Physical, gas drill, etc.
One hour's route march through Boeschepe.
Letter from home.
Heavy rains. Bivvy leaks.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
8th August 1917
Sick.
Physical, gas drill, etc.
One hour's route march through Boeschepe.
Letter from home.
Heavy rains. Bivvy leaks.
Physical, gas drill, etc.
One hour's route march through Boeschepe.
Letter from home.
Heavy rains. Bivvy leaks.
7th August 1917
Reveille 7am.
Gas drill.
Slept, read, and wrote remainder of day.
Letters home.
Gas drill.
Slept, read, and wrote remainder of day.
Letters home.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
6th August 1917
Sick.
Rifle inspection.
Left La Commune 2pm, marched to Watten.
Entrained 5pm, arrived Abeele (French) / Boeschepe (Belgian) at 8pm.
One hour's march (through Abeele aerodrome).
Pitched tents, bivvies, etc in fields at 11pm.
Google Maps entry for Watten here
Google Maps entry for Abele (France) here
Google Maps entry for Boeschepe here
Google Maps entry for Abeele Aerodrome here
Rifle inspection.
Left La Commune 2pm, marched to Watten.
Entrained 5pm, arrived Abeele (French) / Boeschepe (Belgian) at 8pm.
One hour's march (through Abeele aerodrome).
Pitched tents, bivvies, etc in fields at 11pm.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
Google Maps entry for Abele (France) here
Google Maps entry for Boeschepe here
Google Maps entry for Abeele Aerodrome here
5th August 1917 (Sunday)
Sick.
Reading most of day.
Afternoon kip.
Germans using new gas.
Posh parcel from home. Too late for letters home.
Reading most of day.
Afternoon kip.
Germans using new gas.
Posh parcel from home. Too late for letters home.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
4th August 1917 - Postcard
Postcard home to Mum ...
The photograph on the postcard is of Rue de Dunkerque, Saint-Omer, France
4th August 1917
The rain still poured down. Following a brief parade at 9:30am came dismissal but our vision of a lazy day in billets was brutally dispelled at 2pm. From that hour until seven in the evening, in extended order, swords fixed on rifles, we “attacked” some unknown objective through the ripe cornfields already flattened by the deluge from the skies. A costly exercise in the light of the compensation payable to the French farmers for damage to their crops.
Sick. Very wet still.
Rifle inspection at 9:20am.
Parade 2pm until 7pm. Extended order by 5 platoon.
Sick. Very wet still.
Rifle inspection at 9:20am.
Parade 2pm until 7pm. Extended order by 5 platoon.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
3rd August 1917
The heavy rain, which had poured continuously for the past week, continued with rarely a break. The frequent lectures were no substitute for the active training of men soon to face the bitter fighting in the Salient. Toughening up measures were called for and at 8:20am with full packs and equipment we took to the road. The only protection from the drenching rain was the ‘ground-sheet’ slung across each man’s shoulders and for mile after mile we trekked in misery – our mood in complete harmony with the weather. When marching ‘at ease’ the old, cheerful, bawdy army songs of the recent past were heard no longer. If we sang at all it was invariably to the haunting strains of “There’s a long, long trail a-winding into the land of my dreams”. Hardly a tune suitable for the rifle step of 140 to the minute but we rarely achieved that pace in Flanders. The Battalion arrived back at 12:30pm soaked to the skin and completely demoralised.
Billet policemen were appointed for the night – an unusual refinement so far as B Company was concerned. Each man performed his allotted stint for two hours on and four hours off along a defined stretch of road near the billet. I took my position at 11:30pm by which time the rest of the Platoon were blissfully enjoying their slumbers. I had long since learned the art of sleeping whilst in the upright position and this occasion was no exception. I woke with some feelings of guilt but, after standing perfectly still for some moments, I turned as nonchalantly as possible and paced the beat. B Company were in safe hands once again!
Sick. Wet.
Parade 8:20am.
Route march until 12:30pm.
Colonel Shoolbred's farewell address.
Billet policeman 11:30pm-1:30am.
2 hours on - 4 hours off.
