1/5 South Lancs - War Diary

[tom parker]

Having downloaded 6 months of 1/5 SLR for my own research I thought that I'd transcribe it for general interest. There appears to be a page that doesn't fit in (headed TALMAS 2/5/1916) - it looks to me like it might be the May Diary for a different unit inadvertantly filed with the SLR Diary - any thoughts on this?

I was (and still am!) trying to id the action in which my grandad (CSM M McGann) was wounded: I know that he was wounded in the period around early September 1916 via reports in the local newspaper: I'm now planning to search the paper to find SLR soldiers reported KIA in the same edition and try to place their death location using the CWG website - any other ideas on how I can research this would be gratefully received (btw grandad's service record hasn't survived!).

Tom Parker

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War Diary – 1/5 Bn South Lancashire Regiment: April – September 1916

March 31st to April 15th

Held centre sub sector with one Company in front line, one Company in support and two Companies in Bellacourt, relieved every four days. Worked chiefly on improving fire trenches and wire. Line much strengthened, enemy very passive.

April 15th/16th

Relieved by 1/10th Lpool Regt and march to next billet at Saulty. D Coy left in Bellacourt for work.

April 17th

B Coy went into huts at Gouy, to prepare same as rest camp.

April 23rd/24th

Relieved 1/5th Loyal North Lancs Regt in right sub sector.

April 24th / May 3rd

Held right sub sector with two Coys in front line and two Companies in support in Bellacourt, relieved Coys in line every four days. Worked chiefly on building Lewis Gun positions, observation posts and reclaiming disused trench. Both enemy artillery and snipers very inactive, no enemy patrols seen or heard during the time. Our snipers doing very good work.

(signed) L Nisbett Capt and Adjt 1/5th South Lancs Regt

May 3rd/4th

Relieved by 1/10th Lpool Regt in GRANGE and and 1/5th Loyal North Lancs Regt in PARK. Battalion placed in Brigade Reserve BELLACOURT. Line re-allotted by 164 Infy Bde taking over OSIERS and 166th Infy Bde tasking over LANDAFF & LANARK from 4th Div. One battalion holds WILLOWS & GRANGE. One battalion PARK LANDAFF & LANARK.. One battalion in brigade reserve BELLACOURT and one battalion resting in Divisional reserve.

May 11th

Relieved 1/5th Loyal North Lancs Regt in LANARK LANDAFF & PARK (right sub sector). Enemy very quiet and passive, good work done by our snipers and rifle batteries.

May 19th

Relieved by 1/5th Loyal North Lancs Regt and march to rest camp GOUY. Spent week training. Attention chiefly given to smoke helmet drill, musketry and bayonet fighting.

May 27th

Relieved 1/5th Loyal North Lancs Regt in right sub sector. Enemy slightly more active but quietened by our snipers.

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TALMAS 2 5/16

Draft arrived from base of 13 other ranks

13 5/16

Draft of 1 officer and 8 other ranks arrive from base. Officer 2Lt Dymond who left the Battalion at OISSY in Jany 16 to go into hospital.

14 & 15th

Draft arrived of 2 Officers and 48 O.R. Sta Lieut & Qr Mr W B Douthwaite and 2nd Lieut R F Woodroofe from England.

17th

2nd Lieut L K Robinson is transferred to 148/2 T M Battery from this date.

22

Capt H R Smith takes up duties as Town Mayor of NAOURS and O.C. Divisional Salvage Section.

28th

2nd Lieut B C Allibone joins Battalion from England.

29th

7 Officers, names as follows, join unit on this date, 2nd Lieuts J F Marshall, C H Clegg, A F H Peal, S Day, J Wrigley, F Waring, W G Storm.

31st

Whole time devoted to training, attacks on trenches, consolidation of trenches, attack and defence of woods, and village fighting.

Strength of Battn 34 Officers 820 O.R.

(signed) M S Rendall Lieut Col Cmdg 1/5 York Lancaster Regiment (sic)

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June 4th

Relieved by 1/5th Loyal North Lancs Regt and placed in Brigade Reserve BELLACOURT. During the week the whole battalion was used for working parties each day.

June 12th

Relieved 1/5th Loyal North Lancs Regt in right sub sector. Enemy inactive but very alert, good work done by our patrols.

June 30th

Relieved by 1/5th Loyal North Lancs Regt and marched to rest camp GOUY. Training chiefly concentrated on company in attack and smoke helmet drill.

July 1st

Marched from Camp at GOUY and took over billets from 6th Liverpool Regt at BEAUMETZ.

July 2nd

Returned to Camp at GOUY and 6th Liverpool Regt returned to billets at BEAUMETZ.

