This is an extract from Arthur Linfoot’s own transcription of his diary, written in 1976.
Went again to the CCs at Bailleul with the horse ambulance and dental patients. I had a tooth extracted and told to go back on Monday. Got back 4 p.m.
18 August 1916; Friday
Up at 6 o’clock. Dressed hurriedly and went on ambulance wagon again to Baileul1. Waited until 11.30 when my turn came and I have to go back again on Monday. Had a tooth out. Arrived back at the hospital about 4 o’clock. Had tea. Went along to the C section hospital and put up bivouac.
Baileul: ALL always omits one ‘l’ from ‘Bailleul’ in his longhand; the transcription follows this, but where he writes it in shorthand, ie phonetically, it is transcribed with the correct spelling. ↩
17 August 1916; Thursday
This is an extract from Arthur Linfoot’s own transcription of his diary, written in 1976.
Reported sick with toothache. Sent with horse ambulance and a number of walking sick to the CCS at Bailleul where we all had dental treatment. I had a tooth filled and an excellent meal.
17 August 1916; Thursday
Up at 6.30. Dressed hurriedly and went on waggon to Baileul1 No 1 C.C.S. Waited all morning. The dentist looked at my tooth and asked me to call again tomorrow. Had dinner at the C.C.S. and returned about 4.30. Had tea. Saw †staff bod† who told me I had to commence in the hospital on Saturday. Listened to band in the town. Went with Duggins to a little café behind the hospital and had some coffee and custard. A girl there talks very good English and got to know all our Corps names.
Baileul: ALL always omits one ‘l’ from ‘Bailleul’ in his longhand; the transcription follows this, but where he writes it in shorthand, ie phonetically, it is transcribed with the correct spelling. ↩
16 August 1916; Wednesday
This is an extract from Arthur Linfoot’s own transcription of his diary, written in 1976.
Up at 6 o’clock and on parade as usual. Toothache all night.
16 August 1916; Wednesday
Up at 6.30. On parade and on fatigues as usual. Stayed in at night and played cards. Wrote home. Kit inspection in the morning.
Paraded sick in the morning with toothache. Captain Newton told me I would have to go to the C.C.S.1 in the morning and managed to stop my tooth with cocaine at 7 o’clock at night.
C.C.S.: Casualty Clearing Station. ↩
15 August 1916; Tuesday
This is an extract from Arthur Linfoot’s own transcription of his diary, written in 1976.
Orderly man and up at 6 o’clock. Drew rations for the day. Wrote letters in the morning. Went to some Belgian sports in the afternoon. Belgian, Canadian and Italian officers jumping on horses. Some tumbles. Shells bursting on the skyline in the distance.
15 August 1916; Tuesday
Up at 6 o’clock. Drew rations. Orderly man with Leaky today. Wrote letters in the morning. Went with him to some Belgian sports in the afternoon. Saw some mules jumping. At night went up with Stanton and Leaky and saw some good horse jumping. Ridden by officers and Belgian and Canadian N C C1. One officer went over the ropes but didn’t hurt himself. Saw some tumblers going on above and watched shells bursting in the distance as usual. Carried on. Had dinner and slept well through it.
“N C C”: Non-Combatant Corps? ↩
14 August 1916; Monday
This is an extract from Arthur Linfoot’s own transcription of his diary, written in 1976.
Fatigues as usual. Orders to move bivouac. Went walking late in afternoon. Spent afternoon and part of evening talking of plans for the future.
14 August 1916; Monday
Had breakfast as usual. Received orders to move our bivouac and go into a big one made by a waggon sheet. Spent latter part of afternoon and part of evening filling† up. Went down to hear band a few minutes.