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Diary
Aug 16th. 17.
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5 1917
August 16th. Weather fine. Carrying on
with mobilization. Went to Godalming
this evening to have a look at the place
August 17th. Cleaning harness. Weather
fine. Went to Godalming about 'O.Pip.'
August 18th. Altering the teams so as
to have the best for France. Had
regular harness inspection. 'O.Pip'
out selling like wild-fire.
August 19th. (Sunday) Weather fine.
Everybody [1 word] discarding kit.
Some job. Had big open air service
this morning and had a huge
crowd on parade. Went to Communion
Service. Orders came through to
C.B. the camp so I guess we're
going to pull out. As we couldn't
go to town today everyone fussed
up. had head shaved. We are
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3
all anxious to get over. It is fun
to see the boys storing their kit.
We only have two haversacks
and have socks in box respirators
and handkerchiefs <del>l</del> in
gas respirators. We are taking
over our ferret to dig out the
Huns[?].
August 20. Continued mobilization.
Nothing startling. All
the boys are talking about their
chances of a blighty and wondering
who will get the first one.
Today the boys were gambling
and drinking. Some of the
drinkers came up and played
Crown and Anchor and put
their rations on the crown and
another chap put his spurs on
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the good old Anchor.The 13th
Brigade pulled out for France
tonight.
August 21st. Weather fine.
Up at 4 am and got ready to
pull out. Had a weak breakfast
and were in the gun park at
7.15. Left Witley at 9.30 for
good after nearly 11 months.
Marched to Milford and
entrained. Had a pleasant
trip to Southampton, where
we were (sic) to a dock. Detrained.
We made splendid time in both
entraining and detraining.
We put our horses aboard the
'Curtfield' and embarked
ourselves <del>at</del> at 3.30. At 4.15
the tugboat hooked on to us
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5
and we moved down the
Solent, passed Cower and
out to sea. We had a bunch of
seaplanes flying around with
us. When cleared of the nets
our mine-cutering (?) machines
were lowered over the side.
They look like small aeroplanes.
No lights were allowed tonight
and no smoke. We <del> were not
allowed to sleep</del> had no
proper palce to sleep; some
lay on the decks, others on
the tween decks with the
horses. Some had no blankets
Oh. It was a lovely night.
Segt. (?) Mattin and I
found a few blankets and
got a position on the top
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6
deck. We slept O.K. for a couple
of hours, then she (sic) got cold and
we <del>wake up</del> woke up. It was a
case of shift. We got behind
the officer's quarters and a
few hours later the N.E. of
the guard came around to see
if we were the guard and
we decided to shift again. so
came below and slept in a
doorway and were stepped on
several times. <del> Awaken at</de>
to. August 22. Awakened
at 6 am. Weather fine. Found
ourselves off La Harve (sic)and
passed inside the nets at 8 am.
Dropped anchor at 8.15 and
are awaiting the tide. We
can see the shores of France
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7
and the hills in the background.
There are a great many boats
in the roadstead.
Well, the telegraph sounded
and the propellor started to churn
and we are now moving into
the harbor mouth and up the
River Seine. The first man we
saw was a Red-Cap, our
old friend. The last man we
saw leaving England was an
R.C. Its wonderful how some
fellows get jobs.
We docked at 1.30 and
immediately started unloading
horses and vehicles. We
started tossing things ourselves
but soon found that the Marines
were to do that and were told
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8
off. After sorting out things we
got ready to move off to our
rest camp. We made the trip
through the main street at
Havre and saw some great
sight. No one 'speak English'
but we managed to get some
fruit etc.
It was very warm and
we sweat like fools. It was
about 5 miles to camp and
there was 1 1/2 mile in direct up
a hill. It nearly killed the horses.
Finally we arrived O.K., and
after a great deal of talking
and hollering some arguments
'You spoiled it this time' etc.
we established our lines. In a
few minutes we had our line
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and started unharnessing and
'ghorming' (?) as usual. We are
<del>un</del> wishing all kind of luck to the
'certain' person.
We found the D.A.C. and a
couple of the other batteries in lines
here and they had a great time
this morning as the place was
threatened with an air raid.
The Huns got within 40 miles.
This is supposed to be a
rest camp, but we have called
it a 'Rayoo Camp' (?). I was notified
that I was to take charge
of the gun park guard tonight
so had the honor of doing the
first one in France. This is a great
life.
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We are having nothing but
bully beef and biscuits now
and they're as hard as ---.
