Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

T. Darchy war narrative, 16 June 1917-20 August 1918
MLMSS 1178/Item 6

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No 4072 T. Darchy
A Co. 1st Pioneer Battn

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Diary June 1917 untill Aug 20 18
June 15 1917
Have a Pocket Diary & several pencils with the intention of keeping it posted while away. It is now certain we sail tomorrow. Most of our kit has allready gone & the orders are to fall in at 5 AM

June 17
We are well on the way but to start at the start – Were roused out at 2 AM yesterday & wonderfull to relate Coffee & Bread & Jam were on tap Fell in soon afterwards were given an embarkation card each & marched to the Station Arrived Sydney & lined up as the day broke & well not marched but wandered to Wooloomooloo Bay mixed up with the crowd of friends & relatives who had come even at at that early hour to see us off. There was no delay at the barrier & by 7 AM we were all on board

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HMT'S. A 72 formaly the P & O S.S. Beltand We were then payed up to date & at 10 pulled out from the Wharf which was imeditally crowded with the friends etc who had been locked out side There was a mixture of cheering & crying as the tugs pulled us out to the Bouy Another L/C & self were detailed as guard for the gangway. Quite a number of boats & launches around to have a last word & was more disapointed than I would like to admit when at 12-30 we made a start & my people had not turned up
This was the start propper for the great adventure – What will it bring forth Wyh trouble about it – Dinner was our main consideration at the time – or rather the want of it. Eventually when we were well out at sea there was a call for Mess orderlies & we got a good meal the first for the day so most of us did it full justice & as there was a fair

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sea running seasickness soon held full sway & many a good soldier cared not for King & Country
This is my first time at sea but felt no sign of sickness except for a few minutes while in one of the holds helping the Q.M.S to issue blankets As night fell the sea got worse also the sickness. Things were cold & wet on deck so that soon after dark I faced going below got my hammock up & after a few experiments got settled into it most comfortably. But then the trouble started as soon as I closed my eyes it felt as if the old Boat stood straight up first on one end then the other with eyes open it was all right. However I was dead tired & before long was fast asleep & knew nothing more untill Revallie this morning What a place to awaken in. The Port holes & Hatch had been closed

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all night so there is some smell enough water has found its way in to wet the floor – in the lower end it is several inches deep – very many have been sick. Kit bags Blankets Books etc are lying all over the place so things are generally in a horrid mess & I wasted no time getting my bunk rolled up & getting on deck. Fortunately before breakfast came on everything had been cleaned up fairly well but it is a stuffy place & I suppose allways will be in rough weather as there is very little ventilation except the Portholes & Hatch. One thing with about half the mess sick there is plenty to care
There are 2 reinforcements in this Hold my lot (1st Pioneers) on one side & an Infantry reinforcement on the other about 300 men all told. But there is plenty of room as the place seems to be fitted for about 500. There are 2 small

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reinforcements in the next Hold in front of us & 2 to 300 Munition Workers aft They have better sleeping quarters & eat in what has been the 2nd Class Saloon & have waiters belonging to the ship to look after them

Monday 1st
Weather still rough & Cold The sick are recovering & the Mess filling up. We eat & sleep in the one place 16 at the table I am at.

Tuesday 19th
Wether same. This boat seems to like a dive ocasionally & ships a fair amount of water. Quite a number have had good wettings today. Canteen has opened

Wednesday 20th
Last night was the roughest so far waves coming right over the bows. Was picked for the Guard today a 24 hours job

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Thursday 21st
Finished guard at 9 aM Just the same old thing as at Liverpool only less style & no arms to carry. There has been some mixup with the blankets & hammocks. Two many are supposed to have been issued & the Pursar was collecting spare one this morning & got mine & most of the guards while we were being relieved am without a bunk tonight

Friday 22nd
Weather has improved greatly. Shoe Deck shoes were issued today. We do a little drill on deck now about ½ an hour morning & afternoon After a good deal of trouble got a hammock & blankets for my self & any others of the Guard who were short.
Reported we are to call at Fremantle

Saturday & Sunday 23 & 4
Two nice days. Nothing out of the way has happened. Much letter

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writing is going on & the chaplins are kept busy censoring
The yarn now is that we have a case of Meningitis on board & will be quarantiened at Fremantle A medical examination for sore throats yesterday YMCA distributed lolies & cake today

Monday 25th
Passed Albany this morning & ran N. all day The lights of Freemantle showed up just after dark. We anchored quite a long way out one stretcher case & the mails were taken off & we left again about 10 oclock

Tuesday 26th
All sight sound & smell of Australia was gone this morning It has been a great disapointment to many not going ashore. I was very glad we got a mail off
A bit rough again

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Wednesday 27th
Things as usual. Our officers are making it very warm on shaveing & cleaning shoes. Shaveing in the open with cold water & a good wind blowing is rather a proposition

Thursday 28th
The YM started deck sports. News of the Mongolia sinking by wireless Am Ships orderly Corp today & as Sick parade & breakfast are at the same time one gets very little breakfast The magazine was tampered with last night so an armed guard has been put on

Friday 29th
Two week out today. The time has passed quickley. The Gunners had 3 practice shots today at a very small target which they hit

Saturday 30th
A sailing vessel sighted. Started learning Morse code to pass the time

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Sunday July 1st
Church parade in Morning & Song Service afternoon & evening. What an easy time Chaplins have About ½ an hours service on Sunday & nothing every other day. YM gave Monday out lollies at tea time

Monday 2
The finest day since we left home & the sea is a most beautifull shade of blue different to any thing I have ever seen. Washed my clothes

Thursday 3
A wireless that a raider is out no lights tonight as a precaution We are not takeing this seriously as it is probably only to get us used to things when we reach the danger zone
A Court Martial today. 96 days for disobaying an order

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Wednesday 4th July
Nothing out of the way

Thursday 5th
On Guard again. An absolute calm

Friday 6
Had a good night. No lights made very little difference as the Moon is full not being able to read made the watches a bit long. The Guard was not retiered untill afternoon because they did a lot of messing about to pick 75 men for a perminent Submarine Guard
Boart Drill this evening. A big Whale showed up just beside us as we fell in first excitement for some time

Saturday 7th
Nothing

Sunday 8th
A good searmon this morning
Song services & lollies from the YM as usual

Monday 8th

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The C.O. has been rouseing our OC up consequently he has been on to us to smarten up in appearance drill etc
The mail closed at 9 AM today Must be getting close to Durban Acording to the yarns going about we will be there each day this week. Payed £ 1

Tuesday 10
Drill this morning as usual Sports in afternoon. Did some washing Some seabirds about first for some time Heavy showers in evening

Wednesday 11
Pioneers won first Prize for cleanest Deck & second for best table also 1st for O Gradies Drill Compition This is the first time we have had a win Passed a Sailer a long way off The water has lost its beautifull blue just ordinary sea today

Thursday 12
More yarns than ever as to when we reach Durban Some chaps get

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quite heated if one does not believe there particular day & hour

Friday 13th
Picked for Guard again. As a rule there is a Sgt & 3 L/cpl This time I have the lot on my own as we are supposed to be in Durban in time to get on shore & they want as many as possible to have leave. Sighted land at 12.30 & an official anouncement made that we would be in by 2 PM later changed to 4 even then it was 2 hours to early. At 4.30 all troops were lilned up & I had to get 3 of my men with bayonets fixed to guard the Gangways that were not down as we were still 5 or 6 miles outside the harbour. After about ½ an hours messing about troops were dismissed & later lined up again as we entered the harbour more posting complaining sentries for me To end up with we anchored out in the middle of the harbour at dark

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with no chance of going ashore.

Saturday 14
Being the only N C.O on the Guard had no sleep last night. It seemed strange haveing the land close again. The new Guard came on at 9 a m as usual & about midday we pulled in to the wharf for coaling All troops were taken ashore & marched to the Town Hall about 2 miles on the way it rained the real stuff streams of it. In 2 minutes we were soaked But what did that matter we were on land miles of it to move about on after the a month on the limited space of the old boat
Went by tram to Toll Gate quite a pretty suburb. Got a good deal of fun out of the Ricksha Men & had several rides in them. Would not like to use them as a steady thing even allowing that the men are

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animal pure & simple it seems a bit off to let them pull you about anyhow a horse can do it better. Had several meals dear & not particularly good but a change from the Ship
The only entertanement we could find was a picture show & it was crowded so took a rickshaw to the boat about 10 & made up for no sleep last night

Sunday 15th
Marched to Town Hall & back to boat this morning. After dinner marched up again & dismissed for the afternoon. Used the Trams considerably. They are free to visiting Troops although several people have told me this is not a very loyal town But it is hard to get into conversation with most of the townspeople probably because our chaps are too familiar with the Blacks. There appear to be about 6 Blacks to one White so that

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naturally the local people keep them under a great deal
There is a fine Paraide & Baths on the Ocean beach & some fine buildings in town
Found a Mosque in a back street quite a handsome turnout It was open on one side so that we could see the whole show as Service was being held at the time.

Monday 16
Coaling finished this morning. The work is done by Blacks more noise than work
Native sellers of Fruit & Post cards did a great trade from the Wharf sending there stuff up by a basket tied on a string
Several white people came & gave us a lot of fruit a Miss Cambell of the YM did most of it also took letters & P.C. to post. Sailed about 2 PM much cheering & cooeing Miss Cambell came

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to the end of the Breakwater & would flag signals. She can cooey some

Tuesday 17
Some of the chaps thought they had reached the end of things last night by far the roughest we have experienced One life boat that is about 30 ft pr above the water line at ordinary times got broken A lot of water got into our deck over a foot deep at one end of it & as quite a number sleep on the floor they had a bad time. Things were very mixed this morning with bedding hits etc floating about in the dirty water. I was luckie enough to get nothing wet to speak of.
Only one man left behind at Durban closing the Hotels probably saved some of the others

Wednesday 18th
We are running fairly close to the shore coast. It is straight & rather uninteresting Mountains a short distance

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inland Passed East London yesterday evening

Thursday 19th
Table Mountain sighted about 11 AM Anchored in Table Bay in the evening The A29 (Sunic) just beating us

Friday 20th
Nothing doing all day except to look at the Town. It looks well between the Mountain or rather Mountains as there are 2 of them & the sea. Hope we have a closer acquaintance. Quite a lot of small fish have been caught The cooks are makeing quite a god thing by charging for cooking them. Fishing is evidently quite a business as I have counted 97 small boats all around us this morning

Saturday 21st
Went into the Wharf this morning & Marched to the Town Hall. Were given strict orders to go about in parties of not less than 4. The Hotels

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were open untill 12 oclock & as we were dismissed about 11.30 some of the lot I was with made the most of there time & got fairly full so Collier & I went off on our owne & had a look around town bought P.C. etc then took Tram to Camp Bay 11 miles the round trip The line runs out along the coast – some parts fairly high & returns through The Kloop between Lions Head & Table Mountain. As the line rises to 700 ft where it comes in sight of the Town One gets a splendid view of Town & Harbour
The Towns people are much more friendly than in Durban & there are not so many blacks. There is a fine Rest Hut where troops can get Tea Coffee Caikes etc for 1d each item also Reading & Writing rooms
Most of the Town is very old fashoned with narrow streets good tram service

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Sunday 22nd
Marched up Town at 10 A.M.
Wandered about untill lunch & then went to Camp Bay via the Kloop. This is the better way to go as far as sceniery is conserned for while the Town & in sight the Tram is ascending & travelling comparitively slowly. Traveling the opposite way one goes to fast to take it all in. Found a free Buffet & of course ait Went on the Pier in evening it seems t be cheefely for amusemet purposes

Monday 23rd
Went through gardens rather small & not particularly good also through Museum a fine colection of stuffed animals especially Deer of all sorts & sizes never thought there were so many different kinds also good show of minerals. The plaster figures of native Bushmen are most life like & very interesting an interesting place but did not take time to

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examin properly as we wanted to see Cecil Rhodes Home. Took train to Newland & walked to Groote Schuere Fine old fashoned old house. Built when people were not in a hurry set in very fine grounds. Quite a good Zoo. Australia is well represented & the ‘Roos etc look very well & have plenty of room. Went on to the Memorial It is some clime but well worth while one sees right down the valley over suburbs part of Town & harbour & out to see. The Memorial is plane & massive with a bronze Bust of Rhodes guarded by two huge lions There was a very takeing little Tearoom behind the Memorial of as usual we were hungary but were doubtful if we could finance a feed. Decided to risk it They did us very well & being quite cheap our cash stood the strain. Only have 6d left tonight & it is borrowed

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Tuesday 24th
Put on Butchers fatigue this morning – Getting the days meat supply out of the freezing chamber – Also had to put a number of baskets of Lobsters in the freezer of course a basket got broken open – by an accident - & my fatigue did them selves well – but I did not feel very well after a complete lobster – Went up Town about midday. First to Picture Gallery nothing out of the way Next to Koofman De Wits Collection of Old Dutch stuff no thrills there Then found a Public Bath & had a reall hot bath one of the best things I have struck. The water is a dark brown but quite fresh Pay came to light (10/-) this morning so the financial strain is lifted once more

Wednesday 25th
Moved out to anchor this morning

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& have remained here all day. It has been raining most of the time & most of us are sleepy after the last nights on shore As far as I could judge our chaps are quite popular here & this lot have behaved very well allthough from what I could gather some of former lots have not done so.
There were a lot of Portugus Soldiers on there way to Eias Africa in town. Fine sturdy chaps but very dopey looking

Thursday 26th
Still at anchor Showery all day Two Parades. Fishing in full swing Cooks charde 3 each for cooking them

Friday 27th
Got the mud hook up at 1 PM & made a start – 5 troopers & escort HMS Apric quite an imposing line steameing out of the Harbour. No excitement this time. A few Helographs flashed messages

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from the Town & Hillside Formed into double line with Apric leading this afternoon. We are the center boat in the left hand line

Saturday 28th
Am ships Orderly C/pl today

Sunday 29th
Usual programme. The sea is like glass & the six big boats just seem to be at anchor so well do they keep in line
The lines are about ½ a mile apart & half that distance between boats in line. Only one very small light shows on the stern of each boat No smoking is allowed on deck – a very necessary precaution as it is suppriseing how clearly one can see a lighted match or cigarette on any of the other boats

Monday 30th
Put Web Equipment – its really

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leather – in forward hold a good thing to have it out of the way. Did some washing. Lecture on Ropes & Splices Borderer did gun practice

Tuesday 31st
Deck Sports – Crew started putting up awnings

Wednesday August 1st
Hororata fined 3 shots. Practice I think allthough many believe it was a funeral. Lecture for N.C.O.s Map Reading. Concert in afternoon. The YMCA chap had tea with the 18th Btt & spoke to us afterwards. He is not a bad sort But hardly suited to his job. If he is going to improve us he certainly has plenty of scope for his energy. Clergy have not joined us at meals so far

Thursday 2
Sports again today. A few nights ago some of the 1st forcibly bathed 2 of there chaps they needed it muchley

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by there looks it was the first wash since there mother used to do it & they were a fair age. Since then the rowdy element have been ducking any one they could get hold of. This went rather too far so the lot of them are pararded to the showers now
Travers (YMCA chap) for tea tonight & one of the Pardries came down for a time Travers is trying hard to get us to cut out swearing. Its uphill work & some would not say much if they left the cuss words out
A canvas ventilator has been put in at last. Fortunately port holes have been open & hatches uncovered since we left Capetown.

