RECORD OF THE 6th (SERVICE) BATTALION
1st AUGUST 1915 to 30th JUNE 1916
BASED ON EXTRACTS FROM THE REGIMENTAL CHRONICLES
Heavy and often dangerous duties were performed by the Battalion during these eleven months at a cost of nearly 300 casualties, yet without the satisfaction of taking part in any important engagement.
The principal work which fell to its lot was holding various parts of the line in France and in Flanders, besides spending a very disagreeable winter in the wet and muddy trenches.
Throughout this period the Battalion was commanded by Lieut Colonel E. D. White (late 1st Battalion).
From the Regimental Diary.
August 1st, 1915.-The 6th Bat­talion, forming part of the 60th (Light) Brigade of the 20th (Light) Division, was in billets near Bailleul, and was inspected by General Pulteney, Commanding the IIIrd Corps.
August 2nd-8th.-Route marching, training, etc.
August 9th.—Left billets at 12 midnight, marched to Sailly Rail­way Station, arriving at 4 a.m. (10th).
Here we were met by guides of the 2nd Scottish Rifles, who conducted companies to billets in the Rue de Quesnes.
The Battalion was attached to the Scottish Rifles for instruction in trench duties, and to the 2nd Devons, actually in trenches.
August 10th.-Companies were instructed by officers and N.C.O.'s of the Scottish Rifles.
Platoons went into the trenches, to be attached to platoons of the 2nd Devons for individual instruction, one man of ours to one man of theirs.
Working parties of 1 officer and 60 N.C.O.'s and men also went up for work in the trenches at 9 p.m.
August 11th,.-Same as yesterday.
Platoons in the trenches relieved by 5 other platoons.
Working parties morning and evening.
August 12th.-As yesterday.
August 13th.-One platoon from each company went into trenches to work as a platoon.
Working parties (1 officer and 75 men) at 9 a.m.
One man was wounded by a rifle bullet in the wrist.
Working party (1 officer and 50 men) at 5 p.m.
A man was injured in the back by a pick.
Corporal Ludlow was killed whilst at a listening post, and was buried in the graveyard by Devon H.Q. Another man was wounded in the eye at the same time.
August 17th.-As yesterday; 1 man wounded in the head.
At 6.30 p.m. the Battalion paraded at Sailly Station, and moved back to Reserve billets at Oultersteen, arriving in billets at 11.45 p.m.; 3 men were conveyed in the ambulance, but no one fell out on the march.
August 18th.-Rest and cleaning up.
August 19th.-The Battalion employed in clearing drains, ditches, etc.
Training of bombers, signallers, range-finders.
August 20th-2lst.-The whole Battalion had baths at Bailleul, 50 men at a time, at intervals of 20 minutes.
August 22nd.-Church Parade, and rest.
August 23rd.-Brigade alarm test.
August 24th.-The C.O., Second in Command, Adjutant, and 4 Company Commanders proceeded, by motor, to Laventie, to reconnoitre the trenches of the 39th Garhwal Rifles and 2nd Leicesters, with a view to taking over.
August 25th.-Marched at 1.30 p.m. to billets at Estaires, arriving at 4.15 p.m.
Billets on the Estaires Neuf-Berquin road.
August 26th-Estaires.
Companies sent advanced parties of 1 officer, C.S.M., 4 N.C.O.'s, and 2 company signallers to accom­pany Major Childers, the R.S.M., and 6 regimental signallers, to the trenches of the 2nd Leicesters in the afternoon, and took over stores, telephones, etc.
Companies paraded at 6.10, 6.15, 6.20, and 6.30 p.m., to march to the trenches.
Enemy shelled Laventie Village just as C Company was approaching.
Companies moved on by platoons.
The last company had one G.S. limbered wagon with them, to take up stores, rations, and tools.
These were unloaded at A and B Com­panies at La Flinque Cross-roads (M.16, B.7.7, Sheet 36), and at C and D at M.18 A.2.9.
The companies then marched on to the trenches, carrying everything.
Trenches taken over at 10.30 p.m.; A, B, and C Companies in front line; D in reserve; H.Q. in farm­house at M.17.d.3.8; transport in Rue de Paradis (M.4.C).
The transport moved two carts together with 10 minutes' interval between carts.
