Extracts from diary of Herbert Spencer Dickinson, 1916-1917

14/12/16 Packs were stored under Guard all men were issued
with 6 sand bags. Puttees were withdrawn from
all ranks & sand bags wrapped round the legs
instead
H & B. Coys moved out at 3-15 p.m & remainder
of Bn at 3-45, Parties moved in 25's at a
distance of 100 yds. New trenches occupied
by 6.30p.m. Gum boots were issued to all
ranks at Bde Gum boot store these were
carried & changed after reaching the trenches,
All socks were changed & feet rubbed with
whale oil.
Nearly all the Battn were on fatigue (Engineers)
3 Casualties.
15/12/16 During the morning the enemy intermittently
shelled our trenches. No Casualties)
During afternoon & evening the whole
Battalion was employed on Engineer
Carrying work. During the day the men
improved the trenches occupied
16/12/16 Frosty morning, foggy, very cold. Very
little shelling all day. Improved trenches
throughout the day. Slight fall of snow
4 P.M. Commenced is move forward &
took over front line from 58 Battn, Relief
completed without any hitch by 9.30 p.m.
24 containers of hot soup were sent forward
17/1216 There was intermittent shell fire throughout
the day, A mist hung over all day, This
prevented observation but enabled
working parties to carry material well
forward, 48 hotboxes were got up with
the rations also a plentiful supply of
fuel & water. Capt Aram and 
 

17/12/16 others were withdrawn from the
line to be sent to the training Btn
tomorrow. Instructions were received
that the Battn was to be prepared to
attack Finch Trench on 19 inst if
the weather was favourable
Casualties I.U.R wounded
18/12/16  Clear day, shelling on both sides
throughout the day, no damage sustained,
Work of improving was pushed on with
19/12/16 A German prisoner belonging to 2nd Batt
8th Coy 361 Regt was captured by a bombing
post in Spring Trench.  He was forwarded
on to Division. The day was very cold
all the surface of the ground & all pools of
water being frozen. During the afternoon
there was a fall of sleet- Very cold.
Commencing at 4. P.M. the Battn was
relieved by 59th. Battn. The relief was
successfully completed by 8.50. P.m.
Hot boxes etc as usual
20/12/16 The day was very bright sun out for first
time for week. Very cold, Ground frozen
hard Bttn employed on Engineer working
parties and at night burying cable
21/12/16 Very bright day. There was very heavy
Artillery fire both to our right & our left
usual work was carried out on trench
improvement. The Battn was relieved
by 21st Battn commencing at 5p m.
The relief was completed by 8.15. P.m.
without any casualties. The Battn moved
to E camp
 

22/12/16   No working parties were provided.
Packs were reissued
Battn Commenced to move at 1 p.m. to
Montauban Camp, all correct at 3.p.m
23 12 16 Battn moved to Ribenout as per
attached appendix arriving at billets at
3 pm. 117 Reinforcements joined the
Battn. Weather fine few slight showers
1/1/17 At the request of Gen Birdwood the Battn
was given a holiday except for cleaning
billets etc preparatory to the move
tomorrow. Weather fine strength increased
by 17 Reinforcements
11/1/17 Training as per Syllabus Notification of
move very wet
12/1/17 Transport moved to Francourt at 8.15. a.m
Marching out parade during afternoon
very wet. Preparations for move tomorrow
13/1/17 Moved to Vignacourt as per attached
Lackmoser Schedule leaving at 6.15. a.m reached 
at 8.10 & entrained left at 9.15 and
reached Merricourt at 12.25pm &
Ribemont moved into billets at Ribemont by 1 pm.
Steel helmets box respirators etc were
received
14/1/17 Marched to Maulte & entrained for quarry
siding leaving at 5.45. a.m. Reached
Montauban Camp at 10 a.m. Transport
left Ribemout at 8.50. a.m & arrived at
Montauban at 2 p.m all surplus stores
bicycles etc were left at Ribemont
15/1/17 Prepared to move to Front line system
2 bombs per man 120 rounds ammunition
6 sand bags were issued, Each Coy
was given 2 Primers Stoves
 

15/1/17 Battn moved out at 2.30 p.m A & B Coy
went into Switch needle
Needle C & D -   Needle
relieving 28 Battn 80 men were
employed in ration fatigue to carry
to front line & 140 on engineer work
The take over was completed without a
Casualty, 4 wounded 1100 men front
line work
16/1/17 Cleaned & improved trenches, drew about
400 pairs of Gum books from store at
Delville Wood & distributed them to
B.C. & D. Coys, 24 hours Rations were
distributed prior to moving forward
Move was commenced about 5. p.m
Relief completed & 25th Battn all
clear by 12-55 a.m. Casualties 1.O.R. wounded
Heavy Artillery Strafe about 8.15. p.m
no damage done
17/1/17 At about 7.30. a.m. a German prisoner
gave himself up to the Centre Coy D boy.
His identity disc read

