Diary of Herbert Vincent Reynolds, 1916-1917 - Part 6










The day been very dull but fine I was sent down tor the Factory troop stn for thorny
sq to fetch two sheets of iron about 7 pm on our way back a
violent barage fire was flat over our lines near the advance stn by the enemy.
but very few casualities resulted the 4th divn are relieving tonight.
NOVEMBER 1916
SUNDAY 12
21st after Trinity
About 2 am a patient came down from the Advance post & my squad carried him down, one
of our squads were sent up to help carry a number of wounded who were expected, but the bomb raid was
repelled & we had 5k and about 5 wounded. I slept in the dressing stn & got a bit of sleep between trips, about
6 am a patient came down & we took him down. About 8 am the Gen of the 12th Bgde went through as under
12 cases went through. I took one through about 8am. About 7. 30am a heavy barage fire was put up by
our 18 pndr guns to the nth of Flers, I went & colected some vegetables for a stew this morning from a garden near Van.
MONDAY 13
There were no casualties during the night about 7.30am a heavy barage fire was put
over the enemys lines by our 18 pndrs About 10am 3 sqds of the NZ Fld Amb releived all our
sqds but mine I went up & directed the relieving sqds to the advance stn. About 1pm
the enemy put some shells very close to our position one being an incendary shell.
Things have been rather quiet today the day has been rather dull but fine.
TUESDAY 14
About 6am our artillery, began a heavy bombardment of the enemys lines & it kept
up for a couple of hrs We had a snack for breakfast & left East Flers at 8am. I made
back to Longeval through Deloit wood where we picked up the remainder of the 23rd
Ambs & had dinner. A shell blew up one of our bivouacs & killed one of the 13th Fld Amb lads.
3 prisoners about 11 am. 19 prisoners came down about 10.30am We marched off about 1 pm
& passed through arriving at the main dressing stn about 5.30pm at Becoudel
WEDNESDAY 15
We turned out at 7 am & paraded at 8.30 ready to move off the 3 ambs moved off
towards Albert passed through there & marched along the Amiens rd, The 1st Fld
Amb bearers went into canvas bivouacs about 2 miles from Albert. After dinner
we marched to the Anzac rest station at Buire where we got paid we got
a wash & were told to come tomorrow for a bath.
NOVEMBER 1916
THURSDAY 16
I went down to the rest station & had a bath & a change of clothing can't
say it was too clean though we got a few things at the canteen &
went down to the village at Buire but there was not much to be got
there
FRIDAY 17
I have been on duty with the sanitary fatigue today, cleaning
up the camp.
SATURDAY 18
We went for a march along the Amiens rd for about two
miles this afternoon. the day has been extremely cold
the ground was covered by snow this morning.
Memo.
NOVEMBER 1916
SUNDAY 19
22nd after Trinity
The day has been rather fine. I had leave to visit Amiens today & with
a mate set out for the rest station where we got our pass at about 9am, we got a ride in
a motor waggon in to then had to walk about 3 miles before getting a lift in another
which took us right in to the city about 1pm we spent the day looking around
the sts but most of the shops were closed we inspected the cathederal
& had a good look through it.
MONDAY 20
We done an hrs squad drill this morning & this afternoon was marched into
Albert to the canteen & then dismissed I got a ride back on a motor waggon
TUESDAY 21
We got orders very suddenly to move off at 8.30 am we packed up & marched to the Anzac
rest station at Buire then through the village & through Demincourt Mealte &
what remains of Boondol, to the main dressing stn & CRS where a had dinner & commenced
work immediately after I was detailed off to paint & fix lids on refuse boxes.
WEDNESDAY 22
NOVEMBER 1916
THURSDAY 23
I got orders to pack my kit & report at the orderly room this morning along
with another chap we were sent then to report at the Anzac Saw
mill at Mealte to work on ambulance trucks for the light
railway at the line.
FRIDAY 24
We set to work on the framework of a truck they are solid affairs
& we managed to get one together by knock off time. 250 fritzs are
employed here making duck boards.
