Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Geoffrey Bell Hughes diary, 1 January 1916-31 December 1916
MLMSS 3923

[Page 3]
[Previous pages cover]

With Compliments from Joyce Walters

[Notes in margin]
Capt Harry Ronald D.S.O. wounded.
Capt Keith McKenzie M C & Bar wounded

Should anyone find my diary please send return to [indecipherable] Newtown Sydney N.S.W. Australia

[Page 4]
Geoffrey Hughes
No 2914
5th Field Ambulance
5th Infantry Brigade

Finder. Please send on to Claude Fay, Enmore Hotel, Enmore. N.S.W. Australia

[Page 5]
Lieut [indecipherable] Machine Gun
Jim Fay Wound
Bill Locker Killed
A. Beattie
Dick Peate Killed Pozieres July 29th
Captain Rush Killed 15/11
Keith Scott Wounded
Roy Jolly Wounded
Horace Burcher Wounded
Ted Donovan
Jim Fay Wounded [M.C.]
Vere Cunningham. W.
Johnny Wain killed
Jake Harrison Killed
Alick Adams Wounded
Geoff Wood Wounded
Dick Jennings Wounded
Mar – Potter Wounded
MM Scotty Thompson Wounded
MM Sgt Christmas Wounded
Lieut Bruce Monie Killed Great Advance
Bede Carrol Wounded – Died of W.

[Names in margin]
Bob [indecipherable] Missing – Gallipoli
Jack Morris Died of Wounds
T. Agassiz Killed
O’Toole Killed Somme

Ron Mayne Killed
Bill [Cunningham] Killed [indecipherable]

[Page 6]
Capt. – Lodsdale. Killed of Wounds. Received at Quinns Pope
Norm. Lewis Killed near Armentieres.
Leiut. Frank. Cheadle Killed near Armientiers, Gallipoli
Sgt. Castleton V.C. Killed
Bob Halloran Died of Wounds.
Ern Doust Ypres
Stanley Page Killed Gallipoli
Sgt. Billy. Cobbin Killed in his billet at Armentieres
Clarry Loten Wounded
Whitehead Died of Sickness Maita.
Lieut. Carroll Killed near Armentieres
Sgt. Rockliffe Killed in Great Advance
Cyril Leishmann Died of Sickness Evacuated Gallipoli
July 26 Wounded 5 Field Ambulance – Marriot, Brighton, Alb. Forrest, Pat. Fahey, Caiter Roberts, Connors, Miller. Aberdeen
Macauley Killed in Action
Bill Ramage Killed in Action
[indecipherable] Heath
Hubert Isherwood Killed in the Great Advance
Billy Crichton Killed Gallipoli
Cockie Killed Delville Wood

[Names in margin]
Ron Mayne Killed
Jack Tout

[Page 7]
Harry Gilliners] Killed 22.12
[Names across page]
[indecipherable] Somme
M.C. Capt. Bolton Wood Killed
Capt. Bruce Killed
Lt Young Killed
George White Died at Sea
Harry Dingle Killed
Sgt Ivo Ling MM & Bar Wounded Ret. Aust
Capt. Frizell Killed
Lt. Rupert Caton Returned to Australia
Charlie Dirks Wounded
Harvey Ridcote Killed

[Page 8]
Cpt Garnett Pozieres Wounded
Bob [indecipherable] Killed Pozieres

[Names across page]
[Jim Hurdy]
Allen [indecipherable]
Roy King Killed
[indecipherable] killed
Roberts D.C.M. Wounded Leg. Amp.
Lt Jack Lyonn M. M. M.C. M.S Died of W.
Bob Grogan Killed
Norris Wounded
[indecipherable] Doughty Evac. Becordel
Roy Craig [Gassed]
[indecipherable]
Reg [indecipherable] killed

[Page 9]
Mick Teal killed

[Names across page]
MM Stinger Bailey Killed
Snowy Portus Killed
Walter Luke Killed
MM Alick Coe Killed
Lionel Chalmers Killed
Lt-Col Nicholas Killed
Bede Carrol Died of Wounds
Dockum Connelly Killed
Getting Died of Wounds
Bottomley Killed
Jack Tout Killed
Butterworth Killed
Vic Taylor Killed
Roy Quirk D of W
Gowenlock Killed
Albert Banner K.
Reg Sandalls K
Mick Teal K.
McGuire K
Lt. Vern Hopkins Killed
Freddie Searle K

[Page 10]
Miss T Smith
"Coolick"
Donald St – Hamilton
Newcastle.

Miss J Sussman
Waratah Hotel
Mayfield via Newcastle
N.S.W.

Miss Myra Cameron
"Family Hotel"
Newcastle

Miss H M. Adams
1244 Oakdale Avenue
Chicago
Illinois U.S.A.

R.W. Hughes
c/o Agent General NSW
125 Cannon St
London

[Notes across page]
Sgt Castleton V.C. Killed
Cec Davis Killed
Ernie Doust Wounded
Ern [indecipherable] Killed
Lt. Vern Hopkins Killed
Freddie Searle K

[Page 11]
Miss Joyce Ross
Winfield
150 Valentine St
Bendigo

Mulcahy
84 Stanmore Rd
Stanmore

Miss Mildred Reynolds
308 Bell St
Coburg
Victoria

A Saunders
No 1 L’Avenue
Newtown
Sydney

[Page 12]
Madeleine [indecipherable]
Route [indecipherable]
Steenbecque
Nord France

W. Parsons
2 Princes St London

Lieut L. O’G. Whitfield
Royal Flying Corps
c/o Bank of N.S.W.
Threadneedle St
London

Stuart C. Parson
2 Princes St
London.

[Page 13]
Mdle Jeanne Oudorie
a Steenbecque
Nord France

Mrs Owen
84 Guildhall St
Folkestone
Eng.

Mrs Marshall
40 Endlesham Rd
Balham.
London.

Mrs Peter McLeod
Black River
St. John W.N.B.
Canada

[Page 14]
Corporal W.E.J. Lindfield
3/1 Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry
"St Quintin"
Audley Rd
Chippenham
Wiltshire Eng.

Mrs Ellen Brown
Sydney Mines
Nova Scotia

Miss Muriel Wilson
"Fernvale"
Tallangatta
Victoria

Miss McAlpine
"Chance"
Gympie
Queensland

[Page 15]
Private Sydney,
7 Field Ambulance

This chap spent the last few hours with Frank remaining with him till he passed away. He also laid him out.

Miss W. McAlpine
"Chance"
Gympie
Queensland

[Page 16
[Printed diary headings]

[Page 17]
At Lemnos [indecipherable] arrived 19 December 15.

1 January 1916 Sat
With Ken Price & Arthur Preston paid a visit to the village of Portianos.

All Happy & contented as we lay in the tent – clasping each others hands to the strains of Auld Lang Syne during the outgoing & incoming of the New Year. Great noise from the syrens & whistles of the boats lying in the bay, amidst thousands of troops, cheering & several rockets being sent up. Ones thoughts were in Enmore of such times of the past.

2.1.16
Church – parade. Awfully cold & terribly windy consequently could not hear one word of the chaplains [perinon]. Went to see Jim, Frank, & Ronny induling in a glass of whisky with John [indecipherable].

[Page 18]
Evacuated Gallipoli 18 December 1915.

3 January 1916 Mon
6.30 a.m. broke camp & left for the wharf. A very tiring march & suffering with very bad tooth. Awful cold & windy waiting for the steamboat to take us out to the T.S.S. Manitou. Twentyth Battalion on board also 5th Field engineers also 600 horses. Accommodation rotten lot of the boys sleep in the horseboxes. Good to get in hammocks again.

4 January 1916 Tues
Still in port at Lemnos lying out in stream with H.M.S. Chatham alongside also several other ships of war close by. Several well dressed civillian men & women prisoners on board by what I could gather is that they were captured in Salonica. Bill Amphlett finds a pair of extractors & gets rid of my tooth. The pain was awful.

[Page 19]
5 January 1916 Wed
Sailed for Alexandria at 4 am. Every soldiers issued with life belts which were never to be out of their possession. Escorted by two destroyers. We zigzagged all day in consequence of submarine supposed to be in the vicinity. All lights out. Could not even light a match to smoke.

6 January 1916 Thur
Destroyers left us during the night as we were now considered out of the danger zone. Mess-orderly with Bob [Potter]. Robbo is rather sick. Met Frank Noble & had a long chat to him also an old school chum by the name of Matson from Newtown. Sea exceptionally calm & all in good spirits.

[Page 20]
7 January 1916 Fri
Had a fair number of dressings this morning afterwards breasting the officers bar & securing light refreshments. Met Warrant officer of 20th Battalion who resides at Petersham. Never before have I witnessed such beautiful sunsets as these parts offer.

8 January 1916 Sat
Sgt Bellemey before Colonel

Arrived Alexandria 4 p.m. Hover by mid stream. Played penny banker with the W.O also indulged in hot bath. First decent bath for six months Thousands of sea-gulls around the ships. Also H.M.S. Mars.

[Page 21]
9 January 1916 Sun
Disembarked at 9 a.m. & boarded train for an unknown destination finally arriving after eight hours travelling at Tel-el-Kebir. I might say that we travelled in animal trucks during this long journey. All the boys happy & singing. Scotty gets on his bag-pipes.

10 January 1916 Mon
A most glorious day & we received our big Xmas mail. I received 15 letters. Had no parade before dinner. Broke camp & hunted Vere up. What a meeting it was & how glad I was to see him. Sorry we could not commemorate the meeting with a glass of the best. Getting camp in order in afternoon.

[Page 22]
Our transport joins us up once more so the unit is complete.

11 January 1916 Tues 12 January 1916 Wed
Route march to the old trenches of Tel-el Kebir. Very tiring marching through the sand. This place reminds me so much of the One Tree plain of New South Wales only I know that the old town of Booligal does not lay on the other side of it. Will I ever forget my trip across there with Tom Freeman. I wonder if he is taking part in this great war. I have met several of the coves who I worked side by side with in the shearing shed in day of yore. Fine chaps as some of them were left the bones on Gallipoli.

[Page 23]
13 January 1916 Thur
Nothing of any importance to report to-day. Went to see a few pals close by in the infantry during the night. On my way home I stopped at one of the Crown & Anchor schools. Lost £3 backing the lucky old Heart.

14 January 1916 Fri
Went to see Jack Kater QM.S. A long chat with Lieut Taplin. We have a [indecipherable] in the camp which claims a great number of the boys after the days drill is over. Crown & Anchor & two-up schools are to be seen everywhere. There seems to be plenty of money about.

[Page 24]
15 January 1916 Sat
Physical-drill before breakfast. Morning off Scotty Thompson cuts my hair. Big review in the afternoon inspected by General Murray. A great sight bands playing. Vere came to see me in the night & we went out to-gether. Won £ 4. C&A.

16 January 1916 Sun
Compulsory church-parade. Ken sings very well. Met Horace Birchers cousin. Cockie came from Cairo to see me. A great meeting. Spent the day with him talking about old times & had our dinner composing half a dozen oranges. Saw Jimmie Frank & Ronnie.

[Page 25]
washing

17 January 1916 Mon
Spent some time with Frank during the day also induling in light refreshments with him. Saw many more of my old friends. Sand blowing all over the place one gets his stew full of grit when he makes a start on. Tent orderly, Ginner loses all my [text continued at top of page]

18 January 1916 Tues
[No entry]

[Page 26]
19 January 1916 Wed
Scotty Thompson end the day by telling of his old love Mary Taylor

20 January 1916 Thur
Fell off the camels back.

[Page 27]
yes old billiard-room.

21 January 1916 Fri
Steve Jeffes receives billy from Ivy James of Walcha. Went to see Vere & Cecil Johnson & then called on Jimmy [Youman]. It is so much like old times when we get together to have a little chat. I wonder if ever the time will see us altogether again in [text continued at top of page]

22 January 1916 Sat
Ken leaves for Cairo. Paid a visit to Lieut Roger Mogue drank his health with a couple of the old familiar brand of black-white. Went to see Jim Frank & Taplin in the night & gave the Crown & Anchor a few bob after I had left them. Waggon drill all the morning. Afternoon off.

[Page 28]
23 January 1916 Sun
Being the Sabbath – church held on the desert very hot. Visions of large glasses of beer & ginger ale. Had the afternoon off which was spent playing bluff poker lost as usual. Letter from Harry Fay received. Wrote to Joyce Walters. Bellemey very dry.

24 January 1916 Mon
Stretcher-drill all the morning. Enough to break a man’s heart trudging through the sand. Route march in the afternoon to the old trenches of Tel-el-Kebir. Short lecture by Major Moseley & Captain Frizell. Went to the canteen with two-speed Murphy who shouted two bottles of beer. Wrote to Maude Griffiths & Joyce Ross.

[Page 29]
25 January 1916 Tues
Steve & Scott & I canteen six of the best. Tent nearly blew down during the night – big gale blowing. Stretcher drill in the morning & grains of sand as big as kerb-stones blowing in my eyes. Route march in the afternoon got wet though. Lieut Ronny sick. Went to see him with Scotty & had a drink or two.

26 January 1916 Wed
A big head at Revellie. Sick-parade Day-off. Ken arrives back from Cairo Great fun when he opens up his parcels. Big Xmas cake all hands in the tent indulge freely. Afternoon off. Played 1st F.A. football lost 9 to nil. Jeff Wood & Jennings brought back to camp under armed escort for overstaying leave.

[Page 30]
27 January 1916 Thur
Semaphore-drill before breakfast finishing up with an extra big double across the sand. Major Moseley annoyed threatens more drill besides using awful language. Company drill before dinner. Scotty Thompson & Murphy have big argument as usual at dinner. Fred Jeffes suffers with sweaty feet. All heads under blanket.

28 January 1916 Fri
Day – picquet. Very warm walking up & down the lines. Struck tents. Issued with new riding breeches being that Xlarge they were up to my armpits. Herbies squad salutes as the parade goes by.

[Page 31]
29 January 1916 Sat
Visited 1st Field Ambulance & met Sid Woollams having my photo taken with him. Ken & Robbo came with me. Had tea with Davey Evans. Kens’ cousin saw Jimmy & Frank who looks the same as ever. Met Ruby who kept the paper shop [indecipherable]

30 January 1916 Sun
A very quiet day & very hot stuff again struck picquet. Saw Jimmy & Taplin staying & yarning to them for fully an hour. Spent most of my spare time in writing occasionaly visiting the canteen to work off the terrible thirst one gathers in his throat about mid-day.

[Page 32]
R.M.O. 25th Batt commits suicide

31 January 1916 Mon
Up with the stars & in company with Steve caught the 7.30 am train to Cairo. Hall springs off his tail at the Khediva Dinner in the gardens after adjournying to see Victoria Joseph. Chemists advice F.L. out the window. Met [indecipherable]. Steve busy with Abdul. Ronny Mac in the train coming home.

[Note in margin]
8 piastries

1 February 1916 Tues
Very fresh on arising considering the big night I had gone through. Stretcher drill by Major Phipps. Paraded before Colonel at 9 am asking for a transfer to the infantry. Could not grant it for some time. Acted as escort to Broncho who was charged with furious driving. Case discharged. Went to see Frank at night. Vere called to see me for about half an hour.

[Page 33]
[Roumanall] killed – midnight Charge

2 February 1916 Wed
Route march before breakfast. Lecture by the Colonel on treatment of wounds on the desert at 10 a.m. Afternoon off & Ken & myself went to the the historic graveyard of Tel-el Kebir. Coldstream-Guards, Life, Dragoon, [indecipherable] buried. Met [Anthony] canteen. [age]

3 February 1916 Thur
Signalling before breakfast. Lecture on Sanitation by Major Phipps at 10 a.m. A lot of Kid given by Major Moseley who dismisses us a quarter of an hour early. After dinner lecture on the contents of an ambulance waggon followed by loading of wounded into waggon.

[Page 34]
Like old times met Nick in the new canteen

4 February 1916 Fri
Drill all day which is now becoming very monotonous. Johnny Harper Norm Burgess & Jack Dudgeon are still here. It seems so hard to realize at times that we are all together in this part of the world. A new canteen floated patronized by Herbie Steve & I [text continued at top of page]

5 February 1916 Sat
Last night I was suffering with a bad cold & of course sought the herbabetic advice of Herbie. When we were all in bed in the tent he gave me some eucalypt on sugar. I kidded to smother on the grounds that he had overdosed me. Will I ever forget the antics of Herbie.

Rains very hard & Herbie & Dad Hall get on the sherbert. Herbie enters the tent wet through & horrible drunk at 9.30 p.m. Nearly capsizes the tent through falling on the pole several times. Takes his trousers off by numbers.

[Page 35]
7.2.16 Met Cullen & Vere & bid them good bye indulging in half a dozen bottles of beer. Lucky to get train.

6 February 1916 Sun
Church – parade 9.30. After dinner went for a tat-ta with Steve & partook of eight bottles of beer & stout. All the boys full to the neck. The butchers eyes stood out like [indecipherable] Norm Burgess & Jack Dudgeon both there. Scotty Thompson & Steve are put on picquet in charge of Canteen which resulted in 18 bottles of King George. Big night sleep out of the question. Murphy is tempted with the juice.

