Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

'A Glimpse of War through a Private's Eyes', a retrospective account of experiences in World War I, 1915-1917 / John James Brewster
MLMSS 1294

[Transcriber’s note:
The narrative is written in the third person and for much of it, Private Brewster refers to himself as ‘the Sentry’ (usually, but not always, capitalised). Some paragraph breaks have been introduced to improve readability. There are very few dates given within the document. The following is a partial chronology and highlights some events:

John James Brewster’s enlistment, pages 8-9.
The Liverpool Riots, pages 11-14; the reaction by troops already in Egypt to the arrival of soldiers involved in those riots, pages 19-20.
The voyage to Egypt, including entertainment on board and stopover in Colombo, pages 14-18.
In Egypt, pages 18-44.
Complaints about poor preparation for the trenches, pages 19-26.
Annoyance over fatigue duty on Anzac Day 1916, pages 26-27.
The pleasure of receiving mail from home, pages 40-41.
Arrival in Marseilles, page 44.
Rail journey through France to a village near Armentieres, pages 44-46.
Gas helmet training, page 46.
Preparation for going into action and conditions on the front line, pages 48-51.
The effect of shell fire and first casualties, pages 60-61.
The July 1916 Battle of Fromelles, including observation of an air battle, pages 73-92.
Description of a phosphorus bomb, page 87.
Brewster ("the Sentry") badly wounded in the arm, pages 92-93.
His experience in the firing line dressing station, and his evacuation, as one of the "walking wounded", from the front, via a second dressing station and the clearing station at Sailly, to the Emergency Hospital at Estaires and then by hospital train to a field hospital in Calais, pages 93-101.
Comments on women taking men’s roles, pages 100-101.
Experiences in hospital in France, pages 101-112.
The origin of the term "Blighty", page 111.
Voyage to Dover in the Red Cross steamer "Newhaven", pages 112-113.
Rail journey from Dover via London to Bradford, page 114.
Treatment in St Luke’s Hospital, Bradford, pages 115-121.
Comments on the generosity of local people towards wounded soldiers, pages 116-121.
Transfer to the Australian Convalescent Home at Harefield, relapse and recovery, pages 121-126.
Enjoyment by patients of their half-day visits to London, pages 126-128.
Thoughts on recovery and possible return to the front or to Australia, page 128.
Life in Perham Downs Camp, Salisbury Plain, pages 128-130.
On furlough in Glasgow, pages 131-137.
Description of the Naval shipyards and vessels on the Clyde, pages 132-134.
On furlough in Ireland, pages 139-140.
In Edinburgh, pages 141-142.
Comments on the sinking of the Lusitania, pages 143-144.
Thoughts on London, pages 144-148, and in particular, the skill of London policemen in directing the traffic, page 147.
Experiences at Perham Downs and Wareham Camps, Dorset, pages 148-150.
The process for determining fitness for active service and return to France, pages 150-153.
Celebration of Christmas Day 1916 and New Year’s Day 1917, page 163.
Preparations for a German attack, page 165.
A reconnaissance into No Man’s land, pages 165-170.
Praise for the War Chest and YMCA services to soldiers at the front, pages 175-176.
Observation of spotter-plane-directed heavy-gun-deployment in battle, pages 178-179.
Description of the difficulties "making trenches", pages 180-182.
An account of the fear experienced by troops new to the front line, pages 184-187.
Exploits of an Allied airman and reference to one, possibly "The Mad Major" (WW1 flying ace Squadron Leader Christopher Draper), pages 189-192.
Praise for Lloyd George’s work as Minister of Munitions, p. 193.
Description of undermined roads and German defences in the region around Bapaume, including description of a "pillbox" and associated holding dugout, pages 199-202.
Spirits of the men the night before going into action, pages 212-213.
Moving up for attack in early April 1917, pages 220-226.
The 56th Battalion attack on 2 April 1917, pages 226-231.
Description and diagram of German barbed wire defences, pages 227-228.
The 55th Battalion attack on Doignies, pages 231-232.
Description of a captured German trench, pages 233-235.
Thoughts on going into an attack, and a retelling the 56th Battalion attack from a more personal point of view, pages 236-240.
Under attack while holding front line posts, pages 241-263.
Observation of an aerial "dogfight", pages 260-262.
Brewster’s feet troubling him, pages 262-263.
Trench foot diagnosed; Brewster transferred to hospital in Rouen, pages 274-278.
Description of a failed attack at Bullecourt by the 4th Division, pages 274-276.
Brewster transferred to the Australian Base Hospital in Etaples, treatment for Trench Foot described, and complaints about treatment of patients there, pages 278-280.
Brewster returned to Monte Video Camp in Weymouth and is marked unfit for further service, page 282.
Thoughts on the beauties of the English countryside, pages 284-285.
On furlough in Scotland, and a game of golf at a links near Glasgow, pages 288-295.
On furlough in London, pages 295-299.
Description of Plymouth Harbour, war materiel, etc, page 303
Description of a "decoy" steamer, page 305.
The voyage home, pages 304-328
A death and burial at sea, pages 311-312
Arrival at Table Bay, shore leave in Cape Town, a public reception for returning troops, pages 315-323
In the South African Parliament for a debate on South Africa’s position in the War, hears Prime Minister Louis Botha speak, pages 318-322.
Australian coastline sighted, page 324.
Arrival and welcome in Sydney Harbour, pages 327-328.]

[Page 1]
I
A Glimpse of War through a Private’s eyes
By
John James Brewster.
Private (4748)
56th Battalion
14th Brigade
5 Division
Australian Infantry Expeditionary Forces
December
1917
[Signed] John Brewster

[Page 2]
For long years past the more sober minded individuals among the various populations of the World had been greatly perturbed lest from one cause or another one or more of the Ruling Powers would successfully precipitate the whole Continent of Europe into a terrific conflagration of the deadliest war.

The appalling outlook of such a horror was so frightful that many consoled themselves with the thought that, the general effect of all round education & the closer inter-twining of different Nations interests commercially, combined with the almost simultaneous movement of the working Classes of all Nationalities (common to each one) to bring about a better living status by peaceful methods, would clearly indicate to all, the decision of the most important diplomatic difficulty being settled by a clash of arms, could only evolve from the a brain so dead to human sympathy, sense, or justice, from an ambition so far removed from human feeling, from a character so vicious & iniquitous, that the thought of such an overpowering & overwhelming catastrophe became almost unthinkable.

With the very first appearance of the least straining in the relations of possible belligerents, the utmost pressure by peaceful reasoning was urgently yet most strenuously brought to bear, & when necessary a quiet yet determined show of force, that failing, perhaps, in some of the smaller, successfully smoothed over the larger troubles.

Upon the final settlement of each impending difficulty would come the declaration from each individual Nation that the hope & desire of avoiding war in every shape & form & fearlessly upholding undisturbed peace, was so strongly & wholeheartedly given that it really made even the barest possibility of War seem quite rediculous.

In the Year 1914 the full value of these apparently faithful

[Page 3]
& sincere peace declarations was rudely disclosed.

Even when his Nation had made such commercial advancement that there was every indication within easy measurable time, that in the struggle for supremacy, it would be successful, the criminal ambition of the Hunish Ruler was so exalted, that he threw off his shielding coat of hypocricy & stood, to the view of the whole world, with all his brutal, hideous, murderous, designs clearly exposed.

Notwithstanding all declarations to the contrary a very slight aquaintance with the history of Europe within the period of the welding together of the Hunish states into one Empire clearly shows that the ultimate design of these hell hounds, is the smashing of the power of Great Britain, knowing full well that until this is achieved the Hunish dream of World domination will never be realised

The seizing of Holstein-Schleswig the building & enlarging of the Kiel Canal the effort to control the greater part of Belgium similarly as Luxenburg. Allowing the Balkan States to reduce themselves in power & size, at the cost of their own blood & money were simply movements in the game to attain their hellish ends.

But thank goodness, it was left to a being, so infatuated & swelled up with his own importance that he vaingloriously links himself as almost Co-Ruler with the Deity, to name the hour of striking.

With Holland, Denmark, Belgium Luxenburg, & the whole of the Balkan States (of such an insignificant individual size as to be utterly impossible to withstand the shock of contact with the Hun, & his Ally’s, armies), his aim is clear.

The Hun army that for forty years of unrelenting & determined working, scheming, plotting & planning, has been brought to such a state of efficiency and organisation, from

[Page 4]
a military point of view that even by unbiased minds, it was looked upon as likely to prove invincible, no matter how hard the task cet.

With this Hunish idea in view a glance at the map will clearly show the hopeless state of both France & Russia if ever the Huns should decide for War.

A matter of a few months & France would have been completely over run, ruined, then Russia could have been crushed at ease with all the Huns accummulated power. Snow & Ice, devastation & desolation would never have stopped this hellish horde. With Russia laid low would this blood lustful fiend’s ambition have been so completely satisfied to have rested contented with his, to him gloriously won honors? As Ruler of all the land in Europe, content to stand equal to Britain as Ruler of the Seas! Not for a single moment!

Every gun & every man left would be turned on British borders. The British Isles, India, Egypt, & Africa, would have had to bear the brunt of an attack from millions of murdering wretches whose delight would have been to vie each other in villainy & frightfulness. What matter to their purjured, lying Leader if millions paid their just debts by dying in their villainy, so little would such a vile thing in human form think, that were it possible their worthless bodies would be used to float across remaining millions, so that his bloodletting ambition be attained.

This Self appointed Trumpeter of all the Virtues, perceiving all the Entente Nations quite fully occupied with internal troubles, – Russia with her labourers, France her Army, & Britain on the brink of an internecine war – became a seer with a clarity of vision most pronounced, & through his degraded satellites, provided by means of a devilish scheme, a cause for war.

With Hunish money murderers

[Page 5]
were bribed to assassinate a known opponent of this Hellish Hun Ruler, – though son of his own trouble torn yet unpitiable Ally, – on Servian soil.

An almost unanswerable & debasing demand was made upon the smaller Power, but under advice of all the Strong Powers an answer was given agreeing without unreasonableness, in order to avoid the threatened attack.

This Arch Priest of Hypocrisy expressed horror & consternation on hearing of the treacherous act, but also ostentatiously protested his earnest desire to maintain peace, but the very day he promised Russia to withhold his hand, this hell fiend who with one word could have stopped all, let loose the dogs of War!

With specious Hunish cunning he thought to lull the rising doubts & fears, of awakening Britain till he had quite demolished France

His almost providentially blinded mental vision could not conceive the possibility of Britain so totally unprepared, opposing him, but the march of murderous War hounds, not against his open foe, but through the country of a puny neutral –, one whom by his word & bond he had sworn to protect – slaying, torturing & committing unheard of atrocities upon innocent inhabitants, shattering in an hour, with shot & shell, edifices the work of centuries, aroused Britain to a proper sense of her responsibilities & by ranging herself by the side of her Entente partners, sent the Hunish most carefully computed calculations to the winds; but the task of bringing about their utter defeat is a problem now being slowly but surely worked out.

With men to fill the vacant places the work is not only made sure but also shortened.

[Page 6]
The British Call to Arms brought into being almost immediately the Volunteer Australian Army under the name of Australian Expeditionary Forces.

Both Federal & the Local Governments placed things in train at once to establish Training Camps in the most advantageous places & also for the organization of the working, maintaining Training & Despatching of the men.

Considering that Australia has never posed as a warlike country & therefore had no reserve stocks of material etc & the permanent training staff being planned on a very limited scale, the work performed at the outset was very satisfactory & the efforts made to have the training carried on, highly complimentary.

With exception of the very severe weather during the first year of the Camp, the housing accommodation the Rationing, Equipping, Training & Dispatching was, taking everything into consideration, very creditable indeed.

From appearances the improvements evidently trend towards making Liverpool a permanent Training Camp or perhaps after the War, a Military Barracks for there is every indication that each of the larger States will no doubt have always a permanent Standing Army of at least 25000 men. At the outset very stringent measures were taken to accept for enlistment only those of the finest physique & very many with just a slight blemish, on otherwise perfect manhood, were refused.

However as the urgency of the Call for Men became better understood such unnecessary strictness was not observed for it was soon apparent that every man who could march with equipment & could handle & manipulate a rifle, was needed.

Being such a long way from the Seat, the full force of what this War really meant was not understood

[Page 7]
by a very large percentage of the Australian population & even now the full intensity of the Call is hardly realized to the fullest estent.

When one thinks for a moment that the very existance of Great Britain as an Empire is at stake, in fact the very existance of all those Nations of the World who are now upholding that civilization which is based on Reason & Justice, the call should be paramount.

Far too many surrounded by all the comforts & happiness of bright Australian home life are much too apt to view the situation as one that the War is really between Russia & France against the Huns others that so far as we are concerned the war is Britains not ours.

But had it not been for the power & strength of the British Navy, to which our own Navy had been handed over to form a part, Australia itself would have very soon found to its cost, that this war was as much Australia’s as Britain’s or any other Nation’s now combatting with the Central Powers of Europe.

The manner in which the Australian Navy so worthily upheld the glorious traditions of Britain’s Seamen, – established unbrokenly for centuries, – the manner in which the first Divisions of Australian troops, all new to war, untried, established on the Peninsula of Gallipoli such fame that the record will be kept fresh & green, while the British language is spoken, really tended to continue the line of thought, regarding the remoteness of the war, and to lull Australians in Australia to a sense of security which is good to feel but which can only be maintained by sending continuously a supply of troops to take the places of those who have lived, and died, in a way the most glorious offered to any man "Fighting in the Defence of his Country". The men who fought & fell in Gallipoli and in France, fought & fell as truly for their Country, as if the fight had

[Page 8]
taken place in Australia itself.

Fighting on a foreign shore keeps the Australian people from passing through all the attendant horrors & atrocities, ghastly & harrowing sights following in the wake of ruthless & frightful war. Were Australian shores attacked would any man able to stand up & fight refuse to defend the land that gives him all he has? Why every man would willingly risk his life to strike for his home & all that home means to him & his.

The War being in France today, would not in any way alter the position, were the War in Australia tomorrow.

It’s a perfect hell in France but it would be a worse hell here, if we did not send men there!

After following the course of the War for twelve months the writer agreed that his place was at the front. His hair is grey. Enrolling officers are apt to look askance at grey hair so using what he thought was tact he scanned the list of places for enlisting & the names of the officers in charge & finding amongst the latter the name of an acquaintance of some years standing (he had played a game of billiards with him a few months before) he proceeded to the enlisting office one Saturday after his acquaintance had had a very good dinner, he certainly looked as if he had, & gave his name to be enrolled.

The officer looked at the name on the paper, mentioned it, looked up at the intending recruit & then declared We can’t accept you! Why! You could not form fours! The intending recruit not yet being a soldier also had a say.

The recruiting Sergeant who had given directions for filling in the application likewise had a say, – outside,. The recruit

[Page 9]
thought him rather good, he said. I am very sorry, it’s a [dash] shame, I thought they wanted men. The recruit although soothed by the Sergeant went away pretty downhearted. The man next in turn, a sailor, was told to come back again on Monday, "when you are sober." He also had a say. When the recruit left, the sailor was still "saying".

After a few weeks the desire to enlist still being keen the recruit decided that having used tact & failed he would try diplomacy at a different place & before a different officer, not an acquaintance. Diplomacy won easy & after being allowed time to put private business matters in order, the recruit proceeded to Casula, then a new Camp, where he was sworn in & equipped in Recruit order & thus became a member of the Australian Infantry Expeditionary Forces, Nov 1915; 240 were sworn in upon that day and as they formed a complete Company, they were kept as such.

We pitched our tents and moved into them. For two or three days we had little else to do but form up into line first alphabetically & then moved into different tents, next day again formed & numbered off & moved again, the third time we were formed up, numbered off, and again changed tents, this time to enable mates & friends to "tent" together.

Just about this time one of the drafts which had been waiting to sail for the front, had been clamouring for leave, which not being granted they decided on their own account to take & thus came into conflict with the military police. This caused the C/C to issue an order forbidding any one to leave without a pass & these would be restricted.

This caused the whole of the Companies in the Camp to make an effort to leave that evening. During the morning, as we were new arrivals in Camp, "Marmalades", the Company

[Page 10]
Staff Sergeant Major paraded us at the head of our lines & explained the situation. He pointed out that all leave had been stopped, that the Military Police would be armed & a Machine Gun would be trained on the entrance gate. He hoped that our Company would set a good example & stay in Camp & he asked for an answer, then & there he got it. NO.

Things were commencing to look pretty bad, some of the Companies, longer in Camp, were objecting to parade for drills etc, on account of the Leave Notice posted. At 12 oclock noon we were all called out & told that Leave would be granted every evening & Saturday afternoon & Sunday, that the Military Police would be done away with, mounting only the usual guards & pickets. The joy in the Camp was great. After the fourth day our Company was removed to Liverpool & there formed D Company of the 4th Battalion.

We had not been there half an hour before we were informed that no man could leave Camp without a pass. The then O/C was promptly told that we had been promised leave at Casula & pass or no pass we would take leave & did.

The next day or shortly after the whole of the Liverpool Camp was placed on the same footing as Casula – Happy again.

At Liverpool training in earnest began. After the lapse of a few weeks that "Picnic" feeling with which quite a number of those enlisting especially those to whom hard work & severe exertion had been strangers, gradually wore off & in its place arose the feeling that they had joined for something more earnest than a picnic, & rapid progress was made, at the same time as with most, there always loomed the possibility that a very great number would not return after Australia had been left far behind & inconsequence

[Page 11]
every available opportunity of proceeding home & seeing friends was taken advantage of to the fullest extent.

As a rule the time spent in the Training Camp "at Home", is easily the most pleasant, the soldier has & so for months the time sped merrily along till the improvement in the training clearly indicated that our stay was soon likely to be very short, but one incident occurred while our Company was in Camp that brought about a lot of trouble & damaged the public good opinion the soldiers had created.

A new office had been created Inspector General of all Expeditionary Forces, and one of the very first acts that the officer holding this position, did, was to give notice that it was his intention to extend the hours of drill & curtail largely the leave granted, also that every man was to pay the full Railway fare when proceeding to Sydney. Hitherto soldiers had been, carried free, although willing to pay say 1/- per week they would not pay 1/- per trip, & on refusing always referred the Ticket Collector to "Kitchener".

As an indication of how the men felt about this suggested innovation the following may be related.

On Christmas Eve 70 members of D Coy 4th Battn had been taken to Sydney for the day, to act as markers for certain units, who were firing their Musketry Class tests, at Long Bay & at about 4’oclock in the afternoon a telephone message was received from Head Quarters at Liverpool by the Officer in Charge, saying that owing to some difficulty these 70 men were to be asked to volunteer to act as Camp Guards on Christmas Day.

The Officer explained & put the matter before the men saying that Tuesday following would be given as a holiday instead of Christmas Day, the men notwithstanding that every one had made arrangements for spending Christmas Day (some in the Country) all

[Page 12]
agreed to act as requested. On Christmas morning at 8 oclock, 68 out of the 70 answered the roll, & later a telegram was received from the remaining two explaining the impossibility of reaching Camp on account of a steamer having been delayed.

After an inspection of all the troops in Camp, by the Inspector General of EF, when the suggested alterations were explained, the well conducted D Coy of the 4th Batt to which the before mentioned 70 men belonged, on being marched back to their lines, when called upon to halt, preparatory to their dismissal, in spite of Officers orders continued their march through the other end of their lines, straight past all officers & other Companies head quarters out of Liverpool being joined by others till the Column was at least 600 or 700 strong and before 5.30 there were very few men left in the whole of the Camp.

Some two or three weeks after, the definite instructions were officially issued discussions and murmurs arose everywhere. The main contention of the men was that if men, who in Gallipoli had established such fame that their deeds would be recorded with those of the very finest in the history of the glorious annals of the British Army, had been trained under similar conditions as then existed, such conditions would be quite good enough for those at present in Camp. Discontent & dissatisfaction reigned supreme.

Most of the men at Liverpool Camp had agreed when the usual time came to dismiss, that they should then all sit down & passively object to the extension of drill hours.

However they had no occasion to even do this, for just after breakfast a long column of men, like a huge snake, was making its way towards Liverpool from Casula.

The different sections of various Companies

[Page 13]
were all out on their parade grounds, at Liverpool, drilling, when the head of this Column was seen approaching steadily. The Column was marched straight at the first section, smashing it asunder & so on till every Company & party were scattered. The leaders of the men, by this time augmented by numbers from Liverpool Camp, had an interview with the Authorities and had come to a satisfactory understanding to continue as heretofore to enable the Military Officials time to consult the proper Ministerial Authorities and after going through some Company drill on the "outside" parade ground a start was made to return.

The manner in which this Column was handled by the men in charge gained the admiration of all who saw it, officers & men, one incident occurred worth mentioning. The first section smashed had been drilling with rifles & as the section was scattered many of the rifles were seized upon by the men of the Column & carried away. As this would have caused trouble to all parties, the leader of the men, was approached the matter clearly pointed out to him & he immediately gave instructions for the rifles to be given up, the leader himself collected about half a dozen. The Column was then examined to see that none had been overlooked & the men of the section were allowed to return them in good order to the hut, not one being missing.

On the march from Casula pickets had been sent ahead notifying all Hotelkeepers at Liverpool to close their houses while the men marched through, & had it not been for the opening of the door of one of the Hotels, from the inside, during the return march, nothing would have been heard of what is now known everywhere as the "Liverpool Riots".

Once the door of one of the Hotels was opened very little imagination is needed to picture what as everyone knows followed

[Page 14]
but it is generally looked upon as being nearly correct in stating that although from 10000 to 15000 men that day were more or less in a state of ferment, the whole of the real rioters numbered not more than 2000.

That the cause of the soldiers suffered in consequence is only too true some of even the radically inclined men considered it almost a disgrace to be seen in Khaki & that its effects were far reaching many of the innocent men who were among the first to leave Australia after the riots, soon found to their cost.

After a splendid send off at Her Majesty’s Theatre D Coy of the 4th Batt left Sydney early in March as the 15th Reinforcement of the 4th Battn.

Although no other Australian port was called at, a very pleasant voyage was enjoyed as far as Colombo, the weather was ideal and the "tucker" good. Each day till the very hot (torrid) region was reached, physical drill was very energetically indulged in, the usual Tugs of War, Boxing Tournaments, Concerts and games were carried out, & the Military Officer in charge, congratulated & complimented the men on their good behaviour & hoped it would continue so to the end. He also pointed out that on arrival at Colombo, it would depend entirely upon the Officer Commanding the Military Forces there, as to whether we should have any opportunity of seeing anything of Colombo. We had on board reinforcements for 6 Battalions & one for a Regiment of Light Horse.

We arrived in port on Saturday afternoon and preparations were at once made to take in water & coal. On Sunday morning the whole of the Ships company was taken ashore and marched to the barracks. One detachment at 7 am the other at 10 am, here we were entertained, at our own expense, and at two oclock, taken back again to the ship.

On arrival there the Coaling operations had made every part of the

[Page 15]
vessel in such a filthy mess, that it was even impossible to sit down anywhere. Loud grumbling arose on every hand & great regret was expressed that any had come back to the ship till coaling had been quite finished.

The two Doctors openly stated that no sane man would bring men back to a vessel in such a state & if she stayed in port the next day if the men did not get ashore they would make a protest, as to keep men penned up under such conditions was inimical to their good health. The O/C of D Coy who was officer of the day issued many of his Company with passes to go ashore again till 11 O’Clock, but great was the disappointment when the guard at the Companion refused to honor them. On the following morning no effort was made to take the men ashore, so they started to go overboard for a swim, in a very little while, bobbing heads could be seen all over the harbour

Instructions had evidently been given that local boats were not to come alongside however the men in the water would swim quietly till within reaching distance of a boat, when they made the occupants go alongside in spite of Police & other launches hovering near, & take the men ashore. By this means hundreds left.

Then the first coal barge was seen to be nearly discharged, this was the signal for at least 150 to 200 men to jump aboard and cast off the mooring lines, officers orders to desist being quite unheeded & laughed at. The barge drifted away from the steamer & was being taken by the tide towards the entrance to the harbour. The men on board did not care a straw where she went, they simply sang chorus songs & enjoyed the outing.

Shortly after a tug boat towed her to the Coal wharf. Every one on board landed & found any number of "Ricksha’s" waiting to

[Page 16]
run them up to town. As every coal barge finished discharging her Cargo she was loaded with men, as full as she could hold them, till only those who did not wish to go ashore were left on board.

Colombo is very similar to most Eastern cities, that portion inhabited by the lower classes being filthy, dirty, & dark with the foulest odours arising from many places, the wonder is that not only is their physique poor & weedy, but that they are able to keep in anything like reasonable good health at all. While the residential portion of the Well-to-do, is most charming & lovely. The gardens are very beautiful & for quite a long way a splendid esplanade runs along the water front similar to that at Manly Beach (Syd) with good roads & walks, forming altogether a most enchanting spot where a month could easily be spent in luxurious ease in times of peace.

During the second day some trouble arose whereby all the best Hotels in Colombo were closed to troops our men stated the New Zealanders from another troopship caused the difficulty.

Our vessel the Star of England moved out of harbour at 4 O’clock on Monday afternoon and anchored in the offing about a mile off shore to await the return of the stragglers, officers & men. A start was made at midnight.

Next morning we found the officer commanding the Military had returned in a furious state, first because all the men who wanted to, had gone ashore in spite of all their arrangements to prevent them & secondly for the trouble in one of the Hotels, for which he openly blamed the men of our vessel, without attempting to enquire if such a conclusion was correct.

A roll call was taken and not a single man was missing.

From this time till the voyage ended, there was nothing but continual

[Page 17]
unpleasantness. The men were forbidden to use the promenade deck, except when on duty, this was reserved so that officers could play deck quoits & have their lounges brought on deck; all concerts Boxing Tournaments were stopped & men had to huddle together on the hatches & in the passages on the main deck.

Shortly after leaving Colombo a bathing parade was ordered. Instructions were issued for every man to be on deck at 6.30 with a towel only, to be hosed down by the crew. This was a wise enough decision, but the crude way the matter was handled & the peremptoriness of the order brought about a blank refusal on the part of every battalion excepting the Light Horse who alone went through the performance.

It was noticed that some few men would never take a bath & the parade was ordered to see that these men were washed all over, but the order caused not only these but every other Infantry man to refuse to obey point blank.

No Horse or Mule Act for them!!!

Had the officers of each Company said to the men that in lieu of having drill we are going to try & have some fun by having a splash about on deck, the majority would have been only too willing to join, a suggestion then in a jocular manner to them, to seize all who held back would have gained the purpose in a jovial way by sheer weight of numbers.

As it was the whole of the officers had to stand by, looking very sheepish, feeling as if they had got a severe smack in the face. One good thing that the men really enjoyed was that after this incident all drill was stopped the time being spent in listening to lectures delivered by officers, from trench work to good behaviour; thus the men

[Page 18]
had a real good time, as they could smoke while being lectured. This was more in their line just then.

Good weather prevailed till Suez our destination was reached.

After waiting a couple of days here, for orders, during which we managed to get away a mail to Australia by the RMS Osterley we proceed through the Canal to Port Said. As we entered we received a very warm welcome from civilians & soldiers alike & this continued at every Camp along the Canal till darkness blotted out everything but our bright (Electric) Head light.

While at Suez we saw two "troopers" loaded with Russians proceeding to France. As the vessels were anchored very close together the Russians entertained us, all one afternoon by clearing a space on the after deck of their vessels and going through their National Dances. One man would give one style another a different one & so on till evidently they had exhausted their full list.

Unfortunately they did not appear to understand English, – or Australian. Their efforts to Coo-ee & even to cheer were rather amusing, but they all seemed very elated & jolly.

On arrival at Port Said we gave an impromptu Concert to the evident delight of a number of the White population. Although it was started with about half a dozen men, it proved one of the best Concerts given. At Port Said we got our first sight of several huge French battleships & quite a number of British & French Cruisers & Gunboats. We intended proceeding to Alexandria by the Troop ship but as a P & O Steamer had been sunk not far from Port Said some days before, we waited for further instructions although the steamer was fitted there with a 4.7 Gun.

While at Port Said although unable to leave the vessel

[Page 19]
we could obtain plenty of fruit etc from the "niggers" in boats alongside. They would throw up a rope with a basket attached by means of which we hauled up Watermelons Rock melons the latter very fine, bananas & oranges but not before the money was first lowered into the boat. Although they demanded payment first they always sent exactly what was paid for, right up to the last moment even when they could have left without any danger of any one on our vessel stopping them.

At Port Said we disembarked and entrained for Tel-el-Kebir.

On the way we passed a train proceeding to Port Said, on board which were a number of Australians. We were very much surprised to be greeted with Yells & Cries from them. "Who smashed up Sydney"! "How much did you leave of Sydney"?? This Clearly indicated to us that the Liverpool Riots had earned, for us, a reputation which before long would cause us many regrets, although in the 15/4th there was not a single rioter.

It was therefore without surprise that almost the first thing that happened after arrival at the Tel-el-Kebir Camp, was to listen to a very earnest lecture on the necessity of strictly observing all the rules & orders regarding discipline & good conduct generally. & how severe the penalties were for the non-observance of them.

In four days we had four O/Cs a new one each day & a lecture was given by each before going on to the Parade ground. On the Parade Ground the first day the Camp Commandant gave the usual comments on discipline. It was plain we were attracting quite a lot of notice & attention but the limit was reached when our Company was told off to do fatigue work in transporting a lot of salvage material from the

[Page 20]
Railway Station to the Storage Yard. This yard was run & worked by a lot of "Tommies" & without the least exaggeration, when we would run the waggons into the Yard in order to "dump" the contents, those in the marquees came rushing to the doors, & for quite a while those Tommies working about the yard not only would not come near but took the precaution to always stand with a fair sized stack of goods between them & ourselves.

It was quite two hours before one would dare come close enough to talk & for the most part of the time he kept saying Are these really the Liverpool Rioters? or Are these really the men sho smashed up Sydney? When told they were harmless he could scarcely believe it & when half a dozen were called over to him, at first he was quite scared & seemed inclined to "bolt" but after chatting for five or ten minutes his fear vanished & he appeared quite pleased, evidently, that he had not been broken in pieces.

Our fellows were in good fettle & were taking the waggons along at the "double" and as this we afterwards saw was by no means the general rule, the exuberance together with the name that we had been presented with, probably justified the Tommies in thinking before long the waggons for which they were responsible would soon be nothing but matchwood.

The next trip after the Tommy had spoken to us, the remainder of them gathered round & had a good long yarn. Really you could hear them say to each other. They dont look a bit dangerous! However the name stuck & a few nights after when one of the Canteens was torn down & its contents sent flying, the reputation of the Rioters was fully confirmed, although not

[Page 21]
one of them was in that "hoodlum" mob

In some of our Route Marches we had the opportunity to inspect the Battle field of Tel-el-Kebir where even then bullet badges & other souvenirs could be picked up. We also saw a large body of Indian Lancers who looked, & carried themselves splendidly, soldiers every one. They created a very pleasing impression & when on the "move" sat their steeds like bronze statues. The smart & almost impressive way in which they salute was startlingly clever.

The Australians will give unstinted praise, even for efficiency in performances which they themselves obstinately decline to do-well, when they cannot avoid it altogether.

While at Tel-el-Kebir, we were introduced to "Kitchener’s scavengers". On the outskirts of the Camp are quite a number of Kites or hawks, which appear to be almost tame & are very thorough in the "cleaning up" work about Camp Kitchener is credited with having introduced them into Egypt, hence the name "Kitcheners Scavengers"

The Camp at Tel-el-Kebir at this time (March 1916) was almost similar to a clearing Station for the various battalions, so we knew our stay there would not be long, but as the fourth battalion had moved across to France before our arrival, all kinds of rumours arose regarding our eventual destination. One incident is permanently fixed in our minds although trivial.

In order to improve the appearance of the lines of tents for inspection purposes, an order was issued for all blankets & oilsheets to be stacked outside the entrance to the tents as was done at Liverpool, according to drill book regulations, but the extraordinary part is that the method of folding the blankets was altered four times within two hours. First an officer gave an example of the folding, then a higher officer changed this & other higher officers changed the method as already mentioned.

[Page 22]
Even then these methods were different to the one taught at Liverpool, & naturally were considered by the men "not as good".

In a few days later we were under marching orders to proceed by rail to Moasker & eventually to join up our battalion, as we afterwards discovered at Ferry Post on the Suez Canal.

With the men overstrength belonging to the 4th Battn & the 20th Battn the 56th Battalion, sister to the 4th Battn was being formed up & our lot of 240 men (15/4) were sent to complete its establishment.

We detrained at Moasker and camped for the night in the open, our first experience. Camp fires were soon lighted, goodness only knows where the fuel came from, but it came, that was the main thing, "dixies" were soon boiling & after supper sing-songs choruses etc. We camped on the sand.

Reveille sounded the next morning at about 4 Oclock & we started on our first Route March with packs up carrying also 2 blankets, for our destination Although the load was a fairly heavy one & the greater part of the road was through sand (the desert) we were all in such good condition that we marched into Ferry Post in very good order. Our reputation had evidently preceded us for an unusually large number of men came to have a look at us. Shortly after we were drafted to our various Companies, moved off to join them, & allotted to our sections & tents, there to stay till the havoc of war made changes.

Once having joined the Battalion we were soon to learn that our reputation as rioters had preceded us and that the near future would prove a very strenuous time, from constant drills & long Route Marches For about a couple of months we we drilling three times a day with route marches of from 12 to 18 miles two & three times a week. So monotonous and unsatisfactory did the drills become

[Page 23]
that a Route March was looked forward to with pleasure, even although under fire of orders to "Keep the head up", "Keep your distance & interval etc etc even when marching "at ease".

For about three weeks the work of the Rioters was rendered more arduous by being marched, – after returning to Camp with the Company after the afternoon drill – straight back into the desert for an hours drill (extra),. This was deemed part of the disciplinary training but to the "rotter" this sort of thing was really not much use for whenever he felt disinclined to go out he would commit an offense that would land him in the "Guard Tent" or "Clink" as it is called where he would lazily recline till called up to Orderly Room for trial. The "rotter" can put up with many days detention in "Clink" without feeling any very great qualms of concience. What he always did & always will object to is hard work or strenuous physical exertion.

After this period of three weeks the "Rioters" were considered to be so improved in drill & dicipline as to be then only subjected to similar treatment to that of the other members of the Company.

They were then issued with the regulation drill uniform worn in Egypt in lieu of the Australian one which always made them so glaringly conspicuous that any officer could easily pick them out for any real or fictitious fault. When the whole Company was attired alike it was with the greatest pleasure that the Rioters would frequently hear the officers have to say to some of the older Company men, I should’nt have expected that of you! till at last it became so common that soon such remarks were stopped.

Of course when a "Rioter" happened to "fall in" it was natural to expect Oh I thought so! from the officer.

To men coming from Liverpool where at least three months were taken up in all the Elementary close order drill & given an insight into the

[Page 24]
higher branches, it looked uncommonly like mere waste of time to go through exactly the same performances right from the beginning but under conditions much more difficult to bear, time which could have been very much better devoted to making them better fighting men by making each & every one more expert in firing his rifle, in bomb throwing & in the work of handling and firing Machine Guns & Trench Mortars.

If in Egypt almost the whole time had been spent in exercises of this kind and Route marches, & all the useless close order drill & Elementary Rifle Exercises "cut out" altogether, the value of every man when in France would have been considerably enhanced as a fighting man as well as preventing the possibility of a lot of irritating annoyance & dissatisfaction arising.

Without any stretching of veracity it is safe to say that when our Company first went into the firing line in France more than half had never handled a live bomb let alone throw one & had never seen a Machine gun close enough to handle it, had they understood its working but they had performed the simplest elementary close order or "squad drill "by numbers" so often that by the tedious monotony, their execution of all their work was perceptibly worse at the end of their alleged training than in the earlier stages. The evident uselessness of all the unnecessary tiresome repetition of parade ground proceedings seriously affected all that enthusiasm, all that patriotism, all that personal ambition to try to be of the greatest value as a unit, of a force keenly & strenuously fighting for its very existence in the service of a country well worthy of defence

When it is accepted that every officer & man enlisted with the one single object in view, the defeat of the enemy, it is very hard to have to draw attention to & specially dilate on what appears to be plainly mistaken ideas, views, & methods, to obtain

[Page 25]
the greatest efficiency in the shortest time, together with the necessary amount of obedience, & discipline appertaining to a well trained army, & at the same time, retaining that amount of good feeling & comradeship, between the officers & men, without which the very best results will never be attained.

One of the very first "peculiar" things noticed in Egypt was the continual changing of junior officers probably caused by the effort & endeavour to obtain for the Company officers of the highest ability & best capacity among those available, but possibly arising from a desire of the higher officers to have about them those ready & willing to accept their diction as always correct right & proper, without the exercise of thought mind or brain

It is evidently not a very hard matter for a dictatorial superior to find very urgent work elsewhere for any junior, who may have the audacity to make a suggestion, or offer a proposal not strictly in keeping with the line of thought or conduct set out or laid down by the former. Officers in conflict must militate against the good working of the unit, & for its sake as well as for the individual, should be terminated, but only after personal observation by the higher officers of the faults and failings of each disputant followed by a full investigation of the whole circumstances.

If in the superior officer there is a tendency to crush all the developing personality in the junior, that helps to build up his character as a leader, the superior must necessarily become surrounded by officers who, in a tight corner, would be practically useless from a fear to offend, when stronger men could willingly accept a responsibility & act to the best of their grasp of the situation or of the unforeseen circumstances & risk the censure & condemnation if such action failed to be viewed in an approving light by the superior.

The period spent in Egypt afforded amongst the men, ample food for thought

[Page 26]
The utter needlessness of the exercises & drills performed most of the time became incomprehensible & irksome both from a physical & diciplinary point of view

Constantly orders would be issued, to be altered or cancelled, almost immediately without a thought of the needless trouble & inconvenience such a procedure would entail, and repeatedly many men refrained from taking notice of an order till the very latest moment in anticipation of its usual alteration or cancellation.

It conveyed the impression that orders were continually being issued without proper authority, which when sought, considerably altered the aspect. This certainly did not suggest the highest organization or effective administration

Imagine the feelings of a body of men observing the first order setting off to prepare accordingly & then to be told at the eleventh hour, by another body of men, who had seen it, of the alteration, not only causing their time & energy to be wasted, but probably rendering the additional work of adjustment hardly practicable, in the time then allowed. Or take an instance, where an order was read out one evening that the next day, "Anzac Day" looked upon by all Australian soldiers as the "day of days" was to be strictly held as a close holiday, that all drills parades, fatigues, (except daily essential fatigues) were cancelled & that the men could devote the whole day to recreation or attend a sports meeting organised for the occasion.

Just picture the feelings, & the exclamations used by the men to show them, when next morning before breakfast, the order was altered in such a way, that it was the duty of one Company of a battalion to proceed to a parade ground & dig trenches, this work could just as well have been left till the following or any other day as the trenches (for drill purposes only) would not be required for at least a month. To do this work this Company went, although it was Anzac Day.

The altered order informed another Company of the same battalion, that the day was a close holiday, but all the men must remain

[Page 27]
in their lines. Had any offense been committed or negligence & carelessness been shown to warrant censure, the position would have been clearer, but nothing that the men were aware of could account for such a penalizing attitude being adopted, & so determined were the majority of the men of the second Company, to totally ignore the alteration that after breakfast a large body of men including NCOs march purposely past the higher officers tents with a fixed firm idea of spending the day as first intended. Evidently to save their faces, the officers marched all the remaining men out to enable them to attend the function provided for their pleasure & entertainment as enjoyed by the men of every other battalion in the camp.

The alteration of this order was hardly the right or proper way for officers to help the men to celebrate "Anzac Day" the day specially set apart to perpetuate the memories of those heroes who fought so well, & fell on the now historic hills of Gallipoli that Australia’s fair name is raised so high on the records of fame that the whole world wondered.

While at Ferry Post apart from the tiresome drill, the life was fairly comfortable on account of being close to the Suez Canal. Every available opportunity was taken to have a "dip" in the water, its warm temperature enabled one to remain in it for quite an hour without any ill effect and the continual basking in the sun, soon tanned every mans skin, so that many would rival the "brown men" of Manly (Sydney)

Always on Route marches & during drill in full uniform, the excessive heat was keenly felt, perspiration would soak through the drill tunic at times when on a long march so very much that the tunic looked as if it had been dipped in water. In fact on most mens tunics there was a permanent stain made by the dye from the braces of the equipment where they crossed the back & over the shoulders.

But when attired in singlet & shorts the heat was scarcely noticed, & just before

[Page 28]
leaving for France, when we were allowed to drill clothed in this manner, the change was very welcome.

After spending about a couple of months going through the regulation drills etc the Camp was rather excited when it was reported that an attack had been made by Turks on the New Zealanders & color was given to this report, by six casualty cases being brought in to Hospital. A Camp Guard was posted about a mile or two on the desert side of the Camp and further information was awaited with considerable interest. A few days later our battalion was moved up hurridly to the front line trenches on the Sinai Peninsular, & our Company had its first experience of holding a trench on the (supposed) firing line.

On arrival at our destination after being served out with the regulation ammount of ammunition we were marched straight up to the trenches and word was sent round to all the posts that an expected Turkish attack was to be made two days later. Work was started to have all the trenches put into first rate condition, and the supervision by the officers was very keen & strict just at if the whole of the Turkish army was a few miles away & could rush us at any time, although we had an advance post miles in front of the firing line and Light Horse Patrols went out 15 miles in front of these every morning, to say nothing of one or two aeroplanes, on Scout Work every day scouring the horizon for probably 50 miles away.

All sorts of dodges were tried to test the watchfulness of the men on post. One, rather dangerous, was to send out two men, who were to approach over a sandhill immediately in front of our trench & try to get as close up to our wire as possible without being detected. However with evident considerable forethought, the two men who were going out managed to have word passed along to those in the

[Page 29]
line, as to what was being done, & better still, gave the time when each could be expected. Needless to say the first man was quickly discovered and halted, by the men on the look-out, in the regulation way & the order to do so was given so loudly that all the others were found to be on the "alert" & the man was quickly "discovered" much to the satisfaction of an officer who apparently "accidently" loomed up over the back of the trench just about the time. Needless to say he was mounted & had left the Camp in just sufficient time to observe how the "ruse" worked.

The second man was not due till an hour or two after midnight & although a very keen watch was kept by those immediately opposite the place where he was to come, the light was so bad that the man was able to approach to within about 50 yards of the wire without being detected, and as he was getting a bit anxious himself to be "seen", he thoughtfully decided to make his presence known by "coughing".

Immediately a loud challenge rang our, the man being duly halted at the same time many a sleepy sentry was "unduly awakened" till the "enemy" had reached the trench through one of the "gates" in the wire.

When the second man was chaffingly asked why he coughed he replied "Bli-me! I was getting too close! If I had gone closer one of you "drowsy" sentries, waking suddenly, might have "potted" me so I decided to wake you, while I was at a safe distance".

We all guessed, right, that the Officer was snugly asleep before this.

Prior to this occurrence some of our men had interviewed the Light Horsemen and learned that there was not a Turk within 50 miles of us.

The life at this place was almost unbearable, we had a wave of intensely hot weather & our allowance

[Page 30]
of water was limited for all purposes, drinking, washing, shaving & bathing, to one bottle a day. During the day we were shovelling sand out of the trenches, & making Machine Gun positions, & doing Sentry work at night.

The sand was blown in every direction by every little gust of wind, but when the wind strengthened the sand penetrated & permeated everywhere & every thing.

As men were relieved during the night from the sentry post, they had to lie down in the trench to sleep, but this was almost impossible for little rivulets of sand would trickle from the sand bags into the eyes & ears, and as the heat was so great no covering could be placed over the head. Those in the trenches stuffed their ears with rag, but after one night of this, the difficulty was surmounted by all sleeping on the parapet. Of course when an officer was seen approaching for inspection they were "rudely" awakened, but later it became quite the proper thing officers present or not.

After a couple of weeks weary watching & waiting for the enemy to appear, our Company covered itself with glory, by capturing one wizen faced, half starved Arab & two lean & skinny Camels, however he was duly dubbed "Spy" & we proudly realized that we really were "on active service". The man could easily have been a Spy although he looked as if he "was after a feed".

However he was properly handed over to be escorted in Custody to be base. We were not taking any risks.

So intolerant & depressing did the work become on account of the heat & sand & the constant demand for more water that the O/C rode in one day to Headquarters base, & demanded more water for his men failing which he would march his men back to where the supply was plentiful

Next day an additional water train (Camels) was put on & from this out every man received at least 3 bottles a day & things were much more cheerful

[Page 31]
What led up to this was the desire of the O/C to promote one of the privates but as he was grey headed & he knew perfectly well that no grey headed NCO or officer would be given any important work or post in the firing line in France, but would be kept back from 7 to 10 miles at least superintending the despatch of ammunition or Ration parties to the men in the line, & as the private said he did not enlist for this sort of work, but to be up in the line to shoot Huns, & by remaining a private, he knew whether his hair was grey or green or brown or blue he would have to go into the line whether he wished to or not, & so the promotion was refused.

Go to your line Corporal (not Lance Corporal) [dash]! says the Captain to the private, No Sir! I go back to my lines as Malingerer [dash]! if you insist on me being a corporal.

Who the [dash dash] is running this Coy You or I.!!! Please understand that you cannot make me do the work of a Corporal if I do not wish to do it,! said the private, whether you are running the Company or not!!

At that moment the private informed the Captain that he would like to have a man to man chat with him (the O/C of the Company) & asked him to, metaphorically, remove his stars (he was just then in his singlet & shorts) They are off! said the Captain. The Private then pointed out that although the men knew the O/C to be a good officer in that he knew his job as regards drill etc, & that they knew he was acting with every good intent to make the Company a good one, his methods were unusually harsh & severe in a large number of general instances & his deductions & conclusions quite rediculous in others & in certain individual Cases his judgment concerning temperaments was absolutely wrong.

One striking Case was where a really splendid man had openly

[Page 32]
defied him to do his worst, through nothing more or less than this mans inability to carry out an order before the whole Company through excessive supersensitiveness.

This sensitive man had upon two occasions openly defied the O/C, once before the whole Company & again before the whole Division simply because it was quite impossible for him to take a pace forward & go through any movement alone, before the whole Company or Division. On the second occasion a file of men had to arrest him & take him back to the base for trial, and upon the return of the Battalion the men were keen to hear the result, for all the men knew the mans weakness if the officer did not & no one knew what would have happened if the man had been too severely punished.

However our O/C was not a man that fined his men he had a saying If he could "not control his men without having to fine them (fining Australians was hitting them in their weakest spot) he did not deserve to be in Charge". On this occasion he gave the offending private a fatherly talk & they both agreed to be good friends in the future (& were) but the officer did not then know the reason why the man who on close acquaintance appeared so reasonable & willing to obey orders was so stubborn & insubordinate on two occasions.

It was at this time the private pointed out to the O/C this mans weakness & also drew his attention to the condition of some of the reckless men who drank the water, the whole bottleful shortly after issue at 6 oclock in the morning & had to go without till 6 the next morning, generally the younger men & others who were inclined to be weak. In fact one or two were mentioned as likely to die unless a better supply of water could be issued to them, & as the private pointed out to the Captain there was really no

[Page 33]
reason why at least 3 times the present supply could not be issued.

Why do you make such a statement! says the Captain. Why! I happen to be on the Water Guard here & private [dash] of my own Section is on the Water Guard at the base just a few miles away. & as he accompanies the Camel train with the "phantassies" containing our water each day, he informed me the Head Quarters Staff & the Company in reserve has so much water that they were able, by making holes in the sand near the tank & placing a tarpaulin thereon, to have a luxurious bath & to wash all their Clothes in plenty of water & yet even then some was running to waste.

It was half an hour after this conversation that the O/C mounted his mule & rode to Headquarters & demanded the increase which was at once granted. The private was allowed to go to his Lines still a private but two of his section were picked out to become Lance Corporals whether they liked it or not.

The day after the extra supply of water was obtained the O/C had the whole Company marched down to the water tanks at the base (in two separate parties) to have a bath & also to wash clothes. And such advantage was taken by the men that they washed every article even what they were then wearing & as the O/C had allowed them to return to Camp in their own time they presented quite a unique sight for most of the men were only wearing a hat, a pair of boots & a shirt carrying in their hands all their wet Clothes.

At a distance the looked "alright". Like a Company of highlanders in a summer "dress" but of course the men were returning in parties at their leisure & not in any formation

Nothing more came of this conversation till the Company had reached Moasker on its way to Alexandria to embark for France when the O/C summoned all

[Page 34]
all the Company formed them into a Square & had a friendly & also a fatherly talk. He pointed out that no doubt in his efforts to make them good soldiers he had made many mistakes (but the men had made more dont forget) he had probably misunderstood many of his men, but he hoped from that time out that they would all have a much better time together, that he would understand them better, that they were a Company of which he was justly proud & that in France that they would one & all find him a very different man (& he kept his word).

With an issue of one bottle of water per day for each man, it was with the greatest difficulty that sufficient could be spared for washing purposes but by using a sponge, one of the privates succeeded in sponging himself from head to foot, brushing his teeth, shaving, & drinking each day upon 1 bottleful of water. Of course when the issue was three bottles it was not such a work of art.

Perspiration & Sand rendered daily washing quite a necessity but lazy men used the want of sufficient water as the excuse to follow in the footsteps as regards cleanliness of the Sydney Domain Habitus.

On returning (a very welcome proceeding) from the front line to Ferry Post we had a very cold "Route" march back. In full marching order, with pack & two blankets we marched eleven miles from 4.30 am till 7 am without a single stop of any kind but this was done without a murmur because information has just leaked out that we were just on the point of leaving for France and therefore the men were very anxious that there could be no question of "being fit". Only about 3 dropped out, at the risk of losing their place in the battalion. We had had no drills or inspections for at least three weeks only fatigue work & holding the trenches.

At night time in the desert it is very difficult to see very far on dark nights and scattered sparsely growing patches of sage bush which

[Page 35]
abound in many places although hardly noticeable in the day time show up quite distinctly at night & if a breeze is blowing one is almost inclined at times to think that a patrol is steadily but surely approaching more especially as quite a number of Jackals roam the desert.

Travelling at night is also very difficult off a known track unless careful note is made both back & front as to the position of the Stars or some outstanding land mark such as a very high sand dune.

One NCO of our Company was taking out a patrol party for experimental scout work, part of his duty being to send a man back to Headquarters at stated times reporting progress. Every report had to be in writing but as one of the men had been sent with a verbal message only & not wanting to disclose his error to the men the NCO halted them & ran back to overtake the "runner".

The Party waited some hours and as it looked as if the NCO was never coming back, before morning dawned they journeyed back to the Camp & much to their surprise ascertained that the N.C.O. had not returned. Notice was immediately sent to every post to sweep the horizon for any trace of the missing man.

A search party was being organized when later in the day the NCO trudged very tired into the lines.

Having to report his absence to the O/C he started a rambling statement of how he discovered a Turkish Scout approaching the lines whom he chased for 25 miles & although he succeeded in wounding him the Turk succeeded in escaping. As no one would expect such a "cock & bull" yarn to be credited for one moment, the NCO was promptly reduced to the ranks. Had the man plainly & outspokenly told the truth that he lost his way & was aimlessly wandering about all night the worst he would have suffered would have been a reprimand & one or two days "chaffing" from the men but as it was

[Page 36]
not a single man ever treated anything said by this NCO in a serious way ever afterwards. It certainly utterly ruined his chances of promotion for a long time & afforded a basis or foundation for numberless blood thirsty blood curdling & most wonderful tales always most seriously told within easy earshot of the unfortunate NCO.

It was imagination running rampant for weeks together.

In one of the tests for officers to proceed with their Companies in absolute silence on a long route march at night time (an especially dark night always being selected) where a given objective had to be reached in a given time with not a man missing our O/C was highly complimented for when the objective was reached and the Company deployed in extended order as if in readiness to make an attack he was surprised by the lighting of a torch to discover that three members of the Staff were present to Check his work.

Prior to the start our O/C had given orders that every man in the Company had to have a piece of rope or string fastened to the back of his belt so that pratically speaking by the man at the rear holding this string, the whole Company was tied together which effectually prevented a single man straying, and saved unnecessary orders being issued.

Another incident that cannot be overlooked was the fact that while at the front line 28 Cases of Comfort funds were deposited in the Battalion H Quarters about two miles away but the share of this undoubted generous supply of good things, for each private in our Company was half a dozen boiled lollies. What a good time some people had?

Shortly after the return to Ferry Post on the canal, information was officially given out, that our Battalion was under orders to prepare to move off for transportation to France. The whole 5th Division were to be transported in the one Convoy. The news was received with great Cheering and the excitement

[Page 37]
kept the men elated. Drilling & Inspections of Rifles Etc were at an end and the next five days were mostly spent in the water at the Canal after every man had received all his Shortages of Clothing & equipment. The 8th Brigade then camped at Ismailia organized a surprisingly good sports meeting, which would have done credit to any sporting Association in Australia – well conducted, well contested, & well carried out.

The division received a holiday and at the request of the 8th Brigade three men from every section in our Battalion, & others of course, were requested to attend. It was naturally looked upon as a favor to be one of the three men. They were formed up & marched about four miles under the command of a Brigade Major & the lucky men looked forward to having a good time, but the good time proved a myth.

The men were not allowed to roam about but kept in special places No food was supplied & nothing to drink but when about 20 "Gyppos" were seen coming across the sands with baskets of melons, it was a signal for our men to make a wild rush for something to eat & drink for they were famishing. Those Rock melons tasted very sweet indeed.

The Sports were over at 10 oclock and our men had to march back straight to Camp one man who was missing for 10 minutes after the appointed time but who joined in the march was reported.

It was with feelings of the greatest discontent & dissatisfaction that our little Company broke off to seek their tents. They had no sooner stretched themselves on the ground & gave vent to their pent up feelings, than an order came from the O/C to fall in, by this time the murmurings reached loud surly growls & it took a good amount of tact on the part of the Company Sergeant Major to quietly induce the more turbulent men to parade at all. Whats all the row about! Were you not the men specially picked to have a good time at a Sports meeting? You dont seem to have been enjoying

[Page 38]
yourselves much? It seems to me that this alleged sports treat was worse than a drill? Sergt Major! March these men to the Canteen!! Canteen is closed Sir! Get the bally thing opened! see that these men get as much as they can eat & drink & charge the cost to me!!!.

Long drawn surly faces broadened into wide grins & the men marched away in the best order; the Canteen was opened, to them, at once & the real good time was enjoyed.

I think said the O/C if I had been in charge of that party my men would not have had to wait till they came back to Camp for a feed & a drink! I am not surprised at them roaring! I would have done the same thing myself.!!.

Just about this time one of the most incomprehensible orders was issued. Every man when leaving Australia was given a full issue of Clothing in duplicate & provided with a kit bag to protect them. Numerous inspections were made from time to time to ascertain if any shortages had occurred & these were made good & charged to the mans account.

In Egypt we had a drill tunic & pants & otherwise only wore a singlet & putties & boots. The order referred to instructed all men to place in their packs 1 shirt 1 singlet towel shaving kit, housewife, Soap & overcoat, with two pairs of socks & any other things which could be "packed" according to regulation size (which was very little) all the other articles in the kit bags had to be thrown in a heap, leaving only one tunic & 1 pair pants (Australian) remaining in the kit bags, & these were inspected three times to make sure the order had been properly carried out. Why were these things issued to the men at all? Why had they to be so careful to lose nothing?

The most startling thing then happened, the discarded tunics & pants under clothes etc were then carted to the incinerator to be burnt!!! Quite a large quantity was thus destroyed but still there were large stacks to come when a "high" officer who was riding

[Page 39]
by wanted to to know by all the Gods above & devils below, What the [dash] the incinerator men were madly burning such good material for? Officers orders! Then stop at once!!

This officer did not belong to our battalion but he certainly prevented some thousands of pounds worth of the very best material being utterly destroyed, by stopping the burning when he did & having the material promptly carted to the Stores at Ismailia. Up till this time the men had taken special interest in keeping their clothing in good order but this incident created an indifference which to this day exists in France.

It was one of those sublime flashes of supreme thoughtlessness that rises now & then above the ordinary run of military stupidity.

A special issue of tinned goods, tobacco, cigarettes matches etc was a clear indication that the first stage in the process of embarkation for France was about to be commenced & sure enough we were on the move next day for Moasker having to leave behind lots of goods things (to be "scooped up" by the "Gyppos") that we would have dearly relished had there been time to consume them & would willingly have been carried had room been available.

By this time we had already observed that whenever we had to "Shift Camp" numbers of parcels would be discovered that should have been handed out weeks before, and anything in the shape of food, cigarettes or tobacco which would have been difficult to transport in the limbers or waggons, for want of space, would at the last moment be handed out to the men, only to find that all the carrying capacity was so taxed that it was an impossibility to take away what was then offered, although a day or two previous, it would have been most welcome. To a more or less extent this practice continues to exist to the present time, notwithstanding all the past experiences, showing loss of good material that will be greatly

[Page 40]
regretted very few days afterwards

Surely the Officers could easily ascertain what transport accommodation would be available & what space occupied by the rations & goods on hand days before the actual time for "moving off" & the surplus instead of being left behind could be issued to the men for consumption in good time.

