Journal of Reginald Dan Weeks (my grandfather)
September 1914 to October 1918
1914
1st September Enlisted 2nd Battalion (Territorial) The London Regiment “The Rangers”.
Signed on for 4 years
21st October Went to camp in White City, Shepherds Bush (London)
1915
16th January Went to Brownknoll Hutments, Crowborough (Kent)
7th May Moved into billets (164 Felixstowe Road) at Ipswich (Suffolk)
4th August Moved to huts at Grove Farm, Woodbridge (Suffolk)
26th September Signalling course with Signal Service at Warren Heath, Ipswich
to 23rd October (got 1st Class certificate)
18th October Battalion moved to billets (21 Beaconsfield Road) at Woodbridge
1916
January Promoted Lance Corporal
29th April Moved under canvas on Bromeswell Heath, Melton (Norfolk)
12th July Moved to huts at Sandhill Camp, Longbridge Deverill, Warminster (Wiltshire)
1917
4th February Moved across to France (Southampton to Havre)
Havre Halloy Dainville
Auxi-le-chateau Pas ARRAS
Beaudricourt Laherliere Pommera
Bailleulmont Wailly Grosville
Bellacourt Ficheux Neuvillette
Riviere Blaireville Noeux
La Cauchie Doullens Bus-les-Artois
12th March Lost my stripe (once more one of the boys)
1st April Left Arras front and started trekking “Somme way” through
Bertrancourt Miraumont
Mailly-Maillet Bucquoy
Auchonvillers Irles
Beaumont-Hamel Achiet-le-Petit
Beaucourt Achiet-le-Grand
Grandcourt
Easter Sunday Railway making in snow at Achiet-le-Grand
& Monday
5th May Arrived on Bullecourt front 5th May 1917 after terrific march from Achiet-le-Petit, went into line same night and relieved Anzacs at Lagnicourt who had been terribly cut up. Stayed on this front all through the Bullecourt show. In and out of Bullecourt until about 8th July during which time visited
Bihucourt Vaulx-Vraucourt
Belagnies Noreuil
Sapignies Ecoust-St-Mein
Favreuil Bullecourt
Beugnatre
Arrived at Bapaume for so-called six weeks rest and went bang slap into line at Havrincourt Wood & there spent three of our six weeks. Went through
Etres Fremicourt
Ruyaulcourt Hermies
Bancourt Bertincourt
[At this point he appears to have been wounded? The diary stops and is not resumed until the end of July 1918 when he is about to leave for France again.
By this time he is in “C” Company 34th London Regiment the King’s Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC)]
1918
31.7.18 Left Bourley Camp 10:15 pm marched to Aldershot. Entrained and left there midnight.
1.8.18 Thoroughly tired out we arrived at Folkestone at 3 am where we remained in rest camp until 7:30 when we marched down to the docks and at 9:15 aboard the “Princess Victoria” of Stranraer. Bade “Au Revoir” to dear old Blighty. All the troops very cheerful. The “first timers” a little downhearted and rather pleased to see the strong escort which accompanied us.
After a glorious trip (the Channel just like a lake on a summer’s day) we arrived at Boulogne at 10:45 am and marched up the hill to the St Martins rest camp(1 Hamket Hill). Later I got a pass in to Boulogne where I visited the Sister & Doctor under whose care I was last September & October at Camiers. Arrived back in camp at 8:00 and after a makeshift supper settled down for the night only to be woken up by an air raid at 10:45 when Fritz very unsuccessfully tried to put the “wind up” us although he caught Base Hqtrs napping – 48 casualties – at 11:50 we all settled down again.
2.8.18 We left the rest camp at 11:15 en route for the railway stn Boulogne where we entrained and commenced the third stage of our journey at 1 o’clock. At 2:30 we arrived at SAMER from whence we marched about 9 kilos to our present billets at Le Turne.
