Wednesday
1st May, 1918
Up at 7 a.m. and at work 8 a.m. Changed set of fire bars from one engine
to another, took down bonnet and baffle plates out of a smoke box and
examined tubes before dinner. Nothing doing after dinner so went to my
dug-out and wrote couple of letters. At 4 p.m. got shaved and cleaned
and after tea W. Hill and I went for stroll, back at 8 p.m. and Bob Sergeant
and I cooked some eggs and chips for supper. One of our chaps got run
in last night. Turned in 9.30 p.m.
Thursday 2nd May, 1918
Up at 7 a.m. and after breakfast at work refilled a lead plug and had
fire bars put in another engine. Really not much work but they seem to
take me as the charge hand. After dinner put in baffle plates and bonnet
and put on smoke box front. Very nice day and our planes busy. Been getting
real good tucker this last two days, hope it continues. After tea W. Hill,
two pals and myself went to Aubigny for walk to buy a paper and cigarettes.
Back at camp 8.15 p.m., had read, fritz planes over 9 p.m., no bombs,
in bed 9.30 p.m.
Friday 3rd May, 1918
Up at 7 a.m. and had breakfast, had look round but no work in for me so
went back to dug-out and overhauled my kit in case have to move any time
soon. Nothing doing again after dinner so lay down, had a read and sleep.
Nice day again, things seem to have quietened again up the line. After
tea wrote some letters, had a yarn and read and in bed at 9 p.m. Our planes
were busy again today being fine.
Saturday 4th May, 1918
Up at 7 a.m., rather damp morning but cleared up and came out very nice
day. At work 8.30 a.m., refilled a lead plug and fixed up some wash out
plugs. Nothing doing after dinner so had a nap. After tea went up to a
shooting range near here and had some rifle and revolver practice, am
a fair good shot. Called for my washing and back at camp at 8.30 p.m.,
our guns going heavily.
Sunday 5th May, 1918
Up at 7 a.m., wet morning and rained off and on all day. Trying to get
some wash out plugs out this morning, have no tools to work with so makes
things difficult. Had half holiday today, got shaved and cleaned and had
a nap before tea. Am getting tired of things here, want to be doing something
worth doing. After tea went out with W. Hill for his washing and had some
eggs and chips, back at camp and in bed 9.30 p.m.
Monday 6th May, 1918
Up at 7 a.m. and at work 8 a.m. Took out and refilled couple of safety
plugs and examined couple of engines. Wet again this morning, but cleared
up about 4 p.m. and came out nice. Nothing doing this afternoon so had
a read. Of course have to be ready in case job comes in. Most of our men
were to leave here tomorrow, only two of us stay behind, but orders have
been cancelled, don't know what is doing. Wrote to Dais. tonight and in
bed 10 p.m. Guns going very heavy about 10.30 p.m.
Tuesday 7th May, 1918
Up at 7 a.m. and went to work 8 a.m., raining pretty sharp, no work in
this morning so returned to dug-out and read. No work again after dinner
so had bath in a tin and wrote letter home, was paid also this afternoon.
Cleaned up about 5 p.m., one of our planes nose-dived close by and crashed,
pilot killed. Went for walk after tea with W. Hill, a Scotty told us our
chaps had hopped over on this front early this morning, hope they had
a success. Back at camp, had yarn and in bed 9.30 p.m.
Wednesday 8th May, 1918
Up at 7 a.m., very nice morning and came out lovely day. Very little doing
in way of work, renewed a set of fire bars before dinner. Very heavy gun
fire last night and early this morning, believe fritz is expected to attack
on this front. Nothing doing this afternoon so lay down and read a magazine.
After tea took my washing out and had cup of coffee, returned to camp,
wrote a letter and in bed at 9.30 p.m. The night is clear but not much
moon, wonder if fritz will be over.
