​On this day 31st July
 
1809 - 2nd Bn. 43rd - embarked as part of the expedition to Walcheren.
 
1917 – THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES COMMENCED. (WESTERN FRONT)
Six battalions of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry were involved in the 3rd Battle of YPRES. 
In attacks in mid August around LANGEMARCK and SAINT JULIEN the lst/4th, 2nd/4th, 1/1st BUCKS, 2nd/lst Bucks and the 5th and 6th (Service) Battalions all took part. 
The lst/4th, 1/1st Bucks and 6th Battalions particularly distinguished themselves in severe fighting and all suffered heavy casualties.
The lst/4th and 1/1st Bucks were in 48th Division commanded by Major General Sir R. Fanshawe, an ex Commanding officer of the 52nd, another ex 52nd CO Major General H.R. Davies commanded 11 Division in the same Corps and the 6th Bn were in the 20th (Light) Division which included battalions of the KRRC, RB and other Light Infantry Regiments.
In late August and September the 2nd/4th and the 5th and 6th Battalions were commended for attacks round St JULIEN and on the line of the MENIN Road (POLYGON, GLENCOURSE and INVERNESS woods and EAGLE TRENCH). 
In October the 1st/4th and 1/1st Bucks were in action in the northern sector in the attack round POELKAPPELLE and the 5th Bn on the MENIN ROAD and below the PASSCHENDAELE Ridge.
During the three months of the YPRES battle, on a front of about 7 miles between LANGEMARCK, PASSCHENDAELLE and the MENIN ROAD, the Regiment's six battalions suffered over 80 officer and upwards of 2000 other rank casualties. 
Some of these were casualties from gas and others were "missing believed killed" in the terrible Flanders mud.
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
According to statement of deserter who came in on the 28th, Bolo will probably do his relief’s tonight 31/1st. Artillery shoot arranged accordingly.
2300 - 3-minute bombardment of Bolo’s new advanced position.
2235 - Intermittent bombardment of Enemies position and IGNATOVSKAYA to MALA BERESNIK road. (According to evidence received later (writing left about on the Brown Patch for our patrols) the bolo expected us to attack this night 31/1st after the bombardment)
 
1932–Buckinghamshire Battalion–Annual Camp–WESTHORPE PARK, MARLOW.
 
1938 – Buckinghamshire Battalion – Annual Camp – BULFORD FIELDS.
 
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.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – BREVILLE & AMFREVILLE. (NORMANDY)
The Regts period of rest came to an abrupt end at 0100 hrs this morning when we received orders to be at one hour's notice to move and take over from 4 & 6 Commandos at BREVILLE + AMFREVILLE. 
The relief was completed by 0900 hrs, without any interference from the enemy. 
In the afternoon we were informed that 'B' Coy 1st Bucks were to be attached to us and would arrive tomorrow morning. 
The Comd Offr decided to use them to relieve "C" Coy who would go into a rest area for four days. 
 
1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion - NORMANDY
B Coy complete moves over the River Orne to take up position at 128748 under command 52nd. 
A Coy assumes responsibility for guarding 4 bridges over River Orne at 111765 and 115761 under command 4 SS Bde. 
 
1987 – 1st Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets – NORTHERN IRELAND.
Remembering today – Cpl E R P JEDRUCH
“Lance Corporal Jedruch was struck on the head and killed by a helicopter blade whilst he was meeting his Company Commander on one of the OPs overlooking South Armagh.”

​On this day 30th July
 
1809 – Light Brigade – Took over Advanced guard and outpost duties of the army after Talavera. (PENINSULA WAR)
 
1877 – 43rd – Martini-Henry Rifles issued at Bellary (India) in place of Snider Rifles.
 
1915 – 5th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Present at the action of HOOGE; (WESTERN FRONT)
 
1916 - 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI. - Took part in attack on GUILLEMONT (Near Delville Wood, Somme). (WESTERN FRONT)
1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – MONTAUBAN.
4.45am – “Zero” for attack.
B and C Companies attacked the Station. (Guillemont)
A and D Companies attacked towards GINCHY.
Both attacks failed.
Casualties: 12 Officers and 205 Other Ranks.
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
2300 - A patrol of B Coy. (Lt. Clews D.C.M.) went to Bolo old advanced position left bank. No Bolo’s were seen and patrol started salving the enemy’s wire.
Lt. Clews and one man examined the trenches on left of the road, and saw a Bolo watching them Shot bolo. 8 or 9 bolo’s got up and doubled away.
Shot 2 remainder escaped into the forest.
Bolo’s now heard moving West of the road.
Patrol withdrew.
 
1919 - 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – OXFORD.
The Regiment moved from Oxford to Cork and absorbed the personnel of the 3rd Battalion from 1.8.19.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – ORCHARDS. (NORMANDY)
A large proportion of the Regiment had their first full nights sleep since before 'D' day. 
40 men were sent across the bridges to LUC SUR MER for a days outing. 
The remainder have spent the day resting and generally cleaning themselves up.
 
1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion - NORMANDY
0550 - Received letter from 1 Canadian Army stating that the Battalion ceases to be Line of Communications but comes under 1 Canadian Army wef 1200 hrs today immediately under 1 Corps.
0900 - Comd Offr visits 1 Corps and arrangements are made for Bn to become Corps Troops, directly under 1 Corps for Admin but under 6 Airborne Division for operations.
1200 - 6 Airborne Division contacted.
 
1972 – 1st Bn Royal Green Jackets – 3rd Tour Operation Banner – Northern Ireland
1RGJ Starts 3rd Tour 30/07/1972 – 19/11/1972. Belfast (Andersonstown).

On this day 29th July
 
1807 - 43rd - embarked for Copenhagen.
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
1000 - No 7 Company 3/4th N.R.R. (less 1 platoon) from UST VAGA to SELTSO.
1 Platoon 3/4th N.R.R. UST VAGA to NIJNI KITSA.
Capt. F.C. Stammers R.G.A. C.R.A. Vaga Column to Hospital.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME.(NORMANDY)
A normal night. 
Our own arty active as usual, a few enemy shells land in the Regimental area, but no casualties. 
Our snipers claim two more hits during the morning, one of the enemy hit was wearing a much lighter grey uniform than any seen previously which tends to confirm other indications that a relief has taken place. 
During the afternoon the Regiment was relieved by 1 RUR and moved back into Brigade reserve area in the orchards astride the road 132142.

​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). (PENINSULA WAR)
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
1200 - 1 Bolo deserter (6th Soviet Regt.) came in at NIJNI KITSA.
 
1919 – 2nd  Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI -  OXFORD.
Lieut. W. A. R. Ames rejoined the Regiment and was posted to Major R. B. Crosse's Company, with effect from 25.7.19. and Lieut. Vernon to D Company, with effect from 27.7.19.
Major R. B. Crosse took over temporary command of B and D Companies for the move to Ireland.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME.(NORMANDY)
Our standing patrols reported a certain amount of movement between the enemy FDLs during the night. 
During the day enemy movement continued to be very cautious and he filled in the gaps in the hedgerows where our snipers had scored several hits previously, we did however manage to score one more hit. 
At 2140 hrs 9 enemy mortar bombs landed in the Regimental H.Q. area, 6 of them were duds however and no casualties were incurred.

