6th Seaforth Highlanders (1/6 Battalion) - War Diaries

[hendersondonald]

In case of interest to anyone (or in case someone has done it already and I can rest on their work), I am transcribing the war diaries of the 6th Seaforth Highlanders (1/6 Battalion). My own interest dates from December 1915 so I have been lazy and started there. Let me know if it is of interest to anyone else, and I can either post somewhere on this forum or send an email. So far I have done 5 months worth, so a bit more to do.

hendersondonald(a)yahoo.com

[trajan]

In case of interest to anyone (or in case someone has done it already and I can rest on their work), I am transcribing the war diaries of the 6th Seaforth Highlanders (1/6 Battalion). My own interest dates from December 1915 so I have been lazy and started there. Let me know if it is of interest to anyone else, and I can either post somewhere on this forum or send an email. So far I have done 5 months worth, so a bit more to do.

hendersondonald(a)yahoo.com

I missed this - I have a passing and very general interest in the Seaforths (which is how I found this post), but I thought it would be nice to thank you for this kind offer! Oh, and welcome to the Forum!

Julian

[barkalotloudly]

there is a very scarce book written about this battalion during the 14-18 war

[J Banning]

This is the book: http://www.naval-military-press.com/spirit-of-the-troops-is-excellent-the-6th-morayshire-battalion-seaforth-highlanders-in-the-great-war-1914-1918.html

Written by Derek Bird. It's very good indeed. And only £14.99.

JB

[barkalotloudly]

no not that one this particular volume was published in 1922 by the Inverness press available on the net for a measly 250.00

[hendersondonald]

I'll post a month at a time of the diaries, starting with December 1915 (apologies for those interested in the period from August 1914 to this date - I may go back and transcribe them once the 1915-18 period is done). In the main I have used the abbreviations used by the diary's author - which of course varied over time. I've also added some notes where I could find the weather, or where I could find diaries from adjacent units:

1915

Thiepval Wood December 1

3rd day in G3 Sector. 1st Hants (4th Divn) on our left. 5th Seaforths on our right.

Thiepval Wood December 2

Officers and NCOs of left half battn 16th HLI attached for instruction. Enemy Trench mortars active. Howitzer retaliation.

Thiepval Wood December 3

Four platoons of 16th HLI, left half of battn: detached for instruction, relieving 2 platoons of our A Coy and 2 platoons of ‘B’ which went into camp at MARTINSART [4km south east, across the River Ancre]

Thiepval Wood December 4

Officers and NCOs of right hand battn: 16th HLI, attached for instruction. Our own platoons returned and HLI troops went out.

Thiepval Wood December 5

Four platoons of 16th HLI, right half battn: attached two platoons from our ‘A’ Coy go to SENLIS and from ‘B’ Coy to MARTINSART. Enemy active with MINENWERFER. One large shell exploded at Battn Headqrs: at a range of 800-900 yards.

[senlis is probably Senlis-le-lac,, which is 12km to the west of Thiepval, and not Senlis which is 120km south. Minenwerfer - mine launchers - were short range mortars.]

Thiepval Wood December 6

Entire front of our ‘A’ and ‘B’ Coys taken over by ‘A’ and ‘D’ Coys 16th HLI. Our troops go under canvas at Martinsart.

[note - in general, the weather was exceptionally wet in northern France in December 1915, but probably quite mild. I got this info from a wonderful paper, written during or just after the war, discussing whether military action was affecting the weather in general or rainfall in particular - http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1917PASP...29..200C. The conclusion seems to be it was not.].

Thiepval Wood December 7

Our entire ‘A’ Coy goes under canvas at SENLIS and ‘B’ Coy at MARTINSART.

Senlis and Martinsart December 8

Battalion relieved by 16th HLI. Baths: Hedqrs removed to SENLIS.

Senlis and Martinsart December 9-10

‘B’ and ‘C’ Coys at MARTINSART employed on road fatigues.

Martinsart December 11

Battalion goes into Divisional Reserve at MARTINSART.

Martinsart December 12

MARTINS ART shelled at 2am. Casualties 1 killed 13 wounded also 1 man of 7th Black Watch wounded.

Martinsart December 12-15

Road fatigues at MARTINSART.

Martinsart December 13-14

Parties employed cleaning trenches in F1 Sector. Platoon and Coy bombers organized. [NOTE - Bombs being hand grenades]

F2: Sub Sector (Authuille Wood) 16 December

Went into trenches in F2 Sub Sector. 6th A&S Hrs on our right. 153rd Brigade on left. 5th Seaforths in Brigade Reserve at LESDOS POST.

[Note Authuille Wood is approx 2km SW of Thiepval]

Authuille Wood December 17

Our ‘C’ and ‘D’ Coys relieved by ‘B’ and ‘D’ Coys of the 11th Border Regt. Work parties supplied by 5th Seaforths and 8th Royal Scots - the former cleaning and the latter revetting trenches.

Authuille Wood December 18-19

Parties of 5th Seaforth Hrs and 8th Royal Scots employed in trenches. Trenches in shocking condition mud in places 3 ft deep.

Authuille Wood December 19

Our “C” and “D” Coys return and relieve 2 Coys 11th BORDER Regt.

Authuille Wood December 20, 21, 22

Usual fatigues - Our 4 trench mortars active at 2 emplacements on our front. Enemy machine guns busy at night, many bullets falling near trench railhead at LESDOS.

Henencourt December 23

Relieved by 16th HLI. Moved back to HENENCOURT [about 10-15km behind the front line, west of Albert].

Henencourt December 24 - 25

Baths - general cleaning up.

Henencourt December 26

Fatigue parties at RIBEMOUNT [Almost certainly Ribemont sur Ancre, 5km south of Henencourt].

Henencourt December 27 & 28

Battalion had route marches on preparation for move.

St. Gratien December 29

Battalion left HENENCOURT 9am and marched via BAIZIEUX and BEHENCOURT to ST. GRATIEN

[Note - Baizieux is 4km west south west of Henencourt, and Behencourt a further 5km along the same road. The final leg to Saint-Gratian is also 4km. It was probably a 3 hour march.]

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=z0jtLndU5vCs.kVtrkkyy-iuc&usp=sharing

Pierregot 30 December

Left SAINT-GRATIEN 9am arriving Pierregot 10.30. Went into village. 2/2nd Highland Field Coy RE in same village.

[Note - Pierregot is 6km north west of Saint-Gratien].

Pierregot 31 December

Communicating Drill for NCOs and Subalterns.

[hendersondonald]

6th Seaforth War diaries for January and February 1916:

1916

Pierregot (In Billets) 1-1-16

Battalion in Billets. The day was observed as a holiday.

[Note - weather was wet and cold according to an officer in the 5th Seaforths at

Corbie 9th February

Coy inspection of kit and company drill.

Corbie 10th to 11th February [Dry and very cold on the 10th, wet on the 11th]

Bayonet fighting, Physical & Running drill, Company drill & communicating drill for NCOs.

Corbie 12th February

Route March via Villers Bretonneaux, Vaire, Fouilloy, Corbie.

[Note - Vaire is Vaire-sous-Corbie. The total march would have been 17km, taking a bit less than 4 hours].

Corbie 13th February [Wet]

Church Parade.

Corbie 14th February

Bayonet Fighting, Smoke Helmet Drill, Physical Drill, Musketry.

Corbie 15th February

Tactical Scheme with 5th Seaforths at Bon L’Abbe.

[A 12km march, which would have taken a bit under 3 hours. Perhaps in the grounds of Le Fort de Bois L’Abbe].

Corbie 16th February [Heavy rain]

Bayonet Fighting, Physical Drill, Musketry, Smoke Helmet Drill.

Corbie 17th February

As 16th. Draft of 67 NCOs and men arrive from base depot.

[Note - Annoyingly, there is no similar note as to when William joined the Battn. The author of the diary changed as at 1 February, and perhaps it was simply his style to note the arrival and his predecessor’s not to].

Corbie 18th February [Raining and very cold}

Lecture by Armourer Sargt. Bayonet Fighting, Physical Drill , Musketry. 1 Company march to Etinihem & went into Camp there. Roads in very bad condition.

[Note - a 16km march, taking 3½ hours or so. We have no idea which Company William was in, or whether he stayed in the same Company throughout].

Corbie 19th February

Route march for 3 companies via Fouilloy, Aubigny, Daours, La Neuville & Corbie.1 Coy at Etinihem.

[Note - perhaps 13km and 3 hours, but I am certain where La Neuville is. It seems to be beside Allee de L’Industrie].

Corbie 20th February [Quite warm]

Church Parade. Company at Etinihem returns to Corbie.

Corbie 21st February [The German’s offensive at Verdun starts]

Loading Party employed at station. Company training.

Corbie 22nd to 23rd February [Very cold on the 23rd]

300 NCOs and men working on RE exhibition trenches at Daours. Rest of battn work at grenade trenches.

Corbie 24th to 25th February [Weather too bad for outside work on 25th]

300 NCOs and men working on RE exhibition trenches at Daours. 140 NCOs and men working at station & remainder at work on grenade trenches.

Corbie 26th February [Thaw setting in]

150 NCOs and men working on RE trenches at Daours. 140 NCOs and men working at quarry north of Vaux sur Somme.

Corbie 27th February [A great deal of slush on the roads].

Church Parade. 140 NCOs and men working at quarry north of Vaux sur Somme.

Corbie 28th February

Lectures 1 company on grenades. 150 men working on RE trenches. 50 NCOs and men work on railway at Heilly. Lecture to officers & NCOs of Brigade on gas & anti gas appliances.

Corbie 29th February

Move to Pierregot via Pont Noyelles and St Gratien.

[Note - a 17km return march. The Battalion’s February movements are at https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=z0jtLndU5vCs.kiNueeTz_Hro&usp=sharing]

A private in the 9th Royal Scots, who were also in the 51st Division wrote as follows. Transport day must have been very similar for the Seaforths, for all the bland description in the war diaries:

29th February, 1916

At five next morning, Tuesday, we were wakened and told to prepare to move at 8.15. There was great confusion for everyone had accumulated extra kit during our use of motor buses in travelling, and much of this had to be “dumped”. In spite of our disposal of much of it many of the failed to get our greatcoats into our packs and finally strap them on the outside, as we were warned we had a long march before us. After all our hurry our first start was a false one, our departure being postponed for an hour or so. At last we moved off, joined the main Amiens road and marched through Franvillers, Lahoussoye to Pont Noyelles.

On the way we passed the Lancashire Fusiliers and I was struck by the uniform medium stature and fair colouring of these English troops compared with a various sizes and colouring of our own Scots. At Pont Noyelles our own three platoons (13,14 and 15) fell in with the rear of 4th Gordons also bound for the 51st Division, with whom was a draft for our battalion. At our first halt we went along to find old friends in the draft in which most of us were successful. They told us they had been attached to the Gordons since they had come to this district, evidently waiting for us to leave Heilly.

We marched on through Querrieu, the road getting worse and worse till it became at last a mere cart track and we straggled along anyhow. The Gordons were falling out in couples along the roadside and their doctor was violently urging them on, but in vain. At last we reached our destination all very footsore and weary, a dilapidated village called Mirvaux. Sections 5 and 6 of 14 platoon were billeted in an old hen house with a bad roof and filthy floor which we had to scrape with our entrenching tools. My feet were in a bad state of blisters owing to new boots but as what we had seen the Gordons doctor was not attractive, I did not parade “sick”, which was as well for those who did got short treatment.

Those who could move about without difficulty at once started to look for bread but in vain. Meanwhile our billet was improved by procuring straw from that of the other two sections and by sleeping in pairs we managed to secure warmth. Next morning the pipes of the Gordons played “Reveille”, a novelty to us since leaving Peebles. At Mirvaux we made our first acquaintance with the Aberdonian accent. The streets in the village had been renamed after Northern Scottish towns, e.g. Lossie Wynd, Forres Street, Moray Street, - presumably by the Seaforths billeting parties.”

Read more: http://51hd.co.uk/accounts/macpherson_9th_join_51st#ixzz3ylNTH4Dv

The description for February in the War Diary of the 5th Seaforths (https://archive.org/stream/51stseaforth00sunduoft/51stseaforth00sunduoft_djvu.txt) was:

On 8th February hurried orders came to move to Corbie, one of the larger towns in the Somme valley, where for twelve days the battalion had a delightful change of scene and billet from the smelly farming villages and dirty barns and outhouses which have been their test billets since coming to France. This was too good to last, and on the 20th the battalion, wearing the first time the steel helmets afterwards so indispensable a part of the soldier's equipment, went into tents in the Bois des Tailles, a wood betweeen Corbie and Bray, where for a week they were engaged re- pairing the roads, at this time in a most wretched condition from excessive traffic and neglect. As frost and snow came at the same time, the Bois des Tailles was not regarded as a particularly ideal spot, especially as a persistent Boche airman, having located the tents, was in the habit of popping across at odd times, dropping a bomb or two and as quickly clearing out again, and the walls of a tent do not engender a feeling of security when aeroplane bombs are dropping.

Fortunately no casualties occurred, although he rather rudely interrupted one or two football matches. It was at the time intended that we should relieve, at Bray and Suzanne, the Division which formed the right flank of the British front, the French holding the line south of Suzanne, but after one or two battalions taking over, they were suddenly withdrawn on 29th February and once again we marched back o Molliens- au-Bois.

[seaforths]

no not that one this particular volume was published in 1922 by the Inverness press available on the net for a measly 250.00

That might be 'Campaign Reminiscences' by Captains Peel & Macdonald? If you dock nearly £200 pounds off that, it's what I paid for my copy. They only write up to the end of 1917 which is a shame. Thoroughly agree with Jeremy Banning, Derek Bird's book is an excellent book.

