Thomas James Richards, Diaries, Transcript Vol. 4, 9 November 1916 - 31 May 1918 - Part 12

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clear and the sun shone warmly brightening the whole of the
Somme valley, throwing the strong shadows of the tall trees across
the winding tow path and over the slightly transparent water
of the Somme River. Large barges, some being towed by horses
others by a small launch while some moved slowly against the
stream on their journey from Abbeville to Amiens and thence up
to the war zone before Peronne.
It was indeed a cheerful and unusually bright morning. I
pulled up the 11 o'clock train, that connects Boulogne with Paris,
and went on to the town of Amiens with the train. It was Sunday
but only the large establishment were closed so that shopping
went on much as usual.
In the afternoon for 15 minutes I stood at the junction of
several leading roads at Gambetta Place. Electric tram cars
meet here from all parts of the town. The women driving and
conducting these cars looked their part and showed a pleasing
sense of responsibility and importance in the carrying out of
their work. Men and women moved in thick lines across the Place,
their different nationality form and colour of dress making a
sight that caused me to stand by and ponder. The presence of
soldiers were greatly in the majority. The Frenchmen in light
blueish gray uniforms moved about in their free, careless style
chattering freely when in groups but when in twos or alone they
walked briskly and carried themselves upright and soldierlylike.
The officers with a variation of coloured caps moved quickly
across the square. Australians tall and wirey moved observantly
about without any direct mission, some with a sprig of wattle in
their hat but one and all wore a confident air of propriety.
Amongst the French soldiers were some Algerians and Chinese, As
I stood their noting all this as well as the wide deversion in
women folk, some honest peasant people with heavy built, broad
shoulders big hips and clumsy looking feet were outpaces by the
more slender and stylish town women in the break for the number
 

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of roads diverging onto the Place Gambetta. As I was about to
move on behold a thin shanked Indian in turban frock and puttees
wandered across in a absent lonely gait. He added the concluding
touch to a most remarkable assembly.
At the New American Bar we had two real cocktails a martina
and whiskey flip. Both were good and brought recollections of
California back to me. I bought a pair of tan boots at 30/-.
Had lunch at Belfort Hotel. Dinner on the station and back at
school by 8 p.m.
March 12th.   Monday.
There is nothing to report to-day only my own disgust at my
exhibition at drilling the squad to-day. I should be doing a
whole lot better by now. Yet when it comes to a novice to drill
seasoned officers it takes a lot of knowledge and without knowledge 
there is a serious lack of confidence and embarrassment.
The capture of Bagdad comes joyfully to hand. I hope that
our lines of defense along the River will be strong enough to
prevent the Turks cutting our communications again.
March 13th.   Tuesday.
A long letter came to hand from Bert the other day. He is
improving wonderfully in his writing powers and displays a very
observant view of things.
March 14th.   Wednesday.
It is Sports in the afternoon a Soccer game is being played
I am not playing so off I go for a walk along the Somme bank to
the village of Ailly. The Somme Valley is a full ¾ mile wide
a train line runs along the left bank and a Canal which is
mostly the Somme River itself. Aberville is at the mouth of the
river and large barges, loaded, are passing towards Amiens or
returning empty to Aberville. I am not sure how far past Amiens
 

