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Monday, Oct. 8th
Were to have moved into action at 2 a.m. but got orders at last minute to stand fast. Orders & counter orders all morning. Eventually CRA arrived at 4.30 p.m. said we should have been in action by mid day. Turned out at once & moved off. 5.45. Pouring with rain & everyone soaked. Roads in forward area impossible & advance party had to abandon first position (being the only Battery to get platforms down) & come back to the FREZENBERG cross-roads. Roads packed with traffic, three lanes abreast & progress appallingly slow with constant jams. Had to establish forward wagon lines in a map square, for pack horses, in pitch dark. Found nothing but shell holes . We moved forward gradually all night, having jams about every 100 yards. We met our infantry having same difficulty in getting forward & hours late for going over the top. At 5 a.m. we were only a few hundred yards from position when the barrage opened with a crash all around us. Orders came fown that we were to go back, so with difficulty we reversed & had got about 2 miles down the road when counter orders came that we were to go back into action again. We got the first guns into action about 8. No one could understand the complete absence of shelling by the Bosche as the whole road was under direct observation from PASSCHENDAELE & were expected to start any minute. The stunt had hardly started when wounded & prisoners came straggling back along the road. The pack carriers had to start work at once but it took hours to get a load up on account of the constant traffic jams.
Thursday, Oct. 11th
Capt. Ridsdale returned from leave, having been sent to Reinforcement Camp near HAZEBROUCK. Packing of ammn. goes on ceaselessly day & night – a hopeless job. Forward wagon lines in vary bad state of mud – men in bivouacs. HV gun shoots all day & bombing all night.
Tuesday, Oct. 16th
Burton slightly wounded yesterday & Anderson went up to the guns from forward WL. Moved forward to a position in ZONNEBEKE, handing over guns to C/331 & having other guns brought up by them to our new positions. Worked hard putting up dug-outs - - of sorts. Shelling all round but luckily none on us.
Burton slightly wounded yesterday & Anderson went up to the guns from forward WL. Moved forward to a position in ZONNEBEKE, handing over guns to C/331 & having other guns brought up by them to our new positions. Worked hard putting up dug-outs - - of sorts. Shelling all round but luckily none on us.
Wednesday, Oct. 17th
Lawton wounded & other orderlies a marvellous escape. Shelling & Hun planes very low made work almost impossible. C Bty immediately adjoined position.
Thursday, Oct. 18th
Had three guns knocked out last night & got them away in the morning. Bom. Martin killed & Bdrs. McConville, Starkie, Durham, Gnr. Winter & Williamson wounded. Our four best layers. Very heavy shelling all day & shell storms through the night with an hour of gas. We were very lucky to escape with only Thompson and McMorran wounded, White & Clegg, Gas & Caborne & Cottingham slightly wounded.
Had three guns knocked out last night & got them away in the morning. Bom. Martin killed & Bdrs. McConville, Starkie, Durham, Gnr. Winter & Williamson wounded. Our four best layers. Very heavy shelling all day & shell storms through the night with an hour of gas. We were very lucky to escape with only Thompson and McMorran wounded, White & Clegg, Gas & Caborne & Cottingham slightly wounded.
Friday, Oct. 19th
Shelling as usual all day. Could hardly leave the dugout. Pedder wounded. We had just started dinner when dugout of C Bty. got knocked it. We rushed out & got out the poor devils. Before we had finished dinner Cottingham staggered in to say Rt. Sec. dugout had been blown in. A big job getting them out in the dark – all buried & had legs smashed. Thompson killed & 6 others wounded or shocked.
Saturday, Oct. 20th
The major & Osborne & all except 15 men left for a rest at the wagon lines - - as work for improvement of the position was impossible. Anderson left OC. C Bty. came into share our mess. Shelling as usual; smith injured.
Sunday, Oct. 21st
Usual shelling & C Bty. had a dugout knocked in, with many casualties. Bosche putting up short barrages all round us. Another gun came by.
Monday, Oct. 22nd
Quieter day. Ridsdale came up with two more guns. Campbell shell-shocked & our drivers nearly caught on position by shelling. Barrages regularly.
Tuesday, Oct. 23rd
Anderson to Levi House OP. Major & Osborne & gunners returned in evening. Ridsdale returned to WL.
Wednesday, Oct. 24th
When we turned out for a barrage at 4 a.m. found one gun missing - - daylight revealed it muzzle down in a shell hole 6 yards away, where it had been thrown by a shell right underneath it. Impos. to move. A lucky day - - no casualties though plenty shelling, mostly in front. D Battery caught it badly.
Thursday, Oct. 25th
Pitt came up from WL & relieved Anderson. HE was transferred to D Bty next day - - where he was killed.
Friday, Oct. 26th
Burton did FOO for attack by Canadians. A shell hit the officers dug-out in the evening & the major was wounded, not severely, but Osborne, also in the dug-out at the time, escaped unhurt. Catterall posted from C Battery, 330 Brigade.
