Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

H. V. Berry diary, 29 May 1916-5 May 1918
MLMSS 746/Item 2

[Transcriber's notes:

29 May 1916 - Mascar Camp, Ismailia, Egypt
18 June - Sailed aboard "SS Rhesus" from Alexandria
23 June - Disembarked Marsailles
26 June - In camp at Morbecque
3 July - Promoted to Lance Corporal
10 July - Arrived at front line - Fleurbaix
2 Aug - Division Rest Station at Le Doulieu
22 Sept - Advanced Dressing Station, Armentiers
11 Oct - Debate on Referendum on Conscription.
21 Oct - Mametz Wood via Strazelle. Battle of the Somme.
20 Nov - Bernafay Wood near Longueval
23 Dec - Hears he has been mentioned in despatches. See page 206
23 Dec - Moves to Vignacourt. Hospital twice with trench feet.
3 Feb 1917 - Moves to Rest Station at Bellevue Farm near Albert.
19 Mar - Bapaume
9 May - Advanced Dressing Station at Vaux.
23 May - Established hospital at Bapaume
16 June - Senlis
31 July - Raquinghem
15 to 27 Aug - On leave in England. London, Glasgow & Edinburgh.
18 Sept - Poperinge, Belgium.
21 Sept - Wounded while near front line. Later, 3rd General Hospital, Le Triport.
17 Oct - Hillfield/Palace V.A. Hospital, Gloucester, England
4 Nov - Hears he has been awarded the Military Medal.
2 Jan 1918 - Furlough – Cornwall.
18 Jan - Hospital, Sutton Veny, Warminster, operation on toes.
1 Mar - Furlough, Gloucester on social visit to Palace Hospital
5 Mar - Classified B2 A which meant 6 month’s service in England.
March - Drafted into Quartermaster’s Store, Warminster.
8 to 11 Apr - Leave in London.
Herbert Berry was awarded the Military Medal, announced in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No 76, 23 May 1918. (no citation has been located). He was promoted to Temporary Corporal and remained in England until 18 Jan 1919 when he sailed aboard "H.T.Margha" on the nursing staff for return to Australia. He was discharge from the A.I.F. Sydney, 1 May 1919.]

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No. 6611.
Pte H.V.Berry
A. Section
8th Field Amb.
A.I.F.

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Moascoar Camp, Ismailia
Monday 29/5/16
Very soon settled down to work; marched to Nefiche Station during morning & again in the afternoon with our packs up. Nefiche is the junction of the Suez, Cairo & Port Said lines, about 2 miles from where we are at present camping. Soon found my way to the Lake at Ismailia for a swim & afterwards endeavoured to gain admission to the aerodrome. Was successful in passing the guard, but as soon as our presence was discovered inside we were very soon put out.

Tuesday 30/5/16
Quartermaster’s Fatigue, which necessitated going with waggon to A. S. Corps to draw rations; a fairly easy day, finished about

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7.30 A.M. & was exempt from duty the remainder of the day. Concert at Y.M.C.A. at night by the boys of the N.Z. Stationary hospital who are camping near to us.

Wednesday 31/5/16
Out again in full marching order, as usual, marched past Nefiche. Any amount of rumour flying about as regards our time of leaving.

Thursday 1/6/16
Out in full marching order. Instructions received to remove all clothing from our Universal kits, other than our biscuit uniform. A great pity to see all the fine clothing that was destroyed; it certainly could have been made use of instead of putting it in the incinerator. Had to hand one of our two blankets into quarter store; one is quite sufficient here though, for it is now

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very warm & as well we have to carry our blanket when on the march we are not anxious for more than one. Piquet duty to-night, drew first shift. Retained our sheep skin vests up till the present, all through the hot weather, & now when we are off to a cold country, of course it is quite in keeping with the ways of the military to get rid of them , which we certainly had to do.

Friday 2/6/16
Foot & hand inspection. Tedious day on piquet, for they again enforced the four hour shift. Returned from piquet at 7 pm.

Saturday 3/6/16
Our tents struck; now sleeping in a shed, which has just been erected as a mess shed. Daily wittness some very interesting manoeuvres by the

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aeroplanes which ascend from the aerodrome each morning & afternoon leaving no stone unturned to be in readiness to move when the time arrives; this morning we loaded & again unloaded limbers to ascertain their carrying capacity. Went to Y.M.C.A. at night.

Sunday 4/6/16
Our new skipper making matters rather warm; this morning half a dozen of us were given pack drill after the section had been dismissed, for very trivial matters. Unfortunately, I appeared on parade with a button undone, subsequently I was given pack drill; he is a bit over the odds. Very warm again to-day.

Monday 5/6/16
Whole day cleaning harness & generally preparing for inspection by General

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McKay tomorrow. Issued with bully beef which we were told to be very careful of while eating, for it has been known to contain metal hooks, probably inserted by the huns; needless to say we did not indulge in any of it.

Tuesday 6.6.16
Inspection by General McKay.
Very tiresome standing with full packs up for almost an hour waiting to be inspected. Fully expected to be leaving here to-night, but were greatly disappointed when we were informed that our departure had been postponed indefinitely. It is considered unsafe to attempt to cross the Mediterranean at present, owing to the presence of commerce raiders & submarines. Some of the Infantry lads ran

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wild tonight & raided the canteens practically pulling some down, there was no occasion for an act of that description for the prices charged were as reasonable as could be expected here. All the mules we have been carrying on our strength for some time, were today struck off our strength & entrained for Alexandria.
Paid 100 piastres (£1.0.6.)

Wednesday 7.6.16
March with full packs up.
Since our arrival in this camp the food has been very poor; practically the worst food we have had during our stay in Egypt; complaints have been lodged by a few of the boys & we are in hopes of improvement from date. Piquet again to-night

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now doing shifts of 2 hours on & 4 off. During afternoon were given a few points by Capt Lind on Entraining & Embarking.
Mail opened again to-day.

Thursday 8.6.16
Six months today since our arrival in Egypt; six months too long.
Meeting of sports committee in connection with Brigade sports which are to take place on Saturday. Relieved from piquet 7 pm.

Friday 9.6.16
Sports meeting in connection with our unit to ascertain likely competitors in Brigade sports to-morrow. 9 am helmet practice afternoon parade.

Saturday 10/6/16
Brigade sports day, some very

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interesting & exciting events contested. Our transport entered for the best turned out general service limber, & much to the delight of all the unit; were successful in pulling off 1st prize; All looking forward now to the Divisional sports laid down for Tuesday next. Pitched tents again which were struck about 8 or 9 days ago, prior to our anticipated departure.

Sunday 11.6.16
Church parade; reference made to the death of Lord Kitchener

Monday 12/6/16
The whole of the unit marched to the palms on the opposite bank of the lake at Ismailia, where we spent a very pleasant morning at our leisure, returning to camp at 12 noon. Have been given very little work since the postponement of our departure.

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Tuesday 12/6/16
Divisional sports which were to have been held today, have been postponed till tomorrow, on account of memorial service [indecipherable] Lord Kitchener. Service held at 6 pm; very impressive. Tents again struck & this time we are quartered in a marquee, previously used as a hospital. Piquet from 7 pm

Wednesday 14/6/16
Twelve months to-day since I enlisted.
Divisional sports day; on piquet, but obtained permission to attend.
Our unit again took first prize for best turned out limber, against allcomers of the Division. Relieved from piquet 7 pm.

Thursday 15/6/16
Spent the morning in the lake swimming. Detailed for duty at railway siding 5 pm where I remained till 9 pm

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loading our wagons on the train. Two small parties of the unit entrained to-night; one under Col Sheperd & the other under Capt Irving for Alexandria to embark, SS Rhesus.

Friday 16.6.16
Camp taken over by 14th F. Amb. Remained in vicinity of Camp till 9 pm, when we moved away to Moascar Siding, where we entrained on open goods trucks & left about 10.45 amid great rejoicing.

Saturday 17/6/16
Spent rather a cool night on the goods truck; arriving at the end of our journey about 7 AM, none the worse for our trip. After a considerable delay we embarked & were stowed right below in very unhealthy quarters. The boat is one of the Cunard line ("Transylvania") which previously travelled to New York, but is at present in a very filthy

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state below. Allotted to messes & issued with lifebelts which we either have to wear or carry about during the day & use as a pillow at night. Slept on deck, conditions practically unbearable below. When we retired we were still at anchor waiting to put to sea.

Sunday 18/6/16
Put to sea at 10 AM. Owing to number of troops on board, the meals are carried out in three sittings. Sea very calm; paraded with life belts 10 AM. Alarm blew at 3.30 pm.

Monday 19/6/16
Sea very calm. Practically the whole of the day hugging the shores of the Island of Crete. Picked up by the destroyer "Ripple" early in the morning, which escorted us till

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late in the night but then left us, looked fine ploughing to & fro in front of our bows.

Tuesday 20/6/16
Still very calm. Picked up by another escort about 10 AM; the O.2 a destroyer of a much later type. Parades 10 AM & 3.30 pm.

Wednesday 21/6/16
Blew very hard during the night; struck it rather rough sleeping on deck. Escort still hangs closely to us. Passed Malta early this morning on the Starboard side. Inspected by GOC at 3.15 pm. Passed Cape Bonde [?] at 7 pm.

Thursday 22/6/16
Discarded our summer uniform. Weather becoming much cooler; rained slightly this morning, first we have experienced for some time. Expect to reach port to-morrow.

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Friday 23/6/16
Slowed down in vicinity of Marseille about 6 AM & took the pilot on board. Entered harbour & moored 8 AM. Wonderful harbour for its size; traffic very congested, great activity in & around the port; Numbers of German prisoners working on the wharves under guard. Left ship with baggage guard 1.30 pm, entrained 5.30. Country around Marseilles very fine. Miramas first station of importance, quite a treat to travel through such country after what we have experienced for the past 6 months. Days very long sun sets about 9 pm & it is daylight till almost 10 pm

Saturday 24/6/16
Train stopped at Orange at 1 AM & tea served out to all on board

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Passed through some magnificent country during the day. Arrived at City of Lyon, the city of the Seven Bridges, about 8.30 AM. Numbers of women & girls working in railway yards. Tea served out by the red cross girls at Lyon, 4 pm, very acceptable. Stopped at Les Laumes for an hour for tea.

Sunday 25/6/16
Issued with rations at Juvisy; branched off here & continued our journey at 8.15 AM. Sighted Paris & Effel Tower in distance from Forveaux. Stopped at Pontoise for lunch; crowds of children gather round at each stop & ask for "bully beef or biscuit". Red cross girls served out tea at Abbeville. Arrived at Etaplse, near coast 9 pm; large Australian camps

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on the outskirts of the town. Passed through Boulogne 10.30 pm

Monday 26/6/16
Arrived at Steinbecque 4 AM, where we disentrained after a 58 hour train journey. Marched into village of Morbecque where we were billeted in huts (canvas) erected for the purpose. Whole of the country en-route, beautiful, people out in every town to welcome us. Now within hearing of the guns at La Bassee. Granted two hours leave during afternoon; walked a couple of miles into town of Hazebrouck; while there went into cathedral & had a look around, very fine building. Fine church in practically every village. Rained very heavily during night; sheds we are at present in leak very badly, had an uncomfortable time for a few

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hours.

Tuesday 27/6/16
Awakened during the night by the sound of heavy firing in the distance.
Officers billeted in houses close by.

Wednesday 28/6/16
Fatigue work, packing equipment in an old barn. Raining hard practically all morning. Route march of about 8 or 9 miles. 30th Btn Band played in town at night.

Thursday 29/6/16
Rained during night. Route march again this morning. Played N.Z.C.C. Hospital, Cricket. Won by 11 wickets & 50 odd runs. Scored 18 & 32 not out; also took 5 for 3. Went on Dental Parade.

Friday 30/6/16
Windy & cold. Again went on Dental parade. Spent afternoon at Hazebrouck

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Saturday 1/7/16
Route march of about 8 miles to the village of Le Panc [?]. All L Cpls in Corp reduced to the rank of Private. In the distance could see the enemy aeroplanes under fire of our aircraft guns.

Sunday 2/7/16
Our Artillery very active the last few night. Commenced firing very early last night & made things warm the whole of the night. Church parade 9.30 AM.

Monday 3.7.16
Appointed L/Cpl & transferred to C Section. Piquet Corporal for the day.
Capt Lind transferred to 14th F. Amb & Major McCartney attached in his stead. Practical experience of a gas attack

Tuesday 4.7.16
Visited N.Z. baths. Rained very hard during

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afternoon. Transport arrived here this afternoon from Abbeville.

Wednesday 5.7.16
Loaded wagons in readiness for moving off. Issued with 2 gas helmets which we are compelled to carry always, also glasses to counteract the effect of the tear bombs.
Small tube of Iodine given to each man for use in the field. Paid 25 Francs 17/11

Thursday 6.7.16
Barn piquet. Results of pay day; disturbance in camp at night among some of the men who imbibed too freely

Friday 7.7.16
Mail from home, first for over 6 weeks. Capt Donald visited camp. Received instruction to move off in morning.

Saturday 8.7.16
Moved off from Morbecque in rain about 9 AM. Roads very muddy in parts. Passed through Merville at midday. Numbers of Infantrymen

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dropped out along the road. Stopped for lunch outside Merville. Arrived Estaires 5 pm, where we were billeted in an attic for the night, rather a poor billet. After tea wended my way to baths in Le Gouge – separated from Estaires by canal – passed guard on bridge & had a bath also secured change of clothes. Felt effects of march on cobble stone roads.

Sunday 9.7.16
Fell in at 9 AM to move on but were delayed & did not get moving till 12 noon. Through being in danger zone had to string out while marching along road; had charge of communication line between main body & transport. Marched on till 5 pm, when we halted for the night at a Farm house at Erquinghem, to the right of Armentieres. Getting nearer the firing line. Battery in wood

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close by played up during the night.

Monday 10.7.16
Arose 7.30 feeling much better for the nights rest, although we were disturbed during the night by a gas alarm. Received parcel from home, but received instructions to move off to the trenches about an hour after receiving it. Moved away with a party of 20 others & marched single file through Flaubaix, at an interval of 100 yards, till we reached the saps. Wended out way for about ¾ of a mile through saps. Four [?] of us were stationed at the R.A.P. & remainder taken to various other positions. Now about 250 yds behind front line & settled down for work.

Tuesday 11.7.16
Went to Btn H qrs to draw rations. Rather difficult to find way about various saps & trenches. Spent an hour & a half in the front trenches & had the opportunity

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of viewing German trenches through periscope. Very heavy fire from Artillery of both sides during night. Flares sent up from all points of line, at times as light as day. Machine guns played about our dug out for hours.

Wednesday 12/7/16
Quiet morning but rater a hard afternoon; number of casualties result of bombing in the 55 Btn. Very nasty carrying along saps, duck boards narrow, likelihood of slipping over side. Relieved at 10 pm.

Thursday 13/7/16
Btn refused to issue rations through some misunderstanding. Went to Hqrs to report. Passed through Fleurbaix under Artillery fire. A couple of high explosive shells landed close by; caused quite a stir in town

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Glass fell from windows & people rushed in every direction for shelter.

Friday 14.7.16
Fritz shelled a battery of Artillery to the rear of us with heavy high explosive shells practically the whole of the afternoon & was successful in putting one of our 18 pounders out of action.

