Diary of Private Charles Robert Bottomley - Part 110773 Reads  

February 15, 1918 -- Left guns at 12 noon for wagon lines. Got a change of tunic and pants.

February 16, 1918 -- Started away on leave from Neun Le Mines. Fritz was shelling station. Had to beat it to Bethune Road down in boxcars and caught the leave train. Arrived in Balounge about nine p.m. Slept in the fish market all night.

February 17,1918 -- Arrived in England. Three boatloads of troops arrived about 2:30 p.m. and took the train to London. Arrived in London about 5.30 p.m. Went to the Maple Leaf club, had supper and cashed my cheque. Had a bath and clean change of underwear and clothes and then made my way to Burton Station via the tube. Caught the train to Manchester.

February 18, 1918 -- Arrived in Rochdale 7:15 a.m. Reached Bagslate about 8 a.m. Went to town to see my relatives on Rathway Street. Had the afternoon with Dad.

February 19, 1918 -- Went to Heywood. Saw several relatives in town and went to Jack Lindsay's place at night.

February 20, 1918 -- Went to Heywood. Saw several friends. Had tea with Ernest Milne.

February 21, 1918 -- Stayed around Rochdale and Bagslate all day.

February 22, 1918 -- Got up early, caught the Norden for Rochdale and made for Ellen Hannahs and then we both made our way to Radcliffe to visit cousin Edith and Sarah Alice. Had a pretty good time. Got back to Nowden about 10:30 p.m.

February 23, 1918 -- Went Rochdale in the morning. Also in the afternoon with father and mother and stayed in all night.

February 24, 1918 -- Went to Heywood in the morning. Had dinner at Jack Lindsay house. Went to school in the afternoon. Had tea with Jack Lindsay. Met Jane Ellen. Went to church at night. Saw Ada Bottomley. Got home 9 p.m.

February 25, 1918 -- Harry and me went to Manchester with cousins from Radcliffe. Saw Mrs. Hall and had dinner there. Then I went to Miles Platting. Saw Mr. and Mrs. Burkhead and we had dinner and tea with them. I made for Moss side. Saw Will Holt. Left Manchester about eight o'clock and to Norden about ten p.m.

February 26, 1918 -- Stayed around Norden and Rochdale and sent some presents home.

February 27, 1918 -- Went to Rochdale in the morning. Also in the afternoon had tea with Nellie and Mother and Father in Rochdale.

February 28, 1918 -- Walked to Heywood in the morning and said good-bye to several of my friends with Rex Tod. I had tea with Mary Boyd. Got home at 6 p.m. Very stormy.

March 1, 1918 -- Stayed around Rochdale all morning. Sent a few presents home. Had my picture taken and stayed in at night.

March 2, 1918 -- Caught the ten o'clock train for Manchester. Had dinner in the city with mother. Caught the 2 o'clock train to London. Arrived London about 7:30. Stayed at the Maple Leaf club all night. Had tea in the Y.M.C.A near Victoria Station. Sent my old diary home.

March 3, 1918 -- Left Victoria Station about 6 a.m. for Folkstone. Arrived in Folkstone about 9:00 a.m. Stayed at the rest camp until 3:30 p.m. then marched to the dock and got on the boat, Onward. Arrived in Boulange about 6:30 p.m. Stayed in the rest camp on the hill till morning.

March 4, 1918 -- Left rest camp about 6 a.m. and entrained. Arrived in Bethume about 4 p.m. Walked to Neun Le Mines, distance of 5 kilometers to the horse lines. Had a very good billet with Corp. J Thackberry, Devon Mason and Boyce. Had a feed of chips and eggs and then retired to our billet. Was in a washhouse fitted up with bunks and a little stove. 2 francs a week.

March 5, 1918 -- Working around horse lines cleaning wagon and limbers. Stayed in at night. In the morning had a walk to Sains Go-belle for a new gas mask. Saw some Yanks down there.

March 6, 1918 -- Working around horse lines cleaning limbers. Afternoon off and walked to town. Had a little supper and retired.

March 7, 1918 -- Working around limbers and horse lines. Went to concert at night.

March 8, 1918 -- Working around lines and gun limbers. Excellent weather. Went out at night.

March 9, 1918 -- Working around gun limbers in the morning. Afternoon went around town. Picket at night until 10 p.m. and then to bed.

March 10, 1918 -- Sunday lay around in the morning. In the afternoon went to the square to hear a band concert. At night went to a church service. Canon Scott preached. Also a band concert after service. Heard the Glee, Comrade in Arms sung by the members of the band. Went to billet, had supper and to bed.

March 11, 1918 -- Started on the daylight serving bill working around lines. Went for a bath in the morning to Hanichon on horseback and got a brand new suit of underwear. Around lines. Went out at night.

March 12, 1918 -- Went out for exercise ride in the morning with battery. Had a pretty rough ride. Saw a Fritz bombing plane that had been brought down. Cleaning limbers in the afternoon. Went out at night.

March 13, 1918 -- Draft parade for the battery in the morning. I stayed around the lines in the morning. Afternoon was inoculated for preventive against typhoid. Went around town at night and had egg supper.

March 14, 1918 -- Lay in all day. Felt pretty tough through the effects of the inoculation. Out at night.

March 15, 1918 -- Cleaning limbers all day long getting ready for the inspection. Stayed in at night.

March 16, 1918 -- Inspection by General Thacker. Right section was the best turnout. Saturday afternoon off. Went out at night. Harness stolen by the sixth battery men but returned during day.

March 17, 1918 -- Went to church service behind Division Headquarters. Canon Scott preaching. Was also warned to go and relieve Gunner Dobson on the guns. Went up with the ration wagon. Arrived at the guns about 7 o'clock. On guard from 10:30 until 1 p.m.

March 18, 1918 -- Got up at 7 a.m. Cleaned the gun then laid around all day. Went to brigade with a message. Retired at 9 p.m.

March 19, 1918 -- Cleaned a gun. Worked around the pit. Rained during the day.

March 20, 1918 -- Cleaned up the pit. Worked around the guns. Fired off 37 rounds on a SOS about 6 a.m. Fired a few rounds in the afternoon. Also working around Lewis machine gun target practice.

