Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Arthur Charles Hall war diary, 21 December 1916 - 24 June 1919
MLMSS 8113

[Page 1]
[Cover]

[Page 2]
Would the finder please send this book to Mrs. C. Hall
Glenely
Nyngan
N.S.W.

Mrs. Parmrose
Lydvell Court
Werberry Hill.
Torquay
Devon. England

Colonel Broome
Upperton Lodge
Ratton Road.
Eastbourne
Sussex, England

[Page 3]
P.B. Newdcomen
The Homestead
Mungery
Tomingley

Tpr. H.C.Gillham
4th Reinforcements.
6th L.H.

[List of day's activities and times. Not transcribed.]

[Page 4]
Mrs. W.F. Lennox
Commonwealth Bank
36-38 New Broad St
London
Or
Red Cross Enquiry Bureau
54 Victoria St.
London

Miss Nancy Beningfield
1 Little Grey St
Durban
Natal. S.A.

Mr. John Stuart
Room 22
War Office
Contracts Dept
Imperial St
Westminster. SW

Commonwealth Bank
26 New Broad St
London

Miss H.T. Sloman
c/o Perpetual Trustee Coy. Ltd
33-39 Hunter St
Sydney N.S.W.
271 George St. Bathurst.

[Page 5]
Mr. & Mrs. Shellshear
4 Park Place Villa
Maida Hall W.
London

Miss. M. Puddicombe
12 Paul St
Tiverton
Devonshire

Mrs. W.Le`Gay Brereton
Llanfair
Robert St.
Strathfield
N.S.W.

Cook & Sons
Lugate Circus. [Ludgate]
London

Miss. Irene Terry
Merrilea
Dubbo

Miss. Panlette Mc Donagh
Keithalan
16 College St.
Sydneuy

Mrs. Turner
Mountfield
Leigh on Sea
Essex

[Page 6]
[recipe for cough mixture, not transcribed]
Miss. Ella Craig
Caledonia St.
Paddington
Sydney. N.S.W.

No 7700 Pt. W. Brown
24th rfcts. 13th Batt.

No 6666 Sgt R. Sloman
19 refcts 17th Batt.

2916 V.B.Hall 45th. Batt

W. Hay
No. 18 Hut
Brit R.C. Hospt

1644 Dixon
D.5 Ward
2nd. London General
London S.W.

No. 38340 Gnr. E. Hall
No.2 Battery
RBAA
Heytesbury Camp.
Wilts.

No. 38333 G, Edwards.

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No. 6517 Pt. G.B. King
c/o 2 M. Store]
12th TB
15 th Btn Codford Wilts. Eng

Miss. G. Bentley
54 Renny St
Paddington
Sydney

Mrs. Duncan
Duncraig
Charmouth
Dorset

Mrs. Barratt Hine
Charmouth
Dorset

21st December '16
Left Hurdcott at 9p.m. last night & marched to Wilton where we entrained for Folkstone arriving at 6a.m. where we breakfasted. Crossed the channel to Boulogne at 11a.m. & went into rest camp for the rest of the day.
22nd Dec
We left Boulogne by train at 11a.m. & travelled 15 miles to Etaples (pronounced Etaps) where we are now in the "base depot".
23rd. Dec.
Did nothing all day. We are beside the Black Watch here, they are great fellows. These cats are practically the only ones of the British forces that

[Page 8]
have much to do with the Austs. They are very fine fellows & they would sooner have the Australians to fight beside than any others.
24th Sunday
Church this morning & nothing else much all day.
25th. Dec
Spell today. I went to Communion this morning & then had a spell the rest of the day. We are not allowed down in the town of Etaples.
26th. Dec.i^
Had a kit inspection this morning & a route march in the afternoon. The town is a fearfully dirty place & I am not sorry we are not allowed down town as it is a fearful place.
27th. Dec.
Route march this morning. Of course we are only about two miles off the sea & only 80 miles from the firing line. We went to the "bull ring" that is the training camp where all the bayonet fighting & that sort of thing. We were also issued with our gas helmets.
28th Dec.
Bull Ring again where we went through the gas chamber with our gas helmets on just to get us used it Then had several lectures & a little bombing.

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29th. Dec.
It has been raining pretty well ever since we came here. This morning we had several lectures & tonight we went out for night operations. When we got out about three miles it came on to rain very heavily & we turned round & came back.
29 th. Dec.
Marched four miles out to Kangaroo Range where we fired fifteen rounds apiece. 31st. Dec.
Church parade & saw off a draft including Sgt. McKenzie.
1st January 1917.
Route march in the morning & a rifle cleaning parade in the afternoon.
2nd, Jan.
Two route marches one in the morning & one in the afternoon behind a rotten band. We were paid tonight in French money.
3rd. Jan.
Two route marches again today. I had to take off one of the stripes today. We will all have to take them off when we go to the line but they had too many sgts. so several of us had to drop one today. We are not allowed to go into Etaples but it is the dirtiest place ever you saw.