Friday 3rd
The Apic took a run on her own this morning was out of sight for a time This evening she sent up 3 small baloones & practiced on them with anti Air craft guns. Hit one

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The awning is up over the forward well deck – great improvement Boxing contest on hatch – makes a good ring Also lecture by one of the Pardres on aft well deck. A very good speaker. He has just come from Palestine. Did not mention before we picked up several Pardries & Officers at Capetown coming home for leave also about 100 Tommies YM gave chocolates for tea. Getting quite warm

Saturday 4
Yesterday the Corned beef at dinner was very hard to take so we got extra cheese – it was uneatable. Today the Dr condemed the pudding so it went overboard & was nothing to replace it – true economy. Fire & Boat drill Ballmoral castle had gun practice could hear the shells burst distintly A great many flying fish about. 1st day in the 4 year of War also my birthday

Sunday 5th

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Started wearing shorts. It has been showery & overcast for some days today is bright but not unplestaly hot. Lectlure Why the Church is so Divided by Padre Knight a good speaker & has evidently studied a great deal. Ships Orderly C/pl today

Monday 6th
Started training for Physical Drill competion. A lecture by Captain Knight – Messopotamia. Our gun fired 4 shots all misses. We have crossed the Line at least 6 times in the last 48 hours according to roumer

Tuesday 7th
Did quite a lot of Physical Drill this morning & feel all the better for it. Lecture by Let Hart – The War in East Africa. He has been there for some time a poor speaker. Altered our course slightly more to the West. Our deck got first prize for cleanliness & 2nd for best table again

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Wednesday 8th
The Physical Drill competition came off today. The 18th won we got 2nd. This means a few shillings for our team I need it as my capital is one penny & a Kruger 2/- piece that was palmed of on me in Capetown & can not be changed Boat Drill this morning. Quite an extcitement as we had no warning & there has been a lot of talk about Subs. While we were lined up the Pardres gave out 1 Pkt of Cigs between each 2 men Boats are all in one line tonight

Thursday 9th
Formed in two lines early this morning & land was in sight anchored about 10.30 in Port Freetown Serra Leone. W Africa. It is very pretty a small white town close to the water with wooded hills behind Every thing is beautifully green right to the waters edge. There are no wharfs to speak of & the anchorage has very

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little shelter – just a big Bay like the of a circle let into the coast & there is a Submarine net running across about 1 mile out
Plenty of Niggers about in there "Dugouts" Diving for coins & selling fruit
Munition Workers won the Tug o war Concert on deck at night

Friday 10th
Wet & miserable all morning but not as hot as one could expect. We are filling our water tanks from barges alongside & coaling the niggers making more noise even than at Capetown Four boats came in from England today. Officers went on shore Quite a number sleep on deck now Have not tried it myself as there are often showers at night & one has to beat a retreat below & my hammock is hung in a good place opposite the gangway so there is nearly allways some breeze. Smoke Boxes have been

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put on board. They are for throwing over board to make a Smoke screen in case of Submarine attack

Saturday 11
Still admireing the green cain wood verdure of Serra Leone. Coaling has been finished & we are free from dirty niggers. Most of our chaps make the great mistake of being too familiar with them. Treat them as equals & expect them to remain niggers

Sunday 12
About 10 A M our old escort HMS Apric went out with 4 boats to Capetown We followed & turned the other way There are 9 boats in our lot now including a Battle ship & Aux Cruser Not sorry to be on the move again as we were not allowed on shore at Serra Leone. A fresh order has come out we have ot wear Life belts day & night. They are not comfortable also anything that will float is not

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to be thrown overboard in the day time. Usual Services Was on Guard this morning but the Submarine Guard was started again so only did a few hours. No more bugle calls are to be sounded. YM gave us chewing gum

Monday 13
Trouble about tucker today. It was rough. The Convoy does not keep the same formation now changed several times today We are running last in the left row tonight The cruiser has been out scouting all day. Sports this afternoon. Our O.C. (Lut Garnesy) is in hospital after his day out at Serra Leone
The Sub Guard have started well one chap let his rifle off by mistake just missed the Sgt who was inspecting & put a hole through a water pipe another cha shot the reflection of a Star in his zeal to straff the Hun

Tuesday 14

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Much as usual. Tucker improved grilled chops replaced our old friend Stew for breakfast. A lecture by an RFC Lieutenant on Flying Machines & Flying very interesting Physical Drill class got going properly again

Wednesday 15th
Much cooler Awnings all taken down again. The ventilator has also been taken out makes it much hotter at night. Have tried to get it put in again but no one seems to care enough about it to do anything
The Cruiser caused some excitement today. She was about 3 miles away to Port when she suddenly started fireing & manuvering at top speed We could see what she was fireing at & most thought it was a target the more imaginitave swore it was a Sub. Some could even see the oil on the water where it sunk. Several chaps have moved there hammocks

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nearer the steps to be able to get out quickely in case of a n attack. I have about the posisition. I thinjk there are very few who worry much about Subs

Thursday 16
The last 24 hours have been a bit rough the first time there has been a ripple on the water since leaving Capetown

Friday 17
The Convoy has done quite a lot of manuvering today. Made a complete circle once & we have changed our course several times The 17th Batn were payed 2/- each yesterday. Orderly Cpl today. The number on sick parade seem to increase or diminish in proportion to the amount of stuff sold at the Canteen & one can form a good idea of the financial possition by the quantity of rubbish th of cigerette

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chocolate boxes [indecipherable] about the Deck. Seeing that the sweepers do there work is part of the Orderly Cpl duty

Saturday 18th
Were to be payed 8/- today. Had to sign for 10/- 2/- being held to cover shortages in ships stuff such as knives forkes hammocks etc. These cannot be made up untill we land & should not come to more than 6d each. There was so much dissatisfaction over signeing for more than was received that it has ended by not getting any pay at all Identification Discs issued today. Now one cannot go to an unknown grave Boxing tourniment
Finished today

Sunday 19
Church Parade morning
Lecture singing etc afternoon Traners of the YM gave out chocolate at tea time & has just delivered a short sermon & given us each a Testement. I think

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his talking has had some affect on the swearing He is an energetic sort of chap but not very sutable for his job.
It has been a beautiful day of bright warm sun & wonderfull blu sea with just a ripple on it. Not allowed below during the day now in case of Subs.

Monday 20th
We got the 8/- today in spite of all the growling Have payed the Mess orderlies off & 2 copies of The Beltance Bugle / The paper we had printed in Capetown 1/- just cut it out A cruser passed early this morning & a steamer a long way off this evening – she looked a lonely little speck. Sports on Deck in afternoon The sea is calmer than I thought possible

Tuesday 21st
Passed another steamer this morning

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Got our water bottles out again & have to carry them full of water continuesly – Why not rum.

Wednesday 22nd
Paraided in Full Marching Order this morning Got my cash from orderly room that I deposited there leaveing Sydney feel very wealthy. Passed a small steamer this morning Strong W wind & a fair sea running. A list is being made out of the Trades we followed or work we have done in civilian life. My list is a long one

Thursday 23rd
Fair sea running & much cooler but am still wearing shorts. After many false alarms the Destroyers – 8 of them turned up about 2 PM quite a thrill for us We should certainly be safe now cannot say I have ever felt otherwise No Paraides Orders are we disembark at 2 PM tomorrow

Friday 24th

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Yesterdays order was a bit out as it is now dark & no land in sight. Have put our blankets & hammocks away & have kit bags & equipment out all ready for landing Sea rough Passed 5 small steamers

Saturday 25th
Slept in the Orderly room so was better off than a good many but spent rather an uncomfortable night not being used to the floor & having no blankets. Land was in sight at daylight & by 7 oclock we were anchored off Plymouth Every boat even little sail fishing one seem to be armed & mostly have wireless Destroyers seem to be every where Saw a seaplane for the first time No time was lost (considering we are in the army) in disembarking One big barge took the lot & landed us right at the train. It was a great for all old hands & new & if it

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is a fair sample of English weather there is nothing to complain of. The country is lovely just ijke a picture book or Landscape Target. Little fields green while & yellow narrow well made roads fat sleepy looking stock old stone houses many thatched exactly as one expected only rather more so.
The Mayoress of Exeter gave us each a bottle of Tea & a bun about 3 PM most acceptable as it was all we were able to get (there were rations on the train but through lack of experience on the part of our Officers they were not given out) Arrived Denton about 7 PM & marched about 2 miles to Forent Camp The last bit was up quite a steep hill & we were mostely done up by the time we reached the top. By then it was quite dark & our first greeting to an English camp was to hear Defaulters at the double

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After a bit of messing around to Headquarters Etc we got Tea consecting of 2 slices of bread each margarine & Blancmange & Tea. We only had Mess tins or clash brunes so Blancmange was rather slipery stuff to handle but it did not go to waste
Were issued with 3 blankets & allotted to tents with board floors Kitbags were left at the railway

Sunday 26th
Not the bright England of yesterday heavy clouds & showers all day. This camp is on a gentle slope – one side of a valey the opposite side was abruptly for fully 300 ft. On the side of this hill there are quite a collection of Regimental Badges & designs made by cutting away the turf & exposeing the clean white chalk that is only covered by a few inches of soil. An immense "Rising Sun" is cut out opposite here – very well done. A outline of Australia & a Kangaroo further up

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a Stag & other designs down the other way. Had a good breckfast. Medical examination. Inoculation Issued with Kits. Got nicely fixed in Tents & had to move into another lot

Monday 27th
Rained nearly all day. Felt very much off colour so stayed in bed as there were no parades. It is a muddle place

Wednesday Tuesday 28th
Wind & Rain all night. Blew some tents down – not mine fortunately – Had a bad night being stiff & sore from lying on the boards for the last 18 hours. Moved into huts this evening, great improvement. We are supposed to be isolated for some weeks after leaving the Ship. It is only supposition as we go about as we like. There is a Guard around our line of huts & they are often the only men to be found there. Feel fairly right again & had a decent

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feed in a little shop near the camp first since Sunday

Wednesday 29th
Very little doing today Rained most of the time. Received a letter from Leo W from France Went for a walk this evening through rustic lanes & Ye olden Village (Fornak) It is all very pretty – but so old Our camp is the only new looking thing I have seen I wonder people have gone to so much trouble in this country if the last few days are a fair sample of the climate. But things seem to grow well & that is the main thing

Thursday 30th
A fine day so started work in earnest The methods are better than they were at Liverpool must not say too much untill I have seen more of them One thing the man are all keen to do there list. We have heard so much about how hard & smart the training is here that we are all keen to shew what we can do. Then getting new N.C.Os makes (we have all taken our

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stripes down) makes a difference. The meals are good & plentyfull. Bought a fountain pen should have written more lately but have not felt up to it a few days work will fix me up

Friday 31st
Have had a day up as I was on Picquet last night. Beautifull day

Saturday 1st Sept
On Fatigue. Moved out of Isolation Issued with straw beds much appreciated Concert at YM not much good

Sunday 2nd
Church Parade Poor sort of Padre Went for a walk in afternoon. There is no where special to go & you see no one but soldiers

Monday 3rd
As usual. On Picquet in evening at a little Hotel about 2 miles away Just the sort of place one reads about even to the oldest inhabitant But it was over run with soldiers

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Tuesday 4th
2nd inoculation Issued with new pay books

Wednesday 5th
Payed 15/- Sports at Hurdcot another camp about 2 miles away. They were very good but it was hard to get a place where one could see decently as there was a great crowd

Thursday 6th
The inoculation is a good scheme have had all day off so have done nothing gracefully Quite hot. Some of the lads gambled by match-light untill after midnight & have been at it all day They will be broke tonight which is well

Friday 7
Usual training a 7 very good Conjuring intertainment in YM

Saturday 8
Was put in Sanitary Staff today. Digging a rubbish pit. Went to Village in evening One can get very nice Plums very cheaply

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Sunday 9th
Rain as usual Went for a walk

Monday 10
Fine day The Sanitary pit is supposed to be perminent. Two of us have to clean the Grease traps at the cook houses We had them all done by about 10 oclock but found out it was supposed to be an all day job so kept out of the Sgt sight

Tuesday 11th
As usual

Wednesday 12th
Got another chap to take my sanitary job & went on Parade. Fireing on Munitune Range Scored 18 – 25. Collier & I went to next camp to see the Conjurer again He was very full tonight

Thursday 13th
As usual told we are to get Disembarkation Leave on 25th This has been a burning question ever since we landed & there have been many rumours as to when & we would get it & for how long

[Page 46]
Friday 14th
As per usual. The Physical Drill is Bayonet Fighting in the forenoon is far the best part of our Drill. The instructors are picked men have been well trained & are keen on there work so they keep us up to the mark. The Musketery is just the oppisite do as little as possible & do it anyhow. It's a tyresom old subject at best We have to unlearn a good deal that we learnt at Liverpool

Saturday 15th
Rought March about 10 miles felt like 20 as we had packs on & it was the first long walk since landing The roads are hard for ones feet & in many places just wide enouh for 4 to get along – supposed to be 10 ft – It was a bright warm morning & the high hedges mak shutting off any breeze made it rather too warm at times Went for a walk with Baker in afternoon about 5 miles for exersise.

