Home of the Infantry Regiments of Berkshire and Wiltshire

War Diary

1916-08-24
Regiment 1st Wiltshire
Location France, Leipzig Salient
Entry The following operation orders were received in the early morning "The Battn with the 3rd Worcester Regt on our right will join and consolidate the line R.31.C.40.65, 58-76,97 R.31.D.0.7., 26,35,64 & 65 - 30" Two Coys off the LN Lancs Regt were placed at the disposal of this Battn. These two Coys were used mostly for carrying ammunition etc up to the front line throughout the operation. An intense artillery bombardment was put on the line R.31.C.40.65 - R.31.D.80.25. And the enemy's defences in an area N off this line at 4.10p.m. The 7th & 75th Bde Stokes mortars bombarded the area R.31.C.40.65, 88,67, 66 40 - 55 and also point 76. At 9.10p.m. In this Battn the attack was carried out by A Coy on left, B Coy in the centre and D Coy on the right. C Coy was in support. A B & D Coys assaulted at 4.10p.m. At 4.12p.m. the artillery barrage lifted Northwards and cleared the line R.31.D.65.30, 64, 35, 26, 17, R.31.C.97.76.58. 40.65 at 4.15p.m. Progress on the extreme left was slow but on the right the position was gained and consolidated immediately. Casualties were heavy, amounting to about 320. Six officers were lost, 2nd Lieut Butler being killed. The enemy shelled out trenches heavily for the rest of the day and night. The CO Lieut Col SS Ogilvie was hit by a bomb on the leg. The wound, however, was slight and he carried on. Recommendations for Awards A Coy 1/Bn Wiltshire Regt To Adj. 1/Bn Wiltshire Regt. D C M No 20996 Pte Clark M S (Reported Missing) This man also showed great coolness, and carried messages from time to time during the heavy Bombardment on the 24th Aug 1916, he was sent with a message and ha not been seen since. A Coy 1/Bn Wiltshire Regt To Adj. 1/Bn Wiltshire Regt. D C M No 20996 Pte Clark M S (Reported Missing) This man also showed great coolness, and carried messages from time to time during the heavy Bombardment on the 24th Aug 1916, he was sent with a message and has not been seen since. Sir I have the honour to bring to your notice the conduct of No 8963 Cpl Bridges J during the recent operations. On the 23rd, 24th & 25th August 1916 Cpl Bridges repeatedly went out in face of heavy artillery to repair the lines which had been cut by hostile fire. During the heavy bombardment of the 24th, this NCO went out several times to repair the lines and by his coolness and energy communication was kept up the front line: I have the honour to be Your Obedient Servant Sergt H Carter 1/C Signals 1st Bn Wiltshire Regt. A Coy 1st Battn Wiltshire Regt To Adj, !st Wiltshire Regt Recommendations for Awards DCM 8505 Sergt Wilford Fidler During the whole of the attack in the Leipzig Redoubt on the 24th August 1916 and during the heavy bombardment after the attack this Non Commission Officer showed great coolness. He also rallied his men after the assault to make further progress. He also gained superiority over enemy's snipers during the consolidation of the new line Trenches. [signed] W J E Ross 2nd Lieut OC A Coy Killed 12 men. Kept snipers down. Always had [?]