Saturday 15.7.16
Saturday 15.7.16
Again went to H.qrs fro rations & again had the experience of being under shell fire while passing through Fleurbaix. Saw the men digging out the gun which was yesterday put out of action. Good deal of shrapnel flying about practically the whole of the morning. Fairly heavy bombardment commenced about 9 pm which was followed up by the Germans sending out a raiding party; gave our boys a hot time till about midnight. We were working till about two o’clock taking over the wounded.

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Sunday 16.7.16
Tommies relieved 55 Bt. last night & were certainly given a lively reception.
Our Artillery very active, some of the Batteries are continually in action.

Monday 17/7/16
Again went & took charge of our detail at R.A.P. Shropshires now in front line trenches, some of them are very fine fellows. Restricted from writing more than 3 two page letters per week.

Tuesday 18.7.16
Presented with a good deal more shrapnel & a number of H.E. shells during day from Fritz. Preparations being made for a very heavy bombardment to-morrow. Retired at 1.30 AM

Wednesday 19.7.16
A day I will never forget.
Pulled out at 4 Am after having only 2½ hours sleep, to take over 1 officer & 3 men

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of the Shropshires who had been wounded. Our boys commenced bombarding the enemy about 11 Am & kept up a steady bombardment till 5 pm, when it became very heavy & was kept up till 7 pm when our lads went over the top in order to try & occupy a couple of lines of German trenches. Were successful in occupying first 3 lines of trenches, but were unable to hold them & were repulsed with very heavy losses.
Working the whole of the night collecting the wounded who had come slightly to the left of our R.A.P. Congratulated by the MO of the Shropshires on the manner in which we worked & evacuated the 50 wounded which passed through our hands during the night; tough work for 8 of us.

Thursday 20/7/16
Feeling the strain after working all night. Withdrawn from R.A.P. about 10 Am &

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sent into trenches where 8th Brigade were in action the previous night. Trenches in an awful state, hundreds of dead & wounded lying in the trench, an awful sight to see the manner in which they were mutilated, hundreds of others lying in no man’s land, but cannot be brought in till night. After 8th Brigade wound had been collected, sent to 15 Bgde trenches, casualties much heavier in this section & 14 Brigade suffered likewise. Arrived at this section 11.30 pm

Friday 21.7.16
Worked all night again till 10.30 this morning. Wounded being brought in in hundreds all night from no mans land & there are many there who are too near to the enemy lines & will never be brought in. Relieved at 11 Am & very soon fell asleep, woke up not knowing whether it was today or

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to-morrow, had 2½ hours sleep in 75.
Arrived back at H’Qrs at 6 pm. 3324 wounded have been collected during the past two days by the B Field Ambulances of the Division. The dead, missing & prisoners have to be added to that number.

Saturday 22/7/16
Action which took place here a few days back & in which we were engaged, reported as having taken place at Fromelles (2 miles south of Armentieres). Feeling very much refreshed after a good nights rest. Shelled here last evening & landed five shells in the grounds adjoining the billet. Very few wounded came through to-day.

Sunday 23/7/16
Very quiet day. Piquet Corporal. Seven motor ambulance wagons

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taken on strength. Attended service at night conducted by one of our boys in the mess hut. Our present billet is a brewery where work is being carried out as usual.

Monday 24.7.16
Walked to Armentieres, a distance of about 4 miles fairly large town, but has been somewhat battered about since the beginning of the war. Met Capt Chaplain Cranston & had a very pleasant yarn with him.

Tuesday 25.7.16
Still very quiet on our part of the line, very few casualties coming through. Official report re casualty list from 19th inst states that there were 9000 Casualties among in our division

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Wednesday 26.7.16
Orderly Corp for the day. Only C section left in camp as A Sec are out in the trenches & B Sec have taken over the Divisional Baths at Erquingham.

Thursday 27.7.16
Piquet Corp. Spent afternoon with Ern Hawkless. Rumours flying about re leave again starting.

Friday 28.7.16
Still at Headquarters. Went to the baths at Sailly about 2 miles from the billet. Hundreds waiting their turn to have a bath & secure a change of clothing. A treat to be in close proximity to such a place.

Saturday 29.7.16
Walked into Erquingham & while there saw Fritz shell &

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fire a fine church in Fleurbaix, which burnt to the ground.
Have packed our goods in readiness for a further move. Late in the evening Fritz put a great deal of shrapnel over into the town & wounded a number on the streets.
Voluntarily went down on duty bent, but fortunately found none who required attention, while there had a look around the ruins of the church which was still burning. Buildings on both sides of the street burning fiercely.

Sunday 30.7.16
Attended church service this morning. 15 more of C sec taken away to Div baths

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hardly enough left in camp to carry out camp duties.

Monday 31.7.16
About 60 of us have to toe the Carpet this morning for having in our possession, government property – to wit, blanket (spare) which should have been handed into the quarter store. Gave a satisfactory explanation & my charge was withdrawn.

Tuesday 1.8.16
Weather has been rather warm for the past few days. Advance party left for Divisional Rest Station at Doulieu.

Wednesday 2.8.16
Whole of the morning preparing to move to D.R.S. Left Fort Rompu (Bac St Maur) at 3 pm & arrived at D.R.S. about 5 pm. Given charge of

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the pantry with two assistants.

Thursday 3.8.16
Spent whole of the morning getting place in order; left very untidy by the Ambulance who we replaced. Have to make out menu for each day & draw necessary foodstuffs.

Friday 4.8.16
Getting more used to new work, rather intricate at first but now becoming much easier. About 180 patients on rolls at present . A & B Sec. arrived here to-day but are not to take part in the D.R. running of the D.R.S.

Saturday 5.8.16
Large mail from home, first for over 3 weeks.

Sunday 6.8.16
Heavy bombardment during the

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whole of last night. Church service held by Corp Cosier in mess shed, too busy to attend.

Monday 7.8.16
Went on duty in motor to Estaires & Bac St Maur, returning to Estaires where I spent a couple of hours before returning. Walked back, arriving at D.R.S. about 6 pm.

Tuesday 8.8.16
In evening walked a mile or so along a country lane in Doulieu to look over an old windmill; very interesting.

Wednesday 9.8.16
No variation in daily routine. Taking advantage of opportunities & living very high; good news coming from all fronts; on the whole, in good spirits.

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Thursday 10th, Friday 11th & Saturday 12th August 1916
Very quiet; days rather warm, very little activity on front out from us.
Harvesting in full swing around us.

Sunday 13.8.16
First Anniversary of the formation of the 8th F.Amb. Lecture by Major Williams to all N.C.Os on discipline.
Pte Howard of B.Sec awarded the D.C.M. for distinguished conduct on the day of the attack; July 19th.

Monday 14.8.16
A & B Section left for Estaires where they are to go into Billets.

Tuesday 15.8.16
King George passed through Saillie [Sailly] & Surrounding districts to day; seen by a few of our lads. Rained a good deal during the day. Good news of great Russian

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victory on the Eastern front.

Wednesday 16.8.16
Quiet as usual, rained slightly, Paid 40 Francs, £1.8.8

Thursday 17.8.16
Still raining, roads very muddy.
Received letters & parcels from home. Had a look over a fine old church in Doulieu a few days back, which was completely burnt out by the Germans, with the use of petroleum.

Friday 18.8.16
A & B Sec came here route marching this morning, appear to be getting a rough time with squad drill again.

Saturday 19.8.16
Rained hard during morning. Dozens of Tommies come here direct from Somme & look much the worse for their experience; they tell some very appaling tales of the Slaughter

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on that part of the line.

Sunday 20.8.16
Nothing to relate; spent a very quiet day:

Monday 21.8.16
Received another parcel from home containing photographic material. Heavy thunderstorm during night; days getting much shorter & mornings cold.

Tuesday 22.8.16 to Saturday 26.8.16.
Nothing unusual to relate. Rained practically the whole of the time on & off. Large number of admissions, mostly Tommies from the Somme who certainly require a spell.

Sunday 27.8.16
Played cricket against a team of Tommies. Wicket very much against batting, scored only 2 out of 30 made by the side,

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but took 10 wickets for 13 runs; game ended in our favour by 4 wickets & about 30 runs.

Monday 28.8.16
A number of A & B section came here to-day from Estaires to assist in harvesting, which is now in full swing.

Tuesday 29.8.16
I intended riding to Bailleul but was disappointed, not being able to get the bike. Enemy planes overhead to-day shelled by our aircraft guns.

Wednesday 30.8.16
Went by car to Hazebrouck & although it was raining hard, spent a very pleasant day. Took the opportunity of procuring a few articles.

Thursday 31.8.16
Beautiful day, although surrounding country is very muddy & in a bad state. Had a couple of parcels

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censored & sent them on their way home.

Friday 1.9.16
Fine again to-day: has been raining for almost a fortnight on & off; a treat to see sunshine.

Saturday 2.9.16
Walked to Bailleul, about 6½ miles from here & bought a few more articles to send home. Feel the effects of the walk, for I have had no occasion to do any walking for the past month. Bailleul a fine old town of no small dimensions. Church a beautiful building, but very ancient; spent some time inside the building.

Sunday 3.9.16
Played cricket against a team of Tommies from the Motor Machine Gun section & again

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had a comfortable win by an innings & 2 runs; scored 2 & took 3 wickets for 11 runs: So far we have not been beaten. Rained fairly hard during the game.

Monday 4.9.16
Sent parcel home (registered) containing paper knife & brooches, Expect to have all patients evacuated & be away from here by end of week.

Tuesday 5.9.16
Bleak & Cold; rained practically the whole of the day.

Wednesday 6.9.16
In spite of the rain our Artillery still keeps up a heavy bombardment.
The wet weather appears to have a great effect on the shells which Fritz sends over, for a very large percentage fail to explode. We apparently

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take advantage of this & let him know it with a vengeance. Good news from the Somme.

Thursday 7.9.16
Getting ready to move from here. Walked to Steenwerck in the evening about 6 Kilos & quite enjoyed it.

Friday 8.9.16
Practically all the patients evacuated.
Walked almost to Neuf Berquin where the Germans committed some awful atrocities during the early part of the war. Endeavouring to get in trim after the easy life of the past six weeks.

Saturday 9.9.16
Nothing of interest to relate.

Sunday 10.9.16
Heavy firing from the Armoured train which came up in the

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vicinity during the night: Played a team of A.S.C. & although a far superior team to the others we have met; won by 68 runs. Scored 21 not out.

Monday 11.9.16
As the happy home has been broken up, had to revert to Fatigue work of which there is any amount just at present. This camp is being closed down for the winter.

Tuesday 12.9.16
Fatigue work practically the whole of the day. Very quiet on front out from where we are at present. Generally a lull before a storm.

Wednesday 13.9.16
More fatigue. Had the pleasure of witnessing for the first time, a heavy battery of 6" naval

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guns drawn by traction engines & followed by a line of supply wagons, in column of route. They are certainly no toys. Raining very heavy to-night. Received mail from home.

Thursday 14.9.16
Left Doulieu after six pleasant weeks & marched to Estaires to occupy a billet prepared for us

Friday 15.9.16
Paraded at Headquarters & were inspected by Col Shepherd. After parade were marched to the Baths which are being carried on by B Section. Paraded at H’qrs again at 2 pm & were given squad drill which comes very hard after all these months of training. Walked to

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La-Gourge in the evening & for the first time I had the pleasure of hearing a fife & drum band.

Saturday 16.9.16
Much cooler than usual. Walked to Merville during afternoon, about 6 Kilos & returned through Neuf Berquin about 7½ Kilos; long but pleasant walk. Distribution of honors took place at Merville just prior to our arrival, consequently the town was full of military men of high rank, also a good number of men who had received honors. Met five Tommies who had received the Military Medal; they were 5 of 27 who came back from an attack made by 670 on the Somme on July 1st last.

Sunday 17.9.16

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Church Service at 9.30 in Y.M.C.A. First time I have had the opportunity to go to church for months. Paid a visit to the cemetery here, where a great number of our boys have been laid to rest; Afterwards walked through La Gourge, on to Lestrem & took another road to Merville returning by the Canal road to Estaires. Leave list drawn, my luck out drew 217th place. Received letters from home acknowledging receipt of cable sent from Fort Rompu after the stunt.

Monday 18.9.16
Raining hard. Lecture on Cause & prevention of frost bite. Went to divisional picture show

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at La Gourge; quite a good show for 2d

Tuesday 19.9.16
Sent with a party of 12 to Doulieu to assist 15th F. Amb. to pull down some of the huts. Returned about 5 pm.

Wednesday 20.9.16
Again went to Doulieu in charge of a party to again assist in the pulling down of the huts. Caught in heavy rain returning & arrived in camp wet through. Received parcel from home dated 6th August.

Thursday 21.9.16
Practically whole of the day loading waggons. Leaving here very early to morrow for somewhere in the vicinity of Armentieres. Advance guard left this afternoon.

[Page 46]

Friday 22.9.16
Reveille 3.45 A.M. Breakfast 4.45 Am & marched to Armentieres via Nieppe. Arrived at our destination about 10.15 AM. Billeted in a very large school, which is being used as an advanced dressing station; also supplying men for the trenches. Town knocked about owing to the continuous bombardment by the enemy.

Saturday 23.9.16
Walked to the Northern part of the town while off duty. Whole of this portion practically deserted. Streets practically covered with barbed wire & grown over with grass; every indication of heavy street fighting having taken place in this part of the town.

[Page 47]

Sunday 24.9.16
Piquet corporal. Relieved at 4 pm. All very quiet on this front, with the exception of an occasional bombardment. Went to service in Y.M.C.A. at night, conducted by Capt Chaplain Cranston.

Monday 25.9.16
Fritz shelled the town in the evening; 8 casualties were brought to us, including 2 officers

Tuesday 26.9.16
Went to picture show at night but Fritz shelled the building just as the show commenced, consequently it closed down & we had to take shelter elsewhere

Wednesday 27.9.16
Town again bombarded in the afternoon. Two killed & 7 or 8 wounded; becoming quite a regular occurence. Alf Poulton

[Page 48]

of A Section wounded by a high explosive shell & taken through to Casualty Clearing Hospital. Fall of Combles & Thiepval officially reported.

Thursday 28.9.16
Fritz commenced to bombard about 4pm & landed a 15 centimetre high explosive shell in a workshop occupied ay the time by the Fifth Divisional Pioneers, about 70 or 80 yards from us. Six were killed & 8 or 9 others wounded. Total casualties in the town for the afternoon were 10 killed & 25 wounded. People of the town become terrified.

Friday 29.9 16
On account of an expected bombardment, all off duty were

[Page 49]

ordered into a cellar of a brewery close by, which is stored with provisions & kept for the purpose. Paid 40 Francs - £1.8.8

Saturday 30.9.16
Relieved from Piquet at 4 pm. This afternoon shells lobbed directly in front & just to the rear of our billet; the concussion breaking a number of the windows. Fortunately there were no casualties.

Sunday 1.10.16
Outskirts of the town bombarded practically the whole of the day. Very interesting to watch the result of the shelling from the top story of our billet. Church service at night.

Monday 2.10.16
Fritz bombarded La Bizet over the canal from Armentieres practically the whole of the day. Very interesting

[Page 50]

to watch the result of the shelling from the top of our billet.

Monday 2.10.16
Rained hard during the day. Went to picture show; third attempt; each previous time being shelled away from the place. Received parcel from home.

