Hi Jules

I see what you mean - and we all thought you were having fun!!!!!
I bet you're really wishing about now, that your grandmother had rewritten all the diaries.
Anyway, if you have the ability to keep scanning - show us some pages you can't read. I'm a little out of practice, but back in the days when I was doing my family history, I spent years scanning old documents - so may be of some help.

By the way, the photo of John printed out beautifully.
Do you know the name of the 77 yr old farmer's daughter?



Tony (Unclespud)
At the risk of sending Jules green with envy - both your great uncle's War Service records are on-line at the Australian National Archives website (sorry - I don't know how to link you there - not that technical yet - but if you have any trouble I'm sure someone can help)

They were both 'originals', & your G/uncle Edwin's service no. was actually 809, so he and Herbert enlisted & sailed together on the 'Benalla' with John Pitt.
Both were at Gallipoli - but Edwin was sent back to Aus in Jan 1916 'for a change' due to his bout of Enteric Fever. He re-sailed with the 18th Reinforcements (8th Bn) in July 1916 - so he's most likely in your group photo - but Herbert wouldn't be.

Cheers, Frev

Hi Marina and Unclespud
If John is in the picture it would be news to me. When was it taken do you know Unclespud?

Hi Frev
Glad you can empathise with me now !! The 77 year old farmers daughter is called Miss Emily Lange and she lives in Natimuk where John used to work. It was a great stroke of luck to get in contact as I wrote to the local historical society and it was them who put her in touch with me. Just need to find the time to write back now. !
Regards
Julian

Hi All
Sorry to keep you waiting Ozzie !

32nd Instalment
Friday June 9th
Cleaning up day. Parade 9 o/c. and went for a 4 mile route march. In camp 11o/c. 12 o/c struck tents etc. 2.30 Washing parade to the laundry. Played cards the rest of the day.

Saturday June 10th
Nothing doing all the morning. 2.15 Parade on BR 250. It then started to rain and continued until 4 o/c during which time we were getting instruction in bomb throwing. Stopped raining 4 o/c and then we had practical instruction in throwing live bombs. In camp 6.30.

Sunday June 11th
Church parade 9 o/c. A very good sermon picturing the late Lord Kitchener as a model man embodying the necessary qualities namely Strength, Courage and Purity. Drizzled with rain all the afternoon. A large number of troops have passed here during the last couple of days going both ways; annoyed there being a number of Australians. Think there is something doing. News of the great Russian success against the Austrians. Turned in early at night.

Monday June 12th
Duty company, I was one of the lucky ones that happened not to be on any particular fatigue or guard, and so escaped free for the day. It was just as well as it had been a most miserable cold and wet day; drizzling with rain. Troops continue to pass up and down the line in large numbers.

Tuesday June 13th
Reveille 5.30. Parade 6.30. Short march before breakfast. Back at 7 o/c. Understand from the Sgt-Major that 95 men are declared efficient and able to be included in a draft very soon. Parade 9.30 Route march of about 7 miles to Slelen? Place and back. Bathing parade in the afternoon.

Wednesday June 14th
It rained like fury last night and our tent was pretty well flooded. Warned for guard tonight. No parade in the morning. Parade 9 o/c in full marching order and practised guard routine for half an hour. Mounted guard 5.45. On first relief No 1 post. 2 big loads of Australian troops have passed here today.

Comments please are most welcome
Regards
Julian

Hi, Jules - I've been in and out all evening, looking for the next installment and i clicked on a minute ago and there it was.

Flooded tents next - and all those lorries passing by is giving me the shudders. I suppose it's knowing what's ahead of them makes me feel that way. Obviously, John didn't PLAN to write his diary in any way except to show things as they happened, but there really is a sense of mounting tension and big things about to happen here. And all mixed in with the ordianry things like Parade and gurd and baths.
CYA tomorrow, John!
Marina

Hi All
I must offer my apologies as I have not had any time to do the diary today, will try to do double helpings tomorrow.
All the best
Julian

You deserve a wee rest, Jules - pace yourself!
Marina

Many thanks Marina, you are too kind !!
Julian

Well, it just occurred to me that if you go on at this rate, then the diary will be all finished much sooner, and then what will we do?
Marina

Hi All
Welcome back to the all new looking forum. I have been away for a few days so I apologise for keeping you all waiting
33rd Instalment

Thursday June 15th
The clock were put on an hour at midnight last night owing to the daylight saving bill having come into force in France and some have 23 hours to do nothing. Pretty cold on guard during the night. More Australians passed here today. 3.30pm. A stenographer required in the orderly room. I hooked on to it and was relieved from guard on the company commanders orders and paraded at 4 o/c but not wanted till later. Called up at 6 o/c to take contents? at enquiry.

Friday June 16th
160 men of the 2nd brigade went up to reinforce the 5th 6th and 7th battalions early this morning. None of the 8th went. Dame Fortune must still smile on the old battalion. Reveille 5.30 Parade full marching order. 6 o/c Short march till 7 o/c. Parade 8.30 in full marching order as if moving off to the line. Kit bags and all surplus gear handed in. Marched on to the parade ground while the heads raided our tents. Washing parade 1030. Struck tents and washed floors. Nothing doing for the rest of the day. Hoping to get some mail soon.

Saturday June 17th
Missed the early morning parade. N--- let first in the morning. 2M’s fatigue 2 o/c and again after tea. Wallabies passing here every day. They must surely be coming from Egypt. The weather here is most unseasonable. Pitched tents after tea.