It was in Egypt that we first gained the knowledge of the unreliability of the receipt of parcels, although there was no indication of any difficulty in the facilities for transporting them such as might be expected if a continuous action was being fought & every available vehicle used for assisting the movement of War material wanted for the line.

We were here also informed that no newspapers would be delivered according to address but only sent in bundles indiscriminately as opportunity offered.

When in Camp or in billets the special desire of all men is of course "Pay Day", but whether they are in billets, Camp, or the line, the fact being known that a "Mail" has arrived invariably creates the greatest excitement & then "parcels".

Immediately it is known that a mail has arrived, if it has to be sent for, say to Company Head Quarters five or six miles back, urgent messages are given "Dont forget mine", "I expect about seven this time" "You’re no bally good unless you bring one for me" & such like. On arrival of the treasured bag great eagerness is depicted on all faces as the name and number on each letter is called out. The lucky recipients utter a shout of joy & fondly handle the letter or letters as if the paper was animated, & they carefully spread themselves out for a good hearty read at their ease.

When a parcel is received the lucky owner & all his neighbours give a good hearty cheer

[Page 41]
& then all gather round to see the precious package carefully but quickly opened and each very much coveted article is held up for inspection when a cheer arises on each occasion

It is very strange in every instance those lucky enough to receive parcels, are quite immaculate men, they seem to possess all the virtues, the best of common sense, & such wonderfully good traits in their characters, but which only seem to be noticed, by the other men when a parcel is received.

However it is always the Custom for anything in the eating line or smoking line, to be handed round amongst the parcel owners "pals" as far as the "division" will stand it

It is awfully disappointing when knowing that a parcel has been sent to have to continually "put up" with the depressing reply "Yours has not come!"

One special instance occurred where a man had been one of the first to rush up to find out if his parcel had come, this continued for months. Some of the men began to doubt, then began to "chaff" "Dont forget this time to bring [dash]s parcel along." He would roar back that he had a list of the contents enclosed in a letter from his mother!.

Then his eagerness seemed to "damp", & he began to show his disappointment less & less till one day the man in charge of the bag of parcels rushed into the hut & very excitedly called out. "What do you think"! [dash]’s parcel has arrived! It was really a treat to see [dash]’s face "Smiles" was no name for it. You could not see his face for laughter & he danced about the hut like a Red Indian. The whole platoon gave such a rousing cheer that men in from adjacent huts, to know the cause. What did it matter to [dash] when his parcel

[Page 42]
was handed to him in two pieces & some of the contents "gone for ever". His parcel had really come & he & his pals had a right royal time.

The Eighth Brigade having proceeded us by about a week the 14th Brigade "moved off" from Ferry Post on the Canal to Moasker. Starting early in the morning we arrived after one rest, at about 2 in the afternoon. As a Brigade had moved further on we simply walked into the lines they had occupied & saved us the necessity of pitching tents etc. While here we had very little drill of any kind the principal thing being to join in a Bathing Parade & have a "dip" in one of the Salt Lakes close by.

The supply of water here was very good & opportunity was taken to have all soiled underclothing & socks washed clean & also the possibility of having a "scrub down" in fresh water was very acceptable

To show how small the world is & how the war produces all kinds of unheard of meetings, the following incident may be recalled.

During one of these "washing days" after having washed all his underclothing & socks, one of the privates in our Company, just as he was in the process of having a fresh water bath in a basin or "bowl" as they are called, noticed a man apparently waiting at a distance of about 20 yards, looking intently in his direction. The private washing, therefore hailed the other man, If you want a "bowl" there is another here not in use, which you are welcome to? to which a reply was called that it was not the bowl, but he wanted to speak to the private.

It did not take long to dress & the following dialogue occurred
Visitor. Isn’t your name Mr [dash]

[Page 43]
Private Yes That is my name!
Visitor Don’t you know me?
Private. I am very sorry but I really cannot recollect you!
Visitor My name is [dash] Don’t you recollect me acting as a caddy boy for you for so many months at K[dash] Golf Club!
Private You do surprise me! Now I quite recollect you!! How long have you been in the Army & what Coy & Battalion do you belong to?

The visitor was in knickerbockers & mostly barefooted, on a/c of water, when he acted as Caddy & had to stop caddying on account of having to attend drill on Saturday afternoons. At the time of meeting he was in "Khaki" & appeared an ordinary sized strong man. He had enlisted at least six months before the private referred to & had so developed that it is not surprising he was not recognised in the Soldiers garb as the caddy of Golfing days.

Unfortunately the "caddy" was amongst those reported to have been killed in the first action in France.

After a stay of 3 or 4 days at Moasker our battalion was entrained in ordinary goods waggons by rail, for Alexandria & although a very cold night was passed under very close, crowded, & cramped conditions the excitement of really being on the journey for France kept the whole of the men in very good spirits. Immediately on arrival at the port, the troop ship was waiting at the wharf & the embarkation started straight away. Next morning the vessel pulled out into the stream, & anchored. We then found that the whole of the 5th Division was all ready to sail for France.

As no movement was made for two days rumours began to circulate as to the cause of the delay, but

[Page 44]
it soon leaked out that an enemy wireless plant had been discovered installed on the roof of one of the leading hotels & that as it was anticipated that advice would have been already sent advising the probable departure of the Convoy, arrangements were accordingly altered. The sailing was delayed & the course, we afterwards discovered was altered so as to pass the Island of Crete on the port hand instead of Starboard. The slowest vessel was despatched a day ahead of the others & while in what was considered as the danger zone, no less than seven small gun boats escorted the vessel spread out in fanlike fashion ahead.

After passing this zone a destroyer or Gunboat acted as escort for each vessel in the Convoy. Nothing of interest occurred excepting that in consequence of the very close packing of the troops on the vessel all drills etc were dispensed with as quite impossible. The rationing on this portion of the voyage was not nearly so generous as that from Australia to Egypt & this reducing difference was perceptible the more & more, the nearer we approached the firing line. On arrival at Malta we were again delayed & had to await new escorts & these again were changed as we neared the French coast. A "Frenchman" taking us into Marseilles.

A delay of another day saw us all disembarked & we marched to the accompaniment of the most enthusiastic cheers and demonstrations on the part of the people of Marseilles, to the Railway Station, where we entrained & were carried from one end of France to the other passing through most of the large towns on the main line (& through a corner of Paris), till we reached after three days & three nights journeying

[Page 45]
a small village to the South of Armentieres.

The Railway journey was most enjoyable in the extreme and appeared more like a "Triumphal Entry" so demonstrative & whole hearted did the enthusiastic welcome appear every where, in large stately Cities & towns & wayside villages alike the greetings were so abundantly & generously given. Every where the train stopped we were rushed by the inhabitants only too eager to offer anything that was available in the shape of refreshments & sweets. While at stated intervals, branches of the Red Cross or similar Societies were waiting ready to regale us with tea coffee cocoa etc, biscuits cake etc, to our hearts content & gratifying satisfaction.

After the monotonous sojourn in Egypt’s dreary, sandy wastes the glorious picture of Southern France with its bracing climate at this time of the year June July & the lovely landscapes that soothed the eye at every turn was a real treat almost beyond description.

This portion of France untouched, & without the least sign of, the havoc of war, looked to us truly enchanting. Every portion outside the boundaries of cities towns & villages appears to be wholly devoted to cultivation of some sort or grazing for dairy cattle.

Every farm seems to be divided into allotments or paddocks & almost invariably each paddock is traced out in rows of poplar, olive, or other beautiful decorative trees & although evidence here & there was seen of the apparent lack of labour the whole country looked so lovely, that we could almost have wished that our stay there could have been made a matter of weeks.

Occasionally the hurried passing of a Red Cross train with wounded French soldiers aboard & the constantly occurring view of only women working in the fields brought

[Page 46]
home the fact that a terrible war was in progress & very soon we would be brought closely into its immediate neighbourhood.

There was scarcely a man aboard the train that did not regret the ending of that journey.

The wonderful contrast in the Scenery of Egypt & France, the spontaneous and almost hysterical demonstrations of joy at the entrance of additional Australians in France to augment the force being used to bring to a termination the frightful hateful, ravages of the common enemy, the peace destroying, war satiated Hun, exhiliarated the men wonderfully.

After detraining our Company was billeted in a small village where it was intended we should spend a month in further drill, after that we should spend another month in the support line, in order to become quite used to the environment of a battle front before going actually in to the firing line. But the first thing noticed was that there was practically no drill excepting to become acquainted with the Gas Helmet which was here issued to each man & what was more surprising the Route marching was for short distances only, restricted practically to a square, round the village.

We soon learned that the officer in charge of the Transport had by some means lost all traces of all our Officers saddles. The men enjoyed the change wonderfully well for when the saddles arrived there was only time for three route marches of any consequence & one of these was to a Gas Experiment Ground, in order that every mans Gas Helmet would be tested under the conditions of a Gas attack & bombardment by "Tear" Shells.

Our officer in charge of the Company was just as much adverse to the months strenuous training as any of the men. He considered we had had quite enough of the class of training proposed

[Page 47]
& as he had promised, he was giving us a really quiet restful time.

Outside essential fatigues, – & here, these were very few – & Gas drills, the men were allowed to enjoy themselves all day long, within a reasonable boundary and without a doubt every one was having a very good time. Our Company had no restrictions put on them as to boundaries but our Captain asked us to avoid wherever other battalions were billeted.

It was the nearest approach to the conditions that most men expected would exist under the circumstances – (when enlisting to fight the foe).

Probably from the reason that some of the higher officers disproved of our O/C’s method of handling the men it was suggested as a good plan that he should occupy the farm house, in the outhouses of which his men were billeted, in order that they should always be under his eye & Authority, but the O/C point blank refused to change his accommodation at a house fully half a mile away, giving his reason that he had specially avoided allowing even his known close proximity to, in any way interfere with the pleasure & enjoyment of his men.

However a Captain & Lieutenant belonging to another Company were quartered in the farm house, but at the very first attempt at interference with the actions of our men, their orders were treated in such a manner, that even they had sufficient tact to remain unseen, & "let sleeping, even if snoring, dogs lie".

They certainly were not allowed by the men to interfere with them in any way, & when remonstrated with were "politely" but firmly referred to our own O/C from whom only would orders be taken, or anything else.

Being very keen on fighting, our O/C on the second day, borrowed a bicycle and rode up to the front line. On his return he had a chat with his men & gave what particulars he was able.

[Page 48]
On the fourth day he again "biked" it to the front & on his return about 9 Oclock in the evening, he eagerly burst in upon the men, those then in the billet & explained he had important news to convey. As the troops at present holding the line were doing almost nothing we were all to turn out at 6 am next day, all ready to march to the firing line. All men absent had to be personally notified & he wanted every one, properly accoutred, to be "on time". Excitement became very intense, messengers were sent to the village to hunt up all the "stragglers" so that every man would have a decent nights rest, as we would have two or three days hard marching to reach the line.

Our work there was to "stir things up a bit" Keeping the Huns under a constant fire & give them as little peace as possible.

Everyone that night was highly elated at the prospect of being so soon brought into touch with the enemy, and also thus avoiding the two months proposed strenuous drilling which would have been considered irksome after the good time we were then enjoying.

Up till that time, this order to parade for the journey to the firing line, at 6 am, was the only order ever issued, that was not altered in any way.

At five minutes past 6 our Company marched out of the grounds, of our billets, and joined the battalion for the move forward. A hard days marching brought us eventually to the town of Estaires here we stayed for a day & a half under conditions similar to that of the previous billet, and another days marching brought us so close that we expected to enter line at any moment.

On every side was evidence that we were in close proximity to "War". "Tommy" soldiers seemed to be everywhere, in billets in Camps, on the road, & in the fields around.

Batteries of very heavy guns, some on the move, others being set up others of the very heaviest calibre already set up

[Page 49]
in position for deadly work. Transports Motor & horse waggons were passing & repassing. Many were the times, when a halt would be called to allow whole strings of artillery to pass us on the move to the front.

Our personal feelings, naturally, gradually became more & more changed, from cheerily singing marching songs & hilariously greeting each & every unit large or small or any body of men out of curiosity watching us pass, to absolute quietness & with it to a more solemn & stern manner & mood. Eventually as evening darkness drew on, we were halted in the middle of a road, & told to sit down & make ourselves as comfortable as possible but on no account must any noise of any kind be made.

After waiting about an hour, during which the working of the minds of most of the men could be fairly accurately judged by the tenor of the low murmured conversations going on all round. By this time shell bursts were now very plainly heard, indicating clearly that our destination was very near at hand. Gradually out of the darkness on the other side of the road, could be seen the leading men of the troops whom we had come to relieve, marching like spectres, silently away.

Shortly afterwards a whispered order was passed to "prepare to move" & that all pipes & cigarettes were to be put out. Orders were quietly given & passed from man to man in a whisper.

The indistinct forms of the men relieved, continually but silently kept passing on the other side of the road but no information could be obtained, or given, as every man must keep in his place & remain silent. After watching the movement of the ghostlike figures gliding by, for some time, a movement was made in our Company, slowly & steadily, we found on reaching a certain point our Company had been formed into single file and an advance was being made, five men at a time with an interval of 25 yards between

[Page 50]
each five. In this manner we reached a place where a road had to be crossed. An officer was here, giving murmured instructions, for each five men to rush across the road very quickly but quietly this spot being exposed to machine gun fire.

A further walk of about 50 yards close alongside a battered broken down building and the communication sap or trench was entered. By this time the rattle of Machine gun fire seemed an unbroken sound, while the artillery from both sides kept up a lively roar. The walk along this sap proved a very long one with constant halts & starts. After getting used to the light we could make out that we were walking on what appeared to be a trellis bridge just clearing about two feet of water in the bottom of the trench. We afterwards learned that these were the "duck boards" many of which it was our lot to handle afterwards.

The trench varied in height & in parts the sides had to be kept in position by means of stakes & hurdles. Whenever a low part was to be passed an order would be quietly passed to every man to keep down, & most nearly bent to the ground. Particular care had to be taken that the numerous telephone wires running along the trench were not entangled or broken.

What was really most confusing was the fact that every now & then the firing would be heard coming from the right hand side & shortly afterwards from the left side. This afterwards was found to be accounted for by the way the trench turned in & then out the general direction being a segment of a circle.

While halted at a certain part, the machine gun fire became so hot that the grass on each side of the "sap", hardly six inches above our head, was waving about & being mown down by the mass of bullets as if the movement had been caused by a howling gale of wind. It seemed hard to believe that hundreds of bullets were passing so close without doing us the least harm, at the same time it made very clear the stern reality of war & our nerves were in a state of great

[Page 51]
tension as to the uncertainty of what might occur next. We did not then know, but afterwards learned that the heavy gun fire & the Artillery fire generally, was bursting a long way back from where we then were.

After the next halt, the order was passed to "keep close in to the right". Every man, without exception appeared to be of one mind in thinking that we were about to feel the effect of a bombardment of heavy guns, although the machine gun fire never stopped, but soon we could make out a file of silent figures of men passing on our left side, the "sap" is just wide enough to let a man pass another, if both keep close to the proper sides. This proved to be the Company our men were relieving, & from them we obtained the history of their stay in the line.

Practically, if we did not fire at the Huns they would not fire at us. All the time this particular Coy had been "in" scarcely a shot was fired, any one could get upon the parapet & even go to "our" wire without drawing fire from the Huns. This Coy looked upon this part as quite a "Home", which they were very sorry to leave & all the time they spent there, some weeks, not a single casualty occurred. This was reassuring, but we knew it was just for this inactivity they were "going out", & we were "coming in" to make the place a bit hotter for the Hun – and ourselves. Although we were greatly envied they appeared pleased to be going out, but it would not be long before they would be "in" again lower down the line.

After the Coy had passed out our progress was much quicker & before long, in fact, much to our surprise we were told we were actually in the firing line. By this time everything was spoken in a whisper, men were being drafted in their sections to take positions in the "bays" of the trench, it was here, a breastwork built up, not a trench dug down, the parados or back of the

[Page 52]
trench being really formed by what was called the "dug out" also built up of Sand bags with an iron roof protected also by Sand bags, forming a small room for men off duty to rest & sleep. On the outside of these "dug outs" a line of duck boards ran the whole length of the trench for easy walking.

The parapet was about 10 or 11 feet high with a fire step of about 3’.6" to 4 feet from the ground running the whole length of the "bay". Each trench had a receptacle for all the rifles with bayonets fixed, two receptacles for bombs, one for ammunition, with a large reserve stock of ammunition underneath the fire step. Also a periscope.

As soon as the men were all placed in the "bays" sentries were posted & reliefs "told off" to do the work continuously night & day.

As a preliminary all the men had to "Stand to" Every man had to take up a position in the bottom of the trench in "battle order" – & this equipment is never supposed to be taken off while "in the line", whether awake or asleep. With his rifles (with bayonet fixed) at the "At Ease" position & every man has to remain "Standing to" till the order comes to "Stand Down" Usually the Stand to commences at about 3 oclock in the morning & ends shortly after dawn and again just after dusk in the evening for about an hour.

This night "Stand Down" was given as soon as it was seen that every man was in his place & understood his work for the night. Of course the sentries "on post" remain on the fire step Instructions were given that a continuous fire had to be kept up but firing was only to be done when a "target" appeared

When "Stand Down" was given most of the men waited patiently to observe how the sentries acted & as soon as either one would be seen to be getting ready for a "shot" curiosity & wonder became very keen. When the shot was fired, two or three of those below would at once whisper "What was it" "Did you hit him". My word! I hope you got the Cow!

[Page 53]
Very few appeared anxious to join the sentries on the "Step". It would be quite enough when their own turn of two hours came round, & after having turned in they found it anything but pleasant having to "turn out" without scarcely having closed an eyelid, so it seemed.

On relieving the sentry & receiving any orders he may have, or instructions & directions he may wish to give, on mounting the step, the first thing that strikes one is, how close to the top of the parapet the head is, & how very close to the top of the head the bullets seem to be. A rifle or Machine Gun bullet, which are identical, seems when fired at your trench to make a cracking noise just immediately over head, too close to be pleasant, especially when they are just "ripping" the top row of sandbags. After waiting for some few minutes you pluck up courage to put your eye, only one, to the loop hole & after getting a sight of "their" firing line, you "duck" your head at once, you think a bullet may just "get you" in the head.

The approach to the front line is always made apparent by the very large number of flares, – a kind of Sky rocket with a slowly falling light which while in the air brilliantly illuminates "No mans land" – thrown up by the Huns.

It is not always wise if looking through the loop hole when a "flare" goes up to make any movement at all – at first one never attempts to "view" when a "flare" is up, but later on, you "observe" when the flare is up & "bob down" as soon as it has fallen.

After two or three observations first with one eye & then with the other, you pluck up more courage to have a "fairly long look", & then you really commence to make things out, perhaps, with considerable excitement you may see a Hun moving about, then you watch & make sure. When satisfied that your view is correct, & a Hun is really there & offers a target, you

[Page 54]
very gradually & cautiously slide up your rifle, through the loop hole keeping it very close to the side, then you look again to see if your "target" is still visible & if so you make preparation for a good aim.

At first you find the foresight is cocked away up in the air, (to carry right beyond the Hun trench) & to raise the back sight high enough for a proper alignment of both sights, you really feel as if your head & shoulders must be quite clear above your own parapet. You quickly look to see & perhaps wonder why you have not been "picked off".

After a while this wears off, you take your sight, pull carefully & then hope your "target" has been hit

For the first shot or two you will not know what has happened, but gradually you wait to see the effect of the shot, the only indication seen in this sector was, if the shot struck the trench too low or to the right or left the flying dirt would show it but if too high or even if the target was hit, you would receive no indication

By the time you have fired six or seven shots, all at undoubted targets, you will have gained an amount of coolness & steadiness that both watching & firing are done just as a matter of course, & when the relief comes, if he is about to have his first experience, you speak as if you had been "sniping" for months & confidently point out that although a little strange at first, it comes quite natural in no time. At the same time there is a certain little secret feeling of relief & elation that you are able to "turn in" for four hours after having got through the first bit of business quite creditably & certainly to your own great satisfaction

On going "up" the second time probably during daylight, after at first a little care, you drop into the work quite confidently & from that time you never have any difficulty in taking your place in the line & keeping an excellent

[Page 55]
look out.

As an indication of the different effect the same thing has upon men – In one "bay" one private although as keen & as willing to "knock over" as many Huns as any one, succeeded during his "turns" during the night, after keeping a very strict watch, in firing eight shots, while another man in the very next "bay" fired 75 shots in the same time. In fact the firing "next door" was so constant and so rapid, that, as it was known that the next bay on the right was a Machine Gun position, a messenger was sent round in the morning, to ascertain if the bay on the left was also a Machine gun post, when the truth was discovered.

In consequence of this, an order was issued that the firing all along the line was to be restricted to 10 rounds (10 shots) an hour by any one man & the only when a good "target" offered. It was pointed out that the war was likely to last more than a month and that our Company had not the whole of the British Army Ammunition Transports at our back.

A machine gun position is naturally looked upon as a "hot shop" for a continual effort is made to spot these & not only concentrate direct, & if possible oblique & enfilading Machine Gun fire on them but also to make it "pretty lively" with all kinds of shell fire.

To have such a position on the right was bad enough but to imagine one on the left also was "making believe" a little too much. Of course later on, one can never fail to detect the rat-tat-tat of a machine gun but it must be recollected this was our very first experience in the line when things appeared a little confusing.

The first night passed without a casualty & morning dawned with every man eager to have a crack at the enemy in broad daylight. We kept up a steady fire all day long &

[Page 56]
the reply was just as constant. Men after having performed their duties as sentries would remain on post nearly all day watching for a chance of a "shot".

Opposite one of the "bays" & from that one only! a very good target was "spotted". Between two leaning stumps of willow trees in No Mans land and over the enemy’s trench where it took a sight dip, a careful observation at 350 yards distance revealed a mark which was plainly seen to be about 2 feet of the top of the open door way into a cookhouse

A patient watch would be rewarded by seeing men every now & then going up from the trench to this Cookhouse exposing the whole of their shoulders & head till they entered the structure. A rifle was very carefully "trained" on the spot with the sights aligned exactly on the lower part of the target which looked just like a black mark. This distance from trench to Cookhouse was estimated at at least 20 yards, & as the enemy for the first day or two simply "walked", some very good shooting was no doubt done for after a very little while, a Machine gun would fiercely reply, to what was considered a "hit". This fierce uninterrupted fire cut the top layer of our sand bags so much that 30 additional bags had to be filled & kept in the "bay" for replacing the bags as they became too much cut about to be quite safe.

The Huns had one Machine Gunner who was so expert that he earned the title of "Parapet Joe" He could rip pieces out of the top row of bags right along the parapet, or by just lowering the aim about 3 Inches would cut the sides of the bags forming the loop holes so badly that parts of the torn bags would obscure the view through the opening.

However it did not take long to know when "Joe" was on the "job" & it would be a case of immediately bobbing the head & keeping low till he became less "spiteful". He was a man that every one in our

[Page 57]
line soon respected as a pretty keen shooter. There were also two very good "snipers" hidden somewhere, whence the country at the back of our duck board walk could be seen, and some very narrow escapes occurred but so far no one was actually hit.

After the first day the work on the firestep was tackled by the men with the keenest of enthusiasm all hesitating doubts & fears having been overcome completely. Also keen interest arose from the fact that a reward was promised to the man who "dropped" one of the "snipers". Both officers & men would at all times be watching for an opportunity to get one of them.

One incident occurred which at first was thought might be attended with dire results. One of the officers came into the bay opposite the Hun Cookhouse intending to have a "look" to try to discover a sniper who we knew was firing from a position on our right flank, when he noticed the sentry on duty was looking through the loop hole, showing only one eye. The officer immediately protested that the proper way was to put the whole of the face into the space made by the loop hole.

The men on duty looked upon such a proceeding as an invitation to be shot, & one of them jumped up on to the firestep to the other loop hole & watching an opportunity to get a "target" going from trench to Cookhouse fired! The effect of the shooting so sudden scared the officer that he ducked his head quick & lively & as the Hun Machine Gun fire started immediately after to cut & rip the tops of the bags, the officer plainly saw that to hold the whole of the face to the loop hole was simply courting disaster & the sentry was allowed to keep his watch his own careful way. In fact next day all sentries had to wear a sand bag over their heads (with two eye holes cut in it) in order to reduce the chance of being seen.

The next time that officer came into "that" bay he was very careful how he approached the loop hole

[Page 58]
Up till this time our Company had existed on the biscuits & bully beef each man had brought along in his haversack, water being obtained from shell holes just at the back of the duck board walk but as the Medical Officers had examined & condemned this water as unfit for drinking purposes, fatigue parties were organized to go back to the dump a matter of about 2 miles for rations & on our left about half a mile thence back along a duck board walk, for water.

The water fatigue left early in the afternoon & found the water hole in what was evidently a cleared allotment belonging originally to a farm. After leaving the duck boards hidden amongst a growth of high reeds one allotment had to be passed then a row of poplar trees which separated it from the allotment containing the water hole. As the dixies were being filled it was agreed that the men would wait till the last man was ready & all proceed back together.

Two or three of those ready started to march back so as to wait on the duck boards but as they passed across the second allotment two or three Machine Gun bullets "whizzed" so close to their heads (one bullet striking a tree not a foot away) that these men ran for the duck board walk, as fast as their legs & their load would allow. As they started running the others, waiting, started to violently abuse them & shouted "We thought every one was to wait till all were ready?"

In a very bad humour, two or three of these started to walk, growling & grumbling at those who had ran, but as soon as they reached the second allotment they stopped growling & just "hiked it for their natural" & upon arriving were smilingly greeted by the first lot of men, "What was the need to hurry so fast?" A broad grin was the answer & they turned to enjoy the "circus" performed by the remainder. After all had safely run the gauntlet the later comers could not help saying, "No wonder you fellows "Shifted"! Those bullets

[Page 59]
"sang" too close to the ear hole altogether! The laziest man would "get a move on" under those conditions!

The fatigue party for rations were very glum going out for they had to follow a track on which a light railway was about to be laid instead of going back through the "Sap" & at one or two places they were known to be exposed to Machine Gun fire &, all the time, to shells that may be dropped short, but on their return late at night they looked & felt like heroes – but did not "rush it" the next evening nor did those who had formed the water fatigue.

The Company remained in the line for four days & then were moved back to billets, this meant a march of 4 miles.

The work of "holding the line" proved quite enjoyable after the first few hours & each & every one was very enthusiastic, & kept mentioning the fact that this sort of work was what they had enlisted for & was much better than all the "old drills".

On the third day the Coy Sergt Major came gleefully down the line during the early afternoon & while congratulating the men, said we intended to "liven" up" the Hun very much more straight away. A fuller explanation showed that we intended treating the enemy to a doze of 60 lb "plum puddings" from trench mortars.

A "plum pudding" is a large circular shell with a steel rod 18 Inches long by 2 Inches in diameter fastened into it. It is fired by inserting this steel rod into the barrel of the mortar, & which on reaching the breech explodes a charge sending the "pudding" into the air almost vertical & the Steel rod makes its decent so very erratic that although it can be seen, no one knows where it will fall.

The Huns have a shell somewhat similar, called from its shape a "Rum Jar". The metal case of this shell ranges from an inch & a half to 3 Inches in thickness, so that no one knows much about it, if it bursts very close.

[Page 60]
Our trench mortar battery had not been in action very long before all along the line the Huns commenced shelling us with, "H E s", (high explosive shells) & "Whiz Bangs". A High Explosive Shell when bursting seems to tear everything even the very air, to pieces, while the "Whiz Bang" is on top of you almost before you realize it, hence its name. It is a small shell about 7 Inches long by about 3½" in diameter, fired from about a mile or 1½ miles with a very low trajectory & when registered on a trench seldom fails to cause "trouble", the first shell or two giving no warning at all, & so it happened.

Several casualties occurred, including two even killed outright. This was really the first time that shells had fallen close to us & the effect of their "bursts" seemed appalling & dumbfounding.

When the news of the two men being killed spread, a very serious solemn calm seemed to pervade the whole Company & after being informed who had fallen, pipes & cigarettes were "stolidly" smoked by men sitting with their backs to the "dug out" back walls, scarcely any conversation being carried on at all. A very doleful night was spent at the same time such a feeling of resentment aroused, that had volunteers been called for an attack on the Huns every man would have offered himself as "willing".

The Hun shell fire continued long after our Trench Mortar Battery had "ceased fire", & the battalion on the right was also subjected to the same severe shell fire & suffered Casualties as well. The Ration fatigue party going out that afternoon did not relish their job & even the men who had to carry the rations along the trench were considered to be very unfortunate, but luckily not a man was hit.

A very sad incident occurred with the Company on our left, one of the men for some reason or other had gone to inspect our "wire" in front of the trenches & one

[Page 61]
of the sentries on watch, evidently without any knowledge of what was happening, shot the man dead. Thereupon one of the Machine Gunners, from a position immediately opposite, went over the top to bring the body in, but unfortunately he also was shot dead by the sentry who evidently thought both men were Huns who had succeeded in passing through our "wire". These accidents are, thank Heaven, very few & far between, but they certainly forced the men to be absolutely sure before firing on any one afterwards.

The effect of the first experience of shell fire bursting so close was to fill the men with awe, at the intense power exerted by the explosive contained in the shells, & the amount of earth displaced seemed astounding however, most of them were to discover that these shell bursts were nothing, compared to some of the gigantic shell bursts to be seen in later days.

After about an hours experience during which nerves were at a tension, wondering when the next shell would burst, each effect seemed much more intense the closer the shell came, the sensations of wonder, surprise, & doubt, were succeeded by a calmer attitude & a longer acquaintance produced a feeling of almost callous indifference.

It was also further noticed that during the strained waiting & listening for the least sound of the screech of a shell, really initiated the training of the senses to detect the difference only momentarily, of course, but wonderfully distinct & separate, in the noise through the air (or screech) made by a shell which burst at a comparatively close distance, & one that would burst out of range of doing harm to the listener.

In a very short time it was common to hear the cry to "Keep low" given, clearly denoted by the peculiar & particular sound made by a shell about to strike in the immediate vicinity or to hear, "Oh! that’s going over", to the sound caused by a shell falling well out of range.

[Page 62]
This is distinctly noticeable with all shells excepting the "Whiz Bang" concerning which one only hears "Whiz" followed instantaneously almost with a – "bang" – as the shell explodes "Whiz Bangs" are almost always fired in threes or fours, seconds only between each shell.

On the fourth day it was arranged that our battalion of nearly 1000 men should be relieved by a battalion of a "Tommy" Rifle Brigade, expected "in" that evening, so orders were given to have everything in readiness for the transfer. The four days experience "under fire" had worked a wonderful change in our men, & as they had had a taste of what being really under fire in a trench, meant, the effect was to "steady" them in a wonderful way, so that when the time came, to be relieved the men formed into line just as if they were on an ordinary parade & waited calmly & patiently till the line had been taken over by the "Tommy" Officers, although caustic remarks were passed, when the "Tommies" actually manned the trenches, as to the useless sacrifice likely to be caused from careless exposure.

While the "Tommies" were waiting to be posted, we were informed that half their Battalion had been blown up on a Railway Station, that day, so that only about 400 or 500 were taking the place of about 1000, & from the careless way they exposed themselves at the very first moment, it was prophesied that they were simply "looking for trouble".

As soon as they reached the fire step each mans first motive seemed to be, to raise his head & Shoulders high above the parapet, and calmly have a good look round, we could not tell whether this was done for our edification or not, but when the Machine Guns started in an earnest & very fierce rattle their heads were kept low enough then.

Inexperienced as we were, we could not help but remark, that in our opinion before that night was over, those Tommies would be very sorry men. Later on we heard that the continual fire kept the heads of the "Tommies" "down" so effectually that the Huns charged across, & took the trench but were thrown back the next day, with

[Page 63]
the help of re-inforcements. On hearing this it made the members of our battalion feel as if they already were experienced veterans, especially as this particular Tommy Brigade had been in four or five battles lower down the line.

On being relieved we moved out of the line & although, the Huns, evidently aware of the change, kept up a continual fire we marched out on to the road without further loss. A march of about four miles, through the village of Fleurbaix brought us to the town or village of Bac-St Maur where the Battalion secured billets & acted practically as an additional reserve. Our Company was quartered in what appeared to have been a large School, pretty old & very delapidated, but not much knocked about by shells.

While in these billets we had the very best time of all. There were no parades or duties, outside fatigue work, of any kind, & no restrictions, (beyond a very reasonable boundary) whatever, were placed on the men, who could just do as they pleased, & come & go as often & when they liked. Our officers were billeted on the same floor but in a separate room to the men, but as the Captain had promised, his Company could have as good a time as was possible under the circumstances, & the Company did.

Every man heartily enjoyed himself here, & such was the unrestricted liberty to go where & to do as one pleased, that all the irksome feelings of a burdensome existence disappeared as if by magic & every one seemed, & really was, as happy as the days were long. The men were allowed to rest or exert themselves just as their own sweet wills dictated & without the slightest doubt they were never more ready & willing to do any work when called upon.

Later when the time came for our battalion to do fatigue work in carrying ammunition, bombs, wire duck boards Etc to the line every man was in his place ready to move off, & when it was known that the men were required to fall in at four

[Page 64]
Oclock every afternoon it was hardly necessary to pass the order along for every man no matter where he was in the earlier part of the day would be in the neighbourhood of his billet, "close to", four oclock. In the first place Waggons had to be loaded at the Depot Yard & the "stuff" carted to the "head" of the light railway which was being constructed to the front line trench. After a large enough heap of "stuff" called a "dump" had accummulated, the fatigue work would then be to carry this "stuff" through the communicating "Sap" to the front line dump & also to send it along the railway by means of truck pushed by hand (when completed).

The first time the men were put on the loading & unloading fatigue work, it was thought that they would only be worked for three or four hours & those first so employed, volunteered, but although the 3 & 4 hours passed & then midnight but there was not a murmur. A little excitement was caused to the loaders by information reaching them that the unloaders at the Rail head" dump, had been fired on by a machine gun & one of the horses had been killed; this was confirmed by the waggon being pulled into the yard by the remaining horse about two oclock in the morning

All the waggons by this time had returned, & intended stopping work, but an order was issued that another journey would have to be made, we were surprised, but without the least sign of murmuring or anything expressive of discontent or of having already done enough, the men set to work with a will. They turned in at five thirty that morning pretty tired but without the least complaint only good humoured boasting of the "Stacks of Stuff" that had been shifted in record time.

Next morning every man was up at 7 oclock. At four (pm) same day the whole of the Company had to march to the rail head, some to

[Page 65]
carry sections or lengths of Railway Iron to form the railroad "to the front" & others, the material for use in the trench. This work was continued increasingly till the morning, when the men were marched back in time to reach their billet at 5.30. am.

Up again at 7 am the same day, fall in at 4 Oclock & march away this time to the "Sap".

The Company filed in to the sap and as every third man passed, a pioneer sapper would follow. The first man was then handed a pick, the second a shovel, the third later on "picked up" a number of sand bags. This being quite unusual the men cogitated as to what kind of work was intended to be done. The Coy marched along the "Sap" but found they were being led into a strange place, a new position to them. When about 50 yards from the end of the "Sap" a stoppage occurred, the men of course wondered & inquired as to the cause, a few minutes later an officer at the rear hurried forward, passing an order to move ahead at once, as there were no other men in the trench (sap) no stoppage should occur.

The order was passed along but as the stoppage still occurred every one had simply to "contain their soul in patience" & remain quiet even the officer, although every now & then he could be heard ejaculating a "red hot" phrase or two as to the cause of the delay.

Being a very dark night things even at a short distance could not be seen very clearly & while waiting one of the men remarked. "Those men in the line last night were growling that they were short of Sand bags! It could be very well understood when they had "dumped" the bags in the bottom of the trench on top of the duck boards? for I certainly am standing on what appears to be sand bags!!

[Page 66]
The next man stooped down to make sure, then standing up, said very quietly to the first speaker. "Have a good look at what you are standing on! On doing do he was shocked to find he had been standing on the body of a dead man. Further observation showed that dead men were lying all along the bottom of the trench & the delay had been occasioned by the men ahead trying to avoid treading on the bodies.

The gruesome walk continued to the end, at one short "traverse" in the trench the bodies had been piled three feet high & a Machine Gun could be heard playing upon the spot some time before it was reached. When the first man was hit, the second man had evidently stepped forward to help when he was also struck & so on, hence the pile of bodies.

To get past this, one had to bend the neck & body very low & lift & straighten the leg & so slide over the dead. A little further on the duck boards had not been laid & as there was a foot or 18 Inches of water in the trench one of the men stepped on what appeared to be a sand bag, only to find it prove to be a body floating, which when stood upon "gave" under the weight & the man was thus thrown full length into the arms of another dead man just ahead, causing the live man to utter a groan of horror loud enough to be heard in the Hun trench, and arousing an angry reprimand from the officer "in the lead".

On arriving at the end of the "Sap" we found that we were in "No mans land". The work to be done was to build a breastwork "sap" about 70 yards out towards the Huns. We could see where the "foundation" sand bags had been laid, evidently by the battalion to which the dead men in the sap formerly

[Page 67]
belonged. As each three men & the Sapper arrived, they were quietly told by an officer what they had to do & the work must be finished before they could depart, & then had to quietly crawl out in No mans land & start work.

We could hear two Machine Guns "playing" continuously overhead & each one expected to see men falling right & left. The Huns were sending up "flares" right in the direction of where the work was being done. Whenever this occurred every one had to stop & crouch close to the ground.

In most cases the first sand bag was filled lying down, the second one, with men on their knees, the third one with the men standing on their feet but bending nearly double.

After working about a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes in this manner, the men ultimately stood right up straight & worked just the same as if they had been miles behind the line. At first words were spoken in the lowest whisper but after a while conversation proceeded just as ordinary. As the tiers of sand bags gradually became higher & higher, the sappers who did the building & who had been working in the trench had to get on the breastwork, at first they crouched very low, but like the infantry men, they ultimately became so callous that they would stand up straight to view the work to see that the building was going on correctly.

Some men even walked twenty or thirty yards towards the Hun trench out of a dare devil feeling of recklessness under the excuse of trying to see where those Machine Guns were placed.

Just as the last tier of bags was being placed on the top, about 20 feet of the breastwork slipped right into the bottom of the trench, necessitating the whole of this portion of the work foundation & all, being rebuilt.

As this would mean another hours work, the men working elsewhere

[Page 68]
uttered subdued howls of disgust & forcibly expressed disproval of the expert skill of the sappers, however knowing the work had to be done, they all set in with a will to rebuild & in a very short time it was up again but the formation of a dirt escarpment to protect the breastwork was a longer job.

On completion our Company marched back & reached their billets at 5.30 am without the loss of a man, after receiving flattering commendations from the Pioneer Officer on the work done, & the splendid manner in which it was carried out. The way everyone worked when the collapse occurred through faulty foundation work, was exceedingly fine & showed a proper spirit.

Same day up again at 7 am and at 4 pm away to the Rail Head "second dump" which was actually at the mouth of the "Saps"

Work was started carrying duck boards down one of the Saps (VC avenue) after 7 or 8 trips word came along that the officer in charge of the line, would not allow any more fatigue work along that Sap as the shelling was becoming very hot indeed.

Upon this occasion it was noticed that as the firing became hotter & hotter the fatigue party became less & less, till at last instead of 120 men taking their turn only about 20 continued the work & as continually walking on duck boards "with a load" knocks the feet about a lot, first chafing, then blistering then breaking the blister & peeling off the skin, those still working notified the officer in charge, that unless he supervised the work & personally saw that every man was regularly doing his share, not another article would be shifted by them.

The Officer resented this attitude at first but as the men sat down and adopted an adamantine attitude he wanted to know where all the others were, but he was politely reminded that the pay of the men was 6/- per day, & therefore they

[Page 69]
knew nothing & would do nothing.

However the officer eventually was directed to where most of them could be found & he mustered up about 100. As there was still a huge stack of stuff to be shifted & as we had previously helped the Pioneers to build the Railway line, about 50 of these who were also "hanging around", were joined up & the Stuff was loaded on to trucks & sent down over the railway to be carried at the end about 200 yards.

In the course of this line there were three, only three, trees, but after the first truck had been loaded & sent on its journey it was found that the line had been laid to pass so close to the trees (with a field on either side) that the truck had clearance, but not the load. By prising, pulling & canting, the load was forced past the first tree but had to be unloaded at the second.

As this was one of the "spots" exposed to Machine Gun fire, which with one further on, had been responsible for 16 Casualties amongst the Pioneers up till then, the unloading & reloading of that truck was quite a "lively time" & if a man could not find a place between the load & the Machine Gun post, "his lace had come undone" & wanted refastening, & it was rather surprising how long this took & how many had become loose. As the load became less, the speed with which the material was taken off was wonderful. The truck was then pushed past "the spot" & reloaded. A messenger being sent back to warn the loaders of the trucks to follow, in order to avoid the same troubles.

The truck was shoved along merrily till at a fairly level patch after passing the third "Obstacle" the truck ran off the line through the rail spreading because the joint was not properly screwed "home".

We soon found out why! This

[Page 70]
was the second "exposed" position. So it was decided to carry the material thence to the trench.

In one of these carrying operations the officer of Pioneers & a sergeant, inspecting the line for faults, were walking with one of the men carrying a duck board when a flare from the Huns sent them all "to earth".

After starting again the officer stopped & then called for the sergeant to go back to him, the private continued to the front line. On arrival of the other fatigue men, the first man was greatly surprised to learn that the officer had been hit in the leg & that a pioneer further back had "got one in the upper arm" but that the latter had soon let every one know about it by his "yelling".

The balance of the work was finished in very good time although "at times" the shelling had been pretty hot indeed.

Back again to the billet, which for the fourth time in succession, was reached at 5.30 am.

Just before the men had marched down on the fourth day, the O/C had assembled all members of his Company into one room & quietly told them that the next morning we were to go into the firing line, that an action was about to take place & that a bombardment of the enemy trenches had already started & would be continued for 54 hours. He enjoined the men to keep the information secret, that as the place was full of spies the least information would so help the enemy that it might assist to defeat our object, were any portion of our intention made available for him to act upon.

Our Company’s work was to continue building the "Sap" running it up to the Hun trench. He further explained that certain battalions would go over the top to take the first & second Hun trenches, but even if the third trench was only 15 yards beyond it was not on any account to be occupied for the

[Page 71]
Artillery barrage would not lift off the third trench. He wanted his Company to know what was to be done, for it may have to "go over", or act as the support line to the others.

In his opinion holding the front line while the others charged would be the most trying & most arduous work of all for it would be subjected to a continual barrage of all kinds of fire & the men would have to "Stand to" & remain steady & firm without being able to fire a shot & without the blood stirring enthusiasm, which carries the most timid man along with the eagerly advancing line.

In his opinion the first wave would suffer fewest casualties, then the second & third in order, but the support in the front line would be the hardest to bear having to suffer as it were in silence & bear up against the continual burst of a terrific & murderous barrage sent specially to prevent the movements of reinforcements to those in the Attack

If the Company is called upon to hold the front line he had no doubts whatever they would firmly, steadfastly, & truly maintain the high opinion he had formed of them, as men who would justly do "their bit" as it should be done.

The O/C further explained that our attack was to take place as part of a plan working in conjunction with other Australian Divisions further down the line. The fifth Division (ours) was to attack on Saturday while the first & second Divisions were to attack & take Pozieres on the following Tuesday.

Although the fifth Division had to take two trenches & no more, even these were not to be permanently held because our front was already an acute salient, & thus subject to enfilading fire at any time, so that by pushing the line further forward, exposure to enfilade fire would only be increased, our front was then the closest to Huns’ Country & the idea & effort was to bring the "fronts" further down the line (to the right) into line with ours, when it would then

[Page 72]
be time enough to further advance the front at Fleurbaix (ours).

Although our O/C did not say so it was patent to all thinking men that the work of the fifth Division was to "hold" & if possible attract, & draw every Hun & every Gun in the near neighbourhood to prevent them being sent to reinforce the Huns when the attack was made at Pozieres for that place had to be taken & held.

On the following morning, the men on going out into the yard from their billets were greatly surprised (at that early hour too) to find a representative from all the little shops in town carrying two huge baskets, & each accompanied by at least half a dozen children, "helpers", who at once started selling as fast as possible, chocolates, biscuits cakes sweets etc, & naturally they did a "roaring trade". When the men wonderingly asked the shopkeepers whatever induced them to bring their goods into the yard at such an unearthly hour, they were plainly told, the shopkeepers knew the men were going into action that day in the firing line. Such a wholesale display of what was looked upon by the men as knowledge of very secret information was to say the least "enlightening".

Whatever the reason immediately after the Company had formed into line, the men were dismissed, being told the attack was postponed.

The following days Sunday Monday & Tuesday nothing occurred, but on Wednesday morning, although the men had not been told, the appearance of the shopkeepers as before made it plain that they would be moving off to the line & the issue of "Tin Hats" confirmed it at once.

Fleurbaix attack (or Fromelles being the village in front of us) was to be made on Wednesday & Pozieres on the following Saturday & this was carried out. It surprised the men to think that if the village people had access to this information it would not

[Page 73]
be a difficult problem for the news to be communicated to the Huns.

After being formed up & the roll call taken when every man belonging to the Company was found to be in his place (cooks & all) we marched through the village of Bac-St Maur towards Fleurbaix, the latter village was so knocked about & smashed by shell fire as to be hardly recognized as a village. Progress after about three quarters of an hours marching was very slow. The appearance in the air above us of a very large number of aeroplanes & the constant roar of big guns, plainly showed that an engagement of some import was about to take place & each man realized that he would soon be put to the test, both as to his courage & his nerves. It was gleaned that the 53rd & 54th would go over the top, that the 55th would hold the front line in support & that the 56th would work on completing the sap out to the Huns line.

After marching slowly for about two miles our Company was halted in the road for about an hour, and as we were then close to one of our "60 lb" batteries, we saw the speed at which the continuous fire was being kept up. As we were about 200 yards directly in front of two of the guns we could plainly see the flight of each shell as it passed overhead on its way to work destruction on the hated Huns.

Strangely enough after about half an hour, there was a very loud explosion & a shell from one of these guns appeared to burst prematurely, just after leaving the muzzle of the Gun, four or five of the gun crew fell & it certainly looked as if two of the Gunners were killed. The Gun itself was immediately lowered covered with canvas & pieces of bushes & thus hidden from sight.

The bursting of the shell had put the gun out of action. Had the burst taken place 150 yards further forward, quite a number

[Page 74]
of our men would have been included in the list of Casualties.

While resting here our Coy Commander brought along word that the first trench had already been taken & although it was broad daylight the time was noticed to be just on 6 Oclock. We had been slowly advancing all day, & yet were about two miles from the line.

Only one battalion could occupy the trench hence until at least two battalions "had gone over the top" ("with the best of luck"), we could not move up.

It certainly was very encouraging to hear the din created by the constant roar of our guns & also by the daring way in which a large number of our aeroplanes seemed to control the air. At one time great excitement was caused by the appearance of a Hun aeroplane approaching the line, but at a terrific height, it required very keen perception to make it out, & if lost for a moment was very hard to pick up again. However some of our "planes" no sooner sighted the "intruder" than they started "mounting" to tackle it, but long before they could get within range, the Hun quickly retired.

The enemy anti-aircraft guns had been "plugging" away" at our "planes", when one seemed to be in trouble, & he at once started to volplane [Transcriber’s note: to glide] to earth, where he landed behind our lines, & soon word came along to say he was not injured, but that he would be able to remount in the air & take the "plane" back for repairs.

Shortly after receiving orders to continue the march, we perceived coming along the road from the direction of the line, 15 prisoners being escorted by a guard of two men & further on five, & then again three prisoners. A close scrutiny of these prisoners showed about half to be of very fine physique, but others looked

[Page 75]
very young & inexperienced. They looked very tired & sullen & none of them appeared sufficient to cause any fear in the minds of those "going in". Without further incident we reached the communicating "Sap", when we were halted & turned into a different sap & made a move to the firing line. On arrival here we were ordered up on the fire step & to "prepare to charge".

Bayonets were fixed, equipment adjusted, ammunition pouches examined to see that they were in working order and then every man became keenly anxious waiting for the next order, but this not forthcoming the nervous strain began to relax & conversation, which had been reduced to casual remarks & equally casual answers, again became normal. A wait of about quarter of an hour brought an order to "Stand down", "About turn", & to march along the firing line to a different front.

On arriving at our "destination" we were "told off" in small parties of 7 & 8 & "manned the bays" – the projections of each trench traverse, facing the Huns – & an order issued to "Stand to" & our work now was to hold the firing line as a support to the battalions charging, & to be ready to, "Go over the top", at a minute’s notice, or to repel a counter attack should out men be forced to come back.

Not a shot was to be fired till the order was given that all our men had returned.

By the time we reached our places the thunderous roar of some many hundreds of guns appeared for about half an hour to be simply deafening. As the roaring seemed to increase each moment & as shells commenced bursting in very close proximity, the strain on the nerves was intensely trying, & tested the calmness & coolness of the best of men. As the shells which burst immediately in front of the

[Page 76]
parapet or just to the rear of the "dug out", would throw up a heap of dirt & mud with terrific force, for a which the "ducking" of the head was almost continuous however it did not take very long even to get used to this, only when an extra large shell burst close, would the ducking continue & after a while even with these if the heads moved at all they only seemed to do so, with the force of the concussion.

As the darkening shades of evening drew in the scene appeared to become worse, & worse, the very air itself seemed as if being torn to pieces, & almost every one wondered if this stupendous bombardment continued for long, how much of this, or any other "bay" would be left.

Shortly after, the information of our first casualty reached us, one [indecipherable] the men in the bay on the left had the top of his head blown off by a shell, & shortly after a corporal in a bay on the right was killed. These incidents did not tend to raise the spirits.

Having nothing else to do but stand quiet & see that nothing was taking place in the Hun line, the Scene presented an awful, but at the same time a sadly grand sight. What with the brilliant lights given off by thousands of "flares & by evident Rocket signals of various gorgeously colored lights in red green orange & other colors, in threes & fours, in line, triangle, & diamond formations, the burst of "Star" Shells & the floating balloon like lights turned night darkness, into the brilliance of broad daylight, marred by the Cloudlike bursts from thousands of shells of all kinds. Apart from the continuous roar of the guns of smaller calibre the deep boom of the heaviest could be heard, occasionally, high up, through the din. Shells of every size, kind, & description were being sent either way making the night hideous & yet the sight although so frightfully

[Page 77]
destructive, was yet, a grand one.

Although the panoply of War with all its boasted pomp, and grandeur, was set out before the eye well pictured in all its details, thoughts could not but pass through the mind, of the terrible effects of the inventions of brains ceaselessly working for the consummation of the diabolical schemes for the attainment of the grasping, gory, ambition of a being, careless, callous, & thoughtless of the tremendous terrible bloodshed, pain, & misery that glaringly marks his every step. That such a condition of things could exist, seemed a frightful satire on the much vaunted progress of modern thought, & wide spread education. That it was possible for one single being to have the power to engineer such a colossal catastrophe on modern civilization seemed scarcely comprehensible yet the most soul scaring evidence of but one little step in this blood spilling progress was made horribly apparent in all its lurid uncovered brutality.

Our Charging battalions of the 14th Brigade captured the first trench with surprisingly few casualties notwithstanding the hail of bullets from the Machine Gun & Rifle fire; dashed forward again & captured the second & being in doubt again charged forward & captured, unknowingly the third trench, all within an hour.

The first charge was started at a quarter to Six on the evening of Wednesday July 19th 1916. & before Seven oclock the three trenches had been taken. It is customary when a charge goes forward for the enemy immediately to start a most intense barrage on our front line & the communicating Saps, the idea being to cut off the support of those in the charge, by making the bringing up of reinforcements almost impossible. Having to bear the brunt

[Page 78]
of such a bombardment, as it were in Silence, is a test for the strongest nerves. To stand calm & quiet, unable to advance a step, or fire a single shot, or to do anything that would tend to divert the thoughts from the intensity of the strain is a trial which in its successful accomplishment eliminates the panicky feelings of terror & fear and begets a steadiness, that makes the very next meeting with the foe a truly vicious one.

The capturing of the third trench by the fourteenth Brigade, brought about a state of affairs that caused a confusion that proved exceedingly costly in casualties.

Messages were sent back to the effect that our own artillery was "playing" on our men in the "Second trench". The artillery replied that after shelling the first & second trenches immediately before the charge, the barrage lifted on to the Huns third trench & continued ever since. That if the men were under fire of our own artillery they were in the third trench, & not the second where they should be, & which was clearly stated to be the objective.

However rather than continue to the Slaughter of our own men the order was given for the artillery to "Cease fire" The immediate effect of this was to quickly intensify the fire of the Hun Guns & increase their accuracy.

The Hun when undisturbed by our artillery, can use his guns with the accuracy of a Machine gun, & those in the firing line & saps were soon to feel its effects. In addition Hun batteries opened up on the left with a deadly enfilading fire & on the right with an oblique one.

Viewed from the firestep of the front line the scene now became truly awful. The whole of the line & the three Saps, were at the one time depicted by means of bursting shells, whose havoc

[Page 79]
could be easily discerned by those who duty it was to stand still & calmly watch its death dealing effects.

The unfortunate members of the Companies "coming in", through the Saps, could every now & then be seen to be blown up by the burst of high explosive shells, parapets every where could be seen being smashed in, in all three saps, exposing the men still more to the "intensive" burst of spreading shrapnel.

The Battery on the left, after first efforts being about 5 Yards wide, the second try, getting the duck boards, the third succeeded in registering on the "bays" of the front line and once there, continued with terrible monotony, starting from our right to left bursting shells in every "bay" along the whole of the line, starting again on the right, coming down with unbroken regularity every shell bursting accurately causing men to fall with wounds or in death in every "bay". This continued unceasingly from two am till 8 am. when our batteries again opened fire.

With the cessation of our artillery fire the Huns attacked our men in their third trench, with trench mortars Machine Guns & rifle fire as well as shells. Our unsupported men had no alternative but to fall back to the second & then instantly to the first, Hun, trench. Here they made a stand to recover breath, but the Huns endeavoured to cut them off & advanced bombers close enough to make our mens’ passage to their (our) trench a frightful torture.

The "Sap" built out to the Hun trench proved a death trap now, for being covered by Machine guns, those seeking cover there, went only to their certain death. Till at last emboldened by their apparent success, the Huns cut in between our men & our front line trench & increased their showers of bombs. Up & down this Hun trench our men ran seeking the easiest way, till at last the

[Page 80]
quickly decreased numbers, made a dashing charge through the bombing Huns & at 8 am on Thursday, the welcome report was received that all our men, able, had got back.

This immediately stirred the men in our front line with the fiercest thoughts in anticipation of a counter attack from the Huns, but although our ranks had been sadly reduced the Huns never made a move & soon with reinforcements coming in our position, so lightly held for five hours was again made strong enough to repel the Huns, had they "come on".

The men who had charged in coming back had had a frightful time & suffered severely, while those in the front line had to "Stand to" knowing full well that every bursting shell from the battery on the left would every time, from each bay, take two to four men. In many bays every man was either killed or wounded. In one bay near a "sally port", the men were continually being reinforced by men returning from the Huns line, after bomb or ammunition carrying, or in the charge.

During the one visit of an officer permission was given to the men in this "bay" to go into the dug out provided that a man would be kept on watch & although only big enough to allow six men to lie stretched out, all the men except the Sentry managed somehow to obtain shelter, together with the wounded.

Those in the dug out would about every 30 seconds, call to the Sentry Are you there? to which he would reply Yes! or Alright!. When a very big shell burst every man in the dug out would cry Are you there? Yes! would go the reply. This had to be kept up in case the sentry would be "knocked", another would have had to take his place.

It was during the visit of the officer that his attention was called by the private on Sentry duty, to the terrible

[Page 81]
effect of the fire from the battery enfilading on the left. Ten men had up till then been put out of action by it in that bay alone. It was suggested to the officer that this was a matter that should have been reported to the officer in charge of the Sector, who would no doubt send a message to our artillery to open fire on it, so that at least its accuracy would be affected.

Much to the mens surprise, the subaltern answered Oh! I could never do that! That is the Brigadier’s work! The Sentry said. Its pretty rotten to see ones comrades falling when one gun would stop the frightful loss to the battalion. While the officer was present the Hun battery enfilading shells started screeching behind us, on their way to come down with unerring regularity & his attention was drawn to the fact so that there could be no mistake about this battery causing so many casualties. Oh! said the officer, I have been watching the effect of its work! & then had to go to his "bay" on the right.

This enfilade fire continued till 8 am on Thursday (20 July/20) when its punishing effect was almost nullified by the fire from our guns. If the Hun artillerists are being shelled, while shelling, they appear to become very nervy, for the accuracy of their fire deteriorates immediately

Towards morning as the whole of the men who had charged (& were able) had returned & as our guns had again started "Slamming it in" to the Huns & therefore made things very much easier for those in the front line, who had been "standing to" all that horrible night, the opportunity was taken to at once ask for an explanation from the men who had returned, as to why, in spite of the special & distinct instructions, they had after capturing the second trench, gone beyond that objective & taken the third trench, well knowing that our gun fire would be playing on

[Page 82]
it, & would continue to do so all the time. They replied. Let us hear how you will answer that question? We will give particulars & you can give the answer!