Captain Pears, whilst riding with the column, was hit by a piece of shell near Laventie Church, and severely wounded.
August 27th.-Companies working on parapet, etc.
A reinforcement of 30 N.C.O.'s and men arrived.
August 28th.-Usual work on trenches.
August 29th.-In the morning information was received from a deserter that the enemy intended to attack next day.
The Brigadier held a conference of C.O.'s at 10 a.m., after which the Brigade took up fighting positions. Battalion H.Q. moved to C Company H.Q., D Company holding Elgin Post to Eglise Post, and Fauquissart Post.
Brigade H.Q. moved to our original Battalion H.Q.
At 3.15 p.m. information received that an enemy mine was under our left section.
The left platoon of C Company was ordered to the support trench, and instructed that, on the mine exploding, they were to rush forward and hold the crater.
At 4.15 p.m. our artillery bombarded the enemy lines.
Our companies in the front line sent 75 per cent, of their men into the support line, while the remainder held the front line.
At 5.30 p.m. orders were received from Brigade H.Q. that the left section was to reoccupy the line.
This was carried out by 7 p.m. At 6.15 p.m. the transport was ordered to be ready to move at half an hour's notice.
September 1st.-Still in the trenches.
Situation normal.
September 2nd.-Relieved by the 6th King's Shropshire Light Infantry at 8 p.m.
Relief complete by 11.50 p.m.
September 3rd.-Battalion in billets, with orders to be ready to move at half an hour's notice.
One company on Inlying Piquet, ready to move at 10 minutes notice.
Wet day; no working parties.
Companies cleaning up, kit inspections, etc.
September 4th.-Working parties under R.E., 3 officers and 150 men by day (8 a.m.), and by night (7 p.m.).
Casualties.—2 men killed, and 4 wounded.
September 5th.-Working parties as before.
September 6th.-Usual working parties; 1 man died of wounds.
September 7th-8th.-Daily and nightly working parties.
September 9th.-Tube Helmets against gas were issued.
The Battalion relieved the 6th K.S.L.I, in the trenches, com­panies moving in independently, half an hour between companies and 200 yards between platoons.
The leading Company (B) was at the head of the communication trench at 7 p.m.
Relief complete at 9 p.m.
One man was wounded.
September 10th.-4 platoons of the 12th Durham Light Infantry were attached for individual instruction yesterday, and another 4 today.
September 12th.- Casualties.—2 men killed, 1 man wounded.
September 13th.-More officers and men of 12th Durhams attached for instruction.
One man was killed.
September 16th.-One man wounded.
The Battalion was relieved by the 6th K.S.L.I., the relief starting at 7 p.m. and complete by 9.50 p.m.
A and D Companies moved to the following posts: Winchester, Lonely, Road Bend, Masselot, and Wangerig.
B and C Companies and H.Q. to L'Epinette Farm.
September 17th-20th.-Resting in billets, bathing at Estaires, and furnishing working parties at night.
September 2lst.-Furnishing working parties.
Orders for attack received, but date not fixed.
Our artillery bombarded the enemy's trenches.
September 22nd.-The Battalion went into the trenches again, in relief of the 6th K.S.L.I. Bombardment continued.
September 23rd-24th.-One man wounded.
Bombardment con­tinued.
A draft of 30 men arrived.
September 25th.-At 5.30 a.m. we exploded a mine on our right.
The troops on our right launched the attack, while we threw smoke-balls to form a screen, and opened fire to support the attack.
The bombardment on both sides was very heavy for three quarters of an hour, but the enemy's shells did little damage.
For the remainder of the day we stood ready in the trenches, but our role was to hold on to our line.
(This was in connexion with the Battle of Loos) 2nd Lieut. Whitlock was killed this day.
September 26th-27th.-Wet days, which we spent in repairing damage and cleaning up the trenches.
September 28th.-The Battalion was relieved in the trenches by the 11th K.R.R.C. and 11th R.B., and went into billets, A Company at La Flinque; B, La Bassee Road; C and D, Le Drurnez; H.Q., Rue de Paradis.
September 29th.-A Company stood fast, while the remainder of the Battalion moved into billets on the La Bassee Road.
September 30th-October 2nd.—In billets,furnishing working parties.
