Alfred George Richardson’s March Diary 1916

Bavelincourt.

Wednesday 1^st March 1916:   Went to Warloy-Baillon at 10.30 am for rations.  Extra rations drawn from other A.S.C dumps.  Waited in        Warloy until 5 pm for 3 extra wagons.  Had dinner with Arnold, photos taken together & listened to Div Band           all aft.  Returned at 6 pm.

Thursday 2^nd March 1916:      Went to Warloy-Baillon at 10.30 to draw rations.  Drew extra rations for men, who have been attached to A.S.C. & who have now returned.  On Guard at night, with Harry Clough.

Friday 3^rd March 1916:           Went to Warloy-Baillon for rations at 10.30 & returned at 2.30 pm. Reading & writing.

Saturday 4^th March 1916:       Went to Warloy-Baillon for rations 10.30 – 3 pm. gramophone on at night.

Sunday 5^th March 1916:          Went to Warloy-Baillon for rations.  Gathered some balm at Vadencourt.  Returned at 3 pm.

Monday 6^th March 1916:        Went to Warloy-Baillon for rations at 10.30.  Saw Arnold.

Tuesday 7^th March 1916:        Went to Warloy-Baillon for rations.  Saw Arnold & had a look over 4.5” Howitzer.

Wednesday 8^th March 1916:   Went to Warloy-Baillon for rations.

Thursday 9^th March 1916:       Went to Rubempre for rations, via Contay, & Herissart.  Drew at 10 am.  Returned via Pierregot & Molliens-au-Bois & Beaucoutt.

Friday 10^th March 1916:         Went to Rubempre at 4 pm to draw rations via Pierregot, Molliens-au-Bain & Beaucourt-sur-l’Hallue.  Returned at 10 pm.

Saturday 11^th March 1916:     Went to Rubempre for rations.  Fine day.  Drew at 6 pm.  Returned at 11 pm.

Sunday 12^th March 1916:        Went to Rubempre at 4 pm.  Canns rather drunk.  Struck in an estaminet by a French civilian, he fairly gives him one & knocks him down.  Returned at 10 pm.

Monday 13^th March 1916:      Went to Rubempre at 4 pm for rations & returned at 10 pm.  Lovely night & a nice ride.  7 miles each way.

Tuesday 14^th March 1916:      Went to Rubempre at 4 pm & returned at 11 pm.

Wednesday 15^th March 1916: Rubempre at 4 pm & returned at 11 pm.  Had a lovely ride.

Thursday 16^th March 1916:     Went for rations at 11 am to Rubempre & returned at 3.30 pm.  Nice day.  Gramophone at night.

Friday 17^th March 1916:         Went for rations at 11 am at Rubempre & returned at 3.30.  Kingswell, Cains & co attd to 10^th Army Corps to make gun pits up near the line.

Saturday 18^th March 1916:     Went for rations at 11 am to Rubempre. Gramophone.

Sunday 19^th March 1916:        Went to Rubempre at 11 am for rations.

Monday 20^th March 1916:      Went to Rubempre for rations.

Tuesday 21^st March 1916:       Went to Rubempre for rations.

Wednesday 22^nd March 1916: Went to Rubempre for rations.

Thursday 23^rd March 1916:     Went to Rubempre for rations.

Friday 24^th March 1916:         Went to Rubempre for rations.

Bavelincourt – Rubempre.

Saturday 25^th March 1916:     Reveille 5 am.  Busy packing up.  Left with Jack Hutson on billeting party, at 9 am & arrived Rubempre at 10.15 am.  Found billets for horses & men who arrived at 1 pm.  Drew rations at 2.30 pm.  On Guard at night.  Very cold.  No shelter.

Sunday 26^th March 1916:        Stawed to the bone with cold.  Had hot coffee at 6 am at a house.  Settling down in new quarters.  Fine barn & a lovely house.  (Marthe Sasre)  Helped Pattison with his horses & found him some grand stables.  Rations Dump at 1 pm.

Rubempre.

Monday 27^th March 1916:      Rose at 8.  Helped Pattison with stables & harness.  Rations at 11 am.  Went to the Dump at 12.30 & drew for tomorrow.  Out in village at night.

