Transcription
The Diary of Clarence A. Booth, 1915-1916
Clarence Booth, Diary of Clarence Booth, 1915-1916. Black ink on paper. Unpublished manuscript, 1 volume, 387 pages. H: 13.5, W: 10, D: 2.3 cm. Canadian Centre for the Great War (Centre canadien pour la Grande Guerre), Montreal.1 Transcription © MLC Research Centre. dcr/blt/ig
keywords: gaps and silences, gas attacks, machine gun work, shell shock, Somme, trauma, Voormezeele, war lyrics, witnessing of death
summary: Clarence Booth, who hails from St Urbain Street in Montreal, Canada, describes his frontline experiences from his arrival in Bologna, France, on 15 September 1915 to late 1916. Although this “new” diary does not start until 1 January 1916, his memorandum preceding the first entry records his witnessing of a killing as early as 30 September 1915. First stationed in Flanders for the battles of Eloi, some 4 miles south of Ypres, he reports on his activities: filling sandbags, carrying ammunition, becoming a batman (servant-soldier to Mr Amphlett), and later serving tea and packing kit bags. The fighting is fierce and unrelenting with heavy shelling and loss of 19 men (17 March 1916) with a shelling hitting his dugout (18 March 1916). By April, he reports repeatedly on his medical problems: “Nerves starting to go bad” (26 April 1916) and “This place is a sure hell” (30 April 1916), comments prompted by the fighting at what he references as “S Wood,” and elsewhere calls Scottish Wood, and what is likely Sanctuary Wood, or Hill 62, where Canadians were involved in brutal fighting suffering great losses between April and August of 1916. Booth records his medical diagnosis “shell shock” and spends time in the hospital. After recuperating by 6 September 1916, he arrives near Albert at the Somme, where the Somme battles started in July. The diary ends with memoranda on how to operate a gun.
special features: the diary contains visual elements including leaves and flowers pressed between pages and drawings by Booth.
Transcription:
This Book contains the Diary of
Name Drummer C A. (Buster) Booth
Rank and Number No. 65092
Battalion, Battery, etc. 24th U. R. Canadian
Brigade 5th Brigade 2nd Division
Date of enlistment Oct. 24th 1914
Where enlisted Montreal. Canada
(Machine Gun Section)
Should this book be found, kindly forward it to the undersigned.
To you these writings may not mean much,
To others they mean everything that’s dear.
THANK YOU!
Name Mrs. G. M. Booth.
Address 2676 St Urbain St
Montreal, Canada [end page]
This Book Contains
My Personal Experiences and Impressions
OF THE
Great European War
Which are not for publication unless authorized
Signed CA Booth [end page]
MEMORANDA
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned – Sheakspear [sic]
It is quite likely Sheakspear [sic] has never been to Belgium.
Arrived in Bologne France
Sept. 15. 15
I walked to Hazebrouck from there to Locre. Some walk.
Eddie Cliff killed on Sept. 30 15 with bullet in stomack [sic] lived 2 hours, Addvanced [sic] to build new trench / Spoke of [Jennie].
Some of my experiences I cannot mention. Dec 20 Bombardment with gas. Bombardment two days. [end page]
Song: Sing me to Sleep
Sing me to sleep the bullets fall
Let me forget the war & all.
Damp is my dugout and cold my feet
Nothing but bully and biscuits to eat.
Sing me to sleep in some old shed
The rats all running around my head.
Stretched out upon my waterproof
Dodging the raindrops through the roof.
Chorus
Far far from Ypres I want to be
Where German snipers can’t get
at me
Fancy me crouching where the worms
do creep
Waiting for sergeant to, sing me
To sleep. [end page]
1 January 1916
Saturday
I now open my new diary.
A year ago today I was best man at the wedding of Miss Gertrude Morey to Dug Lawson. Montreal Canada.
I never thought that in a years time I would be fighting Germans one mile from St Eloi.
One mile from Kemmel & Kemmel is 4 miles from Locre / 3 miles from Ypres.
Had a Bath at La [Cliete] we are stationed at R.E. Farm for rest / Kemmel reserve [B?tt?]. [end page]
2 January 1916
Sunday
Morning. Seige [sic] Farm for lecture on M.G.
Afternoon. Studied MG. & wrote Home.
Night.
Expect to make an advance at 12:00 PM.
8:00 PM Stand too & went to trenches. Sent back for ammunition.
Stand too, in rain till 6. AM
But no advance [responded] [end page]
3 January 1916
Monday
Morning. Slept till 3 PM.
Afternoon. Prepare to stand too.
Nothing Doing. [end page]
4 January 1916
Tuesday
Morning. Walked to Locre for – new boots.
Night. Stand too expect attack.
10.30 PM rushed with message to Laitiery [sic] // passed through Kemmel all in [ruines] [sic], Done walk with Biel Evans. [As e? cart] I returned to R.E. Farms.
5 miles
3 30 stand clear 25th Batt
Bollixed it up again –
“We were supposed to take machine gun emplacements from “Fritz.” [end page]
5 January 1916
Wednesday
Morning. Ready to move.
To relieve 25th Batt
12:00 AM. Moved off & relieved.
Night. Rations] up V. C. Road and returned again up V. C. Road with ammunition / V. C. Road got its name from a Drummer Boy [carrying] ammunition in shell [fire] for Highland brigade, I have seen shells burst all around us on same road & been on same road killing men around me. [end page]
6 January 1916
Thursday
Morning. Wrote Letters.
Afternoon. Ammunition along V. C. Road / Shell fire
P. S. Morning – Ammunition
Carried to Seige [sic] Farm.
Night. Off from work at Seige [sic] Farm
Received 3 letters.
[Earmie] Stewart killed while in [barbaric] expedition. [end page]
7 January 1916
Friday
Morning. Lecture M. G.
Afternoon. “ “ “
Night. Rations to machine gun section.
Received parcel from home.
Eddie Richards killed. [end page]
8 January 1916
Saturday
Morning. Escorted to front truck = V. C. Road shelled.
Afternoon. Lecture MG.
Night. Stayed a [sic] farm.
Seige. [sic] [end page]
9 January 1916
Sunday
(IN RESERVE)
Morning. Lecture MG.
Afternoon. “ “
Night. Up V. C. Road with rations.
Later = Bombardment. [end page]
10 January 1916
Monday
Morning. Lecture MG.
Afternoon. “ “
Night. Rations V. C. Road. [end page]
11 January 1916
Tuesday
Morning. Lecture.
Afternoon. Relieved by 25th Batt
Walked through La Cliette to Locre to Billet. [end page]
12 January 1916
Wednesday
- Locre -
Morning. Rifle drill & inspection.
“ (Later) Court Marchell [sic] Pte [Sam] Drunk & Striking SO / 1 yr hard work.
Afternoon. Rifle drill.
Night. YMCA, Moving pictures
3D entrance fee Charlie Chaplin. [end page]
13 January 1916
Thursday
Morning. Bath at Westoutre.
Afternoon. Rifle drill.
Night. Billet. [end page]
14 January 1916
Friday
Locre
Morning. Rifle inspection.
Afternoon. Day = 157.
Started 430 marched to Kemmel & to Lindenhoek to
(suicide road)
6 Brigade all Batt. To lay cable, dig trench 5 ft deep
each man 5 ft long.
Arrived back to Locre 2. AM 15. [end page]
[pressed leaf between the pages]
15 January 1916
Saturday
Locre
Morning. Inspection.
Rifles
Afternoon. Concert.
YMCA
[Di? Comedian?]
1 [S???ent] 14 ‘ Batt
Night. [end page]
16 January 1916
Sunday
Locre
Morning. Church in YMCA.
Afternoon Muster Parade.2
Night. Rec’d parcel from home. [end page]
17 January 1916
Monday
Locre & Trench
Morning. Cleaned Billet for 25th to come into
Afternoon left for trenches.
Stopped at Seige [sic] Farm for rest.
Night. In J. I Trench. [end page]
18 January 1916
Tuesday
Trenches
J. 1 Trench.
Morning. All OK.
Afternoon “ “
Night. Went to J 4 for rations. [end page]
19 January 1916
Wednesday
Trenches.
J1 Trench.
Morning Bombardment.
Afternoon. “ “
Night OK. [end page]
20 January [1916]
Thursday
Trenches.
J. 1.
Morning. OK.
Afternoon. Bombardment.
Night. Left J.1. to go to J. 4.
Got parcel from home. [end page]
21 January 1916
Friday
Trenches.
J. 4.
Morning. Bombardment.
Afternoon. “ “
Night. Rec’d letter from home & Lily. [end page]
22 January 1916
Saturday
J4 Trench
Morning. Bombardment.
