Diary transcript of Reginald Harriman Heywood, 1917 -1918 - Part 1

Vol II

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.4.8.17. "England, my England!" He can have it on his own. If

this is their summer I don't want another, let alone

a winter.

Most of the fellows one meets in these camps are men

of the first division, and the tales they tell would make

you cry tears of blood. They were home and dried on

Gallipoli if they'd only had support instead of the rag-
tag of the British Army.

There is the same cry now too of want of support in

France. The 29th Division and the Scotchmen they say are

alright but the others are a bunch of also-rans. And

are they sick of this war? Thank goodness it will be

settled this time next year. Don't run away with the

idea tho' that there is any idea of slinging in our hand.

I wouldn't care to hold the Germans cards if our men

have any say on settling day.

That thin edged old battle-axe the Colonel is still

about as giddy as a death's head at a feast, but its

Rudd that puts the damper on him. Rudd has sure inherited

the instincts of a truck-driver, his talk is wind,

his stocks water, and his manners are all in; but the old

man might forget his clothes and gum boots long enough

to size up what's inside them and not make us responsible.

Twelve weeks nearer home to-day.

5.8.17. Quite a nice day and not before it was due. I'm only

living once, and it may be long or short but while it

lasts I'm trying to make it all count. Besides that

we'll only be along this track once, and you soon get

into the way in this game of its always being this a.m.

the rest of the calendar takes care of itself.

Tuck and I went for a long ramble this afternoon - we

had an idea of calling on one Stephens - "Inky" Stephens

explains him, and who owns a champion stud flock. We

reached Inky's demesne which includes several villages

&c. - must cut plenty ice Inky must - and inspected

several lodges which looked a bit new. The homestead is

a cottage of about 50 or 60 rooms, but we decided Inky

must be one of the Nouvean Riche and we wouldn't mix with

him.

Dead keen on trying my new sleeping bag so am turning 

in.

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6.8.17. Tom and I suitably mounted out made a tour of Bulford

Camp and district, which was altogether enjoyable and took

several photos. Rudd told us how he was almost first into

Bapaume. He thought he was first but as the others were

about 10 miles ahead I expect he didn't see them. Someone

else told us how he used to go about some 15 miles behind

the firing line with a gas mask and a steel helmet on, and

how he used always to take an orderly armed to the teeth

with him.

Everyone knows him and the Embarkation Officer at

Tidworth told us he was in hospital with him. The affection

started in his feet but spread up to his head - he says.

He also says that Rudd was known in France as the King of

Monteauban.

Packed up for the 10th time in the afternoon and evening

and said Goodbye to the Meds. in readiness for a quick get

away in the morning.

7.8.17. Left Park House at 10.30 per car. Didn't weep much over

leaving Rudd and the Col. The men soon arrived at

Tidworth in charge of the Park House band - which Auld Lang

Syned us out of the station.

In due course arrived at Portsmouth and after several

misunderstandings with embarkation officers and others went

on board the Archimedes which was packed with horses and

men.

Were issued with life-belts and met the O.C. Transport

one of the best and who made us at home in the few cabins

of which the old packet boa^sts. Just settled down when

news came on board that all Australians should dis-embark

and proceed to the Southampton Rest Camp. Needless to say

we were too hot to handle but there was nothing else for it

but get ourselves and the perquisites of our calling ashore

and that is no sinecure believe me. With the aid of boy-
scouts and others we finally got into a couple of ancient

chariots and finally to the Camp, and then we found we'd

made a wrong lead. Its more like a summer resort than a

Camp and the Officers' Mess and lounge are quite palatial.

I don't mind if I stay here till the end of the war but I

suppose we'll push off tomorrow.

After an excellent dinner went to a theatre "Sugar" and

quite good in fact the cheapest 1/11d, including tax worth

(resd.stalls) I've ever had.

Returned and occupied a furnished room sheets and all

for/

3

for the night. What's the use anyhow?

8.8.17. Arose and tubbed in the bed-room and then breakfasted

in state, but during the morning received the glad news

that we are to re-embark this afternoon.

Said Good-bye to the Rest Camp and despatched Snowy in a

taxi with the luggage - we followed in more humble fashion -

per tram to wit, and found the luggage guard in a nice lie

at the foot of the gangway so we were soon on board with

our perquisites. Of course we found our berths filched and

as there are only five on this packet we are to occupy the

saloon couches and floor - how do our sins find us out? We

shouldn't have indulged in those sheets last night.

