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Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 1: pp 1-29 (19 pages; 9.6 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 2: pp 30-50 (17 pages; 9.23 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 3: pp 51-61 (16 pages; 9.76 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 4: pp 62-80 (18 pages; 9.05 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 5: pp 81-99 (17 pages; 9.24 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 6: pp 100-113 (11 pages; 5.89 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 7: pp 114-122 (14 pages; 8.45 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 8: pp 123-131 (18 pages; 9.64 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 9: pp 132-144 (14 pages; 9.61 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 10: pp 145-169 (26 pages; 8.37 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 11: pp 170-179 (9 pages; 7.57 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 12: pp 180-194 (16 pages; 6.12 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 13: pp 195-205 (16 pages; 8.46 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 14: pp 206-222 (17 pages; 8.01 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 15: pp 223-242 (19 pages; 9.74 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 16: pp 243-256 (16 pages; 6.81 MB) 

Morant memoir Vol 1 Part 17: pp 257-259 (12 pages; 9.84 MB) 

Memoir of Colonel Hubert Morant


First World War memoirs, volume one 1914-1918: 10th Battalion DLI


Title: MY EXPERIENCES & IMPRESSIONS SINCE THE DECLARATION OF WAR
by Hubert Horatio Shirley Morant

Personal memoirs written up after the war by Colonel Hubert Morant, commanding officer 10th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, of his experiences during the First World War, includes photographs, maps, reports and other items sent back from the front to be included. The right hand page forms a continuous narrative with the left hand page used for notes, anecdotes and other material interleaved before binding. Begins while commanding the depot at Newcastle at the outbreak of war, continues to early 1918 when promoted to temporary Brigadier of 3 Infantry Brigade.

The 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI) was the first New Army battalion raised by the DLI in August 1914 and was popularly known as the ‘Shiny Tenth’ or the ‘Shinies’. It served on the Western Front in:
Ypres Salient, Jun 1915 – Mar 1916
Arras, Mar – Aug 1916
Somme, Aug – Sep 1916
Arras, Sep 1916 – Jul 1917
Ypres Salient, Jul – Dec 1917
Somme, Jan – Feb 1918

Morant’s memoir remained in the family’s possession until 2013 when it was sold at auction. Durham County Record Office was able to purchase this exceptional volume with the generous support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Friends of The National Libraries and the Trustees of the former DLI. It has been digitised and is now freely accessible on the Durham at War website.

The contents have been digitised in their original order. Pages containing the main narrative are indicated in the summary below. The original pagination stops at page 48 and has not been used.

Page 1
Message from the King, 9 August 1914

Page 1(1)
Photograph – Officers of 10 DLI, undated [1914]

Page 2
Distinguishing Badge 10 DLI

AUGUST 1914

Page 3 (main narrative)
Newcastle – Mobilization

Page 4
Applications for commissions

Page 5 (main narrative)
Newcastle – Special Reserve

Page 6
RSM R Noble – photograph and description

Page 7 (main narrative)
South Shields

Page 8
CSM Donnelly – photograph and description

Page 9 (main narrative)
South Shields – Aldershot

Page 10
11th Battalion DLI and the composition of drafts

AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 1914

Page 11 (main narrative)
Woking

Page 12
List of officers

Page 13 (main narrative)
Woking – 10th DLI

Page 14
Newspaper cutting ‘A Faithful Durham – Heroic Action under Fire’: Private John Warwick at the battle of the Aisne

SEPTEMBER 1914

Page 15 (main narrative)
Woking – Aldershot

Page 16
Guards; 10 DLI believed to have been the first Kitchener battalion raised

Page 17 (main narrative)
Aldershot

Page 18
Greatcoats

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 1914

Page 19 (main narrative)
Equipment etc.

