On duty all day. Nothing very special to report. Freddie Holmes’ leave came through at last. 9 men going to go from the ambulance1.
“9 men to go…”: 9 men leaving ALL’s unit. ↩
Category Archives: July 1917
20 July 1917; Friday
Up at 7 o’clock. The usual day’s work. Off at night. Had walk with Harry Bascombe.
19 July 1917; Thursday
Up at 7 o’clock. Cleaned dixie in the morning. Had jacket mended at Madame’s. Ernie down in the afternoon and I walked up to Kemmel†1 with him after seeing the town and having tea at a little place in town. Both had a lot to say. On duty at night. An officer of Freddie’s taken rather worse and needed attention.
Ernie paid me a visit.
Kemmel (A) (if correct transcription), a small town in Belgium just over midway between Bailleul (B), where ALL was stationed, and Dikkebus (C), where Ernie was stationed. ↩
18 July 1917; Wednesday
Up about 7 o’clock. Did some French first thing. Rather dull morning. My night off and went to the Corigs1. Pretty fair show, enjoyed the band. Had walk afterwards by the station. Read a good bit and discussed a bit chess with Walker last thing.
“Corigs”, in longhand, seems the correct reading but meaning uncertain; another concert party?. ↩
17 July 1917; Tuesday
Up about 7. Charlie Hood said goodbye first thing and cleared out about 7.30. My turn on at night. Learned some French.
16 July 1917; Monday
Up at 7 o’clock. Not much to do. Rather dull morning. On duty at night. Studied some French. Charlie Hood received orders to depart to number 36 F A.
15 July 1917; Sunday
Up at 7 o’clock. Off in the afternoon and night and went to La Clytte to see Ernie, but he didn’t turn up. Gus Rodman and Bob Walker with me. Stayed to the service at the La Clytte Y M. Service not up to much. An R F C motor-cyclist came to grief on the way down and we helped him. Not much worse. Beautiful night. Turned in in good time. Received field card from Ernie to say he couldn’t get.
14 July 1917; Saturday
Up at 7 o’clock. Not much to do all day. Off at night. Went to the concert and it was very good. Enjoyed the band very well and the pianoforte solo.
British had set-back on the coast.
13 July 1917; Friday
Up shortly after 7 o’clock. Fine morning. Arranged our beds in the old lady’s cellar. The big German gun sent a few shells into the town again. My turn on at night. Very quiet time.
12 July 1917; Thursday
Up at 7 o’clock. The German big gun sent over some shells and killed 10 people and wounded a lot. Walked to Méteren at night with Driver. Went part of the way with Piggy Wood and Vic Draper†. Called at the old hospital and in the Y M. Bought a †Bob Nanning†1 and read good part of it. Lieutenant Jones went out.
Probably a book of some kind although the transcription of the author’s name is uncertain. ↩