The 8th KORL in trenches at Bullecourt

The Brigade G.O.C. thanks the 8th KORL for their efforts at Polygon Wood. The battalion move south to the Bullecourt area just north of where they had been at Louverval back in July.

The trenches at Bullecourt are no worse than they had been at Louverval and the battalion spends a a quiet week not being shelled. They are visited by several senior officers including Gen. E. Allenby & Maj.Gen. C.J. Deverell.

On the 12th, Reggie left the line for a trip to Paris. The journey is not described as “on leave”. He returned to the battalion on the 24th.

  • 1 Oct
    Cleaning
    C.O. inspected the battalion
    Note by H N Morgan with battalion orders by Lt. Col. Hunt
  • 2 Oct
    Baths
    Brigadier spoke saying how pleased he was with the last battle.
    Cricket vs. 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers
  • 3rd Oct
    Divisional General inspected & thanked the 76th Brigade for the good work they did in the recent operations
  • 4th Oct
    Long march to billets in Arques
  • 5th Oct
    Marched to Wizernes
    Train to Bapaume
    March back to same camp in Barastre (see 18th Sep)
  • 6th to 10th Oct
    In camp at Barastre
    Physical training
    Games
    Close order drill
    Musketry & handling of arms
    Kit inspection
    C.O. and officers visited new front line
  • 11th Oct
    Bussed to camp at Mory
    Moved to trenches at Bullecourt
  • 12th Oct
    Generally very quiet
    Visited by several senior officers

      • G.O.C (General C.J. Deverell)
      • C.O. visited the line several times
      • Divisional General
      • Brigade Major
      • C.O. Gordon Highlanders
      • Army commander (General Allenby)
      • Major James (10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers)

    C.O. (Lt.Col. Hunt) left the line for Paris on 18th

  • 19th Oct
    Relieved by 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers
    Train from Ecoust to camp at Mory
  • 20th Oct
    Cleaning and inspections
    Visit by General Allenby
  • 21st Oct
    Football
  • 22nd to 26th Oct
    Physical drill
    Bayonet fighting
    Inter-platoon football
    C.O. returned from Paris on the 24th
  • 27th Oct
    Relieved the 10th Royal Welsh Fusiliers in the line at Bullecourt
  • 28th to 31st Oct
    Snipers active
    Enemy shelled communication trenches and support lines
    C.O. sent 30 men to practice for a raid
    Enemy raided right front post on 31st
  • 31st Oct
    War diary of the 8th KORL signed by R.S. Hunt Lieut. Colonel 8th Bn. King’s Own (R.L.) Regt.