Diaries of William Edward Peach 1915-1918 - Part 4

27

1916

Sunday 18th June

Ord. Church parade. Vol. service in Y.M.C.A. at night

followed by communion service conducted by Rev. Simonson 
Y.M.C.A. and chaplain.

Monday 19th

Wet day, had to come in from parade on account of rain.

Bathing parade to Paris Place also cancelled.

Tuesday 20th

Filling in time down on beach, practicing relief of

guards.

Wednesday 21st

Went for a short march down along side railway line.

Lying down playing cards under maple trees. Lovely

morning. Went and had lovely steam bath after dinner.

Thursday 22nd

Packed up ready to move off during night, but

disappointed as 2nd. Div. not ready. Inspection by

general and colonel also put off. Got mail from Jean,

Miss Kemp, Stan, Aunt Nell, Flo, and Daisy on 21st.

Friday 23rd

Went down to Laundry for washing parade. Inspected in 

afternoon by Major Luxton. Showery day.

Saturday 24th

Final inspection in morning by General and Colonel.

Found packs very heavy. Wet day. Wrote all afternoon.

28

1916

Sunday 25th June

Up early, got packed up ready to move off. All feeling

very pleased. Left camp for station at 10 a.m. Put into

horse trucks, about 40 in each. Left station at 12 noon.

Had a good journey. Scenery very pretty. Passed through

Bologne, Calais, St. Omer. Arrived and disentrained at

our billet. Arrived here 8.30 pm. All camped in a big

old barn. Saw aeroplanes, monoplanes, observation

balloon stations, a treat. Saw aeroplanes being fired

at. Splendid night's rest. (Germans camped in this

billet for 8 days).

Monday 26th

On billet fatigue in morning. Out in paddocks doing a 

bit of drill in afternoon. Got a good feed of cherries. 

Tuesday 17th

Went for route march in afternoon. Road very wet and

muddy. Had to march through about 9 inches water in one

place. Officer and about dozen men fell in big gutter

trying to cross over.

Wednesday 28th

Packed up ready to move. Left on journey at 1 p.m. Very

solid marching on cobble stones. Officer missed track

and we had to go about 7 miles instead of four. Crossed

Belgian border. Scenery along route very pretty. 

Pitched our tents and got settled down for night.

Thursday 19th

Messing about fixing up tents all morning. Just had

ours O.K. when had to hand over to 6th Battalion. Not at

all pleased. Got leave and went into Dranoutie. Very

small place but we all got a good feed. Eggs, potatoes,

and custard. Air raids very interesting. Flashes of big

guns very clear.

29

1916

Friday 30th June

Showery day. Practically first day's work for country.

At it from about 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with pick and shovel.

Ground very greasy and hard to dig. Big air raid. About

18 aeroplanes passed over us and a couple of minutes

later we saw them being bombarded. Saw old trenches and

entanglements used early in war. Very cold night. Too

cold to sleep. Heavy bombardments.

Saturday, 1st July

Oll's birthday. Doing same kind of work. Nice day.

Heavy bombardment in evening. 

Sunday 2nd

Repairing roads, working around camp. Most ridiculous bit

of work done for long time. Mounted guard first time in

Belgium.

Monday 3rd

On guard till 6 p.m. Wrote letters to fill in time

Tuesday 4th

The usual pick and shovel work all day. Dull day.

Wednesday 5th

Doing same work. Banks falling in as fast as we dug.

Gas alarm sounded about midnight. Got helmets on but

found out same was false alarm. 

Thursday 6th

Working out near battalion. Dave across to see us in

morning. We went over to them, and dinner time we saw

Caddy and a lot of old mates.

Friday 7th

Same work. Went out to battalion at night. Saw A.

Davis, Will Farley, W. Birrell, Ray Laycock, and a lot of

our boys. Wet day. Also saw Jack Hill. All looking

well.

30

1916

Saturday 8th July

Nice day, Finishing off one of our jobs. Out to

battalion again at night.

Sunday 9th

Working from about 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Battalion inspected

by Colonel at night. General unable to attend. Twenty

of us packed up ready to move out but arrangements

altered.

Monday 10th

Awaiting orders to move off. Estaminet nearby blown to

pieces. Twenty of us moved out at about 6 p.m. en route

for Bailleul. Landed there about 8 p.m. and joined up 

Battalion. Perce, Fred, Bill Woods and I put in A

Company. Met Clarrie, Reuben and the rest of old 

13th/7th boys. Billeted in an old boarding school room

till about midnight when we set off again. We were not

feeling too fresh after about 7 mile march for night.

Tuesday 11th

Entrained for our unknown journey in early morning.

Reached Doullens 7.30 a.m. Had breakfast and started off

on march again at 8.30. Passed through Candas, Fiefies,

Canaples, and various other villages. Billeted in yard

of big store at Berteau court. Arrived at billet about

6.30 p.m. after a very solid march. Many had to fall out

along the way. All about dead beat after we had done the

trip of about 19 kilometres. Went across and had a swim

in creek nearby. It was good oh. Met and had a good

chat to Budge Robb.

