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WAR DIARIES - NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WO-95-1646-2_1
1st AUGUST - 16th AUGUST 1916
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7th Divisional Troops
1/24th BATTALION
MANCHESTER REGIMENT (Pioneers)
AUGUST 1916
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Volume X
August 1916
24th Bn. MANCHESTER REGIMENT
ST. VAST
1st Aug., 10pm.
Weather: Warm and Bright. Wind Light East
Parade:
The Early Parade
Map Ref: AMIENS Sheet 17
A & D Companies:
Paraded at 8am and marched to ROMAN CAMP near LA CHAUSSEE and there filled in trenches. 2400 yds. of trenches filled in by 248 O.R. in 7 hours.
B&C Companies:
Paraded at 8am and marched to STATION POULAINVILLE and there filled in trenches. 244 O.R. 5 hours.
Fire Alarm:
The Fire Alarm was blown at 8:31pm. The fire was stated to be in the Band Billet.
The following were the times:-
Bugle Call : 8:31pm
Fire Engine pumping : 8:36pm
Fire Picket in position : 8:39pm
G.B.D.
2nd. Aug., 10pm.
Weather:
Fine and warm. Wind N.E. by E.
Parades:
7 - 7:42am: Adjutants Parade
9 - 12:45pm: Company Parades.
2 - 4 Classes in Carpentry, Blacksmith work, Basket work etc.
G.B.D.
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ST. VAST
3rd Aug., 10pm.
Weather : Fine and warm. Wind light Easterly.
Work:
4 companies proceeded to ROMAN CAMP, LA CHAUSSEE to fill in trenches. 7 hours. 3400 yards filled in by 480 Other Ranks.
G.B.D.
4th. Aug., 10pm.
Weather : Fine and warm in the moring. Dull and inclined to rain in early afternoon. Wind light N. N.W.
Inspection:
The Commander of the 4th Army (Sir H. Rawlinson) inspected the C & D Companies at 11:30 am. These two companies were attached to 91st Brigade for the occasion. The GOC thanked the troops for their work during the recent offensive and read out the record of each battalion. Concerning the 24th Battalion Manchester Rgt., he said they had done excellent work throughout and at BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT, after having established a keep held it against the repeated counter attacks of the enemy on the 14th July.
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Continued from previous page.
Move :
A & B Companies moved to E 12 (Ref. map ALBERT 1/40,000) at 2pm by motor buses. Transport followed by road at 5pm. (Operation Order No. 22 attached)
Headquarters, C & D Companies remained in St. VAST.
2nd Lt. H. Clark - Field ambulance 4th.
G.B.D.
Appendix 1
5th Aug. 10pm
Weather: Cooler and dull in the morning.
Baths :
C & D Company with Headquarters attended the baths at PICQUIGHY.
G.B.D.
6th Aug. 10pm
Weather: Warm and bright. wind light N. N.E.
Parades :
Church Parades 9am for C.of England; 10:15 for Non-Conformists.
Honours:
Military cross :
awarded to 2nd Lt. W. Soward11th E. Surrey Rgt.. (attd. 24th Manchester)
D.C.M. :-
14729 Pte. J. Humphries
14464 Sergt. C.A. Burman
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Continued from previous page.
A & B Companies:
Work done. 71/2 hours making fire trench running from DANTZIG ALLEY to BRIGHT ALLEY to N.E. face of MAMETZ and wiring same with low wire. Deepening the C.T. from trench to village. Fire bays in trench running to BUNNY TRENCH.
G.B.D.
Ref Map MONTAUBAN
ST VAST
7th Aug. 10pm
Weather: Cooler but fine. Wind fresh N.E.
Parades:
Company parades in the morning. special classes in the afternoon.
Work:
A & B Companies completed front and support line N.E. of MAMETZ including 5 MG emplacements. One platoon acted as R.E. carrying party.
G.B.D.
8th Aug. 10pm.
Weather: Warmer. Wind fresh E. N.E.
Parades :
Company parade 9 - 12:45 pm
Wiring D Company; Company training C Coy; Physical excercies.
