and work prepatory to marching to new area.
5 October 1917: Marched from St Martin 9 am reaching Gomiecourt about 12 noon.
6-16th October 1917: First 2 days of this period spent in resting, baths, overhaul of clothing and equipment (the Coy had been continuously in the line for a period of 7 weeks) Training then put in hand: Close Order Drills, Rapid laying of Trenchboard Track, Sandbagging, Demolitions, night work (night marching), with use of compass for laying out and tracing Trenches and assembly lines, experimenting with rapid construction of steel shelters and the carrying of various kinds of RE material on pack transport.
The weather was infinately bad during this period. Recreation- inter Section Tug of War, Football and an afternoon's sport formed part of training.
Orders received on 13th to be prepared to entrain on 16th, later orders received to entrain at Bapaume with 151 Bde group on morning of 17th.
On 7th, 2nd Lt Rebbeck awarded the Military Cross for conduct during raid carried out near Cherisy on 15th September.
17 October 1917: Marched from Gomiecourt 4pm, entrained Bapaume by 8.30 pm.
18 October 1917: Detrained Esquelbeck 8 am and marched Crotchte (nr Jaggers Cappel).
19 October 1917: Visited by C.R.E (Lt Col Rathbone DSO) - Route march and games.
20 October 1917: Marched Seinebuck (6km) nr Arneke.
21october1917: Marched from Seinebuck (with 151 Bde Group) to billets 3 mile E of Proven. - length of march 16 mile. No falling out.
22 October 1917: Marched 3 mile to Singapore Camp ( with 151 Bde Group). Visited by C.R.E who gave verbal information as to possible work of Coy reaching the line.
23 October 1917: No 3 Section marched 9 am to Ondank (XIV Corps Dump) for work there. - Remaining Sections marched to Elverdinghe (where Coy HQ and dismounted Sect'n located), Mounted Section proceeded to bivouac Nr Crossing Lodge. 1 mile S of Boesinghe (under Capt Baker).
24 October 1917: Commenced forming 50 Div RE Dump at Bard Causway - All stores required by 149 Bde proceeding to line on 24th (in relief of Bde of 35 Div). Supplied also Trench Boards to 7 D.L.I. No 2 Section commenced preparing new RE Dump site in Boesinghe.
25 October 1917: With Nos 1 & 2 Sections & 100 Infantry ( 2 reliefs of 50) near site at Boesinghe prepared for stores. All stores transported by 7 Coy to from Bard Causeway to Boesinghe where all demands met (1200 Trench Boards issued etc). Arrangements at new dump worked smoothly. - Mounted Sections employed in connection with above
(1/2 Sect'n in improving conditions at Mounted Section billets) - other misc work done.
26 October 1917: General attack by 1st French Army, 5th Army, 2nd Army - main work of Coy being to continue preparation of ground at Boesinghe for RE Dumps (levelling off etc), producing Trench Boards and other RE Materials at Ondank - transporting to Boesinghe - Over 900 Trench Boards issued to other Field Coys. Pioneers of this Div, on this day making shelters and sand bagging work at Div Bomb store, improvements to 7 Coy horse lines located in Bad Pound.
27 October 1917: Carrying out work as on 26th. Revetments completed at Boesinghe Dump and main levelling. The dump now has standings for 6 lorries and 9 Wagons clear of main road. - One 4.2 Howitzer and a Field Gun recovered in forward area, being fairly ditched and requiring RE to recover.
28 October 1917: Levelling a site at Boesinghe dumps for manufacture of barbed wire concertinas - final levelling etc at Boesinghe RE Dumps - other work as on 26th - O.C, 2 Section officers and 6 NCOs reconnoitred roads and Trench Board Tracks in forward area with view to running ground in case of being required to work forward - Mounted NCOs again sent to Reconnoitre roads.
29 October 1917: Work as of 28th
30-31 October 1917: Work as on 29th with addition of working and constructing large Adrian hut at Dublin Camp and making 2 large dugouts for advanced forward HQ, drying shed and Soup Kitchen in forward area and certain further works in back area.
