Diaries of William Edward Peach 1915-1918 - Part 10

87
1917
Friday 10th August
Another air raid during early hours of morning. Had
Brigadier across to see us at work in morning.
Demonstration of work given by school in afternoon.
Brigadier Division Colonel, C.Os of each Battalion,
numerous other officers present. All very pleased with
turn-out. Band played several times during afternoon.
Packed up in evening and marched back to our units (a
couple of miles out of Bailleul). Met Fred.
Saturday 11th
Out for a short route march in morning. Had afternoon
off. Fred and I went for a walk into Bailleul at night.
Town being shelled a good deal since we were there last,
but nevertheless there are far more civilians back in the
town, and place getting quite busy once again. Met
Clarrie Jose.
Sunday 12th
10 a.m. C.Os inspection and church parade. Set out about
11.30 a.m. to look for Stan. After wandering about for
over 3 hours found his camp at Camel Hill but
unfortunately he was out. Set out to look for him at
another camp but had no luck so made tracks for home.
Had no dinner but pulled in at Bailleul on way home and
had a good tea. Must have walked about 20 miles
altogether. Got a splendid view of the line from Camel
Hill. Could see Lille, Quesnoy, Armentiers, Messines,
and various other villages in distance. Fairly big
battle in progress. Had couple of shells burst very near
me in course of afternoon's trip. Big fires burning in
Armentiers. Met Norman Wilson. Got a note from Stan
when I arrived home telling me of his trip to St. Marie
Cappel several days previous to see me.
Monday 13th
Went for a 3 mile or so route march out towards
Steinwerck in early morning. Had Stan across to see me
in evening. He is looking just as well as ever. Both
went into Bailleul together. Had a good feed, went to
the pictures, then had our photos taken together. 

88
1917
Tuesday 14th August
Still having dull and showery weather. Went for another
3 mile or so route march in morning. Had brigade band
across playing us a programme of selections at night.
Wrote a few letters.
Wednesday 15th
Battalion route march of about 8 miles (full packs).
Went out around Donlieu and Steenwerck. Ordinary parades
in afternoon.
Thursday 16th
Lecture by Divisional gas officer in morning on the new
"Mustard or Yellow Cross" gas that Fritz is using against
us. Stayed at home in evening writing letters and
playing cards.
Friday 17th
Went for a route march couple of miles along the road.
Dismissed for an hour or so to have a bath in gutters on
either side of road. Water a bit too dirty so did not
partake of luxury. Off duty all afternoon getting ready
to take over duties of R.O.C. at 7.30 p.m. Great
excitement in camp about 10 p.m. Things very lively for
hour or so. About a dozen of Fritz's planes over on an
air raid. All outside very interested watching
searchlights pick out planes then all of a sudden bombs
started dropping all round us. Three big ones exploded
in corner of parade ground (within 100 yards of billet
where all A Company camped). Another burst 100 yards or
so on other side of camp and smashed a calf to pieces.
During whole of raid about a dozen soldiers killed or
wounded. Anti-aircraft guns and machine guns had very
lively time of it. Women folk very frightened.
Saturday 18th
On duty all day as R.O.C. Fritz's planes very busy
overhead all morning. Had a short note from Stan.
Weather still showery. Fritz over again at night.
Understand close on 100 Tommies knocked in one place. 

89
1917
Sunday 19th August
Weather clearing up a bit. Church parade in morning.
Expecting Stan over in afternoon but did not arrive.
Just twelve months since Perce was killed at Pozieres.
Another raid by Fritz at night.
Monday 20th
Went for a route march first thing, then came in and did
a bit of shooting before dinner. Drill and recreation in
afternoon. Another night air raid. "Cockies" taking
advantage of fine weather, and getting crops cut and
carted in.
Tuesday 21st
Route march to baths in Donlieu in morning. About 10
mile march altogether. On leave in Bailleul in
afternoon. Had a good feed of plums and peaches in
orchard on way in. Went to concert in hall (The
Optimists) at night. Extra good show. (Clarrie and I
together). No raid. Had letters from Sam and Mary.
Wednesday 22nd
Daisy's birthday. Ten mile Battalion route march (full
packs up) in morning. Very easy afternoon. Received
letter from Mum written 4/6/17.
Thursday 23rd
Short route march and firing on range in morning. Firing
dummy rifle grenades and recreation in afternoon.
Friday 24th
Nice fine day. Ordinary parades all day.
Saturday 25th
Battalion route march (about 8 miles) in morning.
Afternoon off preparing for guard. Mounted guard 7.30.
One Hun plane over at night. Dropped a few bombs and
cleared off. Very easy guard. No posts on after 9 p.m. 

