WAR DIARY of 20 Siege Battery

For January 1918

Place       Date    Hour                                                Summary of Events and Information

In the field

GORRE       Jan 1^st.               Battery in occupation 8” Battery position in farm E of village (4 guns), 2 guns forming a silent section on LA BASSEE Canal 1 mile E of BETHUNE.

Officers on strength of Battery 1^st Jan

Capt (A/Major) LGRFH BELL (Reg) absent on BC’s course & leave in England till 24.1.18

Lt. (A/Capt) JC THOMPSON (SR)

²/Lt. E.B. LOACH (SR)

²/Lt. H. MACKAY (SR)

²/Lt. F.W. DAVIS (SR)

²/Lt.C.H. BATEMAN (SR)

²/Lt. W.H. CHAPMAN (SR)

²/Lt. B.W. TURNBULL (SR)

²/Lt. A.E. COCKFIELD (SR)

²/Lt. K. DOWNEY (SR)

Jan 3^rd              1 Bdr killed & 4 Gunners wounded by hostile shellfire (8) (Bdr Makin)

Jan 7^th              Battery moved to LA MIQUELLERIE, near BUSNES.  Guns left in position.  300 *** destroyed by hostile shellfire.

Jan 16^th            Personnel of Battery inspected by G.O.C. I Army.

Jan 24^th            Major Bell rejoined from leave to UK.

Jan 31^st            Battery returned from rest to former position in line.

In the field

GORRE                                 Tactical

During first week of January 500 rounds fired on 3 hostile Batteries with aeroplane observation. No other firing apart from registration.

Honours & Awards

No 276082 Sergt WILMER H. awarded D.C.M. in New Years’ Honour GAZETTE.