Sgt. Clinton Nichol's War Diary

 

1916

Diary commencing from the day the 80^th Battalion left Belleville

 

Saturday, May 13^th:

Packed up everything in the Office preparatory to entraining for Halifax. Fell in at 6.45 pm and marched to Armouries where we were allowed to spend about an hour with our friends. Paraded up Front Street and back to C.P.R. Station where we entrained about 10 pm.

Sunday, May 14^th:

Arrived in Montreal about 10 am where we stopped for a short time. Travelled all day with occasional stops.

Monday, May 15^th:

7 am. Breakfast. Liver and onions.

11.30 am reached Monkton where we paraded up street and back. $125,000 fire there previous day. Arrived at Halifax at 9 pm. Remained on train at night.

Tuesday, May 16^th:

Reveille 4 am. Breakfast 5.30 am. Went on board S.S. Baltic at 10 am. Pulled away from dock 7 pm and anchored out in Bay.

Wednesday, May 17^th:

Meals and quarters on board very good. Pay office opened. One table used for both O.R. & Pay Office. Worked for a couple of hours in am. Went on Fire Parade with life belts at 3 pm.

Thursday, May 18^th:

Raining hard all day. Another light cruiser came in during the night.

 

 

Friday, May 19^th:

Empress of Britain anchored in Bay this morning. Adriatic and Calgarian came in shortly after noon. Returned to Pier # 2 at 6 pm. Adriatic anchored on other side of pier loaded with troops. Gave letters (to Mother G.I.N.) to guard to post.

Saturday, May 20^th:

Adriatic pulled out into Bay during the night. Another light cruiser came into Bay at 3.30 pm. 3 of them in Bay now, likely to escort us out. Baltic pulled away from dock again and anchored about 2 miles back in the Bay. Band concert held in 1^st. class saloon at night. Divisional Signallers from Ottawa came on board before we left the dock. We are apparently loaded to full capacity now.

Sunday, May 21^st:

I procured a 3^rd sitting meal ticket as well as my 1^st sitting ticket so I slept in until 7.30 this morning and then had to answer Fire Parade at 9.15. Chicken dinner at 11.30. Last mail closed at 6 pm. All mail from now to be taken to England with us and English stamps to be used.

Monday, May 22^nd:

Anchor lifted at 7 am. Sailed immediately. 10 am. We are out of sight of land. Light cruiser ahead followed by Baltic, Adriatic and Empress of Britain.Sea perfectly calm getting slightly rough towards night. Have not felt any signs of sea sickness as yet.

Tuesday, May 23^rd:

Fairly heavy sea rolling this morning and getting a little worse all day. At supper the vacant chairs were quite noticeable. I haven’t felt it much yet myself though.

Wednesday, May 24^th:

Victoria Day and here we are several hundred miles from land in a fog so dense that one cannot see more than 100 ft from the side of the boat. The ship’s whistle has been blowing every minute or two since last night. We have lost sight of the other two boats but no doubt they are all in touch with one another by wireless. The various units on board are 80^th Of S. Battalion, Heavy Artillery Draft, Canadian Engineer Div. Cyclist Draft, 66^th Battery Draft, 79^th Of S. Battalion. Details, Div. Signallers, Nursing Sisters, A.M.C Draft. The fog lifted this afternoon and the other 3 boats are now in sight. It has turned quite warm today.

Thursday, May 25^th:

Still very warm and raining this morning. The port holes are all closed and darkened at night which makes it very close in the sleeping quarters. It rained nearly all day but we don’t mind the dullness of things now as much as we did at first. The rolling motion of the boat gave me a dizzy feeling in my head the first two or three days but that has left now and I am enjoying the trip and everyone on board seems to be happy. No lights are allowed to be shown at night and the decks are left in complete darkness.

Friday, May 26^th:

Warm and calm this morning. Getting rougher in the afternoon. We met two freighters this morning. Ordered to bring our life-belts to the office to-day. Quite a sea running tonight.

Saturday, May 27^th:

We are entering the danger zone now and everyone was ordered this morning to take their life-belts on deck with them and now we have to take them wherever we go. After to-day there are to be no more parades except church parade and no bugle calls are to be sounded above decks.

