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MSS 9164 - Arthur Thomas Henson Papers Part 2
Number of Pages: 139

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DIARY OF
BANDMASTER A.T. HENSON
50TH CANADIAN INF BAND

FROM THE TIME OF LEAVING
BRAMSHOTT CAMP. HAMPSHIRE ENGLAND
SEPT. 7TH 1917.

UNTILL
Feb 28 1918

CAME TO FRANCE WITH 24 OTHER
BANDSMEN. CARRYING OUR INSTRUMENTS
AND PLAYING ON THE MARCH WHENEVER POSSIBLE
TWO LARGE BOXES CONTAINING MUSIC. ETC
ACCOMPANIED US. AS FAR AS BOLOUGNE

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FRIDAY SEPT 7/17
Received orders at 8.30 Parade
that we would leave tonight.
spent all day getting ready
Our kits were sent ahead on
a lorry to Bramshott, enabling
us to play the drafts ourselves
off. Draft of 235 fell in on
the Parade ground at 8.30 PM
marched to H.Q. Brigade. left there
in darkness at 10 oclock. played
"Our Director" Smith and several
other boys hopelessly drunk, arrived
at Liphook Station at 10.45. loaded
our Instruments in baggage car
left Rouse. Borlase. Rodda Angrove
Moon behind. not fit to go with us
Arrived at Folkeston at 2.30 AM
Sept 8
	Train pulled in alongside
the boat. were assigned billits
in a terrace facing the sea
slept untill 7.30 AM had

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breakfast together (all Sgts)
sat on the sea front for
1 hour. had roll call and
played Concert on the grass
lawn on sea front for
boy returning from leave
YMCA gave boys cake
and coffee. had dinner
and at 230 afternoon were
allowed to visit the town
Folkestone. I have nearly
died with Indigestion. had
practially nothing to eat and
felt very miserable. got
some medicine at a Druggist
returned to Billits and went
on board ship "Arundel" at
5.45. left "Blighty" at
630 smooth sea. nothing
happened of any importance
in crossing except once the
captain made a rush to the
edge and thought he saw a
Submarine. was escorted

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by warships across. Arrived
at Bolougne at 8 oclock
8.30 before we got off the
boat. got lost from rest
of party found them later
marched thru the streets
of the city for over 1 hour
to a rest camp on the hill
arrived there about 10.30
was issued 1 blanket and
12 to a tent we crawled in
tired and hungry. suffered
terribly from Indigestion
Sept 9 Sunday
	up at 5.30, vomited all
night. our kits were hauled
by Transport. Smith left with
them and we set out for
Etaples, 35 Kilometers, or
22 miles. we played at the
head of draft out of Camp.
Saw some quaint old
French villages. girls all
along the route selling

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fruit and "Choc-a lat
Hot sultry day we arrived
at a rest camp (Neuf Chappelle)
at 11.30 was given an excellent
dinner. A New Zealand
draft Band came in aftern[-]
a swanky bunch and
couldnt play marbles
had a new set of silver
Bessons. left Rest camp
at 2 oclock. passed U.S.
Camp and Hospital and arrived
at Etaples at 5 oclock we
were all all in. Camp is
located on a sand bar. sand
everywhere, were taken to
the Q.M. stores and issued
with a steel helmet and Gas
masks (2) had a magnificent
supper. was assigned a
tent with R.S.M Kanthorpe
of the 47th was glad to get
to bed and slept well

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Sept 10. Monday
	up at 6 am
had an ellgant breakfast.
the eating here is magnificent.
Doctors inspection at 9.
went to test our gas
masks with tear gas
and was issued later with
a Rifle. last night a
"Red Cap" shot a Garden Heights
corporal V.C. in the streets
and a riot ensued, resulting
in the town being placed
out of bounds. a crowd of
manchesters went down again
today & night and did more
damage. we all had to stand
to or the Parade ground for
2 hours.
Sept 11 Tuesday
	Went to the
Bull Ring" for Gas training
played troops down through
the [-]ain camp. stayed

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all day and played them
back at night. arrived
back at 5.30.
Sept 12 Wednesday
	orders
received from Rouen
that Band would have to
take Infantry training. boys
had to take Ball Ring again
today arrived back good
[---] tired, trouble in town
again tonight. got orchestra
to play in Sgts mess for [--]
[---]
Sept 13. Wednesda Thursday
	Boys had to go to "Bull
Ring again today and stayed
untill 10.30 trench releif
course. trouble again tonight
in Etaples received a letter
from Sgt Brooks.
Sept 14 Friday
	Bull ring"
again today, wrote letters

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all day. Went with a Sgt
of 44 to hear Dublin Fushilers
Band play and had a fine
walk around camp.
Sept 15 Saturday
	Received
orders for going up the line
medical Inspection at 10.
Saw a aroplane fall and
did some wonderful stunts
Etaples placed in bounds
tonight. went down with
Sgt Jones & Corp Davies. found
it the dirtiest place on earth
bought some P.C. this book
& fancy kerchief got ready for
leaving tomorrow
Sept 16 Sunday
	Up at 5.
had breakfast and packed
kit or the parade at 7
had final inspection and
prayer by the Chaplain went
to the siding. played ourselv[-]

