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Pte Arthur Higginson
British Army 2nd Btn. Royal Fusiliers
from:Staffordshire
(d.12th Aug 1917)
This is taken from diary that was returned to his family after his death with several other papers and war poems, all of which have been donated to the Imperial War Museum London.
Diary of Private A. Higginson 12622.
I enlisted on the 10th of February 1915. Left Stoke for Hounslow on the 13th and arrived the same day. Left Hounslow and arrived at Dover on the 20th of February. I had there, 3 months recruit drill then went in the training quarters. Went on 6 days leave on June 25th, but did not return until July 3rd. Warned for a draft for the Dardanelles on July 6th.
Left Dover July 11th and arrived at Devonport July 12th. We then embarked for the peninsula on the S.Simla. Left Devonport harbour July 13th midnight. We passed the rock of Gibraltar at midnight July 17th. Steamed into Malta July 21st. Left Malta on the 22nd and landed into Alexandria July 25th. Left Alexandria on the 27th July and arrived at Lemnos Harbour July 30th.
Left Lemnos on His Ms Gunboat Newmarket on the 30th and arrived at Cape Helles midnight. We landed in support on the 31st of July. Went in the firing line the same day. On the 1st of August preparations were made for an attack on H12. Our light artillery and the naval guns bombarded the Turks on the 1st,2nd,3rd,4th, and 5th of August. We were relieved by the Essex of the 88th Brigade on the 5th.
On the 6th of August the batteries opened out a rapid fire and the 88th Brigade went over the top under heavy fire, being reinforced by us the 86th. But we were heavily repulsed and had to retire. We were relieved from the firing line and went to the beach for a relief on the 7th August. We left Cape Helles and proceeded round to Cape Sulva on the 20th.
On the 21st of August we had a very rough time of it for the Turks made an attack on us. This lasted for 3 days. Settled down on August 24th. Relieved to the supports on the 31st. Left Chocolate Hill on the H.M.S.Usmanier and proceeded to Imbros for a rest on the 9th of September. We arrived at Imbros the following day.
Left Imbros on the 21st midnight and arrived in the firing line on the 22nd. Went to supports Sep 28th. In the firing line again on Oct 13th. On the 16th of Oct we made an attack for a sap but had to retire and we had to go for it again on the 17th but we managed to capture it. Ten men and a Sgt. The Sgt was awarded the D.C.M. In the capturing of this sap I was wounded in the eye and shoulder by bomb splinters.
I left the peninsula on H.M.H.S.Dongola on the 18th of Oct. landed at the 3rd Aust. Gen Hospital Oct 19th. Where I had small splinters taken from eye and shoulder blade. Discharged from Hos Nov 15th. Joined Details on the 15th. Left Mundros on the Empress of Britain on Jan 17th 1916 Drew into port at Alexandria.
Proceeded to Mustapha Pasha arriving there Jan 20th. Entrained at Mustapha on the18th of Feb and arrived at Port Jewfick. Suez on the 19th. Went up to Al Cubery for outpost. Feb 21st Returned to Suez Camp. Mar 2nd. left Suez and embarked at Port Jewfick on the Alaunia. Mar 14th. sailed through the canal and arrived at Port Said. Mar 15th.
Left Port Said 16th and proceeded. Via Malta to Marseilles. We arrived at Marseilles Mar 22nd. Entrained at Marseilles and proceeded to Pont Remy arriving there Mar 24th. Marched to Coulon Villiers same day. 15m. Left Coulon and marched to Beauval on the 4th April and marched to Englebelmer.
Left Englebelmer on the 4th April for a course of trench mortar arriving at Valheureax same day. Left Valheureax and arrived at Mailly-Maillet on the 14th. Left MM and arrived at Auchonvillers April 21st. Carried on trench work at Beaumont Hamel. Relived from trenches on the 28th and went back to Louvencourt. Left Louvencourt and arrived at M-M May 8th. Went in the trenches on the 18th.
Whilst on listening post on the morning of the 19th. we were nearly caught by a German sniper. Went back into supports May 23rd. Relieved from trenches and arrived at Louvencourt on the 7th of June and arrived at M-M. Left M-M and arrived at Auchonvillers ther I joined the trench mortar on June 11th. On the 21st of June while in trenches, hit on the arm by a small piece of shrapnel. Left Auchonvillers and went back to Acheaux on the 23rd. Preparations were then being made for an advance. The bombardment started on the 23rd. Went up trenches under bombardment to remove gun boxes on June 27th. The bombardment still continued on 28th. 29th. 30th. but it got heavier as it went along. Left Acheaux and went into supports to await advance on the 30th. On the morning of the 1st of July the bombardment was at its worst.