Afternoon. OK.
Night. Zepperlin [sic] raid
Heavy fire. [end page]
23 January 1916
Sunday
J4
Morning. Went to Seige [sic] Farm & returned.
(shell fire)
Afternoon relieved by 25th
Night. Arrived in RE Farm.
Reserve Batt. [end page]
24 January 1916
Monday
RE. Farm
Morning. Cook for MG all day.
Afternoon
Night. Rest. [end page]
25 January 1916
Tuesday
RE. Farm
Morning. Bath at Lacliette.
Afternoon.
Night. Fatigue in 22nd [Lines]. [end page]
26 January 1916
Wednesday
R. E.
Morning.
Afternoon. } Rest
Night. [end page]
27 January 1916
Thursday
R. E. Farm.
Morning. Rest.
Afternoon. M. G. Lecture.3
Night. [end page]
28 January 1916
Friday
R. E.
Morning. -
Afternoon. M. G. Lecture.
Night. - [end page]
29 January 1916
Saturday
S. P. 13 Trench.
Morning. Ready to relieve
25th Batt Left 10:00 AM.
Afternoon 12:00 AM arrived in S. P. 13 Bombardment.
Night took trip to S. P. 12 in M.G. fire.
Cook. [end page]
30 January 1916
Sunday
SP. 13.
Morning. Cook, & [some]
Cook [? am Nix].
Afternoon. We scouted for water to cook with.
Night. Heavy Bombard. [end page]
31 January 1916
Monday
SP. 13
Morning. Cook.
Afternoon. Bombardment.
Night. Guard.
A song we used to sing.
The 24th swells
We are the 24th swells & we mean to shine
We have no V.C.s but we have lots of [C.R/P.s]
and we are always ready when there is [bombs ????]
and in the [firing ???] Fritz gets a [hell of them]
Bang goes a – Bang goes a whiz bang.
Tum tiddle um tum – tum tum
We are the 24th swells. [end page]
1 February 1916
Tuesday
SP. 13 [21 K1]
Morning. Got ready to go to K1 Trench.
Afternoon. K1 Garrisoned.
Night went to J4 for rations. [end page]
2 February 1916
Wednesday
K1
Morning. Bombardment.
Afternoon. Worked on MG emplacement.4
Night. Expected to barb wire in NO MANS LAND but called off. Evening active in front. [end page]
3 February 1916
Thursday
K 1
Morning expected gas wind in fritz favour
Afternoon. Active.
Night. liquid fire on left 26th lines. [end page]
4 February 1916
Friday
[pressed flower on page]
K 1
3:00 AM liquid fire in our lines J. 3. also [critical].
Expected gas attack.
Morning. all OK. Got ready to be relieved.
Afternoon. Relieved by
25th Batt.
Walked to Locre. [end page]
5 February 1916
Saturday
Locre
Morning. inspection.
Afternoon. Court marched.
Night. sing song at Inn De [Wagon??k?n?]
[Mandelin ?? at] M. G. S. [end page]
6 February 1916
Sunday
Locre
Morning. Bath – Westoutre.
Afternoon. Band concert.
YMCA 27th band
Night. Stayed in Billet played [Mandelin].
Song
In my little dug out low where the whiz bangs come & go
Everything is nice & frizy every thing you touch is [?izy]
In my little dug out low for away from the ice & snow
Lice & bugs & other creatures [?oom] from [oer] my [features]
In my dugout low where the bullets come & go. [end page]
7 February 1916
Monday
Locre
Morning. Semifire.
Afternoon. afternoon dull
Night. wrote letter.
Song
I want to go home. I want to go home
The bullets may whistle the cannons may roar
I don’t want to go to the trenches no more
I want to go over the sea where the
Whiz bangs they won’t bother me
Oh my I don’t want to die I want to
Go home [end page]
8 February 1916
Tuesday
Locre
Morning. [Rout] march to [Frontere] [sic] in France
Had a maneuver in taking trenches
Night. saw Charlie [Tuder?]
42nd [???] is taking over 6 Brigade.
Song
Keep your head down Hans & Fritz etc
I see you in the pale moon lights I see you
You are fixing up your barbwire [sic]
When we opened up rapid fire
If you want to see your mother or
Your sister or your brother
Keep your head down Hans & Fritz. [end page]
9 February 1916
Wednesday
Locre
Morning. Semifire.
Afternoon. got new hat.
Night. saw Charlie [Tuder?] stay in Billet.
Payed 15 frank [sic]. [end page]
10 February 1916
Thursday
Loere & S.P. 12
Morning. Ready to go to Trenches.
Afternoon. 1:00 PM moved to Kemmel & to trenches
Night. S.P. 12.
Cook. got tea for ourself
One of new draft killed 1st time in trenches. [end page]
11 February 1916
Friday
S. P. 12 Rain as usual.
Morning. Cook. Built new fireplace for myself.
Afternoon. Cook.
Night. Supper. I waited for mail but none for me. [end page]
12 February 1916
Saturday
S. P. 12
Morning. Cooked breakfast.
Afternoon. Cooked.
Bombardment on left.
Fritz took 2 lives of trenches but we retook them (gas).
Night. Bombardment still on. [end page]
13 February 1916
Sunday
S.P. 12. & K. 3.
Morning. Cooked.
Bombardment still on.
Afternoon. Aircraft battle midair, ready to relieve boys in K. 3.
N3
Arrived in K. 3. Quiet all night. Wind in fritz favour.
Rec’d parcel from [Art & Mac]. [end page]
14 February 1916
Monday
K. 3.
Morning. Bombardment.
Afternoon. Heavy “
Worked on parapet.
Night. “ “
3:30 A.M. – 15th Heavy face of snow which turned to rain later.
5 A.M. Heavy bombardment.
Fritz took lives of trench from 4th Batt.
Rec’d letter from home & Lily. [end page]
15 February 1916
Tuesday
[Aris] indy [ol b?o?d]
K. 3. Rainy
Morning. Bombardment.
Afternoon. Worked on parapet + gun emplacement.
Night. Heavy bombardment
All night.
2:30 A.M. captured German officer.
Rec’d letter & 10 $hillings note from Art
Also papers from mother. [end page]
16 February 1916
Wednesday
K. 3. Rain
Morning. Worked on parapet
& packed up ready to move.
Afternoon. Relieved by 25th Batt. At 2:30 PM.
Night. Celebrated our return to R. E. Farm in Rough House. [end page]
17 February 1916
Thursday
R. E. Farm.
Morning. Had good rest.
Afternoon. inspection.
Night. [end page]
18 February 1916
Friday
R. E. Farm.
Morning. Bath at Le Cliette.
Afternoon. Lecture by officer [M. E. S.].
Night.
Gas alert.
Rec’d 2 parcels.
Mother & Lily. [end page]
19 February 1916
Saturday
R. E. Farm.
Morning. Cook all day.
Afternoon. Gun drill.
Night. 1 parcel (Home)
1 letter “
Night. 12:00 all OK. [end page]
20 February 1916
Sunday
R. E. Farm.
Morning. [Fatigue] at KIA.
Afternoon. returned.
M G drill.
Night. Wrote letter.
Wind in enemy’s favour.
Gas alarm. [end page]
21 February 1916
Monday
R. E. Farm.
Morning. Lecture on [gas/guns?].
Afternoon. “ “ “
Night. [end page]
22 February 1916
Tuesday
R. E. Farm. Snow.
Morning. C.O. Talk.
Afternoon. Relieved 25th.
Night. in J 1 trench. [end page]
23 February 1916
Wednesday
J 1.
Morning. Early worked at KIA.
Afternoon. Guard.
Night. Zepp [overhead?]
Bombardment. [end page]
24 February 1916
Thursday
J. 1.
Morning. Went to SP12.
Afternoon. built dugout.
Night. Guard.
1:30 AM. Stand too till daybreak.
Expect attack.
Wire cut.
Morning, Pte Andrews killed. [end page]
25 February 1916
Friday
J.1. & J. 4.
Morning. All OK.
“ Guard and got ready to move.
Afternoon. trench to J. 4.
Guard, small bombardment.
Night. Had narrow escape.
Bullet swiped my [Tin Hat]. [end page]
26 February 1916
Saturday
J 4
Morning. Ready to be relieved.
Carried guns & tripod to [a??t???on] to Seige [sic] Farm.
Relieved by 31 Batt.
Afternoon. [went] to [Sheti?burg]
Billeted in old barn for night.
Night. 6:00 PM very tired (slept). [end page]
27 February 1916
Sunday
[Shet??burg] & Locre
Morning. My Birthday.
Sat around old fireplace in old house & sang songs.
Got bounced by the [b??? ??].
