At work on map sketching in doctor’s apartment & afterwards in officer’s mess.
Pte. Leyman of Fort William comes over from the 8th Battn to see me.
Many bombs are dropped on Poperinghe.
A gas attack on front line.
Saturday 8 April 1916
Heavy shelling at St. Eloi & Dickebusch.
To Dickebusch & inspect the interior of church also graves of P.P.’s. Lance Corporal W.J. Huston’s is in good shape. I trim it off. After a burial service I meet the parson (chaplain) a Captain Sherring of St. Paul’s Church Fort William.
We enter the church together (with Pvt Carey) and I find a nose cap of a shell (German). I give it to Capt. Sherring who is much pleased.
Witness aerial duel & bombardment by enemy. Our plane dodges backwards & forward amidst the shells. After half hour reconnaissance our plane returns safely to our lines. Heavy bombardment during night.
Saturday 14 November 1914 – rain & frost
Up at 9 am & had breakfast with Ma & Milly. Interesting chat till 11 am then I to Post Office to send mail. I have a score of invitations to supper & dinner. To dinner at MacT’s & afterwards to visit friends till 6 pm. I have the happiest time of my life. The phone is kept busy wherever I go. I’m followed.
To 77 Co & see the boys. Our train is 3 hrs & 40 min late. Meet the girls uptown & home together. Hugh Pitt & I entertain the folk, singing music & stories etc: Left Fort William at 2:15 am.
Friday 13 November 1914 – frosty
Arrived in Fort William 9:35 pm & met at Depot by Mr [MacTaggart], Mildred (Mrs. Ross) and Annie.
Went to MacT’s & stayed all night. Had a very interesting conversation. To bed at 11:30 pm. Mr. Pitt goes to Port Arthur to see friends & stays the night.
