Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Francis Addy diary, 9 August 1915-31 December 1915
MLMSS 1607 / Item 1
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Military address: -
Reg no. 2553
Pte Frank V. Addy
8th Rets. 4th battalion
1st. Brigade
AIF.
Egypt
Private address: -
605 Bourke St
Moore Park
Sydney
Australia
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Monday 9th Aug. 1915: -
Left Liverpool Camp
This morning & embarked on the "Runic" at Wooloomooloo &
did not get outside of Harbour & away till the afternoon.
Wed. 11th.
Outside of Port Phillip but the ship only slowed down to drop mail & the Staff Sergeant Majors on to a pilot skimmer & now we are "well & truly" off to "we don’t know where". No calling at Adelaide, Albany or Freemantle, but believe Aden to be our first stop.
Sunday 15th.
Weather has been passably fine & we are not having a bad
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time but things are beginning to get a bit monotonous now that we have almost completed our first week aboard.
Tues. 17th. Aug.
Sighted land for first time after leaving Port Phillip & incidentally had our last glimpse of Aust. for some time to come – That is the ones lucky enough to come back. I think that the old band at the Sydney wharf ought to cut out their "This is the Life" tune & substitute the old "Kathleen M."
"It may be for years – It may be for keeps"
Our sight of the "Land of Promise" is just a faint outline of Cape Lewin on the horizon at 6. A.M.
Believe ship has been keeping out of the trade route (some say 100 miles) "Goodbye Australia for a while!"
Thurs. 19th: -
Still on our monotonous trip & still weeks to go. Ship has got a big list to starboard & they say it is the coal causing it. Getting mean with the food & water. Most of us are buying tinned fish to eat & our money does not go very far as they only pay us a shilling a day aboard ship.
Experienced our roughest weather as yet yesterday.
Sat. 21st .Aug.
Starting to get hot; could not sleep below last night went on deck. Will have it proper
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in another couple of days. Awnings going up & wind chutes going down.
Nothing to see – excepting water.
Sat. 4th. Sept. 1915.
Sighted Aden at dinnertime today. Never stopped, the "Persia" overhauled us. Don’t think much of the Arabian Coast.
Sunday. 5th: -
Out of sight of mainland passing a lot of islands.
The "Persia" overhauled us again. She is carrying Victorian troops.
Only sighted one warship – a converted cruiser "The Empress of Asia" barely moving along.
Thursday. 9th Sept. 1915.
Anchored at Port Suez 9 A.M. Cannot land till next morning after getting everything ready.
Boys catching sharks – got one over 10 feet.
Friday 10th: -
Landed at Port Tewfik & entrained & after enduring our long train journey & experiences with the niggers arrived at Zietoum & put up there in the hutments just outside Heliopolis.
Sunday. 19th. Sept: -
Getting fed up with Egypt. the Gyppos etc. Have had all the Cairo I want & most of us are anxious to get away from this everlasting drill.
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Thursday Oct 21st 1915: -
Left Zeitoum & entrained to Alexandria; embarked on the P&O (Branch Line) S.S. Borda" – Troopship Z 51.
Oct. 22nd: -
Steamed out to entrance of breakwater this morning & laid up till afternoon. Two French Men-O-war in harbour also about a dozen ships including "Delta" "Galeka: & "Damoola"
After noon the Greek passenger ship "Patris" left with an overload of Greek reservists.
We are following her out on our way. Think we are going to Salonika.
Tues. 26th Oct.
Arrived at Mudros harbour Lemnos island early this morning after cruising around: numerous islands & zig-zagging & doubling back on our tracks.
A transport was supposed to be sunk a couple of days ago.
We were escorted by a British destroyer from yesterday afternoon till we arrived here.
Harbour crowded with transports & Warships – both British & French. Orders tonight for 1st & 2nd Brigade details & reinforcements to hold themselves in readiness to tranship tomorrow at a moments notice for ANZAC – about 15 hours run. So we will be in it right away.
27th Oct.
Orders cancelled as the
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weather on Gallipoli Coast is said to be too rough for landing troops.
Tues. 2nd Nov. 1915.
On guard last night & the other Refts (4th & 5th Troop destes) rioted & broke down the hatchways to the stores & got plenty of bottled ale etc. There was a lively time & cigarettes & chocolate were all over the show.
Captain of ship threatened to shoot some but a lot of notice they took of him.
This is one of the effects of keeping us here at anchor in Mudros & not putting us on shore at all.
Some ship was on fire in the harbour last night – don’t know its name.
This morning we all have to tranship on to the "Osmanieh" – supplied with 200 rounds of ammunition.
Been putting oil into a monitor that drew alongside of us.
The "Mauretania" as a hospital ship looked a fine sight as we left.
Landed at ANZAC & spent remainder of night sleeping in holes dug out in Shrapnel Gully. Firing going on all night over the ridges.
This is a weird place.
Wed. 3rd. Nov.
Shifted up towards our battalion this morning & we are being drafted towards different Coys. of the 4th.
Doing the night on the flat
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here – I think it is called "Shell Green" – but there is nothing "Irish" about it.
Thursday 4th November.
Joined our respective companies in the battalion.
Captain Stacey in charge of Company "D"
We are in reserves & have our quarters dug into the sides of the communication saps.
"Jacko" had a bit of a demonstration affair our first night here.
Bullets like bees.
Tues. 9th Nov.
Our first payday on ANZAC today. Paid the large sum of 10/- by Capt. B.V. Stacey.
Sat 13th Nov: - The first casualty the 8th regts of the 4th occurred today pte A J Stanhope got a bit of a shell up against his ankle as he was lying in a dugout.
Thurs 20th Nov.
Paid £ 2.10.0 today by Cpt. Stacey.
Received letter from Mother & the first letters I’ve had since I left Aust were only received just a week ago.
Written from Anzac to everyone but the outgoing mails are reported to be capsized a Lemnos.
I wonder if we’ll receive a Christmas mail.
Still in reserves.
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Sun. 28th. Nov.
Snowed last night & today is bitterly cold.
We will suffer here when Winter gets us properly.
Tues. 30th. Nov.
Our "Silent Ruse" of 3 days dimension commences today.
No firing to be done & no one to move about more than is necessary. I wonder if "Jacko" will come at us.
Sat. Dec. 11th: –
Moved into firing line at "Allah" Gully relieving 7th Light horse on right Flank,
Sat. Dec. 18th 1915.
Getting ready all day for our "historic slope"; we will be like "Anthony Hordern’s"
All the tracks have been marked out with spilt Flour, rice or anything white so as there will be no losing the way down to the beach.
Been burning stores for the last few days & what we can’t carry we are spoiling.
A few weeks ago we couldn’t rise a pair of dry socks & now we are putting on a fresh brand-new outfit of underclothes twice a day.
Could have a new lost every minute only we are too tired to change. We have been marched up from the beach a few times a day
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with our full packs on (after being sneaked down by a way that "Jacko" couldn’t spot us) so as to give the impression of fresh troops coming on the Peninsular.
Now we all have to have "tails" hanging down our back so as the fellow behind can take hold as we leave in a single file & there will be no chance of anyone losing touch with the one in front & so leading all behind him astray.
Equipment is tied so as not to rattle & bagging is wrapped around our boots.
We have withdrawn from firing line this evening (left a few of the old hands behind to fire intermittently) & are lying down on Gun Road awaiting orders to move.
"Abdul" knows nothing – I wonder if we will embark tonight.
Lemnos Sunday Dec 19th 1915.
Got away from ANZAC in the early hours of this morning without a hitch & are going to stay ashore here for a few days. Everyone is thankful for a rest but it gave us a pang to leave our dead here.
Marched up to Sarpai Camp today & put up in tents. Our rearguard left behind in firing line rejoined us here.
Christmas Eve 1915.
Had our Xmas Billies at the Sarpai Camp & received a pay £
1.10.0 from LT. Matthews.
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Embarking today on transports. 3rd & 4th Battalions on the p &o "Simla"
Christmas Day 1915.
