Reverend Mr Tumley of Market Drayton arrives at the home of Mr and Mrs Cyril Green, at noon.
To Mayor Bostock’s reception with Cyril, Ede, and Mr Reverend Tumley at 6 pm. To Church at 7:30 pm till 9 pm.
Archives for April 2015
Thursday 29 April 1915 – lovely
Borrow Harry Knight’s bike and leave Seagrave at 9:15 for Sileby. I catch the 9:38 train for Leicester. Left Leicester at 10:10, in Nuneaton 10:50. Left at 11:20 am for Stafford, arrived at 12:30 noon. To Meyrick and had lunch. At 3:30 to Dr Mitchell and got extension of leave. At 4 pm to swimming bath and had swim. Home at 5 pm.
Wednesday 28 April 1915 – fine
Rose at 4:30 am and had walk around until 5:30. Then to Joe Draycot, May and Maud just having breakfast. Get loan of bike from Harry Knight and go to Sileby. I have lunch with the Vice Rector of Sileby Church, Mr Burrow. Met Mrs Sharp mother of [Rifleman] Alf Sharp of Sileby and have tea with the family. Mind puncture and ride back to Seagrave with the two daughters on our bikes, arrive at 7:30 pm.
Tuesday 27 April 1915 – Drizzle in morning. Fine in afternoon
Went for walking parade at 7 am. Bitterly cold. Got pass from Orderly room and left in time to avoid getting quarantined for measles. Boarded 11:28 am for London. Arrive at 2 pm. Went to Westminster House regarding pay and to see Paymaster Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. He will send on £10.00 to War Office. Fill up a pass and get an Army Form Mt 393. Left Euston for Leicester at 5:30, arrived at 8:40. To supper with a Mr Starmer (2) East Park Road Leicester. Entrain for Sileby 10:40 pm arrive in Seagrave at 11:45 pm. Slept in the Out House all night
*MT 393 was a military form used to apply for appointment to a temporary commission.
Monday 26 April 1915 – fair
Parade early morning at 6:30 to 9:15, for walking exercise again at 9:30 am till 11 am.
A large contingent of 4,000 men and officers (160) left our camp for the front to fill up gap caused by the engagement at Langemarck and Ypres. We lost 80 Canadian Officers and 2,000 men in casualties.
*The Second Battle of Ypres – The Second Battle of Ypres began on April 22nd of 1915. It is most notable for being the first successful mass gas attack by German troops on the Western Front. Though the Germans had previously used gas on the eastern front at the battle of Bolimow, the cold air caused it to freeze and become ineffective. On the western front at Ypres however the Germans released 171t of chlorine gas that was carried by the wind towards allied troops and settled in their trenches. The allied troops, including Canadians, were forced to retreat due to the gas. However at Kitchener’s Wood the 10th Battalion of the 2nd Canadian Brigade counter-attacked pushing back the German troops. Though the Canadians suffered 75% casualties during the attack, it was the first time that a former colonial force had defeated a European power on European soil.
Sunday 25 April 1915 – raining hard
Slept well last night. Dismounted guard at 9:30 am. To morning service at St. Martin’s 11 am, alone.
To evening service at 6:30 at St. Martin’s. Spent remainder of evening at Church of England Institute. Rowdy night in camp with “drunks”. Not much sleep.
Saturday 24 April 1915 – blowing in gale
Mounted Guard at 9:30. As I was the oldest soldier I was put in charge
5 prisoners
All ended well
Rained hard all night and blew a gale. What about the trench life?? Canadians at Steenstraat Belgium. Make a name and recapture 4 [4.1”] guns which were lost
Friday 23 April 1915 – fine
Take a walk down the dale and return for breakfast. Left off duty all day.
Thursday 22 April 1915 – fine
Breakfast at 7:30. Parade for walking exercise. At 9:30 am down to the beach.
Wrote letters in evening at Church of England Institute. A general muster roll is called for all Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. The English Airship passes over the Channel. A huge cigar shape.
*Muster Roll – The process of accounting for the members of the military unit.
Wednesday 21 April 1915 – fine
Parade at 9:30, and 2 pm for stroll down to beach.
