Blog Archives - LIGHTBOBS

On this day 31st October

31/10/2016

On this day 31st OCTOBER

1818 – 43rd – reached Calais on route to England.

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI –MAILLY MAILLET
Fine, sun and drying wind.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – LA HOUSSOYE
The Battn marched by Platoons to MILLENCOURT and took over No.2 Camp.

1916 – 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – To MILLENCOURT.

On this day 30th October

30/10/2016

On this day 30th OCTOBER

1812 – Light Division – fell back on Madrid and the Retiro was blown up.

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI –MAILLY MAILLET
In Billets.
The 5th Brigade was relieved by the 99th Infantry Brigade.
The Regiment remaining in the same billets.
Very wet day.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – LA HOUSSOYE
Battn in Billets.
Company Training.

On this day 29th October

29/10/2016

On this day 29th OCTOBER

1808 – 43rd - 1st Bn. 43rd landed at Corunna.

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI –MAILLY MAILLET
In Billets.
Captain J. McTurk R.A.M.C. relieved Captain Cassidy as Medical Officer.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – LA HOUSSOYE
Battn in Billets.
Church Services.
Interior Economy.
2LT BORE & 50 OR march to MILLENCOURT to take over the camp there.

1943 - 7th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI engaged In the Battle of Tranzi (29/30 October) (North Africa)

On this day 28th October

28/10/2016

On this day 28th OCTOBER

1776 - 43rd. and 52nd - engaged at White Plains (America).

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI –MAILLY MAILLET
In Billets. Bathing, inspections, etc.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – LA HOUSSOYE
Battn in Billets.
Companies occupied in Physical Drill, Bayonet Fighting & Interior Economy.

On this day 27th October

27/10/2016

On this day 27th OCTOBER

1779 - 43rd - joined Sir Henry Clintons Army at New York

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI –REDAN SECTOR
The Regiment was relieved by the 17th Royal Fusiliers and moved to Mailly Maillet.
Captain K. W. Mackenzie, M.C. R.A.M.C. to perform duties of D.A.D.M.S. 2nd Division, being relieved as Medical Officer by Captain D. S. Cassidy R.A.M.C.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – LA HOUSSOYE
Battn in Billets.
Companies occupied in Physical Drill, Bayonet Fighting & Interior Economy.

1964 – 1st Green Jackets, (43rd & 52nd) – Arrived back at Penang after operational service in Borneo.

On this day 26th October

26/10/2016

On this day 26th OCTOBER

1818 – The Army of Occupation in France broke up

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – REDAN SECTOR
Wet and moderately quiet.
Two parties, each of an officer and 14 others, went out in front of the Redan at 7,45 p.m., with a view to trying to get through two gaps in the enemy's wire, and taking prisoner a sentry in order to get an identification.
Owing to imperfect knowledge of the ground (they were only shown it the night before) both parties failed to find gaps, and returned with several men wounded (slight).
Casualties during the day.—5 men killed.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – LA HOUSSOYE
Battn in Billets.
Companies engaged in Physical, Drill, Bayonet Fighting.
The CO, Adjutant & Coy Commanders rode to FRICOURT & CONTALMAISON to inspect Roads.

1941 - 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - The brigade commander (Brigadier Smyth), who had been appointed to command a brigade overseas, came to say good-bye to the Regiment. He spoke to all officers and non-commissioned officers and told them that the brigade had been chosen for conversion to an airlanding brigade in an airborne division. This division was to be commanded by Major-General F. A. M. Browning and the airlanding brigade by Brigadier G. F. Hopkinson, who had raised and commanded the G.H.Q. Reconnaissance Unit (Phantom).

1944 - The 1st Bucks Battalion moved to BRUSSELS
Here they remained until March 1945 when the battalion became one of the ' T ' Force Units of 21 Army Group.

On this day 25th October

25/10/2016

On this day 25th OCTOBER

1415 – Battle of Agincourt.

