Thurs Nov 2nd.
Left Rollestone camp this morning at 4am and marched to Amesbury and left there by train about 6 am. Arrived at Folkestone at 2pm. Embarked on transport and arrived at Boulogne about 6pm. Camped in Rest Camp for night.
Fri 3rd.
Caught train at Boulogne Railway Station and proceeded to Etaples Training Camp.
Thurs Nov 9th.
We go out each day about 3 miles from camp to a parade ground where we go through drill and bayonet fighting.
Thurs Nov 16th
Left Etaples today about 3pm by train.
Fri Nov 17th.
Arrived at Albert about 4.30pm and marched to set billet at Dermancourt about 1 ½ miles.
Sat Nov 18th.
Left Dermancourt about 2pm and marched about 6 miles to Montauham.
Sun Nov 19th.
Moved on today and rejoined the Battalion at Carlton Trench about 2 miles away.
Mon Nov 20th.
The Battalion is a small one now, numbering about 200. They made a charge a few days ago and lost very heavily.
Tues Nov 21st.
Left Carlton Camp today at 10am and marched back about 4 miles to Fricourt.
Sun Nov 26th.
Moved again today to a village about 5 miles further back named Ribemont.
Thurs Nov 30th.
The Brigade left Ribemont today to move further back. I have a touch of tonsillitis and am staying behind for a few days.
Mon Dec 4th.
Rejoined Battalion at Raineville.
Thurs Dec 14th.
Have had a couple of falls of snow and a lot of rain. We are having an easy time. When it is fine enough, we go out on parade, but very often it is too wet.
Fri Dec 15th.
This village is the usual French village, very dirty and dilapidated, the only decent building being a fine stone church.
Sat Dec 16th.
Left Raineville today and marched about 9 miles to Franvillers which is rather a big village.
Sun Dec 17th.
Left Franvillers and marched about 6 miles to Dermancourt, a fair sized village, also with a fine big stone church.
Mon Dec 18th.
The Brigade was inspected today by Major General Legge, G.O.C. 2nd Division A.I.F.
Tues Dec 19th.
Marched today from Dermancourt to Fricourt about 3 miles.
Wed Dec 20th.
Moved up about 3 miles to Montauban.
Thurs Dec 21st.
Moved again today about 5 miles to Switch Trench, the first reserve line, the 20th Battalion being in the front line.
Sun Dec 24th.
Went into front line and relieved 20th Battalion ( Le Transloy front ).
Mon Dec 25th.
Christmas day in the trenches. What a Christmas! Standing in rain and mud eating Xmas dinner consisting of muddy bread and meat. Hope to be under better conditions next Christmas Day.
Tues Dec 26th.
It is very quiet here in the trenches except for artillery fire but the mud and cold are awful.
Wed Dec 27th.
Relieved tonight by 18th Battalion and moved back to reserve line.
Thurs Dec 28th.
Shifted further back tonight to huts between Nametz and Delville Woods.
Dec 31st.
Are on our way back towards the front line again and moved today into dug-outs at Delville Woods.