© Crown Copyright

WO-95-1646-2_3-15

© Crown Copyright

WO-95-1646-2_3-25

WAR DIARIES - NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WO WO-95-1646-2_3
1st MAY 1917 - 31st MAY 1917

Next page : File WO-95-1646-2_3-11
24th (S) Bn. The Manchester Regiment
(7th Division Pioneers)
Volume 19

COURCELLES HALTE. a. 16. B. 4.8 Sheets 57C, N.W.; 51B, S.W.
1st May
Weather: Bright & warm. Wind light N.
Work:
A Coy. Training: Ph. Tr. & B.F., Coy. in attack etc.
D Coy. worked in afternoon on COURCELLES HALTE - ERVILLERS road.
B Coy. worked morning & afternoon.
C Coy. completed 2 communication trenches from ST LEGER - VRAUCOURT road to defensive line, commenced by D Coy previous night.
6 officers proceeded to join 17th Bn.
Casualties - Nil
A.St.G.W.

2nd May
Weather: as previous day.
Bn. rested; inspections held.
Casualties - Nil
A.St.G.W.

3rd May
Weather: Warm; wind light N. - N.E.
B. 17. c. 0.3 Move: Bn. moved to camp N.E. of MORY; transport lines W. of MORY.
Coys. held in readiness to work on ECOUST - BULLECOURT road; attack on BULLECOURT was not however sufficiently successful to permit work.
Casualties - Nil
A.St.G.W.

4th May
Weather: Cooler; wind N.E. light - nil
Work: Bn. (less B Coy.) went out 9:50pm to dig communication trench from BULLECOURT to Railway embankment; owing to obscurity of the situation in BULLECOURT & consequent delays, it was impossible to finish the job. In accordance with orders Bn. returned without working.

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COURCELLES HALTE. a. 16. B. 4.8 Sheets 57C, N.W.; 51B, S.W.
4th May
[continued from previous page]

Casualties - Lieut, Col. J.H. Chadwick commanding the Bn. & his runner No. 14322 LCpl. R. Archer (Military Medal) were killed by a shell while out with above party in front of ECOUST ST. MEIN.
A.St.G.W.

5th May
Weather: fine; wind light variable; S.W. in morning veering to N.E. in evening.
Work:
B & D Coys. worked in HOMME MORT defensive line (night) joining posts.
A Coy. worked (night) strengthening defences of Railway, joining up short lengths of trench already dug.
Casualties - Nil
The bodies of Lieut. Col. J.H. Chadwick & LCpl. Archer (above) which had been carried back to camp were buried at military cemetery opposite L'ABBAYE MORY; the A.A. & Q.M.G. & O.R.E. 7th Division & representatives of the R.E. Field Coys. as well as members of all sections of the Bn. were present.
Command: - Major E. Viner assumed command of the Bn.
A.St.G.W.

6th May
Weather: Fine, cooler. Wind N.E. light - nil.
Work: B & C Coys. dug 570^x of commn. trench from ECOUST forward (night).
Divine Services (including Memorial Service) held in camp.
Casualties - Nil
A.St.G.W.

7th May
Weather: Fine. Wind E. light - nil. Heavy rain at night.
Work: A, B, C, & D Coys. completing commn. trench (above) ECOUST - BULLECOURT (night) about 1400^x. depth 3' - 5'; fire positions put on W. side at N. end.

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COURCELLES HALTE. a. 16. B. 4.8 Sheets 57C, N.W.; 51B, S.W.
7th May
Casualties - Offrs.- Nil; O.R. 2 killed, 6 wounded.
A.St.G.W.

8th May
Weather: Fine & warm later; rain in morning. Wind N.W. light.
Work:
A Coy. improving S. end of above trench; widening, deepening, laying trench mats & making passing places (night)
D Coy. on N. end of trench, as above & making fire positions (night).
Casualties - 4 O.R. wounded.
A.St.G.W.

