Saturday 1st
At 6.30 the bombardment opened. It continued until 8AM. And didn’t they go it. Soon after 8 we started for the front line. Didn’t we have at time going up the Communication trench. A job to get along. Could not make much head way with our job. Which was carrying RE Stores over to the Hun front line. Between 10 & 11 I caught a fragment of a shell right on the bridge of the nose. So two of my chaps take me down to the dressing station. Then I went to Couin then Henu. Slept there until 12 o’clock.
Sunday 2nd
Motor ride to Marlincourt to the casualty clearing station. All particulars taken again. Had a sleep there. Then we boarded the hospital train at 12 o’clock, bound for an unknown destination. Had dinner & tea en route. At about 6 o’clock we arrive at our destination which is Le Tréport. A fine seaside place, 2nd Canadian Hospital which is on top of the cliffs. All partic taken again. Then off to the baths & a suit of blue given us.
Monday 3rd
What a treat it was to get into a nice clean bed. I did not want to get up this morning. Lovely day. Had a walk on the cliffs. It is indeed a lovely place. Saw Bill Groves. I have to go & draw my Khaki. A sign for Blighty they say. Hope so. At 7.30 we leave in Motors for Dieppe. About an hours run from Le Tréport. A nice ride. Soon after we got here it rained heavily.
Tuesday 4th
What a dead & alive place to be stuck in. Absolutely nothing here. Nothing to do. Nothing to read. Nowhere to go. Should not like to be here long. We keep worrying as to what they are going to do with us. After tea they brought us some novels round. Still no news of their intentions.
Wednesday 5th
The Doctor has been round taking information & marking our cards. Is it for Blighty I wonder. After tea we hear that 67 are going away to-morrow. So must possess ourselves with patience & await the morrow.
Thursday 6th
Last nights order cancelled. Rotten grub we are getting. 1 slice of bread & butter only for tea. Breakfast porridge extra. No sweets after dinner. Still no news of shifting. We are all as miserable as anything here.
Dieppe – The Beach and Casino at bathing time
The message on the back of the card reads:
My Dearest “Bob”,
The cross on the opposite side is where I stayed when at Dieppe. But we could not see the view on the card.
Much Love, Walter
Friday 7th
Rain again to day. The doctor has been round again & this time I am marked for the base, so must give up all hopes of Blighty now. What rotten luck getting sent to this place. A lot of chaps are going to the base tomorrow. Wonder whether I am one. The ladies from the Y.M.C.A. in town gave a concert this afternoon. It was like the opening overture of music hall or a Picture Palace.
Saturday 8th
Three parties going away to day & I am not one of them. Still got to amuse myself here. Only 4 left in our tent now. After tea we get shifted into a ward. I regret the day they sent me from Le Tréport. I walked as far as the barbed wire bordering the road, but was told I was not allowed there. It should be called a prison instead of a hospital. A turn up the trenches would do the R.A.M.C. chaps a lot of good.
Sunday 9th
Still dragging out my miserable existence here. How much longer I wonder. It is lovely weather & I have a longing for England. Especially after reading about the Hospital trains & the slightly wounded in London Hospitals. Had a short service just before tea.
Monday 10th
Another party left here to-day bound for somewhere but I still remain. Had a little game of cricket this afternoon. The weather still keeps lovely. Had a letter from Mother to-day. That’s better.
Tuesday 11th
Same old round to day. Nothing doing except another medical inspection in which I got an R put against my name. No cigs to day.
Wednesday 12th
Still the same old monotonous round. Some more going out tomorrow I believe. I hear that I am being released to-morrow. Was able to buy some fags to day.
Thursday 13th
At last the eventful day arrives when I shall go from this place. Left Dieppe at 1 0’clock & reached Rouen about 4 o’clock. Much better here. Y.M.C.A Hut. More livelier indeed.
The 3rd Battalion, City of London Regiment, Royal Fusiliers had passed through Rouen earlier in the war. The message on the back of the card reads:
3rd City of London, British Expeditionary Force, France
My dear Florrie,
What do you think of Rouen. We had to march over the Bridge in the picture. Lovely weather. On the move again.
