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










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 todayWEDNESDAY 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 1916THURSDAY 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.

This transcription item is now locked to you for editing. To release the lock either Save your changes or Cancel.
This lock will be automatically released after 60 minutes of inactivity.