Diary Henry Arthur Goddard 1918 - Part 28

MAISNIÈRS
DECEMBRE
13 VENDREDI. Ste Luce 347-18
In morning working out tactical scheme.
Discussed educational scheme with Dixon.
Heard into evidence in Court of Enquiry on Gas
Projector Operation 24/5 June case.
At 2.30. Conference Commanding Officer re
tactical scheme until 5.pm.
After dinner working on evidence in Gas Projector
shoot Case.
Dull miserable day

MAISNIERES
DECEMBRE
14 SAMEDI.
Spent morning over the Projector Operation papers
but Harrison called noon. discussed likely accommodation.
I told him I did not think the tactical
schemes advisable at this stage.
Attended Div Conference at 10 Bde Hqrs at MARTAINNEVILLE
at 2.30 on repatriation, education a. General spoke
to me about the tactical scheme I think he is a bit
annoyed. Also about the Projector business - back
to Bde Hqrs. 7.p.m. Took Morshead in car with me
to show him the papers in the projecter stunt.
Australian mail came in Maud has changed her
address again.
In evening discussed with Dixie educational matter
and with difficulty read mail.
The order came through for me to go to the
Convalescent home at Cap Martin tomorrow
but that is impossible there is too much to do
 

MAISNIÈRES
DECEMBRE
15 DIMANCHE
Spent morning & afternoon over the Projector Operation matter
Instructed Lt Thomas re Educational &
repatriation Farm.
Feel very weary and thoroughly tired out.

 

MAISNIÈRES
DECEMBRE
16 LUNDI.
Very ill. Interviewed Col Morshead at10.a.m
to 11.a.m. reference Projector Shoot-
At 12 I interviewed Col Woolcock re
proposed move of his Bn to MIANNAY. gave
assent. I was then compelled to give up.
and went to room and lay down on bed. Feel
terribly ill. Leo came over in afternoon - poor
kid I was too ill even to talk to him.
I felt for him after his long walk but
I was utterly completely done and could
not talk.
The order came through for me to go to
the Convalescent Home at Cap Martin tomorrow
but that is impossible - there is too much to
do 

MAISSNIÈRES
DECEMBRE
17 MARDI.
Feel better and started a strenuous day. Went
through things with staff. Captain directly after
breakfast. Interviewed Col Woodcock reference
taking over while I am away. Wrote Tactical
scheme with Brigade Major. Then by car
to Oisemont to see Div Commnder re absence
they want me to go to Cap Martin for a month
but I do not want to be away for so long.
Spent afternoon and evening fixing up a hundred
things and with B.M. wrote tactical scheme
bed about midnight

 

MAISNIÈRES -
ROUEN.
DECEMBRE
18 MERCREDI.
Through matters with Staff Capt. Brigade Major
Fixed up everything so that there was nothing more
to think of. and at noon left in car for Rouen
where we arrived about 2.30. Reported at office
of D.D.M.S. but as usual with all British
Departments the officers were out so only saw
an N.C.O. arranged for him to phone me about
leaving to-morrow and took a room at the
Hotel de la Piete - a nice room. I then walked
round and had a look at the Cathedral, a
very fine building, back to hotel at 5 to see
if I could get some tea as I had had no
lunch. but as I had no bread tickets I
could get nothing to eat and the tea was
without sugar. so I was not sorry when time
for dinner came round. Only a very indifferent
dinner was obtainable anything it lacked was made
up by its cost which was F30. I did not go anywhere
in evening being glad enough to turn in.- but could
not sleep. Raining heavily and weather generally
very unpleasant
 

