The Army ran on handwritten orders from various Staff Groups to the various subordinate units below them.  They are available to be read in the Public Records Office in Kew. 

Raid on 31 Dec 1916 Moving camp A few extracts

32nd Infantry Brigade Order No. 52 Raid, 31st Dec/1st Jan 17 Object of raid   a) to clear up the situation behind the ridge [a map reference is given]   b) To establish and consolidate a post from which the German dugout and other posts in this area may be kept under observation.   c) To capture or destroy any enemy machine guns found in the area.   d) To obtain an identification.   Opposing forces, German 135th I.R. [Infantry Regiment]   Reconnaissance; on nights of 28/29/30   Raiding party; 2 Officers & 30 O.R. [other ranks], trained bombers and volunteers. [aside; my grandfather makes a note of attending a bombing course in Egypt.]  They will be accommodated in the Battalion H.Q. dugout and made as comfortable as possible the night and day before the raid.  The party will advance as quietly as possible on the hostile works which will be rushed with the bayonet. No bombs [grenades] must be thrown or rifles fired till the enemy post has been actually reached.   Dugouts; Dugout entrances will be immediately sought for and the occupants bombed.  Great care must be taken that no dugout entrance is passed without being dealt with.  A sentry must be left at each dugout entrance, who must thoroughly understand that he is to remain there till the whole system has been cleared.  Mills bombs only will be used for the clearing of the dugouts.   Equipment & Dress; Dress. Drill order.  One days rations to be carried in haversacks.  Water bottles full. Each man to carry 10 bombs in his pockets, and 120 rounds S.A.A. Bombers and Lewis gunners will only carry 50 rounds. Each Officer will carry a Very Pistol and 12 lights in addition to revolver etc.  No identification will be carried and all ranks must understand that if captured only their rank and name may be divulged.

Operation Order No. 100 Lt. Col. J.H. Ridgway  C.O. 10 Bn  21 Dec 16   The Battalion will march tomorrow to Vielle Chapelle, and take over billets.   Order of March:  Headquarters; A,B,C,D, Lewis Gunners, Transport.   Starting Point.  Road junction north of “m” in “Fm” East of BUSNES.  [this must be a reference to the name of a farm on their maps] Battalion will be fallen in and ready to march off with its head at Road Junction at the top of the Main Street near Baths by 9:30 a.m.   Reveille:  6:45 a.m. Sick Parade 7:15 a.m.  Breakfast 7:30 a.m.   Dinners: will be cooked en-route.   Blankets and Jerkins: to be rolled as before, two men per company to travel with wagons.  These must be stacked by 8:00 a.m.   All transport to be loaded by 8:30 a.m.  Mess cart by 8:45 a.m.   Transport will be drawn up on road clear of metalling by 9:25 a.m.   All braziers must be returned to Q.M stores by 7:00 a.m.   Billets to be left clean and tidy ready for inspection by 9:00 a.m.   Dress: Full marching order.  Steel helmets will be worn.   Billeting party, under 2/Lt Samuels, will parade at Q.M. Stores at 7:15 a.m. Early breakfasts will be arranged   Lt. Elsworth, Capt & Adjt 10th Battn, York & Lancaster Regiment   Copies to Copy War Diary & File 1 - 3 63rd Infantry Brigade 4 Commanding Officer 5 2nd in Command 6 Four Companies 7 - 10 Lewis Gun Officer 11 Bombing Officer 12 Signaling Officer 13 Transport Officer 14 Quartermaster 15 Intelligence Officer 16 Medical Officer 17       In the days before PCs and word processors, that would be a lot of handcopying of orders, and there must have been hundreds of similar orders.

The following are a few extracted details from various orders. They may have been at war, but that didn’t mean there should be any lessening of attention to detail!

Owing to the soft state of men’s feet, particular efforts will be required from Officers to maintain strict march discipline (halt 10 mins in hour). Owing to the Battn. not marching early, every effort must be made to get cleaned up, special attention being paid to shaving, brushing of clothes, greasing of boots, cleaning of rifles, packing of packs and folding of ground sheets.     Company Commanders will in future wear full marching order (less pack). Great-coats or Burberrys will not be worn unless men wear ground sheets.     Stricter attention is still required as to the way men roll their ground sheets, and attach mess tins to packs. These are in a great many cases not correct.