Sunday June 18th
Lay in for an extra half an hour at the penalty of being roused by the Sgt Major. 9 o/c Church parade. A good service. Nothing doing for the rest of the day. At times it is hard to fill in the time. The weather is rotten.

Monday June 19th
Reveille 8.30 parade 6 o/c marched till 6.30. Parade 9 o/c. 8 mile route march till 12 o/c. Drizzling with rain all the way. 2 o/c warned for guard. 2.30 wanted at orderly room and paraded before the adjutant. He wishes me to take the place of a man on leave for a week. A good job while it lasts.. Went there at 6 o/c and typed the orders for the battalion during? divisional H2.

Tuesday June 20th
Do not go on early morning parade these times. Orderly room after breakfast. Not much to do. A little clerical work and type orders at night. It is surprising what a lot of work there is to do in a B.O.O..

Wednesday June 21st
A little more to do today as I am getting on to the run of the books and am able give a hand. Radical alterations are being made by the new CO Major Lucton?

Thursday June 22nd
4 of the second brigade officers went away to the line last night. Nothing very startling happened in the C C today. I do book work most of the day and at night I type and issue the orders.

Friday June 23rd
We had absolutely the heaviest thunderstorm I have ever witnessed just after dawn today.. It simply poured down. Got the orders only tonight. As a rule it is 9 pm before I am finished.

Saturday June 24th
Rained heavily last night. Usual routine through the day. It is after 9 o/c before I can get away from the CO these times and then one can only go to bed but I am going on poss? to Paris Plage tomorrow which will be some reward for my labours.

Sunday June 25th
The entrenching battalion made up of reinforcements from the 1st Division battalions went away this morning. They passed here in the main about 10 o/c in the best of spirits. It has been a bonza day toady and at 3 o/c I left ---ase for Paris Plage. The trams run from Etaples to PP the fare being 20c and the road which is cut through a dense forest of light timber, is a very good one and the train back is on the extreme right of the road, slightly above the road level. The tram is a very decent one and apparently a popular beach resort. The promenade being something quite extra special. The population seem above the average class. Hot bath and a decent meal were well worth going in for. I am lucky to get in at all the percentage of passes for non commissioned rank being very small but as I happened to be in the place where the passes emanate I managed to get one. Back to camp about 6.30 and then had to get the orders done.

Monday June 26th
Started to rain after breakfast and continued drizzling all day. Sgt who I relieved returned from leave today and so I shall soon finish up in the orderly room. It has been a pleasant break however. Australians still passing here going up to the line.

Tuesday June 27th
Early morning parade kit inspection. 9 0/c route march of about 7 miles. In camp about 12 o/c. 2 o/c left camp in full marching order ----eal and went to the BR. In to camp duties which consisted of digging etc. Formed up and occupied the trench system till 7.30 when we were relieved. In camp 8 o/c. Warned for water picquet at
5.30 in the morning.

Wednesday June 28th
Water picquet at 5.45. Still most wretched and unseasonable weather. Very easy job, managed to make it last just till the boys had gone out on a night route march. They returned at 10 o/c.

Thursday June 29th
Drizzling with rain early this morning and so there was no early morning parade. 9 o/c Route march to the ruined sanatorium and back. Did nothing in the afternoon or evening.

Friday June 30th
Drizzling with rain most of the day and particularly cold for the time of the year. Nothing doing in the morning. 2.30 washing parade. 8.30 parade. Went into the trenches and remained there until 11.30. A party attacked trench we were in. Blanks and rockets used. In camp at midnight, hot tea for us.

Saturday July 1st
Reveille 6.45 owing to us being late out last night. 8.15 parade for BR lecture on grenades and Skirmishing. Smoks and bayonet fighting. In camp 1 o/c. Marched into Etaples near ordnance and had a steam bath, a splendid dip. A big batch of Australian reinforcements arrived here today. The traffic on the line here is tremendous, hospital trains, troop trains and trains loaded with guns. One batch of twelve engines hitched on to one another went down towards the line tonight. Something doing.

Sunday July 2nd
Church parade 8.45. Very good address holding up Lord Roberts and his religious habits as an example of an ideal soldier. The weather is a little more seasonable just now. News of the start of the Franco British offensive. Teddy Langton down to see me tonight.

That should keep you going Marina, until I can type up some more that is. Comments welcome as usual.


Regards
Julian

Welcome back, Jules! All together now, 1,2,3:

'Here we are again
Happy as can be
All good friends and jolly good company!'

How strange it is that John should know so little of what was happening on July 1st. And all those troops passing by them - it is quite eerie to think of what they were going to...
You know, he seemed to like more exciting times best - he is bored. Although I don't suppose his quiet time
will last long.
Glad you're back in action, Julian.
Marina

Hi Marina
I think all the troops were largely kept in the dark with regard to information, mainly for security reasons. They were only told what they needed to know which wasn't much. With such primitive communications available to them most of their news would be quite old by the time they got it I guess. I am sure Frev or Petrick could give us some more background info, they seem to be the ones with the knowledge. Will post some more tomorrow.
Regards
Julian

Hi Julian,
apologies for not inputting recently. Work, etc and my first visit to Ypres preventing.
Once again the daily account of a young, honest hero is documented.
Whilst we with an interest in WW1 wait with I'm sure a small tingle of dread in our bellies as we await his experiences of conflict on the Western Front.
Christian

Hi julian,

Still reading your installments with much anticipation. As always eager to read the next one. Hows the old eyesight keeping upp. Do you use a magnifying glass for decifering the handwriting??

coo-ee
patrick

Dear Jules. Welcome back mate.Just a thought that its a shame that John didn't type his diary as he was typing the orders. It would have been easier for you!!!
Saw the Great War prog this afternoon,concentrating on the Russian/German fronts and was amazed at how unprepared the Russian Army was (no boots etc) and then it followed on about the lack of ammunition,guns etc. that the Allies had,and how there was no real warning about the gas attacks.It was something Marina said about wondering if John knew what was really happening elsewhere,and if they felt they had enough of what they needed to get the job done.It strikes me that nothing much has changed even today(wrong type of software for Chinooks and the like).Anyway you are following in the family tradition of transcribing, so keep up the good work.
P.S. Today is the Anniversary of the death of my wife's great grandfather Private John Guerins who is buried in the Tralee Military Cemetery.Hope you don't mind me finding any excuse to mention his name. Regards Steve.