SATURDAY 25
Spent an extremely bad night. Reported at sick parade & put off duty
It has been raining near all day
Memo.
NOVEMBER 1916
SUNDAY 26
23rd after Trinity
I reported again at sick parade at the 15th Fld Amb. & was put
off duty for the day. It has been raining near all the night & has been
rather wet through the day.
MONDAY . 27
We had a heavy frost this morning & a heavy fog also which did not lift
till near dinnertime I went down to the mill & done a bit today. The
artillery has been very active along the front during the day
TUESDAY 28
I have been working all day at the mill, part of the buildings are
being shifted & are being rebuilt into one large building. A party of the
31st batt have been brought up to do night work making duck boards
WEDNESDAY 29
I knocked off work early & went down to the CRS at Becordel to see the
mates got a few extra rations we are extremely short of them here.
NOV. - DEC. 1916
THURSDAY 30
S. Andrew
Spent the day at the mill.
FRIDAY 1 DEC.
We had a heavy frost this morning & it has been extremely cold all day
I worked down at the mill this morning but was feeling very crook & turned in
after dinner.
SATURDAY 2
Heavy frost & extremely cold have been making duck boards I went down
to the CRS at Becordle after tea & got a pair of Canadian Snow boots
issued also a green envelope. Received 4 letters from home.
Memo.
DECEMBER 1916
SUNDAY 3
1st in Advent
My mate I went down to the Anzac rest camps at Buire this morning
where we got paid we had dinner at the camp & then got on a motor wagon & rode
as far as Levier mill where I got a change of underclothes & a bath. Received
two letters & Xmas card from mother also a letter from Wasborne Got orders to report back
by 10 am tomorrow.
MONDAY 4
Packed up & reported to the amb at CRS at Becordle at 9.30am we marched off
at about 10.30 am reached the colecting dressing station at Langerval about
1 pm where we got billeted in the new Bow huts which have been created
Great improvements have been made here since we were here last a light rail
way runs into the stn from the line now. Met W Mitchel today. The day has
been a fine one my boots have troubled me in the march.
TUESDAY 5
We spent a very comfortable night & packed up what we will not require up
at the line in our packs & stored themin a tent About 8.30 we moved off &
passed through Longeuval & Delvil wood & went right out to the Last L'Estle
dressing stn from there my sqd with two others were sent on to the advance
stn we carried one patient down about 6 pm. one went down earlier. The
ground is fairly slippery for carrying over.
WEDNESDAY 6
Things have been extremely quiet there were no cases during the night
Received a Xmas card from Lena Stones. We are rather cramped in our dug
out a mate & I fixed up a bunk with two stretchers today.
DECEMBER 1916
THURSDAY 7
There were nasties through the night again. We have to put in our
time down here in our dugout playing cards etc. as our position is visible
to the enemy & he occasionally shells the vicinity My squad were called out
after turning in at about 11.00 pm to take a patient down. we brought back
the rations.
FRIDAY 8
My squad are cook for the day I got up & got the breakfast about 8.30am
we had a stew for dinner & a milk pudding for tea, there is nothing to do up
here this time & we have plenty of rations which is unusual, & have
been living rather well. My sqd went down for the rations tonight
SATURDAY 9
Things are very quiet we spend most of our time playing bridge
etc we are extremely lucky that there are very few cases lately
at the track is in an extremely bad & slippery condition.
Memo.
If you have omitted to order your
new Diary for 1917 it would be well to do so NOW
to prevent disappointment
DECEMBER 1916
SUNDAY 10
2nd in Advent
Having nothing else to do we played bridge & solo whist near
all day. News to the effect that Bucharest has fallen came along
today.
MONDAY 11
aerial activity this morning one enemy plane was forced down. Artillery on both sides
has been extremely active all day, about of 4 pm my squad carried a patient down, & on
our return with the rations had an extremely warm time the enemy were shelling the
valley with high calibre artillery.
