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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 95/401/5

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Place Date Entry Scribe Appendices
ARRASTuesday 01/May/1917 7 pm: Company parade for carrying parties to assist 'O' Coy: 2 Off & 140 O.R.s carrying drums: Departures: 8 O.R. on detachment for fatigue work to workshops BOUQUEMAISON: 1 O.R. on leave: Arrivals: 1 O.R. from depot.

Weather fine & warm: Wind N. to N.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASWednesday 02/May/1917 Company resting.

Weather fine & warm: Wind N. to N.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASThursday 03/May/1917 Received wire from CSC R.E. to report to VIIth Corps (at BRETENCOURT): Report at once 7 am. Sent on to 18th Divn (near NEUVILLE VITASSE) to fix up projector operation on their front: Report to 18th Divn who wish me to attend conference at 3 pm 4th May with a scheme for projector operation near CHERISY: Arrivals: 1 O.R. from hospital:

Weather bright & fine: Wind N.W. to N.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASFriday 04/May/1917 3 pm: Attend conference with scheme attached (appendix 9) at 18th Divn H.Q.: G S 18th Divn decide to carry out scheme with 400 projectors: Company bathing: Departures: 1 O.R. to England (to cadet unit).

Weather fine & warm: Wind N. to N.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.See Appendix No 9

APPENDIX 10

ARRASSaturday 05/May/1917 10 pm: Attempt to start 1st nights work of scheme (appendix no 10): G S wagons go astray on account of shelling & no work done.

Weather fine & warm: Wind N.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASSunday 06/May/1917 10 pm: Carrying out 1st nights work of scheme & everything satisfactory: 1 O.R. slightly wounded (at duty): Lt LAWFORD R.E. 2/Lt SANTER R.E., with sections 41,43 & 45 wait into bivouacs at N.20.b.5.5. to carry out this operation.

Weather fine & warm: Wind N.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASMonday 07/May/1917 10 am: Reported progress to 18th Divn: 2 lorries reported from VIIth Corps to stay with us on detachment for the operation: 11 am: 2/Lt FARR & batman depart to IIIrd army anti gas school on detachment: 7 pm: Work for operation proceeding with assistance of carrying parties from 'O' Spec Coy R.E.

Weather fine & warm: Wind N.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASTuesday 08/May/1917 10 am: Report progress to 18th Divn: 7 pm: Work proceeding with assistance of 'O' Coy carrying parties: 1 O.R. arrived from detachment.

Weather dull with thunderstorms & rain: Wind W. to S.W.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASWednesday 09/May/1917 10 am: Report progress to 18th Divn: 7 pm: Work proceeding in accordance with scheme: 1 O.R. wounded: Departures: 1 O.R. wounded to hospital: Arrivals: 1 combination motor cycle & side car from third army T.S.C.

Weather dull, some rain: Wind W. to S.W.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASThursday 10/May/1917 10 am: Reported progress to 18th Divn: 11 am: Receive wire from VIth Corps that 'J' Spec Coy will be transferred to VIIth Corps from 12 noon 18th May: 7 pm: Work on operation C2 proceeding: 1 O.R. wounded: 2 O.R. admitted to hosp with shell shock: Departures: 3 O.R.

Weather E. to S.E.: Fine rain.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASFriday 11/May/1917 10 am: Reported to 18th Divn that 400 projectors are in position at O.25.d.4.2. (reference sheet 51B map): 1 pm: Major S W BONKER visited ARRAS & ordered me to report to 29th Divn (VIth Corps) to discuss operations: 3 pm: Report with OC 'O' Coy to 29th Divn & discuss operation on BOIS du VERT (appendix No 11): 4 pm: Report to 18th Divn that wind appears unfavourable for operation tonight: Arrivals: 2/Lt MONCUR R.E. of No 1 Spec Coy R.E. with 6 O.R. attached to this Coy 11/5/1917: Departures: 3 O.R. (1 to hosp, 1 to cadet unit England & 1 on leave to UK).

