Diary transcript of Reginald Harriman Heywood, 1917 -1918 - Part 12

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their horses at Abbeville. They did the return trip right thro'.

Jimmie called in this morn: and I was pleased to be able to

tell him that everything was Jake. He gave me the latest and it

appears Fritz is in possession of Wycharte and burnt remains of

Bailleul and has also got a footing on the Ranelsberg ridge. But 

they are fighting him every inch of the way which is the main thing. 

The fourth Bde. who went into the present area with probably 
the worst lot of animals in the Div. and who have lost heavily from 
shell fire &c. since, now have horses at least the equal to any and
are right up to strength. They have also replaced many of their 
draught mules with good horses.

I can picture Jim Henry (13 Bn.) who used to be horse dealer 
having the time of his life. I wonder how they do it.

19.4.18. Very cold and miserable still and to-day its been blowing 
right off the ice and endeavouring to snow. Surely we'll get some 
sun one of these days.

Rode over to Hqrs. and fixed up the weekly returns which are 
the curse of every V.O.'s life, but there is much more satisfaction 
in calling at Hqrs. now-a-days.

This morning a couple of chappies happened along with one of 
those tame balloons and wanted to tether it in the corner of the 
little fold in the landscape, where we have got the mobile tucked 
away. Needless to say I didn't want to participate in the excitement 
of huns firing red hot tracer bullets and big shrapnel and bombs 
and diving at it all day so after a lengthy pow-wow managed to shoo 
the concern away. At present unfortunately they have stowed their 
show into siding on the road a couple of hundred yards away.

There is very little news except that the Germans give us 
12 days to clear out of France.

20.4.18 The bombs are getting more than a joke and to-day Jo and
Darkie dug me in. This is the first time since coming to France, 
nearly 9 months ago now, that I have had to descend to these mole 
like tactics, tho' there have been occasions when I must confess 
that I would have liked to have been underground.

The day opened gloriously but since then we've had about 3 
mean average rainfalls.

Col.Holdsworth A.S.C. brother of the Holdsworth of Malvern of 
whom Billie has such painful recollections and Jimmie called for me 
in a motor this afternoon and together we visited the 4th Bde.

Perhaps I'd better explain where we are - there or thereabouts 
as/

111

as we've been here for such a considerable time. We are on a 
road running parallel with the main Albert-Amiens road and some 2 
or 3 kilos back from it. From the hills on our left  Albert is 
visible and from the high ground towards Allonville Amiens looks 
very close with its beautiful Cathedral standing out in clear 
relief.

To get to the 4th Bde. who are still holding a sector 
Hebuterne way we went Northwards thro' Toutencourt past Doullens 
thro' Marieux Authie and to Couin where we found all the transport.

The old Brig. has done wonderful work and is surely due for 
some substantial honour. He hasn't been out of the line the whole 
time and appears to have practically taken command of the whole 
area as soon as the Bde. went in with the 62nd Div. on the night 
on the 20th March. The 62nd was the Div. that let them down at 
Bullecourt and things were in a pitiable state this time but the 
Brig. appears to have raised Cain and got what artillery and etceteras 
he required and since his first couple of attempts Tweedy says 
they've got the Boch well tamed.

The Divl.Commander told the Brig. that while he knew we 
weren't the people who liked too much patting on the back, he had 
to express his gratitude for the way the Australians had bucked 
them up and shown them now to fight.

Since then the 4th Bde. have been stiffening up 3 other 
divisions including the 37th and 42nd which are both pretty good 
divisions.

On the way we passed along a considerable part of what will 
be our front line if we go back again. The trenches, wire, guns, 
ammunition &c. are colossal and the Boch should get a very warm 
reception this time. Makes me wonder what there was last time. I 
know this, that if the Boch had chased 14 Austn.Divns. across that 
35 miles of devastated Somme country we'd be a lot nearer getting 
home. We passed also a lot of French troops going North and I saw 
for the first time their famous "75s."

Reading thro' this makes me realize what a fruitless task it 
is trying to describe what one sees in a diary as short as this must 
be. It was about 20 miles by road to where the 4th Bde. were, and on 
that 40 mile trip there was ample material to enable one to write 
for hours. The French villages so soon to be torn up if we have to 
go back again, the wonderful French people, the 12 in. naval guns 
on the railway and a hundred and one other things not forgetting 
the Chinese labour Bns. who are doing a lot of the wiring. I often 
wonder if those fine old imitation ivory antiques are worth their 
oats.

Another thing I can't express is my pride in our A.I.F. - 
as fighters they stand alone.

