Diary Time Line 39th Division 1916
116th Brigade
Witley Camp, Witley Common, Surrey
4-3-16 – 12 RSR: proceeded by rail to Southampton. Embarked for Havre
5-3-16 – 13th Royal Sussex Regiment (13 RSR) left Witley Camp in 3 trains, and embarked at Southampton on the SS “Viper” (860 men) and SS “Australind”(120 men
The Australind
5-3-16. 12 RSR: Arrived 02:00 (Havre) disembarked 07:00 marched to rest camp for the night
6-3-16. 12 RSR: Battn entrainined for Morbecque
6-3-16. 13 RSR Marched to rest camp No 5 at Le Havre, in snow.
7-3-16. 13 RSR entrained at 8am, arrived 3.30am on 8 March, and moved to rest camp at Morbecque.
7-3-16. 12 RSR: Battn. Arrived at 1pm detrained and marched to camp
8 – 10-3-16. 12 RSR: remained in camp
8-3-16. Hertfordshire Regiment (HR), 1st Battalion moved into the 39th Divisional area and moved under canvas near SERCUS.
11-3-16. 12 RSR: Battn. Marched to Estairesand billetted for the night
11-3-16. 13 RSR: Brigade marched to Neuf Berquin. Into billets.
12-3-16.13 RSR Marched to Rue du Quesnoy, via Estaires and Sailly. A and C Companies moved into trenches attached to 2nd Royal Irish Rifles and 2nd Royal Berkshires respectively [for tuition]. B and D Companies provided working parties.
Over the next few days the Companies were rotated. A Company came out on 14 March, relieved by B, but went into the line again two days later, to be relieved themselves on the 18 March. The front line units suffered no casualties, but there were small numbers wounded while on working parties.
12-3-16. 12 RSR: 04:00 Right half Bn. Marched to Fleurbaix and were attached to the 8th Bn. K.O.Y.L.I. for instruction.
04:30 left half Bn. Marched to Fleurbaix and were attached to the 11th Sherwood Foresters for instruction.7pm Right half Bn. went into trenches for instruction. Left half Bn. Remained in billetts and found working and fatigue parties.
12-3-16. 12 RSR: Right half Bn. in trenches, left half Battn in billets which were shelled.
14-3-16. 12 RSR: Left half Bn. relieved right half Bn. in trenches for instruction.
15-3-16. 12 RSR: Left Half Bn. in trenches right half Bn. in billetts, found working and fatigue parties
15-3-16. The 118th Brigade was inspected by the GOC 1st Army.
16-3-16. 12 RSR: same again
17-3-16. 12 RSR: Left half Bn. in trenches right half Bn. in billetts, found working and fatigue parties
18-3-16. 12 RSR: Right half Bn. relieved Left half Bn. in trenches
19-3-16. 12 RSR: Left half Bn. in billets, found fatigue and working party. Right half in trenches.
19-3-16. 13 RSR moved to Sailly sur la Lys, in billets.
20-3-16. 13 RSR: moved to Fleurbaix, in reserve to 11th Sussex. A Company moved into Croix Marechal Post, and C to Cain Post.
20-3-16. 12 RSR: Whole Bn. took over the line.
21-3-16. 12 RSR: Bn. in trenches
22-3-16. 12 RSR Bn in trenches
23-3-16. 12 RSR: 9pm Bn. relieved by 10th Bn. Lincoln Regt. And marched to billets at Estaires.
23-3-16. 13 RSR relieved by 16th Royal Scots, and marched to billets in Estaires.
24-3-16. 12 RSR: 04:00 Bn. arrived and went into billets
25-3-16. 12 RSR: Battalion remained in billets
25-3-16. 13 RSR moved to billets on the Neuf Berquin – Merville road at Robermetz.
31-3-16. 12 RSR: 3pm BN. marched to Merville and went into billets at Le Laurier.
31-3-16. 13 RSR: To billets in Verte Ru [?]Training began.
While at this place, the battalion was inspected by the General Commanding XI Corps (Haking), and the commander of their Division, Major-General Barnardiston.
1-4-16. 12 RSR : Bn. marched to Caudescure outside Merville and remained in billets until the 14th April.
14-4-16. 12 RSR: Bn. marched to Riez du Vinage and remained night in billets.
14-4-16. Brig. Gen. I Watson CB gave up command of brigade.
