WAR DIARIES - NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WO 95_1663_2-2
1st February - 16th February 1916
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22nd Brigade
7th Division
24th BATTALION
MANCHESTER REGIMENT
FEBRUARY 1916
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CONFIDENTIAL
WAR DIARY
OF
24th MANCHESTER REGIMENT
FROM 1st TO 29th FEBRUARY 1916
Volume IV
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24th MANCHESTER REGT.
VOLUME IV
Ref AMIENS Sheet 12, 1/80/000
PONT-NOYELLES Feb. 1st 10pm
Weather - fine and bright. Wind East.
Move - The Battalion left ST VAST at 9 am and marched via BERTANGLES - COISY - ALLONVILLE to PONT-NOYELLES distance about 13 miles. The roads were in very good condition except at COISY.
GBD
PONT-NOYELLES Feb. 2nd 9pm
Weather - Wind East. Fine and bright but cold.
Move - The Battalion remained in billets at PONT-NOYELLES.
GBD
MORLANCOURT Feb 3rd. 10pm
Weather - Fine, cold. Wind S.E.
Move - The Battalion moved to MORLANCOURT (distance about 13 miles). Starting at 9:30 am. Route LA HOUSSOYE -
BONNAY-MERICOURT - TREUX - VILLE SOUS CORBIE - MORLANCOURT. The roads after LA HOUSSOYE were poorbeing much cut up by heavy traffic.
GBD
MORLANCOURT Feb 4th. 9 pm
Weather - Wind S.S.E. Heavy gale during night of 3rd-4th. Rain throughout night and following day.
Situation - The situation appeared quiet - very little gun fire was heard.
GBD
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REF MAP MEAULTE Sheet 1/10,000
TRENCHES D1 SECTOR Feb 5th, 10 pm
Weather - Wind S.W. Fine
Trenches - Officers visited trenches prior to taking over.
GBD
TRENCHES D1 SECTOR Feb 6th, 10 pm
Weather - Wind S.W. Fresh increasing to strong. Wind dropped later in the evening with slight rain.
Trenches - C & D companies occupied the front line; C on right and D on left. B company occupied the MAPLE REDOUBT and A company 71 NORTH.
Enemy exploded H.E. shells about the communication trench to the CITADEL while the Battalion was relieving.
Our trenches and the REDOUBT were bombarded with CANISTER from trench mortars. Lieut. Murdoch, B. Sgt. Major Gartside, C. Sgt. Major Coop and three other ranks were killed. Three other ranks were wounded. 2nd Lieut. Dunkerley was severely wounded in the neck with canister.
About 5 pm. the enemy quietened down. A few rifle grenades only being dropped into our front line trenches.
GBD
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TRENCHES D 1 SECTOR Feb. 7th 10pm
Weather - fine. Wind mild S.W.
Trenches - The enemy were quiet during the greater part of the day. At 4:45 pm they started a bombardment of the REDOUBT dropping a shell into a dugout killing 11 men and wounding eight.
The remainder of the evening was quiet. Occasional sniping took place. Lieut. Murdoch was buried in cemetery at MAPLE REDOUBT.
Working parties were organised to repair damage to communication trenches and the front line. RUE ALBERT was adapted with fire positions and parts of the front line revetted.
GBD
TRENCHES D 1 SECTOR Feb. 8th
Weather - S.W. Breeze in morning. Fine
Relief - the Battalion was redistributed in the trenches for the two days 8th - 10th February:-
RIGHT HALF SECTOR : -
A company
LEFT HALF SECTOR :-
2 Platoons C Company under an officer
3 Platoons B Company
MAPLE REDOUBT :-
1 Platoon D Company under an officer
2 Platoons C Company & company Headquarters.
Battalion Headquarters and staff.
