Tuesday
1st October, 1918
Up at 8 a.m. and had breakfast then went up street with Mirrie, called
and saw Mr. and Mrs. Rhead, also Mr. and Mrs. Potter of Hightown. All
were very pleased to see me. Went round and saw Jesse Morgan and her husband
and 2 children then back for dinner at 1.30 p.m. Went out again 4 p.m.,
met numerous friends in streets and went to Joe Lewis where had tea, afterwards
to Charlie Walkers and then round to Sam Walkers, left at 10 p.m., arrived
back at 10.20 p.m. Had cup of tea then across street to Mrs. Leach's where
am sleeping tonight. Sent Cable to Dais. also wired Grandmother and Peggy
when going to see them.
Wednesday 2nd October, 1918
Up at 7 a.m. and caught 8.15 a.m. to Winsford to see Grandmother. Found
her pretty well, had another breakfast and yarned with Grandmother and
Mary and had some fun with young Frank who is a real trick. Had a quiet
day talking and resting and caught the 6.25 p.m. back to Crewe. Found
Mirries Aunt Polly at Fanny's place, went to concert in Town Hall by myself,
programme given by children from Hightown. Saw a good number of my old
friends, back and in bed at Mrs. Leach's at 11 p.m.
Thursday 3rd October, 1918
Up at 5 a.m. and caught 6.22 a.m. Crewe to Preston where I arrived at
9 a.m. and found Peggy there to meet me. Got local train to Bambers Bridge
and walked to Peggies place at Higher Walton. Very old fashioned place
in nice country district. Peggies Mother and Father very, very nice and
homely, made me feel quite at ease, had breakfast and did lot of talking.
Turned out too wet to go out so sat talking all day, Peg's sister in during
afternoon, spent lovely homely quiet day. Peg and sister came to Preston
with me and I caught 10.30 p.m. to Crewe, arriving 12.15 midnight and
to bed at 1 a.m.
Friday 4th October, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and had loafing morning, having clean up and bath just
before dinner. After dinner Mirrie and I went to see Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Holdsworth
and Mrs. Clarke, also saw numerous friends in the streets. Bought a wrist
strap for watch and pair sandshoes for boat and back for tea at 5.30 p.m.
After a yarn went out to Cosey as I had promised to do. Had supper with
three Miss Potters and a yarn, left at 10.15 p.m. and home at 10.45 p.m.
Packed up, did some writing and odd jobs while waiting for time for train.
Saturday 5th October, 1918
Set out for station at 3.30 a.m., Mirrie and her Mother coming with me.
Caught 3.55 a.m. to London, arriving at Euston 7.30 a.m. Got motor bus
to Smith St. and walked to Horseferry Rd. Had breakfast at Y.M.C.A. and
at 9 a.m. reported and was given 9 more days leave. Kept till 11 a.m.
getting my pay book then went to tube station and got back to Euston Station,
caught train for Crewe and 2.10 p.m. and arrived at 6.45 p.m. feeling
very tired. Went out and bought pair sox and then back and into bed at
10 p.m.
Sunday 6th October, 1918
Did not get up till 9.30 a.m., had bath and change then Mirrie and I went
for walk to Coppenhall and called on the Badrocks and Barleys, back for
dinner. Aunts Fanny, Pollie and Cousin Mirrie and I went to Choral Service
at Hightown at 2.30 p.m., very nice indeed and enjoyed the singing immensely.
Went again in the evening and had nice Service by Dr. Kirtland. Saw numerous
old friends, had supper and a yarn and turned in about 10.30 p.m.
Monday 7th October, 1918
Up at 8 a.m. and wrote letters to Mam and Dais. then took Aunt Pollie
out to do some shopping, back for dinner. This afternoon went down to
see Mr. Lewis and stayed to tea, Mr. Standring was there and we had a
fine old yarn. Weather is very miserable and wet. This evening Aunt Fanny
and Cousin Mirrie and I went to Hightown to hear lecture by Dr. Kirtland
on the "Soul of France", very fine indeed. Had supper and into
bed 11 p.m.
