WAR DIARIES - NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WO-95-1646-2_1
1st JUNE- 13th JUNE 1916

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B.E.F.
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7 DIVISIONAL TROOPS
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24 BN. MANCHESTER REGT. (PIONEERS)
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1916 JUNE - 1917 NOV.
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FROM 22 BDE. 7 DIVISION
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TO ITALY SAME DIVISION
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Coy. 1646

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Manch. R. (P)
VOLUME VIII

BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
1st June 10pm
Weather : Fine and Warm. Wind Light. N. N.E.
Working Parties:
A Coy:
37 O.R. - digging communication trench B 2 Sub sector. 6 hours
29 O.R. - cutting 7 fire steps, levelling parapet. 6 hours.
43 O.R. - 40 yards wiring 6 feet deep, parapets covered with sods - 6 hours
Work on mined dugouts.
B Coy:
150 O.R. - digging communication trench. 6 hours.
30 O.R. - night work 2 hours making traverses and putting in dugouts in CEMETERY STREET (C2 sub sector)
40 O.R. - working on T.M. emplacement in C1 sub sector 6 hours.
50 O.R. - clearing communication trenches and laying trench boards.
G.B.D.

2nd June 10pm
Weather : Much cooler. Wind varying in to N.
Situation: Enemy shelled the MORLANCOURT - BRAY Railway near BOIS DES TAILLES for a few minutes. - no damage done.
Working Parties: As on the 1st June.

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
3rd June 11pm
Weather : Fine : rather cooler. Wind N.W. Light.
Working Parties:
A Coy:
a. Work on LUCKNOW AVENUE, 80 yds. deepened, 30 yds. fresh cut. 35 O.R. for 6 hours.
b. 28 O.R. - covering parapet with sods and carrying for R.E.; 6 hours.
c. 48 O.R. - relieved 'a' party; 6 hours.
d. 43 O.R. - making traverses in and widening STAFFORD AVENUE; 6 hours.
B.Coy:
150 O.R. - working on MANCHESTER AVENUE widening, deepening and laying trench boards. This party worked in reliefs of 6 hours.
C Coy:
Party of 30 O.R. - putting in traverses in CEMETERY STREET (C2 sub sector)
Party of 25 O.R. - at work on ruined dugouts in CEMETERY STREET (C2 sub sector)
Party of 45 O.R. - at work on T.M. emplacements in C1 & C2 sub sectors.
Party of 1 officer and 10 O.R. assisted by transport from 7th D.A.C. At 7th Div. A.S.C. train repairing roads about the BOIS DES TAILLES.
G.B.D.

4th June 12pm
Weather :changed to cool and wet. wiind westerly. Fresh wind. Rain at intervals with heavy hail shower in morning.
Situation:
Heavy gun-fire heard & flashes seen in neighbourhood of ALBERT from 9pm to11:30pm.

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
[continued from previous sheet]

Working parties:
Work was carried on as on the 3rd June.
G.B.D.

BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
5th June, 6am (6th June)
Weather: Much cooler and wet. Heavy rain in morning and throughout night; 5" - 6". Wind strong W. N.W.
Situation:
Very heavy bombardment again in direction of ALBERT starting about 11pm and lasting until 12:30am.
Working parties:
As on the 3rd June.
G.B.D.

6th June, 10pm
Weather: Wet; Wind N.W. Much cooler with continual heavy rain during 24 hours
Working parties:
A Company went to rest at MARRET WOOD, TREUX (ref map ALBERT combined sheet) D Company took over A Company work.

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
[continued from previous sheet]
D Company:
One Platoon - six hours mining dug-outs in FORT OLDHAM B Sector.
20 O.R. - carrying party for R.E. 6 hours.
20 O.R. - constructing concrete slabs 6 hours.
One Platoon - making traverses LUCKNOW AVENUE 6 hours.
C Company:
Deepening and widening communication trenches 6 hours.
B Company:
Deepening and widening communication trenches 6 hours.
Road Party:
15 O.R. working on roads in vicinity of BOIS DES TAILLES. 8 hours.
G.B.D.

7th June, 10pm.
Weather: Wet and cold; Wind strong N.W.
Working parties:
As on the 6th
2/Lt. A. St. G. Walsh and 2/Lt. H. Clarke joined for duty
G.B.D.

8th June, 10pm
Weather: Wet, still cold. Increase in temperature during night.
Working Parties:
As on the 7th.
Joined for duty: 2nd Lieut. W. Soward 11th (S) Bn. E. Surreys joined for duty
G.B.D.

