June 1916

June 1916

1 JUNE THURSDAY

Moved round to the right of Vimy in a bombing Sap it's very warm today, more Rum Jars and more fighting. We are cut off from the rest and it is the most terrible thing I yet experienced, and we are expecting the Germans to attack at any time.

2 JUNE FRIDAY

Still in the trenches back with the rest, thankfully in one piece, it's still very warm and we are starting to run short of water.

Quiet this morning but it all started again in the afternoon. More Rum Jars, before a bombing raid by our lads tonight night, which was quite successful but followed by a heavy German bombardment afterwards. It's very rough.

3 JUNE SATURDAY

The bombardment started very early this morning. Explosion close to the sap caused a lot of damage to the trench and the dugout started to cave-in on us and we had to make a run for it. We had no time to collect any belongings just run with our rifles, afterward the sap was completely filled and the trench to it was batters flat. I lost my parcel from Jane, my haversack and all my water but we were all uninjured.

The bombardment continued into the night.

4 JUNE SUNDAY

Last day of this stint in the trenches. Not so bad a day until about 3 o'clock. Rum jars again, we know what that means but nobody was hurt, this time.

Eventually we were relieved by 12th, I feel so sorry for them, the last four day are the worst I have yet experienced. Got out alright.

5 JUNE MONDAY

In reserve trenches behind Vimy, with a good view of ridge. Things seem to be fairly quiet. There is still a shortage of water but I have had my first wash for 6 days and that felt good. Our accommodation is pretty poor though and we do not have a stove. I is hard to rest and relax when you are still in reserve, so not much sleep.

6 JUNE TUESDAY

Still in reserve and at the moment it's still fairly quiet. Had a another wash and shave, luxury. although rations are a bit scarce and I am rather hungry. The company all out on working party tonight in the trenches. Came back in before stand to and had a bit better sleep.

7 JUNE WEDNESDAY

Much the same as previous day. Not much doing. Sitting about the dug out all day, I missed working party. While the other were out I had a mooch about and got a Bosche bayonet and some ammunition clips off airman. I also got some replacement gear from the quartermaster.

Had another good sleep.

8 JUNE THURSDAY

Last day in was quiet, it rained in the morning but then it was fine again until late afternoon

Relieved by the Yorks at 10.30 and we eventually got into Coupigny at about 2.30am thoroughly worn out. We came through ruins of Souchez village on the way, even in the dark it is worse than I though it was.

9 JUNE FRIDAY

In Coupigny, it's quiet with nothing much going on. Equipment inspection today, good job I got new stuff and our gas helmets were of particular interest, must be because of last gas attack on the 21st of May.

Paid today 15 francs, best not go mad with all that cash. Had a quiet enough day altogether and quiet night. Had a walk and had a crack with some Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.

10 JUNE SATUDAY

On Orderly Sergeant duty, all quiet, heavy rain meant the cancellation of all parades today. Company bath this afternoon, I don't know when I have enjoyed a bath so much. The Sergeant Major and G Evens when on a pass today, lucky so and so's.

Went for a walk with Corporal Atkins tonight, nice end to a reasonable week.

11 JUNE SUNDAY

Whitsunday and again no Church parade but under orders to move out. Left in the rain for Barlin where we got the train for Pernes. We arrived about 4.45, got settled in just outside Pernes and went for a walk into town with Corporal Atkins. We had a drink and I got a bed for the night in town.

12 JUNE MONDAY

Had a good breakfast in Pernes, then back to join the others in time for a 10 mile march to Lisbourg, very nice bank holiday I must say.

Lisbourg is a very small country village and we are billeted in the school, at least it is dry in there out of the rain. Got a draft in tonight from the 17th.

13 JUNE TUESDAY

Spent a damp morning in the school, the Armourer did a rifle inspection, then at 3 in the afternoon we had a parade. This was followed by a route march, lovely.

14 JUNE WEDNESDAY

Still in Lisbourg, on another rather damp morning. Company drill followed by another route march in afternoon. Nothing much doing in evening, not even got a book to read, that was buried along with the other stuff. Put watches and clocks on 1 hour. English time.

