Diary transcript of Reginald Harriman Heywood, 1918-1919 - Part 10

satisfactory argument with two butchers who arrived on the scene
from Charleroi I proceeded with the task of carrying out the more
or less hazy instructions that have been issued. Major Fletcher
has taken over the duties of D.A.D.V.S. of the 1st Divsl group, so
counting Jimmie and McKenna we have about three D.A's.D.V.S. - I
say about three, but I could'not glean much information from any of
them. To make a long story short I spent the greater part of the
day riding, and managed to get into touch with D.A.D.Q.S. and the
O.C. of the 1st Mobile (Capt Lucas) at Chatelineau and Couillet
respectively.  Demobbing wont be quite such an easy job as Jimmie's
sanguine instructions would seem to imply, but I have instigated
proceedings which lead me to hope that we may get all cleaned up
by the 3rd inst. One fact that makes it awkward is that all gear
and equipment has to be handed in at Chatelineau and after that
the animals - with only head cellars and chains left by this time -
have to be handed in at Bresins many miles away. Work that cut for
yourself - men to be fed and men and kits to be moved.
.4.19 Cocvered some four or five lbs. of paper with figures understandable
and otherwise. The total gear, stores, and equipment received
in 1916 has to be accounted for to D.A.D.O.S.; then covered
some 50 odd kilos in a trip round Tarcienne, Stave and Corenne, coming
back through Florennes and Morialine. Delivered a parcel to the
old lady for Darkey and had a very nice lunch with the Genicot
family.
.4.19.  Disfigured several more lbs. of perfectly good paper with
figures etc. and put in the day sorting and labelling all our
stores and equipment ready to hand to D.A.D.O.S. to-morrow. It's
rather harder to get out of the army than to get into it, and today
has been a very busy day, especially as Jimmie's classical
order has left me absolutely to work out my own salvation. There
are the stores, equipment, papers, animals, imprest and regimental
funds, accounts and men to dispose of, to say nothing of billeting
accounts, ditto Anzac Bulletin and Aussie claims and other accounts.
Anyhow, everything is pretty nearly ready this evening.
I had to give Madam here a little address on Australia as a sort
of farewell effort. Amongst other questions she asked me - are
there any villages there, and that provoked me, so I proceeded something
like this - There are five villages in Australia. but they
are all a thousand kilometres apart (I forget whether I said
metres or grammes, but I meant kilometres( and Australia is as big
as all outdoors. It's a land of long distances and big things, and
there is nothing little or small about it. - above all, the  a wholw sun
always shines. On the North and the West it is bounded by all the
pearls in the sea, and to the South and the East it is bounded by
by kingdom come. Above it is the Southern Cross. and underneath, all
the gold in the world. On its surface there are oranges and milk
and honey, wattle blossom and boronia. gum trees, and dear clean
warm dust. sweet scents, and people with hearts as big as their
land

[*Braine l'allend  → *]  See page 3 

 

 

land. Oh! it's some country, Australia, and I told here a whole lot
more, but you would'nt believe it, I believe I've stirred the w
wanderlust in her, and one of these days she'll go as far as
Charleroi.
.4.19. In our first tests of real spring weather we proceeded to
Couillet, dumped our kits there and then on to Chatelineau where
everything was handed over to D.A.D.O.S. except the horses which
Jack Austin took over to the 14th Company at Bresme. With a pocket
full of receipts and a chest full of heaviness I returned to the
1st Mobile on foot. I am attached to 1st M.V.S. but Lucas has a
billet down the town for me and I am to mess with the 6th Batn. As
the billet wasn't available to day I spent the night in Charleroi
where I met Percy Sparks, 31st Bn and Adrian Burbidge.
.4.19 Returned to Caillet still in perfect Spring weather and o
ttook up my new quearters which about concluded by extertions o
for the day.
I'm very sorry at having to hand over the boys - what a
great lot they are when I come to think of it - not strong regimentally,
but very sound otherwise. Anyhow I could give any job to
anyone of the old section and then my worries were over - I always
knew they would get through somehow or some way. It's a little
old world, is'nt it. In this new mess already I've discovered several
old acquaintances, including Dave Ednie.
5.4.19 (See back)
.4.19 Still delightful weather, so after strolling up to the Orderly
room and then sitting on a log in the sun all morning I caught a
tram into Charleroi after lunch and engaged in the strenuous occupation
of listening to the 24th Bn. band in the Square. Ran into
little Sgt. Gill there who used to be at Larkhill, and he informs
me the Austn. hospital at Calais is being broken up.
Got home just in time to be greeted by the boys who had been
to the races at Thuin. Dave informed me that he'd had a glorious
day - very tight and broke, so perhaps I knew something when I sat
on that log this morning.
.4.19 Conceived the brilliant idea this morn. of going to Waterloo,
and finding a sympathetic listener in Lucas we set out about 10 a.m.
Arrived at Charleroi we ran into V.O's Macindoe and old John
Robson who had with them a padre and a rough Colonel. so we were
quite a party. We descended from the Brussels train at Branc
l'Allend [* from page 2 - Braine l'Allende*] and walked from there to the old battlefield. We lunched
at Brown's Hotel founded in 1817 by St. Major Cotton, the author of
"A/Voice from Waterloo" and had afternoon ^tea at Wellington's Hotel -
altogether it was a most interesting and delightful trip. All the
old places are still in existence. the farm houses of La Haye
Sainte. Mont St Jean, Hougomont, Belle Alliance. Quatre Bras is a
little distance up the road and parts of the famous sunken road
still

