Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Thomas Alcock war narrative, 28 July 1915-1917
MLMSS 1609/Item 2

[Page 1]
[Previous pages are cover and library information]
Experiences
Of
Great War

No 5026 Prt Alcock T.H.
3rd Battn
A.I.F.

[Page 2]
2.
First of all offered myself for Active Service July 28th 1915., and in the first place was accepted. Coming home told Father about it. Went on my own responsibility taking it as the best way and obey a call of the Lord to "give up all and follow me"

Coming home Papa said to me "you are not strong enough to see this thing through – I’ll go with you and tell them that your throat will come against you and you have a deafness of the right ear. Then if they say they wont accept you I’ll let Syd take your place – he being most anxious to enlist.

We went down next day and he did as he said with the result that I was given a written exemption. Syd then went and offered

[Page 3]
3.
himself and was accepted.

This started the other brothers with the desire to enlist and they too shortly joined the ranks.

Speaking of myself, I was not satisfied with the verdict. I went back again a few months afterwards and this time passed flying at the Sydney Town Hall.

At the examination I was confronted by 2 detectives with the intention I suppose of seeing whether I was a desirable character or not. They noticed the vaccination marks on my right arm and thought I had probably been a deserter after offering my services previous by.

I soon adjusted this matter, however by going and getting my examination parchment which I had left behind me at Mc.C.S. and Co. this was

[Page 4]
4.
October 1st 1915. I went into camp the following week at Holsworthy.

I remember well the time I had to appear at the Paddington Police Court to answer a charge of riding a bicycle without a light and was fined 15/- by the P.M. On leaving that I had to go into camp that day he promptly reduced the fine to 12/6 on learning that I was going into camp.

Arriving at the Barracks we were served with refreshments. Meat pie and tea and then set out on our long journey the A.I.F. Took the train to Liverpool and marched from there to Holsworthy. The fare was extortionate to get home 4/-. Coach fare 1/3 train to Sydney and 4d. in the tram – 5/7 in all a practice used to be to avoid payment. In the trains this was continued

[Page 5]
5.
right to the end of my stay in Camp. I used frequently to pay but it required some moral courage in front of the other men.

I decided too I would always say my prayers on my knees and this continued throughout the campaign. Be it said of the men that they always respected my resolution also the fact of saying Grace before meal.

I became acquainted with a chap by the name of Harold Davis here a man from Hornsby – this friendship still continues.

My first tentmates alright with the exception of a wild sort of man who had done time in gaol. He would of continued abuse me and make my existence miserable.

Just opposite my camp was

[Page 6]
6.
the German Interment Prison and we used to look over and watch the prisoners at work cutting up the trees.

Whilst on the march to camp we encountered a mixed lot of Germans going along for internment, some had their umbrellas up to protect them from the sun. the dust at this stage of our career as embryo soldiers was most trying and when we came up to the Holsworthy Camp we were greeted with cries "You’ll miss your mother", "You’ll be sorry" and "Marmalade". Stew was the staple item of food supplied and continued to be so for the whole of my career as a soldier. It was sometimes varied by a sea-pie in France at a later period.

I well remember the first guard at Holsworthy, how careful I was to do everything in so dutiful a

[Page 7]
7.
a manner, if a chap so much as tried to walk over a chalkline how I would drive him away.

The perestilious[?] salute to the officers who passed us. We were not armed with guns in those days. All we had were short sticks rather thick.

The Holsworthy Camp broke up in November and we all marched down to Liverpool Camp. This was my mongst march up to this time and it was most trying as we were not trained very much.

Whilst acting as Sergeant’s Orderly, received a letter in answer to prayer which read as follows. Pte Thomas Alcock "Thou rememberest not the answer of which the world contains so many who trade on lives. Thy words have wisdom and thy brain has sense. Be sure and punctual in your work. Be clean and neat.

[Page 8]
8.
Bye and bye I hope to see you use in your new position. Goodbye Tent mate". This letter was received by me in my earliest days in camp. It was written from a Salvation Army Tent there. When I reached Liverpool I came in contact with the Rev Hugh Paton, a Presbyterian Minister. He spoke I remember on one occasion on Judas. "He went to his place". We used, I remember, to have Canteens in the camp and it was possible there to procure refreshments of every sort. I used to be very partial to the big wheels a species of Banbury Tart. We used to have Picture Shows too. I was in camp at Liverpool for 6 months altogether.

Did not learn too much in that time except to become accustomed to roughing it a good bit easier.

The food supply was abundant,

[Page 9]
9.
as a matter of fact it was wasted in many instances. The men would go down to Sydney and leave the meals uneaten. The poultry farmers, I believe, reaped a rich harvest from this source. A feature of the period of which I was in camp was the disgraceful mob of Feby 20th [actual date was 14th February] when the whole of the men from Casula Camp marched down to Liverpool and got most of the chaps of the camp to go out of bounds with them. They went in a body up to Liverpool and smashed the shop windows and got into the hotels.

The hotels had closed on hearing of the trouble, but the men forced the trap door and drank the spirits. They broke a barrel of beer and when it flowed down the gutter they procuring recepticles such as frying pans &c proceeded

[Page 10]
10.
to drink it down. This only whetted their appetite for more mischief. They rang up the Sydney Railway Station and ordered the Station Master to send up a Special Train to Sydney. Failing this they said they would wreck the Railway Station at Liverpool.

Arriving at Sydney they formed up and did a lot of damage to shops &c. Overturned hawkers barrows at the Sydney Railway Station entered public houses in Sydney and proceeded to get more drink. At night time the Military Authorities had procured a guard from the O.T. School at the Show Ground and they formed a guard on Sydney Station. This night they had their orders and would not allow anyone to proceed to Liverpool unless he was in possession of a rail

[Page 11]
11.
way pass. One regrettable feature was the shooting of a young fellow by the name of Keith who refused to obey orders but was hosing the guard with a hose and he was then shot dead. I can’t tell exactly how the riot first started but think it was due to the fact that one of the men refused to obey an order, was ordered to the guard tent and wouldn’t. A thing like this starts very simply.

Another feature of the life in Liverpool Camp was the Concert parties organised by different people at which it was possible to hear all classes of talent.

Most of the denominations were represented by a hut or building. The Y.M.C.A., Salvation Army, Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Methodist. The Anglican hut in particular was a very

[Page 12]
12.
fine place.

When I was at Liverpool the accommodation for the men comprised of huts of which there were about 30 in all and when it came to my turn to shift I could note they were starting to put spring mattresses and bedsteads arranged so as to accommodate 4 men at once. We used to hold Church parades on a Wednesday mostly. The Sunday Parades were cut out on account of most of the men going to town for the week-end. As a matter of fact it was most difficult to secure men sufficient to fill a guard those days.

This was only because at the time the men were more accustomed to civil-life than soldiering and wanted their week-end at home. This has altered much as time went on now we don’t seem to mind

[Page 13]
13.
what day it is having acustomised ourselves ourselves to all sorts to conditions (experiences) through our Campaigning experiences.

I well remember when the time for my departure came I may say that I had the opportunity presented me of getting out of it altogether but decided to go on.

There is one incident I have thought of and that was once when "A.W.L." I was fined 5/-. Lieut Harrison our OC, when I was up before him told me that if Dr would sign a paper to the effect that I was present, I could get out of paying the money. This I refused to do. He then asked me if I knew of Diogenes the man who went over all the Streets of Athens with a lighted lantern trying to find an honest man and couldn’t. The night

[Page 14]
14.
prior to sailing was a well remembered one to me. We left Liverpool at 4/30 amidst the cock a doodle doing of the trams that were drawn up at the station. Reached Sydney and I remember that it rained pretty heavily. The lines were constantly broken by the relatives of the soldiers coming in and talking to them.

I remember seeing Douglas Graham with a girl on his arm. He was afterwards, so I was told, killed at Strazcele [France]. The circumstances were pathetic as his case. One of a party of No 7 Platoon of which he was a corporal, told off to storm a farm house in which German machine gunners were poseted, he got badly wounded. He was seen waving his hands all through the day. Towards night he ceased – dead.

We put up for the night at the Show Ground, we who are able secured leave so that we might say a final

[Page 15]
15.
farewell to the old folks at home. In many cases this was a final farewell. I left home about 9 to return to quarters. I asked them not to come down to the boat to see me off and my wish was complied with. The name of the vessell was the "Makarini".

We marched out of the Show Grounds at 3 o’clock in the morning. It was of course dark. The march through the streets was a very quiet one and the fore runner of many such in France &c.

After going abroad we were apportioned to below deck. Hammocks were supplied and we stowed our kitbags away in the receptacles provided which were just above the place where our hammocks were

[Page 16]
16
to be slung o’nights,

passing out of Woolloomooloo wharf at about 9 o’clock to just within the heads. It was possible to obtain a view of the Bellevue Hill reserve just (before) from where we were anchored.

This was our last sight for many a long day. Mess orderlies were appointed, the troops being apportioned to messes. They were appointed for a short time, that is speaking of the mess orderlies.

My experiences from memory are not very clear. I remember we had 3 rough days crossing over the Great Australian B. I also found it a very difficult matter to keep my feet with food apportioned to us

[Page 17]
when I was acting Mess Orderly. The boat was canting with the action of the waves and in carrying the hot water for washing up I had the greatest trouble to stop myself from falling into the guttering running round the sides of the ship.

I suffered from tonsillitis on the voyage and was admitted into the sick-bay of the ship. There I came in contact with the Y.M.C.A. representatives – a Scotchman, I think named Clark. I remember him telling me he knew Bobbie Sinclair of Petersham (Syds friend). Was a very quiet chap, cleanly and methodical in his habits. He held little services outside on the boat-deck and attracted the men. At the start I

[Page 18]
18
he was going to be a failure but by and by numbers of men came along and joined in.

We had an Anglican Padre on board with us and he was a man of sentiment – very emotional. In speaking of Jesus Christ he would be unable to punch his addresses to the men.

We had sports aboard the vessel, there was one chap who stood out alone in this respect. His name was Bill Elliott, a great big chap he was too. As usual, it was possible to find on this boat a man whose [indecipherable] calibre was affected. He went under the name of "Bullocky". The boys would have him running round and round the deck at about 5 o’clock in the morning. Afterwards they would get him

[Page 19]
19
to set himself down with cucumber skin.

I used to read my Bible a good deal and any place would do me.

My motive in reading publicly was to attract the attention of the others who were close by me so that they too would draw nearer the Book becoming familiar with its meaning.

The drawback for me was that the mind is apt to be drawn away from the subject in hand. However "And He the carpenter when He shall come will bring all things whatsoever I have said to your remembrance. I have found this very true in my own experience".

Another thing that was done

[Page 20]
20
to me and others of the troops was that anyone who didn’t get their haircut short before embarking on the boat was, at the order of the Sergt Major, seized and one of the others standing by with clippers would take a furrow off the hair of his head. This practice used to be the means of there coming up later to get the whole lot of it taken off as a chap would present a peculiar appearance coming along with a big lump out (off) of his hair. Some even went to the extent of shaving their head quite bald. This was a practice not so bad as it might appear for it enabled nothing of a parasitical nature to nest in the hair of the head and it also made the person fell a lot cooler on the head in the

[Page 21]
21
tropics through which we were then proceeding. I may say that at this portion of the narrative that the clippers for the hair and also the implements for the Sports were supplied to us, I think, from the funds of the Y.M.C.A. or some similar organisation.

When we reached Colombo we were allowed ashore and marched across to the barracks, about half a mile or so inland. The weather was intensely hot and we were very glad indeed when the march culminated at the Barracks where we spent the rest of the day.

We were given a ticket with which it was possible to buy yourself a glass of beer or soft drink as the case might be.

Prior to reaching Colombo

[Page 22]
22
just outside the heads it was possible for one to breathe the spicy odors which blow from Ceylon Isle and they are spicy despite what is said on the contrary by others. It cannot be otherwise with the plantations and the various tropical plants which grow in profusion round about the town of Colombo itself.

From my observation it is a beautiful clean place well worthy of a visit. The streets are comprised of a reddish soil similar to the composition which goes in Sydney by the name of "Ironite". Geographically it is like Manly when you start from the point of disembarkation and walk straight ahead after a while you reach quite to the other side of the Island which is girt by the ocean.

[Page 23]
23
I remember we were extremely pestered by the little darkies following us and wanting the troops to purchase drink from them. The orders were that we were not in any account to drink these native drinks. It was a wise precaution. We were not to know under what conditions the drinks were manufactured.
Later on a funny incident with its pathetic side occurred. There are native police who patrol the Island in bicycles. It is their duty of course to keep order in the town. They are very much alive to their duties, especially amongst the youngsters who are liable to steal things. The practice of the policeman is to get about 5 or 6 of them and roping them together take them along to the

[Page 24]
24
Police-cells. Whilst at Ceylon I witnessed a game of Football between opposing teams of Footballers from the man of war boats in the Harbor.

Eventually we set sail from here leaving behind a chap who was suffering from sore sickness.

We reached Tel-el-Keber on May 3rd disembarking at Port Suez May 1st. We came up by trains. During the journey which was a very barren one through the sands we were boarded by boys who sold things in the way off eggs, fruit &c to us. Here along the wayside could be seen Arabs praying to Allah on their mats. This is characteristic of the natives of Egypt – his devoutness in worship. Our first impression of the Tel-el-Keber were not

[Page 25]
encouraging a big camp in the desert with – will to the fore the detention cages with armed sentries posted about to stop them breaking away. We were allotted to huts after a fair amount of delay.

The system of supplying the food was good. We had an allowance from the Egyptian Government of 1/6 per day, this was in addition to the ration allowance by the Military Authorities. The food was served up to us in Mess Huts which we built of boards overlaid with matting. The flies were very prevalent. The food was not as plentiful sometimes as it might be.

We brought a wallaby over as mascot. The poor little thing did not enjoy the trip very much on account

[Page 26]
26
of the heaving of the boat. I heard that afterwards it was sent to the Egyptian Zoo. I hope it got on alright.

Our training Battalion went under the name of the 1st Training Battn, we would go out first thing in the morning into the desert and have "physical jerks". We had a very smart adjutant – very business like in his methods and able to get a good deal out of the men. I saw him later when he was in charge of the Training Battalion at Perham Downs and later in France.

Later in the morning after we had breakfast we would go and do Company drill – sometimes the duties would be that of messenger and orderly to the Adjutant. Another we might be put on to digging trenches.

Whilst there I met Lieutenant D’alpiget, brother of a fellow-worker

[Page 27]
at the Vacuum Oil Coy. I also met my brother Bert who arrived in the 12th reinforcements of the 19th Battn. I remember the night of his arrival. The reinforcements which he arrived with were billetted about 2 miles from my Battalion. I set out, found the reinforcements but not Bert. Had my trip for nothing after all. I believe he too had a trip without result. He came down to me, reached the tent alright, but I was away. We saw one another for a time until one day he went on a Cairo picquet shortly afterwards being drafted away to England.

As we would go down for a wash in the morning we would be hailed with cries of "Eggs-a-cook" very good. Cucumber

[Page 28]
28
doughnuts – lovely doughnuts. It became a practice of some of us to buy a couple of doughnuts of a morning before breakfast.

Sometimes one would see a walaed assailed by some of our fellows. They would enter into an argument with the man and suddenly push his basket over and raid it. I spoke to them more than once about it asking them not to do it.