Billet policemen were appointed for the night – an unusual refinement so far as B Company was concerned. Each man performed his allotted stint for two hours on and four hours off along a defined stretch of road near the billet. I took my position at 11:30pm by which time the rest of the Platoon were blissfully enjoying their slumbers. I had long since learned the art of sleeping whilst in the upright position and this occasion was no exception. I woke with some feelings of guilt but, after standing perfectly still for some moments, I turned as nonchalantly as possible and paced the beat. B Company were in safe hands once again!
Sick. Wet.
Parade 8:20am.
Route march until 12:30pm.
Colonel Shoolbred's farewell address.
Billet policeman 11:30pm-1:30am.
2 hours on - 4 hours off.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
"On August 3rd, Lieut.-Colonel Shoolbred paraded the Battalion for the last time as its commanding officer. He had been an officer in the Regiment since 1888, and had succeeded Lieut.-Colonel C.A. Gordon Clark in the command in February, 1911."
Excerpt from "The War History of the 1st Battalion Queen's Westminster Rifles 1914-1918" [ISBN 1-84342-610-2]
Excerpt from "The War History of the 1st Battalion Queen's Westminster Rifles 1914-1918" [ISBN 1-84342-610-2]
2nd August 1917
Sick. Wet.
Short route march and return.
New German (mustard) gas.
Lecture at 4:30pm by Royal Fusilier Officer.
Short route march and return.
New German (mustard) gas.
Lecture at 4:30pm by Royal Fusilier Officer.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
1st August 1917 - Postcard
Postcard home to Mum ...
The photograph on the postcard is of the
Ruines de l'Abbaye, Clairmarais, Saint-Omer, France
1st August 1917
The rainy season had now set in with a vengeance and in lieu of the usual activities in the field we were treated to a further series of lectures in the Company barn. Lt Lowndes chose for his subject “Over the Top” but Lts Marsh and Lloyd contributed less exhilarating subjects. We were a somnalescent crowd by that time and everyone was patently bored with the proceedings. Suddenly large barrels of beer appeared from nowhere and the whole atmosphere changed. The Company Officers who provided the liquor opened the offensive with a quartet but the Captain unfortunately failed to reach his objective. Bradley obliged with “The Village Pump” but the weak French beer was slow in promoting the jollity the occasion demanded.
The day was saved by one Rifleman Elson, a quiet and self-effacing little man who appeared to have no particular friends. Surprisingly Elson expressed his willingness to lead the Company in ‘a few choruses’ but explained with some diffidence that he was a member of the Salvation Army band in private life so his repertoire was somewhat restricted. Elson was the success of the evening. His audience was well acquainted with the Salvation Army tunes and joined in lustily – however the words they sang were not those normally heard with tambourine accompaniment performed by that other army on street corners back in England. Elson was a great sport, he entered into the spirit of the occasion with tremendous verve and the whole of B Company agreed that the performance was worthy of at least a couple of stripes!
Sick. Very wet. No parades.
Lectures by Mr Lowndes ("Over the top") and Mr Marsh and Mr Lloyd.
Company concert in barn.
Captain provides beer.
Card home.
The day was saved by one Rifleman Elson, a quiet and self-effacing little man who appeared to have no particular friends. Surprisingly Elson expressed his willingness to lead the Company in ‘a few choruses’ but explained with some diffidence that he was a member of the Salvation Army band in private life so his repertoire was somewhat restricted. Elson was the success of the evening. His audience was well acquainted with the Salvation Army tunes and joined in lustily – however the words they sang were not those normally heard with tambourine accompaniment performed by that other army on street corners back in England. Elson was a great sport, he entered into the spirit of the occasion with tremendous verve and the whole of B Company agreed that the performance was worthy of at least a couple of stripes!
Sick. Very wet. No parades.
Lectures by Mr Lowndes ("Over the top") and Mr Marsh and Mr Lloyd.
Company concert in barn.
Captain provides beer.
Card home.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
31st July 1917
Sick. Mess orderly.
Morning - snipers parade.
Patrol work - copse taken.
Afternoon off.
