Diary of Oberlin Herbert Gray, April 1916 to June 1917 - Part 6

Post - 6 others took. over Starfish Sdg.
H.R. & I went to RAP at Factory Corner
I saw a tank near Flers, one of the
early ones - saw the aeroplane on way
back & got souvenir. We are working
to Bazentin now. Met Stone of 1^st &
Anderson (Tas) of 2^nd. Several Euripides men
wounded - Another gas alarm tonight.
Digging another dugout with B-1 Hd.
from AW. Gould in Convt Camp -
17/2/17 Rain - mud. Foggy night.
Got view on dugout roof & slept in.
18/2/7 Drained around, & finished roof
of dugout - Went to Bazentin- Two
days ago a taube dropped bomb on
Ammunition dump at near Albert, & several
sheds were blown up - We could hear
explosions all morning - One ^dump worth
£3 mill was blown up not long ago at -.
21/2/17 A good many patients last few
days. In spare time very busy on
new dugout - more iron on & drained 

Light rain on Mon & Tues. caused
sides to cave in So have reinforced with
sandbags & iron. Went to 7 Elms Mon &
to reserve trenches in Sunk road - picked
up revolver. On Tues. visited Canteen
at Bazentin & got biscuits - changed boots
for sound pair & clean shirt at Baths.
24/2/17 Sat. - A few patients coming
in with trench feet- result of lying
in muddy shell holes which constitute
the front line - 18" of water - they are
all covered in mud - They go out for 24
hrs stretch & have biscuits & cheese, & at
12 PM & 4 PM. get tea- During day time
they lie low. A raid on right & 2
of our squads went up to Edwards Post
last night. Up to Starfish Sidg this
aftn for timber etc. The 6 from there
have gone one to Millers Post, & 2 of the
dugouts have fallen in - glad we
changed when we did. New barb wire
entanglements & trench hear the Jn. 

The barb wire is put on iron. cork
screws, which are screwed in, &
barb & pln wire used Diagram - see original document
27/2/17 The last 3 days
have been very strenuous - working
day & night, things are quieter to-day.
Large numbers of new troops
1st Dn. are going up the line - We
had reinforcements from Bazentin,
these have all gone up to different
posts. A big raid along the line
was anticipated - The British further
North pushed back the Germans, & they
fell back about 2000 yds on our
front to straighten their line. The
Austns went over & advanced without
opposition, occupied trenches & went on
to a village, but were recalled - Some
were taken prisoners (50? Aust)- Fritz
left machine guns & Snipers, & we
lost a lot, the 3^rd Brigade suffered-
Some awful wounds - one died on the
stretcher, both legs terribly 

shattered- was semiconscious, said he
had lost 4 brothers killed - poor parents!
The stores trucks helped us, but practically
all go down on trucks - Had one awful
push about midnight - the wheels weren't
set right & no grease on (going down) 4 patients,
Some had lost eyes. ear, Most shell
wounds & Machinegun & bombs. - One had
bullet right thru his "tin hat" in & out.
There is a "tank", HMLS Campania - down
the line near Baz Pn., 2.6 lbs & machine guns
Several shells dropped near old artillery
dugouts 100 yds away at noon. Heard
from Bexhill & Oll. - Our bearers have
to carry about 2 miles across rotten
country - torn up - then the light rail.
to Bazentin - A sunshiny day.
1/3/17 Shell holes are drying up fast. Col.
Williams was hit to day by HE shrapnel
near L'Abbaye Eaucourt, (thro' lungs)
The stretcher case just before died on
the str. just before reaching this post.
his leg was shattered. 

Cannot send letters for a time.
Several baloons up & much aeroplane
activity. 4 of 1^st Dn stretcher
bearers have been wounded last few
days. Heard that the Lieut ^Carlisle I was
looking after at W. with mumps has
been killed. Had a busy night & day.
2/3/17 dozens of wounded, including a number
of Germans. About 30 Gs prisoners marched
through under a guard. I took down a
G. captain, sgt & private. The Intelligence
officer wanted to "pump" the former, they
question all prisoners for information.
The pte- a mere boy, reminded me of Tom,
fair hair & nice face, like an Austn.
One poor chap died just outside, terribly
shattered arm & shock. One of the
2^nd Fld. suffering from gas. The Germs
made a counter attack & got in behind
our outposts during the fog- They took
22 prisoners & marched them off but ran
into our fellows, & escaped, some were
shot.- 

