Transcription
The Diary of Norman Allatt, 1915
Norman Allatt, Diary of Norman Allatt, 1915-1916. Pencil and ink on paper, 1 volume, 244 pages. Leather-bound diary, H:12, W: 7.5, D: 1 cm. Norman Allatt fonds, ©McMaster Library Archives, Hamilton, Ontario.1 Transcription ©MLC Research Centre. dcr/blt/ig
keywords: air raids in camp, family in Dewsbury, Folkestone (Kent), front line, Gertrude May Benford (fiancée) aka Gertie, illness (diphtheria), inoculation, military training, Plymouth (port), punishment, rain and mud, Sandling Camp (Kent), shooting drills, sniper, trench warfare, YMCA, witnessing death
summary: In this 1915 diary, Norman Allatt records his experiences training in Canada and England before heading to France. The diary begins with his training in Toronto and Niagara including shooting drills, trench digging, and bomb throwing.
Upon his arrival in the port city of Plymouth in southwest England on 26 August, Allatt is assigned as mess orderly and given deepening training tasks, such as learning “how to dig yourself in in ten minutes” (6 September 1915). He reports German air raids on the camp with 15 dead. On 9 October, he records that while on guard, he “helped to carry soldier on stretcher” who had fallen down a cliff and who despite the help, “died a little later with fractured skull.” On several occasions including 16 October, he reports being punished with confinement and docking of pay for transgressions such as staying out too late at night. With some soldiers falling sick with diphtheria, others like Allatt are drafted into the trenches to take their place.
He arrives in Le Havre, France, on 27 October. The month of November is action packed including going over the top and capturing prisoners amid constant rain and mud. He spends many nights in the trenches, including that of 7 December 1915, his birthday. He also reports the Germans’ boisterous New Year celebrations by sending up “hundreds of star lights,” and singing. The diary ends with a long list of contact names and their addresses, led by Gertrude (Gertie) May Benford, testifying to his active social life.
other editorial comments: Norman Allatt makes spelling errors such as first misspelling “orderly” as orderley, and “off duty” as of duty but he catches on quickly, correcting these errors in later entries and reflecting his learning and immersion in the new tasks.
Transcription:
[unlined endpapers with Allatt’s handwritten name and address on the recto of the endpaper]
107
Norman Allatt
30 Victoria Pk Ave
Toronto
[end page]
[verso of endpaper is unlined without writing, opposite the diary title page with printed text and printed graphic decorations]
The Canadian Pocket Diary 1915
Published by The Brown Bros. United Manufacturing Stationers. Toronto
Identification
My Name is Pte Norman Allatt
Address 30 Victoria Pk. Ave
Birthday 7 December
Age 22 Height 5f’ 4
Complexion Dark Weight 129
In case of accident or illness please notify
If anyone should find this book kindly return to above address.
Things Hard to Remember
Number on case of my Watch
" movement "
Automobile License No
Engine No H.P….
Number on my Bank Pass-book…
My accident insurance falls due on }
My life insurance policies fall due on }
Size of my Shoes 6 Hosiery 10
“ Collar … Cuffs …
“ Hat 7 Shirt…
“ Gloves Underwear …
[end page]
[The next 14 pages are printed text in the diary that display full calendars for each month of the year 1915, the names of those who were seated within the government and the ministry, the chief cities of Canada with Population, rates of postage, dates of eclipses within the year 1915, moon phases within the year 1915, special dates, the value of foreign coins in Canadian currency for customs purposes, weights and measures, and detailed calendars of each month of the year with the moon phases.]
[Running Header] Memorandum from 1914
Jones 558 B.R.
Lacey 739 C. B.
Allatt 549 B.B.
Taylor 634 B.[F].
[N]ewman 384 B.E. [end page]
[next 7 lined pages with running header “Memorandum from 1914” left blank]
[January 1 – 10 left blank]
11 January 1915
Monday
Joined 109th Regiment.
