Guards Div Nov 1918

[Desmond7]

I have an Irish G being wounded on 2nd November 1918. As far as I can see the IGs were getting ready to take part in their last major action commencing 4th November.

Anyone out there tell me ... were they subject to shelling, sniping etc in the days before this 4th Nov. attack?

For family.

The soldier was William Blair. He had been wounded once before. Trying to knock a little package together for very interested relatives.

Cheers

Des

[Owen D]

From Headlam.

On 2nd November the Guards Divison moved forward towards Villers Pol in order to relieve 2nd Division in the left sector of the VI Corps front, divisional headquarters that day being established at Vertain.

It does say 1CG of 2nd Gds Bde and 2 CG of 1st Gds Bde held front-line.

That's it sorry. Maybe someone has Kipling's History of Irish Guards can do a look up.

[Desmond7]

Tried it Owen! Between end October and November 4 ..he is somewhat 'wishy washy' - cheers for trying mate.

Any Bearskin fans out there with 'in depth'??

[Steven Broomfield]

According to Kipling - the 1st Bn were in billets on the 2nd November; final orders were not issued until after midnight on the 3rd and the march didn't start till then. I wonder if your man was involved in a carrying party, or something. It seems unlikely that the Bn was 'in action' in any sense, and Kipling mentions nothing about being shelled, etc.

Maybe the War Diary would tell something - Headlam and Kipling sure don't!