October 3rd.—Relieved 6th K.S.L.I. in the trenches.
Wet and muddy.
October 4th.—Wet. Cleaning up trenches and salving material.
Rations dumped at Pump House.
One man accidentally wounded.
October 5th.—The enemy commenced shelling about 2 a.m.; threw rifle-grenades from the Crater into Duck's Bill.
We had 3 men killed and 5 wounded.
The remainder of the day was quiet.
The Trench Mortar Battery was put with C Company.
October 6th-7th.—Quiet. One man killed.
October 8th.—Enemy shelled our front line from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., especially around Duck's Bill.
Damaged parapet.
One man wounded.
Relieved in trenches by 6th K.S.L.I., starting at 5 p.m.
October 9th-13th.—In billets, working parties, etc.
Captain Bryant took over command of D Company on the 12th.
October 14th-l9th.—In trenches, as before.
Generally quiet.
Casualties.—On 16th, 2 men killed; on 17th, 1 man killed; on 19th, 2 men wounded.
October 20th-25th.—In billets on La Bassee Road; working parties, etc.; 1 man killed and 1 wounded on 21st.
October 26th-30th.—In trenches.
Casualties.—On 27th, 1 man killed, 4 men wounded; on 28th, 3 men were killed and 17 wounded (A Company) by the explosion of a mine blown by the enemy outside Duck's Bill.
October 31st.—Work begun on making new line in front of left section by Duck's Bill.
Parties from all battalions of the Brigade at work.
Enemy did not fire at working parties.
Men worked very well.
A patrol of 2 men lost, one man (shot), and the other, after being out all night, came in in the morning.
We had 6 men wounded today.
October 3lst-November 1st.—-Work on Duck's Bill continued; 1 man killed, and 1 wounded.
November 2nd-5th.—In billets, as before.
Working parties, etc.
Casualties.—1 man killed and 1 died of wounds on the 2nd.
November 6th-9th.—In trenches.
Laying trench-boards, working on new line near Duck's Bill, etc.
Heavy bombardment by both sides on 8th and 9th, otherwise enemy quiet.
Casualties.—2 men wounded on 7th, 1 man wounded on 8th.
November 10th-13th.—In billets on La Bassee Road.
Cleaning up, fitting new clothing, furnishing working parties.
On the 13th a draft of 30 N.C.O.'s and men joined.
Casualties.—1 man wounded on the 10th, and 1 on the 12th.
November 14th.—Our billets were taken over by the 1st Grena­dier Guards, and the Battalion moved to rest billets at Estaires.
November 15th.—Kit inspection, etc.
Colonel White took over temporary command of the 60th Brigade.
November 16th.—At Estaires.
Training according to programme commenced.
Classes of all kinds—Machine-gun, Bombing, Signalling, etc., and companies engaged in route marching, physical training, drill, etc.
November 17th-22nd.—Training similar to the above was con­tinued during this period.
Colonel White returned to the Battalion on the 22nd.
November 23rd.—The Battalion left Estaires, and proceeded to Fleurbaix, to relieve the 7th Middlesex and 2nd Devons in the trenches.
Companies marched independently.
Dispositions : A Company on right of the line, C centre, D left, B reserve, H.Q. at Foray House.
The men went into the trenches in gum boots.
Relief completed by 6.30 p.m.
November 24th-27th.—A quiet period in the trenches, though considerable artillery activity on the 25th.
Casualties.—1 man wounded on the 25th, and 1 killed on the 26th.
November 28th-30th.—In billets at Fleurbaix.
Training and various classes.
December lst-5th.—In the trenches.
Quiet.
1 man was wounded on the 4th.
December 6th-9th.—In billets at Fleurbaix and vicinity. H.Q. at Ferrets Post.
Training, etc. Furnished small working parties.
On the 7th Fleurbaix was shelled by the enemy.
Casualties.—1 man killed and 2 men wounded on the 7th; 1 man died of wounds on the 9th.
December 10th-11th.—In the trenches.
December 12th-23rd.—In billets, as before, until the 14th, and afterwards in the vicinity of Cul de Sac Farm (reserve billets).
The period was spent in training, with occasional working parties.
On the 15th new clothing was issued to companies.