71 NORTH :-
3 Platoons D Company and Company Headquarters.
No. 8 Platoon B Company
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REF MAP SHEET MEAULTE 1/10,000
TRENCHES D1 SECTOR Feb. 8th, 12pm
MAP MEAULTE
The enemy shelled our left of left sector and sprung a mine.
The mine was small and did no damage to men or parapet.
About 5pm the enemy sent over several canister discharges from trench mortars. Most of the shots falling between the REDOUBT and RUE ALBERT. Our artillery was called upon and soon silenced the enemy. There were no casualties.
R.S.M. GARTSIDE, C.S.M. COOP, and 11 other ranks buried in cemetery SOUTH of MAPLE REDOUBT.
Three men were also buried here.
GDB
TRENCHES D1 SECTOR Feb. 9th, 12pm
Weather - fine but cold - wind varying N.- N.W.
Situation - Quiet until the evening when working parties were shelled in RUE ALBERT. A few rifle grenades were sent over by the enemy. There were no casualties. Our artillery shelled the enemy heavily for half an hour. Extent of damage not known.
Work done -
Wiring was continued in RUE ALBERT and fire positions made.
Two parallel trenches each 8ft. long were driven in the N side of OLD KENT RD. The work was continued by the 54th Coy. R.E. with the object of constructing a new S.A.A. and Grenade MAGAZINE. The R.E. also commenced traverses in PARK LANE. Two dugouts were made more secure by placing 'bursters' on the roofs consisting of sandbags full of chalk.
GBD
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CITADEL LINE Feb. 10th, 11pm
Weather - Fine and cold. Wind N.W.
Situation - Quiet.
The Battalion was relieved in the front line by the 2nd R. Warwick Rgt. who also took over the MAPLE REDOUBT.
The Battalion occupied the support line as follows: A Coy. in the CITADEL; B Coy. to billets at MORLANCOURT; C Coy. to GIBRALTER; D Coy. to 71 NORTH; Headquarters were established at 71 SOUTH (ref MEAULTE Map F)
The relief was completed at 2:30 pm.
GBD
CITADEL LINE Feb. 11th, 10pm
Weather - Wind S.W. continuous rain.
Situation - Quiet. Enemy shelled MAIDSTONE AVENUE C.T. in the morning; no casualties were reported.
Fatigues were found as follows:-
Mining Fatigues : -
1:30 am 1 officer, 7 full ranks, 70 men
7:30 am 1 officer, 7 full ranks, 70 men
1:30 pm 1 officer, 7 full ranks, 70 men
7:30 pm 1 officer, 7 full ranks, 70 men
100 men digging bombardment trench East of 71 SOUTH.
Parties engaged in cleaning C.T.s MAIDSTONE AVENUE & WEYMOUTH AVENUE.
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Ref Map MEAULTE sheet F.
CITADEL LINE Feb 12th, 11 pm
Weather - wind varying N.& N.W. Continuous rain.
Situation - enemy shelled the MAPLE REDOUBT at about 11am and 10pm.
Most of the shells were over pitched and fell between MAPLE REDOUBT and 71 SOUTH. Fully 60% were 'blinds' the shellsbeing 5.9 Howitzers. Our artillery were active against them.
Work done - Fatigues continued on the same work. The same numbers of men being employed.
GBD
CITADEL LINE Feb 13th, 10 pm
Weather - Wet. Wind strong W. Rain at intervals during the day.
Situation - enemy's trench mortar appeared to be active on the REDOUBT and H.E. shells were dropped on the W. end of CANTERBURY AVENUE. About 4:40 pm the enemy blew a small Camouflet somewhere to the S of our front. In the evening shrapnel was burst over the CITADEL on the BRAY FRICOURT Rd. evidently trying to find the transport wagons at the dump.
GBD
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Ref Map MEAULTE Sheet F 1/10,000
MORLANCOURT Feb 14th, 11pm
Weather - Wind strong, S.W. Rain at intervals in the late day.
Situation - Quiet - occasional shells were dropped on communication trench during the relief.
