Diaries of William Edward Peach 1915-1918 - Part 15

137

1918

Friday 14th June

Went into Boulogne at night. Had a good night's outing. 
Heavy shower of rain through night.

Saturday 15th

Up for doctor's inspection again. Got marked same as 
usual. Lovely fine day. Cliffs of Blighty showing up 
very plainly. Went to whist drive at night.

Sunday 16th

Went for a stroll down to beach after dinner. Was lying 
down on sand when who should come along but Dan Ryan 
(just down from line for day or two on escort duty). Had 
a good feed of steak, eggs, and chips for tea.

Monday 17th

Cleared off from camp after dinner and spent afternoon 
with Dan. Went along to Hospital and saw young Bill 
Skidmore. Went to pictures in Y.M.C.A. at night. Got 
letters from Mum, Jean, Oll, Vera, Lil and Mary. Latest 
date 19th April.

Tuesday 18th

Up for medical inspection in morning. Had 4th lot of 
silver nitrate on wound on my back. Had a dance in the 
B.R.C.S. hut at night.

Wednesday 19th

Got an unexpected order about 1.30 pm. for all 
Australians to pack up and be ready to move. Moved out 
of camp at 3 pm. to hospital railway siding. Entrained 
in fine hospital train and moved out about 4.45 pm. Had 
tea and supper on board and dozed off to sleep.

Thursday 20th

Our journey took us via Etaples, Noyelles, Quesnoy, 
Treport, Ccritol, and Motteville to Harfleur where we 
disentrained about 10 am. Country through which we 
passed looking beautiful. Poppies and cornflowers out in 
bloom. Strolled up to No 1 Australian Convalescent Camp, 
and got settled down once again. Camp looking rather 
promising. Good mess.

138

1918

Friday 21st June

Went before doctor for classification. Marked B. Lying 
about in tent all day. Weather a bit on the damp side. 
Went to picture show and concert in hall at night.

Saturday 22nd

Had a bit of old English dancing for an hour or so during 
morning. Young lady with Y.M.C.A. teaching same. Met 
Clarrie Jose and Matt Lang. Clarrie and I out together 
at night.

Sunday 23rd

On guard for day. Very rag time turn-out "10 birds". No 
arms or equipment. Unable to pick out guard from 
prisoners. Band playing in afternoon. Quite a number of 
French folk out for afternoon. Went to open air service 
at night.

Monday 24th

Went to Boxing and Wrestling contest in Y.M.C.A. 
gymnasium. Aussies well among the winners. Yank officer 
referee. Heavy showers of rain.

Tuesday 25th

Went up to lounge after dinner to write letters, but 
settled down in an easy chair and fell off to sleep. Did 
a bit of writing at night. Had a look in at tail end of 
picture show.

Wednesday 26th

Having a very good time in this camp but things get 
rather monotonous as there is nothing much to do. Fill 
in most of time playing draughts, cards, or billiards, up 
in the Sergeants' lounge. Went to picture show at night.

Thursday 27th

Put on a job of line sergeant. Likely to last two or 
three weeks. Fills in a bit of time of a morning getting 
line tidied up a bit.

139

1918

Friday 28th June

Pay day for a number of troops. Things very merry in 
mess at night. One or two of the Sergeants extra far 
gone. Went to picture show after tea.

Saturday 29th

Took a stroll up among trees and gathered some ferns to 
plant in lines. Camp in general very nicely decorated 
with vegetable gardens, flowers, ferns, etc. and glass 
designs.

Sunday 30th

Went to church this morning - Chaplain Robertson preacher. 
Spent the afternoon in Le Havre. Had a look through 
Museum and Cathedral, and around town in general. Quite 
a crowd on promenade. Yanks, Froggies, Belgians, 
Chinese, Aussies, Tommies, Nurses, Waacs, etc. Bathing 
in full swing. Beach very rocky.

Monday 1st July

Oll's birthday. Went to picture show in hall at night. 
Tuesday 2nd

Received a packet of letters. Mum, Oll, Daisy, Aunt Nell 
and Charlotte. Went to boxing and wrestling contest in 
Gymasium.

Wednesday 3rd

Playing bridge over at lounge all day long.

Thursday 4th

Independence Day. Intended going into Yank sports in Le 
Havre but pass cancelled at last minute. Went to 
pictures from 5.30 to 7 pm. and concert from 7 to 9 pm. 
Good show.

140

1918

Friday 5th July

Met Bill Wilson of Silver Creek. Could not recognise him 
until he told me his name. Got letters from Mum, Jean, 
Daisy, Glad, Aunt Maggie, Ida Cookson and Sylvia Thomas.

Saturday 6th

Spent big part of day lying about in lounge. Went to 
concert in evening. Camp concert party. 

