Transferred to the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Allotted to No. 2 Company. with Regimental No. 883.
Wednesday 16 December 1914 – fine
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.
Sunday 13 December 1914 – Rain
Raining heavily all day.
I rise at 9 am. Have a regular family chat about Draycots & etc: I remodel the family tree with Ernest.
Have a nice day all thro’ & loath to leave. Have tea at 4:15 pm say good bye and catch the 5 pm train for Winchester where I arrive at 7:30 pm. Nothing is said at Barracks re my absence.
Saturday 12 December 1914 – Rain
Doing nothing all morning.
Leave Winchester at 3:30 pm for Gosport.
Where I arrive at 5 pm
Well received by Ernest & the [Neates]. Told my tale of woe and amused them generally.
To Bed at 10:30 pm. Had a good night’s rest. Raining heavily.
Friday 11 December 1914 – rain
Up at 7 am. Breakfast 8 such as it is.
The Sergeant Major tells me I am for the front, being a pensioner seems to not matter much. I am still in civilian clothes & feel very uncomfortable. For tea we have water cress and bread & butter. To Winchester at 6 pm & write letters in Y.M.C.A
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.
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.
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