[Page 10]
4th. Jan.. Corey
Yesterday while out on a route march I came against Ernie Cory in the 55th. He tells me that Lorrie Crisp & two of the Smiths are in the same Battalion & are only two lines away from us in this camp. Two route marches today & had just got into bed when at 8 o'clock the orderly sgt. came in & told two of us to go down to the Hospital siding to act as guides to a draft coming in from Overseas. Got to the siding at 8.30 & waited till 12.30. Two troop trains came in but were both full of Tommies & Scotties & no Australians. A big hospital train came in while we were waiting. The hospital trains are beautifully fitted up. I almost wished I was one of the patients myself.
5th Jan
Had a spell off this morning in consideration of last nights work. Route march in the afternoon.
6th Jan
Two route marches today and tonight went to hear a very good lecture on the war by Mr Lowell.
7th Jan
Church parade in the morning and spell in the afternoon.
8th Jan
Route march in the morning and rain in the afternoon.
9th Jan
Rain sleet and snow all day with route march in afternoon
10th Jan
Snowed and rained all day so we had the day off but I was unfortunate enough to

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to have to take out a fatigue in the afternoon about three miles & back so we got rather wet 11. Jan,
No parade in the morning & a short route march in the afternoon.
12th Jan
Route march in the morning & went to rifle range in the afternoon where we fired fifteen rounds each 13 th Jan,
Went out to the bull ring where we did a little training out there.
14th Jan.
Church parade in the morning & spell in the afternoon. This evening I found Reg Edols he was warned for draft tonight & I believe he is going in the morning.
15 th Jan.
Bull Ring parade today & trained there all day.
16th Jan.
Two short route marches today & nothing else.
17th Jan.
Snow has been falling all day. We had clothes washing parade this morning & no parade this afternoon.
18 th. Jan.
Bull Ring parade today & tonight I got a parcel from home posted on the 10th Oct 19th Jan,
Bull Ring parade again today.
19 th
Bull Ring Parade.
21st. Jan,
Church Parade this morning & spell this afternoon.

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22nd. & 23rd.
Bull Ring Parade both days.
24th Jan.
Washing parade & route march
25th Jan.
Bull Ring parade & when we came home found Vigaro sitting in the tent
26 Jan.
Bull Ring parade
27th Jan.
Bull Ring parade and warned for draft tonight.
28th Jan.
Standing by for draft.
29th Jan.
Two short route marches and standing by all day.
30th Jan.
Issued with tin hats and a route march.
31st Jan.
Route march in the morning and standing by all the afternoon.
1st. Feb.
Kit inspection in morning and short route march in the afternoon.
2nd. Feb.
Two route marches.
3rd Feb.
Route march and in the afternoon escorted men to hospital
4th Feb
Church parade and the rest of the day off. Still waiting to go up the line but we havenot gone yet.
5th Feb.
Reveille at 2.30 and entrained at 8 am arrived at Albert at 5 pm and billeted there for night.

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7th Feb.
Left Albert at 3 pm and marched about six miles to camp arriving at 7.30 pm.
8th Feb.
Had a spell all morning and are to leave here at 3 pm. For the line. Reached the front line about 7.30 pm and put in the night there.
9th Feb.
All day in the trenches and came out about five miles to huts
10th.Feb.
Came back about three miles to hut, for a few days rest . We are still within reach of Fritz`s guns. Montaban is the place.
11th Feb.
Church parade this morning and spell the rest of the day.
12th Feb.
Had a spell all day and expect the move again tomorrow.
13th Feb.
Left Montauban at 2 oclock and came back to C Camp at Bernafaye Wood. About 5 oclock twelve of us were detailed to carry tea up about three miles to a work party. Got back at 9.30 pm
14th Feb.
Nothing doing today but a few fatigues.
15th Feb.
Spell this morning and are to go up into supports tonight at about five oclock.
16th Feb.
In supports all day and did nothing until tonight when we did a fatigue. Things are fairly quiet today. We have not been shelled all day.

