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Remembered Today:

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


hendersondonald

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As supplement to transcript of Battalion diaries for August and September 1916, here is the typescript report of their trench raid on 15 September.

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  • 3 months later...

Not sure if anyone is reading these, but I have done the transcription so happy to post here to an audience of none!:

 

Sunday October 1 - Somme

 

We arrived in GEZAINCOURT at 2pm.  Church services held in the village church.

 

Monday 2 October

 

At 9.30 AM left GAZENCOURT [sic]. Marched to BOIS WARNIMOT camp near AUTHIE.  Reinforcements: 4 officers 2/Lt Edwards, 2/Lt McCaskie, 2/Lt Morrison and Lieut Polley.

 

Tuesday 3 October

 

Training carried out.  Companies practised the attack.

 

Wednesday 4 October

 

Left BOIS WARNIMOT camp and went into Brigade Reserve at COUIN arriving at 11am.  Map Ref Trench Map FRANCE Sheet 57D (NE) J 8 b 39. (I think approx 50°07'50.3"N 2°32'35.4”E).

 

Thursday 5 October

Left COUIN CAMP at 9am.  Marched to COLINCAMPS K25.C.38  ????  TRENCH MAP 57D(NE).  Still in reserve (bivouacs). (I think approx 50.099794, 2.607936)

 

Friday October 6

 

Left COLINCAMPS and marched to HEBUTERNE.  Took over trenches from 5th SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS.  Situation normal.  Battalion on right 8th A&SH.

 

Saturday 7 October

 

Relieved by 9th WELSH REGIMENT & 9th S LANCS.  Marched to COLINCAMPS and bivouacked for night [an oddly short time in the trenches]

 

Sunday 8 October

 

Left COLINCAMPS.  Marched to LOUVENCOURT.  Billeted in village.  The attack practised.  Officers visited trenches on approx right of HEBUTERNE.

 

Monday 9 October

 

Attack practised.

 

Tuesday 10 October

 

Attack practised.

 

Wednesday 11 October

 

Attack practised.

 

Thursday 12 October 61°–55°dull (these weather details from Gliddon 1987, pp. 423–424)

 

Attack practised.

 

Friday 13 October (61-50 dull)

 

Left LOUVENCOURT at 2pm and proceeded to bivouac near COURCELLES 1 mile NW.  Arrived at 7.30 pm

 

Saturday 14 October (61 - 50 overcast)

 

Attack practised and general training carried out.

 

Sunday 15 October (57 to 41 3mm rain dry later)

 

Attack practised and general training carried out.

 

Monday 16 October (54 - 36 sunny cold)

 

Attack practised and general training carried out.  Left bivouacs and proceeded to BUS - billeted.

 

Tuesday 17 October (55 - 43 fine)

 

Left BUS & proceeded to MAILLY- MAILLET.  Huts.

 

Wednesday 18 October (57 to 48, 4mm rain dry later)

 

Training carried out.

 

Thursday 19 October (57 - 37, 4mm heavy rain)

 

Left MAILLY- MAILLET and took over trenches from 8th A&SH.  Trenches  E.N.E from MAILLY- MAILLET to immediately left of BEAUMONT-HAMEL.  32nd ROYAL FUSILIERS on left and on right.   Considerable artillery action on both sides.

 

Friday 20 October (48 - 28, fine cold)

 

Situation normal.  Casualties nil.

 

Saturday 21 October

 

Left trenches.  Relieved by 5th SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS.  Proceeded to FORCEVILLE.  Billeted in Huts.  No 1 CAMP.

 

Sunday 22 October (fine, cold)

 

Proceeded to LEALVILLERS.

 

Monday 23 October (55 - 43, dull)

 

Proceeded to bivouacs near MAILLY-MAILLET.

 

Tuesday 24 October (54 - 45, dull 3mm rain)

 

Returned to LEALVILLERS.  Very heavy rain.

 

Wednesday 25 October (52 - 45, 2mm rain)

 

Training carried out.

 

Thursday 26 October (55 -39, showery)

 

Training carried out.

 

Friday 27 October (55 - 43, 7mm wet)

 

Attack practised.

 

Saturday 28 October (55 - 41, 8mm rain wet, cold)

 

Attack practised.

 

Sunday 29 October (53 - 45, 7mm rain)

 

C of E Service.  Attack practised by Officers and NCOs.

 

Monday 30  October (61 - 48,   7mm rain, cold)

 

Moved at 10.30 am from LEALVILLERS to FORCEVILLE.  Billeted in Huts at N 1 camp.

 

Tuesday 31 October (63 - 46, no rain)

 

2/Lt Stuart(?) Joined Battalion from 2nd SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS.  Battalion practised attack on training ground at LEALVILLERS.

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Morning,

 

Rest assured people will be reading these.

 

I have marked the thread as 'follow' so I don't miss an update.

 

Many thanks for your generosity in posting these,

 

Regards,

 

Graeme

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Thanks Graeme!.  Here is the November diary.

 

Wednesday November 1st 1916 - Ancre - Good Weather

 

Battalion billeted in No. 1 Camp at FORCEVILLE.  Parades carried out under Company arrangements [i.e. Companies working on their own tasks].  Snipers made new range beside camp.  During afternoon & evening Corps and Divisional Artillery bombarded BEAUMONT-HAMEL.  Ground reconnoitred and suitable site obtained for bivouacs on Y day.

 

Thursday November 2nd - Ancre - Good Weather

 

Battalion practised the attack at LEALVILLERS & did well.

 

Friday November 3rd - Ancre - Fair Weather

 

Parades carried out under Company arrangements.  Snipers used new range.  Football match played during afternoon.  A Coy v C Coy.  Result C Coy 4, A Coy 1.

 

Saturday November 4th - Ancre - Good Weather

 

Parades carried out under Company arrangements.   Work commenced on camp, draining and cleaning same.  During afternoon football match played.  Officers and HQ Coy v Battalion.  Result Battalion 5, Officers and HQ Coy 2.

 

Sunday November 5th - Ancre - Good Weather

 

Battalion mostly on fatigue.  Work on camp progressing, and Brigadier General very pleased at result.  Beds being erected in Huts & old beds renewed.  A Coy used range.

 

Monday November 6th - Ancre - Good Weather

 

Battalion mostly on fatigue.  Coy paraded under Company arrangements.  Work on camp continues to progress.  Corporal NESS A Coy awarded MILITARY MEDAL & congratulated by Commanding Officer at Orderly Room.

 

Tuesday November 7th - Ancre - Very Wet Weather

 

A School of Instruction for junior officers has been formed under charge of Captain MacPherson who lectured on “Discipline”.  Saluting Drill was also practised.  Fatigue parties supplied from Battalion.  Work on Camp (outside) interfered with on account of rain.  Work carried on in huts repairing & making beds.

 

Wednesday November 8th - Ancre - Showery Weather

 

Major J A Forsyth (4th Batt SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS) joined the Battalion as Second in Command.  Work going on in Camp but somewhat hampered by rain.  [?] drill parades by Companies for those not on fatigue. 

 

Thursday November 9th - Ancre - Very Good Weather

 

Parades under Company arrangements for those not on fatigue.  Work on Camp continued.  Tarring of Huts commenced.  Companies paraded for pay.

 

Friday November 10th - Ancre - Good Weather

 

Orders arrived cancelling our move to trenches.  Operations on again on account of fine weather.  Z day fixed for 13th, today being W day.  Parades carried out by Company, also fatigues.Work on Camp going on & Ration Dump erected alongside Main [?].  Another Hut tarred. 

 

Saturday November 11th - Ancre - Good Weather

 

Parades under Company arrangements.  Work continued & Camp now in excellent condition.  Conference held at Battalion H.Q. on forthcoming attack.  Football match played during afternoon between D Coy & H.Q. Coy.  Result D Coy 5 H.Q. 0.  At night concert given in Scottish Churches Hut by 6th Seaforths. 

 

Sunday November 12th - Ancre - Good Weather

 

The Battalion rested all day on account of move to trenches at night.  Church Parade in Scottish Churches Tent.  Camp handed over to 9th ROYAL SCOTS, but the order for them to move there was cancelled & they remained in MAILLY-MAILLET WOOD.  At night the men had a good meal, & at 9.30 p.m. the first Company moved off to the trenches.  A, B & HQ Coy proceeded to WINDMILL outside MAILLY-MAILLET and C & D Coys went through MAILLY-MAILLET to AUCHONVILLERS.  At these points men were given tea & after a short rest each Company was guided to its position by a Guide. 

 

Monday November 13th - Ancre - Good Weather

 

Companies were reported in position on time & all men in good form & eager. 

           

See attached report on Operations.

 

 

 

Report on Action taken by 6th Seaforth Highlanders on attack on Beaumont-Hamel 13/11/16

 

1. Assembly

 

The Battalion allowed six hours to get into position in Assembly trenches from Forceville.  This admitted of a break of three-quarters of an hour on the way, when the men were issued with hot tea. 

 

Northern Party

 

A & B Coys who went via 4th Avenue found it to be in excellent condition.  This party arrived in their Assembly trenches & reported in position - two half Companies in CLIVE TRENCH, two half Companies behind the parados of SWITCHBACK trench - at 3.15am.

