More diary entries - August 23, 1918, Frid. Left Chile farm - through Abeele [Abele (also spelled Abeele) is a small village or hamlet in the city of Poperinge, in the Belgian province of West Flanders.] to Watou, where we went into the same camp we left Aug 12th. Arrived after noon - had good meal. Jeal & I in pup tents - rained in night - feel rotten - diarrhea and sore throat. [perhaps from gas exposure] Bed & asleep early. Some peaceful place, this! August 24, 1918, Sat. Slept until 10 a.m. Sick - didn't make formations - felt slightly better at noon. Sewed, wrote mother & Anna in p.m. and played cards. Were paid after supper - 265 francs - Jeal & I went into town - bed rather late. Felt pretty bum all day. Rotten night. Letter to Aunt Nell - Somewhere "over here? August 24, 1918 Dearest Aunt Nell - After asking me so many times of my impressions of the life of a soldier in the front line trenches, I believe the time has come when I can tell you something ...
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More diary entries - August 15, 1918, Thurs. Up 6 a.m. Slept good. Sent out on early salvage detail and a working party. Later, Roger & I cooked breakfast, cleaned up, etc. in a.m. Nice day. Hiked to B.H.Q. [British HQ] in evening, then into the front line trenches, left of Kemmel [Belgium]. In full command of my platoon. Just as my last section was about to step into the trench a Boche M.G. [machine gun] bullet caught Roger Smith thru the chest. Sent him back at once. Made reports and staid up all night. August 16, 1918, Frid. Slept from 6:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Visited my men & cheered 'em up a bit - are well situated. English units changed tonight - now C.S.M. (?) fine chaps (Sherwood Foresters ) [The Sherwood Foresters - Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment - was a line infantry regiment of the British Army in existence for just under 90 years, from 1881 to 1970.] Quiet day - few shells near, plenty of sniping - 2 hour patrol at night. Roger died this a.m. August...
More diary entries - August 5, 1918, Mon., Rain. Marched to a rifle range. Shot on 300+ & 500+. Good shooting. Rotten eats. Rained nearly all day. Not back until 7 p.m. Take charge of my platoon again tomorrow. Rec'd 8 more letters tonight. Signed pay role. Have 8 Francs due me from Hagen and June & July pay due. Rained most of night. August 6, 1918, Tues. A few showers. Cooler Took command of my platoon again at reveille. Bunch were mighty glad to welcome me back. Drill this a.m. - good - gas work & drill in p.m. All very good. Rec'd 7 more letters today. Wrote a few letters in evening. Bed early. August 7, 1918, Wed. Fair all day. Hiked to rifle range - marking targets all day. Co. K fed us lunch - rotten. Back at 6:30. Great feed at night. Old platoon - "Terrible Tigers" in great spirits again. I am in sole command of platoon again. Played rum, talked in eve, Bed early. August 8, 1928, Thurs. Cool. Partly cloudy. Left at 7 a.m. for range. Shot in 500+ ...
[ NOTE: IF YOU ARE READING THIS SERIES FOR THR FIRST TIME, IT'S BEST TO START AT THE BEGINNING] Diary entries - Dec. 22, 1917, Sat., Fair. Reg. insp. this a.m. Went off OK. Bill Turner & I went to town after lunch. Back at 9:30 p.m. Dined at the Wadsworth - shopped - saw 2 shows, had bath, got my photos, etc. Rec'd pkg. from Anna and box from home today. Cold night. Stuff in box from about 15 different folks. Some wonderful box. Boys! Dec. 23, 1917, Sun., Fair. St. Sgt. today. Very easy day. Loafed around in the tent all day - wrapped up pkgs. of photos for mailing. Wrote letters & cards to acknowledge Xmas gifts. Bed at 11:00. Cold night. Dec. 24, 1917, Mon., Cool. Fair. Drilled this a.m., close order, extended order & wig wag. Mailed photos after lunch. We did not drill this p.m. Rec'd briar pipe in case from Allen Hoke. Wrote a few letters, smoked & talked. Damned lonesome eve. Everybody pretty blue. Bed early. Dec. 25, 1917, Tues., Christmas Day / My 1s...
[ NOTE: IF YOU ARE READING THIS SERIES FOR THR FIRST TIME, IT'S BEST TO START AT THE BEGINNING] More diary entries - Nov. 28, 1917, Wed., Cold. Cloudy. Windy. We drilled - had talk on going into our trench sector & hiked in overcoats this a.m. Very windy - air full of dust. Went to barber shop this p.m. Loafed & read. School in p.m. and evening. Letters from Howard Field & Frank Yates. Ans'd. Bed early. Nov. 29, 1917, Thur., Thanksgiving Day. Rainy. Cold. Went over and made complete study of trench system, going all through the sector we are to occupy tomorrow night. Had sweet corn bread, jam, & coffee for lunch. Big feed at night. Slept all afternoon and wrote Spike and grandma. Had turkey, gravey, cranberry sauce, plum pudding, cocoa, bread & butter, mince pie, mashed potatoes & (?). Talked in evening & smoked. Bed early. Nov. 30, 1917, Frid., Cold. Cloudy. Some rain. Had monthly muster this a.m. and signed payrolls. School at 1:30. Prepared to go...