Blog Archives - LIGHTBOBS

On this day 28th February

28/2/2017

On this day 28th February

1814 - 43rd and 52nd - The Light Divison - engaged in pursuit of the French after Orthes.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – DYKE VALLEY.
Quiet misty day; the front line was for a time shelled by the enemy’s and our own artillery (in their attempt to cut the wire in front of GREVILLERS TRENCH.
Policy of very active patrolling maintained.
Casualties during this month.
Killed = 7. Wounded = 14.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – TRENCHES NE of BARLEU
Our Artillery bombarded enemy’s Front & Support line from 5.25am – 5.55am to assist operations undertaken by XIV CORPS on our Right.
1 Officer (CAPT G.R. CROUCH) & 9 OR Wounded. 1 OR Killed.

1917 – 2/1st Bucks (TF) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – In Trenches SPUDS.
After being extraordinarily inactive for 3 days, at 4.45 p.m. enemy commenced violent bombardment of our Front and Support Lines and also on Front of Battalion on our “LEFT”. After 3 hours it ceased. In the meantime, however he raided centre Company of Bn. Left inflicting casualties and capturing prisoners.

1917 – 2/4th (TF) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – In Trenches ABLAINCOURT.
In Front Line Trenches.
Work and Patrols as above. Enemy again bombarded our lines, with exceptional severity for 3 ½ hours, and at 6.15.p.m. raided our trenches, penetrating the Centre Company’s front. Counter attack was organised and the enemy driven out, but not before he had inflicted heavy casualties as follows Officer’s. Wounded 2/Lt. CONSTABLE, Missing 2/Lt’s. GUILDFORD & HUNT. O.R. Killed 6, Wounded 18. Missing 19. 2/Lt. FRY reported has died from wounds.

1945 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – North West Europe
On the 28th the Regiment was relieved by the 1st Highland Light Infantry.

1945 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Arrived at BULFORD

1959 – 1st Green Jackets (43rd & 52nd) – “The last men of the last Draft to be trained at Cowley Barracks joined the Regiment”

On this day 27th February

27/2/2017

On this day 27th February

1814 - 43rd and 52nd - Battle of Orthes.

1900 - 1st Bn Oxf LI - present at the surrender of Cronje and 4,072 Boers at Paardeberg, after 9 days, investment.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – DYKE VALLEY.
The Regiment relieved the 2nd Bn Highland Light Infantry in the forward position; A and B companies were established in the new front line, consisting of GALLWITZ SWITH TRENCH on the Right and the line of posts on the Left extending to the outskirts of PYS, including the Cemetery.
D company (Support) in GRUNDY TRENCH.
C Company (Reserve) in shelters about Regimental Headquarters in AQUEDUCT ROAD.
Relief effected with difficulty owing to darkness and completed at 3.20am.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – Bn in BDE Support
(Nr BOIS ACHILLE).
Bn in BDE Support (Nr BOIS ACHILLE). –
Quiet Day. 2 Coys on Working Parties.
Relieved 1/5 GLOSTERS in Front Line in evening. Relief complete at 11.30pm.
1st DIV on Right. 1/4 R BERKS on Left.
Our Artillery bombarded enemy’s Front & Support Lines at 1am.
Strong patrols sent out to ascertain if enemy’s Front Line was occupied. - Found to be so.

1917 – 5th (S)Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – returned to trenches.

1945 - 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion - informed that it was to be a T Force.

On this day 26th February

26/2/2017

On this day 26th February

1852- 43rd - Loss of the Birkenhead off Danger Point, South Africa; the 43rd had a draft of 1 Officer, 1 Sjt., and 40 rank and file on board, of whom only 1 Officer (Lieut. Girirdot) and 14 rank and file were saved.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – DYKE VALLEY.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – CAMP 56 CAPPY.
Bn in Huts. –
Starting from Camp at 3.45pm & marching by Platoons by road, Bn marched to Support Line round BOIS ACHILLE & relieved 7th WORCESTERS.
D Coy in DESIREE Valley, A Coy half in BEAUSJOUR half in Bn HQ Bank,
C Coy & Battn HQ & B Coy in FLAUCOURT.
Relief completed at 9.30pm.
On this day 26th February

1852- 43rd - Loss of the Birkenhead off Danger Point, South Africa; the 43rd had a draft of 1 Officer, 1 Sjt., and 40 rank and file on board, of whom only 1 Officer (Lieut. Girirdot) and 14 rank and file were saved.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – DYKE VALLEY.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – CAMP 56 CAPPY.
Bn in Huts. –
Starting from Camp at 3.45pm & marching by Platoons by road, Bn marched to Support Line round BOIS ACHILLE & relieved 7th WORCESTERS.
D Coy in DESIREE Valley, A Coy half in BEAUSJOUR half in Bn HQ Bank,
C Coy & Battn HQ & B Coy in FLAUCOURT.
Relief completed at 9.30pm.

