WAR DIARIES - NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WO-95-1646-2_1
1st SEPTEMBER - 19th SEPTEMBER 1916

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SECRET
WAR DIARY OF
24th MANCHESTER REGIMENT
VOLUME XI SEPT. 1916

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24th Bn. THE MANCHESTER REGIMENT
VOLUME XI SEPTEMBER 1916
FRICOURT WOOD Ref. map ALBERT Combined Sheet and MONTAUBAN 1/20,000

1st Sept., 10pm
Weather: Fine and warm. Wind, light westerly.
Work:
A & D Coys. left camp 5:30pm to work on new front line PORTER TRENCH.
C Company left camp 5:30pm to work on GINCHY AVENUE.
D Company rested.
Casualties:
Killed: 3 other ranks; Wounded : 36; Missing: 3.
15 wounded remained at duty & Lieut. L. WOOD slightly wounded remaining at duty.
2nd Lieut. T.L. SWAIN evacuated to C.C.S. suffering from ear trouble - the result of shell shock.
G.B.D.
Appendix I

2nd Sept., 10pm
Weather: Dull and fine. Wind N. N.W.
Work: Companies rested.
G.B.D.

Appendix II

3rd. & 4th. Sept., 10pm
Weather: Fine in morning dull with slight rain in afternoon.
Operations:
Ref Operation Order No. 28.
The 7th Division attacked GUINCHY and captured it. GUILLIMONT was also taken. The enemy counterattacked GUINCHY and the situation was obscured as some of our troops and some of the enemy were in GUINCHY at the same time. The 24th Manchesters meanwhile awaited

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the order to move up to GUINCHY from their place of assembly. (MONTAUBAN ALLEY map MONTAUBAN 1/20/000) in the defence trenches of MONTAUBAN.
As no definite knowlege could be gleaned conderning the situation in GUINCHY the 24th MANCHESTERS were ordered to return to camp in FRICOURT WOOD, arriving in camp 2:30 am on the 4th.
G.B.D.

Casualties: Nil.
In the afternoon of the 4th, the 20th Infy. Bde. of the 7th Division, was ordered to attack the portion of GUINCHY held by the enemey and so assist the troops of the 22nd Bde. in GUINCHY.
The 24th Manchestersremained in FRICOURT WOOD in reserve.
G.B.D.

5th Sept., 10pm
Weather: Fine; Wind light northerly.
Work: The Companies rested.

6th to 7th Sept., 10pm
Weather: Fine. Wind N. light.
Work:
A, B (less 2 companies) C & D left camp at 4:45pm for work on GINCHY AVENUE. Working hours 11:40 to 4:15am.
Trench from YORK ALLEY to DIAGONAL TRENCH cleared and deepened 4' to 5'6"
Appendix III

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DIAGONAL TRENCH to Z.Z ALLEY cleared and deepened 50 yds.
Z.Z ALLEY to STOUT TRENCH was entirely obliterated by shell fire. 320 yds. dug.
2 Platoons B Company left camp at 4:30pm as carrying party for R.E. worked from 1am to 3:30am (7th)
Casualties:
Officers - Nil; Other ranks - Killed 2; wounded 7 (1 remaining at duty)

8th Sept., 10pm
Weather:Fine and bright. wind N. changing N.E. in afternoon.
Work:
Four companies worked 71/2 hours digging telephone trench from POMMIERS REDOUBT to LOGUEVAL. 100 yds. dug.
Specification:
Trench to be 6' deep
From S. 27. b. 25.35 to Bde. H.Q. at S. 16. d. 6.1 to be 7' 6" deep.
Test shafts at :
A. 1. d. 5.8
A. 2. a. 3.7
A. 2. b. 2.6
A. 2. b. 95.98
S. 27. c. 7.9
S. 27. b. 20.25
S. 21. d. 8.1
S. 22. c. 5.6
S. 22. b. 05.40
Test Dug outs at :
S. 27. c. 15.15
S. 27. b. 25.35
G.B.D.

