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WW1 War Diaries for 'J' Company Special Brigade Royal Engineers

From March 1917 to July 1919

(Not case sensitive)



National Archive Reference Number: WO 95/401/6

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Place Date Entry Scribe Appendices
RUITZ, FRANCE, Sheet 36B, K.19.c Wednesday 01/May/1918 1. Operations: Company standing by for projector discharge on AUCHY-LES-LA-BASSEE. Infantry training continued: 2. Casualty: 1 O.R. accidentally injured.

3. Meteorological: Wind, light mainly south.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
RUITZ, FRANCE, Sheet 36B, K.19.c Thursday 02/May/1918 1. Operations: Company standing by for projector discharge. O.C. company and lieutenant T. H. STANTON made reconniscence on 55th Division front with view to installation of projector to fire on THE RAILWAY TRIANGLE South of LA-BASSEE canal Infantry training continued.

2. Meteorological: Wind Easterly, 3 to 5 miles-per-hour.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
RUITZ, FRANCE, Sheet 36B, K.19.c Friday 03/May/1918 Operations: Company standing by for projector discharge, Infantry training continued.

2. Meteorological: East of South, 6 miles-per-hour, Fine and warm.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
RUITZ, FRANCE, Sheet 36B, K.19.c Saturday 04/May/1918 1. Operations: Company standing by for projector discharge on AUCHY LES LA BASSEE. Infantry training continued.

2. Meteorological: Wind, East by South, 5 miles-per-hour, fine and warm.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
RUITZ, FRANCE, Sheet 36B, K.19.c Sunday 05/May/1918 1. Operations: Company standing by for projector discharge.

2. Meteorological: Wind, 5 to 7 miles-per-hour, varying South to West, Dull, warm.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
RUITZ, FRANCE, Sheet 36B, K.19.c Monday 06/May/1918 1. Operations: Company standing by for projector discharge. O.C. Company and Lieutenant G. I. PAINE Royal Engineers reconnoitred two positions on 165th Infantry Brigade front where projectors had previously been installed by another company: 2. Casualty: Wounded in action Lieutenant G. I. PAINE Royal Engineers 6/5/1918. Awards: 154546, 2/Cpl RIVITT A. G. and, 334813, Prvt TURNER N A. awarded Military Medal for gallantry In action on 22/3/1918. Authority 34th Division Routine Order No.185 - Honours and Awards.

4. Meteorological: Wind, 2 miles-per-hour, West North West, dull, warm.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
RUITZ, FRANCE, Sheet 36B, K.19.c Tuesday 07/May/1918 1. Operations: Company standing by for projector discharge. Infantry training continued. 2. Arrivals: Draft of 4 other ranks arrived from Special Brigade Depot.

3. Meteorological: Wind, North, 2 miles-per-hour.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
RUITZ, FRANCE, Sheet 36B, K.19.c Wednesday 08/May/1918 1. Operations: Company standing by for projector discharge. Infantry training continued

2. Meteorological: Wind, slightly west of North, 2 miles-per-hour, variable.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
RUITZ, FRANCE, Sheet 36B, K.19.c Thursday 09/May/1918 1. Operations: 199 projectors successfully discharged against AUCHY LES LA BASSEE. Infantry training continued.

2. Meteorological: Wind, West North West, 4 miles-per-hour, Warm.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORDSee Appendix 1.

RUITZ, FRANCE, Sheet 36B, K.19.c Friday 10/May/1918 1. Operations: Infantry training continued: 2. Arrivals: Draft of 4 other ranks from Special Brigade Depot. Lieutenant E.M. RICHARDS arrived from 'C' Special Company Royal Engineers to be attached for duty.

