Diary of Percy George Rupert Parkes, 1916-1917 - Part 3

MAY 1915
22 24 MONDAY
No damage done last night. Why they

have not blown us out can't understand.
A brother gun to the one on Gallipoli is
just in rear & bark bark all day. Makes
me very wild expecially when one wants
a sleep. Take same precautions tonight
but bombardment is on the left.
Bullets are pretty thick at night
round our billet coming over front
line.
23 25 TUESDAY
Continue work as usual. Our working 
party get some shrapnel but no

damage.
Undoing work which we have done
for last two days. Lifting the Dug Outs.
Engineer Officer made them too low therefore
raised 2 feet. This is awfully disgusting
& puts work back. Beginning to
wonder when we will finish
24 26 WEDNESDAY
Make head way today. Orders to
leave tonight & get back to Bn
Our lucks right in get away safely
& get back. Not a casualty all the
time we were there. How we escaped
it is a miracle.
Our batteries very busy again today
Brigade congratulate D Coy on work
done while at B.G

1915 MAY
25 27 THURSDAY
Have a full day's training today
Bayonet fighting Bombing, Musketry
this is about the first time for weeks
we have had the Coy together
for training. Pay in the morning
Rode out to men in isolation this afternoon
started off without my map therefore missed
my rendezvous. Rode about 10 miles looking 
for Div Rest Camp
26 28 FRIDAY
Our lucks in no fatigue work
for D Coy today so continue work
as yesterday.
27 29 SATURDAY
Ride into E___ on bike for bath then to A___
This is a large town thus partly deserted as in
some cases has suffered from bombardment. In other
parts of town business carried on as usual
Things very dear to buy. Nothing startling
about the look of the places evidently trams are
used in peace time
28 30 SUNDAY
Maj Feathers to be in command of Battn.

MAY & JUNE 1915
29 31 MONDAY
Bombing Instruction & Fatigues
Night Fatigue 6 pm to 2 AM & 2 Officers
30 1 TUESDAY
Very quiet Fatigues as usual
31 2 WEDNESDAY
Artillery very restive today; more

pretty big stuff coming over. The farm

we were in last week at B.G. has been

blown to atoms.

1915 JUNE
1 3 THURSDAY
The Prime Minister Mr Hughes & Mr Fisher
is inspecting some of the troops this afternoon.
March to C.D.B to a concealed spot under
trees. Other Units of all kinds there.
Formed up packed pretty tight. General Birdwood
spoke first followed by above two.
Had an alarm tonight. Men rather slow
in turning out in some cases
Lieut Haughton brings in reinforcements
Our Captive Balloon just near our village breaks away
the men come down in parachutes. Balloon drifts over
German lines when last seen they were still firing at it
2 4 FRIDAY
Capt K prepares for his leave to England
& goes tonight
3 5 SATURDAY
Coy Commanders ride over to through A ___ to R.M for
lectures by a Flying Corp Major Very interesting to
know how the different flights are carried out.
See a good deal of the Limbr lately various
roumours are floating round. 100 of our Coy are
put through Gas cloud to give them confidence
when Gas attack comes
4 6 SUNDAY
Church parade sermon by Gipsy Smith. Bayonet fight
competition in afternoon A team from each Coy
D Coy successful & won

JUNE 1915
5 7 MONDAY
North Sea Fight reaches us. Verdun still
going strong. A good bombardment last night,
when getting into bed started, looked out of
window & who place was lit up with flashes
on our right. Thought there would be a
'Stand by' but none came thank goodness
6 8 TUESDAY
Nothing doing today. Company resting after
cable laying all last night. This work is
hard. They march six miles dig the trench
for the cable & march home again.
This goes on night after night. Sometimes our
proportion is 100 men per Coy sometimes 50.
Boots nearly drive me mad. I am responsible as
2nd in Com of the Coy to see to the clothing & equipment -
The QM cannot get boots from Ordinance & men are

absolutely foot bare some of them. Cannot get Australian

clothing are using English. D Coy is better off than the others.

7 9 WEDNESDAY

Pay in the afternoon. Go into Erquinghem to lecture

by Div staff on staff work.

