Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
Compton diary, 11 April 1917 - 6 December 1917 / A. R. Compton
MLMSS 1243/Item 4
[Transcriber’s Notes:
Albert Richmond Compton was captured with many others from the 4th Brigade at the First Battle of Bullecourt on 11 April 1917 and was held in the Sergeant Major’s section of the Scheveningen prisoner-of-war camp in Lower Saxony]
[Page 1]
A R Compton C.S.M.
13th Aust
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7/12/17
Miserable day drizzling rain. the Black Prince went to the barracks & inspected same then came to II ours Sgt Majs & played up about same it was a regular picnic. his display of yelling the only thing that keeps us alive or rather up to dick. We have been strafed inasmuch that our lights have been cut off for 3 nights.
Germans hoisted the red white & black flag today. persistent rumours about an armistice on the whole Russian front. ? we will soon see. also [indecipherable]
8/12/17
Raining of & on during the day Plenty of talk in German papers Re Russian armistice. I really think things will turn out trumps for the Allies (ours).
Germans claims of the Cambri Battle up to the 7 inst to have taken 9000 Pris British 175 machine guns & 60 F. guns. there must be heavy fighting there.
9/12/17
Blanket parade today laugh at some of same & a damn disgrace it is to see them. We were warned to treat all Germans issue with utmost care what have we got from them? letter from Mr Griffiths dated 1/9/17 also one not mine overcast day. but nippy.
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10/12/17
On roll call we were told to put all our belongings out in the square by 9 oclock. Bags of sentrys. What a bustle. each company was marched out of compound & severely searched for well I suppose money etc. Laugh. it took until 12 oclock we we sent in by 10 tens & got our bowls & spoon. went for soup we had our kits searched they were finished at 6 oclock in the dark. it was a sharp day very cold on the feet. Donald with wood. I got a severe doing also. Plenty of German bread about.
The Russian business from one cane read between the lines it appears the Germans have sold another monkey. Another air raid over London 25 planes the damage done not know 6 people killed 2 planes brought down with crew of 3 each. Lights on again tonight. All the same workings
11/12/17
Bitterly cold this morning Boys in packet office had 1 brush up with the Commandant
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about emptying fire barrel. they would not do it. told them to get men from the larger. Stopped bread issue (ours from Berne) but it was issued this afternoon.
12/12/17
Raining again all day. no news
13/12/17
The Boss gave us a nice speech through the interpreter this morning. in future the man responsible for his bed (so that will be better). he will be straffed if this his bed is not up to the mark.
14/12/17
News of Russia is still conflicting. Jerusalem has fallen & German east Africa is about mopped up. Great talk about exchange again three boat loads of German exchange pris to leave [indecipherable] on 27/12/17 our boys are wondering when they will go to Holland
15/12/17
News of Buchanans speech to Russian news reporters splendid
16/12/17
another blanket parade today not long. German Chief of Police shot from behind the Germans
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say they have reason to believe that pris of war did the trick (in E Prussia)
blanket parade again
17/12/17
Beautiful day just a bit nippy
18/12/17
Glorious sunrise today crimson colour to a ball of fire or honey all the rest of sky was black, strange day. Books today
19/12/17
Hellish cold last night & this morning brought forth on of the sharpest frost I have hit (well it seemed to me so. cold all day. parade with bed tick, bolster it was cold. stand. Letter from James Coombs
20/12/17
Very heavy or rather sharp frost a beauty
21/12/17
Jack Frost still with us all the fences & trees are white as can be & fog came over this afternoon & made it somewhat warmer
22/12/17
Beautiful day
22/12/17 Trying to snow today damn cold with it. We are to get for Xmas eve 1 pint
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of punch from the Commandant
24/12/17
Snow again but only light wind blowing rather heavy we are allowed lights until 12 oclock tonight packet all day yesterday tins today [indecipherable] last the first of the NCO were taken away to Soltau Central for Holland they were given 1 hours notice to pack up what excitement it caused here some of the old pris could not keep themselves in control. quite jubilant no wonder being penned up for 3 years. 8 went at 1 oclock this afternoon 18 at 5 PM. concert tonight extension of lights.
