Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Francis Addy diary, 1 January 1918-29 March 1920
MLMSS 1607 / Item 2
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No. 25
Corporal Frank V. Addy
Hq. Signallers
4th Battalion
A.I.F.
No. 3.
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Tues Jan 1st 1918
New Year’s Day spent on the ‘phone lines from Derry House to front positions. Plenty of snow.
Tues Jan 15th
5th BN. Relieved us in line & we are still kept around Wytschaete in open positions.
Tues Jan 22ND:-
Relieved 2nd BN in line near Ousterverne Wood.
Wed Jan 30th
Left line tonight being relieved by the 54th BN. & went back to dug outs at Wolverghem & stopped the night.
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Thurs Jan 31st :-
BN. Rode by motor buses to farm billets around Merris & Outtersteene & are liable to be here for four weeks.
Sun Feb 17th :-
Left Merris today on a voyage of exploration to find the cousin’s grave.
Went through Bailluel & on to Steenwerck & found the grave at Trois Arbres Cemetery outside of the 2nd Aust c c Station. Took a "snap" & then had to get back to Merris.
Air raid on Bailluel that night.
Wed Feb 27th
Marched out with BN. Today through Outtersteene, Bailluel, Dranoutre, Lindenhoek & along York Road to "Parrett Camp" & stopped night in Nissen Huts.
Thurs Feb 28th:-
Left "Parrett Camp" & marched a couple of miles to Alpha-Beta" Camp at Ridge Wood near Vierstraat, on night of Dickebusch. Awaiting the much talked of "Spring Handicap" as the expected offensive is called.
It is thought that "Jerry" will attack on this front.
Plenty of reserves are around & we have got a Brigade on a Battalion
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Frontage so everything is in readiness for a "Welcome".
Fri Mar 1st 1918:-
Send off to the C.O. Lt. Col. Mackay tonight; he is taking over the 1st M.G. Bn.
Major Sasse is taking us over. We are likely to be at this camp for 20 days in reserves of the 40 days we are generally supposed to be "IN" for.
Companies to have plenty of line fatigues in the meantime.
Sun Mar 10th:-
Our men on fatigue in forward area got caught among "Fritz’s" shells on returning back to
Ridgewood & 6 were killed & 7 wounded. Among the killed were LT Clemenger & Ptes Scott, Drysdale & Lonsdale.
Wed Mar 20th :-
Left "Alpha-Beta" camp at Ridgewood & travelled by light railway trucks to Spoilbank & then marched up to hill 60 & are in tunnels near the broken railway bridge at Lorch Wood.
Mar 21st Thurs:-
Early this morning a dense barrage of gas shells came over & well soaked our area with gas. No attack took place but some of B Coy were gassed & I hear there were some deaths.
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Mon March 25th
Hurriedly taken out of reserves without doing our turn in the front line.
I suppose it is owing to "Jerry’s" big push down south & we are now at Tournai Camp situated at Confuasion Corner awaiting a move.
Tues March 26th
Not moved yet though 3rd DIV. has gone & the 4th DIV. are said to be well into the stoush by this.
Tues April 2nd 1918:-
We had our Easter Monday yesterday at the Tournai Camp in peace & left today
by light railway to Reninhelst. Marched out a few miles to a cap at Hoograaf situated about a mile from Poperinghe. Nissen huts
Fri Apr 5th:-
Left Hoograaf at 8 pm & marched to Godewaersvelde.
Sat Apr 6th:-
Entrained at 1 a m & passed through Calais, Etaples, Abbeville, Longpre, Hangest (where the 2nd Bde disentrained) & on to the St Roch station at Amiens.
Marched on to Rainnville (6 ˝ miles) & billeted.
Motor wagons are mostly engaged in carrying wounded through & there are plenty of rumors flying around about the "Aussies" being left in the lurch.
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Mon April 8th:-
Pay-day & wet weather still awaiting orders to move forward up to the fight.
Tues Apr 9th:-
Marched from Rainneville at 12.30 PM through Molliens-Au-Bois & on to Beaucourt (about 6 miles) Billeted in barns.
Wed Apr 10th:-
Fritz shelled village this morning; no harm done. Had a baksheesh route march this morning to within a couple of kilometres of Petit-Cardonette & back (7 ˝ miles)
Thu Apr 11th:-
Marched from Beaucourt to Amiens and are billeted (the whole Bde) in large hospital that has been emptied of patients.
Moving by train early in morning back to Flanders again on account of "Jerry" starting a push up there. We are mobile right enough. Caught in air-raid tonight & there are about 60 of the Bn wounded. We had to march right down to the St Roch station to get our packs where they were dropped by the transport & carry them back here to hospital.
Then we’ll have much pleasure in carrying them back again in the early morning – such is the
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brains of the "heads" of our affairs. St Roch station being heavily shelled & I spotted 8 men of the Bde. lying out killed.
Most of our air bomb casualties we caused when the men were coming along the streets with their packs. A bomb also came through the roof of the hospital. No wonder we get this bombing & shelling when they march the whole brigade in column of fours into Amiens in broad daylight with bands playing right in view of the enemy airmen.
Fri Apr 12th:-
Moved by train from St Roch Stn this morning & moved
Through Doullens & St Pol to Hazebrouck.
After a wait on the roadside we received orders to move forward towards Fritz wherever he might be & no one seemed to know. The road is a continuous stream of transports moving back with all the stores they can hold & detached parties of "Tommies" who have become lost, stolen or strayed.
Can’t get anything intelligent out of them though they swear that every Jerry possesses a machine-gun. Seems to me that the whole damn lot are more intent on getting back than getting up. They’ll make a good advance guard – for the civilian’s retreat.
