Category Archives: 1915

Alfred George Richardson’s Diary Aug 1915

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.

Alfred George Richardson’s Diary July 1915

Alfred George Richardson’s Diary July 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.

 

Au Grand Bois d’ Estaires – Caestre – Watou.

BELGIUM.

Thursday 1st July 1915:           Went to H.Q. for forage & rations.  Packing up all day.  Moved off 8.15 pm. with A.S.C. wagons & cooks’.       Staff  4th Section set off at 9.  Passed through Neuve Berquin, Vieux Berquin, Strazeele & arrived Caestre 11.45 pm. & found billets & watering place.

Friday 2nd July 1915:               Got up 6.45 am.  Went for forage & rations at 8 am.  3 miles away.  Came back in motor.  Left Caestre at 8 pm. via, Steenvoorde & arrived 1 mile from Watou at 12 pm.  On Guard.

Saturday 3rd July 1915:           Awake all night.  Drew rations & forage at 8 am.  Went, for first time, into Belgium, 3 Kilos past Watou.  Asleep all aft.  Shifted position 1 Kilo away (nearer Winnezeele.  Slept in the open.  Saw Reg Rhodes in Belgium.

Watou – Poperinghe.

Sunday 4th July 1915:             Reveille 7.  Went for forage at 8 to 3 Kilos past Watou in Belgium.  Saw Arthur Bilbro’.  Church Parade at 12.  Visited Arnold.

Monday 5th July 1915:            Went to Watou for forage & rations at 8 am.  Back at 11.  Parcel from home.

Tuesday 6th July 1915:            Went to Watou for forage & rations at 8 am.  Back at 11 am.  2 spies attack Holmes on guard & steal his rifle.  Alarm in Camp.

Wednesday 7th July 1915:       Went to Watou for forage & rations at 8 am.  Back at 11.  On Guard at night.  12 extra on Guard.  Sharp look out kept.  Nothing doing.

Thursday 8th July 1915:           Went to Watou for forage at 7.  Back at 11.  Left Winnezeele at 6.30 pm. & went via Poperinghe to camp near Woesten.  Arrived there 11.30 pm.  4th Sect arrived 3.30 am.  Bed at 3.45 am.  A*** at 4.45 am.

Friday 9th July 1915:               Went to Watou for rations.  Set off at 5.30 am & arrived there 8.45 am.  Left 11.30 am & arrived Peselhoek [Pezelhoek] (A.S.C. H.Q.) at 2.30 pm.  Left 5.30 pm & arrived “home” 7 pm.  Had tea & went to bed, requiring a well earned rest.

Saturday 10th July 1915:         Reveille 6 am.  Went to Peselhoek for rations at 7.30 am.  3 shells drop near at 7.10 am.  44 shells burst ½ mile away in late afternoon.

Sunday 11th July 1915:           Went to Peselhoek for rations at 7.15 am.  Back at 11. Stables at 12.  H.Q. in afternoon.  Moved position to another field ½ mile away.

Monday 12th July 1915:          Went to Pezelhoek for rations at 7.15 am.  Back at 11.  Stables 12.  Afternoon holiday.

Tuesday 13th July 1915:          Went to Peselhoek [Pezelhoek] for rations & forage at 7.30.  Back at 11.  Went for letters in afternoon.  Terrific attack by Germans at Ypres.  (Took 400 shells).

Wednesday 14th July 1915:     Went to Peselhoek for rations.  Moved position to a place 1 mile from Poperinghe: (near Peselhoek).  Left 8.30 pm. & arrived 11.30 pm.  Raining hard.  Wet through.  Terrible.

Thursday 15th July 1915:         Rose at 5 am.  Wet through.  Went to Pezelhoek for forage & rations at 8 am.  Back at 11.  Filled nosebags.  Wrote letter home.

Friday 16th July 1915:             Went to Peselhoek [Pezelhoek] for forage & rations. Filled nosebags all day long.  Went to H.Q. for stores.

Saturday 17th July 1915:         Went to Peselhoek for forage & rations at 7 am.  Back at 9.30.  Afternoon holiday.

13th N.B.  There was a terrific bombardment of German heavy artillery on Tues night for 5 hrs.  Poperinghe was also bombarded almost each day with “Jack Johnsons”  Tues we took up 400 rds.

Sunday 18th July 1915:           Went to Peselhoek for forage & rations.  Tobacco & cigs issued.  Afternoon holiday, spent writing.

Monday 19th July 1915:          Went to Peselhoek for forage & rations.  Back at 9.30. Received large pcl from home & letter.  On Guard at night.  Turner fired a shot.  Guard turned out.

Tuesday 20th July 1915:          Went to Peselhoek for forage & rations.  Moved position once again; this time into a wood 2 miles from Poperinghe.  Rumours about leave.

Wednesday 21st July 1915:     Went for forage & rations to Peselhoek at 7.  Back at 9.30 am.  Filled nosebags.  Cpl Wilf Dawson came over tovisit me.  Champion aft spent.

Thursday 22nd July 1915:        Went for forage & rations at 7.  Filled nosebags.  Wet day.  Letter & blanket from home.

Friday 23rd July 1915:             Went for forage & rations at 7 am.  Put up 50 tents for Kitchener’s Army in wood & painted them.  No breakfast, no dinner, no tea.

Saturday 24th July 1915:         Went for forage & rations at 7 am.  Received blanket from home.  Cpl Clarkson goes on leave.

Sunday 25th July 1915:           Went for rations & forage at 7.  Raining.  Aft sleeping writing & reading.

Monday 26th July 1915:          Went to Peselhoek for rations.  Received pcl.  Free Press                                          & letters from home.  On Guard at H.Q.

