January 1st
The General is away and I command the big parade. It went off very well. What a depressing New Year. I know there's lots of silver lining to my cloud but it's hidden away so completely by black thunder-clouds. Down in ones luck with all you love far away and then financial troubles. I owe the chowdry Rs.11000, which I can't possibly pay till I get my insurances in 3 years' time, and to-day he says he wants it at once. What an earth am I to do? I have written to the Punjab Bank to see what they say about it. Surely life would be unliveable if it weren't for my beloved Daisie and my dear children. But one gets depressed.January 3rd
Suicide is always tempting especially when ones debts are well covered by insurance – to have done with this perpetual struggle – I haven't only to bear my own worries, but I am always selected by others to share their burdens. Gen. Macintyre has been badly reported on and will probably lose his Brigade. He spends the whole day pouring his woes into my ear and begging for my advice and help; then Major Bryce of the 76th asks permission to pour out his woes – a long yarn of struggles and disappointments. But to send oneself off into another world is impossible in the face of ones Christianity, and were that not ones support there still I remain my beloved Daisy and my dear children – they make it a thousand times impossible.January 10th
Time slips along somehow. I have just come back from 3 days at Mangla to see the Canal works. Dined with 21st Cav. It has always been my motto "Let there be nothing you cannot do without," and I find this quite easy. I can do without drinks or smokes or food or games or society or anything but I find it unbearable to do without my darling Daisie. Without her, life is simply not life at all. The one thing I cannot do without.January 21st
Such an appalling series of farewells – goodness! what a relief when it is over. Yesterday farewell At Home by the Native Officers who presented me with a very handsome camel-hair cloak. After dinner farewell Khattak Dance. This morning farewell parade and to-night farewell dinner and from henceforth I belong no more to the dear old 20th.January 22nd
And now it is all over and that heavy burden laid down. With all the regrets of leaving the splendid old 20th with 25 years of my life, I can do nothing but smile to think of the load off my back. There is a wonderful sense of freedom in the thought that I have now earned £700 a year for life and need never put on a uniform again. I ceased to be free in August 1884 and I find my next breath of freedom to-day, after those long 30 years of bondage (although happy, still bondage)January 25th
My last Services in the dear old Church here that has meant so much in our happiness of the last 5 years. To-night I dine with the Elliotts. Last night was with the missionaries singing Psalms. I like the Presbyterian metrical psalms very much. Yesterday afternoon a Tea-Party of all the Church goers at the Parsonage and a presentation to Daisie and myself of a pretty silver bowl. On Saturday I moved over to the General's bungalow where I now am. I have discovered that as usual my kit won't go into the boxes I have. Oh, if only that darling wife were here to pack, it would be very different.January 27th
The Graces went over the roadside cliff at Abbotabad 2 days ago. Mrs. Grace sat in front with the coachman. They all went over the cliff. Driver killed, one horse killed and both the Graces unhurt. Rather a marvel.January 28th
Oh dear me, it's all very sad this leave-taking, but very pleasant too. I had quite a happy evening with the 87th last night and left their Mess after being carried and so forth, at about 1.30 a.m., to the strains of Auld Lang Syne and now as I sit writing before breakfast, I can hear all the bands in Cantonments banging out that sad old tune, practising for to-morrow's final final farewell. Yet there are no tears in my eyes for I am thinking of nothing but the coming joy of seeing my darling wife and beloved children again in 3 weeks from to-day.January 29th
Last night farewell dinner at the Mc.Creas – a very jolly party – The General and Mrs., the Padre and Mrs., Major Perrin, Captain Barnes, Mrs. Smithett, Mrs. Leigh.January 30th
In the train half way to Bombay – I had a great send off at Jhelum. The road lined all the way, the Band and Auld Lang Syne and Fog signals under the wheels, and everybody there. It really was nice and quite touching. Women are emotional things, why did Mrs. Syer of all people in the world want to cry? I felt like giving her a kiss to console her. Stayed at Mian Mir and saw the Reservists and old Prendergast of Westward Ho! days commanding 28th Punjabis. Met old Jock Rose of the 1st Gurkhas who planted me with his wife and family 3 boys, Roddy, Angus and David. They are 1st Class so I shan't see much of them. She is very big in the waist and Angus, who is 4. years old, confided to me that "We are going to have a new baby soon!"Saturday Jan. 3lst
arrived Bombay 8.50 a.m. Hotel Majestic. Not bad but food certainly not as good as a good dak bungalow. Pottered around all day and felt very lost with all this rotten civilisation. The Indians looked more loathsome and degraded than usual – the youngest looking the worst, faces with no trace of anything but evil. Swine of the earth. And the white people looked little better – fat business-bloated faces, over-dressed women with waggling hips and clumsy ankles. Brutes all of them. Certainly the civilised beast seems to me more savage than the savage. How on earth can Daisie and I return to that dirty vortex when we retire? I do not think it will be possible. I long for my sweet clean Sonamarg already. Well I oughtn't to be in this gloomy mood with only 17 days before I see my sweet uncivilized sweetheart.I see they have just shot Butler of the Guides so that should give Hughes promotion. Couldn't sleep all night with rage at the thought that I had forgotten to ask for Daisie's letter at Cook's. It simply shows that at certain times I am quite insane and I should get no further promotion.
February 1st
No voyage ever started under happier auspices. Got up and did my own packing – oh Daisie. where are you? Comfortable breakfast at 9.0., then round to Cook's office to make a fierce attempt to get Daisie's letter or die in the attempt. Office all closed, being Sunday, but I explored round and found a way in at the back, soon found myself all alone with the run of the premises. I stood in front of the Safe and smiled as I thought what a nice chance for a burglar. Nothing doing there – Went down to the Docks and to my great joy, Cook's Agent had my letter in his hand – I did not deserve it after my infernal stupidity. To think that I had to wait in that office yesterday for half an hour doing nothing and wherever I looked I saw a notice "Have you asked for your letters?" and I mused on it and wondered if all those people there had letters and whether they had remembered to ask for them. It is pleasantly warm with a fresh breeze and the ship has a huge list to Port. My cabin companions are a man called Higgins, subaltern of the Shropshires and an unknown decent fellow from Poona, Hider. The cabin is nice and quite good enough. There are only about 20 of us 2nd Class and the decks are quite roomy. Everything clean and our first meal very good. So far all has been rosy.February 3rd
Splendid passage so far, and everything very clean and comfortable. I can wish for nothing better but that Daisie were with me and even then I must be full of joy to think that every minute brings me nearer to her.February 7th
Weather continues splendid. A strong following breeze here (Red Sea). Arrived Aden yesterday 5 p.m.. left 10. p.m. Always very livery and a beastly cold.Daisie complains that my dear Susanna has a vile and wicked temper, poor Susan. she doesn't mean it – she is going to grow up into an angel.
