11 October 1915:
'In billet. Transport shelled in field behind us.
Wrote McMullin.'
Wrote McMullin.'
Saturday, 31 October 2015
9th October 1915:
'Relieved in afternoon by 4th Bills and came back to billet in Vermelles. Started off again at 5pm on fatigue carrying cylinders of gas to firing line. Back to billet again at 2am Sunday morning after being lost in the trenches for hours.'
The Battalion diary notes that the gas cylinder carrying party numbered 184, and that it returned to billets at 1.30 and 2.30am.
The battle of Loos was the first time the British Army had used gas. In April it had been used by the Germans, and the British responded for the first time on 25 September at Loos. Chlorine gas was used. At this time it was merely let loose- the first time it was used the wind changed and much of it blew back over the British troops. Subsequently it was fired into the enemy troops.
Not certain who the 4th Bills were ( Grenadier Guards?)
Blog note:
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The Battalion diary notes that the gas cylinder carrying party numbered 184, and that it returned to billets at 1.30 and 2.30am.
The battle of Loos was the first time the British Army had used gas. In April it had been used by the Germans, and the British responded for the first time on 25 September at Loos. Chlorine gas was used. At this time it was merely let loose- the first time it was used the wind changed and much of it blew back over the British troops. Subsequently it was fired into the enemy troops.
Not certain who the 4th Bills were ( Grenadier Guards?)
Blog note:
If you have any connection with Louis Harley or any of the men listed in his diaries, or if you have found this useful please add a comment.
Monday, 19 October 2015
Saturday, 3 October 2015
3 October 1915:
"Went into trenches at Hulloch carried up bombs. In meandering order for some hours. Narrow trench . No dug outs. Wrote Beath.'
The battalion diary notes that G and LF Companies were in the Front line with RF and F in support. ( Louis in RF?). Relief only at 3.45 am, and the next day's entry notes that a lot of bomb throwing kept the Germans quiet. The bombs no doubt that Louis had been transporting up the previous day.
Blog note:
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The battalion diary notes that G and LF Companies were in the Front line with RF and F in support. ( Louis in RF?). Relief only at 3.45 am, and the next day's entry notes that a lot of bomb throwing kept the Germans quiet. The bombs no doubt that Louis had been transporting up the previous day.
Blog note:
If you have any connection with Louis Harley or any of the men listed in his diaries, or if you have found this useful please add a comment.
29 September 1915:
Rain again. Relieved about midnight by King's marched back to ruined housesat Vermelles. Deuce of a lot of dead horses and broken carts on the road.
The Battalion diary notes the incessant rain , and that by this stage the men had had no sleep for 3 days. It also refers to the relief battalion as the 22nd London Regiment. It was due at 6.30pm but relief only eventually occurred at 1.30am. It is remarked that despite the incessant rain and lack of sleep, the men remained cheery.
Blog note:
If you have any connection with Louis Harley or any of the men listed in his diaries, or if you have found this useful please add a comment.
The Battalion diary notes the incessant rain , and that by this stage the men had had no sleep for 3 days. It also refers to the relief battalion as the 22nd London Regiment. It was due at 6.30pm but relief only eventually occurred at 1.30am. It is remarked that despite the incessant rain and lack of sleep, the men remained cheery.
Blog note:
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27 September 1915:
Lay in reserve trench until 2.30pm then advanced on hill 70 with 4th Grenadiers and Welsh Guards. Got lost in ruined village. Worked all night digging ourselves in on crest of hill 70. First rum issue since June 1st. Bon.
The ruined village Louis refers to is Loos. To get to Hill 70 they had to encounter stern defences and machine gun fire. The Scots Guards were supporting the Welsh and Grenadier Guards and at one stage ended up waiting for two hours in Loos as the houses around them were being knocked down by heavy enemy shelling.
The ruined village Louis refers to is Loos. To get to Hill 70 they had to encounter stern defences and machine gun fire. The Scots Guards were supporting the Welsh and Grenadier Guards and at one stage ended up waiting for two hours in Loos as the houses around them were being knocked down by heavy enemy shelling.
26 September 1915:
"Marched to trenches at Vermelles and lay night in field behind trench transport lost-no grub. Passed by lot of wounded in village.
Field PGs to Eben, Raymond, Beath, Ca(?)"
It was on the night of the 26th that the Battalion received orders to attack.
Not for the first time this coincides within a number of letters or PGs being written by Louis.
Blog note:
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Field PGs to Eben, Raymond, Beath, Ca(?)"
It was on the night of the 26th that the Battalion received orders to attack.
Not for the first time this coincides within a number of letters or PGs being written by Louis.
Blog note:
If you have any connection with Louis Harley or any of the men listed in his diaries, or if you have found this useful please add a comment.
25 September 1915:
The first of a number of longer diary entries from Louis.
'General attack all along line. On the march. Passed by a lot of cavalry. Had eight hours with packs on. On guard at night. Rain all day. Rotten!'
The Battalion diary notes they moved from Ecquerdeques to Hallincourt through the day. Only reaching the latter after having to turn round in a narrow lane quite late in the evening. They had paraded at 8am and only billeted in Hallincourt at 11.30pm. It also makes mention of the cavalry , passing through to the front. What Louis refers to as a general attack the Battalion diary notes as the Great Battle, which although not involving the Scots Guards at this stage had commenced with news that Givenchy had been taken and much of the German 1st line.
'General attack all along line. On the march. Passed by a lot of cavalry. Had eight hours with packs on. On guard at night. Rain all day. Rotten!'
The Battalion diary notes they moved from Ecquerdeques to Hallincourt through the day. Only reaching the latter after having to turn round in a narrow lane quite late in the evening. They had paraded at 8am and only billeted in Hallincourt at 11.30pm. It also makes mention of the cavalry , passing through to the front. What Louis refers to as a general attack the Battalion diary notes as the Great Battle, which although not involving the Scots Guards at this stage had commenced with news that Givenchy had been taken and much of the German 1st line.
22 September 1915:
On 22 September the Battalion moved to Clerques (Clarques per the battalion diary) where they arrived at 8.35pm and were billeted.Interestingly both places exist and both are within walking distance of St Omer. Clerques is 4 hours away to the West, and Clarquesis 3 hours away to the South. The Battalion diary has the men marching for 2 hours, so on balance the battalion diary is probably right. Clarques.
Blog note:
If you have any connection with Louis Harley or any of the men listed in his diaries, or if you have found this useful please add a comment.
Blog note:
If you have any connection with Louis Harley or any of the men listed in his diaries, or if you have found this useful please add a comment.
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