Diary of Apcar Leslie De Vine, 1 January 1917 - 31 July 1918 - Part 5 of 8

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Part of Quest:
Apcar Leslie De Vine Diaries
Subject:
  • ANZAC
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
RCDIG0000333
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

closke we late been wret though for thee days. dury our alsevr the cane bad been condemced so we lid to suck in emerch to huderbak lang who Kannl whole we were balented in hart Paid p20 - 14/8 17/1/18 Reny healf all dey, no fened 18/1/18 all she cy or ptyne to gisferg dud not go yrers 19/1/18 On fatyne 4.30 an to dy stren aut mile behid line retured to canp 2 pr. not rainy toelyy frund sey saft e muday 20/1/16 Sunday wo prals ted very. on fatyus 24/1/15 went to segest line held Go i monin to cray for 4 by to tke a ane we active tten. detated is every wnthce petyue jet in every fe vary whid say p in pat of Merie sidge adtired to cop it 10.30 p o midly rand ecveed with ucte the sened b been havil shelled 2r11/18 Under orders to reluve the 223 On in the support time left Camp at 450 for the suppect lue ceed thee dort tan will pebalf be
hee in the fuloss for faurdeys tey midd here 23/1/18 pemned in pill lox oll dey. 24/e Fabed all dy fetiry during the night on, on cryneces fatyue tor buildy sty 9et i se pert lie 25/4/10 Fatyrs all myst to the front lin building strgests duy outs. 26/1/8 Left our pill bex it 4. 30 po to grocied to the frent lie relured I le in we snjest line we will pretabl go to the line temorrow a fuish the Divicional time. 24/1/16 Sunday Dier not go to le tdy delaired for Patral ot rih. pbrelled from 12 until 2 aa met no cerition engity oy midy P. W. Weyga 28/1/16 Maled up to the line tenght. e lesk all o0 culert pen Ple ve cold e part duing the night F.W. Selmon 2/18On outgest all og. right byceld epeegn hard. the nihs are dy lon we sad too for t law P.27. Manve 30//18 Repered tonytt of the 54 b. at 6.30 we marched with full pack no wrilney hem lany where we
10S7 ramged the night 31/1/18 oclabel much 100 ather. ven te remain behind as a markng pity ander last lock for nodays she nost of the Bn cengst mater beas foor Merres where the are to lave he gill we maitled ant of its lang at 12 noon to a cam ot able farme. near the walvghen baths, had a bust a chage dury the afteron wistig o0 1/2/14 Dehaled as C Sie CAM. to thley. no wirk tody Haid 30p- ₤1.2.0 2/2/18. We was duy the da. drine nation from the inderlack kang n order get remak 3/2/18 Sunday ae wak for an p get drew retirn etc from drng 4/7/18 same os geterty 5/716 se isysterdo 6/2/18 borty startee mork terly salvgg shill, ite it all tere to do is to draw returs de pen sth Dir AS.C gute an eoz job. 2e8//18 dite paid 440 & 194 on t 8/2/18 gnen left to you the 9.10. 11/2/18
I am remairy her to act oy Loll steepth new 34 12/2/18 - 14/2/13 still a ptique party 15/2118 There reluved by 40 men of the 1t fon thi morning we returne to ave n of th mela bus thl lreyht ouer relief fond the Bn et Merris on billit is e dose to Mers, Ontustion a Meteren arcived at the ly during We oftenon 17/2/18 Sundey Church perace ot Bn Hd dues Syard the set of the dey at Bailent 162/18 perode et gam te 123aam fort dury the etera patball 246 Beya conpetites in loning etc 8/718 Parcde as usmle 19/7/15 pracls in meny ore in ate erlency 8 9 yor 20/7/18 Pacacle & c merdate culline to the w larty get a conglite charge. stated to rain in we eftervan on further jercily dury the day 21/2/18 Surader as usuall said 430- £1.2.0 also Anzue Beck 5/ 22/2/18 Paid 740 £1:9:4
23/2/18 Boracs as urnle mert to the hifle rayedoing the afterion 24/7/16 Sunday Ohe Bn attendia a Beyade curch pade near Metirer was to be reveemed of the Dir General but be did not turn up werred for On Tuarber grived namti wit 15 oer al 4 p 25/7/18 Dismentil guarce of 4 pom we relieved f B. Cy. returne to billets 26/2/18 on conpetition for sitver cnp Jude tody all closse of werk y Regra loady gos daite. Ryledrill Oen order. Bosbey. Ryfle perades ee rile rare be d u well nimers. C.A.D.B. 21/2/18 Left canpot s am e meerched to sarret camp rear snnel marchec in dt 3 po. 28/2/18 Left cary ot 930 e marched further tawards He line maed obout 2 mil to La Brosene coner camsed ot Ridge Feod law detailu in the ereng to go on an recenailiy pt tow our secter of the live, ue os for as till 6o retured to camp lder a dury the day 1/3/182 cam allda detelea for markin jert ot nyft left comp at ts you poredy chat 5 mils o teen then
