War Diary Extracts - WW1 - and Military Service details
George BLABER - died 5th April 1917
7th Leinster Regiment War Diary - April 1917 April 1st, 1917 - The Bn moved from CLARE CAMP into support in the VIERSTRAAT SECTOR relieving the Royal 7th Inniskilling Fusiliers. Relief was reported complete at 1.35pm and dispositions were as follows:- A Coy - SIEGE FARM B Coy - 3 Platoons ROSSIGNOL, 1 Platoon FORT MOUNT ROYAL. C Coy - 3 Platoons LA POLKA FARM, 1 Platoon SASCATCHEWAN D Coy - 3 Platoons SANDBAG VILLA, 1 Platoon FORT HALIFAX Bn HQ - ROSSIGNOL ESTAMINET Relief was completed without molestation from the enemy in any shape or form April 2nd & 3rd 1917 - C Company was shelled in LA POLKA. Casualties during these two days 9 men wounded. One of these men died in Bailleul on the 4th inst. April 4th, 1917 - The Bn relieved the Royal Munster Fusiliers in the left sub-sector. Relief commenced at 7.30pm and was reported complete at 10.15pm Dispositions as follows:- A Coy - Front Line from the VIERSTRAAT Road to LARK CORNER B Coy + 1 Platoon - D Coy SP13 & VANKEEP D Coy less 1 Platoon - BUTTERFLY FARM. The line is better than previously, the most part being on our Right where there is a gap of 300x to 400x between ourselves and the Right Battalion (6th Royal Irish Rgt). April 5th, 1917 - At 8.45pm the 6th Royal Irish Regt raided the enemy's trenches to their Front behind a creeping barrage. All was quiet at 10.30pm. The raid is reported a success. During its progress our Front Line , Support Line, VAN KEEP & SP13 were subjected to a severe bombardment, the trenches, especially in VAN KEEP being damaged. Our casualties were, however, very slight. 1 man killed and 6 wounded. (very slightly) including 2 shell shock. At 11pm the enemy blew a camouflet on the VIERSTRAAT Road opposite our Left. He was evidently very nervous and seemed to expect a general attack. The night passed quietly except for intermittent bursts of 4.2's in the neighbourhood of SP13, no damage being done. April 6th-9th - The Bn remains in the front line, nothing of importance occurred, the enemy being very quiet. Transcribed from the War Diary of the Seventh Leincester Regiment in April 1917 |