Preparations began for the relief of 8th Yorks in
the front line and the Bois Grenier line. Company commanders with
representatives from each platoon took over trench stores, the Machine Gun
Officer took over the machine gun emplacements (four in the front line and two
in the Bois Grenier line) and the Signalling Sergeant took responsibility for
communications from 10 am. Battalion HQ did not begin its move until 4.15 pm
and the remainder of the Battalion followed, with Companies departing at
five-minute intervals, and with one hundred yards between platoons. The relief,
although carried out without incident or casualties, was not completed until
6.30 am the following morning. In accordance with the new Brigade defence
scheme (see 13th December)
the front line would be held by just two companies. ‘A’ Company were again positioned
on the far right of the Battalion front, as on the previous tour, by Farm
Grande Flamengrie and opposite the German positions near Bois Blancs, which
were little more than one hundred yards away in places. To their left was ‘D’
Company (supplemented by one platoon of ‘C’ Company); ‘B’ Company and the
remaining three platoons of ‘C’ were in the Bois Grenier line, either side of
Shaftesbury Avenue. However, these companies were under strict instruction to
be ready at all times to support the front line.
The difficulties faced by Tunstill’s Company are clear from
a report on conditions in this sector of the Battalion front recorded in 69th
Field Ambulance War Diary on 19th December which confirmed that this
was currently the most challenging section of the Brigade front. The report
stated: “Fire trenches bad, owing to sides bulging inwards often very narrow;
communication trenches ditto, with mud in parts two to three feet deep. Owing
to falling of parapets, ground immediately behind fire trenches from
Shaftesbury Avenue to front of Flamengrie Farm is exposed; ground to left of
Flamengrie Farm is under cover. Wounded being taken to Shaftesbury Avenue must
be taken across open either to head of Shaftesbury Avenue or to line of willows
in front of Flamengrie Farm. Communication trench via Oxford Circus is
impassable. Shaftesbury Avenue good, except at fire trench end … Aid post (by Jock’s Joy) in good condition but has
no fireplace, a brazier burning coke being used. Bridge at London Bridge has
been washed away and a small detour and new bridge to right (facing trenches)
made … All these posts are provided with a tea urn, primus stove and oxygen
cylinder. Shell dressings, iodine and ammonia ampoules are not kept in the aid
posts, being carried by RMO’s”.
In anticipation of his return to the front line, Pte. William Knox (see 11th December) again wrote to his wife, Ethel (I am most grateful to Rachael Broadhead and family for allowing me access to William’s letters).
“I now sit down and write you a few lines to thank you so very much for your parcel which I received yesterday, Monday. Also letter dated 10.12.1915 and was very pleased to hear that you were quite better and hope you continue to do so. I am very pleased to say that it leaves me very well at present. We go into the firing line again tonight for four days but I hope we have better weather than we had last time in. We had another very nice shelling on Monday. We went on a working party to fill sandbags and we had just knocked off for dinner when the Boshes started sending us a few over and they were bursting all around us and I can tell you it made us a bit nervous just for a time. I was very pleased to hear that you liked your postcards. I will send Lizzie one or two when I come out of the trenches.
You will have to excuse me for not writing to you very often just now as we have not had much time to spare to write. Your parcel has just come in right as it will be more use to me in the trenches than when we are out at rest. I am sending you this Christmas card to save for me as it is one that our Captain’s wife (Geraldine Tunstill, see 16th October) has sent out here to us. We all received a parcel in our Company from her this morning. I am sure it was very good of her.
PS Will you send me some soap and three candles. You might send me a pat of soap every fortnight now again.”
Pte. William Hissett (see 23rd October) was evacuated from 26th General Hospital at Etaples to England, travelling onboard the Hospital Ship Dover Castle; he had been suffering from an infection to his middle ear and on arrival in England would be transferred to the Military Hospital at the Curragh Camp, near Dublin.
Pte. Walter White
(see 5th May), who had
originally served with Tunstill’s Company but had been transferred to 2DWR in
April 1915, was posted back England, having been taken ill (details unknown)
and admitted to hospital in Torquay. He would not return to active service.
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