[start page]
Name MRS F.H. Wills
Address 1002 Caledonia Ave
VICTORIA, B.C.,
CANADA
In the event of this Diary being
lost, kindly return to above address
DIARY AND
NOTEBOOK
MCMXVIII
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FOR two years following the Declaration
of War, Charles Letts's
Diaries were published at pre-War
prices, but costs of manufacture so
increased that it was found necessary to
revise and, in many cases, increase the
selling prices of Diaries for the year 1917.
It was greatly hoped by the Publishers
that no further increase would be
necessary, but, unfortunately, the price of
Paper, Leather, Cloth and other materials
has continued to rise to such an extent
that, very reluctantly, after again carefully
revising the cost of each edition, the
Publishers have found it necessary in
certain instances to again advance the
selling price. It was felt that the Public
generally would prefer a small increase in
price rather than any falling off in Quality,
and the total increase is still far below
the increased ratio cost (paper alone
is now more than 100% above the pre-War
standard), and certainly far below
the increased cost of many other articles
of daily use. Our Readers may rely on
prices reverting to those of pre-War days
as soon as the present high cost of
materials approximate the normal figure.
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ECLIPSES
BANK HOLIDAYS.
HOLIDAYS AT PUBLIC OFFICES.
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Eclipses January 1918-April 1918
*Average of 77 years (1840-1916).
The heavy ruled line indicates the duration of the Law Sittings.
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Eclipses May 1918-August 1918
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[star page]
Eclipses September 1918-December 1918
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SUN, 1918.
Times of Rising and Setting for the
meridian of Greenwich.
January-December
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Daily Wants' Dictionary (continued)
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Personal Memoranda. Train Service.
Watch No. To Town. From Town.
Season Ticket No.
Telephone No.
Motor Car No.
Motor Licence No.
Bank Pass Book No.
Telegraphic Address.
Size in Gloves.
Size in Boots.
Size in Collars.
Size in Hats.
Weight 11 st. 4 lbs Date 8/11/17.
Height 5 ft. 8 1/2 ins. Date 8/11/17.
Name and Address ARCHIE H. WILLS
1002 CALEDONIA AVE..
VICTORIA, B.C.
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19 MEMORANDA.
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MEMORANDA.
Dec 31st. Weather cold. Laid
in all day. Nothing doing at all;
plenty of air activity. This is
new year's Eve so we went down
to Marie's estaminet and had
a bit of fun. She's some baby.
Jan
Had bad back after
changing guns two nights
previous.
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21 MEMORANDA.
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MEMORANDA.
The Astronomical and other Notes throughout the Diary refer
to Great Britain; the times of the Moon's Phases, Sun Rising
and Setting and other Astronomical data are given in Greenwich
Mean Time and for the Meridian of Greenwich and during the
operation of the Daylight Saving Bill the times given must be
altered accordingly
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23 JANUARY 1st Month 1918
1 TUESDAY [I-364]
Circumcision. Stock Exchange closed.
She came in with a bang
sure enough. Fritz got gay on out front
and shot over a lot of T.M. and
of course our boys came back and
there was a real roar up the line.
Spent the day in bed and
went out for awhile in the evening
we haven't been paid for so
long we are all broke.
Tonight there was another
roar up the line and the sky
was illuminated. Fritz is getting
gay but when the SOS. comes our
boys are right there. Some gas
came over and course we
give and take. There's a bit
of wind up all along.
Sargeants having 30 francs
supper. Drank so much champagne
it cost them double that
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1918 31 Days JANUARY
2 WEDNESDAY [2-363]
Was up and about today. It
was a bit warmer and the sap is
of a thaw. We do not have so
much to do in these lines but the
old mokes must be looked after.
Few [1 word] have to go up the line.
We were down to the Y tonight
and while there Fritz
started another show which we
finished for him. He made quite
a bold air raid the other night
and dropped bombs quite handy.
Our planes went over again and
bombed his lines.
Our battery is smartening
up. We have to spit and shine
for 9 o'clock Parade. I say
that we are getting slack.
Ritchie has gone to base
and Bill Leonard has made
Blighty.
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25 JANUARY 1st Month 1918
3 THURSDAY [3-362]
Had to begin again Back
bad. Was up late in the day and
in evening went down to maries
estaminet and had a whale of a
time.
The gun limbers were ordered
up the line at a minute's notice
and we thought there was a bad
strafe on and we had to pull out.
On arriving at B. found that there
was mistake in order and only
one limber was wanted.
Canadian mail at last
arrived.
Weather very cold. Roads
very slippery. Horse unable to
stand up.
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1918 31 Days JANUARY
4 FRIDAY [4-361]
Weather very cold. Makes
you shiver to get up. The inside
of the tin is all white with frost.
There was a bath parade
this morning and we no sooner
got under the tap and put some
soap on than we had to get out
as the water was shut off. Some
bath. It was as cold as sin
and sin in this country is pretty
bad.
Planning sub-section feed
<del>tonight</del> tomorrow night
Dipped[?] our horses as they
are getting boney like ourselves.
We're the grit and shine
boys these days. You should see us
on parade.
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27 JANUARY 1st Month 1918
5 SATURDAY [5-360]
Dividends due. (Last Quarter, 11.50 am.
Weather cold. Nothing
doing.
Had sub-section fall
at 6 o'clock. Started with
soup, then roast pork, apple
sauce, potatoes, beans, carrots,
then roast chicken, a quarter
each some more vegetables,
fruit, biscuits, etc.
At 10 p.m. we were turned
out of the estiminet and
came back hardly able to move.
Had half holiday
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1918 31 Days JANUARY
6 SUNDAY [6-359]
Epiphany.
Up as usual. Weather
cold. There was a church parade
for five men per sub. The
remainder went to stable to
clean harness. Its cold
work.
Did duty section this
afternoon
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29 JANUARY 1st Month 1918
7 MONDAY [7-358]
Plough Monday
It looks like a change
in weather. A thaw has set in
and it rained this afternoon.
Cleaning harness all
day. Nothing startling.
Went down to see Marie
tonight and kidded her along
John Helmcken back
off Blighty leave.
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1918 31 Days JANUARY
8 TUESDAY [8-357]
Weather cold. Heavy
snow. A decided change in the
weather. It snowed all day
and at noon there was a regular
blizzard. The roads are in
bad shape.
We are having plenty of
argument these days. Plenty of
love stuff with Soule and
Barn enlightens us on his
days as a capitalist. Now he
goes into a banker game with
a 'apenny and went he makes
3d[?] departs and says he has
enough for a drink.
We are opening a canteen
in a few days.
Cleaning harness all
day.
Concert by 'Ramblen'[?] at
Y.M.C.A. tonight.
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JANUARY 1st Month 1918
9 WENESDAY [9-356]
Christmas Fire Insurance ceases.
Coldest night in France.
Must have been down to zero.
The inside of the hut was like a
refrigerator. The galvanized
iron was coated with frost. It
did look grand but when we
climbed out of our blankets to
dress it was a son-of a-gun.
We cleaned harness
all day in prep action for
the inspection.
At noon today a blizzard
visited us and it was a hard
job beating against it.
Went to the YM tonight
to hear Capt.Cameron.
Have quite a job getting
firewood and we need<del>s</del> lots
of it to keep warm.
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1918 31 Days JANUARY
10 THURSDAY [10-355]
If not already done, send in Accident registration form.
Weather very cold. Big
inspection of harness and
horses this morning. A. sub
was complimented many times
We took the palm this trip.
The steel was like silver. We
<del>pulled up all</del> covered up all
the windows so as to make
things dark so the steel
showed up fine.
Nothing starting today
took out exercise ride
Today the poker friends
tried to break Barn, but he
played a safe game only
going in when he had a pair
and came out with all their
coin.
Stayed in to write tonight
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JANUARY 1st Month 1918
11 FRIDAY [11-354]
Hilary Law Sittings begin.
Raining. Weather change.
Snow desappearing. Plenty
of mud.
This morning we had
a route march, with a Kilted
band leading. They suddenly
discovered that we need
training and straightening
up at the wagon lines or else
they want to get us into shape
to hit the roads when we retire.
Went to Bethune this afternoon.
Made the trip in 3 1/2
hours. Met Fred Cearne. Bought
football.
Had another chicken
dinner 6 francs, at the
hotel here. It was
More Xmas mail tonight
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1918 31 Days JANUARY
12 SATURDAY [12-353]
New Moon, 10.30 p.m.
Weather mild. Had a
bath this morning, of course I
didn't need it.
This afternoon came up
the guns. Percy and I were held
up on the road as Frity was
shelling. When going through
Col-e an incendiary shell
landed close and sent up a
big glare. Was bursting shrapnel
all over Le. but we got
through alright. Brigade
caught it badly.
Turned in early and had
a good sleep 30 feet below
the surface and let Heinie
carry on with his noise.
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JANUARY 1ST Month 1918
13 SUNDAY [13-352]
1st after Epiphany.
Weather cool. Reveille at
6.15 am. as some general is to
give us the once over but he never
came. Got several stand to and
went after a working party on
a concrete horse and pasted
them all day.
This afternoon put a
shot in amongst the party and
only one fellow was on his feet
when the smoke cleared away
and he was using them to good
advantage.
Tonight a battery over the
line got gay and strafed our
lines so we said [illegible] and
dropped him a lot of gas and
shut him up tight.
Ammunitions tonight.
Good war today
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1918 31 Days JANUARY
14 MONDAY [14-351]
Weather changed. Heavy
snow. Heaps of drifts about.
Looked like a chance to stand
down for a day but some of
Fritz's T.M. got active so we
had to paste him with a few
rounds.
Hauled ammunition this
afternoon and had a stand to
at 10.45 pm to put up a barrage
behind our infantry when they
were returning from a raid. They
got a couple of machine guns
and some prisoners. Pretty cold in
the pits.
Good raid last night.
Canadian took some prisoners
and had no casualties.
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JANUARY 1st MONTH 1918
Frity quiet 15 TUESDAY [15-350]
Weather wet. The place is
a sea of mud. Our boots became
clogged and weigh nigh a ton.
We forgot to get up till late
and of course were bawled out.
Our gun pit leaks like
a sieve so we have put three tubs
in to catch the water and empty
them every few hours. Our [1 word]
and cartridges are mud and corruption.
We had several stand-to and
every time the gun fired we got a
shower bath.
Tonight our dugout 35 feet
down started to leak so you can tell
what this French raid is like. No
bon! It started to trickle and then
came in steadily. Two of us had to
shift and the others made a tent
of water proof sheets over their bunks
and rolled in. The place is flooded.
Sand bags are falling in and so on.
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1918 31 Days JANUARY
16 WEDNESDAY [16-349]
Weather wet. Dugout
still leaks like a sieve. Two of
us have had to shift our quarters
while the other pair have rigged up
a canopy and are braving the
drippings.
Heavy rains making observation
poor consequently some
inactivity. We put over a few
rounds after moving around the
tubs in the pit. Again tonight we
put over a few rounds to keep
Heine quiet.
Making arrangements to
turn over our position. We are going
back to the old one.
Gun went out of action
with a broken firing pin and we
had some time getting her set up
again.
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JANUARY 1ST MONTH 1918
17 THURSDAY [17-348]
Weather wet. No aerial
activity.
The dribble still continues
in the dugout and we stand up to
eat our meals. Then you get the
drip down your neck.
Polished up a couple of
Heinie 4.1's and wrote some
letters. Fritz dropped a couple
of shells alongside us this morning
and we thought we were in for
a strafe, but nix.
Had a stand to at 7.30
tonight and put 12 rounds into a
battery that shot over a few.
We're having a fine war, believe
me.
Nearly had a game of
checkers tonight.
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1918 Frity very 31 Days active JANUARY
18 FRIDAY [18-347]
Weather fair. Observation
fair. kicked out early to stand to on
a moving target, then switched to
an 'O.Pip' and back to movement
Fritz opened up on us for
some time and burst some heavy stuff
Heaps of splinters. I was out in the
foot, everyone was splattered in
mud. The tin roof outside the pit was
a God-send as it saved heaps of
splinters. It was a case of under
cover most of the time. Goldie and I
had to haul gas during the strafe and
had some time.
Plenty of air fight. We lost
one in a duel and the infantry brought
down one of Fritz.
This evening Frity resumed his
strafe and chucked over 8-inch
stuff, bursting all about us. It
was a hot time right enough.
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JANUARY Fritz 1st Month Active 1918
19 SATURDAY [19-346]
First Quarter, 2.38 p.m.
Weather good. Ground muddy
Observation good.
Went off on an early stand to
and silenced a battery getting compliemts
from corps. Had several
stand to's and where firing gas when
our springs gave way and we had to
stand down. Had to rush in new
spring as a big strafe was arranged
for tonight. It was called off.
Fifty strafed something fierce
last night shaking every place. We
are riding on his tail thought.
We are all very tired as no 1.
gun does most of the firing and have
to haul all our ammunition so we are
a bit up against it. A long good
sleep would do us all good. But
here we are game for anything.
Something big will happen
before long.
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1918 Fritz very 31 Days Active. JANUARY
20 SUNDAY [20-345]
2nd after Epiphany.
Weather misty early but cleared
later and gave us a chance to strafe
Fritz. We didn't fire many shots before
he came back and strafed us
the best part of the day.
He dropped two in a little
cemetery by the cook-house and turned
up some of the graves of the 46th Batt
boys, showing a boot and a puttie and
another blanket. Fritz cares not
for the R.I.P. signs.
A section came in to take
over this afternoon.
Four men were killed at
Napos Corner tonight. He is sweeping
the roads and getting a bunch of
casualties. All the dressing
stations are full.
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JANUARY A Bad 1st Month Day. 1918
21 MONDAY [21-344]
Weather fair.
We were out to strafe Fritz
this morning but when we fired three
rounds along came a raft of 5.90.[?]
and we had to stand down and
take cover.
We were below from 8.15 to
4.45 and during that time
about 600 shells dropped
around. He got two hits on two
gun pits and set fire to some
charge. I nearly got it in the pit
when a piece came in. Splinters
came in everywhere. In the dugout
the concussion blew out the lights.
When the candle blew out we knew it
was close.
Houses have been levelled and
tons of stuff has been thrown around.
There fellows were buried in a dugout
and three of the fellows who relieved
us were wounded.
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1918 31 Days JANUARY
22 TUESDAY [22-343]
One fellow jumped through a hole in
the wall to miss a shell and got it on
the other side. Another fellow jumped into
a cellar and there was no roof on it. He
got shell shock as the shell burst right
overhead.
Up early. Weather damp. Fritz
quiet. Busy squaring away damage
done yesterday.
At 10 am turned over the
guns to another battery and we were
mighty glad to pull out.
Put in four guns tonight
and slugged a big bunch of ammunition
and went into action.
We were just about all in
when we turned in. It is good to be back
in the old home. Things seem different
no mud or leaky gun-pits and
dugouts. We are jake.
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JANUARY 1st Month 1918
23 WEDNESDAY [23-342]
Weather clear. Nothing starting
Up at 6 a.m. to do some camouflaging,
Registered and got on our S.O.S.
line. Looks like a quiet spell as there
is a pile of stuff in around here
just now.
Working on gun pit.
Fritz is shelling the roads just
now and several houses went down tonight.
Had a fine time tonight.
1200 rounds of ammunition came up
and there was plenty of work.
We are sure having the tar razzled
out of us just now. Not much
sleep.
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1918 31 Days JANUARY
24 THURSDAY [24-341]
Up at 6am to haul ammunition.
This amm. problem hangs about
like a nightmare. Working all
day on odds and ends and
getting little to eat. Bully beef
hangs about too much. Good
job there are some canteens about
and some money in our jeans.
One of the cooks let off
a [1 word] bomb this afternoon
and scared our offices to
death. Poor fellows.
Another dose of 600 rounds
came in tonight and we did some
more till slugging.
Our dugout works fine. Good
beds and a fine fire. Tres bon!
[end page]
[start page]
JANUARY 1st Month 1918
25 FRIDAY [25-340]
Conversion of S.Paul.
Weather fine. Was on gun crew
guard all night and turned in at
5.30 am but was disturbed at 5.45
am. to answer the S.O.S. Frity put
over a raid trying to feel out our
artillery but we are wise and
only open a part of it. We are
one of the silent batteries Fritz
will have a fine reception if he
comes over.
Fritz's bombing squadrons
came over at 6 pm and dumped
a dozen bombs quite handy and
kind of got our wind up as they
make a wicked screech.
Off duty tonight and
turned in for a 12 hours' sleep
and took off my pants for the
first time in two weeks.
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1918 31 Days JANUARY
26 SATURDAY [26-339]
Weather fine. Plenty of aerial
activity. Both sides have lots of
planes up.
Started tunnelling the
position. All the gun pits are being
linked up so as no one will get
caught in case we get strafed
Went on a salvaging trip
through the cellars of [1 word] and
found a lot of pans, pots,
washing machines, wheel barrows,
etc.
Came down to the wagon
lines tonight after a hard two
weeks and am due for two
weeks here. Had a square of
eggs and chips
Lomas is down with a
mustard ear. We had a stand
to and he pulled a piece off a
sand bag and put in his ear. A
gas shell burst there and poisoned his ear
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[start page]
JANUARY 1st Month 1918
27 SUNDAY [27-338]
Septuagesima. O Full Moon, 3.14 a.m.
Weather fine. Went with
the church parade and then went
on to stables. We turned out for
our half holiday.
We had a famous walking
race of 20 miles between [1 word] and
[1 word] and they did it in 4 4 4
hours. It was funny as they argued
like two fools. in foot they were two
or they wouldn't have done it. and
they stopped at the estaminels[?] to
drink. The walked a course to Boy
[1 word] 10 and on about 3 miles
The finish was dramatic. The
two were abreast. Soule made
a break, then Barnes started a
run and they finished with a
regular sprint, both being disqualified
and all bets were
called off which amounted to
800 francs.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JANUARY
28 MONDAY [28-337]
Weather fine. Working
on next 'O.Pip' Nothing
startling.
Fritz was over with his
bombing squadrons tonight
and did a lot of damage in
B and N.M. He was over us
but did not drop anything.
The nights now are
starry and just right for
bombing raids. Our machines
can be seen sailing overhead
with their lights on making
for Fritz's line
[end page]
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JANUARY 1st Month 1918
29 TUESDAY [29-336]
Weather fine. On 'O.Pip.'
Bombing again tonight.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JANUARY
30 WEDNESDAY [30-335]
Weather fine. On 'O.Pip'
Nothing doing.
Our grub is none too good.
Too much camouflaged
bully beef.
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JANUARY 1st Month 1918
31 THURSDAY [31-334]
The insurance herein contained is not valid until your name
had been registered.
Weather fine. On 'O.Pip'
Busy digging rear
positions in case we have to
drift back.
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[start page]
1918 28 Days FEBRUARY
1 FRIDAY [32-333]
Weather fine.
Returned to duty to lend a
hand cleaning up for big inspection
tomorrow by M.-G. I took
over a set of harness. We were
all busy and have to have horses
and harness in A1 shape and
of course we will.
Dick Martin returns to duty
after being batman. He got sore
when his office left him with
his big bed in the open under
shell fire while he beat it.
Another tune he handed his
haversack to Dick when he
already had his bed on his back.
Another officer made the
remark that 'It takes an intelligent
man to be a batman'.
[end page]
[start page]
FEBRUARY 2nd Month 1918
2 SATURDAY [33-332]
Purification of B.V.M. Candlemas.
Weather fine.
Inspection came off fine
and we were congratulated by
the general. It was certainly a
fine turn-out.
This was our half holiday
and I was planning to go
and see Tommy Inglis but I
was turned down on a mounted pass.