1657 wacked the rav of the wa. Irit attactin one awkst clar 11 you in pert of us abo balenet. ed senee cemathe shree to con d can 273718 a leved to Dn bart aculit dayeaboth 13/16 Sunday No church juracle tode wand for father at night build nem defere les left 2.30 p home ab 12. 20 am 4/2/18 o patynes taday day off 573/18 paride at 11 am fatigue the ling at nst much araglare acting wytt 6/3/18 No fatyne tody. 1/18 Fetyve to sujor live et ni being tonladnest all nl a on retoe to conp ted t sta tee denyl is an astack ve expected ot 4an Levere etty devilee. Ten ecia incedur night 873/18 dock wer dutie of ard St todg 9/3/18 exoned for uk leave, during the every get paid up at orderly A am to liave temeren maring 10778 Liner Left wmy e caupt ws at vran reads bangh tran at 000
1657 Buileal ite reacked bolan (Fartanelle station) at 5 pr. e ver pland in the hase cam doy loe 113/18 Lept oo6 rast for tto6 ver conp stayed here oll night Left lale Gstets 12/3/18 y 11 and pav 2.30 Ladon 6 30 Para off thefe Ad chayee batter ete e 50 slet langht of Sul House leary on it 20/3/15 My Alan 12318920 1331888213825 Able 1/3 56 A y Lant ode L. 3. 0 26/3/18 to Hetoa at 8.45 staged w in Dover at 1.30 bueed hen Lage near the stoticn left sam at 5 reached blow at 630 spnt the nt i ilsb last camp 314 uct 6 iml of yan cautt its trane Intrrette stonce it w0.30 let the tana lastle orly is con or ward to be ready to heave at any momert left camp reerbs at 6 p fe La blente anmurctia to hawna t whor a fand 28/3/18 I con with the sona day warnd for fatine fort at nt t wrrk just behad the font live. raned all the my in return
to camy wit through at 1231 29/3/4 Geare Fridgy Eaned terdy that we will be havng soon for the some sart where there is ay her fiftng at pees 30/3/18 Mauntel Bn O Sqt wish We guant at 4 p 1/718 Lenday An.O. Sit ullday day suishing clldeg 14/18 Did not attend cy proctes today. we hevee tomeran in rite p the somme wtody 2/4/8 Left Coveral cary o te liftt rulve at Carlendang detraied ot Rh t Renengherlet marched to Hegrof dont Eqmile from Bpernybe which we can seen the distence, is wre glood in a seare of mill hut once la ls. Sir shny cll day 3/4/18 Mointed B.O. Sqt et 4 pn lay day nothy todo 14/4/18 Dismounted B.O Sit at 4 pn expect to be berty for the some tomorrow 5/4/18 In compall day, &c wit rainn alidg left camp at 8 pr e murched to Godewanrswalde
whose we enteamed bean lefty at bam next mering 6/4/18 bram left at s am this men, we traelled until when we ascied at St Rack statier in Apmin merche thaugh the subbict Dr Rainnesille dlaat Wlante contle bawen ay cant 53plor fad 2 rdy Sp te tete nt 118 Sunda Volunly Church feral warred for the Guard. Manntere Sst of guard it 4pn. thee presence in detaction ber can all ryht. Tabze one sea of mind f Dimountill Guad et 4 p vy qunt guord. Send. 430 £1.20 9/6/18 Urder acter to leave teoly enetly seeked u rea by 1neon diay in rile it catur tarls ate Marched Cmits to bcancoust s. Challin reads diy wudd Billets on a r muld adit stote wregute clase to the luesw rableye elled dui He afternon sed he intabitent ane stale hem alday head to leave intanty ifsecr 1//18 Ronte march battle order the marny, marched about 6/½ mils hoads were sy madds. Shat prale 2.4pm. meathe of toy & misable
11/4/18 No jarods tod under tordis to more, dray the mornig few Birdwood write the or e sheck hon ite with the men, we do not know where we are gain we expect to be sent back to the North where kitz he node sone ruears, order sudden given to nove off in half cinta tine marched awy o 2.30 you to Crnners 15 Milonetes ary at 630 our facts were came finda tranget to st Rock tation we were billited in the torpital of St Vistor after a slat rest be weeced though Armiy to St Cack station fo are sock the town grow congell drati Kery been much shalled aboued we morchd theugh witht an coually alllagh the tawn was nde Corladnet e may shells fell. white made dack agenon ta flew dely close un apeely sow is be ctged 3 lal th feet fell jest behivt on colum ateciend fell its the eee thed fell on the athl sio the fist tonb llev the patcnt of tre lene on coskally wre cat t noone be killed C la ceup e well placce shell i ale statie gad gust after ae left. seneel uqualty giverl rals were arged near an villet, witht renilt. my gerran plans analia

