For the first 11 days of April Lieutenant Colonel Blacker was on leave at Carrick Blacker. 108^th Brigade spent the period in reserve to 109^th Brigade. Battalion Headquarters and ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies were at Hedauville. ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies were in Mesnil detached to 109^th Brigade. On the left of 36^th (Ulster) Division (over the boundary between X Corps and VIII Corps) was 31^st Division, soon to be replaced by 29^th Division. On the right was another of the divisions of X Corps, 32^nd Division. The 29^th and 32^nd Divisions would flank the Ulstermen through to and during the attack on 1 July.

For the next three weeks the Battalion would be engaged in work parties of one kind or another digging trenches, and burying signal cable, initially in perfect spring weather that deteriorated as the month wore on.

During the intermittent shellfire, a single shell hit Mesnil on 3 April and caused twelve casualties in ‘B’ Company, including Private James Hall, who was killed, and Privates Joseph Bulman, Thomas Houston and John Vennard, all of whom were badly wounded and later died of their wounds. Private Robert Sturgeon was wounded in the neck and arm. Four men from 11^th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and the Royal Field Artillery were also wounded by this shell.

The Battalion football team was victorious again in a match against 10^th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (5-1) on Saturday 8 April, and that evening a Regimental concert was held.

This period also saw the formation of the Brigade Trench Mortar Battery, equipped with the new 3-inch Stokes mortar. All of the battalions provided manpower and 9^th Royal Irish Fusiliers lost Second Lieutenant Samuel O’Neill and some good men to the new unit. For the remainder of the war the Battery would see men from the 9^th Royal Irish Fusiliers move in and out of its ranks.

Footnote

The casualties during this period were:

20319 Joseph Bulman, died of wounds on 26 April 1916; Forceville Communal Cemetery and Extension.
14260 Private James Hall, killed in action on 3 April 1916; Mesnil Ridge Cemetery.
20305 Private Thomas Houston, died of wounds on 10 April 1916; Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension Number 1.
19750 Private John Vennard, died of wounds on 9 April 1916; Beauval Communal Cemetery.
Nine others were wounded, including 16422 Private Robert Sturgeon.

Longish crossing, but got to Boulogne in good time—7:40 p.m. Shall catch a train to A_____ [Abbeville] about midnight, and dine at small restaurant.

Here we are in the same place as I left them. We reached A_____ [Abbeville] about 5:45 a.m., and found a car waiting us, so after coffee and rolls came on here, arriving about 7:30 a.m. All flourishing here. One shell did all the damage, killed one man and wounded 10, of whom two have since died, and one is not expected to live. It was the 29^th in the line. Some of them going on leave this a.m., were turned back at the rail head at 5.00 a.m. with news that Havre boats were off owing, I think, to submarines. Wretched luck. Showers this morning, turned into blustery but showery p.m. Cold wind, very like last few days at C. B. [Carrick Blacker]

Queen Alexandra’s comforts have come—about 10 things for each Coy., and about five articles for each Coy officer—cigarettes in box, with picture of H.M., muffler, cigar lighter, spoon, knife and fork, games, etc.—all useful things.

There was not a bed to be had in B_____ [Boulogne] last night. Fancy, the people who went by the 7.00 a.m. train found no boat running and had to put in the day at Folkestone and come over by our boat. Russell been made G.S.O. [General Staff Officer] for London District. They had a good deal of rain here Tuesday and Wednesday, place muddy. It turned out very hot in the train yesterday p.m., but I was glad of my clothes on the boat. The first half she pitched heavily, and the second half of the journey, she rolled, at times so badly that the baggage and people on chairs all went sliding into the rails. Smyth and I lashed our chairs to the rails. Some Canadian nurses were in front of us and were very sick. The two men who have died are Houston, a Glasgow man, and Vennard, a brother of the Sgt. Only came in the last draft. Pratt and Padre were in M_____ [Mesnil] at the time, about 4:30 p.m. The old ladies here were profuse in their welcome. Cather brought a gramophone back with him, by Fergie’s direction.