Tuesday 27th July 1915:          Went for forage & rations at 7.  Received parcel from Miss Whitaker.  Out exercising at night on a mule.

Wednesday 28th July 1915:     Went for forage & rations at 7 am.  Raining.  Went to interpreter at farm house with Jack & Luke R.  Went for letters at 12 noon.  Afternoon holiday.  Wrote letters.

Thursday 29th July 1915:         Went for forage & rations at 7 to Peselhoek.             German aeroplane over us.  Shrapnel drops in our camp.  Out with wagons at night.

Friday 30th July 1915:             Went for forage & rations to Peselhoek at 7.  16 Jack Johnsons fired at Poperinghe.  Saw one burst.  3 ***.  Afternoon holiday.

Saturday 31st July 1915:         Went to Peselhoek for rations at 7.  Cpl Clarkson comes back from home leave.  Brings a letter for me.  Afternoon holiday.  Writing letters & reading.  2 Taubes over us.  Heavily shelled.

Alfred George Richardson’s Diary June 1915

Alfred George Richardson’s Diary June 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.

 

Au Grand Bois d’ Estaires.

Tuesday 1st June 1915:            Went to Estaires for forage.  Received letter from W. Jennings.  Also parcel from home.

Wednesday 2nd June 1915:     Went to Estaires for forage.  Received letter from Mr. Atkinson & Aunt Etty.

Thursday 3rd June 1915:          Went to Bac St. Maur for forage, via Estaires. Afternoon “nothing doing”.

Friday 4th June 1915:              Went to Bac St. Maur for forage.  In afternoon went to Estaires on a mule for papers.

Saturday 5th June 1915:          Went to Bac St. Mann for forage at 7.30.  Back at 12.30.

Sunday 6th June 1915:             Went to Estaires at 6.30 am for forage.  Back at 9.30. Reading & sleeping rest of day.  Bathing.

Monday 7th June 1915:           Went to Estaires for forage at 6.30 am.  Got some fishing tackle for Mr Walker & myself.  Grand bathe in pool.  Heat terrible.

Tuesday 8th June 1915:           Went to Estaires for forage 6.30 am.  Washed blankets & trousers.  Afternoon thunderstorm.  In bivouac all aft. At night, we beat H.Q. (5-1) at football.

Wednesday 9th June 1915:      Went to Estaires (6.30) for forage.  Doing nothing special during rest of day.  Out at night.

Thursday 10th June 1915:        Went to Estaires at 6.30 am for forage.  Fishing at night at swimming pool.  Caught very large eel: also a small one.  Smith 6 small ones.

Friday 11th June 1915:                        Got up at 4 am & went fishing but had no luck.  Only caught small roach.  Went to Estaires for forage in morning.  Out at night.

Saturday 12th June 1915:        Went to Estaires for forage at 6.30 am.  Made a “Reserve” forage place.  Working all day.  Out at Estaminet at night.

Sunday 13th June 1915:           Went to Estaires for forage at 6.30.  Church Parade 9.30.  Rest of day spent resting & reading.  Sang Hymns at night round camp fire.

Monday 14th June 1915:         Went to Estaires for forage at 7 – 9 am.  Received pd & letter from home asking me to get a photo taken of the grave of J.W. Kettlewell, only son of a M.R. Goods Guard at Ben Rhydding.

Tuesday 15th June 1915:         Went to Estaires for forage at 7 am.  Back at 9 am.  Filling nosebags in morning.  Went to Estaires for bran.  Found out cemetery & also a photographer.

Wednesday 16th June 1915:    Went to Estaires for forage at 7 am.  Back at 9 am. Went to Doulieu at 10 am for clover.  Back at 1 pm.  Went to Estaires cemetery & had the grave of J.W. Kettlewell (2nd West Yorks) photographed.  He died at Neuve Chapelle.

Thursday 17th June 1915:        Went to Estaires for forage at 7 am.  Back at 9 am.  Went to Doulieu for clover, but there was none today for us.  Filling nosebags at night.  On Guard.

Friday 18th June 1915:                        Went to Estaires for forage at 7.  Back at 9.              Filled nosebags.  Went to Estaires for photos of grave.  Disappointed with result “no bon”.

Saturday 19th June 1915:        Went to Estaires at 7 for forage.  Went to Fleurbaix to see Arnold.  Left 10.30 arrived 12.45.  Left 3.40 arrived home 5.50.  Beautiful up altho.  Ruins etc visited.

N.B. Estaires Cemetery, with the numerous graves of heroes who all fell at Neuve Chapelle, looks indeed a piteous, yet glorious, spectacle.

Sunday 20th June 1915:           Went for forage at 6.30.  Church Parade 9.30. Reading & writing.  Sunny & fine.

Monday 21st June 1915:          Went for forage at 7.  Back at 9.  Wrote to Arnold.  Grand day.  Went to H.Q. for stores.  Out at night.

Tuesday 22nd June 1915:         Went to Estaires  at 7 am for forage.  Back at 9.  Filled nosebags.  On Guard.  Raining.

Wednesday 23rd June 1915:    Went to Estaires at 7 am. for forage.  Filled nosebags. Cricket Match with 3rd Section.  Abandoned owing to storm.  Took 2 wkts for 15.  Went fishing caught 1 eel.

Thursday 24th June 1915:        Went to Estaires at 7 am for forage.  Saw Herbert Routledge.  Went to A.C. at Sailly sur la Lys with ammn.  Back at 8.30 pm.

Friday 25th June 1915:                        Went to Estaires at 7 am for forage.  Storm.              Terrific rain.  Went to La Gorgue for a bath.  Ripping.  Singing at night.

