11th Infantry Brigade in the Great War - The Wartime Memories Project -

11th Infantry Brigade

18th Aug 1914 Concentration

19th Aug 1914 Concentration

26th August 1914 In Action

26th Aug 1914 Shellfire

27th August 1914 Retreat from Action

27th Aug 1914 Enemy Advance

27th August 1914 On the Move

28th Aug 1914 Enemy Advance

28th Aug 1914 On the March

29th August 1914 Further retreat

29th Aug 1914 In Action

29th Aug 1914 On the March

30th August 1914 Continued withdrawals  At 6am on the 30th August, Major Green's party rejoined 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment (they had gone via Peronne) and the battalion marched via Carlepont and Bailly before which a halt of 2 hours was made for food. The march resumed via Tracy-Le-Mont and Bernevil to a railway crossing where another long halt was made. Then marched on via Trolsy, Brevil and Fontenoy, entering the edge of the forest of Compiegne just as it grew dark, a very tiring march. (One or two parties of Uhlans (German Cavalry)were supposed to be in the woods). We reached Pierrefonds at 2300 and, as it was rumoured that there was smallpox in the village, billeted in the streets.
1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1

30th Aug 1914 Rear Guard

30th of August 1914 A Hot March

30th Aug 1914 On the March

31st August 1914 Outpost positions

31st Aug 1914 Rear Guard

31st August 1914 Continued withdrawals

31st Aug 1914 On the March

1st September 1914 Further Action

1st Sep 1914 Rear Guard

1st Sep 1914 A Rude Awakening

1st Sep 1914 Withdrawal

1st Sep 1914 On the March

1st Sep 1914 On the March

2nd September 1914 Further retreat

2nd Sep 1914 Rear Guard

2nd Sep 1914 Withdrawal

2nd Sep 1914 On the March

3rd Sep 1914 Rear Guard

3rd of September 1914 Across the Marne

3rd Sep 1914 On the March

4th September 1914 Relocation

4th Sep 1914 Rear Guard

4th Sep 1914 On the March

4th Sep 1914 At Rest

5th September 1914 Rear guard retires

5th Sep 1914 Rear Guard

6th Sep 1914 Advance Guard

6th Sep 1914 On the March

7th September 1914 Further moves

7th Sep 1914 Advance Guard

7th Sep 1914 On the March

8th Sep 1914 Advance Guard

9th September 1914 Battle of Marne

9th Sep 1914 Bridging

10th September 1914 Battle of Marne

10th of September 1914 Marching

12th September 1914 On the March

12th Sep 1914 On the March

13th September 1914 Continued Advance

13th Sep 1914 On the March

14th September 1914 Ongoing actions

15th Sep 1914 Shelling

16th Sep 1914 Reorganisation

17th September 1914

17th Sep 1914 Shelling

18th Sep 1914 Reorganisation

1st October 1914 Quiet spell

8th Oct 1914 On the March

9th Oct 1914 On the March

13th Oct 1914 On the March

17th Oct 1914 In Reserve

18th October 1914 Relief action

18th Oct 1914 On the March

21st Oct 1914 In Action

22nd Oct 1914 Shelling

30th Oct 1914 Enemy attacks repulsed

30th Oct 1914 Under Shellfire

30th Oct 1914 Attack Made

31st Oct 1914 Attack Made

1st Nov 1914 Bombardment

7th Nov 1914 Continued Action

7th Nov 1914 Night Work

22nd Nov 1914 Reinforcements

1st Dec 1914 Royal Visit  1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment enjoy a quiet time from the 1st to 18th of December, with occasional shelling.
On the 2nd December, B coy under Lieutenants Wade and Parker was inspected by H.M the King at Pont De Nieppe. Lt Col Lawrence as acting Brigadier was in command of the 11th Infantry Brigade parade.
Capt C. Fletcher was wounded on the 3rd and Lt Col Lawrence rejoined the battalion on the 10th. On the 11th December the war diary records: D. Bent was awarded the Victoria Cross. (Drummer Spencer John Bent - see below). Capt G.M. Smith was wounded on the 15th.
Spencer John Bent VC, MM (18 March 1891, 3 May 1977) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was 23 years old and a drummer in the 1st Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On the night of 1/2 November 1914 near Le Gheer, Belgium, when his officer, the platoon sergeant and a number of men had been struck down, Drummer Bent took command of the platoon and with great presence of mind and coolness succeeded in holding the position. He had previously distinguished himself on two occasions, on 22 and 24 October by bringing up ammunition under heavy shell and rifle fire. Again, on 3 November, he brought into cover some wounded men who were lying, exposed to enemy fire, in the open.
He later achieved the rank of Regimental Sergeant-Major. He survived the war and died on 3 May 1977. Bent was cremated at West Norwood Cemetery, London. Bent's VC, along with his Military Medal and Russian Cross of St. George was sold at auction in June 2000 for £80,000. His VC is on display in the Lord Ashcroft Gallery at the Imperial War Museum, London.
1st East Lancs war diary WO95/1498/1