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21.4.18. Sunday again so took things easy, spending the morning 
settling several arguments on the subject of engineering between 
Darkie and Jo. who are digging into the side of the bank.

This afternoon. as the weather is now very pleasant went 
to a bit of a joy-ride but find that riding tho' as a means of 
locomotion it has certain advantages which have to be considered, 
as a pastime, is all in.

Jo. managed to secure a couple of eggs at Molliens "der 
cofs" as Darkie says.

To-day's been a day of the year in the air as one of our 
squadrons brought down Richthofen the crack German airman this 
morning. Give the devil his due and the proprietor of Richthofen's 
travelling circle has been a game opponent and had a long run. His 
weirdly camouflaged circus first made its appearance on the Somme 
last year.

Jimmie called in and inter alia informed me that Cyril 
Seelenmeyer has been made a Major. As far as I know there are 3 0. 
Melburnians with commission s in the A.A.V.C. Col.Whitfield, Seeley 
and my humble self. Sgt. Fawcett and party returned this afternoon 
from their long trip to Abbeville with our second consignment. 
I must send off another party tomorrow.

22.4.18. Rode around the 13th Bde. and 4th Pioneers this morn: and 
as I encountered Tas Morgan and later Tom Tucker on the road, was 
very late getting home at which the tyrannical Darkie waxed most 
sarcastic.

Tom has been down with his old trouble - tonsillitis - and 
wasn't looking too well, but informed me that all was as well as 
could be expected with our 5th Divn. friends. He also added that 
Robbie has been putting the wind up them all at home with harrowing 
bomb stories from St Omer, mind you! Good job the Col. doesn't 
send him up to the war or he'd be writing special articles to the 
S.P.C.A. or the "War Cry".

The news of the end of Richthofen is confirmed as he was 
killed by machine gun fire from the ground. Several Austn. units 
claim him but it looks as tho' the honour rests with the 53rd Bty. 
5th Div: he was pretty well riddled and was buried with full military 
honours at Bertangles.

23.4.18. Things are still very quiet - as quietness goes these 
stirring times, tho' there was a big bombardment last night and we 
hear the tommies (R.W.F.) on our left hopped over with marked tho' 
local success.

Last night we all had a go at a Boch 'plane that came over 
very low - it beats the pigeons by a long way but the Boch sailed 
away in silent contempt and apparently none the worse for wear.

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The perpetual belching of the guns and hardly less constant 
hum of the 'planes becomes very trying at times and I always wake at 
least 10 times per night. What it must be to the gunners and others 
up there I can hardly imagine.

The 4th Bde. are coming down at last and are going into 
Cardonette Coisy and Pontainville. Surely their splendid work has 
earned them a spell. I'm afraid they were very rude to the tommies tho' 
Old Sammy must have been particularly offensive. When he asked for
bombs, ammunition. &c. they said righto we'll fix it up tomorrow but 
Sammy managed to convey the impression that that was no good to him and 
needless to add the boys got their ammunition.

24.4.18. Quite a paper day to-day, as this morning I was called on 
to judge a case in the orderley room, one of the N.C.Os. having charged 
another member of the section with insolence. Goodness knows the men 
in this section have latitude enough and I have to stick to the N.C.Os 
at all costs. Consequently the culprit was awarded 2 extra night picquets. 

Then I had to ride over to Allonville to draw the cash to 
pay the section and enable them to resume their two-up school which has 
languished for the last couple of days owing to insufficiency of funds.

During the night there was a more or less constant stream 
of 'planes followed by a terrific bombardment neither of which was in 
the best interests of a night's repose.

The bombardment was the fiercest heard since the first 
couple of nights up near Cambrai and the attack which was directed on 
Villers-Brittoneaux by the Boch broke down, tho' he did suceed in 
getting a footing in the centre of the tommies later in the day. Consequently 
the 13th Bde. have been called on again after two days only 
away from the line.

Jimmie and his bosom pal Jo. Tuckett (D.A.D.O.S.) called 
in this evening.

Cpl. Kelly and party returned from Abbeville after a good 
trip.

No rations this eve' owing to Fritz having made a dent in 
the railway.

25.4.18. Anzac Day - to mark which the G.O.C. sent us a wire of 
congratulation &c.

At parade a gentleman by the name of Owen failed to put 
in an appearance and had been missing since last night. Later in the 
day he returned i/c of an armed guard and with a none too flattering 
charge sheet from 3rd Div. who requested that he be taken into safe 
custody.

