Many years ago I purchased the diary of Second Lieutenant (Temporary)
Reginald Nixon Wood, 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (9/RIF), who died on
Tuesday, 22 February 1916. On the 100th
anniversary his death, and of the Battle
of the Somme, this post, aims to tell the story of his tragically short war, a few
months before the ‘Big Push’.
9th Royal Irish Fusiliers arrival in France
The 9/RIF, 108th Brigade (36th
Division), with a strength of 30 officers and 995 rank and file, disembarked at
Havre on 4 October 1915. It then proceeded to Rainville where it settled into
billets and a period of training. This included gas demonstrations, rifle and
bombing drill and Brigade field exercises. On 17 October the 9/RIF left
Rainville, arriving at Hebuturne on 19 October for instruction in
trench warfare, attached to 144th Brigade (48th Division).
The general method for
instruction at this time was the attachment of formations and units to those
next larger, that is a battalion to a brigade, a company to a battalion. Each
company of the 9/RIF was attached to one of the battalions of 144th Brigade for
individual instruction. On 23 October, the 9/RIF received its first casualty,
Private Wilson of C Company, who was wounded in the arm.
The 9/RIF left the front line on
25 October, arriving in the area of Ribeaucourt on 27 October. A period of
fairly lengthy training and instruction followed, lasting until the start of
February 1916. This did include some emphasis on grenade training, perhaps as a
result of comments by Brigadier Nicholson, Commanding Officer 144th Brigade, about the 9/RIF attachment to his Brigade during 19 to 25
October:
‘During their period of attachment both Officers and men displayed the
greatest keenness and anxiety to profit from the instruction given, and when
holding sections of the trench line, as companies, they carried out their
duties efficiently, and kept the trenches clean.
Their preliminary training appears to have been on sound lines, but in
view of its paramount importance nowadays, sufficient time does not appear to
have been devoted to training in the use of grenades.’
2nd Lieut. R.N. Wood joins the 9/RIF
Reginald Nixon Wood was
commission from the ranks of the H.A.C., and his diary entry for 23 January
notes:
‘Gazette to 9 Royal Irish Fusiliers.’
The following day he left
Beresford House, Ireland, for England. He then left London for France on 28
January. On 29 January, he was attached to A Company and Private Elliot was
made his servant. He joined up with the Battalion on 31 January at
Prouville.
The 36th Division enters the Front Line
On 1 February, 1916, the 36th
Division was transferred to XVII Corps and received orders to move to the
trench line. The whole Division marched towards the front line between 2 and 6
February. The Division took over the front line from 4th Division at
noon on 7 February; the Divisional front extended between the Ancre and Mailly-Mallet
to the Serre Road with the 108th Brigade on the right, the 107th on the left,
and the 109th in reserve. Divisional Headquarters were at Acheux.
The move of the 9/RIF is
described in Wood’s diary:
2 February: ‘ Left Prouville at 10 a.m. Arrived Halloy les
Pernoise at 2.30. Good Billet. Left H.
les P [Halloy les Pernoise] at 9 am.’
The 9/RIF War Diary states this
was a nine and a half mile march and also confirmed the good billets.
3 February: ‘Arrived Puchevilliers. Billeted in School mistress’s house. Left here
at 6 a.m.’
The 9/RIF War Diary states that
it was a 10 mile march from Halloy - Pernoise to Puchevilliers. The Commanding
Officer and a small party went onto Martinstart and then to the trench line at
Hamel to make arrangements for going into the line. They returned to Puchevilliers that evening.
4 February: ‘Arrived Hedauville.’
This was a march of nine miles
according to the 9/RIF War Diary. D
Company marched up to Mesnil to relieve a Company of the 1st East Lancashire
Regt (11th Brigade, 4th Division).
On 5 February the rest of the
9/RIF moved to Mesnil, a march of six miles, and took over the garrison there
until relieved by 13th Royal Irish Rifles. The 9/RIF then moved to Hamel and
relieved the 1st Hampshire Regt (11th Brigade, 4th Division) in the
trenches. The front line was manned by A
and B Companies with D Company in close support and C Company in reserve in
Hamel. The 16th Lancashire Fusiliers (96th Brigade, 32nd Division) were to the
right of the 9/RIF and the 13th Royal Irish Rifles on the left. Wood notes in his diary on 5 February:
‘I went with No 4 Platoon to trenches.’
