Maybe I will continue the diary and maybe I won't, two can play at that game

Marina,
PLEASE spill the beans. Cannot be cut of at this stage.

51st Instalment
Saturday October 7th
More rain during the night. Parade 9 o/c. We are to move into the trenches on Monday night and company commanders went up this morning to reconnoitre their various positions. In the afternoon censoring kept us busy. Went for a hot bath to Reninghelst in the afternoon, with Miles. A pretty lively crowd in the mess tonight. Turned in about 10 o/c.

Sunday October 8th
Brigade Church Parade 10 o/c. at which the Brigadier and another general were present. The service was conducted by major Dexter and Chaplain Carter. Address given by Archbishop Riley out from Australia. Marched past the General after the parade. Went for a walk with Bob Miles in the afternoon and had a look at the observation balloon close by which was very interesting. Advance party went forward tonight. Turned in early as I shall want plenty of sleep.

Monday October 9th
Parade 9 o/c. Battalion parade, all shortages rectified. Informed of proposal in view to take a vote on conscription in Australia also votes --- march Discipline. The Colonel also told us of 2 more men who have been granted MM’s both in 16 platoon. Parade 5.30 and moved as a battalion to Branabreck station and entrained to Ypres asylum. Guides met us and took us to the front line where we are to relieve the 12th battalion in front of Hill 60.

Tuesday October 10th
Practically no sleep last night. On duty in the line from 1.15-3.15. Stand to 4.30-5.15. Received orders to entirely evacuate the firing line owing to the possibility of the Hun sending up a mine which is known to exist under our area. Got a bit of sleep in the morning. On duty 8-12. Nothing doing. Also evacuated front line from 5.15 – 7. On duty 8-10. Thing have been pretty quiet.

Wednesday October 11th
On duty 2 – 4. 3 -4.30 evacuated front line trench escaping for flying patrol. On duty 12 – 4. We are giving Fritz a bit of hurry? with rifle grenades etc. We are putting a lot of work here in the way of refitting the trenches. At 4.30 --- opened up with Minnie and caused 1 casualty, the poor fellow losing a leg. Line evacuated again tonight. Rumours of being relieved shortly and going to another front, probably the Somme.

Thursday October 12th
Duty 12 – 2. Passed the Hun trying to get a sniper in front of our parapet. Put them to flight. He was causing a good deal of trouble. Usual stand to and evacuation of line. In the afternoon Fritz strafed a good deal. At 6.30 a bombardment opened up caused by raiding party by other division. Stand to.

That's all folks
Regards
Julian

Jules

You're such a sport for giving us the next instalment without the explanation or translation you requested!! If you think about it - you'll probably realise what Elven is - but if you can't, then I guess you didn't grow up with J.R.R. Tolkien.


Imagine having to go back into the front line after an evacuation - not once but various times. Knowing that you wouldn't hear the bomb coming - and didn't even have that chance to duck or run. It's surprising anyone kept their nerve!

Mon Oct 9th
.... Branabreck station .... - Brandhoek

Guides met us and took us into the front line .....
John's new company, C Coy, were located in Larch Wood - while his old company, D Coy, took over Battersea Farm.


Marina

I think a lot of our boys were far more scared than they let on - for some - their only way of coping was to try and carry on as normal a life as possible - those that gave in to the sheer madness of it all - were the ones that eventually did go mad.


I know Jules wont mind - who am I to presume!! - I hope Jules wont mind - if I add one more letter from Viv Brown (after all he was one of John's mates):

