Harry's Diary

<BODY BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" LINK="#FFFFCC" ALINK="#00039A" VLINK="#CCCC99"> <div> <B>                          </B><B>Harry's Diary</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" >                                                                      <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ANZAC Research"><U>home</U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="beneath_the_faded_word.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Beneath Faded Word"><U>Beneath Faded Word</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id279.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" The Cost of War"><U>   The Cost of War</U></A>   |   <B>Harry's Diary</B>   |   <A HREF="id283.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="WW1 Book Indexes"><U>WW1 Book Indexes</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id285.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Henderson Collection "><U>The Henderson Collection </U></A>   |   <A HREF="id284.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="World War Two Photos"><U>World War Two Photos</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id213.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Lanchashire Fusiliers"><U>       ~Lanchashire Fusiliers~</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id325.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Items of Interest"><U>Items of Interest</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="708" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#996600" BORDERCOLORDARK="#000000" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#003333 > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#003333 HEIGHT= 285 WIDTH="698"><div> <TABLE BORDER="7" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="210" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#996633" BORDERCOLORDARK="#663300" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#000000 > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 248 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="7b0c1f20.jpg" border=0 width="193" height="242" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>The First World  War Diaries of   Private  Henry (Harry) James SNEDDEN.</B></div> <div> <B>A Section. Ninth Field Ambulance.  Australian Medical Corps</B></div> <div> Regimental Number-12067.</div> <div> Australian Imperial  Forces.</div> <div> Harry embarked from Sydney, NSW on 11-5-1916 on transport ship HMAS “Argyllshire” and returned to Australia in 1918 on board the  ship “Mahia.”</div> <div> Born  3-5-1889 near Temora, New South Wales</div> <div> Parents:- James SNEDDEN and Mary nee REUS.</div> <div> Married 23-10-1920 Enfield, New South Wales-Bess WEST.</div> <div> Died 16-12-1954, Sydney, New South Wales.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="698"><div> <B>ENGLAND</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 182 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Wednesday 26th July, 1916.</B></I></div> <div> Visited Whitehall and saw Mr. Saunderson who took us out to lunch. He is employed at The Munitions Office . We then went and booked seats for “Razzle Dazzle” and got 11/6 seats for 8/-. Three of us went. Sent a note asking Shirley Kellogg to throw us a rose when she sang her song, a piece of hydrangea was also put in the envelope. We were to see “Joy Lands” in the afternoon. This was not a bad show. At night, we went to “Razzle Dazzle” and what a time. Shirley came on and was wearing the flower we sent her and looked over to us and nodded. When her song came on, she came right down from the stage and pinned a lovely pink rose in my tunic. The comedian who she was playing with cried out, “come out of the trenches.” The people nearly bought the house down. Each of the boys got a rose which we intend keeping. She is a lovely girl and so natural on the stage. Got home about midnight.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 443 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>We</B></I><I><B>d</B></I><I><B>nesday 27th September, 1916.</B></I></div> <div> Fell in at first parade. Then dismissed and have to be ready to move off at 8.15 am. Everyone greatly excited. Left the camp at the above time. Arrived at the fields about 10.30 am. King(GeorgeV) expected at 11.25. What a crowd are here as far as one can see on either side. There are soldiers, artillery, Light Horse, infantry, ASC engineers, AMC. Every branch of the military are represented. It is the greatest sight I have ever seen. The lads all look splendid and I feel quite proud to belong to 3rd Division. A shower arrives about 15 minutes before the King, but they won't let us put our coats on. Does not matter if we get wet. An aeroplane overhead is cutting all manner of capers in the air, looping the loop, spiral dives. By Jove he is a marvel. Ah! The King arrives. The general salute is sounded and the flag, the Royal Standard is broken. He commences to inspect followed by about 30 of his staff etc. He is in military uniform, but he is not much to look at. I think the photos I have seen of him are the  exact thing. He proceeds on the inspection. He is followed by a standard bearer, a chap in a silk hat( who when passing on his way back, some wag yelled out, “cold feet.”) A naval officer is also there who I think must be Sir Percy Scott. We made a splendid march past. His Majesty took the ? salute and was talking to a staff officer. I heard him speak when he was passing us. General Monash  said, “This is the 3 Field Ambulances, the end of my division.” He said in a rather English tone, “Oh yes.”