Diaries of William Edward Peach 1915-1918 - Part 14

127
1918
Sunday 14th April
Mounted guard at 4 pm. Had a good quiet night.
Monday 15th
Had a rotten day of it. Worst experience I have ever had
on guard. Turning padlocks from early morning to knock
off time. Three of birds giving lot of trouble. Tore
cell to pieces. Major finished up by handcuffing them
and tied them up in orderly room. Went to concert in
theatre at night. Very good show. Got letters from Mum
2, Dad 1, Jean 3, Oll 2, Vera 2, Daisy 1, Lil 2, Glad 1,
Flo 1, Vera Robb 1, Chas Palmer 2.
Tuesday 16th
Snowed hard all day but did not settle. Had day inside
by fire. Pulled out of bed first thing in morning by
Charlie Cookson. Did not know it was he at the time. Got
letter from Mr. Lindsay.
Wednesday 17th
Wet and miserable day. Mounted guard at 4 pm. (24
birds).
Thursday 18th
On guard till 4 pm. Relieved of job altogether. Claude
and I went to cinema at night. Had a yarn to Charlie
Cookson.
Friday 19th
Had a good lie in bed till 11.15 am. Mate brought my
breakfast in to me. Transferred to No.15 camp with our
own Division details. Went to concert in Y.M.C.A.
Saturday 20th
Out on parade in morning doing physical jerks and playing
games. Had afternoon off. 

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128
Sunday 21st April
Church parade O.P.D. in Y.M.C.A. hut. Had a good snooze
after dinner. Went to cinema at night.
Monday 22nd
Firing on range with Lewis Gun in morning and with rifles
after dinner. Went to cinema again at night. Very good
show.
Tuesday 23rd
Morning parade; instruction in Lewis Gun. Mounted
Brigade Q.M. Guard at 4 pm. Very slack guard. No
inspections or turn-outs at all. Lovely Spring day.
Wednesday 24th
Finished guard at 4 pm. Another beautiful fine day. Met
Jack Hodge.
Thursday 25th
Anzac Day. Went on church parade in morning, but no
parson turned up, so we were dismissed. Had to march
down to 1st T.B. Sports ground after dinner. Sports fell
rather flat. Some sustained characters, etc. were rather

good. Met Clyde Kelly. Went to free picture show at
cinema in evening.
Friday 26th
Left Warminster by the 5.30 pm. train. Got to London
about 8 pm. Went from Paddington to Charing Cross and
had an hour or so in the Strand. Caught the 10 pm. train
at King's Cross for Edinburgh. Got letters from Nell Hay
and Aunt Nellie. Route to London via Westbury and
Reading.
Saturday 27th
Travelled north via Grantham, York, Darlington,
Newcastle, etc. arriving Edinburgh at 8.30 a.m. Got a
clean up and a feed and then had a look at the city.
Quite a crowd about being shop half holiday. Weather
lovely and fine. Got a splendid view of the place from
top of Scott's monument. Went to Theatre Royal at night
to see Uncle Tom's Cabin. Good show. 

129
1918
Sunday 28th April
Feeling rather tired after long journey so had a good
sleep in. Went for a trip out to Penecuik by bus and
didn't get home till late. Had a real good day's outing.
Everything looking lovely after spell of good weather.
Monday 29th
Got up early and went to Queens ferry for the day (by
bus). Got a splendid view of the Forth bridge, and Firth
of Forth. Dreadnaught Destroyers, etc. lined up ready,
as far out as eye could see. Wonderful sight. Bridge a
marvellous feat of engineering. Left Edinburgh for
London by 10 pm. train.
Tuesday 30th
Travelled back via Newcastle, York, etc. Slept
practically all the way. Got in to King's Cross at 7.30.
Spent the day roaming around London. Had a look through
Hyde Park, Kensington Park, Green Park, Victoria and
Albert Museum, National History Museum, Albert Memorial,
Albert Hall, Marble Arch. Bought a birthday present for
Lil and one for Glad. Left Paddington for Warminster at
12 midnight.
Wednesday, 1st May
Arrived at Swindon about 2 am. Had to wait there till
about 5.30 and then caught train for Warminster (via
Westbery). Got back to camp about 8.15. Too late for
parade so had morning off. On medical inspection in
afternoon. Got letters from Mum 1, Oll 3, Daisy 1, Lil
1, Alice 1, Mary 1, Harriett 1. Aunt Nell 1. Met Stan at
night.
Thursday 2nd
Not feeling too good so took morning off. Out on parade
in afternoon. On picket at Sutton Veny at night. Had a
look in at the Music Hall and then came home. Got
letters from Mum 2, Jean, Daisy, Lil, Lil Smith, Aunt
Kate, Nell French, Aunt Nell and Ruby. 