Sunday, May 28^th:

In the midst of the danger zone now. Some of the fellows slept with their clothes on last night. About 2 pm we started taking a zig-zag course and continued doing so until met by three destroyers, a very small but very speedy boat, about 7 pm. The three troop-ships now travelling almost abreast and a destroyer on each side with the cruiser and the other destroyer ahead. Making more speed now.

 

Monday, May 29^th:

Awoke this morning to find that we were travelling along the coast of Ireland, keeping about 2 miles out. It seems good to be in sight of Terra Firma again. The north coast appears to be very rough and rocky. We are travelling alone now with the exception of one destroyer, the others are all ahead, out of sight. Arrived at Liverpool about 8 pm. Anchored out in the harbour for the night. We received a ration of bread and corned beef this afternoon, one pound of each.

Tuesday, May 30^th:

Fell in with our companies and disembarked about 10 am. Left Liverpool at 1.30 arriving at Bordon Camp about 10 pm where we marched about a mile to the barracks and got a ration of hot tea before retiring. Ten men in each section of 4 small rooms.

Wednesday, May 31^st:

Reveille 5.30. Ist Parade 6 am. Breakfast 7am. Second Parade 8 am. I fell in for the first Parade but did not fall in again all day. I finished some letters that I had started on the boat and sent a cablegram home. At night we went down to the village of Bordon about half a mile away and took in the movie show and circus.

Thursday, June 1^st:

Opened our Pay Office this morning consisting of one small room in a house up in the grove and two tables outside under the trees. In the pm we moved into one end of the Orderly Room and now have a very good place to work.Had a fine time working in Pay Sheets in £.S.&D.

Friday, June 2^nd:

We had no 6 o’clock parade this morning as there was an inspection at 7.30 with full equipment but we did not fall in for it as it was Pay-Day and we are too busy. We had our first pay in £.S.&D. this afternoon. Everyone is paid in cash here.

 

Saturday, June 3^rd:

This is another holiday, but not for us. The Battalion had this afternoon off but we worked all day copying May Pay Sheets. We had a little rain at noon but the rest of the day has been warm and fair. There was a military funeral here from the Highland Regiment, burying two of the men who were injured in the accident while practising bombing the day that we arrived.

Sunday, June 4^th:

We all slept in too late to get any breakfast this morning so we had to get some at the canteen. I worked all forenoon and part of the afternoon. It has been raining nearly all day and very cold.

Monday, June 5^th:

Working on Pay Books and May Pay Sheets. We heard today that Sgt. Paton and myself are to go to Liphook very soon.

Tuesday, June 6^th:

Sgt. Paton and I came to Liphook and reported to the Divisional Pay Master, Captain Ward. The Sgt. Major then went down the street with us and procured a billet at Mrs. Windybank, just across from the Royal Anchor Hotel. There is a very large chestnut tree just in front of the house and an old blacksmith shop next door. It is said to have been here that Longfellow wrote the Village Blacksmith. After tea we returned to Tunbridge and took part in a cricket practice.

Wednesday, June 7^th:

After having a most enjoyable sleep in a feather bed, we had breakfast and proceeded to the Pay Office where we commenced our duties there. We have a large tennis court behind Tunbridge House and I ordered a racquet t0-day. We had a baseball practice tonight and some of the fellows played tennis.

___________________________________________________

The intervening days were spent at Liphook where, although we had a good time, every day was so nearly like the day before that my Diary was neglected.

Friday, July 14^th:

Party of 24 in charge of Staff Sgt. Browning proceeded to the London Office this morning. We reported to the Office about 12 o’clock and at 12.30 were dismissed for an hour and a half to get our lunch. In the afternoon we were paraded to the Medical Office and had our throats swabbed. At night Doug and I went to see Razzle Dazzle at the Royal, Drury Lane and stopped at the Maple Leaf Club overnight.

Saturday, July 15^th:

We reported at 8.30 this morning and were dismissed about 10 am until 9 am Monday. We went home from the office up through St. James Park and saw them changing guards at Buckingham Palace. We spent the afternoon looking for a suitable billet but failed to find one. At night we went to see Raymond Hitchcock in ‘Mr. Manhatten.’

Sunday, July 16^th:

We managed to get up in time for breakfast this morning and I wrote two or three letters before noon. In the afternoon we went down to Victoria looking for billets and from there went to Hyde Park for the band concert. On our way down I met R. P. Borland at Piccadilly Circus and had a little chat with him. He is wearing one gold stripe.