Elverdinghe
1- 4 November 1917: During this period the Coy continued to be employed as the "Reserve Coy" during operations on Sector W of Honihouse Forest - The Coy was employed on a large No of small jobs mainly improvements to camps etc, running all Divisonal Dumps, laying out training ground for attack practice for 151 Bde, construction of 3 drying sheds, making up 16 base plates for Trench Mortars, (required owing to the boggy nature of the ground), continuation of Horse Standings and bomb shelters for men at 7 Coy Horse Lines near Boesinghe, construction of Div Soup Kitchen and drying shed in area W of Yperise canal, advanced Signals Shelters near Boesinghe, (large trench sector shelters), sandbagging of 50 Div Bomb Store, repairs to huts in Div rear camp destroyed by bombs, construction of large English Shelters at Marjouen camp for Support Battalion.
5-7 November 1917: On the 4th orders received to carry out certain improvements to all camps mainly consisting of protection of huts (sandbagging) and tents (raising tents onto an erected wall) and draining. For protection against bombs, work was carried out accordingly at Sarragosa, Hull, Cheapside, 4 D.A.C. Camps, Mouton, Roussel, Caribou, Carden Camps. For this purpose the Sections employed on mining dumps was withdrawn by the 5th. 3 Sect'n became partially available for this work. - The work was as a whole 1/2 completed by the 7th. On the 6th orders were received that the Coy would be left in the area, on the withdrawal of the 50th Division to rest area, and be employed under C.E XIV Corps taking over work from the 93rd Field Coy RE on a number of Artillery horse lines (making standings and shelters etc)
8 November 1917: On the 8th the Mounted Section and No 4 Section were transferred to camp vacated by 93 Fd Coy RE at Dewippe Cabaret, the remaining 3 Sections & Coy HQ remaining at Elverdinghe.
9-30 November 1917: During this period the Coy was employed under C.R.E. XXX Corps Troops.
The work consisted chiefly on building stables for the R.F.A. in the Corps area. During this period 51 stables were built accomodating altogether some 1,750 horses. In addition a Church Army Hut was made in Boesinghe with various small buildings such as Wash Houses and Drying Sheds. An incinerator for collecting SOLDER from tins was erected at Elverdinghe and extensions made to salvage dump sheds.
21-30 November 1917: Two Sections of 500th Field Coy RE attached to the Coy for work. Worked on stables inclusive of the above.
9-30 November 1917: During this period the Major McQueen DSO MC RE, was away acting C.R.E in the absence of Col Rathbone.
1- 4 November 1917: During this period the Coy continued to be employed as the "Reserve Coy" during operations on Sector W of Honihouse Forest - The Coy was employed on a large No of small jobs mainly improvements to camps etc, running all Divisonal Dumps, laying out training ground for attack practice for 151 Bde, construction of 3 drying sheds, making up 16 base plates for Trench Mortars, (required owing to the boggy nature of the ground), continuation of Horse Standings and bomb shelters for men at 7 Coy Horse Lines near Boesinghe, construction of Div Soup Kitchen and drying shed in area W of Yperise canal, advanced Signals Shelters near Boesinghe, (large trench sector shelters), sandbagging of 50 Div Bomb Store, repairs to huts in Div rear camp destroyed by bombs, construction of large English Shelters at Marjouen camp for Support Battalion.
5-7 November 1917: On the 4th orders received to carry out certain improvements to all camps mainly consisting of protection of huts (sandbagging) and tents (raising tents onto an erected wall) and draining. For protection against bombs, work was carried out accordingly at Sarragosa, Hull, Cheapside, 4 D.A.C. Camps, Mouton, Roussel, Caribou, Carden Camps. For this purpose the Sections employed on mining dumps was withdrawn by the 5th. 3 Sect'n became partially available for this work. - The work was as a whole 1/2 completed by the 7th. On the 6th orders were received that the Coy would be left in the area, on the withdrawal of the 50th Division to rest area, and be employed under C.E XIV Corps taking over work from the 93rd Field Coy RE on a number of Artillery horse lines (making standings and shelters etc)
8 November 1917: On the 8th the Mounted Section and No 4 Section were transferred to camp vacated by 93 Fd Coy RE at Dewippe Cabaret, the remaining 3 Sections & Coy HQ remaining at Elverdinghe.
9-30 November 1917: During this period the Coy was employed under C.R.E. XXX Corps Troops.