Tuesday 28^th March 1916:      Rose at 8 am – Breakfast in bed, 2 fried eggs & bacon. Helped Pattison with harness.  Rations at 11 am.  Went to A.S.C. dump at 12.30.  Spent afternoon reading & writing.

Pernois.

Wednesday 29^th March 1916: Rose at 8.  Fried eggs & bacon.  Dinner at the farm – omelettes apples & cider etc with Eagle.  With Jock        Hutson on the advance party – I going on Clarkson’s bike.  Went through Talmas, Havernas & Canaples to Pernois.  Drew rations at Heavens at 11 pm & returned at 1 am.  Tired out.

Thursday 30^th March 1916:     Got into bed at 1 am.  Rose at 6am.  Extremely cold on a damp floor – never slept a wink.  Went to Heavens to draw rations at 10.30 am & returned at 2.30 pm.  On Guard at night.  Playing football a bit.  Gramophone in the tent.  Tired.

Friday 31^st March 1916:          Gave Reveille at 6 am.  Had a hot coffee in village.  Drew rations near Canaples.  Saw Arnold & had a good chat with him.  Went on bike & returned at 1 pm.  Nice & hot.  Capt Walker catches 10 trout in stream.

Saturday 1^st April 1916:          Rose at 7 am.  Went for rations to Canaples.  On Clarkson’s bike & returned at 1 pm.  Lovely day – Had a “sunbathe”.

28.3.16

Dear Mar & Pa

Just a line to say I am just gogging along nicely JA and still OK.  There is really nothing exciting to relate which usually means marking time.  The weather is very fickle just now.  One day it will sunshine the next it will snow all day & the next rain still old sol keeps trying to get the upper hand and already he peeps up quite early the birds joining in the chorus.

We possess a band in the Division now and are treated to music about twice a week.  We also possess a cinema show so you see we get some diversion from the monotony of trench warfare occasionally we have little straffs and the Bosche treat us to their Hymns of hate.  They usually pick Sunday as an especial day so we have begun to expect a little extra turn in fact that’s how we should know it was Dimanche day was it not for the civilian population donning their best black on and filling the estaminets with their cheap cigars.  I had a letter & small parcel from Gladys Grimshaw the other day.  She told me she was reading a book called the First Hundred Thousand strange to say I was doing the same.  It’s a fine book especially from our stand point as it was written by an officer in our Div & relates the life up to the end of the Loos affair.  If you get a chance read it.  (Staff Captain Beith 27^th Inf) I hope you are all keeping well I might possibly get leave some time this summer some hopes – anyway some of the Div have started their second leave so there’s a possible – well I think this is all at present.  Oh it’s my birthday soon and I hear you are

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

Fragment

Going to send me a parcel. What about one of Mar’s special cakes & pie would be relished.  I have friends to help me so long as you can get it in the oven don’t be afraid on us not being able to tackle it well bye bye for present

Gussie

SECRET

Appendix XI

Copy No 19

55^th (West Lancs:) Divisional Artillery

Order No 17

28/3/16

Reference Trench Map

1/10,000 sheet FICHEUX

1. House at X.3.d.8.9 is used as a dump and is to be dealt with as follows on March 30^th.

• At 7 a.m. 3 18pdr batteries Right Group

2 18pdr batteries Centre Group

will each fire 3 rounds gun fire with shrapnel.

• From 7 a.m. – 7.45 a.m.

Section 6” Howitzers

One      8” Howitzer    6^th H.A.G.

are each to fire 10 rounds.

(III)        From 7.45 a.m. – 8.15 a.m.

2 4.5” Howitzer batteries Right Group will each fire 20 rounds H.E.

(IV)        From 7 a.m. – 8.15 a.m. Machine guns of 134^th and 166^th Infantry Brigades are to cooperate.

(V)          From 8.15 a.m. March 30^th 8.15 a.m. March 31^st batteries detailed by Right Group Commander will fire salvoes at irregular intervals every hour in cooperation with machine guns.

100 rounds 18pdr H.E. and 200 rounds 4.5” H.E. are allotted for this purpose.

Note.

Ammunition expended on above tasks is extra to weekly allotment.

