Diary of Herbert Vincent Reynolds, 1916-1917 - Part 5

SEPTEMBER 1916
SUNDAY 3
11th after Trinity
A party of the 3^rd Fld Amb arrived, this morning & we received orders to
rejoin our unit which we did after dinner. We got a position in a
bell tent which is fairly comfortable . The enemy bombarded the
town of Poperinghe this morning, our heavy guns replied & the enemy ceased
firing a good number of casualties were caused.
MONDAY 4
Parade at 7am for rollcall. I was told off to do a carpentering
job, repairing the roof of the mess hut. The day has been very
breezy. I went into the pictures at Poperinghe tonight met
G Harris in the town.
TUESDAY 5
The day has been a terrible day one it has rained almost without.
a stop. One of our heavy guns on the railway has been firing away
this afternoon at intervals.
WEDNESDAY 6
The day broke with a thick mist on the earth but it soon cleared & revealed
a fairly clear day sky & the day kept pretty fine. I have been doing
a carpentering job today putting a partition in the cookhouse. I
was granted leave & went to the pictures in Poperinghe tonight
Searchlights are very active tonight one shewed up one of our
planes in mid air at one time
SEPTEMBER 1916
THURSDAY 7
It has been a beautiful day. Orders issued today concerning
the wearing of the letter A over the colour patch on the tunics.
FRIDAY 8
It has been beautiful day I have been doing a few odd jobs
today Received letter from home
SATURDAY 9
Went into Popperinghe & spent the evening at the picture
show near the station.
 Memo.

SEPTEMBER 1916
SUNDAY 10
12th after Trinity
A church service was held in the mess hut this
morning I went  for a bit of a walk after dinner.
MONDAY 11
I have been working on a pr cupboard in the pantry
today. I was called as a witness with a mate for a case against
a couple of fellows who caused a disturbance in the tent after lights out
on Sat night.
TUESDAY 12
Spent the day working on a sulphur bath cabinet for use
by the scabies patients.
WEDNESDAY 13
I have been working on a sulphur bath cabinet today it has
been showery this afternoon I did not make use of my
leave today Received letters from Mother Flo Siss & Eva
also one from Keys.
SEPTEMBER 1916
THURSDAY 14
It has been a very showery day & has been very cold
Received letter from Kath
FRIDAY 15
It has been rather fine today, some of the heats for the
sports were run off today. I have been working on a cupboard
in the pantry today.
SATURDAY 16
The day turned out to be a fine one & the sports were a great
success. The Austrs won the international tug of war against the
Canadians, Scotch & English teams. Received letters from home dated
7 Aug & one from H Elliot.
Memo. 

SEPTEMBER 1916
SUNDAY 17
13th after Trinity
I attended church service held in our mess by a Canadian
chaplain this morning. this afternoon I went for a walk to
Reninghlest to seen Pete & Wonitchel they were going out
to the trenches at 6pm. It has been a beautifull day.
MONDAY 18
I finished the job in the pantry today.
TUESDAY 19
I have been working in the officer's mess fixing up a
cupboard.
WEDNESDAY 20
Ember Day
We have had an extremely wet day & our tent leaked like one
thing
SEPTEMBER 1916
THURSDAY 2I
S. Matthew
xxxxxx A party of us went to the station picture show
tonight in Poperinghe
FRIDAY 22
It has been a beautifull day. the enemy shelled Poperinghe
today they put a few shells into some buildings but did not do very
much damage. We were paid today
SATURDAY 23
Another beautifull day there has been a good deal of aerial
activety one or two enemy planes put in an appearance but did not
get over here very far. I had a game of cricket this afternoon with
A sec against C we were beaten by 90 runs.
Memo. 

SEPTEMBER 1916
SUNDAY 24
14th after Trinity
A church service was held in the mess hut at 10 am by the
Canadian chaplain
MONDAY 25
I went into Poperinghe tonight with a mate & visited the station
picture show.
TUESDAY 26.
I have been making a frame for the timbers today. A dinner was held in
the mess hut tonight7 pm when a distribution of prize won in the
recant sports meeting took place. The evening was very successful
& the menu was splendid.
WEDNESDAY 27
A couple of enemy planes put in an appearance over head about 10 am
& our battle planes soon gave chase about 10.30 one came back making for the
enemys lines at top speed with half a doz of ear planes after him. I spent
the evening at the pictures in Poperinghe tonight

SEPTEMBER 1916
THURSDAY 28
FRIDAY 29
S. Michael and All. Angels
Spent the day making a sky light for the dentists hut
SATURDAY 30
Have been fixing a skylight in the dentists hut today
The camp is being renovated & repainted through. I have been
rather unwell today.
Memo.
 

