Diary of Gerard Henderson Cowan, January - April 1917 - Part 4

up and flying low over us. Several
landed some distance from us.
Some of the aviators saluted by dipping
their machines as they passed another
descended spirally from the sky until
low down then saluting, ascended and flew
off. After the inspection was over the
Battalions marched up and wheeling 
in succession crossed the groud there
changedy formation and marched in
column of platoons along xxxx past
Sir Newton, each platoon saluting as it
passed. By the time we arrived back
in camp it was time 'to dismiss'.
Wednesday 14/3/17
Thursday 15/3/17
This morning we had to parade in full
marching order and this is to be the
order of the day hereafter.
We were put through more battalion drill
and then taken on a route march
arriving back in camp at dinner.
While on the march saw Hutton and
several of our fellows at Bulford Manor,
a Convalescent Hospital, also Gipsies x kept
following us in dog carts and selling
sweets. These gipsies are neither as clean
or as picturesque as one is led to imagine
by books, nor are their caravans anything
special. One however which we passed
near Amesbury station was a really fine piece
of work. Beautifully made and varnished.
It had sliding windows and elaborate interior 

fillings and looked like the "Rover Caravan".
This afternoon consisted of musketry and
a visit to the dentist, and tonight there has
been a concert, one of the best I have seen
since arriving at the camp.
Friday 16/3/17
To day has gone in musketry and trench
digging. Those of the 22/11 who had not had
their general musketry (me included) were
examined by Captain Levy and passed.
Being short of Sgts and cpls I have had the
job of platoon sgt all day.
This evening after dismiss I walked to
Amesbury and from the post office rang
up the S.W.Station and found that trains
run to Broadstone on Sunday - the most
convenient being, one Salisbury to Broadstone
leaving at 9.10 am and one from B. to S. at
4.10 p.m.
I am now host commander as Sgt Cruthers
has transferred to the 12^th Battalion.
Saturday 17/3/17
We were paid this morning and there was
supposed to be a kit inspection this however
did not come off. We finished up the morning
with a short route march.
Clements & I walked to Amesbury in the
afternoon and after a good afternoon
tea went to the pictures. We then returned
to camp and indulged in a good hot bath,
being too late for tea we went to the Y.M.C.A.
and filled up there.
On arrival back in camp from Amesbury
I found a telegram had arrived from Aunt Bertha
saying she would be pleased to see me on Sunday
I wired back the time my train would arrive,
I have got managed to get my pass tonight
but cannot get away till tomorrow as it is now
so late. The pass is only made out to Salisbury 

I have to risk the rest. I have to walk into S. to catch the 9.10
am train
Sunday 18^th/3/17
Harris woke me at 4 a.m. this morning. I went
to sleep again however and would have
been too late but one of the men woke me
again. I dressed and left camp at about
20 minutes to 6 am. Having no time to shave
I took my shaving kit with me.
By 6 a.m. I was at Amesbury and ^after another
two hours walking and I I arrived in
Salisbury. It was then 8 a.m. So I just had
time to have breakfast at the Y.M.C.A. and
then walk to the station to catch my
train. On arrival then there the problem
was how to get my ticket as they will
not sell tickets to soldiers without a
rebook voucher. I eventually overcame the
difficulty by getting a civy to buy it
for me. I was sitting in the train
congratulating myself on having managed
to so well and missed all the military
Police. Next thing I knew two were
at the carriage window asking where
I was going and wanting to see my pass.
Of course I had to the tell them and show
the pass. You'll have to come out of that,
his pass is only made out to Salisbury,
you cannot go any farther, and I thought
I would too, However when I had stated the
facts he gave me back xx my pass and
said you'll come a gutza (meaning I'll catch it
if you get caught and let me continue
my journey. Once it was away from S. I
was safe as all the places we passed through
on the journey were small and there were
no M.P's at Broadstone. On arrival
there I was met by a man who had been
a servant of Aunt Bertha's for years 

and he conducted me to Widworthy.
Widworthy is one of the prettiest places
I have seen. The house is on a hill and
has and has a splendid view looking
You can the town of Poole and get a
glimpse of the open sea 4 or 5 miles away.
The house nestled snugly in among fir
trees and Aunt Bertha has a splendid
garden. I had a very enjoyable time
while there. There are many interesting
family paintings xxx in the house.
Aunt took some snaps of me before I left
and I hope she will send me some of
them. I had to leave in time to catch
the 2 p m  train. This arrived back
in Salisbury at 5.27 I had tea at Y.M.
and then walked to the market square
I found the omnibus to Amesbury
already filling with Dali so I got
in also. The bus was time to leave at 5 pm
but finding he had a full cargo he left at
7 pm instead, so I arrived in camp
at 8.30 or thereabouts.
Monday 19/3/17
Monday 24/4/17
No entries made for over a month
During that time I have been
at the Australian Musketry School
Bhurtpore Barracks Tidworth.
Arrived here Tuesday 27/3/17. and we
leave for Camp again tomorrow
25/4/17. The course has been very
interesting and instructive.
On Saturday 7/4/17 I rode down to
Donhead near Shaftsbury 32 miles
away, on a bicycle to visit
Donhead Hall. arrived back
Sunday night. 

Wednesday 26/4/17
Results of exams were read yesterday
Renner & I both got 1^st class passes
Returned to camp yesterday afternoon.
Half holiday today afternoon washing
some clothes I walked across to Bulford
camp and afterwards returned to
Larkhill and visited Ron.
2nd JAN 1918
Hard at work at signalling today
Piece of paper placed over page

got any pudding.
Managed to get discharged this
morning and came back
to Camp. Got all my kit again
and this afternoon continued
on with the signalling.
Wed 19 Dec 1917
Usual run of signalling we are
on signalling forms, Prefixes.
Miscellaneous [[?]] and
have also had some camp
reading. Weather extremely
cold. has been freezing over
since the snow fell on
Saturday. D.R.C 3660/3J
Australia today the first I have
had for two months 

Wednesday 26/4/17
Results of exams were read yesterday
Renner & I both got 1^st class passes
Returned to camp yesterday afternoon.
Half holiday today afternoon washing
some clothes I walked across to Bulford
camp and afterwards returned to
Larkhill and visited Ron.