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Tidworth Camp
Friday 6th August
Cleaning up quarters. Went to village (consisting of 5 shops and a few dwelling houses) with Bill. Stayed a very short time. Wrote home and to Florrie. Back to bed at 9 pm. Pay (3/-). Cigs from Gerty.
Saturday 7th August
Nothing doing whole day. Inspection of barracks by Brigadier General Kellet. Wrote letter to Bob and Sandy Thain. Bed early.
Sunday 8th August
Parade in morning to Ores, Church Hut. Wrote letter in afternoon to Bill Goodfellow and Bob Dick. Letter from Meg.
Monday 9th August
No parade in forenoon. Afternoon parade with Co. for musketry and will do so until course is finished. Played whist with D King for Scotland. Won. Wrote to Gerty.
Tuesday 10th August
Musketry practice forenoon with 10 platoon. Triangle of errors in afternoon. Sergeant said “very good”. Letter from Gerty including a postal order for 5/- which is liquidated.
Wednesday 11th August
Musketry practice as usual. Buzzer practice in afternoon. In evening went to Gymnasium and afterwards wrestles with Hadden.
Thursday 12th August
Usual parades. Letter from Mais with postal order for 1/-. YMCA concert at night, very good. Gymnasium at night also.
Friday 13th August
Pay in afternoon (3/-). Buzzer practice. Wrote to L Garvie in reply to letter received. Across at YM.
Saturday 14th August
Parade at 7 am to proceed to ranges for first part of musketry course. Shooting commenced at 8 and finished at 3.30. Back by 5pm. Results in Score Book. Bed early. Letter from Meg.
Sunday 15th August
Missed breakfast. By good luck parcel came from home so dined off par. Wrote to Minister's wife in afternoon. Commenced letter to home.
Monday 16th August
Breakfast at 5.45. Order for proceeding to ranges reversed to did not go until 12.30. Shot 200 yards application, 200 sharpshooting and 200 rapid in all three tests. Back at 7.45. Parcel from home presumably from Miss Sturrock. Letter from Florrie R. Good tea at night with Bandsman Smith of same section. Days just now very short as no time is left to do anything scarcely. Finished long letter started on Sunday and posted it home.
Tuesday 17th August
Shooting as usual. Not quite so good – rifles have decided variations and be depended on that is general opinion. Letter from home.
Wednesday 18th August
Inspection of 99th Brigade by General Sir A Murray. Passed off quite well. Number of men fell out during inspection owing to faintness caused undoubtedly by lack of food. Musketry in afternoon.
Thursday 19th August
More shooting at 500 and 600 yard ranges. Very bad results all round. Parcel of café, sardines etc. from home. Photo taken in Dundee included for Florrie.
Friday 20th August
Signalling parade at 9. Pay at 10 and 12 proceeded to rage to fire failed tests. Passed on required test. Started letter to L Pownall, friend of JR. Pay 3/-.
Saturday 21st August
Buzzer in forenoon. Helios afternoon – instructional practice from Steggall. Letter from home.
Sunday 22nd August
Parcel from home. Wrote letters in afternoon and continued buzzer practice.
Monday 23rd August
Signalling parade informal. Nowhere to go from here in spare time at night. “Self inflicted Confined to Barracks” all the time.
Tuesday 24th August
Forenoon with helios using transmitting station. Letter from home.
Wednesday 25th August
Orderly. Passes for long leave thrown out so wrote home to inform them. Nothing special during day.
Thursday 26th August
On sending station from forenoon. Lecture in afternoon from Sgt. Steggall.
Friday 27th August
Half signallers gone to instruction trenches for day – remainder helio work. Pay in afternoon (4/-). Lecture from Colonel on his visit to the front previous week. Left barrack for trenches at 6. There we were detached to separate stations. I was on exchange between C.O's dugout and firing line. Night passed without mishap.
Saturday 28th August
Left trenches at 9 am. Letter from home and wrote home. Stayed in all afternoon. YMCA concert at night. Very good.
Sunday 29th August
No Church parade. Buzzer practice. Parcel from home. Wrote letter to L Garvie.
Monday 30th August
Signallers parade on long distance station with helios. Buzzer in afternoon. Letter at night from Thain. Out with lamps.
Tuesday 31st August
Agitating for long leave. Wrote letter home. One from home. Lamps with Steggall at night.