Saturday, Oct. 27th
Battery relieved by 17th Bty. CFA. Heavy shelling round the position & we were very lucky to get clear without any casualties. I don’t think the Canadians ever got to that position. We left the guns in.
Sunday, Oct. 28th
Moved to a farm near WATOU arriving 11.30. Fair billets but two subs. In tents. We had a good champagne dinner to celebrate the occasion.
Wednesday, Oct. 31st
Anderson went on in advance at 4 a.m. & the battery arrived in new billets near ESTAIRES about 2.30. Covered standings & quite good quarters in a farm which bears marks of occupation by the Bosche - - with a female pestering everyone for badges.
Thursday, Nov. 1st
Burton went on camouflage course near Boulogne (returned 4th) and came back tight.
Sunday, Nov. 4th
Mailer posted to the Battery.
Monday, Nov. 5th
Anderson went on leave.
Friday, Nov. 9th
Catterall & Osborne went to a rest camp at Merville.
Saturday, Nov. 10th
Bridgett attached. Battery was moved to RENINGHELST to camp knee deep in mud.
Sunday, Nov. 11th
Mailer and Ridsdale went on in advance to battery position & Battery took over a camp near KRUSSTAAT. Took over from Australians & lost Gnr. Smith killed & another gunner wounded in doing so. No cover on position but we cleared an old sewer for some of the men & the officers were in an old cellar (TOKIO). Front has quietened down considerably since our last visit to these parts.
Wednesday, Nov. 24th
General Lowe killed & Bell wounded.
Friday, Nov. 26th
Capt. Ridsdale promoted to major & Osborne awarded the MC for gallantry on Oct 28th.
Capt. Ridsdale promoted to major & Osborne awarded the MC for gallantry on Oct 28th.
Wednesday, Dec. 1st
Anderson promoted to capt.
Anderson promoted to capt.
Friday, Dec. 3rd
Battery assisted in attack on POLDERHOEK CHATEAU with enfilade barrage. Attack only partially successful but the battery specially complimented for its share. A shell coming through the door & bursting in the middle of the signallers dug-out, hurt no one.
Sunday, Dec. 5th
Hard frost which lasted for several weeks - - varied by snow.
Monday, Dec. 6th
Two bombs & another, a dud, just outside the wagon line mess put the wind up Burton & Anderson.
Wednesday, Dec. 8th
Burton left for a month’s gunnery course near Amiens.
Tuesday, Dec. 14th
Corps horse-master came round the lines & eventually sent in report which briefly was – A good, C fair, B & D bad.
Tuesday, Dec. 21st
Had to commence work on new position - - to the disgust of all, as we were quite satisfied with TOKIO. Our new spot is where Canadian Battery caught it very badly - - judging by the debris& dead horses. We were to have been in line with C Battery but they went elsewhere & we took over their pill box as a mess.
Saturday, Dec. 25th
Day spent very happily both at guns & wagon line. The dinner was in danger of being a failure owing to the turkeys not turning up but thanks to the resource of the QMS it went off very well with rabbits as a substitute.
Wednesday, Dec. 29th
Burman attached to the Battery, temporarily.
Thursday, Dec. 30th
2 guns moved to new positions.
Friday, Dec. 31st
False SOS on our front. A senior substantive captain being posted to the Battery unfortunately returns Ridsdale and Anderson to their former ranks. The same thing happened to D/330 & D/331.
Saturday, Jan. 1st, 1918.
The Bosche treated us to a firework display on the advent of the new year but our side took no action. Col., DSO & Capt. Caruas & Bde. Major the MC.
1918
Sunday, Jan. 2nd
Capt Carus joins the Battery.
Monday, Jan 3rd
Howells attached from the Inf. A terrible fellow - - talks too much.
Friday, Jan. 7th
Anderson departed for an intelligence course at Abeels.
Tuesday, Jan 18th
Ridsdale left on a month’s course, followed by fortnights leave in Blightly. Anderson returns.
Friday, Jan. 21st
Bosche shelled the position. The first round knocked out No.1 gun just as men were turning for action. Bdr. Hahn was wounded rather badly.
Monday, Jan. 24th
Anderson relieved the major at the position. The latter had to spend the first few days of his rest at the wagon lines in bed.
Wednesday, Jan. 26th
Thick fog, shell storms & count out barrages the order of the day. If it is clear enough for balloon observation the Hun invariably shells Devil’s Crossing & several rounds usually drop short on to our position, so we have to keep the men under cover. Working on sandbagging dug-outs, clearing up & dispatching old ammunition & empties (at the rate of 1000 per day, 20 pack horses coming up every morning to move them on to the road), building a cook-house & keeping the road in repair. We have 4 men per detachment, cook, A/NSM, fitter & six signallers on position. Three Australians attached the Hotchkiss gun. Three men per gun slepp in baby elephant shelters behind the guns, the remainder in the pill-box in the embankment. An officer sleeps here at nights also. Officers mess in pill-box, 3 mins. from guns. Both PB’s fairly comfortable but flooding, as usual, the trouble.
