Part 1 (14 August 1914 – 29 May 1915)

1915

Jun 26

I left CASSEL about 6.30 p.m. for a few days leave and after changing twice arrived at BOULOGNE at 1.30 a.m. on the 27th.

Jun 27

After walking about the docks for two hours we eventually found the boat where we were allowed to sleep but sleep was out of the question.

We left the boat at 5.30 a.m. to find a suitable place for breakfast and after half an hour’s search came across a place opened by the Salvation Army especially for troops going on leave; here we had a very enjoyable breakfast consisting of eggs and bacon, bread and butter and tea; as much as we could eat for 8½d. and I give great credit to the SA for providing such a place for the convenience of the troops.

The next item on the programme was changing our money into English and getting our tickets which occupied our time until 10.15 a.m. when we got on board the boat which left at 10.30 a.m. We had a very nice passage over being guarded all the time by the Navy and arrived at Folkestone about 11.45 a.m. Here we were given refreshments free of charge by ladies on the platform. We left for Victoria at 12.55 arriving at 3.10 p.m.

Here I expected to find someone to meet me but met with disappointment instead and after waiting for some time I made tracks for home calling at Love Lane en-route where I found no-one at home. I then proceeded home where much to my surprise I found that they were surprised to see me, my letter having not reached them. Nellie being away I sent ???? for her in a taxi. Charlie being at home on leave, after having tea, we went to see him where we had tea once again and much to everybody’s surprise a family gathering. I left here at 10.30 p.m. and after having a little supper retired to bed at 11.30 p.m. but failed to get any sleep the bed being very strange.

Jun 28

On Monday 28th went for a ride to Streatham, called at Mrs. Coe’s and at Uncle Alf’s arriving home to dinner about 1 o’clock. In the afternoon we went to the fire station where everybody was very pleased to see me and kept me busy for nearly two hours leaving at 5 o’clock. We then proceeded over Southwark Bridge, along Queens Street to St. Pauls and from there by bus to the top of Fleet Street where we had tea at the corner of Crane Court. From there we walked down the Strand and Parliament Street to Westminster Bridge where we got onto a bus to Bermondsey and paid a visit to Jim’s and then to Percy’s but unfortunately found him out. Then we went to Aunt Florrie’s and from there went home arriving about 11.00 p.m.

Jun 29

On Tuesday 29th got up about 9.30 a.m. had a stroll round Brixton, went to see Mrs. Ruddoe and had a walk around Herne Hill; went from here by bus to Camberwell and called on Sis Brunsden; walked from here home via Kennington. In the afternoon we went to Will Mears’s to have a cup of tea returning home to tea. Leaving again at 6.30 p.m. we went to Love Lane and to see George Dye, from here taking a taxi to the Sons of Temperance where they gave me a cordial welcome. Leaving here we arrived home at 11.00 p.m. having to abandon a visit to Stacey’s owing to time being too short.

Jun 30

On Wednesday morning I had to spend the time in shopping which proved all too short. Returning home at 12 noon we found dinner ready and after that I wished the time would soon pass away for me to return as I did not like facing the parting which did not turn out so bad as the suspense.

Arriving at Victoria Station at 2.00 p.m. I was surprised to find everybody there to see me off as I had left them all at home, and I need not state that in a way I was not sorry when the train moved off. We arrived at Folkestone at 3.45 p.m., the boat leaving at 4.00 p.m. sharp. At the same time it began to rain hard and was bitter cold but the weather changed as we neared Boulogne.

Jul 1

Arriving at 5.10 a.m. we had to wait until 10.30 p.m. before the train moved off.

Jul 2

Waking up at 1.30 a.m. we found ourselves at HAZEBROUCK. Here we had to wait until 7.30 a.m. for a train to CASSEL where we arrived at 8.00 a.m. From the station we had a walk of about two miles into the town where we all enjoyed a jolly good breakfast which cost us 2½ francs each, and we arrived in camp at 10.00 a.m.

The rest of the time we stayed at CASSEL our routine was exercise etc. I had several trips to LEDRINGHEM, ESQUELBECQ and HAZEBROUCK.

Sep 6

On the 6th the 13-pole part of the Column left to go into action somewhere near ARRAS returning on the 19th inst.

Sep 23

We all left CASSEL for an unknown destination at 11.00 p.m. in the pouring rain; we marched until 4.30 a.m. (24th) when we went into billet at WARDRECQUES. We left again at 7.30 p.m. and marched until 10.30 p.m. before going into billet at MARTHES.