[January 12 – 20 left blank]
21 January 1915
Thursday
Joined the 109th Regiment.
[January 22 – February 16 left blank]
17 February 1915
Wednesday
Bought ring. G. B. [cameo].
18 February 1915
Thursday
Long march.
Manouvering High Pk.
19 February 1915
Friday
Photo taken of [Co.] Coll.
20 February 1915
Saturday
21 February 1915
Sunday
22 February 1915
Monday
March to Davisville.2
23 February 1915
Tuesday
24 February 1915
Wednesday
Picket 7 – 11 p.m.
[February 25 – March 2 left blank]
3 March 1915
Wednesday
Banquet.
St. Simons Church.3
Presented with prayer book + khaki handkerchief.
[March 4 – 18 left blank]
19 March 1915
Friday
Transfered [sic] to 12th York Rangers.
[March 20 – April 13 left blank]
14 April 1915
Wednesday
Received 1st innoculation [sic].
Night went to friends place, 3 o’clock next morning
Moved to Waverly Rd.
Last time at their house.
15 April 1915
Thursday
Miss G. Benford moved to 217 Waverly Road.
16 April 1915
Friday
17 April 1915
Saturday
18 April 1915
Sunday
19 April 1915
Monday
Received 2nd innoculation [sic].
20 April 1915
Tuesday
21 April 1915
Wednesday
22 April 1915
Thursday
Vaccinated at [A?ma?ined].
Did not take.
23 April 1915
Friday
3rd innoculation [sic].
[April 24 – May 8 left blank]
9 May 1915
Sunday
Ex Band Concert with friend.
10 May 1915
Monday
11 May 1915
Tuesday
Evening to nickle [sic] show with friend.
12 May 1915
Wednesday
Marched to Cedervale [sic].4
Doing out post duty.
Relieved at 4 p.m.
Bayonet Drill.
5 p.m. got pack of kitt [sic] shirts – gray back + khaki, socks, braces, towels, pants.
13 May 1915
Thursday
Leows. Theat5
Night. 217. W. Rd.
14 May 1915
Friday
[9:10] Batt Phy Drill at Armory6
10:30 ″ Co. ″ Varsity
12 Campus
2 p.m. Shooting – 20.
3 ″ Carried kits to St Pauls Hall.
5 ″ Got part of kitt [sic]
Knife fork spoon hair + cloths [sic] brush, comb
razered brush.
comb.
15 May 1915
Saturday
Marched to Ex.
Practice Review
16 May 1915
Sunday
Church Armou [sic] 9:45.
[May 17 – 22 left blank]
23 May 1915
Sunday
Left Armouries for Niagara camp. Arrived 2 pm.
24 May 1915
Monday
Got 9.
Afternoon St. Catharines.7
25 May 1915
Tuesday
Small riot at breakfast table.
No. of Rifle 549 B.B.
[May 26 – July 1 left blank]
2 July 1915
Friday
Received pair new boots 5 1/2.
[July 3 – August 10 left blank]
11 August 1915
Wednesday
Went to St. Catherines [sic] to help recruiting marched thru town. Gave exhibition of physical drill and march past.
Fine day. Big crowd out. Rain at night slept in the open. Everything wet.
12 August 1915
Thursday
13 August 1915
Friday
14 August 1915
Saturday
Received [?liver] equipment.
Started packing ready for leaving.
15 August 1915
Sunday
The people over at camp to see me.
Some missed the boat home.
16 August 1915
Monday
Left Niagara Camp .. 6 a.m.
At Toronto 8.30.
Left Toronto 9.30 a.m.
Arrived Montreal 8.30 p.m.
Boarded Hesperian.8 1600 on board.
Guns and ammunition.
17 August 1915
Tuesday
Pulled out at 4 a.m.
Quebec 3.30 p.m.
Saw first submarine escort us part of way.
18 August 1915
Wednesday
Morning feeling funny
sick before dinner.
Rain and foggy.
Cleaned up after dinner.