Classes: 2 - 4 pm
Bricklaying, Pontoon making. Carpentry etc.
A & B Coys. 3 Platoons prepared defence of the N. face of MAMETZ. One Platoon carrying party R.E.
G.B.D.
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ST VAST
9th Aug. 10pm
Weather : Wind light E. Very warm.
Parades:
Adjutants' Parade 7am
Company Parades 9 - 12:30 pm.
Classes and Recruits: 2 - 4 pm.
A & B Coys. continued defence of N. Face of MAMETZ. One Platoon carrying party for R.E.
Boxing Competitions were held during the evening. Semi-Finals and Finals left to be fought on the 10th.
G.B.D.
10th Aug. 10pm
Weather : W. N.W. Light rain from 6am to 11am. Fine for remainder of day.
Work:
C Coy : worked 41/2 hours filling 2,600 yds. trenches 3' x 31/2'
D Coy : near ROMAN CAMP LA CHAUSSEE.
A Coy ; As on the 9th
B Coy ; As on the 9th
G.B.D.
11th Aug. 10pm
Weather :Sligh rain in early moring. Wind light N.W. Fine later in the day.
Baths:
C & D Companies went to Baths at VAUX.
Work:
A & B Companies as on the 9th.
G.B.D.
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RIBEMONT Ref. map AMIENS 17
12th Aug. 10pm
Weather : heavy mist in morning. Bright and warm during the day. Wind light N.E. changing to N.& N.W. in evening. Rain during night 12th/13th
Move :
Transport of C & D Coys. & Headquarters had moved on morning of the 11th to RIBEMONT via QUERRIEU & POTIT NOYELLES.
Headquarters, C & D Coys. left ST. VAST at 5:20am and entrained at VIGNACOURT at 9:15am. ROUTE: CANAPLES, FLIXECOURT, CONDE, PICQUIGNY, AMIENS, MERICOURT. Detrained at MERICOURT at 2:45pm and marched to RIBEMONT.
(Operation order attached)
Work :
A and B Companies worked 9am to 3:30pm.
A Coy. on the E. face of MAMETZ.
B Coy. on the N. face of MAMETZ
G.B.D.
Appendix II
13th Aug. 10pm
Weather : Dull in the morning. fine and warm in the afternoon. Wind N. N.W.
Parades: Church Parade at 10:30am.
Work :
A and B Companies preparing N and E faces of MAMETZ and widening C.T. on N.E. face. 1 Platoon carrying party for R.E. Work hours 9 - 3:30pm
G.B.D.
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RIBEMONT Ref. map AMIENS 17
14th Aug. 10pm
Weather : Wind fresh, N. N.W. Rain at midday and from 5 - 6:15pm.
Parades:
C & D Company carried out Company training in the village area. The men of both Companies went to the river to bathe in the afternoon.
A and B Companies : 7 platoons worked on the defences of the N. face of MAMETZ. One Platoon worked on the defence of the E. face of MAMETZ.
G.B.D.
14th Aug. 10pm
Weather : Showery; wind N. N.W.
Parades: Company Parades in the morning. Baths at HEILLY in the afternoon.
G.B.D.
Appendix III
15th Aug. 10pm
Weather : Wind fresh W. N.W. Fine during the day. heavy rain from 9pm.
Move:
C and D Companies moved to E. 12. C. 9.7 (Ref. ALBERT Combined sheet) at 5pm. Battalion HQ remained at RIBEMONT (Operation order No. 24 attached)
Work:
A and B Companies - Prepared defence of E. face of MAMETZ and continued work on N. face. One Platoon carried for the R.E. 12 O.R. collected wire. Work hours : 9 - 3:30pm.
G.B.D.
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WAR DIARIES - NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WO-95-1646-2_1
17th AUGUST - 31st AUGUST 1916
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HQ at RIBEMONT; 4 Companies BECORDEL, E. 12. c. 9.7
17th Aug. 10pm
Weather : Wind Westerly. Rain in the afternoon and evening.