Page 20
Polo pony ‘Sudani’

DECEMBER 1914

Page 21 (main narrative)
Witley

Page 22
Newspaper cutting ‘Lord Kitchener in the Field – Operations of Troops in Training’

Page 23 (main narrative)
Xmas – Witley

Page 24
Newspaper cutting ‘The Lighter Side of Boxing – Amusing Events at Soldiers’ Sports’, including three photographs

JANUARY – FEBRUARY 1915

Page 25 (main narrative)
Witley – Aldershot

Page 26
Newspaper cutting containing three photographs of 10 DLI bayonet training in a practice trench

MARCH – MAY 1915

Page 27 (main narrative)
Aldershot

Page 28
Officers of 10 DLI, May 1915

Page 29 (main narrative)
Training New Army

Page 30
Newspaper cutting ‘Army Athletics – 10th Durham LI Sports at Aldershot’

Page 31 (main narrative)
Casualties in officers, December 1915

Page 32(1-2)
Message issued to each man in Kitchener’s Army before proceeding abroad

MAY 1915

Page 33 (main narrative)
Move to France

Page 34
Group photograph of A Company, 10 DLI at Aldershot, May [1914 sic] 1915
Named officers are:
Second Lieutenant JH Jerwood; Captain Martin; Lieutenant Colonel Morant; Lieutenant Marchant; Doctor Stewart; Sergeant Major Noble; Second Lieutenant JB Rosher; Second Lieutenant Parke; Major Chapman; Captain and Adjutant Wyllie; Second Lieutenant Sewart and Quartermaster Sergeant Allison

Page 35 (main narrative)
Journey up Country

Page 36
Message from the King read out to the 10th Battalion 68th Durhams by Lt Col Morant on leaving for the war

JUNE 1915

Page 37 (main narrative)
Bailleul

Page 38
Digging at Bailleul

Page 39 (main narrative)
Training in Trench Warfare

Page 40 (main narrative)
Territorials – Poperinghe

Page 41
Trench map of H Sector, showing trenches occupied by 10 DLI at Hooge, 26 July 1915; scale 1:5000

Page 42 (main narrative)
Trenches East of Ypres

Page 43
Disposal of the Brigade [at Hooge]

Page 44 (main narrative)
Inspecting trenches

Page 45
Shelters

Page 46 (main narrative)
First Tour in Trenches

Page 47
Chapman; German rifle battery; Investigation of signalling from a ruined house on the Menin Road; Cook’s Tourists

Page 48 (main narrative)
First Tour in Trenches

Page 49
Cook’s Tourists; Captain James killed

JULY 1915

Page 50 (main narrative)
Relief & Rest

Page 51 (main narrative)
Polo, Salmon & Champagne

Page 52 (main narrative)
2nd Tour in Trenches

Page 53
Note related to mining activity, supplementary to page 54

Page 54 (main narrative)
2nd Tour – Attack on Hooge
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

AUGUST 1915

Page 55 (main narrative)
Hooge- 3rd Tour
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Pages 56(1-2)
An Account of the Hooge Affair from ‘The Spectator’ 11 December 1915: The Honour of the Brigade (41st) – what had happened previous to our arrival on the scene on night of 29th July

Pages 56(3/1-3)
Letter from HHS Morant to JE Edmonds including remarks on the official history regarding Hooge pages 105-106, 29 October 1928

Page 57 (main narrative)
Hooge
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 58(1)
Map showing our Frontline and German Trenches at Hooge on 1 July [1917 sic] 1915

Page 58(2)
Trench map of Q Sector, Hooge, showing line lost by 10 DLI on 29 July and line taken over by 10 DLI on night of 29/30 July; 24 July 1915, scale 1:5000
Reproduced in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 59 (main narrative)
Hooge
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 60
Note regarding German communique

Page 61 (main narrative)
Hooge
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 62 (main narrative)
Hooge
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 63
Notes concerning General Cockburn and trench mortar noises, supplementary to page 64

Page 64 (main narrative)
Hooge
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 65
Notes concerning Hooge casualties, supplementary to page 66

