WAR DIARIES - NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WO WO-95-1646-2_2
1st FEBRUARY - 20th FEBRUARY 1917
Next page : WO-95-1646-2_77
Vol XVI
Feb. 1917
24th Bn. The Manchester Regt.
(7th Divisional Pioneers)
MAILLY WOOD WEST P.23.b.5.7 sheet 57 D S.E. 1st Feb, 10pm
Weather : Wind changed to N.W. in morning & slight thaw set in; later wind came back to N.E. & thaw ceased.
Work : -
A Coy : 1 Offr, 40 O.R. at AUCHONVILLERS unloading waggons in yard.
2 Offrs. 25 O.R. patrolling roads & repairing :
(1) AUCHONVILLERS - BEAUMONT HAMEL & STATION RD. to GREEN DUMP.
(2) MAILLY - SUCRERIE RD.
(3) AUCHONVILLERS - HAMEL RD. as far as Divl. Boundary
B Coy : On "Yellow Line" from RED COTTAGE northwards; completed & revetted 2 fire bays; remainder ready for revetting.
C Coy : 1/2[half] Coy. improving Z Camp BERTRANCOURT; 5&1/2[half] hrs. 45 O.R.
1/2[half] Coy. improving MAILLY WOOD E. Camps; 7&1/2[half] hrs. 44 O.R.
D Coy : 73 O.R. worked 5&1/2[half] hrs. on tramway; ballasted 250x with broken brick.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
MAILLY WOOD WEST P.23.b.5.7 sheet 57 D S.E. 2nd Feb, 10pm
Weather : Hard frost; wind light N.E.
Work : -
A Coy : As previous day.
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MAILLY WOOD WEST P.23.b.5.7 sheet 57 D S.E. 2nd Feb, 10pm
Work : -
B Coy : Work on "Yellow Line" as previous day; 9 bays now completed.
C Coy : As previous day.
D Coy : As previous day.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
MAILLY WOOD WEST P.23.b.5.7 sheet 57 D S.E. 3rd Feb, 10pm
Weather : Continued hard frost.
Work : -
A Coy : As previous day.
B Coy : 1/2[half] Coy. rested. 1/2[half] Coy. continued work on "Yellow Line"; 12 O.R. clearing trench, remainder commenced 10 new fire bays.
C Coy : As previous day; wired 125 mats at AUCHONVILLERS
D Coy : Moved to AUCHONVILLERS (cellars) in order to be nearer work; track marked out BEAUMONT HAMEL to AUCHONVILLERS; 275 yds ballasted with broken brick.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
MAILLY WOOD WEST P.23.b.5.7 sheet 57 D S.E. 4th Feb, 10pm
Weather : As previous day.
Work : -
A Coy : As previous day.
B Coy : continued work on fire bays; 1 revetted, 2 ready for revetting.
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MAILLY WOOD WEST P.23.b.5.7 sheet 57 D S.E. 4th Feb, 10pm
Work : -
C Coy : 1/2 [half] Coy. improving Z Camp BERTRANCOURT.
1/2 [half] Coy. rested
12 O.R. wired 115 trench mats
D Coy : Continued work on tramway; ballasted 125x (now complete); prepared & widened 100x 2 yd. track; laid 270x rails.
1 Offr. 40 O.R. A Coy. & D Coy. (all) returned to camp from AUCHONVILLERS.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
MAILLY WOOD WEST P.23.b.5.7 sheet 57 D S.E. 5th Feb, 10pm
Weather : Continued frost; cold wind N.E.
Move: The battalion moved to Billets at BEAUQUESNE vide Operation Order attached, in which for PUCHEVILLERS substitute BEAUQUESNE (owing to lack of accommodation in former.)
Casualties : Nil
Reinforcements - 3 Offrs., 10 O.R. joined Bn.
A.St.G.W.
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BEAUQUESNE. 6th Feb, 10pm
Weather : As previous day.
Coys rested: equipment etc. cleaned; inspection held.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
BEAUQUESNE. 7th Feb, 10pm
Weather : Bright & clear; hard frost.
A Coy :- erecting Nissen huts at VAL de MAISON; classes in L.G. signalling in the afternoon.