Sep 25

Leaving MARTHES at 2.00 p.m. we marched until 12.30 a.m. (26th) in the pouring rain passing through BLESSY, ESTREE BLANCHE, AUCHY AU BOIS, FERFAY and MARLES which was through the coal mining district. Eventually we billeted on top of a hill in a wood, wet through to the skin and one may guess not very happy. After doing several odd things we managed to get a sleep such as it was at 2.30 a.m. Being called up again at 5.00 a.m. and then having to hang about until night again before we were allowed to get our things off.

Sep 27

During the day we shifted our lines to a more favourable position, it was coming on to rain again in the evening we decided to build bivouacs and made ourselves as comfortable as things permitted for the night.

Sep 28

At 3.30 a.m. on the morning of the 28th we were called and ordered to harness up and all was ready to move off within an hour when orders came to stand fast. At 5.45 a.m. orders came that the Division would not be required, we then unharnessed and exercised the horses. At 10.00 a.m. the whole of the 9th Cavalry Brigade drew up by the side of us and stayed the night which was a ???? wet one. By the way we were camped on a racecourse about 1 mile from BETHUNE.

Sep 29

In the morning it still continued raining very hard, and we had orders to move to take up the 2nd Cavalry Div camp; they were going up the line further owing to the great success of our troops and a big advance. We harnessed up and moved off at 2.30 p.m. It was raining very hard and we proceeded to LOZINGHEM where we were billeted in small farms owing to the very wet weather.

From today the 29th we are the first line of defence. The news from the Front is very satisfactory both the English and French advancing all along the line. Here we stayed four days moving back to ESTREE BLANCHE on 3rd Oct.

Oct 3

Here we stayed until the 24th during which time nothing of importance occurred.

Oct 25

We were ordered back further to our winter billets and we at once proceeded to ECQUES which was not much of a place but here again we were not allowed to stay owing to something of importance cropping up on the 18th Nov.

Nov 18

We were ordered to proceed to HALINGHEN [29 miles west of ECQUES] which is only 5 kilometres from the sea and 15 from Boulogne. Our work here consisted of exercise etc.

Nov 25

Both H Battery and the Warwick Batt. were ordered into action and four Sub Sections had to go up with them.

Dec 10

I Battery were made Training Battery and two more Sub Sections went away with them leaving only the TA Sections here. We of course work with the Cavalry. After the second batch had left we had to move our stables right into the village and as luck would have it I was lucky enough to obtain a bed with very nice people.

Dec 25

We spent a very nice Xmas which cost me 5 Francs each – our menu being for the day:

Breakfast: Cold ham. and pickles, tea, bread and butter.

Dinner: Hot roast pork and ????, cabbage and potatoes. Xmas pudding with hot custard and plenty of fruit. Cigars and Cigarettes etc.

In the evening we had a nice Concert which lasted until 2.00 a.m. all going to bed tired out after a most jolly day.

Dec 31

New Year’s we started in grand style having dinner at 7.00 p.m. followed by a sing song until 11.55 when we advanced to the road where we started with Flannagan’s band which as we were told afterwards was heard three miles away, then came Auld Lang Syne, God Save the King and the Marseillaise, after which we returned inside and kept the sing song up till 2.00 a.m. retiring to bed tired out after a very jolly evening.

1916

Jan 1

The New Year did not bring forth any move and we continued our stay carrying out the usual routine of chasing rations from SAMER; also cash for the Division which we had to deliver the following day to MONTREUIL, which was a distance of 25 miles. Very often it was extremely cold and nearly always wet which one may guess was not very comfortable but the one thing about it was that we had a good billet to return to.

Jan 8

I was asked by a woman Mme. Calen by name if I would care to sleep at her house. Her husband agreeing to this, I went paying 2 Francs per week for a bed and room to myself; this one may guess was very acceptable after sleeping on a brick floor for about a month. Staying here I began to pick up flesh as I used to have eggs and hot milk every night and morning.

March

About the middle of March, a part of the Column returned from BETHUNE which upset things for a time.

April

About the end of April, the remaining part came back, this clearly told us that our stay at HALINGHEN was limited owing to a shortage of water.

May 23

We shifted to Le Breuil which is about a kilometre from SAMER; here we went into a field which was almost a bog and as usual it rained the day we moved and continued for a week without ceasing which caused us to move again into different farm yards until the field dried up a bit. We eventually got into the field again but only for three days as no sooner than we got there it rained again.

