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Joseph's diary during his period in France is now interwoven with the Battalion War Diary (BWD)
Tuesday 16th November
Left Tidworth at 2pm for Folkestone which we left at 11pm for crossing the Channel. Very smooth crossing. Destroyer escort.
BWD: Right half Battalion entrained at Tidworth for Folkestone played out by the Battalion pipers drums and buglers. Left half of the Battalion played out by the Band of the Reserve Cavalry Brigade. Battalion embarked on SS Princess Victoria for Bolougne. Battalion disembarked at 1 am on the 17th and marched to OSTROVE rest camp.
Wednesday 17th November
In rest camps at 3 am. Very grateful indeed for shelter of tents. Spent a fairly good night but suffering to a great extent from coldness of feet (not “cold feet”!) Route march thought the town (Bolougne). Very dirty town with few possessing features. Industry chiefly fishing.
Thursday 18th November
In afternoon went privately into town to have a look round. At 5pm left for further north. The journey was made in cattle trucks (40 men in each) and 1.30am we detrained at Steenbecque which is rather small and is positioned 18 mile NW of La Bassee.
BWD: Battalion entrained at PONT DE BRIGUE. Joining transport coming out of HAVRE.
Friday 19th November
Billeted in a farm, Louse of Evecque. Good billet in hay loft. On duty as dispatch rider to Brigade HQ.
BWD: 2am detrained at STEENBEQUE and marched through STEENBEQUE and occupied billets 1 mile NW of that place, Corps being billeted in barns and farmhouses. Sounds of guns plainly heard.
Saturday 20th November
Appointed orderly to Mr Bull to assist him in various odd duties besides usual signalling duties. Letter for home. Went into village and had good meal at Café. Very good Café.
Sunday 21st November
Have written home, Florrie, Mr Ross. The guns are heard from here quite distinctly.
Monday 22nd November
Up fairly early attending to Mr Bull. Went to Divisional HQ in afternoon with message. No letters from home yet.
Tuesday 23rd November
Up at packing kits preparatory to moving further inland to firing line. Cycled to Busnes 8 kilometres. Billeted in barn alongside officer. Fairly cold.
BWD: 8 am . Battalion paraded to march into new billets in area north of BUSNES. The first part of the route through THEINNES – TANNAY – CROIX MARRAISSE was on badly cut up 2nd class roads, the remainder of the route via HAVERSKERQUE – ST. VERNANT – BUSNES – was on pave! The men marching in greatcoats and carrying blankets found the march very tiring. Billets were reached at about 3 p m.
Wednesday 24th November
Busy packing kit for moving to Bethune. Back on cycle. Very dirty roads and very uncomfortable. Cold night.
BWD: Battalion paraded under Company arrangements. Foot inspection. Heavy rain morning and afternoon. Pay was drawn from Field Cashier at 35th Divisional Headquarters 10,040 francs and men paid through Remittance Rolls. Battalion notified through 99th Brigade Order Number 3 that it would be transferred along with the complete 99th Brigade to the 2nd Division on the 26th instant.
Thursday 25th November
Again packing to go to Bethune where we billeted in an orphanage. Rather cold at night. Parcel from home.
BWD: Battalion paraded to march to new billets at BETHUNE via CHOCQUES . At the entrance of BETHUNE the Battalion passed a flagged point from where they were inspected by General Walker and staff of the 2nd Division. His opinion was that the Brigade was an excellent one and that the 23rd Royal Fusiliers was one of the best battalions he had seen in BETHUNE. Billets were taken in the Orphanage, Rue Perroy; the building was very dilapidated and rooms filthy; a considerable amount of S.A.A. was found. Good Officers billets in Rue Michelet, Rue de Lille and Rue Germain. 6th Infantry Brigade Order Number 121 notifies the attachment of the Battalion to the 6th Infantry Brigade from 26th November. Morning Fair, Afternoon rain.
Friday 26th November
Marched to Annequin which is likely to be our fighting billet. Have received letter from home. The guns are now behind us – for the most part siege guns. We are 1200 yards from German lines. Rather exciting to watch Germans shelling our aeroplanes. They waste a great deal of ammunition on aircraft. This town is almost deserted having been shelved very much. Letter from home.