Relief - The battalion left the CITADEL LINE and went into billets at MORLANCOURT as Brigade Reserve. The battalion was relieved by the 2nd R. Warwick Rgt; the relief being complete by 6pm.
GBD
MORLANCOURT Feb 15th, 10pm
Weather - wind strong S.W. Rain throughout the day.
Work -
Fatigues were supplied as follows:
50 men under an officer cleaning road.
50 rank and file under the R.E. mending road.
MORLANCOURT Feb 16th, 11pm
Weather - wind strong S.W. rising to gale in the afternoon. Rain in the morning.
Work - Fatigues supplied as follows:
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WAR DIARIES - NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WO 95_1663_2-2
16th February - 1st March 1916
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[Continued from last page]
MORLANCOURT Feb 16th, 11pm
50 men and officers road cleaning 4 hours.
50 rank and file road mending 6 hours
100 men and 1 officer carrying party at the CITADEL. 4 hours.
100 men and 1 officer wiring and revetting in support line 4 hours
50 men and 1 officer repairing MAIDSTONE AVENUE 4 hours.
50 men and 1 officer dugout construction in MAPLE REDOUBT.
In addition fatigues of available men were 4 hours engaged in improving the hutments in which the battalion is lodged.
Baths here allotted to the battalion for the afternoon at VILLE SUR ANCRE. Two companies and half the Grenadiers had baths.
GBD
MORLANCOURT Feb 17th 10pm
Weather - fine during greater part of the day. Wind S.S.W. Fresh.
Work done -
Road cleaning and road mending fatigues of 50 men each.
A Company provided 100 men as working party, repairing communication trenches 9 -11pm
B Company provided 100 men as working party, repairing communication trenches 9:30 am -12 noon.
C Company provided 100 men as working party, repairing communication trenches 5pm - 9pm
D Company provided 100 men as working party, repairing communication trenches 5:30pm - 9:30pm
1 Sgt. and 20 men provided as carrying party 5 - 9pm
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MORLANCOURT Feb. 18th, 11 pm
Weather - Wind S.W. - strong - rain at intervals during day heavy rain at night.
Work -
50 men road mending in MORLANCOURT 8:30am - 4pm
25 men road cleaning fatigue 4 hours work.
Four parties of 1 officer and 100 men each for carrying at the CITADEL and repairing MAIDSTONE AVENUE 4 hours work.
Two parties of 1 Sgt and 20 men each cleaning trenches 4 hours.
GBD
MORLANCOURT Feb. 19th, 10 pm
Weather - Wind W.S.W. fresh - fine rain at intervals.
Work - 100 men for 4 hours repairing MAIDSTONE AVENUE.
100 men for 4 hours carrying party for R.E. Field Company.
100 men for 4 hours carrying party for R.E. (relief to above) (carrying timber from W. end of MAIDSTONE AVENUE to CITADEL)
100 men for 4 hours carrying R.E. stores from CITADEL to MAPLE REDOUBT.
50 men repairing roads in MORLANCOURT 8:30am - 4pm
25 men and 1 N.C.O. Brigade loading fatigue 8:45am - 12 noon.
GBD
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MORLANCOURT Feb 20th, 10pm
Weather - Fine and bright. - Wind N.W.
Work -
four parties of 50 men each under an officer digging telephone wire trench along MAIDSTONE AVENUE 4 hours.
One party road making 8 hours at cross roads E. of VILLE SUR ANCRE.
Feb 21st 9:30am
Situation - Heavy gun fire from the right of D Sector continued throughout the night and early morning, ceasing about 9am on the 21st.
GBD
MORLANCOURT Feb 21st, 10pm
Weather - Cold but fine and bright - wind N.W.
Work -
Fatigue parties found as follows:-
1 officer and 50 men for work in the RUE ALBERT - 4 hours.
1 officer and 50 men at work on cross roads E. of VILLE - 6 hours.
