1st Battalion. 95th Brigade, 5th Division: Moved from Ivergny to Candas (14/7). To Hérissart (15/7), Bresle (16/7), Bécordel-Bécourt (17/7), old German line at Montauban (19/7). From there held reserve positions south-west of Longueval. Later in support during operations around Longueval and Delville Wood. Relieved and to Pommiers Redoubt (29/7). Casualties – over 250. To bivouacs near Albert (1/8). Entrained at Méricourt for Airaines (4/8) and from there marched to St. Maulvis. Entrained at Airaines for Edgehill (24/8). Relieved 17th West Yorkshire in trenches south-east of Guillemont (26/8). To Billon Wood (31/8), former positions near Guillemont (2/9). In support for attack towards Leuze Wood (3/9). Assaulted south-west edge of wood 6.55 p.m. (4/9) – objectives taken and held until relieved by 7th Royal Irish Fusiliers at 6.10 p.m. (5/9). To Happy Valley. Casualties – 194. To Citadel Camp (9/9), reserve trenches near Angle Wood and running south-east from Falfemont Farm (10/9), front line Leuze Wood (12/9). Withdrew to Billon Wood during night (13/9). To Ville-sur-Ancre (14/9), Sandpit Camp and via La Briqueterie took over reserve line Morval sector (18/9). To Oxford Copse (22/9), front line Morval (24/9). In attack on Morval (25/9) – over 40 per cent casualties during assault on Bovril and Mince Trenches. Large supplies of German bombs captured and used up against the enemy. Regimental history by C.T. Atkinson records that the bayonet was put to good use throughout operation. To Oxford Copse (26/9), Citadel Camp (27/9). Entrained at Grove Town for Longpré (29/9) and from there marched to Pont-Remy. Entrained for Chocques (1/10) and from there marched to Béthune.
2nd Battalion. 23rd Brigade, 8th Division: Attack at Ovillers spur (1/7) – advancing along Mash Valley towards Pozières soon came under heavy fire. In the Regimental history of the Devonshire Regiment – C.T. Atkinson records how onlookers from the British trenches were at first to think that the leading waves were lying in No Man’s Land awaiting another chance to move forward. It was soon realized, however, that the men were almost entirely casualties. Withdrew to Millencourt. Casualties – 431. Entrained at Méricourt for Ailly (2/7). To La Chaussée (3/7), Soues (4/7). Entrained at Longueau for Diéval (6/7) and marched to Barlin south of Béthune. Entrained at Chocques for Pont-Remy (15/10). To Méaulte (17/10), reserve trenches south-east of Flers (22/10). In support during 23rd Brigade’s assault on Le Transloy (23/10). Relieved 1st Notts and Derby in front line (Misty Trench) (28/10). To Mansell Camp (31/10), Méaulte (1/11), Citadel Camp (3/11), La Briqueterie (6/11), front line (Autumn Trench) Le Transloy (7/11). Dug new forward trench (Fall Trench) during night (9/11). Withdrew to Fiers Line (10/11), Carnoy Camp (13/11), Citadel Camp (15/11).
8th (Service) Battalion. 20th Brigade, 7th Division: In support during attack at Mametz (1/7) – following 9th Devonshire and 2nd Gordon Highlanders through Mansell Copse and losing heavily on entering No Man’s Land. ‘B’ Company moving forward at 10.30 a.m. took cover in the hollow of Fricourt Road and would not move again until 4.0 p.m. – all of its officers being casualties and led by the Company Sergeant Major. Clearing the deep dug-outs in Danzig Trench and moving on to Hidden Wood – all objectives would be taken. Further advance made up Orchard Trench North (2/7) and strong-point established in the Orchard. Casualties – 207. War diary records that on (4/7) the dead of the Devonshire Regiment (8th and 9th Battalions) were buried at Mansell Copse. To Treux (5/7), Minden Post (11/7). In action at Bazentin-le-Grand Wood (14/7) – War Diary notes leading wave crept forward into No Man’s Land during bombardment and at zero hour (3.25 a.m.) were within 25 yards of enemy’s line. First objective entered at 3.26 a.m. – second taken by 3.45 a.m. – patrols cleared north-east side of wood. Relieved and to White Trench (15/7). Casualties – 171. To assembly positions south of High Wood (19/7). In action (20/7) – attacked 3.15 a.m. – many casualties from British artillery firing short. Casualties – 201. Relieved 11 p.m. by 14th Royal Warwickshire and to Dernancourt. Entrained at Méricourt for Hangest (22/7) and from there marched to Ailly-sur-Somme. Entrained at Vignacourt for Buire (12/8). To Mametz and later Montauban (3/9). Took part in operations around Ginchy until (7/9). Relieved and to camp near Citadel. To Buire (8/9). Entrained at Albert for Airaines (9/9) and from there marched to Allery. Entrained at Longpré for Bailleul (18/9).
9th (Service) Battalion. 20th Brigade, 7th Division: Attack on Mametz (1/7). The prophecy by Captain D.L. Martin (9th Devonshire) that a machine gun hidden in a shrine at Mametz Cemetery would inflict great casualties on his battalion is one of the many fascinating stories of the Somme. When the 9th attacked through Mansell Copse the weapon situated exactly where the officer had said was indeed to account for many of the Battalion’s losses. Captain Martin being one of the first to fall. From captured positions in Danzig Trench withdrew to Citadel Camp (3/7). Casualties – 464. To Ribemont (5/7). Via Méaulte and Fricourt took up forward positions around Marlborough Wood, Caterpillar Valley, Montauban Alley and White Trench (11/7). Engaged in operations at Bazentin-le-Grand Wood (14/7)–(16/7). Relieved and to Willow Avenue. In support of 8th Devonshire and 2nd Gordon Highlanders north of Bazentin-le-Grand Wood (19/7)–(20/7). Relieved and to Dernancourt. Casualties for period (14/7)–(20/7) – 112. Entrained at Méricourt for Hangest (22/7) and from there marched to Breilly. To Ailly-sur-Somme (23/7). Entrained at Vignacourt for Méricourt (12/8) and from there marched to Buire. To Mametz (3/9) – forming up at the cross roads and moving into adjacent field. To Montauban and forward to positions at Ginchy (4/9). Engaged in operations in area until (7/9). Casualties – 425. To Buire (8/9). Entrained at Albert for Airaines (9/9) and from there marched to Béttencourt. To Longpré (12/9). Entrained for Bailleul (18/9).
12th (Labour) Battalion. Entrained at Bailleul for Heilly (2/9). To camp at Fricourt Wood (3/9). Worked mainly on roads – Fricourt, Mametz, Montauban, Longueval areas. To Montauban (4/10).