West Wimmera Mail - Fri Mar 10, 1916:
Letters from the Front
Lance Corporal V.C. Brown
Lance Corpoal Viv. Brown writes from Tel-El-Kebir, to his sister Mrs Ekman, of Natimuk, under date January 21.
"Jack Bray arrived here last night, he is in the 7th Battalion, I also met Billy Murphy, Clarke from Quantong and Frank Docherty. When I got back to the old 8th I was jolly glad to find Ted Schunke here. He arrived a couple of weeks before I did. He looks tip top and sends his kind regards. I am jolly glad we are not separated again. In writing material issued to us the other day, some wallets sent from Natimuk came to light. One I got was from Mrs Bird, Teds from Mrs Henry, and the Colonel's from Lo? Rosel. I am writing to thank them how much we appreciated them. Schunke is, like myself, unlucky as regards parcels. Neither of us has received any parcels from there, although you and others mention having sent parcels along.
I gave a mate of mine my Christmas billy to send to you. Please keep them safely for me. I will be sending some more along later on. I want you to keep a couple of the bombs. You can exhibit them in Mr Antony's window if you like. They are quite safe. They were originally filled with amonal, a very high explosive and a detonator goes into the hole in the top. It consists of a sort of fuse which explodes the bomb and then those little devils will shift a few tons of dirt or stuff. We received a large mail just after I got back. 34 letters for me, but sad to relate none of my parcels, so I was a bit disappointed. I have not waded through the lot yet. There are a few from you, I notice. Thanks for news. We had a fair Christmas. Each man had a gift billy, filled with different things - cakes, chocolate, etc. Mine had a baby's comforter and powder box and a small whistle. I do not know if the lady who packed mine was going for a holiday and put some of the baby's things in my billy in mistake or whether she thought some of us needed some comfort and she sent it in a small parcel. Anyhow it caused a bit of fun at my expense. I had a good yarn to Billy Murphy and he told me a few things that have happened since I left home, and that's a long time ago. I was glad to get to Egypt from England. I was getting very tired of doing nothing, although I had a splendid time. I must now ring off as I have a few more letters to write. Give kind regards to all the old friends."

I find it amazing that he was sending a bomb home - even though it was dismantled. Just imagine the connotations such an occurrence would have today!
I love the bit about the baby's things - it would have been a great joke.
Cheers, Frev.

Of course I don't mind Frev, in fact it is really good to read these letters. I for sure would never have t hought a soldier would send home a bomb! What were Viv's parents supposed to do with it and who would want to see an object that when live could well kill their loved ones. Thanks again Frev you have taught me a lot.
Regards
Julian

AAArgh! Came to the Forum today and discovered I'd somehow missed yesterday's installment. Careless...
John seems to be having a quieter time than usual. A relief, I'm sure.

Viv's baby gift WAS funny - had a sudden vision of him in the dugout with the comforter stuck in his mouth. Can't believe he was able to send the bomb home - and why would he want to? A garden feature?Oh, well...hope hisother parcels eventually showed up and contained goodies ...
Marina

Evening All
This is a message to anyone who regularly reads the diary extracts I have been posting these last few months. Apart from a few regular contributors I appear to be the only person doing the communicating. This forum is currently attracting about one response per ten views, which I do not think much of to be honest. I have learnt a great deal from other peoples postings and I would hope there are people who are reading this who feel the same about this diary. If you have not posted a response to what you have read, and you know who you are, then please turn over a new leaf and start now as you are my source of motivation.
Many thanks
Julian

Hi Julian,

I have been following this since the beginning, as I have a special interest in the AIF and this battalion, and you kindly let me know when the details of the Pozieres action was to be posted. I haven't put any replies up, as most of what I would have said has already been posted, and I don't see the need to repeat it. I hope you don't think what you are doing is not appreciated, because it is. I hope you will put the whole thing together one day and offer it out - I would be happy to buy a copy.

I can add one little thing, which I don't think anyone has noticed. In an earlier extract it was stated:



I suspect this is Lieutenant William Joynt VC, who got the VC with the 8th Bn AIF near Peronne in August 1918. See:

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-vc/joynt-vc.htm

He was quite a character; there is a photo of him at Passchendaele sitting with a bunch of other AIF officers. He looks a tough nut! He also wrote a book 'Saving The Channel Ports' if memory serves me correctly.

Keep up the good work - and thanks for sharing this.

hello julian mate,

for starters i think for your instalment for wednesday october the 4th your probarbly looking for the word combinations, (signaling). As to answer an earlier question. (forgive me for taking so long) french farmers always had "plonk" (wine) ore other alcohol in there cellars, so its not unusual for soldiers to find them in abanded farms etc.
Its also known that the inhabitants in french villages were always more willing to give passing soldiers wine then food ( which i can understand.better to give something you can get plentifull then something you may need later on and is hard to get, like a ham ore cheese,eggs etc.).

Keep upp installing the dairy mate it is such a gripping inside story, it reads like a novell.

coo-ee
patrick

Lt Joynt might be better known as Donovan-Joynt VC

He also wrote a book "Breaking The Road" (so that others may follow?) which may be a biblical quotation. The splitting of his WW1 experiences between the 2 books is rather curious as they are not chronologically consecutive so to speak.

If Petrick is unsure as to where the term plonk originated, it is alleged to be a description of the method adopted by the French Peasants on the arrival of AIF troops. They would harvest that day's vintage, throw it in the air and it would come down plonk.

