World War 1 time lines

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
December 28
Move to Hendecourt
  • 28th Dec
    Parades in preparation for tomorrow’s march
    Major Lawrence MC moved to take over command of 13th King’s Liverpool Regt.
    Capt. H.N. Morgan MC assumed command from him
  • 29th Dec
    Marched to No. 4 camp near Hendecourt via Hamelincourt, Boisleux-au-Mont
  • 30th Dec
    Cleaning and making huts habitable
  • 31st Dec
    New Year’s Eve Battalion Men’s Dinner attended by all officers… a great success. Festivities continued into the new year with a visit to the sergeant’s mess.
December 31
War diary for the 4th SAI

Signed by D.R.Hunt Major Commanding 4th SAI

1918
January 1
In support, reserve and at the front
  • 1st Jan
    Relieved (by 3rd SAI?)
    In support and reserve 
    Quiet turn of  the year
    Carrying wire
  • 2nd Jan
    Working parties
    Wiring
    Artilleries active
  • 3rd Jan
    Support and reserve lines heavily shelled
    Gas shells… no casualties as the men were forewarned
  • 4th Jan
    Relieved 3rd SAI at the front
  • 5th Jan
    Quiet
  • 6th Jan
    Four enemy crossed our line and bombed behind the line
    Otherwise uneventful
    Cold
  • 7th Jan
    Rained all day
    Trenches becoming impassable due to the thaw
    Shooting from both sides at cemetery (Gouzeaucourt British Cemetery 57c.R.31.c.9.6 ?)
    Several casualties
  • 8th Jan
    Snow all day
    Relieved by BLUSH (3rd Regt)
    Moved to be battalion in brigade reserve in Fins
  • 9th Jan
    Hot baths and change of clothing
    Thaw set in
  • 10th Jan
    Work improving huts
    Major C.M. Browne M.C. reported from U.K. for duty

 

January 1
Hendecourt
  • 1st Jan
    Holiday
    Making huts comfortable
    Q.M. procured 246 lbs of pork from Arras which was cooked for men’s dinner with Plum Pudding and nuts
    Colonel contributed £10. Remainder contributed by officers
  • 2nd Jan
    Repairing and improving men’s huts
    Officers went to Brigade concert party
  • 3rd Jan
    Lewis gunners
    Lecture to all officers on Lewis Gun
  • 4th Jan
    Physical training drill
    Wiring
    Musketry
    Bombing and Lewis guns

  • 5th Jan

    In camp, parades as 4th Jan the Batt notified that Lt.Col. R.S. Hunt is awarded D.S.O.

  • 7th Jan to 9th Jan
    In camp
  • 10th Jan
    Inspected by Lt.Gen. Sir J.A.L. Haldane K.C.B., D.S.O. (6th Corps Commander) who expressed his appreciation of the fine work done by the batt during the past year.
  • 11th Jan
    Inspected by Brig. Gen. C.L. Porter D.S.O. after which he watched skill demonstrations by the companies. Battalion was complimented on appearance and all the work demonstrated.
  • 13th Jan
    Lt.Col. R.S. Hunt D.S.O. left for brigade H.Q.  to temporarily take over the duties of Brigadier. Capt. Morgan assuming command.
January 11
Donald leaves the 4th South African Infantry (South African Scottish)
  • 11th Jan
    All ranks resting in view of the impending move tomorrow to Moislains for 10 days rest
    Major C.M. Browne M.C. took over command of the regiment vice Major D.R. Hunt
  • 12th Jan

    Major D.R. Hunt having proceeded to England on special duty is struck off the strength of the Regiment

    Marched to Moislains

Donald’s own memoirs written in April 1935 record…

Early in 1918 I was sent on special duty to join a force under General Dunsterville in the Middle East. I went through Mesopotamia into Persia thence via Kermanshah, Hamadan, Kasvin to Resht where for a short while I was Military Governor. Thence to the Caspian Sea and, via Lankoran, to the Mugan Steppe in charge of a British Military Mission to keep the Russians and the Armenians fighting against the Turks and Tartars.

This was the mission officially known as the British Military Mission to the Caucasus but commonly known as Dunsterforce. The history of Dunsterforce was written up by Major-General L.C. Dunsterville C.B., C.S.I. in a book called “The Adventures of Dunsterforce” pub. Edward Arnold, 1920.

The war diaries of Dunsterforce are available from the National Archives as WO 95/5042, WO 95/5043 and WO 95/5044.

January 13
Reggie at 76th Brigade H.Q.

At Blaireville

  • 13th Jan
    G.O.C. (Brigadier General C.L. Porter) went on leave.
    Lt. Col. R.S. Hunt D.S.O. 8th K.O.R.L. took over command of the brigade
  • 14th Jan
    Lt.Col. Hunt visited the units
  • 15th Jan
    Lt.Col. Hunt went round the units
  • 16th Jan
    Lt.Col. Hunt reconnoitred the lines
  • 19th Jan
    Lt.Col. Hunt inspected the units & inspected transport lines.
  • 21st Jan
    Lt.Col. Hunt & S.C. inspected units
  • 22nd Jan
    Lt.Col. Hunt visited units & went to 2nd Suffolk Regt. And 10th R.W. Fus
  • 23rd Jan
    Lt.Col. Hunt took the A.A. & Q.M.G and S.C. of 103rd brigade around the area
  • 25th Jan
    Lt.Col. Hunt and S.C. visited units. Lt.Col. Hunt attended Major General’s conference at Brig. H.Q.
  • 26th Jan
    Lt.Col. Hunt went up to 103 Brig H.Q.
  • 27th Jan
    76th Brigade H.Q. moved to Wancourt