[barkalotloudly]

well done that is the reason it has been available for a long time!!!

[MaxD]

The man I am looking at, whose records did not survive, joined up (by the calculation from war gratuity) in late 1914.  His MIC shows he entered France in Dec 1915.  The medal rolls (14/15 and the BW/V rolls) both show only 1st/6th Bn.  He was 2623 Sgt Richard John Walker kia 2 Jun 1916.  There is no other number associated with him.  His Bn was in France from May 1915.  

The question is - what might he have been doing between May and Dec 1915?  Any ideas?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ss002d6252]

18 minutes ago, MaxD said:

The man I am looking at, whose records did not survive, joined up (by the calculation from war gratuity) in late 1914.  His MIC shows he entered France in Dec 1915.  The medal rolls (14/15 and the BW/V rolls) both show only 1st/6th Bn.  He was 2623 Sgt Richard John Walker kia 2 Jun 1916.  There is no other number associated with him.  His Bn was in France from May 1915.  

The question is - what might he have been doing between May and Dec 1915?  Any ideas?

 

Could have been a few things - illness or injury, he was training men, he was held back to undertake a specialist role etc

Craig

[MaxD]

Yes of course Craig, thanks, could have been any number of things I suppose - not really important.

 

Thanks again.

 

Max 

[MaxD]

A belated public thank you to Donald for the transcribed diary which has made explanations to a non military minded person a lot easier.  A brilliantly executed magnum opus indeed complete with very useful additional notes from his own research.    Thank you Donald and very well done indeed.

 

Max

[hendersondonald]

Diary transcripts March to June 1916:

 

Rainneville 1 March

Battalion moved from PIERREGOT to billets in RAINNEVILLE.

Rainneville 2-4 March [snowing hard on the 4th]

Training in bayonet fighting, physical drill, musketry.  Brigade GAs School started under CAPT. J.A. KENNEDY [Note - see 6 August 1916]. 

Rainneville 5 March [a fine frosty morning]

Divine Service.

Beauval 6 March [frosty and bright]

Advanced party of officers visit LABYRINTH trenches.  Battalion moved from RAINNEVILLE to BEAUVAL.  Brigade concentrated at PIERREGOT and marched as a brigade to new area.

Beauval 7-8 March

Grenade practice.  (8) Captns A BOYD & D. M. MACPHERSON & LIEUT W MATHESON joined.

Iverngy 9 March

Brigade marched to billets in IVERGNY area 11 mile march.

Duisans 10 March

Brigade marched to billets in new forward area - this battn to DUISANS. Distance 15 miles.

Trenches (Labyrinth) 11 March

Brigade took over front trenches from 78th french Infantry Regt in the LABYRINTH.  Front held with 3 batons from left to right 8th A&SH, 6th Seaforth Hrs, 5th Seaforth Hrs.  2 Coys in firing line & 1½ in support. 

Trenches (Labyrinth) 12-16 March [another grand day on the 13th; a fine sunrise and very bright all day on the 16th]

Constant bombing activity from our posts.  16) Transport shelled at ARIANE.  3 casualties.  14) Arrival of 45 ORs from Base.

Trenches (Labyrinth) 17 March

Battalion moves into Brigade Reserve at ARIANE POST, one coy remaining behind 8th A&SH and the other moving into shelters in CHEMIN CREUX. Brigade front taken over by 2 battalion _ 8th A&SH and 5th Seaforth Hrs.  Arrival of LIEUT G.F. BENNETT and 2/LT W CHRISTIE.

A part of the Chenin Crux September 1916

Trenches (Labyrinth) 17 March

In Brigade Reserve.

Maroeuil 19 March [A fine morning]

Relieved at Ariane by 8th A&SH.  Moved into billets at MAROEUIL where battalion was in Divisional Reserve.

Maroeuil 20-25 March

Grenade training for men of draft which had recently arrived.  Company training - interior economy [note - interior economy meant a top to bottom clean of everything, from clothes and bedding to floors etc].  

Trenches 25 March

Relieved 5th Seaforth Hrs in MI [?], A&C Coys in firing line, B&D in support.  6th A&SH on our left, 154 Brigade  (7th A&SH) on our right.

Trenches 26 March

Mine sprung at 2.20am in 6th A&SH area.

Trenches 27 March

Arrival of draft of 63 O.R. at MAROEUIL.  Continuous sniping and grenade throwing all day.

Trenches 28 March

Day quiet except for exchange of trench mortar bombs and rifle grenades.

Trenches 29 & 30 March

Enemy bombarded right coy’s front at points 137, 138 & 59. Hostile mining operations were heard during both days.

Trenches 31 March

Enemy exploded a mine on the left battalion front and afterwards bombarded our front for about 25 minutes.  We retaliate.  Only one man was wounded.

[Note - this period is described in a Gordon’s website :

Into the Labyrinth - March 1916
The casualties on 26th March resulted from an action described in the history of the 51st Highland Division:

'On 1st March 1916 orders were received for the Division to march northwards and take over from the 23rd French Division of the XII Corps d'Armee in a sector north of Arras, now known to history as the Labyrinth.  This move was due to the necessity for the British to take over more line from the French.  The object was to free as many French Divisions as possible for the defense of Verdun.

The march to the new area is chiefly memorable to those who took part in it from the fact that much of it was carried out in a blinding snowstorm, with all its attendant discomforts.

The Division, after its six weeks period of rest and training (see training programme) was at the top of its form and presented a most soldierly appearance.  It had profited considerably from its training, in spite of the fact that it had been handicapped by spells of bad weather.

That was the last period of rest of more than 10 days' duration which the Division was to have until the following January.

The new sector extended roughly from the ruined village of Roclincourt on the right of the ruined village of Neuvill St Vaast on the left. [The] whole sector consisted of an unintelligible maze of trenches, aptly called by the French the Labyrinth.

The relief of the French 23rd and 24th Divisions...was completed by 14th March.  It was carried out during a blizzard of great severity, which continued for 48 hours...  All three infantry Brigades were in the line - the 154th Brigade on the right in the vicinity of Roclincourt, the 152nd in the centre,  and the 153rd on the left. [The 1/5th Gordons were in the 153rd].

The sector was ...honeycombed with mines from end to end, the enemy apparently being complete masters of the mining situation.

As soon as the aforementioned blizzard had cleared and commanders could find out the disposition of the men, it became evident that the ground in the forward area was far too thickly held.  Orders were in consequence issued for the line to be thinned immediately.  Small sectors of disused trenches were dug out to accommodate the surplus men temporarily while a more detailed scheme of defence could be formulated.

April 1-6 1916 M1 LABYRINTH

We occupied trenches in M1 sub sector.  There was considerable trench mortar activity both on the par of the Germans + ourselves.  Casualties.  2 wounded.  Work done improving fire trench and INTER MED [? - final two characters unclear; the word ‘line’ is written directly below, seemingly related to this entry.  Googling possible terms does not come up with anything] 

Note - the Labyrinth is just outside Neuville St Vaast, between Arras and Vimy and not far from Notre Dame de Lorette.

April 6-8 MAROEUIL [less than 10km, south west from the Labyrinth]

Went into Divisional reserve at MAROEUIL.  Interior economy.  Working parties. Bombing inspection given to draft men.

April 9 MAROEUIL

Divine Service.

April 10 + 11 MAROEUIL

Bombing instruction given to draft, working parties, bayonet fighting.

April 12 M1 LABYRINTH

Returned to M1 sector and relieved 5th Seaforth Highlanders.

April 12-18 M1 LABYRINTH

Battalion in frontline. On 17th and 18th the Germans were active with heavy trench mortars.  Casualties for period 4 killed 7 wounded.  Much work done to forested in fire trench and in the INTERMEDIATE line.  Battalion on left 6th A&SH, + on right 9th Royal Scots.  We held the line as before with two companies in firing line and two in support.

18-25 April ARIANE

Battalion returned to brigade reserve trenches at ARIANE, where they took 
over from the 5th Seaforth Hrs.  Working Parties to firing line + support trenches daily.

25 April M1 LABYRINTH

Battalion returns to M1 sub sector, relieving 5th Seaforth Hrs.

26 April M1 LABYRINTH

German attack on 25th Divn on our left. Two trenches lost but recaptured by counter attack.

26, 27 April M1 LABYRINTH

Work continued on INTERMEDIATE LINE and front trenches.

28 April M1 LABYRINTH

At 2.7 am [0207 hrs?] enemy sprang 7 mines on our immediate front and launched attack against our right (A) Coy. Prompt action by the artillery and our own garrison rendered the attack abortive, although they succeeded in entering our front trench at 2 points for a very short time.  Our casualties were KILLED 15 WOUNDED 5 officers + 28 O.R. MISSING 19.  A mine was exploded at same time on 8th A&SH front on our left.

29 - 30 April M1 LABYRINTH

Consolidation of near lips of craters.  A new communication trench to isolated portion of front line dug.

Not necessarily contemporaneous to April 1916, a trench map of the Labyrinth.

April section of War Diary of the Fifth Seaforths (https://archive.org/stream/51stseaforth00sunduoft/51stseaforth00sunduoft_djvu.txt)

THE LABYRINTH—11TH MARCH TO I4TH JULY I916 
On the night of 11th March our battalion took over the trenches from the French, and, as I sat in my advanced signal dug-out at Ariane just in front of the main Arras-Souchez road, I could hear from dusk onward the heavy tramp of men trudging stolidly up the communication trench which ran past my door. In single file they went, each man laden with pack, rifle, ammunition, blankets and rations, and by midnight nearly 3000 men had passed towards the front, and as an equal number of French had passed down the traffic was rather congested. 

For some time the moon looked down upon the scene, but airer her setting, the darkness of the night 
was relieved only by the occasional light of a star-shell. Behind me lies the tree-lined causewayed French main road, now utterly deserted by day, when every one uses the great trenches that run beside it, but at night the transport came along it, bringing up supplies of all kinds for those in the line. These stores are dumped where the several communication trenches meet the road, and long before daylight the road is again bare and deserted. Parties of 50 to 100 men came down the trenches to these dumps and carry up their battalion supplies of food, water, ammunition, bombs, barbed wire, stakes, etc. 

As an illustration of German espionage, the French told us that, a day or two before out arrival, a notice board was exhibited above the German trenches which read," The French will be glad the English are coming to take their place." 

Out front here is a great, bare, uninteresting, treeless plain, with all over its surface countless lines of dark red clay or white chalk showing the maze of trenches that have been dug since the armies first settled here. The ride of battle had ebbed and flowed several times in this area, with the result that the district is a veritable graveyard. 

A new trench cannot be dug without coming on hastily-buried dead, grisly hands stick out of the sides of the present trenches, while one machine-gun crew, in making a recess for their gun, tried four times before they round a spot clear of bodies. 

The soil here, as at Thiepval, is dry, and therefore suited for mining, af which both sides are now very 
expert, while the flatness of the country lends itself to trench mortar bombing and sniping. In the sniping department we can lay claim to holding the superiority over the Boche every time, for our snipers are the pick of the gamekeepers and gillies of Sutherland and Caithness, men who can draw a bead on anything within a thousand yards. 

Dear old Tosh writes about one of the most famous of these, Sergt. Sandy Macdonald of Kildonan who later fell at Beaumont-Hamel, and who was credited with a score of 97 to his unerring rifle: 

Sniper Sandy's slaying Saxon soldiers, 
And Saxon soldiers seldom show but Sandy slays a few. 
And every day the Boches put up little wooden crosses 
In the cemetery for Saxon soldiers Sniper Sandy slew. 

As the days go by we find much more vigour and activity here than further south. There are constant trench mortar duels, for at last the Government is supplying us with something in the trench mortar line, a little better than an old drain pipe, so that we have some chance to retaliate, but shells are still woefully scarce and have to be husbanded most carefully. 

When a Brigadier, on his trenches being blown to atoms by heavy artillery tire, asks for retaliation, and is told by the artillery commander covering his front that he cannot have it as he bas on]y rive rounds per gun, and they have to do to the end of the week, it shows the desperate position we were in, even in April 1916, after more than eighteen months of war. 

Tosh and his squad of bombers are very busy these nights for there are almost nightly patrol encounters in no-man's land, or in attacks on the saps which here extend some distance forward of the front line. 

On 11th April and again on 28th April the enemy was very active, blowing up mines under out front 
line, and then rushing the positions and trying to establish machine-gun posts on the lips of the mine 
craters thus formed.
 
After one of these mines went off, a big German N.C.O. came along a sap towards out men, calling out, " Hands up, Englisher." A diminutive bomber, a left-handed thrower, held up his hands, but with a Mills-bomb in his left, and quick as thought he let the German have the 2 lbs. of steel right in the face, felling him to the ground, when he was at once hauled in as a prisoner. 

In one night the Boche blew up no less than five mines, completely altering the appearance of out front line trenches, there being yawning craters and mounds of chalk, where the day before there had been well dug and well kept trenches. 

Airer the explosion, he came across in great numbers and a tierce hand-to-hand fight took place with rifle, bayonet, bomb and bludgeon, but he was driven back leaving several dead, and by strenuous work the damage was hurriedly repaired before daybreak, the men digging and working like demons to form roughly made trenches and barbed wire defences to replace those which had vanished. 

For successfully Frustrating what was later found to be a determined effort to break through on our 
front, the Corps Commander sent a special letter of thanks to the battalions of the 152nd Brigade. 

An officer of 5th Seaforths kept a personal diary for some of this period (http://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/The_Great_War_Diaries_-_1916_(5th_Seaforths) :

01-Apr-16

Got into Aubigny about 2 a.m. and found motor buses waiting for us. Arrived Marouiel 3 a.m. and after hunting round for the company - they came out the trenches last night, discovered my valise in a spacious building and was soon inside it.  Up at 7:30 and found the rest asleep upstairs. No fatigues here so the men are getting a good rest. The billets are rather better than usual and weather-tight. The town has been knocked about a great deal. Played a scratch team from 'A' Coy and got beaten, but it was a good game.