cloths . we have been wet through
for three days. durg our absense
the camp had been condemned 
so we had to pack up & march 
to Linderback Camp at Kemmel 
where we were billeted in huts
Paid ₣ 20 = 14/8 

17/1/18 Rainig heavy all day, no
parades. 

18/1/18 All the Cy on fatigue to 
Support. did not go myself

19/1/18 On fatigue 4.30 am to dig strong  
point 1½ miles behind line. returned 
to camp 2 pm. not raing tody
ground vy soft & muddy  
  
20/1/18 Sunday No parades tody Coy 
on fatigues

21/1/18 Went to support line held
by 2nd Bn in mornig to arrange for  
us to take over when we relieve 
them. detailed in eveing with a 
fatigue party in eveng for wirig 
behind stay pits in front of Mes??es 
Mersines village returned to camp 
at 10.30 pm. Vy mudy roads 
& covered with water. the 
ground has been heavily shelled  
  
22/1/18 Under orders to relieve the 
2nd Bn in the support line left 
Camp at 4.30 for the support line arrived 
there about 6 pm. will probaby be 

 

here in the "pill boxes" for four days 
Vey muddy here 
23/1/18 Remained in "pill box" all day 
24/1/18 In bed all dy fatigues during
the night only, on engineers fatigue tonight
building strog posts on the front line 

25/1/18 Fatigues all night to the
front line building strog posts &
dugouts. 

26/1/18 Left our "pill box" at 4. 30
pm to proceed to the front line
relieved D Coy in the support line
we will probably go to the line
tomorrow & finish the Divisional
time
  
27/1/18 Sunday Did not go to line
tody. detailed for Patrol at night
patrolled from 12 until 2 am met no
opposition evythg vy mudy P.W. Wagga 

28/1/18 Marhed up to the line tonght. 
& took over No 6 outpost from B Cy 
vy cold & frosty durig the night 
P.W. Salmon 

29/1/18 On outpost all dy. night
vy cold & freezig hard. the nights 
are vy long we "stand too" for 14 hours 
P.W Minoe 

30/1/18 Relieved tonight by the 54 Bn
at 6.30 we marched with full
pack to Wulverghem Camp where we

 

camped the night
 
31/1/18 Detailed with 100 other
men to remain behind as a workig party
under Capt Cook for 14 days. the
rest of the Bn caught motor buses 
for Merris where they are to have
a spell. we marched out of this
camp at 12 noon to a camp at
Gable Farm. near the Wulverghem
baths, had a bath & change
durig the afternoon. our strength 108 

1/2/18 Detailed as CSM &
COM. to the Coy. no work tody
Paid 30₣ = £1.2.0 

2/2/18. No work durig the dy. drew
rations from the Linderback Camp 
no ordes yet re work 
  
3/2/18 Sunday No work for our party
yet. drew rations etc from dump 

4/2/18 Same as yesterdy 

5/2/18 Same as yesterday 

6/2/18 Party started work tody 
salvaging shells, etc etc all I have to do 
is to draw rations etc from 5th Div A.S.C. 
quite an eay job 
  
