Terrell, Frederick Leopold – April 1915

3 April Saturday
A nice cool morning turned out at 6 oclock. Had breakfast. Wrote a letter. Went out to drill until 12.15 then had afternoon off as nothing doing. did my washing. …received a letter from Clara and answered same knocked about until 9 oclock then went to bed.

5 April Monday
Turned out at 5.30 to experience the best day that we have had since my arrival here. Went through Physical drill until 7.30 then had breakfast… Afternoon off doing nothing merely loll about wrote a letter to Uncle Lionel. I am somewhat downhearted tonight as it is over a week since I wrote home and have not received an answer since…

9 April Friday
A very nasty day, a hot N.E. wind blowing heaps of Dust. Drilled all day until It started raining at 3 oclock, keeping on until 5 oclock when it cleared for the night. Well it was a godsend it raining for when it rains we do no drill and have a lay down. Had tea at 6 oclock received a letter from Clara’s Mother granting my request to be engaged to Clara…

10 April Saturday
In camp 60 days
A nice morning, turned out at 6 oclock, went through Physical drill. Had breakfast at 8 oclock Went on Parade until 11 oclock then came out to see the doctor as I have a bad shin bone and do not know what is the matter…

11 April Sunday
After a very wet night I turned out at 7 oclock a very dreary day, being wet all day long, Did not move out of tent at all. These are the times that one wishes he or she were near friends.

12 April Monday
After a rainy night turned out at 6 oclock to experience a very Wet day. Had drill as usual. Had to fall out from drill on account of bad shins I have had awful pains in them. received a letter from home.

15 April Thursday
A very chilly morning turned out at 6 oclock. But not too reluctantly. Went through Physical drill Had breakfast at 8 oclock. Turned to harness assembling for rest of the day. … Received a letter from Clara and mother and had plenty of good news went to bed at 9.20

20 April Tuesday
A very sharp morning rose at 6 oclock on fatigue until 8 oclock. The horses make a terrible amount of work especially when one is a sapper. Which runs very much against my grain I can tell you. Had a fair day at signalling. Have not had the luck yet to be seated on \one/ of the horses. But have received my piece of ordinance which is the main thing and am capable of using that if not horses…

22 April Thursday
… We are having some rigid laws passed. For instance, we are not allowed, now to converse with any friends through the fence after working hours. I consider this as treating us more like convicts than Soldiers

24 April Saturday 1915
… In this camp justice is a thing unknown as we have a man over us void of principle so naturally do not expect anything from him. …

25 April Sunday
A very cold dull morning, turned out at 7.20 a.m. and was then relieved of piquet […] got cleaned for church It is my leave ashore today, but have no one to go out with so I let someone else go in my place. Went to bed at 9.30 almost fed up But with a good sleep I expect this will work off

26 April Monday
A nice cool day, It is 8 hours day today and everything went off a great success. I had to supply Duty all day as 182 Division was ashore, and 3^rd had therefore to stop behind. But it mattered little to me for I had no where to go, so was just as happy…

27 April Tuesday
Still keeping very cool weather. Turned out at 6 oclock, did waggon loading until dinner time. and can state I was not sorry when it was time for dinner As it was very stiff work, this is sappers duties, brute strength and stupidity…