ROUEN - PARIS
DECEMBRE
19 JEUDI.
Steady rain in morning. Had job to get a conveyance
to the station. Caught 10.15 a.m. on train from
Gard Vert. The R.T.O. seeing one on board.
The train was very crowded.
Arrived at Paris 1.30. p.m. raining. I crossed
over to the Resturant of the Hotel Nord and got
a wretched lunch. Paris was en fete on account
of the visit of the King of Italy. I walked as far
as the Tulieries, along the Rue de l'Opera and
the rue Caumartin.  Feel low spirited and was
heartily glad when the time came to get back to
the Gare du Nord where I picked up my baggage

and took a taxi to the Gare du Lyon - where I joined
a party of about 10 other officers also proceeding to

the Michelan Home. Train left at 8.15 p.m. We were provided with
Condieltes. In my compartment was a very nice chap
a Lt Col of Pioneers Bn in Norfolk Fusiliers also going to
the Home. the other place was occupied by a Field
Artillery Officer and an American Lieut. Slept well.
turning in about 10.p.m. Paris is literally chocked
with Americans

 

CAP MARTIN
DECEMBRE
20 VENDREDI
Had breakfast (?) on the train about 9.a.m. a wretched
scramble - and a poor meal. Our Compartment filled
up by the addition of a French officer, his wife and

daughter. Very charming people. At Marseilles the
train became very crowded. Everything being
swamped by Americans
We arrived a Mentone at 8.p.m. A car was
there to meet me. I was glad to arrive at
the Home (the Hotel Cap Martin) a glorious
building right on the sea. After a wash had
dinner - a good meal. Turned in at 11.p.m
feeling very tired and quite ill. but had a good
night.
 

CAP MARTIN
DECEMBRE
21 SAMEDI.
Awoke to a glorious sunny morning. Like that of
a Queensland winter. Clear sky and blue sea.
My rooms look out over the Mediterranean
and the Hotel grounds. under any window are
orange and lemon trees in full fruit. They
have given me a magnificent suit of apartment
with fine sitting room bedroom and private
bathroom.
After breakfast called on the Commdt., saw the Dr

then with Cols White and H. walked to MENTONE
bought a map and postcards and drove back -
I did not go out again. Met a Capt Macdonald
(a medic) and his wife at the hotel. He was with
me at Victoria Barracks in the early days but I
could not call him to mind.
I did not go out again but rested till tea. then

rest of evening writing in room. A lovely day
already I feel better. Bed 11. slept well.

 

CAP MARTIN
DECEMBRE
22 DIMANCHE.
After breakfast motored to Monte Carlo with

Col Wayman Had a look in at the Casino,
but the gambling rooms are prohibited to the
Army. Walked along the promenade then drove
round the town past the Museum (a magnificent
structure) and the Princes residence. A sentry
armed with rifle and bayonet but in civilian
clothes was on duty. Then back to Cap Martin
The beauty of the place is very great.
The days are fine like good Queensland winter
days.
After lunch I walked by myself a little
then rested till afternoon tea. talked with Col
H    till nearly seven. After dinner
went straight to my rooms and wrote a bit.
At my table are.
The Commndt. Col Goodwin. R.A.M.C.
Brig Gen.  A.S C.
Cols Prichard & Fullerton
also army medical men
and a very young Lieut Col (Fern.) up late
 

CAP MARTIN
DECEMBRE
23 LUNDI.
Was not feeling over good so walked into Mentone
and back in morning - to endeavour to walk off
rotten feeling. Felt a bit improved on my return.
After lunch yarned a bit to Col Wayman then
to my rooms - read and wrote till afternoon tea
I spent rest of afternoon writing. After dinner Col
Wayman came up to my room and rather bored
me telling me of a scrape he is landed in He is very
much worried.

 

CAP. MARTIN
DECEMBRE
24 MARDI.
After breakfast I walked to Mentone and bought
a box of matches at the American Y.M.C.A.
Matches are very scarce. A windy morning but
warm and fine.
In afternoon motored in Commnds Car with
Cols Prichards and Fullerton to the
Museum at Monaco The Aquarium there
is very interesting.
After tea went with Dr Mcdonald
to the Hotel Ruie d'Azure where his wife is staying
She has been nursing in a French Hospital
in Paris. Had dinner with them. There
was also a sister Grey there. Back 11.p.m.
 

CAP MARTIN
DECEMBRE
25 MERCREDI.
Walked a little and sat on a rock till
about 11. Then back to hotel and wrote
hard. In rooms all afternoon wrote
Evy and Leo.
We had quite a nice Christmas dinner
The niece of officer living here and the Sister
were invited. I took in Sister Denison an
Australian sister in the English Nursing Service.
After dinner there was a concert. To bed 11.30.