​On this day 27th July
 
1809 - The Light Brigade under Craufurd, reached Navalmoral, 52 miles from Talavera, at sunset. (PENINSULA WAR)
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
D Coy. from UST VAGA to BERESNIK and embarked for ARCHANGEL.
1630 - Gen. WALSHE C.G.S.  M.R.E.F. arrived SELTSO to see Commanding Officer and left at 1730 hrs
2100 - 3/4th Bn. N.R.R. (Headquarters and 2 Companies) arrived at UST VAGA from BERESNIK
 
1944 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – NORMANDY.
Another move brought the Regiment to Bougy (914610), where it relieved the 1st East Lancashire Regiment.
Here it was in close contact with the enemy, a battalion of the 237th Infantry Division, which it had fought on the 16th July.
Deserters came in at an average rate of two a day.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME.(NORMANDY)
During the night a small number of enemy bombers dropped a few bombs on the Regimental area causing damage to a small building occupied by No.7 (A/Tk) Pl HQ. (no one inside the house was hurt).  'A' Coy suffered one slight casualty. 
Our patrols confirmed that the enemy are still occupying the same FDLs. 
The enemy has been much more cautious in his movement to-day and our snipers only claim one definite hit. 
At 1730 our mortars put down a small but effective conc on a party of ten enemy moving back to their Coy HQ. 
At 2045 hrs about 20 enemy mortar bombs landed in the field behind one of our own mortar batterys, and so all three of our batterys fired immediately on BENEAUVILLE CHATEAU which is thought to be a Bn HQ. 
This seemed to have the desired effect.

​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.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME.(NORMANDY)
Our own arty was active during the night a number of VICTOR targets being engaged. 
The enemy have been rather more hesitant about showing themselves to-day and our snipers only claim two certain hits and 5 probables. 
About 50 men attended a concert given by the Regtl Band at OUISTREHAM and a further 50 attended a film show at LUC SUR MER.
 
1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – NORMANDY.
The Regimental band gave another splendid performance on the 26th July, immediately after which the Germans put two shells into the theatre!

​On this day 25th July
 
1827 – 43rd - Occupation of Portugal, 43rd quartered at Thomar.
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
Lt. M.C. de Vitre D Coy. to BERESNIK to command the base platoon in relief of Lt. W.S. Mackay.
Lt. D.W.L. Lethbridge to Hospital BERESNIK.
2200 - Orders received for one company of the regiment to be sent to BERESNIK as soon as possible for employment elsewhere.
One Battalion of Russians being sent up to replace.
2230 - Reply sent to G.H.Q. that D Coy. (less 1 Platoon at BERESNIK) will reach BERESNIK by 1200 hrs. on Sunday 27th July.
1100 - 1 platoon C Coy. (Lt. MOULDING from MALA BERESINK to KOSLOVO. 
1530 - Capt. J.W. MEADE and 1 Platoon C Company arrived from UST VAGA.
Capt. MEADE took over KOSLOVO
1700 - D Coy march by left bank road to UST VAGA with kits & 3 days rations (30 carts)
1800 - Capt. WYLD, Brigade Major SADLIER JACKSON’S BRIGADE came over from R DVINA to see Comdg. Officer.   
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
A noisy night due to our own and enemy arty fire, also large numbers of aircraft flew overhead, mostly our own. 
Bombs were dropped SE and SOUTH and SW of our position but some fell in our immediate area. 
Another very good day for our snipers who between them claim 8 certain hits and 6 probables. 
The carelessness on the part of the enemy in allowing our snipers such success in the last few days may indicate a relief. 
But at the moment we believe the enemy opposite us to belong to Nos 6 + 7 Coys of the II Bn 857 Gren Regt.
 
1957- 1st Bn Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (43rd & 52nd) – CYPRUS
The Regiment learned of its future after the Reorganisation of the Army; it is to become part of the Green Jackets Brigade.
 
1992 – 1st Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets – Disbanded.
1st Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets disbanded and 2nd & 3rd Battalions, The Royal Green Jackets renumbered as 1st and 2nd Battalions, The Royal Green Jackets and merged with members of the old 1st Battalion.

​On this day 24th July
 
1807 - 52nd - embarked for service in Denmark.
 
1810 – Light Division - Combat of the Coa, near Almeida.(PENINSULA)
 
1919 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - OXFORD.
Regimental Dinner 43rd and 52nd at Hyde Park Hotel.
Major-General Sir John Hanbury- Williams, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., C.M.G., in the Chair.
 
1927 – YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL – UNVEILING
JULY 24th,1927, will be for ever a memorous day in the annals of the British Army.
On this date Field-Marshal Lord Plumer, in the presence of the King of the Belgians, the British Ambassador and an immense crowd, unveiled the Great War memorial at the Menin Gate of Ypres in memory of the 56,000 officers and men who fell within the Ypres Salient during the Great War and whose bodies were never re­covered.
The ceremony which was most impressive, and at the same time struck a simple note, commenced with the singing of the hymn, "O God Our Help in Ages Past," followed by a prayer specially written for the occasion.
After this the Secretary of State for War called upon Lord Plurner to unveil the memorial.
Lord Plumer in an admirable speech, said:
"Our hearts are stirred by feelings of deep emotion as we stand here to pay a nation's tribute to the memory of the great army of men whose names are inscribed on this beautiful memorial, who have no known graves.
One of the most tragic features of the Great War was the number of casualties reported as 'Missing, believed killed.'
To their relatives, there must have been added to their grief a tinge of bitterness and a feeling that everything possible had not been done to recover their loved ones' bodies and give them reverent burial.
That feeling no longer exists; it ceased to exist when the conditions under which the fighting was being carried out were realized.
"But when peace came and the last ray of hope had been extinguished, the void seemed deeper and the outlook more forlorn for those who had no grave to visit, no place where they could lay tokens of loving re­membrance.
The hearts of the people throughout the Empire went out to them, and it was resolved that here at Ypres, where so many of the missing are known to have fallen, there should be erected a memorial worthy of them which should give expression to the nation's gratitude for their sacrifice and their sympathy with those who mourned them.
A memorial has been erected which, in its simple grandeur, fulfils this object, and now it can be said of each one in whose honour we are assembled here to-day:--
'He is not missing; he is here.'
"But this monument which is now to be unveiled does not express only the nation's gratitude and sympathy; it expresses also their pride in the fullness of the sacrifice.
It is an acknowledgment that it was only by their sacrifice and the sacrifice of all who laid down their lives that we who fought and sur­vived were able to carry out the task en­trusted to us.
Indeed, this archway, stand­ing as it does in splendid grandeur at the gate of the town, is like the main body of a pro­tecting army, the lines of defence being represented by the numerous cemeteries grouped around it.
Together they are a testimony, more eloquent than any words, of how the troops defended successfully for four years the Ypres Salient.
"Moreover, this ground, which for all time will be known as the Ypres Salient, is a historical record of the friendship and com­radeship which existed and will always exist between the two armies, British and Belgian, who fought there side by side; and the town of Ypres, which was shattered beyond all recognition during the war and has now been rebuilt, illustrates fitly the unconquerable spirit of the Belgian nation."
He then pressed an electric button which released the flags covering the central entablature above the cornice.
The King of the Belgians next gave an address in English:
"His Majesty declared that there was no ground in the world more sacred than that of the Ypres Salient, for it was to uphold the sanctity of treaties that England came into the war; it was to avenge the unjustifiable attack on Belgium that the British Empire took up arms to the remotest parts of its possessions.
In truth, for fifty months Ypres marked the threshold of the Empire, and throughout centuries to come its name would stand as the symbol of British courage and endurance.
Ypres was to the British Army what Verdun was to the French Army.
Those two bastions remained inviolate in spite of inconceivable efforts made against them."
 