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
9th June, 10pm
Weather: Cold and wet. Wind gusty N. N.W. Rain at intervals during day and night.
Working Parties:
A Company:
Rested at MARRETT WOOD, TREUX, (ALBERT map.)
B Company:
1 Platoon working on Medical Aid Post BLENHEIM AVENUE. B Sector. 6 hours.
1 Platoon working on Medical Aid Post MANCHESTER STREET 6 hours.
1 Platoon deepening and improving trenches, 6 hours. Strengthening dug-outs in B Sector 6 hours.
1 Platoon ditto at RAT HOLE and HIGH STREET. 6 hours.
C Company:
The Company worked in reliefs, strengthening dug-outs, building traverses and improving trenches in C1 and C2 sub sectors. Shifts 6 hours each.
D Company:
Revetting in WELLINGTON REDOUBT (B Sector) Constructing dug-outs B Sector, Carrying material for R.E. into MAPLE REDOUBT (C1 Sub sector) Extending LUCKNOW AVENUE (B sector), working on T.M. emplacements.
G.B.D.

10th June, 10pm.
Weather: Cold. Rain at intervals. Wind still N. N.W. Fresh.
Working Parties: As on the 9th
G.B.D.

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
11th June, 11pm
Weather: Fine during day after 8am. Warmer, wind westerly light.
Working Parties: There were no working parties.
Divine Services:
Church Parades were held in the morning.
Sport:
A Company held company sports in MARRETT WOOD, TREUX. Later in the afternoon they moved up to the BOIS DES TAILLES taking over the work from D Company who then supplied working parties for the 95th Coy. R.E.
G.B.D.

12th June, 10pm
Weather: Wet during greater part of day. Cold. Wind N. N.W.
Working Parties:
A Company:
Digging communication trench from LUCKNOW AVENUE to LITTLE BEAR WOOD. 39 men, 6 hours.
Deepening ESSEX AVENUE and revetting traverses, 31 O.R. 6 hours.
Digging and finishing latrines (15) in BOLD ST., LORD ST. 35 O.R. 6 hours.
B Company:
Provided carrying parties and parties for clearing trenches in B Sector. Small parties detached for work in R.E. shops making concrete slabs. etc.

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
[continued from previous sheet]

D Company:
One Platoon making T.M. emplacements near UNION ST. in relief of the above.
One Platoon making T.M. emplacements near HAVANNAH ST.
G.B.D.

13th June, 10pm
Weather: Warmer. Heavy rain during day and night of 12th - 13th. Wind N.W.
Situation:
Heavy bombardment from 11:40pm for 11/2 hours in neighbourhood of A Sector.
Working Parties:
A Company:
As on the 12th
B Company:
Clearing trenches in B Sector.
Carrying Parties for R.E
6 hours.
C Company:
Work in C sector - Traverses in CEMETERY ST., Dug-outs at bottom of 84 ST.
6 hours.
D Company:
Trench Mortar emplacements on UNION STREET C1 Sector, HAVANNAH STREET B Sector.
G.B.D.

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
14th June, 10pm
Weather: Fine but cold. Wind: N.E. Fresh.
Working Parties B Sector :
A Coy.
Cutting and filling traverses & revetting same. Deepening trenches and making M.G. positions. Latrines in DUKE ST.
68 ST. widened and deepened and traversed. Trench cut from LUCKNOW AVENUE to WATERLOO Jn. 149 men 6 hours.
B Coy:
Constructing Grenade Stores; Brigade Battle Centre; Aid Posts FRANCIS AVENUE and LONDON ROAD. all in B Sector 157 men 6 hours.
C Coy:
Constructing emplacements for gas cylinders C Sector. 160 men 6 hours.
D Coy:
Carrying parties. 180 men 6 hours. B Sector.
G.B.D.

15th June, 11pm
Weather: Fine, warm - Wind E. N.E. fresh.
Working Parties:
As on the 14th
G.B.D.

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WAR DIARIES - NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WO-95-1646-2_1
14th JUNE- 30th JUNE 1916

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
16th June, 10pm
Weather: Warm and fine. Wind light E. N.E.
Working Parties:
A Company:
One platoon deepened and widened trench running from LUCKNOW AVENUE to WATERLOO JUNCTION. 35 O.R. 6 hours.
68 Street (B Sector) deepened and widened 40 O.R. 6 hours.
Two other platoons' work was relief to above.
B Company:
10 O.R. 6 hours work on AID POST FRANCIS AVENUE.
12 O.R. 6 hours work on AID POST BATTLE CENTRE, MINDEN POST
20 O.R. 6 hours work on AID POST GRENADE STORE, MINDEN POST
20 O.R. 6 hours work on AID POST CARRYING PARTY
C Company:
Fixing gas cylinders in C Sector. 169 O.R. 6 hours.
D Company:
Completing near, T.M. emplacements in HAVANNAH ST and UNION ST. 180 O.R. 6 hours.

