5th Lincolnshires by Sandall

[bmac]

I have just missed a copy of the 5th Lincolnshires' history and wonder whether anyone has a copy out there? I am looking for anything relating to May-July 2nd 1916 but, most particularly, the last week of June and 1/2 July 1916.

[jim_davies]

Steve Bramley or Chris Bailey should be your best bet.

Jim

[bmac]

Steve Bramley or Chris Bailey should be your best bet.

Jim

Cheers. Will get in touch.

[DaveBrigg]

I think that Dan1 also has a copy.

[saberhagen427]

I have a copy which I'm digitizing. I'll be putting it on the web when I'm finished as it's out of copyright (Sandall died in 1930). I can send you scans if you want.

[bmac]

Gavin,

Thanks for the very kind offer. I will PM you my email address.

Cheers

Bill

[Greenwoodman]

Gavin, would it be possible to ask for scans of April 1918 please?

[saberhagen427]

He doesn't have much to say about April 1918, covering it in less than 2 pages (pp. 158-9):

While in support, two Companies were in dug-outs

in the reserve line, and two Companies with Battalion

Headquarters at Sailly-la-Bourse. On the 21st [March] the

Battalion was ordered to stand to during the night

owing to an expected attack, but this did not

materialise on this portion of the front, although the

next few days were spent under a considerable degree

of strain, and active preparations to meet an attack

were made. On March 24th we were withdrawn

into Divisional Reserve at Beuvry, marching to

Maroc on the 27th, where we billeted for the night,

and next day relieved the 44th Canadian Infantry

in the Hill 70 right sector. A very quiet tour

passed, and we were relieved on April 1st, moving

to the Village line in support. After one day's rest

we returned to the trenches relieving the 1/4th

Leicestershire Regiment in the Hill 70 left sector,

which we held to the 12th; no special incident

occurred and our only casualties were due to gas

with which the enemy favoured us at intervals. On

April 12th we were relieved by the 1st Canadian

M. R. and proceeded into Army Reserve at Bracquemont.

Training in open warfare took place daily, the

weather being dull and cold. On the 18th, when

the enemy attacked at Givenchy, the Battalion

was placed on one hour's notice to move, but were

not called upon. About April 21st a virulent

epidemic of influenza attacked the Battalion, and

the whole Division, and for the next few days the

number of sick removed to hospital was very large,

from 20 to 40 daily, which reduced our fighting

strength to such low numbers, that the efficiency

of the Battalion was very seriously impaired. The

whole Division suffered in the same way, and its numbers for a long period were terribly below establishment.

On April 24th the Battalion marched to Bruay,

and the next day to Verquin, the Brigade being

in Divisional Reserve. On the evening of April

28th we returned to the front line, relieving the

1/6th Sherwood Foresters in a line from Les Facons

to the swing bridge S. W. of Le Casan, C and D

Companies being in the front line, with A in support

and B in reserve. The relief was completed under

heavy shelling and we were lucky to sustain only

three casualties. The general conditions in this

Sector approached open warfare, as although the

trenches were fairly continuous they were narrow

and shallow, and no movement was possible by day.

Early next morning a German of the 12th Reserve

Division wandered into our lines, having lost his

way. The enemy were inactive, and we sustained

no casualties, and were relieved on May 2nd by the

1/4th Leicestershire Regiment, going into support

with two Companies at Le Hamel, one at La Motte

Farm and one in the Newcastle line, the two forward

Companies coming under the command of the O. C.

1/5th Leicestershires. The usual working parties

were supplied until May 6th, when we were relieved

by the 1/6th North Staffordshire Regiment, and

moved to billets in Verquin, the Brigade coming into

Divisional Reserve.

If you'd like scans of the pages PM me your e-mail address.

[Greenwoodman]

No need for scans, Gavin, that's absolutely perfect. Thanks very much, I appreciate it.