[Page 47]
Sunday 16
Church Parade

Monday 17
Picked for Guard this morning This means doing a bit of Guard training in the morning & then you have the afternoon off to get equipment etc ready Mount at 4 PM I was picked as being the best dressed so am let off Guard & am to Battalion Rumer for tomorrow It is a very wet night so am rather pleased to off Guard

Tuesday 18th
The first run I got was to Hurilcotte with orders on an old Bike & was kept going fairly well all day. There are 4 perminent men on this job & the one new one each day – He gets the worst of it. If any of the clerks in Orderly Room have a message to send they call Runner & you go in & they say ‘Here take this. If the Major wants it done He comes out & says Will you take this to so & so please

[Page 48]
Wednesday 19th
Did 15 minutes PT then it rained & kept on most of the day Concert in YM Quite good Payed 10/-

Thursday 20
As usual. Never knew a Hut to be so quiet on a pay night must be saveing up for leave

Friday 21
As usual Good Concert & Aussie letters

Saturday 22
Rought March. Started off over the Hill opposite the camp quite a stiff climb about 10 miles along open roads. Did not feel it at all today Concert in YM much higher class than any I have been to before

Sunday 23rd
Open Air Service today. Went up hill opposite camp & examined Rising Sun & other Badges. They are made by cutting the turf off & filling in the trench thus

[Page 49]
formed with lumps of clean chalk. As the chalk Is only about 4 from the surface it is easy to get. The Sun is about 50 yds across the base & very accurately layed out. Had a very good tea in Village Ham & Eggs Tea Bread & butter 1/8 yr

Monday 24
Some little insects were found in our Hut this morning They are off the cabbages growing between the huts But it got about that they were lice so we have got a fresh supply of blankets & the hut has been disinfected. Did not change our mattresses so like the army now the Dr has called and he says they are not lice

Tuesday 25
Emptied our mattresses & had them disinfected Rifles issued my No 150324

Wednesday 26
Morning as usual Afternoon Payed returned rifles Medical inspection etc in readyness for leave tomorrow

[Page 50]
Tuesday 27th
Early breckfast Bullied about with no apparent reason Marched to Dinton & caught train at 9 AM Arrived Waterloo station about 12 & Marched to Horseferry Road & were turned loose. Had dinner at War Chest which seems an excelent institution

Then wandered about to see the City 4 of us one Bell a scotchman has been here before. Found a Salvation Hostel in Southampton Row where we have booked a room Went to a play A little Bit of Fluff rotten thing though it was something out of the way as it had been on 970 nights according to the bill

Friday 28th
Went to Commonwealth Bank for a start Then Wax Works St Pauls etc. Went to Hampstead in evening to see Ettie Murray & the Mobeleys. It is a pretty part & they were all kindness

Saturday 29th
Met Ettie Murray in Tradfalgar Sqluare

[Page 51]
went through Picture Gallery – most of the pictures are put away Then to Kew Gardens a lonely place Spent the evening at Hampstead Bright moonlight night so there was quite a good Air Raid or rather several First thing of this sort I have seen. It was anything but terryfing all one could see were the little puffs of white smoke made by the shell bursts They certainly put up a good barrage Did not see or hear of any damage being done

Sunday 30th
Caught 9.15 train to Harwick & met dear old Mab on the Station. Dan had procured an extra Bike so in afternoon we cicled out a few miles & had tea Better class of country than about Forent It is interesting to see & hear something of the Navies side of the question Dan – Comodor Scratton – is in charge of the Mine laying & Sweeping here.

Monday 1st October

[Page 52]
Went into Harwick a quaint old fashioned place Cycled out for tea again to a very pretty Wood with a lake in it Huns came over in evening but dropped no eggs anyhow there is a dugout behind the house The mosquitoes were very bad in it.

Tuesday 2nd
Caught 10 a m train for Liverpool St Knocked around town untill 6 PM then caught train for Dinton & was in Camp by 9.30 PM after a very pleasant 6 days out of the Army Weather could not have been better or people kinder nothing seems to be a trouble to them

Wednesday 3rd
Medical inspection & all the other little things that happen whenever you leave or return to Camp. Today seemed longer than the last 6 days put together

Thursday 4th
Wet so nothing doing Payed

[Page 53]
Friday 5th
As usual

Saturday 6th
Did about 1 hour P.T. then messed about. No rifles to use as they have been packed for our move to Sutten Veny next week. Collier & I walked to Tesbury a small town 5 ½ miles away. Half the town is very old the other part near the Railway more modern. A very pretty walk

Sunday 7th
A lot of us were about ½ a minute late getting on Parade this morning so caught Main Guard

Monday 8th
Guard has been quite a good job fine fire in the Guard Room & plenty to eat. The C O sayed we were the worst guard B- Guard he had ever inspected & that we must get extra training We wont so all is well Was in a raffle for a Bike but did not win

[Page 54]
Tuesday 9th
Packed our Kit Bags this morning ready for moveing on Thursday Doing practically nothing these days as most of the gear is packed

Friday Wednesday 10th
Swinging the Lead very successfully Had to load Kit on to train this morning ½ an hours work – lasted all day

Thursday 11th
Revallie 5=30 Breckfast Drew Day Rations – 2 slices bread each & 1 tin Salmon between 5 men. Fell in & stood about as usual untill 8.50 when about 1000 stalward Australians marched bravely out of Forent camp At 4 PM nearly the same number wandered wearily into Sutton Viney about 15 miles distant. A beautiful day good roads a bit hilly country mostely leane & uninteresting. If the Hun could h only have seen us grab turnips as we passed the fields & eat them, he would have proclaimed to the world that

[Page 55]
England was starving After a lot of struggle & strife we got Blankets Ticks & had boards issued also a fair tea Hot stew – at least some sayed it was stew – Had a good fine in our Hut last night as Jones & I pinched a bag of coal Went straight past the army sentry into the Coal yard & took it so he thought we had a right to it

Friday 12th
Showery most of day good thing it was not yesterday. This camp is not as good as Forrant wooden instead of cement paths & a muddie parade ground

Saturday 13th
As usual Went into Warminster quite a town 4 miles away It looked like a place just occupied by Aussie troops scarcely a civilian in sight

Sunday 14
Open air service Explored Warminster fully quite a large place & very uninteresting. Cannot understand what

[Page 56]
they do with so many towns.This place looks as if it would hold a population of at least 5 to 6000 in normal times There are small villages all around The country is not particularly good & much of it is forrest or wood – there do not appear to be any inductees. All farm hands must live in the town as there are very few farm houses even then there seem to be too many towns

Monday 15th
Went with a working party of 100 to a camp about 2 miles off The Officer in charge could find nothing to do so marched us back & told us not to go on Parade as we would be wanted Order obeyed, have spent the afternoon in the Hut

Tuesday 16th
A little musketry & a lot of loafing Put tags on my overcoat too as we keep the tails out of the mud have to wear them on all parades now

Wednesday 17

[Page 57]
October
Drill morning lecture by Archdeacon – afternoon very good

Thursday 18th
Unloading coal all day consequently our Hut is not short of fuel tonight

Friday 19th
Working party again building a Clink at No 13 camp Mostely barb wire. Am wire expert with 2 assistants Payed & went to Warminster

Saturday 20
Working party Warminster went to a very poor play would have seen much better in camp free

Sunday 21
As usual Explored Sutten Verry a nice little place Had some very good stout

Monday 22nd
Still Wire expert on Clink

Saturday 27th
Have been on the working party all week about 50 of us. It is less irksome

[Page 58]
than Parade where one is allways doing the same old thing. We do very little work Our Officer is a new hand like myself a number of the men including the Sgt are old hands & the way they pinch stuff – material for the job is a revelaition to him An order of any sort is very seldom required

Sunday 28th
Went with O.P.D (other Protestant Denomination) Church Parade A good sermon Text "Man know Thyself" A good straight talk to Men just what is wanted as a straight clean moral life is not very fashionable with us.
Detailed for Flying Picquet leave camp at 8.45 & patrol the Warminster road untill 11 PM to catch Sandbaggers & bring the p'runts home

Monday 29th
Still toiling on the Clinck

Tuesday 30
Finished Clinck

[Page 59]
Wednesday 31st
The Clinck was not just a success as the Birds pulled some of the fence down last night & got away We are putting up a Bayonet course in the same camp

Thursday 1st November
Bayonet Course quite a job. Ground to be levelled Trenches dug Sand bag brestworks put up & bags of straw hung at intervills to run ones bayonet into

Friday 2
Had my first go at Sand bagging They make a real good job when properly done

Saturday 3
Working Party Warminster in afternoon It is a dull dreary hole Weight 11 st 3 lbs according to a penny in the slot machine

Sunday 4
As usual. Attended Evening Service at the Home Hut Miss Asbournne gave a splendid little Sermon. This Home Hut is the only one I have come across Same style as a YM only run entirely by ladies It is well

[Page 60]
kept & every thing they sell is good

Monday 5th
Same old working party same old work

Tuesday 6th
The job is getting cut out Hard to find anything to keep going on now. Have a very good little mate does not lofe like most of them his brother has the VC

Wednesday 7th
Found work today Had to cart muck about 150 yds in a wheel barrow most uninteresting or the in local terms a "Gutser"

Thursday 8th
Still the Wheelbarrow Dinner was light so tried the local "Salvo" (Salvation Army Hut) No dout they are very good better in many ways than the YM The ones who run them are more suited to the work & take a greater interest in it But I am not running the YM down don't know what we would do without them

Friday 9th
The old job

[Page 61]
Saturday 10th
Colonel Watson who is "head" of the camp we work in shouted for us all to cheer us on our ardious labour Take your choice Bar or Cigiretts took the latter as the former is no good

Sunday 11th
Nothing startling

Monday 12th & Tuesday 13
Working party

Wednesday 14
Muster Parade filled up most of the morning then working party'

Thursday 15th
Went on Parade for a change Muddled about all day no good

Friday 16th
Full of Parade so got back on W. Party

Saturday 17th
Our feeding arrangements have been changed lately instead of haveing Huts set apart for Messing in each Hut about 30 men have there meals in there own

[Page 62]
hut & 2 men are detailed each day as Mess Orderlies I am one of the unfortunates today & it is not much of a job as I like haveing things reasonably clean & there is no proper way to do it The table & dishes are decent anyhow

Sunday 18th
Detailed to go to Forrent on Working Party about 20 of us all told

Monday 19
Earlie Breckfest & with less messing about than usual got away. Put in 2 hours at Wilton where we had to change trains arrived Forrent about 3 PM & were soon fixed up with Hut blankets etc. A few men out of the 11th Reinforcement started for France today Pat Buchman one of the list went wish I was with him

Tuesday 20
Our job is cleaning & makeing drains in this Camp what a comedown for fighting men

Wednesday 21st to Saturday 24th

[Page 63]
Have been at the drains all the time Afternoon Hall & I walked to Tishuny A good concert was given by an Infantry Company Had tea – a very good one – in a little shop that was more like a private house as all the family sat or poked around just as usual

Sunday 25th
Went for a walk a cold windy day We have no Parades to attend

Monday 26th to Friday 30th
Same old futile scratching in the mud all the time. Carted some timber to day to floor one drain that has been washed away. Ferdie and I had just started when an R E Officer stopped us Timber was not to be used It would have been a failure any how

Saturday December 1st
Went to Salisbury this afternoon Waiting for passes made us rather late but we got a car for 2/0 each & got there about 4 PM In time to see the

[Page 64]
Cathedral before dark. It is a very fine building. Went to a Picture & Variety Show Had 2 good meals Made a start back on a gass bag Bus It was full inside so about 10 got on the Tailboard arangement really intended for luggage It promptly broke off when we started & dropped us Hunted around for some time & eventually got a car ariveing in Camp after Midnight

Sunday 2nd
Hall & I walked to Wylie a Village about 5 miles off A nice walk & a new road for us

Monday 3rd
Just the same olf Pick shovel & drains again Winter is setting in properly heavy frost last night The ice has not melted in sheltered places all day

Tuesday 4th
The ground is frozen on top for 2 or 3 inches very hard to pick Snowed a bit today Do not feel it particularly cold

[Page 65]
Wednesday 5th
Nothing of importance to report

Thursday 6th
A fresh party arrived yesterday to take our job as most of us have not completed our training. Our Officer was late starting so we just missed the 9 oclock train & had to wait untill 12 arrived Sutton Verry about 3 and got settled in our own quarters Heavy frost this morning

Friday 7
Parade morning M.O. & Dental inspection afternoon

Saturday 8
Scrubbing Mess Huts

Sunday 9th
Church Parade Hall & I went for a walk around Warminster

Monday 10th
Miniture Range shooting. Had a Night Stunt out about 2 hours Spent most of the time waiting for something or someone fortunately it was not cold

[Page 66]
Tuesday 11th
Voteing on Conscription Referendum

Wednesday 12
Started Musketery Course on Range between here and Overseas Training Camp Frosty morning Nice day but bad light

Thursday 13th
Shooting again bright day good light Did not shoot well Issued with new Rifle No 6137 for active service

Friday 14th
Finished Musketery Scored 97 That is a First class shot. Should have done better

Saturday 15th
Rough march with Packs about 10 miles

Sunday 16th
Started snowing while were in Church this morning later the Sun came out & has made an awfull mess

Monday 17th
The slush froze hard last night so that it is difficult to get about being so slipery

[Page 67]
Bombing Lecture – Mills 23 Mark 2 hand grenade Hales Rifle Grenade Etc

Tuesday 18th
More Bombing. Threw 2 line Bombs race & used to get splashed with mud & ice if they were not thrown far enough

Wed 19th
Gass Lecture Flitted with Box Helmets

Thursday 20
More Gass. Went through chamber to test helmets for both Tear & Chlorine Gass. A smellie business. This Gas is not the dinkum stuff allthough quite a lot of the lads think it is.

