Friday
1st November, 1918
Up at 7 a.m., had breakfast and on parade 9 a.m., detailed for town picquet.
Marched to tram terminus and stayed till relieved at 1 p.m. by new picquet.
Very wet and cold morning so slipped in restaurant and had morning tea.
Relieved at 1 p.m. by new picquet and had dinner and at 4 p.m. Will and
I went into Plymouth, started to rain very hard so went into a restaurant
and had pasties and coffee, the people had a piano and asked us to have
a tune, played a few pieces then went back to camp and into bed 10 p.m.
Saturday 2nd November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and had breakfast, tucker is much better this last few
days. On parade at 9.15 a.m., kept on parade ground for couple of hours
then dismissed. On parade again at 2 p.m., roll call and marched to medical
hut and was inocculated against this new epidemic of influenza and pneumonia.
After tea Will and I went into town, met Austin and had a yarn and Will
and I went to a dance at 8 p.m. I did not dance but went as Will is very
keen on it. Left and back to camp and in bed 10.15 p.m.
Sunday 3rd November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and had breakfast. On parade 9.15 a.m., roll call and
orders, some chaps expecting to go aboard ship soon now. All the chaps
who dodged inocculation yesterday were done this morning, the rest dismissed
at 10.30 a.m. Had game of bridge till dinner time when received a couple
of letters from Mam. After dinner Will and Mitch and I went into Plymouth,
had afternoon tea on pier then a walk round and I caught tram at 6.45
p.m. back to camp, got in 8 p.m. and into bed 9 p.m.
Monday 4th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m., raining very hard, did not go on parade this morning
as rained too hard so wrote a letter to Dais. On parade for pay at 2 p.m.,
still raining, got 2 pounds after waiting nearly two hours. Stormier than
ever after tea so made up my mind to stay in. Wrote a letter to Mam, washed
couple of pairs of socks and had a read till 8 p.m. when made couple of
rounds of toast and then turned into bed at 9 p.m., lights out 10 p.m.
Tuesday 5th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9.15 a.m., our Co'y for duty so was dismissed
parade after roll call. Changed some socks and got new pair riding breeches
at Q.M.'s this morning. At 2 p.m. had to go on Q.M.'s fatigue and carry
rations to cook house, 6 of us on it, got finished before 3 p.m. so got
cleaned and went into town with Mitch. Had tea in town and then met Will
who had been on duty. Had walk round then dropped into some pictures and
caught 9.20 p.m. to camp and into bed at 10 p.m.
Wednesday 6th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. but had been wakened at 6 a.m. by an officer who called
roll, trying to catch chaps staying out all night. Caught quite a number.
On parade 9.15 a.m., roll call and sorted out again, nominal roll taken,
kept standing till 11 a.m. then marched to medical hut and had medical
inspection, dismissed 12 noon. On parade 2 p.m., roll call and went for
route march till 4 p.m., no leave till 5 p.m. when general leave. Went
into town at 6 p.m. and met Mitch and we had some "Cousin Jack Pasties",
then a look round and back to camp and in bed 10 p.m. Leave from 2 p.m.
stopped today through chaps staying out all night and not doing their
fatigue jobs.
Thursday 7th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9.15 a.m., roll call and went for route
march till 11.15 a.m. On parade again 2 p.m., number of men called out
as submarine guards on boat going soon (160 men), am not amongst them.
Rest of us went for route march and back at 4.30 p.m. About 5 p.m. whistles
and hooters started to go and some guns were fired, told that fritz had
signed the Armistice on our terms. Went into town with Will and Austin,
the town packed with people and great excitement, can't get confirmation
officially of the news. Back at camp and into bed 10.30 p.m.
Friday 8th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9.15 a.m., was detailed for four days cookhouse
fatigue with several others. Reported at cookhouse and told nothing doing,
come back at 11 a.m. Went again 11 a.m., still nothing to do, went again
2 p.m. and spent couple of hours cutting up onions for stew. After tea
had read then had game of billiards in Army and Navy Canteen, then went
in to concert in Y.M.C.A., after which went to hut and after a yarn and
shave turned into bed at 9.30 p.m.
Saturday 9th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and went on sick parade 9 a.m. as I want to see dentist,
told to report Monday morning. Did not go to cookhouse as no-one knows
whats what and its just a nuisance. Received letter from Dais, two from
Mam and one from Peggy who has been delayed from sailing. Had read this
afternoon, handed in our blankets and had them re-issued. After tea went
into town with Will and friends, went into some pictures, then had fish
and chips followed by sausages and spuds and back at camp and in bed 10.30
p.m.