The work consisted chiefly on building stables for the R.F.A. in the Corps area. During this period 51 stables were built accomodating altogether some 1,750 horses. In addition a Church Army Hut was made in Boesinghe with various small buildings such as Wash Houses and Drying Sheds. An incinerator for collecting SOLDER from tins was erected at Elverdinghe and extensions made to salvage dump sheds.
21-30 November 1917: Two Sections of 500th Field Coy RE attached to the Coy for work. Worked on stables inclusive of the above.
9-30 November 1917: During this period the Major McQueen DSO MC RE, was away acting C.R.E in the absence of Col Rathbone.
1 December 1917: Dismounted Sections proceeded by bus route from Elverdighe to Inglinghiem joining 50 Div (with XVIII Corps) in the Eperleques (rest) area - Mounted Section
proceeded by march route.
2 December 1917: Mounted Section reached Inglinghiem.- Instructions received regarding training to the to be carried out during the 10 days it was expected the Coy would remain at the rest area.
3-10 December 1917: During this period the Coy was employed at training,drills, overhaul of clothing and equipment, route marches, lectures and new material training.
Ypre Passchendaele Sector, 10 December 1917: Coy HQ and 4 Sections marched Watten and entrained for Brandhoek, thence No 3 Section (Lt Hayworth Davis) proceeded by march route Bailleul for work on hutting under the XVIII Corps, remaining 3 Sections & HQ marched into billets immediately N of Ypres. - Mounted Section marched from Inglinghiem
on 10th arriving in billets at Vlametinghe on 12th. Maj McQueen rejoined Coy from acting C.R.E during absence of Lt Col Rathbone
11 December 1917: Sections rested. O.C. & Lt Rebbeck reconnoitred works being taken over from 212 Fd Coy RE. Most of these works were on point of completion and it was arranged for the Coy to start new works.
12-19 December 1917: Under the programme the Coy became responsible for the forward work in the new (Passchendaele) area. - At this time Passchendaele formed a considerable and important salient having comparatively recently been taken. Good communications did not exist within 2 mile of the village and highly organised defences had not as yet for the above reason been put in hand. As an alternative line of contact (duckboard track) was considered of the first importance to enable reinforcements to be sent up more easily when required. 2 Sections of the Coy were employed from the 12th on this work. 1 section on the work of constructing splinter proof shelters for the support Battalion of the forward Bde. The laying of such track on piles (single strand, later to be doubled) from neighbourhood of Waterfields Farm to Crest Farm, with further extension to Passchendaele was commenced on the 12th, on which day it was only possible to collect stores ammo dump. - Owing to indifferent control the difficulties of getting stores up was somewhat considerable and employed up to 100 Infantry WP on this alone. A further 60 were employed assisting sections (Nos 1 & 2) on the actual work. The distance to be covered to Crest Farm approx 1800 yds, and the track (single on piles) over very shell torn and in places boggy country reached neighbourhood of Crest Farm on evening 19th. An average progress of 240 yds being attained. During this period shelters to accommodate 220 Infantry were erected by No 4 Section at Manx and Seine Camps, this being completed (all Infantry under cover of HQ support Batt) by evening of 19th.
A Boche deep dug out used as Coy HQ with blown in entrance was partly divided by No 4 Section. - 6 strong Points in the Haarlen Switch trench cut, a Drying shed at Ypres nearly completed, and preparations (stores erc) made to commence work on 20th on an advanced dressing station Jt= shelters. - Capt Baker returned from leave on 17th.
Major McQueen proceeded on leave on 20th
Ypres 19-31 December 1917: During this period the Company continued to be employed on Divisional tasks in same sector. About the 19th a hard frost set in and continued unbroken right up to the end of the month consequently reducing the rate of progress on all works considerably. The following works were carried out:- Trench Board track continued single to Passchendaele, the last 400 yds being only Trestles. Double track completed to Haalen Copse and wire mesh.
Mesh put over single width, to prevent slipping on boards. This job was done by Nos 1 and 2 Sections, assisted by 150-200 infantry for carrying.
R.A.P near Hamburg was completed, consisting of 4, 4 man shelters and 2 dugouts for stretcher cases. 16 dugouts were put in Haalen Switch, each for 4 men of the small English type. Drying shed in Ypres was completed and a 2nd entrance dug to a Pill Box in Passchedaele, all by No 4 Section.