Afternoon. Left to go to Locre passed La cliette.
Night. Locre. Saw [Chs Tuder] of 42nd. [end page]
28 February 1916
Monday
Locre (Rain)
Morning. Bath at Westoutre 3 miles away.
Afternoon. Lecture.
Night. Stayed in Billet.
Wrote letters. [end page]
29 February 1916
Tuesday
Locre. Rain.
Morning. Lecture. M. G.
60th Batt advance guard arrived. Met Dug Grey.
Afternoon. Lecture M. G.
Wrote letter.
Night. Stand too for 48 hours.
Bombardment Hill 60. [end page]
1 March 1916
Wednesday
Locre. Rain.
Morning. Rifle inspection & pay 15 f.
Afternoon. Gas Helmet.
Night. Saw all old boys in 60 Batt who have first come over.
Night. Later. Bombardment still on.
On no. 2 gun team (Rose’s).
Ready to [??st] to St. Eloi. [end page]
2 March 1916
Thursday
Locre. Rain.
Morning. Semifire practice & court marchell [sic].
Bombardment.
Afternoon. Stand, too to make dash to St Eloi = Hill 60.
Night. Stand too still on but did not move yet. [end page]
3 March 1916
Friday
Locre. Rain.
Morning. Inspection.
Afternoon. Lecture.
Night. Guard. Gas alert. [end page]
4 March 1916
Saturday
Locre & Dickiebush.
M & N [T???ch??] – Trenches. Snow.
Morning. Left Locre marched through La cliette to Dickiebush.
Went in Trenches on left of Vierestriate [sic] to St Eloi.
Afternoon. on Dickiebush ridge where PPCLI made change.
Hill. 60.
Night. all OK in reserve trench. [end page]
5 March 1916
Sunday
Trenches M & N
Morning. went to work in M. G. front line.
Afternoon. “ “ “ “ “
Night. Sayed at Ridgewood Hill or Dickiebush ridge. [end page]
6 March 1916
Monday
Dickiebush ridge.
Morning. Cook.
Afternoon. “
Evening, I wonder as I stand in the door of an old ruined barn & watch the sun set over the hill of Kemmel in the distance although it is snowing it is certainly a picturesque sight. I wonder how my dear old mother & the folks at home are, also my dear little girl. On the top of the hill is a [sic] old windmill. The sun has gone down leaving a red streak in the sky. [end page]
7 March 1916
Tuesday
Dickiebush Ridge.
Morning. Fatigue.
Afternoon. “
Night. wrote letter.
Tommie here & Tommie there.
And chuck him out the door
But it’s Mr Tommie Atkins
When the guns begin to roar.
Kiplin [sic]. [end page]
8 March 1916
Wednesday
Dickiebush Ridge.
Morning. In reserve trench.
Afternoon. “ “
Night. Worked in N trench.
Went with rations through [Vierestrat] all in ruins.
Snow. [end page]
9 March 1916
Thursday
Dickiebush.
Morning. Worked at N & M trenches filling sand bags.
Returned in afternoon.
Night. wrote letters.
For it’s Tommie here & it’s
Tommie there.
And it’s [D???] his bloody
Hide
But there is room for Mr
Atkins
When the troop ships on
The tide. [end page]
10 March 1916
Friday
Dickiebush & Locre.
Morning. Carried ammunition from N & M.
Afternoon. ready to leave.
Night. relieved by 52nd.
First time in trenches for them.
Walked to Locre. [end page]
11 March 1916
Saturday
Locre Billet.
3:00 AM, arrived in Locre.
Morning. Inspection.
Afternoon. “
Night. read book. [end page]
12 March 1916
Sunday
Locre.
Morning. Cook for day.
Asked by Mr. Amphilitte5 [sic] to be his batt [sic] man.6
Afternoon. another [stabb] at 6th field ambalance [sic]. [end page]
13 March 1916
Monday
Locre.
Morning. Rick got 3 tins beans 8d.
“ 3 “ Sausages 9d.
1 battery 1f ½.
1 glove 1f 3d.
Matches 2d.
Tobacco 1f ½.
Afternoon, Rotten.
Night, Same. [end page]
14 March 1916
Tuesday
Locre.
Morning. Waited on [t???] all day for officers.
I packed up officers kitt & my own.
Had little sing song at night.
Afternoon arrived in S. P. 12 made tea & moved to KIA. [end page]
15 March 1916
Wednesday
KIA – Fair.
Morning. Shelling heavy.
Afternoon “ “
Night, worked on officers dugout.
Made beds & [????]. [end page]
16 March 1916
Thursday
KIA Sunny.
Morning. Shelling heavy all day.
Good weather. [end page]
17 March 1916
Friday
KIA. Good weather.
Morning. Shelling heavy all day.
[We] lost heavy 19 men.
1 MG man. Mac [Clair].
Rec’d some papers from home also a post card from Mrs. [Pe?tt?i]. [end page]
18 March 1916
Saturday
KI.
Bombardment heavy.
Shell 5.9 hit my dug out & God only know how I came through it OK.
Have [nose] cap,
Mr. Amphlett sent home to his mother in England to keep for me.
1:30 AM. Bombardment.
Very heavy. [end page]
19 March 1916
Sunday
KI.
Bombardment heavy on us.
All day.
Lost 5 men. [wounded].
MC [Clair]
Barns
[Coney bear] } My old team wiped out.
[Wald]
[Tere????] [end page]
20 March 1916
Monday
KI
Morning. Packed up.
Afternoon. 3:30 left KI.
Bombardment.
Arrived [siege] farm.
4:30.
6:00 P.M. went to R. E. Farm to get things ready for officer.
Went to bed 1 AM. [end page]
21 March 1916
Tuesday
R. E. Farm.
Morning. Up early to look after Mr. Amphlett.
Worked all day.
Went to bed late. [end page]
22 March 1916
Wednesday
R. E. Farm.
Morning, paraded Dick & [????et] to 6 Field Hospital at Locre for Bath.
Got some things for big boss & returned 4:00.
Battery 1f ½ OK.
Washing 6d.
Candles 1f.
Brown [pollish] [sic] 4d.
Boss owes me 2 franks [sic].
[Patoneaux], 3 “. [end page]
23 March 1916
Thursday
R. E. Farm.
Morning. Rain.
Bad letter from Lily.
All quiet. [end page]
24 March 1916
Friday
R. E. Farm.
Weather fair.
Worked in officers [??n] all day.
Night. Wrote letter to Lily.
Rec’d parcels “ from “
OK. [end page]
25 March 1916
Saturday
R. E.
Weather rainy.
Worked all day in [officers ?en].
Night wrote letter to Lily.
Otherwise OK. [end page]
26 March 1916
Sunday
R. E. & KIA.
Morning. ready to leave.
Packed up officers kit & my own.
Got provisions.
Night 6:30 went to KIA.
Big bombardment. [end page]
27 March 1916
Monday
KIA.
Morning Bombardment all night & day.
Expect to attack enemy.
Night Bombardment still on heavy.
Don Tarrance – killed
1:45 AM. [end page]
28 March 1916
Tuesday
Bombardment in morning heavy.
& all day. [end page]
29 March 1916
Wednesday
KIA.
Bombardment.
Morning & afternoon.
& night.
Heavy. [end page]
30 March 1916
Thursday
KIA.
Morning. Bombardment.
Afternoon. “
My dear old pal Jack [Beaton] wounded in [elbow].
He saved my life by falling over me 4 others got it in same dugout but I didn’t get a scratch.
Night, OK.
Quiet.
Took 3 lives of trenches on left. [end page]
31 March 1916
Friday
KIA.
Morning, bombardment.
Shell lit on next dugout.
Bombardment went all day & night.
Germans got trenches back. [end page]
1 April 1916
Saturday
KIA.
Bombardment all day.
We took trenches back
& more (2).
Night quiet.
Morning early bombardment. [end page]
2 April 1916
Sunday
KIA.
Bombardment on left all day.
Heavy. Took lots of prisoners.
Night. left trenches
Relieved by Northumberland
[Fuser??ei?]
Arrived in Renelhurst. [end page]
3 April 1916
Monday
Renelhurst.
Morning. Got pass to go to Renelhurst village from camp.
Saw German, prisoners.
Also Gordon [Highlander]
[Cameron] n
Royal Scots
[?est] come from a change. [end page]
4 April 1916
Tuesday
Renelhurst.
Morning. Stayed in Camp. Ready to go if needed.
Afternoon some of M. G. S call to front.
Night 11:30 stand too
Very busy.
Morn, stand clear. [end page]
5 April 1916
Wednesday
Renelhurst.
Stayed in camp all day.
Afternoon Bombardment started.