On guard last night & today on the old Gangway got scaled for dinner & only had a little bit of pudding.
The most poor Xmas I’ve ever spent.
Put out to sea this morning at 4 A.M. on our way to Alexandria. Rumours that we will have some fighting around the Canal way.
8th Brigade supposed to be in it already.
Tues. Dec. 28th.
Arrived Alexandria at midday.
Wed. 29th Dec
Disembarked at noon amp; marched to camp on the point of Mex road at Mustapha.
Fri. Dec. 31st
Entrained early this morning from Alexandria & went to camp at Tel-el-Kebir.
Feb. 10th. 1916.
56th BN. formed & placed under Major Scott.
Wed 1st March.
Left Tel-el-Kebir by train to Serapeum & crossed canal by pontoon bridge to a camp a couple of miles in on the Sinai peninsula.
Around here is where "Jacko" made
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his attack on the canal & there are plenty of souvenirs lying about.
Fri. 3rd March 1916.
Sandstorm yesterday & today. Could not leave the tents.
Not enough water & a shortage of tucker.
The "Gyppo" engine drivers are selling us the water out of their engine boilers.
Sunday. 19th .March.
The Prince of Wales was to inspect us today but a soon as he arrived with Birdwood the boys broke from their lines & flocked around him & his horse.
I suppose this is a prelude to our embarkation for France.
Lt. Col. Macnaughton left Bn. yesterday for hospital.
Wed. March 22nd.
Struck camp this afternoon & crossed Canal to Serapeum East Railway siding.
Bivouaced for night & entrained early next morning for Alexandria.
Thurs. Mar. 23rd.
Embarked on the SS. "Simla" & left Alexandria tonight for France.
Sat. 25th. Mar.
This ship is short of provisions & they have us on short rations.
Bully Beef is their great dish for us poor blighters.
Their excuse is that the "Tub" had just completed a return from
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Marseilles & had no time to take in stores.
Of course I understand we are merely soldiers & the war might have finished without us if they delayed a few hours to get stores in.
Sun. 26th. March
Some talk of calling in at Malta for stores.
Aboard are the 4th Bn, Artillery Hdqrs, & Field Bakery Corp. also Engineers.
1st 2nd & 3rd Bns. left a day ahead of us.
Thurs. March 30th 1016.
Landed at Marseilles at about 2 P.M. think we are off too Havre. Plenty of German Prisoners working around the docks & railway here.
Entrained & started away on our journey.
Fri. March 31st.
Still on our train journey & think we will have another night of it. Lovely scenery & splendid cultivated land.
White roads winding about the green fields with red tiled houses of the villages scattered around completing the colour contrasts.
Best country to be seen – South of France – especially after having an overdose of Egypt - & it is inhabited by a most courteous race of people.
Feeling is very bitter against the Germans. They have the saying "After the War is finished; We Begin"
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passed through Avignon, Lyons & Orance.
April Fool’s Day 1916.
Supposed to have been our closest to Paris this morning at 3 A.M. when we branched off at Juvigny.
Said to be only 20 minutes train journey away. A case of "So near & yet so far".
Passed through Versailles, St, Cyr & St Germain.
Crossed the Seine & passed through Precy, Cannes, Breteuil, La Falaise, Longueau, Amiens, Dreuil, Longpre, Fontaine & Etaples (a lot of Australians there).
Went on through Boulogne & Calais.
Getting near the end of our train journey.
Sunday. April 2nd.
disentrained at Steenbecque at about 4 A.M.. & marched though Hazelbrouck to Staples a little village where we billeted in barns. Doing the pigs out of their "Doss".
Not a bad little place – Food & beer is cheap.
Can hear the guns in the distance, think we will see the firing line in about 10 days time & a big move is to come off.
Tues. April 4th.
Aust Army attached to the 2nd British Army.
Sat. April. 8th
Out first pay-day in France. Paid 40 Francs (£-8-8) by Lt Matthews.
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Mon. April 10th 1916
Left Staples & marched about 12 miles to Meteren.
Passed through Borre, Pradelles & Staazeele.
Billeted at farmhouses around village of Outtersteene & Noote Boome.
Bailluel a couple of miles off & Merris the same distance.
Plenty of mud about.
Tues: - 18th April: -
Left Outtersteene & marched about 8 miles to outskirts of Sailly.
Billeted for night.
Wed. 19th April.
Up at 3 A.M. & marched about 4 miles to support billets which are just being vacated by the 8th Batallion 23rd City of Manchester Regiment (Bantams).
Town of Fleurbaix just at side of us but it is knocked about & streets are all barbed-wire entanglements.
5 Kilos from Armentieres.
April 24th (Easter Monday)
Received letter from Mother with first news of Father’s death.
Wed April 26th
Moved into close support billets at Croix Blanche.
Wed. May. 3rd.
Sent to clearance station at Noveau Mond. (1st F.A.).
Caught the mumps & have to be evacuated. We were just
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relieving the 2nd battalion in front today.
Thurs. May. 4th.
Sent in to a "Tommy" Hospital at Hazebrouck.
Left here again at night for another British hospital at Milississi just outside of St Omer. (No 7 General Hospital)
Monday. May. 29th. –
Left hospital & put-up at Details barracks at St Omer for night.
May. 30th 1916.
Left St Omer by train to Hazebrouck spent day there amp; left by train again tonight for Steenwerck from where we walked to Sailly where the Bn. is billeted. Rejoined "D" Company.
Sat. June. 10th.
Left Sailly tonight & marched to Chapel Farm about a mile the other side of Fleurbaix.
1st & 2nd Bns have gone in firing line. Relieved 2nd Brigade.
A & B Coys billeted in Fleurbaix. D Coy. distributed between Elbow Farm. Smith’s Avenue, & Chapel Farm.
Our sleeping quarters (old barns) are muchly knocked about by shellfire – hardly any roofs left & it is starting to rain.
No one allowed outside as we are in sight of Germ. Lines.
I don’t think we go in line this time unless 1st & 2nd Bns have
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heavy casualties. We do 10 days in close support here & then go for a divisional "spell"
Sat. June 24th: -
Into the line after all. Relieved the 2nd battalion.
Entered communication trench from Wye Farm & along City Road.
Too much fatigue out in supports & we were working night & day building up Saps along Watling St, Dead Dog Avenue, Convent Walk, Abbot’s Lane, Tin Barn Avenue & Gunner’s Walk or pushing trucks along light railway from the dump to rail-end.
Wed, June. 28th.
Cylinders of gas put in our trenches in readiness for a raid on "Fritz".
Sunday July. 2nd, 1916.
Still in front line & D Coy. have so far been very lucky – only 1 Casualty as yet, Lt Horniman wounded in leg. Other Coys have list a few. British Offensive down the Somme has started & we may be over here soon as the wind is favourable to give them a dose of gas.
Been worrying them with raiding parties & have them "Jumpy"
Thurs. July. 6th.
Left firing line being relieved by the 46th Bn. At 1.30 a.m.
Marched through Fleurbaix & Bach St Maur to our old billets
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at Sailly. They are trying to kill us with route marches. Done one on the 7th inst. Through to Estaires & Noveau Mond & home.
Sat. July 8th.
Route march to Steenwerck. We may eventually go around to the St Eldi Sector amongst the Canadians.
Sun. July. 9th
Stayed at Noote Boome area near Outtersteene.
Tues. July. 11th.
Left by train from Bailluel & passed through Hazebrouck, Berquette & St Pol to Candas.
Disentrained & marched through the village of Domart to St Ouen – about 14 miles march & billeted for night
This is not a bad place.
Wed July 12th: -
Marched to Vignacourt. Light horse & artillery joining us here. Not far from Albert. Getting a very short ration of "tucker" here.
July. 13th: -
Left Vignacourt to go towards the Big Push.
Marched about 12 miles – through Flesselles to Allonville.
Sun. July. 16th.
Marched on to Waaloy & billeted. About 8 miles behind line at Albert.
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Wed. 19th July.
