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)

1916
November 12
Battle of the Ancre
  • 12th Nov
    8th KORL war diary records “Operation orders by Lt.Col. R.S. Hunt commdg 8th KORL. On Z day at zero hour the 76th Bde will take Serre and the ground to the south of it.”
  • 13th Nov
    8th KORL occupy Rob Roy trench
    After the 2nd Suffolks fail, 8th KORL try to force the German front line and also fail.
    Withdrew to original front line
  • 14th Nov
    Holding Rob Roy & Campion trenches
    Heavily shelled all day
  • 15th to 19th Nov
    Hold Rob Roy, Monk & Rolland trenches
    Heavily shelled
  • 19th Nov
    Relieved by 12th battalion West Yorkshire
  • 19th Nov
    Marched back to huts in Bus-lès-Artois

Casualties for operations on 13th Nov:-

  Killed Wounded Missing
Officers 1 4 0
Other ranks 15 78 6

The operation failed

November 20
Cleaning up and training at Bus-lès-Artois and Courcelles
  • 20th to 21st Nov
    Cleaning up
  • 22nd Nov
    Training
  • 23rd to 26th Nov
    Fatigues
  • 27th Nov
    Moved to Courcelles
  • 28th to 30th Nov
    Fatigues
November 30
War diary of the 8th King’s Own (Royal Lancaster)

Signed by R.S. Hunt Lt.Col. Commdg 8th King’s Own (RL) Regt

November 30
War diary of the 4th SAI

Signed by D.R.Hunt Major commanding 4th SA Inf

December 1
Trenches North of Serre
  • 1st Dec
    Relieved 1st Gordon Highlanders in trenches north of Serre
    Rob Roy, Rolland & Monk trenches
    Cleaning trenches
  • 2nd to 5th Dec
    Hostile artillery & snipers on both sides
    Cold
  • 5th Dec
    Marched to billets in Bus-lès-Artois
December 1
Finish training and move back to Arras
  • 1st to 2nd  Dec
    Complete training
    Prepare to move to Arras
  • 3rd Dec
    Moved into Arras
    Battalion HQ at the Hôtel de l’Univers
  • 4th to 6th Dec
    General repair work
December 7
Major Hunt on leave

Battalion moved to J2 sub-sector.

Major Hunt left on leave. Capt. Mitchell assumed command of the 4th SAI.

December 7
Trench warfare near Arras
  • 7th to 31st Dec
    Trench warfare in J1, J2 and J2 subsections
December 8
Reggie assumes command of the brigade

Colonel R.S.Hunt assumed command of the 76th Infantry Brigade vice Brigadier General Porter to United Kingdom on leave. Major L.J. Cowper assumed command of the battalion.

Working parties

December 8
Colonel Hunt at 76th Infantry Brigade HQ
  • 8th Dec
    GOC proceeded on leave to England Lt.Col. Hunt 8th KORL taking command during his absence.
  • 11th Dec
    Col. Hunt visited battalions
  • 16th Dec
    GOC 3rd Div visited Col. Hunt
  • 18th Dec
    Lt.Col. Hunt visited battalions in the line
  • 19th Dec
    GOC returned from leave