HI Christian Patrick and Steve
Thanks for letting me know you are still avidly reading my scribbles, it was great to hear from you all. You are so right Steve, it would have made things much easier for me if my grandfather could have dragged a typewriter around with him, through Gallipoli and the Western Front!! Patrick I never really thought of using a magnifying glass, maybe I should try that. After an evenings transcribing my eyes are well aware that I have been asking a lot of them that's for sure!!
Christian, many thanks for your thoughts, it's nice to know you are still with us. I really feel as though I have have made many new friends since I started all this. Right back to the typing of the next instalment. Thanks again to you all.
Regards
Julian

Aittle dab of witchhazel is good for tired eyes, Jules - don't say I'm not looking after you.
A salute to Private Guerins.
Marina

Hi All and here is the next episode

34th Instalment
Monday July 3rd
Parades 6.30 and 7 o/c. Went down to the shore with helmets, padded jackets gloves etc and spring bayoneted rifles, we practised bayonet fighting and then rifle exercises. In camp 12 o/c. 1.30 All available men in the battalion paraded in full marching order without packs and with towels marched to Paris Plage, and bathed in the sea. Left there 4.30. In camp 6.30. Marched 12 miles altogether which is pretty good going. A boxing stadium has been erected here now.

Tuesday July 4th
Parade 6 - 6.30, and at 8.30 for BR. Sand bog ----etinens? building. Bayonet fighting, smoks and then a lecture on gas. In camp 1 o/c nothing doing in the afternoon. Went into the town at 5.30 and had a look around. Back at 8.30 to find a letter from Boy with news of poor little Peters death. It fairly knocked me flat. A very distant sound of guns can occasionally be heard here and this afternoon it was particularly loud.

Wednesday July 5th
Parade 6.30. Duty Company. I was on cooks fatigue. In the afternoon I was warned for a draft to rejoin my battalion. Medical inspections 2 o/c which I passed easily. 3 o/c Parade at QM’s for shortages. 4 o/c Parade to give information 7.30 Parade for 6 “C’s” inspection. Standing in full marching order for nearly 2hours. Issued with 24 hours rations. Move off in the morning. 50 of the 8th battalion and 40 of the 7th. Issued with 2 gas helmets and star shell goggles etc.

Thursday July 6th
Reveille 4.15. Breakfast 4.30. Parade 5.15. Issued with 170 rounds of ammunition. Moved off at 5.30, halted at the Mortuarns? Where the band picked us up and played us into the station to the tune of “Boys of the Dardanelles”
We entrained at the siding and the train was due to leave at 7.15 but did not get away till 10.30. We got a loud “hoy” going past the camp. Went straight through Boulogne and stopped at Calais at 2 o/c where we remained for half an hour for refreshment. The country is beautiful and most productive. The women here appear to do all kinds of physical labour in these tortuous times. The country is very much like that of the old country. Arrived at St Omer about 4 o/c and to Bailleul at 6.30. Some of the troops detrained there and we went on past Steenwerck which is as far as the train could go. Got out there and tried to get inn again and the train started back and took us --- station back to Strazeele. Got out there, picked up guns and marched about 6 miles to 3rd Brigade HQ and they put us up in a shed for the night. Can hear the rumble of the guns pretty distinctly now what ho.

Friday July 7th
Rose 7 o/c. Went in to the village which is a fair sized one and managed to get a loaf of bread and a Dixie of hot coffee and a wash. It started to drizzle with rain about 7.30 but did not last long. Our guide arrived at 9.30 and having put our packs on a transport we started off for our destination. Of course it must rain and rain hard too, but we marched and marched and the guide lost himself and every now and again we had to retrace our steps having taken the wrong turning but finally we arrived at Bulford Camp about 6 miles in rear of the line about 5o/c. Saw all the old boys that are still going and got back into D company. This camp is just outside the village of Neuve Eglise. Had a long yarn with Viv Brown and Ted Schaumbe at night. Turned in about 10 o/c.

Saturday July 8th
Reveille 6.30 breakfast 7 o/c. Parade 9.30. Bayonet fighting drill games and general smartening and livening up. As I expected the fighting condition here are mostly different from the Peninsula. There are rumours of a move to another part of the front shortly, and we are I understand a mobile brigade and will have a lot of marching to do.

Sunday July 9th
Parade 9.30 2’s and 3’s fly the garter etc. This is modern drilling. I had a yarn to Charlie Fox (Lieut) this morning and he told me we are to move off tonight. Church parade 2 0/c Chaplain Miles conducted the service and made a very good address. We were unable to finish the last hymn owing to their being 2 or 3 German planes overhead and our anti aircraft guns firing at them. We dispersed quickly . Major Coulter told us we were to pack up in the afternoon and we moved out of camp at 7 o/c and marched with only one spell to the town of Bailleul, 5 miles away with our back breaking packs. 8th battalion billeted in Police barracks and a warehouse opposite. Not bad quarters. Turned in 10 o/c.