9th May
Weather: Fine & warm. Wind N.-N.E. light.
Work:
B & C Coys. as A & D above; C Coy also erecting screens on ECOUST - BULLECOURT road & digging 150^x C.T. from main trench towards Bgd. HQ. on above road.
Casualties - 6 O.R. wounded; all remaining at duty.
Gas alarm : was given at 1am night 9th/10th; eventually proved to be false.
A.St.G.W.

10th May
Weather: Fine & warm. Wind S.E. Nil - light.
Work:
A Coy: widening & deepening 780x of trench at N.E. end (night); BULLECOURT AVE.
D Coy: widening & deepening 500x of trench at S.W. end (night); also laid 30 trench boards; 1 platoon deepening & continuing the trench to Bgd. HQ
Casualties: O.R. - 1 killed; 2 wounded & 2 remaining at duty.
A.St.G.W.

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COURCELLES HALTE. a. 16. B. 4.8 Sheets 57C, N.W.; 51B, S.W.
11 th May
Weather: Fine & warm. wind: Very light S.E.
Work: C Coy. One section cleared places blown in on BULLECOURT AVE. trench. Remainder of Coy. deepening & widening 700^x of same trench from C. 3. a. 6 - 2 to railway embankment (night).
Casualties - Nil.
W.T.J.

12th May
Weather: Fine & warm. Wind S.E. very light.
B Coy. Dug a trench from U. 27. d. 6.3 to U. 27. d. 35.40, along the railway embankment, also a trench from U. 27. d. 60.25 to U. 27. d. 58.35.
D Coy. Deepening & widening BULLECOURT AVENUE from C. 3. a. 8.6 to U. 27. d. 4.2 (350 yds). Carried 100 trench boards from
C. 3. c. 1.2. Laid 80 of same. 1 Section repairing trench where blown in from U. 27. d. 4.2 to point 31. Gas masks were put on as traces of gas were felt (night)
Casualties - O.R. 3 wounded
W.T.J.

13th May
Weather: Fine & warm. Very heavy thunderstorms later. Wind S.E. day, S.W. at night.
A Coy: Deepening, widening and repairing BULLECOURT AVENUE, especially 8 or 9 places where same had been blown in by hostile shelling. Laid down 45 trench mats. Cleared and commenced to dig trench from Pt. 31 to B. HQ. at U. 28. a. 5.2. It was impossible to complete or continue the work on this latter trench as there was no cover and the men were subjected to heavy shelling and sniping (night).
Casualties - Nil.
W.T.J.

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COURCELLES HALTE. a. 16. B. 4.8 Sheets 57C, N.W.; 51B, S.W.
14th May
Weather: Showery. Wind - Fresh, S.W.
Work:
B Coy. Detailed for clearing BULLECOURT AVENUE. Detained 1 hour before entering trench owing to Guard being placed on it by relieving Brigade. Coy. had to be withdrawn in consequence of enemy gas shells. No work done. (night)
C Coy. Work: Trench from POINT 31 to U. 28. a. 30.45 (about 200 yds) dug to an average depth of 2'-6"; and an average width of 2'-9" on top. (night)
Hostile bombardment delayed the relief for 2 hours.
D Coy: Work: Communication trench from U. 27. s. 4.5-8 to U. 27. a. 8.5-4. Entered Gas shell barrage at 9:30pm. Gas helmets ordered to be put on. 109 men suffered from Gas poisoning. 54 men sent to Aid Post; 6 sent to C.C.S. The Company returned to Camp having been unable to get to the job. (night).
During the day a H.V. enemy gun shelled the vicinity of the Camp which necessitated the removal of the men to a safer place for a little time.
Casualties - Reporting :
sick (gassed) : Officers 7; O.R. 68.
Wounded : O.R. 3.
Gassed, admitted to F.A. : O.R. 6
Totals: Officers 7; O.R. 77.
W.T.J.

