Diary of Samuel Hedley Hemming Hawkins, 1917-1918 - Part 2

WEDNESDAY 26.9.17. No drill
Gun practise today at a target
which represented a submarine.
Our Gunners shot very well
but no ship got a direct hit.
Half the chaps knew nothing
of the intention to practise
then came up on deck full
speed ahead thinking we
were torpedoed
THURSDAY 27.9.17 Kit
inspection in morning as
a Tunic had been pinched.
I found the tunic in a
sergeants cabin & then the
owner "remembered that he
had left it there. The major
immediately called a
parade & made the man
apologise.
FRIDAY 28.9.17 Very foggy all
day. Troopships all travelling
at full speed.
SATURDAY 29.9.17 Irish Coast
sighted. At 4 pm. 10 destroyers
met us at full speed and started
to hop around us like a dog.
All men ordered to sleep in clothes
& to wear lifebelts in bed.
Remarks on the week.
Excellent weather has prevailed
making the voyage very pleasant.
By getting good with the cooks
we lived on the best -
Course very irregular. Escort
& convoy number 24 boats a
very picturesque fleet.
SUNDAY 30.9.17. Three more
destroyers join us. One of the
best days since leaving Australia
followed by beautiful moonlight
night. Received S.O.S from Glenelg
saying she was being shelled.
Help sent by our escort.
MONDAY 1.10.17. Issue of emergency
ration. Saw & passed Gr. Ormes
Head at midnight. Entered
Mersey Raced other ships of
convoy & anchored 2 miles
from Liverpool.
TUESDAY 2.10.17 Entered & docked
at Alexandra Docks. Passed New
Brighton which presented a beautiful
sigh Slid down rope,
chased by police but succeeded
in having a look at Liverpool.
Crept up Gangway on return.

WEDNESDAY 3.10.17 Disembarked
& entrained at Liverpool for
Salisbury. Passed through
Crewe & Birmingham, Oxford
had a glimpse of university,
Swindon Codford Salisbury
& arrived Dinton 7.30 pm.
Had a rotten up hill march with
full pack to camp (1 ¹/₂ miles)
Fovant Camp. The train
journey & scenery were
beautiful. Sleep in huts
about 40 in hut. Issue of
paliasses & 4 blankets.
THURSDAY 4.10.17. ¹¹/₄ Pioneers
Isolated (very good) Isolation
means no work & best of
tucker. Went into Fovant
village tonight and pinched
a few apples.
FRIDAY 5.10.17 Two hours
route march to keep us fit.
By this march we were able
to find out where the best
apples are grown. Paid another
visit to village although forbidden
to leave Isolation area.
Struck a fine orchard.
SATURDAY 6.10.17. Heavy 
rain falls during night
but what matter. We have
no mud parades. Visit
Dinton. More apples
Remarks in Camp.
Fovant is a very fine camp
all roads being aspheled.
Hot & cold baths mostly cold.
Rations 4 slices bread per day
1 oz meat, shadow soup,
porridge (3 times per week)
Pudding (2              "        "    )
Jam          (1              "         "   )
Margarin or dripping every even.
Tea without milk or sugar
SUNDAY 7.10.17 Heavy rain in
morning but afternoon fine.
Dick, George & I visit Teffont
about 3 miles distant & one of
the prettiest places around.
Teffont Manor & grounds open
to soldiers & very beautiful.
Look through the Old Church
built 13 Century & also graves
dating back to 13 cent.
Pinch peacock feather as souvenir
Attend service here at night.

MONDAY 8.10.17 Short route
march. Paid farmer another
village visit & brought home
good haul of apples. Wind
& rain.
TUESDAY 9.10.17 All kit bags
handed in to be taken to our
future camp at Sutton Veny.
Short route march this afternoon
Farmer suffered again.
WEDNESDAY 10.10.17
Voluntary route march in
which Dick & I were conspicuous
by our absence. Busy all day
packing, prepatory to march
at Sutton Veny. Unsuccessful
raid on orchard this evening.
Too many M. P's.
THURSDAY 11.10.17 Reveille 5.30 am,
Breakfast 6. am. Fall in 8.30 a.m.
Left camp 9. am for Sutton Veny
Halt every hour. Dinner 11.45 am to
12.15 p.m Passed through some
beautiful country, villages &
finally after a tramp of 18 miles
reached Sutton Veny at 4.10 pm.
No preparations for us. No tucker 
or accommodation.
FRIDAY 12.10.17 Very tired & stiff after
walk yesterday. No drill untill
further orders. Went to Warminster
in evening with Dick & Geo. Gorden.
Middling size town. Here we had
a very fine feed which was necessary
as we have had no tucker except
one slice of bread per meal in camp.
SATURDAY 13.10.17. Hired three
bicycles this afternoon & Dick, self
& Geo Gorden ride out to Codford
(7 miles) to see Alf. Alf is the only
one of his unit not isolated & he
I is doing well. Met Stan Downes,
Bill Bull, I. McHugh & various others.
Left Codford about 9 pm & then
without lights we tried to get home.
Bikes break down about once in
five minutes. Arrived home 10.15 pm.
SUNDAY 14.10.17. Quiet day. Church
Parade (O.P.D) in morning. Letter
writing in afternoon & at night
go to the Church of England in
the village. Very dry service.
There are quite a number of
Australian soldiers buried in
this church yard. Nearly all
died last winter from cold.

