Anthony Ewen Posted 30 March , 2023 Share Posted 30 March , 2023 The war diaries for 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers for 22nd August 1916 refers to the men being withdrawn from the front at Guillemont and moved to Bussus via Happy Valley. I can't find a reference to Bussus on maps. Can anyone help with a location? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 30 March , 2023 Share Posted 30 March , 2023 (edited) 31 minutes ago, Anthony Ewen said: The war diaries for 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers for 22nd August 1916 refers to the men being withdrawn from the front at Guillemont and moved to Bussus via Happy Valley. I can't find a reference to Bussus on maps. Can anyone help with a location? I think its full name is Bussus - Bussell which you can find on Google maps. It is on the D153, 11 km East of Abbeville. TR Edited 30 March , 2023 by Terry_Reeves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 30 March , 2023 Share Posted 30 March , 2023 (edited) Having looked at the relevant diary I can't find any mention of Bussus until 5th September. On 22nd August they moved to camp at Happy Valley before moving again on 25th to Thunderstorm Camp near Dernancourt. and then marched to camp near Fricourt on 30th. Edited 30 March , 2023 by jay dubaya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianmorris547 Posted 30 March , 2023 Share Posted 30 March , 2023 I think the Happy Valley referred to is between Mametz and Bray Sur Somme. 17 Infantry Brigade were relieved by 61 Infantry Brigade of 20 Div. The WD of 61 IB for August 1916 has Op Order 116 which gives the coordinates for Happy Valley as south from centre F 26 & 27 to L 3 a and c. There were a number of camps around there, I will see if I can find this one. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Ewen Posted 30 March , 2023 Author Share Posted 30 March , 2023 Many thanks for the prompt and very helpful replies - I am very grateful Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianmorris547 Posted 30 March , 2023 Share Posted 30 March , 2023 Tony I came to the same conclusion as JD above. On 06/09 the Bn entrained at Buire for Longpre and marched to Bussus. It is the one Terry mentions. The location of Thunderstorm Camp is F 8 d 4 4. Just below Happy Valley. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Ewen Posted 30 March , 2023 Author Share Posted 30 March , 2023 Thanks for this further information Brian and I have now plotted the movements on a modern atlas. We are tracing the involvement of Frederick William Reed of the Fusiliers whose service record is amongst those that were destroyed but we have made journeys to cover his time in the actions on the River Aisne and then at La Chapelle d'Armentieres and then around Ypres and Poperinge. This information will enable us to 'flesh out' his time at the Somme. Again, I'm very grateful for the time and trouble answering my request. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianmorris547 Posted 31 March , 2023 Share Posted 31 March , 2023 (edited) Tony My mistake on my previous post. Square F 8 is, of course, north of Happy Valley not south of it. This 1916 NLS map shows Happy Valley in square L 3. https://maps.nls.uk/view/101465323 The WD of 17 Infantry Brigade identified the camp at F 8 d 4 4 Brian Edited 31 March , 2023 by brianmorris547 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Ewen Posted 31 March , 2023 Author Share Posted 31 March , 2023 Thanks again Brian - that's marvellous and much appreciated Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Posted 31 March , 2023 Share Posted 31 March , 2023 There is a Bussus at 62c.M.12.c.31.61, found simply by putting Bussus into Advanced Search in TrenchMapper. You can also find Happy Valley the same way. Howard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Ewen Posted 1 April , 2023 Author Share Posted 1 April , 2023 Thanks for this Howard - much appreciated Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteStarLine Posted 1 April , 2023 Share Posted 1 April , 2023 Tony, if this is the correct Bussus, then Guillemont via Happy Valley makes sense. Guillemont is over 1km NW of Combles (visible near map top right). Click to enlarge map. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Ewen Posted 1 April , 2023 Author Share Posted 1 April , 2023 Thanks very much for this - helps to clarify no end. I’m very grateful for all the interest and help. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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