Monday, July 17^th:

We got started at work about ten this morning and have been standing up all day which is very tiresome when one is not used to it. We went out to Stockwell to-night and found a very nice boarding house at 21A Herbert Rd, Stockwell S.W.

Tuesday, July 18^th:

Got up at 7 this morning in time to get to work at 8.30. It is about a 15 minute ride and a 5 minute walk to the office. We came home tonight at 5.30 and had a very good dinner and after writing a couple of letters I took a bus to Piccadilly Circus and walked to the Maple Leaf Club to see if there was any mail there for me.

Wednesday, July 19^th:

We were a minute or two getting to work this morning and I nearly got a call for it. We were issued with stools this afternoon, just one stool for two men. We had to work to-night from 6 to 9 and so didn’t get home to dinner until 9.30 and didn’t go out again.

Thursday, July 20^th:

We got to work in a little better time this morning. I was sent downstairs to check transfers and have been at it all day, working again tonight until 9 pm.

Friday, July 21^st:

I worked in the checking office again today but didn’t have to work to-night so went to the city for an hour or two. Got a letter from Ryan at the Maple Leaf Club and went home to dinner at 9.30.

Saturday, July 22^nd:

We quit work today at 1o’clock and then went home for dinner. This is Women’s day for London and they had a big procession this afternoon for munition workers, etc.

Sunday, July 23^rd:

Had breakfast about 10 this morning and then went for a walk to Clapham Common, returning at 1 o’clock. In the afternoon we met Sgt. Chequer at the Swan and went down to his sister’s house with him and heard a few selections on the player piano afterwards going for another walk. At night we all went up to the city G. C. and I went down to East ham from Charing Cross and missed the last underground back so it took about an hour and a half to get home.

Monday, July 24^th:

Working as usual to-day. Had lunch at the Peel House where they certainly put up a good meal for a shilling. I stayed in most of the evening to write some letters.

 

Tuesday, July 25^th:

This is a fine warm day and we haven’t had any rain for about a week now. We ate at the Peel House again today. Tonight we went for a walk out through Clapham.

Wednesday, July 26^th:

It is still hotter today and the old tin building is like an oven although not so bad downstairs as upstairs. We went out to Clapham Common to-night where there was a game of cricket going on in every corner.

Thursday, July 27^th:

We are not getting our dinner at the house now. Only bed and breakfast so we ate at the A.B.C. to-night and later took a bus down to Brixton.

Friday, July 28^th:

It is still very hot without any rain. We went to the Majestic in Clapham to-night where we saw some very good pictures. “Regeneration”, The Women Workers Parade of last Saturday and German Submarine U.C.5.

Saturday, July 29^th:

We were very glad to quit work at 1 o’clock today. Dug? and I ate at St. Stephen’s and afternoon Sgt. Chequer and Dug and I took a boat trip up the river to Richmond to see if we could get away from the heat. We had tea at Richmond and then got a canoe and went out for a paddle. It was very pleasant on the river although terribly crowded. I came home by way of Clapham Jct. and found a telegram from Bill C. asking him me to meet him at the Maple Leaf Club at 9 am to-morrow.

Sunday, July 30^th:

I slept in this morning and didn’t get up to the Club until 9.45 and Bill had gone out. I accidentally met him in Hyde Park though to-night. He was with Harte and a fellow called McKenzie from Toronto.

 

Monday, July 31^st:

Bill met me at the Peel House and we had dinner together to-day. I met him again on the Strand after work and we went to the Corner House for tea. Afterwards, I saw him off at Waterloo at 9.35.

Tuesday, August 1^st:

I was given another job this morning. They took several of us out of the checking office and moved us back upstairs again. I am working with the 4^th C.M.R. To-night I went out to Hyde Park to the band concert.

Wednesday, August 2^nd:

This is pay day and naturally a welcome day to us. We got an advance but it was more than we expected. It is still very hot without any rain.

Thursday, August 3^rd:

I went out to Richmond again to-night and spent a very pleasant evening on the Thames.

Friday, August 4^th:

When I came out of work tonight Ryan was waiting at the street. We went to the Peel House where we tried to get a room but they were filled up. He then came over to the house with me and afterwards went to meet Connell at Vauxhall station.

Saturday, August 5^th:

We were dismissed for the day at 1 o’clock. Ryan was waiting outside the Office and we went to the Peel House for dinner. In the afternoon we went to Hyde Park for an hour or two. To-night we met Joe and Al Frick at Piccadilly and I was with them all evening.