February 11th
Arrived Suez 2.30 a.m. had all to get up for Doctor's inspection. Left up canal 6.15 a.m. Quite cold, goodbye to all thin things. Glad of my sheep-skin waistcoat. Delightfully surprised to get 2 letters from Daisie and one from Mrs. Fane. Daisie is indignant because I haven't wired, but I was saving up to send a really useful one from Port Said when we arrive to-night.February 12th
We arrived Port Said 10 p.m., and went ashore all of us together for an hour – coaling etc. Started again 3 a.m. Weather fine, not too cold, rolling in the afternoon.February 19th
Arrived yesterday 8 a.m. Victoria. Rain and mud, I loved it. Dear Daisie to meet me. Taxi to Ilchester Gardens and such a lovely bath and breakfast. Went to see Kipling, Dover St. Brown's Hotel. Susanna brought up for a day to meet me. She is a delightful and charming little thing and I shall love her very much. I very proud of her and her mother. The journey across Europe was very comfortable, tipping all the guards.February 21st
Beautiful rain and mud, no blue sky yet.February 22nd
Sun at last. Middlesex Music Hall last night. Cachez Ça not at all bad and not very vulgar – the only beastly part was the audience, little nasty minded clerks and shopboys and suburbans feeling rather wicked.February 23rd
Daisie shopping all day with Bettie. I a long talk in Devonshire Place with Muriel Harris. Then lunch at my Club, met Baugh of old school days.February 25th
Fine and cold. Daisie to dentist, Byrne in Welbeck St. I to see Mr. Harry Fane in Tite St. A funny day altogether and the sort of wandering day I most enjoy. After Tite St. I took a taxi to High St. Kensington and got some boots from Lilly and Skinner. Then a bus to Edgware Road to book tickets. Then a taxi home. Then lunch. Then bus to Bond St., then walked to Hobson, Piccadilly, to try on, then bus to Strand, saw the shops, bought shirts etc. Then tea at Appenrodts, then an awful Cinema that bored me to tears. Then dinner Apenrodt's. Strand beautiful at night. Then walked to Oxford Circus, bus to Notting Hill Gate, a little more shopping and home at 9.30. I like looking at the shops and people and so does Daisie.March 2nd
Tea with Lilian Burbidge, who was Lily Preece with us at Sonamarg in 1907, and now is Manager of Harrods with a beautiful flat in Harrod's Stores and two country houses. She looked pretty and charming. He seemed a good cheery fellow.March 6th
Left Charing Cross 9.10 a.m. raining. Arriving Cranbrook 11.50. Poor Leo went to meet us at the station, but missed us and had to run 2 miles back. I went out to meet him and found him running along looking very distressed. He is a nice looking boy with a healthy colour and rather shy, but he will do.I have decided to take Leo away for a term and keep him with us to the end of the summer holidays so that may get to know him and find out all about his eye-sight and his teeth.
March 10th
Staying with the Harris' at Bournemouth. A beautiful sunshine day and Hume Towers is a very fine house up on the high ground. Motored through the new Forest which was very beautiful.March 11th
Motored in the morning, then lunch with May Rowland at Boscombe where they have bought a house. Long walk in the evening through the woods.March 12th
Daisie went to lunch with Mrs. Gough at Parkstone. Two hours' beautiful motoring, about 50 miles through New Forest. I motored over to fetch Daisie. Mrs. Gough looking very well. Another long walk and talk with Muriel. She is going the wrong way about it and trying to kill herself in doing good to others which defeats its own end.March 13th
Left 10.10. arrived Waterloo 12.45. G.V.R. Hotel at Paddington. Took Daisie to see Captain Scott's Kinema, South Pole. Dinner in the Edgware Road, Cinema – Bed.March 14th
Arrived Kidlington 12.46. Susanna looking bonnie. A nice house with lots of quite good rooms.March 16th
Saw Father's grave. Met the Wildings of St. Petersburgh (1896) Joan came to lunch to-day.March 20th
Bay, Connie's fourth son in the Royal Irish Regt. arrived yesterday from Montrose to which place he had just flown his aeroplane from Aldershot. It is snowing hard this morning.March 23rd
Left to go to May at Oxford at 12., noon.March 25th
It is fearfully and bitterly cold in this house which is otherwise a beautiful little place.Afternoon we went to see Joan playing La Crosse, plain girls in kilts with fat legs, not much fun. Met a weird and interesting child – a niece of Lord Haldane's who, at the age of 15, writes on Eugenics! and can discuss any topic of that sort with any man. What rotten parents – and no religion.
Everybody very excited about Ulster, but there will be no civil war. I am angry with Ulster because if only all these miserable Irishmen would agree among themselves we could give them Home Rule and sever ourselves from so undesirable a companionship. It is as if a peer allied himself with a tramp. And we could purge our own House of Commons.
March 26th
I dined with the Haldane's and met the usual Oxford don and so on whom I love meeting, but with whom I would not care to live. I think soldiers are the most human people – all other professions seem to me to be perpetually posing. Naomi Haldane was much excited because I was Stalky, but I don't think I altogether rose to the occasion, though I told her the stories were not true.March 27th
Daisie and I went to lunch with Sir Charles Roe and met Sir James and Lady Douie – everybody is "Sir" something or another these days. A quaint and rather sad feast. They all seemed very poor and unhappy and untidy. I thought Lady Douie looked ill and she seemed a little dotty.March 28th
Arrived Heckfield after a 5 mile drive from Mortimer – Trissie, Henry and Lucy all well and cheerful and a nice little place.March 31st
Colonel Walpole showed us over his beautiful grounds and place. A wonderful store house of Jacobean reminiscences. Portraits of the Stuarts and others by Hogarth, Gainsborough and other famous artists and letters from the various Kings and princes about the attempt to regain the throne they so well deserved to lose.April 3rd
On Wednesday we went over another splendid old house Bramshill, owned for centuries by the Copes and now almost falling into ruins, they are so hard up – simply a huge museum. wonderful old prints and oil paintings being ruined with damp and neglect – of course it is wrong and stupid to let a foolish family pride prevent them from selling them. Curtains in one room 300 years old. We like Heckfield and the people are charming. Trissie a slim girl 30 years ago is now 16 stone and over! Henry looks well but worried I fancy his blood poisoning of 5 years ago is still in him and gets on his mind. Lucy Hereward and Dorothy are very quiet reserved and studious. On these beautiful mornings instead of romping about outside Hereward plays abominable American rag-times in the drawing-room on his gramophone, Lucy and Dorothy, both short-sighted, jam their noses into books over the fire! No wonder they have no colour at all. Daisie and I could live very happily here – the peasants are so much nicer than the Oxford ones and the country is charming. I often wish we could retire and settle down. Lunched at Heckfield Place with the Walpoles and while we were at lunch the whole of the Garth Hunt came through the Park and down the drive past the main entrance where we stood and surveyed them all – the fox went to earth in the grounds. Last run of the season. Tea at Eversley, where Charles Kingsley lived and wrote, saw his study and his tomb.April 4th
A very interesting day. Daisie, Lucy Henry and I drove to Fleet. Daisie and Lucy went to lunch with Nellie Douglas and Daisie lost her gold watch off her wrist. Henry and I trained to Farnborough. Lunched with the Andrew Thornes (Capt. Grenadier Guards) at a Christopher Wren house, Farnborough Place. Met there General Maxse, commanding 1st Guards Brigade, who has invited me to his manoeuvres at end of June. Back to Fleet and tea with Nellie. Dined with the Thornes at Highfield Park, a very charming evening and extremely nice people.April 6th
Left Mortimer by the 12 train and reached Kidlington 2.30. Susanna nice and cheerful.April 8th
Leo arrives from school and we go into Oxford to meet him. Daisie went in yesterday to have a tooth out, and I spent the whole day going through the library father left me. I have decided to sell it as it stands, there is nothing of value in it and I cannot afford either to carry it about or to store it till I retire. I am sorry.April 9th
Leo arrived all right. Looking very well. Like all boys he had his nose deep in some melodramatic book. To-day we were to have driven Lou's pony-cart in to see Aunt May at Oxford, but alas it had to go to the station to fetch the gardener!! A funny household. vie only wanted to use it because we are always being pressed to do so. But on the only two occasions it would have been any use it is wanted elsewhere. Query – Can gardeners walk?April 16th
