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11th (Northern) Division    The 11th (Northern) Division was formed as a result of Army Order No. 324, issued on 21 August 1914, which authorised the formation of the six new Divisions of Kitchener's First New Army. It was formed of volunteers, under the administration of Northern Command. After initial training at the regimental depots, the units of the Division concentrated: the infantry at Grantham in Lincolnshire, artillery at Leeds, Sheffield, Norwich and Weedon in Northamptonshire, RE at Newark, RAMC at Sheffield, ASC at Lichfield in Staffordshire. On 18th of October 1914, still desperately short of uniform and equipment, the infantry of the Division was inspected by Lord Kitchener at Belton Park. On 4 April 1915 the Division assembled at Witley and Frensham, where final training was undertaken. King George V inspected the Division on Hankey Common on 31 May 1915. On 12 June 1915, the Division received orders to prepare for service at Gallipoli. 1915 Embarkation took place at Liverpool from 30th of June, with much of the Division sailing on the Aquitania and Empress of Britain. Mudros was reached by Divisional HQ and 32nd Brigade on 10 July. On 6-7 August 1915 the Division landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay. On 19th/20th of December 1915 the Division withdrew from Gallipoli and moved to Imbros. 1916 On 26 January the Division began to move to Egypt, landing at Alexandria on 2 February and concentrating at Sidi Bishr six days later. 19 February saw the Division take over a section of the Suez canal defences. The Division received orders on 17 June 1916 for a move to France. Embarkation at Alexandria was completed on 3rd July and by 7th of that month Divisional HQ had been set up at Flesselles. By 27 July, the Division had taken over part of the front in Third Army sector. The Division then took part in the following operations: The capture of the Wundt-Werk (Wonder Work) - Somme The Battle of Flers-Courcelette - Somme The Battle of Thiepval - Somme 1917 Operations on the Ancre The Battle of Messines The Battle of the Langemarck - Third Battle of Ypres The Battle of Polygon Wood - Third Battle of Ypres The Battle of Broodseinde - Third Battle of Ypres The Battle of Poelcapelle - Third Battle of Ypres 1918 The Battle of the Scarpe - Second Battles of Arras The Battle of the Drocourt-Quant Line - Second Battles of Arras The Battle of the Canal du Nord - Hindenburg Line The Battle of Cambrai 1918 - Hindenburg Line The pursuit to the Selle - Hindenburg Line The Battle of the Sambre including the passage of the Grand Honelle When the Armistice halted the fighting, the Division was on high ground east of Havay. Between 26-28 November the Division was moved back behind the River Scheldt. Demobilisation began in January 1919 and ended in June 1919. From 1915 to 1918 the Division suffered a total of 32,165 officers and men killed, wounded or missing in action. The Units forming the Divisional Order of Battle of the 11th (Northern) Division. 32nd Brigade 9th Btn, West Yorkshire Regiment 6th Btn, East Yorkshire Regiment left December 1914 6th Btn, Yorkshire Regiment left June 1918 6th Btn, York & Lancaster Regiment 8th Btn, Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment joined 18 January 1915, disbanded February 1918 32nd Machine Gun Company formed March 1916, left to move into 11th MG Battalion 28 February 1918 32nd Trench Mortar Battery joined 17 July 1916 2nd Btn, the Yorkshire Regiment joined May 1918 33rd Brigade 6th Btn, Lincolnshire Regiment 6th Btn, Border Regiment disbanded February 1918 7th Btn, South Staffordshire Regiment 9th Btn, Sherwood Foresters 33rd Machine Gun Company formed March 1916, left to move into 11th MG Battalion 28 February 1918 33rd Trench Mortar Battery joined July 1917 34th Brigade 8th Btn, Northumberland Fusiliers 9th Btn, Lancashire Fusiliers disbanded February 1918 5th Btn, Dorsetshire Regiment 11th Btn, Manchester Regiment 34th Machine Gun Company formed March 1916, left to move into 11th MG Battalion 28 February 1918 34th Trench Mortar Battery joined July 1917 Divisional Troops 6th Btn, the East Yorkshire Regiment joined as Divisional Pioneer Battalion in December 1914 11 Motor Machine Gun Battery joined early 1915, left before embarkation 250th Machine Gun Company joined 16 November 1917, left to move into 11th MG Battalion 28 February 1918 11th Battalion Machine Gun Corps formed 28 February 1918 Divisional Mounted Troops A Sqn, Royal Glasgow Yeomanry 2-30 June 1915 only B Sqn, Hertfordshire Yeomanry 4 April - July 1916 11th Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps formed January 1915, left 12 July 1916 Divisional Artillery LVIII Brigade, RFA LIX Brigade, RFA LX Brigade, RFA broken up January 1917 LXI (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA left before embarkation 11th Divisional Ammunition Column RFA 11th (Hull) Heavy Battery, RGA left before embarkation 91st Heavy Battery, RGA left before embarkation 10th Heavy Battery, RGA attached at Suvla Bay 14 August to 17 December 1915 CXXXIII (Howitzer) Brigade, RFA joined 26 April 1916, broken up January 1917 V.11 Heavy Trench Mortar Battery RFA joined 9 August 1916, left 12 February 1918 X.11, Y.11 and Z.11 Medium Mortar Batteries RFA joined 9 August 1916; on 3 February 1918, Z broken up and batteries reorganised to have 6 x 6-inch weapons each Royal Engineers 67th Field Company 68th Field Company 86th Field Company joined February 1915 11th Divisional Signals Company Royal Army Medical Corps 33rd Field Ambulance 34th Field Ambulance 35th Field Ambulance 21st Sanitary Section left 9 December 1916 Other Divisional Troops 11th Divisional Train ASC 112, 113, 114 and 115 Companies. Did not move overseas with the Division and transferred to 26th Division. Shared 10th Divisional Train at Gallipoli and Egypt. 