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Attestation April 13'16
Act. Corp. Oct. 16,'16
Con. ' March, 2'17
Sargeant. Con. Mar 3,'18
Rate of pay 1.50 per day
Assigned pay 20.00 Mrs Wills
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Jan. 5th 19 Getting equipped.
We have to go through all kinds
of nonsense before we go on our
leave. Everything must be just
so and you can only wear regulation
stuff. For instance, they
give you a piece of cord which
must be made into a lanyard
and blancoed whereas a
cahp can by one for a shilling.
The officer say that they don't
care what we wear when we have
left camp but we must be up
to regulations when we leave.
Its the army's way of doing
things.
Jan. 6th Some more inspeection
by officers who have nothing
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else to do.
Jan. 7th. Same old thing
today. Inspection. Everyone is
getting fed up and sore.
Jan. 8th. Orders come through
this morning that we were to
proceed on leave at 11.45.
Consequently there was a great
deal of bustling and then we
were paraded for the colonel's
approval. He had some members
to pass but finally we proceeded
to Bordon station only to
find that our warrants had
not arrived. However, we [1 word]
to go to London, and arrived
at 2pm. We got our warrant
and set out to get a room but
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London is so full of troops that
it was impossible so I decided
to go to Devon and caught
the midnight from Paddington.
Jan. 9th. Arrived at Plymouth
at 7am and went to Uncle
Harry's but found he was out.
Went to Uncle Ned's and crossed
to Cremyll in the afternoon.
Saw Uncle Jim and then went
to Aunt Bessie's where I spent
the evening.
Jan. 10th. Went shopping
this morning. Then went to
Aunt Mary and later to Aunt
Polly's and Carol's. Spent
night at Hoe Lake.
Jan. 11th. Went to Aunt
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Bessie's and in afternoon
went to Plymouth with Marjorie.
Spent night there.
Jan. 12th. Left at noon for
Paddington. Saw Newton Abbot
while waiting for a train.
Reached Aunt [1 word] that
night and went to chapel.
Saw Aunt Polly and Uncle
Sam.
Jan. 13th. This morning
walked along the front and
on to Torquay. Beautiful place.
In the afternoon got a carriage
and took Aunt Matt and
Bella up Marldon Lane to
Uncle Johan's and saw Aunt
Mary Ann and he. Then came
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home via Five Lanes and
Preston Lane. Left tonight on
11.05 for London.
Jan. 14th In London at
7am. Met Boswell Leo at
noon and went to Box of
Tricks at 'Hippodrome'. Had
tea at Corner House and then
said good bye to Boswell.
Took in a movie show. Then
looked for a bed. Had a
hard time. Finally put up at
Cosmo Hotel.
Jan. 15th. Went to see
'Canada'. Left at 2pm to see
the Ivalls (?). Had a most pleasant
time. Went to show in
the evening.
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Jan. 16th. Met McIntosh
<del>Put up in</del> went to see Charlie
and then to B. C. Horne. Had
lunch with Charlie and went
to Waterloo on way home.
Met Corp. Atkinson and
Bob Wills. Arrived at Bordon
at 6.30pm.
Jan. 17th. Getting settled
again. Nothing going.
Jan. 18th. Orders came in
that we are going to Rhyl
tomorrow. Great preparation.
Pay parade and medical
inspection. At 3pm we were
ordered out for colonel's inspection.
It was a scream
'Hats off' <del>for</del> to see if men
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had a proper hair cut. Keep
standing in the cold. All
kinds of complaint. Had
about a dozen roll calls.
Orders to leave in morning.
Jan. 9th. Reveille at
3.30 am. Despite inspection
yesterday we left in the dark
and carried our kit as we liked.
Train left Borden at 8am
and we proceeded with
through Reading, Birminghan,
Wolverhampton and
Crewe. Very cold in the
Midlands. Reached Rhyl
at 5pm and after our
roll call started out from
Abergele on a farm mill
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mile to the camp. It was
a hard to on short rations
and we were mighty glad
when we reached camp and
one can imagine our disgust
when we found a
branch line running into
camp from Rhyl. Went to
bed right away.
Jan. 20th. First parade
at 8am. Went through record
office and gave all year's
history about four times.