90
1917
Sunday 26th August
On guard all day. Got letters (dated June 26th) from Mum
1, Lil 2, Oll 1, Jean 2, Vera 1, Aung Maggie 1, and Flo B
1.
Monday 27th
On leave in afternoon. Took a run across to Kemmel to
see Stan but learned he had been taken off to hospital 2
or 3 days previous. Came back to Bailleul and tried to
find him at various hospitals. Learned at 4th Div C.C.S.
that he had left there for 2nd Aust. C.C.S. day before.
Went to hear "The Optimists" at night. Good show. Got a
good soaking with rain.
Tuesday 28th
Short route march in morning. Too wet for drill in
afternoon. Very heavy rains. Channels flooded over.
Road covered with 4 or 5 inches of water. Set out to
find No. 2 C.C.S. in evening. Got on wrong track and
landed at No. 1 C.C.S. at Oudersteen. Got ride back in
car to Bailleul with Tommy Officer. Lovely ride.
Several trees blown out by roots.
Wednesday 29th
Battalion route march in morning. No afternoon parade.
Out from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on night march. Guns all
around very busy. Reflection showing up road in front of
us.
Thursday 30th
Had charge of platoon on my own in afternoon. Officer
and N.C.Os on duty. Took over job of Company Orderly
Sergeant at night. Filled in evening playing crib.
Friday 31st
Too wet for parade in morning. Football match in
afternoon.
Saturday, 1st September
Dad's birthday. Got letters from Mum and Stan. Wrote
several letters in afternoon. On Company Sgt. job for
week. 

91
1917
Sunday 2nd September
Dull day. Could not go out at all on account of being on
duty.
Monday 3rd
A perfect day. Battalion sports. Good competition in
all events. Both 6th and 7th Band and 5th and 8th Band
present. Concert at night. Anzac Coves unable to be
present, so had to rely on troops for items. Rather slow
at first but warmed up later. Fritz aeroplanes over on
raid while concert was going on, but took no notice of them.
Tuesday 4th
Company out on route march, so few of us got out on rifle
range and had a bit of a competition among ourselves.
Still keeping fine.
Wednesday 5th
Great excitement in morning. Fritz's aeroplane almost
over our parade ground, at a height of about 100 yards.
Anti-aircraft and machine guns firing at him, all
Battalion also having a shot at him with their rifles but
did no good. Aeroplanes also engaged him but he managed
to escape. Pilot very daring.
Thursday 6th
Finished job of Orderly Sgt. Rain simply poured down at
night. Officers just about flooded out of their tents.
Spent evening playing draughts. First game I had had for
quite a long time.
Friday 7th
Channels well flooded over. About 1/2 mile of road 6
ins. under water. Unable to go our for our usual route
march. Pay day. troops rather merry at night. Had a
good hot bath at night.
Saturday 8th
Battalion route march of 12 miles. Had dinner en route.
Troops all drunk again at night. Lent billet guard my
watch night before, asked for it in morning but found
that they had lost it. 