The billets which we are in and look like being in for some time are quite the usual type of billet one gets in this country namely in a farm. Our particular farm is a good example of a French farm having a fair sized courtyard in the middle of which is a pond, the water in which is green with age. The whole being surrounded with stables, cowsheds and pigstys. In the latter we make our homes during our stay in the village. In the courtyard one can see at any time of the day a medley of pigs, cows, geese, ducks and chickens running about and of course the French farmer and his numerous family who get very excited and say things which nobody understands if any of the boys touch his precious animals.
Today is a lovely summer’s day and everybody seems contented with the new surroundings.
3.8.18 Nothing to report. Rather showery weather. We have had a busy day laying our signal line to Bn Hqrs in the next village.
4.8.18 Sunday. 4th Anniversary of the war and a beautiful summer’s day. Having had Church Service the boys are indulging in a good game of footer.
Being on duty in Signal Office I am unable to play so write up this diary and a few letters to Blighty. (home and N Burton)
[Nora Burton became my grandmother]
5.8.18 Proceeded at 1:30 to Frencq on signal course, arrived there about 5 pm.
To 17.8.18 Course. Instructing all the time. Nothing to report.
17.8.18 Returned to Battn at Le Turne.
18.8.18 Sunday. Spent best part of the day out on line strafing the old froggy with his chariot.
19.8.18 Preparations for the move – more trouble on the line.
20.8.18 Left Le Turne about 7:30 and with full kit marched to the buses. Arrived there nearly dead, embussed and departed about 9:30. Passed through Therouanne where got a letter off to Sonnie. Arrived at Dieval about 5 pm and marched to La Comte (hellish rotten march). Terribly hot. Had some good feeds that evening at Beugin.
21.8.18 On the move again. Marched back to buses at Dieval and bussed up to Barlin where we stayed the night. Wicked march each end and about the hottest day we’ve had so far. Rec’d letters from Sonnie and D Woodhead.
22.8.18 Moved up to reserve line. Took over from Sussex Regt about midday. Fritz strafing road outside billet a bit in the late afternoon.
23.8.18 Pretty quiet. Occasional strafes on both sides.
24.8.18 Stunt on left in morning came off. Hellish strafe for Fritz. He countered in the afternoon and evening. No luck.
25.8.18 Bit noisy in morning early otherwise very quiet morning (expect Fritz has gone to church being Sunday). Rest of day very quiet. Still no letter from home or Blighty.
26.8.18 Very quiet all morning. Had bath in afternoon. Plenty of iron flying around in the evening.
27.8.18 Very quiet day except for periodic strafes. Preparations for moving up.
28.8.18 Wednesday. Relieved 6 SLI in line (Cambrin) sector about 3 pm. They had fearful wind up. Fritz very quiet (hope it lasts).
29.8.18 Our Arty & TMB busy in the afternoon. Jerry sent the change in the evening. It made our corner a bit unpleasant with 5.9s. No casualties.
30.8.18 About same as yesterday.
31.8.18 Had a look round trenches & lines. Visited HQ A & D Coys. Nothing doing in the evening.
AT Last a letter from home.
1.9.18 Parcel and letters from home. Tres bien. Everything quiet on our front.
2.9.18 Wrote to Ma and K Read.
Fritz had his little game and our mob went after him (B & D Coys) but eventually retired on our old present positions having lost a platoon.
Completed 4 years in the army. Roll on 5.
3.9.18 Pen arrived tres bien. Pretty quiet up to 6:30 when we gassed him. At 8 he replied and strafed our corner mighty thick. At 10 we gassed him again properly and at 1 am (4th) he gassed us (mustard). Happily I have not got any although several of the boys have.
4.9.18 Relieved by D Coy in front line. Hooray, back to Sppt for a few days and may be a little sleep – what ‘opes.
5.9.18 Spent quiet day resting after tiring time up front.
6.9.18 A & B went over, we moved up to Wilsons Tunnel.
7.9.18 Jocks retired on right and B fell back but went out again to positions.
8.9.18 Relieved and went to Cambrin for ?rest?
9.9.18 Hot bath & pay day. Decent once more.
10.9.18 2 days rest & ease in fairly decent billet.