Work in MAMETZ:
A Company :
No. 1 Platoon : - Cutting new fire trench : 1 M.G. emplacement and small communication trench.
No. 2 Platoon : - Constructing 2 dug outs.
No. 3 Platoon : - Constructing dug out and communication trench.
No. 4 Platoon : - Constructing 3 dug outs : 2 M.G. emplacements, connecting up fire trench.
B Company :
Nos. 5, 6 and 7 Platoons opening up communication trenches in MAMETZ. No. 8 Platoon carrying for R.E.
C Company : -
Nos. 9, 10 and 11 Platoonsdeepening and widening communication trenches. No. 12 Platoon erecting wire.
D Company : -
Carrying wire - deepening and clearing trenches. Nos. 13, 14, 15 and 16 Platoons.
G.B.D.
18th Aug. 10pm
Weather : Wind N. N.W. Rain in the morning and at night. Fine in the afternoon.
Work :
MAMETZ:
A Coy. as on the 17th,
B Coy. as on the 17th,
C Coy. as on the 17th ,
D Coy. consolidating FRITZ TRENCH (map ref MONTAUBAN 1/20,000)
Reinforcements :
2nd Lt.. A.G. MacGowan rejoined.
G.B.D.
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HQ at RIBEMONT; 4 Companies BECORDEL, E. 12. c. 9.7
19th Aug. 10pm
Weather : Rain in the morning. Fine in the afternoon. Wind: fresh N.W.
Commission:
E.Q.M.S. POTTER, J. No. 14444, proceeded to Western Command to take over Quartermaster's duties with 15th Liverpool Regt.
Work:
Hours 8am to 3pm
A Company:
Constructing dug outs and L.G. emplacements, Communication Trenches and connecting up short fire trenches, MAMETZ
B Company:
Opening up Communication Trenches in MAMETZ.
One Platoon wiring the N.E. face of MAMETZ.
One Platoon demolishing houses and carrying wire for R.E.
C Company:
Wiring FRITZ TRENCH and BRIGHT ALLEY, MAMETZ..
D Company:
Improving FRITZ TRENCH. Dug outs commenced.
G.B.D.
20th Aug. 10pm
Weather : Fine; Wind N.W. fresh
Parades:
Divine Services held at 10:30am for C.of E.and 10:15am for Roman Catholics.
Work:
Work was suspended in MAMETZ.
G.B.D.
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HQ at RIBEMONT; 4 Companies BECORDEL, E. 12. c. 9.7
21st. Aug. 10pm
Weather : Warmer. Fine. Wind N. N.W. Light breeze.
Work:
A Coy:
Constructing dug outs, L.G. emplacements N. side of MAMETZ.
B Coy:
2 Platoons opening communication trenches in MAMETZ.
1 Platoon wiring.
1 Platoon clearing ground and carrying for R.E.
C Coy:
Wiring, reversing trenches. Opening communication trenches
D Coy:
Finishing FRITZ TRENCH. Deepening and cutting bombing straights in CUFF TRENCH and RAILWAY ALLEY.
Reinforcements:
15 O.R. returned from base.
G.B.D.
22nd. Aug. 10pm
Weather :Fine and warm. Light N. N.E. breeze.
Work:
A and B Companies:
Went to the baths VILLE.
C Company:
Reversed FRITZ TRENCH and CUFF TRENCH. L.G. emplacements and dug outs constructed. Number 145 O.R., 71/2 hours.
D Company:
1 Platoon constructed bombing step CUFF TRENCH.
3 Platoons reversed RAILWAY TRENCH.
G.B.D
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HQ at RIBEMONT; 4 Companies BECORDEL, E. 12. c. 9.7
23rd. Aug. 10pm
Weather : Fine and warm. Wind N. Slight rain in the evening.
Working parties:
A Coy:
Working on M.G. emplacements and communication trenches.
B Coy:
2 Platoons opening communication trenches in MAMETZ.
1 Platoon wiring
1 Platoon clearing wreckage and carrying wire for R.E..
C Coy:
Mining dug outs, revetting. Constructing M.G. emplacements; fire trenches reversed.