25/12/17
Christmas day spuds & cabbage for dinner German Church service this evening
26/12/17
Boxing day snowing like yesterday all day. we had extension of lights last night & tonight
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26/12/17
until 12 oclock plenty of fun amongst ourselves
27/12/17
Snow again today not nice it was very cold all day
28/12/17
It is hard to walk around the compound because of the frozen snow. The boys sliding on the ice
29/12/17
Nothing to note the ice still in all water holes
30/12/17
The old Wabbler & young on leave the Q Master is in charge. a beauty he is watchmaker would stop until one out paraded three times today hellish cold
31/12/17
More left for holland exchange today.
1/1/18
Midnight service last night still cold Boys throw bucket of water on the ground & have made a fine slide they were at it all day 80 more men for holland
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1/1/18
News of peace conference our people will not attend same raid by our people over the Germans say unfortified town but they claim to have brought one machine down. They say in report that the English are barbarians because they did it, beautiful words they used about us. (RC made go to Church)
2/1/18
Still freezing the boys have made a slide (ice) plenty of spills plenty of peace talk in German papers
3/1/18
More snow today but not for long. made the slide very slippery. very cold
4/1/18
The Lads added some water on the place where they slide last night & it was frozen this morning & a beauty she is I had a go & slid on Bingy Back in fact all way by on my feet
5/1/18
No bath again today 5/ weeks
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since we had an official one. Good news from Palestine Jerusalem General Allanby reports the Turks with German Reinf. attack but lost more ground as he attacked their flank went back four mile
6/1/18
Nothing of interest today other than the usual speech by young Wabbler about potato spe sp peelers wasting spuds when peeling same.
7/1/18
Boys still sliding a treat I had another go but still fall over. I was knocked up afterwards one is not well by anymeans. little snow today. Still peace talk in papers.
8/1/18
Heavy snow fall last night or early this morning. Boys using the shovel on it to removed same on to moor outside.
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8/1/18
Spandish embassy here today in interest of the French not to see us
Heavy snow Packets overcoats
9/1/18
Heavy snow again this morning. shovelled up again Letter & Xmas card from Coombs card from Mrs [indecipherable] & letter from Mother Flo & [indecipherable] dated 21/9/17
10/1/18
Another heavy snow fall last night & continued all day.
11/1/18
Rain last night very strong wind with same Hellish cold this morning on parade we were kept for fully ½ hour Heavy snow storm about dinner time it did fall some had to wait quite a while for tin stuff beautiful game. sun came out for a few minutes this afternoon snow it was freezing at one time & then thawing
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12/1/18
Plenty of snow again
12/1/18
Snowing again with plenty of wind to make it more pleasant All the boys out
14/1/18
to Schneverdingen to draw packets one party went of 20 for each wagon 3 in number Hell of a drop snow 1 foot deep back at 8 oclock
13/1/18
14 men for Holland I went for a walk to station Beautiful to see snow sun out but not strong
14/1/18
Snow again today bally wind
15/1/18
I struck trouble 3 days in cells
18/1/18
I came out of arrest 2 oclock today had dinner all camp went for packets carried same hell of a walk
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we could not take wagons as they were too troublesome very tired
no lights tonight no coal heds snow balled us.
19/1/18
Letters dated 26/8/17 & 4/9/17 from mother one from Major 11/9/17 also Abel 22/11/17
20/1/18
Beautiful day sun out thaw set in ground drying
21/1/18
Beautiful day sun shining though very weak. another good tune by the (Boss old).
22/1/18
Grand night last moonshine just like being by the sea side summer time. had a good walk the best for quite a while of course Schneverding does not count
23/1/18
Beautiful day for this time of year no fun of late
24/1/18
Last night a real summer one moonlight. another grand days news of Dardanelles naval scrap we our
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people go the best end of the stick. news of trouble in Australia strike. also of Manchester ?
