Diary of Lindsay Robert Turner, 1917-1918 (Vol. 2) - Part 9

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16/1/18. Today was our first holiday
since marching in. We assembled
after an early breakfast at HQ's
to be conveyed to Tilshead where we
were booked to witness a 4.5 How
shoot. The Bc's School at Salisbury
were out for the day and an
invitation was extended to us to be
present and witness the display. We
travelled there thro' a snowstorm
in motor ambulances and after Reaching
the town had a walk of some two
miles to the observing station. When
we reached there we found a Collection
of some 50 or 60 officers from
Generals down to the mere Subaltern
The observing station was a well
constructed shelter made of Sandbags
and altho we were only some
300 yards to the right of the proposed
target we felt quite safe. It was
an exhibition wellworth witnessing
and some extraordinary good shooting
 

81
was recorded. The sound of the shells
flying overhead and landing with a
dull thud and resulting explosion
was all very interesting We were only
observing the 4.5 How shoot but over
our right was in 18 Pdr Battery
firing time and Percussion Shrapnel
After the shoot had been Completed
we visited the scene of disaster
and inspected the Ground Everywhere
gaping shell holes were to be seen
and dirt and stones I Scattered everywhere/
It was very cold out on the
downs but well worth the Experience
and we came home feeling Quite
satisfied with the days outing.
17/1/18. Another day of Snow and Cold
if anything the fall was heavier
than the previous one. Quite early
it  Commenced to rain we didn't
mind because we were under
cover but when the snow commences
 

82
to melt then its miserable walking about
even and you can't possibly Keep
Warm. The work still continues to
remain interesting and were getting
used to looking after ourselves instead
of a Reft of some 140 men We
were to have had a lecture this evening
but by mutual consent it was put
off until tomorrow 5 to 6 So the
prospect of getting in not our Rooms
after mess and Remaining undisturbed
for the Rest of the evening as being
Cheerful Anyway we just wrote
and worked and had supper
but the fire is a blessing indeed.
18/1/17. The weeks seem to fly by
here is the Completion of the
10th since the Port Sydney moved
off with her "Valuable" Cargo. Many
Are the adventures weve had as
this is the peaceful ending for
a while We are just as Comfortable

 

83
as we were at Maribyrnong with
the exception that we havent Quite
so much eat. We sometimes have
a hungry fit on and go for a
return of some Course but we
always meet with the response
"Nothing doing" Outside ordinary meals
we have refreshments at 7 oclock
10.30 3.30 and supper at 9. So
on the whole we fare well. I wonder
how much per dram London will
Cost us I mean apart from Taxis.
We deducted going out on our
bleak hill manned by as Siberia
to do map work but rain Kept
us indoors nearly all day. The
work we're keenly interested in
and enjoy it even tho it Gets
harder each day. Tonight as on
all Friday nights we had formal
Mess and entertained Brig. Gen.
Bessell Browne of the 5^th F.A.Bge
 

84
19/1/18  We renewed acquaintance no
not with early morning stables but
the 4.5. Howitzer Often I wonder why
we're condemned to the necessity of
Knowing something of all things appertaining 
to Artillery instead of specialising
in say the 12 pdr. DAC or 4 5 How
butt. I put it down to the fact that were
Reft Officers and might be landed
anywhere and even where. Still the
more the merrier and sooner or later
our education with be a thing
to admire. It was a Cold morning so
we rejoiced in the fact that we had
Gundrill are the morning. We had
arranged for a Car to be as the Battery
Office to convey those of us having
"business" to traverse to Salisbury
and Hindcott at 4 Pm. It was late
but we couldn't get a Car for an
earlier date. I knew Hindcott was
Somewhere near Salisbury so we
decided to go there first Jones to
 

85
meet his brother at the Country Hotel
and I to pick younger fry up at
the Camp of Hindcott. On the way
out I remarked as I was on a job
requiring some engineering that I
would probably strike Some one in
Command of Hindcoff I Knew. I
might mention at this stage that joy
rides are again' the law and anyone
travelling must have Some apparently
legitimate motive  an explanation
of the term "business" supra. To
return  to my Subject who should
be C.O.  at Hindcoff but Col D.S
Wanliss of Selbourne Chambers and
flying high for the moment a
fellow legal luminary.  I very soon
made his acquaintance told him
how well I knew him and his
brother-in-law Sir Wm Irvine and
thro his kindly interest I do believe
my efforts to have my brother
transferred will ultimately be
 

86
Crowned with Success. I was indeed
pleased to see the latter and in Spite
of a nasty wound under the eye
he looks remarkably well. I didnt
contemplate a late journey home
but it was 11.30 before my friend
Jones came along so bed was
of necessity a late order of the day.
20/1/1 Sunday is always an
uneventful day especially with
the weather typical of an English
Winter. When it rains or is otherwise
disagreeable the best place is the
Cubicle & a roaring fire and
thats exactly how I spent this
day of Rest. I again lost the opportunity 
of seeing inside the
Old Village Church. We were due
there for morning Service but
at the last minute it was cancelled
and we utilised the Church Hut
 

87
letter writing and the dispensing of
experiences Was the order of the
day followed up by a judicious outburst 
of energy resulting in early
sleep.
21/0/18. Another week commenced
his morning and it's likely to
prove hir interesting by reason
of the fact that we do two of three
mounted Reconnaissances. The Battery
we belong to however possesses
no Good horse flesh so we got
mounted on broken down Gun
horses not like Maribyrnong
Where we had the pick of the
Stable Still we have to be thankful
for Small mercies these dayS.
We walked across the downs most
of the morning on dismounted
reconnaissance it didnt Rain
as a matter of fact so we didnt
mind the tamp. It's extraordinary
 

88
mild for this time of the year but
we are sure to Catch it Sooner or
later. I saw two old Kew chaps.
now well up in the Military World
in Camp today and was very
pleased to see them. They were
over on leave from France and
came out here on a visit to old
friends. Needless to say I was
Very Surprised to see them..
22/1/18. We were due for a mounted
reconnaissance at 9 o'clock after
Physical jerks were over and as
I anticipated we were provided
with the nearest approach to
draught horses Ive ever seen
However we had a ride thro' Some
country we had never seen before
and as usual it was picturesque
rural country mostly compact
farms. The sheep in England
are kept in folds and handled
 

89
and these enclosures are dotted all
over the hillsides. It was a fine sunny
morning but too good to last for it.
rained this Afternoon We were
Given Gas masks and put thro Gas
drill makes one Realise how
close to active Service he is.
23/1/18. It happens to be Wednesday
tho we weren't taken to witness
Another Shoot much as we would
have enjoyed it tho the weather
Conditions were quite the reverse
As a matter of fact it was milder
than the usual winters day in
Victona tho' we are sure to strike
severe conditions. before long. We
had Gun drill again typical
Artillery Recruits and the men I've
came over with are usually
interested Spectators. We have
come it touch with something
BC's at the Front are frequently