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18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry    The 18th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry was raised in Durham on 10 September 1914 as a Pals battalion. The first casualty of enemy action on British soil during the Great War 1914-1918 was Private Theophilus Jones aged 29 who was killed on the 16th December 1914 at Heugh Battery, Hartlepool, when a German naval taskforce bombarded the town. He was one of six men of the Battalion to die in the bombardment, with a further eleven being wounded. In May 1915 the 18th DLI was attached to 93rd Brigade, 31st Division and set sail for Egypt in December 1915 to defend the Suez Canal. The division was transferred to France in March 1916 for the preparation for the Battle of the Somme in July 1916. The 31st Division took over the front line opposite the village of Serre, the northern most point of the Somme line. On the morning of the 1st of July, D Company of the 18th DLI were in the first wave of the attack and were situated to the southern edge of the village of Serre, with the 15th and 16th West Yorks. They suffered heavy losses but a few men of D Company managed to reach their objective, Pennant Copse. The other companies of 18th DLI were in the second wave with the 18th West Yorks but made now headway and were held in reserve. The 18th DLI would later see action in The Battle of the Ancre and in 1917 the Operations on the Ancre before moving north to Arras for The Third Battle of the Scarpe and The Capture of Oppy Wood. In 1918 they saw action in The Battle of St Quentin, The Battle of Bapaume and The First Battle of Arras. They moved north to Flanders and took part in The Battle of Estaires, The Battle of Hazebrouck, The Defence of Nieppe Forest and The attack at La Becque during the Battles of the Lys. During the Advance in Flanders they were involved in The capture of Vieux Berquin, and The action of Tieghem. They crossed the River Scheldt on the 9th of November and at the Armistice the forward units had reached Everbecque and the River Dender. They moved back to the Arques-Blendecques area and demobilisation began. ??????    Sep 1914 Formation of the County of Durham Battalion   In the bitter days of early September 1914, under the chairmanship of the Earl of Durham, a committee of gentlemen from the County of Durham, including Colonel R. Burdon, V.D., M.P., Sir William Gray, Bart., and H. Pike Pease, M.P., agreed to raise and equip at their own expense a Battalion from County of Durham, making special appeals to Durham, Darlington, the Hartlepools, Middlesbrough, Stockton, Sunderland and Bishop Auckland. The raising of such a Battalion was actually first mooted by Major F. T. Tristram in a letter to Colonel R. Burdon, and it was brought into being as a direct outcome of their strenuous efforts seconded by Lieutenant-Colonel H. Bowes and cordially supported by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County. The idea, conceived and carried into effect, was to raise and equip a Battalion in the County at the sole expense of subscribers, and it should be observed that this Battalion was the only unit in the country that was so raised, the initial expenses connected with the formation of other Battalions being refunded by the Government. Appeals were at once made for funds for the provision of equipment, etc., and the response amounted to upwards of £10,000. Lord Durham in addition generously offered to place Cocken Hall at the disposal of the Committee: this certainly saved the county a further expenditure of between £6000 and £??? and without its use it would have been impossible to house the recruits who poured in rapidly directly the proposal to form a County Battalion was made public. List of Subscribers: The Earl of Durham, K.G., etc., Lambton Castle, Fence Houses. Colonel R. Burdon, V.D., M.P., J.P., Castle Eden. Mrs. Matthew Gray. Sir Lindsay Wood, Bart, The Hermitage, Chester-le-Street. The Executors of the late Sir Stephen Furness, Baltic Chambers, West Hartlepool. Colonel H. Doughty, J.P., Seaton Carew. C. E. Hunter, Esq., Wemmergill, Middleton-in-Teesdale. Colonel Sir Robert Ropner, Bart., Preston Hall, near Stockton-on-Tees. A. F. Pease, Esq., J.P., Middleton Lodge, Middleton Tyas. The Right Hon. H. Pike Pease, M.P., House of Commons. Colonel J. H. Ropner, V.D., J.P., Ragworth, Norton-on-Tees. Colonel C. W. Darwin, C.B., J.P., Dryburn, Durham. R. Hutton Wilson, Esq., Egglescliffe S.O. F. Fenwick, Esq., J. p.. Forester's Lodge, Wolsingham. W. O. Wood, Esq., J.P., South Hetton. Colonel Roberts, Hollingside, Durham. W. Sewell, Esq., Manor House, North Bridge Street, Sunderland. John Feetham, Esq., Whinfield, Darlington. It is not to be supposed, however, that the formation of the battalion was carried out at the cost of little or no trouble. As a matter of fact, the work was attended with considerable difficulty. At the outset the War Office was totally opposed to Battalions being raised in such a way, and obstacles were thrown in the way of the promoters, but Colonel R. Burdon, by dint of perseverance, eventually succeeded in obtaining official sanction to go ahead with the scheme. Curiously enough, after first strongly opposing the project, the War Office subsequently commended highly the success achieved in Durham, and Lord Kitchener summoned Colonel Burdon to London and expressed the thanks of the country to the county for having presented the nation with so fine a Battalion. Composed, as it was, of picked officers and men, the Battalion was unquestionably a unit of which any county and any country might well have been proud. War history of the 18th (S.) Battalion Durham Light Infantry W.D.Lowe 5th Sep 1914 Darlington Pals Recruitment Parade 7th Sep 1914 Hartlepool Company of Earl Durham's Comrade Battalion recruiting 10th Sep 1914 Durham Pals Battalion Formed 11th Sep 1914 Durham City Volunteers Recruiment Parade 25th Sep 1914 18th DLI advance party to Cocken Hall  The advance party of 20 men from the 18th DLI arrived at Cocken Hall, on the banks of the River Wear near Durham City. The hall, dating from the 17th century was lent by Earl Durham for use as a training camp of the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. The hall and outbuildings were used as billets for C and D Companies with A Company billeted at Newton Hall, B Company billeted in the Drill Hall at West Rainton, until huts could be erected in the grounds. 25th Sep 1914   The advance party of 20 men from the 18th DLI arrived at Cocken Hall, on the banks of the River Wear near Durham City. The hall, dating from the 17th century was lent by Earl Durham for use as a training camp of the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. The hall and outbuildings were used as billets for C and D Companies with A Company billeted at Newton Hall, B Company billeted in the Drill Hall at West Rainton, until huts could be erected in the grounds. 19th Oct 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall Oct 19th 1914 Present: - Lord Southampton; W. Cresswell Gray; Colonel Darwin; Colonel Bowes; Captain Roberts; Colonel R. Burdon. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The adjutant reported that the parade state was now 991, of all ranks, being 9 [ ] men, and [ ] officers. Colonel Burdon reported that the list of officers had to be revised, so far as the dates of joining were concerned, in order to effect the necessary seniority in rank. The question of the return of 23 men to Stockton was considered; and it was decided that Captain Tristram should proceed to effect, if possible, the transfer of these men to other units, as they were not of the classes originally selected for representation in the County Battalion. Colonel Burdon was instructed to proceed to York if this could not be effected, to obtain the sanction of the G.O.C in C to any suitable arrangement. Lord Southampton said that as the man whom he had in view as a suitable Orderly Room Clerk would have had to be trained for 10 days at Borden it was simpler to have a man trained for the purpose at Cocken Hall, and the matter was left there. The question of the separation of the Finance which had to be dealt with by the Committee, and the Finance which had to be dealt with by the C.O. was gone into; and Mr Gray suggested that Mr Fortune, of West Hartlepool, would probably be good enough to undertake the work, and would be most suitable for it. Colonel Burdon was instructed to meet him, and go into the matter with him. It was noted that the shed over the kitchens had made some progress, but it was not yet finished. It was decided to indent for miniature rifles; and a full supply of service rifles for the use of the battalion. A further supply of rifles for instruction purposes had been received. Colonel Burdon mentioned that it might be necessary to pump water from the river for the purpose of water supply. Fourteen huts, in various stages of completion, were now standing. The Quarter Master was instructed to lay a cement floor (for which he was to borrow men from the Darlington Construction Company) for the purpose of a bin for refuse. The men's rooms were inspected; and were not found to be altogether in a good condition; this being partly due to the fact that the company from West Rainton had been moved, and had not had time to clean their rooms. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 26th Oct 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall October 26th 1914 Present: - Lord Durham, Lord Southampton, A.F. Pease, Major Tristram, Capt. Lowe, Colonel Bowes, Colonel Burdon. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Burdon reported that the transfer of the 23 men returned to Stockton had been satisfactorily effected; and they had now been removed from the strength of the County Battalion. It was noted that six huts had been completed and were occupied; three completed, but unoccupied; and the remainder - with one exception, under construction. The foundations for the Recreation Room had been laid. The Parade state today was 1004. A Company 243 B Company 239 C Company 270 D Company 252 Total 1004 Major Tristram reported that the War Office Establishment of Officers had been as follows: - 1 Lieut. Colonel 3 Majors 6 Captains *6 Lieutenants 12 Second Lieutenants 1 Adjutant 1 Quartermaster *1 Lieutenant for details at base The question of the bath house, combining bath and drying house, was considered; and it was decided that an amended plan was decided upon should be made. It was decided to carry out the additional lighting of the huts with our own staff, as we had in the ranks men perfectly capable of doing it. The name of Mr Griffith Jones was added to the list of Officers with rank as Captain, second in Command of the Company. The names of other members of the Durham U.T.C. were considered; and it was decided to offer commissions to at least two of them, if they were found suitable. Rowland Burdon Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 2nd Nov 1914   Minutes of the Committee Meeting Cocken Hall November 2nd 1914 Present: Lord Durham, Lord Southampton, Major Tristram, Captain Lowe, Colonel R. Burdon. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed, as amended. Parade state was given as 1065, and 24 officers. It was decided to obtain some oil stoves for the purpose of turning two huts into temporary drying sheds for the men's clothes. The tender of the Darlington Construction Company for the Range, according to Government plans, was accepted, at the price of £195. Major Tristram was instructed to communicate to Mr Gradon our opinion that undoubtedly the drains of the ablution sheds should, as he suggests - be made of proper sanitary pipes, and not let into field drains. Colonel Burdon was instructed to accelerate the carrying out of the drying room as far as possible. It was decided not to line the roofs of the huts; and that an attempt should be made to find other premises for the Orderly Room, in order that the present Orderly Room might be turned into the Guard House. Major Tristram was instructed to obtain 6 Sentry Boxes from the Contractor or elsewhere. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 9th Nov 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall November 9th 1914 Present: - Lord Southampton, W. Cresswell Gray, Colonel Bowes, Major Tristram, Colonel Rowland Burdon. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Burdon reported that the subscription list now amounted to £6615. The parade state was given as 1073 and 24 officers. This being 2 over strength of the men, and 5 under strength of officers. Colonel Burdon reported (1) that oil stoves had been obtained for the purpose of drying the clothes in one of the huts; but up to the present there had been no necessity to use them. (2) That he thought that it was almost necessary that a car should be obtained for the use of the battalion and he was authorised to take any steps he thought necessary in the matter. (3) That he had ordered 20,000 rounds of short, and 5000 rounds of long .22 miniature Rifle Cartridges; (and a further quantity - 100,000 rounds, was reserved) from the Army & Navy stores. Major Tristram reported that it had been decided to leave the Orderly Room where it was, but to put the Guard Room and sick room opposite the front door of the Hall. The huts were inspected. It was decided to let the latrines and ablution sheds remain as at present designed for cleaning purposes; and instead of a new building for a Canteen it was decided to add a wing to the Recreation Hut to answer that purpose. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 16th Nov 1914 Two Companies of 18th DLI detatched to Hartlepool.   In mid November 1916 units across the north of England were put on alert to defend the coast. Two companies were formed in the 18th Durham Light Infantry consisting of NCO's and men who had undergone range training, under the command of Major Tristam and Captain Neville to be deployed to Hartlepool. They travelled by rail and were billeted in Hart Road being engaged in improving and manning trenches along the coast as well as training and sentry duties. One company soon moved to Old Hartlepool to provide sentries at the Docks. 20th Nov 1914    Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall November 20th 1914 Present: - Lord Southampton, Colonel Hugh Bowes, Col Rowland Burdon. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The parade state was presented as under. Colonel Burdon reported that - as was seen by parade state, none of the men had yet been sent back from West Hartlepool. The frame of the drying shed was erected and the Recreation Room and Rifle Range were both approaching completion. Arrangements had been made whereby Mr C. Fortune (Messrs Accountant, 36 Church St, West Hartlepool) has taken Mr Roberts place for financial purposes; and the signature of cheques, both with regard to the regimental account and the Committee's account. It is hoped that the payment of bills will now proceed somewhat more regularly. Payment on a/c to the Darlington Construction Company to the amount of £4000 had already been made by the Paymaster, York. The question of appeals for clothing for the regiment was mentioned; and it was felt rather strongly that there was no occasion for this at the time; as much of the underclothing provided by the Committee had not been applied for by men for whom it was intended. It was decided that the Colonel should write a letter conveying this to the writers of any appeals to the newspapers. Colonel Bowes mentioned that instruments for a band had been presented to the regiment by Col. McKenzie of Seaham Harbour; and he hoped to be able to get together from the battalion itself a band of 16 performers. Samples for the furnishing of huts were inspected; but were not found to be satisfactory; and the Clerk of the Works was instructed to proceed to Newcastle, and obtain further samples from Messrs Emley & Messrs Walker. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 23rd Nov 1914    Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall November 23rd 1914 Present: - Lord Durham, Messrs A.F. Pease, W. Cresswell Gray, Colonel Bowes, Colonel R Burdon. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Burdon reported that the electric light for 2 rows of the huts had been completed. The Range and the drying house were in the process of erection; and the Regimental Institute was in a very advanced state, and waiting for the addition of the Canteen. Colonel Burdon also reported that he had found it necessary to appoint a Clerk of the Works, who would act for him, and overlook in his absence. Also that Mr Gray had most kindly lent a car for the use of the battalion. Five hundred men and officers (as by Parade State given below) had been ordered to Hartlepool on the Tuesday previous to assist in the defence of the Port if necessary. These had been armed with the rifles provided for the use of the detachment, and had had 100 rounds of ammunition issued. Owing to having no equipment they had had to have mess tins issued separate. Colonel Burdon mentioned also that he had, himself, seen the Military Secretary, Northern Command, and asked him to represent to the G.O.C-in-Chief that this detachment work at present was most detrimental to the training of the men; and to earnestly request that they may be restored to Cocken at the earliest possible opportunity, which he had promised should be done. Col. Burdon asked leave, which was granted- to request from York that he should be allowed to recruit up to 400 over strength for the present battalion, to fill vacancies, and to form nucleus for the reserve battalion, should that be eventually authorised by the war office. Col. Burdon was instructed to write a very grateful letter of thanks to Lord Southampton for his patriotic and unselfish action in taking command of the battalion, and for all the most efficient help he had given. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf Dec 1914 On the Move 7th Dec 1914   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall December 7th 1914 Present: - Colonel Bowes, and Col Burdon. The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as read. Colonel Bowes asked how the question of the equipment for the officers should be dealt with; and it was decided that as a sum of £10 had been very generously offered to pay for the equipment of each officer of the battalion who required it, the matter should be left there. Colonel Bowes asked whether it would be acceptable to the Committee that a commission should be offered to Sergt. Robinson, for which permission was given. A good many motor bicycles, etc. having been used for regimental purposes belonging to private individuals of the Battalion it was agreed that the cost of the petrol should be reimbursed to those to whom bicycles belonged. Colonel Bowes was instructed to purchase a Sam Browne belt for the Sergt. Major; it being very desirable that he should be dressed in conformity to the dress of the Commissioned Officers. Colonel Bowes was instructed to tell the Clerk of the Works to go into the question of the officers latrines, in order to do away as far as possible with the hiring at present going on. It was notified that the County Battalion would be entered in the Army List as the 18th Service Battalion. The band instruments had been ordered, second quality; which would leave a small sum for music etc. It was decided that practice for the band was to be in the spare time of the musicians; and there was no pay to be attached to the appointment. Satisfactory samples of upholstering, etc, for the huts have been received and selected, and the furnishing was being proceeded with. It was notified that the first 200 sets of equipment had been received. With regard to the huts, some slight alteration will have to be made at the miniature Rifle Range; and the lighting at the Target end will be provided for by 2 Acetylene Generators kindly lent by Messrs R.E. Hall & Co. The lighting of the bath house will have to be attended to; and it will be necessary to put glass in the upper part of the outside wall, as the opening at present is too much. The bath house was very nearly ready for occupation. Colonel Bowes was instructed to place the stoves in the Regimental Institute in the most convenient place. Instructions with regard to the painting of the wood work of the Regimental Institute had been given, and were satisfactory. The new latrines and ablution sheds had been taken into use, and appeared to be working satisfactorily; but the pipes will require protection from the frost. The Clerk of the Works had made arrangements for laying down cinder paths under contract with Mr Gradon. Colonel Burdon notified the result of his interviews at the war office on Friday last (the 4th inst) which included the appointment of the Medical Officer; and the permission to ask for another Company as soon as ever the first Depot Company had been formed; the War Office, of course, paying for everything outside the 1100 men of the present Battalion. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 15th Dec 1914 Garrisons stationed in North East England put on alert.  The Admiralty issued an alert to all garrisons defending the North East coast of England to expect raids by enemy ships. The two companies of the 18th DLI based in Hartlepool manned the trenches along the coast. 16th Dec 1914 Hartlepools Bombarded by Enemy ships   The Bombardment of the Hartlepools by the German Navy was intended to damage ship building and engineering works in Hartlepool. German ships, the Seydlitz, Moltke and Blucher were 3 miles off shore flying British Flags, they then changed to German flags and fired on the town just after 8 o'clock in the morning. Private Theophilus Jones was the first soldier to be killed on British soil during World War One. The Lighthouse Battery gun hit the Blucher killing nine sailors and damaging the ship and two of its guns. The Captains at the Heugh were awarded the very first pair of Military Medals. In Victoria dock, a submarine and two light cruisers, tried to attack the German ships but the submarine was hit as soon as it came out of the harbour, blocking the other ships. The cruiser HMS Patrol, based at Hartlepool, put to sea but was holed and just managed to reach safety in the Tees. 4 of the crew died and 7 were injured. That night 3 trawlers sank with heavy loss of life after striking mines laid by the attacking cruisers. The first civilian to be killed on British soil in the First World War was Hilda Horsley, she was seventeen and worked as a tailoress. She was on her way to work when she was killed by a shell. Thirty four children under the age of sixteen were killed in the attack. The Dixon family lost three children. As more shells were fired on Hartlepool, the people gathered in Ward Jackson Park and the villages of Hart, Elwick & Dalton Piercy. The attack took only forty minutes, but four hundred people were wounded and one hundred and twenty seven people were killed including nine soldiers of 18th DLI who were manning the trenches on the sea front and guarding the docks, engineers works and railway lines. After the bombardment the men of the 18th DLI were sent to the Borough Hall and detailed into rescue parties, stretcher bearers and guards. 16th Dec 1914   At Heugh Battery during the bombardment, five members of 18th Battalion were killed: Private Theophilus Jones, thought to be the first. Private C.S. Clarke Private Alex Liddle Private Walter Rogers Private C.D. Turner. Private Thomas Minks - died of his wounds the following day. 19th Dec 1914 Funeral 22nd Dec 1914 First Under Fire  "It has fallen to the lot of the County Battalion to be the first unit of Lord Kitchener's Army to be under fire. It is an old saying that "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." The dead heroes of last Wednesday's defence force will be mourned as is their just due, but Britons would not be Britons if the German raid does not give a fillip to recruiting more than all the speeches ever made. At the invitation of one of the officers I paid a visit the other day to the training headquarters at Cocken Hall of the 18th (Service) Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry (County). The words quoted, and the parentheses, constitute the full and proper title, but as they are too long to repeat, may I fall back upon a legal phrase and say, hereinafter termed the "County Battalion," and also known as "Lord Durham's Battalion," the "Pals' Battalion," etc. What Lord Durham has done for the battalion it would be difficult to estimate, for besides lending his personal and financial support it is he who has placed Cocken Hall and its grounds, and the fields around, at the disposal of the commanding officer, the estate being the property of the noble earl. The battalion consists of nearly 1,100 men, and is up to strength, but the day I was there 500 of them were at West Hartlepool, where they had been sent a few weeks ago to man the trenches, when a raid such as took place on Wednesday last was first feared. Therefore there were only about 600 of the establishment was increased [sic], and permission given to recruit more men, and reserve companies are now being raised, newcomers being enrolled every day. When I arrived on the scene most of the men were out of doors. Here let me say that only the officers and the Durham Company, which company was the first to enlist, occupy the house, and that the rest of the men are quartered in wooden huts, each of which holds 40. There are some 28 of these huts, set out in rows. They are uncommonly like streets, and in this work-a-day Durham district almost suggest a new colliery village. The first thing that struck me was that every man, down to the latest recruit, is fully clothed in brand new khaki. Recruits are uniformed and equipped the day they join. There is no going about for weeks in nondescript clothing, as falls to the lot of some units of the new army. While I was at Cocken a likely-looking young man was enrolled. When I left Leamside at night I saw that same young man clad from head to foot in the cloth which distinguishes the British soldier the world over. And he had a great coat too, and a kit bag. It was interesting to see how the new recruits were at once taken in charge by older members, and made to feel at home in their new surroundings, but next to the main idea of training, the chief point which struck me was the way the men's comfort and convenience was studied. I need not describe Cocken Hall. It agrees in the main with the descriptions of country houses in novels. The officers and men have made the most of it. It is comfortable, but there are no luxurious adjuncts. But it is outside where the most interest lies. The huts are well built, roomy and high. They are constructed of cladding outside, asbestos inside, and are roofed with felt, while the heating is by coke stoves. At dinner time the forty men accommodated by each can dine with freedom of movement for all. At bedtime down come the palliasses, out come the blankets, and to peaceful sleep goes "Tommy," his clothing hanging in apple-pie order on the pegs over his head. "Do the men undress?" I innocently asked, having visions of night attacks. "Undress, yes," replied a cheery sergeant. "Most of them sleep in pyjamas. Many of the men came to enlist in cuffs and collars." Which brings me to the class of Britishers who have enrolled in the "Counties." The battalion, as has often been given out, is recruited from the commercial classes, including artisans. But I was told that every conceivable occupation was represented in the attestation papers, professional, business and commercial. There are in the ranks parsons, hairdressers, medicos, engineers, dentists, solicitors, students, tradesmen, and electricians. The huts are lighted by electricity, the current being generated on the ground, and the whole of the installation was fitted up by recruits. Out of curiosity I asked several men I met what they were in civil life, and these were only a few I dropped upon casually. They were a seagoing engineer, a tobacconist who had a business of his own, a Cartwright, and a clerk, and a well set-up young miner. The most conspicuous building on the ground is the recreation room, capable of holding the whole battalion. When I was there it was just completed, and it is to be so arranged that whereas it can be divided by curtains into three, with a canteen at one end, it can be quickly thrown into one large hall for concerts and other gatherings. Billiards and all kinds of games will be provided. The recreation room is similar in style to the huts, but is covered externally with corrugated iron. The Cocken camp also boasts a complete bathing and washing establishment. In the lavatory are long rows of wash basins, with water laid on, and in the bath house there are 40 cubicles, each with a bath and hot and cold water. There are also several clothing drying houses, where the men's garments are dried on rows of steam pipes. The value of the latter adjunct can easily be imagined when one remembers the miserable weather we have been having of late. The food is excellent and plentiful. The men are not fed on "stew" every day. At seven o'clock early coffee is served. At eight o'clock breakfast consists of meat or fish and tea or coffee, and butter and jam. For dinner soup, meat, two vegetables, puddings and sweets form the constituents. Five o'clock tea is composed of tea and bread and butter and jam. The officers get the same fare as the men. I had a private interview with the caterer, Mr. G.E. Barton, army contractor, of York, who told me that the 600 odd men eat in a week, of potatoes three tons; peas, 2cwt.; beans, 2cwt.; carrots, 2cwt.; turnips, 3cwt.; beef, 37â…Ÿ2 cwt.; rabbits, 16 dozen; sheep, 4; pork, 400 lbs; rice, 2cwt.; tapioca, 1cwt.; bread, 4,000 lbs.; plum cake, 4cwt.; jam, 10 cwt.; butter, 3cwt.; tea, 230 lbs; coffee, 1cwt.; and milk, 280 gallons. In addition there are varying but plentiful quantities consumed of bacon, potted meat, fish, pork pies, polonies, sausage, brawn, apples, prunes, figs, plum pudding, etc. This is enough to show that the commissariat is in capable hands, and that it is substantial. No tinned goods whatever are used. As is well known, the battalion has been raised and clothed by a committee composed of many of the most influential gentlemen in the County of Durham, including the Lord Lieutenant (Lord Durham) and Col. R. Burdon, who have taken the greatest possible interest in it from the beginning. This committee by their patriotic action has saved the county about £11,000. The battalion, of which Lord Southampton, of the 10th Hussars, kindly assumed the temporary command, was afterwards taken over by Col. Hugh Bowes, late secretary to the Durham County Territorial Force Association, as commanding officer. His unique experience in organisation and administration is of the greatest value to the new unit. I had also intended to give a resume of a day's work in the life of the soldier, but again space forbids. Suffice it to say that reveille is at 6.45 and after a very busy day, divided by enjoyable meals, eaten with splendid appetites, the ordinary work finishes at 5 p.m. and lights out is at 10. After 5 o'clock the officers and non-commissioned officers have lectures. Occasionally, after 5, the men are given two hours exercise at "companies in the attack," or "outposts," in the dark. I might remark here that the athletic side of the training is not lost sight of. Sports are held every Wednesday, and in the ordinary way every day there is running and high jumping, and physical drill. Every phase of military operation is practised, including that most necessary art of trenching, so that the "Counties" will be able, when at the front, to "dig themselves in" as comfortably as any of General French's army. The battalion was fortunate in obtaining as instructors a number of very good non-commissioned officers. It goes without saying that a very important part of the training of the battalion is in rifle shooting. An elaborate covered-in range is provided, where the use of the rifle is taught so thoroughly that it will not be the fault of the instructors if the men are not worthy followers of the original British Expeditionary Force, whose shooting so surprised the Germans. Great emphasis is placed on visual training, and in the huts the men are given pictorial targets to study from, and to practise at picking out objects such as a man in khaki, represented in Lilliputian form, at a supposed distance of 300 yards and over. In the rifle range itself, with the miniature rifle, shooting is reduced to an exact science, and the men are practised in long-distance firing. The range is fitted up with the Solano moving and disappearing targets, and with the Hill-Siffken landscape targets. The men who show themselves most intelligent and smart are quickly promoted and the great bulk of the non-commissioned officers have been advanced in this way. A certain number of commissions have been reserved for promotions from the ranks. A Church of England curate from the immediate district, who joined as a private, is now a sergeant. Talking about parsons, I ought to add that the officers and the men have church parades at different places of worship in the locality on Sundays. A full brass band is being raised, the battalion being rich in instrumentalists. The instruments are being provided by Col. T.C. McKenzie, of Sunderland, and other friends. The camp has been wonderfully free from sickness. Every provision is made for attending to sick cases, but so far there has been nothing worse experienced than ordinary colds. Of the armoury, the clothing store, the cook-house, and the numerous other adjuncts, I must content myself by saying that they were all on the same well found scale as the features already mentioned. The men are drawn from the whole of the county of Durham, and there are large contingents from Darlington, Durham City, Sunderland, West Hartlepool, and the other large towns. The general conduct both at Cocken and at West Hartlepool has been excellent. The men at West Hartlepool were complimented, before last Wednesday's bombardment, on the efficient way in which they performed their duties, and since the bombardment all will have read the splendid tribute which was paid to their bearing under fire. It was at first intended to send the new recruits to Newton Hall, kindly placed at the disposal of the battalion by Lord Boyne, but it is now probable that more huts will be built at Cocken, which will be much jollier for the men. Recruiting is proceeding rapidly, and no time should be lost in joining on the part of those who are thinking about doing so. Owing to the rapidity with which recruits drawn form business and scholastic circles train, the County Battalion is expected to be ready for the front before most of the new Army. That this hope is justifiable is proved by the remarkable steadiness of the men of the Battalion during the attack upon the trenches at West Hartlepool last Wednesday. Although the height standard is 5ft. 6in., any recruit who is otherwise specially suitable will be taken at 5ft. 4in. and upwards." Northern Daily Mail, 22st of December 1914. Northern Daily Mail, 22 December 1914 26th Dec 1914   December 26th 1914 to The Committee of the County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry The only important matter to report since the date of the last meeting of the Committee is the Bombardment of Hartlepool, and the loss sustained by the County Battalion. Almost the whole of the Guard at the Battery were either killed or wounded by the first Broadside from the German vessels. Neither the battery, nor any of the other troops realised that they were German ships. I very much regret that we have already lost six men killed - five on the spot, and one dying afterwards from wounds, and ten wounded, but none dangerously; and it is hoped that most of them will be fit for duty again within a comparatively short time. How any of them escaped is rather wonderful. No damage was done in the trenches at all, with the exception of a few sandbags, etc, knocked on to Major Roberts, and one or two of the men, without serious damage. One of the Officers had to leave the trenches while still under fire to re-call two Sentries posted on the cliff, who were discovered marching up and down with fixed bayonets on their beat as usual. Generally speaking, the men behaved excellently; and I think the Officers must have kept their heads under very trying circumstances. The Raid has, unfortunately, made it impossible for the G.O.C. in C. to allow the half Battalion to return to Cocken; and it is still under consideration whether we shall not take temporarily, at all events, the half battalion from Cocken to West Hartlepool; the G.O.C. in C. not having signified his approbation of that course if Colonel Bowes chooses to adopt it. There are reasons which appear to be good for this course; which will not, however, be adopted for at least ten days. The whole of the lighting has been finished, and the engine seems to take the load quite satisfactorily. The Miniature Rifle Range is in use, though the targets were not in a finished condition three days ago. The drying-house, and bath-house, are finished, and in use. The new Canteen works exceedingly well, far better and more comfortable than the old tent. The roads still present considerable difficulty; but cinders are being brought in and a more permanent covering will be given to the main road, under the direction of the Highway Surveyor to the Chester-le-Street RDC. I felt rather strongly that after our use of the building we could not leave the carriage drive in the abominable state it has been reduced to. The cost of this will probably be about £60 or 370, which will be chargeable against Government. The four Miniature Rifles presented by Mr Henry Clark, of Whitburn, have arrived, and are of the greatest use. The men's huts are leaking in one or two unimportant places, but are generally most comfortable; and the men have no fault to find, even in this cold weather. The tables and furniture, etc, authorised by the war Office are being provided, sufficiently to meet requirements. A proportion of men and officers have been granted leave for Christmas and the New Year. Leave has, of course, to be made subject to the requirements of safety. The management of the finances has been handed over to Mr. J.C. Fortune of West Hartlepool, in conjunction with myself. I ought to add that I had, myself, an interview with the G.O.C in-Chief on the 21st inst. with regard to the stations of the battalion. