Part 2 (26 June 1915 – 24 November 1916)
1916
Dec 16
I was granted leave to England. Leaving L’ÉTOQUOY [1 km south west of Samer] at 6.00 p.m. I arrived to catch the 7.00 p.m. train from SAMER which arrived at 9.30 p.m. Arriving at BOULOGNE about 10.30 we was taken to TETARTS rest billet where we stayed the night sleeping on the floor.
Dec 17
In the morning we were ordered to parade at 10.30 a.m. for the boat but owing to fog it was cancelled until 4.30 p.m. The fog still being very thick it was decided only to send the Mail Boat and the men that were delayed from sailing on the 16th. We then marched to the rest camp about two miles all up hill and it was no joke after hanging about all day with practically nothing to eat.
Dec 18
After having our passes altered to the 18th we proceeded to the Boat which sailed at 10.30 a.m. ???? after each one had been inspected with a life belt on. Our escort over the Channel was 8 Torpedo Destroyers.
Dec 19
Arriving at Folkestone at about 12 noon we proceeded to London in a First Class Pullman car “a la posh”. We arrived at Victoria about 2.45 p.m. and it did not take me long to get to Brixton. I spent a very happy time at home; in fact I could have stopped there for the duration. The time to return came all too quick.
Dec 28
Having to catch the 6.15 a.m. train from Victoria on the 28th it was necessary to get up much against my grain at 4.00 a.m. Leaving Brixton at 5.30 a.m. Nellie and I arrived at Victoria at 5.45 to find that there was a second train at 7.15 which of course I waited for. The hour at last came and we steamed out of London in a very thick fog arriving at Folkestone at about 9.00 a.m.
There being a large change ???? leaving by the ???? boats, we were taken to the rest camp where we were served with tea on arrival and dinner at noon consisting of cold mutton, potatoes and baked plum pudding; also another ???? of tea so for a rest camp we were treated very well indeed.
We paraded again at 2.15 p.m. and was marched right on to the boat and after inspection of life belts we sailed at 2.45 p.m. there being rather a heavy ???? sea running. To everybody’s surprise we started by going along the coast as far as Dover and then cutting across to CALAIS where we arrived at about 4.00. Soon after disembarking it started to rain and unfortunately we had to wait in it for three hours after which we had to march to the rest camp just five miles away, which was nothing like the one at Folkestone.
Dec 29
Leaving CALAIS camp at 12 noon on the 29th we were marched to the station another 5½ miles arriving at about 1.45 p.m. Again it started raining and as the train was expected any minute we were not allowed to move from the station, so we once again got a soaking as the train did not arrive until 5.30, when we started for BOULOGNE arriving about 7.00 p.m. Having reported to the RSO we got on the move for something to eat as we had had practically nothing all day. This we got at the Soldiers Home and we done justice to ham and eggs.
Having to report at the station at 10.00 p.m. we had a good time around the town, there being more rain to come down. We went to the station at 9.00 p.m. and waited for the train which we was to make our sleeping apartment for the night, leaving at 4.45 a.m. on the 30th and arriving at SAMER about 6.00 a.m.
Dec 30
On arriving at L’ÉTOQUOY I found nobody about so had an hours sleep on the horse wagon and after breakfast I turned into bed until 1.00. Our daily routine here while at rest is exercise and any fatigues that come along.
1917
Jan 13
After being back about a week I was taken bad with influenza and have been very queer until today the 13th.
Jan 14
Feeling a lot better today.
Jan 15
On the 15th I was warned to join I Battery Mobile Section in action near ARMENTIERES.
Jan 16
Left SAMER by the 5.20 a.m. train on the 16th arriving at ST. OMER about 8.00 a.m. where I had half an hour to wait for a train to HAZEBROUCK. On arriving here about 9.30 a.m., I found that my train did not leave until 6.45 a.m. the next morning so the first thing was to get breakfast which I done justice to; after that the next move was to find a bed for the night which did not take me long.
Having the rest of the day to myself I had a stroll round the town which seemed like old times it being nearly two years since I had visited the place. I found a good restaurant for dinner and altogether I had a fine time retiring to bed about 8.30 p.m.
Jan 17
Leaving HAZEBROUCK at 6.45 a.m. on the 17th, I arrived at STEENWERCK about 7.20, it being very cold and snowing hard. On making enquiries for the Battery I was told that nothing was known of them but however the lorries arrived at 10.00 and I got on one and joined the Battery in ARMENTIERES.
Here we stayed in action until the 28th Feb. During that time our duties were taking Ammunition and Rations to the guns that were in action at different points along the Front, while on this part of the line we were attached to the 3rd Div. Australians.
Mar 2
Having to rejoin our own Div. we left ARMENTIERES on 2nd March and marched to a small village near HAZEBROUCK called SERCUS passing through BAILLEUL, STRAZEELE, HAZEBROUCK and several other small villages en route.
Mar 3
On the 3rd we marched to ????