Borrowed a horse from the excellent Lucas and rode
to Gerpinnes where I bearded all the lions in their
dens with a measure of success. I managed to unearth
Jimmie Rodgers which was rather fortunate, and the [[?]]
results are that Doc, Jack Austin and Donald McSwain
to proceed to England on the next draft while I am [[?]]
follow with the rest of the old hands, the papers and
records and Jinnie on the following quota about the 13
inst. Meanwhile I'm to have a few days in Paris, so altogether
it wasn't a bad morning's work.
The weather has been perfect for four days now,
one way and another everything looks couleur [[?]]
rose.
 

still exist. though the huge memorial mound surmounted by the
25 ton Belgian lion covers a part of it. Numerous monuments
were inspected, including the one to Lord Uxbridge's leg. From
the top of the mound the whole front of five miles can be seen,
extending from Hougumont to Papelotte farm. Both army headquarters
were in view of one another - some battle ?, but of
its kind pretty willing. The panoramic painting in the cyclorama
on the field is worth going a long way to see.
8.4.19  Took a little ride on Lucas's famous charger as far as
Gerpinnes. Lucas reckons he's a good hack; do'nt know what he'd
have said if he's ever had a ride on Brownie. Nothing doing
over at H.Q. except that everything is all right for us to go
on the next quota concentrating on the 13th inst.
Major Mackenna is still over at H.Q., but of course
Jimmie has been gone some days. In the evening we had a dance
at the 6th Bat. mess - all the elite of Cuillet (and others)
were there, so it was a great success.
9.4.19 Little 'Doc', Jack Austin and Donald McSwain left us today
en route for Australia, and that reminds me of what great
fellows they were, and of an argument I had to day with a Tommy
officer. He said "What splendid fellows you are, but what a
shame it is you've got no discipline". I replied that I had the
honor to command what was apparently the most ill-disciplined
crowd in France, and yet I wouldn't have changed them for any
one of the Imperial veterinary sections, some 70 or 80 in number.
That statement wasn't altogether sentimental; there was a
good deal of cupboard love about it. As I've said before, I had
only to give an order and then any worries were over - anyway
that system never failed me in twelve months, and I don't think
they ever let Jimmie down in over two years. Things like that
don't happen amongst undisciplined armies, and my idea of discipline
is this. A well disciplined army is the one that intelligently
grasps and carries out its commander's orders; it salutes
with its initiative instead of its hand, and that's something
the Digger could always be depended on for - to use his
initiative.
On several occasions the papers have rated the Digger
for being too eager - for running into his own barrage and
things like that. I know that on one occasion when Billjim
got it in the neck for thus being too venturesome it was due
to the lack of support from the apostles of discipline on his
flanks that caused him to be where he shouldn't have been.
That
 

 

That's perhaps not a very kind thing to say, but the evidence
is good enough for me - the digger doesn't say mcu much unless he's
got something to say.
But all this is going back to the old question of
squaring the circle, isn't it? - it gets us back to the question
of officers.  For an order to be carried out it's not a bad
idea that the order should be an intelligible one - I couldn't
tell my Tommy friend that, so we parted good friends, and I believe
I've got him thinking a bit, though he'll probably very
soon find that a bit of a bore.
By the way, in to-day's paper Gen. Foch refers to the
Diggers as incomparable shock-troops of the first order.  At a
rough guess I'd think Gen. Foch knows as much about discipline
as most people.  The argument concluded my exertions for the
day tho' I did go as far as Charleroi per tram in the evening.
 10.4.19     Held our last horse sale to day and everything went like
hot cakes.  The donks averaged over 1200 fr. a time. Our own
old Bess topped the sales, and I think heads the corps list -
3,700 fr.  Somehow I couldn't go and see her sold, but she's
one of the few that is worth her price.  Anyhow, a Froggie that
weighs out 4,000 for her should have enough sense to look
after her - I rode to Gerpinnes instead and attended a lecture
on Cadres, and hope I learnt something.  Army administration is
like the University calendar - very haard to know, but if you do
know it you can get what you want without working for it.
 11.4.19     Did nothing worthy of note till the evening when Dave
and I and one Capt. G.G. Samuel went as far as Charleroi - Sammy
is a Company commander, and one of the best, a Victorian, as are
all the 2nd Brigade, and most entertaining. We ran into everyone
at the Officers' Club, and I think came home in an ambulance,
Lester Kelly, the two Riggs, Percy Sparks and numerous others
were there, but it's hard to remember them.
 12.4.19     Carried on with the busini this morning and after slipping
for breakfast biked into Charleroi to see off a quota for
Le Havre. Gee? It's a great business seeing off these quotas -
all Charleroi is there in tears.  Fortunately we were able to
persuade the diligent Tommy in charge of the bar at the Club
that we were unhappy officers off the Boulogne express and he
fixed us up with a couple of brandy and sodas which were
clearly indicated.
Interviewed the Horse Guard this afternoon and they
gave me a clearance, so now everything is fixed - good job they
didn't notices those six receipts too many.
In the evening we patronised the 2nd. Brig. Stadium in
 

[*spurge →*]
 

 

force and the truppen put a very good exhibition. As a matter
of fact the cheapest 3 frs. worth I've had at a boxing ring.

