Home of the Infantry Regiments of Berkshire and Wiltshire
War Diary
Detail
1917-10-12
| Regiment | 6th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Belgium, Cane Trench |
| Entry | 1am - Leading Platoon left CANE TR for final forming up position. Considerably shelled with gas and HE from STEENBEEK Valley forward. 4.45am - Leading Platoon reached first forming up position (V25a40.95) 5.30am - Whole battalion formed up on line V25b0.3 - V19c5.0 with HQ V25a40.95. 5.25am - Zero Hour. 6.10am - No news received from troops in front - Battalion moved forward to second forming up position. Heavily engaged by enemy MGs and snipers from BREWERY MEUNIER HOUSE & BEEK HOUSES. 6.30am - Lt COL LONGHURST killed. CAPTAIN ROCHFORT MC assumes command. 6.35am - CAPT ROCHFORT went forward to reconnoitre and is wounded. LIEUT WERNHAM assumes command. 6.50am - Battalion unable to make further progress but no definite news could be obtained. Considerable officer casualties. 12.30pm - A,B & C Companies rather disorganised on a line V26a9.6 - V20a0.1. D Company V26a5.8. HQ V25a40.95. In touch on right with 9th Divn & on left with the Buffs. 1pm - Verbal warning of counter attack on left front but this never materialised. 7pm - OC 7th Rl West Surreys arrived at Bn HQ with orders for withdrawal. Runners sent to Companies but unable to find them. |