Sunday, August 6^th:

I went to the Peel House at 12 to-day to meet Ryan and Connell but they got lost some place and didn’t arrive until about 2 o’clock. We went out to Hyde Park again this afternoon. We went back to Bramshott on the 9.30 train.

Monday, August 7^th:

I saw Ryan to-day at noon, also after 5 and was with him until he went away to-night. When I got home I found some mail waiting for me that I had been looking for, for sometime. We saw the U.C.5 tonight.

Tuesday, August 8^th:

I am getting tired of life around here and think I will ask for a transfer as soon as I see how Ryan makes out on the Medical Board. I came home about 7 to-night, wrote a couple of letters and then went for a walk out to Clapham Common.

Wednesday, August 9^th:

We slept in rather late this morning and just got to the office on time. I was warned to-day that I will be on cash duty to-morrow night.

Thursday, August 10^th:

I had to come back to the Office at six to-night and I was dismissed at 10.40. Rather a long day. I received a card from Loney to-night from Belgium.

Friday, August 11^th:

Poor old sub-division “C” gets all the dirt. We had to work right through from 5 to 6 to-night just because someone wanted to show a little authority. I would hate to be in some poor beggars shoes when this war is over.

Saturday, August 12^th:

I didn’t apply for a week-end pass at all to-day so this afternoon I bought a book and went up to St. James Park and spent my time reading. To-night I met Al Frick on the Strand.

Sunday, August 13^th:

We got up for breakfast about 10 this morning and then went out for a walk. This afternoon Doug and I went up to Regents Park.

 

Monday, August 14^th:

We had quite a heavy rain to-day. I got on top of a bus to-night andstarting for Charing Cross but at Vauxhall Bridge it commenced to pour so I got off at Great Smith Street and went to the Office where I wrote a letter and got my great-coat.

Tuesday, August 15^th:

I went with Sgt. Rose to see Bric-a-brac at the Palace tonight. I didn’t care very much for it myself although some seem to think it is very good.

Wednesday, August 16^th:

I have been very lucky thus far in getting out of Cash duty at night and Saturdays and Sundays. I had tea with Rose at the Corner House to-night and afterwards met Paton and Chequer at the Gaiety.

Thursday, August 17^th:

This was Pay day again, one day that we always remember and look forward to. It has been slobbery all day and to-night it is raining steadily. I went over to the Peel House for a while expecting to see Al Frick but failed to see him.

Friday, August 18^th:

I went to the Peel House to-night again and saw H.A.F. We made arrangements for going to Brighton on Sunday. Afterwards I went over to Stockwell and Met Dug there.

Saturday, August 19^th:

This afternoon Al Frick and I booked a couple of seats at the Coliseum for to-night. Afterwards we went back to the Peel House and played a game or two of Billiards. To-night we went to the Coliseum and I staid all night with Al.

Sunday, August 20^th:

We took the 8.50 to Brighton arriving there about 11.15. We walked down to the Beach where we spent most of the day, returning to London at 7.30.

 

Monday, August 21^st:

Sgt. Mundy applied for a transfer back to his unit to-day (16^th Canadian Scottish) and I think I will have to try it for myself. He expects to go in about ten days.

Tuesday, August 22^nd:

We are still having very unsettled weather, raining every day in fact several times during each day.

Wednesday, August 23^rd:

Sgt. Neate and I went to the Criterion to-night. It is a very small theatre but they had a very good comedy “A little bit of Fluff.”

Thursday, August 24^th:

I have been going to write some letters all week so came early to-night and managed to write five before going to bed.

Friday, August 25^th:

There was not much doing to-night and it was raining so I came out to Clapham with Paton and we played Billiards for a couple of hours.

Saturday, August 26^th:

As usual we finished work at 1 o’clock to-day, but it rained again this afternoon so we didn’t go out any place. To-night we went to the Palladium with Al Frick.

Sunday, August 27^th:

I got up early this morning and caught the 8.40 train at Waterloo for Liphook arriving there at 11. I had dinner at Windebanks and in the afternoon walked up to Bramshott and saw Ryan and Chisholm. Ryan came down to Liphook with me and I returned to London.

Monday, August, 28^th:

When we went to the Peel House at noon to-day we saw Dwyer there. I was out with him again to-night for a while.