July 5th

Relieved 1/5th Loyal North Lancs Regt in right sub sector of brigade line BELLACOURT.

July 6/10th

Very active patrolling & bombing of enemy saps each night. Enemy quiet but very alert, very little hostile shelling.

July 11th /12th

Relieved by 1/6th Sherwood Foresters, 46th Div and marched to billets at BEAUMETZ.

July 12th/13th

Relieved 1/8th Liverpool Regt, 164th Bde in trenches in front of AGNY.

Dispositions of 166th Bde, 1/5th South Lancs Regt in front line right sub sector, 1/5th K O (Royal Lancaster) Regt in left sub sector, 1/10th Liverpool Regt in support in AGNY, 1/5th Loyal North Lancs Regt working for 165th Infy Bde in BRETENCOURT.

July 14th

Discharged smoke at 3am and heavily bombarded enemy lines. Retaliation was prompt but not heavy. Wind blew most of smoke back over our own lines.

Casualties 1 killed 2 wounded.

July 16th/17th

Relieved by 1/6th York & Lancaster Regt, 11th Div and marched to billets at BEAUMETZ.

July 18th

March to billets at GRAND RULLECOURT

July 20th

March to fresh billets at NEUVILLETTE

July 21st

March to fresh billets at RIBEAUCOURT

July 22nd/24th

Trained & refitted the battalion. Draft of 1 Officer and 200 OR arrived: 87 OR of these belonged to 6th Cheshire Regt & were attached to 1/5th K O (Royal Lancaster) Regt.

July 25th

Marched to CANDAS & entrained 12.30pm. Detrained MERICOURT 5.30pm, marched to billets at VILLE SOUS CORBIE.

July 27th

Marched to bivouacs at SANDPIT E18D

July 30th

Moved further forward to bivouacs E16B F17A (Trench Map 62 d NE 1/20000)

(signed) C P James L Col Cmdg 1/5 South Lancashire Regiment

August 1

Moved forward from MANSEL COPSE F16b F17a to reserve trenches at OXFORD COPSE A14 A15 (Sheet 62c NW 1/20000)

August 2 8am

Valley shelled by 8” Howitzers for 15 minutes and again at 2pm. Casualties 15 Killed 17 Wounded.

August 3/5

Supplied working parties to 164 Inf Bde holding front line. Chiefly employed digging communication trenches and clearing Brigade area. Casualties for 2 days 6 Killed 21 Wounded.

August 6

Moved back to bivouacs (62d NE 1/20000) F22A near Citadel.

August 8

55th Division attacked GUILLEMONT , 165 Brigade attack BIC 20.85 to T35 A 30.20. 164 Brigade attack T15 B10.15 to Railway T19 b 00.30. First wave get their objective, but supports unable to get across.

August 8 5pm

166 Inf Brigade warned to attack morning of the 9th to relieve 164 Inf Bde hung up in GUILLEMONT.

August 8 12midnight

Operation orders for attack received and Btn moves forward to get into position for an attack. 166 Inf Bde ordered to attack as follows:

1st Objective: Enemy front line from T25 b 1.5 through T25 a 3.3 to S24 d 65.75

2nd Objective: The capture of GUILLEMONT and of a line on the eastern side of the village from T25 b 1.5 to the Railway T19 b 0.3. 10th Liverpool Scottish to attack on the right and 5th Loyal North Lancs Regt on the left. The boundary between being TRONES WOOD – GUILLEMONT Road as far as T25 a 0.8. Thence a straight line running North East through the Church to the GUILLEMONT – LEOZE WOOD Road, to 5th Loyal North Lancs Regt. 5th South Lancs Regt to support the right Btn. Zero hour 4.30am.

In moving up valley was found blocked with troops and transport.

August 9 2am

Commanding Officer with Adjutant arrived at proposed Btn Hqrs A5d 8g and found 2 Btn 165 Inf Bde (5th and 7th Kings Liverpool) in possession. Informed 166 Inf Bde Hqrs and were told to move up to Sunken Road T30c

August 9 3am

Established Hqrs in Sunken Road. Company Officers warned of changed Hqrs and sent for to explain changed scheme of attack as issued in Operation orders. No time to go into detail or for Coy Comdrs to explain to Coy Officers and N.C.O’s as attack was timed for 4.20am. Owing to all N.C.O’s and Btn and Coy runners having no idea of the country and the sunken road being crowded with men of 164 Bde great delay was caused in getting the Coys out in position.

August 9 3.55am

North Lancs just arriving and Officer in Command said he had only just heard that they were going to attack.