Sunday 7th

Church parade in morning. Five Chaplains present. 
Rev.Gault, Rev.Green (M), Rev. Robinson, Rev.Shannon (P) 
and another (P). Spent afternoon writing letters. Had a 
good shower bath. Got a letter from "Percy-dale Ida".

Monday 8th

Up for classification. Marked B+. Went to pictures in 
evening.

Tuesday 9th

Day's programme much about same as usual. Poking about 
playing cards, draughts, billiards, etc. up at mess. 
Beginning to find routine of camp as far as Sergeants 
concerned rather monotonous. Day's work consists of 
getting men on parade at 6.30 am, 9 am, and 1.30 pm and 
calling roll at tattoo 9.45 pm.

Wednesday 10th

Good concert in hall at night given by party of civvies 
from Blighty. Hall, as usual, crowded.

Thursday 11th

Went into Harve for afternoon with Clarrie. Weather 
rather showery, so compelled to remain indoors most of 
time. Had a look in at Crystal Palace for hour or so 
before returning to camp. Yank Y.M.C.A. giving a bit of 
an entertainment. Caught last train back to camp. 
Carriages simply crowded, and most of men very merry.

141

1918

Friday 12th July

Still raining. Had a look in at pictures after tea. 

Saturday 13th

Weather very oppressive. Hot and muggy. Went to concert 
at night given by party of Tommies.

Sunday 14th

Missed morning church parade, so went to service in 
Y.M.C.A. at night. Band started to play as usually does 
Sunday evening, but had to knock off on account of rain - 
France Day - Celebrations spoilt in Harve on account of 
weather.

Monday 15th

Went to boxing and wrestling contests in Gymnasium, then 
to see pictures and then into Y.M.C.A. to hear lantern 
lecture by Colonel Chaplain Merrington, 1st Light Horse, 
on 1st Contingent to leave Australia. Saw some very 
interesting views of 
Gallipoli.

Tuesday 16th

Went for a short route march round through Rouelles and 
back in morning. Had a look in at pictures at night and 
then went to hear lecture by Tommie Sergeant on German 
influence in East. 

Wednesday 17th

Raining hard all day. Spent the day up at the lounge.

Thursday 18th

Attended a meeting of the mess. Things not up to scratch 
consequently meeting got a bit stormy. Had a look in at 
pictures at night.

142

1918

Friday 19th July

Celebrating my 22nd birthday. Went into Harve for 
afternoon. Had a good dip in the briny. Went into the 

Y.W.C.A. for tea, and into the Crystal Palace for the 
evening. Party of Tommies giving an entertainment. 
Weather nice and fine. Came back to camp on last train 
(drunks express).

Saturday 20th

Set in wet again. Our company split up and transferred 
to other companies. Now in C2. Still on job of lines 
Sergeant.

Sunday 21st

All leave from camp stopped for three days. Rounding up 
a few of the strays in Harve. Went to church in morning. 
Band playing for couple of hours in evening. Quite a 
number of French folk out to camp. Got a letter from 
Stan and Mary McGeehan.

Monday 22nd

Things getting very regimental in camp. Falling in to 
the roll of the drums and so on. Lads getting very 
discontented and threatening riot.

Tuesday 23rd

All parades off on account of rain. Had a look in at the 
pictures for an hour or so after tea.

Wednesday 24th

Tried to settle down to writing letters but could find 
nothing to write about. Broke off into the usual way of 
filling in time, playing cards, draughts, etc.

Thursday 25th

Started a billiard tournament at lounge among Sergeants 
of the depot.

143

1918

Friday 26th July

Spent the morning at the Gymnasium watching the 
semifinals and finals of the Volley Ball Competitions. 
Our team was beaten in games but won on points. The 
barrackers were out in full force, and caused as much 
excitement as at a football match. Went across to 
Sergeants Mess at Base to hear concert given by 5th 
Division party.

Saturday 27th

Feeling very lazy and sleepy. Got a parcel from Oll (and 
Aunt Nell) and letters from Lil (written December 4th) 
and Roy Watson. Concert in hall at night by Con. Camp 
Parties (Yellow Dandies).

Sunday 28th

Got a letter from Mum. Went to church in morning, and 
out to hear band in afternoon.

Monday 29th

Received a piece of birthday cake from Lil. Was just the 
thing. Tried hard to settle down to writing, but had to 
knock off as my head started aching.

Tuesday 30th

Finals of basketball played off in gymnasium. Very 
exciting match. Boxing on at night. Took a stroll down 
to sports ground after tea to see Hockey match between 
our boys and Waacs. Our chaps won by a goal.

