ClickOn this day 5th NOVEMBER
 
1863 – 43rd – en route from India to New Zealand detained in quarantine in Mauritius.
  
1900 - Mounted Infantry Company 1st Bn Oxf LI engaged at Bothaville.(Boer War)
 
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – ST. PYTHON.
It rained continuously all day.
From 0600 hrs the Regiment was at one hours notice until about 1100hrs when notification was received that it would not move that day.
Notification was received that Lt H G Dashwood had been absorbed on to the strength of the Third Army Infantry School.
 
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – MADRANO.
Very fine.
Day spent resting & cleaning up.
2 Lorries containing Greatcoats & cooking pots arrived in Afternoon.
Very pleased to see them.
TRENT about 4 miles, put Out of Bounds to BRITISH Troops!
Ration Strength: 26 Officers 631 OR.  Casualties: 1 OR to hospital –sick.
 
1918 – 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – CALDONAZZO.
Civilians throng to Bn HQ.
Apparently when the Austrians were here had been commandeered & supplies issued to the inhabitants from military stores.
According to one of the civilians they were only allowed in one case, 1lb of flour per day for a family of six.
Arranged to issue them with rations from a supply of vegetables at the station.
Inhabitants flock to Bn. HQ the whole day & two interpreters (men of the Bn.) were kept
very busy.
 
1918 - 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - To BERMERAIN.
The Battalion marches to BERMERAIN.
Very wet weather.
No one fell out on route.
Casualties NIL.
here to edit.

​On this day 4th NOVEMBER
 
1831 - 52nd - Reached Bristol in aid of the civil power.
 
1904 – Coombe Hill Boer War Memorial – Unveiled to the memory of the Men of Buckinghamshire who fell in the South African War 1899-1902.
 
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – ST. PYTHON.
In anticipation of a possible march owing to a big advance taking place the same day, packs, great coats and caps were dumped and also all surplus kit, so that the Regiment might be as mobile as possible.
The Lewis Gun carried were cut down from 36 to 20. Every man carried a blanket, jerkin also one flare.
Companies bathed
From 1300hrs the Regiment was at short notice until 1500hrs when orders received that it would not move that day.
During the morning a reinforcement of about 70 ORs arrived.
The Regiment was told it would move next day.
 
1918 - 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - and l/lst Bucks Bn. ARMISTICE WITH AUSTRIA.
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – CALDONAZZO To MADRANO.
Following Message received from Brigade at 0700hours:-
“Armistice with AUSTRIA-HUNGUARY has been signed 3rd NOV aaa
Armistice will come into effect from 15.00hrs 4th NOV aaa
Moves ordered for 4 NOV will take place but all troops will halt on the line gained at 15.00 hrs exactly aaa.
All Austrians within the line gained this hour will be considered prisoners of war aaa.
AUSTRIANS not within this line will at 15.00hts Retire for a distance of at least 3 kilometres aaa.
The utmost care will be taken to see that these instructions are carried out aaa.
The contents of this wire will be immediately passed to all units who are in touch in case they should NOT receive them by other means – ACKNOWLEDGE”
Battn paraded at 10.00 hrs & marched with remainder of Brigade to MADRANO via PERGINE - march lengthened by some 5 miles owing to wrong road being taken out of CALDONAZZO.
Arrived about 15.00hrs.
No signs seen of enemy, except a few prisoners coming back.
All Villages & Towns very dirty & strewn with enemy equipment & dead horses.
Length of march about 16 miles.
Poor Billets.
Inhabitants friendly & pleased to see us.
Ration Strength: 26 Officers 631 OR 
 
1918 – 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – CALDONAZZO.
09.00 - B Coy took over Austrian prisoners numbering several thousands.
13.30 - This guard relieved by an Italian Coy.
A large ordnance store discovered at the station.
This store contains thousands of pounds worth of ordnance store, equipment, artillery etc.
B Coy detailed to guard the store.
19.50 - D Coy rejoin the Bn.
 
 
1918 - 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - To AVESNES-LEZ-AUBERT.
Company Inspections.
Baths under Battalion arrangements.
Weather fine.
Casualties NIL.

​On this day 3rd NOVEMBER
 
1831 - 52nd - Marched from Southampton to Bristol to suppress the riots there.
 
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – ST. PYTHON.
The morning was spent in bathing.
Major J J Powell, temporarily took over the command of the 17th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, 6th Infantry Brigade.
Captain E J Anderson took over the duties of Second-in-Command and Mess President temporarily.
 
