Transcriptions from the 1918 Diary
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Aumerval
January 1, 1918
Dine at PERNES with Travers at French Hotel. Stay overnight & return next day.
Snowing.
January 2, 1918
Leave Pernes 9 a.m. & arrive at AUMERVAL 10-30 to Billet. Visit A.D.V.S & D.A.D.M.S. P.M. and receive ticket to Base.
Cold & Fine.
January 3, 1918
Visit M.G. Transports & Bgde Hdqrs sign up reports & prepare for Base.
January 4, 1918
Leave Aumerval 9-30 a.m. for LILLERS arrive at noon. Leave Lillers 1-30 P.M. for ETAPLES arriving 7-30 P.M. Report to C.G.B.D. same night.
January 5, 1918
At C.G.B.D all day.
Snow & Cold.
Etaples
January 6, 1918
In Camp all day. Visit Paris Plage.
Fair & Cold.
January 7, 1918
In Camp all day. Parade before M.O. C.G.B.D. at noon. Receive Board papers.
January 8, 1918
In Camp all day.
January 9, 1918
Parade before Medical Board & classified B.M. for 3 months.
January 10, 1918
In Camp all a.m.
Dance in Evening at Officers' Mess C.G.B.D.
January 11, 1918
In Camp all P.M.
Parade before D.A.M.s. at Base Hdqrs at 10 a.m.
January 12, 1918
Visit Paris Plage in afternoon with Dewar.
Etaples
January 13, 1918
In C.G.B.D. all morning. Visit McLoud at No. 7 Hospital P.M. for Tea at Sisters' mess.
January 14, 1918
In Camp all a.m.
January 15, 1918
In Camp all day.
January 16, 1918
In Camp all day at C.G.B.Depot.
January 17, 1918
Receive orders to prepare for England.
January 18, 1918
Leave Etaples for Boulogne 8-30 a.m. arrive 11 a.m. Leave Boulogne 3-30 P.M. for Folkestone & London arrive London 10-30.
January 19, 1918
Report to Argyle house 10-30 a.m. afterwards report to office of D.V.S [illegible]. Overnight in London.
Week-end
Weekend in London.
January 20, 1918
In London all day.
January 21, 1918
In London all day.
January 22, 1918
In London all day.
January 23, 1918
In London all day.
January 24, 1918
Leave London 3 P.M. for Shorncliffe arrive 5 P.M. Overnight in Folkestone.
January 25, 1918
Report fo No. 2. C.B.H. Shorncliffe 10 A.M. Am Boarded at Folkestone 2-30 P.M. 2 Months home Duty.
January 26, 1918
Leave Shorncliffe for London weekend. Arrive London 3-30 P.M. Imperial Hotel overnight.
Week-end
Weekend in London.
London
January 27, 1918
In London all day. Visit Mrs. Dixon.
January 28, 1918
Return to Shorncliffe 3 p.m. train. Folkestone overnight.
January 29, 1918
Shorncliffe all day.
January 30, 1918
Shorncliffe all day.
Shorncliffe
January 31, 1918
Shorncliffe all day.
February 1, 1918
Shorncliffe all day.
February 2, 1918
Shorncliffe all day.
Shorncliffe
February 3, 1918
Around Camp most of day. See Col. Walsh.
February 6, 1918
In Camp all day.
February 7, 1918
At [illegible] overnight.
February 8, 1918
In Camp all day.
February 9, 1918
Interview General Neil at Shorncliffe.
Week-end
At Folkestone and Shorncliffe.
Shorncliffe
February 10, 1918
In Camp all day. Meet Doris at noon.
February 11, 1918
Doris leaves for London at 11-15 am.
February 12, 1918
See damaged goods at Shorncliffe. Theatre. Folkestone overnight.
February 13, 1918
Folkestone all day. Lunch with Capt. Xmas.
February 15, 1918
Leave Folkestone for London.
February 16, 1918
Leave London for Dewsbury. Arrive 8-30 P.M.
Week-end
Spend weekend in Dewsbury.
