October 1916

OCTOBER 10th Month 1916

1 Sun-15th after Trinity

Same place not bad, but little to get. Working parties as usual. Nothing much of importance. Waiting for news of home.

2 Mon-Pheasant Shooting begins

Same place. Nothing much doing. Standing to to move. Moved up to Contalmaison to billets and dug out. 70th Bic came out.

3 Tues

Moved up early morn and relieved terries in Contalmaison trench. Lt Markhan O.C. Fritzies fairly quiet. Had a look for souvenirs got nothing much.

4 Wed- First Quarter, 11.1 a.m.

Same spot, usual routine. Fairly quiet. Decent time with Mich and Viny. Good fire going.

5 Th-Dividends due

Same spot. Routine as before. Working parties. Fritzies still quiet except for an odd shell. Rumours of going in the line. Windy as usual.

6 Th

Preparing to go up the line. Got orders of what was going to happen and map directions. ////// support out of trenches in early morning. Moved up a night.

7 Sat

In support line waiting to go over. Batt started to go over about 2.30, A Coy 4 o’clock. Everybody in good spirits. Went over rifles slung. Took the village of Le Sars. CAPT BLAKE KILLED.

Mem
Sgt Stewart taken prisoner by Germans in Le Sars. Dug in 200 yd in front of Le Sars. No casualties digging. Lt Markham night of 7th.

OCTOBER 10th Month 1916

8 Sun-16th after Trinity

Holding fast in front of Le Sars. Fritz could not get range. Got left hand first, 1 killed 2 or 3 wounded. Awaiting relief by Scots. Relived 10 p.m. got out alright.

9 Mon

Arrived at Becourt early morning properly worn out, but kept souvenirs. Got some tea but could not sleep. Still O.S. Artillery souvenir hunting.

10 Tuse

Still in Becourt in bivouac. Not so ////. Canadian canteen near. Expecting to move. Cleaned up instead. Orders to move next day.

11 Wed- Full Moon, 7.1 a.m.

Waiting to leave for Albert station. Train// in trucks for Longpre. All night on journey. Zepp over Amiens.

12 Th-Michaelmas Law Sittings begin

Longpre early morning. Route march 8 k. Same spot as before. Quiet village. No sleep till night time. Still keeping souvenirs.

13 Fri

Left for Saint Riquier 8 k. Arrived about 4 p.m. Scruffy billets decent village spoiled by soldiers. Things dear. Had a look round on my pat.
14 Sat-Michaelmas Fire Insurance ceases

Day in Saint Riquier. Cleaning up and physics. Got Reg buttons. Had a walk with J Robinson. Transferred to H.Q.

Mem
1 week continually moving and cleaning. Received Staff buttons. Got transferred to H.Q. as Intelligence N.C.O.

OCTOBER 10th Month 1916

15 Sun-17th after Trinity

On the move again. Took train for Provin Ypres sector. Not bad travelling for once, arrived 4 p.m. Had to march 5.30 arrived about 9 p.m. Huts A.N.Z.A.C. not bad spot.

16 Mon

In the huts cleaning up, little else doing. Picture hall in the camp. Had a walk to cinema at night, saw Charlie Chaplin and had a laugh. Parcel from Meg.

17 Tues

Same place aiding the Belgians. Had a parcel from Plymouth. Meet for Halls Bro at cinema. Wet night. Had A.N.Z.A.Cs. for company. Lost // wandered in hut.

18 Wed-S. Luke

Getting ready to move. Fine day rather cold. Moved up to Ypres by train. Billeted in barracks. What a mess Ypres is. Not a bad hut weather cold.

19 Th- Last Quarter, 1.9 a.m.

Still in barracks Y.M.C.A. canteen near at hand run by Australians. Rained nearly all day. Did fairly well on the //// stakes. Not much doing.

20 Fri

Went up to trenches to take over. In the famous salient. // ///. Nothing doing. Same place where 2nd made name. Fine but cold. Batt came in after dark.

21 Sat

In trenches at Half Way House. Had a walk round front line. Nothing much doing. Fine but cold. Had a bad bout. Waiting for news from home.

Mem
In the famous Ypres salient. Things very quiet. Not over struck with Belgium. Saw Ypres Cathedral and Ramparts of town.

OCTOBER 10th Month 1916

22 Sun-18th after Trinity

Still in trench. Nothing doing very little to observe. Weather fairly fine but cold. Have a fairly good knowledge of trenches. saw officers of 69th in.

23 Mon

Expecting relief. Weather cold but fine. Fritz dropped a dozen at ration dump. Relief late relived by 69th West Riding at about midnight. Train to Poperinghe.

24 Tues

Arrived at Poperinghe early morning. Got blankets tried to have a sleep but failed. Got breakfast cleaned up and had a walk, not a bad sort of place and a decent billet. Went to pictures, good.

25 Wed

Still in Poperinghe. Nothing doing. Weather nasty, still mooching. Jimmy Robinson and I came across nothing. Won a franc or two off the Belgians. Rather laughable pontoon.

26 Th- New Noon, 8.37 p.m.

Still in Poperinghe. Weather bad, nothing much doing. Had another walk to pictures at night with J.R. fairly good and enjoyed myself.

27 Fri

In same place. Weather still nothing to crack about. Had a bit stroll in afternoon. Gen inspection. Went to chapel at night on my own.

28 Sat-SS. Simon & Jude. Mohammedan Year 1335 begins

Same place. Weather More or less miserable. Bit walk on my own at night, nothing doing. Getting to know the place.

Mem
/// experience of much ///// of Poperinghe. Decent place and enjoying myself fairly well.