Diaries 25th April - 22nd May 1915

Transcript of above diaries

April 1915

24 Saturday

Neuve Eglise.

Mem: Trenches. Collecting wounded nightly.

25 Sunday

Neuve Eglise.

No Church Parade.

26 Monday - 27 Tuesday

Neuve Eglise.

Went on duty on a British Red Cross motor coffee stall. Served out over 2,000 cups in one night, waited for Staffords return from trenches, 1 o’clock until 3 o’clock serving, went to bed at 4 o’clock.

28 Wednesday

Aldershot camp on motor stall, 1000 cups.

Confirmation service - Bishop of Pretoria.

29 Thursday

Motor coffee stall.

30 Friday

Ditto.

May 1915

1 Saturday

Neuve Eglise.

2 Sunday

Neuve Eglise, no Church Parade.

3 Monday - 5 Wednesday

Neuve Eglise.

6 Thursday

Neuve Eglise.

Went up South Staffords collecting wounded under heavy rifle fire.

7 Friday

Went to Bailleul by motor to make gags or respirators; ten of us made 1000 each day. Worked along with French young ladies at a Nunnery.

8 Saturday

Went again on Saturday did likewise, visited likewise, visited our Hospital full of wounded, stayed along with Canadians.

8th parcel from Ada & Ruth.

May 7th Lusitania sunk by German sub 2.30pm in 15 minutes.

9 Sunday

A little rest for a change as the Ladies would not work on Sunday.

10 Monday

Bailleul, made 1500 respirators, help to carry and make comfortable 150 wounded from Ypres.

11 Tuesday

Ditto.

Stayed all night in Bailleul.

12 Wednesday

Ditto.

200 wounded came in our Hospital from St Julien.

13 Thursday

I worked cutting machine at rubber & corset factory cutting out waterproof bags on upright saw, worked by all French young women.

14 Friday

Making respirators 1500 and finished on that work, as they were beginning to make some in England.

15 Saturday

I was given a day’s rest by Capt Strange.

Sat and heard Staffs band play all afternoon.

16 Sunday

I work on incinerator all day for burning refuse.

17 Monday

Coffee stall with Brother Joyce. Served out 1,200 drinks, coffee, oxo, cocoa, all free, collecting box.

18 Tuesday

Coffee stall.

Served 1,200 hot drinks.

19 Wednesday

Ditto.

We carried about 60 gallons of water, supplied by me from water cart.

20 Thursday

Coffee stall.

Staffs came out of trenches. 1,300 drinks served out. I was up until 3.30 next morning. I went to Bailleul & walked 8 miles.

21 Friday

Coffee stall, served out 800 cups of lemonade to a digging party.

22 Saturday

Coffee stall.

Remaining two companies of Staffs came out of trenches.

800 drinks