Diary of Frederick William Gadsby Annand, 1918 - Part 6

SEPTEMBER, 1918.
SUNDAY 22nd.
Got parcel from Nell, socks, malt, sweets
& from Ede candles, caps, fingerstalls &c
Church Parade.
Afternoon tea at No 61 C C S
started race between D H.Q & M.G horses
a lot of rain. Broke tooth

MONDAY 23rd.
I lunched with Cam Robertson & 
called on sundry at D.H.Q. in
afternoon. Tea with C.R.E.
TUESDAY 24th.
wrote Jean: sent 8 photos.
A rather wet day. Coys on
route marches.
I visited Field Dentist who advised
visit to Paris to get tooth capped.
Said could not repair old plate, but
would make new one.
WEDNESDAY 25th.
Got car at Cappy & drove via Corbie
to Amiens.  Had tea here & took train
at 4.50pm to Paris, arriving there about
9.10 pm (1 hour late). Stayed at Continental 
Hotel.
[*Trains 4 46 pm.*]
SEPTEMBER, 1918.
2 prs brown Kid gloves size 7 , (Dent's).
THURSDAY 26th
Had a molar capped by Dr. Flaxer
134 Boulevard Haussman: charged
150frs. I called at Rue ordener. Mademoiselle
out. Visited Notre Dame & walked around
the city: Rue St Denis, Rue Le Bon Novelle &c.
FRIDAY 27th.
Left Paris 8.25 am. and arr Amiens 11.
Lunched at outside cafe & got lift in amb
car to Foucoucourt, & walked to DHQ, Cappy.
Rode to Bn at Vaux. At dusk Bn moved up
through Peronne to Buire into camp visited
by 3^rd Pioneers. Shared hut with Col Sandy.
SATURDAY 28th
Genl. Foott called for chat at lunch time.
Sent band to 55^th C.C.S & some of my gear.
Posted Nell 2 pr gloves. E Journal to Geoff.
Moved after dark to bivouac E of
AIZECOURT le Bas. Shared camp with American
details. Saw Sir Douglas Haig leaving Yank
corps Hd qrs. Tomorrow's stunt evidently
important on our Sector. our Div to be
ready to move at 2 hrs notice to exploit.

SEPT.-OCTOBER, 1918.

WROTE NELL 101
SUNDAY 29th.
Waiting in camp,
Heavy rain & rain storm at night.
Attack by Yanks & our corps reported to be
assisting
MONDAY 3Oth.
Still in bivouac near AIZECOURT Le BAS.
Heard our 3^rd & 5^th Divs making progress on our
front where Yanks were bumped. Learned
of the good progress in Flanders. Capture of Roulers
& Menin & threat to Lille. 
Very cold showery day.
Lts Wesmuth, Jenkins, & Beal dined our mess.
Yanks very fine fellows.
Learned Bulgaria to sign armistice tomorrow.
TUESDAY 1st.
OCTOBER.
Bn moved to vicinity of TEMPLEUX-LE
GER GUÉRARD & went into bivouacs.
Had to dig in with what shelter we
carried.
Part A Coy on to clean out a tunnel
as office accommodation for D.H.Q.
Learned Bulgaria capitulated
WEDNESDAY 2nd
Donnelly & I crossed old Hindenburg Line
South of BELLICOURT & explored front of Canal Trench
Went into Cadavar & at factory, & saw about dozen
dead Huns on floor & one in boiler.
C & D Coys moved out east of Bellicourt.
Reconnoitred for avoiding road round S of Latty.
Divl front extended to left to relieve 5^th Div
Some shelling vicinity of D.H.Q. & into Templeux
at night. A rather wet night.
OCTOBER, 1918.
THURSDAY 3rd.
Got orders to collect Bn into
trenches South of NOUROY & stand as
Divl Reserve.
Hd qrs moved to Pill box west
of Nouroy. I got in touch with 
Brig Gen Cam Robertson.
C & D coys followed up Inf
advance & opened roads for 
art. & transport.
FRIDAY 4th.
Relieved 38^th - British Bde
(2 Bns) in front line between
Ramicourt & Montbrehain.
Ordered to cooperate in attack
next morning.
Learned of TURKEY'S surrender.
SATURDAY 5th.
Joined in attack & capture of 
MONTBREHAIN. Had a tough fight, but
decided victory. Our Bn did splendidly
in its first organized share in an
attack as part of the Inf. Had 110 casualties
& took good share of about 600 prisoners.
Our men killed a lot of Huns.
Capt Roth & A Coy did splendid work.
others all good. Relieved by b

