Simon Passey
@simonpassey.bsky.social
Geologist, wildlife enthusiast, and genealogist. My views are my own.
At least 11 in the flock of ring-necked parakeets. Really well camouflaged
September 28, 2025 at 1:38 PM
At least 11 in the flock of ring-necked parakeets. Really well camouflaged
Want to know more about William’s story? More information and war diaries for the battalion can be found here: www.passeyfamilytree.org.uk/getperson.ph...
William Henry Brook b. 1 Oct 1896 West Firle, Sussex, England d. 25 Sep 1915 Hulluch, Pas-de-Calais, France: Simon and Anita Passey's Family Tree
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September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Want to know more about William’s story? More information and war diaries for the battalion can be found here: www.passeyfamilytree.org.uk/getperson.ph...
This line we held until relieved at about 3:00 AM on September 26th when we returned to the old British line in front of BOIS CARRÉE.
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
This line we held until relieved at about 3:00 AM on September 26th when we returned to the old British line in front of BOIS CARRÉE.
When the Germans in the front line surrendered I occupied their trenches and from thence pushed on to CHALK PIT where by order of the GOC 2nd Brigade, we entrenched ourselves along the LENS-LA BASSÉE ROAD with our right resting on the CHALK PIT.
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
When the Germans in the front line surrendered I occupied their trenches and from thence pushed on to CHALK PIT where by order of the GOC 2nd Brigade, we entrenched ourselves along the LENS-LA BASSÉE ROAD with our right resting on the CHALK PIT.
At about 3:15 PM I and Major WILLETT with Lieutenants BAKER and WALLINGTON, collected all the men of the Battalion whom we could get hold of some 70 in all and formed a line close to the LONE TREE.
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
At about 3:15 PM I and Major WILLETT with Lieutenants BAKER and WALLINGTON, collected all the men of the Battalion whom we could get hold of some 70 in all and formed a line close to the LONE TREE.
At about 11:45 AM Green’s Force attacked but at this time did not get any further forward than the LONE TREE. A second attack delivered by the same Force later in the day was able to push on further and at about 3:40 PM the Germans in front of the 2nd Brigade surrendered.
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
At about 11:45 AM Green’s Force attacked but at this time did not get any further forward than the LONE TREE. A second attack delivered by the same Force later in the day was able to push on further and at about 3:40 PM the Germans in front of the 2nd Brigade surrendered.
My second-in-command Major WILLETT went forward to endeavour to obtain information as to the progress of the attack, he was able to get as far as the LONE TREE but beyond this it was impossible for anyone to advance in the face of the German machine gun and rifle fire.
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
My second-in-command Major WILLETT went forward to endeavour to obtain information as to the progress of the attack, he was able to get as far as the LONE TREE but beyond this it was impossible for anyone to advance in the face of the German machine gun and rifle fire.
Since almost all my officers and NCOs were either killed or wounded it was very difficult to obtain reliable information as to the progress of the attack but it was evident that in front of the 2nd Brigade the Germans were holding their front line in strength.
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Since almost all my officers and NCOs were either killed or wounded it was very difficult to obtain reliable information as to the progress of the attack but it was evident that in front of the 2nd Brigade the Germans were holding their front line in strength.
Meanwhile the 15th Division on our right and the 1st Brigade on our left had succeeded in driving the Germans out of their front line trenches.
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Meanwhile the 15th Division on our right and the 1st Brigade on our left had succeeded in driving the Germans out of their front line trenches.
The Royal Sussex machine gun section, which had advanced with the battalion endeavoured to reach the German line but were annihilated about 50 yards in front of the LONE TREE.
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
The Royal Sussex machine gun section, which had advanced with the battalion endeavoured to reach the German line but were annihilated about 50 yards in front of the LONE TREE.
This advance was pushed right up to the German wire which was not cut and at this stage all our officers and men who had reached or got close to the wire were either killed or wounded.
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
This advance was pushed right up to the German wire which was not cut and at this stage all our officers and men who had reached or got close to the wire were either killed or wounded.
The smoke and gas caused a good deal of confusion amongst the troops of the assaulting line. My company commanders then on their own initiative advanced and pushed on to the assault. The battalion thus becoming part of the assaulting line at a very early stage of the attack.
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
The smoke and gas caused a good deal of confusion amongst the troops of the assaulting line. My company commanders then on their own initiative advanced and pushed on to the assault. The battalion thus becoming part of the assaulting line at a very early stage of the attack.
At 6:30 AM the assaulting battalions advanced and we pushed on to our front line trench. Owing to the dense smoke from our candles it was not possible to see how the advance was progressing, but the wind had veered round and carried some of the gas back over our front trench.
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
At 6:30 AM the assaulting battalions advanced and we pushed on to our front line trench. Owing to the dense smoke from our candles it was not possible to see how the advance was progressing, but the wind had veered round and carried some of the gas back over our front trench.
