Saturday Sept. 1, 1917

Clear.

Nothing exciting going on all day. The Hun is quiet and so are we.

Sunday Sept. 2, 1917

Clear

The visibility was exceptionally good today. It was very interesting to see the movement in the Bosche Back country by aid of the telescope. I was able to locate a battery that we didn't know of before, thanks to the clear atmosphere.

The Hun has become more obstreprous lately and has been bombarding our front and support lines considerably lately.

Monday Sept. 3, 1917

Clear

At the O.P. all day. Registered the guns in the A.M. The O.P. was shelled in the P.M. We had to retire with haste. It wasn't hit but was mighty close to it.

Was releived by Spence in the P.M.

Tuesday Sept. 4, 1917

Clear and warm.

Nothing doing in the fighting line today.

Major Flexman with us for lunch and dinner. After dinner went up with him to his battery for a few hours.

The Hun put over a gas bombardment on the First Div at the Loss Crassies and on an Imperial Div at our old position at the Vimy Railway. Quite a number of casualties.

Wrote to May.

Wednesday Sept. 5, 1917

Clear and warm.

Nothing doing except putting over 100 rounds on some obstreperous Trench Mortars.

Find we have to move out of this position to take part in the fight for the Saullunines Hill. It looks as if we'd have to go out into the open. - another May 3 affair. I suppose.

Visited Bgde in the A.M.

Wrote to F. &. M.
Thursday Sept. 6, 1917

Fine.

The Hun put over a heavy [?] bombardment last night. He started at 1.40 AM and kept it up at interval till 3.50 when it gradually died down.

Walked down to the wagon lines in the morning.

Friday Sept. 7, 1917

Fine.

At the wagon lines all day. - nothing much doing.

Saturday Sept. 8, 1917

Fine.

At the wagon lines all day. In the evening went to rear Bgde for dinner and spent the evening there.

Sunday Sept. 9, 1917

Fine.

Received my leave warrant and rode into Bethune to catch [?] train. Arrived at [?] about 7 P.M. Stayed at the Louvre Hotel over night.

It was a short tiresome trip.

Monday Sept. 10, 1917

Fine.

Caught the Leave Boat about 10 A.M. and arrived in Folkestone about noon. Taxied up to see the Doc. at 79 [?] Rd W. He immediately arranged for his leave and we caught the 3 P.M. train for London. Registered at the Jermyn Court Hotel. Saw Bobby Sinclair and Harry Alford at the Regent Palace Hotel.

Tuesday Sept. 11, 1917

Fine.

Did a bunch of shopping in the morning - visited the Bank where I saw Murray Thomson, Jack Maynard and Dr. Coutts.

Caught a 5 PM train from Euston Station for Fleetwood, arriving there at 2 AM. Went aboard the [?] and awakened up at Belfast next morning.

Wednesday Sept. 12, 1917

Fair.

Wandered around the town all day. Went to [?] via trolley in the P.M. Met Alan Greene on the street. He had just arrived in from Dublin.

Got some linen [?] for May which Robinson & [?] are to dispatch by post.

Arrived in the town early in the morning and put up at the Eglington and Winston Hotel.

Belfast is some city. The largest in Ireland and the richest.

Wrote May.

Thursday Sept. 13, 1917

Showery all day.

Caught 10.30 AM train for Portrush - Arrived 12.30.

Went for a walk around the headlands in the P.M. - visited the famous Portrush Golf Course and as it was too stormy to play, had tea at the Club house, afterwards wandered around the stores. Picked up a souveneir spoon which I sent to May by registered post.

Portrush is purely a watering place - Population 2300. - Is at extreme north part of Ireland - 67 miles from Belfast.

Wrote F & M.

Friday Sept. 14, 1917

Showers of rain early but fine from 11 AM. onwards.

Caught 10.30 AM Train for Grants Causeway. Picked up an Irish Guide who showed us the entire thing. Drank from the Giants well and sat on the wishing chair and wished a wish that I hope comes true. Saw the Giants Cave and had lunch at Cave's Causeway Hotel. Caught the return train at 3.30 P.M, and returned to Portrush. Then went to the Portrush Golf Club and played a few holes. Caught the 6.20 train for Belfast - arrived there at 8.50 and was driven to the Imperial Hotel in a jaunting car.

Saturday Sept. 15, 1917

Showery.

Hung around town in the A.M. In P.M. hired a cab and drove around town for a couple of hours. Caught the boat for Fleetwood at 9:30 P.M.