Dewsbury
February 17, 1918
In Dewsbury.
February 18, 1918
In Dewsbury.
February 19, 1918
In Dewsbury.
February 20, 1918
In Dewsbury.
February 21, 1918
In Dewsbury.
Overnight Dewsbury.
February 22, 1918
In Leeds all P.M. with Miss Lee. Receive telegram to report to Hdqrs London.
February 23, 1918
Leave Dewsbury 10 a.m. for London arrive at 3-30 P.M. and report to Hdqrs.
Folkestone overnight.
Week-end
Weekend at Folkestone.
February 24, 1918
In Folkestone all day. See J. Bolger at 2 P.M.
February 25, 1918
In Folkestone all a.m. Prepare to depart for London. Leave 3-10 P.M. for London.
February 26, 1918
Leave London 3-50 P.M. for Liverpool arrive 9-30 P.M. Stay at ADELPHI Hotel overnight. Leave granted from this day.
February 27, 1918
Embark on ship for Canada at 10 a.m. Go aboard 12-30 P.M.
Overnight on ship.
February 28, 1918
On board ship Orpington all day in River at Liverpool.
March 1, 1918
On Board ship all day. Scandinavian (Orpinton) awaiting to sail.
March 2, 1918
On Boat all Day.
Week-end
Week End on Ship. Very slow time.
Fare Halifax to Wpg £7-10-0 from Liverpool to Hfx £6-10-0.
Orpington
March 3, 1918
On Board Ship all day. Along side at Liverpool.
March 4, 1918
On ship all day. Black fog.
March 5, 1918
On Ship all day.
March 6, 1918
Leave River at 1-30 P.M. for sea trip.
March 7, 1918
On Ship all day. Feeling a bit seedy. Beautiful weather.
March 8, 1918
On Ship all day. Escort leaves convoy.
Fine weather.
March 9, 1918
On Ship all day in open sea.
March 10, 1918
On Ship all day good sailing.
Fine.
March 11, 1918
On Ship all day.
March 12, 1918
On Ship all day.
March 13, 1918
On Ship all day.
March 14, 1918
On Ship all day.
March 15, 1918
On Boat all day. Concert on Board.
March 16, 1918
Arrive at Halifax but not alongside.
Week-end
On Boat.
March 17, 1918
Disembark from S.S. Scandinavian 9 a.m.
Overnight in Halifax.
March 18, 1918
Leave Halifax 1 P.M. for Montreal.
March 18, 1918
On Train.
March 19, 1918
On Train.
March 20, 1918
On Train all day.
March 21, 1918
Arrive in Winnipeg 10- P.M.
March 22, 1918
In Wpg all day.
Week-end
In Winnipeg.
March 24, 1918
All day in Wpg.
March 25, 1918
Report to Hdqrs M.D.10 Wpg. See Col. Smith.
March 26, 1918
In Wpg.
March 27, 1918
Made application for extention leave.
April 7, 1918
In Wpg all day.
April 8, 1918
Wpg.
April 11, 1918
Wpg.
April 12, 1918
Leave extended to May 14th 1918.
April 21, 1918
Winnipeg.
April 22, 1918
Winnipeg.
April 23, 1918
Winnipeg.
April 24, 1918
In Wpg. all Day.
April 25, 1918
Leave Winnipeg 9-30 P.M. for New York via Toronto.
Snowing.
April 26, 1918
Arrive Ft. William 10 am. See Elva. On Train all day.
Fine.
April 27, 1918
Arrive Toronto 4-30 P.M. Meet Fisher at station. Stay overnight with him.
Week-end
Stay Sat night at 70 Bathurst St.
April 28, 1918
Leave Toronto 7- P.M. for New YORK.
April 29, 1918
Arrive New York 9-30 Am. Stay at Hotel McALPIN 34th St. See Mrs Percy.
April 30, 1918
All day in New York. At Healey's with [illegible]. See Mrs. Percy.
May 2, 1918
Embark at [New?] YORK 12-30 noon for England. S.S. Carpathian.