Dear Jules.Don't worry mate we're all still here. Maybe our expectation level is too high!!!! We would probably give you more stick if you didn't carry on.Think of it as your "national service". I don't hear John complaining too much......and you've only got to transcribe his diary!!!!!. Carry on ,you are doing a great service to John and all the others.If you hadn't done this many others who you have named would possibly have not been remembered.For me thats why this forum exists.
Best Regards Steve.


P.S. Plonk was WW1 rhyming slang for vin blanc.

Hi Patrick
Please explain about the word combinations as I am not sure what you mean mate. I just put down my best interpretation of John's writing
Regards
Julian

52nd Instalment
Friday October 13th
Duty 12-2. Very quiet. Usual stand to etc. On duty 12-4. Fritz strafed us with minnies and shrapnel from 3 – 4 and we had about 10 casualties including Gwinny? Jones. Nothing doing at night. To be relieved tomorrow night. We are going to a training area at St Omer but for what purpose we do not know.

Saturday October 14th
Advance party of 21st? battalion officers came up today. Duty 12 – 2, very quiet, usual stand to. Duty 12 – 4. A few minnies and some shrapnel. Relief due at 8 o/c guides went down to meet train at 5 o/c. About 7.30 just when the relief might turn up Fritz opened up a heavy barrage on us and we had a job to get all the men under cover. When the relief arrived each guide had the men for his own –or- and the wrong one went in f— which caused an awful mix up and which took a lot of sorting out. We got away about 9 o/c and marched to where we entrained for Brandhoek and then marched to our old camp at Scottish lines where we settled down for the night. There were about 21 casualties in the relief mostly 21st battalion. Had a narrow shave from a 4.2. One poor fellow had his arm taken off by a dud 5.9.

Sunday October 15th
Parade 8.30 and moved out to Brigade starting point. Moved off 9 o/c 8th battalion leading. We marched via Poperinghe & Abeele to within half a mile of Godderswelde? just off the Steenwoorde road. We had lunch on the road and arrived here about 2.30. Good billets, slept well in a nice bed.

Monday October 16th
Marched out about 8 o/c to the village of Aneka via Steenvoorde. Arrived about 3 o/c. Covered about 8 miles yesterday and 14 today. Decent billets. In the evening Miles Stevenson and I went up to the town which is not half bad. Turned in at 8 o/c.

Tuesday October 17th
Marched out 7.30. Owing to clashing on the road with a brigade of artillery we halted a good deal but after a very strenuous march we arrived at Epilecques about 4 o/c. Covered about 14 miles today. Pretty solid. Bob Miles and I struck a very comfortable billet. Spring bed sheets etc. Very homely old per---- we had a great yarn with them in the evening. Slept like a top.

Wednesday October 18th
Breakfast 8 o/c parade 9.30. 11.30 washing parade in the afternoon.

Night all
Regards
Julian

Hey, Jules - you stopped short of St. Omer and we don't know what this training is! Still, I suppose you have to have some time of your own..
Marina

Sorry Marina but my bed is calling me and I have an early start in the morning.
Julian

I suppose...

NIGHTIE NIGHT, JULES! SWEET DREAMS!
Marina

Is there something you and Marina want to share with us Jules?
Keep up the great work. Have you considering turning these diaries into the basis for a book. There a heap of material and photos available....it would be a ripper.

Rgds

Tim

Tim,
Someone has to look after Jules. Think of the situation he is in - all that deciphering, all that typing, all those dozens of minds WILLING him to come up with the next installment, wondering why he wastes time sleeping and breathing...He has to know we CARE. Or he won't be able to carry on!
I suggest we draw up a rota - you, me, Frev, Ossie - all the regulars - to take turns at 'night night' duty. You're on tomorow night, Tim....
Night all!
Marina

I waited up till 3.30am for the next installment but eventually had to go to bed! Lucky I have a day off today.

Washing parade, did the army do everything in parades, can someone please explain this?
A dud 5.9 taking of an arm. Would this be because it didn't go off the first time and somebody tripped it? Any help?

Jules, you are marked top of my must see posts and I like to see it stay there, so as Marina said
'wondering why he wastes time sleeping and breathing...He has to know we CARE. Or he won't be able to carry on!'

Tim - I was wondering the same thing!! I was starting to feel like a 'peeping frev'.