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Moved up to ground lying between Strazeele & Meteren & dug in a position. Enemy advance is supposed to have reached Merris. Bn Hqrs at brewery cellars in Strazeele & B coy are there in reserve.
D Coy Hqrs in small farmhouse on the Meteren road.
Sat 13th April:-
Day passed quietly & our own patrols pushed forward to Merris.
Sun Ap 14th:-
Shifted D Coy Hqrs from farmhouse to ploughed field in front. Some enemy attacks knocked back. I suppose they
Were just "feelers" by his advance.
Mon Apr 15th:-
Fritz has been shelling Strazeele & farmhouses on road severely but he will have little hope digging out Bn Hqrs from the cellars of the Brasserie St Pierre though he caught some of B Coy who were in some of upper rooms.
Tues Apr 16th:-
C Coy hopped over towards MerriS. Left flank reaches objective but the right got held up by machine-gun fire.
Wed Apr 17th:-
D Coy moved around
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To right of BN. In front of the Windmill outside Strazeele. Taking over from B Coy tonight. During the day "Fritz" put up an intense bombardment & attacked towards C coy’s position. He came a thud though he must have brought up a lot of artillery.
Thurs Apr 18th :-
Although we have had a lot of casualties here we have also had good living on the poultry & sucking pigs. The inhabitants must have had to get out suddenly.
Fri Ap 19th :-
Cold weather is in the
Fashion again & it has started snowing. Bitterly cold in the trenches.
The cows, pigs, & horses around here have been having a lot of casualties from shells & have to be put out of misery.
Sat Apr 20th :-
Stopped snowing though still very cold.
Bn. Hqrs. Shifted out of Strazeele Cellars to a farmhouse owing to the village being on fire.
Sun Apr 21st :-
Quiet in line today. Suppose Jerry is having a hymn.
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Mon Ap 22ND :-
Relieved at 9.30pm by the 5th BN "Fritz" gave us a few salvos of "Whizz bangs" at parting. Marched out to Le Peupliel railway siding & billeted in huts.
Tues Apr 23rd :-
Everything quiet here though a few hostile aircraft came over on the lookout.
Wed Apr 24th :-
Camp bombed by aeroplanes early this morning. Only one wounded .Made T/Cpl Vice Cpl J Honan wounded 17/4/18
Thurs Apr 25th:-
"Anzac Day" spent on rest. 25th RFTS joined us up. Two new sigs:- Rose & Towner.
Fri Apr 26th :-
All the Bn on fatigue tonight digging trenches on left of Meteren. Worked short time as "Jerry" set alight a farmhouse behind us with a shell & gave us unwanted illumination for the job.
Sat Apr 27th :-
Still at camp at Le Peupliel: near the Borre North Railway
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Sun Ap 28th :-
Left camp & relieved 12th BN in supports on left of Meteren.
Mon Apr 29th :-
Shell on farmhouse wounding 6 of Bn Hq signallers including Sgt Campey & Corp. Middleton so I have to go back to Bn Hqrs tonight to take charge of the sigs.
Tues Apr 30th :-
More shells on our barn tonight. Corp Burns killed & Corp Southcote & Thomas wounded. Sgts Mackie & McInnes killed out in trench
Wed May 1st :-
Things are very quiet around here today. Leaving us alone as far as shelling is concerned.
Fri May 3rd:-
Relieved 3rd BN. In line at 11P.M. tonight. Went up at 9P.M. to have a look around. We are South of the Fletre – Meteren Road & directly East of Meteren
Sat May 4th:-
Things quiet around here today. Estimated casualties up to 6. pm. K. 1; D of w. 1; w 21.
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Tues May 7th:-
Got some shelling today & "Jerry" managed to lobbed a howitzer shell through the roof of our farmhouse & blew the big kitchen right out. Everyone just out in time.
Wed 8th May:-
Were to be relieved tonight but it is put off for 24 hours. Passfield & Fitzgerald left for Corp Signal school.
th May 9th:-
Relieved tonight by the West Yorks ( Leeds Rgt.)
Got away the last of the Bn. With Lt. Leitch.
Fri May 10th:-
Walked through Fletre at 3 A.M. & on to Caestre where we picked up the Bn. in motor buses & rode to a camp near Sercus; not far from Wallon-Cappell.
Sun May 12th:-
Camp bombed tonight by ‘planes. We were out in shelters.
Tues May 14th:-
Thorpe our Hq detail cook was killed tonight by a bomb.
Wed May 15th:-
Left BN. & reported to Bde & went with other N.C.O.’s by motor to 4th Squadron R.A.F.
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at the aerodrome outside of St Omer. We are here for practising signalling work with contact aeroplanes.
Fri May 17th:-
Plenty of air-raids on St Omer at night times & it is the usual thing for all inhabitants to get out to the Park Cellars at 9 P.M. with their pillows & chairs.
Sat May 18th:-
Had my first fly this morning in an R.E.8 Biplane. They’ll only give you a quarter of an hours joy ride.
Left for Bn. By motor passing through Arques & on to where they are now situated on road between Hondeghem & Hazebrouck.
Sun May 19th:-
Joined the Nucleus Bn. On outskirts of Hazebrouck as it is my turn to remain out of the line.
Tues May 21st:-
Left Nucleus Bn. & relieved Sgt. Osborne on Lt Guan’s Hazebrouck piquet.
Fri May 24th:-
Relieved of picquet duty by the 5th Bn. & went back to Nucleus at farmhouse on road between Hazebrouck & Borre.
