WAR DIARY OF 2/Lt. Alfred Benjamin STREET

48 SIEGE BATTERY RGA

Last entry 30 June 1916

1^st June Thursday.  Fine day f’ly sunny.  The Hun put 6 shells into the Dump at the end of the village between 7.0 a.m. and 8.30. and 4 in the afternoon near the Inf Camp E of the village.  The Battery moved out of the village to the Dug outs and a Billet in Albert.  The suspected Measles cases were left.

2^nd June Friday.  Fine sunny day.  The Hun 13 or 15 cm. gun was again active about the same time on the dump at Meaulte.

3^rd June Sat.  Fine sunny day with heavy shower of rain about midday.  Hun again did some shelling about 7.0a.m. and off and on throughout the day round about.  Went a walk with Young after tea to collect “souvenirs” and obtained some useful information.

4^th June Sunday.  Fine sunny morning, dull afternoon, windy evening.  The Hun was using his 13 cm. gun again.  We retaliated with 2 to 1 – 6” Mk VII on Bazentin le Petit dump.  Went with Capt. Miller (Signals) after dinner to see one of his digging parties at Trois Meules.

5^th June Monday.  Fair day sunny at times and showery. Col. Kaye of 34 H.A.G. arrived and dined with us as did also Major Nott.  Spent an interesting time piecing together air photos.

6^th June Tuesday.  Very wet all the morning, cleared in the afternoon and was a fine evening.  Busy day in the office.

7^th June Wed.  Fairly fine but showery, steady rain in the evening.  Went with Miller to Amiens at 4.0 p.m. had tea and dinner there and did some shopping.

8^th June Thursday.  Fine morning but turned wet in afternoon and evening.  First day of dumping, train due at 10.30 a.m. and arrived at 4.0 p.m.  The Hun was again shooting with his H.V. gun this time at the Balloon in the valley near us.

9^th June Friday.  Fine sunny day but a heavy shower about 5.0 p.m.  The Hun again fired at the Balloon between 7.30 and 8.0 a.m. but without success.  Member of the reassembled Court Martial at 10.0 a.m.  Very busy in the office.

10^th June Saturday.  Fine morning but several Thunder showers during the day.  Another busy day.  The Hun did not give us our m’ning hate.

11^th June Sunday.  Fine day fairly sunny.  Easier day.

12^th June Monday.  Dull day turned to rain in the afternoon.  Went out with the General for the latter part of the morning.  Late sitting at the office.

13^th June Tuesday.  A very wet muddy day.  Fairly late sitting at the office.

14^th June Wed.  Drizzled during the morning but turned fine and sunny after midday.  After tea went out with the General and Col. Hamilton to 57, 109 & 40 at Martinsart & Aveluy also to Major Collingwood 10 S. in Albert on the way back.  Put the clocks forward one hour from midnight.

15^th June Thursday.  A dullish day but fine.  A fairly busy day.

16^th June Friday.  The first fine sunny day for some time.  After dinner went to Albert and watched Major Collingwood’s Btty put 9.2 in position.  Walked back at 1.30 a.m.  A lovely night with full moon.

17^th June Saturday.  Fine day sunny.  Very busy in the office, typing out copies of Secret documents for the groups.

18^th June Sunday.  Fine sunny day.  Not quite so strenuous at the office.  Three 75 cm. Batteries came into the village last night.

19^th June Monday.  Fine but dull and heavy.  Fairly busy day.  The Intelligence Officer Grey and a spare Signalling Officer turned up for duty.

20^th June Tuesday.  Fine sunny day.  The Hun had a long but unsuccessful shoot at the Balloon during the morning.  Went to La Houssoye (Lahoussoye) after tea with Major Nott.  Dined there saw Hill, Hutchings & White and brought back a motor bike.  Late sitting at the office.

21^st June Wednesday A fine sunny day.  Not over busy in the office but a late sitting.  Young, Holden and I motored over to Baizieux and Henencourt after tea.  General Rawlinson commanding 4^th Army came to see the General in the afternoon.

22^nd June Thursday.  Fine hot day.  Very fairly busy, late sitting.  Drove over to the Canteen at Henencourt after tea.  The Hun shelled No. 14 Kite Balloon persistently during  the evening.

