May 9th
Left Wanquetin and marched to Chelers. Via Hermaville, Avesnes-le-Comte, Liniques (?) etc.. about twelve miles. Stayed here until May 16th.
******Any help confirming the place names here would be appreciated!******
April 24th
Relieved again by 8th R.B and marched back to Wanquetin about nine miles. Had six days here doing usual parades, inspections etc.. Heard that Jimmy had come out again and was with the 9th R.B at Simoncourt.
April 18th
Took over firing line again from 8th R.B. Nothing doing except a little excitement which we had with a German working party and a Lewis Gun.
April 12th
Relieved again by the 8th R.B. Two platoons and myself with two Guns stayed in support to man St. Saveux Defences. Rest of Battalion in Arras. Stayed here for six days.
March 27th
Relieved by 8th R.B and marched back to Simoncourt. Capt. Graham took over Company. Parades every day from 7.30am to 12.30 and football in the afternoon.
March 25th
Took over trenches from 8th R.B our Company in Support. Support here consists of unoccupied houses containing most of the furniture including pianos.
March 20th
Our billet condemned. Shifted into the Hotel de L’Univers, most comfortable billet we’ve ever struck. Made use of the hotel furniture, feather beds, blankets, sheets, etc.. Used the billiard room (containing a piano) as Sergts. Mess. Had a jolly decent time here.
*** Feather beds at the hotel de l'univers - what a pleasant change that must have been! ***
March 18th
Completed Lewis Gun course and returned to Battalion by motor to Simoncourt and marched from there to Arras with the Transport in the evening. Battalion still in the trenches; stayed at Headquarters for the night.
March 1st
Took over trenches from the French. They are in excellent condition especially the dugouts some of which are about 15 to 20 feet underground and quite comfortable. We were told by the regiment we relieved that they had had only one casualty here since the previous September, and from our experience of this part of the line we can quite believe it, for we were troubled with nothing but a few rifle shots.
Feb 29th (*****1916 - if it wasnt already a long enough year had an extra day as well! *****)
Left Warluzel and marched to Arras passing through Fosseux, Gouy-en-Artois and Berneville (about 15 miles). Expected to find Arras in as bad a state as Ypres but the greater part of the town is still untouched. Only one side of the town has apparently been shelled, that nearest the firing line.
The town itself is not more than a mile from the firing line in fact the Communication trenches start in
Feb 25th
On the move again at 10.45am marched via Lucheux to Warluzel. Roads were in a very bad condition, a lot of snow and hard frost. Transport broke down; motors were unable to climb the hills. Blankets turned up about 10pm. No rations.
Feb 24th
Woke up about 2.30am. Alarm of some sort. Ordered to get our stuff ready and stand by for further orders. Left about 10.30am and marched, via Beauval to Doullens about 11 ½ miles.
Feb 22nd
Left Oudezeele and marched to Cassel about eight miles. Entrained here about 10am travelled via St Omer, Calais, Boulogne to Amiens reached here about 8pm. Part of our Battalion including our Company marched to Naours about 14 miles, remainder going by Motor ‘bus. We arrived about 3am 22nd.