Left Waaloy at 2 P.M. on our way forward.
Guns have been playing for the last few days on the position we are to take
We may be right into it before morning.
Passed through Hennecourt, Millencourt & are now resting on a field outside of Albert.
20th. July.
Spent last night in trenches that were a short time ago the German front line amp; now our Reserve trenches near to Boiselle. Relieved the Royal Fusilers. Bombardment still going on & a large number of ‘planes & balloons in the air. Two Taubes bought down today. A large amount of German ammunition equipment & dead still in these trenches.
Place absolutely battered bout though their dugouts are a great depth & beamed up. Electric light has been laid on, large mirrors & double beds in most.
They had a bakery going in full swing & a great beer canteen.
Opposite a place called Pozieres which the Tommies have had 3 tries at but have had to return.
Sat July 22nd 1916.
We are advancing about 12 o’clock tonight. 1st & 3rd Bn’s are going for the railway
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line & we are leap-frogging over the 2nd for the village (What’s left of it)
C. & D companies doing the trick. My Platoon (15) is going from a different part of the line to the rest of D company & we have to get as quickly as possible to some position & dig in before the rest of the company comes up. They have some little affair in a specified trench to fix up. Loaded up with sandbags, picks & shovels.
Sunday 23rd July.
Our "stunt" came off alright & as it was a little after midnight I suppose it will have to be put down to the "credit" of the "sabbath".
The first line was taken easily & the "Fritzs" cleared out of the second. Once out amongst the shells we did not think much of them but the belly crawl out of the sally port with the German machine gun playing on the sides made of sandbags a couple of feet high made us think things.
Once on the road & putting good speed on we felt better.
As we reached the first lot of trenches we were all tangled up in the dark & were once digging in at wrong place (our platoon commander was missing) but someone had a whistle & we were away along the road again.
I finished up with C company & at dawn when we were dug in a bit getting ready for a possible counter-attack went around to own lot on left. Just after that
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Lt. McCarthy of "C" Company was wounded (died shortly after) by one of our own shells dropping short.
They had the wrong range & the more we signalled an aeroplane the more shells we got.
Poor Ball the bomber got struck on the chest & killed & Sam Warke wounded on forehead.
It took an hour or so to get word through to stop them.
After that all day long we could walk about the ruins of Pozieres & what is left of the orchards as if there weren’t such insects as "Fritzs" in the world.
Then poor old Bill Dixon got sniped through the head from some "possies" so we started to clear out the hiding places in the intact cellar under heaps of ruins.
We got 3 machine guns & about 90 prisoners out of them but only allowed ourselves the pleasure of some of the prisoners company.
One prisoner, a Medical Officer said he was surprised that we thought there would be an opposition as they were Bavarians.
That’s alright – but they’ll turn a machine gun on to you if they get a chance. They are good fighters when there is not much risk to themselves. "Hand to hand" you can go through them as easily as a dose of Epsom. They up with their hands & put in the good old "Kamerad".
Thought the "Germs" were going to counter attack this morning but it was only a party of them that were cut-off in the melee
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of the early morning trying to sneak back to their main line around fringe of wood.
We could not get permission to go out after them – had to remain in our new-made trenches
Monday 24th July
They have brought some big guns around to play on us & are giving us a lively time with H.E.
All we can do is to keep well down & build up the trench as it gets skittled.
2nd Bn. Have gone out & made a new front line in front of us. Yesterday when Fritz made a new advanced firing line our bombers whe went out in broad daylight & bombed him out of it.
Got buried & had a few abrasions today but still O.K.
Relieved tonight by A &B Coys & are now just behind in support trench.
"Fritz" bombarded us all last night & kept it up pretty well today. Trenches are not much protection against well-directed H.E. but it is some satisfaction to know that "Fritz" is getting his issue too.
All going well this afternoon as "Fritz" was in a little too far with his range on us & the shells were bursting about 100 yds. behind when unluckily one of the shells in flight hit a tree of the grove in front of line.
We got the whole explosion & tree on top of our bay & the result
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was – Myself (shock); Brown (shock) Anderson (shock); Crockett (Killed) Skelly (Wounded); Murray (Wounded) Gould (Killed); Smith (arm off); Jenkins (Killed) Moody (wounded) & a couple of strange machine-Gunners (Killed).
After getting the lumps of burnt tree & half the trench off myself & making sure that they were only artificial stars I saw, got help & the wounded away to dressing station. After a couple of hours lie down am alright again.
Tues. 25th July.
Bombardment still going on & we are just in the right place to catch things now that we are in these support trenches just a short distance from the front. When we were close to the relief last night I was one of those placed at intervals along the blown –out trench to keep up communicating with "C" Coy on our right & to close up the gap caused by the demolished trench. We were kept busy with a "banjo" & sandbags trying to put up a bit of cover for our stay.
The officer (Pugh) who took over the Coy after Captain Pearce was evacuated came along the trench to tell us to be prepared to move when the relief came & he said "Wake those men up & tell them to get ready" But the poor fellows around were beyond the waking process as they were the killed of the afternoon.
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The attitudes of some were so natural as they sat in the floor of the trench backed up against the side with their rifles in their hands that in the moonlight they were easily mistaken for soldiers having an earthly sleep. Bombardment still continues – nearly all our N.C.O’s. Killed or wounded.
Wed. 26th July: -
1st, 2nd & 3rd Bns were relieved last night but we did another 24 hours & came out tonight. 2nd Division has taken over our position. Every night sees another small advance made. Came out through Albert & were unmolested to the other side.
I wonder if our Mobile job is finished for a time at this portion of Line?
Going over the top is alright but it is brutish to have to stop in a dug-in position for days after get the soul-case belted out of you while you can do nothing in return.
It’s funny now to hear the fellows trying to give an impression of the way they felt while they had to sit still, take it all, & do nothing in return
One says: - "Why I haven’t had a shave for a week & there is only a day’s growth on my face. My B--- hair must have been frightened to come out".
Another reckoned he never opened his mouth to speak the whole time he was in as he was
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chary of a shell lobbing on his mouth.
But we all hung on & saw it through & that means that someone hasn’t got to go & do it for us.
Our Coy suffered the worst in the Bn. & only about 40 of us to answer the roll.
There are about 170 K.W. or M. but I suppose 2/3rds of them are wounded & evacuated to hospital.
Out of all the N.CO’s 24 L/Cpls are left.
A pity so many good Cobbers get killed.
Bivouaced tonight in trenches unused on the friendly side of Albert.
Thurs: July 27th 1916
Marched today to far side of Warloy & put up in hut camp in Vadencourt wood near Contay.
Friday July 28th
Marched through Herrisart & on to woods near La Vicogne & bivouacked.
Sat. July 29th.
Marched through Levert-Galant to Bonneville & billeted for night.
Sunday. July 30th.
Left Bonneville & marched through to Halloy where we are billeted. 2nd Brigade has joined us here.
Wed. Aug. 9th 1916
Left Halloy-les-Pernois & marched to an old orchard near La Vicogne Chateau.
Thurs. Aug 10th
Marched to Herrisart & billeted in village.
Mon. Aug. 14th.
Left Herrisart & marched to woods outside of Warloy & bivouacked (Vadencourt Wood)
Tues. Aug 15th.
Marched from woods through Warloy & Albert & put up for night in the old trench near Gordon Dump in Sausage Gully.
Half the Bn. have gone up early & relieved the 50th. Bn. near Mouquet Farm.
Wed. Aug. 16th.
Went up to front line with D Coy. relieving part of the 51st Bn.
The old dead from the fighting since Pozieres up to now make some horrible sights along what remains of the old German Saps.
Since we were taken from the line after Pozieres the others have taken the line towards the top of ridge.
Small German attack driven off tonight.
Aug. 17th.
Part of 3rd Bn. took over
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our position in line whilst we moved to the left towards A Coy. Some of our Coy have gone out near the Farm.
Fri. Aug. 18th .
A Coy made a small "stunt" tonight & made new position.
Sat. Aug. 19th.