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FRICOURT WOOD Ref. map ALBERT Combined Sheet and MONTAUBAN 1/20,000

9th Sept., 10pm
Weather:Fine and warm. Breeze light easterly.
Working parties:
Four Companies left camp at 5am for work on cable trench. Trench continued towards LONGUEVAL to S. 27. b. 25.35.
Casualties: Nil
G.B.D.

10th Sept., 10pm
Weather: Wind light; easterly. Dull in morning. Bright in afternoon.
Working parties:
A Coy. dug 185 yds trench 7' 6" deep hours 5am to 3pm
B Coy. dug 220 yds trench 7' 6" deep hours 6:30 to 4pm
B Coy. dug 35 yds trench 3' deep hours 6:30 to 4pm
C Coy. dug 120 yds trench 7' 6" deep hours 5am to 3pm
C Coy. dug 70 yds trench 1' 6" deep hours 5am to 3pm
C Coy. dug 75 yds trench 6' deep hours 5am to 3pm
D Coy. dug 270 yds trench 7' 6" deep hours 5am to 5pm
Casualty: Officers - Nil; Other ranks: wounded - one (shell)
G.B.D.

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FRICOURT WOOD Ref. map ALBERT Combined Sheet and MONTAUBAN 1/20,000

11th Sept., 10pm
Weather : Fine; Wind light easterly.
Working Parties:
Four Companies left camp at 5am (D Coy left at 4:30pm) for work on the cable trench. Trench completed.
Casualties:
Officers - Nil; Other ranks - one (shell) wounded.
G.B.D.
Appendix IV

12th Sept., 10pm
FRICOURT WOOD - ALBERT - OISEMONT - HALLENCOURT.
Weather : Fine. Occasional light showers. Wind N. N.E.
Move:
The Battalion less transport moved by train from ALBERT to OISEMONT and thence by road to HALLENCOURT.
Time table:
Left camp FRICOURT WOOD 6:45am
Entrained ALBERT 8:30am
Arrived OISEMONT 6:30pm
Arrived HALLENCOURT 9pm
Transport moved by road according to Operation Order No. 29 attached, arriving at HALLENCOURT at 1pm on the 14th
G.B.D.

HALLENCOURT (SOMME)
13th Sept., 10pm
Weather : Fine and warm. Rain at night. Wind light N.E.
Parade: Company Parades and inspections held.
G.B.D.

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HALLENCOURT (SOMME)

14th Sept., 10pm
Weather : Fine but cooler. Wind N.E. light.
Parades:
C.O's. inspection at 11:30am. The remainder of the day Companies were at the disposal of Company Commanders.
G.B.D.

15th Sept., 10pm
Weather :Fine; Wind, fresh easterly.
Parades:
7am Adjutants Parade.
Breakfast 7:45am
Company Parades 9am to 12:30pm; 2 to 3pm.
Classes in Signalling, Joinery etc., 2 - 3pm
Lecture by Major Chadwick 3:15 to 3:45pm
G.B.D.

16th Sept., 10pm
Weather : Fine, warmer; Wind easterly; light breeze.
Parades:
7 - 7:45 Adjutants Parade
9am - 12:30pm Company Parades.
The afternoon was devoted to sports.
Move:
Notification received that the 7th Division (of which the 24th Manchesters are a unit) will proceed to 2nd Army area. Time and date of move to be notified later.
G.B.D.
Appendix V

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WO-95-1646-2_1-91
HALLENCOURT (SOMME)

17th Sept., 12pm
Weather : Fine. Wind S. light breeze. Rain just before midnight.
Move:
Operation Order No. 31 (Appendix VI)
The Transport and loading party moved off from HALLENCOURT to LONGPRE via WANEL at 11pm. The roads were in good condition.
GBD
Appendix VI

