Diary of Frederick William Gadsby Annand, 1918 - Part 3

FEBRUARY, 1918.
SUNDAY 24th.
Phillips arrived at Hotel. We drove out
& reported at R.E. School. In afternoon
took tram to Bonsecour & had long
walk around & back to town.
MONDAY 25th.
Conference opened. Had
interesting discussion. I got the
subject of third day opened up.
TUESDAY 26th.
Sunday lectures.
I handed in a Memorandum
on organisation & employment.
WEDNESDAY 27th.
Major General Heath presided. Very
interesting discussions. I attended
final committee meeting.
Steady rain at night. 

FEB.-MARCH, 1918.
THURSDAY 28th.
Got Service wire "our four
representatives won finals
Divl boxing contests"
Visited our 3^rd Echelon & saw
the records.
Saw Staff Capt of base & arranged
for Motor car to north next day.
FRIDAY 1st.
MARCH.
Left Rouen at 8.30 am by Car
& after getting off track got to
Abbeville for lunch at 1 p.m.
Could not get anything to eat at
Hesdin. Arrived at St Omer at 5 pm
& put up at Hotel de Commerce.
SATURDAY 2nd.
GOT LETTERS Doug & Jean
Phillips & I left St Omer 11.40 arrived
Bailleul 1.30 p.m. Lunched at Club.
& then went to Corps boxing contest.
Pte Hallam won Light Weight. Elliott
shd have got feather. Broke his hand
Bitterly cold day ; heavy snowing. 

MARCH, 1918.
SUNDAY 3rd.
GOT LETTER 121 fr Nell & Nellie.
Posted voting paper
MONDAY 4th.
GOT letter fr Musgrave, socks &
Beautiful Nonsense from Nell; socks
from J.B TIPPER
Lunched at B Coy.
Inspected Lt Murrell's inventions
for aerial contact bombs & air
S.O.S Barrage. Very ingenious.
TUESDAY 5th.
Fine & cold. Varying orders
about our move.
WEDNESDAY 6th.
Move of Bn (less A. Coy) fixed for
7th postponed to 9th 
Col Nicholson called.
Relieved L.Gs & patrols of 3^rd 
Pioneers. 

MARCH, 1918.
THURSDAY 7th.
WROTE NELL 82.
Went over part of Corps lines
with Col Nicholson & inspected
new concrete shelters &c . Thought the
wire rather too thick, & the reinforcing
not too sound.
A Coy moved to Nieppe & relieved
D Coy of 3^rd Aust Pioneer Bn
FRIDAY 8th.
I rode to D.H.Q but found very
few of the Staff there in forenoon.
SATURDAY 9th.
Bn (less A Coy) moved to Nieppe
& relieved 3^rd Aust Pioneer Bn.
I put into a fresh room at Le
Docteur Vanuxeem's (Le Maire) 

MARCH, 1918.
SUNDAY 10th.
Got letters, Elsie, & Creswill.
Visited D.H.Q. In evening General Smyth
'phoned a warning hostile attack expected
that night. Smoke clouds had been seen about
Comines.
MONDAY 11th.
Inspected Reserve lines North of River
Lys from Pont Nieppe to Jesus Farm.
Nieppe shelled by big stuff. Six
of our men Killed & some wounded. also
two horses Killed. Interpreter Morel wd.
Owing to heavy shelling 5 to 7 am I did
not allow working parties to go out.
TUESDAY 12th.
Major Rutledge & I inspected Army line
being dug N.E of Pont Nieppe towards Le Bizet.
Got letter from Jack Penhallurick
Visited the Coys in the bivouacs.
WEDNESDAY 13th.
Visited D.H.Q & conferred C.R E
re works & also G Staff. Saw very
peculiar smoke cloud effect from
a plane.
Heavy shelling all night not far off.
Div 'phoned re deepening front line
from Umpire Drive to Ultimo line to
allow daylight traffic between Bdes. 