25/1/18
Grand day again nothing to note otherwise
26/1/18
Beautiful day again moonlight Last (L. Lillie) – footbal days ?
27/1/18
Kaiser birthday today Flag flying Fine day
28/1/18
Eletric light last night but not this morning. Heavy frost. grand day
29/1/18
Heavy frost today. beautiful day.
30/1/18
news of big strike in Berlin rumour 250000 out. Roumania sticking into Russian. Heavy frost again fine day. Goebun refloated in the Dards German
1/2/18
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report on strike Laughable so many per cent is quoted from different factories
1/2/18
Very sharp frost, plenty of excitement re the Empire strike as it is called in German. It is spreading from what we hear here
2/2/18
Letters (2) Mother one from Strike still spreading which is the best news we have had for many a day they it appears the work people struck for more bread equal rights Polically & socially a peace with no annexion. it appears now to have turned into a polically channell.
Russia as decided to throw in again with her allies heavy frost again today
3/2/18
Sharp frost again no sun today Letter from Lillie
Ice cream vendors making a move again in Italy a good affair from reports
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3/2/18
The strikers are making a name for themselves turning tramcars over breaking windows etc. reports say half grown Boys are causing the trouble splendid news all around for us about same. (in & out) ? more for Holland today
4/2/18
Had the tired feeling as regards writing G. Mc G. complaining about treatment of G. P in R. Laugh Schneverdingen three time this last week. strike supposed to have finished to paper surprises in Berlin
8/2/18
Letters from Mother dated 23/11/17 Dad 3/11/17 Edie card Ashton card & letter
9/2/18
[indecipherable] at Schneverdengin Sgt & one of our Boys Bath today
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10/1/18
Raining today flea inspection (Boss promoted
11/2/18
Raining nothing to note plenty of fleas
12/2/18
Still raining off & on News of German at peace with Ucrean of Russia promises of more food to the public. no news of the strike movement.
13/2/18
Still raining & the fleas worse fire parade to this afternoon no news of any description
14/2/18
Nothing of interest today
15/2/18
Letter from dear old Nellie Farrell. Jack Aston card from Mother Xmas.
16/2/18
Very sharp frost again to day & [indecipherable] beautiful walk
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17/2/18
Sharp frost again today sharp all night
18/2/18
Plenty of rain the last three days & sleet
21/2/18
Still raining of & on bust up in the British house of Parliment. Lloyd George Bonar Law. & Col. [indecipherable] & morning post about Versays Conference high treason General mix up in [indecipherable] & Russia. Aspargus cutting
21/2/18
Schnevn today Raining hell of a trip. [indecipherable] name for callers
24/2/18
Letter from Fred card dated 11/1/18 rcd 10/- sent from R.C. S. not received yet. General General visit
25/2/18
French & English escaped did not know until this morning we had a [indecipherable] to for a while this morning
26/2/18
Raining again
27
Raining
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28/2/18
Sharp frost today
1/3/18
Miss (letter) [indecipherable] )
raining (letter Coombs) 5/1/18
2/3/18
Sharp frost again Schneverdingen
3/3/18
Sharp frost this morn beautiful afternoon & evening
(just lately peace with Russia)
4/3/18
Fair weather of late rather sharp at morn. our packet are given to us now with the exception of tins which we drawn
8/3/18
Letter from Jim 5/1/18 ([indecipherable])
10/3/18
Schnever today & party for Holland French W.