This is a rough touch this time alright and blindfolded

you'd bet you were in a stable - a dirty one at that.

We made a start this time tho' and were soon passing the

Isle of Wight, Ryde and Portsmouth where we ran into a

perfect nest of destroyers, there must have been dozens and

dozens, and also hydroplanes and other strange and weird

apparatus. We passed close to the huge white hospital ship

Aquitania, and soon put out to sea in a shower of course, and

in charge of two or three destroyers.

Fancy having to don lifebelts again so soon - too much

isn't it?

We have just threaded our way thro' a minefield, and they

have lowered two most weird contrivancies, one on either side

and somewhat resembling torpedoes which are supposed to

convert our old craft more or less into a minesweeper. Its

getting dark but the odour is no less reminiscent of faultily

carried out stable fatigue.

Have pegged out a claim on one of the Saloon tables and am

just turning in. Ernie is next on his camp bed and Tuck

occupied a more humble position under my Table.

9.8.17. Arose at 3.30 a.m. shook myself in lieu of a bath and

weht out on deck to see what was doing. I shall never forget

the sight, we thought the last day on the Benalla was

exciting but you try a trip from Southampton to Havre on an

old tramp. I could count 29 lights - many of which must

have been destroyers by the pace they moved up and down in

addition to the harbour lights and there was a big cruiser

quite close besides a destroyer on either side close enough

to talk to. Then a French boat came out and hailed us and

turned herself right search light on us and shortly afterwards we passed

thro'

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thro' the nets, mines &c. of the outer harbor and dropped

anchor so I went back to the table for another 40 winks.

The O.C., Capt. A.H.Hartigan of racing fame is the froth

on the glass alright - he's the sunny spot of the A.S.C.

and about as serious as a kitten with a piece of string -

the cares on his mind weigh about as heavy as an extra

feather or two on a V.R.C. Derby Hat.

About this time we were somewhat startled by a series of

explosions remarkably like guns and shells landing. Some

of us were more or less peeved but he remained in his bunk

and cursed those -- guns, and at the same time implored

Snowy not to worry laddie, and went on to say that he'd been

torpedoed twice and nothing was to be gained by worrying.

And so he has, the first time off Salonika he was in the

water 19 hours, but he says when he went in he had malaria

and two or three other things and it seemed to cure him and

he was alright when he came out. The second time he made

preparations for a longer stay in the water but was only in

for 3 hours.

He was also wrecked coming from Australia with horses. In

addition he lost every stick in the world in the great fire

some years ago in Canada - has been in gold rushes in the

Yukon, was brought out of the wilds of W. Africa unconscious

for weeks, ridden in five Grand Nationals, and the

New York Horse Shows &c. and finally left a good practice

in S. America to come to the War. Needless to say he's

a veterinary surgeon.

He knows old Bill Boreham's mentor Blinkensop - he says

Blinky is a good old sort when he's drunk but when he's

sober he's a --- nuisance to himself and everyone else.

He was kind enough to give me his address and told me to

keep in touch with him and you can bet if I have any luck

I sure will.

After breakfast we could get a good view of Havre which

is a rather nice place and amused ourselves watching the

batteries on the cliffs having target practice and counting

the wrecks scattered round, and of which there are five

including the big hospital ship "Galeta" which was blown

in two by a mine.

In the afternoon we went into the docks and per tram

thro' Havre and Harfleur to Rouelle where we reported at

a/

5

a rest camp - to which we all took a violent dislike.

Ernie thought seriously of sending out a S.O.S. to Ern

Kendall to order us on at once but a man came and asked

us to sign a paper ordering us to be in readiness to proceed

tomorrow, for which we were truly thankful tho' we

have a 36 hour trip in a troop train to Calais ahead of us.

In the evening walked down thro' the village of Montevilliers

and then turned in on the floor of a bell-tent.

10.8.17. Quite a charming day and after a good clean up and breakfast
as this place is very prettily situated some of last

night's resentment wore off, but we are all looking forward

to moving off and spent the day in preparation thereto.

Robbie has just left in charge of the men (5.30 p.m.) but

we are not leaving till 8.30.

Saw the Havre "Archies" firing at some Germans up in the

clouds during the afternoon - its a fine sight to see the

shrapnel bursting about 3 miles up.

After dinner reported at Camp 12 and were conveyed to the

Gare Maritime in a motor transport van - only hit the high

spots on the road too. Found Ernie had arrived with his

draft and he required a little reviver from my water bottle

of old Burgundy.