Sat May 25th:-
Fatigue duty today building machine gun "possies" around Borre.
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Building ours in the presbytery near Church. Heard that about 30 of our men up front were caught with "mustard gas" last night.
Mon May 27th:-
Fatigue work at Pradelles this morning & relieved by 11th BN. This afternoon.
Bn. Coming back to reserves at the Rouge Croix area between Borre & Caestre.
Tues May 28th:-
Pay Day. A batman named Stokes wounded at the billet by a bomb dropped by aeroplane this afternoon.
Thurs May 30th:-
Two of C coy’s runners killed by a shell early this morning. Names: Blackman & Keeling.
Dummy gun on the railway line is "drawing the crabs" around the billet.
Sat June 1st 1918:-
Two more casualties (?) Lt. Deane sprained his ankle last night & as his batman Price was carrying him down to the doctor this morning he slipped down with Deane on top of him. Result:- Another sprained ankle.
Moral:- "It’s better to be born lucky than stop a hard one.:
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Sun 2nd June:-
3rd Bde had a stunt & took about 300 prisoners.
Mon June 3rd:-
Marched from camp & through Wallon-Cappel to camp outside of Sercus.
Thurs June 6th:-
Pay day. Went to La Belle Hotesse for a "bust up"
Fri June 7th:-
Bn. marched from Sercus to camp over Borre North Railway.
Sat June 8th:-
Have gone back to D coy again to
take charge of the SIG section. Left Borre North Camp & went to line as support Company in our old position around Strazeele.
Tues June 11th:-
Things are normal here except that a lot of the boys are going down with a kind of a trench fever which has been given the sobriquet of "Dog’s Disease"
Wed June 12th:-
Changed over tonight with "C Coy". Corp Hoile got a bullet in the knee coming in.
Fri 14th June:-
Tried to raid one of
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"Jerry’s" posts today. Sgt. Grant, L/CPL. Swaine & Jones wounded.
Mon June 17th:-
Relieved tonight by 3rd Bn. & went back to reserve line trenches near Fletre.
Tues June 18th:-
Nothing doing yet with the exception of aerial activity. The expected "Fritz" attack fails to materialise.
Wed June 19th:-
Precautionary period is over & have left reserve trenches between Rouge Croix & Fletre & have gone back to Farmhouse at Borre North.
Thurs June 20th:-
Coy. doing night fatigues Raining like -
Mon June 24th:-
Moved early this morning into old cellar in support to 2ND Bn. For their "hop over".
Everything went off OK & objectives taken. The most "tickled" persons in the "stunt" were some Yankee N.C.O’s put with us for experience. Their first trip to the "shooting gallery".
Tues June 25th:-
Moved back tonight to reserve trenches near Pradelles road. "Fritz" failed to counter-attack.
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Thurs June 27th
Relieved in reserves by 5th Bn. At 9 pm. & moved back to camp at le Kreule between Hazebrouck & Hondeghem.
Camps around Sercus are condemned for being infected with "Dog’s Disease".
Fri July 5th 1918:-
Left camp this night & relieved 10th Bn in line. A & C Coys in front & B & D in support . Situated now between Strazeele & Railway Stn.
Sat July 6th
"Fritz" put about 50 5.9 shells on to our farmhouse this morning. Smashed things up but
No one hurt. We were well down south in the cellars.
Tues July 9th
Relieved A Coy in line tonight. C oy made an advance on Jerry’s outposts & "salvaged" about 60 prisoners & 6 machine guns.
Wed July 10th
Our men are going out in daylight to the opposition posts & gathering in "Adolfs" by twos & threes ; also their machine guns.
Thurs July 11th
Our Oc Lt Allen was wounded today by machine gun fire while walking about 14 platoons post. His third star had just come out.
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Fri July 12th
Relieved by 2nd Bn late tonight. Marched through Pradelles & Borre to billets at side of railway line cutting road to Hazebrouck.
Coy. Casualties 1 killed 5 wounded.
Mon July 15th
Left farmhouse billet at 3 pm our place being taken by the K.O.S.B. of the 29th Tommy Div. Marched a few kilos to bivouac camp near Le Kreule
Sun 21st July:-
News that Captain Allen our late O.C. died of wounds at the 1st Aust c c station. Been through Gallipoli from start
to finish & France up till now & rose from signaller to C.O. & has the hard luck for his first wound to be a "hard one".
Wed July 24th
Early this morning "Jerry" put 8 shells out of his "Rubber" gun around the camp.
No Casualties.
Tues July 30th
Marched out today, full packs & skirted Hazebrouck passed through Wallon – Cappel, Lynde, Renesque, & are now billeted just outside the village of Raquinhem.
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Thurs Aug 1st 1918:-
"Fritz" gives us some aerial bombing here at Orchard at nightime.
Sat Aug 3rd:-
Battalion’s platoon competition D COY won Company Competition.
Sun Aug 4th
On leave to St Omer Brigade Competitions held
Mon Aug 5th
Swimming races for BDE down in canal. Moving down South tonight or early morning LT Horniman takes charge of D Coy.
Tues 6th Aug:-
Left Requinhem at 12.45 AM & marched to Wizernes. Entrained & went via Boulogne, Etaples & Abbeville to Pont Remy; thence by motor bus at night to Daours where we of D Coy rejoined rest of Bn.
Wed Aug 7th
Bivouaced in field today at side of Daours.
Biggest Hopover we have yet been in coming off in the morning.
3rd & 2nd Aust Divs going over first then "jumped" by 4th & 5th Divs. The 1st Div comes in at the death. It is the first time the whole 5 Aust Divs have been together in the one stunt.