On/

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On the way over to visit the Pioneers I encountered our 
military police escorting a large batch of prisoners along the 
road - the most miserable looking lot of beasts you ever saw. 
This was the result of our counter attack on Villers Brittoneaux 
which Fritz took from the tommies yesterday. The 13th and 15th 
(Norm Marshall's) Bdes. managed to get in on either side and then 
join up with the result that the Boch in the village (700 up till 
now) were cut off. Even then from all accounts the tommies would 
not go in and mop up the Fritzes in the village. By the way, 
Fritz's intelligence have accounted for 8 Austn.Divisions on this 
front - which is a decided compliment.
This afternoon I called in at 4th Bde. Hqrs. where I saw 
Maj.Tovell Tweedie and Waring - all looking very well.

I didn't see Col. Mac: but believe he has a fine store of 
new stories, one of the best of which concerns some 15th Bn.men 
who were digging a post. Some Woodbines came along and one asked 
"What are you doin' there Chum" to which the Digger replied-"We're 
making a --- cinder track for you".

26.4.18. I saw in one of the English papers, actually, that the 3rd 
and 4th and later the 5th Aust. Div. had done good work - we're 
coming on aren't we. Mention of us in the English papers has been 
conspicuous by its absence - we don't want to appear in the headlines 
but we have been in the war. Ask the French!

Attended a conference at the D.A.D.V.S's and heard that 
Bill will not return for some months if at all. Meanwhile I seem 
condemned to solitary confinement.

Saw Cols: Mac: and Durrant (now D.A.Q.M.G. 2nd Div) in 
Allonville both looking very fit.

Villers Brittoneaux has yielded us nearly 2,000 prisoners, 
and as our fellows say they never saw so many dead Boch before, it 
must have been a costly business.

Had a letter from "Bobbie" Duffy, and reproached myself 
mutely for not getting in touch with her long before. What a 
lovely time the poor old thing must have had - I wish I could hear 
of Mr. Blob tho'.

Talking of "fellows", a little effeminate impertinent 
tommy officer remarked to L.I. Johnnie "Australians, yes, stout 
fellows, but not regulars".

After a most satisfactory trial in which the aformentioned 
Owen most accommodatingly and free admitted all the charges 
against him, I awarded him 7 days F.P. No2 . Awarded is the word 
I believe.

115

27.4.18. Today's paper says the British retook Villers-Britonneaux, 
and now I have solved the mystery. When the A.I.F. do anything 
it is "the British" or "our troops" and when anyone else does 
anything it is "the Berkshires" or "old die-hards" or "London 
troops &c."

All the same I think I have wronged the tommies, it must 
be their officers who are to blame. The other day I saw a little 
girlish officer riding along in front of some men, good men too, 
for all the world as tho' he were conducting a bad smell along a 
fashionable thoroughfare. That doesn't do, does it, especially as 
the said officer looked as tho' he couldn't fight his way out of a 
paper bag. There are some grand fellows amongst them, and there 
are others. Too many of them have been brought up to consider 
themselves each as good as two or three Germans and you know some 
of them aren't. Not all our men are champions I know, but when it 
comes to picking up the gait, give me a colonial every time, he's 
got less to unlearn. I know there are all sorts of excuses - you 
can't expect every man who's spent all his life in London never 
out of reach of a counter bench or out of hailing distance of a 
policeman to blossom out into a perfect Ned Kelly, but its the 
English conceit that hurts.

Why, I've known tommies lately to complain that they were 
starving, and, as tho' I were responsible - that our men were well 
fed and paid. I felt like adding that they also fight well, 
but didn't, and wondered afterwards what was wrong. It looked as 
tho' the officers don't do their jobs: we both draw the same rations 
off the same dumps, so somebody's to blame. I've lived practically 
on rations for the last month and they'll do me.

It looks now as tho' Fritz has got Mt. Kemmel, which is 
distinctly awkward. Stars and Stripes, it's up to you!

Locky Searle rode over some 12 kilos tis afternoon to call 
on me and needless to say I was glad to see him looking well. They've 
had a rough spin too - very rough, in spite of their living on 
champayne poultry and all the etceteras - a regular rift in the loot.

To revert to the tommies, I must say that the specimens we 
see working on the roads about here are about the most useless and 
futile looking lot ever seen outside a museum.

I used to feel sorry when I read of soldiers getting 1/- pr 
day, but I now regard the man who arranged that as a positive tho' 
liberal genius.

I also wonder what would have happened had the Boch chased 
14 Aust.Divns. across that 35 miles of desolated Somme country. I 
think he would have been in Queer St. S.W. before this. The day 
he attacked the 4th Bde. and left 600 dead in front of them we 

had/

116

had 13 casualties including 2 killed.

