Diary of Frederick William Gadsby Annand, 1916 - Part 4

APRIL, I9I6.
Tuesday, II  Hockley & I met Major
Newcombe at A Coy Hd

qrs at Fleur Baix & proceeded by
DEVON AVENUE to front line, returning
via WATKINS STREET.
Arranged that Pioneers repair all
avenues right up to front line &
maintain tramways.
Got letters from Elsie, Rob &
Doug No 8, dated 5 Feby, also from
General Forsythe (Jack) 
Plucked flowers under shell fire
near Croix Marechal; a billet set
on fire (farm house) I passed close by
Heavy rain
Wednesday, I2  Met Evans & Radford
in Bois Grenier line
re M.G. emplacements &c
Heavy shelling near Asylum.
Heavy rain
Lunched with Evans.
went to D.H.Q & conferred with Col
Blainey, Col Jackson, & Major Newcombe.
Saw aerial photos of our & German
lines. Sergt. Edmunds sent to Hosp
with Cerebro Spinal Meningitis -
Got a cable from Toowoomba
dated 25 Mch reading "Bravo
birthday greetings love Annand".
APRIL, I9I6.
Thursayd, I3  Pvt LAWSON Killed & Pvt ERKE of
A Coy wounded by shrapnel at
Convent Avenue.
A cold dirty day -
Hockley & I met Capt Conn at LA VESEE
& inspected the LA VESEE - RUE ALLE
line of posts -
Asked Conn to draw a scheme for
Communication from RUE ALLE to
Bde Bombstore.
C.R.E. called & conferred as to
work -
Friday, I4  A cold light showery day

Pvt STURGESS of B Coy hit in foot
at B - G - line.
Hockley & I went into Armentierres
& did more shopping -
Wrote to NELL No 15.  P. Cards to

Jean (also hanky) Nell, Fred, Elsie
& Lil Robinson -

APRIL, I9I6.
Saturday, I5
A quiet day. Wrote Cards to jean,
Lil R, Elsie & Ginge Robinson.
Hockley shouted champagne at
Armentierres -
A quiet day.
Got letter dated 22 Jany from
Rob. also from Spence.
Sunday, I6  5 pig planes overhead
early caused much gun fire & it
continued all day.
Visited Brig General Paton, & went
with Brant & Conn to WYE Farm &
there met Col Jellibrand. Came back
via TIN BARN AVENUE.
Evans & Major Newcombe hit by
H.E on our road at Chapelle d1
Armentiere. Evans reported
not serious, but sent to hospital
Saw Major whose were slight.
Got letter Mrs Cotton & paper
Nell and Serapeum.
Wrote to Rob
APRIL, I9I6.
Monday, I7  Light rain.
Met Lt Shaw in B- G-
line & went over all M G positions
& considered his suggestions -
asked Capt Pedler to report as to
Dug out accommodation in
B- G- lines.  Lunched at GRIS
POT.
Our billet shelled, glass over grapes
broken; fragments into Sigs quarters.
Tuesday, I8  Adjt & I met Capt.
Conn & went over sous kern ½
of B- G- line. A quiet
showery day; not much
shelling
Wrote to brother Doug.

APRIL, I9I6.
Wednesday, I9  visited Major Newcombe
laid up by wounds -
Called at D.H.Q -
Got letters No 9 from Nell, No 10
from Geoff, also from Doug, Rob, nell
Nell & Fred, also Tusker & Walters -
Thursday, 20  Evans returned from
Hospital to his billet very lame. Saved
by French notes in his trousers pocket.
Adjutant & I visited B- G line &
conferred Capt Pedler re Support line &
dug outs therein, also wells
Went down R E avenue to Front line.
Looked at German line 40 yds away through
periscope & had it shot at.
Returned by wine avenue.
Enquired into charge against Pvt Govett of
D Coy.
Called to conference of Brigadiers with
General Legge
Got letter No 10 from Nell, No 9 fr Geoff
& his baby's portrait & letter from worteneys.
A quiet day.
APRIL, I9I6.
Friday, 2I  Got letter from Rob
A wet day
Had Coy Commanders in to
a conference at night
C.R.E advised that 6^th Brigades
wanted TIN BARN Avenue hastened
to completion, & the GREAT WOOD AVENUE
protected where open at tram turntable.
Saturday, 22  Went with Major Grant
over his area & decided as to
protecting section of Greatwood
Avenue at turn off.
A very wet day.
Lieut Col Ferguson 26^th Bn
called. Told me that Sergt
Frank Fielding had been wounded
in leg (heard bone below knee broken)
by shell entering parapet dug out &
instantly Killing the M.G Corporal
sleeping beside him. Third man
was not hurt. 

