The WWI Diary of Private William Herbert Butler

Introduction

Many years ago, my Father showed me a small grubby notebook with some spidery pencil writing in it, saying it had been my Grandfather's diary written during the First World War. I thought little of it at the time, not being very interested in family history. I can remember Granddad showing me some of his mementoes of the War - his medals, a small silver brooch in the shape of a Maltese Cross, a padded cushion showing the insignia of a Regiment - it all seemed so long ago and far away, and of little significance to my life then. When I finally became caught up in family history, my Father gave me the diary again, and this time I read it. It does not contain any earth-shattering revelations, it does not describe great battles or heroic deeds, nor did he meet great men of the time. It is written in a matter-of-fact style, chronological, descriptive with little insight into the emotions of the author. Nevertheless, it paints a vivid picture of the day-to-day life of an English Tommy in one of the most dangerous places on Earth, the fields and woods of Flanders from 1914 to 1918.

William Herbert BUTLER was a Private Signaller in the 1st Royal Berkshire Regiment. He had enlisted in Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment)on 8 December 1911, his number being 9640. He was sixteen at the time he enlisted, but he lied about his age, adding two years, so that they would take him. All his Army documentation contains the date of birth of 4th February 1893 instead of 1895. He was a Private for most of the War, although he says in the diary he was promoted to Corporal on 28th August 1918 and to Sergeant on 4th April 1918. He was later promoted to CQMS in 1919 and a Signaller Sergeant later the same year. On 20th March 1919, was transferred to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment with the number 55636, and served with them for a time circa 1921-1923, when he was a Sergeant, and took part in the quelling of riots in the early 1920s. His Army number was 5095805 from 1921 when regimental numbers were abolished. When he joined he was posted to G Company 1st Bn and in the intercompany rifle competition held July 17/18 1912 at Lydd he was part of the Young Soldiers team for G Company.

All spelling is as given in the original. Words and comments in square brackets are mine. Selected pages can be viewed by clicking the thumbnail.

Manoeuvres of the 1st (Regular) Battalion - The Official Record

The 1st Battalion was at Aldershot when war was declared. They departed for France on the 12th August 1914 and participated in the retreat from Mons as part of the 6th Brigade. Their first major action was at the Bridge on the Sambre 25th/26th August. The end point of the Retreat was reached on 7th September when they reached Le Poteau. The flow of fighting was reversed on 9th September when they crossed the Marne and then the Aisne on the 14th. They then settled into trench warfare based at La Metz Farm. One of the first executions of the war took place there on 26th September when 9641 Pte George Ward was shot for cowardice. The Battalion were involved in the 1st battle of Ypres from the 22nd October to the 13th November.

They went into Divisional reserve on the 15th November and spent the winter in and out of trenches, mounting attacks at Ducks Bill (20th Feb 1915), The Keep (10/11th March) and Richebourg (15th May). On the 16th May they retired to near Bethune to receive drafts from the 3rd Battalion. The summer was spent in and out of trenches before they participated in the Battle of Loos on the 5th September where they lost 288 men in one day.

The winter of 1915/16 was spent recuperating and the inevitable spells in trenches. They were preparing to join in the Battle of the Somme and their major action there was on the 27th July at Delville Wood. This time they lost 8 officers and 256 other ranks. They saw little more action until the 14th November when they attacked near Serre.

After that they were withdrawn to a back area where they remained until the 4th Feb 1917 when a small party launched an attack at Courcelette and achieved the odd result of taking prisoner exactly the same numbers of German officers and of men that the party itself consisted of. Further attacks were made at Miraumont on the 15th Feb, and Oppy Wood on the 29th April, where LCpl J Welch won a VC. By the 1st May there were only enough men left to form two companies of 4 officers and 100 ORs each which was joined with the 23rd Royal Fusilers to form a composite battalion. At the end of a second action at Oppy on the 3rd May they were down to 2 officers, both wounded and 94 other ranks. They were restored to a complement of 38 officers and 694 ORs by the end of August

They were back in action for the Battle of Cambrai near Bourlon between the 26th and 30th November 1917 as part of 99th Brigade. The 99th smashed two German Divisions with very little assistance from other units of 2nd Division. After this it was back to the rear areas and then to the rest of the winter in the trenches.

They were in Corps reserve at Manancourt when, on the 21st March, the German offensive began. By the 23rd the Germans were upon them and they were forced to retreat suffering heavy casualties. They fought rearguard actions until the 27th when they were relieved. April, May and June 1918 were fairly quiet months, but in early July the great influenza epidemic struck. Attacks began again on the 21st August and the Battalion were involved in numerous actions until the Germans were retreating rapidly and it was mainly a case of following them and dealing with rearguards actions. Quite heavy casualties were incurred during this final phase of the war and they were at St Hilaire when the armistice was signed on November 11th.

