On this day 31st July

1809 - 2nd Bn. 43rd embarked as part of the expedition to Walcheren.

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -IN TRENCHES AT CUINCHY.
Very Quiet period, though at intervals some bombardment by trench mortar bombs and rifle grenades.
Casualties: 5 men wounded.(over the period 30th July-1st August)

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Battalion in Billets.

1940 - 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - (the 52nd) (under the command of Lieu­tenant-Colonel L. W. Giles, M.C.) mobilized at Wheatley near Oxford as part of the 31st Independent Brigade Group. The other three infantry battalions in the brigade were the 1st Bn. Border Regiment, the 2nd Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment and the 1st Bn. Royal Ulster Rifles. Thus began for the 52nd a partnership which lasted with the Border Regiment and South Staffordshire Regiment until the spring of 1942, and with the Royal Ulster Rifles until parting in Palestine after the end of the war.

On this day 30th July

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -IN TRENCHES AT CUINCHY.
Very Quiet period, though at intervals some bombardment by trench mortar bombs and rifle grenades.

 
1915 – 5th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Present at the action of HOOGE;

 
1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Battalion in Billets.

1916 - 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI. - Took part in attack on GUILLEMONT (Near Delville Wood, Somme).

On this day 29th July

1807 - 43rd embarked for Copenhagen.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -TO TRENCHES AT CUINCHY.

In the afternoon relieved the 1/Queens Regt in A.1. Section as before.

Some shelling round Regimental Head Quarters.

Casualty: One man Wounded.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE

Battalion in Billets. 

On this day 28th July

1809 - The Light Brigade started at dawn on the famous forced march on Talavera (52 miles in 26 hours with only 17 stragglers).

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.
In Brigade Reserve.

 
1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Battalion in trenches.
Quiet day.
Relieved by 5/Glosters at 9pm.
Battalion moved to billets in village of HEBUTERNE

On this day 28th July

1809 - The Light Brigade started at dawn on the famous forced march on Talavera (52 miles in 26 hours with only 17 stragglers).

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.
In Brigade Reserve.

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Battalion in trenches.
Quiet day.
Relieved by 5/Glosters at 9pm.
Battalion moved to billets in village of HEBUTERNE

On this day 27th July

1809 - The Light Brigade under Craufurd, reached Navalmoral, 52 miles from Talavera, at sunset.

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.
In Brigade Reserve.

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Battalion in trenches.
Quiet day. 

On this day 26th July

1810 - The Light Division fell back after Almeida to Freizedas where it remained while the French besieged the fortress of Almeida.

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.

In Brigade Reserve.

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE

Battalion in trenches.

Quiet day. 

On this day 25th July

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

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -TO BILLETS AT BETHUNE.

In the morning the Regiment relieved by the 1/Queens Regt, who have just taken the place of 2/Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers transferred to the 3rd Army.

Into billets at the TOBACCO FACTORY.

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE

Battalion in trenches.

Quiet day.

2 German captured by B Coy in front of Bataille trench

On this day 23rd July

1818 - New Colours presented to the 43rd at Valenciennes (France), by Lady Blakeney

 
1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -IN TRENCHES AT CUINCHY.
Quiet period, though some annoyance from enemy’s trench mortars at times.
Casualties: Nil.
26th Reinforcement of 30 men arrived.

 
1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – BAYENCOURT & SAILLY
Battalion in bivouac

 
1916 - Battle of Pozieres (Somme); 1/4th and 1/1st Bucks Bn heavily engaged.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion - POZIERES (Somme).

22-23 JULY POZIERES

On the night of the 22nd/23rd July a general attack was delivered by the greater part of the Fourth Army, during which the Australians captured Pozieres The 145th Infantry Brigade attacked on their immediate left, in the following order from right to left: 1/4th Oxfords,, 1/4th Royal Berks, 1/5th Gloucesters, the Bucks Battalion being in reserve in the Mash Valley behind Ovillers.

The Oxfords and Berks gained a footing in their objectives, but sustained very heavy casualties, and were cut off from the Australians by a large stretch of trench which remained in the hands of the enemy.

On their left the attack of the 5th Gloucesters was unsuccessful, which left them in a very perilous position without any communication with the rear.

At about 4 a.m. the Bucks Battalion received orders to attack, and seize at all costs, that portion of the trench against which the attack of the Glosters had been directed previously.

