Transcription
The Diary of Norman Allatt, 1916
Norman Allatt, Diary of Norman Allatt, 1916. Pencil and ink on paper, 1 volume, 176 pages. Leather-bound notebook, H: 13.5, W: 10, D: 2 cm. Norman Allatt fonds, © McMaster Library Archives, Hamilton, Ontario.1 Transcription © 2022 MLC Research Centre. dcr/blt/ig
keywords: Albert (Somme), Bailleul (France, French Flanders), casualties, Dickebusch (Flanders), front line, Gertie (Gertrude May Benford), Mont des Cats (Flanders), observation, Poperinghe (Flanders), sniper, sniperscope, Somme, trench warfare, Zillebeke (Flanders)
summary: In this 1916 diary, Norman Allatt writes about his experiences fighting in Northern France and in Belgium. The diary starts in transit as he leaves England for the France–Belgium border, arriving at his post in Bailleul, France. It is here that he spends his time on sentry, guarding listening posts or filling sandbags (29 February 1916). After two months along the border, travelling between Bailleul and Ploegsteert, Flanders, he is immersed in frontline action, including sniping and map drawing, as the bombardment and shelling from the German side heavily progress, and the number of casualties grows. On 31 March, Allatt witnesses the death of his friend Mac. Kagan, who is shot through the head, and Allatt carries the body from the field. Six weeks later, on the front lines at Zillebeke in West Flanders, Belgium, Allatt suffers a slight head wound from a sniper (20 May 1916). As his front-line engagement continues along the French border, he is exposed to exploding bombs and gas in the trenches and must sleep in the field.
On 7 September, Allatt arrives in Albert at the Somme, once again engaged in heavy action, with the Battle of the Somme ongoing. He writes that because of the heavy shelling and excessive bombing, he is “too scared to sleep.” He is immersed in intensive frontline action until late November. On 24 November he leaves for Boulogne, and travels to London. The diary ends with trip to Heckmondwike, England, to visit his family before returning to the front line in northern France on 3 December.
special features: The diary has a dedication suggesting it was a gift by W. B. Jones whom he also references in a 19 February entry. Allatt uses purple and black ink and decorates the diary with pressed flowers and pressed leaves. Amid the front-line action, the tenderness of these leaves and flowers pressed between these pages speaks of his humanity and vulnerability.
editorial note: As in the previous volumes, Norman Allatt makes spelling errors when first being introduced to new training subjects such as grenades spelled granaid, or bombing school spelled boming, or detonator spelled detinator. These errors are rendered intact in the transcription.
Transcription:
[written on the back of the front cover using black-purple ink, calligraphy lettering, and a decorative flourish]
Pte. N. Allatt #404251
14th Battalion
3rd Brigade
1st Canadian Division
B. E. F. France.
[endpaper recto left blank with dedication on endpaper verso in a different handwriting]
With good wishes from
[W. B.] Jones
To
Pte. N Allet [sic].
[title page recto with printed text and printed decorations]
The Canadian Pocket Diary 1916
Published by The Brown Bros. United Manufacturing Stationers. Toronto
Identification
My Name is N. Allatt
Address 30 Victoria Pk Ave, Toronto
Phone
Birthday 7 December
Age 23 Height 5ft 4 in.
Complexion Dark Weight 145 lbs
In case of accident or illness please notify above address
If anyone should find this book kindly return to above address.
Things Hard to Remember
Number on case of my Watch 1450036
″ movement ″ 1342109-63
Automobile License No …
Engine No … H.P….
Number of my Bank Pass-book …
My accident insurance falls due on } ...
My life insurance policies fall due on } July
Size of my shoes 6 ½ Hosiery 10
″ Collar … Cuffs …
″ Hat 7 Shirt …
″ Gloves … Underwear …
[The next 14 pages are printed text in the diary that display full calendars for each month of the year 1916, war taxes, rates of postage, dates of eclipses within the year 1916, moon phases within the year 1916, special dates, the value of foreign coins, weights and measures, and detailed calendars of each month of the year with the moon phases.]
[Running header] Memorandum from 1915
Left [England]
Oct 26 1915
82123 Rifle Mo
1 January 1916
Saturday
[written in purple ink]
At Stink Farm. [written in black pencil above the date, suggesting this location was added later on]
Resting + sleeping during the day.
Working party at night
filling sand bags.
2 January 1916
Sunday
Sleeping + hanging around in the day time.
Working party at night but lost the part + came back.
3 January 1916
Monday
Left for boming [sic] school at 6.30 a.m. Stayed at ration farm till 2.30 p.m.
Arrived at school 4.30.
4 January 1916
Tuesday
Was not warned what time to go on parade. Half an hour late.
Throwing dummy bombs.
Lecture on line bombs.
Stayed in at night
5 January 1916
Wednesday
Throwing bombs. Building a trench.
After noon throwing dummies again.
Went for walk at night.
6 January 1916
Thursday
Physical drill and company drill.
Throwing one primer’s Grenaid [sic] at night.
7 January 1916
Friday
Off parade all morning.
Afternoon throwing one primar’s [sic] and the mills bomb.
Went to Red Lodge at night for mail.
8 January 1916
Saturday
Company + physical drill.
Examination on bombs + detinatior [sic].
Left with transport for Ration farm.
Carrying bombs. Went to front line.