Friday 21st
G.S.O. (Group Staff Officer) Inspection A few minutes each at Squad Drill Bayonet Fighting Bombing & Gass. Musketery Phyisacal Jerks whilst a few Officers walk around & ask questions One emerges the finished article all ready for France It is not at all difficult to get through although a few failed today.

[Page 68]
Saturday 22nd
Medical Inspection as we go on leave tomorrow. Thawed last night after being frozen all week

Sunday 23rd
Roused out at 4 a.m. Quite a mild morning Arrived Padington about 10 & had an excelent lunch at a YM for 1/- After considerable hunting found my Aunt Susies place

Monday 24
Saw a good deal of the Town Lunched at New Palace Hotel Could not get into a Theater so spent some time in Picture Show

Tuesday 25th
Went to St Pauls & several other places Lunched at the "Trocadro" some place many courses but not much to eat

Wednesday 26th
Wandered around considerably & saw many & various places Aunt stayed at home

Thursday 27th
Westminster Abby a musty old place but interesting. The Curate who acted as our guide

[Page 69]
was Curate from end to end Got back to Camp about 11 PM after a few quite days out of the army. Have not given much detail about the leave. The days & short & dark for sight seeing especially when one turns out late

Friday 28th
Medical examination Detailed for Coal Guard

Saturday 29th
Finished Guard at 9 this morning Did some washing afternoon

Sunday 30th
Fell out as an R C this morning & as the R.C. Parade was going to Church as the O.P.D's were coming back I changed places & missed Church altogether rather a low down trick to play on oneself

Monday 31st
Went to the Bull Ring Parade ground this morning fully determined to train diligently untill put on Draft for France but came a guttzer as I was detailed for Guard

[Page 70]
Tuesday 1st January 1918
New Years Day on Guard not thrilling Just enough snow for snowballing & some of the lads had a great time potting every one who came along the road. Old ones got anoyed & of course got a rough time

Wednesday 2nd
Put on a marking party for the Butts a cold job stuck down in a trench all day pulling targets up & down Harie Higgerly for a mate so am not dull

Thursday 3rd
On the Butts again. Hall has the next target We backed our score against his for suppers & won

Friday 4th
Butts won another supper

Saturday
Butts Supper again fell to us
Went to Warminster Banked £ 5. Took Hall to the Pictures in return for all the suppers we have had out of him. We get the suppers at the Canteen quite a feed for about 10d

[Page 71]
Sunday 6 January 18
Went to Church & a walk in afternoon when rain started first for some time. Have received 18 Australian letters this week.

Monday 7
Marking at Butts again. Hall won the supper

Tuesday 8
Butts again another free feed for Hall A Rought Wednesday 9 march at night about 5 miles

Wednesday 9
Finished marking today Drill in afternoon A cold day. Have brought a pair of rough leather gloves big enough to pull over the woollen ones they are just the thing. Have found them most useful on the morning job

Thursday 10
Bull ring same old stunts

Friday 11
Got on to wire entanglement & knotting ropes tod It is really the first instruction I have had in that line altthough it is supposed to be our special job

Saturday 12 Rought March about 12 miles

[Page 72]
Sunday 13th
Church Parade We were colected into various gangs this morning for a Fire Brigade all Camps are supposed to be organised in this way – and told just when the fire was to start as some Head wanted to see how what the organization was like. Off course it was perfect under the circumstances. But it would not have been if a real fire had occured yesterday Walked to Halesburey in afternoon

Monday 14
Got into a Squad for a Bayonet Fighting Competion Tuesday 15 Snowed all last night about 8 or 9 inches deep Snowballing is the order of the day. An organized fight between the 2 4th & other companys on Parade ground

Thursday 15th
Training for Bayonet Fighting

Wednesday 16th
Competition came off No 2 Co won Our Guard Mounting Squad also beaten The winner of these events got 3 or 4 days leave

Thursday 17 As usual

[Page 73]
Friday 18th Jan 18
Detailed for Guard Then put on Draft Drew oversee kit

Saturday 19th
Mobilization Stunt Went for a march about 1 mile full equipment. Taken off Draft & Su had to return kit

Sunday 20th
Hull Coliman. & I walked to Westbury a fair sized place about 5 m from Warminster. The Jacks pulled us up for passes I did not have one in fact did not know it was needed. So had my name taken. This is the first time I have run up against the law

Monday 21st
Detailed for Guard Then on Draft again after dinner. Have had a very busy afternoon. Medical Inspection Drawing kit erc It is now after 10 pm & I have just about finished packing Kit & getting everything in order. Wonder if I will get away this time Looks like it

[Page 74]
Tuesday 22nd Jan 18
Have really got away on the Draft. Fell in early this morning & were inspected at Group Head quarters. The most important part of our Kit seemed to be a piece of white cord to fasten the ends of the blanket to the haversack. The inspecting Officer seemed to set great store on this cord for some reason I had not been issued with a piece but fortunately it was not noticed Entrained to Warminster & reached Southampton about 1 PM Were supposed to stay on the Wharf but a great many went up the town. One of the big American liners was moved to the wharf being fitted as a trooper for the Yanks & 3 or 4 of went over her She is a very fine boat & they will have fine quarters. Four 6 in guns are being mounted on her so she will be able to protect herself We embarked about 6 oclock & had to get off again soon after & marched out to a Rest camp about 2 miles Issued with 3 blankets & put in a fair night. There is a lot of fun in being on Draft. The majority are

[Page 75]
Jan ‘18
old hands who have been to France before & are bent on all the fun they can get out of the last few hours on this side There is a good deal of drinking allways is traveling & all moves in the army to quote Omar Khayyam "What without asking hither hurried. Whence.
And without knowing, Whether hurried hence"
or I think that is it

Wednesday 23rd
Had a very light breakfast of Bread & Bacon at 6 a m & marched back to the Boat & straight on board & anchored in the harbour all day. Southampton seems a fine place what little I saw of it. There are a lot of horses on board & a fair number of troops. There is no sleeping accomidation. Hunted all over the place & could not find a decent posie It is a dead calm night so no sickness Have done well for tucker could buy bread & tea or cocoa from the sailors & had plenty of ‘billie' The engins have just stopped 4.15 AM so suppose we are at Le Harve

Thursday 24

[Page 76]
Disembarked about 9 a m & marched 3 miles (must call them miles now) to our Base Depot Had a good meal & were issued with the ballance of our kit Waterproof sheet & cape combined Rifle Tin Hat & I had enough to carry before What we saw of Harve it is a livly old place

Friday 25th
Issuing the extra Kit yesterday was done more expeditiously than anything of that kind I have struck in the army. We marched straight through a hut & the things were passed out as fast as we could take them. Had to sleep in the YM Picture Show last night Saw the pictures first & then slept the sleep that is issued to small children & soldiers Had a march about 6 miles with full wads – No we have no ammunition – It was quite hot & the troops felt it. One has to put on a lot of clothing for the morning & after t you have marched a while with the Sun shining you warm up some. The tucker here is the best I have struck in the Army. Went to pictures to fill in time before turning in

[Page 77]
Saturday Jan 26th 1918 & Sunday 27
Left camp about 9 a m fully loaded this time ammunition & dry rations - & marched to the railway at Le Harve between 5 & 6 milea a very bad road & as it was hot it took a lot out of us. The train did not leave untill afternoon We were packed 32 in a cattle truck just enough room to lie down by fitting in close Tea was supplied about 9 & there was plenty of butter buscuits Jam & cheese in each truck. Put in quite a good night & have traveled slowly with many stops Detrained at Castre & marched about 2 miles to a small camp getting there just at dusk & were alloted to tents & given an extra blanket. The country is very flat & uninteresting as far as I have seen. Saw a few shell holes about Hasellbrock a fair sized place few miles back The only reall signs of war so far

Monday 28th
Went for a very short march this morning without packs. Can hear

[Page 78]
the guns from here at times & saw some shell bursts around a Plane this morning & some last night but they were a long way behind us

Tuesday 29th
Left Castre at 9.30 a m & marched to Batilion Head Quarters about 12 or 14 miles – no packs- crossed the Border into Belgium about half way. There has evidently been no fighting about here lately came through one small town that has been complately destroyed Roads we had in places but mostly fairly good. As we were mostely new men we were detailed to the different Companies I went to A Co so had to march back about 2 killos with pack up it was the last straw allthough cannot say I have felt the march greatly today. Got a plentyfull issue of good tea & made a substantial meal Have a Bow hut to sleep in The country is very wet & muddie anywhere of the roads - & often on them Wed 30th The weather is beautiful & quite warm

[Page 79]
Wed 30th Jan 18
Allotted to NH Platoon 14 Section & had to march about 4 miles on to where they are camped at St Eloi or rather where St Eloy has been as it is hard to find a compliete brick let alone a piece of wall standing Thompson & Bill in this platoon. We have been together right through &they are both good mates An other old hand – Proso – is with us have spent the afternoon making a "dugout" with buiscuit tins full of dirt & bow iron pinched from a R E dump close by. It will be quite the "Home" when finished room for 2 bunks on each side & about 2 ft of space down the centre & just high enough to stand upright The country is all shell holes full of water old trenches wire & all kinds of rubbish. About 100 yds away on the crest of a ridge are some imense mine craters fully 30 to 40 ft deep. There are a great many guns about that do a lot of fireing but so far no shell have come near us They say we are 3,000 yds from the front line

[Page 80]
Thursday 31st Jan 18
Went to our job a concrete Observation Post & did a shift this afternoon about 6 hours Foggie for a change

Friday 1st Feb
Same as yesterday

Saturday 2nd
Shift changed now go out at 6 AM & return at noon. The old hands say this is a very good job all day work. Mixing concrete is hard work & when mixed it has to be shovelled up about 6 ft into a truck & then pushed up a fairly steep grade for about 20 yds as the O Pip (observation post) is on top of a rige

Sunday 3rd
Same as any other old day

Monday 4th
Very clear day plenty of our Planes up. No Huns

Tuesday 5th
About 1 ft rain last night the first since landing in France. Fritzie sprinkled quite a lot of shell about this afternoon The

[Page 81]
Feb 18
[indecipherable] nearest wire 3 to 400 yds from our Camp

Thursday 7th
At least I believe it is Thursday so have missed a day somewhere. It makes no difference they are all much alike. Do our bit of work & sometimes go to a Canteen or YM – there are several not very far back – where you can buy nourishment – Buiscuits Tined stuff Candles & sometimes eggs. Beer is the chief article of the Canteens But we 4 are not drinkers. In fact it is often hard to get through our Rum ration. Thomson & Bill don't tutch it so Pross & I have a double share. It is very strong stuff & would be excelnt to fight on. Rum & today wind (not pleasant

Friday 8th
Nothing startling

Saturday 9
As usual untill just before we knocked off Fritzie put some shell on a South African Battery about 100 yds behind us. Hit a gun first with one of the first lot. A few of the Gunners were about & they made a dash for there Dugouts Next salvo one man ducked up to his neck in a

[Page 82]
shell hole he scrambled out & got about 10 yds away when a shell burst in the hole he had lust left. This was all great fun for us But the range was shortened & we got them one or two quite close It was our turn to duck & someone elses to laugh. It was all over in about 10 or 15 minutes & no one hurt. These are the first shell that have burst any way close to me so far. One or two Hun Planes over this evening so we will probably get more shells in a day or so

Sunday 10
Same job. Pross & I went salvaging this afternoon got a full tin of Biscuits 8 tins Bullie 3 of Jam. Besides other odds & ends to furnish the dugout. You can pick up almost anything about here. What a terrible waste war is

Monday 11th
The daily round as usual Go out at 6 AM & back at Midday. It is about 1¼ miles to the job

Tuesday 12
Pross went to Hospital with some

[Page 83]
Feb 1918
slight internal complaint. Showery today.