My orders were that once the 1st Loyal North Lancs and 2nd King’s Royal Rifles advanced we were to move forward and occupy their trenches in the front Line, ready to support the assault once it was clear the attacking battalions had gained a footing in the German trenches.
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
My orders were that once the 1st Loyal North Lancs and 2nd King’s Royal Rifles advanced we were to move forward and occupy their trenches in the front Line, ready to support the assault once it was clear the attacking battalions had gained a footing in the German trenches.
The Battalion was detailed in Operation Orders as the supporting battalion for the attack on the German line on 25 Sept and was assigned a position in the old support line with one company (‘B’) in the old firing line. This position was taken up at 1:50 AM.
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
The Battalion was detailed in Operation Orders as the supporting battalion for the attack on the German line on 25 Sept and was assigned a position in the old support line with one company (‘B’) in the old firing line. This position was taken up at 1:50 AM.
The 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment took part in the Battle of Loos, the first large scale British offensive and first British use of poison gas. The following is from the battalion’s war diary, 25 Sep 1915, by Major Evelyn F. VILLIERS D.S.O.
September 25, 2025 at 8:41 AM
The 2nd Royal Sussex Regiment took part in the Battle of Loos, the first large scale British offensive and first British use of poison gas. The following is from the battalion’s war diary, 25 Sep 1915, by Major Evelyn F. VILLIERS D.S.O.
Want to know more about Lewis’s story? Maps, records & the August 1915 war diary are here: www.passeyfamilytree.org.uk/getperson.ph...
Lewis Arthur Henbest b. 1 Jul 1898 Netley Marsh, Hampshire, England d. 21 Aug 1915 Kaiajik Aghala, Eceabat, Çanakkale, Turkey: Simon and Anita Passey's Family Tree
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August 21, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Want to know more about Lewis’s story? Maps, records & the August 1915 war diary are here: www.passeyfamilytree.org.uk/getperson.ph...
Lt SAUNDERS returned and reported same to Officer Commanding the post he had reinforced.
23:00. Orders received by Capt. HUDSON to report to Col AGNEW Commanding 29th Infantry Brigade. Battalion relieved by Sikh Regiment and retired to 29th Infantry Brigade Headquarters in SWB GULLY.
23:00. Orders received by Capt. HUDSON to report to Col AGNEW Commanding 29th Infantry Brigade. Battalion relieved by Sikh Regiment and retired to 29th Infantry Brigade Headquarters in SWB GULLY.
August 21, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Lt SAUNDERS returned and reported same to Officer Commanding the post he had reinforced.
23:00. Orders received by Capt. HUDSON to report to Col AGNEW Commanding 29th Infantry Brigade. Battalion relieved by Sikh Regiment and retired to 29th Infantry Brigade Headquarters in SWB GULLY.
23:00. Orders received by Capt. HUDSON to report to Col AGNEW Commanding 29th Infantry Brigade. Battalion relieved by Sikh Regiment and retired to 29th Infantry Brigade Headquarters in SWB GULLY.
Lt SAUNDERS reconnoitred to the left to make connection and found the next occupied position to be about 600x to the left rear. This was occupied by an officer and small post of Gurkhas. The officer i/c was requested to report the fact to his Commanding Officer.
August 21, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Lt SAUNDERS reconnoitred to the left to make connection and found the next occupied position to be about 600x to the left rear. This was occupied by an officer and small post of Gurkhas. The officer i/c was requested to report the fact to his Commanding Officer.
This reinforcement took up a position on left of the Gurkhas with its left resting on small stone building about 100x W of SUNKEN ROAD.
August 21, 2025 at 8:32 PM
This reinforcement took up a position on left of the Gurkhas with its left resting on small stone building about 100x W of SUNKEN ROAD.
22:00. Capt. P.H. HUDSON re-joined Bn from R of line and took command. Upon application of Officer Commanding the Gurkha detachment about half of the Battalion under charge of Lt & Q.M. SAUNDERS reinforced the Gurkha line upon which a counterattack was expected.
August 21, 2025 at 8:32 PM
22:00. Capt. P.H. HUDSON re-joined Bn from R of line and took command. Upon application of Officer Commanding the Gurkha detachment about half of the Battalion under charge of Lt & Q.M. SAUNDERS reinforced the Gurkha line upon which a counterattack was expected.
21:00. Bn advanced by “SUNKEN ROAD” to a position at end of trench and took up position occupying a space of about 100x, which was unguarded, between NW end of trench and post of Gurkha Rifles. Entrenching.
August 21, 2025 at 8:32 PM
21:00. Bn advanced by “SUNKEN ROAD” to a position at end of trench and took up position occupying a space of about 100x, which was unguarded, between NW end of trench and post of Gurkha Rifles. Entrenching.