MARCH, 1918.
THURSDAY 14th.
C & D Coys did not work in day, but
went out under Major Rutledge & cut
through closed parts of Umpire Front
trench to Ultimo Lane, making it
possible to go between Bde fronts.
Job needs improving. They had a
quiet time.
Visited D.H.Q
REMITTANCE No 14 of £10.

£210 to date on raffle.
FRIDAY 15th.
Nieppe shelled with about 12"
H.V.  Baths demolished. One man
Killed, 2 wd.
Cleared all ^ours out of the village.
Hun lifted some shots to Bailleul.
Some civilians very apathetic.
Hd Qrs officers digging - in.
Moved Hd Qrs to field
SATURDAY 16th.
Visited D.H.Q for Engr conference
GOT LETTERS Nell 122 Geoff 70
Esme.
Hun plane brought down
near Bailleul.
Hun shelled Cassel 

MARCH, 1918.
Sent Cable "Remitted ten happy
returns Doug"
SUNDAY 17th.
Donnelly & I inspected work on Shelters in
St Andrews' Drive. D Coy moved to near Bn
Hd Qr. C. Coy selected new camp site.
WROTE NELL No 83
MONDAY 18th.
Add Dup 81 NELL
Major Rutledge surveyed north sector
Roads & I did South Sector roads for
a special report.
Received Band parts of ‘2nd Pioneer March’
from composer Miss Dorothy V. Connor
of Sandringham. Vic.
TUESDAY 19th.
Posted 2 pkts R E. Journals
to Geoff. £25. 13. 4 to Mrs Gormlie.
Cabled Byram "Brown died second".
A very wet day. Dugouts damp.
Gas projected by Levin projector
from 5^th Bde front.
Did not go out. All waiting.
Told Needham would recommend tarp.
WEDNESDAY 20th.
Posted packet lace to Nell
Night parties cancelled owing to
Gas projection & 18^th Bn raid.
Weather faired up. 

MARCH, 1918.
Posted Second lace, 2 lot R.E.J & St Omer Cash
Book
THURSDAY 21st.
Heavy gas shelling of Ploegsteert Wood & the
adjacent areas. Our C Coy parties were
turned back. Others got to work & went
on to Warneton tram track - blown up
in several places - a few of our men
slightly affected by mustard gas. I
called at 6th Bde. Bosche heavy shelling
back areas & Erquinghem bridge.
German offensive opened down South.
FRIDAY 22nd.
GOT LETTERS. 123 fr Nell: Geoff, Jean (.2)
CRE & I visited works in left Bde
area & conferred with Brig Genl Paton.
Enemy made big raid on posts front of
La Basseville. Blew out some by minnies
but repulsed with considerable loss.
Conference of Coy Comdrs.
SATURDAY 23rd.
GOT LETTERS NELL 125, 126, Rab, & Elsie.
Posted brass inkstand.
Conferred D H.Q with General & others.
Disturbing news of big enemy push in
St Quentin area.
Got preliminary word of extension
of our front. 

MARCH, 1918.
SUNDAY 24th.
Called at D.H.Q in reference to proposed move &
extension of our front. Major Rutledge to 5^th Pnrs
to learn of the work in progress &c
Called in Coy Comdrs to confer & inform of
proposed move.
Wrote Rab
MONDAY 25th.
Got LETTERS NELL 124, Geoff 71 & 72, Doug, Elsie.
WROTE NELL No 84.
Got orders to move to Divl Reserve in
Messines Sector. News of further German
advances, but situation generally satisfactory.
TUESDAY 26th.
Bn moved into Divl Reserve. Hd Qrs & part
of B Coy to SPY FARM & A C & D Coys to
WOLVERGHEM. One platoon of B Coy to Dug outs
on WYTSCHAETE RIDGE, & to patrol & maintain tram
lines.
With others I reconnoitred the country towards
Messines & to north.
WEDNESDAY 27th.
Rutledge & I reconnoitering Corps line between
Wytschaete & Messines & to forward posts on ridge.
Genl Smythe called & conferred re
training & our role in the defence.
Weather cold.
Bn on musketry, physical & bayonet trg. 