B Coy :- 1 hrs. infy drill; inspection; classes in L.G. signalling in the afternoon.
C & D Coys :- 2 hrs. infy drill; 1 hrs. wiring practise; classes in L.G. signalling in the afternoon.
Casualties : Nil
Lectures to Officers & N.C.O. in evening.
A.St.G.W.
BEAUQUESNE. 8th Feb, 10pm
Weather : As previous day.
A Coy :- As previous day.
B Coy :- Constructing latrines & ablution benches in the village (6 hrs.)
C & D Coys:- 2 hrs. infy drill & musketry; 1&1/2[half] hrs. wiring (apron fence).
Afternoon and evening as previous day.
Casualties : Nil
BEAUQUESNE. 9th Feb, 10pm
Weather : As previous day.
Work & training: As previous day.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
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BEAUQUESNE. 10th Feb, 10pm
Weather : As previous day.
A Coy:- 1/2[half] Coy. erecting new Nissen huts;
1/2[half] as C & D Coys.
Afternoon & evening : as previous day. Football matches in afternoon.
B Coy:- As previous day; Afternoon & evening : as previous day. Football matches in afternoon.
C Coy:- As previous day; Afternoon & evening : as previous day. Football matches in afternoon.
D Coy:- As previous day; Afternoon & evening : as previous day. Football matches in afternoon.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
BEAUQUESNE. 11th Feb, 10pm
Weather : Milder; slight thaw.
Divine Services were held in the morning; Football matches in the afternoon.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
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BEAUQUESNE. 12th Feb, 10pm
Weather : Fine; thaw during the day.
Training: -
A & B Coys. 2 hrs. Close Order Drill & Musketry, 1&1/2[half] hrs. wiring.
Classes for stretcher bearers morning & afternoon; National Mission Conferences in evening.
Work:-
C Coy: Erecting Nissen Huts: 1 platoon MAIRIEUX; 1 platoon CANAPLES; 1 platoon PUCHVILLERS.
Classes for stretcher bearers morning & afternoon; National Mission Conferences in evening.
D Coy: Erecting latrines & ablution benches in village.
Classes for stretcher bearers morning & afternoon; National Mission Conferences in evening.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
BEAUQUESNE. 13th Feb, 10pm
Weather : Milder; thaw.
Training: -
A & B Coys. 2 hrs. Close Order Drill & Musketry; 1&1/2[half] hrs. wiring.
Afternoon classes for Lewis Gunner Signallers.
Stretcher Bearer Classes as previous day.
National Mission Services in morning.
Lecture to Officers in evening.
Work:-
C Coy: Erecting Nissen Huts: 1 platoon MAIRIEUX; 1 platoon CANAPLES; 1 platoon PUCHVILLERS; 1 platoon LA VICOGNE.
Stretcher Bearer Classes as previous day.
National Mission Services in morning.
Lecture to Officers in evening.
D Coy: As previous day.
Stretcher Bearer Classes as previous day.
National Mission Services in morning.
Lecture to Officers in evening.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
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BEAUQUESNE. 14th Feb, 10pm
Weather : Slight thaw during day; freezing at night.
Training: -
A & B Coys :
Morning - 2 hrs. Close Order Drill & musketry; 1/2[half] hr. wiring.
Afternoon - Classes for Lewis Gunners & signallers.
Stretcher Bearer Classes as previous day. Lectures to Officers & N.C.O. in evening.
Work:-
C Coy: Erecting Nissen Huts - CANAPLES, MARIEUX, RUBEMPRE, PUCHVILLERS, LA VICOGNE.
Stretcher Bearer Classes as previous day. Lectures to Officers & N.C.O. in evening.
D Coy : As 12th
Stretcher Bearer Classes as previous day. Lectures to Officers & N.C.O. in evening.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
BEAUQUESNE. 15th Feb, 10pm
Weather : As previous day.
A, B, & D Coys. as previous day.
Classes & Lectures as previous day
C Coy: erecting Nissen Huts CANAPLES, MARIEUX, RUBEMPRE, RAINCHEVAL
Classes & Lectures as previous day
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
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BEAUQUESNE. 16th Feb, 10pm
Weather : Heavy thaw.
Battalion parade & drill in morning.
