Ca Ne Fait Rien - Part 13

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Unit papers
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
AWM2018.785.46
Difficulty:
2

Caution: sensitive content

The inclusion of words, terms or descriptions from historical records reflects the social and political attitudes of the period in which they were written.

Page 1 / 10

Drawing - See Original

Those

Tin Hat

Orders :-

Just before the

Battalion left Sars

Poteries the orders

respecting Steel

Helmets, kept everyone

on the jump;

they ran something

like this :- 5 A.M. steel

helmets will be stacked

at Q.M's Store - 5.35 A.M

steel helmets will be

carried on the man,

6 A.M, wagons will be

provided to carry etc.

7.5 A.M Steel helmets will

be rolled in bundles of 10,

7.15 A.M. orders re helmets

cancelled; 7.30 all men etc.

and so it went on for about

2 days. The only man

able to keep up with these

orders was Sergt. Norris,

the famous juggling soldier,

he has been able to juggle

his rifle and equipment

for months at a stretch.

Putrid Poems

We marched for many weary miles across the fields of

Flanders,

The rain poured down in "cats and dogs" t'was fun for

geese and ganders,

We stayed for days in various vill's,

We had to rest: fatigues and drills

But now we'll lead the pace that kills

A'mid slag heaps and other hills

in Charleroi.

We'll only march to catch a tram

We'll cut out "plum and apple" jam

to be continued

Ce Ne Fait Rien

near

Charleroi

21-12-18

Published in the field every Friday (sometimes)

by the 6th Bn.

ON  DIT

They say that the transport

Sergeant has an eye for beauty

that:- A pretty girl looked out of

a window in one of the towns

we marched through.

that:- The T. Sergt. saw the bint

but took the Transport up the

wrong road.

that:- Lieut. Aubrey is back with

the Bn. and is as smiling and

rosy as ever.

that:- A lot of diggers are busy

brushing up their French.

that:- the pretty bint around the

corner may have something

to do with it.

that:- it's a poor old soldier

who hasn't got a Prussian Cap.

Drawing - See Original

[*Battalion

Beauties

Martins Minx*]

That a

certain

sergeant

in D Coy.

doesn't

doss

downstairs.

That we

would

like to

change

billets

with him.

That it's

a bon war

in these parts.

That you can get anything you

want if you see the Town

Major.

That the said gentleman will pay

any price for a reliable hair

restorer.

That few soldiers get fuller than

Town Major Buller.

That We had good weather for

the march from Sars Poteries, We

don't think.

That there are a lot of letters

for Sars Poteries in the Mail

bag.

Our Serial Story

"Willies Woeful Winter"

or

"The Shortage of Shirts"

The Battalion had marched

to the Divisional Baths and

Willie the drummer boy,

who was having a hot shower,

knocked the ice off the

sprayer to make the water

flow freer. Willie who was

one of a large family was

the only child of his parents.

The poor boy had only one

mother, he was a cripple,

both of his feet touched

the ground. As he stood

freezing under his hot shower.

he wailed "No fadder, no

mudder, no brudder, no sister,

poor little —."

No knife, No fork, no spoon,

no mess Tin, no — issue"

poor little —."

Just then a flash of lightning

flashed through the rigging

of the ship as the soldiers

made their last charge, the

flames leaped higher and

higher and the brave fireman

jumped from the top

story of the skyscraper

with little Mary in his

arms, they feel 1000 feet

to be continued

Advertisements

Wanted instructors in the

A.I.F. Educational Scheme

apply Two up School

Wanted to exchange:- a Tin

Hat for a set of shiny badges

apply Orderly Room

"C" Coy.

Wanted to meet to nice

Bints, Belgian preferred,

knowledge of Australian not

necessary, apply Digger and

Dag H.Q. Coy.

Wanted:- about 5000 Francs

apply any Aussie

Who's Which

in the 6th

[*12-72*]

Drawing - See Original

[*Capt.

