War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

EXTRACTED FROM.

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda

Correspondence

—————–

21^st November 1917

Region Esercito Italiano

COMANDO MILITARE ITALIANO

Modane.

Foglio di viaggio per servizio.

Il Cpitano dell’Esercito Inglese A.A.L. Payne, con 4 Ufficiali e 121 soldati deve viaggiare il giorno 21-11-17, da Modane a Piacenza.

Modane, li 21-11-17

Il Capitano

Comandante Militare di Stazione

(Ufficio Carabinieri Reali Modane.)

ROUTE TO ITALY.

Train No. 232.

Marche A.N. 24.

LOON-PLAGE                      Entrained.  Night 18/19th November 1917 via Calais.

HAZEBROUCK

AMIENS

LONGEAU                            Halte Repas

CHATEAU THIERRY

EPERNAY

CHALONS-SUR-MARNE   at 7.30, p.m.

VITRY-LE-FRANCOIS        (Along the valley of the Marne.)

CHAUMONT

GRAY

BOURG.

AMBERIEU.

CHAMBERY.

SAINT PIERRE d’ALBIGNY          (Ascend the valley of the Isere.)

MODANE      Mont Cenis Tunnel  (Eight miles long nearly.)

South end of tunnel, Bardonnecchia, the first Italian Station.

Best views on the left.

ROUTE in ITALY.

Down the valley of the Dora Riparia

Chiomonte. Through the wild and narrow Le Gorgie.

Susa on left the town of Susa with Roman Arch.

BUSSOLENO Junction for Susa.

Borgone. Pass over the Dora.

Condove.

1. Ambrogio

TURIN

PIACENZA.

MANTOVA

ISOLA DELLA SCALA. Arrived on the evening of the 22^nd November 1917.

F.S.P.C.                       21, 11, 17

do                          21,11,17, Post mark “Louhans a Dijon” 21,11,17

P.P.C.                          Torino. 21,11,17

P.P.C.                          Mantova  Dated Nov. 22, 1917.  Post mark, “Comando del Presidio di Mantova”

FIELD SERVICE POST CARDS.

Nov. 20, 1917. Postmark “LOUHANS A DIJON

Nov. 21, 1917.   DO “MODANE GARE”

P.C. from Turin.

P.C. from Mantova

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

EXTRACTED FROM.

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda

Correspondence

—————–

17^th November 1917

A, Battery 175^th Brigade, R.F.A.

ENTRAINING STATE.

Two Sections              One Section                TOTALS

Train No                      Train No

232                              235

Officers…                                  4.                              2.                                  6.

Other Ranks…                        121.                             64.                               185.

Horses..

Light draught..                                    )113.                            57.                               123.

Riders                                      )                                                                       47.

Heavy Draught                          4.                              2.                                 6.

TOTAL HORSES..                                                                                        176.

Guns 18pdr. Q.F.

with Limbers                           4.                                 2.                                 6.

Ammunition Wagons              8.                                 4.                                 12.

Wagons G.S….                       3.                                1.                                 4.

Water Cart                              1.                                 -.                                  1.

Mess Cart                                                                    1.                                 1.

Total Vehicles                                                                                                 24.

17, November 1917

SECRET

MOVE OF THE 175^th BRIGADE ARMY FIELD ARTILLERY, R.F.A.

Entraining Station, Loon-Plage.

TRAIN Serial Nos.                 UNIT.                         Time of                        Date.

No.                                                                              Departure.

1. B.40.                           Headquarters

B.43a.                          1/3 How. Battery        11-45                           18^th Nov.

1. B.43.                           2/3 How. Battery        17-45                                do
2. B.41.                           2/3 A. Battery             23-45                                do
3. B41a.                           1/3 AB                                    5-45                            19^th Nov

B42a.                           1/3 BB

1. B42.                            2/3 BB                         11-45                                do
2. ½ Brigade Amm. Col.                         17-45                                do
3.         do                                                               23-45                                do

Acting Traffic Officer

COAST AREA

TRAFFIC OFFICE

MALO

16^th Nov. 1917

(The whole Brigade want via VINTIMILLE with the exception of Train No. 3 2/3, A. Battery.)