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COURCELLES HALTE. a. 16. B. 4.8 Sheets 57C, N.W.; 51B, S.W.
15th May
Weather: Dull. Wind N.W. light.
Work: A & B Coys. Communication trench from U. 27. d. 4.5-8 to U. 27. a. 8.5-4.
The Coys. were unable to get on to the work or beyond the Railway embankment in consequence of the light night and hostile Machine Gun fire. Left the embankment for Camp at 1am. (night)
Casualties :- Nil
MAPS: 57C, N.W. & 57D, N.E.
Move: C & D Coys. moved to Camp LOGEAST WOOD, F. 30. c. 8-4

16th May
Weather: very wet. Wind N.W. daytime. S.W. night, fresh.
Move: A & B Coys. moved to Camp LOGEAST WOOD, F. 30. c. 8-4
Transport moved to Camp LOGEAST WOOD, F. 30. c. 8-4
Casualties :- Nil

17th May
Weather: Fine & Dull. Wind: Light S.W.
The Companies rested and later held company inspections.
Casualties :- Nil

18th May
Weather: Sunny. Wind S.W. light.
The Companies rested except for company inspections.
Casualties :- Nil

[no officer initials on this page - handwriting as last sheet]

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MAPS: 57C N.W. & 57D N.E.
[LOGEAST WOOD, F. 30. c. 8-4]
19th May
Weather: fine and cool. Wind S.W. light
Work: C. Coy. Overland tracks ACHIET-Le-GRAND - ERVILLERS. Making ramps at G. 4. d. 3.8, A. 29. o. 6.8, A. 24. c. 6.3 & B. 13. c. 55.05. Cutting wire, clearing, moving fallen tree at B. 13. c.5.1, and generally preparing a track running through points as above 30' wide.
D Coy. Placed pickets in, on Overland track from point G. 4. d. 3.8 to B. 18. c. 5.1 and from B. 19. a. 1.4 to A. 18. d. 2.8.
Also placed in 40 signposts.
A & B Coys. Company inspections.
Casualties :- Nil
W.T.J.

20th May
Weather: fine and warm. Wind.
Divine Services in Camp.
Battalion inspected at 11:30 am on Camp Parade Ground by Maj. General Shonbridge. The Battalion was thanked for its good work especially at BULLECOURT.
Casualties :- Nil
W.T.J.

21st May
Weather fine with exception of one thunderstorm. Wind S.W. to N.W. later.
B & D Coys. working on ACHIET-Le-GRAND - ERVILLERS track in morning.
C & D Coys. working on ACHIET-Le-GRAND - ERVILLERS track in afternoon.

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WAR DIARIES - NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WO-95-1646-2_3
1st MAY 1917 - 31st MAY 1917
ORDER PAPERS Etc.

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MAPS: 57C N.W. & 57D N.E.
[LOGEAST WOOD, F. 30. c. 8-4]

[21st May - continued from previous page]
A & C Coys. bathed at ABLAINZEVILLE in morning
B & D Coys. bathed at ABLAINZEVILLE in afternoon
Hq. & Transport bathed at ABLAINZEVILLE during the day.
A Battalion Concert was held in LOGEAST WOOD in the evening. A piano was borrowed from a hospital close by. A temporary platform
was also erected during the day.
Casualties :- Nil
W.T.J.

22nd May
Weather: very wet. Wind Northerly.
Work:
A Coy. Two platoons on range, completed sodding the stop bank behind targets. Completed digging out of ramp. Sides bermed and laid back.
Two platoons less 1 section completed painting of posts on Four Trees 'Trail'[?] and ACHIET-Le-GRAND - ERVILLERS TRACK.
1 Section on Mar[??] Dump.
B Coy. Work on track ACHIET-Le-GRAND - BIEFVILLERS. Track completed except for Notice Boards. It rained the whole time which hampered work to some extent.
C & D Coys. Training.
Casualties :- Nil
W.T.J.

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MAPS: 57C N.W. & 57D N.E.
[LOGEAST WOOD, F. 30. c. 8-4]
23rd May
Weather: Fine & warm. Wind S.W. to S.
A Coy. Two Platoons on track ACHIET-Le-GRAND to BIEFVILLERS. Fixing Fair weather track signs and direction boards. Painting stumps and clearing track.
Two Platoons making a ramp on track at G. 17. c. 9.5-70, and clearing road from Ramp to G. 17. D. 0.5-8.0
B, C, & D Coys. training.
Casualties :- Nil
W.T.J.