Prayers and two hymns followed the speeches, then the Last Post, sounded by the Buglers of the Somersetshire Light Infantry, and the lament, "The Flowers of the Forest," played by the Pipers of the Scots Guards.
Next came a minute of silence—a silence so absolute that it seemed that the whole salient must be standing hushed in prayer—and then the Reveille was sounded, followed by a roll of drums and "God Save the King."
The memorial consists of a double arch­way between which is a vaulted hall, 40 yards in length.
On both sides the walls, except where they are broken by entrances to staircases leading to the loggias above the arches and to the ramparts, are covered with panels bearing the names of unidentified dead in 44 columns on either side.
These are grouped by regiments, the names of regi­ments in gold, and those of officers and men in black against the greyish white stone.
Those belonging to the Regiment number 449, and are engraved on panels 37 and 39, and consist of :--
52nd Light Infantry.—5 Officers and 108 other ranks.
1/4th (Territorial) Battalion.—1 Officer and 14 other ranks.
1/1st Bucks (Territorial) Battalion.—6 other ranks.
2/1st Bucks (Territorial) Battalion.—1 other rank.
5th (Service) Battalion.—6 Officers and 292 other ranks.
6th (Service) Battalion.—16 other ranks.
A complete roll of these names appeared in The Oxford Times on Friday, July 22nd, 1927, a few copies of which are obtainable from the Secretary, Regimental Committee, Cowley Barracks.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
A really fine day at last and a great day for our snipers who got the biggest bag of the season, 'C' Coy hitting 3 certains and 2 possibles and 'D' Coy hitting 6 certainties. 
Otherwise it has been a quiet day.

​On this day 23rd July
 
1812 – Light Division – In pursuit of French about Huerta. PENINSULA WAR
 
1818 – 43rd - New Colours presented to the 43rd at Valenciennes (France), by Lady Blakeney
 
1916 - Battle of Pozieres (Somme); 1/4th and 1/1st Bucks Bn heavily engaged. (WESTERN FRONT)
1/1st BUCKINGHAMSHIRE BATTALION - POZIERES 22/23 JULY 1916
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 of 48th (South Midland) Division 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 0. 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.
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.
The casualties in this action were:
OFFICERS:- Died of Wounds: 1. Wounded: 4
OTHER RANKS:- Killed: 7.Wounded: 68. Missing: 8.
As a result of this operation the D.S.O. was awarded to Captain E. V. Birchall and to Captain N. S. Reid; the D.C.M to Sergeant P. Jennings, Corporal W. J. Barnwell, and Bugler J. H. Scragg, and the Order of St. George 2nd Class to Corporal Barnwell.
The Brigade Commander (Brigadier-General H. R. Done) expressed his appreciation of the services of the Battalion in a letter to Lieut.-Colonel Reynolds thus:
“Please give my heartfelt congratulations to all ranks of the Regiment under your Command on their gallant and entirely successful attack on the 23rd July.
By this success, which was obtained in spite of heavy loss, you enabled the Brigade to carry out the whole of the task allotted, and also made secure the position of the troops who had already gained a footing in the enemy’s position on your right.”
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
B Coy (Capt. A.J. Peck) relieved D Coy (Major A.G. Macdonald) at MALA BERESNIK.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
Last night was an exceptionally quiet one and our patrols had no fresh information to report. 
This morning B + D Coys changed over areas. 
A Coy snipers got two hits. 
At dusk this morning a few enemy aircraft flew at [naught?] feet over our HQ but no bombs were dropped in our immediate vicinity.

On this day 22nd July
 
1790 – 52nd – Engaged at the capture of Coimbatore (SOUTHERN INDIA).
 
1812 - Battle of Salamanca. PENNSULA WAR
 
1915 - 6th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI arrived at Boulogne from England. (WESTERN FRONT)
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
Capt. A.E. Mason appointed Quartermaster to the Regiment vice Lt. G. Dancey M.C. D.C.M. (Dec 2/6.19) (Authority – War Office Cable 21062 M.S.2. July 20th).
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
A quiet night except for continuous activity by our own artillery. 
Brigade did a propaganda broadcast from the area of 'A' Coys right forward platoon. 
The broadcast went well and there was no enemy reaction by fire. 
Our snipers claim another two hits and our standing patrols have been using their PIATS offensively. 
The rain abated somewhat to-day. 
A and C Coys changed over their Coy areas.

​On this day 21st JULY
 
1812 - The Light Division in bivouac at San Martin, near Salamanca. PENINSULA WAR
 
1847 – 52nd – Left Quebec for England.
 
1916 - 1/1st Bucks Bn – Battle of the Somme
In attack South West of Pozieres lost 9 Officers and 145 men.
 
1919 - 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – LONDON VICTORY PARADE.
Colour Party returned to Depot.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
During the night our own arty fired at frequent intervals on counter battery and counter mortar tasks on our front. 
Enemy reaction was only slight. 
Our own patrols confirmed that the enemy were still in occupation of the posts on our front. 
Lt Scott fired a PIAT at three of the enemy posts, the bombs landed in the right place but the enemy reaction was nil. 
It continued raining most of to-day and practically no movement observed from the enemy forward posts.

​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.
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
1200 - Bolo deserter came in at UST VAGA.
 
1919 - 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI
The Regiment was granted permission to wear riband of British War Medal 1914-1919.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
Once again our patrols report that the enemy posns on our front remain unchanged. 
Our snipers claim three certain hits and 'C' Coy standing patrol engaged several targets with their guns as well, but the result could not be observed with any certainty. 
Very heavy rain fell today and a lot of the slit trenches became waterlogged and all the tracks in the Regtl area extremely muddy.
 
1982 – 1st Battalion Royal Green Jackets – Regents Park Bombing London
Remembering this day in 1982 when the Band of the 1st Battalion Royal Green Jackets whilst playing at the bandstand in Regent Park, London were victims of an I.R.A Bomb.
Six members were killed and a seventh died later of wounds.
WO2 Graham Barker, 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets
Bandsman John Heritage, 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets
Corporal Robert Livingstone, 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets
Corporal Robert McKnight, 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets
Bandsman George Mesure, 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets
Bandsman Keith Powell, 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets
Bandsman Laurence Smith, 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets

​On this day 19th July
 
1916 - 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Battle of the Somme
Took part in attack between Ovillers and Pozieres losing 2 Officers and 99 men.
Later moved to huts at Bouzincourt.
 
