Had breakfasts at 7 o’clock. Welsh Party left at about 7.30. Charlie came in the afternoon. Had photos taken1 and then spent most of the night at Inwoods’ singing and playing. Stayed until late & Charlie was locked out of S. [Soldiers’] Home & had to sleep in Guard Room.
The photo accompanying this diary entry is a postcard, posted on 7 September 1915 to ALL’s mother, with a message saying he was now a lance-corporal. It may be one of those taken on 4th September. ↩
Welsh Party picked & none of my friends in it. McNeil Russell & Phillips to go. Russell came in drunk at night.
Turned out for parade as usual. Put into the cookhouse again. Great anxiety about Wales. Got to know at night I was probably not going. Got heavy cold. Put two late passes in.
On parade as usual. New men included in the afternoon. We had two hours drill in the afternoon. Our corporal told us that that 200 men were to go to Wales on Saturday and considerable anxiety about it.
On parade in the morning. [2½ lines crossed out; in part apparently next day’s entry, inserted on wrong page.] On parade as usual. Went to Inwoods’ at night. Corporal Findlater there. Played a game or two. Miss Inwood still away. In the cookhouse all day and it is a rotten job.
On parade as usual. Had walk with Dunn, Hoare and Moil. Received letter from Charlie making arrangements for Saturday. A rumour going round about going to Wales shortly.
At church parade in the morning with over-coats. At Inwoods’ to tea and supper with Hoare and a lot of other soldiers. Played a bit. Miss Inwood away for the weekend.
On parade in the morning. Cleaned out rooms. I was orderly man, and missed a route march which the other fellows did.
Received postcard from Joe saying Marmie was going through Sheffield1 and I might see her. Spent the afternoon in the station but didn’t see her. Mr Young† finished off my job. Had tea in the Soldiers’ Home. Played the piano a good bit.
We do not know where Marmie was going; perhaps to Lincoln, where she and Joe had lived up to 1914. ↩
On Guard. Commenced duty 9 o’clock in the morning. I went on until 11.30. Grand day. A lot of recruits came in.