3rd Royal Fusiliers - war diary

[ss002d6252]

I'm currently working on a little project of writing up the story of the 6th DLI at Ypres (above and beyond the published history) however I've hit a snag and need some help to try and clarify the situaion

Does anyone have a copy of the 3rd Royal Fusiliers diary for 27th & 28th April 1915 and can clarify whether there's any mention as to being reinforced by the DLI.

Thanks in advance.

Craig

[Colin W Taylor]

Craig

No mention of 6th DLI. However 3rd RF do state on 27 April 'Right and Left Coys relieved by 2 Buffs - Hd Qrs + these two Coys to pits in field just W of Verlorenhoek.'

The 2nd Buffs war diary may mention support by 6th DLI?

Kind regards

Colin

[ss002d6252]

Thanks Colin.

The 6th DLI sent 3 companies (or what was left of them) to support the Hampshires on Gravestafel Ridge on the 27/28th according to the Hampshire's diary. The DLI had gone in to action at Hill 37 on the 26th.

The only current history of the battalion (diary is missing) confirms that the Hampshires dispatched one of the DLI companies to close the gap between them and the Fusiliers where they helped a 2nd Lt Ball.

The problem I have is that the reports and diary of the Hampshires is certain that it was the night of the 27/28th when the DLI joined them which makes the Fusiliers reinforced on the 28th. With the missing diary and the history being written sometime later I'm trying to tie everything together (I've already found errors in dates).

The history of the DLI suggests that the reinforcement of the Hampshires took place on 26th/27th - if it didn't happen to the 27/28th then there's a day missing somewhere,

Craig

[Drew-1918]

A report of the 84 Inf Bde contained in the 28th Div WD has this to say;

"27th April- 11.30 pm, 11th infantry brigade upon arrangements made to relieve Capt. Auld's (formerly Major Barrett's) detachment by 1 Coy of 6 DLI and 1 Coy 8(?) DLI.

28th- By 12.30 am all detachments but Capt Auld's had been relieved. At 9.24 am message(?) was received from 28th Div that the position was then/thus(?) strengthened and consolidated.
Captain Auld's detachment was relieved during the night."

It is slightly ambiguous because of the handwriting, but I hope this helps.

Chris

[ss002d6252]

A report of the 84 Inf Bde contained in the 28th Div WD has this to say;

"27th April- 11.30 pm, 11th infantry brigade upon arrangements made to relieve Capt. Auld's (formerly Major Barrett's) detachment by 1 Coy of 6 DLI and 1 Coy 8(?) DLI.

28th- By 12.30 am all detachments but Capt Auld's had been relieved. At 9.24 am message(?) was received from 28th Div that the position was then/thus(?) strengthened and consolidated.

Captain Auld's detachment was relieved during the night."

It is slightly ambiguous because of the handwriting, but I hope this helps,

Chris

Thanks Chris

It'll shouldn't be 8th DLI as they were otherwise occupied but there's confusion in a few of the diaries between 6th & 8th (and occasionally the 9th).

Any idea who Capt Auld was commanding and where exactly he was ?

Craig

[Drew-1918]

You're welcome. To be honest, I found it hard to read the figure and it could well have been the 7th or 9th. I think you really need to see the image as there are other ambiguities. Am I ok copyright-wise to post it here? (Or a section of it)

I was just wondering about Capt Auld. I suspect 3RF but no confirmation just yet. Just having a look.

[Drew-1918]

Hello again Craig,

It appears that Captain Auld was the Adjutant of the 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers, who was sent up to replace Major Moulton Barrett (also 2/Nthd Fus), who had been severely wounded.

Here are some details from the few days leading up to the 27th and 28th April. Hopefully it should make things a little clearer and give you a hold on where they were. I have repeated a little of my previous post in order to avoid confusion:

"24th April-
...5.40 pm, in accordance with orders received from the division, 2 companies of the 2/Cheshire and 1 Coy of the 1/Monmouth ordered at once from railway DUGOUTS to ZONNEBEKE Church. On arrival there to join 1 company from the supports of 2/Nthd Fus. The whole under the command of Major Moulton Barrett 2/Nthd Fus. This detachment was then ordered to move along the ZONNEBEKE - ST JULIEN RD. and to hold and entrench a position roughly parallel to the FORTUIN RD.

6.20 pm, Division informed of move of Major Barrett's detachment and that 83 Bde was sending some companies in support, these to return as soon as position was entrenched.

25th-
1 pm, ...1 company of 2/Cheshires reported as having joined Major Barrett.

26th-
10.30 am, message received saying thar Major Barrett had been wounded. His detachment was being attacked in front and on both flanks and help was needed. This was sent by the 85th Bde.

27th-
8.30 am, Bde informed that Major Barrett's detachment had not yet been relieved.

11.30 pm, 11th infantry brigade upon arrangements made to relieve Capt. Auld's (formerly Major Barrett's) detachment by 1 Coy of 6 DLI and 1 Coy 7th [or 9th?] DLI.

28th-
By 12.30 am all detachments but Capt Auld's had been relieved. At 9.24 am message(?) was received from 28th Div that the position was then/thus(?) strengthened and consolidated.
Captain Auld's detachment was relieved during the night."

By doing a bit of googling I now think it must have been the 7th DLI. Apologies there.

Am I right in saying that different companies of the 6th DLI were in different places then? It seems to me that 2-3 Coys stayed with the Hampshires (and possibly helped support the 3rd RF), whilst 1 Coy was sent by the 11th Inf Bde, or the Hampshires, to help out Capt Auld's "detachment".

Chris

[ss002d6252]

One of the companies (possibly A off the top of my head) was sent back as a reserve and to form a ration company.

This is the first reference I've seen to them being used elsewhere but as the diary is missing it's difficult. More info to add to the reconstructed diary I've put together.

Craig

[ss002d6252]

It would appear that the gap would have been to the left of the Hampshire regiment so more filling to consolidate the line.

Craig

[Drew-1918]

I wonder if the following map from the 28th Div WD is any help? (Dated 29.4.15)

[ss002d6252]

Excellent, thanks.

I'm trying to get my (vastly expanded) redraft of the original 'story of the 6th bn' for April 15 ready before the 26th, the date they went in to action. Every little helps, as they say.

Craig