24th May
Weather: Fine, warm & sunny. Wind, westerly, light.
A Coy. 2 Platoons less two sections and B Coy clearing and preparing road and opening up drains from G. 4. d. 2.4 to A. 28. b. 8.1.
Six G.S. waggons carting bricks for repair of road.
A Coy. 1 Platton reported to Town Mayor ABLAINZEVILLE for clearing refuse etc.
A Coy. 2 Sections: One on ACHIET-Le-GRAND to BIEFVILLERS track the other on ACHIET-Le-GRAND - GOMIECOURT - ERVILLERS track erecting direction boards and fair weather track boards.
C & D Coys. training.
Casualties :- Nil
W.T.J.

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MAPS: 57C N.W. & 57D N.E.
[LOGEAST WOOD, F. 30. c. 8-4]
25th May
Weather: Fine & warm, and very sunny. Wind Westerly, light.
C & D Coys. worked on ACHIET-Le-GRAND - ERVILLERS ROAD clearing and filling in shell holes with bricks.
A & B Coys. training.
Casualties :- Nil
W.T.J.

Map 57C N.W. and ECOUST-ST-MIEN 1/10000
26th May
Weather: Fine, warm. and very sunny. Wind Westerly, light.
The Battalion moved to Camp B. 15. c. 0.3. No work done owing to move.
Casualties :- Nil
The Battalion attached to 58th Division for work as from this date.
W.T.J.

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Map 57C N.W. and ECOUST-ST-MIEN 1/10000
27th May
Weather: Fine & warm. Sunny. Wind North Westerly.
A Coy. 250^x Trench (average depth 1'-6") deepened and widened to 5' 0" depth 3' at top 1' 9" at bottom. U. 28. b. 1.2 - U. 28. d. 2.8
ECOUST-ST-MIEN Map 1/10000.
B Coy. Dug the part of the above communication trench from the support line towards the Railway Embankment to depth of 5' 3' at top - 1' 9" at bottom.
C Coy. Dug 250^x of above communication trench, dug to average depth of 4' 9" width of 3' at top and 1' 3" at bottom, from U. 28. c. 8.2 to U. 22. d. 8.0 on ECOUST-ST-MIEN Map 1/10000.
D Coy. Dug 210^x of Trench from U. 28. b. 2.2 to U. 28. b. 5.5 to average depth 4' 3"; width at top 3' 5" & 2' 3" at bottom.
Night.
Casualties :- 1 O.R. wounded
W.T.J.

28th May
Weather: fine, warm, & sunny. Wind North Westerly. Thunderstorms later.
A Coy. Working on communication trench from U. 28. d. 2.15 to U. 28. c. 9.6 (350^x ) digging and improving trench.
C Coy. Working on communication trench from U. 28. d. 1.1 to U. 28. b. 9.5 - 9.5 digging and improving trench.
D Coy. Working on communication trench from U. 28. d. 1.08 to U. 28. d. 0.2 (32 yards) and from U. 28. c. 9.6 to U. 28. c. 9.9 (350 yards) digging and improving trench.
The Communication Trench from U. 28. d. 2.1.5 to U. 28. b. 9.5 -9.5 was completed.

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[Map 57C N.W. and ECOUST-ST-MIEN 1/10,000
continued from previous page]

by the three companies. Ref. ECOUST-ST.- Map 1/10,000
B Coy. The Company worked on communication trench along the Embankment from BULLECOURT AVENUE in an easterly direction U. 27. d. 5.3 to U. 28. c. 2.3. (night)
Casualties :- 1 O.R. wounded
W.T.J.