On this day 25th February

25/2/2017

On this day 25th February

1814 - 52nd - disputing the passage of the Gave Du Pau prior to the Battle of Orthes. (Peninsula)

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – DYKE VALLEY.
The regiment continued to occupy the original British Line except that there were posts forward on the flanks in order to keep in touch with the Australians on the left of the 17th Royal Fusiliers.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – CAMP 56 CAPPY.
Bn in Huts. –
Company Training. Working parties of 3 Officers & 200 men supplied.

1932 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – The Regiment left Albany Barracks, Parkhurst, IOW proceeded via Cowes and Southampton to Martinque Barracks, Bordon Camp, Hants.

On this day 24th February

24/2/2017

On this day 24th February

1791 - 52nd - marched on Colar against Tippoo.

1900 - 1st Bn Oxf LI - opposite Cronje's laager.

1903 – 1st Bn Oxf LI – The Battalion paraded at 11am for the presentation of the Kings South Africa Medal to all those entitled.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – DYKE VALLEY.
Quiet day.
After dark information received that a patrol of 18th Division (on our Left i.e on the left of 17th Royal Fusiliers who were on our Left) had penetrated to a point well within the German Lines on our front and had found nobody.
Orders received to send out patrols at once and find out whether GUARD TRENCH and DESIRE SUPPORT TRENCH were held.
Patrol going out at 9pm from A Company (on Right) reported GUARD TRENCH and that part of DESIRE SUPPORT TRENCH to its front as believed held although posts could not be located.
Patrol going out at 10.30pm from B Company (on Left) reported that part of DESIRE SUPPORT TRENCH to its front being held by at least one post. This was reported.
Further information not then available disclosed that the Germans were definitely not holding their front system except by one or more rear guard post or “Pockets” and the Support Battalion (2/HLI) was passed through the front line, in the dark and at dawn under cover of a mist established a line of outposts beyond and to the South of PYS.
The following Officers joined for Duty:-
2Lt H A Smith and posted to A Company,
Attached from Royal Berkshire Regiment:-
2Lt S A S Miles (A Company)
2Lt M A Simon (B Company),
2Lt H O M Herbert (C Company),
2Lt A E Henley (C Company),
2Lt H W D Palmer (D Company).

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – CAMP 56 CAPPY.
Bn in Huts. –
Company Training. Working parties of 3 Officers & 200 men supplied.

1917 – 2/1st Bucks (TF) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – In Trenches SPUDS.

1917 – 2/4th (TF) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – In Trenches ABLAINCOURT.

1945 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – North West Europe
On the 24th the 1st Highland Light Infantry was ordered to capture Rottum (9339), and once that was secure the Regiment was to attack the wood at 9239 beyond it.
A Company secured the start line and D Company, left, and B Company, right, were to attack the wood. In the darkness there was considerable confusion and the wrong wood was captured. However, a new plan was made and the correct objective was achieved without much opposition. The Regiment proceeded to" occupy the wood. Flooded ground made digging almost impossible and heavy shell fire caused considerable casualties—forty-two in all, including Lieutenant A. F. M. Paget, D.S.O., who was mortally wounded.

On this day 23rd February

23/2/2017

On this day 23rd February

1812 - 2nd Bn. 52nd at Ciudad Rodrigo (under orders for England) transferred 490 men to the 1st Bn.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – DYKE VALLEY.
The Regiment relieved the 1st Bn Kings Regiment (99th Infantry Brigade) in the Right Front Subsection; a troublesome relief completed at 2am.
Headquarters in old position originally taken over on 16.1.17 in the DYKE VALLEY.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – CAMP 56 CAPPY.
Bn in Huts. –
Company Training. Working parties of 2 Officers & 140 men supplied.

On this day 22nd February

22/2/2017

On this day 22nd February

1810 - 43rd and 52nd - General Craufurd's Light Brigade converted into the Light Division.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – ALBERT.
Recconnaisance of the Line to be taken over.
Right Front Subsection being now Numbers 1 – 11 Posts inclusive.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – CAMP 56 CAPPY.
Bn in Huts. –
Company Training. Working parties of 2 Officers & 140 men supplied.