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Thurs Aug 8th
Moved from Daours at 1.45am to first assembly point. Stunt started at 4.20am & at 6.20am we moved to second assembly position, a high ridge in front of Hamel & in line with Sailly- Laurette on the opposite bank of the Somme.
Fri Aug 9th
Everything going ok & objectives reached about 8 miles ahead.
Canadians on our right are also ok but the Tommies on the left bank of River Somme seem to get hung up although their only part in the advance is to swing their right flank to conform with our advance else we on the left flank of the
Move forward will be left "swinging in the air."
Believe that some of the 1st Bde had to cross the river & give a hand in putting "Jerry" out of Chipilly 2nd Bde in action today at noon. We moved up through Bayonvillers & bivouacked in field between Guilacourt & Harbonnieres.
Sat Aug 10th
Moved up this morning to the right of Vauvillers & took cover behind farmhouses.
3rd Bde in action this morning. 2 of our B Coy killed tonight & a few wounded.
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Sun Aug 11th
Moved forward tonight to gullies near Lihons & n.e. of Rosieres.
Mon Aug 12th:-
Mick Carmody & Evans killed today by a shell.
Rsm Robertson had his ankle shattered by Colonel Sasse’s groom letting a rifle go off.
The hostile ‘planes are laying plenty of eggs around us at night. Owing to the casualties of the 2nd & 3rd Brigades the 1st division is too weak to do a divisional stunt.
Thurs 15th Aug:-
Moved back at 7pm
to bivouacs along railway line between Vauvillers & Harbonnieres.
"Fritz" giving his usual free issue of aerial bombs tonight. He must not like getting his "knock-back" for 11 miles.
Fri Aug 16th
Moved further back this morning passing through Harbonnieres, Bayonvillers, Hamel, Lamotte, Santerre, Vaire-sur-Corbie, to Vaux-sur-Somme where we encamped on the river bank.
Mon Aug 19th
Tank demonstration in front of Hamel in preparation for our coming "hop-over".
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Tues Aug 20th
Practice attacks with "dummy tanks" on the old trenches in front of Vaire.
Wed Aug 21st:-
Left bn today & went back to Corbie with nucleus personnel. Bn moving up tonight to line near Morcourt.
Attacking with tanks on Friday I think. Weather is getting hot.
Fri Aug 23rd:-
Hundreds of prisoners are passing through Corbie.
Bn had only about 50 casualties up to last objective. Lt Guan, Corp Nolan & Sgt Bruce among the killed.
Tues Aug 27th
Left Corbie this afternoon & passed through Hamelet, Hamel, Gailly & Cerisy-Gailly to Morcourt & rejoined bn.
It is just like a pawnbroker’s shop with the sales of "souvenirs".
Fri Sept 6th1918:-
Moved with bn today from Morcourt by motor busses & passed through Mericourt, Bray, Suzanne, Eclusier & Curlu. Marched through Clery & camped in field between Peronne & Mont St Quentin.
I think this place is called Quinconce
Sun Sept 8th:-
Marched from Quinconce
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Today passing Peronne & Doigt & camping at Courcelles
Mon Sept. 9th:-
Marched through Tincourt & Marquaix & billeted in hut sat side of Roisel
Tues Sept 10th:-
Moved from Roisel & relieved 39th bn in front tonight. Company not stopping at their position but is going more forward by about 1000 yds & digging in a new position.
Lts Malone & Perkins wounded by shell this afternoon.
Wed Sept 11th:-
D Coy & A Coy went at "Jerry" at 5.30am
Struck strong opposition in parts. C.S.M. Stone, Howarth, Wootten & McCormack among the killed
Thurs Sept 12th:-
Line companies had to move back a bit yesterday afternoon owing to flanks not being up. Moved over with C Company from Hervilly Wood to behind Hesbecourt
Fri Sept 13th:-
C Coy relieved D Coy early this morning & moved to front of Hesbecourt. Moved further along road in afternoon & took up position
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in quarry. Outposts are well forward now
Sat sept 14th:-
Colonel Sasse wounded this morning.
Our signallers Hueston & Wootten have been killed , Bradshaw died at dressing station, Joe Ryan killed & Perry, Rowan & Watters are wounded.
Relieved by 7th Bn & marched back via Roisel & along white tape-line to Marquaix & then on to bivouacs outside of Tincourt.
Mon Sept 16th:-
Airplanes bombing our bivouacs at night. Some of the 2nd Bn hit. Bn reorganised in just two companies of 4 & 3 platoons respectively owing to our small strength.
Tues Sept 17th:-
Preparations for our "stunt" in the morning. 3 Armies going over. Suffolks on our left & 2nd Bn on our right, 3rd Brigade further right & then the 4th Division. Marched from Tincourt at midnight.
Wed Sept 18th:-
Got into the forming up line alright on right of Hesbecourt & the 7th Bn withdrew from front line just before the fireworks opened so as to give "Jerry" an empty position to retaliate on. Barrage started
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At 5.20am & we were off trailing it up. Smoke clouds were so dense that we could hardly see two yards. 4th Bn reached first objective forward of Hargicourt.
3rd bn went on through us after another barrage at 8.26am & on to 2nd objective in the defences of the Hindenberg Line
Thurs Sept 19th:-
Casualties were very light in Bn – only about 30. Plenty of prisoners roped in & we are now supporting the 3rd Bn.
Sat Sept 21st:-
Relieved tonight by the 7th Bn in support line & moved back via Hargicourt to Hesbecourt & put up in dugouts. 4 men in Coy were wounded coming out.