[*Casualties yesterday - 20-O.R killed: 2 D O.W.
1 off 1 OR Wd & POW: My 1. 6 of 82 OR wd: got 7 off. 106 OR
Prisoners captd.
8 off 327 OR*]
OCTOBER, 1918
SUNDAY 6th.
Arrived back at Camp from line
about 3.30 am (near NAUROY.)
During forenoon moved Bn back to
vicinity of TEMPLEUX-LES-GERAUD.
Capt. Roth when standing near me was
hit by H.V shellpiece & died at C.C.S (No 58) 11.45pm.
Sister Brinkham
MONDAY 7th.
Bn moved by road to Rosel ROSIEL to have
personnel entrained at 3.30 pm..
Transport left by road for PERNOIS.
except 3 cooks, mess cart & 1 G.S by train
from Fincourt. Night wet & cold.
Some men in open trucks,
Trains delayed enroute.
TUESDAY 8th.
Our train arrived St Roch Stn Amiens 
soon after 2 a.m. Left on road march
0215 via Vignacourt. Had no breakfast or
food by the way. Light rain during last
few miles. Arrived PERNOIS about 0915.
25 Kilometres, Was not too tired. Cookers
&c did not arrive till near night. Had feed
of steak & chips. Billeted in good room at
house of
Slept well.
WEDNESDAY 9th.
B Genl Cam Robertson & Col Durrant called
& congratulated me on Montbrehain stunt.
I rode to Flasselles, but dentist had
not arrived.
A bright day, but wet at night.
Main body of transport arrived.
OCTOBER, 1918.
Sent Cable "Resting". Dispatched
15^th 
dept rates
THURSDAY I0th.
Dull damp day. Sent to 6^th Bde
report of our operations 4/5
Lt  Col Corlette called & lunched
with us.
FRIDAY 11th.
Dull day. I visited 5^th Dentist
& had impression taken for plate.
GOT PARCEL from home: grape nuts,
nut toffee, socks, soap, lanoline.

SATURDAY 12th.
Damp day. I had wax model
of teeth fitted at 5^th Fld Amb
Vignacourt. Heard news of 
probable agreement by Germany
to Wilson's terms.

OCTOBER, 1918.
WROTE NELL No 102.
SUNDAY 13th
Memorial church Service in

Recreation Hall. A dull day.

I worked on recommendations

MONDAY 14th.
GOT LETTERS. NELL 154/5/6, also notes; Geoff

85/6, Nellie (2,) Nell's note, Geoff  cards

Note 5 Augt., Rab Doug (2).

Elsie, Luey, Gillies, clippings & cornia

Jean, Photos fr Souths.

Some gear arrived from Blingy.

TUESDAY 15th.

Got my new top plate from

5^th Amb dentist. One tooth broke

off that evening.
Rain that afternoon & night.

Coys training

FAMILY REMITTANCE No 18 of  £10

Christmas Boxes Nell & kids           5

£290 to date ex raffle & Kids        £15

WEDNESDAY 16th.

Fair day. Constructing rifle range &

bayonet fighting course. I visited

some of the billets &c.

OCTOBER, 1918.
THURSDAY 17th

I went to D.H.Q at BELLOY sur Somme &

conferred Col Durrant re awards late stunt.

Lunched A Mess. Cam Robertson temp

G.O.C. Drove back in car via Vignacourt

with B.G Martin. Old Milo stayed

behind at Belloy: missed me at 

starting.

Inspected new rifle range

Sent 'Kentucky Cardinal' to Mrs Kelly.

FRIDAY 18th.

Visited Coys at drill & interviewed

men & N.C.Os re details of individual

acts on 5^th. Revised details of

recommendations & completed same

to send to Div.

SATURDAY 19th
(3 missing)

GOT LETTER NELL No 160

Posted pen & Roses of Picardy &c to Nell.

Attended football match ours v 27^th

Latter won. Our team raw but good stuff.

Impromptu concert in evening in hall:

our electric light running all night.

Good show.

OCTOBER, 1918.
SUNDAY 20th.
WROTE NELL No 103.
Traves retd. 25 socks from
Mrs T. BARR SMITH, Adelaide
Church Parade (I did not attend).
Dull day.
MONDAY 21st.
WROTE RAB.
A Coy Musketry.
I had some musketry practice. all right
in eye & hand still.
TUESDAY 22nd.
B Coy Musketry.
B. Genl Cam Robertson called
with Artist Stretton.
Supper at D 19.
WEDNESDAY 23rd.
WROTE JEAN.
Coys on route march. I led them
back from rendezvous. Bright day.
Viewed old farm &c no Rly
crossing.
OCTOBER, 1918.
THURSDAY 24th.
Posted watch No 90727C to Geoff.
Medallion to Jean. Wrote Doug
Visited training grounds of Coys.
FRIDAY 25th.
Donnelly & I rode to Domart &
looked over old church &c.
At night we rode to the
Divl Concert party "Dinkum
Diamonds" at Belloy. A very well
presented show. A long ride.
SATURDAY 26th.
Got parcel from Nell dated 4-8-18.
pr of green socks & lump sugar (1 from Fred.)
I attended Football ours v 28^th. They
won. Concert at night very poor.
I visited. 

