• Rode around a little in the morning.
• Saw friends.
• Took girl and sister to London.
• Went to Lyric but full up so went to the Globe and saw Peg o’ my Heart. Some piece, real dandy.
• Went to Pictures with girl in Tottenham in evening.
• Zepp about at Waltham and Enfield Lock.
• Lots of bombs about, little damage done.

• Went for walk with Francais.
• Lots of trees blown down in Theaballs Park, pity.
• Afternoon brought girl home-had a dandy time.
• Went to Enfield in the evening.
• Walked home from Tramway Avenue-some walk!

• Saw friends.
• Rode around the old lanes.
• Saw girl in the afternoon.  Went to various places and Tottenham in the evening.
• Girl pleased with wrist watch-am pleased.
• Poor little kids…
• Had a nice time.
• Ladies take things badly…

• Saw various friends.
• Went to Victoria Station and then to Beak Street Section House and saw some of the old boys.  Also, to Charing Cross Road House.
• Saw girl at 7 PM and went to Pictures at Tottenham.
• Had a very fine day.
• Zepps about…people taking things calmly.
• Last tram and train-put up at Aunt’s.

• Left Aunt Parkinson’s at 8 AM.
• Called upon girl and went to Paddington Stn.
• Caught 11:05 AM train arrived in Bristol at 1:20 PM.
• Had a nice time with Aunts at “Hazelwood.”
• Left Bristol on 5:05 PM train and arrived at Paddington at 7:10 PM.
• Went to Pictures at Finsbury Park.
• Girl upset.

• Left home for the trenches at 6 AM accompanied by Frank.
• Left Victoria Stn. at 8 AM.  Took boat (Princess Maud) at Folkestone at 11 AM and arrived at Boulogne at 1:50 PM.
• Had luncheon and left at 6:30 PM.
• Had pleasant time with the lads of the 20^th.

• Arrived at 3:00 AM and left at 6:30 AM.  Told that Battalion was at Reninghurst.  Arrived there at 9:30 AM.
• Not a soul new anything.  Heard Battalion was at Dickebusch-arrived there at 3 PM.
• After walking over nearly half the country eventually found Battalion west of La Clytte.
• Some in first line and a few casualties.

• Awful noise of guns all night. 
• Cold first thing, but got warmer towards noon.
• Guns going strong all day.  Left for trenches at 3 PM to join the company.
• 350 of the 27^th gone.  Lots of casualties in other Battalions.
• Took back a crater from the Germans.
• Bombardment absolutely wicked.  Lots of casualties.

• Dandy morning.  Stood to expecting to advance until 6 AM.
• Artillery very active.
• Lots of aeroplanes about.
• Bombardment fierce.  All company Bombers forward.
• We took crater lost by 27^th Canadian.
• Absolutely fearful-lots of casualties.

• Stood down at 6 AM.
• Artillery going strong.
• Lads missing…lots.
• Held crater.  Relieved by the 20^th.
• Arrived at billets at dusk.
• Lads arriving all night.
• Rained in torrents.
• 27^th left for trenches.
• All slept soundly.
• Wrote home and to friends.

• Rain and awfully muddy.
• Artillery very heavy.
• Moved towards new quarters, but turned back half way.
• Confined to Billets, expecting to go to front line any moment.
• Artillery pounding away all night.
• Were not called out.
• Very chilly.

• Rain and lots of mud-Very boisterous wind.
• All expectant to move.
• Leaving “G” Camp for “J” Camp at 4:30 PM.
• Arrived “J” Camp at 6 PM. Reninghelst.
• Dandy camp and boys are pleased.
• Officers highly delighted.
• All tents having a swell time.
• No fatigues and am glad.

• Rain and snow.  Lots of wind.
• Boys merry.   “C” “C” all day.
• Fatigue party out returned early.  Belgium artillery near us.
• Lots of troops about.
• Received parcel from Canada.
• Wrote in return.

• Sunshine and rain…all day.
• Boys slept in;  dreary day.
• Lots of volunteers for bombing.
• Fatigue party all about.
• Left at 5 PM for Vourmazealle-returning at 4 AM in the morning.
• Received letters and answered them.