7 February 1916 Mon
Up at 4 a.m. feeling rather groggy. Struck tents & with a pint of whisky & tea moved off for the station. On arriving there loaded trucks. Twelve of the lads & Sgt Long remanded with 3 waggons till the evening train.

Met Arnold Markey & [Aggo] & went to see Vere during the day. Nearly missed train. Teb-el-Kebir with fifth artillery at 9.30. Arrived Camp Station midnight worked with Artillery till 4 a.m. Accused of stealing case which [text ends]

[Note in margin]
[indecipherable] & Mitchell big argument

[Page 36]
J. Dugdeon gets 14 hour field punish
R Hughes [indecipherable]
Waggon sinks to bottom of canal

8 February 1916 Tues
Arose at 7.30 & boiled the billy outside Aberzickerys booking-office on the station. Went to have a look at the Royal Flying Corps & inspected the aeroplanes. Two men decorated with D.C.M. Passed through Ismailia 2 p.m. a most beautiful place [indecipherable]. Long wait at canal for pontoon at our new destination 6.15 pm. Ferrys

9 February 1916 Wed
Route march before breakfast. Infantry band practice. 3 trains of some of the old familiar nags. Struck more tents. Colonel [Roth] D.C. leaves the corps to take up his new duties as D.D.M. Major Phipps takes command. Colonel addresses us & says Good-bye. Broncho arrives home with an extra big dromadery camel which causes great excitement throughout the camp when the camel does it block.

[Page 37]
10 February 1916 Thur
Route march & extended-order before breakfast. Signalling Harry Benson partner who is not particular as to the french contain in his messages. Dinner sees bully-beef stew on the scene once more. Very enjoyable afternoon spent on a lecture given by Captain Frizell who spoke on venereal & contagious diseases. Great views of aeroplanes during the day.

11 February 1916 Fri
Semaphore early morning. Swimming to the Canal after breakfast. Started to learn Morse Code. After dinner fell in for pay & then adjourned with Vickery to the canteen about a mile away. Saw Jim at Army Service corps but not to speak to. Met Roy Asprey. All the boys rush the Jippo-donkeys as they come along the road.

[Page 38]
called out in front of parade to illustrate a certain mode of carrying. Great Laughter [indecipherable].

12 February 1916 Sat
March early in the morning & very cold but got extremely hot towards midday. What would I give for a glass of beer & ginger on such a day as this. Swimming in the canal before dinner. Went to the two-up school in the afternoon & won £4. Lecture by Captain SaVage on artificial respiration. Ken & myself are [text continues top of page]

13 February 1916 Sun
A repetition of yesterday scorching hot. Church parade on the Sinai desert. Played two-up after – came away winning a couple of pounds. Twelve months to-day since I enlisted & what a great experience the past six months have been. Made an attempt to keep the day up by trying to get drunk on Café-a-liat. No effect.

[Page 39]
14 February 1916 Mon
A. Markey 1260
D. Comp
30 Battalion
Tel el Kebir
Written by Arnold in train from Cairo to Ismailia 16.2.16.

Herbie closes the day by referring to his boyhood days relating his tales of love up against the Poor House wall – ninety one [indecipherable]

15 February 1916 Tues
Paraded orderly room before Colonel Phipps for leave to Cairo which was granted. Swimming parade to the canal before dinner. Zulu is put in command of our squad & cant give orders for laughing. All hands indulge also. Received two letters & photo from Thelmas Smith. Mail Steamer passes along canal looks as though she is homeward bound.

[Page 40]
16 February 1916 Wed
Keith Stokes the piquet woke me at about 3.30 am & with Hall & Macarthy proceeded to start on our long walk to Ismailia station. All hands to work on the punt which took us across the Suez Canal. Left Ismailia 6 am & arrived Cairo 10.30 am.

Argument with Egyptian boot black. Got garry to National Hotel. Leaving there drove to Madame – a most beautiful residence. Dinner & several wets at the Petrograde where I met Charlie Holt. Later on at the same place dropped across Clyde Smith & Sgt Deery. Got a list to port which resulted in loss of great coat. Met Italian officer at the American Bar. Very sick coming home saw Arnold Markey in train. Arrived back to camp at 2 am next day.

17.2.16
Suffering recovery after the night at the same time stretcher drill on the desert. Major Aidy takes command of B. Section. Swim in the canal much better.

[Page 41]
Returned back to other section 5.30 p.m. & then comforts issued.

18 February 1916 Fri
B Section Struck tents at 7.30 & with the waggons loaded & packs up moved off across the desert. Arriving at destination practice tent – pitching. Afterwards underwent field operations of bringing in wounded & treatment of wounds. My job in the operation theatre. Lectures by Captain Savage & inspection by colonel.

[Note in margin]
Ali Hassan shots a doubler in theatre.

19 February 1916 Sat
Nothing happened out of the ordinary save eight hours picquet. Hair parade by Captain Shannessy which resulted in Steve cutting mine. Vickery leaves suffering with mumps. Ali Hassan plunges to-night spending 15 piasteres in biscuits. A good old sing song to-night dont some of the old songs bring back fond memories. Wont a man like talking about these days after over.

[Page 42]
Also a march past & taking the salute from General Birdwood.

20 February 1916 Sun
Church-parade with 6th Brigade attended by Generals Birwoods & [Godley] & Paton & staff. After the service General Birwood addressed one & all in words of praise for the great work they did under him at Gallipoli. No wonder all the boys think the world of him [text continued at top of page].

1.45 pm ‘B Sect’ bids farewell to 5th Field Ambulance & start on 8 mile walk to Rail Head which is just about the start of the trenches. Sorry to have to say good-bye to Norm Burgess. Also Davis, Jack Dudgeon & Cropley. Arrive Rail Head 4.30. Join up with B Section 7th Field from S.A.

21.2.16
Everything seems to be going along alright in our new quarters nothing but Jippoes camels & sand. Billy Weisener joins us in dinner. Sid Stanley pushes his boat off to a new job at Ismailia.

[Page 43]
spending something like an hour with him speaking & referring to news of Enmore & its surroundings.

22 February 1916 Tues
Water out here very scarce about a pint & a half per man a day. Left the camp with the mules on an eight walk to bring in a cove from the 18th Battalion. Very dark crossing the desert & very tired. Saw Frank [text continues at top of page].

23 February 1916 Wed
Before breakfast Physical drill & a couple of refreshing doubles through the sand. The sand here is running sand which makes the going exceptionally heavy. The boys are all hard at work each day building the railing which now stretchers a good distance into desert. The afternoon was spent in tent – [indecipherable] & news that Turkey was on the verge of collapse. What joy.

[Page 44]
Two letters received from Randolph now employed in Cairo.

24 February 1916 Thur
Picquet from eleven last night till 3 this morning. It was a most glorious night walking up & down the lines & as still as death. The best part of the day was spent with the shovel in digging deep pits. The boys started to throw sand at one another which went too far & resulted in Jack Murphy & Scotty Thompson coming to blows.

25 February 1916 Fri
Tent orderley. After breakfast [indecipherable] Sutton put a filling in one of my teeth. Met Bob Farnsworth with the camels who had been over for the mail. He looked well & we spoke of poor old Bob Halloran our old school chum & one of the lads who was killed at Gallipoli. Another old identity of Enmore I met to-day was young Cole whose people kept the Grocery business in Enmore.

[Page 45]
26 February 1916 Sat
Went stone, penniless broke last night playing banker. Steve breaks the bank. C Section leaves the 5th Field Ambulance for ever & goes to make up 15th Field Am. Digging operations again during morning. Afternoon off spent in a sun bath on the sand. Getting very brown.

27 February 1916 Sun
Quartermasters fatigue. Terrible hot to day. Wrote & sent photoes to Harry, Roy, Sugar, Mary & home. Water still scarce what would we give for a dip in the surf at Bondi now. Dicky Smart came & had dinner with us. Met Fatty Weston who came in sick. Letter received from Thelma Smith. She seems a decent sort or sport I should say.

[Page 46]
28 February 1916 Mon
Start of tent week this week. I have with me Pat Murphy as partner. Venereal diseases very prevelant. Good information from Head Quarter that we will be off to France in a couple of weeks hence. News came through to-day concerning the big battle of Verdun. Good news & all rejoicing.

29 February 1916 Tues
This place is becoming quite a home. The only drawback is the insufficient supply of water. One cannot wash even a pair of socks let alone his body. Tucker here is very good. Football every afternoon after tea. A spy was caught in Egyptian clothes to-day out here & taken to H.Q.

[Page 47]
1 March 1916 Wed
Twelve months to-day since I joined this unit. Arthur Preston while in Cairo calls to see Randolph for me. A lot of the boys suffering from mumps. Big debate in tent 8 pm. Pommies verses Australians. We have 5 Poms in the tent.

2 March 1916 Thur
A most awful day. Sand blowing about in sheets. Sailors from the Euraylus come to spend a few days in the trenches. There are now eleven hundred camels here employed carrying water & stores from Ferby Post. A most awful stormy night it is a wonder the tents pegs are holding.

[Page 48]
& soda. He was of course [indecipherable] & was trying to stand at attention at the same time reeling all over the place. I sent him to Bell. Steve gets his name taken.

3 March 1916 Fri
Murphy at last owns up that that he is full of the whole affair reciting pieces from [indecipherable].

A very funny think happened this afternoon. A squatter Lance Corporal wandered into our camp with a throat as dry as a camel & asked for a Stimulant of some sort. The Q.M. sent him to me who came & saluted me thinking me an officer & didn’t he put the kid in for a whiskey [text continues at top of page]

4 March 1916 Sat
Kit – inspection a man standing at the head of all his clothes etc laying out on the ground resembles a licensed dealer in old wares especially after having twelve months wear.

Took the mules & the sand cart out to Lithgoro Post for malaria case. I was only thinking trudging through the sand nearly blinded with sand & thirsty trying to realize it was a Saturday afternoon as compared with those of old

[Page 49]
New Zealand Mounted infantry arrived at 5 oclock p.m. Saw Jimmie on his way back.

5 March 1916 Sun
A chap was brought in this morning from the 23rd Batt unconscious caused through a fight. Poor chap he was only 19 years of age & never regained his senses. At eleven oclock Major Brennan held a Post Mortem & I went to have a look at his body opened up & also his skull taken off.

6 March 1916 Mon
Very hot again. Kept busy all day as I secured a fair quantity of water & was able to do all my washing. Had a bath to-night in my dixie although I did not have much water it was very acceptable. Rough up in the tent to-night owing to the good news that we are leaving here to-morrow.

[Page 50]
I think the past fortnight has been a picnic & we are sorry to go.

7 March 1916 Tues
Struck camp at Reveille & moved off for Ferry Post. Ken & myself told off to go with the mules and sand-carts. Arrived at F.P. at mid-day. Thousands of New Zealanders here in fact I think the whole lot of them. Many of the old stars of football fame are with them such as Roberts etc. A finer body of men I dont remember seeing. They are taking over our positions at the trenches.

8 March 1916 Wed
Slept under waggons last night. Thousands more of NZ troops passed through at different intervals last night. Left Ferry Post 9.30 & crossed Suez Canal about 10’oclock. Very hot on the march. Passed through Ismailia coming by the Bridal Path all the way at 11.30. Arrived Moasca about dinner where we picked up A Section & many of the other boys who had been to England & Malta Sick. Inoculated.

[Page 51]
9 March 1916 Thur
Called to see Jim Fay last night & also Jack Kater. Reinforcements arrive. Dug a new cess pit the best part of the day. During the march yesterday we halted & rested at the A.S.C. where I weighed myself to the surprise of putting on a stone & a half since I joined the army.

10 March 1916 Fri
Practising getting kit’s ready all the morning. Aeroplanes here are very common. You see them overhead all day. Spent the afternoon on the water-waggon so never had a thirst up. Met Lieut McK. Paid again this afternoon so the old water proof sheet candle & pack of cards will be in full swing to night.

[Page 52]
11 March 1916 Sat
Our black kit bags arrive from Cairo. Got a great surprise this morning in meeting Horace Bircher at the canteen. It is just two years since I saw him last. Went to see Jim Ronny as usual introduces the bottle. Met Frank Noble & one or two others.

12 March 1916 Sun
Church parade a great sight. All the 5th Brig attended. Bands playing. Addressed by General Birdwood followed by March Past. Horace came to see me in afternoon & we went to see Frank who took our photoes. Went will Bell who was suffering after a big night to see Doc Grey. Had a wet. Went broke again to-night.

[Page 53]
13 March 1916 Mon
Route march on Reveille. Full dress parade after breakfast followed by company drill. Short-arm parade by Captain Davenport & more Stretcher drill with new reinforcements. Had tea at the canteen with Scotty partaking in a set of fried eggs tomatoes Turkish Delight & Woodbines.

14 March 1916 Tues
Back to saluting by numbers the very first thing we learnt at Liverpool. Went for a swim to the Bitter Lakes. Thousands & thousands of the boys were there. Picquet to night from 3 am till 7 am. Gordon Noakes woke me at 3 am & I relieved him. Lit the cooks fire & made a big billy of tea for the tent.

[Page 54]
each trying the helmets on which are the latest being used on Western Front.

15 March 1916 Wed
Stretcher drill again this morning. Saw Jimmie Mr. MacKenzie & Taplin to have a yarn to. Another swimming – parade to the Bitter lakes. Mr Wilson leaves us for Australia amidst great send off & cheer from the boys. 7.30 pm. Colonel Phipps gives lecture on gas also [text continued at top of page]

16 March Thur
Getting ready to move off. Suffering with a very bad headache. Broke camp 12.30 p.m. & marched to [Moaseau] Station. Loaded trucks & left there at 2.30 am Friday. We all travelled in open trucks. Got very cold towards morning. This seems as though we are bidding farewell to Egypt. The 7th Battalion have broke camp also so more than likely we will accompany each other wherever we are bound for.

[Page 55]
Les [Wakeford] on Board

17 March 1916 Fri
Arrived Alexandria 11 oclock & lost no time in getting aboard the S.S. Arcadia. A fine ship & very clean. 16 to each mess. 17th Battalion 13th Light Horse, Engineers all on board. Jimmy Fay here. Left Alexandria 5. pm. All precautions taken against submarines as usual.

18 March 1916 Sat
(Boys) Slept at the foot of the companion way last night. A bit of a sea running consequently a lot of the boys are down to it. Bell Sid Bragg & myself indulge in a fair amount of light refreshments through the day. Busy with typhoid innoculations very nearly all day. We were also done ourselves.

[Page 57]
One cannot realize that he is so near to the shores of France. One of my great ambitions.

21 March Tues
Attended sick parade 6.45 am. Ken & I are in the dispensary to-day & have some fun diagnosing the different cases finally finishing up with No 9’s. Boat drill again today & also a big bath going & Orders say everyone is compelled to have a bath. Sea getting rough.

22 March 1916 Wed
A very quiet day in fact after I had done the dressings I turned in for the day. At night saw Ronnie & he procured me a couple of bottles of whisky & Bell, Sid Bragg & Arthur Preston polished them off in the orderley room. Passed Toulon about 8 pm. Arrived off Marseilles not long after. As I was just dozing off to sleep I could hear the anchor.

[Page 58]
23 March 1916 Thur 24 March 1916 Fri
Woke at 5 am as the ship was moving along on its way to the dock. To-day is my birthday & I am thoroughly enjoying it. Tom Windrum gave me a present.

Even now I cannot realize I am lying alongside the wharf at France one of the three places that has always been my ambition to see. Bell comes to the rescue with a big bottle of whisky.

Marched to our camping ground through the outskirts of the town. A more beautiful residence I never saw. It is 7 p.m. & Scotty enters the tent accompanied by Steve & Frazer & a consignment of twelve bottles of the best.

25
Picked to go with the advance party & marched through Marsielles arriving at railway station 10.30 am. Left Marsielles 11.30 am being accommodated in exceptionally good traveling cars. Our first stop of importance was Arles from there to Avignon where we stopped a couple of hours. We received a great reception all along the line. Arrived Valence about 9 am coming in contact with many men.

[Note in margin]
Montelimar – Orange

[Page 59]
25 March 1916 Sat
Arrived at Lyons 2 am & stayed there till 7 a.m. Had several of the real genuine wines at the different stations. We then came to Macon from there to Chalon-s-Saone & then to Beaune & Dijon. Beautiful view of the Rhone running alongside sometimes for miles. All the fruit trees in bloom. Women working the farms. Such beautiful country I have never seen before. Arrived Dijon 8 pm. We have now been 33 hours in this train.

