12th March 1915 On this day:  Movement Orders   Still Standing to Many wounded at L'Epinette   Action of L'Epinette took place in the early hours of the morning. Shelling of the new trenches at L'Epinette apparently been proceeding all day. First information received by 19th Field Ambulance RAMC from the 17th Battalion HQ that there were many wounded (5pm) and bearers required - Lt. Hampton and 'B' Bearer Subdivision with motor ambulance wagon and three Horsted wagons went out, supplemented later by the remaining Bearers Subdivisions, and by 7 horsed ambulance wagons. It appears from the telegrams received that wounded were not being satisfactorily evacuated, as I proceeded out to this area myself, but found evacuation proceeding as rapidly as wounded could be brought in. The MO of N. Staffordshire and his stretcher bearers however appeared overcome with the work and the Field Ambulance bearers were therefore used to work up to the trenches which was done most satisfactorily. Some 89 wounded were brought in to 19th Field Ambulance, of which some 35 were sent to the 17th Field Ambulance. Lt. EFW Grellter reported his arrival for duty with 19th Field Ambulance RAMC. War Diary 19th Field Ambulance RAMC, Armentières Further Action   E Battery 3rd Brigade RHA With 5th Cavalry Brigade near La Gorgue. Moved at 1530 to Pont du Hem but Cavalry Brigade coudnn't get through German lines. Back to bivouac and billet near La Gorgue at 2030. war diaries 3rd Monmouths in the trenches   The training rotation period came to an end on the 12th March when they were assigned to trenches on the west slope of the Messines-Wytschaete Ridge, just outside the village of Wulverghem 5 miles south of Ypres . They were responsible for about a 1000yds of the trenches known as 10a and 10b. The trenches were on the West slope of Messines-Wytschsete Ridge. The line ran southeast to Pleogsteert and northwest to Kemmel and Wulverghem village lay in a depression behind. The village buildings gave some protection from rifle fire as the Welsh troops marched forward but the air was filled with stray bullets, whistling perilously close, as they approached the trenches. The Battalion's Headquarters were in the village of St Quentin Cabaret, and Companies were posted either side of the Wulverghem - Messines Road . This was the first experience of trench warfare for the 3rd Mons, Officers and men, the sector they were in reputedly was a quiet one but the enemy was continuously active. The lighter calibre guns directed fire against them throughout the day and the occasional trench mortar that was thrown caused effective damage. To undertake repair work was a dangerous task, for enemy marksmen closely watched the breach and repeated rifle fire was non-stop. This persistent firing, disturbed the stability of the trenches, the unrelenting weather conditions and the continual flooding of the trenches made it necessary for constant maintenance in the most dangerous positions. The enemy had better equipment and continually fired from fixed rifles and machine guns at miscellaneous tactical positions and their trenches too were better defended too, with wire entanglement. So the Battalion's guns fell silent because of shortage of ammunition, particularly high explosive shells. The conditions for the Battalion were miserable, great caution was taken when lighting fires for curling smoke received enemy attention very quickly. Although food was satisfying and in good supply it was monotonous, rum and lime juice was dispensed in medicinal doses and cigarettes became the comfort but all this was supplemented by parcels from kind friends and families back home in Wales. Unfortunately in the early days of being in the trenches the Battalion suffered many casualties, including an Officer and it was only by bitter experience that they learned; it was care and alertness in trench warfare that kept them safe. Soon enemy action became much more intense and the number of heavy German guns increased and by the end of March the village and the church of Wulverghem was completely destroyed. The conditions of the line were extremely miserable, the least rainfall flooded the shelters in the trenches, and the close proximity of the enemy severely restricted movement. Fires could only be lit and tended with great care, as any sign of smoke would soon receive some enemy attention.  Defence adjusted  Misty Morning  RFC Supports Attacks  Ready to Move  Missing the Big Fight  Advance Made  Inspection  Helping the Wounded  On the Move  Inspection  Reliefs  Attack Made  Instruction  Les Facons  On the March  Shelling  Inspection  Heavy Firing  Equipment  Inspection  Arrival  Orders  Counter Attack  Inspection  Epinette Shelling  Operation Postponed  Reliefs  Battalion warning  Moved back  Shelling  Brigade Drill  Ready to Move  Prisoners 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 12th of March 1915? There are:37 items tagged 12th of March 1915 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, 12th of March 1915. Pte. James Allison. 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers Read their Story. Pte. James Allison. 2nd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers Read their Story. Sgt. Charles Armstrong. 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles Read their Story. Pte. Edward Barber. VC 1st Btn. Grenadier Guards Read their Story. Pte. Harry Beale. 1st Btn. Worcestershire Regiment Read their Story. Rflm. Eugene Brennan. 1st Btn. Royal Irish Rifles Read their Story. Pte. Albert Brown. 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers Read their Story. Sgt. Joseph Brown. 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers Pte. Myles Christie. 2nd Btn. Leinster Regiment Read their Story. L/Cpl. Michael Coyne. 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers Read their Story. L/Cpl. Michael Coyne. 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers Read their Story. Pte. Alexander Dawes. 1st Btn. North Staffordshire Regiment Read their Story. Pte. James Hough. 2nd Btn. D Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers Read their Story. L/Sgt John Jay. 2nd Btn. Suffolk Regiment CSM. Ernest Kendrick. Royal Irish Rifles Read their Story. Pte. Arthur Lake. 2nd Btn. Northumberland Fusiliers Read their Story. Pte. John Leatham. 2nd Btn Yorkshire Regiment Read their Story. L/Cpl. Albert Pollard. 2nd Btn. Yorkshire Regiment Read their Story. Pte. Jacob Rivers. VC 1st Btn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) Read their Story. Pte. Alfred Scott. 2nd Btn. A Coy. Northumberland Fusiliers Read their Story. Capt. A. A. Sutcliffe. Royal Army Medical Corps Read their Story. 2nd Lt. Gordon Jacob Wilson. Northamptonshire Yeomanry Read their Story. Add a name to this list.

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