Had physical drill on deck.
19 August 1915
Thursday
Up at six. Feeling sick. No breakfast.
Life belt practice 10 am. Fine but pretty rough whether [sic].
Physical drill afternoon on deck nearly all day.
Second class concert night.
20 August 1915
Friday
On deck at 6 o’clock.
Feeling fine. W. fine + warm. Reading on deck all morning.
Afternoon physical drill for an hour. Pulled up for not shaving.
After supper big sleep. Went on deck for instructions which life boat to get into in case of alarm.
21 August 1915
Saturday
Up at 6.30.
Wheather [sic] dull, water very calm. On deck all morning.
Afternoon. Drill for one hour.
Night concert 2nd class cabin.
22 August 1915
Sunday
Heavy rain no church parade. On deck walking around.
Afternoon cleared up inspection, serges on.
Night concert 2nd class cabin.
23 August 1915
Monday
Up at 6 o’clock weather dull. 1 hour drill after breakfast. Walk around deck.
Afternoon inspection, full marching order.
Stayed in bunk at night.
24 August 1915
Tuesday
On deck 6.30, weather very warm. Water very smooth. Drill for an hour.
Afternoon had a sleep on deck. Drill for half an hour. Had a walk around then had a game of cards.
Night. Watched them get life boats ready for launching.
25 August 1915
Wednesday
Down below all day. Sleeping most of the time. Water a little rougher.
Night had to sleep on deck from 8.30 till daybreak with life belts.
26 August 1915
Thursday
Arrived at Plymouth9 docks 6.30 in the morning.
Took train to Dibgate Camp, Shorncliffe.10
Arrived there at 8pm. Night. Had to march 3 miles from station.
27 August 1915
Friday
Morning. Stayed around the camp. Did not do any drill.
Afternoon. Long route march. Over hills.
Night. Went to Y.M.C.A.
28 August 1915
Saturday
Went for a bath in sea, 6.am.
Drill till 12 noon.
Afternoon. Went to Folkstone [sic]. Had a nice time with Jack, George, Scottie.
Had a hard time getting home. Lost for awhile.
29 August 1915
Sunday
Morning. Church parade.
Afternoon. Rain all the time. Stayed in tent.
Went for a walk at night to Cheriton11 with Jack + George.
30 August 1915
Monday
Bathing parade 6 o’clock.
Company drill and new bayonet drill.
Afternoon company went for route march with pack.
Off the afternoon to get ready for guard.
Night. Mounted guard 6.15 pm.
31 August 1915
Tuesday
On guard all day.
Came of [sic] guard 7 p.m.
Went down to Cheriton by myself.
Had tent to myself.
1 September 1915
Wednesday
Went on mess orderly.
Started raining at half past eight.
Afternoon sleeping,
Night went to Y.M.C.A. for a little while.
2 September 1915
Thursday
Morning did a little drill.
Reviewed by King George + Lord Kitchener + staff.
At night went down to sandgate with Jack + George.
3 September 1915
Friday
Went out trench digging all day.
Did not work much had a good time.
At night it rained, stayed in tent.
4 September 1915
Saturday
Went to a march with pack. Came back and did company drill.
Afternoon went down to Hythe with Jack + George. Stayed there until night.
5 September 1915
Sunday
Morning. Church parade.
After dinner went to Folkstone [sic]. Stayed until night with J + G.
6 September 1915
Monday
Morning moved an officer’s tent. Then had the morning off.
Afternoon went to the entrenchments. Had instructions how to dig yourself in in ten minutes.
Night went to Y.M.C.A.
7 September 1915
Tuesday
Physical drill.
Company drill + extended order.
Afternoon received new Webb equipment.12
Went for a very long route march over hills.
Had to march about six miles for night attack. Left camp 9 p.m.
Marched the longest way back. Arrived in camp 2 a.m.
8 September 1915
Wednesday
Morning fixing our equipment together.
Afternoon physical drill.
Night stayed around camp.