Very complete place this
next parade at 1 pm.
Nothing doing. Went to
Rhyl this afternoon by
taxi and had a good
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feed, took in a show
and went to the skating
rink. Then got the 10pm
train back. There are
no restrictions here. Good
dump.
Jan. 21st. Weather fair.
Nothing startling. Put in for
pass to London at 4.15pm.
Arrived Euston at 10.10
and Charlie meet me, went
to Hammersmith for evening
and had feed. Had jake
bed in the parlor.
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Jan. 23rd. Went up town
and saw 'Canada Mail' and
'Mirror'. Went out for evening
to a friend's.
Jan. 24th. Up town. Went
to Ivell's and had tea and
in the evening went to 'Hallo
America' with charlie and
Mary.
Jan. 25th. Up town. Left
London at 3.50. Train
packed. Arrived Rhyl at
10pm and had to walk to
camp 7 miles. I was kind
of <del>tried</del> tired.
Jan. 26th. Weather fair.
It rains off and on and gets
quite muddy. Went to
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Rhyl had tea and later
promenaded.
Jan. 27th 28th 29th
Hanging around for a draft.
No sailings going out these
days. Its a drained life
and very distancing.
Jan. 30th & 31st No fresh
news. Everyone fed up. Nothing
moving at all.
Feb. 1st To Rhyl.
Had good feed and went
to rink and movies. Met
Tom Webster and spend
day with him. Went to
St. Asaph before going to
Rhyl.
Feb. 2nd Weather fair.
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went to Abergele with Black
and Bowden and fed in the
Bee Hotel. Met a couple of
janes went to church.
Had a walk along promenade
and then back to
camp.
Feb. 3rd. Hanging around
waiting for draft [1 word] on No.
14 Draft. Hoped to sail
tomorrow but guess not. Met
Evelyn at Y.M. and Bowden
is taking her [1 word] tomorrow.
This is some life.
Feb. 4th. No draft today.
Hanging about.
Feb. 5th. Weather very
cold. Hard job keeping
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warm. No huts open in the
morning and have to keep
walking to keep warm.
Spend evenings taking in concert
parties.
Feb. 6th Weather cold.
Heard that No. 14 draft was
cancelled and taht No. 15 &
16 were going. We demanded
to see O.C. but as he wouldn't
come out decide to
assist him and he came out.
We wanted men sent over <del>ou</del>
according to the length
of time they were in the
camp. So the O.C. said he
would see the (sic) we went
first.
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Feb. 7th. Noting doing.
All kinds of rumours
about sailings.
Feb. 8th. Walked down
to Abergele for exercise.
Met [1 word]
Feb. 9th. Went to Abergale.
Had tea at Bee Hotel
then went to church. Was in
an interesting mix-up. Orders
to sail in morning.
Feb. 10th. Weather cold.
Up at 6am. Left camp at
8.45a and entrained
at 11am. Left for Liverpool
where we arrived at 2pm.
Went on to Royal George
and looked her over.
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slipped out into the
streams at 4pm and
left down stream at
5pm. So its good-bye
Blighty at last. It <del>ha</del> will
be<del>en</del> a land of sweet
memories. I have spent these
years [1 word] about it
of and on and have made
numerous acquaintances
whose friendship I will
always cherish.
Feb. 11th. Awoke this
morning to find the coast
of Ireland off our starboard
beam. The sea was not heavy
but many of the boys were
feeding the fish before
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breakfast. Conditions
are not of the best. The
grub is good but the men's
accomodation is poor. The
men on E deck <del>are</del> have
to sling their hammocks
over their mess table
and when sick the men
throw up where others
must eat. We have only
one engine working and
are making slow speed.
Doing a lot of reading
and walking on deck.
Feb. 12th. Weather
good. Everyone seems in
good spirit. Few sick
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today. All kinds of wild
rumours as to when we will
get in. Got paid one pound
today. A little Monte Carlo
started in the mess room.
They were poker games, Banker
House, Black Jack, Crown
and Anchor going full
blast.
Feb. 13th. Weather fair
this morning but this afternoon
a S.W. gale sprung
up and there were many
cases of S.S. Our cabins
are very hot. The grub is
rotten. Hard boiled eggs
for breakfast, mulligan for
lunch and frozen ballonie
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for tea.