My squad are cooks for the day. I got out about 8.30am & got breakfast of
bacon & steak, there was a heavy frost this morning, the day broke with
every prospect of a beautiful day, but it soon came over cloudy & later commenced
to rain. As treats to her case same down about 9 am, a ration party wandered into the enemys lines
last night & only 8 got back out of 14. I received a Xmas cake & pudding along with a letter
from Kath. We had a high class dinner of stuffed & roast potatoes & onions. There was great
TUESDAY 12
It snowed slightly during the night. No casualties came throughWe I did not turn out till dinner time. At about 7 pm the artillery got
buisy & shells were flying everywhere red flares went up from the enemy.
We had our Xmas pudding for tea with tinned quinces & mayena sauce.
WEDNESDAY 13
We had no cases through the night. At about 1 pm we were releived
& made our way back to the Longeuval dressing station where we got into a Bow
hut for the night.
DECEMBER 1916
THURSDAY 14
This place is very cold after our old dug out. We fell in at 9 am I was
put on duty with my squad taking patients down to the train about three
quarters of a mile away at the Quarry. We have to carry the patient about 200yds to
a light tramway then push the truck to within about 300 yds of the collecting stn &
then carry the patients. We are working 24 hr shifts & 24 off.
FRIDAY 15
We did not have much work through the night & got a little sleep.
At 9 am we were releived.
SATURDAY 16
We started at 9 am & then had a fair amount of work a large number
of trench foot coming through. It has been snowing today a little
Memo.
DECEMBER 1916
SUNDAY 17
3rd in Advent
There were about 20 streatcher cases went through yesterday & up till
9 am this morning when we were releived
MONDAY 18
Went on duty at evacuation hut at 9 am
TUESDAY19
A rather severe frost this morning, we had a very easy night.
Light falls of snow fell this afternoon
WEDNESDAY 20
Ember Day
The ground was quite white this morning & a heavy frost followed the snow
the ground was as hard as a brick. An enemy gun opened fire at about 10am &
continued all day except for a while at midday. Three huts were destroyed
in a camp over the gully opposite.
DECEMBER 1916
THURSDAY 2I
S. Thomas
Turned out at 9 am got breakfast & went to Delville wood on wood fatigue
we collected a load of firewood & loaded it into a GS wagon which brought it
to our camp then we were finished for the day. It rained a good bit
this morning. & continued throughout the day.
FRIDAY 22
It has been raining near all the morning but it cleared up after dinner
& was rather fine this evening. I reported on sick parade & was put off duty
for the day & to get my throat painted. This evening two heavy guns on the
railway shelled for about an hour numerous aeroplanes of ours were
circling round this evening.
SATURDAY 23
I was pot on piquet duty to keep unauthorised persons from
coming through the camp The wind has been blowing all day &
done a good deal of damage to different places, it has been raining
off & on through the day. Each man had a box issued to him containing
comforts from the war chest fund.
Memo.
DECEMBER 1916
SUNDAY 24
4th in Advent. Peace Sunday
I have been working in the chalk quarry all the morning
digging lumps of chalk for paths in the camp. several enemy
aeroplanes were over this morning. This afternoon I was working
on a drain which is being dug through the camp
MONDAY 25
Christmas Day
We spent a very miserable Xmas day, a more miserable one could not
be imagined There was as little work done as possible I spent the morning
playing cards & the afternoon coloquising over the fire. Our dinner consisted of
plain stew followed by the duff a small amount of fruits & other tinned stuff
was sent to us along with unwearable clothing. The day has been cold & rather blowy.
The enemy have been shelling our front lines & supports all day At 5pm 16 of us were
put on duty taking patient to the quarry dump up till midnight we
took 13 streatcher patients down
TUESDAY 26
S. Stephen BOXING DAY
At 9 am we were relieved. A 12 hour shift is to be worked now
from 8 pm to 8 am. A few of us went down to see one of the enemys
shells that did not explode, last wednesday, it is a naval armour
piercing 9 in shell & resembles a huge bullet
WEDNESDAY 27
S. John, Evan.
DECEMBER 1916
THURSDAY 28
Holy Innocents'
We had a fairly easy night of it. A number of enemy aeroplanes have
been up this morning. Last evening Early this morning an explosion
of some kind occurred away towards our left.
towards the north east in the enemys lines
FRIDAY 29
Things have been rather quiet through the night only two streatcher cases
came down. An enemy gun has been sending shells very close to our camp all
night several exploded right in the camp but done no damage. A party of six
of us went down to the baths at Mialte by the 12 30 train from the Quarry & returned
by the 5 30 train from Meaulte today Our heavy guns have been very
active all day especially at about 7 pm when a huge reflection appeared
SATURDAY 30
There were no cases came down through the night at all.
