Busy handing over maps, sketches, plans, etc. to intell officer.
Monday 21 August 1916 – Rain (showers)
Working on panoramic map & finish it in afternoon. Hangs on wall of General’s room. General MacDonnell says he is very much pleased with it & rendering his thanks. The Bde is relieved @ night. I stay behind to give assistance to 11th brigade (British) 2Lt. Fraser-Luckie intell officer. Capt Fellowes staff Capt (In morning go to front line with L/c White).
Sunday 20 August 1916
Intense bombardment. H.E. shells burst all round us. I work in the battered house which serves as a draughtsman’s office.
In afternoon one of my draughtsmen became very nervous which necessitated him going to shelter leaving me alone to finish the job.
*Draughtsman – An artist skilled in drawing, in this case the draughtsman would most likely help Draycott prepare maps.
Saturday 19 August 1916
Intense bombardment by both sides all afternoon.
Friday 18 August 1916
Enemy busy shelling Ypres. General Sir S. Hughes visits the Ramparts with his staff. He stands on top of Ramparts to study the lay of the land in the trenches. Pays a visit to my draughting room.
Thursday 17 August 1916
No Entry
Wednesday 16 August 1916
Enemy shelling heavily around. Few aeroplanes of his to be seen. Rain during the day.
Tuesday 15 August 1916
Frtiz drops bombs at 11 PM on Lille Gate, Ypres. No damage. Earlier in day he shells lavishly.
Monday 14 August 1916
Leave Boulogne @ 4:40 am, arr Hazebrouck (after changing @ St. Omer) at 11. Arr Poperinghe @ 12:10 noon. To “a” camp only to find it empty. To brigade transport & report to Captain Temlin.
I got to Ypres @ night arr @ 7:30 PM. Great reception. Capt MacDonell has a boil on his left knee, incapacitated. My box of cyan arrives from L’Pool.
Sunday 13 August 1916
To boat @ 10:30. Boat leaves @ 11 am. Voyage choppy. Arr Boulogne 12:45. Marched to Stn. Leave packs @ baggage room & go out around town visit cathedral of St Pauls, Ramparts, gardens, promenade, & pier. Spent a few hours on sands listening to the band of the French Rgt.
Had supper of 1 ½ Francs & returned to Stn @ 9 PM. Many soldiers on leave of 48 hours from the Somme.
Board train @ 10:30 PM but it does not leave until 4:40 Monday morning.
*The Battle of the Somme – One of the largest battles of the First World War from July 1st to November 18th 1916 pitting the British and French armies against the Germans. There were more than 1,000,000 casualties during the battle which was fought on both sides of the Somme River in France. The battle is notable for its use of mechanized weapons bringing about the first ever use of the tank; it was also one of the first battles where aircrafts were of great importance. The British and French armies were able to push the Germans back during this battle however their losses were extreme.
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