During the summer of 1917 1RMLI was moved to the area north of Arras and took its turn to man front line trenches in the Bully les Mines /Angres / Lievin sector. In October 1917 they moved to Belgium and after a few days camped on the Canal (Canal van Ieper) 1Km north of Ypres, they moved to the front. They established the Battalion HQ at Hubner Farm and the took over front line positions at Oxford House, Burns House and Inch Houses. The reserve company was at Winchester Farm.

As they lined up for the attack 1RMLI had a strength of 16 officers and 597 Marines. They were to advance on a front 900m wide between the Lekkerboterbeek stream on the left and Inch Houses on the right. Their objective was to advance 900m capturing Berks Houses, Banff House and Bray Farm.

Heavy rain fell all night filling the shell holes with water. Mud made the ground almost impassable but at 0540am on 26th October 1917 the British Artillery barrage opened up and 1RMLI advanced. Despite heavy machine gun and sniper fire the battalion succeeded in taking all their objectives, but casualties were very heavy. The battalion held their new positions and the following day were replaced by Hawke Battalion. 1RMLI withdraw to Irish Farm north of Ypres.

Capt Pipe, Lt Aldridge, 2Lt Balcombe and 2Lt Bonnett were killed in action. Surgeon Morgan, Lt McBerney Woods, 2Lt Trotman, Capt Evanson, 2Lt Williamson, 2Lt McKeand were all wounded.

Of the Marines 270 were casualties.

On 5th November Lt Col Ozanne was sent to the Field Hospital and Maj Huskisson took over command. 2Lt Pippet was promoted to Acting Capt. 2Lt Carruthers took over command of C Company. On 18th December Lt Col Ozanne returned to the battalion and resumed command.

23rd October 1917

Bn. embussed on HERZEELE - CASSEL Road & moved to billets on CANAL BANK - 1000 yards North of YPRES. Transport moved to horse lines 1000 yards W. of BRIELEN. QM Stores moved to MARSH FARM. 2/Lt. ORFEUR wounded.

CANAL BANK YPRES

Lt Col Harold Ozanne DSO as CO moved up to front line Hubner Farm line at Inch Houses, Burns House, Oxford House

24th Bn. drew 2 days rations etc. preparatory to moving into the line. Casualties: Killed - 1 Private, wounded 4 Ptes. - by bomb from hostile aeroplane. Bn. paraded & moved off to take over front line Sector from the 11th Royal Scots. Bn. HQ moved to HUBNER FARM. Bn. took over the line INCH HOUSES - BURNS HOUSE - OXFORD HOUSES - line consisted of Shell holes. Dispositions: A Coy on right, B Coy on left, C Coy in reserve at WINCHESTER FARM, D Coy at WINCHESTER FARM.

Following Officers moved up with Bn. Lt .Col. H. OZANNE DSO, Capt. H.B. VAN PRAAGH, Lt. McB. WOODS, Surgeon MORGAN, 2/Lt. F.C. HOW. A Coy: 2nd Lt. E.E. TROTMAN (in command), 2/Lt. H.J. JONES, 2/Lt. H. BALCOMB. B Coy: T/ Capt. B.G. EVANSON, 2/Lt. W.C. WILLIAMSON, 2/Lt. B.C. PIPPET, A/Lt. C.S. EASTERBROOK. C Coy: A/Capt. D.A. PIPE, Lt. J.C. CORNISH, 2/Lt. C.E. MENNEL, 2/Lt. E.C. BONNET. D Coy: Lt. J.D. ALDRIDGE (in command), 2/Lt. C.L.C. McKEAND. Mjr. HUSKISSON to Bde. HQ (Q Branch) - 2/Lt. SNIDER appointed Bde. Dump Officer. Bn. HQ moved forward to BURNS House.

In the Line [Battle of Passchendaele]

25th Bn. commenced to line up on the tape at 8pm. Two platoons of D Coy moving up to OXFORD HOUSES. Frontage of Bn. approx. 900 yds. Depth of objective 900 yards. Furthest limit of Bn. objective - V.21.c.85.20. through N. of BANFF House to V.28.c.89 to V.28.d.13. Direction of advance to 45 degrees true bearing from assembly tape. General bearing of assembly tape is 310 degrees true bearing. The intention was for the 188th Inf. Bde. to attack. The ANSON Bn. & the 1st RMLI attacking the 1st objective, the HOWE Bn. & the 2nd Bn. RMLI passing through to the 2nd objective. The total Divisional frontage occupied by the Bn. in front line was 1500 yards. The boundaries of 1st objective, 1st Bn. RMLI were - on right from S. of INCH HOUSES to V.28.c.23 on left. LEKKERBOTERBEEK Stream at V.26.c.06 thence line of stream to V.21.c.5.1 through E. of MORMY House to V.21.d.8.8. 2/Lt. F.C. HOW returned from HUBNER Farm to Bde. HQ (Q Branch) CANAL Bank. Strength of Bn. in the line, to carry out the attack, 16 Officers & 597 ORs. Rev'd W. WHITEHEAD at Dressing Station.

26th Barrage opened at 5.40am. Bn. advanced to the Attack, under very great difficulties, rain having fallen heavily in the night, shell holes being full of water,& the mud made the ground almost impassable. All objectives were taken including BERKS HOUSES, BANFF HOUSE & BRAY FARM, & the further limit of the objective reached. Considerable casualties were caused during the day by snipers & MG fire from the left where the Bde. was unable to advance.

27th Bn. holding objective. At about 5pm relief of Bn. by the HAWKE Bn. commenced, the Bn. returning to IRISH FARM. Casualties during the attack & consolidation of positions won - Killed, T/Capt. D.A. PIPE, Lt. D.J. ALDRIDGE, 2/Lt. F.C. BALCOMBE. Died of Wounds, 2/Lt. E.C. BONNETT. Wounded, Surgeon R.G. MORGAN RN, Lt. J. McBERNEY WOODS (remained at duty), 2/Lt. E.E. TROTMAN, T/Capt. B.G. EVANSON, 2/Lt. W.C. WILLIAMSON, 2/Lt. C.L.C. McKEAND. Bn. casualties amongst the rank & file on the 26th & 27th - 270.

NOVEMBER 1917

1st to 4th Resting & cleaning up.

5th Inspection by Divl. General.

Lt. Col. H. OZANNE DSO to Hospital - Mjr. HUSKISSON to command. Bn. moves to CANAL BANK. Y Coy. attached to OC 2nd Bn. RMLI for duty in line.

18th November Lt. Col. H. OZANNE DSO returns from hospital

21st November Lt. Col. H. OZANNE DSO resumes command

26th November Lt. Col. H. OZANNE DSO to leave

26th January 1918 Lt. Col. H. OZANNE DSO struck off strength