August 9 4.15am

Our guns opened a Heavy Barrage and the Germans dropped their Barrage within 3 minutes. Their back barrage line being our sunken road. Companies not all in position had to move thro Barrage. Those in position moved forward behind assaulting waves but whole line was unable to make headway owing to machine gun fire and heavy barrage. Whole line fell back and manned our original front line, Coys hopelessly intermixed with men of other attacking battalions.

August 9 12noon

Orders to withdraw Coys from line and relieve 1/5 Loyal North Lancs in Left Sector in front of TRONES WOOD. Relief completed 5pm. 5th Kings Own relieved 10th Liverpool Regt, on our right, also during afternoon.

August 9 5pm to 10 midday

Btn worked hard clearing trenches and consolidating line.

August 10 4pm

Relief started by 8th West Kent Regt 72nd Bde. Relief complete 8pm and Btn moved back to Bivouacs in F22.

Total casualties from 12 midnight 8th to 12 midnight 10th 8 Officers 130 other ranks.

August 11

Standing by ready to move up and attack again.

August 12 8pm

Moved off 8pm to relieve 7th Kings Liverpools in MALTZ HORN Sector.

August 12 11pm

Arrived Btn Hqrs 11pm. Attack on isolated enemy trench proposed.

August 13 4.35am

Attacked with 1 Coy 6th Kings Liverpool Regt and D Coy 5th South Lancs on isolated enemy trench. Attack driven back by machine gun fire. Attack failed owing to Officers and men not knowing ground and being unable to take advantage of same.

Continued relief of 7th Kings Liverpools and completed same at 1pm.

August 13 1pm to 14 midnight

Trenches greatly improved and consolidated and new jumping off trenches dug.

August 15

Relieved by 13th Kings Liverpool Regt and 4th Royal Fusiliers. Relief complete 5.30am. Returned to Bivouacs F22b.

August 15 3.40pm

Marched to billets at MEAULTE.

Casualties from 8pm on the 12th to 5.30am on the 15th 2 Officers, 80 other ranks.

August 17

Transport. Marched under Brigade Transport Officer to final billets at FRESSENNVILLE leaving MEAULTE 4.15pm.

August 19

Btn marched to EDGE HILL and entrained 7pm.

August 20 10.5am

Detrained MARTAINVILLE and marched to billets at FRESSENNVILLE arriving 6am.

August 20/28

Training at FRESSENNVILLE. Small proportion of Btn granted leave to AULTE.

August 28 2.30pm

Transport. Moved by road back to MERICOURT.

August 29

Moved at 1½ hours notice to fresh billets ERCOURT leaving FRESSENNVILLE 3pm. Marched in thunderstorm and arrived very wet.

August 30

Resumed march and entrained PONT REMY 1pm. Detrained MERICOURT 5pm and Bivouacked in open field E7. Still raining and men very wet.

August 31 1.35pm

Moved to fresh Bivouacs E12a. Standing by under short notice to move.

(signed) C P James Lt Col Commanding 1/5 South Lancs Regt

Sep 1

In Bivouac E12a (Sheet 62d NE). Training resumed.

Sep 2/4

Standing by under short notice to move.

Sep 5

Moved up and relieved 72nd Inf Bde in front of DELVILLE WOOD.

Bde dispositions. Front line 1/5 Loyal North Lancs Regt on Right, 1/5 KO Royal Lancs on Left, 1/5 South Lancs in support in check line S23a, 1/10 Liverpool Regt in reserve in front of MONTAUBAN. 1/5 South Lancs Regt relieved 8th West Kent Regt. Relief complete 7pm.

Sep 6

Check line cleaned and improved and front line visible.

Sep 7

Btn out at night digging Strong Points 300’ in advance of front line trenches held by 1/5 Loyal North Lancs Regt. Four Strong Points dug and Communication Trench from original front line to Right Strong Point. Casualties 4 Officers 40 O Ranks.

Sep 8

Strong Points were garrisoned by 1 Officer and 20 O.R. and Communication Trench held by 2 Officers and 60 O.R. About 10am an enemy 5.9 Battery heavily enfiladed near Communication Trench and badly damaged it. During the night Strong Points were completed and connected up under very accurate sniping fire in spite of this work was well done and fully completed. Casualties 4 Officers 45 O.R.

Sep 9

After completion of digging, relieved 1/5 Loyal North Lancs Regt and completed relief by 5am. 164 Bde attacked ALE and HOP ALLEY on our right at 4.45pm. Attack failed and enemy pressed our Barricade NE Corner of DELVILLE WOOD. ‘C’ Coy sent up from support and barricade held. During the night Patrols were unable to get touch along E edge of WOOD with 164 Bde position not clear as enemy were reported to be bombing their way through E side of WOOD.

