Portrait of Leo Terrell. Image courtesy National Archives
Terrell, Leopold Frederick – October 1917
1 October
It is a foggy morning did not turn out until 10 AM. I am taking the day easy because it is my last day here and the prospects of going back are not the sort of thing to cheer one.
2 October
returned to Club at 12.30 AM this morning after spending an exciting time in an air raid…
3 October
Left Bolougne at 1 A.M had a rough ride to Poperinge where we arrived at 9 AM rejoined unit at 12.00 P M…
7 October
A very wet day, but being well billeted it does not bother us. Yesterday the Aus– (Australians) done well at Ypres, and pushed 5 Divisions of Fritzes who were just ready to hop over, right back off the high ground a great number of prisoners taken I received letter from Cousin Ruby wrote to Clare and one to England
8 October
A very rough windy morning again today, stable orderly are my duties for the day these are part of the joys of being out for a rest. there is a terrible lot of talk about us all being pulled out of the line for the winter whether this is true or not I do not know.
9 October
Still very rough weather still, going through the agony of waggon line routine. I am on the eve of some trouble between military and naval. as the military authorities have at last recognised their mistake about admitting me into A.I.F. with. Naval papers
10 October
…Went out on leave this afternoon, and saw my mates in Sec-Bois, and arranged about all sticking together in the matter of not reattesting under new papers got home at 9 PM.
11 October
still cold but not wet, weather improving, Have got to go and face the music about my attestation papers have faced the music and things remain the same they are a bit uncertain as to which way to deal with my case But threaten to order me to sign which I think is beyond their power
12 October
Weather still very rotten, and there appears to be no chance of improvement. I am afraid this is going to brew into serious trouble as I have no intention of signing the articles received letter from father and Clare and Aunt Grace
14 October
Still very wet weather. The lines are simply awful and it is terrible for the horses.
17 October
All preparations are being made, and packing in full progress, to be ready to move out again into action tomorrow…
18 October
Left Vieux Birquin [Vieux Berquin] for Reningheulst [Reninghelst] at 7.30 a.m. and arrived at destination at 3.30 P.M after a very rough run. Turned out of stables at 4.30 P.M. and mounted guard over gun park.
19 October
Still on guard had a very cold day of it. was releived at 5.30 P.M. had tea and went out, and whilst out, the Hun came over our waggon lines and dropped a bomb in a tent, killing 5 men and wounding 3 Sgts…
20 October
Had funeral ceremony this morning. and gave the poor fellows a good buriel. Came back to camp and had more excitement as a hun observer came over and was very low later reports state that he was successfully brought down, by one of our planes Old Fritz came over again tonight
21 October
Damage reported done last night was that Fritz dropped 14 bombs on 1st Aust C.C.S. and only 2 persons got away alive more barbarity of the hun.
23 October
Had change of Blankets underclothes and bath did nothing today and turned in early the weather is very severe.
25 October
Had a very wet day started on exchange work, and had to abandon it went on jointing then on diagrams exchange, and Lecture the days coarse, WROTE TO CLARA TODAY.
Diary of Frederick Leopold Terrell
