1 May Ecurie Today was spent at rest. The following message was received from Headquarters 190 Infantry Brigade "I wish to express to officers NCOs and men of the Brigade my high appreciation of the work that they have carried out during the last tour of duty in the trenches. In spite of the very heavy casualties units have sustained, objectives have not only been gained but held, thus enabling the Brigade to retain the high reputation that it already holds. I trust that COs will acquaint all ranks of the above and that he past fourteen days may serve as a fresh incentive to the training of the men of the Brigade. " H W E Finch, Brigadier General, commanding 190 Infantry Brigade.
2 May Ecurie The Battalion was this day inspected by Brigadier General H W E Finch when wristlet watches were presented to
Their watches were sent by ?? of the 2/8 West Yorkshire Regt who was seriously wounded at Miraumont on 26 Feb 1917 and was brought to the Regimental Aid Post under heavy shell fire by the above mentioned stretcher bearers.
The following has been received from First Army "Army Commander has much pleasure in forwarding the following message received from the Commander in Chief " My warmest congratulations on the important success achieved by you in the operations of 28th and 29th April. Convey to the troops and formations which took part in them my appreciation of their gallantry and ? ? by them"
3 May Ecurie Working party was provided for the junction of Roclincourt Road to Arras The Signalers and Runners took part in the Brigade Communication Scheme
4 May Ecurie Same working parties as previous day. The following officers reported today and were taken on the strength of the battalion.
5 May Ecurie Same working parties as previous day.The Field Marshal C-in-C has under authority granted by his majesty the King, authorised the decoration as stated to the under mentioned (authority dated 30/4/1917). The Divisional Commander and the Commanding Officer congratulate the recipient.
6 May Ecurie Same working parties as previous day.
7 May Ecurie Same working parties as previous day.
8 May Ecurie Same working parties as previous day.The following having reported their arrival today are taken on the strength of the battalion
9 May Ecurie The Battalion moved out of dug-out Ecurie at 3.15pm this afternoon, arriving at the X Hutments, Ecoivres, at 5.15pm.to commence training. Working parties provided same as previous day up to 1pm.
10 May Ecoivres Battalion training commenced in accordance with programme of work
11 May Ecoivres Battalion training commenced in accordance with programme of work. The battalion beat the 190th TMB at football, winning 2 goals to nil
12 May Ecoivres Battalion training continued up to 12.30pm
13 May Ecoivres Battalion training continued
14 May Ecoivres Battalion training continued
15 May Ecoivres Battalion training continued
16 May Ecoivres Battalion training continued
17 May Ecoivres Battalion training continued
18 May Ecoivres Battalion training continued
19 May Ecoivres Battalion training continued and was inspected by Lt General Congreve, VC, DSO, GOC of XIII Corps
20 May Ecoivres The battalion left X Hutments Ecoivres and proceeded to HIC south of Bailleol - Arras Road where they halted until 9.30pm when they proceeded to the front line and relieved the 13th Yorks and Lancs Regt, 31st Division, who were holding the front line from about B18 a 2.1 to B24 b 2.1 ref Map B51b NW. Relief carried out without casualties and completed at 3.30am
21 May Oppy-Gavrelle Sector C Company in support line heavily shelled shortly after relief. Situation otherwise quiet.
22 May Oppy-Gavrelle Sector Front, support and reserve lines heavily shelled during the day. Situation otherwise normal
23 May Oppy-Gavrelle Sector Enemy machine guns very active during the night 22/23 May. Front line bombarded with rifle grenades, Prisoners of Wurtemburg Regt captured by D Coy on right sector of battalion front. Wiring done by B and D Companies in front line, party from C Company in support assisted in this work.
24 May Oppy-Gavrelle Sector Front line and reserve line heavily shelled. Special reports of shelling of the reserve line sent by OC D Company. Reports forwarded to Brigade HQ. Much damage done to trench occupied by D Company. Patrol from D coy went out at midnight to within 20 yards of German wire and remained until 1.45am.Wire put up in front line by B and D Companies and trenches repaired where blown in during day. These two companies were assisted in work by parties from A and C Companies.
25 May Oppy-Gavrelle Sector Information having been received that the enemy were carrying out a relief on the night of 24/25 May, our artillery bombarded at 11.30pm supported by Stokes Mortars and rifle grenades At 12.45pm our machine guns opened fire. Immediately after this patrols were sent out along the whole front, who reported that the enemy continued to hold Oppy Trench, Wood Trench, Sunken Road east of Wood Trench and Wood Alley. At 2.30am the enemy put down a barrage on left front held by B Company lasting for about 25 minutes. We applied for retaliation which was obtained from a battery of 10 pounders in 3 minutes. Extract from London Gazette dated May 16
26 May Oppy-Gavrelle Sector Situation quiet. Battalion was relieved on the night of 25/26 May by the 7th Royal Fusiliers. Relief was completed at 2.30am without casualties and battalion proceeded to take up positions in reserve at Blue Line B.25 d Map ref 51B NW.
27 May Oppy-Gavrelle Sector Working party of 3 officers and about 300 other ranks was provided for front line, digging CT.
28 May Oppy-Gavrelle Sector Same working party as previous day. 2 carrying parties each of 1 Officer and 30 Other Ranks also provided.
29 May Oppy-Gavrelle Sector Same working party provided as previous day. Same carrying parties
30 May Oppy-Gavrelle Sector Enemy artillery much less active, there being practically no shelling today. Same working parties provided
31 May Oppy-Gavrelle Sector Enemy artillery was very quiet, but there was much ariel activity. As it appeared from information available that the enemy has retired from his front line defences to others further in rear, the battalion was advised at 9pm to stand by to move forward if necessary. Working party of 3 officers and 200 ORs was cancelled, but 2 carrying parties each of 1 officer and 45 ORs sent out to carry material to the front line.
Added statistical information for month
in May struck off the strength of the battalion
16 Killed in Action
23 Wounded in Action
1 Missing
60 evacuated sick
4 transfered
making a total of 104 struck off strength
312 men added as reinforcements and drafts
Strength of Battalion on 1 June 1917 reported as 38 officers and 854 Other Ransk