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1915
Attested 30/3/15
Friday 2nd April 1915
Left Dundee Caledonian West Station at 9.15 pm. for London.
Saturday 3rd April
Arrived Euston Station 8.30 am. Breakfast at Fenchurch Street Station then went out to see a small part of London but could not go 100 yards from the station because of pouring rain. Had Dinner at Lyons Restaurant after which left for Hornchurch, arriving at 2.30 pm. Reception by Bob Lemen and after a quiet but interesting afternoon bedded at 10.
Sunday 4th April
Up at 7 am and out in the afternoon round the countryside.
Monday 5th April
Bank Holiday. No parade. Went to the Village with Lemen in the evening.
Tuesday 6 April
Posted to Left Flank Company and paraded at 7. Short march off at 7.50. Parade at 9 am for squad drill finishing at 12.30. Parade again at 2 until 4.30. Romford in evening and home at 8.30.
Wednesday 7th April
Parades as usual; at night in Hornchurch with Bob Bennett at pictures. Home early.
Thursday 8th April
Parades as usual. Not out at night as shops closed.
Friday 9th April
Left Flank Co, had 20 mile route March but as I was at squad drill and did not have uniform I was not present. Inspection of Left Flank Co, by General Kellet. At night pictures in Hornchurch.
Saturday 10th April
Short March at 7 am. At Parade at 9 am and inspection of ranks. Colonel Maitland stopped and asked me if I had been in the army before as I stood smartly to attention. Afternoon bought grenades and letters for uniform and money belt. Home for tea. Evening at Romford purchased this book and proceeded to Laurie Cinema. Came home by train to Emerson Park Halt station and walked to Barracks.
Sunday 11th April
Up at 6.05 am to light fires. My duties as orderly being today I was not at Church Parade but steady all forenoon at cleaning up etc. Growing quite sunburnt and very sore face with the changing skin. Out round parade ground with Cochrane. Wrote Thain and Annie. Paper Home.
Monday 12th April
Sergeant Whiteside for physical drill in morning. Vaccination (4) afternoon. Arranged to go to Left Flank Co, when uniform comes. Wrote to Mr Ross and Bob. Hornchurch Cinema.
Tuesday 13th April
On Parade at 9 am. Called out of recruit (D) squad and fell in with Left Flank Company. March out followed by post out duty. We lined the railway and as connecting file we (a file) lay in communication between Number 2 picket and Number 2 Sentry group. Passed messages with Semaphore and duty passed off in good order. Lecture in Institute from Captain de Bourbel on our morning's work. Went with Capt. Richardson to Storeroom but nothing available. Letters from Dai and home, postal order for 6/-. Semaphore and Company drill in afternoon. Postcard from home. Wrote to Mr Ross home (Meg). Concentration march at 8.45 to Rainham about 5 and half miles distant. Arrived home at 12.30 after marching about 11 miles.
Wednesday 14th April
First Parade at 9 am. Firing control and drill. Semaphore in Afternoon. At night went to Hornchurch and bought sponge, 2 collars, notebook and signalling book.
Thursday 15th April
During day had semaphore and drill. Letter from home and sent one by return.
Friday 16th April
Breakfast 6.45. Parade at 7.30 for Field Day, Went to Hainault Park Forest – about 7 miles distant via Romford – and had manoeuvres. While resting on way received letter from Mr Ross. Home about 4.30. Bath then wrote to Gerty, W Balfour and the gang at home.
Saturday 17th April
Parade of Battalion at 9 am. Kit Inspection. Foot Inspection at 11. Pay 5/- at 11.30. Wrote Dai and Thain. Received parcel, sweets and biscuits from home. Not outside barracks all day very quiet.
Sunday 18th April
Didn't go to Church Parade as I had no uniform and thought it better to wait a week. Went out short walks then at night went round Romford way. Vaccination making left arm fairly sore. Letter from J.
Monday 19th April
At 11 had an inoculation which allows me 48 hours leave. Not much pain at time of injection. Went on parade in afternoon to receive commemoration medal from Mrs Cunliffe Owen ( the Battalion foundress) but as they were numbered to only 1600 was disappointed. Towards 5 pm began to have sore head and felt feverish so with Bob's help went to bed. Arm very stiff but I managed to sleep. Letter from Thain. Wrote Mrs Lemen.
