| Place | Date | Summary of Events and Information |
|---|---|---|
| HENECOURT WOOD | 1/3/17 | Arrived line at 2pm. left BECOURT at 10 30 am and marched via ALBERT. the road was full of Transport and troops which made progress Slow, however everyone marched in with the Battalion, The men are not nearly as fit as the were, and Showed Signs of fatigue although the march was only about 7 miles. The men need a good rest and careful training to get them fit. They were Continuously in the front line Area either holding the line or working behind it from JANUARY 7th to FEBRUARY 25th and both times we were in the line it was wet all the time. however a good rest time and training Should get hem fit again The Site of the Camp was well Selected. there are good training grounds and the palce is very clean. |
| HENECOURT WOOD | 2/3/17 | Weather exceedingly Cold. men busy all day cleaning Arms and Equipment The issue of fuel is not Sufficient. men require fires in their Huts and we can't get enough to do Cooking. I Consider that more consideration Should be given to ??? ???. It is impossible to get men fit if they are Constantly Cold. |
| HENECOURT WOOD | 3/3/17 | Training Carried out this morning and during the day. hours? of ??? 7.15 to 7.45 Physical Drill and games. 9.30 to 12 nonon training 1.30 to 4 pm Training, 4 to 5. L Co's Class and Special Training for Officers |
| HENECOURT | 4/3/17 | Church Parade held this morning. During the rest of Day Bathing Parade and Football match. |
| HENECOURT | 6/3/17 |
Weather very Cold. heavy fall of Snow yesterday has made the
ground very sloppy. Traning Carried out Physical Training
Bayonet Fighting. F??? Platoon Drill and Rifle Excerises
Battalion Congratulated by Divisional Commander on having the lowest number of Crimes and Offences during the past 20 weeks also only 41 Evacuations Sick during the month of February the next lowest in the Brigade being the 47 Bn with 78. In view of the fact that this Battalion was in the front line and working in Front line Area from JANUARY 6th to Feb 25th the results are Satisfactory. The health of the Battalion is good, men are showing great improvement daily due to the rest they are having. Every Effort is made to Keep them fit. Boots clothing & Equipment very Complete and in good repair |
| HENECOURT | 7/3/17 | Route march carried out today a distance of 6 miles men carried full marching order no one fell out on the march. |
| HENECOURT | 9/3/17 | Route march under Brigade arrangements. Men marched well and were afterwards Inspected by 5th ARMY Commander. no one feel out |
| HENECOURT WOOD | 10/3/17 | Brigade in attack was practiced this morning. Some very useful training was carried out, and good lessons learned. |
| HENECOURT WOOD | 12/3/17 | Weather very wet and ground muddy. Company TRaining carried out, also Specialist training in musketry, Lewis Guns & Bombing. |
| HENECOURT WOOD | 14/3/17 | Training Carried out during the last two days in Bombing Lewis Guns, Rifle Grenade. also Company in attack, Artillery Formations. Advance Guard. Weather Still wet ground accordingly muddy. |
| HENECOURT WOOD | 15/3/17 | Route march carried out 7 miles men marched well no one fell out, afternoon spent. sports for men. Special training for Officers & NCO's |
| HENECOURT WOOD | 16/3/17 |
Special Training of Bombers Lewis Gunners and Musketry Instruction on Range
Officers and NCOs reconnoitred ground for Brigade Scheme? tomorrow
Report on Musketry School held 5th ARMY. Team of 1 Officer and 41 OR Sent by the Battalion Came out Top. which is very Satisfactory considering the men were not Selected as being good Shots. Teams from 3 British and 4th Aus Division Competed. |
| HENECOURT WOOD | 17/3/17 | Brigade attack Carried out on BRESLE WOOD. this morning. This was carried out fairly Satisfactory. |
| HENECOURT WOOD | 18/3/17 | Reconnissance of ground for Signal Exercise. |
| HENECOURT WOOD | 19/3/17 | Divisional Exercise Carried out, Communications Could not be got through to Division for Some Consideralbe time, on account of the Single line being used. however it was a good exercise and useful practice. |
| HENECOURT WOOD | 20/3/17 | Training carried out close order work, men much improved in health and and spirits. |
| HENECOURT WOOD | 21/3/17 | men had bath and change of clothes 56 Cases gifts distributed. The Australian Comfort fund has been a great help to the Battalion. |
| FRICOURT | 23/3/17 | moved to SHELTERWOOD CAMP FRICOURT. GENERAL BRIDWOOD expressed himself pleased with turn out. |
| FRICOURT | 25/3/17 | Church parade held. Football matched in afternoon against 16th Bn |
| FRICOURT | 26/3/17 | Reconnoitred EAUCOURT L ABBAY. prior to moving up with Battalion. |
| EAUCOURT L'ABBAY | 28/3/17 | Battalion moved to EANCOURT. today arriving at 3 pm. |
| EAUCOURT L'ABBAY | 31/3/17 | Since Battalion arrived marjority of men on Fatigues, all available men carried out Specialist training. Weather Wet and Cold. plenty of Dugouts to Shelter the Battalion. |
Attached are 2 typed pages:
Battalion Operation Order No.64
and map showing position of Australian and German trenches.