Grub is cheaper here than in
England. Slept in the open.
Had a good sleep.
August 23. 'Reveille'
at 5.30. I slept till 7.30.
Had a shower of rain at
night.
Nothing but parades.
Parades every 5 minutes. Had
medical inspection and drew
box respirator.
Hear we're going up the
line right away. No chance
for rest. Moving out at 3.30
this afternoon to base and
may join the 13th Brigade.
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We're away any way for
where we know not. Just as we
were pulling out down came the
rain in a wild deluge. We
sheltered behind our horses and
finally took our coats off the
saddles and got wet to the
skin. When it let up we moved
off at 3.30 and marched through
the town to the station.
We had a hard time getting
the horses and vehicles aboard.
The trains and carriages are bad
for boarding and we had a hard
time. It has rained off and
on all the time.
Our horses are on and
everything is O.K. We have eight
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12
horses in each carriage and two
drivers in each.
9 pm. After having a
fair feed and receiving our
rations for 24 hours (bully
beef, jam and biscuits) we
pulled out of La Havre. The
whole sub was as one freight
car, which smelt as though
on the last trip it had been
used for horses. We laid
down <del>and</del> sort of crossways
and one fellow's feet were on
the other fellow's face. But anyway
we finally got to sleep.
That is sleep as it was.
Our car had a flat wheel
and it went thump-thump.
Most of the boys dreamed
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13
of O.E's (?) commissions and
'Blighties' at Bushby.
At 2 am we were turned
out <del>at</del> to water the horses and
feed up and get some tea.
Then we went back to
sleep and slept till ---
August 24th. Up at 7.30
and the old car was rambling
along O.K. OUr first stop was
where we baught some stuff
and had a meal then
moved on again. We were at
Poix.
After leaving Poix we ran
across the 61st train, six cars
of which has (sic) been derailed
and capsized. They had
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quite a mess and one chap was
badly cut up.
We reached Abbeville at
noon and had a wash,
bought some fruit and then
moved up. We crossed the famous
Somme River and then recrossed
it and hit for Bethune.
All the way up the line
there were heaps of tins thrown
out from the troop trains
which had gone on ahead.
There were tons of bully beef
tins, pineapple and bean
tins.
At 1pm we reached
railhead <del>'Ames'</del> Lillers
and detrained after a great
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15
deal of rush we formed
up and marched off for our
billets at Ames, 4 miles
from Lillers. We had quite a
time on the march as the horses
were tired and some were
rather badly cut up. However
we reached Ames O.K. and
put up our horse line in a
well sheltered place with a
stream alongside. We then
hit for our billets. Ours were
not bad A sub getting
nice quarters with a motherly
little, squat figure as the
landlady. She only had 10 kids.
We had two rooms and hit
our beds on the rocky floor.
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We have a big fire-place in
the room, which may come in
handy. The wweather is warm so
far.
Some ofthe billets are
grand. C-sub has a billet for
20 men, with a cow herd and
chicken house on either side
and a duck-pond in the
center of the court. There are
plenty of 'creepers'.
After our supper it was
too late to go far so we
walked around Ames, tried
to speak a little French and
went to bed.
August 25th. Weather
fine. Had a jake sleep.
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Went on an exercise ride
this morning and cleaned
harness all afternoon. General
Currie gave us the once over
this afternoon.
There are plenty of
planes about and they amuse
us a bit at times.
Aug. 26th Sunday. Weather
fine. Our first Sunday in
France. All the people are
going to church and most
are dressed in black which
showed how the war has
robbed France.
We were sent out on our
exercise ride this morning
and then had a bath in
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a centime of hot water
this afternoon. Tres bon!
We had an hour and a half off
and then fell in at 4.30 for
stables.
Had a great time tonight
learning to talk French with
the landlady. I have a book
and ever time I wanted to
say anything <del>she</del> I would
look it up and say it. Then
she would shoot a line <del>of</del>
in reply that caused me to
throw up my hands.
Aug. 27th. When we
awoke we found it had
rained hard over night and
our lines were in a peach of
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a mess. We needed a pitchfork
to get some of them out.
It is sure a taste of active
service.
I was detailed to
attend a gas school today
and reported at 8 am. Put
two batteries through lachrymator (?)
this morning. This
afternoon we rushed through
another.
The Noi's (?), officers and
some of the <del>officers</del> H.Q. party
went up the line this afternoon
for three days. They'll
have a fine time.