9 January 1916
Sunday
Feeling sick all day. Didn’t eat anything.
Night on sentry.
Also on ration party.
10 January 1916
Monday
Feeling a little better. But not eating.
On sentry.
Night on listening post.
Ruined photo from Gertie.
11 January 1916
Tuesday
Sleeping in morning.
Cleaning up in afternoon, ready for leaving.
Left front line for huts. Kutopip [sic].
12 January 1916
Wednesday
Did nothing in morning.
Respirator inspection in afternoon.
Stayed in at night trying to write letters.
13 January 1916
Thursday
Morning working party putting up a Y.M.C.A. tent.
Afternoon muster parade.
Stayed in at night.
14 January 1916
Friday
Nothing doing in morning.
Rifle inspection afternoon.
15 January 1916
Saturday
Cleaning up huts and packing up. Ready for leaving.
Night arrived. Fletchers Field.
16 January 1916
Sunday
Sleeping during the day.
Working party at night filling sand bags. Front line.
17 January 1916
Monday
Resting all day. Writing letters.
Night working party with rubber boots.
18 January 1916
Tuesday
Nothing doing all day.
On mess orderly. No working party.
19 January 1916
Wednesday
Slept late. Shaving + cleaning up in morning.
Afternoon picked for guard at Fort Osbourn [sic].
Did first sentry then went for rations.
20 January 1916
Thursday
Slept all day.
Went on sentry at 7 o clock night.
21 January 1916
Friday
Cooked breakfast for the bunch at 4 am.
Writing letters during day. Sentry night.
22 January 1916
Saturday
Reading + sleeping during day.
Sentry at night.
Went for rations.
23 January 1916
Sunday
Reading + sleeping during day.
Relieved from guard.
Went to front line.
Went for rations. Listening post.
24 January 1916
Monday
Did nothing during day.
Night flying sentry.
25 January 1916
Tuesday
Sentry one during day.
Listening post night.
26 January 1916
Wednesday
Sentry day time.
Foot inspection.
Heavy shelling all day by Huns.2
Working party 12.30 night.
27 January 1916
Thursday
Shelling most of the day.
On rubber boot party night.
Arrived at huts early.
28 January 1916
Friday
Slept late. Cleaned up afterwards for rifle inspection.
Afternoon company parade and rifle exercises.
Stayed in at night.
29 January 1916
Saturday
Physical drill at 7 am.
Kit inspection after.
Nothing doing in the afternoon.
Writing letters at night.
30 January 1916
Sunday
Morning church parade.
Afternoon reading + sleeping.
31 January 1916
Monday
Up at 6:15 am packing up ready for leaving for rest.
Left at 12 o’clock arrived at [Meatron]3 4 o clock.
Went out at night for a feed of eggs + chips.
1 February 1916
Tuesday
Orderly all day at headquarters.
Slept in orderly room at night.
2 February 1916
Wednesday
Played [402] Company at football in morning. Lost 3 – 2.
Afternoon baseball. Lost 7 – 5.
3 February 1916
Thursday
Physical drill 6.30 am.
Went on sick parade.
Afternoon inspection by General Curry.4
Y.M.C.A. in [Meatron] night.
4 February 1916
Friday
Physical drill in barn (rain).
Day parade afterwards.
Afternoon bathing parade.
Stayed in barn at night.
5 February 1916
Saturday
Musketing lecture.
Route march.
Afternoon stayed around barn.
Night went to [Meatron].
6 February 1916
Sunday
Morning physical drill. Church parade.
Afternoon Taylor came down to see us.
Went to ball game.
Wrote letters night.
7 February 1916
Monday
Physical drill morning.
Drilling all day.
Night went to Bailleul.
8 February 1916
Tuesday
Morning went to ranges shooting 25 yds range.
Afternoon making a charge.
9 February 1916
Wednesday
Went for a route march in morning.
Afternoon went to Bailleul to see Aldred + Taylor. Had a good time. Also saw Ashley [Hayden].
10 February 1915
Thursday
Mess orderly all day.
Drilling most of day.
Reviewed by Kitchener5 in afternoon.
Stayed in at night.
11 February 1916
Friday
Not much doing.
[Pressed flower between pages.]
12 February 1916
Saturday
Morning route march.
Afternoon battalion sports.
Went to [Meatron] for walk by myself night.
13 February 1916
Sunday
Morning church parade.
Afternoon went to Bailluel [sic] with Jack to see Aldred + Taylor had a great time.
14 February 1916
Monday
Nothing doing all day.
15 February 1916
Tuesday
Sleeping all morning.
Reading most of the afternoon.
Night went to Bailleul. Had some time.
16 February 1916
Wednesday
Morning battalion attack. Raining and blowing 60 miles an hour.
Afternoon working party.
Night went down town.
17 February 1916
Thursday
Drilling morning.
Afternoon foot-ball match. Afterwards went to Bailleul with Jack. Had a good time. Taylor’s birthday.
18 February 1916
Friday
Raining all day no parade.
Went to hospital to see a chum.
Night went movies show.
19 February 1916
Saturday
Morning battalion attack.
Afternoon went to Bailleul with Jones. Had a little sing-song in Y.M.C.A.
Aldred + Taylor on guard.
20 February 1916
Sunday
Packing up ready for leaving.
Went to [Meatron] for feed. Left at 2 pm.
