Tag Archives: Boëseghem

18 March 1917; Sunday

Mooned about until 2 o’clock. Came back to the billet and roused Lee Hughes. Up at 6.30. Cleaned up ready for parade. Dull morning. Marched off about 11 o’clock. Passed through Hazebrouck1 and saw the people going out of the big church. Sat by the roadside and had tea served up. Arrived at Outersteene2 about 4.30. Decent village and good billet. Went out with Ridgeport† and had eggs and chips. Supposed to finish guard but didn’t go on it. Had short walk in the direction of Meteren3. Four of our chaps went into Méteren. Turned in early. Had meat and tinned tongue for supper.

22 kilos.

Heard rumour of Bapaume being captured and revolt in Russia4.


  1. Hazebrouck (B): 11km NE. of Boësighem (A); Michelin square H3. 

  2. Outersteene (C): Outtersteene is 10km E. of Hazebrouck, 5km SW. of Bailleul (D), Michelin square I3. 

  3. Meteren (E): Méteren is 6km NNE. of Outtersteene, 5km W. of Bailleul (D); also Michelin square I3. 

  4. The February revolution in Russia had started on 8 March 1917 (23 February in the Julian calendar). 

17 March 1917; Saturday

Up at 7 o’clock. Cleaned up and cleared up billet. Marched off about 10 o’clock and arrived at Bouzingham1 at about 2 o’clock. Received parcel from home.

12 kilos.

Fell in for guard at 6 o’clock and decided I to be 2nd. Todd of B section went first and left Hughes last. Went on guard at 10 o’clock. Sat on the front of an ambulance waggon most of the time.


  1. Bouzingham: possibly Boëseghem (B), 12km N. of Lespesses (A) and 4km NE. of Aire-sur-la-Lys (C), on the D157 to Hazebrouck; Michelin square G4.