1/9th Battalion War Diary - April to June, 1916

APRIL
[FICHEUX Map 1:10,000]
WAILLY 1st 3.55 p.m. - The Battalion relieved the 7th KINGS on left front of F. Sector R24 C21 to M196.9 ½.5 the dispositions being D Coy on the right, C Coy in the centre, & A Coy on left & B Coy in support. The 6th KINGS on our right and SOMERSETS, 14th Division on our left. Enemy quiet during the night. Weather fine.
2nd 8.45 p.m. - Enemy shelled the SOMERSETS on our left, and then opened rapid fire with Machine Guns, in front of SOMERSETS and our left Coy. Superiority of fire was gained in twelve minutes by our Lewis Guns, Machine Guns & Rifle Fire. Enemy Machine Guns very active throughout the night. (Weather fine)
Work:- Constructing Protected Sentry Posts, Traverses & Wiring.
3rd Enemy very quiet throughout the day. Our snipers had some good results during the day.
Work:- Constructing Bombing Posts, & making deep Dugouts.
Weather fine.
4th Enemy active with Rifle Grenades, otherwise quiet.
6.30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fire observed behind enemy lines.
Work:- Constructing Bombing Posts and Arm head barbs on Bombing Posts. Weather fine.
5th Weather fine.
6th The patrol sent out by our centre Coy ('C') consisting of 1 N.C.O. and 1 man failed to return. They were observed to be carried into German Sap early next morning, both were apparently wounded. One O.R. accidentally wounded. Weather fine.
7th 10.30 p.m. The Battalion was relieved by 7th KINGS & marched to billets in BEAUMETZ. Weather fine.
BEAUMETZ LES-LOGES 8th/13th Weather fine. The Battalion found daily working parties of 8 officers & 193 other ranks. Wiring Corps line. Burying Cable & Fatigues for Town Major. 2 O.R. joined Battalion as reinforcements.
9th Col. C.G. BRADLEY, D.S.O. left at 2 p.m. for AUXI-LE-CHATEAU for conference at 3rd Army Infantry School. Capt. P.G.A. LEDERER assumed command.
Enemy shelled CHATEAU, wrecked two rooms. Weather fine. 1 O.R. wounded.
10th All available officers, N.C.O.s and men witnessed a Flammenwerfer demonstration at MONCHIET. Weather fine.
11th Weather fine. 2/Lt. ROBERTS & 2 O. Ranks proceeded to GOUY to Divisional School.
12th Weather wet. Battalion was inspected by Brigadier General DUNCAN, 165th Brigade.
Extract from London Gazette 2/Lt ROBERTS to be temp: Lieut. 25.9.15.
13th Weather fine. 2/Lts. RUSSELL & LATHAM evacuated to Hospital. Leave suspended today.
10.50 p.m. - The Battalion relieved the 7th KINGS in left front of F. Sector, R24 C21 to M196.9 ½.5 the dispositions being C Coy on the right, A Coy in the centre, & B Coy on left & D Coy in support. The 6th KINGS on our right & the 14th Division on our left. One other rank wounded during relief.
WAILLY 14th Weather wet. Lt G. BRODBELT killed by a sniper.
Works:- Constructing Traverses, Coy Observation Posts, & Protected Sentry posts, wiring. Enemy quiet throughout the day.
15th - ditto - Weather wet
16th Enemy shelled front line and Support line during morning. Weather showery. Our snipers had good results during the morning.
17th Weather wet. 2/Lt W.H. CHALLINER & Lt. J.H. HALLIWELL evacuated to Hospital. Lt. Col. C.G. BRADLEY D.S.O. rejoined the Battalion from 3rd Army Conference.
10.30p.m. - Our Lewis Guns dispersed enemy working party, & again at 3.45 a.m.
18th 26 Other ranks joined Battalion as reinforcements. Weather wet.
19th 2.30 p.m. - The Battalion was relieved by 7th KINGS and moved into support at WAILLY, the strong points PETIT MOULIN and PETIT CHATEAU being garrisoned by our D. Coy. Weather wet.
20th 5 Officers & 225 other Ranks on R.E. Fatigues daily.
2/Lt. A. RILEY & 10 other ranks proceeded to 165th Brigade Bombing class at BEAUMETZ. Weather wet.
21st Enemy machine guns active during night. Weather fine.
22nd Weather fine. Enemy quiet.