9 September 1915
Thursday
Physical drill all morning.
Afternoon digging trenches.
Went downtown night with Jack George.
10 September 1915
Friday
[Ink changes from black to purple.]
Morning drill.
Afternoon laying down passing messages.
Night stayed within camp lines.
11 September 1915
Saturday
Morning did nothing.
Afternoon tent inspection at 2 o’clock.
After went to Folkstone [sic].
12 September 1915
Sunday
Morning church parade.
Afternoon was picked for mess orderly. Got through early went for a long walk with the [triplets].
13 September 1915
Monday
On mess orderley [sic].
Stayed in at night.
14 September 1915
Tuesday
Mess orderley [sic].
Night had a rough [touch] in tent.
15 September 1915
Wednesday
Mess orderly.
Stayed in at night.
16 September 1915
Thursday
Mess orderly.
Afternoon received new uniforms.
Told I could have a pass, + then all of them cancelled.
Night went to Y.M.C.A. with Taylor.
17 September 1915
Friday
Mess orderly.
Afternoon shortened the sleeves of my tunic.
Night stayed in tent.
18 September 1915
Saturday
Mess orderly.
Went shooting miniture [sic] ranges – 15.
Night went to Folkstone [sic] with Taylor.
19 September 1915
Sunday
Finished mess orderly. Went to Folkstone [sic] with Taylor after dinner. Stayed until night.
20 September 1915
Monday
Up at 5 o’clock to go shooting. Marching 5 miles with full pack. 100 yds. Lee Enfield.13
Stayed in at night.
21 September 1915
Tuesday
Shooting all day. 200 yds.
Stayed in at night.
22 September 1915
Wednesday
Shooting all day. 300 + 400 yds.
At night packing up kit bags.
23 September 1915
Thursday
Packed up ready for leaving Dibgate. Went shooting first. 400, 500 + 600 yds.
Long two hours march to new quarters in huts, at Sandling Camp.14
Had one sore foot.
Heavy marching order.
24 September 1915
Friday
Went on sick parade with sore feet. Laid in hut all day long.
Night went to Y.M.C.A. Weighed myself – { 10 stone / 140 lbs.
25 September 1915
Saturday
Shooting in morning. 5 rounds rapid 20 sec. Heavy marching order.
Afternoon received straw mattresses for beds.
Went to Hythe at night with Jack + Taylor.
26 September 1915
Sunday
Morning church parade.
Afternoon stayed in writing letters. Playing victrolia15 [sic].
Stayed in at night playing music.
27 September 1915
Monday
Morning up at 4.45 am to go shooting.
5 rounds application 400 yds.
5 ″ ″ 300.
Afternoon changed huts.
Night went Y.M.C.A.
28 September 1915
Tuesday
Morning shooting. 1.5 rounds in 1 min.
Afternoon got paid £8.
Night went to Y.M.C.A.
Sent £5 home.
29 September 1915
Wednesday
Morning rain, no parade.
Kit inspection.
Went to Hythe at night.
30 September 1915
Thursday
Finished shooting the practice.
Afternoon rapid loading + unloading 30 rounds 40 sec.
got first in 10 rounds.
″ ″ ″ 5 ″
″ ″ ″ 30 ″
Night went to Y.M.C.A.
1 October 1915
Friday
Morning drill.
Afternoon bomb throwing + trenching.
Left camp at 8.30 for a night march with full pack. Got back 12 o’clock.
2 October 1915
Saturday
Cleaned hut, washed floor + beds.
Had the cleanest hut.
Got package of ciggettes [sic] each.
Night went to Hythe and then to Folkstone [sic].
3 October 1915
Sunday
On guard all day.
4 October 1915
Monday
Came off guard 9 am. Only had the morning off.
Went for a route march with heavy marching order. I forgot my pack.
Stayed in at night writing letters. Raining.
5 October 1915
Tuesday
Practicing saluting officers.
Marking on ranges.
Stayed in hut.