130
1918
Friday 3rd May
Lil's 21st birthday. Camp told off into two fighting
Battalions in case need for home defence. Kit inspection
for draft after dinner. Jack Hodge and I at concert in
theatre at night. Got a letter from Nina Bell.
Saturday 4th
Fooling about on parade ground all morning. Spent a busy
afternoon writing letters. Having lovely weather.
Sunday 5th
Got parcel from Mum. On picket at Sutton Veny at
night. Had made arrangements to spend night with Stan so
dismissed picket and cleared out. Stan and I went to
concert in evening, and had feed on way home,
Monday 6th
Posted registered packets to Lil and Glad. Out on stunt
with live ammunition all morning. Draft inspection after
dinner. Went to concert in camp theatre at night.
Tuesday 7th
Dodged morning parade. Got over in woods and wrote
letters. Bak sheesh picture show for draft in cinema
hall after dinner. Rotten day. Raining hard. All set
ready for France.
Au Revoir
Left Sandhill Camp with draft (about 700) at 8 p.m.
March to Warminster funniest I saw for many a day. All
in "mass" formation. just like crowd coming home from
football match. Left by train at 10.15 pm. Stan and
Jack Hodge down to Brigade Parade ground to see me off.
Got parcel from Oll couple minutes before marching out. 

131
1918
Wednesday 8th May
Arrived at Folkestone (via London) about 5 am. Billeted
in a fine lot of big houses (for morning) along the sea
front. Crowd all hopped over the fence and went into
town. Went for a stroll into town and along promenade
myself. Folkestone is a very pretty place, beautifully
laid out with flower gardens. Marched to pier and went
on board S.S.S. Invicta about 3 pm. Weather lovely and
fine and sea nice and calm so had a good trip across.
Tommies, Canadians, Aussies, N.Zealanders, Froggies,
Belgians, Yanks, Civvies, Waacs, Nurses all on board.
Arrived at Boulogne at about 5.30 pm. and walked around
to station. Entrained and travelled as far as Etaples.
Waacs on train along with us. In camp at Etaples along
with the Canadians. Had our meals in the Sergeants Mess.
Made very welcome.
Thursday 9th
Vera's birthday. Had a medical inspection by Canadian
doctor. Marched to Bull Ring after dinner and went
through gas tests. Took a trio across to Paris Plage at
night.
Friday 10th
Reveille 4 am. Got our ammunition, iron rations and
W.P.S. Left Etaples Station about 8.30 am. and arrived
at Berquette about 4.30 pm. (route via Hesdin, Anvin, St.
Pol, Pernes and Lillers). Tommy officers in charge of
us. Marched to Division Reinforcement Camp at    .
Glad to get into bed at night.
Saturday 11th
Inspection by General Walker. Went for a walk into Aire
at night with George Crawford and Jim Radcliffe. Had
quite an enjoyable evening together.
Sunday 12th
Moved off to the 1st Staging Camp. I was in charge on the
baggage so got a ride on the motor. Big air raid in that
sector of country at night. 

132
1918
Monday 13th May
Started off to rejoin unit. Went as far as wagon lines
on G.S.wagon in charge of kits. Passed through
Hazebrouck. Town not completely wrecked. Left our pack
with Q.M. and got into fighting order. Reached Battalion
at 7 pm., put in charge of No.2 Platoon and moved off
into supports on right of Bourne and Strazelle at 8 pm.
Dirty night, heavy rain. Took over from 12th Battalion.
In good billets (old farm house).
Tuesday 14th
Went out with Officer in morning to reconnoitre our
support trenches. Company on fatigue up near front line
at night. Digging outposts etc. Another big air raid
on. One of our boys hit.
Wednesday 15th
Fritz got a shell right on to us about 8 am. Several
killed and a number wounded. House collapsed and we were
buried in debris. My wounds not serious but numerous.
Got it in head, hands, right shoulder, back hip, legs,
knees and ankles. Managed to pull myself out from
rubbish, and after getting first aid from SBs walked to
Advanced Dressing Station at Bourne (Jimmy Donnet
assisted me down). Had wound redressed and then taken to
Main Dressing Station in ambulance. Particulars etc.
taken there, inoculated with anti-tetanus and taken on to
C.C.S. (15th Imm) at Ebblingham in Ambulance Car. Put on
table at C.C.S. and went under operation. Got an
injection of morphia and had a bit of a sleep. Put on
Ambulance train at 8 pm. Fritz bombing close to station
so had to move in quick time. Had a very tedious and
rough journey to Base. Suffering a lot with pain in
stomach. Unable to sleep. Doctor gave me a drug but
even that was no good.
Thursday 16th
Arrived at Boulogne about 6 am. Admitted to No.13
General Hospital (American). Out in ward B3. Lovely big
building on sea coast. Originally a casino. Had my
wounds dressed and got settled in bed. Doctor gave
me a bit of a hurry up for 10 minutes or so. Unable to eat
or sleep. Very painful. 