I well remember the trouble we had as regards the water supply. We would have to line up one between the other and wait and till we could fill our water bottles. A sentry would be placed on guard to see that no water was spilled or wasted. We could also obtain water to wash ourselves there.

I didn’t stay very long with the reinforcements of the 3rd after a time we were transferred to the 55th Battn as a nucleus of this

[Page 29]
29
sister Battalion of ours. I take it we were picked out as being less likely soldiers. There were 60 of us in all….

I can say though as regards the foregoing transfer from the 3rd to the 55th that it was a better shift for me in all ways. We got into a tent together with other men and they quickly made themselves acquainted with me. We got on in a very friendly way – seldom quarrelling and always as far as I can remember ready to help each other. We would, first thing in the morning be sent out for physical culture or physical "jerks" as it was called and afterwards would have a route march on the desert. We would finish before the sun came up too fiercely and would then

[Page 30]
30
have nothing further in the way of drill till late afternoon. Reveille would sound at 4.30 am, rather early, and yet quite light.

After drill in the morning the chaps would lie round and either talk, read or sleep, just as they felt inclined, there was very little in the way of fatigues to be done and only an occasional guard to furnish. This would suit me, I would go round looking for fresh "worlds to conquer" and would emerge on the Company’s cook house, I asked them if they had any odd jobs to do and I would do them. As a matter of fact they did and after a time I became quite in demand amongst them. Would come down every day regular by after drill and approach them as regards work which was given

[Page 31]
31
me.

I remember an incident in the huts that I became concerned in, a certain chap in our hut became a corporal. He wasn’t liked very much among the men and they took no trouble to conceal their antipathy to him. The same chap wasn’t cleanly in his habits at all. He was thrown into the river at Liverpool because he wouldn’t have a bath. He in his turn did all that he could to make the most of the position and used to order the men about.

One night, coming unexpectedly into the tent I found him with a gun in his hands, also a bullet. He told me that he was about to commit suicide and that my coming into the tent had just prevented him – the perpetration of the deed. Thinking things

[Page 32]
32
over I don’t think it was his intention to inflict a wound. S/W [self wound] on himself by which he would be able to get back to Australia. However, that didn’t stop him going to hospital.

The next day or so he had a fit. I with some others helped him to the M.O’s tent and he was admitted to the hospital. I was the only one who took any notice of him and gave any attention to him so when he wanted his gear taken down to hospital, he left a note asking that I would take same down which I did.

The next day I had a talk with him and left him to come back to our lines. Whilst going out of the tent I complained to the orderly. I think that I felt a bit hot and he said "come and I will take your temperature". It was an 100 ° degrees so he told me that I had

[Page 33]
33
better lay down on the bed and get it down. I thanked him and did so. Whilst I was lying near the Corporal the order came for men who were to proceed to the hospital to go. I noticed there was a bag attached to the Corpls kit bag and on it was written "wounded". This was not so and I thought there was something suspicious in the fact of his tying such a label on. I determined I would keep an eye on him as we were both proceeding to the one hospital at No 3 Abbasia.

I had a pretty firm conviction that he was acting as a German spy. I may say too, that I was approached with an offer of a trip back to Australia for £ 2.10.0!

Now came another incident which is well worth

[Page 34]
34
recording and that is the conduct of the Orderly towards me in the No 2 A.G.H. All the morning he treated me very kindly – put mosquito curtains over me and sprinkled water over me to keep me cool.

After dinner he took my temperature and I found it had gone down to 99°. He told me that I could go back to my lines. I said I would but naturally I asked him for a note stating where I had been all the time. This was to cover myself as I wanted some excuse for being A.W.L. He wouldn’t give me any. His reason for doing this was probably because he had in the first instance admitted me without an order to do so from the M.O. I remained firm and refused to go without the slip stating where I had been to.

He called in the Staff Sgt and he

[Page 35]
35
too, tried to make me shift. No success. He went and brought the Colonel in charge, who heard what I had to say, felt my pulse and sent me along to No 3 Hospital Cairo later on in the afternoon. My experience of the hospital staff is they are indifferent in the execution of their duty.

When the time came for me to go aboard the train they wanted me to walk across. I said I wanted the motor-car. They complied and I seated myself in the car. The man who was driving the vehicle forgot my kit-bag. I told him he would have to drive back and pick it up, he complied, grumbling. Arrived at Cairo we were put into a Motor-ambulance and driven rapidly through the main street of the town. My impression of the

[Page 36]
36
town itself are not very distinct, there seemed to be a distinctly old world tone about it and the streets well watered, smooth and cool.

The heat of the sun did not come into it but was shaded away by the big buildings on either side.

There was a story told to me of the fact that there was an old woman who used to sell milk round the town. His [Her?] method was not that which our milkman adopt when selling milk but she used to drive the cow around and as the customer would require milk she proceeded to milk the animal.

We eventually reached No 3 [Hospital] which is situated next the prison called Abbassis Bcks. Arriving in the courtyard we were admitted by the M.O. and then sent off, I think, to F Ward where the charge sister spoke to us and

[Page 37]
37
told us to go and have a bath. It was most refreshing to tumble in and have a good splash in the warm water. After going back we were allocated to our beds and supplied with something to eat. Meals were large then. It was only in England that we were put on short rations. This was on account of food shortage prevailing.

The ward was large and airy, the sisters being very obliging to us. I was only kept here for about six days and even in that short time was able to get up and assist in the kitchen with washing up. Later on I also gave a hand to the Sister in the ward in writing up the Medical Sheets. All good things must come to an end and this was no acceptation. I was "marked out"

[Page 38]
38
and getting on a train was soon back at Tel-el-Keber again. Upon arrival I reported to the cook-house and was reinstated in my old occupation as off-sider, that is assisting the cooks by peeling potatoes, chopping wood and carrying water. From then on I was in the cook-house pretty well all the time until we received our marching orders.

These arrived, I think, about a week later. Whilst doing my work here I would come across some peculiar people. One chap had been a member of a polar expedition and was an American by birth, undoubtedly a fine looking man. He was able to turn his hand to pretty well any kind of work and was most obliging if asked to do anything. I don’t think it was his intention to ever go and join the fighting forces in the line. In his spare

[Page 39]
39
time he would run a crown and anchor board. He was by the way a great gambler.

Then there wandered into the cook-house one night a poor little chap of Welsh decent who had somehow gone astray from his Battalion, 11th I think. In the meantime he had been going the rounds of the native town and canvassing the natives about the food question. How he existed had been a mystery to me. I took him in and shared some food with him. He ate it in a very voracious fashion. I got him a job assisting in the cook house and he was quite satisfied. He was a Christian who had "fallen away, away from his Saviour". But our Saviour does not grace unfaithful to us.

Of a night we had to sleep out on the desert together.

[Page 40]
40
It was beautiful to sleep there. The climate of the desert is hot and dry. I have heard stated that there are only 2 pints of rain all in a year. Be it so it is a very dry place.

Now comes the part I found very trying. We, as I said previously, had just received orders to embark and go for France.

We set out from Tel-el-Keber at nightfall and were put on to trucks which had been previously used to carry coal. The coal-dust was present in layers and the result was when we lay down to get it all over us.

There was very little sleep to be had. Some of the troops had imbibed freely before leaving and were singing, arguing and quarrelling most of the night. Added to this we were packed together like sardines. I was not a bit sorry when we were put out

[Page 41]
41
of the boat, the name of which was the "Hibernia" (afterwards sunk by a German submarine). We settled down comfortably and foraging around the boat I came in contact with a bathroom. Had a nice warm bath getting rid of the coal-dust and then packed my equipment away in the receptacles provided for us. I then went on deck and started talking with a chap by the name of Tommy Donnedy.

Along came a corporal and informs me that I was one of the 14 men who would have to return to Tel-el-Keber on account of the boat being overcrowded. I found it hard for a time but still, back I had to go and that’s all about it.

We were marched back to a rest camp as they are called, in the town of Alexandria and after

[Page 42]
42
spending a short time in the place we were returned back to our old place.

Returning back. I was once more installed in the cook-house, we had ample choice of houses, as there had been a great exodus of troops recently. The huts as I shall call them showed some ingenuity in construction. I used to be at work constantly tiding up the place.

We were able here to live pretty well indeed. Often times a roast meal would be provided for the troops. We cooked for about 48. It was so good that the officer came along and dined with us. Eventually we got away and boarded the vessel that was to take us across to France.

We sailed from Alexandria, one of the oldest towns in the world but about 1898 the old houses were abolished and new ones were put up in their places.

[Page 43]
43
One feature I will remark on is the happy temperament of the natives especially when they are about to be paid for their services.

They have a chorus which they sing whilst at work, say moving a galley, something like Allah, Allah was repeated.

They appear to remember with gratitude all that the Lord Kitchener did for them.

The voyage across the Mediterranean was a beautiful one. The sun shines very brightly and the waves are vividly blue and sparkle with the reflected light of the sun. We kept a good look out for submarines. There was a report that there was one in the vicinity. Our escort left us and chased, arrived without success.

[Page 44]
44
It was successful however in picking up the crew of a steamer which had been sunk by an Austrian submarine which they carried till they put ashore at Marseilles. I think we took about 8 days to do the journey from Alexandria to Marseilles, which is a typically French maritime port.

Here it was possible to see a very old lady who made a previous living amongst the wharves picking up odds and ends. This is a great trail of the French, their saving propensities. See an old woman in the farm after the crops have all been harvested. She gleans an odd bit here and there.

Upon our arrival at port we were greeted by a few French people – this being my first sight of many. We stopped

[Page 45]
45
aboard that night. Some men s’warsmen [?] of the escort were singing below deck and their voices rose in glorious harmony. They accompanied themselves on the banjo.

Next morning we embarked on waiting trains and commenced a 52 hours journey in the train across France.

The scenery was altogether magnificent – altogether a contrast after my 3 months in Egypt. It was very restful for the eyes to gaze on the beautiful green fields and the sparkling waters of a brooklet flowing through the land. The scenery is altogether different to Australian scenery. There is the rough and rugged – perconeval [?]. Here it shares the cultivation of

[Page 46]
46
Centuries by the French peasantry.

The sun shines down mildly and the whole landscape seems to bask in the warm pleasant rays. They don’t see as much of the sun as in the warm Western Hemisphere yet what they do get is very valuable and soothing.

The biggest station, as far as I could see, was Lyons. One could see the postal employees busily at work, sorting up the mails in the postal buildings. (It was midnight when we reached this town).

The French people have a very frugal meal at breakfast. They have a loaf of bread and with a knife hack off a portion which they then consume with a piece of cheese. Their bottles are filled with wine – wine is a national beverage,

[Page 47]
47
very little tea is drunk, may be in the big cities.

One picture was the crowding into carriages. Of a night it was not possible to stretch out and go to sleep, it was a matter of just sitting in the corner and dozing.

Whilst in the journey news came of the battle of Pozieres, the place where the Australians fought their first big stunt.

On the journey we passed a train load of "jocks", this being our first experience of British troops, excepting a few we saw on the wharf at Port Suez.

We eventually reached our destination, Havre, the only feature worth recording was the eagerness displayed by the French "garcon" after a tea of "Bully Beef". The journey

[Page 48]
48
across the channel was quickly accomplished. We disembarked at Southampton and marching entrained for Perham Downs. I was greatly interested in my first sight of English soil, having so often read of the home country. To me everything seemed to bear the impress of solidity and strength. The massive trees, the greenness of the foliage and the grass all bearing this out.

We reached Perham Downs abt 12/30 and marched along the road to the encampment which consisted of a large number of huts.

Perham Downs is situated on Salisbury Plains.

I may say that a funny thing happened the first night in camp. I walked out and lost my bearings, "Lights out" had gone

[Page 49]
49
and I had eventually to turn into another hut altogether sleeping under a table with some blankets borrowed from a chap who lived in the hut.

I met some of my old friends of the 16th reinforcements of the 3rd here from whom I had previously parted in Egypt, they were sent across to France in a draft the day that I arrived having been in Perham Downs (the day) for quite a time before I arrived.

I may say that I rejoined my old Battalion again here. You may remember that I was transferred to the 55th Battn in Egypt but on account of being "put back" at Alexandria missed them altogether.

I was very kindly received at the "house from home" a

[Page 50]
50
a Mission Tent at Perham Downs was introduced there by my old friend Horace Horsewell. I spent very many happy evenings there and one evening was given an opportunity of testifying for the Lord. Revd A Cook, a Baptist Minister presided whilst I was there and one night he spoke from a paper on the life of Gen Gordon, the hero of the Sudan.

I used of a Saturday afternoon to take a walk to Bulford.

In the town of a Saturday afternoon they would hold a sale of goods in the town square similar to that of Paddys Market, as a rule here it was possible to but cake and tea, nuts and sweets &c. just close by

[Page 51]
51
were the Barracks. There were quite a number of Imperial soldiers billetted here and they would come along of a Saturday afternoon and spend a pleasant hour or two drinking tea and gossipping with the girls who presided over the stall. Very smart they looked in their uniforms and polished buttons with their belt and swagger stick. I had with me the little chap I had picked up in Egypt, met him at the camp. On the otherside of the camp was a place called Ludgers Hall [Ludgershall, Wiltshire] a very old fashioned and quiet town. One can only say in regard to these places that they are a very conservative a merry-go-round of the town attracted a

[Page 52]
52
a good deal of notice from the "natives". The troops in camp of a pay night would go across to the canteen and get drunk. This would make it very miserable for those who were teetotallers. They would carouse round and round the huts and one would think that pandemonium had broken loose until they tired of it all and went to sleep.

We used to get our meals served up to us in huts specially set apart for the purposes and called mess-huts.

There were permanent mess orderlies appointed who waited on us.

The food was very good. I thought of a Saturday we would get a ration of pudding.

There was one particular dish I was very partial to and that was a sort of cottage pie. There was always plenty to eat here.

Our sleeping accommodation

[Page 53]
53
consisted of 3 boards which were laced on 2 wooden supports on top of these was a mattress stuffed with straw and we had an issue of 3 blankets. One night I was out after lights out went and couldn’t find my right hut in the darkness and had to do the next best thing that was to go across to another hut and ask them if I could put up for a night with them. They very kindly agreed and I making myself a shakedown underneath the table (and with these making myself) slept as good as if I was in my own little bed in the hut.

The people of the surrounding districts would send their children along and collecting the "boys" washing would, for a small sum, do it up for them. It was a very nice arrangement. It certainly suited someone

[Page 54]
54
rather lazy, but not me.

One noticeable feature was the number of recreation huts scattered about the encampment. The Y.M.C.A., Church Army, London City Mission, Salvation Army, all had places.

I remember one night after I had settled down, a great gale of wind sprang up and blew the London City Mission tent pretty well down. The Missioners, some of whom slept in the tent, had the greatest difficulty in keeping the central pole upright. I might say I got out of bed about 1/30, the thought being that I might want assistance. The Y.M.C.A. was a big hut. On the outside was a notice to the effect that it had been donated by the Revd and Mrs Sheldon.

Inside was a counter where it was possible for the soldier to buy any

[Page 55]
55
necessities that he might require.

One could buy the usual cup of tea and biscuits. Writing paper was provided. The rule at the Mission Tent was to provide a free tea of a Sunday afternoon. I cannot say whether this applied here or not.

Concert parties would come along as well to entertain us and of a Sunday morning it was possible to attend a Communion Service.