23rd Weather fine. 2/Lt. J.A. RUSSELL rejoined Battalion from Hospital. One other rank to base unfit.
24th Weather showery. Enemy very quiet.
25th The Battalion relieved the 7th KINGS on left front of F. Sector, R24 C21 to M196.9 ½.5 the dispositions being A Coy on the right, B Coy in the centre, D Coy on left & C Coy in support. The 6th KINGS on out right & SOMERSETS, 14th Division on our left. The 6th KINGS took over Trench 184 & 185 during this tour.
Lt. FAUSSET proceeded to 165th Brigade H.Qrs for temporary duty. One other rank wounded. Weather fine.
26th Weather fine. Our snipers had good results during the day. Enemy shelled our front line and communication trenches. One other rank killed and four wounded.
2.30 p.m. - Our Howitzers shelled German Saps doing considerable damage.
27th Weather fine. Enemy Machine Guns were very active during night.
28th Weather fine. Enemy exceptionally quiet.
29th Weather fine. Enemy quiet, excepting a night, and machine guns fairly active. 2/Lt. RICHER & 2/Lt. HEENAN & two other ranks proceeded to Divisional School at GOUY.
30th Enemy quiet during day. Weather fine.
Lt.Col. C.G. BRADLEY, D.S.O. proceeded to St. POL on Artillery Conference. Capt. P.G.A. LEDERER assumed Command.
One other rank wounded.
(Intld.) W.R.
C.G. BRADLEY
Lt. Col.
Commanding 9th King's L'pool Regt.
MAY
WAILLY 1st Weather fine. Enemy quiet throughout the day.
11.30 p.m. - The Battalion was relieved by 7th KINGS and marched to billets at BEAUMETZ.
Trenches BEAUMETZ 2nd Weather changeable. Cleaning equipment, billets etc. The Battn. found working parties i.e. 1 officer & 70 O.R. Burying cable etc.
3rd Weather very fine. Inoculation commenced for all men who had not been inoculated during last 18 months.
4th Weather fine. Training carried out in Outposts. Musketry & Route March.
5th Weather fine. Col. C.G. BRADLEY D.S.O. rejoined Battn. From Artillery Conference and assumed command.
6th Weather fine.
7th Weather changeable. Church Parade.
8th Weather changeable.
11.30 p.m. - The Battalion relieved the 7th KINGS in front line, left front of F. Sector, R24 C21 to M19b.95.50 dispositions of our Coys being B Coy on the right, D Coy in the centre, C Coy on left & A Coy in support. Each Coy in front line had one platoon in Support line. The 6th SOMERSETS, 14th Division on our left and the 6th KINGS on our right. Enemy very quiet. 1 Other Rank accidentally wounded.
WAILLY 9th Weather wet. Enemy very quiet during the morning. During the afternoon he shelled Communications Trenches and Support line.
10th 8 a.m. - Enemy shelled left front Coy.
Our trench mortars fired on Enemy working party at M 19 b 85.15.
Weather fine.
11th Weather fine. 1 Officer joined Battn as reinforcements. (From Base) (Hospital) Lt. HALLIWELL.
Enemy shelled Wood just behind WAILLY very heavily during early morning.
12th Weather fine. Enemy very quiet.
12 midnight - The 6th Battn DUKE OF CORNWALLS L. I. Relieved 6th SOMERSETS on our left.
1 Officer joined the Battn as reinforcements. (From Base)(Hospital) 2/Lt CHALLINER.
Work carried on during this tour i.e. Wiring, Constructing Shell Slits & Anti-Gas proof Frames for Mined Dugouts.
13th Weather wet. Enemy artillery active during morning on Communication Trenches. Machine Guns active during night.
14th Weather fine. Enemy artillery active during morning, machine guns active at night. Capt. P.G.A. LEDERER proceeded on leave for Investiture.
15th 3.45 p.m. - The Battn was relieved by the 7th KINGS & proceeded to WAILLY village. Weather fine.
16th Weather fine. Working parties found for R.E.s & Brigade Signal Officer i.e. 2 officers & 200 other ranks, remainder were employed strengthening H.Q., improving trenches in village & deepening Communication Trenches.
17th A great deal of indirect machine gun fire on village during night. Weather fine.
18th Weather fine. Enemy shelled village during the afternoon.
19th Weather fine. Enemy shelled village during the day. 'Gas Alert' period.