As a result this is the day on
which I lost all ambition. I
have turned at 'O.Pip's' and made
the battery known, and then when
I was turned down on a pass I
said to with the battery.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 28 Days FEBRUARY
3 SUNDAY [34-331]
Sexagesima.
Weather fine. Went on
church parade today.
Was on stable picquet
tonight.
[end page]
[start page]
FEBRUARY 2nd Month 1918
4 MONDAY [35-330]
Last Quarter, 7.52 a.m.
Weather A1. Had a
soft time on picquet.
Went to water a horse
at noon and was thrown off.
Unconscious for a few minutes.
Hurt arm, leg, neck and
shoulder.
Met Oswie[?] Fraser.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 28 Days FEBRUARY
5 TUESDAY [36-329]
Weather fine. In bed as
result of injury.
Ritchie off his nut and
is razzling us with all sorts
of weird ideas. Going to have
transparent harness and use
'Lee & Perrin's' sauce for the
horses. Fit for nut house.
[end page]
[start page]
FEBRUARY 2nd Month 1918
6 WEDNESDAY [37-328]
Weather fine. Laid up
still. Greatly amused by the
'nut' we have.
Kept on edge all night
by the nut who thought he
was a chemist.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 28 Days FEBRUARY
7 THURSDAY [38-327]
Weather wet. Still off
duty.
Amused by the nut again,
who is going to hospital.
[end page]
FEBRUARY 2nd Month 1918
8 FRIDAY [39-326]
Half Quarter Day.
Weather fair. Had a rest
last night as Rich was taken
to the hospital. He was taken
to the hospital and was sent
down the line. John Goldie and
Barnes went down with him.
Geo Lomas also went
to the hospital with a carbuncle
and a gassed ear.
Went to the Y.M. and
met a bunch of boys and it
was just like dropping back
in old Victoria.
There are wild rumors about
us going out on rest and reorganizing.
We are all talking about
our leave and hope to get
away pretty soon.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 28 Days FEBRUARY
9 SATURDAY [40-325]
Weather fine. Had a bath
first in a month.
Came up the line this afternoon
and had a warm reception
as Frity was shelling heavily the
battery on our left. He pounded
them for a fair and we had a
number of refugees.
A great deal of tunneling
has been done and we have
an ideal position, believe me.
Making honor for some one, but
its been rather hard work.
The battery is going little
now. Sort of silent battery stuff.
Had a good sleep tonight
[end page]
[start page]
FEBRUARY 2nd Month 1918
10 SUNDAY [41-324]
Quinquagesima.
Weather fine. Building
ammunition dumps all day.
Nothing to report. Things are
quiet.
We were shooting at the
aeroplanes and the OC. said
'you might as well spit at them
as shoot with them.'
This is Sunday so we
sang a few hymns tonight and
then someone swore when he
hit his finger with the axe.
Then you would have thought it
was a Saturday night.
Tobacco issue tonight.
'Ruby Queen's.' Again
Having peaches cream
and biscuits tonight.
Plenty of camouflage
'bully' these days.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 28 Days FEBRUARY
11 MONDAY [42-323]
New Moon, 10.5 a.m.
Weather clear. No firing
today. Little activity on either
side and no aerial movement.
Busy building ammunition dumps.
Had orders to stand by
for a raid at 2 am in the morning
but Frity got a line on it so it
was postponed. Kept us up for
some hours.
Had a good roast today.
The cooks have found a good
bake-oven and we have regular
roasts and baked potatoes.
Tres bon!
We are having things a
bit easy, but I guess we need a
rest as judging from all accounts
there's going to be some fun here
before long.
[end page]
[start page]
FEBRUARY 2nd Month 1918
12 TUESDAY [43-322]
Shrove Tuesday.
Weather moderate. Up
at 8 am. No early 'reveilles' here.
Mucking about most of
the day doing nothing in part.
Roy Foster was in most of the day.
Tonight at 3 o'clock
we stood to for the raid and the
boys went over all along the
line. Raids are difficult now as
Fritz has so much wire. The
artillery made an awful roar as
they put over the barrage. The
lucid flashes of the guns firing
lit up the whole sky. It was
quite a sight. We kept firing until
late on.
Had a new lad on [1 word]
and he was spell bound by the
noise and war afraid to handle
the gun roughly for fear of breaking
something.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 28 Days FEBRUARY
13 WEDNESDAY [44-321]
Ash Wednesday.
Weather misty. Up at 8 am.
The shot of rum went to my head
last night.
Harne's church was pounded
to atoms yesterday by our heavies and
today is a heap of ruins. For a
long time Fritz has used it as an
'O.Pip'. His 'O.Pip' are nearly
all gone and he will have to depend
upon his plane for observations.
No word as to success of
last night's raid.
Weather wet tonight.
Canadian mail in so there
something to do
[end page]
[start page]
FEBRUARY 2nd Month 1918
14 THURSDAY [45-320]
Weather misty. Up early as
we were due for an inspection by a
general. We lost a whole morning
waiting for him and then he
simply said he was satisfied with
things.
Had a stand to this afternoon
and had another rap at
Heinie tonight.
The raids of the last two
nights were very successful. In the
first one we killed a bunch of men
and brought home some machine
guns. Last raid showed that the
Prussian Guards are in front of us.
The front is not often still
as machine guns are rattling away
most of the time and the trench
mortars occasionally get
active.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 28 Days FEBRUARY
15 FRIDAY [46-319]
Weather fair. Little aerial
activity. What observation their is
shows Fritz doing heaps of work
behind his lines
Had an S.O.S. early this
morning as Fritz tried to pull
off a raid, but our barrage kept
him in his trenches.
Nothing doing save building
ammunition pits, railroad and
other work.
[end page]
[start page]
<sup>Heinies balloon one plane down</sup>
FEBRUARY 2nd month 1918
16 SATURDAY [47-318]
Weather fine. Plenty of
aerial works. Fritz had a string
of balloons up and an equation
of our planes went over and he
had to land them all down. One of
our planes was brought down in
flames by a direct hit from one
of his Archies.
Picked a bouquet of snowdrops
from the ruin of a big shell
hole. Also some daisies. There is
a fine strawberry patch quite
handy.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 28 Days FEBRUARY
17 SUNDAy [48-317]
1st in Lent. Ember Week.
The day of rest. Busy building
a railroad. Also handle a
lot of ammunition to sniper and
battery. Things are very quiet indeed
on this front.
Started to play 500 in
order to pass the time. Harry Hunt
and I oppose John Helmcken and
Alex Goldie. Things do drag along
in this most monotonous of all
work. fighting and a pack of
cards help along admirably.
Fritz put quite a few
shells along our front today and
the Trench mortars were quite
active
[end page]
[start page]
FEBRUARY 2nd Month 1918
18 MONDAY [49-316]
First Quarter, 0.57 a.m.
Heavy frost. Consequence
heavy mist about all day. No
activity on either side.
Tommy Inglis came to see
me this morning and I was indeed
glad to see him. He looks fine. I
look him up in the 'O.Pip' and we
saw L- through the mist. It is
a battered town and not an hour
passes but what we drop a lot
of shells into it. The big T.E.
are especially busy.
The 500 game is in progress
again tonight. Oh, its a
great war.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 28 Days FEBRUARY
19 TUESDAY [50-315]
Weather misty. The gang is
out railroading. Some one got an
idea to change the track and of
course it is being done despite
the fact that the boys up here are
mighty busy digging tunnels, etc.
We were due to go out on
rest tomorrow, but are now staying.
We are thankful as we do not
want a month of grit and shine.
On gun crew guard so wrote
a few letters. This is a great
war, believe, muh! A strafe once
in awhile, an occasional narrow
escape and writing and having a good
time the rest of it.
[end page]
[start page]
FEBRUARY 2nd Month 1918
20 WEDNESDAY [51-314]
Ember Day.
Weather misty. Everything
quiet. Hardly a shot fired all
day. We have been inactice for
three days. Busy doing odd
jobs about and working on
souvenirs in the meantime. Everyone
has a craze for souvenirs and
its taking more attention than
winning the war. Also got the
bug to go salvaging. It puts one
in mind of prospecting as you
never know what you are going
to get as you prowl through cellars
or through old clothes. There is a
great sense of expectancy.
On gun crew tonight. It is
quite warm.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 28 Days FEBRUARY
21 THURSDAY [52-313]
Weather very clear. Went up
to sniper and fired a series at a
big house and got it. Then registered
two other points.
Watched our guns shell
Fritz's balloons. He hauls them down
very quickly once we open up. We
have just started to shoot at his
balloon. One of our planes came
down in flames. Our heavies went
after [1 word] Church again and made
an awful mess of things.
Fritz was after the five-five
all day and dropped a shell
short, which lit behind D-sub
and wounded Jimmy Wright
and Bomb Lowe. Two more Blightly
case.
Had a fireworks display
tonight Sausage stringers, liquid
fire and star shells gave quite a
display.
[end page]
[start page]
FEBRUARY 2nd Month 1918
22 FRIDAY [53-312]
Ember Day.
Weather fine. Everybody
working on light railway. Odd
men are employed in making
souvenirs.
Fritz has sent over a
bunch of pamphlets by balloons
in which he says he will give
the Canadian boys 72 hours
from a certain date and
unless they are he will drive
the Canadians until they
are all gone. Well let him come
if we don't pile the dead
high. Fritz will be lucky .
Rum issue tonight and
I'm on gun guard.
[end pate]
[start page]
1918 28 Days FEBRUARY
23 SATURDAY [54-311]
Ember Day.
Weather good, Stood to
last night and dropped a few
rounds on a machine gun Fritz
put out in no man's Land.
Nothing doing today.
Stood to on an aeroplane target
but did not fire.
Was relieved at the gun
by the sargeant this afternoon.
and came down the line and
first thing I had eggs and
chips.
Got word today that
Jimmie Wright was <del>buried</del> dead
and had been buried in the
afternoon. He our first man to
go under.
Dowell has gone down
the line with boils and Lomas
has gone down with his ear.
[end page]
[start page]
FEBRUARY 2nd Month 1918
24 SUNDAY [55-310]
2nd in Lent. S. Matthias.
Weather fine. Off duty
on 'O.Pip'. Trying to get some
dope up. Inglis is down and
has a dinky little room in a
French cottage that smells
like a rat-hole and its a
great incentive to work. Still
I guess we'll get something
out.
Met Pete Coates today.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 28 Days FEBRUARY
25 MONDAY [56-309]
Full Moon, 9.35 p.m.
Weather fine. On 'O-Pip'.
Down with a bad cold, Head
thick and can't think.
Fine weather for football
and the boys are getting good
exercise.
Fritz dropped a shell
in H- landing and killed
ten girls. One girl near us
was killed and her sister wounded
and her brother's fiancee
was napooed. He had a hunch
there were tanks there.
Paris leave is starting
in a few days and four men are
going.
[end page]
[start page]
FEBRUARY 2nd Month 1918
26 TUESDAY [57-308]
Weather fine. On 'O-Pip.'
Nothing startling.
Went up line and met
a fellow named Pearce, of the
Y.M., on the road. Saw captain
and came down. Fritz was
nasty strafing napoo Corner
and several batteries.
Met Dan McDonald
at B-S. and had a great
old chat.
Going up to see him
some time later. He looks fine
[end page]
[start page]
1918 28 Days FEBRUARY
27 WEDNESDAY [58-307]
Weather good. On 'O.Pip'
Great excitement at Wagon
Lines. Orders came down for
60 men to go up to dig pits
and we had only two men
for stables.
Fritz got a dump today
at Le B.
Light drizzle. Boys
just come in nice and wet and
sore.
Paris leave is cancelled.
<del>Two men</del> Four men were to have
gone toorrow and were already.
Such are the fortunes of war.
[end page]
[start page]
FEBRUARY 2nd Month 1918
28 THURSDAY [59-306]
Weather fine. First of the
boys went away on Paris leave
today. I am due for the next
leave.
Still busy on the 'O.Pip'
Boys are working on pits
in Calonne.
Met Louie Beckwith today.
The first Yanks arrived
here today and they are a good
looking bunch of boys. They
are attached to the Canadians
for instructional purposes.
There was a big raid last
night on S-S front and was
successful.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
1 FRIDAY [60-305]
S.David.
Weather fine but very
cold. March is coming in like
a lion sure enough. No bon getting
up in the morning.
On 'O.Pip' still.
At the Y.M tonight there
was quite a scene. The Canadians
and Yanks are fraternizing
fine and I think we will get
on fine together. They do not
seem a braggard lot of fellows
of course they can't say much
as they haven't been up the
line yet and have something
to learn. They march about smartly
and carry their rifles at the
slope, regular parade ground
stuff. Our boys slouch along
with their rifles slung. They forgotten
the drill stuff.
[end page]
[start page]
MARCH 3rd Month 1918
2 SATURDAY [61-304]
Weather very cold. Had
several snow <del>storms</del> flurries
during the day.
Still on 'O.Pip'
There was plenty of noise
up the lines this morning a bit
of a French Mortar war.
French life is rather
quite these days. Every one is
writing home for money for
leave and big times are planned
Its the only thing a fellow has to
look forward to in this damned
hole.
However there's a half
holiday in sight tomorrow as
well as a pay day.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
3 SUNDAY [62-303]
3rd in Lent.
Nothing doing today.
Half holiday as result of
heavy duty during week so Pete
and I went to Bracquemont
and saw a bunch of the boys.
Took in a civilian movie
house. It was some lay out,
a scramble to get in and
<del>what</del> when you got in nothing
but smoke and rotten pictures
A French soldier had a box
and had his arm around a girl
and the kids bawled him out
this way the chief amusement.
Today two cooks were
arrested for stealing grub and
were put into the clink. There's
been a lot of pinching going
on and now they have the
crooks.
[end page]
[start page]
MARCH 3rd Month 1918
4 MONDAY [63-302]
Rain. Finished 'O.Pip'
The cooks came up
before our O.C. and were
passed on to the C.O. The
quarter-master has been dismissed
for inefficiency
There was a heavy
rain on our front this morning.
Fritz came over in large numbers
with pack and three-days
rations, evidently expecting to
get through. But he was out
of luck. Our artillery cut up
the raiders and many were
left in the wire. He put a heavy
barrage on our artillery and
mixed up sneezing gas which
made things disagreeable.
One major was killed in 55.
This was Fritz's second
attempt to get through but was
frustrated both times
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
5 TUESDAY [64-301]
Went on guard last night
Had Bullen and Cohlan to
look after as both were drunk.
Nothing happened, the
<del>drun</del> accused men came up to
have written evidence taken.
[end page]
[start page]
MARCH 3rd Month 1918
6 WEDNESDAY [65-300]
Last Quarter, 0.44 a.m.
Weather fine.
Got the O.Pip ready and
sent it to Blighty by Mr Mc
Laren, who went on leave.
A bunch of men came
down the line today having been
gassed.
The Yanks are in the
line. One Yank sargeant had
a bunch of gas cylinders and
camouflaged them with trench
mortar boxes; the next Fritz
saw the boxes and thinking
he had a dump, promptly
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
7 THURSDAY [66-299]
Weather fine. Plenty of
aeroplane activity. A Fritz
was brought in [3 words]
Fellows beat it to the place from
all over and its a wonder
Fritz did not shell the place.
One of our fighters tackled
two Fritzs and sent one down
in our lines and drove the
other home.
Andy Clarke drifted
around to the lines today. He
looks good
Plenty of football and
basketball. Weather great for
sport. No sign of the big
offensive.
[end page]
[start page]
MARCH 3rd Month 1918
8 FRIDAY [67-298]
Weather fine. Met Bill
Erickson this morning. Went
on stable picquet tonight
and Andy Clarke came along
and spent a couple of hours
with me and we had a great
chat over old-times.
Plenty of bombing these
nights.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
9 SATURDAY [68-297]
Weather fine. On Picquet
Bowell Lee came around for
me in his car this afternoon
and we hit for Arras, through
Neoux St Vay[?]. Visited a 4.5
Imperial battery in Farbo
Wood and saw a fine aerial
fight between four of our
slow artillery buses and a
Fritz. He was trying to locate
a battery.
A-s is a great place.
It was one of the largest cities
in northern France and Fritz
has strafed it badly. The
big cathedral is a magnificent
place but like all churches it
has been badly battered by
Fritz. The French people are
moving back now.
[end page]
[start page]
MARCH 3rd Month 1918
10 SUNDAY [69-296]
4th in Lent.
Weather great.
Warned by Glenn for
office for being insolent. I
should worry, the poor boob
couldn't do much.
was warned tonight
for Paris leave so will have
to do some tall hustling to
get ready.
We are due to go out on
rest. We are being relieved by.
2nd B.[?] It is our first rest <del>in</del>
since coming over.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
11 MONDAY [70-295]
Weather beautiful.
Everything quiet. Working
on harness and getting ready
to shift to our <del>old</del> new lines.
There was a beautiful
scene tonight. The sun was
setting in a blaze of gold
and the clouds were tinted.
We were playing football in
a dip and on the crest the
farmer was plowing. The French
man and woman work very
hard.
[end page]
[start page]
MARCH 3rd Month 1918
12 TUESDAY [71-294]
New Moon, 7.52 p.m.
Very warm.
Were coming down from
stables at 7.30 am when we
saw a Fritz aeroplane come
over. It was misty and he was
unobserved. He shot down two
of our observation balloons and
made for home. It was a great
sight to see these two balloons
take fire and then fall to
earth.
A Gotha was over last
night and got lost. It landed
near N. le M. and when the
Heinies found they were in our
territory they went back and
set fire to their machine. Four
prisoners were taken.
Temple was in to see me
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
13 WEDNESDAY [72-293]
Weather cold this morning.
carrying on with preparations to
move. Nothing about leave yet.
Went on guard tonight
over prisoners. They had their
general court-martial yesterday.
Strafe on up the line
at day break. .Everybody playing ball
or kicking their shoes out
at a football.
[end page]
[start page]
MARCH 3rd Month 1918
14 THURSDAY [73-292]
Weather cool and wet.
Had a cold time on guard.
Twenty-third battery
came in to relieve us and we
are ready to pull out tomorrow.
Good news tonight going
to Paris tomorrow morning.
Having great time getting ready.
I am going by myself.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
15 FRIDAY [74-291]
Off on leave to Paris at 9am.
Rode 20 kilos to Aubiny[?]. Caught
a train at 11.45. The coaches were
more like old-fashioned street
cars. We rambled along on some old
line through the main streets of several
villages, stopped when some old people
were crossing the tracks. We were
utterly disgusted when a fellow who
missed the train overtook us on a
bicycle. We reached Frevent at 2 pm
had a meal and then caught a train
at 2.30 pm for Amiens. It was a
slow ride. These French trains are
the slowest things in the world. Had
a talk with a Frenchman who was
nursing a blesse. Reached Amiens
at 6 pm and got a few ham
sandwiches. We are now beginning
to see a bit of French class. The
people are of a more superior type
[end page]
[start pag]
MARCH 3rd Month 1918
<del>16 SATURDAY [75-290]</del>
Left at 6.30 pm on what was to
be a 'flyer' but I have seen trains
climb mountains faster than
this. I pilled into a coach that
was full of French men and
women and it was some lay-out.
I stood all the way and was
amused at the actions of a newly
married couple. The husband
seemed to pay more attention to the
bridesmaid. They had a flask of
wine. Then there was an old woman
who talked with a prima donna
voice <del>for</del> continuously save for an
occasional deep breath. On
nearing Paris saw a huge fire the
result of the explosion of a
munition works.