Arrived at Red Lodge, tents at night.
21 February 1916
Monday
On sentry, on look out for gas attack in the early morning.
Left the tents at 6.30 night for stink farm.
Had a great dug-out.
22 February 1916
Tuesday
Up at 5 o’clock to cook breakfast.
Slept all day.
Working party at night as well walk from 6.30 to 11 o’clock.
23 February 1916
Wednesday
Up early for breakfast. Slept all day.
Working party night. Stink farm.
24 February 1916
Thursday
Slept most of day. Packed up at night, went to front line trench.
On ration party afterward.
On patrol in front of barbed wire.
25 February 1916
Friday
Slept during day.
On listening post night.
First snow fall.
26 February 1916
Saturday
On sentry for 1 hour during day, slept rest of time.
Night on sentry.
27 February 1916
Sunday
Did a few hour sentry during day.
On listening post night until relieved by jocks.
Left front line for Red Lodge.
28 February 1916
Monday
On mess orderly.
Writing letters in morning.
Afternoon went for a walk to [Pleugy] St. with Jack.
Night got off working party.
29 February 1916
Tuesday
Sleeping all day.
Night went on working party filling sand bags. Stink Farm.
1 March 1916
Wednesday
Stayed in bed all morning.
Went to Y.M.C.A. afternoon.
Working party night. Louvenier Farm.
2 March 1916
Thursday
Hanging around tents all morning.
Had to move to dug-outs on account of heavy bombardment. Stayed there all night.
3 March 1916
Friday
Down at Y.M.C.A. in morning. Moved back to tents again in the afternoon.
Working party night.
Louvenier Farm.
4 March 1916
Saturday
Working party 8 o’clock in the morning. Snowing all day; wet through. Went Y.M.C.A. afterwards.
Called out to go for a sniper. Went to Red Lodge.
5 March 1916
Sunday
Had a nice bunk to sleep on.
Slept all morning.
Wrote a couple of letters in afternoon.
Went up to company at night.
6 March 1916
Monday
Up at 3 o’clock in morning. Had breakfast then went up to front line. Did a little sniping. Weather dull and snowing. Came back at 5 o’clock night.
7 March 1916
Tuesday
Slept till dinner time. Cleaned up in the afternoon. Snowing all day.
Went up to the company at night for letters.
8 March 1916
Wednesday
Up at 4 o’clock went to front line.
Lots of Germans walking around.
9 March 1916
Tuesday
Stayed in all day.
10 March 1916
Friday
Up to front line. Sniping good.
Shelling by Germans in afternoon. Came home early. Left for Kortypip [sic] L??ts].
11 March 1916
Saturday
Cleaning up in morning.
Did nothing all day.
Wrote letters at night.
12 March 1916
Sunday
On mess orderly.
Church parade.
After-noon reading.
13 March 1916
Monday
Stayed around huts all day.
Weather very warm.
14 March 1916
Tuesday
Weather hot.
Physical drill 7. 7.30 am.
Map drawing all morning also map reading. Bathing parade.
15 March 1916
Wednesday
Not much doing during the day. Working party at night.
16 March 1916
Thursday
Map reading most of day.
Lecture on first aid.
Went to see moving pictures at Y.M.C.A.
17 March 1916
Friday
Map drawing in morning.
Playing quoits6 in afternoon.
Left for Ration Farm 5 o’clock p.m.
Had to wait around. Lost our dug out.
18 March 1916
Saturday
Up at 4 a.m. Went to front line. Quite a lot of sniping.
19 March 1916
Sunday
Slept most of day in Ration Farm.
20 March 1916
Monday
Sniping most of day. Front line.
Observing German lines in afternoon.
21 March 1916
Tuesday
Resting all day.
22 March 1916
Wednesday
Up to front line. Not much doing. Raining most of day.
23 March 1916
Thursday
Sleeping and writing letters all day.
24 March 1916
Friday
Went to front line.
Not much doing.
Snowing pretty hard.
Came home early.
25 March 1916
Friday
Arrived at Red Lodge in dug-outs.
26 March 1916
Sunday
Up to company in morning.
Went down to Bailleul at night.
27 March 1916
Monday
Got paid in morning.
General inspection in afternoon cancelled.
Down to Bailleul at night to see Aldred + Taylor.
28 March 1916
Tuesday
Left Bailleul at 8 a.m. for Canada Huts.
29 March 1916
Wednesday
Spent the day in Canada huts.
Left for Canal dug outs at 6:15 p.m.
30 March 1916
Thursday
Had to leave canal dug outs for Swan Chateau. A fine big [havre] with pond. One eyed swan + ducks in.
31 March 1916
Friday
Went to front line to look the lines over. Looking for sniping holes.
Mac. Kegan shot through head. Carried him out.
1 April 1916
Saturday
Stayed around house all day.
Left for Hill 60 night Bedford House.
2 April 1916
Sunday
Not much doing during day.
3 April 1916
Monday
Started digging a sniping position.
Lot of rifle grenade firing night. A few casualtys [sic].
4 April 1916
Tuesday
Working on the sniping position most of day.
Trench mortar shooting in afternoon.
5 April 1916
Wednesday
Observing in morning.
Working on loop hole in afternoon.
[pressed loose flower in lamination seal between pages.]
6 April 1916
Thursday
Sniping all day.
