2nd Battalion Devonshire Reg War Diary Nov 1914 to Feb 1915

[Bulmer]

War Diary for 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment 4th Nov 1914 to 27th Feb 1915

4th Nov 1914 Hursley Park, Near Winchester

6am Received orders from H Q, 23 Battalion to be prepared to move for embarkation within 48 hours

2:30 pm received orders to march at 2:30am on 5th to embark at Southampton.

5th Nov 1914 Hursley Park, Near Winchester

Battalion paraded and marched off fully mobilized in pouring rain. Strength 30 officers including MO, 983 other ranks including 6 A.S.E, drivers and armourer sergeant. Arrived at Southampton Docks at 7am. Embarked in S.S. Bellerephon, Blue Funnel Line as also did Brigade HQ. Sailed about 5:20pm leaving 10 draft horses behind.

6th Nov 1914 Le Havre

9:40am Began to disembark at 9:40am. Left docks at 1pm for Rust Camp at Graville, where we pitched camp and stayed night.

7th Nov 1914 Le Havre

Orders received about 7 pm that 23rd Battalion would proceed by train to unknown destination. Battalion to parade at 12 mid night and march to station.

8th & 9th Nov 1914 Le Havre

Paraded at 12 mid night and marched to station. Commenced to entrain transport at 6am. Train left at 10 am. Left 2 men behind sick. Train stopped 1 hour at Rouen where battalion had coffee, stopped at Abbeville, Calais, St Omer and detrained at Strazeele about 10am. Marched to Neuf Berquin at 1pm after dinner and went into billets. Lieut. Featherstone left at Strazeele to act as assistant RSO

10th Nov 1914 Neuf Berquin

Remained in billets. Officers of Brigade visited British lines at Fleurbaix to see trenches in afternoon.

11th Nov 1914 Neuf Berquin

12 mid night Brigadier (General Pinney) brought us orders to march at 6 am with West Yorks, order Colonel Phillips to Neuve Elgise, about 11 miles. Left billets 5:30am arrived Neuve Elgise about 10:30am. Billets in farm.

12th Nov 1914 Neuve Elgise

Received orders at 9am to take over trenches of West Kent and K.O.G.L.I. at 5pm, Battalion paraded at 3pm and marched to trenches, which we took over after dark. Had 1 NCO wounded and 1 man broke his ankle. P.A.S.L.I. on our right with Dorset in support. French on our left with Scots --- in support.

13th Nov 1914 Neuve Elgise

In trenches all day. Heavy shelling on both sides. Relieved by West Yorks between 7pm and 12 mid night. Heavy fighting at Ypres.

14th Nov 1914 Neuve Elgise

Got back to billets about 2:30am all wet through

15th Nov 1914 Neuve Elgise

In billets all day. A & B company digging from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. Cold, wet.

16th Nov 1914 Neuve Elgise

Orders received at 11 am for battalion and 2nd West Yorks to proceed Dranontre on morning of 17th

17th Nov 1914 Neuve Elgise

At 3am orders for Dranontre cancelled and battalion ordered to proceed with brigade, other 2 battalions of which had arrived on 15th, to Estaires, at 8:30 am. Battalion paraded at 8:0am and led brigade. Billeted altogether in a school at Estaires when we arrived at about 12noon.

18th Nov 1914 Estaires

Battalion paraded at 3:30 pm and marched to trenches south of Rue du Bacquerot via La Flinque where it took over half the trench of 2/RB and half those of the second Lincolns. Fire attack during relief. Very cold with snowstorm.

19th Nov 1914 Trenches

Two inches of snow on ground. One man killed in trenches

20th Nov 1914 Trenches

In trenches all day. One man killed and two wounded.

21st Nov 1914 Trenches

Relieved by second Scottish Rifles between 5 pm and 7 pm. We lost 1 man killed and 3 wounded during day. Went onto billets as brigade resumed at La Flinque. Freezing hard.

22nd Nov 1914 La Flinque

In billets. German aeroplane captured near by. Freezing hard.

23rd Nov 1914 La Flinque

In billets. Local Reserve

24th Nov 1914 La Flinque

Battalion paraded at 4:30 and marched to trenches taking over from second Scottish Rifle. Had 2 men wounded in taking over.

25th Nov 1914 Trenches

In trenches all day. Several men suffering from frost bitten feet, but none wounded.

26th Nov 1914 Trenches

One killed and 2 wounded 2/R.B. attacked German trench on our left and an attempt to blow up farm in front of west Yorks on our right. R.B. rushed trench and then retired losing 1 officer missing. Farm was partly blown up, no casualties. 1 company second Middlesex came down as support if wanted and returned at 2:30am. Artillery fire opened on both sides.