Marina - may I be excused from the 'night night' duty - I'd have to get up at some ungodly hour of the morning/night to stand my watch - and I do tend to get a little grumpy if I don't get my sleep!

Ozzie K - I'd be guessing that the 'washing parade' might have had to do with them turning their dirty laundry over (at a particular time) to be transported away to be cleaned - and probably picking up a clean lot at the same time. When they were on the move so much - they didn't really have the chance to wash & 'hang their things out to dry'.
eg. from the diary of an Aussie Transport driver:
Sat 25/11/16. 'Got up at 8.30 got loaded with new stuff and old - took load to Vivvier Mill, got loaded there with dirty clothes and full of chats who would stand up and argue the point with you.'

Jules - I think what Patrick was talking about with the word combinations was:
Wed Oct 4th:
We were shown the machines and the various signalling conb--ouces? etc. - He's saying the word is probably combinations.


Fri Oct 13th
Gwinny? Jones - there was a Geoffrey & a George Jones in the 8th Bn - so unless it was actually a nickname - my guess would be Geoffrey.

Sat Oct 14th
Advance party of 21st? battalion - they were relieved by the 21st Bn

Sun Oct 15th
Godderswelde? - Godewaersvelde

Tue Oct 17th
Epilecques - they're now off my map (most annoying) - but Ron spells it in 'Cobbers in Khaki' as Eperleclque.

Cheers, Frev.

Marina - may I be excused from the 'night night' duty - I'd have to get up at some ungodly hour of the morning/night to stand my watch - and I do tend to get a little grumpy if I don't get my sleep!

Frev, you wouldn't have done in the trenches , you know! You could always post the night night message earler and he can read it later.

You know, I never thought of the problem of laundry before. I wonder how they organised getting theor own kit back and so on. Difficult. And were those tattered uniforms cleanble after all the mud and mess? Gad I wasn't the laundress!
Did like your diary entry on the other thread, Frev. Good one!
Marina

Hi Tim et Al
Yes I have been asked quite a few times to turn John's diary into a book and I have given it soem serious consideration, but to be honest I would not know where to start especially as the diary appears to finsh at the end of 1916. Your suggestions would be appreciated Tim.
Regards
Julian

Hi frev
I just had another look at the word above and I have sussed out what it is at last. It is Contrivances. Thanks for your help again Frev.
Julian

53rd Instalment
Thursday October 19th
2nd anniversary of departure from Australia. Referendum voting. BCC? General Birdwood presented more medals in the afternoon. In the evening we had a very decent Coy mess dinner and things got lively. Turned in 11.30 having the key of the door.

Friday October 20th
Parade 9 o/c. 9.30 Warned to proceed with Dan South and 100 men to Arques as entraining party. Left at 10.15 and marched 10 miles to the station yard St Omer. Arrived 2 o/c. First train arrived about 2.45 and the party worked in 2 reliefs loading transport on the train , sc--- fell over the side of the line and knocked himself about a bit and had to go to bed during the night and so I was on my own and had a pretty stiff time keeping the fellows going to the Saks? factory of Anxions? C.6 & ARTO Managed to get a couple of passable meals in the town. Not much of a place.

Saturday October 21st
About 4.30 Scotty relieved me and I slept for three hours and had breakfast and a wash and then carried on myself. Went for lunch 12.30 while Scotty loaded the last train. At 2.30 we got in the engineers train and travelled via St Omer Calais Boulogne Etaples and Abbeville to St Riquet? about 8 miles the other side of Abbeville. Arrived there about midnight.

Sounds like tomorrow could be a gripping instalment, until the next time then
Night all and morning Frev and Tim
Regards
Julian

Ozzie

The 5.9 was a substantial shell. It was fired by a heavy gun. If somebody tripped it, the only thing left would be the arm. So I think the arm will have been hit by the shell flying past before it landed.

Hope that helps.

Robert

Anyone know what the Sak's actory was?
Was it perhaps Scotty who fell over the line?
Marina

Julian, keep on, I am always there -lurking for the next installment

I'm presuming the October 19th referendum voting was for the conscription debate.

Robert
Thanks for that explanation - it had me wondering too - god, if they don't get you one way, they get you another!




Marina - I'd agree with you about Scotty - and no idea on the Saks? factory of Anxions? either.


Only thing I can help with Jules is St Riquet? - St Riquier
Could tomorrow's gripping instalment have anything to do with the fire?
Frev.