Tuesday, August 29^th:

It has been pouring rain here nearly all day so there is not much pleasure in going anywhere.

Wednesday, August 30^th:

This miserable weather continues and so we put in our time at the same three things:- eating, working and sleeping.

Thursday, August 31^st:

We went to a picture show to-night for a change and of course returned home early.

Friday, September 1^st:

They paid us to-day. Really a day ahead of the usual time on account of the choir going away to-night. They are singing at the Hammersmith Palace this week.

Saturday, September 2^nd:

I went to a picture show this afternoon with Pat Neate. We tried to get into the Strand Corner House for tea but they were lined up to the door waiting in the rain so we went to one of Lyon’s smaller Cafes.

Sunday, September 3^rd:

The biggest zeppelin raid yet took place last night. One of the raiders was brought down near Enfield and we went out to see it to-day. There was not much to see – only the engines and piles of tangled aluminum and wire.

Monday, September 4^th:

Pat and I went to another movie show to-night where the principal figure was Charlie Chaplin who seems to be very popular over here.

 

 

 

Tuesday, September 5^th:

I am on cash duty to-night and there is not very much doing so I am taking the chance to get some letters written. I got off earlier than expected, 8 pm and met Doug out at Clapham.

Wednesday, September 6^th:

The Germans who were killed last Saturday night when the zeppelin was brought down, were buried at Cuffley to-day. They were given a Military funeral which seems almost too good for them.

Thursday, September 7th:

I met Pat Neate at the Swan tonight and we walked down to Brixton where we went to a Picture Show. I applied for a week pass this morning for Folkestone.

Friday, September 8^th:

This has been a busy day as we are supposed to turn in our August Pay Sheets to-morrow and we don’t want to have work to-night, or to-morrow afternoon. I saw Jim Phillips to-day at noon. He is up on a pass for Bramshott.

Saturday, September 9^th:

Rose Hotel, Folkestone. I came down here from London this afternoon and intend going out to Horsham Camp to-morrow to see about getting a transfer to the Battery. This might be a very decent place in peace times but just now it is overrun with soldiers, mostly Canadians. This is a very quiet little hotel, just a new place and quite modern.

Sunday, September 10^th:

I took a bus up to Cheriton this morning and walked over to Ross Barracks but although I spent about an hour and a half looking for Thackery and Preston I couldn’t find them so I returned to Folkestone. This afternoon I met Jack Jones from Peterboro and spent the rest of the day with him. He has been to the front and wounded once and is now on light duty in London. I also saw a few 93^rd fellows that I knew. I came back to Charing Cross and took a bus from there home.

Monday, September 11^th:

We handed in our new August sheets to-day and now have practically nothing to do.

Tuesday, September 12^th:

To-night, Pat and I with a couple of friends went to the Brixton Palace. Doug was working to-night but came down to the show at 9.30.

Wednesday, September 13^th:

We are still trying to look busy when we really have nothing to do and I believe it is harder than if we were really working.

Thursday, September 14^th:

Pat and I visited Brixton Hill again to-night and had a very good time. Pat told me a little of his history to-night and he certainly has quite a tale to tell.

Friday, September 15^th:

They paid us to-day in order that we can go to Southend to-morrow to the Baseball game between the Pay and Records and the London Americans.

Saturday, September 16^th:

We were let off at 12 to-day and left for Southend at 2 pm. We had a special train which took down nearly 1000 from the offices here. The game was a final one for a cup that they have been playing for but we lost 7 to 1. I returned early on the 6.30 train. We came back on a regular corridor train not like the Pullman cars in Canada. When I got home there was a telegram from Ryan here saying that he was coming up.

Sunday, September 17^th:

I was on Cash Duty at the office to-day and had to be there from 10 to 12, 3 to 5, and 7 to 8.30 although I didn’t have a thing to do all day. I met Ryan at the Peel House at noon and again at 5.

Sadly, this is where the first diary ends. The second diary does not start until Sunday, December 16^th, 1917

The second diary has a Membership Card on the opening page

which reads as follows:

Membership Card

Regimental No. 219776                                                                Rank Sgt

Name H. C. Nichol

Home Address Peterboro

                                          Canada

Corps 38^th Cdn. Inf. Btn.

