1st Battalion. 71st Brigade, 6th Division: Entrained at Proven (2/8) arrived early next morning at Candas. During the journey a serious accident was averted while the train was passing Frévent. The rear carriages having broke away while climbing a steep incline soon gathered speed and began to roll back down the line. Another train due – a pointsman quickly switched the carriages into a siding where they ran into buffers. Only 7 men and 5 horses being hurt. Marched to billets at Beauval. To Léalvillers (4/8), Mailly-Maillet Wood (5/8). Relieved 2nd Grenadier Guards right sector in front of Beaumont-Hamel (14/8). Relieved and to Mailly-Maillet Wood (19/8). To Louvencourt (27/8), Beauval (28/8), Flesselles (29/8), Cardonnette (6/9), Méricourt (7/9), Sandpit Camp area (8/9). Moved forward to front line (11/9). Began work carrying bombs and ammunition up to Trônes Wood (12/9). With 9th Norfolk formed up during night (14/9) on sunken Ginchy-Leuze Wood Road – battalion’s left close to the village. War Diary notes advance of tank about 5.50 a.m. (15/9) which fired into German trenches – enemy’s machine guns had no effect. Attacked 6.20 a.m. – ‘B’ and ‘D’ Companies advanced followed by ‘C’ and ‘A’ – immediate machine gun fire from enemy line – held up by strong wire net in front of trench leading from north-west corner of The Quadrilateral. Withdrew to Maitz Horn Farm (17/9). To front line under orders of 16th Brigade (18/9). Returned to Maitz Horn early morning (19/9). Upon arrival found no accommodation and moved on to billets at Ville-sur-Ancre. To Citadel Camp (22/9), Carnoy craters (24/9), reserve line (25/9), front line trenches east of Morval (26/9). Held Thunder Trench which was also occupied by the enemy – War Diary recording ‘Huns harassed all day by rifle grenades and bombs.’ To billets near Guillemont (28/9), Carnoy craters (29/9), Sandpit Camp (30/9). Casualties since (14/9) – 456. To camp south of Mametz (7/10), Bernafay Wood (8/10). Relieved 9th Suffolk in Needle Trench (15/10). Carrying parties to front line. ‘B’ and ‘D’ Companies moved forward to Rainbow Trench (17/10). Relieved and via Bernafay Wood to Sandpit Camp (20/10). To Corbie (21/10). Entrained for Airaines (24/10) and from there to billets at Sorel-en-Vimeu and Wanel. Entrained at Pont-Remy for Béthune area (29/10).
1/4th Battalion (T.F.). 138th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division: In reserve during attack at Gommecourt (1/7). Moved up from St. Amand and by 10 p.m. located in Midland Trench behind Foncquevillers. To Hannescamps sector (2/7). From Halloy to Bouquemaison (31/10), Nœux (1/11), Oneux (2/11), Drucat (3/11), Domvast (8/11), Drucat (11/11).
1/5th Battalion (T.F.). 138th Brigade 46th (North Midland) Division: War Diary records positions at midnight (30/6) – ‘A’ and ‘D’ Companies in dug-outs and cellars Foncquevillers, remainder in assembly position Midland Trench. Attack on Gommecourt (1/7) – ordered to dig communication trench across No Man’s Land parallel to Foncquevillers-Gommecourt Road (1/7). Work soon stopped due to heavy shelling and then assisted in 137th Brigade’s assault. Remained in front line clearing dead and wounded. Relieved and to Bienvillers (3/7). Arrived Conteville from Villers-l’Hôpital (2/11). To Millencourt (3/11)
6th (Service) Battalion. 110th Brigade, 21st Division: In reserve at Humber-camps with 37th Division (1/7). Transferred with 110th Brigade to 21st at Talmas (6/7). To Hangest-sur-Somme (7/7). Entrained at Ailly for Méricourt (10/7) and from there marched to Fricourt. To Fricourt Wood (11/7) – ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies taking over support line Quadrangle Trench. To Mametz Wood (13/7). Attack on Bazentin-le-Petit (14/7) – from assemble positions 100 yards in front of Mametz Wood moved forward 3.25 a.m. – leading waves entered enemy’s front trenches – second line taken by 4 a.m. – line advanced into village 6.05 a.m. Held positions northern end of village southwards to Bazentin-le-Petit Wood against counter attacks until relieved during night (16/7). To bivouacs just south of Fricourt Wood. Casualties – 527. To Ribemont (17/7). Entrained for Saleux (20/7) and from there marched to Hangest. To Longpré (21/7). Entrained at Longueau for St. Pol (22/7). Entrained at Frévent for Dernancourt (13/9). To Fricourt Camp via Méaulte and Bécordel (15/9), Bernafay Wood (17/9). Worked on communication and support trenches. Moved forward through Delville Wood to assembly trenches (25/9). Attack on Gueudecourt – ‘D’ and ‘C’ companies to support line 1 p.m. Later moved forward to assist 8th and 9th Leicestershire fighting in Gird Trench – positions held during night – Pioneer Trench, Bulls Road. Advanced 4.30 p.m. (26/9) – village entered 5.30 p.m. War Diary records heavy sniping and machine gun fire at Lesbœufs-Factory Corner Road. Later moved on to orchards on northern and eastern outskirts. Positions consolidated and held against counter attacks. Relieved and to Bernafay Wood (29/9). Casualties – 211. To Dernancourt (2/10). Entrained at Edgehill for Longpré (4/10) and from there marched to Cocquerel. Entrained at Pont-Remy for Béthune (7/10).
7th (Service) Battalion. 110th Brigade, 21st Division: In reserve with 37th Division at Souastre (1/7). To Warlincourt (3/7). Transferred with 110th Brigade to 21st Division at Talmas (6/7). To Hangest-sur-Somme (7/7). Entrained at Ailly for Méricourt (10/7) and from there by bus to Méaulte. To Bottom Wood and Quadrangle Trench (11/7). To Fricourt (13/7), Mametz Wood (14/7). Attack on Bazentin-le-Petit – advanced at 3.25 a.m. with 6th Leicestershire – ‘D’ Company on left and ‘B’ and ‘C’ in centre held up by machine gun fire. Enemy’s front and second lines taken by 4.a.m. War Diary notes by this time only 2 officers left in action. Village later cleared and line established in Bazentin-le-Petit Wood. Relieved and to Fricourt Wood (16/7). Casualties – 553. To Ribemont (17/7). Entrained at Méricourt for Saleux (20/7) and from there marched to Hangest. To Longpré (21/7). Entrained for St Pol Area (22/7). Entrained at Frévent for Dernancourt (13/9). To Bécordel (15/9), bivouacs near Bernafay Wood (16/9). Attack on Gueudecourt (25/9) – 2 companies moved forward to Brown Trench north of Delville Wood in reserve and 2 behind Switch Trench in support. Bombers in action 7.15 a.m. (26/9) – Gird Trench taken. Relieved 6th Leicestershire in captured line north and north-east of Gueudecourt (29/9). Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel W. Drysdale, D.S.O. killed by sniper. Relieved by 9th East Surrey and to Bernafay Wood (1/10). To Dernancourt (2/10). Entrained for Longpré (4/10) and from there to Pont-Remy. Entrained for Béthune (7/10).
8th (Service) Battalion. 110th Brigade, 21st Division: Transferred with 110th Brigade from 37th Division at Humbercamps to 21st at Talmas (6/7). To – Soues (7/7). Entrained at Ailly-sur-Somme for Méricourt (10/7) and from there by lorries to Méaulte. Moved forward to Fricourt during night and from there took over support trenches – Railway Alley, Sunshine Alley, Willow Trench, Willow Avenue. Assembled north edge Mametz Wood for attack on Bazentin-le-Petit during night (13/7) – ‘D’ Company advanced with 6th and 7th Leicestershire 3.25 a.m. (14/7) – Villa Trench taken. War Diary records not a single officer left and assault led by N.C.Os. Rest of Battalion went forward 4.25 a.m. reaching northern edge Bazentin-le-Petit Wood. Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel J.G. Mignon killed during enemy counter attack up Aston and Villa Trenches. Relieved and to Ribemont (17/7). Casualties 426. To Méricourt (18/7). Entrained for Saleux (20/7) and from there marched to Soues. To Longpré (21/7). Entrained at Longueau for St. Pol (22/7). Entrained at Frévent for Dernancourt (13/9). To bivouacs between Fricourt and Méaulte (15/9). Moved forward to position about half-mile east of Trônes Wood in reserve (17/9). Carrying parties to front line. To assembly positions for attack on Gueudecourt during night (24/9). Attacked (25/9) – War Diary records assault as being with ‘splendid heroism’ – entered village and throughout night engaged enemy in hand-to-hand fighting. Relieved by 7th Leicestershire and withdrew to second line. Moved back to Swiss Trench (28/9), Bernafay Wood (1/10). To Dernancourt (2/10). Entrained for Longpré (4/10) and from there marched to Pont Remy. Entrained for Béthune (7/10).
