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Archiver > GREATWAR > 2002-02 > 1013696074


From: "Michael Cross" <>
Subject: Re: [WW1] DCM award + diaries
Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2002 14:15:14 -0000
References: <003401c1b3e9$78c1c040$90b67ad5@pshazgqf>


Newcomer to War Diaries, but immediately captivated. The 'Medal'
presentation is understood. I shall need to look further at who/what was
next door on the Front at the time of the 31st July 1917 attack. Your
comment about the condition of the WO95 box is sadly appropriate. The
April/May/June/July period was fine until mid-July when the sheets had been
replaced in reverse order, presumably by a previous researcher. Not what I
expected and not how I would wish to leave them. I did search throroughly
for the missing day and the biggest clue seemed to be a narrative of the
later assault on Paaschendale ridge that spanned 3/4 sheets of the diary,
and not limited to one days activity. I was unable to find a similar sheet
for 'my' day.

Thank you T M-T for your suggestions. I am still surprised at the
availability and ease of access to these valuable documents and will revisit
the PRO as soon as possible. Thanks also for your encouragement.

Michael Cross


----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Tulloch-Marshall"
> With regard to the "missing" Battalion diary for the 31st July 1917 -
> interesting that you should raise that .................
> It is unusual that you seem to have one day of the Battalion diary
"missing"
> in isolation, especially as there must have been considerable action for
> the 2nd Rifle Brigade on the 31st - SDITGW records 63 Other Rank
fatalities
> that day, and it is therefore surprising that the Divisional Adjutant
> accepted the monthly Battalion diary submission with such a significant
> omission - if indeed he did - have you checked elsewhere in the WO95 box
at
> PRO to see if that day's entries have been separated and are maybe in the
> wrong place in the file ? - it happens all to frequently, especially after
> the files have suffered a "genie attack" !


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