It has rained all
day and the horse-lines
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are quagmire. The
horses are up to their hocks (?).
When we walk we slipped
and slide and some of the
boys have wet --. All
the boys with top boots and
slickers are jake - a.lu (?)
the others are wet to the hide.
We have a roaring fire
going tonight to dry out.
We listen to the wind <del>out</del>
and rain beating outside
and pity the boys <del>at</del> up in
the line and are thankful we
are in billets.
<del>August 27th</del> At noon
today the school teacher
took her scholars to school
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and on entering the school
she smelt the gas and thought
she had been gassed and
rushed to the Town Major. <del>It</del>
We are using the school as
a gas chamber. As a result
school has been dismissed
for a week.
August 28th. Weather
<del>b</del> wet. Raining like --- well
never mind it. It is fierce.
They say that there is only
one month in France when
the sun shines and that
was last month. So you see
we're out of luck.
We hit for the horse
lines at 5.45 and the
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place was under water.
The horses are up to their
hocks and things are
splashingly fine. We
picqueted the horses out.
It was arranged to
change our lines and we
moved at 2 pm. to a
place on a side-slope.
It's slippery by dry for
the present.
We were supposed to
prepare for inspection by
Major-General Morrison
but it rained all day and
nothing came off. We were
supposed to clean harness
some harness (?)
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We have to walk about
1/2 mile to our billet.
This evening went to
a French Cafe and had some
eggs. Getting fed up with
bully beef and biscuits.
August 29th. Up at
5.30. Looks like a good
day and the inspection is
coming off.
After numerous changes
of orders we finally hooked
in at 10 am. We were not
allowed to wear overcoats.
We got caught in
a real rain for a mile
and were wet through. We
lined up in a field in
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battery line. We sat in a
rain storm for 3/4 hours
till the streams ran down
our backs. The general looked
us up and said we
would go into the line immediately.
We got back to our lines at
4.15 and found the lines as
bad as the others. We ploughed
around fell on our ---
and swore.
At 5 we went to our
billet. I got three eggs on
the way down and then had
a big meal.
All our clothes were wet
through so we went out on
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a wood-hunting expedition,
pinched a few fence posts
etc. and lit a peach of a fire.
There are clothes hanging all
around the place and we hope
to have them dry by the morning
to get them wet again.
Its a great country and
is well washed. The soil is
a sticky clay and <del>we</del> it (sic) a
great incentive to swearing.
August 30. Weather
wet. Up at 5.30 am. Horse
lines bad again. Some
of the batteries are now
quartered in the street.
Had an exercise
ride and also grazing.
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Had afternoon for cleaning
harness and utilized it
for sleeping purposes.
The Noi's (?) returned from
the line this evening with a
good line of hill. We are
told we will move up on
Monday.
August 31st. Some
more rain. They sure chose
a rotten country to fight
this war in. Had exercise ride
today. This afternoon cleaned
harness. Saw a couple of
battle planes squadrons going
over to bomb some places.
Everyone here is broke
and the paymaster says he
can't get money. So we are
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up against it so to speak.
I manage to scrap along and
have two eggs and bread, etc.
Full moon tonight. Very fine,
but expect to see rain in morning.
September 1st. Up at 5.30.
Weather fine. On exercise ride
this morning. Fooling around
line this afternoon. We thought
we were going to have a real
good day but it rained hard
this afternoon.
We had a chicken dinner
tonight, but enough said.
We are having a great
deal of trouble with the
cooks. We don't seem to be getting
our full rations.
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September 2nd Weather fine.
Up at 6.30. Had shower of
rain this morning. Had church
parade and an exercise ride.
This afternoon we had gas drill
and a stand [1 word] line. Hear
we're going up the line Tuesday
morning. Big Canadian mail
in and big rejoicing.
Big raids being made on
orchards and the Town Major
has made a complaint. One
farmer claims <del>?</del> 40 Francs
and another 8 Francs for
damage doe to his trees.
We're having some time.
September 3rd. Exceptionally
fine day. Had a big air
raid [1 word] and there was
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plenty of fun. Had a payday
today. The boys pulled
down 15 Francs; three dollars
in white man's money.
It won't go far at all events.
Early this morning we left
Ames to go up the lines. It
was 4 am when we awoke
and it was quite a razzle.
We got on the road early
and fed on the way. The
poor gunners had to walk
all the way. It was very
warm.