</div> <div> After the march past we all formed up near the road and had our lunch of bread and jam sandwiches cut rather thin. One sandwich, one meal after being here half an hour. He came past. Try and imagine 40,000 healthy throats going three cheers and the infantry with their rifles stuck up in the air with their hats on them. The King was on a lovely black horse which was not too much taken by the noise. After he had passed  and had been about half an hour, it rained and some rain too. The Review was at 12 o'c and it was about 3 when we started to clear for home. On the way home an exceptionally heavy shower overtook us and we got drenched. I was wet right through to the flannel I was wearing through great coat and all. We got back to camp about 4 o'c and the Colonel said we did splendid and gave us a holiday for the rest of the day(we usually finish up at 5 o'c, he is an awfully generous chap!)</div> <div> At the sorting house I suppose there were about 500 wounded Australians, several nurses and a big crowd of English officers who our lads seem to have a delight in irritating.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000000 HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="698"><div> <B>FRANCE</B></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 82 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Sun Dec 24th 1916.</B></I></div> <div> Various jobs today. Wood chopper, clean the yard and bricklayer. Issued with Christmas Comfort Box. Contained nuts, toothbrush/paste, cigarettes, lollies and writing tablets. Also Ina's  goods sent to the Comforts Fund and  Trix's(Harry's sister)  biscuits. Parcel from home- sweets. Great excitement just like school boys. Gas Picket tonight. Again a beautiful day.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 99 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Monday Dec 25th, 1916. Christmas Day.</B></I></div> <div> Gas Picket till 8 pm. Very wet morning. Had a spread at 6 pm. Previous that we received our comfort box containing  cigarettes, tobacco, chewing gum etc.</div> <div> A parcel from Trix and Ina through the Red C(ross)` fund. For our spread we had peaches and cream, sweets, tin fruit, champagne, wine, ham, pickles, a great spread. Treats of all sorts were given.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 65 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Tuesday 25-12-1917</B></I><B>.</B></div> <div> Today we celebrated Xmas right royally. Had a 6 course dinner, champagne, wine and cigars and then at night had a fancy dress ball which went off A1. The boys all turned out to it and made it a huge success. Cec Phelan won the prize as a Gyppo and Alf Moss as a French girl. Had a splendid evening</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 49 WIDTH="698"><div> <B>Tuesday 6-2-1917.</B></div> <div> Today also nice and sunny but oh so cold, only feel it in my feet and hands. Cannot keep them warm, makes one almost cry with the cold. Hope do not have to pass another winter here, we all want to go home.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 98 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Tuesday 3-4-1917.</B></I></div> <div> Being out all night was allowed to sleep till noon.</div> <div> Just as well to as at 8 am a very heavy blizzard was on, one could hardly see 10 yards ahead. Got up at noon and had a gas parade. The ground and trees look beautiful. The place where we go for refreshments which is very nice and clean, a little girl who we used to play with died- only  ill 3 days, aged four and a half, her father has been missing for 2 years, awfully nice people.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 164 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Sunday 8-4-1917.</B></I></div> <div> A beautiful sunny day.</div> <div> A terrible blow has befallen our unit. 3 of our gallant comrades were killed delivering rations to the Advanced DS. A shell landed at the side of wagon, smashed side to pieces, went clean through the back of the seat, right into the bodies of the two boys sitting alongside the driver and the latter got his wound in the head. The horses bolted and was stopped NZ. The driver was leaning over the brake which was full on  and the reins still in his hand, unconscious, died a few minutes after they dressed his wounds. The other bodies were found about 30 yards apart. The lads were Ernie Porter, Jimmy Bridson(Driver) and Gus Dyer(sergeant).We all feel it very much as it's practically our first casualty of any note. The boys Porter and Bridson  both have younger brothers in the unit.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 116 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Monday 9-4-1917</B></I><I><B>.</B></I></div> <div>  Today, 9th, we buried them. We were marched around the cemetery  formed up while the service was read. The brother Bridson kept up well but Charlie Porter was in a terrible state, poor lad. Major Herd took charge of him and he was almost as upset as he. The remarkable  thing about Sunday , none of these boys should have been on the wagon, the day being so nice, they changed with those detailed to go. As Ernie was a Brother, the ? placed green in the grave . We could not procure flowers but intend getting an artificial wreath  if possible. Went to Mass for two of the lads at a RC Church.