OCTOBER 1916
SUNDAY I
15th after Trinity
I reported at sick parade this morning & was put on light
duty. at 11 am a parade was held for inspection by the
General of the brigade Gen Walker. An extremely heavy
bombardment went on throughout the night. The 7^th & 8^th batts
carried out successfull raids on the enemys Frenches last night.
MONDAY 2
Feeling better today done a bit of work making lids
for the refuse tins
TUESDAY 3.
I received a parcell today containing cakes etc from home
WEDNESDAY 4 
I have been making a cross to put over the Late Pte Bulls
grave at   today has been very wet.
OCTOBER 1916
THURSDAY 5
We made a start on a canteen tent this afternoon. I went for
a walk into Poperinghe tonight after tea.
FRIDAY 6
I have been working all day or the new canteen  hut. The
day has been very boisterous again. We were paid today
SATURDAY 7
Worked this morning on the canteen hut we are now making it
larger & erecting two huts into one. Received letters from Flo Stan
Ade & Mr Stones, also a couple of souvenier books & a few papers
We were issued with box respirators this afternoon & we had to
test them by entering a room full of lachranatory gass.
Memo.
 

OCTOBER 1816
SUNDAY 8
16th after Trinity
I went in to the Poperinghe with a mate about 3 pm
we had tea in the town &then went to the picture show
near the station, but after about a ¼hrs run the dynamic
blew out & the performance had to be discontinued.
MONDAY 9
Received two letters from home far from Siss one from Kath
TUESDAY 10
WEDNESDAY II
We got some boards today & were able to go on with the
hut which is 24' x 10'.
 OCTOBER 1916
THURSDAY 12
I have been working on the canteen hut today but it is
labour in vain as far as we are concerned as we are leaving
here on Sat next. I went to the pictures at the station
theatre in Poperinghe tonight with a few other chaps.
FRIDAY 13
We have been busy  packing up today loading the
G  S wagons etc, we struck our operating tent after dinner
& transferred our kits to A ward which has been cleared out
Practically all the patients have been evacuated to the C C S
over the road.
SATURDAY 14
We loaded up the remaining wagons this morning dinner was
ready at 11 am & we moved off at 12.10 pm, passed through Abbole
& arrived at Steinvorde  at about 3.30 pm, we are in old straw
thatched billets in a field close to the village I had a look
through the church tonight & went for a stroll through the town
Memo.
 

comfortable as possible in the barn on the straw, we only had an
appligy for a meal on our arrival & had only a cup of tea early this morning
with a  slice of ham etc.
OCTOBER 1916
SUUNDAY 15
17th after Trinity
Was aroused this morning at about 6 am by the rain coming through the roof
it cleared off at about 7am. We moved off at 11.30 am & marched about 3 mls
& waited for the engrs to pass us, & we then followed them. after passing through
some hilly country with beautifull scenery we halted for dinner outside Cassel for
an hour we passed through Bavinshove, Zuytpeene, Noordpoene & reached
our billet in a farm about a mile outside Baysschaure, where we made ourselves as
came on to the main Calias road & following it for about 2 miles we reached
our destination at Nordaiques. our billets being the inevitable barn.
MONDAY 16
Did not spend a very comfortable night rather cold. Had a look through the 
old mill of farm. & could see the city of St OMer in the distance. We moved off at about 11 am & passed through Baysschaure
again & marched about 2 miles & waited for engr again, we halted for
dinner about a mile from Watten. We moved off after lunch & very soon reached 
the brow of a hill overlooking Watten the view was beautiful & very extensive crossed the
River & passed through the town & after marching for considerable distance we
TUESDAY 17
We were not disturbed till breakfast time 8 am there were no
parade today. The 3^rd Fld Amb are in this village they have
been here for a few days. we are only 25 km from Calais. Our
billet is again a barn with grass hay in it, one side is open & it is
rather cold at night.
WEDNESDAY 18
S. Luke
We have a parade ay 9-30 & 2 pm till farther notice a pay parade

was held this morning & we went for a short march this afternoon
after tea I went for a stroll with a mate & one our return at 9 pm were detailed
off as a guard over a drunken prisoner There are 5 of us looking
after him in a cow shed which is anything but fit for a
sleeping place for any troops.
OCTOBER 1916
THURSDAY 19
We had not trouble with the prisoner but we were disturbed at 5 30 am
when the cows were brought in to be milked, it has been raining near
all night & has been very wet during the day. We were releived
at about 9 am. One of the old farm buildings at this farm in which we