18th Sept., 12pm
HALLENCOURT - LONGPRE - BAILLEUL - METEREN - ROUGE-CROIX..
Weather : Wet. Wind S.W. Continuous fine rain.
Move:
The Battalion less transport and loading party moved off from HALLENCOURT at 12:30am on the 18th and marched to LONGPRE via WANEL. Arrived LONGPRE STATION 4am. Departed 5am.
Route:
ABBEVILLE - ETAPLES - BOULOGNE - CALAIS - St. OMER - HAZEBROUCK to BAILLEUL where the battalion detrained and moved off at 4:30pm to billeting area at ROUGE-CROSS.
Route: METEREN - COURTE-CROIX - ROUGE-CROIX.
Headquarters established on CAESTRE RD. at 8pm.
G.B.D.

19th Sept., 10pm
ROUGE-CROIX.
Weather : Wind S.W. heavy showers.
Parades: Company inspection parades were held.
G.B.D.
Appendix VII

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WAR DIARIES - NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WO-95-1646-2_1
20th SEPTEMBER - 30th SEPTEMBER 1916

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ROUGE-CROIX.

20th Sept., 10pm
Weather : Cooler; wind fresh N. N.E. Rain at intervals.
Move:
(Appendix VII) Operation Order No. 32
100 D Coy. moved by motor bus at 11:30am from ROUGE-CROIX to T. 29. d. 86 (Ref. Sheet 28 S.W.)
B Coy and remainder of D moved to same place by road to take over Pioneer Work from 5th Bn. S.W.B.
work:
1 Officer and 50 Other ranks D Coy. making mine dug out with 1st A.T. Coy. R.E. near PLOEGSTREERT WOOD.
G.B.D.

ROUGE-CROIX.to OOSTHOVE FARM
21st Sept., 10pm
Weather : Fine. Wind light N. N.E.
Move:
The battalion less B and D Coys. moved by road to OOSTHOVE FARM (Sheet 36 N.W.)
Moved off 9:30am, arrived in billets at farm 3:30pm.
Roads mostly pave and very dirty.
Route:
Road S. of BAILLEUL - Main BAILLEUL - ARMENTIERES RD. - PONT D'ACHELLES - LA RUE du SAC - LE DON - OOSTHOVE FARM . (Sheets 28 S.W. and 36 N.W.)
OOSTHOVE FARM provided very good billets complete with all conveniences.
G.B.D.
Appendix VIII

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OOSTHOVE FARM . (Sheet 36 N.W.) B. 11. d.

22nd Sept., 10pm
Weather : Fine; Wind E. N.E.
Work:
B & D Coys:
Supplied 100 men 8am for work on mine dug outs.
Supplied 50 men 12 noon for work on mine dug outs
Supplied 50 men 4pm for work on mine dug outs
A & C Coys. improved the Company billetting areas.
G.B.D.

23rd Sept., 10pm
Weather : Fine; Wind N.E. light breeze.
Work:
B & D Coys.
Supplied 100 men 8am for work on mine dug outs at PLOEGSTREERT WOOD.
Supplied 50 men 4pm for work on mine dug outs at PLOEGSTREERT WOOD.
Supplied 50 men 12 midnight for work on mine dug outs at PLOEGSTREERT WOOD.
A & C Coys. improving the Company area.
G.B.D.

24th Sept., 10pm
Weather : Fine. wind N. N.W. light breeze
Work: Working parties as above.
G.B.D.

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OOSTHOVE FARM . (Sheet 36 N.W.) B. 11. d.

