H.E. WITTY Apr 1916

18^th SIEGE BATTERY R.G.A.

1. Section

1^st April 1916.  Saturday.  Counter-battery work – fired 23 rounds with aeroplane observation.  Early shoot excellent – remainder indifferent.  Finished 1.30 pm.  At close one shell fell 200 yds beyond gun near railway line.  On reaching billets 62 shells fell in wood nearest 18 yds from gun.  One fell in R.F.A. horse lines 30 yds from boys playing footer.  4.2 battery again.  Letters from Renie and Scott.  Answered.

2^nd April 1916.  Sunday.  Gun position shelled again.  Engine draws gun from position into safety.  NO MAIL.  Church parade in camp.  At Garden Street O.P. with Gill.  Left Camp at 8 A.M. walked to Reigersburg via Elverdinge & Brielen.  Repaired 4 Siege line near Chateau.  Found break near 43^rd dug-out.  Crossed Yser Canal and mended two breaks in trenches.  Abnormally clear day.  German positions well seen.  Very quiet in front of YPRES.  Had narrow escape at E., a piece of shell passing between our heads – from a high ex shell in our rear.  Reached O.P. 12.30 and landed back 4 pm.

3^rd April 1916.  Monday.  On duty – nothing doing – preparation for the great bombardment – (1) laying line to O.P.s (2) unloading shell (3) preparing dummy guns.  Fritz paid us no attention as we were not firing – lovely day temp 70^o.  Parcel from Renie.  Ans.  On night duty.  Had a bath – read “Shanghaied”, “39 Steps” “A Moment’s Error” (Marchmont).

4^th April 1916.  Tuesday.  OFF DUTY – finished 9 A.M.  Grand Bombardment fired 61 rds – broke up German trenches & demolished MOUSETRAP FARM.  On battery in the afternoon – little retaliation.  Very cold today.  No MAIL. Bottrill at O.P. narrow escape from an HZ11.  Signs complemented on the excellency of the line. Col praises F.O.P. work.

5^th April 1916.  Wednesday.  On battery.  2^nd day of bombardment – 89 Rds – splendid results.  German retaliation – no casualties – in action from 9 A.M. to 5 p.m. MAIL – Letters Hilda & Kathie.  ANS.  Lovely warm day – chilly at night.

6^th April 1916.  Thursday.  Turned out at 4.30 A.M. with Cundrole to go to SPINNEY HOUSE O.P. with Mr Campbell – Travelled in car to Pioneer Corner – Huns very active – shelled battery in front of O.P. with Gas and Explosive shells which fell within 200 yds of O.P.  Finished 5.30 P.M.  Returned to Camp.  Passed through Elverdinge which was being shelled – NO MAIL – Battery shelled with 5.9s no damage.

7^th April 1916. Friday.  Relaying Hd Qrs O.P. line to No 1 GUN in morning.  Road & rest camp shelled in afternoon (broke our wire which I repaired).   Shelled the gun with 5.9.  Inspected the line under shell fire.  Letters R. Mag (pc).  Papers (O.H.) Scott.  ANS.

8^th April 1916.  Saturday.  Turned out early – walked along the line to REIGERSBERG with Shippen.  Tapped in at 43^rd dug out and got the order C.I.  Reached camp just before dinner.  On the whole things very quiet.  Took in line from Garden St. to REIGERSBERG.  Gun drawn out of action.  Two dummies substituted in the wood to draw enemy fire.  Very successful.  Letters Gladys & Scott.  ANS.

9^th April 1916. Passion Sunday.  On duty – fine day – in action with No 2 GUN air observation – Gun position shelled 50 shells.  Leggett wounded – Letters from Bee re Norman’s operation and R.  Ans – wrote Mother – sent R a pc **** her tomorrow – On night duty.  Read Shrewsbury.

10^th April 1916. Monday.  Off duty – shelled by 5.9’s at 7 a.m. – broke all lines in neighbourhood of gun.  Repaired same under shell fire – seeking “souvenirs” in afternoon – Letters Frank, M and Gilbert.  ANS.  Wrote Renie.  Lovely sunny day.  Skelton sees me in morning.  Excellent shooting 12 O.K.s in 16 Rounds.

