Terrell, Frederick Leopold – November 1916
6 November
blowing something terrible, and the cold is almost unbearable I should like to change places with some of the stay at homes, for awhile
7 November
a real beautiful day raining in torrents, and one had to act the submarine for best part, This Belgium appeals very much I don’t think…
9 November
Things going very well again, and are expecting to move out any moment now. It is very muddy here but by what I have heard it is worse elsewhere
14 November
turned out at 4 a.m packed, and left Boescheppe at 8.45 a m for our first stage of a very heavy journey arrived at billet at 3 P.M had dinner at 5 PM 1st for day
15 November
Turned out at 4 A.M. started on second stage of journey Had dinner outside ST VENANT arrived at ST. Hiliers Cottes where we put up for the night. It is a splendid little town very homely.
16 November
turned out at 4.30 a.m. left for another stage of our journey arrived at rest billet at 5 P.M. turned in early. We have had terrible frosts the last 3 mornings
17 November
Turned out again at 5.30 a.m and found the ground covered with snow. It is awfully cold started on journey at 8.00a m arrived at billet at 4.45.P.M
18 November
on the move again at 8.30 a.m. the weather very cold and Frosty arrived at billet 4.30 P M
19 November
Very frosty got a move on at 8.30 a m arrived at billet near Corbie at 2.30 pm
20 November
stayed in billet all day did harness cleaning, and general stable work. Went into town of Corbie in evening. It is a very nice little town.
21 November
On the move again at 8.30 a.m we are nearing the firing line now arrived at a waggon line to the right of Albert at 1.30 P.M.
22 November
turned out at 4.a.m. and started for firing line at 6.30 a.m passing through Fricourt on the way, or what remains of it.
23 November
Got to firing line at 2.30 P.M yesterday. After good nights sleep turned out at 7.20 a.m to proceed to waggon lines through a sea of mud.
24 November
Yesterday I saw two planes come down in flames it was splendid to watch the way the Englishman controlled his machine though on fire he brought it to the ground safely and escaped himself
28 November
after a very sleepless night turned out at 6 a.m to experience a very trying day amidst fog and mud to lay a line 2 miles distant Had a splendid tea…
Diary of Frederick Leopold Terrell