133
1918
Friday 17th May
Feeling none too clever. Have to lie on my back all the
time. Had some good music in ward after dinner. Piano
and violin. Had my hair cut right off.
Saturday 18th
Still having perfect weather. Had a couple of French
ladies up singing to us. Suffering all night with
violent pains in the stomach.
Sunday 19th
Had a couple of Waacs (telegraph operators) round paying
us a visit. Got a bit of sleep for first time at
night. Bombing raid on town some time through the night.
Monday 20th
Feeling much better, able to sit up and have a look
about. Eating my food better. Doctor took stitches out
of my wounds. One on hip quite healed already. Beach
looking lovely, quite a number in swimming. Spilt a cup
of hot tea over myself at tea time. Luck happens it was
not hot enough to scald me.
Tuesday 21st
Grace's birthday. Feeling pretty good again. Nice fine
day.
Wednesday 22nd
Still in bed. Getting full up of it already. Had some
good music after dinner. Had an injection of
anti-tetanus.
Thursday 23rd
Very wet and dirty day. Sea extra rough. Spent most of
afternoon playing cards and draughts. 

134
1918
Friday 24th May
Got up for a while after dinner. Feeling a bit groggy
and shaky in the pins. Had a couple of games of draughts
with the "doc". Too good for me. Beat me both times.
Saturday 25th
Up most of day. Not feeling too strong yet. Went to
pictures for a while after dinner
Sunday 26th
Did a bit of letter writing. Went for a bit of a stroll
down by beach. Big crowd out on sands and along
promenade. Band playing on promenade.
Monday 27th
Spent day indoors. Working out puzzles all afternoon and
evening.
Tuesday 28th
Weather keeping lovely and fine. Spent the afternoon
lying about on the sands. Quite a number in bathing.
Concert for Hospital staff by 7th Brigade A.I.F. concert
party. Patients not admitted, so stayed outside and saw
it all through window. Real good show. Got back to ward
about 10.30 p.m. Was not reported by Sister.
Wednesday 29th
Had the R.G.A. band playing at the hospital all the
afternoon. Had a look at the Baseball match between the
Yank orderlies and doctors in the evening. Concert at
bight but again patients not admitted.
Thursday 30th
Had French band playing out in front of hospital.
Friday 31st
Got another injection with the big needle. Spent the day
writing and playing draughts. Air raid at night. 

135
1918
Saturday, 1st June
Had quite a good time of it out on the sands. Seven or
eight of us there together. One of the Sisters brought
us across a nice bag of oranges (4d. each) and a bag of
walnuts. Had quite a feed. Quite a change after the
tucker we get at the hospital.
Sunday 2nd
Beach crowded. Quite a pretty sight to see all the
different colours mixed together. Khaki and blue very
prominent. French band playing on promenade during
afternoon. Had our little signal service Waacs around
paying us another visit.
Monday 3rd
Spent most of day out on beach. Fritz over at night,
not much damage done.
Tuesday 4th
Usual trips down to beach. Had a bit of a sing song in
ward at night. Fritz over again at night. Dropped fair
number of bombs. Casualties heavy. Main water pipe burst
and flooded cellar where people sheltering. Fair number
drowned.
Wednesday 5th
Got quite a surprise when standing in front of hospital
watching arrival of convoy to hear someone calling me by
my old nickname. Turned out to be young Bill Skidmore.
Had a good yarn to him after he got settled down in bed.
Thursday 6th
Got letters from Lil 2, and Ella Webb 1. (Lil's just 7
months old). Spent afternoon playing draughts. Able to
hold my own with any in the ward except the Doc. Could see
Blighty quite plain.
Friday 7th
Had a bit of a tiff with the sister. Spent a couple of
hours out on the pier fishing. Caught a couple of eels.
The French band played in front of hospital during
afternoon. A Fritz plane over twice through day. Flying
fairly low. Rained a bit during night. 

136
1918
Saturday 8th June
Into khaki once again. Got a good rig-out. Not at all
sorry to be leaving hospital. Worst hospital I have been
in. Tucker and attention very bad. Taken out to No. 1
Convalescent Camp by motor bus. Surroundings look very
satisfactory and tucker good. Went into city at night.
Felt rather knocked up when I got home and feet blistered
with new boots. Wearing issue socks for the first time since
left Australia. Had inspection by Doctor on arrival at
Convalescent Camp.
Sunday 9th
Spent a busy day writing letters. Weather a bit showery.
Went to sing song and service in Y.M.C.A. at night. Camp
orchestra playing in B.R.C.S. Hut during afternoon. Had
wounds dressed properly. Getting better treatment here
than at hospital.
Monday 10th
Up to surgery for dressing in morning. Put on light
duties (light duties here means light games such as
draughts, cards, quoits, etc.). Got paid at last. Only
able to draw half pay. Went to picture show in camp at
night. Showery weather.
Tuesday 11th
Nice fine day. Lying about in sun all day. Had a bit of
a dance (men only) in Red Cross Hut in evening.
Wednesday 12th
Up for inspection by Doctor. Marked light duties for
another three days. Carried on with the usual day's
"hard" work. Went to a Bridge tournament at night.
Thursday 13th
Got a notice from 13th Gen. to call for registered
packet. Granted special pass to Boulogne. Packet turned
out to be a few photos of platoon left in my pack. Went
for stroll down to beach. Got letters from Stan, Mum,
Oll, Vera, Jean.