Keep plugging away Jules. Apologies for not replying lately or offering support, on a stretch of unsociable shifts and what I sometimes want to say has been said. First thread (and site) I look for when online. Dread to think what we'll do when the diary ends in 3 months. Go outside in the sunshine, possibly!

Just like Paul Reed, I have been reading this thread with interest. Most appreciated.

I will be travelling on many of the routes described this weekend and will think of his travails and efforts.

Thanks again for posting the entries

HI GY402
Thanks for your thoughts and don't worry as I sure will keep plugging away. I sure sympathise with the shifts by the way. I also don't know what I will do when the diary finishes, I still can't believe there are nomore books to take it to the end of the war but I have not given up searching for it.
Regards
Julian

Sorry Ozzie but if I have not posted a reply before 10pm GMT then I shall not be posting till the next evening. You get your beauty sleep my ffriend
Julian

54th Instalment
Sunday October 22nd
We knew ask the whereabouts of the battalion when we got to St Riquet was that they were at Faucourt. No map and no idea where Faucourt was. Pitch dark. We moped about for a long while and at 4 o/c after scrutinising sign posts the aid of torches around at the village not a soul being awake and me having no idea of where the boys billets were. At last we found them and got the men settled having marched FR? Scotty and I by this time felt like bed ourselves and made our way to BHQ. Discovered the adjutants bedroom and he being in a comfortable bed we climbed into his valise on the floor. He and his bed mate Tas Mummery were rather surprised to find us there in the morning. Got a dress tunic and a pair of –ren—boots out ofT as. We then discovered our allocated billet which was not bad. Church parade in afternoon. About 20 men and 5 officers present. Turned in early.

Monday October 23rd
About midnight we were awakened by the ringing of bells, beating of drums and shouting of excited French people. The billet occupied by the scout caught fire and was burned down. The French fire engine comprised of a big barrel of water on wheels with pumping attachments and hose foiled the same the building? Awakened by Jock at 7 o/c and told we were to move out at 8 o/c. Dickens of a rush the company commander having signed for orders in the middle of the night while half asleep and forgotten all about them. No breakfast. Just got away in time. Marched onto the main Abeville Amiens road and 2 brigades of us got onto a train of 200 French motor vehicles each holding 30 men. Started of at 1 o/c and arrived at 2 k’s outside Dernancourt at 8 o/c. Marched to rotten billets and settled down for the night. Covered about 37 miles by motor.

Tuesday October 24th
To move off to a reserve camp close to the line at 12.30. Paraded outside billets at 10.30 and waited there in the rain till 2 o/c when the brigade moved off in order of battalions. The traffic on the road up towards the line is terrific and the roads are in a very sloppy condition although they are metalled thank goodness. A lot of German prisoners working on the roads. Arrived at a camp between Mammetz? and Frecoourt? in good Nissen huts (built in sections and having a semi-circular appearance when completed) about 6 o/c. We are very lucky to have such good quarters, the other battalions have only dug outs.

Keep reading folks
Goodnight or good morning all deopending on residing hemisphere
Regards
Julian

[quote=pompeyrodney,Apr 21 2005, 09:48 PM]
54th Instalment
Sunday October 22nd
. Discovered the adjutants bedroom and he being in a comfortable bed we climbed into his valise on the floor. He and his bed mate Tas Mummery were rather surprised to find us there in the morning.

Have been hovering, waiting for the ten o'clock deadline!
That must have been some size of valise - would it have been a big steamer trunk or something like that? Surely they couldn't lug such HUGE luggage about at the Front?
The rotten billets must have been REALLY rotten if they were bad compared to a night in a valise!
Night everybody!
Marina

[quote=marina,Apr 21 2005, 09:00 PM]
[quote=pompeyrodney,Apr 21 2005, 09:48 PM]
54th Instalment
Sunday October 22nd
. Discovered the adjutants bedroom and he being in a comfortable bed we climbed into his valise on the floor. He and his bed mate Tas Mummery were rather surprised to find us there in the morning.

Have been hovering, waiting for the ten o'clock deadline!
That must have been some size of valise - would it have been a big steamer trunk or something like that? Surely they couldn't lug such HUGE luggage about at the Front?
The rotten billets must have been REALLY rotten if they were bad compared to a night in a valise!
Night everybody!
Marina

[/quote]

Just imagine waking up and finding 2 grown men in your case!! That would have made my day - what a sight! I'm starting to think that John & Scotty were a real pair of wags.


