On Monday 30th July, the Brigade was put at the disposal of 41st Division and the Battalion moved up to Ridge Wood near Dikkebus and bivouacked there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prior to the move, the nature of the forthcoming operations were explained to the men and the objectives indicated by maps and air photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At 350am on 31st July, in conjunction with Divisions on the right and left, the 41st Division attacked in a heavy rainstorm,after an extremely violent bombardment of the enemy trench system and defensive works. The Battalion stood to arms but was not called upon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 141st Brigade stood by in Corps Reserve at the disposal of 41st Division until 8th August. During this period, rain fell almost continuously and the operations, which commenced on 31st July, were stopped by the unfavourable weather. On 8th August, the Battalion returned to Ontario Camp on the La Clytte Road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Battalion paraded at 830am the following day and marched to L\u2019Abeel via Reningelst. At L\u2019Abeele station, the Battalion en-trained at 1pm and proceeded to St Omer, where a terrific downpour of rain occurred during de-trainment but the Battalion quickly formed up and marched in fine style through St Omer to their destination: Esquardes via Wizernes and Hallines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Battalion was inspected on the road by the 2nd Army Commander: General Sir HCO Plumer. While at Esquerdes, the Battalion spent some time in reorganising and re-equipping and carried through a serious programme of training, in which musketry and open order work predominated. During this period, the weather was fine and the countryside attractive and the men benefited from the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On 17th August, the Battalion marched to Wizernes Station and en-trained or Ouderdom. At 4pm, the Battalion arrived at Ouderdom sidings and marched to Halifax Camp near Vlamertinghe and, at 8pm the same day, the Battalion marched onto Ypres and billeted in the Ramparts at Lille Gate. The Ramparts were honeycombed with tunnels fitted with wire bunks and, in these tunnels, the men made themselves comfortable. Puddles of evil smelling water covered the floors and the conditions were extremely filthy but, owing to the depths of the tunnels, there was little risk of damage from shell fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The cookers failed to arrive until midnight but the men were very tired after their long day, most of them turned in quickly so for them breakfast was the only meal of the day. On this day, 17th August, Lt Col DB Parry DSO was admitted to hospital sick and the command of the Battalion was devolved upon Major WH Murphy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The usual conditions of the Salient were experienced and, at night, there was an immense volume of harassing fire directed against troops and transport on the roads. Enemy aircraft were very active and, in spite of about 18 searchlights, numerous machine guns and anti-aircraft batteries, bomb dropping continued all around the Salient throughout the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Orders were received by Brigade to proceed to the line and to take over a portion of 8th Division\u2019s front \u2013 the date of the move being the night of 18th\/19th August. In the line, the Brigade front extended between the Ypres\/Roulers Railway and the Westhoek-Zonnebeke road on a rough north and south line \u2013 midway between the roadway Frezenberg-Westhoek and the stream further east, known as the Haanebeek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Battalion moved up to the front line on 18th August and relieved the 2nd Northants and 2nd Sherwood Foresters in the right sector of the Brigade front, with Headquarters in Jaffa Trench. The journey to the line was very trying, the route Menin Gate – Birr Crossroads was used by thousands of men and transport and the crowded condition of Menin Road and the dreadful wet and mud and enemy harassing fire made the relief one of appalling discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many casualties were sustained, including Lt EDR Pinkerton wounded. Daylight revealed the front line: a medley of rough trenches and fortified trench holes in a desolate, sodden area, everywhere a quagmire and the ground littered with the debris of battle. Various pill boxes were scattered about and the most conspicuous landmarks were a number of derelict tanks, hopelessly bogged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the day, heavy shelling of the Battalion\u2019s line occurred and three officers: 2nd Lts CHJ Stewart, SA Thodaye and CF Havord were wounded and 2 other ranks killed and 9 men wounded.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar conditions obtained on 20th August and the day\u2019s casualties were 3 other ranks killed, 2 missing and 13 wounded.<\/a> One of the killed was Cpl Scipio<\/a>, a very gallant South African, who had done sterling work with the Bombing Platoon before going to a company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instructions for the relief of the Battalion, to take place during the night of 21st\/22nd August, were received together with details of certain offensive operations. In accordance with orders, the Battalion was relieved on the night of 21st\/22nd August by the 20th London Regiment and moved back overland to support positions on Bellewaerde Ridge. Casualties during the day and relief were 3 killed and 30 wounded.<\/a> Capt MB O\u2019Brien \u2013 wounded \u2013 was the only officer casualty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At 445am on 22nd August, the flank Divisions, the 14th and 15th, attacked and 19th Battalion \u2013 in collaboration \u2013 pushed strong patrols forward to connect up the line at Sans Souci, before being checked just west of the Haanebeek stream by enemy machine guns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the attack, enemy shell fire was very severe on the front and support positions and German aircraft flew low and machine gunned the infantry. The London Irish stood to on Bellewaerde Ridge and came under fierce artillery fire, during which Lt REA Mallet was wounded, 7 other ranks killed and 15 other ranks wounded.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRelief to Support Positions Prior to Attacks.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nReturn to Divisional Support.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n