Relieved tonight by the 12th Bn. Some tangle getting out owing to the Blue in the 12th Bn’s. Colours looking like Green, at night & causing our men to follow the wrong [indecipherable]. Got lost along the line but eventually we found another way out & reached Albert & billeted in the deserted houses.
We suffered from the artillery fire while in line & we had some more losses.
Sergeants Ryder & Taylor killed & Lt. Hart & Sergeants Hill & Gove wounded.
About half of what our Company went in with are left.
Our big guns from right behind us were hitting our own front line & helping towards the muck-up in general.
Had about 5 minutes sleep in four days & nights as everyone had to be on the alert. Moo-Cow Farm is a good place to keep away from.
Trenches & ground are rotten with old dead & the stench was awful especially after any shell had shook up the
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place. To make matters worse we had wet weather,
Never mind we are due for a rest now whilst being reinforced.
Mon. 21st Aug. 1916.
Marched from Albert through Senlis to Warloy & billeted.
Tues. 22nd Aug,
Marched from Warloy through Contay, Herrisart & Valdemaison to the old apple orchard at La Vicogne & bivouaced.
Thurs. 24th Aug.
Left La Vicogne & marched through Candas to Fienvillers where we billeted.
Sat Aug. 26th
Marched from Fienvillers to Doullens & entrained to Poperinghe & camped in huts at the Scottish Lines about 4 miles the other side.
Our turn in Belgium now.
Thurs. 31st Aug.
Left Scottish lines which are between Busse Boom & Ouderdom on our advance guard & marched through Vlamertinghe to Ypres & took over underground billets in the cellars of remains of houses which the Bn. will come & occupy tomorrow as reserves for front line.
The town is absolutely a heap of ruins – Cathedral & Cloth Hall have only parts of wall left.
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Continual shelling & they do "splash" in the bricks & roads but we are well in our cellars when we hear them coming.
Fri. Sept. 1st 1916.
Battalion came by train tonight & "D" Company were just over 80 strong after we received about 30 refts & details along
I wonder where all our new reinforcements are.
Some "Furphy" about us having our last go in here & going to India for Winter.
Wed. Sept. 6th
Left our cellars at 9 o’clock tonight & took over line in salient from 2nd Bn.
We are somewhere near Mount Sorrel.
Captain Pugh & Signaller West were up here yesterday on advance & were killed.
We are about 4 miles from Ypres & 2 miles to the left of Zeeburghe & the lake
Hill 60 is about a mile on our right, front & we were on fatigue up there every night before we left Ypres to come here.
Weather is wet & we are up to our knees in mud.
No protection from rain & nowhere to sleep if we do get a chance of a daytime.
Thurs. Sept. 7th.
Weather has cleared up a bit but it would take weeks to dry trenches as they are like
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gutters. Arthur Butler killed this evening. A german patrol came unawares on our Bombers post & got an unlucky revolvers shot in & then "imshied".
Sun. 10th Sept.
Still up to our necks in mud though we have been fortunate enough for the rain to cease.
Collins was sniped & killed today whilst on a message from Hqrs to 1st Bn.
We have been out in No Man’s Land each night on "Listening Posts" while fatigue parties are digging a new fire-trench more advanced .
Mon. Sept. 11th.
A trench-mortar of ours behind 2nd Div (on left) put a few bombs over on "Fritz´ today in order to get their range & that started him off.
"Minnies" "Rum-jars" & "pill boxes" came through the air from all directions – That’s’ the worst of being on a salient, they can get you from all sides.
We had plenty of dodging around the buttresses to do as we did our best to judge the flight of the bombs & we got off light with 2 killed & 2 wounded.
Corporal Cliff & Corporal Flanagan being the unlucky two.
Wed. Sept. 13th.
Relieved tonight by 19th Bn. & went back to Ypres, entrained to Branhoek & are back again at
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The "Scottish Lines"
Tues. Sept. 26th. 1916.
Left "Scottish Lines" & marched up to near "Cape Belge" taking over supports from the 8th Bn.
Friday 29th Sept: -
Went forward to the dugouts along the banks of the "Yser-Comines" Canal near Woodcote Farm.
Sun. Oct. 8th.: -
Relieved 2nd Bn in line.
Thurs. Oct. 12th.: -
Second Battalion raided "Fritz" tonight going over our parapet. Faces blackened, plenty of bombs & entrenching-tool handles with small cog-wheels on the end for offensive purposes. "Tommy" uniforms & plenty of "Brumm" military orders in their pockets in case any got taken prisoner.
"Fritz" caught sight of them putting mats over his barbed wise & started to dish out his "egg bombs" but our fellows stuck to it & "outed" about a dozen "Huns" & brought back a couple of prisoners.
Casualties sustained – 2 died & 7 slightly wounded & 1 officer missing.
Fri. 13th. Oct.: -
Relieved tonight by the 15th Bn. & went through Ypres & entrained to Branhoek & marched to old "Scottish Lines".
Leaving here tomorrow.
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Sat. 14th. Oct: -
On the march & went around Poperinghe & Hopoutre railway siding, along main road & billeted for night at a farm house outside of Godeswaervelde. (I hope I’ve got the name O.K)
Sun 15th Oct: -
Marched through Steenvoorde & Abeele, skirted around Cassel (pretty place on hill-top with its large Monastery) went through Bavinhove, Zuytpeene & billeted at Noordpeene.
Mon Oct. 16th. –
Marched through the village of Lederzeele & Les Cinq Rues; the town of Watten (a lovely view from the high range we came down as it lay on the banks of the river down below & hundreds of miles of fertile country open to our view) through a couple of small villages to Le Gandspette & we are billeted in large barns. Think we are here for a month’s drill & reorganisation.
Getting very cold of a night.
Thurs. Oct. 19th. 1916: -
Voting on the Conscription Referendum today. If the voting depends on the troops here it won’t be carried. Feeling seems to be against having any conscripts arriving among us. Some say that there are enough of us putting up with things here. One fellow put it nicely when he said "Your Country may need
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you but they won’t feed you". Rations often not enough to go round. There may be some excuse when in line but out here there is none.
Sat. 21st. Oct.: -
Marched from Le Gandspette to St. Omer & entrained.
Passed through Calais, Wimmereaux, Etaples, Boulogne, & Abbeville & disentrained at Longpre. Marched to L’Etoile & billeted. Leaving by Motor busses tomorrow for – We don’t know where.
Mon. Oct. 23rd: -
Marched from L’Etoile to Mouflers where we got aboard large buses & passed through Flixecourt & St Sauver & dismounted near Buire & then marched to near Fricourt where we put up in improvised shelters for night.
Tues. Oct. 24th: -
Marched to a hillside near Mametz wood & we are having a horrible time with the water & mud.
Caught up to the 56th Bn (our sister Bn) for the first time since we have been in France.
Thurs. Oct. 26th.: -
Weather slightly cleared though there is nothing to be seen but cursed mud for miles round here.
Men & Mules struggling & splashing through it.
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"Fritz" sending some shells around the hillside tonight but we must be at least 6 miles from the line.
Received parcel from home but no letters.
Fri. Oct. 27th: -
Raining again & the wind is bitterly cold.
Don’t know what they intend doing with us here.
"Fritz" putting a few shells over on the camp again without much damage done.
Sun. 29th. Oct: -
Left our rain sodden "humpies" on the hillside near Mametz wood & marched in rain & mud to old tumbling down dugouts on the roadside behind Deville Wood & at the side of the remains of Longueval.
The destroyed Sugar refinery is about 800 yds. to our rear & is just one tangled heap of ruined boilers & machinery.
Scrap-iron by the ton.
Watelow Farm once existed somewhere in this vicinity.
To the right lies Ginchy.
Artillery is just packed in a row along the road & keeping up an incessant bombardment on Bapaume which is just to be identified by a clump of trees on the ridge on the distant front.
We are in reserves here & the mud is the limit.
Our "stunt" is postponed &
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the patch of yellow cloth on the backs of our tunics is still to fulfil its purpose.
