Ernie’s Birthday. Up at 7.30. All men paraded before the adjutant. I didn’t turn up and was told to do so in future. Went to the pictures at night with Black. Pretty good pictures. Saw the Misses Mack again and Black and I set them up. Got back just at 10 o’clock.
Tag Archives: Alnwick
4 January 1916; Tuesday
Up at 7.30. Paraded men again. Collins turned up in the afternoon. Had a bit trouble in the afternoon about a lecture – our men on fatigues. Got late passes and went to Mr Don’s house at night. Had good time. Green, Metgrave and I set two ladies (the Misses Mack1) to their home at High† House and didn’t get back to camp until about 1 o’clock.
At Mr Don’s.
At Barton’s Farm in the morning seeing about the milk account.
Perhaps “The Misses Mack” was how the Misses McGill were known to their friends; at any rate, “Mack” hereinafter supersedes “McGill” in the Diary and footnotes. ↩
3 January 1916; Monday
New adjutant took over command, and inspected us first thing. Looks a smart and decent chap. I paraded men as usual. Went to social at night. Had to leave early as Collins didn’t turn up. Cameron missing too. All the other chaps turned in. Pretty quiet at night. I left social at 9.30.
Social at Pres. Church1.
Probably Clayport church again. ↩
2 January 1916; Sunday
1 January 1916; Saturday
Falmer roused me to shake hands and wish me a Happy New Year. Lay awake until about 3 o’clock. The men in the hut making a bit row. Got up about 8 o’clock. Had breakfast about 9 o’clock. A chap had a scrap with the sergeant-major and I formed part of the escort to the guard room for him. Had turkey for dinner about 2.30. Wrote letter to Billy. Stayed in at night and read. Metgrave† asked Bennett, Salisbury and myself to the YM to have tea with him. A man in the guard room last night with his lip badly cut and I dressed it with the help of Bulmer and Walsh, both drunk. Quiet night and was thankful.
31 December 1915; Friday
30 December 1915; Thursday
The Scotchmen all away. Paraded as usual. Kept busy all day. A big dance in the sergeants’ mess. I didn’t go. In town in the morning with motorcar. Walked up to the farm where we get the mail and made our account out. Out at night last thing. In Y.M. a bit. Read and wrote letters home and to Franchie.
Dance in Sergeants’ Mess. X Friday.
[Written on next page (Friday) – ] Thursday Got books squared pretty well up.
29 December 1915; Wednesday
Got up at 9.30. Round the town in the morning. Got new battery hand lamp. Spent afternoon visiting Willie Wanless, Grandmother and Whittakers. Said goodbye to Joe at dinnertime. Raining at night. Arrived in Alnwick 11.15 and got to camp shortly after. Raining in torrents. Got to bed late.
23 December 1915; Thursday
Up at 7.30. Usual day. Collins saw the colonel, who promised to wire Sheffield about leave. Got to know last thing at the Y.M. that we were being granted passes. With Corporal Brown until nearly 11 o’clock helping to make out passes. Up at the officers’ quarters last thing getting them signed. 3 men got away.
22 December 1915; Wednesday
Up at 7.30. Watch stopped. Parade of all N.C.O.s and colonel told us that patients were going on well. Gelsthorp reported sick too late and was taken to the orderly room and admonished. Went to town last thing. Got to know going in Y.M. that we were getting passes after all. Cullis said last thing that Corporal Collins had to see the colonel in the morning.