7 April 1916
Friday
Sleeping and working on sniping holes.
8 April 1916
Saturday
Sniping most of the day.
9 April 1916
Sunday
Left front line for Canada huts. Dickybush [sic].7
Up all night.
10 April 1916
Monday
Slept all day.
Rifle inspection in morning.
Bathing parade in afternoon to Poperinge [sic].
Stayed around town.
11 April 1916
Tuesday
Map reading in morning.
Stayed around huts all day.
12 April 1916
Wednesday
Rifle inspection in morning.
13 April 1916
Thursday
Eating and sleeping all day.
14 April 1916
Friday
Went to ranges for target practice.
15 April 1916
Saturday
Not much doing all day.
16 April 1916
Sunday
Moved to new huts.
17 April 1916
Monday
On ranges all morning.
Y.M.C.A. in afternoon and night.
18 April 1916
Tuesday
On aeroplane sentry all morning.
Writing letters during afternoon.
19 April 1916
Wednesday
On the ranges all morning.
Stayed around camp during afternoon and night.
20 April 1916
Thursday
Cooking all day for lunch.
Night went to a concert at Y.M.C.A. Pretty good time.
21 April 1916
Friday
On aeroplane guard from 7.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Line hunting all after noon.
Stayed in at night.
22 April 1916
Saturday
[ink getting fainter and darker]
Stayed around billets most of day.
Met some of the boys from the [beach].
Left for international [trench] night.
23 April 1916
Sunday
Stayed in dug out all day sick.
24 April 1916
Monday
In front line most of the day sniping.
Day quiet.
25 April 1916
Tuesday
Stayed in supports most of time.
26 April 1916
Wednesday
In front line all day. Enemy throwing bomb + rifle grenades.
27 April 1916
Thursday
In front line.
Enemy blew up a mine on our left.
Heaviest bombardment for a few hours. Heavy losses to enemy.
28 April 1916
Friday
In front line all day.
Observing most of time.
29 April 1916
Saturday
In front line all day.
30 April 1916
Sunday
In front line all day watching enemy’s movements.
1 May 1916
Monday
Very quiet all day.
Took train. Came out of trenches.
2 May 1916
Tuesday
[Cane?]
6 May 1916
Saturday
Left Poperinghe for Reninghelst, took buss [sic] to Mt Des Cats.8
7 May 1916
Sunday
Lecture. Zero range. 240 range.
8 May 1916
Monday
Moving targets. Zero range. Sniperscope.
9 May 1916
Tuesday
Lecture. Snap shooting.
10 May 1916
Wednesday
Trench sketching + Reconitering[sic].
Sniperscope + fixed rifle shooting.
11 May 1916
Thursday
Sniper scope + rifle battery.
[Pressed flower in lamination seal between pages.]
12 May 1916
Friday
On the range.
Left Mt Des Cats at 2 p.m. buss [sic] ride.
Saw H. Bower + H. Baskerville.
13 May 1916
Saturday
Came to Canal dug outs.
Went up to Coy at night.
14 May 1916
Sunday
Writing letters most of day.
15 May 1916
Monday
Playing cards + reading most of day.
Night went rat hunting.
16 May 1916
Tuesday
On aeroplane guard in morning.
Sleeping most of afternoon.
17 May 1916
Wednesday
Went to Y.M.C.A.
Left for front line at Zellebeck.9 Cake.
On sentry night.
18 May 1916
Thursday
Observing most of day.
19 May 1916
Friday
Shooting at German working parties.
20 May 1916
Saturday
Observing + sniping all day.
Got a slight wound on head with a sniper.
21 May 1916
Sunday
Stayed in bed most of the day.
Went to doctors at night.
22 May 1916
Monday
Had a headache all day.
Stayed in bed most of the day.
23 May 1916
Tuesday
Feeling a little better. Went on duty.
On rations at night.
24 May 1916
Wednesday
Sniping + observing all day.
25 May 1916
Thursday
Not very much doing.
Got relieved at night.
26 May 1916
Friday
Came to Dominion lines early morning.
Slept most of day.
27 May 1916
Saturday
Stayed around billets during day.
Went to picture show at night with Jack.
28 May 1916
Sunday
Church parade in morning.
Got paid after.
Bathing parade night.
29 May 1916
Monday
Stayed around billets all day.
Went to pictures night.
30 May 1916
Tuesday
Inspection in morning.
Went on pass to Popperinghe [sic], had a nice time. Went to two shows.
31 May 1916
Wednesday
Went to Popperinghe [sic] with Bell.
Had some time.
1 June 1916
Thursday
Inspection in morning.
Nothing doing in after noon.
2 June 1916
Friday
Stand too all day in camp.
Night rushed up to front line and dug in made charge. In morning drove them back.
14th + 15th Batt.
3 June 1916
Saturday
13 + 14th Bat made charge.
Heavy shelling all the time,
14th [cont] [?00] men and 16 officers.
4 June 1916
Sunday
Got relieved early. Came back to dominion huts.
5 June 1916
Monday
Stayed around billets during day.
Muster parade.
On burial party at night.
Moved to Popperinghe [sic].
6 June 1916
Tuesday
Patrick lines in tents.
Stayed around all day.
7 June 1916
Wednesday
Went to Popperinghe [sic].10
Picture show.
Rain.
8 June 1916
Thursday
Went to Pop.
Rain.
