1st Battalion. 12th Brigade, 4th Division: Left Bertrancourt 10.05 p.m. (30/6) for assemble area – Green Trench and Bow Street. Attack between Beaumont-Hamel and Serre (1/7) – War diary records leading sections advanced 8.46 a.m. and heavy casualties before British front line was reached – further losses in No Man’s Land from both machine gun and shell fire – few men reached German line. Withdrew to support trenches Elles Square. To Mailly-Maillet (7/7), Bertrancourt (9/7), trenches east of Auchonvillers (17/7), Louvencourt (21/7), Authieule (22/7). Marched to Doullens 10.55 p.m. and entrained for Cassel. Entrained at Houpoutre for Saleux (17/9) and from there marched to Poulainville via Amiens. To Allonville (25/9), Corbie (26/9), Citadel Camp (8/10), Bernafay Wood (9/10) and from there to trenches between Ginchy and Lesbœufs. To Bernafay Wood (10/10), trenches in front of Le Transloy (13/10). ‘B’ Company attacked German held section of Spectrum Trench (14/10) – 60 yards gained and consolidated. Further action until withdrawn to Bernafay Wood (19/10). To front line (22/10). Attack on Spectrum Trench (23/10) – ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies advanced 2.30 p.m. – passed through objective to sunken road – subjected to heavy fire from the right and fell back to Spectrum. Casualties – 193. Relieved and to Bernafay Wood (24/10), Citadel Camp (25/10). To Ville-sur-Ancre (26/10). Entrained at Méricourt-l’Abbé for Airaines (29/10) and from there marched to Allery.
1/4th Battalion (T.F.). 164th Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division: Arrived Berneuil from Sombrin (22/7). Entrained at Candas for Méricourt (25/7) and from there marched to Méaulte. To Happy Valley (26/7), positions between Trônes Wood and Guillemont (30/7). ‘B’ Company attacked advanced German strong-point 8.30 p.m. (2/8) – forced to retire due to severe shelling. Renewed attack later more successful. Withdrew to reserve line – Dublin and Casement Trenches. To bivouacs south of Carnoy and west of Bronfay Farm (4/8). To trenches near Arrow Head Copse (7/8). Attack on Guillemont 3.45 a.m. (8/8) – assault driven back by bombs and machine gun fire. Casualties – 271. Relieved and to bivouacs south-west of Carnoy (9/8). War Diary notes observation balloon broke away towards enemy lines – occupant parachuted. To Méricourt (14/8). Entrained for Abbeville (19/8) and from there marched to Limercourt. Entrained at Pont-Remy for Méricourt-l’Abbé (30/8) and from there marched to bivouacs near Dernancourt. To positions near Albert on Amiens Road (31/8), east of Bécordel-Bécourt (6/9), Montauban (7/9), Montauban Alley (8/9), reserve line Crucifix Alley (9/9) – 1 company attached to 1/8th King’s Liverpool in support. Moved forward to Delville Wood (10/9). Attack on Hop Alley and Ale Alley 5.20 a.m. (11/9) – withdrew after strong machine gun and rifle fire. Relieved and to Bécourt (12/9), Ribemont (13/9). One officer and 120 other ranks sent to guard German prisoners in Corps cage at Mametz (15/9). To Buire (16/9), Bécourt (17/9), York Trench (18/9) – moving to Mametz at midnight. Working parties around Longueval. To trenches in front of Delville Wood (Green Trench, King’s Walk) (24/9). Moved forward to trenches east of Flers (26/9). In support of 1/8th King’s Liverpool for attack on Gird Lines (27/9) – took over captured positions (28/9). Relieved and via Mametz to Dernancourt (29/9). Entrained for Longpré (1/10) and from there marched to Bouchon. Entrained at Longpré for Poperinghe (2/10).
1/5th Battalion (T.F.). 166th Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division: Moved from Sombrin to Bouquemaison (20/7). To Boisbergues (21/7). Prouville (22/7). Entrained at Candas for Méricourt-l’Abbé (25/7) and from there marched to Ville-sur-Ancre. To bivouacs near Sandpit Camp (27/7), Wellington Redoubt (30/7), Reserve line Talus Boisé (1/8) – working parties digging communication trenches near Trônes Wood. To Citadel Camp (6/8). ‘A’ Company moved forward to La Briqueterie (7/8) – providing carrying parties and supervising prisoners during operations at Guillemont. To Dublin and Casement Trenches (8/8), front line and support trenches (9/8). Relieved and to bivouacs south-east of Citadel (10/8), Talus Boisé (13/8) – working parties digging new fire trenches near Guillemont. War Diary records that men were ordered to dig in a kneeling position as to stand would have been impossible due to enemy snipers. To bivouacs east of Citadel (14/8), Méaulte (15/8). Entrained at Edgehill for Martainneville (19/8) and from there marched to Chépy. To Béhen (29/8). Entrained at Pont-Remy for Méricourt-l’Abbé (30/8) and from there marched to bivouacs south-west of Albert. To bivouacs near Bécordel-Bécourt (31/8). Moved forward to trenches north of Delville Wood (5/9). Relieved and to Montauban (8/9), bivouacs south-west of Fricourt (10/9), near Dernancourt (11/9). To Pommiers Redoubt (17/9) and from there positions north of Delville Wood (King’s Walk Trench). To front line Flers sector (18/9). Relieved and to Pommiers Redoubt (23/9), Ribemont (28/9). Entrained at Méricourt-l’Abbé for Longpré (30/9) and from there marched to Epagne. Entrained at Abbeville for Proven (2/10).