Wednesday 12th

Reveille at 8 a.m. Went over to the creek and had a dip

before breakfast. Started off on the march again at

11.30 a.m. Took things much easier. All feeling much

better. Passed through some fine fields. Poppies,

cornflowers and other garden flowers growing everywhere.

Looked very pretty. Had a good march down a shady

valley. Passed through Vignacourt and a few other 

villages. Stayed the night in stables rear of old cafe.

Perce, Fred and I all on guard for night. Did about 12

miles marching and yet find we are only 15 kilometres

from Doullens. Met Jack Butler. Rest of Entrenching

Battalion now with us. Camped for night at Vitesse.

31

1916

Thursday 13th July

On guard till 3 p.m. Started out for march again at

3.15. Travelled about 6 miles and put night in, in an

old outhouse at Rainmeville. Our Battalion very stiff. 

Not allowed out in the street at all. Nice weather.

Friday 14th

Received a couple of papers from Grandpa. Poking about

all day. Colonel gave us a bit of a lecture in evening.

Wrote 2 letters.

Saturday 15th

Did an hour's guard from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. Btn. doing 

bayonet exercises in afternoon. Greatly amused watching

old method of thrashing (horse in bridle).

Sunday 16th

Set out for another march 9.45 a.m. Full brigade. 
Our platoon, Advance Guard, Our Section Van Guard. I was 
one of connecting files in between. Pulled in at 
Varennes about 6 p.m. About 10 mile march.

Monday 17th

At various kinds of training all day. Guns up near line 
rather noisy. Big bombardment all night. Platoon called 
out at 9.30 p.m. to go on inlying picket. Had to sleep 
with all equipment etc. on.

Tuesday 18th

Miserable day. Reveille at 6 a.m. Waiting about all day 
for orders to move off, but found too wet for same.

Wednesday 19th

Lovely day. Celebrating my birthday and 12 months since 
enlisting. Morning and midday meals bully and biscuits, 
but managed to get some cakes and chocolates for tea.

 

32

1916

Thursday 20th July

Dumped packs and blankets. Left Varennes at 9 a.m. 
Fighting order. Marched to Albert via Senlis. Saw the 
ruined church tower. Statue Virgin Mary almost broken 
off. Hanging right over. Bivouaced out in open for 
night.

Friday 21st

Had a poor night's rest. Freezing cold. Half of us up 
about 2 am.m walking about to try and keep warm. 
Cleaning out 4 dug-outs in old trenches all day. Issued 
with extra ammunition, bombs, etc. All ready to move 
off. Spent night same as yesterday. Gas alarm sounded 
about midnight, but false alarm.

Saturday 22nd

On gas guard 1 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. Church followed by 
communion celebrated in afternoon. Moved off from Albert 
at 6.30 p.m. Town in terrible state. Spent night in 
reserve trenches. Shells flying everywhere. Big 
bombardment on our side started at midnight. 
Sunday 23rd

Moved into support trenches at 4 a.m. Got a very warm 
reception. Had to pass through a real valley of death. 
Corpses lying in all directions. Got into trenches and 
moved about a lot from place to place. Doing fatigues. 
Shells flying everywhere. Our boys getting terribly cut 
up.

Monday 24th

On various fatigues all early morning. Sent down with 
party for rations. Got a good wash, feed and drink. 
Fritz gave us bad time when coming back through Suicide 
Gully. Shell burst among 6 of us and sent us flying but 
all escaped injury. Fritz using tear shells. A lot 
suffering through same. Had a little rest in afternoon 
then got ready for a charge.

33

1916

Tuesday 25th July

Moved into firing line and "hopped out" into the charge 
about 1 a.m. Under murderous fire. Artillery, machine 
gun and rifle. Was simply passing through "a hell". 
Unfortunately orders got mixed up and we charged in wrong 
direction. Did best to amend shocking mistake. Men all 
stuck to it like heroes. Wandering about 'No Man's 
Land', for about 3/4 hour. At length, got in a trench 
and were greatly surprised when B company charged us a 
few minutes later with fixed bayonets. Lucky we got them 
to understand things and both companies set out in search 
of enemy. Wandered round for a long time and eventually 
found our way home. All disgusted but glad no fault of 
our own. Arrived back and found things not good in 
firing line. Short of ammunition etc. Worked for hours 
like niggers and soon got things straight. The slaughter 
was horrible and men all fagged out but men hung on. 
"Fritz" using gas shells. I caught it 3 times and felt 
about half gassed. G. Saunders wounded in hand. At night 
got orders to pack up as going out for rest. 
Disappointed when put into another hell (close supports 
at Pozieres). Worked all night repairing trench.

Wednesday 26th

Sent down to Gordons Dump with ration party. Returned 
under murderous bombardment. Shrapnel, whiz bangs, 
suedas, high-explosive shells, bursting all over us. 
Lucky all got through but completely exhausted. I 
dropped winded in my dug-out. Packed up in evening again 
awaiting relief. Got a Fritz Bayonet souvenir.