Anthony Peache and my Galfrid arrived yesterday and I met them in Oxford.April 17th
Left in the 11.20 a.m. from Oxford, arrived Barmouth 5.30 p.m. The Min y Mor Hotel is not bad, and its situation right on the sands is splendid. We were a huge party. Daisie and myself, Rose and Susanna, Leo Galfrid and Anthony. Hot baths very difficult to get and food poor.April 18th
We like to hear the people talk Welsh, but their Eurasian English is much funnier. Bought spades and buckets and played about on the beach.April 21st
To Harlech. The castle was very fine and the view of Snowdon. Harlech back to Pensarn and ferry to Shell Island where the shells really were very good and the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We found about 200 cowries, never knew you could get them in England before. No lunch except sandwiches and no tea. This also a teetotal Hotel, and I have had nothing to drink since that awful whisky and soda (whisky and sherry mixed by accident) at Kidlington on Thursday last.April 25th
Left the children. Daisie and I do Festiniog toy railway, scenery very beautiful. Wandered about among the slate quarries. On the way home in 3rd Class carriage the Welshmen all began singing and sang beautifully in parts.April 29th
Summer weather still keeps on. Rowing on Monday and yesterday rowing and fishing. Walked round panorama walk very beautiful. We meant to go to Chester, but can't get rooms there. Then Shrewsbury, but couldn't manage, now Wollaston to see Daddie – Miss Hill, Daisie's old governess.April 30th
Boating all yesterday, the boys row very well. Dollie arrived 5.45 p.m., looking very well. To-day we go out for a sail. To-morrow we all go to Miss Hill at Stourbridge. A splendid sail with a stiff breeze in a big decked cutter.May 3rd
Here we are at Stourbridge, tucked into 4 tiny houses. Daisie and I with Miss Hill, Dollie and Anthony, Laburnam Cottage, Leo and Galfrid in 28 Upper King St. Nurse and baby in 29t Upper King St. Weather fine. Evening a very nice service at St. James Wollaston, just as I like, Low Church, nice building, good singing and a helpful sermon. On Saturday Dollie and Daisie and myself went to Kinver. Dollie looks very well after all her troubles – but cannot be very peaceful in mind. On Monday Galfrid and I went for our promised treat. I shall see lots of Leo alone, but this is my only chance with Galfrid. Had a very happy day. Went to Cradley to see the tram-lines and houses tumbling into a disused mine, then to a house near Hiniley where all the walls are at different angles.May 5th
To Dudley Castle and back by train – picnic.May 6th
Earl of Dudley's Steel Works. Round oak, Brierly Hill. Splendid.May 7th
Round the Glass Works which interested the children very much – we had seen it before but it is very wonderful and beautiful.May 8th
All home again to Kidlington and very glad to get nice baths and space to breathe in.May 13th
Quite penniless after Barmouth. Galfrid went off to School to-day, before he left he and I prayed together for a minute in the old Oxford Church next to the Martyrs' Memorial. I am afraid poor Leo will feel lonely without him, but we appreciate having our beloved first-born all to ourselves again after the long separation of 5 years. Yesterday I had to attend the Petty Sessions at Woodstock Lou had been summoned for not taking out a dog licence and I appeared for her. It was interesting for me and the 2 boys who went with me. The other day I said to Galfrid "Don't you marry, Galfrid, your wife will always bag your nail-scissors like your mother does mine and forget to return them." He replied: "But if I don't marry I can't have any babies!" I said "Oh, but babies are a nuisance they cost such a lot." He concluded. "Yes, but we must keep the Dunsterville family up."May 18th
A wire from Dora. She called for us in her Motor at 4 p.m. and took us off to Streatley. Dollie was there but Jim away. A very beautiful house in a beautiful spot.May 19th
Daisie, Dollie, Dora and I punting about the Thames all day, wonderfully beautiful. At night talks on religion.May 20th
Left in steamer for Goring 12.45, arrived Oxford 7.10 and back home at 10.0.May 2lst
Edie came to stay the day. Looking well but not happy. It was a successful visit and 3 sisters all at once did not result in a battle. Evening very interesting, I went to the Oxford Union Debating Society as a Member. I was not caught but felt uncomfortable. Mr. Robinson gave me his ticket as a Member – Not Transferable so I went as Mr. Robinson, and felt I didn't look the part a bit. A horrible sense of guilt oppressed me sitting there as a Member among all the undergraduates while the Visitors were high up away in the gallery.May 28th
Baby got a whiff of my cigar just now and said "Don't put all the smell of your pipe in me." Agnes Giles, a very dear little person, oozing with lore from St. Hugh's College, spent the day. She is quite pretty, and means to be a missionary, very fierce and determined. Bay's Aero Squadron leaves to-day for Aldershot. We went to the Morris Dancing and I thought it very good.May 30th
Daisie dentist. We leave for London on June 2nd. Thence to Cowes on June 24th, thence Aldershot June 27th thence back to Kidlington till July 10. Then Swanwick 10 to 17, then Devon 17 to 29, then holidays for children.June 2nd
Left Susanna at Kid'n and Daisie and I and Leo came to London. Leo is staying with Emily Vincent and Daisie and I next door at 34 Blomfield St.June 6th
Indian Civil Service Garden Party yesterday, raining and dull. To-day in morning to see old Mrs. Fane, dear person, very shaky. After lunch with Daisie and Leo to explore Battersea Park. After tea to Hyde Park orators. Atheism, Law, Votes for Women, etc. All very earnest and very stupid. Then to Serpentine, then walk home. After supper walked down Edgware Road, wonderful on a Saturday night. Yesterday we explored Victoria Park N.E. one of the most beautiful spots in the world.June 23rd
We leave London to-morrow for Osborne Cottage to stay with Lilian Burbidge.June 24th
Such a journey! We arrived Ryde and then by train to Cowes and a cab to the house. There we found the motor was waiting for us all the time at Ryde and we might have been here hours ago.June 27th
I made a plan yesterday of the grounds where the Memorial trees had been planted by Royalties. There are 29 altogether. They will make a very historic grove. King Alfonso of Spain, Archduke Rudolph of Austria, several by Queen Victoria, Grand Duke and Duchess of Baden, Ferdinand of Bulgaria, Hesse, King Edward, Queen Alexandra, Duke of Connaught, Edinburgh and so on. The house and grounds are magnificent and Osborne cottage is a humble title for a small perfect Palace.My dressing-room here is embarrassing, quite a Royal apartment, much larger than an ordinary drawing-room, priceless carpets and furniture and engravings and oil-paintings. The value of half the contents would buy me an entire house and furniture. Left for Farnborough by the 1.25 from Ryde.
July 1st
What a journey that was from Ryde! – so hot and the train so crowded and I got the sunny seat and we stopped everywhere. Reached here all right in the end in this beautiful old Christopher Wren house. Captain and the Hon. Mrs. A. Thorne – 3rd Grenadier Guards. It is extremely kind of them to put me up and mount me. My charger is a weight carrying polo pony "Sparrow" and is a good willing goer. Gen. Maxse commands the Brigade which is composed of Coldstream Gds, Scots Guards, Black Watch and Munster Fusiliers – a very keen and highly-trained lot. Yesterday the Maxim gun officer, Captain Payne-Gallwey of the Grenadier Guards, gave me 1½ hours exhibition of the Coldstream team and I have never seen anything better. The heat is awful and I am burnt to bits shall really be quite glad when it is over. No news yet of Bay turning up to take me for a flight in his machine. Night operations last night. Rather stiff from riding, not been on a horse since January. 7. p.m. Out on the range all day watching tactical competitions. Black Watch very good, also Coldstream Guards – Munster Fusiliers and Scot Guards very bad.I am now numbered among those few individuals who have flown in the air! Bay arrived and took me for a splendid flight all over the country about half an hour, sensation splendid, but you feel death at your elbow. No notion of sickness or giddiness. As I had implicit confidence in my pilot Hubert Harvey-Kelly, my gallant nephew, it was just unalloyed pleasure to me. One of the eventful days of my life.