Reached Paris at 8.30 pm
and were taken in lorries to Pepiniere
Barracks to register. Then went to
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
<del>17 SUNDAY [76-289]</del>
Passion Sunday. S. Patrick.
the ym. and had supper and met
[illegible] old pals, then came to the
Hotel D 'Jena and got a swell
room for 5 f. Sheets and all the
fine stuff, mirrors, baths. Tres
bon. Paris looks fairly good at
nights, plenty of lights and
fine show windows. Far different
to London.
Well here goes for a
sleep 11.30 pm.
Saturday, March 16. Up
at 8 am. No 'reveille.' Had a jake sleep
between the sheets and on a soft
mattress. Had a hair cut and these
Frenchmen are sure there on the
Tonsorial stuff. Met 'Clink' and
went for a walk with him. Went
through 'Madaline Church' a
church which ranks among the
[end page]
[start page]
MARCH 3rd Month 1918
<del>18 MONDAY [77-288]</del>
French as St Paul's does amongst
the English. Met Inglis and we
went ot the British <del>am</del> Army and
navy League Club and had dinner
Then took a tube-ride around
Paris and came up at Possy
crossed the Seine and saw the
wonderful Eiffel Tower. It is
a remarkable structure. No one
is allowed to go in to see it as it
is now used for military purposes
Went along and had a ride in the
big 'Ferris Wheel.' Came in and
saw the famous Champs Elysses,
the second widest city in the world.
It is beautiful.
Paris janes and ladies
are wonderful. They seem much
different to the girls of other
countries. They seem to have a
natty way of dressing and make
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
<del>TUESDAY [78-287]</del>
<del>First Quarter, 1.30 p.m.</del>
themselves quite charming. Returned
to Hotel D'Jena and had a
fine supper. An orchestra brightened
things up considerably. The
Y.m. certainly does try hard to look
after the boys and succeeds to a
great extent.
Tonight there is to be a dance
and games.
Yesterday there was a big
explosion in a munition works and
many were killed
Sunday, March 7th. Up
at 8.30 am. Had a fine time at the
dance last night. There were a
bunch of American janes there and
we had a grand old mix-up, dancing
and game. They certainly do
every thing to make the soldier on
leave enjoy himself.
[end page]
[start page]
MARCH 3rd Month 1918
<del>20 WEDNESDAY [79-286]</del>
This morning went to the
Hotel des Invalids and saw
many of the trophies taken by the
French in this war. The remains
of two Gothas, brought down in
the last air raids, were put on
exhibit this morning [1 word]
famous machine is on exhibition
and is covered with flowers. The
French certainly admire this
gallant airman. A Fokker captured
at Vimy is also exhibited
and a couple of <del>trench mortars</del>
albatrosse. There are also a
bunch of trench mortars, machine
guns, guns of various caliber
and relics of zeppelins.
We saw Napoleon's tomb,
which is a beautiful place. The
French worship napoleon. The
men remove their hats when 100 feet
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
<del>21 THURSDAY [80-285]</del>
<del>Vernal Equinox.</del>
from the tomb and speak in a whisper.
Had a fine dinner at the D'Lena[?]
and then took a train and went
to Bois de Boulogne, and saw the
Steeplechase and the Grand
Prix. Saw the booting and then
went for a ride along the Champs
Elysees to the Place de la Concord
and on through to the
Louvre, which is close to the public.
The layout of this section of the
city is marvellous. Had afternoon
tea at the D'Lena[?] and then had
supper at the Hotel de Ostende,
proceeding from there to the Opera.
The opera is the most gorgeous
theatre I have ever<del>y</del> seen. It is
immensely and baffles discription
It has a pit and the remainder
of the seats are arranged in
[end page]
[start page]
[start page]
MARCH 3rd Month 1918
<del>22 FRIDAY [81-284]>/del>
tiers of boxes, upholstered in a
crimson plush. This presented a
ground appearance with the ladies
gaily dressed and the snappy
French uniforms. The promenade
in the theatre is wonderful. The
show was 'William Tell' and it was
grand. The overture was played in
a 64-piece orchestra and was
a masterpiece.
We are doing all our travelling
by taxi-cabs. They are reasonable
and a fellow can get around
fine in one.
We saw the women out in
their Sunday rigouts and to say
the less the city of Paris possesses
the finest things ever set on two
feet. They are cute and dainty
and know how to dress.
Well here goes for bed
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
<del>23 SATURDAY [82-283]</del>
Monday, March 18th. Weather fine.
Up at 8.30 am, had a fine breakfast
and went and saw Inglis at the
marlboro. Went around and saw
some printers about 'O-Pip.' met
Norman Sinister on Rue de l'opera
Had lunch at the 'Duval' and
then went o the 'Tourist Hotel' and
after a wash started for the skating
Rink. Took a taxi and a couple of
[1 word] and had a most interesting
time. Plenty of wrens at the rink
Skating till I could hardly stand
up. Had a grand dinner at the
D'Lena and was present at the
inauguration of the place as a Y.M.C.A.
hotel. Sir John Gibson of Toronto,
gave the address and among the
artists who took part were some of
Paris' stars. Monsieur Plamondon,
a French-Canadian, and one of the
[end page]
[start page]
MARCH 3rd Month 1918
<del>24 SUNDAY [83-282]</del>
<del>Palm Sunday</del>
leading tenors here. Mlle Saiman[?],
<del>wife of the owner</del> of the Opera-Comigne[?]
Mme.Abby Richardson, wife of the
owner of the Opera-Comigne[?]; M
Marcel Chailley, an beautiful
violinist, and his wife a wizard
at the piano. It was an excellent
affair. Plenty of good eats afterwards.
Tuesday, March 9th. Weather
fine. Paid a visit to the pay-master
and drew 100 francs. This afternoon
went to Notre Dame cathedral a
wonderful piece of architecture. From
there we went to the Magasins du
Rivoli, a big departmental store and
roamed through it. Then we roamed
along through the Louvre and up to
the American Club, where I got
some real ice cream, the first
since I left Canada. Also had an
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
<del>25 MONDAY [84-281]</del>
<del>Annunciation B.V.M. Lady Day.</del>
ice cream soda. Met Laird Raymond,
the first Yank I have <del>seen</del>
known personally.
Had a fine supper and then
a bunch of us went to the 'Casinode'
and saw a fine show and plenty of
fluff. Got in at 12.30 after promenade
of Rue de Italiens.
Wednesday, March 20th. Weather
beautiful. Left for Versailles on the
train at 11.30 arriving at 12. Had
lunch at the Sussie[?] Hotel and
then was escorted through the palace,
one of the most historic palaces in
France. It was started by Louis XIV
a great man, but one of very extravagant
ideas. The palace is magnificent
and the Hall of Mirrors is one of the
most famous in the world. The
paintings on the walls and ceilings
[end page]
[start page]
MARCH 3rd Month 1918
<del>26 TUESDAY [85-280]</del>
are by some of the most famous painters
in the world. The gardens are magnificent
and cover thousand of acres.
It is wonderful.
Return from Versailles at
5 pm, had supper and took in the
Follie Bergere, one of the most
celebrated theatres of Paris [1 word]
Thursday, march 21st Drew
some money today. Also saw about
'O-Pip.' Went to the American Club
and had some ice cream. Saw
Paris in a tube this afternoon. Some
trip. Met Laird Raymond and saw
some great sights of Paris at
night.
Friday march 22nd. Up at
5.30 am and went to Fontainbleau.
Left on 6.30 train. Had a 60-kilo
ride. Had lunch at the Camdan
Blue Hotel. Fontainbleau is a
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
<del>27 WEDNESDAY [86-279]</del>
<del> Hilary Law Sittings end.</del> Full Moon, 3.33 p.m.
beautiful town. having many fine
avenues of trees and many fine houses.
Went through the famous palace, made
famous by Henry II, Henry IV,
Francis I and latterly by Napoleon.
There are many wonderful rooms
especially the ballroom, which
is gorgeous. Returned at 6 pm.
Went to the 'Olympian
Theatre' and when the third act was
on an air raid alarm was given
The people got their wind up
and there were some fine scenes. Immediately
the tubes, trains and taxis
stopped and we had to walk
home. There was an awful noise
when the 'all clear' went.
Saturday, March 23rd. Air
raid again. Tried to get down town
but no tubes or trains. They are
[end page]
[start page]
MARCH 3rd Month 1918
<del>28 THURSDAY [87-278]</del>
<del>Maundy Thursday</del>
terrified here. The Frenchies live
in their cellars almost continuously
This afternoon they came to the conclusion
that it was not bombs which
fell in Paris but shells from a long-range
gun. Several people have
been killed. Fritz has a new piece
of artillery and the people are
greatly alarmed.
All the shows are cancelled
for tonight.
We had a dance at the
hotel and just as we got going
the air raid signal was given and
all lights had to be doused. However,
we had some English and
American girls in who didn't
mind bombs and we lit some
candles and played cards.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
<del>29 FRIDAY [88-277]</del>
<del>Good Friday</del>
Sunday, March 24th. Beautiful
weather. Went for a stroll to the
Boulevard Bois de Boulogne, the
Rotten Row of Paris, and sat down
to take in the styles. They were heaps
of silks and satins, ankles and
beauty faces so we enjoyed our
selves immensely. Some people
walked, others sported motor cars
and still other romped along on
horses. Its a gay town this Paris.
Fritz is again shelling the
town.
Went to Luna Park.
Had a song-service tonight
at the hotel. Had a trip in the Ferris
Wheel.
Monday March 25th. Up at
7.45. Went down town to do some shopping.
After lunch went to printers and
[end page]
[start page]
MARCH 3rd Month 1918
<del>30 Saturday [89-276]</del>
<del>Easter Eve</del>
then came up to Opera and drew all
my money at Pepiniere. Fellows went
out tonight. I stayed in to hear a
concert. We had some yanks in and
they were not bad. Turned in early
for a change.
Tuesday March 26th. Up
early. Went shopping this morning
and likewise this afternoon.
There was an air raid during the
night. Took in a movie show
this afternoon.
The German offensive seems
to be going well. People here have
the wind up and are leaving Paris
in droves. They say Fritz is on his
way to Amiens. Tonight some
of the boys went ot Casino a.
Glen came in but shorty stayed
in.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 [newspaper article]
Another 'Big Bertha'?
From Ottawa Citizen
Interesting, if true, is the report that the
Germans are making a 'Big Bertha' with
a 100-mile range. But not of such military
significance as to cause alarm.
To those who witnessed the last war, the
news will inevitably recall the other German
long-range gun, 'Big Bertha.' This piece of
freak ordnance threw a projectile almost
80 miles. The exact distance was 76 miles.
It bombarded Paris from the forest of Coucy
in the northeast.
The bombardment began on March 23,
1918, and extended over 140 days, firing
taking place ever third day. Altogether 256
persons were killed by 'Big Bertha,' 156 of
them on one day. This happened when a
shell hit the church of St.Gervais on Good
Friday. The moral effect of the bombardment
was slight.
'Big Bertha' was a high velocity gun
made by boring out a 15-inch naval gun and
inserting a projecting tube of 8.4-inch calibre,
which was rebored to a larger width as it
became worn. The muzzle was lengthened
to increase the range. The weight of the
shell was 264 pounds.
A gun capable of firing 100 miles is mainly
a matter of mathematics and design. But
the big problem is to make it stand up under
the terrific strain imposed upon it. The wear
and erosion on a long-range artillery piece
throwing a huge shell 100 miles are such
as to shorten its life to such an extent as
to make it uneconomical. That is why the
1918 'Big Bertha' was fired only every three
days.
[end page]
[start page]
[newspaper article]
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MARCH
<del>31 Sunday [90-275]</del>
<del>Easter Day.</del>
Wednesday March 27th.
Was up at 7.30 and went shopping
Had a fine taxi ride. When I got
back to lunch there were orders
for us to all <del>go</del> report immediately
to our units. We planned
to go at 7.20 pm. but missed it
The char-a-bang <del>wa</del> left the
Y.m. all decorated with flowers
and on reaching the Gare du Nord
the soldiers were beseiged by
girls who wanted souvenirs and
took all the flowers. Paris will
be deserted of troops tonight
Every soldier must report back
at 10.15 we left the D'Lena[?] in a
char-a-bang, which had been
decorated again and sang songs
all the way to the gare. There wer
were rushed on to a train, which
pulled out at 11.30. Eight of
[end page]
[start page]
APRIL 4th Month 1918
<del>1 MONDAY [91-274]</del>
<del>Easter Monday. Bank Holiday.</del>
us squeezed into a compartiment
and there was no chance for a sleep.
We dozed on one another's shoulders
The train was frightfully slow and
we were till 7.30 this morning
reached Amiens.
Thursday, March 28th. Weather
very cold. We nearly froze in the
train. At a station we picked up
a chap, who got lost in the Cambrai
fight and is going back to
his unit. When we reached Amiens
we found that the station had been
bombed. On arriving there the R.T.O.
ordered us to proceed to Abbeville.
We are the last soldiers to leave
Paris and there are about 300 of us.
At Amiens and other points we
saw large numbers of refugees from
Albert and other towns on which
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days APRIL
<del>2 TUESDAY [92-273]</del>
<del>Easter Tuesday</del>
Frity is advancing. Women and
children are staggering along the
roads under heavy loads. Things
seem a bit serious. On reaching
Abbeville we were ordered to proceed
to Etaples and accordingly
arrived here at 1 pm. We were
shown no 9 Rest Camp, an endless
row of tents on a sandy plain,
with the wind kicking up an awful
dust, so we immediately looked
about for a room. Glen and I
got a nice room and then went
out and had four eggs apiece.
Shorty, Cherub and Bill have a
room elsewhere. We are due to pull
out of here at 8.15 tomorrow morning.
There are lots of W.A.A.C girls
here, but Etaples seems a poor
sort of place. It started to
rain hard this afternoon. Much
[end page]
[start page]
APRIL 4th Month 1918
<del>3 Wednesday [93-272]</del>
war material is being rushed
up the line to stem the advance.
Many heavy guns are going up
and we saw a train load of ambulance
men and stretchers going
through. It looks nice!
Went out and had a chicken
supper for 3 1/2 francs. Turned
in at 9 pm and had a good
sleep.
Friday March 29th. Up
at 7.30 am. had breakfast and
took the train at 9.20 am for
St.Pol. We were side-tracked
serveral times to allow transport
to get by and reached
St. Pol at 1 pm. to find all the
civilians moving out. Fritz has
bombed and shelled the place
night and day and made an
awful mess out of it There
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days APRIL
<del>4 THURSDAY [94-271]</del>
<del>Last Quarter, 1.33 p.m.</del>
is not a window in the place. Took
another train for Aubigny and on
the way passed hundreds of
tanks and all kinds of artillery.
Reached Aubigny at
4 pm, had eats and met
a staff car and got a lift to
a cross roads and walked to
[1 word] where I found the battery
ready to pull out. They were
on rest 5 days, went into
action at L-s and were there
for five days pulled the guns
out and got ready to get in
on the drive. We are due to pull
out tomorrow but do not know
where we are going. Have a
billet over an estaminet.
Saturday, March 30th Weather
fair this morning. Had orders to
[end page]
[start page]
APRIL 4th Month 1918
<del>5 FRIDAY [95-270]</del>
<del>Dividends due.</del>
move off for a new position at
11 am but got a hurry-up call to
pull out at 8.30. Were on the
road all morning, got off the
route but eventually landed up
in an open field with the whole of
our own division and the [1 word]
Just as we were pulling in it
started to rain like sin and
the ground became very soggy.
After a snack of grub we started
off with the gun for our new position.
I took the gun in. We had
a very <del>1 word</del> wet trip through slush
and mud and finally landed up
at a trench annd were pointed to
a hole which was to act as our
gun-pit. In the wet and mud we
improved the hole and at midnight
rolled in a chalk pit to
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days APRIL
<del>6 SATURDAY [96-269]</del>
have a sleep. It was the worse
bed I have ever had, it was all
[1 word] We were on guard tonight
so had a delightful time. We
were wet right through to the
hide and our [1 word] to open
warfare has been a novel
occurrence.
Sunday (March 31st)
This is Easter Sunday and we
were mighty thankful for a
spell of sunshine which dried
us out. We were up at 5.30 am
and started to dig in the gun
Worked like fiends all day. building
dumps and making the place
a bit tenetable. Fritz has been
shelling pretty close and dropped
a 4.1 just behind us
which covered us with mud.
We are on a front where the
[end page]
[start page]
APRIL 4th Month 1918
<del>7 SUNDAY [97-268]</del>
<del>Low Sunday.</del>
Canadians stopped Fritz and
cut him up so badly. His dead
where piled high. There is
heaps of artillery in and
everything is in the open. You
can see guns everywhere
There was much aerial
activity. A squadron of 17
of ours went over and gave
Fritz a hard time of it and
the Archies made the sky
black
Tonight ammunition came
up on packs and the drivers
had a hard time, so did we
we did a lot of handling
Another bed on the chalks
Monday April 1st. Weather
beautiful. Had a full nights'
sleep but was rather tired
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days APRIL
<del>8 MONDAY [98-267]</del>
and sore from the many points of
chalk. We have been working very
hard getting things in shape. We are
in the main salient of the line at
present and have a fine advantage
over Fritz in as much as we
have high ground and are behind
it, Fritz is expecting over any
time. It was here that Fritz
tried to get through but the
Canadians cut him to piece. There
is a big time ahead. Saw a
wonderful sight this afternoon
One of Fritz's airmen came over
and cleared our line of observation
balloons getting four in
succession. The balloonist
escaped in their parachute.
Fritz had the [1 word] on us today
in the air, Lots of ammunition
coming in, wokring very hard
[end page]
[start page]
APRIL 4th Month 1918
<del>9 TUESDAY [99-266]</del>
<del>Last Day Fire Insurance ceases.
Easter Law Sittings begin.</del>
Tuesday April 2nd
Weather fine. Had a lie in till
8 am and was glad of it as I
was very tired. Worked hard all
day on dumps and got in the
last of our ammunition supply.
It was someday, This afternoon
we built <del>our</del> a shelter for the
gun guard and it is jake. We
are now assembling material
to make a splinter proof over
the gun. Fritz has been dropping
some big stuff around. A
battery of 60-pounders on
our left was giving him some
trouble and he started on it
with 4.1's and finished up
with 12-inch but still the
boys carried on. It was a
fine duel and a good display
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days APRIL
<del>10 WEDNESDAY [100-265]</del>
of courage by our lads. A
big splinter came in our pit
There is a lot of noise on our
right tonight. It has started
to rain hard, another delightfully
encouraging effect of
the war. We had a big Canadian
mail today and it was
the most welcomed we have
ever received. The parcels
came in quite handy as our
rations are none too heavy
considering the heavy works we
are doing and the fresh air we
live in, although sometime our
gun pit is none too healthy.
Am in gun guard tonight.
Wednesday, April 3rd.
Weather fair. Had three 'stand
too' during the night. Nothing
starling. All day we have been
[end page]
[start page]
APRIL 4th Month 1918
<del>11 THURSDAY [101-264]</del>
<del>New Moon</del>
busy building a gun-pit. We put
up the skelton of one and an officer
said it looked like a sky-scraper
and would give away the position
so we tore it down and set up a
lower one. We have done a lot of
hard work but have a good
pit now. We had pinched planks
and everything. We are all
dog-tired tonight and are due
for a good sleep. There is a lot
of talk about a strafe coming
off but our chaps went over the
other night and failed to find a
Heinie after going over 1000 yards.
He wants this point as his advance
in other parts in held up
But the Canadians are holding
the line and will give him what
they gave him on Good Friday
When he sent divisions
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days APRIL
<del>12 FRIDAY [102-263]</del>
over with seven days' rations and
was thrown back.
Thursday, April 4th. Weather
fair. Working on gun pit and have
things in good shape. Got a line on
a couple of canteens and are
getting in a stock of stuff.