1916 - 2/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion heavily engaged in the Battle of Fromelles.
2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI in Support.
FAUQUISSART
“ZERO” was at 11a.m. & at that hour our Bombardment started.
5.30 p.m.
By 5. 30 p.m. we had lost nearly 100 men killed and wounded by Shell Fire.
This was serious as on July 18th “A” Coy. (which was holding the Battn. front) lost 78 men gassed – owing to one of OUR shells having burst a Gas Cylinder in our Trenches.
The Battalion went into Action with 20 Officers and 622 Other Ranks.
This was reduced by casualties suffered during the action to 6 Officers and 300 O.R.
5. 40 p.m
What was left of “A” and “D” Coy’s. (the assaulting Coy’s.) – about 120 men filed out into NO MANS LAND by RHONNDA SAP and lay down in 4 waves.
6. p.m.
With a cheer the four waves leapt up and assaulted the enemy’s trenches
Even before 5.40 pm the enemy's machine guns had become busy, and at 6.00 pm they mowed down our advancing waves, so that only a few men actually reached the German parapet, and none of these ever returned.
Quite early (about 1.00 pm) telephone communication between Battalion HQ and the front line was cut.
After many gallant attempts to mend the wire, success was attained at exactly 5.40 pm, and from then until 9.30 pm the telephone was in constant use thus saving many lives, in that runners were spared.
Reports that flowed in over the telephone were sent on, as they came in, straight to Brigade HQ, and were very contradictory.
Owing to the distance between the trenches, and to the continuous bombardment and smoke, the officers who were observing found their task almost impossible to fulfil with any degree of accuracy.
Our men, having been seen actually on the German  parapet, it was concluded that a certain number must have got in.
But it is certain that very few survived the enemy's machine gun fire, and whether they got in or not, they never returned”.
C Coy (the Company which carried over R.E. material for consolidation purposes) went out into NO MANS LAND at 6.10PM but, again the enemy’s machine Gun fire prevented any advance without extermination.
By 6.30PM it was clear that:-
1. The attack could not succeed without more men.
2. That given more men say 2 coys the attack must have succeeded
No reserves however, were available and the Commanding Officer of the Battalion was ordered to reorganise and to attack again at 8.30PM.
This order was received at a time when every man save a few Telephone Operators  - orderlies and wounded, was in NO MANS LAND.
Gradually about 80 men (of A, C & D Coys) were reorganised , and 40 men of B Coy (the Reserve Coy) were added.
The order then came to postpone the attack until 9PM.
And at 8PM the order came through that no further attack would take place that night.
Every Officer who went out with the assaulting Coys was either Killed or Wounded & Capt H S G Buckmaster was the only officer who went out into NO MANS LAND who came back unhurt.
During the 18th and 19th July the 2/1st Bucks Battalion lost 322 ALL RANKS – as follows:-     
OFFICERS:- Killed = 4. Wounded = 8. Missing = 2. Died of Wounds = 1
OTHER RANKS:- Killed  = 62 .Wounded = 180. Missing = 65 
 
1919 - 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – LONDON VICTORY PARADE.
Victory March through London.
Memorial of Dead saluted.
Colours carried from the Admiralty to Buckingham Palace.
His Majesty the King took the salute at the Victoria Monument.
Processional Route 6 1/2 miles.
 
1919 - 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – OXFORD VICTORY PARADE.
Victory March of the Regiment, with representatives of all its Battalions, through Oxford.
Parade formed up in Parks at 11 a.m. in rain; marched off at 12.30 p.m. via Keble Road, St. Giles, Corn Market to Tom Quad at Christ Church; Mayor saluted at Town Hall.
Speeches by Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Member of Parliament for University, and Major-General Sir R. Fanshawe, K.C.B., D.S.O., who commanded the parade.
Dinners served at various colleges and Town Hall.
The 52nd to Balliol College, entertained by Deputy Mayor and Master of Balliol.
Parade dismissed after dinner.
 
1944 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – NORMANDY.
On the 19th July the Regiment moved forward again, occupy­ing quiet positions at Gavrus (9161) and later south-east of LesVilains (928624).
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
The big battle SW of CAEN still continues but most of the fighting is now well beyond our range of vision and the majority of the sp arty has moved up so the noise has not been so deafening. 
On our own front the enemy still appears to be occupying the same positions and 'D' Coy snipers claimed another two hits, otherwise a quiet day.
 
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.
 
1977 – 1st Bn Royal Green Jackets – 6th Tour Operation Banner – Northern Ireland.
1RGJ starts 6th Tour. 19/05/1977 – 20/09/1977. Belfast (Ardoyne/New Lodge).
 
1987 – 1st Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets – NORTHERN IRELAND.
Remembering today – L/Cpl T W HEWITT
“As with many tours in Northern Ireland, if tragedy strikes then it does so early.
Our tour this year was to be no exception and on the first day that the Battalion arrived in Ireland Lance Corporal Hewitt was shot and murdered in Belleek by a gunman who fired from across the border.
Lance Corporal Hewitt's murder came as a shock to everyone in the Battalion, particularly as the style of his murder was so typical of the normal pattern of terrorist activity in Fermanagh.
It occurred without any apparent warning, at a time of year when the streets of Belleek were full of foreign tourists.”
 
2010 – FROMELLES (PHEASANT WOOD) MILITARY CEMETERY OPENED.
Following the discovery of the mass graves at Pheasant Wood in May 2008, the British and Australian governments set up a jointly funded body to achieve three main aims: to recover, identify, and re-inter the bodies.
Following their recovery, the remains of the 250 British and Australian soldiers were stored in temporary mortuary facilities until such time as the new cemetery was ready.
The inaugural reburial and ceremony took place at 11 am local time on 30 January 2010, with around 400 people watching from the viewing areas outside the cemetery walls.
The cemetery grounds were covered with a light dusting of snow.
The ceremony was attended by representatives from Australia, France, the UK and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, all of whom paid tribute to the fallen.
The remainder of the reburials, with the exception of one reserved for the dedication ceremony in July, took place in February 2010.
The reburials, starting on 1 February, took place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, starting at 9 am, with up to thirty soldiers being re-interred each day, all with full military honours.
The opening and dedication of Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Military Cemetery took place on Monday 19 July 2010, to mark the 94th anniversary of the Battle of Fromelles.
This commemorative event centred around the re-burial of the final set of remains.
A restored First World War general service wagon, drawn by horses from the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery transported the coffin from the original mass grave site at Pheasant Wood, through the streets of Fromelles, to the new cemetery.
It was escorted by British and Australian soldiers.
The coffin was then carried into the cemetery by a bearer party of soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, The Rifles and Australia's Federation Guard.
The dedication service then took place.
The coffin was then lowered into the grave, and a joint British-Australian firing party fired three volleys.
This was followed by a minute's silence, and then laying of wreaths.

​On this day 18th July
 
1824 - 52nd - arrived in CANADA on its first tour.
 
1885 – 2nd Bn Oxf LI – Metal Shoulder Badges, consisting of a brass bugle with “OXFORD” in brass underneath, were taken into wear.
These were given by the Officer Commanding, to be kept up by the men, and to be worn on khaki clothing.
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
0100 - Wireless set up from G.H.Q. and erected at SELTSO.
2200 - Bolo patrol on Brown Patch opened fire on NIJNI KITSA and MALA BERESNIK. Estimated strength 12 to 15.
Both posts replied and guns fired a few rounds on the Brown Patch.
All quiet 2215.
 
1919 – 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – OXFORD.
July 18th.—Major J. A. Ballard is appointed Second-in-Command, with effect from 1.7.19.
Officers posted as under :--
To Command Companies :--
C Company, to be known as "Major A. J. N. Bartlett's Company."
A Company, to be known as "Captain J. L. Portal's Company."
B Company, to be known as "Major R. B. Crosse’s Company."
Second in Command of Companies : --
Captain E. H. Whitfeld, M.C., A Company.
Captain G. Field, M.C., B Company.
Officers above are shown in order of seniority.
Captain (Brevet-Major) R. B. Crosse, D.S.O., attached temporarily to D Company and assumed command of it; Captain G. Field, M.C., in temporary command of Major Crosse's Company.
The following Officers proceeded to Cork on duty with a view to facilitating the absorption of the 3rd Reserve Battalion into the 2nd Battalion :--
Lieut.-Colonel A. J. F. Eden, C.M.G., D.S.O., and Captain (Brevet-Major) R. B. Crosse, D.S.O.; and later, Major A. J. R. Bartlett, D.S.O., Captain J. L. Portal, D.S.O , Captain G. Field, M.C.
 
