Oldham Historical Research Group

'THE GREAT WAR',     'THE WAR TO END WAR',     'WORLD WAR 1'
'What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
- Only the monstrous anger of the guns.'

                                                                                                  
from 'Anthem for Doomed Youth' by Wilfred Owen

From the National Archives: Unit War Diaries of the British Army 1914 - 1922

"These records are the unit war diaries of the British Army in the First World War. They are not personal diaries (try the Imperial War Museum for those). They are part of a large series of records, WO 95, which contains many more diaries scheduled for digitisation. We are now conserving, sorting, digitising and itemising thousands more diaries from the WO 95 series as part of our First World War 100 programme."
Full details on the National Archives website HERE


24th BATTALION, THE MANCHESTER REGIMENT (OLDHAM COMRADES)
ON THE BATTLEFIELDS OF THE SOMME

TRANSCRIPTIONS

UNIT WAR DIARIES
JUNE 1916 ... File WO-95-1646-2_1

Examples of Diary Pages

WO-95-1646-2_1-2
© Crown Copyright

WO-95-1646-2_1-2

WO-95-1646-2_1-15
© Crown Copyright

WO-95-1646-2_1-15

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

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B.E.F.
_______________

7 DIVISIONAL TROOPS
________________

24 BN. MANCHESTER REGT. (PIONEERS)
________________

1916 JUNE - 1917 NOV.
________________

FROM 22 BDE. 7 DIVISION
________________

TO ITALY SAME DIVISION
________________

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.

[continued on next sheet]

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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.

[continued on next sheet]

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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.

[continued on next sheet]

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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

[continued on next sheet]

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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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"These records are the unit war diaries of the British Army in the First World War. They are not personal diaries (try the Imperial War Museum for those). They are part of a large series of records, WO 95, which contains many more diaries scheduled for digitisation.
Full details on the National Archives website HERE

transcribed by Sheila Goodyear
All images © Crown Copyright

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