Diary for Pte Arthur Esdon

59302
21st Canadian Battalion 

Even though Pte Esdon enlisted in Kingston in November of 1914 and travelled to England and then France in 1915, this diary begins January 1st, 1917 

January 1917 

January 1, 1917

On fire and gas guard last night.  Seen the old year out and the new one in.  In Bully Grenay.  Off duty today

 

January 2, 1917

In billets.  No parade today

 

January 3, 1917

Moved into the front line and relieved the 19th Can Battn

 

January 4, 1917

In the line

 

January 5, 1917

In the line

 

January 6, 1917

In the line.  Stood to for early part of night.  Fired 12 magazines from front line

 

January 7, 1917

Relieved by the 19th Bn and went into reserve in Sogny(?) Post

 

January 8, 1917

In reserve in post

 

January 9, 1917

In reserve in post

 

January 10, 1917

In reserve in post

 

January 11, 1917

In reserve in post

 

January 12, 1917

In reserve in post

 

January 13, 1917

In reserve in post

 

January 14, 1917

In reserve in post

 

January 15, 1917

In reserve in post

 

January 16, 1917

In reserve in post

 

January 17, 1917

Made a raid on enemy trenches on 300 yd front.  Penetrated to near 3rd line.  99 prisoners and one Officer also 2 Machine Guns and Fish Tail machines.  Prisoners mostly of 22nd German Bn. All emplacements and dugouts burned.

Transcriber's Note:  This was the Calonne Trench Raid which is documented in the files section of the 21sters Discussion Group website

 

January 18, 1917

In reserve

 

January 19, 1917

In reserve

 

January 20, 1917

Moved into Calonne.  Relieved by 15th and 16th Canadians.  Marched to Bully Grenay and stayed there in billets overnight.

 

January 21, 1917

Moved to Ruitz for training

 

January 22, 1917

Cleaning up all day.  Billets awful cold

 

January 23, 1917

In Billets.  Parades and Route marches today

 

January 24, 1917

Transferred from Bn MGs (Machine Guns) to No 1 Coy LGs (Lewis Guns).  All the section broken up

 

January 25, 1917

Drilling with No 1 Company

 

January 26, 1917

Drilling all day

 

January 27, 1917

Sent to dentist and got two teeth filled.  Moved to new billets near Barlin in some mine buildings

 

January 28, 1917

Church parade today

 

January 29, 1917

Parade and Route marches today

 

January 30, 1917

Drilling all day.  Moved to Marles Les Mines to billet here for rest of training

 

January 31, 1917

Drilling all day from 8 am until 12.30 and 2 pm until 4 pm

 

 

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