Saturday 26th June 1915:        Went to Estaires for forage at 6.30 am. Reading & writing all morning.  Went to H.Q. for stores.  Finish Cricket Match with 3rd Section.  Scores: – 3rd – 100          4th – 21  My batting was 9 no out.  My bowling was 2 wkts for 10.

Au Grand Bois d’ Estaires – Caestre – Watou.

BELGIUM.

Sunday 27th June 1915:           Went to Estaires for forage at 7 am.  Filled nosebags.  Rest of day reading, writing & sleeping.  On Guard.

Monday 28th June 1915:         Went to H.Q. forage.  Filled nosebags all day. Wrote 3 letters.  Received pcl from home.  Letter from Arnold & Miss Whitaker (at Llandudno).

Tuesday 29th June 1915:         Went to H.Q. for forage & rations at 7.30 am. getting ready to move off (to Poperinghe?).  Cricket at night.

Wednesday 30th June 1915:    Went to H.Q. for forage & rations at 7.30 am.  Raining hard.  Fine in afternoon.  Cricket at night.  Church Service at night – Prayers etc by Cpl of N.H.Y.

A G Richardson May 15

Gonnehem.

Saturday 1st May 1915:           Beautiful weather.  Went to A.S.C. for forage.  Went to Chocques in the afternoon on A.S.C.             wagon.  Spent 9 francs.  Nice afternoon.

Weather: – Extremely hot during day.  Cold & breezy at nights.  Heat terrific.  Got paid 10 f April 30.

Gonnehem – Cornet Malo.

Sunday 2nd May 1915:            At Church Parade at 10.15. W.R. D.A.C. & R.F.A. & “Queen’s Rifles”.  Beautiful little service.  Afternoon holiday.  Spent reading & writing.  1st news from home.  Received 2 letters & 2 papers from home.  4 Wagons go to Battery A.C.  Kingswell sees Arnold.

Monday 3rd May 1915:             Went for forage in morning.  To Chocques in the afternoon with wagon.  Witnessed a thrilling shelling of English Aeroplane by Germans.  150 shots at it, but it evaded them.  Fine!!

Tuesday 4th May 1915:           Rained heavily during the night, when I was on guard. Fine during the day.  Went to Chocques for exchange of forage.  Gunners on Guard.  Thunder storm.

Wednesday 5th May 1915:      Moved from Gonnehem to Cornet Malo, where we arrived 2 pm.  Made Bivouacs to sleep in.  Tommy Dean & I in “The U***”.

Thursday 6th May 1915:          Went to Bethune for forage at 7.45.  his with Q.M.S. Walked to Locon.  Saw Arnold at night.  Exchanged letters from home etc.

Friday 7th May 1915:              Went to Bethune for forage at 7.30 am.  Beautiful weather.  Sky lit up with firing star shells etc.

Saturday 8th May 1915:          Went to Bethune for forage at 7.30 am and again at 3 pm for reserve rations.  On Guard at night.

CORNET MALO

Sunday 9th May 1915:             Great advance starts.  Working all day loading amm. 1500 rds sent to A.C.  The Great Bombardment starts 4.30 am.  terrific slaughter of Germans & Brit.  British capture 2 trenches & advance on both flanks, but are repulsed in centre.  Witnessed terrible sights of wounded.

Monday 10th May 1915:         Went to load amm. At 4.30 am. & sent it off to A.C. at La Tamoc Willot.  Several of our chaps see Arnold.  Went to Bethune at 3 pm.  Back at 7 pm.  Heard “Lusitania” torpedoed.

Tuesday 11th May 1915:         Went to Bethune for forage.  Fine weather.  Bought some bread.

Wednesday 12th May 1915:    Went to Bethune for forage.  Nothing much doing all day.

Thursday 13th May 1915:        Went to Bethune for forage.  Fine weather.  Saw Prince of Wales. Arnold comes down to our camp.

Friday 14th May 1915:                        Went to Bethune for forage.  Fine weather.  British make fine progress at Loos.

Saturday 15th May 1915:        Went to Chocques & Bethune in morning with 2 wagons to exchange oats for bran.  Went to Bethune in afternoon for forage.

N.B.  Lost 2 false teeth owing to Hard Army Biscuits.

Le Cornet Malo – Estaires.

Sunday 16th May 1915:           Terrific bombardment.  British advance over a mile at Richebourg, L’Avone.  Went to Bethune.

Monday 17th May 1915:         Saw hundreds of Canadians on way to trenches.  Wet. Went to Bethune for forage at 3 pm.

Tuesday 18th May 1915:         Weather wet.  Went to Bethune for forage at 3 pm.  On Guard for 24 hours in Wagon Park.  Ripping fire.

Wednesday 19th May 1915:    On Guard.  Ripping fire.  Had a good time sleeping, reading & writing letters.  Pay day 15 f.  3 letters from home.

Thursday 20th May 1915:        Went to Chocques & back via Bethune to exchange oats for bran.  Ripping day spent.              Brought present for mother.  No rations drawn.

Friday 21st May 1915:             Went to Bethune for rations & forage at 3.30 am. returned at 8 am.  built new bivouac.  Read “S*** & Overseas” Daily Mirror.

Saturday 22nd May 1915:        Went to Bethune at 3.30 am for forage & rations. Returned 9 am.  moved at 4.30 pm. To “Au Grand bois d’ Estaires” & rejoined the rest of W.R. D.A.C.  cold, dark night.  Went to bed with             “Wharton & near Mr Walker’s horse at 1 am.

Au Grand BOIS d’ Estaires.

Sunday 23rd May 1915:           Fine day.  Day spent in settling down in new quarters.  Had a row with Q.M.S. Shearman.  Absolute fool & nothing else.  Thoughts of those at home & in church at the time.

