pappywright.weebly.com€¦ · Web viewJanuary 1, 1915 Friday. See memoranda Lark Hill. The . Royal School of Artillery (RSA), formerly the . School of Instruction for Royal Horse

Percival Wright’s Diary 1915


January 1, 1915 FridaySee memoranda Lark Hill

The Royal School of Artillery (RSA), formerly the School of Instruction for Royal Horse and Field Artillery (Larkhill), is the principal training establishment for artillery warfare in the British Army. Established in 1915, it is located at Larkhill, on the south edge of Salisbury Plain in the United Kingdom. The School is the primary training facility for Royal Artillery recruits, and is also home to the Gunnery Training Team.

Had a good time last night in the church singing, laundry etc in two or three buckets of beer from the canteen and turned in about 11:30 –Had fine dinner todayTurkeyPuddingMince Pie etcReceived parcel of tobacco from S.O.S

January 2, 1915 SaturdayReceived letter and parcel of cigars from Ted ReedAnd letter and parcel of tobacco xmas cards and cigars from home

January 3. 1915 Sunday Ordinary routine Church parades etc.

January 4, 1915 MondayReceived a souvenir box of maple sugar with card in from the Duchess of Connaught sent it to mother.

(Princess Louise Margaret of Prussia (Louise Margaret Alexandra Victoria Agnes; later Duchess of Connaught and Strathearn; 25 July 1860 – 14 March 1917) was a German princess, and later a member of the British Royal Family, the wife of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. She also served as the Viceregal Consort of Canada, when her husband served as the Governor General of Canada from 1911 to 1916. King Carl XVI


Gustaf of Sweden and Queens Margrethe II of Denmark and Anne-Marie of Greece are among his great-grandchildren.)January 10, 1915 SundayVisited George’s brother Walter Dilkins at Amesbury and was made very welcome he is wafer bailiff and they invited me there anytime I am in Amesbury

January 11, 1915 MondayWarned for Parade tomorrow to go to Shrewton Ranges firing

January 12, 1915 TuesdayParaded with the battalion at 4.0 am and marched to Sherwton Ranges for musketry practice. This is the 2md time I’ve marched with the Regiment since leaving Montreal. The first was from the boat to the station and the first shot I’ve fired since I enlisted.

1st shoot5 shots at 100 yet no marking. Got 6 shots on high in a radius of 7 inches averageMagpies at 12 o’clock

2nd shoot5 shots at disappearing target head and shoulders exposed for 6 seconds no scores given

January 19, 1905 TuesdayJust been told by the Colonel that we leave here presumably for France the 7th of February and to start getting things in shape ready for it

January 26, 1915 TuesdayThe Colonel tells me to get everything ready by the 1st Feb, as we are likely to go then

January 30, 1915 SaturdaySent a lot of spare kit home for mother to mind for me until I come home again.


FYI The soldier's kit in world war one consisted of:Mark Lee Enfield rifleLarge canvas pack for carrying wooly cap, spare socks & greatcoat.Digging tool - handle and head separately.Haversack for carrying rations, paybook, toothbrush, soap and towel, spare bootlace, mess tin (to eat from) and cover, fork and spoon, mending and darning kit.Full water bottle and carrier.Bayonet (a blade that could be attached to the end of the rifle.)150 rounds of ammunition, in belt and pouches.Identity tag.Two canvas bags (respirator and gasmask)Service cap, and regimentry cap badge.

February 1, 1015 MondayNo definite news of when we leave here.

February 2, 1015 TuesdayHave been issued with new book uniform under clothing. Socks are ready for going away a rumor going around in that we go to Egypt from here

February 3, 1915 WednesdayNorman’s Birthday

February 4, 1915 ThursdayKing George inspected all the Canadian troops here today. I was not on parade but saw him on the train with a lot of staff officers.Dance on at the officers Mess tonight a lot of hospital nurses from Belfast hospital are coming. I’ve just fined up Colonel Hopkins room to be used as a cloakroom for them.

February 5, 1915 FridayColonel Burland gone to London solo Saturday


Got Paid £2.0.0 today

February 6, 1915 SaturdayAll our spare kits were sent Salisbury todayAlso Colonel Burland's bag with his extra kit inHave got everything ready for marching and moreHave been issued with 150 rounds of ball ammunitionTo use company and all details to be left in England gone to Tidworth barracks.