5th December 1914 Quiet

9th Dec 1914 Trench Work

9th December 1914 Uniforms

18th Dec 1914 Wet Weather

19th Dec 1914 British attack

19th Dec 1914 Attack Made

19th Dec 1914 Attack Made

1st Jan 1915 Canvas Huts

13th of March 1915 Booby Trap

16th of March 1915 No Hostile Patrols

19th Mar 1915 Change of Routine

20th of March 1915

31st Mar 1915 Quiet

5th Apr 1915 Reliefs

7th Apr 1915 On the March

11th Apr 1915 Reliefs

23rd Apr 1915 Orders

25th Apr 1915 Confusion

26th Apr 1915 Confusion

27th Apr 1915 Reinforcements

28th Apr 1915 Counter Attack

29th Apr 1915 Line Extended

30th Apr 1915 Under Shellfire

1st May 1915 Shelling

2nd May 1915 Shelling

3rd May 1915 Orders

4th May 1915 Withdrawal

5th May 1915 Orders

13th May 1915 Orders

14th May 1915 7th Northumberlands into Trenches

14th May 1915 Orders

14th May 1915 Instruction

14th May 1915 Divisional Reserve  At 11:30am Orders received from 50th Division placing 149th Brigade under the orders of the 4th Division. Brigade Major to report at 4th Division H.Q. for orders.
At 1.30pm In accordance with verbal instruction from 4th Division Battalions of the Brigade were attached as under G.Brigades of the 4th Division. 6th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers to the 11th Brigade. 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers to the 12th Brigade. 5th Border Reg. to the 10th Brigade. The 6th and 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers had proceeded during the preceding night to join their respective Brigades and orders for the move of the 5th Border Reg. would be issued later in the day also instructions as to the disposal of the remaining two Battalions (4th and 5th Northumberland Fusiliers ) of the Brigade.
At 5.40pm Orders received for movement of 5th Border Regiment One company to report at 1900 with machine gun section to R. Warwick Regiment in chateau grounds H2b. One Company to Argyll and Sutherland in Vlamertinghe. One company to Seaforth in B27A. Orders for more of remaining Companies would be sent next day.
At 5.50pm Orders issued personally to O.C. 5th Border Reg. as to above moves. Orders issued to 4th and 5th Northumberland Fusiliers to supply the following working parties to report at 8pm at level crossing in H11 centre where they would be met by guides. 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (Party B 200 men with 180 shovels and 20 picks. 5th Battalion N.F. (Party A 150 men with 140 shovels and 10 picks. (Party C 50 men with 45 shovels.) Also at 5.50pm Orders received from 4th Division confirming verbal orders given to Brigade Major at 1.30pm and placing the 4th and 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers in Divisional reserve under Brigadier General Feilding D.S.O.
At 7pm Orders were issued in accordance with above.
149th Brigade war diary

16th May 1915 7th Northumberlands Relieved

16th May 1915 Reliefs

17th May 1915 In Support

18th of May 1915 Letter

19th May 1915 Reliefs

20th May 1915 Working Parties and Reorganisation

23rd May 1915 Working Parties

24th of May 1915 Holding the line

26th May 1915 In the Trenches

27th May 1915 Orders

28th May 1915 Instruction

29th May 1915 Instruction

30th May 1915 Instruction

31st of May 1915 "Careful Watch" Kept

7th Jun 1915 Recce

July 1915 Appointments

11th of September 1915 Moves

4th of November 1915 More Moves

2nd of February 1916 Moving to the Trenches

18th Mar 1916 Reliefs

26th Apr 1916 Trench Work

1st Jul 1916 Attack Made

1st Jul 1916 Over the Top

1st July 1916 Bombardment

3rd August 1916 Working Party to the C.R.E.