They formed one of the units to first occupy the Rhineland and were then withdrawn back to England and then in April 1919 were sent to India and on to northern Persia to repel the Bolsheviks. They left Persia on the 22nd May and reverted to peace-time activities.

The Diary of William Herbert Butler

1914 War 1915

Aug 5th		Declaration of War
Aug 9th		admitted to Hospital
Aug 18th		discharged Hospital
Aug 23rd		Moved to Cosham from Aldershot
Sept 11th		Moved to Southampton from Cosham
Sept 12th		Sailed from Southampton on S.S. Armenian
Sept 14th		Landed at St Nazaire
Oct 3rd		Left St Nazaire for the front
Oct 4th		Detrained at Brane 9.30 pm, marched to Metz Farm and took part in the Battle of Aisne
Oct 11th		Left Metz Farm for a rest in Soupir
Oct 13th		Relieved by French and moved to Bourg and billeted in Post Office
Oct 15th		Moved from Bourg to Fizmesand entrained
Oct 17th		detrained at Strazell and marched to Hazehouck
Oct 19th		Moved from Hazehouck to a Diamond Factory in Belgium
Oct 20th		Left Diamond Factory and went into action at Zone-Beke (The Battle of the YSRES)
Nov 15th		Relieved by French and moved to Ceastre. Detained by Military Police at 3rd Div HQ.
Dec 22nd		Moved from Ceastre to Bethune by bus and marched to Givenchy and relieved London Scottish
Dec 25th		Relieved by C coy and went into dugouts behind Redout
Dec 26th		Moved from Givenchy to billets at Essars
Dec 29th		Moved from Essars to Lacon

1915

Jan 1st		Moved from Lacon to Beouvry billeted in Music Hall
Jan 2nd		Moved from Beouvry to Festubert
Jan 28th		Went to Vendin lez Bethune from Festubert
Feb 3rd		Went in trenches at Givenchy
March 11th		Moved from Givenchy to Bethune Barracks
March 21st		Moved from Bethune to the Brickfields
May 3rd		Moved again into Bethune from the Brickfields
May 9th		Left Bethune for Richbourg St Vasse to attack but was altered
May 10th		Left Richbourg St Vasse for Le Turet
May 13th		Left Le Turet for Richbourg
May 14th		Attacked the German trenches taking two lines
May 19th		Relieved to go to Bethune
May 20th		Moved to Aleagne
June 2nd		Moved to Bully Grenay into French trenches
June 6th		Moved to Verquin
June 12th		Left Verquin for the Brickfields
June 30th		Moved to Beouvry from Brickfields
July 4th		Moved from Beouvry to Bethune Orphanage
July 13th		Moved from Orphanage to Givenchy
July 25th		Moved from Givenchy to Le QUESNOY Nr Beouvry
July 29th		Moved from Le QUESNOY to Bethune
August 6th		Moved to Brickfields from Bethune
August 25th		Moved back to Bethune
August 28th		Moved to Fontes from Bethune
Sept 3rd		Moved to Gonningham from Fontes
Sept 4th		Moved from Gonningham to Annequin
Sept 11th		Went into trenches at the Brickfields
Sept 26th		In support to Staffords at Brickfields who failed owing to our gas
Sept 27th		Moved from Brickfields to Vermelles to be attached to 7th Div.
Sept 28th		Plans being altered went into support trenches
Sept 29th		Attacked fosse at dawn and failed afterwards moving back into support in Queens St.
Oct 1st		Relieved by Kings Own and moved to Le Quesnoy near Beouvry
Oct 2nd		Moved to Vermelles in support
Oct 5th		Moved from Vermelles to Bethune (Montmorency Barracks)
Oct 9th		Moved up in readiness to Beouvry owing to German attack in front of Loos returned
Oct 10th		At 1am (?) also a new CO joined us from the East Surreys (Major May)
Oct 12th		Inspected the Battalion
Oct 17th		Moved to Gonnihem from Bethune
Oct 21st		Moved from Gonnihem to Feuillard Barracks (Bethune)
Oct 24th		Moved from Bethune to Beuvry
Oct 27th		Moved from Beuvry to Z1 trenches on right of Brickfields
Oct 30th		Moved back to support in Givenchy (Beuvry)
Oct 31st		Granted leave to England for 8 days. Delayed at Boulogne and granted extra day
Nov 1st		Went from Boulogne to Folkestone
Nov 10th		Returned to France and joined Battalion in Bethune 5am.
Nov 13th		Moved from Bethune to Sally La Bourse
Nov 14th		Moved from Sally La Bourse to trenches at Vermelles
Nov 17th		Moved from Vermelles to Bethune (Montmorency Barracks)
Nov 20th		Moved from Bethune to Foceruil
Nov 22nd		Moved from Focqueriul to ANNEQUIN
Nov 23rd		Moved to Cambrin in trenches
Nov 26th		Moved from trenches to BEUVRY opposite school
Nov 30th		Moved from Beuvry to Cambrin trenches
Dec 3rd		Moved from trenches to Beuvry up to our necks in mud.
Dec 7th		Moved from Beuvry to trenches in Z1 (Cambrin)
Dec 10th		Moved back to ANNEQUIN
Dec 12th		Moved to Bethune (Barracks)
Dec 16th		Moved from Bethune to trenches in Z2 (Cambrin)
Dec 19th		Moved from trenches to Beuvry
Dec 22nd		Moved to trenches in Z2 from Beuvry
Dec 25th		Moved from trenches to ANNEQUIN Fosse Cottages
Dec 28th		Moved from ANNEQUIN to Bethune (FUILLARD BKS)
Dec 29th		Move to BELL-RIEVE from Bethune

