January 1917 | 9th 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 Jan | To billets in Beauguerne. 175 men joined from the depot.
Battn now numbered 1066 all ranks.
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Feb 1917 | Billets 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.
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12 Feb | Church parade followed by bayonet demonstration.
Firing practice on range, ‘firing while in motion.’
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13 Feb | Practice in ‘the assault’. |
14 Feb | Practice on the ranges. Baths at Canaples.
Finals of bayonet fighting and bomb throwing competitions (won by 9th)
Gas lecture
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15 Feb | Practice for the Divisional Review.
Finals of inter-platoon marching and shooting contest.
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16 Feb | Halloy to Beauval for the Divisional Review. |
17 Feb | 7th Div review by General Nivelle. |
18 Feb | Church parade |
19 Feb | Practice in the assault |
20 Feb | Beauval to Punchervillers |
21 Feb | Finals Brigade Boxing and Cross-Country run. 9th won lightweight boxing.
Gas helmets tested
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22 Feb | Moved to Arqueres |
23 Feb | Unloading duties |
24 Feb | Mopping up practice |
25 Feb | Move back to Bertrancourt in readiness to move up the line. |
28 Feb | Move to camp in Noailly Mallet (sic?) Mailly Malet ? |
1 March | Working parties on light railway and at Auchonvilliers |
2 March | Brigade support in White City and Burh Work |
3 March | Light railway work and taking pack transport to front line.
Salvaging of equipment.
CO and Coy. Commanders recce of front line.
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4-18 March | Remained 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.
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18 March | Moved to dugouts and shelters at Mouse Point.
Working party on Serre Road.
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21 March | Moved to Ervillers, relieving 1st Gordons. |
22 March | In line in front of Mory. Pushed posts forward towards Ecoust which was held strongly by the enemy. 9 men wounded. |
23 March | Posts pushed further forward towards Ecoust. 1 killed, 10 wounded.
Enemy attacked an advanced post during the night. 3 enemy killed.
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24 March | British aeroplane brought down behind No. 2 Coy., both airmen unhurt.
Enemy plane brought down.
5 men wounded.
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25 March | Still in line in front of Mory. Patrols report enemy still holding Ecoust.
1 man killed.
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26 March | Patrols continued. 9 killed, 8 wounded.
Relieved by 8th Devons and moved back to Ervillers, into huts.
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27 March | Ervillers |
28 March | Ervillers 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.
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1 April | Moved into line in front of Ecoust. |