At Wancourt

  • 27th Jan
    Div. Commander called to see Lt.Col. Hunt
  • 28th Jan
    Lt.Col. Hunt went round the line with Major General
  • 29th Jan
    Lt.Col. Hunt went round the line
  • 30th Jan
    Lt.Col. Hunt went round the line
  • 31st Jan
    Lt.Col. Hunt went round the line & inspected transport lines and detail camp
  • 1st Feb
    Divisional commander called to see Col. Hunt.
    Col. Hunt went to H.Q., 12th Inf Bde
  • 2nd Feb
    Lt.Col. Hunt went round the line re work of the Pioneer Battalion.
    Lt.Col. Hunt went round the lines
  • 3rd Feb
    Lt.Col. Hunt went round the line re water points. Lt.Col. Hunt went round Left Battalion front
  • 4th Feb
    Divisional commander called to see Col. Hunt.
  • 5th Feb
    Lt.Col. Hunt inspected transport lines
  • 6th Feb
    Lt.Col. Hunt and Staff Captain went round the lines
  • 7th Feb
    Lt.Col. Hunt went round the lines
  • 8th Feb
    Lt.Col. Hunt and Staff Captain went to see departure of 10th R.W.F. (10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers were disbanded, men going to 8th Entrenching Battalion)
    Col. Hunt went round the line
  • 10th Feb
    Lt.Col. Hunt went round the line
  • 11th Feb
    Lt.Col. Hunt and Staff Captain went to Tank demonstration at Bray-Sur-Somme
  • 12th Feb
    Lt.Col. Hunt went round the M.G. positions
  • 14th Feb
    GOC returned from leave
  • 15th Feb
    Lt.Col. Hunt left brigade to rejoin battalion
February 15
Reggie rejoins the K.O.R.L & Front line at Guémappe
  • 15th Feb
    Lt.Col. R.S. Hunt returned from Brigade and took command of the Battalion at Wancourt
  • 16th Feb
    In front line at Guémappe
    Early enemy raid 
  • 17th Feb
    Dawn enemy shelling
  • 18th Feb
    Quiet
  • 19th Feb
    Raiding party sent out at 2am of 3 officers and 3 ORs
    They encountered a German patrol. 2 prisoners taken to Brigade.
    Otherwise usual activity
  • 20th Feb
    Enemy gas shells 
    Message received from Brigade

    The G.O.C. wishes his congratulations conveyed to the 8th Batt. The King’s Own (R.L.) Regt. and to 2/Lt. W. Smith and the men of his patrol for their initiative and courage on Patrol duty. The right spirit which brings success was shown.

    (Sgd) Lumley Capt.
    for Lt.Col. General Staff
    3rd Division

    The Brigadier has much pleasure in forwarding the above.

  • 21st Feb
    Relieved by 2nd Suffolks
    Moved to Brigade support at Wancourt
  • 22nd Feb
    Baths
    Night working parties
  • 23rd Feb
    Working and carrying parties
  • 24th Feb
    Relieved 1st Gordon Highlanders in the line at Guémappe
  • 25th to 26th Feb
    Usual trench warfare
  • 28th Feb
    Evening enemy shelling with heavy, light and gas shells around Batt H.Q.
February 28
War diary for King’s Own (Royal Lancaster)

Signed by R.S.Hunt Lieut.Col. 8th Bn King’s Own (R.L.) Regt.

March 1
Front line at Guémappe (cont.)
  • 1st Mar
    Still in the front line at Guémappe
    Quiet
  • 2nd Mar
    Snowing
    Relieved by 2nd Suffolks
    Moved to Carlisle lines near Beaurains
March 3
Resting, training & Reggie leaves the 8th King’s Own (Royal Lancaster)
  • 3rd Mar
    Concert by Bn. band in the afternoon
  • 4th Mar
    Inspected by C.O.
    Baths
  • 6th Mar
    Practice firing at flying aeroplane
  • 7th Mar
    Moved to Brigade support south of Guémappe
  • 8th Mar
    Lt.Col. A.J.S James MC, (late of R.W.Fus) arrived to take over command of the battalion preparatory to Lt.Col. R.S. Hunt D.S.O. leaving
  • 9th Mar
    Lt.Col. R.S.Hunt relinquished command of the Batt. and left for Division.
    The following letter from Lt.Col. R.S. Hunt D.S.O. :-

    On relinquishing command of the 8th Bn. The King’s Own (R.L.) Regt. Lt.Col. R.S. Hunt wishes to thank every officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer & man (past & present) for the loyalty and devotion to duty they have always shown.
    He is fond of them individually and proud of them as a Battn. of splendid fighters who have never lost a trench.
    He feels sure that all ranks will understand how much he feels the separation after the 17 months of his command.
    He wishes them “Good luck” and “Godspeed” feeling confident that their courage and fighting qualities will add to their great name in the future reminding them that the rifle bullet, the Lewis Gun and their own stout hearts are what have never yet failed them, nor have the Orderlies and Coy. runners.

    Lt.Col. James and Coy commanders visited the trenches.

In his own memoirs, Reginald says :-

In April of 1918 I made a horrible but great resolve. I’d done 3 ½ years fighting in the front line, & felt myself done-in. Up till then I had not funked, but suddenly I felt I’d lost my nerve, finished. Somehow I dared to go & see a friend of mine commanding the 3rd Division, General Deverell. I put it plainly to him, he gave me 6 months leave for Home Service.