Tag Archives: Sheffield

Diary entries written while Arthur Linfoot was in Sheffield during his basic training and while waiting for his deployment to Northern France. See also Sheffield map.

2 August 1915; Monday

Up at 5.30. No parades after 9 o’clock inspection. Went to the ramble after dinner. We went to a farm house in the Worrall1 district. There two soldiers, 3 women†, Miss Inmore2 and some other people. Had rain at night, but we had a fine time. I walked home with Miss Inmore. Called in at a Mr Taylor’s during the rain and played and his daughters sang. With Hillsbro’ Wesleyan Church Guild Ramble.


  1. Worrall (B): (then) a village W. of R. Don, 2 miles NW. of Hillsborough (A), 4 miles NW of Sheffield city centre. See also: Sheffield map

  2. “Inmore” changes to “Inwood” on 8 August, evidently referring to the same family. See page: Church – Who were they? 

1 August 1915; Sunday

Up at 5.30 again. Went with Wesleyan church parade to a church near to the barracks. Enjoyed service. It reminded me of home. Stayed in in the afternoon, but went to the same church at night. A lady spoke to me before and after the service, and as I was coming away a young lady came up to me and asked me if I would go to the minister’s house to supper. I went with other 3 chaps. We had a pleasant time and I got my hand in at the piano. At Mr Inmore’s1 house for the first time. Invited to a ramble tomorrow.


  1. “Inmore” changes to “Inwood” on 8 August, evidently referring to the same family. See pages: Church – Who were they? and Sheffield map

30 July 1915; Friday

Up at 5.30. Nearly late for first parade. Paraded 3 times before dinner. Met Roscoe† when the quartermaster came along with a lot more chaps. Received pay in the afternoon, 3/-, and finished early. Went over to the Soldiers’ Home last thing. Received 3/-­1 pay.


  1. 3 shillings = 15p; about £15 in 2015. For comparison, basic pay for a National Service private in 1952 was 4/-­ a day; about £40/week in 2015. 

29 July 1915; Thursday

Got up at 5.30. Passed doctor, Captain Seely, and got uniforms and kit. Half day off. Cricket match on the parade ground. Had good dinner and tea. Went into town at night with two soldiers from our room. We went into a pub and they came on with me. Wrote home. Went round the town a good bit. Went to bed about 10 o’clock.