BWD: Battalion paraded to march to ANNEQUIN (FOSSE 9) via BEUVRY – LE BASSEE ROAD. Owing to frequent shelling of this road, orders were given for 70 pace distance intervals between platoons East of BEUVRY . The Battalion paraded and marched to BEUVRY in a snowstorm distance 5 miles. Billets were taken up in the village south of the La Bassee Road and adjoining Fosse No 9 (A coal mine of the Cme du Bethune) The village has been heavily and frequently bombarded by the enemy, most of the houses being in ruins. The houses and ruins used as billets were in a filthy condition; a quantity of hand grenades and S.A.A. was found; several details are billeted here and apparently without supervision or officers. Weather – hard frost. The battalion transport unloaded and returned to BEUVRY. Enemy lines shelled intermittently throughout the day.
Saturday 27th November
Cold night in billet. Attending to Mr Bull early. Received a letter from Meg and wrote home and to Mr Ross. Bought about the only tin of English cigarettes in the village.
BWD: At 8 am and 9 am the Battalion found two working parties for the 3rd firing line and LEWIS ALLEY communication trench (south of La Bassee Road). Right Flank Company were the first to come under enemy fire. During the day several aeroplanes were heavily shelled when reconnoitering enemy positions. Heavy shelling west of the village and Field Artillery east of the village shelled enemy lines intermittently – very heavy bombardment 9 – 9.20 pm. Weather, hard frost.
Sunday 28th November
Heavy bombardment of German lines during the night. Continuous shrapnel firing. At 10 am everyone ordered into dugouts preparatory to shelling Germans. Expecting them to retaliate. Have given address of next of kin to Mr Bull to write home on case of casualty. Wrote to Bella Dick.
BWD: Heavy shelling 5 to 5.30 am. Owing to the notification M29 from 6th Infantry Brigade of the bombardment by heavy shelling of a position of enemy front opposite Section Z and the possible retaliation parades were cancelled and cellars, dugouts, trenches etc prepared for occupation. Enemy and our own aeroplanes shelled throughout the day during bombardment – 10am to 6pm. Weather hard frost.
Monday 29th November
Light bombardment continues. Written to Mais (letter posted GREEN on Tuesday).
BWD: 2 Working parties out in communication trenches. The bombardment of yesterday being continued with greater severity, only Grenadiers were paraded for practice and instruction. 3 working parties out in trenches. Bombardment started at 7.45 am. Heavy Artillery shelling from enemy from 10am to 3 pm. Weather heavy rain with fair intervals.
Tuesday 30th November
Spent very comfortable night – heavy bombardment this morning. Germans replied during forenoon and made no damage whatever. Over fifty shells fell within a 25 yard area and no damage whatever was done. Parcel from home with tobacco etc. Wrote to Florrie from whom I received a letter.
BWD: Each Company provided a trench party for general repairs in Section Z, Section 2. The working parties at MOULIN ROUGE, LEWIS ALLEY & THE LANE were under enemy shrapnel fire between 10 – 11.30 am. The Field Artillery between ANNEQUIN and CAMBRIN were searched for by High Explosive shell. All parties proceeding east of ANNEQUIN must march in Sections of not more than 25 at 75 yard intervals. From 6pm onwards artillery quiet. Weather fine and mild.
Wednesday 1st December
Early morning bombardment. Went down to see guns when firing. Very interesting to see how they are hidden. Wrote to GGW, Will and Thain. Letter from home.
BWD: Weather dull some rain. Trench working parties furnished by No 1 company: 3 Officers, 7 NCO's and 130 men work done was dugouts in 3rd firling line in Z i sector.
No 2 Company: 3 Officers, 6 NCO's and 100 men work done dugouts in 3rd firing line in sector Zo .
No 3 Company: 3 Officers, 4 NCO's and 100 men. Word done was clearing Communication trenches. The Battalion furnished a detail of 10 men under 2nd Lt. Little to undergo instruction in working Trench Mortar Battery at ST.VENTANT. Intermittent shelling by shrapnel. Weather dull, fair.
Thursday 2nd December
Orderly. Very busy. Wrote to Miss Mennie, postcard to Gordon Brown and letter to W Balfour.
BWD: Trench working parties furnished by:-
No 1 Company 2 Officers, 4 NCO's and 100 men – dugouts in 3rd firing line.
No 2 Company 3 Officers, 6 NCO's and 150 men – communication trenches.