MARCH, 1918.
THURSDAY 28th.
attended Court of Inquiry at 5^th Bde
Hd Qrs re alleged overdrawing of rations.
Lt Col Murphy presided.
In evening got wire ordering Major
Grant to proceed urgent to 3^rd Divsn
to take tempy command 3^rd Pioneers
with temporary rank Lt Col
I appointed Major Rutledge 2nd in Comd
Rain came up. Shelling to either side of us.
FRIDAY 29th.
Recd two Couriers. Letter Lucy.
Wrote Geoff.
Finished at Ration enquiry.
Corps ‘phoned re Lt Traver's medal.
Day rather cold & wet.
All hands training ; began musketry
under Lt Neale.
Salving sandbags & bombs.
Major Grant left to take command
of 3^rd Pioneers
SATURDAY 30th.
Showery day. Had Musketry practice.
Wrote Wasteneys & Jean.
Posted 'Sermon in the Hospital'. 

MARCH-APRIL, 1918.
Hun plane brought down near Ploegsteerts
SUNDAY 31st.
attended Church Parade C & D Coys.
Got move orders. Showery day.
Wrote to Mrs Boret & encls 6/- stamps.
MONDAY 1st.
APRIL.
Bn moved a stage to Huts in Wipperhoek
area. Rutledge Padre & I walked into Pop
& had tea at Ginger's shop. Bought Service stripes.
Genl Foott called before we left the
old Camp.
The night camp was old Corps Hd Qrs.
Noted where several shells had struck Pop.
Many shops closed since my previous visit.
Aust Pilot shot down Hun plane over Flamertinghe
TUESDAY 2nd.
Bn moved to FONTAINE HOUCK north of
METEREN. I visited graves of Major Hockley &
Pte Raverty. Lunched at Godeswaelde. with
Potts & Doc. Had tooth filled by Army Dentist
at Mont de Cats Monastery. Beautiful views
from monastery hill. Inspected chapel. The
Friars (grey) are silent. women barred. Graves
of British Cavalry & Uhlans near the outer chapel.
Wrote to Miss Kelly.
WEDNESDAY 3rd.
WROTE NELL 85
Bn practised attack. Showery day.
Wrote Padre Raverty.
Coy Cdrs & 2nds conferred at Hd Qrs re next
day's exercise. 

APRIL, 1918.
THURSDAY 4th.
Bn practised attack in 4 waves.
A Coy left Fontaine Houck at 5 pm &
entrained at Godeswaelde for Amiens.
Remainder of Bn left at 8 pm &
entrained at Godeswaelde.
Lt Henry & billeting party went ahead.
FRIDAY 5th.
Arrived at Amiens about 2 p.m.
A Coy earlier. Detrained at St Roch &
marched Bn (less A & B Coys) to POULAINVILLE.
A & B Coys to CARDONNETTE.
Had H.Q Mess & most offrs camped in coach - builder's
workshop.
Many refugees in village. People glad to
see Australians. Said no further Bosche
advance now.
SATURDAY 6th
Bn moved to tented Camp at
I 7 a 7.3 north east of Pont Noyelles,
Not enough tents.
Heavy rain nearly all night.
Wrote to Dougs 

APRIL, 1918.
SUNDAY 7th.
Bn moved to bivouac between Warloy &
Henencourt. Dug in a bit. Lot of Shelling of
roads & villages.
MONDAY 8th.
Accompanied by Rutledge & Coys Cmdrs I went
over most of Divl forward area & to Hd Qrs of
left front Bn.
Sent out at night parties of two platoons
from B. C. &. D to dig posts S of Millencourt &
across Albert - Amiens Road.
Two officers of A reconnoitred for M.G tunnells
in Rly bank on right front.
A very wet day.
Brig Genl Foott & Col Nicholson called while I was
out.
TUESDAY 9th.
Cabled 'Remitted twenty' WROTE NELL 86
Sent 17^th. Remitted £2 R.E. Inst
Family No 15 of £20, of this £5
to go towards the boat. Bal of £15 makes
£225 to date re raffle..
I visited D.H.Q & lunched with C.R.E.
Bn dug line of posts from near SE. of MILLENCOURT
generally So S.E. across valley & hill 105 towards
Amiens - Albert Road.
3 of B Coy Killed & 2 wounded. Heavy lot of shelling.
WEDNESDAY 10th.
Bn dug line of posts for 7^th Bde east of
Lavièville in D 11. Did 10 posts, all that
were laid out. Salved a lot of wire.
A quiet day & night.
Heard of enemy advance in area we
lately held between Lys & Douve River. 