July 5th
Heckfield. Such peace and repose after turmoil in this sweet little spot. I arrived from Farnborough via Winchfield yesterday at lunch and found my beloved looking very well and happy. Triss, Henry and Lucy all cheerful. Friday was a really hard day for me and I was surprised myself that at nearly 50 I could do so much without tiring. I was up on Friday morning at 7.30 a.m. and left at 8.a.m., rode 10 miles to the 6th Brigade rendez-vous near Hankley Common – did the day's work with the 1st Batt, 60th Rifles – raining windy and very cold, was wet through twice and dried again. From there rode 10 miles back in time for the 1st Brigade Rendez-vous at 4.30 p.m. West of Aldershot. Fought a retiring action with them till 9 p.m. I got a fresh pony at 4.30 thank goodness (and Thorne), marched by night the whole Brigade to Bisley. Lay down in the heather, rather cold and wet, from 11.30 to 1.30. Night march again, 6 miles to get the enemy's flank. A great battle 6.30, then a pow-wow and ride home 6 miles, breakfast, bath and then to catch the train. I certainly enjoyed my bed and sleep last night. I have learnt a lot from the Guards' Brigade as to how excellently things can be done.July 7th
We came to Kidlington from Heckford yesterday. Susanna has been very ill, but looks quite jolly now, has no appetite and will not put on weight.July 10th
To Swanwick in Derbyshire for the Students' Christian Movement Conference. A beautiful country and a beautiful place – Agnes Giles travelled with us from St. Pancras. We live in the house "The Hayes" – The men are all in tents. About 1200 men and women Students from all Universities.July 16th
The week is over and we leave here to-morrow for Teignmouth. It has been a marvellous week for both of us – such splendid happy Christianity, such a force and fervour, such gifted speakers, so many doubts resolved, so many problems helped in their solution. We have made many friends. At the Sports yesterday I had to make a speech and I was announced as "Stalky", so to-day I have to spend all my time writing autographs. We have found nothing new here, but the realization of nearly all my ideals – happiness in religion, prayers with a smiling face – interdenominationalism – no Churches but one Church based on Christ before the Churches.Yesterday we had an excursion, 400 of us through one of the Derbyshire Dales – the country is lovely. It has been a piece of good fortune that Agnes Giles should have been here with us and it is quaint to find her waiting on us at meals. It is nice, too, to have Muriel Harris here and see her in her true milieu. What immense good could be done if there were more of these Conferences and if people could only realise what a joy they are.
July 18th
Oh, it's grand to be back in glorious Devon and I feel very happy. Susanna joined us yesterday at Taunton and we all arrived at 5.30. The carriage was waiting and drove us out to Green. Leo looking very. well and jolly. To-day Fardie [Stalky's father-in-law] and I drove in to Newton Abbott and Daisie went out calling with her mother.July 23rd
Have been bathing at Flor, cold. Trying to get Leo to swim. He has learnt to bike and we ride into Teignmouth together. I am teaching him to ride. I ride Fardie's pony and Leo has a small pony which I lead with leading rein. We play feeble tennis occasionally.July 27th
Still cold, windy and rainy. Leo is improving in his riding. On Friday we went to Kingswear to see the Bayliss and Galfrid's School. All very satisfactory.August 2nd
Germany declared WAR on France and Russia and I do not know why we are hesitating.August 4th
The War is on us and to save a rush on the banks they have declared a Bank Holiday till Friday – so no one has any money – Daisie and Bettie and I went to Paignton to see Tinnie and I had to borrow a sovereign from my father-in-law. Daisie has 6d and that is all. Dollie has just managed to escape from France.August 5th
At last we have declared war and the fat is in the fire. I am convinced that England will win – She must and shall. I feel God is with us, but dare not say so, because every rotter uses that term when he fights. It is sickening to be unemployed.August 8th
Nothing much doing so far in the War. The Germans have been defeated at Liège. No Naval news yet.August 11th
Col. Keyworth got up a meeting in the village on the "Underlying Causes of the present War and our Duty to our Motherland" – and I had to speak – my first time on a public platform. I did not like it, but it went all right. We are off to London to-morrow to see if I can't get something out of the War Office or the India Office – it is sickening to be out of it all.August 13th
We arrived yesterday uneventful – No.8 Delamere St. Weather fine and hot. Saw Emily. Not much signs of War except round Horse Guards and War Office where recruits are thronging. Went to India Office. Nothing doing. Changed a £5 note into 2 of the new £1 notes and 6 Postal Orders of 10/- each. The latter are currency.August 16th
A lull in the War. So far the Germans are not through Liège and they expected to be in Paris by the end of this month. I can get no employment so far, but still hope. No news of our troops and we don't even know if they have left England, but I expect they are fighting now on the Belgian left and we shall soon hear. We want Naval news. After drinking toasts in their board-rooms for the last 10 years "To the Day" meaning the day of this great fight between our navies, they now rather wish they were out of it. At any rate they are blockaded and we keep the Seas clear.August 24th
Lunched with Mac.Munn. Got orders to go over to France as interpreter – Leave to-morrow.
7.30 p.m. wire from War Office will I accept interpreter. Went in person with Buchanan to accept 10. p.m.
[Here interpolate small War Diary A]August 25th
With Daisie all over London buying uniform etc. Daisie saw me off at Waterloo by the 4.50. There are 8 of us going, but only two on this train, Colonel Ward. R.H.A. and myself. Reached Southampton and went on board S/S Vera. No dinner, sailed 9 p.m. I command the troops about 1000 men on such a small boat, weather fine – good crossing.August 26th
Arrived Havre 4.30 a.m. Ward and I got our kits ashore and had some much needed coffee. Pouring with rain. Billetted in the Hotel de Strasburg – dirty but not so bad. Rooms, of course, free, but living will be dear. I know nothing about pay, but expect to get about £400 from the War Office instead of £700 from the India Office – but it is worth it just to be here, however far behind the firing line and to know that one is in the movement. Little French boy shakes hands and says: "Bon! Amis?"August 27th
Pouring with rain yesterday and this morning, afterwards fine. Inspected the hospital. Wandered about from Hotel to Head Quarters, to Post Office, to choose our horses and so on, very tiring. No orders. Went to bed 11 p.m. Woken an hour later with orders to go by motor-car at 6 a.m. to RouenAugust 28th
Left in car at 6 a.m. Ward, Fernie and myself – a beautiful drive. We did the 70 miles in 2 hours. Reported at H.Q. I left at 4 p.m. with a train of supplies to take to the Regulating Station, thence to Rail Head and distribute. Reached Creil about midnight and then on to Compiègne.August 29th
4.30 a.m. woken up by my French colleague in a panic to say that the Germans will soon be here and we must bolt. I cannot believe the Germans could be driving us in so fast, so I took the precaution of getting 3 engines for my 3 trains, lest he should bolt and leave us stranded. Then I went to see Gen. Joffre's Staff, and got a French Staff officer to come down and reassure my man. Left for Creil at 2 p.m. I should I not have liked the nice rations I took up, to fall into the hands of the Germans. Prepared to spend night at Creil when wired for to return to Rouen. Tried the civil trains – awful. Full of panic-stricken women and children – no wonder. I had charge of an escort of Cameron Highlanders with one German prisoner who they dressed in our uniform to save him from being torn to pieces by the French. Had to change at Beauvais and stay there all night.August 30th
Travelling all day, lines blocked. We are one of row of fourteen trains travelling behind each other on one line 20 yards apart! Reached Rouen 10 p.m. slept on the floor in I.G.C. Office. Train was full of refugees. Our soldiers and French women and children all piled up together in the brake van. Wherever I sit down the ladies surround me and ask: "Is it really certain we shall beat them! " and so on. No food obtainable all day. Whenever the train stops on the line the French soldiers get out and pillage the orchards. French ladies dying to know whether my Highlander Sergeant has anything under his kilt or not!August 31st
Ward and I searched around and at last found our servants and kits. It takes 3 trains a day to feed our small army. My servant is trooper Barnes of the 20th Hussars. He sleeps in my truck and has the most awful night-mares when he yells and strangles imaginary Germans. Got rid of my horse, handed back to remount. A wounded British soldier with arm shattered lying on ambulance. French lady comes up, empties her purse on him (unconscious) and kneels down to kiss his hands.