We had plenty instructions here. Bayonet fighting (once I nearly got prodded), physical exercises, plenty of "doubling" and musketry.

I passed here as a 2nd grade marksman. Where we could practice "hopping over". This consisted of scaling trenches and hopping into same. We also had to bayonet bags got up represent

[Page 56]
56
the enemy. In this work the boys were very much in earnest.

The instructors were mostly chaps who had come over with the draft reinforcements being taken out and going to schools – had qualified as Instructional Sergeants. Mixed amongst them were a leavening of Imperial (Sergts) instructors who taught us Physical culture and Bayonet exercises. After about 3 weeks here I was drafted for overseas.

After examination as regards my physical condition following and being passed, was with others marched to the Station one morning headed by the depot band and there started new experience.

Entrained we started off for Folkestone which we reached about 1 o’clock in the afternoon.

It is a practise here that the troops – before going abroad the troop

[Page 57]
57
boats are served with a good hot meal (3 course). The thought crosses my mind here that it is like the one given to a condemned man before he is hanged. However after eating we were marched off amidst the farewells of the people and set out for France.

The journey in the boat is not a very long one a matter of 29 miles.

We got off, I think at Bailogue [Boulogne]. I remember the rest camp here, it is on the top of a big hill.

The weather at this time was getting very cool. Autumn was on and the climate over there is very different to here. From Boulogne we were sent along to Etaples. At this time it was the chief base for the Australians although later on the centre was shifted to Havre. The camp lay alongside the

[Page 58]
58
Railway Line. On the opposite side was the Canadian’s Hospital, also the graveyard. Many troops were buried here. We used to visit the graves occasionally. Amongst others were the graves of some Germans who had died presumably after treatment at the hospital. Sometimes the Canadian Soldiers would hold Baseball matches, the Sisters watched them and "barracking" as we would say.

Our camp was situated near the Banks of a river, I forget the name, but the sea-side resort of Palleolus[?] was quite near.

The ground was sandy and when the wind blew up made it unpleasant for us. The sand getting into our eyes.

We were put here for a final polish. The training took place at the "Bull Ring". Generally we took our full pack and with our rations made a full

[Page 59]
59
day of it. It would be about 4/30 when we finished for the day. Route marches proved a good part of the training and it was very hard work trudging through the sand.

The Instructional staff at the Bullring comprise officers and men who had seen service up the line and were out for a spell to recuperate although there were some who had specially been trained and picked for exceptional ability. We did a lot of skirmishing in extended order – bayonet fighting – our opponents being bags and then what I would term a practice turn of trench warfare, complying to the conditions we would have to undergo in France.

Here too we came in contact with troops from other parts of the Empire, Canadians, Scotch, English. The Jocks would go about

[Page 60]
60
their drill in a very earnest fashion. They were in earnest in all that they did. One morning their training consisted of climbing a big fence and dropping over the other side. There was an Imperial officer whence I will remember as being always most courteous and encouraging to us.

I had my haircut here. The operation was very painful. The barber had a pair of clippers from which some of the teeth were missing and when he would run it over my head he would miss clipping some hair which would in turn catch in the clippers and the tug! I don’t think the barber could manage it on his own, another man had to come and finish it.

There was a "YM" tent quite close to the camp. Here we would have meetings, recreations &c, not forgetting the writing. It was always possible

[Page 61]
61
to obtain games. We had, one night, a visit from a celebrated singing teacher. He decided, (and it was a good idea) to teach the boys to sing choruses. It was surprising how quickly they got the hang on it and joined in heartily.

The river that flowed by the camping ground was very similar to the Leichhardt Canal.

I didn’t stay long at Etaples. Finished the 10 days at the "Bullring" and word then came that we were to proceed up the line. Lieut Cormack who had come over from Australia with us asked me to go as his batman. This was afterwards "cut out" as Mr Cormack did not go along with us.

We set out about 1/30 am in the morning for the train. We had a final examination before the M.O. at Etaples. I then could have

[Page 62]
62
got out of going up the line but said I would go on with it. The thought came No man who looked back is fit for the Kingdom of God. We disembarked at Poperinghe [Poperinge, Belgium] and went and went and camped for a short time in some tents near the Division Camp. I remember we had to pass through a Gas Chamber here. The fumes though were not very strong. It’s more imagination that affects us than anything else. There was a crew standing quite close by and it didn’t seem to be affected in the slightest.

We left this place on a Sunday Afternoon and started off for the Battn. The weight of the pack when we fell in – the time that we had to stand to attention all combined to knock me up.

We had, I remember, to go

[Page 63]
63
through an inspection by the Divisional Commander Genl Walker. We fixed bayonets and stood at attention. When questioned by him as to our willingness to kill Germans, it took us all of a heap for the time and it was some little time before we were able to ejaculate yes.

The inspection having gone to his satisfaction we shouldered arms and set out for the Divisional Camp where the 3rd Battn which was out of the line was quartered. Arriving here we reported to the Orderly Room and had to undergo a further examination by the C.O. of the Battn Lieut Col Hasell-Price who made enquiries regarding our occupations in civil life. We were then marched off to our

[Page 64]
64
hut. I was allocated to No 5 Platoon "B" Company. After settling in amongst the chaps I went for a stroll around the Battn coming across a fair number of the chaps who had left Australia with me. Owing next morning to being late on parade I was put on a guard. The best dressed man was allowed off – I didn’t win.

My first experience of O.A.S. [on active service] was a rather nervy one. Here I was in the middle of the night patrolling a set out beat and having in my mind the thought that I might at any time be set upon as a spy in the camp. I will say here that we were a matter of 10 or 12 miles back from the Ypres Sector.

We had one chap on the guard sent or clink as it was

[Page 65]
65
termed who was forever being run in for drunkenness. He was always ready with a very earnest tale of how he came to have a drop too much.

Sometimes he would convince the Colonel – other times he wouldn’t.

My next turn was the Gas guard. I may here say that it is always an unwritten law to put the new reinforcements on to all guard, fatigues &c until they settle down and get more experience – then it automatically passes on to later arrivals.

We had one "old soldier" a Corporal. He was an adept at escaping duty, would get behind a door when we settled into new quarters and of course when the door was opened he would disappear from view behind

[Page 66]
66
it and the Sergt-Major would then detail someone else.

I received a parcel from home whilst in this camp but unfortunately it was just as I was leaving for the line. I was only able to have a little bit of the good things packed.

I divided the rest amongst the others.

The time now came for us to go up the line.

The Ypres sector at this time was a "quiet" part of the line, what is meant by quiet is nothing very exciting.

Generally when a division has been in some particularly hot part of the lines they are sent to a place where there is not much to be expected from the enemy, a sort of armistice prevails "you keep quiet and I’ll keep quiet". I might say that whilst at the camp, I would go of a night

[Page 67]
67
to the Y.M.C.A. and help serve the troops. I had absolutely no difficulty in the job and I get a compliment from the men for the way I served.

We had services here and they were bright and cheery.

We set off just at sundown one night for the "front line" and I finally reached the reserves after travelling in a train nearly all the way.

It was an absolute silent journey when we had once started.

The band did not come into the line with us but played us out onto the train, we disembarked just outside the walls of Ypres and proceeded along and walk for some distance. Of course no lights were shown as it might have attracted attention from the enemy, along the sides of the road

[Page 68]
68
were dugouts built, through the cracks one could see the light within just a feeble glean in most instances.

We passed an old Belgian Chateau. Then we passed through the town of Ypres itself. It was very ghostlike, long rows of houses with the roofs blown off by shells and the streets overgrown with grass.

Leaving the town we started the last part of the journey over duckboard.

One of the chaps hereabouts slipped, I suppose because he had weak ankles and sprained his foot so that he had to go back and rest. We eventually reached our destination and settled into our alloted places in reserve.

Our residence was a large tunnel dug into the hillside. There were about 3 in all and they were lined with bunks along which wire was stretched. For a mattress. I was unfortunate

[Page 69]
69
in securing a bottom berth.

During my residence I noticed a nasty smell coming up from underneath. Upon investigation it turned out to be a tin with some bully beef in it. The maggots had got into it and the result was a smell. I made a few remarks to the Sergt-Major here, I asked him if he would object if I spoke to him and upon saying no, I said he ought to whitewash his mouth. He let it pass.

We were put onto fatigue jobs here – passing sandbags from inside the tunnels, the miners were busy at work making additional (tunnels) dugouts and we were put on to help. It was whilst here a shell fell right alongside us, which turned out to be a "dud". I started to smoke again but soon turned it up, didn’t seem to me to be the right

[Page 70]
70
thing. We stopped here for about 8 days in all. I remember "Fritz" started to "straff" us one night, shells exploded over on the hills near by without doing much damage. We were ordered under cover and did not waste much time in getting in.

the order eventually came along for us to move up to the front line and we set off one dark night to the front line.

We had full packs up and it was a hard matter to find our way along in the darkness. I remember that Lieut Kennirs came along with us. I saw him the other day and he had both legs badly damaged, one seemed to be off. We were posted along the trenches. I had a funny feeling for a start

[Page 71]
71
when left to myself, thought that the Germans were about. You know when first in a trench that’s the feeling that they can be expected to come over at any time. I did not stay long in this position, however word came along that we were to push along with the digging of the sap in "NO MAN’S LAND" so off we set and equipped with rifle and ammunition set to work. We were supposed to work with the web equipment adjusted over our shoulders. This was a difficult matter so we, after a time, took it of and laid it on top of the trenches.

An alarm sounded to the effect that there was a German patrol out. With

[Page 72]
72
my heart in my mouth I picked up my rifle and prepared to resist. However nothing came of it, we heard a few bombs thrown and exploded in "NO MAN’S LAND" so off we set and equipped with rifle and ammunition set to work.

After this we were put on Gas Guard for the rest of my term in the front line.

So anxious was I to do my duty and not let Fritz come across [indecipherable] that I got quite a strain in the eyes from looking through the periscope.

It was whilst on this duty that I had my first experience of a whizz-bang which skimmed the top of the parapet, causing me a great fright so that I made a wild rush and

[Page 73]
73
ducked down behind some sandbags to escape. I fell quite flat in my desire to get out of the way. The sound goes through one so much, "Whizz-bang" almost together.

We also had an order to put on our equipment and proceed down to a sandbag wall in the rear of the front line. This was done so that we should be in line to be at the Germans at crater-snatching. I’ll tell you what it means. Our men and the Germans were known to be tunnelling from each trench respectively and this meant whoever finished their work first would be able to effectively blow up the others front line of trenches.

[Page 74]
74
Of course we did not but know that the Germans would dig through first. Here we were then behind the sandbag wall with the pleasant anticipation that we might be blown up any minute.

To further increase our anxiety Fritz started dropping his mininwerfers [mortars] just over in front of us. It all passed off however and proved to be a false alarm.

Another night we had a raid on, a certain number of men had been selected for the work in hand and with faces blackened and armed with sticks with a knob studded studded with nails in the end of it, were to go and make a raid on Fritz trench. They were provided

[Page 75]
75
with wire mats with which to effect a passage over the wire and, covered with a bombardment, left our trenches and started for the German line. We had a big number of guns quartered round and the noise was something terrific especially when Fritz started to reply.

We had been hard at work piling sandbags and reinforcing the dugout and it was well for us that we did this as they were a great protection to us from the German grenades which were thrown across with the aid of rifles.

The raiders eventually came back, I think they were only away for a matter of 10 mints.

When we had time to get out and examine the front line

[Page 76]
76
we could see that parts were quite blown down. We had to spend a good deal of the night building up the trenches again. I can remember well the flushed feeling present with all of us whilst the said was on. It’s funny too when on sentry duty how it is quietness of the night one stands looking over the parapet trying to pierce the gloom of NO MAN’S LAND and to see what is on the other side, how the slightest thing will make you jump. One night I was on the above mentioned task and suddenly something ran straight across in front of my eyes. It proved to be a little mouse!

There used to be a German sniper seemingly in a shell hole

[Page 77]
77
in NO MAN’S LAND and he used to plonk bullets into the sand bags just below the Observation Post with quite alarming frequency. To avoid being seen we used to put an extra sandbag across the top so that only our eyes would appear.

To prevent the glint of the steel helmets showing over the top of the line of bags we had orders to cover them with bagging. I recall one incident happening that had a laugh in it although it had a tragic side as well and that was a party of officers having a swim in what was known as the YSER canal, a Fritz sniper saw them and opened up. They did not waste any time in getting

[Page 78]
78
out of the water and ever after that there was a board put up "dangerous" don’t swim.

We had a fatigue party to carry what are called pudding bombs or 60 pounders.

They are also called broomstick-bombs. It was my first experience of what is called heavy carrying and I thought I should have swapped in two before finishing the work.

There is one thing I will remark on here and that is the fact whenever the artillery or Engineers required a fatigue party the infantry were obliged to provide. My first experience in the line I can say was rather an experience as I think others will agree.

There is just another inc-

[Page 79]
79
-ident which is worthy of recording and that was Fritz gave us a salute with minenwerfers. If one looked up in the air he could see them coming over our trenches in a long curve and as they could be seen so easily it was also possible to judge where they would land and run as hard as possible from that place.

I was not at all sorry to see the advance guard of another battn come up to "take over" from us. Six days continuous strain in the eyes had played up with me and I wanted a rest. We set off for the rest billets getting in towards dusk, and the only noteworthy incident was the falling into a shellhole of

[Page 80]
80
one. (Billy Burse)

we again boarded the train and had a ride back to dominion-camp. It was late at night when we were all there but the band was there to give us a welcome back to "home". We did thorough justice to the stew and being issued with blankets by the Q.M. soon settled down for the night.

Next morning we were early on the beginning of a weeks march down to the Somme. I cannot remember many of the incidents in this march except at one place I noticed that the little Belgian boys were addicts to the habit of smoking. I wonder what Col Howell-Price thought of the

[Page 81]
81
"incident"? At one town I went foraging round for a farm to get something to eat and was fortunate enough to strike a place where the 2 girls had a brother at the war. I found them simple and devout.

How pleased they were to note that I said Grace before meal. They crowded round me showing me photos and asking me questions which I did my best to answer all though I was not coulds[?] and with the language.

They gave me a nice egg, pears and bread with coffee for a little under 9d (about the value of a franc).

At another village we had a vote on the question of conscription. We were all

[Page 82]
82
allowed to decide voted "yes" although most of the others voted the other way. My thought in voting this way was to give the men, who would not enlist, a chance to benefit in the experience we were undergoing.

As a rule we marched for about half a day and had the rest to refresh ourselves in In the mist of the farms there were big ditches which provided the water which the stock was irrigated, generally we were billeted in barns with in most instances plenty of straw to make a soft couch of.

At one billet the men who knew that not very far away was the town of Cassel, decided they would go and have a "good time". One chap took it into his head

[Page 83]
83
to take the alarm clock back to camp. He had had more wine than was good for him. He accidently, so I was told, put it under his jacket and started off with it. He did not count on the alarm however. As he walked away the clock started to ting-a-ling and this drew the attention of the owners to the fact that their clock was being taken away from them.

Some of them landed back very drunk and as a matter of fact I was drawn out to mount guard over the cook who was very drunk. I well remember the night. It was a cold cheerless sort of place, even the stars had a very dead expression. We did

[Page 84]
84
not like it at all having to turn out in the middle of the night. However we took our blankets and wrapped it round and round us, by degrees becoming inured to the watch.

