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Clipstone Camp
Sunday 27th June
No church parade. Meals all wrong. No system and little food. Think will be fast friends with Bill Duncan and DK. Sincerely hope so. Letters from Thain & Jeannie Smith. Wrote to Meg.
Monday 28th June
Parades with Signallers. All others on fatigues as road making etc.
Tuesday 29th June
No early morning parade. Mansfield at night with DK.
Wednesday 30th June
Letter and parcel from home. Went to Mansfield with Bill and DK.
Thursday 1st July
Put in pass for 5 day home leave. Buzzer practice with Martin. Lamps at night.
Friday 2nd July
Went up about pass at night, saw it signed by Capt. Powell but was refused it until recommended by Foy.
Saturday 3rd July
An eventful day. At 8.45 received pass and half-warrant and left camp at 9.15. Met a Mansfield girl in train and she gave me address and will see her when I go back. Arrived in Dundee with changes at Nottingham, Leeds and Edinburgh. I was met by Gerty, Maisie, Will and Bob.
Sunday 4th July
Rose near 10.00 after an excellent night's sleep. Visited Aunty Mary and Mr Wyllie. Home about 10 and went short walk with Bob. Will took photos in park.
Monday 5th July
Visited all forenoon and cycled to Broughty pierrots in afternoon. AM away on holiday – rather disappointing.
Tuesday 6th July
Another round of visits. Saw Mrs Lemen and office – Mr B and Mr Ross both in. Cycled to Ferry with Mais.
Wednesday 7th July
Went to see Peter at Western but saw him at Central. Left Dundee with 7.31 for Edinburgh. At station Ally G, Thain, Bob, Louis Garvie, Cissie Marnie, M Smith, Gerty, Meg and Mais.
Thursday 8th July
Changed Edinburgh, Trent and Nottingham and arrived at Mansfield 8.30. Camp at 9.30 and felt very downhearted and sleepy. Parade with Signallers at 2. At night sent Postcard then out with camps at 9.30 to 10.45. Wrote home.
Friday 9th July
No early Parade. 8.25 Parade for Brigade route march through Sherwood Forest. Back at 2, No afternoon parade. Missed Pay. Buzzer practice at night. Letter from home. Postcard to Mansfield.
Saturday 10th July
Parade at 9.00 marched out until 11. Left camp for Mansfield with DK at 2.00. Went to Fair which was like Greenmarket. Back at 9.30.
Sunday 11th July
Church Parade for President in YMCA. Went to Mansfield in afternoon to see Miss Russell, had tea and went to Church with her, Came home at 8.45.
Monday 12th July
Big fatigue. Left for rifle range at 9.30. Job for day making light railway. Back at 5.00. Wrote home. Letter from Meg.
Tuesday 13th July.
Ordinary parades. Lamp signalling from 9.30 to 11.30.
Wednesday 14th July
Clothing Parade for Right Flank Company. Got trousers and tunic. Letter from Mais. Lamps 9 to 10.15.
Thursday 15th July
No early Parade now when out with lamps on previous night. Signal Orderly. Brigade route march which I had to attend. Left Company at 8.45 went through Mansfield Woodhouse and back round camp. Wrote to Mais. Out with lamp along with Martin.
Friday 16th July
Ordinary Parades. Sent letter to Thain. Not out at night. Pay 7/-.
Saturday 17th July
Pouring rain all forenoon. Left camp after tea for Mansfield. Spent enjoyable evening.
Sunday 18th July
Church parade at YM. Went halfway to Forest Town and met LG (local girl).We walked round camp and through it. Went to Mansfield at 5.00. Tea in Oriental Café and short walk after. Home 9.30.
Monday 19th July
Early parade, short walk. Other parades as usual. Washed clothes at night as articles were lost in previous week's laundry. Letter from and to home.
Tuesday 20th July
No early parade. Brigade manoeuvres all day. Each signal section attached to a platoon for day's work to receive and sent orders. Nothing special to report. Postcard for LG. Late pass at night for theatre with LG. Back 11.50.
Wednesday 21st July
No early parade. Parade at 9. Full marching orders for inspection by Major-General Maude. He expressed satisfaction. Lamps at night with Martin. Wrote to Sgt. Pownall (GG), Bob and Postcard to LG.
Thursday 22nd July
Parades as usual. Wrote letter in evening. Received information that Battalion under orders to go away, probably Salisbury. Lamps at night.
Friday 23rd July.
As usual. Pay in afternoon 2/-. Short walk in evening. Some practice in flags. Letter from L.K.McNab.
Saturday 24th July
Pouring in morning. Broke up towards noon, went out for morse flag waving. Received parcel and letter from home. At 5 left for Mansfield to see LG at 6.00. Spent first class evening, back at 9.30.
Sunday 25th July
Church parade. Set out before dinner for Mansfield. With LG from 2 'till 10 as I had late pass. T.U.
Monday 26th July
Early parade. Helio in forenoon near Ollerton. Flagging afternoon. Out with LG at night. Loan of bugler's late pass 'till 11.30.