Thursday, Jan. 27th
The GOC, CRA & Col. inspected the position in the morning and seemed very pleased.
Friday Jan.28th
Shelling at Devil’s Crossing & several rounds on the Battery. One landed right under No.3 but did practically no damage. Hun fairly active all day.
Shelling at Devil’s Crossing & several rounds on the Battery. One landed right under No.3 but did practically no damage. Hun fairly active all day.
Saturday, Jan. 29th
Hun very annoying with harassing fire. The road, the Battery, STEENBEEK VALLY & our pill-box all got odd rounds. GARTER POINT was gassed & the wind blowing in our direction, we had to put our masks on.
Tuesday, Feb. 1st
Orders came through that we were to move on the 10th. Where? Clear of Belgium? GOC inspected wagon lines & was very satisfied. Anderson & 3 orderlies coke-gassed in pill-box. The major came up to the Battery.
Friday, Feb. 4th
Barrages & shell storms in order to harass the 31st Div. just arrived from Russia. Hope they enjoyed the change. Catterall & servant left Battery for wagon lines directly after the stunt & were unsuccessfully pursued with 5.9 & 8”, which greatly expedited their departure down the duck-board track.
Wednesday, Feb. 9th
An FSMO in the morning in preparation for our move. Anderson & Catterall spent a successful aft. In POP., choosing records at Ypresiana, tea at Kiki, Cocktail at Skindles & dinner at La Poupee & a ride back in the dark without accidents.
Thursday, Feb. 10th
Burton took up 50 packs to commence clearing the ammunition from the position. A stormy day, so the limbers went up at 2 & drew out the guns. Mailer stayed to clear up.
Sunday, Feb 13th
Advance party, Anderson & 4 OR’s left for CROMBEKE, - - pouring wet day.
Monday, Feb 14th
Battery moved off at 6.30 & pulled into the camp at CROMBEKE about 12.30. Luckily no rain & very good turnout. The whole Brigade in one large camp, lately vacated by the French. Good mess & men’s quarters but too much mud for horses. Horses divided & C Sub. in the open.
Tuesday, Feb 15th
CRA came round casting horses but said all of ours were good enough to keep. He cast over 30 in the other battery. Advance party left for GUILLANCOURT about midnight.
Thursday, Feb 17th
Battery entrained at PROVEN.
Friday, Feb 18th
The train arrived at GUILLANCOURT about 8.15 p.m. Very cold night & it took over 2 hours to detrain owing to the bad facilities for unloading the vehicles. Luckily a beautiful night for the trek to CAYAUX & we eventually settled down in our billets about 2 a.m.
Saturday, Feb 19th
A beautiful day, sunny & frosty & everyone happy. Even the horses hold their heads higher at the sight of open country, green grass & clear water. In ate aft. Catterall, Burton & Anderson rode into MOREUIL, which turned out to be rather a find & was frequently visited later. Anderson brought a cap.
Sunday, Feb 20th
A chicken & champagne dinner to celeb rate of farewell to the salient.
Monday, Feb 21st
We have had the wind put up us rather by a very ambitious programme of training from DH. With threatened inspections by the CRA. It looks as if all of our time is going to be taken with revising our long since forgotten gun drill & formulae. A riotous evening in the mess with champagne & song. Walthew & Reid were guests. The mess rendered in good style its celebrated chorus: “Gen. Birt(whistle)’s got work upon the brain”, & was loudly encored, chiefly by itself.
Friday, Feb 25th
Moved off at 7.45 for a scheme with the Infantry - - the major, Anderson, Catterall, Burton & Battery staff. A wretched day & all together a total failure. Bitterly cold & we were all very miserable till “Go Home” came through, which was the only message we succeeded in getting through the whole day. Rasmussen posted to the Battery.
Saturday, Feb 26th
Turned out in the morning with Bty. Staff to remedy the faults of yesterday & a Beautiful sunny day as a contrast. The Divisional Band came & played in the Chateau grounds & in the sunshine it seemed quite a perfect scene of peace.
Sunday, Feb 27th
Drill order in the morning. The GOC & CRA inspected us in the aft. When, being forewarned, we were hard at work at gun drill & laying.
Tuesday, March 1st
Our move was advanced 24 hours last night. Burton had an unexpected rush as he & Mailer had drifted into Moreuil & arrived back - - apparently - - about 3 a.m. However they both got away at 8, thanking heaven that they had to go in motor lorries & didn’t have to ride. Burton went on to take over from the Battery we are relieving & Mailer to pitch tents for the Brigade at BRIE. As they left in different lorries B’s bright servant naturally put himself & B’s kit in the wrong lorry, so that B spent the next few days kit less.
Wednesday, March 2nd
The Battery moved off at 6.30 a.m. & put up a very good turn-out. But very cold with strong wind & later it came on to snow. Everyone was miserable & it seemed the last straw when we arrived at our destination about 3 to find twelve tents pitched up for us on top of a bleak & wind-swept hill. Luckily we found an empty Nissen hut in the camp of the 6th DG close by, which they allowed us to have & so we spent a fairly comfortable night.