Zero had been fixed for 6.30 a.m., and there were 2 miles of strange trenches to be covered before reaching the jumping-off trench. There was no time to lose. Orders therefore were of necessity scanty, and much had to be left to the initiative of the Company Commanders concerned, who fully justified the confidence reposed in them by the Commanding Officer. The attack was one of very great difficulty owing to the way the trenches ran. The enemy position was a stretch of trench approached by two communication trenches about 400 yards long.

The right-hand one was in good condition and met the enemy’s trench at right angles, the enemy having a bomb stop about fifty yards from the end. The left-hand communicator was badly damaged, and ran at an obtuse angle into the enemy’s line.

“B” and “D” Companies were detailed for the attack—“B” under Captain O. V. Viney on the left, “D” under Captain E. V. Birchall on the right. Both Companies at Zero were to leave their trenches and form inwards on the intervening space—about 200 yards. “A” Company, under Captain N. S. Reid, were to be in support in the right communicator; “C” Company, under Captain P. A. Hall, was to provide the necessary carrying parties after the attack had been launched. Unfortunately “ B Company whilst getting into position came under a barrage of our own heavy guns, which were shooting short, and sustained many casualties, being thus delayed in getting into position.

“D” Company, however, under the splendid leadership of Captain Birchall, carried out their orders to the letter, and by dint of advancing practically in the barrage succeeded in capturing the whole position single-handed. The support Company at once moved up to assist in the work of consolidation and clearing the prisoners, about 150. One of these officers stated that the assault had taken them entirely by surprise as they were waiting for the barrage to lift, before man­ning the parapet; and declared his opinion that the success of the assault, where two previous ones had failed, was due entirely to the way in which D Company had hugged the barrage.

The result of this action was that touch was immediately established with the isolated troops on the right, enabling bombing operations to be carried out by the 145th Brigade, and a junction with the Australians was effected. Several attempts by the enemy to retake the position were successfully repulsed by the Battalion.  It was not till midnight of July 23/24 that he put down a heavy barrage on the captured line, though no attack developed, and at 12 noon the following day the battalion handed over the position intact to the 5th Gloucesters and returned to bivouacs near Albert.

The casualties in this action were:

OFFICERS
Died of Wounds 1
Wounded:4        

OTHER RANKS
Killed: 7.
Wounded: 68.
Missing: 8.


The losses of the Battalion during this period were extremely heavy, and many of the finest officers and most valuable N.C.O.’s were killed in the severe fighting.

On this day 22nd July

1812 - Battle of Salamanca.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -IN TRENCHES AT CUINCHY.

Quiet period, though some annoyance from enemy’s trench mortars at times.

Casualties: 3 Men Wounded.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – BAYENCOURT & SAILLY

Battalion in bivouac

Battalion march 8.15pm.

Bn HQ, MG Sect, B & C Coys to billet BAYENCOURT

C & D Coys under Major Hawkins at SAILLY

 

1915 - 6th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI arrived at Boulogne from England.

On this day 21st JULY

1812 - The Light Division in bivouac at San Martin, near Salamanca.

 
1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -TO TRENCHES AT CUINCHY.
In the afternoon the Regiment took over A.1. section from the 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards.

3 companies are in trenches and 1 company in Reserve in HARLEY STREET.

 
1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – COIGNEUX
Battalion in bivouac

 
1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion OVILLERS – POZIERES (Somme).

On the night of the 20th/21st July the Battalion was ordered to carry out an attack in conjunction with the 1/5th Gloucesters and 1/4th Oxfords against the enemy positions between Ovillers and Pozieres “A” “B,” and “C” were detailed for the attack, with “D”’ Company in reserve.

The 20th July was a busy day with the issuing of detailed orders, explanatory lectures to the N.C.O.’s and men, and the drawing and distribution of stores such as small arms ammunition, grenades, Verey lights, ground flares, shovels, all of which would have to be carried into the attack.

By 10.30 p.m. company commanders had given their final instructions to the men, and the battalion started for the front line, which lay some two and a half miles distant

The Battalion was to attack in four lines, on a front of two companies, each in line of platoons in column of sections,—two sections in the first line, one in second and one in third, —C Company (Captain G. G. Jackson) on the right A Company (Captain N. S. Reid, M.C.) on the left. B Company (Captain L. W. Crouch) was in immediate support to both companies in one line, and formed the fourth wave.

The enemy trench was situated about 325 yards distant from our front assembly trench (known as Sickle Trench), but a tape was laid by the Royal Engineers 175 yards from the German line, for the Battalion to form up on.

