WAR DIARY

OF 2/Lt. Alfred Benjamin STREET

48 SIEGE BATTERY RGA

1^st Feb. Tuesday.  Took the gun escort down to the Quay and accompanied guns and Caterpillars up to the Camp.  Parked guns in afternoon.  Met Carey who was with me at Pembroke Dock.  Mail in.  Fine sunny day.

2^nd Feb. Wednesday.  Weather same. Camp Orderly Off: Mail came in & out.  No 1 gun was put up and Harvey put down beams.

3^rd Feb. Thursday. Weather same.  Went out on a bike for latter half of morning to see Signallers.  Paraded at 7.0p.m. to put down my gun.  Did not get line laid out till 9 p.m.  Beams went in fairly well, Bed wanted a little coaxing, Cradle went down very well at front end but there was bad delay at the rear end owing to the pins through the lifting screws having got bent in travelling and there was great difficulty in getting them out, Gun went in well.  Left hand door of earth box would not shut, filled the box with earth without difficulty.  Finished at 4.0 am.

4^th Feb. Friday.  Went with Q.M.S. in side car to get the pay and to settle some bills, paid out at 12.0.  Battery Drill in afternoon.  Weather same.

5^th Feb. Sat.  Dull.  Rain all afternoon.  Went out with Signallers in the m’ning along the shore.  Dined out with the Major at the Kednical in the evening.

6^th Feb. Sunday.  Fine and sunny again.  Took Church Parade, open air service.  Hill and I went to the English Church in the evening 6.15 and afterwards dined at Larene’s.

7^th Feb. Monday.  Weather same.  Route march from 8.0 to 12.15 rather hot and trying.  Mail came in.  Walked into the Town with Harvey after tea.

8^th Feb. Tuesday.  Weather same.  Took Breech Mechanism to pieces with Harvey in m’ning and ditto to hand receiver and microphone of D3 ‘phone with Cpl. Sandwell in afternoon.  Harvey and White each put down a gun at night.

9^th Feb. Wednesday.  Rained a lot up to 7.0.a.m. and flooded several of the tents out, spent the m’ning draining.  Batty drill in afternoon.  I did B. C.  Camp & B. Ord Off.  Shifted to a separate tent.

10^th Feb. Thursday.  Lovely fine sunny day rather warmer.  Light Element: with Harvey in m’ning.  Cleaning gun in afternoon.  Hill and I went to tea in the Town

11^th Feb. Friday.  Weather same. Battery drill in m’ning, sorting stores in afternoon.  Harvey and I dined in Mahomet Ali Club.

12^th Feb. Saturday. Weather same.  Went out with Signallers in m’ning to Hadra Lake.  Rifle inspection at 2.0p.m.

13^th Feb. Sunday.  Dull sultry day.  Church at 7.0a.m. and at 6.15 with Hill and afterwards at Larene’s.  Mail in.

14^th Feb. Monday.  Fine sunny warm day.  Route march from 8.0to 12 under Capt Hart, the Major being at a Court Martial.  Mail in.  Wrote letters in the afternoon.

15^th Feb. Tuesday.  Weather same.  In m’ning went with the Major to Nazha Gdns near Hadra Lake.  Signallers laying line from Water Wks Hill to Hadra Lake out with them in afternoon.

16^th Feb. Wednesday. Weather same.  Camp and Battery Ord. Off: in Camp all day.  Wrote some letters.  Telegram came in asking us for strength etc. and whether ready to move.

17^th Feb. Thursday.  Squally m’ning fine later. Battery drill in m’ning.  Reconnoitring phone line between Water Wks Hill and Battery in afternoon.  After dinner went with Longford, Hutchings and Hill to the American Cosmograph, very good pictures.

18^th Feb. Friday.  Fine sunny day.  Out with Signallers all day, laying line from Water Wks Hill to battery.  Walked with the Major into the Town after tea.

19^th Feb. Saturday. Fine sunny day rather windy.  Checking stores in the m’ning and saw to the finishing of the line started yesterday.  Rest of the Battery was employed in digging Cartridge recesses and stacking the shell which we had drawn on Thursday and Friday.  We now have our full supply of ammunition, 320 rounds, except the 5% spare tubes.  Walked into Town after tea with the Major and Meade King.

20^th Feb. Sunday.  Dull early fairly fine day.  Church at 7am and 6.15 dined afterwards (alone) at Larene’s.