 

Southern Party (C&D Coys)

 

This party got badly held up in 2nd Avenue, on account of the Battalion in front.  Consequently this party was not reported in till 4.30am.  The Assembly was carried out exceptionally well.  No noise could be heard, each section moving to its allotted position & lying down at once.

 

2.  The Attack

 

At 5.45 am exactly the mine exploded & the barrage started immediately.  The morning being very misty, all that could be seen was our Companies moving to the attack by Sections at once.  No difficulty was experienced as regards the bridging of the trenches or our own wire. The German wire did not exist. On the right the Companies pushed well into “No man’s land”. 

 

The found the battalion in front, still on the front line trench, and passed over their heads. The lay down in “No man’ land” 30 yards from our trenches, where the leading battalion passed through.

 

Punctual to time, the barrage lifted off the front line, which was taken by the battalion in front.  Our men pushed onto the rear line. A good deal of resistance was met with here, and in the darkness and confusion, the Companies got scattered.  Lieut Bliss however pushed on with a party composed of both C & D Coy & men from the 5th Seaforth’s & reached the outskirts of Beaumont-Hamel.  From here he was driven back by hostile M.G. fire, to the second German trench.  This he consolidated and took many prisoners from the dug-outs, which had not yet been cleansed.  It was not until the afternoon that this party was enabled to push forward again, in conjunction with 5th Seaforth’s, and clear the village.  2/Lieut MacBey who was wounded, with a party of D Coy, joined up with Lieut Bliss, and these officers put themselves under the command of Major Robertson, 5th Seaforth’s. 

 

In the north, the front Company (A Coy), which was detailed for the Caves, pushed forward with great determination, and reached its objectives immediately behind the barrage.  2/Lieut [MacVicar] captured the Northern Cave, & 2/Lieut Edward the Southern Cave.  The latter pushed through our own barrage to reach his objective, captured the whole of the German staff, & kept 400 Germans prisoners in the Cave, although he had only six men with him, four of whom were wounded.  The rear Company followed on behind, but lost all their officers early on.  They appear to have pushed on to the German STEAK line, where they were organised by their NCOs & consolidated.  This company eventually amalgamated with A company who were holding the Northern Cave, and the STEAK line was consolidated by the 5th A&S Hrs.

 

Both in the case of the Northern and Southern parties, many casualties were caused by Germans coming up out of dug-outs in the first and second line, and shooting our men in the back. 

 

3.  Barrage

 

From all reports, the barrage was excellent but owing to the state of the ground, and the mud, which was in places waist deep, it was impossible to follow it closely, which enabled to the Germans to leave their dug-outs in time and hold up our men with machine guns and snipers.

 

4.  German Barrage

 

This did not open until after five minutes had passed, and then only field guns at first. At no time did the barrage become intense.  The mist prevented Rocket SOS Signals being seen. 

 

5. Lewis Guns

 

The Lewis gun teams worked with great coolness and determination and although they suffered heavy casualties, succeeded in bringing [putting?] eight of their ten guns out of action.

 

6. Communications

 

The usual difficulty was found in obtaining information as to the situation. The runners found it difficult to locate batt. headqrs at first, when approaching it from the German side, and in the case of two Companies all the officers were wounded, & the companies split up, so that it was a very long time before word was received of the position of these companies. The work of the runners was very exhausting owing to the state of the ground, and as an example of this, one was stuck for five hours in the mud.  Communication with aeroplanes was impossible owing to the mist.

 

7.  Battn Headqrs

 

Battn Headqrs remained in LANWICK Trench throughout as the battalion did not go further than the Green Line.  Communication with Bde Headqrs by runner & wire was maintained without a break. 

 

8.  Prisoners

 

The number of prisoners taken was exceptionally great. Prisoners give themselves up very easily, and seemed to be taken entirely by surprise. White Star bombs were not required. The scheme of using prisoners as stretcher-bearers for their own wounded was highly successful.  No shortage of food seems apparent from the stores found in the dug outs, which were full of all sorts of delicacies, including wheat bread, sausages, tinned fruit etc. Matches and cigarettes of English make were found in one dug out – Vulcan matches and Gold fFake cigarettes.  Please were found in places where no British troops could possibly have been. 

 

9. Value of Preparation

 

The value of accurate reconnaissance and careful explanation of the scheme to all ranks beforehand was abundantly shown by this action.  Despite the fact that all our company commanders and most of the platoon commanders were are knocked out early on, each section knew the task allotted to it, and made for its objective with great determination. 

 

Signed 18/11/16 Lieut Col [name unclear] MC Comdg 1/6th Bn: Seaforth Highrs. 

 

 

 

Tuesday November 14th - Ancre - Good Weather

Battalion holding captured positions but men very scattered. 

 

Wednesday November 15th - Ancre - Good Weather

The Battalion having been withdrawn from the line, men were in dugouts in LANWICK TRENCH, KING STREET & WHITE CITY awaiting relief.  [I think all were on the hill between Beaumont Hamel and Auchonvillers].  Unfortunately two carrying parties had to be detailed, but it was necessary as the Battalions in front were in need of bombs.  Battalion was relieved & returned to camp at MAILLY-MAILLET, where men received a hot meal & were made as comfortable as possible.  A few men who had been slightly wounded on the 13th rejoined the Battalion. 

 

Thursday November 16th - Ancre - V Good Weather

Battalion paraded on hill close to Camp where the Roll was called & Commanding Officer congratulated the Battalion on its fine work in the attack.  The casualties numbered 14 officers & 263 OR [the CWGC site reports around 60 officers and men from the 6th Seaforths died on 13 and 14 November - presumably the remainder where missing or wounded].  The men spent the remainder of the day cleaning uniform & kit.  A few men continued to arrive from Hospital.  At night recommendations were written out to be forwarded to Brigade HQ.

 

Friday November 17th - Ancre - V Good Weather

Men still cleaning up & indent taken in Toys. to make up deficiencies.  Coy were paraded & marched to MAILLY-MALLET for Baths.  Brigadier-General visited camp & informed Commanding Officer that we were being sent back for a rest.  The Automatic rifle [???] by Battalion is being presented to Mj General Harper as a gift from the 152nd Brigade.  A few men arrived back from hospital.

 

Saturday November 18th - Ancre - Wet

Parades cancelled on account of rain.  Reinforcements arrived 82 OR from Entrenching Battalion.  Colonel Graham granted leave.  Battalion received order to proceed to trenches tomorrow. 

 

Sunday November 19th - Ancre - Fair

Colonel Graham went on leave this morning at 8.15 am.  Battalion including new draft inspected by Major Forsyth.  Batt moved to trenches at 12.15 pm.  Position in Reserve.  5 Officers left out who went to FORCEVILLE ROAD Echelon B [which seems to have been a supply liaison arrangement between Battalion and Brigade].

 

Monday November 20th - Ancre - Good

Battalion in reserve in line.  In dugouts in SEAFORTH TRENCH.  SALVAGE of TOOLS BOMBS.  Bodies of those killed on 13 being brought in.  Bodies of Captain E. J. Anderson, 2/Lts C.A McLean, R. J. Smith taken down to Cemetery at MAILLY-MALLET [Capt Anderson was from Elgin, 2/Lt  Robert James Smith was 27 and from Knockando, 2/Lt Raymond Alastair McLean was from Rosshire originally and was a gifted divinity scholar at Edinburgh]

 

Tuesday November 21st - Ancre - Good

Salvage work continues.  Captain EJ Anderson, 2/Lts RA McLean & RH. MacGregor’s body recovered this morning and taken to Cemetery at MAILLY-MAILLET.  [Capt MacGregor was 26 and had been born in Chile.  He had been mentioned in Despatches, though I am not clear when].

 

Wednesday November 22nd - Ancre - Good

Salvage work carried on.  Captain A.H. MacGregor buried at 3.30pm in MAILLY-MAILLET Cemetery.  Officers of C Coy 22nd MNCHESTER REGIMENT (7th DIVISION) looking over line.

 

Thursday November 23rd - Ancre - Good

Relief expected today, but was cancelled at 2.30pm.  Attack being carried out on FRANKFURT TRENCH by 32nd DIVISION to relieve party of 80 men who are isolated there.  No men discovered in trench when attack delivered. 

 

Friday November 24th - Ancre - Fair

Battalion relieved by 22nd MANCHESTER REGIMENT 97th DIVISION) at 7am.  Battalion moved back  to No 1 Camp at FORCEVILLE, reaching camp at 9am & breakfasted.  Day occupied cleaning up.  Camp found to be in very dirty & unsanitary condition.

 

Saturday November 25th - Ancre - V Wet

Day occupied cleaning up Camp. During afternoon Coys paraded for pay.  Reinforcement arrived.  3 officers.  2/Lts G FLETT, AT SMITH, T BLISS.

 

Sunday November 26th - Ancre - V Wet

Battalion cleaning up Camp which is in rather bad condition on account of heavy rain.  C of E Service in Cinema House.  Res Services in Scottish Churches Tent.