1916

Jan 16th		Moved from BELL-RIEVE to Hinqes
Jan 17th		Moved to Le TOURET from Hinqes
Jan 18th		Moved from Le TOURET to trenches at De Lepenelle
Jan 22nd		Moved Back to Le Touret
Jan 26th		Moved from Le Touret to Belle Rieve
Jan 30th		Moved from Belle Rieve to Essars
Feb 3rd		Moved from Essars to Givenchy trenches
Feb 7th		Went to Le Quesnoy from Givenchy
Feb 11th		Moved back to Givenchy trenches
Feb 15th		Move from trenches to Givenchy Keep
Feb 17th		Moved from Givenchy Keep to Hinget
Feb 19th		Moved from Hinget to BOURECQ just beyond LILLERS
Feb 27th		Moved from BOURECQ to LILLERS station and entrained to NOEUX and marched to BARLIN and billeted.
Feb 29th		Moved from BARLIN to Sains-en-Gohele
March 2nd		Moved into trenches at NOTRE DAME DE LORS (?) where we relieved the French
March 5th		Relieved and went AIX Nulette in huts
March 9th		Went in trenches again
March 13th		Moved back to Bouvigny
March 17th		Moved up to ????
March 21st		Moved back to Hersin
March 28th		Moved back for a rest to DIVION near Houdane
April 9th		Moved from DIVION to Calonne Ricuart station and entrained for AIRE and marched to BOMY for three days training
April 13th		Moved from BOMY to Aire station and entrained for Divion
April 17th		Entrained at Colonne Ricuart for Hersin and marched to BOUVIGNY
April 21st		Moved from Bouvigny to the trenches again at Louchez????
April 25th		Moved from trenches to the huts BOIS DE NOULETTE
April 29th		Moved from huts to trenches
May 4th		Moved from trenches to dugout in Bois 6 just behind trenches
May 6th		Moved back to Bouvigny for the purpose of proceeding on leave to ANGLETERRE
May 13th		Returned from leave and arrived Boulogne rest camp
May 14th		Travelled from Boulogne to Bethune and stayed the night in rest Billet
May 15th		Rejoined Battalion at Divion
May 21st		Moved to Hersin from Divion billeted in ????. Same night moved suddenly to CABLIN arrived there at 3.30am 22nd.
May 22nd		Moved into trenches for the attack in trenches in front of Villiers (Vimy Ridge)
May 23rd		In position for attack but cancelled at the last minute (?) (fierce Bombardment)
May 24th		Moved into the support trench by relieving Fus on left of position.
May 26th		Relieved by Fus 22nd and went back to huts at CAMBLIN.
May 27th		At 4AM arrived at huts
May 30th		Moved back into the line at Vimy Ridge
June 2nd		Moved back to COVY SERVIN
June 10th		Moved into trenches again on left of VIMY RIDGE
June 17th		Moved back to VILLERS
June 22nd		Moved again into trenches on top of Ridge
June 27th		Moved back to GOUY SERVINS Chataux
July 5th		Moved again into Cabaret Rouge in support
July 10th		Moved into line at Vimy Ridge
July 14th		Moved back to CAMBLIN L'ABBE
July 16th		Moved to ESTREE CAUCHE
July 17th		Moved to FREVILLER
July 20th		Moved again to Duvelle station and entrained for Amiens and marched 14 miles to
July 23rd		Moved again just outside Albert
July 24th		Moved again into action on the Somme
July 27th		Attacked the German trenches in Delville Wood carrying the attack successfully and repelling three small counter attacks during the same day
July 28th		Relieved to go back to dugouts in Mine Alley
July 30th		Moved again into support in Bernefay (?) Wood attached to 5th Brigade
August 1st		Moved back again to Mine Alley
August 3rd		Moved up into trenches at Delville Wood
August 4th		Moved beyond Mausel (?) Wood and pitched bivouac
August 11th		Moved back for a rest to L'Abbe joining Merricourt
August 13th		Moved again from Ville L'Abbe and entrained for St Roche and marched to St Saveur
August 15th		Left battalion and joined Brigade HQ
August 16th		Moved of to NEOURS afterwards rejoining unit
August 17th		Backed off again to AUTHIES and billeted in a pig sty
August 20th		Moved from AUTHIES to BUS and billeted in huts in a wood
August 21st		Moved off to COUIN
August 25th		Moved into position and took over trenches in front of HEBUTERNE
		[Following two pages of diary are loose - may not belong here!]
August 29th		Moved back to bivouacs near Sally-au-Bois
September 4th		Took over the same trenches and made a gas attack about 8pm
September 10th		Moved back to COUIN and stopped in huts
September 16th		Moved again into line at Hebuterne
September 20th		Moved back again to COUIN in huts for a Brigade Rest
September 30th		Moved up again in line took over trenches in front of Colin Camp on the right of Hebuterne position
October 6th		Relieved by 24th Royal Fusiliers and back to huts in Maily Wood outside Maily-Maily
October 8th		Moved again to ARQUEVES
October 16th		Moved up to Maily Wood and stopped in huts
October 17th		Moved into dugouts outside Maily Wood
October 20th		Moved into line on right Hebuterne
October 22nd		Moved back again to BERTRANCOURT after being relieved by 17th Middlesex
October 29th		Moved from BERTRANCOURT to Maily-Maily
November 2nd		Moved into trenches on the SERRE front (?)
November 5th		Moved back again to Maily-Maily
November 7th		Moved back further to ARQUEVES
November 11th		Moved up again to BERTRANCOURT in huts
November 12th		Moved again into line for the attack on German line on the ANCRE advance on [damaged] 13th but owing to 6th B[damaged] was altered
November 14th		Attacked German tre[nches?] taking many pri[soners?] were relieved and moved back to Maily-Mailet
November 17th		Moved back to TERRAMSNIL by lorry
November 19th		Moved from TERMMSNIL to GEZAINCOURT where we were interviewed by Sir Douglas Haig on the 20th
November 21st		Moved again to FIENVILLERS
November 23rd		Moved to AGENVILLERS
November 24th		Moved to LE PLOUY nr. DOMQUEUR
November 25th		Moved to LE PLESSIEL
November 27th		Moved to COULONVILLERS
November 30th		Moved to CONTEVILLE where I took the Stripe
		[End of Loose pages]
December(?) 16th		Moved again to ONEUX near ST RIQUIER