25th Sept., 10pm
Weather : Fine. Wind light, N. N.E.
Work:
A Coy:
2 Platoons making horse standings at Transport, also clearing and opening up drains in Transport Yard.
8 to 12:30pm, One Platoon cleared and widened two drains running into main drain B. 3. a. c.
1:30 to 4pm, One Platoon repairing road at Headquarters. 7men constructing covered passage from cellar under HQ to Bombarment dugout.
B Coy. & D Coy. :
Worked in shifts on dug outs into Hill 63.
Shifts:
8am 1 Off. & 100 O.R.
4pm 1 Off. & 50 O.R.
12 midnight 1 Off. & 50 O.R.
C Coy.: 8 hours
Drainage in forward area.
One Platoon commenced clearing subsidiary drain. 7 TREES to DESPIERRE FARM
One Platoon on subsidiary drains GUNNER FARM to WEST HOCK.
Two Platoons on subsidiary drains GUNNER FARM to C. 8. a. 2.4, N. of road.
G.B.D.

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OOSTHOVE FARM . (Sheet 36 N.W.) B. 11. d.

26th Sept., 10pm
Weather : War. Wind N. N.E. light breeze
A Coy:
One Platoon 8 hours making horse standings and huts at Transport yard.
One Platoon clearing, deepening and widening drains at B. 3. a. 5.5. & B. 3. a. 3.5. 8 hours.
One Platoon engaged in hutting at TROIS ARBRES.
One Platoon engaged on road at headquarters.
B & D Coys.
1 Off., 100 O.R. 8am. working on mine dug outs Hill 63
1 Off., 50 O.R. 4pm. working on mine dug outs Hill 63
1 Off., 50 O.R. 12pm. working on mine dug outs Hill 63
C Coy.:
One Platoon cleared and deepened DYKE from DESPIERRE FARM to TREES C. 9. b. 5.8. and from HANTS FARM to V. 26. b. 2.3.
Two Platoons - HUNTER AVENUE new dyke constructed on both sides from REGENT ST. to V. 27. a. 8.7.
One Platoon widened and levelled & drained road from Gasometer to GUNNER FARM.
Divisional Drainage Section (1 Platoon A Coy.)
No 1 Squad - Clearing arteries B. 3. b. to B. 4. a.
No 2 Squad - Draining around B. 3. a. 5.5 & B. 3. a. 3.5.
G.B.D.

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OOSTHOVE FARM . (Sheet 36 N.W.) B. 11. d.

27th Sept., 10pm
Weather : Wind fresh, S.W. Rain showers in morning and afternoon.
A Coy:
Completed construction of harness room and horse standings.
Widened and deepened drains at T. 28. c. 2.5.
One Platoon worked on huts at TROIS ARBRES.
One Platoon worked on HQ drainage.
B & D :
Mined dug outs - working at Hill 63 under 1st A.T. Coy. R.E.
Shifts:
8am - 1 Off. & 50 other ranks
4pm - 1 Off. & 50 other ranks
12 midnight - 1 Off. & 50 other ranks.
C Coy:
Sub drain from DEAD HORSE CORNER S.E. of HUNTER LANE.
Sub drain from REGENT ST. FORT to MAIN DRAIN.
ESSEX FARM cleared - ECCLES FORT - FRONT LINE - MAIN DRAIN.
Cleared sub drain GUNNER'S FARM to GASOMETER CORNER.
Divl. Drainage Section:
No. 1 Squad :- Clearing arteries B. 3. b. also new trench at T. 27. d. & T. 28. c.2.5
No. 2 Squad :- Clearing drains B. 3. c. 2.9. Culvert B. 2. d. 9.9.
G.B.D.

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OOSTHOVE FARM . (Sheet 36 N.W.) B. 11. d.

