Tag Archives: Rieux-en-Cambrésis

2 November 1918; Saturday

Up at 8 o’clock. Waited about for the horse ambulance. The boys marched off at 9 o’clock. Moved up shortly after dinner in cars and arrived at Montrecourt1 before tea. Played Black Lady at night and turned in about 9. News through that our sailors occupied the forts of the Dardanelles & the Bosphorus and that Germany may agree to our armistice before the end of next week.


  1. Montrecourt: Montrécourt (B), 9km NE. of Rieux-en-Cambrésis (A) and 16km NE. of Cambrai, on D114; Michelin square M6. 

31 October 1918; Thursday

Had rather bad night and a temperature of 102.2. Moved upstairs in the afternoon. Heard that Turkey and Austria had turned it in.

Austria1 & Turkey turn it in.

Armistice with Turkey to begin midday.2


  1. The Armistice of Villa Giusti, signed on 3 November,  officially ended warfare between Italy and Austria-Hungary on the Italian Front. On 31 October, Hungary ended the personal union with Austria, officially dissolving the Monarchy and making the Armistice inevitable. It was, perhaps, the imminent collapse of Austria-Hungary which led ALL to note that Austria had “turned it in”. 

  2. The Armistice of Mudros concluded on 30 October 1918 and ended hostilities between the Ottoman Empire and the Allies at noon on the 31st. 

20 October 1918; Sunday

Up about 7 o’clock. Rather restless night and awoke with the barrage at 2 o’clock. Lumps of ceiling falling down during the night with the wet. Lay about all day. Changed billet. Received a letter from Harvey saying that he had got an extension of leave. A big shell dropped in the village and we all went down to the cellar. Sat there and slept all night. Had good night. Warned for A D S in the morning.

19 October 1918; Saturday

Up at about 7 o’clock. Changed over rooms and cleaned up. Received orders that we should prepare to be going into action tonight. Division going over the top. Party of bearers and A D S party moved off well after 2 o’clock to Avesnes les Aubers1 and arrived shortly after tea time. Got up into hutch building for billet and played cards with Wood, Dory, Billy and Edgar until late, and then got down to it. Wet, dismal night.


  1. Avesnes les Aubers : Avesnes-les-Aubert (B), 2km E. of Rieux-en-Cambrésis (A). 

18 October 1918; Friday

Up about 6 o’clock. Breakfast 6.30. Packed up and moved at 9 o’clock. Arrived at Rieux1 about 1 o’clock. Opened up hospital after dinner and slept in cellar under hospital. Heard that Ostend & Bruges had been taken and that Lille is encircled.


  1. Rieux: Rieux-en-Cambrésis (B), 13km ENE. of Proville (A); Michelin square M6.