JANUARY 1916 - IN THE LINE, WHIZ BANGS & SHELL SHOCK

Saturday 1st 

Saw the New Year in under different circumstances this time. Working in the trenches when the change took place. We wished one another the old wish. We gave the Huns a few New Year gifts. Heard that the Huns had captured that connecting trench we had been digging at the hairpin when they blew up that mine. Started digging another new trench up Chapel Alley. Nice & quiet for a wonder. 

Sunday 2nd 

Had a walk up to Noyelles after dinner shopping. Brought Wally Vine back with us. He was back from leave. He brought some Port wine back with him. Quiet a treat to taste it once again. Same old job tonight but it was not so quiet. Turned out a wet night. 

Monday 3rd 

At dinner time news came that we were being relieve & going back to Noyelles at 3 o’clock. So we had to rush about & get packed up. Ted and his pals had a narrow escape this morning. A coal box knocked down their house. They could not find one of them, Chambers, I am afraid he has gone. Ted was properly shaken up. Found Bridge at Noyelles & went & slept in his hut. 

Follow the link to view the Commonwealth War Graves Commission commemorative certificate for Private George Henry Chambers Private George Henry Chambers | War Casualty Details 729507 | CWGC 

Tuesday 4th 

Should have journeyed by motor busses this morning, but our sgt. messed up and so we missed them. For a while we were like the song. We marched here & we marched there. At last we set off on our destination on Shanks pony. Billeted the night at Houchin. We Cpls & the sgt got a fine billet. Had a rare old time in the evening. There is a large camp there. 

Wednesday 5th 

On the move again about 3.30 About a 5 mile march to Les Brebis where we were billeted for the night. Not a bad town. Arrived here about 6.30 Visited a few café’s after tea but we had not got much money. I have run across a chap I know at last. Same name as myself. I worked with him at Eydon Hall & had visited him occasionally. I was pleased to meet an old acquaintance. The sgt. has been wondering where his Cpls Co have got to. 

Thursday 6th 

Living in hopes of being paid, but we are doomed to disappointment. Another kit inspection. Had a look round the mine which is close to our billet. Was initiated into the mysteries of Solo Whist & Bridge today. Quite interested in it. In the evening tried crib. 

Friday 7th Played cards nearly all day today. Of course Bridge. What a fishy evening. We went out shopping, but had not got much money. So we knocked off 8 red herrings. It is a scream schemeing how to raise the wind to get a drink. But we are quite enjoying the experience. It provides us with much fun. 

Saturday 8th

Had our red herrings for breakfast. Not bad. Moved up to the trenches at 4 o’clock. What a sight lay before us on the march. Impossible to describe it. It must have been a pretty part around here before the war. Went through the ruined villages of Bully, Grenay & Maroc. In reserve trenches. Got a fine dugout. Went out raiding other dugouts. Found some furniture & a good mirror. We found it a bit draughty.

   

Sunday 9th 

Not much stirring. Bit of a strafeing going on. Had a game of crib. Had to go to Les Brebis after dinner to be questioned about munition work. Nothing doing though. All a wash out. The choir got going tonight. Hymns etc. In the midst of it in walked Bill Coe back from leave. He got a cheer. He brought back a bottle of whiskey. Livened the school up. Turned 10 before we quietened down. 

Monday 10th 

As soon as we get settled down in a comfortable place we have to shift. Off to the front line to night on top of a slag heap. Going up we fancied we were mountaineers. A draughty show. We could very well do without being perched up so high in the world. 

Tuesday 11th 

What strange places we get put on. Here we are perched up on top of a slag heap. We hold half and the “Huns” hold the rest. We have no dugouts. Simply a covered in trench. When we try & pack down at night first comes an R.E’s working party through, then bombers etc etc. And of course we get kicked & trampled on. Went without dinner today. Saving it until tomorrow & then we’ll have a blow out. A draughty show up here. On duty from 9 to 12 A.M. & 12 to 3 midnight. 