Wednesday 1st September
2 Signallers in C Company granted leave from following morning. Am to wait for next lot going Tuesday. Distant station in forenoon with flags. Letter from B Dick and Flo. Bath (warm) at night.
Thursday 2nd September
Parade at 9 for buzzer. From 11 broke off to clean equipment preparatory to inspection by Inspector of Infantry at 2.00. After inspecting the Companies he came to Signals and said they must be “jolly brave fellow”. Chests up after that!! Letter from home.
Friday 3rd September
Remainder of Signallers to go today with the exception of Morris and I who go Tuesday. Parades as usual.
Saturday 4th September
Morris and I on our own. Parades in forenoon for helio. Walk in afternoon. Parcel from home. Village at night then to Garrison Theatre which wasn't good.
Sunday 5th September
A quiet day. Walk with Morris at night. Retired early.
Monday 6th September
Helio in forenoon. Preparing for going on leave in afternoon. Passes were given too late to catch 5.15 train so got ration money in advance or pay?
Tuesday 7th September
Left camp at 6.15 am and proceeded via Cheltenham for Dundee. Long wearisome journey arriving at 11.13 pm and met by Gerty and Mais. Great night's sleep.
Wednesday 8th September
Letter from Flo. Went to office in forenoon and afternoon at Invergowrie with girls to see Aunt Jessie. Kings (Theatre) at night. Very enjoyable day.
Thursday 9th September
Went to Blairgowrie to see Will and spent very nice day there. Had photo taken. Out with Annie Morton at night and as I won't see her again for the present I said goodbye at number 33.
Friday 10th September
Went to office to say goodbye. Invergowrie in afternoon. Saw Bob and Thain.
Saturday 11th September
Lazy afternoon. Park with Gerty in afternoon. Great! At Scala in evening with Bob and visited “Courier” offices.
Sunday 12th September
Cycle run with Mais in morning. Church and in afternoon at Thain's. Then to Mrs Smith's. Went to meet Gerty on duty accompanied by Meg. Bed early.
Monday 13th September
Left Dundee 6.30 am after glorious week at home. Same long journey and back at camp 10.30 pm. Thankful to get to bed.
Tuesday 14th September
Battalion manoeuvres, signallers on parade but not utilised. Tiresome day. Wrote home.
Wednesday 15th September
Inspection of Brigade by General Paget of War Office. Back early. Shoulder badges issued.
Thursday 16th September
Manoeuvres all day. Signallers out. Tired out at night.
Friday 17th September
Signallers parades. Test work at semaphore and morse flags during afternoon. Concert YMCA at night. Pay 6/-.
Saturday 18th September
No parades. Practising buzzer forenoon and afternoon.
Sunday 19th September
Writing letters in the afternoon. Short walk. Very slack day.
Monday 20th September
Left barracks at 8 am for Everley where field manoeuvres were carried out till 2 – rested remainder of day and bivouacked at night.
Tue 21st September
Spent bad night as it was very cold – wakened up several times. Manoeuvres again till 12 then marched back to camp.
Wednesday 22nd September
Battalion marched out for man but as signallers were not required we had practical work with field telephones. Discs in afternoon.
Thursday 23rd September
Divisional route march. Marched about sixteen miles and I never felt fresher before when we came back. Letter to Flo.
Friday 24th September
Orderly. In afternoon bayonet practice for signallers. Pay 5/-. Gave in a list of articles required for active service. Ramming hard.
Saturday 25th September
Parade early morning for discs and buzzer in forenoon. Did big washing. Afternoon practising buzzer playing ?
Sunday 26th September
Went to C of E Church parade. Buzzer in afternoon and evening.
Monday 27th September
Parade 8 o'clock and marched to Cross Belt manoeuvres, In charge of H.Q. Station working telephone. Buzzer in afternoon. Studying electricity. Big British victory?
Tuesday 28th September
Parade 8 am for Battalion field day. Drenching rain from 11 onwards. Soaked. Went to bed at 7.30. Bad Cold.
Wednesday 29th September
Helio in forenoon. Buzzer in afternoon. Theatre at night.
Thursday 30th September
All forenoon obtaining overseas boots. Afternoon learning mechanism of Stevens' Telephone. Lamps at night.
