Diary for Pte Arthur Esdon 

59302

21st Canadian Battalion 

April 1917

 

April 1, 1917

Church Parade in forenoon.  Battn inspected by Brg Rennie in afternoon

 

April 2, 1917

Training on the tapes  (Transcriber’s Note: This was the training for the attack at Vimy Ridge)

 

April 3, 1917

Wet all day so stayed in tents

 

April 4, 1917

Got a tooth fixed at the dentist

 

April 5, 1917

Got a Bath in forenoon.  Training on tapes in afternoon.  Hatt (probably Pte Clarence Hatt) went up with the Guns tonight to the line

 

April 6, 1917

Training on the tapes in forenoon.  Rested in afternoon

 

April 7, 1917

Rested today and got things ready

 

April 8, 1917

Got news this morning I was being left out of the charge.  Was busy guiding Bn into a Bivouac in afternoon where they had supper and then moved into the line to take up their position.  I went back to our bivouac camp

 

April 9, 1917

Battn took their objective well and took many prisoners also one field gun.  I went up with a party and helped carry rations to the Bn.  Left them at a dump in Thelus.  Came back to camp early in am

 

April 10, 1917

Rested all day

 

April 11, 1917

Rested all day

 

April 12, 1917

Moved up to cave with our fighting outfit and carried to front line all Battalion rations.  Also carried water, ammunition, overcoats and fuel to Bn Hdqrs near Thelus.  Came back to cave.  Left 5 pm arrive back 4.30 am

 

April 13, 1917

Rested until noon.  Had a Roll Call and dinner.  I seen Doctor there and he sent me to Hospital as I had Tonsillitis

 

April 14, 1917

Came down on Red Cross Train to Boulogne in afternoon and was taken to 2nd Australian Hospital

 

April 15, 1917

In Hospital.  Changed disease to Quinsy.  Throat all swollen up.  Can hardly swallow and speak in a whisper.  Am having hot fermentations put on to take down swelling and fever.

 

April 16, 1917

In Hospital

 

April 17, 1917

In Hospital

 

April 18, 1917

In Hospital

 

April 19, 1917

In Hospital

 

April 20, 1917

In Hospital.  Marked up for Blighty

 

April 21, 1917

Left hospital at 8 am and went to Boulogne where we got the St Patrick for Dover.  Reached Dover 2 pm and took train to near Liverpool

 

April 22, 1917

Arrived at Holts Hospital, 54 Ullet Rd., Sexton Park, Liverpool, at 3 am.  Had breakfast and went to bed.  Rested in bed all day.

 

April 23, 1917

Moved into another ward.  In bed all day

 

April 24, 1917

In bed all day

 

April 25, 1917

Up and walking around today.  Feel rather weak

 

April 26, 1917

Up and walking about.  Was taken to a theatre in afternoon with a party.

 

April 27, 1917

Up and walking around.  Feeling better.

 

April 28, 1917

Was put on fatigues today supplying meals to patients upstairs.  Was taken to a party in afternoon at a high school given by the children.  Very good.

 

April 29, 1917

On fatigues.  Took a stroll around the grounds in the afternoon

 

April 30, 1917

On Fatigues yet.  Fine weather

 

 

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