Oct 17th
Had to pack up and stand by. Germans had blown up a mine twelve yards short of our trenches at Railway Wood. Nothing doing however. Concert again this afternoon.
Oct 13th
We could see a heavy bombardment away on our right probably in the neighbourhood of Hill 60.
With advance party again to take over new quarters this time in the Seminaird just outside Ypres. Company was delayed in getting down owing to heavy shelling of Ypres. Arrived eventually at about 12.30 (night).
Oct 12th
Warned for carrying party for 89th RE. Turned out at 6pm when our artillery and the Germans started to bombard the road (Hell Fire Corner) and where we had to carry. We stood by for about an hour and were then informed that the job was cancelled, so turned in, but were fetched out again about 10pm to take up a load of wire screens.
Oct 6th
Heavy bombardment away on our left which we could see whilst standing too this morning. We heard afterwards that the Germans had made an attack but were driven back.
Left the trenches today. I had to go with advance party to take over dugouts, somewhere by Ypres. We had no idea where they were but had to find them. After searching around for some hours we were directed by the brigade major to make use of the cellars of an old brewery for the night. We had made ourselves comfortable a
Oct 1st
Working party out in front over night digging and wiring; Germans also had a party out working within a few yards of our fellows. Our dugout was blown in this morning by a whizz bang whilst Williams and I were inside, our kits were buried but no further damage done. We had a few Krauts over today trying to find our trench mortars; how those beggars shake the ground.
We were relieved from the fire trench and went back in the support line and stayed here until the 6th, digging, ration
Sept 28th
Left for trenches at Railway Wood from where the attack took place. I with an officer and four other NCO’s went up during the afternoon to take over the line. Ypres shelled as we were going through, had to take cover in the ramparts. A & C in the firing line, B & D in support. This is rather an uncomfortable spot. The trenches at one point are only about 25-30 yards apart. We heard of an armistice being arranged here; the Germans (Saxons) allowing the Somerset’s to bring two
Sept 25th
We were called up at 4.30am to stand by as reserves for an attack that was being made by our 9th Battn. (42nd Bdge) in conjunction with the attack at Loos as a feint to draw German reinforcements from that part of the line. News came through that the 9th Battn. had captured the allotted area but later that they had had to fall back to the original line against a strong counter attack. However they did what they were intended to do, that is, keep the Germans employed whilst the attack
Sept 19th
Arrived Southampton, sent up to hospital in Winchester.
*****************THIS WAS THE END OF GRANDADS WAR - THE 1916 DIARY ENDS*****************
Sept 15th
Off we go at 6am just breaking day. There is a tank on our right enveloped in steam or smoke from a shell or just getting under way.
I got over the first line all right (a sunken road) where a lot of Boche prisoners were collected and was well on the way to the “Switch” about a mile from Delville Wood when I stopped a bullet in the arm.
Got it dressed and came back. Met Holland at Dressing station. Came down through NHFA(?) to Cleaning Station, sent down same night by train to R
Sept 14th
Get our instructions and positions that we are to occupy in the attack.
We start from just in front of “Delville Wood” behind the 8th Battalion who take the first objective (Switch trench). We are to go on and take the next line. The 43rd Brigade to go right on beyond us to the final objective Gendecourt. The Guards and two other divisions will be on our right, the Anzacs and another division on our left. We left Mantauban about 11pm for Delville Wood where we were to wait for the
Sept. 13th
Moved on again at night to Mantauban where we are occupying reserve trenches. Hear that we are to take part in a big attack that is coming off the day after tomorrow.
Sept 14 – 24th
Arrived back in camp just outside Poperinghe and stayed there until the 25th supplying digging parties at night which went up from Poperinghe to Ypres by train. As I was assistant Orderly Sgt. the first week and Orderly Sgt. on my own second week I did not go digging.
On the night of the 20th the train was shelled. Seven of our men were hit and a number of the Durhams; this is the only time I think that a working party of ours has suffered.
Sept 11th
On the march early again reached Derrancourt about 9am to find that we have to go on again with the Battalion early in the afternoon. Went on again this afternoon and camped for the night just beyond Meault to the right of Albert. This is where we first saw the ‘Tanks’.
Sept 10th
Started off again early in the morning passing through Amiens and halting again for the night at Lahoussie where the Battalion passed us on the way to Dernancourt.