Firing on the range in evening. 200 yards.
Very wet.
Morning - snipers parade.
Patrol work - copse taken.
Afternoon off.
Firing on the range in evening. 200 yards.
Very wet.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
"The Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele)
The battle opened at 3:50am on July 31st, and in the north considerable progress was made; but 'the difficult country east of Ypres, where the Menin road crosses the crest of the Wytschaete-Passchendaele Ridge, formed the key to the enemy's position, and here the most determined opposition was encountered.' (see Sir Douglas Haig's despatch of January 8th, 1918)
In this area the German first-line system (which included Shrewsbury Forest, Sanctuary Wood, Stirling Castle, Hooge and Bellewarde Ridge) was captured; but the advance was held up in two small woods, known as Inverness Copse and Glencorse Wood. These woods were destined to be the scene of the fighting in which the Queen's Westminsters were engaged twelve days later.
The weather broke a few hours after the attack, and for four days the rain came down in a ceaseless torrent. No words can adequately describe the awful condition to which the ground was reduced. 'The low-lying, clayey soil, torn by shells and sodden with rain, turned into a succession of vast muddy pools. The valleys of the choked and overflowing streams were speedily transformed into long stretches of bog, impassable except for a few well-defined tracks which became marks for the enemy's artillery.' (Sir Douglas Haig's despatch.)"
Excerpt from "The War History of the 1st Battalion Queen's Westminster Rifles 1914-1918" [ISBN 1-84342-610-2]
The battle opened at 3:50am on July 31st, and in the north considerable progress was made; but 'the difficult country east of Ypres, where the Menin road crosses the crest of the Wytschaete-Passchendaele Ridge, formed the key to the enemy's position, and here the most determined opposition was encountered.' (see Sir Douglas Haig's despatch of January 8th, 1918)
In this area the German first-line system (which included Shrewsbury Forest, Sanctuary Wood, Stirling Castle, Hooge and Bellewarde Ridge) was captured; but the advance was held up in two small woods, known as Inverness Copse and Glencorse Wood. These woods were destined to be the scene of the fighting in which the Queen's Westminsters were engaged twelve days later.
The weather broke a few hours after the attack, and for four days the rain came down in a ceaseless torrent. No words can adequately describe the awful condition to which the ground was reduced. 'The low-lying, clayey soil, torn by shells and sodden with rain, turned into a succession of vast muddy pools. The valleys of the choked and overflowing streams were speedily transformed into long stretches of bog, impassable except for a few well-defined tracks which became marks for the enemy's artillery.' (Sir Douglas Haig's despatch.)"
Excerpt from "The War History of the 1st Battalion Queen's Westminster Rifles 1914-1918" [ISBN 1-84342-610-2]
30th July 1917
Another wet morning and, after the usual makeshifts involving rifle, ammunition and kit inspection, preparation for battle was further improved by more lectures. Lt Lowndes, who always knew his subject, spoke about “Outposts” but Lt Marsh on “Naval Badges of Rank” raised little enthusiasm. We deduced that those in authority were running out of subject matter.
In the afternoon, under Lt Chilton the company snipers established outposts with a view to observing movements some half a mile away across a valley. Each post was manned by two snipers; in theory one man kept his eye on the telescope whilst the other noted down each incident as it took place. In practice Rfn. P.E.Walter and I devised a less exhausting scheme. The job we dreaded could easily be done by one person and taken in short spells whilst the other was free to doze or gather the wild strawberries which abounded in the woods behind us. We were later commended on the accuracy of our report!
The value of the exercise was dubious. Normally telescopes and telescopic rifles were safely locked up in Quartermaster stores and there they remained out of harm’s way when the Battalion was in the line.
Wet. Sick again.
Rifle, ammunition and kit inspection.
Lectures Lt Lowndes and Lt Marsh - "Outposts".
Observation under Mr Chilton in afternoon.