Friday 1st October
Signalling test in forenoon of Semaphore, Morse and Buzzer. Wrote to Flo. Pay 2/6d (Band 6d) 6d sub for cooks. Lamps at night to complete the test. Done well so far.
Saturday 2nd October
No parades. Result of test. Second with 695/800 points. Practising sending afternoon. Parcel from home.
Sunday 3rd October
Medical inspection for active service. Passed. Wrote Home. Bad toothache – neuralgia. Wrote to Mr Ross.
Monday 4th October
Set out at 9.00 for three days manouvere. On arriving at Amport dinner was served. Marched off and arrived at bivouac after Manoeuvres at 6. Laid wires between HQ and outposts. Very cold and damp night. Slept very little.
Tuesday 5th October
After breakfast marched to Clatford 12 miles distant. Further ops postponed till morrow. Selected good pitch for bivouac. Good night's sleep although fairly cold. Felt want of cigarettes. No letters from home. Our Battalion resting.
Wednesday 6th October
About 8 am was attached to “C” Company which formed the rearguard and after an engagement we set out for home having lost the main body. We trampled for miles across country and reached camp at 6.40 pm having had no food the whole day. Slightly tired. 2 letters from home and one from Flo.
Thursday 7th October
Forenoon spent cleaning signalling equipment. Afternoon set aside for reading signal manuals which were issued. Wrote home. News of J Crighton's death.
Friday 8th October
Brigade manoeuvres, out till four. No signalling done. Pay at 6 pm (3/-). Letters from Mrs Ross and papers from home.
Saturday 9th October
Orderly. Letter and parcel from home. No signalling parades. Tried to get my rifle but couldn't. Bed at 9.
Sunday 10th October
Wrote home and W Balfour. Very quiet day.
Monday 11th October
Left Barrack for Bulford Ranges at 6.45 am to fire Trained Soldiers Course. Did rather well first day. Back at 6 after firing 3 practices. Hungry.
Tuesday 12th October
Left at same hour and had good shooting on the whole. Back at 4. Letters from Gerty and Thain who is now in Surrey with 14th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
Wednesday 13th October
Today we go to Perham Down Ranges which are equidistant to Bulford. Rather poor shooting at 4 & 500 range. 2 Bulls and outer at 500. Wrote to Gerty. Papers from home. Zepps in London.
Thursday 14th October
Bulford Range at 8.30 for 600 yards practice. Scored 11 3 inner and mag. Back at 3. Letter from Mais with photo of Meg. Night alarm 12.
Friday 15th October
Set out 1am on night attack with 99th Brigade. Very cold and sleepy. Back at 8.30 am and no more parades till afternoon. Theatre and night with Steggall.
Saturday 16th October
No parade. Rifle inspection. Musketry result, 71 passing as 2nd Class shot. Did orderly to allow Martin off on pass. Letter from home.
Sunday 17th October
Long lie in bed. Parcel from home. Wrote home, Eth and Flo.
Monday 18th October
Left Barracks at 7.50 am for manoeuvres. Passed through Shipton & Grateley and finally halted about 3 miles from Stockbridge close to race course where “Tetraich” stc. Have been trained. Rather cold and damp night. Little sleep.
Tuesday 19th October
Left bivouac at 8.00. Arrived in camp at 2 pm. Letter from home.
Wednesday 20th October
Set out again on route march through Bulford, Netheravon where we saw Flying School. Arrived at Everley where we rested for night. Good night's sleep.
Thursday 21st October
Cold morning. When we set off on manoeuvres rain came on and at 12 the programme was cancelled and we turned for home. Arrived tired and wet at 6 pm. Letter from Thain.
Friday 22nd October
Slack day. Rifle Inspection and pay 3/-. Bought a few groceries. Studing spanon Friday for Pitman's Four.
Saturday 23rd October
Forenoon cleaning up. Afternoon big washing. Letter from Meg. Letter from Flo.
Sunday 24th October
Orderly. Parcel from home. Wrote to Meg and Flo. Miserable day of rain.
Monday 25th October
Field day. Wet and cold. Nothing much doing in barracks.
Tuesday 26th October
Battalion shooting field practices. Signallers at telephone work. Connecting D.Mark 3 Telephones.