1793 - 43rd - (1,100) strong left England for the West Indies

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – To Trenches REDAN SECTOR
To trenches. Redan Section in Relief of 24th Royal Fusiliers (Left Sub Sector).
2/H.L.L. (Right Sub Sector).

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – LA HOUSSOYE
Battn in Billets.
Companies engaged in Physical, Drill, Bayonet Fighting& Interior Economy

On this day 24th October

24/10/2016

On this day 24th OCTOBER

1842 – 52nd – 24 Serjeants Percussion Fusils were received from England by the 52nd at Frederickton, New Brunswick.

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – MAILLY MAILLET
In Billets

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – TALMAS
Battn in Billets.
At 7.40am the Battn moved from TALMAS & was the leading Battn in the Brigade line of march.
It rained intermittently all day.
The 1 BUCKS BN & 1/4 OXFORD & BUCKS LI marched to Billets at LA HOUSSOYE, the rest of the Brigade staying at BEHINCOURT.
Route via RUBIEMPRE, MOLLIENS AU BOIS, MONTIGNY & BEHINCOURT.
Distance 12 Miles.

1916 – 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – To LAHOUSSOYE.

On this day 23rd October

23/10/2016

On this day 23rd OCTOBER

1818 - 43rd, 52nd, - and other Regiments of the Army of Occupation, reviewed at Valenciennes by the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia.

1869 – 43rd – Moved from Curragh to Dublin.

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – MAILLY MAILLET
In Billets

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – BEAUVAL
Battn in Billets.
At 2.30pm the 145th INF BDE marched to Billets at TALMAS.
Distance 5 1/2 Miles.

1916 – 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – To TALMAS.

1918 - 2nd Oxf & Bucks LI and 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - Battle of the SELLE: engaged not far from Valencienes”

On this day 22nd October

22/10/2016

On this day 22nd OCTOBER

1812 - The Light Division - reached Vicalbaro

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – ARQUEVES to MAILLY MAILLET
To billets in Mailly Maillet, in relief of the 17th R. Fusiliers (to trenches).

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – WARLUZEL
Battn in Billets.
At 9.30am the Battn marched to HUMBERCOURT where it joined the 145 INF BDE & marched via DOULLENS to Billets at BEAUVAL. Distance 12 Miles.

1916 – 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – To BEAUVAL.

1944 - 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI (43rd) - Engaged in Attack on S’HERTOGENBOSCH (Holland)

1951 - 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI (43rd & 52nd) - The Regiment disembarked and moved into 156 Transit Camp, Port Said.

On this day 21st October

21/10/2016

On this day 21st OCTOBER

1812 – Light Division – made a movement to its left in consequence of the united forces of Soult and Joseph Bounaparte being in full march from Albacote upon Madrid.(Peninsula).

1914 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - Battle of LANGEMARCK.(First Battle of YPRES).
At Langemarck on October 21st, the 52nd was on the left of the attacking line which made any progress, and, in spite of severe enfilade fire and heavy casualties, made an advance of some depth, and for forty-eight hours held the position against counter-attacks. Steady rifle and machine-gun fire, and careful use of ammunition, accounted in one night for over seven hundred Germans, found dead in front of the trenches next morning.
5 Officers and 61 men killed. 5 Officers and 143 men Wounded. 3 Men Missing.
Total Casualties = 217.

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – ARQUEVES.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – WARLUZEL
Battn in Billets.
Company Training.

1951 - 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI (43rd & 52nd) - The Empress of Australia sailed for Port Said.

On this day 20th October

20/10/2016

On this day 20th OCTOBER

1817 - 52nd - as part of the Army of Occupation in France, arrived at Therouanne and went into cantonments

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – ARQUEVES.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – WARLUZEL
Battn in Billets. –
Company Training.

1951 - 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI (43rd & 52nd) - The Regiment embarked in H.M. Troopship Empress of Australia for Egypt. Strength all ranks 485.

October 19th, 2016

19/10/2016

On this day 19th OCTOBER

1881 – 52nd – moved from Chatham via Portsmouth to Ireland.