7. & 8/2/18  ditto  paid ₣40 - £1.9.4 
on the 8/2/18 
  
9.10.11/2/18   "   "   69 men left to join the

 

Bn am remaining here to act as Q M 
strength now 34

12/2/18 - 14/2/18 Still on fatigue party 

15/2/18 Were relieved by 40 men of the
1st Bn this mornig. we returned to our
Bn by the motor bus that brought our
relief. found the Bn at Merris. our
billet is vy close to Merris, Outerstene
& Meteren arrived at the Coy durig
the afternoon  
  
17/2/18 Sunday Church parade at ↑
Bn Hd Qurs.. spend the rest of the 
day at Baileul. ↓ 
                                                               
16/2/18 Parade at 9 am to 12.30 am
sports durg the afternoon. football. 
  
Brigade competitions in boxig etc

18/2/18 Parads as usuall 
  
19/2/18 Parads in mornig one in the 
evenig 8-9 pm 

20/2/18 Parade 8 am march into
Bailleul to the Div baths. got a 
complete change. started to rain in 
the afteroon no further parads durg the 
day 

21/2/18 Parades as usuall  Paid ₣30 =
£1.2.0 also Anzac Book 5/- 

22/2/18 " " Paid ₣40 =
£1.9.4

 

23/2/18 Parads as usuall went to the 
rifle range durig the afteroon 

24/2/18 Sunday The Bn attended a
Brigade church parade near Meteren
was to be reviewed by the Div General
but he did not turn up.  warned
for Bn Quarter Guard mounted with 
15 men at 4 pm 

25/2/18 Dismounted guard at 4 pm
was releaved by B. Coy. returned to
billets 

26/2/18 Bn competitions for silver cup
judged tody all classes of work.  dig 
Rapid loadg. gas drill.  Rifle drill 
Open order.  Bombing. Rifle parades 
& the rifle range we did vy well 
Winners.  C.A D.B 

27/2/18 Left camp at 8 am & marched 
to Parret camp. near Kemmel. marched 
in at 3 pm. 

28/2/18 Left camp at 9.30 & marched
further towards the line. marched about
2 mil to La Brasserie corner camped
at Ridge Wood Camp. detailed in the
evenig to go on an reconoitery party
towards our sector of the line, went 
as far as Hill 60 returned to camp 
later on durg the day 

1/3/18 In camp all dy. detailed for 
working party at night. left camp at 
4 pm proceedg about 5 mils by train then

 

walked the rest of the wy.  Fritz attacked 
our outpost about 11 pm in front of us 
after a long bombardment. had several 
casualties.  returned to camp at 1 am 
  
2/3/18 A Cy went to Div bath. got 
a complete change & a bath. 
  
3/3/18 Sunday No church parade tody 
warned for fatigue at night buildig 
new defence lines left 4.30 pm home 
at 12.30 am 
  
4/3/18 No fatigues tody, day off 
  
5/3/18 Parade at 11 am fatigue 
to line at night. much aroplane 
activy tonight 
  
6/3/18 No fatigues tody 

7/3/18 Fatigue to support line at night
heavy bombardment all nght on 
our return to camp had to "stand 
too" all night as an attack was 
expected at 4 am.  however 
nothig developed.  Rum rations issued durg 
night

8/3/18 Took over duties of Coy 
Ord Sgt today

9/3/18 Warned for UK leave, durig the
eveng.  got fixed up at orderly Room
am to leave tomorrow mornig
  
10/3/18 Sunday Left camp & caught 
bus at cross roads.  Caught train at

 

Baileul at 3.50 & reached Calais 
(Fontanelle station) at 8 pm & were 
placed in the leave camp No. 6 East 
 
11/3/18 Left No 6 East for No 6 West  
Camp.  stayed here all night 

12/3/18 Left Calais by the boat 
leavig 1.15.  arrd Dover 2.30 
Arrd London 6.30.  Paid off 
Horsfy Rd changed. bathed etc etc 
9.30.  Slept tonight at Peel House 
leavig on the 26/3/18  Pay drawn 
12.3.18 £20  13.3.18 £8. 21.3.8. £5.  Cable 11/3 
25.11.16 AWL. awaiting trial 8 days.  £3.8.0 

