On headed notepaper of
Government Controlled Establishment.
The Parsons Motor Co., Ltd.
Oil & Petrol Engine Builders
Town Quay Works SOUTHAMPTON
Sept. 14th 1916
Our Ref PES/GES.

This is to certify that Soldier L/Cpl. P.J. Lister, Regt. No. 28407. 12th Field Coy. R.E. Release Ref No. D.A. 25421. Occupation No. 04430, has been temporarily released to the Parsons Motor Co., Ltd., Town Quay Works, Southampton, by the Ministry of Munitions for the execution of important War Work
THE PARSONS MOTOR CO: LTD:
P.E. Sharp
Cachet of ASSISTANT PROVOST MARSHAL SOUTHAMPTON 1/6/18

FIRST ARMY SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS
for the 24 hours ending in the early morning of 13/9/17.
FIRST ARMY. Enemy light and heavy trench mortars fired on our trenches near ACHEVILLE yesterday, and his artillery shelled back areas near VIMY, PETIT VIMY and LA CHAUDIERE. We carried out a successful minor operation at 11.30 p.m. last night S. of FRESNOY capturing 1 prisoner. Gas was successfully projected N. of FRESNOY PARK, N of ACHEVILLE and into LENS during the night. The enemy retaliated heavily immediately N. of SOUCHEZ River. We captured one prisoner in a patrol encounter N. of LENS.
There was some shelling of our front line near BOIS HUGO, NEUVIL and HOUPLINES and BOIS GRENIER yesterday. We projected gas successfully near CAMBRIN during the night without drawing any retaliation.
Our artillery was active bombarding SALLAUMINES, CITE St. AUGUSTE, and the enemy’s defences in this area. Moving troops were fired on by our howitzers, and hostile trench mortars were successfully engaged during the afternoon, 3 direct hits being obtained.
ROYAL FLYING CORPS. Some artillery and photographic work was done in spite of low clouds and mist. Enemy aircraft activity was nil in the forenoon, and only slight later. One of our machines was attacked by a hostile scout while engaged on photography, but drove it off successfully. Bombs were dropped on a hostile gun position near HARNES; the bombs were observed to fall on and around the objective, causing an explosion on a railway close to the gun position.
OTHER ARMIES. Hostile artillery was very active S. of the YPRES – COMINES Canal, particularly on back areas and W. of WYTSCHAETE and near MESSINESE.
The enemy shelled our trenches E. of LAGNICOURT yesterday.
The Army on our right carried out some successful air raids, bombs being dropped on aerodromes and railways behind the enemy lines. During the night the enemy put down a barrage on our trenches E. of BULLECOURT, but no infantry attack followed.
The Army on our left projected gas successfully this morning S.W. of BEULEMONT, near the River LYS.
FRENCH FRONT. French aeroplanes carried out successful air raids on enemy railheads and aerodromes in Belgium.
In CHAMPAGNE, the French carried out two successful raids, one N.E. of AUBERIVE, and the other E. of road from St. HILAIRE to St. SOUPLET. At the latter point the enemy’s third line was reached, and his defences considerably damaged. N.E. of TAHURE, a hostile raid was repulsed.
On the right bank of the MEUSE the French repulsed two attacks on their advanced posts N. of the BOIS des CAURNERES and N. of BEZONVAUX.
ITALIAN FRONT. (12th Sept.) Yesterday, the Austrians counter-attacked on the Bainsizza Plateau, but were repulsed at all points. After an intense bombardment of the positions held by the Italians along the summit of Monte San Gabriele and on the western slopes descending towards SALGANO (1½ miles W, by S. of Monte San Gabriele), the enemy attacked them from E. and S. Fighting began at dawn, and was most fierce on the Western edge of the Plateau of Santa CATERINA (1 mile E.S.E. of Monte San Gabriele). Finally towards noon, the enemy, beaten and repulsed, gave up his fruitless attempts.
RUSSIAN FRONT. (11th Sept.) On the RIGA front, Russian advanced detachments moved to the line of the River INDUBE – LOSA – PAUSKE (all unidentified), meeting with slight opposition. Between the PSKOW road and the DUNA, encounters between advanced units on both sides have, for the most part, ended in favour of the Russians.
The Russians captured a height to the East of KIMPOLUNG.

A.R. ABERCROMBIE Captain
General Staff, First Army.
13/9/17.

Gerald Benham’s notes from diaries

12 September 1918 Moved to Holnon Wood area in busses.

Gerald Benham’s notes from diaries

10 September 1918 Turkie Young to supper with me.

SECRET.
60th INFANTRY BRIGADE OPERATIONS
INSTRUCTION No. 1.
(2nd Series).
September 10th, 1917.
1. (a) The Fifth Army is resuming the offensive on a date to be notified later.
(b) 20th Division will attack on XIV Corps Front with 60th Infantry Brigade on right, and 59th Infantry Brigade on left. 61st Infantry Brigade will be in reserve.