Towards the end of the march I started to feel the effects in the feet. As a matter of fact I broke nails of my big toes and the old nail can still be seen on the right foot (needless to say the same cannot be said of the left).

It was a place called Mud Hill near Bazentin that met my brother Syd. How pleased we were at the meeting! We kissed each other, I obtained permission from the Sergeant of the platoon, name of Coughlan, and he

[Page 85]
85
allowed me to spend the day with Syd who was camped on the opposing hill. We did not have much money between us – a matter of 10 frs, I think Syd had even this with which we bought ginger bread and chocolate from the Y.M.C.A.

We adjourned to his hut made of a sort of green cloth with a frame work of wood, very comfortable they were too.

Here I was introduced to his mates and made welcome on account of being his brother. Stew time came and they allowed me to have some of theirs. One of Syd’s mates went by the name of "Dusty".

Syd pointed out to me Capt Fanning who I believe was afterwards killed. They were

[Page 86]
86
very snug as I said. I gather they were to have a "hop-over" the following morning but owing to the inclemency of the weather this was postponed.

Mud, you never saw anything to equal it. Squelch! Squelch, and such a job to pull my foot out of it.

The 55th informed me that Fritz was out in a very shallow trench in the midst of the mud-ocean as I will call it and he was being pelted with our artillery which was quite out in the open and lined up wheel to wheel, 18 pounders in front, 60 pounders and so on right back to the heavies.

All good things have an ending and I had to eventually leave the 55th

[Page 87]
87
with expressions of goodwill. They were a cheery lot despite the fact that they were to "hop over" so they thought the next day.

Coming back to our camp we had to move up to the line that night and it proved to be one of the worst experiences I ever had. It was at Flers. Whilst camped at the Mud Hill the men received a lot of letters that had been written by the women of Australia at the instigation of Chaplain Major MacKenzie, the "padre" of the 4th Battn. They were much appreciated by the lonely soldiers.

I had a bit of trouble before leaving for the front trenches. Someone had lost their supporting

[Page 88]
88
straps and had calmly taken mine. This left me with none.

I found some telephone wire and with these made a substitute. Unfortunately, they slipped from the knots that I had tied them with. I received a great talking to by the Sergeant for not being requinential[?]. There’s not much allowance made when things are not right, somebody else does the thieving.

To proceed then. The road was quite deep with mud, making it very difficult matter to march along. I remember some of the talk was about Sausage Gully, near Pozieres. The men always liked to talk about previous experiences in the line, especially to newcomers.

Marching along we came

[Page 89]
89
to a trench that was originally designed for a cavalry track.

We marched up this eventually coming to "Switch" trench.

It was raining pretty consistently all the time. As usual upon arrival at a new "bevy" there was a rush for what were called the best "possies" or dugouts as they were termed, of course, the first of the men were able to procure these. I was one of the last and, of course, a new comer myself and three others found a place, which after some patching up, we decided would suit us for the stay in the trenches.

We had a meal and afterwards settled down for the night. About midnight the

[Page 90]
90
roof came in. we had to set up and rebuild our domicile as best we could. Lights were unprocurable.

Leaving this place we set off for still nearer the front trenches in what are called "supports".

The same (proceedings) procedure was again repeated as regards dugouts which were in an even worse state than those of Switch Trench.

It is the duty of troops who occupy supports to do fatigue work i.e., carry duckboards, galvd iron – supply parties for cleaning and widening trenches and take provisions and rations to the troops who occupy the front line.

The cooks were quartered in the cellars of an old house

[Page 91]
91
in the village of Flers, the remains of which was situated about a mile to the rear of supports. Fritz was in the habit of shelling supports and the town. He had it under observation and that meant when he saw a fatigue party going up for rations, they could expect a few of his lighter shells to hurry them up. Sometimes he was kinder and would let them pass without remark.

I was walking along one night and a shell flew by my throat and fell in the roadway. It did not explode or else I would probably not be writing now.

At a later visit a shell hit a tree. I saw it too only knocked the bark off without expl-

[Page 92]
92
-oding.

We had a nice contract in carrying stew and tea up for the front line troops and also the supports.

Would set out with the above mentioned rations in what are called containers which were big canisters lined with zinc and provided with covers that had thumbscrews. Unfortunately the men who belonged to some previous Battalion did not wait to unscrew the thumbscrews but impatiently knocked them back so that they could get the stew quick. This as you can see made it awkward for the later arrivals.

We would put the containers on our backs our arms through the slings and start off for the cookhouse on the return journey. If we came

[Page 93]
93
across any inequalities in the roadway, ruts or small shell holes and were unfortunate enough to tread in these, the upward jolt which the container got would cause some of the contents to insert themselves down my back. This would be bad enough but by the time we had reached our destination the food would have got cold and made us feel very uncomfortable.

On one journey a chap who was carrying a container fell into a shell hole of water which was situated on another side of tree trunk.

There is another thing I will say here and that was when we were about to leave for a return journey we would be given a cup of tea and

[Page 94]
94
probably a bit of bacon to help us on our way.

It came to our turn to go up and take over the front trenches. Owing to the severity of the weather at this time the troops were only to spend 48 hours in the line in all.

After doing 24 hours we would change over with 2 other platoons who were situate in close 2 other supports which in this case was a sunken road.

In going up this night and entering the sunken road, I trod in a trench full of soft oozy mud. I tried to work my way out but there must have been the property of quicksand in the mud for the harder I tried the more I sunk into it.

I asked some of our chaps

[Page 95]
95
To help but they wouldn’t being rather excited and anxious to get away from the shells.

Two English officers came along too, they got hold of my hands and tried to pull me out – no good. Things were serious when they left me, the mud was up to my thighs. I decided to take off my equipment and lay it alongside the trench, using my rifle as a sort of lever. I eventually worked my way out on it and then set out to find my comrades.

Entering the communications trench to the front line I encountered a couple of our stretcher bearers and they directed me to the other men.

It was just bordering on to dark and to reach them i

[Page 96]
96
had to wade through water which reached up to my knees.

All this you can see is before I had started any duty, covered with mud and soaked through as regard my legs. I eventually reported to the N.C.O. in charge and was appointed my position as sentry, along with the others. How cold it was! To make matters worse rain started to fall.

We were standing on duckboards which gradually, with the rain and soft mud, became more and more submerged. We had no dugouts and when off duty would sit on a ledge and covering ourselves as best we could with our waterproofs and our legs dangling in the water at the bottom of the trench

[Page 97]
97
would try and get help. However, the rain keeping on we were obliged to seek other quarters which we found in a square pit at the end of the communication trench. Thither we repaired and spent the night there. It was not much better there, after a while as the water started to drain in from the communication trench (Thither we repaired and spent the rest of the night there. It was not much better there after a while as the water started to draw in).

We used our tin helmets to sit on. All things however have an end so it was with the night. Morning came and we were able to review the position.

Trench feet was very

[Page 98]
98
prevalent, there were a number of cases to my knowledge. I always stopped any appearance of this trouble by the application of (trouble) dust[?] which was given to make our boots soft and waterproof.

All that I have related here took place part during the early part of 1916 (November). After being relieved by 7 and 8 platoons we came back to the sunken roads dugouts and foraged around for a "possie". I was among the last to reach the dugouts but managed to secure a fairly decent place although it was not worth much.

On the side of the road were dugouts as well but we were told to stop away from there owing to the likelihood of a shell finding us.

During this period in the line we lost Col. Howard Price who was so well liked by the men of for his

[Page 99]
99
consideration and thoughtfulness.

It all happened so simply too. We were holding the line and the C.O. came round to see that all was in order. He went over the top and inspected a trench that was being constructed in NO MAN’S LAND, coming back a sniper fired and shot him, the bullet lodging in the neck. The stretcher bearers carried him down very tenderly. He was alive and got right back to a clearing station before he died. He sent his love to the Battalion.

It rained throughout and when orders came for us to move back, we packed our blankets and waterproofs and set out for Trones Wood. It was very heavy going and before getting very far I discarded my blanket,

[Page 100]
100
a thing I was very sorry for when I came to the wood. We reached our destination tired out and then ensued the usual hunt for dugouts.

I secured one on top. It was in a reasonable state of repair although there were pools of water laying about on the floor. I set to and tried to get a rest, had as my mates Greenfield, Stevenson and later on "Bluey" Wyer.

Having no blanket I was only able to sit on my tin helmet for the night whilst quartered here. Word was brought to us that a mail was leaving if we desired to send a greeting home for Christmas, we could do so.

There being no paper available all I could send was a greeting on a piece of cardboard.

Some of the men in an adj[oining]-

[Page 101]
101
[adj]-oining dugout had found some coke and with this they proceeded to make a fire.

One could see others going in and getting a warm as well. It was a great help also to dry our clothes, which were very wet. We used the barbed wire to dry our clothes on.

Stevenson and I followed the example of the other dugout, set out to procure some light wood that we too could have a fire. It was a hard matter to find anything owing to the fact that the dugouts from which it was possible to procure a supply were all closed up having either fallen in or been blown up by the Germans prior to evacuation. The Germans

[Page 102]
102
went to a great deal of trouble to make the dugouts strong although in many instances it was a labor spent in vain on account of the intensity of the British bombardments also the frequency of their attacks.

However we got some and we too started our fire. We remained here for three days and then moved further back to Fleuselles a village a good number of kilos back from the line. We put up for some nights in one of the hutments and whilst at this place I received 2 parcels from my home for Christmas.

Owing to the fact that I was heavily laden and it would be a matter of difficulty

[Page 103]
103
to carry the additional weight, I shared the contents out with a number of comrades-in-arms from 5 and 6 platoons; for which they tanked me.

Proceeding on our way by the aid of motor buses, we eventually reached the billetting area Fleuselles.

It was just the usual style of French village, a church and a main street although with side streets slightly larger than others that I have been billetted in afterwards. Our quarters were the outhouses of a farm house which were lined with bunks with were bottoms badly in need of repair.

I secured a top berth and proceeded to make myself at

[Page 104]
104
home in it.

Some of the other chaps had gone out to look for estaminets, they hadn’t far to go, there was one next door.

They proceeded to drink Nuceiga[?] and made themselves drunk. One of them lay in the next bunk to me. I was awakened by the sound of vomiting and found him leaning over me. A lot got on my blankets, some trickled down on the man in the lower bunk.

I went out to look for little extras at the canteen. We were able to procure Golden Syrup and bread and of course that meant that we could have supper before going into bed.

I made my way into the kitchen of the farmhouse

[Page 105]
105
and the lady in charge gave me permission to write my mail in there which was a privilege indeed as I was able to get the use of a table not to mention the warmth of a fire, some of the other chaps found their way in too.

When I finished my letter writing I decided to make a small gift of chocolate to the lady of the house in return for her kindness. Now we see a difference in the habits of the French as to those of the British peoples. Whereas an English person or Australian would eat all ay one attempt, the French eat just a tablet and put the rest by for some future occasion. I was Sanitary picquet here and it was my

[Page 106]
106
job to keep the billets clean.

We didn’t stop here very long but moved back again for another trip in the line at Flers. However we had a spell at Fricourt for about 5 weeks.

I shall not forget the 55th Battn here as we marched in it was just getting dark and with no prospect of a tea to follow, it was very cold as well. Then the 55th Battn turned round and handed us the whole of their hot stew meal to us. I had some mates too in the 55th, I went round to them and they shared some of their canteen goods with me.

As I say we spent 5 weeks here in all and they were I knew 5 weeks of about the most pleasant experience I enjoyed in

[Page 107]
107
France.

The work the Battn was on was to unload 2 train loads of blue metal in the day. I kept to my sanitary work. One Sunday afternoon the Padre, Chaplain Wilson came over from H.Q. and had a little Sunday Afternoon service in one of the huts. There were not many men who volunteered to come along and listen.

That night I was approached by one of the men out of No 18 platoon and asked to conduct a service for them in their hut. I approached Horace Horsewell and together we went along and started a Song Service.

We were greeted with some laughter for a start but

[Page 108]
108
the men soon settled down to a serious and earnest effort at singing.

There were some very good voices amongst them too, especially the cook whose father was a Minister by name of Mr Clydesdale. I read a portion of God’s Word and then tried to speak to them on "conduct". They gave me a hearing, I was not much of a speaker but did my best.

The early morning train had to be unloaded at 3 or 4 o’clock of a morning and the chaps did not like to have to turn out so early.

They were back at 5 a.m. and you can easily imagine how anxious they were to get

[Page 109]
109
their breakfast which consisted of porridge, tea and bacon.

This being the winter period snow fell fairly frequently, this of course gave an additional spur to the appetite. We would try to secure from time to time lumps of coal from the train-line close by. Sometimes the Frenchmen would give us some.

We would also be able to procure some wood, with this it would always be possible to have a nice fire blazing in the hut. Of a night the scene was an especially cheerful one.

Most of the men would buy candles from the canteen and the glow would be very cheerful, added to this

[Page 110]
110
there was always a hot stew available for us from the cook-house. Our huts were on the pattern of the Nissan Hut, a standardised wooden structure with a low roof.

Our sleeping arrangements were very simple. Usually just prior to "lights out" which went somewhere about 10, we would lay out our waterproof sheet, then upon that lay our sheepskin vest. Over that our great-coat. If we were mates we would generally sleep together, and, in addition to the individual warmth we would have the two blankets

Our pillows would be made from our equipment covered over with some solt woolen cloth or our tunic. We would

[Page 111]
111
keep our trousers on as a rule.

The winter clothing issued would be interesting to enumerate, we generally wore it all at once. 1st flannel shirt, then an ordinary shirt, trousers, and underpants, cardigan, tunic, sheepskin vest, over all a greatcoat, a muffler or winter warmer.

We also had a pair of woolen and a pair of sheepskin gloves, so we were well provided for you will agree.

We had 5 weeks there altogether and moved off for the front line again.

This trip was practically a repetition of the first time.

The mud was still as bad, we had also much rain. It was Christmas

[Page 112]
112
time I remember and Christmas Day was spent by us in the Reserve trenches. Our rations for the day were not plentiful, 4 to a loaf, a piece of cheese, a teaspoonful or a shade over jam and a piece of pudding. We were also successful in securing a Spanish onion which was a welcome "dessert".

In our spare ration we carried a tin containing a packet of tea and a packet of sugar. For water we would go along to a shell hole and filling a Dixie would boil it in a "Tommies" cooker (the name given to a small tin containing a bluish jelly-like mixture resembling blanc-mange only firm-

[Page 113]
113
-er. When a match was applied it would produce a good flame.

One could boil about 2 dixies of water on it. They were a great boon during the winter months. It was not allowed to have fires in the front line for fear of attracting the enemy. I was a flare pistol carrier for 3 months. I don’t know why I carried it but the fact remains I had a little adventure which brought down a shower of abuse upon my devoted head and that was in trying to clean up my flare pistol. I pulled the trigger. Someone had put a flare cartridge in the barrel and I didn’t know it, the next thing I knew was a

[Page 114]
114
noise and a sputter then the light. I can tell you it frightened me and I can easily understand the alarm amongst the other chaps.

Fortunately the discharge went off into the ground.

We had a raid whilst in the line.

A certain number of men were selected amongst the platoons and the objective was the German front line.

The raid was hardly a success. It rained rather heavily just before the men were timed to start.