1. Benson

Major R.A.

Brigade Major

55^th (W.L.)Div. Arty.

Issued at 6 p.m.

Copy no    1.  Right Group.

2. Centre Group.
3. Left Group.
4. 4^th W.L. Bde. R.F.A.
5. to 10 55^th Div (G)
6. 6^th H.A.G.
7. 37^th Div Arty.
8. 14^th Div Arty.
9. 164^th Inf Bde.
10. 165^th Inf Bde.
11. 166^th Inf Bde.
12. 7^th Corps Arty.
13. Staff Captain.

19, 20. War Diary.

21. File

SECRET

Appendix X

Copy No 11

55^th (West Lancs:) Divisional Artillery

Order No 16

28^th March 1916

The reliefs detailed in 55^th (West Lancs) Divisional Artillery Order No 15 dated 27^th inst, are postponed until the weather improves.

2 days warning will be given before the reliefs will commence

1. Benson

Major R.A.

Brigade Major

55^th Divisional Arty.

Issued at 10 a.m.

Copy no    1.  Right Group.

2. Centre Group.
3. Left Group.
4. 55^th Div. A.C.
5. 55^th Div (G).
6. 55^th Div (G).
7. 4^th Div Arty.
8. 37^th Div Arty.
9. Staff Captain
10. 14^th Bde R.F.A.
11. War Diary
12. War Diary
13. File.
14. 165^th Inf Bde.
15. 7^th Corps Artillery
16. Signals.
17. 14^th Div. Arty.

SECRET

Appendix IX

Copy No 11

55^th (West Lancs:) Divisional Artillery

Order No 15

March 27^th 1916

Ref Map 1/20,000

Sheet 51c. S.E. & 1/100,000 sheet LENS

1. The 68^th and 88^th Batteries R.F.A. are to be relieved by two 4 gun batteries – A Battery 123^rd Brigade R.F.A. and D Battery 124^th Brigade R.F.A. respectively, from 37^th Division.
2. This relief will be carried out by sections on the nights of 29/30 and 30/31^st March as follows:- Centre and Left sections 68^th Battery will be relieved by sections A/123^rd Battery.       Right and Centre sections 88^th Battery by sections D/124^th.       Remaining sections 68^th and 88^th Batteries will vacate their positions on night 30/31^st. No movement of vehicles to take place E. of BEAUMETZ before 6.45 p.m. each night.
3. Sections 14^th B.A.C. at SOMBRIN is to be relieved by section 123^rd B.A.C. on March 31^st.       Section 4^th D.A.C. attached 55^th D.A.C. at COULLEMONT is to be relieved by section 37^th D.A.C. on same date. 4^th Div. Amm. Echelons will be responsible for supply of ammunition up to 11 a.m. 31^st March at which hour 37^th Div Amm. Echelons will take over.
4. Wagon lines 68^th and 88^th Batteries at BAVINCOURT will be taken over by relieving batteries.
5. Sections of batteries and B.A.C. 14^th Bde R.F.A. will as relieved, march to billets at GROUCHES to rejoin 4^th Division under Brigade arrangements. H** 14^th Bde R.F.A. will march to GROUCHES on completion of relief. Section 4^th D.A.C. attached 55^th D.A.C. will on relief rejoin 4^th D.A.C. at GAUDIEMPRE under arrangements to be made by O.C. 55^th D.A.C.
6. all communications will be left intact, and trench maps etc handed over to relieving batteries.
7. All further details of relief to be arranged direct between Brigades and Batteries concerned.

1. Benson

Major R.A.

Brigade Major

55^th Divisional Arty.

Issued at 11.45 a.m.

Copy no    1.  Right Group.

2. Centre Group.
3. Left Group.
4. 55^th D.A.C.
5. 55^th Div (G).
6. 55^th Div (G).
7. 4^th Div Arty.
8. 37^th Div Arty.
9. Staff Captain
10. 14^th Bde R.F.A.
11. & 12 War Diary.
12. File
13. 165^th Inf Bde.
14. 7^th Corps Artillery
15. Signals
16. 14^th Div Arty

Y.M.C.A headed notepaper

Pte. A Smith

No 27521

Reply to C Company 12^th Batt Essex Regt

Stationed at Dovercourt

March 25 1916

Dear Father

You can see by the above address where I am landed. Beginning to settle down now it is all right except for the food that is why I am writing from the Y.M.C.A. hut. Have come here today for tea. The place is full of soldiers. There are 8 of us quartered in a private house. 4 in each room sleep on the bare boards, three blankets only; but still I am fortunate have got in with some very nice fellows.