Feb. 14th. Fine weather
shuffleboard and deck
quite and an occasional
bout between ship's hands.
They made a raid on the
C. A. boards and one man
is in the clink. The trip
is more or les of a torture
as there is nothing for anyone
to do but gamble and when
your money's done -
napoo.
Feb. 15th. Weather
fair. Exception for this
season of the year. Had
a blow tonight.
Feb. 16th. Nothing
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much doing. Sargeant
now eating first-class.
Feb. 17th Weather
becoming cooler, which
means Canada is getting
close, snowflurries.
Feb. 18th Weather
cold. Heavy head wind
and some snow. Ship
doing considerable plunging.
Got pay books and
had medical inspection.
Feb. 19th. Weather
cold. Orders that we will
land tomorrow. Due to
drop anchor at 10pm
and will go in in the
morning. Surveying the
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lead and taking something
all day. Some
talk of mines and wrecks.
Dropped anchor at 10pm
in the harbor and saw the
lights of Halifax.
Feb. 20th. Up at 5am
and turned in blankets.
Went on deck and found
weather quite mild. Expected
to find lots of snow
and ice but such was not
the case. Heave anchor at
7am and pulled alongside
dock with assistance of
tugs at 7.30am. We met
by many ladies and
citizens and a moving
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picture man. Were given
oranges, doughnuts and
at 8.30 am disembarked.
A band played all morning.
Went through office
and were looked after by
some ladies and got a
cup of real coffee. At
11.30 am were put on train
and left at noon. Troops
to Montreal have cushioned
seats while we have slats.
Passed through Fruro,
Amherst and Moncton
today and were well received.
Have fair quarter
and fair grub.
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Magician. Bob is
kidding into going up
and helping magician.
He goes. Holding a big
bowl of water. magician
puts clother over it
and leaves. <del>Jack</del> Bob
with block of ice.
Eyes bulge like a cod
fish's.
'Ah hell with the
bowl.'
Heat of his body cause
ice to melt runs down
his pants. Sweat
freeze on his brow.
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My father gave me a good
start in the world. He told
me either to take the farm or
starve. <del>The farm</del> I took the
farm it had only two side
fences and Ihave been looking
for the ends ever since
Did he help you along
with the toe of his boot, asked
one.
No but he might have had
I not got out of the way.
My mother did all the
work. He lay around. One
time he said only one man
was to do the laying around
in his house and he was
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the man.
---
I was hit on the Somme
by a sniper. My pal came
up and put on a [1 word]
'Who got you?'
'A guy over there'
Pal went over and brought
him back.
'What'll I do with him'
'Shoot him' I said as
I was weak with the
loss of blood.
Pal put a bullet through
him. We lay alongside
one another all night. I
lost my leg.
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Dan Macdonald
21 Bartleman Apts
Regina
---
Wilbert W. Gardhouse
Box 75 Weston
---
Who made Canada's
traditions?
Not the staff, not the
officers but the men whose
initiative when in a hole
did the trick. Too much
shouting about men who
received K.Cm Gs etc.
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'Fortune sometimes smiles
on those who work hard
and suffer hardship.
'Well guess I'm out of luck
I never worked hard or
suffered.'
You did you were in
France'
---
[1 word] I looked all
over heaven today but I
couldn't see daddie
You go out and look'
---
Cleaning guns and horses
and yourself lousy?
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must have profited.
Buildings like the
Parliament, Abbey Paris
Madelaine au Paris
Eiffel Tower, the railroad
system must have been
impressed. If he that only
of I can't get a room with
hot and cold water in it.'
---
Do not condemn too strongly.
---
Boys have had rum?
Their nerves and systems
have been affected.
They have been on leave
after being 16 mos without
seing a white person.
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They have ben fleeced for
their money.
They have had to combat
every know vice which has
been deliberately placed
in their path by the [1 word]
of humanity
---
Canadians getting home.
The Last shall be first
and the first shall be
last.
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religion at home or anywhere.
Another chap still goes
to church and did not
go out. Mother thinks
Mang? should
marry him.
Does unhappy. Then
turns to Charlie.