Monday 24th May 1915:         Letter from home.  Went to A.S.C. at Estaires for forage.  Spent afternoon lying out in sun & reading.  Lovely day.  Saw 3 aeroplanes shelled.  Loading ammunition at night.

Tuesday 25th May 1915:         Went to A.S.C. Estaires for forage.  In the afternoon, went with “Jock” Hatson & 1 team to La Gorgue for ½ ton coal.  Evening spent writing letter home.

Wednesday 26th May 1915:    Went to A.S.C. for forage in morning & afternoon spent reading & writing.

Thursday 27th May 1915:        Went to A.S.C. Estaires for forage.  Afternoon spent cleaning trousers with paraffin, reading papers & writing & sleeping.  “Nothing doing”.

Friday 28th May 1915:                        Went to A.S.C. Estaires for forage.  Afternoon asleep from 2 – 5.  on Guard all night.  Cold.

Saturday 29th May 1915:        Went to Estaires for forage.  Asleep all afternoon.  Out at night with T.A. Dean.

N.B.  Received wrist watch (illuminated at night) from home on 25th.  Ripping.

Au Grand Bois d’ Estaires.

Sunday 30th May 1915:           Went to Estaires for forage.  Afternoon reading & writing.

Monday 31st May 1915:          Went to Estaires for forage.  Afternoon asleep.  Out at night.

Alfred George Richardson’s Diary Apr 1915

Alfred George Richardson’s Diary Apr 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.

 

Sheffield.

Thursday 1st April 1915:         Rose at 8 am.  Went a bike ride in morning via Ilkley, Askwith, Otley & Burly.  Played & beat Dad at golf.  Also played Miss M. Whitaker & Miss A. Baines.  In Ilkley at night.

Friday 2nd April 1915:             Good Friday.  Dad & I v Mr Watkin & Mr Petty at golf.  We won 12 holes, halved 5 & lost 1.  Afternoon wet & went to see Mrs Hartley.  Crucifixion at night at Ben R. Church.  Excellent.

Saturday 3rd April 1915:         Left Ben R 6.45  Sheffield arr 8.56.  Saw Doctor.  Vaccinated.  Fainted!!  Stables 4 pm.  Stable Picket 6 pm.  Writing letters at night.

Sheffield & Blackheath

Sunday 4th April 1915:            Easter Sunday. Stables.  Relieved to go to Church & Communion 10.45 am.  Stables afternoon till 7 pm.

Monday 5th April 1915:          Stables relieving Geo Sheard.  Field Day at Totley.  29 Horses stampede.  7 men injured.  Terrible accident.

Tuesday 6th April 1915:          Firing at 100 yards .303 Totley Range.  Scored 18 out of 20.  out at night.  Raining hard all day.

Wednesday 7th April 1915:     Firing at 200 & 300 yards Totley Range.  Rapid, Sniping & Deliberate.  Gate Picquet at night.

Thursday 8th April 1915:         Gate Picquet all day.  Out at night.  Raining.  Packed up for moving.

Friday 9th April 1915:             Left Sheffield 9.21 am.  Arrived King’s X 3 pm       & Blackheath 4 pm.  Went to billets – in a mansion – Fine.  On Stable Picket at night.

Saturday 10th April 1915:       Stable Picquet all day.  Went to Greenwich, London Bridge & Cannon Street at night.  Searchlights on Thames were fine.  Appointed N.C.O. in charge of Forage with Potts as my right hand man.

Blackheath Southampton Le Havre.

Sunday 11th April 1915:          Went for my 1st ride on horseback with Bdr.             Wilkinson.  Signalling on Blackheath Common.  Out with Geof            Stead at night at Tower Bridge, Tower, Fleet Str., Strand, Trafalgar Square, Westminster.  Bus & Tube.

Monday 12th April 1915:        In charge of Forage.  Potts & I obtain it from A.S.C.  50 miles.

Tuesday 13th April 1915:        Forage gathering.  On Guard at 6 pm.  Extremely cold.  25 miles.

Wednesday 14th April 1915:   On Guard all day.  Packing up at night.  46 miles arrive.

Thursday 15th April 1915:       Getting forage for 114 mules & 5 horses.  Very busy indeed.  Out with A.S.C wagon.  Everything ready for moving off.  Packed at 8 pm 9 pm & 12 midnight.  All ready.  Order to “Stand By”.  Drew up in order at 12.

Friday 16th April 1915:           Set off 2 am from Blackheath & went by rail to Woolwich Arsenal.  Left Woolwich 6.50 am. arrived Southampton 11 am.  left S. at 6.20 pm on H.M.S. “A***”.  Lights out & all below deck at 8 pm.  Safe & calm crossing.

Saturday 17th April 1915:       Arrived Le Havre 3 am.  Disembarked 9 am.  All day spent in unloading & getting everything ready for entraining.  Drew 3 days train rations for 120 mules & 80 men.  Stable Picket at night.

Le Havre – Merville – Haverskerque.

Sunday 18th April 1915:          Left Le Havre at 3 pm.  Beautiful travelling in France.  Scenery extra.   6 of us in forage wagon.  Ripping.  Arrived Rouen 11 pm.  Went to “Kip” at 12 pm.

Monday 19th April 1915:        Arrived Abbeville 5 am.  Train via Boulogne, Calais & St. Omer to Hazebrouck.  Crossed Yser Canal.  2 Bridges blown up.  Trenches everywhere.  Arrived Berguette 12.5 pm.  Went to Camp 5 miles away.

Tuesday 20th April 1915:        On Guard during night.  Terrific cannonading at the front.  We are only 8 miles from Neuve Chapelle.  Forage all day.  Beautiful weather.  Met, very luckily, my brother Arnold & Wilf Dawson at night at St. Vanon.  Very pleasant evening spent together.  Letter from home.  Saw 4 W.R. R.F.A.