September 1st
I shall be the last to leave Rouen as the advanced base has been transferred to Le Mans. The French look fearfully woe-begone, if we were not here they would have given in long ago. There is an awful feeling of panic and despair in the air that gets even on my steady nerves. The air is full of currents of deadly fear, just like electricity, and you can literally feel them emanating from these fleeing crowds, poor devils! I can quite imagine a French temperament becoming insane under the strain.I saw what looked like old Palk' s mare from Bishopsteignton among the remounts. I wish horses could talk. The filthy War – there are some 5000 to 6000 men a day at the Rouen station and no W.C. Imagine it! Missed my train because it did not leave Rouen at all, but Sotteville, just outside. Got to Sotteville just too late and tried to catch up my train I started in a French troop train at 3.30 p.m. with a Dragoon Regt. a very nice fellow commanding, reached Creil at 12.45 a.m. on September 2nd. The Germans don't seem to be pressing so hard as when I was last here, but all the same they are on to Creil now and I only arrived to help in the evacuation. We left at 3.40 a.m. I found 2 of our men asleep, lost from their regiments, would have been taken prisoners a few hours later by the Germans. Reached Pontoise 5.30 a.m. Achères at 9 a.m. Le Bourget 2.15 p.m. just in time to catch an empty supply train returning to Le Mans. Passing round Paris circular railway within view of the Eiffel Tower saw a German aeroplane dropping bombs, over Paris – Left Le Bourget 2.40 p.m. Saw a German aeroplane brought down outside Paris.
September 2nd
All round Paris on the circular railway run trains of reinforcements and return trains of wounded and the whole population of Paris line the railway banks and shout "Vive les Anglais" all day long. Men are cheered into action actually on the battle field by women and children – come off wounded and a few hours later parade again before the gaping crowds of Paris. Wine, pears, peaches, chocolate etc. etc. pressed on us at every halt and all the women come to be kissed. Not only panic-stricken people flying everywhere, but panic-stricken engines come flying by in batches of six with their whistles sounding despairing shrieks! The whole of Paris is flying in crowded trains. Parker of the Grenadier Guards, (Devonshire) is on the same job as myself – he has brought with him his own motor-car and his valet. After the war I ought to give another lecture at Bishopsteignton.September 3rd
Arr. Le Mans, our new Adv. Base at 10 a.m. the siding is really called MAROC, 3 miles from Le Mans – a horrid desert. What good food the men have, it is a treat to get a bit. Bacon, ham, jam, cheese, bully and H.P. biscuits. We get shaving, washing and tea water from the engine and the men cook their bacon on a shovel in the engine furnace.In London, before the war, we were eating bully for a treat. Here I get nothing else and am a little tired of it. I see here in real life the very pictures we saw at the Cinema. Tacked on to us a whole train-load of Austrians and Germans who were living in the country at the outbreak of war, they are being sent South to a concentration camp. They told me they were well treated, but men, women and children crowded together in cattle trucks 50 in each for long journeys of about 100 hours cannot be very nice. Arrived Le mans 6 a.m. 26 hours late, but we did not shunt to Maroc till 10 a.m.
September 4th
Thank God to get some hot rations. Sleeping with Cazalet in a dirty horse truck, but comfortable. Shopping in the town. I was received with cheers, they thought I had been taken by the Germans and Creil was not so far off it. There is just that small amount of risk at railhead that one may be shoving ones nose too far, especially as our troops are being driven in and the situation alters every hour.September 5th
Met an interesting man called Simmons, one of a batch of gentlemen members of the Royal Automobile Club who have come over to offer their services with their cars to Government. He was taken prisoner by the Germans on the night of August 31st, with 3 supply lorries and escaped on the 1st with one of the lorries when his captors were thrown into confusion by suddenly coming under our shell-fire. During the night he had left to take supplies to the front, they had to demand a French guide. A young man, the village schoolmaster, was woken up and told to go with them. He said good-bye with a smacking kiss to his little wife at the gate: "I shall soon be back." Two hours later the motor was captured and he, as a civilian, was taken out by the Germans and shot. Poor fellow, poor little wife. Arbuthnot came back with his train to-day, head cut open and his servant badly injured, being shunted over an embankment – So we have our casualties too. I was to leave with a supply train at 8 a.m. and paraded at that hour. It is now 9 p.m. 13 hours later and I am sitting on the railway line writing this by gas-light and the train not ready yet. The confusion here has been terrible, owing to 3 changes of base. We nibble biscuits and smoke pipes. Got away at last at 11 p.m.September 6th
Daisie will be thinking of me in Church this morning. I have had only one letter from her so far, when shall I get the rest and where are they? It is the sudden change of advanced Base from Amiens to Rouen, Rouen to Le Mans, and now again. In the last truck of the train, sleeping among boxes of bacon and huge cheeses – too cold to keep the doors wide open and the smell of cheese and Bacon is appalling. Kind people bring nice things for us to eat and drink at the stations. I always get out and explain that we are not glorious, have killed no Germans and are not likely to and that we only take food up to the soldiers. Arrived at Orleans 10.30 a.m. No English officer here but the French Commission Militaire told me to take the train on to Villeneuve. Left at 11.30 a.m. Very hot and the flies attracted by the cheese are frightful. Arrived Juvisy 5 p.m. It is quite weird to find Paris entirely protected by British troops, no wonder they give us buns and tea and kiss their hands. But for us the Germans would have been in Paris before now. As it is they have shifted off to the East on to Chalons, to fight the main French Army, and on our left is another French Army while we cover Paris itself and all the suburbs are full of our men and trains. Imagine London protected by a French Army! At Juvisy passed a train of 60 sick horses going to the Base. No food for men or horses so I gave the men rations and took hay for the horses from a French train. Arrived Villeneuve 11 p.m. My train had to be remade into 3 portions for Melun, Brunoy, and Lieu-saint.September 7th
We learnt what French shunting is like last night and Barnes was nearly killed. I made him move from beneath a wall of bacon, 60 lb. boxes, which looked dangerous and brought him over my end of the truck. No sooner done than we had a tremendous bang and the whole lot of about 100 boxes turned over just where he had lain and part shot right across between us without hitting either but flattening my bucket like a pancake – it might have been my head. Arrived Melun 5 a.m. Got train emptied and started back at 4.30 p.m., with awful scallywags on board. 40 wounded horses, 120 bus drivers and labourers specially enlisted and mostly drunk. The station line is a sight. Ground covered with biscuits, bread, straw, filth, German uniforms, empty tins, drums of petrol, gun wheels, saddlery and harness, all just as a child throws its toys into a corner of the nursery. Arrived Villeneuve 10.30 p.m., 15 miles in 6 hours.September 8th
Passed Chartres at 9.30 a.m. Le Mans 1.45 p.m. then had to wait 10 hours to get pushed on the 3 miles to Maroc. Glad to get rid of my bus drivers and scallywags.September 9th
Leo's birthday. Rained all day. The enlisted labourers are giving a lot of trouble, robbing and raping and fighting. They had a great fight with knives yesterday among themselves.September 10th
