10th Battalion diary – December 1917

DECEMBER 1 – IN THE FIELD
Company parades today. Battalion bathed at Desvres.
2.
Battalion mass parade today and inspection of clothing and equipment.
3.
Brigade competition commenced – “C” Company representing this Battalion. Remainder of Battalion – Company parades.
4-5.
Brigade competitions continued. [see Appendix 1 – the 10th Battalion won 6 of the 13 designated events, including a two-mile (more than five-kilometre) cross-country run, but finished near the back of the field when it came to bayonet and rifle firing aim.]
6.
Voting with reference to [conscription] referendum carried out today. [the referendum, considering conscription of able-bodied men age 18-44 by ballot to reinforce the Australian army, was voted down]
7.
Special operations carried out today.
8.
Bathing at Desvres today.
9.
Church parades held at respective company headquarters today.
10-11.
Battalion parade in morning. Afternoon – recreational training.
12.
Preparing for move to new area.
13.
Battalion moved by route march from Enquin to Vaudringhem. [see Appendix 3 – “All bicycles will be returned to Corporal Ball by 1200 today. “]
14.
From Vaudringhem to Remilly.
15.
From Remilly to Wizernes thence by rail to Lindenhoek. Detrained at this point and took over Division Reserve Area from 30th Battalion.
16.
Battalion relieved 31st Battalion in the line today. Details proceeded to Caestre.
17-25.
[see Appendix 7 – from December 17 to 20, the Battalion carried out improvements in its trench wire system]
20.
[from Appendix 7] “Very misty day and a considerable amount of reconnaissance of the forward area was carried out. A detailed report on the wire of the support and reserve lines was made. Good progress was made in the wiring of both lines, but the digging of the strong points was difficult on account of frozen ground. Our patrols were out during the night, but reported nothing unusual. 2/Lieut R.G. Virgoe was killed today.”
25.
Battalion relieved by 12th Battalion. Battalion bathed during day and supplied working parties during night 25th/26th December.
26-30.
All available men on working parties.
31.
Bathing parades.