Tonight it is raining very hard.
I am on gun guard and it is
very muddy outside. Oh Its a
lovely war.
Friday, April 5th. Weather
fair. Working hard all day on
gun-pit. Managed to get away
this afternoon to Roclincourt to
get a new gas mask. Was lucky and
saw Stan Young. Also bought a
lot of stuff with which to replenish
our larder.
It started to rain this evening
We went on harassing fire and had
[end page]
[start page]
APRIL 4th Month 1918
<del>13 SATURDAY [103-262]</del>
a hard time. The buffer went out of
sight in the mud and the gun
kept jumping off the platform so
we got our backs sort keeping
her on line. This makes 48 hours
that I have not had my boots off.
We managed a few hours' sleep and
I certainly needed them.
Saturday, April 6th. Weather
fair. They expected Fritz over and
we stood to on our S.O.S. lines but
he never came. Put in a new buffer
today and worked hard on the
pit and put down duck boards
in the trench. As hungry as bears.
In shelling yesterday Fritz put
a whizz bang into the 61st just
ahead of us and killed Jack Wood,
of Victoria, and wounded three
other boys. Last night he dropped
a few shells handy. It is
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days APRIL
<del>14 SUNDAY [104-261]</del>
<del>2nd after Easter.</del>
raining again tonight. It seems to
rain every night, just enough to
keep things muddy and sticky
Sunday, April 7th. Weather
fine. Gradually getting things
squared away. Put duckboards
in the trench, which relieves the
mud saturation. This is a great
country for canteens[?]. Every night
we usually walk about 10 miles
trying to find a Y.M.C.A where
we can get something to eat but
they are mighty scarce right now.
However we [1 word] a couple of
cans of mick and had some mush
tonight and it sure went well.
Heavy rain tonight as usual.
Had a couple of stand tos during
the night.
Monday, April 8th. Weather
fair. Had an easy day as we
[end page]
[start page]
APRIL 4th Month 1918
<del>15 MONDAY [105-260]</del>
<del>Interest payable on [pound] 4% War Loan, 1929-1942.</del>
were all feeling the effects of the
hard week's work. We have the
gun pit in good shape and are
ready for the show. We are now
turning our attentions to our
dugoug. Tomorrow is the anniversary
of the taking of Vimy
Ridge and they expect Fritz
to make an effort. Perhaps
he will think better of it as its
a hard road to Tipperary. However
we shall see.
There was a big Canadian
mail in tonight so you can
imagine we all fell in good
spirals. Lots of news from
home and plenty of parcels.
I am on gas guard tonight.
Fritz is going a bit of
shelling and sending over a
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days APRIL
<del>16 TUESDAY [106-259]</del>
bit of gas.
Tuesday, April 9th. Weather
fair with occasional rain. This is
the anniversary of the taking of
Vimy Ridge and here we are holding it
with Fritz making the claim
that he will take it back. We thot
we were in for a bad time as all
night he was chucking over gas and
we were up most of the night. Had
our gas masks on for a time. He
mixed up a lot of heavy stuff with
it. We had four stand-tos before
8 am. Sort of had the wind up up
forward.
Went for a bath this morning
and really needed it.
Got bad news tonight. Fritz
shelled our wagon lines and the boys
were moving our, when a shell hit
between the horses killing four.
[end page]
[start page]
APRIL 4th Month 1918
<del>17 WEDNESDAY [107-258]</del>
three others were later shot. Poor old
Mr.Daniel of HQ, was killed,
shot through the heart and head
and Bomb. McGreer[?] was hit in the
abdomen. Fullerton was badly injured
about the legs and Bob [1 word]
picked up a splinter. One chap was
using a shovel when a shell struck
underneath it and threw him about
20 feet. He got up and ran like mad.
We have moved our wagon lines again.
The boys at the lines are certainly
having a hard time of it in the rain and
mud, and hauling ammunition and
shelling. Am due for a good sleep
tonight. 'O-Pips' arrived today.
Wednesday, April 10th. Weather
fair. Put over two raids early this
morning, both of which were successful.
We hear<del>d</del> some good information
was obtained. We did a lot
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days APRIL
<del>18 THURSDAY [108-257]</del>
<del>First Quarter, 4.8 a.m.</del>
of firing. The two raids yesterday
morning were successful. We hear
today that Fritz got through on the
Portugese, <del>which</del> to the north, which
means that we are in a big salient
and are due for a warm time.
Ammunition tonight. Slight rain.
Did considerable work on the gun
pit.
Thursday, April 11th.
Weather fair. Plenty of work.
At noon the weather became very
fine and warm and it was a
real treat to hear the birds singing.
There seem to be quite a
few meadow Larks around here
There is a very heavy battle
going on south of us and at
nights there is a very heavy cannon
[1 word] and the sky is vivid with
[end page]
[start page]
APRIL 4th Month 1918
<del>19 FRIDAY [109-256]</del>
<del>Primrose Day (1881).</del>
flashes. Had ammunition
fatigue last night at 3 am in
the pitch dark. Beautiful work.
Bomb. Mc.Greer died today of
wounds received in the bombardment
two days ago. Several
boys have shell shock.
Friday, April 12th. Weather
beautiful-clearest day we
have had yet. Counted 17
Frity balloons on our front.
Got orders that we are to pull out
today. Turning over to 9th Battery
and are relieving the 35th Battery
a mile or so to our right. Its always
the way, as soon as we get
a position well fixed we turn
it over to some one else. Two guns
are going our and I have been
left to see that they go.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days APRIL
<del>20 SATURDAY [110-255]</del>
Was on harassing fire all last
night. There was quite a lot of
noise as there was a lot of heavy
stuff going both ways.
Turned over both guns and
fast-slogged across the
famous Vimy Ridge over shell-
holes, passed the famous new 6-inch
and passed the big monument
erected on the A-S-L-S
roads to the commemomration of
the Canadian Artillery Corps
Then reached the new battery
position. Have a fair gun-pit
and a good bivy. Went on gun
guard tonight and had a
cold night. Fritz did a bit of
strafing.
Saturday, April 13th. Weather
cold. <del>Ha</del> Spent most of the time
in the gun pit getting in amm
[end page]
[start page]
APRIL 4th Month 1918
<del>21 SUNDAY [111-254]</del>
<del>3rd after Easter.</del>
and fixing things. Getting
bivy fixed. Was warned this
afternoon that I was due to go
down to the wagon lines. Left at
9 pm and walked down. It was
a hard grind. Lines are at
Brunhaut[?] Farm and are well
sheltered but Fritz drops the
odd shell over, and puts the
wind up. Have a bed on the
floor in an old <del>she</del> cellar of
the only ruin here. Took my
clothes off for the first time <del>1 word</del>
since leaving Paris 16 days
Sunday, April 14th.
Weather cold. Wind cutting.
Slept in and had fine rest.
Church parade and had
holy communion. Went on
grazing parade. Built hames[?]
room. Davell is in Blighty.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days APRIL
<del>22 MONDAY [112-253]</del>
Its a soft war. Went to Morel[?] and
had three eggs and chips.
Strafe on up the line. Off to bed
early. Fritz dropped over a few
shells tonight and a number of
Chinese from the Labor Battalion
across the road came tumbling
down our steps to spent the night
John Goldie promptly took one by
the collar and dragged him out
and the others to save a similar
exit left immediately. There's
nothing like a cellar in a strafe
Monday, April 15th. Wicked
wind blowing. Working around
lines. The Chinese moved out
this afternoon. They have a tremendous
kit. I'd hate to have
to pack it. Last night a keg
of beer was distributed to the
boys and tonight two bottles of
[end pag]e
[start page]
APRIL 4th Month 1918
<del>23 TUEsDAY [113-252]</del>
<del>s.George.</del>
champagne were issued to
each sub. We drew for them
and I got one but passed it
on. An officer has been riling
everyone here <del>and</del> during the past
week and a report was made
against him, accordingly he was
hauled out and immediately
he tried to square himself.
All estaminets are out of
bounds to the Canadian troops.
The boys had a great time in
A-S. Fritz has been shelling
it and the civies pulled out
leaving everything and our boys
helped themselves. Rations are
light.
Tuesday, April 16th. A
little better weather. Cleaning
harness. Half holiday this
afternoon. Having a soft time just
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days APRIL
<del>24 WEDNESDAY [114-251]</del>
now. Nothing out of the ordinary
doing. Had cocoa tonight. On
stable picquet.
Wednesday, April 17th.
Weather terribly cold. Keen wind
blowing. More like winter. Spent
the whole day cleaning harness
They are timing to pull this First
Division stuff and some of these
old-timers are peddling a lot of
crop. A certain fellow who wears
a couple of pips is raving furiously
and giving us a lot of fun.
Had a good dinner today, mulligan,
rice and tea. We must be
winning. Went to morel tonight
and bought a bunch of biscuits
and a ton of pears which cost
four francs. Stuckey and I got
a wad of laundry tonight. We
needed some underwear and went
[end page]
[start page]
APRIL 4th Month 1918
<del>25 THURSDAY [115-250]</del>
<del>S.Mark</del>
into a joint where washing was
done and asked for our laundry.
The lady offered us an officer's
lot and we took it and paid
two francs.
Thursday, April 18th. Weather
very cold. Slight drizzle. On harness
again today. Its a great war. We
no doubt get a great many victories
by our harness cleaning. They talk
about painting the steel. It
would be the most sensible thing
done yet.
Had a mandolin in action
in the dugout tonight and had some
spirited action and singing
There was some fine dancing. It
is a nice clear night, but very
cold.
Friday, April 19th. Weather
very cold. We have had snow
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days APRIL
<del>26 FRIDAY [116-249]</del>
<del>Full Moon, 8.5 a.m.</del>
storms off and on today. There
has been a little <del>sun</del> sunshine
Little aerial activity was in
a cellar today where General
Joffe and General [1 word]
met in January 1915 to confer
on the Battle of Lens. Most of
the houses around here are made
of chalk blocks and mud.
This is Brunhaut[?] Farm
at the crossing of two main
roads, the huge trees of which
from a fine wind break. There
are a few ruins here and a
grave of some unknown British
heroes is in the centre of our
lines. All around us the land
has been sown and here and
there are new lines of trench
We have a long way to go for
water
[end page]
[start page]
APRIL 4th Month 1918
<del>27 SATURDAY [117-248]</del>
Saturday, April 20th.
Weather fine. Heavy frost this
morning. Harness cleaning all
day. Winger[?] has had several
'launches' today. Had quite a
ta-do with Chat today. Sure having
a fine time today. Were paid this
morning. Went down town and
had eggs and chips. Bit of shelling
today. Fritz after Bethune. Fritz
was bombing last night and put
a bit of wind up.
Sunday April 21st. Weather
frosty. Fine during the day. Bath
parade. Full marching order parade
at 11 am. for our dear officer to
have an inspection. Had a half
holiday today. Had a church
service in the open this evening.
and it was quite interesting
Bit of a strafe on up the line
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days APRIL
<del>28 SUNDAY [118-247]</del>
<del>4th after Easter.</del>
All talk about taking A-S.
Monday, April 22nd.
Weather cold in the morning but
quite warm during the day. Cleaning
harness. Yesterday afternoon
went down to see the 12-inch naval
gun and saw it fire. Went up the
line tonight with ration wagon.
and had to find a cross-country
road back to the wagon line. It
was sure some trip. We missed
a few 4.1's. There is quite a
strafe on on Bethune the former
stomping grounds of we boys.
Tuesday, April 23rd. Weather
very warm and fine. Working on harness,
cleaning line and making
ourselves generally useful. Started
to dig near positions today
in N.St. more work for the boys.
Lots of talk of Fritz making
[end page]
[start page]
APRIL 4th Month 1918
<del>29 MONDAY [119-246]</del>
a drive around here. Went up with
ration wagon tonight had quite
a trip to new position. Saw Vanghaus[?]
who was a lawyer in Victoria. He
is now a cook in the heavies.
Wednesday, April 24th.
Weather fine. Firing up hanes (?)
room. Passing the line easily. Had
a heavy rain shower tonight.
Very heavy strafe going on on
our front this evening. Lots
of Crown and Anchor and Poker
these nights. Big bets, Bill Lee
runs the C&A
Thursday, April 25th.
Weather fine. Duty sub. Cleaning
harness. Fritz tried to come over at
A-S on a mile front, but did not
get pass our wire. There was quite a
noise going on most of the night.
We are getting lots of eggs these
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days APRIL
<del>30 TUESDAY [120-245]</del>
days. Had three for breakfast and
two with potatoes tonight. Eggs
cost 4 1/2d. each but we eat them
with a relish as things do not
vary very greatly in eats these
days. Weather fair tonight. Met
Reg and Lou Beckwith.
Friday, APril 26th. Weather
foggy. Went for a bath. Dragging
another set of gun-pits at
Mount St.E. Having a easy time
at lines, cleaning harness and
soon. Squaring up 'O-Pip'
accounts this afternoon. Its no
easy job getting a paper out, I
can assure you. The Labor Battalion
across the way gave a concert
tonight and we were invited
and I went. It was amusing in
its way and its surprising the
talent to be found on a unit over
here.
[end page]
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
<del>1 WEDNESDAY [121-244]</del>
<del>SS.Philip & James.</del>
Saturday, April 27th. Weather
fine. Gen Dodds made an inspection
this morning and was pleased with
our lines. Went to the guns tonight
and was just in time for a raid.
We shot over gas. It was a good
raid. We had to jiggle our guns
about a bit putting them in
different pits to get the necessary
switches and ranges. They
got a bunch of prisoners and
John Goldies tried to take an
iron cross off an officer as he
was marching down the road.
3rd D in the limelight again
Caught Fritz at Hill 70 in the
act of making an advance and
machine gunners went over
and cut them up.
Sunday, April 28th.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MAY
<del>2 THURSDAY [122-243]</del>
Weather very misty. On gun guard
last night. A Fritz aeroplane came
over low this afternoon and we
shot at him but it was no use.
Young Barton and Deep Sea
and Woods were in to see me tonight.
Early this evening Fritz
started a heavy shelling and
put over a raid and at 11 o'clock
our boys went over on one. We
fired 54 rounds in 15 minutes.
Monday, April 29th. Weather
continues cold, misty and disagreeable.
Having an easy time, Fritz
put some unpleasant harassing
fire around our position this
morning. He dropped them in the
road, at the officers' mess and
the latrine, blowing the latter right
up. Several of the boys are quite
sick with colds.
[end page]
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
<del>3 FRIDAY [123-242]</del>
<del>Last Quarter, 10.20 p.m.</del>
Today I was promoted to be a sargeant
Tuesday, April 30th. Weather
very wet. All the shell-holes are
filling up and the ground is very
slippery and muddy and the
position is very bad. Fritz has
done considerable shelling and this
afternoon swept the roads. Got
two dozen eggs up and have
two in the morning and two at
night. Most of the gun-pits are
quite full of water and the
dugouts are wet.
Wednesday, May 1st. Weather
overcast. Ordered to the sniper
and on way up met Gordon Kidney.
Went along Red Trail <del>to</del> on
duckboard through V-Y and
P.V. to embankment and took
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MAY
<del>4 SATURDAY [124-241]</del>
over gun. It is in an old battery
position from which the main
line had to retire when Fritz
came ahead. There are lots of
pits around and some have been
hit. There are shells all over
the place. The pit is as ankle-deep
in water so had to square
it away. Had duckboards in
to fire with and holes had been
dug to drain water so it was
some dive. Got squared away
and put over 300 rounds before
the night was out.
Have a fine big dugout
here. Plenty of room and well
down and safe. Dick Bouyd[?].
Hickman and McIntosh are on
my shift. There are eight gunners
a cook and three signallers
here, quite a family
[end page]
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
<del>5 SUNDAY [125-240]</del>
<del>Rogation Sunday.</del>
Little sleep tonight. Discovered
I was loudy. I seemed to be
walking away so had two
searches and annihilated
whole companies of them
Thursday, May 2nd.
Weather fine and warm. Up at
9.30. Off day so loafed around
hunting crumbs and seeing
things. In front of us is an
Heinie 8-inch gun and a 5.9
abandoned by him. Broke three
springs today. Went for rations
and water with hand car. Had
springs fixed and went into action.
Friday, May 3rd. Weather
beautiful. Up at 9.30 am. Hauling
ammunition. On wire shoot. Did
good work. Had yank officer
in to see us and a couple of
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MAY
<del>6 MONDAY [126-239]</del>
<del>Rogation Day. Accession, 1910.</del>
our officers. Got orders to move
our sniper. Pulled her our on flat
car to road. Spill on car coming
back. Reached battery took over.
[1 word] gun.
Saturday, May 4th. Weather
fine. Getting ready to turn over.
Having hard time shagging ammunition.
Two guns out tonight.
Imperials <del>P</del> relieved us.
Handled big bunch of 18 lbs
and 4.5 amm. tonight.
Sunday, May 5th. Weather
fine. had a great sleep. Up at
9.am. This is a grand old war.
Heard lots of yarns about the
retreat and met Hunt, a fellow
I was at Woolwich with. We started
to pack amm this morning
and slugged 1900[?] rounds before
[end page]
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
<del>7 TUESDAY [127-238]</del>
<del>Rogation Day.</del>
we turned over, pulled our three
guns. My shoulders were sore as a
boil. Reached wagon lines and
pulled out at 12.30 in the rain
and dark. It was some time. We
had a hard march and reached
D- <sup>ivion</sup> at 8 am. We fell
asleep in the saddle and had
plenty of sudden starts we
are supposed to be out on some
things and are behind the lines.
Our officers gave a fine exhibition
One gave one orders and one gave
another. They were . It was
a beautiful night and as day
dawned we saw some beautiful
country. We were nearly finished
but on reaching our line
at 8 am on May 6th. we fed
our horses, had breakfast
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MAY
<del>8 WEDNESDAY [128-237]</del>
<del>Rogation Day.</del>
and dropped asleep. We had a
hard job keeping awake in the
afternoon but had little to do.
Saw the town tonight.
Tuesday May 7th. Weather
fine. Reveille at 6 am. Am in
sargeants' mess and do not have
same rush to get meals. It is soft
alright. Were due for manoevores
at 9 am. but a heavy shower came
on and it was called off. At 11 am.
We moved off as it cleared and
had lunch in the open. It is
beautiful where I am sitting, birds
singing, many wild flowers and
the tress green. Just had lunch.
Had some fine riding and jumping.
Slept in a French bed
with [1 word] There were sheets
but the bed was as hard as concrete.
[end page]
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
<del>9 THURSDAY [129-236]<del>
<del>Ascension Day. Half Quarter Day.</del>
Coming back from maneuvers
saw some pretty scenery. We
went trhough country purple
with blue-bells and violets and
the woods were perfumed by them.
Saw Eber Jones tonight.
Wednesday. Beautiful
weather. Out on maneuvers. There
was quite a do up the line last
night judging by the noise.
Had lunch in a nice wood overlooking
___. It is beautiful
country. A plane came tumbling
down out of the sky into the
woods. A Fritz is up now and
being shelled.
Thursday May 9th. Weather
very hot. On parade, doing driving
drill. In afternoon we did the
usual amount of harness cleaning.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MAY
<del>10 FRIDAY [130-235]</del>
<del>New Moon, 1.1 p.m.</del>
Friday May 10th. Weather
very hot. Maneuvers as usual.
[end pa
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
11 Saturday [131-234]
Hot. Had usual parade.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days May
12 Sunday [132-233]
Hot. Half holiday. Went
to H<del>1 word</del> and saw the
sights. We went into an egg and
chips joint. We were getting along
fine when the madame made a
rush for our plates and hid them
in a cubboard (sic). We were at a loss
to explain. Finally a French
M.P. came in. The lady later expained
that they were not allowed
to sell chips. It reminded me
much of a raid on a Chinese
lottery house with no one around
<del>to</del> when the police got in.