I went down to see the remains of the guns. of L. Batt R.H.A., which was caught by the Germans at 500 yards – all the guns are here though battered to pieces. Our job is a peculiar one, we leave for the front with a goods train of supplies, destination unknown, then we have to feel our way. Some day one of us will run a train into the German camp, and there will be nice treats for the Germans. Left for Villeneuve 5.30 p.m., it is nicer to get away by day-light. Hot one minute, and cold the next. I have an awful cold and can hardly speak – arrived at Villeneuve 5.45 a.m. Heaps of German prisoners.September 11th
We are to stay here all day as they cannot find out where railhead is to be. Our troops are chasing the Germans so hard we can't keep in touch with them. Rained hard in the afternoon. Left at 9.30 p.m.September 12th
Reached Coulommiers 5 a.m., raining still and very cold, giving out rations all day, such filth and mud and a dead horse just outside my truck. These funny old motor buses from London still continue to advertise in the French lanes "N.W.R. Go to Scotland for the best holiday – G.W.R., Cornish Riviera, etc. etc." Five French aeroplanes just passed over in the direction of the enemy. Not a very happy night last night, a lot to do, very cold and very wet, bad cold and cough , tummy ache and violent tooth-ache in my Newton Abbott tooth. Heavy firing going on so I suppose the poor Germans are catching it again. A special message from the Kaiser was intercepted ordering his troops to "annihilate the British Force". It takes some doing. Talked with German wounded Hussars, Artillery, Uhlans, Infantry, all very happy. Their one idea is to have a trip to England. I received over a lot of German rifles, ammunition, fuses, and detonators. The latter I thought too dangerous to have in my carriage, so I exploded them – Rain all day, mud and slush, a smell of filth and dead bodies and disinfectants and a busy hospital with amputations – all the nasty side of war. The Germans were through this town a few days ago and there is little left. How upside down the world is. Think of all the surplus women, and then these thousands of the best of men dead and left to rot in the fields. The world in which one lives has nothing to do with the world one knew – This is another existence. Ones brain is entirely engrossed with the work and sleep and when one wakes the work recommences. I seem to have no connection with the other lucky Dunsterville who had the best of wives and 3 splendid children.September 13th
Poured all night and a furious gale, such a tempest. Such a night to lie out wounded – cold and miserable. A wounded horse close to me kept groaning just like a human being. I am taking him and some others down to the base, but can get no shelter for them here. Issuing rations up to 2 a.m., no lights, no lamp, such a job and such thieving going on. To-day furious gale, but sky clearing. Up at 5 a.m. and checked through the train – signs of plenty of stealing. Left 10.45 a.m. We passed through the suburban lines of Paris about 3 to 5 o'clock. Being Sunday the whole of Paris had turned out and we had an appalling ovation. Especially as it was known we had German prisoners, and some of our men were wearing captured German helmets. The crowd, mostly women, were 5 or 6 deep, in many places and they shrieked and bombarded us with peaches and flowers. I was nearly hit in the eye with a peach. Villeneuve at 4 p.m., Lemans at 4 a.m. Maroc 7 a.m. At Chatres at 11.30 p.m., the crowd heard there were some German prisoners on board and we had some trouble to keep them off.September 14th
At last we begin to hear of considerable victories which seem to be true. Rain again. My German prisoners tell me they are running short of provisions and ammunition and said our artillery fire was very good. There was a huge crowd at Versailles last night but I stopped them giving anything to the unheroic occupants of my train. A nasty, wet, gloomy day with a howling wind and my truck very cold and lonely.September 15th
Sun at last. I hope the bad spell is over. German prisoners come through in trainloads. A lady breakfasting next to me in a restaurant this morning gargled water and spat it out into her wine-glass then cleaned her nails with a penknife. I am glad I am English.Captain Aldridge of my old regiment, the Sussex, turned up at lunch and tells me the regiment did well yesterday. My only old friend in the regiment, Colonel Montresor, was killed in that fight. The Germans will not stay for our bayonets. As soon as they see them they throw down their arms. They captured at 2.a.m. in a village 40 Prussian Guards Officers drunk! And a French girl of 4 with bayonet wounds in both arms. Left 7 p.m.
September 17th
Rain again and cold, reached Villeneuve 8 15. a.m. passed many trains of our wounded going down. Rain and Rain and Rain. German prisoners carrying English wounded and English Red Cross carrying German wounded. Truck leaked, wet bed, bad lumbago. I am a crock. Aldridge joined the train here and came on to Braisne with me. Left V. at 5.35 p.m. A miserable wet night, pouring and I had to give Aldridge my blankets as he had nothing.September 18th
Nobody can say I have not been within sound of the guns! Train pulled up in doubt this morning at 5.30 a.m. outside Fere Entardenois, all Supply lorries and vehicles halted on road and an appalling thunder of big guns – must be a huge battle in progress and sounds like our left being turned, but I prefer to hope it is the German right. They are all concentrated between Laon and Reims and we ought to get them in the end, but they are very strong on the line of the river Aisne. Arrived 6.45 a.m. Our wounded pour in looking ghastly. Collected 2 acorns from a very pretty wood near here because I think this will be a historic battle and the oaks in England may commemorate it. Walked around the country and found the Aeroplane H.Q. After a bit Bay came down out of the sky and we passed the time of day. He was looking well and cheery. Col. Mackinnis R.E. is railhead officer here and General French is here. Left at 4 p.m. to go at last beyond railhead to Braisne which is really on the battle-field to pick up wounded. Arrived 6.30 p.m. just behind the firing line. Everything later in pitch darkness as all the gear, telegraph lines etc., has been destroyed by the Germans. It was rather weird in the dark at night with the constant booming of the guns. Took in 296 wounded. Left at 10.15 p.m. How soon one gets accustomed to big figures like 300 wounded – seems a very small affair. The hospital at Braisne have sent down 1120 in these last 24 hours. Thank goodness I got the in dry, later it poured and poured.September 19th
Round Chateau Thierry and through all the Champagne country, very beautiful. Epernay 10.30 a.m. We can hear firing still from here in the direction of Reims. After Epernay all fields entrenched, telegraph wires down, woods shelled, heaps of graves, Stations burnt. Took one dead out of the train at Sezanne. Such a round about trip because all the bridges are broken. Contammines 8.p.m. Villeneveau 12 mid-night.September 20th
Still raining & bitterly cold. Reached Le Mans 3.30 Maroc 6 p.m. Such a cold night in a very dirty truck.September 21st
Left M. 6 p.m. arrived V. 6.30 a.m.September 22nd
Cazalet's train also came up and as we are to be here all day while they settle railheads according to the latest news from the front, we thought we would take a trip into Paris. Place de l'Opera, Madeleine, Boulevards. It was a triumphal procession and we quite felt we owned Paris, everybody bowed and smiled and kissed their hands. rayed for Daisie and the children in the Madeleine. Left Villeneuve 6.46 p.m.September 23rd
Arrived Fére en Tardenois 6 a.m. Went out to see Bay and found him among all the aeroplanes. He afterwards came over to my carriage and had lunch with me. While in the Aeroplane camp a German Aeroplane came and we fired at it with a maxim, but it got away.The French 5th Army Corps are marching through here towards the German right and the German was able to go off with this important information. Left F.T. at 3.30. p.m. Such a mixed crowd on board – wounded, sick, prisoners, kits of dead officers, lances, rifles, disabled guns, one which had been hit right on the nose and the whole shield and I suppose the whole gun detachment carried right away.