Wednesday 12th Could not obtain much rest during the night. Working parties backwards & forwards & kicking & treading on us. Discuss amongst ourselves the possibility of getting relieved. Got well strafed at mid-day. Extra specials bombs & shells. When it was all over we looked more like miners. Haynes & Peck got buried just as they had finished making dinner. They managed to get out unaided & rescued the dinner as well. We said good bye to the slack heap at 10 o’clock. We didn’t want it. Went back into supports. Then had to be a carrying party. Turned in at 4 A.M. 

Thursday 13th 

Cooked our own breakfast this morning & much we appreciated it. We stood to this morning in bed. Bridgy cooked the dinner. He smacked the meat about a bit & fried it. It wasn’t as bad. Just commencing tea and two of the Hun’s extra special rum jar came over. They sounded near hear but they were a decent way off. Our dugout is called the Shoo Inn & we have got the sign up. A very large shoe nailed up. 

Friday 14th 

Had a good breakfast. Beaucoup Bacon. I & Bridge made a fine stew. A trench mix up. But the boys quite enjoyed it. I was the stoker. Relieved tonight at 7.30 Had a good game of cards while waiting for the relief. Back in reserve now at the Garden City. It has been a fine place. We got a bit of a reception by shells when coming in. Shrapnel. Went out exploring & found several useful articles. Got a stock of wood in & made ourselves comfortable. Sat round the fire until 12 0’clock. 

Saturday 15th 

Our school had five parcels last night so we can have a right royal feast. Had a good wash shave & brush up. Hot water. First wash for 4 days. Had a good spread for dinner so didn’t want much tea. After tea played solo whist & crib. Went out & replenished our stock of wood. The rest of the boys are trying to get Bill Coe drunk on rum. Burning the midnight oil again. 

Sunday 16th 

I acted the Mary Ann this morning. Bacon & sausage & fried bread for breakfast. Jim had to leave at dinner time to go billeting. Packed up this afternoon & then cut a few idiotic capers. Left the Garden city at Maroc about 5 o’clock. When we got to Les Brebis we put our packs on a motor lorry. Then we had a tidy march to Fond Sain. It appears to be a quiet place. Bridge went out and raised the wind. 5 fr to the good now. Pommes der terres supper. 

Monday 17th 

How nice the people here are. As soon as I got up this morning the dame opposite wanted to know if we wanted any coal. At course we jumped at the offer. Played the 23rd at football this afternoon. We won by 4-1. Quite a laughable match. Conducted the band after tea. A short rehearsal. C-White has raised the wind tonight. Went into the maison opposite and finished up with having a French lesson. Trés bien. Invited to go tomorrow. Hot Vin Rouge & beaucoup sugar before retiring. 

Tuesday 18th 

Bridge & White & A Young had to go on a working party mending roads. But they were back by dinner time. We passed the time away kicking the ball about until we busted it. Paid this afternoon. A niggardly 10 fr. Had a luxury for tea. Jam tarts. Spent the evening in a café. Played Beach at solo patience. Then returned & had supper in the Old Lady’s opposite. A good wind up. Nearly broke. Paid 10 francs – In the Field Sauce, bread & cakes 3fr, Drinks 2fr 

Wednesday 19th 

Wally Vine is leaving us today. Sorry he is going in away. He is the sort of chap anyone would be proud to know. We all drank his health in hot Vin Rouge & sent him off with the best of wishes, & a verse of Auld Lang Syne. We shall miss him. Spent the evening in the house opposite. Playing cards & improving my knowledge of French. Our last night here. Vin Rouge 2fr 5c, Bread, cakes & onions, 3fr 5c 

Thursday 20th Another bath down the goal mine. A decent one too. A new change. Had some French Soup for tea at the old Ladys opposite. On the move up at 3.30. Had our packs carried to Les Brebis. We picked them up there. Marched right up the Loos Rd to the trenches. We are in support. Got a fair dugout. Wet night. 

Friday 21st 

Commence our standing to & standing down again. About 11 o’clock before we had breakfast. It has been fairly quiet here today. Had a stroll down to H Qtrs with Shrapnel Helmets. 