spent the night were built in 1753 & another 1811, 1824 & 1835.
FRIDAY 20
We paraded at 9.30 am & were dismisses till 3 pm when we fell in
again with full kits ready to move off which we did at 3.30 pm. The MT
left us this morning. We marched along the Calais, St Omer Road for
about 4 mls then turned off for tea. after which we continued along the main
road & entrained at St Omer at about passed through Calais 
Boulougne Etapples Abberville.
SATURDAY 21
After spending a very uncomfortable night in a 3^rd carriage we disentrained
at Longpre station at about & set off on the march at about passed
through Conde-Folie, & L'Etoile arriving at our billets in Bouchon
We passed through some marshy ground on the bank of The Somme
over which we passed. I have struck another barn for a billet, empty
this time & like a pig sty.
Memo.
 

OCTOBER 1916
SUNDAY 22
18th after Trinity
We awoke this morning almost frozen the frosts are very severe.
I went for a stroll & had a look through the the old church there is a
date 1613 on the door the bell has a date 1771. This afternoon
I went down to L'Etoile & went through the village the 3rd Batt
band was playing in the street there. I had tea in L'Etoile, Our
horse transport left at about 9 am this morning 
MONDAY 23
We had to rush our breakfast of ham to move off as ordered at 8.30 am The O C
returned this morning & took charge. We followed up the infty & after marching
about two miles we got into a large convoy of French, ominbuss's & passing through
Amiens we were taken up to    on them where we got out and marched across
country to      where we got into old tents for the night, no tea. & wet & dreary
sleeping qrs. the place is like a young city lights poinkling on the hills even on
our selves  up as best we could got a cup of tea from the cooks about 6 pm
Met G Colbrane today
TUESDAY 24
Spent an almost sleepless night could not sleep for the cold, had a cup of tea
for breakfast, fell in about 8 30 am & stood about two hours before moving, the day
is a dreary wet one, a fog hung over the hills till about 10, we set off slithering at every
step till we raeched the road, we then halted every mile or so, after all day of
that we reached out bivouac ground about 4 pm, up to our necks in muck & no
shelters but water logged trenches, I happened to get a habitable one & a mate & I fixed
WEDNESDAY 25
Very little sleep cold prevented a good nights rest, turned out to find another

very sheerless day.  Mess orderlie bacon for breakfast, meat & potatoes dinner, & cold
meat for tea. We are in Mainstz Wood & I have a docs in an old enemy trench.
Dozs of our aircraft were up all the morning new types & old more than  ever
seen in the air at one time, our heavy guns have been shelling a lot today very
little reply from Fritz none got this far. Extra blanket issued today.
OCTOBER 1916
THURSDAY 26 
Spent more comfortable night with the aid of a fire &  extra blanket.
The day broke with a heavy mist over everything & slight showers which
continued ill a little after midday when the weather broke & things got
brighter Gass helmet practice this morning, much arial activity this afternoon
also much artillery activity Fritz sent over a few last night Every prospect of
a front tomorrow cloudless sky, obtained a few articals from canteen tonight
FRIDAY 27
The day has been another dull misty one with occasional showers 
there was no frost as ae expected We parade at 9.30 am & 2 pfm
but generally get dismissed owing to the weather Received 7
letters & parcel from Ve also half a doz papers.
SATURDAY 28 
SS. Simon and Jude

We had a fair day today had an occasional glimpse of the sun
the place droll up, a lot, The baloons made the best oof a fire
day there were a dozen of them up, also our aeroplanes
Memo.
 