Thursday 27th

22nd Battalion relieved us at 2.30 a.m. Moved back into 
reserve trenches. Got a shave, wash, etc. and felt a bit 
fresher. Now just near La Bassell Company only about 70 
strong and div. about 1/3rd. Got a very appreciable 
parcel from Oll. Marched back to Albert and camped there 
for night.

Friday 28th

Left Albert at 1 p.m. and marched through Warloy to wood 
near Contay. Camped there for night.

34

1916

Saturday 29th July

Up at 4 a.m. On the track again at 5 a.m. Marched 
through Contay, Herissart, Rubempre, Talmas and pulled in 
at Avigner. March about 10 miles.

Sunday 30th

Marched about 6 miles across country and bivouaced at 
Canaples. Cold night. Letters from Mum (2), Vera, Oll, 
Glad, Aunts Tot and Maggie, Lil Smith, Ida Collins, Ida 
Cookson, Estelle and Imilda Delahenty received last few 
days.

Monday 31st

Not much doing. Had a bit of squad drill etc. to fill in 
time.
Tuesday 1st August

Same as yesterday. Had our pack and blankets issued to 
us. Good night's sleep as I had 4 blankets for the 
night.

Wednesday 2nd

Supposed to be on guard from 4.00 a.m. to 5 a.m. but did 
both Perce's and my own turn in bed. Went for route 
march to Fiefies in morning. Canteen opened for us at 
night so had a "bust up".

Thursday 3rd

Volunteers called for Company bombers but as no 
volunteers, 8 of us detailed for same. I was one of 
them. Bomb lecture in morning, route march in afternoon. 
Concert by boys at night. Got a bit mail - Lil, Daisy 
(2), Oll (5), Jean (3), Aunt Nell, Aunt Mag, Lena.

Friday 4th

Practising trench tactics etc. Posted big letter to Oll. 
Mail closing for Australia. Mosquitoes giving me a bad 
time of it. 

35

1916

Saturday 5th August

Out bomb throwing, 2 men wounded. Lecture rifle 
grenades. Got word about 8.30 p.m. pack up and be ready 
move off 9 p.m. (100 of us). Marched to Puchevillers, 
via Talmas full pack up. Finished journey about 4 a.m. 
Perce left behind with few others on guard.

Sunday 6th

On duty 12 noon to 4 p.m. I sitting down guarding 
explosives etc. Set fire to a trail of cordite. Made 
and fired a mine (3 plum puddings, 22 hand grenades, 6 
bombs, 4 detonators and 2 cakes gun cotton).

Monday 7th

Unloading shells and bombs 12 p.m to 4 a.m. Chimes at 
church sounding a good deal during morning. Lying down 
resting most of day. Juggling 9.2s (288 lbs) etc. from 4 
p.m. to 8 p.m. Good night's rest.

Tuesday 8th

Unloading 4.5s from 7 a.m. to 12 noon. Many Australian 
wounded coming down to hospital daily. Brigade passed 
through town 4.30 to 6 p.m. carrying trench mortar "plum 
puddings". 8 p.m. - 12 p.m. loading wagons. 
Wednesday 9th

12 noon - 4 p.m. firing and experimenting mills rifle 
grenades, shifting shells etc. 12 midnight to 4 a.m. 
Got roused at by Tommy officer for being 1/2 hour late.

Thursday 10th

4 p.m. - 8 p.m. Spent 2 hrs waiting for Major to arrive 
to go on with rifle grenades. Did not turn up so went 
and loaded 18 lbers.

Friday 11th

7 a.m. - 12 noon, 4.30 - 6 p.m., 8 p.m. - 12 p.m. Loading 
and unloading as usual. Writing letters.

36
1917

Saturday 12th August

12 - 4 unloading trucks. Had a good swim in concrete 
bath. Very refreshing.

Sunday 13th

Spent day writing letters. Gazetted as Lance Corporal. 
Got day off.

Monday 14th

Easy day. On from 4.30 pm. - 6 p.m. 8-12.

Tuesday 15th

Very showery, lying about all day. Got letters from Mum, 
Jean, Grace, Fred, Mabel, Glad, Bess, Flo, Charlotte.

Wednesday 16th

At work from 12 to 4 a.m. only. At concert in school 
room in evening (given by RAMC and RFC). Very good. Wet 
day.

Thursday 17th

Wet day. Off all day.

Friday 18th

On from 12 noon to 4 p.m. As soon as got home had to 
pack up and be ready to move off by motors within 3/4 
hour. Travelled via Acheux and Bouzincourt to Albert. 
Dumped packs there and moved off to trenches. Put on 
digging trenches.

Saturday 19th

Put into support trenches. Talking to Eric Ewart, said 
was with Perce till about 1 a.m. Then O.K. Later 
received most painful news that poor fellow was killed 
whilst with reconoitring party, by shell. Felt real 
broken hearted. Bombardment heavy at night. Shells 
falling all around us. Wet day. Very unpleasant.