January 1917

Fair

Good Resolution #1 (the only one asfar as I know.) – To write up the log once every 24 hrs. – away to a good start. – Commenced the new year by going to bed after starting Tommy Lennon on his way home. – Should have attended stables at 7 A.M. but slipped a cog somewhere. – Rose at 10. Wished the family a “Bonne année bon santé & a kiss on both cheeks”. Boswell & Pete burst in on me & we went over to see how the 3rd Bgde. T.M. Bty. had weathered the gale. – Found Andy & Mike in bed. – Had brekker with Bill Green + that was enough til lunch. – Merry sunshine. – After lunch things sort of clouded up. – Wished #4 sec. a “happy” one in sort of a cold blooded fashion, & read about the retreat from Mons till Mike & Bill came in. – Repaired to their mess. – Discovered that Bill lives on St. Urbain. – Boswell blew in fairly exhuberant. – Bore Bill & Burrows back to ours to a family sociable meal, followed by a little game. – Now for a bon sleep. Preparations to a 10 mile route march due.

FINE.

A poor start for the new year. – Can't seem to do what I intend to do. – Told McClement to put on a nice fire so that I could come over + write letters this eve + after dinner the bunch wanted a little game with a time limit of 9.30 – Bon. – At 9.30 the O.C. 3rd Bgde T.M. bty blew in with some cohorts & here it is 5 minutes to midnight + not a letter writ. – Casey took the route march today most enjoyable. 9 A.M. – 3.15 P.M. – Major went away to Hesdin for an O.C.'s course this a.m. – Going to build wire for Green to blow up tomorrow. – Harry invited Bull + I to dinner on Epiphany. Bon Soir. – Don't forget that Bull got over the wall before I did coming home. 5fr.

Windy & drizzly ONE YEAR IN FRANCE

Send bid to Guy for dinner + to Bethune for gramophone spring. 3:30 AM – Tomorrow morn. Can’t do more than register. – It's a big day.

(Jan4) Talk about your surprises. It's the limit. – Didn't work very hard being Wed. – Put up some wire this A.M. – Byng and Tuxford were poking around. Cummings went away to corps school at Pernes. – This aft I went over to Beugin & visited #2 coy. – Brought Guy back to dinner & thus the row started. – Hertzy accused two of us of being improperly dressed & read out the list of New Years M.C.s. – Bell, Binns, Bill Adams, Dunsmore, Dewar & others as per allotted list also C.S.M. Bowles with the D.C.M which makes him start his second row.

Rainy to fair

10 A.M.

Well here I am a bloomin’ M.C. and lord only knows what for. – Half expected when I woke up this morning to find out that I had been having a wild dream. – Don't feel exactly like a dream & neither does anyone else. 10pm Surprises don't come singly. – A long letter from Hazel today & she says she is coming to England next March in time for my next leave. & what's more she seems serious about it. – I don't know what to think. – Pete and I have done lots of things together, & last night's affair just about capped the climax. – Still I think if we both got married it would be going one better yet. – I wish she had given me some idea of what her plans are. – I don’t know what to say in writing her. – I'm crazy to have her over, but better judgment tells me it wouldn't be wise. – If I tell her so she'll think I'm trying to stall. – It would be great to have her there when I go on leave, if only she had a friend of her own to stay with – She's almost bound to come when she hears of last night for I'll have to visit the King next leave. Everyone retired early to-night.

Fine. Orderly dog.

Almost forgot tonight. – Had a very restful day as orderly. – The left half co'y were building a “Front line” for the Tok Emmas to blow down. - Find it most embarrassing to go round without a greatcoat for all the men come up to give me the glad hand. – Decorations out in orders (Divl) tonight. – I feel awfully low when I think of the way I have strafed Pep. & yet he must be responsible for my recommendation. – Which I appreciate more than the decoration. – Today completes my 1st year with the 3rd Field Co'y & I guess I have made good, tho’ the going was a bit heavy at times. - Wrote & told the little girl to come ahead over. I'll bet a dollar mother comes too when she hears I have to call on the King next leave, providing there is a next leave. – What with the order re extensions. – The extra officers to go before me & the prospects of a drive soon after we hit the line again, my chances don't look extra rosy

Clear – cool.

Squad-drilled the boys in the morning & gas-helmet drilled them this aft. – Hope we get away with the inspection ok. – He's coming on the 9th. – Wonder if Byng will come along. – Casey tried to put a new spring in the gramophone and failed miserably. – Mike's Epiphany dinner was not a howling success. – They intended to cancel it on account of orders to go into the line tomorrow. – Boswell insisted on carrying on so they did but it was not half as gay as the last. – Went around with Bill to bid goodbye to his friends. – Said he'd turn over to me. – 4th Bgde are putting on a show before coming out. – 20 stokes on a bgde front should raise some row.

