On this day 30th June

1853 - Headquarters 52nd left Cork for India (second tour).

 
1866 - 43rd reached England from New Zealand

 
1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – BETHUNE

In Divisional Reserve

In the afternoon moved to B1 Section GIVENCHY in relief of 2/Border Regt (7th Division).



1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ALLOUANGE

Bn in Billets. – Coys Training in wood LE MARAQUET.

On this day 29th June

1809 - 52nd arrived off Lisbon and proceeded in boats up the Tagus to Vallada.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – BETHUNE

The Brigade is in Divisional Reserve

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ALLOUANGE

Bn in Billets. – Route marching by Coys.

 

1962 – lst Green Jackets, 43rd and 52nd - Army Order 34/1963 - Change to Rifle Regiment. -

Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to approve that the lst Green Jackets,43rd and 52nd, shall henceforth be a Rife Regiment.

On this day 28th June

1778 - 52nd engaged at Freehold, New Jersey.(American War of Independence)

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – BETHUNE

The Brigade is in Divisional Reserve

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ALLOUANGE

Bn in Billets. - Resting.

On this day 27th June

1813 - The Light Division at Olite.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – TO BETHUNE

During the afternoon there was a good deal of shelling of VERMELLES. One shell penetrated a house Killing 1 man and wounding 8 others.

Information received that the following have been awarded the D.C.M for Distinguished Services during the period 9th-18th May 1915.

No 10021 Pte ZEACLE

No 10053 Pte JONES

No 10063 Pte WYKES

At 10pm the Regiment on relief by the 2/Welch Regt (3rd Infantry Brigade) marched 6 ½ miles to billets at the ECOLE DE JEUNES FILLES, BETHUNE.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – BUSNETTES

Bn marched 6.40pm - to billets at ALLOUANGE.

On this day 26th June

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – IN BILLETS AT VERMELLES.

In Brigade Reserve.

Some shelling in the vicinity of the Church whereby 4 men were Wounded.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – VIEUX BERGUIN

Bn marched at 9.10pm via MERVILLE - ROBECQ – BUSNETTES arriving 2.50am, bivouacked in orchards in the village.

On this day 25th June

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – IN BILLETS AT VERMELLES.

In Brigade Reserve.

Information received of the granting of the following promotion and honours:-

To be Brevet Lieutenant Colonel – Major A J F EDEN

Distinguished Service Order – Captain H M DILLON

Military Cross – Captain W G TOLSON

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – BAILLEUL

Bn marched 9.15pm to Billets at VIEUX BERGUIN billeted HQ in village, Coys in farms NW edge.

 

1944 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI;- (Normandy)

Landed soon after midday on the 25th June at Courseulles, whence they marched to Beny-sur-Mer and met the advanced party.

On this day 24th June

1813 - Pursuit of the French; Light Division close to Pamplona.(Peninsula)

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – IN BILLETS AT VERMELLES.

In Brigade Reserve

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – BAILLEUL

Quiet Day - Moved billets 9pm to BAILLEUL, billeted in the town area D

 

1944 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI;- (Normandy)

After twenty-four hours' delay because of rough weather, the marching troops embarked at Newhaven on the 24th June and landed soon after midday on the 25th June at Courseulles, whence they marched to Beny-sur-Mer and met the advanced party.

 

1963 – 1st Green Jackets 43rd & 52nd - The Regiment were invited to a free showing of "The Longest Day" at the Cathay Cinema, Penang.

On this day 23rd June

1811 - The Light Division reached Campo Mayor.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – IN BILLETS AT VERMELLES.

23rd Reinforcement of 25 men arrived today.

In evening marched to VERMELLES in relief of 2/Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Still in Brigade Reserve.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ROMARIN

Bn in Billets. - Bn Inspected 7am by Major General R  FANSHAWE

 

1944 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI;-(Normandy)

The advanced party landed at Courseulles-sur-Mer on the 23rd June and drove to Beny-sur-Mer to prepare the Regimental concentration area.

On this day 22nd June

1813 - The Light Division in pursuit of the French after Vittoria,

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – LABOURSE.

In Brigade Reserve.

Companies exercised in Musketry and Drill, and more men trained as Bomb Throwers.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ROMARIN

Bn in Billets. Resting.

