1st Battalion. 22nd Brigade, 7th Division: Attack on Mametz (1/7) – bombers worked up Sunken Road Trench towards Fricourt and both sides of The Rectangle. Regimental historian Major CH. Dudley Ward, D.S.O., M.C. records 5 lines of strong trenches captured on a front of 800 yards. Moved forward to positions facing southern edge of Mametz Wood (3/7). Attacked 12.45 a.m. (5/7) – objectives gained. Relieved and to bivouacs about 2 miles east of Méaulte. To Heilly (6/7), Citadel Camp (10/7). Moved forward to White Trench in support (14/7) – later to Bazentin-le-Petit Wood – attacked and held line Windmill to Cemetery. Withdrew to Mametz Wood (16/7). To Bazentin-le-Grand (19/7). Attack on right of High Wood (20/7). To Dernancourt (21/7). Entrained at Méricourt for Hangest (22/7) and from there marched to La Chaussée. To Dernancourt (12/8), north end of Bernafay Wood (26/8). Attack on Ale Alley (28/8) – bombing commenced 5 a.m. – enemy cleared and block set up near west end of objective. Advanced further along Beer Trench – heavy casualties among ‘B’ and ‘C’ Companies. Relieved and to Bonte Redoubt (29/8), Montauban Alley (1/9). To trenches eastern edge Delville Wood (2/9). Attack (3/9) – unsuccessful. To Bécordel-Bécourt (4/9), Buire (5/9). Entrained at Albert for Airaines (8/9) and from there marched to Mérélessart. Entrained at Pont-Remy for Godewaersvelde (17/9).
2nd Battalion. 19th Brigade, 33rd Division: Arrived Longueau from Givenchy sector (10/7) and from there marched to Cardonnette. To Daours (11/7), Buire-sur-l’Ancre (12/7), Méaulte (14/7), Delville Wood (15/7), Mametz Wood (16/7), Bazentin-le-Petit (18/7), High Wood (20/7) – attacked from eastern edge – ground gained but withdrawal later forced. To Buire-sur-l’Ancre (21/7), Bécordel-Bécourt (6/8), Fricourt Wood (13/8), High Wood (18/8). In action (20/8)–(21/8) – failed attempt to clear western edge. To Bazentin-le-Grand (22/8), High Wood (26/8), Fricourt Wood (27/8), Montauban Alley (29/8), Bécordel-Bécourt (30/8), Ribemont (31/8), Rainneville (1/9), Bernaville (2/9). Began move to St. Pol area (4/9). Arrived Humbercamps from Ivergny (10/9), Bienvillers (11/9), Hannescamps (16/9). Tours in front line. To Bienvillers (21/9), front line (27/9), Souastre (29/9), Lucheux (30/9), Beaucourt (18/10), Méricourt (19/10), Citadel Camp (21/10), Trônes Wood (22/10), trenches between Ginchy and Lesbœufs (23/10), front line Lesbœufs (24/10), Guillemont (28/10), bivouacs between Trônes and Bernafay Woods (30/10), La Briqueterie (31/10), front line Lesbœufs sector (3/11). In action (5/11) – moving forward up Lesbœufs-Le Transloy Road – some ground gained. To La Briqueterie (7/11), Méaulte (8/11) – War Diary notes Prince of Wales’s had tea with officers. Entrained at Dernancourt for Airaines (11/11) and from there marched to Forceville and Neuville (12/11).
1 Members of 5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment at their billet in Chelmsford just prior to going to France in March, 1915. From Gloucester, these Territorials would be involved in the fierce fighting around Ovillers and the Pozières Ridge during July and August, 1916. (Ray Westlake Unit Archives)
2 A member of the 11th Battalion Hampshire Regiment, his collar badge—a crossed rifle and pick indicating the Battalion’s Pioneer role with the 16th (Irish) Division, and the letters “LG” above the chevron that the wearer is a Lewis gunner. During the 9 September attack on Ginchy, the Pioneers, with four extra Lewis guns, went into action with the 47th Brigade. (Mike Ingray Collection)
3 Corporal W.G. Clive, 1/15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles). This photograph was taken on 5 October 1915, just after the fighting at Loos. Corporal Clive was later killed at High Wood, 15 September 1916. (Paul Reed).
4 No. 13 Section, A Company, 16th (Service) Battalion, Royal Scots (2nd Edinburgh), Perham Down Camp, Salisbury Plain, 5 September, 1915. This battalion would suffer high casualties on 1 July; in the photograph D.N. Smart (back 1st left), J. Liddell (back 4th left), J.B. Mackenzie (back 5th left), CD. Nisbet (front 1st left) and J. S. Jolly (front 2nd left) were killed and R. Gordon (front 4th left) and C.O. Gill (back 6th left) wounded, the latter losing his life later on 21 August. F.H. Scott (back 3rd left) was killed in April, 1917. (John Bodsworth Collection).
