The 2nd Battalion, the Lancashire Fusiliers
This summary of the battalion's day-to-day history covers the period from 1st to 10th October 1918, when they were among the battalions probing forward against determined resistance in the area North-West of Cambrai.
| Date and place | Events |
| 1 October 1918 |
Battalion in Brigade reserve, in old front line trenches between
Tites and Twin Copses.
Battalion HQ in [trench map 51B NW reference] O2d1.4. Reconnaissance
of Brigade Right Section carried out by officers. |
| 2 October 1918 |
18.30 hours : Relief of 1st King's Own started. The guides met
the Bn at railway crossing just west of Boiry. 23.45 relief
complete. B Company in Right front; C in Left front; D in Centre
front and A in reserve. Bn HQ at O5c8.0. |
| 3 October 1918 |
An operation of a minor character is contemplated. It is very
important that a crossing should be made over the Trinquois
Brook and bridgeheads established. Company commanders
told to reconnoitre with a view to attempt crossing night 3/4th.
16.00: D Company effect a crossing
at J26.c.6.3. Enemy offered little opposition and poss duly
established at J26.c.5.5 - 7.6 - 9.5. 21.00:
Situation fairly quiet. Enemy somewhat demoralised by our crossing
the river and running about a good deal, afforded good targets
for the gunners. A carrying party of 2 officers and 50 other
ranks from A Company carried material for the RE to make a bridge
but the enemy put down a heavy barrage and bridge was not finished. |
| 4 October 1918 |
Enemy artillery very active all night. C Company 3 other ranks
wounded, D Company 2 and B Company 1. 07.00:
bridge established at J.26.c.6.3. 09.30:
2/Lt Orchard D Company crawled out to enemy post at J.26.c.4.8
which was unoccupied. One dead German in it with no identification.19.00:
enemy put down a barrage. Enemy artillery put up a 'lengthen
range' signal - [a rocket showing ] red-red-red - which is the
same as our SOS. Our gunners opened fire for 10 minutes. Enemy
tried to raid bridgehead but repulsed. Casualties 6 other ranks
wounded. 2/Lt Mutch wounded but remained at duty. |
| 5 October 1918 |
03.00: Enemy again attacked bridgehead
posts but was driven off. 05.45:
Enemy again attacked and repulsed. During night, two bridges
erected near the dam in J.26.c. 08.00:
Enemy artillery started heavy bombardment which was kept up
all day on to the posts, and followed by another attack at 19.30
which was again repulsed. Casualties 2 other ranks killed, 4
wounded. 2/Lt D. Blore wounded. 2 Platoons of A Company under
2/Lt Ashley sent up to support and if necessary relieve D Company
in the posts across the river. C Company put out two posts at
J.26.a.4.4. and J.26.c.3.8. RE unsuccessful in their attempt
to bridge the sluice. 21.00: Enemy
again attempted to raid the posts but was stopped. 21.30:
Another enemy attempt beaten off. |
| 6 October 1918 |
05.00: Posts on enemy side of Trinquois
held by D Company taken over by 2 Platoons of A Company. Fairly
quiet day all day except for forward posts. 19.15:
relief of Battalion by Canadian Black watch started. 22.00:
relief complete. Battalion moved back by march route to Battery
Valley, arriving 01.00 (7th). |
| 7 October 1918 | 12.15: Battalion marched via Arras - Duisans - to Habarq, arriving 18.00. Good billets. |
| 8 October 1918 | Battalion in billets, cleaning up. Details rejoined Battalion from Louez. Major-General Lipsett, commanding 4th Division, lectured to all officers at 14.00. |
| 9 October 1918 | Battalion in billets. Platoon and Company training. Brig-general McNaughton took over command of 12th Infantry Brigade. 68 other ranks reinforcement joined. |
| 10 October 1918 | Battalion in billets. Brigade scheme set and carried out by the Battalion. Lt A.B. Winser joined the Battalion. |
| Note | 203564 Private Matthias Davidson and 51895 Private George McDonough, believed to be the two men who were killed on 5 October 1918, are buried at Vis-en-Artois cemetery. |
| This is an extract from the Battalion war diary which is held at the Public Record Office, in document WO95/1507. | |