Our daily routine here was chasing rations from SAMER, exercise and grazing horses, in addition to this every 10 days we had a trip to Mont Casel Forest [near HEUCHIN] to clear wood for the Division.

Jun 19

We were ordered to stand to for a move up the line.

Jun 24

We left Le Breuil at 9.00 p.m. marching all night and arrived at DOURIEZ about 6.00 a.m. on the 25th June a distance of 27 miles.

Jun 25

The weather remaining fairly warm and fine, here we stayed all day getting what rest and sleep we could in the sum it being very hot. We saddled up at 10.30 p.m. and moved of at 11.00 p.m. again marching until 6.00 a.m. (26th) when we arrived at a little village about a mile outside the town of AUXI LE CHATOU.

Jun 26

Here it was showery all day and at 5.00 p.m. we had a terrible storm. At the time of harnessing up at 7.45 p.m. it was still raining very hard and the ground all round was about two inches deep in water. We had a terrible march this night it was raining hard all the time and the night was as black as pitch and to make things worse for us we had a lot of woods to go through. We eventually arrived about 3.00 a.m. on the 27th about 1 mile outside DOULLENS.

Jun 27

Here we rested all day and marched off at 7.30 p.m. and marched all night through several villages the night being too dark to ascertain the names.

Jun 28

At dawn we arrived at AMIENS going right through the town, we passed no further villages until we arrived at our destination a little place named QUERRIEU at 10.00 a.m. having travelled a distance of 37 miles. Here we rested until midnight on the 30th.

Jun 30

On the 30th we moved up the line not far behind ALBERT standing fast all day hoping upon hope that the Cavalry would be able to go into action and break the line, our Infantry having already advanced a distance of five miles. However there was no such luck in store for us and at 6.00 p.m. we had to return to QUERRIEU. Here we stayed having plenty of rain until 5th July when we had to move back owing to us being in the way of the Infantry supply.

Jul 5

Leaving at 10.00 a.m. we marched all day passing through AMIENS, DREUIL, PICQUIGNY, AIRAINES and eventually halting at a small village named METIGNY at 10.00 p.m. having travelled a distance of about 40 miles.

Jul 7

We stood-to all day expecting to be called away at any moment owing to a strong counter-attack by the enemy against the French. However, at the end of the day the news was no change on the British Front, counter-attack against the French driven off with heavy losses to the enemy. Enemy reported to be retreating fast from the French.

Jul 11

Leaving METIGNY at 8.00 p.m. we marched all night retracing our steps passing through AMIENS at 4.00 a.m. on the 12th.

Jul 12

We halted for the day about 1½ miles from QUERRIEU.

Jul 13

Leaving again at 2.30 p.m. arriving at a little village named TREUX at 9.30 p.m. The reports of the day from the firing line were read out as follows:

Russians advancing capturing many thousands of prisoners also a great quantity of war material. Italians advancing all along their line capturing many prisoners and a great quantity of war material. The French pressing vigorously and maintaining all gains also co-operating well with us on our right.

On the right of our line we had driven the enemy out of his defences (which had taken him nearly two years to build up) for a distance of 12,000 yards. The spirit of our troops being very high.

Jul 14

At 3.25 a.m. on the 14th every available gun on our front was put into action for 5 minutes with the result that the Infantry were able to capture very easily the last line of the enemy defence.

At 6.00 a.m. battle still raging and General reports that it is already half won and the final victory which must come within a few days will go down in history as the largest battle ever fought as well as bringing the final victory and the end in sight.

Aug 9

We left QUERRIEU at 11.00 p.m. arriving at BEAUCHAMPS at 8.00 on the 11th.

Aug 30

The whole sub section when on two days leave to AULT which is a very nice place on the coast a little to the right of Dieppe. Although it rained we have a very enjoyable time, myself and my chum got a bedroom at a hotel.

Aug 31

We walked along the beach about five miles into the next town [Le Treport] returning in bare feet along the sand. We arrived back into camp at 4.00 p.m. on 1st Sept. wet through to the skin. It continued raining until 6th Sept.

Sep 6

At 10.30 a.m. we shifted into a large shed. Expecting to stay here some time we erected bivouacs and harness racks, but at 8.00 p.m. we were ordered suddenly to move at 4.00 a.m. on the 8th.