 

1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion:- (Normandy)

The remainder of the Battalion moved into Ouistreham and Riva Bella and complete responsibility for the ground and air defence of the locks (the local anti-aircraft was placed under our com­mand) was assumed. So for all practical purposes, after only twelve days of active operations, No. 6 Beach Group ceased to exist, although it continued to live on paper for another three weeks, and the Battalion reverted to an infantry role.

 

1953 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI (43rd & 52nd) - Coronation Day. The Regimental detachment lined part of the route in Hyde Park and the Colour Party and Escort marched in procession from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace.

On this day 21st June –

1813 – Battle of Vittoria. (Peninsula) Both 43rd & 52nd Engaged.

 

1864, - Engagement of Te Ranga (New Zealand), 43rd present; Captain Smith 43rd, gained the V.C.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – LABOURSE.

In Brigade Reserve.

Companies exercised in Musketry and Drill, and more men trained as Bomb Throwers.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ROMARIN

Bn in Billets. Resting

On this day 20th June

1815 - 52nd in pursuit of the French after Waterloo, reached Binche.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – LABOURSE.

In Brigade Reserve.

Companies exercised in Musketry and Drill, and more men trained as Bomb Throwers.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ROMARIN

Bn in Billets

On this day 19th June

1775 - 43rd and 52nd holding and fortifying Charlestown Heights.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – To Billets at LABOURSE.

At 8.30pm relieved by 9/HLI (Glasgow Highlanders) and moved to billets at LABOURSE.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – DOUVE TRENCHES

Quiet Day. – Relieved by 4/GLOSTERS at 9pm.

Bn marched back to billets in ROMARIN arriving 1am.

On this day 18th June

1815 – Battle of Waterloo – 52nd under the command of Sir John Colborne, led the decisive attack on the French Imperial Guard. (see below)

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – In The Trenches Near VERMELLES

Very quiet period indeed practically no shelling or sniping.

Casualties: Nil.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – DOUVE TRENCHES

Quiet Day. – Patrol from T 72, found 2 rifles, a cap & some rounds left by German patrol showing them to be Bavarians they were handed to 2/LT LADENBURG 3 Corps Intell Corps who was in trenches at the time.

 

1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion:- (Normandy)

On the 18th June Battalion headquarters moved to its new position (an old civilian transport park)

 

1815 - 52ND LIGHT INFANTRY AT WATERLOO

Extracted from – “A short history of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 1741-1922 for the young soldiers of the Regiment.”
Lt Col R.B. Crosse: Gale and Polden 1925

May, 1815, found the 1st Battalion 52nd at full strength, doing intensive training in billets near Mons, in General Clinton's (2nd) Division, forming, with the 71st (now 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry), and the 2nd Battalion 95th, a light brigade under Major-General Adam. On June 14th it was known that Napoleon was advancing on Brussels, where British General Headquarters then were, and on the 16th, as the Regiment was parading about 9.30 a.m., an order was received to be at a starting point on the road to Ath at 10a.m.   Napoleon was then attacking the British at Quatre Bras, and as the Regiment tramped along in pouring rain gun-fire could be distinctly heard.   This, said an old Peninsular soldier, in reply to a question by a recruit, was the noise of "Napoleon shaking his blankets."   At 11.30 p.m., wet through, the Regiment reached Braine-le-Comte, fifteen miles from Quatre Bras, but at 2 a.m. the next day (Saturday) moved another eight miles to Nivelles, left there again at 11a.m. for the field of Waterloo, and halted for the night in a ploughed field near the village of Merbe Braine, in extreme discomfort.

Shortly before noon on Sunday, June 18th, the great battle began, but the 52nd, with the rest of Adam's brigade was in reserve and took little part in it, except to have some casualties by shell-fire, until about 3 p.m., when the brigade was moved forward and formed in squares of battalions, or in the case of the 52nd of wings (half-battalions), in which formation the brigade was alternately shelled and charged by cavalry until withdrawn about 6.30 p.m. A little later the brigade was brought forward again near to Hougoumont and on the right of Maitland's Brigade of Guards.

It was then that Colonel Colborne became aware that Napoleon, making his final bid for victory, had committed his Grand Reserve, the veterans of the Imperial Guard, to the attack, and that this column was drawing near. On his own initiative, and without waiting for orders, lest the opportunity be lost, the Officer Commanding the 52nd took the Regiment forward in line, wheeled it obliquely to the French columns, paused under cover to allow a few seconds breathing space, and then, as the bugles sounded the charge, the Regiment bore down upon, broke and routed single-handed the best soldiers of France, and for the first time on that memorable day put victory beyond doubt; for immediately afterwards came the Duke's order: " The whole line will advance," and the British Army, led by the 52nd, swept across the field, pushing on until the arrival of the Prussians to continue the pursuit.