Every gun spitting out fire as fast as they possibly could. At 7 o'clock in the morning we blew up a mine in the German front line and at 7-30 the great advance started to capture Beaumont Hamel every man going over the top like one, under heavy shrapnel and machine gun fire. I was hit in leg with bit of shrapnel.
It was a terrible sight to see. Once again we had to retire with heavy losses. Beaumont Hamel was one of the strongest fortifications on whole front. We were relieved from the trenches and arrived at M-M on July 4th. Left M-M and proceeded to Hamel where we carried on trench work July 9th. On the 20th we went in front to try and put Minnenwerfer out of action. Relieved from trenches and arrived at M-M July 23rd.
Left M-M on the 23rd to proceed to another part of the line. We arrived at Bus the same day. Left Bus and arrived at Beauval July 24th. Left Beauval and entrained at Doullens on the 27th July, arriving at Esquelbecq same day. Left Esquelbecq and arrived at Wormhout on the 27th. Left Wormhout and arrived at C.Camp July 30th. Left C.Camp on the 8th of August and arrived at St.Jean midnight.
Just as we landed in Ypres a violent bombardment started and the Germans made a gas attack on us. Only a few being gassed. On the 14th we went in the trenches at St. Jean. On the 17th of August the Germans made another gas attack on us. Left St.Jean and went in the trenches at Railway Wood on the 18th. Relieved from trenches and arrived at C.Camp Aug 29th.
The Germans made 2 more gas attacks on the 29th of August and the 2nd of September. Left C.Camp and arrived in the trenches again Sep 8th. Relieved from St.Jean and arrived at Ypres Sept 18th. Left Ypres and went to Railway wood Sept 25th. Relieved from the trenches and arrived at Ypres Sept 28th. On the 31st we had to take our guns up to the trenches again for a bombardment which proved successful.
Left Ypres and arrived at C.Camp Oct 1st Left C.Camp to proceed down to the Somme. Entrained at Poperinge and arrived at Wormhout Oct 4th. Left Wormhout and arrived at Proven on the 6th of Oct. Left Proven on the 7th and arrived at Amiens midnight. Left Amiens and arrived at Durnancourt 3 miles from Albert Oct 10th. Left Durnancourt on the 13th of Oct and arrived at Mametz Wood.
Left Marmetz Wood on Oct 22nd and arrived at Delville Wood. Carried on trench work at Gueudecourt. Left Gueudecourt and Delville Wood on the 30th of Oct and proceeded to Meaulte. Left Meaulte on the 31st and arrived at Ville-sous-Corbie. Left Ville-Sous-Corbie and arrived in the town of Corbie Nov 1st. Left Corbie and arrived at Meaulte on the 16th of Nov.
Left Meaulte and arrived at Ginchy Nov 18th. Left Ginchy and proceeded in the trenches the extreme right of the British line on the 24th of Nov. Relieved from the trenches at Les Boefs on the 27th and arrived at Ginchy same day. Left Ginchy and arrived at Montauban 28th Nov. Carried on trench work at Les Boefs. Left Ginchy and proceeded to Mealte arriving on the 9th of Dec.
Left Meaulte on the 15th of Dec and arrived at Picquigny same day. Left Picquigny on the 10th Jan and arrived at Corbie the same day. Left Corbie and arrived at Mericourt Jan 11th. Left Mericourt on the 15th of Jan and arrived at Carnoy same day. Left Carnoy to proceed on leave on the 16th Jan.
Entrained at Mericourt 12-30. 17th and arrived at Le Havre same night. Left rest camp at Le Havre and boarded the S.S.Antrim on the 19th of Jan. Landed at Southampton on the 20th of Jan. Left Southhampton and arrived at Waterloo same day. Left for Wakefield on the 20th and arrived at my destination same day.
Left Westgate Station Wakefield on the 31st of Jan and arrived at Southampton same day. Left Southampton on the 31st and arrived at Le Havre on the 1st of Feb. Marched to the Ne1 camp and arrived there same day. Left Ne1 camp and arrived at the Docks Rest Camp on the 4th of Feb. Left Le Havre en route for the firing line on the 11th of Feb.
and arrived at Corbie Sunday Feb 12th. Left Corbie on the 18th of Feb and arrived at Meaulte same day. Left Meaulte and arrived in reserves at Combles on the 19th of Feb. Left Combles for the trenches on the 20th and arrived at Sailly-Saillisel same day. Left the trenches at Sailly-Saillisel and arrived at Foegicourt on the 23rd of Feb.