Mar 4
On the 4th we marched to FAUQUEMBERGUES.
Mar 5
On the 5th we arrived at our destination, a small village by the name of HUMBERT near SEMPY and MONTREUIL. Our stay here was only a short one as it was too far away from our Brigade.
Mar 19
We again moved on the 19th March to ATTIN, here we made ourselves very comfortable and prepared for a lengthy stay but not so as we were ordered up the line.
Apr 6
On this day we proceeded to a small village not far away called AIX EN ISSART. Here we stayed the night.
Apr 7
Leaving at short notice about 6.00 a.m. we had a long march in front of us and halted for the night at a small village [HERNICOURT] near ST. POL.
Apr 8
Leaving here early morning we marched to AUBIGNY.
Apr 10
We left here on the morning of the 10th. We passed to the east of ARRAS over what was only 24 hours beforehand no man’s land. Here we were obliged to halt for about an hour during which time it snowed hard and was bitter cold – our stay also enabled us to have a look round what was for 2½ years the German first line, and also to see the effect our bombardment had had – my word it was a mess!
Eventually we got a move on and with some difficulty owing to the damage done to the roads by our guns, we arrived just under the firing ridge and waited for the orders to advance but at 8.30 p.m. we were ordered to retire for the night, advance being made impossible owing to the intense cold and quantity of snow that had fallen. We halted in a field not far away and after fixing our horses up rolled ourselves up in our one blanket and laid on the snow to get what sleep we could which was little or none owing to the intense cold.
Apr 11
Early on the morning of the 11th we again went up to the firing ridge and here stood-to all day, returning to the same place for the night – it had been snowing all day and was at least a foot thick and about 8.00 p.m. it started to rain and freeze hard – this made sleep impossible so we spent the night walking about to keep ourselves from getting frozen. When daylight came we found 10 of the horses frozen to death and a unit close by had 24 horses and two men dead. What with the cold, snow and rain it made it impossible for Cavalry to get into action.
Apr 12
We were ordered back to AUBIGNY where we stayed until the 15th.
Apr 15
The weather still being unfavourable we marched back to billets arriving at LE PARCQ near HESDIN on the 17th.
Apr 17
We stayed here until 6th May.
May 6
Shifted to GRIGNY– here our stay was only short for we moved again on the 14th.
May 14
Passed through AUCHY, BLANGY and ERIN halting for the night at HEUCHIN leaving the next morning.
May 15
Proceeded to LAPUGNOY passing through MARLES and several small places. He we rested until the 17th.
May 17
Moved into action at FESTUBERT passing through BETHUNE, the wagon line being NW of BETHUNE and by the side of the canal where I spent my evenings in fishing.
Jun 4
Leaving here we proceeded to MERVILLE passing through LOCON en route. Here we joined up with the Cavalry awaiting events.
Jun 6
In the afternoon I went into EECKE which is only about 10 miles from here, and had a very enjoyable time, with the people where I stayed in 1914 being very pleased to see me.
The weather today is very hot and has been for the past week, on the evening of the last few days we have had a thunderstorm.
Jun 8
The attack started at day break 8th and the first news we received was that we had captured MESSINES and the ridge some distance behind it; from this time we had to stand-to.
Jun 9
Up till now, the morning of the 9th, things are still going on satisfactorily. Being in this place reminds us of our Advance from the Marne – it was in this place that we came into action.
Jun 10
I was taken ill and was admitted to hospital first going to the 1st CFA [Cavalry Field Ambulance] and at 7.00 was transferred to the 3rd CFA at ROBECQ..
Jun 12
I was discharged on Tuesday 12th rejoining the Battery at BETHUNE where we remained in action until the 20th.
Jun 21
Moved on to Fosse 10 [near LENS] being the wagon line and the Battery going into action at about one kilometre from ANGRES from where they advanced to Hill 65.
Jun 28
Here they were the most advanced Battery in action.
Jul 1
There being a heavy bombardment on all day the Battery ran short of ammunition and the Mobile Section had to run the gauntlet and supply it to them in daylight, this being under ordinary circumstances not allowed.
Jul 3
On July 3rd we came out of action and on the 4th proceeded to LA GORGUE via NOEUX LES MINES, BETHUNE and ESTAIRES. The wagon line remained at LA GORGUE.
On the 5th the Battery went into action at LAVENTIE on the main road between LA GORGUE and LENS, the front line being very quiet.
Jul 15
Leaving here on the 15th we proceeded to Robesmetz just outside MERVILLE.
Jul 29
Leaving Robesmetz at 7.30 p.m. on the 29th we passed through VIEUX BERQUIN, STRAZEELE, CAESTRE, EECKE, STEENVOORDE and halted at Le Tillieu at 2.30 a.m. on the 30th .
Jul 31
Leaving here at 8,00 a.m. on the 31st we passed through RENINGELST and several other villages and arrived at DICKEBUSCH at 1.00 p.m. and stood-to until 6.00 p.m. when it started raining which continued all night.