In the farm buildings of Rossomme, where Napoleon's headquarters had been, the Regiment lay down for the night, and marched next morning with the rest of the Army towards Paris, into which Adam's Brigade entered on July 7th.

The casualties of the Regiment in the battle of June18th, were 38 killed, and 168 wounded, of whom several died later.

On this day 17th June

1775 - Battle of Bunker Hill (America) 43rd and 52nd engaged..

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – In The Trenches Near VERMELLES

Very quiet period indeed practically no shelling or sniping.

Casualties: Nil.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – DOUVE TRENCHES

Quiet Day. – 2/LT BROWN with Patrol from Trench 72 met enemy’s patrol, wounded one or more but could not catch any.

 

1941 – 6th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI embarked on Empire Pride bound for India.

 

1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion (Normandy)

D Company, the reserve working company, was moved to Ouistreham, where it combined the duties of a reserve to C Company and the administration of Moon assembly area, a transit area used for the passage of troops and vehicles to the line.

 

1944 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI:-

The marching troops left on the 17th June under Major G. D. Jephson, M.C., for a marshalling area at Bolney, Sussex. Ready for deployment in Normandy.

On this day 16th June

1815 - 43rd left England to join Wellington's Army in Belgium.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – In The Trenches Near VERMELLES

Head Quarters are at LA RUTOIRE FARM,

2 companies are in the Front Line, which has lately been made by 1st Division, since they took over this line from the French in the middle of May.

2 companies are in Support and occupy old French 1st Line and Reserve trenches.

All trenches are deep, and on the whole well made, with many dugouts where the French were in occupation.

The enemy’s trenches are from 500 – 1000 yards distant.

Very quiet period indeed practically no shelling or sniping.

Casualties: Nil.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – DOUVE TRENCHES

Quiet Day

 

1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion:-

On the 16th June, while Queen beach was being shelled heavily, six out of seven landing craft, tank, beached at the time were hit. A petrol coaster carrying 500 tons of spirit and beached between these landing craft was not touched. At 2000 hrs. on this day a Spitfire crashed in the petrol dump, setting petrol alight. Miraculously the pilot was saved before being burnt, and the fire put out.

Things were now going so well that we were told that it was intended to replace the labour provided by the Battalion with pioneers and move the Battalion to Ouistreham so that it could protect the locks.

As a result of the speed with which the 6th Airborne Division had attacked on D Day these locks at the entrance to the Caen Canal had been captured undamaged, and as it was planned to use the docks of Caen as a principal supply port as soon as the town was captured, it was vital that these locks should be preserved intact.

In spite of the foothold won by the 6th Airborne Division on the east bank of the River Orne it had not been possible to drive the Germans from Franceville Plage at the mouth of the Orne. The 6th Airborne Division, in fact, was hard put to it to maintain the ground which it had won, and great battles were raging at Ranville and Herouvillette. In consequence the enemy were stationed only 3,000 yards from the docks, with no intervening troops, and it was considered probable that they would make a raid to demolish the gates and pumping machinery. The fact that they had not already made the attempt will always remain a mystery.

On the 16th June C Company was withdrawn from the ammu­nition dump and moved to defensive positions on the strip of ground between the locks and the entrance to the Orne. On the same day an enemy aircraft attempting to bomb the locks was shot down.

On this day 15th June –

1804 - 43rd joined Sir John Moore's Brigade at Shorncliffe.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – In The Trenches Near VERMELLES

At 8pm the Regiment marched to trenches near VERMELLES, marching through SAILLY-LABOURSE.

Took over the Right Section Y1 of the Brigade Area from the 1/Kings Regt.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – Billets PETIT PONT

Resting in Billets. – Relieve 5/GLOSTERS at 9pm in trenches 64-73 (incl) between road MESSINES - PLOEGSTEERT and road MESSINES – WULVERGHEM.

Bn HQ at LA PLUS DOUVE FARM on RUE DOUVE.

4 Coys in Front Line A B C D Right to Left.

 

1918 - Battle of the Piave; 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI and 1/1st Bucks Bns engaged on the Asiago Plateau (Italy) in meeting the great Austrian offensive.