The enemy shelled Junction of BRAY-CORBIE Rd. & MORLANCOURT Rd. K Square Map ALBERT.
G.B.D.
Appendix 1

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
17th June, 11pm
Weather: Fine and warm. Wind N.E. fresh.
Working Parties:
A Company:
As on the 16th.
B Company:
18 O.R. working 6 hours on AID POST FRANCIS AVENUE.
12 O.R. working 6 hours on BATTLE CENTRE B Sector.
16 O.R. working 6 hours on Grenade Store, MINDEN POST
20 O.R. working carrying stores for 1/3 R.E. (Durham Co.).
Relief to the above.
C Company:
Fixing gas cylinders C Sector. Deepening & widneing CEMETERY STREET.
Night work 4 hours.
D Company:
1 Platoon 6 hours improving SOUTH AVENUE C2 sub sector.
1 Platoon 6 hours constructing trench between 71 N & 71 S. C2 sub sector.
1 Platoon 6 hours carrying party from CITADEL to UNION STREET C1 Sub sector.

The enemy 13cm gun fired on the junction of BRAY - CORBIE and MORLANCOURT roads from 4pm. No damage was done.
G.B.D.

18th June, 10pm
Weather: Fine but dull. Wind changed to N. N.N.W. light.
Working Parties:
A Company
Completed sortie steps in SUSSEX AVENUE (B Sector) 35 O.R. 6 hours.
Completed sortie steps in DUKE ST & LORD ST. (B Sector) 36 O.R. 6 hours.
Appendix 2

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
[continued from previous sheet]
A Company:
Traverses in ANKLE WALK and deepened 68 St. 29 O.R. 6 hours.
Sortie steps finished in BOLD ST.; clearing 70 A St. 31 O.R. 6 hours.
B Company:
Rested and went to Bath, BRAY.
C Company:
Constructing shrapnel shelter, mine dug-outs in CEMETERY ST. 6 hours 150 O.R.
D Company:
Improving trenches and dug-outs and Brigade Battle Centre B Section. 50 O.R. 6 hours.
Constructing dug-outs for Stokes Gun and Ammunition Store. 44 O.R. 6 hours.
First AID POSTS at FRANCIS AVENUE and LONDON Rd. WEST. 50 O.R. 6 hours.
Carrying Party for 1/3 Durham R.E. Co. 20 O.R. 6 hours.

Enemy again shelled BRAY - CORBIE Rd. at 5:30pm. Part of shell base measured 13cm circumference.
G.B.D.

19th June, 11pm
Weather: Fine but cold. Very slight shower in afternoon. Wind N. N.W.
Working Parties:
As on the 18th
G.B.D.
Appendix 3
Appendix 4

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
20th June, 10pm
Weather: Warmer, fine. Wind N. Light.
Working Parties:
A Coy:
44 O.R. making dug-outs at N.O. R.E. works (BRAY-MAMETZ Rd.) 6 hours.
34 O.R. making relief above. 6 hours.
36 O.R. making relief above. 6 hours.
34 O.R. making relief above. 6 hours.
B Coy:
Resting. This Company practised rapid wiring and laying out of strong points.
C Coy:
64 O.R. working on T.M. emplacements C Sector. 6 hours.
39 O.R. working on mine dug-outs C Sector. 6 hours.
20 O.R. working on CEMETERY STREET.
10 O.R. Carrying Party 24th to R.E.
D Coy:
50 O.R. improving trenches and dug-outs at Brigade Battle Centre.
44 O.R. working on Stokes Gun ammunition stores.
50 O.R. working on Aid Post FRANCIS AVENUE.
15 O.R. working on R.E. workshop. 1/3 Coy R.E. (Durham)
G.B.D.
Appendix 5

21st June, 10 pm.
Weather: Much warmer. Wind N.E. fresh.
Working Parties as on the 20th.
G.B.D.