26/3/18 Left Victoria at 8.45 
arriving in Dover at 10.30 stayed 
for several hours in a lage factory  
near the station   left Dover at 5 pm
reached Calais at 6.30 spent the
night in No 6 East camp 
  
27/3/18 Up at 6 am left camp 
at 7 am caught the train at 
Fontinette station at 10.30 left the 
train at Castre  arriving at camp by 
3 pm warned to be ready to leave 
at any moment. left camp by 
motor bus at 6 pm for La Cleate 
& marched to Tournai Camp 
where I found the Bn 

28/3/18 In camp with the Bn all  
day warned for fatigue party at night 
to work just behind the front 
line.  rained all the night returned

 

to camp wet through at 12.30 

29/3/18 Good Friday Warned tody
that we will be leaving vey
soon for the Somme front where
there is vy heavy fightg at present
  
30/3/18 Mounted Bn O Sgt with
the guard at 4 pm 
  
31/3/18 Sunday Bn O Sgt all day 
busy day sun shing all dy

1/4/18 Did not attend any parades
today. we leave tomorrow en
route for the Somme warm today 

2/4/18 Left Tournai camp  
by the light railway at Gordon dump 
& detrained at Pehirghslet
Reningherlst marched to Hegrap 
about 2¼ miles from Poperinghe which 
we can see in the distance. we were 
placed in a series of small huts once 
Coys Hd Qrs.  sun shing all day 
  
3/4/18 Mounted B.O Sgt at 4 pm 
eay dy nothg todo 
  
4/4/18 Dismounted B.O. Sgt at 4 pm 
expect to be leavig for the Somme 
tomorrow 
  
5/4/18 In camp all day,  Vy wet 
raining all dy left camp at 
8 pm & marched to Godewaersvelde

 

where we entrained. train left
at 1 am next mornig 
  
6/4/18 Train left at 1 am this 
mornig, we travelled untill 
1 pm when we arrived at St Roch  
Station in Amiens marched through 
the subburbs to Rainneville about 
10½ kilometres  outside Armien 
arriving about 5.30 pm have had nothg 
to eat since yesterdy 5 pm vy 
hungy & tired. raing through the night 

7/4/18 Sunday Voluntig Church parade
warned for Bn Guard. Mounted Sgt
of guard at 4 pm.  three prisoners in
detention heavy rain all night. Village
one sea of mud 
  
8/4/18 Dismounted Guard at 4 pm 
vy quiet guard.  Paid ₣30 = £1. 2. 0  

9/4/18 Under orders to leave tody 
everythg packed up & ready by 12 noon. Bn 
diaries on sale at canteen yesterday & today 
Marched 6 mils to Beaucourt-&-C'hallues 
roads very muddy.  Billets in a vy 
muddy & dirty state.  we are quite 
close to the line now village shelled 
durig the afternoon.  several of the 
inhabitants are still here although 
ready to leave instantly if necessary 
  
10/4/18 Route march battle order 
this mornig, marched about 6½ mils 
roads were vy muddy.  Short parade 
2-4 pm.  weather vy hazy & miserable

 

11/4/18 No parades tody. under
orders to move, durg the
mornig Gen Birdwood visited the
Bn & shook hands etc with the 
men, we do not know where we 
are goig we expect to be sent 
back to the North where "Fritz" 
has made some success, orders 
suddenly given to move off in half 
an hours time marched awy at 2.30 
pm. to Armiens 15 Kilometes 
arrivg at 6.30. our packs were carried 
by motor transport to St Roch Station 
we were billeted in the hospital  
of St Victor after a short rest we 
marched through Armiens to St 
Roch Station for our packs. the 
town is now complely deserted 
having been much shelled & bombed 
we marched through without any 
casualties although the town was under 
bombardment & may shells fell.
while marchg back a german plane 
flew directly above us, & probaby 
saw us.  he discharged 3 bombs the 
first fell just behind our column 
the second fell into the river & the 
third fell on the other side.  the 
first bomb blew the front out of 
two houses our casualties were about 
15.  no one was killed.  C. Cy caught 
a well placed shell in the station 
yard just after we left.  Several 
casualtis.  several bombs were 
dropped near our billets, without 
result.  may German planes overhead

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Jacqueline KennedyJacqueline Kennedy
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