[end page]
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
13 Monday [133-232]
Went to Ab to calibrate.
Weather turned wet and we
had a most disagreeable time.
The trip in the lorries was alright
and quite interesting. Had a
grand old time seeing the
country.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MAY
14 Tuesday [134-231]
Weather hot. Usual
driving drill. Had some jumping
today for the first time in months.
Baldy is just as good es ever
but Happy shied at the barrier.
[end page]
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
15 Wednesday [135-230]
Scotch Quarter Day.
Weather hot. Usual
driving drill and harness
cleaning.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MAY
16 Thursday [136-229]
Weather very hot. Parade.
Horses sweat hard. Was in
poker game last night and Lomas
and I were out of luck so we
pooled and were the last pot
after they tried to freeze us out. We
pulled in 10 f 6 (?).
[end page]
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
17 Friday [137-228]
Easter Law Sittings end.
First Quarter, 8.14pm.
Usual parades. Had
my picture taken this afernoon.
Took in the cinema. It is
some place. The French janes
have quite a time.
We were expecting to go
and see the First Army show tonight
but unfortunately orders
came in that a big inspection was
coming off on the morrow and we
were ordered to clean harness. There
were some fine comment.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MAY
18 Saturday [138-227]
All on the hop over the big
show. The E.O.C. came around and
we were lined up in a field in a
boiling sun and sat to attention
until we thought our necks would
brake.
Tonight we went to H to
see the concert we missed
last night. Our officers arranged to
have lorries ready so we were taken
down in state and really had a
grand time.
[end page]
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
19 Sunday [139-226]
Whitsun Day. Ember Week.
Church parade. Weather
hot. Half holiday. Went up
on a hill in a woods with Conyers (?),
Bullen and White and it
was delightful. Had a magnificent
view of the country, with the
village nestling in the valley
the aeroplanes taking off
and lighting on the green swathe
of their aerodrome. The tiled
roofs of the tenements, the
green crops and numerous wild
flowers. It was truly fine.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MAY
20 Monday [140-225]
Whit Monday. Bank Holiday.
Weather hot. On a grazing
parade. Fellows had a [1 word]in
a quarry. It was good.
Great time up town. Everyone
was celebrating. A machine gunner
had a fight with a French man;
then a chink pulled a knife on
a village cut up and was run
up the main drag; and two
Frenchmen came to blows, landed
in the gutter then invited <del>some</del>
<del>of the</del> one another to come and
have a drink.
[end page]
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
21 Tuesday [141-224]
Whit Tuesday.
Weather hot. Harness cleaning.
Fritz planes were over after dark
and dropped a few bombs, getting
some civies.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MAY
22 Wednesday [141-223]
Ember Day.
Were up at 3.30 am and
got prepared to move. Shifted
off at 8.30. Weather very hot.
Horses sweated heavily. Reached
V--at 1.30 and were just
about fatigued. Put up horse
lines and fed the mokes, then got
something ourselves. Slept
under a limber. Heavy shower
during night. Not a bad
dump. Can get a few eggs.
[end page]
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
23 Thursday [143-222]
Weather very windy. Entire
section went in as snipers tonight.
Heavy rain set in. Have man in
clink for poking Harry [1 word]. Had
a hot time with him. Slept under a
tent. She was a wild night.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MAY
24 Friday [144-221]
Empire Day. Ember Day.
Got orders to move and
pulled out in a rain at 1.30. The
horses were shivering and wet. It
was a long, cold march and we
finally reached our new home at
5 pm. Saw Jim Watson and the
Carter boys on the way. After
stables broke off. Saw Percy
McAdam. Guns went in after
supper.
On old wagon line at
B--- were heavily shelled this
afternoon with A.P. and gas.
There are a bunch of
big guns around these lines.
This is Empire Day and
if there had been peace it would
have been a great day at home.
[end page]
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
25 Saturday [145-220]
Ember Day. Full Moon, 10.32 pm.
Shifted wagon lines and
are now well off. Kind of short handed.
Cleaning harness. Heavy harrassing
fire at night.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MAY
26 Sunday [146-219]
Trinity Sunday. Queen born, 1867.
Church parade. Half
holiday. Several ball games
were in progress all day. There
is plenty of sport going on.
I don't know what Fritz thinks
when he sees our fellows playing.
[end page]
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
27 Monday [147-218]
Weather hot. Took Quick (?)
to M for court-martial. Had
to return. Went again in afternoon.
Fritz dropped three shells in
the baseball park this afternoon
and there was plenty of
scattering as a game was in
progress at the time.
Had a premature on E sub
today. Stan Thompson killed.
Watkins, Lilly, Bomb. De Grosse
G. Dixon seriously wounded
and Sergt McGrath badly cut.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MAY
28 Tuesday [148-217]
Trinity Law Sittings begin.
Weather cool. Funeral of
Thompson.
[end page]
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
29 Wednesday [149-216]
Weather cool.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days MAY
30 Thursday [150-215]
Corpus Christi.
Weather cool. Last night
Fritz shelled our lines and dropped
two shells just over and burst
two overhead and our huts were
struck many times. Some of the
fellows took below ground.
Have been working on
O-Pip.
[end page]
[start page]
MAY 5th Month 1918
31 Friday [151-214]
Weather very warm. Dropped
over a bunch of shells. One lit in
the road just as I was wrestling
a story for the 'O-Pip' and blew
stuff everywhere, another hit alongside
a house but forntunately was
a 'dub'. The people [1 word]
more. These shells make an
awful swish and put the
wind up.
[start page]
1918 30 Days JUNE
1 Saturday [152-213]
Interest payable on L5% War Loan, 1929-1947.
Weather warm. Nothing
doing. Up to the battery to relieve.
Have a good position and was
just in time to get in on a ballgame.
I was put in as pitcher
and had a good time. Its a good
war right here. Sleep in a
bit of a bivy and have a fine
place in it. Had some mush
from Acab and some tea before
going to bed.
[end page]
[start page]
JUNE 6th Month
2 Sunday [153-212]
1st after Trinity. Last Quarter, 4.20 am.
Nothing doing all day. Very
warm. Played ball and took
things easy.
Had an ammu train along
tonight and it was a fairly soft
job.
Good sleep now.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 days JUNE
3 Monday [154-211]
King born, 1865.
Hauling amu all day.
Enjoying life.
[end page]
[start page]
JUNE 6th Month 1918
4 Tuesday [155-210]
Had to fix up a bunch of
gun-pits today. It was very
warm and we sure sweated.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days JUNE
5 Wednesday [156-209]
Weather warm. Went to wagon
lines on 'O-Pip' and got lots of
stuff in. Several shells came over.
One got nine fellows at 66th & 60th.
Had a good sleep.
[end page]
[start page]
JUNE 6th Month 1918
6 Thursday [157-208]
On 'O-Pip' all day. Was
sent forward to take over section
this evening. Load position, pits
and dugouts. Things are looking
up. Looks like plenty of
work and all that. There was
heavy shelling on our left tonight.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days JUNE
7 Friday [158-207]
Weather very warm. Had
several shots but otherwise
took life easy. Have a 'lovely'
officer and had a 9 inspection.
[end page]
[start page]
JUNE 6th Month 1918
8 Saturday [159-206]
New Moon, 10.3 pm.
Did a bit of shooting.
Put a few TM. on perch. They
were under shelter of a X red
cross sign. We put the chimps
up their back. Got on a dugout
after shafe 4 Heinies came out.
18 pds. opened up and got them.
There was a big shafe tonight.
Heinie tried to get over but was
badly cut up. There was a
terrible lot of stuff going over
and somebody got it. It was a
grand sight.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days JUNE
9 Sunday [160-205]
2nd after Trinity.
Weather very warm. Put
roof on gun-pit. Big g-s shafe
tonight 20-160. Put over a big
dose and then we did some heavy
firing. It was a grand night. We
put over a bunch of pills (?).
Fritz got a few into our
cutting and smashed in the
entrance of a dugout of a battery
on our left and nearly got
[1 word].
A fellow watching a ball
game of 52nd was killed by a
rifle bullet yest.
[end pag
[start page]
JUNE 6th Month 1918
10 Monday [161-204]
Ramadan begins.
Weather warm. Slept in till
noon. Working on gun pit. This'
a grand old war if you don't
weaken.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days JUNE
11 Tuesday [162-203]
S. Barnabas.
Weather fine. Working on
pits. Ammunition last night.
[end page]
[start page]
JUNE 6th Month 1918
12 Wednesday [163-202]
Weather fine. On gun pits.
Nothing much doing. Broke
two springs. Did consderable
shooting. Harassing
fire tonight.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days JUNE
13 Thursday [164-201]
Weather fine. Working on
gun pits. Did some firing.
Having fairly soft time of it.
Had surprise visit of
ammunition tonight.
Beautiful <del>our</del> daylight
raid put over by the L.S. It was
a grand sight.
The chaplain came over
and we had a church service in
the cutting.
[end page]
JUNE 6th Month 1918
14 Friday [165-200]
Weather fine. Upt ata 8.30.
Was ordered to wagon lines at
noon. Took charge of casualty
race. Ordered to battery. Detailed
to jump 'Baldy'. Was
asked to take a commision
and made out my papers.
Battery in [1 word] of snipers
heavily shafed.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days JUNE
15 Saturday [166-199]
Weather fine. Training for
Casualty Race and also for
jumping. Divisional sports on
this afternoon.
[end page]
[start page]
JUNE 6th Month 1918
16 Sunday [167-198]
3rd after Trinity. First Quarter 1.12 pm.
Church parade. Padre sore
because fellows stopped singing
to watch the horses jump.
Jumping Baldy.
Half a holiday.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days JUNE
17 Monday [168-197]
Weather fine. Plenty of
aerial activity. Preparing for
casualty race. Nearly got a
'Blighty'. Was stooping over to
pick up a pin when a piece
of shell-casing struck me full
in the place where some people
keep their brains and brought
me up all standing. It sure
stung but did not cut in. Had
I been standing up I should
most likely have ben beaned.
[end page]
[start page]
JUNE 6th Month 1918
18 Tuesday [169-196]
On casualty race all
day. Gibson hit. STuckey hit
in three places at snipers and
when being carried to dressing
station two shells came over
and the fellows dropped him
and the poor fellow nearly
died of fright. He is making
Blighty.
Called before captain
today and offered commission
which I accepted.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days JUNE
19 Wednesday [170-195]
Casualty race all day.
Also did some jumping.
Big raid went over to
night 2 can. numerous prisoners
many dugouts bombed.
[end page]
[start page]
JUNE 6th Month 1918
20 Thursday [171-194]
Casualty race.
On brigade received a
glowing tribute from Scots
on effective barrage we put
over for round. They say it
was the finest they had ever
seen.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days JUNE
21 Friday [172-193]
Casualty race. Another
big raid tonight. Very effective.
Prisoners are coming
down every day. WE saw one
fellow about 65 years
of age the other day and
some of them are fine looking
chaps.
[end page]
[start page]
JUNE 6th Month 1918
22 Saturday [173-192]
Longest Day.
Casualty race. Jumping
this afternoon and was
thrown at a jump for the
first time. Baldy straddled
the pole and fell in a heap
rolling on my left leg and
throwing me on my head and
left shoulder. I was dazed
for a few minutes. Everyone
tought I was hurt and
Baldy had a broken leg but
just to show that everything
was O.K. we took the jump
a little later. It was a
miracle I wasn't hurt.
Tonight went down to battery
section and after a ball
game had big eats. The Canadian
mail (delayed) arrived
and we had a rare old feed.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days JUNE
23 Sunday [174-191]
4th after Trinity. Prince of Wales born, 1894.
Church parade. Jumping.
Plenty of mail.
The Scots made a record,
putting over a dailight raid
getting prisoners, which made
three raids in 24 hours.
[end page]
[start page]
JUNE 6th Month 1918
24 Monday [175-190]
S. John Baptist. Midsummer Day.
Full Moon, 10.38 am.
Jumping and casualty
race. Had two new jumps
today.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days JUNE
25 Tuesday [176-189]
Nothing doing. Lazy
time. Jumping and casualty
race.
[end page]
[start page]
JUNE 6th Month 1918
26 Wednesday [177-188]
Preparing for an inspection
by the general.
Have Spanish Influenza and 30 men are down with
it. Were ordered to leave huts
so are sleeping in wet grass
so expect some more cases. It
is a wicked sickness for a
few days. You get a splitting
headache, pain all over and
lose your appetite.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days JUNE
27 Thursday [178-187]
General did not make inspection
after getting up at
5 am and grooming all morning
a bluff.
Went down with Influenza.
Feel rotten. 50 fellows sick
now.
Dave [1 word] is sick as
usual and told us how he
picked plums with his girl
in Godalming and how he made
20 x on C. [1 letter] two nights ago
and then to show what a sport he
was went and bought a penny
cup of coffee.
[end page]
[start page]
JUNE 6th Month 1918
28 Friday [179-186]
Laid in this morning;
feel better. Some chaps pretty
bad.
Lomas as usual in full
of free kidding [1 word] as Mr.
Brotherston on my right.
[end page]
[start page]
[start page]
JUNE 6th Month 1918
28 Friday [179-186]
Laid in this morning;
feel better. Some chaps pretty
bad.
Lomas as usual in full
of free kidding [1 word] as Mr.
Brotherston on my right.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days JUNE
29 Saturday [180-185]
S. Peter.
Laid in this morning but went
on 9 o'clock parade. Paris 'O-Pip'
arrived last night so visited
all batteries today including
DAC. Had fine ride to H--of --
Half holiday.
[end page]
[start page]
(typed insert)
Currie's statement to troops in March 29, 1918:
'Where Canadians are engaged there is to be no giving way.
Under the orders of your devoted officers in the coming
battle, you will advance or fall where you stand. To those
who fall, I will say you will not die but step into immortality.
Your mothers will not lament your fate but will be proud
to have borne such sons. Your names will be revered forever
by your grateful country and God will take you unto himself.'
[end page]
[start page]
JUNE 6th Month 1918
30 Sunday [181-194]
5th after Trinity.
Church parade. Orderly
sargeant. Went to guns and Btt.
to see Inglis. Decided on another
'O-Pip'.
Half holiday.
Having quite a time in
stables these days few men and
same number of horses to groom.
[end page]
1917 31 Days JULY
1 Monday [182-183]
Last Quarter, 8.43 am.
Off to see corps sports
at T--s. Went down in lorries
after a long wait. Met Harry
Carrouthers, Gil Parfitt, Ernie
Adams, Steve Redgrave, Joe
Dokers, Pethwick and a buch
of others. Very hot and dusty.
Nothing much to eat. [1 word]
did some great stunts over
the ground. Went back in
lorry dead tired.
[end page]
[start page]
JULY 7 Month 1918
2 Tuesday [183-182]
Weather warm and dusty.
Many shells at bat. few days
ago. Put over shrapnel, perforating
<del>fu</del> huts. Fuze went
through Forbes' tunic and
shrapnel pelted all places.
Switched to eng. killed four
men and wounded bunch of
others. One shell went into a
dugout and exploded under
a chap's bed, killed him and
wounded another.
Piece of shrapnel
through a water tank and Ing.
shouts 'Heyy look what he does
now the silly [1 word]'.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JULY
3 Wednesday [184-181]
[end page]
[start page]
JULY 7th Month 1918
4 Thursday [185-180]
Weather fine. Had a
S.O.S. turn out this morning, harnessed
up, hooked in and ready to move
off in 11 minutes. It was good
time. Had a row with C-- over it.
This afternoon Fritz dropped
some shells handy. One hitin
amongst 100 8-inch and threw
them all over the place, some
horses killed, five fellows
wounded.
A Fritz balloon came up
close to our line and an archman
shot it down in no time.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JULY
5 Friday [186-179]
Dividends due.
Sports called off indefinitely.
No more practicing for a while.
Grub getting bad. Mac
and bully beef. Its a wonder
they don't do away with cooks
and serve the meals from the
O.M. stores.
[end page]
[start page]
JULY 7th Month 1918
6 Saturday [187-178]
Weather fine.
Came up to guns for a
spell. Sleeping in a brivy under
a piece of trough iron. The
other day a fuze from a
shrapnel came through.
The heavies are easy these
days crashing on an O-Pip
where life must be a veritable
hell.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JULY
7 Sunday [188-177]
6th after Trinity.
Fine weather. Nothing to do
here but sleep. We cut five bags
of hay each day and call in a
day's work. Soft alright. Nothing
startling.
There are a great many
poppies on the sides of the
valleys. The are a bright
crimson and look beautiful.
[end page]
[start page]
JULY 7th Month 1918
8 Monday [189-176]
New Moon, 8.22 am.
Weather fine. Nothing
happening to startle this dreary
world of ours.
Have a gramaphone (sic) in
the gunpit and keep it going
all the day to keep us in good
humor.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JULY
9 Tuesday [190-175]
Midsummer Fire Insurance ceases.
Weather fine. One of our planes
brought down a Heinie this morning.
He tried to get one of our [1 word] but
one of our scouts dropped out of the
clouds.
Came up forward to releive
section. Went to O-Pip with C. and
pinched a wagon of H.N. which
had a wheel stipped off it last
night.
Have a great crew, mostly
Scotch. Helly and Jeff are always
pulling small town stuff. One is
from Glasgow and the other from
the Highland. [1 word] and Wellman
are also up.
[end page]
[start page]
JULY 7th Month 1918
10 Wednesday [191-174]
Weather fine. One of our
captive balloons broke loose today.
Shelled wagon lines last night
dropped down amongst horses.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JULY
11 Thursday [192-173]
Nothing startling. Weather
overcast and wet. Duty gun did
a lot of firing.
Relief going on. [1 word] and C.
coming in.
[end page]
[start page]
JULY 7th Month 1918
12 Friday [193-172]
Weather fine. Laying about
today taking life easy. Expected
big attack over for some nights
but weather not suitable so
have to stand by every night.
FRitz chucked over some
stuff at us tonight but it all
cleared us.
Saw Harry Curtis.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JULY
13 Saturday [194-171]
Weather fine. Everything going
nicely. Did some shooting
up. Went to wagon line to play
ball this afternoon. Had a good
game.
Fritz came over with five
planes this evening but had a
hot reception. They tried for a
balloon but the barrage was
too heavy. Then they went after
some of our observation planes
but got the wind up and did
not attack.
[end page]
[start page]
JULY 7th Month 1918
14 Sunday [195-170]
7th after Trinity.
Weather wet. Nothing
much doing. Had to alter Pip
a little.
Relieved tonight and of course
had ammunition up and said
our prayers when the train pulled
in at 12.30
[end page]
1918 31 Days JULY
15 Monday [196-169]
S. Swithin.
Weather fair. Had Canadian
mail last night. [1 word]
Cream Peaches and Armour (?)
last night. Spend some time
in 18-pd. pits to get a little
knowledge of their work.
[end page]
[start page]
JULY 7th Month 1918
16 Tuesday [197-168]
First Quarter, 6.25 am.
Weather very warm. Went to
a forward 'O-Pip' for a few days.
Its a high place believe me, plenty
of lovely smells. It is all underground.
We have a jake dugout
30 feet down, which is high although
its low. Had good observation.
Saw lots of Heinies. There
was a beautiful sunset, great
sombre could walls. As the
sun settled behind it broke
through and made a great
scene and as I looked I thought
I was looking right through to
my home in the West. A couple
of balloons hung lazily in the
heavens and a few planes were
buzzing about.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JULY
17 Wednesday [198-167]
City and Boro's voters must Pay Poor Rate before 20th or lose vote.