No 3 Company 4 Officers, 7 NCO's and 130 men – carrying party.
No 4 Company 4 Officers 4 NCO's and 100 men – dugouts in the 3rd firing line.
The following Officers were detailed for a course of instruction at the 2nd Division Officers School at BETHUNE for the 3rd Inst; 2nd Lt Kennedy, Cooper and Stevenson. 2nd Lt Godlonton wounded by shrapnel when in billets sent 15 Field Hospital.
Friday 3rd December
Nothing much doing today. Pay 5 francs.
BWD: Trench working parties furnished by:
No3 Company: 1 NCO and and 15 men cleaning communication trenches.
In continuation of the Instructional Trench work of the Battalion: the Right half Battalion's Officers and NCO's were attached as follows for 24 hours in the firing line.
No 1 Company 4 Officers and 21 NCO's to 1st Herts in Sub Section “Zo”
No 2 Company 4 Officers and 21 NCO's to Ist Royal Berks in Sub Sector “Zi”.
The weather dull, mild and some rain. The first 24 hours in the front line was spent under most trying conditions, the rain of the last four days had made the trenches in a very bad state. It was mentioned by an Officer of the 1st Herts he had only once seen them so bad (last year). There were some intermittent shelling of the enemy line there being only a slight retaliation of shrapnel. 2nd Lt Firth detailed to attend a course of instruction in signalling and reports to 2nd Division Signal Office. Weather dull, mild no rain.
Saturday 4th December
Wrote home to Bob. Letter from home and from Bob. On telephone relieving Steggall. Busy day.
BWD: The Left half of the Battalion Officers and NCO's were attached as follows for 24 hours in the firing line :
No 3 Company 4 Officers and 21 NCO's to 1st Herts in sub-section `Zo`.
No 4 Company 4 Officers and 21 NCO's to 1st Royal Berks in sub-section `Z2`.
Parades under Company arrangements, practice with Gas Helmets.
Sunday 5th December
Took on HQ telephones for day to allow Gordon to go repairing wires. On from 9 am to 9 pm. Very heavy shelling on both sides. 9 casualties in Right Flank Company by shrapnel.
BWD: In continuation of the Instructional Trench work the Right half of the Battalion was attached as follows for 24 hours in the firing line:
No 1 Company platoons to 1st Kings Regiment in Sub-section `Z1`.
No 2 Company platoons to 1st Royal Berks in Sub-section `Z2`.
Whilst No 1 Company were proceeding by Sections to the rendezvous along La Bassee Road east of 6th Infantry Brigade Headquarters no 2 Platoon was caught by shrapnel fire and 10 NCO's and men wounded; at the same time and place a section of the 22nd Royal Fusiliers were also shelled and 2 killed, 8 injured. Troop movements must have been seen by an enemy observation balloon due east of the position. There was intermittent shelling of enemy lines all day. Parades under Company arrangements.
Monday 6th December
Wrote home. Teaching new signal class the alphabet. Nothing doing in the afternoon. Retired early. Parcel from the girls.
BWD: The Left half of the Battalion was attached as follows for 24 hours in the firing line:
No 3 Company platoons to 1st Kings Regiment in Sub-sector `Z1`.
No 4 Company platoons to 1st Kings Rifles in Sub-sector `Z2`.
During afternoon 1 sergeant of No3 Company was injured by shrapnel.
Parades under Company arrangements, Grenadiers practice with live Mills Bombs. Intermittent bombardment of enemy positions. Weather dull some rain.
Tuesday 7th December
On HQ telephone during the day. Received and sent about fifteen messages. Wrote home and received a letter from home. Letter received from Florrie.
BWD: Weather fine clear. In completion of Instructional Trench work No 1 Company relieved a Company of the 2nd South Stafford's in Sub-section `Z0` at 10 am for 24 hours. No 2 Company joined 1st Royal Berkshire Battalion less one Company at 10 am for 24 hours. One man killed by sniper's bullet. Rations for 24 hours taken in by both Companies.
Wednesday 8th December
Repairing Quartermaster telephone line in forenoon. Cycle orderly in afternoon.
BWD: Weather dull heavy rain. No 3 Company attached for 24 hours to 1st Battalion Herts in Sub-section `Z0`, relief to be completed by 2.30 pm. No 4 Company relieves No 2 Company attached to 1st Royal Berks in Sub-section `Z1` by 9 am.