92
1917
Sunday 9th September
Church parade in morning. Stayed home all afternoon
writing letters.
Monday 10th
Glad's 21st birthday. Nice fine day. Lovely starry
night. Out for a silent night route march. One or two
of Fritz's planes over.
Tuesday 11th
Lecture by Div. Gas Officer in afternoon. Demonstration
of gas attacks (bombs and cylinders).
Wednesday 12th
Received letters Eva Smith, Daisy, Vera, Lil (containing
2 snaps of self and Marjorie), Sylvia Cook.
Thursday 13th
Battalion on the move early. Travelled via Bailleul,
St.Jans Cappel and Berthen. Billeted on top of big hill
a  mile or so past Berthen. Lovely panoramic view of
country on all sides obtainable from this point. Got a
good feed of blackberries.
Friday 14th
Went for a bit of a roam around hill in morning. Had a
good wash and general clean up at spring in side of hill.
Out on the track again in afternoon. Travelled to
Reningelst via Boeschepe (now in Belgium once again).
Saturday 15th
Got letters from Mum, Vera, Oll, Jean and Grandpa, also
four Alexandria papers from Lil. Left camp with couple of
men at 7 a.m. for trip to Cassell to bring prisoner back
to Bath. Travelled by motor lorry to Abelle and then on
to Steinvoode and finished the journey to Cassell by
motor car. Cassell is the highest point in Northern
France. It is possible to see the sea at Dunkirk from
there on a clear day. Spent a couple of hours having a
look around the town and surrounding country. Bought a
watch, had a feed, and then left for home. Got a ride
all the way back either by lorry or car. In afternoon
all the officers and N.C.Os went across to have a look at
plan made out on ground of the actual positions we will
occupy in the next stunt. 

93
1917
Sunday 16th September
Church parade in morning. About a dozen Fritz planes
flew overhead when we were in middle of service. Had
Fred across to see me in evening. First time I had seen
him since he went to Bge. Gave me a good account of trip
to Blighty.
Monday 17th
Our Company all went across to showery baths at Anzac
Light Railway; had a good hot shower and got a good
change of under-clothing. Parades both morning and
afternoon. Had Bill Waldron across to see me at night.
Tuesday 18th
Packed up and marched to new billets just outside of
Dickiebusch. Put on guard in evening. Heavy bombardment
at night. Guns flashing all around, very pretty sight.
Wednesday 19th
On guard till about 2 p.m. when we got our load up (220
rounds, SSA, 2 bombs, 3 sandbags, 1 ground flare,
barrage, reserve and days rations, extra water bottle)
and move off a bit nearer to line. Bivouaced at railway
dugouts just on edge of Dickiebusch lake, till about 1
a.m. Resting as much as possible all evening. Very
miserable night. Rain poured down and we got a good
soaking through. Had a good hot curry for tea to help
warm us up a bit.
Thursday 20th
Set off about 1 a.m. to take up our positions in line for
new offensive. All well loaded up. My section of eight
had to carry besides their ordinary load, 1000 rounds
S.A.A., 2 boxes of bombs, 7 shovels and a pick. The
weather was wet and miserable and the ground muddy and
slippery, consequently we had great difficulty in
marching over the shell beaten area. The weight under
the unfavourable conditions proved too much for the men
so a lot of ammunition had to be dumped by the Way.
After much difficulty we found our way to the forming up
point (in Glencourse wood, not far from Clapham
Junction). Here we formed up in whatever cover
available. Two brigades were packed together practically
in a few square yards. We were observed by an advanced
German strong post, which called for artillery support. 

94
Thursday 20th September (contd.)
Luckily little damage was done, although shells fell all
around us. At 5.40 our barrage opened up. Three minutes
later it lifted, and we all pushed forward with it, so as
to miss the Hun counter barrage. To see us advancing was
like watching a crowd coming away from a football match.
Cigarettes and pipes were lighted up, and we went forward
finishing up anything the barrage missed. About 11 a.m.
we reached out final objective and set to work
consolidating. Our casualties all through were very
light. Major Tubb V.C. was killed. Fritz counter
attacked at night but could not move us.
Friday 21st
Our platoon put out in front to dig and occupy strong
post. In that position we occupied most advanced post in
whole advance, being well over border of Polygon Wood.
All of us very tired at night, as we had worked hard at
night. Fritz counter attacked again just before dusk,
just as we were about to be relieved. Counter attack a
regular failure. Relieved by 2nd Battalion just before
midnight. Arrived back at railway dug outs about 2 a.m.
The weather was very fair all day, consequently there was
great activity in the air on both sides. We were
attacked by a Hun machine as we were being relieved.
Saturday 22nd
Moved back about 4 a.m. to billets at Dickiebusch. Got
our packs and blanket and turned in for a rest for the
day. Got letters from Mum, Daisy, Vera, Jean, Lil, Aunty
Nell, Alma French and Mollie Ryan, also one each from
Glad and Stan. Had to pack up again in afternoon as we
were moving into billets further back. Taken to our new
camp by motor buses. Travelled via     ,
Boeschipe, and Abelle, to Stienvoode.
Sunday 23rd
Troops rather tires so lying off having a spell all day.
Monday 24th
Another easy day. Kit inspection and pay in afternoon.
Moved our camp to place about 100 yards away.