20th Weather fine
9.30 p.m. - 80 men arrived from 6th KINGS to be attached to Battn temporarily. Enemy very quiet.
21st 3.30 p.m. - The Battalion relieved the 7th KINGS in front line, left front of F. Sector from R.24 C. 2.1 to M 19 b 95.50 dispositions of our Coys being D Coy on the right, C Coy in the centre, A Coy on left & B Coy in support. Each Coy in front line had two platoon in Support line. The 6th SOMERSETS, 14th Division were on our left and the 6th KINGS on our right.
22nd Weather fine. 6th SOMERSETS were relieved by the DUKE CORNWALLS L.I. Work continued on T Slits and Wiring.
23rd Weather wet. 1 O.R. killed. Enemy artillery active.
24th Weather wet. 2 other ranks (6th KINGS attached) wounded. Lt. NEWTON rejoined Battn from Base Hospital. Col C.G. BRADLEY D.S.O. proceeded to England for Investiture & leave. Capt. P.G.A. LEDERER assumed command.
25th Weather fine. Enemy shelled PETIT CHATEAU & WAILLY.
26th Weather fine. Enemy shelled Battn. H.Q. during the afternoon. 2 new Lewis Guns arrived.
27th Weather fine. 1 other rank killed & 3 other ranks wounded. Enemy shelled support line.
28th Weather fine. The Battn was relieved on the evening of the 28/29th the last Coy being relieved at 12.35 a.m. & marched to billets at BEAUMETZ.
BEAUMETZ 29th Weather fine. 200 Other Ranks supplied for working parties, i.e. Wiring Corps Line & Burying Cable etc.
30th Weather fine. Training carried on with.
31st Weather fine. 6 Officers joined Battn as reinforcements.
2/Lt. SEMPLE
2/Lt KYDD
2/Lt WILDE
2/Lt JONES
2/Lt HOODROUAN
2/Lt SHEPHERD
(Intld.) W.R.
P.G.A. LEDERER, Capt.
Commanding 9th Kings.
JUNE
BEAUMETZ 1st Training carried out while at rest. Weather fine.
2nd Major General H.S. JEUDWINE C.B. inspected the Battalion in the Chateau grounds, Divisional Band attended. Football matches played in the afternoon. Weather fine.
WAILLY SECTOR 3rd 12.30 a.m. - The Battalion relieved the 7th KINGS in left F Sector during the night of 3rd/4th, dispositions of Coys being C on the right, A Coy in the Centre, B Coy on the left, with D Coy in Support. The 6th Somersets on our left & the 6th Kings on the right.
4th Enemy quiet. Weather fine.
5th Enemy quiet. Weather fine.
Work carried on:- Shell Shelter Slits, Wiring, Grass cutting, Making Dugouts and constructing Bomb Posts.
6th Weather wet. Enemy quiet. 1 O.R. wounded.
7th Enemy quiet. Weather fine.
8th Weather fine. Enemy shelled dressing station, otherwise quiet.
9th Enemy quiet. Weather fine. Lt.Col. C.G. BRADLEY D.S.O. returned from leave & assumed command of the Battn.
10th Enemy quiet. Weather fine.
11th Weather fine. 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Enemy shelled front line with 77mm shells & Support Line with about 15 5.9s.
WAILLY VILLAGE 12th Weather fine. The Battalion was relieved by the 7th Kings & proceeded into support in WAILLY VILLAGE.
13th Weather fine. Working parties found for R.E.s of 340 O.R. They were employed wiring Support Line & making new fire steps in Front line. 1 O.R. Killed & 1 O.R. Killed 6th KINGS attached 9th KINGS.
14th Enemy very quiet. Weather wet. Working parties found as for the 13th.
15th Enemy quiet. Weather wet. Working parties as for the 13th.
16th Enemy quiet. Weather wet. 70 O.R. Pioneers ¼ SOUTH LANCS attached for two nights to enable us to provide 10 officers and 400 O.R. for Special Carrying Party.
17th Enemy very quiet. Weather fine. Carrying parties supplied as for the 16th. 3 O.R. arrived as reinforcements.
18th Enemy quiet. Weather fine. Special Carrying Party supplied of 8 officers & 320 O.R. 66 O.R. joined the Battalion as reinforcements.
[FICHEAUX 1/10,000]
19th Weather fine. Enemy quiet.