Sunday 10th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9.15 a.m., roll call and had short route
march and then medical inspection after which dismissed for dinner. This
afternoon Will and I went into town, intended to have bath but could not
get one today. Had tea and a look round, feel a bit miserable with nothing
to do, so caught car home about 7 p.m. Walked part of the way to pass
time away and got back to camp and into bed 9 p.m. Another lot of 1914
chaps arrived here last night.
Up at 7 a.m. shaved and had breakfast then got pass and went to Devonport Military Hospital to see dentist. On the way in buzzers, whistles on our ships all started blowing, terrific noise at 9.10 a.m. It was the news come through of signing of Armistice terms by Fritz, great excitement. Saw dentist and had tooth filled and away by 11 a.m. Stayed in Devonport for little while then went on to Plymouth, called in restaurant for dinner and was given glass of port wine and had dinner free. The place a seething mass of people all gone mad. Caught 10.30 p.m. tram and in bed 11 p.m.
Tuesday 12th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9.15 a.m., nearly got pinched over my four days cookhouse fatigue that I didn't do. Had roll call and went for route march, back and dismissed 11.30 a.m. when had cup tea with Will in Y.M.C.A. On parade again 2 p.m., roll call then route march and after that a 2nd inocculation against influenza. From what the Major told us on parade, believe we will soon be getting aboard ship. Went into Devonport and wired bank for some money as am broke. Back and went to concert in Y.M.C.A., very good. Into bed 10 p.m.
Wednesday 13th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9.30 a.m., roll call and orders then dozen of us sent down to station on fatigue work unloading vegetables from Rly truck into G.S. Wagon. Finished at 12 noon and had dinner, then got pass and went into Plymouth to the Bank but found my money 4 pounds had not arrived so went back to camp for tea as had not enough money to get it in town. Spent a very quiet evening and turned in 9.30 p.m. W. Hill in camp hospital with Tonsilitis.
Thursday 14th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9.30 a.m., roll call and then marched into Y.M.C.A. hut and heard lecture by Capt. Thomas Imp. Army on our strategy during the war, it was very intensely interesting and we were sorry when it was over at 12 noon. On parade again at 2 p.m., roll call and then marched to a field near by and watched football match, soon slid off to hut as it was too cold. My money arrived today so after tea went into town and had good feed and a yarn at restaurant and back at camp and to bed 10 p.m.
Friday 15th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9.30 a.m., roll call and went for route march till 11 a.m. Will is much better so took him to confectioners near by and we had morning tea and cakes, very nice. On parade again at 2 p.m. and went for route march till 4.30 p.m. when got cleaned and as was feeling very hungry went straight into town and had couple of eggs and some lovely bacon with scones and tea, a bit expensive but was worth it for once. Back to camp and into bed 10 p.m.
Saturday 16th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9 a.m., roll call and went for short route march till 10.30 a.m. Had dinner early, 11.45 a.m. and was on parade 12.30 noon and marched to field near by where Y.M.C.A. had arranged some sports. Sports did not prove great success, not enough interest so went back to camp. Wrote letter and after tea went into town and met Will and Austin, had feed again then a walk round, all the shops lit up now. Had fish and chips for supper and at camp and in bed 10 p.m.
Sunday 17th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and had just had breakfast when was warned to be on parade for picquet at 8.45 a.m. Went on parade, had roll call and dismissed till 8.30 p.m. Spent the day in writing letters and keeping warm as it has turned very cold this last few days. Did not leave camp till went on picquet at 8.30 p.m. at tram terminus St. Budeaux. Supposed to stay till 11 p.m. but left at 10 p.m., nothing doing and went to bed.
Monday 18th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9 a.m., roll call and then route march round Saltash till 11.15 a.m. when dismissed. Did some washing before dinner, very cold day again. On parade at 2 p.m., roll call and were dismissed at once. Expect to go aboard some time during next three days. Parade at 2 p.m. and dismissed. Will, Mitch and myself set out for town at 4 p.m., lady living near camp stopped us and asked us to tea. Had nice tea, also had a good hot bath then played cards till supper time after which went to camp and into bed 10 p.m. Mrs Daymond, lady's name.
Tuesday 19th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9 a.m., roll call and some men picked out for boat. Had lecture from Col. Woods and told all leave from camp stopped, then went for route march. On parade again 2 p.m. and had sham kit inspection, all a farce, just kept hanging round parade ground, evening leave open again. Will, Austin, Mitch and I went to town and had tea, then had a walk round. The others went to supper at friends of Austin's so I went back to restaurant, the people of which are very nice to me, and played whist, had supper and into bed at camp 10.30 p.m.