Tuesday 20th April
Had breakfast in Bed, Arm not so stiff and head all right. Touch of toothache in morning. Letters from Dai and Gerty. Wrote to Peter and Mais, Jeannie Smith and sent postcards to Ethel Anderson, Mr Buist, Mr Low and Mr Ross. Went to Hornchurch with Bob some minorities. Postcard to Mr Lindsay.
Wednesday 21th April
No parade. Company on route march cleaning in afternoon. Toothache. Wrote to Dai. Letter from Bob. Parade at 9 pm for night manoeuvres inspection by General Kellett. Didn't go as inoculation leave was just up and felt that it was better to stay back.
Thursday 22nd April
Parades as usual.
Friday 23rd April
Parade at 8 am for march to Hainault Park Forest. Manoeuvres as last Friday. Parcel from home.
Saturday 24th April
7 am for physical drill. Kit Inspection at 9. Got tunic at stores and loan of breeches and puttees so am now in uniform. Letter from Annie and home. Wrote to home. Shooting at Hornchurch range in afternoon. Pretty decent. Romford at night. Letter to home not posted.
Sunday 25th April
No Church parade on account of rain. Wrote Bob. Postcards to Bella, H Dryden and Jessie Anderson. Concert at night in hut 7a. Went with Henderson and enjoyed it very much. No char.
Monday 26th April
Parade at 7 am, Physical drill, 9 for visual training. Afternoon marched out and practised outpost duty. Lecture in Institute from Capt. De Bourbel on sleeping kit and also on manoeuvring. Bath at night after game of footer.
Tuesday 27th April
Parade in morning for physical drill. Started march at 3.30 for Hainault Forest. Arrived 6.15 and bivouacked for the night. I was sentry to Supports of No 3 Picket from 12.30 to 1.40 am.
Wednesday 28th April
Reveille 4 am. Breakfast at 5 am. Marched home at 5.30. Arrived at 8.15. Hut cleaning in forenoon . Afternoon: Semaphore and bayonet exercises. Wrote to Dai.
Thursday 29th April
Physical drill cancelled to hut cleaning. Muster parade at 9 am. During the forenoon grouping at range I scored a group 3.1.3. Bayonet exercises from 11 – 12.30. Afternoon at bayonet fighting. Wrote home. Letter from Mais.
Friday 30th April
Physical drill at 7 am. Marched to Romford Common at 9 for visual training. Called out to fire for the practice and carried through all right. Afternoon at section rushes. At night at 9 o'clock went out as attacking party and we returned at 1.5 am.
Saturday 1st May
No parade at 9 am. 9 o'clock parade was for Inspection. Pay 15/- at 12. Hornchurch with Bennett in afternoon. Romford at night. Met 2 girls. Home 9.45.
Sunday 2nd May
Church Parade off. Walked to Rainham and back (11 and a half ) miles in forenoon. Wrote home.
Monday 3rd May
Parade at 7 am. Physical drill. Bayonet fighting forenoon and if afternoon shooting at Hornchurch range. Scored 33 out of 50.
Tuesday 4th May
Breakfast at 7. Parade at 8.15 for 3 day march. Marched to Hainault Park Forest and fought sham rear guard action before dinner. Visual training in afternoon and at night outpost duty. A night attack was prepared for us at 10.30. Right Flank Company attacked our position on the extreme left. They were beaten off and forced to retire.
Wednesday 5th May
Marched to Epping Uplands, a distance of 9 miles from Hainault. While on the march we had an attack in the rear and we retired by section rushes. Slack day and duties commenced at 7 p.m. in trenches. I was a sentry both nights and nothing unexpected happened.
Thursday 6th May
Reveille at 5. Rations (Bread, cocoa and a rasher bacon) served and we marched off at 8.30 from Epping for home. Dinner rations were served at a private house 8 miles further on and at 1.30 we proceeded on the remaining 10 miles. At 4.30 we arrived at barracks tired but not downhearted. Bed at 9.45.