Tuesday 3.10.16
Still raining. Have bad cold in head, probably result of trip to cellar a few days back when we were compelled to seek shelter. Still continue on the piquet stunt at Headquarters.

Wednesday 4.10.16
Very little doing during afternoon, but we were kept busy with a bombardment practically the whole of the night. Large building fired in the town about

[Page 51]

10 pm; few of the New Zealanders killed by shell fire while endeavouring to put out the fire. Casualties brought through us as the result of the shelling of the town numbered well over 20; 4 or 5 others were killed. Numbers were taken through the "Tommy" Field Ambulances as well.

Thursday 5.10.16
Walked to Le Bizet where shelling took place a few days back. Whole place deserted; not a house occupied at present. Night are very long now clocks have been put back an hour. (Sunday 1.10.16) it is dark at a little after 5 pm; no lights allowed after dark.

Friday 6.10.16
Twelve or 15 brought in through

[Page 52]

the night suffering from the effects of our own gas. Fortunately none of them are very badly gassed. Issued with a new hat a couple of days back. Mail from home.

Saturday 7.10.16
Fritz has been rather quiet for the past two days. Twenty-ninth Btn, raided unsuccessfully last night, subsequently we had a number of casualties through us.

Sunday 8.10.16
Received more letters from home. Very quiet on the front line in this sector. Met Young Gascoygne from Hunter’s Hill yesterday, had quite a long yarn to him. Very heavy Australian casualty lists published in the Home papers of late. Church

[Page 53]

service in Y.M.C.A.

Monday 9.10.16
Walked through Erquinghem & home through Nieppe. No shelling by the enemy for the past few days. All shops & estaminets in the whole of this area closed to troops on account of an outbreak of diptheria

Tuesday 10.10.16
On piquet till 4 pm. Very quiet day in every way. Spent evening in Y.M.C.A.

Wednesday 1.10.16
Walked out to A.D.S. at Houplines which is being run by B. Section Tent Division. Debate in Y.M.C.A. at night, Conscription V Anti Conscription, feeling appears to be strongly for no conscription. Did 12 to 2 AM. shift on piquet on account of one of the lads not being too well.

[Page 54]

During that time our chaps bombarded the enemy very heavily.

Thursday 12.10.16
Preparing to move in a day or so. Not at all sorry for this billet has not been a very pleasant one. 31st Battalion raided enemy trenches successfully, but suffered casualties to the extent of 4 killed & 22 wounded.

Friday 13.10.16
Off duty, walked around the outskirts of Armentieres. Have done a good deal of walking since our arrival in France. German prisoner (wounded) brought in here last night; a fine big fellow of a Bavarian Regiment who were opposed to our [indecipherable] last night: Expect to move from here to-morrow.

[Page 55]

Saturday 14.10.16
Left Armentieres by motor lorries & arrived at Strazelle about 10.30 AM. Billeted in an old barn. After lunch walked to Strazelle Station about 1 kilo 7; later in day walked to Fletre (4 kilos) A fine old village, arrived back after losing our way about 6 pm. Spent remainder of night in Y.M.C.A. yarning to a few of the 30 Btn boys.

Sunday 15.10.16
Route march with packs up to Vieu Berquin 3 kilos. After parade walked to Caestre 3 kilos 7. Church at night in Y.M.C.A.

Monday 16.10.16
Handed 1 blanket in at 7 AM. Recorded our vote re conscription Referendum at 11 AM. in meantime walked to Meteren 4 kilos. Afternoon route march to Caestre & back through Fletre, altogether about 12 kilos. Very trying marching on

[Page 56]

cobble stone roads.

Tuesday 17.10.16
Preparing to move further on to-day. Felt the cold during the night with only 1 blanket. Left Strazelle at 2 pm & marched to Bailleul to entrain, about 9 kilos.
After putting wagons on train, moved out about 6 pm. 40 of us to a horse box, quite a tangle when we tried to stretch out.

Wednesday 18.10.16
Travelled all night. Disentrained at Longpre at 7.30 AM. Unloaded wagons & marched off at 9 AM. Marched through L’Etoile & on to Ergnies where we arrived & billeted at 3.30 pm. March very heavy owing to the rain & the heavy roads. As usual the shortage of rations did not tend to make the march any easier. People here very ungrateful, even refusing to give a drop of hot

[Page 57]

water, quite the reverse to the people of the north. Unable to purchase anything in this village.

Thursday 19.10.16
Slept in an old house on a stone slab floor, very poor night; pulled out at 4.30 Am to move off early, but owing to other arrangements being made failed to move away as expected. Raining very hard, place in an awful state. Each man issued with his own daily ration to cook; prepared quite a good meal – grilled steak & stewed apples, from an orchard close by.

Friday 20.10.16
Reveille 5.30 AM. Left Ergnies about 8 & marched across country to a French Motor Convoy waiting to convey us further on our way. Passed through Flexicourt, Belloy &

[Page 58]

Piquigny, where we crossed the "Somme". Continued on through Amiens to Dernancourt, a couple of Kilos outside Albert. Marched the last couple of miles owing to the enormous amount of traffic on the roads. Billet in an old barn fitted up with beds made of wire-netting. Very cold night.

Saturday 21.10.16
No occasion for reveille at 5.30, could not sleep on account of the cold; practically in agony, cold so severe. Marched off at 8.30 glad to get moving. Thousands of troops of all description moving on the roads. Hundreds of German prisoners used in making & repairing roads. Arrived at Mametz wood about 3.30. Passed the remains of a few old villages; hardly able to find traces of them

[Page 59]

Many German dug-out along the route. Camped for the night on edge of Mametz Wood; slept under a tarpaulin.

Sunday 22.10.16
Started out early to get further towards the real thing. Put in an old dug out at "Green dump" from where we were sent out to various relay posts to take wounded from line. Worked from 4 pm to 3 Am when we were relieved by 14 F. Amb. Heavy bombardment going on the whole of the time. Whole of country around here a mass of shell holes.

Monday 23.10 16
Turned in at 4 AM. Went out in the line again at 4 pm. Sent to R.A.P. post behind front line. Pitch dark & raining, country in such a state practically impossible to carry a

[Page 60]

stretcher. Cannot keep your feet while walking alone. Relieved at midnight.

Tuesday 24.10.16
Arrived back at 5 Am from furthest post practically exhausted, cannot keep your feet a second; slept till 11 Am Sent out to furthest post again at night; never before experienced such an awful night, five of a part of 8 I had with me broke up. Fritz sniped a stretcher party of us with High explosive shells; had to take stretcher & all in a sap for shelter.
Relieved at 12, back at base 3.30 AM. Blistered heels through feet being constantly wet. Covered in mud from head to foot & sopping wet. Quiet a picture of beauty. Lots of the boys knocking up.

[Page 61]

Wednesday 25.10.16
All went out at 12 noon to take up the farthest posts for 30 hours. Very quiet during night. Feeling much the worse for wear. Issue of rations of 30 hours hardly enough for 1 meal. Rained again at night.

Thursday 26.10.16
Fritz shelled heavily practically the whole of the morning causing a few casualties around our post. Expect a "hop over" any day. Relieved by 14th F Amb. 7 pm
arrived back at camp 10 pm.

Friday 27.10.16
Received parcel & mail from home, very acceptable under the circumstances. Detailed for duty at Headquarters making a couple of sledges to carry wounded, remainder of boys who are fit take up posts again for 48 hours; a good

[Page 62]

many knocking up. Continually wet owing to having to work knee deep in mud & water.

Saturday 28.10.16
Reported to H’qrs & made a couple of sledges which will probably relieve the strain of the 7000 yds carry from the line. Raining hard to-day.

Sunday 29.10.16
Still raining, again reported to H’qrs. Unable to write home for the past fortnight. Issue of rations very poor of late. Fritz shelled heavily & in very close proximity to our dug-out. Lads came in after 48 hours.

Monday 30.10.16
Again went out on the line for 48 hours. Very heavy night under poor conditions; wet the whole of

[Page 63]

the night.

Tuesday 31.10.16
Pleased to see daylight as nights are now very long & shelter very poor. Hundreds being brought through ill; its wonderful how any of the men live under such conditions. Moved out to furthest post at 2 pm to an old German dug-out.

Wednesday 1.11.16
A number of the 60 Btn attached to us as bearers. Had plenty to do during the night & all to-day. All anxiously looking forward to relief from this part of the line. Stunt postponed owing to bad weather & poor condition of the men. Relieved at 2.30 by 14 F.Amb. Appreciated getting between the blankets after being crouched up

[Page 64]

in a dug-out for two nights without a wink of sleep.

Thursday 2.11.16
Large sick parade, only 8 of our section left including myself. Have heavy cold & slight trench feet but stuck it out. Went out again to the posts, but work getting harder each day. Quite a common occurrence to get stuck in the mud while carrying a stretcher. Received a few letters prior to leaving camp but owing to heavy work from the time we took over post from 15th F Amb, was unable to read them till late at night. Expect to be relieved by a second division amb to-morrow. Five of 15 F Amb wounded by shrapnel a few minutes after we relieved them.

[Page 65]

Friday 3.11.16
Fairly busy day. Great aerial activity during afternoon, over 70 planes in the air at once. 14 F. Amb relieved by 6th F Amb & we again took up far posts to await relief.

Saturday 4.11.16
Passed the night in an awkward corner of one of Fritz’s old dug-outs. Relieved as expected by 7th F Amb at 11 Am & returned to prepare to move away, but were sadly disappointed when we were informed that we had to carry on as usual till 5th F Amb came up.

Sunday 5.11.16
Heavy artillery duels. Had to again go on duty in lieu of 5th F Amb who failed to put in an appearance. Struck a stunt; 27 & 28 Btn

[Page 66]

went over the top, gained their objective but had to retire again. Casualties very heavy. Fritz shelled very heavily around us & caught a battery close by.

Monday 6.11.16
Kept going continuously the whole of the night; rained about midnight & made work much harder. Practically the whole of us dead beat, but had to continue carrying till 12 noon when we were relieved by 6 F Amb, 5th F Amb took over advanced posts. Feel the strain of short rations.

Tuesday 7.11.16
Marched away from Green Dump at 8.30 AM; pleased to get away from the continuous roar of the heavy guns. The work which we have been carrying out during our period of

[See Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18, vol 3, page 918]

[Page 67]

duty here, has been very hard owing to the distance of the carry & the mud & rain. Have been working on front in vicinity of Flers, Guerdecourt & Le Sars. Have been wet for the whole of the time we have been here & have very rarely had the opportunity to wash or shave. Camped for the night at Main Dressing station Becordel, being run by 15 F.Amb.

Wednesday 8.11.16
Spent the day in idleness, awaiting orders to move further on, but everything points to us remaining here. Rained practically the whole day.

Thursday 9.11.16
Twelve months to-day since I left home. Remain in same spot as yesterday. Engaged in road repair work much against our will. Jumped on lorry at night & went to Albert, had a look around & walked home. Has been

[Page 68]

a fine town, but now awfully knocked about owing to continuous heavy bombardment. Leaning steeple of church a great land mark. Our Q.M. paid us a visit to take a list of shortages. Losing a few of our old Officers.

Friday 10.11.16
Very heavy bombardment going on, on front where we have just come from. On road repair work again. Any amount of peace rumours flying about.

Saturday 11.11.16
Wrote home. Still on roads. Weather has been fine for the past couple of days. Fritz unexpectedly shelled us here to-night, caused quite a stir among the majority in camp.

Sunday 12.11.16
Church parade at 10 AM. Cleaned up

[Page 69]

camp during afternoon. So far have had no opportunity of a rest which we certainly need.

Monday 13.11.16
More road work, becoming quite an expert ganger. Taken to Fricourt baths in afternoon for a bath, first for a month. Met Roy McPhee & Johnstone from Hospital. Having rather a rough time with 15 F.Amb; they are giving us a very poor deal.

Tuesday 14.11.16
Working in a quarry. No time whatever to ourselves. 18th 19th & 20th Btns hopped over parapet & took ridge before Baupaume. Subsequently there was a rush of wounded; had to work all night.

Wednesday 15.11.16
Off duty for morning. Issued with gloves & sheep skin vest. Went with

[Page 70]

party to Meaulte siding to load trains. Very cold; out practically the whole of the night.

Thursday 16.11.16
Arrived back in Camp at 3 AM. Turned in & slept till fairly late. Sent out after lunch to M.M. dump to draw heaters; again very cold.

Friday 17.11.16
No duty. Troubled with Neuralgia of late; not feeling too well.

Saturday 18.11.16
Surprised to see a very heavy fall of snow this morning; weather exceedingly cold of late. On duty in quarry loading limbers with stone. Rained all morning.

Sunday 19.11.16
General duties about camp. Expect to be going out again in a few days to do a turn in the line.

[Page 71]

Monday 20.11.16
14 F Amb went out to take over A.D.S. Not quite as cold as usual. Turned out to unload train about 8pm. Issued with 48 hours rations.

Tuesday 21.11.16
Turned out at 6 Am & moved off in motors for about 2 miles. Walked remained of distance to Bernafay Wood near Longueval.

Wednesday 22.11.16
Made ourselves comfortable & had a fairly good night. Morning very foggy. Working two days in line & 4 out. 14 F.Amb relieved by 15th F Amb today, our turn will fall due in a couple of days time. Fatigue work at A.D.S. Met Tom Martin, 1st Div pioneers & spent a couple of hours with him. A couple of Taubes brought down in close proximity to

[Page 72]

where we are camping. Great aerial activity immediately after fog lifted.

Thursday 23.11.16
Fatigues at A.D.S. Again foggy. Fritz shelled heavily within a few hundred yards of us & caught an A.S.C. depot.

Friday 24.11.16
Cold & windy. Left camp about 1 pm to take up posts on line. Working out from Delville wood & Le Beoufs. Quite a route march to farthest post which I was unfortunate enough to strike. Fritz shelled us on the way out & again shelled heavily at about 8 pm. Very long distance to carry, but going much better than on the other front we worked a few weeks back.

Saturday 25.11.16

[Page 73]

Fairly quiet. Rained hard this morning.

Sunday 26.11.16
Fritz shelled heavily practically the whole day. Relieved at 3 pm, arrived back at camp about 5 pm, where a mail was awaiting our return. Roads in an awful state, mud up to our knees.

Monday 27.11.16
Rested all day. Sgt Thompson & Sgt Roberts evacuated & being only N.C.O. left in C. section was put in charge. Wrote long letter home; issued with top boots.

Tuesday 28.11.16
In charge of wood gathering party in Bernafay wood. Very heavy fog. Hundreds coming through from front line with trench feet. Camping near Bernafay Wood; Trones wood to the

[Page 74]

rear, Longueval & Delville wood not far distant.

Wednesday 29.11.16
Again in charge of wood fatigue. Heavy fog & frost; icicles hanging all day. Met Bob from [indecipherable], in 55 Btn. No canteen here, money of little use.

Thursday 30.11.16
Paraded at 9 AM. but were dismissed & had to stand by in readiness to move out to take over various posts. Left at 2.30 pm & took over in charge of No 2 post in Delville Wood. Had very busy time for first 6 or 7 hours with cases of trench feet from front line. Hundreds coming through, mostly hobbling along with sand bags on their feet. Can quite expect trench feet when the men have to "stand to" in mud up to their knees which freezes during night.

