Gongs and Gloves

Tuesday 2nd January 1917 from our correspondent in the field

Readers will remember that the adjutant of the 1st Battalion, in thee waterlogged trenches in the flat-lands of Cuinchy reported yesterday on the dreadful state of those trenches. Today, he tells me, the enemy added to the misery by bombarding the men with aerial torpedoes and rifle grenades. Thankfully this resulted in no casualties, but made the bad state of the trenches even worse.

The adjutant of the 6th Battalion tells me that Lieutenant W E Aylwin has been awarded the Military Cross whilst Lieutenant-Colonel F H Edwards, Lieutenant C Chamier and Regimental Sergeant Major Headland have been mentioned in despatches.

The adjutant of the 7th Battalion spoke with me on the blower and told me that they have been busy training. This hard work is being leavened by a boxing tournament tonight in a barn used as a recreation room. The preliminary bouts have taken place in the last few days so tonight will be the finals and some good boxing is expected.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/3/WD; X550/8/1

How Happy is Your New Year?

Monday 1st January 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The 1st Battalion have not been celebrating the New Year today. They have moved into the front line again at Cuinchy, north of Arras and east of Béthune. The adjutant informed me on the telephone that: “The trenches are in a very poor state owing to recent heavy rain and accommodation for men in Trenches is very poor and scanty”.

The other regular battalion of the Regiment - 2nd Battalion - is also in the front line. They are at Berles-au-Bois, some miles south-west of Arras. Second Lieutenant G A Anstee has returned to the unit from leave and fifty new men have joined from base. Second Lieutenant Anstee is celebrating the granting of a Military Cross, announced in today’s London Gazette.

Honorary Major Cressingham [X550/1/81]

The Gazette has also announced that the battalion’s commanding officer, Second Lieutenant H S Poyntz has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order, as has Captain Reggie Wynne. Meanwhile the battalion’s long-serving quartermaster, Captain H M Cressingham has been promoted to Honorary Major.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/3/WD