Overnight on Board.
May 3, 1918
All day on Board. Leave New York harbour en route England.
May 4, 1918
All day on Board.
Week-end
On ship with U.S.A. Troops.
May 5, 1918
On Board CARMANIA.
Fine Sailing.
May 6, 1918
On Ship all day.
May 7, 1918
On Ship all day.
May 8, 1918
On Ship all day.
May 9, 1918
On Ship all day.
May 10, 1918
On Ship all day.
May 11, 1918
On Ship all day.
Week-end
On Ship Carmania.
May 12, 1918
On Ship all day.
May 13, 1918
On Ship all day.
May 14, 1918
On Ship all day.
Fine.
May 15, 1918
On Boat all day. Fine weather and very calm.
May 16, 1918
Arrive in Liverpool 8 a.m. Disembark 8 P.M. All night ADELPHI Hotel Liverpool.
May 17, 1918
Leave Liverpool 8 am for Leeds. Arrive 11 A.M.
Dewsbury overnight.
May 18, 1918
Leave Dewsbury for London 8-30 A.M. Report Argyle House. At Imperial.
Taken on strength again.
Week-end
In London. Big air Raid Sunday evening. Lots of excitement.
May 19, 1918
In London. Big Air Raid.
May 20, 1918
In London all day. Visit zoo. Report to Argyle House.
May 21, 1918
In London. See A.D.V.S. at 3 P.M.
May 22, 1918
Reboarded in London and found fit for Duty again.
May 23, 1918
Leave London for Folkestone.
Overnight at W..parke [illegible].
May 24, 1918
In Folkestone all day. [illegible] Cavalry mess.
Wet.
May 25, 1918
In Folkestone all day. Inspect Cavalry horses.
Week-end
In Folkestone.
Fine weather.
Folkestone
June 9, 1918
Folkestone
June 10, 1918
Folkestone receive wire to prepare to go overseas.
June 11, 1918
Pack up.
June 12, 1918
Leave Folkestone for London. Leave suitcase with
Miss D. BURVILLE
76 Grove Road
Folkestone
June 13, 1918
Leave London 11-35 am for Southampton. Leave Southampton on Boat at 7 P.M.
June 14, 1918
Arrive in Havre 7 a.m. & report to [illegible] Hospital. In camp rest of day.
June 15, 1918
In Camp all Day at C.V.H.
Week-end
In Havre.
Havre
June 16, 1918
Orderly Officer for the day.
June 19, 1918
Col. Newson inspects Hospital in P.M.
June 21, 1918
Camp Orderly Officer.
June 22, 1918
Camp duties all a.m.
Ride in afternoon.
Week-end
Havre.
Havre
June 23, 1918
In Camp all day.
June 24, 1918
In Camp all day.
June 25, 1918
Prepare to leave for Forestry Corps.
June 26, 1918
Leave HAVRE for Paris at noon arrive 9- P.M. Air Raid. Overnight in Paris at Marlboro Hotel.
June 27, 1918
Leave Paris en route GERARDMER 8 am. Arrive 10-30 P.M.
Overnight GERARDMER.
June 28, 1918
Report to C.F.C. Hdqrs 9 A.M. After go to Camp 28. Destroy horses at Camp 69. Camp all day.
June 29, 1918
Inspect horses of Camp 28 & 59.
Fine.
Week-end
At Gerardmer.
Gerardmer
July 1, 1918
Sports at Gerardmer.
July 2, 1918
Visit C.I.C. Coy's.
July 3, 1918
Visit Coy's 69.
July 4, 1918
Visit Coys. Bands French and American play all a.m. at Casino
July 5, 1918
Visit 51 Coy.
July 6, 1918
At Gerardmer.
Week-end
At Gerardmer, Vosges.
July 7, 1918
Leave GERARDMER for ECLARON via TROYES & PLOMBIERS. Arrive PARIS 8-30 P.M.
July 8, 1918
All day PARIS.