An N.C.O was sent to the Brigade to supervise wiring of Abraham Heights Switch Line, owing to which arrangements, useful work was done on this, although the Battalion changed every 2 days, assistance was given to the infantry in getting up small English shelters and showing them how to put them in, on Crest Farm.
On Christmas Day no work was done and the men had Christmas dinner at midday and concert afterwards.
proceeded by march route.
2 December 1917: Mounted Section reached Inglinghiem.- Instructions received regarding training to the to be carried out during the 10 days it was expected the Coy would remain at the rest area.
3-10 December 1917: During this period the Coy was employed at training,drills, overhaul of clothing and equipment, route marches, lectures and new material training.
Ypre Passchendaele Sector, 10 December 1917: Coy HQ and 4 Sections marched Watten and entrained for Brandhoek, thence No 3 Section (Lt Hayworth Davis) proceeded by march route Bailleul for work on hutting under the XVIII Corps, remaining 3 Sections & HQ marched into billets immediately N of Ypres. - Mounted Section marched from Inglinghiem
on 10th arriving in billets at Vlametinghe on 12th. Maj McQueen rejoined Coy from acting C.R.E during absence of Lt Col Rathbone
11 December 1917: Sections rested. O.C. & Lt Rebbeck reconnoitred works being taken over from 212 Fd Coy RE. Most of these works were on point of completion and it was arranged for the Coy to start new works.
12-19 December 1917: Under the programme the Coy became responsible for the forward work in the new (Passchendaele) area. - At this time Passchendaele formed a considerable and important salient having comparatively recently been taken. Good communications did not exist within 2 mile of the village and highly organised defences had not as yet for the above reason been put in hand. As an alternative line of contact (duckboard track) was considered of the first importance to enable reinforcements to be sent up more easily when required. 2 Sections of the Coy were employed from the 12th on this work. 1 section on the work of constructing splinter proof shelters for the support Battalion of the forward Bde. The laying of such track on piles (single strand, later to be doubled) from neighbourhood of Waterfields Farm to Crest Farm, with further extension to Passchendaele was commenced on the 12th, on which day it was only possible to collect stores ammo dump. - Owing to indifferent control the difficulties of getting stores up was somewhat considerable and employed up to 100 Infantry WP on this alone. A further 60 were employed assisting sections (Nos 1 & 2) on the actual work. The distance to be covered to Crest Farm approx 1800 yds, and the track (single on piles) over very shell torn and in places boggy country reached neighbourhood of Crest Farm on evening 19th. An average progress of 240 yds being attained. During this period shelters to accommodate 220 Infantry were erected by No 4 Section at Manx and Seine Camps, this being completed (all Infantry under cover of HQ support Batt) by evening of 19th.
A Boche deep dug out used as Coy HQ with blown in entrance was partly divided by No 4 Section. - 6 strong Points in the Haarlen Switch trench cut, a Drying shed at Ypres nearly completed, and preparations (stores erc) made to commence work on 20th on an advanced dressing station Jt= shelters. - Capt Baker returned from leave on 17th.
Major McQueen proceeded on leave on 20th
Ypres 19-31 December 1917: During this period the Company continued to be employed on Divisional tasks in same sector. About the 19th a hard frost set in and continued unbroken right up to the end of the month consequently reducing the rate of progress on all works considerably. The following works were carried out:- Trench Board track continued single to Passchendaele, the last 400 yds being only Trestles. Double track completed to Haalen Copse and wire mesh.
Mesh put over single width, to prevent slipping on boards. This job was done by Nos 1 and 2 Sections, assisted by 150-200 infantry for carrying.
R.A.P near Hamburg was completed, consisting of 4, 4 man shelters and 2 dugouts for stretcher cases. 16 dugouts were put in Haalen Switch, each for 4 men of the small English type. Drying shed in Ypres was completed and a 2nd entrance dug to a Pill Box in Passchedaele, all by No 4 Section.
An N.C.O was sent to the Brigade to supervise wiring of Abraham Heights Switch Line, owing to which arrangements, useful work was done on this, although the Battalion changed every 2 days, assistance was given to the infantry in getting up small English shelters and showing them how to put them in, on Crest Farm.
On Christmas Day no work was done and the men had Christmas dinner at midday and concert afterwards.
