Gaza
19th December 1915
Arrived Alexandria Harbour 7.30am. Disembarked 13.00. Reached Sidi Bishr camp 16.30. Bivouacked in open.
23rd-31st December 1915
Company training in accordance with Brigade orders.
19th July 1916
Sanction obtained from "A” Subsection to withdraw 2 Platoons from Habashi (6) of C Company for work at Lands’ End 3. These were accordingly withdrawn at 20:00 and proceeded to Headquarters. Message received from “A” Subsection that Turks were reported concentrating to the North. Extra vigilance ordered and all posts ordered to Stand To until 05:00.
20th July 1916
Moves to Sea Side Camp (Sidi Bashr) cancelled. All Officers on leave in Egypt recalled.
5th September 1916
No 3124 Rfn Keeley CF reported found asleep on post TUSUN Patrol.
10th September 1916
Report of 2 sentries found asleep at DEVESOIR POST.
11th September 1916
Trial of 3124 Rfn Keeley under Sec 6 (1 K) by FGCM at Railhead.
18th September 1916
Trial by FGCM of No 2786 Rfn Allen & 3091 Rfn Atkins under Section 6 (1K) at Headquarters of 8th Hampshire Regt, 1 Rfn to FP enclosure.
25th September 1916
Promulgation of sentence of one year’s imprisonment with hard labour Rfn Allen & Rfn Atkins.
29th October 1916
Promulgation of sentence of FGCM on No 3087 Cpl Wigmore (Charged under section 40) reduced to the ranks and on No 2574 Rfn Saunders (Charged under section 8 (2a)), 8 months’ imprisonment with hard labour.
3rd April 1917
15:00 - 4 Turkish Prisoners of War gave themselves up to OC B Coy at SHEIKH NEBHAN. Working parties 200 strong employed making roads to SHEIKH NEBHAN and UM JERRAR.
5th April 1917
Major MARSH . attends lecture Div Hqrs on tactical employment of tanks.
16th April 1917
Zero day. Final overhaul and inspection by OC Companies - Rations for 17th not to be carried on men, Rested troops as much as possible, watches synchronised at 18.00. Hot cocoa issued at 23.00.
5th September 1917
3:55am - Reached point of assembly... 8th Hants left at once deployed and moved forward towards SHIEKH ABBAS ridge. Two tanks also moved forward between Suffolks and Hants.
04:35 - On approaching the ridge the enemy outposts fired a few bursts from a machine gun and there was also some desultory rifle fire. As we got nearer the outposts hurriedly withdrew. The leading tank was now attracting a certain amount of shell fire.
5th September 1917
06:20 - Our objective was reached and by 07.30 the position had been consolidated and communication fully established. Our right post was on the right of the Wadi, 100 yds SW of 2nd H in SHIEKH ABBAS and our left at a point 500 yds SW of 1st S in SHIEKH ABBAS. Our casualties were two Other Ranks wounded only. After consolidation B & D Coys were withdrawn into reserve.
06:30 - At about 06.30 one of the tanks sustained a direct hit smashing one of the tracks and rendering her immobile at a point about 300yds to the left of our line and 150yds in front of the ridge. The crew called for assistance and stretcher bearers from C Coy went to their aid. One Officer and 2 of the . crew were seriously wounded and were safely removed. During that time the tank was hit twice more and at the 3rd hit burst into flames, and continued to burn until 16:00. Our position was intermittently shelled throughout the day, but we had no further casualties.
18th April 1917
05:30 - A & C relieved B & D Coys. Defensive works continued throughout the day. Intermittent shelling throughout the day.
14:00-16:30 - Shelled heavily. Casualties however slight – 1 OTHER RANK Killed and 4 OTHER RANK wounded.
18:00 - B & D relieved A & C.
19th April 1917
5:30am - Zero Day commenced. Two hours Artillery bombardment of enemy trenches on all fronts commenced.
07:30 - From the stepping of point we were subjected to heavy shell fire and as the advance proceeded to intense cross machine gun fire. The estimated distance (Barr & Stroud) from the stepping off point to the objective was 2,600yds on the right to 2,800yds on the left... No 1692 Sergt JW PEARSON B Coy, 8th Hants took 20 prisoners in this redoubt, and forming up an escort successfully conducted them to the rear.
08:56 - Our left flank was in the air and it was impossible to establish . communication with 162 Bde. The slightest movement drew heavy fire from the enemy trenches, and it was decided to consolidate a line some 400yds back.
14:20 - At about 14.20 we were subjected to the most intense machine gun fire of the day but no counter attack followed.
19:30 - With the exception of a little sniping all was now quite. Many of our wounded now came in and were passed through our lines. Covering parties were sent out and the work of collecting the wounded was carried on continuously until 04.00 the next morning... The marching out strength was 23 Officers, and 754 Other Ranks. Our casualties were as follows - Officers - Killed 2 Wounded and Missing 3 , Missing 4, Wounded 10, Wounded and Prisoners of War 2, Other Ranks - Killed 27: Died of Wounds 10: Wounded and Missing 9: Missing 174: Wounded 298: Prisoners of War 28. Total 546.
6th May 1917
9:30am - A message was received from 2Lt HA COX, who is wounded and a Prisoner of War in Turkish hands, and to the effect that 2Lt RA BLOFELD died of wounds 20/4/17 while in a Turkish field hospital and was buried 21/4/17. 2Lt ATC ASKIN (Wilts Regiment attached) also wounded and Prisoner of War and included the names of 19 Other Ranks wounded and PoW. This message was dropped in our lines by the Turkish Air Service and was picked up by a MG Section of the Imperial Mounted Division.
22nd May 1917
The following awards were published as having been granted for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty on 19/4/17. 330388 Sergt Pearson JW Distinguished Conduct Medal for the following act of gallantry. “At about 08.45 19/4/17 in the attack on Tank Redoubt W17 c9 single handed took 20 prisoners – marched them out of the trench – formed up an escort and got them safely back to the rear, subsequently returning to the firing line”. 330227 Rfn Parsons EW (Officers servant) Military Medal for: - “When his officer was wounded 19/4/17 proceeded to bandage him although exposed to heavy MG fire. During this . operation the officer was struck in 3 more places, but Parsons continued his work and successfully got the officer back to the Dressing Station”. 330587 Rfn Salmon AV (signaller) Military Medal for: - “Rfn Salmon was on telephone duty 07.00 19/4/17 until he could be relieved at 15:30. During the whole of the period he was constantly exposed to heavy shelling and machine gun fire over an advance 2000yds in open country. Although the men carrying the wire were twice replaced as they became casualties, the instrument and reel struck and the wire cut by bullets, Rfn Salmon remained at is post in a most exposed position and maintained communication throughout with the Brigade”.
31st October 1918
13:00 - Received wire stating “Armistice has been concluded with TURKEY by terms of which hostilities between Allies and Turkey will cease at 12:00 today”
11th November 1918
06:00 - Armistice with Germany signed. Heavy rain early morning.
(Other engagements with the enemy occurred during this deployment.)
Suggestions:
- Using the information 19th April - 22nd May 1917, how might a journalist have reported the battle?
- What do you think of the entries for 31st October and 11th November 1918 signalling the end of the war?