Night went to Renelhurst.
4:00 AM stand too & start to support. [end page]
6 April 1916
Thursday
Ypres (near).
Morning. Marched to place near Ypres.
Stay in field ready behind fire line.
Bombardment heavy.
Afternoon. Shelled up & we lost a few.
Night. Went with [transport] back to Renelhurst for stuff for officer. Returned.
Night. Slept in rain in same field. [end page]
7 April 1916
Friday
Camp Renelhurst.
Morning, lost / & took back trenches / returned to camp.
Worked all day for boss.
Still no word of some of our boys who stayed behind. [end page]
8 April 1916
Saturday
Renelhurst.
Morning. Our boys returned.
Sgt. [heylor] rewarded [M. Meddle].
Afternoon. Quiet.
Night. Stand too.
Marched to reserve.
Stayed all night on field. [end page]
9 April 1916
Sunday
Renelhurst.
Morning. Returned
All OK. Quiet.
Afternoon bombardment started expected to stand too any minute.
Night. My officer went to trenches but didn’t take me. [end page]
10 April 1916
Monday
Renelhurst.
Morning He returned
All quiet again.
Afternoon our boys M. G. S. beat C. Coy in baseball 14 – 7.
Night. all quiet. [end page]
11 April 1916
Tuesday
Renelhurst.
Morning. Get ready to go to trenches.
2 MG teams [????] left.
2 MG “ [Low??] “
Stand by. [end page]
12 April 1916
Wednesday
Renelhurst.
Boss going on leave.
Battalion left camp.
I stayed behind to see boss off.
Night, officer left for Blighty.
Slept in camp in rain. [end page]
13 April 1916
Thursday
Renelhurst.
Got read to go to unit.
Afternoon, left for Dickiebush.
Arrived all teams in line, Holding [?quator], stayed in Dickiebush all night. [end page]
14 April 1916
Friday
St Eloi – Crators
Dickiebush.
Morning. Heavy attack made on front line.
Morning. Stayed in Dickeybush [sic] (rested).
Afternoon. (Called).
Went with [Ganun-non?] team to trenches P in front of Vermescelles.7
Night. Very heavy bombardment all around us everything seems to be flying lasted till morning. Germans attack but are repulsed. [end page]
15 April 1916
Saturday
Crators – St Eloi
.P.
Morning. Shelling heavy. Germans attack but repulsed.
Afternoon. Stopped for a few hours but started again.
It is like [Deutsche Infanterie?].
Hell is not in it with [them].
Night still on.
Early morning. On guard [/ OK].
Boss arrives in trench with [L/C] Rose to take my place as his leave is cancelled. Walked to Vermescelle through Bombard.
Arrived OK. [end page]
16 April 1916
Sunday
Crators St Eloi
Reserve Trenches.
Morning. Germans attack but repulsed.
Bombardment [fire ??] all day.
Night. Germans attack again but repulsed. [end page]
17 April 1916
Monday
Reserves [Derm??]
Morning. Bombardment heavy. Germans attack but again repulsed.
Afternoon. Bombardment.
Night. Went to Vermeszeal & returned.
Next page. [end page]
18 April 1916
Tuesday
Renelhurst
Morning. April 17. Bombardment.
Afternoon. Went with L. C. [Gilch?ish] to Renelhurst to look after billets for M. G. S. went through Vermeszeal while bombardment was heavy passed through Dickybush [sic], while [bricks] were flying. Passed through [Outre dom]. To Renelhurst. I thank God I came through safe. Waited up all night left 6:00 AM for [troup com??? ??].
[April 18]
Slept in all morning till 5 PM. Retired 11 PM. [end page]
19 April 1916
Wednesday
Renelhurst.
Morning. All .OK.
Night. Stand too
Marched camping ground near Dickeybush.
Stayed all night in rain.
2 team MG [Sent to Quatr??].
[Lon on sis ton / qui us at to ou nan]. [end page]
20 April 1916
Thursday
Morning. Returned to Renelhurst.
Night. Stand all night.
Heavy Bombardment. [end page]
21 April 1916
Friday
Morning. All OK.
Afternoon went to Renelhurst to buy things for officer.
Night. Moved off to Dickeybush [sic] as reserves
Spent night in place. [end page]
22 April 1916
Saturday
St Eloi Crators
Dickiebush
All OK. Except shelling place. [end page]
23 April 1916
Sunday
St Eloò [sic] Crators
Dickeybush
Wrote Home.
Bombardment in place. [end page]
24 April 1916
Monday
St Eloi Craters
Dickeybush
Shelled place again.
Moved to Scotish [sic] wood.
Spent night there. [end page]
25 April 1916
Tuesday
Scotish [sic] Wood
Morning. Went to take officer to Dickiebush. He went on [pass].
Returned, OK.
Night. Bombardment.
Germans advance but repulsed. [end page]
26 April 1916
Wednesday
S. Wood
Morning. Heavy [Bomb.] in Wood.
Continued all night.
Expect gas.
Germans advance but we repulsed them.
[G].
Nerves start going bad. [end page]
27 April 1916
Thursday
S. Wood8
Morning. Sick.
Afternoon. Bombardment.
Night. 4 teams left front line to hold [quatres]. [end page]
28 April 1916
Friday
S Wood.
Went to trenches.
Attack but repulsed in
Night.
Expect gas. [end page]
29 April 1916
Saturday
S Wood.
Expect Gas.
Heavy bombardment all along line
Some hell all day.
Night. Gas in night.
Enemy [??t] repulsed.
(Gass [sic]). [end page]
30 April 1916
Sunday
S Wood.
Bombardment.
This place is a sure Hell.
Night. Gas again
On right Germans made attack on right but repulsed.
(Gas). [end page]
1 May 1916
Monday
S Wood.
Things a little quieter during morning.
Night. Left Scotish Wood for Renelhurst. Arrived there in morning.
[?ell in]. [end page]
2 May 1916
Tuesday
Renelhurst
Worked on M. G. (Lewis).9
(Studied)
Night. All quiet on front. [end page]
3 May 1916
Wednesday
Renelhurst
Worked in kitchen all day (Some Cook)
Night. Walked to Renelhurst with P.L. Smith my chum. [end page]
4 May 1916
Thursday
Lecture on (Lewis)
M.G. all day.
Night. Stayed in camp. Every place being out of [bounds.]
Saw all the old band boys or (bomb [pr??s]). [end page]
5 May 1916
Friday
Renelhurst
Lecture on M G.
Noon Mr Amphlett retuned from [pa???].
Took up my old duties with him.
Night. [end page]
6 May 1916
Saturday
Renelhurst
MG Lecture
Night. Fatigue.
To trenches. [end page]
7 May 1916
Sunday
Renelhurst
MG Lecture
Night. Fatigue. [end page]
8 May 1916
Monday
Renelhurst
MG Lecture
Night fatigue
In trenches. [end page]
9 May 1916
Tuesday
Renelhurst
MG Lecture.
Afternoon. Played baseball with signallers (lost). [end page]
10 May 1916
Wednesday
MG Lecture.
Afternoon. Played ball with 28th
Won 11- 5. [end page]
11 May 1916
Thursday
Renelhurst
MG Lecture.
Afternoon. Played ball with signallers.
(Lost). Of course we don’t play [same pichies] [sic]
for scrut games as we do for Batt’s. [end page]
12 May 1916
Friday
MG Lecture.
Everything OK. [end page]
13 May 1916
Saturday
Renelhurst
MG Lecture.
Rainy all week.
All OK. [end page]
14 May 1916
Sunday
Morning (Church.)
MG. Lecture. [end page]
15 May 1916
Monday
Renelhurst.
Morning. Got ready to leave.
Afternoon left Camp.
Night. Arrived in A Camp near Dickeybush [sic]. [end page]
16 May 1916
Tuesday
A Camp
Morning. Got ready to go to trenches.
Afternoon, Left for Voormescels
Night. Arrived OK.
Small Bombardment on. [end page]
18 May 1916
Thursday
Made a mistake.
Vormeseelze.
Convent Lane Trench.
Bombardment small during day.
Otherwise all OK.
Boss [Dick] went to hospital.
Went to [Lille] got lost somewhere almost walked into enemy lines, shelled us
Hid in shell holes.
A night I will never forget in history. [end page]
17 May 1916
Wednesday
Voormeseelze.
Lost my chum through shell fire. Hit in arm.
P. L. Smith also [Dolly] White.
Night. Went to Voormesellze from our trench in Convent Lane with (Sgt [Nailor] returned 3AM everything in ruins). [end page]
19 May 1916
Friday
Voormeszlles.
Morning. Shelling terrible.
My nerves are going wrong.