Wednesday 13th
A fairly wet day. A parcel from Rowena & Thompson got 2 so we are set up for luxuries

Thursday 14th
As usual. The gravel cement etc is brought up on a light railway which runs past our job. It is all dumped about 4 or 500 yds from us & we have to put it on track & push it along to the job. Today I was getting it when along came an Officer & started to "Roar" because he sayed I was taking his gravel. I argued for a while & moved on to another heap (there were several heaps close together) Was not there long when the same thing happened again so went to a very small heap right at one end - of course the idea is to get the easiest shoveling – Was hard at it when a Canaidian Officer came. He was so nice about me takeing his one & only little heap that I went back to the other. Of course some of it is or should be ours & anyhow it is all

[Page 84]
for the same purpose. But it seems such a haphazzard way of doing things, every thing else appears to be done in the same way & yet there must be a wonderful organization behind it all

Friday 15th
Work. Some gunners have their cookhouse beside our job & we often get a drink of tea from the old cook. Poor old chap got badly burned today. He had some cordite for lighting his fire & it caught alight. The place was full of flame for a few seconds & he was in it. We also use cordite as kindling & had several bags in the Dugout. We are keeping it outside now. A parcel from Aunt Nima more tucker & a pair of sox

Saturday 16th
Work. A very clear day plenty of Planes about. Fritzie seems to be kept well back Bill & I went to Ypres this afternoon it is about 2 miles down the road. Parts of a few houses are standing. The Cloth Hall & Cathedral seem to have had the worst of it. From what is

[Page 85]
Feb 1918
left they seem to have been much overrated buildings mostly plaster instead of carved stone as I expected. Even today 3 shells dropped on the main street near the Hall & although there are were a lot of men about none were hurt only 2 horses killed.
Got a very useful parcel from the Victorian Patriotic Fund containing, Tob, Cigs, Biscuits. Creamy curry powder, Soup cubes Ham Paste, Boot laces Chocolate & Chewing Gum Each man got one & there was some difference in them all

Sunday 17th
Work. A couple of H.E. shells dropped close to our job just before we left. A lot of Arial Activity today. Fritzie got well over our lines several times & got abay allright. One of our machines came down – hit with one of our own shells I believe

Monday 18th
Still working. Fritzie came over per Plane the same as he has been doing for some days but did not get back

[Page 86]
5 of our Planes came out of the Heavens There was some circling & machine gun fireing & Fritz was gradually forced down & plunged headlong the last few hundred feet As it happened just at knock off some of us went over to see the machine. It had landed on the side of the Canal & was a compleete wreck. The pilot was not dead but badly broken up. The first freshly wounded man I have seen. This evening one of our Planes caught fire when at a great height & came down like a meteor Hear that the Pilot was only scorched a bit but "ha ma doubts"

Tuesday 19th
Pross rejoined us

Wednesday 20th
As usual. Rained a little. There have been heavy frosts for some days quite an inch of ice on the shell holes but the days have been beautiful No mud when things are frozen which is an advantage

[Page 87]
Thursday 21st Feb 18

Bill & I went to the Divisional Baths about 2 miles away & came back clean & bright Good supply of [indecipherable] water & new underclothes. So far I seem to be "chat" proof. Bill is not a bit "windy" He was loading gravel today when some 9" stuff came over The first coupl fell 100 yds or so away he thought the next would be the same & was & was very intently looking upwards to find out if you could see a shell falling He did not see it but got well splattered with mud & water as it burst in a big hole only a few yards away His account of it is very funnie

Friday 22nd
Finished the O Pip proper still a bit of digging & cleaning up to do. It is two storied affair about 15 ft high but only about 6 ft are above ground The walls are 2 to 3 ft thick & the top 4 ft so it will take some knocking to pieces Payed

Saturday 23rd

[Page 88]
File
Did not go out untill 8 this morning as the other shift came in early yesterday for Pay. Some big stuff close to the camp this morning evidentely intended for the 9.2 Battery just down the road. They do a lot of fencing & often make our dug out rock There is an old Aussie the picture of Baenonspethins "Old Bill" in charge of a water post near the job. He got very drunk last night.

Sunday 24th
As usual The Hun is livening up sent a lot more stuff over than usual today No harm done that I know of His Planes do not seem able to get up for observation very often

Monday 25th
A nasty cold wet morning

Tuesday 26th
Finished the O Pip completely & had a beautiful day for it.

Wednesday 27th
Did a bit of messing about fixing a camp

[Page 89]
Feb – March
close by for one of the other Platoons

Thursday 28th
Same as yesterday The wind was favourable so the Hun sent over several small baloons with Peace propaganda attached At least that is what we hear. Several chaps went quite a distance to get them but the Officers got on first. Suppose it is just as well to keep such stuff away from us but I do not think it would spoil our "moral". They were good practice for the Machineguns

Friday March 1st
Went out in evening to start a new job It is about 2½ miles away on what is left of "Hill 60". We are sayed to be 1800 yds from the Huns front line & as he has a good view of our job it is to be all night work It is a concrete Machine gun post this time not such a large affair as the last one No material had been sent up so we did very little & got home about 9 PM Just got to bed when our guns started in earnest & He replied putting a good deal of

[Page 90]
shrapnel & H E in & about our camp. Our humpie rocked a good deal one piece of stuff hit the roof but did not come through & Pross who is an old hand decided it was better to clear out so we hopped out of bed & started down the road. Bill & Thompson got mixed up on some shell holes as it was very dark & went back but Pross & I got into a dug out about 30 ft deep we know of about 200 yds away a wretched wet shop it was allthough a few men are kept there allways pumping it out Most of the show was over by the time we got there so it was not long before we back in our dry beds again. No one was hurt allthough some had narrow escapes. Have heard since it was a Hun raid & we captured the prisoners as our barage stopped them getting back to there lines

Saturday 2nd
Went out to the job about 9 & got some stuff together a cold windy day with a little snow

[Page 91]
Sunday March 3rd 1918
Same as yesterday

Monday 4th
On the job for about 3 hours a dark wet night

Tuesday 5th
Weather has cleared up again. All hands went out this evening did a bit & got home about 10 PM

Wednesday 6th
Went to the Divisional Baths this morning. Am now waiting until 9 PM as I am one of the second shift that goes out then. Have just got fresh orders do not go out untill 3 AM & work untill daylight

Thursday 7th
Same as yesterday. It seems to be a good time for work as things are quiet

Friday 8th
Same as yesterday only did less work than usual. A little frost lately beautiful days. Pay was on hand Did not draw as I have most of last pay on hand

Saturday 9th
Went out as usual. Just after starting some

[Page 92]
shells dropped close we ducked for a Tunnel near by. Started again & once more he put his shells in us for the Tunnel again. Got to work again & finished off quick & lively Another chap & I were the last to leave as we were fixing the camoflage. Were covering a truck on the Tram line when "plunk" a gass shell dropped only a few yds away. We ran for it & the next one dropped just behind my mate it keeps us movaling moveing. Just then the shells started falling fairly thick right on the track in front of us so we stopped untill they steadyed down Then we put on our Gassmasks as there seemed to be quite a cloud of gass in one place & got through without any trouble. In fact it does not seem very dangerous stuff if one puts his mask on in time Not as bad as the High Explosive shells. Even with them there it is largely a matter of luck as they can burst very close & do no harm on the other hand you may get hit quite a distance away

Sunday 10th
A change of programe went out at 10 Pm

[Page 93]
March
& 3 of us stayed untill 3 PM putting in the iron rods to reinforce the concrete a n bit dificult in the dark. A cake & sox from Aunt Mima. Much apreciated but am getting a bit overloaded with sox

Monday 11th
Went out at midnight a very quiet night

Tuesday 12th
Working from 2 AM untill daylight

Wednesday 13th
Working midnight untill 5 AM Foggie & dark There is a Comfort Fund depot close to us & we can slip over at any time up to midnight & get a hot drink. Some of the chaps went one night lately & as there was no one in charge they pinched several tins of cocoa & milk & some chocolate. It was hardely a fair deal but as I have been drinking it am as much in it as anyone

Thursday 14th
Steady rain all morning Night shift as usual

Friday 15th Worked in afternoon for a

[Page 94]
change taking stuff – sand cement etc – up to the job. We put 2 or 3 trucks on behind a Ford motor fitted with railway wheels & take it up fairly close to the job & the shift going out to work push them the rest of the way. It is hard work especially the last few hundred yds where it is a branch line & very badly laid

Sunday 16th
Another day shift getting material

Sunday 17th
All hands went out in evening & finished the main part of the job by 10 PM. Had to stop work twice on account of Gas shells. As things were a bit lively were sent home in pairs. My mate & I were about ½ way back when he started putting over a lot of mixed stuff. We were just nicely in front of it only ducked once But things livened up at the camp after we got there mostely gas some H E one 6 in burst about 6 yds from our door. Had just made some cocoa & started feeding

[Page 95]
March 1918
when we got orders to put our masks on & go down the road. Most of the show was over by then but we had to hang about for fresh orders (Fortunately we had the cocoa etc with us) Eventually we had to get our blankets & go about a 1 mile to where the remainder of the Company is camped got there about 3 Am & was luckie enough to strike a humpe with a couple of old mates in it & got a good camp for what was left of the night All told 16 men were gassed out of my platoon only 2 or 3 any way severly Cant say I even smelt it.

Monday 18th
Went back to our camp early & had a day off to recuperate

Tuesday 19th
The P;atoon or rather what is left of it went on Bath Parade. An excelent bath & good change of clothes Rained nearly all day the wettest I have seen in this country

[Page 96]
Wednesday 20th March
Four of our men went out this morning to put the finishing touches to the job. I had to make the concrete inside look pretty by sticking mud in any little cracks & holes reminded me of my childhood makeing mud pies & just about as usefull. The Major came along. He did not like the job some of it badley done & to a certain extent he is right. Several nights while we were working the concrete would freese while hung mixed & putting in reinforcements in the dark is no easy matter but even allowing for that some of the work could have been better. This M.G. Post was a half circular construction butting on to an old Hun Pill box. It is about 6' high inside & the same in diameter with walls about 2' thick & roof 4' thick solid concrete. We have had to make most of our own frames out of any thing we could find so that naturally the inside is rough

Thursday 21st On acount of the majors

[Page 97]
complaints our tent took a party out at 3 AM to put things right. But they got caught in a barrage – mostly gass – about half way out & had to spend some hours in a dugout then came home without doing anything 2 or 3 got gassed slightly & have been evacuated. A few shell came about the camp but no damage was done. Have done nothing all day

Friday 22nd
Went out at 6 a m & nearly finished the job. Quite a hot day. Put some sand bags & dirt on our humpie to make it more secure from shrapnel & shell splinters- not sea shells –

Saturday 23rd
Three of us went out to put the finishing touches on the Machine Gun post on Hill 60 mostely riveting a trench to the door way

Saturday 24
Same as yesterday only the job is completely finished this time. The rest of Platoon started on a new job yesterday.

[Page 98]
Monday 25th March 18
Unloaded some trucks this morning Moved camp in afternoon about 1 mile back to where the remainder of a Company are camped. The four of us managed to secure a dugout on our own again. It is a miserable little afair not nearly as good as the one we built at our last camp Managed to get hold of some good bunks & have made our selves quite comfortable Yesterday was quite hot today the reverse A lot of rumours that we have had a big reverse about Bapume. Hope they are untrue

Tuesday 26
Went out at 7 a m in a motor transport. Very crowded rough trip. Started excavating for the new job – another M.G. post – It was a very clear day & we had a good view over the Hun lines. Do not know whe we are working here in the day time as the Hun must be able to see us quite planely

Friday

[Page 99]
Wednesday 27th March
Walked out to job about 3 miles. The Sgt in trying to pick a safe road chose about the worst one as he (the Hun) could see us close but no harm done. A few shells while working.

Friday 29th
Have missed a day as I believe it is Good Friday. The only way we have of telling the days is Tob issue on Sunday Matches on Thursday Worked in 2 shifts today I went out at 7 a m Things seem to be going against us in some parts The yarn now is we go to the Somme in a few days Though this would be a nice quiet camp – in fact we were moved here for safety but a few big ones dropped close yesterday & again this evening

Saturday 30th
Went to the job untill about 11 AM After getting home fell in for inspection with full packs to see that all was ready for the move to the Somme. There are only 22 left in

[Page 100]
the Platoon now all told. A salvo of about 6 shells 5.g dropped about 2000 yds away while the inspection was on & we had just been dismissed & got into our humpie when some more came the last one of the batch burst on the side of the railway line just out side our humpie door & caught the 3 of us Pross & Thompson very badly Damagd my R hand & a couple of other scratches. Bill was outside near the back & got a hit in the leg & a scratch on one ear. Walked about ½ a mile to dressing station at Vormassle. Fresh bandages were put on & because I colapsed for a moment was made into a stretcher case & started right away with several others per car. Taken out at another D station & inoculated put in another car & brought on here Gottelweller seems a fair sized hospital all Tents. Was put under given Gass wond dressed properly. Have not had a great deal of pain. Had 2nd inoculation

Sunday 31st
Stayed in bed all day & sleeped most of the time. It sounded strange to hear fowls ducks etc this morning not hearing anything like that for some time

[Page 101]
Monday 1st April 1918
Same as yesterday only did not sleep so much Did some reading instead

Tuesday 2nd
Feel quite lively again – have been up most of the time & written up these notes It is slow work with the left hand. The RAMC chaps are fine. Will not forget the one who put the first dressing on my hand one would have thought it was the only one dressing he was ever likely to do he was careful & kind Get good meals 4 per day Buck Porrage Bread & Bacon Dinner Stew & Pudding Tea Pudding Bread & Butter Tea each time Supper Cocoa Bread & Chese Saw Bill today he is in another part of the Hospital & almost allright. Am wondering if they have taken any of my first finger of the end of it seemed a good deal battered when it was done

Wednesday 3rd
Got on to a Red X train about 1 PM & reached the 14th stationary Hospital about 7 Had a bath & got into a real bed with sheets etc