1915 JUNE

8 10 THURSDAY

We are to go into trenches Sat night. The most important

part of Anzac line the we have to hold. Our C.O thinks it

a great honour. Three Coys in front line & D in Supports.

Front line is best in a way as they do not get the heavy stuff

they generally send it over to the Supports. The continual

watching though is not done in Supports & able to

rest more.

Receive unofficial news that Lord Kitchener

is drowned can't believe it. Can't get papers

all sold before they get down to our village

25^th Battn carried out successful raid last night

Saw prisoners this morning. Bits of weeds they were

& very young.

9 11 FRIDAY

I go into trenches with the other Coy Commanders. Rode

to Rue Marle on horses & then walked to our respective

Sections. A distance of about 2 miles. Had a look round

my Section about 250 yards behind our own Firing line which

A Coy holds. Trench of ours not good a lot of work to be done

rebuilding Parapets & Parados. Trenches appear to be

very much damaged. The Capt in charge is happy go 

lucky sort knows nothing of his disposition or about 

trench so could not obtain much information. After

we met again & walked to Armentiers & had lunch then back home.

10 12 SATURDAY

Everything arranged for our move tonight. 5 fools

were remanded for F.G.C.M. this morning this means I had

to talk the evidence of these men & witnesses etc in

writing then submit them in duplication. Nice job especially

when we are on the move. Did Feel like giving them 2 years

myself. Left our billets at 8.45 & arrived at trenches 11.30 pm

& took over. Kitcheners death confirmed No papers for 3 days

11 13 SUNDAY
Got to bed about 1 this morning & up again at Stand To 2.15 AM

until 3.15 Then turned in again until 8 am. Got to work

& raise trench boards & clean up trench. Rain very heavy

during night

JUNE 1915

12 14 MONDAY

Had a look at country between firing line & the Coy

Cannot use communication as they are ranged to a Tee

Will have to take them across open country to get

to the firing line to support them. Continue

the work of cleaning up & rebuilding trenches. Dug Outs

are very fair in this line but by no means

shell proof. The more I see & walk over 

the line the more impossible it seems to do

anything without taking the whole bang

lot down & rebuild.

13 15 TUESDAY

Still raining & trenches in very bad

state. Working Parties are sent out at

1PM, 8PM & 9PM for wiring etc.

Very quiet at present. 1^st Div carried

out successful raid last night

proceeded by bombardment on our right.

Capt Kennedy comes back from leave.

News generally last day or two very

hopeful

14 16 WEDNESDAY

The continual bombardment at Ypres can

be heard here. The Canadians are doing well

after their losses. Our batteries very

lively all day.

Watches put on an hour at 11 oclock tonight.

We have breakfast at 3am & sleep till from

4 till about 11.30am. The nights are very short

& half the time is spent in 'standing to'.

1915 JUNE

15 17 THURSDAY

Russian successes continue.

Word has come through that the 6^th is to

make a move higher up. Whether this means

Ypres or not cannot say.

Reinforcements come through tomorrow 

today. Our scouts having a stunt

tonight out in 'No Mans land" Blackened

themselves up. No wonder the Germans cannot 

make Australians out.

Visited front line yesterday very complicated

& don't like it at all.

16 18 FRIDAY

Got going on parapet today. Tauber was

up & must have got Artillery on to us.

Anyway about 5 oclock tonight we got H E 5.7

& 6" onto us & made a diggings of a mess.

Blew our cookhouse up to pot one landing

fair on top of it, luckily no one was hurt one 

man getting buried. They kept this up for ½ hour

about 80 shells in all coming over. A shell splinter

struck me on the head but the steel helmet saved

me a nasty gash. New Zealanders had a raid last 

night but not a great success.

17 19 SATURDAY
Sniping pretty bad at Stand To this

morning. Very quiet rest of day. Fully

expected a repeating of last night but

it never came off. Our Artillery have livened

up a lot of late & able to toss back more

than is given to us. Fancy they have shifted

their guns to Ypres.

18 20 SUNDAY

Today is our 8th day in. Glorious sunshine. A great

Areoplane duel last night. Two of ours & two taubers

last we saw was one Tauber brought down.