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away. had 25 men detailed
to carry our kits. left in box
cars at 8.30 via saint Pol
arrived at Cologne Recourt
at 1. layed around all day
was billited in the school
house. Sgt Taylor & I had
a dandy bed at a private
house slept well
Sept 17/Monday
	Up at 7
had breakfast and practised
for half hour. had dinner
at Sgts mess. layed around
all day waiting orders to
move. after tea. Sgts Taylor
Warner Q.M. Sgt Millar of 47th
and I walked over to Auchel
to see Aredrome and machines
returning from the front.
Saw some wonderful
flying. A Captain was testing
some new machines. he
flew upside down and

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tumbled down 1000 ft
all. Returned in semi-dark
could see the flares from
the front line and the
flashes from our Guns, a
wonderful sight, passed
by Cathedral, bell was
ringing so we all went in.
A Quaint old Church
filled with women & children
	The service being so Frenchy
we decided to go home.
	A very noticable feature
among these small French
towns is that while the streets
are dirty and old fashioned
the people dress very neat
particularly the women & girls
their clothes fit them well. Black
is the predominant color, mainly
on account of mourning I
beleive. arrived at our Billit
at 9 P.M found it occupied.
orderly Room found us another at 14

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Sept 18 Tuesday
	After a
splendid nights rest we
got up at 7, had breakfast
at the Sgts Mess and then
went to the boys at the school
House had shave & clean up
and Practised for 1 hour
killed time by playing duck
no orders received, after
dinner we slept and again
played duck, had tea
boys took Instruments over
to a Estiminet and played
a few tunes. R.S.M says
we are pulling out tomorrow
	Had a quiet walk around
town with Sgt Taylor, called
at Orderley Room got some
Field Cards and wrote 12
went to bed at our billitt
14 Rue de Pernes. Calonne-
Ricourt. cloudy & rainy
all day

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Sept 19. Wednesday
	After
a swell nights rest. shaved
and lined up for Parade
at 9 oclock. We carried
our Instruments and 1 days
Iron rations, left Parade
ground Calonne-Ricourt
at 10 oclock. Sgt Warner and
Adam McGown went with lorry
in charge of our Rifles & Kits
played "Colonel Bogie" leaving
passed thru villages Divion
1 miles east of Bruay, Houdain
and arrived at Cauchin-le-
gal at 2 oclock where we
camped for the rest of day
and night, played Concert
on village green at night
slept in a barn with Sgt
Tufts, Taylor and Q.M. Millar
This is a very quiet village
on the main road to the
line. few people living here

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Sept 20 Thursday
	orders
received to pull out. After
a swell nights rest and breakfast
we marched to the Parade Ground
leaving McGown and Sgt Warner
in care of our Packs. Rifles and
extra Instruments to be called
for by Larry. marched at the
head of troops with guide and
left Calonne-Ricquart at 10. AM
passed thru Divion and close by
Bruay. Stopped at Houdain for
Instructions. proceeded on thru
Estra-Couchee and arrived at
Chateau-de-la-haie at 12 oclock
We were all tired and hungry
but could not locate our Batt
after considerable chasing around
we were finally told to go to
Alberta Camp to join our
Regt. We were sent without
a guide. I had charge and
carried the papers of the entire

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10th Brigade draft We passed
thru what is known as Carency
Got our first glimpse of the
Destruction of War and the
original trenchs won last
spring. Only heaps of bricks
remain. every building reduced
to ruins. We soon after
arrived at our Battallion, were
greeted by old friends. were
assigned to our huts and given
a good warm meal, met
Lieut Tweed who practially
took charge of us, we being
assigned to his Company, "C"
	A few minutes after arrival
we were under fire. Fritz
put over some long rang shells
that exploded in front of the
huts but did no damage.
Earlier in the day 6 men and
2 horses were [---] killed
	Was very much suprised to
know that we were camped

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on the famous Vimy Ridge
that has made Canadians
famous. after a rest and
supper we were ordered to
play a Concert. luckily our
boxes arrived from Bolougne
so we were able to tackle
some of the good music
The boys played remarkably
well and the O.C. Major Parry
insisted on making a speech
welcoming us and saying how
pleased he was of us. We retired
for the night amid the sounds
of guns and flashes and star
shells. had no blankets slept cold
all night just had great coat over me
Indigestion giving me fits.
Sept 21. Friday
	Up at 6 a.m. glad
to get up. cold and stiff. after
Breakfast we went out in a Fosse
to practise. arranged a Band Stand
from fragments of trees blown