 

Sunday, December 16^th, 1917:

After having spent a pleasant month in Lozinghem, we prepared to move tomorrow to Petit Servins.

Monday, December 17^th, 1917:

Marched from Lozinghem to Petit Servins, about 23 kilometres. Heavy fall of snow today.

Tuesday, December 18^th, 1917:

Battalion moved into line to-night. Leslie and Dewsbury going with O.R. Very cold. Btn. Went in on a Lt. Rly.

Wednesday, December 19^th, 1917:

Moved from Petit Servins to Carency in the morning. Moved again to O’Dillon Camp in the pm. (13 km northwest of Arras)

Thursday, December 20^th,1917:

O’Dillon Camp. Runner from the line reports that the enemy shelled heavily with gas last night. About 10 casualties reported. Still cold with heavy frosts. Snow still remains.

 

Friday, December 21^st, 1917:

Busy all day on reports. Weather still very cold. Reports from the line show that everything is very quiet. Probably a lull before the storm. Tom Ryan came over to see me tonight.

Saturday, December 22^nd, 1917:

Read a good book today, “House of a thousand Candles”. Runner from the line today; everything apparently very quiet.

Sunday, December 23^rd, 1917:

Lieutenant Gardner and Sergeant Nunny mentioned in orders by Major General Watson for good work.

Monday, December 24^th, 1917:

Runner from the line to-night reports everything quiet. Turned warmer in the evening and our snowfall disappeared.

Tuesday, December 25^th, 1917:

Xmas Day – my first in France. Warm this morning and although ruddy muddy, the sun is shining.

25/12/17 (Continued)

Rum issue this morning throughout the horse lines. Had turkey for dinner and spent a fairly enjoyable day.

Wednesday, December 26^th, 1917:

Heavy snow fell tonight.

Thursday, December 27^th, 1917:

Wrote to Ethel tonight acknowledging parcel from her and Mrs. Leary.

Friday, December 28^th, 1917:

Received a parcel from P.U.C. (Peterborough Utilities Commission?) Prepared to move to Neuville St. Vaast tomorrow.

Saturday, December 29^th, 1917:

Moved to Neuville St. Vaast today. Battalion came out of the line tonight. 12^th Battalion relieved by 10^th.

Sunday, December 30^th, 1917:

Received a fine Birthday present tonight in the shape of a leave warrant to Paris. Took a party from Neuville St. Vaast to our Horse lines tonight.

Monday, December 31^st, 1917:

We should have been at Bethune at 10 am today, but our leave was extended 24 hours. Received new clothes and prepared to proceed on leave tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 1^st, 1918:

Party of 18 left Carency at 3.40 am arriving at Bethune at 9.30 am. Left Bethune at 11.40 arriving in Paris at 8 pm. Had tea at Y.M.C.A. and procured room at Hotel Bretagne. Rooming with Wright.

Wednesday, January 2^nd, 1918:

Moved to Hotel Remo this morning. Went to American Theatre tonight.

Thursday, January 3^rd,1918:

Had lunch today at the Army and Navy leave club which is a fine place in the Hotel Moderne. Went to Father Bogere (?) tonight.

Saturday, January 5^th, 1918:

We went to the Alhambra Theatre tonight – a very good variety show, partially in English.

Monday, January 7^th, 1918:

Still seeing Paris and having a good time – in general a great relief.

Tuesday, January 15^th, 1918:

Left Paris 1.15 pm arriving at Étaples 10 pm. Slept in Y.M.C.A. hut overnight.

 

Wednesday, January 16^th, 1918:

Left Étaples 7.30 am arriving at Colonne Ricouart at 11.30. Reached Transport Lines at Neuville St. Vaast about 10 pm.

Friday, January 18^th, 1918:

Moved to our own horse lines at Carency this pm.

Saturday, January 19^th, 1918:

Battalion was relieved tonight by 25^th Battalion and came out to Hills Camp at Neuville St. Vaast.

Sunday, January 20^th,1918:

Moved to Columbia Camp where we met Battalion.

Monday, January 21^st, 1918:

Sergeant “Teddy” Dunsmore [possibly Thomas Edward Dunsmore, born 1886 – 11 -12] went on leave to Blighty.

Thursday, January 24^th, 1918:

Moved today from Columbia Camp to Niagara Camp Chateau de la Mare where we relieved 85 Battalion.

Sunday, January 27^th, 1918:

Presentation of medal ribbons after Church Parade this morning.

