Wilson
Robertson's batman from August 1916 ("Fired Gilbert + replaced him by Wilson": Gilbert had held the same domestic role) through at least May 1917. The clearest confirmation of the role is a January 1917 complaint that Wilson and another batman candidate, "Dunning," "aren't nearly as good as young McLemont when it comes to batting": explicit period slang for the job itself. Otherwise recurs constantly through routine service (making breakfast, packing kit, pitching a bivvy), is hospitalized for a cut hand in April 1917, and is back on duty by May 21. Distinct from "Laurel Wilson," a one-off December 1916 letter-writing correspondent from home, and from the "Jake Wilson" of July 15, 1918, who is with the 23rd Battery crowd, and unrelated to the several passing references to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson.
Appears in the diary · 13 entries
1916
- 12 August 1916… Inspected several times by [Juxford?] en route. Arr’d Nordkene 10.30 A.M. – Fired Gilbert + replaced him by Wilson. Billeted at Balemberg. Skirted Cassel, should liked to have gone thro’
- 12 November 1916… LERS about 3.30 – Chas Pick was in – Garrulous as ever. [Chas Pick was previously mentioned July 22 1915] – Wilson spent the night cleaning me up. Got packed & ready to go. – Called on 2nd Co’y with Pete …
1917
- 8 January 1917… & 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.
- 10 January 1917… 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 Mc …
- 14 January 1917Foggy 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 …
- 15 January 1917Cold. Orderly dog Wilson appeared at some unearthly hour and routed me out of bed in time to go up to the horse li …
- 19 January 1917… 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 reco …
- 22 January 1917… ntages. – 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 …
- 8 February 1917Cold. Wilson let the fire out so it’s none too steam-heated up here to-night. – Have been loafing all …
- 11 February 1917A bit milder. A proper day of rest. – Wilson brought up my brekker about 9. – I rolled out about 10 & took the church parade at 10.45. …
- 14 April 1917… . – Everything moving up forward + as the T.M.s had packed, I had no tea. – Got up to Ariane about 7 P.M. – Wilson had a bit of a bivvy pitched. – Looks alright as long as it keeps fine. – Went over to th …
- 16 April 1917… completed to-day so we are back under the wagon cover again to-night. – Hoping that it weathers the storm. Wilson cut his hand & had to go to hospital. – Cummings came down from the line with lumbago. – …
- 21 May 1917… Bill wandered over to Maisnil with me. – Squire has them tent-pegging now. – He sure is a live wire. – Saw Wilson back from hospl. – The Maj. called me in for a bit of a confab. – Told me I was still on …