Wednesday 20th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9 a.m., roll call and after standing about for a while were dismissed. Sat reading till dinner time. On parade again at 2 p.m. and after a short lecture from Col. Woods were dismissed to huts while the officers came round and checked the names of all the men. Got shaved and cleaned and went into town and booked seat at Palace Variety Show, went to first house at 6.40 p.m. It was pretty good and I enjoyed it, came out at 8.30 p.m., had supper and went back to camp and in bed 10 p.m.
Up at 7 a.m. and had breakfast. Our Co'y for duty, 12 of us warned for guard for next 24 hours. Relieved old guard at 9 a.m. and I took first 2 hours on No. 2 Post. Finished at 11 a.m., had to stay in Guard Room all day and went on for my second shift at 7 p.m., finishing at 9 p.m. and turning in. While doing 7 to 9 p.m. shift on No. 2 Post spent nearly half of it in Y.M.C.A. as there was nothing doing and it was bitterly cold night. Have been put on D.29 Boat Roll today.
Friday 22nd November, 1918
Up at 7 a.m., had breakfast then we cleaned Guard Room out before being relieved at 9 a.m. by fresh guard. Went to our hut and sat round stove talking till dinner time. On parade at 2 p.m., roll call and kept waiting about for an hour then dismissed at 4 p.m. Went into Devonport and had bath at Sailors Rest then went on to Plymouth, had tea and met Will and we went to pictures for couple of hours. Came out, had supper and back to camp and bed by 10.30 p.m.
Saturday 23rd November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9.30 a.m., roll call and then sorted and checked on boat rolls. Am on D.29 with Will, told we will be leaving
Monday. Dismissed at 11.30 a.m. and had cup tea at Y.M.C.A. No parade this afternoon so wrote some postcards then got cleaned before tea. Met Will and Mitch at 6 p.m. and we went into town to some pictures then had supper and went to station to catch 10.5 p.m. train, could not get on it as it was packed so got 10.30 p.m. and got to camp and into bed 11.15 p.m.
Sunday 24th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and had breakfast, raining very hard so did not have a parade. Told unofficially that our boat, D.29 is cancelled. Had letter from Peggy saying going aboard today. Miserable wet all day till 6 p.m. when saw Will and Mitch and we went into town. Will and Mitch went to some friends and I went to a restaurant where the people were very nice to me and sat talking when met Will and we caught 9.30 p.m. to camp.
Monday 25th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m., not going aboard as we thought. Our Co'y for duty, was given job on mail fatigue and had to go with mail orderly to Post Office at 9 a.m. to bring back the mails, finished at 10 a.m. On parade 2 p.m., roll call and dismissed, had game of Bridge then got cleaned and Will, Mitch and I walked into Plymouth. Rather a nice night, had tea and cakes at Salv. Army, Devonport. Came home by car at 9 p.m. and into bed at 10 p.m.
Tuesday 26th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9.30 a.m., raining again today, roll call and kept hanging about till 10.30 a.m. when dismissed to huts and a record taken of all hut utensils. Had game of bridge till dinner time, getting real fed up with this place. On parade again 2 p.m., roll call and kept hanging about again, then dismissed and had cup of tea in Y.M.C.A. After tea went into town with Will, had walk round and back and in bed 9.30 p.m.
Wednesday 27th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9.30 a.m., roll call and route march till 11.15 a.m., dinner 12.30 noon. On parade again at 2 p.m. and another route march till 3.45 p.m. Weather very damp and getting cold. After tea went into town, had a feed and then went into some pictures for couple of hours, returning to camp by 10.5 p.m. train and into bed by 10.30 p.m. Getting awfully monotonous.
Thursday 28th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9.30 a.m. My 28th birthday today. Kept hanging about on muddy parade ground till nearly 11 a.m. then dismissed. Same thing again on 2 p.m. parade. After tea Will, Mitch and I went into town, had a look at some pictures then had supper in honour of my birthday, rolls and coffee, very elaborate indeed, but cash not too plentiful. Back to camp and into bed 10.30 p.m.
Friday 29th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9.30 a.m. Our Co'y for duty, was detailed off for town picquet so wrote letter to Dais. this morning. Went on picquet at tram terminus at 12.30 noon and relieved about 4 p.m. Caught car into Devonport and had bath then had tea at Salv. Army after which had hair cut and went to some pictures. Came out, caught tram to St. Budeaux and into bed at 10 p.m.
Saturday 30th November, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9.30 a.m., roll call and route march till 11.15 a.m. Had cup of tea and sandwich at Y.M.C.A. Half holiday this afternoon so wrote letter home. After tea went into town and met Will, afterwards met some friends and was invited to supper at Torpoint at house of retired merchant service Capt. Spent very pleasant and quiet evening, invited to dinner tomorrow. Home at camp and in bed 11 p.m. Torpoint is on other side of river Tamar and is in Cornwall.