MONDAY 15.10.17. Met Aug. Carlson
who told us of poor Arthur Richards
death in France. Training
commences properly this morning
with Rifle Exercises, care of arms
& physicial jerks. Innoculated
in afternoon against para-typhoid,
hence we have 48 painful hours off
duty.
TUESDAY 16.10.17. Go to Warminster
for medicine for our colds. Almost
every man laid up with severe
colds or sore throats. Thanks to
this beautiful climate.
Whilst here Dick & I send Christmas
cards home.
WEDNESDAY 17.10.17 No parade in
morning, In afternoon we
attended a lecture by
Archdeacon Ward & one by a
doctor on Venerial disease.
They are both very able speakers
and handled their subjects
very well.
THURSDAY 18.10.17. Rifle Exercises
& squad drill & then bayonet
fighting. This has altered since
I left Gallipoli & drill is new
THURSDAY 18.10.17 to suit conditions
in France. The instructors on
Bayonet drill are second to
none & from the first one is
informed that he is now learning
to murder. The best souvenir says
our instructor is about 3 inches
of guts on your bayonet & then
he proceeded to grind his 
teeth, swear & show us how
to wipe it off. In learning to
thrust one must always let
out a fierce yell. This drill is
the most interesting and
without doubt the most strenuous
of our training.
FRIDAY 19.10.17. More rifle & squad
drill, Bayonet exercises in morning
Afternoon Musketry, squad drill
& instruction on Mills Hand Grenade
Visit Sutton Veny in evening -
returning 8. pm
SATURDAY 20.10.17. Route march
of 11 miles today. Dick & George
accompany me to Warminster
tonight. Buy benzine to clean
our boots for coming leave.

REMARKS ON WEEK.
This week is really our first week
of training but owing to innoculation
we do little. The weather makes a
decided change to cold. The food
here is as bad as Gallipoli &
rows are brooding. Buy food every night._.
SUNDAY 21.10.17. Attend O.P.D church
parade in morning. Dick, George,
& I attend Congregational Church
in the village for evening service,
which was very fine. Had the 
pleasure of coming home in rain.
MONDAY 22.10.17. Training in
earnest. Nothing unusual outside
the ordinary days routine.
Received large batch of mail today
TUESDAY 23.10.17 Training in morning
Second innoculation today &
consequently are entitled to 
twenty four hours off duty.
Most men very sick after their
sting.
WEDNESDAY. Off duty preparing
for leave. Paid £5.
Inventory taken of each mans
clothing & I put in for a practically
new kit. My only deficiency was my
disc which cost me one penny
THURSDAY 25.10.17. Reveillie 5.30. Breakfast
6 am. Medical Inspection. Tickets & passes
issued for furlough. Left Warminster
8.5 am. & arrive Paddington London 10.15 am
Marched via Hyde Park to Horseferry Rd
& dismissed. Have fine Dinner at
the War Chess which is one of the
finest hostels for Soldiers in England.
Took bus for Fenchurch St Station passing
House of Commons, Westminster Abbey,
Trafalger Sq. & St Pauls Cathedral.
Entrained at 3.20 pm. & arrived at
Grays Essex at 4.0 p.m. Found M^rs
Halls 4.10 pm. She was all in a flurry
with over excitement & opened the door
before we had time to ring. Very fine
house & every comfort. Had afternoon
tea & a good chat when Jim came 
home. Both are very fine people
& we spend a quite enjoyable
evening. The warm rooms & feather
bed & good meals made me wish
for the first time to be home again.
Before retiring prayers were said
& Dick & I not being used to this
did not know how the act. We sat
whilst they went on their knees.
Collared their bed & drempt of home.

