War Diary 1st to 6th February 1917
February 1st 1917: - Attack on the 3rd line of Turkish trenches on E bank of Hai [River/Canal] by 8th Cheshire Regiment. 4th Bn S Wales Borderers in support. Artillery bombardment to distract attention was ranged on L bank of Hai 8.30 to 8.35am. On our front intense bombardment 9.45 to 9.53am. The attack was extremely successful, 150 prisoners taken.
A very tiring day finding ammunition and trench escort working partiwes, also work under R.E. The whole of the Turkish trench were in our hands by 3pm. In the night the new front line was wired and we were relieved by the 8th Brigade (3rd Division).
Casualties 1 killed, 2 wounded
February 2nd 1917: We arrived at Red Camp at 9am – all very tired. At 9.pm still very tired we started on a 10 mile march to the Thumran? Bend. We marched all night and were just reaching the beginning of the line we were to dig when we ran into a Turkish patrol. We were ordered back and it was then nearly daylight [on the 3rd].
February 3rd 1917: We were shelled by the enemy but got back out of artillery shell fire range. It took a greater part of the day to collect the companies together.
At 4pm D Company was sent out to try to draw the fire from the R Welsh Fusiliers who were getting badly sniped from behind. We afterwards heard that our demonstration had considerably helped the 14th Division in their attack on the W bank of the Hai. At 8.30pm we withdrew to Q18 (1½ miles) and bivouacked.
Casualties 4 men wounded and 2 men missing
February 4th 1917: Remained in bivouacs’ about 600 S.E of Q18 and had to standby to support the Cavalry Division if required. Other wise quiet day.
February 5th 1917: Moved with Divisional Reserve to R.19 about 500 yards W of Hai and bivouacked. Men still very tired. Rested remainder of the day.
February 6th 1917: Men washed and cleaned and rested themselves all day. Joined a fatigue party at night to dig communication trench P19B – N35A. Strength 150
War Diary 7th to 13th February 1917
February 7th 1917: Fresh service dress clothing issued to men. The Brigadier held a Brigade parade and addressing the troops on the work done told them how well they had supported him. Draft of 2 officers and 160 other ranks joined for duty. Lieut Peel slightly wounded.
February 8th 1917: Quiet day in camp at R19.
February 9th 1917: St? during morning while 38th Brigade attack was in progress on W bank of Hai. At. 6.30pm the Battalion moved up to P24 and laid out a line of Lunettes N35c, 1200 yards toward N47.
Casualties 2 men killed and 1 man wounded
February 10th 1917: Consolidated line dug – C&D and ½ A Coys holding lunette line and ½ Coy of B Coy a support point. Remainder at Bn HQ at N33. Quiet night.
February 11th 1917: Quiet day B Coy at night dug lunette line M22K – M29a. At 11pm all available men and tools collected and line M18g – M23f dug. Heavy rain all night.
Casualties 5 men wounded.
February 12th 1917: Digging parties M18g – M23f returned at 5.30am. Quiet night
February 13th 1917: 5am. Battalion took up line K42 to K42a held by 38th Bde. Trench very narrow and unsafe. At 2pm bombing party sent forward from K43a to try and bomb into enemy’s line. Communications trenches undug and party had to withdraw.
Attack on line K44-K42 arranged for 12 noon 14th February.
Casaulties Killed Lieut F.F. Evans and Lieut F.H. Best and 6 men. Wounded Capt a Buchaners VC, 2 Lt D.L. Jones and 16 men.