23^rd June Friday Hot sultry day which broke into a thunderstorm with heavy rain in the afternoon.  Our kite Balloon No. 14 broke away in the storm but luckily there was nobody in it.

24^th June Sat.  Fine day with a shower in the m’ning.  This was “U” day on which our bombardment started.  It was quite a normal day on the part of the Hun.  Late sitting at the office, mostly due to the cancelling and re-cancelling of orders.

25^th June Sunday.  Fine sunny and warm.  V day.  All the guns were turned on Poziers at 10.0 a.m., on Contalmaison at 10.30 and Bazentin le Petit at 11.0  I watched the first two from the top of the hill, appeared very effective and later was reported so by the R.F.C.  A fairly active day all along the front.  There was a practice lift at 4.0 p.m. and about this time our aeroplanes dropped some special French bombs on 2 Hun Balloons which immediately set them on fire very effectively.  14 allied Balloons could be seen in the air at one time during the day.  The Huns retaliated pretty fiercely all day and gave Albert a full share.  Fairly busy day in the office but not a very late sitting.

26^th June Monday.  Fine till afternoon when there was a heavy shower and then it rained hard in the late evening.  W day.  XV Corps liberated Gas in the morning and we did ditto at 6.0 p.m. but the wind had dropped considerably and it seemed to hang rather, it was accompanied by smoke.  We continued bombardment and again had a practice “lift”.  Went out with the General after tea, saw 61^st S. 8” firing, passed 48 and had a word with Sgt. Robinson.  Fairly busy and fairly late sitting.  The Hun put a few shells into Dernacourt 2 at about 1.30 p.m. and 6 at about midnight.

27^th June Tuesday.  Not a very fine day, some rain.  X Day.  The 12” gun on the Ry fired at 5.0 a.m. and shook so much dust off the ceiling of my billet and also blew out a hole in the wall that I decided to vacate it and go into a tent near the Signal Dug Out.  A fairly busy day.  We continued our bombardment together with a practice lift in the early morning and a raid at night.

28^th June Wed.  Y day.  A heavy thick damp m’ning.  Orders came in about 10.0 a.m. to cancel Y day programme and to ease up.  48 hrs. extension to programme was given.  Cleared up in the afternoon and was fine and sunny.  An ordinarily busy day.

29^th June Thursday.  Rather dull m’ning but later was light and fairly sunny.  Not over busy during the day but a late sitting.  Discovered that some of my kit left in my Billet had been taken away presumably by the French who had the next room, also the wall of my room where my bed stood had completely collapsed burying my kit bag.  Went to Heilly and Cerreuil with Miller after tea.

30^th June Friday.  Dull and rather windy morning but a fine afternoon and evening with the wind dying away.  A fairly busy day (Y+2).  The 12” gun opened fire on Achet le Grand and Bapaume in the evening and continued on the latter at intervals during the night.  Went with Young and Miller to the Group H.Q.s after tea.  Fairly busy after dinner.

There are no further entries in the diary.

General Perkins: Brigadier General A.E.J. Perkins G.O.C. Heavy Artillery   III Corps.

Gunner Johnston was George Johnson 24591 48^th Siege Battery R.G.A. CWGC record.

Meade King was Richard Evelyn Beauchamp.  Temp 2/Lt A.S.C. son of William Oliver Evelyn M K of Walford House West Monkton TAUNTON.   Somerset Record Office Taunton. See also National Archives officer’s records.

A.G. Richardson’s Diary June 1916

Pernois.

Thursday 1^st June 1916           Went to Havernas for rations.  At Berteaucourt at night with Tommy & Cecil.

Friday 2^nd June 1916               Went to Havernas for rations.  At BERTEAUCOURT at night.

Saturday 3^rd June 1916           Learnt news of the Greatest Naval Battle in history which took place last Wed. off Coast of Jutland.  “Queen Mary” etc lost.  British losses stated to be 14 ships & German losses 8.  Went to Havernas for rations.

Sunday 4^th June 1916              Latest news of Naval Battle British losses – 14.  German losses – 34 [20 torpedo boats].  Went to Havernas for rations.

Monday 5^th June 1916                        Went to HAVERNAS for rations on bicycle at 10 am – 2 pm.  Further news of Naval Battle British losses not so bad after all. – Germans 34 boats.  On picquet.