Afternoon. Same.
Night. Boss went to hospital (sick).
Went to Line (Got Lost) near [quaters]10 hid in shell holes in safety of shell.
Which raining shrappnell [sic] all over me & machinegun fire.
Got back OK. My nerves gone. [end page]
20 May 1916
Saturday
Voomesezles.
Morning. Shelling bad.
Nerves all gone.
Afternoon. “ “
Went back to dug out in reserve.
Night. Packed up to go to hospital (shaking like a leaf).
Rode back to Renelhurst.
Stopped all night with Cop Wilson in ([Rem]). [end page]
21 May 1916
Sunday
Mont de Chats.
Morning. Took another ambulance to Mont de Chats.
Very pretty place on top of hill in Monestry with wall all around.
Highest place in France. [end page]
22 May 1916
Monday
Monte des Cats.
Went for walk.
Godesvelt [sic].11 [end page]
23 May 1916
Tuesday
Monte des Cats [sic].
Went to Renelhurst.
Went through Beauchepe12
Poperinge. [end page]
24 May 1916
Wednesday
Had walk around grounds.
Feeling fine. [end page]
25 May 1916
Thursday
Monte des Cats.
Hospital.
Feeling fine.
Had little walk & wrote letters. [end page]
26 May 1916
Friday
Monte des Cats.
Went to Flete & Metern.13
Returned night. [end page]
27 May 1916
Saturday
Mont des Chats.
Feeling better.
Went for walk. [end page]
28 May 1916
Sunday
Monte des Chats.
OK. Again. [end page]
29 May 1916
Monday
Monte des Chats.
Went to Renelhurst & returned on bicicle [sic]. [end page]
30 May 1916
Tuesday
Monte de Chats.
Went for walk. [end page]
31 May 1916
Wednesday
Scottish Wood.
Retuned to unit.
Bombardment heavy.
Went on [bu?] again.
Sent to hospital (next day) at Dickeybush [sic].
From there rode to Outredome in ambulance. [end page]
1 June 1916
Thursday
Scottish Wood.
Went to Dickeybush [sic] to dressing station.
Sent to Outredome.
Spent night. [end page]
2 June 1916
Friday
Renelhurst.
Sent to 5 field ambulance spent night.
Feeling bad.
Shell shock. [end page]
3 June 1916
Saturday
Boeschepe.
Sent to 6 field ambulance.
D.R.S.
Saw Ralph Beck & all the boys also Alvin Heron. [end page]
4 June 1916
Sunday
Hospital. [end page]
5 June 1916
Monday
Hospital. [end page]
6 June 1916
Tuesday
Hospital. [end page]
7 June 1916
Wednesday
Hospital. [end page]
8 June 1916
Thursday
Hospital. [end page]
9 June 1916
Friday
Hospital. [end page]
10 June 1916
Saturday
Hospital. [end page]
11 June 1916
Sunday
Hospital. [end page]
12 June 1916
Monday
Morning. Left hosp. for Batt. Now at Ypres.
Arrived OK at A camp.
Lost heavy. [end page]
13 June 1916
Tuesday
With Batt.
Terrible fighting going on.
Took back lost trenches. [end page]
14 June 1916
Wednesday
Hospital.
(Burried [sic] by shell).
Gone bad again.
Sent to [??s] in [band?].
Sent to hospital. [end page]
15 June 1916
Thursday
Hospital again.
Renelhurst.
Morning. Saw A.D.M.S.
Sent to Convelesant [sic] camp.
Med. Unfit for trenches.
Given job sweeping streets. Want to be returned to Batt who are having big battle in Ypres. [end page]
16 June 1916
Friday
Renelhurst.
Morning. Asked to be returned to Batt but refused. Being med. Unfit for trenches.
Night. Given job by Capt. Steel as battman to Lt. Flavelle now Capt. [end page]
17 June 1916
Saturday
My transfer to H.Q. starts today.
Renelhurst.
On 2nd division staff.
Carried out my job.
So far so good.
Night. After finishing my work had quite an old time chat with Norman Wooley 14th Batt.
Old friend of mine. [end page]
18 June 1916
Sunday
H.Q. Renelhurst.
Still on job.
All OK. [end page]
19 June 1916
Monday
H.Q.
Asked Mr. [Flavelle] if I am satisfactory (yes).
Capt. Steele. Camp Comandant [sic] told me to report to office for my transfer to 2nd Div. [Sub.] Staff.
H.Q. from Batt. [end page]
20 June 1916
Tuesday
Renelhurst H.Q.
All OK. Changed officers billet to billet one.
24th, my old Batt, expected out of trenches. I come back to Renelhurst tonight. [end page]
21 June 1916
Wednesday
Renelhurst.
Morning. When finished work went to see our boys just out of [line].
Afternoon. After work went to see boys again to get some thing left there.
Night went to bed early.
For ages rec’d no mail from home or little Lily. [end page]
22 June 1916
Thursday
H.Q.S.
All OK feeling fine.
Rec’d mail from home. [end page]
23 June 1916
Friday
Renelhurst.
Wrote letter home to Lily.
Getting on very nicely.
Still feeling fine. [end page]
24 June 1916
Saturday
Renelhurst.
Went to see boys in camp.
Went to moving picture show put up in old barn. Very good first P.S. I seen since leaving England nearly 10 months ago. [end page]
25 June 1916
Sunday
H.Q.S.
Wrote home & had bath.
Afternoon. Saw 24 Batt having sports.
Night. Went to bed early as usual. [end page]
26 June 1916
Monday
H.Q. Staff.
Worked as per usual all day.
Expect to get my horse tomorrow.
Went to bed early. [end page]
27 June 1916
Tuesday
My officers [sic] birthday.
Still at Renelhurst. [end page]
28 June 1916
Wednesday
Renelhurst. [end page]
29 June 1916
Thursday
Renelhurst. [end page]
30 June 1916
Friday
Renelhurst. [end page]
1 July 1916
Saturday
Good old Dominion Day.
Renelhurst.
Heavy fighting going on. [end page]
2 July 1916
Sunday
Renelhurst.
We took a lot of prisoners. [end page]
3 July 1916
Monday
Heavy fighting still going on. [end page]
4 July 1916
Tuesday
My kid brothers [sic] birthday.
Renelhurst. [end page]
5 July 1916
Wednesday
Had little ride on horse. [end page]
6 July 1916
Thursday
Renelhurst.
Heavy fighting still going on on right lots of prisoners taken.
Went to bed early as usual. [end page]
7 July 1916
Friday
H.Q.S.S.
Big battle still on.
Still many prisoners taken.
2:30 AM 8th rise early.
Went to bed again 3:30.
I wonder how everything is at home & little Lily.
Went to bed early. [end page]
8 July 1916
Saturday
H. Q. S.
Night. Still on.
9th
Got up early to get thing ready for Mr. [Flavel??]
going [?]. [To nos est nit con ho est sis.] [end page]
9 July 1916
Sunday
Moved my billet with [b?o?s].
Got room to myself.
Worked cleaning up dirt in it to make it fit to live in.
Worked orderly in G.S. all day.
Went to bed early. [end page]
10 July 1916
Monday
Renelhurst.
Got parcel from home.
Also letter.
Worked for [Mr. Flavell] all day.
Night. Read book & went to bed early. [end page]
11 July 1916
Tuesday
Fighting still on.
After finishing work Norman Wooley 14th Batt on H. Q. S. came to my room had old time chat & went to bed early. [end page]
12 July 1916
Wednesday
Morning payed [sic] 15 f.
After work read book & went to bed early.
Wrote letter to Lily. [end page]
13 July 1916
Thursday
H. Q. S.
Nothing extra.
Taking things quiet.
General S. orderly all day. [end page]
14 July 1916
Friday
Things very quiet here.
But big battle on our right still on. [end page]
15 July 1916
Saturday
Horse show in Poperinge [sic].
Later cancelled [in aft].
Heavy bombardment in same place. [end page]
16 July 1916
Sunday
Everything quiet on our front. [end page]
17 July 1916
Monday
My old Batt came out of line from 18 days period.
Not losing much.
Generals orderly all day.
Battle still progressing on our right.
Taken quite a lot of ground. [end page]
18 July 1916
Tuesday
Some more line taken by us near Armentieres.14
Went to 5th brigade to see Joe Owens & some of the boys. [end page]
19 July 1916
Wednesday
H. Q. S. S. (R)
Bombardment during night & on and off during day.
C. Grant came to see me during night.
Also went to see J. Owen during day. [end page]
20 July 1916
Thursday
All OK on our front. [end page]
21 July 1916
Friday
[OK]
Renelhurst.
Orderly. G.5. officer. All day.
