Scarcely anyone on parade in the morning. The Welsh Party went away at 7.30. Saw last of Dunn, Hame, Young, Lewis, Spink & all of them. Didn’t get a chance to shake hands with Young, Spink or Lewis. Spent afternoon up Ecclesall1 way with Moil. Had tea at Miss Lumsden’s & went to Y.M.C.A. afterwards. Received belt.
“Ecclesall”: SW. suburb of Sheffield, 2½ miles from city centre. See Sheffield map. ↩
On parade as usual. Had wild† squads out. Managed pretty well. A bit upset about all the chaps going away. Went to Inwoods’ at night, but only saw Colman†. Received 8/‐ wages.
Had to take discharged man to the station in after<noon> with me. He was in fearful condition with drink.
Had a squad out trying to drill them. In a bit of a fog all day, but managed pretty well. Called in at Inwoods’ at night and had some music.
The Welsh Party chosen. All the men from P Company excepting the latest recruits, physically unfit and the hospital party.
Had breakfasts at 7 o’clock. Welsh Party left at about 7.30. Charlie came in the afternoon. Had photos taken1 and then spent most of the night at Inwoods’ singing and playing. Stayed until late & Charlie was locked out of S. [Soldiers’] Home & had to sleep in Guard Room.
The photo accompanying this diary entry is a postcard, posted on 7 September 1915 to ALL’s mother, with a message saying he was now a lance-corporal. It may be one of those taken on 4th September. ↩
Welsh Party picked & none of my friends in it. McNeil Russell & Phillips to go. Russell came in drunk at night.
Turned out for parade as usual. Put into the cookhouse again. Great anxiety about Wales. Got to know at night I was probably not going. Got heavy cold. Put two late passes in.
On parade as usual. New men included in the afternoon. We had two hours drill in the afternoon. Our corporal told us that that 200 men were to go to Wales on Saturday and considerable anxiety about it.
On parade as usual. Had walk with Dunn, Hoare and Moil. Received letter from Charlie making arrangements for Saturday. A rumour going round about going to Wales shortly.