11th Divisional Train ASC reformed (479, 480, 481 and 482 Companies) July 1916 22nd Mobile Veterinary Section AVC 213th Divisional Employment Company formed by 30 June 1917 11th Divisional Motor Ambulance Workshop remained with original Divisional Train when it left   18th Oct 1914 Lord Kitchener inspects Northern Division  Lord Kitchener inspects the 11th (Northern) Division at Belton Park, near Grantham. 3rd Jul 1915 9th West Yorks sail for Gallipoli  9th (Service) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) sail from Liverpool for Gallipoli via Mudros. 13th Aug 1915 In the Trenches 21st Aug 1915 Battle of Scimitar Hill  The attack on Scimitar Hill was a last chance effort to break north out of Anzac Cove and northeast out of Suvla Bay, and have the two Allied forces link up. Henry de Beauvoir de Lisle was in charge of the attack and the British 29th Division was given the honors since they were a veteran unit and not one of the new reinforcements. The W Hills and the Scimitar Hill was the primary objective to be captured. At the same time another attack, on Hill 60, would tie down some of the Turkish forces. Like most of the Gallipoli campaign, the artillery barrage looked impressive, but did very little. The 11th Division that attacked the W Hills, lost their bearings… got lost and could not find the hill in the dense fog that crept in. However the 29th Division found the Scimitar Hill and drove the Turks off of it. However Turkish artillery drove the British off the hill, seeking cover from the intense bombardment. The British counter battery fire set the hill on fire, incinerating the wounded. Reinforcements from Suvla Bay were cut down as they tried to charge up the hill. Over 5,000 British were killed and wounded, many from the fires caused by red hot shrapnel. The Turks only lost 2,600 men in the fight. One Victoria Crosses was awarded for Scimitar Hill, to Private Frederick Potts, for crawling through the burning brush with his wounded comrade strapped the shovel on his back. He was wounded in the thigh before he started the 600 yard crawl, and was under fire the entire way. A request was sent to Lord Kitchener to send another 95,000 men, but Kitchner could only offer 40,000. The British government started considering evacuating the Allied forces. 21st Aug 1915 Advance 21st Aug 1915 Orders 25th Jun 1916 Transfers  118 Brigade RFA transferred from 1 (Canadian) Div to 11 (Northern) Div which had just arrived in France from Egypt. 118 Brigade was then broken up with the 3 x 4.5 how batteries being sent to the existing 3 x 18lb brigades in 11 Div. This now gave the 11 Div 3 field artillery brigades containing 3 batteries of 18 lb field guns and 1 battery of 4.5" howitzers. 461 Battery 118 Brigade therefore became D Battery 58 Brigade RFA. All guns and equipment were left with the Canadians and only the manpower transfered to 11 Div, collecting new guns and equipment on arrival. 1st July 1916 On the Move 1st July 1916 In camp 1st Jul 1916 On the Move 2nd July 1916 Departure from Alexandria 2nd Jul 1916 On the Move 3rd July 1916 Enroute to France 3rd of July 1916 On the Move 3rd Jul 1916 On the Move 4th July 1916 Escort change passing Malta 4th of July 1916 On the Move 4th Jul 1916 On the Move 5th July 1916 Tropical Uniform changed 5th Jul 1916 In Billets 6th Jul 1916 Route March 7th Jul 1916 Route March 8th July 1916 Arrival Marseilles  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 8th July - We enter harbour at Marseilles and stay alongside quay overnight. war diaries 8th Jul 1916 Advance Party 9th July 1916 Move to billets 9th of July Arrived in Marseille 9th Jul 1916 On the March 10th July 1916 From boat to Train 10th Jul 1916 On the March 11th July 1916 Entrained for front 13th July 1916 On the Move 13th of July Arriving in Northern France 14th July 1916 In Billets 15th July 1916 March to Hooteville  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 15th July 1916 - 1240 - The Battalion marched to Hooteville by following route. Gouy-teynois, Nagnicourt sur Canche Says le Bois, Dernier, Blavincourt Approgrenee, Avesnes la Compte, Houteville Many of the men fell out on the line of march owing to bad boots. Company Commanders and two Sergeants per Company go up to trenches for experience. war diaries 16th July 1916 Billets Hooteville 16th of July On the March 18th July 1916 Move to trenches 18th of July On the March 19th July 1916 Route march 20th July 1916 Trenches inspection 20th of July 1916 In Brigade Reserve Billets 22nd July 1916 Reliefs in Roneville trenches 23rd July 1916 Gas alarm 24th July 1916 Action and first fatality. 26th July 1916 Heavy mortar fire 27th July 1916 Further action 29th July 1916 Ongoing action 29th July 1916 In Trenches 29th July 1916 Relief 30th July 1916 Further casualties 30th of July 1916 Holding the Line 31st July 1916 Further casualties 1st August 1916 Trench activities 1st of August 1916 In the Trenches 2nd August 1916 ongoing trench activity  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 2nd August - Ronville - Casualties 1 killed and 1 wounded. war diaries 4th of August 1916 Wiring Party 5th of August 1916 Situation Quiet 9th August 1916 Trench raiding party  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 9/10th August - Ronville - A party under the supervision of 2/Lt Clay successfully inflicted 4 casualties on the enemy's wiring party who were inspecting their own wire and brought into our lines two of the bodies and the tunic and cap of a third, enabling the identity of the enemy to be discovered. We suffered no casualties. war diaries 11th of August 1916 In the Trenches 13th August 1916 Change of Commanding Officer  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 13th August - Ronville - Lt Colonel WEW Elkington relinquishes command of the Battalion on being ordered to join the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment. war diaries 14th August 1916 Appointments  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 14th August 1916 - Ronville - 2/Lt Constantine W and Smith WH posted for duty from officers base depot to B and C company respectively. war diaries 15th August 1916 New CO Appointed 16th