Diary transcript of Reginald Harriman Heywood, 1918-1919 - Part 4

30
2500 miles mark since I've been in France, and can still enjoy
a ride with the next man.
Again took the family for an airing - as they'd got wind
of the fact that there was a change of programme. They're

postive gluttons for music in any shape or form.
6.10.18. Can't quite get the strength of the furphy re Turkey -

there's nothing in the paper about it yet but it was a wire
from Army and there's something in the wind.
To-day the Central Powers - the whole issue - asked for an

armistice with a view to discussing peace so perhaps Abdul is

included in that.
There's only one reply to be made - nothing doing - now's
the time to put the boot into Master Fritz. For four years
we've striven to get him into a hole - and now he's beginning
to squeak - no Fritzie nothing doing till you get back where
you belong, and then not much from your point of view.
I want to go home sure enough, but I'd stay here a good
while yet to see Fritz not only beaten but knocked rotten. I
want France to get her pound and a half of flesh.
Major Tovell blew in this evening and with the aid of a
bottle of my whisky caused Mama/many pangs. It was quite an
evening - almost reminiscent of La Clytte. Whisky's about
the only stuff that would fill them up anyhow - might as well
pour anything else into the sink.
[[?]].10.18. Nothing doing to-day at all so out of pure light-heartedness
rode over to Hqrs. and told Jimmie everything was alright.
Our artillery are still up forward and by the looks of
their A.Fs.A. 2000 are having a pretty rough time. They are
attached to an American Corps and are likely to remain till
the Yank ironware is capable of taking over.
3rd, 5th and 2nd Austn.Divs. have been passing all day,
all bound for the back areas. Had a few words with little
Bobbie Nathan (M.U.V.S. and 1st D.A.C.)
8.10.18. Still very quiet on the Picquingy front - the only thing 
to interfere with the tranquillity of the atmosphere being
a bit of a riot in the compound next door. Some of the nice
boys managed to drive a hole thro' the wall and there was a
regular barrage of revolver and rifle shots. Wouldn't have 
old/

31
old J.C. Brown's job for something - the first night he came
in to borrow horse rugs but now he comes in for spare neck ropes.
I was dragged off to the Pierrets again but I have learned
how to camouflage myself now.
9.10.18. Had a regular day with the Whatchamacallits - first of
all an interview with the Town Major, one of the genuine haw-haw
variety and then a Major - namesake of mine too. He greeted
me with the news that one of his riding horse's ankles was
swollen dontcherknow - wouldn't that get you. It was unfortunate
too because it was a "faithful animal".
Added another to my clientale to-day - a lady arrived from
Ailly at 7 a.m. with a tike which she wanted me to certify as
free from Rabies. You could write a book on what I don't know
about Rabies too. However the grateful animal bit me and as I
didn't go any madder than usual I gave her the certificate.
10.10.18. Finished off the rest of the "Haw-Haws" to-day after riding
some 20 miles - that'll have to do them for a week. Had to
carve it out too to get home in time to take the family to the
show.
Saw Bill McGregor 2nd M.V.S. camped  in a paddock outside
Belloy, but expect they will be moving on to a more salubrious
clime. The whole Corps minus some of the artillery is now back
in the area from here to Abbeville and the V.E.S. is at Longpre.
Wish you could see us in the evenings with our boots off
and our feet male and female on the grate. A bottle of vin,
ample supply of Ruby Queens, and you'd reckon that "Paradise
enow" chappie wasn't in the same class.
11.10.18. Old J.C. Brown is becoming an alarmingly consistent visitor,
but is being relieved I believe tomorrow. He doesn't drink, he
just swallows.Drops in just before lunch for an aperetif or
something that sounds like that and consists of about a pint upwards
of anything that's going. I have so many visitors that
I can only go to a couple of rounds with him, and then refusing
to drink with the flies, he goes on with the house, that costs
him abouit 6.F. every time he speaks. Aperetifs aren't the
only cards in his hand either.
12.10.18. Rode to Hqrs. and found Jimmie in the throes of flu:
Huddled up in bed he looks like a little old man of 50. He was
so/