APRIL, I9I6.
Sunday, 23  A nice fine day.
Hockley & I rode to D.H.Q & saw
C.R.E re dug outs, water supply,
Emergency Roads. Great aerial
activity & some strafing on both

sides.
Lieut OLIVE of 5^th Engrs instantly killed
by a shell. A very fine young man.

I greatly regret him.
8 horses & 3 men killed by shell
in the stable.
our guns dropped a Taube over
Armentieres little before 8 am. The
man (or ½ of him) dropped first.
Pvt Johnson A Coy shot through stern & leg, not serious
Monday. 24  A fine day. Lot of
planes up early. Our people dropped
a TAUBE at 7 am over Armentieres.
Man fell first then machine in flames.
Hockley & I went to Bois Grenier re
watersupply & explored cellars
for shelters.
Called Conn's men off a lot
of silly work south of Bois Grenier
Cemetery.
Got interrupted by shells on road going
out & had to take to fields

Just missed two big 'coal boxes'
dropped one just in front of us &
one at the side of us when
returning. Damned unpleasant.
Evans lunched with us.
[*5.0 lb rails 10 & 15 ft. pine 7 X 3, 7 X 2 ½ 6 X 3 mm
Sleepers nearly 6 ft. props 6 to 9 ft. (tarpaulins 50 X 30
4¼ X 3¾  For bolts 6" & 4"*]
APRIL, I9I6.
Tuesday, 25  Inspected B Coy work on part
of Bois Grenier Support line
also the wells.
Visited R.E. Dump & saw Close re the
material for Shell proof Dug outs.
Went into the Church in Square a
beautiful interior with delightful
carvings. Many women praying before
the shrines. Waited through a service.
Called at the corner & had a glass of
sherry from Lucien.

Got new binoculars -
Wednesday, 26  Sacked my Batman ENWAY.
Got drunk & not first offence.
Been very careless in his work.
Hockley, Adjt. & I visited 6^th Bde area &
inspected all the work of A Coy. A lot
of walking through avenues &c & along the
support lines. Had late lunch with
them. Some sniping bullets went very
close at times. Dodged the shelling in
that area.
A trench mortar strafe in afternoon.
Got new patches on my best coat.
Sergt McNAIR of  B Coy hit on arm by shrapnel.
A lot of heavy shelling today. Pig sent some
Lachrymatory shells into Erquinghem. 

APRIL, I9I6.
Thursday, 27  Visited GRIS POT & saw
the model of Gun pit frame made
by Lieut SHAW. Then visited Capt
Conn at LA VESEE & inspected that
post & considered improvements &
M.G positions, also wire. As we
left the PIG shelled it. Went over the
intervening posts to RUE ALLEE, Visited
C.R.E at CROIX de BAC (still in bed).
Some men Killed at Erquinghem &
3 children Killed by shell fire in
Armentierres.
Gas alarm at 10.15 - stood to arms for hour
Much art strafing.
Friday, 28  Accompanied by Capt
Conn, inspected TRAMWAY AVENUE
& then B-G- line.
Lunched with B Coy officers in
their Dug out -
Reported that ½ of our stables
at Erquinghem destroyed by fire
last night - 2 sets of harness
burned. Horses all saved.
APRIL, I9I6.
Saturday 29  With Capt Perler visited
new section of line to be taken
over & also the LILLE POST. also
went to B Coy head Qrs in B- G-
line -
Saw Evans -
A Coy moved from FLEURBAIX
to new billets at & about L'ARMEE.
A big shell lobbed beyond RUE
MARLE church.
Sunday, 30  Gas alarm again, but
it did not come our way -
I was very bilious; had a bad
day. A lot of artillery
strafeing. 