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
22nd June, 10pm
Weather: Fine and bright. wind N. N.W. Light.
Working Parties:
B Coy:
Resting.
A Coy:
Resting except one platoon making company HQ dug-outs at Work 2 VAUXHALL B Sector (BRAY-MAMETZ Rd.) 6 hour shifts, 3 shifts.
C Coy:
Supplied 108 O.R. carrying party for R.E. 6 hours.
D Coy:
4 reliefs of 20 O.R. constructing AID POST LONDON ROAD WEST, B Sector.
4 reliefs of 10 O.R. constructing GRENADE STORES at DURHAM TRENCH.
10 O.R. bridging trenches, CARNOY. 6 hours
G.B.D.
Appendix 6
Appendix 7

23rd June, 10pm.
Weather : Hot and close. Heavy rain from 4 - 4:30pm and 9 to 11pm. Thunder storm at 4pm.
Working parties:
A Coy:
9 O.R. unloading at BRAY DUMP. 6 hours
9 O.R. unloading at GROVE TOWN. 6 hours
38 O.R. working on C.R.E. dug-out GROVE TOWN. 6 hours
27 O.R. on dug-outs work 2 B Sector. 6 hours
B Coy:
Resting. Except one platoon working on Bn. H.Q. Battle dug-outs at GROVE TOWN Camp.
C Coy:
Carrying parties as before.
D Coy:
As on the 22nd.
Our Lewis Guns were attached to 10th Lancs. Fusiliers in B Sector.
G.B.D.
Appendix 8 & 9

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
24th June, 10pm.
Weather: Dull and sultry. Wind S.W. Rain in afternoon.
Situation:
'U' Day. bombardment and preliminary gas attack on enemy trenches as per attached Orders
Work:
A Coy:
Resting
B Coy:
Resting
C Coy:
One party carrying from BECORDEL cross roads to C Sector. 20 men 4 hours.
D Coy:
Two parties constructing AID POST LONDON ROAD WEST and GRENADE STORES, B Sector. 110 O.R. 6 hours.
G.B.D.
Appendix 10

25th June, 10pm.
Weather: Fine and bright until late afternoon when there were heavy showers. Wind fresh W. N.W.
Situation: 'V' Day
Working Parties:
A, B, & D. Companies:
Resting.
C Coy:
Provided 27 men for 6 hours work on shrapnel proof shelter in C Sector.
B Coy. 4 reliefs of 8 men for work on H.Q. dug-out GROVE TOWN VALLEY.
G.B.D.

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
26th June, 10pm
Weather: Bright in morning. Wind fresh N. N.W. Rain in afternoon.
Situation: 'W' Day. a concentrated bombardment from 9 - 10:20am.
Working Parties:
A Company:
Resting.
B Coy:
1 Platoon working on H.Q. Battle dug-out GROVE TOWN. 4 shifts.
C Coy:
Resting
D Coy:
Resting.
G.B.D.

27th June, 10pm.
Weather: Wet and dull. Wind N. N.W. Rain at intervals.
Working Parties:
Two companies went up to front line during night to repair front line trenches damaged by enemy fire. No work could be done.
Companies Rested.
' A' Company went up and occupied Work 2 B Sector
G.B.D.
Appendix 11

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
28th June, 10pm
Weather: Wind N. N.E. Fresh - almost continuous rain up to 3pm.
Situation: 'Y' Day. concentrated bombardment from 6am to 7:30 am. Lat in afternoon message was received that all operations were to be postponed 48 hours. The 29th to be known as Y.1. day.
Work:
The companies rested - Our Lewis Gun Section returned.
G.B.D.

29TH June, 10pm.
Weather: dull, wind strong, N.N.W.
Situation: 'Y 1' day. Concentrated bombardment from 4 to 5:30pm. smoke attack 5:10pm.
Work:
All companies rested except C Coy who supplied a working party at midnight of 120 O.R.
G.B.D.
Appendix 12

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BILLETS BOIS DES TAILLES (Sheet ALBERT Square K)
30th June, 10pm
Weather: Wind gusty, N. N.W. Dull inclined to rain.
Situation: Y2 day. Concentrated bombardment 8 - 9:20am with smoke attack 9:10am.
The Battalion was split up as follows:
A Coy. with 95th Field Co. R.E.
B Coy. with 1/3 Durham Field Co. R.E.
C Coy. in reserve at GROVE TOWN.
D Coy. with half in reserve, the other half prceeded to front line system.
Headquarters with the one and a half companies in reserve moved to GROVE TOWN at 11:15pm.
G.B.D

30/6/16
J.B. Batten Lieut. Colonel
Commanding 24th Manchester Regt.

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