All the notebooks were written on the right hand page and additions, photos, cartoons or other documents were added to the left hand page.
Lord Henry Scott was commanding the Bde from 28th of June to the 8th of July, 1916, so I commanded the Bn.
On the 13th of July 1916 a wire came to say I had been selected to command an Inf Bn and was to report at Belle Eglise on the 14th. I started at 7.15 a.m. there appeared to be only one Belle Eglise this was west of Paris, the station master obligingly made out my time table via Calais and Paris. I reached Abbeville at midnight and Paris at 5.55 a.m. Here I had to report to the A.P.M. driving there & back right through Paris in a taxi. I saw the preparations being made for the ‘Quatorze Juillet’. There were no British troops at Belle Eglise so I went on to Beauvais where I had lunch and then proceeded to Abancourt where I found an R.T.O. He explained that Belle Eglise was the name for the new railhead just constructed, travelling in guards vans and on the tenders of two engines I at last reached there about midnight on the 14th. A Sergt Major kindly surrendered his bunk to me – there was no other accommodation – a phone message was sent through to the Reserve Army.
On the opposite page is a photograph of Major Allason, Lieutenant Tophy, Captain Barrett and the French Translator De Rosen.
A car appeared about 11 a.m. to take me to Bareuil on the way I met the 1st Bn heard that Col Onslow had a Bde and at once phoned the Mil Secry requesting that I might be appointed to them.
Barueil proved to be a Dump of officers awaiting appointment to command Bns meanwhile they were to be employed instructing “young officers” the first batch of these arrived that evening before any provision could possibly be made for them. About 150 hungry officers were asking for breakfast next morning and were told to use their emergency rations. This most of them had considered a superfluous addition to the weight they were already carrying so their faces fell. By dint of borrowing we managed to get them some biscuit and tea but the idea of going to school again did not please them especially those with ten years previous service.
On the opposite page is a newspaper cutting of a map of the Somme area.
A car turned up about midday to take me to the 1st Bn.
Took over command of 1st Bn. 16/7/16. I joined them at Lahoussoye and took over command from Major Lawder.
17 July. 1916. Next day we marched to Ville sur Corbie half the men were under canvass the remainder in billets. Hearing the 2nd Bn was close I rode over, Douglas was in temporary command.
On the opposite page newspaper cuttings on the Battle of the Somme.
18th July. 1916. The Bde Staff and C.O.’s motored up to view the German line the last bit was done on foot. Gen. Onslow came over to see us.
19th July. 1916. We again motored up and viewed another part of the German line. The Bns marched up under 2nd in Command.
20th July.1916. to Pommiers Redoubt. We had a view of two air-fights in which a Bosh and an English machine were shot down, one came down in flames.
21st July. The maze of trenches was well provided with deep dug outs. In exploring one of these 5 dead Germans were found apparently overcome by our gas.
22 July. 1916. I went forward with Coy Officers to German 2nd line west of Longueval. We returned via Montauban the roads were clear but not a house remained standing. We opened a heavy bombardment it continued like the rattle of an express train while an occasional 15 inch shell passing over gave the impression of the train passing under a bridge.
On the opposite page are two photographs of groups of officers outside a chateau.
23 July. 1916. Our assistance was suddenly called for at 6 a.m. but the orders were countermanded soon after we had started.
24 July. 1916. The Bn. was ordered to occupy line to the east of High Wood and work towards switch trench. Seven Forward posts were constructed during night Lt. Sherry was killed at dawn by a sniper from near Longueval.
25th July. 1916. We were relieved and returned to Pommiers redoubt.
26th July. 1916. Orders were received about 9 p.m. to proceed to trenches south of Longueval prior to making an attack. I had previously reconnoitred the ground with Coy Commanders and received verbal preliminary orders about 7 p.m. As gas shells were reported to be falling freely in the valley we halted until about 2 a.m.
On the opposite page is a sketch plan of the area between Longueval and High Wood.
27th July. 1916. It was then said to be better so we started. The further we got the thicker the shells fell until in the darkness it seemed as if half the Bn would be wiped out. They came down like hail. There was a sickly sweet smell about so I halted to adjust gas masks. With these on one could see nothing and it was impossible to advance so they had to be removed and we chanced it.
On the opposite page is a group photograph outside a chateau.
Fortunately there were very few casualties Capt. Parker was wounded & there were a few gas cases.
The trenches we were to have occupied on arrival were found to be full of Warwicks so it was necessary to get the men into what shelter remained. My Bn H.Q. were occupied as a dressing station by the Norfolks and soon after the Warwick C.O. also appeared there.