RICHARD NENN.
GRUNNAGEN KR SUNUBIN
6.3.96.
ERS. D BATL 2
IRE. KR. DEP.N.R. 116. F
He was forwarded through Brigade H.Q.
to Divisional Cage. There was a heavy
fall of snow during the night. Trench
improvement carried on. Shelling very
light. Several of the enemy were seen
& sniping was actively carried on with
good results
 

18/1/17 There was a light continuous fall of
snow throughout the day. There was
little Artillery activity on either side
The strength was increased by the
arrival of 34 returned wounded and
reinforcements
19/1/17 The day was cold, the snow commenced
to thaw Improvements carried on as
usual. Enemy Artillery heavily
shelled to vicinity of Rose & Needle
trenches inflicting several casualties
For an hour from 2. 30 p.m to 3. 30 p.m.
our Artillery heavily shelled the enemy
position opposite our front. It was
estimated that considerable damage
was done. Commencing at 5. p.m. the
58th. Battn relieved us. Relief was
complete by 9.40. P.M. Casualties. nil.
A & B Coys moved to Switch & C & D. to Needle
Trenches
20/1/17 The snow continued to thaw, Working
parties were supplied to work on
Dugouts & for deepening & resetting
both Needle & Switch trenches.
Usual work of salvaging & repair was
continued. The shelling was very heavy
& consistent about us all day
Duckboard tracks were shelled
continually, Casualties nil
Commencing at about 4.30. p.m. we were
relieved by 59th Battn Relief completed by
All Gum boots & a large quantity of
salvage were taken back to boot
store & salvage dump. The Battn marched
 

20/1/17 to E Camp which was reached at -
E camp   No parties were supplied during
21/1/17 the day which was spent in
reissuing packs & cleaning up
generally. Day cold & clear. Snow
still frozen hard. 16 men sent
as a permanent D.D.O. working Party
to Needle Trench.
22/1/17  Slight fall of snow, slight thaw
400 men were employed tunnelling
and carrying material forward
Instructions were received that the
Battn would take SUNRAY Trench
3.O.R. wounded on carrying parties
About 250 men were given a bath
at the Div Baths
23/1/17 The majority of men of the Battn were
given a foot wash under Medical
supervision at the Pioneer Baths E. camp
450 men were supplied for working
parties under Engineer supervision.
The Battn moved to Delville Wood Camp
& occupied dugouts there
24/1/17 The day was still very cold. The whole
Battn was employed on various
carrying & working parties under
Engineer supervision 
25/1/17 The remainder of the Battn were put
through the foot baths with the
Trench preparation for prevention of
Trench feet. The Battn was again
employed on various carrying &
work under Engineer supervision
2nd Lt Morrow marched in from 5th A C B D
 

 26/1/17 Six sandbags & 2 grenades per man were
issued. Packs & puttees were stored &
Battn prepared to move up to the trenches
Small parties were supplied to the Engineers
moved from Delville Wood camp at 4.45 p.m
A & B. Coys occupied Switch & C. & D. Needle
Change over completed by 6.40. p.m.
A & B. Coy were employed wiring Switch
trench & 100 men were employed resetting
External & Energy allies
27/1/17 Men employed on Trench repairs work
on D D O etc. 2½ Coys employed wiring in
front of Switch & Needle. at 6. am
Heavy Artillery Strafe on Trench which
lasted for 3 hours. The 29 Div on our
right advanced at the same time 400 yds
& captured 6 off about 600 O.R. & 7 M.G.s
They consolidated. Constant artillery
fire on Duckboards during the day
28/1/17 Still cold. Gum boots were drawn from
store in Delville Wood. We sustained
several casualties doing so. Took over
front line from 60th Battn as per
appendix. Relief completed by 10. pm.
29/1/17 Dead Lt buried. Slight thaw
in the snow. Work energetically pushed
on. I4 Returned & Reinforcements joined up
30/1/17 Slight fall of snow during the day. Heavy
strafe to our left, 18 pounders & heavies
registered opp our front. Every available
man on improvement work.
16/3/17 Our Patrol returned at dawn having
attempted an entry at several places
into  & TILL Trenches The wire
 

16/3/17 was intact & very thick & our patrols
were bombed
23/3/17 Orders were received to stand by in
readiness to move at a moments notice
as the 29^th & 30^th Battns had lost
BARASTRE and the 59^th B.C. would restore
the position. At 9. a.m. the Battn moved
to Fremicourt where it remained until
about 6. p.m. When we moved forward
to take over the sector from Velu Wood

[*Relief completed by 11.30 p.m.*] to Barastre from the 29th Battn, This

was done without casualty. Enemy

shelling throughout the night was

very constant all calibres up to 8" being

used

24/3/17 Just at about 4.30 a.m a bombing
party of about 60 Germans attacked
our left at Beaumetz (U14 a )
At the same time two companies of
[*(300 men)*] Germans who were coming forward
to take up an outpost position got
lost and came on to our right
Beaumetz  J 20 a and J 14c) Fierce
fighting ensued during which the
enemy entered the outskirts of
the village. After about 3 or 4 hours
of fighting the enemy was driven out,
He still occupied a house at J,14, a.3.4,
until our Artillery blew it flat during
[*6 prisoners taken*] the afternoon. There was light shelling
during the day. At 3.45. p.m the
59^th. Battn pushed forward in front
of Velu Wood for a distance of about
400 yds, Our right Coy took over portion
of the new line at 8. P.M.
 