Monday July 10th
Parade 9.30. marched about a mile and rested there for some time. This is a very decent town and quite a good size. Apparently this is a centre, railhead etc. Back in beats about noon. The country around here seems most productive and the crops are looking splendid. Hop growing seems to be the most extensive industry. Warned to be ready to move at 1.30. We eventually moved to the siding and after some considerable time the whole battalion and all its transport was aboard and we started off about 7 o/c via Hazebroucke and St Pol for Doullens where we arrived at 2 am.

Tuesday July 11th
We detrained and 3 platoons of D company were told off as a detraining party. We went straight to a billet in the nature of a hay loft, about 1000 yards from the station and turned in. Half the party started work almost at once, and the other half to which I belonged relieved them after having had breakfast and got ready to unload the next train. This place is well back from the line, about 20 miles I understand, evidently we have come down to take part in the Somme offensive. The entire division is coming here and I believe the 2nd division also. The brigade has gone on towards the line and we shall follow on after them as soon as we have finished this job. During the day we have unloaded 4 train loads of transport and horses guns etc. Finished the last load about 7.15 and then explored the town which is quite a de3cent place and decidedly modern.
Thats all for now folks so let's here your thoughts please
Regards Julian

'What ho,' he says when he hears the guns. Talk about sangfroid!

How far away were they when he heard them? And who is peter whose death hit him so hard?
Marina

I have no idea how far away he was when he could hear the guns or who peter was but I will ask my parents to see if they know.
Julian

Hi Jules,

I notice Patrick left this one alone! Fooled ya - I'm not the one with the knowledge - I'm the one with the books.
Anyway, from some reports I've been reading lately, I don't even think the one's doing the organising knew what was going on half the time!

Well, now that John is healthy again - he's certainly being thrown in at the deep-end - heading straight for the hell of Pozieres. If I didn't know he was going to come out the other end - I'm not sure I'd want to read on.

Anyway - hope everyone has a Happy Easter - and no-one O.D.'s on chocolate.
Cheers, Frev

Hi All. Tonights instalment for your education.
35th Instalment
Wednesday July 12th
We have unloaded 3 trains loads of artillery today. We left the billets to settle? the last (in full marching order) about 6 o’clock. When we had it finished, buses turned up to take us back to our battalion. We left Donclen? about 7.15 and went through some beautiful country stopping here and there to enquire where the battalion was. We must have travelled 25 or 30 miles and after all sorts of enquiries discovered the battalion in a village called Tolinas?. Everybody was in bed and nobody was very pleased with the job of getting us fixed up. We passed through a big place coming here called Vignacourt which appears to be a place for supplies.

Friday July 14th
Reveille 7 o/c. Ready to move at 8.30 but it started to rain heavily and the move had to be postponed. Nothing doing in the morning. Parade 2.30 We got moved around our company commander, he told us that we had come here to do a job and would not have long to wait. We are evidently to make an attack on a position, or attempt to help not far from here. We were given all sorts of advice and then did some skirmishing and practised hop-outs, after which we formed up as a battalion and Major Coulter told us practically the same. He also, however, read out to us a report from the brigadier to the effect that everyone was very pleased with the way in which the detraining party had done its job. We are to be ready to move at any moment. He then gave us a little news about the push. I think we shall operate in the direction of Longueval.

Thursday July 13th
Reveille 7 o/c. We rested in the morning and I had a stroll around the village, which is a very small place.. The battalion moved off at 3.15 and marched with 25 pills? to Raineville about 9k away. Very poor billets, farms stables etc. The entire Brigade including HQ is in the town, which is a fair sized one and fairly close to Amiens and the Somme.

Saturday July 15th
Parade 9 o/c. Route march about 8 miles, in billets at noon. Parade 2 o/c. Foot inspection. 2.15 gas helmet inspection and rested for the remainder of the day. Pay day. Strolled through the village and met 2 of the red heads. Rumours that the place we were to take has now been taken by some Scotties. We shall be here for a while yet if any.

Sunday July 16th
Contrary to all expectations the brigade moved out at 10 o/c this morning. We marched through numerous small villages till 1.30 and then stopped for dinner. Each company these days has its travelling kitchen and so we got a good hot drink of tea. Moved off again at 2.15 and marched through more villages including Toutencourt. Arrived at Va----ies about 8 miles in rear of the line about 5.30. Camped in Hessian covered huts. It has been a pretty solid march of about 12 miles which is not bad going with a full pack. A batch of reinforcements arrived from Etaples this evening. A very poky little town. We are surely going with a stint now.

Monday July 17th
Reveille 7 0/c and breakfast 8 o/c. Parade 9.30. Route march of about 5 miles. A very close day. In camp about 11.30. Parade 2 o/c. Marched a mile and then bayonet fighting and gas helmet inspection. In camp 4 o/c. Went for a stroll to see some Hun prisoners but they would not come out of their kennels. The bombardment tonight is terrific. The amount of motor transport in use on this front and its shifting power is gigantic. Raining again tonight. Turned in 9 o/c.

Tuesday July 18th
Awoke this morning in a foot of water. To move at 8 o/c but on account of the rain these orders have evidently been cancelled. The latest orders are that we are to be ready to move at 2 hours notice. Pay day.