In the afternoon, under Lt Chilton the company snipers established outposts with a view to observing movements some half a mile away across a valley. Each post was manned by two snipers; in theory one man kept his eye on the telescope whilst the other noted down each incident as it took place. In practice Rfn. P.E.Walter and I devised a less exhausting scheme. The job we dreaded could easily be done by one person and taken in short spells whilst the other was free to doze or gather the wild strawberries which abounded in the woods behind us. We were later commended on the accuracy of our report!
| 1:57 | Shot fired. |
| 2:05 | Man appears at left hand end of trench. |
| 2:10 | Shot fired. |
| 2:11 | Running man, left of trench. |
| 2:12 | Shot fired from extreme left. |
| 2:14 | Signs of digging, left end of trench. |
| 2:15 | Shot fired. |
| 2:16 | Man appears in shirtsleeves, handkerchief on head, smoking and carrying sandbag at left of trench. |
| 2:17 | Second man, rifle at the trail, enters trench at point where parapet repaired. |
| 2:18 | Signs of digging at same spot. Two men appear repairing parapet. |
| 2:20 | Sniper’s post erected. Men disappear. |
| 2:21 | Signalling from sniper’s post. |
| 2:24 | Tin hat fixed on parapet. |
| 2:25 | Tin hat removed. Signalling from sniper’s post. |
| 2:26 | Shot fired from right of sniper’s post. |
| 2:27 | Shot from sniper’s post. |
| 2:28 | Man appears from top of hill and disappears into sniper’s post. |
| 2:29 | Shot from sniper’s post. |
| 2:32 | Hat-less and carrying coat, man appears left of sniper’s post, runs towards hill and disappears in trench. |
| 2:34 | Same man, apparently, returns to sniper’s post. |
The value of the exercise was dubious. Normally telescopes and telescopic rifles were safely locked up in Quartermaster stores and there they remained out of harm’s way when the Battalion was in the line.
 |  |
| Original observation report | |
Wet. Sick again.
Rifle, ammunition and kit inspection.
Lectures Lt Lowndes and Lt Marsh - "Outposts".
Observation under Mr Chilton in afternoon.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
29th July 1917 (Sunday)
Very wet.
Wrote letter home.
Card from DM. Letter from Percy.
Wrote letter home.
Card from DM. Letter from Percy.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
28th July 1917
Reveille 5:30am.
Paraded at 8am.
Patrol work - diamond formations, etc under Mr Slade (LRB).
"Soon be open warfare"
New boots.
Paraded at 8am.
Patrol work - diamond formations, etc under Mr Slade (LRB).
"Soon be open warfare"
New boots.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
27th July 1917
One hour's march.
Company do extended order over (growing) crops.
Company do extended order over (growing) crops.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
26th July 1917
Sick. Bad foot after march.
Light duty. Helped cooks. Cut up meat, etc.
Light duty. Helped cooks. Cut up meat, etc.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
25th July 1917
Reveille was not sounded until 8am – some small recompense for the fatigue of the previous day. Bayenghem was one of a small cluster of villages astride the Calais Road. Formal parades were excused but heavy and persistent rain kept us immobile for the day. Bored in the extreme we lay on filthy bundles of straw in yet another cowshed.
We rarely had any contact with the French people. Indeed, in the small villages where billets were invariably unused cowsheds, the inhabitants kept out of the way. This was understandable enough since three years of war made the presence of British troops in their midst emphasise the miseries and desolation that still lay ahead for France. On this night, to our surprise, we had visitors. Standing in the doorway, shyly peeping in at ‘les Anglais’ stood a quaint little party of village folk. The head of the household was a very old man with long white whiskers. Two old women and two very small girls about four years of age were no doubt the instigators of the expedition. Timidly and silently they watched, ready to scuttle if their reception by the soldiers was unkindly. The situation was easy to understand – grandparents caring for the tiny tots while father was away fighting the hated Boche and mother was away slaving in the fields for the sake of France and a small pittance to keep the family from starvation. We had no food to give them until someone remembered that when army rations were scarce the Quartermaster resorted to his precious reserve stock and the issue of one particular commodity came all too frequently. Canned pilchards in tomato sauce were no doubt nourishing food but as a routine diet the stomach revolted. Even so we were loath to destroy food of any kind and we stowed each issue out of sight at the bottom of our packs. Hurriedly every man delved – and between us we produced a dozen or more cans. Even war has its moments and the look of sheer joy on the faces of the little group as they tottered off with their treasure was unforgettable. Knowing our worthy Quartermaster was what he was, I am sure that had he witnessed the offence against army regulations by 8th Platoon B Coy he would have turned a blind eye.