Friday 7th May
No parade at 9. Semaphore at 9 and a talk form Capt. De Bourbel. Inoculation, 2nd at 2. No ill effects. Wrote to No 9 and to Dai with a postcard.
Saturday 8th May
Wrote Home and Bob. Sent Large, small postcard groups of Left Flank Co home. Romford with Bob in afternoon.
Sunday 9th May
Church in forenoon. Walked to Romford and lay in park. With geisha met on Saturday. With geisha at Church in evening.
Monday 10th May
Parade at 9 Physical drill. Parades as usual. Walk in evening with now usual. Home early. Registered parcel from Mrs J Crighton.
Tuesday 11th May
Parades now at 6.45 am for Battalion drill. 9 for usual training and extended order. 2 for Semaphore . Walk to Hornchurch with Bob in evening. Letter from Home. Wrote Home.
Wednesday 12th May
Parade 6.45. Physical drill. Hornchurch Church grounds for visual training and fire control. Letter from home and in afternoon extended order. Night attack at Hadley Green, sentry to with loaded rifle. Home 12.15 am.
Thursday 13th May
Pouring rain. Morning Parade off. Hut training in visual and location of targets. Received my Army “Small Book” which was duly filled in. Put in pass for Sunday to see George Lemem. Afternoon shooting at rifle range. Pretty good card. Bath at night. Still raining heavily.
Friday 14th May
Parade at 8 o'clock. Route march of 17 miles via Brentwood and Ongar. Back at 3 pm. Hut cleaning to 4.50. Letters from Dai, Home, Ross, Thain and GC. Parcel from home. Out at night, pictures with GC, Home 10.10!
Saturday 15th May
Parade 7.45 Physical Drill. No Parade at 9. Kit Inspection and pay 1/-. In barracks in afternoon. Out at night to 9 with GC.
Sunday 16th May
Left Hornchurch for Caterham 9.30 am to see George Lemen. Changed at East Ham to Underground for Charing Cross (1/1½d). Arrived London 11 am. Went to St Paul's Cathedral thence to Whitehall and Houses of Parliament. Left Charing Cross for Caterham (1/3d) 12.58. Received small Bible in Club in Caterham. Left 6.30 for Charing Cross from here to Barking by Underground and home at 9.30. For this day had a single fare pass. At Caterham sent postcards to Home, Dai and GC.
Monday 17th May
Parade 6.45 Physical drill. 9 am for Company drill under Capt. De Bourbel. 10.40 on account of rain lecture in Institute from Lieut Dixon Spain on Indication of targets till 11. Rifle cleaning etc. 11-12.30. Hadley Green in afternoon. Out at night.
Tuesday 18th May
Reveille at 5.30. Pouring rain no Parade. 9am Rifle Drill and visual. 11am Lecture. 2 pm Semaphore and rifle drill. Bath at night. Letters from Home and Bob. Wrote home and to W Balfour. Fair at night.
Wednesday 19th May
Hut Orderly. Nothing of went beyond ordinary routine. Went out with GC. Home 8.45 when alarm was sounded. Very good muster.
Thursday 20th May
Parade 6.15. Battalion drill. 9.00 for drill and rifle practice. In afternoon bayonet fighting and shooting. 3 Bulls. Wrote to Eth, Mrs Crighton and GC.
Friday 21th May
Parade at 9.00. Hut cleaning in morning. Visual and shooting. Semaphore in afternoon. Letter from home. Wrote home.
Saturday 22nd May
Hut cleaning before breakfast. Pay 1/- and no more parades. Hornchurch in afternoon. Out with GC at night.
Sunday 23rd May
Church Parade – not out in afternoon. Wrote to home Dai, Bob and Hunters. Out at Church in evening with GC.
Monday 24th May
Parade from 6.15 to 9.00. Fire Control and Company drill 12.30 when we were dismissed for the day Whitsun Monday. Not out in afternoon. Very Warm.
Tuesday 25th May
Letter from home. Usual parcels. Not out at night.
Wednesday 26th May
Parade at Doctors for teeth. Parade in forenoon and afternoon went to dentist but was unable to see it. Not out at night.
Thursday 27th May.