28.4.18. Still another Sunday and another week marked off the 
long column that separates us from that sunny old Southland of 
ours.

Road trips are discontinued for the time being, and now all 
our horses go to the Corps Mobile - to whom we have had to lend 3 
men.

The 4th Bde. moved off again yesterday after their long 
spell which consisted mainly of the march from Couin to Allonville- 
and are going into the line tonight.

Things are apparently still happening up North, but it has 
been moderately quiet here.

Must crawl into my cocoon (that is how the thing that 
chrysalises crawl into is spelt) and see if I can get warm. After 
a fine day yesterday it rained hard all night and continues 
steadily.

I wonder if the weather will ever be warm enough again to 
enable one to sleep like a human being - or will we always have to 
give this famous sleeping bag imitation of a mammoth silkworm.

29.4.18. Today's paper publishes an honour list of heroic divisions 
displaying special gallantry in the recent fighting. There are 11 
mentioned including the 3rd, 4th, 5th and New Zealand Divns. It 
also says the retaking of Villers-Britonneux was a particularly 
daring and finely conceived feat. It also pays a high tribute to 
the officers concerned, both in the planning and carrying out of 
the action.

Some time ago we salvaged a Lewis gun and the united 
efforts of the section have restored it to a certain state of 
efficiency. The shoeing smith ("Stevo") has made us a swivel and 
mountings, so Jo has it mounted on a post on the bank behind us 
with an eye to business.

Rode over to Hqrs. this morn and found Jimmie just saddled 
up to come over to see us. We managed to clear several minor 
worries off the board and he informed me that his appointment as 
D.A.D.V.S. (acting) and mine as acting O.C. 4th A.M.V.S. are approved. 
Apparently we are to act in these capacities until the Col. returns 
this is variously estimated from a couple of weeks to never.

Just had the pleasure of seeing the neatest thing seen 
for many a day. A Fritz came over after a solitary balloon of ours 
and looked like getting it too as he had the whole sky to himself 
For one minute the sky was absolutely empty save for the balloon

and/

117

and the astute Boch but in the next minute there must have 
been 20 of our machines diving at him from every direction and 
at incredible speeds. After one or two hopeless turns the Fritz 
shot it in and made for the ground tout suite followed by a 
perfect nest of hornets. He landed intact between Querrien and 
St. Gratien where needless to say there was a mob to meet him.

30.4.18. A very grey day to-day with steady and heavy rain. After 
having a look over the 14th A.S.C. horses, which by the way look 
very well, and are the best lot I have seen, there was nothing 
left but to go to bed - that is so far as the possibilities of a 
visit from the Corps people will permit.

Splinter Stanhope who is looking after the Corps troops' 
animals called in this afternoon, and tho' I wasn't particularly 
enamoured of him at the Hospital, I extended him a greeting to-day 
that would have made the "Welcome" on the mat appear like an 
obscene epithet. He put the wind up Darkie too who didn't know 
him and endeavoured to stave him off while he ascertained whether 
I was asleep or not. Stanhope has had rather a better time than 
most people I have met, but is still inclined to be permeated 
with gloom. He regards missing Richthofen's funeral as the 
greatest opportunity of his life lost. He can still talk to beat 
the band tho' and left me fairly dizzy.

The paper to-day says the Australians have worked their way to 
Meterew and everyone except themselves is loud in their praises. 
That's the 1st Div. and the papers are beginning to take a tumble 
we are at the war.

1.5.18. Got word to be ready to move so rode over towards Amiens to 
look for a good posi. Our Corps has been given the post of 
honour and is to hold the extreme right flank of the British army 
This entails guarding our junction with the French - which must 
always remain a more or less difficult position. For the time 
being the 4th Div. holds our right flank, whilst the famous 
"Foreign Legion" are on the left flank of the French. To get 
between these two the Boch will have to go all he knows and then 
some.

I might add that we are a very heterogeneous army down here - 
French, Americans, Australians and English - to say nothing of 
coloured troops and quangs. Americans are appearing in large 
numbers and look like business. Frechencourt is full of them, 
and 'bus after 'bus full of their troops went past here yesterday 
for a couple of hours. There is a rumour that they have at last 
taken over their sector of the line, but it sounds too good to 
be true, as it would mean 14 W.S.A. divisions in the line and Fritz 

well up the pole. We have taken over from the 8th Divn. who 
candidly admit that our men are the most wonderful fighters in 
the world. Tommies have also taken over from the 2nd.