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17thFeb.
Spell all day and fatigue all night up to the knee in mud and slush and got back here at 4.30 am after sapping all night in front of our front line.
18th Feb.
Are to go up to the front line for three days I believe, just got two small parcels of socks one from Glenelg and one from Rhyana.
19th Feb.
Came into the line last night after doing two trips of fatigues.
20th Feb.
Spent last night in a shell hole in an advance position.
21st Feb.
Again spent the night in a shell hole up to the knees in water and are to go out tonight.
22nd Feb.
Came out to C Camp last night and back to Montauban to day. The mud was something terrible in the line this time.
23rd Feb.
Spell all day today and were given a clean change of clothes.
24th Feb.
Rifle inspection and spell. Spent the day looking for a canteen to get a feed.
25th Feb.
Spell all day and heard all sorts of war ruoumours.
26th Feb.
Spell all day and roumours increase.
27th and 28th Feb.
Still doing nothing and wondering what is going to happen.

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1st March
Did nothing all day.
3rd. March
Did a guard last night & had a bath & change of clothes in the morning. Moved back to C Camp Bernafay Wood in the afternoon.
4th March
Did a fatigue carrying barbed wire.
5th
Fatigue in the morning & came up to Switch trench in the afternoon* Snowed all the morning.
6th
Stayed in the Switch trench all day & moved up to Rose trench tonight.
7th & 8th
Stayed here both days & to go up to the front line tonight.
9 th
I acted as stretcher bearer & sat in a dug out all day. Fritz made it very warm all day but we had only one walking case.
10th, March
It was pretty hot again today & we had one stretcher case tonight- It took us three hours to get him out. Were relieved at about 12.30 & took four hours to get back to C Camp.
11th March
Got to bed about 4.30 this morning & had a spell all day.
12th March
Did a small fatigue.
13th March
Had a bath & went out to Needle trench for Soup Container.
14th March
Fatigue in the morning at Waterlot Farm & came to Millers Son for ration fatigue at night
15th March
Spell all day carried rations at night & had to stand by all night.
16th March
Spell all day & carried rations again at night

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17th March St Patricks Day.
Called out at 8 o'clock to go to the front line in daylight. When we got there Fritz had evacuated so we advanced, occupied his front line & then advanced to Buelencourt & took a position about live hundred yards beyond the village which we held until night fall when we were relieved by the 56th & returned to Millers Son. I was stretcher bearing. We dressed a couple of men from other companies but had no casualties ourselves.
18th, 19th & 2oth Mar.
Remained in the dug out at Millers Son & had a spell 21st. March
Went out to Bemafay for a bath, got our wash & returned to the dugout 22nd. March
Fatigue in the morning & got our packs off the trucks.
23rd.
Moved to Rumcourt where we are camped in ruined houses.

24th & 25th
Did road fatigues all day repairing the roads.
26th
Road fatigues again. In the rain.
27th
Rifle inspection & a short parade.
28th
Moved forward about 5 kilometres to a village where we stored our packs & went on to the front line,
29th
Got a slight wound with a piece of shrapnel & had to go & get it dressed. Was sent on to Bapaume to dressing station
30th
Went on to Main dressing station at Poizeres & at night came on to No. 9 Casualty Cleaning Station at Aveluy near Albert
31st
Remained at Avelung all day.
1st April.
Went onto the Hospital Train at Aveling at 3 pm and arrived at Rouen at 2 am. The following morning where I was admitted to No.12 General Hospital.
9th April
Transferred to No. 2 Convalescence Camp about a mile from the hospital

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10th April
Sent to rest camp 46th I.B.D. behind No. 12 General.
11th
Went out to Rouen Bull Ring.
12th
Left Rouen at 2p.m. for the base.
13th Arrived Etaples 8.0a.m.
16th April
Left Etaples at 8 rn.m. & arrived at Albert at 3p.m. where we detrained.
17th April
Left Albert at 11a.m. & marched to Perth Camp near Bernafay.
18th April
Did a salvaging fatigue picking up empty shell cases.
19th April
Fatigue carrying duckboards on the railway.
20th April
Salvaging fatigue near Ginchy Dump.
21st April
Moved off at 12.30p.m. & marched to Becourt about 2 miles from Albert where we joined the battalion.
22nd.
Church parade in the morning.
23rd*
Squad drill in the morning & joined the Lewis Gunners at 2.30p.m.
24th
Fatigue getting the ground ready for the sports.
26th
Drill & pay today.
27th
Drill today & mounted anti-aircraft guard tonight 28th
Guard all day but managed to see football match 29th
Church parade.
30 th
Lewis Gun Drill & firing the Gun.