Wednesday 27th October
Field day. Marched to Bedlam Buildings with Division. Whole day spent there. At 7 o'clock we left barracks for trench digging. Back at 11 pm.
Thursday 28th October
No parades till afternoon, for running out wires to time. Parcel from home for Halloween.
Friday 29th October
Parade early morning. Division in trenches. Day finished at 2.30pm. Institute for supper. Concert in YMCA very good. Pay 5/-.
Saturday 30th October
Parade in forenoon. Very few in camp and this is probably last weekend leave obtainable. Fixed up telephone with Morris next door. Parcel.
Sunday 31st October
Very quiet. Wrote a few letters.
Monday 1st November
Signalling parades with telephones. News of probable departure.
Tuesday 2nd November
Parade for phones all forenoon. Letter from home. Busy drawing stores etc.
Wednesday 3rd November
Musket parade with new equipment which has just been issued. Very similar to old equipment. Wrote home.
Thursday 4th November
Signal parades in rooms for telephone work. Enrolled as cyclist signaller.
Friday 5th November
Field day. In trenches at Bedlam Buildings as last week. Some signal work done. In barracks at 3.30 pm. Pay 3/-.
Saturday 6th November
Letter from home. Parade 12 o'clock for ranges to do field training practice and when finished was one of party marking in huts.
Sunday 7th November
Orderly. Parcel from home. Busy cleaning. Muster parade at 2. Wrote to Trude.
Monday 8th November
Division inspected by Queen Mary. Not on parade as right foot very sore, owing to, I think, walking over a lot of uneven ground. News of a move from Candahar.
Tuesday 9th November
Telephone parade and lecture from Mr Bull. Tried to get small kit.
Wednesday 10th November
Busy most of the day drawing small kit from Quartermaster. Drew breeches as cyclist. Sent personal kit home.
Thursday 11th November
Cleaning up room and making up pack. Letter and postal order from home. Everything now ready for going.
Friday 12th November
No word of move. All signalling equipment packed but Mr Bull gave a lecture during forenoon.
Saturday 13th November
No parades. Owing to having changed address to home I received no letters or parcel.
Sunday 14th November
Very quiet day,. 24th Battalion have left.
Monday 15th November
All bicycles packed and put on transport.
Friday 6th August
Cleaning up quarters. Went to village (consisting of 5 shops and a few dwelling houses) with Bill. Stayed a very short time. Wrote home and to Florrie. Back to bed at 9 pm. Pay (3/-). Cigs from Gerty.
Saturday 7th August
Nothing doing whole day. Inspection of barracks by Brigadier General Kellet. Wrote letter to Bob and Sandy Thain. Bed early.
Sunday 8th August
Parade in morning to Ores, Church Hut. Wrote letter in afternoon to Bill Goodfellow and Bob Dick. Letter from Meg.
Monday 9th August
No parade in forenoon. Afternoon parade with Co. for musketry and will do so until course is finished. Played whist with D King for Scotland. Won. Wrote to Gerty.
Tuesday 10th August
Musketry practice forenoon with 10 platoon. Triangle of errors in afternoon. Sergeant said “very good”. Letter from Gerty including a postal order for 5/- which is liquidated.
Wednesday 11th August
Musketry practice as usual. Buzzer practice in afternoon. In evening went to Gymnasium and afterwards wrestles with Hadden.
Thursday 12th August
Usual parades. Letter from Mais with postal order for 1/-. YMCA concert at night, very good. Gymnasium at night also.
Friday 13th August
Pay in afternoon (3/-). Buzzer practice. Wrote to L Garvie in reply to letter received. Across at YM.
Saturday 14th August
Parade at 7 am to proceed to ranges for first part of musketry course. Shooting commenced at 8 and finished at 3.30. Back by 5pm. Results in Score Book. Bed early. Letter from Meg.
Sunday 15th August
Missed breakfast. By good luck parcel came from home so dined off par. Wrote to Minister's wife in afternoon. Commenced letter to home.
Monday 16th August
Breakfast at 5.45. Order for proceeding to ranges reversed to did not go until 12.30. Shot 200 yards application, 200 sharpshooting and 200 rapid in all three tests. Back at 7.45. Parcel from home presumably from Miss Sturrock. Letter from Florrie R. Good tea at night with Bandsman Smith of same section. Days just now very short as no time is left to do anything scarcely. Finished long letter started on Sunday and posted it home.
