1st Battalion. 62nd Brigade, 21st Division: In reserve at Méaulte during opening of attack on Fricourt (1/7). Moved forward 8 a.m. – carrying parties began taking ammunition to forward line. Later consolidated captured positions at Crucifix Trench. Attack on Birch Tree and Shelter Woods 9 a.m. (3/7) – ‘B’ Company reached objective without serious loss – ‘A’ on right came under heavy fire from both flanks suffering high casualties. Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel D.H.F. Grant, D.S.O. led attack and was seriously wounded in the head. Objectives cleared by 4.30 p.m. War Diary notes capture of 700 prisoners and losses of 243 all ranks. Entrained at Dernancourt for Ailly-sur-Somme (4/7) and from there marched to Argœuves. To Oissy (7/7). Entrained at Ailly-sur-Somme for Corbie (10/7) and from there marched to Méaulte. To Mametz Wood in reserve (11/7). Heavy shelling noted during night (12/7). Casualties – 121. Relieved midnight (17/7) and to Buire. Casualties since (11/7) – 161. War Diary notes the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Contingent (attached to battalion) was busily employed carrying for 62nd Trench Mortar Battery. Entrained at Dernancourt for Saleux (20/7) and from there marched to Oissy. Entrained at Longueau for Arras sector (23/7). Entrained at Frévent for Albert (14/9) and from there marched to Dernancourt. To Bécordel-Bécourt (15/9), Pommiers Redoubt (16/9) – moved forward 9.30 p.m. and took over reserve trenches north end of Bernafay Wood. ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies to support at Gap Trench (17/9) and later took over front line facing Lesbœufs. Relieved (19/9). Bombers sent forward for attack down Gas Alley towards Gird Trench (20/9) – enemy driven back about 100 yards. To camp a mile south-west of Fricourt (22/9). Moved forward via Pommiers Redoubt to Gap and Switch Trenches (24/9). Attack on Gird Lines (25/9) – attached to 64th Brigade – ‘A’ and ‘C’ Companies advanced from support line at 12.35 p.m. – halted by heavy shelling after 50 yards. On right – War Diary notes that the men bayoneted and bombed their way up Gas Alley until thinned in numbers by heavy casualties – advance of ‘B’ and ‘D’ Companies recorded as over distance of 1,500 yards – ‘as if on parade without in any way having their morale shaken.’ Withdrawn to sunken road between Lesbœufs and Flers. Casualties – 174. To Switch Trench early morning (26/9) and from there bivouacs north of Bernafay Wood. Moved forward to support lines (Gird and Pioneer Trenches, dug-outs in Bulls Road) (29/9), Bernafay Wood (1/10), camp north of Dernancourt (2/10). Entrained at Edgehill for Longpré (4/10) and from there marched to Vauchelles. Entrained at Longpré for Loos Sector (8/10).
2nd Battalion. 25th Brigade, 8th Division: Attack on Ovillers (1/7) – War Diary records – in positions by 3.30 a.m – wire along whole of front reported cut. Leading waves moved into No Man’s Land 7.25 a.m. – German front line reached under heavy fire – 200 yards taken by 7.50 after fierce fighting. Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Reginald Bastard records that after 2–3 hours fighting in German front line only he and 1 other officer were left – ‘and we had bullet holes in our clothing.’ Counter attacks forced withdrawal after 9 a.m. Relieved by 6th Royal West Kent at midnight and to Long Valley. Casualties – 471. Entrained at Dernancourt for Ailly-sur-Somme (2/7) and from there marched to St. Sauveur. To Fourdrinoy (5/7). Entrained at Longueau for Béthune sector (8/7). Arrived Pont-Remy from Lillers (14/10) and from there marched to Airaines. To Ville in motor buses (16/10) and from there marched to Citadel Camp. Moved forward to Trônes Wood (19/10) and from there relieved 8th Bedfordshire in front line trenches near Lesbœufs. Attack on Zenith Trench 2.30 p.m. (23/10) – War Diary notes ‘gallant’ German officer leading his men down parapet – assault held up by strong rifle fire. Withdrew to Rose Trench in Brigade support. Casualties – 272. To Trônes Wood (27/10), Citadel Camp (29/10), Méaulte (3/11), La Briqueterie (8/11). War Diary notes enemy aircraft dropped 2 bombs about 8 p.m. – 5 casualties. Relieved 1st Notts and Derby in trenches near Lesbœufs (9/11). To Guillemont (11/11), front line (14/11), Carnoy (16/11), Sandpit Camp (17/11). Entrained at Edgehill for Airaines (19/11) and from there marched to Heucourt.