We passed through
many ruinous places
and reached our horse
lines at C---y at
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4.30 and immediately got
to work fixing up our lines
and fixing up a place to
sleep.
The place where we are
located is full of ruins
and everyone <del>leaves</del> lives in
a cellar. Its the age of
the Cave Man. This ground
was taken by the French in
1912 and there are several
cemeteries on the road. We
can see the Ridge and a
lot of interesting places
from here.
September 5th. Had a shower
of rain last night and
got a soaking. Reveille is
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at 6 am. so its not so bad.
We were busy today getting
our lines straightened up
and building dugouts. We
have started work in an
old trench.
Tonight the advance
parties are going up the line to
prepare the gunpits and
one section is taking in its
guns.
Met Bill Smith tonight
and went over to his dugout
and had a jake meal.
Sept. 6th. Weather fine.
Had some interesting news
when we awoke. Our left
section got caught at
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Whiz Bang Corner (?) with
a heap of gas and <del>up</del>
shrapnel and things were
mighty merry. The boys had
their gas masks on for
two hours. We lost <del>the</del> a
firing battery team and
a couple of bodies and
several horses were gassed.
The vehicles <del>sh</del> came
back to the lines singlely.
The boys were pretty well
shaken up.
It is our turn to go
up tongith and we look
for a hot time.
Sept. 7th. Weather
fine. Working on lines again.
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Left our lines at 8 pm
with gun and wagon followed
20 minutes later by
other subs. We had a cheerful
send-off and everyone
was looking for a repetition
of the night before. We had
a thunder storm just before
we pulled out and got well
and wet. I reached the
crossing O.K. and picked
up my guide. We had a
good trip through. Our boys
were giving Fritz a whole of
a hammering. We cleared
everything O.K. put in the
gun unloaded our ammo
and pulled out. Back in
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wagon lines at midnight.
Sept. 7th. Reveille at
7 am. Weather fine. Nothing
startling. Went to dump
and reloaded.
Heaps of aeroplanes
around. Plenty of shelling.
One bomb in lines.
Sept. 8th. Weather
hot. No half days in France.
Plenty to do. Burying horses.
Lost Shorty today. Had his
leg broken by a kick.
Went on picquet tonight.
Was awakened at 1.30 by
captain and had orders
to pull out in morning.
Sept. 9th (Sunday)
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Weather fine. Upt at 5.30 am.
Busy getting vehicles
packed and horses
saddled to pulll out for
some new lines.
Left at 9 am for our
lines. We found them to
be jake, brick standing, a
good slope and splendid
dugouts. We were alloted
a dugout, Percy, Harry,
Hunt, Snowy, Bowden and
I. We have an open fireplace
and it is watertight
and airtight.
Fritz was after an
observation balloon today
and threw some shells into
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34
our lines.
Sept. 10th. Fixing up
our stable. Fritz went
after our friend the balloon
this afternoon and did
some good shooting. Went
up the line tonight and
found things quiet.
Had a bad smash-up
in lines today. A D.A.C.
team ran away and <del>cha</del>
started a bunch of mules
on the go. The team came
into our lines and smashed
into our vehicles. There were
mules and horses piled
up in heaps. One mule had
to be shot, and a couple of
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fellows went to hospital.
Sept. 11th. Up at 6 am.
This is my birthday, the second
in the army, but no one would
have known it was a birthday.
We are all out pinching
stuff for dugouts.
Sept. 12th. Weather fine.
Up at 6 am. Had <del>ed</del> exercise
ride at 6.20. Went out
looking for stuff all day.
Had a bathing parade at
1 this afternoon and feel
kind of cold now. Got quite
a bit of dirt off.
Sept. 13th. Up at 5 am
because we were late on
parade yesterday. Exercise
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ride.Spent the day working
on our new dugout. The
old ones have been torn down
and we are all out foraging
for our new ones. We raided
some places in the next
valley and got in wrong
and have to replace all tea (?) stuff.
Sept. 14th. Up at 6 am.
Weather fine. Working on
dugouts till dark.
Sept. 15th. Up at 6 am.
Weather fine. Working on
dugout. Sleeping in tent at
present. Exercise ride this
morning. Shelled balloon
this afternoon.
Sept. 16th Sunday).
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Up at 6 am. Exercise ride. Funeral
of our first victim of
Huns shell. Boy from 60th
Battery. Worked on our
dugout this morning. Cleaning
harness this afternoon.