After taking the first trench we dashed forward to what appeared to be the second, but on arriving there, found that what looked like a trench was merely a drain, the width of a trench, not more than a foot or 18 inches deep, which would not only offer no protection, but could not have been held for more than a few minutes. Under these circumstances we had to decide what to do and as we could not wait very long in such a place to deeply consider, after the slightest hesitation we made up our minds that this was not the second trench and again charged forward to find it, after running about a "bally" mile.

It did not take long for us to take it but Oh! hell! What a time we had trying to hold it. We thought it bad enough "from the Huns" but after a little while we could see that the worst of the losses were being caused by the shells from our own guns & at once sent back a message notifying the Artillery, but as the fire still continued we had no alternative but to come back "on our own".

We could have held out against the Huns but to be shelled from the rear as well as from the front, was more than we could stand & back we had to come & what sort of a time getting back! none of us ever expected to get here! The last thirty men left in the Huns first trench after our withdrawal from the third trench were penned up with Hun bombers on the right & left & what was worse with a party of Huns throwing stick bombs, who were trying to get between us & our own firing line.

For some minutes they kept us running back & forth like a "pack of dingoes" as we ran to the left they would throw bombs & make us turn & run to the right, and as we had exhausted all our ammunition & bombs, we could not

[Page 83]
reply but when a bomb landed right in amongst us and knocked out ten out of the thirty, the remaining twenty dashed over the top running straight at the intercepting Huns & managed – goodness knows how – to get in here!! Although even then smiling at their muddied & wet condition – they were still panting & showed the effects of their hard run back, for life.
Now those are the facts! You answer the question! & tell us what you would have done, that drain may be a deep trench to the right or to the left but opposite our front it is only a drain.

Every one had to admit that under these circumstances they would not have considered the drain the objective laid down in the instructions & the men could do nothing else but go on ahead till "the second trench was taken".

Why! said the returned men, Do you think we would rush ahead a "bally" mile (it was afterwards found this 3rd trench was fully 1000 yards away from the 2nd) if the drain had proved to be a trench, on such a night as this? Especially when we knew the taken trenches were not to be permanently held?

This trouble was caused undoubtedly by bad work in making the reconnaissance but no doubt this drain would have looked like a trench from a distance or even from a photograph from an aeroplane & really may have been a proper trench two or three hundred yards either to the right or left.

Later on, on the Somme front, the 56th Battalion captured a Hun trench which actually showed these same identical features, so that this position was, then, made manifestly clear.

In this unfortunate attack, – unfortunate for the casualties between 8000 & 9000 in one nights work, – were, and are still the heaviest that have yet been caused to any Australian Division up to April 1917, yet – the 14th Brigade was the only one to reach the objective (of course they really went 1000 yds too far), the 8th Brigade on the left did not advance beyond the first Hun trench & even then withdrew too quickly, while the

[Page 84]
15th Brigade did not even reach the first Hun trench. They had 400 yards to charge & did not get up, the 14th had 350, & the 8th, 300 yards.

In consequence of this the 14th Brigade suffered terribly being subjected to frontal attack as well as being enfiladed on both right & left and for a while suffered from the rear, as well, from their own artillery.

To those on watch in the firing line while the battle was raging, one of two things should have been done. As soon as the men reached the third trench the whole of the men should have been withdrawn back to the Huns first trench or the Battalions in the firing line should have been ordered to their support to beat back the Huns advance. Why the men out in front were kept there so long without support in men & munitions, was beyond the "ken" of the privates watching & could it be wondered that they kept on growling! What the hell are the Commanders doing? Can they not see things as clear as the men on the firestep? Surely they were watching too & if so they surely could see what was so apparent to privates!

Of course later on the expected inquiry was held but as the results are not communicated to privates, the latter had to conjecture that some blunder had been made, if only from the fact that a number of the higher officers were transferred for other work to do.

In consequence the whole work of the Division had to be looked upon "not as a success" but as a failure and therefore as a feat of arms, could not be recognized. The only satisfaction our men could feel was that as an effort to keep "every Hun & every Gun" fully employed on this front and not diverted to Pozieres it was a complete success notwithstanding the failure of the officers in command to handle the position after the charge had been made. When later on

[Page 85]
news came through that the 1st and 2nd Divisions had succeeded at last in gaining Pozieres the justification for their satisfaction was confirmed.

Next day the saddest work of all was continued the gathering of the wounded by stretcher parties. The regular stretcher bearers having suffered severely from wounds & exhaustion, volunteers from the men holding the line were called for & responded to & the next two or three days the work continued.

On Friday the 56th Battalion moved back to support line & then in again to the firing line on Saturday to hold it four three or four days then back to reserve, where they were rested, although much to his shame one of the officers ordered all the men who had paraded sick, tired & worn out, through continuous hard work, to be kept at physical drill, till the men who had been taken for a route march returned.

Not being able to find an NCO & not deigning to do the work himself, he insisted on the Battalion Warrant officer, the highest .NCO. doing the drilling. To his credit before he started the Warrant officer told the sick parade that if he could have his own way he would order the whole of the men to rest themselves, but as they themselves knew, he had received his instructions & therefore could only carry them out.

One of the men of A Coy had been made to go to the Doctor by the Company Commander & on his (the (O/Cs) return, the very first thing he did was to hunt this man up & find out how he was getting on. Upon the O/C learning what had happened he was really like a madman, he rushed to Battalion Headquarters called out the offending Staff Officer & in pretty plain language to him what a "man" he thought him, & threatened if ever again he interfered in any way with any of his A Coy men he would not use words, but physical punishment that would take long to forget, would be his portion. Let alone drilling tired men who had done work that

[Page 86]
[Inserted in top margin:] Private Horsfall

that every one knew he, the offending Captain, could & would not if he could do!!! How glorious. While this O/C was alive the Coy had no interference of any kind from this Staff Captain.

After being in reserve the Coy went back to billets & while here were shelled by the Huns, two men being killed & several wounded.

The men thought it strange that the Huns should waste their heavy shells in "trying" for a few men in scattered billets but the real reason was probably deeper.

Just before the action started while the Company was working in the Saps carrying up material etc, the Cooks one morning reported that after all the men had left, a battery of four 15 Inch Guns & one 17 Inch gun had been taken through the field beyond the Coy’s billet and placed in position behind a row of trees near the railway line about 400 yards away.

The next morning during one of the meals it struck some of the privates as strange, that the villagers should lay out their linen, to dry & bleach, right out in the middle of the paddock (in a perfect square) instead of on a fine lawn closer to their house.

After hearing of the supposed shelling of billets one of the privates (not then present) came to the conclusion that these shells were not after billets but were seeking out the battery of Heavy 15" & 17" Guns and the direction for firing for the Huns was undoubtedly denoted to aeroplanes above, by means of the linen laid out in the paddock "in a Square" & he at once wrote to his NCO giving this as the reason. However as the Division was on its way to the Somme nothing could be done to confirm the view.

Our battalion after resting proceeded to the front "in front of" Flers & put in its time there in all the very worst of muddy conditions. In October it moved with the Division back again & afterwards proceeded to the line in front of Delville Wood & on "fronts" in this District it would

[Page 87]
quietly pass the coming winter.

No man "Standing To" on that memorable night of 19th July 1916 will ever be likely to forget his experience.

The whole atmosphere seemed to be torn by the passage of thousands of missles screeching through it every second from the boom of the very heavy guns down to the "crack" of Rifle bullet. The air was filled at the one time with the screech of every one. The innumerable flares, signals, & floating lights turned night into day.

Chemical Shells were hurled across, one of which in striking an old building like a Cookhouse set it alight with a peculiar fire, that it lighted up the Country with a ghostly brilliance, which at first rather scared a party of men who were detailed to extinguish it. As soon as they raised their shovels to beat it out, the Chemical appeared to be of some phosphoresent kind, for the fire attached itself to the shovels & set alight everything they touched even the very ground.

The fire did not burn like an ordinary blaze but presented an apparently steady transparent flame or glow. It was so uncanny "that some of the men were about to retire when it was found that by throwing quantities of wet mud upon it the glow or flame could be subdued. Luckily none of those working came personally into touch with it. The view presented by the "Clouds" from the bursting shells was simply awful, while the very earth was in a constant tremour from the continual concussion of high explosives.

The men taking refuge in the "dug out" were in constant terror of being buried alive as the dug out was kept in a state of never ceasing rocking & whenever a large shell burst close, the men inside with wide staring eyes, would fearfully watch the beams & supports to see if they were about to fall bodily & crush them.

Even an aeroplane flying overhead was dropping what appeared to be aerial torpedoes for portion of one "the screw", was secured by one of the men, having after the explosion dropped near his feet.

[Page 88]
Those in the dug out had to sit huddled together with their heads bent forward & their arms clasped about the knees & the wounded had a terrible time.

A number of bomb carriers had gone into the dug out & when requested to make room so as to rest the men who had been "standing to" refused to move, and even when an officer came along urgently asking for bomb carriers he had to produce his torch & revolver to induce four of them to leave. One man however who was huddled up in the corner, was evidently nearly driven mad for he not only refused to obey the officers call, but said he did not care even if he was shot, he would not get out for anyone & was too scared to be of any use, if forcibly ejected.

He certainly looked like one staring death in the face, & was well frightened at the prospect. In pity he was allowed to remain there the whole time, even when at two in the morning, when a peremptory order was passed along for every man, no matter what he was doing to "Stand to" in the bays.

The whole night long this man shivered & shook like a poplar leaf in a breeze, uttering subdued moans whenever a very loud shell burst sounded close.

The bay itself in a very short time was actually festooned with numerous pieces of shell, hanging to the sandbags of both parapet & parados, while the "bored-like" holes made by the flying nose caps of the shells numbered between 50 & 60 in the space of 20 feet. The biggest piece of shell in the bottom of the trench was 6 or 7 Inches long by 4 Inches wide & how it missed shearing the heads of two or three or cutting a man in two, seeing how close together the men were standing remained quite a mystery.

When the shells of the enfilading battery could be heard working down the line with clockwork regularity, all eyes

[Page 89]
would be turned to the bay on the right & when the shell burst took place there, looking just as if it had blown the bay to "smithereens" the burst going about 50 feet in the air showing a mass of dirt bits of bags etc being hurled heavenward with a deafening roar, every man including the sentry would crush close in to the parapet, knowing well it was their turn next & sure enough they got it, then recovering from the terrible shock & sound, would brush the dirt off their faces & eyes, & in awe watch for the burst of the next shell on the left. Then looking round would ask "Who’s hit" and as there were always two three or four wounded, would help to dress them in the already crowded dug out

Being near a "sally port" (an entrance to "No mans land" through the trench) it was always received new men otherwise every one would have been a "casualty" after the second or third visitation of these shells from the enfilading battery on the left.

The very first man wounded in this bay had a piece of flesh taken out of his side as large as a mans hand laying bare two ribs & rendering the inside of his body visible. Luckily the poor fellow was too bad to know or care how severe his wound looked otherwise the shock would probably have killed him outright.

The "amateur" AMC men (no skilled men being available) were still trying to fix him up at 9 am Thursday. The ordinary field dressing being too small to do so quickly, nearly every man had use for his own. This man eventually recovered to rejoin his battalion the following February.

It seemed that one part of this bay was almost a fatal spot, for before a single man was "hit" the bayonet of the man standing here had a piece knocked clean out of it without breaking the bayonet in two pieces. At the same spot the next shell knocked another mans bayonet

[Page 90]
clean off the rifle together with the bayonet boss & standard, the next shell bent another mans rifle it had the top of it, for about 6 Inches, bent at a right angle, & in every instance the man standing nearest this spot, which appeared to be the very centre of the bay, was always amongst those who were "hit".

Whether it was that the firing was so accurate or not, the men tried to avoid this part as much as numbers would allow, of course the trench at the bottom is so narrow to pass a man one would have to "crush by" him.

In our platoon there was one man who was so quiet & reticent that for a long time before reaching France every one thought he was suffering from a mild attack of melancholia. Nor did he utter a single word before or on the night of the action, till a shell burst clean overhead, when after recovering from the shock & the ringing in the ears of the awful din, he looked up to where the shell had burst & fiercely ejaculated. The [dash dash] Huns

His constant declamations at every overhead burst eventually caused quite a laugh – after the effects of each shell had disappeared – even in such incongruous circumstances. The "Silent" man had spoken – & had spoken very emphatically.

During all this murderous din messages were being passed from bay to bay and eighteen out of twenty were asking for Machine Gunners.

Machine Gunners wanted on the right! Machine Gunners wanted on the let! & in not one instance was there ever a man that could be sent. No one seemed to know anything about a Machine Gun excepting the original crew, who no doubt had been severely cut up.

This night clearly showed the absolute necessity for every man in the line to be in a position to take his place at a Machine Gun in the event of the crew being wounded or killed, yet not a man from our bay although so many kept coming in could be sent to help with the Machine Gun.

[Page 91]
What a difference it would have made if all the time spent in useless Drill by Numbers (similar to raw recruits) in Egypt had been devoted to teaching every man to be a Machine Gummer & bomb thrower.

During the night the continual noise was so great that ordinary speech could not be heard in the "open", and one of the men on sentry got quite annoyed at the efforts of a man in the bottom of the trench, to speak to him, as he said, in a whisper.

What are you mumbling down there for?
What the deuce are you trying to say?
Why the [dash] dont you yell out?

His reason was apparent! He wanted to know why the NCO in charge of the bay was always "stuck in" the dug out instead of watching how things were going on.

The Sentry laughed in spite of his annoyance but replied are you frightened? If so you had better get into the dug out too! But if not what the d[dash] do you want to worry about the NCO for? If he is frightened, he is far better in there, than out here, for both himself & us.

The man afterwards told the Sentry he ought to have been a little more sympathetic-to-him.

As might be expected the Doctors & AMC men soon became so overworked that it was impossible to attend to more cases, so that after about the first hour all men wounded had to be looked after as well as possible by the men and the best that could be was, done, but when a man in the next "bay" had a leg blown off a messenger was despatched to the Dressing station for help, but unavailingly however later on another messenger was successful in bringing back help, but the man had to be dressed to stop the bleeding & left lying, so pressing were the calls for the services of the Medical Staff.

To show when excited how some men do not think. An Officer who was to go over the top with a platoon turned to a Corporal in Charge of a party of bombers who were also to take their places

[Page 92]
amongst "the Stormers" & right up in the front at that, in order to bomb a passage for the attacking infantry, and ordered him (& his party) to wait where they were, till the officer would send for them

What a silly order to be given by an officer who the very minute he put his head above the parapet to make a charge, might have had it knocked off. It is almost unnecessary to say the Corporal & his bombers were into the Hun trench before that officer.

After 8 am on Thursday when the whole of our Artillery again got going in full swing the deadly shooting of the Huns slacked off to such an extent that every one knew that the Huns would never force our position however much they tried & therefore every one’s spirits rose and the tremendous strain of the furious bombardment passed away & apparently removed a very heavy load from the minds of those remaining in the line.

Men commenced eagerly to talk, each one describing his experiences his thoughts & feelings at various seemingly critical times. The conversations were carried on to the accompaniment of humourous & chaffingly good natured remarks, every one feeling as if a regular nightmare had passed & things would again settle down to their normal condition as before the battle.

While this was going on the sentry watching the Hun line, noticed a gun firing from behind a battered building quite near to their front line, not as would be expected straight at us, but apparently as if on their own trenches on their right but as this was absurd, and as he was looking through a periscope, he hopped down off the fire step to the bottom of the trench & called to the man sitting fourth from him, that he wanted to test the periscope & therefore would he move his right hand to the right. This was done & the glass in the periscope was found to be correct. Immediately after this a shrapnel shell burst overhead & the Sentry, standing in the fatal spot, was wounded in the arm holding the

[Page 93]
periscope & the man spoken to was also wounded in the right hand.

Turning to the sentry, the man blurted out Look here! That was your [dash] fault! The sentry replied. Why you ought to thank me, & you will yet, for getting to England with a bit of a scratch like that. Thinking then of his arm he said as if to himself. What had I better do!

One of the men sitting near who was able to see the blood accummulating in the Sleeve of the sentrys tunic said You had better go to the Dressing Station & take my tip "Run your hardest!

In putting down the periscope near the dug out door, the blood spurted out from the wounded arm like water from a tap & the sentry could then see the value of the advice given & away he went to the Dressing Station at the double. A spurt of about 50 yards along the duck boards at the back of the dug outs brought him to the Firing Line Dressing Station.

What a sight he saw then! A very large dug out, had been roughly prepared as a Hospital but the whole of it was packed as closely as possible with wounded men on stretchers. Another dug opposite had also been brought into use, while outside lying on the ground were hundreds of stretcher cases still waiting to be dressed. It gave a first indication of the huge total that the Casualties for that nights work would amount to. These were men unable to walk (stretcher cases). The Dead & walking cases could only be estimated. And this only of half a battalion of men (500) whereas the Division in this action would muster about 12000.

Under such circumstances the prospect of being dressed was small, & almost at the moment, when the wounded sentry was about to fall from faintness through the continual loss of blood, a sergeant from one of the "bays" rushed out, caught the sentry & after some trouble bound up the arm as as well as possible to stop the flow of blood. After making a fairly good job, he found that there was another hole underneath which had escaped attention, so his "good job"

[Page 94]
had to be spoilt to pull a portion of the dressing over the bottom hole. However as he said, it was not bad for an "amateur"

One of the AMC Doctors hopped over the "cases" lying on the ground & inspected the dressing & gave instructions to the Corporal taking out the wounded, to have a proper dressing put on at the next Station in "support" & to hurry out straight away.

But the loss of blood had been so great that the wounded sentry had to be placed in a dugout to lie down for about 20 minutes & therefore missed that draft. His section "pal" who was wounded on the hand, at the same time decided to stay with him. Another draft of "Walking Cases" being ready to be "passed out" the sentry & his pal managed to take their places & started on their journey to Hospital.

An unfortunate incident occurred which should have been avoided.

The NCO regulating the traffic at the "Sap Head", had allowed three stretcher "cases" to go through about five minutes previous to the second draft of Walking Cases & behind them a battalion being relieved was allowed to follow, the result was that long before half the distance was traversed the three "stretcher cases" were overtaken & the "Sap" was completely blocked. As all the saps were continually being shelled, the target offered by the men going out was naturally a good one & losses took place.

Things got so bad that it looked at one time, that the three stretcher cases would have had to be placed right upon the parapet till the battalion had passed, for unwounded men were being "hit" on account of the block caused by the "Stretcher cases". Eventually they managed to get them to an opening in the "Sap" when the battalion passed, at the double.

While waiting at each stop that would occur, the effect of the nights bombardment on the Saps, was horribly apparent, dead men were lying about, some having been blown on to the parapet in such natural attitudes that it was hard to believe they were dead. Time & again one would almost instinctively put a hand out to pull a man down from an exposed place, or start to abuse such unnecessary recklessness

[Signed at foot of page:] John Brewster

[Transcriber’s note: diary transcript continues on page 96]

[Page 95]
II

A Glimpse of War through a Private’s eyes continued

[Signed] John Brewster

[Page 96]
II

when it was seen that the poor fellows had ended all their troubles.

The battalion going out had evidently been "spotted" for after they had passed the shelling became so very violent that the remainder of the journey through the Sap was by "fits & starts" & it looked at one particular time that the end would never be reached. However being almost empty the damage done was not then very great, although one or two poor fellows who had been congratulating themselves on being "Walking Cases" never finished that journey

At the end of the Sap it was necessary to take a rest for between the end of the Sap and a wall affording cover, was an "exposed" place, which had to be crossed on the run. So after waiting four or five minutes to get ready, one by one "the sprint" was made & every one passed safely. A sigh of relief was given by each, for it was only a "casual" shell that would now do any damage & it would have been the "rottenest" luck to have "stopped" one of these at this part of the walk. Nine dressing stations in all had to be passed & at not one, could any attention be given on account of pressing cases demanding instant treatment.

For four miles the walk continued. All along that road could be seen horse & motor lorries, "tearing" & galloping along going up loaded, coming back empty While on each side was a long "string" of wounded men making progress as well as possible, in twos & threes, helping men with wounds in feet or legs, but every one in the best of temper smoking their cigarettes & pipes as if they enjoyed them, & trying in every way to make their painful position as light as possible.

Wherever possible drivers of vehicles would stop & help the worst cases with a "lift". Even the artillery men, of the nearest batteries, turned out their limbers to help the struggling but lighthearted men along, the slightly wounded in every instance giving place to a more severe "case".

At last the dressing

[Page 97]
Station was reached from whence all "cases" were to be formally recorded, re-dressed and ticketed with a label, ready to be sent on to the "Clearing Station" What a treat it was to get there! Come Along! Go right in!

But on going into the small building the place was packed. Standing room only, but still it was a treat to arrive. Leaning up against a table and glancing round that room! What a sight! Men all shapes & sizes bound up with blood stained bandages in every conceivable way from head to heel, & yet, even those suffering the severest pain, all trying their best to "Crack hardy" & look upon the "incident" as one would at a picnic. A "Donnybrook Fair" picnic.

After a few minutes that room became unsteady, the table seemed to move & the room commenced to turn round & round. A vision of a Doctor hastily jumping up from attending to a patient & then a sensation of being placed gently on a stretcher on wheels.
There are so many "cases" I cannot attend to you yet!
Dont hurry! This is just splendid!
The room stopped twirling and settled down "steady" again.

It was really fine to see those splendid fellows Doctors, AMC’s, & orderlies, silently, but quickly & quietly, taking each "case" in turn, noting particulars, taking off rough bloodstained dressings treating & carefully rebandaging the wounds & despatching to the waiting "Red Cross" Motor Ambulance.

This work had been going on all night, would continue all that day & night without rest or sleep, with scarce time to eat a meal, & yet they seemed as cool & steady as if just starting.

The Doctor in charge had never closed his eyes & hardly looked tired, a little worried about some of the most severe amongst the "Cases", perhaps, that is all; he would no doubt feel the strain later.

After being dressed & rested, & with

[Page 98]
his label tied on to his tunic, each "case" took his seat in the Ambulance, & was given a large bowl of beef tea which tasted Oh! So good!! and then feeling really good, started for an hour’s (or two) journey to the "Clearing Station"

Arriving there each man was given soup & biscuits & after being inoculated (against tetanus) awaited till his turn came to be sent to the Emergency Hospital, where his wound would be properly examined and operated on. While waiting here all those who could walk would seek amongst the men to find any friends "lucky enough" to "get out". In this Clearing Station, out of one Section of 12, five of them were here together, yet strange to say although every one was sent to England they never met again till reaching France the second time (One returned to Australia)

From the Clearing Station at Sailly the Emergency Hospital at Estaires was reached, that same afternoon. While here each case was taken in turn & each wound carefully examined, operated on, dressed, and classified for future treatment.

While waiting in the Yard we were very much surprised to see eleven Stretchers brought in, containing Huns, who appeared to have been most frightfully knocked about, one an officer looked so sullen & surly, that one man remarked it was a pity he was brought in. Another man remarked how grand it was that we should bring in Huns & treat them, but the response to that was, Why were not all the thousands of our own wounded lying "out there" brought in before a single Hun.

That instinctive desire to obtain a souvenir showed up plainly for some of our fellows immediately darted forward & examined the Huns tunics for badges or buttons but found that the "rule" had already been "run over them". While this was being done, one of the Huns said he had got an "Australian Souvenir"

[Page 99]
and lifting his arms from underneath his blanket, showed only two "stumps" both hands having been blown off.

Good enough for you! said one of our men. Although every one there could have wished that it had been the Hun Officer, for he looked such a surly bully. He seemed to be annoyed at being placed among the wounded men, but certainly got no sympathy from our men, who simply laughed at him when he asked to be removed from the proximity of his own privates.

After a good nights rest, a Red Cross Car took us to the Railway Station where we boarded a splendid Hospital Train & started on our journey to Calais. When starting no one really knew where we were going & everyone hoped & wished it was "for England".

The people of France gave us a splendid reception & tried to do every thing to cheer us up. Whenever the train stopped they would collect around & wave their handkerchiefs, offering cigarettes or anything in the shape of sweets, but on account of the "Red Cross" painted on the train, there was very little noise or cheering made or given.

When about half way to the coast the train was stopped & while waiting we could hear a constant series of dull explosions. Why! Where is this "blessed" firing line!! For two whole days we were travelling away from it, & yet it seemed from those explosions to be at no great distance directly ahead!

Our surprise was greater when the train went back & seemed to be switched off on to another track. Later on we were to learn that in this neighbourhood (Hazebruck) the British had a very large magazine for storing the huge stacks of ammunition for all kinds of guns, and being entirely underground nothing whatever could be seen from above.

The previous night a Hun Aeroplane had crossed & in dropping bombs promiscuously over the country, one

[Page 100]
of them had landed right into the entrance of this magazine & started the shells there, exploding. The first report was, that 4 to 5 million pounds worth of shells were lost & 2000 soldiers employed there, killed. Later news authentically given, showed that only a small lot of the smaller shells had been destroyed, all the heavier kind were saved, & the casualties were very slight. This damage was never known to the Huns.

It was one of those "accidents" that occasionally occur when least expected. At any rate the Huns did not have the satisfaction of knowing that a Magazine had been hit, Presumably the aeroplane had simply tried to drop bombs on the Railway Station & the town itself but a "lucky" shot, "got" the magazine which was dug under a field in the open away from both Railway Station & town.

This detour delayed our arrival at the destination five hours, for instead of travelling in a straight line, (we could not pass close to where this magazine was) we had to travel on a different track which almost formed a loop.

At midnight on the Friday we arrived in Calais, and half an hours journey in a Red Cross car, brought us to our Hospital, a series of large tents arranged just like an ordinary Camp excepting that instead of the bell tents for the men in a camp they were all large marquees able to accommodate easily 20 to 30 beds.

This was the first time we had seen that women had been requisitioned to take the place of men, which became so common afterward. These motor cars were all in charge of young English girls who looked just as if their proper status was "On Tour" instead of "doing their bit" like a soldier. We afterwards learned that it was no uncommon thing for them to be sent on urgent calls right up to the first "Clearing Station"

[Page 101]
near the Line.

Being the first we had up till then seen, we could not but admire their grit & pluck & did not forget to tell them so. They did their work splendidly. It seemed so strange to see quite a young girl arranging, at the train, for the motor cars to take their loads of wounded & the organization was very good.

On arrival at the Hospital each man was taken in charge of, by the sister in charge of the ward & 2 orderlies, & after all his particulars battalion, wounds, etc, had been taken, for the first time for about six months he was gently placed between clean sheets white as snow.

What a sensation it caused! However almost before the first beautiful thoughts had passed, sleep, glorious sleep, soon changed a bustling ward into a quiet calm.

How can one describe the feelings on waking next morning it is almost certain that quite a number, on the instant of waking that morning really thought they were in Heaven itself, for even had they been, their feelings could not have been more pleasant. Heave

Transferred from all the din, & roar, the mud & water, blood stains of the wounded, the groans of the dying, the pain & the weariness, to a quiet, lovely bed with spotless white sheets, with Sisters & Nurses with kindly faces, as it were, quietly "hovering" about was deliciously restful. It was therefore not surprising that one did say He thought he was in Paradise & if it was not, well he for one was satisfied with this!

Lying in a ward in the Hospital, – this particular Hospital No 30 General at Calais was composed of large Marquees, house accommodation being unavailable, – the ordinary Military routine more or less continues here, & being a "Tommy" Hospital, naturally the military "Red Tape" dicipline is more forcibly applied. As almost every "case" in this ward had been lying or "Stretcher cases", two "Tommy"

[Page 102]
orderlies did all the rough or manual labor part of the work, the Sister & Nurses restricting themselves to the dressing & treatment of wounds & injuries.

The Sister or Nurse on night duty is expected to do a little of both kinds of work, but must be able to attend to every class of wound & able to take precautions in the event of a relapse (in any severe wounds). Medical "Cases" are treated separately and distinctly, from Surgical "Cases" and in wards specially set apart for them.

The routine in a military Hospital is practically the same in France & Britain, whether in a (Tommy) British Canadian or Australian. Although in the latter the "Red Tape" orders are not nearly so strictly observed either by the Sisters, Doctors, or men.

In many instances "Tommy" Sisters & Doctors will insist on every soldier in the Hospital able to stand up on his feet, springing to attention, upon the appearance of the Doctor, who of course ranks as an officer, & these men, although many may be in real pain, are kept standing to "attention" till the Doctor completes his inspection & examination of the wounds of all the men in the ward.

The very first instance noticed, where two Australian Soldiers were among those allowed to get up out of bed, when called to "Attention" as the Doctor arrived, every one able to stand up, stood to attention & while the "Tommy" wounded continued to stand to attention the whole time, as soon as the Doctor had made his Salute on entering, the two Australians at once sat down & continued sitting the whole time. The Doctor, who was a real good man, although evidently not liking it, as a breach of military dicipline, said nothing, but immediately after the Doctor had gone, the Sister in charge informed those two Australians, that they must stand to attention the whole time in future. The two "Aussies" merely laughed.

We knew that those two "Aussies"

[Page 103]
would not stand to "attention", the whole time, even if all the Military Medical Staff in the Army was in the Ward, so all the Australians joined in the laugh too.

The next morning the Sister was horrified to see both these "Aussies" walk out of the marquee at one end, while the Doctor entered at the other, the Doctor looked surprised but seeing a glorious smile lighting up the faces of all the Australians lying in the beds, he philosophically accepted the situation without comment. Strolling back again when the Doctor was just about finishing the two men were naturally able to give a plausible excuse & had their wounds attented to.

After the same thing occurred the very next morning, the Doctor had the good sense to allow all the men to sit down after the salute had been given, from that time afterwards.

The following morning the two "Aussies" did not appear, to have to leave in a hurry & calmly enjoyed reclining "at ease". The "Tommies" were overjoyed & admiringly told the two Australians that they would not have dared to do what they had done, ever if they had been paid a "fiver".

Although the Sister was a splendid woman & a kind & gentle nurse she always seemed to look upon those two, if not "bad Australians" as not quite so good as the "bed" "Cases" with whom she appeared delighted.

The shattering of one of the "Red tape" orders, even if absurd & even inhumanly unnecessary, was to her, an awful offense, so inbred discipline, seems to be, in all "Tommies" whether sisters or soldiers,

After the Salute has been given all Australian Doctors & Sisters will immediately give, Sit down boys! or if they are reading or playing, Carry on! boys! which is only common sense, & what should really obtain in a ward with wounded men.

[Page 104]
In Hospitals the Reveille is sounded about 6 O’clock in Summer & Seven in Winter when all Walking "Cases" arise & make their own beds, & help the orderlies (in Tommy Hospitals the VADs) to make the beds of the others, & join in cleaning up the Ward.

In Summer time, twice a week the floor is washed & scrubbed out with brooms & mops. Breakfast is served. Soon after 9 am the Doctor starts to make his rounds. Accompanied by the Matron or Sister he carefully examines each patient & gives instructions as to treatment etc. After leaving the Sister & Nurses then start the process of dressing the wounds which every one is glad when finished, particularly the patients with bad wounds.

The men are then allowed to take it easy till Dinner is served. For "Cases" necessary, the second dressing is then proceeded with, after which all "Walking Cases" are allowed to leave the Hospital & may roam about within a radius of four miles.

A time is fixed when every one has to return & also for lights out, when roll call is taken & every man must be in bed. Any one failing to answer is reported to the orderly room & dealt with according to his power of being able to invent the most plausible tale or excuse.

Of course "cases" requiring dressing 3 or even 4 times a day must remain in the Ward. Tea is served about 5 or 5.30 & supper half an hour before "lights out".

Excepting in the most severe cases the Doctor has only time to visit each Ward once a day & sometimes may even have to miss a day now & then.

The work performed by the whole of the Staff, Doctors Sisters & Nurses VADs etc is wonderful & calls for the very highest praise for the skill care patience, kindness, gentleness and unceasing attention, so quietly & uncomplainingly shown, even with the most irritating, worrying & trying "Cases".

The men & women doing this work

[Page 105]
certainly must have the satisfaction of knowing full well that they are doing "their bit" quite as well and quite as strenuously as the men in the hottest firing line, all without that amount of publicity, & directed attention, which always has & will apply to hard work in the field of battle.

After arriving in a Hospital the worst phase to "get over" for those whose wounds are likely to call for it, is when told. This man for operation! The Sister in charge then formally forbids that particular patient taking food & informs him he must remain in bed till such times as the orderlies come to take him to the Operating Theatre. In due time he is told to get ready for a certain time, but it does not always follow that he will go then, postponements occur. A man may be prepared to go at 10 oclock on Saturday morning & not be taken till Sunday night at ten oclock.

Naturally those down for operation are very anxious to know who else is going & in what order. When the first "Case" goes out, conjecture at once starts. I wonder how he will get on? Will he lose a limb? Will he get through the operation safely? I wonder if he will suffer much after he comes out?

Then each one gives an opinion as to how each particular "Case" will "Carry on". After the operation has been made when the first case is carried back, if the operation has been severe, the poor patient seems to be lying quiet & still & as the Sister & Nurses silently work round him, gently binding up the severed portion & silently watch with some apparent anxiety the general attitude till such times as evidence appears that he is doing as well as can be expected, shows plainly on their faces.

The next case has been operated on and the same procedure is gone through but in a much more quiet & subdued manner. In this, perhaps a youngster

[Page 106]
about 20 years of age with a badly wounded arm. Being quite boy his case is discussed (amongst the men) with much more interest Will the arm (Wing it is called by them) be saved? What will the "kid" do with only one "wing" to fly with? I hope they succeed in saving it?

Not a very long time to wait, the "Kid" is carried back. Now a quiet still unconcious form showing scarcely signs of life. His bed is situated right at the far end of the ward. They carry him silently but very gently past the whole of both rows of fellow wounded.

The process of transferring him from the stretcher to the bed is keenly watched. The Sisters & Nurses again start to tenderly prepare to dress the wound. They know. Every other patient in the Ward props himself up as best he can & with craned neck, eager eyes intently watch the process.

The bloodstained wrappings are removed a pitiable sight presents itself, the arm has been sawn off, right across the bicep, the protruding bone exudes natures healing matter to seal the exposed part, to await which, the flesh, to eventually cover it is seen to be tied back in strips upon the part above. It looks a sorry sight.

After doing what can only be done, in silence the Sister & Nurses stand patiently watching. The stillness in the whole ward almost becomes painful, every man is trying to read the tense strained faces of the watching women for some little indication of what the result will be.

A slight moan escapes from the mutilated prostrate form upon the bed, a sigh breaks forth from one of the Nurses, a sigh of relief from pent up feelings, the Sister stoops to pat the pillow & adjust the bedclothes & turning with a wan smile very quietly tells the nearest men He is coming round! He will soon be alright!

Every one is very greatly relieved and in a few minutes the Ward resumes its ordinary condition, with good humoured

[Page 107]
‘chaff’ passing between patients awaiting operation, but in a tone much lower for fear of disturbing the "Cases" operated upon.

A rush of outside cases stopped the exodus from this ward and later in the day the continual ravings under anesthetical influence of a man (evidently a jockey judging by the language used) in the next ward made it clear that these outside cases must be serious That man raved & sang & "called the odds" & in racing language discussed the chances of a racehorse as if he had been on the course, for a whole day & a night & half the next day with scarcely a stop & when at his worst, could be heard a quarter of a mile away.

So exhausted did he become that even the Doctor considered that his chance to pull through, did not appear to be worth the "odds" he was asking for, so little did nature get a show. This man when given up by all, recovered.

Twenty deaths had occurred the very first night, yet the Doctors had been working night & day & still continued without a single break.

The most urgent cases having been attended to, the next "case" from this ward was called, this time the man managed to walk with assistance.

Entering a little wooden building, in the centre, half a dozen doors showed, leading from the circular hall, the entrance to an operating Theatre, even if the occasional opening of the doors, with "cases" coming out or going in was not sufficient, the amount of freshly spilt blood upon the floors of the little rooms, denoted the amount of work and its character there, being performed.

Entering one of these little rooms three Doctors were met all attired in a covering of white and one wearing a pair of India rubber gloves was noted as the operator.

[Page 108]
Mounting the operating table the bandage was removed from the injured arm, & the wound examined, the patient stretched full length to receive the anesthetic, when having seen the result of the operation on the "youngster", this patient sat up and stated that no matter what was found in the arm, if anything, or what its condition was, the arm was not to be taken off.

A discussion thereupon arose which lasted fully fifteen minutes The patient was informed that he had there three of the finest (British) Doctors in France whose knowledge had been gained long since & every confidence could be given. If the arm was in a state that amputation was unnecessary it would no be interfered with, but as there was every indication that it was much worse than it looked they pressed for discretionary power to take off the arm if in their combined opinion its retention endangered the life.

The answer was. No matter what the consequences were likely to be, the arm must not come off!

The operating Doctor (who was also the Doctor of the Ward) then quietly appealed to the patient for trust in his knowledge & skill, and to let him decide during his operation as to what was best to be done, the arm would only be taken off if positively discovered to be inoperative.

Still the answer was. No! Further, sitting up the patient stated that he must ask each of the three Doctors to give their word of honor that no matter what condition the arm was in, or what the subsequent result might be, they must promise that the arm must not be amputated If this promise could not be given the patient would at once jump off the table & leave the theatre.

After repudiating all responsibility this promise was given & the operation was proceeded with.

After passing off into unconciousness

[Page 109]
the next thing the patient knew was opening his eyes momentarily seeing two Doctors strenuously struggling to hold the right arm, while the other held the left as well as he could. The patient looked up into the face of the operating Doctor and said Oh! I’m sorry! & then "went off" again. Shortly afterwards, opening his eyes, was asked by one of the Doctors What did you say, I’m sorry! for?

The patient replied, For bringing you here! & again lapsed into unconciousness.

"Coming to" after a little while & the effect of the anesthetic wearing off, on looking round the room & noting where he was, the patient burst into laughter, and jumping from the table explained the situation.

While under the anesthetic the patient was under the illusion he was chasing a Hun along a Railway Line each running along the sleepers. The race was a hard one, but the Hun was getting away & the patient was getting wild & disappointed, he then missed his footing & fell on his shoulder into the bottom of a culvert when upon opening his eyes, he saw the operating Doctor alongside him & he then said "He was sorry", & when the other Doctor asked him Why! replied, "For bringing you here!".

Of course when he properly recovered from the effect of the anesthetic he saw that he had been suffering from an hallucination, and "burst out laughing". The explanation made the three Doctors "burst out laughing" in which the patient heartily joined.

One of the Doctors sat down & he & the patient had an interesting chat, after which the orderlies were called with the stretcher, but the patient insisted he could walk, & walked without assistance back to the ward, although the walk was here & there a little bit "rocky".

Before leaving the theatre the Doctor informed the patient that every Doctor

[Page 110]
looking at his arm would want to "operate" on it, but the patient could relate, that three of the best Doctors had examined it.

Every patient in a ward is known by the number of his bed and hanging on a nail over his head is his "Medical History Sheet", giving all his particulars when & where the wounds were received detailed particulars of the wounds & the treatment necessary. One portion of this sheet is a chart upon which is marked twice a day the movements of his pulse & temperature. Taking the latter seems to more important.

This Sheet was not hung over the head of the "Sentry" for which the Sister & Nurses would give no reason.

On the morning of the second day the Sentry having had a good lone, pleasant sleep at once made an effort to get up & put on his suit of "blues", the clothing provided for wounded men, but was immediately sh-o-o-ed to bed again by the Sister in a good humoured but very firm manner. However about eleven o’clock when both Sister & Nurses went off for morning tea, the Sentry quickly got into his blues & made an excursion outside the marquee, but soon after getting into the open air, the whole camp seemed to start whirling round, & he commenced staggering about just like a drunken man, till a friendly "pal" rushed up to his assistance, when he again became steady & with help walked along for a short distance & enjoyed the outing.

This was done each morning for eight or nine days, with only one recurrence of the "staggering" conditions, but on this occasion the help was absolutely necessary & the sentry had to sit for quite 15 minutes to "collect" himself.

During one morning after this time, one of the Nurses just after taking the Sentry’s temperature gave quite a deep sigh of relief & when asked for an explanation the sentry was told he was just coming back to "normal".

[Page 111]
His temperature was then 100 & he was told all the days previously it had ranged between 102.6 to 104.6. The sentry whistled with concerned surprise, & needless to say did not again attempt to go any excursions", but remained in bed.

Next day the Sister was pleasantly surprised & stated "At last you are down to normal"! & thereupon hung the Medical History Sheet in its place over the head of the bed.

The sentry naturally took the first opportunity to examine it & to his surprise saw that the daily record marked thereon confirmed the Nurses statement.

The following morning an examination was made by the Medical Staff & all those able to be moved were marked on their Medical History Sheets with the letter B. It was soon learned that this was considered by the Ward Staff to stand for "Blighty".

As soon as the Medical Staff left the Ward some of the "Tommy" walking "cases" from the next ward, came into our Ward & eagerly inquired Well! Who is marked for "Blighty"? Hardly understanding the question but knowing we were likely to be sent to England we patiently waited to hear a further explanation, however a man opposite could wait no longer & he brought the "house down" by calling out Hey! Digger! What part of England is Blighty in?. The Tommies enjoying the joke laughed hilariously.

"Blighty" is the word used by the "Tommies" in the army to signify "Britain" and is a corruption of an Indian word meaning "going home". The expression originated with the British Army quartered in India before the War, but now used generally by every one connected with English Army matters.

After the Medical Inspection the Colonel came round marking out the Stretcher & Walking Cases, & tickets were issued to carry each one through to the English Hospital. These tickets

[Page 112]
had to be tied on to the clothing of each patient. Much to the surprise of the Sentry he was marked for a "Stretcher" & thinking a mistake had been made he remarked to the Colonel, that he did not want a stretcher that he could walk. The Colonel turned to the Ward Doctor & said This man must have a stretcher, see to it. However when the time came for removal, the Sentry got up, dressed in tunic & pants & awaited the arrival of the stretcher, but just before the Ambulance came he quickly had to get on to the stretcher & was covered with a blanket, for the Colonel himself was seen to be coming along himself to watch the "cases" go. Looking at the sentry being placed in the motor he said, You’ll be alright now.

Although glad to be going to "Blighty" we felt sorry that two or three were left behind, but knew they would come later & we thanked each & every one very warmly & hoped we would only have the good luck to go to a Hospital to receive the same kind and attentive treatment.

The ambulances moved off amidst the expressions of good luck & best wishes, and in half an hour we were alongside the Wharf and at once placed on board a "Red Cross" steamer, the "Newhaven".

Walking Cases on deck, Stretcher cases below. Carried off the wharf stretchers are sent to the lower decks by means of a "shoot" which is so quick & arranged so well that you are no sooner on than you are carried gently to a bunk. The Sentry chose a top berth & managed to climb up without assistance. The steamer started immediately afterwards & by looking through a port hole we could see the "Newhaven" was being escorted to Dover & also seemed to be running between lines of Gunboats & drifters.

Nearing England we ran into a fog which caused the vessel to slow down. Almost every few minutes from out of the fog would come a Destroyer

[Page 113]
with guns in the firing position decks with sailors, all eagerly scanning us. The Destroyer would steam up close & then quickly disappear into the fog. They quickly came & quickly went all working silently but continually. No cheering or demonstration. Here she comes! By Jove! she looks like a fighter! There she goes!

At last Dover is in sight. The trip over only occupied one hour & a quarter. On board the VADs & orderlies were very kind & gave tea, biscuits & chocolate to all that wanted them.

Seeing a stretcher being placed in position to take him ashore the sentry said Oh! Dont mind doing that I can walk now. Oh! You can! but they still continued preparing the stretcher. To "show" them, he jumped down from the berth & waited till the stretcher had been placed on the "shoot" for going to the main deck. Come on! Now let us see how well you can walk! but the staggering show was so poor that the sentry would have fallen had they not been ready. The Sentry was much worse that he thought.

Taken on board the train, right alongside the vessel, we were able, while waiting to admire the splendid organization of every part of this work. Each man seemed to know just exactly what to do, no trouble no delay, no confusion, every stretcher was at once taken to the proper place on the train & the patients at once made comfortable. The train crew comprised orderlies, Doctors, Nurses, & VADs & the patients had almost everything they wanted. Food, tea, biscuits & fruit also cigarettes & tobacco.

The first sight of the docks at Dover seemed to show the strength of England Everything seemed solid substantial & on a "big" scale.

While here we were informed that a Zepplin raid had occurred the night before & a bomb was dropped on a field near a church without damaging anything & another had landed on the sea beach smashing one or two pulling boats but killing

[Page 114]
no one.

The journey through Kent towards London was lovely, this part is considered one of the gardens of England. After the shot torn villages of France, the rural districts of England seemed wonderfully quiet & peaceful & one could hardly bring himself to believe a frightful devastating war was raging only about 6 or 7 hours journey in a direct line, from the quietness of "untouched England"

An all day journey in the train carried us through one corner of London & out into Yorkshire & at about Midnight we arrived at our destination which proved to be Bradford.

The journey in the train was not nearly so dreary or wearisome as might have been expected, the thought of the pleasure of being in England buoyed up the spirits in such a way that even those in pain from the worst wounds were quite as jolly & bright as the lighter "cases" and the continuous humourous "chaff" kept men from thinking about or feeling the effects of past troubles; the present change was so different & delightful

Although close to midnight when the train drew into the station at Bradford a large crowd of people had assembled & as each ambulance car moved off the men were greeted with a cheer.

On arrival at St Lukes Hospital each patient was examined, his wound dressed & at once put to bed.

The prophesy of the three Doctors in France looked to be already likely to be proved for as soon as the Doctor of this Hospital saw the Sentrys arm the Sister in charge was informed This man for operation! However the Sentry wisely said nothing then, but first thing in the morning delivered the message given by the Doctors at Calais. The Sister conveyed the message to the Hospital Doctor (a civilian, but said to be one of the finest surgeons in Yorkshire Dr Jason Brown) he considered for some time & then saying he thought it should be operated on, gave the necessary orders to have the arm

[Page 115]
submitted to the X Rays, so that he could "see" it. Although both Doctor & Sister & also the X Ray officer all said there was "something" in the arm the X Ray photo & view showed nothing. Not being then satisfied another view was taken and although puzzled they all had to accept the position as explained by the Calais Doctors that an operation was not necessary.

The sojourn at Bradford brought the same care & attention in the treatment of wounds by both Doctors & attendants, but the general life of the place after Doctor’s inspection was over, was pleasanter.

Before patients had arrived (from the train) at the Hospital, more than five minutes each man was asked to sign a pass for two. When explained, by signing this pass, two persons would be admitted to the Hospital every Wednesday & Saturday afternoon who came there specially to look after the wants of the particular patient signing the pass.

Every thing in the shape of fruit chocolates, cakes, sweets, tobacco cigarettes, Eggs, flowers or anything at all not inimical to the Doctor’s course of treatment were presented to their special patient, by the two people, who seemed to think it an especial favor to be the holder of a pass. These people would be waiting for 15 or 20 minutes for the entrance gates of the Hospital to be opened on visiting days & waited as long as possible.

The Ward itself although not specially built for a Hospital was one of the brightest places imaginable. The Room was about 150’ x 30’, ceiling about 15’ or 16’ high, with 31 windows on three sides from floor to ceiling with 3 sashes all adjustable to various positions.

Each bed, with a small mahogany cabinet, the lower part for Clothing & 2 drawers above for "Extras", was placed about every ten feet giving plenty of space for movement between patients, the floor of oak was kept highly polished by a special attendent working every morning. Down the centre

[Page 116]
were two stoves, a piano, & a Dining table

All walking cases dined in the Ward A clean white table cloth, & ordinary table service, so different from past Military conditions – Flowers everywhere. The Ward could be faithfully called a "young Crystal Palace". A brighter & cleaner Hospital cold scarcely be pictured. The lavatories & bathrooms were splendid.

Upon the morning of the first day a glance round the ward showed that the Hospital was a "Tommy" one only seven Australians out of 31 cases. Later on we learned that apart from one other case, we were the first Australians arriving there & the experiment was looked upon at first with considerable anxiety for it appeared some of the Australians elsewhere, had made a name for themselves in such a way that the local people just wondered how we would get on.

It did not take long to make ourselves "at home" & after each one had related his, & heard the others’, army experience the routine life of the ward commenced.

One head Sister was in charge of this ward with 31 cases and a smaller ward on the same floor with 20 cases. The larger ward was looked after by two senior Nurses or Sisters & 3 VADs and at night by two other sisters, the small ward being attended to by one Sister & two VADs & one night sister.

The food was of the best quality & in plenty for every one.

The City of Bradford had been divided into 4 parties North South East & West & every day the food for the evening meal (tea) was supplied by one of these divisions naturally the "tucker" was very much better than would have been "issued" by the military.

Sunday afternoon was visiting time for the General Public, when the Ward would be something like a "fair", every one brought something that would be, "sure to be wanted by the poor fellows". In some cases where the men were known to be short of cash, surreptitiously one of the

[Page 117]
drawers in the cabinet would be opened & two or three shillings would be quietly dropped in to be "discovered" next morning by the surprised patient who wondered how ever they could have got there!

This ward in particular was more like a Dormitory at a boarding school than a ward, and some joke or fun was always "under weigh". A "Jock" & a "Tommy" were the comedians of the "Show" & they kept things pretty amusing.

Most of the Tommy cases had been in the ward for months some over six & one man for nearly twelve months, so that they could pretty well do as they liked. "Jock" had christened one of the Sisters "Sunbeam" & every morning our Reveille was sounded by "Jock" singing at the top of his voice Oh! If I were a Sunbeam I know what I would do!. Of course the sister would dash in, & call for silence but, "Jock" sang the verse through every morning, amidst the laughter of all the others & much to the "apparent" annoyance of the Sister.

Endless fun was caused over the "Case", who had been there nearly twelve months. He was a big fat "Tommy" with a very bad wound in one of his feet & his case required such care in dressing, that "Jock" insisted that "Jolly" was being specially favored by Sunbeam. (Jolly was the real name of the man & his seemed to get fatter every day from laughing). "Jock" would therefore yell out, Who does Sunbeam favor? All the ward would at once chorus, Jolly! Who is the biggest waster in the ward? Again the chorus, Jolly! Who plays cards for money when the Sister is away? Yet again Jolly!! Jolly of course enjoyed the joke & laughed as hearty as the best. Sunbeam would indignantly deny the aspersions cast upon Jolly & stoutly assert that Jolly was the best patient in the ward & not a growler like "Jock the Scotty".

Never a day would pass but what a fierce battle would rage between "Sunbeam" & "Jock" & invariably "Jolly" was dragged into it.

For good wholesome fun the time spent in this ward was perhaps the

[Page 118]
most enjoyable anywhere. The painful bed "cases" would always be the first to urge on "Jock" to create a "diversion" Some mornings when "Sunbeam" was intent on defending "Jolly" from every charge imaginable the Ward would be just like "bedlam".

The work of the Sisters & VADs was, here also, most praiseworthy, care & kindness & the most wonderful patience were shown continuously

One incident was noticeable.

One of the VADs was on duty one afternoon when only bed patients were left in the Ward & one young fellow who evidently was in a peevish mood called for that girl to fix his bed, move his pillow etc, at least six times in half an hour till at last his near neighbour had to call to him to stop. The VAD came up smiling every time, without a murmur, & when told by the other patients to take no further notice, she said she did not mind a bit. All the same the other men growled at such needless annoyance, just because the man was a bit irritable. However when the others growled he did not call for the VAD again.

At this Hospital all cases able to walk were allowed out from 2 Oclock till 6.30 and on Friday nights were allowed to go to the Theatre (free). One picture show was always free to wounded soldiers between certain hours in the afternoon and a Soldiers Club admitted all, in uniform, where light refreshments could be obtained for a nominal sum.

The appearance of Australians amongst the wounded men walking about the streets created quite a lot of notice & not one instance occurred but that each one of them was pressed to go to tea with people who would rush up & speak to them. Twice a shilling was placed in the hand of a wounded soldier standing talking to a friend. Coming up from behind a passer by would place a shilling in the soldiers hand & hurry on forward, the soldier turning quickly would not realize who had done it till 20 yards, ahead, he would see a hurrying figure

[Page 119]
Of course he would then look at the shilling, then at his friend, and smile.

The authorities of the Hospital were very particular about the times of going out & coming in. The Guard on the gate would not open it till the exact minute & it would be shut again just as regularly.

The Tommy looks on promotion as something wonderful and on one occasion the Corporal of this Gate Guard had, that day, just been promoted from private to Lance Corporal & this was his first job "in charge".

The men waiting for the Gate to be opened asked this Corporal to let them through. His reply was No! His instructions were that the gate was not to be opened till 2.30 & it still wanted 3 minutes to go. What silly rot? replied the men, Why dont you open the gate? No! The corporal told the private on Guard to keep it closed till he gave the order then turning to the waiting men said, Really I can well understand how you feel but discipline is discipline, you know I was a private myself once!! The roar of laughter that followed this, dissipated all the growing irritation.

In travelling on Trams in Bradford it was seldom a wounded soldier was called upon to pay his fare for on offering to do so he would invariably be told "That lady" or "that Gentleman" has already paid for you!

One instance worth recalling occurred one Sunday afternoon when coming in after a trip to the country. The fare to the city was two pence.

A wounded soldier was seated at the back portion of the tramcar on top where there are just seats for three, in the open air, opposite him sat an old lady & gentleman evidently a working man & his wife dressed in their "Sunday best" probably on their way to Evening Service at some church. Their Clothes indicated being in very deep mourning.

In due time the conductor came to collect fares. The old lady in offering the money turned to the soldier & stated

[Page 120]
it would be alright, that she hoped he would let her have the pleasure of paying his fare. The soldier having plenty of money himself, & realizing that the couple were palpably in poor circumstances quietly thanked them for their kind thoughts that impelled the generous act to a stranger but while he would accept the offer to do the deed just the same as if it was actually done, he thought in this instance it would be really unfair to allow them to pay money for one who was probably better able to do so, which he supported by showing a roll of notes.

The Old Lady stated that two of her sons had enlisted shortly after the war had broken out. "We are so close here, we are brought closer into touch with it", but she thought it a wonderful thing that men should come all the way from Australia such a long long way, and come freely & willingly of their own accord to fight the battles along with the men of the old country. It was a grand thing to do, & it is a grand thing for us to see it done. One of my boys I lost twelve months ago! Last week word came to me that my other boy had fallen in the fight! Tears just perceptibly started to well up in the Old Lady’s eyes, she continued. My boys have done their bit I want you to let us feel that we are trying to do ours".

Raising his hand to the salute the soldier said he appreciated the act as an honor, thanked her heartily for her kindness & offered his sincerest condolences to them both on account of their heart breaking losses.

The conductor who had been standing by said I’m very sorry but a gentleman at the other end of the car had already paid the soldiers fare! The soldier turning to the Conductor said, Please accept the fare from this lady & while returning the gentleman his money, thank him. The gentleman waved back his acquiesence. On leaving the car the soldier shook

[Page 121]
hands warmly with both & again saluting wished them the very best of happiness.

As the days went on & improvement in wounds was apparent, the Doctors inspection each morning was followed with interest & his instructions to the Sister in charge were eagerly awaited. A Corporal who had been in the next bed to the Sentry in Calais & was in the same compartment on the train & was again in the next bed at Bradford was marked to be transferred to the Australian Convalescent Home at Harefield The Sentry was hoping to be sent along with him.

The Corporal was told to hold himself in readiness to move away at any time & he had to go & receive his issue of clothing & also his Australian Uniform from the Store. Three or four days went by but nothing further was heard about it. In the meantime all the enjoyment of Motor Car rides & picnics to the houses of the highest people about were indulged in to the fullest extent as well as using every spare moment to go down town.

If two solders were seen to be having a meal in any of the resturants in Bradford it was quite a common thing to be told a Gentleman at the back wishes to have the pleasure of paying for your meal? & no refusal would be taken. We cannot ourselves go to the war! (they would reply) so it makes us feel, by paying, as if we were doing a little to help you.

In one instance before the amount of the meal could be ascertained, the gentleman left a sum that more than covered the cost & the waitress stated there was "1/6" change. She was very pleased indeed when told to keep it as a tip.

Much to the surprise of every one, the wound of the Sentry appeared to be making such progress, that he was not surprised to be marked to go to Harefield. The Sentry left Bradford three days before the Corporal who had already been marked some time before.

When leaving, the sister in Charge specially introduced the sentry to the Matron of the whole Hospital & explained that he was one of seven Australians who were in her care. She stated that when advice was received that

[Page 122]
Australians were coming she wondered how they would manage for somehow or other Australians at some of the Hospitals had been looked upon as terrible fellows but from her experience of the men at present in her ward, so willing were they (those able) to help in everything, so cheerful & brave when in pain, so ready to join in any fun, & so bright & Chatty at all times, that if all Australians were like these she would only be too pleased to have a ward full of them

With the best wishes of both patients & Sisters, the Sentry started on his journey to London, to report at Harefield Going away with a man with a bad foot he had the bad luck to miss the train & in consequence would miss all the connections he would have to make before the destination would be reached. However this was really a blessing in disguise for it enabled, both, to see much more than they would have done, all the way – Of course he telephoned to the Hospital reporting the cause, so that other arrangements could be made.