We were allotted fairly comfortably 3 to a carriage and

started for Rouen a little after midnight where we arrived

after a good night about 6.30 a.m. The train must have

been quite half a mile long and had about 2000 troops on

board A.S.C. Artillery Engineers &c. The men are herded

about 40 to a cattle truck and you can bet the train travels

pretty slowly.

11.8.17. 7.45.a.m. went down to the Officers Club in the Rue

Jeanne D'Arc which is presided over by Princess Victoria,

enjoyed a good breakfast and put in the morning having our

hair and whiskers harvested - they'll bath you in Eau-de-Cologne

in Rouen for 5 cents - and looking round Rouen which

is an interesting place. We spent some time in the Cathedral

of Notre Dame and even climbed up the tower. The

Cathedral which took some 600 odd years to complete and

especially the towers are very beautiful.

Lunched at the Officers' Club and then returned to the

train - what ho! The six of us were plumped into one 1st

class compartment with our luggage and rations - not 'uch

room! and then we had to scare off English Officers who

tried to force themselves on us. Finally the R.T.O. 

came/

6

came along and ordered us to put our heavy luggage in a van

and make room for more officers. We reluctantly decided

to part with Snowy's valise and it was carted off - but we

still held the fort against the Imperials and at the first

stop on the line Snowy and Clarke walked down the line and

got it back - just as well too because the van was missing

next morning probably kicked off at Abbéville.

I might add here that we don't like English officials -

they're either rotten managers or else treat us badly,

probably both - next war they're in they can have it on their

own. We don't suffer in silence tho' you bet Snowy and

Robbie were partic. violent.

Finally got under way and put in a miserable night - dined

on bully beef and dog biscuits and washed it down with a

water bottle of old Burgundy. Supped in the same manner and

slept hardly at all. You mustn't condemn the French railways

altogether tho' and the amount of traffic going the other way

was stupendous and contained sad to say numbers of very long

hospital trains.

Arrived at Etaples about 3 a.m. on Sunday morning.

A rather amusing incident worthy of note happened at Rouen.

An Imperial Doctor found himself rather crowded in a first

class carriage and had his huge valise stuck in a dog box

which was to be occupied by about 30 of our draft. Tommies

would have been quite satisfied but our chaps bundled it

without ceremony into the mud alongside the line. The worthy

Doc: was quite oblivious and its hard to say where it finally

went.

12.8.17. Changed traineds again in the early a.m. at Etaples, 6 of

us in a second class this time - you bet the Englishmen weren't

over-stocked and in first class too.

Got to Calais at 10.30 a.m. and soon got on to headquarters

on the 'phone, and they sent a wagon for us and landed us

bag and baggage at the Australian Base Hospital A.P.O. 4 in

no time.

This hospital which is in course of construction will be

an immense affair - inter alia there are 25 sets of stables

of 12 boxes each and the full strength is 450 men and the

necessary officers etc.

Fortunately we are blessed with another fine O.C. Lt.Col.

Whitfield D.S.O. from Tasmania I think. Talbot and Finney

of/

7

of the M.U.V.S. are also here and Capt. Edwards M.R.C.V.S.

and Lt.O'Bourne Q.M. and ourselves make up the present

staff.

From all accounts Snowy Self and Robbie will be pushed

up to the line before long.

The mess is just about complete and very comfortable -

we won't like leaving again.

Tuck Snowy and Self occupy a bell tent which is pitched

alongside a graveyard and the ruins of a church so you can

see it is very peaceful. We have beds tables &c. and our

batmen are camped alongside. I might add that our batman

is a second Jeeves - the prince of batmen, and is fully

acquainted with the ins and outs, the by-ways and the ways

that are dark of military life and law. He has even

succeeded in being a.w.l. for three months without being

crimed. His last a.w.l. turn was at S'hampton on the way

over but Tom and I interceded for him. Anything that we

require that cannot be got from the Q.M. or purchased

Jeeves seems to acquire in an astounding manner.

In the evening walked down to the beach and on the way

saw Chum and Bill Thomson who are in this camp. They told

me Ken.Webb is here also - a Vety.Sergeant.

On the beach we gazed on the cliffs of Dover - no distance

away - and wondered what brain conceived the idea of

sending us round Havre way - travelling for 6 days.

There's some variety about this life tho'. In successive

nights I slept or put in the night as follows. In Coldwater

Leitches camp bed at Lark Hill; on three boards and a paliasse

at Park House; in sheets &c. and an oak bedstead at

S'hampton; on a table on that old tramp the Archimedes; on

the floor of a bell tent among cigarette buts &c. at

Rouelles (Havre); in the train between Havre and Rouen; in

the train between Rouen and Etaples, and finally in a good

bunk in our tent at Calais. That will do me for a week

or so.