A.G. Carne M.C.*]

Our victim this week came

away with the original Bn.

in 1914. At that time he

was a digger and did good

work as a Mess Orderly,

He was a lance jack at the

landing, was made sergeant

at Helles and was an officer

by the time we fought at Steeles

Post. He saw much fighting

in France and was some

stouch as O.C. of the famous

fighting "C" Company. He was

wounded on Aug 23rd 1918

but remained on duty until

he was gassed some days

later and was awarded

the M.C. for that stunt.

He won that decorations

many times before he got

it but you do not see him

wearing the ribbon, as he

once knew a chap who

should have got it and

did'nt. He will have to

pay for drinks every time

he comes to Mess without

it, that will do us.

 

Couillet near Charleroi

"Ce Ne Fait Rien"

Published in the Field

by the 6th Bn.

Every Friday

Peut etre

Xmas Number

26th Dec. 1918

"A" Coy's Hop

[*12-73*]

Drawing - See Original

[*Bonza Boys in

Belgium

Paddy Rowan

of

Don Coy.*]

Two helpings of meat and legumes and

Three of Pudding with extras in the

shape of scones, cake, nuts, sweets

beer, rum punch and anything else within

reach, is some record, even for the 6th

when one considers that the helpings were

each big enough to feed a family of six.

Paddy will be kept busy after he leaves the

Army if he is going to keep himself in food.

Drawing - See Original

Who's Which

in the 6th

The Xmas dinner

served up yesterday

by the Transport

Section was good

enough for a king.

L/Cpl Mason was

on the job and made

everything go with a swing.

Mason is always happy

and is the type of "Aussie"

who has made friends for

Australia in every country

in Europe except Germany.

Everything goes right when Mason gets on the job

Drawing - See Original

"A" Coy had a dinner

that made the feed at

the Officers Mess look

like 30 cents in German

marks. They had some

very nice bints to wait

on the tables and others

to provide music. After

they danced until the

early hours and the

people say it was the

best dance Couillet

has seen.

Drawing - See Original

[*Battalion

Beauties

Sergt Jenkin's Jane*]

Drawing - See Original

How Wright the H.Q

runner looked

after he had eaten

his share of the

Christmas dinner

cooked by

Dave

Oliver and

his staff for 

Headquarters

Company

Our Christmas Story

"HAUNTED BY HORRORS"

or

"We're duty Company tomorrow"

Half way across the

moor and the snow falling thicker

than ever. It was only be leaping

from the top of one telegraph pole

to the next, that Sir Gyvies de

Bougognes Rouge et Blanc managed

to keep his head above the snow

drifts. A chain clanks somewhere

overhead and an icy cold blast seems

to strike the very marrow; Tis the

Ghost of Terrible Tiny the Brigand

of Brussels. Just then a tall,

debonaire, sun kissed, hatchet faced

stalwart Anzac entered the hostel

and siezing the ghost by the collor.

To be continued

"On Dit"

They say that "C" Company ate so much on

Christmas day that they don't want to

draw any rations for a week.

that:- The dinner and dance at the

officers Mess was bon-ton, almost as

good as the diggers can put on.

that:- these Belgian Bints will "do-oose"

that:- the Sergeants invited about 40 pretty

girls to their dance; and they all came

but brought the whole d- family with

the family retainers and distant relations.

that:- Sergt. Wheeler got them guessing

with "It's all through a gee-gee.

that:- M'selle Umpha-umpha sang very nicely,

I don't know how you spell the name but

that's how the R.S.M. pronounced it.

that:- Sergt. Hammond danced daintily

both on the stage and off.

that:- The people are still talking about

the way Sergt. Geary can use the cornet.

that:- R.S.M. Oliver held them all with

his violin, he also made them "look up"

with his announcements in FRENCH.

that:- C.Q.M.S Wright did not recite his

old favourite "The Gasometer."

that:- Sergt. Norris could be seen taking

a hand in everything.

that:- We would like to know more about

those letters addressed to:- Sir Jack Ried,

Sir Bill Wright, Sir Oliver Lodge, and

a few more knights we have never

heard off before.