Mon Sept 23rd:-
Marched from Hesbecourt at 9 am via Hervilly, Roisel, Marquaix to huts between Tincourt & Buire.
Tues Sept 24th:-
Marched through Buire, Courcelles, Doingt, Peronne, Quinconce & Clery & bivouacked at side of river near Busnes.
Thurs Sept 26th:-
Marched back through Biaches to near Peronne & entrained for Longpre, passing through Rosieres
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Marcelcave, Villers-Bretonneux, Blangy-Glisy, Amiens & detrained at night.
Fri Sept 27th
Had to march from train last night to our barn billets at Vauchelles(about 12 miles) & arrived at 2 am this morning. Raining for the latter part of the march. Abbeville a few kilos away.
Thurs Oct 3rd:-
Transferred to Bn HQR signallers. Captain Wolffe in charge of what remains of Bn.
Tues Oct 8th:-
Left Vauchelles today on account of 1st pioneer Bn coming to occupy our billets. Moved to Bellancourt & occupied those of 3rd Bn who were away on musketry practice at the range.
Mon Oct 14th:-
Marched from Ballancourt through Ailly to Villers-sur-Ailly & billeted there for our 4 days range practice.
Fri Oct 18th:-
Marched from Villers-sur-Ailly this afternoon back to our billets at Bellancourt.
Mon Oct 28th:-
Received my pass for a furlough to Paris. Walked
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To Long for money & to Lonpre for new clothes. Took train from there & arrived at Pepiniere Barracks at Paris at 8.30 pm.
Put up for night at Hotel D’Eina
Tues Oct 29th:-
Left Hotel D’Eina & put up at the Hotel des Deux Gares in the rue du Faubourg between the Gare du Nord & the Gare L’Est . Follies Bergies at night.
Wed oct 30th:-
Visit to invalids & Museum & Napoleon’s Tomb.
Thurs Oct 31st:-
Around the Madeleine, Place de La Concorde, Champs-de-Elysees
Fri Nov 1st:-
All Saints day & as it is a holiday here all of the places of historical interest are closed.
Sat Nov 2nd:-
Ceremonies held here today & wreaths placed on all monuments. Crowds of people around the captured war trophies on the Place de la Concorde. "All Souls Day"
Mon Nov 4th:-
Left Hotel des deux Gares & have put up at Army & Navy Leave Club "Hotel Moderne" in the Place de la Republique.
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Tues Nov 5th:-
Visit to Versailles & the Royal palace of Louis XIV.
At the Olympia Music Hall at night.
Thurs Nov 7th:-
Around the Isle of Paris, Tower of St Jacques, Notre Dame & Palace of Justice.
Left Paris by the 10.15 pm train from the Gare du Nord & am on my way for Abbeville.
Fri Nov 8th:-
On arriving at Pont Remy heard that Bn were on the move from Bellancourt to entrain from Lonpre so went and met them there.
Entrained for Roisel. Peace or an armistice is rumoured to be in the wind but all the same we are moving up.
Sat Nov 9th:-
Arrived at Roisel this morning & put up for the day & tonight at hut camp outside of station.
Sun Nov 10th:-
By motor through Hargicourt & Le Cateau to the village of Bazuel.
Mon Nov 11th:-
A rest day for us here at Bazuel. Only a few poor refugees here. A parade held
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& it is announced that an armistice is signed. News taken without any demonstration.
In fact the Bn had its "muck up" the week previous at Bellancourt on a false alarm so they don’t take any interest now.
Nov 12th Tues:-
Rumour hath it that we are to go on to Coblenz for occupation purposes.
Wed Nov 13th:-
Marched from Bazuel this morning via Le Cateau to Busigny & billeted.
Thurs Nov 14th:-
"Cleaning up" parades & it is looked upon as certain for us to go to Germany.
No one enthusiastic except perhaps some of the "heads" who see their good jobs leaving them shortly.
That reminds me. We have now with us an officer who wears the 1914 red service chevron & who has never been to any part of this war.
The first time he joined the Bn was just before the Armistice so he must have judged things well.
Fri Nov 15th:-
Pay Day. Drew the large fortune of 20 francs (15/4) paid by Lt Thomas.
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Sat Nov 16th:-
Bn won the Brigade football cup & Brigade shield today.
Tues Nov 19th:-
Still at Busigny & we are wondering whether the damaged railway lines will be fixed up or whether we will have to walk the 200 miles to Coblenz.
Thurs Nov 21st:-
Left Busigny at 8.45 am & marched through St Souplet & Arbre du Guise to Mazingheim & billeted. Village knocked about.
Fri Nov 22nd:-
Marched from Mazingheim this morning & passed through Catillon, La Groise & Paisches to Beaurepaire & billeted.
Village in fairly good order but only one or two French here.
Sat Nov 23rd:-
Marched from Beaurepaire through Catignies & Avesnes to Avesnelles & billeted.
Mon Nov 25th:-
Marched from Avesnelles through Flaumont-Waudrechies & Felleries to Solre-le Chateau & billeted. A great lot of cleaning up to be done to the places here after the way they have been left by "Filthy Fritz".
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Sun Dec 15th 1918:-
Marched from Solre-le-Chateau through Hestud, over the frontier & through Solre St Gery to Barbencon & billeted.
Mon Dec 16th:-
Marched from Barbencon through Fontenelle & Walcourt to Thy-le-Chateau & billeted.
Tues Dec 17th:-
Marched from Thy-le-Chateau through Somzee & Gerpinnes to Acoz, a little scattered quarrying district about 5 kilometres from Chatelet. This will be our domicile for some time as I think our projected trip to Germany has been knocked on the head. We are here for demobilisation & will have to wait our turns.