The first impression of London when arriving by train, although impressed with its immensity, was one of disappointment for the streets near by do not give a sufficiently comprehensive view, & most of the Railway Stations are really in "back" streets where the perspective is short & the environment congested. But even in the short time spent going from one station to another, there was evidence that everything was obtainable in London in season & out of season even to Pears [at] 6d each and grapes [at] 4d/ per lb.

On arrival at Harefield, one of the large Australian Houses, an estate owned by an Australian Mr Billyard Leake with 40 or 50 huts for patients & a fine large house for the Doctors & Staff, the grounds which are fairly extensive are well wooded & grassed & afford plenty of opportunity for strolling & resting under shady trees. patients are registered in the usual way & "detailed" to the vacant beds in the huts, the routine of the Hospital is practically the same as elsewhere, although

[Page 123]
generally there is conveyed an air of greater freedom & lattitude than in "Tommy" Hospitals.

One discordant note, it strikes most men in the same way at the first time of entrance, is the use of the bugle. Early in the morning the men are painfully startled, at first, by hearing the bugle "ringing" out the Reveille. It seems to bring one back too suddenly to the realities of the strain & stress of Military Parades.

Whether travelling from Bradford to London & Harefield affected the sentry or not, he did not feel it at all, but at the same time his wound did not only, not improve, but became so bad that he had to take to his bed & was confined to it as a stretcher case. This time, although the Doctor looked at it in a pretty serious way, he was able to at once give the message from the Doctors at Calais & it was evidently looked upon as satisfactory although apparently strange.

For weeks the arm got worse & the pain such that the least movement intensified it very considerably. The sister of the ward was very attentive & exceedingly kind. The Sentry became what is here known as a "Star" patient, his food is brought to him by the Orderly & even if able to get on his feet he dines on the verandah of the ward instead of having to go to the general large dining room.

Still getting worse the arm had to be dressed four times a day. About 9 am. 2 pm 7 pm & midnight.

The pain was such that sleep seemed impossible & although smoking is only allowed in certain restricted hours the sentry was unofficially allowed to smoke all day & all night long, of course refraining when officials were present.

The arm swelled up to a terrible size & was badly discolored by the poison For weeks the pain did, not so much, appear to be close to the wound but seemed more concentrated about 4 Inches below it nearer the elbow. When this was being continually mentioned to the Doctor & Sister, both said it could not be & must only be imagination for

[Page 124]
the pain was caused by the poison in the wound & should be more poignant near the wound itself & not at the spot denoted by the Sentry. The process of pulling a piece of rag through the "Sinus" (the passage between the place of entrance of the piece of shrapnel & its place of exit) was stopped & it was kept open & clean by the use of the syringe. The complaint of the patient as to the seat of the pain eventually was looked upon by both the Doctor as "unnecessary" & misleading.

As weeks went by & the arm appeared to be getting into a really very bad condition the Doctor (a second one, a Major, the other a Captain had gone to France) for days just looked serious & said nothing. At last one morning after a very exhaustive examination said I am afraid!, I am very much afraid there is nothing for it, but that the arm will have to be operated on!

By all means operate, said the Sentry, if you think it necessary, I have no objection to an operation provided, that, no matter what you find, or how you find the arm, that it will not be cut off.

The Doctor explained that if the poison as denoted by the swelling once goes past the shoulder nothing can save your life & the arm must be operated on before that takes place. Under no circumstances will I consent to have the arm cut off! said the sentry.

Alright said the Doctor I will leave it for two or three days more & the Sister was instructed accordingly.

However in the meantime the arm was again X Rayed & although even the Major in charge stated he was sure there must be something in the arm to cause its present condition he (like all the others) was considerably surprised to find the X Rays showed nothing. Before, this Major said, pointing to a spot, the X Rays will show something there, but after – he was disappointed.

On the second day after this examination while the Sister, when dressing the wound, was pressing at the Sentrys urgent request, the part where

[Page 125]
the pain seemed most severe, in her effort to "clean" the wound as much as possible, a horrible lot of dark colored pus burst out about 4 Inches below the wound & splashed over the front of the Sisters clean white apron. It was a disgusting sight. The Sisters exclamation, caused the Sentry, who always had his head turned away during the process of dressing, – to turn his head to the front & he saw the effect & expressed his sorrow at the damage done to the apron, which of course had to be destroyed. However a very great relief was immediately felt.

On the return of the Sister she could not help saying, Poor Sentry! what pain you must have suffered & we thought it was all imagination. The amount of pus taken from the wound was surprising.

On applying the syringe to the top of the wound it was found that there were now two outlets the second one was very erratic. Two little spurts of water (really a mixture of two chemicals) would now "squirt out" sometimes 3 feet high the new one, so irregular in its course, that the Sister or any one near was likely to be splashed by it. The arm having always to be held by an assistant, the efforts of both the Sister & the assistant to dodge the spray, were such that every morning afterwards, when the arm was being dressed all the Walking Cases in the Ward would assemble to enjoy, what they called, "Seeing the fountains play".

Next day the Relief Sister was sure she felt, by means of a probe, a piece of foreign substance, probably a small piece of bone, in the new opening, & the Sentry could also feel it move. The Doctor was summoned to view the arm, & he now stated, an operation was saved by the "breakout".

The swelling gradually became reduced & the arm withered away till apparently nothing was left but the two bones. After a few days the Sister could not help remarking, Is that the normal size of your arm? but when the Sentry

[Page 126]
pulled up the sleeve of the right arm the contrast was so great that the Sister nearly fell down, with laughing. The wounded arm really looked no bigger than a childs. It was only skin & bone.

Although after this the wound gave signs of healing, the use of the arm did not come back, it appeared to be partly paralized with the 3rd 4th & 5th fingers so badly contracted & clenched that it was impossible to open them, with the greatest power, even half an inch. However continual massaging mostly by the patient himself, gradually effected an improvement that enabled the fingers to become flexible showing that in time the fingers would become straight again, although probably the little finger would for all practical purposes be useless.

At this time the Sentry was able to leave the Hospital during the allotted hours & enjoy rambles along the hedge protected lanes that seem customary over all parts of England.

Occasional half day trips were granted. A small number of men would be invited from each of the Hospitals near London to visit one of the Theatres. On arrival they would be taken in hand by a woman representative of either the War Chest or YMCA (or some other) Australian fund & after the Theatre, would be given tea, returning to the Hospital about 8 pm.

After the first of these trips the Sentry having had his tea spent an hour interestedly watching the people passing in the street below, on foot & in vehicles. It happened to be the "Strand" and the sight attracted him wonderfully – while watching, Queen Alexandria & a friend were noticed passing slowly in a motor.

Although watching for an hour a very keen desire was created to come back & see more of this great city. Landing in London by means of a "tube" railway at ‘Charing Cross’, the very first object that catches the eye

[Page 127]
is Nelson’s Column, towering high in the air, "apparently" being guarded by four magnificent "Lanseer" lions "couchant". This is Trafalgar Square and all its historic associations seem to pass in review order before the minds eye. The sight then wanders to the statues of a number of well known statesmen & soldiers on each front of the square till the attention is rivetted on one equestrian figure, that draws one for a closer inspection, this is the statue, life size only, of Charles I. Its appearance clearly indicates that the statue itself has experienced as almost as exciting & varied a time as the original in his life. For the statue clearly shows indications of having been within the zone of a fierce civil war.

The view from this Point includes one of the picture Galleries, Charing Cross Church, the entrance to St James Park, in form, semicircular, at the same time, like a magnificent triumphal arch. Looking toward the Thames, down Parliament Street, that magnificent pile of buildings St Stephens, or Parliament House on the one side & stately Westminster Abbey with "big ben" plainly visible, on the other, almost make one risk missing a train in order to have time for a closer inspection

However knowing that in a very few weeks, the time would come, when one would be able to wander about this most attractive old city at one’s ease, better counsel prevailed & the return was made as per programme.

These half day trips were looked forward to by all, but by some with very much more eagerness than to the trips in motors, to the homes of the well-to-do residents. While lying in bed studing a Guide to London, these trips seemed to be just the thing necessary to test one’s knowledge of the immensity of the Metropolis of the World. Being tested & fixed, & really helped in a wonderful way to enable a stranger to become fairly well acquainted with

[Page 128]
its geography in the shortest time possible.

When eventually reaching London on furlough it was really remarkable how well we managed to know London. So well indeed that if in the slightest doubt an inquiry, made of a Policeman or even the nearest stranger, would at once make the lost track quite clear again.

The stay at Harefield was so enjoyable that it was with almost feelings of disappointment & regret that the wounded men in the ward awaited the decision of the Doctor at each morning’s inspection fearful that they would be unlucky enough to be marked for transfer to Weymouth, Salisbury Plains or some other Australian Camp, which would mean that they would be so far advanced that they would then be making the first step along the road that would eventually take them back again to the line in France.

Of course those with loss of limbs or wounds so severe as to be totally incapacitated, or so sick or physically unfit, would look on with feelings of undisturbed calmness well knowing that when their turn came it would be to parade before a Board of Doctors to be "Returned to Australia". These of course were "the lucky beggars".

Owing to a big rush of very bad stretcher cases coming to Harefield every walking case that could possibly be "imshied" ("pushed off") was marked for transfer, & included in these was the "Sentry" who was recommended by the Doctor to take his furlough, & if his arm did not improve to report again at the Hospital.

The next day a big "batch" of men were mustered & despatched by rail through London to Perham Downs at Salisbury Plains. On arrival there all appearances of Hospital surroundings disappear & one at once realized that you were again in a Military Camp, but even a very slight acquaintance, did not

[Page 129]
disclose a very strict show of dicipline Individual NCO’s would occasionally endeavour to show their "extra" authority but upon ascertaining facts these men invariably were found to be "Bachsheesh" Corporals & Sergeants, or in other words, they were simply privates who, rightly or wrongly, had been made temporary NCOs while in Camp, no doubt, by personal acquaintances who had been longer in Camp.

The life here was, as regards drill etc, fairly easy, for all except those really fit, simply refused to do anything, except attend the parades of which there were only two, one at 9.30 am, the other at 2 pm.

Of course this was the result of turning men out of Hospitals before they were properly cured.

When, probably through an effort made by some one, more officious than tactful, they tried to get the men to attend a parade at 6.30 am the order was met by a distinct refusal by practically the whole Camp. Out of 5000 or 6000 men only 300 turned up on parade, & as the men had been roused to such a pitch, an order had at once to be issued that the morning parade would be "cut out," otherwise they threatened to refuse to parade at all.

Naturally after this incident no drill was taken seriously & practically the men did as they liked. This therefore "rushed" the granting of furlough, to every one entitled to it.

Perham Downs was absolutely the very worst camp so far experienced. Winter had started to show its hoary head & the continuous wet weather turned the whole Camp into a perfect quagmire of mud, even the duck boards were dangerous to walk upon. It was looked upon then as the limit, but of course at this time no one had the least idea as to what was to be endured in France, with Cold, snow, & Ice, & "proper" mud, during that never to be forgotten (1916/17) winter

The announcement about furlough,

[Page 130]
embracing large numbers, again put the Camp in a good humour & things went smoothly till that best of glorious times arrived, the parade that would enable the men to march out of Camp armed each with a warrant or ticket that would carry him to the furthest end of the United Kingdom, & back again, (wherever he wished) & a supply of money to enable him to have in every man’s own words the "Time of his Life".

When lying in the Hospital thinking of his good time on furlough, the "Sentry had drawn up a programme whereby in his travels he would be able to visit & play upon most of the celebrated, ("Best") Golf Links of Scotland & England but his disappointment was very keen upon finding that he would have to take his furlough, with a "gamie" arm. Not only was he unable to handle a Golf Club but he was quite unable to put on his tunic without assistance. With the inability to use a club, disappeared the wish to see the Links so that his travels mainly were made with the object of seeing places, & things of interest & his plan was arranged accordingly.

Fixing upon Glasgow as his highest point in the North, having while in Yorkshire seen enough of Bradford Leeds & Sheffield, he left Perham Downs & travelled in a train loaded with Australians all on pleasure bent.

Upon ascertaining that the destination of the "Sentry" was Glasgow, one of the older men whose destination was the same place suggested that both should travel about together. The Sentry agreed, on making an unalterable condition, that in the event of the other man, being unable to behave like an ordinary decent man, both then, without any further thought or consideration, should go their separate ways.

A very quiet journey brought them across the border of Scotland in the neighbourhood of Carlisle, when the occupants of the compartment had dwindled to two, with the addition of a civilian

[Page 131]
a gentleman travelling also to Glasgow.

From this time the journey became very interesting & the two soldiers practically put themselves into the hands of the civilian who being "full" of local knowledge (& we afterwards heard a prominent man in one of the "Arms" of the Service, proved very entertaining and also to their further enjoyment, very hospitable.

The arrival of the train at Glasgow was delayed at least two hours & a half owing to the presence of two Red Cross trains immediately in "front’, & both the soldiers were making conjectures as to their chances of obtaining accommodation at an hotel with a moderate but not a low tariff.

Upon appealing to the "civilian" he admitted that Glasgow shortly after midnight was not the best place in the world for strangers to obtain accommodation in a conservative Hotel especially when travelling without luggage so leaving it, at his own request to him, on arrival he drove them round in a taxicab to an hotelkeeper he knew instructed the night porter to wake him up & by giving his word that he was recommending two Australian soldiers who could conduct themselves properly obtained for the soldiers, accommodation & attendance of the very best at a very reasonable price. From the outside the place would hardly be looked upon as an Hotel, but inside it was very comfortable.

Naturally the civilian was very warmly thanked, but he only wished, the soldiers, to "play the game" as he had passed his word for their good conduct.

The next day the two soldiers spent the whole of their time on the "Clyde" taking advantage of the very last trip of a steamer, making regular passage, for at least six months.

Apart from the pleasure, the clear picture of the stupendous effort, that Britain was making to combat the foe, would have been reward sufficient for the journey if it began & ended

[Page 132]
with this one trip on the River Clyde

Every where on each side of the River wherever space appeared available were vessels of every description under construction. In some places it could almost be likened to the building of half a mile of Warship material at one time & then dividing it into various sized vessels

Men of War of every dimension & class from the largest kind of Super Dreadnought to the diminuative torpedo boat. Here were 7 or 8 destroyers on the stocks side by side, then 9 or 10 torpedoers, a "patch" of Submarines, half a dozen Standard Auxiliary Commercial Steamers then a huge cruiser, and again the close array of every kind of vessel apparently so close together, that from the river it looked as if there would not be room between each vessel, for the thousands of workmen to use their hammers. The work of construction continued un-interruptedly night and day, Sundays included.

The wonderful might of Britain’s protecting Navy was clearly discernable in the ships under construction in this one river alone. Every day one, two, or more ships could be seen silently leaving this River, in full commission, bound somewhere North or South to increase the bulk of the Squadrons guarding Britain’s Coast, & patiently awaiting the long wished for order "To Attack".

As the Sentry appeared very interested in the panoramic display, in turn the Captain, Purser, & Chief officer of the Excursion steamer, came forward at various intervals during the trip & explained all points & sights of both historic & modern interest & together with a couple of friendly Scotsmen, who looked to the entertainment portion, formed a happy little party into which of course the other Australian soldier was introduced.

The Captain, in regretting that the

[Page 133]
Sentry had not been on the River the previous day, stated that he had then seen what in his 30 years experience, he considered the finest vessel in the whole of the British Navy, hoist its flag & steam down the Clyde & away to some important post. A Battle Cruiser armed with guns of the heaviest calibre & able to steam over the "measured mile" at the extraordinary rate of 40 knots an hour. This vessel the "Renown" was one of five being specially built for future service at a critical time in this war.

Another vessel of the same class was then being built at Belfast, & as the Sentry intended going there in a few days, he made a mental note to see this vessel "close hand".

On the opposite side of the river was one of the very largest of Britain’s Super Dreadnoughts, & not yet having her Machinery or Guns aboard, her huge size so dwarfed all the vessels within sight for about a quarter of a mile, that many of them just looked like "life boats" in comparison

Here and then along the banks, would be seen a vessel being built, completely hidden from view by sheds. Evident vessels of special design the details of which had to be kept secret from any possible prowling enemy agents. Two & three of these boats were certainly of the submarine class. From end to end the whole of both banks of the Clyde seemed to be devoted to turning out vessels with the most untiring energy & most of the yards, certainly all of any consequence, were working under Government contract or supervision.

So great is the capacity of these ship building yards & the way the work has been speeded up within the last twelve months, that one Dreadnought which ordinarily would have taken three years to build was turned out ready for sea, thirteen months after the keel was laid, &

[Page 134]
another yard’s record for a similar vessel, was fourteen months.

A Patrol boat could be built in six weeks and a Destroyer in three or four months. Just as soon as one vessel is launched from the slip, men are immediately at work putting down the blocks for the keel of the next ship.

If the hull of a vessel, is moored in the river alongside, in the place she occupied, can be seen the keel plate or frames of the next vessel, & so the work of keeping Britains Navy up to concert pitch is going on without a stop.

After leaving the River proper the steamer lands its passengers at a pleasure resort near the entrance, inside a huge protecting boom, or takes them for a run into the Loch District visiting three or four well known ones, Lochs Long, Goyle, etc. The return journey was made late in the afternoon, during which, two outward bound Destroyers passed silently by, making three new vessels in commission for that one day.

The enormous amount of work being done on the Clyde, makes known to even a lay man, the immensity of the task that Britain had to undertake to become anything like ready to withstand the Hun War preparations which had been quietly & secretly pushed on for the past forty years.

Even apart from the deep interest created by the building of ships, the historic land marks, and places of Old time association, are sufficient to make this River Trip most enjoyable but so that one can form an idea as to the strides made in recent years one ship building yard on the Clyde can build a Dreadnought with all its gear guns Machinery wireless etc from keel to truck without going even for a single little nut or bolt out of its own work shops.

An Aeroplane factory, with flying ground has since the outbreak of the War, been added.

To a man with an engineering turn

[Page 135]
of mind, there is little doubt, that the River Clyde would prove so alluringly facinating, that he would almost be content to spend the bulk of his furlough in its neighbourhood.

The following day was spent in seeing the sights of Glasgow & in making a trip to the celebrated Loch Lomond, which is evidently a very much patronised pleasure resort in normal times. Like most Old Country Cities first impressions of Glasgow are rather disappointing. When thinking of famous Old World Cities one almost unconciously associates them with pictures of something huge stately & grand immediately on setting foot in them, so that if one is landed in an ordinary street, common place looking & narrow at that, naturally a sense of disappointment is created.

It is only after a fairly long acquaintance with their geography that the beauties which exist in all become known, & the feelings of disappointment gradually give way to those of appreciation. It takes some little time to realize their magnitude & importance.

As the time approached for his departure from Glasgow via Ardrossan for Belfast the Sentry had an intuition that he had better return from his own wandering to obtain some idea how his fellow traveller was faring, as both had wished to see as much of Glasgow as possible, from their own individual view points.

Having to leave by the 11 pm train, he reached his Hotel at 9 pm & upon going up to the office was awfully shocked to find the soldier standing in front of it, completely surrounded by nearly the whole of the Hotel Staff. He presented a pitiable sight. His Australian Slouch hat was adjusted on his head sideways, similar to the pictures of Napoleon, but in this instance the hat was slightly tilted, his arms were hanging loose, & his body lurched from side to side. An occasional dribbling fell from his mouth.

[Page 136]
On seeing the Sentry stop, – silently taking in the whole picture, his first salutation was, Ah! Ther! Yis! hic [dash] At las! hic [dash].

The Sentrys attitude at once stiffened, & he gave vent to his feelings of wrath in calm, but hard words. What a beautiful picture you present! What an honor to be associated for a fortnight with a "thing" like you! What a splendid advertisement for Australia! What a glorious way to support the word of a gentleman!

You know our compact we both part company here & now.!! The road is wide enough for two!!!.

Opening his then fish like eyes to their widest extent, & realising that he would have to pick up some other friend, he poured out strings of pure Australian Camp language so fluently that graded him at once as an expert.

He evidently horrified the onlookers & the woman in the Office at once beat a hasty retreat to the room beyond. The Sentry replied:– I personally have so often before heard the whole of those words & epithets, that to me they mean absolutely nothing, but your acts have only made me feel how foolish I was ever to have had anything to do with you, but for your own sake if not for the fact that you are an Australian please recollect that these people should be spared particularly as you yourself could not have gained admittance to this house had it not been the fact that your conduct was guaranteed by the word of a gentleman.

Clenching his fists & straightening himself up he ejaculated You [dash dash dash] & took up an attitude as if to strike a blow, However the Sentry was quite prepared & looking the man straight in the eyes walked towards him, & passed him, at the same time saying to the Manager, If I am wanted I will be in the Smoke room.

The man, glowering, turned with an oath, & demanded his bill.

[Page 137]
He paid it & went his way.

The Manager sent a message to the Sentry that he certainly could not have this man again in his house. The Sentry would be the very last to suggest it.

Some time after when in London the Sentry saw this man, holding up the door of a "Pub" in one of the low parts of London, where he certainly looked much more at home.

When leaving Glasgow the Sentry was pressed to stay the night at this Hotel on his return from Ireland while awaiting the train to take him to Edinburgh

These people had gone out of their way to treat two Australian privates with the same accommodation, care & attention as an English Major & his wife who were among their fellow boarders, & it seemed a great pity that a man could not keep himself respectable for two or three days to let them see it was appreciated, instead of going out of his way to act in such a manner that every one was simply disgusted. A boy of 19 might have had a possible excuse but for a man of about 50 it was simply unpardonable.

This rather unpleasant experience firmly decided the Sentry to make a resolution that the remainder of his furlough would be spent without a "friendly companion" to accompany him & to this he stuck to the end even at the risk of disappointing one or two men who probably would have acted differently, but one such experience was quite sufficient to outweigh the advantages that might accrue.

Upon journeying by rail to Ardrossan where the train arrived alongside the vessel for Ireland at midnight, an inspection showed that every available foot of space on the decks & forward, had already been taken up, so that, as the Sentry had only taken a "Soldiers ticket" as the voyage would probably not take more than 4 or 5 hours, the prospect did

[Page 138]
not appear very promising, also as the weather conditions looked very threatening the Sentry decided to go to the office & make inquiry about improving his prospect.

On arriving there a group of Men of War sailors who, from their conversation had just come on furlough after a spell of work in the "North Sea", and as all those that could were paying for first class fares across, this "clinched" the matter for the Sentry. If sailors, ABs, from the North Sea were paying Saloon fares, it certainly looked as if the trip was likely to prove pretty "lively". The Sentry succeeded in obtaining a berth alongside two of the AB’s, on the transom of the vessel & in conversation stated, that their decision "fixed" his.

The decision was justified. The steamer was tossed about in such a way that one moment she appeared to be trying to stand straight up on her head or stern, & the next would make such a mighty roll, as if making a maddened effort to roll right over.

When morning dawned the condition of those who had been forced to remain on deck or who had been crowded in the forecastle or steerage forward, was seen to be indeed pitiable. Not having had a "wink" of sleep, clothing wet through to the skin, & with the risk of being pitched or washed overboard at every big roll. It had been a very "dirty" night one of the worst experienced.

The difference in fares spent by the Sentry was not wasted under such circumstances, besides the pleasure of being able to sit down to a good supper & an appetising breakfast in luxurious comfort warranted it, even if seasoned with the exceptionally surprised looks of 4 or 5 Officers evidently hurt, at the audacity of a private to sit at the same table, although to his honor, the Tommy Major in Glasgow rather attracted than repelled

[Page 139]
After tripping round & inspecting the sights of Belfast & testing its "Ginger Ale" making one or two tram journeys into the suburbs, & a thorough inspection of the Dock & Ship building yards, the Sentry was lucky by a little persuasion & tact, to get a very close view of the sister ship to the "Renown", (that had sailed from the Clyde).This vessel looked every inch a fighting ship and as she was nearing completion she even then looked fit to go into the biggest action & punish the Huns properly.

A Rail journey through the green fields of Erin’s Isle brought the Sentry to Dublin where owing to the ravages of the recent rebellion things were more strict from a military point of view. Numbers of military police & patrols were moving about seeing that every soldier conducted himself, & was even dressed, properly. There appeared to be an unseen watchfulness being exercised that at first was a little bit irritating however as time would be short in Dublin, it did not matter.

Being anxious to see the effect of the shell fire during the rebellion, the Sentry climbed the Staircase of the Nelson’s Column in the main st & from there obtained a splendid view. On the balcony at the top of the Column, the Sentry met a typical Irish school boy, evidently about 12 years of age, & casually asking him what he knew about the fighting in Dublin, was pleasantly surprised to find that the youngster had evidently made a study of the whole plan of the campaign & his explanation was so clear & lucid that he spoke as if he had been at the same spot watching the attack & defence, the whole time.

He described the fighting in all its details where the rebels had made their Headquarters, where the military were placed, & how they approached, the situation of the Guns & how the ships had assisted. In fact had

[Page 140]
it been a General describing the full situation it could hardly have been clearer. The City in the neighbourhood of the post office where the most severe fighting took place, was very much "knocked about" by shell fire.

What! said the Sentry, When I first came up I discovered a boy, whereas now I see before me a veritable Military General! It is a good job you are not in uniform otherwise I would have had to salute you!!. The youngster quietly smiled.

The Sentry had really induced the boy t talk, as much to listen to his "brogue" as any thing else, but soon marvelled at his wonderful description.

Coming down the spiral staircase, parts of it are very dark, the Sentry wearing an overcoat, found the lower portion kept dragging over the steps at the back & fearing the boy might in the dark step upon it, & have a nasty fall turned round, & imitating as well as he was able an Irishman, in a gruff voice Dont trid on the tale of me coat? Says he

In an equally gruff voice the boy answered Naw! You naw the penalty? says the Sentry, Yes! says the boy. What? says the Sentry. Death!! says the boy

The Sentry laughed the whole way down the stairs. Be dad! instid of a Giniral, you’re an Actor said the Sentry as he bade the youngster Good bye.

Coming back to Belfast and anxious to have a trip in an Irish Chaise or jaunting Car, driven by a typical "jarvey" the Sentry made enquiries where to go & what to pay, after explaining his reason, was told the fare is 1s/- but if you let the driver talk you will have to pay 2s/-. The Sentry paid 2s/-

By a little judicious questioning the blarney was started, & was so thoroughly enjoyable that at 2s/- it was cheap.

The Sentry was sorry he had not more time to spare, otherwise

[Page 141]
he would have driven pretty well all day if merely to hear the most wonderful descriptions of even the most common place things. The Sentry must have driven in the most beautiful, the most celebrated & the most renowned chaise in all Ireland & the horse must have scores of prizes for every known good quality & point.

Leaving from Larne, the journey across to Ardrossan was made in very good time & in fair weather, the Sentry continued to Glasgow there to await the train to take him to Edinburgh.

The latter is a very fine city, indeed & the first impression that seems most appropriate is the one, that people evidently go to Glasgow to work, & make money, then come to Edinburgh to reside in quiet, calm, comfort, & enjoy it.

A visit to the Castle is highly interesting and the thoughts go wonderingly wandering back, back to the distant historic days, when enacted here was the work of men & women so long ago, & yet of such strangely thrilling interest, that one seems almost to look upon their records as something existing only in Fairyland so hard is it at first to realise that one is really standing on or near the very spot where some memorable function or even gory tragedy had been consummated centuries & centuries ago, were it not for some tangible evidence, even if sometimes repellant, only too well giving every indication of its truthful though ancient record.

To those whose "history" requires refreshing, Conductors who collect a party of visitors, proceed through the whole of the Castle & explain fully any thing, incident, or record having any historic or other interest at the same time giving a graphic history from the first existance of the Castle up to modern times.

Naturally the British Isles teem with places of old & wonderful histories from the very earliest records of the race itself, but like the Tower of London St Pauls Windsor Castle or Westminster Abbey, Edinburgh Castle will always command the enthralled attention of most visitors

[Page 142]
so completely that one discovers oneself endeavouring to draw mental pictures of the former occupants arrayed in all their, sometimes delicately decorated, armour or startlingly fantastic finery yet living their lives subject to all the pleasures, pains, & passions which appear so common place in the present day.

At times it seems hard to realise that the men & women in those wonderful days were alike & akin to those now breathing Gods good air & yet perhaps many who now stand out like land marks in the history of time, may in the present day have passed unheeded or unnoticed.

After leaving Edinburgh, Liverpool. Its shipping facilities on the River Mersey brought it home to one, of Britains power on the water in Commerce as in Warfare. Mile after mile is crambed with docks affording accommodation for vessels of all classes & sizes & the continual going & coming would hardly indicate that a terrible war was raging within less than 50 miles.

However, that most of the outdoor places of amusement were closed to the Public indefinitely was sufficient to show that things were not quite normal, although in the City itself there was nothing to indicate such a portentious occurrence. Liverpool although not a very attractive city is one teeming with the busy life of Commerce being kept busily alive with ships coming & going from & to all ports of the whole world.

Journeying through the Midland Cities Manchester Birmingham etc to a more or less appear very much alike although on close inspection or enquiry each & every one has really some prominent or specially distinct trade or commodity for which it stands out quite apart from all others. The Cities towns villages Country roads & even the main roads are all very much alike in appearance style method etc in one County as in another that to a casual visitor, he will hardly realise that in the course of one day he may have passed through two

[Page 143]
three or more counties, without having the least idea of the fact. Of course by enquiring or proceeding through big towns or even noticing the pillars, stones or signs denoting the boundaries between two counties the fact will be forced on one but not otherwise.

The whole appearance of rural Britain is at once seen to be one of solid comfort, "quiet" beauty, & evidently a self satisfied measure of prosperity. A comparison of a casual acquaintance of the two Countries Britain & France, would easily sway a very large percentage of unbiased travellers in favor of Britain from almost every point of view, but from a point of sanitary efficiency or cleanliness, Britain any part of it stands away ahead of even the best places in France.

In fact in many places British Authorities would not tolerate the condition of affairs existent in almost every country town in any part of France for one moment, for the cesspits in the middle of back yards, even when the "back" yard abutts on the main street are awful, & the lack of the commonest sanitary conditions even relating to the disposal of kitchen slops is disgusting. Everything is allowed to run or be thrown into the common cesspit in the yard sometimes in the quadrangle completely surrounded by dwellings stables etc.

The style & method of building in Britain is apparently much more substantial looks easily much more solidly comfortable & attractive, both as regards living rooms & outhouses generally. France is a bright & lovely country but Britain, perhaps without quite the sunshiny brightness of the South of France, to most, presents a picture equally as beautiful but at the same time with a degree of solidity & comfort which seems in a most inexplicable way to reflect the, – locally not often talked about, – "might of Britain" from every point of view.

At Liverpool the Red Cross Steamer "Mauritania" the sister ship to the never to be forgotten "Lusitania" torpedoed in such

[Page 144]
a dastardly, cowardly, manner by the heartless merciless, destructive, fight evading Huns, was observed in dry dock, and a close scrutiny of the graceful yacht-like lines of the underwater portion of the hull is sufficient to indicate to even a layman, that the steamer is a "flyer" in the front rank of the highest class.

When looking upon the huge dimensions presented by a close view of the whole of hull & deck fittings of a vessel of this size it almost appears to be a foul sin that such a vessel should be utterly destroyed and irretrievably sunk & lost while engaged in the merciful work of the care of the wounded, as the Britannic & others, or the conveyance of peaceful citizens from one port of the world to another without in the very least degree helping to improve the condition of affairs from a battle point of view.

The loss of the large Red Cross vessels in the Mediterranean & in the English Channel & the destruction of the "Lusitania" with the attendant loss of over 1000 innocent unoffending lives including a large percentage of women & children together with quite a few "neutrals" so horrifies all rational & reasonable people that acts like these can only be performed by hell fiends, double dyed degraded cowards never fit again to bear the honored name of men.

About half a mile away was lying a large three masted vessel also of huge tonnage purchased by the Cunard Company to replace the regretted "Lusitania" This vessel was a fine one but hardly up to the standard of the "Mauritania".

After short stops in various towns, the city of London was reached and as formerly mentioned the thought of disappointment & dissatisfaction kept arising that the entrance into London by Railway should so ineffectually indicate the size, the immensity & the dominating influence of this the largest City & head centre of Finance & Commerce in the whole world. However London soon commences to assert itself, as it were, on closer acquaintance.

London with every Street Road Lane

[Page 145]
Square or Circus, every Institution, Palace building or even some of the smallest dwellings connected with, and are almost seemingly so wrapped up with facts of such historic interest that a progress through London would be slow indeed if having to be guided by those able to give the history of almost every second building in each & every street.

It is the height of delight to meet a person intimately acquainted with any part of London & walk quietly along the various streets, lanes, or open spaces, keenly absorbing the mental pictures of the incidents & scenes of by gone days continually being created by the guide from a love of the evergreen history of the old old city.

This peculiar historic attraction really becomes more powerful as one becomes more enlightened as to the wonderful stories that can be told of almost every house & place in every part of London.

London the very centre of the British Empire is likely to afford even to the dullest curiosity a desire for inspection or a reason for investigation on the part of a ‘visitor for the first time’ but on many it exerts an attractive influence that long time only would dispel, if even then.

One noticeable feature about London, whether East West North or South is the marked good humour & good temper of the inhabitants under all conditions. Of course, this would only apply to the Londoner & not to the "distant" Aristocrat when approached on his own ground.

London to a visitor keen on such sights could with its wonderfully well recorded historic associations entrance for an interminable number of days, & even to the student of present day men & methods, its attraction is very great. Of course all men & women are not alike but it is surprising now & again to hear that London after an acquaintance of one or two days, or weeks, is dull, dreary,

[Page 146]
& tiresome. London, in contrast to this view, appears invariably to be dearer than all, to Londoners.

They revel in London in all its varying phases. Its "up to date" modern parts & institutions, its mediocre stretches, & its antiquated conservative sections, apparently obstinately holding on to traditions of so great an age, that they appear to have never been new.

London seems to be able to afford attractions to gratify the wish & whim of every temperament, (and means), but to one able to allow the imagination to "take a turn" it is pregnant with pictures, prodigal with hues of all the most delicate tints of a fleeting but glorious autumnal sunset.

To study London in all its features may be compared to the reading of an open book of the history of mankind, with the associations of that history made tangible.

One almost could without an object in view simply walk about, seeing a diversity of sights, for weeks without becoming weary, but to one whose time is limited seeing London from the top of a Motor bus alone, is quite attractive but to go through London with one who knows its historic value is like comparing an inspection of the Tower of London with, as without, a guide. A lucid explanation of its history fills again the places with the people who have gone, & their lives seen real, now.

To try & depict the delightful pleasures of every trip & walk about this wonderful old city would fill a book that would take years to write & even then, one would feel dissatisfied at the effort. Yet still there are large numbers who never can nor never will see "anything" in London the heart & pulse of the wide spread British Empire.

One visit with a competent guide, would make a blind man see innumerable sights, and

[Page 147]
and entrancing pictures so vividly, that his very soul would crave for more, yet this same London is almost a perfect blank, a dreary tiresome waste, to many with eyes without a flaw, London, where for a whole day the mind of a man can be raised to transcendental heights without moving more than a few hundred yards, yet to reach its outskirts from a centre necessitates a journey of twelve to fifteen miles at least. London Motor buses & on the River front the trams also trains & tubes, afford ample means to visit every part of the city & its surroundings at a very moderate cost & to take one trip by every line would take a considerable time.

The traffic, not nearly now so congested as in pre-war days, is still handled in a manner that has caused the fame of the London Policeman to spread the whole world over, and gained for him the highest praise for tact skill civility & courtesy – It is very fine indeed to see a Policeman hold up his hand to momentarily block the traffic to enable a blind, lame, or elderly man or woman, or even a little child, to cross a crowded street. It seems a state of chaos but all traffic is wonderfully organised the raised hand of a Policeman is sufficient to stop the highest & the lowest & may block the traffic for a mile back, the lowering of the hand again sets the crush in motion, without a single word – from him – being spoken.

Apparently not a single "earthly" wish or whim, but what can be gratified in London if the necessary money is forthcoming. No scheme too huge, no article so valuable, no delicacy so rare but given the requested price & time, London will secure it.

It was with exceeding regret that London with its wonderful sights, Theatres, Music Halls, Institutions Resturants etc, was left behind

[Page 148]
on the completion of those never to be forgotten delightful days of furlough in order to leave by train bound for Salisbury Plains, to report back to Camp at Perham Downs

At this particular time the Camp had become simply a "sea" of mud which made it very difficult walking at any time but particularly so at night. The Camp, Perham Downs, with its surroundings, the worst yet experienced either in Egypt or England, had at this time acquired a very sinister reputation.

More than one man had been assaulted & robbed of his furlough money, the night before his leave became due & at last it was very risky and dangerous to go about any part of the Camp after dark unless in parties of three or more.

It was openly reported that one man, a sergeant, had been knocked about so very severely that he eventually died, and one of the men from the Sentry’s "own" hut, dashed in one night, showing signs of suffering from a blow on the side of the face, evidently from a "sand bag" which had not been quite truly aimed, and as this man was by no means what might be deemed a "Young Mens Christian Association man" his experience made the more quiet men even more cautious when moving about at night.

The nights were so dark that if alone, one had to keep watching all points so as not to be taken unawares. One man who only had 2s/6d upon him was knocked down & robbed of his uniform which happened to be an extra good one (paid for privately)

For about a week it seemed that almost a reign of terror had started in spite of the appointment of special pickets to prevent it. However after a few weeks a large body of men were moved away to a new Camp at Wareham in Dorsetshire. This proved to be the very finest Camp, outside a regular barracks, that the Sentry had been in anywhere.

[Page 149]
It had been in occupation since 1914 by "Tommies" including a small body of cavalry & had been spendidly designed & laid out, & beautifully kept. Every convenience provided, bath rooms, drying rooms, Canteens & Library for each Company.

Each walk or path decorated with grass bordered, which also marked the boundaries of the flower gardens in the main walk & the vegetable plots between each hut. The walks were all nicely gravelled & even in the very worst of weather the absence of mud was a treat, & thus the whole camp could be kept scrupulously clean.

As at Salisbury Plains so at Wareham the Sentry had to attend daily at the massage Hospital to have the wounded arm treated.

The routine of this Camp was mostly Route marching morning & afternoon according to the condition. The halt & lame only paraded in the main road for the distance of a quarter of a mile & back, the next in convalescence marched about a mile out & back, while the practically fit men did about an hours physical drill in the morning then a short route march & in the afternoon another route march varying 2 . 3 & 4 miles & back again.

The men with one foot in France, as it was called, those sent across to the Camp on the other side of the main road, who were equipped all ready to "move off" as soon as the required numbers were attained, performed their Route marches with "packs up".

After being at Wareham Camp for two or three weeks, a few Companies of the Third Division were brought into it, and as soon as this was known constant "brushes" occurred almost every evening between the men of this Division & those who had come back from France, the least excuse being made to start a fight, mainly owing to the fact that the Third Division had not yet, "declared War on the Kaiser" . For some reason known only to the higher Commands

[Page 150]
the 3rd Division had been kept in England ostensibly for drill purposes, for six months whereas the men from the 1st 2nd 4th & 5th Divs were being sent back to France the second time, although the 3rd Div continually boasted that they were the finest equipped & best drilled of all the Australian Divisions. However after about a week the Third Division men were removed elsewhere. One man of this 3rd Div who was taken to the Hospital with his throat cut, was reported to have killed himself on account of the invective hurled at him by those, in the same hut, who had already been wounded in France. Whatever the cause the man "suddenly left by the razor route" & he belonged to the 3rd Div.

Medical examinations were made at least once a week & according to the improvement made in each case were moved up a grade till at last the "move" to Z Class meant going across the road, where the "move" to France was only a matter of days.

At the first examination where 100 men were placed in a hut on account of the very cold weather, each man having to strip for Doctors inspection, the Sentry was marked A Class, the highest class in that Camp.

Being utterly astounded the Sentry could not help but angrily turn to the Doctor to say Why man! I cannot move my arm above my shoulder! How can I carry a rifle or even do physical drill with an arm in this state?
The Doctor replied The wound is healed! & turning to the clerk simply said, A Class!
I tell you my arm cannot be raised above the shoulder although the wound is healed! said the Sentry.
Take off your shirt & let me see the arm! Keep the arm out straight
Then turning to the next man, & also another, & having stood up apparently to look at the third, the Doctor suddenly put his whole strength under the Sentry’s outstretched arm and raised it alright, but not without raising the Sentry’s body also.

Every man of that 100 saw that it

[Page 151]
was impossible for the arm to be raised above the shoulder, and immediately there was a "general guffaw", with ironical ejaculations Oh! he is fit for France? A class alright? No! Z Class? etc.

The Doctor although very wild said nothing but marked the Sentry’s paper. "For massage Hospital"! The NCO in charge kept calling for "Order" to prevent the men laughing "right out".

After 10 or 14 days the Sentrys arm was carefully examined by a young Doctor who gave "special" instructions to have the arm massaged by a special man according to his directions & an improvement became perceptible almost daily & after ten days the arm could be moved almost straight up overhead but not behind his back.

Just at this time the Doctor who had originally examined the Sentrys arm had been promoted to Senior Medical Officer of the Camp, so the Sentry prophesied that after the next examination he would certainly have "one foot in France" which only proved too true, this examination put him into Z Class the fact that the sentry could not move the arm behind his back was quite immaterial, he could hold up a rifle & that was all that was necessary, although one of the examiners a Medical Captain who had a look at the arm (final inspection) said it was a d[dash] shame to send a man to France with an arm like that but he, a Captain in Camp, could not interfere with the decision of a Military Medical Major.

The Masseur in charge of the case sent a message that in another 10 days he would have the arm back to normal, & this Captain would have granted him the time, but in the Army it is seniority and not merit that counts.

This was exemplified in this and also in a similar case of a man (P[dash]h of Melbourne) of the 19th or 20th Battn who was with the sentry in the same Massage Hospital. He complained that although the wound had healed the arm was almost useless. However to France he had to go but was back again in England in about a month, for in carrying some "stuff" to the line he slipped on the

[Page 152]
duck boards & fell on his arm, the pain being so great he was sent to the Hospital & when examined in England the Doctor there found that a piece of shrapnel had been embedded in one of the bones of the forearm but having been there so long, when removed it left a space, & the bone in such a condition that to make it strong it will probably need a silver plate to connect the two parts. This man came back to Australia on the same boat as the Sentry & has the piece of metal (taken out of the arm) for any one’s inspection.

Had this metal been taken out in the first place this mans arm would have healed up & became as strong as ever, but now the arm will never be of much use. He is by profession an Engineer & was in charge of an engine at a mine in a country town in Victoria. Now he does not know what he will do!

Again the Sentry was in trouble. In the process of being "equipped for France" a man has to go to a clerk, & first sign for all his equipment, he is then given a "slip" to obtain the "goods" from the store. In serving this out, the sentry was given two undershirts of "gauze" which having been washed had shrunk to a small boys size, to use them was impossible. Upon protesting the Sentry was told, That was all he could have! & was bluntly refused others, although he could personally see great bundles of singlets new & untouched. Scornfully refusing to accept those offered & marking plainly across his slip that they had not been received he reported to his O/C.

Although it took two whole days to obtain redress & during these two days the Sentry was "thoughtfully" relieved from all parades owing to having to interview so many, he had the satisfaction of hearing the officer in charge of the QM store give the officious offending Corporal a curtain lecture that pretty well scared the life out of him, being fearful of losing his "cushy" job, & which certainly removed his bumptiousness for a time at least. When applying for boots the Sentry received all the attention he wanted.

It would have been idiotic to have served such material to withstand the severity of the winter in France even if the singlets

[Page 153]
could have been "put on", which was quite impossible.

In two days the "draft" for France was "played out of the Camp" at nearly midnight, entrained for Folkstone & after one night there embarked on one of three "Troopers" for Le Havre.

The same precautions in going across the Channel were taken. An Airship overhead to watch for sunken submarines, & destroyers out in front & on each beam, keeping a sharp lookout for periscopes. When almost entering the port the Airship came down quite low immediately overhead, blew a horn, & calling out distinctly, the Pilot could be heard wishing the men "Over the top with the best of luck". He was at once given three cheers, & turning for England he sailed away at full speed.

Landing at Le Havre the men were marched to a camp & that night received the first taste of French mud, rain & misery. Everything wet & muddy & nothing to eat. Luckily a few "spotted" a canteen & having money bought sufficient for tea & breakfast for the "tent" (10 men)

Starting out next morning the men were marched to the Railway Station & entrained for Etaples (Etaps) the Australian base in France, from which every man completes his outfit for the line. At Etaples it is customary to give all re-inforcements or men entering France for the first time at least 3 weeks very solid drill at a place about 3 miles from the Camp, aptly designated by the suffering men "The Bull Ring".

Men who have already been in the firing line are only detained here long enough to receive all their regulation outfit, when they are dispatched by railway to "join up" their own unit.

Before "moving off" for the front a final medical examination is officially made but at times it appears so perfunctionary as to be rather farcical. Men pass through a hut in single file, & most of the time the Medical officer simply says "You’re alright ar’nt you? & it is only when a man insists on being thoroughly examined, that the procession momentarily stops, while the man to be examined steps aside.

[Page 154]
Men over 45 years of age & under 19 were not passed but as each man’s word was taken, provided he looked the part, a man could be over 45 or under 19 or not, just as he wished.

Of course the continual inspection of thousands of men almost every day must become deadly monotonous so that there may be some excuse for laxity on the part of the Medical Officers.

Once on board the train, bound for the front jocular remarks are continually flashed from one to another, that the period of unadulterated misery is approaching only too quickly & although at first the thought of having again to go into an "inferno" was a little depressing, this soon wore off & light hearted merriment became the "order of the day". However not a single man of that small draft, of men, had the slightest idea of the extent & direness of the mud, filth, & dirt that would fall to the lot of most of them for the next five or six months

The very first camp where the men had to rest for the night after leaving the train gave them some idea of what things could be like "further up". Tents had been erected on a plot of ground covered with mud six inches deep & at first one had to roll out his oil sheet to sit down, but some few decided to better this state of things & by "cruising round" discovered a stack of floor boards made specially for the purpose, so that inside was made very comfortable especially so whenever a "bra-zier" could be "found" (or "pinched") to permit a fire being made.

Not many wandered about that night, the mud being too "new".

As this was in the vicinity of Albert (the town celebrated on account of the hanging statue) [Transcriber’s note: the statue of the Virgin Mary which had been partially toppled from on top of the Roman Catholic basilica in Albert by German artillery in 1916 was known as the leaning or hanging statue] which town must be about 20 miles behind the line, & where everything is practically normal, it certainly made the men think that their acquaintance with mud was going to be a very tenacious & lasting one, & next days march was convincing.

From early morn till 5 pm it was simply plod, plod, plod along, with mud over the boot tops & marching

[Page 155]
along a main road, at first it was very irritating & annoying to become splashed with liquid mud by the motor waggons & mule teams, but in a very short time, as this was inevitable, no notice was taken of it.

Having in charge a young subaltern who was on his "first trip", this march was by no means hard, for upon every suggestion from the men that they were getting tired & the packs were feeling heavy, the officer always willingly consented to stop & rest a while. The first stop came as a great surprise for in the experience of most of the men, this willingness to consider them was quite the reverse. In consequence, although "only a new chum one star artist", this officer was at once voted "a real good sort" & all complaints & grumbling stopped, the men now knowing they only had to walk a reasonable distance when they could look for another stop

Afterwards when any one started to growl, they were always over ruled till a fair distance was made when a rest would be called. In consequence it was wonderful to see how "chummy" most of the men became with the officer. Instead of growling & complaining nearly every man had time to "chip" & "chaff" "all & sundry" as they passed along.

A main supply road is continually full of traffic, motor & horse & mule waggons, Guns, & bodies of men coming & going the whole time. When men are suffering from the strain of a long march without rest, they become sullen & dull, but on this occasion they were just the reverse, bright cheerful & chirpy. Every now & then there would be a general burst of laughter from an apt or witty remark given or received & even heartier "bursts" when some would-be-wit’s joke fell flat. It is surprising how many men seem very anxious to emulate any terse, witty, original joke & amongst Australians certainly no amount of failure seems to deter them from making another try.

[Page 156]
If a "Tommy" in passing ventures to "crack a Joke", he always at once gets a very quick reply more or less "fitting" but at all times distinctly Australian. Invariably such episodes are accepted in the best of spirits, the man hit hardest laughs probably loudest, or grins at the thought of his own audacity.

This march which, at the outset promised to be a real torment, turned out quite enjoyable, all owing to the thoughtfulness of an inexperienced officer, this is rare, for usually the greater the inexperience, the more overbearing & autocratic the subaltern Experience in the Platoon Commander often becomes swelled head in the Officer Commanding a Company.

Whenever the officer in charge of this party called for, Only another half mile? each man helped the other along by remarking Come on! this officer is a real good sort! & they "went on".

As dusk was drawing in, the party arrived within the precincts of Brigade Headquarters, & the men were told to rest by the roadside till the officer went away to ascertain where the men would camp for the night, for the next day each man would be drafted to join his own Battalion.

Packs were immediately taken off and dumped in the mud, & in about ten minutes or so became just little hillocks of snow for just at this time the snow was falling very thickly. As the cold was very intense the men kept moving up & down the road, but about 20 had congregated at the rear of a Motor waggon, the engine of which had to be kept running to prevent it freezing. The men were enjoying the warmth coming from the exhaust pipe. While standing there an officer was seen approaching & even to those on the opposite side of the road, from the decoration on his cap, he could be seen to be some one of importance. On reaching the men standing by the Motor, the Officer noticing a man wearing the

[Page 157]
colors of the 4th battn said Hulloa! Were you at Lone Pine?
Surlily the man answered. Yes!
I suppose said the officer You are very glad to rejoin your battalion in France again?
No! I’m Not!! gruffly replied the man.
Are you rejoining now? said the officer,
Yes! Worse luck!!! responded the man.
Well! Good bye boys! and the officer passed along.
Not a man spoke but each curiously watched the officer as he walked away. Nothing was said, not a man moved or saluted, but stood or sat in sullen silence.

The situation was so peculiar that the Sentry from the far side of the road crossed to speak with a man, (in his battalion), who had been in conversation with the man belonging to the 4th battn when the officer stopped.

That man was certainly an officer of some importance and standing, although he did not appear to be very welcome to you fellows? Who was he?
Oh! him! replied the man, That was B[dash]d, the S[dash]l of A[dash]e & [dash] [dash] dash] finishing his sentence with an epithet most offensive.
You surprise me! said the Sentry, but how did he earn such a reputation especially as he was so well thought of in Gallipoli?
In Gallipoli, said the man, he was alright! but he is no good here!!
That is a big thing to say! said the Sentry.
Oh well! said the man, ask the Second Division!!

Moving away to some of the other men & saying Did you know that, that officer was Birdwood?
Yes! would be the reply & certainly amongst a good many of the men of that draft, the expression used to designate him seemed to be common, which was a big shock, & showed the Sentry, while in England, how little the papers knew.

After waiting about an hour & a half the men were moved up to a hut where they camped for the night.

While walking along the duckboards

[Page 158]
going to the hut, owing to the slipperiness caused by the snow freezing, one of the men belonging to the Sentrys Battn fell so heavily that he appeared to be badly knocked out & had to be carried into the hut, this necessitated getting something for the man.

Hearing that the Battalion was in the support line about half a mile ahead, the Sentry journeyed out & had the pleasure of greeting a good many men belonging to his Company again

What a sight greeted his eyes! They all appeared to be living in holes just like moles, & what with their unshaven & dirty faces & stained & muddied clothes, they looked more like a pack of worthless "hoboes" instead of spruce Australian soldiers. However they were pleased to be able to send what was wanted for the man, who was bad.

That night they renewed their acquaintance with the Huns. Three very big shells burst close to the hut, the third one so close that the mud thrown up into the air fell upon the roof of the hut. From this minute we were reminded of the seriousness of the work in front of us again.

The Next afternoon while being paraded to the Company Orderly "Dug out" to be enrolled again, a big shell was seen to strike one of the huts about seventy yards away & cut it completely in two, lengthways, that one could easily imagine that a giant knife had cut away one half leaving the other quite undisturbed except being exposed to the weather. The next Shell struck a hut about 20 yards further on & blew it into matchwood not a thing remained. Five men were killed by these shells but if the huts had been occupied the loss would have exceeded one hundred.

The shelling moved to a hill about a mile away & evidently disturbed a whole Company of men for they could be seen streaming down the hill side to the open ground below.

The same evening we joined our Company in the Support line, having

[Page 159]
to crawl on hands & knees through mud & water to enter a "dugout" the height of the roof being barely sufficient to enable one to sit up, & mud, mud, the muddiest mud everywhere.

Although the living in such a place was horrible the men were in the best of order & spirits for the Division had been ordered to march back to a billet. In the meantime an acquaintance with the new O/C made one more than regret the late one. Fancy men in a muddy state & living under such conditions being given just 20 minutes to clean Rifle & equipment & be ready for inspection, & one of the men whose rifle was a picture, was fined a days pay for having a dirtied bayonet, having evidently knocked against the muddy sides of the "Dug out" in getting out.

This was the first time this man was fined although he had been 7 years in the Imperial Army. A more disgusted man on that day there could not have been found, & he never forgot nor forgave. He talked about that incident for days.

Attached to a small party, having to take a short cut when the Company started to move back, the Sentry had one experience with mud that he would not forget. After climbing a rise, a flat that did not look bad had to be crossed but the mud was quite up to the knees.

Instead of keeping to short steps, in trying to hurry he made a normal stride & found it was then impossible to move either foot, and before the nearest man could "lend him a hand", both feet kept slipping till at last he fell full length into the mire. His Clothes & Rifles were something awful to look at & some of that mud seem to stick ever afterwards. Even the floors of the huts in which they camped had mud 3 & 4 Inches deep within 10 feet of the door & a spade had to be kept handy to remove the mud

[Page 160]
from time to time. As the men were marched back & struck the main road the mud became less & less till at last one would not mind it at all. Marching continued till reaching the neighbourhood of Albert, where the men entrained for Buire but after having gone just one mile, a block occurred & every one had to leave the train & walked till their destination was reached

Arriving there the "billet" was found to be a sort of a barn all battered broken & leaky with mud upon the earth floor inches deep. However being very tired & very weary any place was good enough for a rest, & stretching one’s oilsheet & unrolling his blanket he slept very soundly till morning.

About a fortnight was spent here & another at an almost similar place, St Vaast, etc, but where the accommodation if any thing was worse.

The Routine work in a billet is Reveille at 6, Parade for physical drill, back to breakfast. 9 oclock Drill, Mostly ordinary common close order drill till 12.30
Back to dinner From two till 4.30 or 5 pm Route March, but all drills & Route Marches are performed at all times with full packs. In addition to these drills etc, men have to be found for Fatigue parties, Guards etc.

The one idea for these continuous drills & Routemarches with packs is said to be, to dicipline the men & keep them fit & well & to always find them something to do to keep them out of mischief. That was the object! But if it was so necessary to keep them fit & well which was laudable, & prevent them going to forbidden places, which was very fatherly, it should apply with equal force to the officers themselves.

Surely as regards exercise if the officers are to keep up with the men in a night march, or in a charge, they should go through

[Page 161]
the same amount of physical drill exercise & Route marching under the same conditions as the men. For when under fire order or no order men will not carry packs.

However in this particular Company Officers in Route Marching simply carried a stick & were protected from the weather by gloves, mufflers & rain coats which although issued for the purpose, the men were forbidden to wear on parade.

With officers on parade of course it did not matter. Physical drill was directed not by officers or even sergeants but in one platoon by a lance corporal who only had a vague idea of how to do at the most, three exercises.

What with the continuous drill the fixing of every desirable place about the billet as "out of bounds" & the delegating of the work of Officers to the NCOs, the result, in this particular platoon, was that the men who "played the game" were "let in" for all the work, Drilling Guards, & Fatigue parties whereas the "knowing ones" or "Old Soldiers" would "clear out" early, & spend their time in one of the estaminets (hotels) which were included in the "out of bounds" area. Men summoned for Guard & special work have at once left the billet & would not return all day thus necessitating men who had already done their work for that day, being called upon to take the missing men’s places.

If the Company had been handled by the new O/C in the same manner as did the late O/C all this shirking work & "dodging" out of Camp etc, all the growling & discontent, would never have arisen

Through the restricted limits to which the men were confined, the only recreation, after duties, the men could have, would be walking along muddy roads in a village where the building had been all more or less knocked about by shell fire,

[Page 162]
with the chance of getting into one or two little shops by waiting in a queue for at least half an hour.

The stock in these shops would soon be sold out so that quite a lot of men would have their wait for nothing. Was it surprising that all the men with any money at all in their pockets, took not the slightest notice of the "out of bounds restriction" & proceeded where they liked, some even by getting into motor lorries, going as far as the nearest large city (Amiens) 6 miles away.

Instead of all this continuous drill & restricting the men to places where it was impossible to live excepting like a lot of pigs, had they been treated just like ordinary men, allowed to have all the bodily rest, and as much pleasure as the places could afford, they would have respected their officers instead of always viewing them as oppressors the necessary work would have been done voluntary, the behaviour of the men much better, & drunkeness less noticeable

For if such a state of conditions did exist under one officer for whom it was a pleasure to work, although perhaps considered the hardest diciplinarian in the Battalion, why not under another? The only explanation apparent is that some officers gain experience how to handle & know men, while others, failing this experience, knowing they have every advantage on their side, just try to force their views on unwilling men & not only do not get half the work done, but make their names so hateful that threats are continually being made, that a squaring of accounts will certainly take place, if both are lucky to get through the war alright.