Casualties.—1 man wounded on the 12th, 1 man wounded on the 13th, and 1 man wounded on the 19th.
December 24th-27th.—In trenches.
Considerable artillery ac­tivity.
Casualties during the period, 1 man killed and 3 men wounded.
December 28th-3lst.—In billets at Fleurbaix and neighbourhood.
Firing on the range, sniping, bombing, smoke-helmet drill, etc.
The Battalion found working parties of 3 officers and 150 men for Carrying purposes.
January 1st-4th.—In trenches at Rue Pettilon.
Casualties.—1 man wounded on the 1st, and 1 on the 3rd.
January 5th-7th.—In billets. Usual training routine.
One man was wounded on the 7th.
January 8th.—Advance party proceeded to new reserve area, to take over stores, etc.
The Battalion relieved the 6th K.S.L.I, in the trenches.
Casualties.—4 men wounded.
January 9th.—A gas attack was delivered by our troops.
Opera­tions commenced at 2 a.m., our artillery co-operating by heavily shelling the enemy trenches.
The enemy replied by shelling our front-line trenches and by keeping up a heavy rifle and machine-gun fire.
By 4 a.m. the situation was normal, but later the enemy's artillery resumed activity, shelling our front-line and support trenches, and particularly Cellar Farm Post.
January 10th.—In the trenches; 1 man died of wounds, and 1 man wounded.
January 11th.—Relieved by the 9th York and Lancaster, and marched to billets at Bac St. Maur.
January 12th:-The Battalion proceeded to reserve area billets in the vicinity of Doulieu for the night.
January 13th.-To reserve billets at Morbecque.
January l4th-2lst.—In billets, training, etc.
January 22nd.—Moved to billets near Saint Sylvestre Cappel.
January 23rd-February 4th.-In billets, training.
On the 1st February the Battalion was inspected by General Sir Herbert Plumer, Commanding the 2nd Army.
February 5th.-At 9.15 a.m. the Battalion paraded, and proceeded to Rest Camp near Waton, marching via Steenvoorde, and thence to Poperinghe and Waton.
The 20th Division now forms part of the XIVth Corps.
February 6th-l0th.-At Waton, training.
Several platoons were inoculated.
February 11th.-The Battalion proceeded to reserve billets at Elverdinghe Chateau, and took over from the 5th (Service) Battalion of the Regiment.
February 12th.-At 4 p.m. the Battalion was ordered to stand-to, owing to unusual activity on the part of the enemy.
At 5.15 p.m. the Battalion moved forward, to support the 6th K.S.L.I., as the enemy was making bombing attacks.
The enemy heavily shelled the roads and bridges leading to the front line.
February 13th.-The situation having become normal at 2 a.m. the Battalion returned to billets.
Casualties yesterday amounted to 3 killed, 2 died of wounds, and 20 wounded.
The Battalion rested for the day.
February 14th.-1 man killed.
February 15th.-Relieved 6th K.S.L.I, in the trenches (E.24 to E.28); 1 man wounded; 2 companies in support; H.Q. on the canal bank north of Ypres.
February 16th-18th.-In trenches; fairly quiet.
Casualties.—On 16th, 1 man killed and 2 men wounded; on 17th, 1 man died of wounds, 2 men wounded; on 18th, 1 man killed.
February 19th.-At 4.35 p.m. received S.O.S. (F.34), the Bat­talion stood-to; 1 platoon of A Company and 1 section of Bombers were despatched to Pilkem Road Trench between Colne Valley and Skipton.
Enemy's artillery put a barrage on Bridge 6.B.
At 5.30 p.m. there was heavy artillery fire; reinforcements sent to Skipton Post and Butt 17.
Bridge 6.W. was broken by shell-fire.
At 6 p.m. the Battalion received "gas alert" orders, but the situa­tion became normal.
Casualties.—1 man killed, 3 men wounded.
February 20th.-Enemy quiet until 11.30 a.m., when he com­menced shelling canal bank and Bridge 6.W. with heavies. T
he telephone wires to the front line were cut by shell-fire.
February 21st.-Quiet; 1 man killed, 4 men wounded.
February 22nd.-At 2 p.m. heavy bombardment of enemy trenches by our artillery.
Enemy retaliated by shelling canal bank.
