May 1916

May 1916

1 MAY MONDAY

Missed the working party again, had to give evidence at the Blacklock enquiry. Then on guard duty at Headquarters with the 47th Londoners

An old Frenchman came in the Guard post this evening, and talked to me for quite a long while, we didn’t understand much of what each other was saying, we got little bits of it but we seemed to understand what each other meant. When he eventually left he looked quite happy and he gave me a penny.

2 MAY TUESDAY

On guard duty again all day, the weather is really fine and improving all the time. The General decided that the Old Headquarters guard were no good and sent them all back to their own outfits.

There was a parade this afternoon and even though the weather in getting better, we had only just got back under cover, when a huge thunder storm broke. The storm only lasted for half an hour, between 3.30 and 4.00pm, not very long but the thunder was really loud (louder than the bombardments) and the rain came down in sheets.

Got relieved of guard duty at Headquarters after the storm and had a fairly quiet night.

3 MAY WEDNESDAY

Quite a grand morning after yesterdays storm, everything seems so fresh, all of the lads are out on working parties but not me.

Alan Graham has been sent for court marital.

4 MAY THURSDAY

Market day in Pernes today but as yesterday, all the lads were out on the working parties, so I went to the market on my own. I had a good walk around the stalls and bought a rather nice silk kerchief for Jane. Then I had a spot of dinner in a cafe, followed by coffee and a liqueur, this is the life, or it could be, one day perhaps.

5 MAY WEDNESDAY

Good job yesterday was quiet, as we were up early this morning and left Pernes at 5.30am. We set off for Reclinghem on foot, a very long route march, about 25k, and the weather was not favorable for marching, it was blazing hot. The heat has been affecting us all, me Ginger and Jim all had to fall out twice during the march, we eventually arrived in Reclingham properly fatigued at 1.00pm.

6 MAY SATURDAY

Reclinghem is a small village, very similar to Hermin, where we were in March and coincidentally we arrived there after a long march as well.

Still worn out after yesterdays march. Made Court Orderly for the court martial of Alan Graham, the rest of the Company are on manoeuvres. BLOBING

Spent the night with Readman, we had a bit of a walk out in the village and had a little drink, the village was very busy tonight.

Got some mail today, a letter from Syd (the rebels in Dublin have surrendered, lets hope that’s the end of that) and a letter from Jane. The baby is due anytime now, I should be at home with her, not stuck over here, so far away.

7 MAY SUNDAY

Still no church parade, last one was Palm Sunday, I think. Got my chance to go scouting today.

A fine quiet night, Jim Redman and I went back into the village for a couple more drinks and a bit of friendly banter.

8 MAY MONDAY

Blobing and scouting

It started raining this afternoon, we did a bit of marching and company drill, and got rather wet. Captain White returned to us today and took over command.

blobing

Out in the village again tonight with Jim, I am rather enjoying these nights out, good company, good wine (the beer is dreadful) descent conversation and a chance to forget it all for an hour or so. After all there is not much else to enjoy over here.

9 MAY TUESDAY

Still wet today and my boots are leaking. need some new ones. nobody interested in going out in the rain so I had a quiet night in.

10 MAY WEDNESDAY

Battalion day, the General spoke to us all in the afternoon, he congratulated the Battalion for all of the work that we have been doing and expressed his hope that we would keep it up. After the General had gone, the drinking houses were put out of bounds for two days because of all of the drunks (something must have happened in the village last night when we did not get out), what nice way to say thank-you to the lads.

Tonight the weather is improving, good job with these boots, although with the bars and eating houses out of bounds there is nowhere to go. Ginger came over and we had a bottle of wine, over a game of cards, Ginger now owes me a full pack of ciggs.

11 MAY THURSDAY

Brigade day, out scouting early. There was a rifle inspection this afternoon , by the Armourer, he was pleased overall but some of the lads are on charges.

Eventually starting to feel like my old self again, my health is picking up and I also feel better in spirit than I have done for a long time, I think it could be the relaxed atmosphere here in Reclinghem.

Stayed in again tonight as everywhere is still out of bounds, got on with my letter writing.

12 MAY FRIDAY

Today the weather was fine, although it was also rather close. Had some scout training under Corporal Clarke, he seems to think that I am doing very well at it. Nice start to the afternoon, had a bath and then got paid, a lot of good getting paid is when everywhere you can spend your money is out of bounds.

Then the Master Armourer did a rifle inspection, yesterday must have been just a rehearsal for today. Even later we had a lecture on the effects of the gases Chlorine and Phosgene, I have already seen what gas can do and its not nice.