Saturday 22nd 

Able to enjoy a little charcoal fire today. It looks more easy. Everybody has got wind up about mines. Passed the afternoon away playing solo. 

Sunday 23rd Had to stand to this morning at 1 o’clock. We exploded a mine at 2 o’clock. I think we occupied the crater alright. It was a fairly quiet night considering. A quieter day than I expected it to be. Had a visit from Ted. No working party. 

Monday 24th 

I am the Cpls cook. So I get their tea ready while they are standing too. We go up to the front line to night for 4 days. The change was made alright.

Tuesday 25th 

Not many dug outs in our section of the line. A rotten front line. We are enfilated by Whiz Bangs. We got pretty well strafed today. I am not feeling up to the mark. 

Wednesday 26th 

Still being strafed pretty well. Had one or two Whiz Bangs on top of our dug out. But it stood it alright. Went and saw the Doctor to night, but he sent me back with some pills. Nuralgia I’ve got. My nerves seem very jumpy. 

Thursday 27th 

The Kaiser’s birthday. And haven’t they strafed us. Plenty of wind up flying about. I go to see the Doctor again to night. Evidently he thinks I am trying to kid him, but far from it. My nerves seem completely gone. He sent me round to the Bomb cellar to stop for the night. 

Friday 28th

Did not get much rest. Not a very enviable place to be in a bomb cellar. Plenty of shells dropping near here. So it was not much quieter than the trenches. The huns dropped weeping shells at Maroc. We could feel the effects of them when we went through. We were relieved to night. I got out a bit earlier than the company. Waited at Les Brebis for them. Our packs were carried. 

Saturday 29th 

Did not reach our billets until 1 o’clock. They put us in a fresh billet. We didn’t like that. So as soon as we could we got our old billet back again. That pleased the old lady. As soon as we had cleaned ourselves up we had to go out on a working party. Making a road. But we didn’t do much work. Bombing one another with our patent bomb gun. 

Sunday 30th 

Church Parade this morning. First Sunday out for quite a long time. Paid again this afternoon. Returned & played cards. Solo whist. Had a jolly good tea. My nuralgia is no better, so I stay in. The others go out and & return slightly elevated. Paid 20 francs – In the Field Pickles 1fr 9c 

Monday 31st 

Working party but I am not on it. Baths this morning. Went & listened to the sweet strains of a band after dinner. The 21st band. Stayed in after tea. On guard to night. “Thy sentinel am I” (in bed).

MAY 1916 - DEATH AND CAPTAIN CHRISTMAS

Monday 1st 

Another early route march. Jolly hot. Should have been parade this afternoon but was cancelled. Blankets & Waterproof capes had to be given in. A sure sign of summer. J Norman goes on leave tonight. I had to go with 4 men & take charge of Blanket waggons to the laundry. Walked all the way but rode back. Got back about 8 o’clock. 

Tuesday 2nd 

B.O.S to day. Drilling defaulters this afternoon while the birds are singing lovely. Thunderstorm somewhere. But we did not get much of it. Played the privates of our Coy at football after duties mounted & we lost by 2 to none. Exciting game. Busy getting ready for tomorrow. 

Wednesday 3rd 

Up at 4.30 A.M. Shifted off at 7 A.M. Not too bad marching. Not quite as hot. Halted at mid-day at 10.30. Should have started again at 12.30 but the road is under observation so we had to remain in the wood until dark. Lovely spot where we stopped. After dinner the band played to us. We had a game of cards. It is more like a picnic at home. On the move again at 7.30. Reached our destination at 10.30 & glad to get there. Resting for the night in canvas huts. Rather cold sleeping.

Thursday 4th 

 Up at 6.30, & cleaned up ready for moving up to the trenches at 9 o’clock. Platoon Sgts have got to take over all stores. Another lovely morning. Hear the guns going plainly now. On the way up we stop at the Ex Force Canteen. Quite a decent step up. Reached the trenches about 11.30. It seems a decent show. The village has not been knocked about much. Plenty of fruit trees about. If we work it the same as the reg we relieve we shall have a desent time. Busy all afternoon taking over stores. The coy came in about 5 o’clock. Between 7.30 & 8 they started throwing those big bombs on our left. I was on duty from 8 to 10. Then packed down in the sig dugout. Hebuterne village where our trenches are.

