Blog Archives - LIGHTBOBS

On this day 31st August

31/8/2015

On this day 31st August

1782 – Orders issued connecting the 52nd with the county of Oxfordshire and the 43rd with Monmouthshire.

1813 - Storming of San Sebastian.

1914 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI- Retreat from Mons

1915 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.
In Brigade Reserve.
Usual drills and training carried out.

1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Shelling Intermittent all day.
11/ R WARWICKS attached platoons change over.

1944 – 2nd (AB) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Normandy:-
Orders for the return to England and Bulford were received and on the next day we set off— marching to start with, as the troop-carrying transport failed to materialize. The night of the 1st September was spent at a transit camp at Ryes and on the following day we embarked from the Mulberry harbour for home with thoughts of leave in our minds.
During the advance to the River Seine the Regiment suffered the following casualties:
Killed: 1 officer and 5 soldiers. Wounded: 42 soldiers.

On this day 30th August

30/8/2015

On this day 30th August

1812 - The Light Division engaged at the passage of the Bidassoa.

1914 – Retreat from Mons – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI-

1915 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.
In Brigade Reserve.
Usual drills and training carried out.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Shelling at Intervals all day.
11 R WARWICK in trenches as complete platoons.

On this day 29th August

29/8/2015

On this day 29th August

1808 - 52nd on outpost duty near Torres Vedras (Portugal).

1914 – Retreat from Mons – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI-

1915 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.
In Brigade Reserve.
Usual drills and training carried out.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Quiet Day.
A & C Coys Relieved Platoons of 11 R WARWICKS in trenches and in forward Reserve
D & B Coys at 7.30pm. change round.
Reinforcement 1 Cpl & 16 Ptes arrive.

On this day 28th August

28/8/2015

On this day 28th August

1857 - 52nd at Delhi.

1914 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Retreat from Mons

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -TO BILLETS IN BETHUNE.
The regiment was relieved in the afternoon by the 2/Royal Scots Fusiliers (21st Brigade) and moved to billets in the RUE DU TIR area.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Quiet Day.
A Coy 11/R WARWICKS attached to B & C Coys.
Coy HQ & 2 Platoons to B
2 Platoons to C
Coy HQ & 2 Platoons D Coy 11/R WARWICKS to D & A Coys
Coy HQ & 1 Platoon to D
1 Platoon to A

On this day 27th August

27/8/2015

On this day 27th August:-

1776 - Engagement at Brook Lyne, long Island (America).

1914 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - Retreat from Mons

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -IN TRENCHES AT GIVENCHY.
Shortly after midnight “the enemy made a determined bomb attack on the Northern Craters at the SUNKEN ROAD but were repulsed after considerable bombing on our side”. The enemy approached very close at one time with the result that several of their bombs fell in our trenches causing casualties. The enemy gained no ground anywhere. The night of the 27th passed quietly, though every night there was a considerable amount of firing from the trench Mortars on both sides and some shelling by our artillery. The days were quite quiet. This was practically the first experience the Regiment’s Grenadiers have had and they acquitted themselves well especially No 10290 LCpl WATKINS of C Company.
Casualties: Killed 7. Wounded 13.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Quiet Day.
Bn HQ 1 1/2 Coys 11/R WARWICKS arrived 8.15pm. for attachment for instruction.
A Coy out of trenches
B Coy & D Coy extended to their Right.
D Coy Trenches BARAT – MURAT
B Coy Trenches SEGUR – BATAILLE

1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion (Normandy):-
At 1000 hrs on the 27th August the last draft departed.

The last parade of the Battalion, which was formed after the losses at Dunkirk, took place in a field adjoining the orchard at Plumetot, in which Battalion headquarters had been established.

Complete disbandment was the fate of many good battalions at this time in face of the urgent need for reinforcements and the Battalion was fortunate in being left a cadre from which a new battalion could be built. Moreover, the men who were about to leave were to join a famous division with the promise that they would be employed in the roles for which they had been trained. Many were the reports received during the coming months showing that the 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion was respected in the Highland division.