The Austns are within 2000 yds of
Bapaume - British on left are advancing
slowly- have captured 3 more villages.
4^th/3/17 Sunday. During last night there
was a heavy bombardment to our
right- Sunday seems to be the favorite
day for battles- One Fritz terribly
wounded in head & arm B. took down. he
died later- Heard last night that
Col. Williams died at 8.20. PM. -septic set
in, (he was hit thro' lung.] Only a young
man, not much liked in amb. he said
not long ago "the boys are in no danger"
& he was the first to get fatally hit.
More sunshine lately & short rations
One of our chaps asked a wd Fritz Who
would win the war?- "The English
think they will win & we think we will
win" - very true! - Killed a big rat rat
Had an hour or two, so walked up to
High Wood, a mile away. It is a symbol
of War, an utter wreck. It is a large
wood, & only stumps & scattered

torn trunks remain- There is a mont
to the 4^th London Dn. for the capture
of High Wood on Sep 16.16. & to men
of other Divs as well - The whole place
is torn up by shell holes, wrecked dugouts
etc- broken rifles & war material,
clothing & parts of bodies half buried. No-one
could have lived unhurt thro' out the
bombardment - I looked at 3 stranded
tanks. The outposts were relieved up
6/3/17. The line yest & this morning came
down to Bazentin- We packed up & left
Millers Post about 10 & marched down to
B. The 6^th Fd Amb. are relieving for a
time. Had lunch there & at 1.30 set
out for Fricourt. The snow which fell
^day before yest is nearly melted. & ground very mud
Reached Fricourt after one or two short
halts, & camped in canvas huts for
night. 3 of us went to the YMCA hut
to hear the band, some good selections
A fine moonlight night. - 

8/3/17 Yest. we left Fricourt at 9.30
and marched along a new & muddy
road to Albert - a short Cut. Passed
Chateau Becourt, a fine old chateau
standing on the side of a hill in a
wood. It is sadly knocked about, & a
great deal of the timber has been
taken from the fine old trees. Passed the
entrance, a red cross rest stn. Kept
on up & down hill till the big Church
at Albert came in sight, an imposing
figure. A short rest & then on to Millenct
where the rest of the 3^rd Fd Amb. are running
a rest station, hospital, baths etc. Soon
found Oll. Joc Thorp was here 2 days ago
on No. 11. Hosp train. Had a good meal
& later a not bath & change. To-day
got a new pair of boots for worn ones. Went
thro' gas chamber- On fatigues. - Very
cold - it snowed during morning.
11/3/17 Have been on the Town Sanitary
Fatigue last few days - Met Ashley 

Smith to-day (12 Bn) he seemed
pleased to run across us. There
is a lot of excessive drinking here.
Estaminets are out of bounds 8-12
& 2-4. One chap has gone thro.
350 francs in the 4 days.
16/3/17 Have been busy the last week. I
am on the S. Fatigue still. Hall is
in hosp. with trench? feet. Last night
there was a debate on "Shd bachelors
be taxed", rather amusing - I took
part - nearly 100 present. Birdwood
came round yesterday, his hd qrs
are at HenenCt. The weather has
been showery - frost last night.
Recd Austn mail. Saw Abbott yest.
Baghdad has fallen & Austns have
advanced nearly to Baupume.
18/3/17 Had a surprise visit from Joc Thorp &
Alf Clemes, it was great seeing them, they
both look well - HR. O & I went over to the train
with them & had tea there.- Talked of old
times 

& hoped we would all get back this
year. The revolution in Russia
is serious - the Czar has resigned his
throne. Baupaune fell yest., &. a
big advance made - Indian lancers marched
thro' town yest. Also Cavalry & artillery
21/3/17 Walked across to Ribemont in
afternoon ^after tea with Sam R. - The 4^th Dn
is going into the line to morrow. Heard
the 6^th Bgde had a cutting up with m.
gun fire. British & French have made
further advance. Up to 22 miles in one
place Over 200 villages "redeemed". Walk
over with HR & SR to see Joc next day but
they train had loaded up & gone.
22/3/17 Snow fell during night & in aftn
about an inch fell. HR & I after tea
walked to Henencourt & round the Streets
Rue de Fom etc. Went into the YMCA tent
& listened to Pathé. The snow was falling
as we walked into H. We passed a long
convoy of Indian transport Waggons,
cavalry etc.  Bengal lancers 