1917

January 9th		Moved to FIENVILLERS from ONEUX by road
January 11th		Moved to SARTON
January 12th		Moved to RAINCHAVEL
January 13th		Moved to BOUZINCOURT
January 20th		Moved to OVILLERS huts
January 28th		Moved up into line at COUCALETTE
February 1st		Moved back to Wolffe Huts near POZIERS
February 5th		Hqrs moved back to AVELUY remainder at huts and dugouts at Poziers
February 14th		Moved to huts at OVILLERS
February 15th		Moved into line at COURCELETTE and attacked German position on the 17th
February 18th		Relieved and went back to B[?] Huts near AVELUY
February 24th		Moved up again to ORVILLERS huts
February 27th		Moved up again to POZIERS camp in tents
February 28th		Raid 49 men 52 prs [prisoners?]
March 3rd		Moved up into line at PYS in front of Meriamont [?]
March 5th		Went back to [YOXPET?] in support for a rest
March 9th		Moved up again for the attack on German lines taking one trench and [indecipherable] strong [indecipherable] which was the whole objective. This was taken at 5am on 10th March
March 11th		We were relieved by King's (4th Brigade) and went back to ALBERT
March 12th		Day in kip
March 15th		Moved off to OVILLERS huts
March 17th		Moved up again to Wolfe camp in tents
March 19th		Moved back to ALBERT
March 25th		Moved from ALBERT to HARPONVILLE
March 26th		Moved to AMPHLIER and stopped in huts for a night
March 27th		Moved to BONNIERS
March 28th		Moved to BLANGERVAL
March 30th		Moved to TANGRY
April 2nd		Went to XIII Corps Signal School for course of signalling
April 29th		Course closed and we moved back by lorry via St. POL to Roclincourt near ARRAS and joined the battalion did an attack on OPPY Wood but unable to retain it owing to lack of bombs and amm[unition?]
May 3rd		The Remnant of the batt. 201 men made an attack on left of OPPY Wood and succeeded. Frank Barlow [Carlow?] missing from this. Batt. HQ moved back to ECRIE camp in tents.
May 4th		Moved back to EQUOIVRES in huts where the remainder of the battalion joined us
May 6th		Moved to La Comte
May 10th		Moved back to BRAY
May 11th		Moved to camp between St Nicholas and Roclincourt and stopped in tents
May 23rd		Moved up into support just behind HARLIEU
May 29th		Moved back to St AUBIN village
May 31st		Moved up into close support in same place
June 4th		Moved into the line in front of HOPPY Wood
June 8th		Moved back to support in front of Roclincourt
June 11th		Moved back to St AUBIN
June 13th		Moved up again to Leige Camp near Roclincourt or fatigues
June 19th		Moved back to ACQ in huts
June 20th		Moved to EQUIOVRES and took a bus to BETHUNE and billeted in orphanage for the night
June 21st		Moved to NOYELLES and stopped in huts
June 27th		Moved into the line just on the left of Fosse 8 near VERMELLES
July 3rd		Moved out again to ANNEQUIN in form companies stopping in reserve
July 7th		Enemy shelled ANNEQUIN causing a lot of civilian casualties
July 9th		Moved up into line again for six days
July 14th		Left Battalion for Power Buzzer course and proceeded to SALLY-LA-BOURSE and stopped the night in transport lines
July 15th		Moved to MERVILLE by lorry
July 19th		Finished course and returned to Batt. By lorry to ANNEQUIN
July 21st		Moved into line in same position
July 27th		Moved back to BD 40 ANNEQUIN
August 2nd		Moved again into line
August 8th		Moved again into ANNEQUIN
August 14th		Moved again into line
August 17th		Left trenches to proceed to transport prior to going on leave
August 18th		Left BEOUVRY for leave and proceeded to Boulogne
August 19th		Left Boulogne by boat and landed at Folkestone
August 29th		Proceeded to Victoria on my way back from leave, but owing to no trains being available was granted one extra days leave (spent in London)
August 30th		Proceeded from Victoria and detrained at Shorncliffe and marched to Folkestone camp. 3.25pm left Folkestone and embarked for France. Went to Boulogne Rest Camp and…
August 31st		2.15 am marched down to station to entrain. Arrived at BETHUNE at 11.30am and walked to BEUVRY where the Battn was billetted.
September 7th		Moved into line at GIVENCHY
September 13th		Moved back to Chateaux at GARRE
September 18th		Moved to BEUVRY
September 20th		Moved up into line at VERMELLES
September 26th		Moved back to reserve line
September 29th		Moved back to FDCA/2
October 2nd		Moved to front line
October 5th		Relieved to go back to BETHUNE Montmorency Barracks
October 6th		Proceeded to AUCHEL
November 5th		Moved to ROBECQ
		[Following three pages are loose]
November 6th		Moved again to NEUF BERQUIN
November 7th		Moved to GODEWAERSVE
November 8th		Moved to WINNIZEEL in full marching order
November 24th		Moved to the [states?] near WORMHOOTE
November 25th		Entrained for ACHET-LE-GRAND at 2.30am and detrained at noon and marched to a camp [near?] BARASTRE
November 26th		Marched to camp near BEAUMETZ
November 27th		Moved from BEAUMETZ to a billet in chateau just behind BOURLON WOOD [?] in reserve
November 29th		Enemy counterattacked and was easily repulsed two divisions being cut up
December 4th		Evacuated the lines and went back to dugouts at HERMIES where on the …
December 6th		I was brought up on a crime and busted
December 11th		Moved up into new line again and I stopped back for rations
December 13th		Relieved and went back to HERMIES
December 17th		Moved up into line again on left of Canal Du Nord
December 20th		Moved back to O'Shea Huts
December 22nd [?]		Had baths [indecipherable]
December 25th		CHRISTMAS DAY [damaged page] worst Xmas I [damaged] since the war [damaged]
December 26th		Moved up into [damaged]
December 27th		Sent back to [damaged] with lost voice

