Diary of William Gordon Farquhar, 1915 - Part 2

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
RCDIG0000158
Difficulty:
5

Page 1 / 10

Oed. 20/0/15 N16 lett completed at 17.00 Following shifts start on 21 Lett in order to intercept enemy before be reaches that Gallery. An 57 feet Lurface Tunnel turned a leble to the right as at this points it stined he char of broken ground, Fanspits & trench repaired proceeding also depering of Main invelope, Officers seeping position in N.3 loct complehed. Only place enemy has been heard working is lift fronk fen of N.HAR. Distance over 16 feet Mur. 2/10/15 No 21 seft & surface Tunnel proceeding. No. sounds of enemy below during day. Deepening of Main Gallery procusing. Three parties on replacing parapits. timbere up Magazine. Repairs to Smpers positions on left of post. Timbering up over head traversis. Firty of 5men on dugont in N. 1 Post. At O8. 00 L Howl get on to enemys overhea cover of sap 500 yos from post. Good shooting at 35.00 yos rrange. Fid 22/10/5. N. 2 left & Surfaci tunnel still going trolage from latter slightly better (5.0J. Farlies still on deepening Mai fallery and on Frenich repairs sparapek Started small excavation for stork on Tunnel month terrace. One sapper on repairs to smpers positions on left. During 2 hirs, us soundt of the enemy undergrous have been heard Pat 23/10/15. Surface Tunnel at 70 turned to right so that should it cut everys gallery there will be a better drines of shking it where there is tamping. W. N. Still propressing. Farapets & deepening of falleries elso procuring. Sarted party on Kitchen for Dack. Mover close up to Tunnel month. terrace. Repeirs to surpers porchions completed. no sounds undergraund during day Inspection by OCDE. in the afternoon Repaire to Gos Spriger by Brownler
Jun 24/10/15. Farapeh repairs and usual work on Main invelope. tommencet tunnel unnection between No. 3 Pap and firing lue at 1C. Wuize. Work on Kibehew libe almost completed. At 09.45 Surface Manel Briaks into evemy trinnel (teneped) dole was quietly enlarged and a lilshe tamping will drawn. Strong draught is coming through & a little daylight can be seen which indicates only a little tamping on our left. Work stopped here and listenest pocked. Charge of 300 165. Ciity placet in heact of N. 18 with three electric delinators in series and one Mork 6. with instantanions fust. Tampit back for about 15 fuet Surface Tunuel shipps not working from 4vo to 09.00 (2po/1). During day evering his been heard working to lept of N.2/ & pah of N. 22. Also heard at N. 23 fairly close and t left frunk of No. 44 some distance away. Mow. 25/0/5. Work on No. 21 heph ceasedat og, es. Follavley Sheph consuencet. N.A5. Wurze from which in is inhender to drve out a listening gallery to replace No. 45. The break through in Surfacr hunnl his been sand bagger up wilie further owers and stuipts of listeners posked there Report on crmets OC.D.F. General repairs to bunches parabete co usuil. Excanation) for Ribeliew sike about completed. Deepening of Wem invelope shill proceding also tunnel innection between No. 3 Sap & Firing tre at 1G Warze. Enemy has been herrd working in an half hearted feshion to lift of No. N Leph. Wowven. loaphole made bor N.G. officir. Mes. 26/10/15 N 45 Wuize down 8ft. Harter drising. No.15 N. 5 Drive deepened also deepening of Main enselope proceeding. Shelker for O.C.NS 142 Pocks completed. Repairs to tarapets as usual. Party on diening. up sheps. Kibchen sike completed. During wight eering worked a little to lefh of No. 21. but no work during day. Surface tinuel listeners repor ted once or twice heaving sounds, but dont consiver it anything inportant 300
Bed. 2/10/5. No further develop nenti in Lusfair munet. During the whrt memy his apparently done us reak undergerand Wok on Main Gallery almost complited. No. 45 proceeding also W.3 lap connection. Passpell & trench work as isnat O happer on Rithen swent. tle ixplodie & fund due tokes 3. N. 13 delinatare in purallit cirly. Firty nice on support ong outs also Ferty on slips. Ther 2/10/62 Repairs to parefuls strenches. Deepening Marigallery complited & parties now cleaning up generally below graund. No. 45 proceeding cles N. 3 tap conmection. Drainage tunnet has been stirted from Sap to man leteines. Kinger legs for Citefull hand thrower fuiseed by Allan. hish of disbrinntion of lection sent to H.Q. at 17.00 No souns hiv been heard of evemy belo graund during the day 10R1 Fer 29/0/5- Parapeh & truch repairs as usual. Paies. proceeding are N.45t N.3 Lap Tunnel and Draiwage Tunnel, Farties still on deepening galteries. Enemy ha been wirking fairly consistently during the day to the left of Ne H Leph. distenre put him down as 5ft distant but coul consider hime garbe so close Once oe twice listeniees in purface tunnel reported teig coult hear footsleps and saunds of oaices, which are apparently coming from old Turkicks treach about Oft. distant Heavy bonihing brom this trench about 17.00. Thom, Bowra and 3 happere of N84 loy ganed at Lilly about 12.00 tat 30/10/15. Usual work on parapilt & trencles. At 09.00 slart right arm of No.46 at 20 feet. Drainage & N.3 Sip Rennill still going an parties on deepering in me workings. Beneny her been soking almost continuourly at No 31 Left where should say he is dbout oft away. If he continus wilh probably have to blow him tomorrow. He also dis a wotle workat Nc A2. Surface Tannel listeners report sounos o morements + voices at inservats.