Thurs Dec 19th:-
A trip through Boufflioulx & Chatelet & by tram into Charleroi. All mining district around this way.
By train out to Marchienne.
Xmas Day 1918 Wed:-
Had our Xmas Eve spree in Charleroi last night. This morning & dinner with Bn at Acoz & again into Charleroi for afternoon & evening.
Plenty of dancing in the estaminets.
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Dec 26th Thurs:-
My yearly furlough to the United Kingdom has again meandered along so left Bn this afternoon & got leave train from Charleroi for Boulogne at midnight.
Fri Dec 27th:-
Travelling slow & it is raining heavily.
Passed through Ghislain, Douai, Arras & St Pol
Sat Dec 28th:-
Reached Boulogne at 11 am & got the leave boat " SS Victoria" to Folkestone. By train to London & arrived at Victoria Station about 8 am. Stopped night at Maida Vale hostel.
Sun Dec 29th:-
Down to friends at East Dulwich.
Mon Dec 30th:-
Visited the Alhambra Theatre tonight. Bing Boys on Broadway. George Robey & Vi Lorraine.
Tues Dec 31st:-
Coliseum Theatre Variety show
Wed Jan 1st 1919:-
A wet day so off to Madame Tussauds’ Waxworks at Baker St.
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Thurs Jan 2nd:-
Out to Acton for the day.
Fri Jan 10th:-
Empire Theatre at night.
Sun Jan 12th:-
Left London from Victoria Station & crossed to Calais. Spent night at Rest camp.
Mon Jan 13th:-
Entrained at Calais & today passed through Etaples, St Pol & Arras.
Tues Jan 14th:-
Passed through Douai, Mons & St Ghislain & reached Charleroi at 11pm put up at 1st Div Rfts billets.
Wed Jan 15th:-
Left Charleroi by tram to Chatelet & by legs to Bn at Acoz.
Thurs Jan 16th:-
Aussie Xmas pcls arrive.
Sun Jan 19th:-
Our first draft leaves us en route to England to embark for Australia. They
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Call it the "1915 draft" though there are more of us 1915 men left behind than there are in it. I missed as only 4 Corporals were allowed to go.
Mon Jan 20th:-
Bn reorganized into X Y & Z companies
Sat Jan 25th:-
My natal day. Rum issue & Z Company’s Dance at the Hotel de la Gare Acoz.
Mon Jan 27th:-
Started snowing yesterday & so plenty of snowballing today. Belgian concert & dance at Lausprelle tonight
Tues Feb 4th:-
Been doing nothing & doing it well up to now & have had plenty of snow in the meantime.
Our draft for Aust. That was to leave on the 7th inst. Has been postponed indefinitely.
Must be here for keeps.
Wed Feb 5th:-
Strikes & labour troubles are supposed to be holding us up. Know there has been some trouble around Calais way.
UK furlough has reopened.
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At last I am away with a draft.
Left Acoz with our portion of the No 10 Quota & put up for the night at Corp Concentration Camp at Marcinelle, Charleroi.
Thurs Feb 13th:-
Left Charleroi by train after getting a "Tea Leaved" lot of "Johnnie Walker" aboard. Passed through Mons, Valenciennes, St Ghislan & Amiens.
Fri Feb 14th:-
Pulled up at a siding near Havre & marched to the Aust Gen Base depot late tonight.
Sun Feb 16th:-
The tents in this camp are in a filthy condition with the old gear, food & blankets lying about & the wet conditions. A number of us are lying out with the flu & we are chary about reporting sick as the draft is liable to move across to Eng at any time & so we would miss it.
Mon 17th Feb:-
Still got the dog’s disease but hanging out in case the quota moves.
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Wed Feb 19th:-
Could hang on no longer & had to go into camp hospital. Quota not shifted.
Sun Feb 23rd:-
In hospital & it is rumoured that No 10 Quota moves across to England tomorrow so I must work my nut at of here to catch it.
Mon Feb 24th:-
Left camp hosp & got on draft leaving the AGB depot this afternoon. Marched through Harfleur to Le Havre & boarded the channel boat "Mona’s Queen" which left at 6 pm.
Tues feb 25th:-
Arrived outside of Weymouth early this morning & put in at 9 am. Left by train to Tidworth & marched to No 3 Camp Park House Salisbury Plains.
Wed Feb 26th:-
Very cold here & we cannot get away on furloughs till we go through numerous inspections & inoculations & these take some time for a mob to go through.
Thurs Feb 27th:-
Getting some sort of clothing thrown at us & inoculated
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Mon Feb 28th:-
Pay day & most of us are only getting the 4 guineas for our furlough.
Mon Mar 3rd 1919:-
Left Tidworth by the 9.25 am special train for London. Went to "Box’o Tricks" at the Hippodrome tonight.
Tues Mar 4th:-
Down to east Dulwich & the Towers Picture Palace at Peckham Rye.
Wed Mar 5th:-
Out to the Aust Base Post office at Mornington Crescent & picked up some mail. At night to the London pavilion Theatre:- Alice Delysia in "As You Were".
Sun Mar 9th:-
Left London by train from Kings Cross Station at 10.30 pm for Newcastle & changed there for Consett Co Durham. Stopped at Consett with the Rutters.
Mon mar 10th:-
Around the Consett Iron Coys works. Snowing up here.
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Thurs Mar 13th:-
Left Consett by train from Blackhill Station at 9.2 am for Newcastle & got the 10.5 am train to London. Had a good time though still snowing. Reached London at 5 pm.