Up the line tonight. Left
at 7 pm and had a good
run up. Were held at
railhead until 11.30 for
train then hauled 400
rounds of amo. Our guns
were on a straffe on the
left. Got back to our lines
at 3 am.
Sept. 17th
Up at 6 am.
Weather fine. Spent the
day working on the lines.
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We are having a great time
on our lines as everyone has
an idea of his own. We
put in one post and have
built our shack around it.
We are working day and
night on it. Stole a sleep
this afternoon to make up
for last night as I (sic) only
two in bed.
Sept. 18th. Up at 6 am.
Sunday shaffed Huns
with V.E.(?) Worked today
on our famous hut. Two
boys back from guns on
rest and told us of their
first night up at the guns.
They nearly croaked.
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A-sub is getting some fine
bawl out from the nigger. (?)
Today we had seven men
out of 16 on parade and
reported 1 man coming and
yesterday let drivers sleep
in.
Sept. 19th. 6 am. On
dugout all day. Weather
fine and jake. We are thankful
for it as we are building.
We slept in our shack for
the first itme last night.
Had some tea and coffee
on the [1 word] tonight.
Sept. 20th. 6 am. Exercise
ride. Spent rest of day
on hut. Have it near completion.
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42
Put in bunks. Have
five singles and one double.
We are glad our work is
near completion. Our hands
are cut and sore from handling
tin and hitting the wrong
nails.
Tonight we at in our
dugout and had a jake
fire, some biscuits and a
can of pineapple.
There was a lot of
shelling. The Huns evidently
got a line on a dump
near here as a result of
<del>wa</del> air observations yesterday.
Sept. 21st. Weather
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43
very warm. Working all day
getting elephant iron out.
Went up line tonight and
got caught at rail<del>road</del>
head in a good straffe.
Sheltered under a bridge
for an hour then got through
left wagon on road. Lots
of gas. Went back afterwards
and pulled wagon
home with a wheel team.
Got back at 5.30 am. It
was sure a hot hole.
Sept. 22nd. Reveille
was at 5 this morning but
didn't worry one as I was
out. The fellows were late
getting out on parade <del>so</del>
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44
yesterday and the punishment
was up an hour earlier.
I turned in and slept
most of the day along with
the wheel driver who went
through with me.
Had a good feed in
the dugout tonight to make
up for the one I missed
last night.
Sept. 23rd. A year ago
today we landed in Witley.
Reveille at 5.45. Exercise
ride. Church parade. Went
to 66th lines and during
service there was quite an
air battle. The guns were
booming fairly lively.
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Boys busy digging out elephant
iron for new position.
Straffed our friend the balloon
again today.
Sep.t 24th. Up at 6 am.
Fatigues as usual and no
one for stables. Up the line
tonight and waited until
1 am for amm, which did
not arrive. Some shells came
over and we thought we were
in for another storm.
Sept. 25th. Up at 6 am.
On fatigues as usual. Nothing
doing at all. Met Andy
Clarke tonight. Nothing doing.
Sept. 26th. Up at 6 am.
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46
On fatigues. On horse lines and
harness room. Met. Geo. Morris tonight.
Our guns got a close
<del>Sept.</del> straffing last night
and we heard there were some
casualties but these proved erronous.
Sept. 27th. Up at 6 am.
Weather fne. Regular routine
work this morning. Things
were quite interesting this afternoon.
Fritz shelled the balloon
in turn and of course we got
the benefit of everything. <del>One</del>
Pieces of shrapnel were
hammering the roof of
our harness rooms and dugouts
and it was splattering
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47
in the horse lines. One piece
of shell casing weighing
17 1/2 lbs dropped amongst
our wagons. About 4 o'clock
a Heinie plane came over
and set one of the balloons
on fire and it was a grand
sight to see the baloon burst
into flames. The Archies
went right <del>away</del> after the
plane and it was a great
sight to see them <del>nearly</del>
<del>use through</del> burst around it.
About 6.30 in the evening
another Fritz came
after the balloon and got
it, then went after a second
balloon but was headed
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48
off by our own machines
and driven down. It was
a great evening.
Our team up the line
got a bad straffing on
the way up. Rum tonight.
On picquet tonight.
Sept. 28th Up at 6 am.
Got orders to relieve at
forward position and rode
to Colonel's road. Were
fired on a bit passing a
fosse. Got to position. Relieved
sargeant (sic). Busy
digging out A sub pti all
day. FRitz drops shells
pretty close to our lines.