Lune 3/0/5. Favere in Re. loct by thers porty cmplese. N. 3lep Tunnet breats through. Ln draniage tunnel striken sto dogah which causes a lich of a nun of lover wil tunder ouerhead, putting a little firling in. Work on purapili as urual. N. 45 progressing satisfactorily. Tarty on 7 man dugant in N.1 Pest. Sapport still going. Recidet to Jab Owen 18th Batter lishinr that himself in muple whice channing riple in Main envelope. Orderd from Brigade not to clear out filing furfare tannel. Barricade of and bage tuilt Mon. 1/4/15 Repaire to approach & fire trencher. W. 3. 2 Sep Tannel being enlarged & deepened. Terapels is usual. haded P1lort fivmg lime. Wak diel proceeding in galteris, N.H and Dramage Tunnel. Small fostage here on account of timberng uxcesion. Evemy shill wirking wervin in afaihion to left of I1 Left. He must he making pracically in progress hire as he onily gives about to blowe with the piety thhen hiterine intently for about ro minutes. He has also been heart during the day working some distance away from the fac of N. 45 XII Mres. 2//15. N. 15 & Draniage Tunnel progressing. About 18 fet along right arm of 45th the floor sounds vory druming which is charactoristic if the gromns at this post. Fasset through rniing ground in Dramiage Tunuel fortage being beeee today Dupening of calleries still proceeding floor being very hard. Farsfils & truch repairs. tothinleph of N.2 evering his apparently ceased work ns counds of him there being beard during the day. He is very actrol to thie fronk f 45 which makes out think that as faras lins i inig work is conterned he is entirely on the dipersie We 3//15. Parigels, Copholes & geeral brench repairs Deepening of gitteries proceeding. Draninge tunuel should break through tomarrow Repairs. by blackimil to ferland motar. N.3 Lap. Com, trl. completed. Right arm of 45 his been shopped + the gallery itself is being pushed out to weet ensiy before he git closer. This is the oidy place he has been beart working
Tur 4/5 Dramage tunnel breaks there eadis factority Fronk of trunch in racicoure collapses which necessitat a few amount of tumber repairs. Henal work on gelliries. Farafits and other brunch refairs as usual. Diring day evemy again does a bill work to lift of N.31. Ab atnt 17.30 he explades a curfuce mine about 15 yds. from the left of N.6 Poct then working in face of 45t severely shaken but otherwise inibunt. Lorge flying clade bury one naw in fire trink & break in overhead cover in support trench bursyng 3 ters. Ah about 20.30 heavy rifto & hanb fiw from evening ill along line, but only place be attemple talhick was Chephams Post which heat off ablack Jo 5//15 Repairs to overhind cover & trenchus in NcC bst Tarifels. Copholes as usual Park at work on hose dram in Dramage tut. Our shift on 45th lost party enjaged claning out trench NcC Foet. Listenees in Surfaer Tunil reported counds of picking on and off durin the day. Think Mew are sounds of evening left of No. It when he has been working in an undermittent sort of way duiing the last yextort. Nn other sounds below ground late epepts. N. 45 (cendrearm) has been shapped at 45 from our envelope and recess for charge is being cut. Work on galteries shell proceeding. Repairs to firing time and werhend eiver in support trenches, toopholes and parapity, Waltaby loophole fined up in No 2Post Filling in of Drnniage tunnel proceeding. Eery his been working fairly consistenbly to the frenk of No. 21 (1e. behind his olt trench, also a hable picking heard close to N. 2 leph, but dand consider he is making any frohage hire to speak of Wentor menc. he protection from shell fire memel latey
San. 4/4/5. Reces at hear y 4 completed Left ari commenced 17.00 shipt Deepening of cillries and refairs to firing hie support brenelie and parapets Repairs to overtund cover in Mt post bigger git than andiupated praclically all the near well having to come down and rebuilt. During the 2 hrs miny has dure very litble work at N24 and has not been heard illewhure 18th Balt histeners replace at 17.00 by 17th men. Mow o/45. best arm of N. 4 proceday. Repaire to support diring line ourhen ber also peropite and lospholes. Fitter of water tink. Farty in with drawing tamping from N. 18. Tuis for charge him ade meny her been heart once or twien tepping it N.H. but dont thing hiis doing anything that canbcilled work. 1OR Mes 1//5 Left arm N. 45 shill proceeding Gillories being deepersed and N.4 Wuize enlarget. Guural trench and overhint cover repairs N3 fection requiring most chlention. Haring the night enemy worked a witle turder at No 3t but has been very quick then during the day Once or twice listeners refuled they cane hear him in the distance from Ne 34 but prolably das wis surface sounds the ground overhead here being very beakin Wed 10/1/15 Keess cat at end of 45t left arm + work here shopped, Shifts now cutting I head at ind of riget arm. Repaire to overbead cover in N3 Poet and usual truch and perapit repairs. Farty in clearing up ships in approacli trenches. Work or gatteries proceeding and Kcu from Marn Tunnet gaing wirth started.