02-Apr-16

On duty in the billet today and spent most of the time lying on the grass in the back garden. Went through the underground passage below the Chateau. Many inscriptions on the chalk walls, written by Frenchmen during different bombardments dating back to Nov. 14.  Church Service in the evening in the garden, Rev. Herbert Reid officiating and preaching quite well.

03-Apr-16

Another fine day. Inspected platoon smoke helmets in the Church-yard while the organ played inside. Also the men of the latest drafts, mostly Irishmen and not very promising looking.

04-Apr-16

Rather colder today. Inspected the remainder of Coy along with M'Kay. A good few of the tube-helmets seem to be deficient, which fact is rather annoying the RQMS, who seems to be inclined to institute himself as the sole judge.

05-Apr-16

M'Kay and I took the Coy for a route march today. Not very pleasant tramping over the rough cobble stones with which the village streets are paved. Quite a different type of village from those in Picardy.

Had a dinner tonight in the estaminet downstairs in honour of Tosh's and Shand's birthdays which have been passed for some time. The Major came in later on and we had songs from Black, Tosh, Nickie and Shand with violent piano accompaniment from Nickie.

06-Apr-16

Packing up all forenoon, always a rotten job. Dinner at 12. Hamish went up ahead of Coy, which left by platoons at intervals, commencing 1:45. Took it very easy going up and had no excitement, arriving at the front line about 4 p.m. Relief didn’t take very long.

Tea about six. Shand and Tosh sleeping down near H.Q., Hamish, M'Kay and I being distributed over Coy. H.Q. and Melvich House. I was on duty till midnight. Our posts are much weaker than the 6th Seaforths as we have only 66 privates and about 22 NCOs. Paper strength of the Coy is about 184. Bosch very quiet
.
07-Apr-16

Warm and sunny: men at work cleaning up the trench and lifting the boards. Germans very quiet and practically no rifle fire: a few aerial torpedoes at 57 one of which nearly got the C.O. and the acting Brigadier (Col. Baird, 8th Argyles).

Spent most of the day with Hamish working out a defence for this sub-sector in case of either or both of the mines going up. The platoon sergeants were called along and told the scheme so that every man would know his job. Working parties from 'C' tonight deepening the trench at L and clearing the mud at 61.

08-Apr-16

On duty from 12 to 3 a.m. Went round with Sandy Mac: everything very quiet and nothing to be heard. Quiet all day too and spent most of the afternoon with Hamish and Morrison R.M. looking at point 127 where the Germans are mining from.

Just before tea Tosh fired a number of rifle grenades from support line. M'Kay and I went up to sap 137 to watch the effect and Tosh almost landed one on our heads. Fortunately it was a dud.

We had to withdraw all the men except for a few sentries at 8 p.m. for a bombardment of enemy trenches by our artillery, the battalion on our left joining in with rifle and machine gun fire, and the T. Mortar batteries doing their bit too. The Bosch replied very feebly and if the idea was to get him to line his parapet I don't think our people succeeded. About 1/2 an hour later he landed two torpedoes just beside Melvich House so we had shift one of the posts.

09-Apr-16

Wakened at 3 a.m. by M'Kay. Very cold and thick; hoar frost on the sides of the trench. Stand-to at 4 a.m. for an hour. The night has been extremely quiet - a few rifle grenades on point 137. Lay down again at 6 and slept till breakfast time when Tosh turned up alone, Shand being fevered and in bed.

Bosch was quiet all forenoon on our front but trench mortared the 6th Argyles pretty heavily, and ours replied. A fair amount of work was done at deepening the trench between L and 137. Captain Harper was up arranging about the relief which was to take place in the afternoon, 'C' relieving 'A'.

The relief came off all right and without hitch and we got back into support in good time for the men to make their teas before going down for their rations. The Support line is much improved since I saw it last and fire-stepped throughout a fair part of its length. Visited 'C' Coy after tea and also Shand who goes to hospital tonight, apparently with 'trench fever'. Hamish as O.C. Coy has a dugout on the main communication trench, beside CSM. Had a party out in point of support line, wiring up a gap there. Slow work as most of men were new to the job. Lots of French rifles lying out with fixed bayonets.

10-Apr-16

Breakfast about 9 a.m. The C.O. and Adjie came along in the forenoon and made sarcastic remarks about the amount of wire out, but fortunately I wasn’t there. A fine day. Capt. Murray came round just before dinner, hunting as usual for souvenirs. M'Kay has been busy all day at an aluminium ring he is making and he kept me awake half the night filing away at it. I slept most of the afternoon.

In the evening there was a good deal of trench-mortaring on the enemy's part, all along the line. 'C' had a good bit of their trench blown in, and so had 'D' and the latter also had Coy. H.Q. knocked about and set on fire. Only two or three slight casualties. We had fatigue parties up at both front coys. repairing the trench and I had a wiring party out as well.

Another mine went up last night below the 6th Argyles and buried a patrol of six men. The Huns did'nt try a raid. Fewer aeroplane fights than last time we were here and our planes seem to be going over their lines with greater impunity while an Allemand is seldom seen.

11-Apr-16

Wet and cold today and not much work done beyond what was absolutely necessary. We sat in the Mess most of the day and were entertained by the mining officer of the Corps whom Tosh brought in for dinner. Besides the tall yarns he told, he was quite interesting as regards the mines on our front. It dried up after tea at which Reader assisted, and I had the wiring party out till 11:30 p.m.

The Corps Commander was round our lines yesterday and his report on the battalion is not favourable to say the least of it, although the points he wants more attention paid to are not very serious - wash and shave every day, clean boots, puttees, etc., no cigarette ends to be thrown about and such like.
12-Apr-16

Cold and showery all day. 6th Seaforths relieved us in the early evening, Capt M'Pherson representing the 'A' Coy of the 6th and having tea with us. The relief went off quite smoothly and we got back to reserve trenches about 6 p.m., down in the Chemin Creux.

Had supper - curried prawns, and haddies at 8 p.m. The Doctor (Townrow ) and Fred Harper are to mess with us while we are here. Not a bad dugout, with 4 beds full of lousey straw which we had taken out straight away; two forms, a table, etc and all wooden lined.

13-Apr-16

Breakfast about 9 a.m., Hamish and I having it in bed partly to relieve congestion, partly through laziness. Anyway we were still there at 11 o'clock and got caught by the C.O. who was doing some strafing for the state of the trench and also because there wasn’t an officer down to see the Coy. bathed at Anzin where they are this morning.

M'Kay and I set out and had a good tub although the trenches were pretty muddy. Went into Anzin Church on our way back. Capt. Sutherland was in at tea having newly returned from leave. Played the Doctor at chess - one all. M'Kay on fatigue tonight till 2 a.m. every available man in the company being out.

14-Apr-16

Up in better time today as we didn’t want a second row. The Company is doing night fatigues only so there is nothing doing all day. Beat the Dr. at chess in the afternoon.

Took fatigue party of 50 men tonight to work under R.E. A few shrapnel came over when we at the dump but fell short. Very slow going up the communication trench and it took us an hour and 3/4 to draw tools and get to the job. Very clear night and cold but rain had stopped. Dropped work at 1:30 and got back to dug-outs about 2:30 a.m. All home leave stopped and those on leave recalled - whether for everybody or only for 51st Div. we don't know; every sort of rumour going.

15-Apr-16

Breakfast in bed as entitled to and had a long lie. Much better today. Tried to write letters but failed. Beat the Dr. again. Tosh and I had a view of Neuville St. Vaast. M'Kay took fatigue tonight.

16-Apr-16

Went down to 'B' Coy with Hamish in the forenoon. Bosch were shelling a battery on the other side of the road, with coal boxes. I hear they got a direct hit on one of the guns. There was a plane over late last night, possibly a Bosch and they may have spotted the flashes. 'Bulgar' in bed. Returned by the big mine crater in front of Chemin Creux.

Took the fatigue tonight, Joe M'Kay representing 'D' Coy. Came on to rain soon after we got started but was'nt more than a drizzle all night. About 12 p.m. a mine or something seemed to go up pretty far on the left as the Bosch started with flares, rapid fire broke out and soon the artillery joined in and the sky was lit up with the flashes of guns and bursting shrapnel. There did'nt seem to be much German reply and certainly none came our way.

17-Apr-16

Wet most of the day and not much sign of it improving. Played more chess and was beaten several times. The Doctor and M'Kay visited the Ouvrages Blanches tonight and the latter brought back two German bombs which he has proceeded to tamper with.  Hamish reluctantly took the fatigue tonight, the first piece of work he has done since he became Company Commander, although we are so short handed.

18-Apr-16

Raining practically all day. The trenches are getting in a nasty state again. Germans gave the 6th Argyles a hot time this forenoon, with H.E. It is not often they open out with their artillery. They are usually content with putting an occasional shell into some frequented spot and their shooting is usually pretty good.

We relieved 'B' Coy, 6th Seaforths this afternoon - in right support. Black returned just before we left and we were very glad to see him. Relief went off A1 so far as we were concerned. The dug-outs will just hold the men with some degree of comfort. M'Kay and I are sleeping in Support line, and Black and Hamish in Coy. H.Q.

Hamish isn’t in a good mood today - the effects of the fatigue I think.

19-Apr-16

Wet most of the day. Shaved before breakfast and inspected rifles at 9:30. The few men that were left after headquarters fatigues had been provided for, were put on to cleaning up the lines, the communication trenches and the left of our line being particularly bad.  By afternoon there was a big difference. 'C' had one man killed by an aerial . The weather looked like clearing in the afternoon but it came on wet again at night. I went down to 'B' Coy and had a game of bridge. Geo Murray is in good form just now.

Very dark night coming back. We had Maconochie stew about 10 p.m. and a rum ration.

20-Apr-16

Today has been dry for a change. All the platoon on fatigue, so Sergt. Morrison and myself had to set to on the trench: the C.O. came round while we were at it and as he had already been along at dawn and had seen the state of the trenches then he was well pleased with 'A' troop's work.

I went up to 46 after dinner and while standing there had rather a narrow squeak, with a torpedo which laid out Eddie of 'C' Coy. Was anxious for some time about R.E. officer who was speaking to me at the time and who disappeared. However I heard afterwards that he had got down the trench all right. Bosche then put a lot of shrapnel round about the support line and had a hit inside communicator at 712. No casualties. About 7 o'clock there was a very heavy artill barrage put up far on the left. Played bridge in 'B' Coy (Left Reserve) and then chess with the Doctor till about 11:30.

21-Apr-16

Fine morning. The Major visited us this forenoon and at the same time the Bosche visited us with shrapnel, so we shifted. Went up to 'D' with him.

'A' relieved 'C' in the afternoon and in spite of foreboding we had no trouble, but didn't neglect to take all precautions. The trenches were very dirty after all the rain, and to make matters worse it came on to rain in the evening. Owing to the amount of mud in the front line I was sent along to the left to work the two platoons there along with Sgt. Jim Fraser. I slept at Coy. H.Q. till around 12, and then lugged along a jar of rum for the men in the morning.

22-Apr-16

Duty from 12 - 5 a.m. The Germans were working very hard at 127 all night. Shand appeared about 5 and volunteered to put out the rum so I went back to Coy. H.Q. Had breakfast in bed as there is very little accommodation in the dug-out. The men were working at the trench most of the day pumping the water over the parados: the pump we have is far too clumsy - two men can barely carry it.

I was on duty from 6 - 12 midnight and cabbed a supper off 'B'. It was a rotten night - raining all the time - and although we listened carefully we could hear very few sounds of the Germans working. The trenches are getting into a very bad state, nearly knee deep in mud and water and since the men have no gum-boots they are having a trying time. To my great relief the sky cleared just before I turned in. Slept with Corp. Seaman but as I had only one thickness of blanket I felt very cold and was glad to get up at 4 a.m.

23-Apr-16

A grand morning so I indulged in a wash and a shave before breakfast. A British plane came over as I was walking round to Coy H.Q. and flying daringly low was greeted with 'massed machine guns' but got off Scot free. Black and C.S.M. went round with rum about 6 a.m.

Slept all forenoon as I am beginning to feel groggy. Tea put me all right. The men have been pumping water all day and have made a fair impression on the trench but the saps are still very bad and quietness is hopeless. Some of the men have incipient trench foot and one of mine who went to the Doctor has'nt returned.

Turned in at 7 and lay till 12 but didn’t get much sleep as there were a lot of interruptions - notably the arrival of soup at 10:30 which I had undertaken to take, just to show there is no ill-feeling. The men don't seem to like it and prefer to live on tea and marmalade, which as the C.O. says, can't be done. 145.

24-Apr-16

Duty from 12 - 5 a.m. Very quiet along our front but could hear the Bosch moving on his trench boards - a thing we have'nt got in our front line. Stood-to, 3:30 to 4:30. Blacko went round with rum-ration at 7 a.m., and I turned in.

Corps Commander was on the move today but did'nt trouble us. Volunteers were asked for today for a raid on enemy trenches. Good response, especially from 'A', but the men are too worn out just now to be keen. The trenches are dry now, except between L and 137.

An aerial (dud) fell there this afternoon and was cautiously and scientifically removed by the C.S.M. who usually takes these unpleasant jobs on himself. Our T.M.s (60 pdrs) started firing this afternoon and were dropping dangerously short. The handle is a constant source of danger as it come whirring back and has already caused some casualties .

Was on duty from 6 - 12. Had supper with 'B', and was glad when midnight came as I could hardly keep awake.