[Page 75]

Friday 1.12.16
Very cold night, icicles hanging from everything. Never had a wink of sleep. General Mackay passed here on a visit towards the line early this morning. Fritz straffed front line very heavily at about 7 pm, all very anxious to get away from this sector. Had very narrow squeak during morning; large piece of H.E. whizzed within an inch of my head, which happened to be minus a steel helmet & landed at my feet.

Saturday 2.12.16
Going all night. Fritz caught 29th Btn changing over & inflicted a great number of casualties. Another sleepless night. Relieved early owing to the heavy time we have had during the past two days, again very cold.

[Page 76]

Sunday 3.12.16
Off duty to-day, sick of this locality but no news of moving.

Monday 4.12.16
40 of our lads had to reinforce 15 F.Amb. Dozens being evacuated sick. In charge of bearers at A.D.S. Large mail to-day; received 25 letters & parcel from Lambton.

Tuesday 5.12.16
Raining & cold. Again put in charge of A.D.S. bearers. Relieved at lunch time & spent evening in the endeavour to make myself a bit respectable

Wednesday 6.12.16
Now doing 3 days in & 3 days out on line owing to number of men who have been evacuated sick. Off duty for the day, wrote home.

Thursday 7.12.16
Leave list altered, original men go

[Page 77]

to top of list. Took up posts again to day reinforced by 14 F.Amb. Sent cable home, deferred rates. "Xmas Greetings" Found traces of H Mortimore, also saw Ern Hawkless.

Friday 8.12.16
Fairly busy night. Fritz shelled batteries near to our post, also expended a great amount of ammunition by straffing a part of the front line which is unoccupied.

Saturday 9.12 16
32nd Btn raided last night but were not very successful. Weather hardly so cold as it has been. Feet giving me a lot of trouble.

Sunday 10.12.16
Relieved at 3 pm. After 3 day & arrived back at camp a little after 4 pm. Fritz took advantage of a clear day & shelled heavily.

[Page 78]

Monday 11.12.16
Off duty. Met H. Mortimore & spend the evening with him talking of old times. Raining.

Tuesday 12.12.16
Snowing & raining. Much against wood gathering in Bernafoy Wood the job which I had to supervise.

Wednesday 13.12.16
Day free from duty. Called out at 5.30 pm to place a man under arrest & take him to A.D.S. H Mortimore came to Camp & spent a couple of hours. Men coming out of the line in an awful state with the mud.

Thursday 14.12.16
Reported to A.D.S. to give evidence re last nights trouble & again in afternoon. New Sargeant appointed in Sgt Thompsons stead, evacuate , again

[Page 79]

I have to take charge of section being only N.C.O. left.

Friday 15.12.16
Cleaning up in preparation for moving away in a few days. Met A. Gordon from Ryde.

Saturday 16.12.16
Relief took over posts. Went on sick parade with sore feet; very troublesome of late; put off duty, but carried on as usual. Took charge of fatigue to A.D.S.

Sunday 17.12.16
Again at A.D.S. Number of the lads went on leave to "Blighty". Still no news of relief.

Monday 18.12.16
Feet very sore. Very quite on front out from us. Reports of good news from Verdun.

Tuesday 19.12.16
Went on morning sick parade. Relief

[Page 80]

went out to take over posts. Snowed during afternoon.

Wednesday 20.12.16
Fritz shelled very heavily & found some good marks not far from us. Taubes above directing their fire. Disappointed again as regards our relief. Snow still on the ground.

Thursday 21.12.16
Our lads had to go out & relieve 14 F.Amb. Met young Kelly from Henley & Walter Jarvie, who I had quite a long yarn to. Rained all day. Fritz rather quiet

Friday 22.12.16
14 F Amb marched away early this morning. 5. F.Amb. went out to relieve our boys on the line. A very unlucky day for us, two of our boys were killed at Needle dump (RAP) & one wounded at No 4 post. One of the 5th F Amb was killed & one wounded while changing over at

[Page 81]

No 4 post. Clear day for observation, any amount of shelling

Saturday 23.12.16
Arose very early were relieved by 7th F.Amb. & moved off to quarry dump where we entrained in open trucks in the rain about 9.30 AM, carrying 48 hours rations. Moved away from quarry about 11.15 Am & arrived at Mealte siding where we detrained at 1.30 pm. Motors were waiting to convey us to our unit at Chateau d’Pliancourt" near Vignacourt; passed through Corbie & Amiens enroute. Very cold trip. On arrival at Headquarters, much to my surprise, was informed that I had been mentioned in despatches (General Staff Orders, December 6th, 16) for good work in the field.

Sunday 24.12.16
Xmas Eve. Spent morning cleaning up a bit. A treat to be away from

[Page 82]

shell fire. Walked to Vignacourt for a bath, about 2 miles, but was sadly disappointed & had to return without. Some of the lads fairly merry to-night.

Monday 25.12.16
Xmas Day. Special arrangements made for breakfast; also sat down to well prepared & good dinner at 2 pm which had been arranged by the unit. All drank the health of the bearers who have just come in from the line. Plenty of beer flying around, but as usual refrained from indulging. Good tea served out at 5.30 & we concluded the night with a first class concert; on the whole we had a very enjoyable day under the circumstances.

Tuesday 26.12.16
Boxing Day, list of shortages taken by Q.M. Bath & change, first for five weeks. Wrote home.

[Page 83]

Wednesday 27.12.16
Leave granted to Amiens. Paraded with sore feet, remained in camp whole of day.

Thursday 28.12.16
Walked to Vignacourt, but was unable to get back for hours owing to trouble with my feet. While waiting there was caught by cold & would have fainted only for the timely assistance of "Bobbie Roberts" who was in the village temporarily attached to a "Pierrot" show. Not feeling at all well.

Friday 29.12.16
Admitted to hospital with "trench feet" Rained during day.

Saturday 30.12.15
Very quiet. Not feeling too bright. Don’t like the idea of being in hospital, but have to put up with it.

Sunday 31.12.16
New Years Eve. Tried to see the old year out, but could not manage to stay up

[Page 84]

long enough; turned in about 10pm & slept the old year out.

Monday 1.1.17
Hardly realise it is 1917. Hope to be out of this country by 1918. All receive a small parcel from the Red Cross Comforts Fund. Concert at night.

Tuesday 2.1 17
Asked to be discharged from hospital tired of being in doors. No better than when admitted. Received a large mail.

Wednesday 3.1.17
Cold & windy. Remained off duty, not feeling too well. Quite miserable through hanging about; not able to walk far. Unable to take advantage of leave to Amiens

Thursday 4.1.17
Went on parade & reported for duty; was put in charge of piquet

[Page 85]

on wood (forest) near by. Piquet necessary through some of the lads cutting down trees

Friday 5.1.17
Relieved from piquet at 2 pm; feet very troublesome, turned in early.

Saturday 6.1.17 to Saturday 13.1.17
Have been off duty practically the whole of the week. It has been exceptionally cold & wet during the time & very quiet about the billet; went into hospital again on the 11th with sore feet (trench feet). G.O.C. General Hobbs, paid a visit here & conversed with a number of the boys. The unit concert party, known as the ("Nightbirds"), have been touring the district entertaining the infantry Battalions & have proved highly successful. There has been increased activity on the line in the vicinity of Baupaume & Arras

[Page 86]

with success

Sunday 14.1.17
Snowing. Bearers left again to go out to the line to take over from 2nd Division.

Monday 15.1.17 to Friday 19.1.17
Has been snowing for 3 of the 4 days, country certainly looks beautiful, but looks are far the better part of it. Many exciting snow fights among both officers & men. All very quiet, no news of importance from the line or elsewhere. Still in hospital but improving. Another batch of the boys went on leave to Blighty. Rumors of leaving here.

20.1.17 to 22.1.17
Snow still lying on the ground. Received a large mail from Australia, after having not had any for over three weeks

[Page 87]

Pulling down huts & tents; preparing to move from here shortly

23.1.17
Awfully cold, everything frozen, even the medicines in the bottles are one block of ice. Discharged from hospital; sick & tired of being indoors. All the ponds in the vicinity covered with ice. Cable arrived from home, Birthday greetings.

Wednesday 24.1 17
Some of the boys tried their hand at skating on the ice, but before the day was out there was quite a number of accidents through falls. Yesterday reported as coldest day in France since the beginning of the war.

Thursday 25.1.17
Still very cold; hardly know what to do to keep warm. Spend the

[Page 88]

day around the fire pot.

Friday 26.1.17
Advance guard left for Belview Farm to take over rest camp. Still as cold as ever.

Saturday 27.1.17 Sunday 28.1.17
Very windy & cold; a treat to be able to stay in doors. Still pulling down huts & tents

Monday 29.1.17
Sweet 25 to-day. Received cards & letters from home & elsewhere.
Lieut Robinson transferred to Intelligence Corps. Our mascot "Jenny" the monkey died last night.

Thursday 30.1.17
Tommies made good advance in front of Baupaume. Snowing slightly.

Wednesday 31.1.17
Sent views of Amiens home through

[Page 89]

civil post. Practically all the camp now pulled down; whole of the camp to be removed prior to our moving

Thursday 1.2.17
Leaving to-morrow; wore boots & putties for the first time for weeks, not as well as I would like to be

Friday 2.2.17
After straightening up surroundings of "Chateau" left in a "Char-a-banc" for somewhere in vicinity of Albert. Exceptionally cold trip, had to stop a few times en’route & get out to warm ourselves. Passed through Amiens on way; not sorry to get to our destination.

Saturday 3.2.17
Spent miserable not; too

[Page 90]

cold to sleep. Relieved 6th F.Amb & took over Bellevue Farm Rest Stn. Was placed in charge of Baths. A section came in from line to do fatigues at Rest Stn.
B & C sections remain out in line. About 1000 patients here; quite a large concern.

Sunday 4.2.17 to Wednesday 7.2.17
Getting used to the new surroundings. New job on baths going smoothly. Fritz’s planes generally pay us a visit each night & cause a sensation. Unit concert party "Nightbirds" gave an entertainment to patients which proved a great success. Five more went on leave to Blighty "7.2.17". Received

[Page 91]

Received parcel from home

Thursday 8.2.17 to Friday 9.2.17
Cold still troublesome. Met H. Mortimore here on sick parade, Ron Styles also came here from Fricourt to see me. Another 18 more reinforcements came to hand to-day. All leave stopped owing to blockade, also great congestion at Le Havre. Taubes very active the last couple of nights dropping bombs on Albert & surrounding district

Saturday 10.2.17
Number of Aust Motor drivers attached to us. Ron Styles came again to see me.

Sunday 11.2.17
Reg came into hospital from the line ill & was admitted into hospital. Man accidentally

[Page 92]

shot in Barber’s shop here this morning & was taken away in a serious condition

Monday 12.2.17 to Wednesday 14.2.17
Weather getting warmer, snow & ice beginning to thaw. Several heavy bombardments have taken place. Received parcel from home containing putties. Rations very poor & scanty. Reg evacuated to C.C.S. Lads again went into line for a week. Walked to Albert to try & find 3rd Div Artillery, but was misinformed for they are still up North.

Thursday 15.2.17
Hospital full. Ground getting very muddy owing to thaw setting in.

Friday 16.2.17 & Saturday 17.2.17
Rained first time for a couple

[Page 93]

of months. Very quiet on line. Paid 40 francs, Wrote home.

Sunday 18 to Thursday 22.2.17
Paid a couple of visits to Anzac Pierrot show in Albert. Our concert party gave another entertainment. Colonel went on leave again to Blighty. Sent Cable home "22.2.17". Heard from Barney Wice [?]

Friday 23.2.17
Rather a wild night in the tent last night; all but two of us full up of whisky; rather pleased when things subsided about midnight.

Saturday 24.2.17
Concert party again entertained the convalescent patients.

Sunday 25.2.17
Wild rumors floating about. Fritz supposed to have retreated

[Page 94]

some considerable distance from his old position on this front; Everything seems unnaturally quiet; not a shot being fired.

Monday 26.2.17
Mystery still unsettled; every body anxious to know where Fritz is. Planes very active. Visited Anzac show at night in Albert Anxiously looking forward to a mail.

Tuesday 27.2.17
Went to Heilly baths in afternoon on duty, passed time well, change from ordinary routine. Still a good deal of excitement over Fritz’s recent movement

Wednesday 28.2.17
Wrote to William. Large number of cavalry of all description passed through en-route

[Page 95]

for action. The concert party of the unit are becoming very popular, played last night in Albert with success. Still more overstrength N.C.O’s are being taken on strength of the unit & spoiling chance of any of our boys for promotion. Misfortunes of war I suppose.

Thursday 1.3.17
Heavy bombardment during night. Beautiful day, quite a treat to feel the warmth of the sun after all the recent cold weather.

Friday 2.3.17
Another day over. Went to pictures in Albert at night. Wrote home. Lt/Col Williams who came away with our unit; badly wounded while inspecting his outposts. Has lately been transferred to 1st

[Page 96]

F.Amb.

Saturday 3.3.17
Very good news from the Baghdad front also from the front out from here.

Sunday 4.3.17
News came through of death of Col Williams, caused quite a gloom over the unit for he was thought a great deal of by the boys. 5th Div band played here at church service. Heard from J. Grose.

Monday 5.3.17
Party of about 24 men & officers walked to Edge Hill to attend the funeral of the late Col Williams. Went to Heilly by waggon on duty. Large mail came to hand from Australia. Very cold day.

[Page 97]

Tuesday 6.3.17
Met Colin Mitchell & the two Hawkless’s Fritz landed few shells in Albert during the morning

Wednesday 7.3.17
Cold & windy. Bob Roberts transferred to Anzac show. Endeavoured to find No 2 Coy A.S.C. but failed. Scotch band played in Albert at night.

Thursday 8.3.17
Snowing. Boys still in the line & likely to remain there for some time.

Friday 9.3.17
Rather quiet on line. Concert party showed at Meaulte. Still snowing.

Saturday 10.3.17 Monday 12.3.17
Much warmer, consequently a good deal of work in

[Page 98]

connection with my department Rumors point to a move whether there is any truth in them remains to be seen. Has rained a good deal during the past couple of days; ground is in an awful state. Boys still in line but having a very quiet time at present. Went to Ordnance to try & obtain some new clothing from Syd Hawkless who is Sgt Bootmaker there but was unsuccessful the Baghdad fallen.

Tuesday 13.3.17
Mail from home also reply to inquiry re. Tas Vale to the effect that he was reported missing on 20.9.17. [This is correctly transcribed, should possibly refer to 1916] Applied for leave to Amiens & was granted permission to go by first car going.

[Page 90]

Wednesday 14.3.17
Kit inspection. Went to pierrot show at night.

Thursday 15.3.17
More bearers to stand by in readiness to go to line; expect to go at any time now; don’t expect to get the leave granted me under the circumstances

Friday 16.3.17
Closed camp, owing to having to stand by. My leave cancelled

Saturday 17.3.17
Heavy bombardment during night. 20 men left for the line at 7.15 Am
Ordered to move of at 7 Am in the morning. Bapaume captured early this morning.