To the sentry the condition of affairs was such that he made a declaration, that he would never again go back into billets under the same O/C & by volunteering for

[Page 163]
special work in the firing line, he was able to be free from such down right tyranny.

Christmas Day was spent in the billet under conditions that made every man say. It is the worst Christmas I ever spent! The Comfort Fund "extras" did not arrive in time to be enjoyed on Christmas Day, so that although they were in a billet, supposed to be resting, a long way behind the line, even out of hearing of the biggest gun, their Christmas dinner was ordinary plain common stew.

Luckily for the men the luxuries from the Comforts Fund arrived in the billet in time for New Years Day which was kept up by the men with all the fun & holiday demonstrativeness of Christmas Day itself. Plum puddings biscuits sweets, etc, tasted just as good on New Years Day as they would have done on Christmas Day & most of the men had a really good time.

About the 12th January 1917 the fifth Division made a start to move back to the line, & after some hard marching they arrived at Company Headquarters. While awaiting their turn to hold the line, about a fortnight was spent in laying Cables from Reserve & Support trenches to the front line.

Most of the Company would assemble about 3 oclock in the afternoon in front of the huts & then march to the dump at the Rail head, where each man would be "served out" with a spade or a pick, thence a march of about 4 miles would bring them to the place where the trench had to be dug, wherein to lay the cable. Each man would have to dig his 3 feet of earth, six feet deep, and as wide as he liked, needless to say they were only shoulder wide, when all were finished the cable would be laid in the bottom, the trench filled in & then covered with snow. Although each night the Hun artillery would send a number

[Page 164]
of shells, in the hope of catching us during the work, for they evidently knew what was going on, but none of their shells succeeded, with any of this Company. Every night there were three or four casualties, slight ones, which arose through a pick or a shovel striking a Mills bomb, numbers of which were lying scattered about the shell holes & which of course could not be seen in the dark.

The casualties became so regular from this cause that after the second or third night, an order was issued instructing the stretcher bearers to accompany the party each night in future.

Owing to the constant & regular shelling that took place on this front the telephone wires were so often cut that it was decided to lay a number of cables tied together to form the thickness of a 2½ Inch rope & bury it 6 feet below the surface. Laying out the cable was really very much more dangerous than digging the trench for the coils of wire had to be carried from the dump about 4 miles back, the wires unrolled formed into a cable & hauled by hand into the position along the line of which the workers at night would dig, during the day time, & as the Huns could plainly see that this work was being performed they were able to make things quite lively at times but although the shells occasionally burst too close to be comfortable for those working on the cable, strange to say not a man of the party was hit.

However when the cable was being laid across the support line, the numbers of men working here afforded the enemy gunners a much better mark & for about a week he unfortunately caused quite a number of serious casualties. The worst night was when five were killed & 19 wounded, but all belonging to the Company in the support line. Once he registered on the support trench itself, it proved to many, a night too hot to remain in the

[Page 165]
open & refuge had to be taken in the deep dug outs.

Just about this time it was noticed that the Hun artillery fire became more & more severe & most with high Explosive shells from larger guns, he also appeared to be using a larger size of high explosive shrapnel & at times almost a barrage would be put down for an hour or two although whenever he appeared, at these times, to be in earnest, our own artillery would reply with such intensity that the Hun guns would either have to stop altogether or at least turn their attention to some other front.

This continued heavy shelling evidently caused the Officers in charge of this sector to think that the Huns were preparing for a pretty heavy attack just so soon as the ground would permit of it & preparations were at once made to be ready for it. Miles & miles of barbed wire entanglements were erected across country that had been in our possession for at least twelve months & which was looked upon by privates as never likely to be trodden upon by Huns again except as prisoners, & it was any thing but inspiring to see the preparations being made to withstand a counter attack.

In addition, on each front it was decided to dig huge dug outs, in the line, to hold beds for about 400 men & then about 600 or 700 yards back, a field dressing station for 500 bed cases. These dug out were 40 feet below the surface. To do this work volunteers were called for from the whole battalion, the work was started & continued in three "shifts" night & day.

Just at this time it was also decided that the 56th Battn should make a raid on the Hun trench immediately opposite, distant about 150 yards. One hundred & Twenty Volunteers were called for & were moved back to a suitable ground where training could be undertaken, in order that every man

[Page 166]
taking part would know exactly his proper work, & what he would have to do under any sort of conditions that might arise. Every man was allotted his proper post, scouts, bombers, bayonet men, moppers up, intelligence men, signallers, runners, etc & for about ten days training in attack formation day & night, running, bombing & route marching, was carried on.

In addition every man forming the raiding party had to visit the front line in parties of fours.

All the officers & NCOs were taken up in daylight to inspect the country from the front line trench so that when each party of four went over the top, the officer or NCO with each man would know just exactly where each trench was situated. The idea was that each man would have to go within 40 yards of the Hun trench then proceed along the line of it as far as he thought necessary, then turn & go back to his own trench.

Of course the idea was to see the country over which the raid was to be made, & to gain as much information about the enemy as possible, & each man was to report his own opinion on the work of the raid etc. When it came to the Sentry’s turn a man in his own section with a Sergeant & a Corporal proceeded towards the line, about 4 oclock in the afternoon. Arrangements had been made for a limber to carry them at least 4 miles on the road & a motor waggon was to meet them on their return in the early hours of the morning

Their luck was out, so they had to walk the whole way the limber did not turn up. On arriving at the line, they had further bad luck, for the battalion holding the front trenches was in process of being relieved & this meant a wait of about two hours in the open with the cold bad enough to be painful. After stamping about for at least an hour trying to keep warm they managed to get into a dug out till the battalion taking over had

[Page 167]
been posted. After this the sergeant was sent for and another hour was wasted to enable the officer in charge to send word to every man on post in the line, that four men belonging to the 56th Battn were going out into No Mans land & that not a single shot was to be fired by any of them, until the 56th men had come back, no matter what happens. The Officer stated he did not want any mistakes or misunderstandings to occur while he was in charge, & therefore he refused to let the four men into the trench till the runner came back with the message that every man on post, in the "holding" Company, had been "warned".

The four 56th men then dressed in white trousers, & a white shirt While this was being done the cold (it seemed intenser during the last wait) almost prevented one of the men from speaking his teeth kept up a constant chatter. The Sergeant & the Sentry were the first to go. When putting on the white clothes each man had to take off his sheepskin gloves & the Sentry also took his woollen ones for being dark blue they would appear very plainly against the white background, his gloves he placed inside his tunic before putting on the white shirt to prevent them being lost.

Both men then proceeded along a shallow trench to a bombing post from which they were to go over the top & start on their journey.

The arrangements were for the Sergeant & Sentry to go on till almost out of sight, when the Corporal & the other man were to follow. Pass words were given & it was left to the descretion of the men themselves, how far they would go & where they would come back, both parties had to try & see whether the other could be seen.

Much to the surprise of the Sentry when the Sergeant went over he saw that he started to crawl. The Sentry then protested, if he crawled his hands would be frozen for his gloves had

[Page 168]
been discarded. However as walking was not to be thought of, as endangering the life of the other man, the Sentry refused to crawl but proceeded on his hands & knees & had a pretty bad time of it, the Sergeant to keep up had to get on his hands & knees too.

Starting out on this venture everything was very quiet, orders were given in whispers & the men in the line looked just like dark "shades" occasionally moving a step or two to take a better look across "the open". The ground was white with snow & being all pitted with shell holes, most of them with water which was frozen over, therefore care had to be taken not to slip into one & possibly break the ice, the cracking of which on a calm night would have sounded quite plainly in both trenches.

Progress had not been made very far, when from the Hun trench a brilliant rocket or "flare" ascended in the air, & unluckily enough appeared to be directed right at the spot where the Sergt & Sentry had been moving. As these "flares" turn night into day, no matter what position or attitude one is in at the moment one bursts into brilliancy not a muscle must be moved, for the least movement of any kind is then plainly visible, & goodness knows how many pairs of eyes may be on the watch.

In not more than ten minutes no less than seventeen flares were sent up by the enemy but the men were careful only to move when darkness reigned.

Out in "No mans land" between both lines of trenches with two known Machine Gun positions in the Hun line not more than forty or fifty yards distant, with everything very quiet, a peculiar uncanny eerie feeling pervaded one & with every flare a heavy burst of Machine Gun fire was, each time, expected, but when none eventuated a calmer feeling prevailed till at last a sort of reckless "dont care a hang" mood came over one & good progress was made, the cold on the ground or in the air did not at this time trouble any of the men in the "open"

[Page 169]
Watching the opportunity to move only after the flares had "gone out" a considerable distance was covered when right ahead the clear outline of a trench could be plainly seen, this was evidently a bombing post thrown out from the Hun trench for the purpose of enfilading an attack by our men. Upon this discovery the Sergt & Sentry decided that with this knowledge it would be prudent to return to their own front line trench situated about 100 yards back.

After having proceeded about 10 yards they were very much surprised on looking back towards the Hun Line to see quite plainly two men in "blue grey" (the Hun color of dress). They had distinctly seen the Corporal & the other man come over the parapet in "pure white" but these two men in "grey" rather non-plussed them. One of these men appeared to be getting into position to fire, so the Sergt & Sentry turned & faced them the Sergt covering them with his revolver the Sentry was entirely unarmed.

After waiting what appeared an interminable time, but which probably was not more than four or five minutes, during which the second figure in "grey" disappeared into a shell hole, the Sergt & Sentry decided to continue their slow progress towards their own line at the same time the Sergt who knew the passwords kept quietly calling them, when all of a sudden the whistle of a Rifle bullet fired from their own line was heard passing just over their heads.

The sentry immediately asked the Sergt if he knew for certain that the trench we were approaching was our own & on being answered in the affirmative the Sentry could not help saying, What a pretty situation, the possibility of being shot by Huns behind, & our own men in front!

However only a moment decided them to proceed forward when at last one of the men on the watch in the line called out, It’s alright!

Without a second’s delay both the

[Page 170]
Sergt & the Sentry raced for the line & two thuds announced the fact that they had arrived by jumping into the trench, these thuds were followed almost immediately by two others & turning they saw the Corporal & the other man had also arrived after them. The explanation came to the Sentry at once, the two men in "grey" were really our own men but the brilliancy of the flares threw their white uniforms into shadow & therefore made them appear as if dressed in grey, although they would appear "white" from the Hun trench.

Of course the first thing that was wanted to be known, was why after all the instructions being given, a shot had been fired. However the officer in charge who had sent the instructions, by this time had reached the spot, having rushed down the trench to ascertain the reason, & as soon as he found out that the four men were alright, he pretty forcibly asked what d[dash]n fool had fired, even if he knew the men he saw were Huns?, What right had he to fire when special instructions had been given to the contrary? However recollecting that he was censuring his own man in front of 56th men he postponed the inquiry.

The Sentry when asked by the officer how he "got on", just held out both hand & said, "This is all! both hands were frozen. Two officers each one taking a hand, with snow, thawed them out, but unfortunately the tips of the fingers & thumbs were overlooked & for three weeks the Sentry had no feeling in them & eventually all the tips came off in a hard lump of Skin.

During these three weeks he could not tell whether he was touching anything with the tips of his fingers or not. For instance if taking a match out of a box he would drop it on the ground unless he watched the operation.

After Changing out of the White uniform a start was made to go back & on arriving at the place appointed for the motor waggon to be met, bad luck

[Page 171]
dogged them & they had to walk the whole way back. On arriving at their quarters again, more bad luck, for instead of having a dixie of hot stew & a "tot" of Rum, the quartermaster did not know anything about it. However some ones ears tingled the next morning.

The following afternoon, the raid was to take place the next night, one of the Subalterns had a talk with the men & said he thought it would be well to try & get closer than 40 yards to the Hun trench for he thought it would be better if we could find out if the Hun trench was held in any strength. He said he had obtained permission from the O/C of the Raiding party to go with ten men & he would try how close he could get. Of course if I find it only lightly held he laughingly said, I will "take" the trench & call up the Company to hold it.

This officer with ten men went out that night, caught the Huns when they were evidently relieving one another, jumped in the trench & took it. They saw one of the Huns coming in & fired on him but missed for he turned & went for his life.

The Company was called up & the trench occupied. The following night the raiding party was marched up & held that trench for the allotted time.

The Brigade on our left hearing that the 56th Battalion had taken a trench without the loss of a man decided to make a raid and also secure one. The men of the 8th Brigade got an awful cutting up. The Huns were evidently quite prepared. An urgent message from the 8th Brigade being sent to the 56th for 60 Volunteer Stretcher bearers.

In front of this "taken" Hun trench it was the Raiding party’s duty to man a covering post which stretched about 150 to 200 yards in a segment of a circle till it nearly joined up the Hun trench a distance of between 25 & 50 yards separating the ends of the trenches, as near as distances could be judged in the bad light afforded on dark nights

This post was considered important yet sufficiently dangerous, that it would

[Page 172]
cause needless loss to post any one there in daylight. This trench was the counterpart of the one that caused such a big mistake at Fleurbaix. The trench itself was only about 12 to 18 Inches deep, with spaces for Machine gun positions about every 15 yards.

Half way out was a proper Machine gun post affording good protection to the Machine Gun Crew on duty & a shelter for those resting, while at the end of our line the position was only 3’.6" to 4’ deep, then only about 12" till it joined the Hun trench which looked to be an ordinary proper one. To hold this post six men were told off, three men to hold it two hours on & two hours off all three men to keep awake. A Corporal from the Machine gun position was deputed to visit the covering post every half hour to see that all the men were awake

The Sentry with two young men from his own Company were posted first, one of these men was coming into the line for the first time. Instructions were given that two fronts had to be carefully watched. On the left the Hun trench between 25 & 50 yards away, & also another trench 700 yards immediately in front in a hollow. Not a shot had to be fired, but if any attempt on the part of the Huns to counter attack appeared the covering post men were not to fire but work back to the Machine Gun "posie" (position) which was to be held no matter how severe an attack was made.

The Sentry posted the older soldier on the immediate front & the new man & himself on the close Hun trench on the left. The night a cloudless one was fairly clear but terribly cold so much so that after about an hour the man facing the front became so chilled that he had to keep stamping his feet to try and keep up his blood circulation.

Knowing how wonderfully far sound, the least sound, travels on a cold still night, an effort was made by the Sentry to try and convince the "stamping" man that he was simply inviting the Huns to

[Page 173]
"discover" our post, whereas they did not dream that we were so close to them. However he stated his pain was so great that he plainly did not care if the "show was given away" & the chances were that there was not a Hun nearer than 700 yards from our post

About ten minutes after this the Sentry detected about 10 or 11 Huns entering the trench on the left, about 300 yards away, & mentioned the fact but as they could only be seen from where the Sentry was standing, or really leaning for it was inadvisable to expose too much of one’s body in such a place, both the others were sceptical.

A few minutes after this the Corporal came rushing into the post & gave the unenviable intelligence that the Machine Gunners had been relieved & proper instructions could not have been "passed" for the Corporal had just arrived in time to find the new crew with the Machine Gun "trained" on the three men in the covering post & eagerly turning to the Corporal, reported that they had "spotted" the heads of three of the [dash] Huns & were about to blow them to "Smithereens".

The Corporal anxiously asked Where! & did they know that there were three of their own battalion men "out there", in a covering post? Of course it was news to them! So the Corporal said he would dash out & get one of the men to hold up his rifle to let the machine gunners know for certain. The Sentry held up his rifle for two or three minutes as a signal, which made the situation plain to the Gunners. The Sentry then reported having seen about ten or eleven or at least some Huns going into the trench & while speaking was able to point out to the Corporal at least 5 or 6 more coming in.

The Corporal had at first been inclined to doubt, but seeing with his own eyes the additional men, was then satisfied that the Sentry had not been mistaken although not observable by the other two men. The Sentry asked for further instructions & was allowed to use his own descretion, & further instructions

[Page 174]
would be given to the Machine Gunners that they must not fire till the men in the covering post had fired if considered necessary, in order that no unfortunate mistakes would be made.

The corporal waited in the post for at least 20 minutes without seeing any further sign of the Huns. He had not left more than a few minutes when two huge Hun heads loomed up large apparently not more than 25 yards away, both appeared to be intently watching our front line immediately facing their front about 150 yards away & certainly could not have had any idea that three of their opponents were so close to them. The men in our own line could be heard using the pick & the shovel deepening & consolidating the trench that had been taken.

Taking plenty of time the Sentry very carefully sighted, and fired & the result made him very satisfied – A few minutes later two more got up lower down, & started to run the Sentry cautioning his two men to keep quiet again prepared to fire, the "reinforcement" man immediately wanted to have a shot at them but the other man sternly told him to keep quiet while the Sentry fired

One of them dropped. Another wait when two more got up & the Sentry again got another good shot home, but nothing would stop the "reinforcement" this time for he said he came to shoot Huns & he would shoot. He said I see him & he shot When asked if he got his man My [dash] oath. I knocked him!!!

However the Sentry seeing that two of the Huns had got away & knowing what their purpose was, turned to both of the men he said, You were growling at being a bit cold just now? Well in another ten minutes or so you will be warm enough.

When the first & second shots were fired the Huns threw up flares & opened fire on our front line, but with the third shot the distance being greater would give the direction better & he judged the two Huns that had got away were sent to start up the artillery, so he

[Page 175]
told the other two men to sit down with their backs to the parapet & keep as low as they possibly could.

Sure enough in about ten minutes the screech of a shell coming in the direction of the covering post made all three keep their heads down, the Shell burst forty or fifty yards beyond them sending pieces of the hard earth (being frozen) all round them & filling the air with the acrid fumes of the explosive

Keep low! here’s another coming that one burst 40 or 50 yards short. Now ‘said’ the Sentry, with the burst of the next we will know our fate, or we wont know anything at all!! for the third ought by all the rules, just about get us!!!

Its screech indicated that it was coming pretty close, but luckily although it sent up plenty of dirt it went a few yards beyond

The battery continued firing in the direction of the covering post but each shell burst beyond. Then they opened right along the line & kept firing for quite a time but we were glad to learn without a single casualty.

On being relieved the three men had simply to make the best of things by sitting or lying in the shallow trench. No dug out or shelter was then available. The sentry was sitting on a lump of frozen mud trying to get to sleep till at last the shell bursts came so close that he was struck on the head with a lump of hard earth. This would have given him a nasty wound but the "tin hat" saved him. However the sound made one of the Machine gunners look over to see what was up & he suggested that the Sentry should come into their post till his turn to go on again arrived.

While the line was held for another two days the shelling continued but on this occasion nothing of interest occurred and the battalion moved back (without loss) to the Company Head Quarters. It is on occasions like these that one appreciates the work of the War Chest & YMCA. When moving back at night wet, weary, & worn out, dully trudging along feeling tired almost to death, many men dropping out for a rest, others to knock a hole in the Ice covering water in a shell hole, for a drink,

[Page 176]
when drearily wending ones way along a line of slippery duck boards after going about four miles as on this front, the Soup Kitchen comes in sight & the whole of the men "buck up" knowing they are sure to obtain a tinful of hot cocoa or soup, & often a biscuit & cigarette as well.

It is really wonderful what a heartening effect such a small thing as this, has on the spirits of the men. The expressions of gratitude, from thousands of tired men would do the givers or providers, of this most welcome drink, good if they could only hear them. The next couple of miles do not seem half as long & most of the men are either whistling or singing the best part of the way to the huts. It puts the men in the best of humour & every man turns in laughing & making little of all their cares & troubles.

However next morning they are soon brought back to earth again. Reveille has gone, the men have to turn out for a parade & Rifle inspection.

Upon this occasion the Company had to turn out even without any breakfast at all. A meal at eleven oclock had to do for both breakfast and dinner & notice was given of another inspection at two oclock.

Much more ordinary common sense would have been shown had the men, just back from the line, been supplied with what they were craving for, food & rest. Which would have recouped the energies & stamina of the men much more, than the inevitable parade & irritating inspection, for food & rest. Officers never lack of either.

Luckily for the Sentry one of the men who had been working on the "dug outs" in the line had been returned sick & hearing that the work would last all through the winter he volunteered to take the sick mans place, left straight away, & went back to the line, only too eager to get away from what he considered useless parades where men were kept standing for sometimes an hour before the C/O puts in an appearance & then after he makes an inspection, every one knows full well what will be said for it is said upon every occasion whether

[Page 177]
Drill or Inspection. "Absolutely rotten"! These men really are getting very slack they will have to have more drill & their rifles & equipment properly cleaned!! Not a single word of encouragement for good work done, not a congratulatory work spoken. Always the same "Absolutely rotten" & therefore more drill must be done.

Although the work of rebuilding trenches & building them up when blown in, & digging dug outs & carrying timber etc to the line for the work, is real hard, the Sentry never thanked his lucky Stars more than when he joined the "detail" carrying out this work. Of course this brought one under fire each day & each night but it was very much to be preferred by the Sentry at least, than the monotonous & continuous unnecessary drilling, by men who simply would not try to do such work well, for they knew trying to do work well actually made no difference. Well or badly done, it always "was done". Doing it well gave no respite.

It was a great satisfaction to know that until there was a prospect of the Brigade going into an action, there would be no necessity to rejoin the battalion even when going back time & again into the line, for it was considered that all working on this dug out work were already in the line, & were all the time, so that even although the Company’s front was only a couple of hundred yards to the right none of these men would be called upon to rejoin it, till an action was imminent

Any where near the line one can always see numbers of aeroplanes, both our own & the enemy’s but for the six weeks or two months spent on this Transloy front one was enabled to see hundreds of planes & a fight singly & in Squadrons almost daily & while journeying to & from the dumps for material, the whole of the battle ground could be minutely inspected & all the details examined. In fact it afforded opportunities for seeing & understanding the progress of the British advance in all its details. It enabled an inspection & close examination of all the various kinds of guns & artillery, that one would never have an opportunity of seeing

[Page 178]
while constantly attached to the battalion in its ordinary routine work.

Of course many of the sights were ghastly & gruesome & anything but pleasant to look upon but it was all experience. One had chances to closely inspect Tanks, Aeroplanes, Caterpillar motors & every detail comprising an Army which would otherwise only be taken in with a passing glance, besides it brought one into touch with all the working details of Artillery Transport army Medical Salvage Engineers & Pioneers work, Air craft & anti aircraft guns. It enabled visits to English batteries of heavy artillery that would never be seen even if passing quite close for weeks.

Twice it enabled the Sentry to go & inspect the Flers front where the battalion was stationed during the time he was wounded in England & on both occasions he saw the work of both British & enemy artillery & on both occasions the latter came much too close to be pleasant.

It certainly afforded an opportunity of seeing some of the British strength in Artillery & ammunition, that one could not obtain in any other way.

One day, having to wait for some material, & noticing not far away a British heavy gun battery about to open fire, the Sentry walked across to one of the British officers & asked him to explain the various movements. This officer had just arrived from England with two extra guns for the battery & as he did not go on duty till the next day he was able to explain everything in detail.

An order was given by the Sgt Major from the door of a dug out by means of a megaphone. The gun crews immediately stripped all the camoplaging paraphanalia from all the guns, another order the guns were raised laid & trained, Load! & the crews got to work at once. Stand by! crews took cover, leaving one man lanyard in hand waiting for the order to fire. The order never came. Unload! lower! cover up!

The Sentry turned to the officer for an explanation. The officer smiled & looked up into the sky away over the Hun lines

[Page 179]
& pointed out an aeroplane the size of a bee, That is a Hun Machine & we dare not let him see our positions There will be no firing till our planes put him out of action or make him decend. He came on, but looking round one or two British, or Allied Machines were rising, rising, high enough to meet the Hun. Up he goes almost out of sight they follow the fight begins & they gradually work away to the right.

Half an hour later the Sentry came back to the officer & saw the guns fired. When laid & trained an officer dashed up out of a dug out spoke to the Sergt Major, the Megaphone rang out. Salvo! Fire! Instantly three guns fired together – Within about 10 seconds up again dashes the officer, again the Sergt Major calls out to the Gun Crews loud enough for all to hear, The best three punishing shots of the day! No 2 Gun to move 1 degree 30 minutes to the left!

The Sentry in amasement turned to the Officer, smilingly he said see that letter, the Sentry saw a large letter L formed by means of long strips of Calico, that means we are L Battery, See that aeroplane in the distance, that’s L Battery’s aeroplane Scout, reconnaissane, & fire director.

This aeroplane was one of 30 or 40 within sight. As soon as the officer in the aeroplane saw where the shells struck he sent a wireless to the officer in charge of the Battery who in less that half a minute after the Salvo had been fired was able to inform the Gun Crews of the result. The Aeroplane can send but not receive messages.

The Sentry watched the Battery "putting" in good work for some little time, & when leaving thanked the Officer for his kindness. Passing three "Tommies" on the road, they saluted the Sentry! & being curious he asked them why they saluted him.

We always salute officers! Sir!
Why said the Sentry I’m only a private!
The "Tommies" opened their eyes wide, for having been in long convesation with the British officer they concluded the Sentry must be an officer, & then they marvelled that a private should have the audacity to talk to an officer, just like a friend. The Sentry enjoyed their wonder immensely.

[Page 180]
The first work undertaken was the remodelling & rebuilding a trench specially made to protect the entrances to the large dug out having originally been too wide, also "putting in" numbers of new machine gun positions, all carried out under the idea of a "big" Hun counter attack in the Spring. This necessitated about 60 men working in the open for a couple of weeks, during which the work would be continually interfered with on account of the Shell & Machine Gun fire which would visit the line at least twice during the day & the same at night but never at any particular time.

The Shell fire might been seen away on the right or left or back on the support line when suddenly the "Screech" of a shell would quickly indicate that "your turn was coming" when every man would have to quickly jump down into the trench from both parapet & parados till "things got" a bit quieter".

Then for a while work would be transferred to the Large "Aid Post" Dug out in the sunken road about 400 yards in the rear near Battalion Head quarters, not supposed to be in the line, although the Shelling & Machine Gun fire, was here at times pretty warm indeed, so much so that many of the men did not like taking their turn in carrying the dirt "over the top" whether by night or day.

It was here also that one saw the ration parties "coming in" each night, muddied up to the middle & in some cases up to the shoulders, & while waiting to have a drink of hot tea or soup, provided by the Cooks in the line, one could hear them pitying the lot of the men working there, & yet those same men were, at the same time, saying to one another, How would you like to be one of those poor wretches?

In the eyes of one lot of men the "others" looked "the poor devils" For while one lot of men in their big wading boots would be all covered in mud, the men working the on dug outs would be stripped to the

[Page 181]
waist (except only a dirty singlet) mud covered up to the knees & over the arms, yet perspiring "like navvies in the hot sun". The ration parties always "came in" at night time.

The Aeroplane fights are very interesting to watch but almost invariably these never occur unless the Huns are numerically stronger. The Allied Airmen will attack on almost every occasion & time & again a single machine will attack an opponent even at the risk of having to come under fire of four or five others, but upon any occasion when a fight on a large scale seems about to take place, should a start be made it is not long before numbers of Squadrons of battle planes will be seen "coming up" practically from nowhere, when invariably the Huns will either try to ascend very high, or retire back behind their own lines, evidently with the object of bringing the Allied planes within range of their "Archies" or anti aircraft guns.

Unfortunately quite a number of allied planes were brought down but only when attacked by more than one Hun.

The daring & skill of the Allied aviators are really something wonderful & on this front they, easily, had command of the air. For some weeks it was observed that the Hun planes would come over after our Scouts had retired for the night, this looked as if routine work had been set for our men to do, & it was not very long before the Huns observed that the Allied airmen apparently were working to a "time table" plan & therefore the Huns would never venture near our lines till the last plane of the Allies had decended. The men on the trench "work" reported this to the officer in charge, for they could see the effect of this on their work.

Four or five Hun planes would come out just on dusk, when either the same night or the next morning portion of the trench would be blown in,

[Page 182]
or the shells would burst close enough to cause the men to go "over the top" to "fill in" holes in the parapet that would otherwise render it unsafe.

Whenever shell fire bursts close "in front" a watch must be kept to see that none of the shell holes are near enough to render the parapet dangerous even to rifle fire. If a shell hole is made in the parapet within three feet of the trench this width of earth would not be sufficient to stop a Rifle bullet let alone any thing heavier hence a constant inspection of the parapet must be made when shells are bursting "close".

The work of "making" the dug out was very hard indeed on account of the anxiety to have the work finished in the shortest time possible. Three shifts working night & day were kept very busy for weeks

The "Dug out" was forty feet deep and was entered by means of four sloping shafts with steps Upon these steps only four men were posted and as each man had to throw sand bags, three quarters filled with dirt, at least ten feet & keep going for eight hours it was no wonder the men perspired although the cold was so intense in the middle of this exceptionally cold winter.

An idea of the intense cold could be imagined when it is known that when each Company moved back from the line & camped in properly lined huts (holding about sixty or 70 men sleeping close together in two rows) with a "Brazier" at each end the fires in which would be kept burning till at least midnight & yet by 6 O’clock in the morning the boots of the men (having been taken off before "turning in") would all be frozen so hard & solid that it would be quite impossible to put them on, even if placed under the blanket at either the head of foot of the bed. In consequence of this two orderlies had to be appointed to provide

[Page 183]
wood, & light the fires in the "braziers" at least half an hour before reveille, to thaw the boots out.

The work of carrying the bags over the top & dumping the dirt in the open was not very inviting, more particularly so, after the first half hour as the bags became so wet that the contents had all the tenacity of mud & took "some dumping" to get the whole of it out. Of course what caused the most worry was the "ping" of a bullet or the screech of a shell. Luck seemed to be with this particular working party for on more than one occasion when most of the men were working exposed on the parapet & parados shells landed close enough to do a lot of damage but proved to be "duds" that is did not burst either from defective detonators, or by landing in soft places.

On one occasion when being shelled each of the shells which were landing 25 yards beyond appeared to be a dud. Something up with Fritz’s powder! some one remarked. The number of "duds" seemed extraordinary. At last one of the men went back to pick one up, when he discovered they were gas shells. The men immediately took cover & donned their gas masks & awaited cessation. Luckily the wind was blowing away from the working party, & more luckily the shells did not land 25 yards in front of the parapet instead at the back of the parados.

Further whenever shells landed in the trench, whether shrapnel or high explosive, the men had had time to take cover.

Amongst this party only two Casualties occurred & neither of them very serious. One man was shot through the elbow the other through the thigh, both by Machine Gun bullets.

Every Company holding the sector on the right had to pass through the trench guarding the entrances

[Page 184]
to the shafts leading to the dug out, as did every fatigue party carrying material or rations & strange to say more casualties occurred amongst these men just passing to & fro, than amongst the men stationed there the whole time the work was going on. Men passing in two’s & threes had been wounded & killed & an officer was hit in the knee when leading out only 12 men, although in this instance to see how the shells were bursting one would have thought the whole 13 men would have been killed instead or only the officer wounded.

Similarly 6 or 7 cooks, who had their kitchen fires in the trench, would have to "leave in a hurry" once or twice every day & the stew was covered with a fair scum of dirt & yet not a single casualty occurred amongst them.

While here the men working on the top witnessed a very bad example of men getting scared ("having the wind up") A party of about 50 or 60 Pioneers were carrying timber & material from a dump, three or four miles back, to the front line. The officer supervising the work had gone into the line on the right to make arrangements, & the party was being led in by a very fine Sergeant, a man who had been on Gallipoli, and the rear was "brought up" by a corporal.

The Sergeant on arriving in the "workers" trench explained that his men were new, coming into the line for the first time, & were just a bit scared, so he would rest them in the trench for about ten minutes. Of course the workers did not object, it also meant a spell for them. While resting a couple of the working party two youths of about 20 years of age started to inquire how the new men liked that kind of work. Some of the answers made them smile.

After resting the Pioneer party moved on having to go a couple of hundred yards further to the right.

[Page 185]
Shells had been screeching overhead but none had dropped close. The new men were noticed to be keeping their heads low, and "bobbed" them at every passing shell although they were "high up".

About ten minutes afterwards, the men working at the shaft head were very much surprised to see this party of Pioneers come dashing back looking as if the life was almost scared out of them. The first few to arrive kept saying Oh! my God! It awful! Oh! my God! Oh! Oh!

Naturally the working party wanted eagerly to know what was the matter but just at that time the shell bursts were coming pretty close. Just when an explanation was about to be given a shell burst overhead & with a yell the whole of the Pioneers rushed towards the further end of the trench, after going about 60 yards, Bang! went another shell burst just in front, when the apparently demented men dashed back again, Bang! again a burst overhead and away they dashed till another shell would send them back again. They were simply dashing up & down the trench like a lot of frightened sheep.

They would not stop for a minute to explain to the workers what had happened till, at first, trying to steady them, then angrily calling on them to stop, they explained that when they had just reached their destination two shells killed the Sergeant & the Corporal. They then did not know what to do but run back to where the workers were, but as the shell fire was just then registering on that sector their experience was so "lively" that they even then could not be prevailed upon to stop & talk, but on every shell burst would dart away trying to get from it, only to run into another at the further end of the trench which would head them off.

The workers tried to explain that they had been working there for weeks without a single casualty & therefore the only thing to do was to stand quite still, & take your chance till the shelling "pulled off" somewhere else

[Page 186]
However it was simply useless for if a shell burst anywhere close away they would go. Although pitying them the workers could not constrain themselves from laughing at their mad antics.

While this was happening the Major who had been wondering what had become of the men, came along, and seeing them all huddled up in the trench wanted to know, What [dash] [dash] they were doing there! What did it matter if two men were killed! What did they enlist for! Did they think their work was done! Certainly not! They would have again to go back to the dump & bring back another load!

However while the officer was "roaring" at them a shell burst just beyond the trench, & away the men went again not caring a straw for what the officer said or thought & although he roared out, Are you a lot of women!, they simply kept going till stopped by another burst.

The workers then pointed out to the officer that as his men were so badly scared the best thing he could do would be to let them rest in the dug out for half an hour when probably things would be quieter. He agreed to do this.

Word was immediately passed to the Pioneers to go below. They did not care whether they knocked their heads on the roof of the stairs or not, or fell on the slippery parts, they only wanted to get below, & they crushed down in twos & threes instead of one at a time. They even wanted to rush down the shaft where the "workers" were working, but of course they were sent on to the other three shafts which all led into the same dug out.

After the half hours rest, they came up & as the shelling had "gone away" to the left, they went out quickly & quietly, to the dump to "bring in" their second load.

Arriving about 3 o’clock in the afternoon the two youngsters, among the workers, chaffed them unmercifully, but except looking as if they could knock the youngster’s head off, they said nothing.

[Page 187]
They went on, to the line on the right & returned again pretty coolly. From this out their terror would disappear, they had got over their palpable fright & would in future act like ordinary men, but had they been allowed to go back to their quarters after their first experience it would have taken months to have properly steadied them, whereas by having to come back to where they saw the men killed, & made to work just as if nothing had happened they were cooled down quicker and "steadied" in the shortest time.

They admitted the first trip seemed simply awful, but the second time they did not feel it nearly so much & for the future although knowing that every man ran a risk practically every moment, they certainly would, feel very much less scared & act more like normal men instead of frightened sheep.

While working here a change of officers took place, a splendid man who knew his work as an Engineer gave place to an Infantry officer who was evidently trying to qualify for an "Engineer". The Engineer officer was an ordinary human being, the Infantry officer was more like a slave driver than a man, in fact had he been a parsimonious contractor who was losing money on a bad contract, this man could not have tried to make the men work harder.

In fact when the men were using the pump to keep the water "free from down below", the men were making a full stroke to let the plunger go its full length to lift its full weight of water, he gave orders to increase the speed, and when two of the younger men were working at their very top, although the work at that speed was really a useless waste of labor, this "officer" called for "more speed".

The youngsters at once stopped, and one looking into his face said "More speed be [dash] & at once walked away. The whole of the eight men who were working the shift, laughed outright, & one of them went to one of the "working

[Page 188]
"engineers" & quietly pointed out how things were.

Two other men had taken the youngsters places & were working away as fast as possible, when this working Engineer, notwithstanding the presence of the officer, came walking along & called out, Here! What the devil are you doing! Do you want to break that pump! You know you can’t go to a shop & buy another? What idiot told you to work a pump in that silly manner! Stop at once! I’m responsible for that!

He then showed how the stroke must be a very slow one otherwise the plunger will not go to its full length & it would be impossible to lift the proper weight of water. Of course all the men had a good "hearty" "grin" but the officer simply turned & walked away. When the pump was "handled" in a proper manner the work was not nearly so laborious & the amount of water lifted was just doubled.

About 20 minutes after this incident the officer came back & very officiously called to the youngster who had insulted him & taking out his note-book, wanted to know his Name Number, Battalion etc. These were given.

Do you know where your battalion is? said the officer
Yes! said the youngster.
Where? asked the officer.
In the line, not 200 yards away! said the youngster.

As the Battalion was really better off there, than where the workers were, & were certainly having a much easier time in the line, the officer who could only send the youngster back, would not do so under these circumstances so he pocketed his insult, & the youngster remained one of the party till the end.

It did not take long for it to be noticed & remarked that this officer would never go up into the trench when there was any shelling going on, but after it had passed & was miles away on the right or left, he would not only come up into the trench but would mount the steps & stand up on the parapet & striking an almost Napoleonic attitude, would gaze quietly & serenely at the distant shelling

[Page 189]
at the same time every now & then looking to see the effect on the men.

Every time this was done remarks would be passed loud enough for the officer to hear (without apparent intention) My Word! Isn’t that officer a brave man? What a wonderfully brave man he is? & so on. As none of the men would smile they certainly thought he took it for gospel.

On account of the officer being so keen on the men working like absolute niggers, the men had to find some way of getting back on him. So every time the men wanted to take at least half an hours rest, the men on top would pass the word below for the officer

Well! What is it! he would gruffly call out from below,.
In a sort of scared voice one of the men would say, "Fritz is getting pretty nasty Sir!"
Is the Shelling very Close?
Yes Sir!
Oh! Well! You had better come into the shaft!
There would then be "Smoke Oh" for as long as the men liked but as a rule they would only take half an hour.

The night shift men soon got into the way of simply doing what they liked and much to the annoyance of the men sleeping in the dug out, they would give fictitious gas alarms, till at last the men down below had to expostulate, for as they would not, after the first false alarm, put on their gas masks & would not disturb those already sleeping, so if a genuine gas alarm was given most of the men would be gassed before knowing much about it.

However it was said the officer would always put on his gas mask (or helmet) & sit with it on till some one in pity would send word that the gas attack was over. The men really enjoyed that part of it. However it was not continued on account of the risk the men would run.

On this front one of the Allied Airmen was observed to be having a most exciting time. Every day

[Page 190]
he would fly right over the Hun lines & sweeping low would simply be asking them to shoot at him. Of course every class of gun was brought to bear but for weeks he came out of it scatheless. It was marvellous the really daring work this Scout did & the cheeky way he would continue his work although shot & shell must have been doing everything but hit him. It was said he was an English Major in charge of one of the Batteries & he did is own scouting, whether this was true or not, no one could tell.

Plucky! it was more than ordinary pluck, it was rather too foolhardy, for in addition to scouting many a time he would be seen flying at the height of a few hundred feet machine gunning the Huns right along their trench for about half a mile. How the machine lasted more than one day at the work the airman was doing was quite a mystery to every onlooker

And although one could not feel a stirring pride at the defiant recklessness shown at the same time they were rather depressed that such a brave man should simply be courting disaster.

As he went over the Hun lines every day & as his machine was only a very small monoplane & could be easily picked out from any number of others, – almost all being biplanes, – while he was doing his stunt, mostly late in the afternoon, every one in the line turned out to watch him, & although he could not hear them the men would always give him a cheer when he returned.

It was not known whether this man was "The Mad Major" but if not the original he was a good imitation

However one afternoon he came to grief. He flew over very low & started his usual practice of gunning the Huns in their trenches & while he was having a real good innings going along their trench line back & forth & he seemed to be fairly revelling in his work, the observers in our front

[Signature at foot of page] John Brewster

[Page 191]
line noticed a Hun aeroplane at a tremendous height coming to attack this daring Allied Airman, to whom they instinctively yelled to "Look out" for the "devil" above! but although apparently only a few hundred yards away he could not, or was too intent on his delightful "sport" of Machine gunning the Huns in their lines, to hear the excited notes of warning called to him from his own trench.

Before the Allied man had the least idea of danger from above the Hun Machine, having by this time arrived very nearly dead over head, he shut off his engine & thus silently made a nose dive straight at the Allied man, to all intents & purposes just like a huge hawk would with almost lightning speed pounce down upon a sparrow. Not being aware till the enemy was almost on top of him he swerved but seemed to be just deluged with Machine Gun fire

After turning once or twice as if to "spar for position" the Allied man started a long volplane [Transcriber’s note: glide] for his own line. He had evidently "got a severe doing" & opinions were expressed that both his engine & Gun were out of action The Hun eagerly pursued him following closely every movement at the same time keeping up a continuous "patter" of Machine Gun bullets to try and "Crash him"

However even in this terrible dilemma, the Allied man although hopelessly crippled appeared to make every movement in an exasperatingly cool manner & at last succeeded in getting close enough to the line to enable the gunners there to "open up" on his pursuer who at once turned tail & fled hastily as if for bare life.

Anxious inquiries were kept going till at last in a day or two word came back that the Airman had succeeded in making a successful landing

[Page 192]
just immediately behind his own line away to the left of the section he usually worked.

So regular & so audacious had this Scout become that the workers really missed his daily appearance but were glad that he had not carried on one day too long.

In watching an aeroplane fight from a fairly close point, it is really wonderful to see how quick, how daring, & how resourceful an aviator has to be in both handling his Machine & also the gunner his gun.

It is very facinating to watch the way they will manoevre for position, or to bring the opponent under adverse fire if possible, the different methods of attack, the "apparent" flight, or total disablement, the quick recovery, the fierce retalliation on the gloating but premature conqueror & then the delight of the watchers to see the enemy go crashing to earth, completes an exciting interlude

Another indication that the Allies have the "right of way" in the air, was the fact that all round for miles 9 or 10 British Observation baloons would always be in sight without a single one showing behind the Hun line. So sure as one did show up in the distance one two or more Allied planes would immediately set out to make an attack upon it, with good business as likely to result, so evidently the Huns thought, for before long many times long before the attacking planes were in miles of it, the baloon would at once be hauled down

While working on the "dug out" and also the "Aid post", the shelling became almost so monotonous each day or night that it was only when shells were bursting very close indeed that any real anxiety was shown & men have been seen filling sand bags with mud, quite unconcernedly although pieces of high explosive shrapnel shell were dropping all round them. The shells, were

[Page 193]
bursting overhead & generally the bulk of the contents & pieces of shrapnel bursts forward (on a time fuse) & the back burst is reckoned not nearly so dangerous, however when a "Nose Cap" splashed into the water of the very shell hole next to where they were working & another "Cap" landed in amongst the timber 6 feet on their right, those men just thought that the range was becoming a little too accurate & moved back into the trench for 10 minutes. Of course if a "Nose cap" from any sized shell hits a man he knows nothing about it. It is an ugly thing to stop, although one to be greatly admired "when at rest" on account of the wonderful mechanical work shown in its manufacture.

One one’s first acquaintance with the firing line the discovery of a "nose cap" always attracted quite a lot of admiring attention on account of the workmanship shown in the making and adjusting of its various scales, for timing the explosion of the shell, as precise as many expensive and treasured instruments, not of warfare. Further acquaintance with them dulls the admiration and considerably lessens the interest.

A casual examination of a box of even very small shells gives one a very good idea of the amount of money time & skill being consumed in this war. The small shells (18 pounders) are carefully packed in close fitting frames, inside splendidly made, boxes & the "Nosecap" of each shell is protected with a beautifully fitting little rubber cap.

That these shells can be made & fired away by the million is a wonderful acknowledgment of the good work carried out by Mr Lloyd George when acting as Minister of Munitions, when even experts thought that the time necessary to supply the demand for shells for the British in France would

[Page 194]
have taken eight years to complete but which under the organization of the then Minister of Munitions was caught up & passed in one year. Only those men at the front can really appreciate this fact properly for at one time when the Hun held the preponderance of numbers and weight of metal, the first indication of a determined shelling was sufficient to send every man scurrying for shelter, just like the rush of a lot of rabbits. Now, when things are slightly different unless the shelling starts quite close, men who even may be at work "in the open" will on the first screech of a Hun shell merely stop & listen.

They are listening for the screech to let them know where the shells will burst, but more especially are they listening for their own batteries to take up the challenge, & as soon as the screech of their own shells, is heard passing overhead, they will merely pass some such remark as Oh! that’s better! & as often as not, will continue working as if nothing is happening well knowing that with the Command of the air on our Sector, if the Huns continue their shelling they stand a big chance of losing their guns for our fire will go on gradually increasing till the Huns stop, move their fire to another sector or the guns are knocked out.

Notwithstanding this apparent inapprehensiveness to the effect of ordinary shell fire, the men working on the "aid post" were really startled about 10 o’clock one night by the report of the burst of two very large shells indeed. Of course work had to be stopped above & the men below came flocking up to try and discover what two such terrific reports meant. However as the men on top could only say

[Page 195]
that both shells burst "pretty close" they could not say just where they "hit" & being very dark they could not see, after waiting four or five minutes, and everything seemed quiet, the work continued as usual.

The next day two of these men having to go on Fuel fatigue (having to forage among the shell holes for any broken bits of timber to act as fuel for the Cooks), were strolling round the edges of the shell holes near the Sunken Road about 150 yards from the "Aid post" when much to their surprise they saw the holes made by the two big shells of the night before. The holes were measured on top & were 30 feet each way & about 20 feet deep.

A further examination of this locality showed that when this Sunken Road had been taken the Huns had had two very deep dug outs (30 feet deep) which had been used by them as Aid posts and evidently having the range of these to a yard, & probably thinking we would be using them for the same purpose & by this time would be full of wounded men, he at this late hour sent those two huge shells across & to good purpose for both dug outs were "blown in" although the lagging used was 12 inches wide by 3 Inches thick.

[Transcriber’s note: Insertion:] & post 6’ x 6’

Although the shell bursts had collapsed the roof of each not a single man was hurt as our own Aid post was being dug in the parapet 150 yards away. The only thing the Hun did was to provide fuel for the Cooks from the splintered timber at the entrance of each dug out.

As the Spring was approaching the work on this front was being hurried towards completion & wire entanglements were being erected as quickly as possible, the men doing this work ran great risks for whenever, about a Company of men would be seen driving

[Page 196]
stakes or fixing the wire, an immediate shelling would start, but not a single man was hit for on the first sound of the screech of the first shell the men would at once rush to cover & remain till the shelling had been transferred elsewhere.

The almost feverish hurry in which these wire entanglements were being erected even as far back as two or three miles behind the present firing line did not tend to instil confidence & when officers were asked for the reason they could only say "It is well to be prepared".

Having held the line without the necessity for these wires for nearly twelve months, the hasty erection of them made the men think that the head officers were certainly of the opinion that the Huns were about to make a big offensive, but of course the men in the line could see no indication of it.

The laying of all the surface wires in a large cable underground confirmed this opinion and certainly indicated that a "stay" of some duration was being looked forward to, & yet the men could not believe such an event possible. It was very hard indeed to even think of the possibility of this portion of the line being driven in.

Probably on account of the large numbers of men who were working "in the open", being in view of the Hun observation posts, the shell fire from the enemy seemed to be getting heavier & remained longer each succeeding day. Later on it was noticed that the shelling was kept up by guns of the largest (field) size & these certainly did more damage whenever they struck a trench or dug out, then for a week or ten days the Hun shell fire continued in such a manner as almost to make one think that they were preparing for a very heavy barrage prior to an attack. Under these

[Page 197]
circumstances the men kept a very keen eye on the movements of the aeroplanes both our own & those of the enemy, but nothing could be induced other than that everything just appeared normal. However after this rather heavy bombardment, by big guns throwing H. E. Shells also H E Shrapnel, had quietened down for a day or two the men or most of them who had been working continuously in this sector received instructions to at once join their battalions.

When the first order was received the disappointment was keen, then suggestions were thrown out that the anticipated attack by Huns was about to be made. However it was not long before word was received that, the Huns had fallen back, & the Brigade on the left had started in pursuit

It was during this week of heavy bombardment that the men of the 56th Battalion in this working party, had the unenviable experience of going without tucker for 54 hours.

One night the ration party sent out to connect up those bringing the rations from Company Headquarters, came back with the unwelcome news that the rations had not arrived, next day a second party was detailed off to go & hunt for the missing "tucker" they were also unsuccessful. The third day the whole 15 moved back to the reserve trench & intercepting a ration party, claimed the rations & took them along & had just arrived at their destination & were about to divide up the food, when a squad of men came rushing in & claimed the rations as theirs & after the atmosphere cleared a bit, had quiet talk, & succeeded in producing proof of their statement & the fifteen men had again to go hungry to bed.

An appeal was made to the Major of the nearest Company but he not believing the mens statement refused to help the hungry men. In the morning they had no alternative but to send a party of 3 men

[Page 198]
two miles further back to their own Company Headquarters to ask for tucker

During their absence one of the Sergeants of the Company near at hand (Pioneers) interviewed the beforementioned Major & informed him that the 15 men had been over two days without rations & had sent to their own Company for help. This evidently convinced the Major for he immediately sent two tins of biscuits & provided tea for the lot.

When the three men returned from the Company Headquarters with sufficient to carry them over the day, they found that the men had already had a good meal on what was sent by the Pioneer Major so that the supply was more than ample for two days, therefore after their enforced fast (for over two days) they were able to "eat their fill" without stint.

Upon the 56th men moving out to join up they were informed their battalion had joined in pursuit of the Huns who were still falling back with no present sign of stopping apparently, for every man or runner who came back from the leaders, stated the advance was still continuing, in fact the light batteries of artillery were even then miles ahead of our late front lines.

Under these circumstances the 15, 56th Battn, men were joined up with a large body of men detailed to make a road through the shell holes to enable the ammunition mule teams to "get ahead".

During the process of grading this road, in cutting down a slight bank the body of a dead Hun was seen to be lying on the edge of it with his arm outstretched & as the lower part of the body was frozen to the ground, under ordinary circumstances this arm would have been broken off, but as the peculiar position in which the body was lying, was so naturally like a man begging, the men there

[Page 199]
by decided to let the arm remain and one taking an envelope from his pocket wrote in large letters "Gib it Buckshee" (Backsheesh) & hung it on the dead mans hand. The "show" drew a smile from every one passing, even if the mules snorted a bit.

This road making proved pretty hard & solid digging, a good bit of the ground was frozen & had to be broken in "cakes" whereas where "thawing" out the mud was something awful, however a couple of days saw a road formed right through to Beaulencourt, on the left of Transloy & to the immediate right of Bapaume

About a week more was spent in filling up craters which the Huns had made in the good hard "metal" roads from this place on to the front. The craters were formed by the Huns exploding a few tons of explosives, the object being to delay the approach of artillery.

The country east of Beaulencourt & Bapaume was in very good order very few shell holes appearing, & the roads were splendid excepting of course where they had been blown up but the idea of the Huns in stopping Artillery did not work, for if the crater was too big to fill a way round was soon made for the heavy guns, a corduroy road if in the fields, whereas if in a town the nearest houses would be knocked down so that the very heaviest artillery would not have been kept more than a few hours.

Some of these craters were so large that in one or two of the biggest of them, 1000 men could have been concealed from view in each.

Another cunning ruse was accidentally but luckily discovered in time.

On the road from Beaulencourt to Bapaume which apparently had been left very little damaged so far as could be seen, an ordinary motor car, probably carrying Staff Officers dashed along at a very high rate of speed when a party of road repairers noticed

[Page 200]
that a hole had been made in the road about a foot in diameter after the car had passed. A close inspection showed that the road had been undermined.

As this was at once reported all heavy traffic was accordingly diverted from this the best looking road to one more cut up.

The next day two more holes had been knocked in the rode by a fast going light Motorcar & one of these showed a hole to have been undermined fully 20 feet in diameter stretching across the road centre.

As this was just opposite where too heavy lorries carrying Air Guns were stationed it was marvellous to think they escaped "going through". These underminings had been done to stop & block heavy artillery but for once luck was on our side, by the discovery of the first small hole in time.

While working in this neighbourhood an opportunity was taken to inspect some of the Huns works & wire entanglements protecting these villages & extending in front of Bapaume itself, and it was brought home to the men what deadly contrivances had been constructed to stop an attack in front of each village.

At least three or four rows of barbed wire had been erected (in most cases) each row being from 10 to 20 feet wide. An intense barrage would have been necessary to cut away this wire if a frontal attack had been intended. It was noticed that instead of these rows of wire being run in a fairly straight or uniform line, the wires would be taken in a deep V shaped indentation towards the protecting Hun trench then on each side of these Vs a "sap" would be run from the trench

[At foot of page: diagram showing the arrangement of German barbed wire defences, rear trench and projecting saps.]

[Page 201]
In an attack the men immediately opposite the wire indentation would continue running on, & those striking the straight line wire close by, would, on seeing the men continue runing into the V naturally follow them when massed in a regular mob the Huns would by heavily bombing from the saps on either side create a regular shambles for the men would be caught jambed close like rabbits in a race.

While inspecting the effect of our shell fire amongst the ruins of houses & dug outs, along the side of a road when looking for shelter from a very heavy fall of rain three of the men discovered one of what was afterwards described as "Pill Boxes". These were built in the side of a sunken road, from the "land" side of it, & were really little concrete houses with a position for a Machine Gun, comfortable seats for gunner & lookout men with an opening or "slit" along the top of the front wall to enable the barrel of the gun to sweep the whole front. The thickness of the concrete was such that when the door was shut only a very heavy shell would have had any effect on the Huns inside the "box". From this a stairs led to the dug out below, 20 feet deep, where a large number of men could be held in readiness for action.

Nothing whatever could be seen from the opposite side of the road, to lead any one to suspect that a Battalion of men could have been mown down along that road & not a single Hun likely to be touched except a possible haphazard bullet by chance passing through the very small slit.

Even when knowing the "Pill box" was there only the slit was to be seen & that was so masked by the grassy bank that it only could be detected when within a few yards of it

This particular one would never have been discovered but for the fact that a heavy shell in bursting close at the back, had

[Page 202]
smashed in the approach & showed the stairs leading to the dug out below. The "Pill box" itself was untouched & intact.

In this neighbourhood some of the Hun dug outs were 60 feet deep having three floors, the lower ones being for officers, were furnished with beds, carpets, mirrors, stoves, etc just like a mansion. All these luxurious fittings had been taken from the residences in the nearest villages & towns.

Evidence was here very apparent of the Hun predeliction for wanton destruction for every article that cold not be removed or carried away was purposely disfigured or broken such even as childrens dolls & toys, drawing room bronze & other statuettes & articles of artistic merit. Household linen & wearing apparel from the wealthiest class had been uselessly & fiendishly destroyed & needlessly put to uses, when any quantity of better adapted material was available. No! But this would not suit the Huns, sheer wanton destruction appeared conclusively to be their greatest delight. The display of such a wicked spirit with inanimate things created the horrible suspicion of how they would gloatingly tyrannise over any poor weak women who unfortunately fell into their clutches.

One example of their vandalism filled one with disgust. To fall, timber along roads, or forests, may possibly come within the range of military exigency or necessity as likely to afford cover for attackers or the masking of artillery, but destruction for destructions sake is only what is always expected of Huns.

Attached to a large dwelling house of some pretentions to beauty, a pretty little garden about 150 yards long by about 40 or 50 wide entirely enclosed by a brick wall about 12 feet high, was laid out in fancy designed flower beds small lawns, gravel foot paths with

[Page 203]
marble borders, along each wall were planted a variety of fruit trees & the display of flowers in bloom must have been a magnificent sight.

Interspersed all through the garden at well selected spots were placed a wonderful collection of beautiful marble statues. The garden could easily be pictured as the hobby & daily delight of some elderly retired gentleman or woman with a passionate fondness for flowers. All kinds of gardening seemed to have been brought to perfection & even after years of neglect evidence of its beauty was seen on every hand

But what must these terrible Huns do! They had sawn down all the splendid fruit trees, torn down all vines, cut down every rose bush & all other plants, broken off the heads & limbs, & thrown down all the statues, yet not satisfied with this, they used it as a place to throw their filth even when to do this caused them some extra exertion.

Such despicable work could not under any stretch of imagination be deemed a military necessity, 12 feet walls could be treated as likely to afford some protection from view for a battery of howitzers & if so, why not knock the walls down? but what earthly good from a military point of view, the total ruination of the cherished & life long work of an enthusiastic expert, in his efforts only to make more beautiful his insignificant plot of ground, is entirely beyond ordinary comprehension.

After about another week of road repair work every man was ordered back to his own battalion. Of course the men clearly understood that this meant, at no very distant date an action of some importance was pending.