12.9.18 Rumours of going in again and preparations.
13.9.18 Returned to line at Railway Cottage (Fritz’s old line). Up to eyes in mud. Very nearly put out of mess [ie killed] going in by daylight. Trenches in terrible state. Got wire out to BHQ.
14.9.18 Fritz gassed us damn thick. Several of the boys gone back with it. D Coy caught it badly.
15.9.18 Relieved by A Coy and went to support at Mill Tunnel Somme. Relief too – own Arty bashing us.
16.9.18 Nice quiet easy day for us thank God. Bit of gas in the evening. Parcel from home. Cheers!!
17.9.18 Relieved by MAZI and returned to Village Lines (Reserve).
18.9.18 Vale sick, sent on to FAMB & CCS. Had a stroll round and saw Murrells at BHQ. Saw Fred for a few mins. 7 more of Coy gone down the line. NO LETTERS from home or Nora. Wrote home & D Woodhead.
19.9.18 Off phone 5 am slept until 11. Nothing doing afternoon and evening. Bit of strafe on left.
20.9.18 Had hot bath and change in morning. TRES BIEN. Big strafe on right and left. Fritz strafed us from 10 am to 12 trying to get the guns but got our trench instead. 6 wounded.
21.9.18 Fritz straffing again. No damage. Relieved MAPA at our old friend Railway Cottage for another 4. BON CHANCE. Went up in fine style with Jacks along La Bassee Road. In sppt A & B in front. At Auchy by La Bassee.
22.9.18 Occasional strafes but nothing important happened.
23.9.18 Same as yesterday. Glorious day and very quiet.
24.9.18 Somersets relieved us and we returned to Village Lines (Shaws Cut). Sat up all night.
25 & 26.9.18 Very quiet time at Shaws Cut. Had one morning out on D coy line.
27.9.18 Relieved by Scottish Rifles and came out off line to posh billets (huts & wire beds) at NOEUX LES MINES.
27.9.18 - 4.10.18 Had a very posh time at rest. Signalling parades every day. Did practically nothing. Had a good bath, pay day and generally enjoyed ourselves.
Had haircut on the 1st about an hour before a shell crashed into the barbers and smashed his show up completely.
During this period Fritz withdrew on the La Bassee front, which cut our posh holiday short.
4.10.18 Many happy returns. Thanks. What a fitting day. With full pack we marched up to dugouts in trenches – what were the old support line trenches but now miles back. (Fritz not yet found) Must have gone back to Germany (what ‘opes). Got my second stripe.
5.10.18 Out all morning laying line to D Coy. Went scrounging in the afternoon, Heaven be praised we got some cigs in the evening. Sent Green & wrote to home and Nora.
6.10.18 (Sunday) Took a stroll over to D Coy with Dick & Jacks, won a sack of oatmeal en route in the morning. Had inspection in afternoon. Immediately after tea with Lowe & Francis & Pope went for a stroll up to La Bassee, and as we approached what must have been a glorious town just like a city of dead, every house in ruins and the peaceful canal a mess of wreckage. But worst of all was the cemetery, all the tomb stones and monuments smashed, graves opened and coffins actually tipped open (obviously not by shells). The whole place was absolutely a heap of bricks. Got back about 7 thoroughly tired but very pleased I have been to see Fritz’s work before he evacuated.
7.10.18 (Officially) took section out to salve wire. (Unofficially) took them up to see what I saw yesterday at La Bassee. Saved a crucifix from the ruins which I hope to get home. In the afternoon we salved a mile of wire and sent them along to HQ. Visited boys at HQ in evening returned about 9:30 and turned in.