Thursday 9th December
Baltic morning back to Bethune. Four cyclists as billeting party went before the Battalion. In the afternoon we were billeted in the Ecole de Filles, very comfortable. Had to ride back to Annequin with a message. Wrote home in evening and received letter from B Dick, Overseas edition “Dailly Mirror and “Peoples Journal” from home.
BWD: Weather dull some rain. Right half Battalion paraded at 8.30 am to march into billets at BETHUNE by platoons to BEUVRY from where the 2 companies marched into billets at ECOLE DES JUENE FILLES headed by pipers and drums. Owing to Brigade Order referring to a special bombardment taking place on the LA BASSEE, road was closed to troops from 10.am to 3 pm. Left half Battalion marched from trenches to billets arriving at 5.50 pm. Working party of 1 Officer and 40 men from No 1 Company to 2nd Division Officers School.
Friday 10th December
Very comfortable night. Rifle inspection at noon. 2 o'clock Gas helmet parade. Instruction on this and we had to pass through a room with gas in it with our helmets on. Letter from home. Wrote Bella Dick. Purchased shaving soap (Gibbs) at 1¼ Francs. Had a bath.
BWD: Battalion paraded under Company arrangements. Baths, foot inspection, Kit cleaning Inspection by O.C. & General Kellett at noon.
At 2.45 pm Battalion paraded for instruction in the use of Gas Helmets and lecture 1st Corps Chemical Advisor. Each man passed through a hut prayed with 5% Chlorine Gas or 10 times as strong as might be used in practice. General Kellett present.
Saturday 11th December
Cycled to Annequin first thing. Practised Buzzer with Gordon in afternoon. Out with Burningham round town.
BWD: Battalion paraded at 7.30 am under Company Arrangements according to programme: Physical Drill, Bayonet Fighting, Foot Massage, Kit Cleaning, Rifle Drill, Lectures by Medical Officer and Platoon Commander. Battalion find Working party of 100 men and one Officer at BETHUNE STATION with Field Company Royal Engineers.
Sunday 12th December
Slack forenoon, message to transport to Beuvry. Cycled to Sailly Labourse. Out through town with Taylor in evening visiting a few cafés. Letter from home, wrote home.
BWD: Weather dull, some rain. Church Parades.
Monday 13th December
Doing telephone work during forenoon. In evening cycled to Beuvry with message. Wrote to Florrie. Letter from home. Parcel from home.
BWD: Battalion paraded under Company Arrangements: Officer Commanding inspected kit and gun equipment. No1 and No 2 Companies at Range firing 5 rounds of ammunition. No 3 and 4 Companies; Route March, Drill, Rifle Drill, Musketry, Gas Helmet Training, Foot Massage, Medical Officer Lecture. Weather fine and cold. Working party from No 3 and 4 Companies, 2 Platoons on LE TOURET LINE & SUPPORT.
Tuesday 14th December
Parade for semaphore and marched to rifle range in forenoon. Pay 5 Francs in afternoon. Wrote letter for home and received letter from Will. Bought 4 silk handkerchiefs one cost 1½ Francs, 2 Francs each for the remaining 3.
BWD: Weather fine and cold. Battalion paraded under Company Arrangements as on 11th December. Pay Day. Trench Mortar Battery party under 2nd Lt. Little to proceed to trenches on Brigade duty.
Wednesday 15th December
Went to rifle range in forenoon. Buzzer practice in afternoon. Sent off handkerchiefs Two in each of two green envelopes.
BWD: Battalion paraded under Company Arrangements as on 14th December. No 1 Company find a working party, 2 Platoons, to drain and repair Gun Emplacements near BEUVRY. Weather dull, continuous rain.
Thursday 16th December
Volunteered for Service as one of the two signallers attached to Major De Bourbel. Attended lecture on work in forenoon. Paraded at 2.30 to carry out practical illustration of movement. In café at night. Getting on well with young lady there. Cracking up for move on morrow. Wrote to Will.
