1st Battalion. 11th Brigade, 4th Division: Advance at 7.40 a.m. during attack on the Redan Ridge (1/7) – swept by machine gun fire, hardly a man would reach the German wire, those that did being quickly killed. The Hampshire on this occasion was led by their Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Hon. L.C. W. Palk, who in front of his men calmly went forward carrying only his stick. He would be killed and number among the 500 or more (over 320 of these were killed) casualties. Relieved and to Mailly-Maillet. To Bertrancourt (4/7), front line Beaumont-Hamel (10/7), Mailly-Maillet (15/7). Entrained at Doullens for Ypres sector (23/7). Arrived Longueau from Esquelbecq (17/9) and from there marched to Cardonnette. To Corbie (25/9), Méaulte (7/10), Citadel Camp (8/10), Montauban (9/10), Brigade reserve east of Guillemont (17/10), support lines Lesbœufs (19/10), front line (Frosty Trench) (22/10). Attack on Boritska Trench (23/10) – ‘C’ and ‘A’ Companies led at 2.30 p.m. and immediately came under very heavy machine gun and rifle fire. The right eventually entered German front trench but after holding for a few hours were forced to retire. Casualties – 202. Via Trônes Wood to Mansell Camp (25/10), Méaulte (27/10). Entrained at Méricourt for Airaines (30/10) and from there marched to Mérélessart. To Ramburelles and Le Translay (2/11).
2nd Battalion. 88th Brigade, 29th Division: In reserve for attack at Beaumont-Hamel (1/7) – moving forward to St. John’s Road during afternoon. To Mary Redan (3/7). Here, War Diary records – the enemy permitted parties to go out and bring in wounded. Trenches were repaired, arms and equipment recovered and the dead buried. To Mailly-Maillet Wood (10/7), Acheux Wood (17/7), Beauval (23/7). Entrained at Candas for Ypres sector (27/7). Arrived Longueau from Hupoutre (8/10) and from there marched to Corbie. To bivouacs between Pommiers Redoubt and Montauban (10/10), trenches south of Gueudecourt (Bulls Road) (11/10). In support during attack on Hilt Trench (12/10) – moving forward to captured positions during night. Withdrew to reserve positions (15/10). Assembled in Hilt Trench for attack on Grease Trench (18/10). – advanced at 3.40 a.m. – objective taken and held until relieved and to Bernafay Wood 8 p.m. (20/10). To front line north of Flers (27/10), Bernafay Wood (29/10), Mametz (30/10), Méricourt (31/10). Casualties for October – 331. To Sandpit Camp (15/11), Bernafay Wood (17/11) – 2 companies in Flers Support
11th (Service) Battalion (Pioneers). Pioneers, 16th (Irish) Division: Arrived Longueau from Auchel (28/8) and from there marched to Daours. To Sailly-le-Sec (31/8), Citadel Camp (1/9). Worked on communication trenches near front line, roads, carrying work at Chimpanzee Trench. To Bernafay Wood (5/9) – improving and digging new trenches and erecting shelters. Took over defences at Guillemont (7/9). ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies placed at disposal of 47th Brigade for operations at Ginchy, rest to Bernafay Wood (8/9). To Morlancourt (10/9), Corbie (11/9), ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies to Méaulte (15/9). Battalion moved by bus to Airaines (18/9). Entrained at Longpré for Flanders front (21/9).
14th (Service) Battalion (1st Portsmouth). 116th Brigade, 39th Division: Entrained at Ligny-St-Flochel for Bouquemaison and from there to Le Souich (24/8). To Bois de Warnimont (25/8), Mailly-Maillet Wood (27/8), front line north-east of Hamel (2/9). Attacked (3/9) – ‘A’ Company took front line and held – ‘B’ occupying second.‘C’ then advanced to wire and was repulsed by rifle and machine gun fire – retired with heavy casualties. Withdrew after strong counter attacks to Mailly-Maillet Wood. Casualties – 457. To Bertrancourt (6/9), Mailly-Maillet (10/9), front line Auchonvillers (14/9), Englebelmer (6/10), Y Ravine sector (10/10), Englebelmer Wood (16/10). Relieve 12th Royal Sussex at Schwaben Redoubt (17/10). Here conditions were of the worst kind – the wet, cold, mud and shortage of food, according to the history of the Hampshire Regiment, being more unbearable than the enemy’s constant shelling and counter attacks. Cut off from their support, the Hampshire however would make good use of the enemy’s belongings – rations and clothing being taken from the dead, positions improved with German spades and his bombs and ammunition turned against him. Relieved by 17th K.R.R.C. (20/10) and to Pioneer Road – ‘D’ Company remaining in line. ‘D’ Company in action against German attack (21/10). Rest of Battalion moved forward to Wood Post in support. To Senlis Camp (23/10), Thiepvai (25/10), Pioneer Road (27/10), Thiepvai River section (30/10), Pioneer Road (1/11), Martinsart Wood (3/11), Schwaben Redoubt (5/11), Senlis (6/11), Schwaben (10/11), Thiepvai (12/11). Attack on Strasbourg Line (13/11) – relieved and moved back to Pioneer Road. To Warloy (14/11), Doullens (15/11). Entrained for Ypres sector (18/11).
15th (Service) Battalion (2nd Portsmouth). 122nd Brigade, 41st Division: Arrived Longpré from Bailleul (24/8) and from there marched to Villers-sous-Ailly. Entrained at Longpré for Méricourt (5/9) and from there marched to Dernancourt. To Fricourt (11/9), reserve trenches at Montauban 3 a.m. (12/9) – returned to Fricourt same evening. Relieved 20th Durham Light Infantry in trenches west of Delville Wood (13/9) – moving to assembly positions at 11 p.m. Attack towards Flers (15/9) – left trenches at 6.20 a.m. – War Diary notes left held up by machine gun fire for 10 minutes – many casualties. Later swept through village, holding gains until relieved at 7 p.m. To reserve positions at York Trench. Casualties – 292. To Dernancourt (17/9), Mametz (2/10), front line north of Fiers (3/10). German bombing attack repulsed (4/10). Some ground taken in Gird Lines (5/10). Counter attack driven off (6/10). Attack on Gird Lines (7/10) – enemy held ground inflicting high casualties. Withdrew to Brown Trench (9/10), York Trench (10/10), positions east of Mametz Wood (11/10), Méaulte (12/10). Entrained at Méricourt for Oisemont (17/10), arrived 11 a.m. (18/10) and marched to Huppy. Entrained at Pont-Remy for Ypres Sector (20/10).