SECRET

ACKNOWLEDGE

Appendix IV

Copy No ***

55^th Divnl Arty No A.1103 

O.C. 1^st W. Lancs Bde R.F.A.

O.C. 2^nd W. Lancs Bde R.F.A

O.C. 3^rd W. Lancs Bde R.F.A

O.C. 4^th W. Lancs Bde R.F.A

O.C. 14^th Brigade R.F.A.

Town Major SAULTY

O.C. 9^th Battery R.G.A

O.C. 114^th Battery R.G.A

The following moves will take place to-morrow 8^th March 1916

1. All Brigades Ammn Columns at SAULTY to SOMBRIN

1^st W. Lancs Ammn. Column to be clear of SAULTY10 a.m.

2^nd  W. Lancs Ammn. Column to be clear of SAULTY 10.30 a.m.

3^rd W. Lancs Ammn. Column to be clear of SAULTY 11.0 a.m.

4^th W. Lancs Ammn. Column to be clear of SAULTY 11.30 a.m.

14^th Brigade Ammn. Column to be clear of SAULTY 12 noon.

ROUTE :- Direct to SOMBRIN.

Billeting parties to report to Staff Captain R.A. 55^th Division at 9 a.m. on the 8^th March at SOMBRIN opposite the Church.

1. Lieut. Marshall R.F.A. will hand over the duties of Town Major at SAULTY to an officer from 166^th Infantry Brigade and will take over the duties of Town Major at SOMBRIN from 12 noon on 8^th instant.
2. The following units will remain at their present positions until further orders:-Wagon Lines of 9^th Heavy Battery R.G.A. at BAVINCOURT

Wagon Lines of 114^th Heavy Battery R.G.A. at LAHERLIERE

Captain

Staff Captain

55^th (WL) Divnl Artillery

7^th March 1916

Post card

152 High Street

Southend on Sea

March 6^th 16

Dear Father

I thought of coming home next Saturday for the week-end if you have not made any other arrangements.  I shall arrive between 4 & 5 o’clock.  Please let me know as soon as possible if convenient.

Of course if anything should happen to prevent me from coming in connection with the army I will let you know at once.

With much love

Alf

SECRET

Appendix III

Copy No 11

55^th (West Lancs:) Divisional Artillery

Order No 10

5^th March 1916

Reference Trench Map

1/10,000 Sheet FICHEUX

1. On the night of 6/7^th March one Section 12^th Lancs Battery will move to position at R.31.c.3.2. and commence registration on 7^th March to enfilade enemy trenches in R.30.M25 M19 and M20.
2. For this purpose O.C. W.L.F.A. Bde and Centre Group Commander will place their existing communications at disposal of Right Group Commander until permanent communication is established.
3. Centre Group Commander will arrange for preparation of positions in R.27a, to be occupied by a section of 18 prs.       This Section will register trenches in R.30, M.25. M19 and M.20 for oblique and enfilade fire.

Section detailed and date of occupation to be reported to this Office.

1. Benson

Major R.A.

Brigade Major

55^th (W.L.) Divnl Artillery.

Issued at 5.15 p.m.

Copy no    1.  Right Group Comdr. (1^st W.L. F.A. Bde.)

2. Centre Group Comdr (2^nd W.L. F.A. Bde.)
3. Left Group Comdr (3^rd W.L. F.A. Bde.)
4. 4^th W.L. F.A. Bde.
5. 55^th Division (G)
6. 7^th Corps Artillery
7. Staff Captain
8. File
9. Signals.  55^th Division
10. War Diary
11. War Diary
12. 164^th Inf Bde
13. 165^th Inf Bde.
14. 166^th Inf Bde

SECRET

Appendix II

Copy No 14

55^th (West Lancs:) Divisional Artillery

Order No 9

4-3-16

Ref Maps 1/20,000 sheet 51c S.E.