9th (Service) Battalion. 110th Brigade, 21st Division: In reserve at Souastre with 37th Division (1/7). To Humbercamps (3/7). 110th Brigade transferred to 21st Division at Talmas (6/7). To Crouy (7/7). Entrained at Ailly-sur-Somme for Méricourt (10/7) and from there moved by bus to Méaulte. During night to Fricourt and from there took over recently capture Quadrangle Trench and Support. Relieved and to Fricourt (12/7). Carrying parties to Mametz Wood. Moved forward to southern edge of Mametz Wood 12.15 a.m. (14/7). In reserve for attack on Bazentin-le-Petit – ‘B’ Company reinforced 6th Leicestershire north edge Bazentin-le-Petit Wood. Moved forward to assist 6th, 7th and 8th Leicestershire at Bazentin-le-Petit Wood – heavy fighting and high casualties around north-west edge. ‘A’ Company took over and consolidated captured German first Une. ‘D’ and ‘B’ Companies to Bazentin-le-Petit (16/7). Relieved and to Fricourt (17/7). Casualties – 412. To Ribemont (18/7). Entrained at Méricourt for Saleux (20/7) and from there marched to Crouy. To Longpré (21/7). Entrained at Longueau for St. Pol (22/7). Entrained at Frévent for Dernancourt midnight (13/9). To Fricourt (16/9), Bernafay Wood (18/9), Carrying parties to front line. Assembled in front of Gueudecourt – New Trench, Gap Trench (24/9). War Diary notes night spent deepening trench – New Trench only 1 foot deep. Attacked (25/9) – ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies led with ‘A’ and ‘B’ behind – ran into German barrage early in advance before taking Goat Trench – ‘D’ Company entered Gird Trench after loss of all officers – leading waves of ‘D’ Company all killed or wounded from enfilade machine gun fire on right. Defensive flank formed along Watling Street (sunken portion of Ginchy-Gueudecourt Road). War Diary records tank clearing Gird Trench on right of Pilgrim’s Way 6 a.m. (26/9) – over 350 prisoners taken. By 8 a.m. ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies in Gueudecourt, ‘C’ and ‘D’ in Gird Trench. Withdrew to Switch and Gap Trenches 11 p.m. Relieved and to Bernafay Wood (1/10). Casualties – 286. To Dernancourt (2/10). Entrained at Edgehill for Longpré (4/10) and from there marched to Francieres. Entrained at Pont-Remy for Béthune (7/10).
11th (Service) Battalion (Midland Pioneers). Pioneers, 6th Division: Entrained at Proven for Fienvillers (2/8) and from there moved to billets at Beauval. To Raincheval (4/8), Acheux (5/8), Mesnil (6/8). Work carried out on trenches in Mailly-Maillet Wood. To Englebelmer (7/8). Working on Sloan Street and Robert’s Trenches. To Acheux (8/8), bivouacs south-west of Louvencourt (9/8), Bertrancourt (12/8), Amplier (26/8), Authieule (27/8), Havernas (29/8), Poulainville (6/9), Corbie (7/9), Bois des Tailles (8/9). Work carried out on Méaulte railhead. Moved forward to bivouacs in old German trenches at Guillemont (11/9). Working in Flers-Quadrilateral line, clearing battlefield around Guillemont. To Happy Valley (20/9). Working on roads Ginchy-Lesbœufs. To Citadel Camp (30/9), Waterlot Farm (8/10), Citadel Camp (20/10), Méricourt (21/10). Entrained at Ailly-sur-Somme for Oisemont (22/10) and from there marched to Fresneville. To Longpré (27/10). Entrained for Béthune area (29/10).