[Page 102]
& there are nurses to look after us

Thursday 4th
Hand dressed again first time since Saturday Finger not taken off

Friday 5th
Fresh packing put in wond Hurts a bit being taken out Inoculated Very cumfy here

Saturday 6
Packing taken out of wond. Hear I am for Blighty Good oh

Sunday 7
A very fine day first for some time This ward is filling up mostely Aussies

Monday 8th
Up at 5 Motor to Boat sailed about 10 a m & reached Dover at noon. The cliffs are not as white as one would expect. Were given 2 eggs & Bread & Butter before sailing. It was rather funnie with the eggs as 5 of us were together & we only had one hand each Stew & tea before landing. A short train trip & motored here about 3 miles a splendid car – Quex Park VAD Hospital

[Page 103]
Tuesday April 9th - 18
A quiet day getting used to things Think we have struck oil

Wednesday 10th
Motored about 1 mile to see a chap decorated with MM. Another VAD place like this one only not so large

Thursday 11th
Went for a walk in Village Buckingham Cabled home – (Word very slight cabel £ 5)

Friday 12
Another walk got as far as the beach The first sunnie day since coming here

Saturday 13
Usual thing

Sunday 14th
Explored the Grounds Found a Bell Tower but could not get in to ring the Bells

Monday 15th
Started out for Margate without asking the way & landed in Westgate. Quite a large place The sea front is protected with barb wire entanglements

[Page 104]
Tuesday 16th
Wet & Cold. 14 Patients left & 14 new ones took there place. Did not go out. One is well out of France just now. The news is not good but we are shelling a n great lot of Huns acording to the chaps who came from the fighting

Wednesday 17
Walk to Buckingham as usual had afternoon Tea. Matches are very hard to get

Thursday 18
As usual Have a job in forenoon now helping the little Nurse with the dressings

Friday 19th
Walked to Margate quite a fine place. Been hit in a few places by shells in the Hun raids Hun Officer prisoners are kept there now as protection Bus home

Saturday 20th
Quite a busy day Went to church & christened Christopher Powel-Cotton the son in heir

[Page 105]
Quex Park then drank his health in Champane & planted a tree in the grounds in the babes honor In the evening the Major Powel-Cotton showed us some of his stuffed animals & told us how he & where he shot them also showed some lantern slides of one of his African trips & told us about it He is interesting to llisten to & has traveled a great deal in Africa His collection of big game is sayed to be the finest in the world shot by one man

(Monday 22nd)
A very fine day wheeled one of the patients about the grounds for a time

(Sunday 21)
Had tea with Aunt Susies friends Mrs Mathews Very nice people live about a mile away

Tuesday 23
Just an ordinary day except for getting 4 Aussie letters

Wednesday 24th. Got the sad news that

[Page 106]
I am to move on tomorrow Letter from Ani dated 18th March very quick Had tea with my Nurse Mrs Stone at there old farm house quite a big place She is a nice kindly little person We were given a farewell concert (4 of us all Aussies were leaving) & we (all in the hospital about 30) presented Christopher with a silver backed Comb & Brush cost the large sum of 9d each & was quite a good article

Thursday 25th
Left Quex at 8.30 a m after many farewells & good wishes arrived at Dartford at noon & realized we were still in the army

Friday 26th
Went for a walk but there is not much to see as the one & only road leads to Dartford & it is our of bounds because of Smallpox

Saturday 27 & S 28th
Nothing in particular the weather is fairly cold & wet

[Page 107]
Saturday May 4th
Have been to lazy to write this up lately There is only the usual routeen each day. Very good concerts every 3 night per week they are crowded Good reading & writing rooms & on fine days plenty of planes about as there is a big ‘Dome next door See some very good stunting at times
Can write again with my R hand thumb & first finger bandaged only. Vacinated once more. Programme here is Breckfast 7-45 Beds have to be made before that time Ward is then cleaned Scrubbed twice a week swept other days. Dr comes at 9 or 11 Dinner 12-45 Tea & Supper lights out 9 Can go out from 1 to 8 PM Late leave can be had & parties are taken to London nearly every day Three concerts per week Whist drives Pictures Etc other nights. The Australian Nurse strikes me as being more competent than the English ones evidently had more training

Sunday 5th
Have Khaka on again ready for another move

[Page 108]
Monday 6th May 18
Left Dartford about 10.30 a m & walked to the train – being an invalid no longer motors are not supplied – Went to Waterloo Station & got a train for Dinton. The train took us right up the branch line to Fovent this is a new idea since I was there last. There we got cars to No 3 Comand Depot Hardcote about 3 miles Went through the usual performance Name age had we seen active service etc Signed for a knife fork & spoon. Went through giving particulars again Signed for blankets Got tea after a long wait. It has been a very fine day & the country looks beautiful with all the different tints of green in the leaves

Tuesday 7th
The Dr looked us over this morning. Still have my hand dressed Rain most of day Am right back in the old camp life again

Wednesday 8th
Went on Parade twice but did nothing

[Page 109]
Thursday 9th Sun 12th May ‘18
Hand dressed every day doing nothing but reading & loafing about. Think I forgot to mention that Quex Park was run entirly by women The Dr visited 3 or 4 times per week The only man was a deff & dumb Belgan (been gassed early in the war) he got through a lot of work. The out of bed patients helped a good deal.

Monday 13th
Nothing as usual wet day for a change

Tuesday 14
Was marked B.A. to as my hand is quite healed up Walked to Fovant & back about 4 miles the longest walk I have had for some time

Wednesday 15
Dental inspection Had a tooth stopped

Thursday 16th
Moved from Camp 5 No 1 Co to Camp 7 No 5 Co only a few hundred yds

Friday 17th
Am on Massage & R.C. Treatment (exersising

[Page 110]
the affected tissues) But was sent to the dentist but as he knocked off before my turn came got nothing done. It is an easy way to put in time One gets the paper & has plenty of time to read it Was on fatigue this morning scrubbing out a hut

Saturday 18th
Had Massage & R C Treatment also time for the paper

Sunday 19
Put in about ½ an hour on fatigue Writing & reading rest of time Quite hot

Monday 20
Went up for classification Do not know what I was marked Had Massage & R C treatment. There is an old Roman fort on the hill opposite here. Heard 3 young Aussies discusing what it had been made for – it is just a rough circular bank of earth about 6 ft high & 150 yds across in diameter – They concludled it must have been intended for a Sports ground & Cycle track & could not understand why it was so far away from anywhere

[Page 111]
Tuesday 21st May
Nothing out of the way

Wednesday 22nd
Am to go on 14 days leave tomorrow Not as much fuss as usual about it. Did not even have the medical inspection

Thursday 23rd
Roused out early & had to give our blankets & eating utensils away before breckfast Got Passes Sugar Meat butter tickets etc Marched to Fovent – got the train Arrived London about 12 Went to Horseferry Road for a Railway Warrant to Gorahwood, Irealand Had a feed at the War Chest Bought a pair of riding strides Bussed to Bayswater & spent the afternoon with Aust Susie Caught train at 8.20 from Euston to Holyhead got there about 1 & went straight on the boat after a slight argument with a Tomy Sgt who wanted us (there were 6 Aussies) to fall in with a lot of Tomies – Diggers on leave do not take to falling in kindly – Not a bad night a bit rough a good many sick. Any accomidation

[Page 112]
was taken up by civilians. Soldiers had the deck & there were a good many on board Rather cold towards morning Arrived Kingston about 4 a m A stall on the Wharf handed out tea & sandwidges plentyfully to all troops – The South of Ireland cannot be all bad – Got the train for St Anns St Station Dublin a short wait there for a train to Gorahwood arrived about 2 PM & after a little wandering about found Aunt Marys.

Friday 24th to Thursday 30th May
Had an excellent time at the Hill Aunt Mary is a quick bright kind little person She could not do enough for me & is like Aunt Mima in one way one can never eat quite enough to make her quite satisfied It is very pretty country. Hilly & cut up into very small pieces each with a hedge around it All houses are stone mostely 2 storied some odd little 2 roomed joints Jim does a good deal of farmung keeps about 50 sheep – helped him to shear them

[Page 113]
& some cattle milks 7 or 8 cows The wether was glorious all the time except a few showers the day I got there. Went to a fair at Banbridge one day – stock all sold in the main street with much hand slapping Motored about 50 miles that day & saw a lot of pretty country about Tuilford being particularly so & about Kilnmarnoch there are many large estates with very fine trees Spent a day in Neuerry quite a large place & visited many of the neighbours all nice people It seems to be a nice life not very strenuous. They all know each other & have done so for generations. There is a high standard of education – or rather knowledge & judgeing from those I met they are anything but narrow minded taking much more interest in outside events tham most cuntry people

Friday 31
Left Gorahwood about 4 PM & had about ¾ an hour to put in at Dublin waiting for the Boat train. Walked down the main St to

[Page 114]
to Nelsons Monument & back. It seems a fine busy place The beggars are a nuisance but certainly they pray for you soul while praying on your pocket Kingston looks a pretty place. Quite a hilly coast line Had a very smoth passage. The only excitement being a few pracice shots with the antsubmarine gun. Arrived London about 6 A M & walked along the Embankment passed Cleopatras Neadle which has been hit by pieces from a bomb in one of the Air Raids – wonder what the men who made the Neadle would have thought of an Air Raid – There are some holes in one of the bronze Lions Sphinx from the same cause. Had breckfast Bath etc at War Chest & caught train about 10 a m for Harwich. Mate met me at the Station & had a motor launch from the Ganqus & several Saylons in attendance so we crossed to Shotley in style. That afternoon we cycled to Penmill had tea & went boateing on the muddy river for an hour or so

[Page 115]
Sunday June 2nd 1918
Mab Dun Miss Alen & self cycled to Holbrock & had a picnic A very pretty wood with a nice little lake

Monday 3rd
Was taken over the Royal Nunce Training Colledge this morning A fine place & mobs of Boys. But they mostely looked vey unhappy especially lthe ones in the bath learning to swim. The instructers had used rough & ready methods instead of getting the boys to have confidence in them selves. It is all that is needed in swimming Afternoon went to Captain Lynes for Tea & Tennis

Tuesday 4th
Mab & I hiked about 7 miles to a friend of hers Capt Elico, for lunch. He had been blown up on his mine sweeper & was recovering from a broken leg

Wednesday 5
Cycled about 14 miles to Flatford a lovely place. Took lunch with us got a boa & went about 2 miles up the little

[Page 116]
river Stoped at Mr Allans for tea on the way home & stayed for Dinner. He breeds some very fine Suffolk Runches

Thursday 6
Left Harwich for London. Bussed to Bayswater quite a long ride. Spent a few hours with Aunt Susie before leaving for Forant. Arrived there about 9 PM. Reported drew blankets. Got some letters & just finished reading one by lights out.

Friday 7th
The usual routeen. Medical inspection Dentist etc. Got 12 letters & 2 Parcels (Aussie) (one from Am one Aunt Mima) Am marked B.A.4 being interpreted means fit for France so will not be here for long The Dentist has my teeth uncomfortable with out them. In many ways one is more satisfied with Camp life after14 days away from it

Saturday 8th
Went sick as my eyes are a bit sore still on Masaage & R C treatment

[Page 117]
Sunday June 9th
Nothing doing

Monday 10th
Did nothing. Have finished Massage & R.C. Quite cold & some rain.

Tuesday 11th
Got my teeth back am glad to say as my mouth was getting sore. There is usually one bird in a [indecipherable] who stands out more than any other. He may be funnie dopie or just noisye. In my present hut one chap "Blue" OBrien is very amuseing especially when he gets in about 11 PM He has been in some of the concert parties & cam knows a lot of patter can also imitate a Phonugraph exactly

Wednesday 12th
On Draft for the Overseas Training Brigade Sutton Veny. Medical inspection Etc.

Thursday 13th
Marched about 4 miles to Wilton train to Warminster & another 4 miles to camp. Drew 3

[Page 118]
Blankets & had a good tea. The marching made me tired as I have done so little for the last month or so. Know this camp as it is where we used to come on the Working party from Forant. Have been sorted into Divisions.

Friday 14th
Swiming Marched about 4 miles to Sheerwater a very pretty little Lake (artificial) on the Earl of Baths estate. A bit cool for swiming & as it was not compulsory only a few went in. Afternoon Medical inspection Dentist etc. Gave in our U K kit & drew active service Kit Equipment. Rifle Gasmask Tin hat etc am a dinkum soldier once more. One puts in 3 weeks here getting hard & fit then France. We had bed in the last camp but have hit the bare floor here not even a matras

Saturday 15
Was on Warminster Picquet last night Had to knock about town untill about 10 PM to keep order. In the orders read to us before we started was one

[Page 119]
June
of the most sensible I have heard in the army. It was to "assist intoxicated men to camp" not run them in or anything like that. On Fatigue put 1000 rifles into Q.M. store a greasy job as all new rifles are smothered in grease took me about an hour to clean mine yesterday. Went over to Sutton Vin afternoon to the opening of anew YMCA (Aussie) They have rented or bought an old mansion just oposite the camp I used to be in. It is a very fine place Reading Writing Concert Supper Rooms etc also Tennis & Croquet lawns. There are rather too many rooms marked Officers Only The same chap is running it as ran the YM on the Baltana

Sunday 16th
On Guard for the first time since last December. Not a bad Guard as Guards go. This day last year sailed from Sydney Wish I could say I was starting back again but suppose we must knock the Hun back first

[Page 120]
Monday 17th June 18
Finished Guard at 4.P.M

Tuesday 18th
Drill in forenoon. Put up a Marquee afternoon at Head Quarters a most elaborate afair. Doors & Windows lined with yellow silk or some stuff like silk.