At 5.31 p.m. bombardment still heavy. S.O.S. received from E.23, and reinforcements were at once dispatched to Butt 17, Skipton Post, and Pilkem Road Post.
At 6 p.m. the telephone wires to front line were cut by shell-fire.
At 6.37 p.m. artillery fire ceased, and by 6.45 p.m. the situation had become normal.
Casualties.—3 killed and 5 wounded.
February 23rd.-At. 12.30 p.m. about 20 of the enemy came over bombing, but were driven off by rifle-fire; 1 man died of wounds.
February 24th.-Quiet.
The Battalion was relieved by the 7th Somersets at 10.30 p.m.
2nd Lieut. L. G. Squire was wounded, and 1 man died of wounds.
February 25th.-The Battalion proceeded by train to Rest Camp " B" at 4 a.m., arriving at 4. 30. a.m.
February 26th-March 1st.-Training, bathing, various classes of instruction.
The Commanding Officer took over temporary com­mand of the 60th Brigade.
March 2nd-6th.-In trenches.
The first three days were fairly quiet.
On the 5th and 6th the enemy shelled The Willows and Hill Top Farm heavily.
Casualties.—On the 4th, 1 man wounded; on the 5th, Captain Stephens and Lieut. Lack wounded, 4 other ranks killed, and 13 wounded; on the 6th, 2 men killed, 3 wounded, 1 died of wounds.
March 7th-9th.-At "A" Camp, on the canal bank, finding working parties for working in the front line.
The Battalion held in readiness to move at 20 minutes' notice.
March 10th.-Moved to "B" Camp, the 11th R.B. taking over "A" Camp.
March 11th-13th.-Remained at "B" Camp, cleaning up, bathing at Poperinghe, etc.
One man died of wounds on the 12th, and another on the 13th.
Brigadier-General W. D. Smith took over the command of the 20th Division from Major-General R. H. Davies, C.B., on the 11th.
March 14th.-Proceeded from Brandhoek Station to relieve the 7th Somerset Light Infantry in the trenches. Companies detrained at point H.12.b.2.0, and marched to Essex Farm.
March I5th-l7th.-In trenches.
A quiet period.
Casualties.—2 killed, 10 wounded, 1 died of wounds.
March 18th.-On relief, companies moved back to the canal bank.
Casualties.—2 died of wounds, 4 wounded.
March 19th-2lst.-Working parties found each night for commu­nication trenches and front line;
March 22nd.-Relieved on canal bank by 7th Somersets, and marched to camps, A and C Companies to Elverdinghe, B and D Companies and H.Q. to "G" Camp (A.16.b.0.4).
The C.O. rejoined the Battalion from commanding the 60th Brigade.
March 23rd-30th.- Companies training and firing on the range.
March 31st-April 3rd.-In the trenches.
There was some heavy shelling by the enemy on the first two days, when we had 5 men killed and 2 wounded.
The enemy also showed considerable activity throughout this period with aeroplanes, guns of various calibre, machine-guns, and trench mortars.
With the latter he hit a machine-gun emplacement on the 3rd April and damaged a gun.
April 3rd.-We were relieved in the trenches about midnight 3rd/4th, when A, B, and C Companies marched to billets at Trois Tour Chateau, while D Company was in close support on the canal bank.
April 4th.-Inspection parades, etc.
Found working parties of about 50 men per company, for work on front line and support trenches; 1 man wounded.
April 5th-6th.-Working, etc., as before.
April 7th.-Relieved by the 10th R.B., and marched to Camp "H." (A.10.C).
April 8th-l0th.-At Camp "H."
Training, bathing, fitting new clothing, etc.
April 11th.-Relieved the 7th D.C.L.I. in the trenches.
While the relief was in progress the enemy opened a heavy bombardment on Dawson's City and E.28 and E.27 Posts, as well as on the communication trenches.
He then made an attack on the two posts with some 70 men, who were, however, repulsed by rifle and machine-gun fire from the 7th D.C.L.I.
The enemy left his dead and wounded on our wire and near our parapet.
Our artillery shelled the German front-line trenches.
The trenches taken over were in a very damaged condition, Skipton Post being practically levelled.
The enemy machine-guns were active throughout the night.
Casualties.—Lieut. R. E. G. Hunt and 5 men wounded, and 2 men killed.
