Diary written by Eric Giles Miller, 1914-1917 - Part 3

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Page 23

[*Nov. 1916*]
Mother, Mrs Sisson and B.H. awaiting me. Vera informing me
that she had been married about 5 months, and Mother telling
me to ask Bryce to write so he must be over this side.
Tues Dec 12^th.  Rode to Irquingham in a blinding sleet snow storm returned 4 P.M.
Wed. 13^th  Received parcel of tobacco from B.
Mon 18^th  Received letter and Xmas card from Mother dated Oct 29^th
Tues 19^th  Heavy snow and very cold
Wed 20^th  German aeroplanes overhead and our anti aircraft banging away
at them. A lovely sunny day but air keen and nippy. Received
2 letters from B. one from L. and one from home.
Mon. Dec 25^th  Xmas. My 3^rd from home and it was not so bad. Major Sir
Henry Dering had dinner with us.
Sat Dec 30^th  I've 10 minutes to myself and feel thoughful and want to
write. I've been thinking of events that have happened during
the past year. Twelve months ago I was alone in London
with plenty of money and not a single friend. A
week later I met people whom I shall never forget for
their kindness to me - a stranger. This year has not been
so eventful to me as the previous one and I never want
to undergo again all I did in 1915. I was talking to 
a Tommy corporal just a while ago who is going to 
Blighty tomorrow on leave. Good luck to him. I miss
Artie Hutton a little these times & I know he would like me
to be nearer him. He is at Armentieres. I haven't forgotten 
how he looked after me at Anzac, when I was sickening
for enteric. One thing is certain. If he leaves this unit I
go with him. We made that compact whilst on Salisbury
Plains. Many a good yarn we had riding around those
roads, about old times. Not of Gallipoli much, because
I always avoided it, knowing how much he thought of
his younger brother whom we left there. As I write the
guns are thundering away. The last death dealing
messages of the old year. 

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[*Jan 1917*]

Jan 1^st  The first day of the year is past and a violent
artillary duel is in progress up towards Ypres. Saw the
old year out and the new year in with some French friends.
Jan 17^th  Things are fairly quiet on this sector. Heavy fall of snow
last night and all today. Received letter from Mother
a few days ago. Had occasion to visit a French farm
house this afternoon, and, as is the custom was asked to
have a cup of coffee. I couldn't help but notice the 
kindly way I was treated. The cheery "Bon Jour M'seur" from
the inhabitants I passed on the road helps to keep ones
spirits up these times - Yes I like the French.
Jan 29^th  Received nice cheery letter from Mother. Heavy bombardment
and raid by 10^th Bde last night. Received letter from
Fred Watson No 3 Gen. Hosp. London. Got his second star
now, also the dysentery.
Jan 31^st  Last day of the 1st month. Been snowing for the last 24
hours and not so cold.
[*Sat. Feb 4^th*]  Shifted Div'l H.Q to Croix Du Bac. about 2½ miles away
and nearer the line. Got a fairly comfortable billet. The
lady who owns the place M'me Angele Camerlynck helped.

Fri. Feb 23^rd  Left Croix Du Bac at 6.30am and went to Steenwerek
Railway Station and entrained for Headquarters 1^st Eschelon
Montreuil. Changed trains at Hazebrouck, and having 3
hours wait, Sgt Edsall 39^th Bn, a staff-sgt of R.G.A and
I went down the street and had a feed of eggs. Arrived
at Bologne about dark, and when about 2 miles from there
after leaving, our train collided with another. I was
in the centre portion of the train and all the luggage flew
off the racks, a rifle hitting me on the shoulder. When I finished
examining myself to see if I was all there, we heard heard 
officers going along shouting for all A.M.C. men to go to the 

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[*Feb 1917*]

front of the train. As we surmised, there had been a bad
smash. The 1st three carriages being bady smashed and
some soldiers killed and many injured. Those of us who
were uninjured were marched back to Bologne and
slept in a big empty factory.
Sat. Feb 24^th  Left Bologne in another train and after proceeding about 5
kilos (3 miles) we were backed into a siding and remained
there until 7.30 P.M. when the journey was continued. I dozed
off to sleep and when I awoke I found we were at Etaples
and that it was just on midnight. I got out and made
enquiries at the R.T.O. office, where I was informed that
I would have to stay the night, and catch another train 
at 4.P.M. the next day.
Sun. 25^th   Slept in a rest camp last night.
Mon. 26^th  Arrived at Montreuil about dusk last night, and found 
that it was an old fortified town. Met Sgt. Major Aubrey Coleman
(the instructor) and he fixed me up with tea and shewed 
me where to billet.
Mar. 2^nd  My birthday. Been doing Physical Culture, wrestling, boxing,
etc all day and feeling in great form.
Wed. 7^th  Left Montreuil about 1.30 P.M. Arrived at Calais 9.45 P.M.
Got a bed at a cafe in company with Cpl Robertson, who
was returning to Poperinghe (Belgium).
Thurs Mar 8^th  Left Calais at 1.15 P.M. Arrived at Hazebrouck at 4.30 P.M
Was sent to Cassel to report to 2^nd Army H.Q. Went a
station too far and had to walk about 9 kilos. Arrived at 
Camp Commandents office about 8.30 P.M.
Fri. 9^th  Left Cassel at 8 am and arrived Hazebrouck 8.45 am.
Left for Steenwerck 6 P.M. arrived 10 to 8. Went to "The George"
and started my 2½ miles walk to Croix Du Bac at 9 P.M.
Mon. April 1^st  Wrote to B.