25-Apr-16

Stand to at 3:30. Turned in from 7 - 11:30.  Relieved at 4 p.m. by 6th Sea. No hitch. Went out by Labyrinth trench, and Ecurie. The communication trenches were very muddy, and never seemed so long. Bosch were crumping a battery just on our left as we came down to Anzin. It was a great pleasure to get onto the top of the ground again, and we were no sooner clear of the trench than we threw ourselves onto the grass and rested.

Marched onto Maroeuil, everybody pretty well done. Arrived at 7 p.m. to find spring had come while we were in the trenches, and had transformed the garden. The chestnut trees were in leaf, and cherry trees white with blossom.

28-Apr-16

Bosch put up eight or nine mines in the sector we were relieved from. At least six were on our company front. 'A' Coy of the 6th had over 70 casualties - a lot of them missing. The Germans tried a raid, but the 6th held them well in spite of their casualties.

30-Apr-16

Church parade in the evening, out in the Garden. Not many present. Watched the sunset from the top of the rise, and thought of this time last year.

MAY 1916

May 1 - M1 Sector Labyrinth

Anniversary of battalion’s departure for France.  

May 2 - M1 Sector Labyrinth

Relieved by 5th Seaforth Highlanders.  Returned to MAROEUIL where battalion was in Divl Reserve. [about 7km away, to the SW]

May 2-7 - MAROEUIL

In Divisional Reserve.  Fatigue parties supplied daily to work at station.  Training in bombing, bayonet fighting etc.  Draft of 104 O.R. arrived on 4/5/16.

May 7 - Reserve trenches

Battalion moved into Brigade Reserve at ARIANE - two coys in CHEMIN CREUX. [Chemin Creux means Sunken Lane.  Assuming that the destination for the 2 companies was near the Sunken Lane war cemetery, it was a 14km route march due east from Maroeuil, which would have taken several 3 hours given the conditions and circumstances.  I can’t find where Ariane was, but presumably fairly close by] 

May 7-11 - ARIANE

In Bde Support trenches.  Working parties supplied daily to firing line.

May 11 - ARIANE

Moved into front line trenches in M1, relieving 5th Seaforth Highlanders.  6th A&SH relieved 8th A&SH on our left.  Took over line as far as crater at 277.  154 Bde on our right.

May 11-17 - [Still shown as Ariane in the diaries, but clearly in M1 Sector in the Labyrinth]

In M1 front line trenches.  Bavarians who had been in front of us supposed to have been relieved by Prussians.  Enemy fairly quiet.  We had only one casualty during the tour - one man wounded.

May 16 - [Still shown as Ariane in the diaries, but clearly in M1 Sector in the Labyrinth]

5th Seaforth Highlanders carried out a raid on our front, bombing dug-outs and killing several Germans   in their trench at 127 salient.  The enemy barrage during the raids was considerably less severe than it had been on the occasion of the mine explosion on April 28. [there is a fuller account of this raid below]

May 17 - MAROEUIL

Relieved by 5th Seaforth Highlanders and returned to Divl Reserve in Maroeuil.  

May 17-23 - MAROEUIL 

In Divl Reserve at MAROEUIL.  Usual fatigue parties supplied daily.  

May 21 MAROEUIL

MAROEUIL shelled from 9.20pm - 3am, one shell falling about every half hour in the village.  Brigade HQ were hit and 7 of the 8th Royal Scots were killed in billets.  Lachrymatory shells [ie tear gas] were fired on battery positions adjacent to village.

May 23 - MAROEUIL

Battalion relieved at Maroeuil billets by 7th Black Watch.  Moved into rest billets at VILLERS CHATEL [about 13km north west].

May 23-31 - VILLERS CHATEL

Battalion in rest billets. Daily training & drill, bayonet fighting, physical exercises.  Officers riding school started.

May 28  - VILLERS CHATEL

Divine Service.  Chaplain McLeod Campbell left the battalion previous to preceding to the 4th Division.  

May 29  - VILLERS CHATEL

Route March VILLERS CHATEL - MINGOVAL - SAVY - BERTHONSART - VILLERS CHATEL [Bethonsart misspelled, Savy perhaps Savy-Berlette - if so a march of 12 km]

May 30  - VILLERS CHATEL

Draft of 6 officers arrived.

May 29  - MAROEUIL

Battalion moved to billets in MAROEUIL previous to proceeding to trenches in P & Q sectors.

The 5th Seaforth diaries report:

On 1st May the battalion was back in rest at Maroeuil,and to celebrate the first anniversary of our arrival in France an open-air concert was held in the ground behind the château. Here where the beauty of the gardens is marred by the ugly roofs of shelters and dug-outs, and where several trees had been lopped by shells a few days before, the battalion gathered at 7.30 p.m., the men sitting on the sloping grassy ground, and the singers gathering round the château piano brought outside for the occasion. 

Two men of the 6th Seaforths had rather a hair-raising experience one day. One of them was coming up his dug-out stair when he heard the thud of a trench mortar being fired, and then its descending whizz. He and the " oil-can " landed at the top of the stair simultaneously, he himself avers he met it on the stair but managed to pass it, so he fled round the nearest traverse and waited for the terrific explosion he expected to follow. 

His chum down below also heard the bomb falling into the trench, and one can imagine his feelings as he heard it bumping from step to step down the stair. He could not flee so he waited for the end, but with the vagaries of all bombs this one did not explode, but came to rest between his bed and the foot of the stair. 

His chum above, after a minute's pause, crept back to the top of the stair and shouted down, " Hey, Sandy, are ye there?" " Ay," came the reply. "Weel, there's an 'oil-can' doon beside ye," as if Sandy could have been ignorant of the presence of an obiect as big as a ten-gallon drum. 

Later that evening, whether from fear of more bombs, or the bad temper of Sandy, he was round with his kit and blankets going along the trench to make his billet, in, of all places, a bomb-store full of trench-mortar bombs and rifle grenades, apparently considering that a safer place than a 30-foot dug-out. This choice recalls the man who sat on the parapet under heavy tire rather than get his feet wet in the muddy trench. 

In a British official report of the 11th May, the following appeared - “Last night two raiding parties of the Seaforth Highlanders entered the German trenches north of Roclincourt. Five Germans were killed in their trench and three dug-outs full of Germans were bombed, one being blown up. Our casualties were slight, and the whole of the raiding parties got back to our trenches." Such is the official description of the raid carried out by our boys--very bald and bare, but giving the facts of the case. 

When it was determined to have this raid, a task which implies taking your life into your hands in a very special sense, volunteers were asked for, with the result that, whereas about 40 were wanted, 100 volunteered for the duty. Those selected were trained by Lieut. E. A. Mackintosh and 2nd Lieut. C. E. Mackay, and on the night of the 16th they were formed into 2 parties under these officers and took up their positions in our forward saps. 

A little before 8p.m. our artillery began the show by raining a hail of shells supplemented by trench mortars, directed on each side and behind the area to be raided. To these the Boche vigorously replied, and in a minute or two the place was a screaming inferno of shells and bombs, out front line being heavily swept by their fire. It is computed that in three-quarters of an hour our artillery fired 2000 shells on this small section of the front, so one can picture the din. It was now dusk, and the flashes of the guns, the flame of bursting shrapnel, the pale light of the star-shells, transformed what was a beautifully calm moonlit night into a whirlwind of devastation and death. After this had gone on for twenty minutes or so, the time fixed for the raiders to advance came, and they rushed over the open, crossed the barbed wire and jumped into the German trenches. Here they came upon rive dug-outs with their occupants at home, having gone to earth when the bombardment started. 

Down the entrances of these they hurled their bombs, the first being greeted with yells and curses, some Boches firing up the stairs at them. After 4 or 5 bombs had been thrown silence reigned, but as no mine shaft could be found, one sapper placed a big land mine or box of explosives inside one of the dug-outs, set fire to the fuse, and blew the place sky high. All this took less time than it takes to write it, and the party went rushing along the trenches, seven Germans being met and bayoneted or shot. Several of the men were, however, already wounded, some severely, and the party had to carry or drag these along with it as they made for the exit to return to out lines. Here again they had to rush across the open under German shrapnel and bombs, yet all the wounded were brought in, only one man being left behind, he having died of his wounds after some of his fellows had dragged him out of the trenches on to the German parapet. 

The raid was a successful one.  The text of a message sent next day to the battalion was: "Corps Commander desires to convey to Officers, N.C.O.'s and men of the 5th Bn Seaforth Highlanders his highest appreciation of their enterprising and successful raid on enemy trenches on evening of 16th." 

Our casualties were: Lieut. Mackay wounded, 4 men killed, and 22 wounded, while the enemy casualties were estimated at 60 at least. 

A good story is told in connection with this raid. One of the raiders, realizing the uncertainty of human life, especially when on raiding duty, resolved to put his affairs in order prior to setting out, and, among other things, sent cheques to liquidate his debts, included among which was an item of 8s.9d. incurred while in the north previous to coming out - a debt which, for various reasons, he had vowed never to pay, and yet he sent a cheque for it as for the others. In the hurry of the moment, and as one would expect of a mind which is more poetic than business-like, he wrote out a cheque for 9s.8d. instead. Having come safely back from the raid, the first regret he had was that he ever paid the debt, and the second that he paid more than he ought. 

For organizing and carrying out this raid Lieut. Mackintosh received the M.C. and three of the party M.M.'s. 

On 25th May the 152nd Brigade was withdrawn from the line for a test after being for 74 days continuously in the trenches. During that time, our 
battalion had been 61 days in the trenches and x 3 in the village of Maroeuil, which was daily under shellfire. 

JUNE 1916

June 1 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector

Battalion relieved 2nd Worcestershire and 10th Cheshire Regts in P sub sector, VIMY RIDGE after marching from MAROEUIL.  Relief took place during heavy hostile bombardment and there were several casualties.  

June 2-5 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector

In trenches.  24th R.F. (2nd Division) on our left, 5th Seaforth Highlanders on our right.  Hostile sniping very prevalent in front line, and a considerable number of casualties were caused by this and rifle grenades.  All four companies were in front line, in alphabetical order from right to left.  C&D companies of 8th A&SH were in support and supplied daily working parties.  CHAPLAIN McBAIN joined Battalion.

June 6-12 NEUVILLE SAINT VAAST

Relieved by 8th A&SH and battC&D Coys were under orders of 8th A&SH and A Coy under 6th Gordon Highlanders (O sub sector), and supplied daily working parties.  B Coy constructed part of the garrison of NEUVILLE.   

June 9 NEUVILLE SAINT VAAST

LIEUT ARCHER became M.O. [??] CAPT SINCLAIR.

June 12 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector

Relieved 8th A&SH in P sub sector.  5th Seaforth Hrs on right.

June 13 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector

9.15pm The enemy blew a small mine at near lip of BIRKIN CRATER.  No [?] casualties caused.  

June 14 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector

Trenches much damaged by heavy rain. 11pm. Daylight Saving Bill adopted in France.

June 15-18 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector

Trenches in bad state owing to weather, resulting in several cases of trench feet.

June 16 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector

British mine sprung at 9.30pm on 5th Seaforth front.

June 18 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector
2/Lieut K.H. Murray killed by fragment of shell.  2/Lieut Bennett of 8th A&SH sniped while taking [aim - word unclear]. s/Lieuts Brown and Jenkins join Battalion. [see http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/120974/MURRAY, KENNETH HOPE and http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/120638/BENNETT, WILLIAM MUNRO ]

June 19 - BRAY

Relieved by 8th A&SH.  Moved into Divisional Reserve at BRAY.  Battalion quartered in huts.

June 20-24 - BRAY

At BRAY.  Baths, physical training and bayonet fighting.

June 24 - BRAY

Moved into P sub sector relieving 8th A&SH. two companies of which remained in support.  Trenches in very bad state owing to inclement weather.  5th Seaforth Hrs on our right.  2nd Division on left.

June 25 - [Diaries still show Bray, but clearly back in P Sub Sector]

Attempted raid on 5th Seaforth front during early hours, accompanied by heavy bombardment.

June 26 - [Diaries still show Bray, but clearly back in P Sub Sector]

Bombardment on 2nd Division in conjunction with raid made on German trenches.  Retaliation on our two left coys. 

June 27-28 [P sub sector]

Arrival of draft of 60 OR.  In trenches 

June 29 [P sub sector]

Heavy artillery bombardment of trenches at 3.30 am.  No casualties caused.  Major A.G. Graham (6th S.R.) attached to Battalion.

June 30 - [P sub sector]

Relieved by 8th A&SH.  Officers of 2/18th London Regt in trenches for instruction.  Moved into Div Bde Reserve in ACQ.

[page 50 of pdf]

WAR DIARY OF THE FIFTH SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS - June 1916
 

31st May, however, saw the end of our rest, and we took over a new sector in front of Neuville St. Vaast, relieving the South Lancs and Border Regiments, who had suffered severely here just previously. The preparations for the battle of the Somme had already begun, the Division we were relieving being withdrawn to refit and train, and our Division had to take over and hold a two-Division front. 

What a change this entailed upon out kilted men. To prevent the Boche finding out that our Division had extended ifs front, the units of the 152nd Brigade had their kilts and Balmoral bonnets taken from them and had been fitted out with khaki trousers and field service caps, much to the disgust of the men, who, suspicious of some Sassenach plot to strip them for ever of the kilt, grumbled very much and protested to their officers. 

Neuville St. Vaast, standing in the midst of the labyrinth, is a village which will be for ever famous in the annals of the French. This village was a summer resort for the richer people from the bigger towns around, and had a population of 500, a number of fine houses, and was beautifully embowered in trees. I passed through Festubert about a year ago, but the destruction there was not nearly so complete as here. Not a vestige of a roof can be seen, not a gable or side wall of any house is complete. Everything that still stands is at most a fragment of wall, and most of the houses are only heaps of brick. 