July 9, 1918
Leave PARIS 8-am for TROYES arrive 2-00 P.M. Leave Troyes for ECLARON 6 P.M arrive 10- P.M.
July 10, 1918
At Eclaron. Inspect horses No. 10 district 6 P.M.
See Napoleon's School at Brienne-le-Chatteau.
July 11, 1918
At Elaron all a.m. Leave P.M. for LUCENIE [Lusigny?] to inspect Coy 75 C.F.C.
Overnight Luscenie.
July 12, 1918
Leave Luscenie for TROYES 1 P.M. Leave Troys for COURBON 7-30 P.M. Arrive 9-30 P.M.
July 13, 1918
Courbon overnight. See horses during day of British Troops & Prisoners of war.
Leave Courbon Sat 4-30 P.M. for Chaumont. Week end at Chaumont with American Engineers.
July 14, 1918
All day CHAUMONT. See Gen. Pershing at Boulevarde Gambetta.
July 15, 1918
Leave Chaumont for Gerardmer 12-30 P.M. Arrive 10-45 all night Gerardmer.
July 16, 1918
Leave Gerardmer for Camp 28 C.I.C.
July 18, 1918
Leave Gerardmer 5- P.M. for Chateaunois overnight there with Major Joliffe A.D.V.S. Southern.
July 19, 1918
Visit 12 & 13 Companys at [illegible] & Saundaucourt.
July 20, 1918
Leave CHATEAUNOIS for Gerardmer 10- am. Arrive noon same day.
Gerardmer
July 21, 1918
Gerardmer.
July 22, 1918
Gerardmer.
July 23, 1918
Gerardmer.
July 24, 1918
Leave Gerardmer for Eclaron. Overnight at Epinal.
July 25, 1918
Leave Epinal for Eclaron 8-30 am.
Overnight Eclaron.
July 26, 1918
Inspect 75 Coy C.I.C. Lusigny.
July 27, 1918
All Day at Eclaron. Inspect 33-33, & 76 Coys C.I.C.
Week-end
Inspecting No. 10 District C.I.C. Lt Gunning takes over 6 district 21/7/18.
July 28, 1918
Leave ECLARON 8 a.m. for Epinal.
Overnight Epinal.
July 29, 1918
Leave Epinal 7-30 a.m. for Gerardmer. Arrive noon.
July 30, 1918
Visit 77 Coy C.I.C. with Lt. Gunning.
August 1, 1918
Leave Gerardmer for CHARMES.
Overnight Epinal
August 2, 1918
Leave Epinal for Charmes arrive 1-30 P.M. and take over duties I.A.F. No. 11 Dist. C.I.C.
August 3, 1918
All day at Chatenois.
Chatenois, Vosges
August 4, 1918
Visit 13 Coy C.I.C. at Etreval.
August 5, 1918
In bed all day with Dysentry & Colic.
August 6, 1918
Visit 120 Coy. P.O.W. at Etreval. See sick mare also 72 Coy C.I.C.
August 7, 1918
At Chatenois all a.m.
August 18, 1918
Visit Charmes No. 8 Can. Hospital. Tea with sisters.
August 19, 1918
Visit 12 Coy Etreval.
Overnight at Wedding.
August 20, 1918
All day VEZELESE.
August 21, 1918
At Chatenois all day.
August 22, 1918
Visit AZELOT - FROLOIS [illegible Troops 106 Coy C.I.Coy.
Visit NANCY P.M.
August 23, 1918
Visit 13 Coy C.I.C. & 144 [illegible] L. Coy. at Sandaucourt.
August 24, 1918
Visit Veselize to C.I.C. Coys.
Week-end
At Chatenois and very hot.
Chatenois
August 25, 1918
At Chatenois all day. Visit 13 Coy C.I.C. A.M. & inspect horses.
August 26, 1918
Visit [illegible] at Xaffévillers, & Rouelle. 4 horses killed by a Hun bomb. 1505 Coy. R.E.
August 27, 1918
At Chatenois all day working on reports. Receive cable from Jess re. Herbert.