[Note in margin]
Red-cross nurses – coffee

26 March 1916 Sun
Passed Tonnerre not long after midnight. Arrived Joigny. Passing along the line one sees the crowded troop trains with the French troops returning on furlough. We then stopped at Sens Montereau & Melun at the same time crossing River Seine. Arrived Villeneuve St Georges 12.30 am. Boys put straw through bung hole in cask of wine on station. Left this place 7.30 & found we were in wrong train

[Note in margin]
big guns & armoured trains

[Page 60]
27 March 1916 Mon 28 March 1916 Tues
Could see the lights of Paris last night as we were within 3 miles of it. Slept in Railway Yard about 4 miles out of Paris last night side by side with French soldiers who were resting there too. Very cold at 4 am this morning when we marched to our railway carriages. Passed through Chantilly Frances great horse racing centre. Then on to Creil. Arrived Amiens 2 pm. Wine 1 Franc a bottle. Abbeville, Boulogne, Calais. Just fancy 20 miles from old England.

Arrived Dunkirk 11 pm. Slept in carriages. Up early coffee with railway employees. Women here are numerous working on railways. Left Dunkirk 6 am & arrived Hazebrouck 11 am. changing trains to Thiermies where we disembarked. Marched through the village to our billet about two miles down the road. Large barn straw all going well.

I write this in a tavern in Flanders sitting by a big fire induling in beer 1d. a glass & wine 2d. One hears the big guns booming again out at the firing line which by what I can gather would be at La Bassee or around it.

[Note in margin]
Wounded [indecipherable] coming through

[Page 61]
children five of them are always about in the barn etc. Coffee & meals are procurable within. After tea Scot Steve Ken & myself have a long walk.

29 March 1916 Wed
We all had a good sleep last night for it was quite a treat to lay on straw instead of sand. Very cold & slight flakes of snow fell during the day. Went for a route through the village of Thiennes passed Jim Fay on the way. Afternoon was spent as a holiday. The people with whom we are located are Flemish & are very sociable. The [text continued at top of page]

[Note in margin]
Fancy being in Flanders.

30 March 1916 Thur
I was awakened this morning by the noise of the fowls outside ye old barn-house. Six of us were ordered to [Steenburque] as a clearing station to the 20th Batt. Left Thiennes 10 am. in full marching order & arrived at our destination midday. At this place so far I have enjoyed one of the best days I have spent so far in the military. We have a motor attached at our disposal. The night time was occupied in visiting the different taverns where we sat till 8 pm.

[Note in margin]
Met Alworth.

[Page 62]
due I suppose to the great amount of Vin being consumed.

31 March 1916 Fri
Every second house in this village is an inn & they are open selling beer & wine only from 11 till 1 pm. & from 6 till 8 p.m. They are well patronised & are always full. We have two tommies attached to us who are in charge of the motor. Fine coves & we get on well together. Very sick to-night [text continued at top of page]

1 April 1916 Sat
There is a beautiful church here & very old, but inside the work of art is magnificent. The cave with Christ’s body after being crucified. The big guns are booming some to-day. 39 motor ambulance in one line passed through this morning. Everyone is doing his best to pick up French & the expressions at times are very queer. Toby, Arthur & Norm come to see us & stay for tea in the barn

[Note in margin]
Nearly every in black

[Page 63]
that Australia does not appeal to me now. Having no wish to go back save for those I know & love.

2 April 1916 Sun
Ken & myself are the cooks to-day & I can say that we acted up to the mark no wonder when we put a ½ lb of butter in the mashed potatoes. Steve leaves us to go back to H.Q. broken-hearted to leave his little french girl Jennie. Harry [Benso] takes his place. I have am so taken up with France [text continued at top of page]

[Note in margin]
Met Jack [indecipherable]

3 April 1916 Mon
A very quiet day the most of the time spent in the local inns. Mr. James came out & paid us. We expect to be in the thick of it in a few days time. Toby & Jeff Wood go as the advance party to the trenches & at this moment as I hear the sound of the big guns I expect they are right amongst it.

[Page 64]
Finished the day with [indecipherable] the half back for S. Sydney League & a bottle of champagne.

4 April 1916 Tues
Very late on arising just having time for a mouthful of tea & off with 5th Brig H.Q. to Thiennes to draw rations. There I met Cecil Alwarth who acted as good samaritan by giving me nine packets of smokes. Saw Jim on my way out who was bound for a gas demonstration.

[Note in margin]
Visited the brewery

5 April 1916 Wed
Did the cooking again to-day. Jim & Dick have orders to go & join up with their H.Q. & at 4 pm we opened a couple of bottles of vin bidding them farewell. A big sing song in the White Horse estaminet to night. All merry when the doors close at 8 oclock. Such times as these I did not think were in store.

[Page 65]
6 April 1916 Thur
An uneventful day nothing in particular happened save that we received orders that we are to pack up to-night & march back to Thiennes to join our Head Quarters. Left Steenbecque 5.30 pm after bidding farewell to Jeanie & Madeline. Thus ends the happiest week I have spent in the army.

7 April 1916 Fri
Reveille at 5 am early breakfast & with packs up left Thiennes. All the 5th Brigade leave Steenbercque to-gether. A great sight. Pass General Joffre & staff on the road. Passed through Hazebrouck dinner time & several other villages during day. Arr Outersteene about 5 pm. after doing some 15 miles. Camped for the night in an old school room.

[Note in margin]
Saw Bolton Wood who spoke of Frank

[Page 66]
Passed & saw Jim Fay & Doc Grey on the march to-day.

8 April 1916 Sat
By 10 am the whole brigade was on the move again. More small villages & at some of them some very old houses as far back as 1620. Arrived Steenwerck 2.30 all footsore weary & tired doing something like another ten miles. A very decent town. Several of the famous Scottish regiments & numerous taverns.

9 April 1916 Sun
We are here billeted in an old convent. I am on night duty from 6.30 pm till 6.30 am. Spent a good part of the day in the local inns with Steve. Met Luke Isaacs. Several aeroplanes to be seen during day being exposed to heavy shrapnel fire. This place is within a few miles of the Belgian border & the nearest place of note being Armentieres.

[Page 67]
It seems as though this war will never terminate when one sees the thousands of troops that are yet [left]

10 April 1916 Mon
It is 2 am as I write these few words & as I look up & out towards the firing line I see the signals & reflections of the big guns & the noise of them is terrific. Some poor beggars are getting it to-night. Ken & myself pay a visit to see Lawrence indulging in light refreshments. Saw Horace Bircher coming through the town.

11 April 1916 Tues
Went around to the estaminet at 6.30 am for coffee with Marshall Rice. After breakfast Ken & I spent the best part of the morning with Germaine & Lawrence. Slept in the afternoon. Ken takes our photoes in the back yard of the estaminet. Beautiful singing by a tommie of Sheffield Choir [tone]

[Page 68]
people are quite homely & Ken & myself are always welcome.

12 April 1916 Wed
As usual coffee at 6.30 am. After breakfast Ken & self turn in together enjoying a good rest. Raining some to-day. Had a hot bath which was great. At 2 p.m. made our way to the estaminate having coffee half a dozen times with Mrs. Weillaert. These [text continued at top of page]

13 April 1916 Thur
17th Battalion sustains their first causalities 2 wounded & one killed. Very cold to-day. Met Lieutenant Tims who told me of Jimmy & went around to our friends place & sipped coffee all day nearly. In the wards Marsh & I are looking after are mostly highlanders. Northumberland Fusiliers & many other well known regiments

[Page 69]
14 April 1916 Fri
A very quiet night last night. Met Ray Rex this morning drinking his health with a bottle of
[shamp]. Raining constantly to-day & slight flakes of snow falling. Had my photo taken with Lawrence & Germaine. News of French victories at Verdun. 30,000 German casualities.

15 April 1916 Sat
A big day in company with Ted Allen visited the different inns. Several taubes about to-day. Thousands more Australian troops arrive to-day. Big concert in the mess-room to-night. Tommy artists big success. Jules leaving his home saying good-bye to his mother leaving for Verdun. I wonder if she will ever see him

[Page 70]
Received letters & photoes from Fos Crozier, Joy Sussman mother & Val.

16 April 1916 Sun
I have at last something to write down. About midnight last night just after I had dozed off to sleep I was awakened by the noise of a Zeppelin & a few minutes later crash. He was on his deadly errand of bomb dropping. Luckily our building was not hit. Saw the damage done.

17 April 1916 Mon
The sad news reaches me of poor old Billy Cobbin’s death killed by shrapnel behind his gun. Another face Enmore will not see again. One of the best. The Zeppelin did not return last night. Met [indecipherable] from Illawarra Rd to night. All is well & the guns are kicking up a hell of a row.

[Note in margin]
Armientieres

[Page 71]
18 April 1916 Tues
Raining very hard & awfully cold a typical winters day in Flanders. The town crier comes round reading orders. Tucker is getting awful. Soldiers everywhere. Heavy artillery pass through. I wonder with all the men we have can anything be done in the coming Great Offensive.

19 April 1916 Wed
Never even had [indecipherable] to get a cup of coffee this morning with Marsh. Things are pretty stiff. Slept nearly all day. Awfully cold night again & very black outside. Every few minutes the sky is lit up like day by the German star shells as they burst

[Page 72]
Ride in motor. To night the big artillery are making a hell of a noise. The advance guard of the Russians arrive at Marseilles 150,000.

20 April 1916 Thur
As soon as we had breakfasted Ken Marsh & myself left for a trip to Bailleul. A fine town. Inspected the church & saw the door which the Germans prized open to gain admittance to the steeple. Went also to Meteren & Strazelle doing altogether about 20 miles. Saw old trenches.

21 April 1916 Good Fri
There were no hot cross-buns on the doorstep this morning. A very quiet day slept nearly all day. A very busy night kept going all the time. One poor cove was brought in with a temperature of 105 & after getting to work for an hour I brought it down to 101. The search lights are watching for aircraft.

[Page 73]
for a concert within the sound & reach of the guns. Captain Penfold & the bottle.

22 April 1916 Sat
A great number of aeroplanes up early this morning several German, exposed to heavy shrapnel fire from anti-aircraft guns. Met & had a long yarn to the old Captain Penfold Sydneys balloonist who is resting our our station. He is very amusing telling of his experiences in the air over Sydney. Big concert to-night several good artists. It seems so queer [text continued at top of page]

23 April 1916 Easter Day
A beautiful day for the sun is shining the first time for over a week. Sid Bragg & myself went for a long walk & had not got far when we saw coming our way two or three battalions of soldiers. They were the South Africans who had just arrived from Marsielles. We then adjourned to the estaminet meeting several good chaps including a D.C.M. of Ypres & also a cove who seconded Carpiartere in fight against Gunboat Smith.

[Page 74]
The Colonials are well represented here now with the Canadians & Africans. Steve leaves for the gas school.

24 April 1916 Easter Mon
Three German aeroplanes brought down & two British. More Africans arrive. Spent most of the day in the estaminet with Marsh, Keith, Sid. All making best of Easter Monday as possible. Enjoyed a good tea of steak & chips. Big concert to-night in the mess-room tendered to us by one of the Tommie Ambulance.

25 April 1916 Easter Tues
My first thoughts on waking this morning were those of Gallipoli & the memorable landing that happened twelve months to-day. Yes they were up against it this time last year. Packed up & left Steenwerck 5 p.m. going to an old farm where we expect to stay for a week or so. We are now about 1 ½ mile out of Steenwerck. Fairly comfortable but not as much as our last place.

[Page 75]
26 April 1916 Wed
Fatigue work the best part of the day painting tents & making them invisible from aircraft. Paid after dinner. Took a walk into Steenwerck with Marsh enjoying a good tea of eggs & chips. 7.30 p.m. the whole front is lit up with star shells & exceptionally heavy artillery duel. All the boys full

27 April 1916 Thur
At 3.am this morning George Long & Nick Beattie leave for old England on furlough. They are the first to leave the 5th Field Ambulance. Solid work all day loading & unloading carts with manure. A rotten job. Went into Steenwerck to night adjourning to an estaminet where we met Sid Bragg & Johnny [indecipherable]. Plenty of noise & plenty of laughing

[Page 76]
[Newspaper clipping]

LESTER. – A tribute of love and affection to my dear father, who passed away January 9, 1929.
I who loved you, sadly miss you,
In my memory you are dear,
Loved, remembered, longed for always,
As it dawns the first sad year.
Inserted by your loving daughter, Florrie.

[Page 77]
[Newspaper clipping]

sons. The yields were: – Exquisite, 29 bus. 60lb; Duchess, 29 bus. 20lb; Yandilla King, 29 bus. 10lb; Penny, 28 bus. 20lb; Major, 26 ½ bus; Turvey, 26 bus.; Gallipolli and Bredbo, 25 bus. 0lb; Union, 24 bus.; Cadia, 23 bus. 40lb; [Tenora] Federation, and Longerenong Federation, 1bus. 20lb; [indecipherable] 20 ½ bus.; Ranee, 20 bus.;

[Page 78]
The billet fairly shakes with the concussion.

28 April 1916 Fri
Bricklaying to-day. One does all sorts of jobs in this game. There is a big gun of ours not far away from our billet & for the last couple of hours the Germans having been trying to get it by continuous shelling. If one gets out of its course in this direction Good-night to us. Vic Smith comes in with shrapnel wound.

29 April 1916 Sat
Big mail arrives & news that Roy has fallen in & will shortly be over here to take part in the great Adventure. I only hope that I am spared to greet him. Vic Smith Evacuated. Several wets at the estaminet on the farm. Received tin of biscuits & book from Roy. Jacko our mascot sipps freely. Bill Fordyce gets locked up overnight.

[Page 79]
attack. All hands stand by their helmets.

30 April 1916 Low Sun
Half-past two early this morning there was an exceptionally heavy bombardment. Two shells fell a little way up the road about 8 oclock. Started to work with Albert Doust in the receiving room. Just as I had turned in the signals went up that the Germans were making a gas- [text continued at top of page]

1 May 1916 Mon
Bill Fordyce’s case comes off & he gets 7 days Field Punishment. A very busy day & news that General Townshead has surrended so Kut has fallen. A few more big German shells fell out in the fields again to-day. Washing very cheap charge more mending washing pair of trousers 2 ½.

[Page 80]
2 May 1916 Tues
Pitching large hospital tents very nearly all day which is another rotten job. Lieut Dacey brought in belonging to 16th A.S.C. Took charge of the officers ward. A good job only one patient. Adjourned to the estaminet several times through the day with Steve.

3 May 1916 Wed
Getting tent in order. Lieut Pearce comes in not too good. By cripes he says what would I give for a brandy & soda now. Several of the enemies shells fell within short distance of us to-day. Went to Steenwerck with Harry Benson tonight & called to see Lawrence. I thought the old barn would stop one to-night. Big shell.

[Page 81]
burst over in one of the paddocks.

4 May 1916 Thur
Spring is almost on us now & the result is that the fields & pastures that surround us are beautiful covered with green grass & the trees covered with blossom. That big German gun has been letting go pretty frequent as usual all day. Good night if one hits here. You can see them [text continued at top of page]

5 May 1916 Fri
Very busy all day Captain Lonnen brought in. Very fidegty. Spent a lot of the day in the estaminet with Steve & in the evening with Marsh & [Snow] Harris. Terrible bombardment to-night the 20th Battalion right in the thick of it, several wounded 2000 shells in 2 hours. One coves brother killed [indecipherable]

[Note in margin]
Eric & [indecipherable] leave for England

[Page 82]
artillery fire again tonight.

6 May 1916 Sat
Up at 6.am & lost no time in getting the officers breakfast ready. Mr. Carrol arrives one of the best & bravest attached to 25 Batt & permanent patrol. McCaffery joins in the tent to give me a hand. Several of the 20th Battalion come in sick & a few wounded. Heavy [text continued at top of page]

7 May 1916 Sun
Beautiful Sabbath day. Colonel Phipps leaves for London. He well deserves his leave. Good tucker now that I am in officers tent. Dinner to day consisted of chicken & eggs & jelly. Went to Steenwerck with Ken calling in to see our old friends next to the billet having coffee with them. Then to Lawrence. Never had a drink

[Page 83]
a smoke since Saturday.

8 May 1916 Mon
Did not feel like getting out of bed at 6.30. Suffering with bad attack of tonsilitis. Mr. Davey 16th A.S.C. rejoines unit & will try & get me a place in the A.S.C. Mr. Pearce goes to Steen & has too many. Brings another officers back & puts him in his bed at the same time using the stethscope. Have not had [text continued at top of page]

9 May 1916 Tues
Met Jack Hawkins & we adjourned to the local estaminet indulging in several drink & a talk about the old Enmore. Arthur Preston joins us in estaminet about 9.20 met Tommy Motor Transport Sergeant who procured some rum. All merry & happy as we lay our canvass on the cement floor.

[Note in margin]
voice completely gone

[Page 84]
up & take a little nourishment to-night. Scotty, Tom Buck & all the boys full.

10 May 1916 Wed
Saw Major Aidy who told me to rest for the day on account of my bad throat. Mr. Pearce packs up & rejoins the 21st Battalion. Paid to-day & won at few francs at the school. Clive Catt gets 7 Days field Punishment for smoking in billet. Feeling much better & able to sit [text continued at top of page]

11 May 1916 Thur
Captain Lonnen & Mr. Carrol leave the hospital & rejoin unit extending me an open welcome to come & see them at any time. Played banker went broke again. Received letters from Mater, Fred Cass, [Roy] Craig & also book of verse from Dad. Mac leaves me to take charge of the Mumps wards. Took a walk into Steenwerck making several new acquaintances.