21^st Feb. Monday. Fine sunny day.  Route march for 4 ¾ hours, all very “fed up” out to Sidi Bashr.  2Lieut. W.R.O. Melvlle joined the Battery, came out on the Olympic with the others.  Walked into Town before tea to cash a cheque at Cox’s.

22^nd Feb. Tuesday.  Fine fairly sunny day.  Camp and Battery Ord. Off.  In Camp all morning.  Went out in afternoon to find fault in line between Water Wks Hill & Hadra Lake.  Returned at 5pm.  Mail out.

23^rd Feb. Wednesday.  Fine sunny day. Battery drill in the m’ning, afternoon put Signallers on to marking their stores.  Rt half did night Battery Drill.

24^th Feb. Thursday.  Rather dull but fine.  Battery Drill in morning.  With signallers in afternoon.  Went with Hill and Harvey to American Cosmograph after dinner.

25^th Feb. Friday.  Fine sunny day. Battery drill in morning, did B.C. up on Water Wks Hill.  Had orders to move to Hadra Camp on Wed. 1^st Mch.  Tried soldering ‘phone wires in afternoon.  Mail in.

26^th Feb. Saturday.  Fine sunny day.  With the Signallers in the m’ning doing test messages.  Kit inspection in afternoon.  Received orders to move to Suez probably at end of next week.  At 7pm all officers and men ordered to return to Camp due to report that the Austrian fleet was out and also that the Arabs might rise.  Guards increased and supplied with ammunition.  Mail in.

27^th Feb. Sunday.  Dullish day with nasty wind which carried lots of sand.  Took Church Parade as Orderly Officer.  Scare of yesterday over and we resumed our usual state of affairs.  Went to Church at 6.15 and dined at Larene’s.

28^th Feb. Monday.  Fine sunny day.  With Signallers in the morning reeling in the Hadra Lake – Water Wks Hill line.  No afternoon parade.  Went into the Town after tea with Meade King. Battery drill 8.30 pm to 10.

29^th Feb. Tuesday.  Rather dull but fine.  Route march from 8 – 12, very fed up.  Went into the Town after tea, met Harvey there.

H.E. WITTY Feb 16

18^th SIEGE BATTERY R.G.A.

1. Section

1^st February 1916.  Tuesday.  On telephone exchange – very clear & frosty intensely cold – German aeroplanes over battery – heavily shelled and engaged by British craft – Shrapnel shells & bullets fall in vicinity of camp – Letter from R.  ANS.

2^nd February 1916.  Wednesday.  OFF DUTY.  Kit inspection to discover the theft of revolver & binoculars stolen from Canadian Police.  Bottrill’s bad news.  Letter N.T. JB (O.H.).  ANS.  Sent R’s letter.

3^rd February 1916. Thursday.  On No 2 Gun.  Nothing doing – Lovely weather – Arrival of Schoolchildren’s gift.  Letter from F. Crommins.  ANS.  Wrote Norman.

4^th February 1916.  Friday.  Wet and stormy – Repairing line in the morning.  Letter from Scott.  ANS. Shippens return (3days overdue – 14 days NO. 2 and 3 days Royal Warrant).  Botrill went on leave this am.  New cap issued.

5^th February 1916. Saturday.  At O.P. Le Bizet – Abnormally clear day – rather cold.  Excellent for observation. – Turned out 5.30 am and was at L.B. a little after 7 am. Saw my first German – a party working in a corner of a field being plainly visible.  Late in afternoon G. transports became numerous on the road leading into Frelinghann – Canadian 60 pounder opened fire on the road with disastrous results to the transports – Flying men plainly visible – broken transports – minus wheels etc left in road.  Jolly good shooting.  Had a close look at Brasserie – utterly demolished.  Interview with “Madame” whose husband was in Salonica – many air duels owing to clearness of observation.  Arrived back about 6 pm.  Read greater part of 2^nd volume of Three Musketeers – Had a letter from Miss Road – Answered 6^th.  Discovery of Mr. Mallin’s coat (Burberry).

6^th February 1916.  Sunday.  On telephone exchange – bath in the morning – pcl from N.S. letters Hilda & Gladys – ANS.  Johnson’s leave comes at 11.45 pm – had to rouse him and the cooks out.  Very fine in day but rainy and stormy in evening.  On night duty.

7^th February 1916. Monday.  OFF Duty.  No 1 Gun stands by for aeroplane.  Knight returns – stormy but sun shiny.  NO MAIL.  Wrote”the streak”.

