10th Battalion patch. Image courtesy Australian War Memorial
10th Battalion diary – April 1917
BRESLE, 1.4.17
Church Parade & Training.
2.4.17
Kit inspection. Loading transport & generally preparing to move.
3.4.17
Order received to move to Montauban. Dumping kit etc.
Montauban, 4.4.17
Route marched to Montauban. Wet muddy day. Arrived destination @1430.
Fremicourt, 5.4.17
Route marched across country to Fremicourt. Relieved 29th Bn in Beugny Ytres Line (Corps Reserve)
6.4.17
Improving Corps Reserve Line…
7.4.17
Moved to front line North of Louverval relieving two Coys of 12th Bn with our B & C Companies. Line held by Platoon Posts.
8.4.17
At 0300 line advanced about 1000 yards. Strong opposition met by B Company. Lieuts O’Brien & Fordham killed & Capt McCann M.C. and Lieut D.J. Walsh wounded. About 40 others casualties.
9.4.17
Line again advanced in early morning and during the night. Opposition again encountered on our Right where 12th Bn were attacking Boursies. Casualties about 40 Lieut Hicks wounded.
10.4.17
At 0200 with assistance of C company 11th Battalion line pushed well forward & forward of Boursies. Practically no opposition & no casualties. Relieved portion of 12th Battalion Line.
11.4.17
Relieved during the night by 11th Battalion without incident.
12.4.17
In Brigade Support. Men rested.
13.4.17
Headquarters shelled out. No casualties…
14.4.17
Digging Strong Points at Morchies Beaumetz Line. Worried of probable enemy attack. C & D Companies placed at disposal of C.O. 11th Bn in front Line.
Front Line near Louverval
15/4/17
Heavy enemy attack on our front commenced at about 0420 A company ordered to support 11th Battalion. B Company placed in rear of 12th Battalion near Morchies. Took over portion of 11th Battalion Line without incident. A.C. & D Companies in line. B Reserve.
16/4/17
Relieved by 7th Battalion. Relief completed at 0430 17th inst
Lebucquiere, 17/4/17
Assembled after relief & moved to Le Bucquiere. Rested after arrivals
18/4/17
Commenced digging strong posts on Morchies Beaumetz Reserve Line.
19/4/17 and 20/4/17
Work on Morchies Beaumetz line continued. Enemy aircraft very active.
21/4/17
Work continued. G.O.C. 1st ANZAC visits Battalion.
22/4/17
Strong Points completed, and secured in Morchies Beaumetz line.
23/4/17
Orders received that Battalion will be relieved by 9th Lancashire Fusiliers. Morchies Beaumetz line reconnoitred by C.O. relieving unit.
24/4/17
Relief completed by 1830 and Battalion moved into Billets at Bancourt.
Bancourt, 25/4/17 and 26/4/17
“D” Company detailed as wardens to Villers au-Flos – Beifvillers line remained of Battalion working on Railway construction work, under Canadian Engineers
29/4/17
Electoral Voting day. Working parties cancelled. Football match against 3rd M.G. Coy and L.T.M. Bty.
30/4/17
Transport Inspected by G.O.C. 1st Division. Work continued on Corps defensive Line also Railway Construction continued. Electoral Voting completed
A Steele, Major
Commdg 10th Inf Bn
