| Regiment | 2nd Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, IN THE TRENCHES |
| Entry | 23-10-16 to 28-10-16. Report on Operations for this period is as follows:- Acting on 25th Brigade Operation Order No. 134 dated 22-10-16, the Battalion took up position in LARKHILL TRENCH (3 Coys) and SPIDER TRENCH (1 Coy) at 11pm on the 22nd inst. At ZERO hour on the 23rd inst, the Bn moved up and occupied trenches vacated by the 2nd Bn Lincoln Regt, advancing in the order "C" and "B" Coys followed by "A" and "D" Coys, when the 2nd Line of the Lincoln Regt moved from Forward Assembly trenches. During this advance casualties were rather heavy, owing to shell fire. At 3.3pm the O.C. Bn ordered O.C. "C" Coy to reinforce the Lincolns. At 3.7pm O.C. "B" Coy was ordered to reinforce the Lincolns. At 4.5pm O.C. "A" Coy was ordered to support the 2nd Bn The Rifle Brigade in 1st objective, and then to attack ZENITH TRENCH from the N.W. Flank. At 4.14pm the O.C. Bn informed O.C. "B" Coy that "A" Coy was ordered to support the 2nd Bn Rifle Brigade in 1st objective and then to attack from N.W. Flank and if opportunity offered "B" Coy were to attack ZENITH TRENCH from the front. At 4.26pm O.C. "C" Coy was ordered to attack ZENITH TRENCH in conjunction with "B" Coy and under orders of O.C. "B" Coy and to co-operate with "A" Coy who was going to attack from the N.W. From information received from O.C. 2nd Bn Lincolnshire Regt and O.C. "B" Coy, the O.C. Battn informed the Brigadier that the 2nd Lincoln Regt had failed to reach 1st objective, the enemy being strongly reinforced in ZENITH TRENCH. O.C. "B" Coy deemed it impracticable to attack without further bombardment. The O.C. Bn had previously informed the O.C. 2nd Rifle Brigade that he was supporting him. The Brigadier had ordered an attack on ZENITH TRENCH from the N.W. Flank. O.C. Bn informed O.C. "D" Coy of his intentions and ordered O.C. "D" Coy to move up and be prepared to support "C" and "B" Coys. At 5pm information was received that bombs and ammunition was required by O.C. "B" Coy. O.C. Bn ordered O.C. "D" Coy to comply with request and ordered him to reinforce "B" Coy with two platoons, "B" Coy being now in position in GUSTY TRENCH. About 8pm O.C. Bn received verbal instructions from the G.O.C. Brigade to hold himself in readiness to attack ZENITH TRENCH with two Coys in conjunction with two Coys of the 1st Rl Irish Rifles. It was suggested that the attack should be launched at 3 am the following morning, (24-10-16). Orders were shortly afterwards received that ZERO hour would be 3.50am. At a conference with Coy Commanders it was decided to attack in two lines at 25 yds distance. "A" Coy on the Right and "A" Coy of the 1st Rl Irish Rifles on the left, forming the first line, accompanied by a platoon of the 22nd Durham Light Infantry, who were to dig a communication trench. The 2nd Line was formed by "B" Coy on the Right and "B" Coy 1st Rl Irish Rifles on the Left. This attack failed, owing to heavy Machine Gun and Rifle fire being brought to bear on them from ZENITH TRENCH. (N.B.) The Platoon of the 22nd D.L.I. mentioned above followed on the right of the 2nd Line. About 4.30am on the 24th Oct the Battalion was ordered to withdraw to its original position in Close Support Trenches. At 10.40am on 24-10-16 "B" Coy was ordered to be prepared to support the 2nd Bn Middlesex Regt. At 12.30pm O.C. "B" Coy was ordered to take up position on the right of the 1st Bn Rl Irish Rifles, and to make a strong point of his right flank, and to try and get in touch with the 2nd Bn Middlesex Regt. About 9am 25-10-16 O.C. "B" Coy was ordered to return to Close Support Trench. The Battalion remained in Close Support Trenches until relieved by the 2nd Bn Devonshire Regt on the night of the 27th Oct 1916, when the Bn proceeded to Brigade Reserve in PUNCH and SERPENTINE TRENCHES. Casualties during this period were as follows:- Killed - Tempy Captain M.H. HISSEY, Lieut E. BASEDEN, Lieut F.A.J. ODDIE 2nd Bn Middlesex Regt attd, 2nd Lieut C.W. GRIESBACK, 2nd Lieut W.C. HALES. Wounded - Major A.G. MACDONALD DSO, Captain E.C. GRIFFIN, 2nd Lieut E.A. LLOYD, 2nd Bn Middlesex Regt attd, 2nd Lieut C.L. DAVIES, 2nd Bn Middlesex Regt Attd, 2nd Lieut B.K. BERRY, 2nd Middlesex Regt attd, 2nd Lieut W.J. ROLINSON, The Revd W. ELWELL, Chaplain , attd. Other Ranks:- Killed - 36. Wounded - 128. Missing - 36. To hospl Sick - 16. 2nd Lieut G.J.H. WALLS to hospl Sick. 2nd Lieut C.L. SHAW, 2nd Lieut V.E.N. WILLIAMS, 6th N. Staffs Regt and 2nd Lieut H. RALLAWAY, 6th N. Staffs Regt joined the Battalion for duty on 25-10-16. Lieut H.T. FOSTER M.C. was appointed Acting Adjutant to the Battalion from 10.10.16, vice 2nd Lieut C. MOLLET, M.C. who proceeded for duty with H.Q. 23rd Infantry Brigade on 24-10-16. |
The Wardrobe,
58 The Close,
Salisbury, SP1 2EX,
England
For Collections, Research & Volunteering Enquiries:
Please note that we are currently not accepting new object donations at the moment.
07304 068136
For Venue Hire, Retail & Other General Enquiries:
07375 103910