Lieut Loveday and Lieut Keuenus were in charge of operations. The men reached the trench and gathered some information, they sent back one prisoner, and

[Page 115]
115
from all accounts killed others. They started to come back towards morning in 2’s and 3’s worn out, some minus puttees, the prisoners seemed much pleased to be "finis" war. The morning light disclosed a different complexion on to the state of affairs that prevailed during the night whilst the excitement of the battle was on, the men would stop at nothing. The morning light seemed to drive away all this feeling along with all enmity as well.

For instance, when the men were face to face with the prisoner instead of wanting to kill him they would have given him some of their rations and even then

[Page 116]
116
rum. He tried to explain all about it in smiling broken English. The "boys" wanted to give them some souvenirs. He smilingly refused. The last I saw of hi was being taken away under an escort of 2 armed soldiers.

From this place we eventually settled down for a time in "Switch trench" which was better as a residential resort that when previously occupied by us. The water however was very deep in parts. There was a trench pump provided but as it sucked up mud and water at the same time it wasn’t of much use to us.

One of the joys of life was to receive mail from our people. This, in addition to

[Page 117]
117
newspapers was one of our chief interests in the life of the trenches. The orderly room clerk was a man of some importance amongst the other men owing to the fact that he had the distribution of the mail to do and the handling of parcels.

I had my old job of sanitary picquet her. This enabled me to stop round the trenches. One night I was detailed off to shovel the mud out of a trench along with another party of men.

We set off just at dusk I remember and had a walk of about 2½ miles in front of us. Part of the way was over duckboards and it wasn’t hard. We picked up our picks and shovels on the

[Page 118]
118
way there. By the time we reached our destination it was quite dark. We started to work in an effort to clear the mud out of the trench. It is hard work to do so. The suction as one puts the shovel into the mud makes a double pressure when one goes to lift it out. Then we had to throw it on to the top of the trench.

We didn’t stop too long, I had a mishap coming home. Just previous to starting out I had put a piece of string, the best substitute for a bootlace that I could put into my boot. When I got in amongst the mud the strain of walking proved too much, snapping the string it rendered it useless to me. What I did then was to take the boot off and carry it under my arm. It was "no bon"

[Page 119]
119
in the cold mud trudging along in this way. However we eventually got back to our dugouts alongside our trench. The light artillery was massed up and the noise they made as they were fired off kept us awake some nights.

Afterwards moving back we eventually reached a town called Ribemont where we were able to make up for lost time, as regards food supply. Here we received our Christmas parcels and very welcome they proved. Our billets here were on the corner of the main street of the town. We would collect wood, make a fire and warm up any of our food that was received.

There was quite a variety of stuff to be consumed. Canned Soups, Canned Tomatoes, Cheese, Chocolates. Cigarettes, Tobacco,

[Page 120]
120
Pipe, were a few of the articles.

The trouble here was that the men after being in the line and under such abstention there as was necessary to eke out the rations, ate rather too heartily with the result that a lot of them made themselves sick. It is quite a common occurrence for this to happen, the stomach not being able to adapt itself to the larger quantity of food consumed.

Staying here for some time we eventually moved back to a place called Baizieux where we were camped in tents. Here we struck more winter and it practically snowed all the time. Snowballing was then a prevailing pastime. It was possible here to hold a Communion Service which I

[Page 121]
121
attended after Church parade.

We held a concert in a place especially built or altered for the purpose close handy. Here all the "local" talent was given a chance to try their vocal and other abilities. The men enjoyed the performance well enough.

I was called in and rendered an item, Horace Horsewell, a friend of mine also sang. Horace had a good voice and was not afraid to use it.

One feature that I can well remember was a fall of snow which made the whole scene similar to Fairyland. The leaves of course fall off the trees in France, unlike our own trees, in winter and the snow being light remained

[Page 122]
122
adhered to the branches of the trees. The intense whiteness of the snow against the dark background of the trees gives the effect of a cameo.

Close by in one of the houses of the villagers it was possible for the troops to obtain coffee and cakes at a very reasonable figure. Here we would meet troops from England and Scotland who were camped in the vicinity. We would enter into conversation with them. Whilst here we witnessed an interesting game of "Soccer" between picked teams of Imperial and A.I.F. men. Needless to say who won.

We were greatly surprised one day to hear our names called out to report to the Orderly Room to see Capt [Arthur Leslie] Hewish our new O.C. there.

[Page 123]
123
I found out that it was in reference to our Great Coats which had been left behind at Flers on account of their being too weighty in some instances through the mud that had adhered to them. In other instances someone had taken them. My version, which I believe true in regard to my own was that leaving it on the top of a dugout in "support" trenches in Flers, someone had taken it for their own use. I told the O.C. this and he crossed my name off the "Charge List". Whilst here I had the thought that I would do a little "self denial" that is save half my allowance and send it along to the Salvation Army at Albury N.S.W. Melbourne.

A coincidence was that I

[Page 124]
124
took the letter along to the O.C. Capt Hewish who before the war was I believe a member of the S.A. at Albury N.S.W.

Whilst here most of my work was Sanitary, I also had some route-marching. Whilst on [?] these route marches we came in contact with some German prisoners working on the roads.

Ar different periods in the line this occurred. We would receive different receptions from different bodies. Some would salute the officers of our Battn, some would, others wouldn’t greet the troops with "Good day" and again others would use an unmentionable[?] epithet. X.

X This incident occurred at a place called Bazontion

[Page 125]
125
at which some of our fellows would want to go back and retaliate.

Taking them on the whole, however they were an orderly well disciplined lot of men.

Word came through that we were to move up to the front line. So we set off one afternoon just after dinner for a long march. The roads were nice and hard to march on owing to a touch of frost in the air. We set off at a good pace, marching all the afternoon. Our destination was a place called Bécourt where we were billetted in some Nissan Huts (which I have described before). Whilst here I heard that the 56th Battn were close by and having a brother in them set off to find him. First of all obtaining

[Page 1126]
126
permission to be absent for the day. It was quite early when I started. It did not take me long to reach the Billets of the 56th. Unfortunately I found upon arrival that there were only two companies of the Battn there. The others so I was told were camped at Bernagay[?] Wood – a matter of about 7 kilos away. Off I went and walking briskly along the main road eventually reached my objective only to find that my brother Syd had got his leave 6 days previously! However it could not be helped, so I set off back to our own billets. My terrible[?]was the lack of de[?].

All that I could get was a bit of chocolate off a chap coming along the road, found

[Page 127]
127
a Y.M.C.A. which was out of supplies owing to the lack of transport. Military at this time requiring all the spare trains for bringing fresh troops over for the Spring offensive.

Reached my billet that night feeling tired out as might be expected. We only stayed at Bécourt for a very short time.

Moving up to Bazentin we settled down a stage closer to the line. At this time the heavies were quite close to us and the noise of the guns as they were discharged would shake the huts so that it was impossible for us to feel restful for a bit.

We soon got used to the noise however it was here that I was appointed to be

[Page 128]
128
in charge of the Battalion sanitary arrangements, I used to get on fairly well with the R.S.M. whose name was Douglas and he put in the "recommend" I would have got the stripe this time. At this I was approached with reference to accepting the position of Company Clerk. Capt Hewish agreed that I should like it so I settled down. Percy Godbolt who nominated me for the vacancy was relinquishing the position on account of promotion. He gave me an insight into the working and left me to it. However at this position I was never comfortable, couldn’t get into the work at all and it wasn’t for want of trying either. I kept it altogether for 5 weeks but the work

[Page 129]
129
was always ahead of me.

It wasn’t that the work was too much but I couldn’t get ahead of it enough to look around.

Whilst at Bazentin I took the opportunity of looking round for my other brother but without success. Heard their Battn was camped at a place called Scotts redoubt near Fricourt.

We were not out of range of the German "heavies" here. One came over and discharged itself a matter of 200 yards from our hut. It lodged in a latrine blowing it to pieces.

Some of the Imperial artillery troops were quartered here and would, for a small sum, make a souvenir in the shape of a serviette ring from the driving face of a shell.

[Page 130]
130
One feature that I can note here was the presence of 1st Brigade H.Q. with us.

Whilst quartered here we got a new style of paybook issued to us. I did some of the transfer work, Geo White, a former Bank Clerk secured the position of Pay Clerk to the Battn.

The Canteen was quartered here in a hut close by us. If a man was desirous of purchasing some little addition to the ration issue he would take his place in the queue and get served in his turn. So you know what became of then profits from this Canteen? They were used so I was told to pay the depredations caused by the troops in the French orchard. It was as a rule to great a temptation

[Page 131]
131
for the men to see the fruit on the trees – and leave it there.

The balance would go towards providing costumes and effects in the case of any concert or gathering arranged. It was our duty as mess orderly to clean out the stew dizzies and afterwards to fill same with water. At this camp we had to trudge along for about ¾ of a mile before we reached the water supply. There was a big hill to surmount as well.

Church service was held whilst here in a Y.M.C.A. hut further down the road. The "Padre" (Chaplain) at this time was the Rev Stacy Waddy who afterwards became Bishop of Jerusalem. [Rev Waddy was Canon of the Anglican Cathedral in Jersulalem, 1918 - 1924]. His sermon was all admonitory /address on the question of

[Page 132]
132
swearing and I will say he laid it in pretty hard to the men. Several of them afterwards commenting on his talk were very wrathful all the same that didn’t alter the fact that he was right in their case. They said they wouldn’t go to big church parades again. I stopped for the Communion Service with others afterwards being marched back. The dress was belt and entrenching-tool handle for the church parade.

At this time the Germans were in retreat.

We were issued out with extra ammunition, rations, &c in the event of some fighting.

There were several fresh appointments in the N.C.O.’s here.

We eventually set off for the trenches once more. I in

[Page 133]
133
my new capacity as Company Clerk. Things started badly for me. I forgot in the hurry of going my bag of books, necessary for the trenches and had to make a quick trip back again to the old orderly room. It was a long march to the front line to the left of our old position at Flers. I think the name of the trench that we took over firs was called Oat Trench, I went along to Company Head Q with Capt Hewish. It had been my intention to stop out in the trenches with the other men but he told me to come in with the Signallers and himself. I did not need a further invitation.

Our Head Quarters were an old German dugout and all we could do was to make ourselves

[Page 134]
134
comfortable on the stairs. Capt Hewish had reconnoitred the position earlier in the day.

When we entered the trench we came upon what we took to be two men sitting down in the trench. They turned out to be stone dead. A shell had exploded on the top of the trench and the concussion had killed them. There they were, some of our chaps had actually spoken to them not knowing that they had died. That was an element of the warfare – one never know how soon he would be called to account.

Another incident was the disappearance of two runners, Digby and Maxwell. They were sent out to take a message. Whether they were shot by a sniper or else walked

[Page 135]
135
into the German’s line I can’t say. The fact remained I have heard nothing further from that day to this.

In taking over this trench for the first time we came upon rations that were intended for another Battn but had never been issued to them. We were not short of bread and cheese I am[?] for some time.

We had, as I say just made ourselves comfortable for the night when word came through that we would have to move along to another trench.

We had to pack all our things together again and under the guidance of a runner we reached our new quarters, which were not very far away. The Germans

[Page 136]
136
were not very far from us, but I don’t think his location was positively known by our troops. Patrols were out searching for him and word was brought in by a Russian to the effect that he had stumbled across a German Machine Gun Nest on one of his journeys. This may have been true. The Germans, whilst they were on the retreat were in the habit of posting a Machine Gun and crew in addition to snippers to retard the advance of our troops.

Sharing our dugout was an officer of the Brigade Machine Guns. We were very congested here. The dugout had two entrances. The Germans, I suppose in providing for their safety thought that in the event of an entrance being blown in they would have the other to get

[Page 137]
137
Out of, a wise precaution under the circumstances.

We were crowded out with the O.C. runners. Brigade Machine gun officer, stretcher bearers, not forgetting the clerk. (Whilst I was writing a weeks summary of the work).

We remained in this place about eighteen hours, receiving word to move up still closer to the front line.

Our next Headquarters were in a quarry, composed of a chalky substance. It was a deep hole just adjoining the village of Ligny-Thilloy.

We made ourselves comfortable enough here, didn’t worry myself too much for a start with work.

I had to get the report back by a certain time. I was well

[Page 138]
138
successful in doing so. Hewish "[indecipherable]" on me.

I remember this morning as being very misty. Suddenly, as I was sitting writing at a table, a runner put his head down the stairs of the dug out shouting out "Capt Hewish, Capt Hewish" the Germans are coming "in on us". The OC immediately sprung upstairs taking a couple of bombs with him, and calling on us to line the banks of the quarry and prepare to meet the Germans as they came through the mist.

Be it stated to the credit of the men the[y] sprang out right away – one or two stopped back inside, afterwards saying they had slept through the noise.

However, as far as it went

[Page 139]
139
we had no further visitation from the Germans, about half an hour after stand to. 3 Germans came through as prisoners, one had been wounded in the shoulder with a bayonet thrust, they were a party of men belonging to the German A.M.C. and very voluble in their explanations of how it all occurred. It appears, from what was said later, that the Germans had sent out a lot of patrols and in the mist they had advanced up to the front line or what was acting as the front line.

The system adopted at this line was a series of outposts dug to accommodate say a platoon of men. These were here and here.

The Germans captured one of these posts, evidently coming

[Page 140]
140
up behind and entering the trench whilst the inmates were having their breakfast. This is what we surmised happened anyway for all round the trench was the equipment where the men had surrendered and there too were the loaves of bread left round about. I was told this.

Some of the German patrols had ventured on other parts of the line but had not much success. I believe that the Germans, at another point entered our trench and took the occupants prisoners. They were going across NO MAN’S LAND when all of a sudden our chaps, who had taken off equipment and been robbed of their paybooks &c, not being very closely guarded

[Page 141]
141
they determined to try and get back to the line again and I believe most were successful.

Corpl Macgregor was killed here. Later on in the day there occurred a regrettable incident.

One of our number, passing a tree under which a German was lying was accosted by the man.

He told us that he felt inclined to go up and bash his brains out but did not. However, later on he passed the man again and this time he did attack the man, wounding him very badly.

It appears that the chaps in the trench had left him there for a time nearer darkness when they could take him down without fear of being sniped by a German marksman who

[Page 142]
142
was firing at our chaps from a hidden shell-hole nearby.

After the episode of the German surprise attack we had nothing much in the way of excitement. The weather was cold and it snowed I remember. Another chap and I went on a tour of exploration in the village. We kept our eyes open for booby-traps and explosives.

The Germans all this time were on the retreat and before evacuating a village would very carefully set traps to blow the troops up.

For instance, take their dugouts. We would be fortunate in being able to secure a whole German dugout for accommodation and protection from shell-fire. Fritz before

[Page 143]
143
leaving would always as a rule blow up all his dugouts.

If one was left intact we were always chary of entering same before carefully ascertaining that no spare looking telegraph wires were hanging over the door for it was quite possible for the wire to be attached to a charge further down the opening.

A man going down the steps would his hand grasp the wire and be blown up.

Another trap would be that an innocent German helmet with a spike on it.

This would be placed in a man’s path. Well a man as a rule would do one or two things. He would either kick it on one side

[Page 144]
144
or else he would pick it up for a "souvenir". When he did this he would be very likely be killed easily – a percussion charge being laid under the hat.