 

Monday November 27th - Ancre - Good

Battalion moved at 2.10 pm to BOUZINCOURT.  MORNING occupied cleaning Camp.  Battalion moved off by Platoons in file, on account of traffic & condition of roads.  Billets taken over good but dirty.

 

Tuesday November 28th - Ancre - Good

Day spent in cleaning billets & repairing same.  Range commenced by Snipers. 

 

Wednesday November 29th - Ancre - Good

Coy paraded under Company Commanders.  Repairs being made in billets.  Brigadier General inspected Draft & and was much impressed by appearance of men. 

 

Thursday November 30th - Ancre - Good

Coy paraded under Company Commanders.  Work continued on billets.  Range completed. 

 

War Diaries of the 5th Seaforths

 

At last two fine days came, and on the night of the 12th-13th the attacking infantry went up into the line.

 

For several days, our guns had been battering away at irregular intervals of the enemy's wire and trenches, while our heavier artillery devoted their attention to the areas behind, shelling his reserves, his dumps, his railways stations and depots.

 

Tanks were also in readiness, although the general consensus of opinion was that, from the terrible nature of the country, it would be impossible for them to make much headway, and so if proved, for only one got as far as the enemy front line and sat astride it, unable to go backward or forward.

 

The morning was dark and misty, and long before Zero hour the first waves had climbed out of the knee-deep trenches and lay upon the parapet. At 5.45 a.m. the signal, the exploding of a mine, was given, our artillery opened a terrific barrage fire on the German front line, and over went the infantry, hot doubling, hot even walking, but wading knee-deep and sometimes waist-deep through the morass of sticky mud and water and neck-deep shell-holes which constituted no-man's land.

 

The 5th Seaforths had the honour of leading the attack on one sector of the village, with their left flank on the Auchonvillers-Beaumont-Hamel road, their final objective being a German trench line 200 yards east of the village. The enemy's machine-gun fire and uncut wire in the centre held up the advance for a time so that the barrage went too far ahead, while, owing to the dense fog, direction was lost, and the attack split up into small parties, yet, in spite of these difficulties, the first German line was easily carried, except for one or two isolated points where the enemy put up a good fight.

 

Dropping into the trench, sentries were posted at the dug-out doors, while a few bombs were sent down as a gentle reminder of out presence. The first wave held this trench, and arranged for disposal of prisoners, etc., while the second, third, and fourth waves passed on to the succeeding trenches. The second line was also soon captured, but for the third line the fighting was more stubborn, a machine-gun post and some snipers effectually sweeping the ground of out advance. Two bombing parties were hurriedly formed who advanced along the trenches, killed the machine gunners and captured their guns. To get these and the snipers a party had to enter and pass through a dug-out, and climb a stair into a concrete apertured little fort, the holders of which were thoroughly surprised at their secret entrance having been discovered.

 

In the evening the battalion, which by that time consisted of 90 men under Major Robertson with capts. Morrison and Murray and Lieuts. Lupton and Mackay, went through Beaumont-Hamel, and consolidated the final objective as arranged. By 4 p.m. the Division had gained ifs objective, and the complete defensive system was in otlr hands, while over 1700 prisoners, of whom the 5th Seaforths claimed 600, had been sent to the rear.

 

Some of the rather humorous incidents of the battle are worth relating. One big dug-out of Boches was being slowly emptied of its occupants by a party of out men. As each Boche appeared at the dug-out entrance with the ever-ready " Merci, Kameradl" on his lips, out fellows, plastered with mud from head to foot, and soaked to the skin, were so annoyed at their spick-and-span appearance, that each man, as he rather hesitatingly emerged, got a kick to help him on his way down the trench, not a fierce, vindictive kick with sting in it, but one of a genial cheerio type.

 

The " Duke" carried a bottle of whisky in his left greatcoat pocket for use in case of wounds or fatigue. Just before Zero hour, he pulled the cork, and lightly replaced it, so as to be ready for emergencies. When half-way across no-man's land, he suddenly thought of what would happen if a machine-gun bullet took his precious bottle, and, thereafter, he advanced with his right shoulder forward, so as to afford some protection for it. The bottle got safely into Beaumont- Hamel and was left there.

 

In connection with this fight, the 51st Division has a grudge against the Naval Division, which was on its right, and especially with a man of peace in that Division, who for the [???] had seemingly become a man of war. One battalion officer, dressed for attack in private's kilt and tunic, was, with a small party, marshalling 600 prisoners for leading to the rear, when this padre, with a stronger party, rushed up and demanded that the prisoners should be handed over to him. On the officer demurring, the padre, so the storv goes, knocked him into a shell-hole, and took the prisoners to the Naval Division.

 

On a protest being lodged, the Naval Division offered to go halves, but, as we could afford to be generous, they were told to keep them. The battalion remained in the line until the night of the 14th-I5th, and during that time repelled numerous attacks. During these two days the casualties were : 94 killed or died of wounds, 193 wounded and 5 missing, among these being 2 officers, Lieuts. A. Mackay and B. Holroyd killed, and 9 wounded.

 

Major Robertson, as senior officer in the advance, displayed great coolness, working out the proper line of advance by compass when sense of direction was lost owing to the fog. He collected the scattered parties under heavy tire and when attacked by an enemy bombing party he drove them off, and finally led his men fo the fourth line which he consolidated and held.

 

2nd Lieut. A J Mackay, when held up at the second line, put his men in a defensive position and with two men went out to reconnoitre. He took a party of 60 men by surprise and made them prisoners. On reaching the 3rd line, his party was cut off, but he held on until reinforcements came up. 2nd Lieut. F Lupton organized bombing parties, and when someone gave the order to retire, and the men hesitated, he countermanded the order, rallied the men and pushed on.

 

By the night of the 19th the battalion was once again in the line, being required to strengthen the defences against the enemy's furious counter-attacks, for well he knew that, Beaumont-Hamel lost, it was only a matter of rime for a general withdrawal of his line. There they remained until the night of the 24th, their last effort being a heroic but futile attempt to relieve 80 men of another Division who had been cut off some days previously, and who had managed to send back word that they were still holding out. In this battle the battalion earned high praise for its fighting qualities, one staff officer saying, " The 5th were simply 'It,' doing all and more than all they were asked to do, in much less time than even the most optimistic staff officer thought possible."

 

The Corps Commander, writing to the Division airer the battle said, "All the world looks upon the capture of Beaumont-Hamel as one of the greatest feats of the war, and to those who know the ground and deIences it must always be a marvellously fine perIormance." Among the honours awarded were the D.S.O. to Major J. J. Robertson and M.C.'s to 2nd Lieuts. Lupton and A. J. Mackay, with a M.M. bar to Coy.-Sergt.Major Goddard and M.M.'s.

 

Extract from Derek Bird’s “The Spirit of the Troops is Excellent”

 

 

Flooding in Ancre Valley, Nov 1916

 

"The Highland Division's plan was to have two brigades attacking, the 152nd on the left and the 153rd on the right. Each brigade would put two battalions in the lead, for the 152nd Brigade this was the 1/8th Argylls on the left and the 1/5th Seaforth on the right, each split into four waves. The 6th Seaforth were to follow on in two waves across the whole of the brigade front. It was intended that all the battalions would advance at the same time, but would maintain a distance of 50 paces between each wave. The 6th Seaforth decided that their first wave would consist of' 'A' and 'D' Companies and the second wave 'B' and 'C' Companies. Having reached the early objectives, parties from 'A' were detailed to secure the entrances to two caves, while the remainder of the battalion formed into a single wave for the next phase of the attack.

 

The battalion's part in the battle was laid down in Operation Order No. 26, dated 27 October 1916, which detailed many different aspects of the forthcoming battle. For example, under the heading 'Dress' were instructions that each man was to wear his greatcoat and carry four bombs in the pockets. The bombs were to be deposited during the advance at predetermined positions in the German line for use by the specialist bombing parties. Each man was also to carry two rolled up sandbags, and 50% of each wave would carry either a pick or hovel in the ratio of two picks to each shovel - all these being items essential for the consolidation of captured positions. Other instruction included the use of signal flares for notifying contact aircraft of the positions of the advance, position of water and ration dumps, synchronization of watches, carrying of maps and documents and the handling of prisoners of war. An annex to the orders gave the details of the artillery barrage supporting the division.

 

With all the detailed planning having been carried out some time before, all that remained was for the men, now formed up in their jumping off positions, to clamber out of the trenches and advance on the enemy. Their performance was, however, anything but a certainty as despite having been in France for eighteen months, and in the front line on many occasions, the 6th Seaforth had not yet been involved in a full-scale attack.

 

Beaumont Hamel Diagram

 

 

At 5.45 a.m., just as the very first signs of dawn appeared, the Hawthorn mine was detonated, the artillery opened an intense barrage on the German positions and the infantry rose from the trenches and advanced across No Man's Land.

 

With the 6th Seaforth forming the fifth and sixth waves of the attack they first had to move forward over the positions previously occupied by the forward battalions. This they did without any trouble, although at one stage they overtook part of one of the leading battalions and had to pause briefly to allow them to regain their position before carrying on across No Man's Land. Most of the division's Vickers machine guns were grouped at a point known as The Bowery and were firing a protective barrage onto the German rear positions, however, the attacking battalions had to be carefully briefed that due to the contours of the ground it would sound as if the bullets were only just passing over their heads, although in reality there would be a distance of 'several feet'!