February 7, 1915 SundayColonel Burland rehearsed from last night and brought me this diaryRaining hard Col B just came in from a 20 miles ride wet here

February 8, 1915 MondayRain and coldBattalion gone to Durrington ranges to complete musketry courseRumors that we leave here on Wednesday

February 9, 1915 TuesdayRain & HailGeneral clean up in campReady for tomorrow

February 10, 1915 Wednesday1st half battalion leaves at 10 pm under Col. Meighen2nd half battalion leaves at midnight destination unknown to us

February 11, 1915 ThursdayArrived in Avonmouth at 7:30 and embarked on TS Australind full up with troops


Am sleeping on some births of oak amongst the horses. Hardly room to move on. board bully beef biscuits and tea served out tonight

February 12, 1915 FridayLeft Avonmouth at about 5’0 am a fine calm morning have sighted lots of torpedo boatsEtc. 50 men of off to watch for our ships, submarines etc.

February 13, 1915 SaturdayVery bad storm about, the worst I’ve ever been in. Nearly everyone sick on boats this morning, one of the crew was killed _____ accident and this afternoon on of the 9th field battery of C artillery was washed across the deck by a large wave and was instantly killed by knocking his head against a ? The waves are awful. Fright to hell & we are steaming head into them due west.

February 14, 1915 SundayStorm not quite so bad today. We buried the artilleryman today at 12 o’clock. The sailor was buried earlier in the morning. This afternoon we dumped over four of our horses who died of seasickness. We sighted land about four this afternoon and expect to reach our destination tonight and land tomorrow. The weather is a bit better but still a very heavy swell on. Getting fed up with bully & _____ could do with a good feed. February 15, 1915 MondayArrived in St Nazaire at about 3:30 Crowds of French people waiting to see us disembark. Beautiful weather sun shining ____quite a large _____

Went ashore this evening and got out in the town. This is quite a fine place, visited several saloons where wine is 3p per bottle. Bum shaft thou had about 2 hours of I then got back on board for it. Bought a bottle of brandy for 2/6f.

February 16, 1915 TuesdaySlept another night on board and entrained at 9 am for the front. Weather grand . There is one just clan coach for the officers and the rest are box


cards and open cars for guns transports etc. They are riding about 40 to 50 men in a car. I am with the officers horses 8 horses and 10 men in our car. There is a little caboose on top of our car for the breakmen so I have ___ that in a bit ___ but there is a seat there so I expect to be all right issues with bread, jam, po beef and ____

February 17, 1915 WednesdayStill on train raining nearly all day we pull up about every four hours and French soldiers come round with coffee and rum for us which is very good. I think we are following the coast line right thro

February 18, 1915 Thursdayarrived in Hazebrouck about 8:30 and marched almost 6 mile to Caestre which is about 12 miles from Ypres. We can see the searchlights and hear the guns at night. I am billeted (lodging for a soldier) in a big chateau with all the officers, servants etc. and we are sleeping in the attic. The Germans were here about 3 weeks ago and took everything that was of any use. There are several graves of soldiers at the church yard here Seafolk H ___ there in a high tower on the church where the 9th had a machine gun to swipe the road and ___ of M.S.H.went up and threw the gun and men into the road.

February 19, 1915 FridayHad no food issued yet but can get stuff in the town pretty cheap French coffee 10 a cup beer 1 good butter 2f lb The pub where we go for our food is kept by a Belgium woman whose husband is a prisoner with the Germans. She has 4 little children and one was killed by the Germans.

February 20, 1915 SaturdayCould hear the guns quite plain last night and see the reflectors of the search lights. Inspection today by Gen French who was very pleased with the appearance of our regt. Built a fireplace in the Colonel’s room where Cols Meighen & Burland sleep. Col Meighen complimented me said I was the handiest man he had come across. Got pulled up in orderly room for


going ___ at 8 am __ are fined 10/- Col Meighen said he was sorry to fine me and would pay the fine for me.

February 21, 1915 SundayCooked dinner today for the staff. BBeef thin beans and mashed potatoes. Col Burland field officers for today.

February 22, 1915 MondayThe name of this place is Flebre (?) we leave here tomorrow morning at 8:0 am and march nearer to the trenches.

February 23, 1915 TuesdayMarched out at 9.0 am passed through Bailleul full day & can hear the guns quite plainlyArrived about 4.0 pm after marching 15 miles and got out bullets allotted to us. 9 am grow residing in what is left of the Armentières Lunitic Asylum.It has been shelled quite a lot and some of the buildings are smashed to pieces. Most of the furniture has been removed but have enough to furnish Col B’s room all right.