Wednesday July 19th
Parade 9.30. Shown how to fire equipment in special fighting order. Dismissed 11 0/c. parade 2 o/c. Short route march at end of which we were told by Captain Harvey that we are moving out tomorrow. Australians were to be used for pursuit once the Hun was on the run. Apparently we are to have a pretty lively time. Parade at 5.30 to hear result of court martial promulgated. In the evening went down and had a look at the square heads. They are nothing extraordinary so far as physique is concerned but are very well equipped. Issued with squares of striped cabis? to be sewn on right shoulder for guidance when we are advancing.

Sorry there is not as much tonight but it has been a real struggle to type as I am not very well today.
Happy Easter to you all
Regards
Julian

What a lot of marching about for john ! And what were the 'red heads' he saw? Does he mean the red hackle if there were Scots about?
They seem to have been very unlucky with the weather - a foot of water in the trenches in July at the height of summer.

Hope you're feeling better tomorrow, Julian. Take it easy there.
Marina

Getting very interesting Jules. Amazing about the Aussies to be used in the pursuit!! Obviously this didn't really happen in earnest until over two years later. I also didn't know the term squareheads was used this early on. I am still waiting with baited breath to hear knews of how his commissiong occurred.

Rgds

Tim

What an awesome job you are doing! This is adding character and emotion to the history you read. It is reading like a novel and the expectation is creeping up.
Thankyou for your dedication to this project. Get well and Happy Easter.
Ozzie

Dear Jules.Get well soon. Your forum needs you!!! Regards Steve

Hi Marina
Thanks for yoour kind words. I am all bunged up up with the flu I think.
I was struck by the relentless moving around through marching and on trains. I plotted all the places on a map and they covered a very large area. To wake up in a foot of water must have been hideous I should think. More to follow later.
Regards
julian

Welcome back Tim I had missed your knowledgable feedback. John's promotion must come soon as it says in his pay book it was awarded in 1916. I must get a scanner as I have loads of stuff I am sure you woud like to see.
Regards
Julian

Jules,

Charles Knowles is proving rather elusive, but prior to perfoming 'Annie Laurie' and other popular hits in uniform, he had sung one of the supporting roles in Puccini's Madam Butterfly at Covent Garden in 1909. Singing the lead role of Pinkerton in that production was Italian tenor Alessandro Bonci, who was to become a celebrated member of the Italian Air Force in the war.

I promised an illustration of pierrots, and here is an unidentified military troupe on stage during the war. The one in the conical hat is a female impersonator. It is not a high-quality image but hopefully it will give you an idea of the performance John attended.

Keep the hankies close by, and read the Forum for occupational therapy.

Hi Kate
Many thanks for posting the picture. I had visions of a concert party as the kind of entertainment in question, i guess that is not too far off is it ? Thanks for your kind words
Regards
Julian

Thanks for the appreciation Ozzie, it really helps with the motivation.
Cheers
Julian

Hi frev
Just to confrm that I now know John's sister was what took him to Oz in the first place, I am in touch with the daughter of the farmer he used to work for and she confirmed this to me in a letter. I have sent her the above details you dug up to see if she can shed any light on it. Thought you might like to know.
Regards
Julian

Thanks a lot Steve I am currently getting through boxes of tissues at a great rate !!
Julian

36th Instalment
Thursday July 20th
Reveille 6 o/c Breakfast 7 /c moved out at 9.30 passing through the villages of Sentis and Bouguicouns (perhaps Bourguignons) halting just outside the latter place for dinner at 1 o/c. Just tea and bully beef. Remained there till 4.45 and then moved up to an appointed t-uou— just outside of Albert. Had a look at the leaning tower of the Cathedral at Albert. The bombardment is pretty severe and there are some very big guns here. The sky is absolutely alive with aircraft. No less than 20 balloons are visible from here and aeroplanes of all types literally swarm? Moving about in squadrons. There are various rumours as to when we are to go into a scrap but no reliance can be placed on them. We are expecting a pretty cold sleep tonight as we dropped our packs at Voremies? also blankets and felt hats, the latter being replaced by steel helmets. We are to be ready to move from here at a moments notice.

Friday July 21st
Passed a very cold night last night and the bombardment was severe enough. Parade 9 o/c. Rifle inspection, gas helmet inspection and physical drill, this was interrupted by a hostile aeroplane overhead and we had to return to our bivouac and did not fall in again. No parade this afternoon except a voluntary bathing parade which I took advantage of. Got back to camp only to find that we were to move at 10 o/c tonight. Issued with 150 extra rounds of ammunition, 2 sandbags 2 bombs and extra rations. Albert is a big place and pretty well blown about. Expect to be into the fight very soon. 8 o/c. The brigade will not move out tonight I understand the arrangements made are postponed till tomorrow night.

Saturday July 22nd
Very cold last night with extra pair of socks on, a sandbag on each leg and my legs in the sleeves of my overcoat. I continued however to keep warm but was awakened about 12.30 by a hell of a lot of corts? crying “Gas”. We ut our helmets on at once but as no one appeared to be able to trace the original cause of the alarm we turned in again in peace except for the guns going a ------. Parade 9 o/c in marching order. Rifle inspection gas helmet inspection and bayonet fighting. 3 o/c Church Parade and I in fact conduct them. Moved out tonight about 9 o/c through the town of Albert which is a good sized place but sadly blown about especially the Church. Guns of all kinds in and all around the town. Arrived at our destination being the first line German trench which we look on the 1st being under shrapnel fire the last part of the way, no casualties. The bombardment which was going on was simply enormous in its intensity, quite indescribable. The 1st Brigade seem to be taking the more prominent part in the attack, we being in reserve. The objective is the village of Pozieres. Had a sit down sleep tonight.