FRIDAY 26.10.17. Spent a quiet & pleasant
day at Mrs Halls. Escorted by Mrs
Hall in morning around Grays, she
showing us the principal sights sites
to be seen. Spent a very pleasant
card evening. Jim played & sang.
Tonight we were quite prepared for prayers.
SATURDAY 27.10.17. Left Grays 10.30 & 
arrived Fenchurch St 11.30. Took
Motor bus to Waterloo Station.
Here we had a very expensive
feed which was a great treat.
Entrained 12.35 & arrived Winchester
2.50 pm. Took a taxi calling at 
Mrs Greens & then proceeded to 
Mrs Warrens at Littleton.
Her door was opened & I advanced
to kiss the person but stopped short
in front of a Jewess who was
apparently frightened. She
informed us Auntie & Marj were
looking for us & we took a 
walk down the road. Saw a 
fine girl & spoke to her asking
her to come for a stroll. She
turned out to be Marj & I nearly
dropped dead. Then met Mrs Warren
& after about 100 kisses entered the house
SATURDAY 27.10.17. Marj & her mother
are bonny & we spent a fine evening.
Commandered their bed.
SUNDAY 28.10.17 Accompanied Marj
who is organist to church which was
so dry that Dick & I came out before
the finish. In afternoon Dick & Marj
& Mum & I went to Aerodrome where
we saw some marvellous flying
feats. Dick & Marj go to Church in 
evening whilst Mum & I stop home
for a quiet chat. Mum is an
excellent cook.
MONDAY. Very severe frost & all
gutters lined with ice. Chopped
up all "Mums" wood for which
she was very thankful. Then
we proceeded accompanied by
"Mum" to Flossies. Here we met
G. Hawkins daughter, Else, 
Hedley & Bob. In afternoon
visit & had some fine instruction
on moulding at Green &
Carters Engineering works.
In the evening visit Winchester
Electric Coys works, come home
& play cards.

TUESDAY 30.10.17. Dad escorted 
us & showed us through The Castle
& court. Winchester Cathedral,
Westgate, Hydel Abbey Gate; In
afternoon Marj, Else, Hedley, Sarah, Floss
Dick & Self go to Craisley in motor.
Had a fine time & left by train 6 pm
for Salisbury. Here we missed
last train to Warminster so
camped at Salvation Army.
WEDNESDAY 31.10.17. Left Salisbury
7.30 am. & arrived Sutton Veny 9 a.m
To our great surprise our absence
went unnoticed. Very hard
coming back to camp life
THURSDAY 1.11.17 Back to the
bull ring. Now we are getting
it rubbed in, in fact too strenuous.
FRIDAY 2.11.17. Ordinary routine.
Dick very crook.
SATURDAY 3.11.17 Route march
through Heytesbury & back via
Warminster. Fell dead beat
after doing about 12 miles
Remarks on Week.
Had a splendid time with Dick on 
Sunday & Monday & Tuesday. Were
A.W.L on Wednesday but were not
missed. Thursday, Friday & Saturday training
very strenuous.
SUNDAY 4.11.17. Hopped off Church Parade
& spend day in writing.
MONDAY 5.11.17 General mobilization
of troops. Ordinary drill.
TUESDAY 6.11.17. Routine drill.
Fourth Pioneers defeated in Football
WEDNESDAY 7.11.17 Received large
mail. From now on we mess in
our own huts, tables being
provided in centre of huts.
Rotten arrangement.
THURSDAY 8.11.17 Sent on a working
party today. A proper
navvying job & plenty of time
to do it in.
FRIDAY 9.11.17 To wet for parade
this morning. In afternoon
a little more navvying.
SATURDAY 10.11.17 Dick & I go
to quack to escape route
march but both get medicine
& duty. When we reported to
orderly room the troops had
gone so we had a holiday.
Remarks on Week.
Weather considerable colder
Writing letters every night.

