1st May 1916 On this day:  Mining Party training    Arriving at the Somme was a huge tonic for the men. It was not nearly so wet and a very pleasing area with quite a few civilians around. The 24th Battalion were billeted at Dernancourt. On the 20th of May, Brigadier Cameron attended a conference at Divisional Headquarters and was warned to prepare for 103 Brigade to carry out a series of trench raids on the enemy in opposite trenches. This taking place near the village of La Boisselle. This village is near the soon to be famous Tara and Usna Redoubs astride the Albert-Bapaume road. The battalions were warned to put together and start training raiding parties. The parties from 24th and 26th Battalions were selected to carry out the operation. research 10th Loyals return to the front.   The 10th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashires, left the billets at Warluzel marching three hours to Pommier.  A Flight, 36(HD) Squadron move  On the Move NTF Coulthards Lane, Gateshead opens.   National Tool Factory Coulthard's Lane, Gateshead started in May 1916 for the Production of spade-cutters. First output was August 1916. It was under the direct control of the Ministry of Munitions. NFRF Phoenix Factory opens.   National Fuse Rectification Factory at Phoenix Factory, Gray's Inn Road, London stared in May 1916 tasked with rectifying and repairing fuses. It was under the direct control of William Cubitt Ltd. NFF Parkgate Street, Dublin opens.   National Fuse Factory Parkgate Street, Dublin started in May 1916 for the production of fuses. First output was Mar 1917. In 1918 they also produced aeroplane bolts. It was under the direct control of the Board of Management. Enemy Active   6th County of London Brigade RFA at Carency report The enemy was very active between 1730 and 1830 with a very large minenwerfer (mortar) firing about 20 rounds into the Centre Battalian Zone. At 1400 the enemy fired 10 rounds of 5.9s on the light railway between 15th London Battery and the Carency station getting 5 direct hits. Everything else was all quiet. War Diaries Railway Activity   16th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles - Pioneers. Railway Candas to Acheux. The arrival of May still saw elements of the Battalion involved in railway work. New sidings and crossings were being constructed and the track was being raised and packed in marshy areas near Rosel. Steel tanks and platforms along the route were still under construction. No.1 company from Candas to Punchevillers and No.3 Company from Punchevillers to Acheux. Other Companies were presumably in the trenches The work was completed on the 31st May 1916 and the Battalion was then ordered to Aveluy Wood. Summary: Candas to Acheux Line. The work completed in the 5 month period is listed as follows. Survey and construction of 19 miles of broad gauge railway over terrain which included large sections of swampy ground. Construction of 13 ½ miles of sidings. Construction of two terminals at Candas (including junction with existing main line) and Acheux. Built all necessary platforms, offices, station buildings and signal boxes at the two main terminals and four intermediate stations. Built engine inspection and repair facilities. Built a number of steel tanks for petrol along the route. Constructed two cement 100,000 gallon water tanks. Installed numerous points and crossings throughout the system. Starting on the 29th December 1915, the last spike was driven on the 18th February 1916. (Candas to Belle Eglise) Opened the line to traffic on the 20th March 1916 (Candas to Belle Eglise) and completed the entire system on 31st May 1916. This was a remarkable achievement since some of the work at Acheux was just within enemy heavy artillery range. It was reckoned at the time to be the best section of railway in the whole of France and continued in use long after the war and the decommissioning of the Battalion. It provided an excellent tribute to the Battalion’s expertise and determination in fulfilling their task on time. The Terrors by SN White  Counter Tunnelling  Move  Enemy Raiding Party  Under Shellfire  Houses Searched  Fishing  On the March  Bathing  Reliefs  Battery Locations  Reorganisation  Reliefs  Rifle range available  Quiet  Reliefs  Trench Work  Gas  Orders  Training  An Evening Bombing  Working Parties  Gas Alarm  Volunteers  Training  Reliefs  Reliefs  Orders  Squadron in India expanded  Aircraft damaged  Aircraft damaged  Training  Reorganisation  Camouflet Exploded  In Action  Usual parades, inspections & classes.  Instruction  In trenches  March Table  Holding the Line  Quiet Night  Measles  Holding the Line  Trench Work  Refit  Posting 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 May 1916? There are:54 items tagged 1st of May 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 May 1916. Pte. William Francis Barry. 8th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Read their Story. Pte Andrew Campbell. Highland Light Infantry Pte. Andrew Campbell. Highland Light Infantry Read their Story. Pte. John Howard Chatter. 140th Bde Machine Gun Corps Read their Story. Pte. Patrick Leen. 5th Royal Irish Lancers Read their Story. Sgt. Arthur Parker. 12th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment David George Richings. 63rd Battery Royal Field Artillery Pte. Alexander Stephenson. 13th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Read their Story. Add a name to this list.

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