 

Couillet

Ce ne Fai

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY.

[*12-74*]

Drawing - See Original

THE R.Q.M.S. CURES HIS TOOTHACHE

Drawing - See Original

R.S.M. OLIVER'S AUTOMATIC EJECTOR. NO BALL-ROOM SHOULD BE WITHOUT ONE

ANYONE WISHING TO USE ABOVE AD.VT MAY DO SO BY CUTTING CAREFULLY

WITH A SHARP KNIFE ALONG DOTTED LINE ON TOP.

 

Rien.

3-1-19

[*12-75*]

PUBLICATIONS

NEW & REVISED

SENTENCES. FOR VISITORS TO ANY FOREIGN CITY

WRITTEN IN COLLABORATION BY CORPL. S. AKERS &

SIG. PAT HARFORD

Together with remarks on the correct dress, in foreign parts

THEATRICAL NOTES

VAUDEVILLE

SERGT HAMMOND will appear nightly in his striking

impersonation of a field - dressing

concluding with song & dance, with Frank Haverfield,

"mine eyes are dim"

"TINY" MORTON the dainty soubrette & chronic soprano

will sing "No body loves me".

DRAMATIC SKETCH "Under Two Flags" by Sergt

Spreadborough & Company

GREAT MYSTERY ACT. Pte Saunders will do his famous

disappearing act. As delivered by him in every

clink in Blighty

OUR EDUCATIONAL SCHEME.

Pupil. is "begotten" an adverb, or an adjutant?

Instructor. "B'egotten", is an adverb, "misbegotten" the adjective

in question.

 

Drawing - See Original

1st Jan 1919

"We 'ad days in Brussels an' days in Rome 'an days

when we 'ad no pay, but the funniest blankey day of

all we spent in old Couillet on January 1st after the

dance with our Belgian friends. In all the Rues between

midnight and 6 a.m. were animated groups of civilians

and soldiers telling each other of their undying love. The

boys have told the Belgians what a bon country we have

under the Southern Cross and they all swear to go out

there in a year or so

Drawing - See Original

Billy Hughes has lost his

dash; he is not the only

man in the world with a

dominating personality. We

have discovered in Couillet

another "Billy" in the person

of the worthy Burgomaster.

he is some sport too and

when he goes to a féte the

show is bound to be a success.

He is a good friend to the

Battalion and is always ready

to go out of his way to make

us more comfortable.

Long life to him.

Couillet

near Charleroi

BELGIUM

Advertisements

Wanted to exchange

a paliasse and a

couple of blankets,

owner has no further

use for 'em, apply

Digger, Bonbillet,

Rue Aveclemaison,

Couillet

Books for exchange

Infantry Training 19[?].

Platoon Drill,

Notes on Trench

Warfare and other

popular works of

fiction :- apply

Lt. Walker and the

N.C.O's at the Bn.

School.

Medical Attention

on the slightest

provocation, We

innoculate with out

any apparent effort

at every opportunity.

Don't go elsewhere

for your dope but

visit Daddy Cockburn.

Look for the little

blue light.

Be an aviator.

Have a fly with the

6th Bn. Why stay

on the ground when

Lt Crawford is with

the Battalion? he

has come from

Squadron to

Squadrill.

Read the latest

novel, by the famous

author of the last

best seller. Battalion

Routine Orders. Parts

1 and 2."

The Book of the Day

"Boster Belgium"

or

"Boys in Brussels"

Read what the "Times"

says about it. "Terrible.

John Bull:- it's all

about the awful Aussie

 

"Ce Ne Fait Rien"

Published in the field

every Friday (sometimes)

6th Bn. 3rd-1-19

Who's Which

in the 6th

[*12-76*]

Drawing - See Original

Battalion Beauties.