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if at all the barges travel but Amiens is about 50 Kils. up, and
as the wounded are brought down the river I persume that the river
extends to Peronne.
The Valley, below Amiens, is covered in swamps. I have noticed 
wild ducks and water fowl flying about there. The reports
of guns is often heard also; so I expect the Frenchmen get
out shooting. Fishing is very common. It is mostly done with
rod and line, but to-day I saw a Frenchman with one of the
weighted throw nets so common in Egypt, his first throw brought
up three very nice bream.
In the village of Ailly sur-Somme Capt. Burgess, Lt. Sampson
and I had some bottled beer and biscuits. We strolled through the
village taking some pictures inside the "boozer" and got back by
6 p.m. along the tow path. Barges are sometimes pulled by horses,
but mostly by a launch or under their own power. There are a
whole of very sharp bends to get around, this makes it rather
difficult for the very large barges.
The trees are now bursting into leaf and the grass is commencing 
to make the fields green again. This is such a pretty
spot that I would love to be here during the whole Spring. But
it looks as if we will be back in the desolate area.
March 15th.   Thursday.
Our full 8 hours drill goes on as usual. It never drags
with me as I am keen on gaining knowledge regarding infantry
work; I have no express desire to become an expert, just a good
soldier and a little better than others of my rank. It seems
the Germans are still retiring burning and spoiling as they go.
Our paper say we are driving them back. I would very much like
to think so but I fear Fritz is using his head. Anyrate he has
left us with so much battered and broken up territory that transport 
is going to be a very difficult problem with us. Of cause
Summer is near at hand and we will be able to make paths, but
if it rains very much our lot will be very difficult indeed.
We will have trouble to find concealment for our guns too. There
 

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is a whole lot of hard work ahead of the army that remains in
the Somme area. I used to think that we would be relieved in
the Summer and given a rest but it seems that this is not to be.
The officers mess is very good indeed. Breakfast:- porridge
bacon toast butter jam. Lunch:- - Soup stew, curry or boiled meat
or ham and pudding. Dinner:- - Soup, entree, roast and vegetables,
and sweets, fruit or nuts. Afternoon tea 4.30. Supper 9 p.m.
To date it has cost 60 francs a man.
March 16th.   Friday.
To-night I went for a walk with Capt. Burgess into Picquigny
where we had a game of billiards some light French beer an
omelette and cutlet returning back by 10.30 p.m. All other ranks
but officers have to be out of the village by 8 o'clock but
officers stay as long as they like.
The lecture this afternoon on artillery work was splendid
and we gained a whole lot of valuable information.
March 17th.   Saturday.
It is the brightest and loveliest day of the year. The sun
is now full of warmth and so delightful. So much so that I felt
annoyed to find we were not given a half holiday to enjoy it
thoroughly after the month of bad weather we have suffered.
There was a concert to-night by students, and it went off very
well indeed.
There is something going on in Russia that I cant understand
at all. The Czar seems to have been twisting but I cannot see
this as he has had many chances of giving the war to Germany
during the past 2¾ years.
March 18th.    Sunday.
The train from Picquigny to Amiens was 2 hours late. It
should have left at 11.18 a.m. So 22/0fficers got a huge motor
car waggon rather and set sail over the 13 miles to Amiens. The
waggon drivers got 105 francs out of the transaction, and I
suppose they have not been so well off for a long time.
 

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Sampson and I walked up past the Cathedral and while doing
so I kept watching the building and it dawned upon me that it
is really a beautiful edifice and more grand magnificent than
I had previously given it credit for. There are so may minerets
and so much flimsy looking ornamentation about it that I first
considered it so much waste energy. To-day I looked more kindly
upon the hugh structor even if the crudeness of the statues on
the outer walls did make me sorry for the sculptor.
In the American Bar we had a few cocktails and a chat with
a couple of airmen. They stated that the enemy had a new
trench system waiting to fall back into and that there were many
villages in flames this morning. Lunch at the Grand Saloons
Godbert was a perfect treat. It cost me 23 francs with only 5
francs extra for wine. Everything was so clean and the food
splendidly cooked.
We discovered a whole lot about Amiens by walking about. I
met two girl evidently street girls and had a bottle of champagne
with them by myself and caught the 6.18 p.m. train back home.
March 19th.   Monday.
I am Orderley Officer and have bumped against a whole lot
of formalities and drill difficulties. It has been a lovely day
but is raining to-night, which is a shame as we have done very
well lately and there is so much promise of a good Spring.
A letter from Syd Middleton regarding football in Paris
against the all conquering Frenchmen. His note has been 10 days
reaching me so it may be too late now. A trip to Paris would
be a great break just now.
We had a lecture from an A.S.C. officer on Supply. He went
a long way into the complicated business of Supply. But the
most important point how we come to be short of food he could not
say as the correct rations were always sent from the Base at
Havre.
March 20th.   Tuesday.
The headlines of to-days continental edition Daily Mail
 