Thursday 9th May, 1918
Up at 7 a.m. and at work 8 a.m., renewed a set of fire bars, nothing else
doing as all engines are working. Very fine day again. Nothing doing after
dinner so wrote couple of letters and got cleaned before tea. Planes busy
today and guns going fairly heavy at intervals till 8 p.m. when were pounding
away in great style. Our chaps expect to move from here
Monday, two of us B'makers to stay behind. Went out for eggs and chips
this evening and in bed 9.30 p.m.
Friday 10th May, 1918
Up at 7 a.m., rather dull this morning. At work 8 a.m. but very little
doing. A B'maker has arrived for the 20th R.E. Co'y. The guns going in
spasms this morning. Sun came out after dinner, but cool wind blowing.
Had a nap then got cleaned. After tea Bob Sergeant and I took a walk to
Aubigny Church Army hut for some cigarettes. Bought some postcards and
back at camp at 7 p.m. Wrote postcards (10 of them) and sent them to Dais.,
had a read and in bed 9.30 p.m. Rather cold tonight.
Up at 7 a.m. and had breakfast. Did not go to work as don't know if moving tomorrow or not, had a read and yarn. After dinner went to Lieut. Foster to see if I was to stay here, said I would be going with the others tomorrow. Had shave and clean up and after tea went out for walk and had some eggs and chips. Guns going pretty constantly this evening, weather very close and sultry. Saw several trains of troops going up line. In bed 9.30 p.m.
Sunday 12th May, 1918
Up at 7 a.m., had breakfast and packed up my kit as expect to move today, not sure till 11 a.m. if I was to be left behind or not. After dinner had a parade and roll call and at 3.30 p.m. went to Savy station. Train left with us at 5.15 p.m. and we arrived at Beaurainville about 8 p.m., detrained and put in huts. Busy getting our kits and beds to camp and getting fixed up for night, was late when we finished and was 11 p.m. before got to bed.
Monday 13th May, 1918
Reveille 6.30 a.m. and paraded for breakfast at 7 a.m., little burnt porridge. Marched back to camp and had to fall in on parade again at once when were marched off to work unloading broad gauge trucks. Rained all day and pretty miserable. Had to work dinner hour and no dinner was kept for us (10), went to Capt. and ordered cooks to cook steak for us so had good dinner. Fatigue work this afternoon carting huts about and loose timber. After tea made things comfortable in hut and in bed 9 p.m.
Tuesday 14th May, 1918
Reveille 6.30 a.m. and breakfast 7 a.m. On parade 7.45 a.m. and marched to Rly. siding. Laid big floor of sleepers and unloaded six wagons of coal, marched back to camp 12 noon. On parade again 1.30 p.m. and dismissed. Tea at 4.30 p.m., on parade 5 p.m. and marched to train, unloaded seven wagons, rails, girders, pipes and timber. Finished 8 p.m., got washed and went out for some eggs and chips. Nicer day today and wrote couple of letters this afternoon. Back at camp and in bed 9.30.
Wednesday 15th May, 1918
Up at 6.30 a.m. and had breakfast 7 a.m. On parade 8 a.m., ordered to stand by and then dismissed to huts. Not called out all morning. After dinner wrote letter to Dais. Very hot day, had tea at 4.30 p.m. and on parade 5.30 p.m., marched off to unload trucks, waited till 8.30 p.m. and trucks did not arrive so went back to camp and dismissed. It is reported we are to go through a musketry and machine gun course and be armed accordingly. Had a wash and yarn and into bed 9.30 p.m. Several train load of Yankees gone up towards line today.
Thursday 16th May, 1918
Up at 6.30 a.m. had breakfast and on parade 7.45 a.m. Marched to work, busy all morning carrying heavy timber, 20 men to each baulk. Knocked off at 11.45 and marched back for dinner. Paraded and marched to work again 1.30 p.m., train in the way so could not do anything. Loafed about till 4 p.m. then had dip in river close by, very hot day. Back to camp 5 p.m. Will Hill sent away to hospital sick. Great number trains of French soldiers going up line. In bed 9.30 p.m.