14-4-16. 13 RSR: Marched to Locon, via Merville, and into billets.
15-4-16. 13 RSR: Took over the Right Subsector front line at Givenchy, relieving the 13th Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Moved via Gorre and the canal, in sections 50 yards apart after leaving Gorre. A Company (Captain S. Hughes) was Left Company, in the Duck’s Bill. B (M. Makalua) in the centre and C (C. Humble-Crofts) on the right, on the canal bank. D Company was in support in Pont Fixe Keep. Trenches reported in very poor condition, and wire defences practically non-existent. Work to remedy this was commenced. 1 man wounded. Patrols went out at night, to reconnoitre enemy positions.
15-4-16. 12 RSR: Bn. marched to Windy Corner, village line Givenchy sector and relieved Welsh Regiment.
16-4-16. 12 RSR: 1 OR wounded , 1 OR killed (possibly Pte. SD/2327 Richard Alfred Ichabod Evershed from Washington)
16-4-16. 13 RSR: Enemy shelled Gunner Siding and the Village Line. No damage done. At 12.30pm, there was a direct hit on the parapet of B Company, killing and wounding 10 men. A great number of rifle grenades were fired on both sides.
17-4-16. 13 RSR: Quiet by day, much machine gun and rifle grenade fire by night. 3 men in an A Company working party were wounded and fell on the wire. Second Lieutenant N. MacRoberts went out and fetched two of them in. Privates Parvin and Hayter gave assistance.
19-4-16. 13 RSR: Relieved by 11th Sussex, and moved to Gorre Chateau.
19-4-16. 12 RSR: Bn. relieved 14th Hants in front line Givenchy. 1 officer wounded, 7 ORs wounded
20-4-16. 12 RSR; 1 OR killed (possibly Pte 1774 Stanley Thomas Muggeridge (from Billingshurst, reported to have died on the 21 April) and Pte. SD/2004 W Widgery), 2 ORs wounded
22-4-16. 12 RSR: 2 Ors killed (possibly Pte. SD/1878 George Stephen Culver and Pte , 6 ORs wounded)
23-4-16. 12 RSR: Bn. moved back to billets in Gorre
23-4-16. 13 RSR: Relieved 11th Sussex in positions as before. D Company was in Duck’s Bill, A in Pont Fixe Keep. [This was a relatively quiet tour].
27-4-16. 13 RSR: Relieved by 11th Sussex, taking over Village Line. A and C Companies in billets in the village, B in le Plantin Keep and Windy Corner, D in Givenchy Keep, Herd Redoubt, Moat Farm and Hilder’s Redoubt. Found working parties. [On 28 April, battalion stood to for a gas alarm, but none reached the battalion sector]
27-4-16. 12 RSR: Bn. relieved 14th Hants in front line and remained till 30th April. 1 OR killed (possibly LSgt SD/1758 William George Baker) 4 ORs wounded, Lt Col. Wallace gave up command of the Battn.
28-4-16. 12 RSR: 1 OR killed (possibly Pte. SD/2269 HF Poiney ), 1 OR wounded
29-4-16. 12 RSR: 1 Officer wounded, 1 OR killed (possibly Cpl SD/1259 FT Beale), 2 Ors wounded
30-4-16. 12 RSR: Lt Col. Impey joined and took command of the Battn.
1-5-16. 12 RSR: Bn. marched back to billets at Les Choquax. 1 OR killed (possibly LCpl SD/1366 JFG Hollobone ), 2 Ors wounded
30-4-16. 13 RSR: Relieved by 4th Black watch, and moved to billets at La Pannerie. HQ in Pont L’Hinges, In Divisional reserve.
1-5-16. The HR Bn relieved the 12th Royal Sussex in the B2 sub section GIVENCHY.
9-5-16. 13 RSR: Relieved 17th King’s Royal Rifle Corps in Festubert Left Subsector. A Company on right, D on left. C and B in the old British front line. Work began on wire and on Shetland Communication Trench. [On 11 May, Lance Sergeant Harriott, Battalion Sniping Sergeant, was killed by machine gun fire.]
9-5-16. 12 RSR: Bn. relieved 7th Rifle Brigade in village line Festubert.
11-5-16. 12 RSR: 3 Ors wounded
13-5-16 12 RSR: Bn moved up to OBL and islands, 1 Officer wounded
13-5-16. 13 RSR: Relieved by 11th Sussex, marched to billets at Le Touret. Working parties found.