Bints

in Belgium.

Runner

Wright's

WInner.

On Dit

They say that the Battalion

Tug-of-war team intend to see

if a diet of horse shoes and

sheet lead will build up their

weight.

that:- only one man in the team

doesn't wear No 11 boots.

that:- he takes 12's.

that:- New Years eve was

some night.

that:- what with dancing, Vin

Blanc, Coffee and Gallettes

not many beds were used

before 5 A.M.

that:- the dinner the Babbling

Books put on next day will

do oo'se.

that:- a certain sergeant

seldom has his breakfast at

the Mess.

that:- it's very nice to have a

dainty little thing trip into

one's room with coffee every

morning.

that:- a well known bandsman

who turned over a new leaf

on New Year's day, has got

a few blots on it already.

that:- there are others.

that:- We didn't say anything

about Mr Ferguson.

that:- Now that Lt. Crawford

has joined the Battalion

we'll have to salvage

a few rough

aeroplanes.

Our Serial Story

"Baffled by Billjims"

or

"Done by Diggers"

Lady Bonjour

de Verdigris

the beautiful and

talented daughter

of the Marquise de

la Rire softly crossed

the hall and looking

out of the window she

espied Lionel Lopside

standing on the terraced

park below. Lifting

a dish of fried mush

off the stove, she

dropped it down our

hero's neck, and waved

her little hand to him

in welcome. Scooping

the mush from around

his collar, Lionel made

a loverlike reply as he

gently kicked her little

pet spaniel Ki-ki into

the castle moat. Just

at this moment a long

black snakey looking

Auto dashed across

the drawbridge

and was pulled up

so recklessly

by its

daring

rider

that it

reared

on its

haunches

Drawing - See Original

A

sinister

dark browed

man in a

long flowing

cape face

them, "Ah! ah."

he hissed, "I

have you now,

Your for guard

tomorrow.

To be continued

Billjims in

Belgium

Drawing - See Original

Lieut.

J.H. Southey

came to the Bn.

during that beautiful

Winter on the Somme

or at least before that

when we were amusing

ourselves at Pozieres.

He made a name for

himself as a digger

and soon got a commission

He got a Blighty in

the attack on Aug 9-18

But is now back with

that active "A" Coy.

 

FRIDAY

DEC. 27

1918

CE NE FA

ANCIENT XMAS LEGENDS.

[*12-77*]

Drawing - See Original

The origin of the halo.

Fragment of a stained

glass window showing

an early Christian, on

Xmas morning

 

Ce ne Fait Rien.

Couillet

10-1-19.

[*12-78*]

Why are we always getting new Sergeant Cooks? Possibly

because new Brooms sweep clean.

Anyone requiring up to date information, re' the

Education Scheme, should see CSM Wheeler, on

morning parade

Boil's Chemistry, with additional notes, by Professor

Hammond

The Perfect Quartermaster or Chin-straps to burn,

by Q.M.S McDonald

For French Students. At each forthcoming lesson,

Sgt Mallett will decline the verbs to linger, to

remain, to stay, to tarry.

The early 1915 men are asking, we believe, to be allowed

to take on a four months engineering course, so as to

fill in time, until they leave.

At the present rate of increase, it has been calculated,

that by the end of this year, the daily duties for

Couillet, would absorb the whole of the A.IF

Anyone without a girl, should at once take steps,

like Q.M.S. Haverfield did, to supply the deficiency

Suggestions are called for, to bridge the awful gap,

between one pay-day and the next

Is it true that Sid Egan's hands have been

blistered, handling some of the letters that have

been posted, now that the censorship is removed?

 

IT RIEN

PUBLISHED AT

COUILLET.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

[*12-79*]

FACE MASSAGE

A PARLOUR FOR THIS TREATMENT, HAS

BEEN OPENED BY.

SERGT MALLET.

RESULTS GUARANTEED

IF YOU THINK YOU NEED IT

COME AND SEE

ME.