Sunday 18.3.17
Further details re taking of Bapaume

[Page 100]

go to shew that it was taken with very little loss; the 30th Btn being the first to enter. Fritz evacuated, but before doing so mined or set fire to practically every building; it is still in flames. Le Transloy also taken but Fritz put up a good fight. The Huns appear to be still on the run. Moved off at 7 Am to Mealte siding where we entrained & to A.D.S. at Bernafay Wood to await orders.

Monday 19.3.17
Moved off from ADS at 11 Am for Bapaume. 8 of us walked & 8 went by car; being in charge of the party had to walk & altogether the walk was very interesting still 10 or 11 miles is a little too far. Passed through Liqny–Thilloy after having crossed the

[Page 101]

old front lines. Fritz swept country very clean prior to evacuation.
Arrived in Bapaume about 2.30 pm & found the place practically demolished; majority of it being in flames. Formed & took charge of a relay post on the outskirts of the town & chose a cellar as a place of abode. Called out a few times during the night in the rain.

Tuesday 20.3.17
Snowing a little, passed some of the time souvenir hunting in & around the old buildings. All dug-outs & anything of military value destroyed. Living in style & comfort to-day with the aid of Tables, chairs & crockery which we have collected from the old buildings; have been dining in

[Page 102]

a broken down barn. A few of the boys collected some vegetables from some of the old gardens.

Wednesday 21.3.17
Night passed without a call. Walked through a good portion of the town. Fritz has mined & blown up the intersection of every road. Practically all trees cut down along the roads for what reason it is hard to say. The remains of a Taube is lying in the main street. Fritz puts a few shells in the town each day.

Thursday 22.3.17
Engineers & infantrymen engaged filling in the craters at the intersections of the roads. Very few casualties coming through. Living fairly

[Page 103]

well & getting quite comfortable. Found a few good souvenirs including a Fritz Helmet, Saw edged bayonet & Fritz cap; practically all of us swanking about in Fritz caps.

Friday 23.3.17
Quite a demonstration in the town to-day; full of officials & troops; getting busier each day; 5th Brigade band played in town.

Saturday 24.3.17
A number of sick coming through but very few wounded. Two of the old buildings blown up to make way for roads. Most of craters filled in & traffic running as usual. Still no news of relief.

Sunday 25.3.17
Moved again from our comfortable

[Page 104]

position to the A.D.S. for fatigues. Some of the boys from Hqrs walked out & brought out some rations. Fritz put a good few shells over into the town.

Monday 26.3.17
Terrific explosion at midnight last night; Town Hall blown up by a mine laid by Fritz & supposed to have been set by clockwork. Many killed & few taken from cellars alive. Earth rocked like a boat at the time of the explosion. Warned against sleeping in cellars.

Tuesday 27.3.17
Fatigues for the day: walked around to the scene of the explosion; hundreds digging to try & release any who may be alive in cellars.

[Page 105]

Wednesday 28.3.17
Anniversary of the long march from Tel-el-Kebir, feel very thirsty at the thoughts of it. Met Geo Crane & young Cartwright from Balmain. Walked through one of Fritz’s cemeteries & the ruins of the old church.

Thursday 29.3.17
Miserable day, very little to do fortunately.

Friday 30.3.17
General Birdwood & Dug Haig in the town to-day. Walked about 3 miles out through Bancourt & Fremicourt to one of the relay posts.

Saturday 31.3.17
Walked to Beaulencourt to take some mail to the boys; very quiet in that direction.

[Page 106]

Le Transloy a little further on. Got ducked coming home

Sunday 1.4.17
No rations; a bit of a strain. Walked to the Butte-de-Walencourt, a strong position Fritz once held & was so troublesome to our lads; has surely been peppered by our artillery. Cost a lot of men to take it. Went by Albert-Bapaume road & returned across country through Le-Barque & Ligne-Thilloy.
Fritz brought down one of our observation baloons in flames this morning. No men allowed to sleep in cellars till further notice.

Monday 2.4.17
Village of Doignies taken by 55th & 56 Btns, but they suffered fairly heavily in doing so. In consequence

[Page 107]

of the heavy casualties was ordered out to the line about 9 AM. Walked about 7 miles to the post & commenced carrying immediately. First case I assisted to carry was Capt Smythe of the 56th wounded in leg.

Carrying all through night in a blizzard, far from pleasant circumstances.

Tuesday 3.4.17
Glad to see daylight, ground covered with snow, still a lot of casualties coming through. Had no sleep during night, feeling rather tired. Fritz brought down a couple of our baloons in flames; a beautiful piece of work amid a hornet’s nest of machine guns & anti-aircraft guns. Two of Fritz’s planes brought down earlier in the afternoon.

[Page 108]

Wednesday 4.4.17
Practically all the casualties through from the stunt. Fritz shelled heavily during the day all around our post; gave artillery around rough time. Expect to be relieved to-morrow by 1st Division. Rations very scanty.

Thursday 5.4.17
Relieved at 10 Am & marched back to Bapaume where we had dinner & moved off again to Bernafay Wood across country another 7 miles; about done when we arrived there but soon pulled together when we had a drop of tea & a spell. Country which a few weeks ago was alive with traffic is now deserted.

Friday 6.4.17
Good Friday; left Bernafay Wood

[Page 109]

about 10 Am to march to our Hqrs at Bellevue Farm about 7 ½ miles ; arrived in time for lunch. Received a fair number of letters during afternoon. Feet very sore.

Saturday 7.4.17
Kit inspection followed by issue of shortages. Paid 40 Francs. Afternoon at our disposal. Dinner given to all returned bearers at night also concert which was none too bad.

Sunday 8.4.17
Orderly Corp for the day. Issued with a new Aust uniform. Good number of sick coming through. Leave granted to 1 NCO & 10 men per day to Amiens

Monday 9.4.17
Fatigue work for the day. Went

[Page 110]

to Albert at night.

Tuesday 10.4.17
Winter still hangs on; snowing again to-day. General Howse inspected camp & expressed satisfaction at the state of it. A couple of airmen brought in badly smashed about.

Wednesday 11.4.17
Turned out at 5 Am to got on leave to Amiens. Walked to Ribemont & from there caught train arriving at Amiens 9.15 AM. Spent a very pleasant day taking everything into consideration. Cathedral a wonderful building. Caught tram to barrier [?] on Albert road & from there finished the return journey by Motor lorry.

Thursday 12.4.17
Orderly Corporal again; rather

[Page 111]

a busy day. Horse stolen from Transport; endeavouring to find culprit

13.4.17 Friday
Fatigues again. Plenty of sick coming through, can hardly expect anything else considering the hard work the boys have been through lately.

Saturday 14.3.17 [correct transcription of date]
Reveille 6.15 Am. Route march 6.45 AM. A bit of a strain considering we have only been out of the line a few days. Few of the boys on leave to Amiens overstepped the mark & were put in the "boob" by the Military Police.

Sunday 15.4.17
Route march again before breakfast. Leave to Amiens cut

[Page 112]

out in consequence of yesterdays happening, as usual all suffer for a few. No bearers allowed out of camp in addition to leave being stopped. Sent on duty to Edge Hill C.C.S. Had a couple of packets of P.C’s sent from Amiens one to Balmain & the other home.

Monday 16.4.17
All bearers standing to, to again go out to line. Plenty fatigues to fill in the time. Fritz heavily counter attacked & drove our boys back some considerable distance, but our chaps attacked again & drove the Huns still further back than they started from & inflicted very heavy casualties on him.

Tuesday 17.4.17
Hanging on

[Page 113]

still for the word to go, praying all the time that it will never come. All sorts of rumors coming through with men that come from the line, hardly know what to believe, still there is no doubt they are having a rough time. Good news comes through each day from further North round Arras. Bert Hunt’s brother wounded in the recent engagement & since has had his left arm taken off. Great French Victory 10,000 prisoners taken

Wednesday 18.4.17
Have rather an erratic captain attached to us who still persists in this 6.45 Am parade. Played 14th F.Amb Rugby Union, but were defeated 16 to 6. Visiting team were

[Page 114]

entertained at night by our concert party.

Thursday 19.4.17
Having my teeth attended to by the unit dentist. Very heavy bombardment going on out from the left of Bapaume. Mail came to hand last night. Many reinforcements coming through to fill up the gaps in the ranks, plenty more wanted yet, for the casualties have been very heavy of late.

Friday 20.4.17
Registered & sent home my diary which I have carried since leaving Egypt, also sent book of Amiens to Balmain. Paid a visit to the Anzac show at Albert. Continuous heavy bombardment going on day

[Page 115]

& night. Hundreds of heavy guns going through

Saturday 21.4.17
Suffering a good deal with my teeth. Bearers beat Transport at football 5 to nil. Colonel went on leave to Paris.

Sunday 22.4.17
Things a bit lax while the Colonel is away. 14 F Amb beat our boys at Aust Rules Went to church in Albert at night, 5th Div Band played Hymns & a few selections after the service. Appendicitis very prevalent of late.

Monday 23.4.17
Bearers again played & defeated the transport. Albert at night

Tuesday 24.4.17
Walked to Poziers during afternoon

[Page 116]

unable to find any traces of the town at all. Memorials being erected in many places in memory of various Australian Battalions & units who suffered so heavily on the Somme. Sent parcel of souvenirs including Fritz Caps to Wice [?] (registered)
Amiens placed strictly out of bounds

Wednesday 25.4.17
Anzac Day. Colonel returned from Paris. Rations very young lately, fortunately we are in a position to buy a few extras. 14th F Amb. again beat us at Rugby.

Thursday 26.4.17
Commenced a syllabus of training consisting of Drill, lectures & Signalling.

[Page 117]

Friday 27.4.17
Was induced to play with the Aust Rules team against Reinforcement Camp, won by 10 points but feel the effects of it to-day. Big mail came on to-day. Received watch.

Saturday 28.4.17
Watch keeps jibbing. Appointed one of the Scrutineers for the polling to-morrow. 4th F. Amb defeated our Rugby team 7 to nil.

Sunday 29.4.17
At work the whole of the day in connection with the polling. Majority appear to speak in favour of the Ministerial party. Great number failed to take the

[Commonwealth Election – 5th May 1917]

[Page 118]

advantage of recording their vote.

Monday 30.4.17
Colonel expressed his disappointment at the small number of the unit who took the advantage of polling
Bought a very good Fritz Helmet for 40 francs. Went to Anzac show at night.

Tuesday 1.5.17
May Day. Went to D.A.D.O.S. for a new "Stetson". Packed & sent home the helmet which I bought yesterday.

Wednesday 2.5.17
Arrangements being made for the big Divisional sports which are to take place on Saturday next. Pulled (tug-of-war) against 15 F Amb

[Page 119]

& beat them Sgt Woodward of transport thrown from his horse & badly injured. Went by motor on duty to Pucheviller about 19 Kilos. Enjoyed the run, country beginning to look very nice now everything is looking green, very pleasing to the eye after the long spell of winter. Farming is in full swing everywhere.

Thursday 3.5.17
Quite warm now, beginning to discard some of the superfluous clothing.
Cost 5 francs 80 to register helmet which I posted a day or so back.

Friday 4.5.27
First day of the Divisional Sports. Our lads did very well in the open races & pulled off a few of the events.

[Page 120]

Second Div had a "hop over" in the vicinity of Lagnicourt reached the 3rd line but were compelled to retire; attacked again but this time reached & held their objective; their casualties were very heavy, reports say 2000; ambulances also suffered heavy casualties among the bearers.

Saturday 5.5.17
Sports continue in the horse transport line. Entered for a few events but were unlucky not pulling off a prize.

Sunday 6.5.17
Word through for us all to stand to in readiness to go out to the line. 7th F. Amb have had 39 casualties since the beginning of the month & 14 F Amb 15.
7th went over in 2nd wave of attack & 14th 3rd wave.

Monday 7.5.17
Capt Barriskill attached to us from

[Page 121]

date. About 1500 reinforcements came through reinforcement camp for 1st & 2nd Divisions.

Tuesday 8.5.17
Being relieved by 15th F.Amb to-day, packing up to move out to take over A.D.S. & M.D.S. to-morrow. Rained very heavily this morning

Wednesday 9.5 17
8.30 full dress parade. Moved off at 12 noon in motor lorries. Arrived at Vauex about 4.30 pm rather a hot spot from all accounts further out; will be working on the line in front of Bullecourt & Queant, (Hindenberg Line)
Took over M.D.S. from 6th F Amb

Thursday 10.5.17
Fritz shelled our camp & around about the whole of the day with very heavy stuff, in all there were about 10

[Page 122]

or 12 killed & about 20 odd wounded, to say nothing of horses. One of the Amb. waggons was also blown to bits & two more badly smashed about.

Our boys went out to the line to-night. I was left in as orderly Corporal, hard to say which is the better in here or out there, will find that out next turn in.

Friday 1.5.17
Shelled out of camp, Compelled to move to a position about 1½ miles to the rear. Had quite a hot time while moving camp, compelled to suspend operation & evacuate the position for a time; one of the cook houses blown up. A very strenuous days work to move a camp the size of this in a day. Five of our boys wounded to-day, Palmer, Scholer, McDonald,

[Page 123]

Wallis & Arthur.

Saturday 12.5.17
Boys came in during the early hours of the morning & reported having a rough trot. From all accounts its "no hon" where we have to work now. 58th Btn had a very successful hop over this morning, many Fritz prisoners & wounded have passed through as well as 58 casualties. Tommies relieved 15th Brigade at night.

Sunday 13.5.17
Working right sector near Lagnicourt as well as Bullecourt sector where we have been working of late. Consequently all cooks, batmen & all spare men sent out to make number of bearers required. Was sent to Left sector with party. Fritz counter attacked very heavily but chose a

[Page 124]

time when the relief & also men who had been holding the line were in; before relief had been carried out; line was double strong in every way & Fritz was absolutely mown down. Rather a hot spot here, have to carry through Fritz’s barrages.

Monday 14.5.17
Kept going the whole of the day & last night owing to Fritz heavy barrage & shelling of our front line. May, Sutton. R. Riley & Arthur wounded also others very slightly.

Tuesday 15.5.27
Fritz put up a exceptionally heavy barrage during the early hours of the morning & counter attacked at the same time but was knocked back by 14th Brigade just on our right. Working with the 58th Div of "Tommies" the Div that were in

[Page 125]

training for 17 months in Blight before they came away. Relieved at 10 Am & returned straight to our camp. Collected some mail on our return. Arrived back at camp about 12 noon; rested the remainder of the day

Wednesday 16.5.17
Rumors of Fritz having evacuated proved incorrect, although from all reports he tried to lead our 14 Brigade into a trap but failed. Very quiet on the Lagnicourt sector where some of our chaps are working

Thursday 17.5.17
Very few casualties coming through apparently Fritz has eased up a little. Tommy Amb took over left sector where their infantry are holding the line. Walked into Bapaume in the evening

[Page 126]

Friday 18.5.17
72 of us going out into line again to-night to do a further turn in. 5 men go on leave, very lucky to get away at such a time. Left camp 5.30 pm, luckily got on[e] of the back posts; still Fritz made it fairly warm with big stuff around about, especially in the village of Neuriel near by.

Saturday 19.5.17
Dug in for a bit of shelter, much quieter than when we were out last. Fritz has been using a great number of gas shells & has caught a good many of our boys napping.

Sunday 20.5.17
Very few casualties coming through, much quieter since the "Tommies"

[Page 127]

took over the line; they don’t seem to force the fighting like our boys.