[Page 85]
[indecipherable] as was his custom at night. No body will feel his loss more than Jimmy & I. What will they say in Enmore.

12 May 1916 Fri
This has been the saddest day since I left Australia for poor old Frank was killed last night. After being wounded he was taken to the 7th Field Amb at Fort Rompu where he died a few hours after. No more will we see his always smiling face in old Enmore. See him at in the old billiard having [text continued at top of page]

13 May 1916 Sat
Another day of sorrow. This war is dreadful when one sees his old pals being killed. Will I ever forget Frank & those days gone by on Gallipoli we were such good pals. Jim, Frank, & I & now the trio is broken. Sydney has lost a great sport especially the Rugby League. He has played in the greatest game of all. Its no more. His great side stepping is finished.

[Page 86]
Ken Marsh & Arthur
Sid gets 28 days 2nd Field punishment
Arnold Markey sends his best wishes from Erquinghem.

14 May 1916 Sun
Raining very hard & the roads & country are knee deep in mud. Ken & I went to Croix de Bac & Bac St Maur to gain any information as to Frank death. Met Billy Tegue from Newtown. The last time I saw him was the early morning of that great night of the 18th charge at the Gallip. Had a good tea of eggs at the estaminet with [text continued at top of page]

15 May 1916 Mon
Today starts the 13th week of the Great Battle of Verdun & yet we find the long drawn out battle raging, as fiercely as ever. Although the shelling & heavy artillery Gas & liquid fire are being used to such a great extent by the Germans the French are holding their lines as firm as a rock. Raining very hard again to-day. Sid Bragg leaves for detention camp. 5 biscuits & a tin of bully beef a day.

[Page 87]
16 May 1916 Tues
Colonel Phipps returns from London looking spick & span after his holiday. Captain Shannessy leaves for 23rd. But as temp Med officer. More shelling to day. Sent letter to Mr. Doyle of 18th Batt. Wrote to Claude & Jack Martin. Roger Casements trial is on in London. Poor old Frank was killed twelve to the day he left Sydney.

17 May 1916 Wed
Mr. MacKenzie who was attending lectures at the Gas School stopped & had dinner with me. His water bottle was full of whisky. A great friend of poor old Frank’s & Jim. General Birdwood & staff inspection our station & he came through my tent. He such a grand chap & so popular with the boys. Steve leaves for London to enjoy a week’s holiday. Good luck to him.

[Note in margin]
Letter from Norm Burgess

[Page 88]
cable home. Received letter from Myra Cameron.

18 May 1916 Thur
Gas alarm given during early hours of the morning. Nothing came of it. Terrible shelling during the night. Mr. McKenzie had dinner with me again to-day. Bad news again to day, Eric’s cousin Lieut Ray Pye killed last night. He was patrol officer the same as poor old Frank. A dangerous game. Sent [text continued at top of page]

19 May 1916 Fri
A very slow day. Wrote letters during the best part of the day. Received from Dad & answered it. This has been a glorious day not even a cloud consequently a good day for aircraft. Several flew about during the day. Amongst them being several of the enemy. At times they were peppered with shrapnel but all escaped. The observation balloon has been up all day & is very close.

[Page 89]
School. Jimmie left about 7 oclock. This has been a great day for me.

20 May 1916 Sat
Jimmie came to see me from Erquinghem. A great meeting adjourning to the estaminet at 11 am & stopping there till 7 p.m. Poor old Jim very broken up concerning the death of Frank. Several grogs all day & Bell joins up with us after he had finished his work at the gas [text continued at top of page]

21 May 1916 Sun
Up at 5 am a most beautiful day. Started work with Cecil Davis in S. Ward. Cec has argument with [Brem] & leaves to go on night duty. After dinner went into Steenwerck with Ken where we made our usual stay in the estaminet. Bottle of Cider. Arrived back early & enjoyed a good bath & a change of clothing.

[Page 90]
early.

22 May 1916 Mon
Plenty of work to-day as I am all on my own in the tent. Sgt Beattie the busker goes around with the phonograph news that Lieut Carrol wounded. Another one of the best gone. He was on patrol at the time. Played football after tea & retired to bed [text continued at top of page]

23 May 1916 Tues
Keith Harris comes to assist in the tent. Johnny Harper gets the measles & is evacuated. All the Enmore boys have left this unit now. Gives me a bomb to mind which I kept in my pack in the billet. If the Ring goes off to-night it will just about do some damage.

[Page 91]
Could not find the door of the barn.

24 May 1916 Wed
Evans Bamfield comes in with shrapnel wound on arm. Some exceptionally heavy shelling during the early hours of the morning. Paid to-day have to pay it all out.

25 May 1916 Thur
Madden comes into hospital. As usual a busy day – after tea had a game of football. It was fine to have a kick of the old rugby ball again. Held a sports meeting the Colonel taking the chair. After returning to the barn a big argument as usual. These arguments are good and as a rule bring forth a certain amount of wit.

[Page 92]
26 May 1916 Fri
Herbie is now two days overdue from London. Spent most of the day getting the tent in order later on adjourned to Steenwerck visiting our friends & also several new chaps belonging to the Cameron Highlanders. Bill Buck comes home well oiled.

27 May 1916 Sat
B-Section plays A Section football. A certain amount of jealousy exists between the two Sections & it looks on paper as if A Section will win. Surgeon General Portus visits our station & is highly pleased with the way everything is going on. Football postponed till tomorrow on account of his visit. Went to Steenwerck again to-night with Marsh

[Text continued in margin]
& Keith. Marsh tanked up & gets lost among the incinerators.

[Page 93]
parting with Lawrence. Evans Bamfield comes in wounded. Steve arrives back.

28 May 1916 Sun
Kept going all day. German machine very low overhead seems to be observing. The guns soon opened out & we received a great number of pieces of shrapnel. After tea went to town with Les Hall Keith Harris & there we met Perc Connors & McCaffery. Plenty of champagne & a great [text continued at top of page]

[Note in margin]
B Section wins 15 to 3.

29 May 1916 Mon
Taubes were early on the scene this morning & it was not long before Steenwerck guns were at them. The mail arrived to-day & I received the Enmore Gazette & letter from Sugar two from home & one each from Mrs. Crozier, Fred Strong, Nena Adams, & Thelma Smith. A photo from Sugar of Ossie’s send off. One sees all the old faces again. Arthur Preston leaves

[Text continued in margin]
for London.

[Page 94]
life as hard as ever & their barn is rocking some.

30 May 1916 Tues
I am writing this in an old barn which by the way is infested with rats for there is a big cove who comes nibbling round my head at night time. I can hear the B.A.C. waggons rumbling along with their iron rations for the Germans. To night the artillery are at going for their [text continued at top of page]

31 May 1916 Wed
Arose fairly early & passed the morning dodging the heads. After got the bike & went in search of Vere. On the way I met Roy King attached to the DAC. Surprised to see each other out here. I at last arrived at C. Company 3rd Batt & saw my old pal Vere. He looks well & we had a great old yarn together. On leaving him I met Aggo who is as wild

[Text continued in margin]
as ever.

[Page 95]
place with the colonel I believe is the earl of [Cantarly]. The observation balloon near by

[Text continued in margin]
broke away. Observer comes down parachute into

1 June 1916 Thur
Lieut Mintey of 15 Battery comes into my ward with bad eyes. Captain Parker returns to 20th Batt handing me 10 francs. One of our aeroplanes came down just near our place. Never before have I seen such a rush of men, patients & everyone to get a look at it. The pilot who came & had a look over our [text continued at top of page]

2 June 1916 Fri
Herbie returns from London under armed guard being 7 days overdue. Looking forward to the great day when I leave for London with Keith. After tea played cricket & football till half past 7 & then made my way up the old stairs to the domicile. Put the word on Mr. James for a new pair of trousers which were granted. Verdun

[Text continued in margin]
is still as fierce as ever.

[Page 96]
loss of the Queen Mary.

3 June 1916 Sat
Spent the morning in reading to Mr. Minter whose eyes have failed. After dinner walked through the fields of crops to Steenwerck. Two cricket teams played the 8th C.C.S. at Balliel & won by 8 runs. Davis receiving 8 wickets for 17. News of the great naval engagement & [text continued at top of page]

4 June 1916 Sun
Had an early dinner & with Carl Warburton got the horses & rode to Sailly for the purpose of seeing Hubert & Cockie. I found them billeted in an old flower mill. Hubert is not the old stout gentleman now he is much thinner & Cock as usual looks pretty good. To see them again was just grand. Sports meeting held & Ken & Cpl Brown win the cock-fight

[Note in margin]
Captain Needham arrives.

[Page 97]
25,000 Austrian prisoners.

5 June 1916 Mon
Severe cannonading going on. Tragic end of England’s greatest soldier Lord Kitchener who was lost with his staff in a cruiser on his way to visit the emperor of Russia on important military & financial questions. He has died in harness as truly as if he had died on the field of battle. Russians take

6 June 1916 Tues
Got the gramophone. News came through to-day that the Russians have taken 13,000 Austrian prisoners. Paid to-day. Paddy Connors, Les Hall, Marsh Rice Keith Harris Snow Portus & [Tiny] O’brien & myself went to Steenwerck. Had a good time round at Lawrences. Keith & I in officers tent

[Page 98]
loved it & worked on it are all gone away having other greater business on hand. The women manage the farm & handle the plough.

7 June 1916 Wed
Had several purple-lights with with Captain Needham & Mr. Minter. No francs missed. The country here is very open. Where one farm ends another begins. Yet every inch of this vast area of Northern France is under cultivation. The women are responsible for the cultivation of it this year. For the men whose land it was & who

8 June 1916 Thur
Up at 4.am. & Louis passes the ever needful through a hole in the fence. The days are very long now. It is quite light at 2.am. Feeling rather sick as the past few days have been ones of great merriement due to Captain Needhams’

[Page 99]
Scottish regiments such as the Black Watch, Gordons, Camerons.

9 June 1916 Fri
Mr. McCrea is in hospital with injury to ankle. More Austrian prisoners have fallen into the hands of the Russians. The way things are going it appears as though it is the beginning of the end. Let us hope so. In this place Steenwerck one meets some fine fellows attached to some of the old famous [text continued at top of page]

10 June 1916 Sat
The two aviators come to see us dropping a Belgian flag & a note attached. They looked great flying so low & waving to us all. Didn’t the boys cheer them. Letter from Randoph. A big night as usual. The Germans now own up that they have lost the Lutzow one of their latest battleships of 29,000 tons.

[Page 100]
went up to the old estaminet spending a very convivial evening. Billy James evacuated.

11 June 1916 Sun
More news of big Russian victories the total of prisoners within a week totals 64,000. To say nothing of the killed & wounded. Mr. Minter leaves for Hazebrouck also Captain Needham both good fellows & we spent some rare old times to-gether. After tea with Keith Bill Fordyce & Tom Buck.

[Note in margin]
Vic Carter rejoins us.

12 June 1916 Mon
Captain [indecipherable] Arthur comes in to hospital. He is commanding officer of the 17th Battery Field Artillery. Herbie goes for his D.C.M. & gets out of it. The Russians are still pressing on. The great advance taking thousands more prisoners. Spent a happy night with Tom Buck, Keith at the old inn on the [night]

[Note in margin]
Sid Bragg returns.

[Page 101]
very hard & very unpleasant

13 June 1916 Tues
Big mail from home arrives to day also box of lollies from Mother. Great news to hear that they are all well. Fierce bombardment going on. It sounds as that it is in the vicinity of Ypres. Canada holds the line there. Raining [text continued at top of page]

14 June 1916 Wed
Raining all day about 5 oclock 12 of the old boys myself included had a dinner & gathering at the Café Anglais. Every one made a speech some of them were very funny. Jim Murphy held the chair. Great sing songs on the road home. On arriving back at the billet we found a rum issue awaiting

[Text continued in margin]
us. Mr James acted as barman. I’ve been to [sea]

[Page 102]
it is & that we shall all be home again soon. Start of the daylight saving.

15 June 1916 Thur
Russians take another 1000 prisoners making the grand total up to 106,000. Very sick till dinner time. Captain Hale & Mr. Barlow are now under my charge. 7th Brigade depart for Ypres. Rum issue to night again. I think now the war is the beginning of the end. Let us hope that [text continued at top of page]

16 June 1916 Fri
This has been a very busy day for me I have been on my feet going all the time from 6 oclock. Very tired as I layed myself down to rest on the old barn floor. A very interesting lecture delivered by Major Anderson of the gas school at 7 p.m. Another rum issue to night. Dont the boys roll up for that. Thousands more prisoners taken by the Russians. Good luck to them & may they still continue. Told McGee off. Before closing for the night I

[Text continued in margin]
think I might test my gas helmet.

[Page 103]
of being gassed were reported. The total of Austrians prisoners now is 152,000.

17 June 1916 Sat
At midnight last night I was awakened by the gas – gongs sirens & everything that denotes an enemy gas attack. We we all lined up outside the billet on the road. It was very cold there & great deal of excitement. The chlorine gas came over & I soon got a whiff of it immediately putting the helmet on. Good results came from the helmets as no cases [text continued at top of page]

18 June 1916 Sun
Dressed Lieut Barlows wounds to start off with. During the afternoon a sports meeting was held. The cock-fights were very amusing. Clive Catt & I took part in the wheelbarrow race. I collapsed after going about 20 yds. After tea 14 of the boys adjourned to the estaminet to give Tiny a send off as he was leaving for the sanitary party. 14,000

[Text continued in margin]
more Austrian prisoners 14,000.

[Page 104]
Letter from Annie Marshall giving me an invitation to stay at their home while I am on leave in London.

19 June 1916 Mon
Exceptionally quiet day have not heard a gun so far. Last night we had to get out of bed twice on account of supposed gas attacks. Nothing came out of it. Have been mud casting & brick laying all day building onto the stoves & boilers in the cookhouse. Spent an hour with Steve at Louis estaminet

[Text continued in margin]
after tea.

20 June 1916 Tues
Making roadways all day with Sam Bailey. Am now of out of tent duties doing general fatigue work. News that Czernovitch has been taken. 6.30 p.m. went to the gas school going through the trenches full of the deadly chlorine gas. This was to test the helmets. Two breaths of it would prove fatal. We then experienced the weeping gas. Very funny to see all the boys crying. Letter from Linfield

[Note in margin]
Paid to-day.

[Page 105]
have now about 200 resting here mostly artillery & infantry.

21 June 1916 Wed
Cutting stakes all the morning. 1.20 General parade also gas drill running round the paddock with helmets on. Issued with new helmet & small bottle of iodine. Final of the tug-of-war resulting in a win for the motor transport. Indulged in a hot bath at 6.30 retiring to bed after it. We [text continued at top of page]

[Note in margin]
17 aeroplanes up to night together.

22 June 1916 Thur
Cutting roadways the best part of the days. A beautiful day & slightly warm. General Legge comes & inspects camp also General Holmes. After tea went to Louis estaminet where fifteen boys were sitting round the table partaking of a few drinks. We had a grand night & a

[Text continued in margin]
great sing-song.

[Page 106]
Another gas alarm last night.

23 June 1916 Fri
Bricklaying occupied most of my work to-day. Very hot in fact. I got a sweat up. Received a letter from Aviator Whitfeld telling me he is coming over to France next month. Sports meeting & issue of comforts 7.30. Poor old Ryan Bellemey brought in having been gassed at the

[Text continued in margin]
gas school at Croix-du-bac

24 June 1916 Sat
Work up to find it a very wet day. The first thing I did was to see Bell. He does not look to good although they say it is not very serious. Had the afternoon off. Keith goes into hospital. Guthrie also comes in. Retired to bed early. The boys come home merry as usual.

[Page 107]
25 June 1916 Sun
To day is the anniversary of our departure from Sydney. Most of the old boys celebrated the day finishing up with a sing song in the estaminet close by. The cooks made up 4 or 5 big plum duff which were sufficient to feed 200 of us. Most of the corps full

[Text continued in margin]
by bed time.

26 June 1916 Mon
Pick & shovel work all day. Felt very sick on awakening after the big night. Saw Mr. Minter A fine cove. Great excitement at 8 p.m. Two German (aeroplanes) observation balloons brought down. You could hear the cheers for miles. Several German planes up peppered with shrapnel also star shells lit up the skies

[Note in margin]
Hardwick transferred

[Page 108]
came through of Italians & Russian successes.
Broncho leaves for Machine Gun.

27 June 1916 Tues
Raining on & off very nearly all day. I dug a cess pit which was a very muddy job. Received a letter from Ray stating he is in the A.M.C. Nena Adams also sent me a parcel of papers of the news of Williard & Moran fight. More good news [text continued at top of page]

28 June 1916 Wed
Left the farm early & with Sid Coleman, Fred Searle & a couple of others proceeded to Croix-du-Bac where we sat in the estaminet till 12 oclock. Ambrose partook of light refreshments with us. We then went down to the Sanitary Section had dinner & then left in the motor lorry for Erquinghem pressing through Bac St. [Maur]. After filling the lorry with ashes we returned via Steenwerck.