JUNE 1915

19 21 MONDAY

Ariral Torpedoe Bombs pretty lively

during day & night. Our Artillery

opened up last night in a shower

Relieve tomorrow night. 22 taking our

Section. Our line in rear seriously

straffed today. Had a look from our

Observation Posts this afternoon in to

the German trenches. They have a very

commanding position on a hill which

no doubt is fortified strongly. Bn Hd Qrts

bombarded severely tonight about 300 yds from us

20 22 TUESDAY

Very quiet today. Suffered a few

casualities after last nights stunt.

Go out this afternoon to look at our S.S

line about 1400 yds in rear of our line.

Its a long line to hold but will be fairly

comfortable. Relieve tonight. The more battns

that we relieve & they relieve us convinces

me that one is well up to the fore in every

respect. The way some of the battns come in &

take over is rotten. I could get no information

whatever from the party in rear of us whose line we take 

over

21 23 WEDNESDAY

The relief last night instead of taking 30 minutes

took jolly near three times as long through the

incoming parties fault. Very annoying.

Some 9" shells woke us up hurriedly this morning out

of bed. One landed about 50 yds from our Dug Out & the

place shook from end to end. They then came over

a bit heavier for about 15 minutes & ceased. About

3 pm a terribly heavy bombardment started on our

line 9", 5.9, & 4.7s. The noise was deafening & all we could do

was to 'hug the parapet' & chance being sent up. The air was

full of flying Pieces of shrapnel & shot. Two or three trees

1915 JUNE

Contd) 21 & 22 24 THURSDAY

were blown down close by. This bombardment last

an hour 1500 shells coming round us. Everybody was cool

despite the bad doing we were getting. Our Parapet was

breached in a few places. Most remarkable thing was only

a few men got scratches from flying fragments.

22) Quieter today. during afternoon our old Battn Hd Qrts

got it again for half an hour very heavy same stuff as

we got yesterday. This is about 400 yds in front of us. The

concussion was very bad. About 11pm at night Artillery

opened up again & the Gas alarm was heard on the 

front line. We adjusted our Gas helmets & stood ready.

Proved to be the Gas from th ^our shells blowing back on 

us which is harmless.

23 25 FRIDAY

Maj Feathers sent away broken down & also our M.G.

Officer. The strain the last week has been very heavy

& we have had a pretty rotten time. Our turn in the

trenches has been 10 days this trip & in the hardest

portion of the Anzac line. My poor old Orderly cracked

up & was absolutely done up. He was sent away by

the Dr.

Feel pretty nervy myself today the sound of our

guns going off makes one jumpy. This will wear
of though after a good sleep. Stand To again tonight

until 1 AM

24 26 SATURDAY

Tested & examined our wire out in front

of parapet today. I made our Defence Scheme.

Things much quieter

25 27 SUNDAY

Artillery active this constant activity is a 10 days

stunt. Am to sit on F.G.C.M tomorrow with 

2 other officers at Rue MARLE just outside Armentiers

JUNE 1915

26 28 MONDAY

Our Batteries very lively during the day.

Was talking to Artillery Officer, they have any amount

of ammunition & must fire a certain number

of rounds a day whilst their 10 days of pretty

much activity goes on.

Just after tea tonight about a dozen 5.9s

were fired at our line & very close to Hd Qrt's (Coy)
which we had to evacuate. These were ranging

shots. At 9.30 their Artillery opened up very suddenly

& bombarded the line very heavily again a few casualt

last for an hour & half. Every hour after until 3 am they

let arrive just enough to make us Stand To. Front line

also get it.

27 29 TUESDAY

Attend Court Marshal to finish up cases left over

from yesterday. Finished about 11 am went to 

the baths & had a good wash first for about 3 or 4

weeks. Walked back to Armentiers & had dinner

then done some shopping. When we arrived

back in were pretty well all out, after our

late night & trying two days.

Tonight everything very quiet & just turn 

in not caring what happens.

28 30 WEDNESDAY

Our Brigade have joint Raid tonight so many men

from each Bn. It is proceeded by heavy bombardment

on our part. Germans retaliation pretty heavy.

Our Stokes Guns failed to cut their wire which

hampered our Raiders. However they get in alright

finding number of dead in the trenches. Prisoners

were brought back 24^th suffered casualities

more than other Battns.. The raid was successful.

