1915 13th DLI is Sent to France

Armentières Sector

Harry arrived in the early hours of 26 August 1915 in Boulogne with the 13th Btn. After a wait of a few hours the battalion entrained for Moulle on the Calias-St.Omer Road, arriving the next day.

Further training was undertaken until the 6th September when the brigade was marched to Hazebrouck. The next day they march to Steenwerck, between St-Omer and Lille.

On 9th September, the 12th and 13th were assigned to the 20th Division for instructions in trench duties.

On the 17th they moved to Petit Moulin by the River Lys nr Erquinghem.

The 12th and 13th stood to arms when the offensive began on 25th September. The next day the were marched through Estaires and spent the night on the la Bassee Road.

20th Division

They returned the next day only to be brought back on the 28th and placed under the 20th Division. They provided working parties for the 20th and help for the tunnellers.

Estaires Area

The 13th returned to Petit Moulin on October 4th. On the 7th October the 13th relieved the 12th in the front line. During the next few months the 13th occupied the trenches beyond Bois Grenier, a generally quiet area of the front.

On 5th December, the 13th was nr the Lille Road and the wet weather caused continual work keeping the trenches effective.

On the 27th and 28th, the 15th Royal Scots were under instruction by the 13th Btn and received heavy bombardment by the Germans.

During his time in the trenches Harry collected badges, one that survived was that of the Royal Scots.

The 13th left the line on the 13th February 1916 under heavy bombardment losing 5 killed, 14 wounded.

The battalion moved to Sailly on February 25th via Morbecque (26th) and Auchel on the 29th. In poor conditions of rain, hail and snow.

Nine days of rest were taken at Hermin.

On 17th March the 13th took up the line at Calonne nr Lens. The Germans in this area were even more aggressive. 'A' Company adjacent to Pit Prop Corner received most attention. But on April 6th member of 'C' Company in a Dug out were all killed by a shell.

On the 26th April the 13th moved to Pernes and then on the 5th May they moved to Reclinghem for further training.

Souchez Sector

On the 12th May, while Harry was in training, his wife Annie died of Tuberculosis. After two weeks of training. The 13th returned to the line in the Souchez Sector on 20th May. This was an active sector with rifle grenades and trench mortars.

The 13th were relieved by the 12th on June 4th. And spent time in support on the Notre Dame de Lorette Spur before moving back to Delette on the 15th of June.

On the 24th June the 13th marched to Aire and entrained for the Somme.