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 4th Jan 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall January 4th 1915 Present:- Lord Southampton, Col. Bowes, Colonel R. Burdon, Capt. Lowe The minutes of the last meeting were taken as read. Colonel Bowes mentioned the question of the payment of the funeral expenses of members of the battalion killed in action at Hartlepool on the 16th December, and asked if any expenses extra to the sum provided by the War Office would be met by the committee. This was granted. He also asked whether he might consider that the balance of expenses of the Christmas Dinner- if it could not be covered from the Canteen funds- might be met by the Committee. This was agreed to. It was decided to obtain, through the Clerk of the Works, tenders for the erection of shelves in the barrack huts; and also for wooden grids for the bath-room. Colonel Burdon was instructed to obtain tenders from the Army & Navy Stores for 1350 rifle slings; Col. Bowes stating that he had already placed the order for equipment for the Depot Company. It was agreed to ask the Paymaster at York to send down a Clerk for one day to give instruction and advice in the Orderly Room with regard to certain forms which presented some difficulty. Colonel Bowes reported that the bath-room had been taken into use and was satisfactory: that a drying room had been allowed to each Company to be used as required during certain hours; and that the miniature Rifle Range was working satisfactorily. The Canteen was found to be very successful; and the room a very good one for sound for Entertainment. Colonel Burdon was requested to communicate with Mr. Gray with regard to the provision, if possible, of a special train for the conveyance of the Battalion to Sunderland for recruiting purposes. The question of recruiting was also considered, together with a letter from Capt. Longden, and it was decided to let the matter stand over for a week to see how the new arrangement of the extra fee of 1/- [one shilling] per man to the Recruiting Sergeant would work in practice. Col. Bowes was requested to draft a letter, in conjunction with Capt. Longden, to be sent to magistrates and notables, asking their assistance in recruiting. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 11th Jan 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall January 11th 1915 Present:- Colonel R. Burdon, Colonel Bowes and Captain Lowe The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. Colonel Bowes stated that tenders for the shelves in the barrack huts had been obtained, but were so much more expensive than was expected that the matter had been again referred to the Clerk of the Works. The Paymaster at York had written stating that they could not at present spare a Clerk to give instructions with regard to certain difficult War Office forms, but that the Battalion might send a Non-Commissioned Officer to York for instructions. The bath-room, drying house, and Rifle Range, and the canteen, were all now working most satisfactorily. It was agreed that Colonel Burdon should write to Messrs. Gradon and call their attention to the fact that the latrines were not yet finished, in spite of continued notifications. Colonel Bowes reported that recruits were coming in quite fairly. The letter to the Magistrates, etc, has been drafted, and is being sent out. It was further agreed that Col. Burdon should write and urge Messrs. Gradon to proceed with the repairs to the roads. Mr. Kirkup, manager for the Lambton Collieries, has also very kindly arranged for ashes to be delivered at 4/- per load. The number of loads to be checked by the Pioneer Sergeant. It was decided to purchase four more Miniature Rifles; and that a good recruiting notice should be inserted in the "Evening Chronicle", and the "North Star". Authority for the erection of four more barrack huts had been applied for to York to accommodate the Depot Company: Colonel Bowes having stated that it was possible to carry on with that amount of accommodation: but on talking the matter over, and in view of the fact that two Depot Companies will eventually have to be provided, and that it would be a great convenience to the Bantam Battalion if the County Battalion resigns the use of Newton Hall in their favour, it was decided that as Colonel Bowes said that he would be able to provide for both Depot Companies, if six new huts were built, and he could rely upon the use of West Rainton Drill Shed, Col. Burdon should write to York, and ask for permission to build six huts; and as the tendency of contracts to rise Col. Burdon accepted a tender from the Darlington Construction Company for six huts at £153 each, lined, and with stove fitted (but not including cost of stove); the first two to be ready in a fortnight; and the remainder within a month; or, if possible five weeks. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 13th Jan 1915 Two Companies of 18th DLI depart Hartlepool.   The two companies of the 18th DLI detatched to Hartlepool for the coastal alert, rejoined the rest of the Battalion at Cocken Hall. They were given a cheery fair well by the people of the town at Hartlepool railway station and were met by the battalion band at Leamside station who played them back to the camp. 16th Jan 1915   January 16th 1915 to The Committee of the County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry Owing to a press of other important business, and to there not being very much at the moment to consider, I have postponed the meeting of the Committee for - at any rate - a week. The Battalion has at last been united; and I hope great improvement will be noticeable before long. All the best N.C.O's had been sent, of course, to Hartlepool. They will now - as also the men - be restored to their original Companies; and in the end I hope the time at Hartlepool may not be altogether wasted. I have authorized the erection of six new huts. I have received the sanction for this from York. I hear the band is a great success; and will be very welcome on route marches. On Thursday the battalion marched about 22 miles, without any greater inconvenience than a few sore feet. They always manage about 20 miles once a week. Miniature Rifles are still a difficulty, as we want to get them as near as possible the weight and pull of the Government arm. This is being attended to. The range is working excellently. Brigadier General F.G. Hunter inspected the half battalion at Cocken on Thursday the 7th inst: and I think was fairly pleased with what he saw. It was due to his action that the battalion was re-united. He appears to know what he wants, and is likely to get it; and I think we may congratulate ourselves on his appointment. The roads are still a great difficulty; everybody seeming in this wet weather to want ashes at the same time; but Mr. Kirkup, the Manager of the Lambton Collieries, has been good enough to help us; and a few dry days would make a great deal of difference now. There were 100 cases on the sick list yesterday (the 15th) but nothing serious. Colonel Bowes is in communication with the Canteen Contractor with regard to the prices now paid for feeding the men. He is asking and will probably obtain a rebate from the Contractor of five-eighths of a penny per head per day. The Contractor to include biscuit and coffee in the early morning. In view of the large number of men being at present supplied this appears to be quite reasonable; and the sum obtained will be of great assistance, as representing the privy purse of the battalion. The last of the latrines were not left in a very satisfactory state; but owing to the men coming back we have made the best of it, and I think it will answer the purpose for a sufficient length of time. The frosty weather might have had something to do with this. I am glad to say the drainage appears to be working fairly satisfactory. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 25th Jan 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall January 25th 1915 Present:- Lord Durham, W. Cresswell Gray, A.F. Pease, Rowland Burdon, Col. Hugh Bowes, and Captain & Adjutant Lowe. The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed, as altered. Colonel Burdon reported that in order to provide accommodation for the men up to the strength of the two Depot Companies, in addition to the original Battalion, he had accepted a contract for six new hut shelters at a cost of £150 each, lined; stoves fitted, but to be extra. The case of the Quartermaster was considered; he having had money advanced to him at the same rate as he was previously earning, viz, £2-10-0 per week, until such time as his pay could reach him. It is now a question of whether he was to be asked to refund to the battalion the whole, or a portion of this money advanced; and it was decided that the Committee would be content if he would repay them one half of this sum. It was reported that one or two undesirable men had been received from Durham; but that as a rule recruits were coming in fairly satisfactorily. It was suggested that a statement of accounts should be prepared to show the financial position of the Committee up to date. Colonel Burdon reported that he had had a subscription of £25 from His Honour Judge Greenwell; and Mr Gray also reported that he had been promised £50 for the battalion by Mr. A.B. Horsley. The question of leave was considered informally by the Committee; and Colonel Bowes was requested to lay before the Brigadier their opinion that - especially in the case of the men who had been quartered at Hartlepool, and considering the class of men who formed the Battalion - it was desirable that as much leave should be granted as was in accordance with the discipline. Colonel Burdon also reported that in consequence of a conversation between himself, the Brigadier, and Col. Bowes, which took place at Cocken on the occasion of his meeting the Brigadier there, he had written to York, and had received definite instructions from the G.O.C. in C, Northern Command, that from this time onward neither he nor the Committee were any longer responsible for the discipline and training of the battalion, which now vested in the Colonel Commanding and the Brigadier. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf Feb 1915 On the March Feb 1915 Field exercises   In early February 1915 the Durham Division undertook a field exercise in County Durham, with Khaki Force, which included 122nd Brigade, taking a home base at Bishop Auckland pitted against White Force based in Sunderland. Both forces advanced on Durham City, with White Force's advance being blocked at the railway bridge over the road at Belmont Hall. All the bridges over the Wear at Durham were deemed to have been blown, except the bridge at Finchale Abbey, to which the 18th DLI were deployed. By the time the 18th Durhams reached the bridge, two companies of White Force supported by a section of Field Artillery had already crossed the River Wear and were busy entrenching at East Moor Leazes to provide cover for White Force to make a crossing. A mock battle ensued and the advance party of White Force were drive back by the 18th DLI. 5th Feb 1915   February 5th 1915 To The Committee of the County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry There seems to be comparatively little new at Cocken at the moment; and therefore I do not propose to have a Committee meeting on Monday, as I cannot be there myself without inconvenience. Colonel Bowes proposes to promote three men from the ranks to be officers in the Battalion; and to bring in one from the Durham O.T.C. I see no reason to interfere in the granting of these commissions, as at this stage the appointment of Officers concerns primarily the Officer Commanding, and the second in Command. In any case, these appear to be suitable appointments. The new huts have again been delayed; but must be ready for occupation in a day or two. The question of stoves for the cook house to be run by the battalion is having attention. These can be obtained at short notice, as I ascertained when at the War Office on Wednesday the 3rd inst. The supply of ashes is now coming in well, and considerable progress is being made with the roads. Colonel Bowes reports to me that the Brigadier has visited the battalion since the last meeting, and has expressed his approval of the progress made; and he is prepared to relax, to some extent, his restrictions with regard to leave. I presented a request at the War Office on Wednesday to be allowed to continue the formation of the second Depot Company uninterruptedly. General Sir Herbert Belfield told me that he could not give permission on account of the precedent which would be followed by other battalions. He suggested that there were some things that are better done first and asked for afterwards, and therefore, the formation of the second Depot Company is being proceeded with; and I have applied in writing. There is a certain amount of sickness, but none of a really serious nature. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 15th Feb 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall 15th February 1915 Present:- Colonel Burdon and Major Tristram. Nothing of any importance was reported. The parade state was certified as being 1355 of all ranks. Recruits were only coming in slowly: and constant drains were being made upon the regiment for the provision of Commissioned Officers for other battalions. The total loss from this source up to date would probably reach nearly 50 men. The question of a notice and advertisement issued by Mr. Evan Hayward. M.P, and Mr. Godfrey Palmer, M.P. for the purpose of obtaining 100 or 200 men for the 13th (Pioneers) Gloucester Regiment was considered; and it was agreed that support ought only to be given to this when our own County Battalions had been filled. With the exception of a few of the huts not being water tight (though not to any serious amount, except in one case) the rest of the camp was in good order, and might be considered finished; except the roads, which are still awaiting the action by the Surveyor to the RDC, which has been delayed in consequence of stone and trucks not having been forth-coming. The Rifles which had been lent to the Battalion by various members of the public were directed to be returned to their owners. Colonel Burdon notified that he had applied for cooking stoves and boilers, and also arm racks. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 22nd Feb 1915    Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall February 22nd 1915 Present:- The Earl of Durham, W.C. Gray, Colonel R. Burdon, Colonel H. Bowes, Major F. J. Tristram, and Captain Lowe. The minutes of the previous meeting at which no one was present but Colonel Burdon, Major Tristram and Capt. Lowe, were taken as read. The parade state was presented as under and Colonel Burdon mentioned that one of the reasons why such slow progress was being made with the 6th Company was that some forty of the members of the Battalion had been transferred to commissions elsewhere. The samples of necessaries for the men were inspected, and it was decided that those offered by Messrs. Mappin & Webb should be accepted, subject to reasonably quick delivery: or failing those that provided by [blank] Colonel Burdon reported that he had authority from the war office for the 6th Company to be proceeded with at once. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf Mar 1915 Route March 8th Mar 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall March 8th 1915 Present:- Wm. Cresswell Gray, Colonel Hugh Bowes, Captain W.D. Lowe, and Colonel R. Burdon. Colonel Bowes action with regard to the appointment of the two officers to the Depot Company was confirmed. The strength of the Battalion remained approximately as at the last meeting, in consequence of transfers to other Battalions, and the men being rejected after medical examination. Colonel Bowes notified that some of the senior officers had been sent to Alnmouth for a course. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 29th Mar 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall March 29th 1915 Present:- Lord Durham, Colonel Bowes, Major Tristram, Capt. Lowe, and Colonel Burdon. The strength of the battalion was stated to be 1362 of all ranks. That some were still being transferred to other battalions, and others who had been dismissed on the ground of health. Colonel Bowes stated that the camp had been inspected by Colonel Blackburn, Chief Engineer, Northern Command, York, on the 24th inst: and that he had expressed himself as satisfied with its condition and arrangements. No objection had been made by him to the rather congested state of the camp. He had given certain directions with regard to the disposal of the drainage, which will be carried out. It was stated that very few recruits were now coming in, in spite of advertisements in the newspapers; the accounts for which were stated to be very large, but were not given. Colonel Bowes undertook to send Colonel Burdon an account of the number of field glasses required for the battalion, in excess of those probably issued by the War Office. Colonel Burdon mentioned the question of leave for men and officers, and expressed a hope on behalf of himself and the Committee that leave to the very fullest possible extent would be granted until the time that the regiment moved into camp elsewhere, as very considerable dissatisfaction existed, owing to other battalions being able to obtain leave very much in excess of that granted in the 18th. Colonel Bowes stated that the difficulty lay with the orders given by the Brigadier. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 19th Apr 1915   Minutes of Committee Meeting Cocken Hall April 19th 1915 Present- Lord Durham, W.C. Gray, Colonel H. Bowes, Colonel R. Burdon, Major Tristram, and Capt. Lowe. The parade state was handed in, showing 1393 of all ranks. Of these it was expected that 8 artificers would have to be returned to their employment. It was agreed that a payment of £14 should be made to the electricians. Their services as members of the Battalion having been the means of effecting a large saving in the cost of installing electric light. Recruiting expenses incurred by Captain Longden were ordered to be paid, amounting to £74-1-2. The question of the cookhouse was considered. The medical officer having reported that in hot weather, at all events; it was unfit for its purpose, from a sanitary point of view; and it was determined to erect a cook house according to Government plans; and that application should be made to the War Office for permission to carry out this work. Colonel Bowes reported that 8 new officers had been appointed to the Battalion by the war office, but had not yet arrived; also that the Battalion was now probably going to Blagdon, under canvas, early in May. There was considerable discussion as to the probable ultimate destination of the Battalion; and as to the Brigade to which it might eventually be attached; but it was felt that no action could be taken at the moment until it was ascertained what the ideas of the General Officer Commanding, York, might be on the subject. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 21st April 1915 Family day and a scare  On the 21st of April a family day was held at Cocken Hall, the band entertained the visitors on the lawn and the men demonstrated their new skills. A dance was planned for the evening but there was a coastaldefence scare and orders were received by dispatch rider to send 'A' 'B' 'C' Companies and HQ Coy, 18th Durham Light Infantry to Middlesbrough to strengthen the defence of the town. They entrained at Leemside and travelled to Middlesbrough to establish an outpost line around the east and south of the town, bivouacking in open fields. 'A' Company were based at Cargo Fleet Iron Works, 'B' Company at and around Marton Hall and 'C' Company at Marton Bungalow. 23rd Apr 1915   April 23rd 1915 To The Committee of the County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry There will be no meeting of the Committee at Cocken Hall on Monday the 26th inst. There is little that requires immediate attention; and probably only half the Battalion will be there. Orders were received by telephone on the morning of the 21st that the Battalion was to proceed to camp near Blagdon immediately - I believe the same evening. Colonel Bowes very wisely decided that the Garden Party which had been decided to be held that afternoon - together with a show parade - should not be interfered with; and it was the means of collecting together something like 2000 people, friends and relatives of the members of the Battalion. After consultation with him I decided to try and postpone the departure of the Battalion for a few days, if possible; and therefore, at about 5 p.m. I telephoned to York, only to find that all the arrangements had been counterordered an hour previously; and that 400 men and officers were to entrain, at two hours notice, for Middlesbrough, for what York described as "an emergency." The entraining was carried out without a hitch; and 710 men and 23 officers, horses, etc., are at present in Middlesbrough. Colonel Bowes has, however, applied that the Battalion shall be allowed to reassemble at Cocken before they finally go into camp elsewhere. Major Tristram - who unfortunately has had rather a serious fall - is meanwhile in Command at Cocken. If the Battalion is to move at this short notice there is sure to be trouble in future with the Contractor; which, however, will, of course, lie upon the shoulders of York. The second Depot Company grows very slowly. At present there are about 1400 of all ranks, of whom we shall lose 8 special artificers, who go back to their firms for the manufacturing of armaments. A new cook house must be provided. I propose to go on with this quite independent of the 18th (Service) Battalion leaving Cocken, as it must be provided for the incoming Battalion; about which I am writing to York. About half of the men have been vaccinated; which, of course, would not have been done had we known of the move. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 26th Apr 1915 18th DLI leave Middlebrough May 1915 18th DLI join 31st Division 3rd May 1915 18th DLI ready for Zeppelin Raid 7th May 1915   May 7th 1915 To The Committee of the County Battalion The Durham Light Infantry There seems to be at present no necessity for meetings of the Committee. The discipline having been taken out of our hands two months ago, and the administrative duties having been withdrawn a week ago, there seems now very little for the Committee to do. We are nominally responsible for the two Depot Companies; but even there, requisitions for clothing, etc., will be more or less automatic from the Depot, which we are still retaining at Cocken, where there will always be stationed, probably, an Officer, two N.C.O.s, and two or three Privates; where we have reserved two huts, and quarters in the Hall. This plan does not entirely recommend itself to me; but I see no alternative to it at present. The Battalion are drawing their own pay on an imprest account; all rations, etc.; are now coming from the A.O. department; and clothing has long been out of our hands. Rifle slings are on the way: if not already received: and I think that - except for occasional small items - our account can be concluded by the end of this month; anyhow, I shall try and send out a draft account by that time. The Battalion, itself, marched out on Monday, to proceed by two trains to Cramlington, to the 122nd Brigade Camp; and the remaining 280 men yesterday; they having been detained in consequence of arms inflamed by the really hard time they had at Middlesbrough; where all the night duty had to be done in marching order; and many of the officers got practically no sleep for three days. There are, however, wonderfully few cases of sickness. I think 10 was the number that went yesterday by train; and I hope it speaks well for the sanitary conditions at Cocken; which will be further improved by the building of the new Cookhouse, which I have obtained authority to proceed with (on a contract with the Darlington Construction Co.) for £330, including drainage, laying on water, etc. It is now definitely settled that the Bantams succeed us. An advance party with about 30 men came in last Monday; and the remainder, I believe, are to follow shortly. I should like to record to the Committee that the whole place has been left in first rate order. I have not been over the house; but I can answer that the whole of the grounds are perfectly clean. They were, in fact, left in a state which was entirely a credit to the men, as well as the Commanding Officer. It is recognised by York that Lord Durham’s sanction is required for any change, or any new departure, at Cocken; but it would appear that I must still be in some sense responsible while our Depot is there. Durham at War Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. http://dcc-live-s3.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/D_CG-5_194-County-Battalion_transcript.pdf 17th May 1915 122 Brigade Inspected 20th May 1915 122nd Brigade inspected 22nd May 1915 18 DLI join 93rd Brigade 19th Sep 1915 18th DLI move to Fovant 16th Oct 1915 The Derby Scheme 1st Dec 1915 Derby Scheme Armlets 6th Dec 1915 18th DLI sail from Liverpool 11th Sep 1915 Last day of Derby Scheme Recruitment 21st Dec 1915 18th DLI arrive in Egypt  18th Durham Light Infantry arrive at Port Said, Egypt on 21st December 1915. 10th Jan 1916 Group System Reopens 9th February 1916 Call Ups 2nd Mar 1916 On the Move  At 8.20am 18th Battalion DLI departed from Kantara for Port Said. The National Archives Reference WO95/2361/1 3rd Mar 1916 On the Move  In the evening five grooms of 18th DLI proceeded with the horses from Kantara for Alexandria to proceed to France. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Mar 1916 At the Docks  At 11am, 18th Battalion DLI embarked on the H.T. Ivernia at Port Said. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Mar 1916 Under Way  18th DLI report "At 5am H.T. Ivernia sailed for Marseilles from Port Said." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Mar 1916 18th DLI move to France  18th Durham Light Infantry arrive in France from Egypt. 11th Mar 1916 In Port 14th Mar 1916 Into Billets  18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry detrained at 9am and proceeded to Citerne where they were allocated billets. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Mar 1916 Trench Instruction  10 officers and 39 NCOs of 18th DLI proceed to front line trenches at 10am for instruction. It would be the first time they had been in the front line. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Mar 1916 On the Move  18th DLI left Citerne and moved into billets at Longpre. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Mar 1916 On the March  18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry proceed to Bequesne and were billeted. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Mar 1916 On the March  At 1520 18th Battalion DLI arrived at billets in Beussart. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th Mar 1916 Into the Line  At 6.15pm 18th DLI proceeded to front line trenches to relieve 9th Royal Irish Rifles. The National Archives 18th DLI War Diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Apr 1916 Into the Trenches   4th Apr 1916 Relief Completed 3rd Apr 1916 Reliefs  At 8pm 18th DLI vacated trenches east of Auchonvilliers being relieved by 12th Yorks & Lancs and returned to billets at Beaussart. The National Archives 18DLI War Diary WO95/2361/1 4th Apr 1916 A Spartan Camp 4th Apr 1916   18th DLI marched from Beaussart to Bus Les Artois. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Apr 1916   At 5.45pm 18th DLI proceeded from Bus Les Artois to front line trenches where they took over from 11th East Yorks. The National Archives 18DLI War Diary WO95/2361/1 24th Apr 1916 Reliefs  18th DLI are relieved by 18th West Yorks at 8.20pm. Durhams marched to billets at Colincamps. The National Archives 18th DLI War Diary WO95/2361/1 28th Apr 1916 Into Camp  18th DLI marched out of Colincamps at 8.50am and entered hutments at Bertrancourt. The National Archives WO95/2361/1 6th May 1916 Change of Camp  18th DLI vacated hutments at Bertrancourt and entered hutments at Bus Les Artois at 5pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th May 1916 Into the Line  At 3pm 18th DLI proceeded from Bus Les Artois to front line trenches and took over from 11th East Yorks Regiment Battalion on left flank was 16th West Yorks Regt and on right 1st Lancashire Fusiliers up to 18th May 1916 and then afterwards the 16th Middlesex Regiment The National Archives 18DLI War Diary WO95/2361/1 19th May 1916 Relief  18th DLI vacated trenches on being relieved by 18th Btn. West Yorks Regiment at 2pm and moved into billets at Colincamps. The National Archives 18DLI WO95/2361/1 24th May 1916 On the March  At 1pm 18th DLI marched out of Colincamps and entered hutments in Warnimont Wood, Bus Les Artois. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th May 1916 The Loss of a Friend 4th Jun 1916 On the March  At 9.30am. 18th DLI vacated hutments in Warnimont Wood, Bus Les Artois and entered billets at Courcelles at 12.30 pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Jun 1916 On the March  At 7am D Company, 18th DLI comprising 3 officers, 197 other ranks proceeded to Gezaincourt. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Jun 1916 On the March  At 0845. D Company, 18th DLI left Gezaincourt and proceeded to Bus Les Artois. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Jun 1916 Raid  Report on German Raid 27.6.16 Reported by Capt. W.D. Lowe Adjt. 18 DLI. 1.8.16 Approximate disposition of Coys. A Co. S 5/2, S 5/4, B Co. S 5/5, S 5/6, C Co. M 35/1, M 35/2, D Co. On support lines. 18th West Yorks on right flank, 2/5th Gloucesters on left. Bombardment began 9.30pm. Communication between HQ & forward line broke down at one. All reports came through D Co. The bombardment appeared chiefly to be on the front of B Co. & the support line in rear of B. Field Guns & Mortars chiefly used on front line & 5.9 on support line. 2225. Enemy was reported in front line at M.35/1, 2 which was being raided. They were ejected in 5 minutes. At 2245. 18th West Yorks reported enemy in his line Hun St, Oxford St,that he was counter attacking at 11.15pm, I undertook to cooperate with my right Co. 2300. Battalion Bomb store was on fire at ---- Hall, this was put out, re-fired & again extinguished. 28th Jun 0130. Report from B Co. 18th DLI stating Germans had entered his left but were immediately ejected & that C Co. trenches had also been entered. He thought no prisoners had been taken. A dugout between B & C Coys was ---- & prevented B Co. after charging its trenches from coming to assistance of C Co. All communication trenches badly blown in & that right & left flanks of support line are badly damaged. 0400. C Co. reported bays blown in & number of men buried, that the enemy came over fifty strong but owing to action of Lewis Guns only about 6 entered & were quickly ejected, number of wounded cannot be estimated, they were considerable. A Co. heavily shelled, parapet seriously damaged, on barrage lifting parapet was manned & Lewis Gun fire opened, enemy did not enter trenches. Action taken. C Co. was reinforced by 1 platoon from Support Co. leaving 3 platoons in support lines. A prisoner, apparently on telephone work was captured by D Co. in front of Church Redoubt. Very few casualties in Support Line Redoubt, right & right centre of front line, heavy on left centre, & very heavy on left of front line. The National Archives 18DLi War Diary WO95/2361/1 28th Jun 1916 Detachment  D Coy. 18 DLI attached to 16th West Yorks for operations left Bus for the front line. The National Archives 18DLI War Diary WO95/2361/1 30th Jun 1916 Into the Line  2215. 18th DLI (less D Coy) left Courcelles for operations for front line. 1830. Remainder of Battalion left Courcelles to join 1st line transport Bus Les Artois. Appendix No 1 18th DLI Battle of Serre states:30th Jun 16. 2200 18th Battalion DLI in Brigade Reserve, less D. Co attached 16th West Yorks less reinforcements and details at Bus. 789 strong all ranks left Courcelles for assembly trenches. [Not all Officers and men of a battalion would go into action in an attack, a small number always remained behind the lines to take care of equipment, horses and administration.] 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Jul 1916 In Action  Front Line 0700. Beginning of Battle of Somme. The Objective of 18th DLI line running S.E. of Serre. 0450. 18th Battalion DLI reached assembly trench Maitland. HQ near Warley, Maitland junction. 11th East Lancs on left, West Riding on right. At 0505. Special bombing parties of 18th DLI proceed to Sap A to report to 15th West Yorks. 0600. German guns appear to be inferior to our artillery. Our aircraft patrol lines effectively. 0720. Mine sprung at Beaumont Hamel by British. 0730. Men begin crossing to German lines carrying artillery discs but smoke prevented good observation. 0920 Brigade instruct 18th Battalion DLI to move to line Monk trench to support 18th West Yorks. 0947. A Coy. 18th DLI leave Maitland and advance to Monk. 1000. B Coy. 18 DLI leave Maitland and advance to Monk with C Coy. 18th DLI in Maitland ready to advance. HQ in Maitland between Bleneau and Grey. 18th West Yorks in Languard east of Maitland, Brigade HQ on Legend. 1100. A & B Coys 18th DLI are heavily shelled in the open between Monk and Maitland. 1130. German artillery very effective and appearing to predominate. Brigade instructs B Coy 18 DLI to reorganise in Dunmow. 1157. Message to Brigade reporting dispositions of 18th DLI. 2 Platoons A Coy. in Monk. 1 Platoon A Coy. in Flag, 1 Platoon A Coy. in Maitland, B Coy. west of Monk, C Coy. in Maitland, Btn HQ as at 10am. Heavy casualties in all Coys. 1232. Brigade instructs B Coy. 18th DLI to hold Sackville in conjunction with 4th Div. Brigade instructs ------ to hold New Dunmow. 1353. C Coy. 18th DLI with 60 men of 18th West Yorks in New Dunmow, A & B Coys garrison Maitland with bombing parties on right and left of New Dunmow and Languard and Lewis guns north and south of New Dunmow. 1511. 1 Coy. 11th East Yorks move to Maitland and are under O.C. 18th Durham LI to cover 159 Bty RFA. 1540. O.C. 18 Durham LI moves 11th East Yorks from Maitland to take over defence of Languard. 