Sep 10

Still trying to get touch with 164 Bde but were unable to do so. At night Communication Trench was re-dug and Communication Trench between Strong Points deepened. Our right flank was protected at night by Four Posts along E side of WOOD lying in open with trip wire in front of them. Remainder Bde relieved by 123rd Inf Bde 41st Divn. We were attached to the 164 Inf Bde and held the same line. One Officer and 15 OR captured in front of our Strong Points.

Sep 11

Bomb attack by 164 Bde on ALE and HOP ALLEY failed. We gained 30’ of ALE ALLEY and held same with new barricade. During the night a new line of Strong Points was dug 150’ in advance of the first line of Strong Points, in spite of the severe strain the Btn had gone through the men dug excellently. A new Strong Point was dug midway between the Right Strong Point and ALE ALLEY.

Sep 12

Still trying to get touch with 164 Bde along E edge of wood. During the night 164 Bde established 2 Strong Points in E side of wood, and at last gained touch with us.

Sep 12/13

Night. Relieved by the 8th Kings Royal Rifles 14th Divn. Relief complete 2am. Casualties 5th to 12th inclusive 12 Officers and 150 O.R.

Sep 13

Marched back to Transport lines about F8a, arriving 4am.

Sep 13 11.15am

Marched to rest camp at D18a.

Sep 14/15

In camp resting.

Sep 16

Moved forward to camp at E9c.

Sep 17

Moved from camp 2pm and marched to POMMIER REDOUBT arriving 5pm. Divn took over line in front of FLERS and relieved 41st Divn. Moved forward from POMMIER REDOUBT at 12 midnight and went into support in SWITCH TRENCH. 165 Bde in front line, 166 Bde in support with 1/5 South Lancs Regt in Switch Trench on Right of FLERS ROAD and 1/10 Liverpool Regt in SWITCH TRENCH on Left of FLERS ROAD. 1/5 KO Royal Lancaster Regt and 1/5 Loyal North Lancs Regt in BROWN and EDGE TRENCHES North edge of DELVILLE WOOD. Very wet weather trenches in bad condition.

Sep 18

Rained all day. Trenches very poor and no shelter for men. At night 166 Bde relieved 165 Bde. 1/5 KO Lancaster Regt and 1/5 Loyal North Lancs Regt in front line, 1/10th Liverpool Regt in support just S of FLERS and 1/5 South Lancs Regt in reserve and remained in SWITCH TRENCH, with Hqrs and two Coys on the Right of FLERS ROAD and two Coys on the Left of FLERS ROAD.

Sep 19

At night had 300 men digging new Communications Trench (SOUTH LANCS ALLEY) for 1/5 Loyal North Lancs Regt.

Sep 20

All Coys out working improving and straightening front lines of 1/5 KOR Lanc Regt and 1/5 Loyal North Lancs Regt in order that they might be used as jumping off trenches.

Sep 21

At night, 300 men digging jumping off trenches in 1/5 Loyal North Lancs Regt lines.

Sep 22

300 men digging assembly trench 50’ behind front line held by 1/5 Loyal North Lancs Regt.

Sep 23

165 Bde relieved 166 Bde 1/5 S Lancs Regt relieved by 1/6 Kings Liverpool Regt. Relief complete 12 midnight.

Sep 24

Returned to Bivouac 500’ SE of POMMIER REDOUBT.

Sep 25

165 Bde attacked successfully and objective was gained. GOC Divn thanks 166 Bde for their good digging which greatly helped attacking Bde.

Sep 26/27

Party of 100 men laying light railway from LONGUEVAL to FLERS.

Sep 28

Marched to Billets at RIBEMONT, left Bivouac 10.50am and arrived at Billet 5pm.

Sep 29

Transport of whole Bde moves to area around PONT REMY.

Sep 30

Entrained EDGE HILL 3pm and arrived LONGPRE at 11.30pm where we detrained and marched to PONT REMY arriving 4am. Found town occupied by 5th Divn and had to Bivouac in open field.

(signed) C P James Lieut Col 1/5 S L Regt

[Paul Nixon]

Tom

Can't really be of much help, but thanks for sharing the 1/5th South Lancs war diary with us.

You might save yourself some eye-strain by peering at tiny print in newspapers if you post a request on the forum for somebody to do a search on Sodliers Died in The Great War. If you know he was definitely wounded in September, ask for all results for 1/5th South Lancs for that month and then try and match the death dates against the diary entries above.

Another way to fill in background information is to look at the war diaries for other battns in the Brigade and also to consult the brigade and divisional diaries for the period you're interested in.

Good luck

Paul