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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
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Monday 01/Jul/1918 Reference Operation GJ 29 for 750 4' projectors - targets BOYELLES area. Digging in continued. Light subsoil & easy digging but hard surface: 7 O.R. to hospital, influenza epidemic.

Wind North East to North, 5 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.Operation GJ 29.

GOUY-EN-ARTOIS. Tuesday 02/Jul/1918 Digging in continued: 2/Lt T.H. STANTON MC RE to hospital sick.

Wind North, 10 to 15.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS. Wednesday 03/Jul/1918 Digging in continued.

Wind North, 10 to 15.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS. Thursday 04/Jul/1918 Digging in continued: 761 4ft projectors in position .

Wind North, 10 to 15.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Friday 05/Jul/1918 Loading postponed owing to relief of 32nd Divn by Guards Division. Musketry practice on range. Influenza epidemic more severe.

Wind South West to West, 10 to 15 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Saturday 06/Jul/1918 Digging out & resetting at NEUVILLE VITASSE position begun. Projectors found to have driven back six feet due to soft soil, 1 O.R. died (4/7/18) Pneumonia.

Wind West to North, 10 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.Operation GJ 30.

GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Sunday 07/Jul/1918 Digging out at NEUVILLE continued. Arrangements made for loading at BOYELLES cancelled by GUARDS DIVISION who show lack of interest in operation.

Wind West to North, 10 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Monday 08/Jul/1918 Position at BOYELLES heavily shelled. Division consequently cancels loading but are persuaded to allow loading to proceed. Half the projectors loaded.

Wind South West to South, 10 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Tuesday 09/Jul/1918 Position at BOYELLES again shelled. It is thought that one of several prisoners taken by the enemy In raid by 32nd Divn may have given information as to location of position which was well camouflaged and did not show on Aeroplane photograph: Loading completed: Position at NEUVILLE VITASSE badly damaged by hostile shell fire: New position reconnoitred & chosen at M.24.a.4.3 (Sheet 51B S W).

Wind South West to South, 10 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Wednesday 10/Jul/1918 Position at BOYELLES again shelled: It is thought that one of several prisoners taken by the enemy in raid by 32nd Divn may have given information as to location of position which was well camouflaged and did not show on Aeroplane photograph: Loading completed: Position at NEUVILLE VITASSE badly damaged by hostile shell fire: New position reconnoitred & chosen at M.24.a.4.3 (Sheet 51B S W).

Wind South West to South, 10 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Thursday 11/Jul/1918 680 drums CG successfully discharged against BOYELLES. Position had been heavily shelled on the previous day & 29 projectors rendered 'duds'. Casualties: 2 O.R. wounded, One injured (accidental)

Zero, 01:15 am, Wind South South West, 6 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.Appendix - Op GJ 29.

GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Friday 12/Jul/1918 Digging out and resetting at NEUVILLE VITASSE continued: Ground at new position hard chalk: Digging difficult: 4' projectors used at new clear position and taken up by horse transport: No infantry assistance.

Wind South West to South East, 10 to 15 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Saturday 13/Jul/1918 Digging out and resetting at NEUVILLE VITASSE continued: Ground at new position hard chalk: Digging difficult: 4' projectors used at new clear position and taken up by horse transport: No infantry assistance.

Wind South West to South East, 10 to 15 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Sunday 14/Jul/1918 Digging out and resetting at NEUVILLE VITASSE continued: Ground at new position hard chalk: Digging difficult: 4' projectors used at new clear position and taken up by horse transport: No infantry assistance.

Wind South West to South East, 10 to 15 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Monday 15/Jul/1918 Digging out and resetting at NEUVILLE VITASSE continued: Ground at new position hard chalk: Digging difficult: 4' projectors used at new clear position and taken up by horse transport: No infantry assistance.

Wind South West to South East, 10 to 15 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Tuesday 16/Jul/1918 Digging out and resetting at NEUVILLE VITASSE continued: Ground at new position hard chalk: Digging difficult: 4' projectors used at new clear position and taken up by horse transport: No infantry assistance.

Wind South West to South East, 10 to 15 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Wednesday 17/Jul/1918 Digging out and resetting at NEUVILLE VITASSE continued: Ground at new position hard chalk: Digging difficult: 4' projectors used at new clear position and taken up by horse transport: No infantry assistance.

Wind South West to South East, 10 to 15 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Thursday 18/Jul/1918 Digging out and resetting at NEUVILLE VITASSE continued: Ground at new position hard chalk: Digging difficult: 4' projectors used at new clear position and taken up by horse transport: No infantry assistance.

Wind South West to South East, 10 to 15 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Friday 19/Jul/1918 Loading & digging in completed: 652 projectors 4ft & 2ft 9ins installed: 1 O.R. awarded Military Medal for gallantry in action during BOYELLES operation.

Wind between West & South West, 10 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Saturday 20/Jul/1918 Loading & digging in completed: 652 projectors 4' & 2' 9" installed: 1 O.R. awarded Military Medal for gallantry in action during BOYELLES operation.