The Battery moved off at 6.30 a.m. & put up a very good turn-out. But very cold with strong wind & later it came on to snow. Everyone was miserable & it seemed the last straw when we arrived at our destination about 3 to find twelve tents pitched up for us on top of a bleak & wind-swept hill. Luckily we found an empty Nissen hut in the camp of the 6th DG close by, which they allowed us to have & so we spent a fairly comfortable night.
Thursday, March 3rd
The major took 3 guns into action & Anderson went on to take over the wagon lines at HAMLET.
Friday, March 4th
Catterall brought on the rest of the Battery & A/107 moved out about 8.30 except for 4 guns and limbers. Luckily it was another misty day so we got our gun in daylight & without a hitch. Capt. O’Connor was A/BC. They seemed a very nice lot & very pleased at such an easy relief. Their horses looked very well. The most remarkable thing about them was that they managed to carry on with 60 men on leave.
Saturday, March 5th
We had to tidy up a very dirty camp. Fuel a great problem & very cold. Ridsdale came back from leave - - married.
Monday, March 7th
Evens posted to the Battery & M. Blondel attached.
Wednesday, March 9th
Burton on leave, almost a year without. Much wind everywhere about a Bosche attack in this neighbourhood.
Burton on leave, almost a year without. Much wind everywhere about a Bosche attack in this neighbourhood.
Monday, March 14th
The warning “Prepare for attack” came through about midnight & the Battery & wagon lines had to stand to. A very cold frosty night & everyone was annoyed. “Resume normal conditions” only at 7 a.m. A good deal of noise all night further north but nothing deployed on our front.
Tuesday, March 15th
Dr. Wilson wounded in the Adrian but by a bullet from our own planes firing at the Bosche paper balloon.
Friday, March 18th
Gr. Murphy killed & Gr Strugnall wounded by a 5.9 while on their way from the tank gun to draw rations at the Battery. Work started on the officers mess. Vegetable garden at the wagon line. Got 3 good remounts, 2 blacks and a bay.
Monday, March 21st
Were warned last night to expect Bosche attack. At 4.30 tremendous barrage opened on whole front. All communications went in the first few minutes & owing to a thick fog visual was useless & SOS rockets not seen. Runners took hours to get through if they go through at all, owing to the fog & barrage & the valley being flooded by gas. The Battery fired on “Counter Preparation”. In the first half hour all three guns at the main position were knocked out with many casualties & the tank gun suffered the same fate without being able to see a target. The two guns at the forward section kept going to the last & finished up with open sights as the Bosche came over the crest and withdrew with breech blocks. Hardly any of the inf. came through the battery and it was difficult to realise what was happening. When the three main guns were knocked out the major took the men back to B/331 position were there had been casualties to men but guns intact. They manned these & supplied them with ammunition & defended the position with rifles till the guns were destroyed. The supply of ammunition was very difficult owing to the fog & gas & very few packs could get through. For most of the day the Battery was isolated as no orders came through from Group. The men collected at the wagon line which during the night was moved to a cavalry camp near COURCELLE.
On the 21st the detachments were made up as follows:
OFFICERS: Major Carus, Lieut. Catterall (wounded), 2nd Lt. Mailer, 2nd Lt Evans, 2nd Lt. Rasmussen, Tank Gun, (missing).
SIGNALLERS: Cpl. Smith (wounded), Bdr. Taylor, Bdr. Willard (wounded), Gr Kelles (missing), Gr. Waterhouse (missing), Gr. Thomas (missing), Gr Ramsden, Gr. Edwards, Gr. Snelling, Gr. Cavannah (wounded), Gr. Howarth, Gr. Langley (missing).
COOKS: Gr. Pedder, Dr. Tyas (killed)
CPL. Fitter: Scholfield (wounded)
ORDERLIERS: Gr. Tennent, Gr. Brewin, Dr. Buck, Gr. Davis (missing).
SS. Downing, Dr. Davies, Dr. Harman wounded from WL.
GUN DETACHMENTS:
A SUB: Cpl. Chappell, Bdr. Hayes (missing), Gr. Redman (missing), Gnrs. Oddie, Edwards (wounded), Reeves (missing), Boden (missing).
B SUB: Sgt Waller (missing), Cpl. Harwood, Bdr. Hargreaves (wounded), Gnrs. Goodfellow (wounded), Strugnall (wounded), Henry (wounded), Saunders.
C SUB: Sgt. Nelson, Bdr. Townsend, Gnrs. Jones (killed), Clark, Higham, Ingram.
D SUB: Sgt. Wallace, Bdr. McINtosh, Gnrs. Nutley, Leather.
E SUB: Cpl. Miller (wounded), Bdr. Smith (wounded), Gnrs. Morgan, Edwards (wounded), McLean.
F SUB: SGT. Russell (wounded), Bdr. Utting, Gnrs. Sant (killed), Smith (killed), Upton (killed), Strugnell (missing).