August 28, 1918
Visit Etreval, Tantonville, Frolois & Azelot with D.D.S. & T. I.F.
August 29, 1918
At Chatenois all a.m.
Visit B. Coy. C.I.C. in the P.M.
September 1, 1918
Visit Xaffévillers & Charmes with D.D.S & T.
September 2, 1918
Making out Reports at CHATENOIS.
September 3, 1918
Visit Bayon in the evening with American vet.
September 4, 1918
Visit units I.F.
Fine.
September 5, 1918
Visit No. 9 & 13 Coys. C.I.C. No. 9 Coy. C.I.C. arrives with 100 horses at [illegible].
Rain.
September 6, 1918
Visit 13 Coy. C.I.C.
1 horse died Debility.
September 7, 1918
Visit 9-10-13 Coys. C.I.C.
Dine with American nurses in the evening at Vittel.
September 8, 1918
Visit units at Courban with D.D.S & T.
Vittel in the evening.
September 12, 1918
Visit Gerardmer with [illegible]. See Gunning.
Chatenois
September 15, 1918
Visit FROLOIS & VITTEL. See units.
September 16, 1918
Office all morning.
September 20, 1918
Visit NEUFCHATEAU & arrange with American Vety. hospital to dip mange cases.
September 22, 1918
At H.Q. all day.
September 23, 1918
Visit units north.
September 24, 1918
Visit units & send in A.F. 2000.
September 25, 1918
Motor car breaks down & is off duty for 4 days.
September 26, 1918
Visit 12 Coy. C.I.C.
September 27, 1918
D.A.D.V.S. arrives from No. 10 District C.I.C. to inspect my horses.
September 28, 1918
D.A.D.V.S. visits units at NANCY & area with myself.
Week-end
D.A.D.V.S. spends week end inspecting horses C.I.C. & I.F. R.A.F.
September 29, 1918
D.A.D.V.S. inspects units at Xaffevilles and area and C.I.C.
September 30, 1918
Leave Chatenois for COURBAN & stay overnight D.A.D.V.S. is along with me. Inspect horses in area.
October 1, 1918
Leave Courban with Major Joliffe at 9-15 A.M. for Gerardmer, Vosges.
Gerardmer overnight.
October 2, 1918
Leave Gerardmer 7 A.M. back to Chatenois arrive at noon.
October 3, 1918
At H.Q. CHATENOIS all day fixing reports.
October 4, 1918
Visit 9 Coy C.I.C. at BLEVAINCOURT.
October 19, 1918
Capt. Bell R.V.C. arrives in Chatenois to take over duties with I.F.R.A.F.
Week-end
In Chatenois handing over to Capt. Bell.
October 20, 1918
Handing over to Capt. Bell A.V.C.
October 21, 1918
Visit H.Q. army Troops at Harchechamp & see D.A.D.S. [illegible] also Col. Church.
October 22, 1918
Visit units at Nancy. Buy watch £40.
October 23, 1918
Visit Vesezelege in am to 5 R.L.P.
Visit units with Capt. Bell in afternoon.
Chatenois
October 24, 1918
At H.Q. all day.
Sell watch to Lt. Harris £90.
November 3, 1918
In Chatenois all day packing up.
November 4, 1918
Leave Chatenois for Douai.
Overnight in train.
November 5, 1918
Arrive Abbeville 9 a.m.
November 6, 1918
Arrive Paris a.m. Stay in siding at East Centre station until next day.
November 7 1918
Leave Paris during the night. On train all day.
November 8 1918
On Train all day enroute Douai.
November 9, 1918
Arrive Douai 8-30 a.m. In Douai all day.
Week-end
At Douai.
November 10, 1918
Visit Valenciennes [illegible] See 12 Coy & 9 Coy. C.I.C.
November 11, 1918
In Douai all day. Armistice is signed. Visit Lille in afternoon. Great celebrations all day.
November 12, 1918
At H.Q. all am.
Valenciennes afternoon. Overnight Valenciennes.