1887 – 43rd – The old Colours of the 43rd deposited in Monmouth Parish Church.

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – ARQUEVES.
2nd Lieutenant A. 0. W. Webster-Jones joined for duty, and was posted to A Company.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – WARLENCOURT
Battn in Huts. –
At 2pm the Battn marched via COUTURELLE & COULLEMONT to billets at WARLUZEL. 1/4 OXFORD & BUCKS LI & 145th INF BDE HQ there.

1916 – 6th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – To VIGNACOURT.

On this day 18th October

18/10/2016

On this day 18th OCTOBER

1776 - 52nd - engaged at Pell's Point (America).

1791 – 52nd – took part in the storming of Nundydroog (India).

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – ARQUEVES.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – WARLENCOURT
Battn in Huts. –
Company Training. In afternoon the Commanding Officer & Company Commanders attended a Staff Ride held by G.O.C. 48th Division.

1916 – 6th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – To billets at CARDONETTE.

On this day 17th October

17/10/2016

On this day 17th OCTOBER

1811 - 52nd - marched from Robledo to Zamara, preparatory to the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo.(PENINSULA)

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – LEALVILLERS to ARQUEVES
The Regiment marched independently to billets in Arqueves.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – WARLENCOURT
Battn in Huts. –
Company Training.

1916 – 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Move to WARLUSEL.

On this day 16th October

16/10/2016

On this day 16th OCTOBER

1859 – 43rd – with Nagoda Force in pursuit of rebels (Central India).

1908 - The title of the Regiment changed to The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – LEALVILLERS.
Practice (Divisional) as on the 13th.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – WARLENCOURT
Battn in Huts. –
Company Training.

1955 - 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI (43rd & 52nd) - Commemoration Service Bicentenary of the raising of the 52nd.

On this day 15th October

15/10/2016

On this day 15th OCTOBER

1807 - 43rd - left Copenhagen for England

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – LEALVILLERS.
Quiet day. Church Parade.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – WARLENCOURT
Battn in Huts. –
Church Services in Morning.

1916 – 6th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Marched to DAOURS.

On this day 14th October

14/10/2016

On this day 14th OCTOBER

1066 – Battle of Hastings

1810 – Light Division – occupying a portion of the lines of Torres Vedras.(PENINSULA)

1914 - 8th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI formed at Oxford and proceeded to Codford St' Mary'

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – LEALVILLERS.
Quiet day in camp. Inspection of draft.
63rd Reinforcement 10 other ranks (Signallers) joined for duty.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – WARLENCOURT
Battn in Huts. –
Company Training.

1916 – 7th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Took over Doldzeli Trenches. (SALONIKA)

1955 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI (43rd & 52nd) - Bicentenary Parade in commemoration of the raising of the 52nd Light Infantry. Old Colours of the 52nd trooped.

On this day 13th October

13/10/2016

On this day 13th OCTOBER

1811 - 52nd - marched from Casillas de Flores to Robledo

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – LEALVILLERS.
Divisional practice of the same scheme as yesterday.
62nd Reinforcement. A Draft of 95 Privates conducted by 2nd Lieut. A. O W. Webster-Jones, Oxf & Bucks L Infty (who returned to the Reserve Army School on completion of duty) joined the Regiment on transfer from the 6/Royal Berkshire Regiment. Many of these men were of a group called up in June 1916 and had been officially enlisted for the Royal Field Artillery. Knowledge of drill unsatisfactory: especially handling of arms.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – WARLENCOURT
Battn in Huts. –
Company Training – Bn practises attack on flagged trenches.

On this day 12th October

12/10/2016

On this day 12th OCTOBER

1851 - 43rd - left England for the Kaffir War. (South Africa)

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – LEALVILLERS.
Brigade practice as yesterday.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – WARLENCOURT
Battn in Huts. –
Company Training – Bn practises attack on flagged trenches.