Wednesday 21st April 1915:   Haverskerque.  Went with A.S.C. for forage.  Beautiful weather.  Hard work getting wagons out of park.  “Fall in the Gunners”.  Got Paid 5 f.  Saw Arnold.

Thursday 22nd April 1915:      Went for forage with A.S.C.  Great trouble getting wagons away.  Mules stubborn.  ”Fall in the Gunners”.  Saw Arnold.

Friday 23rd April 1915:           Foraging  with A.S.C.  Attending to forage etc all day.  On Guard at night.  Very cold indeed.

Saturday 24th April 1915:       Left Haverskerque at 9 am & travelled by road via Merville (In Ruins) to Estaires where we arrived 4 pm.  5 miles from Neuve Chapel.  Heavy firing going.  Whole of the line lit up with searchlights, star shells etc.  Very fascinating.  Weather: – Extremely hot during day & cold at night.

Gonnehem.

Sunday 25th April 1915:          Reveille 4.30 am.  Left Estaires 7 am via Merville & Locon & arrived Gonnehem 6 pm.  Tired out.  On Guard!  Saw 4th R.F.A. pass en route & Arnold etc.

Monday 26th April 1915:        Reveille 6 am.  Went with A.S.C. for forage in morning. Afternoon filling nose bags.              Gonnehem.  Paid 10 f.

Tuesday 27th April 1915:        Went to A.S.C. for forage.  Afternoon spent lying down basking in the Sun.  Went down to Gonnehem at night.

Wednesday 28th April 1915:   Went to A.S.C. for forage.  Afternoon went to Chocques for exchange of 6 Oats for 8 Bran.  Out in village at night.

Thursday 29th April 1915:       Went to A.S.C. for forage in morning.  In the afternoon went to Chocques to change Oats for Bran.  Place shut up at night, had a good bust up.

Friday 30th April 1915:           Went to A.S.C. for forage in morning.  In the afternoon, went to Chocques to change 10 Oats for 14 Bran.  Evening spent in cleaning parade ground.  17 f Paid.

Alfred George Richardson’s Diary Mar 1915

Alfred George Richardson’s Diary Mar 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.

 

Doncaster.

 

Monday 1st March 1915:         Reveille 6 am.  Packed Kits & left for Doncaster 9-45.  Arrived 10.30.  Gun Drill in afternoon under Sergt Maj. Cotton.  Went to “Palace” at night.

Tuesday 2nd March 1915:        Stables 6.30.  Breakfast 8 am.  Exercising horses in morning & Gun Drill in afternoon.  Grand Theatre at night “Tommy Atkins”.

Wednesday 3rd March 1915:   Stables 6.30.  Gun Drill in Gun Park in morning. Stables 11.30.  Afternoon holiday.  Had a rest in billets. Out with Arnold at night.

Thursday 4th March 1915:       Gun Drill both morning & afternoon.  Stables 6.30, 11.30 4.30.

Friday 5th March 1915:           Gun Drill both morning & afternoon.  Went down to Rly Docks & practiced entraining horses & guns.  Hard work.  11th Batt beat 10th by 7 mins.

Saturday 6th March 1915:       Gun Drill in morning.  Had my photo (together with Arnold) taken in town.  Stables 3.15.  Picture House Café at night with AGR, Arthur. King, Watkinson, Stockdale, Roberts & Ralph.

Sunday 7th March 1915:          Stables 7 am.  Church Parade 9.30 am.  Afternoon spent reading & writing.  Out in town at night with Arnold.

Monday 8th March 1915:        Gun Drill morning & afternoon.  Out with Arnold at night.  Picture House Café.

Tuesday 9th March 1915:        Gun Drill morning & afternoon. Arnold goes home on 4 days leave.  Lucky Beggar!!  Out on night    manoeuvres from 6-12 pm.  Trenching.

Wednesday 10th March 1915: Gun Drill morning & afternoon.  Out with Tommy Butler at night.

Thursday 11th March 1915:     Stables 7 am.  Gun Drill morning & afternoon.  Stayed in at night because was “stony broke”.

Friday 12th March 1915:         Stables 6.30.  Rifle Drill in morning & afternoon under Sergt Barker.  Went to “Grand” Theatre.

Saturday 13th March 1915:     Stables 6.30 pm.  Rifle Drill in morning.  Out in afternoon with Corp Wilf Dawson & at Picture House at night.       Arnold returned Sat midnight after ripping 4 days at home.

Sheffield.

Sunday 14th March 1915:        Church Parade 9.30 am at Wheatly Church.              Resting during rest of day.  Out with Arnold.

Monday 15th March 1915:      Rifle Drill all morning and afternoon.  Out at night with Tommy Butler.

Tuesday 16th March 1915:      Rifle Drill under Sergt Spence.  Out on night manoeuvres from 7 – 12 pm, digging trenches round guns.

Wednesday 17th March 1915: Left Doncaster at 9.56 am for Sheffield where we arrived 11 am.  On Gate Guard 2pm – 6 pm.  Stables Picket at 6 pm.

Thursday 18th March 1915:     Stable Picket at Glossop Rd.  Monotonous job.  Rose at 4.20 am & had stables thoroughly cleaned by 6.15.  Nothing special happened.

Friday 19th March 1915:         Gate Guard.  Rose at 5.20 am.  Reveille 6.  Baths in morning 9.10.  Received large parcel from home.

Saturday 20th March 1915:     Stable Picket.  Rose at 4.55 am.  Received pcl from Miss Whitaker.  Gate Picket at night.