Tues. Oct. 31st: -
Still behind "Delville Wood & it has been raining on & off. All our impromptu dug-outs have been flooded out. This weather will block all flash "stunts" & I think we will have to take on ordinary firing line work.
"Fritz" put over a few stray shells on us here this morning trying to search out some of the guns here.
Norm. Sanderson of Marrickville killed & Sheath the Hdqrs runner badly wounded.
Our first casualties in this district though it is a wonder that we don’t get more shells over as the road at night time is one line of bonfires – whole trees are dragged out & burnt. If they keep us here long we will burn all "Delville Wood up. Must to something & take risks to keep this awful cold out.
Wed. Nov. 1st. 1916: -
A shell last night killed Redmond & wounded Elliott of the Machine gunners. We shifted tonight to support trenches about 500 yds on farside of Fleurs. A. Company have gone in line.
Bn. Headquarters in the uncompleted winter tunnels in Bulls Road.
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Numerous tanks have been busted up around this place.
Bapaume is about 3 miles on the top of furthest ridge. Houses, Chimney Stacks & church-steeple open to the eye.
Shells passing over us both ways night & day but not many coming near us.
"Fritz" shells the knocked-out village of Flers to prevent us getting supplies of water from the wells there but we get all we want just the same.
I think we only do 3 days in supports here & one day in line.
It is heartbreaking in the mud here, after a short while you are absolutely caked from head to foot.
Fri. 3rd. Nov. 1916: -
Took over firing line from A Coy. about 4 A.M. this morning. "Fritz" is supposed to be from 500 to 800 yds from us, but we don’t know where, neither does he know where we are – judging by the scarcity of "iron-rations" around our position & plenty on supports behind.
We are directly in front of the Bapaume Ridge – the town showing up between the trees & a little village in front of it to our right all intact though no doubt when "Fritz" gets shunted back he will knock that lot over. I think his main line is along the top ridge & the communication saps down the hillside lead to strong-posts where machine-guns
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can sweep the gullies. The "Tommies" seem to leave their dead lying anywhere near line & we had to start burying their leavings as soon as we got here – Consequently so many "Unknown British Soldier" graves about the country.
Sat. Nov. 4th: -
Relieved by "B Coy" early this morning. Bitterly cold & wet in line & 24 hours at a time is quite sufficient for a polar bear. No casualties & went back to support trenches near Flers.
A few Reinforcements waiting there to join us up – One of them, I think, his name was Thompson out of the Cyclist Corps, was buried with three of us by the explosion of a large shell & had his neck broken – Hark luck just joining us up & getting his "final" before getting in line.
At daytimes the weather seems to clear up but at night the rain starts & make things horrible.
We are on fatigues straight away & have been up to line tonight in rain & mud with rations.
Mon. Nov. 6th: -
As I was writing here a premature burst from one of our own guns caught us here in trench & gave us the "noises in the head". Killed a chap named Bramby in the trench behind.
Left support trenches here at night & went back to road behind Delville Wood. More "Mud-pies".
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Tues. Nov. 7th: -
Received Aussie mail dated Aug. 27th.
Wed. Nov. 8th: -
Worked on fatigue at hillside neat a "Tommy": howitzer battery building a tunnel for Winter "possies". A shell coming over killed a officer & wounded 4 others.
May as well be in line as then we wouldn’t have to be doing hard-graft night & day.
Thurs. Nov. 9th: -
Pay-day. Received 50 francs. Nothing to do it on here except cards & the "National game". The padre ran a bit of a canteen but his stock soon ran out. Received mail dated Sept. 16th.
Mon. Nov. 13th: -
Left the "humpies" on road at Delville & went back about a mile to possies near Bernafay where we are to do the night.
Mud still keeping us company & we have two 6 inch naval guns firing over us from about 50 yds back.
"Fritz" naturally tries searching for them & two of our chaps got wounded as soon as we got here. I think we go right back for a wash & "spell"
4th Division took over from us & we won’t be trailing along Cocoa Lane or Flare Alley for a while.
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Tues. Nov. 14th: -
Marched along the muddiest roads imaginable through Montauban Carnoy & Fricourt & occupied new Nissen huts at a camp near Sausage Gully.
Wed. Nov. 15th: -
Marched through Mealte over Vivier Mill bridge; through Dernancourt to Buire.
Have billeted in barns – Bitterly Cold.
Thurs. Nov. 16th: -
Marched through Ribemont to Heilly for our wash at Divisional baths this afternoon & it was badly wanted.
No bath or Change for over a month.
Aust. Mail dated Sept. 24th.
Fri. Nov. 17th: -
Rode by motor buses via Amiens to Flesselles & billeted.
Sat. Nov. 18th: -
Snowed a bit last night & all the district is mantled.
Winter in alright & bitterly Cold.
Sat. Nov. 25th 1916: -
My first "Blighty" furlough has arrived & I am off for a rest to London for the first time.
Left Flesselles by motor wagon at 4.30 A.M. & went to Canaples Railway Station; entrained for Havre.
Sub. Nov. 26th: -
Arrived at Havre about 4 A.M. this morning & put up at the
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Docks Rest Camp till 3.30 p.m. then boarded the "Viper" & crossed the Channel to Southampton.
Mon. Nov. 27th: -
Arrived at Southampton at 8 o’clock this morning (The "Viper" did not leave Havre till midnight). Entrained for London & arrived at Waterloo Station at 10.30 A.M. put up at the Union Jack Club opposite station.
Thurs. Dec 7th: -
My furlough & good time is finished & left Waterloo Station at 4 P.M. this afternoon & aboard the "Viper" & away from Southampton tonight.
Fri. Dec. 8th: -
Arrived at Le Havre early this morning & put up again at the Docks rest Camp.
Sun. Dec 10th : -
Left Le Havre by train at 6.30 this morning – on our way to Albert.
Hear that my battalion has moved from Flesselles up to Mametz
Just passed through Rouen.
Mon. Dec. 11th: -
Stop at Aust. Details Camp at Bellevue Farm just outside of Albert on the Albert-Bray Road from Midnight last night & left at 10 A.M. along the Albert-Peronne Road to Manetz & reported to Div. Hdqrs.
Went back to Becourt where "C"
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& "D" Companies were in huts at "Sydney Camp". A & B Companies are at Melbourne Camp so we are over 500 miles apart (in our own minds).
Snow, Rain & Mud plentiful & we are doing a bit of training for a raid on "Fritz" & it is understood to come off on Xmas night.
Tues. Dec. 19th: -
Leaving Becourt today & shifting up further to huts near Bernafay Wood.
We. Dec. 20th: -
Left Bernafay huts & marched past Delville Wood along Cocoa Lane to trenches called Switch on the right of Flers.
Relieved 5th Bn.
Xmas Day. 1916.
Still in old dugouts along Switch Trench just behind Needle Trench & about a mile in front of Delville.
We had a small Xmas parcel about a fortnight ago from the "War Chest" & today received a "Swallow & ‘Ariel" plum pudding from the "4th & 56th Bns. Comforts Fund"
Raining on & off & mud galore.
"Fritz" got shelled heavily throughout the night & today & he returned the "Greetings".
On ‘phone from 6 A.M. till noon & a shell nearly got the Signal "possie" & spoilt the pudding..
Menu for the Day: -
Breakfast: - Tea, dry bread & cheese. Dinner: - plum pudding on its lonesome. Tea: - Tea &
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stew. "Let us be thankful O Lord" – that we are still alive, although Starvation has a good leg-in.
Sunday. Dec 31st. 1916: -
Moved from Gap & Switch trenches to tunnels at Bull’s road.
Those tunnels are incomplete & the air is foul; in sone parts it is impossible to keep a candle alight.
All are crouched up & there is no room to lie out to sleep.
Periodically the chalk from the roof comes down with a crash & adds to the suffocation.
Packed up like sardines & crawling over each other when we have to move.
Jan. 1st. 1917: -
R.S.M. Stuart wounded in the hip today. A & B Coys are up in line around "Fritz’s Folly" & "Cheese Trench".
