Diary of Frederick William Gadsby Annand, 1918 - Part 2
MEMORANDA.
Hotel de France, Rouen.
R.E. TRNG School
No 2 Camp.
Champ de Courses.
No 12 Tram
MEMORANDA.
F.W.G.A. promotions
Q.M. 1 prov Lieut 4. 2. 97.
Lieut 28. 5- 97
14th A.L.H " 1. 7. 03
" " Capt 1. 1. 04
Unattached List - 31 .1. 05
C of A.E - 6. 1. 06
- - - Major 6. 2 .11
Aust Engrs - 1. 7. 12
(Militia Adjt from 1. 7. 03 to 31. 0. 05
A.1.F Major 30- 8- 15
" " 11. 11. 15
" Lt. Col 12. 3. 16 LIST No 54
Awarded D.S.O 20. 1. 17 A.I.F. 0 464.
do Bar to D.S.O
MEMORANDA.
Rouen Cathedral Strips
159 to mont min caves
183 store tower & bone farm
436 shell tower to cage at top
778
Tin Hat lining -
Hawkes & Co.
1 Savile Row. Lond
16/- incl postage
JANUARY, 1918.
Installed telephone sys tem
along train lines by which the
patrols can report to their respective
depots.
TUESDAY 1st.
Wrote to Doug
Rutledge & I inspected UNA support
& UNA line, also part of front line.
Bosche savagely shelled Battery near
Gunner's Farm as we were passing
Bn officers dinner at the Hd Qrs Mess.
35 present: had a good time.
WEDNESDAY 2nd.
CRE, Capt Nevein & I inspected road
we are maintaining. Enemy shrew lot
of gas shells over Gunner Farm as we
passed & H.E towards LE GHEER Road when
at Lancashire cottage.
JANUARY, 1918.
THURSDAY 3rd.
Did not go out inspecting. Dentist.
Got lot of papers from home & some
from Tot. None addressed by Nell.
FRIDAY 4th.
Received Christmas parcel from home.
Xmas Cake, Soap, Milketts, choc, Grapenuts, cocoa
milk, dates, Gillette blades, brown socks, mending -wool,
flannel, analgesic balm, 4 handkerchiefs,
Life, Congs, 2 Bulletins, Cards &c & love & necktie.
Inspected improvements at Sternwerick boundry
SATURDAY 5th.
Conference with CRE at D.H.Q
note Triumph to Ravelsburg
Post came from Lil Robinson. No home
letters. Cant understand delay.
Cable from home 'Loving wishes'.
JANUARY, 1918.
SUNDAY 6th.
7th Got LETTERS NELL 113 (2 missing)
Doug & Nan, Geoff 66 Elsie, Let,
Horace, Evans, Cord Bridmead
Parcels, 2 from Doug & Let (groceries) Lil R
Eve & Bridge, & biscuits books from 'AORI'.
MONDAY 7th.
Thaw today
M General Smyth called & had tea
at our Mess.
Major Rutledge, Capt Nevein & I inspected
Ash Avenue & decided on construction
of two small bridges.
TUESDAY 8th.
Heavy snowfall
early & ground again hard.
Wrote NELL 77.
WEDNESDAY 9th.
Accompanied Donnelly to inspect UMPIRE
AVENUE & adjacent trenches. Went into the
front line.
Saw Hun plane shot in half by
one of ours.
THURSDAY 10th.
Dinner & dance at A Coy Engrs
Australian Nurses Hollingsworth, O'Neill
& Hoile were present . I had four or
five dances.
A thaw: muddy day.
FRIDAY 11th.
Still thaw; light rain
Sides of unrevetted trenches
falling in
GOT LETTERS 111 & 112 NELL; Jean; cards;
Doug 28 Octr: Geoff 21 Octr: Elsie; card from
Mrs Stanley; Photo Harriet Gregory: Rab; Vidgen
SATURDAY 12th.
Still thawing
Conference at D.H.Q. I lunched
at 'B. Mess.
Donnelly & I visited Armentieres.
Heavy shells regularly coming in.
JANUARY, 1918.
MONDAY 14th.
GOT LETTERS
NELL 114 & 115, Nellie, Elsie, Mrs Lawes.
Major Rutledge & I inspected work in
UMPIRE DRIVE South & in UNA SUPPORT
Latter was shelled. Promiscuous shelling -
Heavy fall of Snow early. Cleared
about 10 am.
Lt Ryan Bellamy dined at our Mess.
TUESDAY 15th.
Steady rain, temperature
mild.
WEDNESDAY 16th.
River Lys & the Warnave in flood
& water backing up drains & into
trenches. Unrevetted & nearly
vertical banks of trenches falling in
& blocking drainage.
I called on & conferred with G.O.C 6th Bde
re work . Does not want our men on Useful
Lane or Egmont Avenue. Reported movements
of clock hands in Nieppe Church Tower.
JANUARY, 1918.
GOT LETTERS 116 & 117 Nell; Jean;
67 Geoff, Fred, Elsie, Lil
Parcel from Wharf St Girls & Boys Institute
THURSDAY 17th.