7th (Service) Battalion. 56th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division: Moved forward from Hénencourt Wood (30/6) and at 7.30 a.m. (1/7) took over support positions in Tara-Usna Line for attack on Ovillers. Took over line at La Boisselle (3/7). Attacked 8.30 a.m. (4/7) – moving forward up 3 communication trenches, assault held up by strong machine gun fire from positions north-east of village. New line taken up and consolidated about 300 yards in advance. Relieved and to Tara-Usna Line (5/7). To support line (6/7). Attacked 8 a.m. (7/7) – War Diary records that whole battalion charged across the open and carried its objective. Over 400 prisoners taken. Casualties – 156. Relieved and to Albert (8/7), Hénencourt Wood (9/7). To support trenches south-western edge of Bazentin-le-Petit Wood (19/7). Working parties digging new forward trench. To Mametz Wood (23/7), bivouacs north of Bernafay Wood (27/7). Took over front line north-east of Bazentin-le-Petit (29/7). In action (30/7). Relieved from captured positions in Intermediate Trench and to bivouacs south of Bécourt Wood (31/7). To Franvillers (1/8). Entrained at Fréchencourt for Longpré (3/8) and from there to Ailly-le-Haut-Clocher. Entrained at Longpré for Bailleul (6/8). Entrained at Bailleul for Doullens (5/10) and from there marched to Rossignol Farm, Coigneux. To Sailly-au-Bois (7/10) – working parties with Royal Engineers and Corps and Divisional Signals. To Couin (11/10), Harponville (17/10), the Brickworks near Albert (21/10). Relieved 11th and 13th Royal Sussex in recently captured Stuff Trench north-east of Thiepval. New front line consolidated. Relieved and to Brigade reserve at Wood Post and Leipzig Redoubt (24/10). To Aveluy (27/10), Stuff Trench (30/10) – War Diary notes average depth of mud 2 foot. Relieved by 7th East Lancashire (1/11) – War Diary records relief as ‘difficult’ owing to heavy shelling and state of trenches. Relief began at 10.30 a.m. and was not complete until 6 p.m. – 1 man being stuck in mud for 7 hours. To Wood Post and Leipzig Redoubt. Relieved 9th Royal Welsh Fusiliers in Regina Trench (5/11). Relieved and to Ovillers Post (8/11). To Leipzig Redoubt and Wood Post (11/11), Schwaben and Bainbridge Trenches (12/11). In close support for attack on St. Pierre Divion and Hansa Line (13/11) – providing carrying parties. Hansa Line taken over (14/11). Relieved and to Marlborough Huts (17/11).
8th (Service) Battalion. 76th Brigade, 3rd Division: Entrained at St. Omer for Doullens (1/7) and from there marched to Autheux. To Naours (3/7), Coisy (4/7), Franvillers (5/7), Celestines Wood (6/7), Bronfay Farm (8/7), Carnoy (13/7), Caterpillar Wood (14/7). In support of 1st Gordon Highlanders during operations at Longueval and Delville Wood (18/7). Relieved and to Bund Trench near Carnoy (19/7). To trenches south-west of Longueval (22/7). Withdrew to Bund Trench (23/7). To Montauban Alley (24/7) – ‘A’ Company sent forward in support at Delville Wood. Relieved and via Bund Trench to Bois des Tailles (25/7). To Méricourt (28/7), Sandpit Camp (11/8), Talus Boisé (14/8). Attack on Lonely Trench 5.40 p.m. (16/8) – War Diary records heavy casualties from machine gun and rifle fire as soon as assault was launched. Renewed attack met similar result – all officers and N.C.Os of ‘B’ and ‘C’ Companies becoming casualties. Attack by ‘D’ Company failed (18/8). Later relieved via Citadel to Carnoy. To Happy Valley (19/8). Casualties for period (16/8)–(18/8) – 271. To Morlancourt (21/8). Entrained at Méricourt for Candas (23/8) and from there marched to Autheux. To Fortel (25/8). Began march to St. Pol area (26/8). Entrained at St. Pol for Acheux (7/10) and from there marched to Raincheval. To Bertrancourt (8/10), Louvencourt (17/10), front line Serre sector (19/10), Courcelles (21/10) – provided working and carrying parties to front line during nights. To front line (25/10), Courcelles (27/10), Bus-lès-Artois (30/10), Courcelles (12/11) and from there to assembly area – Holland, Monk, Campion Trenches. Attack on Serre (13/11) – in support ‘D’ Company attempted to enter German front line but withdrew under strong machine gun and rifle fire. Held front line until relieved and to Bus-lès-Artois (19/11).
11th (Service) Battalion. 120th Brigade, 40th Division: Arrived Prouville from Noeux (5/11). To Doullens (12/11), Souastre (13/11), Hébuterne (14/11) – relieving 1/5th York and Lancaster in right sub-sector.