EXTRACT FROM WAR DIARY 4/R BERKSHIRE REGIMENT
APRIL 1916
On 2 April 2/Lt Down noted to have returned from short “sick leave”.
Rest periods at SAILLY, and in later tours at huts at COUIN (HQ and A & B Companies).
8th April
HEBUTERNE – A patrol under Lieut. Down went out from the Right about 10.0 pm returning about 12.30 am. They visited the “Christmas Tree” on the way, and working towards the enemy’s wire; on the return journey they passed near the tree. A party of 12 of the enemy had evidently seen them and were waiting to catch them on their return. Our patrol was fired on and one was wounded in two places, but they all returned.
9th April
A new trench was dug by the Brigade from 9.30 pm to 3.0 am on the 10th., 1500 men were out, including the digging, wiring and covering parties. The 5th Glosters and 4th Oxfords found digging and wiring parties; Bucks and ourselves the covering parties. Operation commanded by Major Clissold, RE. The trench started from the North end of BOUILLON 400 yards due North, 200 yards NNEast, 150 yards NNW, 200 yards due West joining in the old line at HOCHE. A barricade on the PUISSIEUX ROAD was created consisting of 2000 sandbags. Knife rests were put out roughly 40 yards in front of the new trench, 2 yards apart, these spaces being joined up by screw stakes and barbed wire. There were only 15 casualties out of all the parties out. All the arrangements worked excellently.
(Operation order and Poem by Lt. W.O.Down attached.)
10th April
By night, wiring parties under the command of the Adjutant put out another lot of wire the whole length of the new trench: Concertina wire, screw stakes etc were used. The whole of this work was completed in 4 hours. Company Pioneers were employed on revetting fire steps in the new trench.
The enemy took no notice of the new trench till about 12.30 pm when one of their aeroplanes flew along the line and the observer could plainly be seen taking photographs. A quarter of an hour later their guns began registering and every battery from SERRE to LA BRAYELLE fired. They began shooting again at 9.30 pm and shells fell almost continuously till 2.30 am – fortunately their range was just over the trench. Two patrols were found by D Company working in between our wire and the enemy’s.
12 April
Change over relief to SAILLY and COUIN. Road traffic very heavy. Mud in the woods was inches deep and there were no “corduroy paths”. The roofs of the huts in many places leaked.