1918 - 2/1st Bucks Bn.- disbanded as such and became temporarily the 25th Entrenching Bn.

On this day 21st February

21/2/2017

On this day 21st February

1814 - 43rd and 52nd - The Light Division marching from Sala towards Orthes (Peninsula).

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
The regiment finally relieved of Working Parties and closed to billets in ALBERT.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – CAMP 56 CAPPY.
Bn in Huts. –
Company Training. Working parties of 2 Officers & 160 men supplied.

1917 – 6th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – to CARNOY Camp.

1945 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – North West Europe
On the 21st the 52nd was relieved and journeyed by road, train and aeroplane to England, arriving at Bulford on the 28th February.

On this day 20th February

20/2/2017

On this day 20th February

1900 - 1st Bn Oxf LI - investing Cronje.(Boer War)

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – CAMP 56 CAPPY.
Bn in Huts. –
Company Training. Working parties of 2 Officers & 100 men supplied.

On this day 19th February

19/2/2017

On this day 19th February

1798 – 52nd – Embarked at Madras for England, after 15 years in India.

1900 - 1st-Bn Oxf LI - engaged at Kitchener's Kop (Boer War). 6 men wounded.

1901 - H.M. The King of Portugal appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
The following Officers Joined and were posted to companies shown:-
2Lt H S Eagle to B Company
2Lt L Bartlett to C Company.
75th Reinforcement – 8971 Sjt Gebbels and 44 Rank and File joined for duty.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – CAMP 56 CAPPY.
Bn in Huts. –
Baths for the Bn at ECLUSIER.

1917 – 6th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – to Trenches.

On this day 18th February

18/2/2017

On this day 18th February

1791 - 52nd - in pursuit of Tippoo, ascended the Ghauts (Southern India).

1900 - 1st Bn Oxf LI - at the Battle of Paardeberg. Lost 3 Officers died & 3 Officers and 27 men wounded.

1904 – 2nd Bn Oxf LI – New pattern cap was taken into wear by the NCO’s and men.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
Regimental Headquarters and that part of B Company still in hand moved to AVELUY.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – CAMP 56 CAPPY.
Bn in Huts. –
Coys at disposal of OC Coys for Interior Economy.

1917 – 6th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – to GUILLEMONT.

1917 – 7th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – to HILL 420 Camps (Salonika).

1945 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – North West Europe
On the 18th converging attacks on Goch (9043) by the 15th and 51st Divisions were successful and the Regiment found itself pinched out of the front line.
A short rest followed, but the Regiment was at short notice for further operations, planning for which was difficult because of the fluid situation.

On this day 17th February

17/2/2017

On this day 17th February

1814 – 43rd and 52nd - Commencement of the Campaign of 1814.

1900 - 1st Bn Oxf LI - in pursuit of Cronje.(Boer War)

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
Z Day. Attack by 2nd Division as Right Division of II Corps, carried out by 99th Infantry Brigade; subsidiary attack made by 6th Infantry Brigade (2nd Bn South Staffordshire Regiment).

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – TRENCHES N.E. of BARLEUX
Bn in Trenches. –
A Quiet Day& Misty.
In the evening the Bn was relieved by the 1/6 GLOSTERS & marched back to CAMP 56 at CAPPY.

1945 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – North West Europe
On the 17th the Regiment successfully and with minor opposition cleared the area to the River Niers (893466) and made contact with the 51st (Highland) Division.

1959 – 1st Green Jackets, 43rd & 52nd - The Regiment was equipped with the production
model of the Self Loading Rifle. All Fabrique Nationale type were withdrawn.

On this day 16th February

16/2/2017

On this day 16th February

1827 - 43rd - quartered at Leiria, Occupation of Portugal,.

1900 - 1st Bn.Oxf LI - at Klip-Kraal, South Africa. 9 men killed. 1 Officer & 40 men wounded.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
Y Day. As yesterday;
Regimental Headquarters moved at 10.30pm to BRUCE HUTS.
At 10pm AVELUY was shelled, one direct hit on the stable killing 5 horses, including Commanding Officers, Adjutants and Transport Officers.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – TRENCHES N.E. of BARLEUX
Battn in Trenches. –
Enemy Artillery quieter.
At 11.15pm a patrol of 1 NCO & 3 men left our lines about N.12.a.90.11. & located enemy posts at N.12.b.42.32 & N.12.b.52.32.
Two other patrols were sent out.

1917 – 5th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – to billets in DAINVILLE.