[Note in margin]
Met [indecipherable] & McMilne

[Page 109]
at 11.30

29 June 1916 Thur
Digging all day making two large grease traps. Received a long letter from Roy. Glad to hear that all is well & moreso to learn of his enlistment. I am getting sick & tired of this place one wants something new some excitement of some sort. The big bombardment started to night [text continued at top of page]

30 June 1916 Fri
Bricklaying most of the day with Sgt Thomas. Had an early tea & went on a visit to the 17th Batt. Stopped at D Company where I met Wilbert Carrol who informed me of Norm Lewis death. I then saw Ronny & Mac adjourning with them to their billet where we had a good old talk & several of the best. 22 aeroplanes.

[Page 110]
1 July 1916 Sat 2 July 1916 Sun
Whilst enjoying a breakfast I was notified to be ready by 9.30 to go with a small advance party to some destination of which we did not know. Left the old farm by motor car. After going some distance we passed into Belgium. The fun started not long after. Drawing nearer to Neuve Eglise the Germans started shelling the town about 200 yards away. This caused us being held up on the road. The town is in ruins battered almost beyond recognition. Arrived at the dressing station about dinner time. An old farm & badly knocked about.

Sunday
Left the Advanced dressing station with Keith Stokes for No. 2 outpost at 1 oclock. Arrived St. [indecipherable] Cabaret which was No 2. Terrific shelling on both sides. Taubes about all day. We are now with a couple of [indecipherable] yds of the firing line.

[Note in margin]
[Wolveringhe] ruined. Relieved E. [indecipherable]. All day long the cannon roar

[Page 111]
3 July 1916 Mon 4 July 1916 Tues
Minnewaska
A most awful noisy night the artillery are sending it in for all their worth. The windows rattle & the joint fairly shakes with concussion. Consequently no sleep. About 5 am called by 26 Battalion to take one of their men who had been shot through the head down to the Advanced dressing station. Left No 2 going back to our station. Laid in my dug-out all the afternoon & retired to bed early amidst terrific noise of artillery.

It is now 7.30 p.m. & I am sitting at my dug out door. The German machine that sweeps the road is click, click, click the whole time. Our main body has not arrived yet & we are getting short of tucker. Changed gas helmet for new one as my old one had some fail. A mans helmet here is his best friend so it is well worth looking after. The gas would only take 20 seconds to

[Text continued in margin]
reach us here 30 bearers arrive St Quinten cemetery. Canadians caps
Gas helmet on grave

[Page 112]
Lieut Smellick who was dreadfully smashed up. He weighed 15 stone 3lb. Minature Railway Roads in awful state. Machine Gun coming & going across to station.

5 July 1916 Wed
At ten o’clock last night we left The Advanced Dressing Station having with me Jeff Wood & Vic Carter. On the way to No. 2 post there is about 180 yds of open country to traverse. A machine gun of the Germans constantly plays across this all night. At one spot a dozen or so bullets kicked up the ground around us. Went down to the station for rations after dinner & played cards till we turned into bunk.

6 July 1916 Thur
When we had just about got to sleep last night all of a sudden our guns opened out. I will as long as I live never forget that night. If we fired one round we fired 5,000 in the course of an hour. We are surrounded by all sorts & sizes of cannon. The noise was dreadful. The windows in the old inn rattled & every minute we expected a German shell to lob in amongst us. As soon as we ceased firing the enemy retaliated and wounded kept pouring in all night. We carried for [six] solid hours. One carry we had was [indecipherable]

[Note in margin]
Slept all day very tired after the heavy night. Steel helmets.

[Page 113]
so close to the firing line. At 7.30 we were relieved & sent back to the Advanced dressing

[Text continued in margin]
Station for a rest Messines

7 July 1916 Fri
Today has been very quiet on the front. We did not get out of bed till dinner. Q.M.S. of 26 Battalion HQ asked to dine with him at tea. One of the battalion bearers cooked the meal which consisted of bacon, steak & chip potatoes it was some meal. One cannot imagine cooking such tucker [text continued at top of page]

8 July 1916 Sat
Three of wounded brought into dressing-station during the morning. Gave Capt Frizell hand to dress wounds. At 6.30 am order came through that we were to move off again to night. I left with the second batch about 8 pm. In small parties you have to go along this road and it is very dangerous. Passed through Neuve Eglise about 8.30 & arrived at Bailleul

[Page 114]
Medal at Verdun. He was minus an eye. Passed Doc Grey on the road also Billy Jones.

9 July 1916 Sun
Left Ballieul 1.30 pm. passing through Strazelle. Arrived [Stradeele] about 5 p.m. after doing about ten miles. We had packs up & full equipment. A very heavy march & awfully hot. Went around to inspect some of the estaminets coming into contact with a French soldier who had received the Military [text continued at top of page]

10 July 1916 Mon
Left [Stradeele] 9.30 & after about an hours marching we struck Hazebrouck. Blistered feet. Arrived [Renescure] after another twelve miles or so. As soon as we arrived Major Aidey shouts all B Section a glass of beer. Last night slept on a pile of fresh straw. We have no blankets now. All have been taken away from us.

[Notes in margin]
Met with Jack Cartwright
Met Ratcliffe.

[Page 115]
ed at St Omer station & once in the trucks settled down to a game of pontoon.

11 July 1916 Tues
Had my foot dressed early. Inspection 11 am of Gas helmets, discs, iron rations field dressings & boots. 11.30 Jennings & myself left the billet going ahead of the main body to transport lines. I rode on the waggon with Bluey Gledhill. Arrived St Omer about 5 pm passing through a fair portion of the town. We entrain [text continued at top of page]

12 July 1916 Wed
Left Amiens 5.30 am after a rough night spent in the cattle truck. Walked right through the town & halted on the outskirts for breakfast. After walking about thirteen miles we arrived at [Picquigny] General leave granted from 3 pm. till 9 am. I went round the town visiting the different estaminets meeting many old Enmore boys. Tomy [Materson], Doc Grey, Morris & Loten

[Note in margin]
Took salute from Generals Birdwood & Legge.

[Page 116]
Sat night I came across Jack Cartwright. Just as I arrived home Arnold Markey came to see me.

13 July 1916 Thur
Attended sick parade by Capt Chapman who said I was suffering with a bad heel. The result was that I was put on light duty. Went for a short ride with Bellemey after dinner in hopes of see Jimmy Fay. Couldn’t see him as he is about 5 miles away. Met Frank Noble on the way home. In the village [text continued at top of page]

[Note in margin]
Received tin of chocolates Mother.

14 July 1916 Fri
Saw Captain Savage on sick parade who put me on no duty. 9.30 general inspection by Major Aidy. The River Somme runs through the town & I very often take a walk down to the bridge to watch the hospital barges coming up. Mail arrives to night receiving letters from Mildred, Thelma, Mother & a card from the Occidental. 19 cases Comforts arrived.

[Page 117]
[Major Gibson] went

15 July 1916 Sat
On duty in the dispensary did a few dressing also having my sore foot dressed. All leave in the village stopped to-day. After dinner I attempted the route march when we had gone about 3 miles we were made double three of us suffering with bad feet fell out. We had our names taken & were paraded before [text continued at top of page]

[Note in margin]
issue of med comforts 3 [indecipherable] 2 biscuit 1 [indecipherable] 1 [indecipherable]

16 July 1916 Sun
Church – parade 10.30 packing up on the way the 19th Battalion. The 20th battalion were also at this service. Had a look at the old Chateaux which I believe is the place where the terms of Agincourt were signed. Issue of med comforts which consisted of a tooth brush [indecipherable] & handkerchief. Its marvellous where all the stuff

[Text continued in margin]
[indecipherable]

[Page 118]
billeting in an old stable pig-stye.

17 July 1916 Mon
The main body moved off from [Picquingy] at 9.30. I stopped behind with the Quartermaster till 5.30 pm. During the day I spent most of the time in the village. Our way out we passed the village of [Breilly], Ailly on Somme & Saint Sauveur. Arrived Longpre – Amiens 8.30 [text continued at top of page]

[Note in margin]
Letter & money from Linfield

18 July 1916 Tues
Route march of 30 to Amiens. After dinner & another route march doing for the day about 20 kilometres. On arriving back several of us took French leave to Amiens. I went with Harry Benson, Sid Murphy & McGee. It was great to have a ride in the tram again. Had some fun in the estaminet with the [indecipherable]

[Note in margin]
[indecipherable] in the river & back

[Page 119]
Sides of roads are covered with poppies cornflowers & many other species.

19 July Wed
Route march again this morning. We are getting hardened to the marching now & when our turns comes to take our part in the big Advance we ought to be pretty fit. 1.30 inspection of iron-rations, discs, gas helmets & Field dressings. Swimming parade to the canal.

20 July 1916 Thur
Left Longpre – Amiens 9.30 following in the rear of the DAC, Field Engineers & ASC. Passed through the villages of Poulainville, Croisy, Rainville, [Toutonville] Arrived Harponville about 7.pm. It was the hardest march that I have ever experienced. The distance covered was 17 miles. We are now

[Text continued in margin]
only 6 or 7 miles from Albert

[Page 120]
turn came. No doubt a lot of us will will fall in this big push.

21 July 1916 Fri
Slept very sound after the big march of yesterday. About 30 men go on sick – parade suffering with bad feet. Captain Savage takes us for a short march up the road on to a paddock where he addressed us as to the near future. He is a grand chap & very well liked. He said he hoped that there would be nobody amongst us who would squib it when our [text continued at top of page]

22 July 1916 Sat
Had some stretcher carrying this morning merely for practice. It was very warm carry a big patient over these hills. Well we are moving off at last to take our part in this great struggle on the Somme. Most of the bearers leave at 7 pm. There is some talk about the First Division making a charge to night. A most terrific bombardment opened up at dark.

[Page 121]
rumble of the big guns around Albert. British gain ground at Pozieres.

23 July 1916 Sun
Loaded up the waggons over at the transport lines till dinner. The parade was dismissed at 2 pm. Slept from then on as I was on gas – picquet in the village from 7.p.m. It was very quiet walking up & down that road save for the [text continued at top of page]

[Note in margin]
1st Division in [indecipherable] Division support

24 July 1916 Mon
Spent the morning in bandaging practice with Major Gibson. Route march of 12 miles arriving afternoon passing through Varennes after tea went round to C. Company Pioneer Batt to see Paddy Burnham. We adjourned to a billet where we passed away an hour with a couple of Heidsicks. Paddy was well

[Text continued in margin]
oiled & is the same as ever

[Page 122]
Dick Jennings & myself retired to the Vasseur Cape. champagne

25 July 1916 Tues
Breakfast 8 am. After falling in we went for another route march over the hills to a prominent position overlooking the firing line in the distance you could see the bursting shrapnel. After dinner marching again going to a wheat – field where we rested. At night Toby [text continued at top of page]

26 July 1916 Wed
There is some talk about our party going up to Albert to-night. Route marches all day & very tired. As I write this the guns have made a start on their nights work. You can hear them rumbling away. The fighting that is going on round here at present is looked upon as the most tremendous military effort in history. Australia is keeping her name up & doing

[Text continued in margin]
exceptionally good work.

[Page 123]
While resting on the road some battalions of the Royal Fusiliers Middlesex & Royal Sussex passed us on their way to the firing line. Bivouaced

[Text continued in margin]
in trenches just outside Albert.

27 July 1916 Thur
Awakened from our slumbers at 4 a.m. Worked at the transport lines till 7 am. We then packed our kits. Passed our kits into the QM. Store. I have nothing now bar what I stand up in save my great coat waterproof sheet & Balaclava [cap]. Left Harponville 8.45 in rear of 2nd Pioneer batt. Passed through Hedauville & Bouzincourt [text continued at top of page]

28 July 1916 Fri
Slept in an old mill in Albert last night. Could not sleep owing to a big 12 inch Howitzer just outside where we were sleeping. The first Division has been cut to pieces. Learnt that Hubert had fallen & Cockie wounded. What has befallen Vere I do not know, I am hoping for the best. At 9.15 am left for the old chateau 2 ½ miles out of Albert where our dressing station is situated. Big bombardment going on to-night & the 2nd Division are going over so

[Text continued in margin]
expect plenty of work. Isles wounded.

[Page 124]
telling me he has obtained a commission in the English Army. Many an old familiar face.

29 July 1916 Sat
Just after midnight last night the wounded began to pour in. They came in hundreds. Terrible wounds. Feet blown off & faces. My hands were red with human blood. Jimmy Fay, Ronny & McKenzie are fighting like lions. I have just heard the great news that Jim & Mc have been recommended for the V.C. I do hope they survive this terrible ordeal. Letter from Randolph [text continued at top of page]

30 July 1916 Sun
Up all night dressing wounds. 4 p.m. left the Chateau for the Chalk Pits passing the Gordon Dump. We arrived at our post after about an hour journey. It is awful shelling something terrific. How one can live through this I do not know. Without any imag exaggeration there is not one yard of ground untouched by shell. No wonder men are demoralised

[Text continued in margin]
by this perfect hell. German dug-outs.

[Page 125]
had to put on our helmets on account of Gas. Met Arnold Markey. Verdun heaven compared with this.

31 July 1916 Mon
Went down to the Gordon Dump for rations on returning I retired to bed for the day. We are located in a German-dug out. It is a beautiful piece of underground work. Any amount of German literature Spring-beds mirrors & electric lights about. Several times during the night we [text continued at top of page]

News that Vere is wounded.
1 August 1916 Tues
at 11.30 am had orders to pack up immediately. Left the chalk-pits going through the Valley of Death to the old Chateau in [Contol-maison] wood. It is absolutely blown to bits & they are still shelling it owing to the number of our guns concealed in it. Did not stay long at this place but pushed on to No. 1 17 Batt dressing station. From there to the trenches – which the 17th hold also the Yorks. Found the best dug-out I could under the parapet & settled down to

[Text continued in margin]
my new post. Met Jim Fay in the trenches also Norris & Dunstan.

[Page 126]
Aeroplanes over Fritz [indecipherable]
Dead all over the place. The smell is awful. Parapet blown to atoms.
[Nerves] all shattered. Flares alight, [indecipherable]
D.L.I. Northumberland Fusiliers

2 August 1916 Wed
I have never experienced anything like this before big Jack Johnson Coolboxes, whiz-bangs falling on the parapet very close by. It seems as though I am going to be ma-feesh here. If one comes through this hell he will be very lucky. A hopeless dawn as Toby said on day break this morning. Relieved about 9.p.m. & got back to Suicide Corner unscathed. [indecipherable] Gallipoli & Messines a picnic.

3 August 1917 Thur
Took my departure from Suicide Corner just before dinner. On arriving at the Gordon Dump where a shell or two from Fritz was ploughing up the ground I rested at one of the waggons. I was very lucky as I happened to strike one of them going back with wounded so got a lift back to Becourt. Received letters from Sugar & Mother. Slept all the afternoon after devouring an extra big piece of meat onions & potatoes. The first decent meal for five or six days. Being back at

[Text continued in margin]
The chateau a decent sleep through Hell. French Mortaring German Skyhigh

[Page 127]
Mac & all my comrades in the infantry who will be taking part in that great charge across No Man’s Land. Worse even than Verdun.

4 August 1916 Fri
Started work again at 12 oclock in the receiving room. Wounded have been pouring in all the afternoon. They are quietly dressed & pushed off to the Casualty Clearing Station where they are attended to in better style. To-nights’ the night for our Division the 2nd is going over the parapet in hopes of taking the Ridge. My thoughts are of Jimmy Ronny [text continued at top of page]

[Note in margin]
The past seven days have been the most exciting of my life.

5 August 1916 Sat
Worked all last night on account of the number of wounded coming in. The boys were very successful in their charge & took the German’s first & second line of trenches. Plenty of wounded German prisoners passed through our hands. Poor beggars that seem glad to be captured & werent they hungry. Amongst the wounded was Toby Brerton & Sgt Hill although neither were of a serious nature. Slept all the morning starting work after dinner. The division is expecting to be relieved to morrow for a rest & to reorganise

[Note in margin]
Bombardment 15 minutes. 9 p.m.

[Page 128]
2nd Division. Jim Fay came out of it alright thank goodness.

6 August 1916 Sun
Worked all night again & turned in at 8.am. Left Becourt Wood 5 p.m. On the road into Albert saw thousands & thousands of cavalry big guns etc lying waiting on the flats off the road. Passed through Albert and Bivouaced in the old trenches on the hill for the night. Glad to be out of that death-trap. 4th Division relieved [text continued at top of page]

7 August 1916 Mon
Left Albert 10.am & marched to [Rubempyre] passing through the villages of Millencourt, Henencourt, [Walroy] & a couple other small places. It was a very tiring march & we covered something like fifteen miles. Arrived Rubempre 6 p.m. & made for an estaminet where Toby Jennings & myself got through a big feed of eggs & sardines &

[Text continued in margin]
beer. Slept in a big barn plenty of straw.