Reveille 8am.
Wet all day - no parades. One village shop.
Billet in shed - straw, etc. Fairly good.
We rarely had any contact with the French people. Indeed, in the small villages where billets were invariably unused cowsheds, the inhabitants kept out of the way. This was understandable enough since three years of war made the presence of British troops in their midst emphasise the miseries and desolation that still lay ahead for France. On this night, to our surprise, we had visitors. Standing in the doorway, shyly peeping in at ‘les Anglais’ stood a quaint little party of village folk. The head of the household was a very old man with long white whiskers. Two old women and two very small girls about four years of age were no doubt the instigators of the expedition. Timidly and silently they watched, ready to scuttle if their reception by the soldiers was unkindly. The situation was easy to understand – grandparents caring for the tiny tots while father was away fighting the hated Boche and mother was away slaving in the fields for the sake of France and a small pittance to keep the family from starvation. We had no food to give them until someone remembered that when army rations were scarce the Quartermaster resorted to his precious reserve stock and the issue of one particular commodity came all too frequently. Canned pilchards in tomato sauce were no doubt nourishing food but as a routine diet the stomach revolted. Even so we were loath to destroy food of any kind and we stowed each issue out of sight at the bottom of our packs. Hurriedly every man delved – and between us we produced a dozen or more cans. Even war has its moments and the look of sheer joy on the faces of the little group as they tottered off with their treasure was unforgettable. Knowing our worthy Quartermaster was what he was, I am sure that had he witnessed the offence against army regulations by 8th Platoon B Coy he would have turned a blind eye.
Reveille 8am.
Wet all day - no parades. One village shop.
Billet in shed - straw, etc. Fairly good.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
24th July 1917 - Heading north to Ypres
Reveille sounded at 1:30am and by 3am the Battalion was on the first stage of the long trek northwards to the grim and bloody region promised by the Colonel. Bouquemaison was reached by 6am and an hour later the Battalion entrained for Wizernes. Standing room only on the French cattle trucks was a pleasant change from pounding the French roads for mile after mile with shoulders drooping under the heavy burden of pack and equipment. Moreover, by train it was possible, by the good graces of the aged French engine driver, to indulge in the occasional brew-up. The train stopped frequently for lengthy periods and at the first sound of squealing brakes hordes of khaki clad figures chased up to the front where the kindly driver obligingly turned on a tap and boiling water poured lavishly from a pipe below the engine cab.
The train ride, acceptable as it was, unhappily conveyed its sombre message. Those frequent stoppages and side trackings were due to the priority given to urgent traffic on the line coming from the opposite direction. Silently we watched all too many trains thunder by, every carriage bearing significantly the large symbol of the Red Cross. We detrained at Wizernes at 12 noon having covered the distance in exactly five hours.
Three hours later packs were humped on shoulders and the long trek northward recommenced. The route took us through several largish towns and on the outskirts of St Omer we broke off for a short rest at the side of the street. It was a crime to drink on trek. It was permissible to take one sip from water bottles provided the liquid went no further than the mouth. Any man caught in the act of swallowing was booked by the lynx-eyed NCO.
Near at hand was a little shop with various oddments displayed in the window and the NCO grudgingly gave me permission to make a purchase. Suspiciously he watched my movements and made no comment when I came out with a bundle of picture postcards of St Omer and an innocuous bag of sweets. The postcards were bought for a purpose. Although “St Omer” would be deleted by the censor, I cherished the hope that the receipt of a never-ending stream of photographs of a large and attractive French town (probably taken in 1901!) might perhaps set my mother’s mind at rest, disturbing her less than the rather forbiddingly worded ‘Field Postcards’.