Ordinary trench routine - 6 to 9 February
Above: German front line in the Hamel-Thiepval area. Peters Head Sap and Marsh Lane, mentioned in this post are marked. Jacobs Ladder ran from Hamel to Mesnil up a steep forward slope. Joffre Lane ran alongside the main road as it left the northern end of Hamel
Ordinary trench routine - 6 to 9 February
The 9/RIF War diary notes some ‘intermittent’ enemy shelling between 6
and 9 February, mostly 77mm ‘whizz bangs’.
Construction was begun on a new dug out as the 9/RIF found the
accommodation in the line ‘very limited.’ On 8 February, British 8” and 9.2”
guns shelled the enemy lines opposite the 9/RIF. The enemy responded with a few
‘whizz bangs’ and trench mortars causing one casualty, although only slightly
wounded. In his dairy, Wood notes that a wiring party went out on the night 6
February, under Second Lieutenant Montgomery, with Lieutenant Flood (Battalion
Bombing Officer) and some bombers acting as a screen for the party. On 9 February he notes that:
‘Nothing particular happened in the trenches. Had a walk down B Co.
Trenches.’
Out on Patrol
Perhaps the inexperience of a
newly commissioned officer on his first tour of the trenches shows in Wood’s
diary entry for 10 February:
‘Out [at] 4 am this morning. I went out on a patrol with Elliot –
without warning the sentries. Coming back was fired at from No 2 Sap. Elliot
was hit by first shot. Great difficulty bringing him down to M.O. [Medical
Officer]. Dr Berry said it was a bad case. Later in the day saw the Col
[Colonel]. Major Pratt took particulars of the incident. L/Corpl Wilson fired
the shot.’
The following day, 11 February,
Wood writes:
‘Heard today that Elliot felt better – had been sent down by ambulance
& if he takes the journey well – he may recover.’
The only reference to this
incident in the 9/RIF War Diary is that one of two casualties suffered during
the day was accidental. Wood provides details on the other casualty in his
diary:
‘Regtl. Storeman wounded (No. 3 Platoon) by shrapnel.’
In Reserve
On 11 February, the 9/RIF War
Diary notes that the ‘enemy put 40 whizz
bangs into HAMEL village’, resulting in one man wounded. British guns
responded by shelling Beaucourt. During
the evening, the 9/RIF were relieved by 12th Royal Irish Rifles, moving into
reserve at Mesnil. Wood notes in his diary:
‘Left with my Platoon down to Mesnil – same quarters.’
Mesnil was heavily shelled the
following day – the 9/RIF War Diary noting that the ‘Enemy put 20 whizz bangs and 12 heavy shell into the village’. Two
casualties resulted, one killed and one who died of his wounds the next day.
British guns again responded by shelling Beaucourt. Three officers also had
narrow escape as noted in the Battalion war Diary:
‘Capt Johnstone, Lt Johnstone & Lt Given had a narrow escape from a
shell which wrecked their billet, Capt Johnstone receiving a mere scratch on
the ear, Lt Johnstone a bullet (shrapnel) through pocket of his coat, the
bullet going through a book in his pocket – Lt Given was bruised on back by a
piece of spent shell.’
In the afternoon, the Battalion
War Diary notes that the enemy ‘dropped
10 heavy shells onto the village in the neighborhood of the railway station and
dressing station.’
In his diary, Wood also recounts
these events, noting heavy shelling. He managed to find cellar accommodation
for all his men, moving their beds down into the cellars; as a result he notes
he ‘slept well’. He recorded the fatal casualties as ‘Cook “C” Company killed by a shell. Another
man mortally wounded’. He also notes that ‘Johnny Walker appointed servant’, replacing Elliot.