February 24, 1915 WednesdayI found a fine bedroom for myself last night fine spring bed in a padded cell and furnace and had a good rest but the artillery woke me up couldn’t draw any ___ so Col M gave us me 5 francs for myself and his butler (?) to get breakfast with. We had a good look round the town which is quite a large place and found it had been pretty smashed up by shell fire. Col B had just to get his oven kit ready to go with the _______. tomorrow morning for 24 hours this is where I start to though it.

February 25 & 26th 1915 Thursday & FridayAfter shopping with No 2 Company in a big Dry Good Store we marched out for the trenches at 3 am it was about 3. miles away.___ _____ of fire was almost as soon as struck the open country was getting across a plank when a bullet whistled pass my ear too close to be comfortable I ducked you betWe walked about 1… miles across ploughed fields and every minute or so a bullet would whistle past. It seems like 50 miles but we arrived safely. At a farm home or what was left of it the platoon was first in the trenches I with


H 2 staff in the farm stables was insured with 200 rounds of ammunition and I was told to stand by for orders or could lay down if I liked. The bullets were flying about every few minutes or so. Didn’t get much sleep this morning. The Germans shelled part of our farmhouse on the left of us.____ one shell into a building about 100 yards from us and got one of the RB his screams were awful for a few moments but he must have been hit hard as we heard after. He was buried under the building and they couldn’t get at it to get him out as shoot came through the miles today and showered a lot of holes down where I was so preceded to beat it from there.

February 27th, 1915 SaturdayWe left the trenches out 4.0 am after losing 2 men 1 of the R.B and 1 of the Staffords. Got home safely altho the enemy had a machine gun firing at us all the way across the field. went to bed at about 6.00 & up at 10-0

February 28th, 1915 SundayWent into town today and had supper at a restaurant and has been quite a busy place but severely shattered by shells etc. bought P.Cards to send home.

March 1st, 1915 MondayReceived letter from Rhodena from Edd and ___ got photo he’s all rightHad a few shells drop in the asylum where we are Billeted. Seacroft people outside being killed but none of our fellows.

March 2nd, 1915 TuesdayWe leave here today at 4.0 pm everything packed up ready for it and are going about four miles from here.

March 3rd, 1915 Wednesday (page gotten wet in Pappy’s travels)Arrived at Sailly ______at about 7.0 pm _____slept in a large house where is generally ______. ________________________________________Make tea for Col B this morning and had order to pack up for four days in the trenches starting from tonight.


Jim May and I had to go to orderly room today for not drawing our ___ when we were in Armentières.

March 4th, 1915 Thursday (page gotten wet in Pappy’s travels)Marched about four miles to the trenches __________________________

March 5th, 1915 Friday Cooked breakfast for 3 officers and the enemy started to shell us at about 10-0 o’clock a ___ Dropping them very closely on man shot thru the head & killed today another slightly injured by a piece of shell just been ____ the dugout and making things comfortable for long hrs. Went out after dark for water with two other batmen had to walk along the road parallel with the road and the G’s must have seen us as they gave us a good reception and we had to lay flat in the muddy road for about 15 minutes but got away all right.

March 6th, 1915 Saturday My birthday 36 years old today. The Germans tried to drop shells in our trench. I suppose for a birthday present for me they didn’t succeed but got quite close enough as a piece of one flew in to our tea can about 4 ft from where I sat. Corporal Browns of ours got hit by one and had his arm & shoulder smashed. We come out of here for a rest.

March 7th, 1915 Saturday Left trenches last ngight & arrived here Fleur Barse for 3 days rest. This is about 1000 yrds behind the trenches. Col B is in a house & 9 am in the Abbee it is kept by a very nice French woman and I got on all right with her. I get plenty of coffee likewise new laid eggs.I have just been chopping wood & fetching water for her, her husband was taken and held by the Germans when they were here.Bac St MarieTrenchesVictors Birthday Born today

March 8th, 1915 Monday


Had a short bath & done all my working today & we go into the trenches tomorrow night. Our artillery are banging away outside.

March 9th, 1915 Tuesday Got everything cleaned up ready for the trenches tonight. We had a very good billet and the old lady was very nice & gave us all the coffee etc we wanted. I hear that we go to another place on coming out of the trenches next time.