The trees, fruit and ordinary, are in the same shattered condition. If not lying on the ground, cut down by shells, they are all scarred, bruised, and battered, branches lopped off, and tops shorn away; in fact, I looked about to see if I could see a perfect tree and could not find one; a vivid illustration of the terrific storms of bullets, shells, and fragments of shells that have rime and again swept over this deserted village. 

And yet there is a considerable population living in this desolation - probably 500 — but they are British soldiers, and live in the cellars, where they are still intact, or in dug-outs constructed by themselves. 

Walking along a sunken road in this terrible place, for nearly a toile there was practically a continuous line of little crosses on the slopes of the road, sometimes singly, sometimes in twos and threes, and sometimes in clusters of dozens and scores, showing the terrible toll this place has taken from the sons of France. To picture a town home to 1500 inhabitants wiped out of existence in this fashion, not a house, hotel, church, or hall left standing, the streets simply footpaths among the litter of brick, stone, and timber from the houses, the very paving-stones and setts turned up and scattered by huge shells, would help one to realise what poor France and Belgium have suffered in hundreds of their towns and villages. 

June still saw us in the trenches, and such a June, rain day after day, little or no sunshine, and trenches knee deep in mud and water, dug-outs with water pouring down the stairs, and every one grumbling at "Sunny France" and the manner in which she is belying her reputation. 
 

[hendersondonald]

Craig - What was Richard walker's age?  My grandfather had been in the territorials since 1912, but because he joined as a boy soldier, he wasn't allowed to travel with the Battalion to France in May 1915.  Like your guy, he didn't reach France until December 1915. I'm afraid I don't know what my GF did between August 1914 and May 1915 and then to December.  Was he in Moray for the first part and then in a training camp (in Before or elsewhere) from May?  I haven't found out.  But if you learn anything about your guy, let me know.  

 

kind regards

Donald 

[hendersondonald]

And more transcripts - July and August 1916:

 

JUNE 1916

 

June 1 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector

 

Battalion relieved 2nd Worcestershire and 10th Cheshire Regts in P sub sector, VIMY RIDGE after marching from MAROEUIL.  Relief took place during heavy hostile bombardment and there were several casualties.  

 

June 2-5 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector

 

In trenches.  24th R.F. (2nd Division) on our left, 5th Seaforth Highlanders on our right.  Hostile sniping very prevalent in front line, and a considerable number of casualties were caused by this and rifle grenades.  All four companies were in front line, in alphabetical order from right to left.  C&D companies of 8th A&SH were in support and supplied daily working parties.  CHAPLAIN McBAIN joined Battalion.

 

June 6-12 NEUVILLE SAINT VAAST

 

Relieved by 8th A&SH and battC&D Coys were under orders of 8th A&SH and A Coy under 6th Gordon Highlanders (O sub sector), and supplied daily working parties.  B Coy constructed part of the garrison of NEUVILLE.   

 

June 9 NEUVILLE SAINT VAAST

 

LIEUT ARCHER became M.O. [??] CAPT SINCLAIR.

 

June 12 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector

 

Relieved 8th A&SH in P sub sector.  5th Seaforth Hrs on right.

 

June 13 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector

 

9.15pm The enemy blew a small mine at near lip of BIRKIN CRATER.  No [?] casualties caused.  

 

June 14 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector

 

Trenches much damaged by heavy rain. 11pm. Daylight Saving Bill adopted in France.

 

June 15-18 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector

 

Trenches in bad state owing to weather, resulting in several cases of trench feet.

 

June 16 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector

 

British mine sprung at 9.30pm on 5th Seaforth front.

 

June 18 - VIMY RIDGE P sub sector

2/Lieut K.H. Murray killed by fragment of shell.  2/Lieut Bennett of 8th A&SH sniped while taking [aim - word unclear]. s/Lieuts Brown and Jenkins join Battalion. [see http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/120974/MURRAY,%20KENNETH%20HOPE and http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/120638/BENNETT,%20WILLIAM%20MUNRO ]

 

June 19 - BRAY

 

Relieved by 8th A&SH.  Moved into Divisional Reserve at BRAY.  Battalion quartered in huts.

 

June 20-24 - BRAY

 

At BRAY.  Baths, physical training and bayonet fighting.

 

June 24 - BRAY

 

Moved into P sub sector relieving 8th A&SH. two companies of which remained in support.  Trenches in very bad state owing to inclement weather.  5th Seaforth Hrs on our right.  2nd Division on left.

 

June 25 - [Diaries still show Bray, but clearly back in P Sub Sector]

 

Attempted raid on 5th Seaforth front during early hours, accompanied by heavy bombardment.

 

June 26 - [Diaries still show Bray, but clearly back in P Sub Sector]

 

Bombardment on 2nd Division in conjunction with raid made on German trenches.  Retaliation on our two left coys. 

 

June 27-28 [P sub sector]

 

Arrival of draft of 60 OR.  In trenches 

 

June 29 [P sub sector]

 

Heavy artillery bombardment of trenches at 3.30 am.  No casualties caused.  Major A.G. Graham (6th S.R.) attached to Battalion.

 

June 30 - [P sub sector]

 

Relieved by 8th A&SH.  Officers of 2/18th London Regt in trenches for instruction.  Moved into Div Bde Reserve in ACQ.

 

WAR DIARY OF THE FIFTH SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS - June 1916

(https://archive.org/stream/51stseaforth00sunduoft/51stseaforth00sunduoft_djvu.txt)

 

31st May, however, saw the end of our rest, and we took over a new sector in front of Neuville St. Vaast, relieving the South Lancs and Border Regiments, who had suffered severely here just previously. The preparations for the battle of the Somme had already begun, the Division we were relieving being withdrawn to refit and train, and our Division had to take over and hold a two-Division front. 

What a change this entailed upon out kilted men. To prevent the Boche finding out that our Division had extended ifs front, the units of the 152nd Brigade had their kilts and Balmoral bonnets taken from them and had been fitted out with khaki trousers and field service caps, much to the disgust of the men, who, suspicious of some Sassenach plot to strip them for ever of the kilt, grumbled very much and protested to their officers. 

 

Neuville St. Vaast, standing in the midst of the labyrinth, is a village which will be for ever famous in the annals of the French. This village was a summer resort for the richer people from the bigger towns around, and had a population of 500, a number of fine houses, and was beautifully embowered in trees. I passed through Festubert about a year ago, but the destruction there was not nearly so complete as here. Not a vestige of a roof can be seen, not a gable or side wall of any house is complete. Everything that still stands is at most a fragment of wall, and most of the houses are only heaps of brick. 

 

The trees, fruit and ordinary, are in the same shattered condition. If not lying on the ground, cut down by shells, they are all scarred, bruised, and battered, branches lopped off, and tops shorn away; in fact, I looked about to see if I could see a perfect tree and could not find one; a vivid illustration of the terrific storms of bullets, shells, and fragments of shells that have rime and again swept over this deserted village. 

 

And yet there is a considerable population living in this desolation - probably 500 — but they are British soldiers, and live in the cellars, where they are still intact, or in dug-outs constructed by themselves. 

 

Walking along a sunken road in this terrible place, for nearly a toile there was practically a continuous line of little crosses on the slopes of the road, sometimes singly, sometimes in twos and threes, and sometimes in clusters of dozens and scores, showing the terrible toll this place has taken from the sons of France. To picture a town home to 1500 inhabitants wiped out of existence in this fashion, not a house, hotel, church, or hall left standing, the streets simply footpaths among the litter of brick, stone, and timber from the houses, the very paving-stones and setts turned up and scattered by huge shells, would help one to realise what poor France and Belgium have suffered in hundreds of their towns and villages. 

 

June still saw us in the trenches, and such a June, rain day after day, little or no sunshine, and trenches knee deep in mud and water, dug-outs with water pouring down the stairs, and every one grumbling at "Sunny France" and the manner in which she is belying her reputation.

July 1 - ACQ

 

Battalion arrived in billets in ACQ after being relieved in trenches on VIMY RIDGE by the 8th A&SH.

 

July 1-4 - ACQ

 

Rest billets in ACQ.  Physical training, bayonet practice etc.  Draft of 50 OR on 2/7/16.

 

July 4 - VIMY RIDGE

 

Relieved 8th A&SH in P sector VIMY RIDGE.  8 platoons of 2/18th London Regt in trenches for instruction.

 

July 5 - VIMY RIDGE

 

2/18th London Regt took over part of line with 2 complete companies.  2/Lieuts Ure and Weir of 6th Scott. Rifles joined for duty.

 

July 6 - VIMY RIDGE

 

Germans exploded a mine between the lines apposite VERNON C.T. but no action followed.  The two boys of 2/18th London relieved by our men.

 

July 7 - VIMY RIDGE

 

Enemy blew a mine inside GRANGE CRATER, which slightly altered the shape of far lip. [see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv71snCyx4k]

 

July 8 - VIMY RIDGE

 

Two other companies of 2/20th London again took over part of line.

 

July 9-12 - VIMY RIDGE

 

Trenches in very wet state owing to the bad weather.  2/Lieut Sim of 6th Sco. Rifles joined on 10th.

 

July 12 - MONT ST ELOI and NEVILLE ST VAAST

 

Relieved by 2/20th London Regt.  2 companies moved to billets in MONT ST ELOI and two remained in NEUVILLE ST VAAST.  Lieut Bliss, 2/Lieut R.A. Macgregor, G Stewart A McDonald, J Sellar, A.J. Grant and J.W. Groves joined the Bn for duty on 10/7/16.

 

July 13 - ECOIVRES

 

Companies in NEUVILLE ST VAAST moved to ACQ, those in MONT ST ELOI to ECOIVRES.  Draft of 18 OR arrived.

 

July 15 - SUS ST LEGER

 

Sudden move.  Battalion moved by motor lorries from ECOIVRES to SUS ST LEGER. [about 20km]

 

July 16 - GEZAINCOURT

 

Marched from SUS ST LEGER to GEZAINCOURT via DOULLENS.  [16-17kms march]

 

July 17-19 - GEZAINCOURT

 

Inspections.  Company training etc.

 

July 20 GEZAINCOURT

 

Marched from GEZAINCOURT to CANDAS [6kms] where entrained for MERICOURT [almost certainly Mericourt sur Somme, and not Mericourt north east of Arras]

 

July 21 - BUIRE (weather - fine, c50-70 deg fahrenheit) 

 

Arrived Mericourt.  March to Buire [almost certainly Buire sur L’Ancre, a 13km march].

 

July 21 FRICOURT WOOD  

 

Battalion moved to Brigade bivouac E of FRICOURT WOOD.

 

July 22 FRICOURT WOOD (weather - dull, c55-75 deg fahrenheit) 

 

CAPT MACKAY mortally wounded [see http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/66996/MACKAY,%20JAMES%20ALASTAIR%20CULBARD ].  MAJOR A.D. MACDONALD and 2/LIEUT W.G. ANDERSON wounded.  Moved  back to bivouac w. of FRICOURT.

 

July 24 - BECORDEL -BECOURT (weather - overcast, hot c55-70 deg fahrenheit) 

 

Moved back to brigade bivouac at BECORDEL -BECOURT.  Practiced attack.

 

July 25 - BECORDEL -BECOURT (weather - overcast, c50-65 deg fahrenheit) 

 

Practised attack.  

 

July 26 - MAMETZ WOOD (weather - overcast, c50-65 deg fahrenheit) 

 

Moved with Bde in Reserve to MAMETZ WOOD.  Bombardment with gas shells at night - several casualties.  2/Lieuts W.  Junner [?] JM Mackey, J. Donaldson, FB Smith, JD Sainter from 3/6th Sea Hrs. [all seem to have been wounded not killed]

 

July 26-29 - MAMETZ WOOD

 

Daily work parties suppled either for carrying ammunition to front line or for cutting new support trench.

 

July 28 - MAMETZ WOOD (weather - overcast, hot, c60-75 deg fahrenheit) 

 

2/Lt JM McGregor and 2/Lt Sellar wounded.

 

July 29 MAMETZ WOOD (weather - overcast, c55-80 deg fahrenheit) 

 

2/Lt Groves wounded [Sellar and Grove only joined the Battalion on 10 July].

 

July 30 MAMETZ WOOD (weather - clear, c55-80 deg fahrenheit) 

 

Subsequent to advance by 153 Bde, Battalion moved to support  at BAZERIN LE GRAND.

 

July 31 MAMETZ WOOD (weather - hot, c60-80 deg fahrenheit) 

 

Relieved BATTN of 153 Bde in front line.

 

THE SOMME OIFENSlVE, ]ULY 1916 

 

The wild war-pipes were calling, 

Our hearts were blithe and free 

When we went up the valley 

To the death we could not see. 

Clear the wood before us 

In the clear summer weather, 

But broken, broken, broken 

Are the sons of the heather. 

LT. E. A. MacKINTOSH, 

 

Ten hours after reaching Acq the battalion was on the move again, and by motor lorry, route march, and train, it arrived at Buire in the valley of the Ancre on the morning of 21st July. By this time the first phase of the Somme offensive was ended. The enemy had been driven from La Boiselle and Fricourt, two of his greatest strongholds, but he still held Thiepval, the strongest of all, so that the British front on our arrival was a great salient running through Contalmaison, in front of Bazentin- le-Grand and Bazentin-le-Petit to the southern edge of High Wood and thence to Delville Wood, and Guillemont. On our arrival, the 153rd and 154th Brigades took over the front along the southern edge of High Wood, and made several desperate but unsuccessful attempts to drive the enemy from this commanding and powerful position. The general opinion in these brigades was that the strength of the enemy's defences in this rather dense wood was underestimated, that insufficient time was given to the Division to reconnoitre the position, and that the artillery preparation, also through lack of knowledge, did not sufficiently destroy the barbed wire entanglements and machine-gun nests hidden among the trees. 