August 1916 Bombardment of enemy trenches 17th August 1916 Bad weather  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 17th August - Ronville - Heavy rain during day and thunderstorms. war diaries 19th of August 1916 Raid on Saphead 19th August 1916 Raiding Party Orders 21st August 1916 Battalion relieved in trenches 21st of August 1916 On the Move 22nd August 1916 Rest area 23rd August 1916 Move to training area 24th August 1916 Strenuous Training commences 29th August 1916 Move to new billets 29th of August 1916 A newcomer 29th August 1016 Orders 30th August 1916  30th August 1916 New Billets 30th. August 1916 Orders 30th August 1916 Instructions 30th August 1916 Billeting 31st August 1916 Orders 31st August 1916 Billets 1st Sep 1916 Brigade Day 2nd September 1916 Move 2nd September 1916 Diary B.O.O.14 3rd September 1916 Ongoing training  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment are at Lealvillers from 3rd to 5th of September and training continued. war diaries 3rd September 1916 Diary B.O.O.14 5th September 1916 Diary B.O.O.20   6th September 1916 Move 7th September 1916 Casualties 7th Sept. 1916 Diary 9th September 1916 Further casualties 10th September 1916 Further casualties 12th September 1916 Move to trenches   13th September 1916 Trench casualties 14th September 1916 Trench casualties 14th September 1916 Diary 15th September 1916 Ongoing positional defence   15th September 1916 Diary   16th Sep 1916 Trench activity 17th September 1916 Intense action in trenches 19th September 1916 Relief from trenches 20th September 1916 Ongoing support action   Trench Positions - 23rd Sep 1916 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 20th to 26th September 1916 - Battalion in reserve at Donnets Post. Employed on fatigues in connection with coming operations. 25th September - 1 OR killed in Avelyn carrying ammunition. 26th September - 1235 - Attack in Thiepval by the 18th and 11th Divisions. Battalion in Brigade reserve moves up at 1235 to old support line Ration Trench. Point 80, Point 39. 1620 - Battalion moves to old firing lines Brimstone and Border Trenches to Constance Trench at 2200. war diaries 20th September 1916  21st September 1916 Diary 22nd September 1916 Diary 23rd September 1916 Diary 24th September 1916 Diary   26th September 1916 Diary   27th September 1916 Fatigues support front line 27th September 1916 Diary   28th Sept 1916 Fatigues near Front Line 28th September 1916 Diary   29th September 1916 Reliefs   29th September 1916 Diary   30th September 1916 Relief and return to Hauteville  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment are in Schwaben Trench. At 1530 the Battalion is relieved by 8th Loyal North Lancs and marches back to billets Hauteville. Total casualties 25th to 30th September. 2nd Lt Ingersoll - killed Other Ranks - 14 killed, 71 wounded GH Gater Lt Colonel commanding 6th Btn. Lincolnshire Regiment. war diaries 1st Oct 1916 Move to new billets 2nd October 1916 Onward move to Houzecourt 3rd October 1916 Onward move to Cramont 4th October 1916 Reinforcements 5th October 1916 Battalion training 6th October 1916 GOC Brigade inspection 7th October 1916 Corps Commander inspection 8th October 1916 Church Parade 9th October 1916 Battalion training 11th October 1916 New formation training 12th October 1916 Ongoing training 13th Oct 1916 Ongoing training 14th October 1916 New attack scheme training 15th October 1916 Church Parade 16th October 1916 Battalion training 18th October 1916 Battalion training 20th October 1916 Attack scheme 21st October 1916 Brigade Ceremonial Parade 22nd October 1916 Church Parade 23rd October 1916 Battalion training 27th October 1916 Route march, baths and training 29th October 1916 Church cancelled - bad weather 30th October 1916 Attack scheme 31st October 1916 Practice scheme cancelled - bad weather 1st November 1916 Battalion training. 2nd November 1916 Ongoing training 3rd November 1916 GOC Inspection 6th November 1916 Ongoing training 8th November 1916 Ongoing training 9th November 1916 Heavy trench work practiced 12th November 1916 Church services and move postponed 13th November 1916 Brigade route march 14th November 1916 Move 15th November 1916 Moves and inspections 16th November 1916 Further moves 17th November 1916 Reinforcements and inspections 18th November 1916 Move to reserve 19th November 1916 Return to billets 20th November 1916 CO's Inspection 21st November 1916 Into reserve 22nd November 1916 Commenced work in trenches 23rd November 1916 Fire trench completed 24th November 1916 Relief and casualties 25th November 1916 ongoing trench activity and reinforcements 26th Nov 1916 Ongoing work in trenches 27th November 1916 Heavy casualties in trench work areas  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment are in the line - Thick morning mist and weather improved later. Shelling abnormally heavy in whole of battalions area. Post blown in at R2c81 and 7 killed. Shelters in Quarry at R7c73 destroyed with Sergeant-majors Good and Fraser killed. Railway line through Beaumont damaged and entrances to dug-outs in Quarry at R8a20 blown in. Communication trench from R7c68 continued. Trench cut from Quarry at R8a20 to Railway Road. Casualties in all 37. war diaries 28th November 1916 Quieter in trenches and Relief overnight 29th November 1916 In Dugouts overnight 30th Nov 1916 Rest and Inspections 1st December 1916 Kit inspections and cleaning 1st Dec 1916 Training 2nd December 1916 Inspections 2nd Dec 1916 Training 3rd December 1916 Rest period 4th December 1916 Brigade inspection 5th December 1916 Baths at Acheux 5th Dec 1916 On the Move 6th December 1916 Specialist training 8th December 1916 Inspection 8th Dec 1916 On the March 9th December 1916 On the Move 10th December 1916 Rest period 11th December 1916 Exercise and training 13th December 1916 Training courses 14th December 1916 Specialist training in bad weather 15th December 1916 Ongoing training 17th December 1916 Reliefs 18th December 1916 Very foggy - quiet in trenches 19th December 