8^th February 1916. Tuesday.  New Era in Signalling – advent of gun drill class – for one hour daily – commonly Known as ”Harry Tate’s Gun Crew” very wet and stormy in the morning but gradually clearing off – cold – Return of Kelly.  Letters – Mrs. Underwood and Doris.

9^th February 1916. Wednesday.  Gloriously fine day – very warm – laying lines to Petit Pont Farm joining up to the 52^nd Bde lines using 52^nd bty O.P. tomorrow for the great shoot.  Returned for dinner 2.30 pm.  ”Hot times” for Plug Street, especially the Church.  Letters R., N.T., Kathie.  ANS.

10^th February 1916. Thursday.  Weather continues to keep fine.  Repairing line from No 1 Gun to Billet.  In action in afternoon.  Fired my rounds on FACTORY FARM – Major observing.  In different shoot.  Letters from Housham and Bottrill and F. Pcl from home.  ANS.

Arrival of leave passes for Monery and myself.

11^th February 1916. Friday.  Left N.E. 3 am – Steenwerk 5.31 am.  Arrived BOULOGNE 10.30 am – left B 12.30 pm.  Stormy crossing – vile seasickness – arrived Victoria 5.30 am.  Visited Walter and Edith.  Left Kings X 11.45 pm.  Arrived home 7 am Saturday.

12^th February 1916. Saturday.  Went to N.B. in morning in sidecar – then to Bridlington for money and licence.  Tea with R. at Taylor’s – Travelled to Filey saw Nell and 21.  Returned 9 pm.  Had an excellent night’s rest.  Wedding unable to be celebrated on Monday or Tuesday owing to necessity of ministers being present at York on those days.

13^th February 1916. Sunday.  The “day of days”.  Arose 9 am – went to Parker’s to see about car – visited School Hs. and Mrs. P. also Mr. Simpson.  Left F. at 1.15 pm.  Wedding at 2 pm.  A.1. Left N.B. at 4.20 arriving at Scarboro’ via Fairview at 6.30.  Caught 6.45 arriving York 8.25.  Found digs and settled down.

14^th February 1916. Monday.  Breakfast 9. am.  Sat in front of fire most of morning – visited Mr. Underwood’s – did a little shopping – dined at Terry’s.  Wrote letters in afternoon – tea at Underwood’s and finished up with “BETTY”.

15^th February 1916. Tuesday.  Turned out at 9.15 am – spent morning in writing etc.  Dinned at Terry’s – shopping and visited COLLEGE.  Only 40 students resident.  Interviewed TAGGY MOORHOUSE and old caretakers, spent evening in room reading.

16^th February 1916. Wednesday.  Very stormy – stayed indoors in morning.  Left for Leeds 12.20 pm – wired Harry & sent pcs to Westfield.  F. & W.B.  Visited Leeds Picture Ho.  Returned 6.43 – stayed indoors.

17^th February 1916. Thursday.  Visited Underwood’s – Mrs. U’s present – Left York 12 arrived H. 3 pm.  Visited Sch.  Tea at F. Mrs C. takes us to N.B.

18^th February 1916. Friday.  Had brecker in bed – arose 11 am.  Stayed till 7 pm – Had Wilson – arrived home 7.45.  Left 9.0 pm.  Arrived Hull 11 pm.

19^th February 1916. Saturday.  Arrived Selby 12.20 – King’s X 6.0 am.  Walked across London to Victoria.  Left V. 9.45 am.  Folkestone 12.30.  Arrived Boulogne 3 pm and marched to Rest Camp.

20^th February 1916. Sunday.  Birthday – spent in Rest Camp.  Reading ”Way of an Eagle”.  Left 5.30 pm and arrived Steenwerck 12.30 am (Sat).

21^st February 1916. Monday.  Arrived N. Eglise 1.30 am.  Found R.X. gone.  Slept with Bottrill.  Spent day doing nothing.

22^nd February 1916. Tuesday.  On telephone duty – Left 5.30 pm for to join R.X.  Arrived Poperinghe 11 pm.  Stayed there the night.

23^rd February 1916.  Wednesday.  Unpacked at crossing and moved stores to camp between Poperinghe & Elverdinge by motor lorry – rotten camp

24^th February 1916.  Thursday.  On telephone duty with Knowles.

25^th February 1916.  Friday.  Off duty.

26^th February 1916.  Saturday. Laying lines to New Gun position.

27^th February 1916.  Sunday.  Examining lines – very snowy weather & cold.

28^th February 1916.  Monday.  On the line again to Gun No 2 preparing position digging holdfasts etc in a blizzard.

