Diary of Herbert Vincent Reynolds, 1916-1917 - Part 4

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
RCDIG0001014
Difficulty:
3

Page 1 / 10

XV JUNE 1916 SUNDAY 25 ist after Trinity I has been a pretty fair day. A heavy bonbardment is going on Honight it commenced Sabout 9.30p & one continuous line of light is to be seen along the firing line & flast after flact folloks one another in quick successed. MONDAY 26 "a very successful concert was given by our boys in the mes sted dtonight. TUESDAY 27 WEDNESDAY 28 JUNE-UULY 1916 THURSDNYS S. Peter I worked in No16 ward Hill midday & then had the after off I. am on night work for a week now. Received, letter from Mother & one from K. Redeross gofts were issued to us seday I gotaglb fin of buants. FRIDAY 30 It has been extreonely windy today, the huts have suffered slighth asquadron of 16 planes wen tover on a said to Lille tonighfat about yher The sight of about 23 planes areling about & it will remain in orrer memory for all time. SATURDAYY IULY A number of our planes wen tover at about 5. 30 this morning. At about ghor a large gun of ears beganfiring & then followed one of the havicet Lonbardment, that we have witnessed Memo.
JULY, 1816 COULYTS srill in the paddoct. A mmmnoptane flew orer towmas the entingotines I the sasld fire after they had for DHURSDAV 6 about a doy shilld SUNDAY 2 and after Trinit very heavy shaffing wenton a sone time through the night & some Has been a beautifull day soen 4owauer Lo Gorgue & vesited w he of thegansinour vieinity had a aut. Pevalie at C.30 parade your accsdrome & seen & planes goout mon the exand of enapping 1to ye 30am & 942 &2 to 4. Thelarge guns fired a few rounds this affern the enemye positions. We went to the yenla & epent the evening then fired & after ta, the eremy replied & landed shells a shorldistance ating the at a service held in their rooms: a seout plane was being dismantty road where one of them kibled one of our chaps S Bull, wounded another Cfoor the prio to being taken away it was cammaged in a flight fas tnight sfagment fell all around here. I met of Elliot Soneght We spent the day adegan in which it Etackled an Enemy plane FRIDAV.7. MONDAV3 It has been a beautifull day a roaple of enemy planes were nver here Asday & one of our planes was dammeged & came down this morging over towards the Le Porgue acrodrome.. We are leaving here tomorrow & thedinner which wal arranged for tomorrow night came off Sonighton our messhat SATURDAY8. TUESDAY 4. a sect played Bsect foothall this afternoon & ie son by 8 We horned out a t5. 30 am &set to packing things up, we moved off at about apm & marched through Skenwerck, is conmenced to rain fairly heavy points to 4 soon after we stouts continued all day, at aboat s pnuccrossed the Belgian border & seacled our camp about Lamile over ity set to making otls carselves as confortable as pocrible for the night in largeonarquees, allows year is wet rave lavionly one blanket. This cans is about a mile from Meare Eglise. Memo. XI WEDNESDAY 5 some etaffing went on through the night. He have to go through a routine of Arill in this camp I went along to the Yonl a tonight & spent the evening there IRII
JULY 1916 JULY 1916 THURSDAYT3 SOADANS 3rd after Trinity Revallict & m H didnobsain through the night but od oo aboat b am [I has beena beautifull day the enemyss planes have been very rativg [(A sext played Buot Tricket this afternoon but did not follow as their when we were pecking up. We moved off about & passed theough daraived at Clonville about where ie Flecielles, eces f yesterday. got into billets old farns & shell of all descriptions being ased I think I am en an old foul house FRIDAY14 MONDAY 10 The aad brigade have been leaving here this last day or two Paradeat gain for soll call & one at epm for gour helmet inipeated The biggum fired a few shells to day. a few besauts & other articles were mudt today they were got from the candar prophat Darliean SATURDAYUIG TUESDAYII Revally at o soam shuck sampd moved off at 845 pm arrived at Wewent for e merch this morning through Petil Eardanetfe as handed Balllule sail siding & entrained loated the weggons etc] stamed of/ at 1. 10 p] in one of our garshelietsr got a new pattemone isued this afternoon passing through Henchouh, Lapiregy, Palone Ricont & S. Bolaty 45t a said was mede on amient by eneny aircraft at about 11 pm. arriving at Doullesat abouthwe disentrained & set out for an unknown destination asfaras at are concerned And a rest for Lhoor for fea (Memo.nt WEDNESDAY 12 arrived at billet in Sarcangad aboat 8.30 turned in & sleps like a Sop Hill [ream when we tamedout got our gar seady & gat on the move at 12 30 reachen "saint Quen at and had a spell for dinner started a again ignere Ex pailed through t P arriving Your bille t or rather besouce about jastoutside The village motor Aransport joined up p Brigade sillited here, Weare bevou in the orchard at Clincourt Chateau JIORH