95
1917
Tuesday 25th September
Still having good rest. Got a parcel from Oll. Had
opportunity offered me to stay out of line next stunt if
I wished, as reserve N.C.O. Decided to go into line with
boys. Went down in town at night.
Wednesday 26th
Practically filling in time in morning. Football match
in afternoon.
Thursday 27th
Weather still continuing fine. Spending most of the time
at recreation. Out for a short route march in morning.
Escort from F.G.C.M. (Bob Dixon).
Friday 28th
Marched down to Steienvoorde for a bath in morning. Out
in afternoon practising formation of battalion, for next
stunt. Got letters from Stan and Oll (photo).
Saturday 29th
Got a letter from Mr. Lindsay. Brigade church parade in
morning. Football match after dinner.
Sunday 30th
Ordinary church service. Got letters from Mum, Jean,
Lil, Oll, also parcel from Oll. Very heavy bombardment
in early morning. Got four papers from Lil.
Monday, 1st October
Left Stienvoorde and marched almost to Abeele, where we
got into buses. Travelled to Dickiebusch, via Abeele,
the outskirts of Poperinghe and Penningherst. Weather
very hot and roads thick with dust. Was supposed to stay
behind at Stienvoorde to go Army Corp School but cleared
off with crowd to try and miss it.

96
1917
Tuesday 2nd October
Got a nice bundle of mail just before moving a bit nearer
the line. Got letters from Mum, Lil, Jan, Oll, Lil Smith
and Lena. Got loaded up with necessary ammunition etc.
and moved up as far as Westhock Ridge where we spent the
night. Had to be satisfied with what little cover we
could find. Rain fell through the night and made things
rather miserable.
Wednesday 3rd
Had to keep in under cover all day so as we would not be
observed by Fritz's planes. Weather cold and stormy.
Thursday 4th
A day never to be forgotten by those who took part in the
stunt. At 1.15 a.m. we started off on our trip to take
up our positions ready for the "hot-out". There seemed
to be one continual string of men (miles long) stealthily
moving up, all bent on the one purpose. At 2.15 a.m. we
halted at our forming up point (Anzac Redoubt). There we
had to wait till 6 a.m. for our barrage to open up. At 5
a.m. Fritz opened up a barrage on us. He himself was
going to attack us at 7 a.m. Unfortunately he got right
on to our position and inflicted heavy casualties on us.
One shell landed about a yard on my right and blew
several of my mates to pieces. Another landed in the
soft earth about 18 inches above me, and burst right
underneath me. I got a good shaking up but luckily came
out of it unscratched. We were simply praying for our
barrage to open so as we could get ahead. At 6 a.m. it
started and everybody made one wild rush forward hardly
knowing where he was going. Lights of all colours were
going up in all directions, all being fired by Fritz. In
various places the Hun put up a bit of a fight, but we
had him beaten from the start. As usual we were all too
anxious to push ahead and got into our own barrage at the
first objective. We had to go back some distance to wait
for the barrage to lift. After a wait of about an hour,
we pushed on again over the steep hill and on to the
second objective. Here we set to and consolidated. It
was not long before we got settled down and were ready
for Fritz whenever he liked to counter attack. It was a
glorious victory. We took all our objectives, a big
number of prisoners, and a lot of booty. We had some
great fun swapping in the evening. Fritz counter
attacked several times but our artillery broke him up ech
time. Weather very dirty.