Tuesday, March 22nd
The day was spent hanging round ready to move off at a moment’s notice. Alarming reports kept coming through about the extent of the Bosche advance & in the absence of orders it was difficult to know whether a further move back of the wagon lines would not be wise. Eventually orders cane to move to LE MESNIL & we had just go settled in the camp of the 8th Hussars when further windy rumours cane through & Baker of the 331 came to say that Col, Adams advised a move across the river. Accordingly we packed up & moved across the BRIE, camping on the outskirts of VILLERS CARBONNEL, where some Canadian railway troops were very good to us.
Wednesday, March 23rd
Got orders in the morning to move to BAREUX but as this seemed doubtful & the road was impracticable the major moved to FONTAINE-LES-CAPPY & this was later confirmed by 50th DA, to whom we are attached. The air was again full of rumours & it always seemed that the Hun was close by, so that we were always ready to move at a moment’s notice. Persistent rumours that we have taken Ostend & Lens & advanced at YPRES cheer things up a bit & the general impression is that our retirement is part of a large scheme - - otherwise it would seem to be a rout of the British Army. There seem to be no fresh troops coming up & a very conspicuous lack of aeroplanes, machine guns, &c. Our infantry, who are naturally tired after so much hard fighting & so little support, seem to fall back easily but anything in the nature of determined resistance seems to hold up the Bosche without difficulty.
Thursday, March 24th
Moved at dawn to a field just outside BRAY. Here we got our first experience of an occupied village just evacuated. The houses were full of provisions &c. & we had to be careful in preventing the men helping themselves to excess. The sight of so many civilians trekking along the road is distressing. Towards evening we got orders to move to CHINGUES & pick up the 331 Bde. & DAC. As we had to move by a longer route to avoid traffic it was late when we drew into a field on the outskirts of the village. Drew 5 guns from Army Park.
Moved at dawn to a field just outside BRAY. Here we got our first experience of an occupied village just evacuated. The houses were full of provisions &c. & we had to be careful in preventing the men helping themselves to excess. The sight of so many civilians trekking along the road is distressing. Towards evening we got orders to move to CHINGUES & pick up the 331 Bde. & DAC. As we had to move by a longer route to avoid traffic it was late when we drew into a field on the outskirts of the village. Drew 5 guns from Army Park.
Friday, March 25th
Wagon lines moved on again to MORCOURT & picked up with the ASC again for a change. Anderson went forward to do liaison & was attached to Bde. HQ.
Saturday, March 26th
Wagon lines moved to MARCELCAVE at 6 a.m. & moved on at 8 p.m. to DOMART.
Wagon lines moved to MARCELCAVE at 6 a.m. & moved on at 8 p.m. to DOMART.
Sunday, March 27th
The Battery came up into action again with 4 guns. An unlucky round dropped behind the trail of one gun killing Gnr. Hannum & wounding Bdr. McIntosh, Gnr. Nutley & Sgt. Wallace. Retired that night to a position near GUILLACOURT.
The Battery came up into action again with 4 guns. An unlucky round dropped behind the trail of one gun killing Gnr. Hannum & wounding Bdr. McIntosh, Gnr. Nutley & Sgt. Wallace. Retired that night to a position near GUILLACOURT.
Monday, March 28th
Retired again to a position near CAYEUX where we took on the Hun with success & got some good targets. On the way back near BEAUCOURT we were stopped by Corps & told to go into action again & fire a few rounds to encourage the French, some of whom by this time had come up. We were also met by the 50th Div. general who told us it would be dangerous to cross at DOMART as we had been ordered but to cross at MOREUIL. This was a very long trek as there was so much traffic on the road - - English & French - - & numerous checks. It was raining also & when we came in for some uncomfortable shelling at MEZIERES. Once across the river we were uncertain what to do, so Anderson & Mailer went to report to HQ for orders, but in the darkness & rain the messengers missed the Battery & it spent the night in a field. The wagon lines had moved previously to JUMEI.
Tuesday, March 29th
Battery & wagon lines went to DOMARTIN & then the former moved forward to take up a position near CASTREL. Col. Adams of 331 Bde took over command of the Group.
Wednesday, March 30th
Battery moved to a position near GENTELLES & the wagon lines spent a most uncomfortable night in an open field near the main road. Pouring with rain all day & very cold.
Thursday, March 31st
Battery removed during the night to another position near VILLERS BRETONNEUX. The wagon lines moved to GLISY.
Friday, April 1st
A record for both wagon lines & Battery being taken in the same place for 24 hours. The Brigade being reorganised at the wagon line on a 4 gun basis. We handed over 10 horses to D & a gun to be.
A record for both wagon lines & Battery being taken in the same place for 24 hours. The Brigade being reorganised at the wagon line on a 4 gun basis. We handed over 10 horses to D & a gun to be.
Sunday, April 3rd
The morning was quite quiet at the position - - rather uncannily so. A 6” How. Battery in position on the front edge of the wood just behind our battery was not looked upon likely to improve the health of the neighbourhood, & sure enough the Hun started shelling it in the aft. As the wagon lines were just beside it, they had to move. A new position was chosen on the edge of the wood further back - - an innocent & quiet looking spot.