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1st May
Gun drill and went on fire piquet at night.
2nd May
Firing on the rifle range today.
3rd May
Machine gun drill
4th
Drill in the morning and 5th Divisional sports in the afternoon.
5th
Drill in the morning and horse show in the afternoon.
6th
No church parade today.
7th
Suddenly received orders to move. Went from Albert to Bapaume by train and marched out about three miles.
8th
Did nothing all day and moved up to reserves at night about six miles
9th
About 3 miles from front line. The rest of Coy did fatigue in line at night but Lewis gunners did not go. Shelled us a bit about 8.30 pm.
10th
Were shelled occasionally all day again gunners did not go on fatigue.
11th
Heavy bombardment tonight from our side and a few from Fritz. Helped to carry a man out about 11pm.
12th
Fritz shelled us pretty heavily in the afternoon and nearly dug us out of our home.
13th
Moved up to sunken road to supports.
14th
Bombarded heavily all day and ration fatigue at night when he sent over some gas shells and we could not go up till morning.
15th
Fritz came over in the morning but was repulsed we had to go up to reinforce in the afternoon.
16th, 17th 18th
Remained in the front line and came back to Neuriel on night of 18th fairly quiet while we were in.
19th
Spell all day and fatigue at night.

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20th. May
Water fatigue at front line at night.
21st May
Went for a walk over to Lagnicourt where we got some rhubarb and gooseberries and pansies. Water fatigue at night.
22nd May
Went to front line at night on right of where we were last time. I was no 2 on the gun.
23rd
Fairly quiet all day
24th
Quiet again today
25th
Quiet again and relieved by the R.Bs at about 11.30 pm.
26th
Came out to Vaulx which we reached at daylight. Left Vaulx at 11am and marched to Beaulin court where we are in tents.
27th
Did odd jobs all day and moved all the tents.
28th
Cleaned the guns and magasines
29th
Drill and a bath
30th and 31st
Wiring fatigue and drill
1st June
Antiaircraft guard
2nd June
Drill in the morning
3rd June
Church parade.
15th June
Entrained at Bapaume and came down to Warloy to billets
22nd June
I had leave into Amiens today. It is about 16 miles from here and we went in by train.
29th
Inspected by General Birdwood and Mar Holman Bindy presented a number of medals.
30th
Leave to Amiens and pay at night

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1st July
Church parade
2nd and 3rd
Usual routine of training
4th July
Went to lewis gun school at Aveluy
8th July
Leave to Amiens
15th
Walked out to Maily to battalion to see if there were any letters
18th
Wound up school with gymkhana
19th.
Marched to detail camp at Becourt
21st
Went to Herassart on motor lorries to join the battalion
22nd
Batgtn parade in morning and were inspected by Birdwood in the afternoon when he presented a number of medals.
24th
Route march out for a swim.
29th
We have orders to move off at 12 pm tonight to entrain to go somewhere up north
30th July
We entrained at 2am and came to Arques arriving at 11 am.We marched aboaut 8 kilometres to billets. We are about 30 kilos from Ypres here.
6th August
Marched about 2 kilos to Eblingham where we got on motors and came to Nielles about 20 miles from Boulougne
7th, 8th and 9th August. sDid stunts each day about four miles from where we were billeted.
10th August
Marched to Timbres 5 miles came to Arques by motor lorry and marched back to the old biallets at Emblingham.
11th August.
Short parade in the morning
13th August
Church parade
16th September Expect to move tomorrow, church parade today

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17th Sept
Marched 14 miles to Steenvoorde
18th
Marched 8 miles to tents about three miles from Poperingh, crossing Belgian border about 11 am.
21st
Marched about 8 miles at night to behind Ypres.
22nd
Moved up to reserves.
24th
Expect to move tonight to support,.
25th
Support all day
26th Sept
Early in morning moved back about half a mile. We were reserve battn for a hop over by several divisions attack was successful but we suffered a few casualties in supports.
28th
Came back as far as the “halfway house"
29th Sept
Remained here all day
30th
Came back about five miles tonight and camped under canvas
2nd October
Came back to the old camp near Poperingh
7th Oct
Twelve months today since we sailed
8th Oct
Moved forward about four miles to huts
13th Oct
Moved up to reserves
14th, 15th 16th Oct
Did fatigues digging a trench for cables
17th Oct
Moved up to supports.,
18th, 19th, 20th, 21st
Did ration fatigues and moved back to Zillabeke camp , the last night.
22nd
Marched back about five miles.
25th
Moved back to billets near Abeele
4th Novemb
Marched about twelve miles to Outerstein
10th Nov
Moved up about 9 miles to Loire to hut

