Up early and to the village for bread. Only obtained ½ a loaf all the place contained. Heavy cannonading and bomb through last night.
Archives for September 2015
Sunday 19 September 1915
Had no sleep last night, too cold. The troops buy all the stores out and also the “canteens”.
Saturday 18 September 1915 – fine
Left Billets (kissing good bye to Petit [Madlel]) for Hazebrouck at 3:30. Distance 5.5 kilometer. Halted in front of church. I sneaked in, lovely interior. Entrained at 6 pm. Left at 6:15 pm after partaking of tea on platform. Ride in Horse Cars. 40 men with full marching order on rifle.
Rotten idea. Passed [pink] night in “Black Hole” and at 6 am we left train at Guillencourt and had breakfast. Bread cheese and tea. Marched 6 miles to Merricourt and stayed for dinner. I went into a cottage and had café au lait and bread and butter. To farm for bread and apples “quatre – sous”. Packed up again in full marching order for change of Billet. We encamp and bivouac in a grove of Balm O’Gilead trees all night. Wander around for 2 hours trying to find a farm. Lovely country but farms very distant.
*Bivouac – An improvised camp site or shelter constructed of natural materials such as a lean-to made of tree branches.
Thursday 16 September – fine
Up early. Took tour of farm for eggs. Only got two as poultry are scarce. The Germans took them all when they came thro’ here. Mostly Flemish farmers here. Visited church. Very old, 1600 circa. On guard over orchard and kitchen garden. Caught sitting down on “sentry go”. Tried and admonished. Freed by Captain de Balinhard. Company inspected by Gen. Smith-Dorrien Commanding the Army Corps – gives speech. The 5th Canadian Battalion passes thro’ Pradelles to Arras? Have bath at Brasseries and wash clothes.
*Brasserie- A small informal French restaurant or pub.
*General Horace Smith-Dorrien – General Smith was already a distinguished soldier by¬¬ WWI, he had fought in the Zulu War, Boer War and had been posted in India. He was given command of the British Expeditionary Force II Corps by Lord Kitchener at the outbreak of WWI. Smith led the Corps during the first few years of the war including the Battle of Ypres. However during the Second Battle of Ypres after the Germans had used gas, General Smith requested a retreat. Field Marshal Sir John French, who disliked General Smith, used this event as an excuse to request to have him removed from the corps command. General Smith was later sent to East Africa to lead troops there but caught pneumonia and returned to England for the remainder of the war.
Wednesday 15 September 1915 – fine
Up early and collected mushrooms for breakfast. Bought bread and eggs at 7 am. For dinner – stole some apples and collected blackberries. Made stew. To Estaminet in evening and had coffee.
*Estaminet – a small café
Tuesday 14 September 1915
Have sudden orders to pack up and move by 6 pm to —-?
Am acting Orderly man for the day. Left Erquinghem at 6:20 pm for Pradelles near Hazebroeck 14 mile march. Arrived about midnight a most miserable march on cursed French roads – cobblestone and ruts, etc. Billeted at “Mayor’s Quarters” in the pig sty and other places “Le Chateau” up east. Rained during the march
Monday 13 September 1915 – fine and hot
On parade in early morning. We had interesting sight. A German aeroplane came over to spy. Our men were hiding in the clouds whilst two British came to his front and rear, another one attacked him from above. They fired their machine gun and the German was hit in the petrol tank. He banked, then rights himself and made for his lines. He was headed off by a British ‘plane and descended into a field. The King’s Royal Rifles were out on a march and the scouts were ordered to surround the ‘plane and take occupants prisoners. As they advanced, the airmen used the machine gun on them killing one of the King’s Royal Rifles. The Hun was then riddled with bullets. The machine was brand new. The observer was killed in the air and was breathing his last when all firing ceased. At 9:30 we did a route march of 5 miles in full marching order. I visited the KRR and transport in evening. Interviewed Corporal Walker in charge of the Scouts, King’s Royal Rifle Corps.
Sunday 12 September 1915 – fine and hot
Attend Church parade in open field with Church of England Chaplain. About 100 attend Communion. Went swimming in canal and saved the life of Captain Griggs from drowning. He had cramp of leg.
Saturday 11 September 1915
On a Battalion Parade to hear and see the Degradation of Corporal…
To Nieppe with Corporal Griggs and made many purchases. Germans and allies bombard heavily.
Friday 10 September 1915 – fine
Am mess Orderly so do not attend parade. Heavy cannonading all night. Witness bombardment of a Taube by our guns. He escapes but injured by shrapnel. To Nieppe for necessaries. Receive packet of Abdulla Cigarettes from Alice [and] Alwyn Browne of [Jamaica].
Etrich Taube – The first type of military airplane to be mass produced in Germany. Taube is German for dove. The Taube was used for almost all military applications prior to World War 1 including fighter, bomber and surveillance. Upon the start of World War 1 the Taube was used much less in military engagements and more for training, as it was quickly replaced by more effective designs.