Monday April 4th
Casual shelling by the Hun during the night caused six casualties (3 killed). About 4.30 he opened an extensive barrage. His first few rounds landed right there in the middle of the wagon lines, as if he knew they were there. They cleared at once to a flank & were extraordinarily lucky in having only 1 killed and 2 wounded. Wherever they moved the shelling seemed to follow them & they spent the whole day trying to dodge the shells, never staying in one place for long & finding the open country the best place - - avoiding woods and villages. We lost about 28 horses. The Bosche attacked 3 times in the morning & was beaten off, each time with only slight gain of ground. It was a great battle, as we could feel that we were holding him at last. But he came on again in the evening. The infantry started pouring through us again & we got orders to retire. It seemed like the old story again & we limbered up with heavy hearts. Pouring with rain all day & very miserable.
Tuesday, April 5th
We rendezvoused at BLAGUEY CABARET soaking wet & every one absolutely done in the world. Somehow or other the Bosche advance had been stopped by the Australians & a magnificent counter-attack by the 16th Lancers, who rode to the front line on their horses. We got orders to move back practically to our old position. We took up a position in the open near CACHY & found some old bomb-stores belonging to the aerodrome, where we got a little shelter & managed to get a fire going & some hot tea. These dug-outs were a god-send to us. The two cooks Gnr. Brown & SS Godfrey, were heroes & really kept the whole Battery going. Their gift of making fire from wet wood with the help of a candle & providing tea just when most needed, was invaluable. Day quieter with random shelling.
Wednesday, April 6th
The next few days were quieter but anxious & uncomfortable. We repeatedly stood-to, expecting a Bosche attack but it didn’t come. Rain continually & no one was ever dry. The advanced wagon lines were in the open a few hundred yards behind – sleeping on the wet ground.
Friday, April 8th
Relieved by A/91. Our feelings indescribable at getting out of it at last - - still raining but what matter with billet to look forward to? The relieving battery caught it rather with a shell fire the first day. We didn’t have to move our ammunition (A/91 came into another position), as another battery agreed to do this in consideration for 2 cows which we found wandering about the country. Went to wagon lines at CAGNY, got into dry clothes & celebrated in champagne. Burton, who left us just before the stunt, skilfully turns up 1-2 an hour late after we pulled out.
Saturday, April 9th
Spent day cleaning up. Are very crowded in this village, as there are our two Brigades here and also another Div. Arty. Anderson went on advance party to CREUSE. Ridsdale & Bell from DA in to dinner.
Sunday, April 10th
Moved to CREUSE. Good weather. This village seems very nice & clean & unspoilt by troops.
Monday, April 11th
Received orders in afternoon that the French are coming into CREUSE this evening & we have to move. Move into BOIS DE BACOUEL by 7 p.m., nearly dark.
Wednesday, April 13th
Moved to BEHENCOURT, a 20 mile trek & with the horses in such a bad condition after the last three weeks strenuous times, it doesn’t improve them. No accommodation & begins to rain as soon as we are in.
Moved to BEHENCOURT, a 20 mile trek & with the horses in such a bad condition after the last three weeks strenuous times, it doesn’t improve them. No accommodation & begins to rain as soon as we are in.
Thursday, April 14th
Obviously the Staff don’t know what to do with us, as we are moved back through AMIENS to within three miles where we were yesterday morning - - namely PONT DE METZ. 38th DA are in the place & have not yet cleared out. Receive orders to entrain tonight at AMIENS, St. Roche Station, for ST. OMER.
Friday, April 15th
Arrive at ESQUELBECQUE at about 10 a.m. & march about a mile and a half to ZEGGERS CAMMEL. A nice clean village & quite good billets, although the horses are in the open & still in very poor condition. Ridsdale rejoined Battery from DA.
Tuesday, April 19th
We and C Battery have to go into action tomorrow. We are being made up to strength to-day in horses & men by B & D Batteries, who, of course, have given us the “duds” in both.
Wednesday, April 20th
Early start & move to HAMHOEK wagon lines which are quite good - - messing with a signal school officer who is quite nice.
Thursday, April 21st
Battery moves into action by ST. JEAN
Friday, April 22nd
Wagon lines moved to a new place in front of ELVERDINGHE. Though good joined Battery.
Tuesday, April 26th
Battery pulled out to W. lines & were relieved by 38th DA.
Wednesday, April 27th
Battery moved to CLIFFORD CAMP near ST. JAN TER BIEZEN. The next fortnight consisted of reconnaissance of BLUE line, strenuous training & horse inspections, with very frequent inspections by CRA - - too frequent. Evans joined Battery during this period.
Friday, May 13th
Ridsdale took two guns to AT. JEAN to calibrate them, starting at 5 a.m. & got back at 7.30 p.m. Major went on leave
on May 10th.