Sergt Cook mentioned in the New Years list

Fair to stormy

MacKenzie arr'd home about 1.30 A.M. & woke me up as he crawled in. – As he was pretty tired & I didn’t want to disturb him I stayed in bed till 10.30 – thereby missing church parade. – Tok Emmers went to war this morning. – This aft Casey & I rode over to BRUAY – intended to go to a concert but it was too crowded. – Visited some shops, saw some very pretty girls & had tea with #1 co'y. – The line up of M.C.s over there makes it look like a reg’t’l badge. – Came back to a very uninteresting dinner. – The gramaphone is working again but not as well as it might. – Mac of course has been writing letters all day so I sit in the comfy chair & read. – Shall be sorry to leave this billet. – Wrote one long letter this evening & now I've got the rats. Shall be glad when that inspection is over, – one thing sure it can't be any worse than last. – Went down to Bill Green's old home but found no one in.

Stormy

Field works in the A.M. – Tried a little revolver shooting & decided the barn door would need to be pretty big to give me a look in. – This aft. we had a chilly inspection rehearsal. – A fine looking bunch, I don't think. – One thing the inspection can't be much worse than the last. – It's been put off a day too. – Letter from mother says they saw Murray on his way home. – Some people have all the luck, – but I've had a good share myself (tho’ not noticeably this evening) & I'm satisfied. – Took the old horse for a walk before coming home to bed, & I visited Green's old home. – Wilson came back from the hospital wish I had another job I could switch him to.

Windy

Orderly dog. – Grouchy tonight. Went over to BRUAY with Boswell & had a deuce of a time persuading him to come home. – Called on the C.R.E. – Met Maj. Roberts & lots of other people I knew. – Found the congratulations decidedly embarrassing. – Made good time coming home once we started. When we got in Pete had orders for the parade. – “Medals will be presented." – That's done it. – Unless Byng is on hand I'll have to get a bar to my cross for no decoration pinned on by a real estate agent who has called me down in front of my men can be termed an honour save to him. – I may be sore & a bit too strong tonight but that is the way I feel & I haven't felt so passionately angry since I was a kid. Amongst other orderly officer duties I found several sappers in an estaminet after 9 P.M. – Also a slovenly sentry. I think the bawling out I administered will be sufficient punishment. Got a new jug to replace the one that met its end on xmas. - Pewter – unsmashable.

Snow – Rain – Raw – Rotten

Reveille at 5.30 – Out into the dark and stormy morning to parade at 7.00. Marched off at 7.30 – everyone merry & bright – NOT – Arr'd at the inspection field, halfway between HOUDAIN & BRUAY at 9.10 - Na poo Gen. Currie. - About turn, quick march – “Indisposed” – wouldn't that frost you? – Bet he calls it tomorrow now that all the wagons are dirty again. – Called at dentist’s + made a date. – MAJ. PEP. got back from his course at Hédin. – Aft. Spent in lecture by A.D.M.S. – Went down to BARLIN to tea with Boswell. – After dinner had a little game, but a very fast one from 8 till 9 & I gave the party – NOT ONE HAND ALL EVENING. – After that the old horse & I went for a french lesson but he got tired & went home. – I wish Wilson had stayed away & Dunning too. – Both of them, together aren't nearly as good as young McLemont when it comes to batting. – I wish that inspection were over. – We'd have got away with it O.K. today.

Raw. – Snowy & Blowy

‘The day started early, – At 3.30 in fact, when a bosche plane came over & dropped 6 bombs around the “Fosse” – No damage done, but Mac & I were awakened from deep slumber, which in itself was bad. – Madame was very excited so we got up. – Went for a walk & Mac being orderly dog inspected the sentries – McGowans challenge made Geo. Robey look like a tragedian. After a cup of coffee with madame Bonnell at the mess we retired once more. – Rising later to the daily round of bayonet fighting etc, – This aft. on parade the Maj. sprung a little co'y drill on us. – Got away with it o.k. – Went over to HOUDAIN & saw the dentist. – To my delight there is only the one bad one requiring attention. Had tea at #2 & came home to dinner. This eve'g the O.C. brought up for discussion some of the points covered during his course. – Open warfare seems to be the keynote, with sections working as separate units. – Fine once you get started, but oh, what a start it will take. Walked home with Pete & decided that Fosse 7 would be a good place to see the spring drive from. Pete is found of comfort. – The O.C. is planning to go up to look over the new line tomorrow. – Pete & I to accompany him, but there is talk of a raid so maybe we won't get there.