Sent May a Belfast spoon

Sunday Sept. 16, 1917

Fair.

Arrived in Fleetwood at 8 A.M. and took the train for London arriving at 2 P.M. Had lunch at Euston Station Hotel and then taxied to the Charing Cross Hotel where we registered. Dinner at Simpsons.

Wrote May.

Monday Sept. 17, 1917

Fair.

Went out to see Burrows at First London Genl Hospital in the morning and had an interesting talk with him.

Caught the 3 P.M. train for Folkestone. On arrival went to the [?] Hotel - the Salisbury. Played Bridge in the evening, winning 4/6

Tuesday Sept. 18, 1917

Rain. and strong wind.

Motored to Hastings with the Doc. who had some work there. [?] over the Romeney Marsh and thru' some very old towns ie. [?], Winchelsea &c. Very quaint places. Got back to Folkestone at 5 P.M. In our rooms all evening.

Wednesday Sept. 19, 1917

Rain in afternoon.

Visited the Lab in the morning and sent of a parcel to May. Played golf with the Doc on the Folkstone golf course in the afternoon.

Thursday Sept. 20, 1917

Windy & cloudy
Left Folkstone at 11 a.m., and arrived in Boulogne at 1 p.m. Marched with party of [?] now up to Rest Camp # 5. Required there until evening and then returned down town. Registered at the Louvre Hotel. Had to stay on a couch in the Salon.

Friday Sept. 21, 1917

Clear.

Left Boulonge at 7 a.m. in the slow old leave train. Got off at Mount St. Eloi and started out on a hunt for the battery. Managed to locate it about 6 o'clock. Found everyone fit - McAimmon gone to the 16th Bty and Manning preparing to go on leave. The battery is not in action at the present but is building gun pits preparatory to the Southmines "show".

Found a budget of mail waiting for me. Letter from Gladys Aug 20 - Mother Aug 27. May Aug 12th 20th 23rd 27th 30th and a parcel containing a pair of Rubber boots.

Saturday Sept. 22, 1917

Cool in the evening but hot during the day.

Went up front with Major Flexman in the AM to see the new position and to choose a second one in Avion. Avion is at present our front line and Fritz was shelling it pretty frequently. Got back to the wagon lines about 2 PM. In the evening a merry party was held in our mess - Considerable money changed hands and much drink was consumed.

Manning left for leave.

Sunday Sept. 23, 1917

Fine and clear

Ordert, officer today. Took out a ride - visited Engineers Dump and there met Lt. White, who came back from leave with me.

Received box from May containing 2 pr. Sox, Maple Sugar + Cigarettes.

Monday Sept. 24, 1917

Fine + clear

At the W.L. all day with the exception of a trip t oLivy Dump. for Engineers, material in the A.M. and grazing ride in the P.M.

Wrote to May & F. & M.

Tuesday Sept. 25, 1917

Fine clean + warm.

Around wk. all day.

Spence left to report to RJ.C.

Wednesday Sept. 26, 1917

Cooler.

Took out exercise Ride in the A.M. In the P.M. rode to Lens Jct. to arrange for cars to be sent up forward tonight.

Thursday Sept. 27, 1917

Warm

House lives shelled today by heavy A.A. guns in mistake for a balloon which was up a few hundred yards in front of us The shots were plus 20 we got the benefit of it. No casualties, but uncomfortable. Later a Hun plane came over (6 PM) and set the balloon on fire. Although pursued by 2 of our planes it managed to escape. An hour later another plane came over and set a balloon North of us on fire. However it was pursued and brought down by our planes, it was a mighty pretty scrap to watch. In each case the Hun showed a high standard of courage.

Wrote to May.

Friday Sept. 28, 1917

Cooler

Nothing of importance to relate - around the W.L. all day.

Received a letter from May dated back Sept 3 + one from F & M dated Sept 3.

Saturday Sept. 29, 1917

Clear and warm - evenings cold

Started out in the A.M. to relieve McCrimmon as L.O. at left Battalion. Found 31st Battalion in the line but they were relieved this night by the 19th under Lt. Latta D.S.D. Battalion H.2 is in Bois de Chaudiere

Sunday Sept. 30, 1917

Clear + warm

Went out with Major Flexman in the A.M. to visit the gun pits at the White Crosier. It was a hot and a tiresome one.

Felt pretty tough in the afternoon and evening.
Found Capt. Preston in M.O. of the 31st. He used to be M.O. of 15 Bdge C.F.A. at Witley.