 

Be the reasons what they may, the attacks, though gallantly persisted in, were a comparative failure, and many valuable lives were lost. Our battalion, on the evening of the 21st, as part of the 152nd Brigade in reserve, marched out of Buire and headed up the valley towards Fricourt. Passing what remained of the village, it swung into a grassy field at the edge of Fricourt Wood and there bivouacked for the night. 

 

Across the valley lay Mametz village and in front of us one could see the dark mass of Mametz Wood, soon to be only too well known to us. Next morning the enemy aeroplanes must have observed the concentration of troops here, for in the early afternoon the Boche started a bombardment of the valley and road so that for a time things were decidedly warm. Having accepted the task of showing some corps cyclists the route to the headquarters of our other brigades further up, when I got halfway I rather regretted having in a sort moment volunteered my services. We halted on the edge of a ruined village at the top of a fise, from which a splendid view of the whole valley could be got. Further up the valley was a mass of bursting shells (shrapnel and high explosive), the road in particular getting it very heavily. 

 

Remembering that out own boys were lying in the open on the opposite side of the valley, where the shells were bursting freely, I felt certain that they must have scores of casualties, so steadily were the shells dropping around them. In a few minutes up the broken, shattered road came limbered waggon after limbered waggon, each drawn by its 6 horses galloping furiously and tearing the heavy ammunition limbers after them, the drivers hanging on for dear life as the wagons bumped and pitched on the atrocious surface. 

 

The poor brutes seemed terror-stricken as they tore past, and no wonder, for below was a perfect inferno. Then came 5 or 6 riderless horses, which were caught by some of my party at the top of the rise and handed over to the military police. Then came poor brutes with wounds in their sides and legs. 

 

By and by a lull came, and we pushed on for some hundreds of yards. On going round a curve we came on other evidences of the shelling. Here were two fine grey horses yoked to a limber lying at the side of the road in a pool of blood. Further down lay a horse here and a horse there, while the wounded and dead men had been removed into a field dressing. station, which providentially stood in a recess where some dug-outs had been made for it. Here the stretcher-bearers were very busy bandaging wounded and putting them into the motor ambulances to be taken further back, while a little stream of slightly wounded (arm, head, etc.) was met passing up the road. Further down, we came upon a water waggon split in two by a shell, and here again we had to take shelter as the " strafing " once more increased in intensity. 

 

Finally, we made another rush for out destination, some of the men confessing they had never ridden so hard in their lives, and no sooner were we in the dug-out than the third spasm began, some shells falling just outside and all along the road we had traversed a minute or two before. The return journey was also done in record time, three-quarters of it on the ??? in my case, but urgent private affairs prevented repairs until I got back to Divisional headquarters. 

 

From the 22nd to the 26th the battalion bivouacked in the open, but had twice to change its camping ground owing to severe shelling. Here we are quite close to Becourt Château where we had such a cheery time a year ago. 

 

On the night of the 26th a move was made to Mametz Wood, a reserve position, but one more hated than the front line in High Wood. Almost continuously the enemy rained all types of shells upon it, there were no dug-outs, not even shelters of any strength, so that there was practically no cover except a few hastily-dug trenches and funk holes, and these afforded poor protection against perfect tornadoes of high explosive and shrapnel, while gas shells also accounted for many, with the result that our rive days' occupancy of the wood cost us 130 men. 

 

The 30th was one of those days of terrific enemy fire. Running along the south-western edge of Mametz Wood lies a long valley with a steep bank on its southern side, a valley which has been well and terribly named Death Valley, for the Angel of the shadow seems continually hovering over it, snapping the golden thread of one here and one there, as he pauses in his flight. 

 

Yet in spite of the perfect inferno of bursting shells, concentrated on this narrow valley and road, the gun limbers went steadily up and down carrying their precious and necessary loads of shells to out guns which were banked almost wheel to wheel on the slope behind Bazentin Wood, and were firing furiously all the afternoon and evening, in another of our attacks on High Wood, an attack which resulted in a small advance of two or three hundred yards into the Wood. 

 

On the 28th Lieut.-Col. Spooner, D.S.O., who has commanded the battalion since January, relinquished his command, having been promoted Brigadier-General of the 183rd Inf. Bde. His smile and cheery " Always merry and bright, boys!" will long be remembered by all who served under him. The battalion during its spell of duty in the High Wood trenches was under the command of Major Macmillan until Col. Montgomerie of the 1st Norfolks took command on the 7th. 

 

Although there was no actual attack while the battalion was in the High Wood trenches, yet by quiet persistent work the front line trenches were converted from shallow scrapes and disconnected fragments into a deep continuous trench line, well wired in, with good communication trenches leading to the rear, while by steady sapping and connecting up sap heads a new line of trenches was formed 200 yards further into the wood. 

 

During this spell, the battalion had the misfortune to lose Regt.-Sergt-Major Don Sutherland, D.C.M. and Croix de Guerre, one of the most efficient and most popular Sergt.-Majors any unit could have. He was dangerously wounded while superintending the issue of water in the front line, and, although he ultimately recovered, he did not return to the battalion, much to its regret. 

 

Finally relieved on 7th August, we went into bivouacs af Edgehill. During 17 days in the Somme offensive, our casualties amounted to 1O officers and 215 other ranks killed and wounded.

 

The following extract is from Pte. MacPherson's Diary of Active Service. MacPherson, 9th Royal Scots (154 Brigade), wrote this diary whilst recovering in hospital during the summer of 1917 from notes in his pocket diary. Please note - MacPherson's words have been unedited and describe scenes that some readers may find distressing. http://51hd.co.uk/accounts/macpherson_high_wood. Neither 152 Bde as a whole, nor specifically 1/6 Seaforths took part in as active a way as the 154th Bde, but the account below gives an impression of fighting on the Somme, and of the experience elsewhere in the Division.

THE ATTACK ON HIGH WOOD "21st July 1916

Next day all was bustle and preparation for our attack. Men were detailed as runners and scouts, reserve Lewis Gunners were chosen and orders as to equipment issued. Our packs had to be named and numbered and stored and only the haversack containing emergency rations, shaving and washing kit, waterproof sheet and mess tin was to be carried. Many, imagining the attack would only last a few hours, would have left sheet and mess tin behind, but luckily orders compelled us to take these necessaries. Some changed into their clean spare shirts for some strange reason of the own. Water bottles had to be filled and rifles cleaned.

While this was going on we could see from the sloping expanse we were camped on a wide stretch of level ground round Meaulte and Fricourt villages. This great plain was absolutely devoid of grass and was covered by great “dumps” of shells, bombs and ammunition; transport lines with horses tethered to ropes beside rows of wagons; and tents or bivouacs. Across it tramped battalion after battalion (all remnants of battalions rather) of infantry, every second or third man carrying a polished German dress helmet as a trophy, or long lines of India Lancers whose camp lay beyond the railway in readiness for the “breakthrough”.

Overhead hung the huge bulk of Observation Balloons, swaying in and warm breeze, and whichever way one looked these ominous shapes dotted the sky. Aeroplanes buzzed up in the air while on the far horizon, behind which laid mysterious battlefield, puffs of smoke denoted shell bursts. In the fine summer sun the scene looked cheerful and glorious to us as we look on it from our lines. As the afternoon wore on we prepared to move. The Companies and Platoons fell in and were inspected by their officers. Ours told us in a short speech not bother to take prisoners, a rash order which no one got the chance to carry out. Then we moved off and marched towards the firing line.

As we plodded up the dusty road to Fricourt we passed a battery of howitzers firing and I, for the first time, noticed that the shell is visible as a black blur when it leaves the gun’s mouth. Next we passed the old front line trenches now all crumbling and ruined by Bombardment with torn and twisted barbed wire entanglements still standing between. Of Fricourt villagenothing remained but heaps of ruined bricks and rubble. We were now in what had been since 1914 German territory and looked around us with strange feelings. Everywhere along the roadside were transport camps, horselines, heavy batteries, R.E. and Ammunition Dumps, Watering places, etc. and the occupants would crowd to the road to see us pass. How many battalions of infantry had they seen marching sturdily “up the line” full of confidence only to return in a few days, reduced in numbers, exhausted, weary and longing for a rest from the terrible trials they had come through.

We next passed through the ruined village of Mametz, where lay the 6th Argylls and Forth Garrison Artillery. As we left Mametz we got a whiff of tear shell gas still lingering after German bombardment, which made our eyes sore and watery. Our road now dipped down into a valley and approached Mametz wood which we passed on our left. On the hillside to our right we passed a large wooden cross grey painted erected by the Germans on the grave of some of their dead with withered flowers still lying on the ground beneath. German dugouts showed their dark entrances in the cuttings through which the road past, and a single line railway built by the enemy with its rails in many places shattered and bent by explosions testify to the industry of the invaders.

Darkness was falling fast as we reached the end of Mametz wood and the ruins of Bazentin le Petit so we halted under cover of the steep sides of the valley here forming a sort of quarry. Hitherto are advance had been uneventful. Now the wailing roar of approaching shells was heard and with resounding crashes these messengers of death burst in the shattered houses of the adjacent village. This seemed to be the signal for both sides to liven up.

Away in front the sky was illuminated by the glare of the Verey lights or starshells, while the artillery began to open up. The order came to advance and we left our shelter to move up a narrow gully, fringed on the right by a shattered wood (of Bazentin le Grand). Instantly we plunged into a hail of shells. Extended in a long twisting single file we rushed on at top speed, now stumbling up a trench, now darting across the open, into shell holes, over shattered trees, always nearing the weird glare of the flares in the front. Meanwhile all around fell a hail of shells.

The air was full of the roar of their approach, the drawn out shattering detonations of their explosions and the whine or whistle of splinters, while the fumes of cordite were carried on the evening breeze and the darkness was illuminated by the flash of the bursting shells. Expecting every minute to be blown to atoms, with shells bursting all round and on every side, we continued our rapid advance and at length with a sigh of heartfelt relief found ourselves beyond the barrage near the comparative safety of our fire trench. This was a shallow ditch at the foot of the banking of a sunken road broken down by shell fire in which crouched the survivors of the preceding Division whom we were to relieve. We filed along the trench exchanging whispered questions and answers from which we discovered our predecessors were Worcesters and that they had made an unsuccessful attempt to occupy High Wood and had suffered terrible losses. Then they disappeared in the darkness and left us to settle down in our new position.

The cause of the artillery liveliness was evidently an attack on our right where the fire of rifles and cannon was continuous, and where flares and rockets shot up incessantly. Now our sector was quiet and after posting sentries we set about deepening our trench best we could. Little could be done however till daylight and when this came at last we could see our surroundings clearly.

The road on which our trench ran was bounded on one side, that nearest the enemy, by a steep bank which formed a fine natural parapet. Below this ran the trench, not much over knee deep and with no fire step to speak of. On looking over the bank we saw only our own barbed wire, a straggling irregular belt, and the ground in front all torn with shells, grassless and treeless, which rose gradually and shut out any view of the enemy who lay beyond the immediate rise. Looking backwards over the road the ground similar in its lack of grass and trees, pitted with shell holes, and with here and there a huddled, stiff corpse, sloped down to the wood of Mametz and the ruined village of Bazentin le Petit. On our right the ground rose to the village of Bazentin le Grand, where the most conspicuous ruin was that of a factory with its boilers and tubes twisted in shattered by shell fire. On our left, and in the rear of the road, was a tall square windmill tower, half ruined, from which a brave French artillery observer used to watch for targets in the enemy’s lines. Such were the surroundings our position on 22nd of July, 1916.  High wood lay about a mile in front but out of sight.

That day was spent in deepening the trench, in digging “funk” holes or small caves in the parapet and otherwise preparing for the “strafe” to come. Owing to the rise of ground in front which slightly screened us from the enemy, and also the steep bank above the road we could risk moving about in the latter now and again. In the evening some of us were detailed to bring up the rations. This necessitated a journey down to the valley of Mametz wood via the gully up which we had come, and gave us an opportunity of viewing by daylight what we had passed the night before in darkness. In the strong sunshine of the July day the horrors of the path were manifest and we walked in some places looking neither to right or left the fear of what we might see.

The whole surface of the earth in the gully was torn up and pitted with shellholes, littered with broken or discarded rifles, equipment, bombs and helmets. Under the cover of the wooded bank was the site of the German battery still marked by several heavy shells abandoned by the gunners in their retreat and by numerous long basketwork cases used for carrying such. The earth wreaked of explosives, and this odour was reinforced by that of some dead horses lying horribly distended to unnatural size. Under cover of the roadside were collected the corpses of some of our English troops who have met their death in the fatal gully. One lay on a stretcher stiffly stretched out and covered by a waterproof sheet, as he had perhaps been left by the stretcher bearers days before. At the crossroads on the right of our trench stood two battered German Field Guns. Chalked on their shields was the inscription “Taken by the –th Manchesters” who I believe took the guns in a bayonet charge - rather a singular occurrence.

Luckily for us things were quite quiet when we went down the gully that afternoon. The ration limber was waiting for us at the Quarry and as you can expect there was no delay on either on our part of that of the storemen. We hoisted our loads and made off up the trench as quick as possible, arriving there without any misfortune. At night the rations were issued and after tea we had left for the next day a bit of ham, a slice of bread, some tea and sugar. This we stowed in our haversacks to keep for future use. Before darkness fell everyone prepared for the attack. We bombers carried besides the full battle order (rifle, bayonet, 120 rounds of ammunition, haversack on back with waterproof sheet, messtin, cleaning kit, rations, entrenching tool, steel helmet) a large bag like horse’s nosebag containing bombs. So many had wire cutters fastened to their rifles. These resembled shears in shape and worked similarly on being pressed on the wire.