Mild – Rainy in spots

Très fatigué ce soir. – Took a trip up to BULLY-GRENAY & went over part of our new frontage. – Pete takes the right – I get the left, joining up with the imperials. – It's without a doubt the most peculiar bit of line I've ever seen – Practically in the town, with civvies living right up close – The two big slag heaps “double crassiers” I think they are called, figured in the Loos show. - Waggon lines will be back at SAINS. – Had rather a rough ride. – “Duty” gets foolish when you are riding with anyone else. – Called on Joe & Haigh at COUPIGNY on the way back. – They have a pipe on that yard job. – Casey went on leave tonight. Retired early.

Windy

‘Squad drill & guard mounting in the morning. – The boys need a lot of parade ground work to remind them that they are soldiering. – So do the officers. Went over to HOUDAIN & made a date with the dentist – Proceeded to #2 Co'y to dinner and watched them play bridge most of the time. – Came back about 10 & after paying a visit to the Jr. Officer's club. retired.

M.C. ribbon. – Worn 3/8” above pocket & if only ribbon worn, should be in the centre. - Welton, Ports Police, -ROUEN.

Foggy to fine

Rose leisurely & had a luxurious bath before the fire. – Wilson brought breakfast over so loafed around en negligé till 9.30 when I turned out for church parade. – The O.C. has become devilishly regimental – It would be alright if he didn't make mistakes himself. – Atter parade I started in to clean up the room. – Mack & I are a poor combination for we are both as untidy as can be. – Also cleaned out the cupboard in the mess – There are only 5 uncut cakes remaining from the various xmas parcels. – Went over to BRUAY with the O.C. to a lecture by Gen. Currie on the VERDUN fighting. – Went down to the C.R.E.’s after. – Came back about 5P.M. – After dinner retired to the seclusion of our room to write but the solitude was bust up by the entry of Boswell, Pete & the Old Horse. – Went out for a walk but ran into sappers every where. – Will have to take the tattoo report personally tomorrow

Cold. Orderly dog

Wilson appeared at some unearthly hour and routed me out of bed in time to go up to the horse lines & see the Gee's get their brekker, following which I performed the usual duties which fall to the lot of the O.O. – Guard mounting was the most interesting. – especially when Gilbert's bayonet fell off while presenting arms. – Good old Tanglefoot – Had a very instructive class in harnessing this aft. – The drivers of #2 Tool-Cart enjoyed it immensely. – The O.C. is getting more & more of the S.M. every day. – This is the 3rd night he has gone round the horse lines & bawled out the picquet. – Not that they didn't need it + not that he shouldn't take an interest in such things but it can be overdone. – Rounded off the day by falling flat in the mud up there. - Bon soir. Relief postponed another 24 hrs.

COLDER - Frozen up all day.

Went over to HOUDAIN & let the dentist discover that the nerve in the tooth he is treating has a bit of life in it yet. – I think I made the discovery a fraction of a second before he did, but I intimated it to him so quickly that it was practically simultaneous. – Came home & sat by the fire. – Pete & Wallis up the line. – Co'y drill this aft. – Bawled my head off. – Pleasant news. – Currie's long deferred inspection comes off to-morrow. – No wagons, which means that he will have plenty of time to strafe the sections. – 2nd Divn. raid on just after dark if the row the guns were making is anything to go by. Wrote a flock of letters this evening, just about square with the world now.

SNOW – Beaucoup.

Spent the morning getting colder & colder in the snow while the O.C. prepared us for inspection. – By the time he dismissed no one cared very much what that G.O.C. might think of the Co'y. – At noon the affair was called off once more. – so spent the aft. over the retreat from Mons while Pete snored & Mac read. – No mail – The debating society held another soirée but I had burnt my tongue on the soup at dinner & could not enjoy it. II Div. pulled off a raid on the 4th Bgde front at 8.30 this morning. – About 800 went over. – Brought back 75 huns.

Encore Neige.

Squad drill & that sort of thing this A.M. – Wiring this aft. – Made out a scheme for a wiring party of 14 that seemed to meet with the O.C.'s approval. Anyhow he wants me to try it out to-morrow with a picked party. – Am also down for a lecture on “Interior Economy” & “Responsibility of a Sapper Officer”. Some job. – No mail again to-day.

Coldest yet

Very little doing all day. – A little gas helmet drill this morning & a burlesque Co'y drill this aft. – Officers & men equally fed up. – Pete got away on leave. Doubt if we see him back for a while, lucky dog. – My lecture didn't amount to much. – That nerve is by no means dead yet & I have a bit of a neuralgia. – Also have to get up early & let Wilson pack. So good night. – Some French decorations for the Divn. – Gregory & Jones being recommended, but very doubtful if they get it. - Good old #4,

Cold.