March 10th, 1915 Wedday Got in all right last night & found things very quiet hardly a shot being fired. But this morning we make up for it as our artillery opened fire in the trenches & it was like a storm of shells flying over our heads. Col B told me it was a general action all along the line and the biggest engagement in the world.Neuve Chapelle

Sergt Moore Killed

Note: (Battle of Neuve Chapelle took place in the First World War. It was a British offensive in the Artois region of France and broke through at Neuve-Chapelle but the British were unable to exploit the success.)

March 11th, 1915 Thursday heavy artillery fire on both sides about 400 yards 9 prisoners taken on the right of our line and we are expecting orders to make an attack at any time. Colonel Burland and all the men are anxious to make a change. I think it will come off tonight as the G trenches are all going up in the air

Charlie Molt Col Meighen’s servant shot thu the head Died this evening

March 12th, 1915 Friday The action still going on shells flying all ways. Just been watching the G’s shelling one of our airplanes but could not hit it. We understand that our troops are trying to surround the enemy that are in front of us & everything at present points to unseen if so we go over the top after the trenches in front of us.


Have just heard we have taken Neuve Chapelle in this action

March 13th, 1915 SaturdayAction still continues heavy shellfire & also rifle fire on all sides of us. Have been standing to arms all day expecting to make a charge at the German trenches opposite us. A G shell blew up one of our dugouts about noon injuring 5 men. Just got word we are to be relieved tonight everybody mad to think we have got to go out without making the charge.

March 14th, 1915 SundayLeft trenches fro our old billets last night & slept in my own loft at the French women’s house when the Colonel sleeps at battery of artillery has just arrived from Woolwich. Left Woolwich on Wednesday and are in action today. We are getting some fine weather now for a change.

March 15th, 1915 MondayFine day today as battery of Artillery just arrived from Woolwich, left on Thursday & are in action today.

March 16th, 1915 TuesdayBeen pretty sick all night with stomachache etc. Col B game me some ________this morning which freed it a bit nearly all day feeling better now thought

March 17th, 1915 WednesdayFine day todayGoing in the trenches tonight feeling much better now

March 18th, 1915 Thursday


Arrived in trenches last night & things have been very quiet all day. Nothing much doing on either side. One man got killed & another shot himself thro the foot.

March 19th, 1915 FridayAwoke this morning & found three inches of snow on the ground but had all melted by ten o’clock

March 20th, 1915 SaturdayFair day today & very quiet not much doing on either side I hear we come out again tonightMarch 21th, 1915 SundayWe came out last night & have been pretty sick all day today. Diarrhea etc went stick & got a big dose of castor oil & lead & opium pills

March 22nd 1915 MondayCol B sent the doctor to me today as I could hardly get about & he gave me some medicine & told me I was for hospital ambulance came & fetcghed me about 3.0 pm & am now at Salley Sur Lys not a bad place feel too rotten to look round much tho.

March 23rd, 1915 TuesdayFeel much better this morning had a good does of porrage & a wash etc but feel very weak.

March 24th, 1915 WednesdayGoing on all night today

March 25th, 1915 ThursdayGot shifted to Estaires today about 5 miles trip in a motor ambulance gin on all night

March 26th, 1915 FridayWent into the town there this morning a fair sized place but not so big as Armentiere

March 27th, 1915 Saturday


Got my discharge from hospital today & found Col Burland’s billet about 2 miles out, have got a find place & very nice people at a small farmer’s place. Read letter from home to say we had another son arrived on the 7th March & both are doing well.

March 28th, 1915 SundayFine day today got up early & had a nice walk out into the country

March 29th, 1915 MondayWent into Estaires Cemetery today to see an officer’s funeral of the R.E. & saw the graves of lots of soldiers also by trenches full this is where we saw the knee of one soldier sticking out of the grave. General Gough buried there. *(General Sir Hubert de la Poer Gough)

March 30th, 1915 TuesdayNothing special doing today. Shell in Estaires

March 31st, 1915 WednesdayTold Col B the baby’s name was to be Victor Burland & he was very pleased with it & said he would send a present for the christening.

April 1st 1915 ThursdayWeather grand today saw a G airship today & it dropped three bombs on this town (Estaires) Not uch damage done. One of our aircraft got after it and it is said fetched it down about four miles from here.

April 2nd 1915 FridayGood Friday today very nice day, went in to town & had a good walk around very quiet nothing much doing anywhere.