[Pag22]
11th Nov.
Moved up about six kilos to tents near Hemmel
13th Nov
Moved about a kilometre to dugouts at Irish House
16th Nov
Was detailed to take charge of a guard over several men awaiting court martial
29th Nov
Moved the Guard back to billets in Hemmel where the battalion joined us coming out of the line.
30th November
Was relived off the guard
13th Dec
Marched two miles and entrained to Deverises where we billeted for the night.
14th Dec
Marched 17 miles to Frang about 8 kilos from Etaples
20th Dec
Ourf new colonel arrived and we had a battalion parade for his inspection. It is twelve months today since we left Hurdcott
21st Dec
One year today since I landed in France.
31st Dec .
Walked into Etaples about 9 kilometres – arriving home at about 10 pm we did not see the old year out.
14th Jan 1918
Walked to Etaples and went by train from there to Boulougne on my way to a school.
15th Jan
Caught train at 12.50 am and reached Abeele at 9.15 am We had about four kilometres to march to the school at Boescliff.
18th
Went on sick parade and was sent straight to 3rd Canadian HS

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20th Jan.
Was put on the Hospital train and sent to No. 14 General at the Casino Wamerou near Boulogne.
Went per ambulance to Boulougne where we went on board the Hospital Ship H.David reaching Dover at about 2 pm. Were put on a train and taken to Axminster where we again got on ambulances and came to a V.A.Hospital at Rhode Hill, Uplyme.
29th
I was today allowed to get up for a while.
23rd Feb.
Walked over to Chalmers to see Mrs Hynes (Aust)
24th Feb.
Went with Mrs Hine to see Mrs. Duncan another Aust.
24th March
Went up to London to Horsferry Rd and got my pass for 14 days leave. Went to see “A Better Ole"
15th March
Poked about all day and met Uncle George at night.
16th March
Went out to Hampton Court and went to see a “Little Bit of Fluff" at night.
20th March
Went out to see Mrs Shellshear in the evening
22nd
Came down to Eastbourne. It seems a very nice place I should like to see it in the summer.
24th March
Came back from Eastbourne by a late train.
28th March
Reported to H.2. and came down to No 1 Comoan Depot Sutton Vemy.

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30th March
Went for classification and was marked B1 A3
30th April
Marked A3 today
3rd May
Moved over to O.T.B. Sandhill Camp
14th May
Came to London on three days leave.
16th
Returned to camp from leave
21st May
Marched in to Warminster and entrained at Folkestone.
22nd May
Had two hours leave in Folkestone. Embarked at 2 pm. Reached Boulougne at about 5.30.
23rd May
Slept on One Blanket Hill and entrained at 7 am.
24th May
Reached Rouen at 1 am. And disentrained at Harfleur at 4 am. Marched two miles to the base. Went through gas in the afternoon.
25th May
Warned for draft
26th May
Church Parade this morning moved off at 2 pm and marched 6 miles to Havre , entrained and move out at 8 pm.
27th May
Reached the D.R.W. at Pernois at 12.30 pm.
31st May
Mounted guard at 3 pm and were relieved at 11 pm and warned for draft for the following morning.

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1st June
Left at 8 am and marched 3 kilos past Flesselles to tents reaching here about 1 pm.
2nd June
Moved off at 8 am and joined the battn at Querrieu at 12.30 pm.
16th June 1918
Feeling very much off colour today .
We moved forward about six kilos to rear reserves near Bonney.
23rd June 1918
Fifty of us moved back to billets in La Honssoye
29th June
I went across to Querreu to see Eric.
30th
Eric came over here for tea
2nd July
Again went over to Querreu
4th July
Moved up and rejoined own platoon.
5th July
Moved up to supports and did a ration fatigue to front line.
6th July
Got back at 6.0 – and did ration fatigue again at night.
7th July
Got back at 4 am and moved off at 10 pm to take a strong post.
8th July
Got out all night and crawled up to the post and rushed it but found the birds had flown, someone saw them clear out before we got there handed over the post to A coy came back. Did ration fatigue again at night.
9th July
Ration fatigue again
10th
Moved up to coy.H.2
11th
Ration fatigue again.

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12th and 13th July
Ration fatigues again
14th
Reported out to B.H. 2 and was sent out to horse lines to report to a Raiding School
15th
Reached horse lines at 2 am and went across to Landonette for my pack
16th July
Caught a lorry to Ailly-sur-Somme where we got a train to Abbeville.
17th
Stayed at Rest Camp all night and got a train to Boulougne at 7 am arriving at 2 pm. Went by Mortor bus from there to Hardelot Plage to the school
29th July
Some of the sisters from the hospital (25th General) gave all the Aussies and N.Z.s from the school a picnic in the evening.
We had a great time.
30th July
The school finished today.
31st July
Went into Bologne by lorry and went by train to Pernois.
1st August
Went by lorry to Allonville Wood found the batt was at St Vast and had to go back.
2nd to 6th
Gave demonstrations in conjunct with tanks and moved up in lorries to Duors
7th August
Drew extra waterbottles, iron rations, ammunition, and bombs.
8th
Moved off at 4.30 am and followed on behind the advance as reserve brigade. Through