Alternate snow & rain. Trenches
falling in & being flooded. Put
some of B Coy on to St Ives trench. all
draining & clearing.
Opened enquiry into Branson's case
of receiving stolen goods.
FRIDAY 18th.
Got registered letter fr Rab
Thaw still on. I did not go out.
Sent paper- filled bullet
to 5th Bde
30 prs socks fr 10 Castlereagh St
Sydney, acknowledged
SATURDAY 19th.
weather mild & damp.
Conferred with C.R.E at D.H.Q. Left
evidence in Branson's case at Q office.
REMITTANCE No 13 of £15. £200 to
date ex raffle.
Remitted £3.5.0 to Junior Army & Navy
Stores for Shield.
JANUARY, 1918.
SUNDAY 20th
WROTE NELL 78.
Donnelly & I lunched at Bailleul &
called at aerodrome. Had tea at
Rest Station. Saw Lt. Col. Summerville.
MONDAY 21st.
Lt. Col Wilson of 7th Fld Amb dined
our Mess
Wrote brother Doug.
I inspected St Ives & Ultimo Avenue.
Both very sloppy.
Enemy appeared to shell about
Port Nieppe.
Attended performance at 5th Bde Cinema
TUESDAY 22nd.
A little rain.
Drafted scheme for control of
tram trolleys by D Coy at 3 Depots.
Asked Major Grant to draw up
programme of training.
The Tasmanians gave us a good
concert. (1st C.C.S men)
WEDNESDAY 23rd.
Mild day; a little damp. Did not go
out till evening. Had walk.
Sisters Anderson, O'Neil, Burke & Kerr of No 1
Aust. C.C.S dined at our Mess. Had music
& dancing. Borrowed amb motor & car from
Col Moon for transport.
JANUARY, 1918.
THURSDAY 24th.
Major Rutledge & I inspected ASH AVENUE
up to the Craters. Road much improved by
B Coy work & on culverts etc. Shrapnel just after
we left.
Spent evening with Le Docteurs & Madame
Vanneem. Told we were not to go
out to rest.
'B' Coy man Sanderson killed.
FRIDAY 25th.
Weather still mild. Very
bright day.
SATURDAY 26th.
Still mild but windy morning.
Conference with C.R.E at D.H.Q. I visited
3rd Pioneers at Lurgan Camp &
arranged re relief.
Excellent concert by Bn party.
Sent Advance parties to 3rd Pioneers
JANUARY, 1918.
SUNDAY 27th.
WROTE NELL 79.
Two Balloon offs dined with us.
A mild day.
MONDAY 28th.
Bn moved out of Nieppe.
Hd qrs & A Coy to LURGAN CAMP, DRANOUTRE.
B Coy to FUSILIER CAMP, nr DE KENNEBEKE DUMP
C " " DE SEULE
D " " GLASGOW CAMP N of KEMMEL
Weather turned rather cold
A heavy frost at night
TUESDAY 29th.
Adjt & I visited D & B Cony's
Camps. They are comfortable. I
lunched at B Coy.
Major Gordon & Capt J. M. Grant dined with us
Hancox 'phoned in evening.
Clear frosty weather.
WEDNESDAY 30th.
Cold & frosty: a little fog.
I dined at Mess at 1st Div Sig Coy
Saw novel stove designed by Capt
J.M. Grant. Good idea.
JAN.-FEBRUARY, 1918.
THURSDAY 31st.
Major Rutledge & I rode in to Bailleul.
I got out new suit left there Octr/ 16
& stowed Australian uniforms &c.
8 nurses dined our Mess, also Hancox.
other sisters, Col Blainey & at A Coy.
Had a hop at Div Cinema Hall.
Heavy cold fog all day. Gave Hancox
specfn of Rob's hoist to consider.
Sent home Bibby's Annual.
FRIDAY 1st.
FEBRUARY.
Played billiards at Y.M.C.A Hut
Dronantre. A foggy day.
SATURDAY 2nd.
A bright day . Slight ground mist.
I had ¾ hour flight in an R E.8
aeroplane (ZANZIBAR 7) piloted by
Lt WRIGGLEY. Left Bailleul & flew
to Armentieres, thence twice up &
down the line between Armentieres
& Ypres. A delightful experience.
FEBRUARY, 1918.
SUNDAY 3rd.
Sent cable 'Had aeroplane flight'.
Donnelly & I lunched at No 1 C C S &
had tea at Bailleul
GOT LETTER 118 from NELL
MONDAY 4th.
Got LETTER from Elsie.
Inspected A Coy's work on standard
Railway line.
TUESDAY 5th.
WROTE NELL No 80
Stanley dined at our mess.
WEDNESDAY 6th.
Travelled to Bailleul in Stanley's car. Left
here at 8.18 am. Had about, hr wait at
Calais. Lunched on train. Arrived in
Amiens about 6.30 pm. Put up at Hotel
Belfort. Bit 'off colour'. Cold etc, so did not
dine, but went to bed early. Could not get
train on to Rouen.