Saturday, May 14th
Into action behind DICKEBUSCHE, where for the next week or more we received attention from 8” & 5.9” regularly, being in full view from KEMMEL. Sgt. Gorton the old BSM killed in action here, also Sgt. Houghton got shell shock & also about 5 wounded. Wagon lines near BUSSENBOOM were strafed & Bdr. Dootson, battery tailor, was wounded.
Sunday, May 22nd
Withdrew to W. lines, luckily without casualties & had to cart away 15 loads of Ammn. as the positions were vacated Anderson in advance to WINNEZEELE.
Monday May 23rd
Marched to WINNEZEELE to a wagon lines without cover & no place for men of harness. Ridsdale presented with Croix de Guerre by CRA, 14th French Division.
Marched to WINNEZEELE to a wagon lines without cover & no place for men of harness. Ridsdale presented with Croix de Guerre by CRA, 14th French Division.
Wednesday, May 25th
Marched from WINNEZEELE TO BLARINGHEM & glad to be getting of sheet 28.
Thursday, May 26th
Marched BLARINGHEM to WESTREHEN, a very dirty little village.
Friday, May 27th
From WESTREHEM to HOUDAIN, where we are going to have a rest, presumably.
Saturday, May 28th
11” shell dropped on a billet occupied by Bde. HQ & didn’t hurt anyone - - quite close to the lines. Holes through all the tents & bivvys. Very lucky. Much bombing at night.
11” shell dropped on a billet occupied by Bde. HQ & didn’t hurt anyone - - quite close to the lines. Holes through all the tents & bivvys. Very lucky. Much bombing at night.
Sunday, May 29th
Mailer awarded MC. While Evans, Ridsdale & Mailer are having tea in the mess another 11” shell dropped on the house on the opposite side of the street, where some of our men were billeted. Dr. Brunt died of these wounds. A Frenchman killed & his wife had her arm blown off. Very unpleasant. Moved into a tent in a field nearby.
Tuesday, May 31st
Strafed by CO for having dirty horses. At noon four 11” shells dropped quite close to horse lines. You cannot hear them coming. Very unpleasant. Cleared horses into a field nearby. Anderson went out to find a new place & I went to CO to ask permission to move. Got it & moved to BRAFFLE a most glorious spot & a great advantage being that we are 2½ miles from HQ & DA.
Wednesday, 1st June
Inspection by 1st Coprs ADVS, who said our horses were best in brigade as for cleanliness & also for condition, which made the CO ask what we’d been doing to them since yesterday. We suggested bicycle pumps and vacuum cleaners. After this time we did intensive training including rifle range shoot by each man of 15 rounds. FSMO’s & Bty. Staffs order of the day. Anderson awarded MC in King’s Birthday honours.
Inspection by 1st Coprs ADVS, who said our horses were best in brigade as for cleanliness & also for condition, which made the CO ask what we’d been doing to them since yesterday. We suggested bicycle pumps and vacuum cleaners. After this time we did intensive training including rifle range shoot by each man of 15 rounds. FSMO’s & Bty. Staffs order of the day. Anderson awarded MC in King’s Birthday honours.
Sunday, June 12th
Moved from BARAFFLE to BOIS DE DAMES & same night Battery in action near HINGES.
Thursday, June 16th
Battery withdrew to W lines.
Friday, June 17th
Burton’s 21st & much Champagne.
Saturday, June 18th
Moved to ENQUIN LES MINES, where we had a pleasant stay.
Wednesday, June 22nd
Moved to wagon lines SW of CUARBECQUE & the same night battery relieved DA 16th behind ST. VENANT. A top-hole place with a most gorgeous mess & bedroom & bathroom complete with porcelain bath. This isn’t war at all.
Thursday, June 23rd
Mailer goes on leave to get married, with all the Battery congratulations.
Saturday, July 9th
Mailer returned from leave. The Battery having a very quiet & nice time during this period. Haslett joined Battery.
Mailer returned from leave. The Battery having a very quiet & nice time during this period. Haslett joined Battery.
Friday, July 15th
Battery relieved by 74 DA just out of Palestine & very sorry to leave. Roumers of sheet 28 again.
Saturday, July 16th
Moved to STAPLE area. A very indifferent W line.
Sunday, July 17th
From STAPLE to HAANDEKOT, where we are in good wagon lines.
Wednesday, July 20th
Move away from this place & all go to the wagon lines NE of STEENVOORDE. Horses all in the open & men & officers in bivvys & tents. Raining all day & the Bosche shelled just over our wagon lines with a HV gun. Evand takes Left Section forward to pos. in observ. at WIPPENHOEK, covering the East pop. line known later at the 2nd pos. The major goes up to stay with him to get the show working, and as there is a good restaurant quite near, Mailer goes up later also.
Wednesday, July 20th
Ridsdale “relieves” major at pos. in obs. & Evans also goes down to WL.
Ridsdale “relieves” major at pos. in obs. & Evans also goes down to WL.
Friday, August 5th
Mailer contracts Spanish flue & is sent to hospital.