April 12th.-Our artillery bombarded the German trenches from 10 to 10.20 a.m.
The enemy retaliated by shelling Headingley and Dawson's City and trench-mortaring E.25 Post.
No damage done.
We sent out patrol parties from E.24 to bring in, from the front of E.28, Germans killed last night.
Four bodies were recovered. Two of our men were wounded.
April 13th.-Situation quiet; 1 man wounded.
April 14th.-At 6 p.m. our artillery bombarded enemy trenches for half an hour.
We had 1 man killed and 2 men wounded.
April 15th.-Battalion H.Q. on the canal bank were shelled with about 20 rounds of shrapnel at 12.30 p.m. No damage.
At 2.30 p.m. the enemy trench-mortared E.25 and E.26.
Our artillery retaliated.
At 9 p.m. we were relieved by the 6th K.S.L.I., when companies moved to the canal bank and Pelliser Farm.
April 16th.-On the canal bank.
April 17th.-At 10 p.m. the Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Durham Light Infantry, and proceeded by train to Poperinghe, where companies went into billets.
April 18th.-Found working party of 200 men for work on new railway.
At 9.30 a.m. the Battalion proceeded to new billets at "M" Camp.
April 19th-25th.—At "M" Camp, training, etc.
April 26th.-At 6.45 a.m. the Battalion paraded, and proceeded to Poperinghe Station, where it entrained for Calais, arriving at Fontinetts Station at 1 p.m.
Thence the Battalion marched to No. 6 Large Rest, Beaumaris, Calais.
April 27th-30th.-The Battalion remained at Calais Rest Camp, training, bathing in the sea, etc.
Summary of Events.
On the 5th May Brigadier-General the Hon. L. J. P. Butler took over the command of the 60th Infantry Brigade, vice Brigadier-General W. G. Roy, to England.
On the 8th May the following were awarded the Military Medal
(20th Divisional Order, No. 281. Sec. 1) :--
12354 Private Joseph Allen.
16584 Private Percy Thomas Walker.
On the 11th May B Company's Bayonet Fighting Team won the Divisional Bayonet Fighting Competition at Wormhoudt.
On the 19th May the Battalion moved to Poperinghe, and on the 21st resumed trench life in the neighbourhood of Ypres. The events which followed are described in the Battalion Diary, extracts from which are given below :--
From the Battalion Diary (supplemented by extracts from Battalion Orders):—-
May 21st.-The Battalion paraded at 7 p.m., and marched to Poperinghe Station; entrained, and proceeded to Asylum, Ypres. Detrained, and marched through Ypres to Zillebeke trenches, to relieve the 2nd Irish Guards. Battalion H.Q. at Railway Farm.
May 22nd.-Day quiet, but at night the enemy's machine-guns were active.
Patrols out.
Lieut. G. E. Middleditch was wounded.
May 23rd-24th.-In the trenches.
Considerable activity on both sides.
Casualties.—8 men wounded on the 23rd, and 8 men wounded on the 24th.
May 25th.-The Battalion was relieved by the 6th K.S.L.I., and marched, by platoons, to Asylum, Ypres, and entrained for Brandhoek, thence marching to "A" Camp, Vlamertinghe; 2 men wounded.
May 26th-June 1st.-At "A" Camp, Vlamertinghe, training, etc.
H.R.H. the Prince of Wales visited the Camp on the 26th May.
June 2nd.-At 7 p.m. A Company proceeded to billets at Convent, Ypres, and at 9 p.m. the remainder of the Battalion to billets at Ramparts, Ypres.
The enemy shelled the Ypres-Vlamertinghe Road with shrapnel, whilst the Battalion was marching to Ypres.
After arrival (10.30 p.m.) there was a very heavy bombardment on both sides until about 2 a-.m. (3rd June).
Casualties.—2nd Lieut. A. C. Thomas and 1 man killed; 1 man wounded.
June 3rd.-At 10.30 p.m. the Battalion proceeded to the trenches, in relief of the 6th K.S.L.I.; whilst the relief was in progress the enemy opened a bombardment on our right, to which our artillery retaliated heavily.
By 1.30 a.m. (4th June) all was quiet, and the relief completed.
We had one man wounded.