163 JULY 1816 SUNDAY16 ath after Trinity Wegot packed up & cleaned out our bellets prior to leaving. I went along to se the acrodrome this morning. At op wel left Alanville & pand through Belucourt, Esbert, Contay & arrived afour biroune in a large wood at Vadencoart. canvas huts are erristed among the trees. MONDAY 17 Rerallie at 6.30 am, warned not to have our bellets during the day, it has been raining a good deal all day. A number of the Cheshires came in here tonight to billets they are direcs from England. A constant rumble of heavy artillery can be heard Aonight. TUESDAY 18. The sommies left here early this morning & a number of A y. A took The place later in the day WEDNESDAY 19 Teent for a stoll with a couple of makes into the upper part of the wood today & had a lost through the Kench defences of it. MIEMORIR JULY 1816 THURSDAY20 Marched to Warloy at about spm took over a dressing station there ull erected bill tents & occupied them The dreecing a is the Nos Auxiliary Warloy & is the principal etr for the Abbort wakon of the tne FRIDAY 216 We paraded at ye 50 devent for a bit of a march before Breaklast after which we could go where we pleased in the village there is a large DS. J. Cunteen here SATURDAY 22 We have been warned to be ready to go out to the trenches at amoments notice & have been instructed not to leave our camp We were hold off for daty I am going out as a receive bearer. Memo.
t along the hoalt naking at a eritatle tell ULVTST6 SUY1 Donareny- Wedneday 26 OSunnavinz. 5th after Trinity I left Harlog about 3.50 am in one of the earo reached the 22d. Holent Foas turned out af Cam to unload the waggns till 8 am when the 27 fath Lads releeved us till upm when Feer to again & continues tilled mading Jatres in at Elbest had an hours red & continued our journly on to the Astoan drivato Aant in a car dispaed of our gear& wallesand to the linds & a number of gasseases came in teday mort of the patient, to day were 2 Dui What remained of the 10th Ball came in here tonight they niombaed swat the nat the farrived a about san do find that our unit had suffered nther mct we set to work + casuelty followed on another in quck encuession for a while, shells wore whole st swave relievved Foday falling like rach, 9 the enmy concentrated his artilley on the cross roads or mer ttthe cross 20ads. We were informed that our Dusctlergf set a tnnes egas tetly yesterday. The enemy used Coolland C VDA V. 24 chells Ruthlessly tonight also FRIDAY 28 a few gave sehells were sent over I went round &illon Pate theis morning & we went for a stall for a boute t He had a few hem rest a continued carrying patients fo the dump. Gars shells he has te seternat ,2 to dut y so twent aseen te Nitchal in the st. Tant were sen over during the night & we were on the allert for the presence of the fames. The enemy have not toabled the roads teday he has consent atld hise & had dinner with him. Tuentonduty at y pm in Nto 2ward efforts on to the Fenches, the wormalld cased off towards midnight but our In Ellery began about open & made a ferrifie bombardment, all throu gh the night [Hi got permusion to getanest a bout nednigltr got into the german dugoutal TUESDAY 25 SATURDAY 29 S. James I have been on duty all onght in No Dward relieved at 9 am, & eteo durong We turned out at 2 iam cl to carrying patients from the crose road to the day & wvent on duty again at y pra in Ward ato 3. Assut the dumpcortinuing all day, A great fire wablaging away from about sam fill about m away over towards our right. The 5t. Pld Cnt arrived saday& started worf at of about spm. Pte L White was wounded Frday MST Thurday 27 Memo: Easualties 23rd Johnstone, Mackey killed Sq. Minnis I have been in duty from 3pm ill 11pm bodding the wagons &carrying C. Johnston. P. Docker B. Bnowne O Dunne patieats to the wal ds from dreering room. Tete came round & found ml W Hampton Roache K. Horneitein, wounded tonight at about 8pm, The 4th. Divarrived in this village Arday, besides others slightly wounded