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 164 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Wednesday 6-6-1917.</B></I></div> <div> Started work 8 pm. Tonight's the night we were on wards till 11 pm then Ninth were taken off and posted all around DS as gas picket. We were to be relieved at 3 am but Fritz gave the boys such a doing  with gas shells that everyone was turned out. It was drifting down towards us. I gave the shell gas alarm just after the barrage started. The tear gas was very bad, my eyes very sore. At 3.10 am the bombardment started. There must have been thousands of guns and when the mines went up the spectacle was great. The earth trembled. The countryside was lit up just like day. The Advance has been a great success and the 3rd division have done very well. Casualties very slight, biggest majority walking cases, all very cheerful. The NZ YMCF have a stall supplying drinks and eatables to the lads as they come in. Worked till 2.30 pm had three hours sleep and commenced again. Got a touch of gas last night.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 98 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Sunday 30-9-1917.</B></I></div> <div> Reveille at 6 am. Evacuated all our patients. Fell in at 9 am, moved off at 12 noon. Reached Ypres at 2pm. What a wreck the place is. Not a house complete standing.</div> <div> We are running a dressing station in an old prison. Seems to be bomb proof, looks very strong. Our billets are not quite as good as would like though fairly safe. Believe a stunt starts tomorrow morning. Dug out filled with electric lights.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 82 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Monday 1-10-1917.</B></I></div> <div> Had very little sleep last night. Planes dropped bombs very close to our billets. Put the wind up us. Our place shook like a leaf. A barrage opened about 2 am. Very quiet day, good weather. This place is almost exactly  as Bairnsfather pictures it. Turned in 9 pm, plenty bombard. Two of our boys slightly wounded, Tom East(Thomas James East-horse driver), Billie Pearson( Lance Corporal William Pearson.)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 82 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Thursday 4-10-1917.</B></I></div> <div> The advance started this morning. Awakened by terrific bombardment. Wounded started to come in about 8 am, worked up till midnight. Felt very tired, put through 500 cases. About 5 of our boys were wounded, 2 killed. Rus Jarvis and a chap named Cully,(Charles Culley) a reinforcement. Wounds very slight in most cases. Red Cross had a depot . Supplied hot drinks, cakes biscuits etc.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 147 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Friday 5-10-1917.</B></I></div> <div> A nice sunny morning. Turned out at 8 am. Kept busy all day. The worst cases of all arrived today. Some of the poor boys had been laying out all night in the shell holes. We buried Rus Jarvis and the other poor boy in a soldier's cemetery at Ypres. The 9th Field Ambulance will never forget this place. The bearers are just about beat. To be relieved tonight. Have seen more Germans this past two days than ever  before. The 3rd Division took 1,033 prisoners a record in any division.</div> <div> The sights up the line are awful , dead Fritz lying around in hundreds. A leg or arm will be seen sticking up out of the mud, a gruesome sight. In a dug out, a MO and three men sitting at a table most naturally. Killed by concussion.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 65 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Thursday 11-10-1917</B></I><I><B>.</B></I></div> <div> Left Ypres at 8 am, marched up to Potizje, took over at the White Chateau. A nice sunny day. Very busy clearing up the Tommies. Some had been laying out in shell holes for 3 and 4 days wet to the skin poor beggars. Our advance to take place in the morning.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 65 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Saturday 13-10-1917.</B></I></div> <div> Still getting plenty of casualties through. The boys wet through and some laying out for 48 hours, make your heart ache. Two little Tommies had been laying behind Fritz lines in shell holes for 4 days. When our boys advanced they got back. Poor chaps, they did not look too good on it. Sgt. Crook killed.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 49 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Tuesday 16-10-1917.</B></I></div> <div> Fritz planes very busy tonight along the roads. We are sleeping in a fairly deep dugout. Had a gas alarm, but only shell gas. Nothing came of it.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 82 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Wednesday 17-10-1917.</B></I></div> <div> Fine day. Very little doing. Our stretcher bearers are having a terrible time. Takes 6 to carry one patient and they can only carry about two trips, the distance well over 4 miles. They bog up to their waists and their mates have to pull them out. Can only do 24 hours one way the same back at the base. They look absolutely done up and all have that strained look about their eyes.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 65 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Thursday 18-10-1917.