APPENDIX A

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Date                Unit                                         From                            To        Starting Time              Remarks

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

5^th                    5^th Bde R.H.A.                       FRECHENCOURT                Area 2             12 noon                      Via ST. CRATIEN – MAINMONTIGNY-                                                                                                                                                                     AMIENS Road – AMIENS – DREUIL –                                                                                                                                                                 BREILLY-FOURDRINOY – Billets.

“                    33^rd Bde R.F.A.             ditto                                                   do     12.10 p.m.                                           ditto

“                    45^th Bde R.F.A.          BEHENCOURT                     Area 3.            12 noon.                      As for 5^th Brigade to AMIENS thence                                                                                                                                                               SAVEUSE – FERRIERES –                                                                                                                                                                                                 BRIQUEMESNIL – Billets.

“                   D.A.C.                                    BAVELINCOURT                Area 1 12 noon                       As for 5^th Brigade to BREILLY thence                                                                                                                                                                         PICQUIGNY – St PIERRE –A-GOUY,                                                                                                                                                                  CROUY.

Reference Map FRANCE Sheet 17 1/100000   (AMIENS)

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————G.R. Gover Major R.A.

Brigade Major 8^th Div Arty.

5.7.16

APPENDIX OO/15

SECRET                                                                                                         Copy No 1

8^th Division Artillery Operation Order No. 15.

——————————————————————————————————-

1. The Divisional Artillery will move to Billets South of the SOMME on 5^th July.
2. Brigades will march in accordance with Appendix A attached.
3. Billeting Parties to be sent on in advance and will report to Staff Captain of Billeting Area.
4. Tail of the Column must be clear of the entrance to AMIENS by 3 p.m.
5. Supplies. Instructions have already been issued.
6. Brigades and Divisional Ammunition Column will report their arrival to Divisional Artillery Headquarters CAVILLON.

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Brigade Major 8^th Div Arty.

5.7.16

Copies to         8^th Division

12^th Division

19^th Division

All Brigades

3^rd Corps R.A.

Y.M.C.A

POSTCARD

To T Smith Esq.,

24 Palmerston Rd

Bowes Park

London N

July 6^th 16.  Postmark Harwich 8.30 pm 5 July 15

Dear Father

We are leaving tonight 7P.M. I will write as soon as I am settled again.

Alf

APPENDIX OO/14

SECRET                                                                                            Copy No 20

8^th Division Artillery Operation Order No. 14.

4^th July 1916

——————————————————————————————————-

1. The 8^th Divisional Artillery will hand over responsibility for Artillery Defence of the Line to the 12^th Divisional Artillery at 10 a.m. 5^th July.

2. The Headquarters R.A. 8^th Division will close at HENECOURT at 10 a.m. 5^th July and will re-open at CAVILON at a time to be notified later.

3. The following moves will take place to day as under.

UNIT.             FROM .                       TO.                              REMARKS.

——————————————————————————————————-

Adv Sections  HENENCOURT        Area 2             To march as a unit under

33^rd Bde               WOOD                                         the orders of the senior

Officer present.

Adv Sections           ditto                   Area 2             Head of column to start

5^th Bde            R.H.A.                                                           from BRESLE at 2.45                                                                                                p.m.  Head of column is          Adv Sections  BRESLE                     Area 3             not to cross the SOMME        45^th Bde                                                                      in AMIENS before 6 p.m.                                                                                                 tail must be clear by 8                                                                                                 p.m.

Route BRESLE-                                                                                                         FRANVILLERS – Main                                                                                            AMIENS Road – to                                                                                                   Billeting Area.

4. Remainder of the Divisional Artillery will be withdrawn tonight as laid down in O.O. No 12 dated 3^rd July.

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Bde Major 8^th Divisional Artillery.

4.7.16

Copies to         8^th Division

12^th Division

19^th Div. Arty.

12^th Div. Arty.

3^rd Corps R.A.

All Bdes R.F.A.

8^th Div. Signals

12^th Div. Signals.

Div. Train.

S.S.O.

A.D.M.S.

A.D.V.S.

APPENDIX “B”

SECRET

BILLETING AREA

—————————–

No. 1 Area.     HANGEST SOUES – ST PIERRE a GOUY – CROUY.

COMMANDER

G.O.C. 23^rd                                       23^rd Infantry Brigade

Infy Bde                                 8^th Div. Train (SOUES)

Div. Am. Col.  (Near CROUY)

No. 2 Area.     LE MESGE – MONTAIGNE – RIENCOURT – FOURDRINOY.

