On parade as usual. Had wild† squads out. Managed pretty well. A bit upset about all the chaps going away. Went to Inwoods’ at night, but only saw Colman†. Received 8/‐ wages.
Had to take discharged man to the station in after<noon> with me. He was in fearful condition with drink.
Had a squad out trying to drill them. In a bit of a fog all day, but managed pretty well. Called in at Inwoods’ at night and had some music.
The Welsh Party chosen. All the men from P Company excepting the latest recruits, physically unfit and the hospital party.
On parade as usual. Had to go to Orderly Room in the afternoon & received first stripe along with other chaps. A good bit excited about new position. Went with Sandwith to a friend’s house & had supper.
On parade as usual. Busy all day. Went to Inwoods’ at night. Received stripe Tuesday12.
“Stripe”: this was a single stripe, denoting lance-corporal; a full corporal got two stripes, a sergeant three. On this day ALL also sent his mother a post card to inform her of his promotion – see photo accompanying the 4 September entry. This may have been promotion to ‘acting’, ie temporary, rank – ALL reverted to Private on arrival in France; see 31 May 1916 – but see also the second footnote. ↩
In an interview given by ALL in 1976, he says “I am the only man in France who went through the war Lance Corporal acting Private with Lance Corporal’s pay.” It would appear that ALL’s later demotion from “acting” Lance Corporal may have been a mistake. ↩
On parade as usual. Rather dull without Charlie.
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.