Wind between West & South West, 10 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Sunday 21/Jul/1918 Operation postponed by Divn owing to rain.

Wind North West to West, 12 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Monday 22/Jul/1918 560 drums CG discharged at two Zero. First zero, 300 fired at 12:00 midnight 22nd & 23rd. Second zero, 260 fired at 12:30 am 23rd. Heavy harassing fire on our position from zero minus 2 hours to zero plus 30 minutes. The position was only approached under the greatest of difficulties, and several projectors were damaged & all leads broken. Casualties for this operation: 1 O.R. died of wounds, 3 O.R. wounded, 4 O.R. wounded at duty.

Wind at zero, South West, 4 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.Appendix - Op GJ 30.

GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Tuesday 23/Jul/1918 560 drums CG discharged at two Zero. First zero, 300 fired at 12:00 midnight 22nd & 23rd. Second zero, 260 fired at 12:30 am 23rd. Heavy harassing fire on our position from zero minus 2 hours to zero plus 30 minutes. The position was only approached under the greatest of difficulties, and several projectors were damaged & all leads broken. Casualties for this operation: 1 O.R. died of wounds, 3 O.R. wounded, 4 O.R. wounded at duty.

Wind at zero South West, 4 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.Appendix - Op GJ 30.

GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Wednesday 24/Jul/1918 Projected gas 'beam' attack by four Special Companies in VI Corps fired from light railway trucks: Proposed to construct railway meter gauge line to M.24.c.: Working party unloading cylinders at Northern Dump.

Wind South West to South, 8 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Thursday 25/Jul/1918 Wire etc relayed from position & Company engaged on dump work. Proposed gas beam attack cancelled by 3rd Army. Positions at NEUVILLE VITASSE came into area taken near by First Army. O/C Coy visited VI Corps to arrange future operations & it was suggested to reset projectors on BOYELLES position. Departure: 2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD to Chemical Adviser 2nd Army 25/7/1918.

Wind between West & North, 10 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Friday 26/Jul/1918 Wire etc relayed from position & Company engaged on dump work. Proposed gas beam attack cancelled by 3rd Army. Positions at NEUVILLE VITASSE came into area taken near by First Army. O/C Coy visited VI Corps to arrange future operations & it was suggested to reset projectors on BOYELLES position. Departure: 2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD to Chemical Adviser 2nd Army 25/7/1918.

Wind between West & North, 10 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Saturday 27/Jul/1918 Wire etc relayed from position & Company engaged on dump work. Proposed gas beam attack cancelled by 3rd Army. Positions at NEUVILLE VITASSE came into area taken near by First Army. O/C Coy visited VI Corps to arrange future operations & it was suggested to reset projectors on BOYELLES position. Departure: 2/Lt J.B. BASSFORD to Chemical Adviser 2nd Army 25/7/1918.

Wind between West & North, 10 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Sunday 28/Jul/1918 2ft 9ins projectors & baseplates dug out at NEUVILLE VITASSE and carried to forward dump. Guards Division do not desire to carry out another shoot in BOYELLES area for some time, but suggest an operation against MOYENNEVILLE. A position was reconnoitred at MOYENNEVILLE but the operation was delayed owing to Special arrangements being required to procure the requisite number of 4' projectors. Much time was spent during this last week salving projectors with a lens from positions which could be used again. Limited supply of projectors more operation could have been carried out. Casualties: 2 O.R. Wounded in Action 30/7/18. Arrival: LT BRANSON from leave to UK 30/7/1918.

Wind North East to East, 6 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Monday 29/Jul/1918 2' 9" projectors & baseplates dug out at NEUVILLE VITASSE and carried to forward dump. Guards Division do not desire to carry out another shoot in BOYELLES area for some time, but suggest an operation against MOYENNEVILLE. A position was reconnoitred at MOYENNEVILLE but the operation was delayed owing to Special arrangements being required to procure the requisite number of 4' projectors. Much time was spent during this last week salving projectors with a lens from positions which could be used again. Limited supply of projectors more operation could have been carried out. Casualties: 2 O.R. Wounded in Action 30/7/18. Arrival: LT BRANSON from leave to UK 30/7/1918.

Wind North East to East, 6 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Tuesday 30/Jul/1918 2' 9" projectors & baseplates dug out at NEUVILLE VITASSE and carried to forward dump. Guards Division do not desire to carry out another shoot in BOYELLES area for some time, but suggest an operation against MOYENNEVILLE. A position was reconnoitred at MOYENNEVILLE but the operation was delayed owing to Special arrangements being required to procure the requisite number of 4' projectors. Much time was spent during this last week salving projectors with a lens from positions which could be used again. Limited supply of projectors more operation could have been carried out. Casualties: 2 O.R. Wounded in Action 30/7/18. Arrival: LT BRANSON from leave to UK 30/7/1918.

Wind North East to East, 6 mph.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
GOUY-EN-ARTOIS.Wednesday 31/Jul/1918 Company employed on Camp fatigues. Company engaged on Musketry & Lewis Gun Practice & Firing Range Practices.

Wind North East to East, light.
Lt G.I. PAINE R.E.
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