The Years 1917 to 1919

This is his war Diary,

transcribed exactly

“The War” - 1914-18

Attested for military service on 24^th August 1916.

“Joined up” at Ashton-u-Lyne 1^st March 1917.

Left Manchester for camp at Woodham Mortimer, Essex 2^nd March 1917.

Slept in waiting room (with nine other recruits) at Witham Junction station that night & arrived at camp the next day.

Posted to “C” Company, 28^th Manchester Regiment, with regimental number 401168.

Spent about four months there, then moved to Maldon, Essex, to be billeted in a schoolroom. From there we moved to Southend-on-Sea & were billeted in empty houses. I was allotted, along with seven others, to No 41 Ambleside Drive.

We did guard duties & route marches from there & had our meals in what had been Lockhart's Cafe which could accommodate 2000 at one sitting!

Left Southend-on-Sea in Sept 1917 for my first “leave” & then in December had fourteen days “embarkation leave”.

Left Southend on 30^th December 1917 & arrived in France (at Etaples) the next day to find it deep in snow & our camp under canvass!!

On the 25^th January 1918 I was posted to D. Company 19^th Manchester Regt. Headquarters Staff, to attend to water purification & then, on 6^th February 1918 I was transferred to C/o Area Commandant No 10, A.P.O.18 arranging billets for troops going to, and coming from the line.

On the 4^th March 1918 I was transferred to C. Company the 17^th Manchester Regiment & on the 20^th March 1918 went into the line on the Moyencourt Canal. The following day the Germans started their “big push” & chased us out of our position.

On the 7^th April 1918 I was taken to the 24^th General Hospital at Etaples with a septic left leg; the wards were all full so I – along with plenty others – had to sleep in a Y.M.C.A. hut on a stretcher.

On the 18^th April 1918 I appeared before a Medical Board at Etaples & as my leg was no better I was ordered back to hospital.

On the 28^th April I was transferred to G7 ward, 74^th General Hospital, situated at Trouville, a fashionable place in Normandy. I was moved into A4 ward of the same hospital on the 28^th May 1918 with a “hernia”.

14^th June 1918 allowed out of bed for an hour each afternoon.

17^th June 1918 ceased to be considered a bed patient & was transferred to C3 Ward.

12^th July 1918 left hospital & went to Hut No4, T Company, 13^th convalescent camp at Deauville (near to Trouville). A splendid racecourse here which, I believe belongs to the Rothschilds!

5^th August 1918 went to the Medical Board Depot at Etaples to appear before a Medical Board.

9^th August 1918 Appeared before a Medical Board & ordered back to Convalescent Camp. Moved on

12^th August 1918 to No5 Company, No5 Division, No5 Convalescent depot, APO 523 at St Valery (at the mouth of the river Somme), but before that - on the night of Saturday, 10^th August – a German aircraft bombed Etaples & killed a sergeant in the Medical Board Depot. A bomb fell on his dug-out; I was in a trench & escaped injury.

On the 20^th August 1918 I was moved into H Company, No2 Division, of No5 Convalescent depot at St Valery.

27^th August 1918 I was posted to No 37 Prisoners of War Co. at Etaples, guarding German prisoners laying a railway line!

On the 27^th October 1918 moved with this P.o.W Company to a new camp (under canvass) at Templeux-la-Fosse, five miles from Peronne. The first job for the prisoners was building huts to replace the tents & we moved into them on the 20^th November 1918.

We had heard of the Armistice (Nov.11^th) but it was “business as usual”.

29^th November 1918 we were permitted to mention place names & where we are situated.

9^th December 1918 left camp for fourteen days leave in U.K.

23^rd December 1918 (Monday) at Dover on my way back to camp, & on the following morning crossed to Boulogne, arriving there at 10am.

25^th December 1918 (happy? Christmas Day) left by train to Peronne. Arrived there at 11.30pm, then walked to camp, which I reached at 2am on Boxing Day!

26^th January 1919. I was taken off Escort Duty into the company office as a Clerk – assistant to Cpl. Crabtree (who had been put into the company office whilst I was on leave, as he – a shop assistant in civil life – was the nearest approach to a clerk. I was the only clerk on the company & should have been appointed earlier if I had not been on leave!). Duties 7.45am to 1pm, 2pm to 4pm, 5 to 7.30pm but very little work to do.

29^th & 30^th January 1919 spent preparing demobilization papers for some of the boys.

25^th February 1919 I was given the additional duty of opening the camp canteen from 6.30pm to 8pm each day.

27^th March 1919 Sent match box covers for Lilys' father & Joe & a German-silver ring (obtained from Germany by a prisoner) for Lily. Sid Bown - going on leave - took them to post in London.

20^th May 1919 played deck quoits with the officers on a tennis court made with the disused tent boards!

4^th June 1919 The C.O. (Capt C.H.Nutton – a bachelor) asked if I were married as if so he would allow me to bring my wife out to live with me at the camp!!!