[Page 129]
twelve to fourteen miles. Slept in an open paddock for the night. I made a decent covering of birches

[Note in margin]
& Arthur & I had a good sleep

8 August 1916 Tues
Left Rubempyre 10.am not far out on the road the 1st Field Engineers passed us on their way back to the trenches. With them I saw Harold White just having time to bid him good-day as he passed by. Passed through [La Bicogne], Naours & the big aerodrome. Arrived Canaples 5 p.m. all weary & knocked up after covering [text continued at top of page]

9 August 1916 Wed
Inspection of clothes & equipment 9.30 am. We were then dismissed for the day. I enjoyed a good bath & washed my shirt the only one I have. During the afternoon 13 of us were told to get ready as we were pushing off somewhere. Left Canaples by motor ambulance at 6.30 & arrived Val-der Maison about an hour after. A very quiet place & no shops

[Page 130]
game of pontoon. Major Aidy buys lot of straw for the boys to sleep on.

10 August 1916 Thur
Very quiet day not much to-do. Just before tea 2nd Divisional Ammunition columns arrive. Amongst them I saw a couple I know to have a few words with. The batteries & howitzers also arrived. After tea went over to the Reinforcements camp with Jeff Wood. On returning indulged in the old [text continued at top of page]

11 August 1916 Fri
Started work with Dick Powter giving out medicines. About forty patients arrived during the day. So we are beginning to get busy again. This is what is termed a rest for us after coming out of action. We work from 6 to 6. After tea went into Talmas with Tom Windram & Paddy Connors putting in a very good night. Got a lift back

[Text continued in margin]
in motor ambulance

[Page 131]
been having a night out.

12 August 1916 Sat
Very busy all day have put on fifty patients to look after. Plenty of dressings & Captain Davenport performed a couple of operations during the afternoon on septic wounds. Dick & I assisted him. Some 100 more patients arrive. Got to bed about 9 pm. & was awakened by Geoff Wood who had [text continued at top of page]

13 August 1916 Sun
Kept going again all day. Mr. Sutton & Tom Buck joins up again. Harry Frankland has dinner with us. Running a mess therefore we are enjoying good tucker which we procure in Talmas. Wrote several post cards & letters before turning in onto the old best of straw in a decent barn

[Page 132]
15.8.16 Sent cable home.

14 August 1916 Mon
Any amount of work about 60 patients in our ward now & only Dick & I to look after them. Jeff Woods takes over night work in our ward. Visited the next door estaminet several times throughout the day. After tea spent a few hours with Q.M.S. Sharpley of 17 Batt. in the estaminet. Played Pontoon till bed time.

15 August 1916 Tues
Arose 6.am. & gave out the different medicines in the ward before breakfast. Dick Powter leaves for Head Quarters as a witness in the Court Marshall case between Col Phipps & Sgt McDonald. [indecipherable] Power takes his place here. Many of the boys return home full of merriement. Pontoon school starts at 9 p.m. & Sgt Thomas cant sleep for noise. Picks up his blankets & evaporates. Saying I

[Text continued in margin]
havent [indecipherable] a man yet but I will get some sleep.

[Page 133]
a decent village

16 August 1916 Wed
Geraghty from Enmore comes into hospital. Sgt Casson very bad. Sgt Bates also comes in later in day. Suffering with bad headache nearly all day. Alf Ray & Sam Bailey join us in dinner. After tea I went for a trip in the Motor Ambulance with Len Wilson to Beauval which is [text continued at top of page]

17 August 1916 Thur
Steve Jeffs & Arthur Preston leave the old B Section being made sergeants in C Section. Good luck to them they deserve it. Major Aidy puts me in charge of the medical ward of fifty patients. Keith Harris comes to work with the letters received from Joe & Fred Strong. Jeff Woods sick & laying out to it in the old barn. Powell the barber

[Text continued in margin]
from the R.M.S. [arrange] in my ward [Does] up all razors

[Page 134]
artillery with him

18 August 1916 Fri
Did a lot of writing during the day. Jim Murphy one of the old originals evacuated sick. One of the best. Went to the Rest camp after tea & met Len Pearce one of the boys from the old school. He looks well & is in the artillery. Asked Mr. Minter to get me in the [text continued at top of page]

19 August 1916 Sat
Saturday kept going all day. Spent several minutes in Madams estaminet & after I had finished work I went there again & enjoyed a few with Bell & Sharpley. Went for a walk with Keith it was beautiful walking along there just before dark with all the harvest fields in full swing

[Page 135]
of me was Andy Giddins. He is well & attached to the 7th Field Ambulance.

20 August 1916 Sun
The 12th Field Ambulance relieve us & by ten oclock we were on the road bound for Contay. On arriving at Contay sometime after dinner I was laying down on a paddock feeling pretty tired when someone said Well Sting how are you doing & there in front [text continued at top of page]

21 August 1916 Mon
Reveille 6 am. Most of the boys leave for the trenches. I am not going out this time but doing night duty with McGee. Said farewell to Ack, Geoff, Toby & Cliff as they left. Did some washing & indulged in the old game of pontoon before going on duty. First Anzac Rest Station

[Note in margin]
All in the tent I slept in tent bag. Pyjamas.

[Page 136]
with [indecipherable] who has won the military medal for stretcher bearing in 7th Batt. Battles

22 August 1916 Tues
Up all night. There is a canteen here run by the corps for the use of supplying incoming patients with a cup of cocoa [indecipherable] & cigarettes. I myself visited it several times throughout the night. Bert Potter cooks for those on night duty & turns out an excellent meal each night at midnight. Came in contact to-night

23 August 1916 Wed
Enjoyed a fine warm bath over at the West Riding regiments baths on coming off duty at 8.am. As soon as I had breakfast I walked into Warloy about two miles away with Bridge. On the road passed several battalions of our 1st Division who were just returning from the trenches for a rest. Received a letter from home & one from Joyce Walters. Suffering with a very bad attack of billiousness Major Aidy puts me off duty

[Page 137]
& devotion to duty in recent military operations.

24 August 1916 Thur
It is midnight whilst I writing these few lines. I am sitting on a box of dressings & McGee is stretched out on some newspapers having sat my feet having long since gone to sleep. I received letters from home & Pongo Fay to-day. Ridge one of our bearers has received the military medal for distinguished service [text continued at top of page]

25 August 1916 Fri
Letters from Jay & from home. Sorry to hear that Dad is so unwell. I did some washing during the morning after coming home from Walroy where I spent an enjoyable morning. There are now in hospital resting some five hundred patients. Slept after dinner till tea time. Visited the American Bar several times throughout the night.

[Note in margin]
Very sick to night a bad billious attack.

[Page 138]
home to-day. 2 of our boys wounded & Sullivan evacuated sick.

26 August 1916 Sat
Since we had our blankets taken from us some weeks back we have managed to hold of others. The Colonel comes around the tents inspecting at the same time collecting them all. Whilst on duty during the night I wrote several letters. Received notification from Horseferry Rd that my cable had been despatched [text continued at top of page]

27 August 1916 Sun
A fairly quiet day. Slept nearly all day. One of our boys were killed up in the trenches to-day. Two are also reported missing although they have been killed for some one told me their bodies now lay over the parapet. There were also 4 wounded. Our bearers return at midnight tired & worn out. It was they say a picnic there as compared with the last time

[Page 139]
28 August 1916 Mon
Letter from Joyce Walters. After dinner went to Warloy. Returned early riding back in a motor ambulance. I was surprised to see Andy Giddins again & moreso to know that he had joined our unit. Started work 7 pm. in the dispensary. Bell has a few in after seeing a [indecipherable]

29 August 1916 Tues
I was laying asleep in my tent about 11.am. when somebody woke me up handing me some letters. Nothing me more than to receive one from Ossie. Sugars letters also was very interesting. He is a good old sort. Sends a penny along for a drink. Raining all day & mud up to our ankles. Looks as though Mac & I are going to have a bad night

[Note in margin]
comforts issued.

[Page 140]
30 August 1916 Wed
At 2 am. I sent a letter on its way to Os. The busiest night we have had since we arrived here some 100 cases came in. It was awful falling & slipping all over the place in the dark in the mud. Raining all day as usual. I slept all day.

31 August 1916 Thur
Raining very heavy. During the afternoon a Canadian field Ambulance come to relieve us. Went up the town to see the Brigade coming through. Saw Ronny & Mac & marched along with them for a little while. Mac was wearing the military cross ribbon. Saw old Jimmie & joined in with him for 100 yds or so

[Page 141]
their experiences of Pozieres.

1 September 1916 Fri
Awoke & very sick. 9.30 am left Contay marching about nine miles to Beauval. On arriving went around the town. Saw Tony Matterson Clary Loten & Doc Grey who’s has been awarded the D.C.M. They are all well & look none the worse for [text continued at top of page]

[Note in margin]
Village Church.

2 September 1916 Sat
[indecipherable]
On water – fatigue in the morning. After dinner I went round to Jim’s billet. Coming back home on the road I ran up against Clarry Walters. In the evening I went to the town-hall to a concert rendered by the 17th Batt. It was very funny many of the performers being well tanked up. Especially Spud Murphy the stretcher bearer D.C.M.

[Note in margin]
Drawing water 200 feet.

[Page 142]
Cartwright was wounded. Spent an exceptionally good night with fatty Burchall & a few others. Wrestling in the billet. Plenty of language.

3 September 1916 Sun
Raining a good deal. Being Sunday things were fairly quiet in & about the village. Dick Jenning & myself went down to Brigade Headquarters before dinner & enjoyed some very good English beer. Met Jack Kater QMS. 17th & took a stroll with him. I learnt to-day that Rolf Jolly had his arm blown off & Jack [text continued at top of page]

[Note in margin]
[lady barber]
Ridge decorated. Roberts D.C.M.

4 September 1916 Mon
Issued with P.H.S. Gas helmets. On account of it raining again to-day our section fell in again in our billet Major Aidy giving a lecture on Gas. After it was over I was sent to give Bill Rankin the bootmaker a hand to mend boots. I had mine fixed up also. When the day was finished I went with Clive Ack & Jeff to a few of the estaminets.

[Page 143]
& as I look out of the door of the cattle truck I can see Jimmy Fay supervising the loading of the

[Text continued in margin]
waggons on the train.

5 September 1916 Tues
Camp – fatigue with Cliff Searle. 7.20 pm went with Ryan Bellamey & had a couple of bottles of Fizz at the women in blacks. At 9.30 pm we left Beauval. It was a great little march in the dark. Arrived Doullens 12 pm. where we entrained for the North. It is 2 am whilst I am writing this on Wednesday morning [text continued at top of page]

6 September 1916 Wed
Arrived Poperinghe some whereabout 10 am & camped on a paddock just out of the town. 5 p.m. marched through Poperinghe & pulled up about 2 ½ miles from Ypres. Billeted in a mill with a Tommie Ambulance whom we are relieving. This is a great place for German Gas so all precautions are being taken.

[Page 144]
Received beautiful letters from Claude & Home. Big Naval Guns shake the billet.

7 September 1916 Thur
Reveille 6 am. The big Guns are going for their life at different intervals throughout the day. It has been on the whole a very quiet day. I went to the estaminet with Cliff & Dick at dinner time & partook of a few Belgium Beers. I went on a message to headquarters at Poperinge at 7.30 in one of the cars. Brought the mail back. [Text continued at top of page]

8 September 1916 Fri
Started night work again which is a very good job here. I slept nearly all day & before tea went down to the old Belgium Brewery. C Section passes through on their way to the Asylum . Ernie Doust whilst driving one of the motor Ambulances was wounded just outside Ypres to-night. He has been evacuated.

[Note in margin]
Along the road passed the cream of the Enlish Army.

[Page 145]
9 September 1916 Sat
Slept the best part of last night. After Dinner I went into Poperinghe with Cliff Searl & Frank [indecipherable]. Motoring both ways. Eggs & chips & wanted to know if Bob was my father. 8.30 pm. B section joins us up. Hot baths change of clothes.

10 September 1916 Sun
Slept the best part of the night. Sgt Beatties wants to know how everything is at 6.30. The Answer is all had a good night. Wingrove from the Anti-craft came to see me & Sid & I went with him to his quarters. Big pig sitting in old trenches all the afternoon.

[Page 146]
11 September 1916 Mon
Started work last night in the dressing station. Things are very quiet only had about 8 cases all night. Slept during the day & before starting work Sid Bragg & myself went down to the Belgium estaminet for an hour or so. Big caterpillar engines pass through kicking up a devil of a row. Shifting guns.

12 September 1916 Tues
Another quiet night. Major Aidy put me on giving Anti-Tetanus injections. Turned into bed at 8.30. Before going off to sleep Dick Powter poured me out a good sleeping draught from his water bottle. I slept without waking till 4 p.m. Had tea & with Tom Windrum Billy Jones & Sid Bragg went down to see the village. [Belle]

[Page 147]
large feed of [indecipherable].

13 September 1916 Wed
Kept going on & off the best part of last night. I for the first time gave the Anti-Tetanus injection. My first patient was Captain Byers, Adjutant of 17th Battalion. Later on White came through McIrath. Slept all day & before going on duty went with Ack Adams & Griffin to have a [text continued at top of page]

14 September 1916 Thur
There is not much to write these days as I am doing night duty & sleeping all day. After dinner we went for a stroll over to the cememtry & saw many graves of soldiers who had fallen around here & Ypres. Before starting duty we went down to the estaminet & Griffin lands home with a [indecipherable].

[Page 148]
that I am so far away from him.

15 September 1916 Fri
Slept from 8 am till 4 pm. I then went down & had tea at the Belgium estaminet on the Ypres Rd. Received a letter from Dad was mother saying that his health is very uncertain & as much as saying he did not think he would ever see me again. It has hit me very hard especially to think [text continued at top of page]

16 September 1916 Sat
Sid Bragg caught
Another day of sleep
Had a fairly large number of wounded passed through last night. Close by adjoining the mill their is a fine piece of ground which is used by the boys for football. It seems hard to believe playing football within 2 ½ miles of the front line of trenches. It is now 8 p.m. & the sky is lit up like day over the trenches.

[Page 149]
Mill historical place

17 September 1916 Sun
Did not get much sleep last night. Slept till dinner time & then went over to the football field for a kick. Our team played one of the Canadian teams & we won by 6 to nill. Megaphone It was a pretty rough game & reminded me of old games down at Muka Rd & the flats.

18 September 1916 Mon
Raining very hard. I had leave from 7.30 am till 8.30 am. I went into Poperinghe with Griffs. Poperinghe is one of the largest villages we have been in. My first thing was to visit the baths. We pollished off sixteen fried eggs between us. Went to the [picture] whilst waiting I read one of the best letters I have ever received from Claude. I also had one from Mrs. Johnson.

[Note in margin]
Motor lorries. Girls at baths. Now [indecipherable]

[Page 150]
issued with new box helmet

19 September 1916 Tues
Still raining & like my bad luck I struck gas picquet lasting 8 hours. Went with [indecipherable] over to the Royal Fusiliers Canteen & handed in the chip for 2 bottles. I finished up by feeling very groggy when I went on duty at 9 pm [indecipherable] very full in the mud.

20 September 1916 Wed
Gas drill at 6 p.m. by Sgt Bell who had a few across his chest. Mr. Sutton filled one of my teeth. Tucker very crook. Several aeroplanes about all day. Had tea at an old estaminet in Valmertinghe.

[Page 151]
21 September 1916 Thur
Went into Poperinghe Ambulance. On the road met Northumberland Fusiliers Machine Section who made me finish their water bottle of Beer. Letter from Mrs. Johnson. Colonel Geoffrey Hughes requires 4 bottles of whisky at canteen. Wrote to Aus.

22 September 1916 Fri
Went into Ypres for Drinks to Asylum. Afterwards going to have a look over the town impressed by the damage done. Cathedral & Cloth Hall. Shells on Road coming home. Good game of soccer. Johnny Summers evacuated. Letter from Norm Burgess. [indecipherable] Capt Needham sick. German in shell hole

[Page 152]
23 September 1916 Sat
Went up to Valmertinghe to get two or three general lumber loads of brick from the old ruins of the town. Belgium who spoke seven languages Sgt Christmas treats all hands. Played soccer in the afternoon.

24 September 1916 Sun
Started work with Mat Baty in a very easy job not much to do. In the afternoon went with a despatch down to head Quarters at Poperhinge

[Page 153]
25 September 1916 Mon
A quiet day save a game of football & visiting the 29th Division canteen. Sugar’s penny spent on a glass Belgium beer.

26 September 1916 Tues
Spent the morning with Jack Mowbray. At the estaminet [indecipherable] football lost 2 to 1. Aidy comes to have his teeth attended to. Things are very quiet on the front.