Sat Mar 15th:-
Still around London & to the Coliseum tonight
Tues mar 18th:-
Left London by the 6.10am from Waterloo Station to Tidworth & sneaked into the Park house Camp a day late.
Rumour says that we will be on the move to Sutton Veny in a few days time. Snow is starting & making things miserable here especially after being off the chain for a fortnight.
Thurs Mar 20th:-
Left Park house Camp & went by train from Tidworth to Codford & walked to Heytesbury depot. Made out an application for non-military employment as it looks like never getting a boat home & these camps are "eyesores & earaches". All you can do is sit down & "mope". Snow is added to our troubles.
Fri April 4th 1919:-
Shifted from No 10
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Quota to C Company at another part of camp. Awaiting the result of my application for a course at the Motor School in London. That No 10 Quota will never leave for Australia.
Mon Ap 7th:-
Nothing to do except sleep & eat our rations. Nothing doing to the accompaniment of fine weather.
Thurs Apr 10th:-
Shifted from C Coy Heytesbury over to No 1 Command Depot Sutton Veny.
Good Friday April 18th:-
At Sutton Veny camp eating shark (underdone)
Sat Apr 19th:-
Left camp at got the 8 am train from Warminster, via Reading to London. Arrived Paddington Station at 10.45 am.
Easter Mon April 21st:-
By ‘bus to Richmond & then by steamer down to Hampton Court. Around the palace & survived the struggle home.
Wed Apr 23rd:-
Left by midnight train to Swindon.
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Thurs Apr 24th:-
Got train to Warminster & back to Sutton Veny Camp.
Fri Apr 25th:-
Anzac Day commemoration service on the grounds of Green Hill House Sutton Veny. Addressed by Lt-Col James & Fred Norwood.
Fri May 2nd 1919:-
My n.m.e. orders have come along at last. Left No 7 Camp Sutton Veny & went by the 1.36 pm train from Warminster via Reading to Paddington Station London.
Starting my Motor Course.
Sat May 3rd:-
March of the overseas troops through London.
Fine weather & I made one – of the spectators – up in the Strand near Australia House.
Coliseum theatre at night.
Tues May 6th:-
Started my motoring course at 10 Heddon St off Regent St Piccadilly. Know now why the boys call this stunt bon – Military Enjoyment.
Wed May 7th:-
Fixed up lodgings at 73 Belgrave Road near Victoria Stn.
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Sat June 28th 1919:-
Peace signed. Around Trafalgar Square in the rumpus.
Fri July 4th:-
Dinner to Billee Hughes at the Horseferry Road War Chest Club.
No luck – The 1/- feed did not choke him.
Thurs July 17th:-
By train from waterloo Station to Windsor & Eton. Over the castle & then by train to Taplow & Slough.
Got launch back on river from Clievdon Woods.
Sat July 19th:-
Peace procession of the Allied Forces through London. Saw it along Vauxhall Bridge Road.
Mon July 21st:-
Left London from Paddington Station by the 5.5 pm train to Warminister.
Just missed the roll for the "Argyllshire" to leave on Saturday.
Tues Aug 5th 1919:-
Off to London again. One gets "fed up" of the dirt-box of a camp.
Left by the 10.20 am train from Warminister to Paddington.
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Mon Aug 11th:-
Back again to Warminister & Sutton Veny camp.
Fri 22nd Aug:-
London again. This time on marriage leave. So I’m going to do the trick at last & to a girl whom I’ve known since my first furlough in 1916 so I’ve had plenty of time for reflection. "Here’s Luck".
Tues Sept 2nd 1919:-
"Hitched up" well & truly today at St Barnabas’ Church East Dulwich, London. "The deed is done".
Sun Sept 21st:-
Left by the 2.40 pm from Paddington station to Warminister.
After my kits & mail as from now I’m finished with camps & will be on indefinite leave till "me & the missus" are put on to a boat.
Mon Sept 22nd:-
Returned to London. Domiciled at 3 Daneville Road Camberwell S.E.
Sept 25th Thurs:-
Railway strike in England. Things are getting more
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like Australia every day. I won’t want to go home soon.
Oct 5th Sunday:-
London railway strike settled
Sat Oct 18th:-
Notice today that we sail for "Aussie" by the SS Marathon on Nov 4th
Oct 27th Mon:-
Alf Felton won the world’s sculling championship today on the Thames from Barry.
Tues Nov 4th:-
The "Marathon’s" sailing date has been put back for a few days
Fri Nov 7th:-
My last look at London for some years at least. Left from Waterloo Stn by 11.55am. Train to Southampton & embarked on the "Marathon".
Drew outside of docks & anchored
Sat Nov 8th:-
Our delay in sailing is due to some of the firemen deserting. They have managed to get some more aboard & we sailed at 1.30 pm passing by the "Needles".
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Sun Nov 9th:-
At midday we were 272 miles out & just past Ushant into the Bay of Biscay. Average speed 12.5 knots.
Mon Nov 10th:-
Rough night but sunny morning. Another 276 miles up till midday & we passed Finnisterre this afternoon.
Tues Nov 11th:-
Good weather & 292 miles completed. Armistice day 1st anniversary. 6009 miles to Durban.
Wed Nov 12th:-
287 miles by midday
Thurs Nov 13th:-
266 miles today’s count. A strong headwind blowing & heavy seas running.
Fri Nov 14th:-
270 miles up today. Passed Teneriffe at 11.30 last night. Sea has calmed down
Sat Nov 15th:-
273 miles – just on 11.3 knots nearing Cape Blanc & just getting in the tropics.