March 21, 1918 -- Cleaning around gun. Fired a few rounds in the afternoon. Also put over a barrage for gas clouds. Went to bed about one in the morning. 5000 gas projectors were fired over at the Fritz and we put over a rolling barrage to inflict casualties on him while running to his dugout. Teltrol Gas.

March 22, 1918 -- Working around the gun and just fired a few rounds at a Fritz trench mortar. Quiet during the day. Had a good supper and went to bed.

March 23, 1918 -- Warned to go down to horse lines at Neun Le Mines. All the battery was relieved by the 51st Battery of the 5th Division. Started away from position about 2 a.m. Arrived at horse lines about 4 p.m. Had tea then went down town. Slept upstairs with Roy Foly, Wright and Corp Thackery in a French family's house.

March 24, 1918 -- Fritz shelling town about 6 a.m. The French family beat it to their dugout in the cellar. Got up for reveille 6 a.m. Polished gun and cleaning limbers. Getting ready for move. Fritz bombing plane flying over town. Went to church but was none. Went to billet and to bed early.

March 25, 1918 -- SOS at 1 o'clock in the morning. Had to be in action by dawn in the positions near the church in Moroc. Preparation for an attack by Fritz. Digging and preparing gun but guard at night and about 800 rounds came up for the gun. Moroc position.

March 26, 1918 -- Our heavies put up a big bombardment all night thinking Fritz was going to attack. Pulled out of Moroc gun position about 11 p.m. Stayed up all night preparing for move.

March 27, 1918 -- Pulled out of Neun Le Mines about 6:15 a.m. and went on the road. The whole 1st brigade stayed at Ucq for the night. Slept in a big hut all night. Pretty well fagged out after not having much sleep for 3 nights.

March 28, 1918 -- Pulled out of Ucq about 8 a.m. The whole 1st brigade artillery was making for the Somme. Had orders to turn back and we pulled in near Arras. Raining very hard all night. Slept in a hut. Met a lot of refugees, old men and women beaten away from Arras. Women and kiddies carrying very heavy loads.

March 29, 1918 -- Reveille 3 a.m. Pulled away from horse lines at 5 a.m. and went into action the other side of Arras in a field behind a railroad track. Digging all afternoon around gun and unloading ammunition at night. Pretty well tuckered out. Made some sleeping quarters in a trench near railway embankment out of a tarpaulin, sticks and straw near Achicouri Arras.

March 30, 1918 -- Working around gun all morning. Fritz machines very active all morning. Taking things pretty easy in the afternoon. At night some of the boys found a lot of eats in a house. Had a good feed and went to bed.

March 31, 1918 -- Had a very good nights' sleep. Got up at 8 a.m. Am working around pit all day. Had lots of eats and the weather was pretty fine.

April 1, 1918 -- Monday a little showery working around the pit and fired a few rounds. Registering and had an SOS alarm at night. Went to bed about 10 p.m.

April 2, 1918 -- Had to stand to at the guns. Fired about 15 rounds. Had breakfast and worked around the pit camouflaging and lowering pit. A few Fritz machines came over very low in the afternoon.

April 3, 1918 -- Guard from 3 a.m. till 6 a.m. Should have fired 30 rounds but trail block broke. Raining very hard. Working around pit. Laying around all afternoon and at night.

April 4, 1918 -- Working around pit and taking things pretty easy. Fritz was shelling 1st, 3rd and 4th batteries in front of the track. Broke my false teeth on hard tacks.

April 5, 1918 -- Had to stand to fire about 20 rounds. Fritz was shelling around the position with 8-inch shells. Working around the pit and digging a dugout. Went to a forward position to get ammunition that had been left by the D.A.F.

April 6, 1918 -- Working around gun position all day fixing. Had to get a bigger switch. Went up to a forward position to get ammunition. Saw seven of our 10th Battalion lads laying dead on the roadside. The battalion had been strafed while going into the trenches. Our guns were night firing. Had to fire 100 rounds.

April 7, 1918 -- Up all night firing from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. on roads occupied by Fritz. Old Fritz got pretty nasty and was shelling a six-inch battery with gas shells. Also shelling around our battery at noon with gas and shrapnel. Got orders to fire 80 rounds and also fired 20 rounds of gas per gun. Fritz retaliated with mustard gas all night. Got to bed at 11:30 p.m.

April 8, 1918 -- Up at 5 a.m. for a stand to mustard gas. Pretty bad all around the village. Fired over about 25 rounds of HE and then went back to bed. Got orders to pack up our kit and was relieved by a London Imperial battery. We had to walk about 8 kilometers to the horse lines and we slept in huts lately occupied by a hospital in Amzin. Pretty well fagged out after not having much sleep for two or three nights.

April 9, 1918 -- Left Amzin to relieve an Imperial battery near St. Catherines. Guns on the roadside near the town hall. Pretty good position and good sleeping quarters. Our subs were on guard all night. I had the last shift. Ammunition came up the same night and got to bed about 12 midnight St. Laurent.

April 10, 1918 -- Up about 4:30 a.m. to do gas and SOS guard till 7 o'clock a.m. Fritz was shelling the forward position very heavily. Blew up the cook house and injured 3rd battery man. Pretty fair day for the battery.

April 11, 1918 -- Working around gun all day. Pretty quiet. Nothing to report. Weather was dull.

April 12, 1918 -- Working around gun. Fritz shelled the forward position and knocked out one gun. No one hurt. Went to bed early.

April 13, 1918 -- Orders to move again. Packed up the gun stores and the right section moved away to relieve an RIA battery near Roslincourt. Pretty fair gun pits and we slept in a deep dugout. On guard at night from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. Went to bed. Fritz was shelling with gas and HE during the night.

April 14, 1918 -- Got up about 8:30 a.m. Had breakfast. Washed and cleaned up and then worked around gun fixing a bivvy in the afternoon and slept in the same heavy bombardment down the line. Our heavies also were very active.

April 15, 1918 -- Working around gun pit and registering in the afternoon. A very quiet and dull day. Made a drink of cocoa and then went to bed. We could hear big strafing down south all afternoon and night.

April 16, 1918 -- Got up at 8 a.m. Working around the gun carrying shells and fired about 80 rounds. Gunner Wright had several boxes sent from home and we had a fine little supper and then retired about 9 p.m.

April 17, 1918 -- Working around gun pit carrying ammunition and charges in the morning. Went for a bath in the afternoon. Had a little feed in the bivvy and was on guard first part of the night. Went to bed about 12.30 a.m.