Got the section off at 9 AM & after bidding madame a fond farewell & paying for my washing, Wallis & I got started about 10.30. – Arrived at 4th F.C.C.E. – BULLY on the tick, noon. – Had lunch with Sandy McFee & went up to MAROC in the afternoon. – Called on 14th with Stears & that was all I did to-day. – Was surprised when Monty (S.C.) came in to Batn H.Q. - F.O.O. for 26th Battery. – Went around to the O.P with him + had a look round. – He's spotted a periscope in Fritzy's front line + has picked on it for a little shoot. – That confounded tooth of mine has been at it again to-day. – Another chap sharing the billet with Stears. – Williams from the 2nd Entr. Bin. – He was lost last night as Stears took him in & he appears quite at home. – Recently from the C.R.T.D.

Cold.

Turned out about 7.30 – Saw the parties started & then made a tour of the line with Stears. – Afterwards went down to BULLY and saw McFee. – No arrangements made for rationing etc. rest of the section which came up at noon. – It's been sort of a slip-shod turn over, anyhow. & a cold in the head with neuralgia mixed in doesn’t make it much better. Discovered to-day that the D.G.I.T.W. got her face smashed coming up yesterday. – Good old McConachies for dinner. – Went over to Battn afterwards. Brought Monty back + we chewed the rag by the fire till nearly midnight. – Stears pulled out about 7 P.M. – Williams still here + as he seems like decent company might as well stick. – The Leinsters on our left put on a bit of a rain this A.M. – No details. – Day light raids are quite the thing now, but is it WE who set the fashions in raids + have done from the start. Discovered 12 pkrs condensed pea soup. – We won't starve.

Still frozen up.

Out into the cold at 8 A.M. to see the parties squared away. – Called at Battn. at 9.30 & wore a blister on my heel while touring the line with Maj. McCombe. – Boots, gum, thigh have their disadvantages. – In spite of the shortage of grub we managed to exist. – Willams spent me morning making coffee. – Wilson tied out the pea-soup. – His finished product could be eaten with a fork, but was filling. – The Maj. + McK paid a call this aft. – Relief complete. – Spent half an hour in the O.P. with Monty – He blew the periscope all to hell to-day, & what was better, took me over to the battery to dinner. – Saw Ernie Jordan & Dostey.

Cold. – White frost.

Turned out at 7.30 A.M. & found the country-side veiled in such a nice frosty mist that I thought I might as well go up and look over the RESERVE LINE wire while Fritz couldn’t see it. – After that I called in at Bn. Hq. & went on a tour with Maj. McCombe & the O.C. – 8 mile tramp. – Back to lunch at 12.30. – After lunch Wiliams & I took a walk down to BULLY – called on Hal Mooney on the way down. – Visited the boss, went down to the dentist & had tea at the mess. – Guy was in. – Keyt just off for 2 mos. leave to Canada. – Would like to know how its done in the 2nd Co’y. – Trestle wagon went over Crowes arm when he slipped under it coming up with material tonight. Letter Jan 2nd from mother. – Very much disturbed as to whether she should accept congrats for me or not.

Coldest yet.

That little stove we had put in yesterday to replace the grate was an awful frost. – Sat over it & shivered this A.M. till I decided to go out & get warm. – Didn’t stay out long. – This aft I made out a scheme of work for the Bn. in the line + took it over to Hdqrs – Had tea. – Anderson came in & built a grate that actually gives off heat. – So comfortable that neither of us want to go out.

Went up & watched the party on Reserve Line wire for a while. – As it was sucha nice night Despatie & I went over the support line wire but didn't linger long as there was a big party out on Front line wire. If Fritz had spotted them, the M.G. attention to the ground around there would have been very flattering (also “flattening”) – Casey got back from leave this A.M. – Came up with Mack. this aft. – Goes on course soon.

Still cold.

Half an inch of ice on shaving water which stood on window sill. – Thanks to Andy’s grate could get up & dress comfortably but as the Battns were relieving this AM there were no parties & I didn’t have to get out. – Took a walk up as far as the support line & caled it a day. Visited Bn + paid my respects to Col. McCuaig.

Took Veary up for a stroll over some more of the support line wire.

Colder.