11/3/18
Quite a number off to Holland exchange
12/3/18 to 17/3/18
Worked for asparagus farm this morning Three years today since I left sydney
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20/3/18
We left this morning for Hanover the City. raining while pulling the small waggon. we arrived at the central station at 7 oclock the changed trains to go a few miles out of town then we were driven through the city but it was dark . from what we could see it is a beautiful city in the [indecipherable] parts of same
we arrived at our new home which was to be at 8.30 PM it is simply a [indecipherable] or working larger no
21/3/18
No work this morning but started this afternoon spade work building up parapets or rather mounds for aspargus
22/3/18
the hours of work rise at 5 AM work at 6 AM. till 8.30. 8.30 till 9 coffee. 9 till 12 work. 12 till 1 dinner 1 till 3 work. 3 till 3.20 coffee 4 till 6 work. to long for the purpose we left Grossenvedermoor. will complain as the hours of work which
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were not what we were told so we were sent into lager for two days & then back to old camp 23036 what a fine reception we received from the Q. Master F.W. & beautiful it was. made go to Schneverdingen for our kits. we struck a snow storm coming back which made matters worse. We to O. & I were made go into II B to sleep with Sgt laugh the good time we were here [indecipherable]
22 / 26/18
nothing of note here plenty of lies about the war
27/3/18
Plenty of news about the German offensive it simply staggered me to think they could advance the distance they did in 8 days but they must have suffered for it in casualties of course we only hear of their side of the whole affair. received money order dated 16/3/18 today
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for 11 marks eleven
8/4/18
Fun this morning re Sgt Maj being detailed for Schnever. Letter from Mother dated 25/12/17
9/4/18
Nothing of note today
Kits at Schneverdingen
10/4/18
Fleas are more than numerous
11/4/18
I have yes Year today since being captured
12/4/18
Nothing doing news of German push at Armenteer Armonenters 6000 Pris & 100 guns
13/4/18
No further news of yesterdays report. War. German Chancellor says they will drive the English out of France (When E H.
I have had the tired feeling for close on 11/5/18 a month fed up. German stopped on the old front of 16 [indecipherable] they got a good go no doubt
Ring collected about three sundays ago a good go about Armentiers another good go there also.
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beautiful weather here of late Grand day today. the village look grand trees nice & green. no letters for some time 25/12/17 from Mother about a week ago. Xmas card from 31st Militia Miss A V Scott Yarra Glen Vic dated 9/9/17 the exchange has started again men with 23 months or about.
12/5/18 to 16/
nothing of note other than beautiful weather.
17/5/18
Very hot. worst hail storm I have ever seen this afternoon. did not last long.
18/5/18
Nothing doing Heap of letters
19/5
Mother letter dated 5/15/1/18 Dads 20/12/17 & 5/1/18 Uncle Ted 5/12/17 Blue 10/1/18 [from E. Mrs [indecipherable] 5/12/17 [indecipherable] 16/12/17 Letter E. all in a heap.
19/5/18
Nothing doing
20/5/18
plenty of roumor rumour about
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Russia coming again 300000 B.F.O.ff.
21/5/18
Beautiful storm today no news.
22/5/18 to 28/5/18
Beautiful weather the last 3 days we moved barracks
26/5/18
Letters from Mother dated 10/3/18 Dad 3/2/18 [indecipherable] 13/2/18 Abel S. 29/3/18 today grand weather
27/5/18
Tired feeling
15/6/18
Received the exchange rate 3/6 Coombs
21/6/18
Great display today of military rule
28/6/18
Rain every day since 21-6-18 plenty of so & so bombast about the war [indecipherable] no save terrible roar about it in so & so
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paper. [indecipherable]
News of [indecipherable] young Ben killed at Bullecourt 15/5/17
5.8.18
Nothing to report between 8.7.18 & above to day I went Soltau camp for eye treatment nothing doing what a beautiful sight see our boys there, camp filthy stopped
16/8/18
Asked to be sent back to old camp wish complied with back again today
17-8-18
20-8-18
went to Schnev to see M.O. there about [indecipherable] plenty of rain. news of our people giving the others a good go about the S.
28/8/18
[indecipherable] from A.R.C. through Coombs. also usual 3/6-
Diary fro 26-8-18 was taken of me we having been
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searched by the Germans which was a usual custom of theirs any time of day or night.
A R Compton
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[This page not transcribed]
[Transcribed by Peter Mayo and Graham Bickford for the State Library of New South Wales]