Battalion drill in the morning. Shooting forenoon. Bayonet fighting afternoon. Stayed in and read a Spanish novel from McGregor.
Friday 28th May
Battalion Route March through Ilford. Slack afternoon. At night went to Hornchurch with Lemen and afterwards to the village with Wilson.
Saturday 29th May
Parade at 9.00. Clothing parade, received trousers and other tunic. Parcel and letters from home. Out with GC and as I had midnight pass went to Romford at 9.30 and met Cochrane. Introduced to Lily. Assistant Orderly.
Sunday 30th May
Orderly therefore no Parade. Out at night at Romford Church. Commenced letter home.
Monday 31st May
Paraded for instructions in rifle drill ceremonial for military funeral. 12 in party. Train to Chigwell and everything went without a hitch. Fired 3 volleys. Tea in Vicar's lawn and permission to through grounds. Home at 7.30 pm.
Tuesday 1st July
Ins by General commanding Eastern Division. Nearly killed with Sect. Rushes. Didn't stray from barracks at night until 8.00 when went to Romford for watch.
Wednesday 2nd June
Canteen fatigue. Missed long route march for which not sorry. Walked through Romford. Spoke to nice girl. Home at 9.00.
Thursday 3rd June
No early Parade. Hornchurch range all forenoon for sniper shooting. Bayonet fighting. Out for a short walk.
Friday 4th June
Parade at 9.00 for Battalion route march round Brentwood. Home at 5.00 not out. Parcel from home. Gave in name for Signaller to Sgt. Muller.
Saturday 5th June
Kit cleaning. Parade at 9.00. Practice of March past. Kit Inspection. Pay 1/-, Afternoon at cricket. Fire picket ; never called out.
Sunday 6th June
Church Parade. Letter from home. Stayed in afternoon. At Bayonet practice for guard. 6.30 turned out for guard. My turn from 8.30 to 10.30. Passed off well.
Monday 7th June
Had duty 2.30 to 4.30 am. Duty at 2.15. Letters from Dai and Bob. Postcard from home. Off guard at 6.30 pm. Not out. Have been accepted for Signalling Corps.
Attested 30/3/15
Friday 2nd April 1915
Left Dundee Caledonian West Station at 9.15 pm. for London.
Saturday 3rd April
Arrived Euston Station 8.30 am. Breakfast at Fenchurch Street Station then went out to see a small part of London but could not go 100 yards from the station because of pouring rain. Had Dinner at Lyons Restaurant after which left for Hornchurch, arriving at 2.30 pm. Reception by Bob Lemen and after a quiet but interesting afternoon bedded at 10.
Sunday 4th April
Up at 7 am and out in the afternoon round the countryside.
Monday 5th April
Bank Holiday. No parade. Went to the Village with Lemen in the evening.
Tuesday 6 April
Posted to Left Flank Company and paraded at 7. Short march off at 7.50. Parade at 9 am for squad drill finishing at 12.30. Parade again at 2 until 4.30. Romford in evening and home at 8.30.
Wednesday 7th April
Parades as usual; at night in Hornchurch with Bob Bennett at pictures. Home early.
Thursday 8th April
Parades as usual. Not out at night as shops closed.
Friday 9th April
Left Flank Co, had 20 mile route March but as I was at squad drill and did not have uniform I was not present. Inspection of Left Flank Co, by General Kellet. At night pictures in Hornchurch.
Saturday 10th April
Short March at 7 am. At Parade at 9 am and inspection of ranks. Colonel Maitland stopped and asked me if I had been in the army before as I stood smartly to attention. Afternoon bought grenades and letters for uniform and money belt. Home for tea. Evening at Romford purchased this book and proceeded to Laurie Cinema. Came home by train to Emerson Park Halt station and walked to Barracks.
Sunday 11th April
Up at 6.05 am to light fires. My duties as orderly being today I was not at Church Parade but steady all forenoon at cleaning up etc. Growing quite sunburnt and very sore face with the changing skin. Out round parade ground with Cochrane. Wrote Thain and Annie. Paper Home.
Monday 12th April
Sergeant Whiteside for physical drill in morning. Vaccination (4) afternoon. Arranged to go to Left Flank Co, when uniform comes. Wrote to Mr Ross and Bob. Hornchurch Cinema.