Wednesday 31st

Played my tournament game of billiards and got beaten. 
Saw a very interesting exhibition of old English dancing 
given by Y.M.C.A. ladies, Tommies and Aussies. Finished 
up with some up-to-date dances.

144

1918

Thursday, August 1st

Discharged from convalescent camp and took up my new 
abode at A.I.B.D. Got a parcel from Mum (for my 
birthday) - cakes, etc. in 1st class order. Went to 
pictures.

Friday 2nd August

Feeling like a soldier once again. Fitted out with 
equipment, rifle, etc. Went to pictures at Convalescent 
camp and then on to concert in Base.

Saturday 3rd

As usual came a thud for guard. Left camp at 8 am. and 
went by train out to 17 General Hospital. Guarding 9 
Fritzs and some British prisoners. Fritz quite satisfied 
with the good time he is having over here. Raining most 
of the day.

Sunday 4th

Came off guard at 10 a.m. Got a ride into Harve with a 
Yank and caught a train from there back to camp. Went to 
the Base Sports after dinner. Not a bad turn out. The 
Waacs race was rather exciting. Went to the open air 
service in the Hall at night. Major Gault was preacher.

Monday  5th

Left for the Bull Ring at Harfluer at 7 am. to go through 
gas. Got a splendid view of the River Seine from Bull 
Ring. Went to pictures at con. camp.

Tuesday 6th

Draft not going till tomorrow, so had a cool off all day.

Wednesday 7th

Had a good steam bath. Left for Harve about 3 pm. Found 
pack rather heavy again after long spell. Draft got into 
a bit of a mix-up with a "Jack" in Harve and caused a bit 
of fun. Left Harve about 9 pm. in trucks (32 to a 
truck). Managed to get a bit of a sleep through night 
(no blankets).

145

1918

Thursday 8th August

Arrived at Pernois about 1 pm. after a fairly good trip.

Went down to Station in afternoon to get an account of 
"big push" from the wounded. Ambulance motors and trains 
very busy with first rush. Went across to Vignacourt 
later to see Aussie wounded arriving. C.C.S's 
over-crowded. Wounded having to wait out on road. Had a 
pair of field glasses given me by one of the lads.

Friday 9th

Poking about Pernois all day. Had a blanket issued us, 
so got good sleep at night. Had a trip down to gas camp 
again to have helmets tested. 

Saturday 10th

Packed up and marched to Vignacourt. Met a lot of our 
Battalion wounded. Got a great account of fighting. 
Caught light railway and travelled in it as far as D 
Went across to La Motte to see details left out of line. 
Met Dave and had a good old yarn.

Sunday 11th

Billeted in dug-outs on side of big hill at Blangy. In 
for a swim a couple of times during day. Acting as 

Q.M.S. for the Brigade details. Fritz over bombing at 
night. Dropped a couple fairly close to us. Heard that 
Fred had been killed.

Monday 12th

Battalion details moved across here to this camp. Had a 
bit of a job getting them settled down in their dugouts. 
Dave and I in for a dip together. Fritz over again at 
night.

Tuesday 13th

Fooling about on parade for an hour. Having beautiful 
weather. Had a good swim before breakfast. Fritz over 
as usual at night.

146

1918

Wednesday 14th August

Had officer round looking for me at 1 pm. to warn me to 
move off as billeting N.C.O. at 7 am. Had to get out and 
fix up about taking a runner with us, and make other 
necessary arrangements. Was all ready at 7 am. when 
special despatch was sent through to say move was 
postponed for 24 hours. Turned into bed again for 
morning. In for a swim with Dave after dinner.

Thursday 15th

Left Blangy at 7 am. Caught bus in to Villers 
Brettoneaux and then on to meet Div. Officers at 
Bayonvillers Rd. Met Budge Robb and other N.C.Os and 
officers and proceeded got find billets at Ceresy. 
Returned to Blangy via Hamel, Vaire, Hamelet, Fouelles, 
and Aubigny and escorted Limber back over same road. 
Reached billets about 11 pm. and got settled down once 
again with B12.

Friday 16th

In Somme E        for a swim. Poking about most of day 
fixing up dugouts. Had Joe Walton over to see me. Went 
in for dip again with Dave after tea.

Saturday 17th

Had lads out on parade getting list of shortages, 
cleaning rifles etc. Went across to 38th Battalion 
after dinner to see Warren Cookson. Had a good old yarn 
together. Fritz over as usual at night.

Sunday 18th

Got into full marching order again and shifted camp 
across Hamlet. Billets far from being good. Town very 
near as bad as Hamel. Rigged up a bed on a kind of 
stretcher. Later learned it was a bier.

Monday 19th

Had a day to ourselves. Billets situated quite close to 
river so spent big part of day swimming. The Somme is a 
lovely spot at this point.