After seeing our equipment was complete all we could do was wait for events. So in our funk holes or on the firestep we waited for the arrival of “B” and “C” companies (the first wave of the attack) who were lying in trenches beside the quarry and were to come up and lead the way.

Darkness fell and the artillery began to liven up. Rumours about the attack were widespread amongst us. It was said that 15 platoon of “D” Company were to reconnoitre the Wood first and that our advance was to be over a considerable distance.

The artillery fire became nearer. German shells came roaring through the darkness, whistled and shrieked overhead, and burst behind or in front of our trench. All were crouched under the parapet except the sentries who peered over the top into the darkness watching for any movement in front. At first with every whistle of a shell passing close overhead the sentry would duck - a useless but instinctive act, useless because if he could hear the shell it must already be passed him.

At last the sound of movement came up the road from the right and soon a long line of dark figures filed up behind our trench and halted there. This was the first line of the attacking force, “B” and “C” Companies, arrived in position at last. Whispered conversations between them and our companies in the trench revealed the fact that they knew is little about where they were to advance as we did. 15 Platoon of our Company was called out to carry out the reconnaissance and we began to close down to the right to join 16 Platoon but 15 Platoon was then sent back to take part in the attack with the rest of the Company.

Meanwhile “B” and “C” Companies lay down the road behind us and the artillery opened up on both sides with terrific fury. Huddled at the foot of our trench, crouching against the parapet or squatting on the firestep (where there was such a thing) we awaited the signal to advance. The roar of approaching shells, the whistle of those passing close overhead, the deafening rumbling crash of exploding H.E., the metallic “twanging” detonation of shrapnel, the whine of shell fragments, the cracking and whistling of machine gun bullets all combined to produce the full concert of modern war.

The air was heavy with the acrid fumes of cordite; showers of earth and stones from the explosions of the H.E. fell in the trench, confusion reigned supreme. It was impossible to hear messages even when shouted at three feet distance. Now and again, in the glare of bursting shrapnel overhead or H.E. on the ground we could catch sight of our comrades lying on the road behind and crouching in the narrow trench.

Now the German shells began to catch our position. The ominous message “Stretcher bearers” was passed the man to man, and these men, whose job is perhaps the most final of all in an attack, were soon busily engaged bandaging and carrying the wounded.

As I sat on the firestep, close against the traverse, I heard the menacing roar of the German H.E. shell approaching. In an instant I realised it was going to be a near one and crouched close to the parapet for safety. A whistle close overhead near the edge of the bank, a blinding flash, a deafening crash, a blast of hot air and cordite students, a shower of earth and stones, I was left bewildered with the shock and uncertain if I was alive or dead. The shell had landed right on the road behind me full in the centre of the “B” Company men lying there and the groans and cries the wounded and dying woke me to action.

Those who could whirled headlong into the trench and those of us who were at hand were busy bandaging. We forgot for a time the bombardment in our haste to attend to the wounded. The Sergeant of the stricken platoon (No.6) who I had known at Peebles came in beside me struck in the foot, but refused my offer to dress him till his men were all attended to. Together we went on to the road to bring in three who were still lying there, one of whom was groaning and therefore still alive. We took him first, the Sergeant going to his head while I seized his feet. The leg I touch first was smashed to a pulp for when I raised his foot the leg bent like a truss of straw. We decided we could not move him ourselves. The stretcher bearers were at hand and took charge of him and carried him off. Next we prepared to raise the other two. The flash of the bursting shrapnel shell lit up their bodies and showed their heads horribly crushed. We realise they were both dead and return to the trench. The Sergeant went off down the road to risk of the shells and shrapnel on his road to the hospital.

Meantime there were still wounded to be attended to. One man (of the 8th R.S. attached to us) was covered with blood all over his tunic and a helpless against the parapet. We opened his shirt but could find no wound on the body and finally discovered he had been hit on the jaw and the blood to flow down over his jacket.

At this point the order came down for us to fixed bayonets for evidently “B” and “C” Companies had gone “over the top” just after the shell struck No.6 platoon. We hastened to our posts and prepared to follow but after waiting some time the order came to “Stand down”. Our attack was cancelled and I think all of us were relieved at the news.

The artillery fire began to slacken as the night wore on and the survivors of “B” and “C” began to strangle in over the parapet. The Battalion Bombers had been wiped out by a shell so two of us were sent up to take their place. As we made our way up the trench we had to step over bodies in our path but we were now so accustomed to such sights they did not affect us at all.

Dawn was now breaking and as the light strengthen we could see stragglers of the attacking Companies coming in through the wrecked barbed wire and across the waste land now pitted with shells and strewn with bodies. The artillery now had slackened off completely and we could breathe freely once more. Beside us was a Sergeant of the West Kents who had lost his Regiment was sheltering in our trench. He was a complete nervous wreck, trembling all over and would not take the advice given to him to clear out to the dressing station. At last he plucked up courage and made off. Those of our men who had hung on in the trench, though wounded, rather than risk the passage of the deadly galley now began to make their way down the road for hospital and “Blighty”.

The survivors of the two attacking companies were now marched off to their old position behind the Gully and we were left to “clean up” our trench. The dead had to be stripped of valuables (pocket books, rings, watches, etc.) kept for sending home later, and then were carried in waterproof sheets across the road, placed in shell holes and covered with loose earth. This makeshift burial performed, rude crosses made of pieces of ration boxes with the name, number and regiment of the dead soldier, were erected to mark the place. Though the burial was carried out without any service or spoken prayer, nevertheless the uncertainty of life will be more strongly felt in such circumstances and with all the pomp and ritual of Church Service. When the burial party know they may any minute follow the path of their comrade they are burying, there must be an earnestness in their attentions, however rude makeshift they may be, often lacking in such ceremonies in normal times."

Another record was from the 153rd Bde.  This short extract on the attack on High wood is taken from "The Fifty First in France" by Captain Robert R Ross, Gordon Highlanders, published in 1918 and republished by The Naval & Military Press Ltd. This extract 51hd.co.uk/accounts/high_wood_capt_ross

 

On the 28th [July 1916], the 153rd Brigade relieved the 154th Brigade in the line. It was known that an attack on High Wood was impending. The favourable opportunity was awaited with ill-concealed impatience. The exploitation of a successful push demands the most exacting preparation, the essential requirement being a precise co-operation between infantry and artillery; otherwise our brave battalions become, to use an expressive German phrase, "Kanonenfutter." Very detailed information, secured by the resourcefulness of patrols, the intelligent interrogation of prisoners, and the daring reconnaissances of aeroplanes, are the only means whereby suitability of target can be guaranteed to the guns. Events proved that in the subsequent assaults on High Wood too little was known regarding its state of defence. For however intense the shelling, it was not yet intense enough to break down the resistance of the defending garrison. Although it was now common knowledge that the 51st Division would launch an offensive in conjunction with the 19th Division on the left and the 5th Division on the right, the actual zero-time was not positively fixed; or, if it was, secrecy was well maintained. It was stated that fifty deserters to the 5th Division reported preparations for a German counter-attack on their lost positions before Longueval. This attack materialised, but failed to achieve success.

On the 29th more and more fire was concentrated on the enemy. Tons of metal were hurled into High Wood and the hurriedly designed switch-line running from it to Flers. Its trees were uprooted and its timbers twisted and split and slivered. But a wood must be utterly devastated if an attack upon it is to make any progress. Merely swept down, it becomes a man-trap. Here the Germans, wonderfully tenacious of ground, wired the fallen branches, made obstacles of tree trunks, and established well posted machine guns in the corner of the wood. It was such a formidable objective that faced the brigade on the 30th, when the final orders were issued. During the afternoon an intensive bombardment prepared the way for the assaulting units. At times it increased to a drum-fire. The preliminary bombardment began at 4.45 and continued till 6.15. The brigade took up position as follows: The 7th Black Watch were opposite High Wood. On their right extended the 6th Black Watch Still farther to the right lay the 5th Gordons. The 7th Gordons were in support near the Crucifix. At Mametz Wood the 152nd Brigade lay in readiness for any emergency as divisional supports. The 154th Brigade were withheld as divisional reserve at Bécordel. The 19th Division, it will be remembered, were co-operating on our left and the 5th Division on our right.

The hour of zero was 6.15. At that moment the guns lifted, and the assaulting waves leapt over the parapet. They were instantly met by a well-sustained fire from trenches that seemed to be amply manned and plentifully munitioned. From the very beginning the attack was doomed to frustration. By those awful sheets of cross-fire men were mown down in swathes. The 7th Black Watch, embarrassed by the treacherous pitfalls and blocked by a thick réseau of barbed wire, were shot down in great numbers. By 7.30 p.m. the situation was dangerous. Everywhere the assault had broken down. A précis of the reports received an hour after the initiation of the attack established the fact that the 7th Black Watch had sustained severe losses. Among the officers Captains Boase and Gillespie were known to be dead. To balance this loss a slight forward thrust had been made, but the enemy's trenches were nowhere penetrated. Digging operations had to be resorted to. The other two battalions, similarly affected and with proportionate losses, were forced to earth. They could neither advance nor withdraw, and their casualties were mounting up at an alarming rate. Urgent appeals were therefore made to the 7th Gordons for assistance. Platoon by platoon these reinforced the firing line till all but three were absorbed. They had to pass through terrific bursts of curtain fire, but by a singular good fortune escaped without heavy losses. At 9.45 the attack on the left was resumed, and both artilleries blazed into a new accès of fury. The divisions on either flank had achieved moderate successes. All night long the enemy poured destructive fire on our positions.

It was deemed advisable that the 7th Black Watch should be replaced by the 7th Gordons. Instructions, therefore, were issued to that effect, and the relief was completed by 4 p.m. on the 31st without incident. A clear review of the situation now shed interesting light on the murderous fighting that marked this disputed wood as one of the grimmest charnel houses on the Somme. The wood became each day a more and more sombre morgue. All living things within it seemed to be fated to extinction. Yet at no time could the shelling of our trenches be characterised as severe. The enemy was conspicuously nervous. He opened barrages for no apparent reason, and flung away an incalculable amount of ammunition which spent itself to no advantage in the hollow ground behind High Wood. On our left the advanced trenches of the enemy were clearly within view. On our right the flaming embers of Longueval were spurting high in horrid red spears. In all this upheaved area the earth was spouting in huge black cataracts, and the air was charged with dense clouds of smoke. In some places cones of fire rained down from heaven and great white banks of cumulus rose up and slowly dissipated.

The switch-line of the enemy and his lateral retrenchments for converging fire were admirably sited to frustrate any further offensive. Until the preparation, therefore, could be made overwhelming, no offensive was planned for the immediate future. Nor did it seem, after the lapse of a few days, that the Germans would initiate a counter-blow. Inaction, however, can never be laid to their charge. Each day saw their defences, so seriously threatened, grow more formidable. Their pioneers were tireless. Their "Beton-truppen," specialists in the erection of concrete machine-gun emplacements, and their "Hollenbaukommandos" for the construction of dug-outs, were organising a newly formed system of trenches on a scale of great magnitude, and with the invaluable accessories of intermediate strong points. Trenches, wired and traversed, emerged in a single night. The favourable features of the ground were everywhere transformed into miniature fortresses of amazing strength, from whose loop-holed bastions machineguns in countless numbers pushed their deadly muzzles.

The brigade, exhausted by their toils, stifled by the heat and dust, and almost unmanned by the shambles around them, on the first day of August went into bivouac at Buire as divisional reserve. The 152nd Brigade relieved us, my unit handing over to the 6th Gordons.

 

 

[Brizzle]

Excellent work in transcripting the diary, huge help,thank-you. I have a massive interest in The 152nd brigade 1/6th Seaforths 51st HD.

 

Ive started at the time they were in Bedford and then landing in Bolougne, John Christie 1312 joined the TF in 1912, the start of his war service however began on Aug 4th at Hopeman aged 17, his medal card shows 1st May so im pretty confident he did land with the main contingent.

 It strikes me just how far they had to march and how many different locations they were positioned at, they appeared to be continually on the move. Some of the place names are tricky to work out but with the help of google maps it can be done.

 

Is there anyway of knowing which company they would have been allotted to? This would help pinpoint so much more information but i am guessing this is difficult to do?

 

 

 

 

[seaforths]

On 14/11/2016 at 19:13, Brizzle said:

Excellent work in transcripting the diary, huge help,thank-you. I have a massive interest in The 152nd brigade 1/6th Seaforths 51st HD.

 

Ive started at the time they were in Bedford and then landing in Bolougne, John Christie 1312 joined the TF in 1912, the start of his war service however began on Aug 4th at Hopeman aged 17, his medal card shows 1st May so im pretty confident he did land with the main contingent.

 It strikes me just how far they had to march and how many different locations they were positioned at, they appeared to be continually on the move. Some of the place names are tricky to work out but with the help of google maps it can be done.

 

Is there anyway of knowing which company they would have been allotted to? This would help pinpoint so much more information but i am guessing this is difficult to do?

 

 

 

 

 

If you haven't already done so, I recommend you get a copy of the book mentioned in post 4 of this thread: 'The Spirit of the Troops is Excellent' by Derek Bird. That gives information the geographics of the original 8 companies. Unfortunately, I have not come across anything that indicates how those 8 companies were then amalgamated down to 4 companies. I have suspicions and a few clues but nothing more than that. You might want to start a thread of your own to see if anyone else can assist with your question. At a quick glance, and you are quite possibly aware of this already, John Christie was one of at least 4 brothers serving - I didn't look to see if there were any others on home service.  I'm sorry but I'm not really in a position to help anyone with their research right now but I didn't want to see your question go a long time unanswered.

