Spent most of day packing waggons and overhauling equipment. Went out at night to Westoutre1. Over main road. Called at Johnny’s and had custard and coffee. Fine night. News from the Somme slightly better.
Tag Archives: Westoutre
27 August 1916; Sunday
On duty as usual. Received orders to move tomorrow. Took down our bivouac. Last thing received orders to pack our waggons and worked until nearly midnight. Slept in the hospital on stretcher.
26 August 1916; Saturday
Worked outside in the morning at the dining hall. My afternoon off. Went with Duggins to Baileul1. Walked so far and then jumped on the back of a motor lorry. Had a good day. Posted a few postcards. Went to the Y.M. and played the piano. First time since I have been in France. Went to the pictures and enjoyed them. Rode back in horse ambulance. Charlie Farr, Sam Hall, and Corporal Salisbury† in and they were all pretty well drunk. Had a good day.
Baileul: ALL always omits one ‘l’ from ‘Bailleul’ in his longhand; the transcription follows this, but where he writes it in shorthand, ie phonetically, it is transcribed with the correct spelling. ↩
25 August 1916; Friday
Up well before 7 o’clock. Took our turn outside in the dining hall. Very little to do. I had fatigue over at the other side and helped to build a stable. Spent day digging over foundations.
24 August 1916; Thursday
Up at 6.30. Dressed and went across to headquarters with Taylor and off to Baileul1 C.C.S. for dental treatment again. Drilled a bit more out of my tooth and put me to go back in 6 days. Had a good day.
Baileul: ALL always omits one ‘l’ from ‘Bailleul’ in his longhand; the transcription follows this, but where he writes it in shorthand, ie phonetically, it is transcribed with the correct spelling. ↩
22 August 1916; Tuesday
Up at 7 o’clock. Kept busy all morning washing floor. Had afternoon off. Received letter from home telling me of Chadwicks’1 departure. Read some of British Weekly. Had eggs and coffee and custard for super.
Rev. Chadwick had been a minister at the South Durham Street United Methodist Free Church, of which ALL had been a member prior to enlisting. Rev. Chadwick was first mentioned on 4 January 1914, and again on many subsequent occasions. ↩
21 August 1916; Monday
Up at 6.30. Managed pretty well in the hospital. Finished at 6 and then went out and listened to band the in the village. Received parcel from home.
20 August 1916; Sunday
Up at 7 o’clock. On duty as usual. Fine day. Managed all right. Took coconut mat out in the morning and beat the dust out of it. A few more patients in. Read some of the British Weekly. Had short walk round at night.
19 August 1916; Saturday
Up at 6.30. Dressed and cleaned up in the hospital. Took over duties at 7.30. Managed pretty well. Only 3 patients in the morning but 9 at night. Came off duty at 6 o’clock. Went into village and listened to band. Called at the café near the hospital and had some coffee and custard. Turned in about 9 o’clock and slept pretty well. Very heavy showers in the morning.
18 August 1916; Friday
Up at 6 o’clock. Dressed hurriedly and went on ambulance wagon again to Baileul1. Waited until 11.30 when my turn came and I have to go back again on Monday. Had a tooth out. Arrived back at the hospital about 4 o’clock. Had tea. Went along to the C section hospital and put up bivouac.
Baileul: ALL always omits one ‘l’ from ‘Bailleul’ in his longhand; the transcription follows this, but where he writes it in shorthand, ie phonetically, it is transcribed with the correct spelling. ↩