11^th April 1916.  Tuesday.  Cold, wet, miserable.  Nothing doing – playing Bridge in morning.  Reading in afternoon.  On line after tea. Letters Miss Road, J.B. (O.H.) Ans.  No shelling.

12^th April 1916.  Wednesday.  Turned out early to inspect line to 4 Siege – laid new line there with Bottrill – Incessant rain – returned Noon – got into bed – had to turn out again as line broken – tapped in at DIRTY BUCKET CORNER – found break in wood – returned tea – wet through – in bed.  Letters R., N.J., Scott.  ANS.

13^th April 1916. Thursday.  On R.E. lines in morning.  Nothing doing in afternoon – very cold and windy – intermittent showers – Letters from home, Ma, Kathie (with photograph) and J. Robinson.  Mags from home also.  Very quiet – nothing doing – too windy for action.

14^th April 1916. Friday.  Cleaning side car in morning.  Also connecting O.P. exchange with battery – nothing doing in afternoon – NO MAIL.

15^th April 1916. Saturday.  Turned out at 4.15 am motored to PIONEER CORNER and then walked to SPINNEY HOUSE.  On duty there till 6 Sunday morning – very quiet on the whole – Letters sent up by car in evening when O-O was relieved.  Letters Peg, Alice, Mrs Proudfoot, Gilbert.  ANS.  With Hughes – very cold night.  Relieved by 4 Siege.  Came back in car.

16^th April 1916.  Palm Sunday.  Humour of Fritz signalling from aeroplane “Hurrah” when strafing our dummy gun.  Returned in car from O.P. 7 a.m. – Huns sent over 200 (5.9 shells) near NO 1 GUN position – much damage in wood – cartridge recess fired but DUMMY and shells untouched.  Rendered position untenable – taking in line from this position – Line badly damaged.  NO MAIL.

17^th April 1916.  Monday.  On duty – very quiet – battery played R.F.A. and beat them 6-1.  Visit of A/Corps Commander – Pcl from R.  (ANS).  GILL & Cardwell at O.P. (Canal Bank).  No strafing – no guns in action – cold with rain.

18^th April 1916.  Tuesday.  OFF DUTY – very wet and stormy.  Read “In raiment white” (Quex).  Nothing doing.  Wrote John Bull on C.O.  Letter from R.  ANS. To be despatched tomorrow.

19^th April 1916.  Wednesday.  Cold and showery.  Reeling wire in morning and burying cable – Same in afternoon.  Very quiet altogether – Letters N.T. ANS.  Sent off R’s & John Bull’s letters.  Night alarm – great activity round St. Eloi – guns called into action – laying lines to old No 1 position.  No firing.

20^th April 1916. Thursday.  Burying line from 4 Siege – sunny but cold and windy.  Departure of 90^th A.C. R.F.A.  Reeling wire in afternoon – Letters Gladys, home, S.C from Scott.  Nothing doing – no firing.  ANS correspondence.

21^st April 1916.  Good Friday.  Turned out at 5 A.M. on battery – strafed Fritz – 86 Rds – little retaliation – NEAREST 100 yds – many ‘duds’.  Excellent shooting especially on HIGH COMMAND redoubt.  Bolt on O.P. (2 a.m.)  Letters R.S. & paper from home.  ANS.  16 5.9 shells near No 1 last night.

22^nd April 1916.  Saturday.  On duty during the day – constant rain therefore nothing doing – on night duty also – Read “The Unnamed” (Quex).  Learnt from 14 Corps that Skelton left a week ago for “Somewhere”.  NOMAIL.

23^rd April 1916.  Easter Sunday.  Fritz sends souvenirs over all day at intervals – no damage – aircraft very active – shell cases fall in camp – one through Sgts hut – Pages’ narrow escape – off duty – Letter from Frank (Ans – asked for necessaries).   Reading BUTOR CHAPERON (Williamson).

24^th April 1916.  Monday.  At O.P. – Turned out at 3.45 a.m. & left camp for C.A. at 5 a.m. with Mallins – Huns heavy shelling of all batteries especially Dawson’s Corner with incendiary shells.  Camp shelled all the night unceasingly & No 2 put out of action in morning – 300 shells in one day – No 1 Magazine exploded – Interview with General Wardrop at O.P.  NO MAIL – Glorious day – very warm.