[Brizzle]

 

On 18/11/2016 at 09:35, seaforths said:

 

If you haven't already done so, I recommend you get a copy of the book mentioned in post 4 of this thread: 'The Spirit of the Troops is Excellent' by Derek Bird. That gives information the geographics of the original 8 companies. Unfortunately, I have not come across anything that indicates how those 8 companies were then amalgamated down to 4 companies. I have suspicions and a few clues but nothing more than that. You might want to start a thread of your own to see if anyone else can assist with your question. At a quick glance, and you are quite possibly aware of this already, John Christie was one of at least 4 brothers serving - I didn't look to see if there were any others on home service.  I'm sorry but I'm not really in a position to help anyone with their research right now but I didn't want to see your question go a long time unanswered.

 

Massive thanks for responding, Christmas list done and top of that list and confirmed as bought by my eldest " The spirit of the Troops is excellent " cant wait to get reading.

 

Ive only carried out minor research but from the 4 brothers,  one (William) was KIA and is remembered on the Menin Gate. 

Appreciate the reply, thank-you 

[o j kirby]

On ‎14‎/‎11‎/‎2016 at 19:13, Brizzle said:

Excellent work in transcripting the diary, huge help,thank-you. I have a massive interest in The 152nd brigade 1/6th Seaforths 51st HD.

 

Ive started at the time they were in Bedford and then landing in Bolougne, John Christie 1312 joined the TF in 1912, the start of his war service however began on Aug 4th at Hopeman aged 17, his medal card shows 1st May so im pretty confident he did land with the main contingent.

 It strikes me just how far they had to march and how many different locations they were positioned at, they appeared to be continually on the move. Some of the place names are tricky to work out but with the help of google maps it can be done.

 

Is there anyway of knowing which company they would have been allotted to? This would help pinpoint so much more information but i am guessing this is difficult to do?

Hello,

I have the roll book kept by 2 LT F B Smith for No1 Platoon, A Company. The earliest date in the book is 10th September 1916.. 1312 J Christie is named, but the only additional information in the comments column is "transport". I believe that the book only includes details up to November and possibly Beaumont Hamel, but not beyond.

Owain.

On ‎14‎/‎11‎/‎2016 at 19:13, Brizzle said:

 

 

 

 

[seaforths]

On 08/12/2016 at 21:09, Brizzle said:

 

 

Massive thanks for responding, Christmas list done and top of that list and confirmed as bought by my eldest " The spirit of the Troops is excellent " cant wait to get reading.

 

Ive only carried out minor research but from the 4 brothers,  one (William) was KIA and is remembered on the Menin Gate. 

Appreciate the reply, thank-you 

 

You're very welcome and I hope you enjoy the book

[seaforths]

On 14/12/2016 at 11:10, o j kirby said:

Hello,

I have the roll book kept by 2 LT F B Smith for No1 Platoon, A Company. The earliest date in the book is 10th September 1916.. 1312 J Christie is named, but the only additional information in the comments column is "transport". I believe that the book only includes details up to November and possibly Beaumont Hamel, but not beyond.

Owain.

 

 

Pity you never got around to getting it copied for me - the Smiths are a very interesting family. Ferguson was the 3rd generation of his farmily to serve with the Seaforth Hrs. It was some years before he would return to visit France again after 1916.

[o j kirby]

On ‎18‎/‎12‎/‎2016 at 08:15, seaforths said:

 

Pity you never got around to getting it copied for me - the Smiths are a very interesting family. Ferguson was the 3rd generation of his farmily to serve with the Seaforth Hrs. It was some years before he would return to visit France again after 1916.

Hello,

I have just photocopied the book. If you can email me with your address, I will put it in the post. I need to rewrite the notes I have on the individuals sometime soon, and I can get them copied as well.

Owain.

[seaforths]

6 hours ago, o j kirby said:

Hello,

I have just photocopied the book. If you can email me with your address, I will put it in the post. I need to rewrite the notes I have on the individuals sometime soon, and I can get them copied as well.

Owain.

 

Thank you Owain - PM sent.

[hendersondonald]

August and September of the 6th Seaforth Diaries below.  I will post more in a day or two:

 

1st Aug 1916 to 4th Aug 1916 Somme Bazentin Le Grand (weather generally very hot c50-90 deg fahrenheit)

 

Leaving MAMETZ WOOD (HQ/S 19 b88) we went into Support trenches at BAZENTIN LE GRAND, BAZENTIN LE PETITE (sic) and WINDMILL TRENCH immediately in rear of HIGH WOOD.  Supporting the 5th Seaforth Highls.

 

Working parties were supplied nightly.  Work - completing SEAFORTH TRENCH which is situated around 200 yards in advance of Front Line Trench running to the right from S.E. corner of HIGH WOOD.  While in support we suffered slightly from shelling, as the enemy was continually searching for Batteries in our vicinity.

 

4th - 7th Aug 1916 SOMME HIGH WOOD (weather generally very hot c50-75 deg fahrenheit)

 

On the 4th we took over from the 5th Seaforths, 500-600 yards of trenches on the immediate right, S.E. of HIGH WOOD.  SITUATION - BLACK WATCH TRENCH.

 

WORK - Completing and improving SEAFORTH Trench and generally improving present front line. Patrols were sent out.

 

6th August (weather c50-75 deg fahrenheit)

 

2/Lieuts Fraser and Forsyth wounded.

 

The Battalion on our left was, on Aug 4th, 6th GORDON HRS, and from 5th to 7th, 8th ARGYLL + S. HRS.  The Battalions on our right were CHESHIRES and later 17th NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS.

 

7th to 9th August POINT BETWEEN DERNANCOURT AND BUIRE 

[approx 49°58'12.8"N 2°36'29.9”E] (weather getting hotter c50-85 deg fahrenheit)

 

Relieved by 2nd WORCESTER REGT at 7AM. We marched to bivouacs at point referred to in margin.  Our casualties for tour in trenches - officer, Died of Wounds 1, wounded 8, - Other Ranks, Killed 16, Died of Wounds 6, Wounded 89. 

 

[Note - for all the sparse words, this was probably around 1 in 6 of those involved, so a high casualty rate where the only offensive action was some patrols. The officer killed may be Capt John Alexander Kennedy from Banff. He is buried at Puchevillers, which was a cemetery used by a nearby casualty clearing station, suggesting he died at least a few hours after the wounds he received and perhaps some days.] 

 

7th August (weather cooler c50-70 deg fahrenheit)

 

REINFORCEMENTS - 15 O.R.

 

9th to 12th Aug LONGPRÉ (weather low cloud, misty very hot c55-85 deg)

 

Entrained at MERICOURT about 2p.m. + detrained at LONGPRÉ-CORPS-LES-SAINTS about 8pm [actually Longpre-les-Corps-Saints].  Billeted in Village.  Training carried on.  Bayonet Fighting, Drill, and usual training programme.

 

12th to 18th Aug BLARINGHEM (weather overcast and showery c55-80 deg)

 

Entrained at 1 A.M.  Detrained at THIENNES 12.30 pm + marched 4 miles to BLARINGHEM.  Billeted in Village.  Training carried on similar to above.  

 

16th August (weather generally very hot c55-75 deg fahrenheit)

 

Inspection of Battalion by Brigadier-General commanding.  

 

18th to 26th August AMERMETIÈRE

 

Inspection at EBBLINGHEM 12 noon.  Detrained at STEENWERCK 2 pm, marched to AMERMETIÈRE, arriving 5 pm. In Divisional Reserve.  Billeted in town of AMERMETIÈRE.  Usual training carried on.  Bayonet Fighting, Physical Training and Smoke Helmet Drill.

 

18th August (weather overcast c55-70 deg fahrenheit)

 

Reinforcements of 4 O.R.

 

21st August (weather c50-70 deg fahrenheit)

 

—do— 5 O.R.

 

23rd August (weather c55-70 deg fahrenheit)

 

—do— 35 O.R.

 

24th August (weather c55-80 deg fahrenheit)

 

—do— 2 Lieut J. Cumming 1/5th Seaforth Hrs & 2 O.R.

 

It appeared in Divisional orders that 1222 Lce Cpl J MACKENZIE has been awarded D.C.M. for conspicuous bravery in MAMETZ WOOD.  

 

Working and Carrying parties supplied nightly. Gas cylinders were carried up to Front Line.  Parties were supplied for fatigue in front line during the day.

 

26th to 31st August AMERMETIÈRE 

 

26th August (weather c60-75 deg fahrenheit)

 

2.30pm Took over trenches from 4th GORDON HIGHLANDERS.  MAP REF BIS GREENER  from I5.C.2.1 to I16.G.37 Battalion on right, TYNESIDE SCOTTISH, on left, 8th ARGYLL AND S. HIGHRS: In Support 6TH GORDON HRS: BREASTWORKS.  Good.

 

Patrols sent out nightly, patrolling to Enemy Wire.

 

Conditions - Generally quiet.  Occasional Shoots by Stokes Guns and Trench Mortars.  Enemy retaliating with Minenwerfers.

 

Work - Trench Signboards erected, maintenance of breastworks in front + support lines.  Parados built up at new bombing blocks.  Continuation of new trench.  Parties carrying smoke bombs to front line.

 

30th August (weather wet and muddy c50-90 deg fahrenheit)

 

5.0pm Our artillery commenced shoot on enemy trenches, enemy immediately replied with field guns and minenwerfers.  

 

31st August (weather fine c50-70 deg fahrenheit)

 

1.30 AM Gas discharged by 153 Infantry Bde: on our left.

1.34 am Rocket Signal previously arranged was given from Artillery opened all along our Sector.   Our Trench Mortars, Stokes + Machine guns + rifle grenade batteries opened rapid fire.  Smoke bombs were thrown from each emplacement on our front + a dense cloud of smoke was maintained all along our line, for eleven minutes.  The enemy’s retaliation was weak.

 

Situation normal.  Casualties for this tour to date 5 O.R. killed, 5 O.R wounded.

 

1st - 5th September - Bois Grenier (directly south of Ypres, just across the French border)

 

In Front Line Trench near ARMENTIERES -nmap reference BOIS GRENIER - Sheet 36 (NW) Line extending from I5c21 to I16b37.

 

The Battalion on our right is was the TYNESIDE SCOTTISH    ,[original manuscript seems to have bee erased and corrected] and the Battalion on our left the 5th SEAFORTHS.

 

Generally the situation was quiet.  Several times daily we bombarded the enemy trenches by Stoke’s guns and trench mortars in conjunction with artillery.  The enemy retaliated by minenwerfers and artillery fire.   In view of the coming raid on the German trenches, patrols were sent out nightly.

 

Work done - Breastworks renovated and kept in good order and repair.

 

 

5th September 9 a.m.

 

Relieved by 6th GORDON HIGHLANDERS.  We moved to Support Trenches.  IN support to 6th GORDONS and 5th SEAFORTHS.  Map reference of position - TRENCH MAP, FRANCE Sheet 36 (NW) Edition 6c. from FME DE LA BUTENE REDOUBT C28c63 along line parallel with road to point I9c50, 200 yards on right of CHAPEL D’ARMENTIERES.  We also held PORT EGAL REDOUBT Central map reference I10b68.

 

Map is centred south east of Arementieres, the trench line seems to have been roughly the line of road D945 east and south east of Armentieres :

 

5th - 15th September 

 

Situation normal.  Working parties supplied by day and night.  Patrols nightly opposite Railway Salient.  Raid had been for sometime practised on duplicates off the enemy trenches.

 

16th September

 

Attached herewith Report on most successful raid.

 

17th - 19th September 

 

Situation normal.  Working Parties supplied by day and night.  Total casualties for tour of the trenches - 9 O.R. killed, 27 O.R. Wounded and 1 O.R missing.

 

19th September - BAILLEUL

 

9a.m. Relieved by the 6th BLACK WATCH.

 

2.30 Left ARMENTIERES and marched to BAILLEUL CAMP - arrived in Camp at 5pm.

 

20th September

 

Training carried on.

 

21st September

 

Reinforcements 2nd/Lieuts McVicar, RT Smith and McLean.

 

22nd - 23rd September

 

Training carried on - bayonet fighting, physical training, musketry and the Coy in attack etc. carried out daily.

 

24th September 

 

Reinforcements 132 O.R . [suggesting they were significantly under strength when last in trenches?]

 

25th September 

 

Reinforcements - 1 officer 2/Lieut McEwan, G. 

 

26th September 

 

1 Officer 2/Lieut Haslegrave

 

27th September - BAILLEUL CAMP

 

Training carried out as herein previously specified.

 

28th September

 

Training carried out.  “The Battalion in the Attack” was practised. 

 

4.30pm The Corps Commander was pleased to decorate the after mentioned Officers and men:- 

 

    2/Lieut D F Jenkins - Military Cross 

    [Donald Fraser Jenkins. Burghead, killed Beaumont Hamel attack Nov 1916] 

    2/Lieut J D Sainter - ditto

    1742 Cpl J Hamilton DCM

    2012 Lce Cpl G R Woods Military Medal

    3656 Pte P C Goldsmith Ditto

    1719 Lce Cpl J Mathieson Ditto

    2266 Pte A Macdonald Ditto [lAlexander, from Sutherland, killed, April 1918]

    2734 Pte A Innes at: T.M.B. Ditto

 

For bravery shown during Raid on German trenches on night of 16th September 1916.

 

29th - 30th September

 

The Battalion held sports, which were very successful and heartily enjoyed by all ranks.  Entrained at BAILLEUL STATION at 5.25 pm .  Detrained at 11.30 pm at DOULLENS and thence preceded to GEZAINCOURT.