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Click on the thumbnail to view works map for Dec1917 -5 Jan 1918
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At the end of each month Company Returns of Casualties, Promotions,Reversions, Transfers, Reinforcements and Company Strength, Including Horses were attached to the War Diary. Some samples for 1917 are below. Click on the thumbnails to view
For a complete map of the Western Front 1914-1918 and more information on the battles that took place. Click on the link:
http://www.greatwar.co.uk/battles/#maubeugestquentin
http://www.greatwar.co.uk/battles/#maubeugestquentin
WW1Trenches
The front line trenches were part of a complex design. Each was backed up by second and third lines: ‘support’ and ‘reserve’ trenches. Communication trenches linked them all together. The support and reserve trenches were lined with underground shelters or dugouts which were used as protection from enemy fire and the weather.
Mines
Tunneling and mining operations were common on the Western Front. Tunnels would be dug under ‘no-man’s land’ and explosive mines would be used to destroy enemy positions. Much of the tunneling was done by special Royal Engineers units formed from Welsh and Durham miners.
On 1 July 1916, a few minutes before they attacked on the Somme, the British exploded several huge mines packed with explosives under the German lines. Although many defenders were killed by the explosions, the delay in starting the advance meant that the men were unable to keep up with the artillery barrage that was supposed to take them through to the German trenches. This gave the Germans time to scramble out of their dugouts once the barrage had lifted, man their trenches and open a devastating machine-gun fire.
Barbed wire
Thick belts of barbed wire were placed in front of the trenches on the Western Front. They were placed far enough from the trenches to prevent the enemy from approaching close enough to throw grenades in. Sometimes barbed-wire entanglements were designed to channel attacking infantry and cavalry into machine-gun and artillery fields of fire.
Weather
In some sectors of the front the struggle with the weather was harder than that with the enemy. Artillery bombardment rapidly destroyed trenches and dugouts, depriving men of shelter. Bad weather and the destruction of pre-war drainage ditches also led to widespread flooding. No matter how cold or wet they were, the soldiers and their horses had to remain in the line.
Wiring parties
When assigned as a member of a wiring party - usually operating under the direction of more experienced NCOs - men would creep into no man’s land under cover of darkness, a necessary precaution given the essentially unprotected nature of their activities.
Once there the wiring party would, as occasion demanded, insert new wiring posts (approximately 6 feet in height) ahead of the front trench either by hammering the post with a muffled mallet, or else by winding the post in the manner of a screw (the earlier method being more common during the early stages of trench warfare).
Once the posts were in place reels of barbed wire - concertina wire - would be affixed to the post, unwound and attached to a second post (and often doubled back again to provide an additional layer of protection).
The task was one which obviously needed to be undertaken in strict secrecy and silence. Men assigned to wiring duties lived in constant fear of enemy flares, sent up to illuminate an area of the battlefield as if by daylight. Men caught in No Man's Land by such flares would either freeze until the light of the flare died, or else (more often) throw themselves instantly to the ground. It was not uncommon for enemy machine gun fire to accompany the sending up of flares as a precautionary measure.
Barbed wire, which could and often was laid to a formidable depth, proved difficult to destroy, although high explosive artillery was often launched so as to clear the enemy lines of wire; all too often however the wire remained uncut, as was disastrously the case for advancing British forces on the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
Wire would generally be laid at sufficient distance from the front line trench to prevent the possibility of enemy infantry lobbing grenades into the trench and fleeing. Furthermore wire would commonly be laid in such a configuration as to draw advancing enemy troops into ideal range for enfilading machine gun fire.
Where the distance between the enemy front lines was narrow - often the case on the trenches of the Western Front - it was not unusual for wiring parties of one side to encounter men from the opposing line engaged in the same task.
In such circumstances hand-to-hand fighting would often ensure (the use of pistols often instantly drawing deadly machine gun fire from both sides), or else one side would instantly flee back to their line in order to open up fire on the opposing wiring party.
The front line trenches were part of a complex design. Each was backed up by second and third lines: ‘support’ and ‘reserve’ trenches. Communication trenches linked them all together. The support and reserve trenches were lined with underground shelters or dugouts which were used as protection from enemy fire and the weather.
Mines
Tunneling and mining operations were common on the Western Front. Tunnels would be dug under ‘no-man’s land’ and explosive mines would be used to destroy enemy positions. Much of the tunneling was done by special Royal Engineers units formed from Welsh and Durham miners.
