Bfisher’s Reviews > A Blue Puttee at War: The Memoir of Captain Sydney Frost, MC > Status Update

After July 1, the Regiment is rebuilt; Frost Lewis gun officer, Regiment at Ypres Aug-Sept - phosgene gas attack - no casualties, horses killed by gas - Oct 11, back at Somme for Le Transloy Ridges attack, Frost’s runner killed by large shell in trench - Oct 12 attacking Guidecourt under creeping barrage Frost wounded by shrapnel and HE (friendly fire?). The Regiment takes,holds objective, 239 casualties, 120 killed

Frost’s Diary July 3 “About fifty dead lying in gap in wire in front of No 3 sap. Some still trying to crawl in. Detailed in evening to take charge of burying party. Hot sun decomposed bodies, which are in blackened condition, stench terrible. Our casualties about 700, only fifty-eight came back.”
The task now of the survivors is to rebuild the regiment; parade hours of 5:30 am-7:30 pm to train the new drafts.

June 30 1916, regimental roll call 25 officers, 776 Other Ranks. Night of June 30-July 1, Frost assigned to command follow-up group for dugout mop up and POW control. His group is ordered to carry a can of paint for putting the unit id on any guns captured.

Frost meets the Somme rat. He is assigned to the 10% held back from the July 1 attack. Prior to the July 1 attack, the regiment is ordered to make several trench raids to test German wires and trenches. On the second raid there are more than 50% casualties. The German wire has not been cut by the shelling.

26 Feb 1916 Frost applies for commission. On convalescent leave, he visits Dublin May 6. Sackville Street in ruins, fires still smouldering, Ireland under martial law. Returning to Depot at Ayr May 15, he learns he was gazetted 2nd Lt April 15. Frost travels in a draft of 12 officers to regiment in France (7 will be killed in action over the next 16 months).

Dec 22 Frost leaves Malta via hospital ship for a hospital in London. 3:30 am Jan 9 rearguard commanded by Lt Owen Steele pulls away from the beach amid explosions from detonated munitions. At the Dardanelles the regiment lost 41 killed/died of wounds, many more evacuated for illness (522). Regiment to Western Front via Suez.

Frost in hospital at Malta. At Suvla, the regiment endures the Nov 26 storm and following hard frost - 150 evacuated for frostbitten feet or trench foot. The regiment is evacuated from Suvla Dec 18. A rear guard of 50 is evacuated Dec 19-20. The regiment is redeployed to Cape Helles Dec 22.

20 Aug 15, The regiment boards Megantic for the Med, They land at Suvla Sept 20, shelled on beach (15 wounded)
Sept 26 19-year old Jack Blyde, Frost’s old tent-mate at Quidi Vidi, is killed by a sniper; Frost is standing by him on the fire step
29 Oct Frost is evacuated from Suvla with dysentery and enteric fever.

Dec 8 - to Fort George and then Edinburgh Castle, then back to Aldershot. Frost detailed to MPs, bribes friend to take his place. Some new roommates at each stop; of these, 5 will be killed in battle, 3 invalided, 1 POW, 2 unscathed
12 Aug Kitchener inspects Regiment. They are told they will be sent to the Dardanelles.

Oct 15 Florizel anchors in Plymouth Sound (convoy diverted because of U-boat scare). Frost debarks on 20 Oct, arrives Salisbury Plain Oct 21-“We arrived in a downpour and departed in a deluge.” Frost meets 3 new tent-mates; 2 will be killed in combat.