Sun Nov 16th:-
289 miles – 12 knots. Getting sultry.
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Mon Nov 17th:-
286 miles to midday getting around Cape Verde
Tues Nov 18th:-
The mileage has dropped to 259. The heat must be playing up with the trimmers.
Wed Nov 19th:-
281 miles today
Thurs Nov 20th:-
288 miles. "Crossed the Line" at 2pm The usual foolery.
Fri Nov 21st:-
278 miles up to noon now crossing the Gulf of Guinea.
Sat Nov 22nd:-
287 miles.
Sun Nov 23rd:-
285 miles
Mon Nov 24th:-
281 miles. We are about level with St Helena now.
Tues Nov 25th:-
286 miles
Wed Nov 26th:-
280 miles
Thurs Nov 27th:-
262 miles. The weather is getting windy & cold now.
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Fri Nov 28th:-
248 miles & cold weather.
Sat Nov 29th:-
280 miles today.
Sun Nov 30th:-
Passed Capetown at 2 am & ape of Good Hope at 7.30 am. 281 miles up today.
Wed Dec 1st 1919:-
Passing by Algoa Bay. 290 miles today.
Tues dec 2nd:-
Running along the coast & expect to be in Port Natal sometime after midnight. 248 miles is today’s tally.
Wed Dec 3rd:-
Off ship at 10 am & stretching our legs around Durban as much as the rickshaw boys(?) would allow us to.
A swim at the beach baths & out to the zoo.
Staying in town till the Marathon" sails.
Fri Dec 5th:-
Left port natal at 1.15 pm striking rough weather at the start off.
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Sat Dec 6th:-
278 miles of bad weather.
Sun Dec 7th:-
We are making a course to go around St Paul & Amsterdam Islands. 307 miles up to midday & weather OK.
Mon Dec 8th:-
312 miles today & also maggots in the prunes they put to us for dinner. Of course there was no uproar.
Tues Dec 9th:-
300 miles (dead reckoning). We are in the centre of a rainstorm. Hostile demonstration against the adjutant & Colonel of ship. Missiles flying & I must say some of the women are straight shots.
I expect to see the adjutant’s name on the next casualty list under the haeding of:- "Died from a bombardment of rope quoits, uncooked potatoes & decayed fruit."
At any rate he was posted "Missing" for a time after & the beloved Colonel carried out a strategic retreat.
Wed Dec 10th:-
294 miles in wet misty weather.
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Thurs Dec 11th:-
297 miles still raining & making things uncomfortable for the women & children owing to the restricted space on the decks.
The few first class passengers have 2/3rds of the ships.
Protest & deputations are unavailing.
Fri Dec 12th:-
Mileage 298. Raining still. Received the King’s letter of thanks. Sarcastic remarks prevalent.
Sat 13th Dec:-
Mileage 306 & weather is beginning to clear up.
Sun 14th Dec:-
305 miles of good weather.
Mon 15th Dec:-
315 miles today.
Tues 16th Dec:-
Fancy Dress Ball on deck tonight. Mileage 308.
Wed Dec 17th:-
Getting within "Cooee of Aussie" today’s mileage of 309 bringing us within 625 miles of Fremantle.
Thurs Dec 18th:-
Mileage 310 so we are sure to be straining our eyesight tomorrow.
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Fri Dec 19th:-
Arrived at Fremantle at 1.30 pm. Hard luck that we are not to land; only the WA’s taken off.
Steamed out at 8.30pm; storm coming up.
Sat Dec 20th:-
Today was the roughest of the voyage. The mileage up to midday 170.
Sun Dec 21st:-
Today is Sun-day in more ways than one. Fine weather & mileage 308.
Mon Dec 22nd:- Mileage 306
Tues Dec 23rd:- Mileage 300.
Wed Dec 24th:-
Arrived at Port Adelaide. Left in a few hours after dropping the SA’s so we are to have our Xmas day on the water after all our hopes.
Xmas DAY 1919
The only difference in our dinner today that we were saved the labour of peeling the "spuds" on our plates.
The cooks must be after a tip as they stripped the outer casings off. My 5th Xmas Day away from home
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Fri Dec 26th:-
Arrived at Port Melbourne & pulled into Central pier at Victoria Docks about 1 pm. As we are here for a few days allowed on shore. Telegrams are flowing to Sydney & no doubt some will "cut the painter" & do the overland trip.
Sat Dec 27th:-
The rain today spoils St Kilda beach.
Staying at Glenferrie House, Glenferrie
Sun Dec 28th:
Out to see our relations at the zoo at Royal Park & picking up friends at Brunswick.
Mon Dec 29th:-
Out to the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the NSW v Victoria match.
Stopped on boat tonight as we are getting ready for our final crawl to Sydney.
Tues Dec 30th:-
Left for Sydney at 8 am this morning. Bad weather again.
Wed Dec 31st:-
Nearing home & the ship is "topsy-turvey" with the preparations of getting all the "glad rags" out.
Suppose it will be our luck for someone to have pinched the ‘arbour.
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New Year’s Day 1920:-
Landed at Woolloomooloo & the usual fuss at the Anzac Buffet
Mon Jan 5th:-
Have to go to Randwick Hospital today owing to nose trouble.
Mon Jan 12th:-
Operated on today at the No. 4 A G H Randwick by Major Whiteman.
Mon March 29th 1920:-
Discharge takes effect today – The finish of my 60 days furlough & the finish of any more "Form Fours" as far as I am concerned. Amen.
[Transcribed by John Glennon, Adrian Bicknell for the State Library of New South Wales]