1918 - 1/4th Oxf & Bucks LI and 1/1st Bucks Bn - Armistice with Austria declared. (ITALY)
 
1918 - l/lst Bucks Bn - To CALDANAZZO, taking many prisoners.
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – IN RIGHT BRIGADE RESERVE NR PRIA DEIL ACQUA
Battn paraded at 0400 hours with remainder of Brigade & set out on one of the greatest, most interesting & in many ways the most amusing march it ever did.
Order Brigades – 143 (who had started the previous day)  - 144 – 145.
Route:- VAL D’ ASSA – OST DEL TERMINI – VEZZENA.
Prisoners pouring back along whole route: whole Battalions with their Commanders & White flags - Roads littered with Austrian equipment & Transport.
Abandoned Guns along all roads – greatest hauls of prisoners made at VEZZENA and CALDONAZZO  - at least 20,000 in all –
Great rumours of an Armistice throughout day: some Austrians being most reluctant to lay down their arms on the account as they understood Armistice had already started:
Battn marched very well being kept going largely by the excitement & reached CALDONAZZO at 15.30.
A & B Coys each spent 4 hours of night guarding prisoners.
Length of march about 25 Miles.
Ration Strength: 26 Officers 632 OR.  Casualties: NIL.
 
1918 - l/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - Marched up VAL d’ASSA.
1918 – 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – VALLE DI PORTULE.
04.25 - Bn. paraded in column of route & moved up VAL D'ASSA.
First line transport in rear.
During march up VAL D'ASSA thousands of prisoners met coming back, & two Austrian
General's came by in car flying the white flag.
Rumours of an Armistice having been signed this morning spread, but at 09.50 a message received from Bde that nothing known of it & Division moving on to occupy line PERGINE – LEVICO – TRENTA.
Abandoned material & guns showed haste with which enemy had retired.
09.55 - Halted at VEZZENA & had food.
1100 - Resumed march.
A & C Coy's detached to guard several thousands of prisoners who had surrendered with several Bn staffs & transport.
12.20 - At road junction E of Point 1264 transport directed by road through LAVMRONE to
CALDONAZZA.
Bn HQ & B Coy moved by road just West of Vne SCURO.
Road fairly narrow & blocked in several places by telefonica wires, the enemy having destroyed the telefonica power station, & wrecked several of the standards.
15.30 - SE. of CALDONAZZO a Bn, and a half Austrians encountered.
They understood that an armistice had been signed at 5 am today & were ordered to withdraw without resistance.
Bn Commander & staff taken with us as hostages to CALDONAZZO
Bde decide that they must lay down arms & surrender.
All the Bn & a half put in prisoners cage at CALDONAZZO.
15.50 - Arrived at CALDONAZZO & billeted.
19.50 - Transport arrived after a long journey round.
During these last three days only one man has fallen out on the march.
 
1918 - 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - To BERMERAIN.
The Battalion marched at 1100 hours to AVESNES-LEE-AUBERT route being cross roads Q.14.d.8.2. (51A) – CRAUSSEE BRUNEHAUT SAULZOIR – MONTRECOURT – ST. AUBERT – AVESNES-LEE-AUBERT.
No one fell out on route.
Casualties NIL.

​On this day 2nd NOVEMBER
 
1815 - 52nd,- after a stay of two months, marched out of Paris and went into quarters at Versailles.
 
1872 - 43rd – Arrived Cannanore, East Indies.
 
1918 - 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - HIT (Euphrates). 
Holidays to celebrate the defeat of the Turks.
 
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – HERMERAIN / RUESNES.
On the evening of the 2nd the Regiment was relieved.
B & C Companies by the Irish Guards, A Company by No1 Company of 2nd Coldstream Guards, D Company & Regimental HeadQuarters by the 1st Coldstream Guards.
On completion of relief Companies moved to billets in ST. PYTHON, owing to the roads being blocked with traffic it was nearly midnight before the last company arrived.
Rear HeadQuarters moved from VERTAIN to ST. PYTHONduring the afternoon.
 
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – IN RIGHT BRIGADE RESERVE NR PRIA DEIL ACQUA
Battn moved from the line it had taken up the previous Afternoon at 0700 to M. MOSCIAGN, arriving about 1100hrs.
A hard march made worse by the fact that the days rations & water had not arrived.
However they turned up about 11.30hrs.
Orders received at 1300 to move at once into the VAL PORTULE.
Very Cold night & number of huts quite inadequate to accommodate Battn, only about 3/4 getting under cover for the night.
Ration Strength: 23 Officers 611 OR.
 