As for the sweets, even Bradley didn’t guess that the innocent looking chocolates contained alcohol – so I was responsible for him breaking the pledge for the first time in his life. As thirst quenchers they were a failure but our spirits were fortified for the rest of the journey to Bayenghem (La Commune) where the twelve mile trek ended at 10:30pm.
Reveille 1:30am.
Left Sus-Saint-Léger 3am.
Marched Bouquemaison (6am).
Entrained 7am.
Arrived Wizernes 12 noon.
Marched to Bayengham (La Commune) - 12 miles, 3pm - 10:30pm with tea rest.
Google Maps entry for Wizernes here
Google Maps entry for St Omer here
Google Maps entry for Bayenghem here
Google Maps entry for La Commune here
The train ride, acceptable as it was, unhappily conveyed its sombre message. Those frequent stoppages and side trackings were due to the priority given to urgent traffic on the line coming from the opposite direction. Silently we watched all too many trains thunder by, every carriage bearing significantly the large symbol of the Red Cross. We detrained at Wizernes at 12 noon having covered the distance in exactly five hours.
Three hours later packs were humped on shoulders and the long trek northward recommenced. The route took us through several largish towns and on the outskirts of St Omer we broke off for a short rest at the side of the street. It was a crime to drink on trek. It was permissible to take one sip from water bottles provided the liquid went no further than the mouth. Any man caught in the act of swallowing was booked by the lynx-eyed NCO.
Near at hand was a little shop with various oddments displayed in the window and the NCO grudgingly gave me permission to make a purchase. Suspiciously he watched my movements and made no comment when I came out with a bundle of picture postcards of St Omer and an innocuous bag of sweets. The postcards were bought for a purpose. Although “St Omer” would be deleted by the censor, I cherished the hope that the receipt of a never-ending stream of photographs of a large and attractive French town (probably taken in 1901!) might perhaps set my mother’s mind at rest, disturbing her less than the rather forbiddingly worded ‘Field Postcards’.
As for the sweets, even Bradley didn’t guess that the innocent looking chocolates contained alcohol – so I was responsible for him breaking the pledge for the first time in his life. As thirst quenchers they were a failure but our spirits were fortified for the rest of the journey to Bayenghem (La Commune) where the twelve mile trek ended at 10:30pm.
Reveille 1:30am.
Left Sus-Saint-Léger 3am.
Marched Bouquemaison (6am).
Entrained 7am.
Arrived Wizernes 12 noon.
Marched to Bayengham (La Commune) - 12 miles, 3pm - 10:30pm with tea rest.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
"On 24th July, the Battalion left Sus St. Leger and moved to La Commune, about seven and a half miles north-west of St. Omer and in the Fifth Army area. The Battalion paraded at 2:30 in the morning and, after tea had been served out to the men from the cookers of the Q.V.R., marched to Bouquemaison station. Here the Battalion entrained, and, after a five hours' journey, attended by the usual discomforts of the cattle trucks, reached Wizernes, three miles from St. Omer, about noon. Dinners were served in a field near Wizernes station, and at 3:15pm the Battalion paraded again and marched to La Commune, where it arrived at ten o'clock at night. The total distance marched during the day was about eighteen miles."
Excerpt from "The War History of the 1st Battalion Queen's Westminster Rifles 1914-1918" [ISBN 1-84342-610-2]
Excerpt from "The War History of the 1st Battalion Queen's Westminster Rifles 1914-1918" [ISBN 1-84342-610-2]
Google Maps entry for Wizernes here
Google Maps entry for St Omer here
Google Maps entry for Bayenghem here
Google Maps entry for La Commune here
23rd July 1917
In full marching order the Battalion paraded for inspection at 9am and were then dismissed for the day. With packs at the ready most of us were bedded down by early afternoon. Bradley was once again his usual, cheerful self.
Company parade full marching order.
9am dismissed for day.
Full pack ready.
Afternoon kips.
Reveille - 1:30am.
Company parade full marching order.
9am dismissed for day.
Full pack ready.
Afternoon kips.
Reveille - 1:30am.
 |
| Original diary entry |
 |
| Original journal notes |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)