[*April 1917*]

Thurs. April 19^th  Rode to Armentiers in afternoon and slept in cellar

with Arthur Hutton.

Tues 24^th  Saw a bosker fight with Aeroplanes at 9 am.
May 

Tues May 1^st  Div. H.Q. moved back to Steenwerck

Mon 7^th  Rode to Nieppe in afternoon, and on to Ploegsteert in evening
Just left in time. Shells dropping all around us as we left.

Major Dering left for Paris this morning at 8 am.

Very heavy bombardment at 9 am.

Sun May 13^th  Went to 2^nd Army H.Q. with German Prisoner of war.

(an officer), in a motor car. It was a nice warm night
and I enjoyed the ride. The prisoner was the pilot of an

aeroplane which was brought down in our lines

by anti-aircraft guns. The observer was killed.
Mon. May 21^st  A warm muggy day, and an endless stream of traffic

passing on the way up to the line. The 4^th Australian

Division is here, and I've seen quite a lot of old L.H.

boys who were on Gallipoli and in the convalescent camps

in England. Received orders today to go up to the line

and somehow I feel glad. I feel I want to be right in it

when the push comes here (and that will not be long now.

Perhaps I shall get a nice Blighty, or a heaven or hell

I'm past caring now.

June 3^rd  The eve of, or very near the eve of a decent Push. It's

been a glorious day and things have been very lively

with the guns and aircraft

Tus. June 5^th  Only a couple of days before the great advance. In

20 minutes time our guns are opening up for ½ an hour.

The Germans have been sending quite a lot of shells over our

heads on the way to Bailleul. They hit one of our

ammunition dumps this morning, and there was some

explosion, which put the wind up the Steenwerck people.

Wed. June 6^th  Here we are in our little dugout in the West. Our

6in Howitzers are belching forth their little souvenirs

[*June 1917*]

for Fritz not more than 50 y'ds away. At 10 past 3

tomorrow the infantry go over the top. Good luck to them

This push means a lot.

June 7^th  It has started. At 3 am hell broke loose, and the whole world

seemed to be a sheet of flame. The ground trembled with

the concussion of the thousands of guns that were putting 

down the barrage. About 1 am Fritz sent over gas and

and my eyes are still paining from the effect of tear

shells. I am writing this in a little sand bag shelter

at Oostove Farm about 100 yds inside the Begiam

border. It is a very old farm with a moat surrounding

it.

[*8150 words*]

Fri 8^th June  Things were very lively last night, but today there is

a lull. Over 200 German Prisoners have been sent back

to the enclosures during the last 24 hours and 80

sent to hospitals. 9 P.M. The enemy are counter-attacking,

and hell has broken loose again. The noise

is terrible and it's just dusk enough for every flash of

the guns and burst of the shells to be seen.

12 June 1917  Here we are back in Steenwerck again.

About ½ an hour ago, we received a message

stating that Oosthove Farm had been blown to pieces, so

my luck is sticking.

13^th June  Feeling a bit off color. Havn't got the gas out of my

system yet. Saw some of the guns captured by this

Division in the town square. They are being sent

to Australia. All of the 3^rd Division are out

of the trenches resting after the good work of last week.

19^th June.  Has been very hot during the last week, but yesterday

and today we had severe thunderstorms. I got

washed out of my Ripsy this morning.

Sat 23^rd June  Several divisions, including 3^rd are on the move

again, and the traffic in tremendous

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In Kerman

Agreement	Selector	Default	Remarks
17890	Lucas G.A.	non residence	Build& reside in 4MP 20/8/86

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Agreement	Selector	Default	Remarks
Mayurra.
21347	xxx Kent. G	non residence	Circular 3/12/86
MacDonnell.
13067	Lanbe B	Residence dbtfl.	m. circular 3/12/86
Moorooroo
19513	Pohlner CFW.	non resident	m. circular 24/3/87

 

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Agreement	Selector	Default	Remarks
Robertson
18009	Gare S.	Personal residence 15/10/86	Fresh report.
			Complying 25.10.86

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Agreement	Selector	Default	Remarks
Emden. sails (see S.W ^milles Weekley! Oct. 30th.) Visit Cocos Island? dip the flag.
"Der Tag" (see diary). Reference.
(Oy Yoy, Dicken we wouldn't.) A.I.F