Weather good. Our ration
party last night was badly shafed
and lost some of the rations. <del>1 word</del>
Fritz strafed our position. The boys
did not get in until after midnight.
Was up and cooked breakfast.
There was a Heinie squadron
over ours having a look at things.
We were relieved this evening
and returned forward. It was
a hot walk down with our kits
and he put shells on either
side of us.
[end page]
[start page]
JULY 7th Month 1918
18 Thursday [199-166]
Weather good. An off day.
Had a bit of a rest.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JULY
19 Friday [200-165]
Weather good. Fritz had put
on a heavy strafe at 2am and we
had to stand to and paste him.
The nightmare came also
We had ammunition. When someone
yells 'Ammunition' just-
as you're enjoying a sleep is it
any wonder a man says 'damn'.
Had gun down today. She looked
a wreck.
[end page]
[start page]
JULY 7th Month 1918
20 Saturday [201-164]
Inspection by Dodds. Bowled
out by him for not wearing tin (hats?) (pencilled along top of page)
Weather fine. Had two
stand tos last night and
the same old nightmare and to
cap it all had an inspection this
mronging at 9am. Got two Heinie
planes. They tried to get a bus (?) of
ours when our fellows dropped
out of the clouds and picked
them off.
Came down this morning
to play ball this afternoon.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JULY
21 Sunday [202-163]
8th after Trinity
Weather fine. Church service.
Had a jake bath in our taverns
enamelled bath and then Percy
and I went to --- Had a
great time in the mess <del>today</del> tonight
We all posed as military critics
and were figuring out the drive.
Heard of a fellow who
wanted a Blighty. He left the
line and got a piece of shrapnel
put in a cartridge loaded a
rifle with it and then asked
a fellow to shoot at his arm,
which he held up. The fellow
shot but missed and asked for
another chance. The victim was
not having any more as he thought
the chap might napoo him.
Beautiful night bombing
raid: many explosions.
[end page]
[start page]
JULY 7th Month 1918
22 Monday [203-162]
Weather very hot. FAtigues.
Had argument on war in mess so
wrote to Daily Mail for a map.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JULY
23 Tuesday [204-161]
Full Moon, 8.35 pm.
Weather very wet. Thunderstorms.
Cleaning harness. Martin
and Cook are two comedians
and gave us an interesting time. My
back bad again.
[end page]
[start page]
JULY 7th Month 1918
24 Wednesday [205-160]
Weather fine. Inspection
this morning. Great row. Harness
up the line last ight was
expected to be cleaned and it
was not. We all love one another
all the better. Now. Oh Yes!
Stayed in today as my
back was pretty bad.
Fritz sent over a plane
and got one of our ballons.
Raid over.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JULY
25 Thursday [206-159]
S.James.
Weather wet. Cleaning
harness all day. <del>Last</del> went over
to see Earl Hannington tonight.
He is a captain now and we
had quite an interesting time.
Fritz shelled a balloon
and put a slug in it and it
gradually exploded and the
balloonier jumped for it.
[end page]
[start page]
JULY 7th Month 1918
26 Friday [207-158]
Weather very wet. Cleaning
harness all day. Exercise ride
went out and got wet to the skin.
Tonight we had a farewell
for Fluck and Gosgrove, two of
our boys who are returning to
Canada to study Medicine.
We had a piano, guitar and
mandolin and a gib gang
and dance and sang outside
between showers and
when the showers came to
stay we moved into a hut.
Fellows went to B--
for horses tonight.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JULY
27 Saturday [208-157]
Weather very wet. July
has been very wet indeed.
Inspection. Half holiday. Played
ball and won 14 - 9 from
61st.
[end page]
[start page]
JULY 7th Month 1918
28 Sunday [209-156]
9th after Trinity.
Weather wet. Had church
parade. Half holiday. Saw
Cliff MacKitrick and [1 word]
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JULY
29 Monday [210-155]
Weather very hot. Got
orders about division sport
coming off on 10th. So will be
getting ready.
Heard about [1 word] who in
com. of men in trenches in early
days went around to see if whale (?)
oil was being used. No one had
used it but they all sait it was
fine. One fellow said he hand't
heard of it. He looked up officer
and he explained he hand't
heard of it. Then his batman
came around corner of trench
<del> and asked about</del> with a cup of
cocoa. He didn't know anything
and wanted to know who this
man was and officer replied
it was a friend of his. He was
always kidded about it.
[end page]
[start page]
JULY 7th Month 1918
30 Tuesday [211-154]
Last Quarter, 1.14 pm.
Weather very warm. All
bustling today to be off. Brought
out g tonight. Fritz is putting
over a lot of gas forward just
now and we are lucky to get
away. So here's hoping. Had a
jake bath tonight.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days JULY
31 Wednesday [212-153]
Trinity Law Sitting ends, Annual and Nov. to July
Game Certificates and Gun Licences expire.
Weather very warm. Were
ready to pull but got orders to
stand by and are gaming a
little sleept today. Had all
the vehicles packed last night
so sleep was next to impossible
as we expected an early reval
which didn't come. We have
only stables to do.
Got orders to shift tonight
and rumors is rife as to where
we are going. At midnight
pulled out and when hitting
A.P. road just missed by
bombs. A Heinie plane was
running wild.
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
1 Thursday [213-152]
Lammas Day.
After hanging around all
night we pulled into A and
were forced to wait two hours
for our train. We pinched a
Frenchmen's hay for our horses
and lumber for a fire, so we're
not too badly off in the cold,
damp, early hours. Loaded our
horses and vehicles and climbed
aboard ourselves after trying
ou a canteen.Had a fine train
trip saw some new chountry
and pulled into B-- at
5.15 and after unloaded set
out on a 15-kilo march to C.
It was dusk when we reached
a big wood. We were dirty and
dusty and mighty tiered. The cooks
lighted a big fire to make tea
and a Heinie plane came
over and let go his tail. He
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days AUGUST
2 Friday [214-151]
---
just missed our camp but got
from Imperial. Slept under a
limber tonight. (this section is written at bottom of second page)
Heavy rain all day. The
wood is a nasty place and we
were supposed to clean harness.
We oiled the steel and flet her
rip. Put up a tarp to sleep under.
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
3 Saturday [215-150]
Still raining. Mud ankle
deep everywhere. Oiling harness
and doing odd jobs. Got orders
to pack amu and move
wagon lines. As soon as the
packs were away we shifted and
putup lines on a road side
under a long line of trees, and
close to a river L. We hear
we are in for a big time and
are all keen on getting mixed
up in something.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days AUGUST
4 Sunday [216-149]
10th after Trinity.
Fourth Anniversary of the war. The
boys who were packing last
night got in at 7 am. It a
long pack and hard going.
Heavy jam of trusfire (?) on the
main drag.
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
5 Monday [217-148]
Bank Holiday.
Bunch of [1 word] breezed in
last night and parked in our
old gun park. Busy all day. Went
up the line are off duty all day
so as to give them a chance to
rest. Got orders to go in with
gun tonight. Heavy rain and
mud and going very heavy. Put
guns in and slugged amu.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days AUGUST
6 Tuesday [218-147]
New Moon, 8.30 pm.
Mud very bad and rain
still falling. Working hard all
day on positions. Have battery
of 6 in behind us and expect
them to raise the dead. A platon
which came in with us last
night was hit by a shell and
16 killed and bunch wounded.
Great stream of packs and
wagons up line with amu.
Two gn. in tonight. FRitz
strafed us heavily and got
some men. Bit talk of a
fight. Everyone in fine spirits.
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
5 Monday [217-148]
Bank Holiday.
Bunch of [1 word] breezed in
last night and parked in our
old gun park. Busy all day. Went
up the line are off duty all day
so as to give them a chance to
rest. Got orders to go in with
gun tonight. Heavy rain and
mud and going very heavy. Put
guns in and slugged amu.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days AUGUST
6 Tuesday [218-147]
New Moon, 8.30 pm.
Mud very bad and rain
still falling. Working hard all
day on positions. Have battery
of 6 in behind us and expect
them to raise the dead. A platon
which came in with us last
night was hit by a shell and
16 killed and bunch wounded.
Great stream of packs and
wagons up line with amu.
Two gn. in tonight. FRitz
strafed us heavily and got
some men. Bit talk of a
fight. Everyone in fine spirits.
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
<del>9 Friday</del> [221-144]
Aeroplanes flashed to and fro
dropping information and
fighting and bombing. At 7 am
the guns were shifting up and
[1 word] going [1 word] in great
numbers. We got Fritz by surprise
alright. Hundreds of p[1 word]
coming down; also [1 word].
At noon the balloons shifted
up and passed us. We were
pinching souveniers of the
Heinies. Got orders to shift to
new wagon lines and pulled
out through C-- to H. would.
Which was No Men's Land
this morning. Great reports
coming in. Fritz bombed our
lines tonight but got no one.
Went for walk over battlefield
Many Fritzie dead and some
of our own Doubled tanks.
Rum (or run?) Issue.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days AUGUST
<del>10 Saturday</del? [222-143]
9th
Weather fine. Reveille 5 am.
Expect to move. Salvaged a
lot of souveniers. Would write
a whole lot on sights I saw
but refrain. Our barrage certainly
tore up the country. We
[1 word] a lot of grain fields.
These were planted before the
retreat in March so now the
farmers can come back and
reap his harvest. Sleeping
under tarps. Saw a rabbit tonight.
<del>10 th</del> One chap salvaged a tin
of insect powder <del>and</del> labelled
in German, and thought it was
shaving powder. In change of
guard tonight. Heavy bombing.
10th. Weather clear and hot.
Got orders to move up and
pulled out after a hurried meal.
Made about 10 miles and have all
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
<del>11 Sunday</del> [223-142]
11th after Trinity. Half Quarter Day.
kinds of Heinie guns, some of
which had been turned around
and fired on heini. Saw line
where car went in to action. [1 word]
old tanks. Lined up in an open
field for lunch and saw some
good air fights. 7 our planes
down. One Heinie came over us
and we expected to be machine
gunned. Major went ahead and
made reconnaissance. Ringwood
killed in Ronroy. Took guns
in this afternoon and then came
back to F for wagon lines.
[1 word] harnessed all night. One w.
l. one well forward. Heini
[1 word] rows in rear.
11th Early morning call for
amu up line. Bubbles killed
Had to go for amu so started
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days AUGUST
<del>12 Monday </del> [224-141]
Grouse Shooting begins.
on long job early and saw French
artillery in action. Saw lots of
Heinie amu. On way in saw
strife. Im. went over to take P.
and the artillery pout over a great
barrage and the tanks supported.
No success. Saw the
staff watching battle through
glasses then get down and eat.
Great sight A 4.1 just
missed the tail of our column.
At noon got orders to advance
so hooked in an went forward
but owing to [1 word] we
had to return to wagon lines.
Disappointed.
Heinie came over and shot
down a balloon.
Bunch of 13 injured by
bombs. Horses killed.
Fritz counter-attacked.Moved down.
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
12 <del>Tuesday [225-140]</del>
Weather terribly hot. [1 word]
hauling amu all last night. Fellows
sleeping in this morning. Nothing
doing. Grazing parade this afternoon.
Wagon lines shelled by
8 which [1 word] got <del>made</del> horses off to
a flank before anything happened.
[1 word] for an hour and a half.
Canadians bombed their way into
Pan today. Now Fritz must move
again.
One shell hit near BOH w h.
and everyone went for cover. One
chap tumbled into the B.S.M.
and told him there was a horse
loose and the S.M. posted (?) a
nice compliment.
A driver up th eline saw a
person standing off doing
nothing so he chatted to them
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days AUGUST
<del> 14 Wednesday [226-139]</del>
First Quarter, 11.16 pm.
to come and hold his horses.
He did not hear so he shouted
a second time. This time the
party did as ordered. It was the
captain. Again chat shouted to
the cap one dark night to give
a hand to shift a gun.
14th. Weather hot. Teams
hauling amu. Cleaning harness.
Grazing parade. Plenty of grub
today. Took Paro-s tting this morning.
Brought ammunition in. Got
orders to change over so came up
to guns. Fritz put over gas to night,
so we muzzled ourselves.
There was heavy bombing tonight.
Many bombs in R--y wood.
Planes dropping ground flare
which make a great light and
light up a large portion of
country.
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
15 Thursday [227-138]
Weather very hot. Working
stripped to waist. Fired a
short strafe tis morning for
infantry. Some prisonders came
down today. Nothing startling
all day.
[2 words] at w.l. had
premature tonight. Three
wounded. Fritz shelled their
battery and set charges on
fire but crew kept on.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days AUGUST
16 Friday [228-137]
Weather very hot. We are now
on ground from where we made
our 16 drive. Both sides are doing
a lot of firing. Many
splinters are flying about. We
are shooting up (?)--e wood. There
is some hard fighting just now
as Fritz has a lot of machine
guns in place. Our battalion so
the story goes took 200 prisoners
and sent them to rear. On way
Heinies came across some
potatoe(sic)-masher bombs and
cleaned up all cut [1 word] of escorts
1 plt. and escaped. Got orders
to stand to to advance this
afternoon but this was cancelled.
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
17 Saturday [229-136]
Wagon lines in old gun pits.
Weather very warm. Orders
came to move forward. Gun lines
came up and R.S. moved forward
about a mile in a trench. We got
the gun in and almost immediately
opened fire. The whole artillery
was blazing away, including several
batteries of captive Heinie
guns. There is a terrible lot of
metal going over his way and
life must be miserable. Prisoners
say it is almost unbearable. They
are glad to be taken. Heinie came back
at us with some 5. 9's 4.1's and
w.b. One 4.1 instantaneous tuze
dropped just in front of our pit
and it is a miracle how we escaped.
We did not hear it coming but
all did a flop anyway. Kind of
got the wind up. Had am S.O.S.
and caught Fritzin the wire. He
slopped there.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days AUGUST
18 Sunday [230-135]
12th after Trinity.
Weather very hot. We are right
after Heinie. There is no next for him.
The artillery pound him and the infantry
stick him. There is an awful
smell of dead. Some of the Imperials
who fell in the retreat have
not been buried yet. Did some
good shooting on an 'O-Pip' and
section was complimented. Went
through stranded tanks this evening.
There are 11 of them on the road
put out in 32nd attack. Went down
and looked at his 4.2 naval gun (?)
which is strafing [1 word] on the
Somme. Also saw 5.9 balloons
and some 4.2 guns. Its rotten
to be strafed by your own guns. Fritz
sent over some shells and the
splinters fell thick and fast
but was lucky.
One of Fritz's planes slipped
over and copped a balloon tonight.
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
19 MONDAY [231-134]
Weather cool. Machonochies (?)
and bully beef with H.T. today
and a dress inspection at 10.30
ao I guess the offensive is over.
They are sure signs. Fritz is paying
attention to 51 Bat. To our
right, dropping [1 word] shells
around them. We are getting lots
of splinters. Stood to on 'O-Pip'
tonight and was sent forward to
observe fire. We sure have put
some holes in it. Fritz [1 word] the
line tonight. Put over shafe on
our right, then on left and then
opened up on us. He didn't
get anywhere. We put over a
terrible fire. There was a deafening
roar. He was shut up.
Had barraging fire tonight and
put over barrage this morning.
Am damn tired. Expect to move.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days AUGUST
20 Tuesday [232-133]
Black Game Shooting begins.
Weather overcast. Barging
getting amu down the line. Nothing
startling today. This evening
saw one of our planes collide
with one of our 6-inch shells
and after a heavy detonation the
planes fell like a plummet to
the earth in R-y wood. Both
flyers were dead. Beautiful night.
The moon is full and it is as
light as day. On gas guard from
10.20 to 11.40 pm Horrid smell
of the dead.
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
21 Wednesday [233-132}
Year since we left Witley.
Came down from guns to get sub
ready for more. Pulled amu out and
as our wagons were going down 51st
were hauling up. Fritz is shelling
his big dump <del>and</del> on a main road
very hearty at ight. Guns came
out. After watering and feeding
horses and getting two hours
sleep pulled out. Hit dirt
track and past through <del>has</del>
De(?) finally reaching Hamwood
at 6 am. Watered and
fed and turned in till noon.
The march last night was dusty
and many a chap came to <del>on a</del>
with a jerk in the saddle. It
was hard to keep awake.
Pulled a six horse team of
mules for first time.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days AUGUST
22 Thursday [234-131]
Full Moon, 5.2 am.
Very hot day. Impossible
to sleep. One chap went into wood
to sleep, made his bed, crawled in
and took a look around. He saw
a hand sticking up quite close.
It was Heinie so he left toute
ae suite. Got orders to leave at
7.30 pm and were on the road
again. Through Han--g on to
A.R. road. Met Steve Cheeseman.
Terrible duest and weather hot.
Passed through several delapitated
and deserted towns. It seemed a shame
to see B--s empty. Saw a nurse on
the road and we nearly and (sic) fell over.
First white lady we'd seen in
months. Beautiful moonlight.
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
23 Friday [235-130]
Pulled into Pde at 3 am.
Pitched horse lines and watered
and fed. Were hollered by a
new officer who wanted harness
squared up. He got it done. Yes!
Up at 8 am. and paraded at 9.
Nothing doing. Right on River
la S--e so went swimming
and lay around getting sunburnt.
Went up town and had eggs and
chips and fruit. Enjoyed day
immensely. We need a rest as
we have been hard at it for three
weeks. Went to Satoquel and filled
up on oranges, peaches, bananas,
plums and grapes. Shee! but
they were good. Turned in at
9 and took of pants for first
time <del>since</del> this month.
O.M.S. Harragin went
down line today.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days AUGUST
24 Saturday [236-129]
S.Bartholomew (Massacre, 1572).
Weather overcast. Orders
to move so at 9 am with galead
horse and off's kits we moved to
S-(?) <del>were</del> where we entrained for
where no one knew. We drew
nothing but our iron rations
but bought sirup, biscuits
milk and chocolates so lived
pretty good. No is had a first
class compartiment S.M.
Told Glenn, who had whistled
the Marseilles and who tries to
talk French that he was the best
whistler of French he had ever heard.
Dixon told of how Legg jipped
him for 4 Francs for a cure
of scabies. Said he had a bottle
of it bought at A--y for 10 f (?)
made of Nytholatum and some
thing better than iodine. It was
only iodine and water.
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
25 Sunday [237-128]
13th after Trinity
Reached A--y at 6 last
night. Detrained. S.M. had a
short fall and dropped vehicles
off in bad style. One wagon body
turned over. Went to w. lines <del>at</del> outside
Savy. Turned in for sleep
at 11.30 pm. At 1.30 we were awakened and ordered to hook
in. Did so and moved off at
2. Terribly cold, but good moon.
Fritz's bombs <del>came</del> dropped
close by. Herded in direction of
<del>1 word</del> and pulled into a field
on the road side and pitched
lines. Don't know what's in
the wind. This evening got
orders to go into action and
took guns in in front of railroad
embankment. Coming home
got caught in a drenching rain
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days AUGUST
<del>26 Monday [238-127]</del>
and got wet to the hide. We heard
we were rushed up this morning to
get into a show but itw as postponed
for a day. Went to sleep in
a saddle blanket under a tarp
during a heavy rain.
Rations today were rotten
slice of bacon for breakfast
and nothing but H.T. and B.B.
and tea for other meals. One loaf
to six.
Aug. 26. Weather wet.
