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.

17 March 1916; Friday

17 March 16March 1916Alnwick, Map, SheffieldArthur Linfoot

Got up 7 o’clock. Took in bedding and beds. Paraded for pay. Packed kits. Had dinner at 11.15. Paraded 11.45. Colonel spoke to us and said he was sorry to lose us. Shook hands with McNee† [sic; error for ‘McNeil’?] and Sharpley. Corporal Collins and Hall kept back at the last minute. Marched the party to the train. Our kits went in the motor. Shook hands with Collins, Mr and Mrs Arrowridge and a few more at the station. Black was sorry to be left behind. They cheered us off. Changed at Alnmouth, York and Conisbrough†¹. Arrived 6.30. A waggon waiting for us. I marched them up to the barracks. A good tea ready for us. Got out billets in married quarters. Filthy dirty bedding. Felt truly wretched last thing at night. Met Bagley and Willie Hunter.

Left Alnwick for Sheffield.

Conisbrough: The transcription is uncertain, but there is a Conisbrough (C) near Doncaster which would be consistent with a journey from York (A) to Sheffield (B). ↩

14 March 1916; Tuesday

14 March 16March 1916Alnwick, Betty, Letters, Mack, SheffieldArthur Linfoot

On fatigue as usual. News came at dinner time that we are to return to Alnwick¹ on Friday. Posted in orders at night. I wrote to Betty and made an appointment for Thursday night at Morpeth. Wrote home too. At the pictures at night with Sharpley and Black. Felt a bit blue at the prospect.

Alnwick: The shorthand clearly has “Alnwick”, but ALL presumably meant to write “Sheffield”. ↩

20 December 1915; Monday

20 December 15December 1915Alnwick, Leave, SheffieldArthur Linfoot

On duty as usual. I took charge of the parade of our own men. Collins approached the colonel and received a reply to the effect that we would get leave. We telegraphed to Sheffield asking if we could have free passes. At the pictures at night with Black.

15 October 1915; Friday

15 October 15October 1915Inwood, SheffieldArthur Linfoot

Had good breakfast. Paraded at 9 o’clock and marched down to barracks. No officer turned up. Spent most of day mucking about. Went into Inwoods’ at night & said Goodbye.

14 October 1915; Thursday

14 October 15October 1915Inwood, SheffieldArthur Linfoot

Up at 6 o’clock. Got news that we were all to go back to barracks. Went to barracks at night and saw Corporal Findlater, who said he is going to Fairholme. Called in and saw Inwoods.

13 October 1915; Wednesday

13 October 15October 1915Letters, SheffieldArthur Linfoot

Up at 6 o’clock as usual. Wrote some letters. Grand weather. Went to town at night.

12 October 1915; Tuesday

12 October 15October 1915SheffieldArthur Linfoot

Sergeant-Major Ford arrived in the afternoon and took away Sergeant King and left me in charge. Rumours current about going away early. I got a room to myself. Corporal Greenway got King’s room and I got his.

11 October 1915; Monday

11 October 15October 1915SheffieldArthur Linfoot

Up at 6 o’clock. ~~Sergeant-Major Ford came up in the afternoon and took Sergeant King away.~~ Orders came for us to return the 80 field ambulance men and we received 80 men from R&S Company in their place.

10 October 1915; Sunday

10 October 15October 1915SheffieldArthur Linfoot

Not well in the morning. Lay down most of the day. Didn’t go to church, or out to tea as I should have done to Mrs Ford’s. Had short walk at night with Holden, and bought some sweets and had a drink of fizz.

9 October 1915; Saturday

9 October 15October 1915Chapel, Inwood, Letters, SheffieldArthur Linfoot

Up at 6 o’clock. Wrote letters all morning. Rather bad with diarrhoea and took it easy. Went to town and bought wrist watch at night, and then went for Guild Meeting at the Wesleyan church. Mr Inwood asked me to play. Played at Guild Meeting. Had supper and <at> Inwoods’ and hurried back. Mr Inwood set me back.

The Diary of Arthur L. Linfoot

58th Field Ambulance, R.A.M.C.