Tuesday 8th October, 1918
Up at 8.15 a.m., got cleaned had breakfast and caught 9.25 a.m. to Winsford,
Grandmother surprised to see me. Had a walk up Winsford with Grandmother
before dinner and sent wire to Peggy. This afternoon walked over to Moulton
and saw Uncle Jabez and Aunt Annie. Had walk out with Aunt Annie to see
Grandmothers sister, then had tea. Cousin Ellie arrived home from school
7 p.m. after which had some music and singing then walked back to Winsford
and turned into bed about 10.30 p.m.
Wednesday 9th October, 1918
Up at 5 a.m., had breakfast and caught 6.30 a.m. to Preston, arriving
9 a.m. Peggy met me at station, raining hard, got to Peggie's home and
had another breakfast after which sat talking till dinner time. After
dinner Mr. Barnes and I tried to mend gramaphone, did not finish it, too
wet to go out so sat talking and passed time pleasantly. After tea Peggy
took me to see some friends of hers where we had supper, returning home
and into bed at 11 p.m.
Thursday 10th October, 1918
Up at 7 a.m. cleaned and had breakfast, still raining, did bit more at
gramaphone with Mr. Barnes. After dinner Peggie, her sister and myself
went for walk nearby, was going to Preston for look round but commenced
raining so home 4.30 p.m. and sat talking. After tea had a yarn then played
dominoes and enjoyed ourselves quietly, too wet to go out. Good news in
papers. Had supper and talked till 11 p.m. when turned into bed.
Up at 7.30 a.m. and had breakfast, read papers and had yarn then put gramaphone together again, can't fix it up to work, spring broken. Very nice day so at 2 p.m. Peggy and I caught motor bus to Preston, visited several of her friends and had look round, very nice place indeed and had enjoyable time. Caught bus back at 4.30 p.m. and had tea, after which had game of dominoes, read evening papers (good news), and talked. Peggy and sister took me to station at 9 p.m. (Bamber Bridge), came to Preston with me and got train 10.30 p.m., arriving at Crewe 11.55 p.m.
Saturday 12th October, 1918
Got to Cousin Fanny's Lawton St. at 12.15 midnight, had cup of cocoa and lay down on sofa. Woke at 7.30 a.m. and had breakfast then went out for walk and saw several old friends. This afternoon went to Mr. Sam Potters, spent couple of hours and had tea, left at 5.45 p.m. and met Iles Hughes at 6.15 p.m. and we walked to the "Cosey" at Haslington together, had game of whist with the Potters girls, then supper and started to walk to Crewe 11 p.m., arriving 11.30 p.m. and then into bed.
Sunday 13th October, 1918
Up at 8 a.m., had breakfast and went to Church at 10.30 a.m. News in todays paper of Germans acceptance of President Wilson's terms as basis towards Peace. Everyone elated and in some places flags are flying. Looks like a speedy end to the war. After dinner Mirrie and I went and called on Joe Lewis and spent an hour talking to him. Back at Cousin Fanny's for tea and at Church at 6.30 p.m. Beautiful day again and fine starry night, looks like frost. Sat up doing some writing till midnight. Miss N. Gee came to see me today for a few minutes.
Monday 14th October, 1918
Writing and packing up, had cup of tea and some tarts and caught train for London at 4 a.m., arriving 7.45 a.m. Reported at Horseferry Rd. at 9 a.m. and after being fixed up went to Paddington Station via Tube Rlys and entrained at 1 p.m. Had great ride through fine country, passing through Reading, Swindon, Bristol, Bath, Taunton and Exeter and arrived at St. Budeaux about 8 p.m. near to Devonport. Marched to very nice camp about a mile away, given tea and five blankets each, turned in tired out at 10 p.m.
Tuesday 15th October, 1918
Up at 7 a.m., had wash and shave and then breakfast. Fell in on parade at 9.30 a.m., roll call and dismissed. Rained this morning, about 1 p.m. walked to tram terminus and went on car into Devonport. Had dinner and a look round and then took car to Plymouth, had nice look round and sat down on Promenade then went for tea, very busy place and very nice. Went into fish and chip shop for supper. Met Austin Milne in Plymouth, caught car back to camp and turned into bed 10 p.m.