OCTOBER, 1918.
WROTE NELL 104
SUNDAY 27th.
B. Genl Robertson came over to interview
men recd for Comdn. Had long yarn.
'B' Coy sports in afternoon. Tea at A Coy
mess. Revolver sweeps.
MONDAY 28th
Coy training.
Donnelly & I laid out track,
ring &c on ground for Gymkhana.
TUESDAY 29th.
Coy training forenoon.
Afternoon lecture by Div Int officer
on 'Intelligence Services'. Good.
News of Austria's acceptance of
Wilson's terms & plea for armistice.
WEDNESDAY 30th.
Coy trg. Practice for offrs Concert.
Our Soccer team beat 27^th Bn
I practised Tilting at ring &
lemon cutting.
Another bright day.
Wrote to Geoff.
OCT.-NOVEMBER, 1918.
GOT LETTERS, Nell 157/8/9, Geoff 87/8/9,
Doug, Jean, Nellie, Irving, J.C. Whitehill
Bal Sheet AN & woollen coy.
THURSDAY 31st.
Learned of Armistice with TURKEY
commenced Noon today: favorable terms.
A dull day.
Excellent lecture by D.I.O on 'The German
Army'.
I walked to Canaples.
FRIDAY 1st
NOVEMBER
Recd box of chocolates from
10 HANS ROAD. S.W. Do not know sender.
My name incorrectly spelled.
Fine day. Had practice at tilting
the ring & lemon cutting.
Debate at night on 'Woman's Rights'.
SATURDAY 2nd
Bn teams won Soccer &
Australian football.
Officers' Concert to men
a great success.
P cards to Geoff.
Wrote to Fred.
p c to Nellie. 

NOVEMBER, 1918.
SUNDAY 3rd
WROTE NELL 105.
Church Parade. Rugby Football.
Dull day.
MONDAY 4th.
Attended Training Conference &
demonstration at old Aerodrome

near Vignacourt. Very good.

Band concert at night.
TUESDAY 5th

Posted 'Kentucky Cardinal' to Raverty

Corpl Smith read paper on

"Cooperation applied to primary industries".

I addressed Bn on our observations

at Montbrehain.

WEDNESDAY 6th.

Attended lecture on the Tank Corps

at Berteaucourt.

M.G. concert party did not

arrive.

Yellow & green flag, 'Come on'

Red white & blue 'coming out
NOVEMBER, 1918.
THURSDAY 7th.
Attended lecture at Berteaucourt
on Cooperation between Inf.
& M.Gs
6 new offs appointed.
Head of Hun delegation being
sent to Marshall Foch seeking
armistice terms.
FRIDAY 8th.
Bosche delegates reported to
Marshall Foch & asked for an
armistice & cessation of hostilities.  Lattr
refused, given to Monday 1100 to accept
stated terms.
I attended 6^th Bde Sports.  A wet
day.
M.G. Bn concert party performed
at our Hall.
SATURDAY 9th.
Clear day.  Kaiser abdicated.
Bn competition for platoons
won by 'B' Coy.  Not good turnout.

NOVEMBER, 1918.
SUNDAY 10th.
WROTE NELL No 106
Got cable from Byram.
Posted blouse to Nell.  Wrote Byram
Practiced at Div Sports ground.
Kaiser. Crown Prince & coy fled
to Holland.
MONDAY 11th
WROTE NELL
No 107
Hostilities ceased 11 a.m.
Flags hoisted & quiet satisfaction in
Pernois.  Our Band played all through
the streets.  My host shouted.
I inspected C & A Coys at drill.
TUESDAY 12th.
Fine cold day.
Donnelly went to Paris for
Sports Trophies.
I inspected D Coy at training.
Wrote to Jean.
WEDNESDAY 18th
Fine day.
Went through St Ouen & saw our
Aust Rules team easily beat
7^th Bde at football  Our Rugby
team beaten.
P. Cards Nellie, Fred & brother Doug.
NOVEMBER, 1918.
THURSDAY 14th
Officers' Gymkhana held
near BELLOY.
Our Bn won  firsts,  seconds, &
one third.  I won Silver watch in
Bending Race & ran third in
Flat Race (5 furlongs).
Nice clear frosty day
FRIDAY 15th.
Donnelly & I visited the
underground village in chalk
hill at NAURES.  Been in
existence since 825.  Very extensive
Used to shelter people & cattle in
many wars.
Saw man dressing flax.
SATURDAY 16th
Rode Triumph to Abbeville & inspected some at
3^rd A.G.H.  Lunched there & had tea with nurses.
Good work by our men.
Our Cinema had good opening run.
Heavy frost: ice on ground all day.
GOT LETTERS. NELL 161/2/3; Rab (2)
Geoff 90/1; Jean, Nellie, Fred; Doug 2;
Ede; Reggy R; Melb Comforts; Harry Gregory;
Mrs Tipper; Mrs Cormon.

