Released at 5:30 am and back to the dugout for a sleep. Cannot sleep, too much noise, uncomfortable bed and wet with previous night’s rain. Rations and warm tea come to us at 11 am – welcome!! Our companions – rats or mice. Frogs and worms with the attendant mud.
Sunday 26 September 1915 – fair
Rifle inspection at 9. Spent rest of day talking to French soldiers and bathing in Somme Canal. At 9:30 pm a sudden order comes from Head Quarters to pack up immediately for the trenches. All is hurry and scurry but we only took 5 minutes to “fall in”. I had a big mail of parcels and papers etc, heavy laden. On the march at 8 pm over wet soggy and muddy ground. The flares of the Germans make the scene weird. Our big guns make devilish noise. Landed in trench and “put up” at a dugout, very cleverly made – dry. All the “Old Pats” are put on sentry go. I go on sentry with Private Creed and stay from 9 pm till 5:30 am. A German sniper has this spot for a target as he makes it very uncomfortable for both of us.
Saturday 25 September 1915 – rain
Rifle inspection at 9 am. Major Grey taken over Command of No. 4 Company. We parade at 5:10 pm in full marching order for a march to the support trenches in a pouring rain. Left Froissy at 5:30 for Cappy. Roads muddy and full of pools of water. Troops cursing and very miserable, wet through, slipping and sliding from side to side. Arrived at Eclusier Sur-Somme about 8:20 pm –and RATS and fleas. Consigned to Billets – tumble down barns not fit for cattle. Never in all my life have I seen such a quantity (and so large, being nearly size of fox terriers) of rats. When lights were extinguished the rats swarmed over the troops. Sleep was impossible. So a party of us went rat hunting. Kings Royal Rifles are in the trenches. Rain ceased during the morning of the 26th.
Friday 24 September 1915 – rain
Heavy thunderstorm last night. Two parades today – skirmishing. Heavy bombarding all along the line.
Thursday 23 September 1915 – fine
Sleeping out. We hear the Germans[sic] have taken Vilna in Russia. Try fishing in River Somme. No luck.
Wednesday 22 September 1915 – fine
Two more parades: one a “kit inspection”!! The other skirmishing absolutely ridiculous! Watched a German Aeroplane attacked by our airmen, fired at by shells. Our airmen riddled him with a machine gun and he descended within our lines. Three of our ‘planes surrounded him. I take a swim in the Somme River and Canal. Our maxim gun section go to trenches
*Kit inspection – Inspection of a soldiers “kit” or military belongings and uniform. The kit was supposed to be arranged in a specific way for inspection while the soldier stood next to the kit.
Tuesday 21 September 1915 – fine
To see Commanding Sergeant Major Hetherington of the King’s Royal Rifles at 7 am and had breakfast with him. Paraded for Platoon drill 1 mile back of firing line!!! Received 2 parcels one from Miss Janet Ansill of Ashford and the other from Mrs Mia Draycot of Rothley. Greatly appreciated by myself and the boys. Tried to catch fish in River Somme – “nothing doing” they think we are German spies perhaps. Lots of bombarding and rifle fire.
Monday 20 September 1915 – fine
Up early and to the village for bread. Only obtained ½ a loaf all the place contained. Heavy cannonading and bomb through last night.
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.
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