Thursday 23rd September 1915

Front line trenches near Bois Grenier.

The bombardment of the German lines continued and the War Diary reported, “enemy’s parapet breasted in many places”.

Orders were received for a ‘false alarm’ to be raised at 8 pm in order to try to draw German troops onto their parapet; ”‘the Bde Grenadier officer will fire rockets. The men in the front trenches will cheer and wave their bayonets as if about to attack. Having got the enemy to man the parapets, there will be one round of Gun Fire throughout the Corps against the hostile parapet”.  It was observed that,’ as there was a thunderstorm in progress at the time it was difficult to judge to what extent the ruse succeeded’.

Sgt. Robert William John Morris (see 16^th September), who had been under arrest for the previous week having been reported for ‘neglecting to obey Battalion trench orders in that he entered a dugout at night’ appeared before a Field General Court Martial. He was found guilty and ordered to be reduced to the ranks and to imprisoned, with hard labour, for three months. The sentence would be reviewed and confirmed at Brigade level, but with remission of the term of imprisonment; Morris would remain with the Battalion.

A/Cpl. Wilfred Hall (see 11^th September) was promoted Sergeant.

The mother of Pte. William Hissett (see 11^th September) wrote to the War Office regarding her son, “I have a son enlisted in Kitchener’s Army and he has been sent to the trenches and as he is not yet 19 years of age I would like him out of the army until he is of age as I think he is too young to be in the trenches and if you would kindly see into this matter and oblige”.  The War Office noted the letter but, also noted that ‘mother informed her request could not be acceded to”.

The Newcastle Daily Journal published a request for donations to support the purchase of equipment for the men of 23^rd Division:

“Mrs. Babington, wife of Major General Babington, commanding 23^rd Division, now in France, appeals for funds to supply trench periscopes to her husband’s regiments, which include 10^th and 11^th Northumberland Fusiliers”.

Donations will be gratefully received by Mrs. Babington, Pinnacle Hill, Kelso, Scotland”.