Page 66 (main narrative)
Hooge
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 67
Notes concerning reconnaissance and distribution of rations, supplementary to page 68

Page 68 (main narrative)
Hooge
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 69
Newspaper cutting ‘A British Success at Hooge – 1200 Yards of Trenches Captured’

Page 70 (main narrative)
Rest
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 71
Trench map of G Sector, Hooge, 24 July 1915, showing lines held by German and British forces including 2 DLI, 29 July – 9 August 1915; scale 1:5000
Reproduced in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 72 (main narrative)
Attack by VIth Division – Hooge
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 73
Newspaper cutting ‘British Headquarters, France, 19 August’ 1915, describing the success at Hooge and the actions of 2 DLI

Page 74 (main narrative)
4th Tour- Y Wood Salient
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 75 (main narrative)
Wounded
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 76 (main narrative)
Field Ambulance – Poperinghe
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 77(1)
Telegram from the War Office to Mrs Morant, The Leazes, Hexham, Northumberland, advising that Lt Col HS Morant was wounded on 15th, 17 August 1915

Page 77(2)
Telegram from the War Office to Mrs Morant, The Leazes, Hexham, Northumberland, advising that Lt Col HS Morant was admitted to No 1 Red Cross Hospital, Le Touquet, 17th August with gunshot wound right leg, 21 August 1915

Page 78 (main narrative)
Casualty Clearing Station

Page 79 (main narrative)
Duchess of Westminster’s Hospital

SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER 1915

Page 80 (main narrative)
King Edward VIIth Hospital & 43 Belgrave Square

Pages 81-82
Copy report from JB Rosher to Colonel Morant describing attack at Bellewarde Lake and five minutes’ ceasefire to recover wounded men, 29 September 1915

Pages 83-85
Copy report from [JB Rosher] to Colonel Morant describing events leading up to and following the offensive by 2 DLI on 25 September

AUGUST – DECEMBER 1915

Page 86 (main narrative)
Medical board; August – December

Page 87
Strength of Battalion by Companies – Sir H Plumer’s Inspection, October 1915

Page 88 (main narrative)
August – December

Page 89
Newspaper cutting from the London Gazette reporting Lloyd George’s address to the House of Commons on 20 December on the subject of ammunition shortages, 21 December 1915

Pages 90-91 (main narrative)
Artillery

Page 92 (main narrative)
Artillery – Fortification

Page 93
Newspaper cutting from the London Gazette reporting Lloyd George’s address to the House of Commons on 20 December on the subject of the necessity of big guns, [21 December 1915]

Page 94 (main narrative)
Bombs

Page 95
Newspaper cutting from the London Gazette reporting Lloyd George’s address to the House of Commons on 20 December on the subject of the production of small arms, [21 December 1915]

Page 96 (main narrative)
Bombs- Aeroplanes

Page 97 (main narrative)
Aeroplanes- Attack

Pages 98-99 (main narrative)
Attack

Pages 101-102 (main narrative)
Defence

Page 103 (main narrative)
Sniping – Gas

Page 104 (main narrative)
Gas- Liquid Fire

XMAS 1915

Page 105 (main narrative)
Generals & Staff Officers

Page 106
German patrols and a confrontation with a soldier from 10 DLI
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

FEBRUARY 1916

Page 107 (main narrative)
Ypres

Page 108
Casualties from 21.5.15 – 14.2.16; total for 8 months was 36 officers and 718 other ranks
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 108(1)
Photograph of the officers of 10 DLI, undated [1915-1916]

Page 109 (main narrative)
Ypres – Arras

Page 110
Issue of steel helmets in May 1916; death of Second Lieutenant Dorell

Page 111 (main narrative)
Ypres – Arras

FEBRUARY – JUNE 1916

Page 112
Vertical aerial photograph ‘Part of our front in G1&2 Sectors, Arras – Albert Road & Chat Maigre’

