April 1917 War Diary - 10th RDF

1 April La Perriere The Battalion took part in a Brigade scheme today

2 April La Perriere Training continued. Lt Col E F E Seymour returned from leave 2 April 1917

3 April La Perriere Training of the battalion continued. The following officers arrived today and were taken on the strength of the battalion

4 April La Perriere Training of the battalion continued.

5 April La Perriere Commanding Officers parade

6 April La Perriere Brigade Commendation scheme for signalers and scouts. Training of the battalion continued.

7 April La Perriere Training of the battalion continued.

8 April La Perriere The Battalion marched out of billets and proceded to Bruay at 10.20am. arriving at Bruay at 3.10 am. Weather fine.

9 April Bruay day spent in rest

10 April Bruay In reserve to the Vimy Push. Weather stormy

11 April Bruay The battalion marched out of billets at 10am, arriving at Magnicourt at 12.45pm. Weather strong wind and snowstorm.

12 April Magnicourt In reserve to the Vimy Push. Company traning. Weather snow and rainstorms.

13 April Magnicourt Resting

14 April Magnicourt The battalion left billets in motor buses at 10am, arriving at Arras at 3.30pm. And marched on to St Catherine, moving up to the trenches at 6pm, at B27 map reference 51 NW, situation quiet

15 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector Battalion with 4 Bedford Regt on our left made an attack on the village of Gavrelle without any artillery preparation. Owing to the very heavy Bosche artillery and machine gun fire, the attempt was unsucessful.

16 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector The Battalion was relieved by the 4th Bedfordshire Regiment at 6am, but moving back to the Blue Line in B25. Working parties were provided on the St Nicholas - Balleul Road ref map 51B NW

17 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector Battalion in reserve in Blue Line. Working parties were provided by companies, repairing St Nicholas - Balleul Road

18 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector Two companies move up to Brown Line from Railway Bridge. Working parties were provided repairing St Nicholas - Balleul Road

19 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector Location of Battalion the same as previous day. Some working parties continued. Hostile artillery active.

20 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector Two companies withdraw from position on Brown Line to original position on Blue Line. Some working parties continued.

21 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector The Battalion relieved the 7th Royal Fusiliers on the front and support trenches. Heavy shelling during relief. Relief completed at 5am on 22nd.

22 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector Heavy shelling on our front and support line during the whole day. At about 9pm enemy open heavy barrage on our front line. Battalion relieved by the 17 R A S?? on the night of 22/23 April. Our returning to the Green and Brown Line

23 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector The 190 Brigade with the 180 on their left are ordered to attack the village of Gavrelle, zero hour to be 4.5am. The Battalion was on reserve to 190 Brigade on the Green and Brown Lines up to the support line.

24 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector The brigade is relieved by 188 Brigade during the night of 24/25 April. Our moving back to the Black Line in HIC. Placed at the disposal of 188 Brigade

25 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector Carrying parties to the front line provided for the 188 Brigade. Location of Battalion HIC

26 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector carrying parties same as previous day, carrying up materials in preparation for attack to be carried out in the early hours of 28th April

27 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector carrying parties same as previous day. Congratulations message received from HQ of 190 Brigade dated 23 April 1917. "The Commander in Chief and Corps Commander wish to record their appreciation of the manner in which the Royal Naval Division have got and held the objectives today, and they congratulate them on this excellent work.

28 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector carrying parties continued to the front line Still at the disposal of 188 Brigade. who attacked at 4.30am this morning

29 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector carrying parties same as previous day.

30 April Balleul Gavrelle Sector Battalion moved out of HIC at 3.15pm arriving at Ecurie at 4.30pm, billeted in dugouts and shelters

10th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers History by Month

From SDGW database we see that 36 men were Killed in Action in April 1917, and a further 6 men Died of Wounds