Tuesday 17th August
Shooting as usual. Not quite so good – rifles have decided variations and be depended on that is general opinion. Letter from home.
Wednesday 18th August
Inspection of 99th Brigade by General Sir A Murray. Passed off quite well. Number of men fell out during inspection owing to faintness caused undoubtedly by lack of food. Musketry in afternoon.
Thursday 19th August
More shooting at 500 and 600 yard ranges. Very bad results all round. Parcel of café, sardines etc. from home. Photo taken in Dundee included for Florrie.
Friday 20th August
Signalling parade at 9. Pay at 10 and 12 proceeded to rage to fire failed tests. Passed on required test. Started letter to L Pownall, friend of JR. Pay 3/-.
Saturday 21st August
Buzzer in forenoon. Helios afternoon – instructional practice from Steggall. Letter from home.
Sunday 22nd August
Parcel from home. Wrote letters in afternoon and continued buzzer practice.
Monday 23rd August
Signalling parade informal. Nowhere to go from here in spare time at night. “Self inflicted Confined to Barracks” all the time.
Tuesday 24th August
Forenoon with helios using transmitting station. Letter from home.
Wednesday 25th August
Orderly. Passes for long leave thrown out so wrote home to inform them. Nothing special during day.
Thursday 26th August
On sending station from forenoon. Lecture in afternoon from Sgt. Steggall.
Friday 27th August
Half signallers gone to instruction trenches for day – remainder helio work. Pay in afternoon (4/-). Lecture from Colonel on his visit to the front previous week. Left barrack for trenches at 6. There we were detached to separate stations. I was on exchange between C.O's dugout and firing line. Night passed without mishap.
Saturday 28th August
Left trenches at 9 am. Letter from home and wrote home. Stayed in all afternoon. YMCA concert at night. Very good.
Sunday 29th August
No Church parade. Buzzer practice. Parcel from home. Wrote letter to L Garvie.
Monday 30th August
Signallers parade on long distance station with helios. Buzzer in afternoon. Letter at night from Thain. Out with lamps.
Tuesday 31st August
Agitating for long leave. Wrote letter home. One from home. Lamps with Steggall at night.
Wednesday 1st September
2 Signallers in C Company granted leave from following morning. Am to wait for next lot going Tuesday. Distant station in forenoon with flags. Letter from B Dick and Flo. Bath (warm) at night.
Thursday 2nd September
Parade at 9 for buzzer. From 11 broke off to clean equipment preparatory to inspection by Inspector of Infantry at 2.00. After inspecting the Companies he came to Signals and said they must be “jolly brave fellow”. Chests up after that!! Letter from home.
Friday 3rd September
Remainder of Signallers to go today with the exception of Morris and I who go Tuesday. Parades as usual.
Saturday 4th September
Morris and I on our own. Parades in forenoon for helio. Walk in afternoon. Parcel from home. Village at night then to Garrison Theatre which wasn't good.
Sunday 5th September
A quiet day. Walk with Morris at night. Retired early.
Monday 6th September
Helio in forenoon. Preparing for going on leave in afternoon. Passes were given too late to catch 5.15 train so got ration money in advance or pay?
Tuesday 7th September
Left camp at 6.15 am and proceeded via Cheltenham for Dundee. Long wearisome journey arriving at 11.13 pm and met by Gerty and Mais. Great night's sleep.
Wednesday 8th September
Letter from Flo. Went to office in forenoon and afternoon at Invergowrie with girls to see Aunt Jessie. Kings (Theatre) at night. Very enjoyable day.
Thursday 9th September
Went to Blairgowrie to see Will and spent very nice day there. Had photo taken. Out with Annie Morton at night and as I won't see her again for the present I said goodbye at number 33.
Friday 10th September
Went to office to say goodbye. Invergowrie in afternoon. Saw Bob and Thain.
Saturday 11th September
Lazy afternoon. Park with Gerty in afternoon. Great! At Scala in evening with Bob and visited “Courier” offices.
Sunday 12th September
Cycle run with Mais in morning. Church and in afternoon at Thain's. Then to Mrs Smith's. Went to meet Gerty on duty accompanied by Meg. Bed early.
Monday 13th September
Left Dundee 6.30 am after glorious week at home. Same long journey and back at camp 10.30 pm. Thankful to get to bed.
