Diary of Gerard Henderson Cowan, November 1916 - January 1917 - Part 9

5 pm. or there abouts. We had
instructions to keep all blinds
down as hostile aircraft like
bombing trains. So long as there
was a chance of seeing the Country
however most were kept up.
It was too dark however to see much.
We passed through a fairly long
tunnell on our journey.
At Exeter we were given our
water bottles full of tea and a
bun each. This is provided by
the Mayoress of Exeter & Comittee.
We passed a troop train of Po tommies
& Australians going to Plymouth
to embark for the front. We
eventually arrived at Aynsbury
and detrained. It was snowing
when we arrived here.
Our kit bags were picked up by
a motor transport so we just had
our marching order.
We found the roads very slippery
to walk on and several fellows
slipped & fell also the wa march
though only about thee miles
was fairly fatigueing after 9 weeks
confinement on ship. We arrived
in camp of 3 am. and after
standing about in the snow
we were allotted to quarters, ^given something to eat and
allowed to turn in.
To day we did not have to turn out
till about 8 am. and then 
We had breakfast at 9a.m.
and then had to parade in
full marching order & be inspected 

by the Major, afterwards
we were handed over to another
officer by Capt Tullock, We have
lost him worse luck he has been
transferred. I have forgotten
 

our new Lieutenants name
In the afternoon we were
all enoculated and have to have
another dose in about nine
days. We are having 48 hours
rest at present.
We had to draw our beds &
mattresses and fill the mattresses
with straw. That finished our days
work.
In the evening I went to the YMCA
and sent a Cablegram home.
We have all of our meals here in
a seperate hut. We are marched
up and have our xxxx to
our meals. All the work is done
by permenant mess orderlies
men who are unable to go to
the front, also all men fatigue
work is done by the same class
of men. we just have to drill
 

Hand drawn diagram, see original document

I received 9 letters on my arrival
one this morning and eight
this afternoon. The one in the
morning was from Majorie
Broadhurst. Those in the of 
The others were One from M. C.
Some from the Henn's, one from 
Wilfred, one from Frank one
from Helen 1 from mum one
from Gracie Willis and
one from Miss Wilson. the
last two were invitations.
Which I intend to except
when we have our four
days leave. This by the way
is all the leave we get.
These are our beds. They consist
of three boards laid on two very
Hand drawn diagram, see original document
small trestles. We have a straw
mattress and five blankets.
 

Page of Morse Code notation


 

Page of Morse Code notation
 

Blay 1/-

J Howell 1/-

Kiely 1/-

Hind 1/-

Beggs 1/-

Rinner 1/-

Clements 1/-

James √ owing paid by myself G H Cowan

Morris 1/-

Blay Kelly √ 1/-

Brown √
Cowan 1/-

Page of Morse Code notation
 

A Z S B H L

I M J N O B

F X U M L K

C Y V K K 
O  C    . L

V
E    We were late in starting, 

as we drove
through the streets to
the reception [[JVERUALM?]]
laid a hand on my arm.
[[Surre?]] away more deeply
my mystified. The rooms
Sonney un boettil
de leau. Il na pas de leau
il a beau coup de cognac
chien hereux
Voici les  soldats qui Ont
chaud men may have
a smoke.
I wish they y would pull
up the anchor
 

Deplo mat sts Seccret
service men fof all
countries jostled one
another in the

-----------------
avez vous tou les soldats
australiems dit la fille
jolie. Qui et ces sont ee
in mechants dit la
outre petite. Ils ont beaucoup
de faim n'est ce pas
et de soif aussi a deux
le ie beers sils vous plait
deam monsierer
oui pour tous la deux.
div Hd qrs. Calais. 
enemy attacking left flank
Staff

Ere he attained this
indifference however he
had ^read and stored in a memory.
And what may your name
be sir. Major Melville

Melville then
But it may be of consequence
to the state sir.
A non- commissioned
This worthy man (none nf
the GOU^RTHISPPLES
OR REATO)
The manner and air of
the town.
JOHN ERISKINE AN
EMIENT Scottish divine and
a most excellent man be
the EVAN
 

K.K Brackets
L.T. Oblique stroke
N.R. Horizontal stroke
 

Blank pages in
this item have
not been
scanned
 

DONATED RECORDS LIST

3660

Donner - to give

To eat - manger  monjor

To drink - Boire

To smoke fumer

to sell Vendre

to buy acheter