1 NCO and 50 men road repairing in MORLANCOURT.
Inspections were held prior to the taking over the front line trenches on the 22nd inst.
GBD
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TRENCHES D1 SECTOR Feb 22nd, 10pm
Weather - Wind N.W. medium. Dull with showers of rain and sleet and fine intervals.
Trenches - C & D Companies occupied the front line; C on right, D on left. A company occupied MAPLE REDOUBT and B Company 71 NORTH.
The left half of line and MAPLE REDOUBT were shelled while the battalion was relieving; twice men in the left half being wounded.
The front line and MAPLE REDOUBT were bombarded with canisters from trench mortar between 2pm & 3pm and eight more men were wounded also from the left half of line. Things were quiet until about 5pm when the enemy sent over several canisters discharge from trench mortars. Our artillery was soon active. The enemy followed this up by a heavy bombardment of the whole of our sector sending over canisters, H.E. shells, 5.9 Howitzers, & rifle grenades. There was also a good deal of rifle and machine gun fire especially on left of line. The bombardment continued until about 7pm after which things [cont on next page]
HA
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TRENCHES D1 SECTOR Feb 22nd, 10pm
Trenches [continued] were quiet. We had three more wounded. The machine gun officer of the 20th Manchesters was killed in our lines. Also one other rank of the R.W.F. and one wounded. this officer and the two other ranks were hit during the bombardment by rifle grenades. At 10:45 the enemy again sent over canisters from trench mortars but were soon silenced by the artillery. The remainder of the night was quiet.
Work done - working parties were organised to repair damage to front line trenches and communication trenches. A small working party was on clearing MAPLE REDOUBT.
HA
TRENCHES D1 SECTOR Feb 23rd, 10pm
Weather - Dull little snow at intervals. Wind N.W. wild.
Trenches - the enemy were quiet during the greater part of the day. At 2pm the enemy started a bombardment of right half of Sector and MAPLE REDOUBT but were soon silenced by our artillery. Occasional sniping took place. There were no casualties.
Word was received from Field Ambulance at BRAY that one man wounded the day previous had died during the night.
Work done - Working parties were organised during the day repairing
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[Cont from last page]
TRENCHES D1 SECTOR Feb 23rd, 11pm
Work done -
Damaged front line trenches. CANTERBURY AVENUE and NEW CUT were also cleared. We continued the fire trench started by the R.Es. behind MAPLE REDOUBT. At night parties were again clearing CANTERBURY AVENUE and NEW CUT, also WATLING STREET.
Pumping and work carried on at 76, 77, 78. Also working party with R.E. improving [?] THE FORT and repairing damage done to T.M. dugout.
HA
TRENCHES D1 SECTOR Feb 24th, 10pm
Weather - Fine day and frosty. Wind N. to N.E. mild.
Trenches -
the battalion was distributed in the trenches for the two days 24th-25th. A & B Companies occupied the front line. A on right B on left.D Company occupied MAPLE REDOUBT and C Company 71 NORTH.
The morning was quiet. At 2:15pm the enemy sent over several canisters from trench mortars. No damage was done and we had no casualties. Reports were received from both Companies in the line that our artillery shells were falling short. This message was sent to artillery. At 3:40pm the enemy were again active with rifle grenades and canisters. Our artillery again got to work and sent several shells over some of these again falling short killing 2 of our own men and wounding another. The evening was quiet except for one or two canisters sent over from enemy.
Work done - Working parties were organised improving PARK LANE, MAPLE REDOUBT also on THE FORT and CANTERBURY AVENUE.
HA
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TRENCHES D1 SECTOR Feb 25th, 10pm
Weather - fine and frosty at first, afterwards snow. Mild, N. to N.E. Later fresh.