menny has been working harder than usual at P.St and is gitting hallier close to biad of long arm. He has also been vorking ont from left arm and appeare to he working towards the other man. Jure 1//5. Right arm of N.45 branched off to cover ground between here and right crm of N. 44 Dupening work or tain Near Gillery continnes also on & but north from Man Tunnel. Usual repairs to overhead cover and firing trenches. At 12.30 laid charge of 340 Hs. Rinmonal in recess at hear of N. H. Starker tamping 13.30 and completed at 20.00 about 32 Ht. Delay caused by had air the men figubly having to come out. Bepore firing charge at 20.30 lighted fase of small plare to yunte gasses. At the true of explading charge enemy was working about 5 ft. distent, Tusbrcted mining chifts in 18T to cease work till 01.00 and liseners to come on again at 0r.00 (ispepis), but not to go south of NeS Denve. Did 2/15 N. 45 Shile progressing footage being lower owing to one shipt being put on to tamp. No 2/. Farties deepency tham rear gallery and & cut north progressing slowly. Asual work on fire trencies and overhead cover. Since plowing N. H. no sounds hean been heard of evering at work underground. Date 13/1p5 N. 4 compleded about 20.20 Shipts them clacked or recess for w 38th Wing Farh stell deepening tham fallery, & fut worth ehee geing Habe N.6 tnnet underlie from Man Galleny Uonal repaird to dueshead comr bunsh persfit itc. After we had knocked off N.H Leneny cmmenced work to the frond & chore regat arr, so probbl he his cleaved it as much temping as possible from his last below & commeneed driving again. M other sounds
Law 14//5. Receis for 38 complited and 3 of win sunk. Farlies on Mem Callerry & Arh worth and N.S Tunnet anduhe. Furly as ouerhead evver in N.3 best and the ual daily repairs to parspets a trch in general. Eveiy can He slere heard wiking from 16th & 44 He has wlo been heard once or twie during the day will ant from N23 which may possibly be the sounds listenees say they can hear from Lurfon tunnel. Bout Servens in N 146 Socks hiving a rough time. Mou o//5. Underground worke progressing in. No. 38t Wurge, & Cubs North & Souith from N (Mann) Tnel, Andertie from Man gallerry to connech with end of H.B Fnnel. Aleo deepening of Main filleny withwards usual bepairs to overhead cover, fir tremlie & perabits. Brk tervens during the night got hadly knocked about. Eeiy is still noking ahoue right yus of N.4 but in a nervons farhion and doesush appear to be making much fistage. He was also heard turing the afternion somedistince into fiom face of N.18 (cennearm) but is not wnking continuorily here Wes 6p/15. Party on all day with drawing temping from No.4 and stacking it in main curhain between 16. Winge and No. 16. No 38th Winge completed and drive stirked. Ab 17.00 shipk chark on N40 (extending). Day stupts on & cut south from N7 Tunnel and underlie to N.C Tunnel. Rebains to verlicad cover & trunches in guerd Menny is still working at 4 and was also heard for a few minites between but ont from 18 Right & 17 lft. Was heard as will onkfrom 18 cutre probably same party
Ded 1715. At 09.00 shipts shart on recesses in NerBet for N 14 & Tunnels; also mr & cut- south from N7 tunnel. Compliaed with drawing temping from N221. daw 1501s. (4tins]) in right arm NEB Faity in till 32.00 temping Usual repairs to fin trench & parapets. meny working 4t t ard 18 right At 20.30 demonstvation by enemy. Heady storm at tum. Jur. 10/15. Since tamping H enny has dne work no contunious there distence on waiking for him to return. In N. 1oct 3 shipts lont owing to sirmand & ship on other lacis. Very litale damage Ime by storin to treacher. Usual partis on trench, parapite vourhent cover. Mr Times Conrveyor) sharts work with Hill. Dunin night energ dit a little work ont from right arm of 18 Ah about 20.00 evemy starked work again at 45H. At 21 inploded mine there which I insiderevos ardisfactory During night. multock from No 40 & 38t couning out of man wil Jav. 19/11/15. At about 16 fert No 38 strikes wroken ground so have turned off right ars, auot continuing N 40 in dronmendt grade. At 13.00 shipts start on N.8 Tnb. Grave 1 in 5/2 Runses for NS 142 tul progressing in N.IOct. Nenal breach opurapet rpure. Sice bloning N.45 eveig her not been heard working any wthere belingraund. Cat. 20p/15 Work or & ath wirth from N.7. Tin nel. inhermittent consequently short fortago there thanks of N.8. tul. tribered up & work. there progreasing sntisfachivily. No 14 2 underlies 38t 40 & & cut south proceeding Usual trencl Fouwhead cover nepairs. Allew suit off to hospital. During day evemy doe a little work 15 fat i so veor N2 100
him 4p2. Me to five shipt on No. 460 did not come on whavi bew corporal in clearge releived thre sets tumber puh in No. 2 Tal Anderbi. Thir faces progressing sadisfactorily. Must daily repaird to parepit ant knnb corcine. thicl takely have been glting badly knoed about at righty. Menry has been heard out from liftarm of N.23 (distant) and also a few taps to right J.H. Mon 22/1/15. Usal parspet & hout screen repaire Nine sett timber put in N2 Tul underlie. All other faces progressing fairly well. At about 16.00 enemry sharbed working hard fairly close to left arm Hc 4 apparently to try & shp right arm of 38. Recees being put in this from 17.0 74.00 chift. memy his also been working fairty consistenbly to the right 158 hut wmn bust to blue bi Mes 23/15. Farty on day shipt willidraning temping from No 45ts first beyond right arm the ground very broken so probably libtle of the drive will be recovernt Ouerhead cover pirt in N.1 Tul. Underlit. Other faces progressing satisfactrnly Daily work on overhead cover & prrapets Ah 37 evemy ceased work about 05.00 and his not been heart there suice At inservale during the day & night he he been bard to the right of No18 At about $20.00 while our men were working in left arm of 38th emmny exploded iune doseto left arm of 57 where be had ceaset work this morning. As hurm was dure to any of tha urew or unvergramt workings. A cmple of sireens in Nro it northern were flattened & me man slightly injured in trenier.