Tuesday 6^th June 1916                        Went to HAVERNAS for rations.  Nothing doing much.  Saw Cecil & Tommy.

Wednesday 7^th June 1916       Briggs back from leave.  I return to the lines: cannot get on with my No 1.

Thursday 8^th June 1916:          Reveille 5.30 am.  Simply can’t stand Sergt Redgrave.  Saw Tommy Butler at night.

Pernois – Mirvaux.

Friday 9^th June 1916:              Rose at 5 am & with 2^nd/Lt. Fitton, Kingswell, Turner & 2 others, went to R.A. dump at MIRVAUX.  “Snap” job – nothing to do.  Went with Fitton to PIERRGOT to find his billets.

Saturday 10^th June 1916:        Rose at 10.30 am.  Simply nothing to do but no money to spend.  1^st Dorsets leave.

Sunday 11^th June 1916:           Rose at 11 am!!  Had a nice stroll with Turner.

Monday 12^th June 1916:         Rose at 10.30 am.  Lovely holiday.  Simply nothing at all to do.

Tuesday 13^th June 1916:         Rose at 10.50 am.  Simply “living to eat!!!”

Wednesday 14^th June 1916:    Rose at 9.30 am.  Another nice stroll via Pierregot, Rubempre.

Thursday 15^th June 1916:        Reading & writing all day.

Friday 16^th June 1916:                        49^th Div arrived in village.  D.A.C., R.A. H.Q., T.Ms, & A.S.C.  Still nothing doing.

Saturday 17^th June 1916:        49^th Div resting a little before going into action.  Units of R.F.A. dump some few articles in R.A. dump.

Sunday 18^th June 1916:           Rose at 9 am.  Lovely day.  Applied for commission but Laycock sends me a nasty chit.

Monday 19^th June 1916:         Head of the formation of a new section to be made on Wed.  Lt Scott as O.C., S.M. Sherman & myself as Q.M.S.

Tuesday 20^th June 1916:         Last day at dump.  NAPOO.

Wednesday 21^st June 1916:    Left R.A. dump and went to new Section “T” as Q.M.S. & clerk.  Lt. J.C. Scott as O.C., S.M. Sherman, Sergt Wheeler, Clarkson, Saddler ****.  Fine section indeed: – “Tactical”.

Thursday 22^nd June 1916:       Busy with new section as clerk.  Taking in all details.  Went to dump to see Copley.

Friday 23^rd June 1916:            Busy clerking all day.  Fine day.  Went to RUBEMPRE.

Saturday 24^th June 1916:        Busy clerking.  Went for rations to Rubempre.  Went to “TYKES” with Routh.

Sunday 25^th June 1916:           Fine day.  Went to dump on bike.  Busy clerking rest of day.

Monday 26th June 1916:        Received news that we are going into action “shortly”.  Orders arrive at 10 pm.  Cancelled at 10.10 pm.  New orders for the move issued 11 pm.  Working until 12.30 am.

HEDAUVILLE.

Tuesday 27^th June 1916:         Reveille 2.30 am.  Left MIRVAUX at 6 am & went on bicycle VIA Beaucourt, Contay, Warloy-Baillon to      HEDAUVILLE.  Arr 8.30 am.  Sect arrive 12 noon.           Office: – Bell Tent.  Fine Place.

Wednesday 28^th June 1916: Rose at 8 am.  Returns 9, 12 & 3.  Went to wood near Thiepval.  Saw German trenches & batteries.  Bombardment.  “Great” sight.

Thursday 29^th June 1916:        Rose at 8 am.  Sent all returns in.  Went to ACHEUX for rations.  Dinner 8 pm.

Friday 30^th June 1916:                        Rose at 8 am.  Good deal of work as clerk.  Went to ACHEUX for rations.

Y.M.C.A

POSTCARD

To T. Smith Esq.,

C/O Mrs. Mason,

The Alma Inn,

Heath End,

Farnham.

Nr Aldershot.

Postmarked 10.45 AM Harwich

June 30^th 16

Dear Father

Just a few lines to tell you we have not left Dovercourt yet. We are all ready to go the latest report is Sunday night but I don’t know whether it is right.  Have not time to write more now; but will let you know as soon as we go.  Will you please thank Jess for her welcome letter I will write to her soon.  With best wishes to all.  Hope you will enjoy the green peas you see I know what you are going to have.  Alf

Stamped

To,                                                                                                       A.B. No 240/50

Officers Commanding

as under.

