1st Border Regiment - Krithia 08/05/1915

[RedCoat]

Hi everyone,

 

I am interested to learn two things, first the position of the 1st Border Regiment on the 8th May 1915 (more specifically the half of A Company on the crest of the hill) and second, which New Zealand unit passed through them to attack Krithia. 

 

The 1/BORDER REGIMENT War Diary for 8th May 1915 states – "Remained all day in trenches. New Zealanders advanced through us at about 10.30am and took up line close in front of us.

At 5.30pm New Zealanders received orders to advance again on Krithia. 88th Brigade sent orders to cover their right flank by the fire of machine guns of BORDER Regt & by one company if necessary. 1/2 of A Coy advanced to crest of Hill some 200 yards to front. Lt Proctor in command & C.S.M. Botham with him. Fire was very severe & in a few minutes Lt. Proctor & C.S.M. Botham rejoined, men knocked out. Company withdrew slightly & remained out about 1/2 an hour when it withdrew to our line.
The New Zealanders advance was magnificent, made with great dash."

 

I am researching an A Company Border man who was awarded an MiD for saving two Kiwis that day.

 

Any help would be gratefully received, RC

[michaeldr]

It's may be difficult to identify the Border's exact position as at this time they were being switched back and forth between the 87^th & 88^th Brigades

 

From the 88^th Infantry Brigade War Diary:-

 

16:00 hrs on the 7 May - the Borders and the Munsters (correctly the 'Dubsters' at this point) were attached to the 88^th Brigade

16:10 hrs the Munsters, Borders and Essex were ordered forward

16:45 hrs Move forward commences covered by heavy artillery fire; 200 to 300 yards made good

& troops dig in

 

07:00 hrs 8 May – orders received that Brigade will stand fast and that NZ Brigade will pass through & continue the advance

Munsters & Border Regt to be withdrawn to (re)join 87^th Brigade

11:00 NZ Brigade pass through the line

17:00 hrs orders received to support NZ Brigade in general advance of the whole line

17:30 hrs Advance commences covered by heavy artillery fire

Essex support this advance & 10 maxims in Fir Tree Wood give good covering fire

 

19 hours ago, RedCoat said:

88th Brigade sent orders to cover their right flank by the fire of machine guns of BORDER Regt

 

Is possible that the Borders' MGs were amongst the maxims in Fir Tree Wood?

 

 

Map provided by the British OH, Vol.I, between pages 346 & 7

Edited 20 October , 2018 by michaeldr