6 October 1915
Wednesday
Morning drill.
Afternoon had a long route march.
Night stayed in hut.
7 October 1915
Morning fireman.
Afternoon marking at ranges.
Night stayed in hut.
8 October 1915
Friday
Morning bathing parade. Shower baths.
Afternoon marking at ranges.
Met Jim Fisher + G. Edwards at Y.M.C.A.
9 October 1915
Saturday
On guard.
Helped to carry soldier on stretcher. Fell down cliff.
Died a little later with fractured skull.
10 October 1915
Sunday
Came of [sic] guard. Got my pass at last.
Inspection of huts by brigade general + staff.
Took train for London at 1.45.
Arrived about 5 pm. Met Mr. Taylor + sister. Took tube to Kings Cross station no train till 3am. Walked around London. Went into the Soldiers home for supper & rest.
11 October 1915
Monday
Took train for Heckmondwike at 3 am. Had to change 5 times. Arrives at Uncle John’s at 9 am.
After dinner went to see Uncle Henery [sic].
Night Aunt Sarah + Phylis came down.
12 October 1915
Tuesday
Slept in till 9 o’clock.
Went up to Aunt Sarah’s for dinner + supper.
Went for a walk with uncle.
Had a nice time at night.
13 October 1915
Wednesday
Went for a walk around Dewsbury with Uncle John + Aunt Lizzie.
Went to Uncle Henry’s for supper.
Had a nice time.
14 October 1915
Thursday
Air raid in camp by Germans killing 15 and 20 horses.
Went to Huddersfield all day. Went to picture show with cousin Kathleen.
Came home for tea. Went to see Uncle George + then Aunt Amy. Had a lovely time.
Kathleen gave me picture.
15 October 1915
Friday
Left Heck at 7.45 am for London.
Spent the after noon in London.
Came back to camp at night and wrote letters.
16 October 1915
Saturday
Up in orderly rooms for being two [sic] late. Got 4 days C.B.16, 4 hrs. Pack drill + 2 days pay.
Went to Folkstone [sic] at night. Had picture taken with Jack + George.
17 October 1915
Sunday
On guard all day.
18 October 1915
Monday
Came of [sic] guard.
Had the day off.
Stayed in at night.
19 October 1915
Tuesday
On fatigue in the morning.
20 October 1915
Wednesday
On guard.
Had an exciting time.
21 October 1915
Thursday
Came off guard. Had the day off.
Night went to a concert at Y.M.C.A.
22 October 1915
Friday
Lecture on map reading.
Afternoon practicing relieving men in trenches.
Went to Hythe at night.
23 October 1915
Saturday
Cleaning up the hut, washing floor + tables.
Afternoon went to Pleasure Garden Theatre. Good show.
Night walked around Folkstone [sic].
24 October 1915
Sunday
Morning church parade.
Afternoon stayed in hut on account of rain.
Night went to Folkstone [sic].
25 October 1915
Monday
Bayonet exercises.
Night a draft was picked to take the place of one that was quarantined. One fellow had diphtheria. We were picked at 9.30 night. Had three kit inspections. Was up all night packing.
26 October 1915
Tuesday
Left Sandling camp at half past seven. Arrived in Southampton at 1 o’clock. Noon. Stayed on dock till 5.30.
Set sail for Harve [sic], France about six arrived there at 1 o’clock.
27 October 1915
Wednesday
Arrived in Harve [sic] in the early morning. Stayed on the boat till six.
Had a long march to camp with heavy pack. About 6 miles.
28 October 1915
Thursday
Went to training camp. Raining all day did not do much.
Night concert in Y.M.C.A. French girls singing.
29 October 1915
Friday
Went to training camp. Had lecture on trenching.
Had bayonet fighting with masks + pads on.
Night at Y.M.C.A.
30 October 1915
Saturday
Morning went to training camp. Had trench digging + lecture on rifle.
Afternoon received some more equipment, rain caps + cap mitts insoles.