BWD: Battalion paraded under Company Arrangements as on 15th. 2nd Lt Hayward 1 NCO and 4 men attended Grenadier Course at FOUQUEREUIL. 2nd Lt Barr attended Trench Mortar Class at St. VENANT. The Battalion having completed the Instructional Trench Course for which they were attached to 6th Infantry Brigade are from this date again Brigaded with the 99th Infantry Brigade under General Kellett, with the following Battalions;
22nd Royal Fusiliers, 1st Royal Berkshire, 1st King Rifle Regiment Corps, 5th Liverpool Regiment.
Friday 17th December
Moved to Beuvry to occupy “fighting billets”. Wrote to Gerty (2). Sent Christmas postcards to Mais, Mrs Robertson, Florrie, Bella Dick and Bob.
BWD: Battalion paraded at 10 am and headed by pipers and drums marched into billets at BEUVRY. Under Operational Order No 1 the Battalion is in reserve at BEUVRY to the 1st Royal Berks in the trenches Z2 in confirmatory that the 99th Brigade taking over Sector “Z” sub-sections Z0 Z1 and Z2. Weather very wet and cold.
BWD: 2nd Lt Humfrey, 2nd Lt Godlonton, Sergeant Mair and Corporal Seymour to attend 2nd course at 2nd Division Officers School. 2nd Lt Stevenson attached to 2nd Division Officers School for Duty. 2nd Lt Firth attached to 2nd Division Signals Royal Engineers.
Intermittent bombardment of enemy front all day. Machine Gun Section and Reserve to ANNEQUIN (FOSSE). 1 section in support and 1 section in billets at FOSSE on 48 relief.
Saturday 18th December
Slack day. Letter from Willie Balfour and Daily Mirror from home.
BWD: Weather wet and cold. Battalion parades under Company Arrangements with special attention to Specialist Sections.
Sunday 19th December
Marched up to trenches at 7 am arriving 8.30 in reserve trench which is 3rd line. Busy all day getting things in order. Left trenches to cycle to Beuvry
In trenches 19th December to 30 December 1915
19th to 22 Trenches – Cambrin (Gas attack)
22nd to 25th Annequin
25th to 29th Trenches - Cambrin
30th to 19th January 1916 Busnettes rest billet.
N. B, Diary to be kept in reserve which is never in the Trenches.
Battalion War Diary for the period 19th December 1915 to 18th January 1916.
19th December : Weather dull no rain. Battalion paraded at 9 am to march to CAMBRIN SUPPORT POINT to rendezvous with guides at 10 am to relieve 1st Royal Berks in Sector “Z” Sub-section “Z2” under Operation Order No 2. Relief took place at noon. No 1 Company on the right adjoining 1st K.R.R.C in “Z1” from Boyau 14 to Boyau 17 inclusive. 3 Platoons in Front Line, I Platoon in Support. No 3 Company in the centre from Boyau 17 to 20 inclusive, 2 Platoons in Front Line, 1 Platoon in Support, 1 Platoon in RUSSELL'S KEEP. No 2 Company on the left adjoining the ARGYLL & SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS 5th Infantry Brigade. 2 Platoons in Front Line, 2 Platoons in Support, Boyau 21 to GUN STREET. No 4 Company in Reserve at ANNEQUIN (FOSSE).
Special Raiding Party under 2nd Lt Ross and 30 men and Battalion Grenadiers under Lt Hayes and 32 men in Reserve at Battalion HQ MAISON ROUGE, WIMPLE STREET. Way in WILSON'S WAY – ROBERTSON'S WAY – BOYAU 19. Way out – BOYAU'S 19 – 17 -16 – KINGSWAY – BURBURE ALLEY.
20th December: Weather dull, gentle westerly breeze. No 3 Company hold command of sap head at NEW CRATER, here I man No 1 Company Grenadier was killed by a sniper. Operation Order was issued for a gas attack against enemy in conjunction with Special Raiding Party. Zero hour 10 pm. At the last moment the barrage died down and operation order cancelled at 10.08 am. All troops with the exception of double sentries in Front Line to Support Trenches. All quiet.
21st December: Weather dull, occasionally clear, gentle westerly breeze, no rain. Intermittent shelling on both sides during the morning. One man from No 2 Company badly wounded by rifle grenade. During afternoon, the breeze still being favourable (9 feet per second) Operation Order given for a gas attack over about 1 mile front. Zero 8 pm Battalion raiding party at Boyau 19 under Col Maitland and Major Ritchey in Front Line via message M77. Captain Cameron No 1 Company wounded in arm by High Explosives while entering the Front Line from Boyau 14.