27th Nov 1914 Trenches

Lost 3 men killed and 2 wounded. Relieved between 7 pm and 9 pm by 2nd Scottish Rifle. One man killed in taking over.

28th Nov 1914 Estaires

In billets all day as Corps Reserve.

29th Nov 1914 Estaires

Church paraded at 10 am

30th Nov 1914 Estaires

Paraded at 4:30 pm for trenches, 54 men to Hospital nearly all with frost bitten feet. Relieved 2nd Scottish Rifle. One man killed in taking over.

1st Dec 1914 Trenches

Shelling on both sides. H. M. The King visited Estaires with President Poincare, Prince of Wales, General Joffre and staff.

2nd Dec 1914 Trenches

Heavier sniping than usual. Two men wounded. Heard Captain Whipple, 1st Battalion had died of wounds.

3rd Dec 1914 Trenches

Usual sniping. During night obtained shoulder cards off dead German in front of our trenches, of 57th Regiment. Three men wounded during day. Relieved in evening by 2nd Scottish Rifle and went onto billets at La Flinque Brigade Reserve.

4th Dec 1914 La Flinque

In billets as Brigade Reserve

5th Dec 1914 La Flinque

In billets much rain.

6th Dec 1914 La Flinque

Battalion took over trenches between 5:30 and 7 pm from 2nd Scottish Riffles

7th Dec 1914 Trenches

False alarm that Germans were attacking about 6 pm. 2nd Middlesex sent down 2 companies as support, which sent back at 7pm

8th Dec 1914 Trenches

Quiet Day.

9th Dec 1914 Trenches

Relieved by 2nd Scottish Rifle between 6 and 8 pm and went onto billets at Pont Rirchon as Division reserve

10th Dec 1914 Pont Rirchon

Whole battalion had baths and change of clothing in Estaires

11th Dec 1914 Pont Rirchon

Relieved 2nd Scottish Rifle in trenches about 5:30pm. Very wet.

12th Dec 1914 Trenches

Brigadier went round our trenches which were very wet and falling in in many places. Our artillery very busy.

13th Dec 1914 Trenches

One man wounded. 50 men of 1st reinforcements arrived and went to Transport lines

14th Dec 1914 Trenches

Relieved by Royal Bucks about 6pm. The 24th Brigade? having gone back to Estaires

The 23rd and 25th took over whole line of 8 Division trenches. Went into Brigade? Reserve on La Bassee Road.

15th Dec 1914 Red Barn

Billets

16th Dec 1914 Red Barn

Relieved 2nd West Yorks in C? Lines about 5:30 pm

17th Dec 1914 Trenches

One man killed and one man wounded. 53 NCOs and men of 1st Reinforcement joint at 7?

18th Dec 1914 Trenches

CO and adjt. went to conference at HQ 23rd brigade at 6:45 am

Subject being proposed attack on German trenches at 4:30pm. Devon’s leading 2nd West Yorks in support and 2nd Scottish Rifle and 2nd Middlesex in reserve. After short discussion, conference dissolved till 12 noon. At latter Brigadier, C.O. and adjt again met and attack was ordered to hold good as above. CO and adjt. Lastened? Back to our HQ and telephoned to trenches for company commanders to whom orders were issued. ‘D’ and ‘C’ companies were to lead support by ‘B’ company. ‘A’ company was to come up on right if called upon. Company commanders only at back to their companies about 10 or 15 minutes before operation were to commence. CO and adjt. Repaired to trenches with party of West Yorks with ---? at 4pm. 3 of the latter wounded on the way down. Our artillery opened heavy bombardment of trenches to be taken at 4:15. Advance began at 4:30pm. ‘D’ company under Captain Lafone took German trench. ‘C’ company under Major Goodwyn started but owing to latter being wounded at once and not having had time to explain scheme to his officers sufficiently the company lost direction got too much to left and were caught up in barbed wire, losing heavily; only Lt Joy with a few men finally joining ‘D’ company. Captain Spencer and Captain Featherstone were killed. Captain Legge missing believed killed. Major Radcliffe DSO, Major Goodwyn, Lieut. Park, Andrews and Cox wounded and 121 NCO’s and men killed wounded and missing. We took 27 prisoners in trench and many Germans were killed and wounded.

19th Dec 1914 Trenches

Spent early hours removing wounded. 2nd West Yorks relieved us in German trench about 12 mid night or 1am. We returned to our own trenches and were withdrawn in evening, going into billets at Pont Rirchon as Division Reserve.