1918

January 3rd		Relieved to go back to BARASTRE
January 4th		Arrived at BARASTRE
January 17th		Granted 5 days leave to Paris
January 22nd		Moved back from Paris and arrived at ALBERT
January 23rd		Rejoined battalion at METZ
January 26th		Moved into line in [damaged page] VILLERS PLOUICH
[damaged]		[damaged]ved back to support [damaged] sunken road
[damaged]		Moved up in line
[damaged]		Moved back to [damaged] MANANCOURT by railway
[February?] 9th		Moved up into support near sunken road into Fusilier Road
[February?] 12th		Moved back to HAVLIN COURT WOOD
[February?] 15th		Moved up in support on village road
[February?] 18th		Relieved A coy in the front line
[February?] 22nd		Moved back to METZ
[February?] 28th		Moved up into support in Station Quarry VILLERS PLOUICH
		[End of loose pages]
March 6th		Moved to FARMRAVINE in close support
March 9th		Moved into line in front of VILLERS PLOUICH
March 12th		Moved back to METZ
March 11th		Bombarded by gas shells in ravene and village
March 13th		Sent on Advance Div for vis: sigs
March 21st		Moved back to Div HQ at ETRICOURT
March 22nd		Joined Battalion at MANANCOURT. Stood to all night
March 23rd		Moved in action on YTRES RIDGE finally falling back to where transport was resting
March 24th		1.30am moved to GOUDICOURT and took up position on ridge being pushed back to LE SARS then carrying on to MIRIAMONT. Slept the night in shell holes.
March 25th		Moved off to ACHONVILLERS via BAUMONT HAMEL. Resting for about two hours then moving back to MAILY MAILET where we buried the CO: then moved back BERTRANCOURT stopped there for the night and…
March 26th		Moved off to LEONVILLERS
March 27th		Moved up to MAILLY MAILLET which was being shelled heavily. Moved back again to FORCEVILLE at night
March 28th		Formed composite Battalion and moved up to BAUMONT HAMEL and advanced with tanks
March 29th		Remainder moved back to LEONVILLERS [?]
April 2nd		Moved to BAUVAL
April 3rd		Moved to HOUVIN-HOUVINEIL [?]
April 4th		Promoted Sergeant
April 9th		Moved to IVERGNY
April 11th		Moved to SOMBRIN
April 12th		Moved to LA HERLIE HERE
April 14th		Moved into line BOIRY ST MARTIN
April 18th		Moved back to huts in front of BLAIRVILLE
April 20th		Moved up into line in front BOIRY ST MARTIN
April 26th		Moved back to Blairville in a hut
April 30th		Moved into line at BOUVRY St M [?]
May 4th		Moved back to BLAIRVILLE
May 7th		Moved HQ to RANSART
May 8th		Moved into line on right of BOIRY
May 14th		Moved back to LA HILLIERE
June 2nd		Moved back to Wood beyond LA HILLIERE
June 7th		Moved up in line on right of BOIRY sector
June 13th		Moved back to Reserve just outside MONCHY
June 16th		Moved in line on left Bn front
June 20th		Moved back to Reserve again
June 25th		Moved up again on right Bn front
July 1st		Moved back into Reserve near MONCHY
July 5th		Moved up into line at DAUCHY (left Bn front)
July 15th		Moved back to Reserve at MONCHY
July 20th		Moved up into line on right Bn front (ABLAINZVILLE)
July 21st		Sent back to transport prior to proceeding to Divnl wing
July 22nd		Moved to Divnl HQ
July 24th		Moved to Divisional Reception Camp to act as instructor to class of signallers (LUCHEUX)
August 3rd		Moved with Div wing to WARLINCOURT
August 19th		Smacked back to the battalion and joined them in ST AMOND
August 20th		Battalion moved up to the line in front of AYETTE myself staying with transport and moved to BEINVILLERS
August 21st		Attacked German positions between AYETTE and BUCQUOY taking two ridges
August 22nd		Moved back to QUESNOY FARM where Tich left to go on leave, I taking his place
August 23rd		Moved up to line on left of second objective taken on 21st in support to Staffs 6th Bde taking the village of VERVILLERS
		[One Loose page]
August 24th		Moved forward and attacked Mory Ridge and Mory Copse which was taken after heavy fighting
August 25th		1am relieved and moved back in front of AYETTE and slept in open field
August 26th		Moved back into next valley behind ABLAINZVILLE
September 2nd		Moved up in Bde Reserve via ERVILLERS but finding the enemy hopping it we push on stopping near VAULX
September 3rd		Attack by KRR with RP [?] in support and Berks in Reserve but found Huck [?] still going back and only captured 5 or 6 men and a MG. Finally we settled just outside MARCIES for the night
September 4th		Pushed on to BAUMETZ 8.45pm proceeded to line in front of HERMIES which was taken by the 6th Bde
September 7th		Attacked and took four postes of Jerries taking 8 prisoners and 1 machine gun. 3pm postes retaken by Jerry
September 8th		Relieved by HL 1 [?] and moved back to BAUMETZ arrived there 3am on the 9th