1915 JULY

29 1 THURSDAY

We are to relieve the 22^nd tonight "D Coy" in the

Salient. All day it has been quiet & towards

evening a feeling of restlessness seemed in

the atmosphere. Every man in the 3 platoons was

anxious to get in through the dangerous Saps

leading to Salient. Just on starting the Huns

opened up & bombarded for an hour. After everything

seemed quiet. We started. Getting down

about the most dangerous part the sap had been

blown in & difficult to pass. I felt very anxious for

the time being in charge. However we got in safely & took

over.
30 2 FRIDAY

"Stood To" all night& kept sharp look out.

The 22^nd had been drawn out the strain being too

great especially in the Salient. They hurried out

when relieved leaving the place in pretty bad

way. The Salient is about 150 yds in front of our line

& about 70 yds from Germans. It is about the furthest

point forward of the whole British line. To hold this

place is considered an honour. Three platoons of D

Coy under myself manned the Salient. One platoon &

Capt Ken behind the original line as a support.

The line is thus
hand drawn diagram - see original document
1 3 SATURDAY

As usual the place was bombed & shelled, this

takes place whenever our Artillery opens up.

I got all the men lying down flat on the duck boards

in the bays. The trench was blown in in three places, 

but fortunately no casualities. Stood To all night

During bombardment all my communications were

smashed & had to use orderlies.

2 4 SUNDAY

Made ready for things in case of attack on

Salient. On my right & left raids were to take

place tonight. C.O thinks they will attack tonight.

JULY 1915

3 5 MONDAY

A good lookout kept by observer last night we

were heavily shelled our line and line supports

No support could have got to us if we wanted

help All Saps were blown in. Trench mortars

were brought into Salient therefore I had to

withdraw some men & put them in Reserve.

Trench was knocked about but once more

no casualties except some being shook up

a good deal. After things had quietened

down received message from Colonel & the

OC. congratulating us all. Men were splendid

especially my orderlies who when my phone broke

kept in touch with my Officers under

a heavy fire all the time.
4 6 TUESDAY

4^th Turned in this morning & had a nap.

During day New Zealanders came in & were to 

take over tonight. This came suddenly & when

expecting them in bombardment again started

which delayed it. At 2 AM they came in I had to 

rush them through as daylight breaks at 3 oclock.

Got relieved at 2.30 & filed out. Many wounded men

all the Saps result from shelling. How we escaped

the heavy casualities whilst in the Saliant I dont

know. The place was an Inferno.

5 7 WEDNESDAY

We arrive at Steenwerck a tramp of about 10 miles

Got the men into Billets & no sooner in bed than

dead to the world. Absolutely done. Yesterday

morning I could not made out my Reports

my mind refused to work. Woke up about 8

tonight & had dinner & laid down again

taking off clothes for first time for 24 days

to rest.

1915 JULY

6 8 THURSDAY

Parade today & checking kits etc

Men all merry with a full sense of

having come through a very trying

time when any time if attacked it was

fight to a finish being unable to get back

& perhaps not able to get support. During

all the bombardments a screen of shells were

put round the Salient.

We hear of the general advance in

the South with success.

7 9 FRIDAY

Put in the day with drill

& general cleaning up.

Everyone in highest spirits &

taking full oportunity of the green

fields to train in. We have

Officers meeting tonight. First time

for months we have got together.

Had gramophone music & Coffee

to finish up with.

8 10 SATURDAY

Receive word for hurried pack up

& move at 8 am. Leave our comfortable

little home runs against the grain. Move

at 2pm for "Merris". The march glorious

the hops growing, splendid. After 8 

mile march get to a very billet.

9 11 SUNDAY

Off again this morning at 9 am for

Renescure 15 miles. Very tired & a lot of

sore feet. Billet best we have had & very

homely.

JULY 1915

10 12 MONDAY

Shorter march today starting

at 11,30 am arriving at 3.30.pm

Better marching which accounts for mens

feet getting harder. This sudden marching

after 24 days in the trenches is very severe.

Whether it is a test for the Brigade or not

I don't know but it is most severe. 25% of the

mens boots are bad, some not fit to march in.