[Page 154]
Mat Batey & Andy Fisher knocking about again

27 September 1916 Wed
General Birdwood & Andy Fisher the High Commissioner came & inspected us out at the mill & also decorating Ridge with his colours. Gave short address. News that
Thiepval has at last fallen. Left the Mill 8 pm & proceeded to the Asylum [indecipherable] cars there to the [Bund]. Very dark

[Text continued in the margin]
along the [indecipherable]

28 September 1914 Thur
20th Batt here. Stretcher bearing [indecipherable] long carry. Maurice De-Mere watching aircraft. Hubert [Dabs] in barbers shop. Jack Mowbray 20th Batt [indecipherable] Resembles Gallipoli. [Zillebecke] lakes full of dead bodies [indecipherable] our water comes from there. Fritz shelling by the railway line on & off. Bombardment midnight. Captain [indecipherable] wounded. The raid was not a success

[Page 155]
The 20th & 18th are just changing over & I hear & order given to Moffat to join the bombers.

29 September 1916 Fri
Captain McClelland my boss a good cove. Slept till dinner time. Went down to Clarry Lotens dug-out to have a little yarn. Clarry has now the crown on his [cap]. Another miniature railway [indecipherable] Messines. Cannot use it at day owing to being in enemys observation. Used at night.

30 September 1916 Sat
Anniversary of Keiths departure from Australia. Recognise with a bottle procured by chit for half dozen by Fatty who I struck to-day. Met Clarry Walters. Duckboards very dark at night. Tommy Jones is some cook baked potatoes roast meat & cabbage. [indecipherable] wound right through abdomen. Says I will snuff it soon. Grand spirits.

[Page 156]
back to dressing station.

1 October 1916 Sun
Bolton – Wood came to see me. Military Cross bombing stunt. Wounded Pozieres Shelling railway line two or three wounded. German Observation brought down in flames close by. 9.30 Mon in dressing out on the flat – Worse off for drink. Went & got him Duckboard. Died just as I got him [text continued at top of page]

2 October 1916 Mon
I presume it is Eight Hour day in Sydney but its 24 hours here. A Man wants webb toes here with the water slush & mud especially spending so much time on duck-boards. Wrote a few lines of [poetry] to Claude passing away a gloomy hour away in the rain.

[Page 157]
3 October 1916 Tues
Called in Mr. Koeffers dug out which is just above mine. He too has the military cross. Always call in to see my old friend the cook who is just starting the fires going at 4 am to get a hot cup of tea. Fatty takes a chit for twelve & is turned down. Canteen.

4 October 1916 Wed
Struck Tom Barry whose dug out is about 6 doors up from mine. The first time I have seen him. Have a few casualities on & off all day. The 19th Batt. are making a raid to-night. It is raining & very dark. Big bombardment at midnight lasting for an hour or so.

[Page 158]
Beautiful sight big guns booming & flaring over in amongst the trees.

5 October 1916 Thur
Gas alert just as Keith & I were talking of old times about 9 pm. Bolton Wood came to say Good-bye as his battalion is just moving out. 8.30 They are moving along the duckboards now on their way for 28 days spell. The Gas picquet; we square the infantry to [indecipherable] us up shrapnel

6 October 1916 Fri
Fritz shelling the flat in the afternoon. 28th Batt arrive in the morning they move out again at night 26th Batt take their places. Wrote to Jay & Perc Milham. We are stopping here & doing the 7th Brigade till they too come out. Raining again & very gloomy. Letter from Joyce & Thelma & Jack Martin containing the famous Gazette.

[Page 159]
Keith is taken away & Jimmy [indecipherable] on relieves him. Letter from Mother.

7 October 1916 Sat
Fairly quiet day save for the usual few [indecipherable] put over down by the road. It is 8.30 pm. now & next door in a large dug-out of infantry the strains of My Little grey home in the west come through my door. Poor beggars they long to [indecipherable] but many of them will never

[Note in margin]
Canadians talk of Vancouver.

8 October 1916 Sun
Capt McClelland whilst having a yarn to him I find out he is a brother to Captain McClelland of Newtown. On our right a big boom bombardment is going on lasting something like three or four hours. It sounds to be down St Eloi way.

[Page 160]
[Printed page – Letts’s Diary order form]
G. B. Hughes
The "Gables"
Newington Rd
Marrickville
Sydney

[Page 161]
[Printed page – Letts’s Diary order form p.2]

[Page 162]
9 October 1916 Mon
From my dugout door there lies Ypres absolutely blown to pieces. Shell in the old cookhouse didnt do any damage. 8.30.pm. A couple of our planes are directly over my dugout & Fritz is shelling them for all he is worth. I saw one of our aeroplanes land brought down this morning on our left. Another bombardment to-night.

10 October 1916 Tues
A very quiet day. I spent most of the day making a knife from a German shell case & cartridge to send to Claude for Xmas. Mr. James came & paid us late at night. Very busy at midnight some bad cases passing through one a big policeman from Melbourne a Sniper but got him [chest].

[Page 163]
11 October 1916 Wed
Did not get to bed till 4.30 am this morning. Slept till dinner time. Just outside laying on stretchers are three dead men. Poor fellows they are just going to bury them. [indecipherable] Went broke [indecipherable]

12 October 1916 Thur
Had a game of two-up & did my wages in less than five minutes. Terrific bombardment followed by a raiding party of 7th Brigade gpomg over 2 prisoners wounded Germans. Found the German lines empty.

[Page 164]
13 October 1916 Fri
26th Battle are relieved by 27th. They are nothing like the old 5th Brigade. We are being relieved to-morrow by A Section consequently half of our section pushed back to the village of [indecipherable] this night. I am going to-morrow.

14 October 1916 Sat
Releived by a party of A Section & left the Bund at 10.30 pm. walking via the duckboards to Lille Gate start of town where we picked up a transport waggon returning from the line called in at Asylum midnight stopping a few minute before pushing off for the asylum Mill. Arrived Mill about an hour later & turn in next to the Grave diggers.

[Page 165]
15 October 1916 Sun
9.30 Left the Mill & marched through to Poperinghe. It is boska being in the village again. Went straight to Headquarters where we camped in newly made huts. Leave was granted at night & Gilby & I went out to-gether finishing up with a party of Belgiums. Lady says plenty [zig]

16 October 1916 Mon
I must say my job here could not be better. All I have to do is to fix up the requisitions of the different battles which needs a lot of running round in the motor to different villages. The trouble is that it wont last long enough. Went into Poperinghe with Clive [indecipherable] at night stopping in an estaminet where there is decent [piano]

[Page 166]
Went with Jeff Wood to Pop after tea.

17 October 1916 Tues
Spent the morning in getting batt medical orders to-gether. In the afternoon I went about seven miles into Godewaersveldte to procure [indents]. It was a good run in the car. Dick came with me. Aeroplanes one could hit them with a stone. Lady in shop say Private General Major all the same.

18 October 1916 Wed
Nothing much doing. Packed my kit as we expected be moving off again the day after tomorrow. Suffering with an attack of influenza so did not venture out to-night. Big argument in hut till 1 am. Raining all day. Toby comes home & opens his Lewis gun.

[Page 167]
19 October 1916 Thur
Hang about the dispensary best part of day. At night we went up to the Belgian Estaminet where a small sing-song was held. Jeff, Ack & myself were on the wheelers followed by McNuff.

20 October 1916 Fri
Left Poperinghe during the morning our first place to pass through was Abeele. We followed in rear of 21st Battalion. Arrive Steenvoorde which is a decent village in the afternoon Billeting in the Belle Vere estaminet. I went to sleep with the fumes coming up the stairs from the bar down below.

[Note in margin]
very very sick
[indecipherable]

[Page 168]
21 October 1916 Sat
Very sick all night attended sick parade 9.30 Result no duty. Afternoon B Section Played a team selected from A & C sections complete victory. Went out with Clive at night to several inns. Pladys Boquet in particular. Harbe leaves for Australia.

22 October 1916 Sun
Left Steenvoorde 9.30. Handing up blanket outside church. First town Cassel. One of the finest villages we have seen. French leave for dinner. Toby came over the hills with the wheelers. Buysscheure 6 pm. & tired & worn out, covering something like 13 miles good billets straw. Slept with Jeff. Letter from Jessie Brice.

[Note in margin]
View of Channel clear day Cassel.

[Page 169]
Marching to attention kicking tins. Jeff & I turned in together.

23 October 1916 Mon
Left Buysscheure 9.30 & after a [indecipherable] pace we halted about two miles from our starting point just off the main road having to wait for a large column of infantry to pass by joining them up in the rear. Apples, blackberries. Passed many vills finally getting lost after dark. Striking matches to read sign boards. Boys all cursing. Dry bread & tea for tea.

24 October 1916 Tues
Fell in 10.30 & whilst on parade the O.C. read out that Sgt Christmas had received the Military Medal. It was not [popular] with the boys so they [hooted]. Left St. Omer about dark after 17 miles walk. Raining all the way. Cattle trucks again. Very bad cold Clive rubs me with eucaytus.

[Page 170]
Arrived out of way Station before daylight marched over to Bouchon.

25 October 1916 Wed
Griffin is turned down with the two franks. Appletrees Scotty & McGee make themselves a nuisance. Issue of rum. Blacksmiths shop. Awful billet. A steep old village lying in the hills.

26 October 1916 Thur
Inspection of helmet. Griff gets his water bottle full of cognac. Lettuces [eschats] [indecipherable] Walk over the fields finishing up in the church yard. All in bed 6 pm. Moving again tomorrow.

[Page 171]
Reveille 6 am passed Amiens
6th Brigade attacked

27 October 1916 Fri
Left Bouchon 9.30 march by to Mouflers where we picked up the motor conveyances 21 22 25 Battalion of Field Amb. Engineers & ourselves. Hundreds of ears. Dinner bread & bully beef in motor. 35 miles travelled raining. Arrived Buire Sur Ancre. 5 pm. Starving. fruit 3 francs tin Carry 2 blankets

[Note in margin]
Rotten billet mud over ankles

28 October 1916 Sat
Jeff Wood & myself shared our blankets overnight as usual. Raining all day long. After dinner Jenns & I went over to the next village to see some of our friends in the 5th Brigade. I called on Jim who had a lot to tell me after just returning from his furlough to England. [Marie] shots a cake & a kiss when in bed. Met Cec Alworth also. German Prisoners all along the road working.

[Page 172]
Raining.

29 October 1916 Sun
Issue iron-rations again 9.30. Big fires in billet to keep us warm awfully cold. [Secretary Albert Society], [indecipherable]. Paid. Mary Ann when issue rum in the dark is knocked out by half a brick & Scotty the Human tank comes back after lights out & makes the usual nuisance of himself.

30 October 1916 Mon
Slice of fatty bacon two pickled onions & pint of tea across the sheet to start the day with. Notified whilst eating this frugal meal to pack my kit & be ready to sail off at 9.45 for some dressing station up the line. The roads were in bad state over boots in mud. Arrived Becordel 1 oclock. Unloading waggons in the rain. Prisoners clearing roads. Relieving 88th Field Amb. 15th Field Amb over the way. Frank [indecipherable], George Black, Cropley, Banner, Norm out Bearing. Dressed Mary Anns head. Sea of mud all round tent.

[Note in margin]
Rained all day

[Page 173]
laying in a blanket in next tent. Search lights scanning sky. Higgins. Fine towards dinner
Many aeroplanes & observer balloons

31 October 1916 Tues
Arose at 6.15 am terribly cold & raining as usual. Socks all sopping wet boots the same. Great change in this place since two months ago. Big guns & shells then all round. Now tents, train, dugouts. The line is now ten to twelve miles away. 241 cases 170 night. All regiments [indecipherable] Devons Argyle & Sutherlands Monmouth Fusiliers. The Hon Ryder Hussars. Aeroplanes dropped bombs to-night. One victim [text continued at top of page]

[Note in margin]
Met [indecipherable]

1 November 1916 Wed
On my way down to work I had pass the cookhouse where Sid Coleman bailed me with a pint of rum & tea. Bennos invitation to spend a few hours with him. Somebody knocked the jar of rum off the table & spilt the lot. Some 500 patients passed through. Curtis blankets & pyjamas. Bennos invitation to spend a convivial evening in bed full when I called.

[Page 174]
2 November 1916 Thur
Very busy all day attending to the sick & dressings of the wounded. Walked over to the 17th Field to see some of the boys.

3 November 1916 Fri
Counted as many as 47 aeroplanes up at once. Evidently they were trying to locate the guns that have been shelling Fricourt wood all day. Captain Alsopp temporarly attached in the dressing station. Powell of Enmore passes through sick.

[Page 175]
Delville Wood instantly lighting fire in the side wound. Broke me up experience of the past.

4 November 1916 Sat
Met Norman Burgess again & Arthur Davis at night. Hundreds more sick & wounded pass through mud & clothes. Young [Wurik] passes through suffering if I remember with trench feet. Terrible news of my great pals death Norman Sanderson killed in [text continued at top of page]

[Note in margin]
They are both dead now

5 November 1916 Sun
Busy as usual. The train brings load of wounded down. Several injections some 40 odd since 4 oclock. Bell pulls up a bottle of rum for me which Dick & myself consumed before retiring for the night. Very cold.

[Page 176]
great guns at night Zeppelins aeroplanes set fire to big French Ammunition dump.

6 November 1916 Mon
Gave Anti Tetanus injection to big Prussian Guard of one of the Bavarian Regiments. Leave to England has been started. Sid Colemans dugout two Sgt Majors Royal Irish Rifles big night ending in Sid being put under arrest. Dick Powter came home sick in his tin helmet

[Note in left margin]
magnificent sight

[Note in right margin]
Mr. [O’Connor] C.C.S. [indecipherable]

7 November 1916 Tues
To day is Melbourne Cup day & here we are up to our neck in work in sodden fields of France. I feel now as though I dont care if ever I see Australia again with Hubert & Cockie gone. Letter from Jay [indecipherable] & Snowy Milham – the [indecipherable] [Joe Barry] [indecipherable] passes on his to the C.C.S. George [indecipherable] wounded also.

[Page 177]
I did not see him but recognised his dear old voice on pulling up the flap at the back.

8 November 1916 Wed
Just after breakfast whilst up to my eyes in work I received the sad news that Jim was at last wounded & lying over at the 15th Dressing Station. I immediately slipped over & was just in time to say a few words to him as the car was on its way to the clearing station [text continued at top of page]

[Note in margin]
He has had a long run.

9 November 1916 Thur
Received letter from Mother stating that Vere was on his way back to Australia. I feel very depressed now as all my old friends are either dead or wounded. Norm Burgess receives M.M. for his services in Gallipoli.

H. Burcher severely W, Cocky Killed, Hubert Killed, Frank Killed, Roy Jolly Seriously Wounded, Vere Wounded, Norm Lewis Killed, Capt Lonsdale Killed, Jim Fay wounded.

Severe bombardment before going to sleep. Taubes busy dropping bombs bombs C.R.S. 6 killed

[Page 178]
Wheeler wakes me up at 3 am to tell me there would be [none of left] Talk about [curse]

10 November 1916 Fri
Very busy as usual put through something like 700 case within the last 24 hours. German aeroplanes overhead 8 p.m. dropping bombs. Wheeler under stretcher. Exceptionally heavy bombardment from midnight till daybreak. Heavier than Poziers. Never before have I heard such hell

[Note in margin]
Doc came over to see me

11 November 1916 Sat
Wrote to Mrs. Ellen Brown & Peter McLeod. On finishing work the butcher & Norm Burgess were waiting for me where we went to Butchers dugout & partook of a stiff rum. QM turned us down on asking for a nip. Whilst having a yarn Fritz sent a few shells over about 200 yds away. Very cloudy night consequently no aeroplanes.

[Page 179]
Some talk about taking Bapaume to night. Irish & Scots Guards.

12 November 1916 Sun
Worked till dinner time & then turned in. Went on duty at 7. pm just in time for about two hundred incoming cases. Trench Feet. The boys will never [stand] this. 4th Division go up. Doc Grey has at last been killed. Another from old Enmore. A chap of Great courage.

13 November 1916 Mon
Started to live with Sgt Bellemey in his dugout. The butcher by foul means procures a two gallon jar of rum & planted it on the road side. It was run over & broke by a waggon. [indecipherable] a walk over over to the graveyard about 50 yds from my dug-out. Several New Zealanders buried. One long open grave waiting to hold eighty bodies

[Page 180]
busy night I suppose I gave some two hundred injections of A. Tet.

