Date.               Unit.                            From.               Relieves.                      Position.          Time *             Remarks

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

Night               32^nd Batty. RFA          Billets              Vacant position           G.8.a.3.0.                    Via BEUVRY – SAILLY LA BOURSE

22/23^rd            (complete)                   BETHUNE     C/70 Bty.                                                        – VERMELLES.

– BEUVRY road.

33^rd Bty. RFA            ditto               B/70 Bty (1 Sectn)      G.8.a.4.7.                                            ditto                                                                (2 Sections)                                         and 2 vacant pits.

36^th Bty. RFA           ditto                B/71 (1 Sectn)             L.6.a.8.4.                                 Via BEUVRY – SAILLY LA                                          (2 Sections)                                        A/71 (1      “    )            L.6.A.4.8.                                BOURSE – FOSSE No 9

(ANNEQUIN)

55^th Bty. RFA           ditto                D/71 (1 Sectn)             G.1.b.4.7.                                            ditto                                                                (1 Section)

“O” Bty. RHA                      ditto                C/73 (1 Sectn)             F.30.a.9.6.                               Via BEUVRY – cross roads F.29.b                                  (2 Sections)                                         and 2 vacant                                                                (ANNEQUIN)

pits.

D/5 Bty. 5 Bde.          ditto              D/77 (1 sectn.)                        F.30.c.3.6.                               As for 36^th Battery

(1 Section)

“Z” Bty. RHA                        Billets              C/185 Bty.                  F.30.a.8.8.                               As for “O” battery R.H.A.                                               (1Section)                    LES QUESNOY (1 section)

1^st Bty. RFA               ditto               C/181                          F.24.c.7.8.                               Via BEUVRY – cross roads F.22.c. –                               (1Section)                                                                                                                                Road junction F.23.d.2.7.

3^rd Batty. RFA                        ditto              C/72 (1 sectn)              F.24.a.5.4.                               As for 1^st Battery.                                                 (1 sections)

5^th Bty. RFA              ditto              C/70 (1 sectn)              F.24.a.4.8.                               As for 1^st Bty.                                                                 (1 section)                                           B/77 (1    “    )                                                             Via BEUVRY – ANNEQUIN –

57^th Bty. RFA             ditto              D/181 (1 Sectn)           A.20.c.4.6.                              CAMBRIN.

(1 section)

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

Night 23/24^th   Complete reliefs as for Night 22^nd/23^rd.

* Not to arrive at Gun Positions before 9.30 p.m.

Date.               Unit.                From.               To.                               Starting                       Starting time   ROUTE

Point                            from S.P.

Night               Div. Ammun.  NOUVEAU    FOUQUEREUIL       Billets                          7.30 p.m.         BELLE CROIX – PONT REQUEULN

21/22               Column           MONDE         (H.6.½)                                                                                    – cross roads at STA ¾ W. of FOSSE –

JULY                                                                                                                                                              LOCON – BETHUNE –                                                                                                                                                                                       FOUQUEREUIL.

do       RIGHT GROUP       Battery            LE QUESNOY          Road junction             9.45 p.m.         PONT RIQUEULN – Cross roads at                           33^rd Bde R.F.A.       positions          BETHUNE                  R.10.a.2.8.                                                STA ¾ W. of FOSSE – LOCON –

plus “O” Bty           RUE                   (I.6)                         (Sheet 36A 1/20,000)                          BETHUNE – LE QUESNOY.

R.H.A. and D/5      BACQUEROT BEUVRY

Bty Hows.                                          road

do        LEFT GROUP         Battery            LE QUESNOY                        Road junction             10.15 p.m.       As for RIGHT GROUP to BETHUNE –             45^th Bde. R.F.A.        positions          FOUQUIERES          G.32.b.1.4.                                                thence FOUQUIERES.

plus “Z” Bty R.H.A. RUE                LEZ BETHUNE         (Sheet 36B 1/20,000)

BACQUEROT     (H.6¾)

APPENDIX OO/18

SECRET

8^th Divisional Artillery

OPERATION ORDER No.18

——————————————-

21^st July 1916

Reference Map. Sheet 36B N.E. and

36C N.W. 1/20,000

1. The 8^th Divisional Artillery will relieve the 8^th Divisional Group R.A. and the LEFT Group 15^th D.A. by Sections, on nights 22^nd/23^rd and 23^rd/24^th JULY.