Tues. Jan. 2nd: -
Went into advanced posts (no firing line) today with "D" Coy. at "Goodwin’s Post" on the night of "Fritz’s Folly", taking over this part of front from 1st Bn.
Wed. Jan. 3rd: -
R.E. Wilson killed today.
Thurs. Jan. 4th : -
Relieved by A Coy tonight & went back to "Bull’s Road. While away from Bn.
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Hdqrs have one shell come over & caught a few in the sandbagged passage that leads to the tunnels entrance & killed 10 & wounded 7.
Not a bad tally for a small shell of only a few pounds weight but it happened to catch them in an enclosed space.
Sgt. Garvey had the bad luck to get killed.
Geo. Harris badly wounded.
Sat. Jan. 6th
Went back to "Goodwin’s Post" again tonight for another 24 hours. We are absolutely done up with the hardship but we have one consolation this road is absolutely "Alive with dead Fritzs" – all of them are "stale Goods"
Sun. Jan. 7th: -
Relieved tonight by 48th Bn. & went right out through Needle, Gap & Switch trenches along Cocoa Lane, Delville Wood & Longueval to "Coolgadie" Camp at Bazentin.
Mon. Jan 8th: -
Entrained to Meaulte & walked through Dernancourt & Buire to Ribemont where we are now billeted.
Thurs. Jan. 11th: -
Parcels from "Aussie" this is our Xmas day.
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Sat. Jan. 13th: -
Left Ribemont & marched through Fienvillers to Contay & billeted.
Tues. Jan. 23rd.
Left Contay where we train for a Brigade attack & marched through Warloy, Hennencourt, Millencourt, Albert to Becourt & camped in huts.
The snow has been lying on the ground in fine powder for days. Sun put in an appearance today but the snow has frozen too well to thaw.
We have plenty of "Freeze" but the opposite of "Tucker"
5th Division here coming out.
Fri. Jan. 26th. 1917: -
Left Becourt & marched along road by the sticks that represent Peake & Shelter woods Contalmaison, & are now in huts at roadside beyond Mametz Woods.
Wed. Jan 31.st: -
Left huts & went into reserves in tunnel at North Road near Turk’s Dump.
Feb. 4th: -
Left tunnel & went to supports along Hexham Road to Eaucourt – L’Abbeye – at anyrate the cellars left of the Abbey relieving the 2nd Battalion.
A & B Coys in line first.
Large cellars these with tunnels encircling all over the place.
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A lot of the Coy have gone back to train for a raid.
We are starting to shake this part of the line up.
Thurs. 8th. Feb: -
Left Eaucourt Abbey & took over line from B. Company.
Fri. Feb. 9th
Went back to support tunnel for 24 hours. Received letter & parcel from Mother.
Sat. Feb. 10th: -
In line again & the raid came off tonight.
Our Artillery failed to cut the wire entanglements on the Maze trenches, although they have been ranging the guns for the past few days & our chaps could not get through.
Kerrigan, Turpenny, & Brinkwall & two others wounded.
The raiders were rigged up in white gowns, steel-helmets whitewashed & also breastplates. This was in order to match the snow-clad country.
We had a good nights work out mending all the ‘phone wires after the artillery had finished their performance.
Sun. Feb. 11th: -
Relieved from line tonight by the 12th Bn. & had to walk right out to Fricourt Farm huts – about 6 miles.
Fri. Feb. 23rd: -
Left Fricourt Farm
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Camp & marched to Albert & quartered in the empty houses. We are here for some special training, so I suppose a "stunt" is coming off.
Sun. Feb. 25th: -
Left Albert this morning on short notice. "Fritz" is said to be falling back & we are wanted to give him a helping hand.
Passed through Contalmaison & Bazentin to Bendigo Camp.
Tues. 27th. Feb: -
I left Bendigo Camp at 2.30 A.M. this morning on an advance guard for the Bn.
Went up past Eaucourt & the old firing line at Guerre trench that we occupied last time in.
3rd Bde. were pushing on ahead & they were beyond the village of Le Barque & the 1st Bde. are now to take over from them. A & B. Coy’s of the 4th Bn. are in front, C Coy in support & D in reserve.
3rd Bn. are also in line & 1st Bn. behind at Eaucourt.
We relieved the 12th Bn. after they got tired of chasing "Jerry"
Don’t quite understand what his move is but we are getting miles of country off of him.
Thurs. March 1st. 1917: -
Took over line from A Coy tonight. Coy. Hqrs
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in Le Barque off Blue-Cut Road just where "Fritz" has put an immense mine-crater to stop road transport.
Fri. Mar. 2nd.
"Fritz" came at us early this morning with a strong force.
He caught some posts napping but was driven off with far greater losses than our own.
Our rate of going forward must be too rapid to suit his falling back for he attacked right along the 1st & 2nd Brigade front.
Big fog was on this morning & "Fritz" actually got to the entrance of the underground dugout of "C" Company’s Hqrs. & put some bombs down.
Losses on our side must be expected but we have lost some of our best men.
Peter Tyson, Corp Hacker. Leiut Lane, Leake, Witheridge, Mount Stephens, Bach, Kinnard, Mallard, Skinner, Anderson, Wilson, Huckle & Jim Moore were killed or wounded – mostly killed & four machine gunners are supposed to be prisoners.
We captured 45 "Jerries" & "imshied" many more off the planet.
Sun. Mar. 4th: -
Relieved tonight by "A" Coy. & went back to tunnel behind Guerre Trenches.
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Mon. Mar. 5th: -
Left tunnel & went by Eaucourt Abbey & Clarke’s Dump to "A" Camp Bazentin-le-Grand & slept at huts for night:
It looks as if y we are finished with Le Barque & its "Yellow-Cut" & "Blue-Cut" Roads its’ "Misty corner", "Cough-Drop" & "Factory Corner" for a time. Bn. Hqrs were at Wheat Trench – I wonder who chooses the names for the christenings of all these points of reference.
Tues. March 6th 1917: -
Left Bazentin Camp & went via Contalmaison to Fricourt Farm Camp.
Thurs. March 22nd: -
Left Fricourt Farm Camp & moved with whole Brigade to Ribemont. Plenty of training going on for some "stunts"
Tues. April 3rd.
Moved from Ribemont to camp at Montauban – about 12 miles.
A nice Sunny day though it was snowing heavily yesterday.
We are all possessors of different coloured arm-bands to denote our speciality.
Wed. April. 4th: -
Left Montauban huts & marched by Bernafay Wood & Trones Wood, old Sugar Refinery outside of Delville through to Beaulencourt & on to Fremicourt where we are stopping for night. Snowing heavily & having a "rough spin".
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Thurs. April 5th: -
Left Fremicourt & went further east to Velu & bivouaced under tarpaulins in wood outside.
There has been big German horse lines here.
Frs. April. 6th: -
Shifted along road to midway between Yelu & Bertincourt & re-erected our shanties.
Mon. April 9th: -
Shifted along cross railway line (absolutely stripped even of the sleepers by "Fritz") & on to Hermies which village the 2nd & 3rd Bns. took early this morning. We are awaiting a counter-attack.
Tues. April. 10th: -
Situation absolutely quiet & no artillery fire. Funny kind of weather – Sunshine one moment & Snow the next.
Good Country around here but not much material to fix up a decent camp.
This is Easter time & there is no chance of getting a letter away or buying a cigarette.
Wed. April. 11th: -
Moved along to Coys headquarters on Sunken road at side of Demicourt relieving the 1st. Bn.
Our line is comprised of outposts.
Snowing & things in general are miserable – not much shelter.
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Thurs. April. 12th: -
"Fritz" enfilading road with small artillery & caught a few of our fellows lining up to a stew dixie. Tant & Hall W.
Fr. April. 13th: -
Moved back to sunken road behind village early this morning.
Bn. moved their posts forward about 1000 yds tonight & had the job of wiring the ‘phone up through the village.
Sat. April. 14th: -
Moved with Coy Hqrs to Sunken road on our left of Demicourt tonight.
