1st December 1916 On this day:  Not such a Merry Christmas  Camp Improvements Covering 23rd Division   236th London Brigade Royal Field Artillery at Ypres record: All map references on Zillebeeke Bund.3.E 1/10,000 and sheet 28 1/40,000 236th Brigade RFA still covering the 23rd Division. A236 and B236 Batteries registered for special operations. Heavy mist made general observation impossible enemy artillery and trench mortars were very quiet. At 1230 a raid was attempted by the 11th Sherwood Foresters on sap at I.30.b.15.20, which was not successful. War Diaries Messines Sector - Flanders   16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. December’s work continued as in November with the emphasis now on Mortar Emplacements, Saps and Trench Railways. Again the Division moved slightly southwards creating similar maintenance work in new areas. (Note: Saps are small trenches beyond the front line towards the enemy usually for advance listening posts) As a relief to the heavy ongoing workload, Sundays were set aside for infantry training giving the men some respite whilst brushing up on their combat skills in case an enemy attack might take place though weather condition probably reduced its likelihood. On the 21st December the Battalion received a most complimentary letter from the GOC. 36th (Ulster) Division expressing appreciation for work done during the four month period with special mention of joining up Calgary Avenue with the Front Line under wet and difficult conditions. The 16th Battalion's CO also had his Adjutant issue a statement congratulating the men for their efforts in earning such recognition from the GOC. It is rather unusual that he did not sign the letter himself as most Commanding Officers would normally have done. There is no record of how Christmas 1916 was celebrated. Money was raised in Lurgan to ensure that all the men got their Christmas pudding. One can only hope that the gap in the War Diaries implies a quiet and uneventful period. December Casualties: Other Ranks 2 wounded. The Terrors by SN White  Move 33rd Bn AIF see enemy action during night   Our artillery quiet all day. Enemy trench mortar put over five Minnie's which did no damage. Enemy machine gun active during night. He has a machine gun laid on the end of Central Avenue causing 1 casualty and causing the route be closed for the night. Enemy used more Verey Lights and seemed to be more active than previously. Patrols reported that wire was in good condition around railways salient (reference WEZ Macquart Trench Map). Parapet being repaired but in poor condition. Patrols also reported wire round mushroom in good condition being mostly supported on knife rests (?). Apparently large numbers of the enemy could be heard working behind the parapet. Trains could be heard moving behind enemy lines during the night. 33rd Btn Australian Imperial Force War Diary, La Chapelle-d'Armentières, Right (1) Section  Kit inspections and cleaning  Ongoing winter training  Baths  Ground Frozen  Football  In the Trenches  On the March  Obscured Lines  POWs help  Training  In Billets  On the Move  Training  Working Parties  Training  "A Good Piece of Work"  Reliefs  Defences  Reliefs  Training  On the Move  A Route March  In reserve in dug-outs  Enemy Artillery Active  Into huts.  In the Trenches  Training  On the Move  In the Line  Parades under arrangements of Company Commanders,  Very Cold  In Support  Battalion Orders  March Table  Marched to camp at Millencourt Can you add to this factual information? Do you know the whereabouts of a unit on a particular day? Do you have a copy of an official war diary entry? Details of an an incident? The loss of a ship? A letter, postcard, photo or any other interesting snipts? If your information relates only to an individual, eg. enlistment, award of a medal or death, please use this form: Add a story.

Killed, Wounded, Missing, Prisoner and Patient Reports published this day. This section is under construction.

Want to know more about 1st of December 1916? There are:40 items tagged 1st of December 1916 available in our Library   These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.

Remembering those who died this day, 1st of December 1916. Lieutenant Edward Gordon Abelson. Read their Story. L/Cpl. George C. Arthurs. 10th Btn Royal Dublin Fusiliers Read their Story. Pte. William Thomas Gorton. 9th Btn. Royal Fusiliers Read their Story. Pte. William Henry Helliwell. 1/4th Btn. West Riding Regiment Pte. Albert Ingham. 18th Btn. Manchester Regiment Read their Story. Pte. William Hazzelby Jones. 23rd Btn., C Coy. Welsh Regiment Read their Story. Pte. Alfred Longshaw. 18th Btn. Manchester Regiment Read their Story. Add a name to this list.

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