2. All moves will be in accordance with TIME TABLE attached.

3. All moves will be carried out by darkness.

4. Headquarters of Groups will be as follows:-

RIGHT GROUP – PHILOSOPHE L.11.b.1.1. on relief of H.Q. 73^rd 71^st Bde. R.F.A.

LEFT GROUP – F.23.d.9.8. on relief of 8^th Div. Group R.A.

5. Groups will send one officer per battery to batteries to be relieved on morning of 22^nd Instant. These officers to remain with batteries.

6. Transfer of guns and Stores will be in accordance with instructions already issued.

7. Group and Battery H.Q. will take over command on completion of reliefs on second night.

8. Divisional Artillery H.Q. will assume responsibility for Artillery Defence of the line on completion of reliefs on Second night.

9. Divisional Artillery H.Q. will be at ESTAIRS till 12 noon 23^rd July and which hour it will open at CHATEAU DES PRES.

10. Completion of all moves will be reported to this H.Q. by wire.

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Brigade Major 8^th Divnl. Arty.

Issued at:- 8.40 p.m.

All Bdes.

D.A.C.

8^th Div.

15^th D.A.

61^st D.A.

61^st Div.

1^st Corps R.A.

APPENDIX OO/17

SECRET                                                                                                         Copy No 9

8^th DIVISION ARTILLERY

OPERATION ORDER No. 17.

—————————————-

21^st  July 1916

Reference Map BELGIUM 1/100,000 HAZEBROUCK sheet,

except where stated.

1. The 15^th Division is to be withdrawn from the line.
2. The 8^th Divisional Artillery will rejoin the 1^st Corps, relieving the present 8^th Divisional Artillery Group and the Left Group 15^th Division Artillery.
3. The 8^th Division Artillery will be withdrawn from the XIth Corps on night of 21^st/22^nd JULY and march to billets in LE QUESNOY, FOUQUIERES and     FOUQUEREUIL, in accordance with attached Time Table.
4. The Division Artillery will march by Groups under the orders of the Senior Officer present –

RIGHT GROUP 33^rd Brigade R.F.A. plus ”O” Battery, R.H.A. and D/5 Bty                                                                                             Hows. 5^th Bde R.H.A.

LEFT GROUP.  45^th Brigade R.F.A. plus ”Z” Battery R.H.A.

5. Group Commanders will arrange the withdrawal of batteries from positions to Starting Points.  The  withdrawal to commence as follows:-

RIGHT GROUP 8.30 p.m.

LEFT GROUP 9.15 p.m.

6. Echelons will march full.
7. Ammunition. Dump ammunition will be dealt with in accordance with       instructions already issued.
8. Separate special instructions dealing with Artillery Reliefs will be issued.
9. Supplies. Refilling Point for 22^nd JULY will be at BETHUNE.  Map reference      will be notified later by wire.
10. All moves will be reported to this office.

Issued at 12.15 p.m.

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Brigade Major 8^th Divnl. Arty.

Copies 5/33/45 Bdes

8^th Div,

61^st Div.

61^st D.A.

8 D.A.C.

8^th D.A. Instructions No 6.

APPENDIX A1/6

SECRET

INSTRUCTIONS WITH REFERENCE TO RELEIF

OF PRESENT 8^th DIVISION ARTILLERY GROUP

AND LEFT GROUP 15^th DIVISION ARTILLERY.

———————————————————————

New Division  1.  8^th Division “HOHENZOLLERN” and “CUINCHY” Sections.

Frontage.

Position         2. (a). The battery positions and Group H.Q. of the present LEFT available for               Group, 15^th Division Artillery.

relieving             (b). The Group covering the present 8^th Divisional front, will be batteries and              taken over complete by LEFT Group, 8^th Division

Groups H.Q.

O.P’s               3. Any battery taking over a new position may take over the O.P. at                             present belonging to that position.

Method and    4. Battery reliefs will take place by Sections on Night of 22^nd/23^rd and Date of Relief       23^rd/24^th July.

Passing of             Group and Battery H.Q. will take over Command on the second Command.         night.

D.A., H.Q. will become responsible for their new frontage from the                       time of completion of reliefs in the second night.

Telephone        5.  All telephone lines used by Groups and batteries whose positions lines                    are to be taken over will be left down, and plans of circuits will be                    handed over to incoming units.