56153 Rfln F.W. Springett
A Company 3rd Platoon
51st G. Battn Kings Royal Rifles
Cliftonville
Margate
Kent

My Dear Brother Sid,
Just a few lines in answer to your letter of a few days ago, so sorry to hear that you have a rotten cold. I am still very well at present.
Its awfully cold here now, you must excuse the writing as my hands are nearly perished.
Glad you have plenty of work to do, hope you may continue to have plenty.
We still keep fairly busy, plenty of route marches, and all that sort of thing.
We went through the Gas Chambers on Thursday of course I passed alright Ha Ha.
I think I told you I were a Lewis Gunner didn’t I, well we are going to pass our test next week. I want to pass, and I don’t think it matters thank you.
I can’t promise to be home for Christmas yet.
Sid, probably I shall though, for the last time. Keep this to yourself, don’t tell them at home.
Well, Sid I had a decent parcel from home again this week. It was alright.
You might address my letters as Pte again until I tell you to alter it, they are a funny lot.
I suppose Ted is still alive and enjoying himself. I don’t hear from him yet.
Yes, this is rather quiet down here now, but it is a lot better place than Harwich, my word that was some place.
I suppose you didn’t keep on smoking did you Sid, that wasn’t in your line “was it”?
I don’t think I have any more news this time. So Goodbye Best Love
I remain
Your Affec Brother
Frank W
Write soon

With cover to Mr S.K. Springett, 29 Bath Road Dartford Kent
Postmarked Margate 9.45PM 17 No 17

Message from GOC 51^st Division 13 Nov 1917.

G.317/1

51^ST (HIGHLAND) DIVISION.

Message from the G.O.C. to be read out to every man at Dinner on November 13^th 1917.

———

Today is the Anniversary of the Capture of BEAUMONT HAMEL. This was the first real opportunity the Division had of shewing its superiority over the enemy.

The following is an extract from the message sent by the Corps Commander after the Battle:-

“All the world looks upon the capture of BEAUMONT HAMEL as one of the greatest feats of the war, and to those who know the ground and defences it must ever be a marvellously fine performance.”

Since BEAUMONT HAMEL the Division has inflicted several crushing defeats on the enemy, and has established a glorious record unsurpassed by any Division in the British Army.

The reputation of the Division is known throughout the Army: it is appreciated by the enemy.

I am absolutely confident, and I feel that every man in the Division is confident, that, given a fair chance, the Highland Division can always defeat the enemy.

I send every man my heartfelt wishes for the best of good luck in the future.

G.M. Harper

Major General

Commanding

51^st (Highland) Division

13^th November 1917

Nov 12^th 17

My Dear Father

Thank you very much for Sunday Pictorial.  I have been waiting to hear from you but no doubt it was owing to me telling you not to write when I went to the rest camp.

Well it is about the same as usual not a lot of news to tell you but I expect you are glad to hear from me if it is only a few lines.

What do you think of this weather it is blooming rough out here now.  We came here about 5 A.M. yesterday morning soaked through so we had a day between the blankets to allow our clothes to dry.

You will be surprised to hear I met Sid Taylor last week he had been looking out for me for sometime & he discovered that we were billeted close together but we were both moving the next day so I don’t know where he is now I have got his address so I might run across him again he looks very well.

How are you all getting on at home have you had any more air raids lately?  Do you have much trouble to buy provisions now I suppose there will not be many people making Xmas puddings this year.

Cannot think of any more news. Hoping you are all enjoying good health glad to say I am tres bien.