Reveille at 2.30 am. Heard barrage
open at 3 am. heavy roar. We
are putting over smoke in front
of M. Gun limbers left at 4 am
and wagons followed. We are
going over after infantry in close
support. Had a slight rush
but made it jake. Pulled up
through A--s and at the
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
<del>27 Tuesday [239-126]</del>
cemetery halted and saw first of
the wounded and prisoners coming
down. Got some souveniers. WEnt
to rendezvouz and met guns,
which had been loaned to 3 to put
over S.B. Fritz dropped some
shells while we were waiting. When
the guns <del>were in pa</del> joined us we
moved forward along Cemetery
Road and went into action behind
a ridge. While waiting in
a field for establishing wagon
lines Fritz forced us to move by
his harrassing fire. One Heinie
prisoner was an Alsation and was
forced into the war. His uncle is
a captain in the French army. He
was only in the line three days
and when he refused to fire
his officer threatened to
choke him. Drenching rain
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days AUGUST
<del>28 Wednesday [240-125]</del]
<del>Last Quarter, 7.27 pm</del>
started to full at 11 am and
we got wet to the hide. Saw [1 word]
and relieving infantry pass over
the crest to the attack. The lads
shelled from the rear on the
sides of the tanks. The infantry
boys are the brave men. Heaps
of aeroplanes are flying about
despite the bad weather. Infantry
say the barrage was a peach
but they didn't know what to
make of the smoke. They
thought Fritz was pulling something.
Established wagon lines
on the side of a hill, which
was fortunate for us. Got line
up when order came to haul
ammunition. I had to take f.l.
wagons to dump and just
missed being hit. A high
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
<del>29 Thursday [241-124]
velocity shell skinned my head
and burst on the side of the
road, hurling me and my horse
across a trench. Neither of us
were hit by any stell but things
fell very handy. The team
escaped also.
Fritz strafed our battery
heavily this afternoon but
casualties were light. Bill
McRae went down with a
piece in his elbow. Chick, a
new signaller, was hit in the
abdomen. One of our teams ran
over a dud and it fired. The
fuze went through John Clark's
thigh. The S.M. who rolled on
by his horse and went down
with a sprained ankle.
Shell lit in 21 lines and
blew up six horse team, wounding
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days AUGUST
<del>30 Friday [242-123]</del>
S.M. and three others.
Aug. 27th Weather warm
with occasional showers. Managed
to sleep from 9 till 6 and
really needed it but had to
remain almost fully dressed.
Took Mon--y yesterday and
are well passed (sic) it today.
Everything is going fine. Frit'z
harrasing fire is making things
disagreeable. Had the morning off
and also this afteroon. STill
shafing the Boche.
Aug. 28th Weather wet and
miserable. Had to haul amu to
guns and then proceeded to dump.
One H.V. shell burst quite handy
to us and got three mules. Another
got seven 3 boys. We were very
fortunate only one chap getting
hit. After filling up our <del>1 word</del>
[end page]
[start page]
AUGUST 8th Month 1918
<del>31 Saturday [243-122]</del>
skipped up to the guns by the Cemetery
Road and missed shelling. Found
a canteen on the way and invested
a few francs. Canteen with fruit,
biscuits and chocolates, are a
welcomed sight. On wagon to
gun saw premature in 51st. Another
on 18.pd.battery.
This afternoon got orders to
advance and limbers went up. The
R.S. pulled out but only advanced
50 yards when orders came in to
return to old position, which we
did. Battery had S.O.S. and fired
700 rounds. Appears battalion
on left which should have
advance with Pats at [1 word]
did not go over.
Wagon lines nearly getting
heavily shelled. Fritz is crossfiring
on us and making
[end page]
[start page]
1918 20 Days SEPTEMBER
<del>1 Sunday [244-121]</del>
<del>14th after Trinity</del>
things quite disagreeable. O'Neill
went down the line tonight. Bell
has also gone down. Amu up tonight.
August 29. Weather warm.
Fellow up line most of night as
little doing this morning. At
6.30 heavy strafe opened on
our left. Took Pelons yesterday.
Crossfire should be relieved
by advance on left. Lying about
all morning. Fritz came over to get
our balloons but missed his mark
and slipped back through heavy
barraage. Balloonists jumped.
Got orders to go ahead this evening
and accordingly pulled out. Took
a terrible road and nearly dumped
gun several times. Through
shell holes and over trenches. Took
guns up ravine, which has been
[end page]
[start page]
SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1918
<del>2 Monday [245-120]</del>
<del>Partridge Shooting begins.</del>
heavily shelled by our heavies. Put
guns in a bad hole and was
coming out and just missed by
a shell.
Four horses were hit. One
trace was cut in four places. Two
horses C-sub killed. Hauling amu
most of night.
Aug. 30th. Weather good.
Hauling amu <del>tonight</del> this morning.
The horses are having a hard time
of it being on the go continously
but depsite their inadequate feed
they are holding up well. The
drivers are doing magificent
work. Putting in long hours in
the saddle and getting in and
out of some bad holes as well as
being subjected to a certain
amount of shell fire. Even the
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days SEPTEMBER
<del>3 Tuesday [246-119]</del>
officers have been forced to admire
the work of the drivers. They have not
had a night's clear rest in many
weeks. But they do not complain.
You can't beat our drivers. Two
six-horse teams out again tonight
hauling till daylight to a new
point!
John Helmcken went down
line with trench fever. Cook, a
gunner in my sub, was hit in
the hand and went down today.
Aug. 31st. Drizzling rain.
No 1's changed over today! Went
into [1 word] position. Saw several
whizz bang guns captured by
4 CNRs and looked over their
mechanism. There is a great
quantity of amunition here:
Fritz had a bunch of big guns on
here until we shelled him out
[end page]
[start page]
SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1918
<del>4 Wednesday [247-118]</del>
but he left a great deal of amu.
In some places it forms a
road. Went forward and saw
Mon--y. Nothing doing. Artillery
is quiet although infantry
is forging ahead.
Ammunition came up
again this morning.
Ritchie Rossborough was
killed this morning. One of his
horses Bllighty from my sub was
badly wounded. Auston was
wounded. Two horses killed,
two wounded. Boys were up with
amu and left on a road and
Fritz got a line on them and it
was good night.
got orders to go forward
in the morning so turned in at
9 pm.
Sept. 1st (Sunday)
---
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days SEPTEMBER
<del>Thursday [248-117]</del>
<del>New Moon, 10.44 am.</del>
Weather fine with occassional
shower. Left main position at
3.30 pm and proceeded forward
through Mon--y, which has
been levelled to ground by our
shells. It was quite a bit of
satisfaction to pull over the
famous chest, which had
always been a worry to us owning
to its commanding position for
observation. Hit along a road
and missed a few fast shells.
which burst on roadside. Swing
off to left and went into forward
section position. Left
an officer pit and were
directed to find our new gun
position. We headed on and
at 5 am reached sunken
road and pulled out. On way
[end page]
[start page]
SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1918
<del> 6 Friday [249-116]</del>
in saw lot of dead horses and
recognized 'Bobs' another of my
horses was killed outright and
his mate had to be shot. Behan,
their rider, was wounded.
Bomb. Morris went down
line yesterday.
Not doing anything today.
Went out for a salvage hunt and
went through several concrete
dubout and saw all kind of
stuff but the infantry has salvaged
most of the souveniers. We got
a couple of huge mirrors and
shaved in hot water and had
a good look at ourselves in the
mirrors. Oh! Were some sports
today. Found a lot of new
Heinie helmets and use them
for wash bowls. We are in the
village of B--y and it has
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days SEPTEMBER
<del> Saturday [250-115]</del>
<del>Jewish Year 5679 begins</del>
been badly battered by our guns.
He planted a whizz bang quite
handy knocking down the <del>gun</del> wall
in front of no. Got guns on line
and stood ease, wrote a couple of
letters. Other guns in tonight. Had
fair sleep.
Sept. 2nd. Weather fine
Up at 4.30 am. Barrage opened at
5 am and there was some way behind
4th. While barragew as in a battalion
of Heinies came down the road.
They surrendered. Finished barrage
at 8 and gun team came up so
hooked in and moved up. Saw
prisoners and wounded coming
down. Hit A.C. wood and saw
all sorts of casualties horses and
mules and men. Went to place of
assembly got orders to go in.
Took up position in hollow behind
[end page]
[start page]
SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1918
<del> 8 Sunday [251-114]</del>
<del>15th after Trinity.</del>
D--y. Got [1 word] in when Fritz
opened up on us. Major came
back and told ut to limber up
and get out. The shafing was
heavy and R.S. got clean, but
shell lit right in among F.B.
team. Have to couple of holes in
it. We limbered up and got out
miraculously and L.S. just
got over ridge when a couple of
4.1's burst. We sure had horseshoes.
Got into new positon.
Shafing going on all over. A
whizz bang did in front of A sub
and cut of Bomb. Wright foot
broke Goran's leg and wounded
a new man who only joined us
a few days ago.
Dug guns in a little and
am sleeping in a junk pit.
We got one of Fritz's
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days SEPTEMBER
<del>9 Monday [252-113]</del>
balloons and he sneaks over after
one of ours but the barrage was
two hot. Five planes came down
in flames near as including two
of our observation bases. A horrid
death for all concerned.
Sept. 3rd. Weather fine.
Up most of night handling amu
Had to get in big supply. Drivers
were up all night. Fritz's fire
is less active today as during
the night he fell back 2000
yards. His wizz-bang battery of
four guns which did so much
dirty work yesterday also left
during the night. Our obys were due
to go over but as he fell back
it was unnecessary. 60 pds
and six-inch pulled in alongside
us and are strafing Fritz.
A Heinie plane came over and
[end page]
[start page]
SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1918
<del>10 Tuesday [253-112]</del>
tried to get one of our ballon. Again
the barrage was too hot. An hour
later a plane dropped out of the
clouds and popped two of our
balloons which fell in flames. The
observers decended in parachutes.
Were heavily strafed all
afternoon. The shells were bound
for the A.C. road but a lof of
them fell short. One just missed
our amu dump and blew our
wheelbarrow full of holes. It was
simply a case of up and
down for we would not sooner
get up than we'd have to duck
again as we had to
cover. All the batteries started
to move up and he opened an
awful fire and there were some
mighty lucky escapes. Six-horse
teams were making some
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days SEPTEMBER
<del> 11 Wednesday [254-111]</del>
pretty fast time on the dirt track.
At dusk our time came to
move just in a lull in the shelling
and we hit the road going
in on the south side of D--y
in an old Fritz trench. We had
just got the teams away when
we heard the drone of a Fritz
plane and knew what to expect.
Bombs: Whang! Whang!! Two
just in front! Down we went.
Whant! just in rear. Down
again. Danger passed we resumed
our work while Fritz kept dropping
his bombs farther back.
Fritz was bombing and shelling
all night and some Imperials
who had there wagon
lines just in rear of us had a
hard time. Two men were killed
and more wounded and 25 horses
[end page]
[start page]
SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1918
<del>12 Thursday [255-110]</del>
killed. His observation planes
were over this morning and saw
the Imperial and opened fire.
Sept. 4th. Weather fine.
Fritz strafed Imperial. There
was some rush. A number of
infantry were hit on road
last night. Had the advantage
of hearing the shells going over
which shafed us yesterday. They
make a weird singing. We
slept in a big Heinie dugout
last night. It must have been
a Q.M. store for there was all
sorts of Heinie clothing and
equipment. This morning a lot
of our fellows were wearing
Heinie boots, using his mess tins
shooting his Mausers at
aeroplanes and ramsacking
his stuff. It is a great place
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days SEPTEMBER
<del>13 Friday [256-109]</del>
<del>First Quarter 3.2 pm.</del>
for salvaging. O Ym. C. opened
up quite handy so we are having
strawberries and cream, smoking
cigars, and eating bisuit
and chocolates.
Found one of Heinies
anti-tank guns. It is a
Mauser and shoots an enlarged
rifle cartridge.
Had a Heinie prisoner
pass this morning. He was a
student type with thick eyeglasses
and was found in a
cellar. He spoke French and
told us that this was a captialist
war and that the peasant
had to suffer and that as soon
as the Kaiser was strung up the
war would finish.
A bunch of French civies
were repatriated when the Canadians
[end page]
[start page]
SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1918
<del>14 Saturday [257-108]</del>
took a town ahead yesterday.
The German ordered them to
leave but they hid in cellars.
Expected to go foward
<del>last</del>tonight but did not do so. Had
pears and cream for supper.
Oh! We're doing fine.
Sept. 5th. Weather fine.
Owing to the sky being cloudy
there was no bombing last
night. Fritz got another balloon
yesterday. Today he got two balloons
on our south.
The weather turned very
warm this afternoona nd there
was an awful stench from
the dead horses.
From where we have our
little brivy one can see five
captured trench mortars,
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days SEPTEMBER
<del>15 Sunday [258-107]
16th after Trinity. Ember Week.
two tanks with their caterpillars
stripped, a damaged observation
plane, 28 dead nokes, the
[1 word] windmill remains
and all kinds of artillery.
We were unloading amu
this afternoon when he strafed
us with shrapnel and made
things unpleasant. The team
got away safely.
The P.tell a story of how
they were fooled at a windmill
which was a nest of machine
guns. They rushed the place and
after lining up the 50 prisoners
a Heinie officer pulled out a
revolver and shot our own
officer. The party was soon
dispersed by the Canadians.
There was no need of an escort
[end page]
[start page]
SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1918
<del>16 Monday</del>
Sept. 6th. Weather warm. Nothing
startling. Men went forward
this morning to dig new position.
Fellows were telling us about
the Yankee plane which fell on
2nd as we were coming in. The
pilot was in a fight and a
bullet went through his side.
He made a good landing but
struck a shell-hole and fell
on his nose. He lit a cigarette
and seemed O.K. Just missed
one of our H.Q horses coming down.
Also told of day Rossborouth
was hit. Wanted a home shot
and Imperial wouldn't do a
thing to help. [1 word] wanted a
revolver but Imperial hand't
one. Finally went to a colonel
in the dressing station and
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days SEPTEMBER
<del>17 Tuesday [260-105]</del>
asked him for a revolver, but he
said he had one. Then a fellow
siad 'Bring him in here.' Oh
'Yes! He'll get a Blighty.'
The blokes didn't want him
left there as they would have to
bury him...
A Fritz plane slipped over
and shot downone of our
balloons at noon. His planes have
been playing havoc with our
<del>boys</del> balloons lately. OUr
balloons come up very close
and se seems to have a
couple of special balloon experts
and they do good work.
One of our balloonists
had a narrow escape yesterday.
When he jumped his parachute
did not clear and there he remained
entangled in the burning
[end page]
[start page]
SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1918
<del>18 Wednesday [201-104]</del>
balloon. One minute the raging
fire was above him, the next
when the parachute opened
he was suspended above it.
The weight of the balloon
carried him rapidly to earth
but a bunch of R.A.P. men
caught him before he hit the
ground. He was slightly scroched
but otherwise O.K.
At 10 o'clock today just
as we were figuring on getting
dinner we heard a great roar
overhead. It was notone of
our barrage and not one of
Fritz. It was one from the
Storm King. It roared and
barked and down came the rain
in torrents. We took refuge under
our bivy and had the officers
in with us. It was amusing to see
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days SEPTEMBER
<del>19 Thursday [262-103]</del>
Mac and S hiding under one
coat. As a gust of rain would
bring the rain under they would
amuse us. The water poured down
both entrances to the dugout
and flooded the place thighdeep.
There were kits floating
everywhere and officers were
shouting for batmen to salve (?) their
equipment. My blanket flooded
about until the water subsided
somewhat.
Got orders to move forward
and teams were due at dusk.
Just before dusk Fritz opened up
with 5.9's on the cross road and
everyone disappeared. A water
cart was practically blown over
and the driver was killed by his
horse rolling on him. During a lull
in the strafe our teams slipped in
[end page]
[start page]
SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1918
<del>20 Friday [263-102]</del>
<del>Ember Day. Full Moon, 1.1 pm.</del>
and we limbered up and got out.
Jostled by soe big guns and
just got clear when Fritz opened
up again on the C.R.s. We hit
cross country and dodged some
bombs, skirted O--d--t and
finally landed up alongside a
wood. We were held up as
two of our wagon teams slipped
off one of the bridges into the
river, and we had to pull them
out. We had some trouble while
we were engaged in the task Fritz
opened up a heavy strafe. We
unlimbered the guns and got
the teams away. Our gun team
behaved splendidly. Jones a
new signaller, got a Blighty in
the leg and we dressed him
and sent him down on the G.S.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days SEPTEMBER
<del>21 SAturday [204-101]</del>
S.Matthew. Ember Day.
wagon. Put the guns in the wood
and retired in a cellar. Did gas
guard and unloaded amu.
<del>Sept.</del> It was a good
anniversary of our pull into Leo--
Sept. 7th. Up early to
camouflage. Potter and Hodden
hit carrying amu. Bill Forbes,
one of my limber-gunners got
jammed between a wheel and
the perch and has gone down
the line.
We have as our living
quarters a huge chateau, which
is three stories in height, but
we prefer the cellar for obvious
reasons. This must have been a
magnificent home in peace times
but it has been under German
[1 word] for four years. It has been
[end page]
[start page]
SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1918
<del>22 Sunday [265-100]</del>
<del>17th after Trinity.</del>
a Heinie H.Q. and judging from the
luxuries they had they must have
hated to leave it.
There are big enamelled
baths and shower rooms; iron
bed-steads in large and commodious
bedrooms; and great
mirrors, which we used for shaving
this morning and a room full
of soda-water as well as many
chairs, tables and sofas.
Percy was over to E.St.Q and
got some shirts and souveniers.
Fritz has observation on this
place as we have to lay low.
Have had half a loaf of
bread the last three days so we're
winning alright.
We got news that we
were due to pull out this evening
and were certainly glad to
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days SEPTEMBER
<del>23 Monday [266-99]</del>
<del>Autumnal Equinox.</del>
hear it. In the afternoon Fritz shafed
our chateau and made it untenable
so we were glad to get away.
Imperials relieved us at 8 pm
we hit for a rear position and
then I came on to wagon lines.
Sept. 8th. Sunday. Weather
fari with occassional showers.
The horse lines are amongst a
bunch of shell holes. There is
little doing as the guns are not
of action so are having a bit
of a rest. Had church service
tis evening and sacrement.
Sept. 9th. Had a good
sleep last night. Heavy rain
this afternoon.
Sept. 10th. Weather
doubtful. Great news this morning.
We had a bath and as it
was we stoood in the open under
[end page]
[start page]
SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1918
<del>24 Tuesday [267-98]</del>
showers with the wind blowing
hard. However we got six
week's dirt off and a clean
suit of underwear. Things
are quiet just now. Its not
a bad rest but we would like
to get a square meal somewhere.
Still the grub is not too
bad.
51 badly shelled town and
had 15 casualties.
Sept. 11th. Weather rotten.
Heavy showers all day. This is
my 25th birthday. We are having
things easy. Just do stable parades.
Glen tells us about building
bridges at Rum (?): When G had
him looking his gang all
over all men ordered salvaging
then started to rain and
[end page]
[start page]
1918 30 Days SEPTEMBER
<del>25 Wednesday [268-97]</del>
ordered to clear out chats (?). When
cleared up bridges to be <del>cleared</del>
built whether rain or shells
came. Got a big log that made
men tremble to look at and he
ordered them to bring it over so
that he could have a look at it.
Sept. 12th. Weather
rotten. The mud is fierce and
one no <del>one</del> sooner starts to do
anything than down comes the
rain. The horses are suffering
from the exposure.
We have found some good
canteens and get plenty of
canned fruit and biscuit. The
only benefit of this weather is
the freedom from night bombing.
Sept. 13th. Friday. Weather
clearing up. Starting in to clean
harness so I guess our new offensive
[end page]
[start page]
SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1918
<del>26 Thursday [269-96]</del>
is over again. Fritz sneaked over
in the clouds and got a balloon
this evening.