Page 113 (main narrative)
G2 & Agny Sector

JULY 1916

Page 114(1)
Photograph of the officers of 10 DLI, Arras, July 1916
Back row: Captain and Adjutant Stewart; Regimental Sergeant Major Slater; LCO Panton; Orderly Room Sergeant Moyles; Doctor Dudgeon
Front row: Major Hon R St John; HHS M[orant]; Captain CE Pumphrey, MC; Private Dixon

Page 114(2)
Photograph of ‘Headquarters Runners – Splendid Men’

Page 114(3/1)
Three printed views of the belfry at Arras before and after the fire:
Le Beffroi emergeant de la vague des toits
L’incendie du Beffroi
Le Beffroi et l’Hotel de Ville Apres l’incendie

Page 114(3/2)
Printed view of the belfry at Arras:
Le Beffroi vu par la rue Saint-Gery

Page 114(3/3)
Printed view of the belfry ruins at Arras:
Les ruines du Beffroi

Page 114(3/4)
Printed view of the of the lion statue that topped the belfry at Arras:
Dans la cour du Palais Saint Vaast. Le lion qui surmontait le Beffroi

Page 114(3/5)
Two printed views of the belfry at Arras:
Beffroi et Hotel de Ville, avant la guerre
Beffroi et Hotel de Ville (cote de la Petite Place). Etat actuel

Page 114(3/6)
Three printed views of the tower of the Ursuline convent at Arras:
Tour de l’ancien convent des Ursulines, transforme en college communal des filles:
Avant la guerre
Apres les premiers bombardements
Etat actuel

Page 115 (main narrative)
Arras & J Sector

Page 116
Plan of J Sector, North East of Arras, July 1916, showing the location of mines Claude, Clarence and Cuthbert, and trenches named July Avenue, August Avenue, November Avenue and Waterloo Street; no scale

Page 117 (main narrative)
J Sector – Identifications

JULY – AUGUST 1916

Page 118
Newspaper cutting from ‘The Times’, 31 August 1916, entitled ‘In View of Flers Village: The Delville Wood Clearance’

Page 119 (main narrative)
March to Somme – Longueval

Page 120(1)
Printed photograph of troops ‘In what was Delville Wood: digging a communication trench’

Page 120
Note of a Sherwood Forester three parts buried in Delville Wood and still alive several days after an attack

AUGUST 1916

Page 121 (main narrative)
Longueval & Delville Wood

Page 122
Newspaper cutting entitled: ‘Fighting Pumphreys Add a DSO’, undated [1941]. Includes reference to Captain CEW Pumphrey’s First World War service

Pages 123-127
Typescript copy of the account, forwarded to Headquarters, 43rd Brigade, of the operation of clearing Edge Trench and the new German trench running north from Edge Trench, by Lieutenant Colonel HHS Morant, 10 DLI, 29 August 1916
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 128
Sketch plan by HHS Morant of the ‘Attack which finally cleared Delville Wood’, 27 August 1916
Reproduced in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 129
Secret Operation Order No 59 of 43rd Light Infantry Brigade concerning the 10 DLI attack at Delville Wood, 26 August 1916
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Pages 130(1-8)
Manuscript copy of the account, forwarded to Headquarters, 43rd Brigade, of the operation of clearing Edge Trench and the new German trench running north from Edge Trench, by Lieutenant Colonel HHS Morant, 10 DLI, 29 August 1916

Pages 131(1-2)
Secret instructions from Brigadier General P Wood, commanding 43rd Infantry Brigade, to officers commanding King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and 10 DLI for the capture of the Beer Trench line on or before 29 August, 27 August 1916
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 132
Message from Brigadier General P Wood, commanding 43rd Infantry Brigade, to the officer commanding 10 DLI concerning a recent ‘unintelligible’ report, 27 August 1916
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Pages 133-134
14th Division orders from Brigadier General P Wood, commanding 43rd Infantry Brigade, to the officers commanding King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and 10 DLI concerning the occupation of Beer Trench and Ale Alley, 27 August 1916
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 135
Trench map No. X 13 of Delville Wood, annotated with British and German lines in August 1916 and British line in August 1918; scale 1:10,000