 

Friday 5th 

A burning shame. Our chaps have to stick in the trenches day & night & cannot go back into the houses during the day time. So really they have no where to sleep comfortably. I was on duty from 4 A.M to 8 A.M. Then had a kip in the sig dug out until dinner time. In the Sigs Dug Out is a cat with 4 kittens. It gets looked after alright & seems quite at home. Artillery has been a bit active this afternoon. It looks like rain. I do the last patrol so turn in after stand down. 

Saturday 6th 

Up at 2 A.M. & found that we had had some rain. But was beginning to clear up. Feels rather colder. Rather windy. Had hopes of being relieved tonight, but were doomed to disappointment. Instead of going out we went up into the front line. Nearly all the Batt is in now. A Coy stands the zig again. On duty from 10 to 12. Pretty quiet day. Rained again after dark. 

Sunday 7th 

This morning went down to the cooker for breakfast. Quite a treat. The boys are busy in the front line scraping the bricks. The Huns did quite a lot of strafing this afternoon. I suppose it was Sunday with them. A heavy bombardment took place on our right to night. Lasted a few hours. Pat Dwyer goes out on patrol & has a thrilling time according to his reports ! 

Monday 8th 

Quite cold this morning. Very windy & rainy. We are being relieved this afternoon by the 7th M/sex. We are going to Bayencourt. Relief came in at ¼ to 3 & we lost no time in getting out. Had a hail storm on the way out. Took us about 2 hrs to reach our billets. Found a big draft awaiting us. So that made us busy allotting them to the different platoons. Made ourselves look a bit respectable. 

Tuesday 9th 

Draft only on Parade this morning but they could not do much owing to it raining. Tried again after dinner but did not keep it up long. Sgt of the Picquet to night. But did not mount ceremonial owing to the rain. Paid out to night so that spoiled another evening. Paid 20 francs - Bayencourt 

Wednesday 10th 

Turned out better to day. 9 to 12 Coy drill. No parade in the afternoon. Working party to night up the front line. Left here at 7 o’clock. Working in Tommy trench cleaning the dirt from the top prior to deepening it. Very quiet night. Back to Billet about 2.30. Bed at dawn. 

Thursday 11th 

Up at 8 o’clock. On parade at 11 AM. Coy orders from 12 to 1.45. All Sgts on the peg again. Highly amusing. Missed our dinner over it. Had to hurry on the S.Ms Parade. Night ops to night. Patrol work. 

Friday 12th 

Is there a war on ? I am in charge of a party cleaning up the road & digging channels. Like a District Council roadganger. And we are only about 3 miles from the firing line. All the Coy was on the job from 7 to 8. Lovely day. Owing to this fatigue party I did not go on the S.Ms parade. Working party to night started earlier. Working on the communication trench leading to an advance trench. Up to 11 o’clock it was very quiet. Just after 11 several shells came over & quite upset the apple cart. I had a close shave. Got out of the trench a few minutes previous & laid in a shell hole during the time. The chap I had been standing next to was killed. I stayed behind to collect tools & rifles. 

Saturday 13th 

Jolly tired when I got in this morning, wet through. What a state I was in. I didn’t need any rocking. Up at 9 o’clock. Wet morning. No morning parade. Lecture after dinner. Night Ops cancelled owing to rain. So was glad to get to bed early. 

Sunday 14th 

Gas helmet practice this morning from 9 to 12. Voluntary Church parade this morning in the Cinema. We had a full house. And it was very good. Had an old time Sunday afternoon 40 winks. Working party again to night. Hope it is not like the last one. Had a quiet night & a easy job. Were finished by 11.30. The rain kept off. 

Monday 15th 

Rev at 8. Kit inspection this morning. Wet morning. S.M’s parade after dinner. Cannot let us alone. Had a game of solo after tea. Before retiring had a few harmonious selections. Bombardment going on on our left. 