Sunday 21st March 1915:        Gate Picket.  Boy Scouts meeting in Barracks.  1st night off since leaving Doncaster.

Monday 22nd March 1915:      G.O.C. R.A. inspects Column, Billets & Stables.  Exercising horses in afternoon.  Stable Picket at 6.

Tuesday 23rd March 1915:      Stable Picket.  Whitewashed stables.  Took all day.  Dead tired.  Gate Picket at 6 pm.

Wednesday 24th March 1915: Gate Picket.  Nothing happened out of ordinary.  Night off at last!!!!  Cinema House Café with T.O.B. & Groth.

Thursday 25th March 1915:     Exercising horses.  Rifle shooting at Mid. Rly. Sheff. Club.  Stable Picket at night.

Friday 26th March 1915:         Exercising horses in morning. X Under arrest & brought before Lieut Fairburn.  Let off.  Lecture on Map reading 5 – 7.30.

Saturday 27th March 1915:     Exercising horses in morning.  Lecture 12 – 1.  Stables 3.45 – 5.  Gate Picket 6 pm.

X N.B.  Sergt Maj. Cavanagh & Sergt Hird reported me for supposed “neglect of duty” viz: – Not giving reveille till 6.10 am on Thurs morning.  Absolute lie.  Hence verdict & 4days leave.

Ben Rhydding – Scarboro.

Sunday 28th March 1915:        Gate Picket with Forster, Butler & Lupton.  Reading all day with Billy Groth, who has returned from Hospital.

Monday 29th March 1915:      Stable Picket relieving Br. Smith in morning.  Rifle Range in afternoon.  Passed 1st & 2nd tests.  Came home on 4 days leave.  Left Sheff 7.5 Ben R 10.26 pm.

Tuesday 30th March 1915:      Went to I.G.S. & saw G****.  Sang School Holiday Hymn & was given 3 cheers by scholars.  Pleasant morning.  Played golf with Dad & Miss Whitaker.

Wednesday 31st March 1915:             Went to Scarboro’ for the day.  Left Ben R 7.38 arrived Scarboro’ 11.14.  Saw Grandma  & Auntie.  Saw effects of German Bombardment of Dec 16 1914. Rough Sea.  Ripping day.  Left 5.55. Home 9 PM.

Alfred George Richardson’s Diary Feb 1915

Alfred George Richardson’s Diary Feb 1915

 

Salisbury Plain.

Monday 1st February 1915:     Watched R.F.A. firing howitzers on S. Plain.) MUD                                                                                                  Glorious Day) MUD

Dozens of aeroplanes seen) MUD

Tuesday 2nd February 1915:    Watched R.F.A. firing on S. Plain.  Wet day.  Mud                                                 terrible.  Walked 10 miles in 6” deep mud.  Tired out. Wednesday 3rd February 1915: Reveille 6.0.  Parade 6-20.  Helped 3rd W.R.R.F.A. stables& filled ammn wagons with 15 lb shells.  Mud awful.  Breakfast 8.  Signalling all morning on West Downs.  Saw          Canadians after practice for review by King George.  Ripping & inspiring sight.

Thursday 4th February 1915:   Reveille 7.30.  Went signalling near Canadian Camp.  Saw King Geo review all 30,000 Canadians.  Most inspiring sight I ever saw.  2          Bi-planes continually flew over troops.  Glorious.  Aft holiday.  Walked to Shrewton.  Pretty village.

Friday 5th February 1915:       Reveille 7-30.  Signalling on Plain all morning.  Aft holiday.  Stayed in billets reading the “Times”.  Went to Lipton’s Canteen & had an interesting chat with 2 Canadians.  One of them knew grandfather at the Buttes, Calgary.

Saturday 6th February 1915:   Reveille 7.30.  Signalling all morning on Plain. Raining hard.  Mud indescribable.  Wet through.  After fine.  Walked to Stonehenge.  Ripping.  Quaint old place.  Saw Jack Moore & Tony Moss of advance party of 11th Batt. 4 W.R.R.F.A.

Canadians, with whom we mixed, are the best “sports” I ever came across.  Had several interesting chats with them. Canada has indeed done her share in this terrible war.  Far better equipped than British Army.

Salisbury – Sheffield.

Sunday 7th February 1915:      Walked to Stonehenge with Jack Moore & Tony Moss Alan Senior Tommy Butler, Harry Eagle & Eric Stowel.  Paraded with Kits at 2.45 ready to depart for Sheffield.  Messed about until 4 pm.  Raining fast.  Left billets at 4 & tramped to Amesbury in awful weather.  Mud wretched.  Absolutely wet through.

Monday 8th February 1915:    Waited from 6 till 2.40 am on Amesbury Station!!!  Most awful night I ever spent.  Dripping.  Set off 4-40 am.  Arrived London 9 am.  Peterbro’ 12-30.  Had coffee & scones.  Would you believe it!  Arrived Sheff  4-40 pm.  Never spent such a night before.

Tuesday 9th February 1915:    Signalling on the “Tip” in morning & on Bramall Lane Football Ground in the afternoon.

Wednesday 10th February 1915:  Signalling Bramall Lane in aft.  Battery Parade at Heely Baths in morning.

Thursday 11th February 1915: Signalling all day on Bramall Lane Football Ground.  Y.M.C.A. at night.  Had a bath.

Friday 12th February 1915:     Signalling all day on Bramall Lane Football Ground.  Went to see “Forty Thieves” at the “Hip”.

Saturday 13th February 1915: Signalling at Bramall Lane in morning.  Cleaning Glosop Road Stables 2-3 pm.  Went to Sheff Utd. (1) V Burnley (0).  Fire Picket at night.

Applied for leave but was unsuccessful.

Sheffield.