JULYEAUGUST 1BI6 SONDAV3O 8 Oth afer trin Condudy iorwere ibly tcket i wsten a mouning thereintetion inpt monad of te tetnt t eoty attacted to the 2th t Ant whorhl ovr the hespitalsaring & fation from as tho septe aeve the was fio up binacs for miet erinanont T soka sholl roand ito e ete this evening MONDAY.3I te prraded at g ramn for whheall were then dissuissed pf the crag Dwentifor anwalf in tbontay with a comple of makes a babant boe fom [A mahersd here to day nane letters from Natter then tee TUESDAYIT AUG. [Parads at 9 30an discontied for the morning, ter enemy planes flerd over at a grat hight about mundany they are the fire tenemy planct a heve seen up sincarriving here. We went tha reate margh thes afternoon. I has been an extremely hot day. WEDNESDAY 2 a parts of somen & tarneor from B Seet leftes this marning He whrt fh a wak march to Vactencourt this afternoon. AUGUSTHSIS THURSDAYCS inentenly thay tombredment went anduning thengtt the recies to part af banay to berat obnatice. FRIDAY 4 anther bon banment evermon taangothe Lastnighteg on throughout the mghto thouters about inti mue oantl t thos A the ratendi nai t myhat fa sahl off therort for a roake much ober through Baisei ths afte SATURDAV5 Wereent on duty at ye Tld Amb carrying pantures from the ttrasing noom iteenquation ward If he rpents p, a good number of wounded came through today about so woun ded same through Memo.
NS AUGUSTII6 AUGUSTIS16 SUNDAY 6) THURSDAY T0 -7th after Trinity Iwentonduty at 8 am unloading ambulances as they arrived. Ilis Went on duty at s am carrying patients from dreseing room to evaniation Majesty King, George accompanied by the Prince of Wales Generals Hent a fair number of wounded came through at shi ae were releeved Sir Douglas Haig, Sir William Berdwood & others vicited tthe & were sent up to the C.C.S. 13th Hldamb & report for duty wenton duty at yepmas guard at enterance gate my his onduty uise san to yo hospital this Afternoon, all the infly were lined up along the road & the King passed in a mott by The 5th. Bgde arrived here tonight from the Fenches MONDAY7 FKIDAY II Bank Holiday in Great Britain, and Ireland tbentonduty at 8 am, orders care for us to rejain our snit I Releeved at yam & returned to bevouac & had a rest during the day Asday we were relieved at shm mmade our way down to the 4th. Wa Found that we are not required for duty tonight so returned to our Amb & joined the reet there we marched offat 3pm marched bevouce Met of Peart in the village to day. The village is fall of through Contay I reached thevillage of Herissert afabour xnd Dew batts. opin found our billets which is in enold barn= TUESDAY 8. SATURDAY 12 Parade at 9. 30 am we have & sect new about yo reinfs arrived On fatigue wort cleaning uup the cooks yard t his morning, had the tately afternoon off & event round to see Loy B met him allright & we went for & stroll through the village. I shifted my kit to our new quarters this afternoon we have a bell tent in an orchard behind the hospital WEDNESDAY 9 Memo. Releeved at sam only a few patients came in through the night F went offending for a walk to Vadencourt weod where the 2nd Bgde are besonaad & found out that Hf E llot was wounded & is now in England. It has been an extremely hot day Tonightal about 9 fm an acroplant of ours wes cireling about over head with two lights slowing on on either wing.
AUGUSTI6 SUNDAY13 8th after Trinity Churchharade was called as 9 wemaroned to a faddeck about Lan along to Pils Conday Pen Firdaved was on frrad withus) addressed s all after the arrice. MONDAYI4 Parase at 9:.30 an we had an hours foua drill this morning Fotorders that weare expected to move offat upm paraded bukwed dismissed again & fell in again & moved off at op marched through Contay Warloy Henencout & neached our berence woutside alters at about 10. 30hm got confortable wher a few large shells folt within about 3oyds of us. TUESDAY 15 Revable 6 amall the streatoles bearers moved offat about yau marched through albert to Paaout where we le four packs continued ourway out to the Kenches. Twassent with my squed & twoothers to the 5t. Batt dresing post on Gyone oase came in during the day & ae got releived at ypm & went to the dressing station where ur demained on dut for the night as emergency squad at a boat Ofm it commenced Ao rain & ewe had a tosibly ancomfortable tine till morning WEDNESDAY 16 Went to 5th Batspost this marning a/ 5,30 an & brought in one wounded man Palizes at y am returned to Casalty comer where we had a sert, helped load wagons from 3 toqpm There have been very few carualties Loday. About spm an extreally heary outhrs to fartilley fire broke out from our 47 battage, Exher amount of acrial activits a fewlenemy planes have ban over, enemg batsins ass all day. rather dcentddy after yesterday AUGUST 1916 THURSDAY 17 Hert ap do dresing etation aly an brought a palient to eagoneabout can about o so am one four battle planes angaged ar enemy plane dectrayed it itfell inflanes en cnlines. Went ap to 6. Batt furt af Preiers alout wan no causcane thrugh abouts tre whizhbang hit the parsof it above us I explosedon of my makee Laweire had both he feet injused uchad t carry him down had a rather nough time, aboutg amancahemelyhavy Combardment of the enemy fint tine; tosth place FRIDAr 18 Farof oca lads were killed about 1ohn last night at the 8th. 8th pst thay wore Sat Oanthed abouts, 3o recarried a chapfrom Brieres wen a Elleot Levine Penningham I brought another medoon relieved at gan about 2.30 pm a terrifie bom lardnnt Sook place of the enemplines the Wlace was emply ablaze. Went to kelling te & eted by tellabout ofm when we went apt 18 Pnport & brought in a mrounaed shep. Ahe a Farfic hombardnont lootkplacefllowet by anattack ty ye 29th othe SATURDAY 19 Sheatteck lest right ant a fites bet there aeeray feesol hes anoraft hare seen: veryactive on bath sides today Memo..
