The 6th Battalion came into existence in September 1914, when Lieut.-Colonel E. D. White, who previously commanded the 1st Battalion, was brought in from half-pay to command the newly raised unit.
The training of the 6th Battalion was so similar to that of the 5th that it is unnecessary to describe it in detail, although it continued for a somewhat longer period.
Belonging to the Second New Army, the 6th Battalion formed part of the 60th Infantry Brigade, 20th (Light) Division, quartered during the autumn of 1914, the winter and early spring of 1915 in the vicinity of Aldershot (Bisley, Blackdown, Grayshott), and moving in March to Lark Hill Camp, Salisbury Plain.
The Battalion took the field only ten days before the close of the period included in this volume, and the time was occupied in moving up to the front.
FROM THE REGIMENTAL DIARY TO FRANCE AND FLANDERS
July 21st 1915 - (Lark Hill Camp, Salisbury Plain.) The advanced party, consisting of nil Transport and 105 N.C.O.'s and men, under Major E. M. Childers, left Amesbury Station at 3.15 a.m., for Southampton and Havre.
July 22nd.—The Regiment left Amesbury in two trains at,3.25 p.m., and at 4.10 p.m. crossed from Folkestone to Boulogne, in the S.E. and C.R. packet "Queen," arriving at 12 midnight, and marching to the rest camp. Rain.
July 23rd.--At 9.30 a.m. left Boulogne and marched to Point a Pitres Station, where entrained at 12 noon, and joined up with the advanced party from Havre. At 4 p.m. arrived at Lumbres Station and marched to billets at Acquin.
July 24th-26th.—Route marching and instruction.
July 27th.—Marched to billets at Campagne.
July 28th.—Marched to Borre in the evening, and went into billets. Very hot. 62 men fell out, but rejoined in the evening.
July 29th.—Marched to billets between Bailleul and Oultersteene.