Finding out what boats units embarked on to go to War

[Kemrl5]

Hi,
Is it possible to find out what boat a unit embarked on to go to France?
For example, the 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry left Folkestone on the 19th April 1915 and arrived in Boulogne late at night on the same day.

Thanks for your help

[MaxD]

First thought had been the war diary.  It starts in Belgium after arrival!  The brigade diary says what vessel the HQ travelled on 18/19th (HMS Mount Temple).  The divisional diary, both the General Staff and the DAAQMG also start once in Belgium.

 

Unhelpful but at least eliminates those.

 

Max

[BIFFO]

some war diary's say when/where/ which ship embarked but not all, suppose it depended on what the officer thought important, lots of wd concerning Gallipoli say which ship they transferred to for the landing not beetles tho  

[PJS]

When did the battalion leave the UK?

• 17 April – The transport and machine gun sections left for Southampton; they sailed to Le Havre on board the SS Mount Temple
• 19 April – The rest of 9DLI left went to Folkestone then travelled on to Boulogne
• They were billeted in the area around Cassel
• 23 April – The battalion marched towards Vlamertinghe with 7DLI

Source: http://ww1countydurham.blogspot.com/search?q=9th+battalion

 

Some regiments like the 9th Machester's have pals web sites ( http://ashtonpals.webs.com/ )  and these are usually great sources of detailed information.

[Kemrl5]

Thank you all. Another unit I'm researching is the 1st Northumbrian Brigade, RFA, leaving for France on the 17 April 1915.

 

[MaxD]

Another less than helpful war diary - no indication of which vessel.  CRA 50 Div also doesn't mention the vessels.

 

Max

[Kemrl5]

Frustrating. The War History of the 1st Northumbrian Brigade mentions the name of the boat that the officers went on but not the boat that everyone else took.