B Coy preparing Divisional Parade Ground near VAL de MAISON.
Classes and Lectures as previous day.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
BEAUQUESNE. 17th Feb, 10pm
Weather : Mild & misty.
The Division paraded near VAL de MAISON for inspection by GENERAL NIVELLE Commander-in-Chief French Armies.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
BEAUQUESNE. 18th Feb, 10pm
Weather : Humid.
Divine Services were held during the morning,
Battalion Cross Country Run in morning.
A.St.G.W.
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BEAUQUESNE. 19th Feb, 10pm
Weather : Wet.
Training:-
C Coy:
Morning: 3&1/2[half] hrs. Musketry - Firing on Range under Divl. Arrangements.
Lecture in Musketry for N.C.Os.
Afternoon : ---
Evening: 2 hrs. wiring (apron fence) by night.
Stetcher Bearers, Signallers & Lewis Gunners classes.
D Coy:
Morning:
2&1/2[half] hrs. Sandbag revetting; 1&1/2[half] hrs. Close Order Drill & Physical Drill.
Afternoon : ---
Evening: 2 hrs. Night March
Stetcher Bearers, Signallers & Lewis Gunners classes.
Working:-
A Coy: Erecting Latrines & Ablution Benches in Village
Stetcher Bearers, Signallers & Lewis Gunners classes during day.
B Coy:
Erecting Nissen Huts at RAINCHEVAL& VAL de MAISON.
Stetcher Bearers, Signallers & Lewis Gunners classes during day.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
BEAUQUESNE. 20th Feb, 10pm
Weather : Wet.
Training:-
C Coy: As D Coy. previous day.
D Coy: As C Coy. previous day.
Working:
A & B Coys. As previous day.
A, B, C, D Coys : Stetcher Bearers, Signallers & Lewis Gunners classes during day
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
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WAR DIARIES - NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WO-95-1646-2_2
21st FEBRUARY - 28th FEBRUARY 1917
& ORDER PAPERS Etc.
Next page : WO-95-1646-2_86
BEAUQUESNE. 21st Feb, 10pm
Weather : Mild
Coys cleaned up billets & prepared for move.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
BEAUQUESNE. 22nd Feb, 10pm
Weather : Some showers; ground very wet underfoot.
Move: Battalion moved to billets at MAILLY-MAILLET, see attached operation order.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
MAILLY-MAILLET,. 23rd Feb, 10pm
Weather : As previous day
Coys cleaned billets, held inspections etc.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
MAILLY-MAILLET,. 24thFeb, 10pm
Weather : As previous day
Work: -
A Coy: 4 Offrs. 118 O.R. worked 4&1/2[half] hrs. (day) carried boards from AUCHONVILLERS & laid a duckboard track through WHEEL POST to about K. 3. b. e. 1.7
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MAILLY-MAILLET,. 24th Feb, 10pm
B Coy: 3 Offrs. 82 O.R. worked 4 hrs. (day) carried up & laid 171 trench boards from BEAUMONT HAMEL; laid along CRATER LANE N.E. from Q. 6. a. 2.8
C Coy: 4 Offrs. 124 O.R. worked 4 hrs. (day) carried up boards & laid 350 yds. of track along WALKER AVE.
D Coy : 4 Offrs. 125 O.R. worked 5&1/2[half] hrs. (day) carried boards by hand & tramway from AUCHONVILLERS; 200 in all. Relaid 350 yds. track from CRATER TR. to LAGER ALLEY.
Dump made at CRATER LANE, 150 mats.
Move:- Transport Section moved to BEAUSSART.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
MAILLY-MAILLET. 25th Feb, 10pm
Weather : Damp, very misty; bright for about 2 hrs. in the afternoon.
Work:-
A & D Coys: worked about 4&1/2[half] hrs. (day) clearing & making passable SERRE RD. from SUCRERIE to old German Front Line.
Coys cleaned billets, held inspections etc.
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MAILLY-MAILLET. 25th Feb, 10pm
B Coy:
1 Pltn. AUCHONVILLERS unloading waggons & working in yard.
1 Pltn. working at Divl. School VAUCHELLES,
1 Pltn. working in R.E. workshops BEAUSSART.
1 Pltn. with C. Coy worked 4 hrs. (day) clearing WAGON RD.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
MAILLY-MAILLET. 26th Feb, 10pm
Weather:- Bright & clear; mild.