Monday, January 28^th, 1918:

Saw “A Lady in France” at the Div. Theatre tonight. Very good.

Wednesday, January 30^th, 1918:

Moved from Niagara Camp to Trans or Reserve (?) lines at Carency. Battalion went into the line tonight.

Sunday, February 10^th, 1918:

Left Trans. Lines for Aubigny this am. Left Aubigny 4.30 pm. Reached St. Pol 5 pm. Had to stay in St. Pol all night where we slept in the train. Travelling with sergeant Sindall, 11^th Btn and Glover 47^th Btn (?) Reached Abbeville 10 am and stopped over to 11 pm.

Tuesday, February 12^th, 1918 (Shrove Tuesday):

Left Abbeville 1 am reaching Rouen about 11 am. Reported to 3^rd Echelon and went back for lunch. Reported again after lunch and were sent to the Pay Office where we got 100 fr.

Wednesday, February 13^th, 1918 (Ash Wednesday):

Reported to 3^rd Echelon again this morning at 8 am. The hours here are 8 to 12 and 2 to 5.30. We are eating at Hotel Barrett and rooming at 9 Rue Salamon de Caux (?)

Thursday, February 14^th, 1918:

Turton is away on leave and Rutter is taking his place. While in Abbeville we saw a great variety of people in uniform including Imperials, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, South Africans, Indians, French, Belgian, Chinamen, W.A.A.C. Girls, German Prisoners.

Monday, February 18^th, 1918:

Turton returned to work this morning.

Thursday, February 21^st, 1918:

Had supper with Turton tonight and went to Tivole with he and Swanland.

Tuesday, February 26^th, 1918:

Finished work at 3^rd Echelon at noon today.

Friday, March 1^st, 1918 (St. David):

Left Rouen 3 pm in Troop train. Had a II class compartment, but no heat and it was a very cold night.

Saturday, March 2^nd, 1918:

Arrived Calorne Ricouart 4 pm. Joined the Battalion in Auchel.

 

Sunday, March 3^rd, 1918:

Have a very good billet here in Auchel. Also good orderly room.

Tuesday, March 12^th, 1918:

Moved from Auchel at 7.30 am arriving at Bully Grenay at 3 pm. Very bright and warm today.

Wednesday, March 13^th, 1918:

Moved into line tonight. HQ in St. Emile. Only one casualty going in.

Thursday, March 14^th, 1918:

Still very quiet in line. I am working from 5 am to 12.30 pm.

Friday, March 15^th, 1918:

B & C Coys are in front line.

Saturday, March 16^th, 1918:

Capt. (John Onion) Slaght killed this morning. [Son of Mr and Mrs Charles Slaght; husband of Ella May Slaght of Normandie, Firgrove Hill, Farnham, Surrey, England. Awarded the Military Medal. Buried In Villiers Station Cemetery, France XII B. 1. Born March 4^th, 1887. Enlisted July 15^th, 1915] Germans attempted a raid on our front line tonight, but did not get past our wire. We took one person (?) alive and not wounded. About 10 were killed. We had 2 killed and 15 wounded.

Monday, March 18^th, 1918:

Moved out of line to reserves in St. Reene (?) tonight. Have fine cellars here to lie in.

Saturday, March 23^rd, 1918:

Moved back to the line again tonight, relieving the 85^th Battalion. Only one or two casualties confirmed.

 

 

Sunday, March 24^th, 1918:

Enemy attempted raid early this morning but failed to reach our line. Our casualties: 1 OR killed, 9 OR wounded.

Wednesday, March 27^th, 1918:

Enemy again attempted to raid our lines this morning but did not reach our wire.

Thursday, March 28^th, 1918 (Maundy Thursday):

Walked out from St. Emile to Chateau de la Raie tonight and on arrival was informed to go onto Neuville St. Vaast but stopped overnight.

Friday, March 29^th, 1918:

Walked to Neuville St. Vaast today and into line at Roclincourt tonight. Spent night in cutting in same dugout as Bde HQ.

Saturday, March 30^th, 1918:

Moved back about 500 yds today.

Monday, April 1^st, 1918 (Easter Monday):

Moved up tonight relieving 78^th Battalion in support. All HQ in tunnel.

Thursday, April 5^th, 1918:

Moved out of line tonight to Portsmouth Camp near St. Catherines.