9 June 1916
Friday
Stayed around tents.
Rain.
10 June 1916
Saturday
Charlie + George came down.
Rain.
11 June 1916
Sunday
Went on working party.
Rain.
12 June 1916
Monday
Moved to reserve lines at night.
Rain.
13 June 1916
Tuesday
Stayed around billets during day.
Picture show at night.
14 June 1916
Wednesday
Not much doing during day.
15 June 1916
Thursday
Went to [P??ppert] trenches at [illegible] Chateau.
16 June 1916
Friday
Stayed around dug out all day.
17 June 1916
Saturday
Not much doing.
Went out picking roses.
18 June 1916
Sunday
Orderly all day.
Batt. H.Q.
19 June 1916
Monday
Stayed around all day.
Got relieved at night to Renninghest11 [sic] G. Camp.
20 June 1916
Tuesday
Not much doing.
A little map reading.
Went for a walk at night.
21 June 1916
Wednesday
Stayed around camp all day.
22 June 1916
Thursday
Went to sniping school.
Stayed around all day.
23 June 1916
Friday
Went to sniping school for new sight.
24 June 1916
Saturday
Stayed around tents most of day.
Went to picture show night.
Later left for front line in busses.
25 June 1916
Sunday
Around at front line before day light.
Mt Sorrel.12
Heavy shelling most of day.
[scans for June 26th to July 1st not included in transcription]
2 July 1916
Sunday
Stayed around huts most of day.
Went for walk night.
2 July 1916
Monday
Doing map reading in morning.
Nothing doing in afternoon.
Picture show night.
4 July 1916
Tuesday
Went to ranges all day.
5 July 1916
Wednesday
Exhibition of guard mounting.
Left for Patricias13 lines.
6 July 1916
Thursday
Rifle inspection. Hanging around lines.
Went to Y.M.C.A. night.
7 July 1916
Friday
New bayonet exercises in morning.
Concert in Y.M.C.A. by R.M.R.
8 July 1916
Saturday
Went to ranges in morning.
Afternoon went Abeele14 to see Taylor.
9 July 1916
Sunday
Morning church parade.
Afternoon packing up.
Left for front line.
10 July 1916
Monday
Around at the marine (Verbrandenmolen) before daylight.
Up at sniping post most of day.
Working at night.
11 July 1916
Tuesday
Sleeping most of morning.
Observing in afternoon.
Fixing O.P.15 at night.
12 July 1916
Wednesday
Sniping + observing all day.
On rations at night.
13 July 1916
Thursday
Sleeping most of morning.
Sniping + observing afternoon.
14 July 1916
Friday
Around trenches all day.
Night left trenches for railway dugouts.
15 July 1916
Saturday
On O.P. counting shells coming over.
16 July 1916
Sunday
Not much doing all day.
Night, scouting new routes.
17 July 1916
Monday
On O.P. part of day + night.
18 July 1916
Tuesday
On O.P. during day.
Out looking for new routes. Night.
19 July 1916
Wednesday
Sleeping most of day.
20 July 1916
Thursday
Came to dominion lines. Got paid.
Stayed around billets.
21 July 1916
Friday
Went to gas school. Went through trenches and had different kinds of gas turned on. Came back and then went to Patricia lines.
22 July 1916
Saturday
Inspection of bayonets by Colonel.
Afternoon bathing parade.
23 July 1916
Sunday
Morning church parade.
muster parade.
24 July 1916
Monday
Physical drill.
Map reading.
Y.M.C.A. night.
25 July 1916
Tuesday
Went to baths.
Stayed around camp most of day.
26 July 1916
Wednesday
Out looking for new routes most of day.
27 July 1916
Thursday
Morning rifle inspection.
Afternoon went to Abeele. Had photo’s taken with Taylor + Aldred.
28 July 1916
Friday
Stayed around camp all day.
[Pressed flower in lamination between pages.]
29 July 1916
Saturday
A little drill.
Afternoon battalion sports.
Night Y.M.C.A. concert.
30 July 1916
Sunday
Out finding new routes all day.
Night George Taylor came down with photoes [sic].
31 July 1916
Monday
Presentation of medals.
Night left for the front line. (Ravine)
1 August 1916
Tuesday
Around front line sniping + observing most of day.
2 August 1916
Wednesday
Went along the whole battalion front line.
3 August 1916
Thursday
Things pretty quiet. Not much sniping.
4 August 1916
Friday
Shooting down periscopes most of day
Night 16th blew up mine at our left. Heavy bombardment.
5 August 1916
Saturday
Around the lines all day.
Night I was blown in the air by shell.
6 August 1916
Sunday
Observing in morning.
Sleeping afternoon.
7 August 1916
Monday
Came to Sea Guard Chateau before day break.
Slept most of day.
8 August 1916
Tuesday
Orderly in morning.
Reading + writing letters afternoon.
Stand to with gas helmets on. (Gas came over).
Night.
Had to guide C.M.R.s in.
Came to Victoria camp. Walking all night.
Turned in blankets.
9 August 1916
Wednesday
Slept nearly all day.
Had a swim in a shell hole.
10 August 1916
Thursday
Came to Victoria Camp.
Renninghelst [sic] walking all night. Turned in blankets. Afternoon had a game of football.
Night packing up ready for leaving in morning.
11 August 1916
Friday
Up at 4.15 a.m. Left at 6.15.
