Diaries of William Edward Peach 1915-1918 - Part 6

47
1916
29th November
Met Laurie Angel, Quirk and several 7th Battalion boys.
Laurie looking well.
30th November
Got letter from Dave. Dull day. Concert in evening.
Friday 1st December
Very cold day. Got letter from Lofty. Went to see
picture at night.
Saturday 2nd
Met Charlie Cook. Did not know him till he told me who
he was. Went to football match in afternoon, and play
(Within the Law) at night. Our boys gave Pte. Rider,
Middlesex V.C., a welcome to Harefield. Got letter from
Phil Bastick.
Sunday 3rd
At the usual game writing letters.
Monday 4th
Concert at night by all Australian artists. Started with
full hall but finished with about 20. Terrible farce.
Tuesday 5th
Got 30 letters, dates ranging from March 31st to
September 25th. Concert in afternoon very good (Geo.
Robey and party). Concert at night rather a break up.
Wednesday 6th
Letters from Ethel Plunket and Alice Smith. Splendid
concert at night by Peter Dawson and party. 

48
1916
Thursday 7th December
Went out for a good walk in afternoon. Leg rather stiff
at night. Got letter from Aunt Nell. Concert at night.
Friday 8th
Discovered I had lost a couple of quid, by strange
coincidence man that found it heard me speak of loss at
tea time. Told me he found it in Ward 18 and handed same
to registrar.
Saturday 9th
Got my two quid back. left Harefield for Weymouth at
11.15 a.m. and landed at destination about 5 p.m.
Travelled via Paddington and Reading. Turned in early
and settled down for night.
Sunday 10th
Examined by doctor and put into Class B1A. Shifted into
different hut. Met Sgt. Scott and Pte Bynon. Went to
long service in Y.M.C.A. at night.
Monday 11th
Met Bert McDonald. Went to Military funeral. First one
I had seen. Marched (Dead March) through main street
Weymouth, then on to cemetry. Had splendid band with us.
Went into town again at night. Town very dark. Went to
variety show.
Tuesday 12th

Out for short march in morning. Issued with full kit

ready for furlough. Got letters from Mum (2), Jean,
Daisy, Ida Cookson, Sylvia and Ruby
Wednesday 13th
Issued with warrants, passes and pay. Left Weymouth at 2
p.m. Arrived Waterloo Station 7.30 p.m. Had supper and
left kit at Union Jack Club. Had a bit of fun finding
our bunks at "Morning Post", in dark. Had a good night's
rest. 

49
1916
Thursday 14th December
Had a bit of a job finding Head Quarters Horseferry Road.
Travelled all over London in buses. Went out to
Shakespeare Hut Y.M.C.A./off Oxford Street for bed and
meals. Had a look all through St. Paul's Cathedral. Saw
Wellington and Nelsons tombs in crypt. Mr. Stirling
of Y.M.C.A. explained everything to party of us. Saw
British Museum (closed during war), Oxford Circus,
Picadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Strand, Regent
Street, National Gallery, Law Courts, Haymarket, Pall
Mall, Nelsons Column, and so on. Went to see High Jinks
at Adelphi theatre at night.
Friday 15th
Party of four New Zealand boys and myself along with
Y.M.C.A. guide paid visit to Tower of London in morning.
The State jewels, old armour, etc. very interesting. Saw
Tower Bridge and Tower Hill where all the executions took
place. Went for ride through Tube (Railway). Went down
at Tottenham Court Road by lift, came out at Charing
Cross on moving staircase. Went to St. Paul's again.
Went up to listening chamber. Attendant spoke to us in
ordinary voice from one side of dome to other (112 ft).
Could hear quite clearly. Went up nearly to top of dome
on outside. Could not get best view on account of fog.
627 steps from bottom to top of dome. Went for a stroll
up Ludgate Hill, Strand, etc. Had a look through Law
Courts. Saw several of the big judges. Snow fell early
morning.
Saturday 16th
Party of us went out in morning with Mr. Stalley for a
look around London. Went from Tottencourt Road Station
to Charing Cross in Tube Railway. Walked along Thames
embankment, around past all the war offices, along
Whitehall to the Houses of Parliament. Went all through
the House of Commons and House of Lords. Next went
across to Westminster Abbey and had a look all through.
Saw all the tombs, monuments, etc., also the place where
the Kings and Queens have been crowned for years. From
the Abbey we went down Birdcage walk to the Buckingham
Stables. There we saw "all the King's horses and all the
King's men". The Stables, Horses, Carriages, and Harness
were beautiful. Saw the school ground on which the Royal
children learn to ride. From the stables we went to the
Roman Catholic Cathedral. This is a beautiful modern
building but will not be finished for another 50 years. 