Guns.               6.  15^th Divisional Batteries will take away their own guns.

In all other cases, guns will be exchanged.

Gun History sheets will be handed over with the guns.

Ammunition. 7.  (a) The 15^th Divisional Artillery will withdraw with their ammunition echelons full.

Any ammunition then remaining at their guns will be handed over to incoming batteries, receipts being given and taken.

(b) In all other cases the existing dumps at the guns will be taken over by the incoming units, the necessary adjustments being made between Divisions.

(c) 8^th D.A.C. will issue to 15^th D.A. batteries and to batteries of 8^th Divisional Group R.A. from night of 22/23^rd JULY, inclusive.

Div. Ammun 8.          The 8^th D.A.C. will take over from the 15^th D.A.C. on 22^nd Column and Battery     JULY, but the following place is available for a Section if

Wagon lines.               desired:- E.18.b.7.2.

Battery Wagon lines.  Those of present 8^th Div. Group R.A. and LEFT Group 15^th D.A. are available.

Moves of               9.  Columns of vehicles will move as follows:-

Vehicles.               (a) From WEST to EAST – by daylight.

(b) From EAST to WEST – by darkness.

(c) Column of not more than 4 vehicles at a distance of half a mile between columns may move N. or S. by daylight, but larger columns will move N. or S. by darkness.

Sights and             10.  (a) Batteries will retain their own Gun sights.

Gun Stores.           (b)  Any battery which has indents now in at Ordnance for stores for guns, which are being left in position, will so inform Ordnance Officer concerned, and will tell him to what battery, Division etc., the guns are being handed over.  A copy of the letter with copies of indents will be sent to the D.A. taking over the guns.

Handing over        11.  All units on relief, will hand over to incoming units, all

of information       registration books, O.P. Log books, Lists of O.P’s.  Arcs of view

Maps, etc.              and O.P. exchanges, photos and panoramas, tracings of arcs of fire, local maps (see below) and orders, schemes of retaliation, fire concentration, mutual support, reinforcing, reserve lines and R.A. defence scheme; all other information respecting the enemy and the front which will be of assistance to incoming units.

Maps to be handed over:-

• Scale 1/20,000 Sheets 36 B.  E.

36 B.  S.E.

36 C.  N.W.

36 C.  S.W.

• All 1/10,000 Brigade Trench Maps on charge.

Trench Mortars 12. Divisions will retain their own Trench Mortar Batteries, and will relieve the Medium Trench Mortar Batteries on fronts which are being taken over by Sections on Nights of 22/23^rd and 23/24^th JULY.

Any “sound and settled” beds in positions which are for relief will be left down and the consequent necessary transfer of beds will be arranged between Divisions.

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Brigade Major 8^th Divnl Arty.

21.7.16

Copies to:-       5/33/45 Bdes

D.A.C.

T.M.O.

SECRET

Reference 8^th Division Artillery OPERATION ORDER No. 17 of today’s date.

AMENDMENT.

1. Time Table, Column “To”                                                      BETHUNE – BEUVRY road.                                                      read LE QUESNOY.
3.                   LEFT GROUP – for FOUQUIERES LEZ BETHUNE
4.                   RIGHT GROUP – for LE QUESNOY read
5. H.Q. R.A. will move to CHATEAU DE PRES (F.27.d) on 23^rd instant. C.R. Gover Major R.A.21-7-6Copies to         5/33/45 Bdes.                        8^th Div.                        61^st D.A.
9.                         61^st Div.
10.                         D.A.C.
12. Brigade Major 8^th Div Artillery.
14.                   A representative from this H.Q. will be with the H.Q., 8^th Division                          from 6.0 p.m. 21^st instant, onwards.

19 July 1916 Portion of letter. A.A. Laporte Payne

In hand as we can. Our mess is in a Boche dug out.  On the top in the trench is a sort of summer house with one side open, trellis work and ivy growing over it in the correct style.

We have our meals there. On the walls are coloured illustrations of typical German art one sees in magazines.

The dug out is very large and deep and consists of passages – three or four entrances (I have not explored them all) rooms with sleeping bunks in them, kitchens, and cupboards. They had all passages boarded and rooms zinc lined and papered.  Electric light too!

I have been to Contalmaison – at least what remains of it which is not much. I enclose a Boche Field Post Card I picked up.  There are plenty of opportunities for collecting what Tommy calls ‘souvenirs’ but no time or room in which to carry them.