 

The advance was far from easy because of the legacy of the poor weather in the weeks before the battle and it was reported that in places the mud was still waist deep, indeed, one of the 6th Seaforth's runners got stuck in the mud and was unable to extricate himself; he was tuck for five hours before being found and pulled out. The History of the 51st (Highland) Division gives an illustration of the state of the ground: Let two teams dressed in battle order play football in the dark on a ploughed field in a clay soil after three weeks' rain, and some of the difficulties of the attacking troops might in some measure be appreciated.

 

The advancing battalions were initially able to take advantage of the pre-dawn darkness and the thick mist that obscured their movements from the Germans, although it did make it difficult to keep direction. Once the waves of 1/5th Seaforth and 1/8th Argylls had captured the German front line the 6th Seaforth passed through them and pressed on to the second line. Here strong resistance was encountered and the men became scattered.

 

Lieutenant James Bliss was able to assemble a party of men from 'C' and 'D' Companies, a well as some from the 1/5th Seaforth, to continue the advance toward Beaumont Hamel, and they reached the outskirts of the village before being driven back to the German second line trench by enemy machine-gun fire. Here they found that it was still not fully cleared and a number of dug-outs still contained German troops. The party therefore had to contend with clearing the dug-outs and getting prisoners to the rear, as well as working hard to consolidate the position. They continued their work into the afternoon before joining up with the rest of the 1/5th Seaforth to clear the village.

 

In the northern sector of the division's front were two large caves, and 'A' Company was detailed to provide parties to capture them. Closely following the barrage the party led by Second Lt McVicar captured the northern cave, and that led by Second Lt George Edwards captured the southern one. Edwards arrived at the entrance having passed through part of the British artillery barrage and with the support of just a few men, some of them already wounded. Calling on the occupants to surrender the Germans agreed, not realising how few Highlanders there were outside, and the gallant little band took charge of a large group of prisoners; some reports say as many as 400.

 

Some minutes later a German bombing party appeared at the at the cave mouth, put most of the Seaforth party out of action, and forced George Edward to surrender to his former prisoners. He was taken to a nearby dug-out which was in fact a battalion headquarters, where he was questioned by a German battalion commander and his staff. After a short time the sounds of rifle fire and bomb indicated that the situation outside had changed again. Edwards then suggested to the German that as they were probably now surrounded it would be prudent for them to surrender which, after a brief discussion they did. Second Lieutenant Edwards therefore took charge of his high-ranking prisoners and marched them back to the 6th Seaforth HQ where he handed them over to Lieutenant-Colonel Graham. For his bravery, and indeed audacity, Second Lieutenant Edwards was awarded the DSO.

 

The rearmost company continued to press forward, but having lost its officers early in the attack the NCOs had to take charge and organised the later stages of the attack. This they did, along with the subsequent consolidation of the newly captured positions, in conjunction with men from 'A' Company and the 1/8th Argylls. Although the mist and the smoke aided their advance by spoiling the German's view of the attackers, it also led to many problems for the Highlanders. Men became disorientated in the wasteland of craters and mud, with platoons and sections being split up in the confusion, but they won through by joining up with anyone they happened to find themselves alongside and continued to press on. Despite a very hard day's fighting there was to be no immediate respite, but at least their efforts in consolidating the newly won position paid dividends when they were successful in beating off German counter-attacks through the evening and night.

 

The list of 'booty' captured at Beaumont-Hamel is interesting and included machine-guns, minenwerfers, 32,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, bombs, flares, searchlights and a complete armourers workshop. Of a less military nature were stocks of tinned beef from Montevideo, Norwegian sardines, cigars, cigarettes (including British Wills' Gold Flake), coffee beans and all of the Germans' incoming mail. Most intriguingly the Highlanders also found a piano, dancing slippers, women's clothing including silk stockings and petticoats, and a cat o'nine tails. Also some bottled beer and large quantities of bottled seltzer water were found and, as the men needed to quench their thirst after a hard day' fighting, they were only too happy to drink it. Lieutenant Andrew Bain of the 1/7th Argylls said many years later in an interview for the Imperial War Museum that because of the laxative properties of the seltzer water it had a 'very moving result' on his men!

 

The battalion stayed in the newly captured position until relieved on the 14th when they were able to make their way to dug-outs in positions known as Lanwick Trench, King Street and White City. Despite now being out of the fighting they got little rest due to the urgent need to provide men to carry bombs forward to the battalions holding the front line. They were eventually relieved on the 15th and wearily made their way back to the camp at Mailly-Maillet, where hot baths were provided and they were made as comfortable as possible.

 

The 51st Division had, with the aid of the division on their flanks, performed magnificently. They had overcome both the incredibly strong German defences of Beaumont Hamel and the very difficult ground conditions. The success at Beaumont Hamel came at a cost in men's lives and when the roll call was taken 14 officers and 263 ORs were absent. During the three days spent in the line the battalion had lost 5 officers and 75 ORs killed, and more succumbed to their wounds in the following days. The Highland Division as a whole suffered more than 2,000 casualties, about 500 of whom were killed or died of wounds, but the battle was still hailed as a great success and was later recognised as the 'foundation stone on which the reputation of the Highland Division was built'.

 

The Hawthorn mine had originally been blown at 7.20 a.m. on I July 1916, some ten minutes before the infantry advance began. These vital minutes allowed the Germans to occupy the lip of the crater and fight off the British infantry. The German had since fortified the crater considerably and so a new tunnel was dug and charges were laid ready for the November attack. The crater is still there among the trees that have grown in the intervening years, a short walk up a path from Auchonvillers to Beaumont-Hamel road.

 

George Eric Edwards was born in Lossiemouth on 23 Feb 1889 and was a draper by trade. He joined the 6th Seaforth as a private in September 1914 and was commissioned in the field in March 1916. In 1917 he was also to be Mentioned in Despatches for his part in the Battle of Arras, and was killed during the Battle of Cambrai. The Moray Golf Club at Lossiemouth later commemorated George, and his cousin Sgt Alexander Edward, VC both of whom had caddied at the club as youths, by placing a memorial sun dial placed alongside the home green.

 

In the foreword to The Morayshire Roll of Honour Lt-Col Graham is recorded as saying at a post war meeting of the Moray and Banffshire Society in Glasgow that: 'But for the bravery of Lieutenant G.E. Edwards, Lossiemouth, the 51st Division would probably have failed in November 1916 to take Beaumont Hamel. In the whole of the record of the late war, where acts of great bravery were so common, he did not believe there was a braver action than of the late Lieut Edwards. He had been recommended for the Victoria Cross, but for some reason unknown to him the lesser honour of the DSO was all that was conferred, an honour which he regretted to say that brave officer did not live to enjoy'.

 

The Germans had established a seltzer water factory a few miles away at Bapaume.  The bodies of 51 men or the 6th Seaforth were recovered and buried in Mailly Wood Cemetery. Others were buried in other nearby cemeteries such as Beaumont Hamel British Cemetery, Ancre British Cemetery, Auchonvillers Military Cemetery, Cayeux Military Cemetery, and Hawthorn Ridge Cemetery No I. The 14 men who have no known graves are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. The graves of many of those who died of wounds can be found scattered down the lines of medical evacuation in places such as Varennes, near the CCS, and the General Hospitals at Etaples and Rouen near the coast."

 

THE BATTLE OF ANCRE (BEAUMONT HAMEL) NOVEMBER 1916  Shell bursting, Beaumont Hamel

 

 

The battle of Ancre took place in November 1916. However for the 51st Highland Division it will be remembered as the Battle of Beaumont Hamel. Beaumont Hamel had been attacked on the first day of the Somme. The attack had failed and the heavily fortified area was regarded as almost impregnable.

 

The attack was to be carried out by the Fifth Army with the 2nd Corps South of the River bank and the Vth Corps north of the river. The Vth Corps attack would have the 63rd Division on the right 51st Highland Division and 2nd Division in the centre and the 3rd Division on the left with the 37th Division in reserve.

 

THE OBJECTIVE THE 51ST HIGHLAND DIVISION WAS TO CAPTURE BEAUMONT HAMEL

The objective ran from the village of Beaumont Hamel south east to a ‘Y’ ravine. The latter was a heavily fortified ‘Y’ shaped ravine with steep sides running towards the British line. There was a second valley down which ran the old Beaumont Road. To assist in monitoring progress of the attack there were a number of report lines the first objective being green and a second yellow. There were also intermediate report lines red, blue and purple.

 

 

Pack horse through mud, Beaumont Hamel

 

The attack had been originally planned for 24 October but because of the appalling weather in particular torrential rain, there were a number of delays until the attack was eventually scheduled for 13 November.