NS AUGUST 1916 AUGUSTSl6 SOMDAY 20 THURSDAY 24 oth after Trinity S. Bartholomen Slept in anold barn turned out in some for breakfast about ram Relievedat & am rehenend to b Forner& had a rect. A whis bang his the roor setout on a march desfination anknown, at about of ampared theing of the gunpit in which we sleep it wen toff witf a beg crach but doneno Aedercourt Contay Kerssart rested about an he fordenner med ay he dlamage ot her thangiving one chapa slight wound on the cheek. Le Rosel whicth we passed throught reached Deauval abovt o 3o p A large number of dead mice were in the Cotlom of the sap leading up to Porseers We have no belless & are bironaced in the vicinety of large halt pets thit morning they hal died from the gais which the enemy sent over in akells his orning & through the night They camps near Beabourt & cauled The enemplanes dropped Comtly on tthe A a good number of oacualties this modning FRIDAY 25 Pareded at gan & eere dismissed after orders had been read out Returned tadressing straty am had a krip to t. Corner with patient A party of us were told off to return some nothen old bets of timler aboute 3oam:. A shell hit the cooke during the night outscole of the depn that the cooks hat collected from Sheold futs for fuil & besides Wentupito Porueres about 12.30 there are nopatents bill about apmuter had to cart stubraits up to the factory to recompence for the we returned bod sr had tea returned to Porieres & remained thereall night timber evehad about a doz eneig planes came over thir morning The 6 Hadre relever pby th dee ther. All the memys shello have beencolleated & areappereatly Going to be dired against hem vorking on the coaple of enciy guns a parts of Fenghmen have been TBAV 22 between the swofrilt agge SATURDAY 26 of alsanitg & nefetting Nhem. We kept prettydry in our improvised shelkeralthough it rained very The 2rd Dewvchanged over during the night& the 1st 5th Batts took two lines of heavy through the night. Wen down the down for a Aroll dinner 1f 20 am enemy Fenches; held them as wounded same through untill about ,am when We noved off at about apmearrying packs. Agnation Tetetti af we carried a patient to thed 5 d got relieved for an houror oo even tack to Beviers off reached Poullinsstation & entrained at 6 pom we moved of freve spent dt brought down 3other patients before being releeved by the 7th fet Amb about 10 am We marched down to casually corner hadaspell & continued on to the bishfiels a pretty decent night in closed in trucks. where are met the rul of the umit, had oar firet wask prawe, in the Pr. Ancretohigh WEDNESDAY 23 Memo. Turned out ate am after sleeping in an old French for the night put our packs on the wagons & set out to march back we passed through Millencourt Henencourt& reached Warloy about spm wherese made our bivouce in Jan orchard. Tmet WeNischell
AUGUST 1916 SUNDAY 27 10th after Trinit Disintrained Asmall suing as about am marched about a two miles tto a small canp of huts between Popering he & Reninghalst at about 3 am got into batt had a sleep till about sam, there are norations except bally & buauts P went for a walk to Rening this afternon The Sotet benadian Bandgaira performance in the Genled grounds MONDAY 28 Revalie 7 am parade 9-30 am I was sent with a dental patients to the No10.C.E. S about siam. Went for a sholl into Aonight, our acroplanes have been very active tonight. Newscame to hand to day to the effect that Rumania has declared waren Fermany. TUESDAY 29 The day has been rather wit we had about an hes squad drill this afternoon. Ievent to a picture show at Poperinghe with a coupleof nte larg Sonight & got pretty wercoming back Received & letters & parcel from Aust Hoday. WEDNESDAY 30 The day has been very selt we paraded at 2pm & vent for a route march coming ba cf ithrough Reninghlest, we got almost wet through, but made The best use of a small store which is in the hut. AUGESEPTIS1 THURSDAYSI The day has been rather fine fardifferent to yes terday. I have been on gartemasterss fatigue today. An enemy acroplane putin an applaronce overhead this morning about 8.80 am but wee boon driven home, Received lefter from V. I was informed to get my packete & gon with 2 other chaps to the Fir Baths near Hopsutre siding as guard we got into a motor & was taken about shm we got a comfortable being & plenty of blanketts FRIDAY I SEPT. SATURDAV'2 Memo.