Sunday July 23rd
6.30. Moved up nearer to the firing line. Understand the attack last night was successful although the bombardment still continues vigorously and we passed a large number of wounded coming down to the ambulances in rear. We got into a trench soon, the shelling getting pretty thick and we having had a few casualties and after a while shifted on and darted in sections around the famous Casualty Corner and off up to a chalk pit. 2 sections of 14 platoon got a couple 5.9’s in amongst them, it made a horrible mess. Alf Payne pretty badly kurched? Settled down (the whole of D company) in the Chalk Pit but soon found that the Hun dropped shells here as well and we had to edge –redge in and first one ---- to be there and then one there and so the day went on until we had had 32 casualties there by 9 o/c at night we made a dive for an old trench 100 yards away near battalion HQ. All day we have had to be ready to go up and repel a counter attack. Had absolutely the most uncomfortable time of my life today. Absolutely nerve racking and my nerves are supposed to be bad, Poop!. Settled down for the night in the trench.
If anyone can understand the bold sentence above please let me know. For info the next two days are 4 pages each!!
Regards
Julian

[quote=pompeyrodney,Mar 25 2005, 03:22 PM]

I am all bunged up up with the flu I think.

Hot Toddy Called for. Thuis is the best:

Stiff shot of Black Rum
1 tsps. honey
squirt of lemon juice
hot water.

Retire to bed and drink it down while it's still hot.. Does wonders for catarrh and coughs.
Hope you're not feeling too rotten.
Marina

The sandbag sleep sounds a horror. And the sit down one. I don't know how they managed to keep going without their sleep.
32 casualties, just like that. Horrible.
Marina

" we had to edge –redge in and first one ---- to be there and then one there and so the day went on until we had had 32 casualties there by 9 o/c at night"

Could it be the shells dropping on the position? Causing the 32 casualties.


'Issued with 150 extra rounds of ammunition, 2 sandbags 2 bombs and extra rations.'
This sentence is like a notification "Your on your way to the front lines". It is a bit chilling.

Thankyou for battling on.

37th Instalment

Monday July 24th
A B and C company’s in to the line last night. D coy has had the worst casualties and was left in reserve. Rested in the morning and then went to another ----- trench and set about repairing some red dug outs. Apparently the 2nd brigade is reserve brigade this resulting from the fact that the 7th and 8th battalions had a pretty rough time up at Messines recently. We had a few more knocked out this morning. It is impossible to get cover here as Fritz can enfilade the trench. Batch of prisoners came down this morning and they look very miserable, no wonder after having 12” shells thrown at them by the 100. 2 or 3 fatigues during the day and I and some officers arrived back from one about 6 o/c to find the whole company standing to and as soon as we had got our equipment on we all hopped on the parapet and went down to HQ where we were each given 2 sandbags of boiled bacon. The company was a carrying party to take rations to the remainder of the battalion. We went up through a dense barrage , in full fighting order and when we got into the low ground, found the gully was full of lacrymatious? gas, put goggles on but no good, so put on gas helmet but no good so put on nothing. My eyes being a bit weak the tem? Gas got me down and I thought I should have to give in ----- having fallen head over heels with my load into about mortar shell holes, but I struggled on and on gradually getting on to high ground and soon I found I was out of the gas danger zone and soon caught up to the rest of the section. What made things a little more difficult is that my platoon sergeant and section commander are both half drunk and possessed of an absurd amount of harmful b-----?. We eventually got into the village of Pozieres which you could walk over the top of in the dark and not known it, so well had the big guns done the work of demolition. We (13 platoon) remained there as support in shell holes for a while and dug in as best we could but some were called in to the close support trenches. A very dangerous position 50 yards from the edge of the village. Huns on 3 sides of us. Came out again 2 hours after to find that every available man in the company had come up.

Tuesday July 25th
About 3.30 am just before dawn we moved out in extended order after having sorted ourselves out through the edge of the village and the cemetery without meeting any spirited resistance from the Hun garrison but the artillery opened up their shrapnel in good slyh? D company eventually established a line in broken shell holes and here the brigade and D coy especially got a good many prisoners (about 150 in all). A B and C company’s were on our left. A lot of Huns gave themselves up later on in the day. About 2 o/c we took possession of island traversed communication trench running at right angles to our front. About 8 o/c the Hun very heavily bombarded the village with shrapnel and HE. Between a drunken sergeant and corporal we have not had the best of leadership but the sergeant was killed this morning endeavouring to prevent our some of our chaps firing on Huns who were wanting to surrender. We have been shelled very heavily all day and night knowing that our position was not a very enviable one from a strategic point of view in case of a counter-attack we made all preparations rapidly. At 10.30 there was a patrol went out in front of which I made one and we remained there till 2 o/c. Nothing much happened except a pretty severe bombardment all round.

