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
January 31
War diary of the 4th SAI

Signed by Ewen Christian Lt.Colonel Commanding 4th South African Inftry

January 31
War diary of the 8th King’s Own (Royal Lancaster)

Signed by B.H.H.Perry Major 8th Bn. King’s Own (R.L.) Regt

February 1
Training
  • 1st to 7th Feb
    Training at Villers-Brûlin
  • 8th Feb
    Moved to billets in Wanquetin
  • 9th to 15th Feb
    Training in Wanquetin
    Musketry
    Bombing
    Lewis guns
    Practice attacks in conjunction with trench mortars
    Fatigues
  • 16th Feb
    Moved in platoons to excellent rooms in Arras
  • 18th to 27th Feb
    Work parties
  • 28th Feb
    Moved back to Wanquetin
February 1
Working parties
  • 1 Feb
    Relieved by 1st SAI
    Moved to billets in Arras
  • 2 Feb
    Bathing
  • 3rd to 8th Feb
    Working parties
February 9
Trenches
  • 9th Feb
    Relieved the 2nd SAI in J2 sector
  • 10th to 16th Feb
    Trench warfare
  • 17th Feb
    Relieved by 2nd SAI
    Moved to reserve in Arras
  • 18th to 24th Feb
    Working parties
  • 25th Feb
    Relieved 2nd SAI
    Working parties

    • Tunneling
    • Trench digging
  • 26th to 28th Feb
    Trench warfare
    Working parties

    • Tunneling
    • Trench clearing
February 28
War diary of the 4th SAI

Signed by Ewen Christian Lt.Col Commanding 4 SA Infy Bn

March 1
Trenches
  • 1st to 3rd Mar
    Trench warfare
  • 4th Mar
    Relieved by 10th Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders
    Moved to “Y” Huts near Etrun
March 1
Training and Reggie returns
  • 1st to 15th Mar
    Work parties
  • 11th March
    Lt.Col. Hunt returned & reassumed command of the battalion
  • 16th to 28th Mar
    Moved to Liencourt
    Training
    Trench digging practice
    Football
    Bayonet fighting
    Attack practice
  • 29th Mar
    Moved to Wanquetin
  • 30th Mar
    Moved to Arras
  • 31st Mar
    Commanders inspected trenches
    Night working parties
March 5
Training
  • 5 Mar
    Paraded for inspection by Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig
  • 6th to 11th Mar
    Training
  • 12th Mar
    Moved to billets at Ostreville
  • 13th to 20th Mar
    Training at Monchy Breton
  • 21th Mar
    Moved to billets at Penin
  • 22nd to 23rd Mar
    Training
  • 24th to 28th Mar
    Moved back to various accommodation near Hermaville
    Fatigues
  • 29th to 31st Mar
    Moved to “Y” Huts near Etrun
    Working parties
March 17
Donald Hunt marries

Donald Rolfe Hunt marries Marion Grizelda Guillum Scott at St. Stephen’s, Kensington.