32
so pleased too when I laughed at him. However he got even by
setting me on to his weekly return - which he can't make any
way nearly balance, how much less I? I flew without waiting
for the verdict and that wasn't till well after 1 p.m.
Old J.C.B. said farewell to the compound to-day and he
and his successor - I'd like to tell you about him - consumed
a bottle and a half of Bamfuls and one of Champagne in the
process.
I wouldn't mind J.C. so much if he wouldn't get reminiscent
and endeavour to explain how he's one of the Blakes of Blakeney
and reflects more or less the glory of the hero of the Scarlet

Pimpernel.
3.10.18.Papa caused somewhat of a stir last night by waiting at the
top of the stairs clad mainly in a boot tho' I got a confused
glimpse of a shirt tail and a murderous and soulful look of
gentle riotousness in his eye. We must have sat up a bit late
for him and as men do when they are kept awake he had evidently
brooded - quite losing sight of the fact that the less he slept
the healthier his bank account would look. I don't know who
got the kick because with fine presence of mind I blew out the
candle but Marie Louise has been going a bit short in her stride.
Jimmie ^was evacuated to No. 3 A.G.H. to-day and as Tas Morgan
is on leave and I am the only V.O. within 70 miles it looks as
tho' I'm going to be the whole herd.
4.10.18. Sid Carroll (Capt. Carroll M.C. M.G. Bn) is taking charge
of the clipping to start in a few days' time but this morn: he
couldn't turn up so I had to take delivery of the various
parties for him. That consisted of sitting on a rail for
four hours and signing an occasional paper. Fortunately the
monotony of the occasion was somewhat relieved by running into
Jimmie Watt (O.M.) and later cousin Jim Webb. Wattie told me
that Arthur O'Hara-Wood was killed last week.
Went to H.Q. in the afternoon and had a fine old dust up
with Col. Dowse over the Compound Rations. I'm not sure but I
think I scored a win. Stanhope is going to take Jimmie's
place for the time being. Poor old Jimmie - Stanhope knows
nothing about anything and particualrly about the 4th div.

Sid. Carroll is dossing in with me, he's just returned
from a trip to Rome and is a fine fellow.
5.10.18. Got the old chap bluffed now - as when he shows signs of
retiring/

33
retiring I produce the bottle at which his face lights up
like the door of a coke oven. He invests himself with

enthusiasm and a little more Green Stripe and causes no
further trouble.
Went over to H.Q. and ran into Col. Matson who was installing
the giddy Stanhope in Jimmie's place - poor Jimmie
what a muck things will be in when he returns.
16.10.18. Still nothing doing on the Picquigny front, that is
nothing but the usual 10-25 mile ride. Ran into Adrian
Burbidge at St. Saveur, and he's coming over to see me in my
new home. He's still with the 2nd S.A.A. Section.
17.10.18. Carroll is about 6 ft 4. and like all big men shy and
peaceful till he gets on the booze, and then there's the devil
to pay; there was last night. I was away all day round the
Tommy units and when I got back found him amalgamated with
the contents of about 3 bottles and instigating secession.
He improved steadily all the evening and about bed-time
embarked on an expedition to wipe out about half the neighbourhood.
I managed to get his revolver and we set out on a
tour that will be remembered for many a day. I was between 
two fires because owing to the presence of a gang headed by 
one Bronco you stand an even chance of being sandbagged if your 
head appears outside the billet after dark. It wasn't safe to be 
without a revolver, and it wasn't safe for Sid to be 
with one. What's the use! I needn't have worried tho' as I 
found afterwards we had a faithful and fully armed bodyguard 
of two batmen. Dick Tuckett, Monte Corry and I eventually 
got him home after he'd wrecked one or two places, and the 
bodyguard finally got his field boots off and disposed of him.
All that was Army's fault, they haven't sent the 
clipping machines yet.

18.10.18. Went over with my returns to H.Q. where the lengthy one 
informed me that he's beginning to see daylight again and just 
as well someone is. Tas Morgan returned from leave and there 
is an idea about that he should go to the 11th Bde. and let 
Maj. McKenna take Jimmie's job. I don't want to break the 
news to Tas. He reckons he made the Div. Train.

Carroll is as quiet and peaceful as a lamb but drank 
a bottle of Worcestershire sauce for breakfast. 
19.10.18. See by the papers that Fritz has left the Flanders 
Coast/

34

Coast, Ostend, Zeebrugge, Lille, Roubaix, Bruges, Douai &c.&c. 
also the 5th Army under Birdie has come to light again.

