Terrell, Frederick Leopold – July 1917
2 July
Rather wet day have had more bombing raids and also the Germans have carried a number of successful air Raids on London resulting in many civilians being killed and wounded.
3 July
life at front still going on in its old dreary routine.
7 July
A heavy bombing raid took place on London again today and it is estimated 22 machines came over carrying on each plane 144 heavy calibre.
8 July
Went down to dump at Romarin today and worked on salvaged ammunition all day, got back to lines at 5.10 P M.
9 July
A very rough wet day, and the pace is slop everywhere are expecting to move off tomorrow night. Mounted as waiting man to the guard. From seven last night until 3.30 today there was no activity and not a shot fired something queer for this front.
11 July
10 a.m this morning when we arrived at waggon Lines about 1 mile Sth of Castle which is situated on a high hill. Had a sleep during afternoon first since 6.30 a.m yesterday. The nearest town to us is Hondghem [Hondeghem] Turned in at 8. P.M. expecting early rise to again proceed on journey.
12 July
Turned out at 2.30 A.M and started on road again at 4 A M Arrived at Billet just out of Wormhoudt [Wormhout] at 1 P.M. on the way we passed round Mount Cassel and town of Cassel, and through Bourges. Had sleep during afternoon for one has to sleep at every opportunity on these trips.
13 July
Turned out at 4.15 A M on road at 5.30 A M and entered quite a different class of country low lying, and canals running through it in every direction more like Holland High road and low grounds and every inch cultivated… The place is called Gelvylde.
14 July
…Arial activity is very great here being close to the coast Fritz has a terrible habit of dropping bombs about here.
15 July
A great day, real splendid weather Battery moved into action this afternoon but I am neutral this time for a while at least, and before long we expect to see great things doing here shortly and in the course of the operations, expect to take Ostend.
16 July
very little to write about only Fritz gave us his usual visit with a demonstration of Bomb dropping. Which did little damage only wounding a few 46TH and 47TH Horses.
30 Jul
have a good run at waggon lines and during that time have had very little worth writing about to put in my diary only the usual nightly bombing raids which Fritz has taken a great liking to of late. On town Picquet tonight and whilst out on duty was warned for duty at Pits. I was expecting to go to Dunkirk Wednesday But that is off now.
31 July
…Lines at 6 P.M for gun Pits as I have to go up in place of a Corporal who has gone on leave and has been slightly gassed. The gas here is of a deadly nature and has been the cause of many men going blind for awhile. doctors reckon that sight may be restored after 6 months treatment.
Diary of Frederick Leopold Terrell