2. The proposed objectives and boundaries are shewn on the map issued to Commanding Officers at Brigade Conference.

3. Artillery programme will be issued later.

4. The 60th Infantry Brigade will attack with 12th R.B. on right, 6th Oxford & Bucks L.I. on left, 6th K.S.L.I. in support, and 12th K.R.R.C. in reserve.

5. 60th T.M. Battery will be prepared to send forward at ZERO hour, 2 guns and at least 150 rounds to assist the advance and subsequent consolidation.

6. The following will be the amount of munitions to be carried:-
Rifle Section. 170 rounds S.A.A., 2 Mills, (Hand).
Bombing Section. 120 rounds S.A.A., 9 Mills (hand), and 3 Mills (rifle).
Two men of each Section carry instead of above, 120 rounds S.A.A, 10 Mills (hand), and 1 Pain’s Smoke candle.
Rifle Grenade Section. 120 rounds S.A.A. 7 smoke P.G. (No 27), and five Hales R.G. (No 24).
Lewis Gun Section. 50 rounds S.A.A. (or 24 rounds revolver ammunition) 2 men carry the gun, spare parts etc., and 5 men each carry 4 drums.
T.M. Battery. 50 rounds S.A.A.

7. ACKNOWLEDGE.
P.M. Broadmead Captain,
A/Brigade Major,
60th Infantry Brigade.
Copies to:-
6th Oxford & Bucks L.I.
6th K.S.L.I.
12th K.R.R.C.
12th Rifle Brigade.
60th M.G. Coy.
60th T.M. Battery.
60th Bde. Signal Section R.E.
20th Division “G”
Staff Captain
59th Infantry Brigade.
61st Infantry Brigade.
War Diary
War Diary.
83rd Field Coy. R.E.

Dick-Cunyngham letter to wife dated 10 Sept 1914
Sept 10
My darling one,
I am such a happy boy with a mail today, letter 2 & 3 arrived also 3 others, and we have been longing for news for days & days – my precious one what a journey back you must have had, do you mean to say you did it all alone without a man of any kind? I always understood you were taking a man – I heard from Charlie your journey was adventurous & was really getting anxious – The little photo is quite sweet, and it is so nice to have it.

You must all be pleased with the news now. The tables seem turned in the opposite direction and the only bad point is the discomfort of following behind an army – filth & dirt are not pleasing but our Med Off is tackling it well.

I managed to get some cigars & cigarettes so am full of smokes. Am wondering if my uniform will hang out much longer – my one coat is dirty my tartan knickers are stained, petrol only seems to clean them for a day or so – we had rain yesterday which has laid the dust & it is cooler – flies are beginning to increase & worry.

I fear there are many anxious ones at home, the long list of heroes – I cannot help thinking that some of the Regt will eventually turn up & that they are not all dead, it cannot be so. So many have turned up suddenly from anywhere.

Country now is very short of supplies, we have to send the French officers in cars to forage in the rear – but all our supplies come up wonderfully well fed with bread, meat, cheese, bacon jam & Rhum when wanted – motors have made enormous differences in supply – we are halted today, have time to settle up my work & write.

Prisoners are passing through they say they are very glad to be taken by us, and our men are good to them giving them water & rations.

Daily Graphic of 8th actually here today – I enclose a line to mother, please send on.
All my love, god keep you safe
Yr
Jimmie

With envelope addressed to Mrs J. Dick Cunyngham, Mount View, Crownhill S.O., S. Devon. England. Signed Dick Cunyngham. Passed by Censor No 224 cachet. Postmarked ARMY POST OFFICE 42 SP 13 14 & ARMY BASE POST OFFICE dated SP 17. 14

George Ryan’s letter home dated 10 Sep 1915

On headed notepaper with regimental crest 9th Middlesex Regt.
Dum-dum.
India.
10 Sept 1915

Dear M & F,

Thanks very much for your letter of Aug 19. I also received a note from Cousin Ellen in an envelope addressed by you.

I suppose Peg will have gone home by the time you receive this so next time you write there thank her for her letter, for me. I hope Horace is alright again now.

Well it seems pretty certain we are going to shift somewhere very shortly. This week’s rumour is that we are going across the other side of India somewhere near Bombay. We’ve given in our old Khaki serge & we are going to draw some new stuff to-morrow. Serge is never worn down on the plains so we might be going to a hill station. We shall not move for another month yet I don’t think as I overheard the Captain say he didn’t want to move for another 5 or 6 weeks as if we went before that it would mean leaving too many men behind in hospital.

Very few chaps stamp their letters home, they just write “On Active Service” so I’m going to start the same dodge. It’s only a penny a week, still I might as well have it as this awful Post Office out here. If you do have to pay anything of course let me know, but I don’t think you will.