Oct 22nd:
.... having marched FR? - could it be FH - his short-hand for 'for hours'??

Oct 24th:
Mammetz? and Frecoourt? - Mametz and Fricourt
[Back on one of my maps again]

Jules - just to help you out in advance - they'll be heading up to Pommiers Camp just out of Gueudecourt soon.

Cheers, Frev

Evening All

55th Instalment

Wednesday October 25th
Reveille 7 o/c. Parade 9 o/c. Inspection of kit and PT. Parade 2 o/c of active officers and NCO’s. It has been raining nearly all day and everything is very muddy. We are all expecting to take part in a big stunt here shortly the last objective being Bapaume. Great difficulty is being experienced in getting up sufficient stores to the front line owing to the horrible state of the track and roads leading to it brought about by so much wet weather. Captain Bolton, Charlie Fox and Dan Weeks came back today. Turned in 6.30

Thursday October 26th
A pretty heavy bombardment by us last night. Up at 7.30 usual parades. It has continued to drizzle all day and I understand this stunt has now been postponed indefinitely. Section by Leurs? Gun Officer at 3 O/c? At 4 o/c orders for A and B company to go on working party. Left 4.30 and went to Brigade HQ and then to a bye road to clean away slush about 9” deep and put down sleepers. 5 and 7 platoons came home about 10 o/c. In camp at 11 o/c. The main road is e—p-ly ? congested with traffic.

Friday October 27th
Back in bed. Still raining. Usual inspection and PT. March in afternoon. Completion of L G Action. No fatigue tonight. The stunt towards Bapaume is constantly being postponed owing to the wet. Senior officers from brigade go up daily to reconnoitre.

Night all
Regards
Julian

[quote=pompeyrodney,Apr 22 2005, 09:43 PM]
Evening All

[b]Thursday October 26th
A pretty heavy bombardment by us last night. Up at 7.30 usual parades. It has continued to drizzle all day and I understand this stunt has now been postponed indefinitely. Section by Leurs? Gun Officer at 3 O/c? At 4 o/c orders for A and B company to go on working party. Left 4.30 and went to Brigade HQ and then to a bye road to clean away slush about 9” deep and put down sleepers. 5 and 7 platoons came home about 10 o/c. In camp at 11 o/c. The main road is e—p-ly ? congested with traffic.

As if the bombardment wasn't bad ernpugh, they get slush as well.
Do we get to Bapaume today, Jules?
Marina

Howdy Jules

How's it all going - are your eyes giving you headaches every time you try to decipher that faint old script? Just think - you'll be an expert at it when you've finished - you could even take it on as a new job!!!!!!
I bet you these two expressions just followed each other across your face.
Look at the bright side - it's slowed you down - so the RSI in your fingers should be starting to heal, right.
Anyway, enough fun (at your expense).


Oct 26th
Section by Leurs? Gun Officer at 3 o/c? - Wondered whether this might actually read - Lecture by Lewis Gun Officer at 3 o/c.


A few comments about the road conditions by an Aussie Transport Driver who just arrived in the area:

Sat 28/10/16
We are in for a terrible time, the heavy traffic has cut the roads to pieces, everything is mud.
Sun 29/10/16
Left for Contay for special 4.5 ammunition with No. 7, got it, roads terrible. Dark overtook us at Mametz, terrific road, engine stopped. Crawl in mud 18 inches deep.
Got to Plateaw Rail Head waited in mud for petrol. Towards Maricourt and Longuaval all guns going. Bazentin Le Petit guns going, atrocious roads.
Mon 30/10/16
Everything awful, roads most awful I've seen.
......................... Pouring rain, great German dugouts everywhere. Traffic terrible: six hours for three miles allowed to get through. Suffering of infantry awful.
[etc etc etc.]

Cheers, Frev

Howdy Frev
Thanks again for your ideas with regard to what John had written. "Section by Leurs? Gun Officer at 3 o/c?" should actually have read "Lecture by Lewis Gun Officer at 3 o/c", as you nearly suggested. I see you have noticed how much I have slowed down in my deciphering, it is really hard work as you may have gathered. Rest assured I shall keep going with your help Frev, anyway back to the typing.
Regards
Julian

Nice example of one of the many ways that information was disseminated throughout the Army.

Robert

HI Robert
I take it you mean through the use of lectures. It would seem to me to be just about the only way of getting the info down to the men at that time. Do you know of any other ways of disseminating information to those that needed it Robert ?
Regards
Julain

56th Instalment

Saturday October 28th
Better weather today. 9 o/c In charge of working party of 80 men filling in dead German trench and burying loose barbed wire. Same with afternoon. OC’’s inspection today.