On this day 14th June

1815 - 52nd marching through Belgium on Enghien,(Near Waterloo) news of Napoleon's intended attack having arrived.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – VERQUIN

In Divisional Reserve

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – Billets PETIT PONT

2.15am Enemy exploded Mine in front of BIRDAGE section, & bombarded with shells.

Ordered to Stand To 2.45am till 3.35am. Quiet afterwards.

3 Coys 9/ESSEX REGT attached for instruction.

On this day 13th June

1811 -The Light Division crossed the Tagus.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – VERQUIN

In Divisional Reserve

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – Billets PETIT PONT

Bn Resting in Billets. – Brigade reserve.

 

1944 - 13th June -16th August -2nd (Airborne) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI Engaged in Holding the Bridgehead on the eastern flank of the Normandy front.

On this day 12th June

1776 - 43rd and 52nd left Halifax (Nova Scotia) for Staten Island.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – VERQUIN

In Divisional Reserve

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – Billets PETIT PONT

Bn Resting in Billets. – Brigade reserve.

On this day 11th June

1762 – Capture of Moro, Havannah, 43rd present.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – VERQUIN

In Divisional Reserve

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – PLOEGSTEERT WOOD

Quiet Day. – Relieved by 6/WARWICK at 5.30pm.

Went to Billets about PETIT PONT, C Coy & Bn HQ at COURT DREVE FARM, A Coy at HUNTING LODGE, B & D Coys at LA PETITE MUNQUE FARM.

On this day 10th June

1850 - 52nd moved to Liverpool.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – VERQUIN

In Divisional Reserve

Information received of the granting of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the undermentioned NCO’s

No 6970 Col Sergt T HUDSON

No 8445 Sergt P BREACH

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – PLOEGSTEERT WOOD

Quiet Day.

 

1949 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI (43rd & 52nd) - Disembarked at Salonika and occupied Sobraon Barracks just outside the town

On this day 9th June

1823 - 52nd embarked at Cove for Halifax (Nova Scotia.).

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – VERQUIN

In Divisional Reserve

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – PLOEGSTEERT WOOD

Enemy exploded small mine 7am South of BIRDCAGE outside our trenches doing no damage at same time opening fire with MGs, Trench Mortars & Guns.

Quiet Day afterwards.

Heavy rain started 5.30am & prevented all observation of mine explosion, also made all telephone communication with Coys bad.

 

On this day 8th June

1804 - 52nd encamped at Shorncliffe.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – VERQUIN

In Divisional Reserve

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – PLOEGSTEERT WOOD

Quiet Day.

Occasional shelling by enemy about and behind subsidiary line. (1 man Killed trench 36)

(Bugler Alfred Oxlade)

On this day 6th June 
1915 - 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI. reached Amara; 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - LE PHILOSOPHE
In billets here in Brigade Reserve.
Some shelling at very uncertain intervals during this period.
Casualties (3rd – 6th June): Killed – 1 man. Wounded – 1 Man.

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ROMARIN
Bn in Billets. – Resting.
Received Orders 12.15am to Stand by to move at 10 minutes notice, when mine in front of 4/071 trenches should be exploded.

1944 – 2nd (Airborne) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI
0015hrs  - Coup-de-main force of Letter D Company and 2 Platoons of Letter B Company 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI land in gliders and seize two vital bridges on the allied eastern flank. PEGASUS BRIDGE and HORSA BRIDGE.
2100hrs  - Remainder of 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI land by glider and moved into the bridgehead.

1944 – Elements of 1st Bucks Bn land with the first tide in Normandy with remainder of battalion arriving on the second.

On this day 7th June

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - LE PHILOSOPHE to VERQUIN

At 8.30pm the Brigade was relieved by the 141st Brigade of the 47th Division and moved into Divisional Reserve around FOUQUIERES.

The Regiment into billets at VERQUIN.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ROMARIN/PLOEGSTEERT WOOD

Bn in Billets. – Relieved 5/GLOSTERS at 7pm in Trenches.

Bn in Trenches 32-35 incl.

Took over 32 from 4/OXFORDS-

Coys-

D Coy No 32 5.32 & 5.33 –

A Coy 33 & 34,

B Coy 35 & 5.36.

C Coy 2 Platoons HUNTERS AVENUE, 2 Platoons subsidiary line breastworks.

 

1916 - 1st Bn. (previously Provisional Bn.) Oxf & Bucks LI moved to Amara to refit.

 

1944 - 7th -13th June – 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI engaged in capture of Herouvilette and attempt Escoville