Churchill-Smith, James – June 1917
1 Jun
More enemy shelling during early morning about 2 a.m. Nice fine day. Up looking at front line and communication trenches during morning & afternoon.
2 Jun
…Wrote dear Mum, Kate & Dad. Fairly heavy bombardment by our Guns on Messines Ridge & Messines in afternoon. Understand big explosion in Messines during afternoon.
4 Jun
…. Charlie Moule received note from Max Gore in Germany – glad he’s safe…Fritz had a go at one of our balloons at night but was driven off by our “Archies” [anti-aircraft artillery guns]. One of our small ammunition dumps blown up at night. Small dumps blown up during day by Boche, but there are so many that no wonder he sends them up.
5 Jun
…Ammunition train blown up by the Boche in Bailleul Station. Our Artillery had a practice barrage at 3 p.m. – another barrage at 8 p.m.
6 Jun
Heavy bombardment by our artillery all night. Inspected model of Messines ridge in morning… Sent note to Tom to send Mona £9 for photos.
7 Jun
Slept fairly well although no blankets. Tremendous explosion at 3.10 a.m. – ground shook terribly. This was the signal for the advance to take Messines. Barrage immediately opend up. Battn. left Neuve Eglise at 8.40 a.m. & arrived in old Support line at about 11.30 a.m. Second Barrage for hop over of 49th, 52nd & others commenced at 3.10 p.m. All objectives gained & many prisoners taken. Advanced about 4000 yds in all. Heavy artillery firing all day & night.
8 Jun
Men called for fatigue [Labour that does not require armament] again at 2.30 a.m. & again at 8.00 a.m. Heavy artillery fire all day – 4 S.O.S. alarms. Exceptionally heavy counter-attack by Boche at 8.45 p.m. – very well replied to by our artillery. Wild rumours around about a retirement by us, but I believe all is well.
9 Jun
Find Boche counter-attack was driven off & all is well. Men on fatigue during morning… Left dug-outs in rear at 8 p.m. & lined up on other side of Messines ridge at 10.30 p.m. Jumped off without artillery support at 11.30 p.m. & worked towards objective. Fritz flares very thick & fair amount of M. G. [machine gun] & rifle fire. Wire not cut too well, but found an opening & filed through it… Find Fritz is still in the gully so evidently the rest of the Battn did not reach the objective. Can quite understand it as wire was thick & uncut & Fritz had some fairly strong posts.
10 Jun
… A few stragglers came into my trench during day. …A good deal of sniping during day with good results. 50th Bttn & 52nd Battn. attacked gap to link up with me & join with 45th on right at 10.30 p.m.…Lt O’ Donoghue killed, & Lieut Noblet & Rogers, McGregor, Capt Wilton wounded. Seager slight bomb wound in face. My Coy bombers & Lewis Gunners attacked a German Machine Gun at 10.30 p.m. in a concrete house close by my line, but after 1 ½ hrs bombardment failed to remove it owing to not being able to get inside house. Succeeded in keeping Machine Gun quiet during the Battn. attack so that helped.
11 Jun
L/Cpl Jensen awarded V.C. for work done at Noreuil April 2nd – first V.C. of Battn. & Brigade. …Plenty of enemy aeroplanes over during morning but were kept off by our Lewis Gun & rifle fire – we enjoyed firing at them. …Find Fritz has cleared out of whole of gully & also from his M. G. post in front of us – we now occupy it. Found a German 4.2 gun in position in front of us, so it is ours – first gun captured by the Battn & ‘D’ Coy has the honor. All the boys souvenir hunting all day & have bayonets, scabbards, revolvers, helmets &c. Our cavalry patrolling on road on right about 1500 yds away.
15 Jun
…Cricket match in afternoon – Officers 50th v. 51st. Match unfinished really, but 51st made 7 more runs than we did. Rather enjoyed the game – made 8 & 4.
17 Jun
…Hear that poor Dick Wilton has lost an eye & also his left forefinger – bad luck for him – feel very sorry, – a real nice chap.
24 Jun
Received nice photo of dear Mum from Mrs Bond. One of our balloons brought down by enemy aeroplane this morning – one German plane brought down.
29 Jun
…Attended demonstration of a company in attack at 2nd Army Musketry School, near St Omer, in morning with other O’s C, Tom English, Jim Loudon & others from Bgde…Received letter from Mona.
Diary of James Churchill-Smith
