August 1916

August 1916

1 AUG TUESDAY

Quiet morning, felt a little better, so I had a good breakfast, as I knew we would be moving out today. Got our orders to pack up in the afternoon and moved out to Contalmaison, were we relieved the duke of Wellington’s and went into reserve.

A few shells came over during the night, there was no damage. but I got very little sleep.

2 AUG WEDNESDAY

Fairly quiet morning but under orders to move out, went up to the front line to Munster Ally we are in a bombing sap. Quiet night but no chance of sleep for all that.

3 AUG THURSDAY

Still in Munster Ally, the Germans have been fairly quiet but we have been bombarded by our own side, the heavies are dropping short. Luckily nobody was injured before we managed to stop it.

We were relieved at night by the Northumberland Fusiliers and moved to comfortable trenches near Contalmaison.

4 AUG FRIDAY

Back into the front line at noon, it's dreary waiting for something to happen. We had a few shell come over and we had plenty of rum rations. We eventually went over the top at 9:15 tonight along with the Australians, with B company leading the way.

After fierce fighting we took Munster, there were dead Germans everywhere and those that weren't we took prisoner, lots of then.

Captain Austin is missing and Sergeant Major Sutherland was wounded.

5 AUG SATURDAY

The Germans counterattacked early this morning with plenty of shelling and bombing. We held them back for now but Lieutenant Butterworth was shot in the head by a sniper and Lieutenant Teague was also killed.

George Sainton Kaye Butterworth, MC (12 July 1885 – 5 August 1916) was an English composer best known for his tone poem The Banks of Green Willow and his settings of A. E. Housman's poems.

In 1916 he took charge of his company in France after the commanding officer was wounded in battle. That summer he was recommended for the Military Cross three times for bravery, and awarded it twice, the second time honouring his conduct on the morning of 5th August 1916 when, during the first Battle of the Somme, he was shot through the head.

It is telling that the composer's father did not know about his decorations until he received the news of his son's death, nor did his commanding officer know of his growing reputation as a musician.

He was buried on the front line at Pozières. As was the custom, his body would have been recovered later, but subsequent manoevres made this impossible so no grave marking survives. His name appears on the Thiepval memorial close by, and, in honour of his popularity with his men, a trench was named after him even before his death.

D company managed to get out to the reserve line but we were still getting shelled badly there though.

Eventually and thankfully we were relived at 7 o'clock by the York's and we made our way back to the relative safety of Albert

6 AUG SUNDAY

We got shelled early in Albert so we were moved out of town for our own safety, supposedly. It was then fairly quiet until late at night, we had to hurriedly move quarters as we were shelled again with Heavies.

7 AUG MONDAY

Decent morning, until we got a few shells over, Moved off again 9 between 10, down to the bivouac field on the Amiens road. Shifted latter to another field and spent a decent night there,

Yet another great Bank Holliday.

8 AUG TUESDAY

Relieved very early by the Camerons and moved off at about 6 a.m away from the front, we marched through Franvillers to Lahoussoye.

Got a decent billet and settled in for the night.  We had a fairly decent day in all.

9 AUG WEDNESDAY

Still in Lahoussoye, where I had to give evidence at an enquiry on a man who fell out without permission.

Then there was an all Non Commissioned Officers parade in the afternoon for inspection and drill, we did get some stick. I am sure that is just what we needed, instead of a rest let's, just take all this stick.

Handed over the duties of Orderly Sergeant to Garbutt latter in the day.

10 AUG THURSDAY

Under orders to leave Lahoussoye this morning. Marched to the station somewhere and boarded train for Longpre, well away from the fighting. Arrived Longpre around 10.00 and then had 6 mile march to our new billets.

I am properly worn out but still slept very badly.

11 AUG FRIDAY

The small village we are in has no shops, so there was nothing to do. It was a decent day altogether and we spent the time cleaning up etc. We were all packed up ready for shifting again this afternoon but are here for the night.

Quiet night,  had a bit of a walk, but there was not much to see.

12 AUG SATURDAY

Another day in the village, a very quiet spot, there is very little doing and there is very little of importance to report.

13 AUG SUNDAY

Moved back via the long walk to Longpre station early this morning. Spent the rest of the day on route, resting in the train whenever possible. Arrived at Bailleul 4.00 and then marched 12 k somewhere else, not sure where but we are well north, away from the Somme.

Very tired but there is a lovely big moon tonight.

14 AUG MONDAY

We are in a decent little village called Caestre, the billets in a big farm, not bad a bad place and fairly comfortable. Usual drills this afternoon including a lovely pack drill, just what we needed.

Decent night with the full moon again, had a wander around with Readman and Robson, nice to just walk about together.

Back at the billet tonight I wrote a letter to Jane.  It's her birthday in a couple of days and I really want to be at home to enjoy it with her but no, I will be stuck here.