1/4th Battalion (T.F.). 138th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division: Dug shallow trench in front of British line facing Gommecourt Park during night (30/6). Positioned between attacking divisions (56th and 46th) for attack on Gommecourt (1/7) – this activity intended to draw enemy’s fire. Withdrawn to Foncquevillers and later to Hannescamps sector. Arrived Mézerolles from Mondicourt (1/11). To Maison Ponthieu (2/11), Agenvillers (3/11), Neuilly-l’Hôpital (11/11).
1/5th Battalion (T.F.). 138th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division: At 8.30 a.m. (1/7) moved from positions 1,000 yards east of Souastre to reserve line at Midland Trench. Advanced through Foncquevillers and Roberts Avenue to front line 9.30 p.m. – War Diary notes trenches full of dead bodies, badly battered by shell fire – wounded coming in from No Man’s Land. Sent forward at midnight to assist Sherwood Foresters of 139th Brigade then fighting in enemy’s front line at Gommecourt Park – direction lost in darkness – withdrawal forced under heavy fire. Relieved and to Foncquevillers (3/7) and from there moved to Hannescamps sector. Arrived Béalcourt from Halloy (1/11). To Coulonvillers (2/11), Agenvillers (3/11).
6th (Service) Battalion. 33rd Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division: Entrained at Frévent for Acheux (2/9) and from there marched to Léalvillers. To Bouzincourt (5/9). Took over trenches north of Ovillers (12/9). ‘C’ Company captured and consolidated Constance Trench during night (15/9). Bombing attack on Joseph Trench driven back 10 a.m. (17/9). Enemy counter attack on Constance Trench repulsed during evening. Relieved and to Donnet Post during night (19/9). Moved forward to Ration Trench in support of attack on Thiepval (26/9). Later to Constance Trench. Two companies moved up to Schwaben Trench in support of 7th South Staffordshire 12 a.m. (27/9). Relieved 6th Border in Hessian, Zollern and Schwaben Trenches (29/9) – in support during 32nd Brigade’s attack on Stuff Redoubt. Relieved and to Hédauville (30/9). To Léalvillers (1/10), Heuzecourt (2/10), Cramont (3/10), Fieffes (14/11), Vadencourt (15/11), Hédauville (16/11).