 

Quoting from "The History of the Fifty First (Highland) Division 1914-1918" by Major F W Bewsher DSO, MC:

 

"The attack was originally planned for 24th October, but owing to the weather a succession of postponements took place. The first postponement was until 30th October; on 25th October a further postponement of forty-eight hours was ordered. On 29th October the date of the attack was changed to 5th November. Later, it was again postponed to 9th November, and again to 10th November. On 7th November information was wired that the attack was indefinitely postponed. On 10th November it was ordered to take place on 13th November. On 11th Nov­ember the hour for zero-that is, the hour at which the infantry advance begins-was selected as 5.45 A.M. [on 13 November]".

 

General Harper commanding the 51st Highland Division, had been urged to conduct the attack on a three brigade frontage however it was his judgement he would do better to have a phased attack with a reserve and therefore determined to advance the two Brigades up, 152 on the left, 153 on the right and 154 Brigade in reserve.

 

 

 

Because the attack had been planned to be launched earlier wire cutting using artillery and to 2 inch mortars had begun in late October. Patrols reported that this was very successful. Details were kept on the extent of the damage and where the route had been clear. During the preparations before the attack a number of raiding parties and patrols were launched into the enemy trenches with the task of determining what units the attack would face. This was particularly important as it will gave a clear indication of the extent and numbers on the enemy defenders. In Major Bewsher’s “The History of the 51st Highland Division” there is a very clear example of what this entails.

 

“On 26 October both the 6th Black Watch and the 7th Gordon Highlanders of 153rd Brigade entered the enemy’s front line, the latter capturing a prisoner of the 62nd Regiment. On the same night the seventh Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 154 brigade made a similar attempt, but could not find a passage to the enemies wire. In the raid of the seventh Gordon Highlanders, Lance Sgt Morrison killed four Germans and disarmed 50 was taken prisoner. At this point some Morrison had expended all examination and bombs and was faced by two more Germans with fixed bayonets. Appreciating the situation, Private Louis Thompson rushed past sergeant Morrison and killed the first German with his entrenching tool. He then picked up the fallen Germans rifle and with it killed the second. For this exploit both Simon Morrison and private Thompson were awarded the military medal.”

 

OP. ORDER BEAUMONT HAMEL [ OP. ORDER ]

Operations Order for the attack by 1/6th Battalion,  Black Watch, at Beaumont Hamel 13th Nov 1916.

 

As has already been stated, in the days before the attack the weather had been atrocious and the ground had become a sodden mass. The move forward to the start line during the night was difficult and those that arrived there first had a long wait as the rest move slowly into position. At 5:45 a.m., the time selected to begin the attack, a mine was exploded as the signal after which an intense bombardment of the German position began. There had been no preliminary bombardment which would have risked giving away the preparations for the attack. There was a thick fog on the morning and this helped with the concealment and delayed the response of the Germans. The progress behind the barrage was deliberate and slow. The state of the ground made it impossible to move quickly and the rate of advance was about 25 yards a minute.  There was stiff resistance but by 7.50 a.m. both brigades had reached the third line although pockets of resistance, emerging from tunnels, were still behind them. “Y” ravine proved particularly stubborn and despite progress elsewhere it took all day to overcome the resistance here.

 

Elsewhere the attack had reached the Green line and in one case continued in the direction of the Yellow line. However the casualties had been too heavy for a sustained attack to the Yellow line and they fell back to conform to the flanking movements.  The night was spent consolidating the position on the Green line and preparing to continue the attack the next morning.

 

152 BRIGADE’S ATTACK ON BEAUMONT-HAMEL [ EXTRACT ]

An extract from Derek Bird's "The Spirit of the Troops is Excellent" detailing 152 Brigade's attack on Beaumont-Hamel, 13 NOV 1916.

 

PTE. MACPHERSON, BEAUMONT HAMEL [ ACCOUNT ]

Personal account from the Diary of Pte. MacPherson, 9th Royal Scots, of 154 Brigade during the attack on Beaumont Hamel between the 12th - 14th November 1916

 

 

On 14 November further attacks were made in conjunction with 2nd Division which culminated in the taking of the Munich Trench just short of the Frankfurt Trench on the Yellow line.

 

During 15 November 154 Brigade took over the line from 152 and 153 Brigades and on 17 November the Division was relieved by 32nd Division.

 

A detailed account of the battle can be found in “The History of the 51st Highland Division” by Major F W Bewsher and published by The Naval & Military Press. To conclude, quoting from this book:

 

 

“The battle of Beaumont Hamel is the foundation stone on which the reputation of the Highland division was built. General Harper's leapfrog system of attack had been proved; his attack with two Brigades instead of three had been fully justified, and an experience had been gained from which the future training of the Division was evolved.”

 

When the Division left Vth Corps later that month Lieutenant-General Sir E A Fanshaw K.C.B., commanding the Corps summed up the part played by Division in the battle as follows:

 

“The 51st Division leaves this Corps tomorrow to take place in another part of the line, and although this postpones a well earned rest it is also a sure sign of the very efficient state of the division that it should be called upon to do this by the army after its recent splendid fight.

 

It is evident in the newspapers that all the world looks upon the capture of Beaumont Hamel as one of the greatest feat of arms in the war, and those who know the ground and the defences it must ever be a marvellously fine performance.  I can only hope that the good by which the Vth Corps now wish to 51st Division is for a short time, and that good luck may be for many years to come.”

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Here are the War Diaries for the 6th Seaforths for December 1916:

 

1st - 3rd December 1916 Bouzincourt

 

Battalion billeted in BOUZINCOURT.  Training carried on.  Repairs and improvements to billets.

 

3rd Dec

 

Churches services for all denominations. Bullets are now in excellent state.

 

4th Dec OVILLERS

 

Battalion moved from Bouzincourt to Ovillers at 9.15am. Huts where taken over from 7th Royal Highrs [NB 7th Black Watch]

 

Draft of 70 O.R. joined the battalion.

 

LT/COL GRAHAM returned from leave. 

 

MAJOR DOIG joined the battalion and took over command of A Coy.  Large work parties were provided. Work consisted of carrying material from Rear to Front Line Dumps.

 

5th - 8th Dec Ovillers

 

Fatigue parties provided men not employed on fatigue improved HUTMENTS. 

 

8th Dec Ovillers

 

Draft of 112 O.R. joined the battalion. Church services for all denominations. Casualties 3 O.R. wounded.

 

9th Dec - Trenches COURCELETTE

 

Relieved 4th Seaforth Hrs and took trenches in front of COURCELETTE (RT SECTOR).

 

Casualties 2/Lt G.E. EDWARDS admitted to hospital.  CSM TAWSE wounded. 

 

10th - 12th Dec Courcelette

 

Holding on the line from R17b22 to M14b82 - 8th A and S HRS on our left.  7/8th K.O.S.B on our right.  Trenches are in a terrible state - no shelters.  Men went into the line in trews and gum boots. Many men sick and exhausted.

 

12th 13th Dec Courcelette

 

Casualties 2 O.R. wounded 2nd LT BLAIR and SGT MATHESON missing believed prisoners. 

 

The following officers, NCOs and men received the aftermentioned decorations for bravery during the attack on BEAUMONT-HAMEL on 13th NOVEMBER ,1916.  The Military Cross was awarded toCAPT A.G. PETERS, RAMC attached 1/6th SEAFORTH HRS., 2nd/LT G. McBEY`, Lt. J. BLISS`.  The D.C.M was awarded to 2605 SGT. GRANT, G., 3747 PTE. COURT, G., The MILITARY MEDAL was awarded 5006 CPL.NABBS, J.G., 2700 PTE . COULL, P., 2106 PTE.BRIDGMAN, A.G., 5792 PTE. PTE. [sic]  MACKENZIE W., 1788 PTE HARDY, J., 2307 PTE GRIGOR, G., 1607 PTE WATT, J., 1283 CPL RAE, E.

[NB should have been MacBey, not McBey - he was killed in 1918.  Of Lt Bliss we will hear more shortly. The others all seem to have survived the war, at least no awards were mentioned when the graves were registered]

 

13th Dec  WOLF HUTS, NEAR POZIERS

 

Moved to WOLF HUTS.  Men completely exhausted.  50 cases of trench feet and 120 men admitted to hospital.

 

Reinforcements. The following officers joined for duty yesterday.  2nd LT E. A. KENNEDY`, 2nd LT ANGUS McLEOD, 2nd LT E.U. NEALE SMITH, 2nd LT R.M. LINDSAY, 2nd LT JAS. BROWN`, 2nd LT H. CROZIER, 2nd LT. ARCHD. MACDONALD, 2nd LT C.L. READ. 

 

14th Dec Wolf Huts

 

3 Officers admitted to hospital.  Work parties supplied.  Casualties - 1 O.R. 

 

15th Dec BOUZINCOURT

 

10am - Moved to BOUZINCOURT.  Billets clean and tidy.

 

16th Dec Bouzincourt

 

Changed over to billets previously occupied by the battalion in same village. 

 

17th Dec Bouzincourt

 

Church parades for all denominations. Reinforcements 1 O.R.

 

18th Dec Bouzincourt

 

Permanent fatigue of 50 men and 1 officer - Reinforcements 41 O.R.

 

19th Dec Bouzincourt

 

Usual parades and training carried on. Billets improved.