Our old hut collapsed last evening it rained near all night
Memo.
DEC. 1916-JAN. 1917
SUNDAY 31
1st after Christmas
Our old evacuation hut was pulled down today & we have
to get in the Coffee stall & wait.
MONDAY 1 JAN. 1917
Circumcision. Bank Holiday in Scotland
We had a very early night. I did not have a trip during
the night. I spent the day in bed until tea time & went
on duty at 8 pm.
TUESDAY 2
The enemy have been sending over some heavy shells today
A band has been playing selections during the afternoon
over in a camp about 300 yds away.
WEDNESDAY 3
JANUARY 1917
THURSDAY 4
I had one trip down to the railway with patients during the
night we were able to use the new line & go right to the dressing
station
FRIDAY 5
Things were fairly quiet during the night. Enemy aircraft
have been over today. At about 10 30 pm an enemy
gun opened fire & dropped shells in the vicinity of
our camp.
SATURDAY 6
Epiphany
The enemy gun ceased fire at about midnight & when the train
returned at about 1 pm things were fairly quiet. I went down
the line to the 13th F Amb & coming back we had to carry our streatcher
blankets half way it was snowing rather heavily when we were coming
back At about 9 am 4 other chaps & I got in an ambulance
& returned to Buire which we reached at about 2pm. We got
positions in a tent Nos 3 B lines.
Memo.
MEMORANDA
Sunday 8 7th
Spent the morning cleaning up A lines The rest of the bearers
arrived from Longeuval this afternoon Spent a very cold
night we had an extremely heavy frost, the day has been
rather fine
Monday 8th
Spent the morning cleaning up A lines & the afternoon cleaning
up around the Q M store. I met H Elliot this evening.
The day has been rather cold.
Tuesday 9th
I have been laying duck boards today. A terrific bombarding
has been in progress almost all day & the previous night in the
direction of Thebual. I spent the evening with a few mates at a concert
at Merricourt which is run by the Australian comforts funds.
Wednesday 10th
I went to sick parade this morning & was put off duty. The
bombardment has been as intense as ever & has been continuous
MEMORANDA
Thursday 11th
I have been receiving steam inhalations of Benz Co for my
cold three times a day.
Friday 12Received parcel from Mr KeyI have been Reported again at sick parade & instructed
to continue the treatment & was put on light duty. I
was given the job of hut ordelie for a few days.
Saturday 13
We were paid today I drew 30 frs.
Sunday 14th
I went down to xxx xxxxxxx Heilly with a mate
for a walk his afternoon & a party of us went into
Ribemont this evening & bought a few articals at the ATf
canteen there we got a supply of Quaker oats for breakfast
of a morning Received parcel from Mr Kay.
MEMORANDA
15th
I went to the concert at Merricourt this evening the
show was not such a good one as the last Recital
Tuesday 16th
I was put on fixing up a new pack store this morning
Wednesday 17th
I got leave to visit Amiens & a mate & I went down & caught a train
at Merricourt Ribermont station. There was a very heavy bombardment
going on early this morning. The ground was covered
with snow this morning & has been falling all day.
Thursday 18th
The ground has been covered with snow all day again I
have been working fitting up the new pack store today. During
the dinner hour a large party of us went out for a hare chase
we got one hare.
MEMORANDA
Friday 19th
We had a heavy frost this morning
I xxx xxxx finished up the job in the new pack store today
recieved six letteres from Aust & one from Mr Key.

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