SUNDAY 11.11.17. Church Parade,
Letter writing. In evening attend
a very fine service by a returned
Capt. Chaplain.
MONDAY 12.11.17 Warned to mount 
guard as corporal. Had holiday
in morning. Mounted 4.30 pm.
21 men. General guard duties
& charge of 12 prisoners. Not
allowed to remove boots, clothes
or equippment. Had one hours 
sleep.
TUESDAY 13.11.17 Relieved 4.50 pm.
WEDNESDAY 14.11.17. Holiday until
4.30 p.m when we mount guard.
Everything very regimental
accompanied by band
THURSDAY 15.11.17 Relieved 4.50 pm
FRIDAY 16.11.17 Mount guard
4.30 pm.
SATURDAY 17.11.17 Just before being
relieved I was escorting prisoners
to A.M.C. Gave permission to
prisoner to go to Post office & sent
escort with him but both scaled -
I was arrested & placed in close
confinement but after hard battle
placed under open arrest with Cpl Pryke
as escort.
SUNDAY 18.11.17 Under Cpl Prykes
escort I wandered all around the
Camp. Being a prisoner was not
allowed to attend Church Parade.
MONDAY 19.11.17. Appeared before
Coy Orderly Room charged with
allowing a prisoner to escape &
pleaded not guilty. Charge altered
to without reasonable excuse allowing
a prisoner to escape. Not Guilty.
At noon was charged on same charge
at B.O.R. before C.O. & was remanded
for Court Martial. Was
marched to Detention Room but
afterwards placed under open
arrest.
TUESDAY 20.11.17 Being under
open arrest not allowed to do
any military work. Did a
little washing & had a good
walk around. Dick sent to
Warminster on guard.
WEDNESDAY 21.11.17 Dick off guard.
Harry Thompson who was put
ashore at Bermudas return with
meningitis turns up. All
of us in height of delight at
seeing him look so well.

THURSDAY 22.11.17 Wander around
camp. No duties.
FRIDAY 23:11:17. No duties
SATURDAY 24:11:17 Summery of
Evidence against Flemming
the escort who flew with prisoner
Remarks on week.
I have done no duties. Awaiting
Court Martial. Flemming, the
escort who flew captured on
Monday & his capture makes
my case much lighter
SUNDAY 25.11.17 Summery of
evidence against me taken.
MC Snows today. First time
since arrival here. Weather
decidedly colder
MONDAY 26.11.17 No duties
very cold.
TUESDAY 27.11.17 No duties
weather colder. Receive
mail today. Letter writing
in afternoon & night
WEDNESDAY 28.11.17 Loaf all
day. Weather warmer.
THURSDAY 29.11.17 No duty.
Walk to Warminster & take
car to Frome about 7 miles.
THURSDAY 29.11.17 Attend dance.
Very surprised at the no. of girls
also the great no. of Ausies present.
Finest dance I have ever been to-
A great no of girls drink beer
spirits & smoke cigarettes.
Leave 12.30 am & have to walk 
home, a distance of 9 ¹/₂ (Wilts.)
miles. Arrive home 8.15 & then
have a good wash in icy water
FRIDAY 30.11.17 Very tired & 
footsore from route march the
night before. No duties.
SATURDAY 1.12.17. 11/4 Pioneers
gardening. Dig up ¼ acre ready
to plant potatoes. Self still
doing nothing.
Remarks on Week
No developments in my
case. Weather beastly cold.
SUNDAY 2.12.17. Very cold today.
Everyone half frozen.
MONDAY 3.12.17 No duties.
Do a little washing or rather
boil the dirt out of my togs.
TUESDAY 4.12.17 No duties.
Warminster in evening. Snow
Falling.

WEDNESDAY 5.12.17 Released
without prejudice pending trial.
This means that I am now
allowed to do all duties &
draw pay. Bayonet fighting
contests in afternoon, a very
fine exhibition of murder.
Weather slightly warmer.
THURSDAY 6.12.17 No water this morning
Everything frozen. Started in the
Bull Ring again and thoroughly
enjoyed it.
FRIDAY 7.12.17 Considerably warmer
Bull Ring. although it rained
heavily. Attend N.C.O. lecture
in evening & then went to Concert
in the Regimental Institute which
was fairly good.
SATURDAY 8.12.17 Manoeuvered into
a working party to escape
Route March. The working party
are generally the lead swingers
who do no work. Go into
Warminster for Haircut to
escape regimental barber
who should be termed butcher
SUNDAY 9.12.17 Very enjoyable Church
service. Write home today.
MONDAY 10.12.17. Icy cold day.
O. C. inspection necessitating
our stopping on parade ground
doing nothing in the bitter
wind for over 1 ½ hours. If
curses had any effect the Major
would have dropped dead.
Issued with winter clothing viz
Sheepskin coat, rubber overcoat,
belly bands. All the afternoon
on Musketry.
TUESDAY 11.12.17 Much. Warmer
Polling on Conscription today
which was very tame.
On Court Martial Case against
Flemming today. Hope I have
as much cheek when my own
trial comes off. Receive cake
& biscuits from Aunt Floss today
Post mail home tonight.
WEDNESDAY 12.12.17 Very cold.
Guard Competition in afternoon
in which I take part. Our 
team comes a gutser being
second last of six teams.
Very good concert at night
in Regimental Institute.
Meet Dick Warner & E. Wilde.