FEBRUARY, 1918.
THURSDAY 7th.
Left Amiens at 6.38 am. Arrived Rouen
about noon. Lodged at Hotel de France.
Reported at RE School. Not wanted till
next day. I met Padre Cattness . He & I
went to a Revue. Rather good show.
wrote to Jean.
FRIDAY 8th.
Wrote to
mother
Bought Jean d'Arc jewel box
for my Jean.
Put in most of the day inspecting work at
R.E. School. Mining indifferent; some of
the concrete very poor. Officers working with
coats, belts & gloves on.
Attended performance at George's Hall.
SATURDAY 9th.
Finished at the R.E. School. Viewed the cathedral
& following churches. St Owen; St Machon,
St Vincent (finished with most beautiful
windows I have yet seen. Also visited
Palais de Justice & the great clock & quaint
old building across the Rue Grosse Horloge.
wrote to brother Doug & Son Doug.
FEBRUARY, 1918.
SUNDAY 10th.
Signed book at B.C. office. Went by train
to Bonsecour, inspected the church & Jeanne
Darc memorial, lunched at Casendroise
garden at Bonsecour, & walked back
to Rouen. After lun Took
tram to high part north west.
In evening attended performance La
Fille de Tambour Major at theatre
Franchaise.
MONDAY 11th.
Called on 3rd Echelon & chatted
with officers. Capt Parker took me
to inspect interior of Palais de Justice
beautiful ceiling in criminal court.
Got movement order. Left Gare du Nord
at 4.40 pm, arrived Amiens 10.30 pm
all pubs full. Got bed at private cottage.
Quite O.K.
TUESDAY 12th.
Left Amiens 6.7 am
& travelled via Doullens St Gol &
Hazebruck to Bailland. Met by Mess
Cart & got back to Bn at 7 p.m
GOT LETTERS - Nell 119 & 120 & note with Doug's;
Geoff 68 & 69 & Nellie; Doug (incl trans) Mrs Duncan;
A Hockley; May Robinson; Harriet Gregory; J.W
Hayne; A.F Whitehill; John C. Whitehill; A.I.F;
Shaw &c. Sore throat. Socks &c Peggy Robinson.
WEDNESDAY 13th.
Orderly Room.
Attended performance of 'Smart Set'
entertainers (4th Div) at Locre.
FEBRUARY, 1918.
THURSDAY 14th.
Had party of Aust. Nursing Sisters
to dinner.
Comdr. GOBEL of No 5 Sqn No 5 Wing R.N.A.S
& Lt Lambert came also stayed all
night. Had a good time.
FRIDAY 15th.
Adjt & I motored with Comdr. Gobel
to his aerodrome near DunKirque
Patterson had a flight.
Stayed the night.
SATURDAY 16th.
Saw Bombing Sqr depart & return.
Patterson & I had a flight in a
Hanley-Page aeroplane, flying
over Dunkerque & district & along the
Seashore. Stayed the night.
In afternoon motored to Boulogne
& back. A lovely trip. 2 hrs each
way.
FEBRUARY, 1918.
SUNDAY 17th.
Motored back to Camp in afternoon. Cold &
frosty weather. Got LETTERS.
Note from Nell & political cuttings. Elsie
Capt Taylor, Sparrow. Hanson, card fr A. Horsly.
MONDAY 18th.
Bn Boxing trials.
Stanley & I drove to Bailleul Asylum
to see Hancox who however had been
discharged from hospital (not meant)
Frosty night.
Wrote to Nellie.
TUESDAY 19th.
Wrote NELL No 81
Stanley drove me to see Boxing men
practice sparring &c. Inspected new
Sopwith Dolphin Scout planes. Lt Andrews
showed us synchronising gear & method
of testing for badly made cartridges.
I dined at Stanley's mess.
WEDNESDAY 20th.
Stanley drove me to Corps. Saw Lt Col Wynter
re sundry personnel matters. No information
as to purpose of Rouen conference.
Rain at night; then freezing.
Posted home, Bibby's Annua,l Rouen
studies to Doug, & My Magazine (Feby)
FEBRUARY, 1918.
Dispatched
26 Feby
Sent cable "Another flight: happy
returns Fred".
THURSDAY 21st.
Inspected NCO class at demolitions;
wrote up diary. Stanley dined at
our Mess. Fine & cold
FRIDAY 22nd.
Drove in Stanleys car to Bailleul.
Left here by train at 11.15 am. Lunched
at Hazebrouck. Found it much damaged
by Hun shelling. Entrained again & came
via Calais. Baulogne, Etaples &
Had a good sleep in the car; rug O.K.
SATURDAY 23rd.
Arrived at Rouen about 9.30 a.m.
Put up at Hotel de France. Registered
at Comdt's office. Phoned from there to
adjutant at R.E. School.
In afternoon went river trip to
La Bouille. At night attended
opera Bouffre 'la Bon Helenes'
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