Churchill-Smith, James – March 1917
1 Mar
Nice day…‘D’ Coy at Baths during morning, rifle ranges in afternoon…
2 Mar
… Went with Seager & a few men to 3rd Squadron, Royal Flying Corps Aeradrome for lecture in morning
3 Mar
Dull day. Lieut. Harry Thomson over during afternoon.
Football:- ‘A’ Coy ? ‘D’ Coy; ‘D’ Coy 2 goals 3 behinds; ‘A’ Coy 2 goals 3 behinds – a good game.
5 Mar
Battn. Route march in morning. Received letters from dear Mum (2), Kate (3), Father, Sid, Claude Gosling & Jeanne Loutit (2), also papers from Mum, W. L. Ware, & Emy J. Heavy fall of snow in early morning … Very sorry to hear of Rowley Bond’s death – rotten luck; they all have my deepest sympathy…
6 Mar
Rotten drilling today owing to thaw – mud & slush galore. Ranges during morning. – Coy. attack practice during afternoon…
8 Mar
Battalion attack practice during morning. Snow-falls at intervals during day, Cold wind blowing…
10 Mar
Dull day. Advanced Guards & Outposts during morning – very good, & men enjoyed it.
Football in afternoon ‘B’ Coy. 6 goals 10 behinds.
‘D’ Coy. 3 “ 7 “ – ground very muddy.
Lecture 4 p.m. on “Pigeon Service”. Wrote dear Mum, Kate, Mona, & E. B. Oliver, also sent spoon to Kate & small parcel of tricks…
12 Mar
Coy. attack practice – open warfare – & Bayonet fighting during morning – very successful. Lecture by Brig. Gen. White at night. 1st Annual Dinner of formation of Battn. at night – very successful.
13 Mar
Range taking during morning, rifle ranges in afternoon. French Mortar demonstration at 2.30 p.m. followed by lecture by Capt. Morris. Sergeants celebrated 1st Annual Dinner at night. …
16 Mar
Brigade open warfare attack during morning; Maj. Gen Holmes present.
Received wine from Paul Guillemin. Wrote dear Mum, Kate, Father, J. Turner, W. Tothill, C. S. M. Osborn, & Miss Boehm, also Paul Guillemin. Jim Graham over at night.
17 Mar
… Hurt myself running during afternoon…News of capture of Bapaume, Peronne &c received today. Bapaume first entered by 8th Bgde (32nd Bttn. S. Aus. included.)
18 Mar
… Dined at night at Battn Hdqrs. Still good news of further advances.
19 Mar
… Officers & men received more Xmas boxes…
20 Mar
On leave in Amiens with Charlie Moule all day. Had enjoyable time. Saw Cathedral & Art Gallery, both lovely places. Returned by motor lorry at 7.45 p.m. Wrote dear Mum & Kate, & sent Mum some photos of Amiens Cathedral, and Kate a miniature Military Cross…
21 Mar
Battn. left Buire … arrived at Camp at Fricourt… Light snow fall…
24 Mar
… Accident during Trench Mortar Battery practice (13th Bgde) – 1 killed 3 wounded. …
25 Mar
Battalion Church Parade at 11 a.m. At Mouquet Farm during afternoon with Capts Seager & Armitage; saw where Post 81 was (where I won my M. C. [Military Cross]), and also Park Lane (where I won my Bar). One can realise when looking at Mouquet Farm what a well fortified place it was, what good observation they could get from there.
27 Mar
… Left Le Sars on horseback with other Coy. Commanders. and met C. O. other side of Bapaume – then proceeded to 20th B. H. Qrs re relief. 50th Battn. relieved 20th at midnight our A, C & D in line, B in reserve. Germans have got back quickly, but on their way have destroyed everything possible even fruit trees in gardens…
28 Mar
… Lieut Waine’s picquet on left of sector were heavily shelled during the afternoon – casualties 1 killed (Lt/Cpl Gates), 1 injured (by fall of earth), [7 overwritten by 6] wounded.
31 Mar
… Attack postponed from 1st April to 2nd April owing to Tommies on left not being ready. Schmeltz, Bgde interpreter, killed at Lagnicourt, very sorry; he was a dear old chap.
Diary of James Churchill-Smith
