Tag Archives: Gertie

Gertie was Arthur Linfoot’s younger sister. See the Family page for more details.

3 July 1918; Wednesday

Woke about 7 o’clock. Had breakfast at a station by the way. Finished journey at Hesdin1 at about noon. Got motor-lorries and went to Ouve2, about 30 kilos. Took us about 5 hours owing to breaking down and losing the way. Walked round village at night. Received two letters from Ernie and one from Gertie in which she tells me about her progress at the piano. Decent news from the line. Weather fine. Sergeant Powell unwell. Turned in about 9.30.


  1. Hesdin (B); about 210km N. of Paris (A). 

  2. Ouve: probably Ouve-Wirquin (C), 30km N. of Hesdin; 14km SW. of St Omer; Michelin square E4. 

9 May 1918; Thursday

Up about 7 o’clock. Not much to do. Got new tunic at night. Fine day. Received letter from home saying that my final Intimation of Wound1 had come through. Also letter from Gertie telling me about her lessons.


  1. We know from ALL’s papers (specifically a document entitled “UNIT REGISTER CARD A.G.Z.500 FRANCE”) that he had qualified for “Wound Stripes: One”, no doubt in virtue of the wound sustained on 14 April; one assumes from this entry that wounds, even minor ones, were formally notified to next of kin. 

23 February 1918; Saturday

Up about 7 o’clock. Packing up in the morning. Paraded at 2.30 pm and marched off about 3.15 to Haplincourt1. Vile billets. Received letter from Gertie.


  1. Haplincourt (B): 3km N. of Rocquigny (A). 

19 February 1918; Tuesday

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. 

10 December 1917; Monday

Up about 8 o’clock. No rations up so we had iron ration biscuits and bully for breakfast with a drink of tea without any sugar. Paraded at 10. I reported sick and was given duty. The American officer put a bandage on my ankle. Spent afternoon writing a letter home. We tried to improve our billet but the sergeants took it from us because two officers took theirs. Received letters from Gertie, Mother, Ernie and Hilda Linfoot1 in New Zealand. Got down to it about 8 o’clock. Had a look inside of a tank. Walked round inside gate† and was very much interested in it. Quite a lot2 where we are. A rumour that some of us are going to a place on duty.


  1. Hilda Tate Linfoot, ALL’s cousin. See Hilda disambiguation page

  2. “Quite a lot [of tanks]”: By this stage of the war in late 1917, tanks were deployed in large numbers – see also note on 22 November

28 April 1917; Saturday

Up at 8 o’clock. Helped to rig up dispensary during the morning. Did a bit French at dinner time. Walked into Méteren1 at night and called at Jeanne’s†2. Bought an apron for Gertie. Stayed a good while and talked. A young New Zealander there. Returned about 8 o’clock.


  1. Méteren (B); 3km W of Bailleul (A). 

  2. Jeanne’s: Possibly the same “Jeanes” or “Jennis” mentioned on 20 March. A café?