1918 – 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – ROCCOLO NE.
06.00 - Bn. less A & B Coy's advance on M. MOSCIAGH, the intention being to occupy this after 7th WORCESTER Regt. left it to attack M. INTERROTTO from the N. hold it until arrival of BUCKS Bn. & then advance on M. MEATTA.
At point where track crosses RED TRENCH (Square 60 & 61) N. of C. SISHESTAL the 1/6 WARWICKS found in front waiting to advance on M. MOSCIAGH & thence to D'ASSA.
A & B Coy's had orders to march due W. at dawn & rejoin Bn. in vicinity of M. MOSCIAGH.
06.40 - Bn. moved off in rear of 1/6 R. WARWICKS.
Moved in file: Platoons at 50yds. distance.
Two groups of Scouts, under 2/Lt J.T. FOSTER had gone ahead at 06.00 hrs. to reconnoitre . No sign enemy at M. INTERROTTO or M. MOSCIAGH.
07.40 - A & B Coy's joined rear of Column. Rations & water issued to them.
07.55 - BUCKS Bn. met coming into road from East.
As the Bn. was late owing to being held up by 1/6 R. WARWICKS, it was decided to push straight on to M. MEATTA, leaving BUCKS Bn. to occupy M. MOSCIAGH.
08.45 - M. MOSCIAGH reported clear of R. WARWICKS.
Bn. moved on via road through CROCE DEL FRANCASE to VALLE DI PORTULE, reaching point C.430.200 at 10.45.
Up to this point 2 groups of Scouts ahead.
10 prisoners brought in.
A good many guns & much material found abandoned.
At CROCE DEL FRANCASE one Platoon C Coy posted 200yds up road running N. to
M. ZINQARELLA to guard passage of Bn.
One Platoon C Coy posted 200yds along VALLE DI PORTULE Rd.
1100 - Bn. left this point & proceeded by road to M. MEATTA.
One Platoon C Coy as advance guard.
20 minute marching & 10 minute halt observed going up the mountain.
12.15 - Arrived CASARA MEATTA where Bn HQ established with B Coy in reserve.
Four 4.2 H.V. guns found abandoned.
12.20 - C Coy moved forward to shoulder NW. of CASARA MEATTA to guard passage of 143 Bde up VAL D'ASSA.
Found that perfect view obtained & R. WARWICKS seen moving up VAL D'ASSA without opposition. Our heavy shells falling rather close to them.
12.35 - D Coy moved N up road to point O.320.235 to guard VAL D'ASSA.
R. WARWICKS from this point could be seen advancing, followed by transport.
A Coy in support 300yds S of D Coy.
A patrol of D Coy under Lieut OAKFORD pushed along M. MEATTA to point C.81.44 & about 16.30 obtained touch with enemy, about 15 in number. They held up their hands, but suddenly turned round and fled. They were fired upon, but disappeared in the mist.
Later about 50 enemy advanced but retired on being fired upon.
At O.43.40 there was heavy Machine Gun & rifle fire, but impossible to ascertain whether French or Italian.
19.20 - Bn less D Coy down to VALLE DI PORTULE.
D Coy to remain in position on M. MEATTA until noon Nov 3rd in order to guard VAL D'ASSA.
12.20 - Arrived at VALLE DI PORTULE and billeted for the night.
First line transport joined Bn.
 
1918 - 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - To MARESCHES.
At 0530 hours the Battalion attacked the SAINT HUBERT cross roads with A and C Companies in the front line. B Company in support and D Company in reserve.
Two Companies 2/5th Gloucesters attacked on our right and the 4th Division attacked simultaneously on our left.
The attack was preceded by a creeping barrage, which was followed up very closely by the Infantry.
Resistance was met with from enemy Machine Guns, particularly at L.20.d.7.5. but the assault was pushed forward with such speed and energy by both Companies, that the enemy resistance became completely demoralised, and large bodies surrendered all along the line.
The cross roads at SAINT HUBERT was in our possession by 0630 hours and two enemy tanks fell into our hands on the ridge North West of SAINT HUBERT. The enemy could be seen retiring over the rising ground in L.16. in the direction of JENLAIN. The Battalion pushed on to a line L.14. central – L.15 central thence southwards towards the river at L.33.a.1.4. many enemy machine guns being captured.
B Company moved up with 2 platoons to a line between SAINT HUBERT and  MARESCHES cemetery.
The other 2 platoons formed a protective flank to A Company.
On our left we were in touch with1st Seaforth Highlanders, 4th Division. 2/5th Gloucesters came up into position on our right in the evening. A Company occupied the road junction in L.27.a. During the morning between 0600 hours and 1000 hours there was very heavy enemy shelling on the area between MARESCHES and the front line, both inclusive.
In this successful operation, the following captures were made by the Battalion: - Machine Guns Light 37, Machine Guns Heavy 6, Trench Mortars Light 8, Trench Mortars Heavy 2, Tanks 2, Field Guns 2, Anti-Tank Rifles 4, prisoners 550.
On the night 2/3rd Companies of 1/4th Shropshires, Cheshires and Staffords took up positions in the area held by the Battalion. On completion of these moves Companies withdrew to BERMERAIN. C Company and 2 platoons of B Company did not reach their billets until 0800 hours on 3rd inst.
Casualties: - 2/Lieut. S.W. BOWN wounded. Other Ranks Killed 6. Wounded 34, Wounded at duty 3.

