Monday, Oct. 1, 1917

To sick to go out with the Major today. So stuck around the H.Q. and got some medicine from the Doc.

Wrote May.

Tuesday, Oct. 2, 1917

Around B.Hg. all day. The Bosche started strafing the left sector so sent in a retaliation call. Fritz immediately came back with 5.9's but hit nothing

The 20th Bttn relieved the 31st tonight

Wrote F and M.

Wednesday, Oct. 3, 1917

Cloudy - poor visibility, slight rain last night.

Went down to see the B'tty positions in the morning with Major Andrews, acting O.C., 20th Bttn.

Major Ingles Adjustant
Lt. Stegman Bombing Officer
" Clark Scout "
" Welch Signal "
" Marr Machine gun "
Capt Finlayson M.O.

The above are the H.Q. officers of the 20th

Thursday, Oct. 4, 1917

At 10.45 Fritz started a bombardment of the Batn H.Q. and kept it up till 5.00 PM at ½' and 1' intervals. He used 4.1s, 5.9s and 8" - mostly 8". He made a terrific mess of the place, but caused only 2 casualties - The Padre, with shell shock and Lieut. Marr shell shock and contusion. Both these officers were buried in the officers mess shortly after the bombardment started and were only dug out at 6 PM.

It was a mighty rough time and we all got off pretty lucky.

Wrote to May

Friday, Oct. 5, 1917

Showery

Remained in he Dug out all night and today on the assumption that Fritz would not strafe again, (which he didn't). In the afternoon had my telephone wires run into the new Battalion H.Q. and moved up in the evening.

Had a good look over the result of the bombardment and found things completely smashed. The concrete gun pits were utterly demolished and several of the dugouts crumpled in. The dugout we were in fortunately escaped destruction, but if one 8" shell had landed 5 feet nearer than it did, the roof would have crumpled like an egg shell.

Saturday, Oct. 6, 1917

Rain.

Sleep in Dugout in Bluemore trench last night. Played bridge in A.M. and was relieved by Manning at noon. Returned to W. Lines in PM, after having tea at Bgde H.Q. Met Jimmie Bell there. Got to W. Lines in time for Dinner after a dirty, muddy walk.

Sunday, Oct. 7, 1917

Raining all day

Slept in and loafed all day.

Col. King our old Bgde Commander was around to see us.

The rain has been coming down in torrents accompanied by a regular gale. Conditions are getting to be pretty fierce - Mud all over

Monday, Oct. 8, 1917

Sun shining in the A.M. but heavy rain with increasing wind in the P.M. and evening.

Orderly officer today

Pay day for the man

Received 3 letters from May dated Sept 6th 9th and 12th. One from Mother dated Sept 9th and one from the Doc dated Oct 5th

Tuesday, Oct. 9, 1917

Fair in the morning and rain towards the evening.

Visited the forward positions in the P.M. - La Cahelotte and Railway embankment. Got back for dinner, pretty well tired out.

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 1917

Showers all day.

Around the lines all day with exception of a trip to Livy siding.

Wrote to May.

Thursday, Oct. 11, 1917

Sun shining today.

Orderly officer today so had to stick around the lines.

Packed up a parcel of surplus Kit to be forwarded to Capt Fahaus (3 - 5.9s and a suit of summer clothes)

Have had official news that we are the move up into Flanders. This has been rumored for some days past.

Wrote to F and M and to the Doc.

Friday, Oct. 12, 1917

Cloudy but no rain till evening, Heavy rain last night.

Went up forward. Met Major McKay at 7.45 A.M. at Bgde H.Q. and went over our Bgde area and decided what was necessary to be done to clean it up. Got 5 men from 15th 16th and 25th and 40 men from 22nd and set them to work. It promises to be a dirty job. Had lunch at 16th Btty and went to 15th Btty in the evening.

Saturday, Oct. 13, 1917

Raining nearly all day.

Are having a dirty job cleaning up and are doing a lot of unnecessary work, but orders must be carried out, however ridiculous they are.

Sunday, Oct. 14, 1917

Clear and cloudy alternately

The paymaster paid the men forward today.

McCrimmon relieved Manning today at L.O.

Monday, Oct. 15, 1917

Clear and cloudy alternately

Cleaning up all day

The Hun shelled the area heavily from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. on account of so much movement. He blew up 3 Ammunition caches

Received a letter from May dated Sept 17th

Tuesday, Oct. 16, 1917

Clear and windy

Working on the salvage job. Found 4 trench loads of 18 " Cartridge cases scattered around. Sent them out by light railway in the evening.

Went back to the 15th for the night.

Wednesday, Oct. 17, 1917

Clear and windy.

Had the official inspection and turned over the area to the 78th Division. The Imperial Officers from the General down were loud in their praise of the work done on the various battery positions. After the inspection came down to Bgde H.Q. for lunch and back to the Wagon Lines afterwards. Find that Manning has gone to the Hospital with Impetigo (skin disease)

Find a pair of shoe packs from May awaiting me.

Thursday, Oct. 18, 1917

Alternate clouds and sunshine. Rain last night.

At W.L. in the morning. In afternoon went to Barthonval Farm and had a much needed bath. Called on the 17th and took Jake Irwin along with me.

Wrote May.

Friday, Oct. 19, 1917

Rain

Around the wagon Lines all day.

Lt. Garrett attached to us

Saturday, Oct. 20, 1917

Fine.

Rode into Ambigny with the Paymaster (Capt. Roche) and the adjutant (Clair Ryley) in the afternoon. Had a most enjoyable ride and got a couple of souvenir spoons for May. Got back about 7 P.M.

Sunday, Oct. 21, 1917

Clear.

Bgde Church service was held today - a nuisance rather.

In the evening a large party was held at Bgde H.Q. Large quantities of booze was consumed.

Lt. Pratt attached to us

Monday, Oct. 22, 1917

Rain in A.M. but clearing in P.M.

Around wagon lines all day

Received letters from May dated Sept 18 and 23rd and one from Bob dated Sept 18.

Wrote to May and John Player and son enclosing one pound for cigarettes.