After joining the Battalion there were quick marches with barely one whole nights delay in each were made through several villages the usual shell shattered villages that one sees for about 30 miles

[Page 204]
back, (excepting of course places like Ginchy which was so churned up with over 12 months shell fire that not a single brick can be now seen on its old site, although perhaps many could be found by digging,) till the village of Fremicourt was reached.

This was to be the base of the 56th Battalion till their turn arrived to do the work of driving the Huns the distance to be allotted by the Staff. The line at this time was about 1½ miles beyond the village of Morchese [Transcriber’s note: Morchies] which was about 4 miles in front of the base. Had any doubt been existant in the minds of any of the Battalion it would have been dispelled by an order issued at the stop before reaching Fremicourt, that any one who had anything at all wrong with them should attend sick parade that morning. Amongst these was the Sentry, because when working on the dug outs on the Transloy front he had just before leaving slipped on the ice covered duck boards when turning a sharp corner, at "the double", & fell striking the edge of the boards so heavily that two of his ribs were slightly fractured, & he desired that they should be "strapped" by "Iodine" (the Doctor).

When his turn came to be examined the Doctor angrily asked Why the [dash] did you not report before this!
How could I report to you when I have been working in the line for 3 months during which time I never joined the battalion once & when my ribs were hurt there was not a doctor within 7 miles, to my knowledge?
Oh! You were in the working party! Why did you not come back to Head Quarters?
Because I managed with a little pain at first, to get through my work, & now as an action will soon be on I want you to strap them up!
Oh! said the Doctor quite sharply You can’t go to a hospital here!
I’m not asking to go to a Hospital I’m only asking you to make me

[Page 205]
fit to go into action! I can manage alright in battle order, but carrying the pack hurts my side!

The Doctors irritation seemed then to exude & he firmly "strapped" five 2 Inch bands of sticking plaster over the injured part, but even then he could not refrain from saying You know the two ribs are not broken they were only slightly fractured & the muscles a bit torn.
What about the pack said the Sentry?
Oh! I don’t know anything about that we have no luggage waggons here!
Yes but what about the limbers carrying all the officers packs.
Oh! there full now!

On the Sentry’s return to the ranks, the Battalion having fallen in all ready to move as soon as the Doctor had finished, the Sergeant asked the Sentry how he "got on" & on being told, said Go straight away down to the Cookers & tell the Sergt Major who is there, from me that not only your pack but rifle & equipment has to be placed on the "cooker". Then when they take them you follow on behind with the Cooker. However as the "Cookers" went on ahead to prepare the "Stew" for the men on arrival the Sentry had a pleasant walk to Fremicourt in the company of the "halt" the "footsore" & weary, & also the officer "bringing up the rear", who not belonging to the same Company proved very friendly.

The houses in Fremicourt were very much shattered, but what made matters very much worse, just close to these billets, such as they were, was a battery of heavy howitzers in front, and a very large number of both heavy & light field guns on the right. Whenever the large guns fired singly, or otherwise, or when the light guns fired "Salvos" the cracked walls would develope their "Cracks" almost an inch at a time & the first floor looked as if it would fall bodily upon a couple of hundred men below.

The outside Wall moved at least 4 Inches from the floor in about

[Page 206]
3 days. A close watch was kept on these movements. Part of this floor which was solid concrete about 9 Inches thick did fall, from a height of 15 or 16 feet, but luckily the men camped underneath had gone to draw water & thus escaped "going under".

It would have only been a matter of a few days for the whole of this rickety building to collapse into a heap of broken bricks & tiles, if the guns had remained.

None of the civil population are allowed to inhabit these shell battered buildings, for although in 1916 it was quite common to see villagers living their ordinary lives in their homes, within four miles of the firing line, thus being very considerably inside the range of shell fire, in 1917 whether from a question of safety or the prevention of the possibility of spies "getting in their good work" or from both, no civilians were allowed within a good twenty or thirty miles of the firing line.

The miserable existance that one indures in these broken down billets ought really to break the hearts of the highest spirited, but the men although sourly growling every now & then, seem to settle down & treat very light heartedly, the irksome discomforts of muddy floors, shaky attics, wind traversed walls, & leaky roofs.

As a case in point the night before the Company moved out the men summoned for guard duty, could get no sleep all night, for the ceiling above them kept falling down in such masses that a direct hit would have crushed any man to death.

One half of their floor being covered with water, the floor was earth, & the weather outside being either soaking rain or soft falling snow those of the guard "off duty" had simply to keep awake, sitting huddled up with arms clasped round the knees, so as to be able to move quickly should further falls of ceiling

[Page 207]
take place. To the men, it was simply idiotic to post a guard in such a place & under such circumstances, being right away from the main road at the back of a large building but within sight of the O/C’s quarters Why! Oh Why!!

This red tape regulation made the men marvel, & also to think what very little thought the officers had for men, who perhaps in 24 hours or so would be in the midst of a hellish action, more particularly as there was nothing to mount guard over & being fully 4 miles from the support line. Two guards were also posted in the front of the building on the road, for no other purpose, according to the men, than to salute every officer that passed.

The never ending disciplinary training & drill was the only answer but why place men in a place of needless danger. It is stiff enough luck for able bodied men to be "skittled" under fire, but to run the risk of losing good men "by accident" through the disire of adhering to a red tape regulation which "must" be carried out is simply worse than bad.

That it can be ignored by an officer with common sense was shown in 1916 when the O/C dispensed with not only every guard but all drill & useless routine work & the Company was then situated under similar circumstances excepting that the firing line, not the support, was within four miles.

To post these guards was just as harebrained a thing to do as to take a Company of about 200 men the day before a strenuous action was to be fought, a couple of miles along a road to fill a huge crater in one day, that would have taken a battalion a week. The result of the days work looked so infinitesimal, that not only the whole of the men but even the accompanying officers had to laugh outright at the "impression" that had been made

[Page 208]
on the "hole". Of course more disciplinary "training" when every man was craving for bodily rest well knowing the "strain" that was immediately in front of them.

Just at this time rumours kept flying about that the 56th would go into action at any moment now but what did not make this look probable was the joining up of four new re-inforcement officers who were coming to get their baptism of fire, & the transfer of four well-tried, well trusted, subalterns to other duties "away back" or granting them furlough. Such a step appeared to the men as indicative of a state of inaction & quietude for some weeks at least but when word came from Head quarters office, that the Battalion Staff & all the O/Cs & officers who could be spared had set out to make a reconnaissance of the ground facing the front line, the men knew "something" would be done very shortly & all our "old" platoon commanders would be "out of it". The despatch of a number of NCO’s the following day on the same mission confirmed this.

The next day brought out the official news that the 56th Battn would make an attack & would have an objective of their own & preparations were made to rehearse the formation necessary to carry it out.

Our first real acquaintance with our new Platoon officers was made that same morning.

Evidently while the O/C was making out his report, the new officers were sent out with their platoons on separate route marches.

Our particular officer earned the undying thanks of his men by ordering them out in "battle order", not the usual full marching order "with pack up" & after going about half a mile beyond the broken down village, gave the order to the men to halt, sit down, & smoke.

It had not taken that officer, (said by some of the new men when

[Page 209]
they met him in Goulburn Camp as a private, to be a "squatter") more than a few hours to see the utter uselessness of marching men, loaded up with heavy packs, six or seven miles along muddy & slippery roads, when in the next 24 hours or so they would want all their endurance to fight for their lives. He knew the men wanted rest, not work, & did not hesitate to tell the men to try & obtain all the rest possible.

Given such a lead each of the other platoon commanders followed it. The hearts of all the men went out at once to this man who had the pluck to use his own brains without any fear of the consequences of the censure from the officer over him.

After the men had been rested for half an hour one of them reported to the officer, that he could see the O/C leaving the village on horseback evidently to see how the new officers were performing, & naturally the private asked the officer if the men had better "fall in"? The Officer told the whole of the men to remain at rest till he gave the order to move.

He patiently waited till the O/C, who he quickened his pace almost to a gallop, arrived upon the scene

As the men were all smoking, & smilingly enjoying the situation the O/C was seen to be looking furious. The Platoon Commander took no more notice of the O/C than to formerly give him a salute, however the O/C was wise enough to call him aside, and then gave some instructions. He then galloped on to the other platoon officers & gave similar instructions.

The outcome of which was to extend the Route march till the house tops of Bapaume could be plainly seen. However on the return journey the Platoon officer stopped the men & rested them when ever they showed the least sign of becoming tired.
On reaching

[Page 210]
the billet that platoon officer was voted a "White man" & "Good enough for me" by every man in the Company

The afternoon drill was taken by the O/C himself, & as usual the order was given to the men to "turn out" in full Marching order (packs up). After drilling for a time the men were "put through" what was said to be the formation in which the coming attack was to be made, but the following morning this process was altered & as some of the men were not present at the second demonstration they were quite in the dark as to how to proceed but the others were not much better off, for they did not understand & could not explain the new movement. All they knew was that they got into a "hell of a tangle" & got out of it as best they could.

It was on the march back from this exercise that in one well protected room, large enough to house & thoroughly protect from the weather 40 to 50 men, all those on parade, noticed 3 horses stabled. This good room was used to house 3 horses!

Fancy 3 horses in a good substantial room with a beautiful fire place whereas all the men were under broken or leaky roofs, 20 of them with no covering at all, having to gather any old material to form a sort of a "lean to" or shed to protect them from falling rain or snow, & fires had to be made on the mud, or concrete floor, to try & keep them warm owing to the exposure to severe cold admitted through broken walls.

Horses had so far never been used near the firing line, and although the Coy was deemed sufficiently close to it to carry out the guard duties with the same exactitude & caution as if the enemy was "only across the road", yet at the same time food & accommodation, of the best, could be found for horses for the sole purpose of appearing on parade or following Route marches. No horses

[Page 211]
therefore no appearance of "head" officers involving exertion.

The men had to suffer in accommodation to gratify the selfish wish for an easily dispensed with, luxury.

Of course once the line goes forward it is surprising to see the number of officers, especially those "on the Staff", who bravely gallop over the "captured" country, – it is now not so much cut up by continuous shell fire, – with an air about them that they are really "the real soldiers". Brave men! say the admiring privates, returning from the thick of the fighting on the firing line, "What good soldiers"!! "Old ones"!!!

On returning from the afternoon parade, information came through the "Babbling Brooks", (the Cooks) that the Battalion would move out to the attack that same night & that they had received instructions to get a meal ready to be served at 10 pm – not with the concomitants of a first class hotel but as equally well appreciated.

As is usual, for that the move is actually to be made is as often as not doubted & so was this.

However the rushing about of NCOs & officers shows that something of importance is about to take place

The men quietly commence to get ready - making a last examination of the packs so as only to take along what they themselves consider they actually require, the first & always the first in France, "Socks" as many socks as can be comfortably or even uncomfortably carried, next cigraettes & Tobacco, then private papers & souvenirs etc. For an hour or so there was an air of slackness as if everyone was too busy on his own behalf to bother about whether ordinary routine work was being carried out.

That "Slackness" was patent, was evidenced by the fact that when the new guard was lined up for inspection, this was done by the NCO & not the O/C as usual. Needless to say that guard did not do any duty.

However all doubts were dispelled

[Page 212]
when our new platoon Commander visited the men at 5 Oclock & gave definite information that the Company would move out at 11 pm, (that same night). As this new officer had been a private with some of the re-inforcements of the Company, when in Goulburn Camp, he wanted to have a good chat about old times before going into action. Two other new officers were doing the same in the next billets, under exactly similar circumstances.

The O/C whether from a prying desire to see what was being done, or just by accident, passed, & noticing the apparently jovial & merry conversations going on between these new officers, platoon Commanders talking to men, some, they all perfectly well knew, they would never see alive after that night – he gave a fierce look & marched stiffly back to his quarters.

A messenger in a great hurry from the O/C came to inform these new officers, they were wanted at once.

Later on the officers informed the men, that they were politely told by the O/C that in his Company, officers were not in the habit of being allowed to belittle their status in the eyes of the men, no matter what each individuals former associations might have been.

The "outspoken thoughts" of the men would scarcely bear recording. However the men were left entirely to themselves after this incident till the appointed time was drawing near.

As the evening drew on each mans preparations having been made, his rifle ammunition & equipment carefully examined & cleaned, the men gradually associated & collected together in their own sections of from twelve to sixteen.

Almost every man knew that, uncalled, each section came together because after the coming action, "changes" would take place. From casual & almost half hearted or even listless talk, would come the

[Page 213]
suggestion that a good chorus should be started. Away they would go! singing at their "top" but long before the second verse was through members of other sections would have "pricked their ears" & started a song "on their own", so that before long the whole of the sixteen sections including even the (Babbling Brooks), cooks could be heard for hours.

Sentimental songs were given a "good hearing" this night & the better known choruses were sung with great gusto.

The "comics" which did not seem to sound quite the same as formerly were only so half heartedly rendered that there would be quite a pause afterward. A very awkward pause that could only be broken by some two or three repeating a chorus again

But it was after such songs as "There’s a long long trail", which is one of the Battalion marching tunes, & the "Old Folks at Home", that caused a noticeable shake or quiver in more than one voice & furtive glances were cast to see if any of the other men had noticed. After such songs it was more difficult to induce a man to start a new song, probably he was not sure of himself, but the rousing chorus of one of the other sections close handy would brighten them up at once and "all would be merry & bright".

For at least a couple of hours the spirits of the men were on a constant rise & fall & often the fire in the brazier, or on the cement floor, would purposely be allowed to become dim till a startling demand for "more wood" would "shake" those nearby out of their almost undesired reveries.

Not a word was spoken about the war not a word about the attack, not a word about the past, or the morrow.

Every man knew he was assembled there on his own invitation or volition simply to bid good bye to some of his comrades, who would "Go West" during the next Twenty four hours & thoughts seemed to be passing through each mind, I wonder if its Tom’s turn?, or Bill’s? or, Whose is to go?

[Page 214]
However about 10 pm the party with the "iron" rations, to be carried in the action, arrived, & the tins of bully beef in this instance, one (1) tin to three men, & to each man 4 biscuits, & a fair sized piece of cheese were served out. Special emphasis was placed on the "order" that the men were not to eat the rations, they were to be treated as "emergency" for nothing more could be guaranteed (for certain) for the next four days.

A good hot stew was served immediately afterwards & as luck would have it, the rum ration, due that day, much to every mans pleasant surprise "came through" without "damage" or "accident" & although this rum ration was only two table spoonsful it was certainly appreciated on such a cold night.

During the interval of waiting an incident in the "liquor line" occurred which, as it was the only instance up till that time, that it fell to the lot of these men to enjoy that special kind of liquor, but also on account of the man’s hard thinking to acquire & secure what was always said to be an impossibility to the private, must be recorded.

During one of the lulls in the "Sing Song" of this section, one of the men, a youngster of about 21 or 22 called out, "Boys we are going to have some "whisky tonight even if I lose my head "in the attempt" to get it!!

He explained that when going for water for the Cooks he had noticed a fatigue party carrying up whisky to the Officers canteen, & for the last hour he had been thinking out a plan how he could get some for the section. Now!, he said, I have my plan all ready & I’m off!

After being absent about twenty minutes he hurriedly returned & from under his tunic he disclosed a lovely bottle of good old "Scotch", "the real Mackay". It looked almost unreal. Where did you get it? Is there any more? How much did you pay for it? How did you pinch it?

Come on! he said No questions answered till after we enjoy it! Come on! Out with

[Page 215]
your dixies? & after it is down I will tell you all about it!!

Dixies were passed up & equal distribution made, the envied man’s health was drunk & "Good luck" wished to every one. "Over the top with the best of luck"!

After the whisky had been relished a place for this man was found near the fire & he started to explain how he succeeded, where so many had failed. In fact not a man of that section had had a single drop of whisky all the time they had been in France nearly twelve months.

The first words of the mans explanation were, There’s going to be a "bally" court martial soon, & I will know all about it! The laugh had scarcely died away when a runner from the Orderly room, came into the circle & wanted to know if Private [dash] was here? Yes! said the private, You’re wanted at orderly room at once!!

Right oh! Go ahead! & the two men passed out into the night.

Sympathetic remarks were passed Poor [dash]! but it was worth it! Then the talk became general as to how he managed to obtain it. Men were there who would willingly have faced any Court-martial provided they could have succeeded in securing a bottle of whisky "for the boys".

They were only wondering how he succeeded & were sorrowing because he had not told them. A lapse of about half an hour, brought Private [dash] back again smiling & he sat in the centre & explained what had happened.

When he knew that the officers were having whisky he said his first thought was, If whisky was good for officers, whisky must be good for privates. Privates have to work, whisky is good for men who work, therefore whisky is good for privates! Being so satisfied on this "I was, he said, determined then," "to get some of that whisky at all costs."

Several ways suggested themselves but the plan he decided to follow was: He searched round & found an officer belonging to another Company, not known to the private, & in a very plausible & pleading manner explained that

[Page 216]
for the last four or five days having run right out of cigarettes he had been "humming" (cadging) on his pals and as they were getting "short" & as the men were going into the line, would the officer oblige him with an order on the officers’ canteen for one tin of cigarettes?

"You don’t belong to my Company"? said the officer, Go to one of your own officers!

All our officers were busy with the O/C! which was fairly right (they were busy having a good time so he said he was telling the truth) & one can never tell after an action how long a man may be without a "fag" (cigarette)! He said he was wise enough to get in a salute wherever he reasonably could.

The officer seemed mollified & hastily wrote a "chit" on the Canteen for a tin of Cigarettes for Private [dash]. Thanks! & another "good" salute found Private [dash] hurrying towards the Canteen & then he said temptation came to him with the result that he had made the order read. "Please give Private [dash] Five tins cigarettes & one bottle whisky" (signed) [dash] (officer)

On presenting the "order" to the Orderly at the Canteen, it was naturally questioned The idea of whisky being served out to privates? Of course Orderlies did not touch it! Oh no! & Private [dash] did not forget to plainly tell him, but, he said, he did not want a private quarrel with an orderly to block his great enterprise, so pointing out that if Private [dash] had to go back to the Officer & tell him the Orderly considered the officer’s authority to write an order was improper & was being questioned by the orderly, it would certainly mean that the orderly would lose his "cushy" (easy) billet or job. The private still keeping his temper & showing no sign of wavering in the least, the orderly became amenable to reason & issued the articles.

Private [dash] says once he got a grip on them his "time" (running) back to the section was certainly "a record".

When he was summoned to the Court-martial he said he walked straight into the room where the Court was sitting & pretending he did not know better, walked straight over to a chair & sat down.

[Page 217]
The Court happened to be engaged with another man, but soon he was noticed & was asked, What do you mean? Of course he did not know! Get up off that chair! & take off your hat! He took off his hat, & placed it on the table. Of course he had to take it off there. Looking towards the angry N.C.O. he gave him a smile & a wink, but which apparently was not reciprocated.

Then his case came on.
Your name is Private [dash].
Yes Sir,
"Is it a fact that you obtained a "chit" (order) from [dash] (officer) for one tin of Cigarettes from the Officers canteen?
Yes Sir,
Is it a fact that you had the audacity to alter an officers order & made it read "five tins of Cigarettes & one bottle of Whisky"?
Yes Sir,
What did you do with the Whisky?
Took it up to the Section & we all drank it up before it could be taken back! The Whisky was pretty good stuff!

The officer in charge of the Court turning to his colleagues said, What can we do with a man like this? Turning to the private, You may go! You will hear more of this later!
Thank you Sir,

Of course the private knew they could do nothing with him. In an hour or two he knew he would be marching up to the line, & laughingly he said, They can do what they bally well like after the action! My troubles!

Private [dash] was immediately tendered a hearty vote of thanks with musical honors & three cheers at the end. Other sections who sent over to inquire the reason for the outburst, reported that Private [dash] was being treated like a hero & he well deserved it.

(During the action Private [dash] was wounded in the leg & got the wish of his life, a trip to Blighty. When going, he said he would give them "a good run for their money").

The day before the Advance began at the time official news was brought by Officers that the time for the attack had been fixed, the men pointed out

[Page 218]
that losses had already occurred through want of proper information being given the men. It is alright perhaps for officers to know all the details but what is going to happen if the officers get knocked early in the action? The men want to know what to do apart from officers & the platoon Commander was asked to go to the O/C & explain that the men want him to tell them where they are going to, what they have to do, what the objective is, what the Country is like in front & the description of the part passed through & that to be traversed

The Officer went to the O/C & for once he thought it a very good idea. He gave a lecture that evening & answered all the questions the men asked particularly about the distances between places, & the length of ground to be charged over & also explained the various objectives of each unit engaged He ended up by saying he knew the men would do the work allotted to them in their usual way & as "wire" could only be seen to be protecting a Sugar Refinery near a Sunken road shown on a plan the objective of D Company, he thought the "Stunt" would just prove a "cake walk".

Sometime before official news was received as to the starting time, an order had been issued that the charge would be made "with packs up" that is in full marching order with blanket & pack as well as the additional ammunition, bombs, grenades, & picks & shovels. It was explained that this would be necessary as it was quite unknown how long a time might elapse before any communication could be made with the men at the front after the attack had been made. It might be four days or a week or more.

However the murmurings amongst the men were so open & loud that it did not portend well for the "order". It certainly would not be adhered to. Almost every man condemned this order & each made up his mind that if such a silly order was attempted to be forced on them each man would have the pack arranged "Gallipoli fashion", that is slung over both shoulders by means of the two support straps & not, as ordinarily, carried fastened on to the equipment braces

[Page 219]
Carried in this manner the pack is put on last (over everything) & so can be "dropped off" at a moments notice.

The men all agreed that the packs would be carried in this manner & before the order to charge was given every man would "dump" his pack & leave it where it lay. In fact the men could picture the whole length of that march to the line, "marked out" by dropped packs, for just so soon as its weight would begin to "tell" on a man, that same moment he would dump it & "be d[dash]d to every one".

The men considered their lives just as valuable, to them, as any officers & they were not going to be hampered in their work by & for such a thing as an "accursed" pack.

However it is possible that the determination on the part of the men reached official ears for a few hours before the "fall in" was given, an order came, for all packs to be "handed in" to the Quartermaster’s store, which was the only sensible thing to do.

While the sentry was on duty the Sergeant of his platoon came along & explained that he had obtained permission from the O/C to enable the Sentry to join the party "told off" to look after the rations being forwarded & therefore it would save him taking part in the action that night.

The Sentry asked In what order is the Advance to be made "Battle" or "Marching order"? The Sergeant replied Dress would be "Battle order"!

The sentry then thanked the Sergeant for his kindness in trying to "get him off", but if it is "Battle order", he said, You can go straight back & tell the O/C that the Sentry would take his place "in the line" for in "Battle order" he was just as good as any man in the Section & he did not want to be out of his place.

The Sergeant did not like to go back, at first, but when he saw the Sentry was determined he did so & came back & reported that it would be alright & further that the Sentry would act as senior Soldier, in

[Page 220]
the event of anything happening to the Corporal.

Owing to sickness, bad feet, accidents etc, the Company, normally 240 "strong", could only muster on the night of the action 187 men.

Shortly after the evening meal was served at 10.30, an order was passed along to each section, "Dress for parade!" then "Prepare to move"!! Almost immediately afterwards, "Fall In"!!!

Instinctively conversation became subdued, men moved away silently through the old "broken down" billets to "fall in" to their places in their Companies, on the muddy road. Of course mud did not matter now, men simply stood in a straight line whether the slimy mud was over their boots or not, it made no difference then.

Quietly each name was called, the roll checked & all were now ready. Officers & NCOs fell into their places & silently the march began Passing the end of the village the Column formed "single file" & each man, alternately, was issued with a pick & shovel. Silently they formed up again into "fours" & marched out into darkness, not along the road, but across a muddy field.

For about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour scarcely a word was spoken & even then almost in a whisper, but after that the men commenced to complain to each other, about the very fast rate at which the Company was moving.+ "Who is in the lead to set such a pace as this"? Word came back, – of course all communications, orders, etc are passed along from man to man, – that the O/C was leading armed not with a rifle, ammunition, bombs shovel etc, but with a walking cane!

No wonder the speed was hot – him! said the men, & immediately afterwards the Column started to "straggle out" The officer in charge of the rear one of the new men, in fact the same officer

[Page 221]
who took his platoon route marching in "Battle order" instead of "Packs up", passed a message along to the O/C The pace is too fast! the men cannot keep it! Never was an order passed along a column of men so quickly before. Back came the reply Who sent such a message? Again came another message Leuit [dash] to O/C "Must slacken pace otherwise the men cannot keep up! Still a third message from the same officer.

By this time the Column had stretched out to about treble its proper length & looked more like a lot of Chinamen walking along, for the men all except about 20 near the O/C had fallen back & became "strung out" into twos & threes instead of fours with intervals of 15 & 20 yards between them.

Upon the third message being sent, the O/C evidently made up his mind to come back & have a "chat" with the officer who had had the impertinance to send such messages to him very much more especially as that officer was a "new chum" & had so far no experience at all in warfare, but even if he had had no war experience it did not take the men long to find out that he had a good idea as to what a man could do in the way of work or walking so the men took more notice of the "new chum", than they did of the "experienced" but young O/C who knew nothing about "men" generally.

The O/C only walked back about half way along the Column, which by that time was more like a broken "single file", when he stopped & as if thinking better of it, went to the head of the Column again. He evidently conjectured it was no use talking to the Officer for the men knew the Officer was right & the O/C wrong & the men refused to quicken the pace whether he made it fast or not

[Page 222]
Although looking "as mad as a hatter" the men "guessed" the O/C was "frightened" to go back & reprimand the Officer. He already could see the men smiling at him & while saying nothing, passively refusing to march at his pace, but at the Officers, which was their own.

The O/C would slow down for 5 or 10 minutes, & then would "rush off" again, but whenever he did this, "his rush" was only accompanied by the few men near him, the others were all taking the march very leisurely, not caring or bothering in the least where the O/C was, or what he was doing.

After the march had continued for over an hour the O/C halted but it was only after 6 messages from the officer had been sent before this was effected & the men themselves had decided, to have a rest & some had already "flopped down" so the O/C gave the word for all to rest & have a smoke but to make no noise.

During this rest the "burst" of occasional Shells could be heard & seen quite close so the men knew they were approaching the place from which a dash for the Hun line would be made.

After the rest & smoke, the march was continued but this time at a pace more in keeping with common sense.

The men could "make out" that they were marching along a shallow valley & that the Hun could have no idea that an attack was likely, for the shells then bursting were just such as would be fired on any ordinary "quiet" night & were evidently sent over just haphazardly for none fell close enough to do any damage to those going in to attack.

The march had continued for about half an hour when a message was passed from mouth to mouth to "hush" all talk. This of course

[Page 223]
indicated "care". A few minutes afterward the men were moving very quietly along the firing line, which just here, was a sunken road with shallow shelters dug into the parapet.

Although the night was dark yet clear, the men doing "look out" work in the line, seemed to be just a lot of Shadows, and no doubt felt a certain amount of sorrow or pity, for the men silently marching past, well knowing what the latter would be "up against" in a very short time.

It did not take long to arrive at the appointed place & after waiting for about half an hour during which a consultation was held amongst a number of Officers an order was given, to "prepare to move"!

While waiting the men could see the valley along which they had been marching "out of sight", but not "out of range", & could also see the ridge in front over the top of which the Advance had to be made for a distance of 750 yards. Their "job" being to charge & attack a trench, clear a village, & take & hold a wood the extreme edge of which was "A" Company’s objective. The men were then lying hidden from enemy view about 200 yards from the top of the ridge.

It was here that the elaborate scheme which had been rehearsed should have been carried out but instead of each section conforming to the expected complicated movements as practised, when the order came, it was found that the whole battalion was deployed in the old fashioned style "to extend in line at one pace interval", with about half a dozen scouts in the lead of each company at about 50 yards distance.

Thus in ordinary extended order the line advanced towards the top of the ridge when "Coy Halt"! being given, sent every man to the ground, which with a white heavy frost was "as cold as charity".

[Page 224]
Imagine the feelings of the men when word was passed along the line to say that they were too early, & the charge would not take place for an hour.

Each man at once commenced to hold up the work of the officers for examination.

"What sort of condition would we have been in if the O/C had had his own way & brought us here at his pace? Why we would have all been "busted up", tired to death, & out of temper before "the start", when even at the slow pace that we actually came along brought us here only an hour too soon!!! What about all their anxious preparation for a special formation in the Attack! When they fell back on the old method after all? The men were practised in an advance with each section in artillery formation & from that to an extended line but all this was discarded on the night of the real attack.

The officers reconnaissance had called for a silent attack for the trench to be carried was not protected by wire, otherwise it would have been essential to have had the wire cut by means of a heavy artillery bombardment or broken down by "Tanks", therefore every order had to be given very quietly & passed along from man to man.

While lying in extended order waiting the men were subjected to shell fire but the Huns could not have suspected an attack as likely to be made for the nearest shell burst fully 100 yards away.

As the cold was so intense and the men had had very little sleep as soon as it was known that the attack would not take place for an hour, at least two of them, throwing their oilsheets "out", on the ground asked the men on each side to give them a kick when "Prepare to advance" was given, & lying down went to sleep immediately.

To the two sleepers it seemed

[Page 225]
that almost "at once" they were roughly roused, & were informed "The Advance has gone"! Hastily rolling their oilsheets & fastening them to the belt at the back, they could see the whole line advancing, and both hurried forward into their places.

Silently the line went forward, The sentry having been "told off" to see that the third platoon kept in touch with the second, had every now & then to cast his eyes to the right & left to see that the "line" was kept also the proper interval. Still silently the line went forward & no sign of the enemy, nothing but a dark hedge like line away in the distance. The advance was being made down a gradual slope, through a large wheat field from which the grain had recently been mown & harvested. Luckily the ground underfoot was perfectly smooth not having been in any way torn up with shell fire.

Steadily the line went forward for about 200 yards each man walking as if on parade when all of a sudden one of the new officers on the right called out excitedly "Men follow me"!

At such an idiotic demonstration low execrations were uttered & the men wondered what was in that officers "water" bottle. He was talking to men the "newest" amongst them had had from 3 to 6 months experience of front line work & the bulk of them had experienced the fire of the worst catastrophe, the Australians had experienced, while he, the officer, was coming under fire for the first time. Follow "him" "be d[dash]" & such like expressions were muttered.

However as this exclamation had been shouted out quite loudly the immediate answer from "that dark distant line" was the rat, tat, tat, tat, tat, from the Machine Guns of the Huns. How the men cursed that foolish officer with his "follow me" in a silent attack! Naturally the men "knew" that he was feeling very "queer" & had to say something to steady his nerves. Still the line advanced

[Page 226]
steadily at no faster pace than a walk & that as if on parade

The Rifle & Machine gun fire seemed to be getting "thicker" & the "cracks" seemed closer & closer.

After going another 200 yards that same officer roared out another order, Will that platoon touch in to the right! He had not noticed that his own platoon had been swinging away to the right so that when he brought in the 3rd platoon the line was very quickly "concertinered" & he had then to roar, Ease away on the left? Although the fire was getting "hotter" & "hotter" this sort of thing made the men "mad" & they growled angrily.

When that same officer shortly afterward again roared, That 3rd platoon touch in to the right! he was plainly told in not too polite language to "Keep his ruby mouth shut"

Even under such circumstances the men could not but express disgust at an officer behaving in such a manner. However that was an end to the "orders".

It was really wonderful to see how that line advanced, by this time the fire from the Hun trench presented the appearance of an unbroken sheet of flame and it seemed marvellous that the line was still going forward, steadily all the time, still at a walk.

When at a distance of about 200 yards from the trench the long looked for Order came roaring above the din of the belching bullets. Charge!!!

Instantly! Away went that line at the double! Every man looking right straight ahead, straining every muscle & nerve, only too eager to reach the enemy in the shortest time possible. Not the least hesitancy was shown, the line at the "double" appeared just as straight as at a walk. But 200 yards with extra ammunition etc is a long run even when eagerly anxious to encounter a detested enemy, & by the time that there still remained from 50 to 70 yards

[Page 227]
to be traversed the breath of every man was "coming & going" at such a rate that it was almost painful. The trench still seemed a terrible distance away, as each man was "getting done".

At this particularly trying time it seemed to dawn on every man that this was just the proper time to give a cheer. A rousing hair raising cheer rang out high above the awful din from one end of that line to the other!

The Hun trench seemed to be reached in an incredibly short space of time & it felt as if one had hardly touched the ground in the last finishing dash. But Oh! What a terrible surprise awaited the leaders of that charging line.

The "charge" disclosed the fact that the men on the "left" were racing up more quickly & reached the trench while the "right" was swinging into position, but instead of the Hun trench being unguarded, the foremost men in their final sprint had to dash out their left hands to prevent them rushing on to the most murderous looking barbed wire entanglement seen.

Here was a mess to be in! It was impossible to knock the wire down or cut it, so there was nothing else to do but to drop on the ground & prepare to shoot. The wild expressions of men caught under such conditions need not be recorded. Some nearly cried with anger.

Just at this moment the fourth man on the left called out Here’s a [dash] gate! (a gate is an opening left in the wire to enable patrol parties to go out into No mans land & are left about every half mile in a long line of wire).

The men clustered round him. It took but a moment to smash the wire across the opening & into the trench they dashed, the Sentry although fourth from the man opposite the gate was on account of the crush & rush to get through eighth man into the trench which was being entered on the left flank.

The barbed wire guarding this

[Page 228]
trench was from 15 to 20 feet wide with stakes about 3’.6" high by 2½ Inches in diameter placed 2’.6" from each other wired from the top of one stake to the bottom of the others from every angle & across the top from all points with awful looking barbed wire about half the thickness of a mans little finger with barbs nearly an inch long. Such wire could not be knocked down & could not be crossed, so that it was really only the sheerest luck that the first men "up" struck the place where the gate was left. The gate way is only wired across the top & this of course can be destroyed

[Diagram of German barbed wire defences as described above, including a "gateway" entry/exit point.]
As the first ten men entered the trench the Huns had cleared over the top of the parados like frightened rabbits running for cover to the village.

The men following those that had entered the trench seeing the Huns fleeing hopped over the top of the trench & followed after them "hot foot" in their endeavour to bring the bayonet to work. After going 50 or 60 yards the men in the trench were called by those above to get "Up & over and at them" as the whole of the Huns were streaming across the open ground from the trench to the village of Louverval beyond. Without an effort those in the trench jumped out & joined in the chase but run as fast as they could the Huns with about 50 yards start went faster & none of the men of A Coy succeeded in getting close enough to a Hun to "fix" him with the bayonet.

Frightened! they looked as scared as a lot of running "Spanish fowls".

The Sentry picked on a particularly burly Hun but his fat did not seem

[Page 229]
to bother his legs.

While this attack was on the men could not understand where the Huns had disappeared to. They were naturally expected to pass through the village & the "Wood", & then up over the long ridge in front of the wood, during which the men were looking forward to having some rare pot shooting but much to their chagrin were sadly disappointed the Huns appeared to have, very mysteriously, but surely, vanished.

Not a Hun was seen running up the wheat field to the ridge after the village had been cleared & the wood, the objective, taken The estimate given was that 2000 Huns had been located in the trench the village & the Wood & yet not one was to be seen after "flying" across the open ground between the trench & the village & wood.

Not until daylight dawned could an explanation be given.

Then it could be seen that the Huns by rushing through the village & wood had dropped into a sunken road & by that means had doubled back towards the original trench low down on the right flank, then up over the ridge by another sunken road which owing to the darkness was hidden by a dense line of trees & scrub.

Had these details been made known to the men the whole or nearly the whole of these Huns could have been either killed or captured instead of paltry few prisoners

Half way up this hidden sunken road in among the trees 4 machine guns were noticed to be firing every now & then, but when about 300 men at once gave them "rapid fire" for about 20 minutes their firing intervals were very much curtailed. Unfortunately they were beyond the objective otherwise they would have been cleared out in a "jiffy".

When these men opened rapid fire they took up a position between the trench & the village in a field which

[Page 230]
had been partly covered with little heaps of manure ready for spreading & behind these heaps one two or three men took up positions so as to offer as small a target as possible to the Hun Machine guns.

During the height of this combat a private was noticed to be walking about in the most nonchallant manner, for the purpose of seeing that every man had a clear target without endangering the lives of any of their own men in front of them the field having a slight slope. The "firing" men looked up & laughingly said, By Jove Cobber! That is pretty cool work & so it was. It certainly "drew" the admiration of all who saw it. Actually offering his own life as a sacrifice just for the object of preventing possible casualties through zealous "errors". The man came through that danger without a scratch.

The whole work of taking the trench, clearing the village, & holding the wood did not take much more than an hour. It was fortunate the men had known what they had to do for by the time the work was over A Coy was not represented by a single Officer 4 had been hit during the charge & 2 had by some means got out of place. However it is never absolutely necessary for the officer to be present in any action, for if the men know what has to be done they do it at all costs whether the officer is present or not & so far as the individual man is concerned he never cares whether he is present or not. In the present instance after the charge had been given not a single officer appeared on the scene (belonging to A Coy) till four days after the action.

The men did the work of charging taking the trench clearing the village & holding the wood not knowing or caring whether an officer was present or not & none were seen excepting the "Casualty Cases" till the Battalion moved back to the tent billet at Ligny-Thilloy

[Page 231]
a few miles the other side of Bapaume 4 days later

Owing to the Hun trench having about 12 to 18 Inches of water in it the men while waiting for daylight sat on the parapet smoking Hun Cigars knowing that the enemy shell fire would start in earnest as soon as they obtained a view of how matters stood which they could from the top of the ridge in front which really ought to have been our objective & the men would have made it so had they not already been blamed for over running an objective although the responsibility of doing so was not theirs.

While waiting some of the men were having a little practise in amateur AMC work, bandaging some of the Huns. Most of those lying about had been killed outright but four or five wounded were close handy. Seven or eight men were patching up a young Hun about 17 or 18 years of age who looked as scared as death itself which he evidently expected was coming every next minute whereas the men were doing their best in their own way to assure him that he was alright He had a terrible wound in the arm & hand.

Just before daylight "broke" the 55th Battn could be seen charging to attack the village of Doinez [Transcriber’s note: Doignies] about a mile away on the far side of the Bapaume-Cambrai road. In the distance the men looking very small, could be seen running up & then they quickly entered the village.

The watching men, – some of them putting on plenty of "side" & style in the manner they were smoking their Hun Cigars – passed remarks
Rippin! Dont yer know! My! That was pretty work! Bai Jove! It didnt take them long! & so on.

When all of a sudden the men of the 55th could be seen running back as fast as their legs could carry them. Back! right out of the village!

The men watching, not in fun now, started to their feet exclaiming,

[Page 232]
My G[dash] What can be the matter! What does it mean! Running Back!! & No one following!

Some of them "guessed" immediately the reason. The place must be mined!

Doinez as seen by the watching men appeared a village of some considerable size, peacefully resting every house intact amidst the wide expanse of far stretching wheat fields. Two very large buildings of some architectural pretensions could be seen towering above the remaining tile covered houses.

While intently watching the 55th retirement to about 200 or 300 yards back from the village, the nearest, of the two large buildings, estimated to be a Sugar refinery, was seen to suddenly collapse, just like a house of Cards & fall to the ground a mere mass of loose bricks! Mined! was the instant ejaculation from many lips.

Immediately afterwards the second large building presumably the Town Hall collapsed in just such a similar manner. As the dust & debris from both these buildings could be clearly seen, one of the watching men became a bit scared when he saw a whitish looking cloud ascend & he immediately gave the Gas Alarm!

It was with the greatest difficulty that those round him could be convinced that the white clouds arose from the explosion of the two mines, & that "Gas Alarm" was likely to endanger our own men at the bottom end of the trench when the Hun batteries opened on them in Gas masks. Only by walking up to & standing near them unharmed without a mask could they be induced to take the masks off.

As soon as the two principal buildings in Doinez "fell", the Hun batteries opened in earnest & the watching men plainly saw every house in the village "Smashed to Smithereens" before their eyes by means of "traversing" high explosive Shells. Starting at the nearest end methodical shell fire reduced a beautiful peaceful looking to a chaotic series of brick heaps in the course of a very few moments.

[Page 233]
Well knowing that it would soon be their turn to feel the effects of this terrible shell fire, the watching men were thus warned to take up "posies" (positions) in the Hun trench wet & all as it was. Thus was afforded a close examination of the trench and its surroundings.

The trench itself was a new one just recently dug and it looked "pretty good". At regular intervals dug outs or Shelters were placed in the parapet, where those not on duty were very comfortably protected from the weather & although the attack had been made in fine weather, rain & sleet starting to fall made these shelters very welcome.

From the left flank the first three shelters had been left by the Huns "just as they were" Clothes were hanging up, all round the dug out on hooks, their evening meal had been laid on the table & a huge "dixie" of what they evidently called Coffee, was standing near the Chair at the head of the table. In the 4th 5 & 6th shelters the Clothes etc had been hastily tied into bundles, but left on the table, in the 7th & 8th the bundles had been removed, but in one of these were two dead Huns. Killed by means of bombs for having shot one of B Coy’s men (M[dash]s) on the parapet.

The Huns had got an awful "doing". While looking at the Hun inside the dug out his position was such that it looked as if he was feigning death. While the Sentry & another man were calling on the Hun to "get up" his lower jaw moved. As the Sentry had his bayonet "in position" the other man called out, "Drive it through him if he wont get up he is only shamming"

Poking with the bayonet the Sentry could tell the man was dead

Put it through him to make sure

[Page 234]
in any case said the man. No’ said the Sentry that is not playing the game Put it through him yourself. The man started eagerly forward to do so, but then stopped & said I suppose it is hardly right, I could put it through a live Hun, but not a "dead ’un".

The other Hun was seen to have "a parcel from Berlin" in his hand. It certainly would not stay there long when the trench was manned.

All the other Shelters further down the trench had been "cleaned" out by the Huns, having had more time to do so that those on the left flank.

To most of the men, who thought at all, it was quite a mystery how a single man had been able to get up to that trench in the charge considering the fire that they had been subjected to, but they were much more mystified when the trench was "discovered" to be so well protected with barbed wire, but their astonishment was increased twofold when an examination showed that the Huns had had Machine guns placed in that trench every ten yards, (or thereabouts) apart.

There could be no disputing this for the bases of three of these Machine Guns had been left behind by the Huns in their wild, mad, rush to get away, & going lower down the trench the Machine gun positions and piles of empty shells showed plainly where the other Machine Guns had been working & in one case a whole belt of shells, the belt being 20 feet long but doubled in two. These Machine guns being further away from where the attack "first fell", had been removed intact.

Even when looked at calmly & cooly from the top of the trench the barbed wire looked terrible, & without any fire at all, Straggers who were occasionally coming up to it, could not possibly cross it even

[Page 235]
at their ease & every one had to enter the trench by means of the gate through which the men taking the trench had passed when attacking. The whole of that wire was standing then & probably is to this day.

As the conditions were made more clear with closer association, even the most thoughtless amongst the men were forced to wonder how they had succeeded in carrying the position. Why! only one of the Machine Guns commanding that gate could have piled the dead almost as high as a hill without letting one single man through! & yet within 30 yards, the bases of three Machine Guns still stood where the empty shells showed they had been worked hard, let alone all the other Machine Guns & Rifles. The Clothes in three of the dug outs indicated that the trench had been fully manned & the Rifle fire along the whole trench continuous, if the empty "cases" served as an indication.

One Gun making it impossible to enter, the other guns & rifles should have been able to have mown down the whole battalion at leisure. Long before the advancing line got within striking distance it should have been "smashed" for every one of the attackers must have been in view for at least 500 or 600 yards walking calmly down a newly harvested wheat field with not so much as a blade of grass to afford cover, if wanted.

The only conclusion arrived at was that the attack was such a thoroughly complete surprise that all the Huns had received such a bad shock to their "nerves" that they neither could hold either Machine Guns or Rifles steady & their aiming must have been "hellishly" high in the air.

One steady Machine Gunner should have swept that battalion out of existance but even if they had waited till the advancing men had reached the wire the latter could

[Page 236]
have all been shot like rats in a trap.

With men, no matter how many, with nerves "on the jump" or "frayed to a frazzle", it can easily be imagined that Fear reached its Climax and "Panic" reigned supreme, the moment of hearing, seemingly so very close, such a heartening resounding Cheer, from the attackers, really 5 to 70 yards away, Nothing else, in explanation, is feasible than at this moment they must have turned & bolted like a lot of frightened sheep, & although to the pursuers, appearing in droves running across the 150 yards of open country to the village, the attackers had to refrain from firing for fear of "knocking" any of their own men who might be close up to them.

A Summing up of the situation as it appeared, just at daylight on the morning of 2nd April /17, was that with the Machine Guns alone that the Huns must have had at their disposal, twenty British School boys would have held that trench against twice or three times the number – that had attacked and taken it with very little loss, – and made it a regular shambles for the attackers. The Battalions greatest losses occurred from shell fire that followed, starting at daylight all Monday & Tuesday day & night.

Of course the least failure would have no doubt brought about a similar state of affairs for this battalion as the fourth Division suffered at Bullacourt which was being attacked the same night four or five miles to the left, where the whole division moving out at midnight succeeded in reaching the wire, one hour before day light, undetected, anxiously awaited the expected arrival of 10 or 12 Tanks detailed to cut the wire, but these Tanks never came, & the unfortunate 4th Div men had nothing else to do but retire under a withering fire, from the much surprised Huns, in broad day light. The Huns will certainly not be caught napping there the next time.

In an attack especially while waiting for the moment, "To Go", is a very anxious & trying time, and a nervous strain at

[Page 237]
the thought of what might happen any minute.

While moving forward at the "quick march" the nerves tingle, the blood courses through the veins, the eyes look straight ahead, eagerly watching to perceive the least movement in front, the first crack, or two, of bullets, passing close, might cause the whispered expression, That was close! but as the movement goes forward the very fact that one is moving, is doing something, tends largely to relieve the intense strain notwithstanding every step brings one into a "thicker" or denser mass of metal. A momentary glance to the right & left to see how the line is going, then a steady look ahead, eyes kept fixed on that line of fire, the flame of which at first in patches, now coming closer & closer, till at last along the whole length nothing appears but a sheet of unbroken flame.

Hulloa! Whats that! Some one down a bare look, you wonder who it is, but not a second’s stop, the line keeps going. To the left a distinct hedge of bushes can now be clearly seen, & where this ends the trench begins. The unbroken line of flame extends along the hedge & right along the trench.

For an instant the attention is distracted another man down he crashes to the ground instinctively the though flashes "Killed", a second man slips down quietly at his side, "Wounded" or perhaps he might have stopped to help his "pal". This second act would be against orders, but under such conditions who is to be the judge of any mans control of feelings.

The firing now is so very heavy that even when moving one wonders how any man can remain safe under what "sounds" as a veritable wall of bullets coming at one.

A knock on the foot, a heavy painful knock, makes one leap in the air, expecting to fall in a heap with an injured foot, but no! probably a bullet in glancing off has caused the sudden pain. Still going on, Yes! that foot is hurt, one can now feel the boot filling

[Page 238]
with blood, but still going on (The boot had been struck but the fancied blood was mud)

Charge!!! With an exultant cry, just as if they had been a little bit late in starting, & "away" goes that line of darting dashing men, now one in the lead, then back again, as it were, he comes, now another out in front, some few drop behind, & for some yards the see-sawing takes place, but the line as a whole is apparently as straight as when at "Quick March"

Of course the good ground accounts to a great extent for this. After running about 50 yards, the Sentry comes down with a crash, his rifle flies yards ahead & after a momentary Shock he quickly rises, not in the calmest or most placid humour, ejaculating words that hardly could be termed polished. His foot had been caught in a tripping wire placed 6 Inches above ground in front of a partly sunken road.

As soon as he arose & secured his rifle he crossed that sunken road (high only on one side) in two bounds & was up again in place in that still advancing line. Oh! how far that flame ejecting trench seemed, much more so now as the crash had shaken him up somewhat. Although commencing to feel "done" he was still up with the leaders but the "bellows" were commencing to "blow" pretty badly.

Would that hideous looking line never be reached? Then Hur -Rah!!! A stirring cheer ran right along the length of the line of panting men, rousing the painfully depressing feeling of physical strain & the last 50 to 70 yards were cleared without an effort. Hardly time to think! When My G-d! What is this!!! The careering line leaders had run into a "murderous" entanglement of barbed wire impossible to break, cross or pass!! The men ground their teeth in vexation and almost dispair & cursing loudly all & sundry, dropped the next second, to the ground, to get ready to fire & "do your damnest"!

Then Here’s a bally gate! rang out from the fourth man away, & in the

[Page 239]
dash to get through & into the trench to meet the Hellish Huns all the strain of physical exhaustion, dissappears almost miraculously, for after running down the trench the dash across the last 150 yards to the village, was just like the start of another race.

During the time of waiting on the parapet for the Hun shell fire to commence, opportunity was taken to look at and endeavour to talk to a few of the Hun wounded lying about, but although these men appeared to understand they would disclose nothing of military importance & pretended not to know what was said, so after seeing that their Rifles & ammunition had been removed and their pockets ransacked for anything at all whether of military importance or not, (generally a Hun prisoner will "offer" anything of value presumably to propitiate the Captor) they were left till the Stretcher bearers could give them attention.

When eventually the Stretcher bearers & AMC came along they started to dress the wounds of the first Hun prior to placing him on the Stretcher, when very much to their surprise he said in the plainest English, "I do not want a British bandage placed on me!".

The Stretcher bearer party at once stopped & told him if not politely You can bally well go to H[dash] the most natural place for you You [dash]!

By twelve O’clock that day, little piles of snow represented the wounded Huns who were all still by that time, the cold had "settled" them, all except the scowling wretch who had declined the dressing, & he was seen to be dragging himself across the snow covered field in the direction where the Hun line lay.

Of course he was watched, the men would not let him get out of sight. Some wanted to shoot him at once under the plea of trying to escape, in order to put him out of his misery, but the others strongly

[Page 240]
objected saying No! Let the [dash] Hun get all that is coming to him,! he wanted it! now he has got it!

He gave his last dying kick at 3 Oclock, having dragged his shattered leg about 100 yards. The men gave him his "send off" or requiem when they saw he was dead:– You are just now, where you ought to be You [dash].

As soon as the Huns’ work of destruction of the village of Doinez had been completed, the men in the attack on Louverval knew they would be immediately under torturing shell fire.

The screech of the very first oncoming shell sent them all "ducking" into the trench. Those men stationed along the "Wood" front had to dig in as quickly as possible & keep down

The Battalion objective having been gained & the attack proved a success the attackers knew that they would have to hold the position for 24 hours & notwithstanding how tired wet & weary they were nor how hungry & thirty, they would have to "stick it" out for 24 hours before being relieved. Under these conditions the first thing the men in the trench did after fully inspecting & thoroughly examining it, was to post themselves in "posies" then posting one man on Sentry work the others commenced pulling down portions of the lower walls of the parapet, to mix with the water so that in the form of mud the water could be shovelled out of the trench.

The men undertook this work themselves for at this time not even an NCO was present.

After working very assiduously for over an hour the bottom of the trench began to look as if it would be possible to stand thereon without water coming over the boot tops, but just when another half an hour would have made a good job of it, the Captain in charge of B Coy came into the trench making his Headquarters on the left flank Near the gate, and one of his first actions was to remove 5 or 6

[Page 241]
A Coy men, who had made their bay in the trench fairly comfortable, 50 or 60 yards further down where the water was even deeper.

A Coy men strongly objected to this change! Why could he not send his own men to the new place? Why should A Coy men whose work made a bad "posie" a good one, have to hand it over to B Coy men who had done nothing to improve it? The Officer was told, It was plainly evident A Coy had no officers & he was taking advantage of it!

Of course talk like this should have been resented but the officer must have known he was doing wrong in treating A Coy men in this manner. Like everything in the Army it is self comfort, & self interest invariably first all the time.

Naturally he wanted his own men to be as comfortable as possible but for it he certainly had to put up with some insolence & the men suffering would never forget it, no matter how fine an officer he might possibly prove later.

When posted in the new position they did not even attempt to improve it for they did not know how long they would occupy it.

Half an hour after this A Coy’s Sergt put in an appearance & tried to get the A Coy men put back in the post they had improved but he failed. He explained that he had been posting men on the "Wood" front and on the left.

Shells from the Hun batteries had been continuously falling all along the trench since day light but although it was bursting close so far no casualties had been reported so far.

Snow rain & sleet fell alternately & standing in the bays with water over the boot tops & snow piling on the hat & coat did not tend to make the men too cheerful probably the shell-fire so long as it fell harmlessly was really a blessing in disguise for it certainly kept the men from feeling too acutely

[Page 242]
the lesser troubles of cold, wet, mud, & a shortness of "tucker"

The Sergt of A Coy having gone to inspect a Machine gun position on the left flank sent a very urgent message back to the 5 or 6 A Coy. men in the trench to join him at the Machine Gun position on the left at once as things there were looking bad & the Hun were evidently preparing to counter attack.

The Sergt who was one of the finest men in the world, but who on his own admission did not know much about the theory & drill book order of warfare, should of course have sent the runner to the Captain in charge to send the men along but as he only thought about having the men "up" as quickly as possible he sent the runner to them personally.

Taking in the situation the Sentry turning to the other A Coy men said Well are you fellows coming? They replied, You cant leave this post as the Capt of B Coy posted you himself? The Sentry replied. I understand all that but for one I am going to the Sergt!! Oh’ well! If you are going we will all go!

The 5 or 6 A Coy men followed the runner. The Sentry went forward to the Capt of B Coy to report. Where are you men going? The Sentry explained the situation & got the runner to give the Sergts message. The Capt replied, You men go back to your post at once!

The Sentry replied I for one will not go back, no matter what you (the Capt) might do now or afterwards, he was going to A Coy’s Sergt, for a message so urgent would not have been sent unless men were wanted & at once instead of being delayed here in a red tape manner like this. The other A Coy men then said they also would go to their Sergt.

The Sentry informed the Capt of B Coy that since the attack started he (the Sentry) had not seen one officer or NCO. excepting his own Sergeant, & he (the Sergt) represented

[Page 243]
all in authority of A Coy & he considered the Sergt still in the same position temporarily as O/C. The Capt of B Coy then said, I suppose you had better go! According to official red tape proceedure the Sentry knew he had no right to answer a Sergt summons when under a Capt’s jurisdiction, but he knew the Sergt considered the Machine Gun position was in danger & wanted quick support so there was no time to consider the question of military etiquette on such an occasion.

Although the A Coy men "doubled" out they were shocked, before going more than a hundred yards at seeing the Sergt & the Machine Gun crew coming back to the trench.

The Sergt explained that the position had been heavily shelled & eventually was blown in & that C M[dash] in charge of the Gun had been wounded so severely in the abdomen that it was impossible to move him & he had to be left till a quieter time, that the other expert gunners G[dash] & G[dash] had been wounded one in arm the other in the shoulder, the remainder of the crew escaped & the gun saved. The Sergt was told the circumstances of the delay in answer to his summons, & was recommended to report the present position to the Capt in charge & ask for instructions

The Sentry having camped in billets with the machine gun crew made it his business to see the wounded men. They spoke of their own injuries very lightheartedly but considered poor C M[dash]’s injuries too severe to give him the least chance. It was quite impossible to remove him without the proper appliances.

This news was very depressing as the Machine Gun crew were all very fine men & the wounded men, also G[dash] absent sick, were splendid gunners.

The Sergt came back with instructions to dig in as best as could be done & await developments. After waiting about half an hour as nothing but shell fire eventuated they went back to the trench.

At this time the snow commenced

[Page 244]
to fall in earnest, so thick did it come down that firing of all kinds ceased on both sides. The whole landscape was simply obliterated from view, in fact, although mid day nothing could be seen more than 5 or 6 yards away

Under these conditions extra precautions were taken in the bays, in case of a counter attack every man was on Sentry duty, & each afforded the others quite a lot of fun on account of the quaint appearance worked by the snow. Each Sentry was simply a moving mass of snow with a broad grin in the middle of the small nob on top, with a snow stick carried at the side (his rifle)

Just at this time the Sentries were startled by the appearance, all of a sudden, of an apparition from out of the white mist, waving his arms & calling for A Coy.

The man had taken a big risk but his calling out saved him. He was a Sergt Major sent round to collect all A Coy men who were to go at once to support the men holding the wood. He was told to go & see the Capt in charge, he replied he had come from him. This was unlikely, but the men did not stop to consider so long as he delivered the message as from Capt of B Coy, the man was the Sergt Major of B Coy.

Away the A Coy men hurried, the six were joined by 9 others & with the platoon Sergt were sent to the front of the wood to hold a post.

On the journey through the wood they could picture the whole position

Evidently a very rich man owned the whole countryside. His beautiful Chateau was surrounded by a very fine wood, the village, Louverval, adjoining the wood evidently belonged to him also as did the farmed wheat lands as far as the eye could see.

The village and Chateau had been reduced to ruins, complete ruins of the most reduced kind. The whole of the very fine trees forming the wood had been sawn down about 3 feet from the ground Some of the trunks were 4 to 5 ft in diameter

[Page 245]
Everything showed the effect of the terrible shell fire. Loss & desolation every where. While wending their way through this depressing scene, the men were agreeably surprised to see a wonderfully beautiful glass Summer house still standing intact not a single piece of the beautifully colored & decorative glass being broken. This pretty little house looked particularly inviting amidst such dreary surroundings & falling snow. Under its protection the whole front could have been watched in great comfort. But almost as soon as seen instead of even going near let alone occupy it, the men made a wide detour at greater risk than before, because the batteries had opened fire again.