On 1 July 1916, a few minutes before they attacked on the Somme, the British exploded several huge mines packed with explosives under the German lines. Although many defenders were killed by the explosions, the delay in starting the advance meant that the men were unable to keep up with the artillery barrage that was supposed to take them through to the German trenches. This gave the Germans time to scramble out of their dugouts once the barrage had lifted, man their trenches and open a devastating machine-gun fire.
Barbed wire
Thick belts of barbed wire were placed in front of the trenches on the Western Front. They were placed far enough from the trenches to prevent the enemy from approaching close enough to throw grenades in. Sometimes barbed-wire entanglements were designed to channel attacking infantry and cavalry into machine-gun and artillery fields of fire.
Weather
In some sectors of the front the struggle with the weather was harder than that with the enemy. Artillery bombardment rapidly destroyed trenches and dugouts, depriving men of shelter. Bad weather and the destruction of pre-war drainage ditches also led to widespread flooding. No matter how cold or wet they were, the soldiers and their horses had to remain in the line.
Wiring parties
When assigned as a member of a wiring party - usually operating under the direction of more experienced NCOs - men would creep into no man’s land under cover of darkness, a necessary precaution given the essentially unprotected nature of their activities.
Once there the wiring party would, as occasion demanded, insert new wiring posts (approximately 6 feet in height) ahead of the front trench either by hammering the post with a muffled mallet, or else by winding the post in the manner of a screw (the earlier method being more common during the early stages of trench warfare).
Once the posts were in place reels of barbed wire - concertina wire - would be affixed to the post, unwound and attached to a second post (and often doubled back again to provide an additional layer of protection).
The task was one which obviously needed to be undertaken in strict secrecy and silence. Men assigned to wiring duties lived in constant fear of enemy flares, sent up to illuminate an area of the battlefield as if by daylight. Men caught in No Man's Land by such flares would either freeze until the light of the flare died, or else (more often) throw themselves instantly to the ground. It was not uncommon for enemy machine gun fire to accompany the sending up of flares as a precautionary measure.
Barbed wire, which could and often was laid to a formidable depth, proved difficult to destroy, although high explosive artillery was often launched so as to clear the enemy lines of wire; all too often however the wire remained uncut, as was disastrously the case for advancing British forces on the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
Wire would generally be laid at sufficient distance from the front line trench to prevent the possibility of enemy infantry lobbing grenades into the trench and fleeing. Furthermore wire would commonly be laid in such a configuration as to draw advancing enemy troops into ideal range for enfilading machine gun fire.
Where the distance between the enemy front lines was narrow - often the case on the trenches of the Western Front - it was not unusual for wiring parties of one side to encounter men from the opposing line engaged in the same task.
In such circumstances hand-to-hand fighting would often ensure (the use of pistols often instantly drawing deadly machine gun fire from both sides), or else one side would instantly flee back to their line in order to open up fire on the opposing wiring party.
On 12 July, I think, Littlewood was working at night in the southern sector. Next morning, I got a note to say he was missing. Baker, Corporal O'Connell and others having been out all day trying to find him, he was discovered in the afternoon lying out in the open above Kestrel Lane. His head was smashed in, and he must have been killed at once. He was apparently walking across from Egret Trench to get into Kestrel Lane, with a view to going up to Jackdaw Trench. I took the opportunity to implore all the other officers not to walk about alone. There is a strict order that all officers must take orderlies.
Oh, my poor 'fat boy' ..He seemed so young, so fresh, so gay and so natural. I don't believe he ever had a mean thought, or one he could not have spoken out. He would get annoyed when we chaffed him, until we went on and made him laugh. He never seemed to know fear. Two days before this, I had heard that I had been gazetted a permanent First-Lieutenant, having hitherto been only a substantive second-lieutenant, though an acting captain. I asked Rimbod to buy us half a dozen bottles of champagne, for the occasion.
Oh, my poor 'fat boy' ..He seemed so young, so fresh, so gay and so natural. I don't believe he ever had a mean thought, or one he could not have spoken out. He would get annoyed when we chaffed him, until we went on and made him laugh. He never seemed to know fear. Two days before this, I had heard that I had been gazetted a permanent First-Lieutenant, having hitherto been only a substantive second-lieutenant, though an acting captain. I asked Rimbod to buy us half a dozen bottles of champagne, for the occasion.