Bombardment all night. [end page]
22 July 1916
Saturday
Saw some of the boys. Bombardment all night.
Rec’d 2 letters Lily & Mother.
1 year ago today this town was bombarded. [end page]
23 July 1916
Sunday
Mess orderly all day.
Renelhurlst Fete. [end page]
24 July 1916
Monday
Renelhurst feast.
Mess orderly all day.
Went to see the motion pictures in all [barn]. [end page]
25 July 1916
Tuesday
Got up 5.00 AM.
Went through gas test with my helmet on.
G.5. orderly all day. [end page]
26 July 1916
Wednesday
Payed [sic] 15 frank.
Norman Wolley & I had feed at night. [end page]
27 July 1916
Thursday
Paraded before A. D. M. S. = still
Convalescent. [end page]
28 July 1916
Friday
Feeling fine.
Heavy bombardment now going on.
Norman Wooley came up to see me (night).
Went before doctor to pass for my transfer to H. Q. S. [end page]
29 July 1916
Saturday
Boss went to trench.
Got letter from home
& also wrote “
Had a bath in afternoon.
Went on orderly to help a fellow out. [end page]
30 July 1916
Sunday
G. S. orderly all day.
Rec’d letter from home also wrote.
Batt got cut up bad this trip in.
Boss went to trenches. [end page]
31 July 1916
Monday
A. D. M. S. inspection to see if OK.
Still a convalescent. [end page]
1 August 1916
Tuesday
Bombardment during night.
Got parcel from home.
Also wrote to Lily & mother.
Having good weather only very hot.
Norman Wooley came to me night. [end page]
2 August 1916
Wednesday
Feeling fine.
Rec’d some mail from home. [end page]
3 August 1916
Thursday
Orderly G. 5. Office. [end page]
4 August 1916
Friday
Enemy Ero plane [sic] dropped bombs in town.
Few casualties. [end page]
5 August 1916
Saturday
Boss went to line.
I am feeling fine.
Wrote some letters home.
Got a letter from Lily & mother.
Went before A. D. M. S.
Still convalescent.
Expect my transfer to come through. [end page]
6 August 1916
Sunday
Feeling home sick all day. [end page]
7 August 1916
Monday
Still at Renelhurst.
Bombard going on some – where on right.
Went to pictures afternoon in old barn. [end page]
8 August 1916
Tuesday
Went before A. D. M. S.
Struck off convalescent Co. as fit.
Boss went to line.
Joe Murphy came to see me night he is transferred to 5th battery.
10:30 PM bombardment (very heavy).
Started 11:30 awakened by gas.
alarms going. (Gas). [end page]
9 August 1916
Wednesday
Renelhulst [sic].
Gas passed over doing not much harm.
Orderly all day.
Rec’d no mail from home wrote some cards.
Bombardment still on. [end page]
10 August 1916
Thursday
Got 15 franks pay.
Went to [Batt’n] to see some boys.
Bombardment still on and off during day & night. [end page]
11 August 1916
Friday
Very hot weather.
No word from home.
Everything OK. [end page]
12 August 1916
Saturday
General [Briggs] inspected 24th Batt V.R.C.
Of which I am no longer a member. [end page]
13 August 1916
Sunday
Everything quiet on our front.
My transfer dates back from June.19.16 to 2nd Div. H.Q. Swt. Staff. [end page]
14 August 1916
Monday
Orderly all day.
5:30 AM heavy marching
order inspection.
[King] inspected
[our] troops. [end page]
15 August 1916
Tuesday
Some of 4th Div arrived.
Wrote some letters home.
Line very quiet. [end page]
16 August 1916
Wednesday
Rec’d letter from Dean Saunders.
Batt went to trenches. [end page]
17 August 1916
Thursday
Worked in [A Mess].
Saw Pte. Ingram
Had quite talk to him. [end page]
18 August 1916
Friday
Gen. Sir Sam Hughes inspected troops.
Went to see [Lance] in morning also afternoon.
Worked in [A Mess]. [end page]
19 August 1916
Saturday
Wrote letter to mother.
Worked in Mess.
Went to see Lance in Scottish lines. [end page]
20 August 1916
Sunday
Worked in Mess. [end page]
21 August 1916
Monday
Worked in Mess. [end page]
22 August 1916
Tuesday
Worked in Mess. [end page]
23 August 1916
Wednesday
Renelhurst.
Worked in Mess.
Heavy bombardment.
Payed [sic] 15 franks. [end page]
24 August 1916
Thursday
Renelhurst.
Got things ready to leave. [end page]
25 August 1916
Friday
Hooge Graft.
Started from Renelhurst.
9:00 AM marched to Hooge Graft.
11:00 AM camped there.
Afternoon went to Poperinge with (Ned). [end page]
26 August 1916
Saturday
Hooge Graft.
Morning went to Poperinge [on] (Ned.)
My mule. [end page]
27 August 1916
Sunday
Hooge Graft.
Morning 8 AM. Started to move again.
Passed through Flete, Monte de Cats, Godesvelt, Hodeige.
Arrives at Staples France 4 P.M.
Night went to town only small village. [end page]
28 August 1916
Monday
From Staples to Tilque about 20 kilometres.
Tilque.
Morning started early.
Arrived at La Nieppe.
Arques. St Omer.
St. Martin, Tilques.
Stopped at Tilques.
Night went to St. Omer for rations.
5 kilometers & returned.
Stopped at Old Chateau, very beautiful place. [end page]
29 August 1916
Tuesday
Rainy.
Chateau in Tilques.
Morning. Went to St Omer for rations.
Returned in afternoon.
Worked in Mess
Remainder of day
In Chateau where we are billeted.
Very pretty place. [end page]
30 August 1916
Wednesday
Rainy France.
Chateau in Tilque.
Very rainy all day.
Stayed in the chateau & wrote letters. [end page]
31 August 1916
Thursday
Chateau.
Tilque France.
Morning wrode [sic] to St. Omer. 5 kilometers. For officers rations.
Returned, 5:30 PM.
Night wrote letter to my little girlie. [end page]
1 September 1916
Friday
Chateau.
Tilque.
Stayed at Chateau.
Wrote some letters to home & Lily. [end page]
2 September 1916
Saturday
Chateau.
Tilque France.
Morning. Did my work.
Afternoon. Went to St. Omer with (Whitz Bang) the mule for officers rations.
Returned at night.
Night. Rec’d a letter from my little girl. [end page]
3 September 1916
Sunday
Chateau.
Tilque France.
Morning went to St. Omer early. Passed through St. Martin de.
Returned about 12 [to room].
Got things ready for big banquet tonight.
My boss Mr. Flavelle is A.D.C. to G.O.C.
Gen Turner. V.C, C.B, D.S.O. [end page]
4 September 1916
Monday
France.
Chateau Tilque.
Morning packed things, ready to move.
Night 9:00 PM started from Tilque walked to St. Omer.
Took train had some time getting horses to embark.
I never will forget 8 horses & 4 men in box car.
Train started 2:00 AM.
Rode all next morning. [end page]
5 September 1916
Tuesday
Somme.
[P??ien] – Somme
Morning passed Calais also Etaples.
11:00 AM train stopped at Fienvillers Candas where we got off. Harnessed my waggon as I was put in charge of officers mens wagon on account of being in hospital.
Passed through [Droulers, Berneville, Beaumetz, Longvilliers, ?? Domque ??, Dom??ier], & stopped at [pries] just passed [Dom??er?], at A. Chateau very pretty place owned by a millionair [sic] who treated us fine.
Slept in Chateau all night. [end page]
6 September 1916
Wednesday
Somme France.
[Priere] in Chateau.
Morning did little work for boss. Read 1 letter from home.
Packed up kit ready to move. [end page]
7 September 1916
Thursday
Somme.
7:00 AM started with [column].
Passed through, France, Francoville, [Da?art Du-] P. [THEO], Berneuil.
Fienvillers, Candas.
(for the second time).
Val De-Mason arrived at [Norm?r]. Spent night at Rubempre.
Heavy bombardment.
I am now at Somme. [end page]
8 September 1916
Friday
Somme.
Rubenpre.
Left early to get rations for officers in mule cart.
Went to Puchevillers [to] to Beauquesne went back to Puchevillers then 4 kilometers past to [ex for a] canteen, & returned by Puchevillers.
Night, bombardment still on very heavy.
My officer Mr. Flavelle promoted to Capt. [end page]
9 September 1916
Saturday
Somme.
Rubenpre.
Morning. Feeling rather sick.
Went to Puchevillers for water for officers.
Night went to bed.
7:00 PM [R?ck].
Bombardment very heavy. [end page]
10 September 1916
Sunday
Somme.