April 18, 1918 -- Got up about 8 a.m. Was on cookhouse fatigue all day. Put time in. Pretty quiet. Weather very cold and occasional showers. Went to bed at 9 p.m. Fritz was bombing one of our gun positions forward.

April 19, 1918 -- Got up at 8 a.m., had breakfast, washed and then cleaned the gun and pit. Fritz was shelling a forward position all day. On the hill one of the boys was being laid away. We could hear the band playing the Dead March and Abide with Me also the bugle playing the Last Post. Snowing and raining all day. Colonel and Adjutant and Major killed in the 2nd battalion.

April 20, 1918 -- Got up about 8 a.m., lit the fire, washed and had breakfast. Went to the pit and cleaned the gun and in the afternoon we had a gas drill and went to the engineer dump for signboards. Fritz was shelling around the gun positions and roads with heavy shells. Put in about 100 shells around the positions. Only two or three casualties. One killed, two wounded. Heavy guns. Put up a big barrage all night. Went to bed about 10 p.m.

April 21, 1918 -- Working around pit and gun. Things very quiet all day. At night the heavies put up a big barrage to prevent Fritz bringing up troops. Went up with rations to the forward gun. Got lost but found the place after roaming around about one hour.

April 22, 1918 -- On guard from 4 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. Very quiet. Cleaned the gun during guard hours and went back to bed till 8:30 a.m. Got up and had breakfast and laid around all morning. In the afternoon we were fixing a speaking tube from the pit to dugout. At night we could hear a heavy barrage to the north of us. Went to bed about 9 p.m.

April 23, 1918 -- A pretty quiet day. Got up and had breakfast cleaned the gun. Fixing speaking tube in the morning. Fritz was shelling the forward positions with heavy shells. During the night he was shelling the road just beyond our sleeping quarters.

April 24, 1918 -- Got up about 7:30 a.m. Lit the fire, washed and then had breakfast consisting of slice of white bread dipped in bacon gravy and a piece of bacon. In the morning worked around the gun. Afternoon was on cookhouse fatigue. During the night there was a heavy bombardment on our right. Some of our Imperial battalion went on a raid. Guns firing all night. Thunderstorm also during the evening.

April 25, 1918 -- Another quiet day. Got up about 8:30 a.m., washed and had breakfast. Cleaned up the gun. Laid around most of the morning. In the afternoon we fired about 10 rounds on our target. During the night the sixty pound guns were very busy firing. Fritz retaliated but only fired a few rounds into our position. Our sub was on guard during the night. Several tanks are in front of our position.

April 26, 1918 -- Got up at 5 a.m. to do my guard. Had breakfast, washed and shaved. Laid around most of the morning. In the afternoon had a walk to the Canteen YMCA in Acurie. Things were a little quiet during the night. Went to bed at 11 p.m.

April 27, 1918 -- Got up about 8 a.m., had breakfast, cleaned the gun, worked around the pit. Put in a very easy day. Fritz also very quiet carrying shells at night getting ready for a shoot. Weather very dull all day.

April 28, 1918 -- Fired 85 rounds commencing about 1 a.m. in the morning. One of the battalions went over on a trench rear covered with tanks and artillery barrage. Fritz retaliates with trench mortars on the front line. Had breakfast. Went to the pit. Cleaned up gun. Laid around most of the day. Had a walk to the canteen in the afternoon. Our heavy gun put up a heavy barrage all night.

April 29, 1918 -- Got up at 7:30 a.m., lit the fire and made some porridge. Was helping the cook the biggest part of the day. Heard a rumour in the afternoon we were going north. Our sub was on guard during the night. Had a feed of canned peaches and went to bed about 10 p.m. and it was raining.

April 30, 1918 -- Got up about 3.30 a.m. to do guard. Went back to bed till 8:30 a.m. Got up and made a tin of porridge. Stayed in the gun pit biggest part of the morning on SOS guard. Laid around in the afternoon and went to bed about 10 p.m.

May 1, 1918 -- Got up about 8 a.m., lit the fire and made a tin of porridge and then had breakfast. Laid around most of the morning. In the afternoon we fired 30 rounds on our target registering. Had our supper, did a little guard in the pit, read the paper and then went to bed. Very heavy bombardments up and down the line all night.

May 2, 1918 -- Got up about 7:30 a.m. Lit the fire. One of the lads had plugged our stovepipe up with a rag and rubber and pretty near smoked us out. We had eggs for breakfast laid around most of the day. Went to bed at 10 p.m. Heavy bombardment all night to the south of us.

May 3, 1918 -- Got up about 7:30 a.m., made a tin of porridge, cleaned the gun, laid around all day in the sun reading and sleeping. Our sub was on guard. Received two letters and papers from home.

May 4, 1918 -- On guard from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. SOS and gas guard after doing guard. Went to bed, got up at 8:30 a.m. Had bacon and shredded wheat, peaches for breakfast. Laid around all day until 4 p.m. We got orders to relieve the sub in forward position. Unloading and packing ammunition till 11 p.m. Guard during the night. Was expecting Fritz to attack for Vimy Ridge but he never came.

May 5, 1918 -- Got up at 6 a.m. to clean gun. Was packing and firing most of the day till about 8 p.m. Fritz was shelling around during afternoon on guard.

May 6, 1 918 -- Got up about 6 a.m. to unload shells from the light railway. Had breakfast. Went back to bed till noon. Firing and packing ammunition all afternoon. Was on guard most of the night also. Night firing.

May 7, 1918 -- Got up at 6 a.m., did guard, also cleaning gun until 8:30. Had breakfast and went to bed until noon. Firing most of the afternoon. Nothing much doing during the night. The 51st Scots Division was holding the line.

May 8, 1918 -- Got up at 8:30 a.m., had breakfast, cleaned the gun and poked around most of the day. Firing and on guard at night.

May 9, 1918 -- Got up at 4 a.m. and fired 50 rounds of gas. Our planes were bombing Fritz lines early in the morning. Went to bed at 8:00 a.m. Got up at dinnertime. Packing shells in the afternoon. On guard from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. We were expecting Fritz to attack.

May 10, 1918 -- No attack. Went to bed about 2 a.m. and got up at 8:30 a.m. Had breakfast. Fixing up gas shells ready for firing. Laid around most of the afternoon. Went to bed at 10 p.m.

