| Regiment | 1st Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, [Pont Logy] |
| Entry | (Wednesday) We had meanwhile established touch with the 9th Bhopal Infantry on our right. About 1a.m. We occupied the line we prepared at about 2a.m., 2 Coys of Sappers and Miners arrived, and, said they were ordered to take over our line, about this time a good deal of firing took place, the Sappers and Miners having taken over from S Lancs and Wilts, I withdrew the covering party under Capt Mee and, as his men left the farm the Germans entered it. We now withdrew to PONT LOGY where we were ordered to remain till daybreak, and if situation permitted we would be allowed to return to RICHEBOURG ST VAAST. Reached PONT LOIGY about 3a.m. a good deal of firing going on in front, and many bullets coming over the road on which we were supposed to halt. After a short time we got Regt. (by this time we had collected about another 120 men, who got away from the trenches) into an enclosure which gave protection from these stray bullets, and gave the men a chance of a rest. At about 6.30a.m. The GOC 7 Brigade sent for me and said an attack was to be made on NEUVE CHAPELLE that morning, and that he wanted the Regt or what was left of it to support this attack. We stood by ready, and meanwhile sent back for more ammunition, at about 9a.m. we received orders to proceed to billets at RICHEBOURG ST VAAST which we reached at 10a.m. marching in there 5 officers and about 200 men. At RICHEBOURG we found waiting for us the 6th reinforcement of 83 men under Capt Cary Barnard. On arrival at billets we tried to estimate our casualties for the previous day (Oct 27) and the roll sent in was a follows:- Killed Capt Stoddart and 30 men. Wounded 2nd Lieut P Bradley and 120 men. Missing Lieuts Oliphant, Ward Tetley, 2nd Lieuts Rose, Riley, Lloyd, Watson and Martin (all of which are believed to have been taken prisoners) and about 150 men. At 2p.m. Regt was ordered to take up a line covering RICHEBOURG in the E as there had not been time to reorganise and post the last reinforcement, we proceeded out as 3 Coys, each of about 100 men, the reinforcement forming a 3rd Coy by themselves under Capt Cary Barnard. We took up this line and entrenched at 5o'clock. At 6.05p.m. we received an order to proceed across country and go at once to assistance of 2nd Cavalry Brigade who were holding the trenches about PONT LOGY. Arrived at PONT LOGY at 6.45p.m. and after arrival there was asked to find 50 men to reinforce the 9th Lancers, who were being somewhat pressed. Sent up Capt Cary Barnard and 50 men of the draft to reinforce 9th Lancers. Remainder bivouacked in a field close by. A very cold night. (As the above account is as seen by me, who could not see the action round the trenches at the time they were vacated, I am going to attach an account from some of the NCOs who got back from the trenches.) (attached as Appendix 1X) |
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