Wed 20/10/15. No 16 Left completed at 17.00. Following shifts
start on 21 Left in order to intercept enemy before
he reaches that Gallery. At 57 feet Surface Tunnel
turned a little to the right as at this point it should
be clear of broken ground. Parapets & trench repairs
proceeding also deepening of main envelope. Officers
sleeping positions in No.3. Post completed.
Only place enemy has been heard working is
left front of end of No 44R. Distance over
15 feet.
Thur. 21/10/15. No 21 Left & surface Tunnel proceeding. No
sounds of enemy below during day. Deepening of
Main Gallery proceeding. Three parties on replacing
parapets. Timbered up Magazines. Repairs to Snipers
positions on left of post. Timbering up over head
traverses. Party of 5 men on dugout in No 1 Post.
At 08.00 6" Howtz. gets on to enemy's overhead cover of
sap 800 yds from post. Good shooting at 3500 yds range.
Frid. 22/10/15. No 21 Left & Surface Tunnel still going. Footage
from latter slightly better (5'0"). Parties still
on deepening Main Gallery and on Trench repairs
& parapets. Started small excavation for store
on Tunnel mouth terrace. One Sapper on repairs
to snipers positions on left. During 24 hrs, no
sounds of the enemy underground have been
heard.
Sat 23/10/15. Surface Tunnel at 70' turned to right so
that should it cut enemy's gallery there will be a
better chance of striking it where there is tamping.
W.H. still progressing. Parapets & deepening of
Galleries also proceeding. Started party on kitchen
for Post. Moved store up to Tunnel mouth
terrace. Repairs to snipers positions completed.
No sounds underground during day
Inspection by O.C.D.E. in the afternoon.
Repairs to Gas Sprayer by Brownlee.