May 11, 1918 -- Got up at 5 a.m. and fired about 75 rounds at Fritz. Cleaned gun and had breakfast about 8:30 a.m. and went to bed till noon. Worked around gun all afternoon getting ready for general inspection.

May 12, 1918 -- Got up at 7 a.m., washed and shaved, had breakfast, went to gun pit and cleaned gun and the battery was inspected by General Thacker. Laid around in afternoon. Night we fired a few rounds at a Fritz working party. Got our 30th round off when springs broke in gun. Ceased firing and was unloading shells from train.

May 13, 1918 -- Got up at 4 a.m. to clean gun after firing. Had breakfast and went to bed until noon. Laid around afternoon. Packed a few shells at night. Fritz shelled around the position most of the night. Had a supper of sausage and peaches and went to bed.

May 14, 1918 -- Got up at 8:30 a.m., cleaned gun and fired off about 65 rounds. In the afternoon was on gun pit guard. At night packing shells. Had a little supper and then went to bed.

May 15, 1918 -- Got up at 8:30 a.m., had breakfast, cleaned around gun. In the afternoon was on guard. At night fired off about 75 rounds on different targets. Fritz came back around the position. Came off duty at 12 a.m. then went to bed.

May 16, 1918 -- Got up at 4 a.m. to clean gun. Worked around pit till 6 a.m. and went to bed until 8:30 a.m. Had breakfast and back to bed till noon. In the afternoon we started to fix gun pit. Worked at it till 1 a.m. in the morning, digging and lugging heavy rails. Fritz was very active to our right, shelling batteries with heavy stuff. Heard there were two men killed.

May 17, 1918 -- Firing from 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. 60 rounds on trenches, headquarters and roads. Fritz bombed an artillery position to the rear of us and the trenches to the right of us. He was also shelling around our position. Almost had a direct hit on our dugout. Had to beat it. Shelled around our pit in the afternoon. Had to beat it again, lugging rails and ties to rebuild gun pit. Shelled again. Had to beat it. Started to fire at Fritz at 12 a.m. until 2 a.m. 50 rounds.

May 18, 1918 -- Went to bed about 2.30 a.m. Had to get up to unload ammunition at 3:30 a.m., 400 rounds from the narrow gauge railroad. Went back to bed until 8:30 a.m., had breakfast and went back to bed until dinnertime. Worked around pit until 5 p.m. After working around the pit, we packed shells and charges till 11 p.m., then went to bed.

May 19, 1918 -- Up at 8:30 a.m. working around gun. Fixing around number 5 gun position and packing shells until 11 p.m. Went to bed until 2.30 a.m. and went on guard.

May 20, 1918 -- Up at 2.30 a.m. On guard till 5 a.m. and had to go to work fixing gun but was expecting Fritz attacking during morning. Working around pit until 5 p.m. Had orders to take our gun forward. At night, we took our gun to a forward position to practice open action stuff. Slept in dugout in a trench.

May 21, 1918 -- Got up at 5 a.m. to do guard till 7 a.m. around the gun. Had breakfast at 8 a.m. Started to fire about 10:30 a.m. All morning and afternoon we were on different targets. 100 rounds. At night we pulled out down the road in some old gun pits. Fritz was shelling around us. Also there was a big scrap going on to the south of us.

May 22, 1918 -- Got up at 5 a.m. Had breakfast 9 a.m., tinned fish and bread. Fixed around gun pit all morning. Started to fire in the afternoon. Whilst firing, the charges took fire setting fire to the pit. Put the fire out with sand. Fired 104 rounds and pulled out to the forward position near the track. Was on guard and unloaded 500 rounds of ammunition.

May 23, 1918 -- Got up at 5 a.m. to do guard. Went back to bed till breakfast. Was registering the gun all morning. In the afternoon was packing up to get ready to pull out to be relieved by the 5th Division. Was relieved. Pulled our gun at 9 p.m. and made for the horse lines in Anzin. Slept in a half round hut. Windows all busted but slept very soundly.

May 24, 1918 -- Got up at 7 a.m., had breakfast and cleaned up ready for parade. Cleaning up limbers getting ready to go out for battery drill. Pulled out at 12 a.m. at night. Raining very heavy all day and a little damp during the night.

May 25, 1918 -- Arrived at Vandelcourt at 5:30 a.m. Pulled in some horse lines near a farm. Watered and groomed horses. Had breakfast at 7 a.m., then went to bed. Slept near a manure pile in an old barn till 11 a.m. Worked around lines all day. Slept in a tent at night.

May 26, 1918 -- Got up for reveille at 6 a.m. Worked around gun and limbers till 9 a.m. Had a Colonel 's inspection and church service during the morning and the afternoon. At night laid round the fields. Bought some eggs and boiled them. Had a little supper then went to bed.

May 27, 1918 -- Got up at 6 a.m., cleaning gun and had breakfast. During the day we took our guns to be calibrated near Bouning Nord. Each gun fired 2-5 rounds. We could see the shells leave the bore and burst in the bank. Got back at 7 p.m. A very long trip.

May 28, 1918 -- Got up at 6 a.m., cleaning gun till breakfast. Fell in at 9 a.m. doing physical drills and gun drills until dinner time. Cleaning gun limbers getting ready for general inspection during the afternoon. At night had a feed of eggs and a walk to Y.M.C.A. The country was looking fine.

May 29, 1918 -- Got up at 6 a.m., working around gun in the park until breakfast Parade at 9 a.m. After parade, we had physical drill. Also cleaning gun limbers until dinnertime. Afternoon cleaning limbers till suppertime.

May 30, 1918 -- Fixing and cleaning gun and limbers all day getting ready for inspection.

May 31, 1918 -- Reveille 4:45 a.m. Putting the final touches on the gun and limbers. The brigade paraded to a big field and was inspected by General Curry and other D.O. training. Night laid around for a little while and had a walk to the Y.M.C.A.

June 1, 1918 -- Got up at 6 a.m. Worked around gun until breakfast. Had breakfast. Cleaned buttons, washed and shaved ready for Major's inspection. After parade had a musketry course until 11 a.m. In the afternoon, the brigade held sports in a field close by. At night, took a walk to the Y.M.C.A. and then retired.

