Entry # 30 March 27th 1916
We again returned to our old home -"Cellar"- for another 6 days rest.
Monday, 28 March 2016
Keep Smiling
Entry # 29 March 21st 1916
We had another go at Hamel. This place seems to be getting hotter daily. We had 6 days this time, as the weather was a lot better.
We had another go at Hamel. This place seems to be getting hotter daily. We had 6 days this time, as the weather was a lot better.
Keep Smiling
Entry # 27 March 11th 1916
We left for trenches at Hamel. The trenches run right through Hamel, and this spot was just too lively. "Peter" was a specialty here with a plentiful supply of ammunition for his machine-gun, and a accuracy which made us all careful. He generated "Shrapnel Villa" on two or three occasions. "Shrapnel Villa" was our home when not on duty. It was a house on the road between Hamel and Mensil, and was in fairly decent condition. It was impossible to walk along this road during the day, but at night the communication trenches got a bye and the road was used at ones own risk. Peter played along this road at intervals and when one heard him start at one end of the road and sweep right along it, it was advisable to lie low. I had one or two narrow shaves here by Peter starting anywhere and playing here and there. We only stopped here 4 days, but it was long enough, as it was much hotter than any other part of the line we were in.
We left for trenches at Hamel. The trenches run right through Hamel, and this spot was just too lively. "Peter" was a specialty here with a plentiful supply of ammunition for his machine-gun, and a accuracy which made us all careful. He generated "Shrapnel Villa" on two or three occasions. "Shrapnel Villa" was our home when not on duty. It was a house on the road between Hamel and Mensil, and was in fairly decent condition. It was impossible to walk along this road during the day, but at night the communication trenches got a bye and the road was used at ones own risk. Peter played along this road at intervals and when one heard him start at one end of the road and sweep right along it, it was advisable to lie low. I had one or two narrow shaves here by Peter starting anywhere and playing here and there. We only stopped here 4 days, but it was long enough, as it was much hotter than any other part of the line we were in.
Keep Smiling
Entry # 26 March 7 th 1916
Fro Mensil, a village which is completely demolished by German Artillery, and not a single inhabitant in same. This place is 1 mile behind the firing line and shelled night and day. We slept in cellars here, as one never knew when the place would be shelled. we had one very heavy bombardment here, when we had to "stand to" and when the morning came there was still less of our precious village to gaze upon. There was one particular road here where traffic was forbidden. But one day an artillery transport happened to come that way and as soon as it got on the skyline the Germans opened fire, firing 20rounds of H.E. It was very exciting whilst it lasted. The artillerymen were very cool, and drove to a place of safety, only one wagon being upturned owing to the curve of the road. No damage was done. We stayed here 4 days.
Fro Mensil, a village which is completely demolished by German Artillery, and not a single inhabitant in same. This place is 1 mile behind the firing line and shelled night and day. We slept in cellars here, as one never knew when the place would be shelled. we had one very heavy bombardment here, when we had to "stand to" and when the morning came there was still less of our precious village to gaze upon. There was one particular road here where traffic was forbidden. But one day an artillery transport happened to come that way and as soon as it got on the skyline the Germans opened fire, firing 20rounds of H.E. It was very exciting whilst it lasted. The artillerymen were very cool, and drove to a place of safety, only one wagon being upturned owing to the curve of the road. No damage was done. We stayed here 4 days.
Sunday, 27 March 2016
Keep Smiling
Entry # 25 March 3 rd 1916
In Forceville, a fairly small village. During our short stay here we were visited by Taubes, dropping a few bombs, but no damage was done. We stayed here 4 days, I left on the 7th.
In Forceville, a fairly small village. During our short stay here we were visited by Taubes, dropping a few bombs, but no damage was done. We stayed here 4 days, I left on the 7th.
Keep Smiling
Entry # 24 February 28 th 1916
We left for trenches at Auchonvillers, near Mailly-Millet. This was a fairly quiet spot, and only thing that annoyed us was the state of the trenches. The previous weeks rain left them in a frightful state. And when we took them over form the 10th Battalion we were up to our waist in rain and mud. It was unsafe to walk down the trenches at night unless one could swim. And as soon as it was dark both officers and men preferred walking along the parapet. When our chaps took over not one of them had gum boots on, so they had to plough through the water, and as some of the sump-boards were floating about consequently some of the foot chaps got a bad wetting.They had to go on guard with their wet clothing and it was here we had 6 cases of trench feet. But this state of affairs did not last long, and before we left that part of the line we had trenches as dry as Royal Avenue. We left here, having no causalities, on March 3 rd.
We left for trenches at Auchonvillers, near Mailly-Millet. This was a fairly quiet spot, and only thing that annoyed us was the state of the trenches. The previous weeks rain left them in a frightful state. And when we took them over form the 10th Battalion we were up to our waist in rain and mud. It was unsafe to walk down the trenches at night unless one could swim. And as soon as it was dark both officers and men preferred walking along the parapet. When our chaps took over not one of them had gum boots on, so they had to plough through the water, and as some of the sump-boards were floating about consequently some of the foot chaps got a bad wetting.They had to go on guard with their wet clothing and it was here we had 6 cases of trench feet. But this state of affairs did not last long, and before we left that part of the line we had trenches as dry as Royal Avenue. We left here, having no causalities, on March 3 rd.
Keep Smiling
Entry # 23 February 24 1916
We moved on to Beaussart. Another small village, just behind Mailly-Maillet. We stopped here 4 days.
We moved on to Beaussart. Another small village, just behind Mailly-Maillet. We stopped here 4 days.
Kepp Smiling
Entry # 22 February 9 th 1916
We left for Varennes. A fairly small village. We stayed here a fortnight.
We left for Varennes. A fairly small village. We stayed here a fortnight.
Keep Smiling
Entry # 21 February 3 rd 1916
We moved on to Puchvillers a fairly decent town.We stopped here one night.
We moved on to Puchvillers a fairly decent town.We stopped here one night.
Keep Smiling
Entry #20 January 6 th 1916
Moved on to Berneuil, another fairly small village 5 kilos from Domart. We were very lucky here to strike an ideal billet. And the only inhabitant was an old woman who was a second mother to us. I shall never forget her kindness to us. We stayed here until February 3 rd.
Moved on to Berneuil, another fairly small village 5 kilos from Domart. We were very lucky here to strike an ideal billet. And the only inhabitant was an old woman who was a second mother to us. I shall never forget her kindness to us. We stayed here until February 3 rd.
Catching Up
Illness (the flu) and the holidays have kept me from updating.
So now back to the trenches (littoral and figurative).
So now back to the trenches (littoral and figurative).
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