Diary of George Booley, 5th Battalion, AIF, 1917, Part 17 of 19

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1917.
45th Week.
(313-52) 

We received hurried 
orders Hap & I to pack & be at 
Ouderdhom by 11.AM we were 
there & found that our presence 
was not needed, we were to be 
advance party, the Adj said 
we could remain here (Cornwall) 
camp) if we liked so we decided 
on staying, I went up & drew 
rations from Bn & got enough 
to last us near a week, we 
camped in the C.O.s hut 
pinched some fuel & .had 
a good fire & spent a comfy 
night, which was bright 
when we went to bed 
many planes were up bomb 
dropping & in the morning 
it was raining. 

  
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1917. 
45th Week. 
(314-51) 

Today the Bn came 
along, tents were pitched 
by an 8^th Bn fatigue party, 
our Coys had to go forward on 
working parties & after returning 
from that to put their packs 
up & come down here.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1917. 
46th Week. 
(315-50)  23rd after Trinity.   Half Quarter Day 
LESSONS - Matins - Hosea xiv.; Hebrews iv. v 14 & v. 
Evensong - Joel ii. v 21 or iii. v 9; John ii 

Did nothing, but kill time. 
  

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1917. 
46th Week. 
(316-49) 

Took buses for & moved 
through Popperinghe, Stenevorde, 
Cassel, Arques to some 
farm house billets.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1917. 
46th Week. 
(317-48) 

Went as advance party
for billets, Sig Off. & myself. we 
passed through much country 
new to me once we passed 
St Omer, we travelled in 
a bus for which I was most  
thankful, we arrived about 
3.30.PM. & then hunted for 
billets till after dark, had 
a decent dinner, (the interpreter 
had arrived by this time) 
& then we found lodgings 
for the night. Elnes was 
the name of the place. 
  

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1917. 
46th Week. 
(318-47) 

The Bn arrived about 
2 oclock sooner than I expected 
& we had to tear 
round to find the billets  
& get them in, at least we 
had the billets but had 
to show the guides round 
in a hurry, but everything 
went off well, just as we 
were finishing off the job 
the staff Captain came 
down post haste for us 
to go on again for the following 
days billets, so we 
had to go off again, goodness 
knows what Towns  
we passed through but 
we reached Blequin about 
10PM.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1917. 
46th Week. 
(319-46) 

Bn arrived about  
midday, we had hardly 
finished getting the billets 
& had to rush round but 
had good luck & got the 
Coys in in good time. 
In the afternoon I put 
lines on etc & finished 
up the day. The Bn are 
to rest tomorrow. 
  

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1917. 
46th Week. 
(320-45) 

Again on the track  
for Desvres on the bike about 
7 miles, it is the best Town 
we have been billeted in 
& I guess the Boys will be 
pleased when they see the 
place, although the Billets 
are poor on the whole, up 
till night we have only 
fixed up for about 200 
out of 700 that we have 
to get so will have to 
go some in the morning. 
I am sleeping in a bed 
tonight at a private place 
& have had two good meals 
for the day so it is not so 
bad.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1917. 
46th Week. 
(321-44) 

After a good nights rest 
up early to get the billeting 
finished as the Bn were 
to come in early, we were 
not quite ready for them when 
they arrived but did not keep  
them waiting long, we got 
good billets for the Sigs, ours 
(6 of us) are in an upstairs 
room of an estaminet with 
beds, the people are splendid 
& treat us well, it is 
the best billet we have 
ever had & our only worry 
is we are afraid we will 
soon have to leave it, it 
is too good to be true, the 
more I see of Desveres 
the more I like it. 
  

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1917. 
47th Week. 
(322-043)  24th after Trinity.   Lessons. 
Matins - Amos iii.; Hebrews xi. to v 17. 
Evensong - Amos v. or ix.; John vi. to v 22 
  
We created quite a stir 
in Desvres this morning 
we fell in in the square 
& marched through with 
the Band playing to where 
church parade was held 
we had innumerable  
kiddies, dogs etc following 
just like some of the pictures 
we used to see, the French 
are great for music. They 
come flocking out as soon 
as they hear the Band & 
the Kiddies follow it for 
miles. During the evening 
we had various Madams 
& Madamoiselles in to 
see us.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1917. 
47th Week. 
(323-42) 

Today training commenced 
again hours 9. till 11.30 
& 1.30 to 3.PM. not bad hours 
the afternoon is chiefly sport 
football etc, so if it does not 
increase it wont be bad. 
The day went by in flying 
style & I am afraid our 
sojourn in this town 
will all go likewise, 
my French is improving 
daily & if we stay here 
long I shall be able 
to Parley Francais with 
the best of them, I can 
say Oui Oui (we we) like 
a born Frenchman now. 

  
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1917 
47th Week. 
(324-41) 

Now that we are settled 
down to training again days 
are much of a muchness 
get up have breakfast, go 
on parade, dinner, parade 
again, tea & then write 
a letter or two in the evening 
have a yarn to the French 
people & go to bed, many 
of the hours off parade go 
playing with the Kiddies. 
I have quite fallen in love 
with them, pay today 
so things are necessarily  
a bit lively in the Towns 
but it can be said with 
credit that not one man 
was locked up by the 
MPs.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1917. 
47th Week. 
(325-40) 

Nothing different doing 
today only Bill Brown 
went to Hospital with 
after effects of Gas. 
  