On this day 11th October

11/10/2016

On this day 11th OCTOBER

1838 – 52nd – embarked at Gibraltar for Barbados, West Indies. After a stay of 2 years.
1887 - 1st Bn Oxf LI - New Colours presented to by Lady Aberdare (daughter of Sir W. Napier) at Shorncliffe

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – LEALVILLERS.
61st Reinforcement of 11 other ranks joined for duty.
Another Brigade practice in the morning. Same ground.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – WARLENCOURT
Battn in Huts. –
Company Training & Practice in Wire Cutting.

On this day 10th October

10/10/2016

On this day 10th OCTOBER

1810 – Light Division - At Arriuda (Portugal), the Light Division on piquet work; this went on for 5 weeks, until eventually the French retired into winter quarters.

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – LEALVILLERS.
Lieut. K. Peploe took over command of Letter B Company in place of T/Captain Field, M.C.
Being granted the temporary rank of Captain from this date.
The 60th reinforcement of 7 other ranks joined for duty.
A Brigade conference in the morning, and a Brigade parade for exercise over the taped practice trenches in the afternoon.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – WARLENCOURT
Battn in Huts. –
Company Training resumed.
At 12 noon MAJOR CAMPBELL gave a lecture on Bayonet Fighting.

1916 – 7th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – At Piton des Zouaves (Hill 420).

On this day 9th October

9/10/2016

On this day 9th OCTOBER

1813 - The Light Division engaged close to the Pass of Vera.

1872 – 43rd – On H.M.S Jumma arriving in Malta special leave was granted by the Govenor of Malta to the Serjeants of the 43rd to go on shore and mess with the Serjeants of the 52nd.

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – LEALVILLERS.
Reconnaissance by officers of practice trenches, taped out to the south of ARQUEVES:

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – HENU
Battn Under Cover. –
At 2.15pm the Bn marched via GAUDIEMPIRE to WARLENCOURT & moved into Huts vacated by 1/5 GLOSTERS.

1916 - 6th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - To camp on BRAY – ALBERT Road.

On this day 8th October

8/10/2016

On this day 8th OCTOBER

1863 – 43rd – Left Calcutta (India) for New Zealand War.

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Trenches to LEALVILLERS.
The Regiment was relieved in the afternoon by the 4th Royal Fusiliers (Lieut.-Colonel E. B. North), now belonging to the 3rd Division, and with whom the Regiment was brigaded (5th Infantry Brigade) in 1911-1912 at Aldershot.
To bivouac in LEALVILLERS.
Wet.
T/Captain G. Field, M.C., to hospital, having injured his foot or ankle by a fall in the trenches.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – Trenches at HEBUTERNE
About 7.30am A & C Companies arrived in SOUASTRE.
At 10.15am the Battn marched to HENU to horse standings.

1916 - 6th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - to BERNAFAY WOOD.

1918 - 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - Battle of Cambrai;. in support holding Noyelles sur L'Escaut.

On this day 7th October

7/10/2016

On this day 7th OCTOBER

1748 - 43rd - (originally 54th) re-numbered 43rd.

1777 – 52nd – at the capture of Fort Constitution (America).

1813 – Light Division - Passage of the Bidassoa.

1916 –2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – In Trenches
Quiet. Mainly remarkable for the great number of reconnoitring officers Staff, and of all units and arms who came up during the day.

1916 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – Trenches at HEBUTERNE
Battn in Trenches. –
The 48th Divisional Artillery commenced cutting the wire in front of trench FIRM.
At about 6pm the two front line Companys were relieved by 1/4 GLOSTERS-
A & C Coys remained in HEBUTERNE to supply R.E. Working Parties.
Bn HQ & B & D Coys marched to Huts in SOUASTRE.

1916 - 6th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - engaged Battle of the Transloy (Somme);
Casualties = 13 Officers and 230 men.

1928 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – (India) – Consequent upon the amendment to Infantry Training Vol 1, 1926, dropping the use of the word “Attention” for Light Infantry, a new drill procedure was issued dealing with this subject and provisional to a definite ruling being arrived at in conjunction with the Officers Commanding the 43rd and Depot.