​On this day 1st NOVEMBER
 
1808 – Sir John Moore commenced his march from Portugal into Spain.
 
1884 – 2nd Bn Oxf LI – White Sword Knots were taken into wear by Officers.
 
1918 - 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - ARMISTICE WITH TURKEY announced at HIT (Euphrates). 
Battn parade.
Practice Defence Scheme with 1/97th Infty & 256 M.G. Coy & 816 Batty.
News received on return of signing of Turkish Armistice.
 
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – HERMERAIN / RUESNES.
Nothing of importance occurred.
 
1918 - 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI and 1/1st Bucks Bn - Battle of Vittorio Veneto (Italy).
 
1918 - 1/1st Bucks Bn. - Attack on Mt. CATZ, rout of enemy.   
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – IN RIGHT BRIGADE RESERVE NR PRIA DEIL ACQUA
Wire received at 0130 hours ordering Battalion to be prepared to attack at 0500 hours.
A Further & more detailed order received about 0300hours (see appendix A)
Battn moved to Forming Up Positions via PRIA DELL ACQUA – ASIAGO Road, head of Battalion reaching RENDELA at 0520hours.
At this time enemy was putting down a brisk barrage on the GHELPAC Valley so it was decided to form up on the Line of the Road RENDELA – GALLIO which was fairly clear of the barrage.
Battn formed up with two companies in line in 2 waves, 2 Platoons in each wave, the remaining 2 Coys in Battn Reserve in Depth in Artillery Formation.
1/4 R BERKS REGT on Left – 24th FERNCH DIV on Right.
The enemy opened with MG & Rifle fire from REUTTE, COSTA, STRAITE & M CATZ, with some Rifle fire from trenches along WEST edge of GALLIO WOOD soon after the Advance commenced.
The leading wave had little difficulty in occupying the WINTERSTELLUNG from VILLA ROSSI TO REUTTE but on attempting to advance from it met with heavy enfilade fire from COSTA, M CATZ & STRAITE.
As there were no signs of an attack being made on CATZ on our Left & it was impossible to get on without silencing the guns there, a coy was sent to attack it through COSTA while 2 other Coys assaulted STRAITE & RIGONI DI SOTTO, where MGs were captured.
These 2 Coys then worked up the Eastern slopes of M CATZ.
Heavy fire was still coming from the 2 MGs on the Southern slopes of M CATZ & this Coy was held up for some time until a Lewis Gun put out one MG, do enabling Coy to get round the other & capture it, killing the crew who fought this gun to the last.
By this time the other 2 Coys had worked well up the eastern slopes & assaulted the crest capturing 4 MGs.
The Crest was reached at 0700 & there were still no signs of the attack on our Left except for hearing fire in the neighbourhood of BOSCO.
At this time the enemy barrage was fairly heavy on the Southern slopes of M CATZ & 3 Coys were very much mixed up & crowded together just inside it.
The Right Coy was being held up by fire from trenches about A82.89 and fire was also coming from ROCCOLO NE.
One Coy was therefore sent towards ROCCOLO & the other 2 to move across to the spur in square 79 so as to get back in into our own line of attack – This caused the enemy opposing the Right Coy to bolt.
About 0730 a Company of 1/4 R BERKS was found on the Southern slopes of M CATZ & given the situation.
2 Platoons were left at ROCCOLO to keep touch with the BERKS & the rest pushed on up the slopes in squares 79 & 70.
Little further resistance was encountered after this.
Some isolated enemy posts were encountered in the neighbourhood of the QUARRY in square 79 & behind it but they ceased fire & surrendered when the attack approached them.
Two MGs were captured close to the QUARRY - a 4.2 Howitzer was captured with its crew about A76.04.
By 10.30hrs the Battn was approx on the line of the 1400 contour line in square 70.
Patrols were pushed out in front of & to each flank as touch had been lost with both FRENCH & BERKS.
Except for a few stray prisoners who were brought in NO enemy could be found as far forward as the high ground in square 72.
As we were approx on our own objective & out of touch with both flanks, it was decided NOT to go further forward.
Coys were reorganised & a piquet line established on the line above mentioned  -
About 13.30 a coy of the 4th R BERKS came up on our Left.
A quantity of material was captured on the road between C GIARDINI & CROCE DI S ANTONIO including 10 guns of different calibres & 3 motor lorries.
Six 77mm guns were captured about H7002 & from move in the VALLE DI NOS.
The Night passed without incident.
Casualties: 2/LT J W C READ Wounded
4 OR Killed
40 OR Wounded
Ration Strength: 24 Officers 653 OR.
 
