– very hot
Archives for August 2018
Tuesday 20 August 1918
– fine and hot
Left Orpington at 9.30 for Windsor Castle. Caught 10.20 train. Had dinner at YMCA near Paddington Stn. Left London for Windsor by Paddington Stn. At 1.15 arr Windsor 2.15 pm.
Conducted to Castle, given admission ticket. Went thro’ St. Georges Chapel viewing most magnificent tracery, sculpture, etc. To tea at 3 pm in Crypt near Kings Apartments. On the walls are many cases of valuable relics. Arms, swords, pistols, etc. Princess Alice dau. of Duke Albany chats with me & pours tea. Princess Mary gives me entrance card to see King & Queen. March slowly past King & Queen in Royal Banqueting Hall where King George & Queen Mary stand midway in Hall. I salute & Queen Mary says “Princess Pats”! I reply Yes “Your Majesty”. We file into the reception rooms, the Garter room, Royal Writing Room called Rubens room from the paintings on the wall all (except one) by Rubens. To King Charles I dining room & other rooms where priceless treasures are kept. Rapiers, swords studded with diamonds, etc. To Royal Stables & News. Leave Windsor @ 5 pm & arr. Orpington 9 pm.
*Among the items of interest Draycott noted in his “Recollections” was a “great bear shot in British Columbia by the late King Edward VII when Prince of Wales.”
Monday 19 August 1918
Stayed in all day. Blisters on feet from walking to Chiselhurst.
Two airmen in 2 single seater Clayton built (of Lincoln) machines call at the Hospital to see one of their comrades who crashed near Orpington fortnight ago. They gave a thrilling exhibition of flying, looping loop, spirals, etc.
Sunday 18 August 1918
– fair
I go to visit Mr. Pipe of Orpington & have interesting chat with him. Also Mrs. Pipe & 3 daughters. Stayed till 8.30 pm & had supper.
Saturday 17 August 1918
– cool, rain
Rained during day.
Went to Orpington in evening.
Friday 16 August 1918
–– hot
I give my pay book into Pay Office. Many men arrive from the front –– casualties.
In afternoon to visit Women’’ s Forestry Corps at Chiselhurst (Chiselhurst Common). Finished off a cross cut saw for them by setting & filing. Frs. Fry is in charge. Have tea in the “” House in the Woods.””
Thursday 15 August 1918
–– hot
In afternoon to Women’’ s Forestry Corps who are working at the woods Chislehurst. Their tools are in a very bad state & it seems they have been supplied with 3rd rate material. Nevertheless doing very good work.
Wednesday 14 August 1918
I pass my Medical Board & am marked for Canada.
Nield & I go to Chiselhurst thro’’ the woods. Meet the Commandant of Women’’ s Forestry Corps & have interesting chat. She welcomes my suggestions re forestry methods. We have tea at the House in the woods.
*Controlled by the Timber Supply Department of the Board of Trade, this organisation maintained a supply of wood for industrial and paper production at home, but also for construction purposes in the theatres of war. (http://www.1914-1918.net/women_orgs.htm)
Tuesday 13 August 1918
–– hot
The Matron says that during latest push we have taken 700 guns and 40,000 prisoners & a 5 engined bombing machine of the Huns dropped behind our lines on Somme.
7 dead Huns in it.
Monday 12 August 1918
–– hot
Sent PO for 4/6 to Nat. [Herb-growing] Association London.
In afternoon I walk along to Chislehurst. 3½½ miles from here. Lovely walk through wood. Very pretty villages.
Arrive back @ 7 pm in time for whist drive in the ward given by Sister Gerrard.
Received paintings of family [Escutcheons] from Ernest Draycot Gosport.
*A whist drive is a social event at which progressive games of whist are played.
