10th Battalion – January 1918

JANUARY 1 – IN THE FIELD
Day spent in preparing for relief of line Battalion. Usual working parties at night. [see Appendix 1 – “B” and “D” Company cookers will be stationed at Stinking Farm.”]

2.
Battalion in line. Inter-company relief and re-distribution of companies took place during night.

3-8.
Battalion holding line [inter-company relief on January 5]

[see Appendix 3 – “Maintenance. All Companies are responsible for the upkeep,  maintenance and works of the trench they occupy, and every effort should be made to keep the front line dry with pumps and duckboard sufficiently raised and in good repair to ensure that the men as far as possible are on dry ground.”]

9.
Battalion relieved by 12th Battalion during night.

10.
Battalion relieved. Working parties carried out during afternoon.

11-15.
Battalion situated at Wulverghem Camp. Working partied provided for [front] line.

16-22.
Battalion relieved by unit of 2nd Infantry Brigade and proceeded to Kemmel. Battalion used as working parties during period while reserve brigade stationed at Kemmel.

23.
Battalion moved forward to line.

[see Appendix 6 – “In the event of the enemy breaking through at any point, troops must not fall back from one line to the next line, but all ground must be defended as long as possible, whether the flanks are turned or not.  By this means, the breakthrough will be localised, and it will be an easy matter to dislodge the enemy by counter-attack.”]

23-30.
Battalion in line. [inter-company changes January 25, 27 and 29]

31.
Battalion relieved by 31st Battalion (Australian Imperial Force). Moved to Aldershot Camp.

SELECTED NOTE FROM APPENDIX
Appendix 9 – A “Special Order” was issued by Major G. D. Shaw on 17/1/18 that a “court of enquiry” best set up to investigate “the destruction of the officers’ mess at Wulverghem Camp”.