June 2, 1918 -- Got up at 6 a.m. Worked around the gun until breakfast. Cleaned up and polished buttons for a Colonel's inspection. Colonel Piery O.B. of the Brigade inspected before church service. Had service and then did stable work. In the afternoon and night took things easy.

June 3, 1918 -- Reveille 6 a.m. Worked around gun and limbers until breakfast. After breakfast had some musketry and gun training until dinnertime. Afternoon more musketry training. Night laid around for a little while and had a walk to the Y.M.C.A.

June 4, 1918 -- Reveille 6 a.m. Worked around the gun until breakfast. Parade 9 a.m. and then had a musketry lesson. In the afternoon, marched to the ranges and had rifle practice at a 200 yard range. Fired 25 rounds and then went back to the horse lines. Had supper and then went to bed.

June 5, 1918 -- Reveille at 4:45 a.m. The battery left the horse lines for 48 hours maneuvers behind the danger zone. We were going in action and maneuvers around all day. Pulled in a field and slept under the gun limber during the night and it was very chilly.

June 6, 1918 -- Reveille at 4:45. Worked around the gun until breakfast. We went into action until dinnertime. Pulled out at 1 p.m. Went into action late in the afternoon till 6:30. Pulled out and returned to our original lines. The whole thing was a farce, the officers not knowing their business.

June 7, 1918 -- Got up at 6 a.m. Worked around gun. After parade, we had physical drill. Also gun drill till dinnertime. In the afternoon, working around gun and limbers. Had a walk to the Y.M.C.A. at night.

June 8, 1918 -- Working around lines and musketry morning and afternoon. At night, took a walk to the Y.M.C.A. canteen.

June 9, 1918 -- Reveille 6 a.m. Cleaning around gun and limbers until dinnertime. In the afternoon, we were off parade until 4 p.m. At night, laid around tent. Fritz was bombing around the vicinity.

June 10, 1918 -- Reveille 4 a.m. Fixed up gun and limbers to be ready to proceed on battery maneuvers in the country. Left wagon lines and made our way to Tincques. We had maneuvers training going in and coming out of action all day. Arrived back at the lines about 6 p.m. Had a very good day.

June 11, 1918 -- Reveille at 5 a.m. Cleaning around gun until breakfast. After breakfast, we went on the roads again for battery maneuvers training for a big open scrap that we expect to pull off in a few weeks time. We had a very good day and the weather is certainly good.

June 12, 1918 -- Reveille 6 a.m. Working around the gun and limbers until dinnertime. In the afternoon, we had no parades on account of the brigade holding sports. At night, had to mount guard to guard the gun and limbers.

June 13, 1918 -- On guard during the day. Was relieved at 6 o'clock at night. Went to the Y.M.C.A. at night and had a feed of eggs and chips.

June 14, 1918 -- Reveille 6 a.m. Cleaning around gun. After breakfast, we had inspection and gun laying all day. Night took a walk to Y.M.C.A.

June 15, 1918 -- Working around gun all day. We have been having great weather while out on rest. The only fault to find, the eats were very small and would be very hungry only for boxes from the people at home and the Y.M.C.A. canteen.

June 16, 1918 -- Working around gun, laying and cleaning all day. At night, went to the Y.M.C.A. Received two boxes.

June 17, 1918 -- Having a little gun practice. Also cleaning and working around the lines. In the afternoon, I went to the Division show held in a field near Tincques. It was a great sight to see the bands and the boys running.

June 18, 1918 -- Reveille 5 a.m. Got everything ready maneuvers. Left horse lines about 8 a.m. and went in the country for battery maneuvers all day. Got back to the horse lines about 6 p.m.

June 19, 1918 -- Working around lines all day, cleaning guns and limbers. At night, took the gun to the ordinance works to be overhauled in a village called Savuy. Slept in an old barn during the night.

June 20, 1918 -- Got up at 7 a.m. Had a good breakfast. Went to the shops and was helping the antifirer to pull the gun to pieces until 5:30 p.m. We certainly got fed pretty good.

June 21, 1918 -- Up at 7 a.m., working on the gun again at the shops. We had the gun finished by night. After overhauling her we had a very good dinner and supper.

June 22, 1918 -- Up at 7 a.m. and had breakfast. Went to the shops and waited for the teams to pull out. The guns arrived at the wagon lines about 10:30 p.m. Working around gun in the afternoon. At night on guard.

June 23, 1918 -- On guard all day around gun park. A pretty monotonous day. At night took a walk to Berles to the Y.M.C.A.

June 24, 1918 -- Reveille 6 a.m. Working around gun until breakfast. In the morning and afternoon gun laying in the park. At night took a walk to the Y.M.C.A.

June 25, 1918 -- Reveille 6 a.m. During the day, a few of us were gun laying. At night took a walk to Savvy.

June 26, 1918 -- Reveille 6 a.m. Left horse lines at 8.30 a.m. for field maneuvers. Trying to work out experiments with flying plane and battery. During the afternoon, we had our pictures taken. At night, I took a walk to Aubigny to the Divisional concert along with Stocks and Grims.

June 27, 1918 -- Working around gun park all day. At night went to Aubigny in a GS wagon with a crowd of the battery boys to a concert.

June 28, 1918 -- Working around gun park all day. Things very quiet all day. At night, Fritz dropped a few bombs not far away.

June 29, 1918 -- Working around gun park most of the day. A lot of the boys took sick with the grip. The same kind of sickness was effecting the German troops. Fritz was around bombing.

June 30, 1918 -- Working around line all day. At night, took a walk to Lincques.

July 1, 1918 -- Reveille 6 a.m. Working around stables. After breakfast, Roy Foley and me took a walk to Lincques and watched the Canadian Corps Sports. Premier Borden Duke of Connaught and Mr. Rowell were present. Also, the Canadian Generals. There must have been 30,000 Canadians present. It was a great day all around. The First Division came out on the top with 101 points.

July 2, 1918 -- Working around gun and stables all day. Things very quiet all day.

July 3, 1918 -- Reveille 6 a.m. Went out on maneuvers through the country. One of our flying machines was working with us during the day, taking pictures of the guns under camouflage. Got back to lines about 4:30 p.m.

July 4, 1918 -- Nothing much doing all day. Working around guns and limbers. Had a walk to Lincque at night.