[Page 27]
Warfusse –Aban Court as far as Bayonvillons - here we dug possies for ourselves
9th August 1918
Remained here all day
10th
Moved back to Fouilloy near Corbie in the afternoon
11th August
Had a spell all day. Beside a canal here where we can swim
12th Aug
Did nothing all day
13th
Moved off about 11 am and marched to a wood the other side of Caix about twelve miles.
14th. – 15th
Did nothing all day and moved across to Reginald Wood near Morcourt at night.
16th August.
Moved up about four kilos as reserves at night. Near Mericourt- sur- Somme
20th.
Went out for billeting party at night and were told to proceed to Hamelot about twelve kilos.
21st
Order cancelled and had to return to Lena Wood and afterwards got possies in Hazlewood for the batt which arrived about midnight.
22nd
Did nothing but walk three kilos for a swim
23rd August
Orders to move up at 1 AM to some place as reserves to another div doing a stunt.
23rd to 28th Aug.
Remained here all the time doing nothing
29th
Moved off at 11 am and moved up to just behind Belloy

[Page 28
30th Aug.
Moved off at 6.30 am and moved up to Barleux about three miles.
31st
Moved off at 11 am and marched across about five kilos crossing the canal and river and stopping in a ravine at night.
1st Sept.
Moved off at 4.30 am up through Halle to front line and “hopped the bags" at 6.15 am. We went about two kilos into Peronne taking numbers of prisoners Held the bigger part of the village at night.
2nd September The remainder of the village was taken today by B coy and the 58th. We were relieved at night coming out to the trenches we hopped off from.
3rd September
Moved off at 6 am. Recrossed the canal and were back about three kilos.
4th September
I went back into Peronne to mark some of the captured guns.
5th September
Had a swim in the canal and moved off at night to deep dugouts near [indecypherable]
6th Sept
Moved at 7 am and crossed the canal and followed up as reserves to troops following up Fritz as he evacuated to just in front of Le Mesnil for a few days spell.
7th September
Moved off at 6 am and moved up about 5 kilos to the left of Estrees
9th September
Moved back to Le Mesnil for a few days spell.
22nd September
Church parade in the morning in afternoon parade to tell us the battalion is to broken up.

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23rd
Battalion parade to be spoken to by the Brigadier.
24th
Paraded and were detailed to our new battalions.
I was detailed to 56th Batt. The N.C.O.s were called out and marched off the men are still over there.
26th.
Brigade sports. Received orders to report back to the Battn.
27th
Full marching order parade in the morning and moved off at 6 oclock and marched about ten miles where we bivouacked in a wood.
28th
Rained all day but we did not move.
29th
Moved off at 8 am. And followed up the attack by the Yanks, stopped in a trench just behind Bellicourt.
1st October
Moved off at 3 am to trenches beyond Stenroy where we hopped over and went almost into Entrees. Moved over to the left in the afternoon and took over the front line from the 58th, and had a listening post out in front.
3rd Oct
The 2nd Division went through us at 6 am and moved forward, we came back to Bellicourt for breakfast and then moved back about three miles to Villeret.
5th Oct
Moved off at 10 am and marched back to Le Mesnil about 13 miles where we got our packs and blankets.
7th Oct
Moved off at 8 am and entrained at Peronne and came back to near Abbeville and marched out to Hamicourt about seven miles; arriving about 11pm.
25th Nov.
Moved off at 7 am and marched (full marching order) sixteen kilos to Abbeville and entrained. 18 hours in the train and detrained at Bertry and marched eleven

[Page 30]
Kilos to Bungny
27th
Marched fifteen kilos to Rejet-de-Beaulieu. This place is rather badly knocked about and all people are absolutely cowed
28th
Rested today. Received a cable from home.
29th
Marched seven kilos to La Groise
30th
Another spell today
8th
Church parade in the morning and just at tea time I was sent for to report to H.2 when they told me that the King had been pleased to award me the V.C.
9th December 1918
Leave to Le Cateau today.
10th
Got my blighty pass, Have to catch the train tomorrow morning the other side of Le Cateau. Worked my way by various means to Vaux Andigny
11th
Entrained at 4.30 am – reached Boulogne at 9 pm spent the night in the rest camp
12th
Embarked at 9 am and reached Victoria station at 4.30 pm. Reported to H.2 and got fixed up . Spent the evening with the Shellshears.

