Diary Henry Arthur Goddard 1918 - Part 25

YONVILLE

OCTOBRE

16 MECREDI. 

Attended by the Brigade Major and Capt Paterson

I inspected the 35 Bn at MERELESART I was a bit

disappointed with them. They have certainly fallen

off in smartness and discipline a bit. Not much

to find fault with, but I left the parade with

a feeling of disappointment. While though so

good in the line, is always the farmer and cannot

understand the niceties and their necessity. The

psychology of the man does not appeal to him I

think.

Did not feel over well in the afternoon. In the

afternoon I did not work well. I walked round the

grounds of the chateau for a bit. They are very 

beautiful with their autumn tints.

At 5.30. I motored over to HALLENCOURT with Madam

des Forts & her son & daughter to see the Div Perolt who

were giving a show there. I found it a bit tedious.

The des Forts had dinner with us. on our return - Capt

Jackson was in attendance. 

Papers left midnight. then turned in

A dull grey day.

 

 

YONVILLE.

OCTOBRE

17 JEUDI

In morning I rode to FORCEVILLE attended by

Capt Paterson & young des Forts to inspect the

Trench Mortar Battery. A good little show.

Passed 35th on road they were doing a route march

in full marching order. They look well

A beautiful morning. Quite warm and sunny,

The country looks very lovely.

At. 1.45. p.m. with Brigade Major. Capt Carmichael.

attended lecture on aero contact work by Capt Garrett. R.A. Force

6.p.m. Interviewed Major Hawkey Comnd Bde School at

HALLENCOURT instructed him re conduct and policy of school.

YONVILLE.

OCTOBRE

18 VENDREDI

To FRUCOURT in morning saw 34 Bn at work. Wheeler

is pulling in good work with them. At 11. the Div Comdr

called round. He asked to see Carmichael. At 11.15 I

attended lecture by Capt Garrett. on Air Reconnaissance

& the plane in its relation to artillery.

Arthur Muller called at 3.30. He is with the 9 Fd Amb

Leo came round at 6.30

Col. Jolly came up to Mess.

A fine day with sun, though no warmth & it is

damp.

 

 

YONVILLE.

OCTOBRE

19 SAMEDI

At Chateau all morning. Walked a little round park

before settling to work.

In afternoon I motored over to ABBEVILLE and visited No 3

Australian Hospital. Had tea with the Matron Sister Wilson

The town is a good deal knocked about by bombs.

In evening rode over to MERELESSART and dined with the

35 Bn Hqrs. A good dinner they managed too. Capt

Paterson came with me. Raining hard on way back.

YONVILLE.

OCTOBRE

20 DIMANCHE

Steady set in rain. Spent morning straightening up

mostly "Q" work.

To Divisional conference at HALLENCOURT 2.30. returned

to Hqrs 6.30. Leo was up.

Papers re pay paid from Canteen Funds

on Themistocles returned to me with instructions

that I am to pay the amount out of my
own pocket.

 

 

YONVILLE.

OCTOBRE

21 LUNDI

Went out by car in morning with Lieut Gifford

to LIMEUX to inspect Bde Signal School. rest of day

detail.

YONVILLE.

OCTOBRE

22 MARDI

In morning rode over to MERELESSERT to see

35^th Bn Inspected their range ALLERY road. Saw

Sayers who is temporarily in command of

the Bn Madame & Mmle des Forts came

to tea in the Mess in the afternoon.

 

 

YONVILLE.

OCTOBRE

23 24. Thursday

23  MERCREDI

The morning was spent getting the Brigade

photographed. a rather tedious job.

The R.C Padre Chaplain reported.

In evening Jackson and I spent an hour in

the des Forts den. Mlle des Forts played and

sang.

Leo was in in the afternoon.

YONVILLE.

OCTOBRE

24 JEUDI 25 Friday

Pain very bad on awakening could hardly

move.

Walked to 33 training ground saw them

at squad drill and Lewis gun practice

then walked over to their range they

were doing good work at musketry.

From there walked to FRUCOURT xx to

see the 34 but missed them. Every

bit of uneven ground was agony to me

Found it hard to give my mind to

detail the pain was so bad.

At 4 the Matron (Miss Wilson) and

half dozen sisters came up to afternoon

tea. felt too seedy to take any interest

in the show. Madam & Mselle

 des Forts

also came in.

 

 

YONVILLE.

OCTOBRE

25 VENDREDI 26 Saturday

Div Comndr called in morning, discussed

discipline, traing, tactical schemes &c. There is

being too much crowding - traing, transport shows

Athletic meetings. tactical schemes innumerable

conferences and meetings. the work is overwhelming

for all concerned and not sufficient time is

available for anyone thing to be carried

on properly.

After lunch I walked over to 33 parade

ground to look at Rugby match 33 v 34

officers before going on to ground walked into

the wood near Frucourt. I do not think

I have ever seen anything so beautiful

The trees are in the most perfect of their

autumn tints it was a veritable fairyland.