Cannot get the Battn equiped at all. Other Div

seem to get on alright but our Div seems to

have trouble in getting equipment

11 13 TUESDAY

March about 3 miles moving at 4 oclock

arrive at Wiegnes where we entrain. Making

for "Amiens" way possibly. Our journey seems

very round about on via St Omer. Calais,

Boulogne, Etaples. It is a lovely trip but want

of sleep & rest we take the opportunity. The coast

& sea was a picture. Very large reinforcement

Camp (Aust) at Etaples. Arrive at Sauleaux at

6 pm have tea & another march for 12 miles to

Ailly Sur Somme. First Aust to pass through villages.

12 14 WEDNESDAY

The movement of Troops at this place is

enormous since arriving last night this morning at 2 AM

Cavalry & Artilery in one continuous stream

passes through until 7 pm tonight.

This is winding main track to where the advance

is being made.

We have bathing parade in the Somme river

this afternoon. Scenery along the banks

very nice.

1915 JULY

13 15 THURSDAY

We are here indeffinently but ready to move at

short notice. Training to be carried on.

Route march this morning, (We don't 'get' enough

of this) In afternoon practice attack formation

as laid down.

We are about 25 miles behind line here &

the Billets are good but goods very dear.

Eggs they want 6 each for them. All food stuff is

terrible price.

14 16 FRIDAY

Attack practice again both with 

Battn & Brigade

15 17 SATURDAY

Put in good mornings work close order

drill which is needed very bady.

The Coy is shaping very well indeed

in fact better that ever it has since I

have been with it. It has been a pretty hard

struggle to pr bring it up to the best in the Battn

but I think without doubt it is now

16 18 SUNDAY

Orders for move this morning to Raininsville via

St Sauveur, Bertangles, Coisy. Pass most beautiful

avenue of trees stretching for miles & miles. Could have

done with 2 weeks spell in our last place feeling rather

shaky on it

JULY 1915

17 19 MONDAY

Staying here for the day very old village &

not at all comfortable. The absence of

girls & boys in these villages is very

marked. They are evidently at factories

& munition works. All one sees are the

old people & younsters. The Coy marches

back to the Avenue & puts in the morning

drilling. Afternoon drill again but I

stay in & have a spell. A day or two spells

all round would do no one harm but

we are kept hard at it.

18 20 TUESDAY

Left Raininville 8 mile march though

hilly country to Pouchevillers via

Pierrgot, Rubenpre, Herrissart. Hard going

today & feeling worn out makes the journey

harder. Since leaving the trenches just

two weeks ago we have done over 100 miles

marching full packs up & going every day

if not marching, drilling. Still no new

equipment or boots which is a disgrace. I try

hard to get something done to get men boots & hope some

good will come of it.

19 21 WEDNESDAY

Off again to Lavillears via Tottencourt. Getting

near firing line. Seems now that we will be

into it definitely. Before thought we would be only

used for Reserve Div.

1915 JULY

20 22 THURSDAY

No moving orders today. Thorough

inspection of equipment during

morning & games follow.

Receive mail today, first for some

time

21 23 FRIDAY

Battn parade & close order drill.

Heavy bombardments heard during

day & night.

Hear the 8^th Bgde have been into it at 

Fliarbaix, our old spot. Disappointing

for us when being so long here & 

have not had the chance of hopping

over. They did very well but the

stunt as a whole seemed a 

failure.

22 24 SATURDAY

Route march round Valiennes & 

Harponville & back to Liaivillers.

Nice little march & men enjoy it

no packs to carry.

23 25 SUNDAY

Attack practice this morning. Church parade

afternoon. Went down & saw a bombardment on a 

field by our Mortars at 300 yds pieces were flying back

JULY 1915

24 26 MONDAY

Route march from 9.30 till 12

afternoon Close order drill. Coy & Platoon.

After tea rode over to Brigade at

Valennes to see new dress for fighting

order.

Heavy bombardment heard tonight

along the front.

25 27 TUESDAY

News of 1^st Div being into it in front of us

Things evidently pretty lively & they

have had a hard struggle.

26 28 WEDNESDAY

Another route march today.

Motor transport conveying large shells

1915 JULY & AUG.

27 29 THURSDAY

Battn route march

28 30 FRIDAY

29 31 SATURDAY

30 1 SUNDAY