29^th February 1916.  Tuesday.  At O.P. motored – visited 3 gth & 4^th passed through Elverdinge & Brielen to neighbourhood of YPRES.

Crossed Yser – very hot. Recommended for DCM

Moorside

Crowborough

Friday

2.16

Dear Gladys,

I had a letter from Fred during the week he has gone back to the trenches.  It is beastly weather for him.  I had a letter from Elsie this week telling me that Aunt Sarah had been over.  How are you getting along with the scholarship.   I have some very interesting news for you this week.  Last Sunday to Monday I was in bed again with influenza but am quite alright now.

Well last Wednesday 3 of us were absorbed into the Battalion strength – this means that I am no longer an additional officer liable to be moved to any other unit, but am a fixture.  In peace time this is considered to be promotion on the first step towards real promotion.  Well to improve matters there was an examination on Thursday for junior officers by the Divisional Board unless this exam is passed they will not send us out.  To get on with the tale there was an oral exam and we had to parade again at 5pm for a written exam only those who had passed the oral were allowed to stay, you will be surprised to hear that only 14 out of the whole Brigade passed – 3 were from out Battalion and I was one of them.  I have been working very hard lately as I wanted promotion as much as anyone.  My OC Company, the junior Major, was delighted and congratulated me.

The greatest event of all is that Burn’s marriage is off.  Mr. A wrote to his father telling him what A had called his mother his father has ticked him off.  Then Mrs. A went over to Stockport and saw Mrs. Brocklehurst and told her everything she possible could – result Arthur the juggler is rejected and all arrangements had been made for a wedding to take place the first week in March.  I will give you more details when I come home, I rather dislike the thought of meeting AB again.  He will be sure to think I am the originator of all of this however it serves him right.

Well I have no more news at present, next time you write make it a bit longer & find out how much Harding will let me have 500 of my special cigarettes for.  I am enclosing 10/- for a birthday present, can’t raise more at present

Fondest love to all

Your loving brother

George

PS Many happy returns dear. G

SECRET

Appendix I

Copy No 14

55^th (West Lancs:) Divisional Artillery

Order No 7

29^th February 1916

Ref: 1/20,000 sheet 51c S.E. and 1/100,000 sheet 11. LENS

1. The 2^nd North Midland F.A. Bde is to be relieved in the 55^th Divisional Artillery by the 14^th Bde R.F.A., 68^th & 88^th Batteries R.F.A. (each of 6 – 18 pr guns) from the 4^th Division.
2. The 68^th and 88^th Batteries will take over the positions at present occupied by the 12^th, 13^th and 14^th Lancs Batteries and will be under the tactical control of Lt. Col J.P. Reynolds, Comdg Left Group, but will continue to be administered by C.C. 14^th Brigade R.F.A.

The 13^th Lancs Battery will replace the 1^st Staffs Battery and remain in the Left Group.

The 12^th Lancs Battery will replace the 2^nd Staffs Battery under tactical control of Lt. Col L.J. Osborn, Comdg Right Group.

The 14^th Lancs Battery will replace the 3^rd Staffs Battery under tactical control of Lt. Col. T.E. Topping D.S.O. Comdg Left Centre Group.

C.C. 3^rd West Lancs F.A. Bde will continue to administer 12^th and 14^th Lancs Batteries.

3. To effect the above the following moves will be carried out by sections on the nights 1^st/2^nd & 2^nd/3^rd March, to commence at 7.30 p.m. each night.

Night 1^st/2^nd March

(a) Right section 88^th Battery will relieve Right Section 13^th Lancs battery at R.10.a.2.7.

Right section 68^th Battery will relieve Left Section 14^th Lancs Battery at R.10.a.4.8.

Centre Section 68^th Battery will relieve Right Section 12^th Lancs Battery at R.10.a.6.9.

(b) Sections thus relieved will then relieve corresponding sections of 2^nd North Midland F.A. Bde.

13^th Lancs Bty – 1^st Staffs Bty at R.9.c.2.9.

14^th     “       “      3^rd     “      “   at R14.b.8.9.

12^th   “        “      2^nd     “      “   at Q.24.a.9 ½ 2 ½.

(c) Sections of 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Staffs Batteries will on relief move to wagon lines.

Night 2^nd/3^rd March

(a) Centre Section 88^th Battery will relieve Left Section 13^th Lancs Battery.

Left Section 88^th Battery will relieve Right Section 14^th Lancs Battery.

Left Section 68^th Battery will relieve Left Section 12^th Lancs Battery.