Monday 21.5.17
Relieved at 6.15 Am by 15th F Amb & some of our own boys, arrived back at camp in time for breakfast. Expecting to move in a day or so, wont be sorry have had rather a rough spin on this sector.

Tuesday 22.5.17
Fatigue parade at 8 Am in the rain. Marching out orders on the board, very encouraging, waiting for the "Tommies" to take over. Walked to a baloon position & witnessed the pulling down of the balloon (observation) about dark, rather an interesting sight.

Wednesday 23.5.17
Fritzs planes paid us a visit very

[Page 128]

early this morning, dropped a few bombs with serious results, & "imshied" back to his own lines amid a hornets nest of Machine Gun fire & Anti Aircraft shells. Last of the boys came in from the posts taken over from us by the ‘Tommies’.
13 of our lads have been wounded during the 14 days we have been in here; very fortunate taking everything into consideration for there has been over 300 casualties among the bearers of the different Amb’s working on this part since the beginning of the months. All Ambs have been represented except 12th & 13th. Left M.D.S. marched to to Bapaume & there took over billets established a hospital to take Division sick. Went

[Page 129]

to Anzac picture show at nigh.

Thursday 24.5.17
Reveille 6 Am, Fatigue parade 8.30 Am. Fritz put a few shells over in the town. Expeditionary Force Canteen next door to us, very handy.

Friday 25.5.17
Three men selected & sent to seaside rest camp, Hunt, Shearer & Cosier were the chosen as ones who were in need of rest. Spent evening at Pierrot show, far superior to any I have previously been to in France. Things very quiet out on the line from all reports.

Saturday 26.5.17
"Transylvanian" boat which brought us from Egypt, torpedoed & sunk in Mediterranean; Mail arrived from home; Again

[Page 130]

went to the picture show, "Curios"

Sunday 27.5.17
Church parade in church Army hut at 10 Am. Fritz again shelled the town & caught a number of the 29th & 30th Btn

Monday 28.5.17
Spend day in Camp as Orderly Corp. Went to pierrot show at night. Rained very hard while show was in progress & as the building was in a very bad state of repair we were almost washed out.

Thursday 29.5.27
Leave granted to N.C.O & 7 men to Amiens each day. Great competition among the boys in their endeavours to decorate the vicinity of their tents. Expect a visit from the G.O.C. Division any day.

[Page 131]

Wednesday 30.5.17
Went on leave to Amiens, Left 7.30 Am by car for Albert & caught 8.15 Am train, arrived Amiens 10 Am Spent day wandering around city & suburbs
Very little to rave about in the town after having once been there especially with funds rather low Returned by 7.40 pm train from Amiens, arrived at Albert 10 pm. Unable to get back to Bapaume till morning which spoilt the whole day.

Thursday 31.5.17
Arrived back at our camp about 6.10 Am, passed a very miserable night. Route march through Beaulencourt, Villa de Floss & Reincourt. Lecture & kit inspection also pay in

[Page 132]

afternoon, G.O.C. inspected.

Friday 1.6.17
Cricket Match A v C Sec. Played with C but were badly beaten by A. Have had no practice, consequently in very poor form

Saturday 2.6.17
Colonel went on leave to Blighty for the 3rd time. A sec played B cricket & won by 4 wickets Still no sign of a move

Sunday 3.6.17
Church service in Church Army hut. C sec played B & won by 10 wickets.
Scored 0-10 not out also took 5 for 25. Left at 5 pm by car for the Divisional Gas school at Becourt. Walked from there to Albert at night. Expect to be here for about 3 days.

[Page 133]

Monday 4.6.17
Reveille 7 Am. Breakfast 8, Parade 9 Am Lecture "Gas" 9-12 noon. Dinner 12 to 2 pm. to Lecture & Helmet practice 2 pm to 4 pm. Walked to Albert & went to 5th Army Cinema show.

Tuesday 5.6.17
Lectures & Gas Helmet drill as yesterday; fairly interesting but very hot & oppressive in hut where lectures are given.

Wednesday 6.6.17
Last day of the School. Put through Smoke clouds, Tear Gas & Cloud Gas. Have benefited by the 3 days instruction. Ford car called to take us back to Bapaume at 3.45 pm; had 3 blow outs & 1 puncture on way back.
Sent home saw edged bayonet to Father.

[Page 134]

Thursday 7.6.17
Orderly Officer causing quite a stir on the parades. Section days for duty commencing from to-morrow. Training in full swing.

Friday 8.6.17
Route march with full packs up through Ligny–Thilloy over old front line almost to Factory corner & Flers, turned off, marched through the remains of Gueudecourt; on through Beaulencourt to camp in Bapaume.
Country we passed through has a different aspect to when we passed through in October last. Practically all covered with grass now, but awful odors arise in many places from the dead that still lie about

[Page 135]

unburied. Party of the 9th Btn at present engaged in the work of burying the dead. Salvage parties hard at work also, salvaging the whole of the traversed country.
Very little remains of Gueudecourt as is the case with all the other villages which have been fought through in the Somme area.
Big push up North with good results.

Saturday 9.6.17
Played 5th Div. Hqrs in afternoon & defeated them; unable to strike form. Two more went on leave.

Sunday 10.6.17
Team played 4 D.A.P & won by 7 wickets. Church parade for all hands.

Monday 11.6.17

[Page 136]

Commenced to rain during early hours of morning with thunder & lightening. Some of the tents flooded out. Dismissed from parade at 9 Am for the day. Walked towards Beaulencourt during afternoon.

Tuesday 12.6.17
Dental Parade. C.C S defeated our 1st team by 7 wickets. Played with 2nd team against 32 Btn transport; defeated them by 70 odd runs; took 5 wickets for 12 runs. Plenty of activity on front out from here at present. Mail overdue.

Wednesday 13.6.17
Received a parcel from home 26.3.17. Expect to move further on in a few days.

Thursday 14.6.17
Still visiting dentist. Played & defeated

[Page 137]

A Section by 65 to 29 runs; took 2 for 13 & made 17 not out, quite a setr back for A’s

Friday 15.6.17
Preparing to move to-morrow. 3rd C.C.S. beat our chaps by 9 runs. E. Herford evacuated sick

Saturday 16.6.17
Very busy day as orderly Corporal. Transport moved off at 9 Am. 1st party of bearers entrained at Bapaume 11.30 Am; left with remainder at 12 & entrained at 1.30 pm; passed through Achiet-le-grande; chinese engaged working on railway works very interesting little crowd.

Disentrained at Verennes Junction & marched to Senlis about 5 Kilos, very hot & oppressive, not at all sorry to get rid of the old pack when we reached our

[Page 138]

destination. Boys almost drank the village dry after the muster parade at 7 pm.

Sunday 17.6.17
No parade, dont take a fancy to the position where we are camping. Walked to Henencourt & Millencourt at night. Mail Day.

Monday 18.6.17
Capt Irving left us to take up a position in "Blighty". All sorry to lose him, has kept the unit together & made it what it is to-day. Very heavy hail storm.

Tuesday 19.6.17
Raining hard, nothing at all doing, very quite here, right out in the rural districts where all the old "cockies" are hard at work on their farms.

[Page 139]

Quite a treat to get somewhere where it is a bit quiet

Wednesday 20.6.17
Slight disturbance between a couple of our Sergeants. Parade preparatory to inspection by G.O.C. to-morrow. Two N.C.Os & 22 men went on leave to Amiens. One of our men placed under mental observation; general opinion is that he is working his ticket.

Thursday 21.6.17
Inspection postponed owing to rain till to-morrow. Acting postman for the day. Played Baseball in the evening.

Friday 22.6.17
Camp all in a state owing to the inspection by General Hobbs which took place at 11.15 Am. Again played the role of postman. Received

[Page 140]

photos from Amiens.

Saturday 23.6.17
Granted a days leave to Amiens but failed to take advantage of it. Walked to Albert about 4 miles, spent a few hours there & came back by Coal waggon to Millencourt & walked from there to camp. Great improvement in Albert; becoming more populated daily. Received mail 22 & 29 April from home on my return. Weilded the willow for an hour or so at night. Four more went to Blighty on leave.

Sunday 24.6.17
Wrote my usual weekly letters. Played cricket in evening

Monday 25.6.17
Mixed up by Orderly officer on early

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morning parade, almost got pooled by Orderly Officer in my endeavour to shield Orderly Sergeant & Bugler. Baseball all the rage at present

Tuesday 26.6.17
Very little doing. Walked to Warloy at night to 5th Div Concert party. New officer, Capt Guest attached to us in place of Capt Irving; not too popular for a start

Wednesday 27.6.17
Army Corps sports coming off. B. section drilling hard to take part in one of the events

Thursday 28.6.17
Military medals awarded to the members of the unit who were awarded them after the last stunt, great deal of dissatis-

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faction over the manner in which the recommendations were made. Major Bond awarded D.S.O. Knocked out by a hit on the "melon" with a cricket ball.

Friday 29.6.17
Leave again for the day. Left from Senlis by Motor Lorry for Amiens. Had a fairly good day wandering about different parts of the town which I must admit in places reeks with immorality. Came back by train to Albert where one of the boys met me with a horse which he brought in for me to ride home.
Met Ken Burge from Hunter’s Hill.

Saturday 30.6.17
Try out for the bearers competing in the sports at Henencourt. Went

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to Anzac Pierrot show in Senlis at night but came out again owing to the place being overcrowded

Sunday 1.7.17
Presentation of medals by General Birdwood & Mr Holman [Australian
politician] to men of the 8th Brigade.

Mr Holman reviewed the Brigade after the ceremony. Few bombs & trench mortars fired shortly after for the special benefit of Billy - Mr Holman under fire, 20 miles behind the line –
More reinforcements coming here, chiefly those who were weeded out during the winter including McCabe & Smaile.

Monday 2.7.17
Played A Sec cricket won by 6 wickets. Brawl among the Sergeants. Reunion of the Ambs of the Div, Orgie among the officers at night in the form of a dinner.

Tuesday 3.7.17
Final drill for the

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Div sports to-morrow. Two more went on leave to Blighty.

Wednesday 4.7.17
All hands at the sports Fine displays by all ranks including horse transport.
14th Brigade won Company drill, 15th the Amb event, 18th ASC. their section event. Bands rendered selections the whole of the day. Aeroplanes from the Aerodrome near by hovered above all day. Met Harry Tressider attached to the 15 F Amb

Thursday 5.7.17
Took the postmans bike & rode to Contay to see Harry Tressider in the 15 F Amb, returned via Henencourt. Our chaps played 1st F Amb rugby league but butwere beaten by 11 to 3.

Friday 6.7.17
Leave again to Amiens, went with

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Peter Kemp, had a fairly good day, saw practically all the town both in a "gurry" & on foot. Met at Albert station on the return journey by one of the lads with a spare horse & I rode home. Sent home & to Balmain, book of views of Amiens. Went through the old fortifications around the Citadel. Citadel now used as a prison for French deserters. Everybody talking of the "Yanks".

Saturday 7.7.17
Aust rule team beaten by First F Amb at Henencourt.

Sunday 8.7.17
Church parade 9 Am. Rained hard during the night & again this morning. Unit now a good many overstrength

Monday 9.7.17
Had charge

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of a squad for squad drill & signalling. Big spread here among the officers of the Brigade. Band played while they were at mess. Baseball all the rage.

Tuesday 10.7.17
Busy preparing for Thursday’s display before the King. Five more went on leave to Blighty.

Wednesday 11.7.17
Meeting in connection with the re-organising of "Nightbirds" – unit concert party. Colonel addressed boys in Mess hut in connection with same.

Thursday 12.7.17
Orderly Corporal, unable to go to "Henencourt to see display before the King. Caused a great stir in the district. Unit won prize for Amb wagon & turnout,

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15th F Amb second & 14th third. Mail from all reports again gone to the bottom

Friday 13.7.17
Spent the morning on the cars collecting 14 Brigade sick in & around Mailly. New Sgt arrived here to-day in lieu of Sgt Thompson who has transferred to 3rd AGH. At Abbeville.

Saturday 14.7.17
Big day in the French Towns. Had leave granted but turned it down

Sunday 15.7.17
Church Service at 9 Am. Afternoon 3 cricket matches played, won two & lost 1. Rig’s pal, N.C. Roper came to see me & spent the evening.

Monday 16.7.17

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Lecture in morning, also signalling. Two days route march commencing to-morrow.

Tuesday 17.7.17
Left here at 8 Am & joined Brigade in two days route march to Corbie. On our arrival at Corbie crossed pontoons placed across canal to test them. Engineers have been practicing a good deal of that work of late, apparently their services will be required in that direction in the near future. Placed in billets about 5 pm on the outskirts of the town. Walked into town for tea – some of the boys made a wild night of it, it was 1 o’clock in the morning before I managed to get the last of them to bed. Billeted in an old factory.

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Wednesday 18.7.17
Left Corbie at 8 Am & marched back to Senlis where we arrived at 12.30 in time for dinner. Fairly tired, slept all afternoon.

Thursday 19.7.17
Played 15 F Amb Cricket & won by 21 runs. Concert party making very elaborate preparations for their show on Saturday night.

Friday 20.7.17
Picket placed on the camp on account of money being stolen & civilians suspected. Went to Albert at night to while away a few hours, place improving every day.

Saturday 21.7.17
Nine months since we first went into action on the Somme.

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Cricket & football the order of the afternoon. Concert not a great success.

Sunday 22.7.17
Acting postman, no Australian mail to hand yet, over 5 weeks since we had the last.

Monday 23.7.17
Cricket team played & defeated 1st F Amb by 4 runs, Footballers played & drew with 31st Btn, 3 all. Expect to move in a few days.

Tuesday 24.7.17
Fatigues all day removing all camp equipment prior to moving from here. One of the boys got his ticket for home.

Wednesday 25.7.17
Played next door hut cricket & after a very funny & pleasant game beat them by 8 runs

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made 20 & 9 also took about 7 wickets

Thursday 26.7.17
Played 31st Btn Cricket & won by 6 wickets & 1 run. Rugby team also beat 1st F.Amb at League by 14 to 9, this is the first time the 1st F Amb have been defeated.

Friday 27.7.17
Detailed in charge of Guard to proceed to Aveluy siding to guard unit gear until unit entrains. 8th Btn & 1st Pioneers entrained for North. Met Cec Stoddart & Stan Haggerty

Saturday 28.7.17
Plenty of life about the siding with all the Anzacs entraining. Second Division entrained. Day very hot, spent most of the day near the lake. At night

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walked through the town of Aveluy.

Sunday 29.7.17
Flooded out from our improvised shelter by a very heavy storm. Last of the 6th Bgde left to-day. All enthusiasm regarding the move died out, just taken as a matter of course.

Monday 30.7.17
Our Brigade on the move C Section of our unit left at 4 pm, still remained on guard. Entrained at midnight with the remainder of the boys; travelled the distance in an open goods truck with the goods we were guarding; very cold & wet.

Tuesday 31.7.17
Arrived at St Omer at 11 Am, after a cold wet night in the

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open truck. Struck coast at daylight, country along route fine. Loaded gear on to lorry about 12.30 pm & travelled with it to our new camping area at Racquinghem [about 25kms SE of Calais], showed a profit on trip as I escaped route marches each end. Received mail, first, for seven weeks. Plenty fatigues erecting camp.