1918 – 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – FRONT LINE S. SISTO.
Ref Maps: ASIAGO 1/25,000. CIMA DODICI 1/25,000. BRENTA E PIAVE 1/100,000.
03.15 - Enemy reported to have withdrawn from the front line system.
The Bn. will concentrate in ASIAGO at 05.40 in Bde. Reserve.
R. BERKSHIRE Regt. & BUCKS Bn. will attack.
04.15 - Above order cancelled.
The Bn. will concentrate in front line system ready to move forward.
Dumps of kit & stores made on S. SISTO Rd.
07.10 - Bn. moved from Front Line to ASIAGO via S. SISTO – AVE Rd.
Order of march HQ, A, B, C, D Coy's: Platoons in file at 50yds. distance.
Enemy Front Line at AVE was merely a mass of shell holes.
08.30 - Bn. concentrated S.E. of MILITARY BARRACKS, ASIAGO.
Town of ASIAGO badly damaged.
12.15 - Moved to C. RICONI di SOTTO via RENDELA, EBENE & REUTTE.
Enemy shelling light.
Got touch with BUCKS Bn. near HQ.
Advance of BUCKS apparently continuing & now on 71 – 81 Grid Line.
R. BERKS held up at BOSCO where enemy putting up hard fight to protect mouth of VAL D'ASSA.
14.40 - Moved up valley to just N. of ROCCOLO NE, where Bn. HQ. established with C & D Coy's in Reserve.
A & B Coy's under Capt. J.E. BOYLE MC. push up valley to obtain touch with R. BERKS & BUCKS & to fill gap reported between them.
18.15 - Capt. BOYLE reported that although he has pushed well forward to neighbourhood of
ANCIENT RUINS, no sign of R. BERKS & BUCKS.
Piquets rested & bivouac for night.
20.20 - Rations arrive. Impossible to deliver to A & B Coy's, owing to darkness, state of mule
track & distance.
 
1918 - 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI present  - Battle of Valenciennes (France).
1918 - 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - To MARESCHES.
182nd Infty Bde carried out an attack on the line ST. HUBERT River in L.33.b. (51A) zero 0515 hours. The Battalion acted as Reserve Battalion of Reserve Brigade, and stood to at 0515 hours.
Orders were received at 1215 hours for the Battalion to occupy Corps Line of Resistance in front of VENDEGIES. This move was carried out; but orders were received immediately on its completion for the Battalion to move forward and take up positions West of MARESCHES, with Battalion Headquarters at house at L.30.b.7.1. (51A) (Joint Headquarters with 2/5th Gloucesters) This move was completed by 1930 hours.
There was heavy enemy shelling during the evening on ARTRES and between the river and railway from ARTRES to SEPMERIES.
In the morning the 182nd Infantry Brigade had reached its objectives, but during the day was driven from ST. HUBERT by enemy counter attacks, supported by tanks.
At 1930 hours the 2/5th Gloucesters carried out an attack with two Companies, on the ST. HUBERT cross roads, but failed to reach their objective, and established a line along the ridge running N.W. of MARESCHES through L.25.b., L.19.c.
A and C Companies 2/4th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry relieved 2/5th Gloucesters in this position about 2300 hours.
The G.O.C. 184th Infantry Brigade visited the Battalion Commander, and gave instructions for the Battalion to carry out an attack in the morning of the 2nd.
Casualties Lieut. G.W. WILLIS wounded. Other Ranks Killed 1 Wounded 13.