September 24th
Villeneuve at 10.30 a.m. left at 4 p.m. Beautiful weather, but cold nights. When will this interminable battle of the Aisne come to an end. It is terribly long and makes one very anxious though I am never doubtful as to the final result and, please God, it will be decisive. Events have proved what a fine great sledge hammer machine the German Army was. It was quite able to take on France and Russia and defeat both if only England had not joined in and Austria had not proved so weak.September 25th
Arrived Maroc 6 a.m. Into Le Mans with Cazalet, had dejeuner and diner there, saw the cathedral etc. – not interesting. All the R.C. Churches here are as plain and unadorned as Baptist Chapels. A notice in the Cathedral "Please don't spit" and another asking for Sunday observance, quite a new idea for R.C.sSept. 26th
Left with No. 1. Supply train 6.30 p.m.September 27th
Arrived Villeneuve 6.a.m. Left V.N. 6.46 p.m. with 17 Highland officers at the last moment whom I had to put into open coal trucks, poor comfort.September 28th
Arrived Mont-Notre-Dame, 12.15 p.m. Such a pretty little place, I should like to bring Daisie here. Went up into the Church and prayed. The boom of the guns is inspiring. I hear the Cameron Highlanders had a sad loss yesterday. The Colonel, Adjutant, 2 other officers and 29 men took shelter from the firing in a big cave. The cave fell in and they were all killed. In the quiet old Church which is half a ruin the thunder of the guns vibrated among the ancient pillars as I knelt there alone and it was quite weird. From the churchyard afterwards I could see the shells bursting on the high ground beyond the Aisne.September 29th
Villeneuve 10.45 left at 12.45. Met a subaltern of the Horse-Guards who says that the Germans are out at last on the Sea, perhaps at last we shall have at them. It makes one doubly anxious.September 30th
Arrived Maroc early in the morning, fine but cold. Went to dinner in the town.October 1st
Left Le Mans 6.45 p.m.Oct. 2nd
Arrived Villeneuve 5 a.m. Meant to go into Paris to see Madame Méra, but cold and foggy, and one has to get a pass. Yesterday a British Officer was half killed there as a German spy.October 3rd
Arrived Pére en Tardenois 2.m. Big guns booming, but further away. Frightful toothache. I dined last night off a chunk of bread that a lady put in at the window at one of the stations. I had plenty of other food but no light and it is beastly eating in the dark, so I gnawed the bread and enjoyed it very much. Had a very interesting morning. Col. Mac.Innes, R.E. had to go out to the front in a car, so he took me. We drove through Mont Notre Dame and Braisne over the pontoon bridge on the Aisne beside the bridge the Germans had destroyed, and into Bourg. Passed within 20 yards of 2 of our 60 pounder guns very well concealed. Under shell fire all the last part of the way, but nobody fired at a single car. Not worth it. Saw the big crates that the Black Marias dig out – all over the place, two on the road itself. Lots of trenches and graves and dead horses. Left F.T. at , 3.30 p.m.October 4th
Arrived V.N. 8.30 a.m. Left V.N. 4.39. arrived Le Mans at 11.30. Maroc at 12.0.October 7th
Left at 5 p.m. Something seems to be doing at last as we are informed that we are not to return here but that we return to the old base further North, Rouen – which must mean that the Germans are not threatening there any longer, but no news from the Front is exasperating. Very cold night, hard frost.October 8th
Arrived Villeneuve at 4 a.m. A lot of work rearranging trains as everything is now altered. I am taking stuff for the 1st Army only, to Mont Notre Dame and a few trucks to Fére en Tardenois and Neuilly gl. Front. The 2nd Army go to Abbevil1e, 3rd Army Crépy, 1st and 2nd Cav. at Amiens. G.H.Q. R.F.C. Q. Abbeville – all big and portentous moves. Saw 7 engines going North of the Belgian North line, which looks as if we were reopening Belgium but how can that be? Also I hear our Cavalry are in Belgium. I hear the real reason of the German swinging off S.E. from Paris was that they thought the English Army had been wiped out! and then they found that same beastly little army hitting them on the right shoulder, and so began the Débacle. It was the contemptible little English Army that did the trick from first to last.October 9th
Arrived Mont Notre Dame at 7 a.m. Very little gun-fire compared to what there used to be and it is further away. Only the 1st. Army Corps now here and I suppose the French will soon relieve them and they will be glad to get out after nearly a month in the trenches. Frightful toothache. Left at 2.30 p.m.October 10th
Arrived Villeneuve at 4. a.m. left at 9.20 p.m. Found a splendid corridor carriage and meant to try and annex it. Reached Havre 5 p.m. An interesting subaltern A.S.C. with me, Edwardes. Met also the famous Major Archee-Shee, M.P. is a Major in the 19th Hussars, with remounts and put him right about Tariff Reform which bored him very much. Such a dull day and my carriage is in a very dirty siding. I hope they will clear up this muddle soon – Antwerp has fallen.October 12th
The confusion here is awful – millions of tons of English rations and yet we are issued French rations. The Staff are very staffy and stupid.October l3th
Left Havre 1 p.m. arrived Rouen 5.30 p.m.October 14th
Left Rouen at 1 a.m. and arrived Villeneuve at 10 a.m. Our last day in Villeneuve as everything is being altered. Left for Mont Notre Dame at 4.50 p.m.October 15th
Arrived Mont Notre Dame at 7 a.m. I see that Aldridge of the Royal Sussex who travelled with me exactly a month ago, see Diary for September 17th has been killed. Such a fine fellow and married, with one child – it brings it home to one. A nasty wet day and I had lots to do, but kept fairly dry and no twinge of rheumatics, but plenty of toothache. To-day we are just finishing extricating our 1st. Army Corps from the Aisne by here. and the French should now be taking up our line where I was the other day. – The Germans are evidently aware of this by spies and are now, 5 p.m. pushing a fierce attack here. The shelling is tremendous though we are just out of range. Braisne is being shelled where I was on Sept.18th and Oct 3rd (See Diary) and two old ladies have fled from Braisne and I am taking them down with me to Paris.Friday October 16th
Arrived Villeneuve 6.10 a.m. not much sleep at night. Sick and wounded and horses all over the place, tumbling down, one died and one jumped out of the train. I was three times thrown on to the floor by what felt like a collision, but it wasn't. I asked the guard and he said "It is the fog, we can't see the signals" which sounded rather uncomfortable. A dull depressing day and dead horses get on my nerves. Left Villeneuve at 3.20. The usual ovation everywhere and crowds of people at Versailles. Arrived Rouen 10.30 p.m. Reported to R.T.O. who said all right, go to bed, and I'll come and see you at 9 a.m. No sooner gone to bed than off the train started and took us out 5 miles to Sotteville. So I got down the line to a place where I could telephone from and worried everybody for about an hour.October 17th
A pouring wet morning and, of course, I have to be running about everywhere and one's carriage gets so filthy. Left Sotteville at 2.40 p.m. an enormous train over 500 yards long. Such a grind taking truck numbers up and down. Got into Havre at 6.40.October 18th
Cold, grey, miserable rainy day. Peto, M.P. came in and had a talk.October 19th
Nasty rainy day again. I am smoking a cigarette out of a packet labelled "With the best Wishes of the "Daily Sketch" readers". I have a man on the train, Mr. Charles Cortin of the Gifts Department, who hands these things out. It really is rather kind of people and also though the cigarettes are not nice it cheers one up. Individual kindness one knows, but this sort of kindness en bloc is something a little different and strikes a deeper chord. Left Havre 2.45 p.m. as a Passenger. Lt. Mitchell of the 3rd Hussars, a drunken little waster in charge. Arrived Rouen 8 p.m. left at 3 a.m.October 20th
I was well rewarded at the Post Office last night getting 3 long letters and a parcel from Daisie. I am quite delighted to think we may soon be meeting, but I won't tell her so because I think it quite wrong to have women distracting one in the area of operations. It is very beautiful on this line to Abbeville – Woods, orchards, and pasture, fine cattle and not much plough. Autumn tints. Nasty cold, wet, grey, miserable day, but cheered by the thought of seeing my Daisie soon. Frightful toothache. Reached Boulogne at 5.30 p.m. Looks a prettier place than Havre in the dark. An awful block of trains here. Everything seems to be going well and it really looks as if we might begin to push the Germans now we are all on new ground and as our left and their right is on the sea we have come to an end of that enormous extension of flank which began at Soissons and has reached into Belgium.October 21st
Arrived Calais at day-break alongside a train of French wounded. Cold and wet and foggy, poor weather for the soldiers. but I expect it is worse for the Germans than for us. Saint Omer 9 a.m. The names up here "Ebbling- hem" for instance, suggest that this country is really Teuton. As far as this the country has been flat and wet like land reclaimed from the sea. The real continent begins here. Saw the first Indians, only some measly looking followers. Towards Hazebrouck the country gets much more like lieber Deutschland. and Daisie and I could be quite happy here – Reached railhead Merville, at 12.30. Took a long time issuing. Took over 30 Germans prisoners of the 133rd Regt, had one passenger to take down. Lt. Butler R.F.A., who knew my camp with garden in Sonamarg. Not much artillery firing in this neighbourhood which means, I hope, that our fellows are pushing along and getting the Germans further back. Left Merville 8 p.m., arrived St. Omer at midnight and handed over my German prisoners. A most amusing incident My crown and 2 stars in the faint gas1ight look like 3 stars. A Major Railway Transport officer, excellent fellow, disagreed with me about the escort necessary for the prisoners and I stuck to my opinion, whereupon he fiercely brushed his moustache and said "Look here, now, I'm a Major and you're a Captain...." I might have let him go on, but it would have been hard luck, so I said "Oh, but I am a Colonel!" Frightfully apologetic – no need, I said, whatever my rank was if I was wrong I ought to be put right.October 22nd
Arrived Calais about 8.0. and Boulogne about 12. They have just been bringing a whole Army Corps up her and the line is absolutely blockedOctober 23rd
Reached Abbeville at 7 a.m. Nearly 12 hours from Boulogne, about 75 kilometres – a 2 hours journey taking 12; The news from the front continues good.So many bridges broken we have to go all round the country via Amiens, Montdidier and Beauvais, an awful long journey and very slow train. Arrived Sotteville, outside Rouen at 9 p.m. Such a fuss about sending me on and such a stupid R.T.O. in the Staffords. Up most of the night arranging about shunting and getting the trains away.