24/3/17 At night 2 Platoons attacked & took
the Farm at J.8.C.6.5. The position
was consolidated and held. During
this attack 2nd Lieut G. Thimpton was
wounded, Capt W.P. Trainor was
wounded during the morning
Casualties 2 Off wounded O.R. killed
O.R. wounded
25/3/17 Magnificent day for observation a
9.20 am large number of planes were up
Three of ours were brought down
within 5 minutes. Our position in
the farm taken last night was
consolidated. Large fires were seen
in Dremecourt. Enemy Artillery
very active during the day, a lot
5.9 being used. Two dead
Aviators buried.
25/3/17 10.10 p.m. blown out of Farm
26/3/17 At 5.15. a.m on the 58th Battn on our
left & 2nd Div to their left advanced
under cover of Artillery, our A. Coy (less  

1 platoon) acted as support Coy to
58th Battn and alternately took part
in the advance. Weather dull with
slight falls of rain 67 R. reinforcements
joined the Battn, Lieut Staley &
16.O.R returned from 1st Anzac Corps
school. At 10 p.m. The Enemy
attacked the farm with vastly 
superior numbers and bombed us
out. Our men had to retire to their
old line. One Coy of 59th Battn
moved from the left Battn Sector
 

26/3/17 and took up a position on left
& right of the road near the farm
Patrols were sent out & the farm
found to be unoccupied. We
immediately reoccupied it
27/3/17 At daylight the Coy of 59. Battn
rejoined its Battn, Rain hail, &
snow fell at intervals throughout
the day. Intermittent shelling
throughout the day with 77ns
28/3/17 Moved as per appendix to Villers au Flos
29/3/17 Cleaning up shortages of Kit-etc
30/3/17 Smartening up Drill commenced making
a battie & canteen
1/4/17 Observation balloon at Villers au Flos
10-40 brought down on fire by Huns.
Both observers landed safely by
parachute. Our canteen finished.
[*shelling quiet

on our front

a lot on left*]
Commencing at 5.30 p.m. We moved to
Morebies and took over outpost line
from 54^th. Battn as per attached schedule
Relief completed by 10.45. p.m.
casualties nil in change over

2/^3 4/17 It was found that troops in D19 and D25
[*10. a.m*]  had not been put out
[*confirmed

at 1-30 am *]

10.15  Received message from Col Scott

that he held all the wood & Louverval

& asking us to cover his left flank

8 a.m.   Word received that 2^nd & 4^th Div had

captured NOREUIL

7.30p.m. Enemy reported missing from
J.5.C.92. to J.5.b. 32
8.30 p.m. Established post at as per appendix
attached. Shelling very quiet all day
& night on our front
 

2/4/17 Our guns very active to our left
5 a.m. 55^th Battn took   DOIGNES

56^th Battn    "        LOUVEUAL

casualties of these Battns heavy

Established post at      but owing

to heavy M.G. fire from both flanks

& front, had to retire. Casualties 

3 killed 9 wounded, casualties for

day 3 killed, 10 wound. 6p.m Fairly
heavy fall of snow
3/4/17 Bitterly cold Capt Lang left for
L.G. Course. Relieved by 56^th. Battn
& moved back to Villers au Flos
2 baloons near Bapaume
4/4/17 Rested & cleared up, 23 Reinfs joined
the Battn, heavy fall of snow
5/4/17  95 tents drawn & new camp pitched
between Beaulercourt & Rencourt
at N.1.b. floorboards, bricks etc.
Beautiful day roads & ground dried
up a lot. Very heavy strife on
left in direction of Arras.
6/4/17 By 12 noon the Battn had moved to
new site near Rencourt at N.W b.
Weather bad. Major Marshall rejoined
7/4/17 Wet all day, 1 Coy on Roadwork
½ Coy   line improvements to
Camp
8/4/17 Major Marshall left to take command
of 60^th Battn. Two Coys digging line
Church Parade. Battn Concert.
11/4/17 The Battn was ready to move on
receipt of further orders at 5. a.m.
10.30. Moved forward through
 

11/4/17 Rerncourt, Bancourt, and Beugnatre
and occupied trenches on either side
of the road in H.12.b. Heavy fall of
snow. Capt Lang & Lt Marxson
rejoined from school also Lt Davis.
Attack on Bullecourt
12/4/17 Rained & snowed all day. Improved
the track & shelters, Constant shelling
all day.
13/4/17 Moved back to our camp near Rerncourt
as per attached appendix, afternoon
clearing up etc. Baloon brought down.
14/4/17 Beautiful day, Coys all employed
on digging & wiring new line in
front of Villers au Flos Officers mess
opened.
15/4/17 Heavy Strife, wet.