Trenches - The morning was quiet except for occasional sniping. About 2:15pm the enemy started sending over a good many rifle grenades and canisters. The artillery were put on to shell but sent some shots short over left half of line killing one of our own men. Things were quiet again. At 2:40. a message received from the R.Es. stated ?? an enemy mine was suspected near the FORT.
About the quiet time the enemy bombarded our sector with rifle grenades and canisters. At 4pm they exploded their mine which was to right of FORT & opposite QUARRY. No damage was done to our parapet and we had no casualties only two men were gassed. They still kept up the bombardment but no damage was caused. Our Trench Mortar Battery was active. At 5pm the situation was normal and the rest of the day was quiet.
Work done -
Work was continued improving the FORT also on PARK LANE & UNION STREET.
Wire run out in front of trench 76 & two bays of 77 improved.
Working parties were hampered by the snow & low temperature.
CITADEL LINE Feb 26th, 10pm
Weather - Fine and cold. Wind N. to N.E.
Situation - Quiet. A few rifle grenades were thrown over during stand to. Obs. man was killed. The Battalion was relieved in the front line by 2nd R. Warwick Regt. who also took over MAPLE REDOUBT.
The battalion was distributed in the Support line as follows: - [cont on next page]
HA
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CITADEL LINE Feb 26th, 10pm
[Cont from last page]
A Company in the CITADEL; B Coy. in 71 S; C in billets at MORLANCOURT; D Coy. at GIBRALTER. Headquarters were established at 71 S.
The relief was complete at 3pm.
Work done - wiring working parties of 70 men 7 full ranks + 1 officer were found at 1:30pm and 7:30pm.
Working party cleaning MAIDSTONE AVENUE and 20 men carrying ammunition to T.M. Battery.
CITADEL LINE Feb 27th, 10pm
Weather - Dull with some sleet. Cold. Wind N. to N.E.
Situation - Quiet. The enemy shelled MAPLE REDOUBT between 6 & 7pm one or two dropping in 71 S. There were no casualties.
Work done - The wiring working party was continued same no. of men at 1:30am, 7:30pm, 1:30pm, 7:30pm.
40 men were sandbagging dugouts at CITADEL. MAIDSTONE AVENUE kept in repair.
CITADEL LINE Feb 28th, 10pm
Weather - Fine. Cold. Rain later in day. Wind N. to N.W.
Situation - Quiet. B company at 71 S were relieved by 20th MANCHESTERS & also Bn. H.Q. which moved to MORLANCOURT commencing 8am.
Work done -
A Coy. found wiring working party 70 men, 7 full ranks & 1 officer 7:30am.
B Coy. found wiring working party 70 men, 7 full ranks & 1 officer 1:30pm
C Coy. found wiring working party 70 men, 7 full ranks & 1 officer 7:30pm
D Coy. found wiring working party 70 men, 7 full ranks & 1 officer 1:30am
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MORLANCOURT Feb 29th, 10pm
Weather - Fine but dull. Later little rain. Wind S.
Situation - At 5:45 the S.O.S. message was received from Brigade. The Artillery was heard to be active. B Coy. stood to in the huts and were ready to move. At 9pm everything was reported quiet in the firing line. D Company was relieved from GIBRALTER by C Coy. the relief being complete at 8:15pm
Work done - The usual wiring parties were supplied by the two companies at CITADEL & GIBRALTER.
HA
MORLANCOURT Mar. 1st, 10pm
Weather - Fine & mild. Wind South.
Work done - The 4 wiring working parties were continued at 1:30am & pm, and 7:30am & pm.
In addition the following parties were found by B & D Coys. from MORLANCOURT:-
Two parties 50 men each, 5 full ranks & 1 officer at West End MAIDSTONE AVENUE at 9:30am.
80 men, 8 full ranks and 1 officer at BARRIER at 6pm.
20 men & 2 full ranks at West End MAIDSTONE AVENUE at 6pm.
HA
8/3/16 J.B. Batten, Lieut. Colonel, Commanding 24th Battalion Manchester Regt. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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