1940 – 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI:-The 52nd disembarked at Liverpool, after eighteen years’ service in India and Burma.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
Last night was a quiet one, our own patrols confining themselves to making sure that the enemy had not changed his positions during the night. 
An enemy wiring party was observed on 'A' Coys front, strength about 20 men, but no action was taken owing to necessity of keeping the front quiet during the night. 
Between 0520 hrs and 0700 hrs we had a magnificent view of hundreds of medium and heavy bombers carrying what is termed "the greatest air assault in history" against the enemy positions EAST and S.E. of CAEN. 
This was followed be a tremendous artillery barrage of over [800?] guns and then we could see our armour going forward until it was out of sight in the dust & smoke caused by this artillery fire and bombing.   Enemy reactions in our own front were negligible. 
During the afternoon five of "A" Coy's numbers worked forward into one of the enemy forward positions and found it unoccupied, but later in the day the enemy returned and set off one of his own booby traps in the position. 
The noise of the big push SOUTHWARDS and WESTWARDS out of our bridge head EAST of the River ORNE could be going on all day. 
From all accounts the day's fighting has been going very successfully. 
At about 23.00 hrs this evening a small number of enemy bombers flew over dropping about 100 small anti-personnel bombs on A + D Coys, one of which wounded Lt AF White in the back of the head.  Other bombs were dropped near D + C Coys Standing Patrols and also some behind the enemy's FDLs.  Our own patrols incurred no casualties.
 
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.
 
1857 – 52nd – INDIAN MUTINY
Marched to Goodasepoor en route to Delhi.
 
1919 - 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – LONDON VICTORY PARADE.
Arrived Chelsea Barracks (Welch Guards).
 
1944 - 1st Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – NORMANDY.
The greater part of the day was spent in cleaning up and reorganising after the previous days action.
The total casualties of the Regiment were three Officers and forty seven Other Ranks KILLED.
Six Officers and Ninety Other Ranks WOUNDED.
Nil Officers and twenty six Other Ranks MISSING.
Enemy casualties were estimated at 120 KILLED and WOUNDED apart from casualties inflicted in back areas by Artillery and Mortar Support fire; 45 dead were actually counted on the ground.
Thirteen German MGs were captured or destroyed and approx 138 PW passed through the DIV Cage.
During the evening the Regiment moved back through COLLEVILLE 9264 to a rest area near MOUEN 934653.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
Our patrols last night confirmed that the enemy FDLs already pinpointed were still occupied.  No enemy patrols approached our ambush parties - and he seems generally to be very nervous about sending any of his own patrols fwd. 
During the night enemy horse drawn transport could be heard going round his FDLs probably distributing rations. 
During the day 'A' Coy were mortared but the enemy mortar positions were spotted and the Lt Arty put down a concentration on each of the positions silencing them most effectively. 
Cries of pain were heard coming from one of the positions. 
'D' Coy got three hits with their snipers to-day.
 
1944 – 7th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - Arrived in Taranto (back in ITALY)

​On this day 16th July
 
1857 - 52nd – INDIAN MUTINY
Engaged mutineers about the Ravee River
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
Owing to information received from bolo deserters. That bolo 6th (Soviet) Regt. relieves 156th Regt tonight between 2100 and midnight, decided to do a small patrol action on left bank with Artillery co-operation
2200 - Our guns commenced intermittent shelling of Advanced position Left Bank IGNATOVSKAYA and IGNATOVSKAYA-MALA BERESNIK Road.
No 16 Platoon (Lt. A.S. Denham M.M. & 2nd Lt. F.W. Paines) Left SCOTS POST & proceeded to “TIN HUT”.
2300 - .3-minute bombardment of Bolo advanced position.                                             
2300 - No 16 Platoon left “TIN HUT” and went up through the woods to Bolos Advanced Position.
Too dark to observe anything. 2345 before withdrawing to MALA BERESNIK, the platoon opened one burst of rapid fire in the direction of the enemy’s position.
The Bolos replied and continued firing rapid with guns, rifles and machine guns until 0200 hours.
Firing was also heard at IGNATOVSKAYA and KITSA.
The patrol got back to SCOTS POST without casualties at 0015 hrs.
(A deserter who came in on 28th July (see entries for that date) stated that on this night 16 Bolos were killed by their own fire during the course of this relief).
2000 - Regimental Scouts went as far as enemies position on the right bank and examined the wire. Were challenged twice and withdrew arriving back at NIJNI KITSA at 0100 hours.
 
1919 - 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – PARIS VICTORY PARADE.
Left Paris for England, via Havre.
 
1944 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – BATTLE OF CAHIER – (NORMANDY)
0200hrs. At approx 0200hrs, Coys began moving up to the start lines for the attack:
“B” Coy moved from COLLEVILLE through GRAINVILLE-SUR-ODON 9164 to X RDS 912636: “D” and “C” Coys moved through MONDRAINVILLE 926640, past Regtl HQ to the Wood 9216625 (called HORSE-SHOE COPSE) where their start line was.
0300hrs. “B” Coy crossed the start line at 0300hrs: “D” Coy and consequently “C” behind them, were slightly delayed by an enemy patrol in WOOD 922627 and were a few minutes late.
“D” Coy moved cross country against the MILL and took it after a short struggle, in which Capt J H COOPER was killed.
Heavy Mortar fire soon began to come from the other side of the River ODON and from area MONCEAUX 907614 , supported later by a counter attack, and “D” Coy were compelled to abandon the MILL itself and withdraw to the high ground 150 yards above it 916624.
During the mortaring, Major NH PIERCE, the Coy Commander, was seriously wounded.
 “C” Coy moved into the attack from the same start line as “D” Coy and a few minutes after them, went round the SOUTH edge of HORES-SHOE COPSE and reached area TINY COPSE with only minor resistance.
In and around the copse itself, the fighting bacame most fierce and bitter, especially the in fighting caused by the thickness of the undergrowth and the short fields of fire.
Casualties were heavy in “ C” Coy and included the Coy Comd Capt W R B HAZELL.
As with “D” Coy heavy mortaring was followed by a counter attack which succeeded in driving “C” Coy out of TINY COPSE.
The Carriers however held firm in their positions North of HORSE-SHOE COPSE and prevented the enemy moving forward of the Road GRAINVILLE-SUR-ODON  - GAVRUS.
“B” Coy on the right flank moved across open fields from their start line at X RDS 912636 and took CAHIER after a short struggle.
As with “C” and “D” Coys however heavy mortaring preceeded a counter attack during which the Coy Comd Major S P FLORY was wounded and Capt P A F COLVILLE killed and the Coy was compelled to withdraw from CAHIER itself.
A position containing the enemy in the buildings was taken up and as all the Coy Officers were now casualties the Adjutant Capt H P PATTERSON went up and took command for the remainder of the operation.
1400hrs. – At 140hrs the Commanding Officer put “A” Coy into the attack.
The South bank of RIVER ODON was now in the hands of 15 Scottish Division and so “A” Coy moved round the left flank SOUTH of HORSE-SHOE COPSE and advanced on TINY COPSE and from SW under cover of a barrage from three Field Regts, the 4.2” Mortars and MMGs of 1MANCHESTERS and the Regtl 3” Mortars.
TINY COPSE was cleared despite heavy mortaring  and an assault was launched on the final enemy position in the hedgerow forward of JUMBO WOOD 914626.
But as the enemy saw the final bayonet charge starting they began to surrender.
A batch of 40 prisoners was taken here alone.
Meanwhile the enemy had withdrawn from CAHIER and “B” Coy occupied it without further opposition.
Coys consolidated their positions as follows:
“B” Coy – CAHIER;
“A” Coy with remainder of “C” Coy under command – area TINY COPSE and JUMBO WOOD;
“D” Coy  - area 915623.
A/TK guns were brought up to relieve the Regiment and by 0015hrs had taken over all the regiments positions.
The regiment moved back into the areas vacated by 2MONMOUTHS:-
“A” Coy into the Orchards 916637,
“D” Coy into the area of the Farm buildings 918640 and the remnants of “B” and “C” Coys into the COPSE 925630.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
Last night's patrols got further information concerning the layout of the enemy positions. 
'C' Coy snipers claim a definite hit this morning and this evening our standing patrols fired a Bren Magazine at a group of about 7 of the enemy in a hedgerow about 250 yds away. 
The enemy all went to ground but it was not possible to ascertain how many had been hit. 
'A' Coy standing patrol spotted an enemy working party of about 10 men on their front and our artillery put down fifty shells on to them, again it was not possible to estimate the enemy's casualties. 
Other than these activities it has been a quiet day and we have not been trouble by enemy mortar or artillery fire.
The following officers and men have been granted immediate awards by the Comd-in-Chief.  Maj M. Darrell-Brown and  Maj J. Howard  - DSO. 
Lt A.E. Bousfield, Lt H.D. Brotheridge (deceased), Lt H.J. Sweeney, Lt C.A. Hooper, Lt R.A.A. Smith - M.C. 
L/Cpl Stacy - M.M. 
Of these only Major Darrell-Brown, Major J. Howard and Lt A.E. Bousfield received their awards from General Montgomery today, the remainder are still casualties.

