16th October 1914 On this day:  In Harbour Wounded Belgians arrive in London   A hush had fallen over the London Hospital once the preparations had been completed. All the night staff gathered on the steps in the garden waiting to recieve the wounded. News of their arrival at Charring Cross was conveyed by telephone and shortly afterwards they began to arrive by car, walking wounded first, stretcher cases followed. The men had been evacuated from the Anwerp Hospital under German Bombardment and endured a difficult journey to the coast with little food or water and no one to change their dressings. 300 wounded were washed, changed fed and settled into the beds of The London Hospital under the care of the medical staff. Across London, St Thomas's and Guys were in the same situation. With over 15,000 cases abord the Hospital ships, the Auxiliary Hospitals and the VAD's were mobilised to accept their first soldiers. On the Move   On the 16th of October No.6 Squadron moved to Poperinghe Aerodrome. Six Squadron’s work was primarily the observation for the artillery engaged on counter battery work, recording enemy troops movements and the mapping enemy trench positions. It played a large part in the Battle of Ypres despite constant attacks from the German air force and anti-aircraft fire, equipped with a variety of aircraft types, but principally the BE2. Holts Battlefield Guide 2 Life Guards march through Ypres   2 Life Guards marched at 7.30 am in a white fog as Advanced Guard to the Brigade through the very slippery streets of Ypres, now full of French troops and scouted round Westroosebeke, ultimately halting there, while ay 3 pm O’Neill and his squadron scouted towards Oostnieuwkerke. Lt. Sir P Brocklehurst and a patrol of 1st Life Guards reported a German Maxim about 2 miles out on the Westroosebeke, Hooglede road. About 4 pm O’Neill reported that a farm about 1/2 miles S W of Oostniewkerke was strongly held by Germans and that in approaching it Lt Sir Robin Duff had been killed. At 4 pm, I sent Belper’s squadron to support O’Neill on the left and myself took Ashton’s squadron to strengthen O’Neill. I found the country quite flat but thickly dotted with cottages, farms and small woods, one being of considerable size. At 5.30 pm I worked up towards the farm whence Duff had been killed, but found it in a clearing with no cover for 500 yards all round. We came under fire from 3 directions, front left flank and rear, and as it was nearly dark I collected my squadrons and retired to Westroosebeke. There was considerable sniping from the cottages, and one cyclist was shot through the hand when catching up his squadron. Belper claims to have killed 12 Germans, and the man who shot Duff was also killed. The Regiment was left to billet in Westroosebeke, while the remainder of the Brigade went to Paschendaele, which is not a pleasant billet, and did not feel at all secure in such a big straggling village with so small a force. War Diary  In Position  Into Position Further Action   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA marched at 0730. Lt Maxwell went on with Greys. Again had a little close shooting near Comines. Remaining four guns after a long halt about Garde Dieu came into action. Fired at trenches South West of Bas Warneton and at latter. Were then taken on by General Gough to river bank just west of Warneton when engaged trenches south of river. Snipers in houses at a range of 700 yards so moved back a little as almost impossible to fire at this short range among houses. Fired again at trenches east of town. Sent three guns back to billets after dark. Took one gun with Lt Walwynn into town, running along street in dark by hand fired point blank at a barricade, about 10 rounds enabling 16th Lancers to take it. Then ran gun up to barricade in middle of town where wanted but couldn't get in due to heavy maxim rifle fire from right angle street. Withdrew gun and returned to billets in Wytschete at 2100. No casualties though the 16th Lancers were falling all around us. Soon after we left they were driven out of Warneton by greatly superior forces. war diaries  Ongoing Action  1st East Lancs on the move  1st North Staffs Entrench  German Hordes  Not Very Safe  Heroism  On the March  On the March  On the March  Defensive Positions  Advance Continues  On the Move  On the March  Difficult Relief  Advance in foggy conditions  On the Move  Refreshments  Wards  Attack Made  Exchange of Fire  Snipers  Enemy Patrol  On the March  Into the Line  Inspection  Line Advanced  On the March  Empty German Trenches  On the March  In Reserve  Reliefs  Advance  Move Forward  Equipment Can you add to this factual information? Do you know the whereabouts of a unit on a particular day? Do you have a copy of an official war diary entry? Details of an an incident? The loss of a ship? A letter, postcard, photo or any other interesting snipts? If your information relates only to an individual, eg. enlistment, award of a medal or death, please use this form: Add a story.

Killed, Wounded, Missing, Prisoner and Patient Reports published this day. This section is under construction.

Want to know more about 16th of October 1914? There are:40 items tagged 16th of October 1914 available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.

Remembering those who died this day, 16th of October 1914. Lt. Robert George Vivian Duff. Life Guards Read their Story. Lt. Robert George Vivian Duff. 2nd Life Guards Read their Story. Add a name to this list.

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