MAY, I9I6.
Monday, I  Another false gas alarm
last night.
Went to see Col Blainey &
C.R.E. Met General Gellibrand
A beautiful Tauble flew
over early this morning.
Evans called in nearly
fainting. Gave him a drink
& breakfast.
Tuesday, 2  Met Major Henderson & Capt
Harris, also our Lieut Shaw at Mont
Farm re wiring before B- G- line
Went down Tramway Avenue & got
sniped at.
In afternoon called on Brig General
Holmes re Tramway Avenue.
Evans called in evening &
yarned till after midnight - 

MAA, I9I6.
Wednesday, 3  Hockley, adjt & I
visited our Bomb School for trials
of first batch. I fired a rifle grenade
& gave 10f prize to best squad. They
did very well.
Spoke to Pvt Ernie Thomas.
In afternoon Hockley Evans & I visited
another beautiful old church; best
windows I have yet seen. Some lovely
big paintings.
Wrote to NELL No 16; sent a
parcel of films &c to Geoff & post cards
to Bettie, Jean, Nell & Fred.
Thursday, 4  Adjt & I attended Evans'
demonstration of Bangalore Torpedo
on Barbed wire. Genl Paton & Bde
Major present. Blastine a failure.
Met Capt Pedler & decided on some
barricades on LILLE ROAD in B- G- line.
Inspected progress in B- G- support
line & lunched with B Coy.
In afternoon Lieut LOUDEN & I rode
over to see C.R.E. I conferred a long
time re programming of work and
how to economise material &c -
A fairly quiet day, very warm
Sniped at in B- G- line.
MAY I9I6.
Friday, 5  Major Grant & I went down Greatwood Avenue
to City Post. Officer there did not know
where avenues came in & had never been forward
to support line. While there pig started shelling
the junction of Support line an Commn trench
running forward. Then went across to and up
City Road. Boarding here not quite completed, also
inspected Command Post & B- G- line to Greatwood.
Weekly conference broke up & Coy Comndrs sent back at
about 7.30 owing to heavy attack on our right. Intense
bombardment of our front & support also reserve lines. Enemy
attacked salient north of Hudson's Bay & got a few of prisoners. We
all 'stood to' till after 10 pm. 5^th Bde had a bad time.
B Coy Pvt SHIELDS badly wounded; also Pvts MALONEY, McVICAR,
and LUNAN of C Coy severely wounded. Shell burst in room
adjoining C Coy billet & Killed 8 civilians; 1 man, 3 women &,
1 boy & 3 little girls, one of the women been married a
week to a Tommy. Our people threw about 1600
shells; estimate pig sent over 6000. All quiet about
11 pm. La Vessee & Gris Pot got it hot; also Rue Marle.
Saturday, 6  quiet day. Did not go round
the posts.
By invitation of Brig General Paton
met him & his C/Os in conference re
strengthening billets. 

MAY, I9I6.
Wrote NELL No 17. Also Mother.
Sunday, 7 With Evans & Lt Cols
Ferguson & Walker inspected billets &
advised as to shelter. I recommended
Dug outs under roads opp Artillery
stables at Urquinghem LYS.
In afternoon Hockley & I attended a
service in church of SAINT WAAST in
ARMENTIERRES.
Evans came round. He was not
very well. 'C' Coy billets shelled by
shrapnel.
Generally a quiet day.
Monday, 8  Hockley & I inspected left
of our new section of B. G
line & also lot of east end of Armentierres
Met General LEGGE at Chappelle d
Armentierres.
Lieut Cols Ferguson & Walker called.
Capt Arnall going leave to England.
Got memo dated 7^th May from
ANZAC announcing my promotion
to Lieut Colonel, dating from 12/3/16
Hockley got bottle champagne.
A good birthday present as the
memo was dated yesterday.
MAY, I9I6.
Tuesday, 9  Accompanied Lt Cols Ferguson
& Walker to Bois Grenier left
Sector to select site, for two Bn Hd Qrs.
Met B Coy officers making good progress
on Support to B- G- line.
C.R.E called in evening & arranged to
go along B- G- line tomorrow morning.
Evans called for a yarn.
A cold, damp day. Fairly quiet.
Hun reported to have taken up some
of his wire opp HAYSTACK AVENUE.
Is he going to attack North of our
salient there?
Wednesday, 10  Went with C.R.E &
Major Arthur inspecting
B- G- line far as Tramway Avenue.
Got shelled by shrapnel but
no one hurt.
Walked over to 5^th Bde Hd Qrs
& thence to cnr to the Baufe
in Armentierres for lunch.
Drew F 500 pay.
Had Evans to dinner.
Drink at Lucien's.
Fairly quiet day. 