Friday 17th May, 1918
Up at 6.30 a.m. breakfast 7 a.m. and on parade 7.45 a.m., some fatigues detailed off then rest of us dismissed with orders to stand to for work at any minute. Had my hair cut by a pal and had a read. Nothing doing after dinner, very hot day again. French and Yankee troop trains going up line all day. Ordered at 5 p.m. to be ready for parade 5.30 p.m. but train did not come in so took my washing out and watched an R.E. fishing in river for trout. Back in camp 8 p.m. and in bed 9 p.m.
Saturday 18th May, 1918
Up at 6.15 a.m. and breakfast at 7 a.m. On parade 7.45 a.m., general fatigues told off and rest of us dismissed to stand by. Very hot day again, huts very close indeed. Tea at 4.30 p.m. as train came in to be unloaded. Paraded at 6 p.m. and marched to work, unloaded fourteen wagons of sleepers and four of light gauge rails. Worked hard and knocked off at 10 p.m. as got dark. Had some bread and bully beef and in bed 11 p.m. Fritz dropped some bombs near here about midnight.
Sunday 19th May, 1918
Up at 6.15 a.m. and after breakfast on parade 7.45 a.m., marched to work and unloaded remainder of train by 11 a.m. Very hot day again. Remainder of our company arrived this morning. After dinner Bob Sgt. and I went for walk along river bank, lovely country and plenty of trout fishing. Back for tea then went for walk again along river, really beautiful, fine hills all round us, enjoyed the walk very much. Back at camp and in bed 9 p.m.
Monday 20th May, 1918
Have a bugler now, getting military. Up at 6.30 a.m. and on parade 7.45 a.m., detached into various parties and marched to work, carrying heavy girders till dinner time. Dinner 12 noon and on parade again 1 p.m., went back to same job but marched back to camp at 2.30 p.m. for pay. Did not go back to work again till 6 p.m. when paraded and unloaded a train of pig iron, rails and other heavy stuff. Finished 9 p.m., marched back to camp and in bed 10 p.m.
Up at 6.30 a.m. and on parade 7.45 a.m., detaileld off into parties, our party to go on at 3 p.m. so went out for walk to Compagne village about 1 1/2 miles away. Very hot day, country lovely. Back for dinner. On parade 2.45 p.m. and marched to work, pick and shovel digging out and grading for light railway track. Tea 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. then back to work till 9.30 p.m. Worked hard and cut lot of ground out, marched back and in bed 10.30 p.m., not a drink of tea even. Very hot day.
Wednesday 22nd May, 1918
Reveille 6.30 a.m. and on parade 7.45 a.m., roll called and marched off to work, moving heavy girders all morning till 12.15 noon. On parade again 1 p.m. and marched to work again, unloading wagons and a 2 H.P. tractor this afternoon off the broad gauge trucks. Worked hard till 5.15 p.m. when had tea and on parade again 6 p.m. and marched to work unloading more wagons till 9 p.m. when knocked off and turned in without anything to eat or even a drink of tea. Getting very strict now. Into bed 10 p.m. Very hot day.
Thursday 23rd May, 1918
Fritz was over bombing again late last night, did not drop any near us. Reveille 6.30 a.m., on parade 7.45 a.m. and to work. Unloaded off broad gauge a 40 H.P. tractor, then loading sleepers on narrow gauge wagons. After dinner loaded more sleepers, then carried them from wagons also rails and put them down for new track we are laying. Heavy work as O.C. is trying to make a record and is chasing us up, one of our chaps fined 7 days pay for being late on parade. Knocked off 5 p.m., wrote to Dais. and in bed 9 p.m. Cooler today, wind strong tonight.