1543. C Coy. 18th DLI reports (1) Front line trench blown out of existence as fighting trench, (2) Front line full of East and West Yorks (3) Recall of bombing parties working with 15th West Yorks. 1550. 18th West Yorks are collected by 18th Durham LI in New Dunmow. A & B Coys 18th DLI are being reorganised. Stragglers of 16th West Yorks are being collected. Casualties in 18th DLI approximately (less D Coy.) 5 Officers wounded, 11 OR killed, 126 OR wounded. 4 Officers D Co. wounded, 17 OR D Co. reported Btn HQ. 18 Durham LI instructed by Brigade to hold front line for the night and expel counter attack. C Coy. manned front line, A & B in Maitland. 16th West Yorks in Dunmow. C Coy. 18DLI has bombing parties Sap A & Sap B 1745. 11th East Yorks reported in position in Languard. 1830. Major Tilly reported at 18th DLI HQ. The National Archives 18DLi War Diary WO95/2361/1 Appendix 1 2nd Jul 1916 In Action  At 0100. B Coy. 18th DLI moved up to the front line. (D Coy. attached to A) 0330. 66 reinforcements reported at HQ and joined their Coys. 0830. 2 Platoons C Coy. in Monk with 4 MG of MG Co. and 2 MG in Dunmow. 1330. Brigade instructions to occupy front line from K.35.a.3.7 to K.29.c.80.95 with 1 Co. 4 L.G. by day, with 2 Coys 8 L.G. by night, remainder & HQ to hold north & south Monk. This completed by 2.40 pm and Brigade informed. 1500 - 1530. Special bombardment by our artillery during which 2 off. 9 OR C Coy. were wounded 1 OR C Co. killed. 1830 - 1900. Special bombardment by our artillery. 2020. Brigade informed that enemy was at ----- ----- shells ---- in North Monk. 40 wounded chiefly of 16th West Yorks were collected by C Coy. in front line. 2300. Kings Own on right of 18th DLI and wiring in front. 2306. Germans reported to be seen carrying up Gas Cylinders to front line. 2330. GOC 93 I.B. instructs 18 Btn DLI to send remainder of D Coy. back to Bus. Late. Brigade warn 18th Btn DLI of possible gas attack, front line to hold on. 18th West Yorks to send 2 Coy’s one to North Monk, one to South Monk and 2 remaining Coy’s to move up later. 16th West Yorks to remain in Dunmow, 15th West Yorks in Maitland. Information also received that 2 Brigades of 48th Division with 3 Battalions of 29 Division will attack hostile line from River Ancre to Pt 29 at 3.30am. Artillery to bombard enemy’s line. The National Archives 18th DLI War Diary Appx.1 WO95/2361/1 3rd Jul 1916 Shelling  0355. 18th DLI Inform Brigade of heavy shelling by enemy at 2.15am was of ---- shells. 2035. Brigade instructed 18th Btn DLI to get in touch with Duke of Wellingtons Regiment of 12th Brigade, on their right at Delaunay. The National Archives 18DLI War Diary Appx 1 WO95/2361/1 4th Jul 1916 Under Fire  18th Durhams are in the Front Line . Taken from Appendix 1 18th DLI Battle of Serre. 0200. Ration party from Bus and ---- ordered to remain in Monk as reinforcements in view of information above. 0400. Red rockets went up & LG & MG opened by a unit on our right. 0403.Hostile artillery open with Field Guns & MG chiefly barraging our front line & then lifting quickly to Monk, chiefly shrapnel some HE. 0410. 18th Btn DLI asked for retaliation on German trench between Warley and Delaunay. Brigade report Gas on 94th Brigade area on our left. 0423. Our guns open retaliation effectively. 0430. No signs of gas, hostile fire weakening. 0435. Front line reports all correct, two casualties, hostile guns practically ceased fire. 0508. All quiet. 0530. Stand down. N.B. Enemy before opening artillery fire put up red rockets, on sending up green rockets fire ceased. 0630. Lt Tait D Co found wounded in Old Monk & brought back. 1100. Brigade Instructions. 31 Div. to go into Corps reserve & move to Bernaville area joining II Corps & coming into GHQ reserve. 93rd Brigade to be relieved by 144th Brigade on night of 4-5th of July 1916 & move to Louvencourt and thence on 6th to Bernaville area. 2200. Relief of 18th Btn DLI by Worcesters. HQ moves 10.5pm to Louvencourt. 2200. 18th DLI relieved by Worcester Regt and moved to Louvencourt. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Jul 1916 On the March  0445. 18th DLI reported present at Louvencourt. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Jul 1916 On the March  0900 18th DLI vacated billets at Louvencourt and moved to Beauval arriving 12.30pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Jul 1916 On the March  0730 18th Battalion DLI vacated billets at Beauval and moved to Berneuil arriving 11.45am. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Jul 1916 On the Move  2100. 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry vacated billetsat Berneuil and moved to Conteville entraining there for Berguette in 1st Army area arriving there 11.30am and proceeded to La Pierreiere by route march arriving 1.30pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Jul 1916 On the March  1500. 18th Battalion, DLI vacated billets at La Pierreiere and proceeded by route march to Fosse (Lestrem) arriving 8.30pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Jul 1916 Reliefs  0800. 18th DLI vacated billets at Fosse and proceeded to front line relieving 14th Btn York and Lancaster Regiment. 18th DLI War Diary WO95/2361/1 27th Jul 1916 Raids  18th Durhams are in the Trenches. Bombardment by German artillery beginning 9.30 pm followed by raids made by Germans. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Aug 1916 Reliefs  At 1330. 18th Durhams are relieved by 14th York & Lancs and moved into billets at La Fosse. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Aug 1916 Reinforcements  18th DLI are at La Fosse. A draft 50 OR reported to HQ. Col R.E. Cheyne 29th Lancers reported & assumed command. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Aug 1916 Change of Billets  1530. 18th Battalion. Durham Light Infantry vacated billets at La Fosse and moved into billets at Le Hamel (HQ & C Coy) and Essars (A. B. D Coy’s) 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th Aug 1916 Reliefs  18th Durhams HQ moved from Le Hamel to Essars At 20.05. 18th Battalion DLI relieved 2nd Wilts, vacated billets & moved into trenches East of Festubert, B Co. & D Co. in Front Line right & left, C & A Co in Support Lines. Hants Battalion on right 16th West Yorks on left. 15th West Yorks & 1 Co. 11th East Yorks in Brigade Reserve. Wagon line moved into billets at Le Touret. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Aug 1916 Reliefs  2nd Wiltshires relieved Hamphshires on right of 18th Battalion, DLI in Trenches In Festubert Sector. Misty morning. Clear later & hot. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Aug 1916 In the Trenches  18th Durhams report from Trenches in Festubert Sector "Misty morning. Clear later & hot. 2 Lt G.H. Lean reported for duty." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th Aug 1916 Shelling  18th Durhams report from Trenches in Festubert Sector "Cooperation of 16 Grenade Rifles with 93rd T.M.B on Popes Nose 7.30am. Stokes guns appeared to be indifferently aimed. Enemy retaliated 1pm with indifferent effect upon front line. Weather cooler. 3 OR wounded." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Aug 1916 Reliefs  18th Durhams are in Trenches in Festubert Sector. Weather cooler with fresh West wind. Some artillery activity against hostile trenches North of us. 2130. C Co. relieved B, & A Co. relieved D. New disposition Right Front Line - C Co. Left Front Line - A Co. Right Support B Co. Left Support D Co. 1 OR wounded & died of wounds later. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Aug 1916 Shelling  18th Durhams hold Trenches in Festubert Sector. Weather cool. Slight artillery activity 10.45 to 11.15am on both sides, some shells fell on our North Old British Line 1 to 2.15 Heavy showers. 1445. An arranged bombardment of Field Artillery 4.5 hours. Stokes Guns & machine Guns on Popes Nose opened. Hostile artillery replied quickly at first slightly on Front Line, then more heavily on Cover Trench & George Trench, next with effect on O.B.L. round Battalion HQ two bays & 2 dugouts being blown in. Casualties 3, this small number being due largely to removal of troops from trenches usually occupied to disused trenches in rear of successive lines. Damage was also done to Barnton No 11 Island parapet blown in in parts. Slight artillery both sides at night. 2nd East Yorks relieved 2nd Wilts on right on night of 15th-16th. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Aug 1916 Under Shellfire  18th DLI are in Trenches in the Festubert Sector. Bright & South West wind. 1.45pm enemy artillery actions, some 5.9s dropped between Cover Trench and O.B.L. but majority on Battalion to our left. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Aug 1916 Bombardment  Trenches in Festubert Sector are held by 18th Durham light Infantry 04.37. Fine & calm. Six willow trees, considered to be of value to enemy as range marks near our parapet opposite 12 Islands, blown up at 4.37am. 15.55. Combined bombardment by R.A. & L.T.M.B. of German trenches S27d. 4.15pm German guns answered chiefly on our left Islands & Barnton Trench with whizz bangs. Bombardment ended 4.55pm. The front line & O.B.L. was again thinned as on 15.8.16 and troops withdrawn to disused trenches. Casualties Nil. Damage done to our trenches insignificant. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Aug 1916 Reliefs  18th DLI are in Trenches in the Festubert sector and report: "04.00. Very misty. Enemy artillery sent over several heavy shells, perhaps 5.9s, but all fell North of right subsector & did not affect us. Our guns retaliated. All was quiet by 4.30am. 10.00. Fine. At 4.25pm Enemy artillery bombarded rear of Front Line without effect, our guns retaliated slightly. Wet in evening. 21.30. W.Y.R with 75 W.Y.S, 75 H.Y.T relieved 18th DLI less B Co. Relief completed 11.30pm. 18th DLI less B Co. marched to Le Touret and took over billets from 11th East Yorks. B Co. remained as Right Co. in Support in O.B.L. No activity of any kind from guns or rifles during relief." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Aug 1916 Stand To  18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry report from Le Touret "Considerable enemy artillery activity gradually increasing throughout the day and not reduced by our artillery fire. B Co. 18th DLI in O.B.L reported extensive damage done by enemy fire to Islands 1 to 9, 13 to 14, also to Barnton trench. B Co. sent up 2 platoons reinforcements. No casualties. Under Brigade instructions 18th DLI stood to 8.0pm to 11.30pm, when ordered to stand down. 18th West Yorks in village line also stood to and sent up 100 reinforcements to O.B.L. Artillery fire slackened about 8.0pm and all was quiet at 11.30pm & throughout the night 20th/21st of August 1916. 15th West Yorks drove out a raiding party with heavy losses, which attempted about 8.40pm to raid between No 12 Island and No 9 to No 10. Considerable damage was done to No 12 & 11 Islands." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Aug 1916 Relief  At 21.30. B Coy. 18th DLI in O.B.L, Trenches Festubert Sector was relieved by C Coy. 18th DLI. No casualties. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Aug 1916 Barrage  C Coy 18th DLI are in Trenches in Festubert Sector 01.00. One casualty while out wiring from hostile M.G. 21.30. Our guns barraged on our left preparing for raid by 92nd Infantry Brigade. Usual hostile reply. One blind shell 50x from Le Plantin redoubt, the only shell on our Coy. sector. No casualties. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Aug 1916 Reinforcements  18th Durhams report "Two officer reinforcements reported." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th Aug 1916 Reliefs  Trenches Festubert Sector 21.00. 18th Battalion. DLI Less C Co. which remained in O.B.L right relieved 15th West Yorkshire Regiment. B Co. front line Right, D Co. front line Left. A Co. O.B.L Left. 16th West Yorks Battalion on our Left. 2nd Yorks Battalion on our Right. No casualties. Later in night 2 casualties. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Aug 1916 Artillery Active  18th Durhams hold Trenches in Festubert Sector .05.05. German deserter gave himself up coming into B Coy. lines at No 1 Island. Day showery but clear. 16.30. German artillery fire H.E. shrapnel over Festubert Road South of Barnton from 4.30pm, 5.30pm. 2nd Bedfords relieved 2nd Yorks. during night. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Aug 1916 Reliefs  18th Durham Light Infantry report from Trenches in Festubert Sector "Clear. 21.00. C Coy. relieved B Coy. Right Front Line. A Coy. relieved D Coy. Left Front Line. No casualties." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th Aug 1916 Bombarment  18th DLI are in Trenches in Festubert Sector 01.30. Bombardment by our guns on our right on the craters lasting till about 2.5am Weak German reply ending with a few rounds on our right sector badly aimed and falling between George Street and right O.B.L. Showery morning. 3pm Mutual bombardment on Givenchy sector. Heavy rains & thunderstorm in late afternoon & evening. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 30th Aug 1916 Quiet  18th Durhams hold the Trenches in the Festubert Sector Cold, windy, showery. No action of any description. 11th East Yorks relieved 16th West Yorks on left flank of 18th DLI. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 31st Aug 1916 Quiet  18th Durhams hold Trenches of Festubert Sector. Fine & windless. Quiet day. 17.00. Fair. Quiet night. Slight bombardment of Givenchy hostile trenches. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Sep 1916 Reliefs  18th DLI hold trenches in the Festubert Sector "Fair. 92nd Brigade on our left bombarded hostile trenches. Very weak reply. Exceptionally quiet day. 20.30. 18th Battalion DLI, less D Coy. which remained in Left O.B.L relieved by 15th West Yorks without casualties & proceeded into billets at Le Touret." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Sep 1916 Reliefs  At 15.00. 18th Battalion. DLI Less D Co. proceeded into billets at La Fosse after being relieved by 17th Manchesters at Le Touret. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Sep 1916 In Billets  At 02.00. D Coy. 18th DLI arrived in billets at La Fosse after being relieved in trenches by 17th Manchesters. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Sep 1916 Reliefs  At 09.15. 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, less details moved into front line in Neuve Chapelle Sector. A, B and D Coys in Front Line C in reserve. Battalion on right is 15th West Yorks. Battalion on left 2/1st Bucks Battalion, Ox & Bucks of 184th Brigade, 61st Division. Details moved to Transport Lines South West of Lestrem. 18th DLI relieved 13th York & Lancasters. Very quiet night. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Sep 1916 Quiet  18th DLI are in the Neuve Chapelle Sector, their war diary records "01.25. Salvo’s on German wire. Fine. Quiet all day. 9 for noon some rain. Heavy rain at night." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th Sep 1916 Quiet  18th DLI are in the Neuve Chapelle Sector "Fine. Very quiet. Heavy rain in evening." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Sep 1916 Quiet  18th DLI hold the Neuve Chapelle Sector "Fine. Very quiet all day & night." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Sep 1916 Quiet  In the Neuve Chapelle Sector 18th Durhams report: "Bright & cold. Quiet throughout the day." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Sep 1916 Reliefs  Fair. Very quiet. 18th DLI are relieved in the Neuve Chapelle Sector by 2/6th Gloucesters on Left from Signpost Lane to Fifteenth St and on the Right by 7th Worcesters. No casualties. 18th Battalion, DLI moved into billets at Vielle Chapelle. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Sep 1916 Reliefs 18th Sep 1916   18th DLI took over Orchard Keep in Givenchy Sector with a garrison found by B Coy. from 16th West Yorks. HQ at Windy Corner. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Sep 1916 Shelling  18th DLI took over left subsector from 18th West Yorks with 3 Coys. B, C and D, Right, Centre & Left in front line and A Coy. in support at Windy Corner. Very quiet afternoon. 15th West Yorks on right of 18th DLI, 11th East Lancs on left of Battalion. A fair amount of Minenwerfer activity on both sides. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Sep 1916   18th DLI are at Windy Corner in Givenchy Sector. Bright & quiet in morning and throughout the day. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Sep 1916 Exchange of Fire  18th DLI report from Windy Corner in the Givenchy Sector "Very misty in early morning. Some Minenwerfer activity in morning between 3 and 5 from B & C Coy. & Poppy Redoubt Garrison evacuated their posts during firing of Heavy Trench Mortar Battery. The enemy replied fairly vigorously with TMs & blew in front line held by Left of B Coy. Berkley St & Clarges. Very quiet at night." Teh National Archives Reference WO95/2361/1 24th Sep1916   18th DLI report from Windy Corner in Givenchy Sector "Fine. Our Stokes guns showed considerable activity 8 to 9 am & enemy retaliated with T.M. one minenwerfer killing three men. Quiet afternoon. 22.20 heavy mutual bombardment apparently about two miles to South. On our left 13th Yorks and Lancs relieved 11th East Yorks." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th Sep 1916 Reliefs  18th DLI are at Windy Corner in the Givenchy Sector and report in their war diary: "Quiet fine morning. Some artillery activity to the South in morning beginning about 8.0am. 18 West Yorks relieved 18 DLI in afternoon completing 16.55. No casualties. 18 DLI less A Coy. which remained in village line returned to Brigade Reserve Billets in Gorre." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Sep 1916 Bombardment  At 04.00. Artillery & Stokes gun bombardment by 97 Infantry Brigade. is reported by 18th DLI who are at Gore. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th Sep 1916   22.00. 18th DLI moved from Gorre and relieved 18th West Yorks in front line with A, D, C, in Front Line Right to Left and B Co. in reserve at Windy Corner and Poppy Redoubt. Relief completed 14.06, no casualties. 15th West Yorks on Right, 13th Yorks & Lancs on Left. Some mutual trench mortar activity in evening 6-7 pm. Quiet night. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 30th Sep 1916 In the Trenches  18th Durhams report "Fine throughout the day and after slight TM activity unusually quiet." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Oct 1916 In the Trenches  18th Durhams are in the trenches of the Givenchy Sector. Weather is fine. Quiet on the whole. 11 East Lancs relieved 13 York & Lancs on their left during the night. Mutual rifle grenade & trench mortar activity in late afternoon. 60 reinforcements reported to 18th DLI, Capt. J. B. Hughes-Game was wounded. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd Oct 1916   In the Givenchy Sector 18th DLI are in The Trenches. Fair. Quiet. Continuous rain later. 8pm to 9pm considerable rifle & bombing activity South of Canal. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Oct 1916   Givenchy Sector. 18th Durhams are in The Trenches "Thick scotch mist in morning and early afternoon. Very quiet." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Oct 1916   Quiet in morning. 18th Durhams are relieved in The Trenches of the Givenchy Sector by 1st Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry and moved into Village (support) Line. No casualties. D Coy. held Givenchy Keep, Hilders, Herts. A Coy. Pont Fixe South. B Coy. Orchard. Heavy rain at night. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Oct 1916 Reliefs   6th Oct 1916   18th DLI with transport moved in conjunction with 15th West Yorks leaving billets at Bethune 9.30am and leaving 15th West Yorks at Busnes, entered billets at La Pierriere 1.0pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Oct 1916   From La Pierriere 18th DLI moved to Lillers, entrained 4.45pm and arrived Doullens 11.30pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Oct 1916   18th Durhams moved by route march from Doullens into billets at Orville reaching billets 2.15am. 18th Battalion DLI entered Reserve Army XIII Corps. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Oct 1916   18th DLI moved from billets in Orville to shelters in Orville Wood. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Oct 1916   18th Durhams moved from shelters in Orville Wood to billets in St Leger. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Oct 1916   18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry moved from billets in St Leger to relieve 12th East Yorks as left Support in Left Sub-sector Hebuterne. Battalion in billets & bivouacs at Sailly Au Bois. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Oct 1916   Fine and quiet day. Fair amount of artillery activity. Enemy shelled heavy battery near 18th DLI Battalion HQ during the night. A & B Coys, 18th DLI moved from bivouac into billets in Sailly Au Bois. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Oct 1916   Heavy rain. A & B Co. 18th DLI moved back into bivouac, on account of enemy shelling. Brigade HQ in Quanny was shelled, 93rd Brigade then moved to new HQ near Sailly Church. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Oct 1916   18th DLI are at Sailly Au Bois. Rainy, quiet day. Enemy shelled battery positions & road. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th Oct 1916   18th Durhams vacated billets at Sailly Au Bois and relieved 18th West Yorks in Left Sub Sector Hebuterne. Relief complete 2.0pm. Very wet and trenches in very muddy condition. A & B Coys front line, D & C Coys Right & Left Support. Enemy used gas & tear shells. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Oct 1916   18th DLI are at Hebuterne Heavy rain and Mutual Trench Mortar activity. At 7.30pm a raid was attempted with the co-operation of artillery by 16th West Yorks, through lines of Battalion on our right. 2Lt Turner wounded (shell shock) 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Oct 1916   18th Durhams are at Hebuterne "Wet, Quiet day on the whole. Four fighting patrols from 92nd Brigade went out through our lines. None of the enemy were encountered. Enemy shelled Battalion HQ. Medical Aid Post blown in." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th Oct 1916   18th Durhams are at Hebuterne. Heavy rain all day. Enemy retaliated to our artillery. Seven men wounded. 2 Fighting Patrols consisting of 1 Officer and 30 OR from B & C Coys went out on our Left and Right to obtain an identification in No Mans Land. No trace of enemy found at all, our artillery having fired on enemy wire and in front of it. No casualties. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 30th Oct 1916   Fine in morning and heavy rain in afternoon. 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry are relieved at Hebuterne by 12th Yorks and Lancs. Relief complete about 3.30pm. Moved into billets at Rossignol Farm. Men's feet in fair condition. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 31st Oct 1916   18th DLI are at Rossignol Farm. Dull & showery, day spent cleaning up etc. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Nov 1916   18th durhams report from Rossignol Farm "Dull & cloudy, slight rain. Practice of raiding parties started. Big working parties for trenches required. Only one case of trench foot. 2Lt Bradford re-joined & posted to C Coy. 30 reinforcements distributed." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Nov 1916   18th DLI, vacated billets at Rossignol Farm and occupied Left Sub Sector Hebuterne. Battalion HQ in the same place in Hebuterne. A & B Coys Right & Left Front. D & C Coys R & L Support. Relieved 14th Yorks & Lancs. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Nov 1916   18th DLI are at Hebuterne. Wet. Trenches in very bad condition. Mud waist deep. Rations etc carried up over the top. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Nov 1916   18th Durhams are at Hebuterne. Rain. Trenches in Front Line practically impassable. Enemy shelled HQ 7.30pm. No damage done. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th Nov 1916   18th DLI report from Hebuterne "Fairer. Artillery on both sides quiet all day." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Nov 1916   18th DLI relieved at Hebuterne by 18th West Yorks. Relief complete 3.55pm. Only one casualty entering the town. Battalion moved into huts & shelters in the Dell, Sailly. Men's feet in poor condition. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Nov 1916   18th DLI are at The Dell. Cloudy day but no rain. Whole Battalion out on carrying parties in Hebuterne. Men's feet much improved during the night. Very few Trench Feet. Battalion in reserve under orders to turn out at 20 minutes notice. 2Lts Hill, Weddell & Bushell and 50 ORs formed Smoke Barrage party proceeded to Front Line Trenches 6.15pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th Nov 1916   18th Battalion DLI are still standing to. Smoke Barrage party returned as they were un-needed. 92nd Brigade attacked German positions S.E. of Hebuterne at 5.45am. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Nov 1916   18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry vacated The Dell, HQ, A & B Coys moved into bivouacs on Bus - Courcelles. C & D Coys moved into billets at Rossignol Farm. A & B Coys came under orders of 94th Brigade for reinforcing, again under orders to get ready on alarm, to turn out at 20 minutes notice. Battalion supplying working parties for XIII Corps. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Nov 1916   At Courcelles 18th DLI carried out Inter Company relief, C & D Coys came out to bivouacs, A & B Coys moved into billets. Weather very cold, men in better condition after period of rest. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Nov 1916   At 09.30. 18th DLI left bivouacs at Courcelles and proceeded to take over left Northern Subsector Hebuterne. Dinner was served on open ground west of Sailly Au Bois. Moved off again 1.0pm Going very bad and large number of men sick owing to exposure. Relief complete 3.20pm. A Coy, B Coy, C Coy from right to left in front line. D Coy in support. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Nov 1916   18th Durham report "Weather very cold, frost during the night, no rain. Trenches in fair condition, 2 OR wounded. Patrols reconnoitred enemy wire and No Man's Land." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Nov 1916   Wet in the morning and cold. 15th West Yorks took over A Coy, 18th DLI sector. C Coy relieved by D Coy. A Coy moved into billets in Hebuterne. Now D Coy Left Front. B Coy Right Front. C Coy Left Support. A Coy Left Support. Patrols reconnoitred No Man's Land. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th Nov 1916   18th DLI report "Quiet some more rain. Trenches began falling in and got very muddy. 4 OR wounded by grenade. Patrols out reconnoitring No Man's Land." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Nov 1916   Quiet, still raining occasionally. A Coy relieved B Coy 18th DLI in left Coy sector. Patrols reconnoitred enemy wire and No Man's Land. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th Nov 1916   18th DLI are in the Trenches. Quiet, raining all day. Enemy shelled Hebuterne. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Nov 1916 Reliefs Completed  18th DLI are relieved by 18th West Yorks and moved into billets in Rossignol Farm. Very wet day. Trenches in very muddy condition. Relief complete 5.30pm. Battalion formed part of Divsional Reserve. Men very tired but in fairly good condition. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Nov 1916 Working Parties  From their HQ at Rossignol Farm, 18th Durham report "Better day, though cloudy. Battalion finding big working parties. Draft of 60 ORs reported from Base and posted to Coys. Fairly good set of men, though mostly very new." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 30th Nov 1916   18th DLI are at Rossignol Farm. Frosty morning. Sick parade for past 3 days averaged over 100. Men mostly suffering from sores owing to run down condition. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Dec 1916   18th Battalion DLI vacated billets at Rossignol Farm and proceeded to take over Left Subsector Hebuterne from 18th W.Y.R. Relief complete 3.20pm. C Coy. Left Front. B Coy. Right Front. D Coy. Left Support. A Coy. Right Support. Raiding party left out at 7.0pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Dec 1916   18th DLI report "Very wet. Trenches which had been in fair condition, got washed down badly." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Dec 1916   18th Durhams report "7.0am, very dull & observation impossible. Enemy very quiet, except for Minenwerfer on left Coy sector." Teh National Archives Reference WO95/2361/1 6th Dec 1916   Fine & frosty. A Coy. 18th Durhams relieved B Coy. & D Coy. relieved C Coy. in the trenches, relief completed at 5.0pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Dec 1916   18th DLI report "Quiet, raining. Trenches in very bad condition. Patrols from raiding party went out." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Dec 1916   18th Durhams are in the Trenches. Very quiet. Enemy quiet, nothing to report. 2Lt Armstrong proceeded to take over duties of Town Major at Couin. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Dec 1916   18th DLI are relieved by 18th W.Y.R. relief complete 4.0pm. Proceeded into billets in Sailly & Keep, A & B Coys in Sailly. B & C Coys in garrison of Hebuterne Keep. Men in good condition, no casualties. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th Dec 1916   18th DLI are at Sailly. Wet. Draft of 39 ORs reported to HQ. Raiding party continued training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Dec 1916   A & D Coys 18th DLI relieved B & C Coys in the Keep, no casualties. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Dec 1916   2Lt Busby & draft of 23 ORs reported to 18th DLI HQ. 130 ORs billeted at Couin. 18 DLI relieved 18th W.Y.R. in L3 relief complete 12.40pm. Raiding party left at Sailly. B & C Coys. right & left front. A & D Coys. support. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Dec 1916   Wet & dull. Enemy fairly quiet. Shell hit left front of 18th DLI Coy HQ, Capt. Phorson & 2Lt Busby killed, 2Lt Lean wounded. 2Lt Waggott took temporary command of Coy. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Dec 1916   18th DLI are at Sailly. Wet & cold. Enemy quiet, very little reply to our bursts of artillery fire. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Dec 1916   18th Durhams carried out Inter Company relief. Everything quiet. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th Dec 1916   18th Durhams report from Sailly "Rain turning to snow in evening. After artillery preparation raiding party entered Gommecourt Salient, but finding trenches all blown in and no Germans they returned. No casualties." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Dec 1916   18th DLI are relieved by 12th East Yorks and proceeded in busses to rest billets in Famechon. 2Lt Lean reported from C.C.S. and 2Lt Hornsby from Base. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th Dec 1916   Col. R.E. Cheyne proceeded on leave and Maj. W.D. Lowe assumed command of 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Dec 1916   Divisional Commander visited men of 18th DLI at their Xmas dinner at Famechon. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd Jan 1917   FAMECHON 18th Battalion vacated billets & moved into Div. Reserve in billets at BAYENCOURT. Men fresh after rest. Roads very heavy for marching. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Jan 1917   BAYENCOURT Battalion in Div. Reserve, training and supplying working parties. Weather fair. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Jan 1917   BAYENCOURT Maj. W.D. LOWE awarded Military Cross, also Capt. J.B. HUGHES-GAMES. Draft of 26 ORs reported from base. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Jan 1917   18th DLI vacated billets and relieved 18th WYR in L3 subsector Hebuterne Relief complete 10.45am. B & C Coys left & right front Coy’s, A & D support. Weather bad. Communication trenches too bad to use. Only six Coy Officers including Coy Cdrs. Bosche very quiet. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Jan 1917   TRENCHES Day began very fair, but turned to heavy rain later. All trenches more or less impassable. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Jan 1917   TRENCHES Heavy rain, A & D Coys relieved B & C Coys in front line. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Jan 1917   TRENCHES Dull. Village shelled in usual places. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th Jan 1917   TRENCHES 18th DLI relieved by 10th WORCESTERS 57th Infantry Brigade Relief complete 4.30pm. Proceeded to BAYENCOURT to rendezvous until time to embus. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Jan 1917   BAYENCOURT Proceeded in busses, 3 Coy’s 15 billets in OUTREBOIS. B Coy to FROHEN-LE-PETIT. Arrived destination 6.30am. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Jan 1917   OUTREBOIS Maj. C.W. TILLY re-joined from England. 2Lt. NEAL & 2Lt. HITCHIN reported to HQ for duty. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Jan 1917   OUTREBOIS Battalion undergoing training. Weather very cold & frosty. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Jan 1917   OUTREBOIS 18th DLI vacated billets & moved to THIEVRES. HQ, B & D Coy’s at THIEVRES A & C Coy’s at MARIEUX in huts. The National Archives Reference WO95/2361/ 17th Jan 1917   THIEVRES & MARIEUX Day spent cleaning up. Col. CHEYNE re-joined from leave. Continuation of training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Jan 1917 Court of Inquiry 22nd Jan 1917   THIEVRES & MARIEUX Battalion vacated billets & moved into billets at HEUZECOURT. Training commenced in earnest, 18 mile route march. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Jan 1917   HEUZECOURT Continuation of training according to Divisional ------------- 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 31st Jan 1917   HEUZECOURT Continuation of training, Weather very frosty. Train service etc disorganised. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT Continuation of training according to Divisional Programme. Frost continued. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT Battalion attack (parade) 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT Route march. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT Church parade. Sports meeting with 18th WYR at LE MEILLARD 3 Officers & 300 ORs went to CANDAS on a working party. 11 ORs to GEZAINCOURT. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT Training continued. 1 Officer & 75 ORs went to BOIS FLEUR woodcutting. 1st round Div. football competition, 18 WYR 1 goal, 18 DLI nil. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT Training continued. Lt Col CHEYNE proceeded to DOMART on CO’s Course. Severe frost continued. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT 7,8,9,10 Feb. Training continued. On 8.2.17 Divisional Cross Country Run, first man home, Sgt REAY. Battalion team finished 2nd to 15th WYR. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT Church Parade at MT RENAULT FM. Working parties from CANDAS & GEZAINCOURT returned. Lt. Col. CHEYNE returned from DOMART. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT Training continued. Signs of thaw beginning. Pte’s MIDDLETON & CHRISTIE won their events in the Divisional Boxing Competition. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT Bde route march deploying into artillery formation. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT Training continued. Our team 2nd in Brigade Cross Country Run. Sgt REAY first man home. In Divisional bombing competition our platoon team placed first. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT Training continued. L/Sgt ALLISON C Co. awarded CROIX-DE-GUERRE for gallantry in the field (NEUVE CHAPELLE) No 8 platoon won Brigade Shooting Competition and represents Brigade in Corps competition. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT Contact aeroplane scheme at LE MEILLARD. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT Training continued. Thaw set in properly, Battalion sports held in afternoon. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Feb 1917   HEUZECOURT Sunday. Church parade held at MT RENAULT FM. