16 May 1915

16^th May 1915 - N of Rue de Cailloux

On the 16th when the first Company of the R Welsh Fus was launched to assault the Bn commenced the file into the front trench of the British line N of Rue de Cailloux. The enemy had by this time opened a heavy bombardment on our frontline trenches and support trenches. The Battn was formed up in the fire trench in the following order A.B.C.D.

A Coy Demolished the barricade on the Rue de Cailloux and made an opening in our parapet 40 yards north of road to allow entrance of wounded.

2 Platoons A Coy advanced at 4:00am to reinforce R W Fus by the remainder. Of the company at 4:40am. B Coy was sent at 5.15am to reinforce R W Fus & Queens 1/2 right direction across the Rue de Cailloux. A Coy advanced on line M.5 – Road junction La Quniguis Rue and took a position in communication trench M5 M6 by 6.40am. B Coy arrived at M8 – M9 at 7.00am. The line M5. M6. M8-M9 was held at this time by Queens, R W Fus and two Coys of R War R.

At 5.00am 2 Platoons D Coy with M G section preceded to put first German trench in state of defence. The R W F asking for further reinforcements, 1 Platoon of C Coy advanced half right across Rue de Cailloux at 5.45am I don't arrival at about 50 yards SW of M5 the Platoon Commander put himself under orders of O C Queens. All these Coys advanced with great dash and quickness and arrived at desired objective and only retired from this line on receipt of orders from Capt Stockwell Cmdg R W Fus as he informs me that the trenches were untenable owing to enfilade fire.

At 8.45am 3 Platoons C Coy + 1 Platoon D Coy under Capt Kneyett? with objective P4-N11- La Quinque Rue with orders to get into trench with Scots Guards on left front of left flank and put La Quinque in a state of defence. B Coy to go to La Quinque Rue & ½ Coy to N.11. This company did not get beyond N8 asked the troops on left were unable to advance.

At 8.50am the position of the Battalion was as follows:
   2 Platoons D Coy putting German trench in state of defence with M.G section.
   B Coy in communication trench M6 – M5
   1 Platoon C Coy 50 yards SW of M5
   A Coy in trench M9 – M8

At 11.40am C Coy was ordered to advance in support of R Scots in their attack through N5, N4 – N11.

At 3.45pm 2 Platoons D coy moved towards farm on La Quinque Rue to put it in a state of defence but found advanced British troops retiring.

At Dusk the Bttn was ordered to hold first German trench N4-N5 and by 9.00pm the whole battalion was reorganised and formed up in this position. Subsequently Bn what's moved to left taking a position with left on Rue de Cailloux and Right at M.3. END

17/18th May 1915

17^th May 1915 - N of Rue de Cailloux

On the morning of 17.5.15 1 Platoon of D Coy moved up to N7 in support of R Scots where it stayed until night when it withdrew to 1^st Line British Trench.

During night 17^th/18^th the battlefield was checked and the dead buried.

Throughout 18^th we remained in support of R Scots and at 8pm the Battn left the field and proceeded into billets a Vendin-Les-Bethune.

Casualties

The casualties of the Battalion during the Operations were as follows:

Officers   Killed two - 2/Lieut Blair
                                 2/Lieut Burdin

              Wounded four - A Segrave
                                       C. J. Holmes
                                       F Burford
                                       A E Stephen (still at duty)
Other Ranks   Killed 24
                     Wounded 151
                     Missing 21