[Page 31]
12th Dec.
Went to the Decorations office and found that my name has not yet come through the Gazette. There will be trouble over it coming through Battn orders before it appears. Expect it through on the 16th.
14th
Came down to Eastbourne and spent the evening at the Broomes.
16th Dec.
Great excitement when they saw the news in the paper. .Returned to London.
18th
Took Doris to a matinee and caught the midnight train for Torquay. Spent the two day at Aunt Juneys
Came back as far as Lyme Regis.
22nd
Spent the day writing old friends.
23rd
Returned to London and went to stay over Xmas with the Shellshears.
27th
The girls made me go to a dance which I enjoyed immensely
28th
Vic and I caught the 10.15 pm train for Edinburgh
29th
Arrived at about 8.0 am it is wet and the place looks deserted.
30th
Went out to the Docks at Leith to see a German sub and went to see Mrs. Peck
31st
Saw St Giles Cathedral and went to the Jenner Social in the evening where we saw the old year out.

[Page 32]
1st Jan.1919
And the New year in, Got home at 1.15 am.
The place is quiet today. No trains or busses running and all shops closed. Went to a whist drive in the evening.
2nd Jan 1919
Caught the 10 am train back to London and arrived about 9 pm. The King is out of town so am returning to France.
3rd Jan
Went to P.O. for mail and spent the evening with the Shellshears.
4th Jan
Caught the train from Victoria at 6am and crossed from Dover to Boulogne on a hospital ship and went to One Blanket Hill for the night.
5th Jan
Reveille at 5 am and entrained about seven and started at twelve and spent the rest of the day in the train
6th Jan
Got off the train at 6 am at Rusmes and got another back to Soman.
, Walked eight kilos to Bpehain and got a train to Cambrai, saw the R.T.O. and got a train back to Soman
7th Jan
Caught a train at 5 am and arrrived at Charleroi at 1 pm and went to Corps Rest Camp.
8th Jan
Got a lorry to Beaumont Abbey 26 kilos and another from there nearly to Livry where I joined the Batt.
9th
Moved about eight kilos and a place called Johs St Gary.
10th.
On guard today and the platoon moved to fresh billets
4th and 5th Feb.
Leave to Charleroi
25th
Moved back to billets in Savery

[Page 33]
8th March
Moved about two kilos to new billets.
9th
Had to move back again today as the billets were required for another brigade passing through.
10th
Pay day today
25th March
Caught the 5.30 pm train from Charleroi to Brusselles.
26th
Caught the 8.40 am to Bruges and spent the rest of the day looking at the town.
In the central square are the Guild Hall and State Prison. The belfry with 48 bells build in 1619, the house where Charles 11 spent most of his exile. Behind the Guild Hall are the fish markets.
From there we went out to the docks where we saw a U boat hit by a British bomb.
At the cemetery we saw Captain Fryall Grave and afterwards inspected the cathedral.
27th March
Caught the 7.00 am train to Ostend and caught the tram out to Zee Brugge where we saw the Mole. The S.S.Brussels (Capt.Fryall boat ) has been sunk in the mouth of the harbour by Fritz before he left. Then we went round to the mouth of the canal and saw the Iris and Dafodil. Then we returned to Ostend and saw the Vindictive after which we lunched and caught the train back to Brusselles.

[Page 34]
28th Mar
Caught the 2 pm. Train to Charleroi and returned to bivy that night.
31st
Got a blighty pass and caught the boat train from Charleroi at 9 pm.
1st April Arrived in Calais at 8 pm
2nd. April
Arrived Folkestone at 10.15 am and caught first train to London arriving at 1 pm.
4th, 5th, and 5th
Went down to Eastbourne and spent two days.
10th April
Invested today at the Palace.
`18th
Went to Torquay for Easter and returned on the 21st in time for dance.
25th
Saw the march from in front of Australia House
28th April
Came down to Sutton Veny to No 2 Command Depot.
29th
Was transferred from Early Repatriation Camp to No 14 Quarter`

8th May
Moved off at 8 am. To Warminster where we entrained to Devonport where we embarked on H.M.A.T. Devanha at 3 pm.
9th May
Sailed at 2 pm. Having a good run so far.
13th May
Passed Gibraltar early in the morning
19th May
Reached Port Said at about 5 am. and remained all day . Had a swimming carnival in the afternoon.