Weather hot & sultry: Wind E. to S.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.Appendix No 11

ARRASSaturday 12/May/1917 10 am: Report to 18th Divn with carrying scheme. They issue orders on it: 3 pm: Report to Vith Corps & 29th Divn with scheme for operation on BOIS du VERT: 29th Divn issue orders on it: 4 pm: Report to 18th Divn that wind appears unfavourable for operation tonight: Departures: 1 O.R. to England to cadet unit.

Weather hot & sultry: Wind E. to S.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASSunday 13/May/1917 10 am: Received carrying orders from 18th Divn & operation orders from 29th Divn as proposed operations: 3 pm: Report to 18th Divn that wind appears unfavourable for carrying tonight: 7 pm: 3 sections proceed up the line to carry out work on 29th Divn operation: Arrivals: 3 O.R. from depot.

Weather hot & sultry, showers at night: Wind S.W. to S.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASMonday 14/May/1917 10 am: Reported to 29th Divn that 30 projectors had been put in position last night: 3 pm: Reported to 18th Divn that wind was likely to be favourable but they could not carry up drums on account of an artillery programme being carried out: 7 pm: Work proceeding with 29th Divn operation: Departures: 1 O.R. on detachment to workshops.

Weather showery: Wind S.W. to W.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASTuesday 15/May/1917 10 am: Reported to 29th Divn on previous night's work: 3 pm: Reported to 18th Divn that wind was likely to be favourable: Drums carried up to position in evening: 12 mid: 370 drums in position at 18th Divn operation: Wind backing to E.S.E.: Departures: 1 O.R. to England to cadet unit.

Weather showery: Wind S.W. to S. later to S.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASWednesday 16/May/1917 3 am: Wind unfavourable at S.E. & operation cancelled for the night on 18th Divn operation: 7 pm: Work proceeding on 29th Divn operation: 11 am: Reported to G S of 18th & 29th Divns on work done etc: Departures: nil.

Weather fine until evening when rain: Wind N.E. to N.N.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASThursday 17/May/1917 11 am: Reported to G S 29th Divn on work done: 6 pm: Reported to G S 18th Divn that wind was unfavourable for operation: 7 pm: Work proceeding on 29th Divn front: 1 O.R. casualty slightly wounded: Departures: 1 O.R. slightly wounded.

Weather fair though cool: Wind N. in morning changing to S.E. & S. at night.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASFriday 18/May/1917 9 am: Reported to 29th Divn that 266 projectors were in position: 7 pm,: Reported to 18th Divn that wind was likely to be favourable for operation tonight: 8 pm: Carrying in drums to 29th Divn operation: 10 pm: Proceed to 53rd Bde H.Q. to stand by with sections in line ready to fire drums at 3:15 am 19th: Departures: 1 O.R. to hosp.

Weather fine & warm: Wind S.S.E. to S. by W.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASSaturday 19/May/1917 4 am: Wind unfavourable for discharge of drums: 18th Divn operation cancelled for the day: 10 am: Report to 29th Divn that 266 drums are in position ready for firing: 4 pm: Proceed to 87th Inf Bde to stand by for operations at 9 pm: Wind unfavourable: Operation washed out at 8 pm: 6pm: Lt PAINE reported to 18th Divn that wind was likely to be unfavourable for operation: Departures: 1 O.R. to hosp.

Weather sultry: Wind S.E. to E.N.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASSunday 20/May/1917 12:30: Report to 29th Divn on operation last night: They wish to take drums out again: 2 pm: Report to 18th Divn that wind is unfavourable: Company standing by: Departures: 1 O.R. to UK on leave: 2 O.R. to 3rd army anti gas school.

Weather hot with slight showers: Wind E.N.E. to N.N.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASMonday 21/May/1917 4 pm: Wind likely to be favourable for discharge: CSC R.E. third army obtains permission from Vith Corps to discharge drums instead of carrying out on 29th Divn operation: 6 pm: Report to 18th Divn that wind appears favourable for discharge: 6 pm: Report to 29th Divn that wind appears favourable for discharge: 10 pm: Personnel standing by to discharge on both operations.