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reads as though the war was about over. 237 villages were won
back for France over an 80 mile frontage.
But, alas: tis not so it seems to be going to lengthen the war
considerable. As it will take us until well into Summer to get
a strong line of communication up to the front to allow us to
force against the new German stronghold. And then he is going
to survey every inch of ground for miles and miles in front
pick out any likely points which we are likely to use of artillery, 
fix machine guns etc. onto dead ground that must be used
by our troops. And having destroyed even the fruit trees in
his retreat houses are all blown up and our men are going to be
exposed to wind and weather while the enemy has accommodation
of the best. It is probable also that the German will make another
dash for Calais shortly. If he gets there (which I very much
doubt) his chance of winning the war will have gone up very
much indeed. Anyhow, I wish he had remained where he was so
that we could use all of our Winter preparations against him
and probably bring it to a close this year.
General Birdwood came onto the parade ground this morning
and spoke to the officers alone about the necessarty of learning
all they possibly can about the various formations of attack and
the system of leading men in open order.
March 21st.  Wednesday.
It has been snowing, raining hailing and sun shining to-day.
It is just one of those patchy days such as we experienced on our
arrival in France last year. It is the March weather we have long
read about, with wind blowing and calms thrown in.
The rugby game officers V N.C.O.s resulted in one try each
being scored. It was not a very fast game but from a fullbacks
position (my place) it was a very enjoyable game.
March 22nd.   Thursday.
We paraded in overcoats this morning, at first the wind blew
heavily as the snow from over night lay on the ground. Then the
sun shone bright and warmly. Later, as we overlooked a wood with
 

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a view to Sketching and reporting on a system of defense, it
snowed heavily we could not see 150 yards ahead and were soon
coated in snow. An hour later as we marched towards home for
lunch the sun shone out like a hot summers day, the sky was deep
blue and big fleecy clouds moved slowly and prettily about. A
day of contrasts indeed.
To night I went to the Concert at the 4th Divisional School
nearby. The various items were very good and I enjoyed the
turns immensely. But the brightest turn of all was during the
speach making period towards the end we learnt that there was
present amongst a large number of French villagers an aged
couple who were in Paris during the 1870 war and both won distinction 
there. While an officer spoke in French these old
people, dressed in the uniform of 1870, came onto the platform.
The old lady wore long trousers and a short skirt. The old
fellow wore a cockade hat and a blue uniform with red stripes
and facings.
I am still working hard at my work and have no time to
read or write.
March 23rd.   Friday.
There does not seem anything to say to-night. I have been
into Picquigny and came away early. It is 12 months last week
since I left Egypt for France. I have written up my School
dairy to-night I am paying it a whole lot of attention as I take
down all lectures.
March 24th.   Saturday
A letter to hand from Lt. Col. Fitzgerald of the 24th
Battalion giving the team to represent Australia against France.
The team is to meet when all arrangements are completed for
two weeks training.
March 25th.  Sunday.
We had a Church Parade this morning the English Parson was
the best I've yet heard, he got away from the old style of
 