September 16th		Moved back to MORY and dug in, in a field
September 19th		Granted leave to England. SS Caledonian
October 5th		Left Victoria for France arriving at Dover 10.30 am and proceeded to rest camp opposite castle. 3.30pm proceeded to harbour to embark but returned to South Front Barracks for 1 night
October 6th		Embarked on steamship London for Boulogne where we stayed for the night at St Martins Camp
October 7th		Took train for BOULEUX-AUX-MONT where we passed night in German dugout
October 8th		Given orders to walk to our units then in line at CAMRAI (30 miles). Arrived at HAVRINCOURT 4pm with transport
October 9th		Remained with transport
October 10th		Rejoined the boys in front of FLESQUERES where they arrived for a rest, where I learn that I am promoted Corporal from 28/8/18
October 13th		Moved to WAMBAIX on the right of CAMBRAI in cellar
October 20th		Moved to CARNNIERS and again billetted in cellar
October 21st		Moved to St HILAIRE where we practised dancing
October 22nd		Moved into action taking the village of BERMERAIN and a railway including two kilo's of ground and 300 prisoners
October 25th		Relieved and moved back to BERMERAIN in a small cottage
October 27th		Moved again to SOLESMES in an Estaminet [?]
October 29th		Moved again to ESCARMAIN [?] in a barn
November 2nd		Moved to St HILAIRE near St VAAST
November 8th		Moved back again to ESCARMAIN in a pig sty
November 11th		Cessation of Hostilities. Armistice signed with Germany at 11AM "Hooray"
November 16th		Moved to VILLIERS-POL 9 miles
November 18th		Moved 11 miles to LA LONGUEVILLE
November 20th		Moved 9 miles to VILLERS-SUR-NICOLE
November 24th		Moved to BINCHE where we had a splendid reception from the Belgian people. 11 miles
November 25th		Moved again to MARCHIENNES-AU-PONT and billetted in school with light coal and wood supplied
November 26th		Took bus to MARE[indecipherable] 2 miles
November 28th		Moved to CHATELET billet bed in small cottage having a dance in ESTAMINET 11[?] miles
November 29th		Moved to FOSSE in a cottage lived like "Lords" on four biscuits per diem with jam. No mail no pay no cigarettes or tobacco. Doubts arise as to whether the British Army has won or lost 11 miles
December 1st		Still lingering on
December 2nd		Same diet and sweating on pay. Still normal
December 3rd		Great rejoicing bread up
December 4th		Moved to BEEZ just beyond NAMUR arriving in billets wet through
December 5th		Moved to ANDENNE following the right bank of R. Meuse
December 6th		Moved to VIERSET-BARSE via HUY where we found a hill two kilos in length. 3 miles
December 7th		Moved again to CAMBLAIN LA TOUR via STREEJINLOT WARZEE and OUFFET having 1 hours halt at the latter. 15 miles
December 8th		Sunday day of rest and explanation [?]
December 9th		Moved again to BASSE-DESNIE via AURAN AYWAILLE REMOUCHAMPS DELLEVAUX WEDGE BANOVARD arriving wet through at a billet where it was impossible to have a fire. Some life. 3.45
December 10th		Another rest and five unfortunate men die of gas. Same day they go Mad and Pay out (14 miles)
December 11th		Moved again to BURNENVILLE distance 12 miles via WINAM PLANCHE SPA MALCHAMPS crossed the German frontier at 1.27pm arrived in billets 2.30pm wet through. Spoke to first German Fraulein at 2.45pm
December 12th		Moved to LAGER ELSENBORN via MALMEDY XHOFFAAR OVIFAT SOURBRODT arrived 3.45pm distance 13 half miles another wet shirt. Stopped in German Barracks.
December 13th		Moved again to IMGENBROICH via ELSENBORN KALTENHERBER and MONTJOIE distance 12 miles arrived in billets 1.45pm in German public house. Still another wet shirt. Roll on when we go back to Blighty and F--- the Victorious March (Browned Off). 8pm thinking of signing on for 7 and 5 1 D.T. Still Raining. Quartermaster goes mad and issues Rhum at 3pm, BUT no supper tonight.
December 14th		Moved to NIDEGEN distance 114 miles commencing in rain but arrived in billets dry and dropped in luck for a good billet with a German family in fairly large house where the Hostess could speak English. Everything done to make us comfortable. Passed through SIMMERATH and SCHMIDT. Best I have had for ages.
December 19th		(Worse Luck) Moved to ARNOLDSWEILER distance 11 miles via BOICH DROVE KREUZAU DUREN. Billetted in Concert Hall.
December 27th		Moved to STEINSTRASS distance 8 miles good walk billetted in a small cottage via Ellen.
December 28th		Moved to NETTESHEIM distance 14 miles a dirty village full of disease and we are politely told we are here for some considerable time. Billetted in a small mission room. 19 men where there is only room for 12.