COMMANDER

G.O.C. 25^th                                       25^th Infantry Brigade

Iny Bde                                   1 Field Ambulance (Riencourt)

5^th and 33^rd Brigades R.A.

No. 3 Area.     OISSY – DREUIL LES MOLLIENS – MOLLIENS VIDAME –                                                                                                              SAISSEVAL.

COMMANDER         G.O.C. 70^th                               45^th Bde R.F.A.

Infy Bde                                 70^th Infy Bde.

1 Field Ambulance (SAISSEVAL)

1      “         “          (MOLLIENS)

No. 4 Area.     CAMPS en AMIENOIS.

Commander

C.R.E.                                                             3 Field Coys. R.E.

1 Pioneer Bn.

Div. H.Q. Area                       CAVILLON.

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Bde Major 8^th Div Arty.

4.7.16

SECRET                                                                                                         Copy No 7

18^th DIVISION ORDER NO 21.

July 4^th 1916

Reference 1/20,000

Map, MONTAUBAN.

1. In future the front of the 18^th Division will be held by two Brigades only.

1. 53^rd Infantry Brigade will relieve the 55^th Infantry Brigade tonight on the front S.27.a.70 to the junction of MONTAUBAN ALLEY and CATERPILLAR TRENCH (Exclusive).

1. On relief the 55^th Infantry Brigade will withdraw to RAIL AVENUE and BRONFAY FARM.

1. 54^th Infantry Brigade will take over from the 53^rd Infantry Brigade that portion of the Divisional front lying between the junction of MONTAUBAN ALLEY and CATERPILLAR TRENCH (inclusive) and the present right of the 54^th Brigade.

1. The 54^th Infantry Brigade will also relieve two companies 53^rd Infantry Brigade in CATERPILLAR WOOD.

1. The Dividing Line between 53^rd and 54^th Infantry Brigades will be CATERPILLAR TRENCH (to 54^th ) – a line drawn East of the LOOP to the junction of BUND and MINE SUPPORT trenches and thence to LOTHIAN STREET.

1. Details of reliefs will be arranged between Brigadier Generals concerned.

1. Communication trenches to CATERPILLAR WOOD will be completed as follows EAST TRENCH by 53^rd Infantry Brigade.

CATERPILLAR TRENCH by 54^th Infantry Brigade.

1. Bryant

Lieut-Colonel

Senior General Staff Officer, 18^th Division

Issued at 8/30 pm.

Copy No:-

1                  A.D.C. for G.O.C.                        16                Signals

2/3               ”G”                                    17                Pioneer Battalion

4/5                ”Q”                                    18                War Diary

6                  A.D.M.S.                           19                XIII Corps

7                  C.R.A.                                20               7^th Division

8/9/10/11    R.F.A. Brigades.                 21               9^th Division

12               C.R.E.                                 22               30^th Division

13               53^rd Inf Bde.                       23 3^rd Division

14               54^th Inf Bde.                       24 No 9 Sqn. R.F.C.

15               55^th Inf Bde.

BM/164/13

SECRET                                                                                                         Copy No

8^th Divisional Artillery Instructions

1. The 8^th Divisional Artillery will move South of Rives SOMME on 5^th July.

Advance Sections will move to-day 4^th inst,

Remainder of Batteries will be withdrawn tonight to BEHENCOURT –    FRENCHENCOURT AREA, and will march to billets SOUTH of SOMME     on 5^th instant.

Units will march as in Appendix A to be issued later.

Orders for move of Advance Sections today will be sent direct, brigades being      notified.

1. Billeting areas and Commanders of them are shewn in Appendix B attached.

1. Divisional Artillery Headquarters will be at CAVILLON.

4.7.16

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Bde Major 8^th Divisional Arty.

Copies of these instructions have been sent to Advance Sections.

Y.M.C.A headed notepaper.

Pte. A.A. Smith

No 27521

Reply to “C” Company 12^th Bat. Essex Regt

Stationed at Dovercourt

July 4^th 1916

Dear Father

As you see by the above address we are still at Dovercourt, I don’t know when we are going but I expect it will be all in a hurry when we do start. If I could find out for certain that we should be here for a little time I would try for a pass this week but I don’t think there is any chance of getting it.

How did you enjoy yourself at Farnham I hope they are all well?

I should be pleased to hear from you but if you write don’t send anything beyond a letter in case we move.