Relaxing tonight Got a letter and parcel from Jane, had some cake and read the newspapers. The leaders of the Irish rebellion have been shot, I only hope that this doesn’t turn them into martyrs and escalate the troubles.

13 MAY SATURDAY

Weather turned wet again today but I’ve got my got my new boots, and wouldn’t you know it we went out on a route march as well, my feet are killing me, I should have worn my old leaky boots.

The weather didn’t stop the lads having another football match later this afternoon, our lot ‘B’ company against ‘D’ Company. Plenty of shouting going on again, a lad standing next to me from Blackhall, reckons that, if the players had a ball each, then they wouldn’t have to run about as much, he then walked of and disappeared back into his billet.

Tonight as we still can not go in the village, we had a game of house organized for us, I played but without any success. Got hold of some Yank ciggs from one of ‘D’ company, he got them off one of the Canadians and there are not that bad.

14 MAY SUNDAY

As is now getting to be usual, there was no church parade, as we were out on manoeuvres again.

15 MAY MONDAY

Its now raining quite hard, manoeuvres were canceled for the day, so we had yet another rifle inspection and a long route march with full pack instead, just for fun

Had a nice quiet walk out by myself tonight, quite a lot to think about, the baby id due anytime now and I can not be there, as if it wasn't depressing enough over here already. .

16 MAY TUESDAY

Another brigade day in fine weather all pretty mush a success.

I did not leave the billet after tea but started reading a book I was given by one of the lads instead, The Thirty-Nine Steps, by John Buchan.

17 MAY WEDNESDAY

Still in our billets in Reclinghem, been here quite a long time, so I would think we will be moving on soon.

On a nice warm day, we practised attacking from trenches, not something you want to do in anger.

Later on the afternoon I had time to read a bit more of my book and it's quite good.

Good news today, I have a another baby boy, born in the 14th, thankfully both he and Jane are well, thank god. Had a little drink with a few of the lads tonight to celebrate, only wish I could be at home with all the family instead though. So for the last few day that I have been worrying about the birth and it was all over and done with. I will have to get a letter off as soon as I can.

18 MAY THURSDAY

Under orders to leave, we’ve had quite a good time away from the front and besides the route marches, manoeuvres, and drills we’ve had a fair rest as well.

Third fine day in a row, so after a bathing parade, I rolled up my great coat and blankets, and I am going to sleep with no covers on tonight, even though I do feel a cold coming on.

19 MAY FRIDAY

Up early and left Reclinghem at 4.00am to march the 25k back to Pernes. We arrived at Pernes train station at about 11pm, and boarded a train for Barlin. On arriving in Barlin we found that we had to march a further 5k to Coupigny, to the same wooded huts that we had left on the 26th of April.

I am properly worn out, I think this cold has something to do with it and my feet are all skinned as well, I still need to work in these new boots.

20 MAY SATURDAY

A fine day in Coupigny resting but under orders to go up to the trenches. Relived by ‘C’ company of the East Lancs this evening and moved out for the trenches in Air Noulette at 19.30.

The lads of the East Lancs were in a bad way, as the Lancashire battalions had been in the thick of it for the last week near Vimy. Before we moved out there was time for the lads of the Lancs to relate the story of their last few days in. They had been given the task of taking two groups of mine craters, in the region of La Folie farm to the south west of Givenchy-en-Gohelle, from which, the Germans were keeping a close watch on the British trenches. To do this the Lancs had tunneled under the old mine craters and planted new mines, then after a bombardment to send the Germans scuttling into their beep dugouts the mines were exploded. The resulting massive, volcanic like upheaval, caused by the three mines, exploding as one, sent a horrible mound of earth, smoke and fragments of men towering into the air. The North Lancs advanced and took, consolidated and held the new craters, for two days before a German counter attack recaptured one of the craters, only for the brave Lancs to retake it again two days later. During all this time the Lancs had been under the most intense bombardment, including, as well as the heavies, machinegun fire, trench mortars and rifle grenades, of course the Lancs had replied in kind. Their losses had been horrendous, as were the German losses, they told us of the frantic shouts of the German survivors of the mines, buried in their dugouts, and of how it was impossible to dig them out, because of the constant bombardment. As they told of their trials and tribulations, the battle is still going on, back at the craters.

Tonight we are in reserve in the village, on duty as a ration party and thankfully, for now, not part of it all.

21 MAY SUNDAY

Had a very good sleep last night, but woken by very heavy enemy bombardment early this morning. This went on until abut 11am and then it was calm for a few hours. The quiet was eventually shattered early this afternoon, when a very heavy German bombardment started again and carried on into the evening.