Had tea in library with the des Forts.

then to the pile of administration & other

papers.

YONVILLE.

OCTOBRE

26 SAMEDI 27 Sunday

In afternoon attended a conference at Div Hqrs

Was not in good form. back to Yonville about 5.

Worked on in room till 10.30 or 11.

 

 

YONVILLE.

OCTOBRE

27 28 Monday

In morning attended by Capt Paterson rode to HALLENCOURT

and inspected Brigade School. found everything satisfactory

Saw Major Hawkey and Lieut Simpson. Owing to

my back being bad and the use of my right arm

being almost nil found difficulty in mounting and

dismounting.

After lunch held conference of Battalion Commanders

at Hqrs. on forthcoming tactical training &c.

Big mail from home. Maud appears to have

been very unwell. Dr says her heart is bad.

In evenig went into the wretched "Themistocles"

pay business and wrote Major Douglas Browns

thereon

A very beautiful day. Sunny and bright.

YONVILLE.

OCTOBRE

28 LUNDI 29. Tuesday.

Visited 33 Bn in morning. Saw them dong

Company in attack.

In afternoon Leo came up. He left at 4pm

I walked a little way towards Vaux

before dinner. Feel unsettled.

Major Neilsen (Canadian) from Army

Traing Staff. reported to Bde Hqrs for billeting

with us.

A beautiful day - sunny and warm.

 

 

YONVILLE.

OCTOBRE

29 MARDI 30. Wednesday

Accompanied by Major Neilsen, Captains Jackson

Paterson and Carmichael motored to HALLENCOURT

where conference on Training was held. Brigadiers,

their Staffs, Battalion & Coy Commds. being present.

also Div Gen and Staffs. Conference held in Cinema Hall.

From 10 to 11.45 there was an address by General

CUGGISBERG. CMG., D.S.O. (Inspector General of Training)

on training & organization, Battle Tactics of Platoon

and Company, Platoon traing. We then went out

& until 1.p.m witness demonstration by

Lt Col Levy (Gordon Highlanders) with a platoon

This platoon did well and was furnished by

33 Bn. Had lunch at Div hqrs. then further

demonstration by Col Levy. a further conference

at the Cinema Hall. Back to Hqrs about 5 pm.

Chaplain Osborne called to report departure

for Weymouth.

YONVILLE.

OCTOBRE

31 JEUDI

General Guggisberg, Inspector Gen of Training

came to my Hqrs. 10.30.a.m. discussed with

him the operations this Bde has been engaged 

in since March We visit. 33 Bn Hqrs and

saw Col Morshead.

In afternoon went to the boxing tournament which

was held on the 33 parade ground.

rest of day administration.

NOTES

Copy of order (captured) by German Area Commdr.

"Order by Area Commandant

146 L. of C. Area Comd (Mobile)

F.P.O. 42.

13. Sept 1918.

"I find from personal experience to-day that in some

quarters there is still uncertainty as to whether troops in

rest may claim rooms and beds belonging to the

inhabitants for their exclusive use. The answer is in

complete affirmative. So far as beds exist they

are to be taken unhesitatingly from the inhabitants

for use in billets - further, all enemy rooms are at

the disposal of troops; the inhabitants are to be relegated

to the floor.

Commanding officer and officer in charge of troops

are requested to give instructions to their subordinate

to this effect.

(sgd) Thilo

Col. Area Cdt.

This order is to be handed by Town Mayors to

officers in charge of troops billeted and a receipt obtained

Report that this is carried out.."

 

 

YONVILLE.

NOVEMBRE

1 VENDREDI

In morning went out to Transport inspection

while there Lieut Lahey came over to tell me a car

was being sent over to take me to Div Hqrs. to attend

conference at 2 Div Hqrs. arrived there at

1.p.m., lunched at Div Mess. then with

Gen. Gellibrand to - The conference

was attended by Gen. Monash and all Div &

Bde Commdrs. The Army Comdr Sir A. Rawlinson

arrived at 5.30. and addressed the conference.

telling us it was decided to send us in the line

again. His attitude was extraordinary. If

they cannot do without us and have the

courage to say so we are happy enough to

once again save the situation. what has

come over the British Army. Honour and

even truthfulness not to mention chivalry

appears to have become non-existent in it.

Back to Hqrs 7 p.m. Biddulph and

Brussingdon were at Mess.

Much Q & G work till midnight.

YONVILLE.

NOVEMBRE

2 SAMEDI
With B.M. visited 33 & 34 Bns in morning.

After mess in eveng spent an hour with the

des Forts.

 

YONVILLE.

NOVEMBRE

3 DIMANCHE

Attended Church parade of 33 Bn in CITERNE in

morning. A dull grey day. grey cold towards

evening.