APRIL, 1918.
THURSDAY 11th.
Got LETTERS, RAB, Mrs Boret, Miss Kelly, &c
Bn cut more line & connected up the
posts cut previous night. Extended to abt
200 yds South of Amiens - Albert Road.
Saw German plane brought down east of
Henencourt Wood, & one of ours descend under
control close to D Coy who put guard on it. One
of crew shot in two places through leg; other cut lip.
FRIDAY 12th.
Inspected new line from D 17 b
across Albert Amiens Rd to D 5 10. Reconnoitred
for extension to the right, & with C.R.E
pegged out extension to the left to cover
valley South of Millencourt in D 5.
Hun sniped at us with shells.
Warm balmy day.
SATURDAY 13th.
Wrote Rab
I inspected front of Amiens’ defences
between Baizeaux & Warloy, & new work
being done by 4^th Pioneers. Some of
the trenches had no effective field
of fire 

APRIL, 1918.
SUNDAY 14th.
Bn moved to Bivouac between Warloy &
Henencourt. Dug in a bit.
Dirty weather  Lot of shelling roads, villages &c
G.S O. 2, C.R.E & I reconnoitred our right front
view to putting in new defense works. Sent out
Bn at night to dig Support line, under Major Rutledge.
Lt Reg Smith wounded, 3 Killed ! several wounded.
MONDAY 15th.
I very sick, bilious. Cold N.E gale
blowing, Same as yesterday.
C.R.E called.
Bn finished trenches in right Support
line.
TUESDAY 16th.
I still in bed bilious. Bn dug support
trench in right Bde areas, near BEURE.
3 O.R Killed, 12 wd & evac, 3 wd with unit.
Major Rutledge in charge.
WEDNESDAY 17th.
GOT PARCEL. Jean's socks, Xmas Cake & pretty
Nell's birthday cake, malt, toffee & dates ginger, & chocs
WROTE NELL 87
Bn under Major Rutledge dug C T in 6^th
Bde Sector from front line in E 2 C back for
1060 yds. B Coy suffered when returning
1 OR Killed, 11 wd. 

APRIL, 1918.
THURSDAY 18th.
T.O & I reconnoitred country to Beaucourt & in
rear, going by contry & returning via Behencourt.
Gen Smyth rang up to say how pleased he was
with work of Coy Bn lately, particularly last night's
C/T. He regretted casualties, & hoped now get some
work further back..
At night deepened 200 yds of left CT & extended
150x. High wind, very cold night.
FRIDAY 19th.
A Coy finished fire trench 190 yds NE
of Buire; B Coy finished left CT, 180 yds.
Heavy falls of snow in morning. Very
cold night. Lt Col Corlette & Capt McColl
lunched with us.
20th GOT LETTERS. NELL 127, 128, 129. Doug
(2) Nellie, Geoff 73 & 74, Jean, Elsie (2) Ede,
Raverty (& book), Bidmead.
SATURDAY 20th.
Bn dug Fire trench 1155 yds between
LAVIÈVILLE & AMIENS Road.
7 casualties & 2 accidentally shot.
(M.Gs shooting hares)
Had a hot bath & change of
underclothing.
Wrote to Ede 