25^th April 1916.  Tuesday.  Left O.P. at 6.30 and walked back to camp after waiting at PIONEER Corner for “the car that never came” for 1 hour.  Arrived about 9 a.m. – lovely weather continues – Read BUTOR CHAPERON, “The One Before” and “Lieutenant etc” (By Sapper).  Yesterday “Pop” bombed early this morning.  Off duty – Gun got away 4 A.M. to be done up.  No shelling today.  NO MAIL – Very fine.

26^th April 1916.  Wednesday.  Awakened 6.20 a.m by shell dropping in front of Officer’s Mess which was demolished the same shot killing Mr. Dyke instantly.   Frost wounded – only casualties – Camp shelled for 3 hrs with 5.9 and 4.2 – many huts demolished, cookhouse destroyed etc.  Exodus in pyjamas, stocking feet, men minus coats, hats etc – great excitement.  Splendid bursts and good shooting – Glorious fine day – breakfasted in a farm house (coffee and a slice of bread and butter). Dined at H. Qrs off bread and bully – tea same place.  In action from emergency position in afternoon – aeroplane shoot enemy shelled old positions – Gill at O.P. Campbell (vice Dyke) at Canal Bank.  Letters R., Home, Gilbert.  ANS.  R. others with F.P.C.  After tea went to RENINGLOST in lorries (8 miles) to be present at Mr. Dyke’s interment.  Buried at dusk – very impressive and very sad.

27^th April 1916.  Thursday.  Had a good night at HD QRS in hut – laid a line to Evergenay Pn and new HD. QRS – out all day – others busy removing remains of camp to new pn. – Excellent site in every way – Letters Kathie, Alice, Ma, N.T., Home (papers).  ANS.  Slept in open – very fine day.

28^th April 1916.  Friday.  Had a splendid night – fresh air treatment fine.  Out in morning with BOTT connecting up Emergency Pn to CX and CG4 – Lines smashed to pieces – tedious work.  Weather excellent.  Mr. Mallins appointed O.O.  NO MAIL.

29^th April 1916.  Saturday.  On duty with Arrowsmith – lovely day.  In action – fired 12 shots counter-battery work – On night duty – “went off” for five minutes – Capt walked in at 1 a.m. and found me in the land of nod – Explanations – let off owing to long hours.  Results in shortening of telephone hours – Bombardment near St. Eloi – very intensive.  John Bull from R.

30^th April 1916.  Low Sunday.  Glorious day – off duty – Kit inspection at 11 a.m. – much missing attributed to “shell fire” – Letter from R.  ANS.

A.G. Richardson’s Diary April 1916

Pernois.

Saturday 1^st 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 2^nd April 1916:           Went to Havernas for rations at 10.30 am.  Beautiful day.  Went into woods with Eagle.

Monday 3^rd April 1916:          Went to Havernas for rations.  On Guard.  Nice night.

Tuesday 4^th April 1916:          Went for rations to Havernas at 11.30 am & returned at 3 pm.

Wednesday 5^th 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 6^th April 1916:         Rose at 8 am & went for rations at 10 am in Heavens. On guard at night.

Friday 7^th April 1916:             Rose at 8 am & went for rations at Heavens.  Returned at 3 pm.

Saturday 8^th 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 9^th 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 10^th April 1916:        Went to Heavens for rations at 10 am & returned at 2 pm.  On Wagon Lines guard at 6 pm.

Tuesday 11^th April 1916:        On guard all day at wagon park with Cecil Forsythe.  Spent a jolly good day.

Wednesday 12^th April 1916:   Rose at 8 am.  Nose bled nearly all morning.  Had a day off.

Thursday 13^th 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 14^th April 1916:           Rose at 8 am & had ham & eggs.  Went to Havernas for rations.  On H.Q. guard 24 hours!

Saturday 15^th 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 16^th 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 17^th April 1916:        Rose at 8.30 am.  Went to Havernas for rations & returned at 2.30 pm.