November 13, 1918
Return to Douai with the Colonel Featherstone [illegible]
November 14, 1918
At H.Q. Douai all day. No transport.
November 15, 1918
At H.Q. all day at Douai.
November 16, 1918
Visit 7 Coy at LILLE. Lunch in Lille in club behind opera theatre.
Week-end
See Col. Cutcliffe and Steadman 11/11/18 at Valenciennes.
November 17, 1918
Visit 12 Coy at Valenciennes. Also 11 Coy at Haudain.
November 18, 1918
Visit 12 Coy Valenciennes. Many civilians returning in terrible condition from Hun hands.
November 19, 1918
In afternoon visit LENS Boyeffles. Drink bottle of champagne in heart of LENS with M.O. Terrible devastation. Town blown to bits.
November 20, 1918
All day in Douai. Sign papers for my majority.
Douai
November 21, 1918
At Douai all day packing up to return to England.
November 22, 1918
Leave Douai 4 a.m for Boulogne arrive 6-30 p.m. All night in Boulogne.
November 23, 1918
Leave Boulogne for Folkestone 8-30 a.m. Arrive at noon. Overnight at Queen's Hotel.
Week-end
Weekend in Folkestone. Stay at Queen's Hotel.
November 24, 1918
Leave Folkestone for London 10 am. Arrive noon in London overnight.
November 25, 1918
Report to D.V.S. a.m.
In London all day.
November 26, 1918
Report to D.V.S. 10 am. In London all day.
November 27, 1918
In London all day. E. Graves spends evening with me at Imperial H.
November 28, 1918
Leave London for Bramshot Camp 1-30 P.M. Arrive 4-30 at Liphook. Overnight at Anchor Hotel.
November 29, 1918
Report to H.Q. Bramshot Camp.
See Thurston at noon.
November 30, 1918
Bramshot Camp a.m. Visit Hazelmere in P.M. Taken on strength at S.V.O. Bramshot.
Week-end
G.R.O. Bramshot 30/12/18. [illegible] 2-18 with effect 28/11/18
Q.M.G. [illegible] 8-0-1471-27/11/18
December 1, 1918
In Camp Bramshot all day feeling rotten.
December 5, 1918
In Camp Bramshot all day sick (flu).
December 6, 1918
Sent to Hospital No. 12 Bramshot in ambulance with Flu.
December 7, 1918
In Hospital all day.
December 8, 1918
In Hospital all day.
December 9, 1918
In Hospital all day at Bramshot.
December 10, 1918
In Hospital all day at Bramshot.
December 11, 1918
In Hospital all day at Bramshot.
December 12, 1918
In Hospital all day at Bramshot.
December 13, 1918
In Hospital. Pay Lt. Currie £4-4-0 for boots in promise of Lt. McDonald 2nd Bttn.
Week-end
In Hospital at Bramshot.
December 15, 1918
In Hospital all day at Bramshot.
December 16, 1918
Discharged from Hospital at Bramshot.
December 18, 1918
Leave Bramshot for 10 days leave. In London overnight.
December 19, 1918
Leave London for Dewsbury at noon. Arrive Dewsbury at 6-30 P.M.
December 20, 1918
In Dewsbury all day at Flo's.
December 21, 1918
In Dewsbury all day.
Week-end
Week End in Dewsbury.
December 23, 1918
Disch.
December 24, 1918
In Dewsbury all day.
December 25, 1918
In Dewsbury at Fred's home all day.
December 26, 1918
Leave Dewsbury for London 1-3 P.M. Arrive in town 6-30 P.M. London overnight.
December 27, 1918
In London all day. 1914-1915 star is given out in orders.
December 28, 1918
In London all day.
Week-end
Spend week End in London see Col. Edgett.
December 29, 1918
In London all day. Visit Morrison's at Bishop Park.
December 30, 1918
Leave London at 4-45 for Bramshot. All night in camp. Report back for Duty from leave.
December 31, 1918
Dance old year out at GODALMING.
January 1, 1919
In Camp all day at Bramshot.