Arrived at Steenvoorde at 11 a.m.
Stayed there all afternoon + night.
Bivouacked16 in field.
12 August 1916
Saturday
Up at 1 A.M. Started at 1.30.
Marching all morning had breakfast + dinner on road side.
Stayed at farm house afternoon + night.
Slept in field.
13 August 1916
Sunday
Up at 2 a.m. started 2.30.
Arrived at about 9 am.
Nice big house + orchard.
Moved to better quarters.
Went for walk around village.
14 August 1916
Monday
Map reading.
Inspection afternoon of kit + feet.
15 August 1916
Tuesday
Moved back to head quarters.
Slept out in field.
Out at ranges shooting all day.
16 August 1916
Wednesday
Up to ranges shooting all morning.
Had a sleep in afternoon.
Writing letters night.
Built a bivaouc [sic].
17 August 1916
Thursday
Went to ranges. Target practice.
Nothing doing afternoon.
18 August 1916
Friday
Brigade attack all day.
Reviewed by [Sam] Hughes.17
19 August 1916
Saturday
On parade ground doing outpost + advance guard duty.
Lecture on bayonet fight.
Got paid. Went down to village.
20 August 1916
Sunday
Morning church parade.
Afternoon sleeping + writing letters.
Night went for walk by myself.
21 August 1916
Monday
Not much doing.
22 August 1916
Tuesday
Down at the ranges nearly all day.
23 August 1916
Wednesday
Doing signalling most of day.
24 August 1916
Thursday
Went to ranges nearly all day.
25 August 1916
Friday
On parade ground outpost + advanced guard duty.
Doing signalling all morning. Went for walk night.
26 August 1916
Saturday
Holiday all day. Went for a walk by myself. 18 mile.
Went to ball game. 3rd Bdg. [sic] + 1st Bgd. [sic]. Won by 3rd 2 – 1.
Came back some-time in the morning.
27 August 1916
Sunday
Church parade. Kit inspection. Left Eperleques [sic] for St. Omer at 4.30 p.m. Got on train, 43 in boxcar.
28 August 1916
Monday
Got of [sic] train at 6 A.M. Had a kit march.
Billeted in farm.
Left Epereleques [sic] for St. Omer at 4.30.
Sleeping rest of day.
29 August 1916
Tuesday
Started again in morning.
Stayed in farm.
30 August 1916
Wednesday
Started again in morning.
Raining most of day.
31 August 1916
Thursday
Had a 12 mile march. Raining all day.
Stayed at farm.
Talmas.
1 September 1916
Friday
Left billets for Albert. Camped in field.
Somme.18
2 September 1916
Saturday
Went for a walk around town of Albert.
Packed up again at 6 P.M. for Albert.
3 September 1916
Sunday
Church parade.
Afternoon packed up again came to chalk pits.
Watching prisoners come in.
4 September 1916
Monday
Sleeping all morning.
A couple of bombs exploded wounding 4.
Afternoon went around supports + nearly front line.
5 September 1916
Tuesday
Moved to reserve.
Stayed in creator [sic].19
6 September 1916
Wednesday
Went looking around place.
Transferred back to company.
7 September 1916
Thursday
Went to support trench. Had heavy shelling.
Too scared to sleep.
8 September 1916
Friday
Still heavy shelling.
Afternoon acting stretcher bearer carrying wounded from front line with white flag.
9 September 1916
Saturday
Got relieved last night by 8th Bat.
Came to Poziers [sic].
Sleeping rest of day.
10 September 1916
Sunday
Started on a three days march: Herrisart.20
Taylor came up to see me.
On picquet [sic] night.
11 September 1916
Monday
Left for Montrelet. Marching all morning.
Nothing doing afternoon.
Went on orderly night.
12 September 1916
Tuesday
On orderly all day.
Went for walk around village.
13 September 1916
Wednesday
On batt orderly all day.
Concert Y.M.C.A. night.
14 September 1916
Thursday
On training ground. Bayonet fighting.
Concert at night Y.M.C.A.
Had to stand too when we came back.
15 September 1916
Friday
Came to.
Stayed all night.
Not feeling well.
16 September 1916
Saturday
Came to village just past Contay.21
Afternoon out with Taylor.
17 September 1916
Sunday
Morning drill and bayonet fighting.
Afternoon church parade.
Later left for brick field.
18 September 1916
Monday
Building biavouc [sic] all last night. Ground all muddy. Raining.
Cold at night.
19 September 1916
Tuesday
Nothing doing in morning.
Afternoon packed up ready for leaving but did not go.
20 September 1916
Wednesday
Practicing for the attack.
Sleeping most of afternoon.
21 September 1916
Thursday
Rifle inspection morning.
Afternoon company drill.
22 September 1916
Friday
Morning rifle inspection.
Night went to Y.M.C.A. concert.
Went on working party 12 P.M.
23 September 1916
Saturday
Came back from working party 9 a.m.
After dinner packed up and went to reserve trenches.
Moved from there to [Farms out].
24 September 1916
Sunday
Slept nearly all day in reserve.
Heavy shelling all day + night.
25 September 1916
Monday
Shelling all morning.
Left for supports.
Stayed there all night.
26 September 1916
Tuesday
Up at day-light had some tea stayed till 12 o’clock then started the advance. Took about 300 pris. Very heavy shelling all day + night. Advanced nearly a mile.