Friday 24th May, 1918
Up at 6.30 a.m. and on parade 7.45 a.m. and out to work. Raining and blowing hard, loading sleepers, fish plates, chairs, spikes, bolts etc. for plate laying gang till dinner time. After dinner loading sleepers and rails and carrying them to track ready for laying, pretty heavy work to keep up constantly. Knocked off at 4 p.m. thoroughly wet through. Lot of discontent existing as O.C. is rushing things too hard without a thought for the men. Lot of open grumbling going on. Into bed 9 p.m. Wrote letter to Will Hill this evening at 24th Gen. Hosp.
Saturday 25th May, 1918
Up at 6.30 a.m. and on parade 7.45 a.m. Was dismissed, cleaned my kit and had game of bridge before dinner. On parade again 1 p.m. and marched to work carrying rails and sleepers for light Rly. track, heavy work and not too much tucker. Complained about food but no satisfaction. Knocked off at 4.30 p.m., got cleaned and after tea went for my washing then for walk to Compeigne, very nice village and lovely country. Back and in bed at 9.30 p.m.
Sunday 26th May, 1918
Reveille 6.30 a.m. and breakfast 7 a.m. Holiday today on a/c of heavy work we are engaged on. Took my washing out about 10 a.m. and went for walk along river before dinner. This afternoon four of us went for walk in the country, went through "Compagne" and had good walk, bought some nice lettuce, 2d. per bunch, had some eggs and chips for tea and walked home by 7 p.m., had a very nice day. Could hear guns rumbling in distance. Turned into bed tired out at 9 p.m.
Monday 27th May, 1918
Reveille 6.30 a.m. and after breakfast at 7 a.m. paraded and marched to work by 8 a.m. Carrying rails, sleepers and laying them down all day till 4.45 p.m. with an hour for dinner. Heavy work. Very nice day again and not too hot. Rumours afloat today that fritz has recommenced his offensive, nothing definite and no details. One of our chaps got 7 days 2nd F.P. for writing a letter home about the tucker and criticizing the officers. Did some writing after tea and turned in at 9 p.m. Have got bit of cold from being wet through few days ago.
Tuesday 28th May, 1918
Reveille 6.30 a.m. and on parade 7.45 a.m., roll call and marched to work, putting narrow gauge trucks together and putting them on track with steam crane, put twelve on this morning. After dinner put remaining one on and then knocked off. Very nice day again but am feeling bit rotten as have heavy cold, think from getting wet through a few days ago. Received two letters from Mam and one from Dais. After tea started answering them but head ached badly so knocked off and in bed 8 p.m.
Wednesday 29th May, 1918
Up at 6.30 a.m. and on parade 7.45 a.m., roll call and marched to work. My cold bit better today. Not much doing, was sitting in a crop nearly all day till 3 p.m. when knocked off. Got cleaned and ready for dinner and concert in celebration of 1st anniversary of this unit's landing in France. Dinner at 6 p.m. and concert 7.30 p.m. Both went off very well, closed up at 10.30 p.m. More men sick today, had look round them and turned in 12 p.m.
Thursday 30th May, 1918
Called up at 1.45 a.m. and kept an eye on sick chaps till 4.45 a.m. when called another chap and turned in till 6.30 a.m. when up again and got patients, about 30, some breakfast. Had my own breakfast later and turned in for nap but could not sleep. Very fine day again, hot this afternoon. Had a read and did some writing. Don't feel too good again today but not too bad. More men fallen sick, some gone to hospital. It is getting serious. After tea had walk along river and turned in 9 p.m.
Friday 31st May, 1918
Called up at 1.45 a.m. and kept watch on the sick chaps till 5.30 a.m., about 60 of them now, called another chap at 5.30 a.m. and I turned in for a nap till 7 a.m. when got up for breakfast. Fritz planes about at 2 a.m. but not near us, could hear them. Tried to get a sleep after breakfast but too many interruptions. A doctor came to see me about some drugs at 11 a.m., was very nice and he noticed I was not quite up to the mark. Lay reading after dinner. Fritz started offensive again. Wrote letter after tea and in bed at 8.30 p.m.