OCT.-NOV. 1916
SUNDAY 29
10th after Trinity
Has been raining off on all day. We spend the time in our dug
outs, we had considerable trouble with our fire today it smoked
us out. Received letter from Home dated Sept 11^th
MONDAY 30
It rained like the devil this afternoon & we all got flooded out
a stream of water commenced to run through our dug out & it was
in a mess.
We had a rather wet night it rained extremely heavy & our position suffered
a bit but we made the best of it 
TUESDAY 3I
We paraded with our full kit at 9 am put our kits on the wagon & moved off
about 9.30am passed I through Longuval & reached our camp which is a
large tarpolin  just outside the village The day has been rather fine one
or two heavy showers fell our aircraft have been exceptionally active
this afternoon and our balloons have made the best of a decent day.
WEDNESDAY I NOV.
All Saints
We turned out at 6 20am & moved off about 8 am taking our blankets &
equipment our packs were stored in a dug out. We passed through Longand
& continued on to the of Flers where the majority of the bearers remained
my squad & another went on to the advance aid post which we reached
about 11 am. I helped carry a patient down just before dark & the other sqd took
one about 8 pm. We have two tanks one has been hit & destroyed by a shell
NOVEMBER 1916
THURSDAY 2 
We carried down a patient at about  am & got a few rations after some difficulty
we found some potatoes in d field & also a few onions with which as made a
fine stew, we have to use water out of shell holes for our supply. The sky cleared for a while
during the afternoon & numerous air combats took place but as far as we saw no planes came
down. Just before midnight we had to carry a patient down & it was an extremely
difficult job to get along in the dark Received letter from RJby
FRIDAY 3
About 8 am Lt Col Price same down wounded by a bullet in the face we carried
him down to the dressing stn. At about 10 am we were relieved by the 3rd Fld Amb
& we returned to our camping across Longueil. There was great arterial activity
this afternoon I saw one plane fall away towards Bapaune. numerous enemy
planes have been over our lines today,
SATURDAY4
The rain disturbed us during the night & also a shell from old Fritz which fell
about 20 yds away We have been working at the dressing station filling
sand bags & making roads paths etc XXXXXX
Memo.
 

A Y M C A opened near the dressing stn today & prisoner came down
Day very boisterous our tent shelter blew down & we
had to improvise shelter
NOVEMBER 1916
We had one of our chaps ( Flemming killed while out with a white flag
colecting our wounded.
SUNDAY 
20th after Trinity

Our artillery has been extremely active all night & at times reached to tremendous
intensity, At about 9 am our artillery on our left began an intense bombardment
The Batt went out against the enemys trenches but with little success
a fair number of wounded have been coming down. I have been working at the
dressing stn building dug outs etc., Filled water cart this moring A shell fell
near the X roads about 1 pm & one of our lads (North) was killed & 3 others wounded
MONDAY 6
It rained rather much during the night but we managed to keep pretty dry
We have been buisy fixing up our tent all day. At about 4 pm I was  sent with
a party of 12 to take timber & iron out to the dressing stn near Flers we loaded

two GS wagons at the R. E camp at Longueval & unloaded it at the dressing stn at the 
railway after having to unload one of the wagons which got bogged & loaded it up again, we took
the material to the rail head on the trucks by that time it was past midnight
TUESDAY 7
After waiting for the sgt who went to get instructions from the Cavltry Track stn it got extremely
dark & almost impossible to carry the material over the slippery ground & when he returned

at about 8 pm we returned to the Waggon rendezvous & then on home turned in at about 4 30
the fire was still burning away
WEDNESDAY 8
I did not turn out today having a day off I spent it in bed. the day 
has been very dirty it has been raining near all day.
line to the north of Flers about 9 pm
NOVEMBER 1916
THURSDAY 9
We turned out at about 6.30 am & got our gear together fell in at 8 am & got out to the East Flers dressing
stn about 10 am on our way we witnessed a duel between our planes & the enemys one of each were 
forced to land. Aircraft have been extremely active & many duels were to be seen but no planes
fall near here The day has been the most pleasant we have had for some time. My squad was
put on fatigue fixing the dressing stn roof we didnt work during the afternoon on account of the enemys
shelling but worked till about 11pm by moonlight a heavy barrage fire was placed over the enemy
FRIDAY 10
Spent one of the most uncomfortable nights that I ever put in slept frog position hands on 
knees & feet almost frozen. Things have been very quiet as by the cases went down during the 
night The day has been a beautiful one & aircraft have been extremely active many dusk
were fright we seen one enemy plane driven down in flames this morning about 11 am he fell to
the east of Flars. I went down to Carsby track stn for rations at 6 pm & then turned in for the

night in a new dug out built by the engrs for Bdge hors.
SATURDAY 11
Spent a more comfortable night turned out at 7 am The day has benne dull only 3 cases went 
through during the night. Capt Leo was returned here today by Capt Hamilton. My Squad
took a patient down to Cavltry track at about 7 pm & we brought back our rations

A number of phosphres shells have been sent over this evening.
Mond 6 
a great blaze appeared in the sky at out rear tonight about
11 pm which was evidently one of our ammunition
dumps on fire as it went up with great wailing slumber of smoke
& flame. Aircraft were extremely buisy.
Memo.
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