July 1916

July 1916

1 JUL SATURDAY

By the end of this day there would be 57,470 British casualties, including 19,240 killed and 35,493 wounded. By the end of the campaign in five months time on November the 19th, this casualty figure would rise to 419,654.

The big push is on, early this morning the sound of the seemingly relentless bombardment ceased and we moved out to a new position somewhere still well back from the front line. We then had our usual morning inspection, just like any other day. The afternoon of this fine warm day, was spent with us ready all packed up and under orders to move out. The waiting about for something to happen is unbearable, you could actually feel the tension in the air.

We eventually marched off at about 9pm, it took us three hours to get to our next position wherever we are. I for one am properly worn out, I think the tension of the day has taken it out of all of us, we used our bags as beds to get whatever sleep we could.

2 JUL SUNDAY

Warmer than yesterday, still well back from the front. Volunteered for church service this morning, a lot of people seem to be saying their prayers today. Today was much the same as yesterday, under orders to move all day, eventually moving out at 9pm for another three hour march. I think that we are getting close to the front, there is something in the air, I can’t explain what though, we passed the 22nd along the way. Our bivouac is cold and the grass is wet, I don’t expect that anyone is getting much sleep tonight.

3 JUL MONDAY

Woke early after a poor sleep, our bivouacked are close to the 22nd and we are under orders to move. Waiting about again all day, plenty of movement going on all around us, shifted up another mile or two this evening and bivouacked for the night.

4 JUL TUESDAY

The bivouacs are just behind the front line in Bécourt wood. We waited all morning for orders to go up. this afternoon we eventually got our orders and went up to the front, on arrival we were not required and came back down again. There has been a large thunder storm and we are all drenched.

The word is that we are taking an appalling amount of casualties, whole Brigades wiped out, even rumors that whole Division have gone, although that is hard to imagine and there is nothing official.

Saw a lot of German prisoners being brought down during the day.

5 JUL WEDNESDAY

Back in our bivouacs, still damp. Quiet enough day for us (even though it is the fifth day of the offensive), even got a parcel from Jane, there was a nice piece of fruit cake and some boiled sweets, along with a letter. Got all packed up to shift out but have been delayed for the night.

Ernest Clarke went home on leave today, lucky blighter, I wish it was me.

6 JUL THURSDAY

68 Brigade eventually received orders to shift up to the front early tonight as relief for 69 Brigade, I think that we are in Round Wood.

Went on a carrying party with a days rations, we carried ammunition and bombs up to Triangle Trench for our old friends the 12th, who had occupied the trench earlier in the night, unopposed. Stayed in with them all night, nothing much to do except dodge shells. The Germans have been shelling our line quite heavily all day.

7 JUL FRIDAY

Still in the line tonight, with no rations or water and now its raining quite hard. The 12th have moved out to assist the 11th Northumberland Fusiliers in taking Bailiff Wood.

We had been sent back down as there was nothing for us to do but when we got back to the bivouac, we were told to about turn and to head back into the line. On the march back we were drenched again in another heavy rain storm.

8 JUL SATURDAY

Still in the trenches and have been messed about all day but we have got food and water. The Germans have been shelling along our line again all day, and there have been plenty of casualties, as there is very little cover here.

We got ready to go over but it was canceled due to the heavy shelling, although we are tied down, there are other attacks going on all around us.

9 JUL SUNDAY

We have moved forward to a different trench and the shelling is much worse, we have been digging in trying to make ourselves a little more secure but we are still taking casualties.

The 12th eventually took Bailiff Wood after there second attempt today, they had been shelled out by our own artillery after there first attempt.

10 JUL MONDAY

The battle for Contalmaison still raging today, with the 8th and 9th Green Howards leading the attack. We were due to back up the 11th West Yorks in there flank attack from Bailiff Wood but our assistance was not required. We have been shelled all day, so spent all our time digging deeper in.

Tonight we are waiting to be relieved, short on rations again, I suppose its because we should have been out of here by now.