When passing this Summer house at 3 oclock the next day not a piece of glass was left, the size of a mans hand. The place had been left as a trap but our men did not fall into it, the Huns merely wasted their shells on it.

After making the detour to avoid the the little glass Summer house the men approaching the front edge of the wood saw what they at once called another trap.

The Huns had built a stage in the Sunken road with the object of removing the largest logs of timber for use, but when nearing this place it was seen that 9 or 10 of these large logs had been innocently left behind. A space had been left between each log and a sufficient quantity of chips to enable a man to lie down in comfort, thus being out of the wet & mud.

After examining the details the men quietly smiled & looking towards the distant ridge said Oh no! Mr Cunning Hun!, You are not going to get us to walk straight into such a nice trap as that, tempting as it might look!, and another detour was made eventually the sunken road was reached and a start made to "dig in".

Just so soon as the men commenced their work, the close "cracking" and "pinging" of passing bullets made things so hot that it was simply impossible to stay there, however a

[Page 246]
position was found within a few yards where a hastily dug trench just wide enough to stand up in & just deep enough to be lower than the top of the bank in front, enabled the men to have a "look round" & take stock of the conditions.

The firing that had forced the men out of the sunken road to where they were, was found to be coming from a party of Huns on the right of that sector. These Huns looking as big as, & very like, walking beer barrels, in their long overcoats, offered a splendid target, but the men with difficulty refrained from firing, for their instructions were to hold the line & report every movement but not to give their own actual position away by making any movement to shoot.

Some of the more reckless had to be pressed to hold themselves in

Along this front men were posted in tens fifteens & twenties & one lot of 20 in charge of a B Coy NCO was within a few yards of where the last lot had "dug in".

Along the top of the ridge in front the Huns who had been chased out of the wood & had probably ran back to their support line before stopping had evidently come back & could now be seen digging in, and as they were not fired on they became more confident till at last parties of 17. 18. & 20 men could be plainly seen walking about & digging a trench along the top of the ridge. The same ridge which, when the attack was on should, in the opinion of the men, have been made their objective instead of the edge of the "sawn down" wood in the shallow valley between the two ridges.

When standing in the original trench in the early morning when the shell fire started those holding the trench by looking back over the ground over which the charge had been made could see the devilish work of the Hun gunners.

As soon as daylight broke working

[Page 247]
parties of stretcher bearers could be seen moving about in the open collecting wounded men & it was noticed whenever three or more collected together a shell would be landed in close proximity, but notwithstanding this galling fire, the "bearers" continued to work as if there was nothing doing

Although there were very many "close shaves" those watching saw that the "bearers" continued to work without great loss but after the A Coy men moved to the new position it was subsequently reported the stretcher bearers were not so lucky

In addition to the "traps" already mentioned the Huns had left standing a small hut on the top end of the wood and another on the front edge of it.

Although both these huts were considered by the men to have been purposely left by the Huns who no doubt had their range to a yard & therefore were to be widely avoided, the stretcher bearers on account of the heavy falling snow decided to place the severely wounded men in the "top" hut for although it was taking a risk, the men placed there, would have died if left exposed to the falling snow, in any case, whereas they might have a chance if protected from the weather till they could be carried to the aid post, later on, as soon as the ambulances could return.

A few hours later it was reported that when 16 men, all the hut could hold, had been placed therein, all stretcher cases, & therefore plainly visible to the Huns as being quite out of action these devils sent a shell right into the hut & killed every man.

One of these men, S[dash], having been known to have been a patient at Wareham England with the Sentry, the latter was sent a message to say that poor S[dash] (who had had a second wound bad enough to take him to "Blighty" & who had expressed his pleasure of being "out of it") had been amongst the men killed in the hut.

[Page 248]
Later in the day the men received another piece of depressing news which was badly felt, after the first.

Shortly after the work of the charge was over, one of D Coys’ officers hearing that A Coy had suffered pretty badly & wanted support in their sector, holding the front of the wood, moved a party of 32 men on to the left of the wood, & on account of the cold & snow told his men to seek temporary cover in the lower hut (near the front line) while he had a look round to find a position that would afford some protection.

No sooner had the men entered the hut than a shell struck it 16 men were reported killed & the officer wounded in the thigh. As this officer was looked upon as a "very fine fighter" the loss of his men (& his own injuries) were acutely felt.

As the day wore on, reports kept continually coming in of such & such a one being "skittled", this one being "knocked" & that one "missing" that it looked as if it only wanted a few more hours of such work to "blot out the lot". Another piece of bad news was received later – A Coy men feeling the loss particularly.

A man, who happened to be a very great "pal" of theirs, was seen by a party of eight stretcher bearers belonging to A Coy to be very badly wounded, but to approach him was very difficult owing to the regular rain of shells that was falling, however it was decided to creep up along the hedge & see if they could not manage to get him in. After working up so as to come just opposite to where the man was lying the leader of the party decided that he should go out, to the man bandage the wounds, & arrange the stretcher, when the other men could come out, place the wounded man on the stretcher & carry him to cover. The leader went out prepared the man & spread the stretcher, but just as the other men were starting

[Page 249]
to carry the wounded man back the Huns landed a shell fair amongst the party killing three, wounding two. & shell shocking the others so badly that for some time they would be useless, it is problematic if ever, they would regain their nerve.

All that Monday afternoon & night the men posted on the front line had nothing to do but keep watch so as to report if anything happened or looked like happening on the ridge, then being strengthened by the Huns. Again their instructions were not to fire, to give away the position. That thinly held front line had received instructions that any counter attack had to be stopped at all costs, and each post must be held.

From such an excellent view point, as the top of the ridge afforded, the Huns could plainly see that our men were posted on the edge of the wood & their batteries had kept up a ceaseless fire but without actually "getting" any of the "posts".

Their guns could not have been more than a mile & a half away for the shells were just clearing the top of the sunken road. This fire made it very dangerous to expose any portion of the body to view, only the men taking their turns on Sentry duty were looking over the parapet, keeping the top of their tin helmets just level with the bank. Although these shells were just missing the parapet they were bursting harmlessly about 15 or 20 yards back amongst the trunks & branches of the fallen timber, this timber evidently smothering the spread of most of the bullets when each shell burst.

In addition to this fire batteries were periodically "traversing" the whole of the wood. Starting at the top end they "traversed" from side to side working right down to the bottom or the front of the wood. At intervals this was kept going night & day.

No man dare get up out of the trench for a stretch or a walk

[Page 250]
otherwise he would have been "skittled".

The only time that a chance did occur was when the snow fell so heavily that the firing did not appear so accurate, but notwithstanding, this on Tuesday the men being so very tired & stiff they took the risk to get out to have a stretch & a lie down on their oilsheets, but quickly got back again.

All Monday day & night the men had to stand or lean against the back of a narrow hastily dug trench so close together that they touched one another without room to lie or even sit down & owing to the continual shell bursts it was impossible to go to sleep. The men having to leave the original trench in such a hurry, had left their "iron rations" in the dug outs or shelters there, so that since leaving the billets at Fremicourt on Sunday night they had had nothing to eat except what crumbs might be scraped from the bottom of their haversacks, & with nothing to drink, notwithstanding all the snow, & rain & sleet, for the water in their bottles was frozen hard. The men would take the bottle from its holder, place it under the arm then shake it smartly with the hope of thawing out a few drops.

The explosives from the shells had covered all the snow with a coating similar to coal dust, and to take a mouthful of this caused dysentry.

The tired men would carefully place their rifle on the top of the bank so that the barrel & breech would not be muddied & would then lean forward with their arms on the mud to try to sleep but were kept constantly nodding from the shock of the shells bursting in close proximity.

After nightfall the strain became awful. Some of the men at times almost cried in sheer desperation at the futility of getting sleep.

As the night grew darker, the sentries had to be posted out of the trench itself & had to stand

[Page 251]
about a dozen yards away, close alongside the butt of a tree, the top of which had been sawn off, for the danger of a counter attack looked very great, and only by standing up clear of the trench could a proper view be obtained in the bad light. As the night wore on there was not one man who did not pray that one of the many shells would come close enough to knock him out, for good or otherwise.

This was one of the most miserably trying nights, so far spent in France not being able to move, lie, down, or stretch & not being able to sleep if they left the trench to do so, & yet feeling weary & tired enough to sleep in a pond.

Standing upright in mud & muddy water leaning against mud, & resting the arms on mud with every now & then a fall of snow or rain to keep them wet or to trickle down the back of the neck whenever the neck was bent.

In expectation of a strong & fierce counter attack at any time during the night the men did not wear their "Balaclava caps" or Cap comforters, they wanted nothing that was likely to inconvenience them if heavy fighting was to take place

The shell fire had been gradually creeping nearer & nearer, but concerning which the men had really become so callous that it did not worry them, so that when the sentries were going on to the post or on being relieved they just walked in & out quite calmly not caring, if they were going to be hit well they would be hit & that would end it.

At four oclock in the morning the Sentry & his partner had just come "off post" & one of the relief men had taken his position at the tree trunk, the other was stretching himself after stepping out of the trench cursing his luck at having to go through such a wearysome experience. The Sentry had stepped into the trench & was resting his head on his arms on the mud

[Page 252]
in front, his partner had one leg in the trench & was in the act of putting the other leg in, when a shell suddenly burst just three feet away.

After recovering from the ear splitting detonation & the terrible vibration & scraping away the covering of mud, a glance showed a great hole made by the shell just three feet away.

Of course every man in that trench & the one close to it was startled & calls arose Any on hit? Yes! the Sentry’s partner had a great gash in his thigh & also in the calf of his leg & but for the raising o f it to place it in the trench, the two pieces of shrapnel that wounded him would have gone right into the back of the Sentry. After the first shock of the explosion was over each man was called but the second relief man who had been stretching himself did not answer.

He was then seen to be quietly lying right across his own position at the end of the little trench, with his head & shoulders on the parapet & his legs on the parados. He looked as if he was sleeping, peacefully sleeping, without a single mark of scratch.

The men knew very well, he surely, was asleep. His last long sleep. It was really hard to believe. He died with a pleasant smile on his face just as if all his troubles were over. He was killed by concussion.

Poor B[dash]’s troubles are ended! Perhaps he is better off than we are! were the remarks made while the men were realising he had "Gone West". Although all knew he was dead so naturally did he look as if only asleep, by common consent he was allowed to lie untouched till daylight to really make sure.

After the momentary calm of this discovery had passed attention was turned to the others.

The Sentry’s partner’s wounds were examined, & he was congratulated

[Page 253]
He shouted out What oh! You [dash]s I’m bound for "Blighty"!! (this was the man of whisky fame)

The replies he received were. You lucky [dash]!, You always were lucky!

Further examination showed that the sentry although with the other two only three feet from the shell burst, escaped without a single scratch, but the next three men were suffering so badly from shell shock that they would have to "go out" at once

Therefore it was arranged that the shell shocked men should do their best to assist the wounded man & they started – eagerly started – to report to Company Headquarters at the back of the wood, – it was simply part of a wall without even an NCO in charge let alone an officer – & then continue on a long walk to the aid post.

They eventually reached their destination without further mishap but the shell-shocked men were sent on to the base, the Doctor would not allow them to go back again The loss of these five men gave a little more room but did not lessen the misery.

At day light although hard to believe every man in the trench was satisfied that the man lying across the end of the trench was dead.

With the dawn matters did not mend in fact if anything they became worse, so bad that the B Coy Sergt Major informed A Coy Sergt at six oclock that the Sergt & his men would have to hold the post alone as he the Sergt Major, & his men were going out.

The Sergt wanted to know by whose orders the Sergt Major was taking out his 20 men & handing the position over to the Sergt, especially when not one man of his 20 had been touched whereas the Sergts men had been reduced to 10.

The Sergt Major simply said he was senior NCO & the Sergt had to take instructions from him.

As they passed out the remarks of the Sergt & his men were too

[Page 254]
"pointed" to be written down.

Just at this time one of the Sergts men was found to have "trench feet" so that he went out with the "brave" Sergt Major & the 20. The Sergts party was thus reduced to 9.

The shelling still continued but as nothing could be done the men left behind had simply to grin & bear it.

After the Sergt Major & his men had gone out of range of the "chorus" that quickened their movements, the man killed by concussion was quietly turned placed in the bottom of the trench & buried but as the mans disc had not been taken off he was uncovered & both this & his private papers & effects obtained & then buried on the spot he had occupied

It was rather a sad function & care had to be taken in the operation for shells were passing just over the mens’ heads. It almost seemed as if the Huns could see what was taking place & were trying their best to bury the lot at once.

After the mud had been filled in only one man could finish the work – standing in the trench itself – this man said The grave must have a cross & although the other men including the Sergt tried to deter & discourage him, on account of the "unnecessary" risk he would run, he crawled out on his hands & knees to the wood exposed to the bursting shells obtained two sticks, safely returned & put up a cross at the head of the "Grave" where the dead man’s rifle & helmet were also placed.

Naturally while this was going on the feelings of the men looking on were rather depressed with anxiety but the successful completion soon dissipated their fears.

Efforts were then made to become better settled in the trench vacated by the 20 men the other one would soon be blown in, in any case the Huns having got the exact range it was untenable.

During the morning two more men left with either rheumatism or trench feet they could not tell which,

[Page 255]
they complained of their condition & had to go. The post was thus reduced to seven.

During the night the men in this trench were wondering how the post in sight on the right has fared for they appeared to have suffered no neglect from the Hun batteries but as morning wore on they were seen to be alright which was comforting but what improved matters much more was the fact that they had received some rations. This knowledge induced one of the seven men to volunteer to "go out" and apply to the B Coy Capt for rations for the party & at twelve oclock returned with some bread & jam & what was best of all a good nip of rum which was so welcome that the conditions did not seem so bad afterwards.

While enjoying this "feed" the men wondered why such a generous supply had been issued but this was explained by the man saying. I was not fool enough to tell the Captain that the "post" had been reduced from 15 to 7!. So they had 3 slices of bread & plenty of jam, and another slice was kept for later on.

According to ordinary recognized custom this post should have been relieved at 11 oclock on Monday night & every man had been looking forward to the relief with expectant pleasure but as each hour went by hope dwindled.

Hope for relief that day vanished completely when information was received by the man bringing in the rations that it would be impossible for relief to be sent & they would have to hold on for another 24 hours

It was stated that the officers of the fourth battalion which had hitherto relieved the 56th had reported to the officer holding the line that as the 4th Battn had marched 25 miles on the Monday the men were not in a fit state to take over a front line, especially one that might be counter attacked at any moment.

The best they could do was to move

[Page 256]
move one Coy (B) to the support line & they could not think of letting the other Coys take over the front line till they were rested properly.

Those waiting to be relieved cursed their "stiff" luck but now knowing they had to "stick it" for another 24 hours they became resigned

The incident of bringing in, & enjoying the "tucker" brightened up the drooping spirits of the men & by the time the meal was over they were quite cheerful & "chirpy".

About one oclock in the afternoon the Sergt called for a man to relieve the Sentry on duty, to enable the latter to have his meal of bread & jam & nip of Rum. & the nearest one G[dash] took the post at the end of the trench

Knowing the position was in view of the Huns on the ridge in front, care had to be taken not to expose the head or any part of the body which would have made a good target for the enemy gunners.

At this period the Huns working on the ridge evidently realising that our men would not fire became so very confident that one openly jumped up on to the parapet of the trench they were digging & began to arrange the mud forming the parapet.

One of the men who had been keenly watching his movements stated "The temptation is too great, I must have a shot at that man!

Although he was requested not to do so as the Hun Machine gunners on the right would probably start enfilading he said, Oh! I must really stop that Hun working so openly!, & with that he trained his rifle on the "target" & fired. The Hun dropped at once but struggled to his feet when it was seen that he had evidently been badly hit in the leg for he appeared to drag it till he reached the edge of the trench when the other Huns assisted him into the trench.

Nothing of any consequence happened

[Page 257]
immediately but in about a quarter of an hour the whole of the seven men in the post were suddenly knocked down by the explosion of a shell, a "whizz-bang" just about 3 feet beyond the trench.

After recovering from the "roar" & shock & brushing the dirt out of the eyes enquiries were made, Any one hit? before replies could be given another shell burst just immediately in front.

Again the shock knocked every man down & they kept down till all the splinters had stopped falling. Some of the men were then really wishing that the pieces of mud (frozen) that kept falling on their backs, would really prove pieces of metal so that it would be their turn to go out to the aid post, but shortly after each man stood up without hurt of any kind.

Within half a minute of the second shell bursting, a third came along but this one "flattened" them all out & covered them more or less with mud & dirt. From the force with which they were thrown down & the "stunning" effect of the explosion the men knew the shell had burst, in the trench itself.

Immediately upon getting clear of the mud & dirt each man as he recovered from the horrible shock stood up and asked very anxiously Who’s hit?.

It could scarce be possible for a shell to burst right in a trench not more than fifteen or twenty feet long by two feet wide, without doing some damage.

The Sergeant like all the others had been standing with his back to the parapet but this shell in bursting had turned him right round & thrown him on his back on the parados which was several feet lower than the parapet and as the men could see on his left arm just

[Page 258]
near the elbow, a clot of blood about the size of a mans hand they said Sergt! You’re hit! but just then the poor fellow could not speak for he was badly shell-shocked but by rubbing his arm he was able to show that the blood was not his & that he had escaped being wounded.

Then as the Sentry’s coat was very much splashed with blood they said Well! It must be you! but the Sentry replied, No! I have not been touched!

As the last man to rise, having been more covered with mud, through being closer to the explosion, was asked if he had been wounded he merely shook his head.

He could not speak, his eyes were staring like one demented & he looked more like a man in a trance. His "tin hat" having been knocked off he mechanically picked it up & held it in his hand the man nearest him satisfied himself that he was not hurt.

Who’s hit? Some one must have been hit? How could this blood get all over the place if no one was hit? Count! one two three four five six! Some one is missing who is it? Six standing unhurt yet one man missing Who is it? At this moment one of the men pointing to the man who had just risen said one word Look!

On the top of the tin helmet held in his hand were the brains of the man who had acted as sentry.

Excepting that his rifle could be seen hanging on a bush in front of the trench not a particle of any thing else could be found anywhere of poor G[dash].

His loss was felt very much for during the whole of this trying miserable time he was easily the merriest & brightest of the party in fact he was reputed to have never lost his good humour under any trial whatever

[Page 259]
The third shell had come right through the top of the parapet & the spot, exactly where the man on duty was standing, was marked by a deep hole caused by the explosion.

The Huns having got the range there was nothing else to do but to get out of the remains of that trench as soon as possible & report to the officer in charge.

The men left in three parties with about 25 yards interval.
From the trench for about 20 or 25 yards was a slight incline or rise & to get up the slippery surface quickly each party ran but when level ground was reached started walking.

They had not gone more than 60 or 70 yards when a shell burst between the first & second parties & another between the second & third. If the men had continued running the shells would have probably "got" the second & third pairs. Under these conditions an interval of 100 yards between the parties was allowed and although again two shells burst as before but did no damage. Of course these shells were taken to be just portion of those sent over in the general bombardment & falling where they did was merely a coincidence, & not specially aimed. The "down" timber through which they were travelling no doubt smothered the flying splinters & protected the men walking out.

On reaching Coy Headquarters a message was sent to Capt of B Coy reporting both posts as having been blown in & instructions were awaited.

Very soon a message came back that the post must be held as the threatened counter attack might start at any time, but as the shelling was so continuous two men were to go out for one hour & then be relieved by two others who would keep the post till relieved by the third pair, this to be continued while daylight lasted After dark the six men

[Page 260]
would hold it together till relieved for good, which was expected at eight or nine oclock.

This work had to be carried out by the men themselves for the Sergt was still suffering from "shock", & had to lie down at "Headquarters"

It was really amusing to see how annoyed the Sergt was, not from the Shell Shock, but because he thought the men might think he was "frightened" but the men knew better than that they could not have had a "steadier" man, although they could not help heartily laughing when his efforts to light a cigarette were quite hopeless for both the cigarette in his lips & his hand with the match were shaking like a poplar leaf. One of the men at last had to light the cigarette & then hand it to him in fact placed it in his mouth.

To take "post" two men at once went straight back again, with discretionary power to get as close as possible to the front line for a clear view of the enemy without undue exposure or movement.

Although very tired & weary the same six men had to keep up this watch & one can imagine what they thought about it, especially as the 20 men who had come out at 6 o’clock in the morning had done nothing by lie down at ease behind the wall which represented "A Coys" "Headquarters" & these men were still there when the others went back again to take up their positions

As the sentry & his partner were marching through the down timber alongside a wall dividing the village of Louverval, or what remained of it, from the wood, rapid firing in the air directed their attention to a fight going on between an Allied airman & two Huns.

While they were manoevring for position, two Allied Aeroplanes darted across to support their comrade however they were too late for just as they appeared to get within range the "plane" first attacked

[Page 261]
was seen to make a "nose dive" & fall crashing behind the Hun ridge

The four continued the fight but in a short time one of the Allies & one of the Huns turned & flew very rapidly towards their individual lines, both had evidently been injured but escaped destruction The remaining planes continued the battle & it was quite an exciting spectacle to watch them using all their skill & cunning to try to gain the advantage

After 5 or 6 minutes during which the guns of both machines could be heard keeping up a continuous rattle of fire, the Allied plane suddenly "nose dived" straight towards the earth in exactly similar manner to the one that had already "crashed", but this plane was closely followed by the Hun whose Machine gun kept "spitting" bullets all the time.

When within what looked like 100 feet from the ground the Allied plane very smartly righted itself, & came flying at full speed with a wave like motion still quite close to the ground, towards our front line, reaching it both planes flew over the "fallen" timber so low that they just seemed to be clearing the branches sticking up. The wave like motion in the flight was to give the pursuing Hun as difficult a target to hit as possible, but the enemy plane was very fast & to every movement made by the Allied man the Hun moved in unison immediately. A better picture of a hawk in full "career" after its quarry could not be imagined

These airmen must think and act very quickly, a dull witted airman courageous & daring as ever he might be, with his gun out of action, and a bloodthirsty Hun expert, hanging on to his tail, pumping lead at the rate of 400 a minute would have little hope, but a quick thinking man often escapes.

With his gun out of action he tries to get clear by a "bluff" nose dive crash being followed he must look to his own line for help, the wave like motion

[Page 262]
makes absolutely perfect shooting necessary for success. Approaching the firing line he is looking for support from the Machine gunners, crossing the line for some distance without response makes him realise that his machine is blocking the attack on the Hun behind, so instantly he sharply turns to the left, immediately the rattle of every machine gun in the line tells him he is safe, the Hun has turned & is flying to his own line, for his very life. The Allied man leisurely proceeds behind his own lines to make a landing.

Both these planes were so low that the occupants could be seen as plainly as if sitting at 50 yards distance.

Once the Allied man "exposed" the Hun to the Machine gunners the fire was so solid that he even appeared more "hurried" to "flee" for his line, than the man he had chased.

As the Hun turned to "fly" one of the bullets from his gun struck the wall within 18 Inches of where the Sentry & his partner were standing, watching the fight.

Continuing their journey both took up their post & waited till relieved without incident.

During this time the Sentry’s feet which had been troublesome for some weeks began to get really painful & were almost unable to bear the weight of the body. His walking had become quite slow & the movement of his legs & feet constrained & difficult.

On coming back to this post later on the Sentry had to lie down & rest his feet although his partner was a new man as the other had been sent to act as "guide" to bring in the relief Company.

Another man belonging to one of the other, two men, posts had to be sent out because of trench feet.

As A Coy had suffered severely & were all really tired & worn out & would be physically quite unable to hold the line any longer & as the 4th Battn was still unable to send a Company

[Page 263]
the 53rd Battn were called upon to find the relief.

But it was nearly midnight before this particular post was relieved mainly due to want of experience on behalf of the guide & who after a little time collapsed & had to be sent out.

When the Company paraded to move back only 44 men answered the roll call but many had become mixed up with other Companies & for instance the Sergts post had been overlooked through the inexperience of the guide.

When eventually the time came for relief the Sentry found that it was only with great pain that he could walk at all & although the Sergt carried his rifle for a mile or two his feet were so troublesome that the speed of the others was also slow.

Seeing this and as shells were falling quite close & any one shell might "get" the whole of the men, the Sentry suggested to the Sergt to allow the others to push on, out of danger, but this he refused to do.

After going a couple of miles the Sergt had to enquire from an officer his proper direction, but as the shelling was a little more brisk here, the men pushed on quickly & were soon forty or fifty yards in front of the Sentry who was slowly sadly & sorely plodding behind.

This officer thinking the Sergt had misunderstood his direction called to him but being so far ahead the Sergt failed to hear.

Not knowing why the officer called the Sentry halted the party & the Sergt coming back, was sent to the officer. At the moment of being halted a shell struck just five or six feet in front of the leading man but being a "dud" it stuck in the mud but did not burst, however it gave the whole party a bit of a scare. Had the party not been halted some of the leading men undoubtedly would have been killed.

After this incident till the destination was reached the pace of the party was the pace of the

[Page 264]
Sentry. However after a dreary walk across muddy fields the road to the support line was "picked up" & the men were soon amongst the remaining men of the Company.

Clusters formed round each man to obtain the very latest news & enquiries made for men reported missing.

Discussing possibilities & the detail of each known wounded man time passed so quickly that it was almost morning before sleep was possible.

Having no officers in charge the men would have to wait at this old broken down Hun trench till orders were received.

As the weather was very bleak & cold the next day was spent in trying to improve the little muddy shelter & while this work was going on an additional lot of about 30 men arrived. Having been considered missing they received a hearty welcome & great was the rejoicing at the re-union.

The most of these men had been mixed up with other Companies & had stayed with them till relieved.

Turning to the Sentry two of the newcomers said What! You here!

One man then said Why! It was reported to us that you had "gone down" in the charge! The other said, We heard you had been shot in the foot & were off to Blighty again!

The Sentry explained that he supposed the report that he had been "knocked" in the charge arose from the fact that a tripping wire in front of the sunken road had caused him to fall very heavily & very suddenly to the ground, during the charge but he was able to resume his place in the rank at once.

During the process of improving the shelter several, to the onlookers, amusing incidents occurred. Owing to the shelters being dug into a sloping hill the snow & rain had so soaked the ground that several miniature "land slides" took place covering the occupants, but not deeply, with beautiful wet mud & in one case a temporary roof of Sheet Iron & old blankets collapsed, covering four men

[Page 265]
with the debris.

This occurrences tended to brighten up the men by causing roars of laughter & helped to take their minds off the losses that had been suffered.

Shortly after stew had been served for "breakfast" three of the men with very bad feet including the Sentry & the Sergt received orders to report to the Aid post (AMC) about two miles back & from thence to proceed to Hospital.

This meant a very slow & dreary walk with continual stops for one or the other. During this walk an example was seen of the speed at which the Artillery was following up the advance for two large naval guns had been moved up to within two or three miles of the support line, the front line before the charge. Having to wait to give one of the men a rest the others strolled across to the "Tommies" in charge of these guns to have a chat. The "Aussies" asked the "Tommies" if they were not taking too big a risk with such large and valuable guns in being so close to the line & within range of almost every Hun gun of even the smallest calibre & while talking shell bursts could be seen on the left behind the site of these two guns, and being without any camouflaging, or covering, they were very conspicuous. The Tommies thought they were not running much more risk than if four or five miles back.

The Aussies thought they were, being well within range of batteries of very much smaller guns, & knowing the quickness, & delight, the Huns show in "spotting" big gun positions at any time when every effort & subterfuge has been made to camouflage them, & to have two such "beauties" sticking up exposed to view for miles round to even men on foot, the Tommies were simply looking for trouble, for once "spotted" one single battery of 60 pounders, or their Hun equivalent, would put the naval guns out of action before they could possibly be removed from danger.

The Tommies laughed good humouredly

[Page 266]
and simply said the Huns would probably "bite off more than they could chew" & that they would "get more than they gave"

When leaving the "Aussies" wished the "Tommies" the best of luck & hoped their optimistic view would prove "right". However when these same "Aussies" inquired of A Coy men if they noticed or heard how these two naval guns had "got on", they were informed that one of them had been put out of action some time before A. Coy men passed them, on their march back to Coy Headquarters, and it certainly looked as if the other would go too unless removed out of danger. It must be moved to another "posie" & hidden, to save it for the Huns had the range & knew it was there.

The march back was continued and eventually the "Aid post" was reached, & the Sergt reported to the Doctor, the condition of all four men & that they proposed going on to the Battalion base at Fremicourt, as he was very busy as it was.

The march was continued & after more "dreary" walking the base was reached about six oclock in the evening.

Immediately all the men, not in action, Cooks, Ration parties, & Quarter masters fatigue men gathered round keenly interested on hearing a detailed description of the work done & were sorry to hear of those who had "gone west" reported "missing" & wounded.

Of course the minutest details of the "accidents" to any pals amongst them had to be given very fully.

Owing to the Sergt not having "produced" the men suffering from bad feet, to the Doctor & having only verbally reported to him, those men were not allowed to go in the Ambulances to Hospital & would therefore have to wait till the Doctor could leave the Aid post to come back to the base which meant a delay of 3 or 4 days before they could be attended to.

However the (local) AMC Sergt

[Page 267]
took charge of the Sergt (A Coy) & after giving him a good nip of rum, wrapped him in blankets & put him to bed alongside a good brazier fire.

The others could have nothing done for them they would simply "have" to wait till the Doctor could see them the AMC Sergt would or could accept no responsibility without official "dockets" from the Doctor being presented.

At this place one of the crew of the Stretcher bearer party, – specially mentioned as having been shelled 3 being killed – was seen & spoken to but he seemed awfully shaken up & from his appearance a long time would elapse before he could again "do his job" as before. It almost looked like "finished war" with him his nerves were evidently a complete wreck – He himself thought so too.

While being attended by the AMC Sergt, the A Coy Sergt., informed the "Sentry" that a rumour was current at this base, that the B Coy Sergt Major who had removed his 20 men back out of the front line in the wood, & did not go back again, had been recommended for a decoration & a commission, & the Sergt asked the Sentry what he thought of it

Oh! said the Sentry If asked, my opinion will be very plainly spoken! Ironical compliments were passed at the marvellous "discernment" exercised by military authorities, from "the depths of a deep dug out".

The Sentry thought it only fair that if the Sergt Major was entitled to a decoration & a commission every one of the 20 men who went out with him & remained behind the wall all day were certainly entitled to a decoration too, but if they did not get one they would probably threaten to go back to the firing line.

While waiting here the Sentry took the opportunity of going through the records of the casualties, with a view to ascertain if any of the men reported missing had been passed through

[Page 268]
the Doctors hands as wounded, but those of his own section B[dash] McC[dash] & also C M[dash] were not there nor were others belonging to the Coy.

About five oclock the following afternoon the whole of the representatives of A Coy were formed up for roll call those left in the support line had moved into the "base" billet, that same morning.

Each man, able to carry it, was issued with his pack together with what surplus rations which otherwise would have to be left behind. Not being much the rations were easily carried

The total number of A Coy men, reported present, amounted to 87 and as the number who went into action totalled 187, exactly 100 men were killed, missing and wounded.

The following day orders were received by the Sergt in Charge to proceed with the "remnants" of A Coy to a billet at Ligny-Thilloy, "about a mile or so the other side of Bapaume".

A march of about 5 miles was then started. Most of the men were very tired & sore & a good many were a little depressed at the thought of the loss of their "cobbers" or "pals".

However as the march was made under the direction of A Coy’s Sergt & was therefore without the incessant "jaw" and "roar" that usually occurs when an officer is in charge after going about two miles the feelings of depression had worn off & the whole of the men began to get quite light hearted & merry & in a very short time every man had resumed his "every day" happy go lucky manner.

Any humourous incident that had happened was "loudly" retailed for the benefit of all & general, chaff was the order of the day. One man caused quite a hearty laugh by relating that a certain very well known officer (not in A Coy) well known, if for no other reason, because he held the reputation of being the finest officer in the battalion for seeing that the men were fed. Whenever on duty in connection with "tucker", he always saw that if "tucker" was to be obtained no matter who else

[Page 269]
went short the men were "fed" first.

Such a "virtue" would "cover" a number of shortcomings on parade. This officer had also the reputation for military zeal, discipline & exactitude, down to the minutest detail. In the action this officer was badly wounded, it was said in the foot, & when approached by a stretcher bearer party, absolutely refused to be carried & managed to "hobble" his way to the Aid post. On arrival there with a view to avoid giving the officer any unnecessary pain & to "get at" the wound as quickly as possible, the AMC attendant ripped the officers boot open with a knife. When seeing what was done the officer wanted to "crime" the AMC man for, "maliciously destroying property belonging to the Army"

By the time Bapaume was reached excepting for the appearance of their tattered & muddied clothes, no one would have thought these laughing, joking, merry men had lately come through a very gruelling forty eight hours ordeal.

The town of Bapaume became more than ordinarily interesting for 8 days after the Australians had taken it & occupied what remained of it, the Town Hall, almost intact & used as a Brigade Headquarters, was mined, & suddenly collapsed.

Naturally most of the men (A Coy’s) wanted to see the result of this Hun mine catastrophe (as some of them had heard the explosion) but they could scarcely be brought to believe that what, looked like a huge heap of bricks, was the remains of the fine Town Hall.

Walking at ease through Bapaume gave time to see the result of British Shell fire of even short duration which certainly caused a terrible wreckage.

For months the British were said to be avoiding bombarding Bapaume, with the hope that the buildings in the town would be saved but this really is a mistaken forbearance for during a retreat whatever places have been spared by British Artillery, are always properly wrecked by the Huns & each town & village passed is an example of this ever present destruction from pure wanton spite

[Page 270]
In fact the British by failing to shell a town, with the desire of preserving it, simply affords the Huns an unmolested & quiet zone, where their officers may indulge in the drunken orgies & every other of their intemperate indulgences without interruption. Evidence of this being noticeable by the piles of empty bottles & the torn portions of expensive apparel belonging apparently to the higher class of women.

Walking through this district showed clearly that the Huns had been very much pressed for copper for the empty shell cases without exception had been stripped of the copper "driving bands".

The march being continued & Ligny-Thilloy being reached the men looked round to try & discover a billet, but this village had been so badly "knocked" about that not a single man of A Coy’s lot could find room for a billet. This necessitated tents being sent for & these had to be erected on the muddy ground upon which the men had that night to lie down & sleep.

As tents for B C & D Companies, 56th Battn, had to be erected by these A Coy men, when finished, they merely had time to spread their oil sheets & sleep, being too tired & weary to make any effort to try & improve the conditions. This was left till next morning when the other three companies marched into Camp, thus again completing the Battalion.

It was here, four days after the action that the men of A Coy, had for the first time, since the action, seen A Coy officers. Two of them appeared & one of these had not been in action, having hurt his arm before was forced to go to Hospital. The other officer had not been seen by A Coy’s men from the time the "charge" had been given till he came into camp at Ligny-Thilloy. He probably had become "mixed up" with one of the other Companies.

The appearance, this day, of some of the Battalion Staff officers was the immediate signal for parade & work. However as the "Shrewd ones" had already disappeared over the next ridge for material, obtained from an abandoned Hun trench,

[Page 271]
to try & improve sleeping conditions in the tents, the first parade could hardly by called a full muster.

In the afternoon however men were detailed off to proceed to the Hun trench & collect a supply of duck boards. As many men as possible "jumped in" to do this work, as it would practically mean putting a good floor in each of the 8 tents for each Company but although B C & D Coy’s were allowed to so use the duck boards, A Coy had to place them outside the tents to form a walk from the Orderly Room tent to the end of the line in order (as the men put it) so that the officers could walk along the line of tents without getting their beautiful boots covered with mud.

A Coy had then to collect from the Hun trench any old clothes or blankets to spread over the tent floor upon which to place the oilsheets to prevent the mud oozing over them, when slept upon.

So anxious were A Coy men to have a real good wash both of body & clothes & so anxious were they to avoid being so zealous about work, with the previous days result, for the first day or two most of the men would clear out of camp just after breakfast & proceed to the ruins of Ligny-Thilloy there to light a fire, wash, shave & rest.

Many of the men would not go back till dark knowing it only meant being put on to some totally unnecessary work under NCOs, while the officers loafed in their tents. The men had seen enough of this sort of thing. Work essential Yes!, but work just to "keep fit" when the officers do no "keeping fit" work No!. In the charge where were they? Were they first up to the Hun wire? If so it is strange A Coy men did not notice them! They certainly would have "heard" them!

During these days the Sentry had been ordered to lie in his tent till the Doctor returned from the Aid post. The morning after his arrival, on Sick parade 131 reported unfit for duty including the Sentry concerning the latter the Sergt explained how he had been for months working on & in front line AMC

[Page 272]
Dug outs & repairing roads & his feet were so bad that he could scarcely stand

Upon hearing this report the Doctor ordered the Sentry to proceed to Edgehill Rest Camp (Rest Station is the official title). Out of the 131 men who paraded sick only one other man was sent away.

These two proceeded to Ligny-Thilloy joining a motor were taken to the Clearing Station, the motor was delayed starting for fully half an hour for the "A,M,C" men in charge could not believe that only two men were unfit to be sent out, as they fully expected a full load & would not at first believe that only two were really going.

Leaving the clearing station, thence by another motor to Pozieres where they had to remain for the night reaching the rest camp the following day. Being all sitting cases & knowing the night would be spent there, the Motor driver gave the occupants a chance to inspect the Pozieres battle ground.

At the rest camp after going through the customary forms regarding particulars etc the two men were sent to a hut & at once put to bed.

Every patient in a Rest Station must remain in bed the whole time he stays there. He is not allowed to walk about or even sit in the hut he must remain in bed the whole time if he wants anything an orderly on duty day & night is there ready to supply his wants, provided he wants "very little". It is not a Hospital there are no medical stores of any kind

If a man wants medicine or the services of a Doctor he should not be in a rest station, which is one of the places properly named for rest is the only thing they can get there & that rest must be taken in bed. It was at this rest camp that the Sentry saw the old soldier who had been fined, when with the Company, for having a spot of mud on his bayonet, although his rifle had been actually held up as a pattern of cleanliness, the spot of mud was caused through the bayonet touching the side of the entrance to the mud dug out which was not more than two foot six inches in height & the man said he would "get out" of the Company in

[Page 273]
consequence of such a fine, & he did, & he said he would remain where he was.

The Sentry was afterwards informed by Machine Gunner J[dash] with whom he came home to Australia on the Hospital Ship Ayrshire in July 1917, that every one of the 129 men (left behind) who had paraded sick (& he was one of them) had been forced to go through some hours physical drill. This order came from the same Staff Captain who had drilled the sick men at Fleurbaix, he knew better than the Doctor what was good for men parading sick after an action in which the Captain took no part whatever except as a Staff officer in a dug out miles back

The day following this "physical Jerks" medicine M/Gunner J[dash] had to be sent to Hospital thence to England & eventually to Australia M/G J[dash] did not know how the others fared afterwards, but that kind of "medicine" gave him his chance to get back.

After leaving Ligny-Thilloy all along the road to the Rest Camp, at every place & at every stop whether attended by Australian or "Tommy" women or men the Sentry, as on his trip from Fleurbaix (wounded) to Calais, nothing but the greatest kindness, the best attention, most thoughtful & untiring care that even profuse thanks seemed a futile & unsatisfactory recompense.

You fellows have done your bit! It is quite a pleasure to do ours to try & make it easier for you!! & such like answers being given. This sort of treatment makes a man feel almost glad that he has been wounded or incapacitated.

After a good nights sleep at the Rest Camp the two new patients had to be interviewed by the Doctor who as he entered the hut asked the orderly to point them out. He examined the first man then turned to the Sentry. After the examination which seemed very satisfactory as the sentry appeared & was strong & healthy, the Doctor asked for full particulars of whence he had come & what he had been doing during the bitter winter,

The Doctor became very interested & sat on the end of the bed listening to the details as to how the Advance had been carried out, but when the Sentry explained that he could not understand why it was so difficult for him to walk

[Page 274]
when leaving the firing line, on being relieved, & how the pain so intense at one time, seemed to leave the feet & all feeling stopped short about where the boot top would come. He instantly rose & in an apparently startled manner said What’s that!

The Sentry again explained his sensations & experiences since his feet first troubled him. With a very earnest look in his face he said "Let me see your feet? & throwing back the blanket from the foot of the bed after examination said, Why man! You’ve got "Trench feet"! That black discoloration is mortification setting in! You’re not for a Rest Station! You are for a Hospital!

Please allow me to remain for a day! Its so restful here! said the Sentry.

Not a minute! said the Doctor, Why unless you go to a Hospital at once you will lose your feet! I have nothing to help you here!

Then turning to the Orderly (being a Tommy Camp he was standing at "Attention") at the entrance of the hut said, Orderly! This man for Rouen Hospital immediately!! See to it, that he goes by the first motor!

The Orderly formally approached & said to the Sentry Dress at once & come with me!

Thereupon the Sentry had to get out of his warm blanket, dress in his dirty muddy clothes, obtain his overcoat etc from the Store & proceed in an Ambulance motor to the nearest Railway Station to journey at the quickest rate to Rouen Hospital.

While waiting at the Clearing station for the train the Sentry was joined by 80 men belonging to the fourth Division. Men wounded at Bullacourt, which is about 4 or 5 miles to the left of Louverval where the 5th Division was in action the same night as the 4th Div.

During the journey in the train these men related the experiences of their attack & they were all cursing "the Tanks". The Sentry naturally asked, Why "the Tanks"? The following is an outline of their story

During the night instructions were received that they had to go "over the top" about midnight or early in the morning, make their way out without the least noise to the wire guarding the Hun trench & there await the arrival of 10 or 12 Tanks timed to arrive one hour before daybreak

[Page 275]
these would flatten down passages in the wire, by means of which the men would dash through & attack.

The whole of the men reached the wire as planned without detection & were thus quietly lying within a few yards of the Hun trench patiently waiting for the time to elapse for the Tanks to appear & prepare the openings through which the men would "surprise" the unsuspecting Huns.

This wait was very trying, and as the time for the expected arrival of the Tanks approached the nervous strain was very great. Anxious eyes were eagerly watching for the very first sign of their approach. The time crept slowly on, very much too slowly for the waiting men, anxiety become intense but still no tanks, oh well it can’t be time yet, but heads kept turning, with the minds wondering at the delay

Suddenly the very faintest signs of dawning day dissipated all possible chance of a surprise attack Not only would they now be heard but the Tanks must be "seen" by the enemy in daylight. "Curse the tanks"

With the breaking of day the pent up eager anxious feelings were turned to dispair. What could save them in their present position now? Nothing! Tanks or no Tanks a brutal time was in store for them!

Broad daylight at last, & then an order was passed along, "To Return". What a discomfiture! What a botched blunder! What a climax! The startled Huns had little suspected that such a body of men had been within earshot of their safe retreat half the night.

The Staggering Shock of the awful danger they so barely escaped, at first unsteadied their aim, but recovering before the attackers could succeed in securing cover, their Machine guns & Rifles took a terrible toll.

Something had gone wrong What! As usual No one can tell! The Tanks

[Page 276]
failed to appear resulting in such a needless loss in killed & wounded

Next night the Tanks arrived, & the attack was made, but the Huns made concious of the frightful risk they ran, from an apparent too great a security lulling their fears, were not caught napping the second time. The defenders reinforced by by men & guns, brought to bear such a fusilale of every class of missile that the approaching attackers were "steadied", then "stopped". The tanks on this occasion were worse than useless, that many of them were put out of action long before they could get near the wire, & those men advancing behind them & in their vicinity were really worse off than in the open. The fire concentrated on these tanks was so very severe that they, on this occasion, proved both to the crews of most, and to every one near them, but death traps

Again the men had to make a mortifying retirement.

The loss to the 4th Division was estimated at 4000 Casualties of all kinds A blunder somewhere, but Where! Oh where!

Bullacourt was not taken & would now be a very hard nut to crack whereas if the Tanks had come along "to time", according to programme, on the first occasion the place would have been taken without much difficulty with probably less than half their present loss, but now being fully alive to its importance the Huns will cause a lot of bloodshed before they are forced to give it up.

Hence the 4th Division’s attitude towards the Tanks.

In the same compartment of the Railway carriage as the Sentry, were three men all wounded in the knee, & having no idea as to the probable development likely to accrue from the nature of their wounds, appeared to be in the best of spirits & were quite happy. When the Sentry inquired why the Doctor did not mark them as "Stretcher Cases" the men cheerily replied Oh "Iodine" (the Doctor)

[Page 277]
wanted us to be sent to the train on Stretchers but we told him we were alright & would go as walking cases for we can sit up in the train. The Sentry stated he thought they were very foolish & long before the destination was reached they would suffer pretty badly in fact they were all in for a very bad time for although just a present, they were not feeling the effect of the wound, it would be very different when the knee began to swell, the leg would stiffen, & the pain would become quite acute & in their cramped positions as sitting cases there would be no space available for movement.

They laughing replied "Oh! We’re as right as pie."

However after four or five hours journey first one then another, at last all three complained so bitterly about the pain the wounds were causing, that an A.M.C. orderly was summoned to try and see whether these men could not be placed among the Stretcher cases, but he gave the deploring assurance that every bit of available space was already occupied. The orderly expressed his sorrow but explained that every Hospital train was fitted to carry so many Sitting cases & so many stretcher cases & it was quite impossible to take even one more of the specified number whether sitting or stretcher cases.

No alteration in the accommodation could therefore be made & these men must of necessity remain where they were. There was really no alternative.

Arrangements were therefore made in the compartment to allow the three men to lie under each seat & on the floor between. This appeased the pain of the three but caused the remaining occupants to remain sitting in the one position without being able to move. It therefore was indeed quite a pleasure when the train arrived at Rouen Station during the afternoon of the next day.

From the Railway Station a very large number of ambulances carried all the Cases to No 5 General Hospital

[Page 278]
at Rouen. This No 5 General was a Tommy Hospital of considerable size but owing to the large number of wounded the surplus had to be accommodated in Marques & Tents instead of huts (as at Calais).

The Stay at this place was very restful & the attendance as is usual was very good. The Sentry appeared to be making splendid progress but on the third day after an inspection by the Doctor (Major) in charge the Sentry was informed that he had "finished war" & would be sent to England along with 10 others in the same marque.

This decision caused great elation among those bound for "Blighty" but their joy was very short lived for in the afternoon information came to hand that "the English Channel was blocked" & no Hospital ship could leave.

Later on it was reported that no "crossings" had been made for nearly a fortnight & further that at least one Hospital Ship was known to have been torpedoed & sunk.

The next day an order was issued to the effect that owing to the expected arrival that day of a further large number of very bad stretcher cases all those who could be possibly be moved would have to be sent elsewhere. Australians to their own base Hospital at Etaples.

In the afternoon the Chief Doctor (in charge) visited the marque & explained matters & all the Australians excepting one had to be moved away.

The Doctor explained to the Sentry that had the "Channel" been open he would have arranged to have sent him to a Hospital in England but now he had no alternative but to hand the Sentry over to his own Australian Command at Etaples & as he had some idea how things were managed there he was very sorry, for from his own experience there, the men would be casually examined, then drafted into tents, & kept for some time on "light duty" some of this "light duty" being such

[Page 279]
that it would be deemed hard for a strong able bodied man in the best of health.

However he informed the Sentry in his case he would save the patient being subjected to this sort of thing, & further the Sentry would have no trouble when he came to be examined before the Board of Doctors whose decision, sent a man either back to the firing line, to England, or to be discharged

The Doctor of the Ward then spoke up & said it would be a pity to lose a man like the Sentry & asked him would he not go back again. The Sentry replied If they thought his feet would stand the strain he would go back willingly! The Sister then backed up the Ward Doctor & said It would be a pity to lose him, but the Chief Doctor said No! It is asking too much this man had done his bit, his feet will take a long time to get well, & he will get his discharge.

As foretold by the Doctor at Rouen on arrival at Etaples the men were paraded & drafted into tents according to the Class marked on each mans card. Next morning an examination was made by the Doctor. When the Sentry’s turn came, he was referred to another Doctor in an inner room, & from him the Sentry received instructions to attend at the Hospital, for trench feet, to be treated 3 times a day. Bathing the feet in very hot water for an hour, then drying quite dry, followed by the rubbing in of a very small portion, of a penetrating oil for half an hour.

All the men in the line of tents in the same class as the Sentry were paraded next morning at Six oclock & as soon as this was over each man was "detailed off" for "light duty" notwithstanding emphatic protests that they had to proceed to hospital.

With two others equally unfit the Sentry was told to report to a Sergt on a Sandhill close by.

On arriving there the Sergt pointing

[Page 280]
to a shovel said, You men have to dig a footpath through this sand hill. Each of the three men blankly refused saying It was a physical impossibility & when hearing of their condition the Sergt said Oh! I dont want men like you! go back & report to the Quartermaster! & he will look after you properly!. This foot path was to be cut so that officers in walking to their bath each morning would not have the bother of walking up a little hill.

The next morning the Sergt Major sent the Sentry to carry rolls of blankets big enough to be a load for two strong men, but the Corporal in charge saw how farcical it was & said. Isn’t it awful to think, that a Sergt Major who would send a man in your condition to do work like this, is put in charge of men? Why! he ought to be up in the firing line himself!

The next work was to go with a hand cart to Etaples (the town) for rations.

To get away from such a man as this Sergt Major, the Sentry went on this trip & when he found the man in charge of the party had come across in the same boat & belonged to his Battalion he arranged to stay with his friend.

During these three days owing to these idiotic orders, the Sentry was only able to go to the Hospital once, although his feet were very bad & giving great pain when walking.

Shortly after this, the Sentry was sent for & passed by the board of Doctors being marked to go to Blighty & to be free from all work.

However while waiting for a Hospital Ship to leave he decided to stay & assist his friend thus escaping all parades for duty, roll calls, & parades for meals & having much more freedom & lattitude in every way the time passed pleasantly, besides being able to attend Hospital regularly

After about a week of this, he was paraded with a squad of men "For England" & it was with the very greatest pleasure that he left the Australian base

[Page 281]
at Etaples for Boulounge to embark for "Blighty"

Before being allowed to go aboard the vessel each man had to enter what appeared to be an old factory but now fitted up as a huge bath room & pass through a good warm shower bath, which none could avoid & had to leave by a different door way than that by which the entrance was made.

This was to ensure every man was "perfectly clean" and on coming out of the Dressing room each received a Certificate the contents of which "tickled" the fancies of all when read. It certified that the bearer was "free from vermin".

This Certificate should have been handed up to the man at the gate of exit as authority to pass, but as a special favor the Sentry obtained permission to retain his as he considered it a unique experience.

This was the only Souvenir of the War, the Sentry brought back from France much preferring to be reminded of such an experience than of any thing belonging or appertaining to a Hun no matter of what artistic or intrinsic value.

During the period of marching to & waiting for the Hospital Ship at Boulounge the whole of the men were splendidly "looked after" by Red Cross people; being supplied with Cigarettes Tobacco Biscuits Cakes & Chocolate. The Red Cross, Kindred Societies, & Comforts Fund are doing an enormous amount of exceedingly good work in looking after the "Boys" both "going in" to join the Battalion & when coming back as an invalid.

While waiting on the Wharf to embark on the Hospital Ship the Sentry saw one of the officers of his battalion, one of the new men, D[dash], who had joined up just prior to going into action at Louverval & eagerly enquired for news regarding the men reported "missing" but he could throw very little light on the subject, although when spoken to about C M[dash] in charge of A Coy’s Machine

[Page 282]
gun he stated definitely that the Stretcher bearers had brought C M[dash] "out", that he had a good chance of recovery & further that he C M[dash] had been recommended for the Military Medal.

On arrival in England the Sentry was sent to the Convalescent Camp at Weymouth in Dorsetshire.

Immediately upon arrival there, he was very much surprised when some one called out Hulloa there! – he then saw a young man running up to shake hands with him. This proved to be an old acquaintance from Australia H[dash] (a golfer) who has not been successful in getting across to France having been detained in England about 3 months on account of heart trouble.

After the first greetings were over the friend remarked referring to the Sentry’s kit bag etc Dump that! And come along with me!

You evidently know the run of this Camp? said the Sentry & suiting the action to the word, at once passed into the Store & "dumped" his kit, when both proceeded to the YMCA hut in Camp & spent a very pleasant afternoon in relating mutual past experiences & reviving pleasant memories.

Next morning, up to the Doctor for examination & classification.

The Sentry was marked unfit for further service & looked forward to an early departure for Australia

The following morning as each man had to parade whether on sticks or crutches, the Sentry was picked out, – by a well detested artillery corporal who certainly looked fit enough to be with his battery in France instead of bullying a lot of broken down men, – to form one of the Camp Guard.

As the sentry could not stand for more than half an hour at a time he protested & demanded being paraded before the Doctor. Another man with internal troubles also protested & both were sent to the Orderly room to be paraded before the Doctor. On arriving there the NCO in charge sent both men to their huts saying What

[Page 283]
[dash] silly idiot warned you men for Guard?

The very next morning the same Corporal went out of his way to discover & select the Sentry again for Guard duty. Again the Sentry protested & demanded a Doctors parade the second man, also picked out again, did likewise. The Corporal then said You two men will parade to the Doctor for certain this time! & calling to a L/Corporal said, Parade these two men straight to the Doctor & dont go near the orderly room!

Accordingly both men were taken before the Doctor, to whom it was explained the two men having been warned for Guard protested & damanded being paraded!

After a very careful examination the Doctor called in the L/Corporal & said Who sent these men to me? On being told the Doctor gave the L/Corporal a message to take back to the Artillery Corporal to the effect that an NCO who cannot do better than select men such as these for Guard duty should not hold his position for a single day!

The next morning the Corporal was superseded by a Sergeant but this Artillery Corporal was not to be beaten so easily for he passed general remarks about "malingerers", having it made pretty hot for them.

The Sentry gradually began to find out how things were being worked in this Camp by two or three well hated bullies & immediately applied for furlough & had the good fortune to be notified it would be granted upon a certain day.

Whether by design or just a coincidence the day before the Sentry’s furlough fell due, an application was made for a number of Military Police & just before the Military Police Sergeant completed his list he had a whispered conversation with the Artillery Corporal the result of which the Sentry was picked as the last man.

On protesting to the Company Sergeant about the Police Sergt’s nomination he was informed it would not & could not in any stop the Sentry going on furlough & on return it would be time to make a protest

[Page 284]
The Sentry was not included in the Police, for on his return, he had the very great pleasure of seeing the Military Police Sergeant himself, in the "Clink" (gaol) & the Artillery Corporal had been removed

While staying at Weymouth, most of the Sentry’s time was taken up with his friend H[dash] so that after the first two or three days it was very enjoyable.

The first Sunday spent at this Camp was utilized in having a beautiful Motor drive at the invitation of H[dash] during which on a journey of about 70 miles some very fine English scenery was enjoyed

During the course of the ride portions of three counties were traversed thus affording a series of Changing views & surpassingly pleasing varieties of scenery, now on the top of a hill, the landscape, from ones feet stretching away into the distance presenting a wonderful view of houses large, & small cottages partly hidden or apparently nestling among lovely trees & everywhere beautiful flowers & the greenest of grass. Leaving the hill the next experience would probably be a run for about a mile along a hedge protected road with shade trees in rows on each side, their branches quite interlacing formed a large bower immediately over the road itself.

A Motor trip through English scenery & on English roads is most enjoyable & gives one an opportunity of quickly gaining a fairly good idea of the beauty, the calm, & comfort of residential England, outside the Cities.

Every where, in England Scotland Ireland & Wales away from crowded & congested Cities the wonderfully green carpet of grass, the beautiful trees the profuse display of flowers wild & cultivated make the Suburban & Country places wonderfully attractive, while the appearances of the Houses of the higher & the Cottages of the lower, Classes impress upon one that solid comfort & calm & quiet enjoyment are much more studied here than in the younger but more pushing countries.

[Page 285]
The contrast between the "Old" & the "New" is so great that everything appears to please & refresh the craving for change & but very few visitors could make a tour of the "Old Country" without constantly admiring the different yet very beautiful views for ever meeting the eye in an extended trip in a fast moving motor car.

Within three or four days of making this trip the delight & pleasure of having a friend to constantly call on express thoughts & recall memories that would be quite impossible with the ordinary casual acquaintance was regretably brought to an end by H[dash] being moved out of Camp to go to another with the ostensible purpose of joining a Hospital Ship for Australia.

Mutual regrets were expressed, best wishes for each others welfare, & hopes for again meeting on the same vessel for "Aussie".

Within a few days the Sentry obtained his furlough, although on the day of departure for London he was caused an unnecessary amount of worry and annoyance, all on account of his blood stained overcoat.

In the very first place a difficulty arose in France in the Hospital refitting to go to England the man in charge of the store there would not change it for an unstained one, only because he knew the Sentry was not likely to go back to the line, and on arrival in England the men at the store refused it, on account of the blood stains on it.

At his own expense the sentry had the overcoat washed & scrubbed & then sent to a Laundry but the stains could not be removed. The woman who took it to the Laundry superstitiously passed the remark Oh! this can never be cleaned! Murdered blood will never wash out! & when brought back she said I told you so It was hopeless to try to wash the stains away.