20th & 21st Dec 1914 Pont Rirchon

In billets

22nd Dec 1914 Pont Rirchon

In billets. Very wet. Lt Wathinsand, 40 men of reinforcement joined HQ

23rd Dec 1914 Pont Rirchon

Kept Xmas Day. CO and adjt went round dinners in various billets.

Battalion had innumerable presents of plum Pudding etc

24th Dec 1914 Pont Rirchon

Relieved 2nd Scottish Rifle in trenches. D lines between 5 and 7 pm. Very west.

25th Dec 1914 Trenches

Informal armistice during daylight. Germans got out of their trenches and came towards our lines. Our men met them and they wished each other a merry Xmas, shook hands, exchanged smokes etc. About 7:30pm, sniping began. We had one man killed and one wounded. Hard frost.

26th Dec 1914 Trenches

Report received about 11 pm that Germans were going to make attack at 12:15am 27th. Everybody waited and stood to arms

27th Dec 1914 Trenches

At 12 mid night 26th – 27th our artillery opened fire and stopped any attack – if such was contemplated. Original report came from deserter turned in about 1:30am

Relieved in evening by 2nd Scottish Rifles and went to billet at la Flinque

28th Dec 1914 La Flinque

Stood to arms at 6am ‘C’ company moved into new billets Heavy gale and very wet night of 28th & 29th

29th Dec 1914 La Flinque

Quiet day. Stand to arms as usual.

30th Dec 1914 La Flinque

Quiet day in billets

31st Dec 1941 La Flinque

Relieved 2nd Scottish Rifles in trenches in evening.

1st Jan 1915 Trenches

One man killed, two wounded, otherwise a quiet day

2nd Jan 1915 Trenches

Relieved by 2nd Scottish Rifles in evening and went onto billets as Division Reserve at Pont Rirchon

3rd Jan 1915 Pont Rirchon

Very wet. In billets as Division Reserve. Draft of NCOs and men joined mostly too old and some very young.

4th Jan 1915 Pont Rirchon

In billets. Lt Belfield went to Hospital.

5th Jan 1915 Pont Rirchon

Relieved 2nd Scottish Rifle in trenches in evening

6th Jan 1915 Trenches

One man killed one wounded. Fire fight, artillery & ? in trench C? line

7th Jan 1915 Trenches

Trenches very flooded. Captain’s Lafone and Watts, Lieuts. Cobb, Jay and ?, Palmer and 2 NCOs went home on 7 days leave.

8th Jan 1915 Trenches

Relieved by 2nd Scottish Rifle and went onto Brigade Reserve at ---? La Flinque

9th Jan 1915 La Flinque

In billets. Lt Andrews and Marshead went to hospital

10th Jan 1915 La Flinque

In billets. Voluntary service

11th Jan 1915 La Flinque

One man wounded in billets on Rue Dubacquerot in morning by a premature burst from our own guns. Relieved 2nd Scottish Rifle in trenches in evening. Draft of 75 NCOs and men joined at transport lines.

12th Jan 1915 Trenches

In trenches. One man killed and one wounded. Got onto communication with all companies by telephone owing to their being separated from one another by floods.

13th Jan 1915 Trenches

Very wet. Three killed, two wounded. 5 officers and 2 NCOs returned from leave. Trenches very bad and communication between companies and parts of companies impassable.

14th Jan 1915 Trenches

Relieved by 2nd Scottish Rifle in evening and went into Division Reserve at Pont Rirchon. Casualties 1 killed (Srgt. Hogg) 1 wounded

15th Jan 1915 Pont Rirchon

In billets. Draft of 75 NCOs and men joined from Transport lines.

16th Jan 1915 Pont Rirchon

In billets. Grenadiers of each company practicing bomb throwing

17th Jan 1915 Pont Rirchon

General Davis and Pinney inspected companies at bomb throwing. Relieved 2nd Scottish Rifles in trenches between 5pm and 7 pm. Lost 1 killed and 2 wounded in taking over. Very wet.

18th Jan 1915 Trenches

Very wet and cold with snow and sleet. A brigade Grenadier company was started, 1 officer and 29 NCOs and men from each battalion we found the CSM? But postponed sending any officer?. 1 killed, 3 wounded.

19th Jan 1915 Trenches

Trenches dried slightly. One casualty (wounded). Lt Wright and 30 NCOs and men arrived and joined at transport lines (Lt. Drumy?)

20th Jan 1915 Trenches

Relieved by 2nd Scottish Rifle and went into Brigade Reserve at La Flinque. No casualties (Captains Imbut?, Tiny? And Jenkins, Lieuts Bristow and CSM? And King went on leave from 21st to 27th inclusive)

21st Jan 1915 La Flinque

In billets. Draft joined from transport lines. 2lt Wright attached to A company.