Sunday 14th February 1915:    Reveille 6.45. Glossop Road Stables 7 – 8-30.  Church Parade at St. Barnabas 10 am. Glossop Rd. Stables 12.30.  Walked round by Bell Inn in afternoon with Geof Stead.  Y.M.C.A. for tea & writing letters at night.

Monday 15th February 1915:  Signalling in morning on Bramall Land Football Ground & in afternoon in Norfolk Park.  Fine day.

Tuesday 16th February 1915:  Shrove Tuesday.  Signalling all day in Bramall Lane.  No pancakes!!!

Wednesday 17th February 1915: Signalling in Bramall Lane in morning.  Half day holiday in aft so went to Cinema House with T.A. Dean.

Thursday 18th February 1915: Signalling all day on Bramall Lane.

Friday 19th February 1915:     Signalling all day on Bramall Lane.

Saturday 20th February 1915: Signalling in morn at Bramall Lane.  Informed by Lieut Walker that I was to be made             Bombardier.  Went to see Cup Tie 3rd Rd.  Sheff Utd. (1) V Bradford (2).  Waiting Man to Pickets.

Put in for leave, but again unsuccessful.  Promised leave for next week by Lieut P.A. Walker.

Sheffield Ben Rhydding

Sunday 21st February 1915:    Promoted to Acting Bombardier along with Geo. Shead.  Church Parade 10.30 at St. Barnabas Ch.  Stables 7 am, 12.30 & 4 pm.  Y.M.C.A. at night.  Supper with Martin.

Monday 22nd February 1915:  Signalling on Bramall Lane.  In charge of party of Signallers (20).  Interview with Lieut Walker about my future duties etc.  Got my stripes.

Tuesday 23rd February 1915:  Stables, Glossop Rd in morning & exercising horses.  In charge of Gate Picket in aft relieving Bomb Becket, (in Riding School).

Wednesday 24th February 1915: Baths & Stables in morning.  Relieved Geo Stead Gate Picket in aft so that he could play soccer in 4th           Section (6) v 2nd Section (0).

Thursday 25th February 1915: Exercising horses in Norfolk Park.  Inoculated at 11 am.  2nd dose.  Helped Doctor to do rest.  Went with Bds Shead & Bulcock to Cinema Café & Y.M.C.A.  Bed 5- 30.

Friday 26th February 1915:     Got up 11 am.  Got paid at 2.30 & went home to Ben R. on 3-52 train.  Arrived Ben R. 5-33 pm.  Went to club. Spent a nice evening over fire.

Saturday 27th February 1915: Got up at 8-30.  Went to Ilkley on bike with Marion Watkinson.  Played golf on Hydro links with Dad & Willie.  Raining hard.  Wet through.  L. Arm a bit stiff.  Went to see Mr & Mrs Beaumont & Miss Whitaker. Went to bed at midnight.

Doncaster.

Sunday 28th February 1915:    Rose at 9am.  Went walk up Drive & Burnley Woodhead, & back by Railway Line.  Afternoon at Miss Whitaker’s.  Saw Dick Cowan.  Left 8.24 pm & arrived Sheffield 11-30.

Alfred George Richardson’s Diary Jan 1915

Alfred George Richardson’s Diary Jan 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.

 

Sheffield.

Friday 1st January 1915:          Signalling in morning.  ½ day holiday.

Saturday 2nd January 1915:     Signalling.

Sunday 3rd January 1915:        Church parade.

Monday 4th January 1915:      Signalling.

Tuesday 5th January 1915:     Field day near Dore & Totleys.  Raining whole day.  Caught a chill.

Wednesday 6th January 1915: Physical Drill & Signalling.

Thursday 7th January 1915:     Started with a Bronchial Cold.  Went to bed at 6 pm.

Friday 8th January 1915:         Saw Surgeon Lieut Wood.  Obtained medicine & went to bed.

Saturday 9th January 1915:     Confined to bed.

Sunday 10th January 1915:      In bed.

Monday 11th January 1915:    In Bed.

Tuesday 12th January 1915:    In bed.

Wednesday 13th January 1915: In bed.  Got up a little & went out for 2 hours to get fresh air.

Thursday 14th January 1915:   Still confined to bed.

Friday 15th January 1915:       At last, able to go out.  Went a short walk in             morning & went on duty once more in the afternoon.

Saturday 16th January 1915:   Signalling in the Drill Hall all morning.  Father & Mother, & Arnold (from Dorchester) over for ½ day.  Very happy day spent.  1st fine day for a long time.

Sunday 17th January 1915:      Church Parade at St Barnabas Ch.  Went walk in aft. with Eric Hampshire round Norfolk Park. Went to Cathedral at night & then walk by Cobner Rd. (Wood seats) & Derbyshire Lane.

Monday 18th January 1915:    Signalling all day.  Went to “Robinson Crusoe.”

Tuesday 19th January 1915:    Field Day near Dore & Totley.

Wednesday 20th January 1915: Signalling.

Thursday 21st January 1915:   Signalling.

Friday 22nd January 1915:       Signalling.  Inoculated (1st dose).  No effects except stiff arm.

Saturday 23rd January 1915:   Signalling in morn.  Went to see Sheff Wed (2) v Liverpool (1).

N.B.  Inoculation is nothing as regards after effects.  Only felt a stiff shoulder & arm, 6 hours afterwards.

Sunday 24th January 1915:      Stable Picket all day.

Monday 25th January 1915:    Signalling.

Tuesday 26th January 1915:    In bed, bad throat.

Wednesday 27th January 1915: In bed, bad throat.

Thursday 28th January 1915:   In bed bad throat.

Friday 29th January 1915:       Signalling.

