Alfred George Richardson’s Diary Aug 1915
1915 diary shows Bombardier Gunner (Signalling Dept) A. G. Richardson 4th Section, West Riding Divisional Ammunition Column R.F.A., Norfolk Barracks Sheffield.
Home Address:- Station House, Ben Rhydding near Leeds. Yorks.
Poperinghe.
Sunday 1st August 1915: Went to Peselhoek for rations at 7. H.Q. 11 am. Letters 12 noon. Afternoon holiday. Writing.
Monday 2nd August 1915: Went to place past 1st Sect for rations at 7. Afternoon reading & writing. Exercising at night.
Tuesday 3rd August 1915: Went “sur la route a West Vletern” [Westvleteren] for rations at 7. Interpreter at trial of A. & S.H. charged with stealing from Belgian. On Guard H.Q.
Wednesday 4th August 1915: Midnight. Poperinghe shelled. 23 “Jack Johnsons.” Anniversary of Declaration of War! Went for rations at 7. Afternoon holiday.
Thursday 5th August 1915: Went to Peselhoek for rations at 7. Out exercising mules at night. Fell off! Poperinghe shelled. 23 “Jack Johnsons”.
Friday 6th August 1915: Went for rations at 10 am. Back at 11.30 am. Letters noon. Afternoon writing & reading.
Saturday 7th August 1915: Went for rations at 10 am. Letters at noon. Afternoon holiday. Fine.
Sunday 8th August 1915: Went for rations at 10 am. Letters at noon. Aft asleep. Out at night with Eagle.
Monday 9th August 1915: Went for rations at 10 am. Letters at noon. Fine day. Terrific bombardment from 2.30 am – 6 am. British retake all lost trenches.
Tuesday 10th August 1915: Went for rations at 10 am. Letters at noon. Out with Eagle & Lawson near P. Cigars & wine.
Wednesday 11th August 1915: Went for rations at 10 am. Letters noon. Aft holiday. Reading & writing. Went out exercising at night.
Thursday 12th August 1915: Went for rations at 10 am. Letters at noon. Wet. Thunderstorm all afternoon. Almost flooded out.
Friday 13th August 1915: Went for rations at 10 am. Raining. Letters at noon. Afternoon writing letters.
Saturday 14th August 1915: Went for rations at 10. Went to Poperinghe with G. Smith for Mr Walker. Shelled by Germans ½ hour after. 14 17 in. In bed at 8 pm.
Sunday 15th August 1915: Went for rations at 9.15 am. Received pcl from Home & Mrs Harrison. Letter from A. Beaumont, Miss Baines & J Decelle.
Monday 16th August 1915: Went for rations at 9.15 am. Letters at noon. Parcel from Home. Out exercising at night.
Tuesday 17th August 1915: Went for rations at 9.15 am. Letters at noon. Went to see Arnold up at guns. Exciting time 20 shrapnel burst over Dawson & I. Narrow escape.
Wednesday 18th August 1915: Went for rations at 9.15. Letters at noon. Afternoon out with Sergt Hewitt finding a forge.
Thursday 19th August 1915: Went for rations at 9.15 am. Letters at noon. Afternoon reading & writing. On Guard at H.Q. at 6 pm.
Friday 20th August 1915: Went for rations at 9.15 am. Letters at noon. Afternoon asleep. Out at night with Lawson & Eagle.
Saturday 21st August 1915: Went for rations at 9.15. Raining fast. Wet through. Afternoon spent writing letters.
Sunday 22nd August 1915: Went for rations at 9.15 am. Letters at noon. Arnold & Wilf Dawson visit me. Ripping day. 6 German aeroplanes over.
Monday 23rd August 1915: Went for rations at 9.15 am. Letters at noon. Went to H.Q. for stores. On guard at H.Q. Row with C.Q.M.S. about sack of f***.
Tuesday 24th August 1915: Went for rations at 9.15. Letters noon. Brought 2 cooks up before P.H.W. Result: – 5 days C.B. for both. Out exercising at night.
Wednesday 25th August 1915: Went for rations at 9.15. Letters noon. Aft spent reading & writing.
Thursday 26th August 1915: Went for forage & rations at 9.15 am. Letters at noon. Aft holiday. Exercising at night.
Friday 27th August 1915: Went for forage & rations at 9.15 am. Letters 12 noon. Aft holiday. On Guard at H.Q.
Saturday 28th August 1915: Went to Lovie Chateau H.Q. R.E. Sigs for a 10 days’ course in Telephony. Arrived there 12 noon. Walked to Proven in aft. Concert at night which was excellent. Made a bivouac with Bomber Chris Hatch (11th) & Meakes (10th Bt).
Lovie Chateau
Sunday 29th August 1915: Reveille 5 am!! Full Dress Parade before Major Grubb at 9 am. Holiday Rest of Day. Fine weather.
Monday 30th August 1915: Lecture by Lieut Wells. Went out & laid a cable to Convent St. Sixte. Back at 3 pm. Tired. Rested & went to bed early.
Tuesday 31st August 1915: Lecture by Lieut Wells. Out with cable cart fixing air line to Convent St. Sixte. Long job. Tired.
