Left Wylde Green at 9:15 am, at Nuneaton 11 am and arrive at Mr. Wagstaffe’s at 11.30. Went for walk with Mr. Wagstaffe visited Old Church and other places. Returned home and had dinner with the family. Left at 3:40 for Leicester on Midland Road. Arrive at Leicester at 4:45. Called on Mrs Draycot (Aunt) stayed 15 minutes and off to Sileby by the 5:40 train. Met the girls at [Yatin and Son] and then on to Loom’s and had refreshments. Girls called at 7 pm and we walk into Seagrave. Great reception at home. Long talks till past midnight then to bed. Mrs Draycot of Humberstone died on 30th Jan 1915.
Wednesday 9 December 1914 – Dull
Again no sleep.
Up at 9 am. Wrote letter to “Seagrave”, “Harry” & “J.G. Upton”, “Bessie”, “Theobald”, “War Office”. Stayed indoors till 3:45 pm. Mrs Draycot & Ernest & I have a chat. Said good bye & went to Railway] Station with Ernest. Took 4:30 train for Winchester & arrived at 6 pm. Reported at barracks at 6:30 pm. Allowed out at 7:30 pm & went to picture show. Returned at 9 pm. Wrote postcards to friends & to bed at 11:45 pm (a privilege)
Tuesday 8 December 1914 – fine
No rest all night. Maud calls me at 8 am & gives me 10 shillings, also kisses.
Father lends me £1.00.
Left Seagrave at 8:50 am & walked into Sileby.
Called on Maud & May, Draycot & Miss Davenport. Maud comes to the station & sees me off
at 9:38 am.
Arrive at London 12:45. Took train to Winchester at 12:50 pm. Stayed on train at Winchester & went through to Gosport.
Arrive in Gosport at 4:30. Had bad cold. Met Mrs Draycot & Ernest. Made very welcome. Sent telegrams to Seagrave & Rifle Depot.
Sunday 6 December 1914 – dull
Up at 8:30 am. To Church of England, Seagrave at 11 am. Dined at 12:30 pm then to “Chapel” with the family at 2 pm till 3:30. Tea with Mrs Weston & the Draycot family. Sing-song till 6 pm then I go to see Mrs Draycot and the boys. Had supper with Edward, George, William, Joseph, Mr Draycot & Mrs Draycot. Visited Mr & Mrs Lines & said good-bye
Back home at 9:30 pm, stayed up till 12:45 am with Maud.
Friday 4 December 1914 – rain & fine
Capture of De Wet.
Up at 8:30 am to town at 10:10 am.
Visited the Picton Reading Room at 11 am & stayed till 4:30 pm. Then on to Gray’s & Hollinghurst’s at Tuebrook.
Had tea with Polly & Maggie (Mrs Campbell till 8 pm then on to S.S. Upton’s & said more good bye’s. Left at 9:30 pm
Very windy weather & cold.
Arrived Leicester 2 pm. Raining hard. Took 2:10 pm train to Sileby & visited the girls Maud & May. Great welcome. Arrive Seagrave 4:50 pm & had tea. To bed at 12:30 pm
* Christiaan de Wet and the Maritz Rebellion – De Wet was a Boer leader during the Boer Wars and a political leader after they ended. In 1914 he became a leader in the Maritz Rebellion, as pro-Boer rebels rose up against the Union of South Africa. The rebellion was quickly crushed by government forces and De Wet was taken prisoner on December 1st 1914. He was sentenced to 6 years in prison but only served one after making a written promise to take no further part in politics. As a Boer War veteran, Draycott continued to take an interest in events in South Africa.