1945 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – North West Europe
Orders were received for a diversionary attack designed to assist the 43rd Division in its southward advance east of the Reichswald.
This was to be one of the fiercest battles of the campaign. B Company was directed on to the houses at 901476 and C Company on to Asperberg (895472) and the house at 897473. The enemy were later discovered to be from the 115th Panzer Grenadier Regiment and the 2nd Parachute Regiment, with orders to resist at all costs, and they had a fanatical determination to carry out their orders.
Within an hour both companies were on their objectives, but the enemy continued to fight fiercely from house to house and room to room in C Company's area.
In the whole operation forty-two prisoners were taken and forty Germans killed. The Regiment lost seventeen killed, twenty-two wounded, and one missing, believed killed.

On this day 15th February

15/2/2017

On this day 15th February

1900 – 1st Bn Oxf LI – Engaged with the Boers at Klip Drift.

1916 – Provisional Bn. (of 1st Bn.), 400 strong, joined the force for relief of Kut at Wadi.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
X Day. Distribution of the regiment affected as follows:-
Headquarters and B company less 2Lt Neville and 50 Other ranks Permanent Working Party at VILLERS MILL near MEAULTE, - AVELUY.
C Company and 50 men D company Permanent Light railway Working Party, DONNETS POST.
D company Less 50 men, Permanent Working Party unloading ammunition charges and gun.
A Company finding 3 platoons of 90 men Permanent Working Party under C.R.E. 2 Division WOLESLEY HUTS and remainder plus all available details of other companies 100 men for making dugouts near POZIERES. (174th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers.)

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – TRENCHES N.E. of BARLEUX
Battn in Trenches. –
Between 9am & 12 noon B. de COSTE, BRISSON, Des POMMIERS & CHAMINADE were intermittently shelled with 10cm & 15cm shells- No damage done.
Between the same hours the R.E. Dump adjoining the FLAUCOURT – BIACHES road (N.5a) was very heavily shelled with 15cm shells. One direct hit being obtained on a dump of French bombs.
Heavy horse transport heard between 6pm & 9pm on the BARLEUX –GARDEN FARM road (N.8.b-O.13.a & b. -0.14.a)
A patrol of 1 NCO & 4 men left our line about N.12.a-90.10. at 2am & examined the enemy wire which was found to consist of 2 belts about 7 yards wide & very strong.
A second patrol consisting of LIEUT G.F. KNIGHT left our lines about O.7.a.20.81 but were unable to approach the enemy wire owing to a hostile covering party which was screening a wiring party.
A third patrol of 1 NCO & 4 men left our trenches at O.7.a.20.80 at 2am & found the enemy wire to be about 15 yards deep – enemy sap at O.7.a.78.75 was not held. – Lights from dugouts could be seen along BENOIT TR.

1917 – 6th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – returned to CARNOY Camp.

On this day 14th February

14/2/2017

On this day 14th February

1791 - 52nd - pursuing Tippoo, reached Chittipet.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
W Day. The Regiment exchanged areas with the 99th Infantry Brigade.
Regimental Headquarters moving to AVELUY, and took over the duties of Work Battalion of the Reserve Brigade.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – TRENCHES N.E. of BARLEUX
Battn in Trenches. –
A Quiet night & day.
Enemy intermittently sent over rifle grenades & 5lb bombs.
At night 2LT DARBY & 2 OR patrolled our wire & found in need of repair.

On this day 13th February

13/2/2017

On this day 13th February

1900 - 1st Bn Oxf LI - Invasion of Orange Free State, Regiment at Waterval Drift.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
The Regiment was relieved by the 24th Royal Fusiliers and moved on relief to OVILLERS HUTS (same area as vacated 9.2.17).

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – Bn in Bde Reserve In TR SOPHIE near HERBECOURT
Battn in Dugouts. –
Coys engaged in Box respirator Drill.
In the evening the Battn marched to Trenches via B ROMAIN DES FOSSEES & B VALLOT & relieved 1/5 GLOSTERS in the Line NE of BARLEUX.
D Coy were on the Right, C in the Centre, B on the Left & A in Support.
1st Bn R MUNSTER FUSILIERS (1ST DIVISION) were on our Right & the 1/4R BERKS on our Left.

1917 – 6th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – to Trenches.

1944 - 7th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI arrive in ANZIO (Italy)

On this day 12th February

12/2/2017

On this day 12th February

1860 - Sir William Napier died.

1876 – 43rd – The Depot was attached to the 53rd Regiment which regiment under the new system was linked with the 43rd and the Depots of the two corps were to be united as a Brigade Depot at Shrewsbury as soon as a barracks could be built.