Much Love, Walter
Friday 14th
Another inspection this morning. They say that an O on the card stands for Blighty. Well I have been through it & have got my card marked with an O. Must wait patiently now for future developments. Was inspected by the C.O. & had our cards taken away, but heard nothing further.
Saturday 15th
They woke us up at 5 o’clock & told us that we have to parade for Blighty. So we did not mind that awakening. We jolly soon got ready. Left Rouen Station at 8.30 AM & got to Le Havre at 1.30 PM. Went straight on to the boat. Had a good tea consisting of 2 eggs. What a change. Turned in about 10. Slept in the top bunk. Doing it in grand style. Left Le Havre about midnight. The boat we are on is called the “Landfrancs”.
Sunday 16th
Outside Netley Hospital about 10 o’clock. Then had to lay to, to wait for the tide. Disembarked about 4 PM. Left Southampton about 4.30. Through Salisbury & Bath right through to Newport where we arrived about 7.30. What a reception we received at Newport from the people as we walked from the station to the trams. Made me quite nervous. It is a very large Hospital. I don’t suppose we shall be here long.
Monday 17th
Up early. Very nice sisters in our ward. Doctor came round this morning & put us on the transfer list. Expected to go out after dinner but it didn’t come off . So went & played Billiards. Bed at 9’oclock.
Tuesday 18th
Get permission to go out to day. As we were going out the gate a Sgt asked if we would like a motor ride. Of course we accepted. When we arrived at the house we found that we had to stay to tea. Had a splendid tea. One of the chaps evidently took the mustard pot for the pepper box, but unfortunately none came out. We played tennis, bowls & cards & had a shooting competition. Arrived back about 8.30 after a delightful outing. Should have gone to the Empire, but did not mind missing that.
Wednesday 19th
Had a stroll round Newport after dinner. Not a bad town. After tea went into Belle Vue Park. Rather a nice park.
Thursday 20th
Went & rested in the park for an hour after dinner. It was very hot. Another invitation out to tea. Had a splendid spread at a restaurant. Sing song after. Knocked off about 7.
Friday 21st
Walking along Commercial St this afternoon I met Mr Griffiths. The gentleman who entertained us to tea the other afternoon. He showed me over his factory. Making army shirts etc. And after I had tea with him. Spent an interesting afternoon.
Saturday 22nd
Had a trim up this afternoon & just a short stroll round the Park. Nothing doing to-day.
Sunday 23rd
Out to tea again. Went to Mr Hunt & had a very nice tea. Then turned in. Heard the news that I am going to a Convalescent home tomorrow.
Monday 24th
It took all morning to draw my clothes & kit. Leave here at 2PM., for convalescent home Caerphilly. Reached there about 3.30. Had a splendid tea for a start off. Keep later hours now. Lights out at 11PM. It is a lovely place here.
Tuesday 25th
Have made a good change. WE don’t have to get up until 7AM. We are making a good start. Afternoon out this afternoon. Going to Lady (space left here) at St Fagan. Caught the 1.17 train to Cardiff & then motored the rest of the way. Lovely place. Plenty of us there. Music. Different competitions. And a splendid tea. Raspberries & cream. Back to the hospital at 7.30 tired out.
Wednesday 26th
Had a stroll around the village after dinner. Visited the ruins of the old castle & found it very interesting. Not at all a bad little village.
Thursday 27th
Had a thunderstorm after dinner so was not able to go out. But managed to get out later for an hour.
Friday 28th
No entry
Saturday 29th
Went out to tea to-day. We went to Nantcarn about 3 miles from here. Had a splendid tea. After tea sports. I won the egg & spoon race. 2/- better off. It was a lovely spot.
Sunday 30th
Went to Church this morning. It was a treat to hear the organ again. In the evening we had a short service in the hospital.
Monday 31st
Amused ourselves by playing cricket this morning on the golf links.
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