Sep 8

After standing-to for some time we eventually left BEAUCHAMPS at 11.30 a.m. passing through GAMACHES, OISEMONT and halting for the night at ALLERY at 6.00 p.m.

Sep 9

Leaving at 10.30 a.m. we passed AIRAINES, PICQUINGY, AMIENS, eventually arriving at DAOURS at 10.00 p.m. Here we were standing-to all the time expecting every day to go up the line.

Sep 17

On the morning of the 17th I and several more was warned to joining I Battery. Leaving DAOURS at 9.00 a.m. we passed through ALBERT which was nothing but a mass of ruins, over what was on the 1st July no man’s land, over the old first and second lines of German defence. This was a sight worth seeing: it showed how accurate and deadly, as the graves of Germans show, our Artillery was, the ground being just like the top of a large size pepper box.

From here we turned to the right passing through what was MAMETZ village but now only a mass of ruins just like ???? heaps, then passed MAMETZ WOOD and on to FRICOURT which is just the same as MAMETZ, a heap of ruins.

We eventually arrived at CARNOY valley; here it was as near Hell as anything what with our big guns firing and the Germans firing in return. When we at last found the Battery they were just moving back so we had to return to the Column for the night when we found that the order for the men had been cancelled.

Sep 23

On Saturday 23rd we moved out of DAOURS at 8.30 a.m. passing through AMIENS, PICQUINGY and halting for the night at a small village called LE GARD.

Sep 24

Leaving here at 9.00 a.m. on the 24th we passed CROUY, HANGEST SUR SOMME, BOURDON, FLIXECOURT, DOMART, EPECAMPS, BERNAVILLE and eventually halting for the night at FROHEN LE PETIT.

Sep 25

Leaving at 9.00 a.m. in the morning we passed through FROHEN LE GRANDE, FORTEL, FREVENT, OUEF halting at ECLIMEUX where we billeted for a short time.

Oct 6

On the 6th I joined the Headquarters Staff at ROLLANCOURT.

Oct 19

Leaving here on the 19th we marched back to FROHEN LE GRANDE where we halted for the night.

Oct 20

Leaving at 7.30 a.m. in the morning we marched all day passing through DOMART arriving at CANAPLES about 6.00 p.m. on the 20th.

Oct 22

Leaving again at 7.00 a.m. passing through CONTAY; at SENLIS we formed our wagon line between two heavy gun Batteries and ???? several Batteries of heavies near and about 1½ miles from the first line trenches on these batteries firing on ????

Nov 1–2

I had to go to HQ which was only about 1,000 yards from the German 1st line and to get there I had to cross a field which very much resembled a huge pepper box lid being full of shell holes. The next day I had to go again and the Hun was shelling the field. A huge 5.9″ [150mm shell] dropping quite close to me. On this day it being nice and fine and clear I had a lovely view of no man’s land and the German 1st & 2nd line where our shells were dropping right into the trenches there being a big bombardment on.

Nov 13

On 13th Nov the day of the advance on to BEAUMONT HAMEL. I had another run up the line and the bombardment was fiercer than ever. You could not hear one another speak – our boys have done some splendid work and during the attack somewhere about 100,000 prisoners came in all sorts and sizes from students to road-sweepers and such a disreputable lot. Some of them being caught asleep were marched back without any boots and socks on and very little clothing, one batch of about 1,000 were passing a battery of our 6 inch guns when they were fired and nearly all of them fell down with fright; those of the prisoners who can speak English tell us that we do not know what a bombardment is – that speaks well for our gunners firing.

Nov 21

On the 21st our term of action expired and we were not at all sorry either as all the time we were in action it rained and we also had a good fall of snow for about 24 hours everywhere, being over the tops of gum boots with mud and having to sleep in dug outs which were ???? all helped to make things far from comfortable. There is one thing about it we had plenty of lively ???? on our shirts.

Our first day’s march took us to RUBEMPRE and we passed through CANAPLES and stopped at BERTEAUCOURT.

Nov 24

The 24th Nov saw us at ST. RIQUIER; [later] we stopped just outside MONTREUIL. Up till this time we had very good weather for the march rather cold but dry. Here we were only 20 miles from our destination but that last day put the damper on it for it rained cats and dogs all the way and on reaching SAMER we were drenched. To make things worse we found our billets occupied but eventually after getting the horses under cover we were found billets in houses, myself having a very comfortable bed which I can assure you was very acceptable after laying on chalk for so long.

 

Part 3 (16 December 1916 – 8 December 1917)