Saturday 30th January 1915:   Went to Ben R for ½ day.  Left Sheff 1-52 arr Ben R 3- 43. Left Ben R 6-18 Sheff arr 8-53. Absolutely ripping to see home once more.  Had 3 good meals.  Saw all at home.

Salisbury Plain.

Sunday 31st January 1915:      Ripping views of St Paul’s, Thames & Underground Rlys.  Travelled from Sheffield to Amesbury, Salisbury Plain, via London G.N.R.  9.45 – 9.15 pm.  Tramped 9 miles till 12-30.  mud awful.

Diary of 2/Lt. A. B. STREET 26 to 31 Dec 15

Diary of 2/Lt. A. B. STREET

48 SIEGE BATTERY RGA

Opened 26 December 1915

 

26th Dec. 1915 Sunday.  Paraded at 7.0am.  Sgt. Murphy and 25 men to escort guns and caterpillars to Avonmouth by road.  Raining hard.  Left the gun park at 7.40, weather cleared up shortly after starting.  Hutchings who was in charge of the caterpillars and I went to breakfast with Meade King’s whose house we passed.  Caterpillars going very well, passed through Bridgewater at noon and on the outskirts stopped for about ½ hr whilst a photo was taken, just after this had heavy shower of rain.  Weather otherwise bright and sunny.

Some miles further on Hutchings and I went ahead in lorry to arrange where to stop the night.  Decided on Cross a small village 28m from Taunton.  Caterpillars arrived just after 6.0.  Left a guard of 6 men and 2 NCOs and took remainder into Axbridge about a mile away, billeted the men for the night, it started to rain soon after 7.0 pm.  Hutchings and I had some dinner at the Lamb Inn Axbridge then went back to Cross to see that everything was all right.  Slept at Axbridge.

 

27th Dec. Monday.  Up at 5.0 am and took all the men back to Cross: Caterpillars got under way about 7.20, raining hard.  H & I returned to Axbridge for breakfast.  Soon after this it stopped raining and cleared up, paid the billets and followed Caterpillars up in lorry.  They were doing fairly well.  Very up and down country and pretty; Wind got up and was soon blowing a gale.  Trouble with one of the Caterpillars delayed us about noon when the convoy of lorries with Capt. Langford, Meade King and Hill came up with us.

Had some lunch at a Pub Meade King stayed with Hutchings and me.  The other two went on with the convoy.  Caterpillars were giving some trouble and delayed us; passed through Bristol about 4.0 and at Clifton Hutchings and I went on to Avonmouth to see Langford re arrangements for “packing” etc.  A very strong gale blowing.  Found I had to send my men back by 11.5 train; arranged for them to have hot meal at 8.45.  last gun arrived in about 7.45.  Marched the men down to their meal and went and had one myself with the others at The Miles Arms.

Soon after 10.0 went and paid for the mens’ meal and put them in charge of Hill to return to Taunton.  Langford, Hutchings Meade King and I motored to the Queen’s Hotel Clifton for the night.

 

28th Dec. Tuesday.  All motored over to Avonmouth shortly after 10.  Reported arrival of guns to Embarkation Officer who told us we were to sail in the Hunsgate a 600 ton German vessel captured off the E. coast of Africa.

We received instructions to load next morning at 8.0 and during the afternoon we were told to get the Caterpillars and guns ready on the wharf, this was done easily but on trying to get some of the lorries to the wharf they stuck in the road which was very bad  and 2 had to be hauled out by a Caterpillar.  The rest were then kept outside on the road.  We returned to The Queens for the night.

 

29th Dec. Wednesday. Up early and over to the Docks by 8.0.  It was decided to load the Caterpillars and guns where they were and then to shift the ship to another berth to which the lorries could drive up easily.  This was done about midday.  Langford with Hutchings and all the men except the 15 who were going with us on the ship returned to Taunton by the 1.53 train.  All but about 20 lorries were loaded at the end of the day.  Meade King and I returned to Queens Hotel, the men being in the Rest Camp.

 

30th Dec. Thursday.  From a phone message we heard that the whole of the remainder of the battery left Taunton at 2.0 am for embarkation at Gosport.

Over at the Docks again soon after 8.0.  They finished loading the lorries during the day.  Meade King and I, as all the cars were now loaded, had to use the bus or train for going to and fro.  I went to the Hippodrome but it didn’t please me much.

 

31st Dec. Friday.  Went over to the docks.  Still loading Tentage but were soon stopped owing to the rain.  Nothing to do, cannot get leave to go away as they will not say when the ship will sail, very fed up.

F Hammond letter 30 Dec 15

Written on an opened out brown envelope.

 

30.12.15

 

Dear F & M

I am in the pink.  We can only hear the wind howling at night now.  We had a very good Xmas.  I went down to our HQ and spent the night there we had a good feed and plenty of everything to drink including cigars so I didn’t do so bad.  I hope you enjoyed yourself as well as I did.  We are now looking forward to the New Year and of course all being well the Scotch always keep it up.  I shan’t be home in time to let it in this year but I hope this time next year we shall all be together to let it in.  I went for a bath tonight and spent a couple of hours at solo whist afterwards in an estaminet so we don’t spend a bad time when in rest.  How did Geo & Will look?  I hope Mar & Dad are keeping well and that Gladys is going strong.

I got some tobacco & cigs from Willie the other day.  A 1lb tin so I have put it on the table and the lads all come along with their pipes.  I had the misfortune to lose my washing a few weeks ago a shell dropped in the garden and blew it to na’ pue otherwise Il na yen a plus.  There is a cinema a few yds away but I have not had time to visit it yet too busy at Xmas.  I wish you all prosperity in the New Year hoping that all are well.  I will now fini

Yours Burgy

How’s alias Turk