28th Sept., 10pm
Weather : Cooler; Wind light N.E.
Working parties:
Divisional Drainage Section:
No. 1 Squad: Clearing and widening drains B. 4. a. 0.7 to T. 28. c. 2.5.
No. 2 Squad: Cleared drains B. 3. c. 2.5 - to B. 4. a. 0.7.
and B. 2. d. 9.4 to B. 2. d. 8.7.
Also main drain connecting them.
A Company:
One Platoon clearing and metalling road to Transport yard.
One Platoon widening and deepening drain at T. 28. c. 2.5.
One Platoon erecting huts at S. 28. b. 8.4.
One Platoon draining area OOSTHOVE FARM.
B and D Coys.:
Constructing mine dug outs at T. 29. d. 8.6
Shifts:
8am - 1 Officer and 50 O.R.
4pm - 1 Officer and 50 O.R.
12 midnight - 1 Officer and 50 O.R.
C Company : PLOEGSTREERT WOOD.
Main drain from DEAD HORSE CORNER to V. 21. b. 37 completely cleaned and cleared of weeds.
Sub drains E. and N. of HUNTERS AVENUE partially cleared.
Sub drains from HUNTERS AVENUE to LE GHEER partially cleared.
main dyke from ESSEX FARM to FRONT LINE partially cleared.
G.B.D.

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OOSTHOVE FARM . (Sheet 36 N.W.) B. 11. d.

29th Sept., 10pm
Weather : Cool and dull during greater part of day.
Work:
A Coy:
One Platoon metalling road to transport yard.
One Platoon deepening and widening drains at T. 28. c.
One Platoon erecting huts at S. 28. b. 8.4.
One Platoon rebuilding brick wall at HQ yard. Laying drain behind HQ.
B and D Coy:
Mining dug outs :
8am 1 Officer and 100 O.R.
4pm 1 Officer and 50 O.R
12 midnight. 1 Officer and 50 O,R
C Coy :
One Platoon clearing and cleaning sub drain of weeds, GASOMETER CORNER, C. 8. a. 2.4. to drain road southwards.
One Platoon clearing main drains :
KEEPERS HUT to 120x forward.
ESSEX FARM - PARK VILLA to HUNTERS AVE. 120x foward V. 21. c. 3.4 to V. 21. c. 2.7.
One Platoon dug sub drain east of HUNTERS AVE. 120x in vicinity of ECCLES FORT.
One Platoon sub drain150X from REGENTS FORT.
Divisional Drainage Section (24th Manchester):
No. 1 Squad : clearing and widening drains B. 4. a. 0.7. to T. 28. c. 2.5.
No. 2 Squad : clearing and widening drains B. 3. a. 2.5 to B. 3. a. 1.4.
and B. 2. d. 9.4 to B. 2. d. 8.7.
G.B.D.

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OOSTHOVE FARM . (Sheet 36 N.W.) B. 11. d.

30th Sept., 10pm
Weather : Fine, cool. Wind light variable N. N.E.
Working parties:
A Coy :
One Platoon : clearing and laying road at Transport yard.
One Platoon : deepening and widening drains at PONT D'ACHELLES, T. 28. c.
One Platoon : erecting huts at S. 28. b. 8.4.
One Platoon : laying drain pipes, clearing drains etc. at OOSTHOVE FARM.
B and D Coys:
Constructing mine dug outs at Hill 63 with 1st A.T. Coy. R.E:
8am 1 Officer and 100 O.R.
4pm 1 Officer and 50 O.R
12 midnight. 1 Officer and 50 O,R
C Coy:
One Platoon : clearing drains and draining road GASOMETER CORNER to GUNNERS FARM.
One Platoon : clearing drains READING FORT; KEEPERS HUT to LE GHEER; ECCLES FORT to PARK VILLA.
One Platoon : clearing drains EEL PIE Ft. to HAYMARKET.
One Platoon : clearing sub-drains in HUNTERS AVENUE.
Divn. Drainage Sect. (24th Manchester Rgt.)
No. 1 Squad : clearing drains T. 28. c. 2.5 & B. 4. a. 0.7.
raised wooden bridge at B. 4. a. 2.9.
No. 2 Squad : Clearing and widening drains at B. 2. d. 8.7. to B. 2. d. 4.5.

J.H. Chadwick, Major
for Lieut. Colonel Commanding 24th Manchester Regt.
1/10/16

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