These timelines were distilled from war diaries and books relating to the regiments and the personal memoirs of Reginald & Donald Hunt.
Reggie (Left) and Donald (Right)
1917
June 1
- 1st June
Moved by train to Arras
Dirtiest billets ever taken over - 2nd to 4th June
Training
Cleaning
Baths
Working parties - 5th June
Isolation of targets
Extended order drill
Moved to Balmoral Camp in reserve for 26th & 27th Brigade operations - 6th June
All day at Balmoral Camp
Moved back to billets in Arras - 7th June
Cleaning billets - 8th June
Practice bayonet fighting
Rapid loading
Laying out trenches
Indication of targets - 9th June
Working parties cutting wires near Fampoux - 10th June
Moved to Stirling Camp under orders of the 26th Brigade
Found not needed and moved back to Arras billets - 11th June
Working parties to cut wires near Fampoux - 12th June
Arras shelled with 12″ shells - 13th to 16th June
Working party for XVII Corps repairing road that is now Ave. de l’Hermitage south of St. Laurent-Blangy - 17th June
Moved to Y Huts west of Etrun - 18th June
Kit inspections - 19th June
Saluting drill
Arms drill - 20th to 30th June
Rain stopped parades on 20th
Bayonet fighting practice
Rapid firing practice
Marching practice
Map reading
Rifle ranges
Lewis gun classes
Bombing classes
Inter-platoon football
Rapid wiring
Attack formations
Signalling
Rain interrupted night training on 28th
Throwing live bombs
June 2
- 2nd June
Moved by motor bus to Arras
Rather exposed barracks
Arras shelled overnight
June 3
- 3rd June
Decorations for gallantry at MonchySgt. F.Harding Military Medal Pte. J.B. Isherwood Military Medal Sgt. W.H. Walker Military Medal C.Q.M.S. H.B. Hindle Military Medal Pte. C. Cambell Military Medal Sgt. J. Hindle Military Medal L/Cpl. G. Dickenson Military Medal L/Cpl. Y. Lovatt Military Medal Pte. G. Southward Military Medal
June 13
- 4th June
Ordered to move barracks in St. Sacrament to get better accommodation
Not enough room at new barracks for the whole battalion, so 2 coys stayed put - 5th June
Moved those 2 coys to new billets in Rue des Capucins
Trench digging in front of Arras - 6th June
Lewis gun practice
Finished digging trenches started previous day - 7th June
Capt. J.R. Dickenson awarded Military Cross
Capt. L.S. Lyons, Lt. G.S. Hyams, Lt. H.N. Flewitt, Sgt. S. Howard, L/Sgt J. Kitchin, L/Cpl D. Selkeld mentioned in despatches - 8th to 11th June
Musketry, bombing, Lewis gun etc. practice - 12th June
Enemy destroyed house next to Q.M. Store
Marched to Monchy and relieved 2nd Royal Scots
June 14
- 14th June
Artillery bombardment of Long Trench in support of 1st Gordons & 2nd Suffolks attack on Infantry Hill
Attack largely successful
Considerable artillery activity on both sides - 15th June
Village receiving attention from enemy during the night - 16th June
Heavy barrage on front & support trenches from enemy
“B ” Company moved up from Brown Line and took over Dale Trench
Major Perry set up H.Q. in Shrapnel Trench and took charge of B&C Coys - 17th June
Royal Welsh Fusiliers attacked on left but met M.G. fire
Orders received to relieve the Gordons and Royal Welsh Fusiliers - 18th June
Enemy launched counter attack on defences which was beaten back by combined efforts of KORL, Suffolks, Welsh & Gordons
Heavy casualties
Two posts of Gordons wiped out - 19th June
Stretcher bearers active
Working parties to make good damage to trenches - 20th June
76 Brigade relieved by 36 Brigade of the 12 Division
Marched back to Arras and billeted in St. Sacrament convent
Swimming baths available
Buses to billets in Halloy
June 21
- 21st June
Resting and cleaning
Letter received from Lieut-Gen A. Haldane, O.C. VI CorpsThe Corps Commander is now in possession of the German couterattack on our trenches east of MONCHY-LE-PREAU on the morning of 18th June (the 103rd anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo in which the 3rd Division bore a distinguished part). Thanks to the gallant stand made by the 76th Infantry Brigade the attack of the enemy was checked and completely disorganized, heavy loss being inflicted on his troops. It is a source of particular satisfaction to the Corps Commander that the troops of the 3rd Division held their ground during the very severe test which they underwent with their customary gallantry and resolution. He wishes to remind them that by doing so they maintained their proud record of never having lost a trench to the enemy both while under his command & under that of Maj-Gen Deverell.
19th June 1917
(Signed) A. Haldane Lt.Gen Cmdg VI Corps
Lieut.Col. R.S. Hunt on leave to England
- 22nd to 30th June
Reorganizing
Baths
Training at Hurte Bise
Lewis Guns
Bombing
Musketry
Handling of Arms
Wiring
Brigadier-General Porter inspected horses and harnesses - 29th June
G.O.C. VI Corps (A.Haldane) presented medal ribbons
June 30
Signed by B.H.H. Perry Major 8th Ba. The King’s Own (R.L.) Rgt
July 1
- 1st July
Moved from Halloy to bivouacs in Bihucourt via Doullens, Acheux, Serre, Achiet-Le-Grand - 2nd July
Training - 3rd July
Marched via Bapaume and Fremicourt to reserve area at Lebucquière - 4th July
Resting - 5th July
Patrol practice
C.O. Inspected reserve line - 6th July
Lt.Col. R.S. Hunt returned from leave - 7th July
Inspected by G.O.C. 4th Corps (Lt.Gen. Charles Woollcombe) - 10th July
Moved to trenches North of Louverval - 12th to 16th July
Quiet
Work connecting trenches - 17th July
Heavy enemy fire and attack driven off - 18th July
Relieved by King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
Moved to Frémicourt - 19th July
Baths
Resting and cleaning up - 20th to 23rd July
Training - 24th July
Relieved the 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers in the trenches - 25th to 29th July
Days quiet
Trench mortars - 30th July
Enemy raiding party spotted. Lewis guns opened fire and 4 Huns were seen to fall.
Day quiet - 31st July
Day very quiet
Trench mortars in the early part of the evening. Silenced by artillery
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