Walter Draycott’s Great War Chronicle
North Vancouver Museum & Archives
Two men killed on Ypres market square.
L/C George Rowley hit by bullet (stray) which lodged in his leg – a lovely Blighty one.
* A blighty wound was one serious enough to warrant recuperation away from the trenches, and even a furlough in England (“Blighty”), but not so serious as to permanently maim the victim. Sometimes such wounds were self-inflicted.
Much shelling of aeroplanes on both sides.
I make maps of trenches & vicinity for Brigade Intelligence officer.
At noon go into St [Jostin?] with Pte. Wenick ppcli.
Sketching & draughting in afternoon.
In evening I go alone to Cloth Hall & Cathedral (St Martins) get some oak from Cloth Hall for souvenirs.
*Cloth Hall – A commercial building in Ypres that was originally built in the 13th century. It was the main market and warehouse for the Flemish cloth industry. It was nearly destroyed during the First World War due to artillery fire but was rebuilt between the 1930’s to 1960’s.
From National Geographic – VIEW OF YPRES: PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN FROM A FLYING MACHINE. The pitiful ghost of one of ravaged Belgium’s most beautiful and historic cities. In the central foreground may be seen the roofless remains of the famous Cloth Hall, the largest edifice of its kind in the kingdom, begun by Count Baldwin IX of Flanders in the year 1200. Just beyond looms the scarred and desecrated Cathedral of St. Martin.
“Ypres Belgium NGM-v31-p337-B” by This file is lacking author information. – 300 ppi scan of the National Geographic Magazine, Volume 31 (1917), page 337, panel B.. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons – http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ypres_Belgium_NGM-v31-p337-B.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Ypres_Belgium_NGM-v31-p337-B.jpg
Appointed Brigade Draughtsman & Sergt. i/c [in charge] of intelligence work.
Have orders to go to Ypres for map drawing on Brigade Staff. Leave Ouderdom @ 2 PM, arr Ypres @ –. Enemy shell vicinity vigorously & heavily.
As I approach Belgian Chateau a shell approaches & bursts only 30 yards in front of me. Hardly had it burst when another approaches & I am in a semi dazed condition not knowing what to do.
I trip over wire & am saved a few yards further on. 6 shrapnel shells burst in rapid succession over the road. Am lucky again & miss the bullets. Arrive at Bde Hqr in the Ramparts @ Ypres at 5 PM.
Enemy aeroplanes busy reconnoitering & dropping bombs.
Oppressive heat but later turns to rain.
A bullet whizzes past my head. Very close.
No 36241 Pte D. Young dies of wounds. My best chum.
Our 15 inch guns send shells to the enemy very loud report & heavy concussion.
Am called to Brigade Headqr to make plans of front line which take over. Brigade Topographer.
Their draughtsman sent to hospital.
No entry
Enemy drop bomb on our camp. He gets a very warm reception from our antiaircraft & aeroplanes.
Enemy aeroplane passes our camp dropping 3 bombs at 4 am.
Sketching in Morning.
Enemy aeroplane drops 2 bombs near our camp. Terrific explosion but no damage done – except to the field.
Our Battn beats the guards in football.
Our Regt is drilled by guards instructor. Some gruelling.
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