 

Sun.24/10/15. Parapet repairs and usual work on
Main envelope. Commenced tunnel connection
between No 3 Sap and firing line on 1.G. Winze.
Work on Kitchen Site almost completed. At 09.45
Surface Tunnel breaks into enemy tunnel (tamped.)
Hole was quietly enlarged and a little tamping
withdrawn. Strong draught is coming through &
a little daylight can be seen which indicates
only a little tamping on our left. Work stopped
here and listeners posted. Charge of 350 lbs. Amml. 
placed in head of No 18 with three electric
detonators in series and one Mark 8 with
instantaneous fuses. Tamped back for about 15 feet.
Surface Tunnel shifts not working from 21.00
to 09.00 (25/10/15). During day enemy has been
heard working to left of No 21 & front of No 22.
Also heard at No 23 fairly close and to left
front of No 44 some distance away.
Mon 25/10/15. Work on No  21 Left ceased at 09.00. Following
(6.) shift commenced No 45 Winze from which it is intended
to drive out a listening gallery to replace No 45. The 
break through in Surface Tunnel has been sand bagged up
until further orders and shifts of listeners posted there.
Report on same to O.C.D.E. General repairs to trenches
& parapets as usual. Excavation for Kitchen site about
completed. Deepening of main envelope still proceeding
also Tunnel connection between No 3 Sap & Firing line
at 1G Winze. Enemy has been heard working in an
half hearted fashion to left of No 21 Left. Wooden
loop hole made for M.G. Officer.
Tues. 26/10/15. No 45 Winze down 8 ft. Started driving
No45 A. No5 Drive deepened also deepening of
Main envelope proceeding. Shelter for O.C. Nos 1 & 2 Posts
completed. Repairs to Parapets as usual. Party on cleaning
up steps. Kitchen site completed. During night enemy
worked a little to left of No. 21 but no work during day.
Surface Tunnel listeners reported once or twice hearing 
sounds, but dont consider it anything important. 

 

Wed. 27/10/15. No further developments in Surface Tunnel.
During this 24 hrs, enemy has apparently done
no work underground. Work on Main Gallery almost
complete. No.45A proceeding also No. 3 Sap 
connection. Parapets & trench work as usual.
Our Sapper on kitchen & ovens. Tested explosive
& find it takes 3 No 13 detonators in parallel
easily. Party still on support dug outs also
Party on steps.
Thur. 28/10/15. Repairs to parapets & trenches. Deepening of
Main Gallery completed & parties now cleaning up
generally below ground. No 45A proceeding also No 3
Sap connection. Drainage tunnel has been started 
from Sap to main latrines. Hinged legs for
catapult bomb thrower finished by Allan.
List of distribution of Section sent to H.Q. at
17.00. No sounds have been heard of enemy
below ground during the day. 