1916 Snow and high activity in sector  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 19th December 1916 - In the Field - Weather much better although snow fell. Great activity by our aircraft also our artillery were very active. No casualties. war diaries 20th December 1916 Frosty - HQ moved 21st December 1916 Rain - high level trench activity 22nd December 1916 Weather very bad 23rd December 1916  Bad weather continues 24th December 1916 Weather improved 25th December 1916 Relieved from trenches 26th December 1916 Battalion at rest.   6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 26th December 1916 - Engelbelmer - Battalion resting. Weather fair. war diaries 27th December 1916 Fatigues, cleaning and bathing 28th December 1916 Ongoing cleaning 29th December 1916 Ongoing cleaning and specialist training 30th December 1916 Inspections and fatigues 31st December 1916 Rest period 1st January 1917 Ongoing Action  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment This page from the war diaries covers the period from 1st January 1917 to the 21st January 1917 inclusive. The overall image is very faint and the right hand side of the page totally unreadable. So the extracts are based on a combination of visible fragment and some guesswork. 1st Jan. 1917 - Battalion in Thievres. 2nd Jan. - Battalion leaves billets and marches to trenches in front of Thiepval to relieve 6th Battalion Border Regiment. No casualties in either Battalion happened during relief. 3rd Jan. - Artillery on both sides very active. First post captured 6 Germans -------- unreadable ---- who had taken 2 men of the Gloucesters --- prisoner. 4th Jan. - Weather again bad. Artillery very quiet. 5th Jan. - Weather still very bad. Situation normal. Great activity by enemy aircraft. 6th Jan. - Great activity by our aircraft. 15 minute barrage at night by our artillery. 7th Jan. - Our aircraft again very busy ---- unreadable. 8th Jan. - ----- No 5 ---- one German stretcher bearer --- unreadable ---- Raining during the night. 9th Jan. Very heavy shelling by enemy artillery continuing --- unreadable 10th Jan. - Battalion relieved by the 6th Battalion Border Regiment ----- unreadable ---- 1 Officer seriously wounded. 1 Stretcher bearer killed. 11th Jan. - In Billets. Fine sharp morning. Marched to ---- unreadable --- 12th Jan. - In Billets. Heavy rain during the night. ---- unreadable --- 13th Jan. - In Billets. ----- unreadable ------ 14th Jan. - In Billets. ----- unreadable ------ 15th Jan. - Thiepval ---- unreadable 16th Jan. - In Billets. ----- unreadable ------ 17th Jan. - In Billets. Very heavy fall of snow during the night --- unreadable. 18th Jan. - In Billets. ----- unreadable ------ 19th Jan. - In Billets. ----- unreadable ------ war diaries 20th January 1917 On the move again 21st January 1917 Ongoing moves 22nd January 1917 Move to dual billets 23rd January 1917 Rest and clean up 24th January 1917 Inspections 25th January 1917 COs Conference on training schemes 26th January 1917 Training and sports 28th January 1917 Church services 29th January 1917 Training Courses and Appointments 30th January 1917 Ongoing training - weather cold and frosty 31st January 1917 Ongoing training - still very cold 1st February 1917 Ongoing training  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 1st Feb. 1917 - In billets - 2 companies at Hanchy, HQ and 2 companies at Le Festel. Company training. Snow fell during the morning. war diaries 2nd February 1917 Ongoing training 6th February 1917 Ongoing training and COs Conference 7th February 1917 Ongoing training 8th February 1917  8th of February 1918 Active Counter-Battery Work   9th February 1917 Ongoing training and divisional medal ceremony 10th February 1917 Ongoing training 12th February 1917 Ongoing training 13th February 1917 Battalion practice attack 14th February 1917 Training and night operations 15th February 1917 On the Move 16th February 1917 Move to new billets 17th February 1917 Start of Authie Railway works 18th February 1917 Church Service and inspections 19th February 1917 Railway work 21st February 1917 Railway work  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment Billets Authie and St Leger Authie 21st to 22th Feb. - Battalion at work on Authie Valley Railway. A company move from Authie to Thievres. war diaries 23rd February 1917 Railway work  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment Billets at Thievres, Authie and St Leger Authie 23rd to 24th Feb. - Battalion at work on Authie Valley Railway. CO and Adjutant attend conference at Brigade Headquarters at 1120 (23rd). war diaries 25th February 1917 On the Move  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment Billets at Thievres and Couin 25th Feb. - A company remains at Thievres. HQ,B,C and D companies move from St Leger to Couin and take over camps at that place and go under canvas. A company work all day and B,C and D companies in the afternoons. war diaries 26th February 1917 Railway work continues  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment Billets at Thievres and Couin 26th to 28th Feb - Battalion at work on Authie Valley Railway. Lieutenants Barratt and Phillips leave the Battalion on the 27th Feb to proceed to England for interview at the India Office on the 3rd March 1917. SG Burnett Major, commanding 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment. war diaries 1st March 1917 Congratulatory Message  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 1st to 4th March 1917 - HQ, B,C and D Companies at Couin, A Company at Thievres. Engaged on Railway Construction work. 4th March - Orders received late at night that no more working parties for Railway work required. The OC CORCC sent a message of eulogy which was published in Battalion orders as follows: I wish to would convey to all ranks of your battalion my appreciation of their work while employed on the Railway. They always did their work in a cheerful spirit and the amount of work done speaks for itself as to their energy. The Brigadier 