Terrell, Frederick Leopold – December 1916
2 Saturday and 3 Sunday
Went to Gun Pit off Geuedecourt, and did our important job after several days of trying. received mail from Mother, Clara, Bob. and diary from Clara …
4 December
Had a busy day, started on a dugout, and it being the first fine day for the last 20 naturally Fritz had his planes up. One of the French planes had the misfortune to be brought down
5 December
During the early hours last night we received a warming up with gas shells, as a result of Fritz’s reconnoitring the previous day. And whilst out mending lines this morning were sniped at…
7 December
A fair day for the Somme district, it is always wet and slushy here, in fact it is a corner of hell
8 December
Turned out at 7.20 a.m and inspected line from position to F.L.T. & which is over 3 mile long, returned safely at 11.30 a.m. Carried on building dugout
9 December
A very wet day, nothing but drizzle all day long real miserable weather to be at war with any one.
12 December
A very cold morning turned to see an 1 inch of snow on the ground this is second fall this year. A real dreadful day ending up with sleat.
13 December
Went Cable laying for 10TH Bdge, at Front line trench and was up to our eyes in mud did 8 hours duty.
14 December
8 hours duty Went down and over allied line and also helped lay steel cable at Front line got smothered in mud and almost cried with cold
15 December
had another fall of snow which hardened all the mud up and made walking pleasant…
16 December
Had to repair Q.S. line and had it well on its way when we were recalled…
17 December
Patrolled F.L.T. wire everything O.K 5 hours duty
18 December
6 hours duty Made another attempt to do up Q.S. line which was a total wreck and finished up at 6 P.M and lost our bearings in the dark
19 December
Went out in morning and put up poles on Q.S. line, returned time for dinner, went Cable laying in afternoon in snow storm. 12 hours duty
22 December
Had a rough day of it again out on Q.S. Line from 2 P.M until 6.30 P.M /4½ hours\ duty had tea and turned in
23 December
On front line wire in morning and on QS until late 6 P.M 10 hours duty
25 December
Observing in morning and in afternoon laid another line to a distant O.P. arrived home at 5.30 P.M doing 8 hours duty and having good Xmas dinner
27 December
Had a very wet day my birthday, and feeling very miserable turned in at night not caring what happened to me
28 December
had a very slack day, and feeling a little more cheerful was warned at 3.30 PM that I would go on leave tomorrow
29 December
left battery position at 10 a.m to proceed to waggon lines in a drizzling rain ended up wet through at Albert at 4.20PM
30 December
Left Albert at 2 a.m. to experience a very weary tiring journey, and sickening
31 December
arrived at Le Havre at 2.30 a m and proceed to rest camp. Left Le Havre at 10.30 PM
Diary of Frederick Leopold Terrell