The betting now is 6 to 4 agst. the war being over by the 
end of this year, and 6 to 4 on its finishing by March.

Had a good day's riding as the tommies at Bethencourt have 
been feeding their horses on yew tree or something like that, 
up to date they've succeeded in poisoning two.

20.10.18. Got another attack of the 'flu but as usual nothing had 
enough to throw me out of work even. Gr.X. of Quinine and cigarettes 
for breakfast and everything's set.

Managed to persuade Stanhope to go down to see the tommies 
at Bethencourt so ceased to worry for the time being.

Jimmie is in the lunatic asylum at Amiens but don't know 
what with. Must go down and see him. 

21.10.18. Spent the afternoon poking round Picquigny with Madeline 
for interpreter trying to sell a mule to the local butchers but 
couldn't come to terms so will have to go to Amiens.

Flu: is all the rage again, so of course I have a mild 
attack. Sid is also a victim but a liberal issue of Quinine 
washed down with still more liberal ration of Green stripe 
has pretty near fixed us up.

22.10.18. Rode with the little Doc. into Amiens and with the help of 
the French mission and numerous interpreters arranged for the 
disposal of the mule. Amiens is getting quite busy again and 
we had something approaching a feed at the Hotel de la Paix. 
After that I left Doc to complete the final arrangements and 
rode out to the asylum to see Jimmie. The said Jimmie was 
in the slough of despond, and if his mind isn't affected it 
soon will be - the surroundings including a dour Scot on his 
left, you know.

Fortunately he anticipated moving to Rouen during the 
afternoon - which looks bad for my leave tho', and its 8 
months since I was away.

23.10.18. Doc and Geoff with the aid of the float managed to get 
the donk into the butcher's and saw him finally disposed of 
and arrived home with 400.F. which altogether was a pretty 
good price.

Had to go to H.Q. so called in and saw the lengthy one 
who seems to be very satisfied with things in general and I 
don't/

35

don't like to disillusion him.

Fritz has sent another reply to Mr. Wilson - personally I'd 
answer him with 9.2s.

There's an ugly rumour about us moving again and unfortunately 
ugly rumours generally have a habit of being the goods - 
you can bet which way we'd move.

24.10.18. Perambulated round the tommies again for weekly return 
purposes - gee! they're the limit.

One crowd paraded a horse which they said had gone suddenly 
and mysteriously lame and was a most obscure case. They had 
been most assiduously bathing and fomenting from the hock 
down and when I suggested that a bit nail that could be seen 
without lifting the foot up might have something to do with 
it they were most astonished.

I lunched with Capt. Leonard, the proprietor of the 5th 
Section Army Aux. Horse Coy. He comes from somewhere on 
the Mersey. (I hope that isn't in Ireland) and is one of the 
dinkum tommies I've met.

I always look forward to lunching with him, he's as rough 
as bags and his ignorance of things colonial is positively 
refreshing.

28.10.18. The one thing I want besides Peace is Darkie to come back 
again. Darkie went on leave and left Charlie to groom the 
horses and me - then Charlie went to Paris.

I don't know where the clean clothes are, I don't know 
where the little garnishing for the luncheons de luxe come 
from - I don't even know how to draw the rations. You could 
write books on what I don't know, but I've got an idea what 
all the widowers in the world feel like.

Darkie my boy, the next time you go on/leave you take me 
with you. And I've had the Spanish 'flu, good and properly 
Billie McGregor has been evacuated with it and believe me, 
its no bon.

Adrian and ^a Geelong Grammarite spent the afternoon with me 
and Ade assures me that unfortunately the two youngest girls 
will die of it.

29.10.18. Mooched about all day with that more dead than alive 
aspect and encountered amongst others that the A/A.D.V.S. who 
informed

36

informed me that Jimmie is returning tomorrow. Poor Jimmie 
I'm afraid he'll find things pretty tangled.

3.11.18. Have had another relapse with the 'flu and have been taking 
no interest in anything in particular - hence the following hotch potch.