Sept. 14th. Weather turning
clear and fair. Cleaning harness
all day. Limber up to pull
guns up.
Fritz came over and went
after a balloon and when he
shot the thing blew up. It was
a dummy and loaded with
an explosive. This Fritz waviator
has 30 odd balloons to his
credit and they wanted to get
him. Unfortunately he wasn't
hit but I guess he had a
good scare.
Sept. 15th. Sunday. Weather
very fine. Had church service
this morning. Heinie came over
and got two balloons before
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[start page]
1918 30 Days SEPTEMBER
<del>27 FRiday [270-95]</del>
<del>Last Quarter, 4.39 am.</del>
breakfast He came back at noon
with a squadron and while they
attracted the barrage towards one
balloon this Heinie specialist
sped over and got another
balloon. ANother Fritz went
through the barrage and fired.
He missed and tried to get
through again but spied one
of or planes above him and
sat on his tail and made
him rock. This afternoon Fritz
got another balloon and
this evening slipped over and
got another. Our planes came
over and forced the Heinie
down. Jake weather.
Sept. 16th. Weather fine.
Fritz was over bombing last
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[start page]
SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1918
<del>28 Saturday [271-94]</del>
night and dropped some close to
us. One lit in a shell hole along
side E F Sub and Perforated
their bivy. Marriott wounded.
Cleaning harness all day. Laid
up with a boil. McKee wounded.
Sept. 17th. During the
night we had a <del>1 word</del>wicked
thungerstorm and we throught
our bivy would come down.
The wind was violent and the
rain a regular cloudburst.
The lightning and thunder was
very low. Harness cleaning
today. Heavy shelling of
sixtieth lines. First bunch away
on Blighty leave. Main(?),
Glenn; Atkinson, Campbell and
Dalziel. Fritz got a balloon.
Sept. 18th. Weather fair
with showers. Because a battery
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[start page]
1918 30 Days SEPTEMBER
<del>29 Sunday [272-93]</del>
18th after Trinity.
<del>S.Michael & All Angels.</del> Michaelmas Day.
lines close to use had casualties
last night we were forced to move
our lines today. Had an awful
time pulling out of some of the
holes and both my wagons had a
hard time. Shifted back and came
up ont he side of a bleak hill
It did look beautiful. We got the
horses tied up and converted a
few shell-holes into bivy and
went to sleep.
Sept. 19th. Fair weather.
Cleaning harness all day. Expected
to pull out but did not.
Nothing startling outside of
Fritz getting a balloon which
is an unsual occurrance just
now.
Sept. 20th. Weather fair
with occassional showers. Cleaning
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[start page]
SEPTEMBER 9th Month 1918
<del>30 Monday [273-92]</del>
up. Anticipated move. <del>Heavy ra</del>
very cold last night. The chalk
is hard and damp. A soft bed
would look good right now.
Guns came out. Bobbie Robertson
got his leg broken and his namesake
Robertson was run over. Heavy
shelling.
Martin entertains. Going
to heaven on Toby and enters. St.
Peter turns out the guard. Gets four
months leave before getting fatigues of
hanging out moon and stars and
brushing away the clouds after
a rain. If Fritz shells he is going
to harness up Toby and Shiny and
beat it.
Sept. 21st. Hanging around
all day cleaning harness, etc. and
having an easy time. The rain still
keeps us damp.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days OCTOBER
<del>1 Tuesday [274-91]</del>
<del>Pheasant Shooting begins.</del>
Sept. 22nd Sunday. Weather
not bad. Big things always seem
to happen in this country on Sunday.
We got orders to move and at
6.30 pulled out for forward. Our
easy times are over again for a
time. We passed through
Ch---y and on to Hud---x
where we turend off into a
barren field and at 9.30
strung horse line and put up
for night. Used shell-holes to
sleep in.
Sept. 23rd. Weather damp.
Busy pulling up horse lines and
bivies. Rain squalls this afternoon.
Plenty of mud. Got order to
pack tonight so turned out all
our packs. Fellows had a hard
time getting lost in the dark The
[end page]
[start page]
OCTOBER 10th Month 1918
<del>2 Wednesday [275-90]</del>
going was very heavy. Fifteen fellows
up for office for late on parade
and got 2 extra picquet. The way
of the [1 word] is hard.
Sept. 24th. Got orders to
proceed on leave. Nothing much
doing. Getting ready for some
kind of a show. Packing ammunition.
I went up with pack
train tonight and after making
forth trip in got orders to
pack smoke. Got back to lines
at 4.30 am (25th) and had
a hard night. Walked about
20 miles. Were gassed and
heavily shelled. Fritz seemed
to be after my Blighty Leave.
He nearly got us with several
Rubber shells.
Sept. 25th. Got leave
warrant and decided to [1 word]
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[start page]
1918 31 Days OCTOBER
<del>3 Thursday [276-89]</del>
<del>Charles Letts's Diaries for 1919 published</del>
[1 word] de suite. Bill Newton and I
accordingly departed at 1.30 pm
from wagon lines after wishing
everyone the best of luck in the
next show and feeling more or
less releived at missing it.
Got an R.A.Z. lorry and whirled
into A--s. Decided to pu
as many miles as possible between
us and the line as possible (sic)
so by a succession of lorries we
reached St P and ran into
Bill, brother, who took us up to
his place, provided us with
a bath and clean clothes. Then
we had supper in the officers
mess and generally had a soft
time. Sleeping between sheets
tonight. What luxuries. I'll
bet they are cold. We have a
[end page]
[start page]
OCTOBER 10th Month 1918
<del>4 Friday [277-88]</del>
gramophone playing. We are staying
in a French mansion and the
house is luxurious. We are lucky
lads. We expected to be sleeping
in an old box or in the railway
sheds. We have two pianos, oil
paintings to gaze at and cigarettes
to smoke and good eats. No
horses, pack train ammuntion
to worry about tonight and no
Reveille at 6 in the morning.
Its a great war.
We have no caldes tonight.
Electric light.
Sept. 26th. Weather fine.
Had a good sleep ad a good
breakfast. Caught the train at
10.30 am for Boulogne. We got
seated in comfortable first
class coaches and were thinking
we were too comfortable when
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days OCTOBER
<del>5 Satuday [278-87]</del>
Dividens due. New Moon 3.5 am.
a chap came along and ordered us
into another train. Here a box
car was our lot. Just our luck.
Reached Boulogne at 4.30 and
were taken to Rest Billets and
fed and after a short walk
around lay down ont he boards
to get a little sleep, using my
British warmer for a blanket.
Sept. 27th. Weather fine.
Up at 6.30 and boarded leave
boat at 7.30, leaving at 8.15
escorted by torpedo boat. It
was a bit choppy in the Strait.
Reached Folkestone at noon and
took train to London, arriving
at 2 pm. Went to Maple Leaf Club
with Jack [1 word] and put up.
Went out and gave the Strand
the once over and had supper and
took in 'A Soldier Boy' at the
[end page]
[start page]
OCTOBER 10th Month 1918
<del>5 Sunday [279-86]</del>
19th after Trinity.
Appollo. It was real good.
Sept. 28th. Weather fine.
Slept in. Took in 'Chin Chin
Chow' at His Majesty's this
afternoon. Went to movies after
tea and caught 19.15 flyer
for Edinburgh.
Sept. 29th. Weather fine.
Delightful sleep on train last
night. Reached Edinburth at
8 am and after roaming around
town looking for a place to put
up at dropped into Darling's
Regent Hotel. It is hard to get
rooms just now as the places are
so full. Had breakfast, cleaned
up and went out to see the
sights. Saw Prince Street, celebrated
all over the world, Edinburgh
Castle, Gallow Hill and
had a beautiful panoramic
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days OCTOBER
<del>7 Monday [280-85]</del>
Mohammedan Year 1337 begins.
view of the city. This afternoon
went to the Firth of Forth and
saw the famous bridge and the
fleet. This evening were invited
out to Mrs. Duncan's to spent the
evening (Sunday).
Sept. 30th. Weather fair.
Had a lazy day at the moview
and tonight saw Reymon (?)
Hicks in 'Sleeping Partner' at
King's Theatre.
Oct. 1st. Weather fair.
Left at 2.05 for Glasgow arriving
at 3.15. A magnificent run over
a wonderful roadbed. Fine
country. Weather misty on arriving.
Put up at Ivanhoe Hotel and
at 6.30 met Rita Morrison as
per arrangement at Dorley, also
Jessie Porter. Bill and I took
[end page]
[start page]
OCTOBER 10th Month 1918
<del>8 Tuesday [281-84]</del>
than to Cranston's movie house and
we turned into our [1 word] dive at
the hotel at 1 am
Wednesday Oct. 2. Went
out the Clyde to Renfrew and saw
the many works of men on the
Clyde. Huge ships in course of
construction. Wonderful plants.
Crossed Clyde on ferry which
cost us nothing. First thing we've
got for nothing. Went to Porter's
tonight for tea and then went
to the Pavillion.
Oct. 3rd. Weather miserable.
At 8.10 am left for Loch
Lomond as far as Inversnaid.
It is a truely beautiful loch with
beautiful mountains covered
with heather and <del>it</del> cascades
tumbling down over its sides. Saw
the country reminiscent with Rob
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days OCTOBER
<del>9 Wednesday [282-83]</del>
Roy's pranks. Enjoyed things immensely.
Met Rita tonight had tea at
her place and had a pleasant evening.
Oct. 4th. Bill left for Manchester
last night. Took in some of
sights of town and then twent to
Alhambra with Rita. Good show.
Oct. 5th Weather wet. Saw
about my neck. Very sore. Met Rita
at noon and went out for lunch
then went to Sonter's for tea and
afterwards took in 'The Narrow
Trail' at Cranston's.
Oct. 6th . Sunday. A Red
Letter Day. I went to church this
morning taking in the Glasgow
Cathedral a majestic edifice
with many centuries of faithful
work to its credit. Had dinner
at Rita then took in the National
[end page]
[start page]
OCTOBER 10th Month 1918
<del>10 Thursday [283-82]</del>
Art Gallery then returned for tea and
left in time to cathc a train for
London at 8.45 pm. Left Scotland
with a bad neck but happy recollections
of a good time.
Oct. 7th Reached London
at 6 am. Put up at Beaver Hut.
Had neck operated on this morning.
It was a bad abcess. Met
Cousin Charlie and went out
to his home in Hammersmith for
tea. Saw Bill Creach, Bill Baker,
Sprints (?), Jimmie Brown and
a bunch of others. The Strand
is a great place for meeting
fellows.
Oct. 8th. Met Ernie Crompton
and went out to his place in
Cheswick park for tea. Met a
bunch of boys today.
Oct. 9th Intended going
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days OCTOBER
<del>11 Friday [284-81]</del>
to see the Doalls at Worthing but
have tohave my neck dressed every
day. Had lunch at the Coventry
with Ernie Crompton and met
Mrs. Jane Anderson at the B.C.
House and am invited out for
dinner tomorrow. Met a couple of
friends at Strand Corner House and
took in 'The Maid of the Mountains'
at Daly's. Had to walk home
from Forrest Gate some walk
I did 3 miles then got a lorry
to Aldergate then a taxi.
Oct. 10th Out to lunch with
Mrs. Anderson. Met Harry
McDearimid also Cousin Bob
and Bernard and Mrs. Farquard.
Had lunch at the Corner House.
Met Red at 5 and went to
movies after tea. Bill had a
friend tonight.
[end page]
[start page]
OCTOBER 10th Month 1918
<del>12 Saturday [285-80]</del>
Michaelmas Law Sittings begin.
Oct. 11th Up at 4.30 am and
after breakfast walked to Victoria
station and caught leave train to Dover.
Walked through town and up Castle
Hill to Rest Camp. They always
put these camps on a high hill
and it makes you grunt to walk
up them.
It is interesting to see the
difference between men going on
leave and those coming back to
France. On the way over you are full
of pep and anticipation; on the
way back you drag along without
any ambition you don't mind whether
the train or boat are delayed, something
which would casue you such
perturbation on the way to Blighty.
We boarded the boat at
4.30 pm and made for B where
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days OCTOBER
<del>13 Sunday [286-79]</del>
20th after Trinity. First Quarter, 5.0 am.
we arrived in a drizzle at 8 pm. Once
more we were taken to a Rest Camp
of course at the hightest altitute in
the place. Sleep on the floor with
one blanket. Quite cool.
Oct. 12th. Up at 5 am. The
fellows went up today but I remained
behind to see the M.O. and had
my neck dressed. Took in Y.M.C.
and Salvation Army hut concert.
Raining all day. They do not make
things any too pleasant for a
fellow in these camps and try to
get rid of you as fast as possible
went to sleep on the board again.
Oct. 13th. Up at 6 am. Left
on train at 9.30, riding in a box
<del>ch</del> car as tight as sardines.
Cool all way up. Reached B-- Camp
after dark and went to another
<del>railhead</del> rest camp for the night.
[end page]
[start page]
OCTOBER 10th Month 1918
<del>14 Monday [287-78]</del>
<del>Michaelmas Fire Insurance ceases.</del>
We got no blanket and had to
sleep in the open. My hat it was
some cold. Slept till 1 am then
had to get up to restore circulation.
[1 word] and I found a cookhouse
with a good fire and spent the
night there. Some Sunday this.
Oct. 14th. Up and had a
bit of breakfast, then went after
train for Q--t. Had to hang around
until the trainload of sick
and wounded came down. Was mighty
hungry at time so raided a
Bloke cookhouse and got satisfied.
Reached B--n in afternoon.
Had grub at Day train
and decided to stay the night
so slept in a dugout, which
was capable of housing hundreds
of men. Had a good
sleep. In the afternoon I went
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days OCTOBER
<del>15 Tuesday [288-77]</del>
Interest payable on L4% War Loan, 1929-1942.
over the famous battle field of B--n
and saw the graves of our dead,
the wrecked chateau and villages,
the loss equipment and the
path of death and glory.
Oct. 15th Up at 6 am. The
train was moving up so we came
up the A-C road and saw the
famous city of C--i. Branched
off and went to Es-- and
found the battery. We have fine
wagon lines, living in houses with
beds and pianos and so forth.
Fresh vegetables daily. It is
like a country fair to walk down
one of the streets, there is music
everywhere. One day two Imperials
went into a house and one sat
down at the piano struck a cord
and up went piano, house, men and all.
[end page]
[start page]
OCTOBER 10th Month 1918
<del>16 Wednesday [289-76]</del>
Once of Fritz's bobby traps.
Oct. 16th Weather good.
Nothing doing. Took a walk
through the sugar refinery. While
away our boys had an awful time.
They were mighty lucky and escaped
many casualties. Mr. Laskey
was killed. Ted King lost a leg.
Lilly, Davis, Elliott, [1 word]
went down the line. One would
not recognize our battery now.
So many new faces. [1 word]
came to my sub one day went
up the line and was wounded
the next. He left Blight on
the 18th Sept. and was back on the
28th.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days OCTOBER
<del>17 Thursday [290-75]</del>
Oct. 17th Weather good.
Nothing doing. Took a ride to the
battery which is in a village and
the boys are well off living comfortable.
Had to haul amu up.
[end page]
[start page]
OCTOBER 10th Month 1918
18 Friday [291-74]
S.Luke
Weather fair. Expect to move.
Gathering vegetables for men's
mess. Horses are also benefiting
by the garden products. Having
good sleeps these nights.
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days OCTOBER
19 Saturday [292-73]
Full Moon, 9.35 pm.
Weather not bad. Had
morning off to bath and change
clothes.
Went to C--i to look
over place. It is badly ruined in
places. When we got back the
teams had to go up and hauled
the guns well ahead. The infantry
has lost track of Fritz. He is
sure shifting back. Teams returned
at 9 pm and we are shifting
wagon lines at midnight. Were
off to find Friz and it looks
as though we have a good
trek ahead of us.
[end page]
[start page]
OCTOBER 10th Month 1918
20 Sunday [293-72]
21st after Trinity.
We had some jaunt last
night. We left our wagon lines at
midnight and went up to Pa--t
and crossed the L--t on a patoon
bridge. Then hit through several
villages and considerable open
country. It rained allnight. We
puloled up in Mar--e and
put up lines in a hollow. It was
some mess. Horses and harness
and myd mixed up. We had a
rum issue and turned in at 4 am
and were up at 6 am. Slept in
houses.
Were ordered to move forward.
Infantry has lost touch with Fritz.
He is sure retiring some. Lots
of French civies.
When we were moving off
got order to report to
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days OCTOBER
<del>21 Monday [294-71]</del>
Canada's Corp Hp. re. commission.
Left at 9 am and
walked 21 kilos to C--i
there got a lorry to Hend--t
and arrived at Q--t, where we
found a cellar and put up
for the night after bumming
a meal.
Oct. 21st Up early and
cleaned up. Went before [1 word]
and was recommended for a
commission. Decided to spend
the day here so found a cellar
bummed some grub and lit
away and are well away. Had
a fire in the dugout, rad and
had easy time. Turned in early
Have plenty of blankets but
they are lousy.
Oct. 22nd. Weather
fair. Had breakfast then jumped
[end page]
[start page]
OCTOBER 10th Month 1918
22 Tuesday [295-70]
a lorry to Es--n. We passed
through towns Fritz had just left
and later came to those where
the civies remained. The towns were
decorated with flags and the
people were happy at being relieved
after the Heinie [1 word]
The old women and men
were all smiles nd the children
shouted. They were covered with
badges given them by the infantry
couldn't find our unit so
bummed a meal off an Imperial
outfit then walked around
the country and saw where Fritz
had blown all the cross roads
and destroyed the houses. He
burned the wheat stacks so that
they would not be used by the
civies. Our hope is that he starves
by degrees this winter. He blew
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days OCTOBER
<del>23 Wednesday [296-69]</del>
up the [1 word] and one is not allowed to go
near the place for fear of bobby
traps. Put up at a civies place for
the night. The people cannot do
enough for you. They want you to
sleep in their beds and they sleep
on the floor and give you their
scanty rations. Which is their thanks
to the Canadians for saving them.
The woman told us all kind of
stories of their sufferings and one
could see by their pinched faces
that life had been hard on them.
Some had been imprisoned for
giving food to British prisoners.
Fritz had taken all their brass,
silver, gold and other metal. They
had used the young girls badly
and taken all the poultry and
stock. These people had no news
of the war. They did not know
[end page]
[start page]
OCTOBER 10th Month 1918
<del>24 Thursday [297-68]</del>
there were Canadians or Americans
in the war; that the Allies were
bombing Germany; and that
Fritz had bombarded Paris.
They know the Canadians now
though.
Oct. 23rd. Weather good
spent morning with one hostess
talking about things in general.
Then walked on to H--y where
found the battery wagon lines. The
women are sweeping the street
a job which Fritz made them
do. Their burden is lighter now.
They are smiles. Nothing is
too good for 'les Canadiens'.
Sleeping in a chateau. Percy
has gone down the line with a
sprained foot.
There were great scenes here
where the town crier announced
[end page]
[start page]
1918 31 Days OCTOBER
25 Friday [298-67]
that the people could write to their
friends. There was shouting and
a rush for paper and women and
children started scratching. The
scenes are wonderful. Most of
the men between 18 and 40 have
been taken away by the Hun. In
one house the officer asked
Madame to get some flowers. She
picked them red white and
blue colors and arranged them
tricolor in the vase. When the
officer relayed the scheme he
<del>dazed</del> dashed the flowers to the
floor. The lady here has hung up
her pictures is dusting everything
and bringing to light many
things that the Boche would
have requisitioned. The Madame
is going on a visit. They have not
been able to visit any place by
[end page]