Up during the early hours. At French class at night. Very interesting lesson. On duty at 6 o’clock, Pretty busy until dark.
All posts by Arthur Linfoot
2 August 1918; Friday
Up at 6 o’clock and relieved at 8. Jerry bombed between midnight and 2 o’clock. Did a little French and wrote a letter to Marmie. Lay down until 2 o’clock. Shaved and washed and went to the French class at 5.30 and afterwards walked round to the reading room and looked at papers†. On duty at 8 o’clock. Major McMee asked us to get ready for a hernia operation on an old civilian by our staff. After getting ready they decided not to perform it.
1 August 1918; Thursday
Up at 2.30 and wrote letter to Ernie until 5 o’clock. On pay parade at mid-day. Did a bit French in the afternoon. Went to the interpreters’ first French class and thought it will be very interesting. On duty at 6 o’clock. Not much to do. Turned in about 11 o’clock but couldn’t sleep for aeroplanes.
31 July 1918; Wednesday
Arrived at Auchel at about midnight and Truman and Simmons, Cox and I detailed for night duty and guard. I got down at 2 till 4 and 6 – 8. Walked round village in the morning and looked in the church. Saw one of our old clients. Slept during the afternoon and went to the pictures at night. On duty at 8 o’clock. Sat up until 11 o’clock. Then turned in. Jerry over bombing as usual.
30 July 1918; Tuesday
Up about 7 o’clock. On duty all day. Orders to pack up and clear patients and packed during the afternoon. Packed all up during the day. Fell in at 9 o’clock near the transport park. Marched off about 9.30. Marched pretty fast but had one long spell. Arrived at Auchel1 about midnight.
29 July 1918; Monday
28 July 1918; Sunday
Up about 7.15. At work all day. Not much to do. Did some shorthand1 and wrote letter to Harvey. Not much to do all day. Went to service at night after walk also with Sergeant Powell and enjoyed it. Stayed to communion service, about first time this year.
27 July 1918; Saturday
Up at 7 o’clock. Rain most of the day. Wrote letter home and one to Ernie. Received letter from Harvey. Did a little French and washed some clothes. Heard of the Coventry strike1.
There was an engineering and munitions strike in Birmingham and Coventry in July 1918, caused by ‘the embargo’: a Government prohibition of the employment of additional skilled men in specified firms; it applied to very few firms, and was not generally known until a misleading notice by one of the affected firms drew attention to it. The strikes ended after a week, when the Government announced that those still on strike on 29 July would have their protection certificates withdrawn, making them eligible for conscription. ↩
26 July 1918; Friday
Up shortly after 7 o’clock. On duty all day. Heavy showers and sunshine. Off at 6 o’clock, but returned to the tent and talked about leave etcetera.
25 July 1918; Thursday
Up about 7 o’clock. Eggs for breakfast. Went with Sergeant Powell in the afternoon for a bathe. Good water but the river bottom too soft. Stayed on until 8 o’clock. Had walk with Billy last thing and a bit serious chat. Fine night.