April 3rd 1915 SaturdayRaining all day nothing particular doing

April 4th 1915 SundayFine rain this morning but cleared up towards evening. Went to church in Estaires Town Hall & the service was very good had all it’s parishioners Easter hymns & also alive with me which made me thin a lot of home.


Olive’s Birthday

April 5th 1915 MondayFine day today another German airship being bombarded but it gow away from us

April 6th 1915 TuesdayRaining nearly all day today just packing up ready to move out tomorrow morning at 6.0 am to Cassell in Flanders about 18 miles march.

April 7th 1915 WednesdayArrived in Cassell at about 4.0 pm billeted about 3 miles from the town in a big farm got a good bed in the hay loft and can do with a sleep.April 8th 1915 ThursdayGot up about 8. Am & the view from here is splendid saw lots of hares around here today so must be after some of them

April 9th 1915 FridayWent out at 4.30 this morning to try for a hare with a revolver but had no luck went to Cassell today it is the best and cleanest town we have stuck since landing here.

April 10th 1915 SaturdayWent to Cassel again today and had a champagne supper also had our photos taken after the champagne. Don’t know what it will come out like.

Barney Duchin, Authur Curron & myself

April 11th 1915 SundayHad a good loaf today as we were about done up from yesterday. All the officers had their photo taken today outside the barn where we are sleeping.

April 12th 1915 MondayNothing usual Fine day

April 13th 1915 Tuesday


“Do”

April 14th 1915 WednesdayLeft Cassel at 1.0 pm today for Steenvorde about 5 miles march & was billeted on a nice farm for the night but was expecting to march out again at any moment.

April 15th 1915 ThursdayLeft Steenvorde at 9:30 for Ypres by motorbus via Poperinge had a fine ride thro the county got off at Vlamerntinge and marched round the outskirts of Ypres to St. Julian which is about 6 miles north of Ypres. Ypres is a fine large city by what we can see of it – there is a some beautiful buildings in it.

April 16th 1915 FridayEntered the trenches about 9.0 pm had to march about 6 miles & took these trenches over from the French troops who treated us very well & were very obliging and gave us all details about the trenches. Have got a decent dugout in an old cellar of a farm. Most all the rest of the building has been blown down by shell except 2 or 3 bits of walls & the Germans trenches are only 25 yards from us here. There are 3 Germans buried on the roof of our dugout and several Frenchmen & Belguims buried outside the door.

April 17th 1915 SaturdayHad a good look round here today & there is over 500 dead Germans between our line and the G’s. There is about 20 directly opposite us & some are quite close only about 10 ft over the parapet & some are closer than that. I have been trying to get one, two or three times but got snipped at each time. These bodies have been laying here for over 6 months now as they are pretty high. These are bodies built up by breastworks (a low temporary defense or parapet) all along the line here and parts of the bodies sticking out all over the place. It is impossible to use the water here. I have to go back to H.2. which is about 3 miles from here not nice job either as the field is covered with shell holes.

April 18th 1915 Sunday


Crawled out behind over trenches today & found a dead German or rather half of one. He must have been there since Xmas. I got his sword bayonet also buttons off his coat. I also got a fine French bayonet in good condition found a place where they have been burning hundreds of bodies up. The Germans started to shell our dugout today got really close but didn’t do any damage. Saw a great fight in the air and our man fetch a German machine down headfirst but he dropped behind the G’s line.

April 19th 1915 MondayThere was quite a big battle last night on the right of our line starting from St Etoile and coming about a mile from us which we were very successful taking all before us with only a small percentage of casualties. Acting as guide to Artillery Officers in and out of the trenches tonight.

April 20th 1915 TuesdayThis afternoon the enemy tried to shell us out of our trenches but as were so close to them could not get the range without risking their own men. Their shells were dropping uncomfortably close tho and we had a few men hit by splinters.

April 21st 1915 WednesdayThings have been fairly quiet today & we left the trenches safely. I brought Col B out. We came back about 3 miles to our reserve billet & Col B has the best billet he has shruck as yet in a big house with every convenience. Col Meighen, Col Burland & the Doctor, Capt Boyd staying here with three Batmen (?) & 2 cooks & the people seem very nice.St JeanBarney Duncan, Jim May, Harry Mach & myself.