The line had halted & the Indians were
standing with their backs to the storm
What cold unpleasant weather for
them! The country looked very peaceful
on return, the rooks were flying
home to the village trees from the
fields, a team retg from plowing, &
all the country side clothed in white.
A concert during the evg. in the Hall
given by 4 or 5 of the R.F. Corps. A
major from the Aerodrome near here
came down this aftn. & was killed -
he had smashed 9 machines.
23/3/17 Walked to Albert 4.9 km then
NW. H. Bonzentin passing lines of
transports, the villages are very muddy. Turned
NE. to Martinsart, the Church has
a wireless installn from its wrecked Spire.
Another 1.7 Km. brought me to Mesnil not
far from the front, it is absolutely wrecked
the Church roofless & shattered, saw one
shell hole where 3 were killed & one wd.
Only 2 mths ago. Retd to Albert 

by a different route, a lift in a
motor lorry most of way- Came along
the banks of the Ancre, a pretty stream
200 yds wide. Retd to Mellincourt with
Thatcher. The aftn. off for football.
24/3/17 Walked into Albert, a lovely aftn
a lift in a small car for 2 km. retd
to tea, 4.6km in 3/4 hr. - Met Alan
Pitt. - Our new O.C. Col Butler arrived
26/3/17 Service in the Hall last night. Walked
over to the Aerodrome near HenenCt. in
aftn. All the machines are monoplanes
I saw 3 alight & 2 or 3 ascend, they look
fine close to, & seem very easily worked.
A concert in the evg. given by. M. Amb. C.
rather good. 3 sisters present from 3^rd C.C.S.
29/3/17 Changeable weather lately.
2/4/17 Heavy fall of snow in afternoon,
Band concert in Hall in evening. A
route march this morning. Hear we will
be moving in a few days, so am getting
necessary things done. A debate tomorrow
night on - Has Australia done her duty 

to the Empire in voting No Conscription.
4/4/17 A few days ago 14 Aust, in charge
of a Cpl walked over to the Germans
& gave themselves up. It was read out
in orders that any Aust. like these were
to be fired on by our men. We recd
warning this morning from Col Butler about
gas attacks. We leave to-morrow
for Bapaume - Very wet, snow & rain
falling - Left Millencourt at 10.30 with
5/4/17 full packs up. a glorious day, after
snow & rain yest. Passed Albert & the longer
way round to Bazentin – a picnic lunch
on the roadside. The Col. carried his pack,
he is a good sort. Slept at Baz. in huts.
6/4/17 Left Baz. at 8.30 & marched along
duckboards, passed near Miller's Post, quite
deserted now. Bazentin is deserted too,
artillery etc. all moved up. Only a few
of 1^st Fd Amb. left at Rest Camp. Past
to East of High Wood, as fine view of
the scene of a fierce battle- wrecked
tanks etc. A huge mine 

crater near N.E corner- descended
into a valley - past Drop Alley etc.
leaving Flers on our right- A hot
day & we were glad of a rest every
hour. Folld the light rail for a time
then struck up to Hexham Rd & so
into a road where the German line was.
Saw a few dead. Across muddy country
into Le Bacq. a wreck -up the muddy
street & through Ligny & Ligny Thilloy.
Into clean country once more, grassy
& very few shell holes. Entered Bapaume
quite a large town, & marched thro'
the streets, past 2 corners where huge
mine craters, stretching right across the
street, had been filled in with bricks.
The streets are paved with stone blocks.
Every house is wrecked. The Germans
have systematically blown up the
whole town. The trees are cut down
wells polluted . The Town Hall is a
heap of bricks & smouldering Wood work
It was blown up by a mine after 

the Austns occupied it. German
notices etc & "Kellar 15 mann" etc on
all houses. The cellars are almost
the only habitable places. The Church
is mined & many of the biggest places
with 2 sides blown out & the roof hanging.
The Transport 3^rd- camped in a big yard near
the Caisse d' Epargner which is a wreck. We
were soon on fatigues getting a little
order out of the chaos of adjoining back
gardens where we are camped in cellars
& amongst the ruins. Wrecked walls, trees
gardens scattered with shell holes & some
tulips & primroses bravely trying to flower.
The place we were in had been a bailiff's
& his papers & a/cs of numerous clients were
scattered about, safes torn open etc. Had
a cold sleep, 2 blankets.
7/6/17 Easter Saturday- Fatiques in morning
A&B sections moed off up the Line 9 o'c.
We recd word at 2 to move of at 3.
27 of C sect. Marched off along a muddy
road, in places 1 ft deep between an
avenue of trees – Dozens of those 