We found here that the water was good. Most of the villages evacuated had had the water poisoned under orders from the German Higher Command. I had as I said comfortable quarters here, the troops in the line just the reverse. After the German attack it was my duty to go and ascertain from the platoon commanders the nature and number of casualties. I found them in a trench in the snow, some had secured very nice dugouts, others

[Page 145]
145
had just scooped a square out of the side of a trench covering the bottom with straw and putting a piece of iron over the top and with their blankets and waterproofs made themselves as comfortable as possible under the circumstances.

It is really surprising however I think when a man is living under exposed conditions nature works overtime to combat the more exposed conditions.
More blood is formed, I think that though a man loses the comfort of a nice home and a fire yet it is made up to him in other ways – nature providing other means as above.

Souvenir hunting was a feature of the troops here. It was the first village

[Page 146]
146
that was in anyway intact that we had seen for 3 months or more. The Germans when leaving had left a lot of Pickelhaubes or helmets. One chap found a pr of German Opera Glasses – others had taken Souvenirs from the dead and wounded Germans. Our officer, Mr Boilleau had secured a Military decoration – the German Iron Cross, others secured ribbons.

The Germans, naturally enough, had taken a pride in their decorations.

Another man had brought in a German bayonet to which there was a tassel attached.

This was another feature of the Germans love of comfort.

They would have a tassel attachment even on their pipes as well as their bayonets.

[Page 147]
147
Another find was a Klufs. German steel is well tempered and an article of this description well prized by the finder. In the Head Quarters dugout was a German stove. We thought this might be a trap and for a time would have nothing to do with it.

You can rest assured this class of order was obeyed by the Australians.

There were not many guns round these parts due in our case to difficulty of getting same over the mud. The Germans had left a few and the morning of the attack they let us have a fair supply. One great advantage we had was to build a fire. This compensated for a lot of the discomfort we were otherwise faced with. Fire is

[Page 148]
148
one of the things that alter the whole aspect of trench life. One can warm his Machonichies [Maconochies – a brand name of tinned] rations of meat and vegetables, dry his socks, tunic, greatcoat and blankets and keep warm. Then there is the bread he can toast, make a Dixie of tea. Of course owing to the reflections it casts upon the side of the trench and the fact that the Artillery observers are on the lookout for marks like this knowing there are troops in the vicinity the orders are very strict about them.

Whilst here I had the "dishing out" or rather the issuing of rations to the troops in the trenches once or twice, some of the chaps came over to warm themselves at the fire that was built. The quarry was honey-

[Page 149]
149
combed with dugouts. From Ligny-Thilloy we moved back to Ribemont again. I went back to with some of the chaps and the load I had to carry nearly pumped me out. I would have loved to have laid down and anything would have happened to me then. To make matters worse (this is Speaking of the return journey) the chap who was leading us lost his bearings and for a time we didn’t know whether we were wandering into Fritz’s line or not. Reaching the village of Ribemont we eventually settled down into billets just off the main street. They were not too bad at all.

I may say here that I had to relinquish the job of Orderly room corporal in favour

[Page 150]
150
of the former clerk who had ret’d to Battalion. I wasn’t at all happy in it – never seemed to get into other chaps way of working. I remember I started to smoke again here but that as no good either. The men used to play "two up" a good deal whilst here. One night at "lights out" they were still playing away.

I spoke to them telling them to clear out. One of the chaps whom I addressed (they mostly belonged to other platoons) was drunk and started to hit me. I didn’t like it and started to push him away. He got worse wanting to fight. Corby however spoke up and distracted his attention so that eventually peace reigned once more.

I attended a service

[Page 151]
151
conducted by "Padre" Mackenzie (Fighting Mac" at a place called Méricourt [sur Somme]. It was held in a big roomy building. The men always responded regularly to the Padres invitation. He was very well liked indeed.

I lost my pay-book here. Close by was a big Expeditionary Force Canteen. I think, by the look of it that it had been in existence since the commencement of the war.

It was possible to get tea cake preserved fruit in here.

There were special rooms set aside for officers. Although Imperial yet one could be served quite readily.

One chap name of Jeffreys, a lad who was always getting into hot water, was for being

[Page 152]
152
A.W.L. ordered to get up before Reveille and pick up orange peel. He said it was "No bon" the ground was frozen to a hardness and when he stooped to pick up peel his fingers would become quite numb.

We used to march out from here a good way for our drills. We would pass the German prisoners at work on the roads. They would sometimes wink as to say they were well out of it all.

We had to go through a Gas Test near by a well. The baths were quite close and we would have a dip coming away, much refreshed. We also had practice on night marches whilst here as well. This was indeed a very pleasant time all

[Page 153]
153
round. The Germans all the time were going back and we had to go after him again. We moved off again. The whole of the Brigade was camped round here. We set off one day for our next turn in the trenches.

It was not nice, but with 10 others we were left behind to tidy up the billets after the other chaps had moved on.

We found plenty of tins of Bully Beef and also tins of jam close by. These we would offer to the French people but they would refuse as a rule to take anything offered by us. Small wonder too. We finished our job of cleaning up and there at about 10 past 3 we set off. One feature of Ribemont was the school where the little children were taught.

[Page 154]
154
All through, despite the fact that the war was close to their doors, the children were being taught, I believe by the faithful teachers.

One incident before I finish about Ribemont was the sight of a French civilian’s funeral. A tragic incident in the cortege was the dropping dead of one of the mourners as the procession, chanting priest at head, wended its way through the streets to the cemetery.

The journey from here to Martanbace[?] camp was done on foot. We called at Dernancourt and in one of these places in the village we had some milk.

We passed bands of Germans along the road who as a rule were quite ready to offer greetings. We were just near[ing]

[Page 155]
155
[near]ing our camp when we saw a couple of planes brought down a mass of flames. Reached the camp that night just in time for pay. I believed we remained one night in the Nissan Huts of which the camp was composed.

Filling our water bottles, we started off on a long march of 14 miles. The weather was threatening as we set out and shortly after it commenced to snow and continued till we reached Bapaume. The way was across duck-board and then mud eventually when we reached Bapaume along the roads.

What made it hard going for us was the fact that we had to keep our waterproofs wrapped round us to stop the snow getting in.

The last part of the journey

[Page 156]
156
we had across open fields and I think, this was the hardest part of the trip. One pleasing feature of the journey was when past Bapaume (the way was across duckboards) we had a fair sight of green fields again. Being winter the trees were bare. Just outside Bapaume was a bare trunk of a tree which had previously been used as a resort for a sniper and also an observation post from which the trench system we formerly occupied at Flers was under review.

Eventually we arrived at our destination feeling fagged out.

We were complimented by our officer Mr Leslie on our endurance. We billeted in a stone stable or outhouse and

[Page 157]
157
made ourselves as comfortable as circumstances would permit.

We collected firewood and made a fire upon which we, with the aid of a bit of dripping tried to fry a piece of the issue biscuit. I soaked it for quite a time but did not make much impression and eventually ate it half raw.

We made ourselves comfortable and as there was plenty of soft material on the floor we made ourselves quite a nice bed. Whilst here I had word that my brother Syd who was a member of the 56th Battn was wounded in the throat by a Machine Gun bullet during an attack which they were making on a village further away. He according to the Post Corporal was looking very pale and wore out sitting in a limber with his throat

[Page 158]
158
bandaged up. We did not have much to do whilst here, just sharpened our bayonets preparatory to engaging the Germans.

Frémicourt was just an ordinary French town. As usual the church had been destroyed by the Germans. An act of vandalism was the cutting down of the fruit trees by the Germans to prevent our troops from gaining anything from them.

Our next point was a railway cutting. We had a fairly long march to it on the way passing some artillery. Just close to the railway cutting was an old Chateau which had been partially demolished by the Germans. One act of theirs whilst in occupancy here was to rob the French graves of their decorations and to place wreaths &c on their

[Page 159]
own comrades graves. The chateau had a beautiful avenue of trees leading to it which had not been chopped about very much.

When we reached the railway cutting we started to make dugouts to sleep in. it was not easy work on account of only having our entrenching tools to dig with. I remember I spent my 27th Birthday here. It was a rainy night Apl 6th. I was put on top of a railway cutting with my waterproof wrapped round me. The rest of the platoon had gone off to reconnoitre a village close by to see whether there were any Germans in occupancy there. There was! and when they returned they were covered in mud they had dropped into

[Page 160]
160
it to avoid the Machine Gun Bullets. As 12 o’clock struck I went across to the bridgehead and said to the other soldier on guard "Wish me many happy returns of the Day". We had a couple of casualties in the reconnoitre.

As I said the Germans were on the retreat at this time and we were constantly on the move. We did not stay long at this place. Moved up to a sunken road.

From this position just away in front was the village of Hermies, which was to be attacked by the 2nd Battn and 2 companies of the 3rd Battn. My company was "B". We were supports from our position. There was very

[Page 161]
161
little artillery on either side. Ours had not had time to be brought up and the Germans had taken theirs further back. I was placed as a sentry in what was NO MAN’S LAND. About midnight or a while after the 2 companies of the 3rd Battn who were to make the attack came along.

They did not hesitate for very long but walked straight over. Then the Machine Gun bullets started operating, bombs were thrown. As the Machine Gun bullets came over I was on top of Sunken road taking a Sentry post and when the bullets started to zip zip across the open I said to myself the best thing I can do is to crawl in backwards so that

[Page 162]
162
if a bullet does come it will get me in the rear, less likelihood of a vital injury taking place then.

The attack was entirely successful and just when morning broke we saw the prisoners start to come in. there were about 32 in all and they had the appearance of being greatly shocked by the experience they had undergone.

Our own wounded started to come through and the Germans were told to put them on their shoulders and carry them to a dressing station. I did a bit of "stretchering" myself. the chap whom I started to carry was a big bulky man and I wasn’t sorry to transfer him to the shoulders of some of the Germans.

[Page 163]
163
It was snowing and a mantle of snow was on all the landscape.

After breakfast, I with some others, went and made an inspection of the village of Hermies which had been taken. We went along the road leading to the village from the direction of the sunken road where we were camped. The Germans had erected barbed wire entanglements or barricades along it.

At intervals along the banks were sniper’s posts where the Germans had been installed to fire on our troops as they passed.

Down a trench running off the road was a dugout neatly made of board with a chimney and place for a fire. We found a partially smoked cigar and a German book. The occupants had made themselves very comf[ortable]

[Page 164]
164
[comf]ortable indeed prior to the attack.

Outside were the containers which were very nearly full of coffee. Evidentially the Germans had been surprised when just about to participate of it. Another dugout nearby which had contained about 4 Germans had been attacked by some of our chaps carrying bombs and as they passed they dropped them in on to the occupants wounding and killing them.

We proceeded on and crossed the Railway Line entering the village. We came upon several dead Germans who had been bayonetted. One man had evidently been gone through for souvenirs and the contents of their food haversacks had been scattered about. I tasted

[Page 165]
165
a biscuit or two of theirs but didn’t like the taste in comparison with our own. I met Lieut Cormack an officer who came over in charge of our reinforcements from Sydney and he spoke to me for a short while.

We found an outpost from which the Germans fired their flares from. Whilst I was doing guard duty here some of our chaps came back bearing in their midst a German gun. It was as much as they could do to carry it along and I guess they were not sorry to drop it near by and take a rest.

I also was approached whilst here by a V.C. – Sergt Jack Hamilton, he had got lost and was wandering around trying to find his battalion

[Page 166]
166
again (3rd). He had also lost his rifle and selected one from a heap of salvage stuff that was lying by in the enclosure.

As it was cold this time you may be sure that we enjoyed the hot bacon and tea which was provided for us. Whilst here came across some German papers with illustrations of vessels that had been sunk by German submarines.

It was an easy matter to locate our dugouts whilst here although they were in a sunken road because there was a tree jutting over it.

Well the order came that we were to move forward from the sunken road and occupy trenches just in front of the village of Hermies. On we went and it was

[Page 167]
167
just on dark when we arrived.

Out way lay through the village and along a sunken road (just in front of Hermies) before we reached the front line. We found some very nice dugouts waiting for us which had been built by the previous occupants.

The position was a very level one away in the distance and it was possible to see Courtrai which was in the occupancy of the Germans. We stowed our packs underneath a tree and left.

Unfortunately a shell landed amongst them and scattered them all over the place. It blew up also a young man by the man of Stringfeller.

It was snowing as we took over the trenches and the ground was covered.

[Page 168]
168
After we had been in occupancy for a little while the order came to go forward and under cover of night dig a trench just underneath the "Bluff", a place in occupancy of the Germans. Somehow or other young Smith and I fell asleep and didn’t wake till just 3 o’clock in the morning. I went out and looked into some of the other dugouts, could not find anyone there however. We decided to go straight on to the new line following in the track of No 6 Platoon. When we reached the line where the platoon was dug in, it was just light and they attempted to abuse us for lagging behind. Of course it was not our fault but

[Page 169]
169
angry men are hard to pacify.

There was one young fellow killed as the result of the operations of the covering party. His name was Irwin. He had only been with the Battn for a couple of months. We had dug in very close to the Bluff and I suppose the Germans thought us very presumptuous for doing so. Anyway we had only been established for a very short time when the sentry on guard noticed the Germans coming through the Barded wire and making for our trench.

He fired off his gun and attracted the attention of the other men.

We all stood too and prepared to defend our position

[Page 170]
as best possible. We could not see the Germans coming as it was not yet light enough to do so.

We spread out along the trench and I remember it was not long before we could hear the cries of the officers who were directing the men.

We thought we were on our own and were greatly surprised to learn that during the night ‘A’ Company, who had previously been entrenched along the top of the hill had come down and dug in alongside of us. The result of the attack on the German’s part was a failure for him. ‘A’ Company let him have a couple of rifle grenades and Machine

[Page 171]
171
Guns and they were driven back. Some managed to get up fairly close and dug in in front of us. Others went along to the top of the rise bringing up some Machine Guns on the top of a stretcher.

With these they enforced the trench which we occupied.

I had my head slightly above the trench and could hear the crack, crack, crack of Machine Gun bullets just overhead.

The result of this manoeuvre on the Germans part was the means of making us keep our heads well down all the time. It was raining softly pretty well throughout the day and we had to keep right down all the

[Page 172]
172
line in the muddy soil.

Our respirators and dixies were shot through early in the day and it was not long before there was one or two casualties, one fellow getting his ear shot off.

To speak truthfully we never thought we would get out of this trench at all. At night orders were given to evacuate the trench and dig in further back. We waited till it was quite dark and there was only a few star shells illuminating the scene and then cautiously made our way to the rear digging in with our entrenching tools.

We had only just started to do this and I may say with great care, when the

[Page 173]
173
order was given for our retirement to supports. We lost no time in getting back to find however as I said before, that our packs were blown up by a shell.

We however secured the best under the circumstances and started for our dugout. We had only got into one when the word was passed along for men 25 of whom were wanted for a fatigue party to carry stew and tea up the line to feed the men who were there in our places. Of course we grumbled for we were vey tired and had been working hard all day trying to keep away from the bullets which the Germans fired at us.

[Page 174]
174
We set off to find the trenches and succeeded after a lot of trouble, it took two of us to carry the cookers. We were in the first place led by a chap who said he would guide us to the trench by the aid of the stars – but he lost the star I believe. He also had a tree in mind as well but unfortunately something must have happened to that as well.

We finally found ourselves in NO MAN’S LAND in close proximity to the German line. However we bye and bye reached the end of our search. The relieving Battn were in outposts containing about

[Page 175]
175
20 men as a rule. Scattered here and there were the dead bodies of the Germans.