1919

January 4th		Found civilian billet at 23 Fomerstrasse NETTESHEIM
January 23rd		Winand Bergheausen tried to commit suicide because I kissed his wife.
February 2nd		A repetition of same affair
March 15th		Transferred to Warwicks proceeded to BERGGLADBACK and flung into a large factory leaving a very good home and a very good woman, assisted two CQMSs to empty their water bottles of rum and arrived in billets "Blindo".
March 18th		Admitted to hospital with tonsillitis being sent to 64th CCS Cologne
March 24th		Discharged hospital and spent 24 hours in Nettesheim
March 25th		Proceeded to Berg Gladback and found that the Warwicks had arrived and had gone to KURTEN to hold the line.
March 26th		Had the day in Cologne
March 27th		Proceeded to KURTEN to join 51st Warwicks and ordered to remain in Hdqrs
March 28th		Ordered to proceed to 52nd Warwicks. This order cancelled later and I find I am to stay with 51st Bn
March 29th		Marching Order inspected and I was not there
April 2nd		Moved back to BERG GLADBACK
April 15th		Went to Nettesheim for 24 hrs until
April 16th		Left for Cologne to proceed on leave to England
April 17th		On the cattle trucks
April 18th		6pm arrived in Folkestone arriving at Victoria 8pm home by 10pm
May 2nd		Returned from leave arriving at Folkestone at 10.40 am visiting Cheriton. Left England 3.30 boat arrived at Calais 5.30
May 3rd		On the cattle trucks
May 4th		11pm arrived at Cologne staying at the Rhine Reception Camp
May 5th		Went to Nettesheim joining batt. at 9pm same day
May 14th		Attached to agcwihl 2. [?]
May 18th		Went to Nettesheim for weekend
May 25th		Went to Nettesheim for Sunday and night
May 26th		Got a bit talkative on whisky
May 31st		Rejoined unit at MULHEIM having a billet with a leather merchant which was very comfortable. Bed room and Sitting Room
June 10th		Moved to FORSTHEN with B Coy
June 11th		Had a trip to BERG GLADBACK for a court marshal
June 13th		Returned to HQ Coy at KURTEN staying at same old billet
June 16th		Battalion owing to "Wind Up" moved to DHUNN preparatory to moving forward if Fritz doesn't agree to sign
June 23rd		Fritz agrees to sign a lively evening follows though under minutes notice to move.
June 24th		Nothing Doing
June 28th		At Last Peace signed at Versailles at 3pm and by 11pm I was drunk.

