Drill morning, damp, very quiet. Church Pde at 2.0 and 2.30 pm. Misty all day, nothing doing. Lt. Col. LACON returns from leave. Working parties as usual.
Feb 18 TRENCHES – ASQUITH FLATS
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Monthly Archives: February 2017
Feb 17 TRENCHES – ASQUITH FLATS
Very raw misty morning, mist thickens later. Heavy bombardment about 1.0 pm. Bttn. finds 300 OR for working party at night. All return safe. Rain at night.
Feb 16 TRENCHES
Fine morning. White hoar frost, not so cold. Arty [artillery] active on both sides. Fritz shells on front line with heavies. Sgt CLEMENTS 4 OR killed, 2 OR wounded. Bttn relieved by HB [Household Battalion] in front line & support. We move back into reserve at Asquith Flats. Relief complete about 1.0 am. Enemy artillery active. Turn in about 3.30 am. Good dugout. AMMNTN [Ammunition] Dump at PLATEAU blown up by bomb.
Feb 15 TRENCHES
Fine morning, sharp frost. Fritz again busy with his Artillery & aircraft, we retaliate & in the afternoon 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm an organised bombardment and M. Gun [machine gun] on his front line and supports. Hun retaliation weak. Quiet night. French plane brought down by A.A. fire, pilot & observer killed.
Feb 14 TRENCHES
Fine morning, cold wind. Fritz very active with 5.9 round about H.Q. but no damage. I nearly get a souvenir in the trench. Hun plane brought down S of Bouchavesnes about 3.0 pm. B & D relieve A & C in front line. Relief complete about 11.0 pm. 1 OR slightly wounded. Quiet night. 2 letters from L.
Feb 13 TRENCHES
Fine morning cold wind but pleasant. Div. Gen.[Divisional General] visits trenches. Enemy artillery fairly active. Quiet night on our sector. Turn in about 12.0. No mail. Maj. Gen. LAMBTON visits Trenches about 11.0 am.
Feb 12 TRENCHES
Hazy morning, white frost, still very cold, have a walk to reserve etc, very great Art [artillery] activity, but no aircraft, too dull. Fritz retaliated about 6.0 pm but does no damage. A&C relieve B&D, relief complete about 1.0 am. 1 killed 5 OR wounded.
Feb 11 TRENCHES
Very sharp white frost, but nice morning. Aircraft very active but too glaring to see. Heavy Art [Artillery] very active and do some good shooting. 1 OR killed by sniper. Cold again at night. Heavy strafe on our left about 11.0 pm. Trenches NE of Bouchavesnes.
Feb 10 CAMP 18
Fine morning, very cold. Prepare for trenches. Kits etc. packed up & sent away. Trench kits 2.0 pm. Reserve corps carry our blanket. Leave camp for Trenches 3.30 pm by lorry. Meet guides 6.0 pm B D Front A C Reserve. Very slow journey and very cold. Arrive H. Quarters 9.15 pm. Relief complete about 11.0 pm. Relieve 2nd E. Lancs [East Lancashire Regiment] 8D S.M. W. PRICE; good relief. Hd Quarters jar of rum broken. Cold at night not much sleep, turn in about 2.30 am.
Feb 9 CAMP 18
Fine morning, still very cold. Church service at 10.15 am. HC after parade service, very good. Bttn. goes to baths at SUSANNE but no change of clothing. 2 letters from L. Inspection of Hd Quarters, Arms etc. Fritz planes at night, not much rest. Shave upper lip.