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War Diary, 2/18th London Regiment – July 1916


July 1st – Acq.
A and B Coys marched under 2nd in Command to Line Trenches in advance of La Targette-Neuville St Vaast for instructions and attachment to 6th A&SH.
On passing Bttn Headquarters came under severe bombardment – casualties as follows: killed – No 2890 C Lochner, wounded – 11, returned to duty – 6, suffering from shell shock admitted hospital – 3. Total: killed – 1, wounded – 20.


July 2nd – Trenches.
A and B Coys instruction over duties in front line. C and D Coys in Brigade Reserve.
Following officers and NCOs detailed to attend divisional course of instruction:
Army Infantry School: Capt Deacon, 2886 Sgt Powell.
Trench Mortar: 2nd Lt Atteridge, 2928 Cpl Parkinson, 2842 Cpl Swift, 2665 Rfn Goddard, 3091 Rfn Frankham, 1053 Rfn Wick, 2686 Rfn Munday, 4345 Rfn Hawes, 4351 Rfn PV Cucking, 4627 Rfn O’Conner, 4505 Rfn WJ Cucking.
Adjutant returned to rear Bttn Headquarters at Acq.
Rfn Lochner buried at military cemetery Ecoivres.


July 3rd – Trenches/Rear Bttn HQ, Acq.
Major Parry relieved Adjutant at rear Bttn HQ.
Divisional Grenade School, Hermaville: the following officers ordered to attend – 2/Lt Read, 2/Lt Curling, 2/Lt Davis, 2/Lt Collenette.
Sniping School, Acq: the following officers to attend – 2/Lt Pinkerton, 2.Lt Whyte.
Bttn remained in Trenches.


July 4th – Trenches/Rear Bttn HQ.
Bttn remained in Trenches- C and D Coys relieved A and B Coys in front line.


July 5th – Trenches/Rear Bttn HQ.
Bttn remained in Trenches under instruction.


July 6th – Trenches/Rear Bttn HQ.
Bttn relieved by 2/20th London Regiment commencing 9 pm. Relief completed by 230am.


July 7th – Mt St Eloi, Ecoivres, Acq.
A Company marched to rest billets at Ecoivres. B,C, and D Coys marched to rest billets at Mt St Eloi. Bttn HQ remained in Acq.
Bttn marched by companies to billets in Villers Brulin.
Major Payton assumed duties of Town Major in Neuville St Vaast.


July 8th – Villers Brulin.
Bttn less 20 went through baths at Tacques.
Capt Peckham assumed temporary command of A Coy, vice Major Payton.


July 9th – Villers Brulin.
50 men per coy attended instruction at Savy under RE in crater consolidation.


July 10th – Villers Brulin.
CO inspected and addressed Companies.
One platoon per Coy instruction in hasty entanglements.


July 11th – Villers Brulin.
Bttn marched 230pm to billets at Acq.


July 12th – Acq.
Bttn relieved 6th Gordons in Divisional Reserve at Mont St Eloi. Transport and QM at Eciovres.


July 13th – Mont St Eloi.
Bttn in Divisional Reserve.


July 14th – Mont St Eloi.
Bttn in Divisional Reserve.
The following subaltern officers reported for duty: 2/Lt Harrington, 2/Lt Curdhhan, 2/Lt Godsill.


July 15th – Mont St Eloi.
Bttn in Divisional Reserve.


July 16th – Mont St Eloi.
Bttn in Divisional Reserve.
2/Lt Godsill and other ranks proceeded to Divisional Physical Training School at Herraville.


July 17th – Mont St Eloi.
Bttn in Divisional Reserve.
Relieved 2/20th London Regiment in Trenches. Commenced 11pm, completed at 4am.


July 18th – Trenches.
Bttn remained in Trenches.


July 19th – Trenches.
Bttn remained in Trenches. Three Other Ranks wounded, 1 sick.
Draft of 36 men from 1/13 London Regiment taken on strength.


July 20th – Trenches.
Consolidation of Birkin, Common and Vernon craters began. Left of Bttn front wired.
Two Other Ranks wounded, 1 sick. No 2838 Rfn JB Garrett attends Sniping Course.


July 21st – Trenches.
Consolidation of Birkin, Common and Vernon craters continued.
Three Other Ranks wounded, 1 sick.


July 22nd – Trenches.
Consolidation of Birkin, Common and Vernon craters continued.
Four Other Ranks wounded, 5 sick.


July 23rd – Trenches.
Consolidation of 3 craters continued.
One Other Rank wounded, 5 sick.


July 24th – Trenches.
Consolidation of 3 craters continued.
Three Other Ranks wounded, 1 sick.
Divisional Anti Gas School. The following to attend: 2/Lt SM Toms, No 1328 Cpl ET Townsend, No 2211 WO Miller.
The following officer admitted to hospital: 2/Lt Kimberley.
Brigade Bombing School: the following officers and 20 Other Ranks detailed to attend: 2/Lt Godsill. The following NCOs detailed as Instructors: No 2297 Cpl RG Pollard, Cpl FC Jackman.


July 25th – Trenches.
Bttn remained in Trenches.
Two Other Ranks sick.
Relieved by 2/20 London Regiment. Commenced at 7pm. Completed by 1145pm.
Relieved 2/20 London Regiment in Brigade Reserve.
HQ in Portique:
A Coy in Cenot Cave, Reserve to Brigade.
B Coy on Pylones, Reserve to 2/20th London Regiment.
C Coy in Quarries, Reserve to 2/20th London Regiment.
D Coy in Ross St, Reserve to 2/19th London Regiment.


July 26th – Trenches.
Bttn in Brigade Reserve.
Three Other Ranks wounded. One died of wounds. One wounded.


July 27th – Trenches.
Bttn in Brigade Reserve.
Three Other Ranks sick.
Lewis Gun Course – Etaples: the following detailed to attend – No 2584 Cpl CC Garnham, No 5155 L/Cpl AR Blood.


July 28th – Trenches.
Bttn in Brigade Reserve.
Six Other Ranks sick, admitted to hospital.


July 29th – Trenches.
Bttn in Brigade Reserve. One Other Rank sick, admitted to hospital.
2nd Brigade Bombing School. Eighteen Other Ranks detailed to attend.


July 30th – Trenches.
Bttn in Brigade Reserve.
Three Other Ranks sick, admitted to hospital.
2/Lt Pinkerton admitted to hospital, sick.


July 31st – Trenches.
Bttn in Brigade Reserve.
The following officer admitted to hospital: 2/Lt Read (wounded).