The 8th KORL are in the Bullecourt again but this time it is getting more lively from around the 10th/11th with much more artillery usage from both sides.
On the 19th, Reggie goes on leave to England leaving Major Lawrence (who had joined from the 1st Gordon Highlanders on the 12th) in command. Major Lawrence pronounces the Christmas dinner as being the best one he has had in France.
Major Lawrence moves onto another command leaving Capt.H.N.Morgan, Reggie’s erstwhile adjutant, in command.
The battalion spends the New Year in Hendecourt a few miles north-west of Mory where the officers attend a successful dinner party.
- 1st to 4th Dec
Artillery active
Relieved by 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers on the 4th - 5th Dec
Resting
Battalion standing ready to move at one hour’s notice
Revd. Hopson arrived as C of E chaplain - 6th Dec
Battalion in brigade reserve
Moved up to take over Ecoust defences - 7th to 10th Dec
Quiet
Repairing and constructing shelters
Carrying parties - 10th Dec
Relieved 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers at the front line at Bullecourt
Ration dump heavily shelled - 11th Dec
Hostile artillery particularly active on support at Batt. H.Q. - 12th Dec
6.30am Enemy barrage with Trench mortars, whizzbangs and heavies on all lines
Enemy raiding parties repulsed
Heavy casualties inflicted on the enemy
Enemy secured lodgement from Ripon Lane to Bunny Hug Lane
West Yorks took 15 OR prisoners
Major Lawrence of 1st Gordons joined at took over duties of second in command - 13th Dec
Allied guns active due to information received from previous day’s prisoners - 14th Dec
Hostile shells on front, support and reserve lines
Allied barrage on captured trenches
Enemy retaliation - 15th Dec
Little enemy shelling
Allied shelling
Enemy retaliation
Relieved by 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers - 17th to 21st Dec
Stand to 6.30am to 8am
Inspection, instruction and baths
Physical training
Wiring
Lewis Gun instruction
Concert by brigade concert party
Lt.Col. R.S. Hunt left for England on leave on the 19th - 22nd Dec
Relieved 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers - 24th Dec
Spasmodic shelling by by own and enemy artillery
Xmas Eve and anticipation of the morrow - 25th Dec
Enemy artillery active throughout the day
Eight officers sat down to Xmas dinner at 8pm
Major Lawrence said it was the best dinner he had eaten in France - 26th Dec
Intermittent enemy shelling
Visit from officers of 12th Suffolks - 27th Dec
Relieved by 12th Suffolks
Marched back to Mory - 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.
War diary of the 8th KORL signed by H.N. Morgan Capt. 8th Bn. King’s Own (R.L.) Regt
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