Wednesday July 26th
When we got in we were served out with rations rum and water which had arrived. We are to dig a new line facing our front and line up with the 6th on our right. Everything was upside down, however when we started and no one seemed to know what we wanted we try a bit in one place and then were told we were wrong and so on. All the time daylight was drawing near. Eventually it being nearly light and having little or no cover where we were, we were compelled to return to our position in 2’s and 3’s. Marvellous to say we had only about three casualties from machine gun fire on our left. Later as we began to get bombarded by our own artillery owing to the necessary precautions to prevent same having not been taken. Several of the officers NCOs and men were under the influence of drink and we have lost some of our best men owing to their inability to manage things properly. About 7 o/c a full company of “Warwick’s” marched into our trench from the flank. They had been scouring the country in front and clearing communication trenches etc. Our battalion is now very sadly reduced in number, we having had severe casualties. A lot of the good “old boys” have been killed or wounded. One of the company lost its direction when we came to our present position and ----- casualties were thus caused but it could not of course be helped. Bill Colven has been killed, also Jack Ross who was here with the pioneer battalion. George Peatery? Was wounded whilst asleep beside me, also Ted Sloane and Frank Albury and several others. Captain James, Lt McCouville?, Lt Stephenson, Lt Taylor were killed and a lot of officers wounded. The artillery on both sides is tremendous. Expect something to happen soon as the Warwick officers and ours are in consultation.. In the afternoon a Warwick sergeant had his leg nearly blown off. I and 3 others took him down to the aid post 1.5 miles away. He was a model of bravery although one leg was practically off, besides 2 other minor wounds. The back of the aid post was literally strewn with hour dead and an awful sight. We were under fire the whole way we got through alright. THE barrage of 5.9’s in the ---- never stop. In the evening we were told to stand to and were given a pick and shovel and 2 sandbags each. A party of Warwick’s with a mixture of our own bombers attacked with bombs the Hun strong point at the crossroads but it was too strong for them and we had to leave it to the party that relieve us. A barricade was established however, we expected to go out and do tonight what we failed to do this morning but did not. The artillery fire is awful, 9.2’s 4 at a time.

There you are Frev, loads of names for you to work on !!
As you can see from the amount I am feeling better today, but I cannot promise the same amount every day. Feedback is required to keep me at it though so come on you lot.
Regards
Julian

'McCouville'- McConville?
'slyh' - style?
'absurd b-' bravado, boasting - something like that maybe?

Compare how coll headed John is woth the drunk sergeant and section commander. Yiu can see why he's going to get commissioned. Alarming that the goggles and amsk didn;thelp woth the gas. I read something about that elsewhere one time but don't remember where.
Well, our John is in the thick of it now. I feel quite queasy just thinking about it.
Marina

Certainly in the thick of it now Jules. The fact that he was able to keep such an acurate diary under the circumstances is astounding. Obviously a very steady man. I have a feeling that promotion is not far off. Most of the men he has mentioned are listed as KIA on the AWM site. 2Lt Clarence Edward McConville is listed as KIA 25/07/1916. Keep up the great work.

Rgds

Tim

Great work Jules. Hope you are giving yourself some time off over Easter.

Cheers
Andrew

Hi Tim
Yes it amazes me how he managed to write all this down amongst all the carnage around him. Just to wet your appetite I can tell you John was promoted temporary Corporal on 30/07/16 and 2nd Lieutenant 13/09/16, at least that is what his paybook tells me. Keep reading Tim your commentts are most welcome mate.
Cheers
Julian

Hi Andrew
Luckily I have been of work all this week, since the 18th in fact, so I have had plenty of rest. I just wish I could remember all those touch typing lessons I took years ago. Ironically enough I now work with the British Army, in a civilian IT support role, so when I go back to work I get squadie's asking me about the diary and taking an interest in it. Thanks for your support Andrew.
Regards
Julian

hi Julian,

What made things a little more difficult is that my platoon sergeant and section commander are both half drunk and possessed of an absurd amount of harmful b-----?.
I recon the missing word must be Booz. Its was common for farmers in that time to make their own liquer which uncontrolled contained high alcohol percentage umongst others and could be lethal.

I guess i would get boozed upp myself in these circumstances. Better to be numm then to fully understand your mates get knocked off. And your already weak nerves from being bombarded all the time shred to pieces. Keep it upp mate its a wonderfull job your doing.

coo-ee
patrick

Hi Patrick
How do you think they got hold of the booze then, was it just pillaged from the local villages?. I can sure see the need to get hold of it, to try and numb the pain from all that incessant shelling and the noise must have been terrible. The men must have felt terrible in themselves hardly having eaten for days and not being able to wash or change their clothes, it is really hard to imagine the hell they were going through. Thanks for your kind words Patrick.
Regards
Julian

Dear Jules.Glad you're on the mend.It seems like everybody's been on the booze judging by the spelling lately!!!!!.But seriously,could you or a forum member just maybe give us a brief overview of where we are and which regiments etc. were involved at this time.Keep up the brilliant job mate. Regards Steve.

Hi Steve
Thanks for your kind words mate but as regards the other units involved I shall have to hand you over to Tim or Frev as they seem to know far more than me. Take it away Tim or Frev
Regards
Julian

38th Instalment
Thursday July 27th
We had heard rumours of being relieved today but did not think it was right. However we were agreeably confused when at 2 o/c the 24th battalion (a company) came in to relieve us and we moved out. Thankfully it was very dark and a good night for a relief and we went straight down to the battalion cookers and got a drink of hot tea, the first for some time. We then marched to the place where we first camped. Turned in and had a good sleep and then woke up to find a good meal awaiting us. The battalion has suffered very heavily there only being about 381 of us left after collecting all stragglers. We have had a very trying time and will want a good rest to reorganise before we are fit to fight again. Our CO is nowhere to be seen, I have not seen him since we went into the line. We got our overcoClick to view attachmentats on the way here last night. We are camped just close to the original Hun line and practically alongside the huge La Boiselle crater. (See image below). It is 57 feet deep and was blown by 70 tons of ammonal. Perfectly marvellous. Things must have been very lively about here the 1st week in July. We left here about 6 o/c and picked up the rest of the brigade from then on. Arrived at our bivouac about 11 o/c. On the way I met Major Dexter. Issued with blankets and I slept like a log.