Hope you are all well.
Yr loving son
George

Gerald Benham’s notes from diaries

9 September 1915. Started as Staff Capt at 7th Prov Bde Hq. Tendring.

Gerald Benham’s notes from diaries

9 September 1918 Turkie Young over to tea with me & again.

COPY

Report on operations taken part in by 6th Bttln
Ox & Bucks Light Infantry Sept 3/6. 1916.

The Battalion was attached to the 59th Brigade for the above operations, in accordance with 59th Brigade operation orders left the Craters at 11 p.m. Sept. 2nd and moved into position of assembly in ARROW and SHERWOOD trenches.

The Battalion advanced from these trenches at noon Sept. 3rd.

”B” Coy from ARROW trench was in the centre and from the position of the starting points was somewhat in advance of “A” and “C” companies which were on the left and right of “B” company respectively. “D” Company followed in rear of “B”. The Battalion was ordered to follow the 10th and 11th R.B. to the first sunken road (see map attached) open through them to the 2nd sunken road, then to halt to consolidate till 1 p.m.

“A”, “B” and “C” Coys. lost all their officers except one and three of their Company Sgt. Majors before reaching the 2nd Sunken Rd. “D” Coy. also lost its Captain at the 1st Sunken Rd.

”B” Coy. in the centre found the Rifle Bde. clearing dug-outs and appeared to have stopped at the first to help and then pushed on to the 2nd Sunken Rd. “A”, “C” and “D” Coys. passed right on. “A” Coy. appeared to have overrun the 2nd Sunken Rd. and got on to the near objective at the edge of the Orchard about 150 yards, probably due to the fact that their Officers had gone and the Sunken Rd is difficult to locate in places owing to damage by shells.

At 1 p.m. the advance was continued. As a matter of fact men were going forward about 4 minutes too early, but the barrage ruled the pace. I do not think many casualties were incurred by our barrage. There was but little resistance after this. By the time that the Eastern side of the village was reached Units were much mixed, 10th & 11th R.B. some of K.R.R.C., Somerset L.I. and my own Battalion. Units were reorganised here as far as possible. The 7th Somerset L.I. at my request kept back a portion in the position, when the advance was continued up to the WEDGE WOOD – GINCHY Rd. to look after the right flank, as the number of Germans were visible working down the open street of LEUZE WOOD and our contact with the 5th Division did not appear complete. At 2 p.m. the whole line went forward up to the WEDGEWOOD – GINCHY Rd. and reached it with very little opposition, but a number of prisoners were taken from dug-outs on the road.

The consolidation of the position at once began, but there was a shortage of tools.

I had previously sent a message to that effect by aeroplane, it would be interesting to hear if it ever arrived. The message was sent to the aeroplane by a lamp and the aeroplane acknowledged. It was evident that the 5th Division had not been able to advance up to the Spur S.W. of LEUZE WOOD, and that the spur and the wood were still in the hands of the Germans. I therefore decided not to move forward from the road to the final objective ordered that was with the right on the S.W. corner of the wood.

1st D.C.L.I. of 5th Division were now in touch with my right, and the 8th Royal Munster Fusiliers on the left near the Cross Roads.

There were then on the WEDGE WOOD – GINCHY Rd. portions of the following battalions – 10th and 11th R.B., 11th K.R.R.C., 6th Ox & Bks.

The 7th Somerset L.I. were digging trenches in support close behind.

An officer patrol went through the Quarry and up to the S.W. edge of LEUZE WOOD and found no one there.

During the night 3rd and 4th Sept., patrols were working in the valley below us but could not work up the ridge owing to our artillery fire. The enemy made no attacks during the night on our front. Nearly all the losses incurred were from shell and M.G. fire before reaching the 2nd Sunken Rd, and more especially before reaching 1st Sunken Road. During the clearing of dug-outs at the final position, one case occurred of a “P” bomb being thrown in at one door of a dug-out smoke came out at the other without dislodging the Germans who however came out when the Mills’ bombs were thrown in. 8 Company Officers out of 11 and 72 N.C.O.s were casualties, mostly early in the advance so that I think much credit is due to the men and the few Company leaders left for obtaining the right objective.

During September 4th, consolidation was continued and was not interfered with except by a few shrapnel shells.

During the afternoon the 5th Division were up the Spur East of us to LEUZE WOOD. About 7 p.m. Battle patrols were established by 7th Som. L.I. from S.W. corner of LEUZE WOOD – GUILLEMONT – COMBLES RD.

The night was very wet, about 5 a.m.5th Sept. the line was relieved by 49th Brigade and the Battalion withdrew to SHERWOOD TRENCH where it remained until the afternoon of the 6th September. When relieved by the 6th K.S.L.I. the Battalion returned to the Craters.

I attach a list of those I recommend for Reward in connection with the operations.

(Sd) E.D. WHITE. Lt.-Col.
Commanding 6th Ox & Bucks L.I.
9-9-16.