On this day 15th July
 
1813 – Light Division – PENINSULA WAR
Engagement on the Heights of Vera.
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
0800 - Two Bolo deserters came in on left bank.
 
1944 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI in action at CAHIER 15th/16th July, (NORMANDY)
Orders were now received for the Regt to carry out an attack on what was at first supposed to be an enemy Company position in the area CAHIER 906628 – Wood (called JUMBO) 910626 – Copse (called TINY) 912624.
The Company was one of 277 Inf Div, with a large proportion of conscripted Poles and Austrians.
The plan initially was for two coys of the Regt to attack first, one directed on CAHIER and the other on TINY COPSE, and for the attack on JUMBO Wood to be launched with the remaining Coys either from CAHIER or from TINY COPSE, according to the situation at the time.
During the day, additional information about the enemy was received through deserters. There were now thought to be three coys in the area, one stretching from MILL 917623 to TINY COPSE, another in the area of JUMBO WOOD and a third in CAHIER.
The plan accordingly changed and it was decided to direct one coy on the MILL in the initial assault in addition to the attacks on TINY COPSE and CAHIER, thus leaving one company in reserve for the final attack on JUMBO WOOD.
 “B” Coy were ordered to carry out the attack on CAHIER, “C” Coy on TINY COPSE, and “D” Coy on the MILL with “A” Coy in reserve for the final attack on JUMBO WOOD.
The Carrier Platoon dismounted was to move to a position in the hedgerow 912616 before the attack, ready to beat down enemy fire on “C” and “D” Coys which was expected from the area between JUMBO WOOD and the road 915625.
The Regimental 3” Mortars, the MMG’s of 1MANCHESTER, the 25pdrs of 81 Fd Regt and the 3” Mortars of 1E LANCS and 2MONMOUTHS were prepared to give support fire if necessary, but the intention was that the attack should be silent and that this supporting fire should not be called for unless absolutely necessary.
2130hrs.- The Regt set out by Coys for the assembly areas for the attack at 2130 hrs, and arrived at COLLEVILLE 923651 by 2230 hrs.
Regimental HQ was established in the NW corner of the Copse 922634 by 2200hrs.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
Our orders to-day have been to keep as quiet as possible and to cut out all offensive action, in order to entice the enemy into being a bit more bold and offering better targets for our snipers, Brens and Mortars tomorrow.
here to edit.

​On this day 14th July
 
1857 - 52nd – INDIAN MUTINY
Took part in annihilation of Sealkote mutineers.
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
0730 - 25699 Cpl. Ferries Royal Scots, C Coy. captured in raid on IGNATOVSKAYA, arrived at SCOTS POST, having been released by the Bolos.
 
1919 – 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI - PARIS VICTORY PARADE.
Rouse 2.45 a.m. Parade 4 a.m. March to point of Assembly and Breakfast.
Preliminary Inspection by Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig of British Colour Parties.
March commenced at 8.30 a.m.
British Colour Parties in Column, four Colour Parties abreast.
The Regiment between 42nd and 44th Regiments of Foot.
Colours at the carry and flying through the Arc de Triomphe, which had been closed since the 1870-1 War;
Memorial of the Dead saluted;
the President Monsieur Poincare saluted;
march continued via Rue des Champs Elysees, Rue de Rivoli, Rue Royale, Place de 1'Opera and Boulevards to Place de la Republique; board motor lorries and return to camp.
Processional Route 6 miles.
 
1944 – 1st Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – LE HAUT DU BOSQ -(NORMANDY)
The Regiment was stationed at Le Haut du Bosq on the 14th July when it received orders to attack Cahier and two copses immediately to the south-east, in conjunction with two divisional attacks on the flank, the one to the north to be carried out by the 59th Division directed at Landelle and Noyers, the one on the left by the 15th Division directed on Gavrus, Bougy and Esquay.
The attack by the Regiment was to be a silent one in the dark.
In fact, the 15th (Scottish) Division used searchlights to lighten the dark.
The Regiment had to accept these conditions.
A firm base for the attack was provided by the 2nd Monmouthshire Regiment, which was holding at that time the front line of the private drive to the chateau of Gavrus from about the church at Mondrainville to the bridge over the River Odon immediately north of Gavrus.
The enemy was known to be holding Cahier, the two copses to the south-east of it, and the mill by the two bridges over the River Odon on the road to Gavrus.
Its strength was estimated at not more than two companies, with probably a battalion headquarters about the avenue north-west of Cahier.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
Last night Bde carried out a propaganda broadcast in German and Polish from the hedgerow between 'A' + 'C' Coy fwd posns. 
The result was most satisfactory as this morning five deserters came into 5 Para Bde's lines on our right as a direct result of hearing the broadcast. 
Our snipers had a good day and claim three probables. 
We had one or two quite lively exchanges of mortar and arty fire and hope that we silenced for good an enemy SP gun which had been harassing us. 
No.9 (MMG Pl) carried out harassing fire against some of the fwd enemy posts on our front between 23.00 and 2359 this evening.  This was the first indirect shoot our MMGs have done and it went according to plan and we hope inflicted a number of casualties on the enemy.  The enemy reacted with MG & Mortar fire which proved it had stirred him up somewhat at any rate.
 