Jimmie has returned but is hardly himself and I don't 
suppose he will last very long. Old Bishop has been evacuated 
for good probably and Major McKenna has been knocked. I don't 
know how bad his wound is but it leaves us with only 2 V.Os. 
besides the D.A.D.V.S. tho' they have lent us Stanhope and 
he's gone to the artillery.

Abdul has slung in his towel and Austria is breaking her 
neck to follow suit but Fritz has still a kick in him. Unfortunately 
the 4th Div. is booked to go and deliver some more 
unpleasantness at Fritz's address, so we'll be off to the war 
again one day this week. There's the weather to fight now too.

4.11.18. Can't shake off the effects of this 'flu so have sent 
Jimmie an urgent call for leave. I'm not very friendly 
with myself having to ask him just now, but at the same time 
feel that during the past 9 months I've about earned the right 
to consider my own health now that Fritz is nearly settled 
too.

Austria has joined the Turk, so now there's only Fritz and 
Gott: and if I were Gott. I'd sell out right now.

They still seem bent on the 4th Aust. Div. being in at 
the death knock, which can't be very long delayed now - tho' 
the movement order hasn't come to hand yet. Personally I'd 
just as soon read about it all in the papers.

5.11.18. The weather has broken properly and a steady solid rain 
makes this Somme seem the most miserable country in the world. 
Accordingly spent the day in bed - one thing about this 'flu, 
its made me so thin I can slide my pants on and off without 
unlacing them. Just as I was priding myself on never having 
seriously ailed for a day since coming to France.

Spent most of the day wondering what won the Cup - there's 
still only one cup.

6.11.18. Was to have gone over to H.Q. for the cash, but as the 
rain gently tho' firmly persisted,remained in bed.

Saw in the Daily Mail where Nightwatch won the Cup - the 

best/

37

best thing about it was that it is one of the few names I 
remember - its wonderful how out of touch one can get.

Went to the Smart Set in the evening - the 4th Divisional 
Concert party and they put up a real good programme. There 
were a lot of nurses from Abbeville there and they seemed to 
enjoy it alright.

7.11.18. Rode Brownie over to H.Q. for the cash - the first time 
I've been on horseback for a fortnight - felt quite strange.

Again the much talked of move has been postponed for 24 
hours - think they don't quite know where to send us. The 
Boch is going back so quickly and on such a wide front that 
it is evidently very hard to keep touch.

The Froggies were wild with excitement this afternoon over 
a rumour to the effect that Fritz signed an armistice to-day 
at 1 p.m. at Sedon. The Froggies run away with themselves 
at times but I think Fritz is coming over for his issue very 
soon now.

8.11.18. As surmised the cordial tho' dilatory inhabitants of 
Picquigny were a bit ahead of the game yesterday as we could 
see the flashes of the guns when it got dark. Nevertheless 
delegates from the Boch have arrived in the manner prescribed 
by the Allies at the place appointed by Marshal Foch.

I needn't have worried about the peace terms being too 
easy - nobody that hadn't had the father of a hiding would have 
swallowed the pill Austria did. I could have gone home quite 
safely a month ago.

Definite orders have come to hand and we are to entrain at 
Saleux on Sunday. Between you and me, I'm very fed up.

Jack Reynolds has been evacuated and Wm. S. Cook has at 
last come up to see what a war is like.

9.11.18. Late last night a wire came in from H.Q. postponing the 
move another 24 hours - between you and me I wish they'd give 
it a miss altogether. I thought we'd done our share - after 
being strung out with the New Zealanders from Hebuterne to 
Villers Bretonneux, saving Amiens and the allied cause perhaps, 
then nagging at the Boch from March till Aug.8th when we and 
the Canadians set the ball rolling and eventually pushed the 
Hun back 30 miles by the end of September, and that was the 
beginning of the end.

Now/

38

Now we've got a dreadful train journey ahead of us and 
have got to get into it again in weather that's enough to 
knock out any Australian. Still we came over to do a job!

10.11.18. A couple of fine tho' very frosty days have intervened 
and helped to cheer matters a bit but I'm very fed up as its 
nearly 9 months since I came back from leave.