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th Feb 1917   BEAUVAL The Battalion left HEUZECOURT and marched to BEAUVAL. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Feb 1917   COUIN Marched from BEAUVAL to huts at COUIN very wet heavy and long march. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Feb 1917   SAILLY Brigade moved into line. 18th DLI B & D Co. in the KEEP HEBUTERNE remainder of Battalion in SAILLY relieving 7th Battalion N. LANCS of 19th Div. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Feb 1917   SAILLY & HEBUTERNE 22,23,24 Feb Quiet days, no working parties. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Feb 1917   SAILLY & HEBUTERNE 02.22. Battalion ordered to be ready to move at 5.0am to take part in advance, Germans reported returning along this front. 07.40. Battalion moved up to HEBUTERNE but operation cancelled. 14.30. Relieved 18th WYR in L4 sector, relief complete 8.30pm (MOUSE TRAP, WOOD ST) 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th Feb 1917   L4 SECTOR 6 platoons occupy German trenches near NAMELESS FARM linking up with 15th WYR at CRUCIFIX. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Feb 1917   L4 SECTOR 4th Bn LEICESTER REGT relieved 5th Bn in sector on our left. 3.0pm. L/Cpl RIGG & Pte LAWER returned from patrol and report GOMMECOURT PARK and village evacuated. 6.0pm. GOMMECOURT occupied by two platoons of B Co. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Feb 1917   L4 SECTOR 6.0am. GOMMECOURT detachment relieved by 4th LEICESTERS. 12 noon. Detachment at NAMELESS FARM push out patrols and gain touch with 4th LEICESTERS at GOMMECOURT CEMETARY. 4.15pm. Battalion HQ move to dug out in 1st GERMAN LINE at K11a24. 7.30pm. MOLTKE GRABEN occupied by posts. Patrols fail to establish themselves in 1st GARDE STELLUNG which was strongly held. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Mar 1917   1st GERMAN LINE K11 a 12.4 The days were spent in trying to push up patrols into 1st GARDE STELLUNG without success. This was kept up all night much information was gained and many Germans seen. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Mar 1917   1ST GERMAN LINE 7.25am. Patrol under Sgt REAY forced entry into 1st GARDE STELLUNG via LEHMANN GRABEN and shortly afterwards another platoon of D Co got into BECKER GRABEN. These joined hands but could make little progress S.E. Attempts were made to enter 1st GARDE STELLUNG by PIONEER and SCHWEICKERT GRABEN both held up by trench blocks and matters were at a standstill until 4.30pm. 4.30 - 5.10pm. Bombardment by heavies and barrage following which 1st GARDE STELLUNG was rushed 25 prisoners, 2 MG’s and 2 LG’s captured and small counter attack resisted. 5.30pm onwards. Consolidation and rearrangement of forces preparatory to relief. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Mar 1917   1ST GERMAN LINE Relief of Battalion by 12th YORKS & LANCS completed and Battalion returned for well earned rest at ROSSIGNOL FARM. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Mar 1917   ROSSIGNOL FARM Resting, total casualties for the week 13 killed, 2 died of wounds, and 28 wounded. 3 missing. Cpl RIGG and L/Cpl LAWER awarded MILITARY MEDAL for Distinguished Conduct in the Field. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Mar 1917   ROSSIGNOL FARM Cleaning up and refitting at the farm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Mar 1917   ROSSIGNOL FARM 100 ORs under 2Lt DUGDALE left for EUSTON DUMP for work on tramway. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Mar 1917   MAGNOLIA CAMP THE DELL 18 DLI moved to EUSTON for work on broad gauge railway. Accommodation there was found unsuitable, so returned to the DELL. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Mar 1917   MAGNOLIA CAMP THE DELL 9, 10, 11 March. Whole Battalion working on the broad gauge railway between the SUCRERIE and SERRE. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12 Mar 1917   MAGNOLIA CAMP THE DELL 12, 13, 14 March. Lt DUGDALE’s party rejoined. Working parties and training. L/Cpls HUTCHINSON LASKEY and FRAZER and Pte VOCKUICH awarded MILITARY MEDAL. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Mar 1917   MAGNOLIA CAMP THE DELL 15, 16, 17 March. Working parties and training. The Battalion was under 4 hours notice to move. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Mar 1917   MAGNOLIA CAMP THE DELL The Battalion began its move by route march to 1st Army Area. Marched from SAILLY DELL to BEAUQUENSE. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th Mar 1917   BEAUQUENSE March continued from BEAUQUENSE to FIENVILLERS. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Mar 1917   FIENVILLERS March continued from FIENVILLERS to NEUVILLETTE (HQ, A & D Coys) RANSART (B & C Coys) 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Mar 1917   NEUVILLETTE & RANSART March continued from NEUVILLETTE to NUNCQ 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Mar 1917   NUNCQ March continued from NUNCQ to BOURS 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Mar 1917   BOURS Battalion rested one day in BOURS 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th Mar 1917   WESTREHEM March continued from BOURS to WESTREHEM. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Mar 1917 On the March   26th Mar 1917 Training   1st Apr 1917 Training   12th Apr 1917 On the March   13th Apr 1917   HAILLICOURT The day spent training and recreation. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Apr 1917   18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry moved from Haillicourt to billets in Caucourt. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Apr 1917   CAUCOURT 15 -19 April. Training at CAUCOURT. The weather mostly very wet and cold. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Apr 1917   CAUCOURT Vacated billets at CAUCOURT and marched to X hutments ECOIVRES. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Apr 1917   ECOIVRES Moved from ECOIVRES to camp at G.11.a near ST NICOLAS near ARRAS 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Apr 1917   ST NICOLAS 22 - 28 April. Working on the light railway between ARRAS and BAILLEUL. Weather fine, the work progressed very well. The weather was fine but cold the whole week. Casualties for the period, 8 ORs. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Apr 1917   B.27a&c. 12.noon. Orders were received that the Battalion was to cease work on the light railway and was attached to 63rd Div. The Battalion to rendezvous as soon as possible in fighting order in trenches at B.27 a&c 3.15pm. Battalion left camp and was in position by 5.15pm. 6 casualties. 11.0pm. A Co with Capt VIBART 63rd Div G. left to take our position on HILL 80 near GARVELLE. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th Apr 1917   B.27a&c Battalion spent day in improving trenches. Heavy shelling but no casualties. At 9.0pm 93rd Brigade took over line from 188th Bde. 15th & 16th WYR in line. 18th WYR in immediate support. 18th DLI in reserve and carrying. B Co 18th WYR relieved A Co 18th DLI on HILL 80. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 30th Apr 1917   B27.a&c A Co back to B.27e by 3.0am. 1 killed 2 wounded. 4 men killed at HQ. Cutting heavily shelled all night. 3.0pm. HQ moved to better position 200 S.W. of former position in cutting. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st May 1917   TRENCHES JUST WEST OF BOIS DE LA MAISON BLANCHE The Battalion moved back from trenches just west of BAILLEUL to position shown in margin arriving about 5.30pm. At night whole Battalion engaged on carrying stores to forward dumps. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd May 1917   TRENCHES JUST WEST OF BOIS DE LA MAISON BLANCHE Resting and preparing for the attack. The Battalion moved up into trenches west of GAVRELLE arriving about 1.30am. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd May 1917   GAVRELLE The Battalion in trenches immediately west of GAVRELLE in support to 15th, 16th, & 18th WEST YORKS who were attacking on a wide front. (see appendix). 92nd Brigade on left, 9th Div on right. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th May 1917   GAVRELLE In trenches reorganising and arranging for relief at night by the 94th Bde. 18th DLI was split up under Col’s CROYDON & TAYLOR. Bn HQ relieved by 12th Y & L. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th May 1917   CAMP NORTH OF ST CATHERINE Relief complete 1.35am. Battalion return to camp north of ST CATHERINE. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th May 1917   CAMP NORTH OF ST CATHERINE Resting and reorganising in camp. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th May 1917 NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS ROUND GAVRELLE 28th APRIL TO 4th MAY 1917  18th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS ROUND GAVRELLE 28th APRIL TO 4th MAY 1917 28th APRIL. 5.15pm. The Battalion moved into some trenches 1000yds S.W. of BAILLEUL as reserve to 63rd R.N. Division, which was then holding the GAVRELLE and OPPY sectors of the front line and which had been engaged in an attack on the enemy. 11.0pm. A Coy moved out to hold HILL 80 (about 1000 yds E. of BAILLEUL) as reserve to 188th Brigade which was occupying the GAVRELLE sector. 10 Vickers guns were also on this hill. 1st MAY. 5.0pm. The Battalion moved back 1500 yds to near BOIS DE LA MAISON BLANCHE as our casualties had amounted to 5 killed and 18 wounded, mostly owing to the German shelling of the batteries which were now moving into the trenches we occupied. 9.0pm. Every available man and animal was employed the whole night in carrying material up to our forward dumps near GAVRELLE and BAILLEUL. 2nd MAY. 9.0pm. Our Artillery barraged the German lines: the answering German barrage came in 7 minutes. (Our feint barrages had been also carried out at 9.0pm. on May 1st and at 4.0am. May 2nd) 10.30pm. The Battalion moved off for GAVRELLE. Enemy’s artillery actively shelled parts of the road up, but by working round dangerous localities, and by good fortune, we reached the trenches at 1.30am without casualties. 3rd MAY. 1.30am. A & D Coy’s were in trenches South of GAVRELLE, ARRAS Road and C & B Coy’s North of it. 1.45am. Enemy put fairly heavy barrage on our trenches. Company Commanders good organisation had by this time nearly completed settling down their men and our casualties were few. As the German barrage was mostly on the depleted Front Line Trenches and not on the crowded No Man’s Land, our leading Battalions also lost only a few men. 2.10am. The German barrage had ceased and his rifle and MG fire was dying away. 3.45am. Our barrage opened and was answered by the enemy within 2 minutes. 5.15am. Runner from 16th WEST YORKS brought verbal message for help. B Coy 18th DLI at once ordered to report to Col. CROYDON for orders. Our attack evidently failed. 5.40am. News from Brigade that the enemy had captured WINDMILL and that we were to retake it. C Coy 18th DLI (2Lt HITCHIN DSO) ordered to retake it, after due reconnaissance. 5.50am. Brigade reported 1 Company 12th Y&L had moved off as reinforcements towards trenches North of GAVRELLE on South side of ARRAS, GAVRELLE Road. 6.05am. D Coy DLI moved N. to Bn HQ. 6.30am. Left flank of 16th WYR reported to be in air and counter attack by enemy to be advancing from OPPY WOOD. Col. CROYDEN with about a platoon holding a position near railway line and our attackers were retiring in large bodies. Enemy’s Artillery, MG and rifle fire was very lively, and casualties occurring pretty fast. There was naturally no organisation for the time, excepting the Coy’s of the Support Battalion. (18th DLI). B Coy 18th DLI was sent off to the West of our trenches to stop a possible hostile turning movement round our left rear, and to detail a platoon as a strong point in some trenches N of railway and N.W. of HILL 80. D Coy 18th DLI had come up was sent to FLABBY and FLURRY trenches to cover us from the N.E. and N. A Coy 18th DLI was called up to R. H.Q. (½ Coy as support for B Coy and ½ Coy as reserve at Btn HQ.) 3 MG’s were told off to Col. CROYDON to cover the ground to the N.E. N. & N.W. 2 MG’s were told off for reported commanding positions near where sunken road crosses our trenches S. of railway. 3 MG’s were in reserve at DLI HQ (one of these was later sent to the southern of the so-called ditches S. of ARRAS, GAVRELLE Road) 7.0am. The 3 Commanding Officers met at HQ of 18th WYR and decided as follows:- Col. CROYDON to organise a defence to the North with the men he had in hand, and such others as were coming in past him. Col. CARTER to organise any men who passed his HQ and send them under Officers or NCO’s to assist B Coy 18th DLI on the West side of our trenches. Col. CHEYNE to organise some support for Col. TAYLOR of whom the Brigade could give no news. Col. CROYDON reported that the enemy were systematically shelling southwards down the trench from OPPY and that his men could not live under the terrific explosions which blew the trench to pieces while MG’s on a ridge opposite constantly swept that line of trenches. Enemy’s fire was still heavy on our trenches which had no depth of system, and the situation was not very bright. 7.30am. C Coy DLI could be seen approaching the MILL in a very soldierly fashion, advancing with bounds and with protective bodies out; one actual attack was seen to be beaten back, but fresh attempts were made by the Company (a separate report of this operation is attached). 50 men 18 WYR and ½ A Coy DLI were in trench west of GAVRELLE and south of GAVRELLE, ARRAS Road in addition to the Company 12th Y&L. 7.55am. Men of E.YORKS REGTS reported to be retiring W. from OPPY corroborated the fact that our left flank was in the air. 8.20am. All wires to Brigade cut. 8.35am. 3 separate messages sent by runners to the Brigade stating that our plans were purely defensive for the moment, and that we proposed holding a large strong point W of NW of GAVRELLE. 8.50am. Telephone to Brigade open again. 9.0am. Lt FINDLAY (B Coy DLI) reported his Company and some 30 details were strongly posted and concealed. That he could not move as a body now that the dust and smoke had cleared off, and that there were no signs of the Germans turning our flanks, the situation seemed easier to the North, so the second half of A Coy DLI was sent to assist Col. TAYLORs possible retirement. Patrol from B Coy DLI out towards OPPY. 9.20am. 2 Coy’s 12th Y&L reported on HILL 80. 9.55am. Liaison Officer at Brigade informed that our Artillery were shelling the WINDMILL keeping C Coy DLI out of it. Things now looked better and re-organisation of odd details begun so as to get them into proper Units. 10.10am. Col. TAYLORs message to Brigade asking for help passed through the Battalion telephone. A & D Companies at once sent to him (as a matter of fact they could only dribble a few men at a time across to him by daylight as the ground was under enemy observation and very heavily shelled at each attempt to move up) 11.10am. Patrol reports enemy not advancing from OPPY. 1.10pm. Lt HITCHEN DSO (C Coy) reported capture of the MILL. 3.0pm. Col. CROYDON began to push North towards OPPY with the details he had collected and organised. 5.30pm. A & D Coy’s DLI strongly in position E of GAVRELLE under Col. TAYLORs arrangements. 7.0pm. Position now secure as under:- Col. TAYLOR with A & D Coy’s DLI 3 MG’s and 100 men E and SE of GAVRELLE supported by 1 Coy Y&L and 1 MG South of GAVRELLE, ARRAS Road. Lt HITCHEN DSO and C Coy holding the MILL. Lt FINDLAY and B Coy DLI under orders to hold trench just N of GAVRELLE as soon as he could move. Col. CROYDEN with some 200 details and 5 MG’s covering left flank and to NE and reaching to a point well North of Railway. 2 Coy’s Y&L and some Hotchkiss Guns on HILL 80. 1 Coy Y&L in R.C.2 Casualties, 18th DLI 1 Officer, 120 ORs (Signed) R.E. CHEYNE, Lt Col. Commanding. 18th Battalion Durham L.I. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th May 1917 REPORT BY 2nd LIEUT. HITCHIN D.S.O. (18th DLI)  REPORT BY 2nd LIEUT. HITCHIN D.S.O. (18th DLI) ON CAPTURE OF WINDMILL, GAVRELLE. 3rd MAY 1917 At 5.30am on 3rd May it was reported that the WINDMILL N.E. of GAVRELLE had been taken by the enemy and 4 Vickers Guns and 2 Stokes Mortars had been knocked out. I was ordered to take my Company along trenches leading to WINDMILL and retake it. I accordingly took Company along trench as far as C.19.c.10 where trench became so shallow that it was impossible to proceed further without loss. I here went forward with observer to make reconnaissance, but saw no signs of the enemy at WINDMILL; time did not, however, permit a thorough reconnaissance. I therefore decided upon a frontal attack and issued the following orders to Platoon Commanders:- Information about enemy same as in forepart of report. Information regarding our troops. (Very little) garrison at WINDMILL may probably be holding out. GROUND. No cover whatever. OBJECT. To be taken at all costs. Company will attack in 2 waves with right flank resting on right of house S of WINDMILL. REPORTS. C.19.c.10 C.T. Front wave to consist of No 9 Platoon (Sgt ELLIOTT) on the right of No 10 Platoon (Sgt CROSS) on the left (these platoons in 2 ripples. 2nd wave, No 11 Platoon. 2Lt G.F.LEAN in charge of attacking platoons. 3rd wave No 12 Platoon (Sgt CORNFORTH) I kept this platoon in reserve at C.19.c.10 which was the position of my Headquarters. ZERO. 6.45am. Front platoons extend N & S of trench C.19.c.10 rear waves 75 yards behind. ZERO (plus 2 minutes) Platoons move forward to assault. 1st bound, Road. 2nd bound, Railway, 3rd bound, WINDMILL. At time stated the Company moved forward to assault, and the Germans sent up S.O.S. flares from W & SW of WINDMILL, and there was immediate retaliation from No Man’s Land with overhead shrapnel. The 1st bound was reached with no casualties, but on crossing road a hail of machine gun fire was directed from C.19.c.5.2. approx, C.25.a.9.1. approx., and C.25.b.1.7. We reached Railway where 2Lt LEAN and Company retired on to road and reorganised; they again moved forward as far as Railway but had to retire from machine gun fire. I here reached and took charge of 1st wave. A third attempt was made and we succeeded in getting 50 yards from WINDMILL where we had to halt before final assault. At this period the enemy began to retire which evidently attracted the attention of our observers, for immediately 4.5 Hows were turned on WINDMILL and our casualties were so heavy that I decided to retire on to Railway, and eventually had to withdraw to Road. I again re-organised and found I had 50% casualties so decided to get WINDMILL by small fighting patrols, and as the enemy were now in front of WINDMILL, these moved forward as best illustrated in diagram. No1 moved first, creeping from shell hole to shell hole, and finally stopped at a point previously pointed out from road. On reaching destination every other man of the party sniped whilst the second man consolidated, likewise 2,3,4, & 5 at ½ hr. intervals. The map references of the posts are:- C.19.c.35.40, C.19.c.50.45, C.19.c.45.50, C.19.c.72.45, and C.19.c.80.35. with the remainder in trench between C.19.c.42.12 and C.19.c.60.15. At 11.30am the enemy were still holding house S of WINDMILL but were dislodged with rifle bombs. Our snipers dealt effectively with enemy reinforcing line E of GAVRELLE also men retiring from trench N of WINDMILL. During the afternoon I undertook a patrol accompanied by Sgt SPURGEON, our objective being reconnaissance of line 80 yards N of WINDMILL. We, however, found 4 Vickers Guns lying in shell holes, and after we had dismounted them they were dragged into small trench 25 yards N of No3 post. They had been taken from this trench by the enemy who failed to get them into his own line. We also found 2 Stokes Mortars in shell holes close by. Snipers were detailed to guard these taking up their positions from shell holes in front of posts, and when dusk fell, the guns were then removed to safety. I advanced my Headquarters to C.19.c.42.12 and at dusk I strengthened posts by calling on my reserve platoon. A wire was also run from C.19.c.1.0 where we tapped into KEEL, thus doing away with runners to a great extent. Relieved by 13th Y&L on night 3rd / 4th. (Signed) H.E. HITCHIN, 2Lt. O.C. ‘C’ Company. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th May 1917   ST CATHERINE Battalion marched out of camp at 6.30pm to take over line East of GAVRELLE with Bn HQ & C Coy in old German trenches West of GAVRELLE. 15th WYR in support, 16th & 18th in reserve. 94th Brigade on left. South Africans on right. German attack expected. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th May 1917   GAVRELLE Relief complete 4.0am Artillery on both sides very active 4.0am to 6.0am and from 7.30pm to 9.0pm rest of day pretty quiet. The 7.30pm to 9.0pm activity due to reported massing of Germans at various places if an attack was intended it was certainly broken up by artillery. Severe fighting with 5th Div at FRESNOY. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th May 1917   GAVRELLE 2.0am to 3.30am barrage by both sides along front no apparent reason, heavies also active, 5.15am D Co on left relieved by C Co who were in support. 3.30am to 7.30pm quiet. 7.35pm barrage to North quickly spreading across front: Gas alarm all quiet again by 9.30pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th May1917   GAVRELLE TRENCHES Quiet day except for our own artillery up to 8.15pm when barrage opened about 1 mile to South and as usual spread quickly artillery remained active until morning. Relief of Battalion by 16th WYR commenced about 9.30pm under difficult circumstances. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th May 1917   WEST OF BOIS DE LA MASION BLANCHE Relief completed at 4.50am Battalion moved back to area just West of BOIS DE LA MANSION BLANCHE. At 5.0pm Battalion was relieved by 12th EYR and withdrawn to a camp near ECURIE G.4.a. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th May 1917   NEAR ECURIE G.4.a Resting refitting and reorganising. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th May 1917   NEAR ECURIE G.4.a Practicing and arranging for the attack. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th May 1917   NEAR ECURIE G.4.a The Battalion marched out of camp at 7.30pm and proceeded to the trenches GAVRELLE SECTOR when it relieved 12th EYR. All 4 companies in front line. 15th WYR and ½ Bn 18th WYR in close support. ½ Bn WYR and 16th WYR in reserve. 9th Bn DUKE OF WELLINGTONS is on right. 14th Y&L on left. Relief completed 4.30am. a very wet and dark night. 2Lt’s WELFORD and APPERLEY wounded on way in. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th May 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR Fairly quiet day for this sector. Fine and mud drying quickly. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th May 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR Attack on GAVRELLE TRENCH commenced but proved a failure: see appendix. Enemy shelling in reply not very heavy or accurate. From 4.0am to 8.0pm day was very quiet. From 8.0pm onwards to 4.0am enemy shelled WIDOW CT and support line very heavily evidently suspecting a relief. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th May 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR Quiet day except for enemy shelling of close support trench aided by aeroplane observation during the afternoon. Relief of Battalion by the HOW Battalion 188th Bde. 63rd RND. This relief went smoothly and was complete by 4.0am. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th May 1917   CAMP IN OLD NO MAN’S LAND N.E. OF ROCLINCOURT A.30.c.55. The Battalion moved into camp East of ROCLINCOURT. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st May 1917   CAMP IN OLD NO MAN’S LAND N.E. OF ROCLINCOURT A.30.c.55. Resting and reorganising. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd May 1917   EAST OF ROCLINCOURT 51.B.NW A.30.c.55 22 - 27 May Work on GREEN LINE every night from 10.0pm to 2.0am 300 O.R’s. Remainder of men employed on Special Course. Weather very fine casualties nil. The Bde. During this period was in XIII Corps reserve and in case of an emergency were to man the GREEN LINE. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th May 1917   MAROEUIL Bde. Moved back to MT ST ELOY area. Battalion marched from camp at 7.20am to avoid the heat of day. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th May 1917   MAROEUIL 28 - 31 May. Training at MAROEVIL. 6 hours a day training working parties on Corps range near BRAY on alternate days. Weather very fine and hot. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Jun 1917   MAROEUIL 1st - 2nd June. In rest billets training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st June 1917 Positions 1st June 1917 Operational Order 119   1st June 1917 Positions   1st June 1917 Table B.O.O.119.   1st June 1917 Table B.O.O.119. 3rd Jun 1917 On the March  18th Battalion DLI vacated billets at 2.0pm and marched to camp in G.6.a near Roclincourtm vacated by 10th East Yorkshire Regiment 93rd Bde. and takes over work on roads and Red Line from 92nd Bde. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd June 1917 Operational Orders   3rd June 1917 Orders   4th Jun 1917   Base in camp near Roclincourt, 18th Battalion DLI took over work on roads 40 men by night 160 by day, remainder training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th June 1917 Trench Work 4th June 1917 Operational Order 120   5th Jun 1917 Working Party  On the 5th and 6th June, 18th DLI continued work as on previous days, weather continued fine. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th June 1917 Operational Order 121 7th Jun 1917   G.6.a NEAR ROCLINCOURT 7th - 8th June. Battalion took over work on RED LINE from 16th WYR strength of party each night 450. Fine weather no casualties. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th June 1917 Orders 7th June 1917 Operational Order 122   9th Jun 1917   H.1.c. NEAR BOIS DE LA MANSION BLANCHE Brigade takes over line from 188th Bde. With 94th Bde. on left and XVII Corps on right. 15th WYR in front line, 16th WYR in support. 18th WYR in reserve North of POINT DU JOUR. 18th DLI at H.1.c 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th June 1917 Orders   9th June 1917 Operational Order 124   10th Jun 1917   H.1.c. NEAR BOIS DE LA MANSION BLANCHE In trenches as above. Working parties C & D Coys at night. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Jun 1917   H.1.c. NEAR BOIS DE LA MANSION BLANCHE Very wet morning. 2 ½ Companies carrying and working on TOWY at night. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th June 1917 Operational Order 125   12th Jun 1917   H.1.c. NEAR BOIS DE LA MANSION BLANCHE 12th - 13th -14th June. Carrying parties of 2 Companies each night otherwise very quiet time. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th June 1917 Artillery Quiet 14th June 1917 Orders Issued   14th June 1917 Operational Order 126   15th Jun 1917   IN YHE LINE GAVRELLE Battalion vacated camp at 9.40pm and HQ reached trenches at 11.5pm relief complete at 2.0am 12th Y&L on left 18th WYR on right. Distribution of Battalion: 2 Companies in front, ½ Company in C.H.1.c.O Support and 1 ½ Companies in support line 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 June 15th 1917 Orders   16th Jun1917   IN THE LINE GAVRELLE Quiet until about 4.0pm after which time enemy artillery was active until morning: very hot day and trenches very smelly. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th June 1917 Quiet   17th Jun 1917   IN THE LINE GAVRELLE Again very hot. Our artillery very active all day enemy retaliation not excessive but fairly accurate. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th June 1917 Orders Issued   18th Jun 1917   IN THE LINE GAVRELLE Weather still very hot. Day uneventful. Our artillery again very active without producing very much enemy retaliation. C & D relieved A & B in front line. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th June 1917 Operational Order 128   19th Jun 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR Weather not quite so fine, several thundershowers but still very hot. Day on the whole uneventful. Left front Company extended its front taking over about 150 x of trench near WINDMILL from 12th Y&L, 12th Y&L relieved by 10th EYR. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th June 1917 Orders   20th Jun 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR Fine and hot uneventful day. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th June 1917 Orders Issued   20th June 1917 Table B.O.O.130.   20th June 1917 Operational Order 130   21st Jun 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR Day fine. Our artillery active but retaliation slight. At night Battalion was relieved by 16th WYR and came back to trenches in H.3.c near POINT DU JOUR. Relief completed at 1.45am and Battalion got out without casualties. Maj. HEADLAM took over temporary command of Battalion on Col. CHEYNE receiving order to return to INDIA. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st June 1917 Artillery In Action   22nd Jun 1917   TRENCHES IN H.3.c NEAR POINT DU JOUR 22nd-23rd-24th-25th-26th-27th June. Fine days with a few showers. Large working parties out each night but no casualties. On 26th Lt Col CHEYNE again took over command for a few days. An inter Battalion relief took place. 18th DLI relieved 16th WYR in left subsector and 18th WYR relieved 15th WYR in right subsector. On left 14th Y&L and whole of 94th Bde. On right of 18th WYR. 50th Bde. 17th Div. Relief complete 3.10am. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd June 1017 Heavy Shelling   23rd June 1917 Aircraft Active   24th June 1917 Bombardment   25th June 1917 Patrols   26th June 1917 Patrols   26th June 1917 Table B.O.O.134. 26th June 1917 Operational Order 134   26th June 1917 Operational Order 134   27th June 1917 Artillery Active   28th Jun 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR 5.0pm. Enemy bombarded trenches of Brigade on left heavily for 15 minutes. 7.10pm. Brigade and Div on left attacked and took enemy front line on a wide front CADORNA TR. WOOD ALLEY. OPPY TR. Very good barrage casualties slight and all objectives gained. Thermite and TM’s and barrage on our front. Enemy retaliated heavily but little damage done. Our casualties 1 killed 5 wounded. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th June 1917 Shelling 29th Jun 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR Quiet except for heavy bombardment at 5.30pm whizz bangs mostly on our front, heavies on our left. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 30th Jun 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR Maj. HEADLAM EYR again took over command of Battalion. Day cold and damp but quiet and uneventful. Later Lt Col CHEYNE returns to Battalion. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Jul 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR Fine warm day. Enemy artillery very active all day especially near the WINDMILL, when the trenches were badly blown about. A raid by enemy was thought possible at night but did not materialise. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st July 1917 Diary   2nd Jul 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR Enemy artillery continued active chiefly on the Northern flank of the front line near WINDMILL and on both ends of FOXY. No casualties as shooting was poor: our artillery extremely active in retaliation. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd July 1917 Table B.O.O.135.   2nd July 1917 Diary   3rd Jul 1917   TRENCHES GAVRELLE SECTOR Artillery activity maintained on both sides up to 5.30pm after which the evening and night was very quiet as both sides were believed to be having relief. Battalion was relieved in the front line by the HOWE Battalion, in the support line by 2nd RMLI. Relief complete at 2.15am. Total casualties 3 killed 6 wounded. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd July 1917 Diary   4th Jul 1917   18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry reached Roclincourt WEst Camp in early morning, the day was spent in sleeping and general clean up. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th July 1917 Diary   5th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP Fine day, spent in clean up, baths, etc. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP Work on ROCLINCOURT, BAILLEUL railway. Battalion 300 strong from 6.0am to 12 noon daily. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th July 1917 Diary   7th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP Work as above. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP Sunday, no work. Church parade 10.30am. Heavy thunderstorm in early morning weather very unsettled. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP Work on railway resumed, wet and cold. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP Work on railway. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP Ditto 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP Ditto 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP No work today on railway. Draining. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th July 1917 Diary   14th Jul 1917   ROCLINCOURT WEST CAMP Battalion proceeded by route march to MONT ST ELOY and entered hutments and billets about 11.0am. 31st Div took over sector from 1st CANADIAN Div. 93rd Brigade in Div Reserve. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Jul 1917   MONT ST ELOY 15th - 20th July. Training during these days including Battalion sports. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th July 1917 Diary   19th July 1917 Diary   19th July 1917 Amendment to Orders   21st Jul 1917   MONT ST ELOY Battalion moved up to trenches in Brigade Reserve to a position near to THELUS 15th & 16th WYR in front line, 18th WYR in support relieving 94th Brigade in right sector. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st July 1917 Diary   22nd Jul 1917 Working Parties  At Thelus S.5.d.7.8 18th DLi are in Brigade Reserve. Working parties nightly. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th July 1917 Diary   26th July 1917 Diary   29th Jul 1917   IN L4 SECTOR T.13.6.7.2 29th - 30th July. Battalion moved up into front line trenches in L4 SECTOR, to left sector relieving 11th EYR. With 18th WYR in right front 15th WYR in support & 16th WYR in reserve. Battalion on left 85th CANADIANS 12 Bde. 4th Div. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th July 1917 Reliefs Complete   31st Jul 1917   IN L4 SECTOR T.13.6.7.2 In line. Quiet day. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 31st July 1917 Diary 1st Aug 1917 In the Line  From the 1st to 6th of August 18th DLI are in trenches in the Mericourt Sector. Weather rather wet with fine intervals. Very quiet time no casualties during whole period of 16 days except one accidental. On the night of 6th/7th the Battalion was relieved by 13th East Yorkshire Rregiment relief complete at 1.35am. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st August 1917 Diary   2nd August 1917 Orders 6th August 1917 Diary   7th Aug 1917   WINNEPEG CAMP Battalion marched to transport lines at AUX RIETZ thence by bus to WINNEPEG CAMP MT ST ELOY. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Aug 1917   WINNEPEG CAMP 8th - 16th August. Training near MT ST ELOY. Weather very showery throughout the period. 15th: Major WHITE M.C. joined Battalion The National Archives Reference W095/2361/1 13th. August 1917 Orders   16th Aug 1917 On the Move  18th Battalion DLI entrained at Laurel Siding at 4.0pm and went by train to transport lines at Neuville St Vaast. They left Neuville St Vaast at 8.15pm and marched up to take over from 13th Y&L in support in Acheville Sector. Relief complete at 12.30am on the 17th. Order of battle is 15th WYR in L1. 16th WYR in L2. 18th DLI in support. 18th WYR in reserve. 5th Div on right. 92nd Brigade on left. 18th Battalion DLI HQ was established in Beehive Support. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th August 1917 Diary 19th Aug 1917   BEEHIVE SUPPORT Battalion HQ ACHEVILLE SECTOR Quiet day. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Aug 1917   BEEHIVE SUPPORT Battalion HQ ACHEVILLE SECTOR Gas projected on FRESNOY & ACHEVILLE at 12.30am. Over 1000 bombs each containing 30lbs of gas. Retaliation very light. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Aug 1917   L4 MERICOURT SECTOR 21st - 24th August. Battalion was relieved in ACHEVILLE SECTOR by 11th E. LANCS. Relief complete at 11.30pm. Battalion then crossed over and relieved 11th E.YORKS in the MERICOURT SECTOR relief complete at 1.0am. Order of battle after relief: 18th WYR L3 Sector. 18th DLI L4 Sector. 15th WYR in support. 16th WYR in reserve. On right 94th Bde. On left 85th CANADIANS, 12th CANADIAN Bde, 3rd Div. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd. August 1917 Diary 24th Aug 1917   L4 MERICOURT SECTOR 24th - 30th August. Quiet on the whole. Rain on several days and very windy at times. At 2.50am enemy attempted a raid on 18th WYR on our right. This was expected and successfully repulsed. One wounded prisoner taken an officer and several ORs killed. MG and Bangalore Torpedo taken. 2Lt KEITH killed and 3 men slightly wounded. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th August 1917 Diary   31st Aug 1917   L4 MERICOURT SECTOR Quiet day. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Sep 1917 Pies  18th DLI are in the line in the L4 Mericourt Sector. Quiet day except for the usual shelling of the Railway Embankment and Vimy. Outbreak of diarrhoea in the Battalion, this was traced to the meat pies, many of which were bad. This was further traced to a bad McConachie and to the fact that the pies had no holes in the crusts -- ----. These pies are much appreciated and as the result of further experiments a very reliable and tasty brand has been devised. These pies are sent up to trenches in artillery fuse tins and have all the advantages of Bully Beef meal rations. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd Sep 1917   IN THE LINE L4 MERICOURT SECTOR 2nd - 3rd September. Usual shelling of back areas but nothing of interest to report. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Sep 1917   IN THE LINE L4 MERICOURT SECTOR About 4.5pm one of our own NIEUPORTS brought down an enemy plane just behind TEDDIE GERRARD the plane crashed and burst into flame on impact. Pilot and observer were buried on the spot, CSM CURREY wounded whilst burying them. 3rd CANADIAN Div commenced to take over. 2nd & 4th CMR relieved 15th & 16th WYR in support and reserve respectively. This relief was complete by 10.30pm and relieved units were able to get clear before gas bombardment began. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Sep 1917   18th DLi are in the Line L4 Mericourt Sector. From 12 midnight to 12.40am and from 1.30am to 1.50am the enemy bombarded Vimy area very violently with mustard gas shells mixed with shrapnel and HE. A few shells fell on forward areas. One gas shell fell near a Lewis Gun Post in A Coy and all the men, 1 NCO & 7 were gassed and evacuated the following afternoon, no immediate effects were felt. The gas curtains at Bn HQ were quite effective and no one felt any bad effects. The 4th CMR at La Chaudiere brickstacks lost a whole Company gassed owing to the dugouts being insufficiently protected. The same area was shelled intermittently throughout the day with gas shells and as there was very little wind the gas hung about all day. At night the Battalion was relieved by the 4th CMR. Owing to the loss of a Company arrangements were altered at the last minute but even then they were stronger than we were. The relief went smoothly and was complete by 11.30pm. The Battalion marched by Companies to Vancouver Camp. Stores etc went by light railway from Station Dump to Territorial Siding. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Sep 1917   VANCOUVER CAMP NEUVILLE ST VAAST All Companies were in camp at 2.30am and got a meal on arrival. 3 ORs wounded on way out. Battalion paraded at 5.0pm and marched to TERRITORIAL SIDING in a violent thunderstorm, they then entrained and proceeded to BRAY where they were partly in billets and partly in huts. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Sep 1917 Preparations  At Bray 18th DLI spent the day in cleaning and making out deficiency lists. Training arrangements discussed and ground reconnoitred. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Sep 1917   BRAY 8th - 11th September. Training at BRAY and round about: chief objective of training during this period was the instruction of leaders, this was carried out very largely by means of tactical exercises without troops: bayonet fighting, gas defences & applied musketry training also specially worked at. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Sep 1917   BRAY Training as above: lecture by Capt. G.A.U. GILL RAMC on sanitation at 5.0pm I ECOIVRES. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th Sep 1917   BRAY 13th - 14th September. Lectures at 11.45am by Lt Col CARTHEW on RFC followed by visit to RFC on the 14th. Several Officers and a number of NCO’s were taken up. Very interesting useful and enjoyable visit. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Sep 1917   BRAY All officers and a number of NCO’s tactical exercise with a view to battalion attack scheme to be carried out Monday following. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Sep 1917   Sunday Church parade was held at 10.45am. at Bray for the 18th Btn Durham Light Infantry. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Sep 1917   BRAY Battalion attack practice over old trench South of NEUVILLE ST VAAST. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Sep 1917   BRAY Preparation for moving into the trenches. Boxing and tug-of-war competitions during the afternoon. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th Sep 1917   BRAY TRENCHES IN SUPPORT BEHIND ARLEUX Battalion relieved 13th EYR in the ARLEUX SECTOR, Battalion being in support to 16th WYR. Relief was carried out very smoothly and was complete by 3.0pm. Casualties nil. Weather remained very fine. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Sep 1917   IN SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR Weather continued fine & observation very good. Our aeroplanes very active in early morning. Nothing of any importance to relate. Casualties nil. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Sep 1917   IN SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR Morning very fine. 6 ‘A’ active in early morning & flying low over our line. Companies on working parties. Wiring parties found by Battalion at night. Artillery quiet on both sides except for a little counter battery work. Nothing of any importance to relate. Casualties nil. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Sep 1917   IN SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR Weather: chilly in early morning, later turning very fine & sunny. One other rank wounded (shell) whilst working on Plane Dump. Artillery on both sides more active in late afternoon. Nothing of any importance to relate. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Sep 1917   IN SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR Morning bright & fine. Enemy aeroplane very active in early morning but flying at high altitude. Maj. G.W. TILLY took over temporary command of 15th WYR whilst Col. TAYLOR, A/BRIGADIER (on leave). Sgt J KNAGGS & Pte R LAMB killed & wounded respectively (shell) on track leading from RED LINE to ARLEUX RD. It is supposed that the smoke caused by a cookhouse in charge of R.E. which was on track drew the hostile fire. Both men were HQ signallers. Lamb has since died. Artillery on both sides very active during the whole day. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th Sep 1917   IN SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR Weather continued fine & bright, though lot of ground mist in early morning. Our artillery in conjunction with aeroplanes very active. Casualties nil. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Sep 1917   IN SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR Weather continued fine. Relieved 16th WYR in line. - -----. T29 d.2.9. Relief worked out very smoothly & complete by 3.50pm. Casualties nil. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th Sep 1917   IN LINE Night very quiet. Night patrols reported our wire very strong. A little shelling of our front line in early morning. Situation very quiet. Pte. E G GIBBON wounded machine gun bullets in the arm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Sep 1917   IN LINE Very dull and rain in early morning later turning out very fine and bright. Daylight patrols sent out by us in morning. Two of our observation balloons brought down by E. A. in SOUCHEZ, they in turn supposed to have been brought down by our planes. Enemy TM’s more active than usual on A Coy front. But not hitting the trench. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Sep 1917   IN LINE Morning fine & observation excellent. Our planes early active patrolling despite heavy AA MG fire. Our planes early active patrolling despite heavy AA MG fire. L/Cpl VOCKUICH MM & Pte TG WHENCH wounded (since died) whilst on daylight patrol by trench mortar. Enemy put down a light barrage on our R. Front Coy sector & when retaliation shown he immediately ceased. Artillery continued active all day and Enemy aeroplanes showed a marked increase in activity. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th Sep 1917   IN LINE Weather remained fine. Our aeroplanes early active working in conjunction with artillery. Enemy artillery quiet. Nothing of any importance to relate. Casualties nil. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 30th Sep 1917   18th DLI's war diary records "After a lot of ground mist in the early morning the day turned out warm & bright. Unusual air activity and very heavy MG fire directed against the planes from both sides. Boche planes very active in the early evening but flying at a high altitude. Nothing of any moment to relate. Casualties the enemy fired a few gas shells over about midnight causing the men to put on respirators, but did not last long." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP The Battalion was relieved by 11th EYR in L2 (ARLEUX) Sector. Relief complete at 3.15pm. Some slight shelling of TIRED ALLEY on the way out but no casualties. The Battalion entrained at DAYLIGHT RAILHEAD at 6.30pm for ROCLINCOURT and reached ECURIE CAMP about 6.30pm. ECURIE was shelled about mid-day by 24 cm gun 3 shells in camp but no casualties. B Co ( ½ in LONG WOOD and ½ in SUNKEN ROAD ) left behind for working parties. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP Cleaning up, baths etc. 1 NCO &25 ORs sent to CRE ROCLINCOURT as loading party. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP 2Lt ASHLEY and 50 ORs proceeded to FARBUS to work under 170 Brigade RFA other working parties, total 1 Officer and 107 ORs. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP C Co relieved B Co in LONG WOOD, Other parties as above. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP Working parties as above. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP 2Lt ASHLEY and party return to unit. Weather breaks very wet and stormy. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP Sunday. Working parties as above except for party of 1 Officer and 25 ORs on SPRINGVALE CAMP RANGE finished and no longer required. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP A Co relieved C Co in LONG WOOD. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Oct 1917   From Ecurie Camp, 26 ORs 18th DLI relieved similar party from D Co working under CRE Roclincourt. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP 2Lt AGAR and 32 men wiring TOTAL POST and 1 Officer and 50 ORs carrying went up to RED LINE where they remained for three nights wiring each night. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Oct 1917   ECURIE CAMP 11th - 12th October. Working parties as before: weather extremely wet. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th Oct 1917   IN SUPPORT (ARLEUX) Battalion under Maj. INCE left ECURIE CAMP and relieved 11th EYR in L2 Sector Supports. Relief complete 2.15pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Oct 1917   IN SUPPORT (ARLEUX) Weather fine. Quiet day. Little Battery exchanges. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Oct 1917   IN SUPPORT (ARLEUX) Lt THORMAN left to report to DAG on 17th October. 2Lt FREER took over duties of Adjutant. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Oct 1917   IN SUPPORT (ARLEUX) Enemy put up a hurricane bombardment of gas & HE on Battalion front and Batteries in rear about the RED LINE at 12.1am which lasted until 1.50am with varying intensity. 2 Sgt’s wounded (slightly), 1 L/Cpl & 2 men gassed (slightly) 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Oct 1917 In Support  18th DLI are at Arleux. Lt Col Cheyne returned from leave and took over from Major Ince. Enemy shelled Battalion front and back area. 1 man wounded (slightly). Weather fine. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Oct 1917   IN SUPPORT (ARLEUX) Quiet day: weather bright and fine. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th Oct 1917 Reliefs  18th Battalion DLI relieved 16th WYR in L2 (Arleux) Sector. Relief complete 4.23pm. Major Ince returned to Details. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Oct 1917   FRONT LINE Weather fine. During night enemy TM’s were active on South end of our front and behind our front line. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Oct 1917   FRONT LINE Enemy TM’s quiet during day. At 10.50pm enemy sent over poison TM’s on South end of our frontage. During night enemy MG’s fired occasional bursts. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Oct 1917   FRONT LINE Our artillery more active during the period from Noon till 4.15pm. Our heavier cutting wire on enemy front line. Our 18 pounders shelled FRESNOY PARK, and in rear with shrapnel & incendiary shells. Inter Company relief took place at 2.0pm. 8.15 to 9.30pm light artillery sent about 50 HE shells in vicinity of CHEZ BONTEMPS and heavy shelling well in the rear of enemy’s line. Enemy shelled our right Coy very heavily at 12.20pm HE & shrapnel, & at our request our heavies retaliated. Enemy TM’s active with gas shells against our Right Coy front at 11.0 to 11.5pm, at 12 and again at 1.20am. About 50 shells being fired in all. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Oct 1917   FRONT LINE Our 18 pounders were active during the afternoon firing in the vicinity of CHEZ BONTEMPS & BOIS VILIAN with shrapnel and registering with HE and smoke shells. Occasional firing at night on roads and tracks in rear. Enemy artillery quiet during the period. At 6.0pm an enemy battery was observed firing from behind FRESNOY PARK but shells did not fall on our sector. One shell fell about 5 yards from Battalion HQ about 7.50am. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th Oct 1917   FRONT LINE Quiet until 2.0pm when enemy artillery fired a few shots 77mm & 4.2s on BRANDY & BRITANNIA and later put down barrage on our lines travelling from South to North, evidently in retaliation for our wire cutting. Battalion trench strength during this was varied between 340 & 350. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Oct 1917   FRONT LINE Relieved by 11EYR and proceeded to railhead for entraining to ECOIVRES. Left railhead at 7.0pm reaching ECOIVRES at 8.30pm. Very wet & stormy. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th Oct 1917   CAMP ECOIVRES Cleaning up, baths etc. 2 working parties sent to the Town Majors ACQ & ECOIVRES. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Oct 1917   CAMP ECOIVRES Tactical scheme without troops on trenches N.E. of the MONT ST ELOY, BRUNEHAUT FARM ROAD. Kit inspection and Coy trench stores inspection. Weather wet & cold. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Oct 1917   CAMP ECOIVRES Church parade. Weather cold. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th Oct 1917   CAMP ECOIVRES Organisation of Companies. Platoon attack formations. Company drill. Instruction in bombing on bombing ground. Bayonet fighting. Working parties for Town Majors ACQ & ECOIVRES & for 213th Coy RE’s. Raining all day. Battalion is now organised so that each Company consists of Coy HQ including 2 L.G. sections and one platoon consisting of 2 L.G. sections, 1 rifle section, 1 bombing section and 1 R.G. section. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 30th Oct 1917   CAMP ECOIVRES Firing on BRAY range. Gas lecture before breakfast. Weather continues cold and wet. Bayonet fighting. Coy drill, organisation & tactical exercises. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 31st Oct 1917   CAMP ECOIVRES Before breakfast inspection of men in fighting order. 10.0am practice Battalion attack on trenches N.E. of MONT ST ELOY, BRUNEHAUT FARM ROAD. Attended by GOC’s Division and Brigade. A fine day. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Nov 1917   ECOIVRES Platoons in tactical exercise under Company Commanders instruction. Gas drill. Bayonet fighting. Rugby in the afternoon. Usual fatigues. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd Nov 1917   ECOIVRES Inoculation of Battalion commenced. B Coy did an attack on a strong point by a Platoon. Weather fine. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Nov 1917   ECOIVRES Church parades. Usual fatigues. Inoculation continued. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Nov 1917   ECOIVRES Lewis gunners paraded under Lewis Gun Officer. Tactical scheme for all officers and NCO’s who were not suffering from the effects of inoculations. Remainder of Battalion inoculated. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Nov 1917   ECOIVRES Baths. A platoon of A Coy took part (drawn by CO) in an inter Battalion Platoon Competition. The Platoon was under the command of Lt PATTISON A Coy and won easily. Very heavy rainfall. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Nov 1917   ECOIVRES Preparation for going into the trenches. Tactical exercises & usual fatigues. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Nov 1917   ECOIVRES Should have gone into the trenches on the 8th but owing to raid by E YORKS date was changed to the 9th. Platoon training and inspections. Gas drills. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Nov 1917   ECOIVRES Tactical training of platoons. Fatigues as usual. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Relieved 16th W Y R in the RED LINE the same time taking over from the 94th BRIGADE. An extra part of the RED LINE up to WILLERVAL NORTH. In command Maj. INCE. Relief complete 2.30am. Wet at first but fine later. Trenches falling in in all parts. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Provided working parties on BRITANNIA trench & SAPPER dump. Strength 5 Officers 205 ORs. At 9.0am took over extra portion of RED LINE up to TOMMY CT. 2 minutes nuisance bombardment on ULSTER trench. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Fine day. Good visibility. Two hurricane bombardments of ULSTER trench and PILL BOX at U.25.a.8.2. Working parties as for the 10th. Col. CHEYNE took over command of the Battalion at 5.0pm. From 5.30pm to 7.0pm SAPPER DUMP & neighbourhood was shelled intermittently with 5.9 shells. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Fine day. Good deal of our own & enemy aeroplanes activity. Gas shells (77mm & 4.2) on L2 & L3 Sectors. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Some mist in the morning but otherwise a fine day. Working parties as for the 10th with the exception of 60 men carrying mortars for NEWTON TM. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Slightly misty. Sgt BREWIS of C Coy killed. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE WILLERVAL shelled a good deal between 3 & 4pm with HE & Gas. Few men slightly gassed while drawing water from the tanks in TIRED ALLEY, a few shells thrown about ----- --------- around WILLERVAL & ARLEUX from 8pm to 10am. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Relieved 16th W.YORKS. REGT. in L1 Sector. A Coy Left Front, B Coy Right Front, C Coy Left Support, D Coy Right Support. Relief complete 1.30pm. During the afternoon considerable shelling of WILLERVAL, ARLEUX and SUGAR FACTORY, ARLEUX Road. Railway line broken in three places near ARLEUX, SUGAR FACTORY Road. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Visibility poor. A quiet day. At night a good deal of machine gun fire on to our tracks from midnight till dawn. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Suspected relief of enemy Division in front of us. Our artillery intermittently shelled the enemy back areas during the night. At 2pm Battalion HQ & neighbourhood shelled with about 10 4.2 shells no damage done. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Parties of Boche in marching order dispersed by our artillery during the morning. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Inter company relief. D Coy relieved B Coy. C Coy relieved A Coy. Some shelling on BRITANNIA & BRANDY during the evening. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Neighbourhood of B Coy HQ shelled during the afternoon. Fine day. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE During this tour of duty we have been working on the new scheme of Defended Localities by which only certain parts of the line are to be held, the other trenches being wired on the bottom of the trench & constant night patrols sent out across their fronts. OAK POST is practically complete. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE The 18th W YORKS REGT came in and took over from us. We went to the RED LINE again. The 18th W YORKS REGT took over the new Defended Localities. Relief complete by 11am. Heavy shelling of WILLERVAL at about 3pm. From 5pm till 8pm very heavy shelling (with gas & HE) of WILLERVAL, SUGAR FACTORY & SUGAR POST and neighbourhood. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Enemy artillery active against our batteries in WILLERVAL, and also active on RED LINE and vicinity of SAPPER DUMP. During the afternoon our trenches round ARLEUX EN GOHELLE were heavily shelled, especially the AA Lewis Gun posts in ARLEUX LOOP SOUTH. One of our men was killed & 1 wounded by shell fire near the junction of BLACKBURN Rd and ARLEUX LOOP SOUTH. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Enemy artillery again active, ARLEUX & WILLERVAL both receiving attention. At 5pm gas shells were fired into the direction of the SUGAR FACTORY but owing to the very strong wind, soon blew away. Our artillery did two hurricane shoots during the day. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Enemy artillery less active, a few shells on the ARLEUX, SUGAR FACTORY Rd. Enemy aeroplanes active, also our RE 8’s were active. Two hurricane bombardments by our artillery. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE A very windy day. Our artillery active during the day, one minute hurricane bombardment took place. No E.A. seen. One of our RE 8’s up during afternoon. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Enemy artillery active on WILLERVAL and our trenches round ARLEUX. At 2pm a Chinese attack was carried out by division on our right. Our divisional artillery co-operating. Enemy retaliated very heavily on our trenches round ARLEUX and vicinity until 4.30pm. WILLERVAL also received considerable attention. Evening very quiet. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Relieved 18th W.Y.R. in front line, relief being completed at 10.50am. We being relieved in close support by 15th W.Y.R. Enemy artillery very active all day shelling our trenches round ARLEUX and ARLEUX VILLAGE heavily, also battery positions received considerable attention. During the evening about 200 gas shells fell in B.11.a.& b. During the day we had 1 Cpl Wounded by shell fire. E.A. very active. About 2pm 3 Sopwith Dolphin machines attacked 2 E.A. and 1 E.A. was seen to crash well behind enemy lines. The result of the other fight could not be ascertained. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 30th Nov 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE A much quitter day than the previous 24 hours. Enemy artillery through the day was rather quiet, only occasional shells on our trenches. During the night enemy artillery opened out sending a large number of gas shells and HE into B.10. a number were also put into the vicinity of our Batt. H.Q. Our artillery retaliated on enemy with gas shells. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Dec 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Enemy artillery very active in the early morning until 2.45am with gas shells & HE on WILLERVAL, RED LINE and vicinity of ARLEUX, SUGAR FACTORY ROAD. Several HE falling near SEVERN ALLEY, TOMMY ALLEY ad ARLEUX LOOP SOUTH near Battalion HQ. During the day ARLEUX LOOP NORTH, OAK ALLEY & NOVASCOTIA TR also received considerable attention, especially in the vicinity of the AA Vickers Guns at the junction of OAK ALLEY, ARLEUX LOOP NORTH. Our artillery fairly active against FRESNOY, FRESNOY PARK, FRESNOY WOOD, NEUVIREUIL and BOIS VILAIN. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd Dec1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Enemy artillery again very active against OAK ALLEY, HART STREET & ARLEUX LOOP N doing considerable damage to these trenches. At our request our artillery retaliated with good effect. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Dec1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Enemy artillery very active all day, again shelling OAK ALLEY, HART STREET, ARLEUX LOOP SOUTH and junction of ARLEUX LOOP S and SEVERN ALLEY. Considerable damage being done to OAK ALLEY, HART STREET and ARLEUX LOOPS. Battery position near ARLEUX LOOP SOUTH also received considerable attention. At night a few gas shells fell on OAK ALLEY. Our artillery fairly active retaliating to enemy’s shelling. One man was wounded by shell fire. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Dec1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Enemy very much quieter. At 8am he again commenced to shell OAK ALLEY, but we immediately got into touch with our artillery, who retaliated at once. Enemy stopped shelling very quickly. It was reported to us during the evening that an enemy working party had been digging at B.12.d.8.7. the previous evening. A patrol was sent out from our right company who again saw a party of about 20 men at work near point indicated. Our patrol immediately returned to our lines and fired 1 red & 1 white Very light, upon which two of our Vickers guns opened fire. These lights had been arranged as a signal between the MG Officer and ourselves. As these two MG’s were firing on their S.O.S. lines it is thought good effect would be obtained, especially as these guns had been tested only a day previous. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Dec 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE Enemy artillery active during the morning. He shelled TIRED ALLEY (from its junction with RED LINE) to ARLEUX LOOP NORTH. ARLEUX LOOP NORTH near the ARLEUX SUGAR FACTORY ROAD also received attention. This shelling was rather heavy, 5.9 being principally used, and considerable damage was done to the trenches. At 10pm he opened a very heavy gas shell bombardment on the SUGAR FACTORY, WILLERVAL and in B.5.a. which continued until midnight, however, as we had previous warning that gas was expected, our men were fully alert. Our artillery were active during the day. 6 enemy balloons were seen up during the day & E.A. were also active. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Dec 1917 Patrols  18th Durhams report from Arleux en Gohelle. "Light shelling of Arleux, Sugar Factory and Oak Alley during the day. At night we again had patrols out looking for enemy working party at B.12.d.8.7. The second time patrol was out the enemy party was seen & our patrol came back some distance & fired 1 green & 1 white Very light, this being a pre-arranged signal with the MG Coy. Owing to the haze the signal was not seen by them, but our patrol returned, a telephone message was sent to them, and they at once opened fire with 2 Vickers guns, 1 ½ belts being fired. On the North part of our sector, we had one man wounded by a machine gun bullet, which seemed to be fired from our left rear (Canadian) part of the line." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Dec 1917   ARLEUX EN GOHELLE A quiet morning, except for slight shelling (4.2s) of OAK ALLEY, which soon ceased on our artillery retaliating. 3 E.A. over our line in the morning. We were relieved by 1 Coy of 1st LONDON REGT. Relief complete at 1.5pm. Battalion moved out to YORK CAMP ECOIVRES, which was reached about 5.30pm. D & B Coy’s travelling by light railway, and A & C + HQ Coy’s by bus from ROCLINCOURT to MONT ST ELOY & marching the remainder of the way. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES Baths and general cleaning up. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES Church parades, no work. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES Inspection of Coy’s in marching order, and route marches under Coy arrangements. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES Companies firing on BRAY RANGES. When not firing Lewis Gunners received instruction on mechanism of L.G. Bombers mechanism of bombs, Riflemen did bayonet fighting. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Dec 1917 Exercise  All Officers of 18th DLI and 6 NCO’s per Company, with a syndicate from M.G & T.M. Companies took part in a tactical exercise without troops. Coy training consisted of Lewis Gunners working on mechanism of guns. Bombers construction, throwing and tactics of bombs. Riflemen working at rifle grenade practice, construction and tactics. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES Inspection of arms by Staff Sgt Armourer. Coy training. Lewis Gunners … mechanism. Bombing sections … throwing, tactics and mechanism of bombs. Rifle sections … rifle grenade practice with dummies, tactics and mechanism of grenades. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES Tactical exercise by composite Company. All NCO’s & Officers not taking part watched the proceedings. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Dec 1917 Training  Section training for all Companies of 18th DLI. Sections also to be combined into one platoon for a small tactical scheme to bring out the co-operation of all weapons of a platoon. Exercise to be supervised by Coy Commanders. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES Church parades, no other work. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES Coy Commanders to carry out sectional training as done on the 14th. Coy Commanders attended lecture in the afternoon at the Theatre ECOIVRES. Subject, Corps flank defences. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES Training under Coy arrangements. Coy’s proceeding on route marches on account of snow. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th Dec 1917   ECOIVRES Baths at ECOIVRES and scabies inspection by M.O. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Dec 1917 On the Range  18th DLI are Firing on Bray Range, and Companies when not on the range to do Company drill and a tactical scheme to be set by Coy Commanders. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Dec 1917   ECOIVRES Handling of arms & Coy drill by all Companies, and afterwards tactical scheme. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Dec 1917   ECURIE Left ECOIVRES at 9.30am & proceeded to ECURIE WOOD CAMP, becoming Brigade Reserve. Took over ECURIE WOOD CAMP from L.R.B. arriving at noon. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Dec 1917   ECURIE Training 9am to 10am. Coy drill & bayonet fighting 10am to noon. Tactical scheme figuring a quickly organised counter attack. Scheme set by Coy Commanders. 4.30pm to 5pm lecture by Company Officers on use of the gas projector by the Germans. 2 NCO’s and 20 men on a working party at CHELSEA DUMP ROCLINCOURT. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th Dec 1917   ECURIE Working party of 160 men making concertinas at ROCLINCOURT DUMP, also 2 NCO’s and 20 men working at CHELSEA DUMP under R.E. Voluntary church parades for remainder of Battalion. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Dec 1917   ECURIE Working parties as on the 24th. Men received a special Xmas dinner, and concert by the OWLS in the afternoon. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th Dec 1917   ECURIE Working parties provided as same as on 24th 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Dec 1917   ECURIE Working parties provided as same as on 24th Cleaning up for going into the line. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Dec 1917   ECURIE Reveille 5.30am. Battalion relieved 18TH W YORKS REGT. 2 Coys in BRIERLY HILL. 1 Coy WILLERVAL NORTH, 1 Coy SUGAR POST. Relief complete 10.30pm. It is thought relief was seen by enemy aircraft as TOMMY was heavily shelled by 15cm especially in the neighbourhood of TUNNEL DUMP (Batt HQ) Remainder of night quiet. Heavy frost. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th Dec 1917   NEAR WILLERVAL Day very quiet. Weather remains very cold. Working party (2 platoons) carrying Stokes shells. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 30th Dec 1917   NEAR WILLERVAL Exceptionally quiet. Major TWIST relinquishes command, Major IBSON takes over command of Battalion. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 31st Dec 1917   NEAR WILLERVAL Very quiet. Rather warmer. Three shells 15cm dropped near TUNNEL DUMP. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Jan 1918   NEAR WILLERVAL Very quiet. Ground still too hard to carry out the wiring on TIRED and TOMMY CT’s. Working party of 200 converting Sump holes into fire bays with a view to using TIRED and TOMMY as defensive fire trenches. A few heavy shells fell near TUNNEL DUMP at about 10pm. SOS sent up on the left sector. Battalion stood to for about an hour and then carried on work. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd Jan 1918   NEAR WILLERVAL Quiet. Same working party as last night. Ground so hard that very little progress made. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Jan 1918   NEAR WILLERVAL Battalion relieved by 12th E. YORKS REGT. It is probable that relief was seen as enemy heavily shelled TOMMY and OUSE CT’s. Took over YORK CAMP at ECOIVRES. Battalion arrived in at about 6pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES Cleaning up. Reorganisation. Baths at ECOIVRES. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES Tactical scheme without troops for all officers & NCO’s. Company training on manoeuvre area at F.17.18.22.23. etc. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Jan 1918   Sunday. 18th DLI hold Church parades at Ecoivres. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES Coy training in bombing & Lewis gun. Section & platoon tactical training. Considerable snow fell. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES Battalion tactical scheme figuring a counter attack, somewhat spoilt by snow storm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES Coy training in Lewis gun & bombing. Owing to the extreme cold C.O. took the Battalion for a route march. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES Firing on BRAY RANGE. Training on Bullet & Bayonet course. Lewis gun range & bombing ground. Capt. KILLICK rejoined the Battalion. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES Firing on BRAY RANGE. Left half of Battalion Coy training by sections. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES Battalion tactical scheme figuring a counter attack on ARLEUX POST. Weather still very cold. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES Church parades. Still freezing. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES Cleaning up. Inspections and preparation for going into the line. Brigade Platoon competition. Frost holds. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR Relieve 13th E YORKS REGT. 2 Coy’s in the RED LINE between WILLERVAL SOUTH (inclusive) and WILLERVAL NORTH (exclusive). 2 Coy’s ARLEUX LOOP. Relief complete after very quiet journey up, at 12 noon. Rained during night and continued on and off all day. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR Thaw set in. Heavy rain. Trenches falling in everywhere. Working parties of 2 platoons & 40 men were detailed by Brigade. 1 platoon cleaning out ARLEUX POST and one OAK ALLEY. 40 men carrying 6’’ TM’s to B.6 Central. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR Still raining. Froze a little during the night but thawed again in the morning. Trenches in a very bad state. The same working parties detailed as yesterday less carrying party. Men working hard all day on our own trenches. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR Major GIBSON 15TH W YORKS REGT relinquishes command of the Battalion and takes over command of 15TH W YORKS REGT. Major ANDERSON 12TH E YORKS REGT assumes command of the Battalion. Carrying parties same as yesterday. Still raining on and off. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR Trenches forward of HENIN LIEVIN Line practically impassable. Battalion relieves 18th W YORKS REGT in the front line over the top, commencing 5pm relief complete 8pm. Daylight relief impossible. Disposition of Coy’s, ARLEUX POST A & B Coy’s. OC Post Lt McCONNELL. OAK POST C Coy. OC 2Lt OLDFIELD. TOMMY POST D Coy. Lt ARMSTRONG OC post. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR Still raining. Patrol of 1 Officer and 25 ORs went out in the direction of LONE TREE to discover whether consolidated shell holes and posts in German front line were occupied. Patrol reports them unoccupied. Wiring party of 1 NCO & 6 men wire in front of BRITANNIA between OAK & ARLEUX POSTS. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR Very quiet during the day. Rain & drizzle. Patrol of 1 Officer & 25 ORs left TOMMY POST to examine enemy wire & see whether CHUMP trench was occupied, found a consolidated shell hole unoccupied but was unable to get near wire owing to brightness of moon. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR Quiet. Patrol of 1 officer & 25 ORs left ARLEUX POST with the object of again examining CHUMP trench but were heavily fired upon and were unable to proceed owing to -------- of the night full moon. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Jan 1918   ARLEUX SECTOR Quiet during whole day. Raining. Battalion relieved by 15th W YORKS REGT (at night) Proceeded by rail to ECURIE WOOD CAMP. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th Jan 1918   ECURIE Major D.E. INCE MC assumes command of the Battalion. Major ANDERSON returns to 12th E YORKS REGT. Working parties 70 men for AREA Comdt ECURIE. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Jan 1918   ECURIE Weather improving. Working party of 3 Officers & 150 ORs leaving TIRED ALLEY forward of LONG WOOD. 93ORs working around ECURIE. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th Jan 1918   ECURIE Same working parties as yesterday. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Jan 1918   ECURIE Moved out of ECURIE WOOD CAMP into YORK CAMP ECOIVRES, taking over from 11th E YORKS REGT who took over ECURIE WOOD CAMP from this Battalion. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES Kit & mobilization stores inspection. Reorganisation of Coy’s into 3 Platoons. Box respirator drill. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES Tactical scheme without troops for all Officers and NCO’s except CSM’s. Scabies inspection for the men after which they do a small tactical scheme by Coy’s under the direction of the Orderly Officer and CSM’s. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 30th Jan 1918   ECOIVRES Coy training in bombing, Lewis gun, short tactical scheme. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 31st Jan 1918   ECOIVRES Tactical scheme for Battalion figuring counter attack on ARLEUX POST. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Feb 1918   ECOIVRES Coy training & training of all specialists. Platoon & Coy tactical training. Working parties for Town Major. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd Feb 1918   ECOIVRES Same as yesterday. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Feb 1918   ECOIVRES Church parades. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Feb 1918   ECOIVRES Preparations for going into line (ARLEUX SECTOR L1) 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Feb 1918   ECOIVRES + CLOSE SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR L1 Entrained ECOIVRES 8am. Detrained DAYLIGHT RAILHEAD 9.30AM & relieved 10th E.Y. Regt in close support (RED LINE & ARLEUX LOOP N & S) Relief complete at 12.30pm. Shortly after relief enemy shelled heavily ARLEUX LOOP SOUTH with 4.2 & 5.9 getting about 12 direct hits on trench. At about 9pm & 2am gas shells were dropped in the vicinity of RED LINE. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Feb 1918   CLOSE SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR L1 Clear day & great aerial activity on both sides. Enemy aeroplane believed to be brought down in enemy lines. Enemy shelled SAPPER DUMP from 1pm to 4pm at the rate of 1 shell every 3 minutes. Remainder of front quiet 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Feb 1918   CLOSE SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR L1 Weather changed to a little rain & very mild. 7 Officers & 143 ORs joined from 14th DLI. Enemy very quiet all day owing to poor visibility. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Feb 1918   CLOSE SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR L1 Draft of 44 ORs joined Battalion. Enemy shelled ARLEUX LOOP SOUTH with HE & Gas shells. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Feb 1918   CLOSE SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR L1 Weather mild & fine. Morning very quiet but in the afternoon enemy shelled BALLEUL heavily with 5.9. TUNNEL DUMP was also shelled. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th Feb 1918   CLOSE SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR L1 Weather fine, visibility rather poor owing to ground mist. No aerial activity. Enemy shelled back areas special attention being paid to TUNNEL DUMP. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11 Feb 1918   CLOSE SUPPORT ARLEUX SECTOR L1 Relief of 16th WYR in L1 Sector Front Line commenced at 3am. Relief complete at 12 noon. Enemy artillery very quiet throughout day & night. Aerial activity nil. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Feb 1918   FRONT LINE L1 SECTOR At about 3.15am a strong enemy patrol came through our wire & lay in ambush on our parapet just North of junction BEER CT & BRANDY. Carrying party of 3 men passed along trench & the leading man saw enemy & went along BEER CT & reported to OC ARLEUX POST. Meanwhile the remaining 2 men who were a little distance behind owing to being burdened with a food container came along & seeing the enemy dashed along the trench past the enemy & delivered their container to the next post. OC ARLEUX POST sent out a patrol of 1 NCO & 6 men & a sharp firth ensued in a position just South of BEER CT. Enemy retired & our casualties were 1 man killed & NCO i/c patrol wounded in the arm. Daylight patrols went out at 9.30am & returned with a hat left behind in No Man’s Land by the enemy. Enemy also left a rifle & some bombs. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th Feb 1918   FRONT LINE L1 SECTOR Enemy TM’s active on GATESHEAD ROAD & NOVA SCOTIA. Our TM’s were active during the early part of the night. Snipers fired at man who appeared at SW corner of FRESNOY PARK. Aircraft nil owing evidently to ground mist. Daylight patrol left our lines in search of bodies left by German patrol but found none, he brought back a Bosche cap. Pte CRAWFORD’s tunic found by one of our patrols. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Feb 1918   FRONT LINE L1 SECTOR Fairly quiet all day until about 8pm when a heavy bombardment S of GAVRELLE took place. Our snipers claimed a hit near the wire in front of FRESNOY. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Feb 1918   FRONT LINE L1 SECTOR Enemy shelled ARLEUX, OAK POST & HART STREET for about 1 hour. Our TM’s were very active from 9.30am to 4pm. Movement seen at junction of CONNIE & CRADDOCK. Much movement & noise like the dropping of beams of wood heard in enemy front line. Wind favourable for Gas Attack. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Feb 1918   FRONT LINE L1 SECTOR Enemy shelled TUNNEL DUMPS & SUCRERIE ROAD from about 11am until 4pm with 5.9 & 8’’. Later in the day he shelled the same places with gas shells. ARLEUX LOOP also received attention. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Feb 1918   FRONT LINE L1 SECTOR Visibility good. Relieved by 4th GRENADIER GUARDS. 3 Coy’s less 1 platoon relieved in daylight. Train leaving DAYLIGHT RAILHEAD 3.30pm. Remainder of Battalion relieved at night leaving DAYLIGHT RAILHEAD ay 9.30pm. Arriving at BRAY CAMP at about 11pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Feb 1918   BRAY Cleaning up & reorganisation of platoons & reconnaissance of training area. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th Feb 1918   BRAY Cleaning up & reorganisation of platoons, baths, conference re training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Feb 1918   BRAY Intensive training 2 platoons per coy on training area, the remainder including HQ staff firing on BRAY RANGE. Conference of Officers re Brigade Counter Attack scheme. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Feb 1918   BRAY Intensive training on training area. Signallers firing on BRAY RANGE. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Feb 1918   BRAY Intensive training. Signallers under Signalling Officer, working parties road cleaning, BBB Range MOUNT ST ELOY & under Div ------------ Officer. Weather very windy & showery. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Feb 1918   BRAY Same as yesterday except that Companies change over. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th Feb 1918   BRAY Church parades. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Feb 1918   BRAY Battalion paraded for Brigade Field Day, but as this was cancelled we did a battle scheme. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th Feb 1918   BRAY Intensive platoon training & working parties. 250 ORs work on Corps wiring scheme. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Feb 1918   BRAY 250 men working on Corps wiring scheme. Intensive platoon training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Feb 1918   BRAY Battalion moves into GHQ reserve at MAGNICOURT moving via ACQ, FREVIN CAPELLE, AUBIGNY, MINGOVAL, BETHONSART, FREVILLERS. Some rain very muddy. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT General cleaning up. CO’s inspections. Lt Col CHEYNE to England, relinquishes command of Battalion. Lt Col CARTER MC from the 18th W YORKSHIRE REGIMENT assumes command of Battalion. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT C.O. inspected Battalion I marching order. Close order drill, overhauling of Lewis guns and equipment, baths. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT Church parades. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT Coy training, PT, BF, Musketry, Close & extended order drill, kit inspections. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT Morning A & C Coy’s firing on rifle range. B & D Coy’s intensive platoon training. Afternoon recreational training. Weather improving. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT Coy training, 2 Coy’s A & B intensive platoon training in the morning. Recreational training in the afternoon. C & D Coy’s recreational training in the morning. Musketry, PT & BF, close & extended order drill in the afternoon. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT Same as yesterday but Coy’s change over. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT The following parties leave the Battalion to work under RE Tunnelling Coy’s relieving working parties of the 13th Y&L Regiment A & B Coy’s find 2 officers & 160 ORs to work with 176 T Coy RE. C Coy find 1 officer & 80 ORs to work with 185 Coy RE. D Coy find 1 officer & 80 ORs to work with 250 Coy RE. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT Thorough clean up & reallotment of billets. L gun training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT Church parades and baths. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT Battalion took over the billets of the 13th York & Lancashire Regt (who took over ours) at BAJUS & FREVILLERS. A & B Coy & HQ BAJUS. C & D Coy’s at FREVILLERS. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT Coy training of Lewis gunners. SBR inspection by Div Gas & C.O. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th Mar 1918 Range Practice  18th DLI report from Magnicourt "Firing on Bajus range. Coy training." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT As for yesterday. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT Brigade tactical scheme figuring an attack on HERNIN LE VERT 18th DLI a skeleton Battalion in Brigade Reserve. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT C.O.’s inspection of Lewis guns & gunners. Close order drill, saluting parade & gas drill. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT Church parades & Div cross country run. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT Ceremonial parade practice. L gun training. Range finding. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT As for yesterday. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Mar 1918   MAGNICOURT Same parade as for yesterday. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Mar 1918   18th DLI Brigade ceremonial parade us held on the ground at Tinques. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Mar 1918   18th DLI leave Magnicourt: "Orders received to move under scheme B (by bus) Moved out of Bajus at 7.15am and marched to embussing point between Berles and Tingues. Proceeded by bus via St POL, Frevent, Doullens and the Doullens to Arras Road. Orders received in the morning to billet at Pommier but busses went straight on turning off at Beaumont les Loges and on to Blairville arriving at about 9.pm. Orders given to dump packs, assume battle order and leave out personnel in accordance with SS 135 para 30. Orders received to proceed up to line and take over trenches immediately. Embussed again and marched via Boisleux St Marc to the Army Line near Boyelles. Took over part of the Army Line with HQ in railway cutting. Everything quiet. 13th Y&L in front line on left, W Yorks on right. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Mar 1918   BOYELLES Quiet during day. Two men slightly wounded by shell fire. Received orders during the evening to side slip South and occupy another part of the ARMY LINE. WELSH GUARDS relieved us. Moved along ARRAS, BAPAUME Road to new position. Two Coy’s each side of the ARRAS, BAPAUME Road. Moved the Coy’s again and eventually settled the whole Battalion on the East side of the ARRAS Road. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th Mar 1918   NEAR ST LEGER Certain amount of indiscriminate shelling around our trenches, no harm done. At night relieved 2nd IRISH GUARDS who side slip for their south. Battalion HQ just W side of the ARRAS, BAPAUME Rd in a sunken road. Two Coy’s each side of the road (ARRAS, BAPAUME) Information came in during the night that enemy had broken through. Made slightly different dispositions to meet the new situation. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Mar 1918   18th DLI are near St Leger. Orders received to relieve the Y&L in the front line. This order cancelled and we were ordered to take up a position E of COURCELLES along the railway line A.22.b.20 to A.16.d.5.8 to prevent advance of the enemy who had broken through GGOMIECOURT and to get into touch with 92nd Brigade on our left. Proceeded leaving HAMELINCOURT on our right to railway cutting, put out outposts, dug in and settled down for the night. 1 prisoner taken by D Coy and a German officer with whom he was, was shot. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th Mar 1918   NEAR ST LEGER Received orders to move back to support of Y&L who were to dig a line from A.3.d.9.8. to S.28 Central. In support, our position was A.3.b.5.5. We should have received these orders at midnight to get into position before daylight but they did not arrive until about 8.30am which resulted in our having to move in daylight. The Battalion moved safely into position under fairly heavy shelling near MOYENVILLE and commenced digging in when Lt Col H F G CARTER and Capt G B STAFFORD were wounded. Capt L A DICK took over command of the Battalion. Received orders that a general retirement had been ordered on to a line running from ADINFER to FICHEUX to fight a rear guard action conforming to movements of the units on our flanks. Could find no trace of 15th WYR but were in touch with Y&L and in agreement with them commenced retiring leaving half of C Coy to fight a rear guard action. Cane to GUARDS DIV who held a line 500x (approx) from where we had commenced to dig in and retire through them eventually arriving about 1000x from ADINFER to VALLEY WOOD. Capt DICK and Adjt went to Brigade HQ saw the Brigadier who seemed to think the orders to retire should not have been issued. Y&L and ourselves received orders to return to our original line at MOYENVILLE. OC Y&L wounded and a Capt took over command of his Battalion. Moved forward again both Battalions to about 500x behind GUARDS DIV & Capt LA DICK & the Adjt OC Y&L & Brigade IO went forward of the line held by the GUARDS DIV to reconnoitre. Found right of GUARDS DIV front line but were heavily fired upon by enemy MG’s & rifles upon attempting to approach MOYENVILLE. Brigade IO went back to Brigadier to ask for further instructions as it was obviously impossible to take the two Battalions over the ridge in daylight with enemy holding positions not 1000x away. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Mar 1918   18th DLI Hq is situated near St Leger Orders came at about 2.0am that the Y&L and ourselves were to go forward and dig two lines W of Moyenville 120x between lines the front one not to be more than 200x outside of Moyneville. Capt LA Dick having been taken away by the Brigade Major. Capt FG Stone, the Adjt received a message from the Brigadier saying that next officer in seniority was to take over command of the Battalion. Capt FG Stone therefore took over command, ordered Company Commanders conference and explained the work to be done. He then went to 13th Y&L and arranged details of the party. The party was not able to move off until 3.0am (approx.) and by the time they arrived at point to be dug dawn was breaking and the O.C. both parties (Capt Braithwaite Y&L) ordered the whole party to return. Col Gurney took over command of the Brigade. Capt Williams took over Brigade Major. W.D.Lowe M.C. assumed command of the 18th Battalion DLI. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Mar 1918   NEAR ST LEGER Battalion now dug in either side of the BOIRY RICTRUDE, AYETTE Rd approx. X30 & S25. Bn HQ on BOIRY, DOUCHY Rd 500x S of SUGAR FACTORY. 13th Y&L moved up into the line with the GUARDS DIV. A Coy 18th DLI moved up 2 ½ platoons in the line with them 1 ½ platoons in reserve with Y&L HQ. 2 attacks during the morning on GUARDS & Y&L, one succeeded in entering but was immediately ejected by counter attack. D Coy went up in support Y&L. At midday we were ordered by Brigade to move 3 companies B C & D to a position from which we should be able to deliver a counter attack in event of enemy breaking through 2nd IRISH GUARDS who held position left flank F.6.a.7.9. right flank F.5.d.7.7. Moved into position Bn HQ & BC & D Coy’s behind bank at approx. F.5.a. central. IRISH GUARDS reported Y&L retiring, advised Brigade it was only D Coy taking up new position. C.O. went to see about reported gap between Y&L & IRISH GUARDS. Found there was no gap but the line was being somewhat thinly held by IRISH GUARDS. C Coy sent up & IRISH GUARDS closed up to make room for them. 1 Coy E YORKS sent up to be used by Maj WD LOWE MC with our remaining Coy’s. B & D Coy’s for counter attack purposes. They dug themselves in 200x in our rear in the dried up bed of R COSEUL running behind BOIRY, DOUCHY Rd. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th Mar 1918   NEAR ST LEGER Comparatively quiet all day. Received orders at night that wiring was to be carried out along whole of Brigade front, but this was cancelled by visit of Col TEMPLE now commanding Bde, who directed us to take up a position much as it had been when we first left VALLEY WOOD & moved forward again on the night 26th. Bn HQ in old position in DOUCHY, BOIRY Rd 500x S of SUGAR FACTORY Rd. C Coy was left in its original position between IRISH GUARDS & Y&L. The idea of this move was in order to get the Brigade into a good position for purpose of relief. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 30th Mar 1918   NEAR ST LEGER Relief completed 3.40am. GOC 97TH Brigade & OC’s 2nd KOYLI & BORDER REGT visited HQ at 7am to arrange details for relief. 2nd KOYLI to relieve our one Coy (C) in the line & Y&L in the line. A B & D Coy’s to move on orders from Bn HQ. Relief orders issued. Heavy artillery activity some distance N&S of us, very little on our own front. Received orders to work digging on the old German line. Were not relieved in time to do this work although B Coy & HQ were sent, being required first as orders were that Battalion had to be through MONCHY AU BOIS by 5.30am. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 31st Mar 1918   NEAR ST LEGER Battalion billeted in BIENVILLERS. Some light shelling of outskirts of village. Received orders to parade at 3pm to move to SOUASTRE. This was cancelled and received orders to be clear of village by 4am & to march to IVERGNY. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Apr 1918   18th DLI moved from Bienvillers to Ivergny remaining the night. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd Apr 1918   IVERGNY Moved from IVERGNY by march and thus to FREVILLERS. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Apr 1918   At Frevillers, 18th DLI undertake Baths & reorganisation. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Apr 1918   At Frevillers 18th DLI engaged in Kit inspection and Coy training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Apr 1918   At Frevillers 18th DLI are enagaged in Musketry, Lewis gun firing and Coy training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Apr 1918   FREVILLERS Same as yesterday. Draft of 50 arrived. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Apr 1918   FREVILLERS Sunday. Church parades. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Apr 1918   FREVILLERS Coy training. Musketry. Party of 400 sent to work on trenches near HAUTEAVESNES. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Apr 1918 Training  At Frevillers 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry are engaged in Lewis gun firing and musketry. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th Apr 1918   At Frevillers 18th DLi engaged in usual training. At 12.30pm they were warned to move to embussing point near Tinques to proceed to area of Lillers and Busnes. Busses did not stop here however but went on to Vieux Berquin. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Apr 1918 Attack Made  18th Durham Light Infantry report "CO visited Divisional HQ in brewery at Vieux Berquin and received orders to move on to Outtersteene. Arrived Outtersteene about 5.0am. Billeted in East end of village. A Coy put out an outpost in front of E. end of village. The positions were again strengthened at 1.30pm. 1st Phase The CO went to Brigade HQ at Merris at about 1.0pm. About 4.0pm CO returned from Brigade with orders from GOC to make an attack on La Becque and La Rose Farm in conjunction with 15th York & Lancasters on a Brigade frontage of 1500yards and from there to continue the attack to the road running from Fme Du Bois to A.15.a.3.4. Machine gun barrage to support. By the time Coy Commanders had been gathered together and the scheme explained there was not much time to spare. Coy’s all reported in position by 7.0pm. Message received from Brigade at 7.0pm saying that artillery would support our attack. Barrage to commence at 7.0pm on road from A.20.a.5.0. to A.22.a.2.8. to A.16.c.5.3. lifting at 7.30pm and remaining until 8.0pm on line 500yards in advance of the line A.20.c.0.7. to A.15.a.5.5. This message repeated to Coy’s and Zero put off until 7.30pm but York & Lancasters started moving forwards at 7.10pm. C Coy conformed to York & Lancasters and all Coy’s conformed to C Coy with the exception of D Coy who got 100yards behind C Coy. C Coy found open ground and easy going and upon arriving at A.14.a. awaited other Coy’s for 15 minutes, then went on with York & Lancasters and took La Rose Farm. The other Coy’s, with part of C took La Becque. Both of these places were held by 30 of the enemy. C Coy mistaking 1st objective went right through it, together with the 2nd objective, eventually digging in with A Coy 300yards to South of road to end of orchard meeting slight resistance. Sgt Gillespie mopped up La Rose Farm and 2nd Lt Long of D Coy together with 2nd Lt Freer of C Coy mopped up La Becque. D Coy on the left advanced more slowly. In passing through La Becque a heavy enemy machine gun was seen which Lt Seymour got into action but was unable to get away owing to lack of men. About 30 prisoners were taken of which 17 were passed back through Battalion HQ. D Coy reported in touch with the 74th Brigade on their left, but shortly after reported that the 74th were leaving their trenches saying they were relieved, with the result that a large gap was left on the left of the Battalion. Message sent to Coy’s to reform and extend to cover the gap. C Coy did not extend, but sent in to say that as this would entail such heavy casualties he was awaiting darkness to carry out the order." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Apr 1918 Withdrawal  At about 7.30am messages received from A,B, & D Coy’s 18th Durhams and a telephone message from C Coy to say that enemy were massing in front of them. 2nd Lt Freer reported to OC C COY that troops of 13th York & Lancasters were retiring. OC C Coy held on for about 15 minutes after left of York & Lancasters had withdrawn. He reported patrol coming through Grand Beaumart. D Coy on the left held on for some time longer than other companies and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. B Coy also inflicted casualties before retiring. The 15th West Yorks retired on the left of D Coy 20 minutes before D Coy moved. Orders were issued to Coy’s to hold on to line of the original first objective in the previous nights attack. 3 officers were wounded (seriously & left behind in the withdrawal) 18th DLI Coy’s retiring had (approx) the following casualties: A Coy 70, B Coy 80, C Coy 60, D Coy 60. Coy’s held for a short time this first objective but again withdrew. The CO and Adjutant attempted to form a line 200yards South East of the Rau Du Leet and all Coy’s were at the same time warned to hold at all costs the road running along the Rau Du Leet. About this time our own artillery shelled us very heavily. The CO and Adjutant were only able to get a certain number of men as the front upon which the withdrawal was taking place was a large one and men had retired too far back, but with what men they could get at they formed a line. CO sent Adjt back to get into communications with Brigade HQ at the Farm (originally Battalion HQ) near Cemetery in F.12.a. Instructed all Coy’s in event of being forced to withdraw from line Rau Du Leetto form a strong point at the Cemetery. All Coy’s did not receive this order in time to do so. D Coy Commander with 15 men held on to the line Rau Du Leet to the North West of Blanche Maison. B Coy Commander with a few of his own men & some of 15th West Yorks held on near the Cemetery holding up the enemy advance after the main body had retired well back from the line Rau Du Leet. Battalion HQ also covered retirement of the main body by holding firm on line at Farm F.12.a.7.4. to F.11.a.9.9. Retirement to line of railway from F.5. central to South of Outtersteene. Whole Brigade collected along railway which was a difficult position owing to necessity of men exposing themselves while watching dead ground in front and owing also to the exact fire of enemy machine guns on the railway line. Strength of Brigade on railway about 400. On right 15th West Yorks, centre 13th York & Lancasters, left 18th DLI. This line was held for over an hour when message was received from 15th West Yorks saying that their flank had been turned and that enemy were across the railway and were enfilading us. 15th West Yorks retired. Major Lowe held right half Battalion while Adjt withdrew with the left half through very close country and thick hedges. After withdrawing about 50yards Adjt took up new position facing East in open ground. On right half Battalion withdrawing, it was seen that they were under fire from farms on high ground to the South 300yards away. Right half Battalion formed defensive flank to the right while left half took up position facing South East on North side of the Bailleul to Outtersteene Road where we held for some time until right half of Battalion joined us. After a conference of Maj Lowe MC, Maj Nutt 13th York & Lancasters and all officers it was decided that we were likely to be completely surrounded in a few minutes and decided to work round North & North West to our Brigade HQ at Merris. Putting out advanced guard, left flank guard, and rear guard we worked up behind hedges & after going about 400yards came into contact with Lt Col Tilley 15th West Yorks. CO’s conferred together & Lt Col Tilley & Maj Nutt voted reporting to 33rd Division which were occupying position defending Metern. Maj Lowe wished to work round and report to our own Brigade. Whole Brigade moved back and took up position with the 18th Middlesex Battalion on 33rd Divisional line facing South & East midway between Bailleul and Metern. Arranged with OC 18th Middlesex to take over a line of a few small rifle posts facing South East. Improved these trenches. Very little shelling. 18th Durham Light Infantry War Diary WO95/2361/1 13th Apr 1918 Holding the Line  18th DLI report "At about 10am enemy commenced very heavy shelling on all trenches in the neighbourhood. This shelling lasted more than an hour. Quiet again until 3.45pm when very heavy shelling again started and continued until about 6.30pm. Sent to 19th Brigade to ask to be rationed by them and to try to get into communication with our own Brigade. 2Lt Pattison sent yesterday to try to find Brigade. Received orders for our relief by 5th Scottish Rifles and to report to Borre. We were unable to be spared however owing to artillery shelling which it was thought portended a heavy attack. D Coy ordered up to connect up right of Scottish Rifles and to search wood in front of them which it was thought was occupied by enemy after the bombardment. Patrol of Sgt Dickenson and 8 men sent to get in touch with Queens Regiment on left of Scottish Rifles who had lost touch. This patrol established touch throughout the front line and the OC 5th Scottish Rifles thanked OC 18th DLI for this help. Quiet night trenches much improved." 18th Durham Light Infantry War Diary WO95/2361/1 14th Apr 1918   LA BECQUE During the whole day artillery very active with intense fire from 11am to 5pm. Advanced posts about 600x to our front apparently blown out by artillery and occupied by enemy. Letter of appreciation received from GOC 19th Brigade. Lt Col TILLEY killed. Maj. LOWE assumed command. Quiet during the night with m gun fire. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Apr 1918   LA BECQUE Early morning at about 6.30am relieved by C Coy 5th Battalion TANK CORPS and marched to BORRE. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Apr 1918   18th DLI report from Borre "Reorganisation. Warned to be ready to move at an hours notice. 1. To man the Hazebrouck defences. 2. To exploit any success obtained in an attack by two French divisions to take place at 6pm from Kemmel to the neighbourhood of Strazeele. The 15th W Yorks amalgamated with us forming the 93rd Composite Battalion with our own HQ commanded by Lt Col Lowe MC." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Apr 1918   18th Durhams report "Very heavy shelling commenced about 9am in the vicinity of Borre. Received orders from Brigade to move to V.9.d. NW of La Kruele in the afternoon moved thence to L’Hoffand, Hazebrouck defences. 92nd Composite Battalion on the left, 94th Battalion on the right, 93rd Battalion in reserve at V.23 & V.29. Draft of 119 ORs arrived at details. Our line ran V.23.d.3.8, V, V.29.d.7.4., V.30.c.3.7., D.6.a.3.3." 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Apr 1918   L'HOFFAND Work carried on in this line joining up trenches already marked out. Received orders that we were to take over front system held by 2nd Australian Bde. 1st Australian Div. 94th Battalion to hold front line on the right, 92nd Battalion on the left, 93rd Battalion in reserve line running through E.14.c. & b & E.8.a. & b. Lt Col LOWE reconnoitred the position but at night received orders that the Battalion would return to its original formation and that further instructions would be issue from 93rd Bde. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th Apr 1918   LE GD HASARD Moved from L’HOFFAND round the NW of HAZEBROUCK (to avoid the shelling) to LE GD HASARD and billeted in a camp at D.14.b.2.7. details and last two drafts joining us here. A good deal of bombing (aeroplanes) during the night. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Apr 1918   LE GD HASARD Reorganisation. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Apr 1918   LE GD HASARD Church parades. Orders received that the Battalion was to be lent to 92nd Brigade to help to fill in the portion of the line between the North Divisional Boundary and the HAZEBROUCK, BAILLEUL railway. 40 men of D Coy to hold the front line with B Coy No 4 L Gun Bn Tank Corps. 6th Australian Battalion on the left. 11th E YORKS on the right. The fortified locality between GD SEC BOIS and PETIT SEC BOIS inclusive to the railway (BAILLEUL, HAZEBROUCK) exclusive and the system of posts in E.3.d, E.9.b. & a. HQ at E.2.c.5.1. C Coy near Battalion HQ to be used for counter attack if necessary. Relieved 3rd Australian Battalion. Relief complete 1am. Maj. D.E. INCE in command in the line. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Apr 1918   BETWEEN VIEUX BERQUIN & GD SEC BOIS Whole of D Coy moved up to hold the front line with the TANK CORPS. B & A Coy’s working joining up posts and making PETIT SEC BOIS into a strong point. C Coy carrying wire. D Coy joining up front line system of posts. Considerable amount of indiscriminate gas shelling. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Apr 1918   BETWEEN VIEUX BERQUIN & GD SEC BOIS Indiscriminate shelling. Orders received that the strong point of PETIT SEC BOIS must be held at all costs even if surrounded. Present distribution of Battalion, D Coy with 1 Coy No 4 L. Gun Battalion Tank Corps in front line. A & B Coy’s from E.9.d.1.0. to Brigade northern boundary in support. Reserve C Coy in E.8. A good deal of aeroplane bombing on STRAZEELE STATION and neighbourhood of front line also Gd Pt SEC BOIS and back areas. Patrol of 1 Cpl and 5 men went out to inspect houses in E.11.d were unable to find any enemy there. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th Apr 1918   BETWEEN VIEUX BERQUIN & GD SEC BOIS Usual shelling. Patrol of 1 NCO & 5 men went to same house as that visited last night also other houses in the neighbourhood. They saw 4 Germans come from a haystack and go to a house some distance away where they were joined by another two, whole party then moved off. Patrol were unable to get to them. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Apr 1918   GD SEC BOIS Certain amount of shelling. C Coy relieved D Coy. D Coy remained up and with C Coy wired about 150X of front returning to C Coy’s trenches in the morning. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th Apr 1918   GD SEC BOIS Patrol of 1 Officer & 20 OR sent out to try to rush a house which was reported occupied by enemy machine gun at E.11.d.3.4. Barrage was to cooperate but fell too far behind the house which was found to be strongly manned by 3 machine guns and the attack failed. Lt Col LOWE MC relieved Maj INCE MC in the morning. In the evening C Coy dug in and wired a platoon front in the front line between our right and left 11th E YORKS REGT about E.11.c.2.2. and B Coy dug in a platoon post as a northern extension of support line about E.4.c.15.20. C.O. and Coy Commanders of 1st BORDER REGT visited Hd Qtrs to settle relief for night 27/28. A patrol visited house E.11.d.2.4. to secure identification but the enemy was in large numbers. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Apr 1918   GD SEC BOIS Successful raid of 10th E YORKS REGT on E.23.c. resulting in 24 prisoners and a machine gun. Ground between Regimental Aid Post (GRAND SEC BOIS) and Battalion HQ heavily shelled with 5.9 intermittently between noon and 4.0pm. Inter Coy relief of TANK BATTALION in evening. Relieved by 1st BORDER REGT. Very long and late relief. Relief started 9.30pm. Complete 3.30am. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Apr 1918   NEAR SERCUS Sunday. Cleaning up. Coy’s ay disposal of Coy Cmdrs. Battalion at 1 hrs notice to move. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th Apr 1918   NEAR SERCUS A & B Coy’s 300 men working on defences in D.21.22. & 23. C & D Coy’s training. 6 reinforcements (Officers) arrived. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 30th Apr 1918   NEAR SERCUS C & D Coy’s 300 men working on defences in D.21.22.& 23. A & B Coy’s training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st May 1918   NEAR SERCUS A & B Coy’s provide working parties (300 OR) digging on defences at D.21. D.22. and D.23. C & D Coy’s training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd May 1918   NEAR SERCUS C & D Coy’s working parties as for A & B Coy’s yesterday. A & B Coy’s training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd May 1918   NEAR SERCUS As for the 1st. Very hot. A & B Coy’s working. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th May 1918   NEAR SERCUS As for the 2nd. C & D Coy’s working. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th May 1918   NEAR SERCUS Sunday. Church parades. A & B Coy’s working. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th May 1918   NEAR SERCUS C & D Coy’s working. A & B Coy’s training. In the afternoon Maj General BRIDGEFORD gave a farewell speech to the 93rd Brigade saying that we were to be broken up. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th May 1918   NEAR SERCUS Working parties cancelled owing to very heavy rain fall. Whole Battalion training in the afternoon. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th May 1918   NEAR SERCUS A & B Coy’s working. C & D Coy’s training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th May 1918   NEAR SERCUS Orders received to relieve 2nd Bn AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY, 1ST AUSTRALIAN Brigade night of 9/10 May. Battalion moved off at 5.45pm to embussing point on WALLON CAPPELL, ST OMER road 1000X W of WALLON CAPPELL. Convoy moved off at about 8.30pm via HAZEBROUK, ST SYLVESTRE CAPPELL to 600X NW of CAESTRE. Brigade debussed. Battalion moved off at 11.30pm via CAESTRE to near FLETRE, met guides and was led into support system lying NW of METEREN relieving 2nd AUSTRALIAN BATTALION. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th May 1918   NEAR METEREN 3.20am. Relief complete. 15th W YORKS right front. 13th YORK & LANCS left front. 18TH DURHAM LI support. On the right of the Brigade a Brigade of AUSTRALIANS, on the left of the Brigade 1st Battalion 160TH INFANTRY REGT. of FRENCH in front, 2nd Battalion of same Regt in support. International posts at junction in front line with the 13th YORK & LANCS, and between 18th DURHAM LI & 1st Bn 160th Regt at X.10.3.5.5. Complete liaison arranged. Disposition of Coy’s D,C,B,A from right to left. HQ at X.2.d.9.4. Quiet relief. Divisional and Brigade Commanders visited the Battalion. Casualties, 2 OR slightly wounded. 9.10pm. Bombardment of French lines, French SOS sent up. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th May 1918   NEAR METEREN Artillery active in the morning otherwise quiet day. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th May 1918   NEAR METEREN Additional Liaison Post with French established at X.4.c.35.70. Brigade Commander visited the Battalion, also General COLLINGWOOD Commanding 15th Corps Heavy Artillery. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th May 1918   NEAR METEREN Very quiet day. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th May 1918   NEAR METEREN Very quiet, nothing to report. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th May 1918   NEAR METEREN A Coy shelled out of Coy Hd Qtrs billet. Forced to move into trenches. The National Archives Reference WO05/2361/1 16th May 1918   NEAR FLETRE Quiet day. War dog practice for Battalion. Hd Qtrs to Bde. Maj DE INCE MC took over command of the Battalion in the trenches from Lt Col LOWE DSO MC. Battalion took over reserve line from 10th E YORKS REGT. Dispositions, D Coy X.1.d.5.2., C Coy X.2.c.0.2., B Coy X.3.c.3.3., A Coy X.3.d.4.9., Hd Qtrs X.1.d.2.2. Battalion to be used solely for counter attack. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th May 1918   NEAR FLETER Order received for relief of 92nd Brigade (to whom we are attached) by 4th GUARD Bde. Order cancelled. At night working parties digging following strong points, A Coy 4 FILS AYMON, B Coy HAUTE PORTE FERME, D Coy PHINC BOOM. C Coy carrying wiring material. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th May 1918   18th DLI are near Fletre, providing Working parties as for last night. Weather very warm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th May 1918   NEAR FLETRE Same working parties. Fairly quiet. Some gas. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th May 1918   NEAR FLETRE Same as yesterday. Quiet. Some shelling around Hd Qtrs. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st May 1918   NEAR METEREN 11pm. Battalion relieved in reserve by 11th E YORKS REGT and took over centre sub sector front line from 10TH E YORKS REGT. Disposition of Coy’s, D Coy right front, C Coy left front, B Coy counter attack Coy, Reserve Coy A Coy, Bn HQ X.2.d.3.4. Lt Col LOWE DSO MC took command of Battalion. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd May 1918   NEAR METEREN 12.30am. Relief complete. Patrols sent out from C & D Coy’s. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd May 1918   NEAR METEREN An officer patrol (fighting) sent out but it was unable to find enemy in trenches raided. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th May 1918   NEAR METEREN The Battalion relieved by 7th SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th May 1918   NEAR METEREN Relief complete 12.20am. Quiet relief. Battalion embussed NW of CAESTRE moving off at about 4am via St SYLVESTRE CAPPELL, CASSELL, ARQUES to HEURINGHEM. Debussed here and marched to CAMPAGNE. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th May 1918   CAMPAGNE General cleaning up. Lecture to all Officers, WO’s & NCO’s by Maj General CAMPBELL Commanding 31st Division at RACQUINGHEM. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th May 1918   CAMPAGNE Cleaning up. Reorganisation. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th May 1918   CAMPAGNE Coy training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th May 1918   CAMPAGNE 29th 30th 31st May. Ceremonial parades & Coy training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE Training for all Coy’s. Shooting competition. Training in the afternoon. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE Sunday, church parades. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE Coy training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE Coy training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE Baths. Inoculations. Coy training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE Coy training. Shooting competition. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE Lewis gun training. Coy training. Inspection of mobilisation stores. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE Sunday. Church parades. Inspection of billets. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE Coy training. Lewis gun training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE Coy training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE Battalion field day figuring an attack through woods. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE Musketry on range. Coy training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE Coy training. Lewis gun training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Jun 1918   CAMPAGNE Reconnaissance for Divisional field day. Coy training under Orderly Officer & Coy Sgt Majors. Orders received from Brigade to move by road (march) to area South of HONDEGHEM. Nucleus to be formed. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Jun 1918   HONDEGHEM Arrived in camp South of HONDEGHEM V.8.d.2.8. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Jun 1918   HONDEGHEM Church parades. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Jun 1918   BOIS DES HUITS RUES Moved to neighbourhood of BOIS DES HUITS RUES C.16.b.5.5. owing to the reserve Brigade of 9th Division returning to take over our camp. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Jun 1918   BOIS DES HUITS RUES The whole Battalion sent as working party on trenches forward (east) of MORBECQUE. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th Jun 1918   BOIS DES HUITS RUES Baths & Coy training. Received orders to relieve 2nd HANTS REGT 88th Brigade 29th Division in reserve on SEC BOIS SECTOR. Two Coy’s working as for yesterday. Reconnaissance by Coy Commanders. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Jun 1918   GRAND SEC BOIS Moved up to relieve 1st LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS (changed from 1st HANTS REGT) in reserve line behind GRAND SEC BOIS. A Coy were placed tactically under 13th YORK & LANCASTER REGT to hold SWARTENBROUGH defences. Role of Battalion 1: To man reserve line. 2: To reinforce support line. 3: To counter attack & retake support line. Relief complete 9.40pm. Fairly heavy rain during march up. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Jun 1918   GRAND SEC BOIS Fine weather, very quiet. B Coy move up to PETIT SEC BOIS SP (tactically under 1st WEST YORKS REGT) C Coy move to B Coy’s old position leaving 1 officer & 2 platoons in position previously held. Dispositions then were, A Coy SWARTENBROUGH SP. B Coy PETIT SEC BOIS SP. C Coy Headquarters and two platoons at E.7.a.25.95. D Coy at farm A LA PROMENADE D.12.a.3.1. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN Orders received for Battalion to relieve 13th YORK & LANCASTER REGT in front line left sub sector. Dispositions, C Coy right front, Headquarters E.22.c.9.1. D Coy left front, Headquarters E.22.b.1.7. A Coy right support, Headquarters E.21.a.8.2. B Coy left support, Headquarters E.14.a.5.3. This alteration necessitated by the withdrawal from the line of 2 Coy’s and 1 Platoon 13th YORK & LANCS to practice for an attack on ANKLE FARM. Right of Battalion 11th EAST LANCS REGT. Left of Battalion 15th WEST YORKS REGT. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN Relief complete 1.30am. Very quiet relief. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN Certain amount of gas shelling during early morning. Patrol of 1 NCO & 3 men went out to reconnoitre hedge skirting West side of ANKLE FARM. Enemy opened machine gun fire from posts at E.17.c.3.2. and 35.45 also at E.28.a.3.5. Bombs were thrown wounding the NCO. C Coy 13th E Y &L in SWARTENBROUGH Defences was relieved at night by B Coy K.O.Y.L.I. 11th EAST LANCS on our right relieved by 11th EAST YORKS who in turn were to be relieved by 12th ROYAL FUSILIERS 94th Brigade on night of 25th. We provided carrying party of 1 Officer & 50 ORs to form a dump in front of front line near FANTASY FARM. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN 15th WEST YORKS REGT on our left were relieved by 2nd ROYAL FUSILIERS (lent from 29th Div) to go out to train for an attack on LA BECQUE following the attack of the YORK & LANCS on ANKLE FARM. D Coy took over 4 more posts to the left from WEST YORKS REGT. Some gas shelling around Battalion HQ and PETIT SEC BOIS. MG Platoon C Coy dug 2 posts & wired them at E.23.a. central facing SE for their own occupation on night of attack. 1 OR killed while digging them by machine gun. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN Quiet during day with some heavy shelling towards evening. At night about 11.0pm D & C two front line Coy’s vacated their trenches and lay up behind the parados to give room for 13th YORK & LANCS REGT Coy’s. D Coy finally inspected footbridges over the dyke from E.17.c.1.3. to E.17.c.00.15. and placed spare footbridge behind the parados in readiness should the bridges be broken. No 9 Platoon & double section Lewis Guns of No 11 Platoon C Coy under command of 2Lt W ALLBEURY who had been ordered to form a defensive right flank linking up with the flank of the YORK & LANCS REGT E.23.a.80.55. & with our front line E.23.c.3.2. left the front line trench & lay forward of our line before ZERO which was timed 12.30am 27.6.18. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN At ZERO plus 1 minute the party advanced in formation of small columns proceeded by scouts, the left column slightly in rear of the YORK & LANCS REGT second wave, the centre & right column being echeloned back to the rear. D & C Coy’s at once reoccupied the front line trenches. The attacking party reached the pre-arranged alignment by 12.40am the only casualties of this attack occurred during the first 20X of the advance and were due to MG fire at close range. The excellence of our barrage was most noticeable. The party immediately occupied 2 posts dug on previous night & began digging additional posts under MG fire at close range. These opened after the barrage had passed beyond them. Small parties organised by Capt HE HITCHIN DSO MC & by 2Lt W ALLBEURY went forward and tackled these posts. One advanced light MG and three prisoners were captured. This post at first threw hand grenades but did not put up a hand to hand fight. Immediately after another MG opened up at short range & Capt HITCHIN was wounded. By 12.45am the left post was in touch with the right post of YORK & LANCS REGT 40X NE. By 12.55am though the ground was very hard the additional posts had been dug in fairly deep, the disposition being double LG post on the advanced left in slits, rifle section in centre in posts dug on the 26.6.18, double LG post on the right well thrown back in slits at approx. E.23.a.40.35. about 60X East of original front line. At 12.55 & 1.10am two lights signifying objectives captured were seen. This was confirmed by power buzzer at 1.40am. Capt HITCHIN reported personally to YORK & LANCS REGT & later to 18th DURHAM LIGHT INF that both units were in touch, the right defensive flank had been established & posts were digging in deeper. 2Lt ALLBEURY distinguished himself by determination & leadership guiding the columns to their positions on an awkward alignment over entirely unknown ground. The position itself not being either a trench or a ground feature & therefore correspondingly difficult to pick up. Total casualties, 1 Officer wounded, 1 OR killed, 9 OR wounded. 1 light MG & 3 prisoners captured. On late evening No 1 Platoon & double LG section No 2 Platoon A Coy relieved No 9 Platoon & double LG section. No 9 Platoon C Coy under 2Lt A EVERATT on new alignment taken up as a result of operations in early morning. Their objective was to seize the German position along PLATE BECQUE from E.23.a.8.2. to E.23.a.80.55. this prolonging our line Southwards from E.23.a.80.55. on same alignment linking up on Left with B Coy DURHAM LI and on our Right with 15th WEST YORKS at E.23.a.8.2. B Coy & 2 platoons D Coy relieved 13th Y&L REGT from E.23.a.80.55. to E.17.c.6.6. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN ZERO was 6am. Formation of party 5 small columns in single file in echelon with left forward. At ZERO the party waited ¾ of a minute to advance in alignment with left flank of 15th W YORKS and by 6.05am reached the objective with very little opposition except from one post, the attack being a complete surprise. As our men advanced small groups of up to the total of about 12 ran round our right flank unarmed and unequipped & were left for the original front line to deal with. Some enemy were shot or bayonetted in shell hole positions. Four parties then began consolidating while a Lewis Gun team then lead with great dash by Sgt GOLDSBOROUGH crossed the BECQUE and stalked a MG team through a cornfield and rushed and captured the gun killing the team. Two more light MG’s were captured on the left flank of the objective. Immediate touch was gained with DLI on left & with 15th WYR right flank. Only 2 slight casualties occurred up to & during the consolidation. 30 prisoners were captured W & E of the BECQUE. During the consolidation footbridges were destroyed over the BECQUE and the captured MG’s were installed & used against the enemy. About 7.02am power buzzer message was reported as stating that all Brigade objectives had been captured. As no barrage was arranged for to smother our objective B Coy on left of the attack was ordered to barrage the enemy position South of their front line with No 23 bombs for short range & No 36 for long range combined with enfilade LG fire along and in rear of hostile front positions. This proved most effective and the LG fire accounted for a satisfactory number of the enemy as they retired over exposed country EAST of PLATEBECQUE. The energy, dash and initiative of 2Lt EVERATT contributed largely to the initial success of the enterprise: the efficient way in which he organised the consolidation and the excellence of his reports were both marked & stamp him as a really valuable officer. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN During the night relieved 15th WEST YORKS REGT in the right sub-sector. Relief a very difficult one owing to gassing (shell) & heavy shelling. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 30th Jun 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN Relief complete at about 3.10am. Counter preparation put down by our artillery at about 3.15am & the enemy put down a heavy barrage which was followed by our SOS being sent up from front line. Artillery opened up & dispersed the counter attack which it is believed was being prepared. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Jul 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN Heavy artillery shelling, both enemy’s and ours. Some of our heavies and 18 pounders fell short at about 11am near LA BECQUE. 92nd Brigade on our right relieved by 94th Brigade. In front line on our right 24th R WELSH FUSILIERS. SWARTENBROUGH shelled intermittently with 77mm and 5.9 from 10am to 5pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd Jul 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN 15th W YORKS REGT relieved 13th YORK & LANCASTER REGT on our left. SWARTENBROUGH shelled with heavies. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Jul 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN Fairly quiet. Re-adjustment of line. B & C Coy’s in support. A & D Coy’s left & right respectively. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Jul 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN Relieved by 10th EAST YORKS REGT. Relief complete 3.15am. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE Arrived in camp W of MORBECQUE. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE Baths, cleaning up and reorganisation. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE Sunday. Church parades. Divisional Commander visited the camp. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE Firing on range. Rifle grenade firing. Lectures on trench discipline. Brigadier General TAYLOR DSO inspected the new drafts and addressed the Battalion. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE Musketry on rifle range and baths. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE The Battalion moved forward and relieved the 12th NORFOLK REGT in the Right Sub Sector (R1) Battalion HQ E.27.d.6.8. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE Relief complete 2.30am. Very wet weather. Front line A Coy right B Coy left. C Coy left support D Coy right support. An enemy light machine gun post which had apparently lost its way walked down the road from VIERHOUCK to A Coy right platoon post. The men in the post waited until the party had approached sufficiently close and then opened fire with Lewis Gun. They captured 1 unwounded, 3 wounded prisoners and their light machine gun. The Brig. Gen, visited Battalion HQ. A patrol of 1 officer and 20 OR went out to inspect suspected shell holes but they were unoccupied. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE Patrols were sent out by day and night but no new information obtained. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE A patrol of a Corporal and 2 men volunteered to go out and silence a machine gun which was troubling them. They proceeded direct to the machine gun and killing one of the team captured it, the remainder of the enemy running away. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Jul 1819   CAUDESCURE The Battalion was relieved by 15th WEST YORKS REGT and moved back to reserve line. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE Quiet, relief finished by 5.0am. Divisional Commander visited Battalion HQ. Battalion provided working parties on the COBLEY COTTAGE, VOLLEY FARM switch and also on the main line of resistance. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE B Coy relieved by A Coy formed part of the surplus personnel left out of the line and a large draft which arrived on the 15th and proceeded to details camp to train for an attack to the transport lines. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE A Coy relieved by the surplus personnel of the 13th YORK & LANCS REGT and also proceeded to the transport lines. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE Working parties on COBLEY COTTAGE switch and main line of resistance as for previous days. Relieved the 13th YORK & LANCS REGT in the R2 sector. A,B & D Coy’s in the front line. C Coy and Nucleus Coy in main line of resistance. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE An attempt was made to advance the line on the Brigade front by infiltration of infantry. See appendix A. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE A quiet day. Raid by 5th Division on our right at 12 midnight night of the 19th. C & D Coy’s took over the front line. A & B Coy’s returned to support. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE Very quiet day. Some shelling and considerable machine gun fire during the night. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE Relieved by the 11th EAST LANCS REGT. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Jul 1918   CAUDESCURE Relief complete 3.15am. Moved back to Brigade Reserve into camp near MORBECQUE. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE Cleaning up & baths. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 25th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE Firing on rifle range. Training of Lewis Gunners. Rifle grenade firing. Recreational training in the afternoon. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 26th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE Coy training 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 27th Jul 1918   18th DLI undertake Coy training at Morbecque. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 28th Jul 1918   MORBECQUE Sunday. Church parade. Moved forward to relieve the 24th ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS in reserve to the left Brigade. A & B Coy’s in GRAND MARQUETTE FARM. C Coy in trenches GRAND SEC BOIS. D Coy in A LA PROMENADE FARM. Relief complete 10.56pm. In right front 13th YORK & LANCASTER REGT. In left front 15th WEST YORKS REGT. On our right the 92nd Brigade. On our left the 119th Bde. 40th Div. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 29th Jul 1918   GRAND SEC BOIS A quiet day. Working party of 300 all ranks working at night on Z Line. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 30th Jul 1918   GRAND SEC BOIS Quiet day. Working party as for yesterday. Last night the Division on our right advanced & took MERRIS with approx. 200 prisoners. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 31st Jul 1918   GRAND SEC BOIS Working party as for yesterday. Nothing to report. Total Increase & Decrease during July: Decrease. Killed - Officers 0. OR 35. Wounded - Officers 2. OR 92. Unaccounted for - Officers 1. OR 12. - - - Officers 0. OR 55. Total - Officers 3. OR 194. Increase. Drafts - Officers 6. OR 183. - - - Officers 0. OR 32. Total - Officers 6. OR 215. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 1st Aug 1918   VIEUX BERQUIN The Battalion moved forward and took over the R3 Sub Sector from the 13th YORK & LANCS Regiment A Coy right front, B Coy left front, C Coy in the Y line, D Coy Z line. Relief complete 2.30am, 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 2nd Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH Considerable shelling around Battalion HQ. Orders received to move & take over the R2 Sub Sector from the 11th E YORKS. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 3rd Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH Relieved the 2 front Coy’s of the 12th NORFOLK Regiment the 2 rear Coy’s of the 23rd LANCS FUSILIERS, Disposition after completion of relief in the R2 Sub Sector, D Coy right front, C Coy left front, B Coy left support in the COBLEY COTTAGE Switch, A Coy right support in the Z line. On the left 12th NORFOLKS (to be relieved night 4/5th by 23rd R LANCS FUSILIERS) On right 13th YORK & LANCS. On right of Y&L 61st Div. Relief complete R2 Sub Sector 4.20am. During relief heavy shelling in forward area of new sector. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 4th Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH Two patrols of 1 Officer 20 ORs and a Lewis Gun sent out, who established the fact that no posts were being held up to a line drawn parallel with & 200X from our front line. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 5th Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH Nothing to report. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 6th Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH Projection of 600 gas bombs from behind D Coy HQ. C & D Coy’s withdrawn from danger zone during & for 2 hours after projection (owing to gas lingering) & upon reoccupying positions D Coy found one of the enemy badly gassed who had wandered into our lines. He was without any means of identification & died before he could be got to Brigade. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 7th Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH Information received that enemy were likely to withdraw South of Brigade Sector. Sent out two snipers on daylight patrol at 3pm to watch enclosure at E.30. A patrol returned and informed OC C Coy Capt NEAL DCM that enclosure did not appear to be held. 2Lt PERRY & 6 ORs sent out to investigate came upon party of Germans holding Western hedge of enclosure. These made signs to our party to surrender but finding 4 of our party had worked round to their flank they themselves surrendered. Result 14 prisoners taken & a light machine gun. At the same time 23rd LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS took 9 prisoners. Further news received that the Division (74th) on the night of the 6th had advanced their line. At 12 midnight the front line Coy’s advanced their posts some 200X & dug in leaving small holding parties. Inter Coy relief. A Coy took over from D Coy. B Coy from C Coy & vice versa. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 8th Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH Inter Coy relief complete 1am. Daylight patrol sent out all day to ascertain whether enemy still holding W side of PLATE BECQUE. Patrols on S side of VERTE RUE LA COURONNE road were unable to get far forward owing to heavy machine gun fire. Patrols on the N side of the LA COURONNE road established the fact that the enemy were holding the enclosure at E.30. in strength that there was a ladder up a tree used as an OP. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 9th Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH Patrols (night & day) again sent out but enemy more alert. At night the Battalion relieved by the 11th E YORKS. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 10th Aug 1918   SWARTEN BROUGH Relief complete at 2am. Quiet relief. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 11th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE Baths & general cleaning up. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 12th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE Musketry on 400X rifle range for all Coy’s. Reorganisation. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 13th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE Musketry, Rifle grenade firing. P.T.B.F. Patrol schemes. Handling of arms. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 14th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE As for yesterday. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 15th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE Patrolling scheme introducing communication with a contact aeroplane. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 16th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE Coy training. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 17th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE Coy training. Patrol demonstration & lecture by R. SCOTS FUSILIERS & R. WELSH FUSILIERS in their recent experience in pushing forward at VIEUX BERQUIN. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 18th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE Brigade church parade. Presentations, Honours & Awards by Brigadier. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 19th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE Baths & musketry. New draft inspected by Brigade. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 20th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE Preparation for going into line. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 21st Aug 1918   MORBECQUE The Battalion were to have relieved the 11th E YORKS in the R2 Sub Sector VIEUX BERQUIN but after arrangements had been made for relief these orders were cancelled. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 22nd Aug 1918   MORBECQUE The 40th Div relieved the 31st Div in the VIEUX BERQUIN Sector relieving in its turn the 9th Div in the METEREN Sector. At 5pm the Battalion vacated the camp at MORBECQUE (it was taken over by the 12th R WELSH FUSILIERS 94th Brigade) and marched via HAZEBROUCK to camp at V.12.b.9.9. taking over from 2nd R SCOTS FUSILIERS. Reconnoitring patrols sent up to L2 Sub Sector to take over from 12th R SCOTS FUSILIERS. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 23rd Aug 1918   MORBECQUE Moved up A Coy right front, B Coy left front, C Coy support, D Coy reserve. Battalion HQ - V.12.b.9.9. Relief complete 11.30pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE Extended Battalion boundary northwards taking over from the 5th CAMERON HIGHLANDERS a part of their front line up to X.22.a.5.2. For this purpose A Coy were brought back five platoons to support & two platoons & Coy HQ to reserve. (being relieved in front line by D Coy 13th Y & L) C Coy went forward and took over the new position from 5th CAMERON HIGHLANDERS becoming left front Coy. B Coy moved its left slightly further North. D Coy moved back to AFRICAN trench. Both Y& L & CAMERONS relief complete by 11pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 24th Aug 1918   MORBECQUE Extended Battalion boundary northwards taking over from the 5th CAMERON HIGHLANDERS a part of their front line up to X.22.a.5.2. For this purpose A Coy were brought back five platoons to support & two platoons & Coy HQ to reserve. (being relieved in front line by D Coy 13th Y & L) C Coy went forward and took over the new position from 5th CAMERON HIGHLANDERS becoming left front Coy. B Coy moved its left slightly further North. D Coy moved back to AFRICAN trench. Both Y& L & CAMERONS relief complete by 11pm. 18th DLI war diary WO95/2361/1 If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry? There are:5975 items tagged 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War. Those known to have served with 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during the Great War 1914-1918. Adamson John Robert. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Affleck Robert William. Pte. Agar John William. Cpl. Aggas Walter. Pte. Ainsley John Arnold. L/Cpl. Ainsley Jonathan Arnold. Pte. Ainsley William. Pte. Ainslie Walter. Pte. Ainsworth Harry. Pte. (d.12th April 1918) Ainsworth William. Pte. Aiston Thomas. Pte. (d.23rd April 1918) Alderson Benson. Pte. Alderson Frederick. Pte. Alderson Frederick. Pte. Alderson John George. Pte. Alderson John William. Pte. Allan Robert. Pte. Allan Ronald. Pte. (d.3rd Oct 1916) Allbeury W.. 2nd Lt. Allen Alfred. Pte. (d.29th Mar 1918) Allen Walter Leonard. CSM Allen William. Pte. Allison George Frederick. Cpl. Anderson MM. Christopher. Pte. Anderson John. A/WO.Cl.II Anderson Joseph. Pte. Ankers Bertram. Pte. (d.3rd Sep 1916) Appleby John R.. Pte. Appleton Frederick. Pte. Appleyard George S.. Cpl. Arkley Thomas Walter. Pte. Armstrong Arthur. Pte. (d.29th Mar 1916 ) Armstrong George O.. Pte. Armstrong Joseph Sproat or Stuart. A/Sgt. Armstrong Reginald. Capt. Armstrong Reginald. Capt. Armstrong William. Pte. Ashley Albert Percival. Sgt. Askey John Henry Dobson. Pte. Aspey Thomas Henry. Pte. Atkin Arthur Edwin. Sgt. Atkinson Frederick. Pte. Atkinson William Watson. Pte. Aubin Melville Hildreth. Cpl. Austin Arthur Warburton. Clr/Sgt. Ayre Richard. Sgt. Ayton W.. L/Cpl. Ayton William. Pte. Baggott Thomas. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Bainbridge F.. Cpl. Bainbridge Frederick. L/Cpl. Bainbridge John George. CQMS Bainbridge John George. Sgt. Baker Herbert Edward. Pte. Balmer Pringle. 2nd Lt. Banks Charles. Pte. Barker Herbert. Pte. Barker DCM. William. Sgt. Barnard John. Pte. (d.10th Aug 1916) Barras Albert Victor. Pte. Barrasford Robert. Pte. Bassett Charles. Pte. Baum Alfred. Pte. (d.3rd Aug 1916) Beadham James. Sgt. Beadon Frederick Searth. Lt. Beatie Robert. Pte. Beaumont Alexander. Pte. Bell Arthur Osborne. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Bell Edwin Charles. A/Sgt. Bell Ernest Thomas. Pte. Bell James. Pte. Bell John Thomas. Pte. Bell William Wilson. Pte. Bell William. 2nd Lt. (d.3rd Jul 1916) Bennett James Mather. Pte. Bennett James West. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Bennett John. Pte. Benneworth DCM, MID. William Turner. RSM. Benneworth William. CSM Bentley Oscar Charles. Pte. Berry Albert. Pte. (d.3rd May 1917) Berry Thomas. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Best Christopher. Pte. (d.11th Apr 1918) Bevan Isaac. Pte. Bilton George. Pte. (d.23rd Aug 1916) Bilton George. Pte. (d.23rd Aug 1916) Bilton Ralph. Pte. Binks Harry Maddison. Pte. (d.1st Mar 1917) Binks Reginald Arthur. L/Cpl. (d.1st Jul 1916) Bird Robert George. Sgt. Birkbeck George William. Pte. Birks Arthur Reginald. L-Cpl. (d.1st Jul 1916) Birks Harold Victor. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Birnie George Alexander. Pte. Blackburn Alfred. Pte. Blakeman George. Pte. Bland Edward. Pte. Blewitt William. Pte. Bobby Sidney Fitzgerald. 2nd Lt. (d.1st Jul 1916) Booth Sydney Crawford. Pte. Boumphrey John George. Pte. (d.28th Mar 1918) Bowe Albert Henry. Pte. (d.1st Mar 1917) Bowes Hugh. Lt Col Bowes Robert. Cpl. Bowes Roper E.. Cpl. Bowran Thomas Darling. Pte. (d.12th Apr 1918) Boyce Charles Barry. A/QMS Boyd James. Pte. Brabiner William. Pte. Bracegirdle John. Pte. Bradford James Barker. 2nd Lt. (d.14th May 1917) Brailey MM. Herbert. Pte. Brannen Frederick William. Pte. Briggs George. A/CQMS Broadley John William. Pte. Broadley John W.. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Broderick Frank. Cpl. Brookes Walter Charles. Pte. Brooks W. S.. Pte. Broomhead John Noel Gordon. Pte. Brotchie Charles W.. Pte. Brown Edward Allport. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Brown Fred. Pte. (d.25th Mar 1918) Brown George. L/Sgt. Brown Harold Christian Herman. Pte. Brown Lionoel William. A/L/Cpl. Brown Peter Smith. Pte. Brown R. B.. Pte. Brown Robert Benjamin. Pte. Brown Thomas. Pte. Brown William Fortune. Pte. Brown William Herbert. 