 

20th Dec Bouzincourt

 

Usual parades and training carried on. Reinforcements 66 O.R.

 

21st Dec Bouzincourt

 

Usual parades and training carried on. Reinforcements 50 O.R.

 

22nd Dec OVILLERS

 

Moved to OVILLERS HUTS.

 

23rd Dec Ovillers

 

Fatigue parties of 5 officers and 250 men supplied - casualties one officer and 20 O.R. (2nd Lt BLISS died of wounds).

 

24th Dec Ovillers

 

Fatigue parties of 5 officers and 250 men supplied.

 

Lt/Colonel  A.G. Graham wounded.

 

25th Dec Ovillers

 

No fatigue–Battalion resting.

 

26th Dec Ovillers

 

No fatigue–Battalion resting.

 

27th Dec TRENCHES COURCELETTE

 

Left OVILLERS HUTS Moved to Trenches in front of COURCELETTE. Map ref. R17b22 - M14b82.  2 Coy in the line and 2 Coy remained in WOLFE HUTS near POZIERS.

 

28th 30th Dec Trenches Courcelette

 

On 29th/30th ‘C’ and ‘B’ Coys were relieved by ‘A’ and ‘B’ coys.  C and D upCOYS moved to WOLFE HUTS.  Condition of trenches and posts were very bad, but small shelters have been erected and there has been much less sickness and fatigue than there was  during the last tour.  The 8th A. and S. HRS hold the line on our immediate left.

 

31st Dec Trenches Courcelette

 

The battalion was relieved by 6th GORDON HRS. ‘C’ and ‘D’ companies remained at WOLFE HUTS and ‘A’ and ‘B’ companies moved to CHALK MOUND behind COURCELETTE.

 

Abstract of Casualties for DEC., 1916:- 1 officer and 3 O.R. died of wounds and two O.R. killed, 3 officers and 32 O.R. wounded.

 

Note on Courrcelette, Ovillers and Wolfe Huts, from p290 of A History of the Black Watch, Royal Highlanders in the Great War 1914-1918 Vol II.

 

THE Division was now ordered to take over and consolidate the sector then held by the Canadians at Courcelette, about seven miles from Albert. On November 22nd the 7th started for the new area and reached Ovillers on the 26th, where it remained in Brigade reserve until the 30th. This was the Battalion's first experience of a  ompletely devastated area. The villages of Ovillers, Pozieres and Courcelette were in ruins. Many men of the Battalion could remember seeing them behind the German line during the summer of 1915, when they were almost untouched by shell fire and were half hidden by woods and copses. Now the whole area was desolate, the result of months of bombardment from both Allied and German artillery.

 

The site of Ovillers church was marked by a single piece of masonry about six feet high. Pozi eres was only distinguishable by the fact that in places the margin of the road was lined by fragments of the original curb stones. Later in the war scenes such as these were not uncommon, but none was so impressive as was this first realization of the power of modern artillery in the area round Courcelette.

 

Ovillers huts and Wolfe huts, the billets for the Battalion in Brigade reserve, were good types of such camps. They were situated just off the Albert-Bapaume road, which, being the main approach to the front line in that area, was crowded by day and night with lorries, cyclists, cars and infantry, in addition to which large labour parties and road rollers were constantly at work keeping the surface in repair.

 

From Bewsher’s History of the 51st Division - late no 1916 to early Jan 1917

 

On the 27th the 153rd Brigade relieved the 12th Canadian Brigade, 4th Canadian Division, in the Courcelette sector. This sector extended from the dyke valley just west of Le Sars to the western of the two roads running from Courcelette to Miraumont. The Dyke Valley in particular, and the whole area in general, were painfully open to observation from tree observation-posts in Loupart Wood. This wood was perched on the summit of a commanding upland. There was hardly a square yard in the Divisional sector which was not overlooked from some portion of it.

 

Moreover, the enemy made the fullest use of his observation. Even single men were frequently sniped by howitzers and field-guns to such an extent that movement in the forward area by day became out of the question.

 

The ground taken over by the Division had been captured by the Canadians a few days previously. The conditions could not have been worse; the limits of human endurance were all but reached. The whole area had been ploughed up by shell-fire to such an extent that the vegetation had completely disappeared. The rain, which had been the cause of the frequent postponement of the attack on Beaumont Hamel, continued day after day. The whole country-side had in consequence been transformed into unending acres of treacherous and, in some places, dangerous mud. It was no uncommon thing for men to sink up to their waists and for horses to be drowned. By December the mud had become saturated with water to such an extent that it became necessary to issue ropes as trench stores to enable men who had become bogged to be extricated.

 

Moreover, the earth had become so disintegrated by the shocks of the continuous bursting of shells that trenches could not be cut in it. No sooner had they been dug than the sides fell in and filled them again. The front and support line troops thus lived in shell-hole posts. In a few cases these were connected to one another by what had once been trenches.

 

The condition in which the men lived in these posts defeats imagination, and needs to have been seen to be appreciated. They could not move by day. Their only seat was the oozing fire-step; if they stood up they gradually sank into the mud; even ration-boxes and duck-boards used as platforms soon became submerged. The conditions of sanitation were ghastly, the possibilities of cooking were non-existent, and from dawn till dusk the troops were cut off from communication even with the next post.

 

Trench feet became an epidemic, frost-bite occurred frequently. In some cases old wounds reopened, as they did in the days of scurvy. In December dysentery appeared. The wastage amongst the troops became serious, and a general air of depression settled down over the Division. In fact, General Harper once confessed that he had never seen a man smile east of Pozières.

 

One of the great problems of the Courcelette sector was the difficulty of finding one’s way to the forward area. All movement being restricted to the hours of darkness, and the whole country-side being a featureless abomination, working parties, runners, reliefs, and ration parties were continually losing their way, and wandering through the mud until they had become exhausted.

 

To make matters worse, when the Division took over the sector there were no wire entanglements created, so that there was always a reasonable chance of men who were lost wandering into the German lines, as it was difficult to discover when one was in No Man’s Land. This, indeed, happened several times, while similarly lost Germans were more than once found wandering in our lines. In fact, prisoners were taken in this manner on six different occasions.

[130]

The Division, therefore, had many problems to face on its arrival in this area. At first an attempt was made to link up the front line posts, wire them in, and dig communication trenches leading up to them.

 

The whole area was further littered with the unburied dead and with salvage of every kind.  The troops in the reserve line had in a few cases dug-outs, which had been discovered in Regina Trench—a famous trench captured by the Canadians a few days previously.  The reserve battalions were little better off than those in the line. They were for the most part quartered in disused gun-pits and Bairnsfather villas, proof neither against shell-fire nor the weather.

 

The artillery were in a similar plight; their gun-pits were constantly flooding, and the movement of wheeled transport became impracticable. All gun ammunition had therefore to be brought to the gun emplacements on pack-saddles, eight rounds only being carried on each horse. Journey after journey with the pack animals had therefore to be made by the gunner-drivers, with the German field-guns doing their best to aggravate the conditions.

 

The Division took over this sector within a few hours of leaving another battle front. The men had been given little or no opportunity of resting and recuperating after a severe engagement. The result was that their vitality was low, and that their powers of resistance were not at their best. They in consequence suffered considerably more from the adverse conditions than would have been the case with fresher troops.

 

Every method of constructing trenches was tried, and pumps were employed to keep them dry. The results were, however, always the same. No sooner was a trench dug to a depth of three feet than water began to rise in it and the sides fell in. Trenches had therefore to be given up, and overland tracks took their place. For this purpose duck-boards or wattle tracks were laid, the routes being marked out with tracing-tape or posts and wire until such time as the track was completed.

 

As regards protection for the troops against the weather, it was evident that if men were to be left lying for many hours exposed to the weather in shell-holes the wastage from sickness would be appalling. A considerable effort was therefore made to provide the battalions both in the line and in brigade reserve with weather-proof accommodation.

 

For the troops in the line the Divisional engineers designed a highly satisfactory form of shelter, composed of corrugated iron elephant shelters sunk below the level of the parapet of the trench or shell-hole. The material for each shelter could be carried up to the line by ten men, and could be completed in a day and night’s work. When completed it accommodated a section post.  Large elephant shelters were made for reserve battalions in the sides of sunken roads, while all troops that could be spared were moved back to the camps in the back areas.

 

Thus, after three weeks, conditions had been materially improved. During this period, however, there was a snap of sharp frost. For a while this dried up the mud and much improved the situation; but, as is always the case, the thaw which followed seemed to render the mud, if possible, more all-pervading than had been the case before the frost came.

 

Meanwhile the “Q” staff had been making every effort to alleviate the sufferings of the men. A gum-boot store had been established at Pozières, with sufficient boots for the whole brigade in the line. There was, however, a continual wastage of these boots, as, though they reached almost up to the hip, many of them were sucked off the men’s legs in extricating themselves from the mud. It was found that these thigh boots and the kilt did not make a good combination. The boots had to be worn underneath the kilt, with the result that the top edge of the boot, rubbing against the bare thigh, used to chafe the men and cause septic sores. In consequence, the kilt was for the time being abandoned, and six thousand pairs of trousers were issued to the men.