June 4th.-Fairly quiet day, but between 7 p.m. and 8.15 p.m. the; enemy put up a heavy bombardment, and then attacked the Canadians on our right.
June 5th.-Railway Wood was shelled at intervals during the day, and enemy artillery was very active in the afternoon and during the night.
June 6th.-Enemy quiet until 12.45 p.m., when he opened a heavy bombardment, especially on Railway Wood, and followed with an attack on the Division on our right.
Our Lewis-guns and rifles several times fired into parties of Germans, moving from Ger­man line towards Hooge and Outpost Farm, with good effect.
At 2.50 p.m. the enemy blew up a mine about Gully Farm in the left battalion area, and at 3.10 p.m. another in front of junction of 15 and 16, i.e., about 50 yards in front of our line.
No damage.
Companies stood down at 6 p.m., and the night was quiet.
Two Germans of the 22nd Reserve Infantry Regiment, 177th Division, strayed into our lines and were made prisoners.
Casualties.—1 man died of wounds; 20 men wounded.
June 7th.-Still in Zillebeke trenches.
Quiet, but our artillery kept up a slow rate of fire on new German line at Hooge.
Lieut. E. J. Anderson was confirmed in the appointment of Adjutant (1.5.16).
June 8th.-Day quiet.
At 6 p.m. our artillery bombarded the German front line in front of the Battalion area with 12-inch howitzers.
Enemy parapet considerably damaged.
At 10 p.m. the Battalion was relieved by the 7th Somerset Light Infantry, and proceeded to Asylum, Ypres, where it entrained for Poperinghe, thence marching to billets (Rue de Boeschepe).
Casualties.—1 man killed ; 5 men wounded.
June 9th-15th.-In billets at Poperinghe; training, bathing, etc.
At 11 p.m. on the 14th time was advanced sixty minutes by decree of the French Government.
June 16th.-To billets in Ypres, as before, for the night. Much artillery activity on both sides.
June 17th.-At 9.30 p.m. commenced to relieve the 7th D.C.L.I. in Zillebeke trenches.
Enemy shelled the Menin Road as we were going in.
June 18th-23rd.-In trenches.
Enemy fairly quiet, and evidently very busy throwing up new trenches, etp., between the Beek and Hooge.
Casualties.—1 killed and 5 wounded on the 21st; 4 wounded on the 23rd.
June 23rd-30th.-In billets in Ypres (Ramparts, Horn Cellars, Convent).
Working parties at night for work on trenches. Occa­sional shelling.
Casualties.—3 wounded on the 28th; 1 killed and 2 wounded on the 29th; 1 killed and 1 wounded on the 30th.
6th (SERVICE) BATTALION CASUALTIES 1st AUGUST 1915 TO 30TH JUNE 1916.
2nd Lieut. F. W. Whitlock.
2nd Lieut. A. C. Thomas.
And 71 other Ranks.
Captain T. Pears.
Captain H. E. Stephens.
Lieut. V. J. F. Lack.
Lieut R. L. G. Hunt.
2nd Lieut. L. G. Squire.
Lieut. G. E. Middleditch.
And about 214 Other Ranks.
HONOURS AND AWARDS.
(August 1915—June 1916.)
Distinguished Conduct Medal.
No. 11322 Private J. R. Croxall (attached to 181st Company, R.E.).
For Conspicuous bravery on 2nd October 1915, near Laventie, when he voluntarily assisted a non-commissioned officer to rescue an unconscious man from a mine gallery which was full of poisonous gas. His bravery and devotion to duty were very marked.
No. 9895 Lance-Corporal T. Coombes.
At 9.30 a.m. on the 21st February 1916 the enemy were bombarding the parapet of the company to which No. 9895 Lance-Corporal T. Coombs belongs with trench mortars. A trench mortar burst just behind a parados and blew No. 12229 Private Pithers four yards over the parapet, in front of the enemy, breaking both his legs. Lance-Corporal Coombes, of his own initia­tive, at once climbed over the parapet, in full view of the enemy, only about 150 yards distant, and lifted Private Pithers back to the front trench. The enemy snipers were active at the time, and had been all the morning.
Military Medal.
No. 11354 Private Joseph Allen.
No. 16584 Private Percy Thomas Walker.