Saw an aeroplane brought
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49
down in flames after an
air fight. No rum.
Sept. 29th. Up at
9 am. Worked under cover
all day. Friz straffed
us several times today.
One shell dropped 20
feet in front of us and
there was some ducking
and scampering for
cover. There was a grand
duel last night between
the guns. Took camouflage
off A sub and announced
it completed. The sniper
whipped in a few shots
today but got no one. Rum.
Sept. 30th Sunday)
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50
Things are very interesting
today. Shells popping
all around. One shell
just passed over our
domes and lit about
20 feet behind us. There
was plenty of fun as the
fellows scampered about.
Everyone went into their
dugout. We are working on
another gunpit and
our backs are sore from
having to bend under the
[1 word] of the
camouflage. No rum
tonight. About midnight
Fritz started to pepper
our corner with some big
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51
stuff and fairly shook
our dugout. There was a
warm time for a few
minutes.
October 1st Set to
again this morning digging
our gunpits. Fritz
straffed the fosse (?) for
this. He got a few casualties.
This evening Fritz
shot over a few shells at
the cross roads and gave
us a chance to hit for
shelter. Had a jake sleep.
October 2nd. Weather
fine. Up at 7.30. Sargeant (sic)
tried to get us
up by saving our rum
[end page]
[start page]
ration and breakfast, but
no one got up. We finally
got up and had breakfast
and went to work on C sub.
It was funny to hear the
fellows argue about Dakes (?)
etc. Socialign (?) etc.
while the shells were
whizzing aobut. We shovelled
the dirt and are
mighty tired. We changed
over to night shift and
are now done in the gun
pit trying to go to slee
While Lomas is talking
about [2 words]
and janes.
Went on night shift at
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[start page]
53
7.30 pm and got along fine until
our batteries opened
fire and for several hours
there was a howling noise.
After it ceased Fritz came
back and had us ducking
in the trenches until our
knees were sore. It was a
warm night. Turned in
at 2 am. Up again at 5 to
readjust stuff.
October 3rd. Tried
to go to sleep but Fritz
peppered us with H.E. and
shrapnel and it was impossible
to go to sleep. The
day gang came pouring down
and we were unable to
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[start page]
54
sleep. Fritz kept peppering
away most of the day.
We were unlukcy in
having a train load of material
in and unloaded it in
rapid time as Fritz might
have slipped something over.
We were kept moving. our
position now looks like a
circus and it will be a
wonder if Fritz does not
get a line on us.
Oct. 4th. Weather clear.
Up on duty at 7.30. Had
fair sleep today. Rain
fell this evening. At 7.30
Fritz opened up with his
trench mortars and artillery
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[start page]
55
on our trenches in front. Our
infantry seen up S.O.S.
and our artillery gave Fritz
a terrible straffing for two
hours. The sky was lit up
and the noise was deafening
at times. Fritz put quite a
few shells over our way and
we had to seek cover when
handling ammunition.
October 5th. Weather
<del>wet</del> clear. Plenty of planes
up. Went to work on C-sub
and did a lot of graft (?).
Fritz straffed us for fair.
Went on day shift. One
of Fritzs plane was
was shot down today.
[end page]
[start page]
56
A sniper's gun went in
ahead after last night
and rapped off a few
rounds. Today Fritz
straffed the place where
it was and we got the
benefit of it.
October 6th. Weather
wet. Worked all through
the day under a fierce downpour
and slid and slipped
in the mud. We got rum
this morning but it was
more like water. Very
cold tonight. Everyone
happy although Fritz
straffed us as usual.
October 7th. Weather
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[start page]
57
fair this morning. Did a
good bit of work on C-sub
Fritz gave us a bit of a
straffe. This afternoon a
heavy rain set in and there
is nothing but mud. We are
wet to the skin. Its a great
life. everything one handles
slips up terribly.
October 8th. Weather
more or less poor. Worked
fair this morning and
shifted over to night
shift at noon. Went
out to look over old
German trenches. Heavy
rains tonight. Dark
as ink. Went on night
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[start page]
58
duty and it rained hard.
A team got in difficulty and
ran in over the road and
we spent two hours trying to
get them out. We finally succeeded.
Turned in at 11 pm
wet to the skin.
October 9th. Up at
5 am to do some work before
Fritz could get a line
turned in and had good
sleep until noon. Had some
bad leaks in gunpit and
when we came in we saw the
boys standing on sand
bags. On duty all night.
