A.G. Richardson’s Diary April 1916
Pernois.
Saturday 1st April 1916: Rose at 7 am. Went for rations to Canaples. On Clarkson’s bike & returned at 1 pm. Lovely day – Had a “sunbathe”.
Sunday 2nd April 1916: Went to Havernas for rations at 10.30 am. Beautiful day. Went into woods with Eagle.
Monday 3rd April 1916: Went to Havernas for rations. On Guard. Nice night.
Tuesday 4th April 1916: Went for rations to Havernas at 11.30 am & returned at 3 pm.
Wednesday 5th April 1916: Went to AMIENS with Jock Hutson on bikes. Arrived there at 10.30 am & spent a lovely day there. Saw Cathedral etc. Returned at 6 pm. Brought 2 Gramophone Records. Got lost on way back. Arrived back at 9.15 pm.
Thursday 6th April 1916: Rose at 8 am & went for rations at 10 am in Heavens. On guard at night.
Friday 7th April 1916: Rose at 8 am & went for rations at Heavens. Returned at 3 pm.
Saturday 8th April 1916: Went for a lovely ride on horseback with Geof Stead right up to the source of River Nievre at Montrelet, to seek out places for fly-fishing for P.H.W. Grand time – Saw a heron & Jay. Returned at 3.30 pm.
Sunday 9th April 1916: Lovely day. Rose at 5 am & went fishing with Capt. Walker from Canaples, Halloy, to Pernois. Nothing doing. Went for rations at 11 am.
Monday 10th April 1916: Went to Heavens for rations at 10 am & returned at 2 pm. On Wagon Lines guard at 6 pm.
Tuesday 11th April 1916: On guard all day at wagon park with Cecil Forsythe. Spent a jolly good day.
Wednesday 12th April 1916: Rose at 8 am. Nose bled nearly all morning. Had a day off.
Thursday 13th April 1916: Rose at 8 am & had breakfast at 9. Rations at Havernas 11.30 am. Back at 2 pm. Spent rest of day in the house.
Friday 14th April 1916: Rose at 8 am & had ham & eggs. Went to Havernas for rations. On H.Q. guard 24 hours!
Saturday 15th April 1916: On H.Q. guard. Spent day listening to gramophone, reading & writing. Went for doctor at 11 pm – him to attend sick lady near our billets.
Sunday 16th April 1916: Rose at 8.30 am & had good breakfast of bacon & eggs. Went to St. Leger-les-Domart for Capt. Walker for vegetables, oranges etc on bike. Went to Canaples. Nice ramble in woods with Tommy Dean & Cecil. Lovely day.
Monday 17th April 1916: Rose at 8.30 am. Went to Havernas for rations & returned at 2.30 pm.
Tuesday 18th April 1916: Went to Havernas for rations.
Wednesday 19th April 1916: Went to Havernas for rations.
Thursday 20th April 1916: Went to Havernas for rations.
Friday 21st April 1916: x On H.Q. Guard. Woodrup caught napping at 6.30 am by Lieut Jackson – he was without his rifle on duty! Both of us put under arrest. I was held “responsible” – Woodrup had only been mounted half an hour.
Saturday 22nd April 1916: Went to Havernas for rations. Brought up before Capt Walker & remanded for the Colonel. Lovely day.
Sunday 23rd April 1916: Went to Holy Communion at 12 noon. Lovely day.
Monday 24th April 1916: Brought up before the Colonel on charge of “Neglect of duty whilst in charge of a guard”! Mock trial. 1. No evidence. 2. No defence. 3. Capt Walker never spoke a word in my favour. Stripped – unjust verdict.
Tuesday 25th April 1916: The Colonel goes on leave. I made an appeal to H.Q. & made written evidence & facts. Adjt sees me – he could not do anything until the Col comes back.
Wednesday 26th April 1916: Signalling with Officers & S.M. Sherman in morning & 1st Sect Sigs in aft. On guard as gunner.
Thursday 27th April 1916: Interview with the Adjt (Lieut J.C. Scott). He says he will do his best for me. Advises me to have a G.C.M.
Friday 28th April 1916: Signalling with the Officers in morning & 1st Sect sigs in afternoon.
Saturday 29th April 1916: Signalling with the officers in morning & 1st Sect sigs in afternoon.
Sunday 30th April 1916: Church parade 10 am. Lovely Day. Nice ramble in woods.
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