Work:-
B Coy: 3 Pltns. AUCHONVILLERS, VAUCHELLES, BEAUSSART.
A, C, D Coys. & 1 Pltn. B Coy : worked 4 hrs. (day) clearing WAGON RD. 100x now completely cleared to width not less than 12', 250x partially cleared.
(2) Clearing & repairing BEAUMONT HAMEL - AUCHONVILLERS Rd. (200x)
Casualties : Nil
Command : - Lt. Col. J.H. Chadwick appointed to command the Bn.
Appendix IV
A.St.G.W.
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MAILLY-MAILLET. 27th Feb, 10pm
Weather:- Mild; bright & clear; no wind.
Work:-
B Coy:
Parties at VAUCHELLES, AUCHONVILLERS, BEAUSSART.
A Coy. 1/2[half] : repaired 200x BEAUMONT HAMEL - AUCHONVILLERS road.
C & D Coys. with 1/2[half] A Coy. & 1 pltn. B Coy : worked 5 hrs. on 400x WAGON Rd., clearing & making passable for artillery up to
CRATER LANE; 3 ramps made.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
MAILLY-MAILLET. 28th Feb, 10pm
Weather:- As previous day.
Work:-
B Coy: Parties as previous day.
1/4[quarter] A Coy : clearing mud & filling shell holes on AUCHONVILLERS - BEAUMONT HAMEL road
C Coy & 1 pltn. B Coy: worked 6 hrs. under 19th Div. repairing SERRE road in neighbourhood of old front line; bridge made over track.
Work greatly delayed by constant traffi c.
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MAILLY-MAILLET. 28th Feb, 10pm
D Coy & A Coy. (less 1 pltn.) worked 6 hours on STATION road, about 450x; clearing mud and filling holes with rubble & brick.
Casualties : Nil
A.St.G.W.
______________________
J.H. Chadwick, Lt. Col.
Comdg. 24th (S) Bn. The Manchester Regt. (7th Divisional Pioneers)
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Copy No. 12
Appx. 1
SECRET
OPERATION ORDERS BY
LIEUT. COLONEL J.H. CHADWICK COMMANDING
24th BATTALION MANCHESTER REGIMENT.
4th February, 1917
REFERENCE, FRANCE 57 D.
1. The Battalion will march tomorrow (5th Feby) to PUCHEVILLERS.
2. Route: - ACHEUX - LEALVILLERS - RAINCHEVAL - PUCHEVILLERS.
3. Order of march: - Band, Headquarters, 'A' Company, 'B' Company, C' Company, 'D' Company.
An interval of 200 yards will be observed between Companies throughout the march.
4. The Quartermaster and 9 Other Ranks will proceed at 8:00am to take over billets.
5. TIME TABLE:-
Reveille 6:30am
Breakfast 7:00am
Dinner 10:30am
Blankets, Officers Valises and Company boxes to be at Q.M. Stores at 8:30.
Transport will march at 11:20am, and join the Battalion on the
MAILLY-FORCEVILLE Road (P. 22. a. 3.2.)
Battalion will march at 12 noon.
6. Lieut. Braine will collect stragglers.
Issued at 6:30pm.
Copy No:
1. C.O.
2. 2nd in Command.
3. O.C. 'A' Coy.
4. O.C. 'B' Coy.
5. O.C. 'C' Coy.
6. O.C. 'D' Coy.
7. Q.M.
8. T.O.
9. L.G.O.
10. M.O.
11. Camp Commandant (for information)
12. War Diary
13. War Diary
A. St. G. WALSH, Lieut. and Adjutant.
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APPX. II
24th Battalion the Manchester Regiment. (Pioneers)
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORTHCOMING REVIEW
REFERENCE FRANCE, Sheet 57 D.
1. The 7th Division will be inspected by General NIVELLE Commander-in-Chief of the French Army, at about 10:30am on Saturday February 17th.