14 November 1916 Tues
This has been a bad day for my section. Poor old Johnny Wain 18 years old has been Killed also Jake Harrison. Three of my pals Geoff Wood, Ack Adams, & [Jenno] have also been badly wounded. Scotty also stopped one through the arm. Our Sgt Christmas, Cotter & Carrol have all stopped one too. All have been evacuated. Very [text continued at top of page]

[Note in margin]
[Mar] Potter

15 November 1916 Wed
Turned into bed at 7 am & after a couple of hours good sleep I was awakened by Snowy [indecipherable] telling me that an officer was wounded in the dressing station & wished to see me. It was Clarry Loten who had stopped one in the nut. He has now his commission. Captain Rush was killed to-day. [Mar Potter] has been killed not wounded as we received the sad news [see text in margin] rum before turning in

[Text in margin]
Tom Windrum give me a good

[Page 181]
nearly stopped. Lou departs singing Marsellaise walking backwards Colonels orders to leave Bell. In

[Note in margin]
bed 48 hours caused [indecipherable]

16 November 1916 Thur
Slept till 3 p.m. when I was awakened by Lou Hodge entering our dugout. He had with him a sac containing several bottles of Watson [indecipherable] Jack Peacock – Bell – Lou & myself. Bell & myself in bed – Had several – went right off. Remember nothing. Discovered cold & nearly dead Colonel & Major Aidey. Stretcher hot water bottles. 10 blankets. Pulse [text continued at top of page]

17 November 1916 Fri
& [tomaine] poisoning

I knew nothing till breakfast when I was awakened by Mr. Long & then I learnt all that had happened. Spent all day in bed as I was very sick. Couldnt eat. Griffin joins me in hospital he has influenza.

[Page 182]
18 November 1916 Sat
Still in bed & stayed there till 5.30 pm. Raining very hard. Started work again at 7 p.m. Did not feel much like it. Had a quiet night in the dressing station so slept all through. Received £15 from Commonwealth Bank. Snowed overnight.

19 November 1916 Sun
Gun Pit 10 inch gun. Inspection. Ask leave Officers command. Explosion 3ft in the air. Took over the C.C.S. tent from Mat Batey. Buffet drinks. Went over to 15th to see some of the old boys.

[Page 183]
20 November 1916 Mon
Influenza not feeling too good. Dirty work officers Kit boots, Puttees, cars, buses 25 patients took wounded & bad cases C.C.S. slight C.R.S. Very cold 4 shirts on & a sheepskin vest also British warm.

21 November 1916 Tues
Sleep 11 – Bolten [indecipherable] woke me up to tell me he was leaving [19th] Batt to take Staff Captain job on 7th Brigade [indecipherable] very slack on Front no cases coming in. It is now midnight & we are sitting by a big table playing jack-pot. Started at 8 p.m. Doug Hall & Smith leave for London.

[Page 184]
22 November 1916 Wed
The [indecipherable] evacuate sick with [indecipherable]. Finished our game of [indecipherable] 6 am. after all night sitting lost 5 francs. Doug Hall & Smith leave – wrote to Mother & Ossie. Terribly cold, busy night. Bearers return.

23 November 1916 Thur
Leave to Amiens starts about sixteen men a day. Have all day there. Put about 200 sick & wounded through & then sat down to the poker school in the dressing tent. Paid this morning. Very foggy night.

[Page 185]
24 November 1916 Fri
Slept all day. A very quiet night on duty played cards till daylight winning about 50 francs. Issued with a tin of fruit & guermsey Clarry Power Cpt & [indecipherable] our new Sgt.

25 November 1916 Sat
On being relieved from duty at 7 am I turned in & slept till 5 p.m. Raining very hard. No aeroplanes about lately owing to the fogs.

[Page 186]
26 November 1916 Sun
Raining like the dickens. Changed over on to day work.

27 November 1916 Mon
9 pm. Corbey Alonville barrier. [wak] into Amiens 11 pm Y.M.C.A. knocking people up. French soldiers cafe early morning French soldiers. Boxer. Hot bath. Towel. Oysters. Du Rhin Hotel. Generals Garey Ride Train home. [Merriecourt] Cathedral beautiful dresses dinner French Officers. Hotel De [indecipherable] Beautiful

[Page 187]
[indecipherable]
Arrived home from Amiens 8.30 pm to night

29 November 1916 Wed
Big mail Fred, Joy, Thelma Home. Betty Pongo.
Ken & Norm Robbo leave for London

[Page 188]
30 November 1916 Thur
Xmas parcels from Winnie & Mother. Toby Wheeler evacuated. Still C.C.S. Tent. Sid Coleman comes to see me. Big feed in tent at night cream peaches cake prunes & chocolates.

1 December 1916 Fri
Lux Manfred evacuated another old bund gone. The cold weather is fixing the boys up.

20 more come into dressing station on stretchers [lad] with [drum] – Madman in tent

[Page 189]
2 December 1916 Sat
6 chaps going on Furlough to England were killed to-night by big shell whilst waiting for train on Abert Station

3 December 1916 Sun
Suffering with influenza very very cold. 1st Division going into the trenches. Issue of rum 7.30 pm but I am right off it. Rubbed Tom down with eucalyptus. Word that Bede Carrol has died of wounds.

[Page 190]
4 December 1916 Mon
An uneventful day.

Dick gives me a good massage with Eucalypti before bed. [indecipherable] his work.

5 December 1916 Tues
Letter from Linfield. Fritz puts few shells over not far away just after tea.

[Page 191]
6 December 1916 Wed
Shelling Albert. Won a few francs.

7 December 1916 Thur
Busy building big huts for winter quarters. Been fairly busy big train load of patients arrive. Poker school evens. Raining a little.

[Page 192]
8 December 1916 Fri
Raining some to-day. Very cloudy skies of late no aeroplanes. Poker again lost 12 francs.

9 December 1916 Sat
Took up our quarters in the newly made huts. Played poker till lights out. Dick Powter placed under arrest for having light by Sgt Smith. Poker school won 20.

[Page 193]
10 December 1916 Sun
Normie Hudson evacuated. Started night work. Taubes dropping bombs not far away.

11 December 1916 Mon
Very cold. Snowing at day break. Letter from Geoff Wood.

[Page 194]
12 December 1916 Tues
Very sick to night, vomiting a terrible headache, could not work.

13 December 1916 Wed
Went to work feeling much better 7 p.m. 2 am. Taubes visit the locality again dropped a few eggs. 3 am. Shelling Albert again shells passing overhead

[Page 195]
14 December 1916 Thur
News of poor old Ack losing his leg owing to his recent wounds. Received a good mail from Australia.

15 December 1916 Fri
Ken & Norm Robertson back from Blightry

[Page 196]
16 December 1916 Sat
Bad news again from Geoff saying he had had his arm taken off. 10 am. A battalion of highlands with pipes & drums playing passing by on their way to the line

17 December 1916 Sun
Wrote to McAlpine. Spent some time with Norm Burgess. He is going to England to night on furlough, whisky & milk. Stapleton an old school chum comes through sick.

[Page 197]
18 December 1916 Mon
Slept till 5.15 pm & started work at 7 pm.

19 December 1916 Tues
Letter & photo from Randolph received. Went over to Beacourt for walks.

[Page 198]
Saw the famous Mametz Wood

20 December 1916 Wed
Went to Fricourt. Saw and Got inside the famous tanks H.M.S.S. Duchess & Dinghy. Fritz all over the place buried

21 December 1916 Thur
Stayed in bed all day & slept till 6 pm. Expecting to go on leave any day.

[Page 199]
22 December 1916 Fri
Harry Gillanders killed Blown to pieces Body & legs left in trench. Gathered his legs & in bag.

23 December 1916 Sat
Went to Fricourt for a bath. Fricourt Wood.

[Page 200]
24 December 1916 Sun
Lost my job looking after evacuations. Starting dressing room 7 am. to-morrow. Christmas Eve decorations. Mines a beer [indecipherable]
[Anti Catarah]
[indecipherable]
[Chalk & Opium]

25 December 1916 Mon
A quiet day worked. Bell catches me having a drink. Colonel wishes me the compliments first thing. Kept working all day. Procured two bottles of fiz & with Tom Jones Percy Connors Fatty & myself finished them off.
[indecipherable] Compound
[indecipherable]
[indecipherable] 500

[Note in margin]
Beer & comforts.

[Page 201]
10.am Fritz is trying to locate one of our new batteries on the hill.

26 December 1916 Tues
Letter from Horace saying loss of arm. Received letter from Mrs. Peter McLeod. Canada aeroplanes came out this morning 25 in a bunch. Fred Searle evacuated.

27 December 1916 Wed
Up to eyes in work. Notified by [Cop] to get ready for England. Left Becordel 9.30 pm. with Harry Benson. Car pickup up [Mac] going to Albert Station Station in ruin

[Page 202]
Left Albert 4 am.

28 December 1916 Thur
Cairo.
QM.S Murphy FW
D Company
24th Batt
6th Brigade

Very cold. [Gordons Camerons Argyle Engineers Guards all new] Awful trip.

29 December 1916 Fri
[indecipherable] Smith
[indecipherable] Stinger Hotel
Petrograd up to neck 16-2-16
(4302) 13th of 13th Batt.
Cairo

Arrived Le Havre 4 am. Billeted rest camp. Letters censored. Tickets signed. S.S. Viper. On deck Tommy sick in boot. Left Le Havre 10 p.m & before midnight on our way across the Channel.

[Page 203]
Arrived Southampton 6.am. Train dressed
[dequatarian]
Mdle Lawrence Weillaert
Route du [indecipherable]
Steenwerck
Nord
France

Arrived in London 12.30 am. Met Doc. Horseferry Rd. [indecipherable] him Old [indeciphereable] Gaiety Theatre. Left Kings Cross 11.30 pm by the Flying Scotchman

31 December 1916 Sun
Arrived in Edinburgh 7.30 am. Overseas Club. High St Burn’s abodes. Waverley Hotel. Edinburgh Castle, Portobello, Holyrood [Palm], Old Tron Kirk Midnight. Welcome everywhere, Doc Mac & Self – Francis Coles’ home.

[Page 204]
Enlisted 13th February 1915 & passed into 17th Battalion.
Joined 5th Field Ambulance 1st March.
Left Liverpool early in March for Queens Park Waverley.
Left Sydney by S.S. Ceramic June 25.
Off Port Phillip Sunday 27th.
Thursday 1st July Cape Leeuwin sighted.
Sunday 4th Burial at sea. Confined to hospital with measles.
Sat 10th 3rd burial at sea.
Sunday 11 Church parade Mr. Walden officiated.
Thursday 15th A great sight Cape [Guardifui] which is the African coast.
Friday 16th Sgt Walder passed away died at 6 p.m. Arrived off [indecipherable]
Sat 17 Passed several boats also 12 islands called the 12 apostles In the Red Sea.
Monday 19th land on both sides approaching canal.
Slightly

[Page 205]
aground off the entrance to Suez Canal at 8 am on Tuesday 20.

Wednesday 21 at break of day we sailed through the entrance. Saw trenches made against Turk on the canal banks. Indians & Tommies stationed all along.

Thursday 22 arrived Port Said & received a great ovation by the sailors on british warships.

Sailed for Alexandria Friday reached Alex entraining for Heliopolis camp. Visited Heliopolis at night.

Saturday paid my first trip to Cairo.
Saw [indecipherable] tree & well on Thursday 29th.
Friday 30th. Saw Cleopatras needle
Sunday 8th August church parade on the sand 2000

[Page 206]
men.

Monday 16th August Boarded the S.S. Saturnia for at Alexand for Lemnos other troopships accompanied us.

Wed 18th owing to the prevelance of submarines we zigzagged all the way to Lemnos.
Thursday 19th arrived Lemnos safely early morn.

Friday 20th Boarded SS Osmanieh at 7 pm & sailed for the Dardanelles.

Landed at day break on Saturday 21st & had my first experience of warfare Stretcher-bearing that night

Sunday 22 August the greatest day of my life poor Bill Ramage killed 18th Battalion cut up sustaining about 500 casualities

[Page 207]
Friday 27th poor old Mac met his end by shrapnel in the donga. All men of our unit out bearing Casualities very heavy

Saturday 28 rested all day after the heavy work we did last night. Plenty of bullets & shrapnel flying about

Friday 3rd Sept. B Section moved from Waldron Point to Monash Gully Popes Quinns Strells & Courtneys

Monday 6th fresh meat issued

Sat 27 November the start of the snow.
Monday 29 scarcity of water boys melt snow down to obtain a drink

Saturday 11 Dec

[Page 208]
B Section moved from Popes post to Mule Gully. Ken entering our dugout is hit by cap of 75

Thursday 18 bearing Russels Top Received orders to move off the peninsular
Arrived Lemnos early morning & found our camping ground at West Mudros late that afternoon. Stones in galore

Saturday 25th Christmas day received billies

Sat Jan 17 Visited [Forbianos] room of skeletons
Monday 3rd Left Lemnos for Alexandria by S.S. Manitou
Saturday 8th January arrived Alexandria.

Sunday

[Page 209]
9th arrived Tel el Kebir.

The record has ended Anzac has been evacuated

M Madeleine Boulogne
[a hotelle du rin amiens a Somme]

H. W. Harbison
Numurkah
Victoria

[Page 210]
Pte Jack Murphy
5th Field Ambulance
Ingress Abbey Hdq
Greenhithe Kent
Died

[Page 211]
The old Captain Penfold or the button emperor.

[Driver V.P. Taylor]
9081 B.A.C.
22nd Howitzer Brigade
2nd Australian Division
A.I.F. 22/4/16.
In France.
Steenwerck

Lieut Davey, Captain Lennen, Lieut Pearce, Lieut Carroll, Captain McArthur, Lieut Barlow, Lieut McRae, Lieut Minter, Captain Parker, Captain Needham, Lieut O’Connor

Mdle Laurence Weillaert
Route du Mortier
Steenwerck
Nord
France

[Page 212]
12.5.16
S. G. Jeffes [Lie. Cpt] 5th Fld Amb.
Who first informed Jeff of his best Chums death (Killed on Active Service) Patrol Duty Although he is now above the clouds we will drink to his Bon Voyage above. he served his country. I shall never forget the good work he did at "Quins Post" Gallipoli (One of the B boys)
Steve

In the old Estaminet outside Steenwerck.

Xmas cards
Joy Sussman
Pongo Fay

[Page 213]
30.3.16
I shall never forget these nights & days [indecipherable] They will rank as some of the happiest days of my life. How & what would I give for Roy to be able to share them with me.

Mlles Maria [Germaine]
[indecipherable]

Jack Hawkins
A Company
25 Battalion

[Page 214]
Big affair today [fed up] 6/9/16
Also Stinger will inked.
Tel-el-kebir.
Jack Dudgeon

Pte Robert [Thomson] No 2957
5th Field Ambulance
(or) "Home"
Vincent Street
Canterbury
N.S.W.

Written in an old [indecipherable] in Flanders

[Page 215]
Austin Davis
Wilson St
Redfern
15th Field Ambulance

Oswald A Cropley
Hill Street
Coogee
15th Field Ambulance

[indecipherable]

I met this French soldier in the train from Hazebrouck to [Thiennes]. He was a good chap & made me share [indecipherable]

[Page 216]
N. Burgess
Fays Pub
Enmore Sydney N.S.W.
Australia

Tel-El-Kebir
The Big Night N.B.

H. Williams
5th Field Amb

Memory of the big night at Tel el Kebir

[Page 217]
Evacuated from [indecipherable] Post

E. Vickery 3892
5th Field Ambul
Good night
Tel-el-Kebir

4-2-16.
S. G. Jeffes 2892
B. Sect 5 Fld Ambulance
[Bueno Troche]
Tel el Kebir

[Page 218]
T.S.S. – Ceramic
Port Suez
Suez Canal
Port Said
Alexandria
Heliopolis
Cairo
T.S.S. Saturnia
Lemnos Island
T.S.S. Osmanieh
Gallipoli
Anzac
Waldrons Point
Popes Quinns
Courtneys
Steeles
Lone Pine
Mule Gully
Walkers Ridge
Monash Gully
Shrapnel Gully
Wellington Gully
Rost Gully
Reserve Gully
S.S. Princess Ena
S.S. Manitou
Tel el Kebir

[Mt Kembla]
Moascar
Malta
Marseilles
Arles
Avignon
Orange
Montelima
Lyons
[Maior]
[indecipherable]
Braune
Dijon
Tonnerre
Amiens
Dunkirk
Calais
Boulogne
Ballieul
Hazebrouck

S.S. Ceramic
S.S. Saturnia
S.S. Osmanieh
S.S. Princess Ela
S.S. Manitou
S.S. Arcadia

Steenbecque
Croix du Bac
[indecipherable]

[Note in margin]
Ismailia – Ferry Post. Rail Head – Australia [indecipherable]

[Page 219]
[Many names here are too faint to transcribe]

Kavanagh
Robertson Killed
Leishman
Whitehead
Morris D of W.
Stan Page killed
Joe Barry
Lt Foster
Sgt Bill Cobbins Killed first day in action Armientieres
Frank Cheadle Killed on patrol
G. Hughes

[Page 220]
[indecipherable]
The ground is also hard as can be
With an old waterproof
That does for a roof
And the flees always tormenting
Then the Turks throwing bombs all around
No worse place on earth could be found
There are fleas, there are lice
I shall always think twice
Of returning to Gallipoli
The cooks of the 5th A.M.C.
They manage to spoil even tea
Their stew and their rice
You would hardly call nice
In fact they are no good to me
Their [wood] & their water we [draw]
Besides a great many thing more
They live on the best
And we get the rest
While campaigning in Gallipoli

Composed by [indecipherable] at Popes [Post]

[Page 221]
Back cover

[Transcribed by Sandra Mutton for the State Library of New South Wales]