22nd December: Battalion less No 4 Company was relieved by 1st Royal Berks at 10 am and proceeded to Reserve billets at ANNEQUIN (FOSSE) taking over the same billets vacated on 9th December. Billets in a worse state of repair than when the Battalion left.
23rd December: Battalion in Reserve. 415 men out as working parties in Sub-section “Z2” clearing trenches, sap repairs. Weather very wet and stormy making it very arduous after 3 days Trench Duty. The detailing of the Battalion to work in the trenches under 24 hours after Trench Duty under the climatic conditions existing made it quite impossible to recuperate for the Trench Duty on the 25th to 29th inst. Grenadiers exercised with live Mills bombs. No 3 and No 4 Companies at Baths.
24th December: Weather fair, mild. Battalion in reserve, all 4 Companies out at Working parties in Sub-section “Z2” less sick and duty. No stove provided for billets as no coke, coal or wood for drying room and no facilities for drying or cleaning clothes.
25th December: Battalion paraded for Trench Duty to relief 1st Royal Berks in Sub-section “Z2” at 9 am. The trenches taken over were the same as 19th to 22nd December with the exception that No 4 Company replaced No 3 company in Boyau 17 – 21 inclusive.
Special bombardment under Special 1st Corps Order.
An Officer patrol, 4 men and Lt Jourdain went over the parapet North of Boyau 19 from the sap-head. Out for 1 hour, located sniper post; cut some wire from enemy entanglements. Patrol persistently sniped at. Great difficulty in maintaining discretion. All quiet. Several large H E sent over front line about 2 pm. Our artillery searched for by shrapnel at night. Weather dull, cold and rainy.
26 December: Weather dull cold and very wet. All communication trenches in bad repair, difficulty with ration parties. Intermittent bombardment of enemy lines in rear – no reply. 2nd Lt Lees and 3 men leave to attend Trench Mortar Course. Front Line all quiet. Sap and T Head continues to New Crater. Col Lord Maitland wounded in knee by H E while proceeding to 99th Infantry Brigade HQ via Cambrin Church. All Quiet.
27 December: Weather dull. Very wet and stormy. All quiet. Enemy lines apparently held in Supports only barring a few snipers and machine-guns in Front Line; flare lights only occasionally sent up including red lights, on right of “Z2” . Snipers active.
Royal Fusiliers Gassing Officers and men proceeded to evacuate all gas cylinders from Sub-section “Z2”. Fatigue party called for to carry them to ARTHUR'S KEEP, very hard on the men. The gas cylinders having being buried in the fire-steps for so long (September 1915) were difficult to access and their removal very badly damaged what remained of the fire-steps and parapets. Royal Engineers on revetting and repairs – 1 section 20 men I Officer for One day only consequently work only just started. GIBSON'S CRATER bombarded by 17th Royal Field Artillery battery. Centre Company withdrawn to support Lines Shooting successful. Reports of sounds as of mining heard between Boyau 16 and 17. This was investigated by the 2 Mining Officers Royal Engineers and found not correct although the 14 listening posts in from were not properly held.
28th December: Weather dull, some rain with fine intervals. During evening intermittent bombardment from both sides. Occasional Trench Mortar and Rifle Grenades thrown on right and centre of “Z” Trench. Trench hit by Rifle Grenades and Sergeant Atkinson and two men wounded. Indirect fire by Machine-guns on Louchy-les-La Bassee. Snipers Active.
29th December: Weather fine, cold. All quiet. Battalion due to be relieved by 18th Royal Fusiliers, 33rd Division at 3 pm owing to bad state of trenches and bad fall and collapse of front trench at Boyau 16, relief did not take place until 5 pm. Battalion returned to billets previously occupied on 24th inst and to be taken over by the 5th Scottish Rifles.
30th December: Battalion paraded at 9.30 am to march into Reserve Area “A” 2nd Division for 16 days Divisional Rest via BEURVY – BETHUNE – OBLINGHEM – GONNEHEM – BUSNETTES. Owing to the hard and arduous work since the 19th December packs were not carried. Only 3 men fell out on march of 11 and a quarter miles.
31 December: Battalion in billets, parades under Company arrangements. Baths at GONNEHEM . Cleaning kit and resting.