All hell let loose at one point when the gas alarm went in, as gas bombs dropped on Vimy. Working on the ration party running rations up to the line, is very hard work, especially with a gas mask on. Some of the gas came our way and my eyes are sore but it seems that it was only some sort of smoke and not a dangerous gas. Our lads charged this evening, but word is, on the whole we are losing ground gained over the last week and the sky was lit up with shrapnel shells tonight.

22 MAY MONDAY

Still in the billets in the village ready for anything. Another bombardment on, lasting all through the night, quite big stuff, our batteries pummeled the Germans who are dug in, in our old front line position.

Missed the ration party, and we all had a sing song in the billet, which helped drown out the noise of the shelling.

23 MAY TUESDAY

Quiet morning went round the trenches with the ration party, most of the troops are pretty quiet, just took there rations and said nothing, they seem dirty, hungry and very tired, so there is nothing new there.

Nearly got caught in the bombardment coming out of the line, the bombardment went on all afternoon. A shell narrowly missed our billet and we had two minor casualties in the company. Things quietened back down late tonight and there were no more working parties, so we all got some rest.

24 MAY WEDNESDAY

On the morning we all prepared ourselves for another bombardment and we weren’t disappointed, it started late morning. Then it started to rain in the afternoon.

Reading the newspapers on the afternoon and apparently the government have passed a Daylight Saving bill, the mind boggles, if they save daylight, what they will keep it in and what will they do with it, once they’ve got it? The news of this bill caused some hilarity among the lads, discussing ways of saving and using light. We’ve all had a good laugh making silly suggestions, you could keep it in a bank, were it would be nice and safe, or would it, we’ve all heard of daylight robbery, or perhaps you could stuff it in your mattress (now that would be very comfortable as it would be so light). They could collect it all together and then ship it to France in enormous balloons, then at night let it out slowly so we can see to write our letters home. Or they could connect the balloons to pipes which would then go to all the trenches, so that when you want some light, all you have to do is, open a tap. Seriously, they do give these bills some funny names, there must be some thing that doesn’t sound as silly as, Daylight Saving. Well is kept us amused for a while anyway.

On ration party again tonight, carrying up to the trenches in the pitch dark, some of the trenches are getting very wet, got back in very late and very tired.

The losses to the British forces amounted to almost 2,500 between 21 and 24 May in this sector.

25 MAY THURSDAY

Fairly quiet morning and this continued until late afternoon then the shelling started again about 4.

We left our billets at 8 and made our way to some huts in wood about half and hour away. There were no blankets at the new billet, so it's a good job it was rather warm.

26 MAY FRIDAY

All quiet this morning. We left the huts for a working party at Battalion H.Q. at around 1.30. Quiet in the line and the village all afternoon. We got back in about 5.30 and there were lots wounded in the camp. It was all very sombre with not many smiles about the place.

Met J Almond and caught up on a few things. than later there was a letter from Jane, the baby is doing well but everyone want me home although they know we are all needed over here.

27 MAY SATURDAY

Still in the huts in the wood but now it is all quiet at Vimy. Another fine day, so spent best part of the afternoon reading my book in the sun.

Back on a rations party at night, into a rather torturous piece of line, we didn't get back to the huts until about 2am.

28 MAY SUNDAY

Fine day in huts again and for a change we had a Church service, it was held in the open though. It still seemed to be quiet at Vimy. We had a short walk and from were we stood we had a good view of ridge and village of Souchez. We could see a fire on left at Vimy and what a mess at Souchez we in. Although mess doesn't come anywhere near describing the devastation, I do not think one house was still standing, there was just some of the structure of the church left. What on earth will happen to these places when this is all over.

29 MAY MONDAY

Still in huts. Most of the company out on a working party but luckily I missed it, so I had a bit read and a nap in afternoon. Once again it was a very quiet night.

30 MAY TUESDAY

Wet when we got up but it was fine after breakfast in time for a parade followed by company drills. We are getting ready to go back in the trenches.

Late in the afternoon we were relieved by the 12th and set off for the line. The trenches were different to the usual and we were only about 50 yard for Fritz, thankfully we had a relatively quite first night.

31 MAY WEDNESDAY

At the moment the trenches we are in are just to the left of Vimy, it was quiet last night and during the morning but things kicked off in the late afternoon.

Today was my first experience with Rum Jars (jars of rum marked S. R. D. Special Ration Distribution, or some time known as Seldom Reaches Destination), spirits to help with the terrors of the trenches and going over the top, I was almost knocked over in the rush.

There was a lot of fighting with rifles and rifle grenades, sergeant Fawcett was killed today.