Night went to Y.M.C.A.
31 October 1915
Sunday
Morning went to the training camp. Had bomb throwing and rifle loading + lecture.
Afternoon had a sleep.
Went to Y.M.C.A.
1 November 1915
Monday
Went to training camp.
Trench digging + bomb throwing.
Afternoon leacture [sic] on bombs + first aid.
Night at YMCA. concert.
2 November 1915
Tuesday
At training camp. Bomb throwing.
Afternoon on the boards rifle exercise.
Night at Y.M.C.A. concert.
3 November 1915
Wednesday
At training camp. Had a lecture on bombs and rifle.
Afternoon in trenches
Night Y.M.C.A.
4 November 1915
Thursday
Morning went to training camp on the boards loading exercise.
Shooting small ranges.
Afternoon came back to camp for concert at Y.M.C.A.
Got a calling down.
At Y.M.C.A. at night.
5 November 1915
Friday
At training camp doing punishment drill under the Captain.
On the board doing loading exercises.
Lecture on first aid.
Came back early. Told we were going away.
6 November 1915
Saturday
Up at 5.30, roll call. Went to ranges.
Started packing up. Drew ammunition 150 rounds + smoke helmet. Afternoon still packing. Fell in at 5 pm.
Speech by Lieu. Col. Left camp at 6.30 had 6 miles march to train. Only one rest. Had sore shoulders. Started for Rouen at 11 pm. Arrived 4 am.
7 November 1915
Sunday
Got off train at Rouen.
Stayed on station till eight o’clock at night.
Left at 10 pm. for.
8 November 1915
Monday
Arrived at Steenwerk17 [sic].
9 November 1915
Tuesday
In the morning did company drill for an hour.
Afternoon packing up ready for leaving for trenches.
Left for 2nd line of trenches at 3.30. Arrived there at 7.30. Up to knees in mud. In dug out all night.
10 November 1915
Wednesday
Had a pretty bad night. Raining all the time not much sleep. Laying on mud.
Wed morn up out 8 am. Cooked breakfast and cleaned up.
At night went on a ration party to the front line of trench. Knee deep in mud – water.
11 November 1915
Thursday
Morning on a fatigue party filling sand bags in the front line of trenches. Heavy bombardment on. Had to stop work and go in dug out. Stayed there all afternoon.
12 November 1915
Friday
In support lines.
Went up to front line to fix an officers dug out. Went through water knee deep.
At night on a ration party had a machine gun turned on us. Laid down in road.
13 November 1915
Saturday
Got washed out of supports, had to go in front line. Everything wet.
Slept in water all night.
14 November 1915
Sunday
On fatigue cleaning mud + water.
Afternoon packing up ready for leaving trench.
Four of us left early with parcels went over the top way 3 or 4 shots fired at us. Slept in barns all night. Had supper in a Belgium [sic] house.
15 November 1915
Monday
Spent the morning cleaning mud off my clothes.
Afternoon got paid 13 f.
On a party to put up tents. Slept in the tents at night.
16 November 1915
Tuesday
Went down to Plogsteert18 [sic] for bricks.
Afternoon walked 8 miles for bath.
Night stayed in tent. Heavy bombardment. Supprise [sic] attack on German trench. Captured 11 Prussian guards + trench mortar machine gun.
17 November 1915
Wednesday
Morning fetched a few bricks.
Stayed around [sic] tent all afternoon + night.
18 November 1915
Thursday
Out digging trench in morning.
Moved to reserve billets in barn.
19 November 1915
Friday
Stayed in barn all day no lights allowed at night.
On working party at night.
20 November 1915
Saturday
In barn all day.
Working party night.
21 November 1915
Sunday
Nothing doing all day.
Working party night.
22 November 1915
Monday
Stayed inside barn all day.
Night moved to back to billets for rest
23 November 1915
Tuesday
Morning rifle inspection.
Afternoon kit inspection.
Stayed in at night.