When I left Southend on Wednesday we were sent to Warley. I was right glad to see the back of that place. When we arrived it was too late to see the doctors that day so had to spend the night in the barracks on a straw mattress jolly hard I can tell you. I saw the doctors the following day & came here on Friday.

Of course I do not know much of the rules yet but I am looking forward to getting leaf in about a month’s time I should think. I look a regular knut in khaki I can tell you. It is alright except for the boots they are devilish heavy.

We have to be in by 9 PM it is even darker here than Southend. This is where they have had some of the Zepp raids. It is a bus ride from Harwich.

This is the first time we have had free since we arrived; but I think one does get plenty of time when we are settled.

I do not know how long we shall be here. One does not know anything in the army.

Well Father I do not think there is any more news now. Hope you are well also Jess & Ethel.

With much love from

From your devoted

Son

Alf

P.S. In case you cannot make out the address;

Pte. A.A. Smith

No 27521

1. Co. 12^th Batt:

Essex Regt.

Dovercourt

SECRET

Appendix VIII

Copy No 19

55^th (West Lancs:) Divisional Artillery

Order No 14

March 24^th 1916

Ref Trench Map 1/10000

Sheet FICHEUX

1. On March 25^th batteries detailed below with 6” and 8” Hows of 6^th H.A.G. will bombard Les TROIS MAISONS.

Right Group 4 – 18 pr batteries (less forward section L.Bty)  Objective Front line X.2.b.70.32 – X.2.b.90.15.  2 – 4.5” How Batteries (less I section) Objective Front line X.2.b.70.32 – X.2.b.90.15.

Centre Group 2 – 18 pr batteries Support and communication trenches on above front.

Left Group 1 – 4.5” How Battery Support and communication trenches on above front.

2. At 10.30 a.m. the bombardment will open with a salvo to be fired by 6” Howitzer section (at R.14.b.), on which all 18 pr will fire 3 rounds gun fire with shrapnel, and will be continued with H.E. at a deliberate rate of fire by all guns engaged until 11 a.m.
3. Ammunition (additional to allotment for current work)

Shrapnel                  H.E.

18 pr per gun                 3                          10

4.5” How per gun                                      10

1. Benson

Major R.A.

Brigade Major

55^th Divisional Arty.

Issued at 8.30 p.m.

Copy no    1.  Right Group.

2. Centre Group.
3. Left Group.
4. 4^th W.L. F.A. Bde.
5. – 10 55^th Div (G)
6. 6^th H.A.G.
7. 164^th Inf Bde. Signals
8. 165^th Inf Bde.
9. 166^th Inf Bde.
10. 37^TH Div Arty.
11. 14^th Div Arty.
12. Staff Captain

18   War Diary

19. War Diary

20   File

21   7^th Corps Arty.

SECRET

Appendix VII

55^th Division C/15

SECRET

55^th Division

1. The 4^th Divisional Artillery (less one Brigade) will relieve the 37^th Divisional Artillery (less one Brigade) in the line.
2. Reliefs will be carried out under arrangements to be made between C.O’s C. R.A. of the Division concerned, and be completed by 6 a.m. morning of April 1^st.
3. As soon as this relief has been carried out, one 18 pr Brigade 37^th Divisional Artillery (less two Batteries) will relieve the 14^th Brigade R.F.A., 4^th Division now attached to the 55^th Division, under arrangements to be made by G.OsC. R.A. of Divisional Artillery concerned.
4. The Artillery of the 37^th Division less D.A.C. will on relief occupy the huts on the slopes of the PAS – WARLINCOURT Valley. The encampments will be allotted by the Staff Officer R.A. 7^th Corps.
5. The 14^th Brigade R.F.A. will on relief occupy billets at GROUCHES.
6. The Divisional Artillery Ammunition Column will, on relief, be billeted either in HALLOY or GRENAS.