[Pressed flower in lamination between pages.]
27 September 1916
Wednesday
Carrying bombs part of day. Lifting some wounded.
Heavy shelling all day.
Got relieved night by 2nd Div. Falling in shell holes.
28 September 1916
Thursday
Got out just about day-light. Stopped at Y.M.C.A. got something to eat + drink. Just about all in. Came down to Albert stayed there till 3 p.m.
Left for Warloy22 full pack about 5 miles.
29 September 1916
Friday
Slept most of day.
Went for a walk at night.
30 September 1916
Saturday
Had general inspection. Sunny.
Taylor came down at night. Went for walk.
1 October 1916
Sunday
Went on working party to Albert making new road.
2 October 1916
Monday
Rain all day.
Stayed in barns.
Went for walk at night.
Taylor came down. I wasn’t there.
3 October 1916
Tuesday
Took down guards breakfast. Cleaned up.
Went for a walk around village.
4 October 1916
Wednesday
Got breakfast. Stayed in all day.
Received nice parcel from Gertie.
Y.M.C.A. night.
5 October 1916
Thursday
Left Warlow [sic] for Albert at 11 a.m. in busses.
Went on working party at 1 p.m.
Went for walks around town + got lost.
6 October 1916
Friday
Left Albert at 7 a.m. for La Boisselle.
Got nice dig out.
Stayed in all night.
7 October 1916
Saturday
Nice day, nothing doing in morning. Sleeping while I have a chance.
Went to Y.M.C.A. for eats + ciggrettes [sic] 3 mile [sic].
8 October 1916
Sunday
Up at 2 am went to Corcellet23 [sic] to fetch out prisoners (marines). Came back [done out]. Moved to new quarters. Then moved to sugar trench supports.
9 October 1916
Monday
Sleeping most of day.
On sentry night.
10 October 1916
Tuesday
Not so much shelling.
Got relieved at night. Went to brick fields near Albert 6 miles.
11 October 1916
Wednesday
Rifle inspection. Kit inspection.
Night went to Albert met Nelson McSweeny. [Crab], [B?m] Thompson. Hugh [Bower]. Harry Baskerville Stinson.
12 October 1916
Thursday
Nothing doing in morning.
Afternoon muster roll call.
Night concert at Y.M.C.A.
13 October 1916
Friday
Went for a bat to Bouzincourt.
Pulled down [bevvies] + packed up came to chalk pits.
14 October 1916
Saturday
Stayed in dug out all day.
Went on working party night digging trench.
Worked around 3 hours.
15 October 1916
Sunday
Came back from working party 3 a.m.
Sleeping most of day.
Left for brick fields at 3 p.m. Marched to brick fields.
Slept in Y.M.C.A.
16 October 1916
Monday
Left at 10 a.m. for Warlow [sic]. I had dinner on way up.
Night went to concert at Y.M.C.A. Very good programme.
17 October 1916
Tuesday
Up at 6.30. Packed up ready for leaving at 10 a.m.
Valdamasion in tents.
18 October 1916
Wednesday
Marching all morning to Halloy en -.
19 October 1916
Thursday
Arrived at Pernois.
Marching most of day.
20 October 1916
Friday
Stayed around billet all day.
21 October 1916
Saturday
Up at 6.30 packed up ready for leaving.
Marching all morning.
22 October 1916
Sunday
Marching all morning to some village.
23 October 23
Monday
Marching all morning.
24 October 1916
Tuesday
Marching all morning around at [Jernas].
25 October 1916
Wednesday
Marching all morning to Magnicourt.
Had a nice place. Coffee house.
26 October 1916
Thursday
Marching nearly all day. Had some hill to climb.
[Estrara Cousha?].
27 October 1916
Friday
Came to reserve trenches.
Big deep dug outs.
28 October 1916
Saturday
Slept all day.
On gas sentry night.
29 October 1916
Sunday
Working party to front line all morning.
Playing cards night.
30 October 1916
Monday
Working party 6.30 a.m.
Reading + writing letters night.
31 October 1916
Tuesday
Working party morning.
Playing cards night.
1 November 1916
Wednesday
Mess orderly all day.
Gas sentry night.
2 November 1916
Thursday
Working party.
Gas sentry night.
3 November 1916
Friday
Packed up ready for front line.
Got issue of blankets.
In front line night.
On sentry. Rain.
4 November 1916
Saturday
Back in supports. All day sleeping.
In front line night.
On sentry. Rain.
6 November 1916
Monday
In supports day time.
In front line night.
Listening post + sentry.
Rain.
7 November 1916
Tuesday
In supports day time.
Front line night sentry.
On wiring party.
No mans land.
Rain.
8 November 1916
Wednesday
In supports day time.
Front line night.
Sentry.
Rain.
9 October 1916
Thursday
In supports day time.
Front line night.
On listening post.
10 November 1916
Friday
Got relieved by 3rd batt.
Had dinner by reserve then 7 mile march.
11 November 1916
Saturday
Spent all morning cleaning up scraping up.
Muster parade afternoon.
Innoculated [sic].
Writing letters night.
12 November 1916
Sunday
Sore arm all day.
Bomb throwing in morning. One bomb exploded.
Drilling.
13 November 1916
Monday
Went gas school got new helmets.
Slept afternoon.