The Storeman would not exchange the coat & as the Sentry would not have been allowed to leave the Camp with his overcoat so stained he was on the

[Page 286]
horns of a dilemma

After a tremendous amount of interviewing of officers & N.C.Os. the coat was exchanged as a great favor so that the Sentry could pass the very close inspection for general cleanliness always made before men are allowed to proceed on furlough.

Never was a man more pleased to get away from the domineering influence of such a lot of apparently physically fit but crass incompetants then predominating in the Monte Video Camp at Weymouth.

The number of absolutely ignorant men who always manage to succeed in forcing their way to the position of being temporarily appointed to some post of Authority however small, from nothing else but bluster, bluff, & hide bound "cheek", in nearly every Australian camp in France & convalescent camp in England, is sufficient in many cases to cause mirth bordering on tears of hysteria, always provided that these same self ornamented & self promoted "boobies" are not exercising their marvellous administrative powers on one’s own individual unit.

As cases in point –
In Etaples in France a Sergeant who as a private did not go on to Gallipoli till after all the hard work was over, came to France with his Battalion but then succeeded in being appointed to a post at Etaples in a very easy position but through which he ranked higher than any Sergt Major or Sergt who having been wounded were on their way back to rejoin their battalion, or as invalids were waiting to embark for England.

When this same Sergeant managed to get sent back himself presumably from heart trouble or nerves, much to the surprise of the NCO, he used to "boss", his rank was found to be only a private & he had on his own admission never even heard a shot fired in France, & yet forever

[Page 287]
he was loudly talking about the terrors of Gallipoli till at last his bragging was successfully & permanently stopped in consequence of the not too politely expressed remarks of a man, "Long" B[dash] who was known to have been present at the holding of the line just after landing & who also was present in the "Lone Pine charge" with the 4th Battn & he declared it was well known that after coming back invalided to Egypt he volunteered to go back to Gallipoli & he went.

On the departure of the battalion for France he was wounded in one of the early battles (probably Pozieres) was sent to "Blighty" & when there stated "No power on Earth would ever take me back to France the second time". So you can put that in your pipe & smoke it!

Naturally such a candid expression of personal feeling called forth most hearty laughter. However the "dummy" Sergeant gave up talking "Gallipoli experiences"

At Wareham by some means unfathomable a man whose rank was only a bugler managed to force himself into the position of Warrant Officer on the Staff in Charge of the Camp. He sported an officers belt, put on airs, but confined himself very closely to the Staff orderly room.

At the same Camp one of the Company Sergeant Majors was known to be a private & in one row of huts every corporal in charge of a hut & wearing stripes, was "bucksheesh"! (self) appointed.

At Monte Video Camp Weymouth, the Sergt Major & the Artillery Corporal were both privates & looked more fit than any of the men they were trying to bully.

This sort of thing did not tend to increase the respect for officers under whose supervision such glaring cases of maladministration were frequent, & increasing.

However with the departure from such an environment to London the feeling of complete freedom was wonderfully satisfying &

[Page 288]
exhiliarating & the prospect of such an enjoyable change for the next fourteen days raised the spirits of the Sentry to the highest as he made arrangements for a visit to Aberdeen. This trip was for sight seeing only, but his principal reason for going to Scotland again was to carry out his promise to spend a couple of days with the people he had previously stayed with in Glasgow, so while taking the opportunity of seeing the much talked about "Granite City" he intended to pay a visit to "St Andrews" the Mecca of all golfers. After leaving Aberdeen he entered into conversation with the only other occupant of the R/carriage & it was not long before he ascertained that his fellow traveller was a golfer this is not surprising for almost every Scotsman plays that game.

The Sentry explained that he intended leaving the train at the "Junction" station to be sure to see St Andrews. His fellow traveller said Oh! don’t worry! I will tell you where to get out! the name of which station the Sentry also knew.

Conversation started at once on golf, & golf experiences were mutually related & exchanged. As both seemed to enjoy the talk immensely & time passed quickly, of course under the circumstances the Sentry had no anxiety regarding his stopping place with his fellow traveller so conversant with all matters & places locally.

Thoroughly entertained & apparently entertaining the sentry suddenly exclaimed after a glance through the Railway carriage window Why! It is very strange but the surrounding country seems to me to be quite familiar! I could almost have said I know this place! His fellow traveller looking out said Horror! Why we are about to enter Glasgow!!

He looked quite distressingly depressed & was very profuse in his apologies

[Page 289]
in having allowed the conversation so enwrap him with interest that he had quite forgotten all about the "Junction" Station for the branch line to St Andrews. He hoped the Sentry would be able to return on the morrow & gratify his wish, but his time being limited & already mapped out the loss of two days could not be made up.

Although rather keenly disappointed he succeeded in controlling his feelings so that his fellow traveller was none the wiser & they then, both had a good hearty laugh over the situation

On arrival at Glasgow the good people there were very pleased indeed to see him back again from France, and as before could not do enough to make his stay as enjoyable as possible.

Upon explaining the rather amusing situation which caused him to miss seeing the celebrated links, the very home of golf, he was informed that two very good links were within easy distance of Glasgow & he certainly ought to visit both as full permission had been extended to the Military to play thereon at any time & both links could be easily reached by train.

Next morning the Sentry took the train to the links furthest away so that a visit could be paid to the other one closer in, on the return journey.

Upon arriving at the Club house the Sentry was rather disappointed to learn that very few members were playing there now & those that did so, were mostly the older men who did not leave their offices or professions till after 5 oclock in the afternoon. All the younger men had gone to the War.

The sentry therefore had no alternative but to play round himself. As even the Secretary was absent he interviewed the Acting Caddy master (the Caddy master had also enlisted) & he

[Page 290]
very kindly showed him over the Club-house. When signing the visitors book & entering the necessary particulars, knowing no one he was tempted to write
Private [dash] of [dash] Club Sydney Introduced by "General" Invitation but refrained, only because it might have made the Scotsmen talk "Gaelic".

The Acting Caddy master was really one of the oldest caddies, a man about fifty & to obtain clubs the Sentry had to go to him in his little box near the first tee. This man looked, & evidently was, one of the typical Old Scotch Caddies, in the flesh, so often depicted in British Illustrated magazines & sporting newspapers. He had no Clubs for hire but the Sentry was welcome to make his own selection from a collection of clubs of his own.

The Sentry was doubtful whether the A/Caddy master was pleased or otherwise at the choice he made for the few pertinant words of compliment only showed that the Sentry had picked seven of the best clubs in the bag.

After purchasing a few of the best balls available (which by the way had not been looked upon as really "first class" in Australia for 2 or 3 years – thus indicative of stringent economy) the A/Caddy master started for the first tee, but preferring that he should remain behind the Sentry thanked him, told him not to go to the trouble of moving, that the tee was just close at hand.

The Sentry knew the A/Caddy master wanted to know if "he" (the A/C M) was going to have a pleasant morning or not. He had loaned the very best of his clubs & he wanted to know the "worst" at once. Later on his clubs might be returned to him in pieces.

Feeling the responsibility of the unspoken test to which he was being silently subjected, the Sentry made his preliminary preparations with great care. Having teed his

[Page 291]
his ball, he proceeded to make his preliminary swing with feelings of great trepidation, this over he turned to the A/Caddy master hoping to detect even the slightest glimmer of approval. Approval! his face was a perfect blank. The Sentry could picture him as a blinking owl. However as the Sentry could not stay there all day and the A/Caddy master looked as if he could, the Sentry took up his stance addressed the ball & then he, "Let her have it!"

The Sentry had hardly recovered from his surprise, when he heard the adamantine A/Caddy master ejaculate, Why Mon! Yer’re nearly on the Green in one!!

The Sentry felt like a hero, but tried to look as if the result was quite what was quite what was expected. The drive was really a very fine one, hence the haunting doubt of the A/Caddy Master was set at-rest, & with a pleasant smile of satisfaction he turned to go back to his little box.

Just before leaving he quietly remarked, "It has been my luck at times, to see a "mon", who says he can play, drive the heed (head) of my club, nearly as far as your ball!! and its poor satisfaction to me hear his lament that he is "oot" of practice!!

With a generous chuckle of exhaltaton at having "passed muster" under the eye of this "expert" the Sentry proceeded to play his round, and he was agreeably surprised that his play was exceptionally good under the circumstances.

Having no caddy, none having yet arrived as members rarely played in the morning, the Sentry had to judge & decide as regards "local knowledge of things" as best he could but the A/Caddy master promised to send along the very first boy that turned up. One was then expected with a message & before long he would be sent to "Caddy" for the Sentry. Strange to say the first bad hole the Sentry played was the one at which the Caddy joined him, prior

[Page 292]
to this his game had been splendid & far exceeded expectations.

However after this bad hole the Sentry settled down to it & began to play as well as ever he played, "at the top of his game", in Australia. His driving was particularly fine.

When he himself could see from the "bogie" of the hole, that that the length of the drive was a very good one, even for a scratch man, it appeared to him very strange that the youngster caddying, failed to pass a single remark, good, bad, or indifferent. At last having driven a ball at least 250 yards, on soft ground, being desirous of hearing the Caddy’s opinion the Sentry, on walking up to the caddy to receive the next club, passed the remark I managed to hit that one!

The Caddy replied, Ha yer seen Mr [dash] play? Hes drive’s always up to yon tree! (only about another 100 yards further on)
But does Mr [dash] play here regularly?
The "Stoic" replied He’s played here!

The caddy was referring to one of the longest drivers playing golf who probably would play on these links once or twice a year perhaps, when an open competition was held.

Noticing the boy’s determined loyalty, whenever a dead approach was made or a long putt "sunk" the Caddy would always be ready with the name of some Scotchman, as like as not local champions, who could approach "deader" or "sink" longer putts into the hole.

When by accident, although the shot was really properly made & played, the ball ran into the hole, a two shot hole in two, the Caddy was not to be beaten, with hesitation, as if nonplussed, for a bare second, he blurted out, as he proceeded to remove the pin & lift the ball, "Any "fule" can fluke".

The Youngster was evidently so

[Page 293]
exasperated and thus might have overstepped ordinary bounds, so the Sentry for the occasion became "deaf & dumb", but thoroughly enjoyed the experience & chuckled mightily inwardly. However the game was finished without further comment by either.

At the end of the round, the last hole, the A/Caddy master was waiting near the green & although the Sentry had been approaching & putting wonderfully well, very much above his ordinary style, this was one, of the two greens, in two rounds of 18 holes upon which the Sentry took three putts all the others were holed in two or under.

This the Sentry accounted for by the wonderfully good grass grown on the putting greens in the Old Country for although it looks thick & matted, the blades are so soft that the direction of the ball is not diverted from a straight line, when its impetus is dying down, such as is apparent on most "greens" in Australia

By a method well known to Australians the A/Caddy Master was able to discuss the "round" under very comfortable circumstances.

The fact of the request on behalf of the A/Caddy Master’s comfort, being made by one of "those Australians" the House Steward read the rules, for once, with his eyes closed.

The A/Caddy Master thoroughly enjoyed the account of the sturdy support of the local talent by the caddy. Oh Yes! he said, It’s a real good man, that can shake the local men off the pedestals upon which the "young uns" place them.

The man that succeeds must be a world famed "top notcher".

During Luncheon hour the Staff of this Club could not have treated the Sentry better if he had been one of the highest in the land.

An incident occurred during the afternoon round which although not quite expected, according to ordinary traditions, amused instead of annoyed

[Page 294]
the Sentry. Just where two or three holes ran very nearly parallel the Sentry noticed an English officer probably on furlough, playing alone, a few moments after, this officer saw the Sentry playing alone, & from the latters uniform must have known at once he was an Australian.

The officer instead of then playing his approach shot, picked up his ball with the very evident intention of joining in with the Sentry to make the game for both more enjoyable, he walked across the fairways till almost within speaking distance then, quite suddenly threw some balls on the ground & commenced practising mashie shots, the Sentry who had purposely walked slowly to enable the man to approach, & had in fact almost stopped, but on seeing the sudden alteration of plans, quite in keeping with customary military experience "in the field", indulged in a good humoured smile or perhaps it might even, have been a laugh, at the palpably abrupt decision of discovery & the Sentry continued his game alone to the end.

The decision of the Sentry was that the Tommy "officer" had approached close enough to discover that his "expected to be" partner was a "private" & his horrible mistake or real "mortification" had to be camouflaged by a rather crude display of "duffed" mashie shots.

The Sentry had the pleasant satisfaction of knowing that at any rate he knew he ranked as "his" superior – at golf.

A beautiful brassy shot right on to the green, by the Sentry, suddenly stopped even the duffed mashie shots & gathering up his "scattered" balls the officer "right turned" & marched away till "out of view".

At the end of the second round the A/Caddy master was as before waiting the return of the wanderer & no doubt the return of his treasured clubs & as they were delivered in the same condition as received the satisfaction was mutual.

An adjurnment was then made to the

[Page 295]
precincts of the House Steward’s Department where the Sentry discussed the round & the A/Caddy Master learned all his experiences & inwardly digested as much as present circumstances would permit the Sentry giving him. Thanks, best wishes, & good bye to all followed.

After a really very splendid & most enjoyable day the Sentry journeyed back to Glasgow, without stopping to call at the other links nearer the city. The events of this day will always be recalled as very pleasant memories.

After leaving Glasgow flying visits were paid to several large towns on the way to London.

Places not before visited. One of these Bristol he was anxious to see being the "Jumping off" place – in the old stirring days of duelling fame – when any one wanted to place the sea between himself & those pursuing. Although the present fine steel bridge which now spans the Avon River Avon would not have been there.

Strange enough this bridge although looking quite a new structure was one that had actually been erected elsewhere but being superseded by a much larger one, was taken to pieces & transported to its present site which it fits as if specially made for it.

On arrival in London one of the very first things the Sentry did was to engage Theatre Seats for every evening of his furlough & also for Several Matinees.

One of these Matinees was to be a very elaborate affair organized for the purpose of raising money for one of the War funds. Every one of "Note" was to be present including four Queens & every Theatrical Company performing in London had volunteered their services. As these Companies & particularly the Managers of the Theatres had been doing a lot of good work in connection with the entertainment of returned soldiers the English ladies decided that they would undertake the working & organization of this matinee on

[Page 296]
their own "shoulders" to relieve the Managers & their assistants.

Instead of having to apply to a Theatre box office an English lady set apart portion of her own home as the Ticket office & herself & equally situated assistants performed the work.

When the sentry applied he was ushered into this ladys sitting room where the "Staff", all titled people, were at work.

The sentry applied for a dress circle ticket for a seat unobtrusively placed at the side, he was not ambitious to appear right in the centre of the Theatre. He would be satisfied if he could be placed on one of the end seats from which the Stage could be seen and a fair view of the Audience, & also so that he could go for a smoke or refreshment during the interval without in the least disturbing any one. The lady seemed to think it strange that the very best available seat was not only asked for but demanded. However after a minutes thought the lady, looking at the plan, said she could give the Sentry, to her mind a seat suitable in every way.

Thanking her the Sentry paid the price & received the ticket. Asking to be shown where the seat was situated in order that he would know how to reach it & what was more important how to leave it for the lounge during the intermissions he was shown a seat right in the front row of the dress circle exactly in the centre.

Could you have a better one to fill your requirements? The Sentry pointed out that they had evidently mistaken him for an officer but he was only a private & did not wish to be "displayed" of "featured" in such an ostentatious manner. The lady replied & was backed up by her companions You’re an Australian! You have been to the War! You have done your bit! Is not that as much as you can do! You have paid your money! therefore you are as much entitled to that seat as any one & in fact I would just as soon accept your money as General Haig’s for he would only

[Page 297]
pay the same price. The Sentry said he must really ask for a change of seats as that one was too prominent. The lady point blank refused & stated she would prefer to return the money rather than change the seat. As he particularly wanted to see the Show he reluctantly agreed to accept the seat, he was further made to promise not to leave during the first interval as she would come & talk about his war experiences, & to point out all the celebreties in the various parts of the house which was to be one of the best gatherings of notables held in a Theatre.

Plays in London that prove successful run for such long terms that seats are booked 3 & 4 weeks ahead but in several which he failed to obtained tickets for, on his last visit he received this time, luckily, through certain tickets being returned, but in one instance were tickets were not available, in chatting to the Manager he expressed his sorrow at having to miss the performance through having to return to Camp in a certain time & thence straight back to Australia the Sentry was told to call in the afternoon to see if it could be arranged & it was. The Sentry presumed he had induced some friend to forego his seat for that night. Whatever the cause the Sentry "got in".

Of course if any one stands in a queue from about half past five till half past seven he could be hustled into a seat in the crowded pit or gallery.

It was with the very greatest pleasure that the Sentry renewed his acquaintance with good old London.

Having already sent word ahead (about a week) to the Landlady of the house where he had previously stayed he was sorry to learn that that his little room had already been let & the present occupant was as much enamoured with it as the Sentry had been, however the lady of the house said he would not be wholly disappointed for under these circumstances she

[Page 298]
had reserved for him, the very best room in the house, but only at the same price as the room formerly occupied.

She insisted on contending that no room was too good for any one who had been across to France & elsewhere, to help to fight their battles.

No amount of talking or explaining if a room was worth a certain value to her, & the tenant of that room was willing to pay the value, she was simply not justified from a patriotic point of view in sacrificing money which a tenant knew was a reasonable amount to pay, had any effect on this lady’s decision, that any one who had been to the war would only be entitled to pay, in her house, such a nominal sum that she might have let rooms for nothing excepting for the fact that a great many men would not have accepted rooms, as it were just for charity sake.

Luckily she never had yet encountered any of those who would have filled her house if they knew that the charge was only a nominal one & that it would not take very much pleading to escape paying any money at all.

Going out into the old associations of London seemed almost like renewing acquaintanceship with one own home city.

For a Stranger with any thought that way inclined, there would be always something new to see, to catch his attention, to charm his mind, or to take him back to the past.

In some cases to the past, that in most Australians minds, existed more as legends that actual reality.

In very many instances it is hard to realize that one is really in the actual environment of happenings, recorded in the histories of Centuries ago,

[Page 299]
especially if viewing some object that is just in the same condition now, to the eye, as in the days that seem so long ago as almost never to have been been.

Two or three days were thus passed so pleasantly that the manner of their passing was so swift as to be hardly noticed, when a telegram was received by the Sentry, ordering him to report immediately to Headquarters at Weymouth Camp

This he knew was really the notice that he was "homeward bound" & much as he desired to take that journey, it was with the greatest regret that his furlough would have to be curtailed. He was very much tempted to stay for the full term, but knowing the extreme difficulty of providing transports for Australia, he was reluctantly compelled to send a reply by wire advising his departure for Camp.

Having about ten Theatre tickets, at his disposal, for good seats, for plays which were then having a very solid run of public patronage some for many months others for one two & even three years, he could think of no better way having them so utilized in order to give the greatest pleasure than by presenting them to his Landlady.

When this was suggested the old lady thought perhaps some soldier friend of the Sentry’s would be better entitled to receive them, but in this that he wanted the Landlady to accept them & then she could dispose of them herself to whom ever she desired, the Sentry was adamant.

When examining the tickets & seeing the prices paid, the Old Lady was quite horrified to think that so much money had been paid for Theatre tickets for such a short period of time, but she overlooked the fact that perhaps the opportunity of doing so again in London,

[Page 300]
may never present itself to the Sentry

After being made quite satisfied that there was no friend or even an acquaintance the tickets could be forwarded to, the Old Lady pleasantly remarked that she was certainly about to enjoy the very best time she ever had in Theatre going.

At the same time the Sentry requested his Landlady not to forget to inform the Lady in Charge of the arrangement for the Special Matinee, that the Sentry would have kept his promise to attend & to remain in his place in the Theatre for the first intermission but for the fact that he had been summoned by telegram to return to Camp immediately, in order to return to Australia & obtain his discharge

Had he ignored the order till his furlough had finished, strong as the temptation to do so might have been, it would have meant getting into unnecessary trouble & probably having to wait a long time practically confined to the precincts of a Camp, in which it was really no pleasure to stay, till another "transport" had been placed on the run to Australia.

After spending one day travelling about the good old city as a valediction the Sentry boarded the train to take him back to Weymouth.

On his arrival there he soon had his own ideas confirmed by hearing his name read out, when the men were mustered, as being one of those on the "Boat Roll".

It was understood to mean that all on the "Boat Roll" would almost immediately leave the Camp for the port of embarkation.

Early the next morning the fortunate ones were marched to the Railway Station & boarded a train to carry them to Plymouth where the Hospital Ship was lying.

The local residents, evidently roused out of bed earlier than usual by the gaily sounding tunes played by the Camp Band in the lead, gave

[Page 301]
the men a splendid send off at every house people waved & cheered & those lined along the Route wanted to know if it was good to be "going home".

During the march an incident occurred which caused much laughter amongst them men who saw it happen. On the line of Route standing outside the garden gate of their Cottage & thus forming part of the waving cheering populace was evidently a mother & her four daughters. One of these girls was carrying a small pet dog with a ribbon tied round its neck, but in order to wave more frantically the girl placed the dog on the ground. Immediately upon gaining its freedom the little dog rushed along with the men barking delightedly & almost at once quite a number of the men started whistling to entice the dog close.

This caused the owners to try & recover the dog but before they could get near it one of the men without missing a step in the march very quickly "whipped" the dog off the ground & placed it under his coat, so quick was it done that men even quite close to the man had not seen his act, but he had not been too quick for the owners who in following up had been getting first very anxious & then even frightened but when the dog suddenly disappeared they uttered a woeful exclamation & all stood still, all but the Mother quick as the man had been she had "spotted" him, ran after him as he marched, "snatched" the dog from under his coat, then giving him quite a smart "cuff" with her hand, on the back of his head excitedly exclaimed as she recovered her breath Oh! You devil!!

A roar of laughter from nearly the whole of the men accompanied the salutation, together with cries Well done! Mother!! Good old Mother!! That will "learn" him!!

The man "slapped" did not move

[Page 302]
other than march, did not even break step, but "carried on" as if nothing had happened but after going three or four paces he turned and laughed very heartily at the "Good old Mother" who having recovered her "treasure" was again in the best of good humour & shook her clenched hand, at the laughing culprit, threateningly.

When last seen the whole family were waving very enthusiastically & held up the dog to be seen.

It was prophesied that when the next lot of "Aussies" march out of Monte Video Camp, that dog will be locked up-inside the house.

The R/Station seemed to be teeming with Red Cross & Comforts Funds workers, with every thing in the shape of Eatables – fruit confectionery biscuits cakes etc also tea Cigarettes & tobacco.

A happy lot of men left Weymouth R/Station that day, the band formed up & played all the well known battalion marches & the most appropriate tunes, which appealed to all in such a way that many plainly showed how much they were affected by the demonstration.

All along that Railroad journey wherever & whenever possible people flocked to the Stations offering sweets Cigarettes etc & where not possible they stood & cheered & waved handkerchiefs & hats as the train passed on.

Being Sunday probably more people were about than customary & owing to the lack of "transports" the Hospital trains were fewer than "troopers", & especially of "Aussies" going home.

On arrival at Plymouth it did not take long to embark & the Hospital Ship ("Ayrshire") moved out into the stream. Shortly afterwards the "Durham Castle" moved away too & anchored.

Both vessels were to sail in "Company" but as the latter vessel was fully loaded with "Tommies" the men aboard the "Ayrshire" were for a while at a loss to know why!

[Page 303]
However it did not take long to surmise that the "Tommies" were being sent to reinforce the troops who were "cleaning up" East Africa from the ravages of the pestilential Huns.

Three days, both vessels waited in Plymouth Harbour, but the time did not appear to "hang" for there was always something of interest happening in this place famed in song & story, the Plymouth Hoe of Drakes days.

One of the sensations almost depressing was to see what was, in the Boer War time, a splendid up-to-date battle Cruiser the celebrated "Powerful", whose naval gun played such a prominent part in the defence of Ladysmith, now deemed so obsolete that she was being used as a sort of Naval Barracks

What a come down in a couple of decades! Or to put it more optimistically What tremendous strides in Naval advancement have been made during that time!

The most powerful gun then on the Cruiser "Powerful" would be looked up now as a mere "pop gun" even in the Army let alone the Navy.

The appearance of the docks at Plymouth full to overflowing with Naval & Military Stores. Guns, some fifty or sixty feet long, numbers of them, Guns of all descriptions small guns field guns etc Machinery Ammunition, vehicles etc all waiting to leave for the front.

Every vessel leaving England for France (excepting Hospital Ships) takes away its portion of these never ending supplies of Military stores. Several "Old Time" warships of Great Britain the "wooden walls" of Nelson’s day were moored in this Harbour.

Drakes Monument could be seen over the "Hoe", and in the present warlike atmosphere of the place it was easy to mentally depict the scene of Drake insisting on finishing his celebrated game of bowls, – just over there –, although tidings had been brought to him

[Page 304]
that what was called The Invincible Spanish Armada had been sighted

The naval incidents in this war sufficiently discloses that the Spirit of Drake & of Nelson still permeates the Navy & when ever required the skilful organization the intelligent direction, the indomitable courage, the intrepid recklessness to achieve the alleged impossible, the steady nerve, the indefatiguable determination & persistent tenacity are ready to start into instant action in the customary calm invincible manner.

Both vessels now being all ready for sea were moved to the outer harbor & were merely waiting to receive advice from the Naval patrol "outside" that the "Coast was clear".

During this "wait" one thing that could not help being noticed here, was the splendid type of coastal & fishing "boats", & small sailing vessels frequenting this harbor, all appeared on lines similar to & as well built as yachts, the capabilities of the vessels & the skill of the crews made them appear as if they were.

To one who had taken some little interest in ordinary boat sailing the handling of these little vessels in fair or foul weather claimed unstinted admiration. No question of doubt could arise that their home was the ocean wave.

On Wednesday the 23rd May 1917 the anchors of both vessels were weighed and the "Homeward bound" journey of the "Ayrshire" commenced.

Passing through one of the entrances of a splendidly built breakwater, a stupendous monument of the engineering skill in erecting a defence that successfully resists the unceasing attacks of that tremendous Ocean’s roll, to the dipping of flags & the blowing of whistles & horns of quite a large fleet of trading steamers anchored inside, both vessels headed for the open sea.

[Page 305]
Steaming slowly ahead the attention of those on the Ayrshire was directed, from information probably received from the pilot who had but shortly before come aboard, to one vessel lazily rolling along as she was making the Harbor entrance, to all intents & purposes a perfectly harmless & innocent trading steamer one of thousands that would "pass muster" as such in any port.

But what a surprise any inquisitive enemy submarine would get if she tried her antics on that trader. The vessel was what was deemed an unsinkable "decoy", probably fully loaded with pine timber, but armed behind her innocent looking bulwarks, with guns of a weight & calibre large enough to sink a small cruiser, let alone a "tin can" submarine ranging alongside close enough to blow her up with bombs as if a torpedo was too valuable to waste on such a "Tramp".

After waving a "goodbye" to Plymouth, its Harbor & the waiting steamers, all eyes turned seaward and what a sight was seen.

The "Ayrshire" & "Durham Castle" had just commenced to feel the long roll of the huge Atlantic when spread out in front a Cruiser, in the lead, & following in two lines, were five Destroyers & two torpedo boats.

A fine sight they presented & very welcome too, but yet they made it patent that the danger from submarine attack was very real.

It was interesting to learn that the "leader" was the Cruiser "Highflyer" the vessel which had sunk one of the very large (Enemy) "Raiders" early in the war, just after the latter had shelled a British passenger boat. The same Cruiser later on forced the Hun Cruiser Karlsruhe (or a vessel of similar size) into one of the treacherous rivers on the West Coast of Africa, but a boarding party

[Page 306]
in boats followed her & eventually succeeded in putting her "miserably" out of action The Huns although caught in a rat-trap did not even fight like the rodents.

With a "spitfire" with the reputation of the Cruiser "out in front" a "sense" of security pervaded the whole ship & that first night at sea all was "merry & bright" aboard, even if noise & lights were subdued.

With the passing of Eddystone Lighthouse the last land mark of Old England disappeared & for three days the escorts, in front, on each side, & in the rear were ceaselessly on the watch, ranging in & out from a straight line to cover & inspect as much "ground" as possible.

As among those on board were some sailors returning to Australia from a vessel that had been torpedoed & when this news became general these sailors had to entertain the "Diggers" with a full account of their experiences of direct contact with an enemy "tin fish" with the result that for many days to come, there was never lacking self appointed submarine guard, untiringly watching for the ever expected sudden appearance of a periscope close in, between the escorting men of war & the ship.

On the second day out, the two torpedo boats, narrow snaky-looking little things, hardly above water at any time, it would seem from a little distance, disappeared from view evidently having "done" their portion of the work of safe escort.

On the third day the "Highflyer" proceeded ahead at great speed & soon disappeared from sight Although the five "Destroyers" were still systematically traversing their allotted area, a certain amount of real disappointment arose at the continued absence of the Cruiser.

As the evening of the third day was drawing in the Destroyers

[Page 307]
increased their speed & darted ahead, then after circling round the ship which they did as if both the "Ayrshire" & "Durham Castle" had been anchored, squared away for home & dashed off at a terrific speed.

It was roughly calculated that what the two vessels had taken three days steaming to cover, the returning Destroyers will go back in less than one.

In about 6 or 7 minutes they disappeared below the distant horizon.

After the departure of the Destroyers a careful search was made of the waste of waters for a sign of an escort of any kind but without success, nothing was revealed and it was really difficult to repress a feeling that both steamers had been left to their fates

It would not have taken very much to have raised quite a scare amongst the men on both vessels that night, but next morning hopes were high & every one was cheered in spirit, for there out in her old place "in front" was the "good old Highflyer again.

With the departure of the Destroyers it was concluded that the "Danger zone had been passed so that from that time on the Cruiser could be looked to as the only support.

The disappearance of the Highflyer earlier in the day was no doubt due to the desire to "shoot" ahead & scour as large an area as possible before the Destroyers actually left & that the latter having left before the Cruisers return probably showed that the Commanders of each had been in wireless touch with each other, "showing no danger ahead".

Before leaving, earlier in the day the Destroyers were put through various manoeuvres, after which the men were shown how a smoke screen is produced. This display was very interesting. The smoke screen affords a vessel a splendid opportunity

[Signed at the bottom of the page:] John Brewster

[Page 308]
to avoid capture or confuse an enemy

The screen effectively hides all trace of anything behind it & a very fast vessel like a Destroyer could be hull down on the horizon before a likely pursuer would have the least idea of the direction she was travelling, except through nothing else but sheer good luck.

These manoeuvres were planned & carried out wonderfully well & proved very interesting indeed to the onlookers, and great fun was caused by trying to guess exactly where the Destroyer, putting up the smoke, would be "found" when the screen was sufficiently blown away to see beyond.

One exciting moment occurred when, during the night a vessel or a light of some sort was observed on the horizon right abeam & the "Highflier" was seen to turn and go straight for it "full speed", both disappeared in the darkness, affording the anxious watchers plenty of "scope" for "guessing" "what was up"

Many a man came on deck again, after having gone below to turn in, more than once, just to see if the Cruiser had returned to her place in the lead of the Convoy.

Some of the pessimists felt sure the light represented a "decoy" to entice the Cruiser away while a submarine could "pop up", "pop off" & so sink the Convoy, & although a special submarine guard had been in existance for some days, that night, there were quite a fair number of voluntary sentries "on duty".

Another occasion for excitement occurred when the Cruiser stopped & signalled for the Convoy to proceed ahead.

In reading the signal one of the men, who by profession was a master mariner, read the signal & stated the Cruiser had stopped through some

[Page 309]
trouble with her engines, but did not want assistance.

The Convoy soon commenced to place what looked to be more than a reasonable distance between themselves & the "broken down" Cruiser & again the pessimists took "the floor", & emphatically declared that it is just possible that the Convoy would be sent to "Davy Jones’ locker" before the cruiser "got going".

However as no effort was made to slow down the optimists were just as positive that whatever damage the engines of the man of war had suffered, to cause the "break down", it was quite evident from the way the convoy was steaming, that damage must only be trifling & would soon be repaired, for if repairs were likely to take a few hours the Convoy would never have been allowed to proceed full speed ahead.

Sure enough when about 2 & ½ to 3 miles had been covered the Cruiser was seen to be "under weigh" again, which was at once "marked" by a hearty cheer from the Convoy. Increasing speed the "Flier" passed the latter "as if standing" & resumed her place in the lead.

Considering the irksomeness of pitch darkness on deck, during the evenings, the closed "ports" making the air very hot & stuffy below, and also the curbing of any great effort to make an exceptional noise, under the circumstances after as pleasant a trip as possible, the "Highflyer" escorted the Convoy to an anchorage at Sierra Leonne on the West Coast of Africa.

Naturally every one on board had been looking forward to a "run" ashore soon after arrival but information was disseminated among the men precluding

[Page 310]
all possible chance of a shore trip.

Very few officers were allowed off the ship, but what was really felt as a very great hardship was the prevention of any vessel boat or canoe from approaching the vessel for the disposal of fruit. The men in no very good temper wanted to know why such an extraordinary order could have been issued by ordinary sane men, the excuse given being that the fruit may carry disease, when any quantity of fruit of all description, was being taken aboard for the officers saloon & for the Canteen to be sold to the men.

Of course disease could not possibly be spread about from the fruit purchased from the canteen, but any quantity, large or small, purchased by the men (who had money) at a very reasonable price, & distributed free amongst their pals, was deemed to be deadly infectious.

That the men then & there did not forcibly resent such a brainless and at the same time exceedingly selfish order, spoke volumes for the reasonable temper of the men, who while avoiding force made free play with their sarcasm & contempt.

As on the voyage from Australia when it comes to gorging & guzzleing it the case of officers easily first every time, the men no where, all the time.

However in the present instance it is doubtful if the Canteen made very much profit from that fruit for much as the men were pining for it, on principle, they "could starve" for a little time longer till Capetown was reached when regulations or orders to the contrary would not stop the men from getting just as much fruit as their money & inclination would buy.

The fruit in the Canteen did not go bad & was certainly

[Page 311]
not thrown overboard, but it is an ill wind that blows nobody good.

At Sierra Leone having performed her "section" in the duty of escort, the "Highflyer" dipped her flag as a parting good bye.

The "post" of escort to Capetown devolved upon the battleship "Britannia". That such a heavily armoured ship should be used in this work was very surprising at first, especially being much slower in speed & perhaps not so quickly manoeuvered in sudden attack, but to the explanation appeared to be, that as a fighting ship, compared with the modern, & particularly "since the war" new ships the Britannia would be practically useless, & it further indicated that the prospect of the Convoy being attacked either above or below the surface, was very remote.

The Ayrshire being a Hospital ship had a number of cot cases aboard, but not many were considered very serious & the hope was expressed by the A,M,C, attendants that they were in great hopes of all being safely landed at their destination

However much to the surprise & very great sorrow of everyone aboard a "case" not by any means listed as in any real danger quickly developed what appeared to be pneumonia, & on a Saturday afternoon the whole ship Company were shocked to hear that the first death had occurred.

The news caused a deep feeling of sadness & sorrow, to pervade every quarter, the merry spirits were hushed & quietened, the turbulent subdued.

Naturally it was conjectured that some of the more serious "cases’ " chances would not be improved.

The Burial Service was fixed for 11 Oclock Sunday morning

Flags were immediately "half masted" & the death reported to the

[Page 312]
Officer commanding the battleship.

A reply was received expressing regret & condolences, but pointing out that the Convoy must not stop, although it could "slow down" during the Service.

At the proper time all three vessels approached quite close together.

Every man was paraded The Chaplain held a short service preached a suitable sermon, & expressed sincere sympathy for the relatives of the deceased soldier who was a man well known to & well liked by quite a number of officers & men on board the vessel

After appropriate hymns were sung the slowing down in the speed of the vessel indicated that the time was approaching for the burial.

The "Startling" reports from the Rifles of the firing party rang out.

Amidst a very marked silence the mournful notes of the "Last Post" were blown by the bugler, & with the "fading" away of the last sound, the body was consigned to the deep.

Regret was expressed on all sides that the death should have taken place when within a few days steam of Capetown.

However before the voyage was over four deaths occurred, the last one actually within sight of the distant shores of Freemantle.

It seemed so very hard that these men should have battled with the grim destroyer, only to be beaten when the long looked for haven was almost attained.

The funeral service seemed to cause the whole of the Ships Company to prefer spending that Sunday in the quietest manner possible.

The following morning quite a stir was created by news leaking out that a wireless had been received that special care would have to be exercised for an "Enemy Raider" was reported to be in the neighbourhood, a sailing vessel having recently been sunk.

[Page 313]
How this news reached the men it was hard to say but certainly "color" was given to the report by an order being issued soon afterwards that even "down below" even with every port closed no lights whatever were to be allowed after Sundown

Of course there was the usual growling amongst the men who naturally complained at having to go to bed in the dark when the chance of rays of light being seen from their quarters, with an iron plate screwed over every port hole, was simply impossible whereas any man standing on the deck could easily see quite a blaze of light coming from Officers quarters on the Bridge deck, every time a door opened & one cabin was noticed with only a movable hanging curtain in the door way through sides of which light could be seen at any time.

The complaints became so bad that the Officer commanding the troops had to go below to try to soothe the angry feeling of the men.

At one time it looked as if a very "nasty" situation was likely to be created, for the reception given to the (O/C) officer was anything but pleasant & as this officer at first completely lost his temper, if he had continued in that way he would surely have lost what little control he had over the men.

Luckily the incident passed without either side being forced to take a determined stand, but the officer did not gain anything in the esteem of the men.

Upon hearing a rather pertinent interjection, the officer worked himself into a terrible rage & rushing to the side whence the interjection was hurled, defiantly challenged the man who had spoken to stand up before him as a man & "fight", at the same time striking an attitude just similar to that of an ordinary School boy, which the officer had probably copied from force of habit, as he was

[Page 314]
reported to have been a school-teacher before enlisting.

This sort of thing is all very well at a Show or in a theatre, but the men realise only too well, the tremendous power placed in the hands of officers, however inexperienced, by the Kings Regulations. If a man dare to insult an officer let alone strike him, the penalties are out of all keeping with reason, and the man can never obtain redress, the "Kings Regs" notwithstanding, if the insult emanates from the officer, in the first place.

Besides if any man was mad enough or foolish enough to offer to stand up & fight an officer when challenged even if permitted & promised protection from prosecution, just imagine the life the man would lead in the future, through being a "marked man" to every officer, high or low.

How men, even if officers, can expect other men, even if troops, to remain quiet & think that light plainly seen from the deck coming from officers cabins, could not possibly be seen by an enemy, & yet be put to quite unnecessary inconvenience in the dark, in quarters where even if quite brilliantly lighted, not a single ray of light could be seen by an enemy as every port hole has a heavy iron protector tightly screwed over it from the inside is marvellously rediculous.

For although the escorting man of war had reported being able to see lights on board the Convoy, the men resented being put to trouble when they knew the source of the complaints did not arise in their quarters.

If the officer (O/C) thought he would gain the respect of the men by his Swashbuckler method he failed miserably, the only harvest he reaped was a good crop very appropriate remarks, ridicule & "straight out" laughter, free from secrecy or subterfuge.

When next that officer had to address the men below deck he received a much better hearing

[Page 315]
for he had been well advised to completely change his tactics, & spoke more as a man to men.

Each morning eager eyes kept scanning the horizon with the hope of sighting the first land near "The Cape" being a couple of Islands which are always "picked up" first, before passing on to Capetown.

The morning they were sighted the spirits of all on board rose to the highest pitch for the men were promised if it were at all possible they would be given a run ashore at this port each day if the conduct of the men warranted it after the first landing, but promise or no promise if the ship dropped anchor & berthed at a wharf the men decided that they would go ashore dispite all opposition.

After passing the islands & the first view of Table mountain obtained the question of "Raider" was again raised & debated for low down in the water in the far distance a number of vessels could be seen forming into line & it looked at first as if they were men of war going through some manoeuvre, with a view of protecting all vessels approaching Table Bay. However a closer approach showed the vessels "up" to be a cruiser steaming out to sea, the other vessels appeared to be a convoy, as ourselves about to enter the Bay.

On arrival advice was received that the vessels "entering" at the same time were "troopers" loaded with Australians going to England & the greetings between the vessels were very hearty indeed. In fact the whole morning was spent in signalling between those sound in wind & limb, & the "Fragments from France".

As at Sierra Leone quite a number of men of war & merchantmen were at anchor here, & among the latter was the Orient Liner, now an auxiliary cruiser, which was present at the fight off the West of South America, when the Huns sank the Camperdown & the Gloucester

The vessel moored astern of the Ayrshire was another Orient Liner

[Page 316]
very heavily armed for an "Auxiliary" for six exceptionally large guns could be counted & the vessel herself looked as if she had been doing some pretty hard work. Her condition was such that an overhaul seemed imperative. Lying at one of the jetties was a very large "trader" of the better class which was being discharged with all speed as she had been badly damaged by a torpedo fired from a submarine, but after very great exertions the crew managed to keep her afloat till she reached Capetown in safety.

As the Ayrshire had been taken into the dock, the men had determinedly arranged to go ashore the next day come what may. Early in the morning all the men accordingly "donned" "Shore dress" instead of the usual undress most of which had been supplied by the Red Cross at the port of embarkation.

Nothing was said, nothing was threatened, but go ashore the men were determined, & as their temper could not be ignored it would either have to be soothed or strenuously combatted & to do the latter help from the shore would have to be requisitioned. Messages by signallers passed from the various ships aboard which, Australians were bound for England & the number of these was given as 20.000, so that it would have been a very awkward time to try and use force.

Shortly after breakfast an order was issued fixing a time when the men would be able to leave but of course it would be necessary to form various guards.

However the men would brook no delay & at once proceeded to leave the ship, they point blank refused to mount guard & this

[Page 317]
had to be done for a time at any rate by NCOs but this did not stop the mens persistency as they formed up in line & pressed forward towards the gangway. All that was done was for officers to superintend the disembarkation as prevention was out of the question.

It was a very great pleasure to stroll round Capetown & before many hours Australian soldiers could be seen every where

The conduct of the men was such that the second day the men were allowed off sufficiently early to enable them to enjoy a drink in the Hotels which were closing each day at 11 am, inconsequence of so many troop ships being in port & this favor was greatly appreciated & much to the surprise of every one officers aboard, & civilians ashore, was not abused.

The local people gave the men returning from France a public welcome in a large building formerly a market.

At the reception & lunch the Governor-General of South Africa was present although not expected but he explained, that being in Capetown & hearing about the function a few minutes before, he was only too delighted to come along & join in paying respect to the men who had been across "the other side" to try & push back the common enemy.

Lord Buxton who was splendidly received, was also good enough to compliment the men present on their good conduct the day before, which evidently was quite different to what had been expected, so he hoped they would all have a very good time while staying in that city & a safe voyage home.

The men enjoyed the lunch very much, & as there must have been between 700 & 800 present for almost every man on board the

[Page 318]
Ayrshire attended & hearty thanks & cheers were given for the good people who had so quickly organized such a very pleasant entertainment & so kindly had given their services in most assiduously waiting on the men to see that each one had full & plenty of the good things supplied.

This welcome, so delightfully carried out, helped to place the reputation of Australians on a higher plane, for afterwards every one seemed to go out of their way to make their sight-seeing & visiting as pleasant as possible.

In fact the residents appeared to seek the company of the men & enjoyed the friendly chats instead of being repelled by the bare idea of the mens’ close proximity.

When conversing with some of the local men who had been fighting the Huns in South Africa, the Sentry was informed that at that very moment South Africa was on the verge of entering into a very trying & troublous time, on account of an underhand, underground & quite natural Hun-like effort being made on the part of a small section of hostile Boers, to create & establish a state of insurrection. All done with a view to hamper the present Government in the ardent prosecution of the war in South Africa in their stern endeavour, to clear the Hun right out of the Country.

The debate that would either "clear the air", or create chaos, was then taking place at Parliament House that very day. Realising the historic interest, in a situation such as this, the Sentry made up his mind to do his best to be present, A few enquiries were sufficient to show, that to succeed was practically hopeless.

Why! All Capetown wants to be present! Men who never before

[Page 319]
thought of hearing a debate, wanted to go today! Men with power & influence want to go! Men with the interests of the whole Country at heart want to go! So vital were the issues at stake, every class of men & women wanted to be present so what chance would a stranger like you, have of getting in. These answers summed up the situation.

However the Sentry thought notwithstanding all this discouragement that he would make a big try!

Meeting a business man who would probably "know the ropes" the Sentry explained his desires & then chatted about general topics. After a little while the business man said Wait here a moment I am going to see a friend about a commercial transaction & I may be able to help you!

On his return he just handed the Sentry a card with instructions to go to a certain man in the "House" & if he could not help you, no one would be able to! Immediately the sentry presented the card, the official "went off" into a temper & very sharply said Mr [dash] has no right to ask such favors on a day like this! It is really impossible to do anything! The House is quite crowded now & he knows it!

This was disappointing but the Sentry asked where the entrance was, this was pointed out, but not the faintest hope "held out" for him "getting in".

However standing still would mean the acceptance of "failure".

Walking up to the entrance it was greatly depressing to see 4 or 5 Australians, officers & men, just idling there, having been refused admittance.

Just at the moment the Sentry approached the door, after discouragement from those waiting, a lady & gentleman rushed up the stairs to the Usher

[Page 320]
& begged for seats, from the deference paid by the Usher, the Sentry concluded they were people of some importance so he dashed up the stairs after them, & as they handed in their cards the Sentry handed in his. The Inside Usher was at once called & sent away to try & find "Room" for Mr [dash]’s party of three. Mr [dash] immediately turned to see who made the party of "three" but the Sentry had discreetly retired a short distance & was interested in the architecture of the building, particularly the ceiling with an occasional glance at the portal leading to the Assembly Chamber. When the Usher returned the Sentry judiciously closed up, to form the "proper party" & sedately proceeded along with his new found companions.

However once past the "barrier" the Sentry’s progress was very much more leisurely, not wishing to make the acquaintanceship too pointed, thus affording them time to secure seats, unattended by their strange friend in uniform; but he did notice the Usher had placed him in a seat immediately behind them.

The debate was in course of discussion. M[dash]n & another made fine speeches, in English, then followed several others, speaking in Dutch". Unfortunately as both M[dash]n & H[dash]g were underneath the gallery where he was sitting, the Sentry, was unable to see them.

However when Botha rose he was plainly in view, a fine looking, largely built, strong man, & although he also spoke in Dutch his gestures & mannerisms were so transparent that one could almost follow every phrase.

The dignity, the scorn, the ridicule, the earnestness, the pleading, then the final decision to proceed along a track on which he thought the Country could travel in safety, at whatever cost

[Page 321]
individually to prevent a deviation, were quite patent, even to those without the knowledge of one Dutch word.

When it came to a decision the question was put by the "Speaker" first in Dutch, then in English

The Government was supported in such a manner that an incipient rebellion was crushed then & there, & to confirm the decision it merely meant two or three Government representatives proceeding to the disaffected parts & clearly stating, the only position that could arise, if any other power but Britain was behind them.

One passage by one of the speakers in English was very telling:– He, referring to H[dash]g, asks for freedom? What Freedom? If he meant freedom from the protecting influence of the British flag, how could they, standing alone, be successful in repulsing an attack by any nation, or by even the very smallest nation rightly or wrongly deemed to have been insulted? Why if a Japanese were, accidentally, to be pushed off the Pier at Capetown, & the incident purposely used as a "Case for War", how long would they, standing absolutely alone, enjoy his boasted wished for freedom? Freedom! What is he now enjoying? Is he not indulging in greater freedom, than when a subject, under the flag of the late Boer Republic?

Would he have the same freedom of speech then, as he has now, & actually be allowed to come into the House of Parliament to advocate what is practically Insurrection?

In no other Country, would any person be allowed so openly to give such an expression of opinion, but Britain, the freedom of the British Empire which relies on the common sense of the majority to counteract such injurious & poisonous propaganda.

Elsewhere, such pernicious views would be deemed treasonable

[Page 322]
& treacherous & the propagators punished without very much undue delay.

The holiday spent in Capetown really gave a foretaste of the pleasure of being back again in "good old Australia".

So well were the Aussies’ treated by all kinds & classes of people that when jokingly asked if they would go back again to fight? the Aussies’ replied Yes! They would re inlist if ever South Africa wanted their help.

A feature of Capetown that cannot be overlooked is the magnificent Pier.

A solid built pier wholly of concrete of considerable artistic architectural beauty stretches it would seem about half a mile into the "Bay" with a lighthouse at the extreme end a Theatre, a Restaurant & a large Swimming bath with modern conveniences a Refreshment Room with all kinds of liquors & drinks & a Shop for the sale of all kinds of fruits & sweets. Its dimensions are large, of great width & from ordinary wear & tear from water or from weather it appears indestructable

With recesses & seats moulded in the solid concrete walls at frequent intervals it looks in size large enough to almost carry the whole inhabitants of the town at one time & as the chairs in the Restaurant & Theatre & the bottoms of the seats along the Pier itself all the way on each side appear to be the only portions combustible, its destruction by fire appears impossible

Upon a very hot Summers evening to obtain the benefits of a fresh cooling breeze its attraction must test its carrying capacity

Near the entrance a work of art in sculpture portrays the States earliest history.

The whole Pier is a noble structure beautifully designed, faithfully built, an attraction to young & old to high & low a delicious retreat to the weary & worn the Pride of the "Town" and a Stately monument to "Common Sense", which

[Page 323]
could well be copied, in idea, at many of the tremendously well patronized watering places in bright & sunny Australia.

Shortly after leaving Capetown on a course in really the most traffic deserted part of any of the Oceans, viz from South Africa to Australia, it was noticed the Ayrshire was entirely alone, an escort being deemed unnecessary for the remainder of the voyage, although the regulations for obscuring all lights at night still obtained.

The voyage across this dreary waste of waters was much less enjoyable on account of the course steered taking the vessel so far south that the pleasant warm weather changed almost immediately to temperate & very soon after to bleak wintry conditions

Strong, cold winds & icy rain storms, were very frequent.

When about half way across wireless messages were received & posted daily for general information.

One of these notified the fact that a P & O Liner had been sunk in the neighbourhood of Colombo. This afforded "food for talk" That it caused surprise goes without saying & suggestions innumerable was made to explain the incident.

Although one "Raider" has been reported somewhere near Capetown 3 days before arrival of the Ayrshire it was really hard to believe that another could be "out" near Colombo.

The depressing weather conditions appeared to damp the ardour of the men, while two deaths in mid ocean & another just before sighting the Australian Coast caused a gloom over every one

Since leaving Capetown the most abstruse calculations were made by reckoning the mileage per day & the average speed of the ship to try & discover the date upon which the distant Australian shore would loom up discernible

[Page 324]
to the now impatient voyagers.

Unfortunately although numbers of men had gone ashore at Capetown with the full intention among other purchases, to secure books maps & atlases which with the knowledge of the speed of the Ship & the course steered obtained from the Compass in the after wheelhouse (containing the emergency hand steering gear) a close estimate could be formed as to the date of arrival, not one was obtained & the men had to fall back on wisdom of the "old sailors" amongst the Company, for it was surprising, probably from design but not with malice aforethought, the ignorance displayed, of distances by the working crew of the Ship itself & also by sailors whose vessels had been torpedoed, returning home.

On the day during which "Old Aussie" was due to "Rise out of the hazy mist of Ocean" & appear in all its sunlit glory nearly every Australian aboard was out of bed long before daylight & upon the very first dim outline of the Coast merging into view, the whole of the Company assembled, broke out into a long ringing cheer, & scarcely a man left his place on deck for hours.

Laughing jovial faces were the "orders of the day".

Just as the Ayrshire was about to enter Fremantle Harbour a Japanese man of war was seen making a departure, alone, which caused surprise but later it was learned that Japanese War vessels had been assisting to patrol portion of the Australian Coast line.

Slowly going into the Harbour the Ayrshire berthed alongside the wharf about four oclock in the afternoon amidst vociferous cheers from people on ships & wharves & counter cheers from those on board.

It needed very little to raise a cheer from the steamer.

[Page 325]
Every one seemed in the very best of good humour & a band on the wharf livened up things by playing appropriate tunes many of them reminiscent of "the other side of the world" experiences.

Delight was unbounded when word was passed that all on board would be allowed ashore to visit Fremantle & Perth.

Very soon the ship was deserted & every man set out for & had a very pleasant time.

In conversation with some Pressmen during the train journey from Perth it was stated that a mine had been quite recently found just outside Fremantle which accounted for the briskness in the movements of the War vessels locally.

Leaving Fremantle a call was made at Melbourne where again the men were allowed ashore but on this occasion the men were simply put on their honor to behave properly, which was really what should have been done from the very first, in treating with Australians in difficult situations, instead of at the very last port of call on the return journey.

Not having any restrictions placed upon them in any way, & as every place was open to them as to ordinary civilians, the men had a very much more enjoyable time than at Fremantle where most of their time had to be spent walking about the streets trying (& many very many well showing signs of having only too well succeeded) to get into all places especially forbidden.

The men appreciated the change & it can be asserted that it was not abused & although a few men were left behind it was not by wish or desire but by accident & the local military reported they would be sent on per rail.

One idiotic w/officer who evidently resented the freedom enjoyed by the men very nearly raised a

[Page 326]
riot for going out of his way to insultingly abuse one of the men who was coming aboard, but not quick enough for this w/officer & naturally abuse that insult begets abuse of the same kind & when the w/officer went forward as if to go even beyond abuse every man standing close took a hand & it looked as if the offending w/officer & those that came to his assistance were in for a very bad time. The offender had been badly pushed & hustled but not hurt when he was dragged, with the assistance of some of the men, out of the fray, but the men as a body being now quite roused would not be satisfied till the Officers commanding the troops had positively promised that the offender would be suspended & prevented from having anything more to do with the men while they remained on board.

On leaving Melbourne the time for those disembarking at Sydney passed very slowly, although the weather was bright & sunny the hours seemed to drag & not even the old games & pastimes appeared t attract the players for any considerable time

Book readers would every now & then stop reading, get up, & start walking the deck. When close to the coast most of the men would wait leaning on the rail for hours trying to "place" the locality. Passing Gabo Island the steamer "Cumberland" was seen to be ashore, having been beached after striking a mine the work of repairing was plainly visible. At any other time & place the fact that a mine might possibly be struck any moment would have induced half the Company to become voluntary "look outs", but so anxious were they to finish the trip & leave the ship for good & all, that all they asked for was that the ship should steam ahead full speed & never "let up", the risk ran would be just the same as if going dead slow. Many began

[Page 327]
to discover what a terribly slow old tub had been carrying them

Running along the New South Wales coast calculations were made as each land mark was passed & nearly every one of these gave the result that the vessel would not arrive off Sydney Heads till some hours after dark & therefore not being allowed to enter during the night, the speed would be reduced so as to bring her off the port to enter by daylight.

This conclusion being the general one, without any further discussion every one "turned in".

However the unusual had happened, the vessel had not "slowed down" but had "carried on" as usual, entered Sydney Harbour during the night & came to an anchor below Garden Island, there to await orders for the morrow, but again a surprise, for immediately on arrival the vessel had been boarded by the military, & a staff was put on board with the necessary papers documents & what was very much more welcome, money, (to enable advances to be made, to every one), so that no delay would take place in the disembarkation.

What was coming over the military! Some one must have wirelessed them!, they could hardly be expected "all on their own" to think out such a plan unaided! However the innovation was certainly a good one & much appreciated.

What a surprise awaited the men on awakening in the morning. At anchor! What’s up! Must be a fog! A Rush up on deck showed no fog. Where are we! For some moments so doubtful about the vessel having entered the Heads during the night, were they, that for a few moments the local points

[Page 328]
could not be identified, the belief being that the vessel had anchored in some port south of Sydney, when fully realising that the departure from the hitherto unbroken rules of red tape was an actual fact, chums pals friends, every one was called on deck to absorb & enjoy to the full the beauty of the scene & indeed the lovely harbour looked all the superatives so frequently uttered to sufficiently describe the charm of such well sequestered, beauty endowered, wonderfully colored, bright sparkling gem of the Ocean.

The Harbour was, to any eye, looking its best. Rain had evidently recently fallen, & in the gloriously bright sunlit morning every variable & varying view simply looked superb, to those whose absence alone would have heightened the coloring, but with the ever present memories of the ever recurring scenes of soul-searing desolation, the sight was doubly beautiful, restful, & soothing.

Later on animation was added to the scene by the appearance of the ferry boats loaded with passengers all frantically waving hats handkerchiefs or umbrellas & who, on the vessels coming closer, started to cheer & cheer again so that so roused & stirred were the men that the blood tingled through the veins in such a way that made them feel, that it certainly was worth while to go, but is positively good to be back again, from the front.

[Signed] John Brewster
December 1917

[Signed a second time, in pencil at the foot of the page] Dec/17 John Brewster

[Transcriber’s notes:
Boulogne spelt Boulounge
Bullecourt spelt Bullacourt
Cape Town spelt Capetown
Doignies spelt Doinez
Moascar spelt Moasker
Morchies spelt Morchese
Sierra Leone sometimes spelt Sierra Leonne
Pg.18 R.M.S. – Royal Mail Steamer]

[Transcribed by Barbara Manchester, Alison O'Sullivan for the State Library of New South Wales]