Wednesday 19
Dull morning changed a pair of bootsat Q M in afternoon very strenuous

Thursday 20
Drill morning. Am su on the "soft" Company at present it last about a week & then you go to the "Hard" Co for to finish off before going to France. We are kept on the move while Drilling only lasts about 2 hours as we have fully a mile to march to the Parade ground Volinters were called for a Signaling School this afternoon so I fell out & was the first man picked for it. It is really "Swinging the lead" as it takes 12 weeks to go through the School. But I want something more

[Page 121]
June
interesting than the work I have been doing. Spent afternoon puting in Oversee Kit & drawing U.K. kit.

Friday 21st
Went to parade ground but the Major sent us back to inspect our kits. Went through Gas chamber. Some ‘Cow' has stolen my lovely riding pants. Thus vanity has cost me two lovely Bradburys Don't feel up to much tonight.

Saturday 22
Went sick & got a surprise when the Dr sayed "hospital for you" My tempre was just over the 100 mark & that is the great thing in the army. It does not matter how you feel without a temperature you are not sick. It was 8 AM when I went to the Dr Had to put our Kits away & be ready for the ambulance at 9.30 waited until about 11 for it. Went to No 1 Comand Depo Hospital waited some time before they found out there was no room for us. Were taken on to the big Hospital at Sutton Veny

[Page 122]
more waiting untill it suited a Dr to look us over Were told which ward to go to – mine No 19 a Marquee – It was just 1.25 PM when I found out which bed belonged to me & I could stretch out on it It is not more than 3 miles from Sand Hills camp to this place & it took 5½ hours from when we saw the Dr there to get aloted to a bed here. The worst bit of management I have struck in the Hospital department so far allthough neglected are not forgotten as my full particulars were taken 4 times & 3 copies made each time. It was late in the day before I could get a bath & get to bed. But this could not be helped as the place is over crowded with Spanish Flu – my complaint -all the Wards are full & they have a good many Marquees as overflows

Sunday 23rd
Like most other Hospitals I have been in they start early. About 5.30 Temptr are taken just dozeing off nicely when your

[Page 123]
bed is made another respite & the water comes along for the morning wash then a good spell & then Breckfast turns up. Am a bed patient at present

Monday 24th
Feel a bit better today. Had Fish & Rice for dinner the firs solid meal since Friday Only milk etc while the Tempre lasts. Got up this afternoon Nurse brought some books got one of O Henrys not bad

Tuesday 25th Nothing fresh. A Canaidain in the next bed to me. They have a camp near here cutting timber – He is a very decent sort another Canaidain in the next bed half bred Indian seems a regular dope

Wednesday 26th
Went out this evening & as there was a very good Lecture on the Panama Canal in the YM close by stayed to it quite forgetting that our time to be in was 7 PM Evidently was not missed as nothing has been sayed about it. At Dartford an Orderly used to come

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around about 9 to see that we were all in bed & some of them used to stick clothes & things under the Blankets to make it look as if they were there

Thursday 27th
Got 13 letters nearly all Aussies & mostly April dates

Friday 28th
Drew my clotheing & was turned out on the hard World Walked to Sand Hills camp & went through the formalities of Reporting Back. They would not own me in the Company I had left untill I found a Groupe Orderly Room stuck away in the furthest corner & reported there. Then was once more taken into the fold & got blankets & settled down in the Hut I left a week before – Wonder how many different lots of blankets I have had in the army There allwalys an element of uncertainty about them some all very small some thread bare some dirty but taken all round have been fairly fortunate

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Saturday 29th June
Was put on as Hut Orderly. Have missed the Signaling School as the others went to it whilst I was in Hospital. It would have been interesting Walked to Sutton Veny & found a lot of my old mates out of the 11th Reinforcement still there. Drew £ 2 from Savings Bank Got my Photos they were rotten

Sunday 30
Went to Sutton V again

Monday 1st July
Still on as Hut Guard

Tuesday 2nd

Being Hut Orderly or Guard I do not go on Parade. Sweep & clean the Hut up & see that every thing is put away correctly – Nearly every camp has a slightly different idea as to how blankets should be folded & other things arranged There is usually a ‘Blueprint' illustrating the correct method on the notice Board One makes it look all right on the outside & shows all odds & ends under

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the blankets To have all windows & doors open is the great thing here. Trevor the YM chap lectured on all the YM would do for men on leave Finding friends for one to stay with etc

Wednesday 3
Went to Sutton V

Thursday 4
Sport at S.V. Had afternoon off to attend them. Hall & I went to a concert afterwards. While the Sports were on the Officers Quarters caught fire & mostly got burnt It is generally reported they were fired with the idea of looting.

Friday 5
Still the Guard

Saturday 6
Went sick this morning as I have a slight cough got some stuff for it Went to S-V- & Hall & I went to Warminster & saw a picture show Stayed in S-V- camp all night as I have a week end pass

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Sunday 7th July 18
Stayed at Training Camp all day it is a change to be with men one has known for a time well

Monday 8th
On Parade once more Drew Overseas Kit. Payed. Start for France tomorrow Went to Sutton V & sayed good bye to my mates The Hospital trip last week was bad luck for me as I should have had another 4 days leave before going to France

Tuesday 9th
Very little sleep last night as the troops had money they made the most of there last night & mostly got drunk. Being on Draft have just mucked about all day F There was a free Picture Show for us this afternoon Did not go as I wanted to do some writeing Fell in about 7 PM usual rool calls & inspections "Two up" being played on every possible chance. Just as we were about to move off 2 other Pioneers & self were told to

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fall out & were dismissed. Have no idea why it was done but as it has turned out a very wet night & I have rather a bad cold am rather glad allthough it means going through the whole performance again next week

Wednesday 10th
Was transferred to A Co as they send the next draft. Put in all day doing it going there It took us quite half an hour

Thursday 11
Usual Parades but as there was a good deal of rain put in most of our time in the shelter sheds. This is the first decent rain for some time & it was badly needed The wheat crops about here are very good not very high but big well filled heads
Applications were called for a Machine Gun school so put in am not very keen on it but it seems about the only way to get another 4 days leave & I am keen on that

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Friday 12th
Paraded in morning to give in Overseas Kit & draw UK Kit afternoon C.O. inspection etc

Saturday 13th
Messed about all morning Got a weekend Pass Went to Sutton V – picked up Hall & went to Pictures. Had Poached Eggs on toast at Weslean Hut Stayed in Training Camp for night

Sunday 14th
Stayed at Training Camp all day a good deal of rain

Monday 15th
Went on parade as usual but an Officer took about 20 of us to see the Draft that leaves tomorrow make a sham attack on a trench line – A Platoon in attack it is called & is the latest idea for advancing with a few casulities as possible There are 2 Sections of 6 men & 2 NCOs each with rifles & some of the men have rifle grenades, & 2 Lewis Gun teams of 9

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men & 1 N.C.O each. The rifle men concentrate rapid fire on the trench while the 2 Gunners advance about 50 yds on one flank Then they open fire while the sections advance live amunition was used also smoke boms which did not seem a great success Quite an interesting show & hard work for the men doing it
This is St Whitins Day & if it rains – it has very slightly – leagon says it will be wet for 40 days. They say it was so last year – The leagon is that St Whitins who was Bishop of Winchester was buried in the Church Yard & it kept on raining for 40 days untill some bright chap buried him inside the church & the wether was fine once more.

Tuesday 16th
The M Gun Draft left early this morning without me rotten luck. We were all supposed to be in one Hut but as the others went in to it on Sunday while I was away knew nothing about it, Went sick

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& have been isolated as I have Scabies just an irritable rash. Have had to a bath well disinfected & rubbed all over with a ointment mostely sulphur. We live & get our meals in the same a hut by our selves & do no parades but can go about as we like. Three men came in today from Loose one of the Military prisons sayed to one of the strictest but none of them seem to complain in fact rather enjoyed it. It seems to be the correct thing in the army to tell all about your crimes in fact rather to glory in them & in many cases a Military crime does not amount to much & plenty of decent fellows get into quod. These chaps have not been allowed to talk & are making up for it now One thing I have noticed with men coming from jail a 3 or 6 months "stretch" they are in the pink of condition The regular meals & exercise does it also no drink & very little tobacco

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Wednesday 17th July 18
Mess Orderly not much work attached to it. Have bathed & greased myself twice today. Was awake a long time last night & it was like being in a big rat hole to hear the others scratching The irritation has almost left me
Just been to quite a good lecture by an Indian. There was nothing very special in it but he spoke well & brought in many funny stories so it went off well

Thursday 18th
Only one greasing today The AMC Cpl who is in charge of this turn out is a rum little bird very serious & most particular about the treatment He seems to have studied the Scabie It appears it is a minute insect & was introduced into this country by the mules from S. America. It is this insect burrowing into the skin that causes the infection. Walked to

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July
training camp & went with Hall to some very good pictures

Friday 19th
Had a bonnie bath & turned out of Isolation Drew Oversee Equipment & was put into C Co for the Draft next Tuesday

Saturday 20th
Fell in with full packs for inspection our Dead Meal Ticket were the only thing inspected to see they were stamped properly. Had another hot bath to make sure all the grease was off. Went to Training Batn & saw quite a good Concert at Greenhills the new YM there

Sunday 21st
Was on Church Parade first time since I don't know when not that I try to miss it but just happen to have been on something different for Sunday mornings
Went for a walk through Longhedge Devial a wee place near here It is pretty country

Monday 22nd
Went through the Platoon in Atack

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Stunt as described before. It is about ½ mile from the jump off to the objective & it has to be done in rushes of 30 to 100 yds. One is in full Battle order with 120 rounds ammunition & 2 Bombs I was clean done by the time I reached the last trench & could not have put up much of a fight it it had been a dinkum go Kit inspection in afternoon

Tuesday 23rd
As it was raining hevily when we fell in this morning the Colonel sent us straight to our Huts instead of going about 1 mile to throw live Bombs as we should have done. Did nothing all day & fell in at Y.M & moved off about 8 for Warminster it is a good 5 mile march by the road we took The YM gave us a drink of tea & biscuits about ½ way. The people waved & cheered as if soldiers were something fresh & a Draft goes along this road every week & has done so for years. But it is allways the same anywhere I have marched evidently there is something about soldiers to interest people

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The organization of entraining was good we left about 11 – 8 in each compartment comfortable 2nd class ones Arrived Shorncliff at 5 a m & marched to Folkestone about 1 mile Were alloted to Residential Flats & given a drink of tea right away Breckfast at 7 Bacon Potatoes Bread Jam & Tea sounds allright but it was a poor feed. Fell in soon afterwards were given 24 hours rations & marched straight on to the Boat under a mile left at 10 & in a couple of hours were in Boulongue. The deck was to crowded to get a sleep & although the sea did not look rough the Boat – not a very large one - made sundry irregular movements & there was much sickness. Felt more like being sick myself than at any other time at sea but fortunately reached the harbour before any thing serious happened. Folkeston S seems a good town what we saw of it. The houses are newer & more uniform than most of the English towns I have seen. About 2 miles from the Quay (Boulonge) br mostely

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through dirty back lanes brought us to the rest camp. It is on top of a hill which carrying a pack seemed to be 10,ooo ft high
The Dr looked us over & we were alloted to tents – 11 in each – issued with 1 blanket – but we have 2 each Pioneers are good at that sort of thing & seldom go short. It is years since I have seen so much dust, have sandy ground all in & around the camp & being right on top of the hill is quite exposed to strong wind that is blowing Reminds me of the Darling River country in a dry time A few showers crossing the Channel otherwise good weather for moveing. This is up to Wed night 24/7/18

Thursday 25th
Was sleeping like a Soldier last night when an Air Raid warning sounded & we had to turn out & take shelter in Trenches. This was at 12.50 a m were kept out for an hour & could still hear the anties firing when we turned in at 2.30 had to turn out again. Clouds were fairly thick

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July
by this time & the Searchlights playing on & through them were beautifull only out for a few minutes & peace for remainder of night
Had a good breckfast & Marched back to Boulonge leaving there at 2.30 PM by train About 30 of us in each Horse Truck. Went through Estaples – only a few miles from Boulonge & saw where the Hun dropped some of his eggs last night. One had hit the railway line & tipped an engine over another had killed a horse & there were several holes near the line. There is a big camp there & we hear they had a lot of casulties. Had about 2 ft 6 in by 6 in of floor space to sleep on for a start last night & it gradually grew smaller as the others sleeping around stretched out all the same slept some of the time & as a lot of Tommies got out at Rouen at 5 a m some of us moved into an empty & had plenty of room. Reached Harflluer at 10 30 a m (Friday morning) & marched about 1 mile to Camp Have been issued with rifle cover &

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Waterproof & well fed. This is our main camp for Reinforcements coming to France about 5 miles from Le Harve

Saturday 27th
Revalie at 5 30 & had to turn out for a Roll Call Spent a streneous morning going through Gass Must have walked between 6 & 7 miles as the Officer in charge got lost for a time. Went through a Gass chamber Lectures Gass Drill etc & walked about ½ a mile with Masks on. When every thing seemed to be finished as we were lined up ready to move off & as it was quite dinner time were getting very impatient when a gass alarm was given several Smoke Bombs were let of to windward & before we could adjust our Masks the dense smellie smoke was all over us – It was harmless of course but is showed clearly how necessary it was to allways have your Mask ready when near the line
Reached camp at 11 PM & were warned to be ready at 6 to move to the line. Marched