 

A soup-kitchen was also established outside brigade headquarters. Here the Divisional master-cook, an old Hussar, used to issue hot soup to working parties and reliefs on their way to and from the trenches. The master-cook was shelled in his kitchen on most days of the week; but beyond asking for a party to repair it when it had sustained any damage, he made no complaints. Hisservices to the Division on this and, indeed, on many occasions were invaluable.

 

Efforts were also made to provide the men with hot meals in the line. The portable hot-food containers issued for this purpose proved too heavy a burden for a man to carry over two thousands yards of water, shell-holes, and slippery mud, and they had to be abandoned.

 

In place of them the men were issued with Tommy Cookers, small tins of solidified alcohol on which they could heat their own food. Tins of meat-and-vegetable rations were on this account made the permanent issue for troops in the line. Each man was thus able to heat for himself a really good and nourishing stew, even if he lived in a shell-hole and had no previous knowledge of cooking. This system proved very satisfactory, and the number of hot meals a man could have during a day was only limited by the number of Tommy Cookers that could be obtained. Ingenious quartermasters therefore discovered means of improvising Tommy Cookers, and making them in large numbers for their battalions. This in itself was a great improvement for the men, and it became no longer necessary to live from dawn to dusk with nothing but cold meat and biscuit to eat and with cold water to drink, as had been the case when the sector was first taken over.

 

In spite, however, of all the arrangements made, the men did not recover their vitality, and the wastage remained immense. A system of relief was therefore introduced by which battalions held the line for only forty-eight hours each. They were also given twenty-four hours complete rest before going into the line and after coming out. This system had an immediate effect on the health of the men.

 

Further, on 11th December it was arranged that the whole Divisional front should be held by two battalions, each battalion being on a one company front. These front-line companies were reinforced by two Lewis guns of the remainder of the battalion manned by nucleus crews. As company strengths had by this time fallen to about fifty to sixty men, this meant that the line was extremely lightly held. So much was this the case that a German machine-gunner, who was returning to his emplacement with filled water-bottles and had lost his way, wandered right through our lines, and was captured by some machine-gunners close to brigade headquarters. These machine-gunners were the first British troops he had seen.

 

Operations in the line, apart from combating the mud and water, were confined to sniping. When the Division first took over the line the Germans showed themselves in a most daring manner. The 153rd Brigade took full advantage of this in their first few days in the line, Colonel Cheape’s battalion claiming eleven hits in one day. After this the Germans unfortunately became very much shier, and the bags fell off considerably.

 

Brigade reliefs in this sector were a sore trial to the men. Apart from the exhaustion caused by the conditions in which they lived, the struggle through the mud from the line to brigade headquarters was in itself a heavy task for a man in battle order.

 

Added to this, the continual standing in mud and water and the prolonged wearing of gum-boots caused the men’s feet to become so swollen and soft that a march of even a few thousand yards became a physical impossibility to many of them. It was therefore necessary to bring motor-buses along the Albert-Bapaume Road to Pozières. Here, as the men straggled in, the loads were made up and driven off to Wolfe Huts, near Ovillers, where the men spent the night.

 

For many hours after the relief was completed, stragglers would come limping along in ones and twos to the embussing point, coated from head to foot in mud, with a three days’ growth of beard on their faces. They were a depressing spectacle. Their exhaustion was in some cases so great that many of them would lie at the roadside in these winter nights wet through, and fall asleep often when another half-mile would have carried them to the buses, to daylight, and to a warm hut. War has certainly lost much of its romance since going into winter quarters went out of fashion.

 

To the rank and file Courcelette will remain as a nightmare. Though the men in the shellholes may have been too obsessed by the beastliness of their conditions to appreciate the fact, yet on few occasions can the administrative services of the Division and its commanders have exercised more thought on their behalf. Nothing that could have been done to alleviate their sufferings was left undone; much was done which would not have occurred to a less efficient staff.

 

Left to himself, the Jock, exhausted as he was, was in danger of sitting down and doing no more than saying, “Isn’t this b——y?” He was right; it was what he called it, and General Harper, who had visited the men in their shell-holes, knew that it was so. But he knew also that so long as the men remained passive it would become still more so. He therefore insisted that the men should either be in complete rest, or should be working their utmost to improve the conditions. On no account was the merely passive and reflective attitude to be adopted.

 

Great as was the wastage owing to sickness, casualties owing to enemy action were few. This was owing to the small number of men employed holding the line. The total in killed, wounded, and missing for the months of December and January amounted to 4 officers killed, 15 wounded, and 1 missing; and to the men, 86 killed and 333 wounded.  Amongst the killed was Captain Lauder of the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, son of the famous Scottish comedian. He was shot while moving from one front-line post to another in the early morning.  Amongst these casualties, twenty-five were caused by a single 4·2 shell at Tulloch’s Corner. This shell burst amongst a working party of the 6th Seaforth Highlanders, killing the officer and 3 men, and wounding 21 other ranks.

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Diaries for the 6th Seaforths for January 1917 below:

 

 

January 1917

Courcellette 1/1/17

HQ and A & B Boys in shelters near Brigade HQ COURCELLETTE and in support to 5th Seaforth and 6th Gordons.

 

Work - Salvage of ground in neighbourhood of Bde HQ - and sandbagging shelters.  C & D Coy in WOLLFE HUTS near OVILLERS were engaged [salving?] around huts.

 

 

   

Aveluy 2/1/17

HQ and A & B Coys were relieved during the evening by  the 7th Gordons and marched to billets at BRUCE HUTS near AVELUY.

 

C & D Coy moved to billets in BOUZINCOURT.

 

Bouzincourt 3/1/17

The battalion moved to original billets in BOUZINCOURT.   [NB these marches involving Courcellette, Ovillers, Aveluy and Bouzincourt only involve an hour or twos march at most, but the weather would not have been pleasant.]

 

Bouzincourt 4/1/17

The day was spent in cleaning up & checking deficiencies.  Capts A.H. Macgregor & R.J. Peel and R.S.M. Greig mentioned in despatches.  Despatch dated 13/11/16.  London Gazette 4/1/17. [Note - Captain Macgregor had been killed in action that day]

 

Bouzincourt 5/1/17

Coys on parade from 9a.m. - 12.30 pm

 

Bouzincourt 6/1/17

— do —

 

Bouzincourt 7/1/17

— do  —.   Reinforcements 4 O.R.s

 

Bouzincourt 8/1/17

— do —.

 

Commanding officer inspected last two drafts.  Reinforcements 77 O.R.s

 

OVILLERS 9/1/17

The battalion moved from billets - H.Q. and A &B Coys to OVILLERS HUTS and C & D to billets in AVELUY.

 

Major I. A. Forsyth went to 5th Army School DOMART leaving Captain A. H. Macdonald in command of battalion

 

OVILLERS 9/1/17

Work done - a working party of 4 officers and 200 O.R.s reported to RE at 12 midnight and were engaged burying cable.

 

A party of 20 O.R.s cleaning neighbourhood of  huts.

 

OVILLERS 10/1/17

Work done     — do —

 

OVILLERS 11/1/17

Reinforcements - 5 officers      Captain W Legge

                                                2nd Lt              C A Webster [Note - from Fochabers KIA 3                                                                              months later age 24]

                                                  “                    L C King

                                                  “                    H C Rogers

                                                   “                   Jas Low  [Note – wounded in action 9 April 1917].

 

Major I. A. Forsyth returned from 5th Army School.

 

BOUZINCOURT 12/1/17

The battalion marched to original billets in BOUZINCOURT during the forenoon.

 

RAINCHEVAL 13/1/17

The battalion marched to RAINCHEVAL  [Note - 15km north west of Bouzincourt]

 

HEUZECOURT 14/1/17

—  do  —  HEUZECOURT. [Note - 27km north west of Raincheval]

 

[Note - the following two pages have been transposed in the pdf; presumably not in the original diary]

 

GAPENNES 15/1/17

The battalion marched to GAPENNES. [a march of 18km due west]

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 16/1/17

—  do  — NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU [a march of 14km due west]

 

2nd Lt G. E. Edwards awarded DSO, vide D.R.O 686 dated 16/1/17 date of award 11/1/17.  [note George Eric Edwards from Lossiemouth was later KIA, November 1917 aged 29]

 

The Brigade diaries today note “The 152nd Inf Brigade, with the exception of 10 days’ rest in May 1916 preparatory to taking over the VIMY Ridge Sector, has been in the Line continuously since 10th March 1916 when it relieved the French in LABYRINTHE Sector.”

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 17/1/17

Battalion rested and Coy were at disposal of Coy Commdres for refitting etc. 

 

Reinforcements - 2 officers viz 2nd Lt R A C Macmillan and S C M Douglas.  [Note - Robert Alexander Cameron Macmillan was killed in action within 3 months, aged 33]

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 18/1/17

Battalion resting & refitting.

 

Reinforcements 37 O.R.s

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 19/1/17

—  do  —.  Coy were bathed at baths in NOUVION.

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 20/1/17

Short route march by Coy and remainder of morning was spent refitting.