33rd Brigade wishes to express to all ranks his appreciation of the work done by this unit. war diaries 5th March 1917 Rest period 6th March 1917 Battle training resumes 7th March 1917 Back to the Railways 8th March 1917 Change of billets 9th March 1917 Ongoing Railway work 10th March 1917 Ongoing Railway work 14th March 1917 Ongoing Railway work 15th March 1917 Ongoing Railway work 16th March 1917 Ongoing Railway work and Court of Enquiry 17th March 1917 Ongoing Railway work 20th March 1917 Conclusion of Railway Work  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 20th to 23rd March - HQ, A and C Companies Thievres, B and D Companies St Leger engaged on Railway Construction Work and Specialist Training. Major CH French joined the Battalion on the 22nd March. Railway work ceased on the 23rd March preparatory to move to Orville. war diaries 24th March 1917 Battalion move to Orville  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 24th March 1917 - Hq, A and C Companies joined by B and D Companies from Authie and the Battalion marches to Orville. Cleaning up in the afternoon and an inspection held by the CO. war diaries 25th March 1917 Church services and bathing 26th March 1917 Battle training resumes 30th March 1917 Ongoing training 31st March 1917 Ongoing training and Somme lecture 1st April 1917 Church service and inspections 2nd April 1917 Battle training resumes 3rd April 1917 Ongoing training 8th April 1917 Bathing and sports 9th April 1917 Ongoing training 10th April 1917 Training and inspections 11th April 1917 Training and standby 12th April 1917 move to Louvencourt 13th April 1917 Rest and inspections  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 13th April 1917 - Battalion at Louvencourt, resting and cleaning up. Inspection of billets. Specialist training. war diaries 14th April 1917 training and route march 15th April 1917 Bathing and training 16th April 1917 Ongoing training 17th April 1917 Ongoing training 19th April 1917 Battalion moves 20th April 1917 Battalion moves 21st April 1917 Billets Havrincourt and trenches 22nd April 1917 Defensive trench work 23rd April 1917 Reliefs 24th April 1917 Continued spell in the trenches  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 24th April 1917 - Battalion in the front line. Three companies hold an outpost line about 200 yards in length, each company being divided into pickets with sentry groups in front and support. Right of picket line J.5.c.55, Left of picket line D.22.d.55 Ref 57.c.NE. Remaining Company D in reserve at disposal of CO. Two platoons J.4.a.69 and two platoons J.100.88 Battalion HQ J.4.c.81. A prisoner of the Artillery taken by our picket at D.29.a.82 probably a deserter. Great aerial activity. One of our own and one enemy machine being brought down. Artillery quiet. war diaries 25th April 1917 Trench activity 26th April 1917 Trench activity 27th April 1917 Trench activity 28th April 1917 trench improvements 29th April 1917 Trench activity 30th April 1917 Relieved from trenches 1st May 1917 Relief and relocation 6th May 1917  15th May 1917 Move to Second Army Area 24th May 1917 Relocation in new camp 1st of June 1917 Instructions for the Offensive   1st June 1917 Training and inspections  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment Diary page is very faint and difficult to read. Due to this, a report of events during the Battle of Messines, is entered in a separate page on the 30th June 1917, which helps to clarify events. 1st Jun. 1917 - Battalion in training. Demonstration of physical training by Captain Kelso(?) Army Gymnastic Staff on grounds of the Border Regiment. 2nd Jun. - Battalion training. Battalion in attack. 3rd Jun. - Church Parade Service. Clothing inspection by second in command. Sport during afternoon. 4th Jun. - Battalion and Brigade rehearsal of Brigade scheme took place in the afternoon followed by conference. 5th Jun. - Battalion training conference during day. Retiring by sections practiced by company commanders. Front lines reconnoitered by company commanders. Brigade interactions rehearsed by officers as general guide lines for coming attack. (Best interpretation of difficult section) 6th Jun. - Battalion moved to Butterfly Farm for operations in the Brigade area on high ground. At 1130 attack from Messines and Wytschaede Ridge commenced preceded by heavy bombardment. Battalion awaiting orders at Butterfly Farm hadn't moved forward by 1130. (again best interpretation) 7th - 9th Jun. - A restricted report of events during the operations (unreadable) narrative ------ on other operations. 10th Jun. - Battalion ------ by 3rd Brigade 11th Jun. - Battalion ----- (unreadable) 12th-13th Jun. - Battalion ----- (unreadable) 14th Jun. - Battalion employed on ----- work. Kit ---- 15th Jun. - Company Commanders ----- (unreadable) 16th Jun. - Battalion road marches. 17th/24th Jun. - Battalion in the reserve. Arrived in Tipgues(?) Area in the afternoon at 1400. -----(unreadable) 25th Jun. - Battalion commenced training. Order for reconnoitering by company commanders. 26th/27th Jun. - Intensive Training 28th Jun. - Intensive training. Battalion in the attack. 1730 demonstration by Infantry school of musketry. 29th Jun. - Marching in open order in the attack. All officers attended training with second in command. 30th Jun. - Disruption to training. Heavy mist all day. A separate report on the 30th June is very enlightening and confirms that the war diaries were completed in pencil and are almost illegible through the passage of time. war diaries 7th of June 1917 An Offensive Operation   7th of June 1917 Attack a Complete Success   8th of June 1917 Bolder Enemy Aircraft 9th of June 1917 Reliefs   9th Jun 1917 Reliefs   19th of June 1917  More Reliefs 30th June 1917 Battle of Messines 1st July 1917 Move to 5th Army Training Area 12th July 1917 Relocation 14th July 1917 CO returns 15th July 1917 Front line action and reliefs 16th July 1917 Attack   17th July 1917 Relieved unit in trenches 24th July 1917 Casualties in reserve gas attack 26th July 1917 Trench activity 28th July 1917 Chinese Attack and trench relief 10th August 1917 Order No.4.   