52nd – Under the same system the 52nd (Oxfordshire) Light Infantry was to be linked with the 85th Kings (Bucks Volunteers) Light Infantry with a Brigade Depot at Cowley.

1900 - 1st Bn Oxf LI - reached Ramdam (Boer War).

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
Reserve Battalion of Brigade in the Line.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – Bn in Bde Reserve In TR SOPHIE near HERBECOURT
Battn in Dugouts. –
Coys engaged in Box Respirator Drill.

1917 – 6th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – marched to GUILLEMONT.

On this day 11th February

11/2/2017

On this day 11th February

1791 - 52nd - reached Vellore (Southern India) in pursuit of Tippoo.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
Reserve Battalion of Brigade in the Line.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – Bn in Bde Reserve In TR SOPHIE near HERBECOURT
Battn in Dugouts. –
At night A & B Coys supplied Working parties for the front Line Battalions (1/4 OXF & BUCKS LI & 1/5 GLOSTERS.

1917 – 5th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – returned to the Trenches.

1945 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – North West Europe
The Regiment remained in reserve, moving forward behind the advancing Welshmen.

On this day 10th February

10/2/2017

On this day 10th February

1900 - 1st Bn Oxf LI - ordered to take part in the invasion of the Orange Free State.(Boer War)

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
Reserve Battalion of Brigade in the Line.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – Bn in Bde Reserve In TR SOPHIE near HERBECOURT
Battn in Dugouts. –
D Coy supplied an R.E. Working Party of 2 platoons at night.
B & C Coys went up into trenches to work for 1/5 GLOSTERS.

1945 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – North West Europe
The Regiment remained in reserve, moving forward behind the advancing Welshmen.

On this day 9th February

9/2/2017

On this day 9th February

1792 – 52nd – Took part in the Siege of Seringapatam.

1872 – 43rd – Moved to Cork.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
Reserve Battalion of Brigade in the Line.
Major C S Baines D.S.O. to Hospital (Trench fever) to 29th Casualty Clearing Station GEZAINCOURT.
The regiment relieved the 24th Royal fusiliers in the Right Subsection; held with very slight alteration as before; very easy relief, completed at 11pm; thus beginning a four days tour of duty which was very free from trouble of any description except that a Heavy Battery which up to the time of handing over had not been located, insisted on shelling the ground all round Number 3a Post (Headquarters Right Company), Numbers 3 and 4 Posts, and the vicinity of Number 8 Post (Headquarters Left Company), repeated attempts to get this stopped failed.
Four very bright moonlit nights enabling movement and visiting of posts to be done very easily.
Attitude of enemy on the whole quiet; some sniping and firing at enemy’s wire by our Lewis Gunners.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – SUPPORT TRENCHES
Battn in Support Trenches. –
A Quiet Day.
At night the Battn handed over its line to the Bns of 143 INF BDE as follows:-
2 Left Platoons on the SOMME To 1/8 R WARWICKS
2 Right Platoons on the SOMME & SLADEN REDOUBT To 1/7 R WARWICKS
Northern Half of TR IGLAU To 1/7 R WARWICKS
Southern Half of TR IGLAU & BN HQ To 1/5 R WARWICKS
2 Platoons in TR DESIREE To 1/6 R WARWICKS
On completion of relief the Battn moved via BOYAU GUERRIERES to TR SOPHIE approximately in G.30. b&d & North of HERBECOURT-BULLS WOOD – CAPPY road.
B, C & D Coys were in dugouts in and around TR SOPHIE & A Coy were similarly situated in HERBECOURT.
The Bn was in Brigade Reserve to the 145 INF BDE.

1917 – 6th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – from trenches to CAMP No5, CARNOY.

1918 – 6th (Service) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - Consequent on reduction of battalions in France, 6th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI disbanded and distributed amongst other battalions.

1945 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – North West Europe
The Regiment remained in reserve, moving forward behind the advancing Welshmen.

On this day 8th February

8/2/2017

On this day 8th February

1814 - 52nd - engaged in the assault on Bergen-Op-Zoom (Holland).

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
Reserve Battalion of Brigade in the Line.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – SUPPORT TRENCHES
Battn in Support Trenches. –
Quiet day.
During the Morning a few 77mm shells fell near the bridgehead at BAZINCOURT FARM & in the afternoon a few HE shrapnel shells burst over the Track adjoining the BOIS DE L’EPPE (H.30.a.vg). – Two platoons of D Coy came up, into dugouts in TR DESIREE adjoining KIBOKO WOOD.