Zero was fixed for 2.45 a.m. on July 21, and at 2.15 a.m. companies left Sickle Trench to form up on the tape. D Company (Captain E. V. Birchall) moved up to garrison Sickle Trench, as soon as the other three companies went forward to their tapes. Although no unusual amount of gunfire had as yet started, the enemy appeared to be very nervous, starting at 2.30 a.m. to send up large quantities of flares. This was disconcerting, as it showed too plainly that he was very much on the alert. A few minutes later, red flares went up from his lines. Whether these were a signal to his machine guns to open fire is not known, but open fire they did—and to so some tune. So long as the hands of the watch did not point at to 2.45 a.m. it was possible to lie flat, though even then some few were hit. The moment to go forward, however arrived, and still the German machine guns chattered unceasingly. At 2.45 a.m. the British guns opened up with a roar, and shells flew just over the Bucks heads, bursting their shrapnel in a line of flashes along the trench opposite. It was the signal to advance. Few, how­ever, were able to do so, for as men rose the machine guns of the enemy, upon whom our barrage appeared to be having no effect, scythed them down.

Officers especially were dropping on all sides. A few isolated men reached the objective, but of these hardly any returned. The attack, including that portion of it made by the Gloucesters and Oxfords on the flanks, failed.


Casualties were heavy and included:

Officers.
Killed.  4  
Wounded. 4
Wounded and prisoner. 1

Other Ranks
Killed. 8
Wounded. 96
Missing . 41

The lack of success in this attack was keenly felt by all ranks, as it was the first serious attack in which the Battalion had been engaged.

For the survivors, sleep was the first consideration, for they were worn out; after that, reorganisation, with a view to the next attack, orders for which might arrive at any moment. The battalion was terribly short of officers and N.C.O.’s.

On this day 20th July

1812 – Wellington’s, Army and that of Marmont marching parallel to each other and within musket shot throughout the day, neither finding an opportunity to attack.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.

Brigade in Corps Reserve and under 2 hours notice to move.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – MARIEUX

Battalion in bivouac

Marched 8.30pm to bivouacs at COIGNEUX

On this day 19th July

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.
Brigade in Corps Reserve and under 2 hours notice to move.


1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – MARIEUX
Battalion in bivouac

 
1916 - 2/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion heavily engaged in the battle of Fromelles. 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI in Support.



1953 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI (43rd & 52nd) - The Regiment arrived at the Hook of Holland and moved in two train parties to Osnabruck where they all arrived at Belfast Barracks before 1800 hours.

On this day 18th July

1824 - 52nd arrived in Canada on its first tour.



1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.

Brigade in Corps Reserve and under 2 hours notice to move.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – LIERES

Battalion moved by train from BERGUETTE (6.51) to DOULLENS (arrived 11.25)

Marched to bivouacs ½ mile NE of MARIEUX (arrived 4.45am) behind French line.



1940 – 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI:-The 52nd disembarked at Liverpool, after eighteen years’ service in India and Burma.



1953 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI (43rd & 52nd) - The Regiment moved by train to Harwich and embarked for B.A.O.R.

On this day 17th July

1803 - 43rd made Light Infantry.



1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.
Brigade in Corps Reserve and under 2 hours notice to move.
Route marching, Musketry and drills during this period.
The Grenadiers also exercised in throwing Battye Bombs.



1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – LIERES
Battalion in billets.
B Coy in LESPESSES remainder in LIERES.



1916  (17/18 July) - 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion engaged OVILLERS POZIERES (Somme) On the night of the 17th/18th July the Battalion was ordered to carry out a reconnaissance of certain points in the enemy’s line between Ovillers and Pozieres.

The enemy’s positions were not known, and the object in view was to ascertain whether four points in the area were being held or not. If these were not strongly occupied, they were to be seized and made into strong points, but heavy fighting was not to be undertaken.

The tasks were allotted to “A” and” D “Companies, each Company detailing one platoon for each of the points in its sector. Each platoon advanced in two lines of sections in file with a point patrol immediately in front, led by the officer in charge, with ten yards interval and distance between sections. All points were found to be strongly held, but a platoon of “A” Company under Second Lieutenant B. C. Rigden succeeded in rushing the most easterly point, and occupying it, until ordered to withdraw after daybreak. The withdrawal was accomplished with only slight casualties, notwithstanding that 400 yards of open ground had to be crossed.

Second Lieutenant C. Hall died of wounds received in this reconnaissance, and Second Lieutenant R. C. Norwood was missing.

Amongst other ranks 2 were killed, 29 wounded, and 27 reported missing.

Efforts on the part of search parties, who were sent up to find the missing, were fruitless, on account of the extreme darkness of the night.