Saturday Sept. 1, 1917

Clear.

Nothing exciting going on all day. The Hun is quiet and so are we.

Sunday Sept. 2, 1917

Clear

The visibility was exceptionally good today. It was very interesting to see the movement in the Bosche Back country by aid of the telescope. I was able to locate a battery that we didn't know of before, thanks to the clear atmosphere.

The Hun has become more obstreprous lately and has been bombarding our front and support lines considerably lately.

Monday Sept. 3, 1917

Clear

At the O.P. all day. Registered the guns in the A.M. The O.P. was shelled in the P.M. We had to retire with haste. It wasn't hit but was mighty close to it.

Was releived by Spence in the P.M.

Tuesday Sept. 4, 1917

Clear and warm.

Nothing doing in the fighting line today.

Major Flexman with us for lunch and dinner. After dinner went up with him to his battery for a few hours.

The Hun put over a gas bombardment on the First Div at the Loss Crassies and on an Imperial Div at our old position at the Vimy Railway. Quite a number of casualties.

Wrote to May.

Wednesday Sept. 5, 1917

Clear and warm.

Nothing doing except putting over 100 rounds on some obstreperous Trench Mortars.

Find we have to move out of this position to take part in the fight for the Saullunines Hill. It looks as if we'd have to go out into the open. - another May 3 affair. I suppose.

Visited Bgde in the A.M.

Wrote to F. &. M.
Thursday Sept. 6, 1917

Fine.

The Hun put over a heavy [?] bombardment last night. He started at 1.40 AM and kept it up at interval till 3.50 when it gradually died down.

Walked down to the wagon lines in the morning.

Friday Sept. 7, 1917

Fine.

At the wagon lines all day. - nothing much doing.

Saturday Sept. 8, 1917

Fine.

At the wagon lines all day. In the evening went to rear Bgde for dinner and spent the evening there.

Sunday Sept. 9, 1917

Fine.

Received my leave warrant and rode into Bethune to catch [?] train. Arrived at [?] about 7 P.M. Stayed at the Louvre Hotel over night.

It was a short tiresome trip.

Monday Sept. 10, 1917

Fine.

Caught the Leave Boat about 10 A.M. and arrived in Folkestone about noon. Taxied up to see the Doc. at 79 [?] Rd W. He immediately arranged for his leave and we caught the 3 P.M. train for London. Registered at the Jermyn Court Hotel. Saw Bobby Sinclair and Harry Alford at the Regent Palace Hotel.

Tuesday Sept. 11, 1917

Fine.

Did a bunch of shopping in the morning - visited the Bank where I saw Murray Thomson, Jack Maynard and Dr. Coutts.

Caught a 5 PM train from Euston Station for Fleetwood, arriving there at 2 AM. Went aboard the [?] and awakened up at Belfast next morning.

Wednesday Sept. 12, 1917

Fair.

Wandered around the town all day. Went to [?] via trolley in the P.M. Met Alan Greene on the street. He had just arrived in from Dublin.

Got some linen [?] for May which Robinson & [?] are to dispatch by post.

Arrived in the town early in the morning and put up at the Eglington and Winston Hotel.

Belfast is some city. The largest in Ireland and the richest.

Wrote May.

Thursday Sept. 13, 1917

Showery all day.

Caught 10.30 AM train for Portrush - Arrived 12.30.

Went for a walk around the headlands in the P.M. - visited the famous Portrush Golf Course and as it was too stormy to play, had tea at the Club house, afterwards wandered around the stores. Picked up a souveneir spoon which I sent to May by registered post.

Portrush is purely a watering place - Population 2300. - Is at extreme north part of Ireland - 67 miles from Belfast.

Wrote F & M.

Friday Sept. 14, 1917

Showers of rain early but fine from 11 AM. onwards.

Caught 10.30 AM Train for Grants Causeway. Picked up an Irish Guide who showed us the entire thing. Drank from the Giants well and sat on the wishing chair and wished a wish that I hope comes true. Saw the Giants Cave and had lunch at Cave's Causeway Hotel. Caught the return train at 3.30 P.M, and returned to Portrush. Then went to the Portrush Golf Club and played a few holes. Caught the 6.20 train for Belfast - arrived there at 8.50 and was driven to the Imperial Hotel in a jaunting car.

Saturday Sept. 15, 1917

Showery.

Hung around town in the A.M. In P.M. hired a cab and drove around town for a couple of hours. Caught the boat for Fleetwood at 9:30 P.M.