Saturday, August 6th
Ridsdale takes a party of men from the Bde. To see the King at WINNEZEELE. In the evening the major takes 4 guns into action in one position on the shoulder of SHERPENBERG & Ridsdale takes 2 guns of A Bty. & 2 guns of C Bty. into action near LA CLYTTE, forming a composite Bty. All this to capture about 5 posts.
Tuesday, August 9th
Pull out to arrive at W lines at about 5.10 a.m. (10th)
Wednesday, August 10th
About 2 p.m. orders received that AC & the composite Battery are to go into action again tonight on account of “wind”, which has sprung up quite suddenly & is now vertical. Everybody cursing like blazes. We all get into action about midnight. Have to fire on CP at about 3 a.m. for an hour.
Sunday August 14th
Last two or three days quiet; nothing to do but fire on CP each morning at between 3 & 4 a.m. This evening the Bosche started shelling Ridsdale’s composite Battery at 7 p.m. & kept it up until 10 p.m.with 8”. Considerable wind up seeing that we have to pull out tonight. However, no damage done. Later all his men get slightly gassed through a small gas shell falling near them. All arrive at wagon lines at about 4.30 a.m. quite safely.
Tuesday, August 16th
Major yesterday went to ST. OMER to have his teeth attended to by a dentist & has not yet returned. Orders in that we are relieving the 41st SA for about a fortnight to give them a rest. Ridsdale and Burton go forward to see battery that we are relieving, A/187.
Wednesday, August 17th
Battery moves into action tonight.
Battery moves into action tonight.
Thursday, August 18th
Wagon lines moves from STEENVOORDE area to ABEELE area. 12 wagon loads of ammunition up tonight, a local operation coming off.
Friday, August 25th
Battery pulled out & came to w. lines. All merrie.
Sunday, August 28th
We go into action relieving the 33rd DA who are in action near KRUISSTRAAT - - only a thousand yards behind our wagon lines last winter.
Monday, August 29th
Remainder of Battery go into action tonight. Also hear that one of the guns we sent into action last night is blown out - - the Bosche has been shelling Forward Section for about 4 hours. Wagon lines moved to PESELHOEK district.
Thursday, Sept 1st
Wonderful rumours today that the Bosche has evacuated KEMMEL & BAILLEUL. It is obviously true because we got orders at W.lines to stand ready with teams. Sent up 4 gun limbers & 8 ammn. wagons at 1 a.m. to no avail.
Saturday, Sept 3rd
Change 4 gun position from rear to front as it appears that the Bosche has gone back on one front. Rumours this evening that there is a big stunt on south & that CAMBRAI & DOUAI are captured & that we had broken through at VERDUN. Splendid news if its true. Had two drivers wounded & 2 horses & 2 mules killed changing position tonight.
Sunday, Sept 4th
In action near CAFÉ BELGE X roads. Not a very healthy position & pleanty of gas.
Tuesday Sept 6th
Guns come out of action & remain at wagon lines. CO & Adjutant of our bridges & CO & Adjutant of relieving brigade all gasses while handling over - - pretty bad too. All to England.
Guns come out of action & remain at wagon lines. CO & Adjutant of our bridges & CO & Adjutant of relieving brigade all gasses while handling over - - pretty bad too. All to England.
Thursday, Sept 8th
Moved from PESELHOEK wagon lines to CAESTRE where practically the whole brigade was billeted in a small farm. Rained like the devil all day & night.
Friday, Sept 9th
Moved from CAESTRE to LA VERRIER near DOULIEU & passed through VAUX BRIQUES which was very badly knocked about, infact, hardly one brick remained on another.
Moved from CAESTRE to LA VERRIER near DOULIEU & passed through VAUX BRIQUES which was very badly knocked about, infact, hardly one brick remained on another.
Monday, Sept 12th
Received orders to go onto action in front of STEENWERCKE taking over from 28 A Bge. RFA., who were covering the 40th Divnl. front. Ridsdale doing A/Adjutant as Walmsley away & Tile not back from course.
Tuesday, Sept 13th
Batteries have fairly quiet time but having difficulty with ammunition supply as WL’s are so far away.
Sunday, Sept 18th
A & B Batteries moved about this date to a beastly position about a mile north of their present position. Shelling & gas shelling continually. A Battery had 11 signallers gassed at once & B Battery had the major & Trott wounded badly.
A & B Batteries moved about this date to a beastly position about a mile north of their present position. Shelling & gas shelling continually. A Battery had 11 signallers gassed at once & B Battery had the major & Trott wounded badly.
Tuesday, Sept 27th
All batteries moved to positions just East of PLOEGSEERT WOOD preparatory to a stunt coming off in a day or two’s time. All batteries getting ammuntn. up to position & a more unpleasant time of it, too. Mailer gassed just before the move. Wagon lines moved to LA CRECHE, not a salubrious place, because the field where the horses are standing is full of shell holes & is quickly turning in to mud.
(Here the Diary end abruptly, forty five days before the signing of the Armistice.)