When it got dark we could see the flashes of the guns up

yonder but that didn't interfere with our catching up a

bit on our sleep.

13.8.17. Another lovely day. France is quite a climate. I admire

the French a whole lot but they are a filthy lot of beasts,

and as for beautiful women, it must be close season for

those/

8

those peacherinos we hear of. These Englishment! their

favourite word is "stunt" and it had whiskers on it in

Melbourne about 7 years ago. We have relapsed into resigned

inertia again but comment is by no means plaintive as everything

is very comfortable and we do ourselves in the mess

alright. Robbie is the only one with a grouch - he looks that

old and worried I wonder why he didn't use his father's birth

certificate and stay home.

The guns up at the line were making a terrible noise last

night.

14.8.17. Still lovely weather, and as we had nothing more serious

than a pow-wow with the O.C. to attend to, life continues to be

most bearable.

Went into Calais this afternoon - a very punk town and of

course very dirty. It was better at ordnance stores tho' and

its a fascinating pastime buying things when you never even

see the bills - they dock it off deferred pay. Still close

season for peacherinos tho!

On returning I sent the estimable Jeeves off with 10 francs

to the canteen to buy me some matches and a watch. He returned

well inside the 10 F. with a most excellent weapon which

is an ever reliable time keeper and guaranteed shell proof.

Besides as Capt. Edwards says you can wind it any old time

and its good exercise.

The said Eddie is one of the best - most entertaining and

most humorous. He has spent the last 8 yrs. in Fiji where he

was C.V.O. and I remember him calling in at the M.U.V.S. to

see over the place about last Jan.

He was a very seedy looking individual just about that time

but then, as he explains, work was contra-indicated in Fiji

and he still manages anything from 8 to 20 gin and whiskies &c.

and 50 or 60 fags during the day.

Haven't got much use for Finney tho' - you'd know there was

something fishy about him if you'd never heard his name. He's

one of those bristly little terriers with a good deal of his

neck bulging over the back of his collar, and even his Sam

Brown and etceteras have failed to prevent his equator getting

the better of his longitude. Talk about mean - he wouldn't

tell his own mother the time and I think he must have been

named after his eyes - I wouldn't trust him as far as I

could kick him and he weighs 13 stone I should say.

He's

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He's plenty surgeon tho' - he says so, and either we are very

out of date or he's on the waiting list of hon: members of

the Ananias Club - and banking on past performances that's

about where he fits in. He also says he's a shine horseman -

but I ask you! Can a man with an outline like a bal^loon and

legs about 7 inches from knee to coronet with tops to match -

Can you see him over the timber? There's one thing to him

tho' that you can't dispute - he's always in the lime-light -

as prominent as a bust development ad: on the back of a 

magazine.

Another giddy creature here is Stanhope. I think he's got

a strain of N.S.W. in him judging by his partiality for

reach-me-downs. He doesn't smoke, drink nor swear, and has

no vices but takes it out in talking - most little runts do,

don't they?

When I get on to other people's failings my Conklin seems

to get away with itself doesn't it? I used to think there

were only two classes - those that were my kind and those

that weren't but its beginning to penetrate thro' my skull

that there are some good points about the worst of us, and

then again the best sometimes have their streak of yellow -

but even so Finney is one of the luxuries I'm going to deny

myself.

I wonder when it will dawn of the Germans that they've made

a wrong lead. The British drop 400 tons of bombs on them per

night - just to keep them from brooding I expect.

5.8.17. The only item of interest was a combined and concerted

assault on us by the other members of the mess, and a sporty

sort of a padre they had unearthed from somewhere. It appears

that they had been having jubilee and warsail, and what-ho

and then some having reached the necessary pitch of insobriety

including the padre, they decided to imitate initiate us as members of

the A.A.V.C. officers' messes abroad.

Unfortunately the movement took us by surprise and concerted

defence was impossible. "Private" Robertson was ordered out

on to the parade ground in the icy wind and his shirt tails - 

and fallen in with the Padre on the right and the quartermaster

on the left and so on - and finally after intricate manoeuvers

was made a Captain and welcomed by his maudlin tormentors.

Robbie protested you bet and you know Robbie uses up a whole

lot of language - he even consigned the padre his cloth and

his carcase to the very region the said padre endeavours to

steer Robbie thro'.

Clark/