APRIL, 1918.
SUNDAY 21st.
Bn dug 640 yds fire trench joining old
line as a switch South of Lavièville.
Lt Col Durrant called. Major Rutledge sent
to Comd 4^th Pioneers. Donnelly to our Hd Qrs 2nd Cd
MONDAY 22nd.
WROTE NELL 88
Donnelly & I reconnoitred the
locality of proposed extension of Divl
front to the left. South of Bouzincourt.
Had good view of Albert & work Bn did
to right of Millencourt - Albert valley.
As Divn on left was attacking about
Aveluy Wood in the evening we did
not send out any working parties.
TUESDAY 23rd.
Donnnelly & I rode through
WARLOY - VARENNES - LILLEVILLERS to
valley about ¾ mile north of latter. Returned
through HARPONVILLE. Noted a lot of recent
work on big wired trench systems. One
running NE from E of Harponville towards
Forceville. Other from Harponville to Lealvillers
& then NW towards ARQUEVES. Enemy shelling
main rd E of ACHIEUX. A dud dropped just
behind us S of Lealvillers. A & B Coys at work on right
Sector
WEDNESDAY 24th.
C & D Coys dug 550 yds of trench in right sector.
With an offr from each Coy I reconnoitred Bazieux
System of defences view to possibly having to
man them. Interviewed two Coy Comdrs
C & D Coys & C.O of the Bn.
Sent out all defaulters to work. 

APRIL, 1918.
THURSDAY 25th.
WROTE GEOFF
A .B .C Coys dug about 1000 yds of
C T South & east of Lavièville.
Sent out defaulters under escort.
As Branson had sore foot, put him
on a mule.
FRIDAY 26th.
C.R E & I went over the flank
& middle trenches recently dug by
Bn. Selected site for C.T running E
from front of Lavièville. Had this
traced & spitlocked by a section of D
Coy. Warned to be ready to put
nucleous garrisons in Bazieux line.
SATURDAY 27th.
WROTE DOUG
Bn under Major Donnelly dug 1200x of C T
on north side of valley between Millencourt
& Albert. A good job except few minor
defects by C & D. Quiet on job. A dust up
to the left shortly before 9 p.m.
Little rain. 

APRIL-MAY, 1918
SUNDAY 28th.
WROTE ELSIE. WROTE NELL 89
Bn dug rear end of left Bde C T, 750 yds.
Damp, cloudy day.
Lot of artillery strafe at night
MONDAY 29th.
No work except D Coy deepening their
Section of previous night's work.
TUESDAY 30th 
GOT LETTERS. NELL 130, Geoff 75, Doug.
Jack Pen, Mrs Lawes.
No work. Had sigs exercised in visual
over the Baizeaux system of defences.
Donnelly, Henry & I rode to D.H.Q & I saw G.O.C
re our moves & sphere of work. Called on Area
Comdr of Behencourt. Dull day.
WEDNESDAY 1st.
MAY.
Moved from Camp at V 25 Central to billets
at BEHENCOURT. I camped in Countess' Chateau.
Bn relieved by Welsh Fusiliers of 47^th Divsn.
A rather raw day. 

MAY, 1918.
THURSDAY 2nd.
Bn left Behencourt at 10 am & arrived at
DAOURS at Junction of la HULLE & SOMME at
noon. Hun planes dropped bombs as we
were entering. Our planes brought them
down. Hd Qrs Mess billeted at house of
the Cure. Reconnoitred River Bank for camp.
Corps officers called & said two comp to return
to Warloy for work that area. ordered B & C.
FRIDAY 3rd.
WROTE JEAN
Received CABLE "Loving birthday
wishes" Annand. Sent Cable "Thanks;
happy returns Jean". debited to a/c
Commenced work 1 Coy on line between
BUISSY & Somme. B & C Coys sent to WARLOY.
A Coy moved to bank of River Hallue N of Buissy.
Stanley lunched with us. Rained at night.
Lot of planes at sunset. I rode through GLISY &
saw Amiens.
SATURDAY 4th.
Posted package of letters home.
A Coy rested & moved to bank of River. I called on
Col Bruche & Lt Col Ralph. Donnelly & I dined
at Hd Qrs of 5^th Pioneers.
H.V shells flying over & some bursting not far
from our billets at night.
Rained at night.