24 November 1915
Wednesday
[black ink starts]
Company drill.
Morning + afternoon.
[C.] Aldred came down to huts.
25 November 1915
Thursday
Morning drill.
Afternoon went to Bailleul with [J] Jones to see G. Taylor. Shrapnel wound in arm.
Y.M.C.A. concert night.
26 November 1915
Friday
Cleaning + packing up ready for leaving.
At trenches, on sentry.
27 November 1915
Saturday
Sentry on + off all day front line.
Night fell in creek going after wood.
28 November 1915
Sunday
Sentry on + off.
Front line.
29 November 1915
Monday
On sentry front lines.
30 November 1915
Tuesday
Not much doing.
1 December 1915
Wednesday
Back in tents.
2 December 1915
Thursday
Stayed arouned [sic] tents all day.
3 December 1915
Friday
Not much doing.
Working party.
[Carrying] to front line.
4 December 1915
Saturday
Company orderly till 12 o’clock night.
Left for trenches.
5 December 1915
Sunday
On sentry day.
Night listening post wire.
6 December 1915
Monday
Sleeping most of day. Sentry night.
Also on ration party. Night wet through.
7 December 1915
Tuesday
Spent my birthday in trenches.
Sleeping day time.
Ration party @ night.
Listening post wire after.
8 December 1915
Wednesday
Sleeping day time.
Cleaning up after.
Came out [@] night.
9 December 1915
Thursday
Went to huts.
Hanging around all day.
10 December 1915
Friday
Stayed around huts.
Afternoon on guard.
11 December 1915
Saturday
On guard till 3 o’clock.
Stayed in at night.
Got paid 65 francs.
12 December 1915
Sunday
Sleeping most of the day.
Packing up ready for leaving.
13 December 1915
Monday
In barn on hill.
Called out at eleven o clock at night for working party. Came back 3.30.
14 December 1915
Tuesday
Sleeping day time.
Working party night.
15 December 1915
Wednesday
Reading + sleeping day time.
Received parcel from cousin Kitty.
Working at night.
16 December 1915
Thursday
Working all day fixing dugout.
Packing up ready for leaving.
17 December 1915
Friday
Came to barns by Court [Drive].
Received parcel from home.
18 December 1915
Saturday
Had a trial rush call out.
Working party at night.
19 December 1915
Sunday
Sleeping all morning.
Working party afternoon.
20 December 1915
Monday
Resting most of day.
Packing kit at night.
21 December 1915
Tuesday
Nothing doing most of day.
On sentry.
Night working party.
21 December 1915
Wednesday
Took down dug out and built it up again.
At night ration party.
23 December 1915
Thursday
Morning after stand to sleeping most of day.
Afternoon on sentry.
Night listening post. Raining.
24 December 1915
Friday
Went down to see Jack.
Afternoon packing up.
Night Germans shooting across at us.
On sentry. Long march back to huts. All in.
25 December 1915
Saturday
Christmas Day in billets. Slept most of morning.
Received parcel from Gertie.
Raining.
Little sing-song at night also writing letters.
26 December 1915
Sunday
Church service.
After noon working party helping engineers.
Writing letters night.
27 December 1915
Monday
Morning physical drill.
Battalion parade.
Raining most of day.
28 December 1915
Tuesday
Went for bath. Had clothes fumigated.
Kit inspection.
Night stayed in reading.
29 December 1915
Wednesday
Morning inspection by General.
Afternoon packing up reading for leaving.
Arrived at [Stink] farm.
30 December 1915
Thursday
Resting all day.
Night on ration party.
31 December 1915
Friday
Sleeping all day.
Working party night. Filling sand bags.
Germans sent up hundreds of star lights also shouting + singing.
[The preprinted dates end here, and Allatt creates his own handwritten dates.]
1 January 1916
Saturday
Resting all day.
Working party night.
2 January 1916
Sunday
Sleeping most of the day.
Working party at night but lost the party.
3 January 1916
Monday
Left for bombing school at 6.30 am.