Tuesday 18^th April 1916:        Went to Havernas for rations.

Wednesday 19^th April 1916:   Went to Havernas for rations.

Thursday 20^th April 1916:       Went to Havernas for rations.

Friday 21^st 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 22^nd April 1916:       Went to Havernas for rations.  Brought up before Capt Walker & remanded for the Colonel.  Lovely day.

Sunday 23^rd April 1916:          Went to Holy Communion at 12 noon.  Lovely day.

Monday 24^th 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 25^th 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 26^th April 1916:   Signalling with Officers & S.M. Sherman in morning & 1^st Sect Sigs in aft.  On guard as gunner.

Thursday 27^th 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 28^th April 1916:           Signalling with the Officers in morning & 1^st Sect sigs in afternoon.

Saturday 29^th April 1916:       Signalling with the officers in morning & 1^st Sect sigs in afternoon.

Sunday 30^th April 1916:          Church parade 10 am.  Lovely Day.   Nice ramble in woods.

Pte. A Smith

No 27521

C Co12^th Batt

Essex Regt

Dovercourt

Undated

Dear Father

Many thanks for your letter.  I am very pleased to receive some news from home.  I had a letter from Albert by the same post.

I am getting along very well.  We have had plenty of drilling, & marching it is more like being back at school again.  Today we were vaccinated.  I believe the next performance is inoculation.

I should be very pleased to see you Father; but I do not think it would be worth your while to come down.  For one reason I do not know how long we are here for, & it is useless to ask; you know nothing in the army until you are told to pack up your kit & depart & another thing one has to hold your own with soldiers.  I hope to get some leaf (leave) in about a month’s time.

You ought to see the way we feed; it is more like feeding a lot of wilde beasts you have to fight for it.

We have some very happy times in the Y.M.C.A. hut concerts & only soldiers are allowed.  I spend every evening round here it is too dark outside.

We had a church parade on Sunday to Harwich.

I have some very nice friends here.

It has been very windy & wet here today.

I shall have plenty to tell you when I come home it is quite an experience.

Well I think I must conclude. With much love to Jess, Ethel & yourself.

Remember me to all enquiring friends.

Your devoted

Son

Alf

Pte. A Smith

No 27521

“C” Co 12^th Batt

Essex Regt

Dovercourt

Undated

Dear Father

I thought you would be glad to have another letter from me to let you know how things are going.

Everything is going on alright have got quite used to the life now; & no doubt being out in the open so much does one a lot of good; but for all that I shall be jolly glad to get out of it.

It has been grand weather down here just like summer until yesterday it was rather dull.  Dovercourt is not much of a place to spend a holiday; there are only a few shops & only one picture palace.  We are not allowed to go anywhere only Harwich so you can guess one gets rather sick of the place.

What do you think of the recent Zepp raids?  That was a bit of luck bringing one down.  When they are about we are called up by the corporal & supposed to stay up until he lets us know everything is alright; but that doesn’t trouble me.  I went to bed as usual; one night I only took my boots off.  I do not know the idea but I believe it is to assist in case of fires or anything like that.

We were vaccinated last Tuesday week & on Monday we had to go to the hospital to see if they had taken. As the majority of mens arms were bad we have been excused duty for two days you can bet that was a great surprise it gave me quite a shock; so I am enjoying myself alright at present.  My arm is alright but drilling & rifle practice has not allowed the places to heal.

Perhaps you would like to know how we spend our time; we are up at 6 o/c have breakfast; coming back & get ready for parade at 8-45 drill until dinner time & the same until tea time finish about 5 o/c. We have to be in by 9 P.M. then go to bed.  It is jolly early for me but there is nothing else to do.  On Saturdays we are supposed to finish at 2 P.M. & Sundays after church parade; but you never know when they are going to call upon you for guard or other duties they have always got you here.

If you care to come down I should be very pleased to see you; but nothing is certain in this game. They tell you nothing of what you are going to do.  I do not think we shall remain here very long.

When you write please mention when you will be away as we get very little notice as regards leaf (leave) & I should then know how to arrange it. They are only granting 24 hours at present which is not very long; so I thought if I went to Southend & could let you know in time you could come down there.

