Diary Henry Arthur Goddard 1918 - Part 26

YONVILLE. Austrian armistice signed
NOVEMBRE

4 LUNDI.

In morning interviewed suspended sentence
men and new officers. rst of day
traing matters administration etc.
A fine sunny day which turned into
a cold, wild night. The Leo up in
afternoon.

 

 

YONVILLE.
NOVEMBRE

5 MARDI.
Drove
At 1.30 Major Harrison called in his car to
take me to conference of Corps General Officers   

to be held at 1^st Div Hqrs. We called
for Col. Lord at 10 Bde Hdrs. ERON on way.
The conference was at LONG and was in
traing. Major General Sir Ivor MAXSE the Inspector

General of Traing of British armies in France
was addressed the conference. He is a
futile sort of chap. It is utterly incredible
that he should be the foundn head of
training. No wonder the British Army makes
such awful messes.
A wet miserable day. 

YONVILLE
NOVEMBRE
6 MERCREDI.
Worked on Div Tactical schemes all day.
Div Commdr round in morng. He brought up
the subject of my health. Suggested I
might break down. Pointed out to him
that I held the record of endurance for the
Brigade which is a fact. No officer ever in
the Div has had such a long spell ever no
hand . over. All the same it is discouraging
The slacker scores every time - it seems one
has only to run away or dodge the fighting
to be successful. Told me I had been recommended for
decoration New Year.
A dull miserable day. Raining steadily all
day. The des Forts had tea in the Mess.
slept badly.

 

YONVILLE.
21
NOVEMBRE
7 JEUDI.
At Hqrs all day engaged on checking
tactical work except for a short break
when I walked with Carmichael along the
road for a bit. I was feeling very off colour
Sayers & McKenzie were in the Mess.
 

YONVILLE.
NOVEMBRE
8 VENDREDI.
In morning rode to Merelessart where 35 Bn
were carrying out a tactical scheme. A
very good show. Cold driving rain
on way back.
Massed bands played at Hqrs at 4 pm
Leo came up in eveng.
Div worrying a good deal about Div Tactical
scheme. Workg on same & on Inspection
Report in eveng.

 

NOVEMBRE
9 SAMEDI.
Was very ill all day. Did not leave my room
10. Sunday.
In afternoon rode to the Div Horse show. The
des Forts were there - also Mde de Beaufort.
the Mlles de la Villiersbonnet and Marie de Weiziers
We all had afternoon tea at the 35 Bn Mess.
Baron de Gail was also there.
 

YONVILLE.
NOVEMBRE
10 DIMANCHE.
11. Monday
ABDICATION of KAISER. and appointment of Ebert the
Socialist as Chancellor announced by the papers yesterday
They also state the Crown Prince has renounced the
throne and revolution in Germany.
Brigade Sports in morning but did not go in
day as I was feeling off colour - Had to lie
down for an hour. After Mess Monsuir des Forts
asked self and staff to go in and drink a glass of
wine in celebration of the German collapse. Madame
her mother and Uncle were there.

 

.YONVILLE.
NOVEMBRE
11 LUNDI
12 Tuesday.
With Bde Major by car to HALLENCOURT to conference
at Div Hqrs. 9.30. on the Tactical Scheme of last week. Left there 12.50 for return to Hqrs
Afternoon war diary and cleaning up.
Nothing official through re armistice.
Fine day but cold.
 

 

NOVEMBRE

12 MARDI

YONVILLE
NOVEMBRE
13 MERCREDI.
In afternoon went Hallencourt where the
Div Sports were held. Gens Gellibrand

Robertson, Martin Cannon were there also

Baron de Gail the Merelessart people & Mlle
des Fort Left there about 4.30 and came back
by car.
A bright cold day.
 

YONVILLE.
NOVEMBRE
14 JEUDI.
Col Harrison up in eveng.
In afternoon I motored to Hallencourt

with Capt Carmichael and Lieuts Gifford
and Halford to hear Sir Col Sir Frances
Younghusband lecture on India. Back 5 pm.
Very cold but fine.

 

YONVILLE.
NOVEMBRE
15 VENDREDI.
In afternoon visited 34 Bn  Saw Guard
mounting. Had tea with Major Fry.
In even went by car to Allery accompanied by
Col. Morshead & Cap Paterson Had Mess with
Major King Div Train. A fine clear night but
very cold.
Was asked to go over to the Weiziers but sent
apologies.
 

YONVILLE.
NOVEMBRE
16 SAMEDI.
Brigade marched to Fontaine le Sec in morng
I rode out with it. A fine morning but breezes
hard. Was glad to walk a good part of the distance
Back to here 1. pm. Cutlack the correspondent was
up. To Div Conference at Hallencourt 2.30. reference
move of 1. 2 4 & 5 Divs to the Rhine. The 3^d does
not go but will be allocated to the 17 Corps.
Discussed demobilization. To 34 at Frucourt
to Mess.

 

YONVILLE.
NOVEMBRE
17 DIMANCHE.
With B. M. & Staff Capt to Church Parade of 35 Bn
Merelessart in morning. At 2. p m I held a
conference of Bn Commanders at Bde Hqrs. After I
went for half an hour walk with Capt. Jackson in
order to get xx warm. Devoted evening to looking up operation
August 8/31 & Sept for Cutlack to morrow.
Fine but freezing hard all day.
 

YONVILLE.
NOVEMBRE
18. 19 18 LUNDI.
Received notification that Col Woolcock to take command
of 34 Bn.
Went through the operations Aug 8. to Oct 2 with
Cutlock the Press Rep. in morng.
After 2. walked with B.M. to Frucourt to inform
Major Fry of the change in command
The des Forts had a dance in the afternoon.
I just looked in the Mlles de la Villenbonnet and
Mlle de Weiziers were there
Received warning order to prepare to move at 36
hours notice.

Freezing all day.
19.
Gen Gellibrand at Hqrs in morning.
Discussed traing probable moves education schemes 

 

YONVILLE.
NOVEMBRE
20. 19 MARDI.
With Lieut Thomas walked to Citerine to 33 Bn Hqrs
thence to Merelessart to 35 Bn. Back noon.
Col Bruggy up. Discussed various Q. matters.
Cold damp foggy day.
Col Woolcock reported to command 34^th
 

YONVILLE.
NOVEMBRE
20 MERCREDI.
 

YONVILLE.
NOVEMBRE
21 JEUDI.
With Capt Paterson to Frucourt saw 34 at training
Col Woolcock on parade. Thence to Hqrs at Citerine
saw Col Moreshead.
 

YONVILLE.
NOVEMBRE
22 VENDREDI.
Walked to Merelessart in morning to 35 Bn
Saw Major Sayers. Discussed with him the
matter of Guard trouble afterwards inspected
35^th Bn billets.
Col Harrison called at noon Discussed
with him probable moves. Col Woolcock
Lieut Gale etc
Cold frosty day, but clear.

 

YONVILLE
NOVEMBRE
23 SAMEDI.
In morning walked to Forceville inspected
Trench Mortar Battery. It is a fine little show
the billets were very clean and the cooking
arrangements good. I think I will attach Les to
them.

Our Brigade Concert Party. "The Green Oeufs"
gave their first show at Citerine this evening.
The Chateau party came along  Mdme Wouneir
des Forts, Mlles Des Forts, Weiziers and de la Villesbonnet
The show was a good one. We all dined in the
Mess afterwards - and then went to the des Forts
drawing room where they had dancing, but I would
have been glad to get away. I have no call
for this now.
Froze hard all day.