Sent May a Belfast spoon

Sunday Sept. 16, 1917

Fair.

Arrived in Fleetwood at 8 A.M. and took the train for London arriving at 2 P.M. Had lunch at Euston Station Hotel and then taxied to the Charing Cross Hotel where we registered. Dinner at Simpsons.

Wrote May.

Monday Sept. 17, 1917

Fair.

Went out to see Burrows at First London Genl Hospital in the morning and had an interesting talk with him.

Caught the 3 P.M. train for Folkestone. On arrival went to the [?] Hotel - the Salisbury. Played Bridge in the evening, winning 4/6

Tuesday Sept. 18, 1917

Rain. and strong wind.

Motored to Hastings with the Doc. who had some work there. [?] over the Romeney Marsh and thru' some very old towns ie. [?], Winchelsea &c. Very quaint places. Got back to Folkestone at 5 P.M. In our rooms all evening.

Wednesday Sept. 19, 1917

Rain in afternoon.

Visited the Lab in the morning and sent of a parcel to May. Played golf with the Doc on the Folkstone golf course in the afternoon.

Thursday Sept. 20, 1917

Windy & cloudy
Left Folkstone at 11 a.m., and arrived in Boulogne at 1 p.m. Marched with party of [?] now up to Rest Camp # 5. Required there until evening and then returned down town. Registered at the Louvre Hotel. Had to stay on a couch in the Salon.

Friday Sept. 21, 1917

Clear.

Left Boulonge at 7 a.m. in the slow old leave train. Got off at Mount St. Eloi and started out on a hunt for the battery. Managed to locate it about 6 o'clock. Found everyone fit - McAimmon gone to the 16th Bty and Manning preparing to go on leave. The battery is not in action at the present but is building gun pits preparatory to the Southmines "show".

Found a budget of mail waiting for me. Letter from Gladys Aug 20 - Mother Aug 27. May Aug 12th 20th 23rd 27th 30th and a parcel containing a pair of Rubber boots.

Saturday Sept. 22, 1917

Cool in the evening but hot during the day.

Went up front with Major Flexman in the AM to see the new position and to choose a second one in Avion. Avion is at present our front line and Fritz was shelling it pretty frequently. Got back to the wagon lines about 2 PM. In the evening a merry party was held in our mess - Considerable money changed hands and much drink was consumed.

Manning left for leave.

Sunday Sept. 23, 1917

Fine and clear

Ordert, officer today. Took out a ride - visited Engineers Dump and there met Lt. White, who came back from leave with me.

Received box from May containing 2 pr. Sox, Maple Sugar + Cigarettes.

Monday Sept. 24, 1917

Fine + clear

At the W.L. all day with the exception of a trip t oLivy Dump. for Engineers, material in the A.M. and grazing ride in the P.M.

Wrote to May & F. & M.

Tuesday Sept. 25, 1917

Fine clean + warm.

Around wk. all day.

Spence left to report to RJ.C.

Wednesday Sept. 26, 1917

Cooler.

Took out exercise Ride in the A.M. In the P.M. rode to Lens Jct. to arrange for cars to be sent up forward tonight.

Thursday Sept. 27, 1917

Warm

House lives shelled today by heavy A.A. guns in mistake for a balloon which was up a few hundred yards in front of us The shots were plus 20 we got the benefit of it. No casualties, but uncomfortable. Later a Hun plane came over (6 PM) and set the balloon on fire. Although pursued by 2 of our planes it managed to escape. An hour later another plane came over and set a balloon North of us on fire. However it was pursued and brought down by our planes, it was a mighty pretty scrap to watch. In each case the Hun showed a high standard of courage.

Wrote to May.

Friday Sept. 28, 1917

Cooler

Nothing of importance to relate - around the W.L. all day.

Received a letter from May dated back Sept 3 + one from F & M dated Sept 3.

Saturday Sept. 29, 1917

Clear and warm - evenings cold

Started out in the A.M. to relieve McCrimmon as L.O. at left Battalion. Found 31st Battalion in the line but they were relieved this night by the 19th under Lt. Latta D.S.D. Battalion H.2 is in Bois de Chaudiere

Sunday Sept. 30, 1917

Clear + warm

Went out with Major Flexman in the A.M. to visit the gun pits at the White Crosier. It was a hot and a tiresome one.

Felt pretty tough in the afternoon and evening.
Found Capt. Preston in M.O. of the 31st. He used to be M.O. of 15 Bdge C.F.A. at Witley.