SOUTH STAFFORDS WAR DIARY
WULVERGHEM TRENCHES.
14th June, Mon: Patrols went out to within 15x (1) of Enemy trench, reported all quiet. German seen opposite D3, through a gap in enemy parapet, dressed in khaki and what appeared to be a Glengarry (2).
Enemy shelled Diagonal (Trench) in the morning and afternoon. During the evening C.2 Support and C.1c shelled. CASUALITIES: 6820 L/S. G. Hoare and 9143 Pte G.I. Lamb wounded.
15th June, Tue: Two shells over C.2. Supports during the morning. At 3.0 pm Enemy shrapnel single shots, at interval of 5 minutes, burst between S.P.5 and R.E. Farm (3).
At 5.0 pm shelled Monmouth Farm. From 5.0 pm – till 5.30 pm 8 shells burst by N.M. Farm & Dugouts. One dugout demolished. Enemy parapet opposite D.2 damaged by Lyddite from A49 Battery. Relieved by 6 Souths. CASUALTY: 9080 Pte Sidaway W. wounded in relief.
NEUVE EGLISE
16th June, Wed – 19th June Fri: In Hutments, Bulford Camp.
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Pte BERTIE HIBBETT: FIELD POSTCARD to 95, Foden Rd. Walsall. HOME
June 17th 1915 (Stamped 19th June).
I am quite well. I have received your letter dated June 14th/ parcel June 14th. Letter follows at first opportunity.
Signature only. Bertie. Date June 17th
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(1) Patrol within 15 ft? of enemy – i.e. pretty close. (2) Glengarry: Scottish military cap, heavy wool; no doubt a trophy found or taken from a Scottish soldier. (3) Germans (interested in new Diagonal Communication Trench) appeared to be testing strength of British lines before shelling R.E. Farm, Monmouth Farm & North Midland Farm (an important admin. centre for Staffords).
(4) WULVERGHEM MAP: R.E. Farm (and Monmouth Farm ?) are north of Souvenir Farm & off the Map. The Front Line Trenches are red zig-zags. The red dot is Wulverghem Church. Grateful thanks to <http://thebignote.com/2013/23/wulverghem-churchyard>
NEXT POST: 18th June, 1915.