Tuesday, April 9^th, 1918:

Visited St. Catherines tonight. It was heavily shelled this afternoon and is mostly ruins.

Wednesday, April 10^th, 1918:

Battalion moved into line tonight and moved to horse lines.

Saturday, April 13^th, 1918:

Went into the line tonight. HQ in long tunnel with three entrances. Trés long (?)

Tuesday, April 16^th, 1918:

Moved out to Hill Camp tonight.

Monday, April 22^nd, 1918:

Moved to horse lines today. Back from in the line.

Wednesday, April 24^th, 1918:

Again went into the line tonight to relieve Sgt. Dewsbury. [Possibly Cecil William Dewsbury, born July 12^th, 1893 in Collingwood and enlisted in Toronto on April 17^th, 1916]

Sunday, May 5^th, 1918:

Moved out to Fraser Camp.

Monday, May 6^th, 1918:

Moved by here today to Valhuon Camp 6 km from St. Pol.

Wednesday, May 8^th, 1918:

Commenced at Headquarters Sgts Mess today. Doing fine.

Saturday, May 18^th, 1918:

Moved today from Valhuon to Monchy Breton about 7 kilometres.

Friday, May 24^th, 1918:

Spent the day working until midnight!

Saturday, May 25^th, 1918:

Moved today to Lozinghem. Orderly rooms in house old place. Co. HQ has moved from here on account of shelling (?)

Wednesday, May 29^th, 1918:

Still in Lozinghem. Having a fairly good time.

Wednesday, June 12^th, 1918:

Brigade sports today at Ferfay.

Thursday, June 27^th, 1918:

Travelled in full marching order to Chocques today. Billeted in a house recently vacated.

Sunday, June 30^th, 1918:

Moved back to Lozinghem today.

Monday, July 1^st, 1918:

Corps Sports held at Tincques today.

Tuesday, July 2^nd, 1918:

Battalion inspected by Corps Commander at Ferfay.

Sunday, July 7^th, 1918:

Proceeded oncourse at 4^th Wing (?) CCRC

Monday, July 8^th, 1918:

On parade today from 8 am to 11.45 and 1.20 to 3.30.

Thursday, July 11^th – Saturday, July 13^th, 1918:

Still on course at 4^th Wing (?) CCRC.

Sunday, July 21^st, 1918:

Went to Hesdin today with Cpl N. F. Moore.

Friday, August 2^nd, 1918:

Had our exams today and think I came out pretty well. Got Grade 2 – 144 out of 150.

Sunday, August 4^th, 1918:

Went to Hesdin today.

Tuesday, August 6^th, 1918:

Left Marenla this morning and entrained at Beaurainville. Lieut. Rieger (?) in charge of 38^th party of 71 reinforcements and 10 C.O’s.

Wednesday, August 7^th, 1918:

Stopped overnight in billet in _________________. Marched today to Picquigny – 16 kilos. In tents here.

Thursday, August 8^th, 1918:

Paraded at 9 am in full marching order, but did not leave camp.

Saturday, August 10^th, 1918:

Marched from Picquigny to Ailly – 4 kilos this morning and entrained at noon. Proceeded by train to a station past Amiens and marched to Boves where we spent the night in the woods.

Sunday, August 11^th, 1918:

Started this pm to horse lines and returned to woods for the night.

Monday, August 12^th, 1918:

Turned our packs in at Bovey Wood today.

Tuesday, August 13^th, 1918:

Left Gentelle Wood this morning and reached Battalion Transport lines at noon. Battalion came out to reserves tonight just in front of Transport lines.

Thursday, August 15^th, 1918:

Joined “D” Coy this pm and saw Tom Ryan today.

Saturday, August 17^th, 1918:

Moved into Bde supports tonight. 13 platoon in good billet in closed trench.

Saturday, August 24^th, 1918:

Moved out of supports to Gentelle Wood.

Tuesday, August 27^th, 1918:

Moved from Gentelle Wood at noon and entrained at Boves.

 

Wednesday, August 28^th, 1918:

Reached Maroeuil about 4 am and marched to St. Aubin.

Friday, August 30^th, 1918:

Left St. Aubin at 1.45. Passed through outskirts of Arras and stopped for the night at railway embankment.

This sadly is the last diary entry before Sgt. Heber Clinton Nichol was killed in action on September 2^nd, 1918.