Tuesday 16th 

Was awakened just before 1 o’clock by a terrific bombardment that was going on. It seemed to have got down to our Sector. Had to stand to & pack up. Got the cooks to make some tea. Stood down again at 3 0’clock & went to sleep again. Off up to the line at 9.30. Advance party to take over. Expected to find the village smashed about more, but it had not been touched. We are in the village first. I am staying at the Chateau. Aeroplanes very active. Had some time fuses drop very close. Lovely day. Had to stand to in a trench from 8 to 9. Then went & had a kip. 

Wednesday 17th 

Stand to at 2.30 to 3.30 A.M. Breakfast at 5 A.M. Then continued my sleep. Went to the baths but when we got there we found that the pump had broken down, so came away unwashed. Another sleep after dinner. Owing to the fact of being Or. Sgt I miss the working party tonight. The Huns have got a new patent idea for bringing down aeroplanes. They look like silver bullets chasing one another up. They are fired from a pom pom I should think & no doubt are of an inflamable nature. The idea being to set the plane afire. 

Thursday 18th 

Very misty this morning at Stand too. Did very well for sleep to day. Working party to-night up the front line. Started at 8 o’clock. Pretty lively. Cpt Christmas captures 2 Huns, but in so doing got wounded himself. Went out with the SM. Looking for Cabbages. Found plenty of gooseberrys & currants. Someone got the wind up about mid night & made everybody stand to including all the working party. 

Friday 19th 

Had to work until 2 o’clock. Then we packed up & had to stand too. Breakfasted & packed down for a sleep. Take over the front line after dinner. Arrive there alright. Extremely quiet. Hope it keeps so while we are in. Very warm. The weather is too good for this game. Heard that Cpt Christmas has pegged out. Very sorry to hear it. I am the engineering Sgt to night. Have to repair all the parapets. Very busy. At it all night. A little bit of excitement amongst the patrols to night. 

Follow the link to view the Commonwealth War Graves Commission commemorative certificate for Captain Bernard Lovell Christmas Captain Bernard Lovell Christmas | War Casualty Details 278270 | CWGC 

Saturday 20th 

Finished my job at Stand down & got congratulated for the work done. Go & get my breakfast, & then turn in to kip. Sleep until about 12 o’clock. Then dinner & on with work again. On duty from 9 to 12. Trench packed with chaps working. What a hullaballo at times. Sgt Norman went out on patrol & nearly got discovered. Very quiet night. Still keeps very hot. Various rumours floating through the air. 

Sunday 21st 

On duty from 6 to 9. Managed to get ½ hours sleep after breakfast. Managed a shave & a wash with the shaving brush this morning. Were relieved about 5.30PM by the L.R.B. We had just got clear of Tommy St when a coal box demolished a house stand at the top of the trench. I collected the Platoon & cleared off, in case there was any more knocking about. The band joined us on the road & livened us up a bit. 

Monday 22nd 

No stand to this morning. So laid in until 7AM. Only a clean fatigue parade & a kit inspection. I am busy being Or.Sgt. Lovely day. Very hot. We are all getting wind up over the rumours about digging a new advanced trench at Hebuterne. 

Tuesday 23rd 

Road cleaners again from 7 to 8. Had to listen whilst Army Act No 44 was read out. Nearly drove me to sleep. Paying out after dinner. This afternoon went & inspected a 9.2 Gun. It was very interesting. What a shell they fire. I should not like one to hit me, or to be near one when it fell. Sudden order for night Ops came in at 5PM. Full dress rehearsal for the digging affair. Of course we had a good march. We did it very well. Shan’t mind if we do as well on the night. Got back about 10.30. 

Wednesday 24th 

Up at 7AM. Had a pow wow from 9 to 11 about the coming stunt. Rained after dinner. I had a sleep. Waited until 10 o’clock before we moved off to practice the coming stunt. Not so bad. Got back at 2AM. 

Thursday 25th 

Rev was at 7.30, but we made it at 8.30. Only an hours parade this morning. Very showery. Lecture on the forthcoming stunt after dinner. No night Ops to night. Jim has left with the covering party to take up his residence at Sailly for the next few days. Hope all goes well with him. Had a good supper of rabbit & apricots & vin rouge. 