April 22nd 1915 ThursdayThings seemed very quite today until about 2.0 o’clock & then the enemy started in to bombard the left of the line which was held by the Germans using poisonous gas which killed hundreds of them. They broke thro the line & our Ball with others had to advance to drive them back. Col B taking our fellows us & leaving me in charge of H2. The returning French are pouring in here by the hundred mostly all poisoned more or less by gas. I have just broke open a pub opposite here to be used as dressing. At the


same time finding lot eggs, wine, beer etc. The shells are dropping around us by the dozens and have got everything packed up ready to beat it if the order comes. Ypres in on fire and hundreds of civilians & soldiers have been killed.

April 23rd 1915 FridayDidn’t sleep much last night owing to being bombarded put in most of the line in the dressing station and carrying in wounded and getting quite an expert doctor some of the sights were awful want to fetch in a man from the artillery who was wounded about half a mile away. We got him all right but the shellfire round was awful & before we got far with him he died so we dumped him off the stretcher and went and got another. Got some food together and went out to find the Colonel as I thought he could do with it. Had one h___ *(I’m sure he wanted to write hell) of a time dodging shells and bullets trying to get at him. He would not have the food told me to give it to the men but was very pleased I had taken him a big box of cigarettes up. See Memo

April 24th 1915 SaturdaySt JulienThe battle still going full pell__ today & we got a shell thro our billet. Went to H.2. & the place was shelled to beat everything came back & helped 10 men in who were wounded & dressed Saw on the road once 3 G’s and let drive at them – just as I thought to beat it they saved me the trouble & went for all they were worth. I got one of them all right tho Col B came in ____and was all in. He could hardly stand and finally broke down.

April 25th 1915 SundayThe attack is still progressing a Brigade of Indian troops arrived this morning & turned our billet into their H.2. under General Walker the Seerks & Gourkas *(Sikhs and Gurkhas) were with them. They went up in fine style but I saw about 20 killed with one shell & they were coming back wounded like droves of sheep. I brought in and dressed quite 30 wounded myself. One of them gave me his Princess Mary’s box as a present for bringing him in. The G’s dropped a shell right into the hospital and killed about 30 wounded soldiers and then dropped another into a bunch of motor ambulance burst the gasoline tank and


the burning gas all over the road around the trenches and wounded burning up. Dozens of men who couldn’t be pulled out in fire.

April 26th 1915 MondayOut of about 11,000 men our Batton mustered about 190 but there is more to come in who joined up with other Regts. What is left has gone in to action again. Have just been up to the firing line for the Artillery Officer. He wanted a volunteer to take a message to his observer on the telephone had broke down it was hell there. I stopped about 1½ hours & had quite a few pot shots and then had to bring a message back. When I got back found half the village had been blown up but found my baggage safe & got orders to take it back to Flamante (?) south of Ypres.

April 27th 1915 TuesdayArrived here with the transport at about 12’0 am & turned in in a cart shed & slept like a tot. We got shelled for about 2 hour this morning & got about 6 men hit altogether. Had a walk to Ypres this afternoon. The sight is horrible hundreds of dead horses lying around and saw one pile of 50 men dead and waiting to be buried. They were still dropping big shells into the place so didn’t stay long there. It has been a fine place but practically every house is ruined now. The battens came in tonight about 400 strong and they were all in lying down & sleeping anywhere. We have lost 10 officers & the roll of men has not been made up yet.

April 28th 1915 WednesdaySlept last night in a farm wagon & woke up about eight o’clock to fire. They were shelling and again they got about 12 of the Yorks - 3 of our fellows. I have just heard that our casualties in the engagement are 264 up to now.

April 29th 1915 ThursdayBeautiful day today only thing bad is the shells which are dropping very close. Went up to the trenches last night & had a rough time as I got lost & the bullets etc were pretty thick but got out all right

April 30th 1915 Friday


Had a walk to Ypres today. The place is a total wreck now and found a deserted shop & got a sack of oranges also watch & chain, cigars, beer, etc.

May 1st 1915 SaturdayThe Germans started to shell us out to beat the band and we had to get out on the double about 2.0 am and traveled to this place about 5 miles. ___ and arrived here at about 6.0 am right behind the French lines. Col. Burland got bruised hand___ by a shell yesterday & came in today

Documents

pappywright.weebly.com€¦ · Web viewJanuary 1, 1915 Friday. See memoranda Lark Hill. The . Royal School of Artillery (RSA), formerly the . School of Instruction for Royal Horse