Aug 1
Rained all day and during the night and next day Aug 2nd.
Aug 2
Owing to such a downfall we were obliged to leave and go back a little way at 9.00 a.m. passing through RENINGELST, STEENVOORDE, CASSEL, WATTEN and several small villages eventually arriving at a farm near RUMINGHEM at 8.30 p.m. having covered a distance of 40 miles here it rained continuously until the 5th.
Aug 11
Leaving here on the 11th we marched to a small village between SAMER and DESVRES called LONGFOSSE. Here we were very comfortable having our horses in stables and sleeping in disused pigsties which we thoroughly cleaned out for the .????. and I can assure you we were loath to leave on the 22nd.
Aug 22
Moved to CARLY about one mile from SAMER. Here we did not have a bad time although we were mostly out in the open.
Sep 9
I had a very enjoyable day in BOULOGNE, also on the 16th had a good time at HARDELOT ON SEA and on the 30th had a good day at a small seaside resort not far from Boulogne.
Oct 5
On Friday 5th we were ordered to stand-to but did not move until 6.30 a.m. on the 6th and arrived at RUMINGHEM at 3.00 p.m. – it was raining hard all the time.
Oct 7
We marched again and camped on a field about 4 miles from CASSEL. It rained hard all day which made it very uncomfortable for marching.
Oct 9-15
It rained all night on the 9th and 10th which put a stop to all idea of the Cavalry going into action owing to there being so much sand about which caused us to be ordered back on the 11th when we proceeded to RUMINGHEM leaving again on the following morning (12th) for CARLY, where we stayed until Tuesday 16th.
Oct 16
We moved to our winter billet at L’ÉTOQUOY, a short distance of four kilometres. Here we had rather a job to get settled down but eventually on the 17th we managed to get our horses into stables and ourselves settled down – myself being lucky enough to get a good bed for a small fee each week and needless to say it was quite a treat to get between clean sheets and to have a good roof over my head the first for a good many months but it did not last very long.
Nov 11
Leaving at 8.30 a.m. in the pouring rain we marched to HESDIN; leaving the next morning at 8.00 a.m. we marched all day again in the rain to within 5 miles of DOULLENS. Here we stayed until 12 midday on the 13th and marched until 9.00 p.m. leaving the following night at 9.00p.m. we marched all night passing through PERONNE and halting in the hills etc. between the small villages of BUIRE and TINCOURT. Here we rested until midnight of the 19th when we moved up for the attack.
Nov 20
On the morning of the 20th at 6.25 a.m. there was not a gun or rifle shot to be heard but just as we got on top of a hill crest overlooking the trenches at 6.30 every gun on the front opened up and the tanks of which there were 400 advanced. It was a sight worth seeing. As the Infantry advanced to their objective so our Division followed them up all eager to take part in the attack.
We passed over a fine system of trenches known to us as the Hindenburg Line which owing to no bombardment of the front line was in good condition. We passed through RIBECOURT about an hour after it had been captured and came into action about two miles further on and just behind the Infantry who had got held up a bit. Here we stayed in action for the rest of the day and all night covering the Cavalry who had some replenished charges and captured a few villages with civilians in them who cheered and cried for joy as we entered.
Nov 22
We came out of action at 10.30 a.m. on the 22nd and marched to MERTZ and stood-to all night and during the 23rd.
Nov 23
It was reported on the 23rd that we were advancing all along the line and up till the evening of the 21st 39,000 prisoners had been captured as well as a good many guns and material and that on the line of our attack 11,000 odd were captured.
Nov 24
At 2.00 p.m. on the 24th we had an unexpected move and marched to BEUGNY where we halted for 2 hours and then went into action at a point on the BAPAUME – CAMBRAI Road to the left of MORCHIES and made our wagon line at BEUGNY. We were kept very busy supplying ammunition every night and the weather was bitter cold; our position was as we afterwards found out very dangerous and on the extreme left of our previous attack on CAMBRAI.
Nov 30
On the night of the 30th we were unexpectedly ordered to harness up and stand-to – for what reason we did not know but after all was over we were told that the Germans had made a big counter-attack and for the time being broken our line and our guns had to hold the line at all costs which, thank goodness, they did do. At any rate after standing-to for an hour we the Mobile Section had to replenish ammunition. We got to within 1½miles of the Battery and then had to stay until the road was safe to go on, we arrived back at the wagon line about 1.00 a.m. on the 1st December.
Dec 3
On the 3rd we had to change positions owing to it getting a bit warm, the Battery being in action in front of the support trenches. We took up a position on the left of BEAUMETZ which was another warm slope.
Dec 8
However we did not stay here long coming out of action and marching to TINCOURT and going into action the following night at TEMPLEUX near ROISEL where we stayed for some time and had to shift to LE VERGUIER for the purpose of covering our own Cavalry that were in the trenches.
Part 4 (7 February 1918 – 20 April 1919)