8th KORL parade to celebrate Reggie’s D.S.O.; Reggie again commands the 76th Brigade

The men of the 8th KORL were treated to a New Year’s feast courtesy of the Regimental Colonel and officers.

On the 5th Jan, the 8th Battalion King’s Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment paraded in honour of Lt.Col. R.S. Hunt who had been awarded D.S.O. in the 1918 New Year’s Honours.

After a couple of inspections by brigade and Corps commanding officers with favourable comments, Reggie is again asked to take temporary command of the 76th Brigade while Brigadier-General Porter is on leave. The war diaries of the 76th Brigade show that he spent the time visiting units, escorting senior officers and visiting other Brigade Headquarters.

• 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.
• 13th Jan
  At Blaireville
  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

• 27th Jan
  At Wancourt
  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
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