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1917. 
47th Week. 
(326-39) 

The usual morning parade 
& in the afternoon we had 1½ 
hours route march with packs 
up, it rained most of the way 
but my one worry was, the 
O.C of the leading Coy was mounted 
on a fractious horse & would 
persist in getting uncomfortably 
close on my heels, of course it is 
an Officers privilege to do that 
kind of thing & not would not 
have been considered good discipline 
on my part to have 
told him half the thoughts I 
had in my mind, apart 
from that the march was 
not so bad.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1917. 
47th Week. 
(327-38) 

Morning parade but 
the afternoon was no parade 
but kit inspection. 
  

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1917. 
47th Week. 
(328-37) 

There was a short parade 
in the morning but I dodged 
it not feeling too brilliant 
on it, no parade in the 
afternoon. 
M

  
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1917. 
48th Week. 
(329-36)  Last after Trinity. LESSONS. 
Matins - Ecclesiastes xi. and xii.; James iv. 
Evensong - Haggai ii. to v 10 or Malachi iii. & iv.; John ix. to v 39. 
  
I did not arise for breakfast 
I was not feeling well on 
it the after effects of the 
gas is showing up, I missed 
the church parade. The 
weather is getting Wintry 
now the wind being very 
keen, in this respect 
it is the first taste of 
winter. I did not venture 
out all day. This is a Fete 
day for the Madamoiselles 
in which the single men 
are entitled to kiss the  
Ladies (single) & the Ladies 
take it bad if neglected.  
  

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1917. 
48th Week. 
(330-35) 

Parade morning & afternoon 
apart from that the  
only thing of importance 
was the beginning of a new 
mail arrived out of which 
I received 5 letters out of it. 
M 2

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1917. 
48th Week. 
(331-34) 

It rained all the morning 
so no parade, the afternoon 
was fine the only parade 
was to march up to the 
football ground 5^th & 8^th being 
the contesting teams, it was 
a skating exhibition in which 
the 8^th showed best form 
winning by 10 points, the 
notable thing of the match 
is, it is the first time our 
team have been beaten for  
over 6 months.  

  
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1917. 
48th Week 
(332-33) 

Morning parade, in the 
afternoon I went to the transport 
& got some gear, apart 
from that there was nothing 
doing with the exception 
as one of the chaps said, "a 
butter issue. 
We received hurried 
orders Hap & I to pack & be at 
Ouderdhom by 11.AM we were 
there & found that our presence 
was not needed, we were to be 
advance party, the Adj said 
we could remain here (Cornwall) 
camp) if we liked so we decided 
on staying, I went up & drew 
rations from Bn & got enough 
to last us near a week, we 
camped in the C.O.s hut 
pinched some fuel & .had 
a good fire & spent a comfy 
night, which was bright 
when we went to bed 
many planes were up bomb 
dropping & in the morning 
it was raining. 
  

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1917. 
45th Week. 
(314-51) 

Today the Bn came 
along, tents were pitched 
by an 8^th Bn fatigue party, 
our Coys had to go forward on 
working parties & after returning 
from that to put their packs 
up & come down here.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1917. 
46th Week. 
(315-50)  23rd after Trinity.   Half Quarter Day 
LESSONS - Matins - Hosea xiv.; Hebrews iv. v 14 & v. 
Evensong - Joel ii. v 21 or iii. v 9; John ii 

Did nothing, but kill time. 
  

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1917. 
46th Week. 
(316-49) 

Took buses for & moved 
through Popperinghe, Stenevorde, 
Cassel, Arques to some 
farm house billets.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1917. 
46th Week. 
(317-48) 

Went as advance party
for billets, Sig Off. & myself. we 
passed through much country 
new to me once we passed 
St Omer, we travelled in 
a bus for which I was most  
thankful, we arrived about 
3.30.PM. & then hunted for 
billets till after dark, had 
a decent dinner, (the interpreter 
had arrived by this time) 
& then we found lodgings 
for the night. Elnes was 
the name of the place. 
  

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1917. 
46th Week. 
(318-47) 

The Bn arrived about 
2 oclock sooner than I expected 
& we had to tear 
round to find the billets  
& get them in, at least we 
had the billets but had 
to show the guides round 
in a hurry, but everything 
went off well, just as we 
were finishing off the job 
the staff Captain came 
down post haste for us 
to go on again for the follow 
ing days billets, so we 
had to go off again, goodness 
knows what Towns  
we passed through but 
we reached Blequin about 
10PM.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1917. 
46th Week. 
(319-46) 

Bn arrived about  
midday, we had hardly 
finished getting the billets 
& had to rush round but 
had good luck & got the 
Coys in in good time. 
In the afternoon I put 
lines on etc & finished 
up the day. The Bn are 
to rest tomorrow. 
  