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to Le Harve by a short cut about 4 miles entrained righ away but did not leave untill late don't know just when as I was asleep In the same old horse trucks but they have been improved by putting seats along each side & a double row in the centre also a stove. Only a few in our truck 2 on a seat so had a good sleep. Reached Rouen at 7 AM (Sunday) & went to a rest camp close by the Station. Got leave from 10 till 1 & had a look at the main part of the town Some fine buildings & Churches. A large & very ugly group of Statuery at the end of the Main street does not seem to represent any thing in particular Nearly all the Shops were open allthough it was Sunday A lot of Americans in this rest camp in fact there are all sorts & conditions of troops in it – One young Yank asked me if all our chaps could speak their language as well as I could. He was only a lad & had come from a country district. He sayed it was only 8 weeks since he had first joined up

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& I don't think he believed me when I told him I had been 10 weeks on the boat coming over. Entrained again in 3rd class carriages this time plain wood seats 6 to the compartment so 2 stretched out on each seat & 2 on the floor I was one of the latter & once through the night an extra hard bump shot the chap off the seat on top of me equipment & all but had a very good night. Got tea at Etaples & had Breck Passed through Boulonge where we left last Thursday It is a long trip for practically nothing But it is evidently necessary to go through our main camp a Harve & 1st Div men have to come back this way as the 1st is still in the North. The other Divies go straight to the Somme. Traveled slowly untill 4 PM & left the train near St Omer about ½ a mile brought us to the Reinforcement camp A very pretty place at the back of a big Cheateau 3 or 4 Ac with a hedge & row of fine trees around it & a water hole in the middle & thick green grass everywhere. The tents

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July pitched between the trees & Lane sand bags about 2 ft high around them as a protection from Bombs. Have passed through a lot of cultiverted land today the crops look very well. Can hear the Guns in the line again onc more & a great number of our Planes keep passing up & down as it is very clear. Issued with a blanket
Tuesday 30th
Started off for Barrn H.Q. Packs were sent by waggon. There were only 8 of us & we managed to get a two lifts on different lorries which saved us about ½ the walk – 12 to 14 killos – A Co was camped right at HQ so was right at home straight away. My Platoon is right in the line but am not being sent up as they are to come out in a day or 2 Quite a hot day. This seems to be a good camp well back & all the Dug outs are at least ½ under ground. Started to make one for my self this afternoon but did very little as I have been yarning to old mates most of the time. Plenty of big

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July August
guns about but none very close. The French are looking after there crops all around here. They are very good & nearly ripe. But a lot of Trenches have been dug through them in case the Hun gets through
Wednesday 31st
Went to Divisional Baths this morning the clean flannel I got was much dirtier than the dirty one I gave in. Issued with cotton Shorts instead of Underpants. They are good for marching & much cooler A Co played Head 2 Cricket & were beaten We hear that we are to move somewhere in a few days
Thursday 1st August
Loafed about the camp all day. Packed & sent our Packs & Blankets away this evening as we are to move tomorrow. Played cards untill 1 a m & then stretched out for on the ground but got no sleep
Friday 2nd
Had Bre Turned out at 4 a m & had Breck right away Then the usual bustle to fall in

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August
Once you have fallen in it is the dead end Apparently there is nothing more to be done that day as you allways stand about for ½ or perhaps an hour before anything happens Moved off at 5.45 & marched about 16 Killos through Longue Croix, Gliblingham, Renescuoi, & other small places to Champagn a wee place about 6 Ks from St Amour arrived 11 a m Light rain started about 10 oclock & laid the dust nicely a pleasant morning for marching if marching can ever be called pleasant. Owing to our excelent orginazitaion we had to wait nearly 2 hours for dinner which consisted of tea only. Certainly lit was raining but as the fires can be kept alight in the cookers when traveling it should not have made much difference. Passed millions of rounds of artiliary amunition stacked along side the road – about a mile of it. We are 12 in a tent

Saturday 3rd
Fell in twice for inspection this morning Went for a walk around some of the villages in afternoon

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Sunday 4th
Church Parade had to march about 1 Killo along a very muddie lane A very good address. The Hun came over last night & we had quite a good search light display as there were low clouds Saw no Planes & heard no eggs burst.

Monday 5th
A lot of messing about this morning as we were inspected by Maj Gen Glascow he is in charge of the Division. It was had enough but nothing to the afternoon. My Platoon or rather part of it is on Picquet duty & had just drawn our tea when we were ordered to fall Of course we did not fall in imediately but growled & argued & bolted as much tucker as possible Then as usual stood about were inspected 4 times Now have 1½ hours to wait before going out. The Picquet amounted to going about I mile & sitting down until 4 PM then back. Forgot to mention had 2 parcels a few days ago One from Ann One [indecipherable]

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August
[Indecipherable] nurishment in each also a Newspaper from Mother
Tuesday 6th
Order to fall in at move of at 8 PM so have fallen in twice this morning fully loaded. Left camp at 4 PM & marched about 4 Killos to Arcquers where we entrained It was a dark night & no plaines about Comfort Fund supplies cocoa & our cooks Tea so we did well. Started about 11 PM my truck was full but in spite of that I was fairly comfortable in a corner but got no sleep. Traveled more or less all night passing through Abbie Ville Fontain Longpray Etc. More Comfort fund Coca at 6 AM. Detrained at Hangest on the Somme at 11.30 AM Wed & marched about 2 Kilos to a rest camp at Bourdon Left there at 6 PM & footed it for 8 or 10 Kilos when we were overtaken by the Motor Busses that had been waiting for us about the camp Most of our Officers were drunk which probably accounted for the mismanagement

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& our "buckshee" march. Passed through Felixcourt & Doublins quite big places. The O.C was very full He managed to balance himself in front of our Co & finding it was A & the B was in front & C co behind could not quite make out which way we were going. Had a rough cramped ride on the Busses untill about 2 AM then marched & waited about eventually climbing 3 flights of stars to the garret of a very large building. Got a drink of tea & turned in

Thursday 8th
Found this morning we were in what has been a large Hospital on the outskirts of Amiens. Did not have to turn out untill 10 AM so had a much needed sleep. Washed shaved & had a good meal. There is a clock tower just above our sleeping appartment where one can get an excelent view of Amiens & surroundings. Does not seem a very larg place or to be much

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Aug 8
dammaged by shell fire. The only signs of War are plenty of Plains passing up & down & some of the walls have been roughly loopholed. Went into the Town as far as we are allowed a larger place than it looks from the Tower. A lot of prisoners have passed through this morning & if half the yarns we have heard are half true we are having a good win Had a good hot bath & change of underclothes

Friday 9
Had a good nights sleep in our garatt Have fallen in twice this morning but only had our rifles inspected Orders to be ready to move at any time which we did at 5.30 PM per book Marched until 8.30 & billeted in a n very much battered village Blance or some such name as far as I could find out. We are in an old house built as usual around a square about 50 ft across with the manure heap in the center in fact almost filling it. Plenty of very dirty straw to

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sleep on had a good night
Saturday 10th
Moved off at 11 AM & reached Villiers Britineu about 1 PM about 8 Killos. It was hot & most of the time we had to keep to the crowded main road with its constant stream of vehicle traffic so there was some dust. I was very tired at one time but livened up towards the end & finished well.
Our Billet has been a very decent 2 storied terrace Not much of the top one left but we have managed to clean up enough floor space in the bottom rooms to sleep on. It is sad to see this place little better than a heap of ruins & most people must have left in a great hurry as so much of there portable belongings are lying about even to clothing. In ther room are 2 large photos in gilt frames unbroken. In the next room a sewing machine & all sorts of odds & ends broken & unbroken

[Page 149]
What the fighting does not destroy the men billeted in these places afterwards will as far as I can see. Here for instance there were some plates cups etc in a cubbord. Some of the chaps used them & instead of threw them out of the window when finished. There are men camped in or passing through these places every day & as they all do much the same thing it is not long before there is nothing left. There is not a house in the place that has not been hit, of course it has been right in the fighting for months & is not out of it yet. This country more hilly than where we were in the North

Sunday 11th
Some bombs & shells were dropped about last night none close The vibration from the explosions used to shake the dust & plaster from the celing onto our little beds. Had dinner & moved of at 1.30 PM. It was hot & dusty plenty of traffic to stir it up. Crossed a flat uninteresting plane most of the way. There was some smell from the dead horses lying about

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noticed only one dead man. This is where the advance was 4 days ago. Marched untill 4.30 & were told to dig in in a railway cutting. Just got started when orders came to stop as a better place had been found about ¼ of a mile on. It was evidently where the Infantry had dug in on the first night of the advance. Short bits of trench & holes big enough for 1 or 2 men Morrison & I got a piece of trench made it a bit larger & covered it with iron. Came through 2 little villages today all battered up also passed a railway dump where the Huns have left a lot of stuff also a big railway gun that had been captured. It had been used for shelling Amiens. Saw 3 of our Planes that had been brought down & a damaged tank. Did not fell the march so much tonight as I had left a flannel shirt & pr of sox behind to lighten the load. We all camped near Arbiners & Aosiers

Monday 12th
Were told to make our dugouts splinter

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proof & be ready to move off on 10 minutes notice Morrie & I were not sorry to alter our abode as we had found it too narrow & short for comfort & got very little sleep as bits of dirt kept falling of the & top on us & the place seemed full of insects & crawling things. Our guns did a lot of work & Jerry kept his shells & bombs going all night. None very close as we are in a safe place well out in the open & we must be a fair distance from the line as it is only big stuff that comes about. Moved off at 8 PM in Battle Order & picks & shovels. Marched fully 5 miles waited in a trench for a long time & walked back Did nothing. When we reached what turned out to be the end of our trip last night a Trench Morter opened up just behind us Jerry replied getting closer to us than the Morter. Fortunately we were beside an old trench & all hands dived for it at least I did not as I not as I thought a shell to myself would be better than

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getting all mixed up with the mob in the trench. Anyhow none of us got it a small piece hit my shovel handle just beside me – We were lucky as 15 or 20 shells burst very close. When the little straff" was over got in the trench & slept untill the next one started
Got back to camp at 4 a m hungry & weary. Got some tea & slept. Some planes had a go at us on the way home do not think they could see us but got close with there machine guns The night plains are one of the worst features here now. Dark nights are ones only hope for a little peace. They don't seem to do much damage compared to what might happen if the bombs fell just where they wanted them to. But they get on ones nerves a bit & you cannot hit back

Tuesday 13th
Orders to pack & be ready to move at noon. Believe we were supposed to be a supporting party last night so perhaps were

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Aug 13
of more use than appeared. Some of the other Cos had a few casualities. Did not start untill 4 PM as the day was hot it was well. Got the same Billet in Villers Brettineau but came on a much shorter road & less dust. A few men got rides on empty Lorries upseting some of the Heads muchly much questioning was done but of course no one had seen anything. Much interest was also taken in our feet & "Condies" issued to bath them in. The usual nightly bombs were dropped mostly at a distance
Should have mentioned that marching up on Sunday saw a Hun plane bring down one of our Observation Ballons The Observers hopped out & looked very quaint coming down slowly with there white parachoots. The burning baloon seemed almost to tutch them as it fell leaveing a great coloum of smoke straight behind it as there was no wind

Wednesday 14
Marched of at 9.30 a m & have camped

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on an open hill side near a village which is or rather was Hammell there is not much of it left. There is a fine water hole here sort of swamp beside the Somme canall. Have had a fine swim this afternoon. Some were trying to get fish with bombs but did not seem to have any luck. Have been able to post letters first time since we left the North. We are about 3 miles from Corliu.

Thursday 15th
Squared a shell hole out about 6 inches deep last evening got some dry straw & had a good bed for the night. Bombs as usual & bullets fell in the camp no harm done Am Observation Baloon went past this morning fastened to its truck about 100 ft up There were 5 motors of different kinds & 60 to 80 men in the turn our – quite a circus. It was a hot day & haveing nothing to do slept most of the time

Friday 16th
As there were clouds had a quiet night

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Saw a horse being taken back in a horse ambulance a good idea. Several tanks went up this morning the first I have been close to while they were on the move. Have seen there tracks in all sorts of odd places (railway cuttings or banks seem nothing to them) they have been used largely in the advance 4 Aussie letters today 2 from home

Saturday 17th
A very quiet night quite cold. Have given our packs in to be stored. It does not lighten my load much as I find I need my bed shet Greatcoat & waterproof to keep any way warm most nights. Was put on makeing a bank around our horse lines to save them from bomb splinters. Every thing must live below ground level or have a bank around it here. Salvaged some iron & made our humpie much warmer & more rain proof

Sunday 18th
A very quiet night a little rain this

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morning The humpie is very comfortable & warm. Some indian troops passed they look well on horseback. A chap put a Stokes bomb beside his fire to rest his dixie on of course there was a fine explosion no one hurt. Dixie is missing

Monday 19th
A little; very little drill this morning Swimming carnival in afternoon too cold for me.

Tuesday 20th
Drill this morning at least it w we are supposed to drill. We do a few moments untill the Officers get away & then sit down. If an Officer comes along when we are doing nothing the Sargent says he is giveing us a lecture & the Officer smiles & passes on. Went to see a Company of Infantry practicing an attack covered by Tanks The tanks can go practically anywhere & it is wonderful how they stand the bump when they go head first into a trench

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& then there nose pokes straight up in the air untill they balance back to there right level again. They turn easily in there own length & get up a fair pace. And flatening barb wire is right in there hand. One of my chaps got a bullet through the foot while batheing yesterday supposed to be done by some one shooting fish. There are very few accidents considering the opportunities & the way men mess about with bombs & old sheets. The line seems to have moved up a lot since we camped here as the Observation Balloons are allmost out of sight

[Transcribed by John Corbett for the State Library of New South Wales]