On this day 26th August

26/8/2015

On this day 26th August

1807 - 43rd and 52nd engaged at Kioge, Denmark.

1891 - General G. Whichcote, the last 52nd survivor of the Peninsular War and Waterloo, died, aged 97 years.

1914– 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Retreat from Mons

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -IN TRENCHES AT GIVENCHY.
The night of the 26th was quiet.
28th Reinforcement of 40 Other Ranks arrived

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Quiet Day.
A Coy took over trenches MORAN, GUDIN, JENA and 1/2 BATAILLE from 4/R BERKS

1944 – 2nd (AB) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Normandy:-
At first light on the 26th August the 52nd moved forward to what proved to be its final objective. This was the village of Foulbec, which is on the River Risle and just short of the River Seine itself.

1947 - Information Received that the Colonel of the Regiment has laid down that Bronze gorget buttons will replace the present polished buttons worn on battledress by Officers and warrant Officers.

On this day 25th August

25/8/2015

On this day 25th August:-

1914. - 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI:- Retreat from Mons

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -IN TRENCHES AT GIVENCHY.
In the early morning of 25th the enemy blew up a small mine at the sap head of the most Northern Crater. 3 of our men were interned in the debris, but the enemy gained no ground whatever.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Quiet Day.
B & D Coys relieved C & A Coys in Trenches 7.30pm.
Brigade MGs demonstration 11pm-12 Midnight.

1918 - 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - Capture of Behagnies and Sapignies villages.

On this day 24th August

24/8/2015

On this day 24th August

1914 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - Retreat from Mons commenced;

1914 - 5th (Service) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI formed at Deepcut (Aldershot).

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -TO TRENCHES AT GIVENCHY.
In the morning relieved the 1/Queens Regt in B.2. Section. Quiet day but the enemy made a rather persistent bomb attack between 8 & 9pm against Northern Craters.
2nd Lieut L A VIDAL from attached to 2/DCLI joined for duty.
Casualties: Killed 3. Wounded 4.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Quiet Day.

1916 - 5th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - present at capture of Delville Wood (Somme).

1944 – 2nd (AB) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Normandy:-
The 52nd was ordered forward to cross the river at Touques and D Company moved to the high ground overlooking the river. The 52nd received a particularly warm welcome in Touques.

On this day 23rd August

23/8/2015

On this day 23rd August

1793 - 52nd present at the capture of Pondicherry (India).

1914 - Battle of Mons; 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI present.

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -IN BILLETS AT LE QUESNOY.
Practically the whole period was given up to Company Interior Economy and resting.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Shelling on both sides all day. Little rifle fire.

1918 - Battle of Albert; 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI present.

On this day 22nd August

22/8/2015

On this day 22nd August

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -IN BILLETS AT LE QUESNOY.
Practically the whole period was given up to Company Interior Economy and resting.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Intermittent shelling all day.
CAPT REID with patrol of 16 reconnoitred enemy’s wire in front of Left Coy.

1917 – 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI and 2/1st Bucks Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI heavily engaged in fighting before Ypres (Third Ypres).

On this day 21st August

21/8/2015

On this day 21st August

1808 - Battle of Vimiera (Peninsula)

1915 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -IN BILLETS AT LE QUESNOY.

Practically the whole period (including Sunday) was given up to Company Interior Economy and resting, as the previous 5 days were a hard period for all ranks.

2nd Lieut A E S RIDDLE from (attached) 2/East Lancs Regt joined for duty.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – SAILLY

Working Parties on Communication Trench LARREY.

Took over Trenches from 5/GLOSTERS at 9pm.

C & A Coy in Trenches.

B & D Coys in Support.