JUNE 1916

SUNDAY 25

1st after Trinity

It has been a pretty fair day. A heavy bombardment is going 
on tonight it commenced at about 9.30 pm & one continuous 
line of light is to be seen along the firing line & flash after flash 
follows one another in quick succession.

MONDAY 26

A very successful concert was given by our boys in the mess 
shed tonight.

TUESDAY 27

WEDNESDAY 28

JUNE - JULY 1916

THURSDAY 29

S. Peter

I worked in No 16 ward till mid day & then had the afternoon 
off. I am on night work for a week now. Received letter from 
Mother & one from K. Red cross gifts were issued to us today 
I got a 4lb tin of biscuits.

FRIDAY 30

It has been extremely windy today & the huts here suffered slightly 
a squadron of 16 planes went over on a raid to Lille tonight at about 
7 pm The sight of about 23 planes circling about & it will remain in ones 
memory for all time.

SATURDAY 1 JULY

A number of our planes went over at about 3.30 this morning. At about 
9 pm a large gun of ours began firing & then followed one of the heaviest 
bombardments that we have witnessed. 

Memo.

 

JULY 1916

SUNDAY 2

2nd after Trinity

Has been a beautiful day went to Estares & La Gorgue & visited 
the aerodrome & seen 4 planes go out noon the errand of snapping 
the enemys positions. We went to the YMCA & spent the evening 
at a service held in their rooms. A scout plane was being dismantled 
prior to being taken away it was dammaged in a flight last night
in which it tackled an enemy plane.

MONDAY 3

It has been a beautiful day a couple of enemy planes were over here 
today & one of our planes was damaged & came down this morning. 
over towards the La Gorgue aerodrome. We are leaving here tomorrow 
& the dinner which was arranged for tomorrow night came off tonight in 
our mess hut.

TUESDAY 4

We turned out at 5.30 am & set to packing things up, we moved off at 
about 2 pm & marched through Steenwerck, it commenced to rain fairly heavy 
soon after we set out & continued all day, at about 5 pm we crossed the Belgian 
border & reached our camp about ½ a mile over &  set to making the beds

ourselves as comfortable as possible for the night in large marquees, all our gear 
is wet & we have only one blanket. This camp is about a mile from Neuve Eglise.

WEDNESDAY 5

Some straffing went on through the night. We have to go through a 
routine of drill in this camp. I went along to the YMCA tonight 
& spent the evening there.

JULY 1916

THURSDAY 6

drill in the paddock. a monoplane flew over towards the enemys lines & 
they ceased fire after they had fired about a doz shells 
very heavy straffing went on at one time through the night & some

of the guns in our vicinity had a cut. Revalie at 6.30 parade 7 am 
to 7.30 am & 9 to 2 & 2 to 4. The large guns fired a few rounds this afternoon 
& then fired & after tea, the enemy replied & landed shells a short distance along the 
road where one of them killed one of our chaps S Bull & wounded another (Foord) the 
fragments fell all around here. I met H Elliot tonight. We spent the day at squad.

FRIDAY 7

SATURDAY 8 

A sect played B sect football this afternoon & we won by 28 
points to 4

Memo.

 

JULY 1916

SUNDAY 9

3rd after Trinity

It has been a beautiful day & the enemys planes have been very active 
A sect played B sect cricket this afternoon but did not follow up their 
success of yesterday.

MONDAY 10

The 2nd brigade have been leaving here this last day or two 
the big gun fired a few shells today.

TUESDAY 11

Revally at 5 30 am struck camp & moved off at 8.45 am arrived at 
Balliule rail siding & entrained loaded the waggons etc & steamed off at 1.15 pm 
passing through Hazebrouck, Lafrurogy, Calone Ricourt & St Polat 4 45 pm 
arriving at Doullens at about 6 pm we disentrained & set out for an unknown destination 
as far as we are concerned Had a rest for ½ hour for tea

WEDNESDAY 12

Arrived at billet in Surcamps at about 3.50 turned in & slept like a top till 
11 am when we turned out got our gear ready & got on the move at 12 30 pm we reached 
Saint Quen at  and had a spell for dinner started at  again 
& passed through Vignacourt arriving at our billet or rather bivouac about  just outside 
the village motor transport joined up 1st Brigade billeted here. We are bivouacked 
in the orchard at Olincourt Chateau. 

JULY 1916

THURSDAY 13

Revallie 6xam It did not rain through the night but did so about 6 am 
when we were packing up. We moved off about  & passed through 
Flesselles,  & arrived at Alonville about where we 
got into billets old barns & sheds of all descriptions being 
used I think I am in an old foul house.

FRIDAY 14

Parade at 9 am for roll call & one at 2 pm for gass helmet inspection 
a few biscuits & other articles were issued today they were got from the canteen 
profits at Dordieu.

SATURDAY 15

We went for a march this morning through Petit Cardonette we handed 
in one of our gass helmets & got a new pattern one issued this afternoon 
a raid was made on Amiens by enemy aircraft at about 11 pm.

Memo.