Tuesday 27th July
At 9 set out with helio for Shirebrook, 9 miles away. Arrive there 11am. I worked on it 'till 12.30. Lunch in Victoria Hotel and at 2.00 proceeded for Camp in wagonette. No afternoon parade. Letter from Blair Atholl where girls are on holiday. Lamps at night privately with Sergeant Mowat.
Wednesday 28th July
No early parade. Most of Battalion on range fatigue. From 9 until 12 with helio and flags. Did some good work. Dismissed afternoon parade at 24th have Sports. Letter from L.K.McN and sent her one. Not out at night.
Thursday 29th July
Parades as usual. In evening went to Mansfield to see Florrie – went to house and then for a walk. Back 10.15 after spending an enjoyable evening.
Friday 30th July
No early morning parade. March out and flag drill in forenoon. Afternoon for pay (1/-). Can't understand short week's pay. Letter from Blair Atholl.
Saturday 31st July
Hut cleaning in early morning. 9 am parade under Gordon for buzzer. Nothing dome. Obtained weekend pass for Mansfield. Went after tea and spent all the time with Florrie. When leaving Mrs Russell asked if I couldn't possibly stay weekend and after considering – offer accepted. Went to bed at 11.
Sunday 1st August
Called by Florrie at 7.35. Breakfast at 8.00 and spent forenoon inside. Walk in afternoon and at night went to Church. Afterwards walked out and left at 9.45.
Monday 2nd August
Great excitement at news of Battalion leaving for Salisbury on Wednesday morning. No work done at all as packing up etc. in progress. Managed to get into Mansfield with midnight pass. Jolly time.
Tuesday 3rd August
General Inspection of camp in afternoon by Brigadier General Kellet. Everything A1. Just before tea Florrie came, as a great surprise to the hut and after going around camp, we went to hut for tea. Left camp at 5.00 and sat near Forest Town for a time. Rainstorm came on and we scurried for home. Stayed in town till 10.30 as Brigadier General had granted extension till 12 to Battalion. Said goodbye to all in Mansfield.
Wednesday 4th August
Left Edwinstone station 11.40 am by Great Central Railway travelling through Leicester, Banbury (where we were provided with tea by Red Cross nurses) and Oxford to Tidworth arriving at 7.10 pm. Kitbags had to be unpacked and bed (bare-boards) time was 12 midnight. Slept with Bill Duncan.
Thursday 5th August
Shifted to better quarters were all regular signallers are together. Settled on mess for signalling section.
Sunday 27th June
No church parade. Meals all wrong. No system and little food. Think will be fast friends with Bill Duncan and DK. Sincerely hope so. Letters from Thain & Jeannie Smith. Wrote to Meg.
Monday 28th June
Parades with Signallers. All others on fatigues as road making etc.
Tuesday 29th June
No early morning parade. Mansfield at night with DK.
Wednesday 30th June
Letter and parcel from home. Went to Mansfield with Bill and DK.
Thursday 1st July
Put in pass for 5 day home leave. Buzzer practice with Martin. Lamps at night.
Friday 2nd July
Went up about pass at night, saw it signed by Capt. Powell but was refused it until recommended by Foy.
Saturday 3rd July
An eventful day. At 8.45 received pass and half-warrant and left camp at 9.15. Met a Mansfield girl in train and she gave me address and will see her when I go back. Arrived in Dundee with changes at Nottingham, Leeds and Edinburgh. I was met by Gerty, Maisie, Will and Bob.
Sunday 4th July
Rose near 10.00 after an excellent night's sleep. Visited Aunty Mary and Mr Wyllie. Home about 10 and went short walk with Bob. Will took photos in park.
Monday 5th July
Visited all forenoon and cycled to Broughty pierrots in afternoon. AM away on holiday – rather disappointing.
Tuesday 6th July
Another round of visits. Saw Mrs Lemen and office – Mr B and Mr Ross both in. Cycled to Ferry with Mais.
Wednesday 7th July
Went to see Peter at Western but saw him at Central. Left Dundee with 7.31 for Edinburgh. At station Ally G, Thain, Bob, Louis Garvie, Cissie Marnie, M Smith, Gerty, Meg and Mais.
Thursday 8th July
Changed Edinburgh, Trent and Nottingham and arrived at Mansfield 8.30. Camp at 9.30 and felt very downhearted and sleepy. Parade with Signallers at 2. At night sent Postcard then out with camps at 9.30 to 10.45. Wrote home.
Friday 9th July
No early Parade. 8.25 Parade for Brigade route march through Sherwood Forest. Back at 2, No afternoon parade. Missed Pay. Buzzer practice at night. Letter from home. Postcard to Mansfield.
Saturday 10th July
Parade at 9.00 marched out until 11. Left camp for Mansfield with DK at 2.00. Went to Fair which was like Greenmarket. Back at 9.30.
Sunday 11th July
Church Parade for President in YMCA. Went to Mansfield in afternoon to see Miss Russell, had tea and went to Church with her, Came home at 8.45.