2 p.m. - The Battalion relieved the 2/5 LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS of the 166 Inf. Bde. In 'E' Sector from R 34A 20.35 to R 29C 25.50, our dispositions being A Coy on the right, B Coy in the Centre, D Coy on the left with C Coy. in Support. The 8th IRISH were on our right & the 5th Kings on our left.
20th Enemy quiet. Weather fine. 10th Liverpool Scottish relieved 8th IRISH on our right. Trenches in this sector are rather wide but pretty good. 1 O.R. wounded.
21st There was slight shelling and T. M. Bombs were fired on our Communication Trenches otherwise enemy was quiet. Weather fine. 2/Lt. WATSON H. joined battalion as reinforcements.
22nd Enemy quiet. Weather fine.
23rd Enemy quiet. Weather fine.
24th Weather fine. Our artillery commenced Wire Cutting at 9 a.m. until 12 noon & 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The enemy retaliated with 77 mm shells & 5.9s falling mainly on our Communication Trenches, Support Line & Battn HQs. Battn HQ moved to new dugout that was under course of construction. During the night the enemy was very quiet. 2 Officers joined as reinforcements.
25th At 9.30 a.m. Trench Mortars & at 10 a.m. to 12 noon Artillery continued Wire Cutting, two good lanes being made through enemy wire. At 2 p.m. - 2.45 p.m. our Artillery concentrated on enemy's trenches & Wire with good effect. The enemy retaliated on Support Line & Communication trenches very little damage being done. Our Machine & Lewis Guns fired continually throughout the night. Weather fine.
26th Weather wet. Our Artillery & Trench MORTARS concentrated on enemy's Trenches from 11 a.m. - 11.30 a.m. with good results. The enemy's retaliation was very weak indeed. Very little damage being done to our trenches. The Artillery & T.M. concentrated on enemy's Trenches from 2 p.m. - 2.30 p.m. with good results. There was a little more retaliation during the afternoon than there was this morning.
WAILLY TRENCHES 27th 8 a.m.- 8.25 a.m. - Our artillery opened fire on the enemy's trenches with good effect. The enemy's retaliation was very weak being chiefly 77 mm shells. Practically no damage was done to our trenches. During the afternoon about 12 5.9s were fired on the BRETONCOURT-WAILLY RD. During the night our Artillery bombarded the villages of BLAIRVILLE & FICHEUX. At about 10.10 p.m. the enemy put about 8 77 mm shells on our front line. Weather fine.
28th An ALERT PERIOD ordered at 12.45 p.m. ZERO hour 5 p.m. At 5.00 p.m. 'Accessories' were let off from our front line trenches until 5.25 p.m. Our Artillery also opened fire on the enemy's trenches at 5 p.m.
At 5.35 p.m. A raiding party of the 1/4th LOYAL NORTH LANCS left our trenches and advanced to R 34 B 56.70. Here they were held up by Machine gun, rifle & rifle Grenade fire and were forced finally to retire. At 5.35 p.m. another raiding party of the 2/5 LANCASHIRE FUS. left our trenches & entered German trenches at R 34 B 98.85. Before entering, machine gun fire was brought to bear on them from a sap on the left and also from the Support Line on their right. They bombed a considerable number of dugouts and a party penetrated about 40 yards up a Communication trench. This party was attacked by the enemy coming across the open. They killed a number of the enemy who came out of dugouts and quite a number were seen dead, evidently killed by our Gas. The trenches had suffered considerably from our bombardment.
A party of men from our Battalion went over from the trenches occupied by the 5th Kings and entered the enemy Saps, R 29 B. 7.2 They were much troubled by smoke on the way over. They found the Saps head enclosed with barbed wire for about 30 yards. They therefore worked down the right side of the Saps & obtained an entrance where the wire terminated. At the point of entry the entrance to a dugout was found, which had a stout door about 3 steps down. A bomb failed to damage this. The party then advanced down the Sap. Near the base a German was waiting for them with his rifle, but the officer in charge, 2/Lt R. DARLING of the party shot him with his revolver. He was immediately pulled through a door and the door was slammed to & bolted. It was found impossible to force this. The enemy commenced bombing from three points, but our bombers soon silenced them. A party then got out on top to get round this obstacle when the signal for withdrawal was received. The enemy retaliated about 1 p.m. with a few 77 mm shells which fell near our Support lines, during the remainder of the day the enemy was fairly quiet.
(Intd;) W.R.
C.G. BRADLEY
Lt. Col.
Commanding 9th Kings.