50
Saturday 16th December (contd.)
Leaving there we went around in front of Buckingham
Palace, to the Queen Victoria Monument (which was
unveiled by the Kaiser). Around this are four gates
representing Australia, Canada, Malay States and South
Africa. Passing along the Mall we entered Pall Mall and
St. James Square (the two most fashionable walks in
London. Saw the gallery from where the public are first
notified (by the blowing of the trumpets) that the King
has died. It is in front of this that the famous horse
guards change over. We went around via St. James Palace
and Marlborough House into Pall Mall. From here we got
on to Picadilly Circus and Leicester Square and then via
Shaftsbury Avenue back to Y.M.C.A. Headquarters. Thanks
to Prof. Stalley, aged about 70, and late H.T. of Christ
Public School we had a good day's look round. The day
was very foggy so spoiled our view considerably. London
fogs are awful. It is hard to see across the road.
Sunday 17th
Had a stroll down Petticoat Lane in morning. Attended
church at Wesleyan Central Hall (Rev. Dinsdale T. Young,
preacher) at 11 a.m. Went for a stroll out by Buckingham
Palace, St James Square etc. after dinner. Met C. Smith
in Trafalgar Square. Went to St. Paul's at 3 p.m. (Canon
Newbolt, preacher). Foggy day.
Monday 18th
Left Euston Station for Glasgow at 10 a.m. arriving at
latter place at 6.45 p.m. Met by Mr. Lindsay and
proceeded to Lenzie. The ground was white with snow from
London right to Glasgow. It presented a very pretty
sight. After having a bit of a chat to Mrs. Lindsay and
Uncle John's sister (Mrs. Sharp) turned into bed for
night.
Tuesday 19th
Woke to find about 9 in. of snow on the ground. Very
pretty sight. Snow fell during day, and there was about
a foot of it on ground by night. Went to picture show in
Glasgow in afternoon, had tea at a restaurant and went to
Red Cross exhibition at night. Saw many old relics of
battlefield. 

51
1916
Wednesday 20th December
Still snowing. Went into Glasgow during afternoon. Had
tea and spent evening with two of Mr. Lindsay's sisters
(Miss Nellie Lindsay and Mrs. Kirk). Wind rising and
snow beginning to fall off trees.
Thursday 21st
Snow still thick on ground, but trees and roofs bare.
Went to circus in Glasgow in afternoon and to Dramatic
Entertainment  given by Lenzie Academy girls at night.
Friday 22nd
Nice fine morning but snow still thick on ground.
Campsie Hills visible for first time. Took a trip into
Glasgow in morning. Had a look through the West End Park
and all around the west end. Saw Lord Robert's monument
and the University. Turned out wet afternoon.
Saturday 23rd
Into Glasgow morning. Went for ride in train along by
the Clyde and the docks. On way back had a look through
McFarlane's iron foundry. Mrs. Lindsay's sister (Mrs
Marshall) came to stay for weekend at "Kenilworth". Day
rather dull. Snow fell for a time. Ground still white.
Sunday 24th
Went to church both morning and night. Dull day. Snow
beginning to melt a bit.
Monday 25th
Christmas Day at Lenzie. Went to church at 11 a.m. Real
English Christmas. Still a good deal of snow left.
Tuesday 26th
Left Lenzie in Edinborough express at 8.30 a.m.
Travelled East coast route via Newcastle etc. Changed at
Peterborough and went to Norwich. Arrived there at 10.45
p.m. Had to get a bunk for night at Red Cross rooms. 

52
1916
Wednesday 27th December
Took a trip out to War Hospital. Spent afternoon at
Hippodrome with Wilkie and Walker. Went out with them to
hospital in evening. Spent night with private people at
Thorpe. (Due back to camp).
Thursday 28th
Had good look through museum at Norwich. Very old and
interesting place. Originally used as a prison. Invited
out to Hospital for afternoon and evening (by the
sisters). Went to concert in main hall, then back to
ward where a splendid tea was provided by couple of
ladies of the town. Whist drive at night. Slept at same
place.
Friday 29th
Had a look through Norwich Cathedral. Fine building.
Climbed to top of tower and then to top of steeple. Was
in tower when clock chiming quarter hour. Got a splendid
view of city from outside of tower. Called out to Nelson
Street in afternoon to see Fred's people. Stayed night
at Thorpe.
Saturday 30th
Out to Nelson Street again after dinner. Staying there
for weekend. Went for a stroll with girls around by the
Market place and then around to see their brother.
Sunday 31st
Went for a walk out to Aerodrome at Household with Mr. P.
and his cousin during morning. Girls and I went out to
see some other friends in afternoon and Mrs. and Mr. P.
and I went round to their son's place for evening. Did
not wait up to see old year out. Pipes played in street
but didn't hear them. 