Herewith copy of map of alternative route across our trenches prepared for use in the event of an advance.

Please pass quickly and the last named to return to this office.

A.F. Brooke

Captain R.A.

Brigade Major R.A., 18/Div.

H.Q. R.A. 18/Div.

28^th June 1916

To, O.C. Right Group

Initialled 28/6/16     84/84

O.C. Left Group.

Initialled A.T. 29/6/16   D1/111

O.C. Centre Group.

Signed G. ***** R.F.A. F 682

29/6/16

Return to,

H.Q. R.A. 18/Div

“A” Form

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

SECRET

G.O.C. H.A. XIII Corps

C.R.A 18^th and 30^th Divns

CA46                   28^th June

Following is extract of instructions from 4^th Army:-

1. “Zero” will be postponed 48 hours 29^th will become “Y1” day 30^th will become “Y2” day 1^st July will become Z day
2. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
3. Special attention must be paid to the following:-       As regards Artillery

1. To prevent all hostile movements and work both day and night. The night bombardment must be fully maintained.
2. To complete wire cutting
3. To take advantage of all favourable weather to destroy hostile batteries.

1. To d*** the enemy by *** to carry out concentrated bombardments and night raids. These concentrated bombardments will take place:- “Y1” day – 4.0 – 5.20 pm. “Y2” Day – 8.0 – 9.20 AM. Subject to the above heavy howitzers and heavy gun ammunition must be economised.
2. Programme for “Z” day will be as originally arranged.ACKNOWLEDGE by wire.                        131 Corps ArtyW. R. R***** ** R.A.
3. 5.40 pm

A.B. 253

Right )

Centre) Group

Left   )

1. “Zero” will be postponed by 48 hours 29^th will thus become “Y1”day 30^th will thus become “Y2” day 1^st July will thus become “Z” day.
2. Special attention must be paid to the following:-

1. To prevent all hostile movements and work both day and night. The night bombardment must be fully maintained.
2. To complete wire cutting.
3. To deceive the enemy by continuing to carry out concentrated bombardments and night raids, the latter to be arranged between Inf Brigade and Group Commanders and to be assisted by Artillery fire. The concentrated bombardments will take place:- Y1 day 4.0 to 5.20 p.m. Y2 day 8.0 to 9.20 a.m. and will be carried out by XIII Corps H.A. Should Smoke be discharged at the conclusion of the Concentrated Bombardments the instructions laid down in Operation Order No 1 Appendix A para 14 will be carried out.

1. Programme for ”Z” day will be as originally arranged.

Metcalfe

Brig Gen

28^th June 16                                                                                        C.R.A. 18^th Div

SECRET                                                                                             A.B. No 240/49

Right Group

Centre Group

Left Group

• The attached copy of “Action of Artillery during the first and second phases” as laid down by XIII Corps is forwarded for your information.

• In the attached letter the First Phase refers to Operations leading up to 18^th Division “Final Objective” as at present laid down, and the green line referred to runs along the line of our present “Final Objective”. The Second Phase will consist of a movement of the XV Corps from West to East across the front of 18^th Division “Final Objective” up to the Brown Line (N.B. The latter line runs roughly from Eastern corner of MONTAUBAN to Eastern corner of BAZENTIN le GRAND).

• Reference para 1, this does not preclude the batteries referred to from registering previously to 15 minutes before Zero time, provided this can be done without disclosing the positions of these batteries.

• Reference para 2. In carrying out the forward movement of batteries indicated, the primary consideration must be to ensure the defence of the new line gained at all costs by an effective shrapnel barrage available at any moment.  The second consideration will consist in placing batteries in such positions that whilst able to support the front at closer range they will be so sited as to be available to assist the forward move of XV Corps by bringing fire to bear on the German second line and on the ground between it and the CATERPILLAR WOOD Stream.

• In order not to weaken the forward barrage unnecessarily the forward move will in all probability be carried out by one battery per group at a time, the remaining batteries of the group distributing their fire to cover the fronts left bare by batteries moving forward.

• Every possible preparation should be made to ensure batteries sent forward being able to resume their duties in defence of the line with the least possible delay. With this object in view the positions, lines of fire, zones to be covered, and means of communication between Group and batteries in forward position, should be sufficiently prepared beforehand to admit of these batteries being available for the defence of the line with the least possible delay.