22nd Jan 1915 La Flinque

In billets

23rd Jan 1915 La Flinque

Relieved 2nd Scottish Rifle in trenches between 5 and 7pm. Had 5 men wounded taking over and Scottish Rifle had 6 wounded, one man badly wounded later died on 24th

24th Jan 1915 Trenches

Enemy lively. Three killed and six wounded.

25th Jan 1915 Trenches

1st Corps on right of our Brigade reported attack imminent. Enemy attacked at La Bassee and --? heavily at junction of British and French lines. 1 officer and 17 NCOs and men of Brigade grenadiers Coy sent to HQ ‘D’ line to stay night in case they should be wanted. Casualties Lt Anderson- Marshead wounded and 3 rank and file killed and 6 wounded

26th Jan 1915 Trenches

Relieved by 2nd Scottish Tifle, 4 men wounded. G.O.L. Corps? Visited trench HQ in evening went into billets as Divisional Reserve at Pont Rirchon. Lt Holdsworth proceeded on 7 days leave.

27th Jan 1915 Pont Rirchon

CO, Captain Blunt, Captain Cartwright, Sergeant Major and 2 NCOs proceeded on 7 days leave. Major Ingles left in command and Lt. Bustowe as of Adjut.

28th Jan 1915 Pont Rirchon

In billets

29th Jan 1915 Pont Rirchon

Frosty day. Relieved 2nd Scottish Rifle in trenches in evening. Quiet and ---? 1 man wounded.

30th Jan 1915 Trenches

Quiet day except for sniping. Captain Watkins very seriously wounded

Sergeant Blake killed. 7 NCOs and men wounded.

31st Jan 1915 Trenches.

Quiet day except that enemy shelled ‘B; Coy, supports in morning.

Captain Watkins died at 2:10pm in No 6 Clearing Hospital, Merville

1 Lt Dunsford of ‘B’ Coy killed in evening. No other casualties.

1st Feb 1915 Trenches

Relieved in trenches by 2nd Scottish Rifle. Casualties 2 killed 1 wounded.

2nd Feb 1915 La Flinque

In billets. Brigade Reserve. One man wounded by shell fire

3rd Feb 1915 La Flinque

In billets, shelled but no casualties. CO, Captain Blunt, Lt Cartwright returned from leave.

4th Feb 1915 La Flinque

Relieved 2nd Scottish Rifle in trenches. Casualties 3 wounded

5th Feb 1915 Trenches

Enemy shooting considerable amount. 1killed 6 wounded

6th Feb 1915 Trenches

Very quiet day

7th Feb 1915 Trenches

Relieved by 2nd Scottish Rifle. Casualties 5 killed 4 wounded

8th Feb 1915 Pont Rirchon

In billets

9th Feb 1915 Pont Rirchon

In billets. Lieut Parker and Lieut Sutton RAMC proceeded on leave 10th to 16th

10th Feb 1915 Pont Rirchon

Relieved 2nd Scottish Rifle in trenches. Major Ingles, Lients. Bates and Vaughan returned from leave.

11th Feb 1915 Trenches

Enemy fairly active in shooting line. Casualties 1 killed, 4 wounded.

12th Feb 1915 Trenches

Considerable firing by day, quiet night. No casualties.

13th Feb 1915 Trenches

Relieved by 2nd Scottish Rifle. Quiet day. Casualties 2 killed 5 wounded.

14th Feb 1915 La Flinque

In billets. Brigade Reserve. Enemy shelled ‘B’ Coy at Rue Du Bacquerot.

15th Feb 1915 La Flinque

‘B’ Coy shelled out of billets on Rue Du Bacquerot. One billet burnt down with considerable amount of equipment and ammunition. 7 men wounded.

16th Feb 1915 La Flinque

In billets. One man wounded yesterday died. Relieved 2nd Scottish Rifle in evening.

Draft 1 officer 2 Lt Horne? Into -? At Depot and 35 NCOs and men joined at transport lines. Very wet.

17th Feb 1915 Trenches

Quiet day. Two wounded. 2nd Lients Jacob and Land promoted from ranks of ------? Rifles, joined at transport lines. Very wet.

18th Feb 1915 Trenches

Quiet day. Two men killed and two wounded.

19th Feb 1915 Trenches

Relieved by 2nd Scottish Rifle and went into billets as Divisional Reserve.

20th Feb 1915 Pont Rirchon

Three officers and draft, which joined transport lines on 16th and 17th, joined HQ.

