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Home » War and Rebellion » First World War (1914-18) » Field messages

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  • The South Wales Borderers fielded seven battalions (about 3,500-4,500 men) during the opening stages of the Somme offensive on the Western Front in July 1917. On the 16th and 17th July, the 1st Battalion - part of the 3rd Brigade - was at Bazentin Le Petit Wood, near Mametz Wood. The battalion made significant gains, suffering only light casualties - 4 killed and 10 wounded. These messages are from General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3rd Brigade to Commanding Officer 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers and read as follows: 'Message timed at 0122 hrs 16th July 1916 1st Div wire reads following from 3rd Corps Commander which please convey to all ranks begins aaa well done 3rd Brigade and artillery supporting them aaa. Ends.' 'Message timed at 0122 hrs 16th July 1916 1st Div wire reads following from 3rd Corps Commander which please convey to all ranks begins aaa well done 3rd Brigade and artillery supporting them aaa. Ends.' 'Message timed at 445 hrs 17th July 1916 GOC 1st Div desires to express to all concerned in last nights operations arty [artillery] and infy [infantry] alike his appreciation of their splendid effort as the result of which the whole situation on the 3rd Corps front has been materially altered for the better aaa He feels sure that they will carry through further operations with the same precision and dash as they exhibited last night Ends.'
Two field messages sent to the 1st Battalion of the South Wales Borderers after the start of the Somme offensive in July 1916
  • This field message was written on a German Army Message Form by Lieutenant Colonel Burleigh Leach to Colonel C E Pereira (staff officer), 30 October 1914 and reads as follows: 'Can you push the King's formed astride the road - YPRES - GHELUVELT - to restore the line of trenches - when this is done advise our guns put up their range by 200X - at the present they are firing into our old trenches then the line will be restored. Signed: B Leach, Lt Col 1/24th Regt SWBNote: Sorry impossible to move King's at present. R Grant Capt for Col Westmacott (CO 2nd Worcesters). CMG Received. 2.15 pm'.
Field message sent by the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, during the first battle of Ypres, October 1914
  • This field message was sent to the commanding officer of the 10th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, from the Commander of the 115th Brigade on the 7th December 1918: 'CSM WILLIAMS AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS AAA. BRIGADE COMMANDER THANKS CSM WILLIAMS FOR THE HONOUR HE HAS BROUGHT TO THE BRIGADE.'
A field message stating that Sergeant Major J. H. Williams has received the Victoria Cross, 7 December 1918
  • A small brass document case for carrying official documents during the First World War. The document was rolled and placed in the cylindrical case, ensuring it was kept clean, dry and legible.
Document Case, 1914-18