The sort of weather that makes your ears feel it. – Was so cold in bed I had to get up. – Went around the line with Col McCuaig. – Everything frozen up so tight you could walk thru the front line dry shod. – Major Pep was up. – Took a walk over to Calonne this aft to arrange wiring party with the 14th. Saw Boyd Symonds. – A/Adj at present. Called at the Ousels & saw Bonnel. – Wallis goes on leave tonight. – New brigade schedule caused bit of a ball up tonight but the war goes on in spite of it. – Was settling down for a quiet evening when a request came up for an “A-B-C” report on Front, Support, & Reserve line wire. – This only means about 3 miles of wire & as I had already done my 10 miles, it took me most of the evening to decide whether I would sit by the sire & let the report go hang or go out & crawl round No Man’s land. – Finally steered a middle course. – Went over & saw P. Corbett & as he was out last night I got enough dope for a very nice report. Sat around there & swapped lies with Dooley McDougall till 10 PM.

No sign of spring yet.

Spent a chilly hour up in the O.P. with Gordon Thom, looking at nothing in particular. – Made calls at Hdqs of Co’ys in the line & found out what they new[sic] of the wire. – Wrote up a nice report after lunch & as Mack came up with word of a relief walked back to BULLY with him to talk to the Maj. about it. – Persuaded him to let us keep on the front line work for another tour & Mack take Reserve Lines. – I like this frontage & am just getting the work running nicely now so would hate to quit it just yet. – The prospect of stinking round billets at Bully as sort of permanent orderly dog doesn’t appeal to me. – Called on Dooley in Corbett’s dugout + enjoyed R.C.’s hospitality altho he wasn’t in.

Nor yet.

Co’y relief on in line. – Balled up parties a little to-day. – One got entirely lost tonight – garrison party at that. – Confined my activities this morning to visiting Pickup (O.C. #3 co’y 14th) re tonight’s parties. – Reconnoitred boyaus this aft to see how our communication between supports & Front will be when the thaw comes. Answer:- Rotten. – Went up to see how the wiring party was getting on. It was pretty bright & they hadn’t started – Handed them a yarn that Fritz was over a quarter of a mile away & got them started. – Don’t think his bombing posts are much over 100 yds. away just there. – As the moon got low we were right against it and he sniped rather too freely for comfort. – Won’t send them out so early to-morrow night. – Had to stick with them tonight as a matter of principle.

Winter is still with us.

Slept in a bit. – Made a tour of the line with Sergt Platts. – Called at Bn. this aft. – Bunch of gunners there Capt. Patterson, Lee Strathy, Myers, etc. – Col. McCuaig opened his heart, but then the 13th always were hospitable. – Too much so at times. – Discussed the advisability of cutting thro’ from ALOGATE to LIVERPOOL in order to extend the support line as far as 7th. – Dropped in on P. Corbett & Myers for a few moments & then over to see Pickup. – Tonight I had arranged to explore the left corner re the above extension so started out about 8.30. – Called again on P.C. & Myers – Discussed the advisability of the three of us going over to beat up the german army but as I had other work on hand the raid was postponed indef. – Picked up Sergt Platts & went up the line. – Called in at Co’y Hdq for Capt. Melrose (A Dunnville man from the old 37th) – Met “Genevive” & started out. – Mel. had to visit his posts on the Crassier so Platts & I carried on. – Made some interesting discoveries. – Called at Bn. on way down to look at aeroplane photos of the corner & bid them “Au revoir”. – Relief postponed.

And yet.

Battalion relief. – The O.C. called in on his way up the line with a N.F. Pioneer man. – Thought he would be calling in on his way back so got up about 11. – As he didn’t I had to go down to Bully to see him this aft. – Cummings came up to visit me, so walked down with him & got the gossip from Corps school. – They have been saying rather flattering things about the sappers down there. –

Told the O.C. about the proposed new support line (Left) & he took the scheme to Bgde. – Went around to Bn. after dinner & called on Maj. McCombe. – Dropped in to the Jr. Hqrs mess & found a musical evening in progress.

Cold.

Stayed in this morning. – Harry O’Leary & Knox were in this aft. Saw Myers & Tommy Hodgson before calling on the CO & found that they had all been up on the carpet. – Went over & took my share of it. – McCombe is a prince. – Took him up over the proposed new extension, – being rather bright & Fritz’ snipers wide awake we didn’t loiter on top. – Lots of gossip. – Col. Kearsley had lunch with Sir Wm Robertson while on leave & was told that the whole business would be over by the middle of April. – If that’s the case, something has to break very soon. – Either the interior situation in Germany is much worse that generally known or else there is going to be one awfully strenuous 6 week campaign. – Fritz is said to be massing troops in Flanders. – If he takes another knock at the salient he will get a worse licking than ever. – McCombe expects 30 dys. Leave, starting the middle of the month so it doesn’t look as if anything would happen yet a while.