What do you think of the war news? We seem to be doing jolly well now.

It is grand weather here now. Glad to say I am quite well.

Did you receive my post-card it was written in rather a hurry.

I hope you are quite well also Jess & Ethel.

Remember me to Darvills & Miss Dimond how are they all?

With much love

Your devoted

Son

Alf

Table A

Date    To be relieved                         Relieved by                 From                To                                Remarks

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Night

3/4       33^rd Bty (1Sect)                       A/63 (1 Sect)               W.24.c.6.4.      Henencourt Wood      Via GARDINERS POST – MAIN ALBERT

MILLENCOURT – HENECOURT Road

36^th   do    do                         B/63       do                 W.24.c.3.7.                  do                                Ditto

32^nd   do     do                         C/63       do                 W.18.c.0.2.                  do                    POND BRIDGE – No 2 EMERGENCY RD       D         “O”   do     do                         A/62       do                 W.18.c.2.1.                  do                                    Ditto

55^th   do     do                          D/63       do                 W.17.d.5.2.                 do                                Ditto

D/5   do     do                          D/62       do                 W.24.a.3.7.                  do                    As for 33^rd Battery

“Z”   do     do                          B/62       do                 W.12.c.3.2.                  do                    As for 32^nd Battery

1^st     do     do                          C/65       do                 W.11.b.6.1.     BRESLE                     As for 32^nd Battery thence via LAVIEVILLE.

3^rd     do     do                          B/65       do                 W.11.b.7.4.                 do                                Ditto

57^th   do     do                          D/65       do                 W.5.d.8.4.                   do                                Ditto

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Night   Reliefs will be completed.

4/5.      “O” Bty (2 Sects)                    A/62 (1 Sect)

C/62      do

“Z” do        do                         B/62      do

C/62      do

1^st   do        do                         C/65      do

A/65      do

3^rd   do        do                         B/65      do

A/65      do

5^th   do                                    Not relieved                W.6.c.3.9.                    Billets              BEHENCOURT – FRECHENCOURT                                                                                                                                                                District.

D.A.C “A” Echelon                12^th D.A.C.                 MILLENCOURT       do                              Ditto

“       “B”     do                           do                         HENENCOURT WD   do                             Ditto                C.R. Gover Major R.A.

3.7.16                                                                                                                                                                                      Brigade Major 8^th Div Arty.

APPENDIX OO/12

SECRET                                                                                                       Copy No 16

8^th DIVISION ARTILLERY OPERATION ORDER No 12.

3^rd JULY 1916.

1. The 8^th Divisional Artillery (less attached Artillery) will mover on Nights of 3^rd/4^th and 4^th/5^th July, on relief by 12^th Division Artillery, to BEHENCOURT – FRECHENCOURT district.
2. Units will march to Wagon lines in accordance with TABLE “A” attached.
3. Guns and Howitzers will not be exchanged.
4. Limbers of relieving batteries will take guns to present wagon lines, where they will be taken on by their own limbers.       Sections not relieved will send up their own teams.
5. Left and Centre Group Commanders will arrange the return of borrowed Howitzers and Dial sights.
6. The following will be handed over:-

Telephone system.

Maps, air photographs, registers, and any other information likely to be                   of value to relieving units.

1. Group Commanders, Battery Commanders or Captains, and one officer per section D.A.C. will remain at present positions till morning of 5^th July.

1. Echelons will march full, group Commanders arranging to hand over all excess ammunition at Gun positions, 5^th battery included.

1. Medium Trench Mortar batteries will move on night 4^th/5^th to LONG VALLEY. On 5^th instant will move to district mentioned in para.1. and will be attached as follows:-

M/8 T.M. Battery)       to 5^th Brigade R.H.A.

X/8             do      )

Y/8             do             to 33^rd Brigade R.F.A.

Z/8             do             to 45^th Brigade R.F.A.

1. Failing other arrangements which will be notified later, the D.A.C. will send two G.S. wagons per T.M. Battery to be at LONG VALLEY by 4 p.m. 5^th July.

1. Routes for 4^th/5^th instant will be notified later.

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Brigade Major 8^th Divnl. Arty.

Issued at 7.0 p.m.

Copies to         8^th Division,                 All Bdes R.F.A.

19^th Div Arty.              8^th Div Signals.

12^th Div Arty.              Div Train.

3^rd Corps                      S.S.O.

A.D.M.S

A.D.V.S.                                             P.T.O