Had good night’s sleep & 1st for a week or more. I sent daily postcards to Ernest. Sent £10 Postal Order to Maud Draycot of Seagrave.
Went to Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry camp & obtained transfer documents. Spoke to the Colonel & other Officers. Back to Rifle Depot 3:30 pm
Tuesday 15 December 1914 – fine
Saw the Commanding Officer of the Company at 11 am. He enquires regarding my transfer. I go to the 4th Kings Royal Rifles camp at 2 pm & see Captain C.V.L Poe, Captain C.J.T.R Wingfield & Lieutenants Jones & Smith. Have an interesting chat with them, Especially Captain Poe. I also meet other Non- Commissioned Officers whom I knew. I go to the camp of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry 4th Battalion & saw Sergeant Major Eames regarding transfer. Camps are very muddy 6“to 9” deep. Back to Rifle Depot at 6 pm. Changed & out to town.
Monday 14 December 1914 – rain
Up at 7 am had bad night on account of man who continually had fits during the night.
Received letter from the Sergeant Major of the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry. I go to Orderly room and receive orders to wait for transfer. Waiting for Colonel of P.P.C.L.I. to give his consent.
I go out at 2 pm & have a stroll round.
I visit the Cathedral & attend divine serve. To tea at a refreshment room where the ladies are daughters & wives of nobility.
*P.P.C.L.I. – Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry – During August of 1914 Captain Andrew Hamilton Gault offered to provide $100,000 to finance and equip a battalion for overseas services in WWI. The government accepted and the battalion was quickly mobilized, arriving in England October 18th 1914. They left for France on December 21st and at that time were the only Canadian infantry unit on the battlefield.
Thursday 10 December 1914 – Mild
Up from a barrack room bed at 7:15 am & to Breakfast at 8. Bread & Butter & Brawn.
“Scharnhorst”, “Leipzig”, & “Gneisenau” are sunk by a British Squadron off Falkland Islands.
Chasing about all over barracks for bedding, meals, clothing.
It’s rotten conditions.
Recruits are a very rough & uncouth lot. One has just been put in the Guard room.
In at 9 pm.
*Brawn – meat from a pig’s or calf’s head that is cooked and pressed in a pot with jelly (aka headcheese).
**The Battle of the Falkland Islands – A naval battle taking place on December 8th 1914 between the British and German Navy. The German ships including SMS Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Leipzig attempted to raid the British base of Stanley on the Falkland Islands after their success at the Battle of Coronel. However a British squadron was already stationed at this base and they knew the Germans were coming. The battle was a decisive victory for the British, who lost no ships and sunk all but one of the German ships.
Saturday 28 November 1914 – fair
Liverpool at last.
Passengers & crew very busy.
We land at 2 pm but boat draws up to Landing Stage at 1 pm. I assist Miss Gething, Mrs Ginn, Miss Durham & other helpless women to go thro’ the customs. I say good bye to them all & have Miss Gething & Miss Durham in tears. I leave the Customs in a cab for home & Harry’s in Old Swan. A welcome. At 6 pm to J.G. Upton’s & receive a great welcome
*Old Swan – An inner-city area of Liverpool, England
Saturday 21November 1914 – stormy
Up to present I have not been sick.
Very stormy & boat pitching
Friday 20 November 1914
Very stormy weather.
Snow & high wind.
Lots of people seasick
Thursday 19 November 1914
Embarked on S.S. Grampian which left at 4 pm.
Very cold weather
Travelling 2nd Class with Mr. Pitt & Mr. Ross
Wednesday 18 November 1914
Very cold: 20 below zero
Staying at a private boarding house to await Embarkation.
All spoke French. But what French!
Monday 16 November 1914 – fine
Arrived at Ottawa at 10:10 am & had some coffee (10c cup). Ottawa has about 3 flags flying. Slushy snow here.
Arrive in Montreal at 12:55 noon
Took transfer baggage Bus to Place Viger Station (C.P.R) for Quebec.
Strolled into Montreal City & had dinner & supper. Saw “Million Dollar Mystery” Finale. Sent Picture Postcards to friends. On train at 11:30 pm