8^th June 1919 (Sunday) Two prisoners escaped from a bathing party at 11.30 am. All 'escort' (& myself) out searching until 4.30pm. 8.30pm. The 'escort' (without me!) out again until 4.30 am Monday without success; dense woods aided prisoners' escapes.

12^th June 1919 posted tank & 2 pompom shells (souvenirs) to Lily.

14^th June 1919 Had my first game of tennis with the officers, who provided the racquet.

17^th June 1919 posted 18 pounder shell-case souvenir to Lily. Wearing khaki 'shorts', weather terrifically hot. Cinema fitted up at Y.M.C.A. Three miles from camp.

20^th June 1919 Left for 14 days! Leave. Spent part of it at Southport with Lily, her father, mother & brother John, also Cecil with his two children Ivy & Phyllis. Had a marvellous time!

4^th July 1919 (Friday) crossed from Folkstone to Calais arriving there at 4pm.

6^th July 1919 Arrived at camp 9.30am after train journey taking 12 hours to cover the 180 miles from Calais to Peronne!

8^th July 1919 Distributed p.c's (which I posted in Southport) to several of the boys.

14^th July 1919 The French “Peace Celebrations” - Holiday in France.

19^th July 1919 The British “Peace Day” - Holiday in France.

23^rd July 1919 Cpl Crabtree returned to Escort Duty by C.O. So I am now alone in the company office & R.E.Kay is in charge of canteen.

24^th July 1919 Bob Kay brought into the company office as my assistant.

27^th July 1919 The officers arranged a “Musical Tea” & sent me with an R.A.S.C. wagon to hospital at Roisel to borrow crockery. Nurses & Officers from roundabout invited, a piano was borrowed & several prisoners & some of the “escort” sang for them.

Instructions issued today that all troops must wear War medal ribbon; failure to do so will entail punishment.

28^th July 1919 Prisoners making a garden round the officers' quarters!!!

29^th July 1919 All available men required for escort duty - owing to number demobilised - so Kay has left me. The C.O. has promised a prisoner to commence next week sweeping the office, cleaning my shoes & buttons, & to waken me at 8.30 each morning!

3^rd August 1919 French photographer took photograph of all the company outside the Officers' dining room.

7^th August 1919 I went - on horseback!! - to the French photographer to get some prints of the photo for the C.O,

Parties of men working near the camp exhuming the many bodies (mostly Germans) buried here for re-internment in cemeteries.

9^th August 1919 An elderly gentleman & his wife called at camp – searching for their son's grave- & stayed the night. They are to resume their search tomorrow.

10^th August 1919 (Sunday) War medal ribbons issued & all men instructed to put it on before going out of camp.

12^th August 1919 The C.O. Told me that, commencing tomorrow, I must wear 2 stripes !

14^th August 1919 A prisoner escaped from a working party at about 3pm. Reported by NCO in charge at 4.30pm. I went to headquarters (on horseback) with description of escaped man who speaks English & French very well. I returned at 8pm but was not in bed until 1am Friday owing to the 'escaper' who hadn't been found although the 'escort' searched until midnight.

15^th August 1919 The 'escaper' was recaptured today by a 16 year old French boy!

29^th August 1919 Prisoner brought back to camp today & now in the guardroom 'cells' for fourteen days.

23^rd August 1919 (Saturday) Orders that from now on Saturday afternoons will be considered holidays.

15^th September 1919 Received instructions that the prisoners & escort are to move from here (Templeux-la-Fosse) on Saturday next, the 20^th. They march for two days to railway sidings where they entrain for Germany. I have to remain here, & go later with the CO to Calais to settle up the company's affairs.

20^th September 1919 Prisoners of War & escort left here, as instructed, today. Sixteen men remained behind, six of whom will be left to guard the camp when the C.O. & I leave for Calais – they will not be pleased!

23^rd October 1919 Still here, thanks to the C.O. who has dallied as long as he could – why I don't know - & today a party of men have arrived & started dismantling the camp. Only 2 officers, 3 men & myself here of the company now.

30^th October 1919 (Thursday) At last! Left Templeux-la-Fosse this morning & stayed the night at Amiens.

31^st October 1919 Left Amiens at 11am & arrived at Calais 3pm, stayed in a hotel there (at C.O.'s expense) until 2^nd November 1919 then moved to Boulogne to stay in a hotel close to the Railway Station. I had no money, not having had any 'pay' for some time, so the C.O. kindly paid my hotel bills, whilst he stayed at a nearby officers' hotel.

3^rd November 1919 Went with C.O. to Wimereux & commenced settling of the 37 P.o.W. Company's accounts returning to the Boulogne hotel that night.

4^th November 1919 After another visit to Wimereux, returned to spend the night at the Calais hotel & to await instructions.

6^th November 1919 Back to Wimereux & the Boulogne hotel, Hoping to finish settling the accounts tomorrow.

9^th November 1919 Still waiting – sleeping in a camp at tonight, what a comedown after hotel life!! Again hoping to finish tomorrow!

10^th November 1919 (Monday) Cheers! Job finished now to home.

17^th November 1919 Red letter day!! 'demobbed' (at Prees Heath) & on my way home. Thank God!