Monday 12th July
Big fatigue. Left for rifle range at 9.30. Job for day making light railway. Back at 5.00. Wrote home. Letter from Meg.
Tuesday 13th July.
Ordinary parades. Lamp signalling from 9.30 to 11.30.
Wednesday 14th July
Clothing Parade for Right Flank Company. Got trousers and tunic. Letter from Mais. Lamps 9 to 10.15.
Thursday 15th July
No early Parade now when out with lamps on previous night. Signal Orderly. Brigade route march which I had to attend. Left Company at 8.45 went through Mansfield Woodhouse and back round camp. Wrote to Mais. Out with lamp along with Martin.
Friday 16th July
Ordinary Parades. Sent letter to Thain. Not out at night. Pay 7/-.
Saturday 17th July
Pouring rain all forenoon. Left camp after tea for Mansfield. Spent enjoyable evening.
Sunday 18th July
Church parade at YM. Went halfway to Forest Town and met LG (local girl).We walked round camp and through it. Went to Mansfield at 5.00. Tea in Oriental Café and short walk after. Home 9.30.
Monday 19th July
Early parade, short walk. Other parades as usual. Washed clothes at night as articles were lost in previous week's laundry. Letter from and to home.
Tuesday 20th July
No early parade. Brigade manoeuvres all day. Each signal section attached to a platoon for day's work to receive and sent orders. Nothing special to report. Postcard for LG. Late pass at night for theatre with LG. Back 11.50.
Wednesday 21st July
No early parade. Parade at 9. Full marching orders for inspection by Major-General Maude. He expressed satisfaction. Lamps at night with Martin. Wrote to Sgt. Pownall (GG), Bob and Postcard to LG.
Thursday 22nd July
Parades as usual. Wrote letter in evening. Received information that Battalion under orders to go away, probably Salisbury. Lamps at night.
Friday 23rd July.
As usual. Pay in afternoon 2/-. Short walk in evening. Some practice in flags. Letter from L.K.McNab.
Saturday 24th July
Pouring in morning. Broke up towards noon, went out for morse flag waving. Received parcel and letter from home. At 5 left for Mansfield to see LG at 6.00. Spent first class evening, back at 9.30.
Sunday 25th July
Church parade. Set out before dinner for Mansfield. With LG from 2 'till 10 as I had late pass. T.U.
Monday 26th July
Early parade. Helio in forenoon near Ollerton. Flagging afternoon. Out with LG at night. Loan of bugler's late pass 'till 11.30.
Tuesday 27th July
At 9 set out with helio for Shirebrook, 9 miles away. Arrive there 11am. I worked on it 'till 12.30. Lunch in Victoria Hotel and at 2.00 proceeded for Camp in wagonette. No afternoon parade. Letter from Blair Atholl where girls are on holiday. Lamps at night privately with Sergeant Mowat.
Wednesday 28th July
No early parade. Most of Battalion on range fatigue. From 9 until 12 with helio and flags. Did some good work. Dismissed afternoon parade at 24th have Sports. Letter from L.K.McN and sent her one. Not out at night.
Thursday 29th July
Parades as usual. In evening went to Mansfield to see Florrie – went to house and then for a walk. Back 10.15 after spending an enjoyable evening.
Friday 30th July
No early morning parade. March out and flag drill in forenoon. Afternoon for pay (1/-). Can't understand short week's pay. Letter from Blair Atholl.
Saturday 31st July
Hut cleaning in early morning. 9 am parade under Gordon for buzzer. Nothing dome. Obtained weekend pass for Mansfield. Went after tea and spent all the time with Florrie. When leaving Mrs Russell asked if I couldn't possibly stay weekend and after considering – offer accepted. Went to bed at 11.
Sunday 1st August
Called by Florrie at 7.35. Breakfast at 8.00 and spent forenoon inside. Walk in afternoon and at night went to Church. Afterwards walked out and left at 9.45.
Monday 2nd August
Great excitement at news of Battalion leaving for Salisbury on Wednesday morning. No work done at all as packing up etc. in progress. Managed to get into Mansfield with midnight pass. Jolly time.
Tuesday 3rd August
General Inspection of camp in afternoon by Brigadier General Kellet. Everything A1. Just before tea Florrie came, as a great surprise to the hut and after going around camp, we went to hut for tea. Left camp at 5.00 and sat near Forest Town for a time. Rainstorm came on and we scurried for home. Stayed in town till 10.30 as Brigadier General had granted extension till 12 to Battalion. Said goodbye to all in Mansfield.
Wednesday 4th August
Left Edwinstone station 11.40 am by Great Central Railway travelling through Leicester, Banbury (where we were provided with tea by Red Cross nurses) and Oxford to Tidworth arriving at 7.10 pm. Kitbags had to be unpacked and bed (bare-boards) time was 12 midnight. Slept with Bill Duncan.
Thursday 5th August
Shifted to better quarters were all regular signallers are together. Settled on mess for signalling section.