2. The Parade round is half a mile N.E. of VAL de MAISON from about N. 30. d. 3.3. to about N. 25. a. 9.3.
3. The troops will be drawn up facing SOUTH and will be in position by 10:00am. The 24th Battalion THE MANCHESTER REGIMENT will be in mass formation on
the left flank.
4. Lewis Gunners and H.Q. Pioneers will be in the ranks. Signallers with slung rifles and flags and Stretcher Bearers without stretchers will be drawn up in line in rear of the Battalion.
Signallers on the right and Stretcher Bearers on the left.
5. Eight pack animals, each carrying two ammunition boxes, and the two limbered wagons for Lewis Guns will be drawn up in rear of the Signallers and Stretcher Bearers.
Pack animals (in line) on the right and limbered wagons on the left.
6. Dress and equipment will be as follows:-
(a) Officers will not wear swords or carry sticks, but will wear revolvers and field glasses.
(b) Company Commanders will not be mounted.
(c) Other Ranks will wear leather jerkins over the tunic and under the belt.
(d) EQUIPMENT: - Drill Order, which will be taken to mean, belt, side arms and rifle only.
7. The Adjutant, accompanied by markers, will be on the Parade Ground by 9:15am.
8. The Battalion will fall in facing N. in the RUE de l'EGLISE in the following order:-
From the right, 'A', 'B', 'C', 'D', Signallers, Stretcher Bearers, Transport.
The right of 'A' Company will be at the Orderly Room.
9. The Battalion will be ready to move at 8:45am.
16th Feby. 1917
(Signed) St. G. WALSH, Lieut. & Adj.
24th Battalion The Manchester Regiment.
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Appx. III
Copy No. 11
SECRET
OPERATION ORDERS No. 12 BY
LIEUT. COLONEL J.H. CHADWICK COMMANDING
24th BATTALION MANCHESTER REGIMENT.
_____________________
REFERENCE, FRANCE, Sheet 57 D.
21st February, 1917
1. The Battalion will move tomorrow, 22nd instant, to MAILLY-MAILLET.
2. ROUTE:- RAINCHEVAL - ARQUEVES - LEALVILLERS - ACHEUX - FORCEVILLE.
3. ORDER OF MARCH: - Headquarters, Band, 'A' Coy., 'B' Coy., 'C' Coy., 'D' Coy., Transport.
An interval of 200 yards between Coys. will be kept throughout the march.
4. DRESS:- Full Marching Order. Shrapnel helmets will be worn.
5. The Quartermaster and 9 Other Ranks will proceed at 8:00am to take over billets.
6. TIME TABLE:- Reveille 6:30am. Breakfast 7:30am.
Blankets rolled by sections and Officers Valises will be at Q.M. Stores by 7:30am.
Mess Baskets will be at Q.M. Stores by 8:30am.
The Battalion will march at 9:15am; the head of the column will be at H.Q. Mess in the Rue de l'Eglise.
7. 2/Lieut. Holt and 12 Other Ranks will remain behind to hand over present billets. They will rejoin the Battalion at MAILLY MAILLET.
8. Lieut. BRAINE will march in rear and collect stragglers.
ISSUED AT 3pm.
Copy No.:
1. Commanding Officer
2. 2nd in Command
3. O.C. 'A' Coy.
4. O.C. 'B' Coy.
5. O.C. 'C' Coy.
6. O.C. 'D' Coy.
7. Quartermaster
8. Transport Officer
9. Medical Officer
10. Lewis Gun Officer
11 & 12 War Diary.
(Signed) A. St. G. WALSH, Lieut. and Adjutant.
24th Battalion The Manchester Regiment.
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APPENDIX IV
[damage] . Div. No.
1[damage] / pl / A.
26 / 2[damage] 917
24th Battalion The Manchester Regiment
___________________
The following is an extract from List No. 123 on "Appointments, Commissions,
etc.," approved by the Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief. dated 17th
February, 1917.
SERVICE BATTALIONS
Manchester Regiment.
24th Battn.:- Temp. Major J.H. Chadwick to Command Bn. and to be Temp. Lieut. Colonel, vice Capt. (Temp. Lt. Col:) J.B. Batten, (invalided), 22nd January, 1917.
(Sd) E. St. J. Harris St. John, Major,
A.M.S. to G.O.C., Fifth Army.
22/2/1917 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