• The Left Group H.Q., owing to situation of forward exchange in CARNOY, can be moved forward when required with sanction from Div. Art, H.Q. The remaining two groups’ H.Q. should not move forward until all their batteries are in forward positions, and communications established to new sites selected.  In every case of a move notification should be sent previously to this office.

• It might possibly be necessary to move forward a third battery from each group to positions slightly in advance of the forward positions selected in CARNOY Valley, at a later stage in the operations. Group Commanders should consequently consider the possibilities of sending batteries forward up, to, or over the front German line should the necessity arise.

• The movement forward of these batteries as stated in para 2 will probably begin after green line has been captured, and at least during the following night.

• The role of the 50^th Brigade R.F.A. will consist in the first place in maintaining the necessary forward barrage during the movement of other batteries. In the later stages the 50^th Brigade R.F.A. will hold itself in readiness to move forward either to reinforce batteries of 18^th Art. In their forward positions or for any other special task that may be assigned to it.

• The zones allotted to Groups in advance of the forward barrage (line H) will correspond roughly to the respective fronts of Groups on this line.

• Reference para 3. the gun sited at F.12.c.7.3. will be the first gun to be moved forward, and all possible preliminary preparation should be made for this move.

It is hoped that a party of R.E. or Pioneers will be detailed to assist in bridging trenches.

A position would probably be available in the vicinity of POMMIERS trench.

A party should be sent on in advance as early as circumstances will admit to reconnoitre route and position, the gun being subsequently moved forward as soon as possible after capture of the final objective.

• The forward move of the second gun at F.17.b.2.2. will be regulated by circumstances. This gun being moved up to reinforce the first gun should circumstances prove favourable.

• The role of these guns should be made clear to the officers in command, it should be clearly be understood by them that these guns are not to open fire except in case of actual attack or at an exceptionally favourable target. The gun being so sited as to enfilade the N.W. face of MONTAUBAN.

• The primary advantage aimed at in the forward move of these guns is to shorten the communications between the Observation Post and gun. These forward guns should be provided with sufficient telephone equipment to allow of such communication being established.

• The personnel of V/18 and W/18 Trench Mortar Batteries will be reserved for providing fatigue parties or reinforcements as occasions may arise.

One section of V/18 is being detailed to hold itself in readiness to assist the forward movement of the single guns.

Fatigue parties from W/18 will be provided to Groups to assist batteries in occupying forward positions in CARNOY Valley.

• In order to facilitate control, the two single guns at F.17.b.2.2. and F.12.c.7.3. will come under tactical control of Left Group from 0 hour on Z day.

Capt., R.A.

Brigade Major, 18^th Div. Artillery.

28/6/16

Copies to 50^th & 51^st Bdes. For information.

C.R.A. 18 Division

Returned herewith – please see G.O.C.s remarks.

unreadable signature

18 Division

27^th June 1916

“A” Form

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

H.Q. 18^th Div

TB 206 26-6-16

The attached diagrams are forwarded for your information.

They indicate the results of the two Tests of forwarding barrage on line “H” carried out with aeroplane observation.

The 15 barrage batteries fired salvoes of 4 rounds each in succession from the right at 4 minutes intervals.

The attached diagrams were in possession of the aeroplane observer, who marked four dots for the four rounds of each battery and enclosed them in a circle.

On completion of the observation the Pilot flew over Div H.Q. & dropped message containing diagram. The latter was received within 10 minutes of last round being fired, and a tracing forwarded to each Group. – The barrage appears satisfactory.

Could you please return attached diagrams.

18 Div Art.

A.F. Brooke

for B.G. R.A. 18 Div

“A” Form

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

SECRET

Left Group

Centre Group

Right Group

28-6-16

Dear Colonel,

We have just received information that the operations for Z day have been postponed for 48 hours.

No Programme of Bombardment or official orders have been received yet, until such orders are received the General wishes Wire cutting to be continued where required taking advantage of the extra two days to profit by good light – Ammunition should not be expended unnecessarily but where wire remains it should be engaged – He also wants 18 prs to continue preventing the repair of wire.

As soon as possible a programme for the extra two days will be sent out.

Yours Sincerely A.F. Brooke