 

JULY 1916

SUNDAY 16

4th after Trinity

We got packed up & cleaned out our billets prior to leaving. I 
went along to see the aerodrome this morning. At 1 pm we left 
Alanville & proceed through Beaucourt, Esbart, Consay & arrived 
at our bivouac in a large wood at Vadencourt. canvas huts are 
erected among the trees.

MONDAY 17

Revallie at 6.30 am, warned not to leave our billets during the 
day. it has been raining a good deal all day. A number of 
the Cheshires came in here tonight to billets they are direct 
from England. A constant rumble of heavy artillery can be
heard tonight.

TUESDAY 18

The tommies left here early morning & a number of A F A took 
the place later in the day

WEDNESDAY 19

I went for a stroll with a couple of mates into the upper 
part of the wood today & had a look through the trench 
defences of it.

JULY 1916

THURSDAY 20

Marched to Warloy at about 1 pm & took over a dressing 
station there we erected bell tents & occupied them 
The dressing stn is the No 1 Auxiliary Warloy & is the 
principal stn for the Albert section of the line.

FRIDAY 21

We paraded at 7.30 & went for a bit of a march before 
breakfast. after which we could go where we pleased 
in the village there is a large B E J Canteen here

SATURDAY 22

We have been warned to be ready to go out to the trenches at 
a moments notice & have been instructed not to leave our camp. 
We were told off for duty I am going out as a reserve bearer.

Memo.

 

& along the roads making it a veritable hell

JULY 1916

SUNDAY 23

5th after Trinity

I left Warloy about 3.30am in one of the cars & reached the 2nd Fld Amb
dress stn at Albert  had an hours rest & continued our journey on to the advanced 
dress stn 3rd Fld amb in a car, disposed of our gear & walked out to the lines 
arrived at about 8 am to find that our unit had suffered rather much we set to 
work & casualty followed one another in quick succession for a while, shells were 
falling like rain, & the enemy concentrated his artillery on the cross roads corner 
the cross roads. We were informed that our B sect sergt Sgt Minnes was killed 
yesterday. The enemy used lastramdory shells ruthlessly tonight also
MONDAY 24
a few gass shells were sent over
We had a few hours rest & continued carrying patients to the camp. Gass shells

were sent over during the night& we were on allert for the presence of the
fumes. The enemy have not troubled the roads today he has concentrated his
efforts on the trenches; the wounded eased off towards midnight but our
artillery began about 8 pm & made a terrific bombardment. all through the night
We got permission to get a rest about midnight & got into a german dugout at
TUESDAY 25
S. James
We turned out at 2.45 pm & set to carrying patients from the cross roads to
the dump continuing all day. A great fire was blazing away from about 3 am till
about 8 am away over towards our right. The 5th Fld Amb arrived today & started work at
about 1 pm Pte G White was wounded today
WEDNESDAY 26 Thursday 27
I have been on duty from 3 pm till 11 pm boarding the wagons & carrying
patients to the wards from the dressing room. Pete came round & found me

tonight at about 8 pm. The 4th Div arrived in the village today.
JULY 1916
THURSDAY 27 Wednesday 26
I was turned put at 6 am to unload the waggons till 8 am when the 29 batt
lads relieved us till 4 pm when I set to go again & continued till 12 midnight
A number of gass cases came in today most of the patients today were 2nd Div
What remained of the 10th Batt came on here tonight they numbered 300 at the most The
whole 1st Div were relieved today
FRIDAY 28
I went round & seen Pete this morning & we went for a stroll for about an hour
he had to return at 12 to duty so I went & seen W Mitchel in the 4th Fld Amb
& had dinner with him. I went on duty at 7 pm in No 3 ward
SATURDAY 29
I have been on duty all night in No 3 ward. relieved at 7 am. & rested during
the day & went on duty again at 7 pm in Ward no 3. A reserves
of
Memo.
Casualties 23rd Johnstone, Mackey killed Sgt Minnis
C Johnston G Docker B Browne F Dunne
W Hampton W Roache W Hornstein, wounded 
besides others slightly wounded

 

 

