Home of the Infantry Regiments of Berkshire and Wiltshire

War Diary

1918-05-31
Regiment 1st Royal Berkshire
Location France, LAHERLIERE Corps Reserve
Entry Fine day. Training in morning. Synopsis. During the period of Corps Reserve progressive training was carried out (Training programme attached). The weather was very fine and the difference in the military knowledge and physical fitness of the men was most marked. On coming into Corps Reserve the Battalion consisted mainly of raw material but at the time of writing the majority of the men are well training and efficient soldiers. A platoon Football competition was held and was won by No 13 Platoon. The Company Football competition was won by D Coy. A lorry was attached to the Battalion every third day to take 25 men to DOULLENS. Casualties during the month of May. Officers Killed NIL Wounded NIL Missing NIL OR Killed 6 Wounded 20 Missing NIL RJ Brett Lt Col Cmd 1/RB [Synopsis continues on sheet 410] Effective strength 1/5/1918 Officers 33 OR's 1197 Effective strength 31/5/1918 Officers 39 OR's 1165 Ration Strength 1/5/1918 Officers 25 OR's 771 Ration Strength 31/5/1918 Officers 28 OR's 1076 Lieut (A/Captain) M. P. Pugh MC was awarded the DSO for conspicuous gallantry and good work when he took over command of the battalion on March 23rd when Lieut Col Hunt was killed. [Transcribers note: The above passage is appended in a different handwriting, presumably Lt. Col Brett's, as Lieut Pugh was the Adjutant, and perhaps too modest to include his own decoration in the war diary.]