Friday 26th 

Had an extra lay in this morning. The G.O.C gave us a speech this morning at 11.30. Busy all day running here & a lecture there. At last the hour arrives for the great adventure. We reach Hebuterne alright and wait in the Orchard. When our platoon got out in No Man’s Land we found we were not wanted in the front line so we went back & worked on the communicator. A few shells & minnie’s flying about otherwise rather quiet. Quieter than I expected. 

Saturday 27th 

We straggled along homeward bound & got to St Amand about 3.30. Had breakfast & went to bed. Up again about 12 o’clock. Everybody said we had done fine. Parade again at 4.30 for more digging. Support trenches to night. Met in the Orchard again. Didn’t take long to get to work & get down. More strafeing to night. But not as much as I expected. Rotten job getting out. Very slow. 

Sunday 28th 

A bit later getting back. A few more casualties last night. When we got back to billets we heard that Jim Norman has been hit & severely wounded. Am awfully sorry to hear that. Also hear that Daines has been wounded. I & Charlie & Arthur go to Souastre to Church after tea. On the way we make enquiries about Jim. We find him in the field ambulance & see him. He does look bad. It is awful to see him. He recognises me. Hope he will recover. Full house at Church to night. Artillery a bit lively during the night. 

Monday 29th 

Orders for a full pack inspection under Cot arrangements. That got altered and we had to become road sweepers again. About 11 o’clock we had news that poor old Jim was dead, also Daines. I feel awfully cut up about it. Burying poor old Jim in the cemetery at St Amand. So went & paid my last respects to his memory. I, Arthur, Charlie & Paddy carried his body to the grave. At 4PM we lowered him into the grave. The Batt was strongly represented. All the Officers were present. In the evening I, Charlie & Arthur went to Bow Bells to hear the Div Concert Party. It was extra. Full house. Good singing & plenty of mirth. Met Edgar Wilson. 

Follow the links to view the Commonwealth War Graves Commission commemorative certificates for Serjeant James Frederick Norman Serjeant James Frederick Norman | War Casualty Details 278144 | CWGC  and Private Harry F Daines Private H F Daines | War Casualty Details 278043 | CWGC 

Sergeant Norman's parents James & Elizabeth were to suffer even greater sorrow in the years to come.

Their eldest son Gunner Sydney James Norman of 141 Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery was killed in action, 1st July 1917 and rests in the Hop Store Cemetery, Vlamertinghe in Belgium.

A younger brother, Rifleman William John Norman, King's Royal Rifle Corps (attached to the London Regiment, Queen Victoria's Rifles) was killed at the Gheluvelt Plateau, 10 August 1917 and he is commemorated on a tablet at the Tyne Cot Cemetery at Zonnebekke in Belgium.

A third son, Lance Corporal Frank Percy Norman, Railway Construcion Company, Royal Engineers died in the 2nd Australian Auxilliary Hospital at Southall, Middlesex, 19 March 1918.  Whether he died from wounding, accident or illness is unclear but it is both ironic and comforting that he would have been visited by his family who lived close by.

The fourth son who volunteered to fight, Colour Serjeant Horace Robert Norman, Royal Fusiliers, Machine Gun Corps survived the war and passed away in 1968.

Tuesday 30th 

About 1 AM orders came through to stand to. As soon as we had awakened the Platoons the orders came round to stand down. On working party all day. In the morning railway constructors. After dinner digging bomb trenches. I amused the Coy in general by giving them an exhibition of my patent bomb gun. After tea I & Charlie went & put an evergreen cross & flowers on Jim’s Grave. SM busy today making up the men’s kit. 

Wednesday 31st 

Another working party today. Shall be out all day. So we Sgts are going to make a pic-nic of it. We are going to the quarries near Henue. At the last minute Charlie & Welbourne get dismissed. So only I & Whyles go. What lovely country round here. It is a perfect day. Knocked off at 3.30. I plucked a wild rose. A nice perfume attached to it. Spent a quiet evening.