29th May
Weather: Close and dull. Thunder storms in afternoon. Wind S.W. to W. light.
A Coy. Deepened, widened and cleared 300^x of trench to 5' deep. 3' 6" wide at top and 2' at bottom, from U. 28. c. 3.2 to U. 28. c. 7.3.
Map ECOUST-ST-MIEN 1/10,000.
B Coy. Deepened, widened and cleared communication trench as above from A Coy. at U. 28. c. 7.3. to C. 4. b. 6.8.
D Coy. Deepened, widened and cleared communication trench as above from U. 28. c. 0.3 to U. 28. c. 3.2.
Night.
C Coy. resting.
Casualties :- Nil
W.T.J.

30th May
Weather: Close and dull. Thunder storms. Wind South West.
A Coy. 1 Section clearing embankment trench of tree trunks and roots.
The Company (less 1 section) dug communication trench (putting in 8 fire bays and 8 traverses from C. 4. b. 5.8 to C. 4. b. 5.5.

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[Map 57C N.W. and ECOUST-ST-MIEN 1/10000
continued from previous page]

B Coy. Dug communication trench (putting in 13 fire bays and 12 traverses.) from C. 4. b. 5.5 to C. 4. b. 3.3.
C Coy. Dug communication trench from C. 4. b. 3.3. to C. 4. b. 0.0.
D Coy. resting.
Night.
Casualties :- 1 O.R. wounded
W.T.J.

31st May
Weather: Warm and sunny. Wind South West.
A Coy. Rested.
B Coy. Worked on the embankment trench from BULLECOURT AVENUE junction U. 27. d. 6.3. 160 Trench Mats were carried up. Two platoons were sent back for a second load. The remaining two platoons started to make the trench ready for trench mats. 280 yds. completed.
C Coy. one platoon digging through to connect trench from BULLECOURT AVENUE with trench from Battalion Headquarters '??' [2 digits]. from C. 4. b. 5.8 to C. 4. b. 6.7 and laying trench mats.
One platoon deepening and widening trench from C. 4. b. 6.7 to Battalion Hq. at C. a. o. 5.45 and laying trench boards.
Two platoons and two platoons of D Coy. widening and deepening trench from C. 4. b. 5.8 westwards.
D Coy. Loaded 160 trench mats at MORY DUMP.

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[Map 57C N.W. and ECOUST-ST-MIEN 1/10000
continued from previous page]

Two platoons unloading & carrying 160 trench mats from near Battalion Hq. to C Coy. These two platoons then employed deepening & widening trench from C 4. b. 8.6 towards BULLECOURT AVENUE.
Two platoons with D Coy.
Night.
Casualties : 5 O.R. wounded.
W.T.J.

E. Viner
Acting Lieut. Colonel
Comdg. 24th (S) Bn. The Manchester Regt.
(7th Division Pioneers)

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SECRET
Copy No. 12
24th Battalion The Manchester Regiment
PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPERATIONS No. 1
11th May 1917
REFERENCE - SHEETS 51B S.W. - 57C N.W.

1. On 12th May at an hour to be notified later, the 7th Division will continue its attack on BULLECOURT. This attack will be made in conjunction with an attack by the 5th Australian Division on our right, and with the co-operation of the 62nd Division on our left.
The 91st Infantry Brigade will carry out the attack.
The protective barrage will lift from G.2. at Zero plus four hours to enable patrols to be pushed forward to occupy this line from U. 22. c. 7.2 to U. 21. d. 5.6 if possible.

2. Royal Engineers.
(a) Strong points will be established at : -
1. U. 22. b. 3.1
2. U. 21. d. 8.1
3. U. 21. d. 5.1
4. U. 27. b. 2.8
5. U. 27. b. 1.6
6. U. 27. b. 5.6
7. U. 27. b. 6.3

(b) On Zero night, a communication trench will be dug from the railway embankment to the village, along the line of the road N.E. from U. 27. d. 2.5.

(c) The C.R.E. will arrange to construct this communication trench and for R.E. assistance to be given in the construction of the Strong points.

3. Headquarters:
Divl. Headquarters will remain at B. 28. a. 2.4.
Advanced Bde. H.Q. will be in LONGATTE with a Brigade O.P. at C. 2. d. 9.9.

DISTRIBUTION : - as Operation Orders.

(signed) A. St. G. WALSH, Lieut. and Adjutant.

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