JULY-AUGUST 1916
SUNDAY
6th after Trinity
On duty in No3 ward today and our kit packed up & left camp this
morning the ten section & transport moved off & left to the left bank temporarily
attached to the 4th Fld Amb who took over the hospital & clearing station 
from us. We shifted across the roads & fixed up bivouac for ourselves in another 
I took a stroll round to see Pete this evening.
MONDAY 31
We paraded at 9-30 am for roll call & were dismissed for the day
I went for a walk to Contay with a couple of mates at about 6 pm
A mail arrived here today second letter from Mother Stan Eva Ike
TUESDAY 1 AUG.
Parade at 9-30 am dismissed for the morning. Fourt enemy planes flew
over at great height about midday they are the first enemy planes we
have seen since arriving her. We went for a route march this
afternoon. It has been an extremely hot day.
WEDNESDAY 2
A party of 20 men & two more from B Sect left us this morning
We went for a route march to Vadencourt this afternoon.
AUGUST 1916
THURSDAY 3
An extra heavy bombardment went on during the night. We
received orders to pack up & be ready to leave ½ hours notice
FRIDAY 4
Another bombardment even more heavy than last night and went
on throughout the night. The orders about moving were cancelled
It has been the threatening gass all day that has kept happen. We went
for a roate march over through Baizeiux this afternoon
SATURDAY 5
We went on duty at the 4th Fld Amb carrying patients from the 
dressing room to the evacuation ward from 1 pm to 8 pm, a good
number of wounded came through today about 30 wounded a germans
came through
Memo
 

 

AUGUST 1916

SUNDAY
7th after Trinity
Went on duty at 8am carrying patients from dressing room to evacuation 
tent. a fair number of wounded came through at 1 pm we were relieved
& sent up to C C S 13th Fld Amb & report for duty went on
duty at 7 pm as guard at enterance gate my hours on duty is 3 am to 7 am.
The 5th Bgde arrived here tonight from the trenches
MONDAY 7

Bank Holiday in Great Britain and Ireland
Releived 7 am & return to bivouac & had rest during the day
Found that we were not required for duty tonight so returned to our
bivouac Met H Pearl in the village today. The village is full of
2nd Div batts
TUESDAY 8
On fatigue work cleaning up the cooks yard this morning, had the
afternoon off & went round to see Loy B met him allright & we went for
a stroll through the village. I shifted my kit to our new quarters
this afternoon we have a bell tent in an orchard behind the hospital
WEDNESDAY 9
Releived at 8 am only a few patients came through the night I went
for a walk to Vadencourt wood after dinner where the 2nd Bgde are bivouaced & found out that
H Elliot was wounded & is now in England. It has been an extremely hot day
Tonight at about 9 pm an aeroplane of ours was circling about over head with
two lights showing one on either wing.
AUGUST 1916
THURSDAY 10
I went on duty at 8 am. unloading ambulances as they arrived. His
Majesty King George accompanied by Prince of Wales General
Sir Douglas Haig, Sir William Birdwood & others visited the
hospital this afternoon, all the infty were lined up along the 
road & King passed in a motor 
FRIDAY 11
Went on duty at 8 am, orders came for us to rejoin our unit
today we were relieved at 1pm & made our way down to the 4th Fld
Amb & joined the rest there we marched off at 3 pm marched 
through Contay & reached the village of Herrisart at about
5 pm found our billets which is an old barn.
SATURDAY 12
Parade at 9.30 pm we have 3 sections now about 40  reinfs arrived
lately
Memo.
 

 

AUGUST 1916
SUNDAY 13
8th after Trinity
Church parade wad called at 9 & we marched to a paddock about ½ a ml
along to Pounds Contay Gen Birdwood was on parade with us & addressed us
after the service
MONDAY 14
Parade at 9:30 am we had an hours squad drill this morning
Got orders that we are expected to move off at 1 pm paraded but was
dismissed again & fell in again & moved off at 5 pm marched through
Contay Warley Henencourt & reached our bivouac just outside Albert

at about 10-30 pm, got comfortable when a large shells fell within
about 50 yds of us.
TUESDAY 15
Revalie 6 am all the stretcher bearers moved off at about 7 am
marched through Albert to Beaucourt where we left our packs & continued
our way out to check the trenches.  I was sent with my squad & 2 others to the 5th Batt
dressing post only one case came in during the day & we got releived at 7 pm & went to the

dressing station where we remained on duty for the night as emergency squad at a about
5 pm it commenced to rain & we had a terribly uncomfortable time till morning
WEDNESDAY 16
Went to 5th Batt post this morning at 5.30 am & bought in one wounded man Releived
at 7 am & returned to Casualty corner where we had a rest, helped load wagons from
3 to 7 pm There have been very few casualties today. About 5 pm an extremely 
heavy outburst of fire broke out from our 4.7 battage. Extreme X amount
of aerial activity a few enemy planes have been over, enemy baloons up all day.
rather decent day after yesterday
AUGUST 1916
THURSDAY 17
Went up to dressing station at 7 am brought a patient to wagon about 8 am about
9.30 am one of our battle planes engaged an enemy plane & destroyed it it fell 
in flames in our lines. Went up to 6th Batt front at Possiers about 10 am no cases came
through about 4 pm a whiz bang hit the parrapet above us & exploded one of my mates
Lacounce had both his feet injured & we had to carry him down & had a rather rough time.
About 9 am an extremely heavy bombardment of the enemys front lines took place
FRIDAY 18
Four of our lads were killed about 10 pm last night at the 5th Btn post they were Smith
Elliot Leaine & Cunningham. About 4.30 we carried a chap from Posieres (terrible slippers) & went back
& bought another one down releived at 7 am about 2.30 pm a terrific bombardment 
took place of the enemys lines the place was simply ablaze. Went to dressing stn & stood
by till about 1 pm when we went up 15th Btn post & bought in a wounded chap. about
a a terrific bombardment took place followed by an attack by 7th & 8th Btns
SATURDAY 19
The attack last night was a failure but there were very few casualties. aircraft have been
very active on both sides today
Memo.
 