October 24th
They promised to get me away at 2.30 a.m. Woke at 3.30 and found nothing doing. Worried around and at last got away at 6 a.m. Reached Havre 10.30 Rushed to Strasbourg Hotel to embrace Daisy and found only a wire to they would arrive to-day in Paris – so hope deferred. Meantime I am not to go up the line any more, I am to be O.C. these train interpreters and stay at Havre. There are about 50 of them.October 26th
Daisie wired yesterday that she arrived Paris all right yesterday – now she is so close I would rather like to see her. Anyway it is nice, though tantalising, to know that the sea no longer separates us.October 28th
Daisie arrived at 2 p.m.October 31st
Daisie went back to Paris. Things seem to be going well up at the front and the Germans do not get to Calais or Boulogne, poor fellows!November 1st
Went to Church with Fernie in the evening – A solitary dinner.November 3rd
Daisie returned from Paris – House-hunting – failure.November 4th
A happy day in Rouen which is very beautiful.November 9th
18th anniversary of the famous Wedding Day. What luck to be together at such an awful time too. It seems unfair to have so much while others have so little. Knightly has just lost his eldest son, Graham, in the Devons, such a fine, splendid fellow. We moved in here on Friday, 32 Rue Clemens Marical, nice big, clean, bedroom, but, alas, full of fleas which drive Daisy mad, also the whole house simply reeks of cooking and no ventilation.November 15th
Four of my old gentlemen have been sent home as useless – Arbuthnot, Timmins, Baring and Greville, a good riddance! I feel I ought to be abolished soon as I do not get a full day's work at this job. The fleas are awful and the bugs! Poor Daisie, she must love me very much to remain here. The War drags on, one despairs of news although we never doubt as to the glorious end, but never has a great war been so devoid of news or dramatic episodes or striking victories. Thank goodness that clever but wicked little Emden has been caught at last.November 21st
I am abolished, so I have a happy peaceful day with Daisie, my first day off since a very long time. Beautiful weather, but frightfully cold. I have been 3 days in bed with influenza and fever and now Daisie has it. Major Fernie came to tea. I don't know what is to become of me and don't really believe they mean to abolish me, but I have no orders.November 22nd
We are not to be abolished after all.November 25th
Took a supply train to the front with Cazalet to see how things were working.November 30th
Returned from Steenwerck just south of Ypres.December 2nd
Abolished I am glad to say. No more T.C.Os.December 6th
On the whole, since that cold spell early in Nov., the weather has been very good. Occasional gales and rain but mostly fine. We are not abolished after all and are going stronger than ever. I am going up to Abbeville to-day to see the Director of Railways and consult. officers Eyre of the Life Guards has been cashiered for being drunk, and Newcomen has gone home with D.T., a lively lot! The old 20th seem to be doing well in the Persian Gulf with Ducat killed and Mc.Cleverty, St. John, Fordham, Burn-Murdoch and Saxton wounded – I shall be interested to know what it was all about.December 10th
Thank goodness we have sunk in the Pacific the Gneisenau, Scharahorst, Leipsig and Nuremberg, who sunk our Monmouth and Good Hope. Beastly rainy day. I had such a time my last trip up the line. Left Havre 5 p.m. Dec. 6th by Passenger to Rouen. Supply Train with Cazalet to Abbeville, arrived pouring rain 1 p.m. 2 hours talk with Freeland. Then on to Boulogne with slow train – reached there 9.30 all shut, no dinner. An hour with Hilliard. Then Supply Train to St. Omer, Tuesday morning an hour's interview with Gen. Twiss, Director of Railways – then caught slow train to Calais, thence slow train through Boulogne to Abbeville, an hour's interview with Freeland 7.30 p.m., caught an empty supply train to Rouen, slept with 6 Tommies in a truck and got covered with bacon grease. Wed. morning block on line outside Rouen, pulled kit out, walked down line to gare du Nord, caught a train to Rue Verte and walked thence to gare Rive Droite and caught Paris express to Havre, arriving 11.30 a.m. Got the only decent meal I had had on board this train and it was a great treat, clean and good, coffee and rolls. To-day pouring rain. Daisie leaves on Tuesday and I shall go to Rouen.December 15th
Daisie left by the 5 p.m. express for Paris, where she will meet Dollie. There is a chance of her getting hospital work here at last with a Mrs. Gardner – on Dec. 28th. Am dining to-night with Fernie where I shall meet Mrs. G. and talk it over. It has been a rainy week. The war drags on, the only bright spot being our sinking of the small but good German squadron off the Falkland Islands. One has hardly any hopes of anything dramatic It is just a question of who fires first. There is no doubt of eventual victory for us but when? I have always said the active war would end on May 15th, we shall see.December 19th
The Germans have bombarded Scarborough and Whitby and at last same of the English people will be able to begin to think. They think it is a dreadful thing, a few villas and a hotel or two knocked about and an odd hundred people damaged. It will help them to realize that the whole of Belgium and North of France is like that. One old bounder who was wounded by a fragment of shell said the fright had turned his hair white.
My last Xmas in England was in 1883, 37 years ago, and I was looking forward to this one with all the beloved children, but it is not to be alas!December 20th
Our soldiers' service in the little Roman Catholic Church at Bléville was very interesting. There were a lot of interested French spectators. The men sang the Hymns very well and it was all very new to the French. Then 'God Save the King' at the end. It really was inspiring and God bless the Curé of Bléville.December 26th
Cold and drizzly. This War goes on and on and is very exasperating. We must have patience. Old Joffre has heaps of men, he must be going to strike a blow somewhere, but where and when? I should like to say in the Alsace direction and soon. If only Italy would join in. Up in Flanders the Germans are so entrenched and have such depths of barbed wire that advance is almost impossible.