Additional Notes contained in the Diary

At the back of the Diary, are a number of pages with random information. Some lists contain names of men, presumably in the same company as William Herbert. Other lists are less obvious; I have assumed that the list of playing cards somehow refers to codes used in signalling. There is also a poem, tender and sweet, throwing a whole new light on my Grandfather's character.

DUNCAN R.F.A. 50
WILSON 8140 50
CLARKE G 30
CRABB J 40
DUNN W 30
RAMBRIDGE R 50
BECK J 30 PB
BENNEY E 50
WOOD W 60
36220 F Knight (C)
HQ HOBU 226
2 DIV DEBA 483 B1
BDE QUZO
23rd Fus NOZA
KRR DOLU
TMB FIBU
5 BDE QUPE
24 Fus NOWA
O & B NOGU
2 HDI DOSE
5 TMB NITA
6 BDE QUQE
17 KKMS NOJA
King JOBA
STAF FOJI
6 TMB NIGA
MG Bn BONO
5 FA HAMA
6 FA HAWA

9479 Dr Taylor A B Coy

Equipment
Blanket
Coat Jerkin Holdall
Socks Towel Socks
Iron Ration Cover Cap
Canteen Comforter
Gloves Dressing Knife Housewife
Pull though [?] Oil Bottle Dubbin Soap Oil Bottle

Dear face that holds so sweet a smile for me
Were you not mine how dark the world would be
I know no light above that could replace
Love's radiant sunshine in your dear dear face.

Shadows may fall upon the land and sea
Sunshine from all the world may hidden be
But I shall see no cloud across the sun
Your smile shall light my life till life is done.

6 clubs	business talk
8 clubs	parcel
5 spades	annoyance
7 clubs	? Warning
9 spades	disappointment or failure
8 spades	removal
2 clubs	tears
5 clubs	something for country
A clubs	letter
6 hearts	Happiness
9 di's	illness
2 spades	short journey
4 hearts	visit
2 hearts	speedily
7 di's	conflat or a pow snit
3 di's	happens in 3 hrs or day
9 di's	speedily
3 spade	in long street or road
9 clubs	documents signed
8 hearts	surprise
2 spades	annoyance
4 spades	consultation
4 clubs	country visit
6 spades	delay
1 di	sml amount money intro to strangers or 5 hearts
ace hearts	your own building
10 spades	journey by tram or train
A di's	present of jewellery
10 hearts	place of amuse of entertain
10 clubs	joining by card of business [?]
3 hearts	happens in a week
8 di's	money 10 di's
4 di's	money visit
7 hearts	crowd of people

BQ to 1 Hq will coys
C2 - c

2.30 choir practice in orderlies hut
go on to 10am coys etc to clean [indecipherable]
10am parade with instruments[?]
1 man responsible for [?] HQ NBCD 10.30
10.30 to No 13 [?] for lecture on [?] mine laying
and maintaining of [?] for making [?]
11.15 [?]
[All the following names crossed through:]

Davis
Bennett
Abery
Jarans
Wagstaff
Baugh
Greenslade
43979 Sreeves F A Coy

25 4 " 2 April
31 5 " 2 May
30 5 " 0 June
21 5 " 2 July
31 5 " 2 August
30 5 " 0 Sept
31 5 " 2 Oct
30 5 " 0 Nov

24650 Pte Lambert A 1 pr binoculars lost in Great Coat

		FS	NS
Flags	Blue	48	32
	White	58	32
Poles		158	100
Key Dummy		6	a
Binoculars		9	10
New scale
DIII		3
Fullerphones		2
Buzzer Units		2

14775  Rushall FA


Notes
Davis not sending his name after OK
Every three hours to look out for lamp

1879   } pigeons
11577  }
14415 12353
1614 12084
7879
3604
12.9.17
9640 Lic W Butler Signallers
47419

---

© Copyright by Sue Beard December 2000