22nd December 1916 33rd Battalion AIF Operation order number No. 7  33rd Battalion A.I.F.
Operation order no. 7
By
Lieut-Col LJ Morshead
Commanding
Map reference sheet No. 36. N.W. 1/20,000
Armentières, 22nd December 1916
Relief
1. The 33rd Battalion will be relieved in the L'Epinette sector by 44th Battalion and will move back to reserve in the Steenwerck area, becoming "H" Battalion. Relief will commence and be completed on 23rd inst.
Route
2. Troops will pass starting point at I.1.d.30.65. according to timetable below, and will follow the road along Rue Nationale, Rue de Dunkerque, thence to cross road B.36.a.90, 5 thence south west to Railway Crossing B.28.b.20.65, thence south west to road intersection G.6.d.25.6 thence north west by Le Soquemeau (?) to Steenwerck. Timetable
3. Unit: D Co., Scouts, Stretcher Bearers pass starting point: 9 am
Unit: C Co., Signallers, Pioneers pass starting point: 9:6 am
Unit: B Co., A Co., Bombing Platoon pass starting point: 9.17 am
Unit: HQ Lewis gun section pass starting point: 9:24 am
Unit: Regimental transport pass starting point: 9:30 am
Order of March
4.D Co. will pass the starting point at 9 am and will be followed by C, A and B Co.s in that order., at intervals at five minutes thereafter. This must be maintained between by using connecting files, which will close up when a rear Company disengages to its billets.
Precaution
5. Every precaution must be taken against hostile observation, both aerial and from ground line. Companies must give way to parties of the 11th Brigade moving to Armentières.
Halts
6. There will be no halt for midday meal. A halt of 10 minutes before each hour will be made. When Companies are halted steps must be taken not to impede any other traffic.
Watches
7. Companies must arrange to have synchronised at Battalion headquarters at 8:15 am on 23rd inst.
Officers' Kit
8. These must not exceed the regulation weight of 55lbs each, and the kits must be stacked at company billets by 7 am on 23rd inst.
Mess kits ATC
9. All men's kits and field kitchens to be ready for transport at 8 am. The latter to be placed so that teams can be hooked in without delay.
Blankets
10. Blankets will be rolled in bundles of 10 and stacked at company billets where they will be collected by regimental transport and dumped at QM store from whence motor transport will remove same to billets.
Transport
11. Transport officer will arrange to collect Officers kits, mess gear, kitchens and water carts. Kits and officers mess gear will be dumped at QM store, No. 36 Rue de Lille by 9 am on 23rd inst.
Kitchens and water carts will move in rear of B Co. and pass the starting point at 9:30 am.
One kitchen will be left at each company's billet and one water cart left for use of A and B companies, and the other for Cand D companies.
Dress
12. Full marching order, greatcoats in pack with waterproof sheet under the flap. Steel helmets will be carried between supporting straps on pack. Mess tins on top of pack.
Rations
13. A midday ration will be carried in the haversack, but must not be eaten until arrival at new billets. Water bottles must be filled before the march. Tea dixies on the kitchen must be filled and fires kept burning so to provide hot tea for the men on arrival at billets.
Billets
14. Before marching out company commanders or senior officer in charge will render to billeting officer a certificate as to cleanliness of billets and extent of damage (if any) which has occurred during occupancy of billets.
(Signed) RC Jones. 2/Lieut.
Adjutant. 33rd Battalion AIF
Copy No. 1. 9th infantry brigade
2. CO
3. A Co.
4. B Co.
5. C Co.
6. D Co.
7. Lewis gun officer
8. Signalling officer
9. Regimental medical officer
10.Transport officer
11.Quartermaster
12.File
13.War diary

33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary

28th April 1917 In position to Attack Greenland Hill

19th August 1917 Amendment to Operational Order No.1.

27th Sep 1917 Instructions

29th Sep 1917 Instructions

3rd Oct 1917 Orders

3rd Oct 1917 Instructions

3rd Oct 1917 Instructions

3rd Oct 1917 Instructions

3rd Oct 1917 Instructions

4th of April 1918 Hostile Shelling

10th of April 1918 Under Attack

11th of April 1918 Quiet...and then...

13th of April 1918 Under Heavy Attack

15th of April 1918 A Quiet Day

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Cutbush Charles. Pte. 1st Btn. (d.3rd May 1915)

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256674

Pte. Charles Cutbush 1st Btn. Rifle Brigade (d.3rd May 1915)

Entrenched Between Devils Cross Roads and Douchy Farm, half a mile north of Zonnebeke. Charles Cutbush was killed in the Second Battle of Ypres and is Honoured on The Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. He still remains entrenched with his comrades till this day, not known to his grandchildren but never forgotten.
Peter Cutbush

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11th Infantry Brigade

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11th Infantry Brigade

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Those known to have served with
11th Infantry Brigade
during the Great War 1914-1918.