Rode over to get final instructions from Jimmie and found 
the move is put back another 18 hours. Wonder what the Hun 
delegates will say in the meantime they've got only till 11 a.m. 
tomorrow to say Yes or No to our terms and by the way according 
to the Daily Mail old Bill has taken to his scrapers while the 
Clown Prince and. numerous other nobs are prepared to do likewise.

11.11.18. Darkie woke me with the news that we are out of a job 
and that Fritz has caved in. Goodness knows how the news got 
through. Early civilian travellers from Abbeville had the 
good oil and the 14th Bn. picked it up on their wireless later.

Then Brig. Gen. Brockman announced it in the square at 
Picquigny amidst great excitement and by midday the town wore 
a most gaudy and beflagged appearance. Every lorry, bike 
and other vehicle flew the French tricolour derived from a 
stock which came to light in a most mysterious manner.

By a strange coincidence the Canuks had just got Mons so 
that famous place figures for England and her Dominions in 
the opening and the finish of the war.

12.11.18. The terms are in the papers to-day and if Fritz carries 
them out as he has agreed to do there'll be no more war. We're 
leaving nothing to chance tho' apparently and we are still 
booked for Epelry to join in the interesting promenade to the 
Rhine. Unfortunately the railway at Roisel has an unfortunate 
habit of blowing up every little while aided by some mines 
with 90 day fuses of Fritz's. The move keeps being put back 
24 hours and according to the latest we don't entrain till 
the morning of the 14th. The 13th Bde. are up there and 
of course the artillery which hasn't been out of the line yet.

13.11.18. Another postponement wire has fixed our departure at 
12.35 p.m. tomorrow so entraining at Saleux we'll have to pull 
out of here at 7 a.m. - pretty chilly too! Then we'll 
arrive at Epelry in the dark and have a glorious night - all 
dressed up and nowhere to go.

Walked up the town last night and couldn't make out 
what was the matter till it dawned on me that it was the first 
time/

39

time I'd seen in a lighted town since leaving the Cape in 
June '17.

Things must be in a terrible way in Germany - it is reported 
that the Clown Prince has been assassinated and old Solf 
is asking for an early discussion of Peace terms owing to 
pending famine.

14.11.18 &

15.11.18. Got thro' Picquigny about 7.30 am.m for a very chilly ride 
to Saleux where we arrived at 10 o'clock and we loaded up 
about 11.30. Then followed an exciting wait till 6 p.m. 
when an engine arrived and we started. Had a freezing trip 
thro' Villers Bret. Chaulnes, Peronne and got to Epelry about 
2 a.m. where some chappy met me and handed me marching orders 
to proceed to Fresnoy some 18 kilos away. The siding at 
Epelry was a mass of wire shell holes and other debris so 
after unloading I decided to wait till daylight before yoking 
up. Daylight and about two inches of frost eventually 
arrived and we soon got on the road. Went thro' Basse 
Boulogne, Bony, Bellincourt, Nauroy and Montbreham - in none 
of which was a home standing, and met our advanced guard 
Jack Austin at Fresnoy our destination. Jack had taken over 
from the 1X. V.E.S. and showed us into good stables and fair 
accommodation, considering Fresnoy is a fairly big place and 
hasn't been very badly knocked about, but we are getting out 
of the country where the heavy fighting took place. During 
the trip we crossed old Hindenburg's line and we are now 
between and out in front of Cambrai and St. Quentin, in 
country that has been Fritz's for over four years.

Wish you could see me now. I am occupying a room in a 
much battered house ornamented with several of Fritz's 
attempts at wit. A stove is smoking famously in the middle 
of the room and several candles are following suit. Various 
impedimenta including one culinary apparatus are scattered 
round, and the faithful Darkie is sleeping the sleep of the 
just on a mattress in the corner. Some well oiled French 
soldiers occupy the opposite and only other sound room and 
they will persist in coming in with a glass or glasses of hot 
wine, drinking to the entente, the armitie, bonne chance or 
in fact any old thing. Tho' the temperature outside is 
about 25^o.F. altogether its a homely scene.

Fritz seems to be carrying out the terms as he notified 
us by wireless of a big mine which was removed just prior to 
our arrival at Epelry. However Bohain and other adjacent 
towns keep blowing up. Came up in the train with one 
McCarthy of the 16th who inter alia captured 70 Fritzes 
single handed and has been recommended for a V.C.