Sun. April. 15th: -
Early this morning "Fritz" put over a bombardment on village & outposts & at daybreak began an attack extending right around to the division on our left flank.
He took a couple of our posts prisoners but only after they gave him a lot of losses & after being driven on to keep up their attack by their officers. They had to at last get their "Flamenwerfers" into action.
Hard luck we have absolutely no artillery supporting us for we had "Jerry" in the open coming in packs like football teams.
After suffering great losses from M.G. & rifle fire he "gave up the ghost" & his stretcher-bearers were busy all day under the White flag getting the remnents worth collecting in.
The dead around our outposts
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had to be searched at night for intelligence details & we all came in for a "gift" watch & a few iron-crosses were "souvenired".
It was subsequently discovered that "Fritz" had 14 battalions to bring by train from Cambrai for his "stunt" but one of them could not get on the train – Unlucky thirteen.
Montgomery, Lecky, Lt. Hooper, Boxshall. Armstrong & Backhouse were taken
prisoners from some of our posts.
Corp. Bennett was killed & we discovered Gillan out wounded. Lt. Hill & Scotty Gardiner Wounded.
Wed. April. 18th: -
Moved back to support line tonight being relieved by B Coy.
Thurs. 19th April: -
"Fritz" attacked Lagnicourt today on our left but the division there has no fun as he was dispersed by artillery fire.
Fri. 20th April: -
Moved up to front tonight relieving "C" Coy. We are in for 24 hours longer & then go out to Beaumetz.
Just heard that our Q.M. store back at Velu was blown up by a delayed-action mine left behind by the Hun.
Lt. Symington, Brophy, Luscombe, West & Griffiths lost their lives. Barry & Galvin wounded.
Sat. April. 21st: -
Relieved by 3rd Bn. & moved from Demicourt to sunken road at side of Beaumetz tonight.
Coy Hqrs in the village but we are
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getting out to dugouts on the roadside in the morning. Our residence here in one of the houses looks too good to be safe but must take a risk for one nights decent sleep.
"Fritzs" mines are liable to go up months after they are laid as he works them with a wire laid in an acid bath & when the wire has lasted according to its guage & material the fireworks start.
We are suspicious of any decent looking domicile now.
Tues. April 24th: -
Relieved in reserves at Beumetz by "Tommies" – the West Yorks.
They are getting artillery up now the "Tommies" are taking the over.
Marched into Bapaume arriving just before midnight.
Thurs. April. 26th: -
Moved along to Vaulx-Vraucourt & relieved the 21st Bn. for 24 hours so as they could practise for some "stunt" of theirs.
Fri. April 27th: -
Back in Bapaume again.
"Fritz" putting some fast naval shells over on the Railway station.
He "outed" about 6 men & four horses.
Sun. April. 29th: -
Up into reserves again at Vaulx-Vraucourt to relieve 21st Bn. for more rehearsals of their "stunt".
Liable to be here 4 or 5 days; Wish they would get their job done or else let us to it so as we could get out for a bit of a spell.
We always seem to get dragged in
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to other people’s funerals besides our own.
Mon. April 30th: -
Two Stretcher bearers of "C" Coy killed by shell on road.
Walthers & Herkett.
Tues. May 1st. 1917: -
Left the large battered barn at Vraucourt & went to other side of Vaulx & then forward to frontage of small wood where there are some old German gun-posts & stayed as screen for Heavy artillery behind.
Wed. May. 2nd: -
Shifted at midnight on to Noreuil & through communication trench running from sunken road on far side of village to railway embankment & waited till daylight.
Thurs. May 3rd: -
We are moving on from the railway embankment up to out front line (which was lately "Fritz’s" second line) & which the 2nd Division took off him in the "hopover".
But as they have suffered too much in holding it we were "lent" out to them to supply relief.
Artillery fire is horrible & constant & it is supposed to be a bit of his "Hindenburg" Line so he is piling the ironmongery on to us.
This is our share of the Bullecourt business & we are about 800 yds in front of Reincourt.
Fri. 4th: -
Went back to supports on
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railway embankment early this morning & "Fritz" has been keeping up a determined fire of "fire-mines" all day & night.
Sat. 5th. May-
"Fritz" counter-attacked this morning & we moved up to line but he was shoved back again on the right & our fellows made an advance of 200 yds while the time was ripe.
Of course there were plenty of casualties on account of the artillery fire but I really have never seen so many "walking cases".
Went into front line again this afternoon relieving 1st Bn. on left of road.
Communication saps in an awful state with old dead.
Just missed getting blown up in a dugout by a direct hit; lost all equipment bar telephone. I am really pleased I
Mon. May. 7th: -
Relieved tonight by 5th Bn. & went to sunken road outside of Noreuil & this is the finish of our "gift" stunt in front of Reincourt. The BN. had about 250 Casualties but only about 50 killed.
S.Bearer Moss, Corp. Anderson. Bob Rutherford, Heuston, Murdoch & Butler were killed.
Kendrigan, Bob O’Keefe & McMillan wounded.
Signallers Joe Wakeley, Tom Bladen & Mulholland killed. Burton & Campey wounded.
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Wed. 9th. May; -
Left Noreuil & went via Vaulx onto Bancourt.
Sun. 13th May: -
Left Bancourt & went through the heaps of bricks that mark the spots of Villers-au-Flos & Flers on to Bazentin-le-Petit & billeted in huts.
Mon. 21st. May.
Left "Hot-Cross" Camp at Bazentin & marched through Contalmaison Meaulte, Villers-Sous-Corbie, to Buire & billeted.
Fri. May. 25th: -
Left Bn. at Buire & went to Brigade Signal School at Lavieville.
Sat. May. 26th
Went over to Contay & stayed with 19th Bn. for night.
Mon & Tues. 4th & 5th. June.
I’m at Amiens on leave. Good times here & its hard to leave to go back to Buire.
Sun. June 17th: -
Still billeted at Buire & had another day’s leave into Amiens. Missed train home but hopped a motor lorry making for Albert to Lavieville corner.
We are learning all the disc signals to tanks so must be in for a large "stunt"
Certainly we will have to do something after this long spell.
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Thurs. June 28th. 1917: -
Left Buire & the Brigade moved through Lavi3ville & Senlis on to the Mailly-Maillet training area.
Villages of Mailly, Forceville & Auchonvillers are almost deserted though they are hardly knocked about at all.
We are here for more training.
Sat. June. 30th: -
Inspected today by "Bill" Holman & Birdwood,
He gave us the usual "gab"
Wouldn’t mind having his job.
Thurs. 5th. July.
Had our final training "stunt" early this morning around Serre. We are moving tomorrow.
Fri. 6th. July: -
Left Camp at Mailly-Maillet & marched through Hedauville, Senlis. Hennencourt & Lavieville on to our old billets at Buire.
Some talk of going to St. Omer in a few days time for a train ride up north.
Thurs. 12th July: -
They made us march out this morning full-pack up just to line the Amiens-Albert Road while the king went by in a motor car.
I suppose he is over in France for the National Day (14th inst).
No wonder the King gets abused after our silly "Heads" impose a full pack on our backs for hours just to line a road.
Of course it is impossible to be
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loyal without a pack on your back.
All the same I notice that our "Fish-heads" did not borrow one for their back.
Fri. July. 13th: -
Left Buire & marched through Dernancourt, Meaulte, Becoadel on to outside of Bray (side of Bronfay Farm) about a 10 mile journey to go 5 miles – Full pack again.
We are a couple of miles from Cappy, Suzanne, Carnoy & Maricourt.
Tues, July 24th: - Left Bronfay Farm Camp & marched past Fricouat & Becordel through Meaulte & Dernancourt to Buire again to our old Billets.
We must be a merry-go-round.
Fri. July. 27th: -
Left Buire, entraining at Edge Hill & passed through Amiens, Bethune, St Pol, Hazebrouck to Cassel station. Marched through Bavinchove & billeted at Zuytpeene.
