cross logo
HOME PAGE
MEMORIAL CROSS
HISTORY of the CROSS
ROLL of HONOUR
LINKS
9th Battalion Devonshire Regiment
24th January - 1st April 1917
Information from the War Diary
January 19179th Battn in the line at Beaumont Hamel with relief billets at Bertrancourt where the time was spent unloading trains at Beaussant siding.
Weather very cold.  Heavy snow on 15th
24th JanTo billets in Beauguerne.  175 men joined from the depot. Battn now numbered 1066 all ranks.
Feb 1917Billets in Halloy.
Practice attack using the Brigade training area above Pernois.
Lt.Col Storey o/c.
8th Devons beat the 9th in Brigade competitions 3 – 1
Lecture on war loan.
12 FebChurch parade followed by bayonet demonstration.
Firing practice on range, ‘firing while in motion.’
13 FebPractice in ‘the assault’.
14 FebPractice on the ranges.  Baths at Canaples.
Finals of bayonet fighting and bomb throwing competitions (won by 9th)
Gas lecture
15 FebPractice for the Divisional Review.
Finals of inter-platoon marching and shooting contest.
16 FebHalloy to Beauval for the Divisional Review.
17 Feb7th Div review by General Nivelle.
18 FebChurch parade
19 FebPractice in the assault
20 FebBeauval to Punchervillers
21 FebFinals Brigade Boxing and Cross-Country run.  9th won lightweight boxing.
Gas helmets tested
22 FebMoved to Arqueres
23 FebUnloading duties
24 FebMopping up practice
25 FebMove back to Bertrancourt in readiness to move up the line.
28 FebMove to camp in Noailly Mallet (sic?) Mailly Malet ?
1 MarchWorking parties on light railway and at Auchonvilliers
2 MarchBrigade support in White City and Burh Work
3 MarchLight railway work and taking pack transport to front line.
Salvaging of equipment.
CO and Coy. Commanders recce of front line.
4-18 MarchRemained in support.
2 men injured by rifle-grenade explosion during practice.
11th March: 3 killed, 6 wounded on working parties.
12th March: 5 wounded road making.
18 MarchMoved to dugouts and shelters at Mouse Point.
Working party on Serre Road.
21 MarchMoved to Ervillers, relieving 1st Gordons.
22 MarchIn line in front of Mory.  Pushed posts forward towards Ecoust which was held strongly by the enemy.  9 men wounded.
23 MarchPosts pushed further forward towards Ecoust.  1 killed, 10 wounded.
Enemy attacked an advanced post during the night.  3 enemy killed.
24 MarchBritish aeroplane brought down behind No. 2 Coy., both airmen unhurt.
Enemy plane brought down.
5 men wounded.
25 MarchStill in line in front of Mory.  Patrols report enemy still holding Ecoust. 1 man killed.
26 MarchPatrols continued.  9 killed, 8 wounded.
Relieved by 8th Devons and moved back to Ervillers, into huts.
27 MarchErvillers
28 MarchErvillers to billets in Courcelles and then to Ablaizenville. Remained in rest until April 1st.
March casualties: 1 Officer killed, 14 ORs killed, 4 ORs wounded.
Strength 46 officers, 948 ORs.
1 AprilMoved into line in front of Ecoust.
[Top]                                    Back to Home Page
logo

OTHER TOPICS

9th Batt. Devons
Jan-April 1917
BATTLE OF
AUBERS RIDGE 1915
CAMBRAI 1917
GUNS CAPTURED AT
LOOS BY 9th DEVONS
KITCHENER’S
NEW ARMIES
KUT-el-AMARA
MESOPOTAMIA
SPANISH INFLUENZA
SUVLA BAY
GALLIPOLI
TRENCH MORTARS
HOW TURKEY
ENTERED THE WAR
VOLUNTARY AID DETACHMENT