15 AUG TUESDAY

Quite a pretty little place Caestre but we are under orders to move again. At 2.30 we set off and marched the eight miles to Steenwerck. We are in the same old billet as we were in last September.

Not too bad a march but tired out though.

16 AUG WEDNESDAY

Jane's birthday today, very depressing for me, I hope she is having a good day with the rest of the family, I do wish I was with her.

We are moving again today but had a decedent rest before we set off, then when we got there we took over from the 20th Durhams. I had to go out on a small patrol but luckily it was a fairly quiet night.

17 AUG THURSDAY

The sun is shining on the farm today, very nice to have a nice warm quiet day. Spent some time cleaned our buttons and generally polished up, until we were relieved by 12th.

Went on patrol with 12th twice later and Lt Atkinson was with us the 2nd time. There was a bit of rapid fire going off otherwise not too bad.

Got a letter from Aunt Rose today, sure I have said this before, but it is fantastic if not incential to keep in touch with home.

18 AUG FRIDAY

Went up to station where we got billets in cellars, they are not bad. Had a nice quiet day but not too much to eat, although we will survive.

Had a patrol at night, but nothing too bad, we got in touch with 10th Northumberland Fusiliers. Overall it was a quiet night, B Coy was the one man wounded though.

19 AUG SATURDAY

In same spot as yesterday but had a really good breakfast today. Fairly quiet day over all, then went out on rations patrol at night.

Properly out of fettle again though today, I do not think I am getting much sleep. Much correspondence from home this week although the letter from Aunt Rose was good to have.

20 AUG SUNDAY

In same place as yesterday and things are rather quiet at the moment. On a working party filling sand bags in the morning around 320 men involved in the action. That afternoon I managed to have a nice little nap, that should help me feel a bit better. Filling sand bags again after tea, oh what fun we have sometimes.

Up at the command post tonight and it's rather cold, strange for the middle of August.

21 AUG MONDAY

Still in the same place and had a fairly quiet day. Eventually though we were relieved by B Com at around 5.30 but stayed there until till 7.00. When we came out I went up to the transport field with Corporal Watson. We didn't move off but stayed the night there.

22 AUG TUESDAY

Eventually we left the transport field and headed for Steenwerck.

Reported at D.G.S. for a course of instructions, there we had lectures and some gas instructions, all required and not too bad.

I wandered up to the mill at night and met some old friends, I was very pleased to see them. Spent a very enjoyable night with them all.

23 AUG WEDNESDAY

Another day in Steenwerck, doing courses again, eventually finished all of them in afternoon. Left for the front, after tea at Divisional Headquarters, were the food is better than usual.

Went back into the trenches with J Robson and we had a night in support. I am tired out yet again.

24 AUG THURSDAY

In the trenches today. Took wind observations during a Gas alert, the gas didn't last long and soon went away. Took over platoon 14, a decent enough bunch. There was a bit of straf after gas.

Quiet enough night though but I am a little out of fettle, my ears are bad, I did get a parcel from Jane though. I will go through it all when we get out of here.

25 AUG FRIDAY

Relieved in the trenches after breakfast by 12th. Came out to a scruffy old farm as our billet but it's not too bad, it had a roof. Bit straf on right and left of us but we are all ok here. I am feeling alright as I received a batch of birthday cards, papers and letters, from home. Hes a nice quiet night, with nothing much doing.

Heard rumour of new victory.

26 AUG SATURDAY

My birthday, the second one of them in France. On working party to trenches on the morning, the usual sort of thing. Then at 1:30 had a decent party parade (I thought they had forgotten). The billet has been very quiet this afternoon, so had a nice quiet day. Had a bit of a stroll tonight before it started raining heavy, it went on all night.

Very little sleep.

27 AUG SUNDAY

Same place as before but not too bad. Fine morning and the weather seems a lot better. No Church parade today except for Roman Catholics. The working party on the other hand are proceeding as usual.

Had a bit of a stroll at night with Hutch & Willis.

28 AUG MONDAY

Still in the same place. Another fairly fine day and another working party. When for a nice bath in afternoon, it's good to have a good soak.

Had a nice little walk to an old farm tonight, where we got Milk and Chocolate. That makes a change and was very nice indeed.

29 AUG TUESDAY

Same place as before. Usual working party other than that nothing much doing. Came on to rain in afternoon, then rained nearly all night. Still nothing much doing.

30 AUG WEDNESDAY

Same place, missed the working party today so I wrote a few letters home while I had time. Very little doing at all and the night working party cancelled as well. There is still plenty of rain.

31 AUG THURSDAY

Same place, inspection and then physical drill this morning. Things are really quiet, although I am out of fettle again. Out on working party tonight but got back nice and early. Fine night and quiet, although one of C Com was wounded.