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I found a quite suitable place at Riveny on the outskirts 
of Amiens but hear a couple of shells whining into the latter. 
I'm afraid we'll have "bookoo" bombard and bombs to burn.

2.5.18. Quite a hint of summer in the air to-day, an altogether 
welcome change.

We got rid of all our patients by road to Olincourt Chateau 
and sent an advance guard on ahead to keep our location clear at 
Riveny. Down that way last night (at Camon) Fritz got into 
D.A.D.O.S. one shell landing right in the place and killing the 6 
occupants.

To add to the general discomfort here a big gun 12 or 15 
inch I should think opened from the wood at the back, of us and 
barked away during the night.

Fritz seems to have got a nasty knock up North on Monday, 
and we hear all sorts of exciting rumours. The main thing is that 
they are fighting him and fighting well and making him pay for the 
blood price for every yard.

Things have been very busy in the air to-day with several 
Boch 'planes over but none close enough for Jo. to get a shot 
with his Lewis gun.

3.5.18 Struck our camp at Beaucourt and set out for Riveny 
about 10 a.m. The section arrived in time for dinner but I was 
detained at Divn. and didn't hit the camp till 5 p.m. We have 
a house with an orchard attached this time and are pretty comfortable. 
Bombs and the bombardment of Amiens are numbered amongst 
the drawbacks and we have already found it necessary to poke the 
panes out of the windows as they rattled so.

In happier circumstances our outlook would be an extremely 
pretty one as we are camped on the course of the Somme with its 
numerous canals and backwaters, canals &c. islands willows boat 
houses rustic bridges and all the rest of it including the punts 
and other maraitime craft. The Diggers are having a fine time 
already, bathing boating and fishing. Just now three representatives 
of the Southern Cross went past in a barge flying a huge 
French flag. Harper who seems to be the sportsman of our party 
and who used to keep us in hares at Beaucourt has just brought me 
in some little fish. Amiens lies just over the other side and 
the beautiful cathedral is only a couple of miles away.

On setting out two tommies came along and quietly relieved 
us of us of two stray horses and we were dragging along. The Staff interviewed 
them and they refused point blank to hand them back. The 
staff isn't the sort to be funny with and when he poked his 
revolver under the ringleader's nose there was no further argument. 
Later their Captain came and claimed the horses in a reasonable

manner/

119

manner and he got them.

On the way over I encountered Lt.Col.A.F.Jolley on the 
road. I haven't seen him since he was in camp at Br'meadows in '14.

4.5.18. A lovely day and the diggers made full use of the boats 
and the water. Boating is very popular with the troops and I 
haven't seen one of them that can't swim yet. To-day fishing from 
one of the rustic bridges was enough to make a brewer wax sentimental 
or a stockbroker pause and write poetry but the possibility 
of a shell frightening away all the fish and is a decided drawback. 
At 5 p.m. Fritz must have put in 100 shells within the following 
½ hour, but fortunately all that might have done us any damage 
landed in the water or soft banks causing much activity amongst 
the grand fleet. We despatched a consignment of horses mostly 
tommies' to Vignacourt, how they could have let them get into 
such a pitiable condition is more than I can understand.

5.5.18. Sunday again, but it never gets dull here - you can always 
go out and watch the shells tearing Amiens to pieces - a great sight.

Boating and swimming are still very popular with the boys, 
its very amusing to see diggers - they have nearly a boat apiece 
now - from North Mirboo and even further endeavouring to negotiate 
the canals. In justice to them I must add that the channels are 
very intricate - they must do their gardening by boat most of the 
year round about here.

Darkie has me on light diet now, and for tea I placidly 
munched lettuce, radish, celery and onions, washed down with a 
pint or so of Muscat. I must smell positively unique but there's 
no one to smell me so why worry. What was that someone said 
about sweetness and the desert air?

Sgt. Williams was in to-day and greeted me with a good one. 
A tommy who had taken to his scapers and accosted by a digger who 
inquired what the ribbon on the said tommy's chest was for, and he 
replied that it was the Star won in the retreat from Mons. The 
innocent Australian added "And now you--- you're trying to get a 
bar to it."

6.5.18. As I have mentioned before, there's never any occasion to 
be dull here, you can almost always go out and watch the shells 
tearing Amiens to pieces. Poor Amiens! its a fine sight. Makes 
you ponder over the high pitch of modern civilization.

The Boch has given Amiens its full issue the last few days, 
but I think and hope he gets a very fair ration. Our artillery 
about here is tremendous and busy. It looks as tho' there's 
something doing - the roads a bit back are very busy, with 
thousands of troops on them, including plenty English, French 
and Canadian Cavalry.

I/