July 5, 1918 -- Working around gun park. After breakfast, we had gas mask drill and saluting drill. During the other part of the day, we were practicing gun laying.

July 6, 1918 -- Morning, working around park cleaning gun and limber. After dinner, we had flag parade. Took a walk to Y.M.C.A.

July 7, 1918 -- During the morning we had church parade. All the batteries in the 1st Brigade were present. Had the afternoon off. After supper, took a walk to Lincque and met Jimmy Scott of Cobourg on his way to Boulonge.

July 8, 1918 -- Working around lines most of the day. Had a very easy time.

July 9, 1918 -- Working around lines, gun laying and cleaning limbers. Had very easy time.

July 10, 1918 -- Working around lines, gun laying and cleaning gun.

July 11, 1918 -- Went out on maneuvers with infantry and trench. Mortars went in action once. Saw the infantry put up smoke barrages. Got back to the lines about 2 o'clock.

July 12, 1918 -- Working around horse lines and gun all day. Things pretty quiet and we have been having things very easy.

July 13, 1918 -- Working around gun and limbers most of the day just killing time. Went to Savoy at night with the lads of a sub. Called at a French cooking house and had a feed of egg and salad. We saw a fleet of hundreds new motor trucks on the road. Had just come over from Blighty and was attached to the Canadian Corps.

July 14,1918 -- Reveille 4:30 a.m. Got up and packed the limbers ready to move away. The 1st Division, both infantry and artillery, moved back to the lines. We took over the Arris front again. We arrived in Anzin and fixed up horse lines in the field. The left section went into action.

July 15, 1918 -- Got up at 6 a.m. for reveille. Worked around gun all morning. In the afternoon, packed up ready to go into action. Left horse lines about 4 p.m. and relieved an Imperial battery behind the railway track on the left front of Arris Blangy, the worst of the place. On guard during the night.

July 16, 1918 -- Got up at 4 a.m. to do guard on top of the railway embankment. It rained and thundered during the morning. Fritz was shelling in front of us. During the day, we registered the guns also doing our plane guard.

July 17, 1918 -- Got up at 9 a.m., had breakfast, and laid around most of the day. Lot of the boys went bathing in the river Scarpe. Fritz was very active around dropping shells. Hurt my ankle whilst beating away from a bursting shell. Went to bed at 9 p.m.

July 18,1918 -- Got up at 3.30 a.m. for a stand to we were expecting. Fritz over but he forgot to come. During the day we did gun pit guard. Our heavy gun behind was pounding the Hun all day and night. Went to bed about 10 p.m. We were sleeping in a big dugout cut in the railway bank.

July 19, 1918 -- Got up at 9 a.m. Cleaning around gun and doing gun pit guard. In the afternoon, we registered our gun with the 101 fuse. Got through about 5 p.m. Fritz came back with 5- 9 shells but no damage was done. Our sub was on guard at night.

July 20, 1918 -- Got up at 3 a.m. to do my turn at guard. Did my guard on top of the railway bank. Had a splendid view of Monchy Ridge, the part of the line the Huns were holding. Saw trench mortars being thrown back and forward at each other. During the day, Fritz was very quiet. Canadian mail came in at night.

July 21, 1918 -- Got up at 8.30 a.m., had breakfast, went to the pit and cleaned up. Laid around most of the day. At night, went to the road to meet the ration wagon. Fritz was shelling the roads pretty bad with H.E. and shrapnel.

July 22, 1918 -- Got up at 8.30 a.m. Laid around most of the day. Nothing much. Things very quiet. Received a box from home but contents were bad.

July 23, 1918 -- Nothing much doing all day. In the afternoon, the left section was relieved and they took over the guns in Ashcourt. On guard duty during the night.

July 24, 1918 -- Got up at 5 a.m. to do SOS guard. Got orders to pack up our kit and get ready to move. We left the Blanchy rear position at 9:30 p.m. and came through Arras. What an awful looking sight is Arras. All the beautiful buildings smashed up. Seems to have been a very respectable place during peacetime. Got in the Ashcourt position about midnight.

July 25, 1918 -- Got up at 8:30 a.m., had breakfast, washed and went up to the gun pit. This position was about the best-concealed position I ever saw. During the morning, cleaned up the gun and did a few chores around. During the night, our sub section was on guard and Fritz started to shell around with gas shells and H.E. very heavily. No casualties.

July 26, 1918 -- Got up at 8:30 a.m., had a good breakfast of bacon and porridge. The Colonel was around looking over the position. Fritz was shelling very heavily on our left during the afternoon. At night, our infantry pulled off a raid with the help of the guns about 9 p.m. Raining very hard and things were very wet.

July 27, 1918 -- Got up at 8:30 a.m., had breakfast, went to the pit and did some fixing around. Raining most of the day and the trench was very muddy and slippery. At night, we put over a small barrage in connection with a raid. The first brigade was pulling off on our front. Very successful I believe. Went on guard three a.m.

July 28, 1918 -- Went to bed about 5:30 a.m. after doing guard. The front was very quiet after the raid. Got up and after breakfast cleaned up the gun. In the afternoon, the chaplain came over and we had a nice service in our gun pit. The boys enjoyed the service fine. At night, carrying ammunition.

July 29, 1918 -- Very quiet all day. Hardly any artillery action all day. In the afternoon, we fired a few rounds on our calibrating point. At night, we were on guard.

July 30, 1918 -- Got up at 12 midnight to do my SOS guard. Things very quiet. Hardly any action at all from Fritz. During the day, we were taking things very easy.

July 31, 1918 -- Got up at 8:30 a.m. Had breakfast. Got warned during the day that we were going to be relieved. Also to take out our guns and the division was going to entrain to some point. In the afternoon, did a little registering. At night, I had the first shift on guard and it was a great night to see the different airplane lights in connection with bombing.

August 1, 1918 -- Warned to pack up and take out the guns. We were relieved by an Imperial Battery at 9 p.m. and night arrived at the horse lines in Burnville about 12 at night. We started out on the road right away on our way to the Sammiens. Arrived at Magnicourt about 6 a.m.

August 2, 1918 -- Arrived at Magnicourt 6 a.m., unhooked and had breakfast. Then, went to bed until noon. Raining all day. In the afternoon, had a little sleep again. Had supper and then laid down until 1 a.m. next morning.