Wednesday 16th October, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m., had wash and breakfast. On parade 9.30 a.m., roll call and were sorted out into Coy's then dismissed. Met Will Hill and had good yarn till dinner time. After dinner Will Hill, Austin Milne and I took tram into Plymouth, had walk round Promenade and afternoon tea on pier. Had tea at 6 p.m. in town, met Linton Lethlane and had yarn then got tram to Devonport where we went to a dance, had nice time, had three dances myself. Left at 10.30 p.m. and walked home, into bed 12 p.m.
Thursday 17th October, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and after breakfast fell in on parade at 9 a.m. Sorted out into Coy's again and put into different huts, then dismissed and shifted out gear into new huts. After dinner went over and saw Will Hill who is on town picket today, then went to kit store and got number of new things, boots, clothing etc. Rather cold today, after tea saw Will Hill again, then fixed up my kit bag and sea kit, after which had yarn and into bed 8 p.m.
Friday 18th October, 1918
Up at 7 a.m. and went for breakfast for the hut, then on parade 9 a.m. Roll call and issued with Gallipoli Book showing photos of peninsula then dismissed. Went mess orderly at dinner time then met Will Hill, Austin Milne and another chap and went into Plymouth on car. Had tea at restaurant and then had general look round, started raining about 6 p.m. so at 7 p.m. went and had feed of fish and chips then caught our car home and into bed 10 p.m.
Saturday 19th October, 1918
Our hut for duty today so went mess orderly to escape doing guard. Up at 7 a.m., got breakfast and then cleaned up hut, spent rest of morning reading. On parade at 2 p.m. and put into coy's for submarine guard then dismissed. Went round and saw Will Hill and then took tram to Plymouth and met Austin Milne. Had tea and returned to Devonport and went to dance. Austin left at 8.30, dance finished at 10.15 p.m., Will and I escorted two girls who were awfully good to us part way home and then returned to camp at St. Budeaux and in bed 12 p.m.
Sunday 20th October, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and after breakfast on parade 9 a.m., roll call and dismissed. Will Hill, Austin and I went to Y.M.C.A. in camp and had cup of tea and biscuits. Tucker very poor in camp. Parade again at 2 p.m. then dismissed till another parade at 5 p.m. Had a sleep during afternoon. At 5.30 p.m. caught car to Plymouth and met Will Hill who had been on duty at docks. Went and had tea then a walk round followed by feed of fish and chips then got car home to camp and in bed 10 p.m.
Up at 7.30 a.m. and had breakfast. Parade was not called at 9 a.m. this morning so just sat in hut reading and talking, weather getting pretty cold now. At 4 p.m. Will Hill and I went into Devonport, had tea at Salvation Army Cafe then went on to Plymouth and went into some pictures. Out again 7 p.m. and had some fish and chips then a walk round and coffee and cakes at Goodbody's soldiers and sailors cafe, after which caught 9.20 p.m. tram back to camp and into bed 10 p.m.
Tuesday 22nd October, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and had breakfast, no parade at 9 a.m. but called out at 10.30 a.m. and had to go through fumigating room and then medical inspection before dinner. On parade at 2 p.m., got my pay book and was paid a couple of pounds. At 4 p.m. W. Hill and I went to Devonport, had tea at Sal. Army then went on to Plymouth and went to the "Palace" variety show. Came out at 8.30 p.m., had fish and chips then coffee and cakes and a walk round and caught 9.20 p.m. back to camp and into bed at 10 p.m.
Wednesday 23rd October, 1918
Up at 7.30 a.m. and on parade 9 a.m. Sorted into Coy's again, then went for route march till 11.15 a.m. after which kept standing on parade ground till 12.30 p.m. when Camp Commandant spoke few words to us and dismissed 1 p.m. Had to move into hut 24 after dinner. Met W. Hill at 5 p.m. and went into Plymouth where we met another chap and went into some pictures. Came out at 7.30 p.m. and had fish and chips then coffee and cakes. Had walk round then caught 9.20 p.m. tram back to camp and into bed 10 p.m.