15 JUNE THURSDAY

We left Lisbourg after breakfast at 9pm, for a 10 miles march north to Delettes, we arrived about 1 o'clock. Decent march on the whole, dry and flat. Delettes is a typical front line village.

16 JUNE FRIDAY

Settled in to Delettes, there is a decent mess with good grub. Company day, with drills and physical excesses, followed by a cross country run after a short rest on the afternoon.

Went out for a stroll on the evening ending in a row with a French farmer, no idea what I did to upset him but there you go. I had a splitting headache afterwards.

17 JUNE SATURDAY

Still in Delettes on a fine day, Battalion day. Had a quiet afternoon followed by a bath.

The Australians passed through late in the afternoon, there was plenty of banter between us, they are a very long way from home.

Went out for a stroll again on the evening but kept well away from French farmers.

18 JUNE SUNDAY

No morning Church parade, Brigade day, had a lecture in Airo signs. The weather is now fine we were back in the billets for about 3 o'clock. Nothing else much of importance happened and we had a quiet night.

19 JUNE MONDAY

We were up early and out by 6, for a march, an attack from the trenches was rough going.

Feeling sickly and out of fettle generally. Stayed in and rested tonight.

20 JUNE TUESDAY

Another company day in Delettes, with physical exercise and weapons drills.

Quiet afternoon, I wrote a letter to Jane, just to let her know I am now a full Sergeant and will be transferring to D company.

21 JUNE WEDNESDAY

My first day on parade with D company, was a fine class day. It was also a Brigade day and the General presented honours to the Brigade.

We had the afternoon off, so started reading a new book that I received in a parcel, sat out in the hot sun. A quiet night at the end the the longest day.

22 JUNE THURSDAY

Still in Delettes. Fine morning, Brigade day again. Nothing much else to report. Quiet afternoon with my book again.

Had a stroll on my own tonight.

23 JUNE FRIDAY

The weather has been good for a while now. Company day with lots of drills, including fighting with bayonets, then we had a hut inspection.

The afternoon was much quieter but we are under orders to move.

24 JUNE SATURDAY

Left Delettes early this morning at about 8 am and marched to Beaumetz-lès-Aire to board the train for a seven and a half hour uncomfortable journey. Then after a very long walk we eventually arrived somewhere at around 8:30 pm.

I say arrived somewhere, that's because we haven't been told where we are but we can hear a bombardment going on in the distance. Although that will not stop me sleeping, we are all properly worn out after the march.

25 JUNE SUNDAY

We are in Picquigny a fairly quiet place west of Amiens. There was not much going on and a stroll round and then a quiet enough night.

26 JUNE MONDAY

Platoon Sergeant on this fine Company day. Lots of drills today physical exercise and marching. Bath in the afternoon and just as w got dry and ready is pored down with rain and we go soaking wet again. Then we had a nice fine evening for a nice walk around.

27 JUNE TUESDAY

We are still in Picquigny and this morning before breakfast I got the chance to go for a gallop, fantastic feeling of freedom and very exhilarating. Glad it was early on as it rained after breakfast and parade was cancelled.

We did however have an inspection by the Medical orderly and a service inspection.

Had a stroll with A Walton on a fine quiet night.

28 JUNE WEDNESDAY

The start to the day was exactly the same as yesterday, an exhilarating gallop followed by breakfast and rain. No parade again and orders to move were cancelled and young Graham joined the Battalion. The estaminet in Picquigny is out of bounds, I think to stop too much drinking, there has been rouble with drunks.

We had to fall in at a rush this evening and did a five hour route march until 11 pm, this is punishment for the drunken behaviour of a few morons.

29 JUNE THURSDAY

We are still in Picquigny and the estaminet is still out of bounds. Routine much the same as the previous few days. Another route march and operations on the afternoon, why is it always D company.

Sergeants Rollings & Ainsworth and Company Sergeant Major Morton were stripped of rank and 3 month forfeit of pay for being drunk.

30 JUNE FRIDAY

The day started as the previous few days another good gallop, followed by physical exercise, bayonet practice and a route march. Under orders to leave and moved off at 3, for a rotten long march arriving somewhere about 7:35 with sore feet, The billets were good though and we were very tired.