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.

Pte. A Smith

No 27521

“C” Co12^th Batt

Essex Regt

Dovercourt

April 18^th

Dear Father

You will know by the reply that I received your letter in good time; I did not expect to get it so soon.  Thank you very much for replying at once if you could manage to let me know as soon any other week you are going away it will do fine.

They are not issuing any passes for the holidays so I shall have another try for next week.  I am glad you are going to Farnham, & hope you will have a good time it makes a very nice change if you get good weather.  It has been blowing very hard here lately.

Thank you very much for promising to send me another parcel on Wednesday.  I need not tell you that I enjoyed everything the other contained there is only a few cigarettes left now.

Have not anything else to tell you now.

Hope to see you soon

Remember me to all at Farnham; also Jess & Ethel hope they are all well also yourself.

With much love

Your devoted

Son

Alf