3. Meteorological: Wind, North West, 5 miles-per-hour.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
RUITZ, FRANCE, Sheet 36B, K.19.c Saturday 11/May/1918 1. Operations 86 projectors dug out from position opposite AUCHY LES LA BASSEE 39 projectors reset

2. Meteorological: Wind, West, 6 miles-per-hour. Some rain.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
RUITZ, FRANCE, Sheet 36B, K.19.c Sunday 12/May/1918 1. Operations: O.C. Company with a party of Officers and other ranks reconnoitred the defensive position to be occupied by the Company in event of hostile attack. Company inspected by the Officer Commanding Special Companies Royal Engineers FOURTH ARMY. 3. Posting and Arrival: Lieutenant J.D. BERRIDGE MC: Royal Engineers, having been appointed Second in Command of the Company, arrived from 'B' Special Company, Royal Engineers.

2. Meteorological: Wind, West, 6 miles-per-hour.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
BEAUMETZ LOGES Sheet 51C Q23.d.Monday 13/May/1918 1. Operations: The Company moved from RUITZ to BEAUMETZ LES LOGES: 2. Arrivals Lieutenant JS BRANSON 5th Norfolk Regiment arrived from Special Brigade Depot, taken on line strength of the Company & appointed to command Section 45. Draft of 4 other ranks arrived from Special Brigade Depot. 4. Departure of Lieutenant E M RICHARDS Royal Engineers to 'C' Special Company Royal Engineers.

3. Meteorological: Wind, West by North, 5 miles-per-hour, rain, dull, cold.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
SIMENCOURT FRANCE Sheet 51C Q 11aTuesday 14/May/1918 1. Operations: The company moved from BEAUMETZ les LOGES to SIMENCOURT.

2. Meteorological: Wind, South West, 3 miles-per-hour, fine and warm.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
SIMENCOURT FRANCE Sheet 51C Q 11aWednesday 15/May/1918 1. Operations: The company stood by. Work on camp fatigues.

2. Meteorological: Wind, North West, 6 miles-per-hour, fine.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
SIMENCOURT FRANCE Sheet 51C Q 11aThursday 16/May/1918 1. Operations: O.C. Company made arrangements with 6th Corps for use of GOUY EN ARTOIS as railhead for technical stores.

2. Meteorological: Wind, North East, 3 miles-per-hour, warm and hazy.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
SIMENCOURT FRANCE Sheet 51C Q 11aFriday 17/May/1918 1. Operations: Company moved to GOUY EN ARTOIS.

2. Meteorological: Wind, North, 5 miles-per-hour, fine and bright.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
SIMENCOURT FRANCE Sheet 51C Q 11aSaturday 18/May/1918 1. Operations: O.C. and 2nd Lieutenant JB BASSFORD Royal Engineers reconnoitred 32nd Divisional front with view to operations against HAMELINCOURT: 2. Awards: 2nd Lieutenant T H STANTON Royal Engineers awarded the Military Cross for gallantry in action 27/3/1917: 1 1 3 0 6 5 CSM Naylor Royal Engineers awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallantry in action 27/3/1917, Authority 34th Division No C.H./451 16/5/1918.

3. Meteorological: Wind, North West, 6 miles-per-hour, warm.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
SIMENCOURT FRANCE Sheet 51C Q 11aSunday 19/May/1918 1. Operations: 2nd Lieutenant T.H. STANTON M.C. and 2nd Lieutenant GERRANS, with party of other ranks, reconnoitred proposed projector position opposite NEUVILLE VITASSE and communications to west.

2. Meteorological: Wind, between South and West, 3 miles-per-hour.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
SIMENCOURT FRANCE Sheet 51C Q 11aMonday 20/May/1918 1. Operations Company standing by

2. Meteorological Wind S.E. to S.W. variable
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
SIMENCOURT FRANCE Sheet 51C Q 11aTuesday 21/May/1918 1. Operations Technical stores dump commenced at railhead at GOUY EN ARTOISE

2. Meteorological Wind nearly calm light southerly airs
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
SIMENCOURT FRANCE Sheet 51C Q 11aWednesday 22/May/1918 1. Operations: Work continued on dump: 2nd Lieutenant J.B. BASSFORD, and Lieutenant J.S. BRANSON, reconnoitred projector position for firing at HAMELINCOURT.