Tuesday 13th April
On Parade at 9 am. Called out of recruit (D) squad and fell in with Left Flank Company. March out followed by post out duty. We lined the railway and as connecting file we (a file) lay in communication between Number 2 picket and Number 2 Sentry group. Passed messages with Semaphore and duty passed off in good order. Lecture in Institute from Captain de Bourbel on our morning's work. Went with Capt. Richardson to Storeroom but nothing available. Letters from Dai and home, postal order for 6/-. Semaphore and Company drill in afternoon. Postcard from home. Wrote to Mr Ross home (Meg). Concentration march at 8.45 to Rainham about 5 and half miles distant. Arrived home at 12.30 after marching about 11 miles.
Wednesday 14th April
First Parade at 9 am. Firing control and drill. Semaphore in Afternoon. At night went to Hornchurch and bought sponge, 2 collars, notebook and signalling book.
Thursday 15th April
During day had semaphore and drill. Letter from home and sent one by return.
Friday 16th April
Breakfast 6.45. Parade at 7.30 for Field Day, Went to Hainault Park Forest – about 7 miles distant via Romford – and had manoeuvres. While resting on way received letter from Mr Ross. Home about 4.30. Bath then wrote to Gerty, W Balfour and the gang at home.
Saturday 17th April
Parade of Battalion at 9 am. Kit Inspection. Foot Inspection at 11. Pay 5/- at 11.30. Wrote Dai and Thain. Received parcel, sweets and biscuits from home. Not outside barracks all day very quiet.
Sunday 18th April
Didn't go to Church Parade as I had no uniform and thought it better to wait a week. Went out short walks then at night went round Romford way. Vaccination making left arm fairly sore. Letter from J.
Monday 19th April
At 11 had an inoculation which allows me 48 hours leave. Not much pain at time of injection. Went on parade in afternoon to receive commemoration medal from Mrs Cunliffe Owen ( the Battalion foundress) but as they were numbered to only 1600 was disappointed. Towards 5 pm began to have sore head and felt feverish so with Bob's help went to bed. Arm very stiff but I managed to sleep. Letter from Thain. Wrote Mrs Lemen.
Tuesday 20th April
Had breakfast in Bed, Arm not so stiff and head all right. Touch of toothache in morning. Letters from Dai and Gerty. Wrote to Peter and Mais, Jeannie Smith and sent postcards to Ethel Anderson, Mr Buist, Mr Low and Mr Ross. Went to Hornchurch with Bob some minorities. Postcard to Mr Lindsay.
Wednesday 21th April
No parade. Company on route march cleaning in afternoon. Toothache. Wrote to Dai. Letter from Bob. Parade at 9 pm for night manoeuvres inspection by General Kellett. Didn't go as inoculation leave was just up and felt that it was better to stay back.
Thursday 22nd April
Parades as usual.
Friday 23rd April
Parade at 8 am for march to Hainault Park Forest. Manoeuvres as last Friday. Parcel from home.
Saturday 24th April
7 am for physical drill. Kit Inspection at 9. Got tunic at stores and loan of breeches and puttees so am now in uniform. Letter from Annie and home. Wrote to home. Shooting at Hornchurch range in afternoon. Pretty decent. Romford at night. Letter to home not posted.
Sunday 25th April
No Church parade on account of rain. Wrote Bob. Postcards to Bella, H Dryden and Jessie Anderson. Concert at night in hut 7a. Went with Henderson and enjoyed it very much. No char.
Monday 26th April
Parade at 7 am, Physical drill, 9 for visual training. Afternoon marched out and practised outpost duty. Lecture in Institute from Capt. De Bourbel on sleeping kit and also on manoeuvring. Bath at night after game of footer.
Tuesday 27th April
Parade in morning for physical drill. Started march at 3.30 for Hainault Forest. Arrived 6.15 and bivouacked for the night. I was sentry to Supports of No 3 Picket from 12.30 to 1.40 am.
Wednesday 28th April
Reveille 4 am. Breakfast at 5 am. Marched home at 5.30. Arrived at 8.15. Hut cleaning in forenoon . Afternoon: Semaphore and bayonet exercises. Wrote to Dai.