Wednesday 1.8.17
Orderly Corp. Trying day with fatigues etc. getting camp into running order. Rained the whole of the day, got drenched early in the morning & was wet the whole of the day.

Thursday 2.8.17
Four went on leave to "Blighty" Leave granted to St Omer & Hazebrook Orderly Corp & Piquet Corp as well Camp in a very bad state owing to the rain.

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Friday 3.8.17
Losing our new Sgt who is going to Officers school, am again only N.C.O. left on bearer section, any amount of work Walked to Recquotoile at night where a number of the Portuguese are billeted, met one who could speak English well, was very interesting to talk to.

Saturday 4.8.17
Sent home full volume (8 copies) of "Australia in the great war"

Sunday 5.8.17
Went to Church service in a little barn at night. Very little doing during the day.

Monday 6.8.17
Granted a days leave to St Omer & had a good day, rode to & fro on bike. Had a yarn to a couple of Scotch lassies from

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the 59th Scottish Gen Hospital, first opportunity I’ve had to speak to an English speaking girl since leaving home. Town full of W.A.A.C. girls & nurses

Tuesday 7.8.17
Route march to Blaringhem & back home, hard marching on the cobbles.

Wednesday 8.8.17
Divisional Gas Officer lectured on new gas which Fritz has lately been using.
Number of our lads endeavouring to transfer to Flying Corps.

Thursday 9.8.17
Route march to Recquotoile & back for lunch, afternoon free.

Friday 10.8.17
Went for a joy ride by motor to St Omer, endeavouring to pick up

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a few points about driving

Saturday 11.8.17
Full day route march to Arques & back then on through Racquinghem & home about 4.30 pm.

Sunday 12.8.17
Leave to St Omer, spent rather a good day, town crowded, band played in the park during afternoon; returned via Ronesque

Monday 13.8.17
Second Anniversary of formation of unit. Sports programme carried through & concert at night; Leave warrant for Blighty came through. Rode to Blaringhem to endeavour to get a new rig out but failed, given authority to get same at Horseferry road London.
Leave to-morrow.

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Tuesday 14.8.17
Left Camp by motor at 11 Am for Ebblinghem station where I caught the leave train at 1.25 pm, arrived Boulogne about 7.30 pm from where we marched to a camp to remain for the night prior to embarking for Folkstone. All in good spirits at the thought of 10 days leave

Wednesday 15.8.17
Had a very poor night without a blanket; reveille blew at 3 Am & all hands were up preparing to get away. Fell in at 6.15 Am to have our passes stamped & again at 7.30 Am to march to the pier at Boulogne. Left pier at 10.15 Am & buzzed across to Folkstone where we arrived at about 11.45 Am. Entrained at 12 noon & arrived

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at Victoria Station London just on 3 pm. Marched to Horseferry Road where I went through the usual red tape. Went to clothing store & obtained new uniform. Clear of all trouble about 6 pm, hailed taxi & flew up to Shaftesbury Hotel where we fixed up accomodation. Had tea & after went round to "Hippodrome" where "Zig Zag" was staged, a fine entertainment. Arrived back fairly late to our quarters, but wrote home before retiring, thus ended the 1st day of our leave.

Thursday 16.8.17
Went to Horseferry Road to draw money, would have had to wait too long last evening. Went to Tower of London & with the aid of the guards employed there

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(beef eaters) saw practically all of interest that was to be seen. During afternoon paid a visit to Houses of Parliament, was unlucky after waiting not to hear Lloyd George speak. Also went to Westminster Abbey & saw practically the whole of it. At night went to the Gaiety Theatre to "Theodore & Co" Wrote home before retiring. Passed over the Tower Bridge going to the Tower in the morning

Friday 17.8.17
Arose, had breakfast & afterwards walked down Picadilly & Oxford St; Paid a visit to Madam Tussauds wax works & National Gallery. Wended my way to Colleseum Theatre at night (Vaudeville) which is by far the best theatre in London from all accounts

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Gradually getting to know my way about. Again wrote home.

Saturday 18.8.17
Drew money at Adelaide Bank; saw St Pauls, Mint & Bank of England. Went to see the changing of Guard but owing to the rain did not wait; saw Buckingham Palace & St James Palace. Afternoon went to Putney by bus which is perhaps the best way of seeing the city. Went to the "Globe" at night & saw Gaby Deslys in "Suzette". Again wrote home & sent a few books of views.

Sunday 19.8.17
Wended our way to Middlesex St commonly known as Petticoat Lane, pays one to keep their hands well down south on their money while there. Before lunch went to Hyde

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Park & the "Row". Made enquiries during afternoon re Glasgow train & caught same from Euston Stn at 11.30 pm

Monday 20.8.17
Had a fairly comfortable ride, railways certainly fine & good to travel by. Arrived Glascow 10 Am, Engaged room at Central Hotel, hurried & caught boat at 10.40 Am for the trip up the Clyde, enjoyed trip thoroughly & arrived back at Glascow about 8.30 pm. Took a stroll around the town to fill in the remainder of the night.

Tuesday 21.8.17
Feel ‘tres bon’ after a good night’s rest, our quarters are fine here at the Central.
After the usual morning preparation & breakfast, caught 10.35 Am train from Queen St Station for

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Ballock Pier where we arrived about midday. It was from here we caught the boat to view Lock Lomond. Scenery surpassed all my expectations; landed for 1¾ hours at Inversnaid at the head of the Lock; returned as we came via Ballock Pier, through Partick which I took particular notice of & on to Queen St Station, where we arrived just on 9 pm. Strolled around the remainder of the night, life too short to return early.

Wednesday 22.8.17
Left Queen St Station for Edinburgh at 10.30 Am & arrived there 11.45 Am. Met a young "Scottie" who took us & showed us a good deal of the town before lunch including Deans Bridge & Carlton Hill, spent afternoon seeing what was

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to be seen in the town, had tea & went to Empire Theatre at night.

Thursday 23.8.17
Left our "digs", a private boarding house about 9 Am, had breakfast at the Royal in Princes St. While waiting for bus for Forth Bridge, met a tourist from Mosman who promised to call at the school on his return. Returned from Forth Bridge in time for lunch. Afternoon paid a visit to Edinburgh Castle & down High St to Holyrood Palace, both places being highly interesting. Strolled around after tea.

Friday 24.8.17
Down around Arthur’s Seat in a Taxi before lunch; afternoon had a look over Art Gallery. Filled in time till 12 midnight,

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when we caught the train for London. Very sorry to leave Scotland, had a fine time while there.

Saturday 25.8.17
Arrived London 10.20 Am after a very comfortable trip down, passed through Newcastle & York en route. Took bus to Shaftesbury & again booked a room, then proceeded to Victoria Station to report to R.T.O. as we should have returned to France this morning, had no trouble with the aid of a few "bob" in fixing that up. Went for a bus trip to Woolwich & Greenwich, saw Woolwich Arsenal en route. Returned for tea & afterwards went to Her Majestys theatre to see Oscar Asche & Lily Brayton in their

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wonderful production "Chu Chin Chow" thus ended a very successful day

Sunday 26.8.17
Again reported to R.T.O. & smoothed our way for another day, wonderful what a "tip" will do here. Caught the boat down Thames for Richmond, trip became rather monotonous through being stuck on sand bank & etc, so got off at Kew & returned by train to Waterloo Station. Had tea at Strand Cornet house, raining hard, so went on to picture show to fill in time. Thoughts of going back
to–morrow to France none too pleasant.

Monday 27.8.17
Awakened by hall porter at 5 Am, up & away at about 5.45 Am for Victoria Stn. Unable to get bus or

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Taxi, so caught milk card to station. Train moved out at 6.30 Am, sad sight to see all the "Tommies" once again leaving their people, raised a lump in my throat for a time. Arrived Folkestone at about 8.30 Am & went into billets to await the departure of the boat. Marched to Pier & went on board about 2.30pm, left under escort at 3.30pm arriving Boulogne in the heavy rain at about 5 pm. Marched to a camp where we remained till 10pm when we fell in again & marched to the train; an awful night; raining in torrents; got on board train at 11 pm & fell fast asleep disgusted with the whole thing; very downhearted at the thoughts of having to return to France & the prospect of the

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future.

Tuesday 28.8.17
Arrived at Ebblinghem 6 Am, detrained, slung the old pack & equipment on my back & set off on foot to the unit, where I arrived at 7.15 Am in time for a much needed cup of tea & breakfast. The day was occupied answering all enquiries & relating my experiences. Fine budget of mail awaiting my arrival which I was pleased to get & read; it conveyed the good news that my diary had arrived home in good condition. Feeling collar proud, find it difficult to get used to the old conditions again.

Wednesday 29.8.17
Orderly Corporal for the day, feel rather strange at work once again. Wrote home fixing up

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monetary matters in connection with my trip. Inspection of Division by "Dug Haigh". Still raining heavily.

Thursday 30.8.17
Days seem very long after having my time so fully occupied. Tom Roos had to drop his stripe on account of having overstayed his leave, 14 days in Blighty. Rations very young.

Friday 31.8.17
Colonel acting A.D.M.S. No rations issued, had to exist on our emergency rations. Five more of the boys went to Blighty on leave. Pay day, only able to draw 15 francs as I am slightly overdrawn for the first time since my arrival in France, have generally managed to store a little "down south" for a rainy day.

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Saturday 1.9.17
Very quiet, nothing very sensational has happened to create excitement.

Sunday 2.9.17
Spent the day in St Omer. Change from the ordinary routine of camp life. Band usually plays in Park of a Sunday, where crowds of both civilians & soldiers congregate. Fortunately left the town early enough to miss an air raid by Fritz, dropped a good number of bombs doing considerable damage

Monday 3.9.17
Fritz again came over & bombed St Omer, also tried to bomb [indecipherable] but was driven off.

Tuesday 4.9.17
Route march of about 8 miles

[Page 170]

Brawl between Portuguese & Australian troops last night in a village near by, rumors say 5 Portuguese killed, several of our boys badly handled. Met Fletcher, friend of Spie’s

Wednesday 5.9.17
In charge of a party doing a bit of road repair work, have to turn your hand at anything in this life. Went to church meeting in the evening.

Thursday 6.9.17
Rained heavily during the early hours of the morning Days very long with nothing to do or at any rate very little. Pay for it all shortly no doubt

Friday 7.9.17

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News coming from the Russian front very discouraging. Heavy bombardment going on out on the Ypres sector.

Saturday 8.9.17
Number of N.C.Os & men crimed for having overstayed their leave in "Blighty".
Cpl Herford & L/Cpl Hand both reduced to the ranks, few other crimed. Walked to 2nd Div Cinema show at Arques

Sunday 9.9.17
Took a run to St Omer for a few hours. Met Roy McPhee & spent some time in conversation about old times.

Monday 10.9.17
Usual morning parade, spent evening with the transport boys. Getting more sick of

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this life every day, nothing to look forward to & very little prospects of the war ending in the near future. Days drawing in and nights becoming dreary

Tuesday 11.9.17
Walked to St Omer for the purpose of having my photo taken, which I failed to do while in "Blighty". Returned early, "broke", for the first time since my arrival in France. Cannot draw my washing till pay day

Wednesday 12.9.17
Attended Gas Lecture at Blaringhem by Major Barley (Chemical adviser to the 2nd Army) on new gasses Fritz’ is using of late.

Thursday 13.9.17
Australian mail to hand dated

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1.8.11th of July. Also parcel 20 June. Few of the boys transferred to 3rd A.G.H.

Friday 14.9.17
Orderly Corporal. Walked to Wardriques at night. Brawl in camp late.

Saturday 15.9.17
Had to give evidence in connection with last nights disturbance. Camp struck & all patients evacuated; expect to move on Monday.

Sunday 17.9.17
General fatigues, preparing for to-morrows move.

Monday 18.9.17
Early reveille. Moved away 9 Am. early part of march very nasty & choppy, probably owing to bad arrangements; improved after passing saluting base at about 10 Am. Trouble among transport, one wagon

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overturned. Passed outskirts of Cassell en route. Billeted about 2 kilos past Steenvoorde for the night in a barn, covered about 17 miles, very tired.

Tuesday 18.9.17
Slept well. Moved of from Steenvoorde at 9.15 Am. marching none too pleasant over cobbles. Soon crossed border into Belgium, alteration in language very noticeable. Arrived at our destination, Remy Siding, Poperinghe about 1.30 pm. About fagged out after two days march. Locality very busy, all hustle & bustle on account of big stunt expected in a few days. Put in charge of traffic control.

Wednesday 19.9.17
Hospitals & CCSs in vicinity all

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clear for the stunt. Received parcel from home, registered July 4th

Thursday 20.9.17
Good number of slightly wounded coming through C.C.Ss, from all accounts stunt was a great success. Orders through to stand by. Given 20 minutes warning & left by motor lorries at 1.30 pm for the line Slept in dug-outs some distance back from the line for the night. All objectives gained this morning.

Friday 21.9.17
Continued through Ypres & went into line this morning. Still any amount of wounded coming through. In charge of advanced post on Westhoke ridge, position of old front line prior to yesterdays "hop over". Country very much cut up, low lying & very bad to

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work over. Walked out to yesterdays first objective to endeavour to find one of our boys who was reported missing while crossing from one post to another.
Wounded at 6.15 pm by pieces of H Explosive shell shortly after returning to post; thought a horse had kicked me, steel hat saved my life; got small pieces in head & face one of which went through my steel hat; & also a good whack in the back. Refused to be carried out, know too well what it is like carrying others; escorted by Jim Powell part of the way. Almost got caught by Fritz heavies twice on the way out; very close shaves. Put on stretcher at Main Dressing station where I was again dressed & put into Ambulance Car; after

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a long uncomfortable ride landed at 3rd Can C.C.s right opposite our unit headquarters about 12 midnight. Placed on table, again dressed, put into pyjamas & then taken to a room to await evacuation. While waiting some of the boys came across to see me also Major Wooster. Had a few things brought to me from my pack across at H’qrs. Very hungry, nothing hardly to eat for the last 30 hours.

Saturday 22.9.17
Slept a little during the night. More of the boys came across to see me. Wounds feeling very stiff & sore. Placed on Hospital train & buzzed off about 11.30 Am, glad to get a little to eat on board. After a very tiresome journey under the circumstances, landed at

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the 3rd General Hospital, Le Treport about 2 Am on the morning of the 23.9.17; soon placed in a fine big ward between the sheets, not sorry either, very long trip from the line to here.

Sunday 23.9.17 to Wednesday 26.9.17.
Doing well & receiving every attention from the sisters of the ward. Have good position in the ward overlooking the sea; hospital situation right on top of cliff on edge of sea coast. Sent Cable home Tuesday 25.9.17. Getting used to lying in bed but dont care for it at all, never realised it would be so tiresome.

Thursday 26.9.17 to Saturday 29.9.17.
Back still extremely sore especially so during the process of dressing. Being treated extremely well by

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a good Canadian Sister here in the ward. Anxiously waiting to be marked for "Blighty". Time dragging awfully.

Sunday 30.9.17 to Monday 1.10.17
Les Townsend here wounded, from all reports unit having a very rough spin, quite a number of the boys have been killed or wounded, practically all from my section, Doyle, Ballard, Murray killed, McGoldrick, Miller, Townsend & Hippersley wounded. X Ray taken of my head yesterday to ascertain if their was still a piece of metal in.