Drawing - See Original

BEFORE AND AFTER

PERSONAL NOTES.

Did Mr Walker show the results of our physical training

parades to the demoiselles on Xmas Eve?

What Sergeant had a gold tooth removed?

A Lecture will be given by C.S.M Wheeler to any

Mademoiselle at any time. "Wounds I have received, and where".

together with the other striking, and original, remarks

LOST HATS. Pompay Bruhn's & inquiry bureau por the

recovery of the same is now open. All communications

strictly confidential

Does R.Q.M.S. Reid think that, at last, he has discovered

the true universal language?

How many collar badges have been lost in action during

the last few days?

Sergt Bruhn will address the electors daily, until his departure

Subject. THE PROMISED LAND

The 1915 Choir

will sing "How long . O . Lord! How long"?

 

[*12-80*]

ONE OF THE CASES WHERE TOO MANY COOKS WOULD

SPOIL THE MEET

Drawing - See Original

GRIBLE OF "A" COY

TELLS OF HIS EUCALYPTUS FARM

 

Couillet.

Belguim

Friday 10-1-19

"Ce Ne Fait Rien

Published in the Field

every Friday (peut etre)

6th Bn. A.I.F

Drawing - See Original

Drawing - See Original

No finer sight exists than

that of a well-trained body

of men on parade. The

splendid sketch shown

above is executed by the

worlds most famous War Artist

and depicts the famous

fighting Sixth on parade,

after a few more draughts

have been sent home, a

few more men attached

to H.Q's and another

class or two commenced

by Lt. Walker.

The Q.M. will lose all

his dignity, in the future

he will draw rations

once a week in the

old string bag,

that Mother always

used on Market days.

Our Serial Story

"The coal miners daughter"

or

"She only looks white on Wednesday

"We didn't get no issue of

soap" said the haughty and

talented O.C. of Z company

not dreaming for an instant

that his platoon sergeants

used it to make, a hit

with the tabby next door

to the company cook house.

"An' we never gets coal"

replied the aristocratic

town major of Couillet;

"What a harmy" sez the

Educational Officer as

he wiped away the

rain drops "I hope the

shower has finished."

to be continued

Drawing - See Original

Battalion

Beauties

Bouncing

Belgian

Bints

for

Bonza

Billjims

Brown's

Baby

ON DIT

They say that it's easy to fit the

Tug-of-war Team with boots, those

who don't take elevens wear 12's.

that:- at a private dance recently

one of our popular officers took

a little girl on his knee, he is very

fond of children but she quite

damped his evening for him.

that:- another of our brilliant young

officers asked a girl to dance and

wrote his name on her programme.

that:- she asked him if he could

dance well and he being modest

said "not very well."

that:- she promptly crossed his

name out again.

that:- some of these bints ARE

rough, "rough as bags".

that:- the Brigand of Brussels has

kumagutza once more.

that:- a certain H.Q. sergeant invited

a girl to see the picture in Charleroi

and the whole family turned up.

that:- as we said before they're as

rough as bags.

that:- we do like the pretty ribbon.

Who's Which

in the 6th

Billjims

in Belgium

[*12-81*]

Drawing - See Original

Sergt

Jennings M.M was for many

moons a driver in the Transport

Section. He is the kind of man

who enjoys shell fire and rough

roads, he prefers to drive up a

tree and over it, to going around.

At Paschendaele he would stop to

strike a match on the barrage,

In Strazeele he would halt his

team to watch the pretty sparks

fly and at Herleville Wood he

always tried to frighten the shells

by driving over 'em. He is the

kind of Transport Sergeant we

want and we're glad to have him.

Advertisements

Wanted to exchange:- diggers

tunic for a set of crowns

apply Terrible Tiny

Will exchange:- Rifle and bayonet

for a book of Melbourne Tram

tickets, apply any 1915 Digger.

Wanted to meet a team who

can't play football

apply A Grade Team. 

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