Page 136
Trench map No. X 16 of Delville Wood, annotated; scale 1:10,000

Page 137 (main narrative)
Delville Wood

Pages 138-139
Manuscript copy of report forwarded to Headquarters, 43rd Brigade, by Lieutenant HHS Morant on the second attack on Ale Alley with the Royal Welch Fusiliers, 29 August 1916
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 140
Typescript copy of report forwarded to Headquarters, 43rd Brigade, by Lieutenant HHS Morant on the second attack on Ale Alley with the Royal Welch Fusiliers, 29 August 1916

Page 141
Note of the Brigadier’s remarks to Captain Parr’s Company at Hornoy on the gallant work of ‘My Durhams’ at Delville Wood and in the trenches at Ypres

Page 142 (main narrative)
Delville Wood

Pages 143(1-2)
Letter from HA Freeman-Attwood, Arlaw Banks, Winston, to General [Morant ] recalling the events of 26-27 August 1916 near Delville Wood, 9 August 1938

Page 143
Eventful cricket match near Fricourt against 6/Somerset Light Infantry; Military Crosses awarded for Delville Wood

Pages 144-145
Message from Brigadier General P Wood, commanding 43rd Infantry Brigade, to Lieutenant Colonel Morant, commanding 10 DLI, ordering an immediate attack on the German Post in Delville Wood, 27 August 1916
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Pages 146-147
Message from Brigadier General P Wood, commanding 43rd Infantry Brigade, to Lieutenant Colonel Morant, commanding 10 DLI, attributing the failure to attack the German Post that morning to Morant’s extreme slowness and hesitation, 27 August 1916
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Pages 148-149
Report to Headquarters, 43rd Infantry Brigade, from Lieutenant Colonel HHS Morant, concerning the morning assault that did not develop as a result of inadequate artillery support, [27 August 1916]
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Pages 150-151
Report to Headquarters, 43rd Infantry Brigade, from Lieutenant Colonel HHS Morant, outlining revised plans for an assault, 27 August 1916
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 152 (main narrative)
The Brigadier & Myself
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 153
Note of names: Lieutenant Turner (Military Cross) and Company Sergeant Major Wakeham; possibly supplementary to page 196

SEPTEMBER 1916

Page 154
Annotated trench map of the British Front from High Wood to Ginchy, showing 10 DLI company positions up to midnight 15 September 1916; scale 1:10,000

Page 155
Annotated trench map No. X 29a showing 10 DLI position near Flers and locations of tanks towards Delville Wood; scale 1:20,000

Page 156
Annotated trench map No. 30 D showing 10 DLI position at Edge Trench/Ale Alley; scale 1:20,000

Pages 157-159
Brigade orders for second attack on Gird Trench, Gueudecourt, on the evening of 16 September 1916
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Pages 160-169
Account of operations of 10 DLI on the Bulls Road line on 15/16th and 16/17th, forwarded to Headquarters, 43rd Brigade, by Lieutenant Colonel HHS Morant, 19 September [1914 sic] 1916

Pages 170-173
Pages 47-50 from Valentine Williams: ‘The Adventures of an Ensign’, July 1917, describing 10 DLI operations on the Somme in 1916; annotated by HHS Morant

Page 174 (main narrative)
Gueudecourt Attack

Page 175
Disgraceful arrangements for removal of wounded in the attack of 15/16th September; note of honours awarded

JANUARY 1917

Pages 176-179
Report to 43rd Brigade on the raiding party at Arras, by Lieutenant Colonel HHS Morant, 6 January 1917