2nd Lt. (d.19th Jul 1918) Brownless Edward. Pte. Bruce Arthur. Pte. Bruce Frederick William. Sgt. Bryant Sidney Milburn. Pte. Brydon John Cummings. Sgt. (d.1st Jul 1916) Bryon J. Cummings. Cpl. Buckle Thomas Alfred. Sgt. (d.1st Jul 1916) Bunkall James M.. L-Cpl. (d.18th May 1917) Bunt Ezekiel. Pte. Burdis William. Pte. Burdon Oliver. Sgt. Burlinson E.. Pte. (d.11th Aug 1916) Burlison Ebenezer. Pte. Burn Joseph Pattison. Pte. Burnham George. Pte. (d.4th Aug 1917) Burns John. Pte. Burton William. Pte. (d.3rd May 1917) Bushby Ernest. Sgt. Bushby John. Pte. Bussey Robert William. Pte. Butler George. Pte. Butterill Thomas. Pte. Cable James Henry. Pte. Cairns George. Pte. Calder John Joseph. Cpl. Callum Joseph. A/Cpl. Campbell Frederick William. Pte. Campbell James. Pte. Card Benjamin Oliver. A/Cpl. Carling Stanley. Pte. Carling William Christopher. Pte. Carr Henry. Pte. Carr John. Cpl. (d.1st Jul 1916) Carr Wilfred. Sgt. Carrick MM. Walter Moffatt. L/Sgt. (d.28th Jun 1917 ) Carter Arthur William. Pte. Carter Edward Blackey. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Carter George. L/Cpl. Carter MID. Herbert Francis George. Lt Col Cartmell Frank. A/Cpl. Cartwright Usher. Pte. Cave James Brigg. Pte. Chapman Henry Claude. Pte. Charlton George. Pte. Chater Tom Watkins. Pte. Chatterton Alfred Ernest. Pte. Cheeseborough Joseph William. Pte. Chester Arthur. Pte. (d.27th Aug 1916) Chilton John. A-Sgt. Chittock Hubert Arthur. Cpl. Christal James. Pte. Christison J.. L/Cpl. (d.16th Sep 1916) Christison John James. Sgt. Christopher John Robert. Pte. (d.12th Nov 1916) Christopher Richard. Cpl. Clark Percy. L/Cpl. (d.1st Oct 1918 ) Clark William Davidson. Pte. Clarke MSM. Albert. Pte. (d.9th Mar 1919) Clarke Charles Stephen. Act L/Cpl (d.16th Dec 1914) Clarke Charles Stephen. L/Cpl. (d.16th Dec 1914) Clarke Robert Dawson. Pte. Clarke Samuel James. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Claughan Joseph Edgar. Pte. Clear Thomas. Pte. Cleminson Charles Norman. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Clemitson Robert Homer. Sgt. (d.26th Mar 1919) Close Shepherd. L/Cpl. Coates John. Pte. Coates John William. Pte. Coatham James Rawson. Pte. Cockayne Richard. Pte. Collingwood Frederick. Pte. Colman William. Pte. Colwell Mark. Pte. Connell Patrick James. L/Sgt. (d.28th Aug 1918) Cook Adam Cowan. Pte. Cook Horace William. Pte. Cook Percy. (d.27th Jul 1916) Cook MM. Thomas. Pte. Cook Thomas. Pte. Cooper Henry Frederick. L-Cpl. (d.28th Mar 1918) Cooper John. Pte. Cooper William. Pte. Copeland John Edward. Pte. Copeland John. Pte. Cordes Franks Joseph. Pte. Corker Richard Robson. Sgt. (d.1st Jul 1916) Corner Arthur Henry. Pte. (d.10th Jul 1916) Corner Thomas Henry. L/Cpl. (d.30th Sep 1918) Corner Thomas Henry. Pte. Cornforth Bailey. Pte. Cornforth John Robert. Sgt. Cornforth Walter. Pte. Corps Ernest. Cpl. Counter James Hugh. Pte. Coverdale Charles. Sgt. Coverdale Miles. Sgt. Cowan Arthur. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Cowan James Matthew. Pte. Cowell Robert Stanley. Pte. Cox Alfred James. Pte. Craig William Alexander. Cpl. (d.27th Jul 1916) Cranston Norman. Pte. Crawford A. B.. Pte. (d.12th Feb 1918) Crawford Ernest. Pte. Crawford John. Pte. Criere Adrian. Sgt. Crocker Herbert. Pte. Cross Charles William. Pte. (d.3rd May 1915) Crosser Arthur. Pte. Culbert William. L-Cpl. (d.29th Jun 1918) Cumming Matthew Maughan. Pte. (d.28th Jul 1916) Cummingham William Godfrey. L/Cpl. Cummings Matthew Maughan. Pte. (d.28th July 1916) Cummings Matthew. Pte. (d.28th Jul 1916) Currey Fred. CSM Curry James Smith. Pte. (d.27th Jul 1916) Curry Newrick. Pte. (d.3rd Mar 1917) Dale Joseph John. A/Sgt. Dalkin John. L-Cpl. (d.25th Sep 1918) Dand Arthur Anderson. Pte. Daniels Lewis. Pte. Darling Thomas. L/Cpl. Darycott Ernest. L/Cpl. Davidson Arthur Alexander K.. L/Cpl. (d.18th May 1917) Davidson Joseph. Sgt. Davies Arthur. Pte. Davies Charles. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Davies H.. Pte. Davison John. Pte. Davison Robert. Pte. Davison Thomas. Pte. Dawson A. L.. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Dawson John. Pte. Deacon Richard. Cpl. Dees Herbet Bees . Pte. Dees T. W.. Pte. Dempster John. Pte. Dennison Henry Beckett. Sgt. Dent John Henry Whitehead. Pte. Dews Fred. Pte. (d.12th Apr 1918) Dickens Frederick. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Dickenson William. CSM Dickenson MM. William. Sgt. Dickinson MM & Bar. William. Sjt. Dinnin John William. Pte. Dixon Charles Greenwood. Sgt. Dixon Frederick William. Pte. (d.12th Oct 1916) Dixon Harold. L/Cpl. Dixon Henry. Pte. Dixon Sydney Clunas. Sgt. Dixon Wallace. Pte. Dixon Wilfred Agar. Sgt. Dixon Willie. Pte. (d.18th Sep 1916) Dobbs Samuel Charles. Pte. Dobbs Thomas Hubbard. Pte. Dobson Norman Young. Pte. Dobson Tom. Pte. (d.23rd Mar 1918) Dodds John. A/Cpl. Dodsworth Walter John Joseph. Cpl. Donovan Wilfred John. Pte. Dowse John Norman. Pte. (d.3rd Jul 1916) Doyle Thomas. Pte. Dring Percy. Pte. Drummond Albert George. A/RQMS Dryden George. Pte. Duffy George. A/Cpl. Duignan John. Pte. Duke John. Sgt. (d.1st Jul 1916) Dunn Alfred. Pte. (d.19th July 1918) Durrant A. S.. Sgt. Duthie George William. Pte. Dyer Gilbert. Sgt. Dyke O. M.. Pte. Eaton Walter Merbyn. A/Cpl. Edgar Anthony. Pte. Edgar David. Pte. Edwards John Henry. Pte. Elliott Albert. A/Cpl. Elliott Harry. Pte. Ellis . Cpl. Ellis Arthur. Ellis Harold. Pte. Ellison Arthur James. Cpl. Elstob James Edward. Pte. Emmerson John Bell. Cpl. English John. Pte. English Robert. Cpl. English William Banff. Pte. Errington John Robson. Pte. Etherington Thomas. L/Cpl. (d.10th Apr 1917) Evans Robert William. Pte. Fail Joseph. Pte. Fairey Arthur. Pte. Fairless Edward. Pte. (d.27th Jul 1916) Fawcett Lewis. Pte. Fawcett Norman. Cpl. Featherstone George Maurice. Pte. Featherstone Wallace. Pte. Fenwick Peter. Pte. Fenwick T.. Fenwick William. Capt. Ferguson Joseph Clark . Pte. Ferrier Herbert Victor. Pte. Fields Samuel. Pte. Finnity George Robert. Pte. Fishburn Thomas William. Pte. Fletcher Herbert Horsemond. Pte. Forrest Wilson. CSM Forrett Thomas Wallace. Pte. Forster MM. Charles Gordon. Cpl. Forster John J.. Pte. (d.3rd May 1917) Forster John James. Pte. Forsyth John. Pte. Forsyth William. A/Sgt. Foster Wilfred Harry. Pte. Frankton J. B.. Pte. Fraser Charles. Pte. Fraser Stanley Howard. Pte. Freer Arthur Martin. CSM Fuller Herbert Sydney. Sgt. Fullerton Matthew. Pte. (d.27th Jul 1916) Gallop William Frank. Pte. Gannon Joseph Edward. Sgt. Garbutt Charles John. Pte. Gardiner Thomas. Pte. Gargett Thomas. Pte. Garrett Robert. Pte. Garry Frederick. Pte. (d.18th Sep 1916) Gate Edwin. Pte. Gates Thomas. Pte. Gee Thomas Edward. Pte. Gibbon Evan Griffiths. A/Cpl. Gibbon Frank. A/Cpl. Gibbon William. Pte. Gibson Edward. Cpl. Gibson MM. Stephen. L/Cpl. Gibson Thomas Henry. Pte. Gibson William Oliver. Pte. Gill Frederick. Pte. Gill William Frederick. Corporal (d.12th April 1918) Gillander John. Sgt. Goforth Charles Thomas. Pte. (d.28th Mar 1918) Goldsbrough Arthur. Pte. Goldsbrough Harold. Sgt. Goode James. Pte. Goodwill Herbert Paterson. Pte. (d.3rd Aug 1916) Gorrie John Alexander. Sgt. (d.27th July 1916) Gowling Arthur. Pte. (d.26th Oct 1916) Gowling Edward. Pte. (d.17th Jul 1918) Graham Charles Sydney. Pte. Graham Henry. Pte. Graham John Fowler. Pte. Graham Joseph. Pte. Graham Robert. Pte. Graham William. Cpl. Grant William. Pte. Gray John. Pte. Greaves Joseph Thomas. Pte. Green Ernest. Pte. Greenwell George Hall. Greiveson Robert E. D.. Pte. Grieves Edward. Pte. Grimes Victor. Pte. Groody William. Pte. Gustard Henry. Pte. Guy Thomas William. Cpl. Hall Andrew. Sgt. Hall James. Cpl. Hall John Herbert Furlong. Sgt. Hall John. A/Cpl. Hall Thomas Percy Raine. Pte. Hall Walter. Pte. Hall Wilfred. A/RQMS Hall William James Pattinson. Pte. Hampton William. Pte. Hancock Fred. Pte. Hansom George. Sgt. Hanson Rawdon. Pte. Harding James. Pte. (d.3rd May 1917) Harding William. Pte. Hardy John George. Pte. Harie Joseph. Pte. Harland Thomas William. Pte. Harper John. (d.28th Jul 1917) Harper John. Pte. Harper Sydney. L/Cpl. Harras Henry. Pte. Harrison H.. Pte. Harrison Thomas Henry. Pte. Harrison William Curry. Sgt. Hart Ernest M.. Sgt. Hart Harry. Pte. Hatton William. Pte. Hauxwell Stanley. Pte. Haw William. Sgt. Hawkins MM. George Edward. Sgt. Hayman Edward. Pte. Hazelwood Thomas William. Pte. Heaton Harold. Pte. Hedley Reginald. Pte. Henderson Alexander. Pte. Hendren Denis. Pte. Hendrick Joseph. Pte. Henry George. Pte. Hepple George. Pte. Heppleston Herbert. Pte. Herbert Foster Thompson. Pte. Heron Arthur Henry. Pte. Herring Thomas Oran. (d.25th Jul 1916) Herring Thomas Oran. Heslop John. Pte. Heslop Lawrence. Pte. Heslop Thomas. Pte. Heslop Thomas Robert. Pte. Hibbert Stanley. Pte. Hill Edward Pearson. Pte. Hogg Martin. Pte. Holmes David. Pte. Hopps Wilfred. Pte. Horn William James. Pte. (d.17th May 1917) Horner George. A/Sgt. Howe Joseph T.. Pte. (d.1st July 1916) Hoy William. Pte. Hudspeth Thomas. Pte. Humble John William. Sgt. Hume Robert. Pte. Humprys Arthur Easton. Pte. Hunnam William. Pte. Hunter George Henry. Pte. Hunter Harold Hay. Cpl. Hutchinson David. Pte. Hutchinson Frederick. Pte. Hutchinson Frederick. Pte. Hutchinson John Alderson. Pte. Hutchinson Matthew Henry. Pte. Hutchinson Matthew. Pte. Hutchinson Robert Brown. Pte. Hutchinson Sidney Grafton. Pte. Hyland Stephen. Pte. Ince Douglas Edward. Capt. Irving Joseph Steele. Pte. Iseton Albert Ernest. Pte. Jackson Edward Archer. Pte. Jackson Norman Wilson. Sgt. Jackson Peter. Pte. Jackson William Greenfield. Pte. Jacob George Henry. Sgt. Jarman Charles. Cpl. Jarry Robert. Pte. (d.7th Jun 1916) Jefferson George Thomas. Pte. Jewitt Matthew. Pte. Joblins MM. John William. Pte. Johnson Edward. Pte. Johnson Herbert Vincent. Pte. Johnson Thomas. Pte. Johnson Thomas. Pte. Johnson William. A/Sgt. Joicey Frederick. Pte. Jolly Herbert. Sgt. Jones Andrew. Pte. Jones Hunter. Pte. Jones Robert. Sgt. Jones Theophilus. Pte. (d.16th Dec 1914) Kay William. Pte. Keene Garth. Sgt. Kennick John. Pte. Kent Frederick William. Pte. Kent Thomas. Pte. Kenworthy Jesse Howarth. Cpl. (d.17th Aug 1916) Kerr Arthur Ernest. Pte. Kidd Robert Henry. Pte. Kidd William. Pte. Kilpatrick John James F.. Pte. Kirk Edmund Wilks. Pte. Kirk Henry. A/Cpl. Knaggs Thomas Aylesbury. Sgt. Lackey James. L/Cpl. Lamb D.. Pte. Lamb Robert Robson. Pte. Lanaghan Frank. Pte. Lancaster Ernest. Pte. Latimer Charles Harold. Pte. Lattimer Frederick Havelock. Pte. Lavelie Thomas. Pte. Lawer W. Harry. Cpl. Laws Arthur. Pte. Lawson Cyril. Pte. Lawson William. Pte. Layfield Thomas Henry. Pte. Lazenby John Henry. Pte. Leake Harold George. A/Cpl. Leavitt John Ronald. Pte Leavitt John Ronald. Pte. Lee Arthur. Pte. Lewis Charles Edward. Pte. Lewis J. W.. Pte. Lewis James Holroyd. Pte. Liddle Alix Oliffe. Cpl. (d.16th Dec 1914) Lindridge William Herbert. Pte. Lindsay James. Pte. Linton William Beeson. Cpl. Lister John. Pte. Little MM. Edward Rutherford. Cpl. Littlefair Bertie. Pte. Lively Frederick. Pte. Lloyd Chatto. Cpl. Loader James. Pte. Lochey Ambrose. Pte. Lockey Francis Derwent. L/Cpl. (d.23rd May 1916) Lockey Frank Derwent. L/Cpl. London Benjamin Howard. Cpl. Longstaff Walter. Cpl. Lonsdale William. Pte. Loudon Benjamin Howard. Cpl. (d.12th July 1916) Lounton George. Pte. Lowe William Douglas. Capt. Lowley Frederick. Pte. Lucas Thomas Henry. Pte. Lund Alfred James. Pte. Luxmore Joseph. Pte. (d.23rd May 1915) Macdonald Harold Newton. Pte. (d.28th Mar 1918) Macdonald Harold Newton. Sgt. (d.28th March 1918) MacDougall John William. Pte. MacMilian Charles. L/Cpl. Maguire Thomas. Pte. Makepeace John James. Pte. Manson Horace. Pte. Marsden James Herbert. Cpl. Marsh Joseph. Pte. Marshall James. Pte. Marshall John. Pte. Marshall Thomas. Pte. Marshall William Ernest. Pte. Martin Frederick. Pte. Martin Richard. Pte. Mathie Archibald. Pte. Matson Charles. Cpl. (d.2nd Mar 1917) Matthews Thomas. Pte. Maughan Charles. Pte. Maughan Robert. Sgt. May John Oliver Knight. A/CQSM McCann Thomas Edward. Pte. McCrickard James. Sgt. McDonald Harold. Sgt. McDonald Joseph. Pte. McGahan Thomas. Pte. McGregor Walter. Pte. McIntosh William Alexander. Pte. McKeag John. Pte. McNaughton James Charles. Pte. McNeill Thomas. Pte. Merryweather Fred. Pte. Metcalf Alexander John. A/L/Cpl. Metcalfe A.. L/Cpl. Metcalfe James Thomas. Sgt. (d. ) Milburn MM. John. Cpl. Milford George. Pte. Miller Robert. Pte. Milroy J.. Pte. Minks Thomas. Pte. (d.17th Dec 1914) Mitchell Herbert Henry. Pte. Mitchell Robert. Pte. Mitchell Thomas. Pte. Monks Henry Charles. Pte. Moody William Robert. L/Cpl. (d.30th Apr 1917) Moon John William. A/Cpl. Moore Ernest. Sgt. Moore Harold. Sgt. Morgan John. Pte. Morgan William. Clr.Sgt. Morrell Jonathan. L/Cpl. Morris Charles. Cpl. Morris William Paul. Pte. Moss Charles Herbert Moss. A/Sgt. Mulhall James. Pte. Myers Edward. Sgt. Myers Gilbert. Pte. Myers John Robert. A/Sgt. Nelson Jonathan. Pte. Newberry Charles. Pte. (d.9th Aug 1918) Newby George. Pte. Newby Harry. Pte. Newcombe MM. Fred. Pte. Newton Isaac. Pte. Nicholl Walter. Pte. Nicholson Edmund. Pte. Nilsson Geoffrey Burbank. Pte. Nixon Robert. Pte. Nixon Ronald Thomas Thompson . Pte. Nodding Harry. Pte. Norman Robert Clarke. Pte. North Charles. Cpl. Northrop Frederick Victor. Pte. Oglesby Charles. Cpl. Oldfield John Henry. Sgt. Oldridge DCM. Ernest. T/RSM Oley Robert Edward. Pte. Oliphant Lancelot. RQMS Oliver Henry Cecil. Cpl. Oliver James. Cpl. Ord Richard Foster. Ord Robert. Pte. Orton Reginald Greenwell. Pte. Outhwaite Lawrence. Pte. Owsnett Joseph. Pte. Palin Thomas Frederick. Pte. Pallisher George. Pte. Pallister Roland. Pte. Pallister Thomas Russell. L/Cpl. Palmer Charles Vivian. Palmer Henry Adam. Pte. Park Thomas Arthur. Cpl. Parker Herbert. Pte. Parkin James Skelton. L/Cpl. Partington William. Pte. Patterson Cecil. Pte. Patterson James. Pte. Peacock Bertie. Pte. Pearson Richard. Pte. Pearson William Allan. CSM. Penberthy James Wilfred. Pte. Pendlington Robert Armstrong. Pte. Phillips Harry. Pte. Phillipson Thomas. Pte. Phorson D. S.. Phorson D. S.. Capt. Picken Richard Nelson. Sgt. Pickles Thomas Wilkinson. Pte. Pike Clarence Cecil. Pte. Pike William Vincent. Pte. Pinkney Mark Richard. A/CSM Pitt William. Pte. Plaice John William. Pte. Platten Samuel. Clr/Sgt. Plows Frank. Pte. (d.25th June 1916) Plows Frank. Pte. Plumpton George. Pte. Poole Frederick Barron. Pte. Porter Arthur Victor. Pte. Potter John George. Sgt. Potts DCM. George. CSM Powell Ernest Clifford. Sgt. Powell G. H.. Pte. Powell Harry. Pte. Priestly Ronald Henry Pinkey. Pte. Proud John Henry. Cpl. Purvis William. Pte. Rae John. Pte. Raine Frank. Pte. Raine G. K.. Lt. (d.2nd Jul 1916) Raine George Cuthbert. Pte. Raine John Thomas. Pte. Ramsdale James. Pte. Ramshaw George Edward. Pte. Ramshaw Joseph. Pte. Ratcliffe Ellis. Pte. (d.12th Apr 1918) Readhead Arthur. Pte. Reah John Thomas. Pte. Reay Frank Home . Sgt. Reay John. Cpl. Redden David. Pte. Reed Alfred. Pte. Reed Edward. Pte. Reed Edward John. Pte. Reed Thomas. Pte. Reinecker John Arno. Pte. Richardson Alexander Lester. Pte. Richardson George. Pte. Richardson John Henry. Pte. Richardson Thomas William. Pte. Richmond James Alfred. Pte. Richmond Robert. Pte. Rickaby James Alfred William. Pte. Rigg MM. Tyson. Sgt. Riley Richard. Cpl. Ritson John. Pte. Robers John George. Cpl. Roberts Cyril. Pte. Roberts William. Pte. (d.15th Jun 1917) Robertson Archibald Wilson. Sgt. Robertson Robert. Pte. Robertson Thomas. Pte. Robinson George Cecil. Cpl. Robinson John William. Pte. Robinson John James. Cpl. Robinson L. H.. Pte. Robinson Lawrence Hunter. A/Cpl. Robinson Robert Race. Pte. Robinson Wilson. Cpl. Robson Percy Blackwood. Pte. Robson Thomas. Pte. Robson Thomas Wilson. Pte. Robson William. Pte. Rogers John William. Cpl. Rogers Walter. Pte. (d.16th Dec 1914) Roper William Leonard. Pte. (d.4th May 1917) Rose Joseph. Pte. Rotheram Alfred. Pte. Rotheram Joseph. Sgt. Routledge Harold. Pte. Rowlands John Thomas. Pte. Rushton William Henry. Pte. Russell Alexander. Pte. Russell John Lowther. Pte. Russell John Robert. Pte. Rutherford Thomas. Pte. Rutherford Thomas James. Pte. (d.17th Feb 1918) Saint Clemitt Harrison. Sgt. Salkeld Ernest Lewis. Pte. Salkeld Gerald. Pte. Salkeld Thomas. A/L/Sgt Sanderson James Johnson. Sgt. Sargeant Albert. Pte. Sarginson Francis Edward. Pte. Sayers Tom. Pte. Scarr Robert Nicholson. Pte. Scorer George. Cpl. Scott . Lt. Scott Harold James Walter. Sgt. Scott Henry Arthur. L/Cpl. (d.1st July 1916) Scott John Simpson. Pte. Scott John. Pte. Scougal Herbert. Sgt. Sergeant Charles Raynor. Pte. Severs Joseph. Pte. Sewell William. Pte. Shankie J.. Sharpe William Harrison. A/Sgt. Shaw Alfred Fred. Pte. Shaw Fred Earlam. Pte. Shaw Harry. Pte. Sherritt Albert. Pte. Shields Robert. Cpl. Shipley John. Pte. Siddle DCM. William. Pte. Simmonds James Herbert. Cpl. Simmonds Owen Williams. L/Cpl. Simmons D. S.. Pte. Simpson . Lt. Simpson Charles. Pte. Simpson Joseph Austin. Sgt. Sinclair Frank Hanson. Cpl. Skeene Andrew. Sgt. Slater Thomas. Pte. Smelt Christopher. Pte. Smith Charles. Pte. Smith Ernest. Pte. Smith F.. Cpl. (d.27th Apr 1918) Smith Frederick. Pte. Smith George Victor. Pte. Smith George Clifford. L-Cpl. Smith George. Pte. Smith Harrison. Pte. Smith Harry. Cpl. Smith James Bell. Pte. Smith MM. James Dickenson. Sgt. Smith James William. Pte. Smith John. Pte. Smith Sam. A/Sgt. Smith William Thomas. Pte. Smith William Dawson. Pte. Smurthwaite William. Pte. (d.1st Jul 1916) Snaith Thomas. Pte. Snow Philip Arthur. Cpl. Southern Joseph Harle. Pte. Spalding Henry. Pte. Spark George. Pte. Spence John. Sgt. Spence William. Pte. Spooner Samuel. Pte. Stafford Reginald. Pte. Stanley Harold. Sgt. Stansfield Thomas William. Pte. Steele George Albert. Pte. Stephenson Walter. Pte. Stephenson William. Pte. Stevenson Thomas Alderson. Pte. Stevenson Tom Walker. Pte. Stewart William Thomas. Pte. Stobs Thomas. Pte. Stokoe William. Sgt. Storey Ralph Calder. A/Cpl. Stotheft Thomas Edward. Pte. Stott Bert . Sgt. Stott George. Sgt. Strong John William. Pte. Stubbins Joseph Thomas. Pte. Suttie Albert. Pte. Sutton Levi. Pte. Swainston Percy Bousfield. Pte. Swales William James. Pte. Sweeting Charles Robson. Pte. Swinson Henry. Pte. Synnott Pierce Joseph. Pte. Tait Robert Thomas. Sgt. Tarren William. Sgt. Taylerson Robert. A/L/Cpl. Taylor Herbert Leslie. CQMS Taylor Joseph. Pte. Taylor William. Pte. Taylor William Andrew. L-Cpl. Taylor William. Sgt. Taylor William. Sgt. Teasdale DCM. William. Sgt. Temple Frederick William. Cpl. Thayne James. Pte. Thomas Herbert Arthur. Pte. Thomas Ivor. Cpl. Thomas James William. Cpl. Thompson Ellis. 2nd Lt. (d.18th May 1917) Thompson Harry Abdale. L/Cpl. Thompson Herbert William. L-Cpl. Thompson James Arthur Uren. Thompson John. Pte. Thompson Joseph. Cpl. Thompson Richard Norman. Sgt. Thompson Robert Albert. L-Cpl. Thompson William Wyllard. Pte. Thornton Albert Clennett. Pte. Thornton Charles. Pte. Thubron Cecil Thomas. Pte. Tindale Thomas William. Sgt. Tinkler Charles Albert. Pte. Todd Charles. Pte. Tomlinson Fredrick Anderson. L/Cpl. (d.27th Aug 1918) Tomsett Edward. Pte. Toppin Shirley. Cpl. Topping Robert. Pte. Tose Clinnett Victor. Pte. Trevitt Samuel. Pte. Trisram . Mjr. Trotter Christopher. Pte. Trow Edward Thomas. Pte. Turnbull Richard. A/L/Cpl. (d.1st July 1916) Turner Leslie Dobson. Pte. (d.16th Dec 1914) Tuton George. Pte. Tweddell William. Pte. Vart Paul. Pte. Vasey William Oswald. Pte. Vickers Arthur D.L.. Pte. Vockwich Thomas R.. L/Cpl. Waggott David. Pte. Wakefield Edmund. Sgt. Wakefield Thomas. L/Cpl. Walker Alfred Richard. Pte. (d.1st Mar 1917) Walker Clarence Harcourt. Pte. Walker Frederick. Pte. Walker Frederick Tillotson. Pte. Walker Herbert Leslie. Pte. Walker James. Pte. Walker John. Pte. Walker Levi. Pte. Walker William. Pte. Walker William Metcalf. Pte. Wall John. Pte. Wallace Percy James. Pte. Waller Arthur Appleton. Cpl. Walton John. Pte. Walton Robert. Sgt. Wandless G. J.. Pte. Ward Alfred. Pte. Ward George. Pte. Ward John Gilbert. Pte. Warnock John. Sgt. Warwick Isaac. Sgt. Warwick Jacques William. Pte. Waterhouse Joseph. Pte. Waters Joseph. Pte. Watkin Wilfred. Sgt. Watson James. Pte. Watson John Stanley. Pte. Watson Thomas. Pte. Watson Thomas. Pte. (d.16th September 1917) Watson William Adamson. Pte. Watt Alfred. Cpl. Wear Arthur. Sgt. Wearmouth Frederick Watson. Pte. Wearmouth John Robert. Pte. Wears Robert Stockport. Pte. Weatherall Robert. A/Sgt. Weatherell Walter. Pte. Weatherley William James. Pte. Weaver T. A.. Pte. Weaver Thomas Albert. Pte. (d.1st Aug 1916) Webb Stanley. Pte. Webster Robert. T/Sgt Weighill Herbert. Pte. Wench John George. Cpl. West Frederick. CQMS Wharf Walter. Pte. Wheelwright Robert. Pte. White Alfred. Pte. White Christopher. Pte. Whitfield Joseph. Pte. Whitfield Norman Gregory. Sgt. Wick William John. Pte. Wilkinson Alfred. Pte. Wilkinson Benjamin. Pte. Wilkinson George Arthur. Pte. Wilkinson Joseph. Pte. Wilkinson Raymond Howard. Pte. Wilkinson William. Pte. Willan Walter Edwin. Sgt. Willey Alexander. Pte. Williams James. Pte. Williams John. Pte. Williams Thomas Wynn. Pte. Williamson George Edward. Pte. Wilson Albert. Pte. Wilson Edward Ridley. Cpl. Wilson George. Cpl. Wilson Harry. Pte. (d.20th Apr 1918) Wilson John Herbert. Pte. Wilson John James. Pte. Wilson John. Pte. Wilson John Robert. Pte. Wilson Robert. Pte. Wilson Robert. Pte. Wilson Tom. RQMS Wilson William Worthington. L/Sgt. Wilson William Arnold. Pte. Wise John. Pte. Wise Sydney. Pte. Witham Harold. Pte. Witton William. Pte. Wood Andrew Robert. Cpl. Woodhouse John. Pte. Woodward Alfred. L/Cpl. Woodward Thomas. Pte. Wray Robert. Pte. Wrench Thomas Gibson. Pte. Wright Albert Benjamin. A/Sgt. Wright George Hudson. Pte. Yellow Tom. Pte. Yorke James Ernest. Pte. Young MM. Robert Thornton. Sgt. Young William. Cpl. Young William. Pte. Younger Thomas. Sgt. All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List Records of 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry from other sources. The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website. 1st of September 2024 marks 25 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. 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We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations.    George Hall Greenwell 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry My great grandfather, George Hall Greenwell, was born in Witton Gilbert, County Durham, in 1892 and lived there until 1927. The rest of his life was spent in Langley Park where he worked as Engine Plain Man at the local colliery. His health and memory never failed and he died quite suddenly and peacefully at the age of ninety-two. In the great surge of patriotism in the summer of 1914 he joined the newly formed 18th Durham Light Infantry, the 'Pals' Batallion. The men spent 1915 on the Middle East Front in Egypt, 1916 in the lines training for and taking part in the Battle of the Somme, the greatest military disaster in the whole of British history. 1917 and 1918 were spent on numerous other parts of the Western Front. The four years were packed with hardship and tragedy beyond belief. Only the lucky ones survived. Jessica Whiting Add to this record.   Corporal William Frederick Gill 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th April 1918) William Gill was my grandmother’s brother. He was born in the North East of England, to a family originally from Cornwall, who had moved to work in the coal mines, when copper mining went into decline. On both the 1901 and 1911 census the family were living in Herrington, a small mining village about 4 miles from Sunderland. I can only assume that he attended the local school and eventually followed his father in the mines. 1911 census lists him as working as a Weightmans Clerk. In January 1915 he enlisted into the Durham Light Infantry and was placed in the 18th Battalion. I understand that they were called the Durham Pals. I have no aural or written history, but I do have a photograph, which has been passed through the family, of a military unit of the DLI sitting in front of what I understand is Cocken Hall near Finchale. I think he is the young man sitting to the right of the commanding officer on the front row. I know nothing of his military service, other than I have a copy of the 18th Battalion war diary, which begins in Egypt. They were plunged into the thick of the conflict with the diary entries noting everything from trench foot to shell shock and their time on the Somme. But it was the day’s surrounding William’s death on 12th of April 1918 that I wanted to find out more about. It would seem that the battalion were in the area around Hazebrouck in April 1918. The war diary paints a very confused picture of orders changing almost by the hour, parts of the company not receiving these orders, friendly fire and the attempt to hold a position near a major road and rail junction. The 12th of April diary entry covers several pages and notes many casualties with each company losing about 60 men, including the loss of 3 officers who were left behind as the companies moved on. I believe William was one of these causalities as his body was never recovered and he is now remembered on the Ploegsteert Monument in Belgium. Sandra Walker Add to this record.   Pte. Joseph Anderson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Joe Anderson was wounded in the arm on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Add to this record.   Pte. John Scott 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry "‘Twas easy enough at Gezancourt – thirty kilometres from the line – To bray the enemy from the Somme and drive him back to the Rhine. For there with the line of our advance mapped out on the level ground, Day after day, “D” Company was reg’larly mucked around “Over there’s supposed to be Gommecourt (them trees with the feathery tops). Yonder’s Serre Wood, and over here our objective-Pendant Copse!” And every day we signallers on Pendant Copse would stand, Signalling back to GHQ “Objectives gained as planned!” But “D” Company knew they had something on – them and 18th West Yorks – When the big push started on the Somme to give old Fritz the works. Aye, every night, and all night long, while the regiment lay at Courcelles, Lorries in convoy came rolling through bringing up loads of shells Through that dark village street with clanking of chains over the bumpy ground Where in billets we’re snatching uneasy sleep, with the rats a-scuttling around! Then a night or two before the attack (in Bus Woods then we stayed) Some of us met behind our shack and under the trees we prayed! Back home they said ‘twas a righteous cause! That King and Country claimed; And we, who took it seriously, were scarcely to be blamed. Don’t ask me what we prayed about; since then I’ve often prayed; “No, not for safety Lord, but help me not to be afraid!” So we take the road for Colincamps one night as the sun goes down. Scouting “Taubes” fly overhead – the warning whistle’s blown! Hedges afford scant cover, where we crouch with anxious eye, Convinced that not a move escapes that watcher in the sky! Darkness! From earth and sandbags comes the now familiar stench, As we grope and stumble down the long communication trench. Then it’s “Pass the word to mind the wire!” “Loose board here!” “Lift your feet!” And it’s “Watch your step!” (on them coggly stones going down Sackville Street) Now scrambling over awkward spots where the trench has been smashed in. With a shudder, at what might come to ‘us’ before the day begin.” Pte John Scott, 18th DLI writing shortly after the 1st of July 1916. Add to this record.   Pte. George Maurice Featherstone 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry George Featherstone, was born in West Hartlepool in 1898. He enlisted on 27th August 1914 aged 16 in the 18th Battalion DLI (Durham Pals). He later transferred 3rd Battalion DLI (Tyneside Garrison). He was posted to France in Dec 1915 with the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He saw action at Delville Wood, the battle of Flers-Courcelette, Battle of Arras, Battle of Ypres & Menin Road. George suffered gunshot wounds to his left thigh in August 1917. He returned to France in Jan 1918 & joined the 18th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He was wounded again late in March 1918 with gunshot wounds to the buttocks. He returned home 30th March. He was transferred to the Machine Gun Corp in 1918 and was discharged on the 26th August 1920, He served a full 6 years. In 1933 he rejoined the army, the Royal Engineers and went to France with the BEF on the 9th of September 1939. He was evacuated and returned home on the 2nd June 1940, two days before Dunkirk fell. In 1941 he was posted to Iceland for 5 months. In October 1942 he was posted to North Africa with the 1st Army for Operation Torch and served in Tunisia & Algeria. Add to this record.   2nd Lt. Ellis Thompson 18th Btn. D Coy. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th May 1917) Ellis Thompson was born on 10th of July 1896, to William Thompson, a butcher, and his wife Mary, living and working in Elswick, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Ellis attended Barnard Castle School for three years from 1909, where he was in York House and played football and cricket for the second house XI. He enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers in August 1914, he served with the 4th Btn. and was wounded in April 1915 and killed in action near Arras in 1917 with D Company, 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry. Aged 20, he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. Add to this record.   Lt. Scott 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Lt Scott was an old boy of Barnard Castle school. Add to this record.   L/Cpl. Francis Derwent Lockey 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd May 1916) Frank Lockey was born in Durham on 13th of December 1881, to Francis and Grace Lockey. He attended Barnard Castle school, from 1894-1896 and won the 220 yard handicap. He worked in the family business, a grocer and provision merchants before enlisting in September 1914. He trained at Cocken Hall near Durham and was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in April 1915. Frank was killed in action on the 23rd of May 1916 and is buried in Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps. Add to this record.   Sgt. John Duke 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916) John Duke was born in 1892 in New Herrington, he had 5 brothers and 2 sisters. His father was a Waggonwright. John went to Northern Skelton Colliery School until he was 14 in 1906 he was admitted to the Durham Johnston School. He was on the school football team. He was a pupil teacher at age 18, then studied at Bede College and became a school teacher at Dubmire County School, Houghton-le-Spring. John Duke enlisted with the 18th Battalion DLI, Regimental Number No 2510 He trained at Cocken Hall, became a machine gunner and was promoted to Sergeant. He went with the 18th Battalion to Eqypt in Dec 1915 where the Battalion were engaged in much construction work. As a machine gunner, John was transferred to 93rd Coy, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) Regtl No (22764). He died on the 1st July 1916, aged 24 - on first day of the First Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave, and is named on Thiepval Memorial and remembered on the Durham Johnston School War Memorial. Add to this record.   Pte. Peter Smith Brown 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry Peter Smith Brown attested 17/9/14. He was stationed at Hartlepool during the bombardment. He was commissioned Temp 2/Lt 19/8/17 Add to this record.   Pte. Tom Dobson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.23rd Mar 1918) Tom Dobson was 27 years old when he was killed whilst serving with the 11th Battalion DLI, remembered on the Pozieres Memorial he was the husband of Dora, she later remarried becoming Mrs Snaith of 67 Roker Avenue, Sunderland Add to this record.   Pte. Willie Dixon 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th Sep 1916) Willie Dixon aged 27 was lost whilst serving with the 14th DLI, remembered on the Thiepval Memorial he was the son of Elizabeth and the late John Dixon; husband of Elizabeth Jane Dixon, of 31 Topcliffe St., West Hartlepool. Add to this record.   Pte. Frederick William Dixon 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Oct 1916) Frederick Dixon lost his life whilst serving with A Coy, 14th Battalion DLI, aged 21 he was the son of William and Annie Dixon, of 1 Walker Terrace, Harrowgate Hill, Darlington, Co. Durham and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Add to this record.   Pte. Frederick Dickens 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916) Frederick Dickens was the 20 year old son of Walter Dickens, of 32 Devonshire St., Sunderland, and the late Hannah Dickens. Frederick is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Add to this record.   Pte. A. L. Dawson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916) Pte A Dawson served with the 18th and 15th Btns, Orignially lying at map reference 27b 8.8, his remains were recovered by 21st Labour Coy on the 31st of July 1919 and reburied in Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers la Boisselle Add to this record.   Pte. Charles Davies 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.1st Jul 1916) Charles Davies was the son of Mr. T. J. and Mrs. C. K. Davies, of Bolton Grove, Seaton Carew, Co. Durham. An Articled Chartered Accountant, he was 22 years old and is rememebered on theTheipval Memorial. Add to this record.   L/Cpl. Arthur Alexander K. Davidson 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.18th May 1917) Arthur Davidson was he 25 year old son of Robert John and Jane Davidson, of 55, Hawthorne Avenue, Cleadon Park, South Shields. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial. Add to this record.   L-Cpl. John Dalkin 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.25th Sep 1918) John Dalkin served with the 18th and 14th Battalions, he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Add to this record.   L-Cpl. William Culbert 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.29th Jun 1918) William Culbert was 28 years old when he was killed, he is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial. He was the husband of Caroline Culbert, of 4 Kells Buildings, Nevilles Cross, Durham. Add to this record.   Pte. A. B. Crawford 18th Btn. Durham Light Infantry (d.12th Feb 1918) Pte Crawford is buried in Roclincourt Military Cemetery Add to this record. Recomended Reading. Available at discounted prices. Dawn Raid: Bombardment of the Hartlepools J M Ward An excellent account of the naval bombardment on the 16th of December 1914. More information on: Dawn Raid: Bombardment of the Hartlepools Guns of the Northeast: Coastal Defences from the Tyne to the Humber Joe Foster A detailed study of the coastal defences of North East England, including accounts of the bombardment of the East coast in 1914, with many excellent photgraphs and diagrams. More information on: Guns of the Northeast: Coastal Defences from the Tyne to the Humber Bombardment: The Day the East Coast Bled Mark Marsay A well researched book with many personal accounts of the events of the 16th of December 1914 More information on: Bombardment: The Day the East Coast Bled Durham Pals: 18th, 19th, 20th and 22nd Battalions of the Durham Light Infantry in the Great War John Sheen The Durham Pals were the volunteer Geordie battalions of the Durham Light Infantry raised in the north-east in the Great War. The 18th Durhams had the proud distinction of being the first unit of Kitchener's New Armies to come under enemy fire before even leaving Blighty when German ships shelled Hartlepool in December 1914. The 19th were raised as Bantams ( men blow the minimum height requirement) ; the 20th (Wearside) hailed from Sunderland; while the 22nd was the last raised - and fought through the hard battles of 1918. After their baptism of fire while training in Hartlepool, the 18th were seriously blooded on July 1st 1916 as the battle of the Somme opened, when they fought in support of the Leeds and Bradford Pals. After fighting in the successful Messines offensive in June 1917 the 20th were sent to the Italian front; while the 19th distinguished themselves in Flanders during the final Allied advance of 1918. This book pay tribute to them all. More information on: Durham Pals: 18th, 19th, 20th and 22nd Battalions of the Durham Light Infantry in the Great War Links Recruitment of the Pals The Cocken Hall Project Suggest a link

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