14-5-16 12 RSR: 4 ORs wounded
16-5-16. 12 RSR: 2 ORs killed (possibly Pte SD/1350 HC Griffiths and Pte SD/1707 H Lewis from Worthing)
17-5-16. 12 RSR: Bn. marched back to billets in Le Touret. 2 ORs killed (possibly Pte SD/2141 H Winton and Pte 2029 J Steere ), 1 OR wounded
17-5-16. 13 RSR: Relieved 11th Sussex, in positions as before. [On 20 May, Second Lieutenant G. Elliott, Battalion Signalling Officer, was killed. However, a relatively quiet tour, punctuated by firing of whizzbangs].
21-5-16. 13 RSR: Relieved by 11th Sussex, moved to Festubert Village Line.
21-5-16. 12 RSR: Bn. moved into front line (OBL and islands) Festubert. 1 OR wounded
22-5-16. 1 OR wounded
25-5-16. 12 RSR: Bn. marched back to billets at Les Choquax. 1 OR wounded
25-5-16. The HR Bn relieved the 11th Royal Sussex Regt. in C2 sub section FESTUBERT.
25-5-16. 13 RSR: Relieved by 4/5th Black Watch, marched to billets at La Pannerie.
28-5-16. 13 RSR: Marched via Locon and Gorre, relieved 2nd Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in Cuinchy trenches. B Company on right, C centre, A left near canal. D in support and HQ in Kingsclere.
28-5-16. 12 RSR: Bn. relived 1st Middlesex Regt. In Annequin North.
29-5-16. 13 RSR: Heavy enemy bombardment and raid. 6 casualties. Enemey captured an NCO and several rifles.
30-5-16. 13 RSR: Enemy blew a small mine in front of C Company. The near lip of the crater was 20 yards from Sussex front line. There was much damage to the parapet. Several men were buried, but only 1 killed. Bombing parties were sent to the near lip, but there was no sign of the enemy. They recovered the body of our captured NCO and a German, of a Saxon regiment.
1-6-16. 13 RSR: Relieved by 11th Sussex. A Company moved to Cambrin Point, B to Braddell Castle, C to Cuinchy Keep, Caters Post and Tourbieres.
1-6-16. 12 RSR: Bn. relieved 14th Hants in fron line Guichy. 2 ORs wounded
2-6-16. 12 RSR: 3 ORs wounded
3-6-16. 12 RSR; 3 ORs wounded
4-6-16. 12 RSR: 1 Officer. Lt Boyd killed, 9 ORs wounded
5-6-16. 12 RSR Bn. moved back to village linee Guinchy , relieved by 14th Hants. 2 ORs wounded
5 -6-16. 13 RSR: Relieved 11th Sussex in same Cuinchy sector. A to right, D in centre, B on left. C in support in Esperanto Terrace. Patrols sent out, but fairly quiet.
8-6-16. 13 RSR: Relieved by 11th Sussex, moved to billets in Annequin North.
8-6-16. 12 RSR: Bn. moved into frony line Guinchy and relieved 14th Hants. 5 ORs wounded
9-6-16. 12 RSR: 2 ORs wounded
10-6-16. 12 RSR: Bn. relieved by 1st Middlesex and moved back to billets in Les Quesnay. 2 ORs wounded
10-6-16. 13 RSR: Moved to Divisional Reserve at La Pannerie. Much attack practice undertaken.
11-6-16. 12 RSR; Bn. moved back to Divn,. Reserve billets at Les Choquaux
16-6-16. 12 RSR: Bn. relieved by 15th Cheshire Regt. (Bantams) in front line at Ferme du Bois
16-6-16. 13 RSR: Relieved 17th Lancashire Fusiliers in Ferme du Bois trenches. A Company on right, C in centre, D on left and B in support at Bute Street.
17-6-16. 13 RSR: With the exception of dropping a few “minnies” on the head of Plum Street at 6.30pm, the enemy was very quiet. Usual machine gun and rifle fire at night. Our trench mortars registered in the afternoon. Usual patrols reconnoitred at night. Captain Gillespie and Lieutenant Ripley wounded during patrol, the former seriously.