A very wet night has turned everything into mud again. Leave has been stopped, and everyone to be back by 18^th. Am distressed that eight or nine have not got away; very hard on them. Div. H.Q. are coming in here after all, so a general squash up will ensue. I don’t think we shall stay here long, but one never knows. Am going over to M_____ [Mesnil] this p.m. to see ‘A’ and ‘B’. Saw one of the new officers, Andrews. Was in a bank at Bangor. Was favourably impressed. The R.A. [Royal Artillery] General moves out of here today, I believe. Day turned blustery and fine, but cold wind. A draft of 26 expected today.

I fancy we shall go into the line again within 10 days, probably where we were before H_____ [Hamel]. A move from here is, I think, imminent, but where to I cannot imagine, as every place is packed. They all seemed very well at M_____ [Mesnil] yesterday. I sent for Jimmy Shepherd and had a chat with him, and thanked him for bringing your letter. The weather is still bitter cold, N.W. wind and squally, snow and hail showers. A football match with 9^th Inniskillings today. Ricardo’s lot. Saw ‘At.’ and young ‘Shill.’ yesterday, and told them I had seen their people. Still odd cases of Hun spots among the troops.

A lovely sunny warm day, but still what wind there is is cold. We had service in the open, and it was warm. The fruit trees, grass and foliage, are coming on fast. Am bringing ‘A’ and ‘B’ back here tomorrow and sending ‘C’ and ‘D’ to M­­­­_____ [Mesnil]. We go into H_____ [Hamel] line Thursday or Friday. Bde. [is] only having one Battalion in line, so we shall be out a good deal—six days in and 18 out. Lots of working parties on every day, but not much for me to do. The Div. Staff says that leave has been stopped on account of Easter traffic at home; if so it’s a shame. However, it is hoped it will begin again 25^th. We beat 9^th Inniskillings 6 goals to 0. We shall be in the line Easter Sunday. Reid is L’Corpl., but still looks after Betsy Jane. Talked to Hughes about his brother, and Johnny Cook [sic] came to see me.

I made an eloquent appeal for Allen’s leave and he got it all right. Rain all night has taken the sting out of the air, and it’s a soft spring-like day, but moist and everything ‘lifty.’ The raid S.E. [south-east] of A_____ [Albert] was into 1^st R.I.R. [1^st Royal Irish Rifles] trenches, and they lost about 200, I learn, including some prisoners. It was the S. Wales Borderers [2^nd Battalion, The South Wales Borderers] at Mary_____ [Mary Redan], casualties 86, so far as I can judge, seven 2^nd Lieuts. wounded. A very intensive bombardment which flattened out the trench line. We go in, as I thought, Thursday.

The Lurgan handkerchiefs and candles have now come. Ricardo’s lot, not satisfied with their beating on Saturday, have challenged to play again today on their ground, and are sending over for the team. Find the old ladies can provide delicious fresh eggs. People seem to think the leave will re-open on 25^th, which looks as if the Easter traffic theory was correct. I am sending Vanston, the new Capt. from 4^th Battalion, to Army School for a month. Johnny Cook [sic] was very smiling; tell his father.

Footnote

The early part of this letter appears to be a clarification of a question posed by Blacker’s wife. The first raid referred to (which, in fact, occurred a mile north-east of Albert) was against 1^st Royal Irish Rifles. It took place after a heavy gas and explosive barrage that began at 6.55 p.m. on 11 April. A forty-strong German raiding party then attacked resulting in 10 killed, 39 wounded and 28 missing, with most of the latter being captured. Although criticised for allowing the enemy such success, a later German account praised the Battalion’s defence and attributed the raiders’ success to the scale of the gas attack. For more detail see: Taylor, J W. (2002). The 1^st Royal Irish Rifles in the Great War. Dublin: Four Courts Press. pp 71-73. 