11 JUL TUESDAY

Relieved early this morning by the Camerons of First Brigade, in their kilts, a man in a skirt never looked better than the one who says “I’ll tak over from here sonny”. We headed out and made our way to Albert and luckily, we managed, to get out without any additionally casualties.

In Albert, met some lads from Hartlepool and had a bit of crack with them over some delicious hot food. After having been fed and watered I was very tired, so I wished the lads luck and went off to my billet.

Tonight my nerves are shattered, although our company did not actually go over the top this time, we were shelled almost entirely the whole time we were in and have again witnessed things that no one should ever have to see. I have lost a couple of friends over the last few days and tonight my thoughts and prayers go out to their families, as well as my own.

12 JUL WEDNESDAY

Had a good nights sleep, the first for about six days. We are in reserve in Albert and are still dodging shells. Had to take to the cellars this afternoon and are back to living off biscuits and bully beef.

Tonight we moved a short distance out of Albert, and slept in some more cellars.

13 JUL THURSDAY

Another good nights sleep. In reserve and under orders to move out. Got scattered again by the shelling, so we were back down in the cellars this afternoon. Went out again tonight its blowing a gale and its not to warm in the cellars. There is a big bombardment on again.

14 JUL FRIDAY

This morning we were still just outside Albert, standing to. Latter we moved up to a new position closer to the front, tough going but there is no shelling going on here.

Had some pancakes in a French house there not at all bad, met up with Ginger, he never seems to be far away from food.

No news from home for well over a week now.

15 JUL SATURDAY

Up early and got ready to move off again, shifted back up about 8. We are in the old German front line trenches to the west of Contalmaison. There has been a huge German bombardment all night.

Before we went back up today, I heard rumors of a peace conference, but its not the first time that I’ve heard that rumor and it will not, with all probability, be the last time either. But for tonight anyway, I’ve got my fingers crossed, just in case.

16 JUL SUNDAY

Thankfully the shelling stopped today. The rest of ‘D’ company were shifted out today but I was left behind to help ‘C’ company in the old German support trenches. Had a good mooch around but there’s not much in the way of souvenirs. Out on a working party with ‘C’ company tonight, we got shelled and Black has the wind up

17 JUL MONDAY

Still in the support lines in Contalmaison with ‘C’ company. Went up into the front line, south of Pozieres, to help establish bombing ports for the Munsters, ready for there next advance. Luckily there was no shelling.

It was a pretty lively night and there were dozens of dead Germans lying about the place, the dug outs are all full.

18 JUL TUESDAY

Moved out of the front line trench early this morning, just before the Munsters started there advance. Rather them than me, but they take with them our best wishes and all our prays.

Joined up back with ‘D’ company again and had to dig in to the south of Pozieres, Boagey has been wounded. Pozieres is a proper stronghold and could put up some fierce resistance. Just got nicely settled down when the shelling started up again, The shelling was very heavy indeed, things are getting rather warm. Luckily nobody in the company has been injured today.

I’m a bit down tonight, our relief is late again and we have had no mail for ages

19 JUL WEDNESDAY

Was beginning to get a bit weary this morning, we had, had no rest last night and we were still digging in but at least there was no shelling then.

Fierce shelling started later, just before we were relived by the Australians, the diggers, as they call themselves, were as jovial and friendly as ever, in spite of the shelling going on all around us. They don’t appear to go much on ceremony, its just, come on mate get yer bum out of here.

Getting out is not quite as simple as it seems, you have to follow the right trenches and sunken roads or you could end up back up the front again. Getting out today was complicated by the fact that, not only did we have to keep our heads down dodging shells but there was also, a teargas attack. I nearly choked before I got my mask on, its even harder to find your way out with a gas mask on, so altogether, it was a bit lively getting out today.

Tonight we are in bivouacs in Albert, were hopefully we can get some much needed sleep.

