Rifle inspection at 9 am. Major Grey taken over Command of No. 4 Company. We parade at 5:10 pm in full marching order for a march to the support trenches in a pouring rain. Left Froissy at 5:30 for Cappy. Roads muddy and full of pools of water. Troops cursing and very miserable, wet through, slipping and sliding from side to side. Arrived at Eclusier Sur-Somme about 8:20 pm –and RATS and fleas. Consigned to Billets – tumble down barns not fit for cattle. Never in all my life have I seen such a quantity (and so large, being nearly size of fox terriers) of rats. When lights were extinguished the rats swarmed over the troops. Sleep was impossible. So a party of us went rat hunting. Kings Royal Rifles are in the trenches. Rain ceased during the morning of the 26th.
Friday 24 September 1915 – rain
Heavy thunderstorm last night. Two parades today – skirmishing. Heavy bombarding all along the line.
Thursday 23 September 1915 – fine
Sleeping out. We hear the Germans[sic] have taken Vilna in Russia. Try fishing in River Somme. No luck.
Wednesday 22 September 1915 – fine
Two more parades: one a “kit inspection”!! The other skirmishing absolutely ridiculous! Watched a German Aeroplane attacked by our airmen, fired at by shells. Our airmen riddled him with a machine gun and he descended within our lines. Three of our ‘planes surrounded him. I take a swim in the Somme River and Canal. Our maxim gun section go to trenches
*Kit inspection – Inspection of a soldiers “kit” or military belongings and uniform. The kit was supposed to be arranged in a specific way for inspection while the soldier stood next to the kit.
Tuesday 21 September 1915 – fine
To see Commanding Sergeant Major Hetherington of the King’s Royal Rifles at 7 am and had breakfast with him. Paraded for Platoon drill 1 mile back of firing line!!! Received 2 parcels one from Miss Janet Ansill of Ashford and the other from Mrs Mia Draycot of Rothley. Greatly appreciated by myself and the boys. Tried to catch fish in River Somme – “nothing doing” they think we are German spies perhaps. Lots of bombarding and rifle fire.
Monday 20 September 1915 – fine
Up early and to the village for bread. Only obtained ½ a loaf all the place contained. Heavy cannonading and bomb through last night.
Sunday 19 September 1915
Had no sleep last night, too cold. The troops buy all the stores out and also the “canteens”.
Saturday 18 September 1915 – fine
Left Billets (kissing good bye to Petit [Madlel]) for Hazebrouck at 3:30. Distance 5.5 kilometer. Halted in front of church. I sneaked in, lovely interior. Entrained at 6 pm. Left at 6:15 pm after partaking of tea on platform. Ride in Horse Cars. 40 men with full marching order on rifle.
Rotten idea. Passed [pink] night in “Black Hole” and at 6 am we left train at Guillencourt and had breakfast. Bread cheese and tea. Marched 6 miles to Merricourt and stayed for dinner. I went into a cottage and had café au lait and bread and butter. To farm for bread and apples “quatre – sous”. Packed up again in full marching order for change of Billet. We encamp and bivouac in a grove of Balm O’Gilead trees all night. Wander around for 2 hours trying to find a farm. Lovely country but farms very distant.
*Bivouac – An improvised camp site or shelter constructed of natural materials such as a lean-to made of tree branches.
Thursday 16 September – fine
Up early. Took tour of farm for eggs. Only got two as poultry are scarce. The Germans took them all when they came thro’ here. Mostly Flemish farmers here. Visited church. Very old, 1600 circa. On guard over orchard and kitchen garden. Caught sitting down on “sentry go”. Tried and admonished. Freed by Captain de Balinhard. Company inspected by Gen. Smith-Dorrien Commanding the Army Corps – gives speech. The 5th Canadian Battalion passes thro’ Pradelles to Arras? Have bath at Brasseries and wash clothes.
*Brasserie- A small informal French restaurant or pub.
*General Horace Smith-Dorrien – General Smith was already a distinguished soldier by¬¬ WWI, he had fought in the Zulu War, Boer War and had been posted in India. He was given command of the British Expeditionary Force II Corps by Lord Kitchener at the outbreak of WWI. Smith led the Corps during the first few years of the war including the Battle of Ypres. However during the Second Battle of Ypres after the Germans had used gas, General Smith requested a retreat. Field Marshal Sir John French, who disliked General Smith, used this event as an excuse to request to have him removed from the corps command. General Smith was later sent to East Africa to lead troops there but caught pneumonia and returned to England for the remainder of the war.
Wednesday 15 September 1915 – fine
Up early and collected mushrooms for breakfast. Bought bread and eggs at 7 am. For dinner – stole some apples and collected blackberries. Made stew. To Estaminet in evening and had coffee.
*Estaminet – a small café
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