Sunday October 29th
Rained like fury all night. Frightfully muddy. Issue of bombs sandbags ands skin coats. Orders received at 12 o/c to move at 2 o/c. A great amount of bustle and confusion. Moved out at intervals but the leading company was stopped and told to stand by. After waiting half an hour we were sent back to camp the position we were going to being untenable tonight due to the weather. Occupied a lesser number of huts when we got back. The stint is now off. Daily issue of rum from now onwards.

Monday October 30th
9 o/c. Inspection of arms etc and issue of whale oil. PT. We will probably move up today. Advance party went up today to make up old dug outs. A number of cases of trench feet have occurred in the ranks of the regiment we are relieving. We have had none yet. It rained cats and dogs during the afternoon and everything is now getting more and more slushy. Once again we are to be allowed to stay here for the night and consider ourselves very fortunate. The 5th and 6th are in the line and the 7th in reserve.

Tuesday October 31st
Rained like fury last night. Inspection. Drying of clothes in improvised drying room. The party that went yesterday to build dug outs returned this morning in a most pitiful state. Expecting to move up today but hope for the best. Still raining. The Hun dropped six bombs near here tonight. Did little or no damage.

Wednesday November 1st
Up early and moved out at 12 o/c. In places the main road is a sea of mud and closed for clearance. There is a small army of men working on it. Our people are making great efforts to keep the roads clear but it is a hopeless task. We have not a very great difficulty in advancing but the trouble is to keep up supplies and munitions. Arrived at Pomiers redoubt at 1.30, a distance of one and a half miles and at 3 o/c received orders just after dinner to move out at once. Went to dug out camp at Burnafoy? Good officers quarters only as B coy’s have C and D coming up tonight. Played cards at night.

Thursday November 2nd
A good deal of big gun fire last night. A few shells near us but intended for a 6” naval gun some distance away. Up at 9 o/c. Remainder of battalion arrived at 11 o/c. Very cramped. Battalion moved off at 5 o/c and proceeded along a main road with slush in places up to the knees (without exaggeration) through Delville? Moved along a frightful track to a very poor trench. Relieved 6th battalion. No cover from rain or shell fire. Lots of the men made “possies”? outside the trench, including Miles and I. Very cold and wet, slept for about 4 hours.

Friday November 3rd
Awoke 5.30 cold as charity and set about making a new dug out with Captain Kenby? and Miles. Extra ordinary aerial activity today standing where we were and looking up we counted no less than 72 planes and a number of observation balloons. Went into Fleurs foraging for dug out material. The village has been a fair sized one but is now a mass of ruins, though not as bas as Popieres. Plenty of dead lying about. At 5 o/c went and had a look at tank D5 which was put out of action in the advance some time back. It had been hit by a shell, the bodies of 2 of its crew being buried alongside it. We realised the wisdom of our days work when it came to turning in at night.

Saturday November 4th
Rained a little through the night and as is usual on the front line the artillery hammered away like fury as it has done ever since we arrived here. Sometimes it is terrific as in one case last night when the Bosch attacked our line not far away and we ---in back. Party of 20 officers and 100 men from our company to take duckboards up to the line. The church spire in Bapaume can be seen in the distance from here.

Sunday November 5th
3 heavy showers of rain during the night but we slept till 8 o/c. Several heavy bursts of artillery fire at 9 o/c. There was a very intense bombardment close by and I think there must have been a “hop-over”. 6 o/c. 12 of D coy moved up to the firing line through mud varying from 18” to 2 feet deep. Eventually had to abandon the trench and go over the top, men becoming bogged like horses. Pretty risky but had no casualties. Relieved D coy 5th battalion. On duty 10-12.

Monday November 6th
Went to company HQ when not on duty. It is an old German big gun position with a system of dug outs and he strafes it consistently. Three men of the company we relieved being killed. Lay “doggo” during the day. The exact position of the Hun here is doubtful. He is established somewhere across the gully and the 1st Brigade tried to shift him a while back and failed with heavy casualties. A lot of dead can be seen laying about. It is a lively run from Coy HQ to the trench where the men are across the lop, the trench being impassable. Sniped all the way. After lunch Scotty and I got orders to go up to green trench and reconnoitre for a job of work to be done at night. We both had waders on and still the slush came in the top of them. It was 3 feet deep at least. Eventually got there and met Major Mitchell and Tas Mummery. We have to take 50 men out tonight and dig a trench from which it is rumoured we will eventually hop out tonight across the gully to our CHQ. An impossible stunt. Started out just before dusk and all went well. Despite the fact that we were sniped at all the while we only had one casualty. Back about 1 o/c.