1/100,000 sheet 11 LENS

1. In accordance with instructions from 7^th Corps, the 4^th North Midland F.A. Bde (How) will be withdrawn from the 55^th Division, and will march to FREVENTto rejoin the 46^th Division
2. B/85^th Battery (from 4^th West Lancs How Bde R.F.A.) will replace it in the Left Group and will take over the positions occupied by the 1^st and 2^nd Derby Batteries as follows:-

On the night 5/6^th March

One section B/85^th Battery will relieve Right section 2^nd Derby Battery at R9a9.3.

One section B/85^th Battery will relieve Left Section 1^st Derby Battery at R9b5.5.

Sections of 1^st and 2^nd Derby Batteries will on relief move to wagon lines.

On 6^th March at 7 p.m. remaining sections 1^st and 2^nd Derby Batteries will vacate their positions and move to wagon lines.

No movement of vehicles from wagon lines at MONCHIET will be made before 5.45 p.m. on each night.

1. O.C. B/85^th Battery will take over command of his sections at new positions at 7 p.m. on 6^th February (March) under the direct tactical control of the Left Group Commander.
2. O.C. 4^th North Midland (How) F.A. Bde will leave all telephone communications as they stand. The Left Group Commander will arrange for direct communication from B/85^th Battery to Left Group H.Q.
3. at and from 7 p.m. 6^th March B/85^th Battery will be under O.C. 14^th Bde R.F.A. for administration and discipline. Section 85^th Bde Ammn Column will be attached to 14^th Bde Ammn Column at and from the same hour.
4. On March 7^th 4^th North Midland (How) F.A. Bde will march under Brigade arrangements to new area. Route and destination will be notified later. Detachment 46^th Div Ammn Column (attached 55^th D.A.C.) will accompany it.

1. Benson

Major R.A.

Brigade Major

55^th Divisional Arty.

Issued at 8.30 p.m.

Copy no    1.  Right Group Comdr. 1^st W.L. F.A. Bde.

2. Centre Group Comdr 2^nd W.L. F.A. Bde.
3. Left Group Comdr 3^rd W.L. F.A. Bde.
4. 4^th W.L. (How) F.A. Bde.
5. 4^th N. M. F.A. Bde.
6. 14^th Bde. R.F.A.
7. 55^th Div. Amm. Col.
8. 55^th Div (G)
9. 7^th Corps Artillery
10. Staff Captain
11. File
12. Signals
13. War Diary.
14. War Diary.
15. 164^th Inf Bde.
16. 165^th Inf Bde.
17. 166^th Inf Bde.

WAR DIARY

Of

17^th F.A. Brigade

29^th Divisional Artillery

February 1916

Place       Date    Hour                                                Summary of Events and Information

LIST of OFFICERS serving with 17^th F.A. Brigade on 29-2-16

Headquarters

Lieut A.E.G. Leadbetter a/Adjutant

Captain H. Harris R.A.M.C.

Captain Magill A.V.C.

26^th Battery                                                                             92^nd Battery                                         13^th Battery

Captain D. Daly (Commanding)                                             Lieutenant J.E. Mocatta                      Captain R.S. Leach

2/Lieut H.R. Remmington                                                      Lieut R. Marx                                     Lieut H.T. Clare

2/Lieut R. Chalkley                                                                 2/Lieut M. Sleilt                                  2/Lieut D.M. Ely

2/Lieut J.H.S. Faixley                                                             2/Lieut R.M. Dale                               2/Lieut W. Dalziel

2/Lieut. T.C. Ratsey

17^th Bde Amm Column

Major T. Hagan

2/Lieut A.J. King

2/Lieut A.W. Pewtress

2/Lieut R.W. Williams

On leave to ENGLAND Colonel W.P. Monkhouse C.M.G., M.V.O. (Commanding)

• Major R.C. Williams 92^nd Battery

Officers who left 17^th Brigade during February 1916

CAPTAIN T.S. MALCOMSON R.F.A. sick to hospital, SUEZ.

2/Lieut H.R. Emery R.F.A. to 460^th (How) Battery.

Officers who joined 17^th Brigade during February 1916

2/Lieut R.M. Dale from “B” Battery R.H.A. (15^th Bde)

Captain Magill A.V.C. joined 23-2-16 vice **** last seen when he left C.HELLES.