MAY, I9I6.
Thursday, II  Accompanied C.R.E & Major
Arthur  GSO No 2 to Command Post.
& inspected B- G- line to
Tramline Avenue; thence LA VESEE
and RUE ALLEE line.
They lunched with us. In afternoon
went with adjt & M.O to L'ARMEE &
inspected the post. Big shells sent over
us. Heard heavy shelling at LA VESSEE.
Pig shelled our billets there. Lieut
ROTH, 2nd in command D Coy seriously
wounded, chest & arm.
Following others also hit, Pvt CORNISH.
One of our planes fell in our lines, the
Pilot shot through head. Shells after destroyed machine
Cabled home. "Promoted twelfth March
Happy returns JEAN, Lieut Col ANNAND."
Friday, 12  Got letters Nos 11, 12 & 13 from NELL
No 11 from GEOFF; also photos &
letters from Elsie, Lill & Isles & card from Mrs Howard.
Inspected TRAMLINE AVENUE & new M.G.
emplacements. Called at D. Coy. waited there
while Tramline avenue was being shelled.
Had A B & C Coy Comdrs to dinner. A drop
of fizz to celebrate my promotion.
A fairly, quiet day.
Celebrated my promotion by a dinner
at Cathedral Square (LUCIEN'S) The guests
were Lt Col Newcombe, Major Hockley,
Capt Evans, Capt Hudson, Lieuts Polsen & Webb.
Close could not come & heard however is ill.
(This para belongs to Saturday)
MAY, I9I6.
Saturday 13  Met Lieut Shaw at the
Lille Road barrier & looked about
both sides of road as to siting M.G. positions.
Asked him to report.
Went to D.H.Q & interviewed Col Blainey
& C.R.E.
Sunday, 14  My Promotion published in
A.I.F order No 138 List No 54
dated 11^th May 1916 as follows :-
No 2 Pioneer Battalion. Major F.W.G. ANNAND to be
Lieut Colonel and to command.
Dated 12^th March 1916.
Hockley & I drove through NIEPPE to
BAILLEUL. Thence to DRANOUTRE in
Belgium, & by NEUVE EGLISE back
to ARMENTIERES.
Inspected interior of two beautiful old
churches. That at Bailleul being
particularly fine, though the one
at Nieppe was more quaint.
Dimant lunched with us. 

MAY, I9I6.
Mondav. I5  WROTE NELL No 18
Inspected Bois Grenier
line & had lunch with B. Coy
Showery & dull
A quiet day.
Tuesday 16  Inspected MOAT FARM
& the line of B- G- down
to & including Command Post.
Looked into cellars being pumped
out in Bois Grenier village.
Lt Col Newcombe called &
conferred re M.G emplacements.
MAY, I9I6.
Wednesday, 17  Hockley & I inspected
TRAMLINE AVENUE & considered
scheme for siding and dump at terminus.
3 False gas alarms at night, the
last at 12.30.
Attended lecture by Major Campbell
& demonstration of Bayonet fighting: a
capital entertainment.
Previously attended exhibition of Bomb
& Grenade throwing at our School. I
sent 3 Newtons at once out of a battery;
lobbed 300 yds away.
Thursayd, 18  Banked F 313.50 at the
CREDIT du NORD for CANTEEN A/C.
Major Hockley or C/O to operate.
Called on N.Z. C.R.E & got plan of
shell proof shelter used by them.
Evans lunched with us.
Quiet day up to 10 pm.
Our planes to be busy 10.30 pm
to midnight.
Taub flew high right over us
today.
Bought new leggings 35F