</B></I></div> <div> Nice sunny day. A fleet of Gothas  came over, do a lot of damage. We were kept very busy. Another one of our boys killed W. Shelle  and Popie Hernsworth. I believe 14 of our horses have been killed by bombs. We had two hours solid going and several little stunts  during the day.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 65 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Tuesday 25-12-1917.</B></I></div> <div> Today we celebrated Xmas right royally. Had a 6 course dinner, champagne, wine and cigars and then at night had a fancy dress ball which went off A1. The boys all turned out to it and made it a huge success. Cec Phelan won the prize as a Gyppo and Alf Moss as a French girl. Had a splendid evening.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 65 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Saturday 30-3-1918.</B></I></div> <div> Village( Gentelles) deserted, houses left with all their belongings. Some places even with the food on tables. A terrible sight. Got up about 11 o' clock, had dinner and again had to clear out back to Boves. Rained all the way and had to carry stretchers and rations. Arrived about 4 pm. Billets A1. A barn full of straw.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 82 WIDTH="698"><div> <B>Sunday 31-3-1918.</B></div> <div> Easter Sunday today. Rained on and off. Had a good meal, the first decent one for about 5 days. Just received word to pack up and be ready to move at a moments notice. Enemy still advancing. Plenty of shells coming over. Working at the dressing station till midnight. A most pitiful sight to see all the old people still sticking to their homes, a good many of which have been ransacked by the soldiers.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 98 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Thursday 4-4-1918.</B></I></div> <div> Very heavy shelling of Boves this morning. All the bearers had to evacuate their billets. Raining all day. Plenty of work for the  tent subs. Now doing Tommies, French and Aussies. Rotten reports from our boys of the Tommies retiring on their left flank and leaving them exposed. They had to retire much to their disgust. The Tommies have the wind up completely and will not face the enemy. Heard Ken was wounded. Waited up till 2 am to see him come through but he was evidently sent down direct to the GGS.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 147 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Friday 5-4-1918.</B></I></div> <div> Awakened at 3.30 am. Had to pack up and leave Boves. Left about 4.40 am. Had to march about 3 kilos but the officer in charge got lost and we finished up by doing just a little over 8 miles. No hot meal till 5 pm. Everybody looks worn out from the events of the past weeks. Had to erect a field hospital. We are all now under canvas and it has been raining for the past 24 hours. The mud is awful. The 9th has been receiving all sorts of congratulations on the evacuation of the wounded and the infantry boys have been doing splendid work. </div> <div> If it  was not for the 9th Brigade, I think Fritz would have advanced much further than he has. </div> <div> Very  little sleep today and on duty till midnight.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 148 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Saturday 6-4-1918</B></I><I><B>.</B></I></div> <div> Len, Hughie Reeves and I sent up to 36th Battalion today. Found them billeted in the wood. Had a  carry (probably referring to stretcher case)  as soon as we got there. Got back and found Ken moved into the aerodrome. Several battns. in the grounds. Ammunition started to arrive, about 30 bombers. Gave them time to get to the guns then he opened up. Should have seen those teams gallop out of action. Several fell around our huts. About 10 pm he put a shell into one of our billets. Killed 2, wounded 5. Put the wind up us. Had to carry one case down distance 3 kilos over ploughed fields in the pouring rain. Bogged up to our knees nearly. Got back at 2.30 am. Woke a couple of Tommies up for a drink. They did roar but we got the drinks OK.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 115 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Saturday 31-8-1918.</B></I></div> <div> We have opened up our Main Dressing station at a place named Suzanne. This has been a very prosperous little village. There are some very fine buildings here or at least they have been fine. Some have withstood the effects of shell fire very well. Our DS is in a large cellar, a fine spot too. Put on night duty, plenty of work. Our Ambulance has had rotten luck. This time poor Snowy Woodham, Rabonvitch, Wilf Boyes and Alb. Clarkson killed. Also a good many wounded. All of the boys were great chaps and it's very hard to see them go like this.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 98 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Sunday 1-9-1918.</B></I></div> <div> On night duty. Still beaucoup (many) wounded going through. Our boys have been up against the Germans best troops, all picked guardsmen put in. We are told by them to stop the Aussies. Our lads have given them a terrific hiding and of course they have suffered too. The Fritz are fine big chaps. the best lot I've seen here yet. Things are very lively and I believe the Fritz dead up the line and around Mont St. Quentin are greater than in any other part of the war</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 115 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Monday 2-9-1918.