We passed quite close to a body of Germans presumably who may have been a patrol. When we got back it was to be told we were to move back for what turned out to be 4 days rest in the sunken road.

It was a miserable journey to this place. Velvety black darkness to march. I don’t know how the officer found his way at all, one couldn’t perceive the man just about a foot in front. My method was to try and keep in sight the stretcher, as the Stretcher Bearer carried it with the

[Page 176]
176
handles up in the air thrown across his shoulders.

Before we set out we were supplied with an empty petrol tin each. It was not long before I had to discard this however. We came to a sunken road with high sloping banks and a gutter at the bottom. To make matters more difficult there was a telephone wire stretched across the bottom which had to be surmounted as well.

The sloping banks were slippery with mud, we would succeed in getting up about half way and the go back again. I found the only way was to stand up on a tin and get a start. I was the last man. It was no good getting

[Page 177]
177
lost here. To be left behind meant that one would be left out in the open all night.

I set off in single file then. As I said it was pitch black and as usual a drizzling rain was falling.

We had to climb up small mounds and avoid shellholes before we finally reached our destination. Was fortunate enough to secure a good dugout when I reached the road, containing a nice warm fire. You may be sure I made myself very comfortable.

We stopped here about 4 days in all. Did practically no work, but just rested.

I had lost my razor in my pack when it was blown up by a shell. Harry Gray

[Page 178]
178
offered me my pick. I selected one and have used it ever since. It was a "King George" and had imprinted on it "Made in Germany". We only had one fatigue job that was to take the "Cookers" back to the cooks. I was by this time much more accustomed to fatigues and mule like work.

Whilst here we had heard our artillery – which was close by had orders to shell the Germans with Gas Shells.

Lying round were plenty of rifles and equipment belonging to soldiers who had been killed or wounded in the taking of Hermies and Doignies.

Receiving orders we went to another part of the line for a short spell (this made

[Page 179]
179
altogether about 31 days in the front line without rest). Whilst here I had my turn in a listening post. It was a cold night and we had only our waterproof sheets to lay upon – didn’t take our blankets.

Things were very quiet at this time. We didn’t have anything of an exciting nature happen to us whilst here except that when we had shifted in we heard the crump of a German shell which fell perilously close to our former listening post.

There was not much in the way of rations issued out to us. We had some biscuits and cheese – one thing when very hungry we enjoyed this as well as anything.

[Page 180]
180
Going back a little way we found some dugouts already built. We passed the night very comfortably in one of these being issued with our ration of stew which was thoroughly enjoyed. From this position we marched back to the chateau spending the night in some woods adjoining. We had little "bivvys" erected for us and slept about 6 to a tent. We moved off next day to Bollencourt.

The road maps were very indistinct here. The O.C. must have lost his way, we had to rest several times whilst he reconnoitred the position. The men were a bit impatient at the delay. However we finally reached our destination Bollencourt. We were put

[Page 181]
181
into bell-tents making ourselves comfortable enough on the wooden floors. There was a Y.M.C.A. erected and I obtained permission from the Secretary in charge of it too to give a hand in the serving. I put in some time at it and I liked the work very well indeed. From here we were moved to the village of Vaux. We heard rumours that the 2nd division were going to bring off a big attack which they did – but which failed.

We were intended as 1st Division to be supports to the 2nd Division. Owing however to the failure we too had to attack.

I met my brother Bert – the eldest of 2 others. He was very pleased to see me. This

[Page 182]
182
this was before the attack.

Leaving him I started to walk home to Vaux. I met a chap who was driving back, he belonged to the artillery and readily acquiesced to my suggestion. He asked me if I wanted a loan of any money – this though he had never seen me before. As a matter of fact I did and said 5 francs, he gave me 10 frs and I asked him his name to send the money back to him.

With the money I bought some extra stuff from the canteen, fruit – cake – juice &c and took it up to my little lean to. We had things pretty comfortable here despite the fact that the building in which we had accommodation was badly knocked about, the roof in some way had

[Page 183]
183
been badly damaged and hung very askew.

We had a fire built inside and some nice soft material to lay on.

The night before the attack we were instructed to vacate our residence and to lay outside in the early hours of the morning. We did as ordered and just as it was getting light the bombardment commenced and didn’t it just come down! First thing we saw were a few flashes and then all round us were the noise of forces[?] in support of the 2nd Division attack. After a while a thick pall like fog settled down on us and we couldn’t see very much more

[Page 184]
184
all the same we could hear.

All this time we were under the impression we were only supports and would not participate in the actual fighting at all.

About 8 o’clock in the morning we received orders that we were to get our kit and equipment on go forward.

This news came as a great surprise to us. So we hurriedly got ready and proceeded to go forward. As we neared the sunken road which was to be our place of rest preparatory to going on again. The shells started to crump over on us.

Coming along were the men who had partaken in the attack at Bullecourt with the 2nd Division, they had

[Page 185]
185
failed and from now till the sunken road we could see crowds limping along, most of them slightly wounded.

At the top of the rise the Ambulance was waiting. It was one of the old style vehicles drawn by horses with a big Red Cross in the centre. Similar to the ones used in the South African War.

When reached the sunken road we were ordered into the dugouts and found it a rather difficult matter to get accommodation owing to the large numbers of troops already quartered there.

We finally succeeded in obtaining room in a dugout but it was on the wrong side of the road. By

[Page 186]
186
this I mean that it was possible to have a shell plumped pretty well in on top of us.

We were lying crunched up here and all of a sudden heard the cry "My God, I’ve lost my leg". Some poor fellow had evidently been struck by a shell. He started to cry also "Water". Generally the first thing that is done after a man is hit is for him to cry for water.

We stopped in this place for a couple of hours and then got the order to move up to a communication trench. We left our Great coats heaped up here.

I was under the impression we were going straight into an attack. Someone called out

[Page 187]
187
to me "Goodbye". From the communication trench we were told off to do guard-duty to keep an eye open for a gas attack. The German shells were ‘crumping’ round about us. All the time the shelling was continuing outside the trench, but through it all I could see some stretcher-bearers plodding steadily along with their burdens despite it all. I formed a great admiration for their work whilst I was at the battle of Bullecourt. [First battle April, 1917]
Often times we would remark previously to this battle that other branches of the A.I.F. would not participate in the actual trench warfare. Here however, we had no cause to say

[Page 188]
188
this for all branches were brought up to help in the attack.

I had brought the remains of a tin of jam along with me and had the intention of taking it along to the front line. Unfortunately in the excitement I forgot all about it.

We were detailed to fetch bombs down to Brigade H.Q. as the communication trench was filled up it was decided to go over the top and take the risk of being hit with the German shells. We reached the bomb dump without mishap although the shelling was pretty warm.

In addition to carrying 2 boxes of bombs we had our equipment and rifles. It was as much as we could to stagger along. The Germans were peppering the road

[Page 189]
189
with the shells and we had several casualties. I got behind the others in the second trip and decided to sit in a shell hole and rest. I felt pretty safe here. Later on I wandered down to Brigade Head Quarters.

The German artillery was putting over a bombardment. I got into a trench amongst other men of the 18th and 19th Battns. I asked the officer if I could stay in the trench whilst the Bombardment was on. An attack was expected and the troops were standing to. I went down a little way in the trench and waited as the shells were still coming over. Bye and bye the bombardment ceasing I started out and reached the Head Quarters. Unfortunately I didn’t get my

[Page 190]
190
load along.

Going down the trench I eventually came up with the "boys" of the platoon. They were sitting down. I had just sat in a funk hole, when crash! a shell had exploded just on the parapet.

The smell was sickening and I felt as if my neck was ricked. Capt Tyson O.C. of "C" Company was badly wounded and asked me to do what I could towards helping him to the dressing station. I went and saw the Stretcher Bearers. They procured a Stretcher which was lying about and then we all got Capt Tyson and helped him to the aid-post nearby. He did not survive for very long, however.

We were approached by the cooks, however, whilst here we were approached by the cooks and asked to have something to eat. We readily consented and tea and stew were provided for us. They said

[Page 191]
191
they had cooked stew and made tea but were unable to get it down to the boys.

After leaving we went back and got into a dugout where we slept the night.

Next morning the Germans were shelling very heavily. I did not like facing out for a start. However, getting directions from someone else we went forward in an endeavour to find the front line. There was a very shallow communications trench hereabouts and it was filled with men of the second division, who had been relieved by our fellows. We went forward again and in amongst the others I found my brother Bert who was looking worn. We clasped hands and parted.

Some of our chaps were trying to bring in the wounded and

[Page 192]
192
the Germans were sniping at them.

It’s a wonder I got through, I was carrying my equipment and rifle and was a conspicuous mark to the Germans.

Finally we reached the front line and there pulling off our gear we turned to and dug a "possie" as the dugouts are called.

The result of the previous day’s battle was apparent elsewhere.

Wounded men were laying about everywhere waiting to be taken away. We got on pretty well all told. Our next thought was to get some biscuits and have a meal. Well this done we prepared for eventualities.

There was a great deal of unrest apparent in the battle area. The Germans were expected to counter

[Page 193]
193
attack at any-time, and it was necessary for us to be constantly on the alert against them.

The cry of stand to was frequent, although in many cases a false alarm.

As regards the direct area affected by us there was plenty of fighting going on around, things on the whole however were quiet.

On the right what we took for attack by (our own) the Germans turned out to be our own men who were going back to a better position to escape from the flammenwefer [flamethrower] which was being used by the enemy in their efforts to approach the trenches occupied

[Page 194]
194
by us.

In the excitement of battle when men are apt to get a slightly distorted view of things, mistakes are apt to occur. In this instance our Machine Gunner turned his gun on to them without however causing much damage as far as I could see.

Another time, a little German, probably lost, wandered into our lines to give himself up. The same gun was again fired and a couple of bombs were also thrown, with the direct result that the little chap was so badly wounded he died soon after.

I took a risk that afternoon too. It came on to rain

[Page 195]
195
I put on a German coat, coming round the corner of the trench I found some of our chaps. I said to them "Mercy Kamerade", and they were going to attack me, I didn’t try it again.

We were very thirsty and whilst it rained that night we in our endeavour to get some drinking water put out our waterproof sheets obtaining a little in this way.

Some of the chaps also foraged amongst the dugouts and found some German water-bottles, filled with cold coffee – they as a rule prefer coffee to water owing to the scares amongst the men as the result of many traps

[Page 196]
196
discovered from time to time, they were rather chary about partaking of it. I volunteered to be the taster, however, and when they saw that nothing happened to me they too, putting the bottles to their mouths drank heartily. (I may say that I myself got very little.)

at Bullecourt Stretcher bearing took up a fair proportion of my time – one could not resist doing all that was possible for men lying wounded, and so when I would see a chap left lying for dead, I would procure a stretcher and, with the aid of others, would take him down to the R.A.P. (regimental Aid Post). One little chap

[Page 197]
197
Rheinhard by name, belonging I think to the 25th Battn, was very badly wounded – eyes, hands, legs. We put him on to the stretcher, he was only a feather weight, and carried him along quite easily. He chatted very cheerily and his only request was for a cigarette. Part of our way lay along a communication sap, one part of which was much exposed and shelled.

It was such a time [?] when we passed. There was room for us to set down under cover but no room for the stretcher with Rheinhard.

He said leave me on top and go into the trench yourself, I only wanting a cigarette. We did all we

[Page 198]
198
could for him. I hope he recovered, it was hard work staggering along with the men.

We found one chap lying in the trench who had been left for dead, but when I noticed was still breathing. He had even been walked over by some chaps passing to and fro. This may seem callous but in lots of instances most mens thoughts are occupied with where the next shell is going to land and an attempt to dodge it.

I always found the best antidote for this was action hence work and I know that in thinking of others and caring for them one forgot for the time his own troubles.

My experience of a battles

[Page 199]
199
of the kind like Bullecourt not for the moment although death was all round thinking that I myself might at anytime be numbered with the slain.

We were set to work digging the trench deeper.

Parts were very shallow and with the German snipers opposite ready at a moments notice to shoot, it is easy for anybody to see the necessity of the work. The time we started was 2 o’clock in the morning. There was an heavy bombardment going on all the time, but all fears were kept away by the work.

Pieces of shell were whizzing about us without however doing much damage.

[Page 200]
200
Mr Leslie, our officer came round and asked me if I would like some rum and then recollected that I didn’t drink he pressed me no further.

We worked on till day light and when it became too late to work with safety we had a tolerable protection against Mr Sniper banked up.

Speaking of this bombardment some of the shells burst perilously close to our trenches – some of the splinters wounding, I heard the terrible roar of one of our heavies and thought it would explode right on top of us. It seemed to explode right behind us on the parades.

We began to get very thirsty. It was due to the fact that owing

[Page 201]
201
to the bombardment it was suicide to send fatigue parties. Then to make us thirstier the dust from the bombardment got into our throats. It must have been about 30 to 36 hours before any water reached us and then it was only about half a cupful! We did not want much to eat, I notice in cases like this, one always requires water.

It came on to rain one evening, I put on a German coat which I found lying on a trench. Coming round the corner I said "Mercy Kamarades".

They took me for German and it is a wonder that I didn’t get a discharge into me as some of the fellows were pretty well worked up.

[Page 202]
202
During an attack by a bombing party on the right of us I had an opportunity of noting the effect of our explosive 60 pounder on the Germans, they seemed, when they exploded in a trench to lift a German bodily.

Although we had many orders to "stand to" there was no attack on our front direct.

Out in front there were numerous wounded from an attack. These had to be brought in and a man who went out for them had to run considerable risk in being hit.

From continuous bombardments that part of the Hindenburg line in which we were situated became very broken.

One night I was one of a party detailed to being in

[Page 203]
203
trench supplies consisting of sandbags &c. We did not have very far to carry them but the speed with which the party travelled put me quite out of breath. To make the way more difficult parties of men relieving in many instances had to be passed. If for some reason or other one was delayed it was extremely difficult to catch up with the original party again. Some of the party were wounded however despite all precautions that could be taken Lance Corporal Carr, afterwards promoted Sergeant, was bending down to avoid the splinters of a shell-burst, when with a "whoosh", a big piece of shell landed alongside of him. He didn’t wait

[Page 204]
204
very long before he shifted his position.

On another occasion we were detailed for a fatigue job taking our rifles with us – which in trenches we carried at the trail to avoid being a mark for the enemy.

In the hurry of getting out of the trench I did not notice the "safety catch" was forward. Unthinkingly I put my finger on the trigger and pressed it. Instinctively I pressed the muzzle in the direction of the bank and the bullet found a lodgement there.

The chap in front became rather indignant about it as he well might.

Just imagine the effect of an accident of this sort in

[Page 205]
205
the ordinary quietude of life.

Toward the end of our time in the line we were subject to frequent bombardments from the German lines.

There were several big and roomy dugouts near the Line which would afford protection from the shell-fire, but I thought better under the circumstances not to avail myself (of) as if I got down in the event of an attack I would be disinclined to come up again.

We had a chap with us who was acting in a very brave manner. He volunteered to go out and bring in another who was wounded and unable to come in himself.

He was of Russian nationality and already the

[Page 206]
206
possessor of a Military Medal.

For his conduct in this instance he was again recommended.

Eventually we were relieved about 2 o’clock in the afternoon – not at all sorry either. We had to run the gauntlet of the German Artillery who knew we were "changing over". Speaking of the German artillery I was under the impression that it was worked by fiends and not men.