13th August 1917 Ammendment to Order No.4.   16th August 1917 18th Corps. Attacked with the 48th Division 17th August 1917 lst Brigade Tank Corps. Order No.15.   18th August 1917 llth Division Order No.101. 18th August 1917 Tank Corps. Order No.5.   19th August 1917  27th Sep 1917 Instructions   29th Sep 1917 Instructions   3rd Oct 1917 Orders   3rd Oct 1917 Instructions   3rd Oct 1917 Instructions   3rd Oct 1917 Instructions   3rd Oct 1917 Instructions   4th Oct 1917 Attack Made   24th Dec 1917 Reorganisation 1st of January 1918 Snow 2nd of January 1918 Training 3rd of January 1918 Location of Divisional Units   4th of January 1918 Snow and Very Cold 5th of January 1918 Still Very Cold 6th of January 1918 More Training 8th of January 1918 Snow and Cold Continue 9th of January 1918 Very Cold in Busnes 10th of January 1918 Reliefs and Orders   11th of January 1918 Snow of the Ground 12th of January 1918 Weather Very Cold   13th of January 1918 More Snow - More Training   14th of January 1918 Snow on Ground 15th of January 1918 Raining and Training 16th of January 1918 More Rain 17th of January 1918 Fine Weather 18th of January 1918 Relief Amendments 19th of January 1918 Reliefs begin 20th of January 1918 Relief Continues 21st of January 1918 Reliefs   21st Jan 1918 Course 22nd Jan 1918 Reliefs 22nd of January 1918 Operations   23rd January 1918 Harassing Fire   24th of January 1918 Artillery Very Quiet   25th of January 1918 MG Fire All Night   26th of January 1918 Enemy Patrol Engaged   27th of January 1918 Night Patrols   28th of January 1918 Enemy Aircraft Brought Down   29th of January 1918 Enemy Sniping   30th of January 1918 PoW Captured   31st of January 1918 Artillery Quiet   1st of February 1918 Harassing Fire   2nd of February 1918 Patrolling and Sniping   3rd of February 1918 Dugout Attacked   3rd of March 1918 Artilleries Quiet   4th of February 1918 Enemy Artillery Active   5th of February 1918 Direct Hits   5th Feb 1918 Course Ends 6th of February 1918 Old Boots Trench Shelled   7th of February 1918 A Non-Existent Enemy Post   9th of February 1918 Enemy Bombs Fall Short   10th of February 1918 A Large Explosion   11th of February 1918 Canadian Raid Postponed   12th of February 1918 Canadian Raid Goes Ahead   13th of February 1918 Raid Co-operation   13th Feb 1918 Personnel 14th of February 1918 Quiet   15th of February 1918 A Newspaper Delivery   16th of February 1918 Hostile Battery Attacked   17th of February 1918 Shelling   18th of February 1918 Enemy Patrol   19th of February 1918 Working Parties Fired On   20th Feb 1918 Enemy Sentry Hit   21st of February 1918 Retaliation   21st Feb 1918 Reorganisation 22nd of February 1918 Unusual Enemy Movements   23rd of February 1918 Considerable Hostile Movement   24th of February 1918 A Daylight Patrol   25th of February 1918 Much Enemy Movement   26th of February 1918 Enemy Heavies Active   27th of February 1918 Report on POW   28th of February 1918 Divisional Defence Scheme   1918-03-01 Sectors Defined   2nd of March 1918 Heavy Gas Shelling   4th of March 1918 A Gas Shell Shoot   5th of March 1918 Garrison Orders   6th of March 1918 Eight Patrols Out   7th of March 1918 Active Enemy Aircraft   8th of March 1918 Hostile Artillery in Action   9th of March 1918 A Raid by 7th Staffs   10th of March 1918 5th Dorsets on Patrol   11th of March 1918 Philosophe Heavily Shelled   12th of March 1918 Enemy Fire "Above Normal"   13th of March 1918 British Under Heavy Fire   14th of March 1918 More Heavy Fire   15th of March 1918 German "Duds"   16th of March 1918 Artillery Activity Decreased   17th of March 1918 Seventeen Balloons Spotted   18th of March 1918 Back Areas Hit   19th of March 1918 A Bit Quieter on the Front   20th of March 1918 Batteries Harassed   21st of March 1918 Heavy Gas Shelling   22nd of March 1918 Patrols Clash   23rd of March 1918 Quieter Artillery   24th of March 1918 Germans on Short Rations   25th of March 1918 Four Trains Per Hour   26th of March 1918 Seventeen Patrols Out   27th of March 1918 Sniper's Post Demolished   28th of March 1918 A Dump Burns   29th of March 1918 Usual Trench Warfare   30th of March 1918 A Captured POW   31st of March 1918 Allied Gas Operations   1st of April 1918 Four Balloons Down   2nd of April 1918 Raid by 6th Lincolns   3rd of April 1918 Le Rutoire Shelled   4th of April 1918 A Gas Attack Planned   5th of April 1918 Gas Shoot Undertaken   6th of April 1918 MG Defence Plan   7th Apr 1918 Moves   7th of April 1918 A Relief Ordered   8th of April 1918 Gas Attack   9th of April 1918 Snipers vs. Snipers   10th of April 1918 Snipers   11th of April 1918 Enemy Guns Quieter   12th of April 1918 Patrols Clash   13th of April 1918 A Gas Bombardment   14th of April 1918 Dumps Destroyed   15th of April 1918 New German Divisions   16th of April 1918 German Patrols   17th of April 1918 Enemy Scores Own Goal   18th of April 1918 The COs Gas Warning   19th of April 1918 A Bit Quieter   20th of April 1918 Gas Attack Cancelled   21st of April 1918 Heavy Bombardment   22nd of April 1918 Rat Creek Bombed   23rd of April 1918 A Relief Planned   24th of April 1918 A Typical Front-Line Day   25th of April 1918 In Case of Attack   26th of April 1918 Slight Shelling   27th of April 1918 Hostile Guns Silenced   28th of April 1918 Demolition Plans   29th of April 1918 In a German Tunnel   30th of April 1918 Retaliatory Fire   1st of May 1918 Battle Equipment   7th Nov 1918 Reliefs 7th of November 1918 A Successful Attack   9th of November 1918 New Attack 31st December 1918 Chapter 2. The Salient. 