2. Meteorological:Wind, 7 pm West. 20 miles-per-hour, Midnight, West South West, 8 miles-per-hour.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
GOUY EN ARTOIS FRANCE Sheet 51C P18dThursday 23/May/1918 1. Operations: Material for operation against NEUVILLE VITASSE arrived at railhead and unloaded: O.C. arranged with 32nd Division all details of transport and installation of projectors for operation on HAMELINCOURT.

2. Meteorological: 7 pm West, 20 miles-per-hour, midnight West South West, 8 miles-per-hour.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
GOUY EN ARTOIS FRANCE Sheet 51C P18dFriday 24/May/1918 1. Operations: Work continued at dump, on railhead. Forward dump at BOISLEUX AU MONT reconnoitred: 2. Casualty: Killed in action, Lieutenant J.D. BERRIDGE M.C. Royal Engineers.

3. Meteorological: 7 pm Wind West, 5 miles-per-hour, midnight, Light Changeable winds.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
GOUY EN ARTOIS FRANCE Sheet 51C P18dSaturday 25/May/1918 1. Operations: Work on railhead dump. Changes for HAMELINCOURT operation received.

2. Meteorological: 7 pm West, 8 miles-per-hour, Midnight West South West, 5 miles-per-hour, misty.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
GOUY EN ARTOIS FRANCE Sheet 51C P18dSunday 26/May/1918 1. Operations: Work on technical stores at railhead dump: 2. Postings and Arrivals: Lieutenant W. BURT struck off strength of the Company having been appointed Adjutant to Head Quarters S.C.R.E. FOURTH ARMY with effect from 26/5/1918: 2nd Lieutenant F. HODKINSON arrived from Special Brigade Depot for duty.

3. Meteorological: 7 pm Wind North North East, 8 miles-per-hour, Midnight North 7 miles-per-hour, visibility indifferent.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
GOUY EN ARTOIS FRANCE Sheet 51C P18dMonday 27/May/1918 1. Operations: Projectors and base plates taken to forward dump at BOISLEUX AU MONT, Sheet 51b SW.S10.1.3. Work on gas drums at railhead dump. Charges prepared for operation on HAMELINCOURT.

2. Meteorological: 7 pm, North North East, 12 miles-per-hour, warm and clear, Midnight, North, 8 miles-per-hour.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
GOUY EN ARTOIS FRANCE Sheet 51C P18dTuesday 28/May/1918 1. Operations: 300 Projectors and 600 base plates taken by lorries to forward dump at BOISLEUX AU MONT, Sheet 51b SW.S10.1.3.

2. Meteorological: Wind, 7 pm, North, 11 miles-per-hour, Midnight, 12, North North West, 6 miles-per-hour, fair.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
GOUY EN ARTOIS FRANCE Sheet 51C P18dWednesday 29/May/1918 1. Operations: Work commenced on the installation of projectors against HAMELINCOURT. Projectors and base plates carried to forward dump at BOISLEUX AU MONT.

2. Meteorological: Wind, North East, 10 to 15 miles-per-hour, warm: 3. Casualties: 2 other ranks wounded in action.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
GOUY EN ARTOIS FRANCE Sheet 51C P18dThursday 30/May/1918 1. Operations: Work continued on the installation of projectors against HAMELINCOURT.

2. Meteorological: Wind North North East, 10 to 15 miles-per-hour, Bright and clear.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
GOUY EN ARTOIS FRANCE Sheet 51C P18dFriday 31/May/1918 1. Operations: Work continued on the installation of projectors against HAMELINCOURT: 2nd Lieutenant J L YATES, Royal Engineers, having arrived from 'M' Special Company Royal Engineers, taken on the strength of the Company with effect from 23-5-18 and posted to command section 43.

3. Meteorological: Wind, North North West, 7 miles--per-hour.
2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD
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