(Sd) F. Lyon, Brig. Gen

General Staff, 7^th Corps.

20^th March 1916

Divisional Artillery

For information and necessary action.

(Sd) J.G. Dill, Capt. G.S.

For Lt. Col. G.S.

55^th (West Lancs) Division

H.Q. 55^th Div

21/3/16

Headquarters 55^th division (G)

This will leave us 4 – 18 prs short.

(Sd) J. MacMahon, Brig Gen.

Co

Cmdg. 55^th Divisional Artillery

21/3/16

SECRET

Appendix VII

55^th Division C/15

SECRET

55^th Division

1. The 4^th Divisional Artillery (less one Brigade) will relieve the 37^th Divisional Artillery (less one Brigade) in the line.
2. Reliefs will be carried out under arrangements to be made between C.O’s C. R.A. of the Division concerned, and be completed by 6 a.m. morning of April 1^st.
3. As soon as this relief has been carried out, one 18 pr Brigade 37^th Divisional Artillery (less two Batteries) will relieve the 14^th Brigade R.F.A., 4^th Division now attached to the 55^th Division, under arrangements to be made by G.OsC. R.A. of Divisional Artillery concerned.
4. The Artillery of the 37^th Division less D.A.C. will on relief occupy the huts on the slopes of the PAS – WARLINCOURT Valley. The encampments will be allotted by the Staff Officer R.A. 7^th Corps.
5. The 14^th Brigade R.F.A. will on relief occupy billets at GROUCHES.
6. The Divisional Artillery Ammunition Column will, on relief, be billeted either in HALLOY or GRENAS.

(Sd) F. Lyon, Brig. Gen

General Staff, 7^th Corps.

20^th March 1916

Divisional Artillery

For information and necessary action.

(Sd) J.G. Dill, Capt. G.S.

For Lt. Col. G.S.

55^th (West Lancs) Division

H.Q. 55^th Div

21/3/16

Headquarters 55^th division (G)

This will leave us 4 – 18 prs short.

(Sd) J. MacMahon, Brig Gen.

Co

Cmdg. 55^th Divisional Artillery

21/3/16

SECRET

Appendix VI

Copy No 14

55^th (West Lancs:) Divisional Artillery

Order No 13

March 15^th 1916

Reference Trench map 1/10000 Sheet FISHEUX

1. the 55^th Divl Artillery will bombard N.W. Corner of BLAIRVILLE WOOD front line and support trenches R.34.b.70.80 – R.34.b.85.85 at 4.30 p.m. March 16^th.
2. Arrangements have been made for the 6^th H.A.G. to cooperate. The bombardment will commence at 4.30 p.m. when 6” How Section at R.14.h is to fire a round which will be the signal for the bombardment to commence with 2 rds gun fire from all guns. The bombardment will last for 2 minutes.
3. The following will take part:-

Centre Group 2 18 pr batteries on front line R.34.b.70.80.

Right Group 1 4.5” How Battery on front line R.34.b.70.80.

Centre Group 1 18 pr Battery on support line R.34.b.70.80 – R.34.b.79.85. Left Group 1 18 pr Battery on support line R.34.b.79.85 – R.34.b.85.85.  Section 18 pr R.31.c. to enfilade from R.34.b.70.80.

Section 18 pr R.21.c. to enfilade R.34.b.79.85.

1. Ammunition allotted per gun. Shrapnel     H.E.

18 prs         1                  4

Howitzers                       5

1. All Batteries to be prepared to reply for retaliation.

1. Benson

Major R.A.

Brigade Major

55^th Divisional Arty.

Issued at 6 p.m.

Copy no    1.  Right Group.

2. Centre Group.
3. Left Group.
4. 4^th W.L. Bde. R.F.A.
5. 55^th Div (G)
6. 7^th Corps Artillery
7. 164^th Inf Bde.
8. 165^th Inf Bde.
9. 166^th Inf Bde.
10. 14^th Div Arty
11. 37^th Div Arty.
12. 6^th H.A.G.
13. File
14. War Diary.
15. Staff Captain
16. to 20 War Diary.