20 JUL THURSDAY

I did get a goods nights sleep but we were up early as Albert was shelled this morning. We left Albert early this afternoon for a 10k march to Franvillers, arriving about 5pm.

Franvillers is well back from the front, and its been a lovely hot day with nice a clear sky. As soon as I got settled in, I set of to look for Readman and we went off for a feed together.

Bed early for a good nights sleep.

21 JUL FRIDAY

Wonderful morning, weather is as yesterday and I got to go on a bathing parade. After my bath and with a thorough change of uniform and because there was nothing else to do, I set out looking for food again. After feeding, I had a bit of a crack with John West about going home and about going back to work, and so on. Then a new draft arrived, looking fresh, the rest of us look thoroughly warn out.

Tonight I am really fed up with everything, and after such a good start to the day, I think I have actually depressed myself. Too many thoughts of home, no mail for days, the poor young draft, perhaps I will feel better after a good nights sleep.

22 JUL SATURDAY

There was an inspection by the Commanding Officer this morning, before a short route march (they must think that we have had enough rest), followed by a quiet afternoon.

We are packed up again and under one hours notice to go back up, another new draft joined us during the afternoon.

Had a walk out later after another big feed (I said it before you eat big whenever you get the chance). When I got back, there was a letter from Jane and some newspapers from home waiting for me. Tonight I am feeling a lot better within myself.

23 JUL SUNDAY

There was a Brigade church parade this morning, followed by a rallying speech by the General, with news of our successes, etc. (there was no information on any failures or on the amount of casualties we have taken).

Another short route march in the afternoon (the officers don’t like to think that we are doing nothing).

Went and had another feed before lights out and am a bit out of fettle at bed time.

24 JUL MONDAY

There was supposed to be a company parade, with gym and pack drill this morning but because of a mixup we had a soft morning instead.

Had a short route march on the afternoon in the warm and tonight I went for a short walk with Cavell.

25 JUL TUESDAY

Up early today, to get ready for an inspection by the Corps General at 11.30am, we were stood for two hours with full pack. Its a good job the weather is a lot cooler today than it has been.

Sewed my stripes onto a fresh uniform this evening and went out for a walk, heard that Pozieres is taking a battering from a bombardment, glad we got out of there. No mail today.

26 JUL WEDNESDAY

Left Franvillers at 9am arriving at the bivouac field about midday, rested for part of the afternoon before leaving for the reserve trenches at 5pm. Took over the reserve trenches from the Munsters at 6pm. The trench was in good order, so no work to do, fairly quiet tonight, there is a bit of fire going on the front line.

27 JUL THURSDAY

We were in the trench all day, very quiet, expecting to go into the front line. The 12th relived us in our trench and we moved up to relive the 10th Northumberland Fusiliers in the front line, at about 8pm. The trench was strafed tonight but nobody was hurt. The rations are satisfactory but we are very short of water and today has been the hottest day so far, this year.

28 JUL FRIDAY

We were on a bombing strafe with the Australians, a very lively day. Still short of water and we are strictly rationed.

Relieved by the 10th Duke of Wellingtons at 8.30pm, we were shelled all of the way out and again in our billets in the village, all rather exciting.

29 JUL SATURDAY

Back in Albert today, rather warm again. Fritz (Fritz is this weeks name for the Germans, everyone in the company is using it now) sent a few shells over this afternoon, no damage done though.

Got newspapers from home and had a game of house this evening (I do not like house), tonight I feel properly out of sorts.

30 JUL SUNDAY

Quiet morning, with the usual parades. Fritz shelled Albert again today and as yesterday, there was little damage done. Stood to for a gas attack, which did not come.

Waiting patiently for letters and still not very well.

31 JUL MONDAY

Marching and physical drills this morning, before marching off for a bath parade.

There was another football match this evening ‘D’ verses ‘B’, I didn’t stay for the whole game as I still feel very weary, ‘B’ managed to win though, even without my support.

Fritz sent a few more over again tonight.