13.4.19     Together with Sgt. Holding and Ptes. King, Riley, Phillips
Rutherford, west and Connolly reported to Lieut-Col Spurge, the [*from page 7 spurge →*]
O.C. of Quota No. 35 at the A. Div wing Charleroi. The Col. gave
a short address to the officers and then we were free for the
day, so I came back to Couillet where I intend to remain until
the time of entraining on the 16th. The Col: did suggest making
me a company commander but I declined the honour and suggested
that he should make me second in command to the M.O.
Each of these quotas is organised here as a batallion
and goes right through as such, though being on a cadre I don't
expect to go through with No. 35.

14.4.19     Hopped a lorry into Chatelet where I visited the paymaster
for the last time I suppose, and changed my Belg: currency
into French - a very wise precaution. Ran into old Tas
(now Major Morgan) and bade him farewell, and then not being so
fortunate as regards transport, walked home. Packed up my section
records and am now all ready to oozle off

15.4.19    Moved my hdqrs to Charleroi, where Gen McLagan inspected
the quota at 10 a.m., and stored my gear at the Hotel de l'Europe,
but I returned to Couillet and had a farewell dinner with
the "wild cattle" at the 6th B n.mess, returning to Charleroi
afterwards.

16.4.19    We entrained about 9 a.m. and got a move on about 10, which
was a bit of a record in the way of train trips.  As there
were only 13 in our truck and a stove in addition to our valises
we were on clover. Comforts Funds and other people treated
us generously, so altogether we had a good trip tough Mons, Douai
generously us generously, so altogether we had a good trip
through Mons, Douai and Arras. Played bridge until about 10 and
then spreading out the old valise slept like a top. 
17.4.19     Woke up about 8 o'clock near Amiens and as the kitchen
van was next door to us easily gathered a little nourishment
and also had an invitation an imitation wash and imaginary
clean up. We got to Romescamp about mid day and pulled up
there for lunch - took the opportunity of walking down the
train (some 50 trucks) to see Jimmie, who isn't too keen on
train trips.
We got to Havre about 6 p.m. and marched 5 kilos out to
the A.G.B.D. where we arrived very dirty and not a little tired
after 30 hours in a truck with a stove, but all things considered
after a very good trip. We were shoved into Nissen huts
with blankets on the floor, but theortetically we are dirty
 

dirty, lousy and diseased, and I understand that we steadily

ascend in the social scale..  two others and I sneaked into 

the staff bath room/in the next camp and had a glorious hot

bath.  They say stolen fruit is the sweetest - whether or no, 

I'll always remember that bath.

18.4.19    Everyone was bathed, shaved, deprived of all equipment

and issued with new underclothing so that it was a hew

lot of men who during the afternoon marched into another and 

better camp (No.2) and only a couple of hundred yards away.  As

a matter of fact, we're pretty comfortable here, bunks to sleep

in and fine mess, ante rooms, billiards, pianos and concert and

 cinema shows.  Already here I've run into Jimmie Graham (of

old Mac's), Bubs Jackson and Percy Sparks, who came in this

afternoon with quota 36.

In the evening Capt. McEwen and I strolled along

through Montevilliers, and I naturally thought of the same

walk with Robbie and Snowy Reynolds and Tucker over 20 months

ago now - What a lot has happened since then.  McEwen is a 

fine fellow and used to have the second D.A.C.

Major McKenna and old Mollie Morgan are in the 

camp somewhere.

19.4.19    Attended a lecture by the Camp Adjutant in the Cinema

Hall and on the subject of Repatriation and Demob:  He was

quite a success and pleased the Diggers immennsely

Immediately afterwards there was another Conference

for officers to attend to and by the A/ Camp Commandant.

This wasn't quite such a success and the above named person

is a sad thing.

After lunch we repaired to the football ground and

wiped out quota No.34 (3rd Division) at the Australia rules

game.

20,xx19 The  Sunday xxx adjutant paraded us to Church and adjutant

is a most objectionable peroson and has the real Tommy xxxxxx

20.4.19    The A.G.B.D. Adjutant paraded us in the morning, and

being Easter Sunday we were then despatched to Church.  Said

Adjutant is a most objectionable person and has the real

Tommy Sergeant Major style - as a matter of fact he was in

the Imperial Army as such.

After lunch the 4th Div:Rugbyites of quota 35 again

polished off quota 34.

21.4.19    Again the Adjutant paraded us and made himself decidedly

objectionable. He's one of those people who hasn't been near

the line and it seems to me rather out of place for him to

be running the rule over officers, some of whom are original

Anzacs and all of whom have been in the hop-overs during 16,

17

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