1944 – 2nd (AB) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Normandy:-

Start of the Advance to the River Seine.(Operation Paddle)

On this day 20th August

20/8/2015

On this day 20th August

1884 - 52nd arrived at Gibraltar on its 3rd visit.

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

In the afternoon the Regiment was relieved by the 1/Queens Regt and moved back into billets.

2nd Lieut V V JACOB joined for duty.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – SAILLY

Working Parties on Communication Trench LARREY

1956 - 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI arrived in Cyprus.

On this day 19th August

19/8/2015

On this day 19th August

1808 - 2nd Bn.43rd and 2nd Bn. 52nd landed in Portugal.

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

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – SAILLY

Working Parties on Communication Trench LARREY

On this day 18th August

18/8/2015

On this day 18th August

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

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – SAILLY

Working Parties on Communication Trench LARREY also on bundle making at AUTHIE

1916 - 7th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI at capture of Horseshoe Hill (Macedonia),

1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion (Normandy):-

The drafting process continued on the 18th with drafts for the lst/4th King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and the 5th Seaforth Highlanders from B and C Companies.

On this day 17th August

17/8/2015

On this day 17th August

1790 - 52nd took part in the siege of Dindigul (India).

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

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – SAILLY

Working Parties on Communication Trench LARREY also on bundle making at AUTHIE

On this day 16th August

16/8/2015

On this day 16th August

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

B.2. Section extends from THE SHRINE on Right to the low ground in continuation of SCOTTISH TRENCH on Left:

2 companies are in Front Line,

1 company in Support (less 1 platoon in HERTS REDOUBT)

Head Quarters and 1 company in houses at WINDY CORNER.

In front of the Right company there are 2 distinct groups of Mine craters, some made by us and some by the enemy.

3 saps lead up to and occupy the lip on our side in the Southern Group, 4 saps the Northern Group. A great number (average 200) of hand grenades were thrown every night, but the enemy reply in very small quantities. Trench Mortars are fired with equal and constant frequency by both sides.

Our artillery were fairly active by day and night, but the enemy troubled us little in this respect.

Casualties: 2 men Wounded.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – SAILLY

Working Parties on Communication Trench LARREY

1917 - Battle of Langemarck (Third Ypres)- 1/4th Bn, 1/1st Bucks, and 6th Bns Oxf & Bucks LI actively engaged; 5th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI also present.

1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion (Normandy):-

The draft went off in high spirits in transport supplied once again by the 51st Division, quite unperturbed by the drenching they had received the previous night. Although watching one's own battalion being drafted away can never be a pleasant sight, it was most heartening to see the excellent spirits and bearing of the men—now, alas, stripped of the familiar red and black chevrons and badges. The 51st Division were undoubtedly receiving a first-class reinforcement.

On this day 15th August

15/8/2015

On this day 15th August

1884 - 52nd left Ireland for Gibraltar.

1915 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -INTO TRENCHES AT GIVENCHY.
In the afternoon the Regiment relieved the 1st Bn Irish Guards (4th Guards Brigade) in B.2. Section at GIVENCHY.
2nd Lieut L J GOODWYN (from 2\KOYLI attd) Joined for duty.
Casualties: 2 men Wounded.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – SAILLY
Sunday
Rest

1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion (Normandy):-

By 1800 hrs the whole Battalion had been transported to the new position, which was actually just outside Cresserons in a small village called Plumetot, which had figured in the original first key plan of the beach maintenance area.

Just before the headquarters were closed down at Ouistreham a telephone call was received from I Corps saying we were expected to provide a further draft of eight officers and one hundred other ranks for the 1st Black Watch by 1900 hrs. that night. Without soliciting anyone’s advice the adjutant stated that it could not be done, as the Battalion was on the move, but guaranteed to have the draft ready by 1100 hrs. the following day, the 16th August. This was agreed.

1963 – 1st Green Jackets 43rd & 52nd – Disembarked to Sarawak & Brunei.(2nd tour)

On this day 14th August

14/8/2015

On this day 14th August

1914 - 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI disembarked at Boulogne.