</B></I></div> <div> The papers will be full of the fight of “The British” with the Prussian guards. All boys did the fighting, same as they have been doing all through last month but get very little credit. It's all “The British.” Had the Tommies only been able to keep up with our boys, St. Quentin would have been ours today but there is something wrong. I think the fault lies with new officers. The Division were relieved last night. Just as well- a couple more days like the last and there would have been no one to relieve. Surely to goodness we will get a spell before long.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Tuesday 3-9-1918.</B></I></div> <div> All the bearers return from the line today. Taken off night duty.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 32 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Wednesday 4-9-1918.</B></I></div> <div> The Advance still going strong.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 98 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Thursday 5-9-1918.</B></I></div> <div> Called up at 3.45 am to  load wagons, stretchers and blankets. The 11TH open up MDS. Got orders we're going back into action again. No one very pleased. Packed up about 5 pm. Pulled our tents down about 6 pm. While waiting orders to move it teemed down. I left my gear with a water proof sheet, took stretcher in a dugout. Rain lasted about an hour. When I came out my gear was completely surrounded by water and soaked through. A great joke with all the boys. The bearers left about 8.30 pm. We move tomorrow.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 114 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Friday 6-9-1918.</B></I></div> <div> Marched out of Suzanne today. Very hot. Went through Curlu to Halle. These are villages in name only. The foundations of houses can be seen and a few bricks here and there. Also an occasional beam sticking up. These places have all seen beaucoup fighting  in previous battles.</div> <div>  We are now only a few kilos from Peronne. Feel absolutely done up after this march-about 10 miles all told. Have a nice little dugout. Cannot find opportunity to write. When we do have a few minutes, no paper  available.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 82 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Monday 9-9-1918</B></I></div> <div> Put on the cook house today. Plenty work. Saw Tom Radcliffe at night. He looks A1. Heard today all sorts of traps are being set by the enemy. One instance, a burial party came across a dead Fritz, dug a hole and were just going to bury him. As they lifted him a mine exploded, killing two of the party. Received Aussie mail four letters.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 49 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Tuesday 17-9-1918.</B></I></div> <div> Fancy dress ball tonight. Had a gay old time. Plenty of boys impersonating girls. Some very good, others rather on the fast side.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 115 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Sunday 29-9-1918.</B></I></div> <div> Left Halle 1 am, had a 12 mile march, arrived (St.)  Emilie at 6 am. Had a bit of a rest. Frank and I went up as runners. Went to a loading post to evacuate wounded. Yanks did not mop up after their Advance. Fritz was strapping us with whizz bangs and machine guns. Cleared the post pretty well after 4 hours, then went back a bit further and ran a combined MDS and landing post. Only 8 of us to carry on night and day. The Yanks got a terrible cutting up-dead all over the place. They are in need of experience. Lost 60%. Roberts killed.(Horse Driver Norman Charles Roberts.)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 49 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Wednesday 9-10-1918</B></I><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#663300" FACE="Verdana" ><I><B>.</B></I></FONT></div> <div> Had a bath in the grounds of a large factory in the open. Discovered several girls looking over the wall while the operation was on</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 49 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Sunday 13-10-1918.</B></I></div> <div> Have just heard the good news of the German acceptance of President Wilson's peace terms. Everyone greatly excited.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 49 WIDTH="698"><div> <I><B>Saturday 9-11-1918.</B></I></div> <div> Heard today that the Armistice had been signed. Taken very quiet in the village, no rejoicing. All the folks seemed to have been very much broken up. So many had lost someone dear to them</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">  </script> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="http://www.statcounter.com/counter/frames.js"> </script> <noscript> <a href="http://www.statcounter.com" target="_top"><img src="http://www.statcounter.com/counter.php?usr=anzacs&java=0" alt="StatCounter - Free Web Tracker and Counter" border="0"/></a> </noscript>   </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>   <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">  </script> <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript" src="http://www.statcounter.com/counter/frames.js"> </script> <noscript> <a href="http://www.statcounter.com" target="_top"><img src="http://www.statcounter.com/counter.php?usr=anzacs&java=0" alt="StatCounter - Free Web Tracker and Counter" border="0"/></a> </noscript>   </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </BODY>