Fri 29/10/15. Parapet & trench repairs as usual. Faces
proceeding are No45A, No.3 Sap Tunnel, and Drainage
Tunnel. Parties still on deepening galleries. Enemy has
been working fairly consistently during the day to
the left of No.21 Left. Listeners put him down as 5ft
distant but dont consider him quite so close. Once
or twice listeners in Surface Tunnel reported they
could hear footsteps and sounds of voices, which are 
apparently coming from old Turkish trench about
8ft distant. Heavy bombing from their trench about
17.00. Thom, Bowra out & 3 Sappers of No4 Coy gassed
at Tally about 12.00
Sat. 30/10/15. Usual work on parapets & trenches. At
09.00 start right arm of No45A at 20 feet.
Drainage & No3 Sap Tunnels still going, also parties
on deepening mine workings. Enemy has been
working almost continuously at No21 Left where
should say he is about 5 ft away. If he continues will
probably have to slow him tomorrow. He also did a little
work at No42. Surface Tunnel listeners report sounds of
movements & voices at intervals.

 

Sun. 31/10/15. Traverse in No.1 Post by Marr's party completed.
No 3 Sap Tunnel breaks through. In drainage tunnel strike
old dugout which causes a bit of a run of loose earth
overhead; putting a little filling timber in. Work on parapets
as usual. No.45A progressing satisfactorily. Party on 7 man
dugout in No 1 Post Support still going. Accident to Pvt Owens
18th Batt.n listener. Shot himself in ankle while cleaning
rifle in Main envelope. Orders from Brigade not to clean
out piling Surface Tunnel. Barricade of sandbags built.
Mon. 1/11/15. Repairs to approach & fire trenches. No.3
(7.) Sap Tunnel being enlarged & deepened. Parapets as usual.
Graded No 1 Post firing line. Work still proceeding on
galleries,  No 45A and Drainage Tunnel. Small footage
here on account of timbering necessary. Enemy still working
in a place nervous fashion to left of 21 Left. He must
be making practically no progress here as he only
gives about 6 blows with the pick & then listens
intently for about 10 minutes. He has also been heard
during the day working some distance away from the
face of No 45A,
Tues. 2/11/15. No.45A & Drainage Tunnel progressing. About
18 feet along right arm of 45A the floor sounds
very drummy which is characteristic of the ground
at this post. Passed through remaining ground in 
Drainage Tunnel footage being better today. 
Deepening of galleries still proceeding floor
being very hard. Parapets & trench repairs. 
To the left of No21 enemy has apparently ceased 
work no sounds of him there being heard during
the day. He is very active to the front of 45A.
which makes one think that as far as his
mining work is concerned he is entirely on
the defensive.
Wed 3/11/15. Parapets, loopholes & general trench repairs.
Deepening of galleries proceeding. Drainage 
tunnel should break through tomorrow. Repairs
by blacksmith to Garland mortar. No3  Sap Conn. Tnl. 
completed. Right arm of 45A has been stopped &
the gallery itself is being pushed out to meet
enemy before he gets closer. This is the only place
he has been heard working. 

 

Thur. 4/11/15. Drainage tunnel breaks thro' satisfactorily.
Front of trench in racecourse collapses which
necessitates a fair amount of timber repairs.
Usual work on galleries. Parapets and other trench
repairs as usual. During day enemy again
does a little work to left of No 21. At about
17.20 he explodes a surface mine about 15 yds
from the left of No 6 Post. Men working 
face of 45A severely shaken but otherwise unhurt.
Large flying clods bury one man in fire trench
& break in overhead cover in support trench
burying 3 others. At about 20.30 heavy rifle
& bomb fire from enemy all along line, but
only place he attempted to attack was Chatham's
Post which beat off attack.
Fri. 5/11/15. Repairs to overhead cover & trenches in
No 6 Post. Parapets & loop holes as usual. Party
at work on box drain in Drainage Tnl. One shift
on 45A lost; party engaged cleaning out
trench No 6 Post. Listeners in Surface Tunnel 
reported sounds of picking on and off during
the day. Think these are sounds of enemy to
left of No 21 where he has been working in
an intermittent sort of way during the last
24 hrs. No other sounds below ground.
Sat.6/11/15. No.45A (centre arm) has been stopped
at 45' from our envelope and recess for
charge is being cut. Work in galleries still
proceeding. Repairs to firing line and
overhead cover in support trenches; loopholes
and parapets. Wallaby loophole fixed up
in No 2 Post. Filling in of Drainage tunnel
proceeding. Enemy has been working fairly
consistently to the front of No 21 (i.e. behind
his old trench); also a little picking heard
close to No 21 left, but dont consider he is
making any footage here to speak of.
Circular memos. re protection from shell fire
received today.