A nice long instalment so I am hoping for lots of feedback from you all
Good night all
Regards
Julian

Hi Julian

Yes, I was referring to the use of lectures. This could be formal lectures, for example someone invited in from outside the unit. In the history of the Scots Guards, they invited Canadians to come and talk on their successful attack at Vimy. Lectures might be informal and impromptu. Sometimes, a unit commander might chose to give a talk on some aspect of tactics for example. I have also read about what we might call seminars these days - several speakers presenting to a group of men who stayed in a residential course for a few days. The Master of Belhaven mentioned attending such a 'refresher' course. Typically, it seemed to be the meeting with others on the course, rather than the lectures, that stimulated the most interest and discussion.

Training courses were held in all sorts of things: anti-gas measures, musketry, bombing, use of Lewis guns, sniping and scouting, etc.

Informal discussions might be encouraged within units. The Australians and New Zealanders seemed to follow this approach, perhaps in part because officers and NCOs tended to be from the same social background.

Simulations were important. This included access to models of the terrain to be attacked, practicising manoeuveres with tanks (or models thereof), or mock-barrages for example.

Training and other information leaflets/manuals were issued on a range of topics.

I have also read where officers from Eton would get together whenever they were in the vicinity. No doubt this would happen with officers from other social groups, such as cavalrymen who had served in the same regiment before the war. These gatherings offered an important opportunity for the sharing of knowledge and experience. Several prominent generals, such as Rawlinson, Plumer, and Byng, were Etonians, and they might meet up with the likes of Fraser-Tytler who was an officer serving in the field artillery.

Just some of the many ways that information and experience was passed on.

Robert

Yes, that was a substantial one - especially considering the diffcult handwriting. Miserably uncomfortable time they're all having in the mud.
Why does he say that orders were issued for rum rations 'from now onwards'? Didn't they always have it?
Marina

Many thanks Robert I certainly had not appreciated all the various ways to spead the word so to speak. My grandfather certainly seemed to attend a lot of lectures and courses thats for sure. Thanks again.
Julian

What a miserable way to live day by day; mud, cold, getting ready t go to the front then have it called off.
It is efforts by the likes of yourself, Jules, that bring to life, what the soldiers went through and helps us to understand.
Thankyou
Kim

Hi Kim
I was struck like yourself by the sheer misery they all must have felt in those awful conditions. It is hard to imagine what it must have been like to try and get around in mud that came over the top of a pair of waders. Then to have to fight in it as well must have been truly depressing indeed. Imagine trying to move in the mud whilst a sniper has you in the cross of his telescopic sights, it amazes me how they only had one casualty. Glad to hear the diary is educating you and others Kim, it certainly is me.
Regards
Julian

Well Jules,

After that last instalment the RSI's sure to start kicking in again!
Is there any evidence of that relentless mud on the actual diary?

Wed Nov 1st
Went to dug out camp at Burnafoy? - Bernafay - this camp had large (dry!!) underground dugouts.

Thur Nov 2nd
Delville? - this would have been Delville Wood

"possies"? - this was often used by the Aussies to describe their little home-away-from-homes. A place of their own. [Some of us still use the word today - short for position]

Fri Nov 3rd
Fleurs - Flers
Popieres - Pozieres

Mon Nov 6th
.... across the lop, the trench being impassable. - top (probably only a typing error?)


Just a little more detail on where they were [from 'Cobbers in Khaki']
"The cold, wet winter had now set in, and on 2nd November, the battalion moved up to Switch Trench with 'mud up to our knees' and relieved the 6th Battalion for several days before relieving the 5th Battalion in Biscuit, Pioneer's, Bull's Run and Grease Trenches."

[from 'Forward With the Fifth']
"The Eighth Battalion relieved on the Fifth of November and as if to celebrate the day by fireworks, the German artillery fire became intense, the Fifth having five men killed, besides those wounded. Leaving the slimy trench behind with thankful hearts, the relieved men slid and floundered in the darkness towards the rear, ....."

Cheers, Frev

There's a titbit about Bernafay on the supernatural occurrences thread.
Marina