Second ANZAC Corps Organised for Western Front
Godley organises II ANZAC Corps for operations on the Western Front.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1916 in Great Britain — Page 5
Explore 319 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1916.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1916
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 319 unique records.
319Unique records
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July
Somme Staff Service
Performs brigade staff duties during the Somme campaign and observes the heavy cost of offensive operations.
August
Criticism of the Somme Offensive
Criticises the conduct of the Somme offensive while out of ministerial office.
Allied Economic Strategy Statement Delivered
Explains the Government approach to Allied economic cooperation during and after the war.
Death of Roger Casement
Death of Roger Casement, executed for treason
Execution
Hanged for high treason in Pentonville prison
Treason
Hanged for high treason in Pentonville prison. Death of Roger Casement, executed for treason
Commission
Writes to Earl Cromer asking to present his own case without Counsel
War Inquiry Commissions Legislation Advanced
Supports detailed provisions governing the special wartime commissions of inquiry.
Peace Terms Position Restated
Addresses questions about possible peace negotiations and the conditions required for a settlement.
Rescue
Rescues the remaining Endurance crew from Elephant Island without loss of life
Creeping Barrage Methods Expanded
Haig's armies increasingly use creeping barrages to improve infantry support during Somme attacks.
Pozieres Operations Coordinated by I ANZAC
Birdwood coordinates successive Australian divisions fighting around Pozieres and Mouquet Farm.
September
Guillemont Attacks Continued
Haig continues attacks around Guillemont to improve the British position before renewed larger operations.
Ginchy Capture Exploited
Haig orders pressure maintained after British troops capture Ginchy during the Somme offensive.
Battle of Flers-Courcelette
Raymond Asquith, son of Prime Minister H. H. Asquith, is killed during the attack near Ginchy.
Battle of Flers-Courcelette
British tanks are used in battle for the first time during the Somme offensive.
Battle of Flers-Courcelette
Orders the Somme offensive to continue as tanks are used in battle for the first time.
Battle of Flers-Courcelette
Commands British Fourth Army during the attack against Flers, Martinpuich and Courcelette.
Birth of Margaret Lockwood
Birth of Margaret Lockwood
Tank Commitment at Flers Approved
Haig approves the first battlefield use of tanks during the attack at Flers-Courcelette.
Battle of Cambrai
Haig reinforces Byngs command with the entire Tank Corps
Commission
Cromer informs Churchill the Commission will meet secretly & Churchill cannot examine
Battle of Morval
British Fourth Army attacks Morval, Gueudecourt and Lesboeufs while French forces move toward Combles and Rancourt.
Sixth Army
Supported by Fochs 6th Army but 20,000 British perish on the first day of the battle
Thiepval Ridge Assault Opened
Haig's forces attack Thiepval Ridge and secure important positions overlooking the Ancre valley.
Commission
Says there was full authority & at the time there was a reasonable prospect of success. Appears at the enquiry to defend the Dardanelles Campaign
Commander in Chief
Appointed Commander in Mesopotamia
Commander in Chief
Appointed Commander in Mesopotamia
October
Ancre Heights Operations Continued
Haig continues pressure on the heights north of the Somme as autumn weather worsens.
Le Transloy Offensive Continued
Haig sustains attacks toward Le Transloy despite mud, rain and increasingly difficult supply conditions.
Autumn War Statement Delivered
Gives Parliament a statement on the war and the Government’s conduct of national affairs.
ANZAC
The First Battle of Passchendaele, on 12 October 1917 began with a further Allied attempt by 5 British and 3 ANZAC divisions (the New Zealand Division and the Australian 3rd and 4th Divisions) to gain ground around Poelcappelle
Battle of Passchendaele
The First Battle of Passchendaele, on 12 October 1917 began with a further Allied attempt by 5 British and 3 ANZAC divisions (the New Zealand Division and the Australian 3rd and 4th Divisions) to gain ground around Poelcappelle. The Allied troops were fought-out, and morale was suffering, against the well-prepared German defences, the gains were minimal and there were 13,000 Allied casualties
Meeting with Faisal
Meets Emir Faisal and identifies him as an effective Arab Revolt commander.
Battle of Ypres, 3rd
The four divisions of the Canadian Corps were transferred to the Ypres Salient and to make additional advances on Passchendaele
Arab Revolt
Is sent to the Hejaz to assess the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule.
Somme Weather Constraints Reviewed
Haig reviews deteriorating battlefield conditions as rain and mud sharply reduce operational mobility.
November
Manpower Policy Reviewed
Addresses the growing manpower problem and the balance between military service and essential industry.
Carson Confidence Crisis
An Edward Carson motion concerning Nigerian property creates a government crisis.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.