1915 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.

The Brigade is in Corps Reserve in this neighbourhood.

Route Marching, Musketry, Company Drills and Physical Training carried out during this period.

2nd Lieut K PEPLOE joined for duty.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – SAILLY

Rest

On this day 13th August

13/8/2015

On this day 13th August

1762 - 43rd at the capture of Havannah.

1915 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.
The Brigade is in Corps Reserve in this neighbourhood.
Route Marching, Musketry, Company Drills and Physical Training carried out during this period.

12 months after leaving England according to Company Returns there are now serving here of those who then embarked:-
Officers = 7 (of whom 2 have served continuously)
Warrant Officers Class 1 & 2 = 3 (of whom 1 have served continuously)
Serjeants = 27 (of whom 12 have served continuously)
Buglers = 4 (of whom 2 have served continuously)
Rank & File = 228 (of whom 133 have served continuously including 2 RAMC)

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Quiet Day.
Battalion relieved by 1/5 GLOUCESTERS and moved to billets in SAILLY (9pm)

On this day 12th August

12/8/2015

On this day 12th August

1847 - 52nd landed at Portsmouth after 11 years foreign service.

1915 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.
The Brigade is in Corps Reserve

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Quiet Day.
Very Little shelling.

On this day 11th August

11/8/2015

On this day 11th August

1804 - William Napier joined the 43rd as Captain, from 52nd.

1915 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.
The Brigade is in Corps Reserve in this neighbourhood.
Route Marching, Musketry, Company Drills and Physical Training carried out during this period.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Quiet Day.

On this day 10th August

10/8/2015

On this day 10th August

1804 - 2nd Bn, 43rd raised.

1915 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.
The Brigade is in Corps Reserve in this neighbourhood.
Route Marching, Musketry, Company Drills and Physical Training carried out during this period.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Quiet Day.

1956 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI (43rd & 52nd)
The Regiment sailed from Southampton in H.M.T. Dilwara bound for Cyprus in company with the Suffolk Regiment.

On this day 9th August

9/8/2015

On this day 9th August

1817 - 43rd (in brigade with 7th and 23rd) reviewed by the Duke of Wellington at Valencienes; strength, 785 of all ranks.

1915 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.
The Brigade is in Corps Reserve in this neighbourhood.
Route Marching, Musketry, Company Drills and Physical Training carried out during this period.
2nd Lieut KITE proceeded to take over charge of the Brigade School of Instruction in the use of bombs.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE
Quiet Day.
A & C Coys relieved by D & B Coys respectively.

1942 – 6th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - arrived in Bombay.

On this day 8th August

8/8/2015

On this day 8th August

1914 - 3rd (Special Reserve) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - mobilized at Cowley Barracks and proceeded to Portsmouth.

1915 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI -BETHUNE.

The Brigade is in Corps Reserve in this neighbourhood.

Route Marching, Musketry, Company Drills and Physical Training carried out during this period.

The arrangements for proper baths are not now so good now as in the early months of the year. Only about 350 men can now be washed in one day in place of 1,000. The public bathing place is however frequently placed at the disposal of the Regiment.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE

Quiet Day.

CAPT REID took out Patrol to reconnoitre a hedge reported to be being entrenched by enemy and found no sign of any works.

On this day 7th August

7/8/2015

On this day 7th August

1798 - 52nd after 15 years in India arrived at Chatham; strength 18 Officers, and 166 rank and file.

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

At midday the Regiment on relief by 1\Royal Berks Regt (6th Brigade) moved to billets in the cemetery area BETHUNE.

1915– 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HEBUTERNE

Quiet day except for occasional shelling.

Patrol C Coy under CAPT BACKHOUSE found 2 dead Germans & recovered rifles, caps & sundry other trophies. – Latter sent on to Brigade.