14 November 1916
Tuesday
Lecture on map reading.
Drilling afterwards.
Afternoon stayed around barn.
15 November 1916
Wednesday
On wireing [sic] party.
Most of morning.
16 November 1916
Thursday
On wireing [sic] party most of morning.
17 November 1916
Friday
Putting up barbed wire for about 1 hr.
18 November 1916
Saturday
Went to front line.
On bombing post in crator [sic].
19 November 1916
Sunday
In supports all day.
20 November 1916
Monday
Went back to bombing post.
21 November 1916
Tuesday
On sentry most of day.
Got relieved at night.
22 November 1916
Wednesday
Came out to reserve huts. A long march.
Cleaning up scraping mud off clothes.
Inspection afternoon.
23 November 1916
Thursday
Reading in morning.
Afternoon was to get ready for leave.
Took buss [sic] to Bethune.
Took train to Boulonge [sic].
24 November 1916
Friday
Got in Boulonge [sic] about 8 a.m.
Got on boat at 10.30 a.m.
Arrived at Folkstone [sic] 12 noon. Took train to London.
25 November 1916
Saturday
Arrived at Heckmondwike 6 a.m. woke up Uncle John.
Went to sleep afternoon.
26 November 1916
Sunday
Morning went for a walk to Aunt Sarah’s.
Afternoon went to chapel.
Night went to Uncle Henry’s.
27 November 1916
Monday
Out visiting most of day.
28 November 1916
Tuesday
Went to Aunt Sarah’s all day.
Had a nice time.
29 November 1916
Wednesday
Went to Stancliff afternoon.
30 November 1916
Thursday
Went to see cousin Kathleen.
Night went to moving picture show with Kitty + Maude.
1 December 1916
Friday
Went for a walk around town.
Night went to Aunt Amy’s with Kitty.
2 December 1916
Saturday
Stayed in, in morning.
Afternoon went to palace theatre with Kathleen.
Left for Heck. 9.5.
3 December 1916
Sunday
Stayed in all day.
Left for France 9.20.
[December 4 – 31 left blank]
Memoranda
[???? Birthday Feb 14th].
Memoranda
Addresses
Name Residence
C. Aldred.
c/o Camp Commandant
Can Corps Hdq.
[BEM] France
JE. Jones #40438024
[Entries end here. Diary ends with 32 pages of printed information by manufacturer (bills, notes payable and receivable, cash account information, etc.).]
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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.↩︎
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Huns: Derogatory nickname used by Allies for Germans. See Rudyard Kipling’s 1902 poem “The Rowers.”↩︎
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Meatron: A possible misspelling of Méteren, a small commune just west of Bailleul.↩︎
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General Curry: Arthur Curry (1875-1933) became major-general in the Canadian army in 1915, following the Second Battle of Ypres. From 1915-1917, he commanded the 1st Canadian Brigade, and from 1917-1919 the Canadian Corps.↩︎
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Kitchener: Lord Herbert Kitchener (1850-1916), British Secretary of State for War. He died just 4 months later, in June 1916, after the ship he travelled on was blown up by a mine.↩︎
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Quoits: A lawn game in which players toss rings at a set of five stakes, scoring points for rings that land near or encircle the stakes.↩︎
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Dickybush: Dickebusch, or Flemish Dikkebush in Flanders.↩︎
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Mt Des Cats: Mont des Cats, or Flemish Katsberg, is a small hill in Flanders, involved in the Battle of Messines.↩︎
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Zellebeck: Zillebeke, village in West Flanders, Belgium.↩︎
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Popperinghe: Poperinge is an old medieval municipality in West Flanders, located 12 kilometers from Ypres.↩︎
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Renninghest: Renninghelst is a small village in Belgian Flanders, 9 kilometers southwest of Ypres. It has a military cemetery.↩︎
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Mont Sorrel: The Battle of Mont Sorrel occurred on 2–13 June 1916 in the Ypres Salient, Belgium, and resulted in more than 8,000 Canadian casualties.↩︎
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Patricias: Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, formed in 1914.↩︎
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Abeele: Abele (also spelled Abeele) is a village in the Poperinge municipality.↩︎
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OP: Observation Post.↩︎
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Bivouac: Temporary camp.↩︎
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Sam Hughes (1853-1921): Canada's Minister of Militia and Defence from October 1911 to November 1916. ↩︎
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Somme: The Battle of the Somme took place 1 July–November 1916.↩︎
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Creator: A common misspelling for crater.↩︎
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Herrisart: Commune in the Somme department of France.↩︎
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Contay: Commune in the Somme department of France.↩︎
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Warloy: Warloy-Baillon, commune in the Somme department of France.↩︎
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Corcellet: Courcelette is a commune in the Somme department of France. The Battle of Courcelette took place 16-22 September 1916, with tanks being used for the first time.↩︎
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John Edwin Jones, born on 11 March 1893 and enlisted in the CEF on 12 April 1915. Jones’s family home was at 16 Victoria Park Ave, Toronto, neighbouring Allatt’s home at 30 Victoria Park Ave. The Private was discharged from the 35th Battalion, CEF, on 13 January 1919 for medical reasons resulting from a gun shot wound sustained on 3 June 1916. “Personnel Records of the First World War – CEF 427544b,” Library and Archives Canada, https://bit.ly/3NiObAt.↩︎