D Coy:
Digging new trench near FRICOURT - MAMETZ RY. and wiring front of same.
G.B.D.
24th. Aug. 10pm
Weather : Fine. Wind light N. N.E.
Work:
Companies rested. No work was done.
G.B.D.
25th. Aug. 10pm
Weather : Fine. Wind light N.
Move:
Battalion Headquarters moved to E. 12. c. 9.7 (Map ALBERT combined sheet)
Work:
B and C Companies left camp to dig trench (T. 13. c. Map GUILLEMONT 1/20,000)
owing to relief of Battalions in the line not being completed, no work was done on the advanced trench.
G.B.D.
Appendix IV.
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FRICOURT WOOD (ref map MONTAUBAN)
26th. Aug. 10pm
Weather : Fine in the morning and afternoon. Heavy rain in evening and at night. Wind fresh N.W.
Move:
Operation Order No. 25 attached. The Battalion moved to FRICOURT WOOD.
Working Party:
A & D Companies left camp at 6pm to dig sortie trench at T. 13. c. west of GUINCHY. Owing again to relief not being complete a covering party could not be supplied by 22nd Bde., and no work was done.
Casualties: 3 men wounded in A Coy.
Reinforcements: 2 Lt. J.P. RUSSELL rejoined.
G.B.D.
27th. Aug. 10pm
Weather : Generally dull with heavy rain showers. Wind N.W.
Work:
B and C Companies left camp at 4:30pm to dig trench at T. 13. c. (ref Map GUILLEMONT 1/20,000). No work was done by D Coy.
2 Platoons C Company - Completed 120 yds of new trench. There was no shelling on the site of the digging, but heavy shelling occurred while the companies were moving up.
Casualties:
Officers - nil;
Other Ranks: 2 killed, 10 wounded, 1 missing (Pte. S. Cheetham C Coy., No. 14568
G.B.D.
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28th. Aug. 10pm
Weather : Heavy rain showers in the morning. Bright intervals in the afternoon. Wind fresh W. N.W.
Work : -
A and D Companies left camp at 5pm for work on new trench. The work was completed, and the companies arrived in camp 7am (29th). There was no shelling on the site of the digging - 1st ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS provided the covering party.
Casualties:
Officers - nil
Other Ranks: 3 slightly wounded; all remaining at duty.
G.B.D.
29 th. Aug. 10pm
Weather : Rain throughout day. Wind light W. N.W.
Work:-
Companies rested during the day.
Operation:-
Operation (as per order No. 26) postponed 48 hours.
G.B.D.
Appendix V
30th. Aug. 10pm
Weather : Dull and squally with heavy rain.
Work : _
B & C Companies left camp at 7am to dig communication trench from YORK ALLEY through S. 18. d. 30.35. to a point 80 x east of the Sunken Road (Map GUILLEMONT 1/20,000) about 500yds. of trench 4 to 5 ft. deep dug.
Casualties:
One man wounded.
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Continued from previous page
A & D Companies left camp at 5:30pm to continue the communication trench Eastwards to T. 13. c. Central (Ref map GUILLEMONT 1/20,000) .There was considerable shelling by the enemy in reply to a heavy bombardment by our artillery.
Casualties: -
Officers - Nil
Other ranks: 1 killed; 3 wounded, No. 15370 Pte. J. Lee reported missing.
Prisoners:
Two prisoners of the 75th Rgt. taken by A Coy.
G.B.D.
31st. Aug. 10pm
Weather : Fine and much warmer.
Work:-
B Company left camp at 5:30pm for work on GINCHY AVENUE etc. The enemy had counter attacked in this sector in the afternoon and had gained a footing in our trenches. The Company was utilised by 91st Infy. Bde. to carry up bombs and S.A.A. No othr work was done.
Casualties: Nil.
Operation: Postponed until further notice.
Missing: Pte. Lee of A Coy. reported missing, rejoined.
G.B.D.
Appendix VII
[Signed]: J.B. Batten,
Lieut. Colonel
Commanding 24th Manchester Rgt. (Pioneers)
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