53
-1917-
Monday 1st January
Left Norwich for London at 9.40 a.m. arriving at latter
at 2 p.m. Travelled via Ely and Cambridge. Went to
picture show in afternoon and to play at night. Stayed
at private boarding house for night.
Tuesday 2nd
Went around to War Chest and drew my kit once again.
Left Paddington Street at 12.25. Travelled in Great
Western, via Southall, Reading, Dorchester. Got to
Worgret Camp, No. 4 Command Dept. Wareham about 6 p.m.
First impression of camp not too bad. Fair tucker, five
blankets and straw mattress.
Wednesday 3rd
Put into hut B23 (D company). Found my next door
neighbour was G.H. Peach, 28th Battalion late Newcastle
W.A. Got two parcels from Oll. Met Clarrie Jose
Leonard Wilson Sgt. Major Ross (late Show Grounds).
Concert at night.
Thursday 4th
Got 18 letters (Mum 3, Jean 2, Oll 3, Daisy 1, Vera 2,
Glad 2, Aunt Nell, Sam, Miss Young, Ida Cookson. Before
Doctor and classified B1 A2. Did bit drill and physical
jerks in afternoon. Concert in Y.M.C.A. at night.
Friday 5th
Nothing much doing all day. Went to a lantern lecture on
House of Commons at night in Y.M.C.A.
Saturday 6th
Out for a walk along old Roman wall in morning. Half
holiday in afternoon. Got letters from Mum, Jean, Oll 2,
Daisy and Stan. 

54
1917
Sunday 7th January
Attended Church Parade at Wesleyan Church in morning.
Poking about writing letters etc. in afternoon. Met Wal
Hume.
Monday 8th
On Escort duty, escorting prisoners to Devizes. Left
Wareham about 10 a.m. Travelled via Dorchester and
Westbury. Didn't arrive Devizes till about 6 p.m.
Snowing all day. Spent night at barracks.
Tuesday 9th
Had a look round Devizes in morning. Left for home 1.30
p.m. got back to camp about 6 p.m.
Wednesday 10th
Fine day. Got a parcel from home. On inlying piquet at
night.
Thursday 11th
Off duty all the morning and did practically nothing all
the afternoon.
Friday 12th
On a job with A.S.C. Five of us and Sergeant went for 10
mile trip in wagons down to the beach. Had the time of
our lives with the Tommies. The dopiest lot of chaps I
ever saw. At dinner time I made billy of soup and we had
a real picnic. Tongues, sandwiches, cake (one from home)
and so on. After dinner went for ramble in the bush.
Had great bit of fun on way home. Stopped at Corfe
Castle for a while. Sergeant and I went and had a look
all through it. Great old ruin on top of steep hill,
built about the year 800. Landed home about 6 p.m.
Saturday 13th
On S.M.O. fatigue in morning. Off all the afternoon.
Got a parcel from Ida Cookson. Went to concert in
Y.M.C.A. at night. 

55
1917
Sunday 14th January
Church Parade in Church of England in morning. Had photo
of boys in hut taken.
Monday 15th
Reclassification. Marked B1 A3. Pay day. Troops rather
merry at night. Went to picture show.
Tuesday 16th
Had photo taken of all in hut. great fun with lads at
night. All drunk as can be. Case of meningitis
reported in camp.
Wednesday 17th
Got budget of letters Oll, Sylvia Cook, Bess, Mollie,
Lou, Ida Cookson, Uncle Jack and Flo.
Thursday 18th
In charge of canteen fatigue. Off duty practically all
day. went to "Empire" at night. Big draft left for Z
Company.
Friday 19th
Got photos of group. Received Christmas parcel with
letter enclosed from Lil. Not damaged at all.
Saturday 20th
Finished drill for day at 10 a.m. Writing letters all
afternoon.
Sunday 21st
Attended church parade at 9 a.m. in parish church (Church
of England). Got 10 letters from Mum, Oll, Daisy, Lil,
Flo, Ida Cookson, Millie, Auntie Nell, Lil Smith, and
Charlotte. Went to church (Wesleyan) at 6.30 p.m.
Stayed for song service at conclusion. 

56
1917
Monday 22nd January
Mum's birthday. In charge QMs fatigue. Cold miserable
weather.
Tuesday 23rd
Put on same job again for the week. Spent evening
writing letters.
Wednesday 24th
weather getting worse. Cold bleak winds blowing from the
snowy region. Met Bert Haysey at night.
Thursday 25th
Mail closing for Australia. Too cold to go out at all at
night.
Friday 26th
Anniversary and Wattle Day. Had a sprig of the old
Australian wattle. On dental parade. One hollow tooth
cleaned out and nerve killed. Another crowd out of hut
sent across to Z Company.
Saturday 27th
Sun peeping out at intervals. First time for over a
week. All taps, fire buckets etc. frozen in morning.
Sunday 28th
Told off for inlying picquet so did not get to church at
all. Had Lil's plum pudding heated up for supper.
Weather beginning to clear up a bit.
Monday 29th
On dental parade. Had filling put in tooth. Out for
short route march in afternoon.