The artillery barrage and raid on the position held by 2^nd Battalion, The South Wales Borderers at Mary Redan, north-west of the sector held by 36^th (Ulster) Division, took place at 9.00 p.m. on 6 April. Following a major barrage (estimates put the number of shells at over 8,000), which caused many casualties and destroyed trenches, dugouts and communication lines, the enemy attacked and took a number of prisoners. The attack was repulsed by a bombing party and at 10.30 p.m. the attackers withdrew. The barrage and raid resulted in 29 men killed, 36 wounded and 18 missing.

Such a stormy night, and a wet cold morning so far. I am waiting for it to get a little better before sallying forth to Bde. H.Q., and then on to have a look at the line. I fear this rain will have made the trenches bad again. Present idea is a postponement till all are ready, probably in that case the Bosche will push first. We won our return match against Ricardo’s lot (9^th Inniskillings) yesterday, only by 1 goal to 0. Ground very greasy. Fergie was anxious as to result. Have collected a few things to send home.

I enclose list of casualties. Vennard is an elder brother of the nice Sgt. I have not met G.S.O.1. yet, he is a Sapper. Had lunch with Ricardo yesterday and a long talk. I then passed on to M_____ [Mesnil] and saw Leitrim, and had a long talk about the trench line. He is seedy—gastric trouble. Got back here at 6:20 p.m., rained all day. Sloan was never touched. Don’t know how report got about. He is shoeing smith, and never goes into danger. We have to move out of this at 10.00 a.m. tomorrow for some obscure reason, as we cannot begin relief till 8.00 p.m., owing to the light. We shall have to put in eight hours in M_____ [Mesnil] enroute. Shall be very sorry to leave this place and the old ladies. I don’t expect we shall get in here again. Div. H.Q. will be sure to bag it. Fergie and Transport remain here, but the animals are in the open now. Betsy Jane and Uncle are in a stable all right. There seems a Cabinet crisis on. I hope it will lead to something. Glad the Army Council are firm. An uncomfortable day tomorrow. I am arranging for our mail to come on at once, and will try and send an answer back by messenger which should catch H.Q. bag here at 6.00 p.m. Not actually raining now but heavy clouds about. You will be glad to hear we all have tin hats now, and everyone has to wear them in the line. Fergie has also issued me with goggles, and a new field dressing, so I’m well equipped! You ask if it feels warm in France after Ireland. It is bitter still, and I am wearing all my winter things and Tiger’s woolly, and Brit. warm on bed at night. It must get warm soon here. We are nearly through April. No word of leave being reopened. I wonder how they will relieve Battalion. Anyway 12^th [Royal Irish Rifles] will relieve us. We shall be in for Easter. I’d made all arrangements to leave here latest, about 5.00 p.m., and give men tea en route, and now it’s all upset, which is bothersome. However, no doubt, it’s all for the best. I only hope we shall have our usual luck in weather, but it doesn’t look promising just at present. Menaul and young Ensor returned this morning at 2.00 a.m., and lay outside for three hours, unable to get in as it was so rough.

Footnotes

The ‘Type B’ helmet, based on the patented design by John Brodie, was introduced into service in late-1915—initially as trench stores (i.e. issued to soldiers only when they went forward into the trenches). Early criticism resulted in the production of the ‘Helmet, steel, Mark I’ in early 1916 and from the spring of that year ‘tin hats’ were issued in increasing numbers to all troops. The helmet remained in service until replaced by the Mk II helmet in 1940.

Helmet, steel, Mk I

Only time for a hurried scrawl. Am half way into the trenches at M_____ [Mesnil] and am moving on almost at once. Have been fixing things up with Coy Commanders, and have only just got away, and am due now in H_____ [Hamel] to talk things over with 14^th R.I.R. [Royal Irish Rifles] Blustery, showery cold, but improving. Very fit.