17-6-16. 12 RSR: 4 ORs wounded
18-6-16 13 RSR: Enemy very quiet except for machine gun and rifle fire at night. Our rifle grenades were active both during the day and night. Captain Gillespie reported died of wounds. This was a great blow to the Battalion and one very much felt by all ranks. This officer was a model of energy and cheerfulness in the performance of his duty, and was always ready to help anyone who was in trouble. His funeral took place at Merville and was attended by Second Lieutenants Jones and M. Sparks. Second Lieutenant Dickens reported to this Battalion for duty and was posted to D Company. Captain R. D’A.Whittaker temporarily took on command of D Company and Lieutenant Coxhead was appointed acting Adjutant.
18-6-16. 12 RSR: 3 ORs wounded
19-6-16. 13 RSR: the enemy dropped a few whizz bangs near Cadbury’s and Cockspur Street, slightly damaging the trench but causing no casualties. Slight interchange of bombs at Boar’s Head Sap. During the night our Lewis guns dispersed a hostile wiring party. Weather rather cold, wind southwest, about three miles an hour.
19-6-16. 12 RSR 4 ORs wounded
20-6-16 13 RSR: enemy bombarded our line at intervals during the day only doing slight damage and wounding one man slightly. Machine guns were active during the night and there was a certain amount of bombing activity in the Boar’s Head Sap, during which Lieutenant Clarke was wounded in the leg and thigh, but not seriously. Patrols under Captain Whittaker, Second Lieutenants Whitley and Prior went out during the day and night into no man’s land. Direction of wind west about 5 mph. Weather much warmer.
20-6-16. 12 RSR: 2 ORs wounded
21-6-16 13 RSR: the enemy artillery was active during the day, shelling our trenches and also Windy Corner. A few casualties amongst a loading party of B Company were sustained. Our rifle grenades were again active with visibly good results. The battalion was relieved in the trenches by the 14th Battalion Hampshires, taking over the following posts and billets evacuated by the relieving Battalion. Companies reported relief complete 3:15am.
21-6-16. 12 RSR: Bn moved back to Croix Barbee
22-6-16. 12 RSR: Bn. moved to Les Lobes in Divn. Reserve
22-6-16. 13 RSR: the battalion was relieved by the 1/1st Hertfordshire Regiment, moving to billets at Vielle Chapelle evacuated by the relieving Battalion. Companies reported all in billets at 11:45pm. The battalion remained under the GOC 116 Infantry Brigade for administration, discipline and training, but otherwise temporarily formed part of Brigade in Divisional Reserve.
22-6-16. The HR Bn relieved the 13th Royal Sussex in post systems RICHEBOURG & ST VAAST.
23-6-16. 13 RSR: the officers of the battalion were informed of a future operation to be carried out by the Brigade and the plans of action were discussed. The Corps Commander presented the medal ribbons to Privates Parvin, Ford and Balcombe. Weather very warm, sharp thunderstorm about 4:30pm.
24-6-16. 13 RSR: the morning was devoted to interior economy, and 50 men from each company had a bath. In the afternoon the battalion marched to the divisional training ground to practice (R.19.c) carrying out the attack. Companies marched off independently at 2pm.
25-6-16. 13 RSR: companies marched off independently to the training ground for attack practice. Special bombing squads under Second Lieutenant Ellis marched to the 35th Divisional Bombing ground at Le Pacaut 26 June: companies paraded at 9am and marched to the to 35th Divisional training ground at Le Pacaut and practiced the attack on the new trenches, returning in the afternoon to the training ground at R.19.d.
27-6-16. 13 RSR: weather very wet. Training abandoned owing to rain . In the afternoon companies detailed 50 men for the baths. Clean change of clothing issued out. From Operation Orders: On the night the 28th, the battalion will take over the right sub-sector, as follows: from Cadbury’s to Bond Street intrusive. The dividing line between 13th and 12th battalions will be bombed street inclusive to 13th Battalion, and a line drawn in prolongation of Bond Street in the northwest direction. They disposition of the battalion will be as follows: in front immediate support line B and C Companies; in reserve trench Palma and part of right Guards D Company; in billets behind Battalion Headquarters a Company; Battalion Headquarters Bond Street, with use of house
28-6-16. 12 RSR: Bn. moved to Richebourg
8pm two companies marched to front line trenches right sector Ferme Du Bois. One company marched to Richbourg, One company marched to Vielle Chapelle
28-6-16. The HR Bn was relieved by 11th Royal Sussex Regt. and proceeded to billets at LESLOBES.
