2nd Yorks

[jamesbean]

I am trying to trace the 2nd Yorks Reg from their arrival in France in Nov 1914. I think that they were involved in the First battle of Ypres, but then the trail goes cold until the 1915 Battle of Neuve Chapelle

[Chris_Baker]

For £3.50 you can download their war diary from the National Archives, covering up to December 1915: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=8199336&queryType=1&resultcount=16

[connaughtranger]

Hi

6th Nov: Withdrawn from the line and marched to Locre. In afternoon marched to Bailleul and across the Belgian border.

8th Nov: To Ploegstreet in support to 11th Bde, 2 kms east of village

12th Nov: To billets in Billeul and Neuve Eglise

16th Nov: Marched via Sailly to Fleurbaix. Several weeks spent in this neighbourhood.

14th Dec: To Nieppe

18th Dec: Back to Fleurbaix. Warned to be ready for an attack, which failed so the Battalion was stood down.

25th Dec: In billets around Fleurbaix. Involved in the Christmas Truce

Remained in this sector until 2nd March when the Battalion marched to Estaires

7th March: Billets at Laventie

9th March: Warning for attack

10th March: 2 am moved from Laventie into reserve trenches. 9am into support trenches in Rue Tilleloy. 2pm moved across captured German trenches into enemy second trenches and dug in

11th March: No expected enemy counter-attack so bombing party attacked and took a trench on left front of the Battalion capturing 62 Germans. Many casualties during the day, a number caused by British shells

12th March: Enemy counter-attack destroyed by 3 right companies of the Green Howards, leaving 400-500 dead. 11.30am a heavy British bombardment caused about 400 of the enemy to come out and surrender. Some losses from cross-fire and hostile shelling

12/13th March: Position consolidated. Early hours of 13th Battalion relieved and back to billets

Regards

Martin

[jamesbean]

Awesome thank you connaughtranger that it is most helpful