March 1917

March 1917 
1st Thursday
I left Gaudiempre and joined my Sect at Berles-au-Bois and immediately sent to Dugout at Farnborough Road Trench.  Germans evacuate Gommecourt Wood and village just on right of this front. 
2nd Friday
Farnborough Road Dugout.  Plenty of shelling takes place on both sides.  Visit to Berles during afternoon, and on Gas guard at dug-out from 10pm ‘til 3am. 
3rd Saturday
Dug-out.
Went to Berles during afternoon, and at that time heavily bombarded and killed 2, wounding several. 
4th  Sunday
Farnborough Road Dug-out. 
Went to Berles-au-Bois during afternoon, and there witnessed air duel with 5 German planes against 1 of our scout planes.  The former planes opened out with all their Maxim guns, and shot off the tail of our plane, and riddled the air men with bullets, the plane crashing to the ground.  A squad of 4 of us was sent out to bring in the 2 corpses, and we had to go 2 miles to get at same which was just on our line.  The Germans shelled heavy and trained Maxim gun on area where plane had dropped.  After 4 hours we returned with corpses, and also left Farnborough Road Dug-out and came back to Berles-au-Bois. 
5th Monday
Berles.
At night Germans pour hundreds of gas shells into this village just as we got to bed.  Alarm was given and all gas helmets immediately worn and all men up.
Civilians gassed, cows killed with gas, and good number of casualties.  None of our men could sleep in same dug-out as it was full of gas.  I got to bed at 12pm in cave.   
12th Monday
Hospital Orderly Duty. 
At night 137 Bgde attack in front of Gommecourt and get in German lines but had to retire later. 
14th Wednesday
200 stretcher cases all wounded came into our place and about 300 Sitting went direct to Cas. Cle. Sta. (Casualty Clearing Station) 
15th Thursday
Hospital Duty.
Germans start a retirement.  British and French still advance. 
22nd Thursday
The Unit marched away from Gaudiempre at 2pm o’clock and arrived at Bus (Bus-lès-Artois) 9 miles away.  Billeted in huts. 
23rd Friday
Bus. 
Spent the day overhauling medical and surgical panniers. 
24th Saturday
The Unit march away from Bus at 2.30pm and arrive at Contay, a distance of 10 miles.  Billeted in School. 
25th Sunday
We marched away from Contay at 2pm o’clock and arrived at Villers-Bocage. 
26th Monday
Left Villers-Bocage and motored to Saveuse passing through Amiens.  
28th Wednesday
Saveuse. 
29th Thursday
Entrained at Bacouel and detrained at Berguette.  12 hours journey  
31st Saturday
Ecquedecques.
Smoke helmet inspector.