Sunday 8 May 2016

Monday 8th May 1916

Seem to have embarked on a strenuous course of Battalion training and rumour has it that we probably remain here for some time, so I suspect that we are just being fattened for the market. Today we started at 7.30 with roll-call; reading of Battalion Orders, and a short run. At 9am parade lasting until 1pm. 

(This became the daily programme, but there was always a parade or a lecture in the afternoon in addition to COs Orderly Room).

We actually stayed at Domleger a fortnight, during which time I became acquainted with many other members of the 10th Brigade. The 1st Royal Warwickshire Regiment were close to us, the 2nd Seaforths and 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers being rather further afield. I was introduced to our Brigadier, C.A. Wilding of the Royal Innis Fusiliers - a most popular and charming man whom we knew as 'The Squire' but did not meet either the Brigade or the Divisional staff until later on. We had delightful weather during this month and enjoyed our healthy country life. There was sufficient spare time to have plenty of games and amusements including Brigade Sports on the 18th at which the Regiment won a very handsome challenge shield presented by the Brigadier. 

On Sunday, I rode to Abbeville with Cardon Roe, a longish expedition and a very tiring one for me as I was riding the 'Holy Father's' pony - a brute with a mouth of iron who pulled as though the devil was at his tail all the time. One day we had a great field day at Yorench over a flagged course but otherwise were left very much to ourselves by all brass hats. Souter took over Command shortly after my arrival. 

Friday 6 May 2016

Saturday 6th May 1916

My time with the Entrenching Battalion was brought to a sudden conclusion on Wednesday May 3rd, as my relief appeared on the previous evening. I went into Pop during the afternoon of Wednesday; took dinner and a bed off MGT and then was motored by him to Haazelbrouck in the morning, catching the same train from there as Michie (another R Ir Fus) who had left Pop by the 1.58 train the previous day en route to the 7th Battn. We travelled together as far as S Pol whence I proceeded by goods train to Doulleus arriving about 6.15pm. 

As the 4th Division happens to be on the move now nobody was very clear as to my ultimate destination, but I was dispatched in a lorry to find the Battalion which I eventually did about 8pm at Barly. This is a delightful little village situated in a narrow valley - well wooded country all round and looking at its best now with the fresh green and all the blossom out. Everything so peaceful down here - no sign of war at all! 

Neill is now in temporary command: Liesching still Adjutant, but has changed his name and is now known as Cardon Roe (Liesching being a little too German!). Quickly found many old friends of all ranks and of course several strangers also. 'Find' and 'O.D.' (now Major Findlater and Captain J.W.M O'Donovan M.C.) are both away protem and the companies are commended by Quadtrough, Faris, C.T. Wilson and Barefoot. Have been posted to 'A' Coy and taken over from Q. Tynan is the C.S.M. (Company Sgt Major) and there are many families faces in the ranks. Yesterday morning (5th) the Battalion continued its journey to our present halting place Domleger - about 12 miles march. It was a very hot day and we were fairly well boiled. 

This place is not so pretty as Barly but quite pleasant and the billets are good enough. Hers are in a well-to-do looking chalet; the remainder of us scattered about. Coy HQ here, as always, consisted of the living room of a superior type of cottage in which we messed - sometimes our cooking had to be done in the same room but not often. It was seldom that more then one officer could sleep under the same roof and frequently we were all boarded out. The inhabitants were very good about giving up all their accommodation but naturally disliked having a mess as this entailed not only the presence of a large number of officers but also a while army of servants and orderlies who brought mud into the house and filled up every hole and corner with their belongings.