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1917. 
46th Week. 
(320-45) 

Again on the track  
for Desvres on the bike about 
7 miles, it is the best Town 
we have been billeted in 
& I guess the Boys will be 
pleased when they see the 
place, although the Billets 
are poor on the whole, up 
till night we have only 
fixed up for about 200 
out of 700 that we have 
to get so will have to 
go some in the morning. 
I am sleeping in a bed 
tonight at a private place 
& have had two good meals 
for the day so it is not so 
bad.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1917. 
46th Week. 
(321-44) 

After a good nights rest 
up early to get the billeting 
finished as the Bn were 
to come in early, we were 
not quite ready for them when 
they arrived but did not keep  
them waiting long, we got 
good billets for the Sigs, ours 
(6 of us) are in an upstairs 
room of an estaminet with 
beds, the people are splen- 
did & treat us well, it is 
the best billet we have 
ever had & our only worry 
is we are afraid we will 
soon have to leave it, it 
is too good to be true, the 
more I see of Desveres 
the more I like it. 
  

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1917. 
47th Week. 
(322-043)  24th after Trinity.   Lessons. 
Matins - Amos iii.; Hebrews xi. to v 17. 
Evensong - Amos v. or ix.; John vi. to v 22 
  
We created quite a stir 
in Desvres this morning 
we fell in in the square 
& marched through with 
the Band playing to where 
church parade was held 
we had innumerable  
kiddies, dogs etc following 
just like some of the pictures 
we used to see, the French 
are great for music. They 
come flocking out as soon 
as they hear the Band & 
the Kiddies follow it for 
miles. During the evening 
we had various Madams 
& Madamoiselles in to 
see us.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 1917. 
47th Week. 
(323-42) 

Today training commenced 
again hours 9. till 11.30 
& 1.30 to 3.PM. not bad hours 
the afternoon is chiefly sport 
football etc, so if it does not 
increase it wont be bad. 
The day went by in flying 
style & I am afraid our 
sojourn in this town 
will all go likewise, 
my French is improving 
daily & if we stay here 
long I shall be able 
to Parley Francais with 
the best of them, I can 
say Oui Oui (we we) like 
a born Frenchman now. 
  

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1917 
47th Week. 
(324-41) 

Now that we are settled 
down to training again days 
are much of a muchness 
get up have breakfast, go 
on parade, dinner, parade 
again, tea & then write 
a letter or two in the evening 
have a yarn to the French 
people & go to bed, many 
of the hours off parade go 
playing with the Kiddies. 
I have quite fallen in love 
with them, pay today 
so things are necessarily  
a bit lively in the Towns 
but it can be said with 
credit that not one man 
was locked up by the 
MPs.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1917. 
47th Week. 
(325-40) 

Nothing different doing 
today only Bill Brown 
went to Hospital with 
after effects of Gas. 
  

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1917. 
47th Week. 
(326-39) 

The usual morning parade 
& in the afternoon we had 1½ 
hours route march with packs 
up, it rained most of the way 
but my one worry was, the 
O.C of the leading Coy was mounted 
on a fractious horse & would 
persist in getting uncomfortably 
close on my heels, of course it is 
an Officers privilege to do that 
kind of thing & not would not 
have been considered good discipline 
on my part to have 
told him half the thoughts I 
had in my mind, apart 
from that the march was 
not so bad.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1917. 
47th Week. 
(327-38) 

Morning parade but 
the afternoon was no parade 
but kit inspection. 
  

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1917. 
47th Week. 
(328-37) 

There was a short parade 
in the morning but I dodged 
it not feeling too brilliant 
on it, no parade in the 
afternoon. 
M

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1917. 
48th Week. 
(329-36)  Last after Trinity. LESSONS. 
Matins - Ecclesiastes xi. and xii.; James iv. 
Evensong - Haggai ii. to v 10 or Malachi iii. & iv.; John ix. to v 39. 
  
I did not arise for breakfast 
I was not feeling well on 
it the after effects of the 
gas is showing up, I missed 
the church parade. The 
weather is getting Wintry 
now the wind being very 
keen, in this respect 
it is the first taste of 
winter. I did not venture 
out all day. This is a Fete 
day for the Madamoiselles 
in which the single men 
are entitled to kiss the  
Ladies (single) & the Ladies 
take it bad if neglected.  

  
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1917. 
48th Week. 
(330-35) 

Parade morning & afternoon 
apart from that the  
only thing of importance 
was the begining of a new 
mail arrived out of which 
I received 5 letters out of it. 
M 2

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1917. 
48th Week. 
(331-34) 

It rained all the morning 
so no parade, the afternoon 
was fine the only parade 
was to march up to the 
football ground 5^th & 8^th being 
the contesting teams, it was 
a skating exhibition in which 
the 8^th showed best form 
winning by 10 points, the 
notable thing of the match 
is, it is the first time our 
team have been beaten for  
over 6 months.  

  
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1917. 
48th Week 
(332-33) 

Morning parade, in the 
afternoon I went to the transport 
& got some gear, apart 
from that there was nothing 
doing with the exception 
as one of the chaps said, "a 
butter issue.