Got up 7.30. Busy all day. Got ration book better in hand. Heard something in orderly room to effect that we would ultimately leave here. At Y.M.C.A. social.
All posts by Arthur Linfoot
16 November 1915; Tuesday
Up shortly after 7 o’clock. Very cold and frosty and all taps frozen. Walked into town in the morning with Dunbar and in the afternoon got our rations in. Read a bit at night and wrote up diary. Went to Y.M. last thing. Wrote to Sandwith.
15 November 1915; Monday
Up about 7.30. Frosty morning and we couldn’t get washed before breakfast. Busy all day with rations and town in the afternoon as usual. Scottish R.A M C got 3 hours notice to get to York. More women cooks in. Wrote to Charlie at night. Received letter from George Crawford. Spent at bit time in the Y.M. Winston Churchill resigned1.
Churchill, as First Lord of the Admiralty, took most of the blame for the failed Gallipoli initiative. Having been a professional soldier before entering Parliament, he later went for a time to France as a battalion commander. ↩
14 November 1915; Sunday
Got up about 7.30. Grand morning. Keen frost. With the church parade first thing before the usual service. Had walk in the afternoon with McNeil and Green and afterwards went to Mr Dodd’s to tea. Went to our own chapel at night and it was very dull. Afterwards came to Y.M. and enjoyed the service there. Saw Mr Don and he asked us up for Friday night.
13 November 1915; Saturday
Up at 7.15. Finer day. Drew rations as usual and had walk in the afternoon with Green. Went into town at night and then came back to Y.M.C.A. Green spent night in playing chess with Cunningham at the Y.M.
12 November 1915; Friday
Up at usual time. Busy all day with women and the rations. Sergeant Forbes took over ration book. Wrote and read letters at night.
11 November 1915; Thursday
The women commenced to cook. Had a good bit of trouble with them. Kept me running all day. Read a bit at night.
10 November 1915; Wednesday
Busy with rations as usual. Had a row with Lieutenant Smith at night on account of misunderstanding with women cooks, who commence tomorrow.
9 November 1915; Tuesday
Took up duties again. Corporal Collins told me† about spending <his> wages and getting on the beer over the weekend. Wrote home. Busy with rations.
8 November 1915; Monday
Got up at 9 o’clock. Played the piano and then walked into the town before breakfast. In the afternoon played duets with Marmie and then walked out with Gertie. Called at Lily’s, Grandmother’s and Whittaker’s. Had tea at home, and then got 7.30 train. Father, Mother, Marmie, Gertie and Dorothy saw me off. Met Metcalfe at Newcastle. Fell in with two decent chaps too.
Left home for Alnwick.