7th (Service) Battalion. 51st Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division: Moved forward from Heilly to Bécourt Wood (1/7) and from there relieved 6th Dorsetshire in front line at Fricourt. Attacked towards village 12.15 p.m. (2/7) – first objective reached by 12.50 p.m. – held up at second by machine gun fire from Fricourt Wood. In support (3/7) – Railway Alley taken. Relieved and to Ville during night (4/7). Casualties – 214. Moved forward to Quadrangle Trench (7/7) – withdrew to old front line at Fricourt same evening. To Quadrangle Trench (8/7). Bombers and ‘B’ company in action at Pearl Alley (9/7). Relieved and to Méaulte (11/7). To Foudrinoy (12/7). Casualties since (1/7) – 337. To Yaucourt (14/7). Entrained at Hangest for Méricourt (23/7). To Pommiers Trench (1/8), Montauban Alley (4/8), support positions Longueval and Delville Wood (7/8). Dug trench eastwards from Piccadilly (9/8). Relieved and to bivouacs near Fricourt (10/8). Casualties since (1/8) – 188. To bivouacs near Dernancourt (12/8). Entrained at Méricourt for Candas (15/8) and from there marched to Gézaincourt. To Bouquemaison (16/8), St. Amand (17/8). Relieved 1/16th London in trenches Foncquevillers sector (19/8). To St. Amand (27/8), front line (4/9), Mondicourt (11/9), Halloy (12/9), Bayencourt (15/9). Began duty in line Hébuterne sector (16/9). Relieved and to Gaudiempré (20/9). To Halloy (22/9), Barly (23/9), Maison-Ponthieu (24/9), Remaisnil (2/10), Halloy (4/10), Sailly-au-Bois (5/10), front line Hébuterne sector (8/10), Sailly-au-Bois (11/10), Souastre (14/10), Lucheux (19/10), Méricourt (22/10), Citadel Camp (27/10), Montauban (31/10). Relieved 7th Border in support lines between Lesbœufs and Gueudecourt (1/11). To front line (Zenith Trench) (2/11). Enemy counter attacks repulsed (3/11) – ‘A’ Company and bombers attacked and captured enemy held section of Zenith Trench 5 p.m. – held against counter attacks. Relieved and to camp south side Montauban-Carnoy Road (5/11). To support positions German Dump and Needle Trench (9/11). ‘A’ and ‘C’ companies to front line (Monsoon and Zenith Trenches) (10/11). Relieved (12/11). To Trônes Wood (13/11), Mansell Camp (14/11), Méaulte (15/11). Entrained at Edgehill for Hangest (16/11) and from there marched to Crouy-St. Pierre. To Picquigny (17/11).
8th (Service) Battalion. 63rd Brigade, 21st and 37th Divisions: In support of 21st Division’s attack at Fricourt (1/7). Advanced 8.40 a.m. – heavy casualties while crossing No Man’s Land – reinforced 8th Somerset Light Infantry on left of assault – bombing attacks gained further ground. By evening holding positions from Dart Alley to Lozenge Alley. Casualties – 251. Entrained at Dernancourt for Ailly-sur-Somme (4/7) and from there marched to Vaux-en-Amiénois. To Talmas (7/7) and there transferred with 63rd Brigade to 37th Division. To Mondicourt (8/7). Relieved 1/5th Lincolnshire in trenches Hannescamps sector (11/7). Relieved and to Humbercamps (14/7). Began move away from Somme area. Arrived Raincheval from Amplier (22/10). To Beauval (30/10), Lucheux (8/11), Acheux Wood (12/11). Moved forward to Martinsart (14/11) and during evening took over captured positions around Beaucourt. In action (18/11) – gained ground in Muck Trench, west to Leave Avenue. Relieved (20/11) and to Mailly-Maillet. Casualties – 175.
10th (Service) Battalion (Grimsby). 101st Brigade, 34th Division: Attack south of La Boisselle (1/7) – mine exploded south-west corner of village 7.28 a.m. – crater (Lochnagar) formed about 100 yards in diameter. Moved forward on left of 101st Brigade’s assault – first objective The Bloater 800 yards ahead. Soon machine gun fire from La Boisselle and Heligoland Redoubt swept through leading waves – War Diary notes advance as ‘with the utmost steadiness and courage, not to be surpassed by any troops in the world.’ Small parties consolidated and held crater – bombers entered German line to left and formed block. Relieved and to Albert (4/7). Casualties given in War Diary as 502 out of an attacking force of 842. To Long Valley (5/7), Hénencourt Wood (6/7), Bécourt Wood (30/7), trenches around Bazentin-le-Petit Wood (31/7). Relieved 11th Suffolk in support and front line north-east of Bazentin-le-Petit (4/8) – took part in unsuccessful bombing attack on Intermediate line. Relieved and to positions west of Mametz Wood (6/8). Casualties since (31/7) – over 200. To Bécourt Wood (10/8), Mametz Wood (13/8), Bazentin-le-Petit (14/8), Bécourt (15/8), Franvillers (16/8). Entrained at Méricourt for Longpré (18/8) and from there marched to Fontaine. Entrained at Pont-Remy for Bailleul (19/8).