August 3, 1918 -- Started out to entrain. Left Magnicourt horse lines 3:30 a.m. Entrained at Benin Sef-O'Shell and started with the horses and guns packed away in the cars. Arrived the other side of Amiens about 9 p.m. the same evening. Had a night march and arrived in a big bush where we made the horse lines about 6 a.m. Sunday morning.

August 4, 1918 -- All the Canadian corps were billeted away in the big forest and bushes around. Went to bed and got up about 4 p.m. The drivers started to pack ammunition during the night. All kinds of traffic going up the road during the night.

August 5, 1918 -- Got up at 6 a.m. Working around horse lines and getting the gun ready to go up the lines. During the night, all kinds of tanks went up the lines from the largest to the little whipper. Our drivers were packing ammunition again and were out all night. Running most of the night.

August 6, 1918 -- Got up at 6 a.m. Working around lines. Met Young, Judd and Jarvis in the morning. Went up to the gun position with Corp Thackery. Guns, tanks, everything connected with the war, were going up in an endless chain. Helped to unload the packhorses. At night, Fritz was shelling the roads pretty bad. Jack and I slept under a tank all night.

August 7, 1918 -- Fixing around the gun all day. At night, the remainder of the crew came up. Five of us slept in the open under a tank all night. About midnight, Fritz started to shell pretty fierce and one shell dropped near to our sleeping place and hit. The five of us, Foley, Ailes Johnson and Wright, went down the line. I was only slightly wounded and carried on.

August 8, 1918 -- Barrage started about 4:20 a.m. and lasted until 6 a.m. Our lads went over the top and got Fritz on the run. We followed and crossed over no mans land. Saw the dead and wounded. We must have traveled about 8 miles before we pulled into a position at night. I was pretty well tuckered out, Cashy.

August 9, 1918 -- Got up at 7 o'clock, had a wash and shaved. After breakfast, our infantry attacked again but was held up in a village. Also around an orchard, the tanks attacked and got the Hun going again. We pulled in the orchard and fired a few rounds. Advanced again and got in action behind a big bush. Fired a few rounds and then stood down. It was great to see the cavalry and horse artillery dashing around.

August 10, 1918 -- Got up at 6.30 a.m. for a stand to fire a few rounds and salvos the infantry. With the help of the tanks, got the Hun going again. The Canadian Corps were relieved by the 26th Division B & F and they kept Fritz on the run. We were ordered to take a rest for a few hours. Traffic was going forward all day. During the night, Fritz was bombing around the transport and horse lines.

August 11, 1918 -- Slept under the limbers. Got up at 7 o'clock. Laid around all day. Fritz was again shoved back during the day. At night, he came round bombing. I dug myself a hole to sleep to protect me from splinters. Had a good nights sleep.

August 12, 1918 -- Slept in a hole I built to protect myself from the Fritz bombers. The 12th Division Artillery and Infantry were in reserve again all day. Fritz was again bombing our gun during the night.

August 13, 1918 -- Got up at 7 a.m. Laying around most of the day. Saw five Hun airmen bring one of our planes down. In the afternoon, one of his was brought down. At night, several of the boys went up the line with ammunition. Percy Hinds, one of our crew, went up also and was wounded Fritz again bombing

August 14, 1918 -- Laying around most of the day. The attack had settled down quite a lot. Occasional artillery duels during the night. Fritz was bombing very close and it made things very uncomfortable. Fritz brought one of our planes down during the day

August 15, 1918 -- Got up. At 7 o'clock, Fritz started shelling around with a very fast naval gun. He killed and wounded several of the infantry lads around during the day. Also some mules we had. Our wind up pretty near all day. During the night, he was bombing the forward area. During the shelling, the 10th Battalion had a 100 casualties just ahead of us.

August 16, 1918 -- Got up at 7 o'clock. Laid around most of the morning. Pulled out of the position in front of Foley and went over to our right. In the position about one hour and got orders to move again about 2 miles forward in Fritz old 1915 line. Not a nice smelling place, dead men and horse laying around Parveillers.

August 17, 1918 -- Got up about 4:30 a.m. and fired a few rounds. Fritz came back at us with his pip-squeaks and 4 -2 naval guns. No one hurt. During the day and night we fired a few rounds at him, Parveillers.

August 18, 1918 -- Moved out again at 4:30 in the morning, just a few yards behind the forward guns. Went to a Fritz dugout and found a well. Laid around and fired a few rounds to make Fritz feel miserable. During the night the 18-pound gun put up a terrific barrage.

August 19, 1918 -- Got up at 7 o'clock. Slept in funk hole all night. Fired a few rounds during the day. Also dug a pit to lower our gun. The heavies and the 18-pound guns gave Fritz an awful trimming all day. During the night, he dropped some big shells around. Nobody hurt I believe.

August 20, 1918 -- Got up about 7 o'clock. During the day, we fired about 200 rounds per gun. At night, the infantry were being relieved by the French. Fritz was also bombing around the back areas. Had a pretty good night's sleep in my funk hole. Move to Cayuix.

August 21, 1918 -- The French artillery had pulled in during the night and we were under orders to pull out. Pulled out about 9:30 p.m. and Fritz put a few parting shots after us. We were on the roads until 2 a.m. and then we pulled in some bush near to and rested during the next day, Boyette Woods.

August 22, 1918 -- Got up at 8 a.m., had breakfast and washed and cleaned up. We put in a fair easy time all day. At night, we pulled out at 9 p.m. On the roads again until about 10 a.m. We pulled in near a town called Domart. All the villages we passed were all shot to pieces.

August 23, 1918 -- Laid around Domart all day. Pulled out at night and stayed in Boyette Woods all night.

August 24, 1918 -- Laid around Boyette Woods all day. Had a pretty easy time. Stayed all night sleeping out in the open. We had hard trouble getting water down in this country.

August 25, 1918 -- Around the woods all day. At night we pulled out and the brigade marched to the entraining depot near the Amiens main line. During the march, we had a thunderstorm and it rained pretty heavily. Slept under the tarp all night, Prouzel Entrance.

August 26, 1918 -- Got up at 8 o'clock and laid around until afternoon. We started to load the guns limbers and horses at 7 o'clock at the railway siding. Started away about 10 p.m. Fritz was bombing the railway, he never got anything but they were very close. Everything seemed to be jumping in the air.