11th June 1919 Demobilisation moves moves  6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment Demobilisation in 1919 11th Jun. 1919 - Unit transport moved and parked at Lourches Station. war diaries 17th June 1919 Cadre demob orders 19th June 1919 Colours escorted home 29th June 1919 Baggage to station 30th June 1919 Baggage escort departs Lourches If you can provide any additional information, please add it here. Want to know more about 11th (Northern) Division? There are:443 items tagged 11th (Northern) Division available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War. Those known to have served with 11th (Northern) Division during the Great War 1914-1918. Elkins Frederick. Pte. 5th Btn. (d.19th Aug 1915) Fenwick George Jameson. Pte. 9th Btn. (d.9th Aug 1915) Graffham Charles Henry. Mjr. McKee Edward. Pte. 9th Btn. (d.10th Oct 1916) Preston William Henry. Cpl 8th Btn. (d.7th August 1915) Robertson Douglas Forbes. 2/Lt. 8th Btn. (d.26th Sep 1916) Robinson James Temple. Pte. 5th Btn. (d.7th December 1915) Rowan Edward. L/Cpl. 8th Btn. (d.26th Sep 1916) Walker John. Pte. 33rd Coy. (d.10th Jun 1917) Ward Donald. Pte. 6th Btn. (d.14th June 1917) Watson George Robert. Spr. 89th Fld. Coy. (d.4th May 1917) All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed, please Add a Name to this List The Wartime Memories Project is the original WW1 and WW2 commemoration website. 1st of September 2023 marks 24 years since the launch of the Wartime Memories Project. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over this time. Want to find out more about your relative's service? Want to know what life was like during the Great War? Our Library contains many many diary entries, personal letters and other documents, most transcribed into plain text. Looking for help with Family History Research?    Please see Family History FAQ's Please note: We are unable to provide individual research. Can you help? The free to access section of The Wartime Memories Project website is run by volunteers and funded by donations from our visitors. If the information here has been helpful or you have enjoyed reaching the stories please conside making a donation, no matter how small, would be much appreciated, annually we need to raise enough funds to pay for our web hosting or this site will vanish from the web. If you enjoy this site please consider making a donation. Announcements 22nd April 2024     Please note we currently have a massive backlog of submitted material, our volunteers are working through this as quickly as possible and all names, stories and photos will be added to the site. If you have already submitted a story to the site and your UID reference number is higher than 263973 your submission is still in the queue, please do not resubmit. Wanted: Digital copies of Group photographs, Scrapbooks, Autograph books, photo albums, newspaper clippings, letters, postcards and ephemera relating to the Great War. If you have any unwanted photographs, documents or items from the First or Second World War, please do not destroy them. The Wartime Memories Project will give them a good home and ensure that they are used for educational purposes. Please get in touch for the postal address, do not sent them to our PO Box as packages are not accepted. We are now on Facebook. Like this page to receive our updates, add a comment or ask a question. If you have a general question please post it on our Facebook page. World War 1 One ww1 wwII greatwar great battalion regiment artillery Did you know? We also have a section on World War Two. and a Timecapsule to preserve stories from other conflicts for future generations. 255367 Pte. Donald Ward 6th Btn. York and Lancaster Regiment (d.14th June 1917) Donald Ward was the son of Mr. W. and Mrs. L. Ward, of Bedford House, Dogdyke, Lincoln. He died of wounds on the 14th of June 1917 and is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension. Robert Jones Add to this record. 221890 Mjr. Charles Henry Graffham 11th Division Major Charles Henry Graffham served with the Royal Field Artillery in 11th Division. Steven Graffham Add to this record. 220435 Pte. Frederick Elkins 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.19th Aug 1915) Frederick Elkins was a chemist shop assistant in the sleepy Hampshire Town called Winchester who joined up and was sadly killed near Dead Mans House in Gallipoli. 11774 Private Frederick Elkins who served with the 5th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment during WW1 and died age 25 on the 19th August 1915. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was the son of Mrs Emma Elkins of 16 Granville Place, Wharf Hill, Winchester. Add to this record. 219057 Pte. John Walker 33rd Coy. Machine Gun Corps (d.10th Jun 1917) John Walker enlisted with the 6th Battalion, Border Regiment on the 27th of August 1914 at Hennington. He embarked from Liverpool on 1st July 1915 for Gallipoli and landed at Suvla Bay. He was wounded in lower extremities in the Dandelles on the 14th August 1915. On the 17th August 1915 he was reported as having suffered a gun shot wound right shoulder and was transferred for rehab at Citadel, Cairo, Egypt. John was appointed Lance Corporal 3rd March 1916 at Sidi Bashr and transferred to 33rd Coy Machine Gun Corps, 33rd Brigade, 11th Division at Ballah, his new Service Number being 39238. He departed to join the BEF onboard HMT Minnewaska from Alexandria on the 28th of June 1916 and disembarked at Marseilles on 8th of July 1916. He was promoted to Corporal on 28th October 1916 and paid Lance Sergeant from 2nd December 1916. He was promoted to Acting Sergeant on 27th January 1917 in the field. From the 1st to 4th of April 1917 he attended the Divisional Gas School Course. John was demoted to Private on 12th April 1917 due to drunkenness in the billet at 0845 hrs. He was killed in action on the 10th of June 1917. John Add to this record. 216520 Pte. Edward McKee 9th Btn. Yorkshire Regiment (d.10th Oct 1916) Edward McKee served with the 9th Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment and died on the 10th October 1916. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and on the Thiepval Memorial Pier . His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. Edward was born in Hebburn 1891, son of Edward and Janet McKee nee Jardine of Jarrow. He was married to Catherine Garrity (formerly McKee nee McGee) of 31 Shamrock Street, Hebburn. In the 1911 census the family is living at 22 Wilberforce, Jarrow with Edward(60) a copperworks labourer and his wife of 23 years Janet(52). They had 7 children but only 3 survived. Edward(20) a brass core maker in copper tube works, Thomas James Jardine(17)a grocers assistant and Robert Jardine(14) a grocers apprentice. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 216098 Spr. George Robert Watson 89th Fld. Coy. Royal Engineers (d.4th May 1917) George Robert Watson enlisted at Jarrow and served with 89th Field Company, Royal Engineers. He died on the 4th May 1917 and is remembered at St. Paul's Church and on the Arras Memorial. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals. George was born in Jarrow 1888, son of David and the late Annie Watson of 81 McIntyre Street, Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family are living at that address with David(62) widower, a fitter in shipbuilding. There had been 8 surviving children, with 4 single and still living at home. George(24) was a plumber in shipbuilding William(21)also a fitter in shipbuilding, Agnes(19) a bookkeeper and Harold(13) at school. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 215806 L/Cpl. Edward Rowan 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Sep 1916) Edward Rowan, L/Cpl 22090, enlisted in Newcastle upon Tyne and served in the 8th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. He was killed in action on the 26th September 1916 and is also remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. His medal card shows the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals also that he was missing presumed dead. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 215776 Pte. James Temple Robinson 5th Btn. Dorsetshire Regiment (d.7th December 1915) James Temple Robinson, Private 13384, enlisted Jarrow in October 1914 and served in the 3rd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment. He died age 19 on the 7th December 1915 and is remembered on the Palmer Cenotaph also at Doiran Memorial in Greece. His medal card records the award of the 1915 Star, War and Victory Medals. He was formerly in the Royal Garrison Artillery no. 48785. Update Although recorded above as the 3rd Battalion , it was the 5th Battalion which went to Gallipoli as part of the 11th Division. James was born in Jarrow 1896, son of Thomas and Melita Robinson nee Dawson of Jarrow. In the 1911 census the family is living at 3 Wilberforce Street, Jarrow with his father Thomas(49) a Cooper (dry goods) for a chemical company and his mother Melita Annie(47) married for 22 years with 6 children, 5 of whom are living at home. Amy(17) is a domestic servant, James (14) is an apprentice cabinet maker in the shipyard and the other three are at school with Henry Oliver(12), William Carlton(9) and Sarah(5). 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. August 1914 : in Dorchester. A depot/training unit, it remained in UK throughout the war. 5th (Service) Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. Formed at Dorchester in August 1914 as part of K1 and moved to Belton Park (Grantham), initially attached as Army Troops to 11th (Northern) Division. 8 January 1915 : transferred to 34th Brigade in same Division. Sailed from Liverpool on 3 July 1915, going via Mudros to land at Suvla Bay on 6 August 1915. 16 December 1915 : evacuated from Gallipoli and went to Egypt via Mudros. Moved to France, arriving Marseilles 9 July 1916. 11th Division in 1915 Embarkation took place at Liverpool from 30 June, with much of the Division sailing on the Aquitania and Empress of Britain. Mudros was reached by Divisional HQ and 32nd Brigade on 10 July. On 6-7 August 1915 the Division landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. On 19/20 December 1915 the Division withdrew from Gallipoli and moved to Imbros. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 215676 2/Lt. Douglas Forbes Robertson 8th Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers (d.26th Sep 1916) Douglas Forbes Robertson, Second Lieutenant, served in the 8th Battalion after initial spell in the 15th Reserve Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He died of wounds age 26 on the 26th September 1916. He is remembered at St. Paul's Church and is buried in Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension. His medal card shows the award of the War and Victory Medals and that he died of wounds. Douglas was born in Jarrow 1890, son of Hugh Robertson of Westfield House, Jarrow and the late Sarah Ann Robertson nee Rowland. In the 1911 census the family is living at Westfield House with Hugh(66) a Theatre Proprietor and Sarah(55) married for 37 years. They had 11 children of whom 9 survived but only 3 are still living at home. Eliza Ann(35) and Rachel Hannah(27) with Douglas Forbes(20) a dental student. (All unmarried) There are also two domestic servants. Vin Mullen Add to this record. 214000 Pte. George Jameson Fenwick 9th Btn. West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) (d.9th Aug 1915) George Jameson Fenwick, enlisted at Ashington and served with the 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own). He died age 21 on the 9th August 1915. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial. He was born in Hexham, lived in Jarrow, son of William and Margaret Ann Fenwick (nee Jameson) of 4 Chaytor Street Jarrow. On the 1911 census records: 51 Beatrice Street, Hirst, Ashington. Robert Shield age 40 Coal Hewer born Corbridge. Catherine Alice Shield wife age 35 born Prudhoe. George Jamison brother in law age 27 in law Coal Hewer born Haltwhistle. George Fenwick nephew age 16 Pony Driver below ground born Hexham. 4 Chaytor Street Jarrow. William Fenwick age 46 General Labourer in Shipyard born St. John Lee Northumberland. Margaret Anne Fenwick wife age 39 born Haltwhistle. Mary Margaret Fenwick age 15 born Jarrow. Vin Mullen Add to this record.

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