[Page 35]
20th May
Left at 3 am. and got down the canal as far as The Great Bitter Lakes where we had to wait as we had no searchlight on board.
21st May
Reached Suez at about 8 am. after starting at 4 am. stayed a couple of hours and then moved on.
22nd May
Saw the Southern Cross tonight for the first time on the trip.
24th May
Had an Empire Day concert by the Devonport Dinkums.
25th May
Reached Aden at 12.30 where we coaled . We were allowed off for a couple of hours. I was on the picquet. We pulled out at about 8.15
1st June
Reached Colombo at about 6.30 pm and nearly ran into a boat coming out of the port. It was a bit rough and we could not get the pilot on board so stood off till morning.
2nd June
Came in at daylight and we taken ashore at about three and remained off till 6 pm. Had a very decent time in Colombo.
3rd June
Kings birthday. We fuelled a bit at 3 pm. Before we left a squall came up and most of the boats on the harbour broke their moorings but the anchor still held.

[Page 36]
5th June
We crossed the line some time this morning
7th June
Sports today.Wonderful sunset tonight, the finest I have seen.
8th
Passed Cocus Island today.
14th
Reached Fremantle at about 7.30 am and the ship was quarantined.
15th
The men for W.A. went off on a barge to the quarantine station, this morning at 8 oclock and we pulled out immediately after,
19th
Arrived off Adelaide at 10 pm. And anchored until morning.
20th
The ship was passed as clear and we pulled into the warf at 10am when the S.As
Disembarked. They were met on the warf by their people who travelled up to
Adelaide with them on the train.
We got off at 1 pm and were given a special train to the city which we left at 10.30 and returned to the boat.
21st
Pulled out at 9 am
23rd
Arrived in port Phillip at 6 am. where we remained for three hours until the medical inspection was finished when

[Page 37]
We went on up the harbour . Arrived at Port Melbourne at one oclock and the Vics were disembarked almost immediately. Then we were allowed ashore. I was met on the warf by Mr Hiscox and his daughter and had afternoon tea with them. We had leave until midnight.
24th June
Pulled out at 7am and got clear of the port about 11.30

[Page 38]
J.G..Dodimead
“Heath"
Lyons Rd.
Drummoyne

Mrs. G.B. King
72 Rangers Road
Watersleigh
Neutral Bay

H.C. Shelby
C/o Mrs. W.Stepheson
Napier St
Creswick
Vic.

W. Taylor
29 Commonwealth St.
Hyde Park
Sydney.

[Page 39]
O.G.Tomkins
Lynsdale
40 Western Elms Avenue.
Reading

Palmer Rubber Tyre Co.
Shaftesbury Avenue
London

Lt. Dodimead
No 2 Command Depot
Westham Camp.
Weymouth

E.J.Reidy
8 Austin St
Hawthorn
Victoria

Sgt. W. Wright
73 Shaw St.
Petersham

Sgt. R. Dawes
16 Brougham St.
Darlinghurst

Miss M. Hall
Massage Department
No 21 Aust. Hospital
Georges Height
Mosman

Miss D. Blacket
Collooney
Gladstone Avenue
Mosman

[Page 40]
No 1600 photo N.C,O,s 54th Battalion taken at Franby

Sister M. Birt.
No 25 General Hospital
France

Miss Mabel Johnson
Greenwood Vale
Gilgandra
N.S.W.

Geoffrey J. Leggett
Secretary
Veterans Club

Entrance for Hard Ciourt
High Holborn
London
Tel.No Holborn 6145

Pte W.Madden
France Ward
No 1 Red X Hospital
Melksham. Eng

Mr C. Campbell
No.2. The Royal (Mint)
Tower Hill
London

Cadet Jenkins
10 Platoon
C Company
6th Officers Cadets
6th Officers Battn
Worchester College
Oxford

[Page 41]
No 38340
Dvr C.D.Hall
No 3 Section
4th D.A.B.

Photos Personell
E 3196 Bridge and Gateway
E 3151 Furthest post established
Cy 54th Bn in main street 1.9.18
E 3152 A Machine gun post
E 3153 A barricade erected by the enemy

Lieut. J. Adams. M.C.
Military Hospital
Ducane Rd.
Shepherds Bush

Mrs Bolt
56 Rudloe Rd
Balham
S.W.12

2737 A.H. Stallard
39 Pottsdam Rd.
Marda Vale

H.Hall esq
Bore Drain Surveyor
Hayvanna
Bungunya. Qld

Sister G. Medlock
C’ B.R.C.S. Head Quarters
A.P.O.2 B.E.F.

Miss E.C. Tonypen
31 Mary St
Highgate Hill
Perth. W.A.

Sister J Medlock
No.5 Anglo American Hosp.
A.P.O. S38
B.E.F.France
Edworth
Baldock
Herts

[Transcribed by Rex Minter for the State Library of New South Wales]