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 21/1/17

The battalion marched to church services at LE TITRE.  Reinforcements - 1 officer viz 2nd Lt R. A Wellwood.  Capt N D Campbell 1/8 A& S H joined for duty as A/Adjutant.

 

[Note - the diary has him as R A Wellwood, but I think he is Robert Kemp Wellwood from Lossiemouth, later killed in action having been promoted to captain, in July 1918.  Neil Diarmid Campbell became a Lt Colonel but was killed in action, aged 26, in mid April 1918 while commanding the 6th Black Watch].

 

The Brigade diary notes a “Zeppelin reported going west half a mile N. of FLERS at 8.11pm”.  This is most likely Flers Flamermont, which is 40km west from the area 152nd Brigade was stationed, so I assume they received this information on the wire, and not because they saw the Zeppelin.

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 22/1//17

Training commenced.  Battalion parade from 9am - 1pm.  Officers and senior NCOs from 2- 3pm at Coy drill with ropes under the Adjutant.  [Note - no idea at all what that last bit means, but the pdf seems quite clear on what was written]

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 23/1/17

—  do  — 

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 24/1/17

—  do  — 

 

Parade for officers & NCOs cancelled.  Reinforcements 90 O.R.s.

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 25/1/17

‘B’ Coy at Rifle range during the morning and remaining Coys training.  Officers & NCOs from 2-3pm at Coy drill.

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 26/1/17

Battalion parade from 9 am - 1pm.  Officers & NCOs at Coy drill from 2 - 3pm.

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 27/1/17

 —  do —

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 28/1/17

 —  do —

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 29/1/17

Battalion marched for church service at LE TITRE.

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 30/1/17

Battalion parade from 9am - 1pm.  Officers and NCOs coy drill from 2 - 3 pm.

 

NOUVION - EN - PONTHIEU 31/1/17

Battalion parade from 9am - 1pm.  Officers and NCOs coy drill from 2 - 3 pm.

 

Football - 6th Seaforths v Divisional HQ.  Result 2 - 0.

 

The Divisional History notes at the end of January 1917:

 

The Division was, however, now at its lowest ebb. It had been in the line for a year, including two very trying periods of mine and trench warfare, plus the fighting in July and August on the Somme and the battle of Beaumont Hamel. It was considerably reduced in strength, and had lost heavily in company commanders and N.C.O.’s. A period of at least a month’s rest was considered essential in which to train the new drafts and restore the fighting efficiency of the Division. It was therefore with some misgiving that it was learnt that on 30th January the 8th Royal Scots and the 1/1 and 1/2 Highland Field Companies, R.E., had proceeded to Arras to work in the Third Army area. This could have only one meaning.

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I'm trying a new approach here - I've attached a pdf file of the Diary transcripts for January and February 1917.  These include some pages pasted in directly from the Battalion and Brigade diaries - maps and type written pages describing plans for attacks, etc.   

 

Leave comments if anyone has a preference for the pdf version versus pasting the text from the Battalion diaries into the message itself (I'm not

going to transcribe the Brigade diaries - it would take far too long, but most are typed and so are perfectly legible.)6th Seaforth Diaries transcript Jan-Feb 1917 (dragged).pdf

 

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Morning,

 

I thought the PDF was excellent, comparing the brigade diaries against that of the battalion is most informative.

 

Obviously much hard work on your part but a wonderful resource.

 

Regards,

 

Graeme

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Thanks for posting these diaries, these have been a tremendous help to me and an invaluble source of information.

 

Currently planning an Arras based trip, with roclincourt and fampoux on the agenda, a visit to the 3rd Ypres site where the Seaforths saw action near St Julien pencilled in as well.

 

Im sorry if it appeared i had not been taking an interest in the thread, far from it.

 

thanks again 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Thanks Brizzle.  It seems there are a few who follow these, and in truth a few is all that are needed.  Herewith diaries for May 1917.  I have transcribed a type written report I would hitherto have pasted in, in an effort to stay the right side of the copyright regs.  I should add in that regard that the diaries are a very worthwhile download from the National Archives.  These transcripts are meant very much as a supplement to them, and not in any sense as replacement.   Ordering your own copies also maintains the income of the Archives and helps fund their future work.  

 

This month, given the scale of the casualty list, I have also added a pdf showing the  deaths registered over 12-17 May at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site.   

 

I will try to post June's diaries shortly.

6th Seaforth Diaries May 1917.pdf

6th Seaforth deaths 12 to 17 May 1917.pdf

 

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Just a few days ahead of the 100th anniversary of each event, here are the diaries for June 1917.  It was a quiet month - indeed the diary for the month closes by noting that it was the first month since the Battalion arrived in France in May 1915 that they had not lost any men.  A sobering thought that it had taken them 25 months to achieve that feat

 

(though the Commonwealth War Graves site suggests 544 killed and one month in early 1916 without any deaths - that is not to take away from the unusually light month, particularly when bracketed between April/May and July 1917, which were both bloody in the extreme). 

6th Seaforth Diary transcript June 1917.pdf

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Excellent work thanks again!

 

I have purchased and downloaded the war diaries for the 51st division 152-bde but they appear to stop at April 1917 whilst at Fampoux Garvelle.

Perhaps i have only downloaded one of two files???

 

nevertheless the information you have been providing has been invaluable and is really helping.

 

Matt

 

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Brizzle, the Brigade diaries for 1917 are in various pdfs - Jan- March; April/May; June/July; Aug/Sept; October; November in 2 pdfs.  I haven't bought December's yet, so can't recall if that file also covers the early period of 1918.

 

In addition there are Battalion diaries for April 1915 to April 1917; May to Nov 1917; Nov to Dec 1917; Jan to Apr 1918; May to June 1918; July 1918 to April 1919.

 

I haven't looked at Divisional diaries yet, which will exist separately. 

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On 2017-5-30 at 21:51, hendersondonald said:

Brizzle, the Brigade diaries for 1917 are in various pdfs - Jan- March; April/May; June/July; Aug/Sept; October; November in 2 pdfs.  I haven't bought December's yet, so can't recall if that file also covers the early period of 1918.

 

In addition there are Battalion diaries for April 1915 to April 1917; May to Nov 1917; Nov to Dec 1917; Jan to Apr 1918; May to June 1918; July 1918 to April 1919.

 

I haven't looked at Divisional diaries yet, which will exist separately. 

 

Ahh, so it looks as though i have only downloaded the one file, i will get the rest of these and try and make progress.

Appreciate your help with this.

 

Matt

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  • 1 month later...
On 07/07/2017 at 22:49, hendersondonald said:

I've attached my transcripts of the war diaries for July 1917, mainly describing preparation for the 3rd Battle of Ypres, which started on 31 July but wasn't fully reported in the Diaries until into August.

6th Seaforth Diaries July 1917.pdf

 

Thank-you, really appreciated. Visited the area a few weeks ago around St Julian and kitcheners wood, where they fought at 3rd Ypres.

Found also the seaforth cem where a lot of 2nd Battalion were laid to rest during the second battle of Ypres. 

 

Your help has been invaluable, will use for all future trips and try and pinpoint specific locations.

 

 

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Thanks Brizzle.  I'm glad it's of help.  If you have any pictures of the places mentioned in the diary, it would be great to see them!

 

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I was particularity trying to find the area around Kitchener wood and the Mon Du Rasta,near the steenbeck but it was tricky. I decided to go and explore early evening, the light was good but fading so it was hard for me to be completely 100% accurate of our location. Its very hard to be completely sure your in the right area unless you have linesman or similar but we were not a million miles away. If anyone can shed any light on the exact location of the attack towards Mon Du Rasta it will be a huge help, i believe there are some bunkers still remaining in the area?

 

Found Minty farm and Seaforths Cem without to much trouble, but did not find one place where any of the 31st July 17 casualty's were laid to rest. I know a great number are commemorated on the Menin Gate, looked until it got very dark.

 

I have a few simple pics of the area near kitcheners wood, i hope they are of interest. I am visiting again in early September and will retrace my steps.The area is just flat farm land and not really much to see, the pics of fields are the area where Kitcheners wood was situated.

 

If there is anything i can pick up or locate, photograph, bring back with me, only to glad to :-)

IMG_20170630_2230117.jpg.8051b41e2858191c5fad920361bc284e.jpg

IMG_20170630_2237191.jpg.507a4da63f650b9d5c1d6d9a76321a5b.jpg

IMG_20170630_2237564.jpg.9eb9ce9b79f2c97d8fc93db5e284f8de.jpg

IMG_20170630_2238026.jpg.37aca85759e8fbdb872342980ec35e7d.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

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Many thanks Brizzle.  I've been many times in the general area, but before I knew anything specific of what the 152nd Brigade or 6th Seaforths were doing.  That was when I lived in Brussels though.  Much more difficult for me to get across now.  

I attach the transcripts of the diaries from August 1917, which includes the Battalion report prepared following the attack 100 years ago today, which I think was still going on 100 years ago as I type.  

I'll try to get the September diaries out on time so you have before you go on your next trip.

regards

Donald 

 

597fb12feea28_6thSeaforthDiariesAugust1917andReportof3rdYpres.pdf

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