Thursday 29th April
Physical drill cancelled to hut cleaning. Muster parade at 9 am. During the forenoon grouping at range I scored a group 3.1.3. Bayonet exercises from 11 – 12.30. Afternoon at bayonet fighting. Wrote home. Letter from Mais.
Friday 30th April
Physical drill at 7 am. Marched to Romford Common at 9 for visual training. Called out to fire for the practice and carried through all right. Afternoon at section rushes. At night at 9 o'clock went out as attacking party and we returned at 1.5 am.
Saturday 1st May
No parade at 9 am. 9 o'clock parade was for Inspection. Pay 15/- at 12. Hornchurch with Bennett in afternoon. Romford at night. Met 2 girls. Home 9.45.
Sunday 2nd May
Church Parade off. Walked to Rainham and back (11 and a half ) miles in forenoon. Wrote home.
Monday 3rd May
Parade at 7 am. Physical drill. Bayonet fighting forenoon and if afternoon shooting at Hornchurch range. Scored 33 out of 50.
Tuesday 4th May
Breakfast at 7. Parade at 8.15 for 3 day march. Marched to Hainault Park Forest and fought sham rear guard action before dinner. Visual training in afternoon and at night outpost duty. A night attack was prepared for us at 10.30. Right Flank Company attacked our position on the extreme left. They were beaten off and forced to retire.
Wednesday 5th May
Marched to Epping Uplands, a distance of 9 miles from Hainault. While on the march we had an attack in the rear and we retired by section rushes. Slack day and duties commenced at 7 p.m. in trenches. I was a sentry both nights and nothing unexpected happened.
Thursday 6th May
Reveille at 5. Rations (Bread, cocoa and a rasher bacon) served and we marched off at 8.30 from Epping for home. Dinner rations were served at a private house 8 miles further on and at 1.30 we proceeded on the remaining 10 miles. At 4.30 we arrived at barracks tired but not downhearted. Bed at 9.45.
Friday 7th May
No parade at 9. Semaphore at 9 and a talk form Capt. De Bourbel. Inoculation, 2nd at 2. No ill effects. Wrote to No 9 and to Dai with a postcard.
Saturday 8th May
Wrote Home and Bob. Sent Large, small postcard groups of Left Flank Co home. Romford with Bob in afternoon.
Sunday 9th May
Church in forenoon. Walked to Romford and lay in park. With geisha met on Saturday. With geisha at Church in evening.
Monday 10th May
Parade at 9 Physical drill. Parades as usual. Walk in evening with now usual. Home early. Registered parcel from Mrs J Crighton.
Tuesday 11th May
Parades now at 6.45 am for Battalion drill. 9 for usual training and extended order. 2 for Semaphore . Walk to Hornchurch with Bob in evening. Letter from Home. Wrote Home.
Wednesday 12th May
Parade 6.45. Physical drill. Hornchurch Church grounds for visual training and fire control. Letter from home and in afternoon extended order. Night attack at Hadley Green, sentry to with loaded rifle. Home 12.15 am.
Thursday 13th May
Pouring rain. Morning Parade off. Hut training in visual and location of targets. Received my Army “Small Book” which was duly filled in. Put in pass for Sunday to see George Lemem. Afternoon shooting at rifle range. Pretty good card. Bath at night. Still raining heavily.
Friday 14th May
Parade at 8 o'clock. Route march of 17 miles via Brentwood and Ongar. Back at 3 pm. Hut cleaning to 4.50. Letters from Dai, Home, Ross, Thain and GC. Parcel from home. Out at night, pictures with GC, Home 10.10!
Saturday 15th May
Parade 7.45 Physical Drill. No Parade at 9. Kit Inspection and pay 1/-. In barracks in afternoon. Out at night to 9 with GC.
Sunday 16th May
Left Hornchurch for Caterham 9.30 am to see George Lemen. Changed at East Ham to Underground for Charing Cross (1/1½d). Arrived London 11 am. Went to St Paul's Cathedral thence to Whitehall and Houses of Parliament. Left Charing Cross for Caterham (1/3d) 12.58. Received small Bible in Club in Caterham. Left 6.30 for Charing Cross from here to Barking by Underground and home at 9.30. For this day had a single fare pass. At Caterham sent postcards to Home, Dai and GC.