1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – NORMANDY.
Le Quatorze Juillet was celebrated by the local inhabitants for the first time since the German occupation and the Battalion provided a guard of honour outside the church in Ouistreham.
D Company provided the guard, consisting of one officer (Captain Lee) and forty soldiers. Despite the fact that they had spent most of their time so far on the beach and in slit trenches, their appearance and turnout were a great credit to the Bat­talion, and were much appreciated by the populace.
After the service the Mayor made a speech in French and the local civilian band played the Marseillaise and the National Anthem. The latter was a little difficult to recognise owing to the fact that this was the first time the band had played together for four years. Nevertheless, the members of the band seemed well satisfied with their rendering, and in fact were so encouraged by its recep­tion that they played it over and over again whenever there was a lull in the proceedings. This became a little embarrassing after a while, with the guard presenting arms at frequent intervals as soon as the commander recognised the tune, but he finally managed to disentangle his party and march them off during a prolonged spell of cheering.
In the afternoon the Regimental band arrived and provided us with an excellent concert in the large theatre in the centre of the town. The theatre was crammed full with civilians and military, the 52nd sending a large number of officers and men. We had been a little apprehensive about filling a place of this size with troops in view of the danger of enemy shelling, which was still active, but apart from rather a lot of external noises and explosions, caused chiefly by our own anti-aircraft replying to the Boche, no untoward incident occurred.

​On this day 13th July
 
1857 – 52nd – INDIAN MUTINY
Actively engaged with mutineers.
 
1944 – 1st Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – (NORMANDY)
On the 13th July the second-in-command, Major J. W. Nicol, was ordered to assume command of the 7th Somerset Light Infantry.
Major N. J. Callingham became second-in-command and Captain W. R. B. Hazell took over C Company.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
One of last night's patrols under Lt Scott attempted to find a gap in the enemy's fwd posns and recce the ground behind them, but it was found that there was only about 20 yds between the enemy posts and it was not possible to get through without being observed. 
The day on the whole has been a quiet one though there has been the odd exchange of mortar and arty fire and 'C' Coy suffered one casualty.

​On this day 12th July
 
1857 - 52nd – INDIAN MUTINY
Engaged mutineers at Trimmoo Ghaut.
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
1400 - Detachment 384 Fd Coy. R.E. completed footbridge from KOSLOVO to C.R.A's landing.
 
1919 – 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI - PARIS VICTORY PARADE.
Practised Parade with Colours (cased) prior to Victory March.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
Last night's patrols reported no change in the enemy's disposns on our front. 
At 0655 this morning two of four ME 109s were shot down over our area while carrying out a low level machine gun attack. 
'C' Coy harassing the fwd enemy posns with 2" Mortar PIAT and Bren fire. 
'D' Coy snipers killed two of the enemy at 16.00 and 19.30 hrs.
 
1971 – 1st Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets – NORTHERN IRELAND.
Remembering today - Rfn D WALKER
“Attacks against the Security Forces continued and on the evening of 12th July Rfn Walker was shot in the chest by an I.R.A sniper whilst leaving an O.P. overlooking the Lower Falls. Sadly he died later in hospital, our second fatality.”

​On this day 11th July
 
1857 - 52nd – INDIAN MUTINY
Marched 42 miles in 20 hours to intercept the Sealkote mutineers, weather very hot.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
Last night patrols did more good work in pinpointing enemy posns on our front. 
Enemy mortaring and shelling has been on a slight scale to-day and we only suffered one casualty. 
The ½ issue of bread since the start of the campaign; it was only enough for 2oz per man but it is hoped that the ration will be increased to 4oz to-morrow.

​On this day 10th July
 
1810 – Light Division - Ciudad Rodrigo capitulated. PENINSULA WAR
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
1200 - Bolo shelled SUMMER HOUSE & SCOTS HILL. Our guns replied.
1600 - Patrol of “D” Coy. (Lt. A.B. Denham & 30 O.R’s) went out on left bank to locate Bolos position.
Patrol passed over the trenches of Bolos old forward line, which were found to be dismantled, and proceeded on IGNATOVSKAYA Road.
About 200 yards beyond these trenches, patrol came under M.G. & rifle fire from the east of the road and withdrew. One other rank wounded.
Information obtained: - Bolo has left his old advanced position, and is now holding his second (or new) advanced line with an advanced M.G. post 200 yards in front of it.
 
1919 – 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI - PARIS VICTORY PARADE.
Arrived Paris, and encamped at Bagatelle, in the Bois de Boulogne.
 
1944 – 1st Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – (NORMANDY)
On the 10th July the Regiment took over from the 1st East Lancashire Regiment and the brigade positions were reorgan­ized.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
Our recce patrols last night were very successful in pinpointing the enemy disposns. 
At 16.30 this afternoon the 12th Para Bn put a small attack about a mile to our SOUTH with very strong arty sp. 
The enemy reactions were [active?] and part of his DF fire came down in the Regt's area causing us three casualties.
 
1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion - NORMANDY
On the 10th July No. 6 Beach Group was dissolved officially.
It had, in fact, disintegrated before this date, as its components had passed one by one to the command of higher formations.
For the first time since the 5th April, 1943, Battalion headquar­ters was left with only the Battalion to command—a strange sensation.
As the staff captain was without a group to administer Captain J. D. Bicknell was ordered to join headquarters, No. 101 Beach Sub-Area, which had formed a staff to move into Caen as soon as the town fell. He left the Battalion, with which he had served uninterruptedly since the 27th September, 1940, on the afternoon of the 10th July, 1944.
 
1956 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI (43rd & 52nd) -The Regiment arrived at Brentwood at 11.30 hrs and moved to Warley Barracks
 
1968 – The Light Division (an administrative formation) was formed composed of The Light Infantry and the Royal Green Jackets.
The Light Division
On 18th July 1967 the Minister of Defence announced in Parliament the new administrative organization of the Infantry of the regular Army.
By July 1969 the formation of a number of new Divisions, incorporating the existing Brigades and Regiments, will be completed. The Divisions will be known as the Scottish, Queens, Kings, Prince of Wales and the Light Divisions. The Light Division will consist, initially, of the two Large Regiments - The Royal Green Jackets and the Light Infantry (the latter are in the process of forming a Large Regiment).
The Headquarters of the Light Division is already in operation at Winchester and for the present both the Rifle Depot and the Light Infantry Depot, Shrews­bury, will continue to function.
The following appointments to Headquarters The Light Division have been made:
Colonel Commandant: Lieut.-General Sir Antony Read. K.C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. Divisional Brigadier: Brigadier J. R. Burgess, M.B.E. (late Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry).
G.S.O.II: Major C. St. C. Simmons, Royal Green Jackets.
All members of the 43rd and 52nd will be delighted at General Read's appoint­ment as the first Colonel Commandant The Light Division and will wish to offer him their sincere congratulations. He joined the Regiment in 1934 and during his meteoric career lo the highest ranks was Commanding Officer from 1955 to 1957.
His first directive as Colonel Commandant is given herewith:
 