Tuesday 14th September
Battalion manoeuvres, signallers on parade but not utilised. Tiresome day. Wrote home.
Wednesday 15th September
Inspection of Brigade by General Paget of War Office. Back early. Shoulder badges issued.
Thursday 16th September
Manoeuvres all day. Signallers out. Tired out at night.
Friday 17th September
Signallers parades. Test work at semaphore and morse flags during afternoon. Concert YMCA at night. Pay 6/-.
Saturday 18th September
No parades. Practising buzzer forenoon and afternoon.
Sunday 19th September
Writing letters in the afternoon. Short walk. Very slack day.
Monday 20th September
Left barracks at 8 am for Everley where field manoeuvres were carried out till 2 – rested remainder of day and bivouacked at night.
Tue 21st September
Spent bad night as it was very cold – wakened up several times. Manoeuvres again till 12 then marched back to camp.
Wednesday 22nd September
Battalion marched out for man but as signallers were not required we had practical work with field telephones. Discs in afternoon.
Thursday 23rd September
Divisional route march. Marched about sixteen miles and I never felt fresher before when we came back. Letter to Flo.
Friday 24th September
Orderly. In afternoon bayonet practice for signallers. Pay 5/-. Gave in a list of articles required for active service. Ramming hard.
Saturday 25th September
Parade early morning for discs and buzzer in forenoon. Did big washing. Afternoon practising buzzer playing ?
Sunday 26th September
Went to C of E Church parade. Buzzer in afternoon and evening.
Monday 27th September
Parade 8 o'clock and marched to Cross Belt manoeuvres, In charge of H.Q. Station working telephone. Buzzer in afternoon. Studying electricity. Big British victory?
Tuesday 28th September
Parade 8 am for Battalion field day. Drenching rain from 11 onwards. Soaked. Went to bed at 7.30. Bad Cold.
Wednesday 29th September
Helio in forenoon. Buzzer in afternoon. Theatre at night.
Thursday 30th September
All forenoon obtaining overseas boots. Afternoon learning mechanism of Stevens' Telephone. Lamps at night.
Friday 1st October
Signalling test in forenoon of Semaphore, Morse and Buzzer. Wrote to Flo. Pay 2/6d (Band 6d) 6d sub for cooks. Lamps at night to complete the test. Done well so far.
Saturday 2nd October
No parades. Result of test. Second with 695/800 points. Practising sending afternoon. Parcel from home.
Sunday 3rd October
Medical inspection for active service. Passed. Wrote Home. Bad toothache – neuralgia. Wrote to Mr Ross.
Monday 4th October
Set out at 9.00 for three days manouvere. On arriving at Amport dinner was served. Marched off and arrived at bivouac after Manoeuvres at 6. Laid wires between HQ and outposts. Very cold and damp night. Slept very little.
Tuesday 5th October
After breakfast marched to Clatford 12 miles distant. Further ops postponed till morrow. Selected good pitch for bivouac. Good night's sleep although fairly cold. Felt want of cigarettes. No letters from home. Our Battalion resting.
Wednesday 6th October
About 8 am was attached to “C” Company which formed the rearguard and after an engagement we set out for home having lost the main body. We trampled for miles across country and reached camp at 6.40 pm having had no food the whole day. Slightly tired. 2 letters from home and one from Flo.
Thursday 7th October
Forenoon spent cleaning signalling equipment. Afternoon set aside for reading signal manuals which were issued. Wrote home. News of J Crighton's death.
Friday 8th October
Brigade manoeuvres, out till four. No signalling done. Pay at 6 pm (3/-). Letters from Mrs Ross and papers from home.
Saturday 9th October
Orderly. Letter and parcel from home. No signalling parades. Tried to get my rifle but couldn't. Bed at 9.
Sunday 10th October
Wrote home and W Balfour. Very quiet day.
Monday 11th October
Left Barrack for Bulford Ranges at 6.45 am to fire Trained Soldiers Course. Did rather well first day. Back at 6 after firing 3 practices. Hungry.
Tuesday 12th October
Left at same hour and had good shooting on the whole. Back at 4. Letters from Gerty and Thain who is now in Surrey with 14th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
Wednesday 13th October
Today we go to Perham Down Ranges which are equidistant to Bulford. Rather poor shooting at 4 & 500 range. 2 Bulls and outer at 500. Wrote to Gerty. Papers from home. Zepps in London.