Pages 180-194
Report to 43rd Brigade on the 10 DLI raid at Arras on 6 January 1917, by Lieutenant Colonel HHS Morant, 7 January 1917. Includes critical observations in red ink on page 193 regarding the lack of sympathy between the Staff and the fighting troops

Page 195
A fox and game birds observed at Sibiville; the prospect of a ‘Spring Offensive’ indicated by the number of staff officers near the front line when 10 DLI was holding the H2 Sector

Page 196 (main narrative)
H2 Sector & Raid

Page 197
Observations on the alteration of raid plans; rescue of an old soldier from a well in No Man’s Land

FEBRUARY 1917

Page 198 (main narrative)
Divisional School

Page 199
Three officers killed by friendly fire on the Arras front; an amusing story of a patrol in an adjacent sector

MARCH 1917

Page 200 (main narrative)
Preparations for Offensive & withdrawal of the Boches

APRIL 1917

Page 201
Note of honours awarded [in April 1917]

Page 201(1-3) numbers not used

Pages 201(4/1-3)
Letter from CE McCoy, Queen’s Westminster and Civil Service Rifles, to General [Morant], providing details of operations in April 1917, 11 August 1937

Page 202(2)
Trench map of Neuville Vitasse, 51B.SW 1, edition 5A, annotated to show 10 DLI positions on 9/10th April 1917

Page 202(3/1)
Vertical aerial photograph annotated to show 10 DLI and 6 KOYLI advance towards Nice Trench and Hindenberg front line on 9 April 1917

Page 202(3/2)
Description of aerial photograph annotations

Pages 202-204
Copy letter from HHS Morant to his wife Helen describing ‘a great battle’ on the 9/10th, 11 April 1917

Page 205
Note on the respective progress of the 56th, 30th and 14th Divisions

Pages 206-212
Report on Operations 9/10th April, 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, by Lieutenant Colonel HHS Morant, 11 April 1917

Page 213 (main narrative)
Attack on Easter Monday & Tuesday – April 9th & 10th (continued from page 200)

Page 214
Recognition of the battalion’s services in the 9/10th April attack

Page 215 (main narrative)
Snow & Rest – April 11th

MAY 1917

Page 216 (main narrative)
Rest at Sus St Leger. Holding the Line East of Wancourt, 4-14th May

Pages 217-218 (main narrative)
Leave and the German Defences

Page 219
A daring German raid

FEBRUARY – MAY 1917

Page 220 (main narrative)
Reorganisation for Attack

JUNE – AUGUST 1917

Page 221
Photograph of officers of the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, titled ‘Engaged in The Great Adventure – Some of the Durhams and a RFC unit in France’, at Mont Noir, Flanders, August 1917

Page 222 (main narrative)
Training at Bus

Pages 223-227
Report on Operations, 22-24 August 1917, 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, at Inverness Copse and Menin Road, by Lieutenant Colonel HHS Morant

Page 228(2)
Letter from ABE Cator, Brigade Major, 20th Infantry Brigade, describing a ghastly five days’ battle [at the 1st Battle of Ypres], 27 October 1914. This is presumably inserted here as a comparison with the 3rd Battle of Ypres in 1917.

Page 228
Note concerning Acheson, the commanding officer of King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, killed in the Sterling Castle Pill Box; supplementary to page 229

Page 229 (main narrative)
Inverness Copse

Page 230
List of honours and awards for 22-24 August 1917 and casualty totals
Transcribed in WO 95/1907/6 http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14017575

Page 231 (main narrative)
Inverness Copse

SEPTEMBER 1917

Page 232
Farewell address by Major General P Wood, CB, CMG, to 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, 1 September 1917

Page 233(1) (main narrative)
Departure of General Wood – Messines

Page 233(2)
Message from Captain G Wright, Brigade Major, 43rd Light Infantry Brigade, to 10 DLI concerning points noticed on the brigade march, 4 September 1917