The 9/RIF War Diary records that
shelling continued during the following two days. On 13 February, enemy artillery put 12 shells
into the west of the village; Lieutenant Gibson had a narrow escape when six
‘whizz bangs’ fell around him but without causing him any harm. On 14 February,
the enemy landed 47 shells in Mesnil, apparently searching for British
artillery. The 9/RIF also supplied a working party in two shifts of 180 men
each to dig a new trench in the second line defences.
The weather was particularly bad
this February, causing many cases of ‘trench feet’ commonly known at the time
as Frost-bite. It was caused by the
constant immersion of feet in water. Until ‘gum-boots, thigh’ became more
frequently issued, the only prevention was to rub a special type of grease on
to the men’s feet, or dry socks which sometimes came up with ration parties at
night. On 15 February, Wood notes in his diary:
‘Supervised 2 & 4 Platoons in rubbing in Frostbite Grease for half
an hour.’
The Divisional History adds some more detail:
‘The men laughed at the special grease with which they were provided to
rub their feet, but they used it as they were ordered to do. Contrary to
legend, but a small proportion was really used for the frying of food. They
laughed also at the foot drill, each man rubbing the feet of his next number
once a day, but to a great extent they carried it out.’
With the 9/RIF in reserve, this
also allowed the opportunity for some to go on leave to England for eight days.
In his diary, also 15 February, Wood notes:
‘Capt Enser goes on leave. Also Major Atkinson, Mr Lutton [Battalion
Signaling Officer], Johnstone & White.’
The 9/RIF War Diary notes 46
other rank and file also went on leave.
Jacobs Ladder
Being in reserve often required
the provision of working parties. Second Lieutenant Wood, on 16 February,
records in his diary:
‘In charge of 25 men to clean up Jacob’s Ladder from 9 am to 4 pm. Work
postponed after 11.30 owing to bad weather.’
Above: Jacobs Ladder ran behind Hamel Military Cemetery, running up the slope in these two images towards Mesnil. According to Linesman, I was actually standing on what was Jacobs Ladder when taking the second shot.
The Divisional History comments on the
notoriety of this communication trench:
‘Few of those who were compelled to use it will forget one notorious
communication trench. “Jacob’s Ladder”, which ran from the village of Mesnil to
that of Hamel, down a forward slope completely exposed to the enemy. By night
the road could be followed without worse risk than occasional bursts of
machine-gun fire, so that large bodies of men had seldom to use this trench. By
day, however, men clawing their way through its mud experienced the sensations
of flies in treacle.’
Mention has already been made
about the bad weather the battalion experienced in respect to trench feet. It
also made maintaining the trenches difficult, if not impossible in some
instances. The Divisional History notes the weather was ‘an opponent more formidable than the Germans’ and continues:
‘The men in the trenches lived under conditions of the deepest
discomfort. For weeks together the communication trenches were knee-deep in
water. Previous troops had dug deep sumps in the bottom of the trenches,
covering them with boards, with the idea of draining off the water. But the
water soon filled these and rose till it floated off the boards. Then would
some unfortunate fellow splashing his way along the trench, to plunge into the
hole and be soused in icy water to the waist or higher.’
The 9/RIF War Diary notes that
the ‘past few week’s rain has left the
trenches in a most deplorable condition.’
The War Diary also notes that the 12th Royal Irish Rifles lost one man
who was smothered by a trench, opposite Lancashire Post, falling in and burying
him.
Back into the line
The 9/RIF relieved the 12th Royal
Irish Rifles on the evening of 17 February, with “C” and “D” Companies taking
over the front line, “B” Company in close support and “A” Company in reserve.
The Company in reserve was responsible for the defence of the Ancre ‘and its swampy valley, filled with miniature
lakes.’ The was carried out by a platoon manning small isolated posts, the
most advanced being at the bridge on the Thiepval-Hamel Road. Wood notes that
it was a ‘Glorious moonlit night, but
very cold later.’ The troops on the
right of the Battalion were 8th West Yorkshire Regt (32nd Division)
and on the left the 11th Royal Irish Rifles.The 9/RIF War Diary notes another
trench collapse as a result of the bad weather, the fire trench between Signal
Box Post and Lancashire Post.
A few details of trench routine
are given in Wood’s diary for 18 and 19 February:
18 February: ‘No 3 Platoon on Marsh Post for 3 days. Holywood
O.C [Second Lieutenant Holywood, Officer Commanding] Marsh Post last night.