 

AIGUST 1916
SUNDAY 20
9th after Trinity
Relieved at 8 am returned to C Corner & had a rest. A whiz bang hit the roof
of the gun pit in which we sleep it went off with a big crash but done no
damage other than giving one of the chaps slight wound on the cheek.
A large number of dead mice were in the bottom of the sap leading up to Possiers
this morning they had died from the gass which the enemy sent over in shells
this morning & through the night
The enemy planes dropped bombs on the transport camps near Beacourt & caused

a good number of causalities this morning.
MONDAY 21
Returned to dressing stn at 7 am had a trip to C Corner with a patient
about 9.30 am. A shell hit the cooker during the night outside of the dugout.
Went up to Posiers about 12-30 there were no patients till about 4 pm when
we returned to d s & had tea returned to Posieres & remained there all night 
About a doz enemy planes came over this morning the 6th Fld were relevied
by the 2nd today & ther Div  All the enemys shells have been collected & apparently 
going to be fired against him
A party of Frenchmen have been busy working on the couple of enemy guns
between the two villages

cleaning them & refitting them.
TUESDAY 22
The 2nd Div changed over during the night & the 1st & 5th Batts took two lines
of enemy trenches & held them no wounded came through untill about 2 am when
we carried a patient to the d s & got relieved by the 7th Fld Amb about 
10 am We marched down to causality corner had a spell & continued on to the brickfield
where we met the rest of the unit. had our first wash for week in the R Anese tonight
WEDNESDAY 23
Turned out at 8 am after sleeping in an old trench for the night & put our packs
on the wagons & set out to march back we passed through Millencourt
Henencourt & reached Warlopy about 1 pm where we made our bivouac in
an orchard. I met W Mitchell
AUGUST 1916
THURSDAY 24
S. Bartholomew
Slept in an old barn turned out in time for breakfast about 8 am

Set out on a march destination unknown, at about 9.15 am passed through
Vadencourt Conlay Heressart & rested about an hr for dinner midway to
La Rosel which we passed through & reached Beauval about 4.30 pm
We have no billets & are bivouaced in the vicinity of large chalk pits
FRIDAY 25
Paraded at 9 am & were dismissed after orders had been read out
A party of us were told off to return some rotten old bits of timber
that cooks had collected from the old pits for fuel & besides
had to cart steel rails up to the factory to recompense for the 
timber we had
SATURDAY 26
We kept pretty dry in our improvised Shelter although it rained very heavy 
through the night. Went down the down for a stroll dinner 11.30 am.
We moved off at about 2 pm carrying packs. My mate & I were detailed 
off reached Doullens station & entrained. At 6 pm we moved off we spent
a pretty decent night in closed trucks.
Memo.
 

 

AUGUST 1916
SUNDAY 27
10th after Trinity
Disentrained at small siding at about 1 am & marched about a
two miles to a small camp of huts between Poperinghe & Peningholst
at about 3 am got into a bed & had a sleep till about 8 am, there are
no rations except bully & biscuits I went for a walk to Rening this afternoon
The Scotch Canadian Band gave a performance in the YMCa grounds.
MONDAY 28
Revalie 7 am parade 9-30am I was sent with 3 dental patients

to the No 10 C C S about 11 am.  Went for a stroll into
tonight. Our aeroplanes have been very active tonight. News came

to hand today to  the effect that Rumania has declared war on
Germany.
TUESDAY 29
The day had been rather wet we had about an hrs squad drill this
afternoon. I went to a picture show at Popinghe with a couple of mates

tonight & got pretty wet coming back Received letters & ^large parcel from
Aust today.
WEDNESDAY 30
The day has been very wet we paraded at 2pm & went for a route march
coming back through Reninghlest, we got almost wet through, but made

the best use of a small stove which is in the hut.
AUGUST 1916
THURSDAY 31
The day has been rather fine far different to yesterday. I have been
on quartermasters fatigue today. An enemy aeroplane put in an appearance
overhead this morning about 8.30 am but was soon driven home.
Received letter from Vi. I was informed to get my pack etc & go with 3 other 
chaps to the Fir Baths near Hopoutre siding as a guard we got into a motor.
& was taken about 5 pm we got a comfortable bunk & plenty blankets
FRIDAY 1 SEPT.
SATURDAY 2
Memo.

 

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