1st Battalion. 2nd Guards Brigade, Guards Division: Arrived Lucheux from Ypres sector (26/7). To Bois de Warnimont (2/8). Took turns in trenches – Auchonvillers sector facing Beaumont-Hamel (9/8)–(16/8) – resting between tours at Bertrancourt. To Sailly-au-Bois (16/8) and tours in trenches – Hébuterne sector. To Bus-lès-Artois (21/8), Amplier (23/8), Naours (24/8). Entrained for Méricourt-l’Abbé and marched to Morlancourt (25/8). To Happy Valley (9/9), Bernafay Wood (12/9). Moved up to assembly positions in front of Ginchy (14/9). War Diary notes moving up of the ‘Armoured Creepers’ (Tanks) which was brought to a standstill by heavy fire. Attacked towards Lesbœufs 6.20 a.m. (15/9) – in support behind 3rd Grenadier Guards – fighting on record as being of the severest kind – hand to hand combat encountered by most, and all ranks performing in a gallant and heroic manner. One Guardsman, Lance-Sergeant Fred McNess was to receive the Victoria Cross for his gallantry and leadership while organizing a bombing attack on the enemy – although severely wounded in the neck and jaw he continually brought supplies of bombs up to his men until falling exhausted from loss of blood. Relieved and to Citadel Camp (16/9). Casualties – 288. To Carnoy (20/9), Trônes Wood (25/9) – returning to Carnoy same evening. Later one company sent forward to support 2nd Scots Guards during attack on Lesbœufs. Relieved 2nd Battalion in line at Lesbœufs (26/9). To Fricourt-Carnoy Road (30/9). Entrained at Dernancourt for Airaines (2/10) and from there marched to Warlus. To Méaulte (11/11), camp on Carnoy-Montauban Road (12/11).
2nd Battalion. 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division: Entrained at Cassel for Frévent (30/7) and from there marched via Lucheux to Halloy. To Bus-lès-Artois (1/8), Bertrancourt (10/8) and began tours in front line Auchonvillers. To Bus (19/8), Sarton (20/8), Hem-Hardinval (22/8). Entrained at Vignacourt for Méricourt-l’Abbé (25/8) and from there marched to Ville-sous-Corbie. To bivouacs just north of Carnoy (9/9), Bernafay Wood (10/9) – 2 companies moved forward to line north and north-east of Ginchy and assisted in capture of the orchard. Rest of Battalion moved up to Ginchy (11/9). To Happy Valley (12/9). At 5 p.m. marched to Carnoy and from there took up assembly positions east of Trônes Wood. Moved forward 9 a.m. (15/9) for attack on Lesbœufs – heavily shelled and forced to dig in between Guillemont and Ginchy – later provided defensive flank left of 1st (Guards) Brigade. To Carnoy (16/9). Casualties – 164. Moved to forward line facing Lesbœufs (20/9), 2 companies to Trônes Wood (22/9)–(24/9). Attack on trenches north-west and north of Lesbœufs (25/9). Relieved by 1st Scots Guards and to Trônes Wood (26/9). Casualties – 325. To camp just south of Fricourt (29/9), Vergies (1/10), Via Treux to Sandpit Camp (10/11), Trônes Wood (11/11), reserve trenches (12/11), Montauban (15/11).