near Bapaume had been cut down- New
trenches & barb wire entanglements had
been put up across country- Clean
country with several villages scattered
about - The first cross roads had been
mined. x filled in with bricks - passed several
crossed roads all mined & the road torn
up. One mine Crater was 60 ft across
& 30 ft deep. Tents & encampments Cavalry
etc in sight. Stopped at Fremicourt ^ADS &
had drink. 6 men of A sect. left there.
Stopped at next village a relay post
where some men had stopped. A limber
brought our packs to here - Left 9 men
there & 4 squads of 4 took rations & a
stretcher each & packs & struck across
country. A heavy load. Passed Artillery
etc. struck a road & followed it, leaving
2 sections at a corner to go up to a relay
post. Swift's & my squads went on another
mile to RAP of 9^th Bn. & took over from
another Amb. About 9 miles from
Bapaume & a mile from the patrols. 

8/4/17 Easter Sunday. A glorious sunny
day- a quiet night- artillery active
in aftn, also aeroplanes. Breakfast
of bacon & tea Cooked nearby. Enlarged
dugout for O & me. Short rations Hope
to get more up tomorrow. 3 casualties
9/4/17 Called out in the night, a carry
across open fields & a plowed piece. Fritz
sends up a great many flares- a fire in
some village to the East. The moon
is on the wane Had a busy day.
A lot of artillery men hit- one shell
dropped in a dugout & killed or wounded
10. An aeroplane duel just above
us, 4 Taubes caught one of our biplanes
The driver wounded & the observer
hit in the abdomen, they brought
the machine down safely near the
front line trench. Col. Butler came
up to see how we were getting on.
1o/4/17 Called out at 1 AM 2 cases.
Snow fell in the night-
11/4/17 Snow fell again last night . Our
squad was out again at 3 in the 

morning, & carried over a field of
snow - During the day the wind &
sun dried the ground a bit but
towards evening heavy snow fell again
& we lay in our dugout watching it fall
softly until it lay 2 or 3 inches, then it
began to thaw & our dugout did not
prove watertight - 3 patients in evg.
A number of shells fell near our dugouts
during the day. One of our biplanes
brought down in flames by a taube.
We are with 9^th Bn- Heard that several
tanks have gone up to on our left. -
13/4/17 Friday - Several 9" shells fell. near our
dugouts. 2 of them showered earth
on the aid post.- A fine day, rain
fell again last night & the road is
frightful. I made a path on other side
of road to take stretchers down - a
party also made a drain down
middle & cleaned up path on sheltered
side. The ration party is here, they
take tea etc up to the Bn. each
evg - Also signallers & 

machine gunners are near here &
Hd qrs - Heard that 12 tanks went
over, also Cavalry, but were not
successful, one tank Knocked out.
Had 2 men shot while cleaning their
rifles- counted as self inflicted - it is
unfortunate when the man has a good record-
Two men with scalp wounds. The Canada
have captured a lot of prisoners & guns
on our left- Lagnicourt is 200 yds ahead of us.
14/4/17 The 9^th Bn are going out, to night -
relieved by. The 12^th Bn - Went along
the road to a Cemetery - full of German
graves, it was well looked after- large
crosses, wreaths etc. - graves of 10/3/17
a week before they left here. Shrapnel
falling on the village of Morchie's beyond
15/4/17 One case during night - Roused at
daybreak & given order to "Stand to" - Fritz
commenced heavy bombardment- Word
passed to fix bayonets & line the bank-
A messenger sent to the 9^th Bn on the
road West of Morchies to bring up machine
guns & they all came across the 

fields at the double - Bodies of blue -
coated Germans could be seen advancing
across fields to N. of Lagnicourt-
They attacked on a 10 mile front & this
was the only place they broke thro'. It was
new ground for the 12^th & D Coy was put
off & many killed or captd - Col. Elliott
commanding here- The 9^th M.Gs etc -
took up positions along this sunken road
& rifles were soon speaking. heavy bombardment
on both sides. Ammn & bombs
handed roundxx. Reinforcements arrived
along road from Morchies - 2 were shot at
top of road (depression)- Could see some
of Austns retreating on top of next hill
½ m. away - Were thinking of Berlin -
Word passed along to guard the right
flank, & for bombers on left. We were
busy, bullets were zipping round fast
& furious & more than one found its mark
The nearest German got to withing 150 yds
of our cross roads - several shells fell
on our road -C. Elliott had a narrow
escape & was wounded in