GraemeClarke Posted 15 April , 2012 Share Posted 15 April , 2012 Hi Researching Private 16355 Alfred Sidney CARLESS 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment Wounded Thursday 4 October 1917 and died on Friday 5 October 1917 Could someone post the War Diary, please. I see 'A Morris' is on the War Diary list but when I use the search facility it keeps throwing up an error message !! Cheers, and many thanks, Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connaughtranger Posted 15 April , 2012 Share Posted 15 April , 2012 Atkinson's history has an account of the day and a rough sketch map. Any use? Regards Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 15 April , 2012 Share Posted 15 April , 2012 By James Daly - http://dalyhistory.w...shire-regiment/ On 28 September the Battalion entrained at Proven in the afternoon, and detrained at Elverindghe. From there the Hampshires marched to Roussol Camp. The next day Company Commanders instructed their NCO's and men in the plans for the forthcoming offensive. The day after that on the 30th each Company rehearsed their plan for the attack. later on the 30th the Battalion went into Brigade reserve at the Canal Bank, relieving the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers. The detailed operation order issued by the Adjutant listed the equipment and rations that the men were to carry. Officers were not to carry swagger sticks, and were to dress exactly the same as the men. Haversacks and entrenching tools would be left behind. Instead every man was issued with either a pick or shovel. Each platoon would carry 10 wire cutters, every man 2 aeroplane flares and every man 3 sandbags. A detailed map was issued, showing the ground over which the Brigade was to advance. Starting in the area of Langemarck, the 11th Brigade was to attack on a narrow front, capturing ground to the North East of Poelcappelle. The 1st Hampshires were on the left, the Somerset Light Infantry on the right, and the 1st East Lancs in support and the Rifle Brigade in reserve. The Hampshires objectives, in order, were to be the Red House, Beek Villa, Imbros House, Kangaroo Huts and Tragique Farm. The principal objective, however, was merely a green line marked on the map. An even more detailed Battalion-level map was issued, that showed each of the Companies objectives, and also the distances between each landmark on the map. A diagram of how the platoons were to be set out in the advance was also included, and each platoon was allocated a specific objective, either to capture or, for the support companies, to consolidate once it had been captured. The attack was to be on a 2 Company front, with each company's front being 150 yards wide. The two other companies were to be in close support. A creeping Artillery Barrage was planned, as well as a Machine Gun Barrage. A detailed map showed the planned creep of the Barrage, beginning at Zero hour, and creeping forward on lines in front of the advance, moving forward every 2 to 3 minutes. Each Battalion was also alloted 2 Vickers Machine Guns to act in support. 2 Platoons were also designated as counter-attacking platoons, and designated authority to act on their own initiative to break up any German attacks. A Lewis Gun team of the 21st West Yorks was to be attached for anti-aircraft duties. A contact aeroplane was to overfly the area at set times to observe and report on progress. On 1 and 2 October officers and NCO's went forward to reconnoitre the line. The next day, on the 3rd, the Battalion went forward to its assembly area at Eagle Trench. It comprised 19 officers and 522 men. 3 officers and 118 men were to be left with the transport, to form a nucleus for reforming the Battalion if it were wiped out. Two tins of hot tea laced with rum were brought up for each Platoon. Heavy rain had fallen in the first few days of October, turning the artillery-riddled ground into a morass. The troops were formed up and ready to go at 2am on 4 October. The enemy began shelling at 5am. At 6am the advance began, advancing behind the creeping barrage. They met light resistance, but the barrage was reported as being 'ragged', and caused many casualties to the Battalion. 30 prisoners and a machine gun were captured in Kangaroo trench. The Battalion advanced well, however. At 1pm it was noticed that the 10th Brigade on the left flank were retiring. An advance by the Rifle Brigade, coming up from reserve, checked this withdrawl. The Hampshires held firm on their objective line as night fell. Overall the battle of Broodseinde was one of the most succesful of the war. All objectives had been captured, for relatively light casualties when compared with the Somme and the earlier phases of Passchendaele. This was The Battle on 4 October inflicted heavy casualties on the Battalion. 4 officers and 36 men were killed, and 8 officers and 182 men were wounded. 25 men were missing. Among the wounded were Colonel Armitage and Captain Laurie, the Chaplain, who both remained at their post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connaughtranger Posted 16 April , 2012 Share Posted 16 April , 2012 By James Daly - http://dalyhistory.w...shire-regiment/ Hi Thank you for the link. Looks interesting material Regards Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 16 April , 2012 Author Share Posted 16 April , 2012 Hi both, Many thanks for the input, interesting site. The narrative certainly adds much more than I had previously, many thanks, but would still ideally like the WD, Regards, Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 16 April , 2012 Share Posted 16 April , 2012 As a last resort, if you can't obtain it elsewhere, I know that the person above bought it from NA for £3.50. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beardwebster Posted 17 April , 2012 Share Posted 17 April , 2012 Hello Graeme If you still need a copy of the WD, send me a PM with your email and l will send you a copy. All the best Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beardwebster Posted 17 April , 2012 Share Posted 17 April , 2012 Graeme Email sent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraemeClarke Posted 18 April , 2012 Author Share Posted 18 April , 2012 Hi A massive public thanks to Alan for his time and trouble, Cheers, Graeme Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popshammett Posted 4 November , 2012 Share Posted 4 November , 2012 Hello Graeme If you still need a copy of the WD, send me a PM with your email and l will send you a copy. All the best Alan Hi Alan, I am reseaching John Henry Hammett 1/4th Batt Hampshire regiment, died Iraq 13/8/1916, Ser No 305895 ..... Interested to know how he died, KIA or disease ??? could you help and see if there is a mention in the war diary .... Tks in advance ... Peter Hammett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonmate Posted 4 November , 2012 Share Posted 4 November , 2012 Pete That's a different War Diary (ref WO95/5175 runs from May to end of Aug 1916) and isn't yet digital.The 1 Hants were a Regular Battalion and the 1/4 a Territorial Battalion. SDGW shows this soldier as "DIED",ordinarily this means not killed in action or died of wounds,and would lean towards disease in that theatre. Buried in Baghdad (North Gate) Cemetery which wasn't begun until April 1917 so he was brought into there from another place when they consolidated the Mespot burials. Sotonmate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beardwebster Posted 4 November , 2012 Share Posted 4 November , 2012 Pete Sorry cant help with that at the moment, the Regimental history does not mention anything for that day. Suggest you have a look at SDGW that will give you a good idea. Please contact me if l can help with anything else. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popshammett Posted 4 November , 2012 Share Posted 4 November , 2012 Many thanks Alan, I guess a visit to Kew is on the cards .... much appreciate you kind effort ... Rgds Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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