8.10.18 On the move again but the right way this time. Heaven be praised (packs carried on limbers) marched back in fighting order to camp (huts) at Drouvin a few kilos from NOEUX LES MINES. Well out of it. Devillish long march.
9.10.18 Coy inspected by Brigadier. The devil puts us through the hoop properly for about 2 hours after that. I took section off and did signalling for rest of morning. Lecture in afternoon. Strolled over to Church Army hut at Verquin in evening.
10.10.18 (Thursday) With Signals all morning (cushy). Baths in afternoon. Heard Div’nl Band play selection from Maid of the Mountains.
11.10.18 With Coy marched to Range after CO’s inspection. Dinner on range. Got back after 3 got to bed early. Nothing much doing.
12.10.18 Brigade parade. Gen Howard gave medals away. Usual inspection scream also usual inspection weather. Rained all afternoon and evening so stayed in and wrote letters.
13.10.18 Sunday. Usual Church Parade. Went for a stroll with Jacks down through Verquin. In the afternoon just after dinner camp went mad when news came through that “Germany had accepted Wilson’s terms and wanted Armistice to withdraw all troops from invaded territory”. It’s coming right enough and we’ll get it before Xmas now (Cheers).
Ends
Some abbreviations and signal codes:-
Coy Company – typically four companies in a Battalion (A,B,C&D)
Arty Artillery
Bn/Battn Battalion
BHQ Battalion Headquarters
CO Commanding Officer
Sppt Support
TMB Trench Mortar Battery
Codes:-
16 Div VOPA
47 Bde BAZI
14th Leics TEGU
18th Welsh TAKU
9th RH MUNU
47th TMB MAGU
48 Bde BAVA
22nd NF’s DUHA
18th SR’s NARO
11th RIR’s MASO
48th TMB WERO
49 Bde BAGU
6th SLI MAPA
18th Glos MAZI
34th Lond MAVA
49th TMB WESE
11th Hants FORO
16th MG Bn WEPA
A Coy WEMU
B Coy WENE
C Coy FEJE
D Coy FELI
Nominal Roll of “C” Coy Signal Section
Class’n Platoon Address
881388 Cpl Weeks R i/c 1st 11 35 Duke Street, London SW1
881656 Rfm Willson J C 1st 10 29 Legard Road, Highbury Park N9
881647 Rfm Eallett J 1st 9 31 Chaucer Road, Forest Gate E
881391 Rfm Cooper L 1st 12 Bourton End Cottage, Shrivenham, Berk
881383 Rfm Pope L W 2nd 9
881377 Rfm Vale A F 9 106 Killigrew Road, Falmouth, Cornwall
880747 Rfm Letch W 11 (transferred to HQ Coy 10.9.18)
Other addresses recorded include:-
C Weeks YMCA, APO S13, BEF
Miss N Burton 1 Dover Yard, Piccadilly
Photo: Two members of WAACs (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps) tending the graves of Allied soldiers, Abbeville, France, 1918.
My Boy Jack
(Rudyard Kipling)
“Have you news of my boy Jack?”
Not this tide.
“When d’you think that he’ll come back?”
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.
“Has any one else had word of him?”
Not this tide.
For what is sunk will hardly swim,
Not with this wind blowing, and this tide.
“Oh, dear, what comfort can I find?”
None this tide,
Nor any tide,
Except he did not shame his kind —
Not even with that wind blowing, and that tide.
Then hold your head up all the more,
This tide,
And every tide;
Because he was the son you bore,
And gave to that wind blowing and that tide!
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=FWI1Sk6_Siw&feature=related
Daniel Radcliffe in
My Boy Jack
(2007)
she'd had in those five years. The connection was the fact that the bar is called "Kenya", and M1 goes to Kenya regularly. She was clearly very happy to have customers, and to talk about her Kenya.
she'd had in those five years. The connection was the fact that the bar is called "Kenya", and M1 goes to Kenya regularly. She was clearly very happy to have customers, and to talk about her Kenya.