The continuous sound of discharge – whoof-hoo is the nearest approach I can get to it which also seemed like a cough.

Well, we got back as far as Vaux and thought that we had definitely finished

[Page 207]
207
a very turbulent time in the line. We found however that we still had another fatigue trip to do.

About 10 pm we set out for the village of Moreuil and obtained instructions from the Engineers as regards their requirements in the line.

It proved to be coils of barbed wire – and large ones at that, together with iron spikes for putting it on. This proved to be a most nerve trying trip.

Even whilst we were waiting outside the wall of a house at Moreuil a shell landed quite close. Setting out and then halting for a while a gun an 18 pounder was discharged right in our ears. It made me jump

[Page 208]
208
as I was under the impression it was a shell from one of the enemies batteries that had been discharged. Setting off again we traversed part of the way and then suddenly "Krupp Krupp" Krupp about 3 shells came along simultaneously. We made a rush for shelter in a trench alongside to be sharply reminded to get a move on or words to that effect so we did move on. A lot of the men had dropped out. The shells came along. Fritz’s flares were going up all round us.

We stuck to it however (Frank Butler and I) eventually reaching our

[Page 209]
209
destination which was a winding turning trench much battered Hinderburg Line (front at that).

Not only was the trench battered but the mud was thick on the bottom added to this was the smell of decomposing flesh. We arrived breathless and tired, a remnant of the lot who had started out. Franks mate Gabriel Gill had been wounded – we did not know how severely in the journey coming (down) back to the sunken road, we enquired at the dressing station as to whether he had come through and found he had. It appears he was only slightly wounded on the nose. Rather than leave him without a chance of succour we thought we would bring him in. This

[Page 210]
210
was very late at night. Frank and I started off to Vaux and reached it between 3 and 4 in the morning.

There was a Y.M.C.A. depot not very far away. Frank and I went down and had a drink. It was the practice of the Y.M.C.A. to supply cakes and tea for all hands on fatigue work in the early hours of the morning. Going back we were for a short time able to enjoy the benefits of a rest before moving again.

We used to obtain our water supply from a well in the village.

Usually the water used for drinking and cooking purposes was drawn from a well in the village.

Passing the places previous to reaching the (village) well was

[Page 211]
211
A dilapidated village cottage in amongst the ruins of which was a child’s watering can.

It was always possible for one to see the remnants of household furniture &c scattered about. When Germans retreated from a village as a rule they generally left it thoroughly broken up. Their method of demolishing a house was to insert a charge of dynamite into the side of the wall. This was all that was necessary for the purpose.

Lower down the street a big hole caused by a mine explosion was blown in the middle of the road. How pleased we were to get the welcome news that we were to move back to Beaullincourt!

[Page 212]
212
We were a very small portion of the batallion in comparison to what had set out. I think our strength was 649 going in : coming out 50!

After a battle like Bullecourt it is no wonder one’s nerves were frayed. We had to pass some 60 pounders on the way back and the discharge made us feel very jumpy.

There was, so I heard, here abouts, a dressing station in close proximity to the Artillery!

Arriving at Beaullencort how thankful I would feel to God for his preservation of me.

I was to settle down once more for a time anyway.

You may remember I spoke about a young Russian being again recommended for the

[Page 213]
213
Military Medal. When he got here he thought he would like an extra blanket to sleep on so he went along and secured one from the Quartermasters depot. For this he was brought before the C.O. who for punishment cancelled the recommendation to the medal.

From Beaullincourt one morning we set out for Bazentin.

We left very early in the morning. On the way we passed through Flers our old place where the mud was so atrocious.

It was difficult for one to recognise the old place as it had been quite renovated.

Passing through the village there was a very strong smell emanating from some dead mules. Some disinfectant had been placed on them

[Page 214]
214
but it did not altogether camouflage the odour. I noticed too that the old road had been clearly defined and remade.

We reached Bazentin somewhere about 12 in the day.

The final part of the journey was uphill. The huts were the usual "Nissan". After setting down for sometime I decided I would pay a visit to my brother Bert at Fricourt.

I had a long trip before reaching [indecipherable] but he was in the hut when I got there was invited to stop to tea. Met different ones who made enquiries for comrades known in my battalion . Bert and I had a chat together in his hut. We spoke on the incidents as they occurred to us at

[Page 215]
215
Bullecourt. About a quarter to 5 I left to return to my "home" (at Bullecourt) before dark.

Whilst here I attended a Communion Service in the 1st Battalion lines which were quite close to ours. Close by us were some old German dugouts. We were well prepaid in a visit of inspection made.

The dugouts were constructed in a hillside the interior was reached by steps. The bottoms were all lined with board and positioned into rooms with doors attached! Some rooms were lined with shells. The corridors too were quite long ones. Outside were heaps of clayey white soil taken out when the dugouts were constructed.

We didn’t have much

[Page 216]
216
work to do at that place. One Sunday we were called to load and unload some material from the Railway Junction to another camp not far off.

we loaded up the trucks and pushed them along to the place where they were discharged, which by the way was the camp in which we were billeted in (last) February. The huts at this time were practically empty but for the presence of a few engineers. This period was the longest time experienced by me out of the line. We really had a happy time of it. From Bazentin we moved back to Beure a village which we were billeted in first of all, whilst out of the line.

It could be called our

[Page 217]
217
depot. Through the village and in the centre was about the usual billeting area for us. On the outskirts of the town ran the village stream the Aucre. (It is in communiques called a "river" but it is practically a stream).

I remember our first experience of a swim not in the river but in a bucket of cold water. The frost touch was in the air. Never-the-less some others and myself went in and had a scrub. Although cold yet it was bracing.

At the time I speak of it was summer-time and the air was beautifully warmed by a mellow sun. We used to dive in and swim. It was also possible to have a warm bath in the bath house adjoining on the other side of the stream.

[Page 218]

218
One chap diving one day had the misfortune to strike barbed wire which was at the bottom of the river. He was ripped and had to remain quite for a while. We had a Y.M.C.A. erected for us in the town it was possible for me to have had a job in the Y.M.C.A. further back but I decided I would rather "carry on" with the Battalion troops. To keep us in physical fitness we were sent out for different forms of drill – Platoon and Company drill – bayonet fighting – bomb-throwing.

In the afternoon we had organised games – running, boxing, swimming, distance jumping, wheel-barrow races and the events were thoroughly enjoyed. Sometimes too we

[Page 219]
219
would have a route march for a long distance. At other times we would be taken out for rifle shooting on the range.

About the middle of July we were taken out to a place called Maillet-Maillet for training. It was here we were addressed by Mr Holman who came over to inspect us.

He extended an invitation to anyman who had a request to make that he came forward when the Brigade was marching off. We had a very steep hill to master before we reached our destination. Our accommodation at this place was very limited. We slept in huts that were smaller than the usual "Nissan" hut. Some of the men erected smaller huts

[Page 220]
220
on their own to accomodate themselves and a chiceu[?]. We had the usual canteen. It was possible for us to obtain things required in the way of extras.

We stopped here for only a short while moving on to the town proper. Here we were billeted in the ruins of some of the houses of the town from whence we were taken out for practice stunts in fields adjoining.

I enjoyed these "practices" although they were gruelling. We had for the practicing Machine Guns. Kerosene tins. They gave a realistic effect to the whole thing.

I remember in one practice we were all supposed to have been wiped out.

I will now endeavour to give particulars of one of

[Page 221]
221
these "stunts". We set off about 2 o’clock in the morning. It was quite dark. Proceeding along the main road from the village till we came to a huge dump.

Here we were put into single file i.e. marching one behind the other. Reaching the "jumping off" place we were assembled and told off in waves.

One company say would have the first objective another the 2nd another the 3rd.

Upon reaching the objectives the men detailed would light flares. The other company or wave would then pass over the one in the first objective proceeding to their own. So on with the others.

Over us was an aeroplane said to ascertain when the

[Page 222]
222
position was captured and report to Head Quarters. They would sound the horn which was quite distinct to us. We also had some ground signals arranged like shutters alternative red and white. I have described in "Company" but now remember this was called a Brigade "Stunt".

Upon finishing the manoeuvre, which had to be got through in a certain time we were formed up and marched home again. Although the village was not knocked about a great deal yet the inhabitants had all left with the exception of a few in possession of shops. I purchased some postcards of the (shops) place which I sent home. There were also Imperial troops biletted

[Page 223]
223
here as well. The 3rd Brigade band gave us some music in the town square. I put a flower in my coat here but was ordered to take it out by Lieut Watson (who was killed a little later on).

At the time the band was playing in the square some Artillery recently returned were sitting in the gutter. They each had a bottle of beer and had "dressed them by the right". All bottles were in line. They would have a drink and a talk saluting others by the way.

After going through the preliminary practice we were marched back to Buire for a time. One day in June 1917 we were told to clean up our equipment and to brighten up the brass

[Page 224]
224
preparatory to being inspected by King George outside Albert. It was a hard march over the French roads and the sun was too very hot. We had the band with us in our marching. King George inspected us alright. He was greeted with cheers all along the line. Coming back to Buire we heard rumours of peace, but found they were afterwards contradicted.

I recollect the date. It was June 7th. This was the day the great explosions took place at Messines and Wytschate.

We attended a sports programme at Haucourt. The display was excellent. The cookers were all brightened up and lots of the artillery had teams in for exhibition.

[Page 225]
225
There was running races and tug-o-war. Some of the men also dressed up in finery parading round the ring. There was an exhibit of Charlie Chaplin as well.

We spent a happy afternoon together, marching back through Laviéville a place where the 1st Battn was quartered.

We attended moral lectures at another little village where the building was a huge place used at ordinary times for billeting the troops. The whole village was built in a hollow.

One day we went to a specially prepared range, fitted out with targets at different ranges representing enemy masses &c.

The procedure was to give distance, we would then adjust to same and fire. We would

[Page 226]
226
also be given the direction ½ right or ½ left as the case might may be.

The place we fired off was near Albert. Many of these days were like picnic parties. We would sit down and eat our rations.

Usually the cookers would accompany us and we would have an issued of hot tea. We received orders one day to go to a place called Bray.

It was a beautiful spot. I had many happy times there. I found too an old mate, Harold Davis who had come into the Battalion after an absence of over 12 months. I was having a discussion about drink with about 20 men outside our hut.

Harold, hearing the talk – he is interested in the question – came along and took a hand

[Page 227]
227
on my side. We arranged with the Sergeant Major that he should come into my platoon.

A little way away from Bray was Plateau Siding. Here was a Y.M.C.A. We spent pleasant and profitable times here. The "Y.M." catered for spiritual as well as material food and a little hut was set aside for this purpose.

Here would gather different men from the Battalions. Here would gather different men from the Battalions and presided over by the "Y.M." Leader, a Scotch minister. We also had his assistant as well.

Close by was an Indian Labor Battn. – camped in huts. They were in charge primarily of an English

[Page 228]
228
Officer, but they had a Lieut Duivan Singh with them.

They held a service in Hindustance (their own language) with the aid of a blackboard.

It was very interesting although we could not follow the (Eng) native language.

In one of the huts was a group of Christian converts. They were very happy and kept singing and smiling.

Some of our chaps went over to them and were asked to pray with them and they complied. I think it was the Lord’s prayer. Out in the open were parties of Sikhs and Hindus who were bent upon amusing themselves in their own way. One of our chaps had lined them up

[Page 229]
229
and was showing them some of the manoeuvres that we were put through. They proved to be very intelligent. On the other side of the line were other camps in which were more Indian Labor Corps.

When we passed the cookhouses we had a look in and saw some of the cooks. They were kneading "chapattis" and cooking curry, offering some to us. We pronounced it excellent.

There was a group of Sikhs nearby wearing in some instances medals which indicated they belonged to the Indian Mutiny Troupes.

Very proud they were of them also. They had been well trained by the English officer. He came along whilst we were talking even though he had not come

[Page 230]
230
to within 50 paces they saluted him keeping their hands to the salute all the while.

Their huts too were very clean and orderly. They are I believe supplied with a different kind of food to what we have. This is on account of caste.

Coming back to our huts again we would have "lights out" blown (again) about 9 o’clock. I can relate an incident dealing with this.

One Sunday night I was desirous of attending a Service at the Y.M.C.A. Just as we were starting an order came that we were to take the Brigades Guards rations over to them at Bray. This was hard enough but we set out.

[Page 231]
231
Found the place, delivered the rations. Coming back in was too late to deliver the service.

There was an Anglican service held amongst the treshes. The "Padres" purpose was to give us all insight into the Anglican service explaining the creeds &c to us.

He was an earnest minister but seemed to want to give up the priesthood altogether and take up farming when he went back to Australia. The place where the service was held was nicely decorated with flowers and in the space – I think it was called Evensong.

After finishing the service we went back and had a bath in the water. Time was going on however. We forgot

[Page 232]
232
about "lights out". Coming back to our hut, I started to lay my bed down when the bugle blew. I kept my candle burning.

There was a new corporal in the hut. He said put the light out. I was going hard to finish the bed and said "just a little while" however he was adamant and went to fetch the guard to put me into detention – "clink" as it was termed.

I thought well, it’s no use spending the night there if I can get out of it, so I went to the Sergt-Major and gained his permission to have the light till I made the bed properly. The corporal was saying to me when I got back "come on away with the guard". I said the

[Page 233]
233
Sergt-Major has given me permission to have a light. "You come with me and I will see him". Eventually I gained my way but the Sergt-Major said had he known the circumstances I should have "gone in".

The surroundings were beautiful about the camp. Just outside was a veritable carpet of French marguerites. Poppies too grew in profusion. To crown all the weather was usually fine and mellow. Somehow to me in France the sun seems to have been put through a filter before reaching and warming the earth.

We had some manoeuvres here as well as at Mailett Mailett. As a matter of fact this was the reason why

[Page 234]
234
we were sent to these places.

There was too a very steep hill in the vicinity. This place proved no exception to the rule.

This hill climbing at the end of the route-march was always a test for us with our packs. It is a saying of mine that I never fell out of a route march on the way. On one occasion I sat down – I could have finished with the rest.

After going through the manoeuvres we were marched back to our old "home" Buire.

Along the route near Frecourt we noticed the graves of some Germans who had been killed hereabouts in the fighting.

Settling down in Buire we went through the usual

[Page 235]
235
routine of a soldiers life. Bombing, bayonet fighting, organised games, swimming.

The weather on the whole was splendid. We took up our old position in the outhouse.

One incident I will mention happened me here. It was in connection with some 2 chaps in the company. I had made friends with a very nice chap, he came from a good home and we got on very well with each other. He was quite in the way of being a mate. This other fellow was one who had a partiality for nicely brought up young lads and they in turn liked him. I was asked one day by the young man if I thought it good to go with the other chap. I for his own

[Page 236]
236
good advised him not to keep company with him. When he had secured my advice he went back and told the other chap what I had said! Of course under the circumstances he came and reprimanded me for what I had done and at 12 o’clock that night when all was silent and the troops were asleep I heard a rustling amongst the straw and then felt somebody’s hand on which was some honey rubbed into my face and hair. So ends the story of how I tried to do a good turn to a young chap.

I struck some guard duty here. I didn’t appreciate it at all owing to the fact that it was so unbroken. One would put in

[End of this diary]

[Transcribed by David Lambert for the State Library of New South Wales]