OCTOBER 1917

Page 233
Note concerning officers going to Company Headquarters in front of Polderhoek Chateau; supplementary to page 234

Page 234 (main narrative)
Cameron House & Covert

Page 235
Sketch of Polderhoek Chateau, Menin Road, captioned ‘View from my HQ at Jerk Ho[use]’ and descriptive note, October 1917

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 1917

Page 236 (main narrative)
Cameron House – Work – Training St Omer

Page 237
Notes concerning operations, conditions and casualties after coming out of the Polderhoek sector; supplementary to pages 236 and 238

DECEMBER 1917

Page 238 (main narrative)
Passchendale

Page 239
Note on the failed attack on Polderhoek Chateau by the Gordon Highlanders

Page 240 (main narrative)
Passchendale

Page 241
Description of conditions in the [Gondberg] sector

Page 242 (main narrative)
Gondberg (Passchendale)

Page 243
Song sung by Headquarters, 10 DLI, on the march; observations on the German use of advanced outposts at night

Page 244 (main narrative)
Retrospect [January – December 1917]

JANUARY 1918

Page 245(1-2)
Results of Brigade and Divisional ARA Platoon Competitions held in November 1917 and January 1918, by Captain Grant, Adjutant, 10 DLI, 10 February 1918

Page 246 (main narrative)
[Retrospect continued and 14th Division transfer, January 1918]

Page 247
Notes concerning reduction in strength and disbandment of the battalion; supplementary to page 248

Page 248 (main narrative)
[10 DLI broken up]

Page 249(1-2)
Summary of the war service of 10 DLI by V Couper, Major General Commanding 14th (Light) Division, 11 February 1918

Pages 250-253
Letter to General [Morant] from Major Ward, DCLI, who took over command of the battalion from 1 January 1918 to its disbandment, 8 February 1918

Page 254
Rewards Gained by the Battalion: two newspaper cuttings entitled ‘The Durhams: Story of a Fighting Battalion’ and ‘Second to None’

Pages 255(1-2)
Christmas cards of the 14th (Light) Division, 1916 and the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, 1917

Pages 256(1-2)
Christmas card of VIII Corps Headquarters, including an illustration of Ypres, 1917

Page 257
Newspaper cutting: ‘Battle Honours’, 10th DLI, undated [1918]

Pages 258(1-2)
Letter from the Earl of Durham, Lambton Castle, to Colonel Morant concerning War Office confusion over the location of Durham and Newcastle, 10 August 1918

Page 259
Copy of a letter from France, addressed to Mrs HH Morant by the men of the 10th DLI, when forwarding the regimental flag of the battalion prior to its disbandment in February 1918

Page 259(2/1-2)
Letter from Sydney Garnett, Sutton Weaver, to Colonel Morant, recalling his previous service with Morant at Catterick and as Orderly Room Sergeant with the 1st Battalion at Tidworth, then with the 10th Battalion from 1915 to 1918, and the losses at Delville Wood, 15 September 1937

Page 259(3/1-3)
Letter from Alex Watson, 13 Southend Road, Sheriff Hill, Gateshead, to [Colonel Morant] concerning the announcement of Morant’s succession to Major General CC Luard as Colonel of The Durham Light Infantry regiment, 15 September 1937

Page 259(3/4)
Photograph of A Watson, 10th DLI, in civilian dress, undated [1920s-1930s]

Page 259(4)
Letter from JE Edmonds, Historical Section (Military Branch), Committee of Imperial Defence, Audit House, Victoria Embankment, London, to Colonel HHS Morant, The Hermitage, Hexham, returning Morant’s private diary and informing that he has had copies made of the portions dealing with the fighting at Hooge, Edge Trench 1916 and his account of operations of the 147th Infantry Brigade in October 1918, to be placed with the unit war diaries, 22 April 1925




Date: 1914-1918

Reference: D/DLI 7/1230/3

Where to find this: Durham County Record Office

Contributed by Durham County Record Office

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