Stay at Ration farm till 3 [pm].
4 January 1916
Tuesday
Late on parade. All tent. Not warned of time for parade. Got off
throwing dummy bombs.
5 January 1916
Wednesday
Throwing dummy bombs. Lecture afternoon.
6 January 1916
Thursday
Throwing [1 primers] also dummy bombs in trench.
7 January 1916
Friday
Making trench for blowing up. Throwing + [making one primers].
[printed page in diary titled ‘Weather Record’ left blank]
Addresses
[names of contact written on left column on page and residences written on right column on page]
Name Residence
G. Benford 217 Waverly Rd.
Pte G Taylor 209 [Gak] St
Mrs. [Perry] [M] 1462
Newton Pte [M] 3147
Edith Oldfield 48 [Wheeler Ave]
Pte C.W. Aldred 3rd Bn. 1st I.N.F.B.D.E.C.Co.
1st Can. Div. British [Exp. Force]
Aunt Emily Redfern [Mannville P.O]
Alberta
Owen Popert 29 Spruce Hill Rd.
Aunt Lizzie 74 Lower Heckmondwike
Cousin Kathleen Riley 8 Beaumont St. Hudd.
Aunt Amy Crossland 257 [??gs Terrace]
[Lalendi?e ?00h.] Hudd. [end page]
Name Residence
Sgt. 44731 H. Riley. R.E.
88th Field Coy
Royal Engineers
13th Division
British Mediteranean [sic]
Expeditionary Force
G.P.O. London
D. Barlow. 78 Chester Ave.
Pte. [J]. Jeffries [??05] Platoon
D. Co. 83 Batt.
Niagara Camp
73 Chester Ave.
[Entries end here. Diary ends with 32 pages of printed information by manufacturer (bills, taxes, payments, cash account information, etc.).]
-
Digital photos of the diary pages were secured on a trip to McMaster University Library in November 2021. See Anna Krentz’s research essay on the topic.↩︎
-
Davisville: Davisville Village is located at the intersection of Davisville Avenue and Yonge Street, near Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto.↩︎
-
St. Simons Church: Located near Parliament and Bloor Street.↩︎
-
Cedervale: Cedarvale Park is in Toronto between St. Clair West and Eglington West, known for its deep ravines where thousands of soldiers trained in 1915; also known for Ernest Hemingway’s visits.↩︎
-
Loew’s Theatre: The original name of the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres at 189 Yonge Street, Toronto.↩︎
-
Drill at Armory: An historic photograph at Library of Congress shows the physical drill of Canadian soldiers at the Armoury on University Avenue in Toronto in 1914 and 1915.↩︎
-
St. Catharines: A small city in the Niagara region of Ontario, on the south shore of Lake Ontario, 112 kilometers from Toronto.↩︎
-
RMS Hesperian: A passenger ship that sailed between Liverpool, Quebec City, and Montreal from 1908 to 1915.↩︎
-
Plymouth: Port city in southern England.↩︎
-
Dibgate Camp, Shorncliffe: Just 20 miles from France, Shorncliffe was a large training camp were many Canadian soldiers trained during the First World War.↩︎
-
Cheriton: suburb of Folkestone where terminal of Channel is found today.↩︎
-
Webb equipment: Webbing was made of strong fabric.↩︎
-
Lee Enfield: The Lee-Enfield Rifle was the standard English rifle during the First World War.↩︎
-
Sandling Camp: A military encampment near Saltwood, Kent, consisting of East and West Sandling Camps and largely occupied by Canadian forces during the war. See https://bit.ly/3zrpvm4.↩︎
-
Victrola: A brand of early phonograph; the trademarked name eventually became a generic term for any phonograph.↩︎
-
C.B.: Confined to barracks.↩︎
-
Steenwerk: Steenwerck is commune in French Flanders, northern France.↩︎
-
Ploegsteert: A village in northwestern Belgium, approximately two kilometres north of the French border.↩︎