Thursday 24th October, 1918
Up at 7 a.m. and had breakfast. Our hut for duty today, am in the guard myself. Took over guard duties at main entrance at 9 a.m., had to stay in guard room all day. Guard called out for inspection by orderly officer at 10.30 a.m. Very quiet day, took over No. 1 Post at 7 p.m. and was on guard till 9 p.m., after which slipped into canteen and had game billiards for an hour. Sat yarning till 11 p.m. when all was quiet then turned in for a sleep.
Friday 25th October, 1918
Up at 6.30 a.m. and took over the No. 1 Post at 7 a.m., relieved while I had my breakfast at 7.30 a.m., then back on guard till 9 a.m. when new guard took over from us and we went back to our huts. Did not go on morning parade. Muster parade at 2 p.m. and then dismissed. Went to see W. Hill and he had gone out so had some sleep till tea time after which went in to Plymouth, had fish and chips and coffee and cakes and back to camp at 8.30 p.m., into bed 9 p.m.
Saturday 26th October, 1918
Up at 7 a.m. and on parade 9.30 a.m. Went for route march round by Saltash passage and back by 11 a.m. Dismissed so went into Y.M.C.A. and had cup of tea and a cake. A muster parade again at 2 p.m., roll call and dismissed, after which W. Hill and I went into Plymouth. Had a good dinner at Sailors Home and very cheap. Had a walk along the Hoe and had tea on the pier, caught tram back to camp at 7.30 p.m. and into bed 9 p.m.
Sunday 27th October, 1918
Up at 7 a.m., had breakfast, such as it was, and on parade 10.15 a.m. and marched to Church near here. Service ended at 12.15 noon and back to camp for dinner. This afternoon W. Hill and I went into Plymouth by car, had walk round town then to the Hoe and met Austin Milne. Went on the pier for tea, then had another walk round, lot of ships in harbour, hope will be going soon. Back to camp 8 p.m. and into bed 9 p.m.
Monday 28th October, 1918
Up at 7 a.m. and on parade 9.30 a.m. and went for short route march, back at 11 a.m. and had cup of tea in Y.M.C.A. before dinner. Had muster parade at 2 p.m., roll call and dismissed. Will Hill and I went to Devonport and had good hot bath and tea at Sailors Rest then went into Plymouth and met Austin Milne and another chap. Had walk round and then fish and chips and at 8 p.m. went to a dance. I had one dance, left at 10 p.m. and caught tram to camp and into bed at 11 p.m.
Tuesday 29th October, 1918
Up at 6.30 a.m. and got breakfast for hut as am mess orderly today with another chap. Breakfast over, we washed up and cleaned out hut ready for inspection. At midday received orders to move into another hut. On parade 2 p.m. and put into Platoons, am in No. 2 Ptn. 4 Co'y. After being fixed up were dismissed. Stayed in camp till after tea then went into Plymouth with W. Hill, had a look round and some fish and chips for supper then home at 9.30 p.m. and into bed 10 p.m.
Wednesday 30th October, 1918
Up at 7 a.m. and on parade 9 a.m., roll call and then went for route march till 11 a.m. when dismissed. Had cup of tea in Y.M.C.A. and then dinner. A muster parade at 2 p.m. A new officer, Col. Woods has come down from London to take charge of us, he made a speech and said he would imrove tucker for us, then dismissed . Rained a good bit. Will Hill and I went to Palace theatre this evening. Variety show, not bad, came out 8.30 p.m., had supper and back to camp. In bed 10 p.m.
Thursday 31st October, 1918
Up at 7 a.m. and on parade 9 a.m., roll call and orders. An officer told us 22 of our men had died since we have been here. Had little ceremonial drill this morning as our Co'y. No. 4 is to attend the funeral of three of our chaps this afternoon. On parade again 1 p.m. and marched to Hospital at Devonport. Drum & Fife Band and firing party supplied from the Devons. Marched to Cemetery after the Dead March had been played, about 8 miles to cemetery. After service over marched to trams and dismissed close to Plymouth. Went in and met W. Hill, had tea and look round and back at camp and in bed 10 p.m. Cemetery at Higher Compton.