Monday 17th May
Parade 6.45 Physical drill. 9 am for Company drill under Capt. De Bourbel. 10.40 on account of rain lecture in Institute from Lieut Dixon Spain on Indication of targets till 11. Rifle cleaning etc. 11-12.30. Hadley Green in afternoon. Out at night.
Tuesday 18th May
Reveille at 5.30. Pouring rain no Parade. 9am Rifle Drill and visual. 11am Lecture. 2 pm Semaphore and rifle drill. Bath at night. Letters from Home and Bob. Wrote home and to W Balfour. Fair at night.
Wednesday 19th May
Hut Orderly. Nothing of went beyond ordinary routine. Went out with GC. Home 8.45 when alarm was sounded. Very good muster.
Thursday 20th May
Parade 6.15. Battalion drill. 9.00 for drill and rifle practice. In afternoon bayonet fighting and shooting. 3 Bulls. Wrote to Eth, Mrs Crighton and GC.
Friday 21th May
Parade at 9.00. Hut cleaning in morning. Visual and shooting. Semaphore in afternoon. Letter from home. Wrote home.
Saturday 22nd May
Hut cleaning before breakfast. Pay 1/- and no more parades. Hornchurch in afternoon. Out with GC at night.
Sunday 23rd May
Church Parade – not out in afternoon. Wrote to home Dai, Bob and Hunters. Out at Church in evening with GC.
Monday 24th May
Parade from 6.15 to 9.00. Fire Control and Company drill 12.30 when we were dismissed for the day Whitsun Monday. Not out in afternoon. Very Warm.
Tuesday 25th May
Letter from home. Usual parcels. Not out at night.
Wednesday 26th May
Parade at Doctors for teeth. Parade in forenoon and afternoon went to dentist but was unable to see it. Not out at night.
Thursday 27th May.
Battalion drill in the morning. Shooting forenoon. Bayonet fighting afternoon. Stayed in and read a Spanish novel from McGregor.
Friday 28th May
Battalion Route March through Ilford. Slack afternoon. At night went to Hornchurch with Lemen and afterwards to the village with Wilson.
Saturday 29th May
Parade at 9.00. Clothing parade, received trousers and other tunic. Parcel and letters from home. Out with GC and as I had midnight pass went to Romford at 9.30 and met Cochrane. Introduced to Lily. Assistant Orderly.
Sunday 30th May
Orderly therefore no Parade. Out at night at Romford Church. Commenced letter home.
Monday 31st May
Paraded for instructions in rifle drill ceremonial for military funeral. 12 in party. Train to Chigwell and everything went without a hitch. Fired 3 volleys. Tea in Vicar's lawn and permission to through grounds. Home at 7.30 pm.
Tuesday 1st July
Ins by General commanding Eastern Division. Nearly killed with Sect. Rushes. Didn't stray from barracks at night until 8.00 when went to Romford for watch.
Wednesday 2nd June
Canteen fatigue. Missed long route march for which not sorry. Walked through Romford. Spoke to nice girl. Home at 9.00.
Thursday 3rd June
No early Parade. Hornchurch range all forenoon for sniper shooting. Bayonet fighting. Out for a short walk.
Friday 4th June
Parade at 9.00 for Battalion route march round Brentwood. Home at 5.00 not out. Parcel from home. Gave in name for Signaller to Sgt. Muller.
Saturday 5th June
Kit cleaning. Parade at 9.00. Practice of March past. Kit Inspection. Pay 1/-, Afternoon at cricket. Fire picket ; never called out.
Sunday 6th June
Church Parade. Letter from home. Stayed in afternoon. At Bayonet practice for guard. 6.30 turned out for guard. My turn from 8.30 to 10.30. Passed off well.
Monday 7th June
Had duty 2.30 to 4.30 am. Duty at 2.15. Letters from Dai and Bob. Postcard from home. Off guard at 6.30 pm. Not out. Have been accepted for Signalling Corps.