Friday July 28th
Awoke 9.30 and had a good breakfast. Then rifle gas helmet and foot inspection. About 2 o/ we got what can be considered in these times a very decent dinner and then we got an order to move at once thinking the Hun had broken through but it was not so and so we marched on passing through Millencourt where the 3rd and 4th Brigades are. General Brand (our late battalion commander) is in command of the latter, and as we passed his headquarters he had a big placard outside, “Well done 8th battalion” and we all gave him three good cheers. He is a fair old soldier. Arrived at Contay at 7.30 and billeted in a camp in the wood. To move off in the morning. Turned in 10 o/c. We get rum issued daily these times. It is however more of a curse than anything being unfairly dealt out, whereas it should be a Godsend.

Saturday July 29th
Unexpectedly awakened this morning at 4 am with the mews that we had to be on the road by 5 o/c. Got a drink of tea and started off through Herrisart, Rubempre, Talmas and stopped at La Vicogne where we were put into poor billets. A lot of us bivouacked in the orchard. I reckon we marched 12 miles this morning and it has hit us pretty hard as we have had a rough time. We got here about 10 o/c. We do not know our ultimate destination at all. A big crowd of reinforcements arrived tonight for 2nd brigade including 150 for our battalion. Viv Brown and Ted Schunde both wounded pretty badly.

Sunday July 30th
Left La Vicogne at 9 o/c and marched about 6 miles by a bad road. The country now is at its best, pleasant to march through, the crops are just ripening. Absolutely the best scenery I have seen looking down in the little village of Canaples situated in the bottom of a cup shaped ravine amongst green timber. We eventually settled down in billets in Canaples . Not much of a village to buy anything in, but there is plenty of water and we should have a good rest here.

Monday July 31st
Parade 9 o/c. Usual rifle inspection etc. Nothing else doing so rested all day. Concert in the evening given by the boys which was a blessing. Turned in early

Tuesday August 1st
Parade this morning. We are to remain here for 6 or 7 days to reorganise. Inspection of gas helmets by brigade gas NCO. It is essential to have parades here but we do precious little but while away the time. Afternoon parade.

Wednesday August 2nd
Usual parade. Bayonet fighting etc. A battalion canteen has been opened up here now and it is just the thing. Parade 2 o/c Bayonet fighting and games . Expecting mail now. Turned in early sleep well these times.

Thursday August 3rd
Up at 7 o/c and in the morning went for a four mile route march. Getting very hot just now. In the afternoon should have been an inspection of rifles by the armourer sergeant but he did not turn up so we had a spell. 6.55. Warned for picquet at 7 o/c till 10. Easy job.

Friday August 4th
First day of 3rd year of war commemorated by my being put in orders as promoted to temporary Corporal. I was rather surprised as I had been told I would get 1 stripe but not 2. In charge of 2 prisoners and escort for Court Martial. Finished early. 11.30 Warned to take over orderly Sgt’s duties. Going some, private yesterday and orderly Sgt today. Parade in the afternoon for all NCO’s of D company for lecture by Sgt Major Carson. Last man in bed at night first up in the morning. Turned in 10 o/c.

Saturday August 5th
Up at 6.45. Reveille 7 o/c Just before breakfast I was warned that I had to go to bayonet fighting school. At 8.30 Sgt Major nisbunch? attached to Division. A good man DCM and Russian Star George Cross and can take an interest in the work. Officers doing the course as well. 8.30 – 11 and 1.30 – 4.30. I have now been transferred to 16 platoon and am in charge of 13 section. Am satisfied of the absurdity of thinking 13 is an unlucky number. My bad luck has yet to come. Only 6 men in my section till we get reinforced.

Sunday August 6th
Bayonet fighting at 8.55 It was interesting although somewhat strenuous. Rumours of a shift tonight or tomorrow morning. Dismissed 10 o/c. Talk 2 o/c till 4.30.

Monday August 7th
Parade for BF 9 o/c till 11 and then dismissed with Sgt Major instructors blessing. To move at 2.30 to the last place on left, La Vicogne. Hot and very dusty. Went along to see Kirkland and some of them in the 5th battalion in the evening. No blankets turned up but I managed to get a fair amount of sleep with overcoat etc. We dressed to go to bed and undressed to get up.

Tuesday August 8th
Reveille 7 o/c. Brigade moved off at 9.30 on the Doulens Amiens road and then branched off through Val De Maison Puchevillers Toutencourt to Contay where we camped in the same wood-camp. Very stiff march and dozens fell out. R—h on 12 miles. Arrived at Conlay 4.30. No blankets again tonight. Not so cold in huts, slept fairly well.
Thats your lot folks for today. Keep the feedback coming.
Regards
Julian

Viv's back! I wondered what had happened to him after he got wounded.

Dressed to go to bed - undressed when they got up - what a life. At least he's sleeping all right, although I can't imagine how he manages. And he notices how pretty the countryside is - what a contrast to the front lines. Just shows what a steady man he is - bet he was a good corporal/orderly sergeant. Would never be drunk on duty like those mentioned earlier. Wonder what the courts martial were about?

Sleep well, Julian- you're doing sterling service!
Marina



350 left - how many started out?

I will certainly sleep well Marina, rest assured of that. I only have to think of John and the little amount of sleep he had to manage on. Incidentally I would think a battalion comprised of the order of 800 men, so you can see they had lost of the order of 420 men !!
Regards
Julian