Tuesday 2.10.17 to Wednesday 3.10.17
Still going strong in the right

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direction, surprised though to find myself so weak when I endeavoured to get on the floor, would have fallen only for the timely assistance of my good Canadian Sister.

Thursday 4.10.17 - Friday 5.10.17
Both days have been up for a while, gradually becoming stronger. Received a fine bunch of mail from home 22-29 July.

Saturday 6.10.17
Break in the weather. September was a beautiful month as far as weather was concerned. Convoy of "Huns" taken into hospital here.

Sunday 7.10.17 to Tuesday 9.10.17
Found my legs again

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though still a bit weak, have not been out of doors yet. Very rough outside, rough sea running, have a great view of the sea from my window.

Wednesday 10.10.17 to Sunday 14.10.17
Doing fine, all very quiet. Paraded before Major & Colonel & was marked for "Blighty" on 11th. Have been waiting to go each day since.

Monday 15.10.17
Received 3 parcels from home dated 20 June 4 & 14 July. Rigged out in an old khaki suit & evacuated from here at about 8 pm. Driven by motor to Mers siding where we were put on hospital train which left about 11 pm

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Tuesday 16.10.17
Arrived at le Havre about 9.30 Am, detrained & were taken in huts fitted up for the temporary detention of patients waiting to cross Channel. Went on board Hospital ship "Western Australia" about 3 pm & was detailed to a bed in E ward Moved out from Le Havre with the old "Warilda" under escort at 8 pm.
Fairly rough trip across but felt "A1", slept fairly well.

Wednesday 17.10.17
Just off Plymouth when we turned out of our bunks. Anchored off Southampton some time to await orders. Disembarked about 10.30 Am &

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had to wait till 1.30 pm before we entrained. Train left about 2 pm for Cheltenham we were told but were eventually landed at Gloucester & were taken to the Palace Hospital where we were given a fine meal & put to bed.

Thursday 18.10.17
Compelled to stay in bed for the day, passed my time letter writing. Very pleased with this place, being treated like kings.

Friday 19.10.17
Given my blues & allowed to get up, some swank in my new rig out; - Blues, pair old civil boots, Tommy cap, red tie, & stick

[Page 184]

Saturday 20.10.17
Went up town, surprised to find it such a large town & so busy. Remarkable the number of perambulators & bicycles on the streets

Sunday 21.10.17
Took advantage of the good weather & again strolled up town. Caught train & went to Tuffley one of the residential suburbs.

Monday 22.10.17
Took part in whist drive at night given by the Commandant & had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Did not know a great deal about the game but finished up with a good score. Had only once previously played.

[Page 185]

Tuesday 23.10.17
Morning strolled out of town into suburbs. Afternoon being cold went to pictures which are all free to "boys in blue", Allowed out from 10 Am to 12 noon & from 2 pm to 6 pm, have to answer roll call at 6 pm. Being the Bishops Palace, all join in prayers after roll call for a few minutes.

Wednesday 24.10.17
Very cold & wet, spent & hour or so in town, but very little to do.

Thursday 25.10.17 to Monday 29.10.17
Doing fine & getting about as usual enjoying myself while I have the

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opportunity. Received more mail from home dated 5 & 12 of August.

Tuesday 30.10.17
Received registered parcel from home containing gloves, very pleased with them. Went to pictures in afternoon, had tea at Co-Operative store.

Wednesday 31.10.17
Inquiry came through from home regarding my condition.

Thursday 1.11.17 to Wednesday 7.11.17
Have received quite a number of parcels during past week. Also received official notification on 4.11.17 that I have been awarded the M. Medal. Again played in a whist drive

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on the 4th & had a very good night. Made a member of the hospital committee. Played in a billiard tournament on morning of the 6th but was beaten in my heat. Sent home Xmas cards.

Thursday 8.11.17 to Tuesday 13.11.17
Spent a pleasant afternoon at Conservative club on 8th at Whist Drive organised by Chemists of town. Invited out to tea on Sunday night. Have been out each day in spite of the bad weather.

Wednesday 14 to Wednesday 21.11.17
Week has passed very quickly.
Friday went to Cheltenham, surprised to find it such a fine town, also went on

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Saturday with my good night nurse to "Romance" played at the opera house.
Sunday went out to the nurses home for tea & had a fine time, quite a treat to go to such a fine home & spend a few hours. More trouble in hospital, two of the boys being sent to Bristol under escort. Tuesday went to Cheltenham to the Winter Gardens to see the picture, "The Birth of a Nation" but was very disappointed with it. All we Australians here marked for transfer to our own hospitals

Tuesday 22.11.17 to Friday 30.11.17
Wounds practically healed,

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feeling fit & well. Have been having a good time in hospital also out of hospital. Weather getting very cold, have to wrap up out of doors. Have been over the cathedral which is very ancient & most interesting. Hope to have the good fortune to be able to remain here for Xmas.

Saturday 1 to Saturday 29.12.17
Surprised that I have been allowed to remain here for so long still was extremely pleased to spend Xmas in such a fine place. Marked out for furlough about 20th & am now waiting for my papers to come through. Xmas Day was a grand day

[Page 190]

here & the staff deserve a great deal of credit for their efforts on our behalf. Won 1st prize at whist drive on boxing night with a score of 176, also won a prize for quoits on Xmas night.

Sunday 30th to Tuesday 1.1.18
Sunday very quiet, papers came through to proceed to Headquarters
Monday 1st Nursing staff entertained Patients & Pantry staff on New Years Night, the night of the 1st Jan; fine concert given & supper during interval. Fine opportunity to say good-by to all staff as practically the whole of them were there.

2.1.18 (Wednesday)
Feel very miserable having to leave hospital. Caught 9.30 Am

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train Great Western Railway arrived London 12.40 pm, took the whole of the remainder of the day getting fixed up at Headquarters. Found accommodation at Shaftesbury Hotel.

Thursday 3.1.18
Again had to go to Headquarters. Spend other part of the day about city. Met "Lad" Jarvie at H’qrs. Went to "Zig Zag" at the Hippodrome at night.

Friday 4.1.18
Day passed quietly in London. Went to "Maid of the Mountains" at night. Sent home Cable

Saturday 5.1.18
Left London 11 Am (Paddington) for Penzance, joined my dear nurse at Bristol

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on her way to Redruth & had a very pleasant trip down, arriving at Penzance 7.50 pm, found accommodation at Central Hotel.

Sunday 6.1.18
Walked to Newlands & Mousehole, raining all day, returned very early.

Monday 7.1.18
Went to St Ives, snowed & rained, very miserable. Returning had to wait 1½ hours at St Erth junction so went on to Redruth instead of waiting & caught train back from there to Penzance.

Tuesday 8.1.18
Snowing, spend day in Penzance & caught 4.15 train to Truro & stayed at

[Page 193]

Clymas Hotel. Only Australian in the town.

Wednesday 9.1.18
Very little to see or do in Truro so went on to Falmouth & returned by boat up the River Fal to Truro. Snow thawing, very wet under foot.

Thursday 10.1.18
Visited Redruth & spent the day at Lady Carbeck’s home where my nurse is staying. Caught 5.12 train back for Bristol arriving Bristol 12 midnight.

Friday 11.1.18
Caught 9.10 Am Midland train from Bristol for Gloucester where I arrived 10.5 Am, arranged accommodation at Bell Hotel for Noakes

[Page 194]

& I. Noakes came by 2.1 pm train from London. Went to Hospital at night & saw them all again.

Saturday 12.1.18
Spent afternoon in Cheltenham & the night at the Hippodrome

Sunday 13.1.18
Very cold. Went for a long walk in the morning.

Monday 14.1.18
Played Billiards at Y.M.C.A. in afternoon. Had a fine night at hospital fancy dress whist drive at night.

Tuesday 15.1.18
Caught 9.30 train Gloucester arrived London 1 pm. Went to "A Little bit of Fluff at criterion at night.

[Page 195]

Wednesday 16.1.18
Reported at Headquarters 10.30 Am from furlough. Missed first batch, caught 3 pm train from Paddington arrived at Warminster Sutton Veny" about 7.30 pm. Spent a awful night on the boards, never slept all night.

Thursday 17.1.18
Snowed heavily, waited about in the snow all morning to be classified, marked B1 A2. Drew kit from store.

Friday 18.1.18
Feet troubling me reported sick & admitted to Hospital Sutton Veny, very rough, not much comfort; quite the reverse to the

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last hospital.

Saturday 19 Sunday 20.1.18
Very quiet in hospital, no amusements of any kind, time drags awfully.

Monday 21.1.18
No food in preparation for operation "no bon" Put under anaesthetic about 10.45 & had part of my left little toe cut away. Felt very queer after coming around. & for rest of the day. Food awful. Given cold piece of tough meat & vegetable about 1½ after coming to, asked for drink of milk, none to be had was given hot water which I refused to drink with thanks. Foot very sore to-night.

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Tuesday 22.1.18 to Monday 28.1.18
Foot extremely sore for the first few day, could not sleep at night owing to pain. After a couple of dressings improved & now is fairly good only I cannot walk very well. Have not yet been ordered up by the Doctor but get up each day for the last couple of day; get very tired of bed. Food & conditions here very poor & no amusements of any description, will not be sorry to get out.

Tuesday 29.1.18 to Saturday 9.1.18 [?]
Still in hospital but am going to be asked to be marked out in a day or so.
Time drags awfully, nothing whatever to do to pass the time. Have walked out

[Page 198]

with a slipper on a few days to YMCA & played billiards, yesterday (8.1.18) [?], wore my boot but it was very uncomfortable. Have received mail from home, latest dated 16 December. Weather for the past few days has been very nice.

Sunday 10 to Saturday 16.2.18
Asked to be marked out of hospital on Monday being fed up with the place & went out to depot on Tuesday where conditions of living are better than in the depot hospital. Classified again on Wednesday B1 A2. Have been to Warminster a couple of times to play billiards, while there met Frank Grose in charge of YMCAs in Warminster & spent

[Page 199]

a few pleasant hours in his company. The days here as a rule are taken up in fatigues.

Sunday 17th to Tuesday 26.2.18
Depot life not too bad, far better than I expected rather monotonous though. Go to Warminster rather frequently to visit YMCA. Applied for four days leave which I expect to get on Friday next. Do practically no drill, whole of time taken up with fatigues & piquets. Good number of our boys are here in the depot, saw Sg. Matheson this morning. Big drafts going to France from Training Btns & O.T.B.

Wednesday 27.2.18.
Leave granted from Friday 1st to

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Tuesday 5.3.18 Classified again & marked B2 A which means 6 months service in England.

Thursday 28.2.18
Pay parade in connection with leave. Purchased railway ticket. Went to Warminster at night. Transferred to different section of camp.

Friday 1.3.18
Paraded at 2 pm for pass & sugar card. Caught 5.40 pm train at Warminster after a very amusing trip arrived at Bristol about 10 pm where we remained for the night.

Saturday 2.3.18
Caught 9.10 Am train Bristol to Gloucester, arrived at Gloucester 10.5 Am. Found accommodation

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at Bell Hotel, afterwards visiting Hospital & Hippodrome at night.

Sunday 3.3.18
Very cold & quiet in the town. Did very little other than writing my usual weekly letters.

Monday 4.3.18
Played billiards during morning. Went Whist Drive at night at Hospital & won "Booby" prize; had a grand night.

Tuesday 5.3.18
Went to "Boots" to lunch in morning & to pictures in afternoon. Caught 5.25 pm train arrived Bristol 6.18 pm. Had to wait Bristol till 8.45 pm to catch Warminster

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train, arrived back in depot 11 pm. Very tired.

Wednesday 6.3.18 to Saturday 6.4.18
Very quiet & peaceful month. Drafted into Quartermasters Store of Group Clearing Hospital day after returning from leave & have now a fairly comfortable position. Have sole control of messing & rations in connection with hospital.
During the month have spent a considerable amount of my spare time in at the YMCA at Warminster with Frank Grose & have had a fairly good time. Billiards

[Page 203]

is also my of my chief weaknesses at present & in the company of my pal spend many an hour at the good old game. Frank Grose left YM on Wednesday 3.4.18 for London & from there will proceed to France. Met Bill Phillips & Tom Martin a week or so back rather a pleasant meeting, since then Bill Phillips has proceeded overseas. Have been before a few medical boards during the period & am now classified B2.A. which means 6 month service in England. At times get

[Page 204]

very "fed up" with this life.

Sunday 7.4.18 to Sunday 5.5.18.
Went on leave from 8th.4.18 to 11.4.18 which time I spent in London. Very quiet in London compared with ordinary times owing to no men being on leave from France.
Visited a few of the theatre’s "Box of Tricks" at Hippodrome, "Bing Boys on Broadway" at Adelphi & Colliseum. Had a quiet though fairly enjoyable few days Have received quite a lot of mail from home during past month, have also met Alf Wells & "Barney" Weil. Things in general very quiet here in depot as

[Page 205]

all available men have been sent overseas owing to Big push.

[Page 206]

Mentioned in despatches December 6th, 16

Extract from General Staff orders by General McKay, G.O.C. 6.12.16

L/Cpl Berry H.V.
On three separate occasions L/Cpl Berry, who was in charge of a party of bearers for more than three weeks, displayed conspicuous bravery, handling his men with ability & inspiring them throughout.

[Page 207]

Would the person who may find this book be kind enough to return it to –

Mr W.A. Berry
North Road
Gladesville,
Sydney,
NSW,
Australia

[Acronyms]

[A.D.M.S. = Assistant Director Medical Services. p168
A.D.S. = Advance Dressing Station. p53,71
A.G.H. = Australian General Hospital. p147
A.S.C. = Army Service Corps. p72
C.C.S. = Casualty Clearing Station. p92
D.R.S. = Division Rest Station. p30
M.D.S. = Main Dressing Station. p121,128
R.A.P. = Regimental Aid Post. p21,24,59]

[Place names]
Baupaume = Bapaume p69,88
Belview = Bellevue p88
Butte-de-Warlencourt = see Walencourt below p 106
Carlton Hill = Calton Hill, Edinburgh p162
Etaplse = Etaples p15
Flexicourt = Flixecourt p57
Forveaux = Fourqueux p15
Guerdecourt = Gueudecourt p67
Hazebrook = Hazebrouck p153
Lagnicourt = Lagnicourt-Marcel p120
La Gouge = La Gorgue p20
La-Gourge = La Gorgue p43,44
Le Beoufs = Lesboeufs p72
Mealte = Meaulte p 81,100
Neuriel = Noreuil p120
Newlands = Newlyn p192
Pequigny = Picquigny p58
Poperinghe = Poperinge p174
Pucheviller = Puchevillers p119
Recquotoile = Roquetoire p154
Reincourt = Reincourt les Bapaume p131
Ronesque = Renescure p156
Sallie = Sailly p34
Senlis = Senlis le Sec p137
Steinbecque = Steenbecque p16
Strazelle = Strazeele p55
View Berquin = Vieux Berquin p55
Vauex = Vaux-en-Amienois p 121
Villa de Floss = Villers au Floss p131
Walencourt = Warlencourt Eaucourt. The Butte-de-Warlencourt is an ancient mound nearby dating from Roman times p106
Wardriques = Wardrecques p173
Warloy = Warloy-Baillon p141
Westhoke = Westhoek p175]

[Transcribed by Peter Mayo and Miles Harvey for the State Library of New South Wales]