WORLD WAR ONE DIARY OF THOMAS WALLBANK - wallshuff.co.uk

15-10-17 WINEZEELE 6.00am .Barn occupied by the shoemakers was set on fire and was burnt to the ground
7.00am. Move by bus and march to vicinity of POTIGE camp [1km E of YPRES] [De-bussed at Menin Gate -
Official History]
16-10-17 to POTIJZE camp
Tents had to be struck during daylight as a precaution against enemy aircraft, and a very uncomfortable day
17-10-17 [1km E of YPRES]
was spent in the open.
18-10-17 POTIGE camp 11.00am Enemy aircraft dropped a bomb on the camp causing 50 casualties.
12.15pm The Batn set out to relieve the 34 th and part of 36th Batn. Australian Inf. In front line. ( sheet 28,
D17a 3.3-10d 1.5). Relief complete at 6.20pm. 4 th KOYLI were on the right, a battalion of New Zealanders
on the left. Major General Percival visited the Batn to say goodbye on giving up command of the Division,
Strength 30 off 647 O.R. . [Batn . HQ at Boethoek - Official History]
19-10-17 to In the Field
The line consisted of un[?] trenches and consolidated shell holes & the ground was very wet. The enemy
21-10-17 [near WATERFIELDS] shelled the whole area heavily both day and night but made no counter attack. Casualties 46. Enemy aircraft
were very active throughout an fired at the [?] with MGs. A large number of dead both 66 th Division and
Australians were buried by us.
22-10-17 In the Field
The Batn was relieved by two coys of the 5
[near WATERFIELDS]
th Batn Canadian infantry and preceded to a field near POTIJE for
the night. Transport was shelled. 12 horses and [?] killed and 6 sent away wounded
23-10-17 WINNEZEELE Proceeded by bus from YPRES to WINNEZEELE. Under canvas in a wet field.
24-10-17 WINNEZEELE Spent day cleaning up.
25-10-17 WINNEZEELE Lt Colonel (temp Brigadier General) P.L.A [?] D.S.O who relinquished command on 23 inst. Payed a
farewell visit to the Batn. He made a speech to all officers and representative of each Platoon & Detail .
26-10-17 WINNEZEELE Lt Colonel (temp Brigadier General ) L.F. Green-Wilkinson D.S.O who assumed command of the Brigade on
the 24 inst.payed a visit to the Batn.. Strength: 29 off 632 O.R
27-10-17 WINNEZEELE Moved by route march to STEENVOORDE area . A distance of about 5miles. Good accomadation for the
men but that for officers [?].
28-10-17 STEENVOORDE Quite day. Church parades.
29-10-17 STEENVOORDE Capt E.N. Holmes MC takes over command of the Batn.from Lt Colonel D.F. Branson who proceeds on
leave. Reinforcements Lt R.E. Ma??? and 51 OR. Brigade school reopens for junior NCOs. Training started.
30-10-17 & STEENVOORDE Training.
31-10-17
NOV 1917
Announcement in II ANZAC Corps routine orders. The Corps commander under authority delegated to him
has awarded the Military Medal to the following NCOs and men: 203847 Pte Meskil R; 203426 Pte Kelson
J.R.; Sgt Warren J.E.;200742 Pte Jenkinson P.; 200888 Pte L. Cpl Bewer E.C.; 203777 Cpl Green H.;
203426 Pte Downing G.; 203349 Pte Lockwood F..
02-11-17 STEENVOORDE Draft of 20 OR and 2 nd Lts J.B. Parker, C.G. Miller, W.T. Shopland, W.E. Gadsby, G.F. D????, J.A.
Gemmell, A.J. Nicholls, joined Batn. Strength 33 officers, 633 OR. Military Cross awarded to Capt Wortley
and DCMs to CSM Wagg, Sgt Lawless and Sgt Megson.
03-11-17 STEENVOORDE 2 OR joined Batn.
06-11-17 STEENVOORDE 1 OR joined Batn. To be Lts from 1 July 1917 : 2 nd Lt S. Reynolds, 2 nd Lt E.J. Wilkins, 2 nd Lt T.A. Murray,
2 nd Lt T.E Sanderson.
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