5 Colours of the 7th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool Regiment) (T.F) being handed over for safe keeping at Bootle, 15 August 1914. As part of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division, 1/7th King’s suffered high casualties during the September battles at Guillemont, Ginchy and Morval. (Ray Westlake Unit Archives)
6 Drummer, 19th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (2nd County) at Perham Down Camp, Salisbury Plain prior to leaving for France in February 1916. This “Bantam” battalion from Hartlepool served with the 35th Division, its casualties throughout the July and August operations around Longueval, Delville Wood and Falfemont Farm totalling 60 officers and 316 other ranks.(Ray Westlake Unit Archives)
7. Drummer Walter Ritchie, 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders who won the Victoria Cross on 1 July, 1916, on the Redan Ridge, north of Beaumont Hamel. On his own initiative he stood on the parapet of the enemy’s trench and, under heavy machine-gun fire, repeatedly sounded the “Charge”, thereby rallying the men. Then throughout the day Drummer Ritchie carried messages over fire-swept ground showing the greatest devotion to duty. (Ray Westlake Unit Archives)
8 Sunken road just outside of Ginchy (Flers Road). Here, on 15 September, German machine guns swept through the ranks of the 2nd and 3rd Coldstream Guards advancing from the left. The attack held up, Lieut-Colonel John Vaughan Campbell, D.S.O. (3rd Coldstream) rallied the Guardsmen and with a blast from his hunting horn led the men on into the sunken road. He was later awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry and leadership. (Ray Westlake Unit Archives)
9 Men of the 8th Battalion, Black Watch, receiving their rum ration after the fighting at Longueval 14–18 July. (Ray Westlake Unit Archives)
10 2nd Battalion, Green Howards at La Neuville, Corbie, April, 1916. This photograph includes Lieut-Col. Walter Herbert Young, DSO (front row, centre) who in the following July led his battalion into action at Trônes Wood and Guillemont. Left of Colonel Young is Lieut Basil Gill (Adjutant) who was wounded at Trônes Wood and later killed during the attack on Bayonet and Bite Trenches, 18 October. (Paul Reed)
11 Front page—Daily Sketch, 22 July, 1916 commemorating the attack of the 8th East Surrey Regiment at Montauban on 1 July. (John Woodroff)
1/4th (Denbighshire) Battalion (T.F.). Pioneers, 47th (2nd London) Division: Arrived Frohen-le-Petit from Ecoivres (1/8). To Yvrencheux (5/8), Domvast (11/8), Yaucourt-Bassus (20/8), Vignacourt (21/8), Pierregot (22/8), Bresle (23/8). Two companies to Fricourt Wood (27/8) – work on roads Mametz area. Two Companies to Albert (1/9) and joined working parties at Mametz. War Diary records ‘specialist’ training at Albert. To Fricourt Wood (12/9) – dug communication trenches in readiness for forthcoming operations at High Wood. To Bazentin-le-Grand area (28/9). Consolidated captured Une at Eaucourt 1’ Abbaye (2/10). To Albert (9/10). Entrained for Ailly-le-Haut-Clocher (13/10). Entrained at Pont-Remy for Godewaersvelde (17/10).
9th (Service) Battalion. 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division: Moved forward from Bresle to Tara-Usna Line (1/7). Attack on La Boisselle 4 p.m. (2/7) – clearing western end of village establishing line near church by nightfall. Bombing attacks continued 2.45 a.m. (3/7) – enemy counter attacked and forced withdrawal to edge of village. Casualties – 164. To Tara-Usna Line (4/7). Secured right flank of advance on Contalmaison (7/7). Via Albert to Baizieux Wood (9/7), Bécourt Wood (20/7), Mametz Wood (21/7), support line Bazentin-le-Petit (23/7), Bécourt Wood (29/7), Lahoussoye (30/7). Entrained at Fréchencourt for Longpré (3/8) and from there marched to Pont-Remy. Entrained for Bailleul (7/8). Entrained for Doullens (5/10) and from there marched to Bois de Warnimont. To Sailly-au-Bois (7/10) – began tours in line Hébuterne sector. To Vauchelles (16/10), Toutencourt (17/10), Ovillers Post (18/10), support line – Regina and Hessian Trenches (26/10), Ovillers Post (30/10), support line (2/11), Ovillers Post (5/11), support line (11/11), Marlborough Huts (13/11), positions north-east of Authie Wood (14/11), trenches west of Stuff Redoubt (15/11), Aveluy (17/11).
