Diary Henry Arthur Goddard 1919 - Part 3

ROUEN
(BOIS GUILLAUME)
FEVRIER
10 LUNDI.
Got up at 10. The C.O. advised me to walk
over to the toboganning in the afternoon, but as
I was not sure of the direction and was feeling a
bit weak I did not risk it but walked by
on outskirt route to St Godard's. The Church
has the most glorious stained glass but several
of the best windows have been taken out
as a precaution against bombing. I
got back to the hospital 3.45. It is freezing
hard and the wind is very keen, but it still
keeps bright and sunny. Had rather a
bad night.
 

ROUEN.
(BOIS - GUILLAUME)
FEVRIER
11 MARDI.
Up 10.30. After lunch walked with the
Matron to where the Hospital Staff were
tobogganing. It is good fun to watch them.
A perfect day, little wind and the sun
shone through a perfectly clear atmosphere
The country under it covering of snow
is very beautiful. Back to hospital

at 4.p.m. Slept well.
 

ROUEN. (BOISGUILLAUME)
FEVRIER
12 MERCREDI.
Up 10. a.m. The M.O. Major Dowding
asked me if I felt quite fit to go tomorrow
I told him "Yes". He told me that I was
by no means right and the best that could be
said was that this was a temporary patching
up.
In afternoon I walked into town
intending to do some shopping but the feeling
of weakness got the best of me and I took the
tram back arriving at the Hospital at 3.50.
A lovely sunny day but thawing a little.
 

ROUEN-ACHEUX
FEVRIER
13 JEUDI.
Up at 9.30. Got ready to go, but the
car did not turn up until 4.p.m. It
seems the driver did not have the number of the
hospital and the Officer was bent (if the truth is known)
on seeing Rouen. The road was wonderfully good
and almost clear of snow. We only got stuck once
when trying to avoid another car.
Got to Acheux 7. Turned in about
10. Had a bad night.
Leo has gone on leave to Paris.
 

ACHEUX.
FEVRIER
14 VENDREDI.
A cold miserably damp morning.
Thawing. After breakfast talked matters
over with Col Woolcock, then walked as
far as the 33, in order to get warm
Feel very off colour. Turned in at 10 a.m.
Slept better.
 

ACHEUX.
FEVRIER
15 SAMEDI.
Up 8. Feel better. a brighter day.
It froze again last night. It is very
wet and muddy in the villages and

the roads are bad with ice & snow
Col. Woolcock left this morning for 34^th.
Acheu
The Div Commdr called in the afternoon
He does not seem satisfied with the
way things went under Woolcock.
He told me he is going on leave and
that I shall probably have to
take over the Div for a time as from
17^th. That is a nuisance as I do

not want to leave the Bde till I've
got into close touch with things again.
and it's heavy going just as I'm back
from hospital - to have to take hold
of the line things in a few days
However I've pulled through worse things.
A soaking wet night - miserably cold.
Letter from Leo saying he admitted to
No 8. Canadian hospital at Join - le Pont near Paris
on 7^th with a temperature - evidently flue.
Bad night. did not sleep after 2.a.m.
 

ACHEUX.
FEVRIER
16 DIMANCHE.
Cold, miserably wet day, rain, sleet xxxx xxxx
Col White who takes over the first of our Divisions
Demobolisation quota (No 12 supplied by the
10^th Bde) came in at 2 to say Good bye.
Rained heavily all evening.
Slept better.
 

ACHEUX.
FEVRIER
17 LUNDI.
Bright sunny morning but rained heavily later
Walked over to Chépy to 33 Bn. Saw Major Grant and
Col Morshead. discussed with the latter the matter of
the trouble over packs while I was away. Back 1.p.m.
 

ACHEUX.
FEVRIER
18 MARDI.
At Hqrs all day. A dull miserable
day. Slept well.
 

ACHEUX.
FEVRIER
19 MERCREDI.
Dull bleak day with some rain
In the morning I rode, accompanied
by Capt. Mackie to see the 36^th Bn at
Feuquieres but found Capt Coghill had
gone to Abbeville. I fear that that is a

grave danger and that he is likely to be
irresponsible. I can see the baleful influence
of Whites narrowness and incapability of
correctly estimating character throughout the
old Bn.
After lunch went into demobilization matters
with Capt Patterson.
 

ACHEUX
FEVRIER
20 JEUDI.
Conference Commanding Officers at my Hqrs. reference demobilization 
matters and particularly with regard to disposal of
Regtl Funds. Agreed that 36 Funds be distributed
6/8^th. to 33 & 1/8 to 34 & 35. that 33 & 34 provide 5/- per
head for ship and Div be asked to supply for 35.
Miserable windy wet day.
 

ACHEUX.
FEVRIER
21 VENDREDI.
Bright sunny morning. Walked for about an hour

for exercise: Turned to rain after lunch and
developed into a wet miserable day.
 

ACHEUX.
FEVRIER
22 SAMEDI.
Wet, windy day. Not away from Hqrs.
Got letter from Leo saying he is right again
expects to leave hospital on Tuesday.
 

ACHEUX.
FEVRIER
23 DIMANCHE.
A bit finer some sun in morning. After breakfast I walked
to Zoteux & home by way of Frères.
Lieut Sharp who is taking Bean's place as Press Rep. called.
 

ACHEUX.
FEVRIER
24 LUNDI.
Feel off colour. Miserable wet dull day.
 

ACHEUX.
FEVRIER
25 MARDI.
A little sun in the morning. Before settling down to work
walked through villiage and home via Frères
General Rosenthal called noon. He goes over to take
General Mackay's place. He says he will want a
Brigadier from each Div. It will be a tough job
still I'm half minded to ask for it.
Gen Hobbs the Corps comndr came at 1.p.m.
He also hinted that he might be sending me
to London.
Letter from Mrs David Wallace the M.B E. of

the Victoria League Edinburgh saying that
Corpl Knight my groom was in
hospital at Edinburgh not likely to live.
Letter from Leo saying hes out of hospital
and enjoying balance of his leave in
Paris.
 

ACHEUX.
FEVRIER
26 MERCREDI.
General Birdwood visited Bd Hqrs at 10.a.m.
Had Bn Commands, Seconds in Commnd Adjutant
C.Os 9 Fd Army & Fd Coy to meet him.
He also presented some military medals.
Wet cold day.
 

ACHEUX.
FEVRIER
27 JEUDI.
Wet miserable day.
Recd notification Col Morshead & Major Harkey to
proceed at once to England the former to take command
Convalescent Training Depôt. This is very awkward as
Col Morshead was detailed to go to command last Bn
as Cadre. He came over to see me 10.a.m as
is anxious to remain with his Bn. I rang Div up
but [[Carrinan?]] told me the matter was fixed up
by Gen Gellibrand before he left.

ACHEUX.
FEVRIER
28 VENDREDI
Cloudy, and inclined to shower, but a slight improvement
on yesterday.
Accompanied by Capt Mackay rode over to see 35 Bn at
FEUQUIERES. Looked in at their recreation huts. Their transport and
then to their Hqrs. Saw Major Carr. He complained of the darkness
of Capt. Grace. This officer seems hopeless. Carr says he indicated to
him that he had a grievance about his seniority at leaving Australia
and intentionally does not do his best. Saw de Vere and Wyndham
re 35 Bn History
Leo arrived back and came over to see me at 6-p m. He looks
a bit thinner -  pale on it.
Pte A.R. Willett no 6814. reposted from 35 Bn to relieve Wells
as my orderly.