Monty [Second Lieutenant Montgomery] took out first authorized patrol to the
Mill. Very wet night. Came in – nothing to report. I was O.C Marsh Post
tonight. Jameson went to sleep whilst on duty at Stone Bridge as a signaler.
Reported him to Capt. Allen.’
19 February: ‘I was O.C Marsh Post. C.O [Commanding Officer – Lieut. Col S.W.
Blacker] came up at Stand To to Stone Bridge this morning. Yesterday went over
to Peter’s Head Sap with [the] Major and Monty. Held by 8 W. Yorks – lately at
Ypres. Relieved from Marsh Post by Monty. Slept at dressing station with D Coy.’
Above: Marsh Lane today.
Below: The site of Peters Head Sap
He also notes that when being
relieved by Second Lieutenant Montgomery, a sentry at Castor Post reported a
man ‘crossing the river near the tree
trunk’ although a patrol sent out the bridge did not find anything to
report.
Wood also records in his diary
for 19 February a rumor that ‘Kentish
Villas is mined.’ According to the 9/RIF War Diary, it was the Officer
Commanding D Company that reported the signs of mining. An officer from 22nd
Tunneling Company, billeted at Auchonvillers, visited the following day and
after carrying out a careful study reported that, in his opinion, the sounds
heard were not caused by enemy mining.
Kentish Villas, or Kentish Caves, was a dugout in a small chalk cliff,
just to the east of Hamel.
Above: The site of Kentish Villas, or Caves, today. Dugouts were made in the embankment and where quite exposed as the entrances faced the Germans.
The 9/RIF War Diary also notes
heavy shelling of Auchonvillers, with smells of lachrymatory shells reaching
the Battalion area. Aircraft and machine guns from both sides were also noted
as being very active on 19 February.
During 20 and 21 February, things
were quiet; on 20 February Wood notes in his diary that it was a ‘slack day.’ The 9/RIFWar Diary simply
states ‘Situation normal’ for 21
February, while Wood notes he was sniped at:
‘Monty & I went up to sentry at Joffre Avenue to inspect “Dud”
shell – which lodged in the road 10 yards from him. We were sniped at. Relieved H [Holywood] at M
[Marsh] Post. No. 4 platoon on duty there.’
On 22 February, Wood wrote his
last entry in his diary:
‘Patrol of Huns seen crossing road at 11:30 pm. W Yorks patrol went out
at midnight. R.I.Rs [Royal Irish Rifles] went up to trenches to have a look
round. Wrote Noreen – sent her £3 for watch.’
The patrol that Wood refers to
presumably went out on the night of 21/22 February. The 9/RIF War Diary records how Wood was
killed:
‘A patrol of ours visited the mill & were fired on with rifle
grenades – the following casualties received
2 Lt Wood & 1 man killed, 2 Lt Holywood and 2 men wounded. 2 Lt
Holywood behaved with great gallantry and coolness. 2 Lt Wood had joined us
barley a month from the ranks of the H.A.C. He was a most promising officer
possessing plenty of nerve and dash.’
Second Lieutenant Wood is buried
in Hamel Military Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel, I.A.23.
First image: Site of old mill on the Ancre
Second image: Hamel Cemetery
Third Image: Grave of 2nd Lieut. Wood.
Forth image: Grave of Private S.J. Forde, killed on the same patrol as 2nd Lieut. Wood.
The 9/RIF were relieved by the 12th
Royal Irish Rifles on the evening of 23 February and moved back into reserve at
Englebelmer. It underwent a period of refitting and cleaning of clothing as
well as supplying working parties to keep roads clear of snow. The 9/RIF
returned to the front line at Hamel on 28 February. The trenches were described
as being in ‘deplorable condition’
due to the recent snow followed by a thaw.
During the month of February, the
9/RIF suffered the following casualties:
One Officer (Second Lieutenant
Wood) and two Other Ranks killed; one Officer and nine Other Ranks wounded. 
Above: Hamel looking from the Thiepval ridge. Jacobs Ladder ran up the bare field in the background.
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