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sermon and rubbed it in good and ably.
It was a run to catch the 11.18 train to Amiens where I
had a decent day, but having met three 9th. Bn. Officer, old
Queensland boys, I had just as many cocktails as I dare touch.
At dinner I was afraid to drink the wine and it was good stuff
too. I got back to Picquigny by 7.20 and had tea there. The
extra hour in the evenings drawn out and makes one think it is a
pity to go back just as the people are coming out into the streets
and the large Boulevard.
March 26th.   Monday.
A rainy day to-day, we have had mostly lectures on different
subjects but mostly leading up to trench attacking. A report
comes from Capt. Maltby that the only building left intact in
Bapaume was the grand Town Hall. This was immediately made use of
by an Aust. Comfort Fund and many other peoples. It is evident
that they credited the Germans with leaving the building out of
recognition of its grandeur, but alas it was blown up by contact
mine five days after the Germans left it and some 40 men killed.
March 27th.   Tuesday
I am beginning to feel a little anxious concerning that football
match in Paris. As long as it is going to take place I dont mind
waiting as the Spring we be more advanced then and Paris, in
consequence, more beautiful. On the other hand owning to my address
being at the School it is possible that some of my correspondence
will be delayed so seriously that the game may go on without me.
Really I don't think I am in condition good enough to play. It
will take a whole lot out of me too but it offers such a glorious
change after so much war business that I keenly want to play.
March 28th.   Wednesday.
It has been a fairly good day. The morning was filled up
with drill but the afternoon was a half holiday with compulsory
football. The Officers played the N.C.O.s and Cadets at the
Victorian code, the latter winning. After the game I put on my
new football boots bought in Amiens at 30 francs and had a good
 

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kick around.
After dinner with Sampson I went for a walk and returned
to Picquigny had a drink and back home by 9.30.
March 29th.   Thursday.
It has been a rainy day and we had some field practices
that broke down on that account. In the afternoon the 1st Divisional 
School played and defeated the 4th Div. School by 9 to 0.
The ground was wet and muddy but still the game was quite good and
closely followed by the crowds of school students. I played at
full back and done alright but I fear I will have to play forward
in any big game as I find I am getting rather slow in my movements.
March 30th.   Friday.
We have had a whole lot of lectures to-day as well as an
interview with General Walker. He drew his criticism of each
officer from the reports submitted by the instructors. Some of
the officers were congratulated some were growled at. I got on
fairly well although he did hand me out a whole lot of advice as
to my gaining of knowledge.
In the afternoon to the surprise and annoyance a Military
paper was placed before us with 10 more or less difficult question
to answer in 3 hours written thereon. I found it full of difficulties 
but fought it out.
March 31st.   Saturday
I find the result of the written examination yesterday
resulted in my being placed 19th on the list of 38 officers with
a total of 54 points the range of points varied from 24 to 82.
After 2 hours drilling the N.C.O.s were returned to their
units while the officers mostly had leave to visit Amiens. I
went in on a rough motor lorry, done some shopping bought some
booze and came home by the 12.15 train. I had two good meals but
no drink at all; as, since I have received instructions to
commence training I have not smoked and touched even my weekly
light allowance of liquor.
 

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April 1st.   Sunday.
The same English preacher as last Sunday was in attendance
to-day to administer unto our sinfulness. And he put up a jolly
good showing too. He took Christianity in a broard sense and
clinched his arguments well down. He did not hold himself up as
an example he knew his shortcomings only too well. But its
Christs goodness His purity and holiness that I want to impress
upon you.
An argument held up against religion is that it is all so
meak and humbling, full of submissiveness and humility. But
from our lesson we get Christ driving out of Gods Temple with a
whip of knotted cord the hawkers and money changers. Mark you
he drove them with a whip. In many other passages in the Bible
is it not plainly shown how he drove and spoke is hard commanding
tones. Oh! yes, even if Christ was meek loving and lowly, it
is not a fact that he treated hardened sinners and those who sought
to wrong him lightly; no he spoke to them in hard tones and even
punished them severely.
We expected to go back to the Battalion to-day and have been
hanging about all day long only to find that the waggon will not
arrive until to-morrow morning for us.
It is most annoying to be kept about here all day long when
we might easily have been told to wander off for a walk or be
granted leave to visit Amiens. It looked to me as though they could
not trust the officers, if this is so, it is an extremely bad
lookout, as officers are supposed to be gentlemen, and even if
they could not be trusted to go on leave then they might at least
have explained the cause of the motor waggons being delayed so that
we could then have rested quitely instead of being about all day
and expecting the waggons to arrive at any moment.
April 2nd.   Monday.
There were not enough waggons to take all hands back to their
Battalions this morning so we remaining 16 officers have leave to
visit Amiens, in fact I am writing these lines in Amiens sitting