October 10th. Off
duty at forward position.
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[start page]
59
<del>at 7 am</del> and came down
to the guns. Took over from
the sargeant (sic) and went on
an aeroplane shoot, then
had two small shoots.
On gun guard tonight. Nothing
exciting to report.
October 11th. Were
aroused at 8 am for an
aeroplane shoot. Tore
off 20 rounds and they
had to go out of action
with two broken springs.
Third down all right.
Today a Frenchman,
the owner of the place where
we are came in and dug
up the family treasure.
[end page]
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60
October 12th
The springs came up tonight
so we turned to this morning
and put them in. Went into
action this morning and
fired a good many rounds
but had to stand down on
accoutn of amount of brick
dust falling down. Went
up in O.P. and had a look
at Lens (?).
Went to new position
this afternoon and abandoned
the place. Got back
to battery wet through
after a long ride on the
narrow guage at 10.30.
October 13th. Weather
fine. Up at 8.30 and had
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61
a stand to in the middle of
a shave. Had a good
shoot today.
October 14th Last
night the roof of our
house fell on our gunpit
and smothered things
we fired three rounds
this morning and then
had to go out of action.
Worked hard all day
rebuildng the gunpit.
This is Sunday but there
was nothing to denote
it.
October 15th. Were
in action all day, but when
we fired a few rounds
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62
we had to go out and tighten
things up. Nothing startling
today. Worked on pit.
Oct. 16th. Weather
clear. Nothing unusual.
Went into action and
got through O.K.
Oct. 17th. Weather fine.
Had an alarm at 5.30 am
and stood by and were
through our aeroplane
shoot by 8 am. Were
standing down all day.
Oct. 18th. Weather fine.
Had regular aeroplane shoot
today. Nothing startling.
Changed over today. Was
relieved at the guns and
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63
road the new wagon lines
at Saint en Sobelle. Just
got there during a bombing
raid. Sleeping in a
bunkhouse (?). No bon (?)
Oct. 19th. Weather fine.
Back to my long-faced
friends. Exercise ride
this morning. Had a
bath this afternoon and
needed it. Took in some
of the sights of the town
today.
Oct. 21st. Weather
fine. Nothing doing. Regular
fatigues.
Oct. 21st Sunday)
Big church parade.
[start page]
[end page]
Working on Xmas 'O-Pip'.
Oct. 22. Up at 5 am.
Doing fine. Working on 'O-Pip'
Fritz dropped a few shells
in a farm-house here.
Oct. 23. Weather
fine. Working on 'O-Pip'.
Hope to have grand number.
Had a bath this
afternoon and had a fine
run up a hill and looked
over the country into
Levine and Leno. Heard
we are moving to Ypres
but now we learn we are
attached to the Imperial.
Oct. 24th. Weather
fine. On O-Pip. Nothing
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65
startling.
Oct. 25th. Terrific
wind and rain. Very
bad weather. Worked
on 'O-Pip'. Got shaffed
for fair tonight up the
line. Were changing
shift when Fritz opened
up. Got a sargeant (sic) and
a horse. Wagon got
difficulties. The (?) was [1 word]
hot.
Oct. 26th. Weather fair.
Nothing startling. Working
on O-Pip all day. Went
into a game at Jacques
place next to cookhouse
and we broke the old man
[end page]
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66
coming away with 20 francs.
It was some fun.
Oct. 27th. Weather fine.
Working on 'O-Pip'. Tonight
the boys played Jacques
and came away with 24
francs. Had some fun in
a estaminet, in which
there was an autopiano.
Some dancers here. They
spin around in the place
of a nickle.
Oct. 28th (Sunday)
Small church parade. Have
taken over a sniping gun
and an 18 pounder so have
little chance to get
spare men. Worked on
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[start page]
67
'O-Pip' all day.
Oct. 29th. Weather
cold. Nothing startlin.
Came up to guns today
to take charge. No longer
on aeroplane shoots. We
are evening party of the
line.
Oct. 30th Nothing
doing this morning. Had
a few stand too's this
afternoon. Was duty sub tonight
and fired 125 rounds at different
target, shooting 60 in the hours.
Oct. 31st Fritz evidently
thought he had a line on
the battery that did the firing
[end page]
[start page]
68
last night as he opened up with
considerable ammunition
this morning. He was off
to our left, however, and
strafed some batteries in a
field. Some of them suffered
the loss of both men and
guns. In the afternoon our
battery opened fire having
located the battery which
had caused all the trouble.