10th (Service) Battalion. 76th Brigade, 3rd Division: Entrained at St. Omer for Doullens (1/7) and from there marched to Gézaincourt. To Naours (3/7), Rainneville (4/7), Franvillers (5/7), Celestines Wood (6/7), Bronfay Farm (8/7), Montauban Alley (13/7). Attack on Delville Wood (20/7) – encountered heavy machine gun fire while moving up Buchanan Street. Corporal Joseph Davies (‘D’ Company) and Private Albert Hill (‘C’) awarded Victoria Cross for gallantry during subsequent close quarter fighting. Withdrew to Breslau Trench 3.30 a.m. (21/7). Casualties – 228. To Bois des Tailles (25/7), Méricourt (28/7), Sandpit Camp (11/8), Talus Boisé (14/8), Casement, Dublin and Chimpanzee Trenches (16/8). Attack on Lonely Trench (17/8) – 2 companies failed at 10.30 p.m. and again at 4 a.m. (18/8). Other 2 companies renewed attack 2.45 p.m. – objectives taken and consolidated. Casualties – 224. To Happy Valley (20/8), Morlancourt (21/8). Entrained at Méricourt for Candas (23/8) and from there began march to St. Pol area. Entrained at St. Pol for Acheux (7/10). To Bertrancourt (8/10), Louvencourt (17/10) – tours in line Serre sector. To Bus-lès-Artois (21/10). Attack on Serre (13/11) – advance through mud waist-deep in places against uncut German wire failed. Casualties – 289. To Courcelles (15/11), trenches in front of Serre (17/11).
13th (Service) Battalion (1st North Wales). 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division: To Léalvillers from Toutencourt (1/7), Treux (3/7), Mametz (5/7) – Fritz Trench and Danzig Alley. Attack on Mametz Wood (10/7) – Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel O.S. Flower killed in action at Wood Support Trench. Later advanced on to northern edge. Entrained at Méaulte for Longpré (12/7) and from there marched to Eaucourt. To Brucamps (14/7), Authie (15/7), St. Léger (17/7), bivouacs near Coigneux (18/7), line Beaumont-Hamel sector (24/7), Bus-lès-Artois (28/7), Sarton (29/7). Entrained at Doullens for Ypres sector (31/7).
14th (Service) Battalion. 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division: To Ribemont from Arquèves (3/7), Mametz (5/7) – Quadrangle Trench, Shelter Wood. Two companies to Danzig Alley (6/7) – remainder bivouacs near Carnoy. To Pommiers Trench (7/7), Minden Post (8/7). Attack on Mametz Wood (10/7) – in support behind 16th R.W.F. Relieved and to Citadel Camp (12/7). From there marched to Edgehill station. War Diary records that train did not arrive – Battalion instead boarded buses for Longpré (13/7). To Ergnies (14/7), St. Léger (15/7), Couin (17/7), Sailly Dell (18/7), trenches Beaumont-Hamel sector (24/7), Bus Wood (27/7), Sarton (28/7). Entrained at Doullens for Ypres sector (30/7).
15th (Service) Battalion (1st London Welsh). 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division: To Puchevillers (1/7), Léalvillers (2/7), Ribemont (3/7), Mametz (5/7), Minden Post (8/7), Fritz and Danzig Trenches (9/7). Attack on Mametz Wood (10/7) – in close support behind 16th R.W.F. Relieved in wood and via Queen’s Nullah to Ribemont (11/7). Entrained at Méricourt for Longpré (12/7) and from there marched to Ergnies. To Authie (15/7), bivouacs near Couin (17/7), near Coigneux (18/7), trenches Auchonvillers sector (24/7), Bus-lès-Artois (28/7), Thièvres (29/7). Entrained at Doullens for Ypres sector (31/7).
16th (Service) Battalion. 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division: To Léalvillers from Puchevillers (1/7), Ribemont (3/7), trenches between Mametz and Mametz Wood (5/7). War Diary records withdrawal from line to bivouacs near Carnoy (6/7) due to overcrowding. Took over front line (8/7). Attack on Mametz Wood (10/7) – Commanding Officer Colonel Ronald Carden killed at edge of wood. The history of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Major CH. Dudley Ward, D.S.O, M.C.) records that he led the attack with a coloured handkerchief tied to his stick – ‘this will show you where I am.’ With support of 15th R.W.F. entered wood and fought on until halted by fire from Wood Support. The history of the 38th (Welsh) Division (Lieutenant-Colonel J.E. Munby) records the advance towards Mametz Wood – ‘wave after wave of men were seen advancing without hesitation and without a break over a distance which in Some places was nearly 500 yards.’ Withdrew to Méricourt (12/7). Entrained at Grove Town for Longpré and from there marched to Ailly-le-Haut-Clocher. To Brucamps (14/7), St. Léger (15/7), Mailly-Maillet (17/7), Bus-lès-Artois (28/7), Thièvres (29/7). Entrained at Doullens for Ypres sector (31/7).
17th (Service) Battalion (2nd North Wales). 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division: To Acheux from Toutencourt (1/7), Buire (3/7), Fricourt (5/7), trenches Mametz (6/7). Attack on Mametz Wood (10/7) – entered wood during afternoon and by 6.30 p.m. within 40 yards of of northern edge. Relieved (12/7). Via Warloy to Couin (15/7), Coigneux (14/7), trenches Hébuterne sector (18/7), Courcelles (22/7), trenches (26/7), Bus-lès-Artois via Courcelles (29/7). Entrained at Candas for St. Omer (31/7).
19th (Service) Battalion. 119th Brigade, 40th Division: Arrived Heuzecourt from Buire-au-Bois (5/11). Returned to Buire-au-Bois (15/11). To Villers-l’Hôpital (17/11), Neuvillette (18/11).