Detailed Attack Training

H A Chamen [X550/1/81]

Monday 5th June 1916: The adjutant of the 2nd Battalion tells us that though behind the lines they are not idle. They are busy practicing attacks over ground selected as almost identical to that near Maricourt, with trenches laid out to imitate those of the enemy.  Clearly a major attack is anticipated. The adjutant is also happy to report the return to the Battalion of Second Lieutenant H A Chamen who was posted to 3rd Entrenching Battalion back in February(1).

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) He would die of wounds one month in to forthcoming battle.

French Attack

H A Chamen

Sunday 13th February 1916: The adjutant of the 2nd Battalion at Maricourt on the Somme tells us that the French on their right have made an attack on the village of Frise, taken by the Germans at the end of last month. They have taken a hundred prisoners. The Battalion has lost the services of Second Lieutenant Chamen who has been dispatched to 3rd Entrenching Battalion(1).

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) He would rejoin on 4th June and be seriously in the Battle of the Somme in an attack on Guillemont on 30th July, dying of wounds on 1st August.

Entrenching Battalions

Thursday 13th January 1916: The adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, in front line trenches near Maricourt on the Somme tells us that they are expecting 25 reinforcements today from 3rd Entrenching Battalion.  We were curious as to what sort of unit this entrenching battalion might be and the adjutant told us that it is a temporary formation put together by an army corps and comprising men sent out from any number of units and assigned to front line units needing reinforcements. Thus a man might join the Essex Regiment, for example, be sent to an entrenching battalion on arrival in France and end up in the Bedfords. The adjutant’s response to such a situation? He’s probably luckier than he deserves!

Source: X550/3/wd