We put over gas and A.E.
Fritz put another battery
into action and threw
back gas but it was not
near enough to do us any
harm. We located this
battery and silenced it as
well as the first.
[end page]
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69
baby.
Had a good sleep at
the wagon lines.
Nov. 4th. Sunday)
Had church parade
this morning. Then groomed
horses. Had a pay
parade this afternoon.
everybody went out to
spend their money tonight
and there were some poor
drunks.
Nov. 5th. Weather
good. Cleaning harness
this morning. Exercise
ride this afternoon.
Plenty of drunks around
tonight. Boys are
nearly broke.
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70
Nov. 6th. Weather fine.
Nothing startling. On
exercise ride.
Nov. 7th. Weather damp.
Exercise ride. The town
of Hersin was badly bombed today. A
big laundry was hit and
several girls killed
and many wounded.
Nothing startling.
Nov. 8th. Raining.
Exercise ride in the mud.
Nothing startling.
Nov. 9th. Raining hard.
Nothing startling. Had a
rought house in the hut tonight.
Wrecked the Crown and Anchor
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71
game. Percy ran a nail in his
foot tonight.
Nov. 10th. Weather wet.
Went to Barlin this morning
and cashed a postal order
and bought a watch. There
was a by strafe on this morning.
our fellows went over the
top for information. Some sight.
Came up to the guns this evening.
<del> Nov. 11th</del>. Our fellows
(West Yorkshires) went
over the top on our front at
9.45 am and took two
brick piles they were after.
We got some prisoners, one
a German prisoner who
was in the trenches for the
[end page]
[start page]
first time. He did not wish
to come but a piece of stell
soon changed his mind.
Nov. 11th (Sunday)
Nothing stirring today. Fired
one round. Expected Fritz
to come back but he did not.
Nov. 12th Nothing
startling. Fired four
rounds two of gas. Fritz
threw over some gas tonight.
Nov. 13th. Threw over
some 25 rounds this morning
as harrassing fire.
Working on new dugout.
They talk about a three
[illegible] <del>stay down</del> stand
down.
What hopes!
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73
Nov. 14th. Weather foggy.
Did not fire a round today.
Working on a new dugout.
We spend the evenings
in our funk-pit. Its a
fine home.
Nov. 15th.
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74
24th. Fune, shells [1 word]
25th. Clipped a [1 word] Weather bad.
26. Nothing doing.
27. 20 air [1 word] Fellows as [1 word]
28 Weather fine. Guns out.
29 Out of action
30 Out of action. Prepared for move.
1 Moved wagon lines.
2 after ammunition. Cold.
3 Cold. Working stables.
4 Cold. Bombing raid.
5 Cold. Skating.
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75
5th Getting settled. [2 words]
[1 word]
<del>6th</del> Left section went in [1 word]
6th. Moving off tonight [1 word]
up the line in at midnight.
7th Weather hot, aeroplanes.
8th Weather hot. On picquet.
9th. Sunday. Weather hot, changed
lines. Fritz after balloons.
10th atables. Up the line.
11
27 Air fight.
28 Great time at gunpit
aeroplane [1 word]
29th Day gunpit
30th No T. Bethune
15 T out of action.
15 F ' ' '
17S Down from guns
18 S Pay. Church parade.
19 M
21 W
22
23
[end page]
Item is the fifth of eight diaries written by Archie Wills during World War I. This volume includes entries from August to November, 1917 and describe Wills' journey from the training camp at Witley, England to France and his battlefield experiences in and near Arras. His diary describes in detail the daily routine of the soldiers during their first weeks in France, and later on in the battlefield. He comments on the insufficient food rations, and living situation. Wills' diary illustrates the hardship and brutality of the war in the trenches, fire exchanges, the soldiers' sleep deprivation and the physical strain of constantly moving. Wills comments on the impact of the war on the local population: farm houses destroyed by shells; and the bombardment of Hersin which results in the deaths of several young women working in a laundry. He additionally describes preparing the Christmas issue of the O-Pip in autumn of 1917. The entries for November 15th to December 30th, 1917 are located at the end of Volume 6.
Locations: Arras, Hersin
People mentioned: Percy Mattin, Harry Macdearmid, H.E. Hunt, James Alexander Goldie, Herbert L. Bowden, William Smith, Andrew Clarke, Major-General Edward Morrison