Sun. Aug 5th 1917: -
Yesterday the finish of 3rd year of war; Tomorrow the anniversary of Lone Pine.
Today went to church at Bavinchove at foot of Cassel hill.
Mon. aug. 6th.
At La Nieppe as witness in Moran’s F.G.C.M. at 3rd Bn. Headquarters.
Thurs. Aug. 9th: -
Left Zuytpeene & skirted
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to left of Staples on towards Ebblingham & along main Hazebrouck road to the right of that town.
"Fritz" is shelling that place with a 17 inch long range gun & has also made several raids on the station for the past few night.
No wonder the people are doing a "Parti" out of the place.
We are just outside of La Motte-ai-Bois along the Canal & Le Neippe forest.
Sun. Aug. 12th: -
Out to Sec-Bois near Vieux-Berquin.
Fri. Aug 17th: -
The 3rd Anniversary of formation of the 4th Bn. Had a bit of a sports meeting.
Sun. Sept. 9th: -
With Lt. Leich left the Bn. & got train to Hazebrouch to Etaples & out up at the rest Camp there.
We are going to a Signal School near Albert.
Big riots are going on here over a "Redcap" shooting a Scotchman.
They are making a start in killing off all the "Redcaps" they can lay their hands on.
Mon. Sept. 10th : -
Left by train to Albert & went a few Kilometres out to Aveluy & joined the 1st Anzac Signal School. Here for a few weeks.
Sun. Sept. 16th.
Down to Amiens for a trip
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Sat. 27th Oct: -
Marched from Signal School at Aveluy through Bouzincourt, & Hedauville to Varennes & entrained to Candas. After having a bit of an evening there, got train to Abbeville & stayed night at Y.M.C.A.
Sun. 28th. Oct.
Train from Abbeville to Etaples & spent afternoon at Paris-Plage, a little seaside resort a few miles out by electric tram.
Mon. 29th Oct.
Train from Etaples through Boulogne, Calais, St Omer, Hazebrouck & on to Caestre where we put up at C2 Camp of the Anzac Refts Camp. Don’t know whether we are to rejoin the Bn. which is just before Ypres or to wait on their coming back.
Wed. 31st, Oct,
Left Caestre by train to Poperinghe & stopped night with our transport near Cafe Belge.
Battalion has just moved up to railway dugouts the other side of Ypres.
Thurs. Nov. 1st. 1917
Left transport & went through Ypres out of Menin Gate, past Hill 59 where B & D Coys are in tunnel & then on to Westhoek Ridge where Hqrs are in an old Pill Box.
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Sun. Nov. 4th: -
Moved up to line through Zonnebeke with Hqrs just on far side of village – the most knocked about place imaginable.
One pile of bricks is marked out with a signboard with "Church" painted on it – just for the reason of marking where it used to be for taking direction from it.
B & D forward Coys, A Coy Behind them & C Coy in cellars at the village.
Wed. Nov. 7th
Fred. Strickland – my mate on the lines – was killed while with me out on the Duckboards early this morning (about 12.30 A.M.).
We were out on "C" Coy’s line for hours trying to restore communications & after dodging all the heavy shells of a bit of a bombardment returned to Bn. Hqrs & decided to wait till daybreak.
Just going along track to an old pill-box to sleep when 3 "whizz-Bangs" happened along & the third one landed just about 10 yds behind us & as poor Fred was behind me he went down.
Got him to Bn. Hqrs "pill-box" where he expired in a few minutes.
Lt. Leitch present.
A small piece of shell we eventually discovered has penetrated his back & Lungs.
He was buried outside of "pill-box" on left-hand side of road almost in a line with old Zonnebeke Gas-works. It was his turn
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to go back from Westhoek for a spell but refused to go so Middleton took his turn for a rest.
That’s what one gets for doing a bit of "Baksheesh" time in line.
Fri. Nov. 9th: -
Relieved by 1st Bn. & went to Anzac House on Anzac Ridge, a concrete "Fritz" observation point & stayed night.
S.M. Bock & Corp Gillam of "D" Coy were "blown-out" at back of the "House" & Corp Searle badly wounded.
Sat. Nov. 10th.
Relieved here by "Tommies" & went back to old "pill-box" on Westhoek ridge & stayed night.
Sun. No. 11th: -
Left Westhoek & passed through Ypres to "Vancouver Camp" near Vlamertinghe.
This is the finish of our part in the 3rd Battle of Ypres.
We are starting tomorrow on a 3 day’s march back "somewhere".
Tues. Nov. 13th.
Left "Vancouver Camp" by motor – Bn. marched - & passed through Poperinghe, Watou-Abeele, Boeschepe & Berthen & billeted for night outside of Shaexken.
Wed. 14th Nov: -
By motor through Bailleul, Strazeele, Pradelles,
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Borre, Hazebrock to Zuytpeene & billeted for night.
Thurs. Nov. 15th 1917: -
Left Zuytpeene by motor & billeted for night a Wardrecques.
Fri. Nov. 16th: -
Left Wardrecques & marched through Bilques, Helfaut, Bientques, & billeted at Ramilly-Wirquin.
Sun. Nov. 18th: -
Marched through Wirquin, Ouve-Wirquin, & Drionville & billeted at Blequin.
Mon. Nov. 19th: -
Marched from Blequin through La Caligue, Desvres & Samer & are now billeted about 2 K. out near Tingry
Only a short train ride from Boulogne now.
This is our "resting" area.
Sat. Dec. 1st 1917.
My second "Blighty" Furlough has come along.
Left Bn. at Tingry & went by train to Boulogne.
Mon. Dec. 3rd: -
Had a few days in Boulogne as the Banks in London would have been closed for weekend.
Crossed Channel to Folkestone today & thence by train to Victoria Station.
Reached "Goatferry Road" Hqrs about 8.30 P.M.
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Tues. Dec. 4th: -
Went to M.O. at Hqrs this morning & was sent away to 2nd Aust. Aux. Hosp. at St. Marlebone’s School Southall to have the eye attended to.
Am in Middlesex about 10 miles outside of London.
Tube to Ealing & then tram on train direct.
Sat. Dec. 15th: -
Discharged from Hosp. today & as I have my furlough to come it will see me here in England over Xmas Day.
The other two Xmas Days I hardly had a feed so will endeavour to make up for it this time.
Go back to France on the 29th inst.
Wed. Dec 19th: - 1917.
Left London tonight by the 8.50 P.M. train from Euston Stn. for Glasgow.
Thurs. Dec. 20th: - at Glasgow & as the weather here is "no Bon" am leaving by tonights train for London again.
Mon. Dec.25th: -
Xmas day in London & made up for past losses of dinner.
Fri. Dec. 29th: -
Left Victoria Stn at 7 A.M. by train to Folkstone & by afternoon’s boat to Boulogne.
"Goodby-ee Blighty" – I wonder if we’ll
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meet again?
Sat. Dec 30th. 1917 –
Left Boulogne by train at 12.30 A.M. & got to Bailluel.
Walked through Dranoutre & on to Lindenhoek Camp.
On Past Wyschaete to a pill-box called "Derry House" where we have a ‘phone exchange.
While the Bn. is in line Hqrs are at Lumm Farm & Div. are around Kemmel.
In for 16 days – just caught Bn going in.
Sun. Dec. 31st: -
Seeing the old year out around Wyschaete.
"Derry House" is no palace.
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White Discs have Black rims
Red [Discs have] White Bars across
Green {Discs have White] rims
All discs or lights are read from top downwards
The three following general signals infantry should know by heart
Red Disc denotes Wire Uncut
Green [Disc denotes] Come On Wire Cut
Red & Green [denotes] Wait
All Signals with white disc at tip are Signals from Tank to Tank.
With Red & Green at top, from Tank to Infantry
R.D. Signal between infantry and Tanks: -
Rifles with bayonets fixed waved from side to side above the head.
Tanks Wanted: - Helmets placed on fixed bayonets & raised above the head.
[Transcribed by Lynne Frizell, Val Ridley for the State Library of New South Wales]