Binns
First a casual celebration companion in 1916 ("Met Binns & arranged to celebrate together"), then part of Robertson's ball-playing and letter-writing circle through 1917: present when C.S.M. Bowles's D.C.M. is read out, on the field the day Binns "wallopped" Robertson in the eye during a game, and sending a letter and cheque that December. By mid-1918 the relationship has become a working one: driving Robertson to look over new billets at Gouves (July 13), helping arrange the move to Louez (July 16), riding along to learn the unit's new trucks (July 21), and turning up with cars and errands through that August (3rd, 18th, 20th). The continuity across three years isn't certain, but the recurring name within the same circle of acquaintances makes it a reasonable read. The unit's war diary for July 31, 1918 has "Captain P.V. Binns, M.C." joining the unit with his horse for the move to Sars-le-Bois; the diary's Binns is read as the same man, though the diary never gives an initial.
Appears in the diary · 13 entries
1916
- 9 November 1916… o complimentary. – Have decided that we earn our pay. – Busy all aft. with Reports & maps for Hdqrs. – Met Binns & arranged to celebrate together.
1917
- 3 January 1917… ed. – 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. …
- 7 May 1917… Great event of the day. – We played a ball-game with the 4th Div. people and by some miracle licked them. Binns & Bate formed a battery that they couldn't fool with. – Thank goodness there were no hits …
- 24 May 1917Hot. VICTORIA DAY. Nothing stirring. – Went over to #1 for tea & played ball till Binns wallopped me in the eye with one then I quit. – Visited Reeves at #2 Co'y. 15th. – Had a …
- 5 July 1917… middle of the month so I may find some work on my hands if Grant is not back by then. Letter & cheque from Binns. We got the 215th inveigled into a wild game of "Sevens Up" tonight.
1918
- 13 July 1918Fair. Binns came round about 9.30 A. to take me down to GOUVES to look over new billets. – Picked up …
- 16 July 1918… inches of water in the cook-house. – The gunners who were bivvying under the wagons had a poor time of it. Binns came round & said he would get us moved so we shift in the morning to LOUEZ Fritz has sta …
- 21 July 1918Hot Clear Went back to the C.E.M.T. Coy with Binns & Dawson to learn how to run our new buses. – Took them down to the field at Tincques & r …
- 25 July 1918Stiff + sore. – Col. Mack. + Binns came around.
- 3 August 1918More rain. Orders in last night. – Entrain tomorrow. – Hope the weather clears up but it looks doubtful. Binns came around this aft + Dawson paid the troops.
- 4 August 1918… ut at 9.45 for unknown destination – Had dinner at the Amiens before leaving. Other passengers in Chipman, Binns, Wade & Buchanan
- 18 August 1918Cloudy. Binns + the “terps” came up to tea
- 20 August 1918Cool. Out looking for V Sqdn. – Got car from Binns to catch Paris train. – Missed it – Spent night at CEMT