The story of the 6th Battalion, the Durham Light Infantry : $b France, April 1915-November 1918
History
The story of the 6th Battalion, the Durham Light Infantry : $b France, April 1915-November 1918
Great Britain. Army. Durham Light Infantry; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
Eventually, the remnants of the Division, except the Composite Battalion,
were assembled at Vert-la-Gravelle, south of the Marne, when a Composite
Brigade was formed, consisting of a weak Battalion from each of the
original Brigades. This Brigade, after about a week spent in
reorganisation, moved up to Chaumuzy and the Bois de Courton, where it
did good work in a counter-attack on the Bligny ridge. Meanwhile, the
transport and stores moved back to Broyes, near Sezanne, where they were
eventually joined by the members of the Composite Battalion. For actions
during the whole of the operations, the Military Cross was awarded to
Capt. A.B. Hare, Lieut. T. Rushworth, 2nd Lieut. J. Woodhead, and R.S.M.
J. Taylor. The last named was wounded and was succeeded by C.S.M. T.
Sordy, M.C. The Military Medal was awarded to Sergt. Malone, L.-Cpl.
Ripley and Pte. Dinsley, and the French Croix de Guerre to Corpl. Nield.
At Broyes still another Composite Battalion was formed from the Brigade
in case of emergency, and though orders were received to proceed into the
line, they were cancelled.
Then came the news that owing to the military demands, the 50th Division
was to be broken up. Nothing definite, however, could be ascertained, and
early in June the remnants entrained at Sezanne for the Abbeville area.
On detraining at Longpre they marched to billets at Caumont, where orders
were received that the battalions were to be reduced to the strength of
Training Cadres (10 officers and 50 other ranks). After a few days they
marched to Warcheville, from where the surplus men (about 120) were sent
to the Base. It may be mentioned that the total casualties in the
Battalion during the months of March, April and May had been 60 officers
and over 1,200 other ranks.
In a few more days the Battalion, now a Training Cadre, moved by 'bus to
a camp just outside Dieppe, and there a month was spent awaiting further
orders. The time was spent in the training of the N.C.O.'s who were to be
instructors on special subjects, and in visits to the town. The band had
been lent to the 50th Division, which had been filled up by new
battalions from Salonica and was able to play selections in the camp, and
on one occasion in the town.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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