Thursday 14th October
Bulford Range at 8.30 for 600 yards practice. Scored 11 3 inner and mag. Back at 3. Letter from Mais with photo of Meg. Night alarm 12.
Friday 15th October
Set out 1am on night attack with 99th Brigade. Very cold and sleepy. Back at 8.30 am and no more parades till afternoon. Theatre and night with Steggall.
Saturday 16th October
No parade. Rifle inspection. Musketry result, 71 passing as 2nd Class shot. Did orderly to allow Martin off on pass. Letter from home.
Sunday 17th October
Long lie in bed. Parcel from home. Wrote home, Eth and Flo.
Monday 18th October
Left Barracks at 7.50 am for manoeuvres. Passed through Shipton & Grateley and finally halted about 3 miles from Stockbridge close to race course where “Tetraich” stc. Have been trained. Rather cold and damp night. Little sleep.
Tuesday 19th October
Left bivouac at 8.00. Arrived in camp at 2 pm. Letter from home.
Wednesday 20th October
Set out again on route march through Bulford, Netheravon where we saw Flying School. Arrived at Everley where we rested for night. Good night's sleep.
Thursday 21st October
Cold morning. When we set off on manoeuvres rain came on and at 12 the programme was cancelled and we turned for home. Arrived tired and wet at 6 pm. Letter from Thain.
Friday 22nd October
Slack day. Rifle Inspection and pay 3/-. Bought a few groceries. Studing spanon Friday for Pitman's Four.
Saturday 23rd October
Forenoon cleaning up. Afternoon big washing. Letter from Meg. Letter from Flo.
Sunday 24th October
Orderly. Parcel from home. Wrote to Meg and Flo. Miserable day of rain.
Monday 25th October
Field day. Wet and cold. Nothing much doing in barracks.
Tuesday 26th October
Battalion shooting field practices. Signallers at telephone work. Connecting D.Mark 3 Telephones.
Wednesday 27th October
Field day. Marched to Bedlam Buildings with Division. Whole day spent there. At 7 o'clock we left barracks for trench digging. Back at 11 pm.
Thursday 28th October
No parades till afternoon, for running out wires to time. Parcel from home for Halloween.
Friday 29th October
Parade early morning. Division in trenches. Day finished at 2.30pm. Institute for supper. Concert in YMCA very good. Pay 5/-.
Saturday 30th October
Parade in forenoon. Very few in camp and this is probably last weekend leave obtainable. Fixed up telephone with Morris next door. Parcel.
Sunday 31st October
Very quiet. Wrote a few letters.
Monday 1st November
Signalling parades with telephones. News of probable departure.
Tuesday 2nd November
Parade for phones all forenoon. Letter from home. Busy drawing stores etc.
Wednesday 3rd November
Musket parade with new equipment which has just been issued. Very similar to old equipment. Wrote home.
Thursday 4th November
Signal parades in rooms for telephone work. Enrolled as cyclist signaller.
Friday 5th November
Field day. In trenches at Bedlam Buildings as last week. Some signal work done. In barracks at 3.30 pm. Pay 3/-.
Saturday 6th November
Letter from home. Parade 12 o'clock for ranges to do field training practice and when finished was one of party marking in huts.
Sunday 7th November
Orderly. Parcel from home. Busy cleaning. Muster parade at 2. Wrote to Trude.
Monday 8th November
Division inspected by Queen Mary. Not on parade as right foot very sore, owing to, I think, walking over a lot of uneven ground. News of a move from Candahar.
Tuesday 9th November
Telephone parade and lecture from Mr Bull. Tried to get small kit.
Wednesday 10th November
Busy most of the day drawing small kit from Quartermaster. Drew breeches as cyclist. Sent personal kit home.
Thursday 11th November
Cleaning up room and making up pack. Letter and postal order from home. Everything now ready for going.
Friday 12th November
No word of move. All signalling equipment packed but Mr Bull gave a lecture during forenoon.
Saturday 13th November
No parades. Owing to having changed address to home I received no letters or parcel.
Sunday 14th November
Very quiet day,. 24th Battalion have left.
Monday 15th November
All bicycles packed and put on transport.