August 27, 1918 -- After traveling all night, we arrived at Tincques and stayed in a field for a couple of hours, feeding the horses and troops. We started on the road again for Dainville. We arrived there about 5 p.m. Put up the tarp and had a fair nights sleep.

August 28, 1918 -- Started away from Dainville and the 1st Division was put in action again to the right of Arras. We took our guns in action and passed over the ground that the 2nd Division took off the Germans. Made a hole in the ground and had a fair nights sleep, Neville St Vaast.

August 29, 1918 -- Got up at 8 a.m., had breakfast, worked around gun and got things ready for the scrap. At night ammunition came up and during the night Fritz was shelling close to our sleeping square. One shell came near the bivvy and the concussion blew the candle out, Cherisy.

August 30, 1918 -- Got up at 4 a.m. and barrage started about 4:30 a.m. We put over a number of smoke shells to protect the tanks and infantry. Our infantry advanced 1600 yards and took several prisoners. During the day, we fired several rounds. Fritz came back with a few shells and wounded four of the 2nd Division lads in front of us, M Wancourt.

August 31, 1918 -- Got up for SOS about 4:30 a.m. Fritz made a counter attack but was beat back. We took a few prisoners. During the day there was occasional shelling. Our driver taking ammunition forward. Preparing for another big scrap.

September 1, 1918 -- Got up at 4:30 for a bombardment. The infantry went over the top to straighten the line. Got there objective and took several prisoners. We took our guns forward again and got ready for another scrap. Slept outside and it was very cold. Had to get up for Fritz was shelling very close, Neu Fontaine Crows Nest.

September 2, 1918 -- Started the bombardment about 4:30 a.m. The infantry went over the top and took all objectives, also several prisoners. We went forward about two miles. Saw four planes come down, 3 of them on fire and the men had to jump out whilst in the air. Saw several dead Huns laying around. Two of our balloons came down on fire. Slept in a hole all night.

September 3, 1918 -- Did a lot of firing in the morning. In the afternoon, our 4th Battalion went over and our brigade went forward. We had to go on the gallop for we were in full observation, Got in position in an orchard near Bruissy. Slept in a dugout all night. All kinds of dead Huns around. Fritz shelled very heavy around the village.

September 4, 1918 -- During the morning, we did a lot of firing and Fritz came back very heavy behind us with heavy shells all night. The remainder of the battery came up and the 18-pound guns shelled the Hun all night.

September 5, 1918 -- Got up at 8 a.m. Had a very easy day getting ready for another scrap. Saw a Fritz plane come down. At night, ammunition came up and during the evening, we had a concert in the officers' mess. The officers gave us a good time and we all enjoyed the piano recital. The Hun had left us a piano behind and we claimed it.

September 6, 1918 -- Fritz was busy all day shelling around the village with heavy stuff. Trying to find a 60-pound battery. In the afternoon, we put over 300 rounds into one of his battery. During the night, we moved out and he was bombing the roads. He also shelled our horse lines and killed several horses. Left the lines and proceeded to Dainville. Also bombed the second brigade.

September 7, 1918 -- Arrived at Dainville about 6 a.m. Laid around most of the day.

September 8, 1918 -- Resting in Dainville.

September 9, 1918 -- Resting in Dainville behind Arras.

September 10, 1918 -- Resting in Dainville. Raining all day.

September 11, 1918 -- Went from Dainville to Petewaun via Varnt St. Elor, to take our guns to be calibrated. Went with motor trucks.

September 12, 1918 -- Moved from Dainville to Berneville during the afternoon. We had a pretty good billets and horse lines.

September 13, 1918 -- Working around the gun at horse lines.

September 14, 1918 -- Working around guns at horse lines

September 15, 1918 -- Went to church in the morning, bath in the afternoon and church at night.

September 16, 1918 -- Working around gun and limbers all day. At night went to the Y.M.C.A.

September 17, 1918 -- Working around guns and limbers. During the afternoon, we worked hard.

September 18, 1918 -- Working around gun and limbers. Inspection in the morning. At night, we went to the Y.M.C.A. to attend a concert but the lads were disappointed with it and began shouting it down resulting that the concert was closed down.

September 19, 1918 -- Having an easy time around the vehicles down the line. Went to the Y.M.C.A.

September 20, 1918 -- Morning, a great time around the lines. Raining every day but we had good billets in a barn.

September 21, 1918 -- Having a good time and being fed good. Went to church army hut at night. During the afternoon, heard the 49th battalion band give a concert in the streets of Berneville.

September 22, 1918 -- Was in the church army hut in the morning, also in the afternoon. Went to a service at night in the above hut also stayed to the communion at night. We received orders to proceed up the line. The brigade left Berneville and Dainville about 10:30 p.m. and traveled all night.

September 23, 1918 -- Arrived in Fontaine about 6 a.m. Put up the tarp and slept most of the day. During the night, the boys started to pack ammunition. Getting ready for the battle of Cambrai.

September 24, 1918 -- All the Canadian Corps was around Chering Fontaine, in behind the old Hindlebrough line, getting ready for a scrap. Working around the gun. Fritz was busy bombing around the horse lines during the night.

September 25, 1918 -- Having a good time all day. Fritz dropped three bombs close to the horse lines. The guns started to move forward

September 26, 1918 -- Laying around horse lines most of the day. Took the guns forward during the night after getting the guns in action. We slept in a German 5-9 gun pit behind Bussy. Raining most of the night.

September 27, 1918 -- Barrage opened up about 5:30 a.m. There was a battery of 9-2 rows in line with us. Barrage lasted about 2 hours. We started to go forward about 10 a.m. Went about 2 miles past the Nord Canal through a place called Inchy. Got in action but did not fire. Slept under a tarp near the gun all night.

September 28, 1918 -- Moved forward again about a mile. Got in action in an open field. 4th Division infantry were held up by machine gun fire. We shot up the machine gun nest but the infantry did not go forward very far. Three of our men were wounded by shellfire. Also our Captain wounded whilst leading the infantry.

September 29, 1918 -- Got up about 8 a.m. Started the barrage about 9 a.m. After firing about 1 hour, the prisoners started to roll in. Stayed in the same position all night. Fritz was bombing very heavily all night.

September 30, 1918 -- Firing and shooting up batteries all day put in a very fair time. Slept in a hole all night along with the Sergeant.