November 1916

OCT-NOV 10th & 11th Month 1916

29 Sun-19th after Trinity

A Church parade for once and a decent service in the cinema. Under orders to go up. Relived Y & Les in Ypres at the Horpier near //// hall.

30 Mon

Had a decent nights rest with the blankets. Billet rather /// and drafty though. Canteen and Y.M.C.A. near at hand. Can get a few biscuits and things.

31 Tues-Aug. to Oct. Game Certificates expire

Still at Horpier. Went up and had a look round trenches. Rather wet and got some rain on the way. 1 or two shells but nothing, 12th scruffy mob.

1 Nov Wed-All Saints. Stock Exchange closed

Still in Horpier 1 or two shells over Ypres but nothing much. Plenty rain.

2 Th-All Souls. First Quarter, 5.51 p.m.

Under orders for trenches. Went up and relived 12th in trenches at Sanctuary Wood and Dering House. Decent billet H.Q.

3 Fri

Still in Dering House. Went observing up line not much doing. Part observed blown in by enemy and not repaired by 12th. Quiet enough front.

4 Sat

Same place weather not so bad. Observation better. Bit rough on right.
Gave us some Mining no casualties.

NOVEMBER 11th Month 1916

5 Sun-20th after Trinity

Still in trenches doing well in observation. Fairly quiet except for an occasional Mining. Rain during night, 1 or two shells near.

6 Mon

Waiting for relief, 1 or two Minings. Carson killed by Whiz Bang. Relived by 12th. Did not come up in daylight to take first over. Went to Bund.

7 Tues

At Zillebeke Bund. Raining hard, went up to 12 H.Q. Journey for nothing. decent little day out. Weather /// //// with sand bags.

8 Wed

Still in the Bund. Nothing doing. Cleaned up and laid a fire. Carry still acting, R.S.M. Weather not much better.

9 Th- Full Moon, 8.18 p.m.

Still in the Bund. Weather improving. Quiet enough otherwise. Had a prowl round at night. Rained hard during night.

10 Fri

Waiting to go out. Expecting relief by 69th. Relived West Yorks and Train's to ////. Route march to ///////////.

11 Sat-Half Quarter Day. Martinmas

In///// camp. Decent huts. Quiet day cleaning up ///// the old spot /// // //.

Mem

Not a bad week on the whole. Weather very unsettled.

NOVEMBER 11th Month 1916

12 Sun-21th after Trinity

Sunday in ///////. Missed church parade. Things quiet. Had a walk to ///////, wet night came back and stayed in hut.

13 Mon

Things quiet. Weather keeping fine. Went // //// at night. NOT BAD.

14 Tues

Paraded at R.E. yard along with other tradesmen. Verses of Blighty ? by R.E. Col. Saw Lary Hall. Weather good. Wind Dangerous. Decent again at night.

AFTER THIS POINT THE MOST THE DIARY CONSISTS OF ONLY ONE ENTRY PER PAGE

NOVEMBER 11th Month 1916

19 Sun to 22 Wed

Very little to comment upon. rather fed up with things in general and weather in particular. Still in Ypres Salient.

23 Th to 25 Sat

Much the same as previous page. Between Winnipeg Camp and Half Way House. Winnipeg and Larry House. Monotonous routine.

25 Sun to 29 Wed

Still much the same feeling. Ginger started writing to me again, glad to hear from him etc. Also heard from Aunt's Mary ////.