 

Sun.
7/11/15. Recess at head of 45A completed. Left arm
commenced 17.00 shift. Deepening of galleries 
and repairs to firing line, support trenches,
and parapets. Repairs to overhead cover
in No 6 post bigger job than anticipated,
practically all this rear wall having to
come down and rebuilt. During the
24 hrs. enemy has done very little work at
No 21 and has not been heard elsewhere.
18th Batt. listeners replaced at 17.00 by
17th men.
Mon. 8/11/15. Left arm of No 45A proceeding.
(8) Repairs to Support & Firing line overhead
cover, also parapets and loopholes. Filter
on top of water tank. Party on withdrawing
tamping from No 18. Time for charge being
made. Enemy has been heard once or twice
tapping at No 21 but dont think he is
doing anything that can be called work.
Tues.9/11/15. Left arm No 45A still proceeding.
Galleries being deepened and No 4 Winze
enlarged. General trench and overhead
cover repairs. No 3 Section requiring
most attention. During the night enemy
worked a little harder at No 21 but has
been very quiet there during the day
Once or twice listeners reported they could
hear him in the distance from No 34,
but probably this was surface sounds
the ground overhead here being very broken.
Wed. 10/11/15. Recess cut at end of 45A left arm &
work here stopped. Shifts now cutting "T" head
at end of right arm. Repairs to overhead
cover in No 3 Post and usual trench and parapet
repairs. Party on cleaning up steps in approach
trenches. Work on galleries proceeding and X cut
from Main Tunnel going north started. 

 

Enemy has been working harder than usual at
No 21 and is getting rather close to head
of long arm. He has also been working
out from left arm and appears to be
working towards the other man.
Thur. 11/11/15. Right arm of No. 45A branched off to cover
ground between here and right arm of No 44.
Deepening work on Main Rear Gallery continues also
on X cut north from Main Tunnel. Usual repairs
to overhead cover and firing trenches. At 12.30
laid charge of 340 lbs. Ammonal in recess at rear
of No 21. Started tamping 13.30 and completed at
20.00 about 32 ft. Delay caused by bad air the
men frequently having to come out. Before firing
charges at 20.30 lighted fuse of small flare to
ignite gasses. At the time of exploding charge
enemy was working about 5 ft. distant. Instructed
mining shifts in 45A to cease work till 01.00.am
listeners to come on again at 05.00 (12/11/15), but
not to go south of No 5 Drive. 
Frid.12/11/15. No 45A Still progressing footage being lower
owing to one shift being put on to tamp No 21.
Parties deepening main rear gallery and X cut
north progressing slowly. Usual work on fire
trenches and overhead cover. Since blowing
No 21 no sounds have been heard of enemy
at work underground.
Sat.13/11/15. No 45A completed about 20.20. Shifts
then started on recess for No 38A Winze.
Parties still deepening Main Gallery, X cut
north still going. Started No 6 Tunnel
underlie from Main Gallery.
Usual repairs to overhead cover, trenches
parapets etc. After we had knocked
off No 45A enemy commenced work
to their front & above right arm, so probably
he has cleared out as much tamping as
possible from his last blow & commenced
driving again. No other sounds.

 