1945 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – North West Europe
On the 8th the attack began, supported by a massive weight of artillery fire, rocket concentrations and by tanks. Again the Regiment was to advance after a preliminary attack by the 4th Royal Welch Fusiliers had secured a firm base. With the Highland Light Infantry on its right B Company was to seize the corner of the Reichswald (796541) and A Company the cross-tracks (795535). They met little opposition, but took many prisoners who had been dazed by the weight of the preliminary barrage. B Company provided the first British troops to cross the German frontier in this area.
C and D Companies advanced through the leading companies and, meeting little opposition, reached their objectives successfully—the high ground of the Branden Berg (808537). A total of 115 prisoners were taken during the day.
In the evening heavy shelling of Regimental headquarters wounded the doctor and caused considerable casualties among the intelligence section and signallers.

On this day 7th February

7/2/2017

On this day 7th February

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
Reserve Battalion of Brigade in the Line.
The following Officers joined for Duty and were posted to Companies as shown:-
Lt T W C Foreshew – C Company,
2Lt H A Beaver – D Company,
2Lt H Miles – B Company,
2Lt G C Callaway – A Company.
74th Reinforcement - C.S.M. Clare and 16 NCO’s and men joined for Duty.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – SUPPORT TRENCHES
Battn in Support Trenches. –
Quiet Day.
Enemy Artillery more active in the back areas, also near BDE HQ at KIBOKO WOOD (H.36.a).
The SOMME was frozen over at BIACHES but flowing freely opposite BAZINCOURT FARM (H.24.g).

1917 – 6th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – to Trenches.

1934 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Information received that the Army Council has approved of the following as the centre badge on the Regimental Colours:- “A Bugle Horn Stringed”. This will replace the United Red and White rose.

On this day 6th February

6/2/2017

On this day 6th February

1792 - 52nd - engaged in night attack on Seringapatam.
During the attack on Seringapatam on the night of the 6th and morning of the 7th, the casualties of 52nd amounted to 6 officers and 44 men.

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
Reserve Battalion of Brigade in the Line.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – SUPPORT TRENCHES
Battn in Support Trenches. –
Very Quiet Day.
Minenwerfer & Rifle Grenades active on Front Line.
A few Trench Mortar Bombs around SLADEN REDOUBT.

1917 – 5th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – to RONVILLE.

1917 – 6th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – to GUILLEMONT.

On this day 5th February

5/2/2017

On this day 5th February

1762 - 43rd - at first capture of Martinique.

1792 – 52nd – Encamped at French Rocks, before Seringpatam and Tipoo Sahibs army (India).

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
Working parties taken from 5pm by the New Reserve (99th Infantry Brigade) Brigade.
The 5th Infantry brigade took over the front line of the 2nd Division and the Regiment moved with the forward lines of OVILLERS HUTS, becoming Reserve Battalion of the brigade in the Line.
Weather very cold; white frost and ground very hard.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – CAPPY CAMP 56
Battn in Adrian Huts. –
At 4.30pm the Battalion moved from Camp and marched up to relieve the 1/7 R WARWICKS, the Support Bn of the Left Brigade-
Route via ECLUSIER – FRISE – XROADS in H.21.a thence by BOYAU GUERRIERES to the Support Trenches-
A Coy took over the Posts on the RIVER SOMME. B Coy the Left & C Coy the Right & TR IGLAU. Bn HQ were in this latter Trench.
D Coy remained at CAPPY in CAMP 50 as Works Coy.

1917 – 5th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – To ARRAS.

On this day 4th February

4/2/2017

On this day 4th February

1814 - 52nd - at siege of Antwerp (Belgium).

1917 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – OVILLERS.
Work Battalion of Reserve Brigade.

1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – CAPPY CAMP 56
Battn in Adrian Huts. –
The C.O. rode up to see the 143 Bde in the Line.
In the evening certain Officers & NCOs went up to the Support Bn of the 143 Brigade with a view to taking over the Trenches held by that Battalion.

1917 – 2/1st (TF) Bucks Bn – to VILLERS

1917 – 2/4th (TF) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – to BRUCAMPS.

1945 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – North West Europe
On the 4th they left for a concentration area in the monastery at Nebo (724587). Strictest security measures were enforced and the whole brigade was packed up in the monastery and the skirling of the Highland Light Infantry pipes, the notes of the 43rd bugles and the singing of the Welsh heralded the approaching battle with more zest than tune.