Rubenpre.
Stayed in chateau all day not feeling [?are].
The chateau belongs to a [Notre Lafotres]. [end page]
11 September 1916
Monday
Somme. Brick-yard.
Albert.
Morning left Rubenpre.
6:00 AM passed through [Hérissart, Contay,] Warloy-Baillon, Henencourt, Millencourt arrived in Albert in afternoon.
Slept in [rig] at night.
On stable guard 3 to 6. [end page]
12 September 1916
Tuesday
Somme.
Albert.
Went to chateau in Albert. Passed Albert. Cathedral all in ruins.
The [image] overhangs the streets on the top of the spire = town all in ruins.
Slept at chateau.
Bombardment heavy.
Shelled chateau all around us. [end page]
13 September 1916
Wednesday
Somme.
Albert.
At chateau.
Worked on dugouts.
Bombarded town landing some within 5 feet of us.
Night, shelled in again. [end page]
14 September 1916
Thursday
Somme.
Albert.
Morning. Wrode [sic] bicicle [sic] to brick fields with message.
Shelling town.
Night, bombardment started very heavy.
Our boys went over the parapet & are advancing great. [end page]
15 September 1916
Friday
Tara Hill.
Big battle on.
(Runner). [end page]
16 September 1916
Saturday
Tara Hill.
(Runner.)
Battle still on. [end page]
17 September 1916
Sunday
(Runner.)
Battle still on. [end page]
18 September 1916
Monday
Morning 4 AM.
Went to brick fields & waited to move off.
1 P.M. started from Albert.
6:30 arrived at Rubenpre through rain about 30 kilometres. [end page]
19 September 1916
Tuesday
Rubenpre.
Rained all day.
Tried to get my cloth dry. [end page]
20 September 1916
Wednesday
Rubenpre.
Worked at chateau.
Trying to get things dry. [end page]
21 September 1916
Thursday
Rubenpre.
Worked at Chateau. [end page]
22 September 1916
Friday
Rubenpre.
Nothing new rested up and worked at Chateau.
Got paid 15 franks. [end page]
23 September 1916
Saturday
Rubenpre.
Nothing new. [end page]
24 September 1916
Sunday
Rubenpre.
Worked around Chateau. [end page]
25 September 1916
Monday
Somme.
Usna Hill.
Morning left Rubenpre.
7:00AM arrived at Albert.
12 noon wheel broke down.
26 September 1916
Tuesday
Somme.
Albert.
Work in Chateau.
Big battle now [on?]. [end page]
27 September 1916
Wednesday
Albert.
Heavy bombardment.
We did good work again. [end page]
[pressed plant material on bottom of page]
28 September 1916
Thursday
Albert.
Plane dropped bombs on us.
We were shelled again, some landing within 5 yds of us.
Night. Battle still on heavy.
Wrote home. Rec’d 2 letters. [end page]
29 September 1916
Friday
Albert.
Rainy.
Quiet till 12 noon when big artillery battle started again. [end page]
30 September 1916
Saturday
Albert.
Heavy bombardment.
My old batt over the bags again & doing great work. [end page]
1 October 1916
Sunday
Somme.
Albert.
Changed time back 1 hour.
My old batt over again taking what the wanted.
Loosing [sic] heavy. [end page]
2 October 1916
Monday
Albert.
Went to Usna Hill.
Saw my old batt only 30 left. All my chums gone also C. [He???tt]. [end page]
3 October 1916
Tuesday
Albert.
Left Albert went to Brick fields & spent night in horse [??i?s]. [end page]
4 October 1916
Wednesday
Rubenpre.
Got new horse (sadle horse) but he wouldn’t pull in a light waggon. So had to saddle him & wride [sic].
Left Brick fields 7:00 AM.
Arrived in Rubenpre 3 PM in heavy rain.
Spent night here. [end page]
5 October 1916
Thursday
Canaples.
Morning 9 AM left Rubenpre. Arrives in Canaples 3:30 afternoon about 18 kilometres wrode [sic] saddle horse.
Stopped at very big chateau very beautiful place. [end page]
6 October 1916
Friday
Canaples.
Chateau.
Very busy.
Getting my things fixed up, cleaned, as they are covered in mud as usual.
Rec’d 2 parcels from home & 2 letters one from Lily. [end page]
7 October 1916
Saturday
Canaples.
Rainy.
Got my boots repaired.
Rec’d parcel from home. [end page]
8 October 1916
Sunday
Canaples.
Rainy.
Got a new horse.
Got my Bronco changed.
Had to take him back to Albert. [end page]
9 October 1916
Monday
Canaples.
Rainy.
Payed [sic] 25 frank [sic]. [end page]
10 October 1916
Tuesday
Beauval.
Left Canaples, 8:30.
Passed through
Fieffes
Bonneville
Montrelet arrived at
Beauval & spent night in chateau. [end page]
11 October 1916
Wednesday
Frohen-le-Grand.
Left Beauval 8:30.
Passed through
[Gezaincourt].
[Hern]
Occoches
Mezerolles
Frohen-le-grand.
Spent night in chateau. [end page]
12 October 1916
Thursday
[Cauroy].
Left Frohen-le-grand 9:00.
Bonnieres.
Arbre.
Rebreuviette.
[Cauroy].
Spent night in chateau. [end page]
13 October 1916
Friday
Tincques
Started from [Cauroy] 9:00 AM.
Liencourt.
[Appe?reuce].
Blavincourt.
Lignereuil.
Givenchy-le-noble.
Villers Sir Simon.
Penin.
Tincques.
Chelers. [end page]
14 October 1916
Saturday
Bruay.
Started from Chelers.
8:45.
Magnecourt.
Houvelin.
[Bit Rietz].
La Comte.
Beugin.
Houdain.
Bruay.
Stopped in chateau got room for myself. [end page]
15 October 1916
Sunday
Bruay.
Stopped with some very nice French people. Very different to the ignorant Flemmish. [end page]
[page missing]
[page missing]
18 October 1916
Wednesday
Barlin.
Morning. Left Bruay.
Went through Haillicourt & Ruitz arrived in Barlin.
My boss is with the General in chateau.
I am also billeted there. [end page]
19 October 1916
Thursday
Barlin.
Got things straightened out.
Expect to go on leave soon. [end page]
20 October 1916
Friday
Barlin.
Got things ready for Boss going on leave this morning.
Went on parade 6 AM for inspection of rifles & gas helmets.
Gas elert [sic] on.
Made stove out of oil Drum.
Works OK. [end page]
21 October 1916
Saturday
Barlin.
Very cold weather but fine. Fall.
Wrote some letters home. [end page]
22 October 1916
Sunday
Barlin.
Went for ride on Bosses mount (Bob) to Bethune about 20 kilometres passing through small village.
Night. Went to bed early. [end page]
23 October 1916
Monday
Barlin.
Cold weather now on.
Gas alert on. [end page]
24 October 1916
Tuesday
Barlin.
Everything quiet.
Rec’d parcel. [end page]
25 October 1916
Wednesday
Everything same.
Wrote some letters. [end page]
26 October 1916
Thursday
Morning. Duke of Devenshire15 [sic] visited us.
Night. Went to PPCH concert in Y.M.C.A. [end page]
27 October 1916
Friday
Inspection 6:00 AM.
Rainy. [end page]
28 October 1916
Saturday
Barlin.
Rainy.
I am not 4 of list for leave. [end page]
29 October 1916
Sunday
Rainy.
Night. Went to see morning pictures in shed. [end page]
30 October 1916
Monday
Barlin.
Morning. Duke of Connaught?16 visited chateau. [end page]
31 October 1916
Tuesday
Boss returned. [end page]
1 November 1916
Wednesday
Rainy. [end page]
2 November 1916
Thursday
Still rainy. [end page]
3 November 1916
Friday
6:30 parade inspection, rifles. [end page]
4 November 1916
Saturday
Rainy again. [end page]
5 November 1916
Sunday
Went for walk with Bob Calder & Kendle to next village. [end page]
6 November 1916
Monday
Rainy. [end page]
7 November 1916
Tuesday
Rainy again.
All leave stopped again. [end page]
8 November 1916
Wednesday
Barlin.
Leave opened again. [end page]
9 November 1916
Thursday
Everything quiet.
Good weather again. [end page]
10 November 1916
Friday
Inspection rifles.
6:30 AM.
Bombardment now on. [end page]
11 November 1916
Saturday
Payed 15 franks. [end page]
12 November 1916
Sunday
Gas respirator inspection.
Went through gas. [end page]
[November 13 – 18 left blank]
19 November 1916
Sunday
Left for leave to Belfast Ire. [end page]
[November 20 – December 31 left blank]
Memoranda
For stripping machine gun.