Sun. 14/11/15. Recess for 38A completed and 3' of Winze
sunk. Parties on Main Gallery X cut north
and No 5 Tunnel underlie. Party on overhead
cover in No 3 Post and the usual daily repairs
to parapets & trenches in general. Enemy can
be still heard working from 45A & 44.
He has also been heard once or twice during
the day well out from No 23 which may
possibly be the sounds listeners say they
can hear from Surface Tunnel. Bomb
screens in Nos 5 & 6 Posts having a rough
time.
Mon.15/11/15. Underground works progressing etc.-
(9) No. 38A Winze; X cuts North & South from No 7
(main) Tunnel; Underlie from Main gallery to
connect with end of No 6 Tunnel. Also deepening
of Main Gallery northwards. Usual repairs to
overhead cover, fire trenches & parapets. Bomb screens
during the night got badly knocked about.
Enemy is still working above right arms of No 45A
but in a nervous fashion and does not appear
to be making much footage. He was also heard
during the afternoon some distance out from
face of No 18 (centre arm) but is not
working continuously here.
Tues. 16/11/15. Party in all day withdrawing tamping
from No 21 and stacking it in main curtain
between 1G Winze and No 16. No 38A Winze
completed and drive started. Ab 17.00 shifts
start on No 40 (extending). Day shifts on
X cut south from No 7 Tunnel and underlie
to No 6 Tunnel. Repairs to overhead cover & trenches
in general.
Enemy is still working at 45A and was
also heard for a few minutes between but
out from 18 Right & 17 left. Was heard as well 
out from 18 Centre probably same party. 

 

Wed.17/11/15. At 09.00 shifts start on recesses in
No 1 Post for Nos 1 & 2 Tunnels, also in X Cut
south from No 7 Tunnel. Completed with drawing
tamping from No 21. Laid 150 lbs. (4 tins) in
right arm No 45A. Party on till 21.00 tamping.
Usual repairs to fire trench & parapets.
Enemy working 45A and 18 right.
at 20.30 demonstration by enemy. Heavy
storm at time.
Thur. 18/11/15. Since tamping 45A enemy has done
no continuous wook  work here. Listener on waiting
for him to return. In No 1 Post 3 shifts lost
owing to storm and 2 shifts in other
faces. Very little damage done by storm
to trenches. Usual parties on trenches, parapets
& overhead cover. McInnes (surveyor) starts 
work with Hill. During night enemy did
a little work out from right arm of 18.
At about 20.00 enemy started work again at
45A. At 21.15 exploded mine there which
I consider was satisfactory. During night
mullock from Nos 40 & 38A coming out
of main Tnl.
Fri.19/11/15. At about 16 feet No.38A strikes
broken ground so have turned off right
arm, and continuing No 40 in downward
grade. At 13.00 shifts start on No 8
Tnl. Grade 1 in 5½. Recesses for Nos 1 & 2
Tnl. progressing in No 1 Post. Usual trench
& parapet repairs. Since blowing No 45A
enemy has not been heard working
anywhere below ground.
Sat. 20/11/15. Work on X cut north from No 7 Tunnel
intermittent consequently short footage there.
Underlie of No 8 Tnl. timbered up & work there
progressing satisfactorily. Nos 1 & 2 underlies,
38A, 40 & X cut south proceeding. Usual
trench & overhead cover repairs. Allen sent
off to hospital. During day enemy does
a little work 15 feet or so from No 23.

 

Sun
21/11/15. One to five shift on No 40 did not
come on so have had corporal in charge
relieved. Three sets timber put in No 2
Tnl underlie. Other faces progressing
satisfactorily. Usual daily repairs to
parapets and bomb screens which
lately have been getting badly knocked
about at night. Enemy has been
heard out from left arm of No 23
(distant) and also a few taps to right
of No 18.
Mon. 22/11/15. Usual parapet & bomb screen repairs.
(10) Nine sets timber put in No 2 Tnl. underlie.
All other faces progressing fairly well.
At about 16.00 enemy started working
hard fairly close to left arm No 37
apparently to try & stop right arm of 38A.
Recess being put in this from 17.00 to
21.00 shift. Enemy has also been
working fairly consistently to the right of
No 18, but very hard to place his exact whereabouts.
Tues. 23/11/15. Party on day shift withdrawing
tamping from No 45A: Just beyond
right arm the ground very broken so
probably little of this drive will be recovered.
Overhead cover put in No 1 Tnl Underlie. 
Other faces progressing satisfactorily.
Daily work on overhead cover & parapets.
At 37. enemy ceased work about 05.00
and has not been heard there since.
At intervals during the day & night he
has been heard to the right of No 18.
At about 20.00 while our men were working
in left arm of 38A, enemy exploded mine
close to left arm of 37 where he had
ceased work this morning. No harm
was done to any of the men or underground
workings. A couple of screens in No 4
northern were flattened & one man
slightly injured in trench. 

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Jacqueline KennedyJacqueline Kennedy
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