1st Battalion. 14th Brigade, 32nd Division: From Senlis Camp went forward through Aveluy Wood to Black Horse Bridge (30/6). Followed 11th Border towards Leipzig Redoubt in front of Thiepval Village (1/7) – advancing from Authuille Wood suffered high casualties before reaching British front line (about 100 yards). Company Sergeant Major R. Hodge recalls that during advance the sound of a flute was heard – Drum-Major Kerr was out in the open and encouraging the men forward with the Regimental March-Past. His arm was later shattered by a bullet. Relieved and to Authuille (2/7). Back in front line by night fall. Relieved and to Senlis (3/7). Casualties – 501. To Forceville (5/7), Bouzincourt (7/7). Relieved 9th Essex in front line near Ovillers (8/7) – bombing attacks – some ground gained. Relieved by 16th Lancashire Fusiliers and to Bouzincourt (11/7). To front line (14/7). One platoon in unsuccessful attack (15/7). Relieved and to Senlis. To Halloy (17/7), Brévillers (18/7). Began march to Béthune area (19/7). On the way history repeated itself when the Battalion reached Orlencourt. In 1817 the Dorsetshire (then 39th Regiment) was billeted in the village and 99 years later the Commanding Officer actually spent the night in the same house that his processor had. His host being the grandson of the original owner. Arrived Beauval (18/10). To Warloy (21/10), brickfields between Albert and Bouzincourt (23/10), Contay Wood (26/10), Harponville (9/11), Bouzincourt (13/11), Mailly-Maillet (15/11), front line (16/11). In support during 32nd Division’s attack on Frankfort Trench and Ten Tree Alley between Serre and Beaumont-Hamel (18/11). Relieved and to Mailly-Maillet (23/11).
5th (Service) Battalion. 34th Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division: Arrived Acheux from Frévent (3/9) and from there marched to Puchevillers. To Bouzincourt (8/9), positions opposite Mouquet Farm (16/9) – the line (not more than shell-holes) running along Mouquet Road and through the farm. Battalion historian records how Mouquet Farm comprised 3 groups of building – 1 behind the British front line, another in No Man’s Land and a third – still held by the Germans. The ruins were connected by tunnels and the enemy would often appear behind the Dorsetshire until men were posted at the exits. Several bombing raids carried out on fortified dug-outs under the farm – said to house at least 2 battalions of Germans. Relieved and to Albert (19/9). To Englebelmer (21/9), Ovillers (25/9). Attack on Mouquet Farm (26/9) – advanced from support trenches 12.35 p.m. – heavy casualties from enemy barrage before reaching first objective – all company commanders and company sergeant majors killed or wounded. Moved up to Zollern Redoubt 6.30 a.m. (27/9) and consolidated position. Advance on Stuff Redoubt driven back by machine gun and sniper fire. Improved communication trench back to Schwaben Trench (28/9). Relieved 5.10 p.m. and to Ovillers. Casualties estimated in War Diary as 423. To Varennes (30/9), Bernaville (1/10), Franqueville (3/10), Domqueur (7/10), St. Léger (14/11), Pernois (15/11), Harponville (16/11), Raincheval (17/11), Puchevillers (18/11).
6th (Service) Battalion. 50th Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division: Moved from Ville-sur-Ancre to Méaulte (1/7). Opposite the Fricourt Salient – went forward to – Bonte Redoubt by mid-day and in afternoon held reserve positions during 50th Brigade’s attack. Relieved and to Méaulte (2/7). Engaged in carrying duties to new positions at Fricourt. To forward positions at Fricourt Wood, Railway Alley, Bottom Wood (6/7). Squad of bombers attacked Strip Trench (7/7) – heavy machine gun fire soon brought assault to a stand still. Battalion historian records that during this attack the clothing of wounded laying in the open was often set alight due to enemy’s use of incendiary bombs. Renewed and more successful attack (8/7). Attack on Quadrangle Support between Mametz Wood and Contalmaison (9/7). Entrained at Grove Town for Saleux (11/7) and from there to Camps-en-Amiénois. To Buigny (15/7), Condé (22/7). Entrained at Hangest (23/7) – arrived Méricourt (24/7) and from there marched to bivouacs near Buire. To Belle Vue Farm (1/8), Pommiers Redoubt (4/8), forward trenches near Longueval (5/8). Dug new trench (Dorset Trench). Relieved and to Montauban Alley in reserve (9/8). To Belle View Farm (11/8), camp on hill above Dernancourt (12/8). Entrained at Méricourt for Fienvillers (14/8) and from there marched to Prouville. To Villers-l’Hôpital (16/8), Halloy (17/8), Sailly-au-Bois (20/8). Just before reaching Sailly, Battalion witnessed the death of musical artist Basil Hallam (Gilbert the Filbert) who fell from an observation balloon. Took turns in front line Hébuterne sector. A sample of trench humour is recorded by the Battalion’s historian. Sent out to inspect and bring back a sample of the enemy’s wire – also to report on gaps made by recent artillery bombardment; Lieutenant E.K.A. Boyce upon his return addressed 2 envelopes to Headquarters. One contained a small piece of wire, the other nothing. On the first he wrote: ‘Herewith sample of wire,’ on the other: ‘Herewith sample of gap.’ Relieved and to Bayencourt (31/8). To front line (6/9), Sailly-au-Bois (12/9), Halloy (16/9), Villers-l’Hôpital (20/9), Hiermont (21/9), Neuilly-l’Hôpital (22/9), Hiermont (5/10), Barly (6/10), Halloy (10/10), Sailly-au-Bois (17/10), Hénu (18/10), Halloy (19/10), Talmas (20/10), Franvillers (21/10), Méaulte (22/10), Mansell Camp (27/10), Trônes Wood (29/10) – relieved 2nd Scottish Rifles in line between Lesbœufs and Gueudecourt during evening. Took turns in and out of line resting at Trônes Wood. To Citadel Camp (11/11). Entrained at Edgehill for Hangest (15/11) and from there moved in buses to Molliens-Vidâmes.