Terrell, Frederick Leopold – September 1917

1 September
A very rough wet day making preparation for departure, left Ghyvelde at 7. P M has a lovely moon lit trip. still on the road at 12 midnight

2 September
arrived at Nord-Peene at 4.30 a.m covering 35 kilometers turned out at 6 AM from stables and had to wait until 12 noon before we had anything to eat, during that time I slept. first for 28 hours. The weather has fined up for the first time for over 3 weeks

3 September
Left Nord-Peene at 9 A.M. and passed through an ancient little village named Ochtezule where there was an old church dated 1115 A.D. had a lovely trip over some of the ground traced last and eventually passed throu Castre, . pulled into waggon lines, at Eecke at 4 P.M during the early part of the night Fritz came over

4 September
Had a lively night last night Fritz took advantage of a full moon, nevertheless we came off alright and woke up to go through a day of torture for that is what routine is to me now

11 September
Left Billet at 9.30 a m for new position at Sanctuary Wood just ahead of Zillebeke. arrived at waggon lines at 3.45 P M after passing through Steenvorde, Boeschepe, Reninghelst we are now in a very bad place for airoplane bombs and 9.2 shells which fly about here at times

12 September
The first detachment went up to gun position at 1 A M this morning. If I had money enough I would be on leave to England, and not having money I had to put it off. and may be put back a good way now airoplane bombs were dropped during the day about 1,000 yds away from us.

18 September
Every preparation is being made for the stunt which is going to be either the king hit to Fritz or a terrible loss to us 33 Divisions are to take action in it…

19 September
Everything going well our teams had a rough experience last night packing ammunition to the pits and came through it all with only a wounded horse. During the course of the day I had a mate killed by name of Massina C.Y.

20 September
This morning the stunt started at 6 AM and at 10.30 AM they had taken their 3rd objective and were on the road to the 4TH the 2nd Div were in it and before the day had close had the 4TH objective and were consolidating prisoners came in freely and still continue to do the same

21 September
Left by rail at Poperinge at 1.30 AM this morning, had a very weary run down to Bolougne [Boulogne] where we arrived at 12 noon. did not go to rest camp but went up town, and took room, had dinner and we rested after…

22 September
Turned out of the first real French bed ever I had at 7. AM. Had breakfast, and left to meet boat at 11. AM here we fell for all Australians had to wait until 4 PM whilst Tommy got eventually at 4 PM we left Bolougne, and arrived Folkstone [Folkestone] at 7 PM had good run to London in 1st Class carraige arrived at 9.15 P.M

24 September
Turned out fairly early, went and visited, Hyde Park, Serpentine, Albert Meuseum, then on Tower of London St. Pauls cathedral Kings Stables & Westminster Abbey in evening went to a theatre and saw smile on the way were encountered by an air raid everything went well. raid cost 6 killed 18 wounded

27 September
…went out for walking tour, round the East end. and was much interested with what I saw some of the places passed through were Eli Church, St Bartholemues church, Stock exchange, Cheapside, Bow, passed Dirty Dicks down Middle sex lane, known as Peticoat lane through Whitechapel Brick Lane and then on to Highgate returned to club at 8. PM

28 September
Today is an ideal day, spent all the morning, fixing up my, papers and pay book at H.q. and found that I had not been reattested for the military and can put in application to be exempted if I require for I have been advised that there is nothing to stop me Went to the Hippa dromme in evening air Raid alarm on

29 September
A lovely day went to Regents Park, had a lovely days outing got back to Tottenham court Road just in time to hear the raid warning and everywhere was hurry and bustle for a few minutes Made my way to the Club had tea then went to the Coleseseum and spent an enjoyable evening though the air raid was raging outside.

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