| Regiment | 1st Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, Brigade Reserve Villers Plouich |
| Entry | Working parties continued. Advantage was taken of the misty weather to collect salvage further afield from positions normally in full view of the enemy. Casualties during January. Officers Wounded Nil. Killed Nil O.R Wounded 12 Killed 2 Effective Strength 31-1-18 36 Officers 722 OR Ration Strength 31-1-18 25 Officers 554 OR [Commanding Officers summary continues on sheet 371] From a fighting point of view the month of January was uneventful. The Battn came out of the line into Corps reserve on night 3-4th having the misfortune to lose 2 outpost positions while the relief was in progress. From 4th to 23rd was spent in camp at BARASTRE. When taken over this camp was in a dilapidated and unfurnished condition and our energies during our stay there were divided between training and attempting to repair, drain and render the camp habitable, but both were seriously interfered with by weather conditions - hard frost and snow alternating with sudden thaws and rain. In spite of these difficulties good work was done - vide congratulatory messages attached. Some benefit was derived from the period of training, especially from RE instruction in rapid wiring. Recreation was restricted, not only by the weather, but also by the desolate and ruined nature of our surroundings. Three days (24, 25 & 26) were passed at METZ-EN-COUTURE under similar conditions though the weather was more gracious and good work was done in cleaning up the billets and in salvaging the astounding amount of waste clothing and equipment there. The remainder of the month was spent in the front line and in Brigade Reserve in LEFT sub sector of LA VACQUERIE RIGHT sector. The trenches were found to be very wet and impassable and advantage was taken of the peaceful attitude of the enemy and several misty days to improve the defences and accommodation and to salve a large quantity of derelict material with which VILLERS PLOUICH and its surroundings were littered. G.P. Hunt Lt Col Comd 1st Royal Berkshires. |
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