(b) sections thus relieved will then relieve corresponding sections of 2^nd North Midland F.A. Bde.

13^th Lancs Battery – 1^st Staffs Bty at R9c.2.9

14^th Lancs Battery – 3^rd Staffs Bty at R14b8.9.

12^th Lancs Battery – 2^nd Staffs Bty at Q24a.9 ½ .2 ½.

(c) Sections of the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Staffs Batteries will on relief move to the wagon lines.

No movement of vehicles will take place E. of BEAUMETZ before 5.45 p.m. on each night.

No section will move from its present position until arrival of relieving section.

4. H.Q.14^th Brigade R.F.A. is to move to billets at BEAUMETZ arriving 12 noon March 1^st O.C. 14^th Brigade R.F.A. will take over from 2^nd North Midland F.A. Bde by direct arrangement with the later.
5. O’s C. relieving batteries will not take over command at their new positions until the relief has been completed.
6. Wagon lines for 68^th and 88^th Batteries will be at SAULTY.
7. On March 1^st the 14^th Brigade Ammunition Column is to move to SAULTY and section 4^th Divisional Ammunition Column to GRINCOURT where it will be attached to 55^th Divisional Ammunition Column.
8. Instructions regarding supply of ammunition and moves of units of 2^nd North Midland F.A. Bde will be issued later.

1. Benson

Major R.A.

Brigade Major

55^th Divisional Arty.

Issued at 8.30 p.m.

Copy no    1.  Right Group Comdr. 1^st W.L. F.A. Bde.

2. Centre Group Comdr 2^nd W.L. F.A. Bde.
3. Left Group Comdr 3^rd W.L. F.A. Bde.
4. 4^th W.L. F.A. Bde.
5. 2^nd North Midland F.A. Bde.
6. 4^th North Midland F.A. Bde.
7. 55^th Div. Amm. Col.
8. 55^th Div (G)
9. 4^th Div Arty
10. 14^th Brigade R.F.A.
11. do
12.              do
13. File.
14. War Diary.
15. Staff Capt.
16. Signals.
17. 7^th Corps Arty.

SECRET

Appendix I (a)

Copy No 14

55^th (West Lancs:) Divisional Artillery

29^th February 1916

Reference Map 1/100,000 Sheet no 11 LENS

1. The following moves will take place tomorrow March 1^st, in accordance with instructions from 7^th Corps.

2^nd North Mid. Ammn. Column at SAULTY and section 46^th D.A.C. (attached 55^th D.A.C.) at WARLINCOURT, will move at 7 p.m. to billets at a place to be notified later.

1. The 14^th Bde A.C. from 4^th Division is to arrive at SAULTY at 2 p.m. March 1^st and will be responsible for supply of ammunition to its own sections and those of the 18 pr Bde (3^rd W. Lancs) which it is relieving at and after 7 p.m. March 1^st.

O.C. 3^rd W. Lancs Ammn. Column at SAULTY will provide guides as required by O.C. 14^th B.A.C.

3. The 3^rd West Lancs Ammn. Column will be responsible for supply of ammunition to its own sections which relieve those of 2^nd N. Mid Bde and to sections of the 2^nd N.M.F.A. Bde at and after 7 p.m. March 1^st.
4. Sections 4^th Divisional Ammunition Column is to join 55^th Divisional Ammunition Column at GRINCOURT near WARLINCOURT at 2 p.m. March 1^st and will commence supply of ammunition at and after 7 p.m. March 1^st.
5. Wagon Lines of one Battery 2^nd N.M.F.A. Bde will move from BAVINCOURT to billets at SAULTY vacated by 2^nd N.M. Ammn. Column under Brigade arrangements.

1. Benson

Major R.A.

Brigade Major

55^th Divisional Arty.

Issued at 9.15 p.m.

Copy no    1.  Right Group Comdr. 1^st W.L. F.A. Bde.

2. Centre Group Comdr 2^nd W.L. F.A. Bde.
3. Left Group Comdr 3^rd W.L. F.A. Bde.
4. 4^th W.L. F.A. Bde.
5. 2^nd North Midland F.A. Bde.
6. 4^th North Midland F.A. Bde.
7. 55^th Div. Amm. Col.
8. 55^th Div (G)
9. 4^th Div Arty
10. 14^th Brigade R.F.A.
11. do
12. do
13. File.
14. War Diary.
15. Staff Capt.
16. Signals.
17. 7^th Corps Arty.
18. Town Major SAULTY