Following a period of training the 8th KORL are involved in an attack on Serre-lès-Puisieux as part of the major Battle of the Ancre which began on 13th November. The attack is not a success due largely to the ground conditions.
- 1st to 11th Nov
Training for attack on Serre (Serre-lès-Puisieux) - 12th Nov
Left Bus and marched to Courcelles
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
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
- 20th to 21st Nov
Cleaning up - 22nd Nov
Training - 23rd to 26th Nov
Fatigues - 27th Nov
Moved to Courcelles - 28th to 30th Nov
Fatigues - 30th Nov
War diary of the 8th KORL signed by R.S. Hunt Lt.Col. Commdg 8th King’s Own (RL) Regt