10th Battalion patch. Image courtesy Australian War Memorial
10th Battalion – January 1917
1st
HOBART CAMP Raining practically the whole day. Camp in a very bad way with mud, majority of tents leaking, and the men placed in huts opposite….
2nd
Situated Hobart Camp. …fatigues Etc… 3 Other ranks evacuated to Hospital. 1 Other rank rejoined from Hospital, 45 Other ranks from Reinforcement & Hospital…
6th
Moved by Train from Quarry Siding Station to Meaulte, Entrained at Quarry Siding Station at 0940. detraining at Meaulte Siding at 1330, thence by March to Dernancourt…
7th
DERNANCOURT Battalion resting and General Cleaning up of all clothing and equipment, Evacuated 1 Other rank, Transferred 1 Other rank.
8th
Commence light Training & Marching. 4 Hours a day, rejoined from Hospital 1 Officer (Major Giles) and 32 Other ranks.
9th
Battalion at Baths (Vivier Mills) partially Trained platoon inspected by C.O. Brigade Hqrs established at Dernancourt. Evacuations 4 Other ranks.
10th
Training and Battalion inspection by Commanding Officer, 2 Officers 106 Other ranks proceed to Corp Musketry School at 1130. Party entrained at ALBERT at 1330. Evacuations 1 Other rank.
11th
Training Etc, 0900 to 1200, Route March from 1330 to 1530. Commence training as per Syllabus 5 Hours per day. Evacuations NIL, rejoined from Hospital 1 Otherrank.
12th
Battalion at Dernancourt Range, practices fired 5 Rounds … a light snowfall commenced at 1200, and effected the shooting to a large extent as men were very cold, and difficulty was experienced in steadying Rifles.
14th
Moved by March from Dernancourt to Bresle, via Buire, passed starting point at 1300 and arrived Bresle 1530. Battalion under canvas in “B” Camp. Evacuations 1 Officer Capt. G. C. Magenis.
16th
Training as per Syllabus and Route March, accompanied by Brigade Band. Evacuations 2 other ranks. Rejoined from Hospital 9 other ranks. Joined from Reinforcements 4 other ranks.
17th
Very Heavy Snowfall, Training almost impossible on account of the cold, snow-ball attacks by Companies, and Route Marching….
18th
Still very cold; Training and Snow-ball fighting, Gen Birdwood visits camp at 1300, Partially trained men, drafted to Company’s as now being trained soldiers. … Evacuations 2 Other ranks, Rejoined from Hospital 40 other ranks.
19th
Training as per Syllabus, 1 Company on Ranges at Musketry, 1 Company at Bombing Ground, throwing live Bombs. Evacuations 4 other ranks…
21st
Church Parade at Billet No. 50 and time occupied in Cleaning up…
23rd
Training as per Syllabus. Battalion practice Attack, Trenches marked out on ground, “A” & “B” Coys formed as attacking Company’s. “C” Coy as “Moppers up”, and “D” Coy in support. Attack very successful…
24th
ALBERT Move by March from BRESLE to ALBERT… Roads very slippery, horses almost unable to stand up…
26th
Training as per Syllabus. Enemy shelling Albert, one Billett damaged, no casualties. Enemy Planes dropped 8 Bombs near Railway Station, then directed Machine Gun fire on the streets…
27th
Training as per Syllabus. Enemy shelling much quieter, at 1900 several Enemy Planes dropped Bombs on the Town. Evacuations 3 other ranks, Rejoined from Hospital 1 Officer Lieut Walsh. Joined from Reinforcements 2 Officers Lieut’s Collison & Miller.
28th
General Cleaning up of all Equipment Etc, and letter writing, Evacuations 2 Officers Lieuts Partridge and Davidson, and 15 other ranks…