Side plate screws, set screws, feeding slot.
Left hand side plate.
Gas lever retractor bullet guide.
R. N. Side = feed lever. Ratchet. L.
Button on outside is feed wheel, throw off
Ratchet Paul17 [sic] on ratchet lever.
Bottom Plate.
Feeding level carrier stop = with [d?la?t].
Firing “ “ “
Lower extractor catch is small.
Tongue on feed wheel. Feed wheel.
Feed wheel dog. [end page]
Memoranda
Slide pin.
Slides through grouve [sic] in R + L. Hand.
Side plates. Retracting spring tubes or returning springs.
Handle Lock.
To take off handle on the right.
Handle.
Trigger, sear, hammer + hammer spring.
Safety catch.
Fites [sic] into key hole slop on R.H. side.
Carrier + Carrier Pin.
Fitts [sic] through breach easing carrier dog on end working on carrier dog plunder + C D. spring.
Bolt.
Firing pin. Upper extractor. Heal [sic] Lug, upper extractor spring, U ex pin, firing pin spring, firing pin set pin. [end page]
Memoranda
Tripp.
Is shinning piece of steel on L.H.S /
3 pins on it, centre is pivit [sic]. Long one is rear pin, working on sear.
Short one works on slide.
Gas bracket pin.
Gas lever + conections [sic].
Gas lever. Gas lever pin on gas L. with corigation [sic]. Long arm is gas lever connection. Connects to slide.
Gas piston on gas lever.
“ “ is held in place with gas piston pin.
Returning spring connection.
Is fastened to gas lever with 2 links short link + long link. [end page]
Memoranda
Slide.
Two feed lever lugs on R. H. side work the feed lever.
Lower extractor.
Is to take the cartridge from the belt.
Belt guide.
Is fastened to breach caseing [sic] in slot in side.
Barrel Lock – Barrel band screw.
Breach caseing. Back sight
Fore sight, barrel, gas bracket
Gas chamber, is hole which [fits] gas piston.
Hidden parts which might go wrong.
Bolt lower extractor carries feed wheel tripp. [end page]
Memoranda
Moving portions.
Feed wheel. Slide. Returning springs + connections gas lever.
The Colt gun automatic air cooled gas operated.
Worked by two forces, powder gas + returning springs.
Stationary parts art = handle.
Breach caseing [sic]. R + L side plates.
Bottom plates, barrel, gas bracket.
Moving Portions Bolt. Lower ext.
Carrier, feed lever, tripp, slide, feed wheel. Returning springs + connections. Gas lever + connection.
To load gun.
Pass brass tab of belt through slot
on left of breach caseing [sic] draw dow [sic] gas lever about 5 inches [same]. [end page]
Memoranda
[Time?] pull belt with firm upward pull as far as possible. Let go belt + gas lever. Draw gas lever back to bottom plate once + let go this removes round from the feed wheel + places it in the chamber. Gun is now loaded.
To fire gun.
On pressing trigger the bent of trigger is disingaged [sic] from grouve [sic] in hammer head. Hammer spring flies forward striking firing pin of bolt discharges round.
When the bullet has passed gas went near end of barrel the [poa?d?] gasses drive lever back to bottom plate. The slide attached to slide lever by its connections is driven back also operating all moving parts. [end page]
Memoranda
Backward movements of bolt
At explosion upper extraction is gripping empty case in chamber. Lower extraction is gripping backward near end of bolt is raised by action of bolt pin in [cannon?] shaped slot in lug beneath bolt. The bolt now in line with [axis] of barrel trench down bolt guides drawing empty case from chamber case strikes.
Projection on left of breach caseing [sic] + is ejected through slot on right. Continued backward movement of bolt brings projector on rear of bolt in contact with hammer head, compressing hammer spring + cocking gun.
Lower extractor.
Withdraws live round from belt + places it in recess above carrier. [end page]
Memoranda
Carrier.
As slide goes back its rear end is forced over carrier dog compressing carrier dog spring. Carrier dog is than [sic] forced into recess at bottom of slide by carrier dog spring.
FEED WHEEL.
On right of slide are two lugs as slide goes back forward lug forces the lead lever to the rear the feed lever is attached by an [excentric].
To the ratchet lever the later placing the ratchet paul [sic] over new spoke of the feed wheel.
Tripp.
As the slide goes back the forward pin of the tripp runs into a ground on the left of the slide this allowing the sear spring to force up the sear ready to engage in the grouve [sic]. [end page]
Memoranda
Of the hammer head.
The Returning Springs.
Which are attached to gas lever by returning springs connections are compressed.
The backward movement being now expanded the returning springs come into play carring [sic] all the moving portions forward again.
Forward movement of moving portion
The Bolt.
As bolt is carried forward by slide the heal beneath forward end engaged face of cartridge held ready by carrier + forces it into chamber on the continue forward movement handles down18 of bolt pin in slot. Beneath bolt grouves [sic], rear end of bolt forced downward in front of forward faced of bolt [end page]
Memoranda
guide or resisting shoulder which take the shock of explosion.
The lower extractor.
Comes forward with the slide + grips a fresh round in the belt.
Carrier.
As slide goes forward carrier dog is forced out of recess in bottom of slide + the forward end of carrier which is slotted to allow passage of the lower extractor is this raised placing the cartridge held by lower extractor in position to be rammed home by bolt.
When bolt is pushed [cartridge] half way home the slide runs clear of the carrier dog allowing forward end of carrier to drop again. [end page]
Memoranda
Feed lever.
The slide goes home. The rear lug forces feed lever forward, in turn, depressing ratchet lever causing feed wheel to [reset] placing fresh round ready for lower extraction.
The Tripp.
The slide goes forward runs out of grouves [sic] of slide depressing long [pin] in tripp compressing rear spring + disingaging [sic] rear from grouve [sic] in hammer head allowing hammer to fly forward again discharging gun.
Unloading
Draw gas lever back to bottom [pl?] push forward studd on right side plate which is attached to feed wheel throw off thus disengaging the ratchet paul + feed wheel dog allowing feed wheel revolve to left. [end page]
Memoranda
The belt may than [sic] be withdrawn.
Let go gas lever draw gas lever twice more to bottom plate once to eject live round from chamber + once as additional safty [sic] [precaution?].
Firing action (for [sing] & shots).
On pressing trigger grouves [sic] in hammer head released from [bent?] of trigger allowing hammer to fly forward discharging round in chamber.
For [automative] firing.
If pressure is maintained on the trigger the bent of trigger is prevented from reengaging in grouves [sic] in hammer head + firing action controlled by the tripp. [?ea?] only will [continuously?] [automatically] + until the pressure on trigger is released. [end page]
[3 pages left blank]
Memoranda
What Mr Amphellet owes me.
2 f for washing, pollish [sic] + candles. [end page]
[blank page with pressed leaf]
[Drawing of soldier in a trench facing away from the viewer with a gun to his right and an object in the bottom right corner that is labelled SRD; drawing is titled “ALWAYS FRIENDS”]
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Digital reproductions received on 20 October 2021.↩︎
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Muster, the act of assembling the troops in a military unit for inspection and review.↩︎
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MG Lecture, machine gun lecture↩︎
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MG emplacement, machine gun emplacement.↩︎
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Mr. Amphlett, a soldier with family in England; possibly James Andrew Amphlett (1895-1916)??↩︎
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Batman, a servant-soldier.↩︎
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Vermescelles (and other variants), phonetic misspelling of Voormezeele, a village near Ypres in Flanders.↩︎
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S Wood, Scottish Wood, referenced earlier, or Sanctuary Wood, where Canadians fought from April to August 1916.↩︎
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Lewis gun, light machine gun designed by Isaac Newton Lewis and widely used by troops of the British Commonwealth during World War I.↩︎
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Quaters (and other variants), possible misspelling of “quarters.”↩︎
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Godesvelt, Godewaersvelde, a commune in northern France near the Belgian border.↩︎
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Beauchepe, Boeschepe.↩︎
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Flete and Metern, Flêtre and Mêteren.↩︎
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Armentières, commune in northern France near Lille and bordering Belgium.↩︎
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Duke of Devonshire, Victor Cavendish (1868–1938), the 9th Duke of Devonshire who also served as the Governor General of Canada from 1916 to 1921.↩︎
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Duke of Connaught (1850-1942), also known as Prince Arthur was a son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who served as the Governor General of Canada from 1911 to 11 November 1916. ↩︎
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Paul, misspelling of “pawl,” the finger-like mechanism that engages the teeth of a ratchet step.↩︎
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“handles down,” written in margin; unclear where this phrase is meant to be inserted into the rest of the text.↩︎