From: Lieut.-General Sir Antony Read, K.C.B.,C.B.E..D.S.O.,M.C.,
Colonel Commandant the Light Division:
You will know that I have been appointed Colonel Commandant of the Light Division.
This is a great honour for me, and I am more than proud to have been selected for this task. But it is a task which I approach with great humility, as I feel that no less a person than Sir John Moore will be watching over my shoulder, to ensure that his Division is up to the standard he would like. None of us, in the Light Infantry or the Royal Green Jackets, have any doubt at all what that standard is.
The late General Fuller, himself a Light Infantryman of no mean merit, summarizing John Moore's achievements, wrote:
First he looked ahead; he was not contented with the present; he rebelled against the hierarchy; he saw that tactics were bending towards looser formations, and that these demanded intelligence and not merely drill.
Secondly, he realised that the private soldier was the measure of his officer's worth, and so on, though a man of high feeling, because duty to his country demanded it, he did not hesitate to eliminate inefficient officers from the regiments he controlled.
Thirdly, he instructed the good, he taught them how to teach their men, how to care for them, and how to win their loyalty and respect.
Fourthly, he set so high an example to his soldiers, physically and morally, that he awakened within them not only a pride in him as a leader but the pride of each one of them in themselves as the followers of such a man.
His discipline was based on respect, not on fear, and it was fed on efficiency, not on tradition. And the result—the esorit de corps of Shorncliffe.
These must be our principles, and his inspiration surely is still with us, to guide us all in the task ahead. I have no doubt at all that, in certain circles in Whitehall in 1803, certain people complained about Moore, and thought his new-fangled ideas spelt ruin and disaster for the British Infantry. How wrong these people were is a matter of history, particularly the histories of all our Regiments. He thought very straight, and it is up to all of us to think as clearly and straightly as he did.
Changes there will be. That is certain, and we must ensure that they are changes for the better. We cannot stand still. Regimental life is like riding a bicycle; if you stand still you fall off. It is up to us now to move forward, leading the British Infantry as we always have done, to evolve an organisation and a system that will bring us up to, and keep us at, a standard that Sir John Moore would approve.
All of us, instinctively, resist change in our regimental affairs. But I hope you will all think hard and critically about the future, and ensure that any resistance is based on well thought out principles, and not merely on senti­ment. In the future, our standards of character, efficiency, discipline, forward thought, adaptability and modern leadership are what really matter.
I know many people have difficulty in imagining what will happen about inter-posting in the future. First, let me make it clear that there will be no widespread interchange of individuals either between Battalions or Regiments simply in order to "scramble the egg". We shall work as the Light Division, initially composed of two Large Regiments. Within that framework, I shall base my policy on the following principles:
a. The battalion is the entity that matters. It must keep its individual pride, and it will be "home" to members.
b. Such inter-posting as does take place will be because it is specifically in the interests of the Light Division as a whole, or in those of the individual concerned.
c. 'Buggins Turn' will not apply in the Light Division.  Appointments will be on merit, regiment or battalion of origin being of secondary im­portance.
Our Divisional Headquarters is now beginning to assemble at Winchester. From the second half of this year it will gradually take over the responsibilities of Headquarters The Light Infantry Brigade and Regimental Headquarters The Royal Green Jackets.
I am sure that the Light Division 1968 is going to take its place in history alongside that other Light Division of immortal memory. I look forward, with confidence, to your help and support in bringing this about.
Antony Read.

​On this day 9th July
 
1803 - 52nd - joined Sir john Moore's Brigade at Shorncliffe camp.
 
1857 – 52nd – INDIAN MUTINY
Mutiny of native troops at Sealkote – the 52nd had left this station on 20th May to join the Punjab Field Force and all its property at Sealkote was now looted or destroyed.
 
1919 – 2nd Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI - PARIS VICTORY PARADE.
Colour Party composed as under left the Depot for Paris :--
Lieut. (A/Captain) C. R. Horley, M.C.
Lieut. E. K. Blyth.
R.-S.-M. F. Clare, D.C.M.
R.-Q.-M.-S. A. Beare.
C.-S.-M. E. J. Smith, D.C.M., M.M.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
Another quiet day. 
Our recce patrols last night confirmed further of enemy posns on our front. 
The mortars ranged on their D.F. tasks and carried a certain amount of counter-mortar fire.  One of 'D' Coy snipers claims to have hit one of the enemy.
 
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).PENINSULA WAR
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
0430 - Machine Gun at River Post dispersed party of Bolos working near Tin Hut.
1600 - A raft floated down the river and was picked up by “A” Coy at NIJNI KITSA.
On the raft a red flag: a saw, chopper and rake – meant to represent the “Peaceful Peasant” (the Bolos) – and two dummies meant to represent 1. A white guard 2. Colonel Prince Kurousi.
A letter explained the various articles.
1800 - Our guns registered.
2000 - Capt. Watson (Intelligence Vaga Column) moved to SELTSO from Ust VAGA.
Capt. G. Naylor awarded the Military Cross.
 
1944 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI :-Operation Sally- LE HAUT DU BOSQ. (NORMANDY)
On the 8th July a more ambitious patrol was planned, known as Operation "Sally." A Company, under Major G. D. Jephson, M.C., moved forward during the night to occupy an orchard (903649) and to use it as a base for dawn operations against the enemy when they moved into their daylight forward positions.
At dawn the patrol moved up the railway line in search of the enemy. Contact was gained immediately and heavy enemy mortar fire caused casualties, Lieutenant H. C. Green being killed and Major Jephson wounded. The company was with­drawn, but several wounded had to be left in the orchard. During the night Lieutenant J. K. Mulcair (Canadian Infantry Corps, posted to the Regiment) led a patrol from B Company and recovered one of the wounded.
On the same night the 1st Highland Light Infantry relieved the Regiment, which moved back into brigade reserve.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – CHATEAU ST COME. (NORMANDY)
Our patrol activity last night was on a small scale but useful infm was gained concerning some of the enemy disposns on our front as indicated by 12 DEVON. 
To-day has been a quiet one - though "A" Coy suffered a few casualties from enemy arty and mortar fire. 
Coys have spent the day making any necessary adjustments in their layout and in generally strengthening our posns. 
Our snipers have been getting to know the lie of the land but their fd of operations is somewhat cramped as the enemy posns are within 250 yds of our most fwd posns.
 
1944 - 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion - NORMANDY
The patient vigil of the Battalion snipers was at last rewarded on the 8th July, when first a German officer and later a soldier were knocked off from the Point du Siege at a range of 600 yards.

​On this day 7th July
 
1815 - 52nd - entered Paris with 71st and 95th - the only British troops who entered the city - camped in the Champs Elysces.
 
1858 - 43rd - Indian Mutiny
Completed a march of 1,300 miles through Central India.
 
1919 –1st Bn, OXF & BUCKS LI – NORTH RUSSIA.
SELTSO.
Our guns fired a few salvos on Tin Hut Area, Bolo forward position, Left Bank, in the hope of catching the Bolos at work.
 
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – BREVILLE. (NORMANDY)
At 14.00 hrs to-day the Regt handed over the defence of BREVILLE to No.4 Commando not without some feeling of regret as we had made ourselves very comfortable and had just begun to dominate effectively with our patrols and snipers "No Mans Land". 
After handing over we moved about ½ mile southwards and took over from our right hand neighbours the 12 DEVON in defence of the CHATEAU DE ST COME for the second time.  The 12 DEVON had held this position for 17 days and were due for a few days rest in Bde res. 
The 1 RUR had taken over the area of the LE MESNIL X rds 140728 yesterday and are now our right hand neighbours. 
The take over was carried out without incident and all sub-units were in posn by 1700 hrs.