One of my mates with me had several parcels of cakes &c sent him so we have been alright for home made pastries they are very nice too I can tell you.

I know you do not like letter writing but shall be glad to have a few lines when you get a chance.

I think I have told you all news now so must conclude.

Hoping you are all well

With much love

Your devoted

Son Alf

Midshipman’s Journal

T.N.B. Cree R.N.

H.M.S. MINSTREL                                                               At MALTA

April 22^nd        Expect crowd on board.  Am relieved to say they did not come.  Starkey however passes thro’ and blows on board.  Going home sick.  Crawl round in afternoon to endeavour to get ????.  Fetch up at Equal Callway too sharply.  Have tea with him and go ashore with him and ????.  Return on board up at Egment and play whiskey poker at which I loose nothing and win nothing.

Midshipman’s Journal

T.N.B. Cree R.N.

H.M.S. MINSTREL                                                               At MALTA

April 21^st         Turn out best of health.  Work thro’ solid forenoon.  Send Compass away to be repaired.  Dine with Fitzpatrick at Osborne.  Go to opera “Tales of Hoffman”.  Jolly good show.  “Doll” exceedingly pretty with good voice.  Some of chorus not bad but strong glasses spoil most of them.

Midshipman’s Journal

T.N.B. Cree R.N.

H.M.S. MINSTREL                                                               At MALTA

April 20^th         Charts as usual occupy the forenoon.  Go ashore in afternoon.  Lieut. Mudford with inevitable result.  Must every hosts two of when are somewhat “shop soiled”.  Dine at Osborne Mudford also there.  Return on board and turn in about 2 P.M.  Lieut Thomson, Lt. Blackmore, Lt Fitzpatrick.

Pte. A Smith

No 27521

“C” Co12^th Batt

Essex Regt

Dovercourt

April 20^th

Dear Father

I received your parcel this afternoon & thank you very much you know my liking for sweets & cigarettes & the home made cake.  I know I shall enjoy.  I suppose Jess made it tell her I have had some already & it is just alright.

I had some cakes from Mrs Paternoster as well so I have got a good supply in for Easter besides bread & jam which I brought so I shall be able to look after “little mary” alright but you can bet I shall get through them without any trouble.  They wanted to know if I required a light porter to carry them home.

We have a grand treat for about three days every fortnight we are fed on dogs biscuits, but I cannot turn myself into an animal yet there is plenty of growling & barking goes on we shall want a collar & chain soon.  I think the idea is to get us used to them if we have to go in the trenches; but that is quite time enough then; I do not attempt to eat them that is why I have got bread to take up to the dining hall.  I shall keep some in memory of the army.

No doubt you have received my letter by now.  I hope you will have a good time at Farnham.  I shall have a try for next week & it will be the simplest way for you to come to Southend I will let you know as early as possible.

I am not requiring any money at present.  I can just manage alright with the 6/- pay but thank you very much for mentioning it.

Everything is going alright.  Give my love to Jess & Ethel.

With much love

Your devoted

Son

Alf

Midshipman’s Journal

T.N.B. Cree R.N.

H.M.S. MINSTREL                                                               At MALTA

April 19^th         In spite of firmness of resolve this is now the 23^rd but times have been rapid lately.

Midshipman’s Journal

T.N.B. Cree R.N.

H.M.S. MINSTREL                                                               At MALTA

April 18^th         This morning I turned out at 8.45 a.m.  I got well through with the charts in the forenoon also made out report on the compass.  I looked up Callaway and lunched with him then went ashore and purchased a cap.  I also hunted for Mudford and took a ticket at Maricks.  A big mail was received and I got letters from Mother, Dad, Mrs. Philips, Uncle George & George.

I went to see Sacre about mess business and sampled his whiskey, met Walker and dined with him.  We afterwards went to the opera, ‘Tales of Hoffman’.  For some unaccountable reason am more struck by the singing than the beauty of the singers.  I suppose they can’t have been very beautiful.  One I noticed had a gigantic *** (she was also in Faust and Mme. St. Jeanne).  Return on board after a buck rarebit and the club.  Borrowed 10/- from wine accounts.