Stayed there for one night then proceeded to Bronfay Farm on the 24th arriving there same day. Left Bronfay Farm and arrived at Combles on the 26th. Left Combles on the 27th and went into the trenches at Sailly Saillisel. On the morning of the 28th at 5-30 our artillery opened out a rapid barrage fire.
The troops going over the top at 5-35. It was two days continuous scrapping but we gained our objective. Relieved from Sailly-Salisel on the 1st of Mar and stayed in supports for one night then proceeded to Bronfay Farm on the 2nd arriving there same day. Left Bronfay Farm and arrived at Ville on the 3rd of Mar.
Left the Batt and joined the Brigade F.M and arrived at Treax Mar 12th . Left Treax on the 15th for a course of trench Mortar and arrived at Vaux-en-Amienois same day. Left Vaux-en-Amienois on the the 26th and arrived at Abbe a Chaucer. Left Abbe a Chaucer and proceeded via Hangest to Yeaux on the 29th Mar.
Left Yeaux proceeded via Flixecourt and Bettencourt to Berteaucourt arriving there on the 30th Mar. Left Berteaucourt on the 1st of April and arrived at Besaincourt the same day. Left Besaincourt and proceeded via Doullens to Pommera on the 2nd of April. Left Pommera and arrived at Sus St. Leger on the 5th of Apl. Left Sus St. Leger and proceeded via Humbercourt and Saulty to Bavincourt arriving there on the 8th of Apl.
Left Bavincourt and proceeded via Simencourt to Beaumetz-Les-Loges on the 12th Apl. Left Beaumetz and proceeded via Dainville to Arras on the 13th Apl. Left Arras on the 14th and proceeded to the next village. Carried on trench work at Monchy. Relieved from Monchy on the 19th and arrived at Arras the same day.
Left Arras on the 22nd and arrived at Monchy Le Preax the same day. At 5-0'clock on the morning of the 23rd the artillery opened out a rapid bombardment which enabled the boys to go over shortly after. Advancing about 2000 yards. At 4-o'clock on the afternoon of the 24th our brigade were launched to the attack taking there objective this being the wood at Monchy. Also a ridge.
Later in the afternoon Fritz made a counter Attack and recaptured the wood. Our artillery cease fired because they could not get in communication so the enemy took advantage. We were relieved from Monchy the same night and arrived at Arras. Left Arras on the 25th and arrived at Bernville. Left Bernville and arrived at Wanquetin on the 26th Apl.
Left Wanquetin and Proceeded via Humber camp and St.Amand to Souastre arriving there on the 27th of Apl. Left Souastre and proceeded via Humbercamp to Couy-en-Artois arriving there the 1st of May. Left Couy-en-Artois and arrived at Arras on the 2nd of May. Left Arras on the 4th and arrived at Bernville same day. Left Bernville and arrived at Arras on the 15th of May.
Left Arras and arrived at Monchy on the 25th. At 11 o'clock on the night of the 30th of May our troops were again launched to the attack. The Middlesex gained there objective and stuck to it. The Lancs also gained theirs but had to retire with only 30 men. The prussian guards were our opponent. About 3 o'clock on the morning of the 31st on account of not having enough men the Middlesex were taken prisoners and the Lancs had to retire.
We were relieved from Monchy on the 31st and arrived at Arras the same day. Left Arras and arrived at Bernville on the 2nd of June. Left Bernville and entrained at Beaumetz for Pernois arriving there on the 3rd of June. Left Pernois on the 26th June and entrained at Candas for Andecote arriving there on the 27th.
Left Andecote on the 5th July and arrived at Proven the same day. Left Proven and arrived at the canal banks on the 12th of July In supports. Went in trenches on the St.Julian sector on the 13th. Relieved from the trenches on the 20th and arrived at Crombeke the same day. Left Crombeke and arrived at Proven on the 24th of July.
Went in the trenches at Boesingle on the 6th of August.1917.
Pte. A Higginson was Killed in Action at 1 am on the morning of the 12th of August 1917. 86 L.F.M. Battery 29th Division. B.E.F.
