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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

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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.

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Appendix VII

55^th Division C/15

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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

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Appendix VII

55^th Division C/15

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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

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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.

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Appendix V

Copy No 13

55^th (West Lancs:) Divisional Artillery

Order No 11

Reference Trench Map 1/10,000

Sheet FICHEUX

1. Arrangements have been made for 6” and 8” Howitzers of 6^th Heavy Artillery Group to bombard suspected work in BLAIRVILLE WOOD communication trench (R.34.b.5.2 – R.34.b.8.2) tomorrow.       This bombardment will begin at 11.30 a.m. and last till 12 noon.
2. 3 18 pr batteries Centre Group will take part under arrangements made by Centre Group Commander.

Objective                                 Ammn to be expended

2 Batteries Front Line Trench                                    20 S   20 HE

R.34.b.3.1. – R.34.b.5.4

1 Battery   Support Trench                                        10 S   10 HE

R.34.b.3 ½ .0. – R.34.b.5.2.

1. Section 12^th Lancs Bty at R.31.c will enfilade above trenches. Ammn to be expended 5 S 5 HE
2. 4.5” How Battery (to be detailed by Right Group Commander) will fire on Support Line R.34.b.3 ½ .0. – R.34.b.5.2.       Ammn to be expended – 20 HE.
3. Bombardment will begin at 11.30 a.m. with 2 rounds gun fire from each of the above 18 pr guns, and will be continued at a deliberate and irregular rate of fire till 12 noon by all guns.
4. Batteries not taking part will be prepared to retaliate.

Capt for Major R.A.

Brigade Major

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

Issued at 4.45 p.m.

Copy no    1.  Right Group Comdr.

2. Centre Group Comdr.
3. Left Group Comdr.
4. 4^th W.L. F.A. Bde.
5. 55^th Division “G”.
6. 6^th H.A. Group.
7. 14^th Divnl Artillery.
8. 37^th Divnl Artillery.
9. 164^th Inf Bde.
10. 165^th Inf Bde.
11. 166^th Inf Bde.
12. 7^th Corps Artillery
13. File

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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

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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