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. ↩
11 July 1917; Wednesday
Up about 7 o’clock. My turn on at night. Pretty slack. Harvey and John Dory called.
10 July 1917; Tuesday
Up at 7.15. Nothing much to do. Fine day. Glanced through papers in the morning.
9 July 1917; Monday
Up at 7 o’clock. Nothing much to do all day. Piggy Wood came to take over from Sergeant Holmes, who has gone on leave to see his wife. My turn on at night. Did a wee bit French. No raid at night. Slept in the next door cellar again. Very heavy firing in front and to our right.
8 July 1917; Sunday
Up at 8 o’clock. A tremendous rush to get through and had breakfast late. Decided to go and see Ernie in the afternoon. Set out about 1.30. Walked through Dikbush1 and arrived at the battery, without much trouble, about 4.15. Just in time for tea. He showed me round and I saw his friends – very nice chaps. Left about 6.30. He showed me back almost to La Clyte and we arranged to meet again at La Clyte on Sunday next. Arrived home shortly after 9 o’clock. Slept in the old woman’s cellar and slept well. Visited Ernie.
7 July 1917; Saturday
Up at 7 o’clock. Old lady next door asked some of us to sleep in part of her cellar, and 9 of us went down altogether. My night in. About 4.30 next morning found the rain coming in and had to go upstairs to sleep. Some fun. Walking about in shorts and boots.