---
James, a lawyer who
didn't go overseas. His
Mother claimed him as
her sole support yet she
put him through college.
Marry a man, Edith!
says her brother
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Do I regret.
Joined the army. Three
years of my life. Have
come in contact with
men of various views
and opinions, have learned
no to think that my home
possessed the many
ideas and inventions.
If a man went out with
the idea that the foreigh
land could show him
nothing of [1 word] he
could not be shown
but if he went looking
for advantages he
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standing apart.
Met Jane at coffee bar
and with B opened conversation.
Left it to Bowden
then financed his flirtation.
---
Beating the spirits.
Jack and Bill home
from France. Things
quite. Recall <del>all</del> old
times. Crown and Anchor
game. Bill meets Jack's
sister. Steadies down.
Jack's gets engaged.
Bill saved Jack's life
in France and goes to
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live with them. Sister goes with
next page
The curse of the Canadian
army. Cleaning.
Canada's Democracy -
Equal right
The soldier got his $1.00 a
day. The munition worker
earned him.
The new religion
Padre out here who could
drink.
Tellow has Jane before
going out. Went to church
etc. Comes home find it
different. Can have his
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A. Wilderspin.
7 Trumpington St
Cambridge.
Peter Porter.
42 York Rd.
Katherine Rd.
Forrest Gate
Essex
W. Kelly
46 Cross Hatts
Crescent
Beeston Leeds
Yorkshire
525.28 q Ernie
Capt. H. Watkins
O i/c Canadian
War Records
Historical Section
14 Cliffords
Bond St.
G. Hough
1666 Queens St
Toronto
J.B. Mayes
1111 Robson St
Vancouver
Laura Peto
Bellavista
Hurtmore Rd
Farncombe
M. Morrison
29 Park Rd
Glasgow W.
W. Plumb
141 Luxton Ave
Winnipeg
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Dan McDonald
2344 Rose St
Regina
P. Edser
11 Brookhill Rd
Plumstead SE
H.f. Sturjeon
Edmundsbury
Basbridge Lane
Godalming
Walter Porter
103 Glendale Ave
Lydia Porter
751 Queen's St. W
Ed Porter
9 Durnford St
Stonehouse
David Akers
20 Tunxis Hill Rd
Bridgeport Conn
Mrs. R. Kent
5 Montreal Rd
Brookfields
Mary Porter
6 Cross St
Wellesley M.
Alma <del>Porter</del> Horton
1376 Queens St W
Mrs. F.s. Thon
PO Box 964
Pembroke
Evelyn Sutton
11 Mt Pleasant
Abergale
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Editor
Evening News
Carmelite House
E.C. 4
---
Literary Editor
'The Daily Mail'
London, E.C.4
---
Kid holds block of ice
(?) The handle with care
a temperature. (?)
The stuff that told:
You can't do anything for me.
Suffered it.
Did I put up a good fight
---
Bought a cow! Plumped you
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Edith Trall 'The hawn'
126 Trinity Rd
Wand Com
London
Chas. Porter
43 Batown Gardens
Hammersmith W.6
Carol Porter
The Cleave
Kingsand
Mrs. C. Porter
Hillside King's
Miss Julia Slater
127 Romeford Ave
Forrest Gate E15
Ana Petersen
Room 510
Hotel Washington
Portland
Ken Smith
102 Oxford St.
Halifax
U I A McGregor
1816 1/2 E. Lake Ave
Seattle
M. Monnier
37 Rue le Peletier
Poste Restante
Paris IX
Jessie Fraser
G. Hospital
Vancouver
R. Souter
81 Walker St.
Dennistown
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Item is the eighth and final diary written by Archie Wills during World War I. This volume covers the period of Wills' stay at the army camp in Bordon, England until his departure for Canada. The diary illustrates the monotony and frustration of waiting to return to Canada after the war. Wills includes accounts of his transfer to Rhyl, departure from Liverpool (February 10, 1919), the conditions on board the ship, arrival in Halifax (February 20, 1919), and the final journey West by train. The diary also includes notes on conversations and events.
[start page]
Volume 8. My Life in the Army.
Archie Wills.
On way home. Camp Borden, Rhyl
Halifax, Toronto, Victoria.
Dec. 31, 1918-March 22nd
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