It was daylight when the move back started, as the evacuation of the wounded had taken some time.

Orders were to move back to billets at Bouzincourt.

 

1944 – 7th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI arrived in Taranto (back in Italy)

On this day 16th July

1857 - 52nd engaged mutineers about the Ravee River

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.

Brigade in Corps Reserve and under 2 hours notice to move.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – LIERES

A&B Coys working parties 11.30am – 4

Battalion marched 9.30pm via MARLES LE MINES – South edge of ALLOUANGE – billets in LIERES and LESPESSES.

Very wet march, raining almost all of the time.

Arrived 3.15am

On this day 15th July

1813 – Engagement on the Heights of Vera.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.

Brigade in Corps Reserve and under 2 hours notice to move.

Route marching, Musketry and drills during this period.

The Grenadiers also exercised in throwing Battye Bombs.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HOUCHIN

Battalion in bivouac.

All Coys working party on 2nd line trenches 11.30pm

C&D Coys working part 2nd line trenches 11pm

 

1944 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI in action at Cahier 15th/16th July (Normandy)

On this day 14th July

1857 - 52nd took part in annihilation of Sealkote mutineers.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.

Brigade in Corps Reserve and under 2 hours notice to move.

Brigadier General C E CORKRAN CMQ took over command of the 5th Infantry Brigade vice Brigadier General A A CHICHESTER CB DSO, transferred to 3rd Corps.

Route marching, Musketry and drills during this period.

The Grenadiers also exercised in throwing Beittyne Bombs.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HOUCHIN

Battalion in bivouac.

A&B Coys working party for 2nd line trenches 8pm 

On this day 13th July

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -TO BILLETS AT BETHUNE.

Enemy fired 30 to 40 large shells at PONT FIXE between 8 and 9am.

Casualties: 1 man in front line trenches.

In afternoon Regiment relieved by 1/7th Kings (Liverpool) Regt (6th Brigade) and moved to billets in area of RUE DU TIR.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HOUCHIN

Battalion in bivouac. 

On this day 12th July

1857 - 52nd engaged mutineers at Trimmoo Ghaut.

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -IN TRENCHES AT GIVENCHY.

Very quiet on the whole, though odd shells and rifle grenades fired at times, mostly against front line trenches.

Casualties: Nil

The 25th Reinforcement of 8 Other Ranks arrived.(Machine Gunners)

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ALLOUANGE

Bde marched (6.30am) to vicinity of NOEUX LES MINES.

Bn in bivouac (10.30pm ½ mile east of) HOUCHIN & about ¾ mile W of NOEUX LES MINES

On this day 11th July

1857 - 52nd marched 42 miles in 20 hours to intercept the Sealkote mutineers, weather very hot.

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -IN TRENCHES AT GIVENCHY.

Very quiet on the whole, though odd shells and rifle grenades fired at times, mostly against front line trenches.

Casualties: Wounded – 2LT S M MINIFIE-HAWKINS (seriously)

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ALLOUANGE

On this day 10th July

1810 - Ciudad Rodrigo capitulated



1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -IN TRENCHES AT GIVENCHY.

Very quiet on the whole, though odd shells and rifle grenades fired at times, mostly against front line trenches.

Casualties: Nil



1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ALLOUANGE

Battalion in Billets. 

Practice attack by night by Bde 4/Berks & 4/Oxfords in trenches.

Bucks and 5/Glosters further attack by daylight



1956 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI (43rd & 52nd) -The Regiment arrived at Brentwood at 11.30 hrs and moved to Warley Barracks

On this day 9th July

1803 - 52nd joined Sir john Moore's Brigade at Shorncliffe camp.



1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -IN TRENCHES AT GIVENCHY.

Very quiet on the whole, though odd shells and rifle grenades fired at times, mostly against front line trenches.

Casualties: Wounded – Lt J W MEADE (slightly).

The 24th Reinforcement Capt A W M PONSONBY and 25 Other Ranks arrived



1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ALLOUANGE

Battalion in Billets

 

1956 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI (43rd & 52nd) -The Regiment left Osnabruck for England after a stay of almost exactly 3 years.

On this day 8th July

1810 - 52nd at Val de la Mula, near the River Coa (Portugal).

 

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -TO TRENCHES AT GIVENCHY

The Regiment Relieved 2/Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in B.1. section in afternoon.

 

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ALLOUANGE

Battalion in Billets.  Brigade lined road LILLERS-CHOCQUES for Lord Kitchener

 

1944 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI :-Operation Sally (Normandy)