Tracing British Battalions on The Somme by Ray Westlake

Author:Ray Westlake
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pen & Sword
Published: 2011-02-28T16:00:00+00:00

Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry

1st Battalion. 95th Brigade, 5th Division: Marched from Ivergny to Candas (14/7). To Toutencourt (15/7), Bresle (16/7). Bivouacked on a hill side south of Bécordel-Bécourt (17/7). Here – War Diary notes troops coming back from forward area – ‘muddy and disreputable but all quite happy and cheerful, though obviously tired out.’ Via Fricourt, Mametz and Montauban to forward positions near Longueval (19/7) – occupying sunken road leading to High Wood. Attacked (23/7) – made good headway but fierce counter attack forced assaulting waves to retire to Pont Street. Relieved by 1st Devonshire and to Happy Valley. To Longueval (28/7), Pommiers Redoubt (30/7), Méaulte (1/8). 500 casualties recorded since (19/7) – of these – 329 are given as missing believed killed. Number reflects severe shelling experienced throughout the whole time Battalion was in forward area. With 5th Division moved to Abbeville area, resting and training around Airaines and Belloy-St. Léonard. To positions on eastern slope of Maitz Horn Ridge (26/8), front line (Bodmin and Cornwall Trenches) (2/9). Took part in 95th Brigade’s assault towards Leuze Wood – all objectives taken. To Happy Valley (6/9). Later to Ville-sur-Ancre. To Sandpit Camp (18/9) and from there via La Briqueterie into line at Morval. To support line at The Quadrilateral (21/9). Relieved and to Citadel Camp (27/9), Fontaine-sur-Somme (30/9). Entrained for Givenchy area (1/10).

1/5th Battalion (T.F.). Pioneers, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division: Left Laventie sector for the Somme (28/10). Reached Bonnières (6/11), Beaumetz (15/11) and from there to Martinsart Wood. To dug outs between Contalmaison and Pozières (17/11).

6th (Service) Battalion. 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division: Arrived Candas from Arras area (6/8) and from there entrained for Méricourt. To Albert (7/8), Montauban (12/8). Provided carrying parties for 6th Somerset Light Infantry then engaged at Delville Wood. To front line Delville Wood (15/8). Took part in attack on Hop Alley and Edge Trench opposite south-eastern corner of wood (18/8) – heavy casualties among ‘B’ and ‘D’ Companies while in assembly positions and after advancing 100 yards. Severe hand-to-hand fighting followed – ‘D’ Company reduced to 1 officer and about 20 men. Front line and captured positions held under heavy bombardment. Relieved and to camp west of Fricourt (20/8). Casualties – 366. Into support at Montauban Defences (25/8). To camp north-east of Dernancourt (30/8), Aumont (31/8). Arrived Albert (12/9). Moved forward to Pommiers Redoubt (14/9). Attack on Gird and Gird Support Trenches in front of Gueudecourt (16/9) – Battalion moved forward in a single wave 9.25 a.m. – heavy machine gun fire from right brought assault to a standstill. Renewed attack at 6.55 p.m. failed. Relieve and to Pommiers Redoubt (17/9). Casualties 309. Via Bécordel-Bécourt to Ribemont (18/9), Sus-St. Léger (22/9). Transferred to Arras sector (27/9).

7th (Service) Battalion. 61st Brigade, 20th (Light) Division: Arrived Halloy from Ypres sector (25/7). To Bois de Warnimont (26/7), Bus-lès-Artois (27/7), Mailly-Maillet (28/7), trenches Redan sector (3/8), Sailly Dell (7/8), Courcelles (13/8), Morlancourt via Méricourt (20/8), Happy Valley (21/8), front line trenches at Gillemont (22/8). Enemy attacks repulsed (23/8) and (24/8).

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