 

CAP MARTIN
DECEMBRE
26 JEUDI.
In the morning I walked to Terra Evangeline
Madame Sterns place. Madam had issued an
invitation to the officers at the Home to make use of
her garden. It is very very beautiful. I read the
paper and dozed in the sun in a summer house on
one of the Terraces. I was returning when I met
Madame near the House. She spoke and asked
me to walk with her. I found her a very
charming old lady, and we walked and talked
on the Terrace until nearly 1 pm becoming very
friendly. On bidding adieu she asked me to
write my name in her book and invited me
to make every use of her garden at all times.
Invited me to a luncheon party on the 6^th
In the afternoon I motored with Capt McDonald
and his wife to GORBIO a weird old villiage
N.W. of MENTONE perched on a hill 765 metres A.S.L
Got back to Cap Martin 4.p.m. and had tea at
the Home Chattg with the MacDonalds Phillips 
and listening to the music till 6. then to rooms
where i wrote until dinner.
After dinner went up to room wrote etc.
 

CAP MARTIN.

DECEMBRE

27 VENDREDI. 

In morning I walked a bit and read the newspaper

in the Hotel garden. In my room all day except

another little walk before tea. Madam Stern was

up for afternoon tea. I like the old lady very much

In my room writing after dinner. Do not feel

over good. afraid I have another attack coming on. 

CAP MARTIN.

DECEMBRE

28 SAMEDI. 

Feel ill. Sat in sun on front near hotel

all morning. Rest of day in room reading &

slept a little after lunch and feel a little better.

In evening wrote and read till 10. then

to bed.

 

CAP MARTIN.
DECEMBRE
29 DIMANCHE
In morning walked with Col Preston to Mentone
Tennis Club. Sat and watched the playing until
noon then walked home. Preston introduced me
to Lady Hale Watts who we overtook on way back.
In afternoon Cols Preston, Fullerton and self took
the train to Monte Carlo with the idea of
hearing a concert at the Casino but when we

reached there we found a comedy was being
played instead of a Concert. so we decided not to
go in. Instead we sat in the vestibule of the
Casino looking at the motley crowd of players 
till 3.30. then we took the train back to Cap
Martin.
Madame Stern sent me up one of her books this
morning "Suprême Armour" autographed.
"Au Général Goddard Hommage de Sympathie
Ernesta Stern (Maria Star) 1918".
I am feeling better than yesterday. but
drained and weak.

 

CAP MARTIN
DECEMBRE
30 LUNDI.
Feel better Took 10.15 train into Monte Carlo
walked towards Monaco. There appeared to
be no train back, or I had missed it as I 
took a cab back.
In room in afternoon except for a little
walk for 10 minutes round hotel grounds
before tea.
Had tea with Lady ^Marian Beckwith (daughter of
the Duke of    and Col Gordon
Lennox. Lady Beckwith is a very nice and
very young - one can hardly believe she has a
son 14 years old. Spent rest of evening in my
rooms writing etc.
A wet stormy night
 

CAP MARTIN
DECEMBRE
31 MARDI.
Rain cleared up and I walked into Mentone &
back.
In afternoon went to Terre Clementine (Madame
Sterns) They had some splendid music. Madame
Alfen who I met there asked me to a musical afternoon
at the Villa Caliana on Friday. Madame Stern
asked me to lunch on Monday. There was one more
who had a fine baratone voice & one who sang Italian
songs. Returned to hotel 7. p.m.
Dinner was a function. the wives of officers, the
messing sisters -10 being guests. I took in Mrs Shelford
the wife of Capt Shelford who took in Miss Dickenson
an Ambulance driver - the 4 of us occupying a table
Shelford I discover is a brother to be of that name

who commanded the old "Ormuz" when I travelled
on her. After dinner there was a concert till 10.30
then a dance in the reading room. I was not
feeling very fit but sat and looked on at the dancing
until midnight when I retired.