28-6-16. 13 RSR: battalion relieved the 14th Battalion Hampshires in the Right Sub-sector Ferme du Bois and moved to the following billets. B and C Companies in the front line, A in Richebourg Saint Vaast Post, and D in billets in Vielle Chapelle.
29-6-16. 13 RSR: day spent in collecting materials, and general organisation for the attack. In the afternoon, our artillery bombarded the enemy trenches from 2pm to 5pm, cutting his wire and destroying his works. [Extract from Operation Order Number 23. Intention The Battalion will assault and capture the enemy trenches as follows: Enemy front-line from Boar’s Head to S.10.c.8.1. Enemy support line from S.16.a.5. 6 to S.16.a.9.9. The 12th battalion will assault on our left. The dividing line between battalions will be the ditch running from our front line parapet at S.10.c.5.3 to the enemy front-line parapet at S.10.c.8.0. Method of attack Main attack from our front line between cinder track and the ditch near Vine Street. Flank attack from our own Fishtail Sap against the Boar’s Head. Main attack will be delivered in four lines, each line consisting of 4 Platoons. Flank attack will be delivered by five bombing parties, each party consisting of one NCO and six men. Lewis guns These will assemble in the old disused trench about 35 yards in front of trench between Bond Street and Vine Street. Carrying party Carrying party will assemble in the Strand. As soon as the assaulting lines have advanced over the front parapet these parties will move to the company stores situated in our present front line. Their work will be to transfer SAA , bombs, rations and water from the stores to the company’s stores in a new front line. Silence must be insisted on.]
29-6-16. 12 RSR; 9pm Two companies marched from Richbourg and Viele Chapelle and joined rest of battalion in front line Ferme Du Bois.
Artillery bombarded enemy trenches Boars Head from 2pm to 5pm
29-6-16. The HR Bn marched into billets at VIELLE CHAPELLE.
30-6-16. 12 RSR: Battalion attacked enemy front and support lines and succeeded in entering same. The suppot line was occupied for about half hour and front line for 4 hours. The withdrawal was necessitated by the supply of bombs and ammunition giving out and the heavy enemy barrage on our front line and communication trenches preventing reinforcements being sent forward.
The Battalion was relieved by the 14th Hants at 10am and marched to Les Lobes after resting at Richbourg.
21 killed, Missing reported killed 35, wounded 236 Total 412
30-6-16. 13 RSR: Report on Operations.
- The Battalion assembled at 1:30pm on the morning of 30 June in readiness for the assault with all 4 Platoons of each Company in the front line.
2. The preliminary bombardment on the morning of the attack opened at 2:50am and at 3.05am the leading wave of the battalion scaled the parapet, the remainder following at 50 yards interval. At the same time the flank attack under Lieutenants Whitley and Ellis gained a footing in the enemy trench. The passage across no man’s land was accomplished with few casualties except in the left companies, which came under very heavy machine-gun fire. The two right companies succeeded in reaching the objective but the two left companies only succeeded in penetrating the enemy’s wire in one or two places. Just at this moment as smoke cloud, which was originally designed to mask our advance, drifted right across the front and made it impossible to see more than a few yards ahead. This resulted in all direction being lost and the attack devolving into small bodies of men not knowing which way to go. Some groups succeeded in entering the support line, engaging the enemy with bombs and bayonets and organising the initial stages of a defence. Other parties swung off to the right and entered the trench where the flanking party was operating, causing a great deal of congestion. On the left the smoke and darkness made the job of penetrating the enemy wire so difficult that few if any succeeded in reaching the enemy trench. Some parties of the right company succeeded in reaching the enemy support line when they were subjected to an intense bombardment with HE and whizzbangs. Captain Hughes, who was wounded, seeing that his company was in danger of being cut off, gave the order for the evacuation of the enemy trenches and the remainder of the attacking force returned to our trenches. The enemy who was evidently thoroughly prepared now concentrated his energies on the front line and for the space of about two and a half hours our front and support lines were subjected to an intense bombardment with a bit heavy and light shells causing a large… [The diary disappears here and does not start again until after the attack].
The Sussex’ attack is not mentioned in the British Official History of the war, no doubt being more concerned with the very much greater events taking place on the Somme on 1 July 1916. The South Downs units lost 360 killed and more than 1,100 wounded in this fruitless action, the intention of which was to distract the enemy from the Somme, pin down his reserves and improve the local tactical situation.
Royal Sussex Regiment Casualty List