• Rained hard during the morning but cleared during the afternoon.
• Very quiet, only occasional rumbling of artillery (right).
• Fatigue party out. Very big, boys not at all bad.
• Received letters.
• Had a rugby game.

• Very strong wind.  Ground nice and dry.  Very quiet.
• Divine Service at 3 PM.
• Rumours of mine being blown up by Germans W of Ypres.
• Stood to until 6 AM.
• Boys very anxious to be at it again.
• Praise from the Colonel for work of past week.

• Rained, very wet and muddy.
• Lots for Coy Officer.
• Punishments very small.
• Lads appear sick of fatigue.

• Lots of rain and very boisterous wind.
• Canteen out of bounds.
• Stood to all day.
• Received parcel from Canada and wrote lots of letters.
• Very, very cold.
• Stood to all day.
• Fatigue

• Rain.  Getting used to it now.  Mud!
• Fairly quiet during day.  Fatigue Parties out.
• Wrote lots of letters and received lots.  Makes a welcome change.
• Sun later.
• Had a dandy game of Rugger.
• Lads out on Fatigue.
• Received letters.

• Awful rain all night. Sunshine during parts of morning, rain other times.
• Air nice and fresh.
• Left Camp Reninghurst for Points 14, 15, 16, and 17. Have gone to Point 16 with the Major.
• Mud up to our knees.  Arrived there at 2 AM.
• A good reception.
• Received letters from A.

Friday
April 21^st
(Good Friday)

• Morning not too bad.
• Am in Point 16 North of St. Eloi.
• Little to eat but boys happy.
• Artillery very active.
• Sand bags about 20 ft. in the air. One Hell of a hole. 
• Shell holes all over the place.
• Crater 40 yds. away held by Germans.

• Awful devastation.
• Destruction wrought by Artillery simply wicked.
• Very cold and damp night.
• Wet through, weary, foot sore, and sick.
• Relieved by No. 3 Coy at 11 PM.
• Going out, caught by shells which broke all around us.  Lots of casualties.

• Rain and wet through again.
• Nice to be a soldier. Wonderful comfort.
• Went back to strong points in “R” Trenches out of our turn.
• Half of the boys went to Hospital.
• Shells absolutely awful.  Caualties, galore.
• 235 of original 21^st left.

• relieved by No. 1 Coy at 2 AM.
• Returned to HQ lines and held trench all day.
• Left HQ trenches at 7 PM.  Relieved by the 24^th.
• Billeted in Dickebushe.  Not at all bad.
• Things fairly quiet all night.
• Lads need a good rest.

• Billeted in Dickebushe.  Not at all bad.
• Stone to sleep on.
• Aeroplanes about and artillery fairly quiet.
• Left Dickebushe at 2 PM and arrived at “B” Camp.
• Lads enjoying rest.
• Pipe Band practicing.
• Hope for  3 weeks rest , shortly.
• Received letters.

• Lovely morning, warm.
• Boys cleaning up.
• Puts me in mind of first few months.
• A little singing going on, sounds dandy.
• Lads cheery and smiling.
• Went for ride on Niger, had swell time.
• Wrote home.

• Exquisite morning…very warm.
• Guns made awful noise during night.  Stood to during the bombardment.
• M., N., and O Trenches blown down.
• C.O.’s inspection at 2 PM. Seemed satisfied.
• Day passed fairly peacefully for us.
• 27^th Band sounded grand over the rise.
• Received letters.

• Morning dandy. Had a fine wash in weeks.
• Quite a pleasure. Cleaned up and Battalion formed up at 10 AM.
• Marched to Reninghelst and inspecte by General Haig.
• Seemed to like the looks of us.
• Returned and rested.
• Wrote home.

• Morning dandy and fine.
• Had sports all day.
• Noticeable lack of enthusiasm.
• Artillery very active.
• Received letters quite enjoyed the contents.
• Worked very hard.
• Roused up at 11:50PM and stood to all night.
• Awful noise from Kemmel.  Heard of German attack of M & N trenches but held them fine.

• Lovely morning.  Feel good (usual).
• Had Divine Service at 10 AM.
• Worked hard from 8 AM to 10 PM.
• Little rest.
• Put in pass to Poperinghe.
• Artillery quiet.

May 1916

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