Category Archives: 1918

All diary entries written in 1918

19 February 1918; Tuesday

Abridged, February 1918, , , , , ,

Up at 3 a.m. Paraded at 4 o’clock and went off in cars to Haplincourt1 crossroads. Got lorries from there to Achiet2 and train from there to Amiens3. Arrived at Amiens about 9.30. Holman taken rather badly. Had good breakfast and then visited the cathedral. In the afternoon visited the museum and were taken round by a Y M man – a very tactful and clever man. The sculpture work was the most magnificent I have seen, and the pictures were very wonderful. Thoroughly enjoyed the visit to the museum. Had tea and got train about 5.50. Arrived back at 9.45, very tired. Gertie’s Birthday.

  1. Haplincourt (if correct; B): 3km from Rocquigny (A), 5km E. of Bapaume; Michelin square J7. ↩

  2. Achiet: probably Achiet-le-Grand (C; there is an A.-le-Petit nearby), 5km WNW. of Bapaume, Michelin square I7. ↩

  3. Amiens (D), about 50km SW. of Achiet-le-Grand. ↩

14 February 1918; Thursday

Abridged, February 1918, ,

Up about 6.30. Packed up stuff and helped to pack waggons and moved off from Metz about 9.15. After being lost, Got to number 13 rail station and went by light rail to Roquigny1. Arrived there about 12 o’clock. A most desolate hole. A German line of trenches near and innumerable shell holes all about beside the ruined village and blasted woods. Went to bed early. Very poor billet and wholly packed. On fatigue in the afternoon until pretty late. Out on fire picket.

  1. Rocquigny (so spelt; B) is 12km W. of Metz-en-Couture (A) and 7km SE. of Bapaume; Michelin square J7. ↩

13 February 1918; Wednesday

Abridged, February 1918, ,

Up about 8 o’clock. Packed up things and got all ready for relieving party. 63rd Division ambulance arrived at about 3 o’clock. We had tea and got away about 5 o’clock. After a little trouble slept in the dispensary and slept well. Left Trescault for Metz1.

  1. ALL returned from Trescault (A) to Metz-an-Couture (B), where he had been until mid-January. ↩