Weather fine: Wind S.W. to N.W.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASTuesday 22/May/1917 3:20 am: 236 drums discharged on BOIS du VERT & subsidiary target: See appendix No 12: 4 am: 18th Divn operation cancelled for the night: wind was too northerly: 9:30 am: Report to 29th Divn on operation: 9 pm: Report to 18th Divn that sections will stand by for the night: Departures: 1 O.R. to hosp.

Weather rainy: Wind N.W.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.Appendix 12

ARRASWednesday 23/May/1917 2 am: 18th Divn operation washed out for the night: Wind changing to East: 4 am: Lt LAWFORD & 2/Lt SANTER return to billets in ARRAS from bivouacs at NEUVILLE VITASSE: 2 pm: Reports to 18th Divn & 55th Bde that wind is unlikely to be favourable for operation tonight: Company commences to collect scattered stores left by 'Z', 'O' & 'Q' Coys on their departure from ARRAS previously at central dump: Arrivals: Capt BARBER RAMC & batman

Weather warm & fine: Wind S.S.E. to S. by W.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASThursday 24/May/1917 3 pm: Wind appears favourable for discharge of drums in 18th Divn operation: Report to 55th brigade & ascertain that a relief is taking place of 41st & 43rd brigades (of 14th Div) on left of 55th brigade: Relief will be over by 2 am 25th so arrange to stand by for discharge at 3 am: Arrivals: 2 O.R. (1 hosp, 1 leave): Departures: 1 O.R. to hosp.

Weather bright & fine: Wind S.W. to W.S.W.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASFriday 25/May/1917 361 drums discharged in 18th Divn operation: All the drums in position fired on first shot: Wind W. By S. 1-2 mph: A slight portion of the cloud drifted towards our own lines & appeared to cover some of our own troops owing to a slight eddy from N.W. at about 4:30 am.

Weather fine & warm: Wind light variable slightly southerly.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.Appendices No 13

Appendix 14

ARRASSaturday 26/May/1917 10 am: Reported to 18th Divn to discuss further operations: They desire to put in projectors to fire on to FONTAINE LES CROISILLES: Company engaged on salvage & collection of stores etc.: Arrivals: 4 O.R. from detachment: Sgt A S Arnold granted commission as 2/Lt in Special Coys R.E. & leaves this Coy to report to 'G' special Coy R.E.: Other departures: 1 O.R. on detachment (to workshops).

Weather fine: Wind S.E. to E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.REPORT 1

REPORT 2

ARRASSunday 27/May/1917 9 am: Lt TAIT & 2/Lt ALLCHIN proceed to reconnoitre 18th Divn front for position for projectors: Company engaged on salvage operations: Departures: 1 O.R. on leave to UK.

Weather bright & warm: Wind E. to S.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASMonday 28/May/1917 10 am: Proceed up to 18th Divn front with Capt Campbell SMITH MC (acting CSC R.E. THIRD ARMY) to look for position to place projectors: Company engaged on salvage operations: Departures: 3 O.R. to hosp.

Weather bright & warm: Wind E. to N.E.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASTuesday 29/May/1917 Company salving stores etc. & bathing: Departures: 1 O.R. to hosp.

Weather fine: Wind S. to S.W.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
ARRASWednesday 30/May/1917 4 pm: Submit scheme for use of 400 projectors on FONTAINE les CROISILLES to 18th Divn: Company engaged on salvage operations.

Weather showery: Wind S.W. to W.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.Appendix 15

ARRASThursday 31/May/1917 10 am: Reported to 28th Divn & discussed proposed scheme with G S 0 1 : Company engaged in salvage operations: Arrivals: 13 O.R. from DEPOT SPECIAL BRIGADE.

Weather fine & warm: Wind W.
Capt C. LAYCOCK M.C.
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