I should not mind a clean helmet if I could find one; but such are difficult to get hold of after our first line have gone across and I certainly am not going to buy one.

I am so sorry to hear that the Finchley Flower Show was spoiled by the wet. I remember well the event two years ago.  I wish we were out of war and in peace time again as in those days.  It seems very far off now.

The men are now turning in for the night – or rather as they sleep in the open & so shall we tomorrow as we have to move out of our precious captured dug-outs.

Next morning July 20^th 1916.  It has turned out a beautiful morning – just right for a holiday by the sea!   The Boche is making a horrid noise with his morning hate.  I suppose he is counter-attacking somewhere or doing something equally annoying.

How are you all keeping? Is Mrs Cross rheumatism better?

You will I hope forgive this letter. There is neither opportunity nor materials for proper letter writing.  I hope you get my last note – also in pencil.  I believe several of my notes have gone astray.

There seems to be no time for meals or sleep now. We are either shifting our position, or digging in, or blazing away as hard as we can.  “Somme life”.

Au revoir

Kindest regards to Mrs Cross.

Yours very sincerely

Archie

July 17 16

Dear Father

Just a few lines to let you know I am still somewhere in France.  We came here last Saturday.  It is rather pretty round here but very quiet.  We are living in the middle of a wood; I don’t care much for this place it is rather rough after where we have been but I expect we shall have make the best of it until we get another move.

Our present address is Pte. A.A. Smith No 27521 No 7 Platoon B Company 9^th Essex Regt B.E.F. France.  I expect you will think it funny putting it here but we are not allowed to put it on top of a letter.

It was very kind of Mrs. Warman to write to me I was very pleased to receive her letter.  Will you please say that I will answer it as soon as possible but we have been confined to camp ever since we came here & it is a job to get hold of any writing paper.

I should be glad if you would send me a Sunday Pictorial occasionally we don’t get very much news along.

Glad to say I am quite well.  Have you heard anything of Albert Taylor lately?

I hope you are in the best of health also Jess & Ethel.

With much love from

Your devoted

Son

Alf

P.S. I reckon you would laugh to see me now I have had a prison hair cut; but one cannot study looks in the army it is much cleaner to have it cut short.

In case you cannot make out the three letters to the address it is B.E.F. I did not put it very plain.

Date.                        Units.                                    From.                        To.                        Starting Time                                    Route

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

15^th July            “Z” Battery.                        R.5.b.                        G.28.c.2.4.            7 a.m.                                    BELLE CROIX G.32.a.2.3. – NOUVEAU MONDE –                                                                                     and                                                            Pt da la JUSTICE.

G.29.c.1.6.

“O” Battery.                         R.5.Central            G.29.d.2.0.            7.15 a.m.                                                Do

D/5 Battery.                        R.11.a.2.3.            G.28.b.7.7.            7.30 a.m.                                                Do

55^th Battery.                         R.11.central            G.34.a.7.6.            7.45 a.m.                        Road junction R.5.b.3.5. – thence as above for “Z” Bty

33^rd Battery.                         R.10.b.                        G.32.d.4.5.            8.0 a.m.                        as for 55^th Bty to BELLE CROIX – thence road                                                                                                                                                             Junction G.32.b.2.5.

32^nd Battery.                        R.10.a.1.8.            G.34.b.4.2.            8.15 a.m.                        as for 55^th Battery.

36^th Battery.                        R.3.d.2.2.            G.32.b.9.9.            8.30 a.m.                        as for 32^nd Battery.

D.A.C.                                    R.20.a.                        G.27 and            9.0 a.m.                        Rd junction R.13.b.3.7. – PONT RIQUEL – thence as                                                                                     G.21.d.6.2.                                                            for “Z” Battery.

APPENDIX A1/3

Instructions for Move of Wagon Lines.

Reference Map FRANCE No 36 & 36A 1/40,000

1. Wagon Lines and Divisional Ammunition Column will move tomorrow as shewn on attached table.
2. Completion of moves to be reported to the H.Q.
3. Divisional Artillery H.Q. is at L.29.d.6.8.

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Brigade-Major 8^th Division Artillery.

14.7.16

Copies to:-

5^th Brigade R.H.A.

33^rd Brigade R.F.A.

45^th Brigade R.F.A.

Divl. Ammn. Colm.

War Diary.