Fortunately he had with him a copy of the attack orders which I had not received & I was just able to communicate them to the Coy Commanders in time. The Barrage lines had been altered and the commencement of the bombardment advanced two hours. We only just got under cover in time.
On the opposite page is a sketch plan of the Longueval area.
About half an hour before Zero the Norfolks reported that owing to very heavy casualties they would be unable to take their second objective. I therefore decided to reinforce with my two leading companies, pass through and take the 3rd objective with my two rear ones at the same time I asked the Warwicks to take my place and informed the Bde what I was doing. I went forward myself to make sure the change in orders reached the leading coys and to put those following on the right road. After a little delay I found the Norfolk headquarters in an old German cellar at X and informed Col Stone of the action taken. To the east of North Road the Norfolks took their 1st objective and were held up by a redoubt. Pressing on with our right company they took the 2nd objective and 100 prisoners. Our right rear coy in turn passed through and reached the 3rd objective, on the way Lt. Dyson’s platoon stormed a house & took 32 prisoners, linking up with the Division Royal Fusiliers on our right. A German counter attack was driven off soon after reaching objective. A considerable number of prisoners were taken. These consisted of Brandenburghers including their Regtal Commander. I directed that prisoners were to be used to carry back wounded, owing to this the prisoners eventually landed up in the next Corps’ cage much to the annoyance of our Corps Commander. I believe this to be the first time prisoners were freely used for this purpose.
On the opposite page are two photographs outside a chateau.
On the west of North Road the Norfolks failed to take the 1st objective owing to machine gun fire. My leading left coy coming forward found them in the trenches waiting. There was no room for our men so they very hurriedly had to dig in behind, the rear left coy coming up in turn, had to do the same. They could not tell how long it would be before the Norfolks succeeded in taking the 1st objective after which it would be their job to take the 2nd and 3rd. Trench mortars were sent for to deal with the machine guns but owing to casualties never came into action. The Norfolk bombers took one house but could not advance further.
On the opposite page is a photograph outside a chateau.
In the meanwhile we were having very severe casualties in the trenches about Y. 4 Officers 160 Other Ranks out of 10 Officers 342 men in the two Coys, and finally I ordered the 2 Coys to withdraw to Bn H.Q. where they were more sheltered. Communication throughout the operations was very difficult and chiefly by runner tho’ a telephone wire to Bn H.Q. proved fairly reliable. I remained throughout the operations in the cellar at X.
Capt Burton and Lts Hayhoe, Weymes and Holland were killed. Lts. Rea, Milton, Illingworth and Hunter wounded, 303 men out of 23 Officers 807 men.
28th July. We were relieved about 9 a.m. and returned to Pommier redoubt.
29th July. At 6.45 p.m. the Bn was suddenly called for but after marching a mile we were told we could return.
On the opposite page are two photographs of groups outside the chateau. In addition is written “About 3a.m. a big crump smashed in both entrances to the cellar burying a number of people, fortunately we were able to dig ourselves out before the air became unbreathable, there were some 30 individuals there.
30th July. 1916. Reorganisation and training was continued.
31st July. 1916. We were suddenly called upon to reinforce at Longueval about 9 a.m. It was being heavily bombarded when we arrived the situation was distinctly involved the troops we were to relieve could not be found. We pushed up to the orchard and got in touch with the troops on our right. The shelling continued intense all day, men were continually being buried by shells, the troops on our right in Delville Wood withdrew, there were local counter attacks. Our casualties were severe 11 Officers 188 O.R. but we held on.
On the opposite page is a typed expression of thanks. It reads:-
15th Infy Bde.
1st Bedfords
The Brigadier-General Commanding wishes to express to all ranks of the Brigade his great admiration at the magnificent manner in which they captured the Village of LONGUEVAL yesterday.
To the 1st NORFOLK Regiment and the 1st BEDFORDSHIRE Regiment and some of the 16th ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE Regiment, who were able to get into the enemy with the bayonet, he offers his heartiest congratulations. He knows it is what they have been waiting and wishing for for many months.
The 1st CHESHIRE Regiment made a most gallant and determined effort to reach their objective and failed through no fault of their own.
The way in which our Troops behaved under the subsequent heavy bombardment was worthy of the best traditions of the British Army.
The Brigade captured 4 Officers and 159 other ranks.
W. Tryrrell Brooks Captain.
Brigade Major, 15th Infantry Brigade
28/7/1916