2/Lieut A.T. King, 17^th BAC from hospital 26-2-16

A.E.G. Leadbetter

Lt. R.F.A.

Adjutant 17 Bde R.F.A.

WAR DIARY

Of

17^th F.A. Brigade

29^th Divisional Artillery

February 1916

Place       Date    Hour                                                Summary of Events and Information

SUEZ           1^st onwards          The 26^th Battery equipped with 42^nd D.A. horses was at AYUM MUSA, on the E. side of SUEZ CANAL.  At the extreme limit of the Canal defences.  It is about 5 miles from EL SHATT, which is opposite PORT TEWFIK, but only 2 miles from the sea.  (Gulf of SUEZ).  Communications by water from PORT TEWFIK to QUARINTINE STATION **** are within 2 miles of AYUN MUSA.  AYUN MUSA is constructed into a fort with carefully sited trenches.  10^th Battery R.G.A. was also there (147^th Bde).  The camp also consisted of 3 Battalions of INDIAN TROOPS of the 20^th Garhwal Brigade, 10^th Indian Division.  Headquarters of the Division were at EL SHATT and AYUN MUSA formed the right hand fort a detached fort.  On the right of AYUN MUSA the Navy was allotted most of the ground for defence.  Water arrangements at AYUN MUSA were good.

The rest of the Brigade remained encamped at SUEZ, awaiting the arrival of equipment of all sorts and also horses.

We were partially made up by drafts from General Base Depot SIDI BISHIR, and about 70 draft horses also arrived, some of which had been sent away from the Brigade from HELLES in November 1915. 12 new guns for the Division arrived, of which the Brigade got 2.  Certain amount of harness was also issued.

21^st                        13^th Battery R.F.A. relieved the 10^th Battery at AYUN MUSA.

22^nd                        It was decided to send the whole of the Brigade to AYUN MUSA.  The whole of the 15^th Brigade to EL SHATT, and the scheme was to have 147 Bde at EL KUBRI.   All the D.A. on the East of the Canal.

25^th                        The rest of the Brigade (Headquarters, 92^nd Battery, & 17^th Bde. A.C.) went to AYUN MUSA.

27^th                        13^th Battery moved out to the PLATEAO to be ready to occupy a position about 1 ½ miles North of AYUN MUSA.  Orders were received from D.A. H.Q. at EL SHATT to move back to SUEZ next day.  Orders also said that we were now under orders for FRANCE.

28^th 29^th                 H.Q. B.AC & 92^nd Batteries returned to SUEZ CAMP.

The Brigade handed over its old guns to 42^nd D.A. and we got new ones in exchange, also we were made up with new wagons from 42^nd D.A.  It seems that they were issued to them in error as they had only had them a few days.  We drew most of our harness and made most things to establishment as far as Ordinance could supply.  A few riders & mules were drawn from 29^th Train.

This diary compiled by me

AEG Leadbetter

Lieut. R.F.A.

Adjutant 17^th F.A. Bde.

For Lt. Colonel Commanding

1/3/16

WAR DIARY

Of

Headquarters 55^th West Lancashire Divisional Artillery

1^st February 1916 – 29^th February 1916

HALLENCOURT 2nd           Orders for move into area vacated by 36^th Division.

Visit by Lord Derby – 3^rd W.L.F.A. Bde – paraded 2.30 p.m. N.E. of YANVILLE.  Appendix I

4^th – 7^th                     Moves carried out in accordance with Appendix II.

FRANSU 9^th                           B/85^th Bde joined from 18^th Div attached to 4^th W.L.F.A. (How) Bde with section B.A.C. and 4 wagons for D.A.C.

Div Operation order No 2. Received.

11^th                           Moves in accordance with Appendix III.

12^th                           2^nd & 4^th N.M. Bdes – joined 55^th Division from 46^th Division.                                 Appendix IV

12-24^th                      Occupation of positions.                                                                                             Appendix V

24/25^th                      Reallotment of Div front – moves in accordance with Appendix VI.

25/26^th

25^th                           Moves of B.A.C.s and D.A.C. in accordance with Appendix VII

27^th                           Moves of Wagon Lines in accordance with Appendix VIII.