Au revoir

With much love from

Your devoted

Son

Sent with letter of 23 Nov 17

Monday

12.11.17

PS Bill sent me a bottle of pickles the other day

Dear old Jack

Your’s to hand I recognised the place immediately, rather bon beer there evidently we crossed on our journey.  You will be glad to learn that I am now a captain .  you are an old dog to have the cheek to go on leave while your young brother is doing the old shell hole work but take it from me old man you *** to be steady with the ***.  I am not exactly sweating on leave yet being the 5^th ***.  I should think in a months time I ought to be somewhere near.  We may get home together yet.  I suppose it’s too cold to do any bathing where you are.  We had quite a nice lot of swimming here.

I am looking forward to a good bottle of Bass it will **** something to get tight now at home.  Well so long drop me a line as soon as you know you are going.  I would not mind a round on the links with you.  I think most of the time would be spent in the Golf House.  Don’t forget to buy some **** when you go home.

Yours *** *** Jack

A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 11 November 1917
On crested notepaper.
Queen’s Hotel
Westcliff-on-Sea.

Dearest,

The above is my address! I arrived safely this evening and am sharing a room with the Colonel!!

Much love
Ever your
Arch.

56153 Rfln F.W. Springett

A Company 3^rd Platoon

51^st G. Battn Kings Royal Rifles

Cliftonville

Margate

Kent

Nov 6^th 1917

My Dear Brother Sid,

Just a few lines in answer to your letter of a few days ago.  So sorry to have kept you waiting but I haven’t really had any time to spare.

So pleased to hear that you were quite well. I am still A4.

Well Sid, I like Margate very much only it would be much better if there were more civilians about.

Glad you made a trip down home last week. I think it is about time I made one too.

We get plenty of Air Raids down this way. They are nothing but a damn nuisance nearly every night we have the warnings.

Yes Sid, I enjoy myself the best I can and I am going to, all the while I am here.

That was my joke about the girls, there are not many down here now and then I get off with a bit. “Ha Ha”.

I have just received a parcel from home, that will be alright for super. I might tell you.

You will notice I am in the King’s R.R. now and I have got a badge at last.

I shall be able to swank now. “Ha Ha”.

Well, Sid I don’t seem to have much to talk about, so I will close hoping this letter finds you quite well.

Goodbye Best Love

I remain

Your Affec Brother

Frank William

With cover to Mr S.K. Springett, 29 Bath Road Dartford Kent

Postmarked Margate 9.45PM 6 No 17

M.T. RESERVE DEPOT, A.S.C., Grove Park London, S.E.

Gilt Crest of A.S.C.

The W.O’s, Staff Sergeants & Sergeants

Present their Compliments to

Miss L. Dillon

and request the pleasure of her Company at

A DANCE

to be held at Grove Park Barracks, on

Nov 4^th 1917

R.S.V.P. to

President, Sergts’, Mess,

Grove Park,

Lee S.E.

Dancing commences 10.0  2 p.m.

Dover

Nov 2^nd 1917

My Dear Nell, (Babs),

Just a line to let you know I arrived quite safe “with the milk” at 2.20 A.M. & had a nice hill to climb to camp, which, you can guess, we quite enjoyed.  We had to wait over half an hour at Ashford so we walked out of the station & had some coffee etc.  Then had a sleep for the rest of the journey.  Hope you got home alright not too late.

I had not yet received your nice “present” or any letters from you.  I expect they have gone “West” (“Compreney-vous”?) (If you don’t ask George when you see him.  He should be able to give a good explanation”).  Shall post all my letters in the town in future as you seem to have received them when they are posted there.  Still don’t think I don’t write if you don’t get them especially from “over the waves”.

Well Dear I have nothing to write about first day so will now close.  Must thank you all for the fine time you gave me on leave.  Please apologise to Mrs. Cross for not going to see her.  Best respects to your Mother & Father.  Fondest Love & Kisses from your loving

Alf

xxx

With Envelope to

Miss E. Pilgrim,

161 Abbey Rd

Barking

S.X.

England.

Stamped Dover 6.45 PM 2 NOV 1917.  Noted “Nov 1917”