NOVEMBER, 1918.
SUNDAY 17th.
Conference at D.H.Q re. proposed march into
Germany.  I lunched with Div Sigs. Rode Triumph.
Lot of religious ceremonies incidental to
victory.
MONDAY 18th.
Had Bn Muster Parades
I addressed them on prospective
march into Germany.
M.G. Bn party gave concert in
our hall.  Cold
Cable dispatched from London
GREETINGS GEOFF. (dept rate)
TUESDAY 19th.
Padre & I walked to DOMART
& had excellent lunch at offrs club.
went again through old church &c
Bright morning.  Misty night.
WEDNESDAY 20th.
Got orders for move to Le Cabain area.
Had general check parades.
Divl Platoon competition held.  Ours came
8th, losing many points for shooting owing
to L.G mistaking rear spot for target.
Turnout good.
Wrote to Geoff. Also Band card to
Mother.
20 German submarines handed over to
Admiral Tynshibb.
NOVEMBER, 1918.
3 parcels to Rly (La Ailly sur Somme
for London Kit Store.
THURSDAY 21st
D Coy moved to VIGNACOURT to do the
loading for 5^th Bde.
Padre & I walked to shore to see best
routes &c
Lieut McVies had to land near A Coy in
a night-flying 'Camel' owing to ground
fog. A cold night. I had late coffee
& cognac with messr Latfiere.
German surface ships were to be handed over today
FRIDAY 22nd
Marched to Vignacourt in afternoon
Left by train at 17.30. A very cold
night. Passed through Amiens,
Chalons, & Cambrai.
Brig General Roberston told me
I had been recommended for an
honour for Montbrehain stunt.
SATURDAY 23rd
Arrived at BERTRY about 08.00
Marched via MARETZ & BESIGNY
to BOHAIN, arriving about 14.30
A clear frosty day.
21 MM & a bar awarded our
men for Montbrehain.

NOVEMBER, 1918.
SUNDAY 24th.
I drove with Cam Robertson
to Montbrehain & looked through it.
Sky Dull in evening.  In afternoon Donnelly
& I visited No 50 CCS.  Had tea with Sisters Lowe,
Swann &c.
MONDAY 25th.
Padre & I visited No 37 CCS
near Busigny & lunched with sisters.
Potts dined at our mess.
Got word our move deferred.
WROTE NELL No 107
TUESDAY 26th
Major Donnelly & I visited
Montbrehain & rode over & around the
village & our battle positions.  Saw
much of the Broche heavy gun ammn
close on east side of the village.
Potts dined with us & produced two
bottles of wine to toast his health & coming
marriage.
WEDNESDAY 27th
Bn moved to very scattered billets
at PETIT CAMBRESIS & west edge of     .
A fine day.  No one fell out, but Sergt Rutledge
fell ill with influenza.
Camped in area of the latest heavy
fighting.  Moved for last few miles through
scenes that had been closely shelled
Often hotly chased by Tommy civs
NOVEMBER, 1918.
THURSDAY 28th.
Bn marched to billets PETIT FAYTE.
Light rain all day.
I got a bed in broken window room.
Passed through the last of contested
zone.  Lots of German ammn left
on roads.  Rejoined 7^th Bde group.
FRIDAY 29th.
Wrote for pudding quotation.
Carols &c
Dull damp day.
Genl Wisdom called & explained
repatn scheme & showed location
of our next billeting area S.W
of Charleroi.
Padre promoted to 3^rd class (Major)
SATURDAY 30th.
Wrote Doug, Nellie & Fred.
Padre & I walked to CARTIGNES &
had tea with Col Coolette.  Met
Major Peterson who had two bars
to his D.S.O.
Interview with 'A' branch re sundry
matters.