21st Feb 1915 Pont Rirchon

Church parade at 5pm followed by funeral of Private Curtis of ‘A’coy who suffocated in his sleep by fumes from coke fire.

22nd Feb 1915 Pont Rirchon

Relieved 2nd Scottish Rifle in trenches in evening. Four men wounded. Draft of 90 men joined.

23rd Feb 1915 Trenches

Brigadier visited trenches before breakfast and inspected draft after.

24th Feb 1915 Trenches

Quiet day. Casualties one wounded

25th Feb 1915 Trenches

Quiet day. Casualties killed one, wounded one. Relieved by 2nd Scottish Rifle.

26th Feb 1915 La Flinque

Brigade Reserve. Wagon load of bombs blew up severely wounding private McCarthy and Pike, both of whom died subsequently. They were ---? Behind cart returning from Brigade HQ to Battalion HQ

27th Feb 1915 La Flinque

Received orders to march into billets west of Merville for rest tomorrow. ---? of Brigade to follow later.

There does not seem to be any map reference to exactly position the trenches. Does anybody have one?

Also the exact billet locations are these known?

The 2nd Scottish Rifle do not seem to have a diary for this period, is this correct?

[Jon Miller]

I, too, have come across this piece of the 2nd Devons' diary. I imagine the trenches are near the Moated Grange sector. I would particularly like to know where 'Pont Rirchon' is - I haven't found it on a map yet.

Thanks to anyone who can dig up and share this info.

Jon.

[clk]

Hi,

I don't have them, but it may well be worth having a look in the Brigade HQ diaries http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?discoveryCustomSearch=true&_q=8+DIVISION+23+Infantry+Brigade+Headquarters&_cr1=WO+95&_col=200&_hb=tna&image1.x=37&image1.y=12

In addition to the National Archive, they can be purchased from the Naval and Military Archive which also shows (free) headlines of the diaries through the "view diary" button http://www.nmarchive.com/main-diary-result/page/0/division-all/brigade-23-infantry-brigade/regiment-all/battalion-all/title-all/pieceno-all/fromdate-all/todate-all/title-all/pieceno-all/fromdate-all/todate-all

Regards

Chris

Edit:

Sorry Jon, I didn't pick up on the OP being so old. So probably my reply isn't that relevant to you

[LKD]

Help! Where are La Flinque and Pont Rirchon please? My ancestor Lance Corporal Dunsford is referenced as being killed on 31 January 1915 and I'm trying to find out precisely where. Thank you all.

Edited 16 March , 2021 by LKD

[kenf48]

2 hours ago, LKD said:

Where are La Flinque and Pont Rirchon please

McMasters gives the location of La Flinque as Map 36 SW1 Square M16

Doesn't appear to be shown on this map from the NLS Collection but this is the reference

https://maps.nls.uk/view/101465023

 

Can't find Pont Richon marked but there is a destroyed railway bridge in the same square

 

 

 

[WhiteStarLine]

5 hours ago, LKD said:

Help! Where are La Flinque and Pont Rirchon

If you put the search term flinque into tMapper, you will see it.  Could not find rirchon:

[LKD]

My goodness, I never knew this tmapping thing even existed. So thank you, I have now bookmarked it for future use. 

Edited 17 March , 2021 by LKD

[busterfield]

Above my knowledge but does this photo have a map reference ? Click view/open on left to view photo.

https://utd-ir.tdl.org/handle/10735.1/3784

[LKD]

Thx for sharing this. Can't see a map ref. It can't be far from Flinque though, which I now know is west of Lille.

[WhiteStarLine]

50 minutes ago, busterfield said:

but does this photo have a map reference

@busterfield, you are a genius!  That's our missing link.  That farm is shown as "west of Pont Rirchon".  There is a farm identical to that one with the distinctive saddle road with the major trunk running NW.  It's called Rirchon and every other variant in numerous accounts and Rue de Pont Rinchon in modern maps.  In this corroborating trench map from 1918 it is Pont Rochon crossing Courant du Frenelet.  In tMapper it is called Rochon but I didn't think to search on this until I saw busterfield's map.  Incidentally tMapper has it in the field and I think it must have spanned the Frenelet, so closer to the 'n' in 'Rochon' and the stream.  The farm in the aerial is shown south of the letter 'ch'.

courtesy tMapper

[busterfield]

It's more luck than anything else. I wondered whether the B.F.45.5337 in the corner of the photo meant anything.

[WhiteStarLine]

Anyway, luck or not, the aerial of Pont Rirchon fits Pont Rochon (to the degree any georeferenced photo can):

courtesy GeoRef

 

[LKD]

You are all geniuses in my book !!!