The 4th SAI return to the Somme at Gouzeaucourt

The 4th SAI continue their journey south towards the Somme area. On the 5th they are at the front near Gouzeaucourt.

The men’s feet are getting very sore from the conditions in the trenches and require constant attention

A traditional Christmas is spent in hutments near Gouzeaucourt.

  • 1st Dec
    Long march to Eps
    Had to leave blankets because no lorries available
  • 2nd Dec
    March to Anvin then train to Péronne arriving after midday the next day. Blankets turned up
  • 3rd Dec
    Left Péronne for Don Camp at Moislains
  • 4th Dec
    Left Don Camp for Fins
  • 5th Dec
    Left Fins for the firing line in the Gouzeaucourt area
    Enemy artillery active
  • 6th Dec
    Enemy artillery active
  • 7th Dec
    Both artilleries active
    Men beginning to report sick
  • 8th Dec
    Firing lively from both sides
  • 9th Dec
    Relieved and moved to position in support in Sunken Rd with H.Q. near Quentin crossroads
  • 10th Dec
    Moved to hutments S.W. of Gouzeaucourt
  • 11th Dec
    Resting
    Great attention to men’s feet
  • 12th Dec
    Relieved 3rd SAI in the line
  • 13th Dec
    Comparatively quiet compared to last time
  • 14th Dec
    Good progress on trenches
    Men’s feet getting sore
  • 15th Dec
    Occasional sniping
    Relieved by 3rd SAI
  • 16th Dec
    Two companies in support, two in reserve
  • 17th Dec
    Feet treatment
  • 19th Dec
    Preparing to move forward
    Men not feeling very fit
    Relieved 3rd SAI in the front
  • 20th Dec
    Hope to have all men under shelter before next time
    Becoming a quiet sector
  • 21st Dec
    Battalion Intelligence officer killed in No Man’s Land
    Sniping active
  • 22nd Dec
    Sniping and machine guns active on both sides
  • 23rd Dec
    Relieved by 3rd SAI
    Moved to hutments
    Bitterly cold
  • 24th Dec
    Men allowed to rest
    Preparations for a good Xmas dinner
  • 25th Dec
    Old-fashioned Xmas day
    Snow lying deep
    Baths
    Clean clothing
    Fairly good dinner under circumstances
  • 26th Dec
    All men had feet treated
  • 27th Dec
    Relieved 3rd SAI 
  • 28th Dec
    Started work on shelters, wiring etc.
  • 29th Dec
    Very cold
    Enemy artillery active
    Good deal of work done
  • 30th Dec
    Heavy barrage by enemy followed by raid
    Suffered severely
    Gouzeaucourt heavily shelled with heavies & gas
    Order to move to support
  • 31st Dec
    Trenches cleared in prep for relief
    War diary of the 4th SAI signed by D.R.Hunt Major Commanding 4th SAI