1818 – 1st Bn. 52nd landed at Ramsgate from France (after 2 years service in France).
1866 – 52nd – left Aldershot for Ireland.
1917 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI –
Reconnaisances by Officers and NCOs,Otherwise quiet.
1917–1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion - IN THE TRAIN. En route to ITALY.
NO 1 TRAIN
Journey becoming painfully slow.
Expected to detrain at LEGNAGO but were reconsigned to BEVILACQUA, which we reached at 7pm.
Hopeless confusion reigned owing to there being no RTO or orders of any sort & no one able to speak the language.
Eventually, after sending back to LEGNAGO for orders we were told to billet in BEVILACQUA which we did.
Indifferent billets.
NO 2 TRAIN
Route for the Day:
MODENA – BOLGNA – S.GIOVANNI – POGIO – OSTIGLIA – SANGUINETTO – CEREA.
Train arrived at BOLOGNA about 8am, and all ranks had breakfasts.
Lunch baskets for all Officers was provided by the Commandant of BOLOGNA.
Throughout the day the train halted continually for periods of half an hour to two hours.
At these halts the men played football, and had great conversational struggles with the Italian soldiers.
Six men of No1 Train who had missed their train reported at BOLOGNA.
This was one of the most successful days of the journey.
5th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – By road and rail from YPRES to WINNEZELE (Billets)
1917 – 6th (S) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – BATTLE OF CAMBRAI.
The Battalion was relieved by the 10 K.R.R.C. and moved back to camp near 15 Ravine. About 11 p.m. enemy shelled the camp heavily and the C.O. ordered the camp to be moved behind the ridge further West.
This was finished by 3 .00 a.m.
At 8 a.m. a S.O.S. was received and Battn stood to, ready to move.
9AM. Orders were received to hold Quentin Ridge in conjunction with 6 K.S.L.I.
Coy’s were just moving off when fresh orders were received, which were to hold the Hindenburg Line. Coy’s. stood fast.
B & D Coy’s. on line R.20.d.6.0. to R.19.d.7.5. C Coy. in R.19 C and A in Dunraven T. at R.19.a.
The C.O. then went to Brigade and explained the situation and asked for definitive orders.
The orders received were to remain in present position as reserve ready to move at a moments notice.
1PM. Orders were received to move at once and take Quentin Ridge.
B & D Coy. were ordered to take the ridge, supported by “C” coy with A coy in reserve. The ridge was held in strength by enemy with M.G’s. Gonelieu appeared to be in our possession but was not. From personal reconnaissance it appeared unfeasible to attack the high ground from the Southern End.
B & D Coy’s. then moved forward by sectional rushes to Cambrai – Gouseacourt road and established a line S.W. of the road at R.26.c.5.0 – R.32.A. 3 – R.26.d.1.4. 57 c S.E.in close touch with enemy.
Two Coy’s. Northampton (Pioneers) were on the left.
The 6 K.S.L.I. were on the right echeloned back.
It was now dusk and further advance impossible so the Battn dug themselves in where it was. H.Q. was established in Flag Ravine.
The C.O. went to Bdg. H.Q. to explain situation. The O.C. 12 R.B. was there also
It was decided to make a fresh attempt to clear Gonnelieu and seize all the high ground S.W.
The 12 R.B’s were to work through the village from the North
A Coy. were ordered up at 10 p.m. on left of “D” Coy to push patrols through the two woods and if successful to swing round with the 12 R.B’s advancing from North.
Patrols found North Wood unoccupied but the enemy was holding the houses between very strongly and the patrols could not get in. The 12 R.B’s were unable to get along so the position remained the same.