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.
down by shells. Had the unique
experience of playing among shell
craters. received orders to furnish
fatigue to clear and fill shell
holes in front of orderley Room
	Practised all afternoon behind
the huts. German machines
coming over for observation
our gunners popping away at them
no results. One dud landed
close to my hut and burried
itself in the ground 6 ft.
	Played a fine Concert on
the Parade Ground while a
baseball game was going on
boys played fine. Guns banging
away while we played. at 7.30.
Along with Sgt Tufts. Warner Taylor
Ton Eade & myself took a walk
over to Vimy Ridge, passed
thru Louchez, blown to atoms
climbed over the Ridge among
indiscribable holes and caverns
It is a miracle how any man

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could fight on such ground
stumbled over a Heinies grave
with his helmet on a Iron peg
plucked some wild flowers
from his grave to send home
walked around by Givenchy
also blown to atoms, also
Angres also is ruins saw
some wonderful dugouts
and guns of Germans not yet
salvaged. had an awful
attack of Indigestion. saw
some wonderful fireworks
from our guns and the explos
ions in Lens saw a fire in
Lens. Arrived back home at
11, oclock very tired had a
blanket issued so a good nights
rest assured.
Saturday Sept 22
	up at 6. A[-]
after breakfast Fritz came over
to see us. our guns opened
on him but did not hit him

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We practised again in shell hole
flat beautiful warm day but
awfully cold at nights. boys
ordered to go out tonight on a
working party owing to the
small number available in the
Battallion. rested all afternoon
order cancelled later
Played a good Concert at
night in front of orderly Room
went to bed early. doubled
up with Sgt Taylor slept
considerably warmer
Sunday Sept 23
	Heavy gun
firing all night. did not sleep
very much, suffered with
Indigestion. Up at 6:30. Got
ready for Church Parade at 10.30
played Hyms, had a nervous
shock by Padre. After dinner
we played the Battallion to the
"T[-]pes" after supper played
another Concert on Parade ground
boys played well, went to bed

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early heavy firing tonight.
Monday Sept 24
	About 5 am
all was quiet, suddenly a heavy
firing commenced. boys all had
to be up at 5.30 guess theres
something doing. Battallion
left before breakfast for
somewhere, we practised
all morning among unusual
airiel activity. Beautiful
clear warm day. Played
a big Concert at night
on the Parade ground. A
stand was erected and
several soloists took part
Every man was given
2 bottles of ale and 1
Pk of Cigaretts. after the
Concert at 7 sharp all
the Serg'ts retired to the
mess dug out and had
a swell feed and loose
up. I had an awful bad

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attack of Indigestion.
This is a usual proceedure
before going in the front
line. Everybody well
soused.
Tuesday Sept 25.
	up at
6 a.m. boys on Fatigue.
after Breakfast went with
Sgt Waine a stroll on the
famous Vimy Ridge and he
explained many interesting
trenches and weapons.
Fritz was shelling heavy
and I had to duck several
times. A large piece of
shrapnel landed a few feet
from me. the closest call
I have had yet. Had a chat
with the South African
Battery. after dinner we
practised all afternoon and
played a Concert at night
untill 7.30 no shelling tonight

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Wednesday Sept 27/17
up at Revillee getting
used to the hard sleeping
joke. after Breakfast it
being a beautiful clear
day, took Buckley up on
the Pimple and watched
the artillery dwell around
Lens. after dinner practised
for Concert at night
	The whole Battallion
went out at 630 on a
working party up to the
front line. played as
each party left wrote
letters and went to bed at
8. boys returned midnight
Thursday Sept 28/17
	Interviewed
the Colonel re-Band orders
got ready to leave our
huts. While waiting on Parade
a German Areoplane came
over and diliberately dove

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down on one of our Observation
Baloons, the observer jumped
out of the basket and landed
with a Parachute while
the machine soon burst
into flames. Fritz made
straight for where we
were standing, he was soon
followed by one of our
Scouts who gave him
battle not more than
100 yds from where we were
they both manouvered
and fired at each other
for fully 5 minutes and
then our man came
down, apparantly hit, while
Heinie made for his lines
It was a very thrilling
experience. We left at
5.30 without supper
and played at the head
of "C" Company on the
way I had the fortune

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to pass the 38th Band
who were also moving to
new quarters and in it
I recognised my Cousin
Charlie who I have not
seen for 15 years. also
Walt Berryessa, we also
passed the 46th Band and
the 85th and arrived at
our dugouts on Vimy Ridge
at 7 oclock. After supper
in the Sgts mess 8 o'clock
the most thrilling incident
happened. All day long
Fritz had been shelling our
observation balloons and
still one remained. He
made still another attempt
to get it with one of his
machines. My attention was
attracted to firing towards
our front and I saw
Fritz coming over. he
made straight for our

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Balloon. fired it and
dove down firing at the
observer who had jumped
out a few seconds before
he was turning towards
home when one of our
scouts arrived and gave
him battle. It was a
wonderfull battle.
marvelous flying, soon
we had 5 other machines
who practially made his
escape impossible. he
fought for 10 thrilling
minutes, anti aircraft
guns and machines guns
were belching forth in
every direction. he finally
started to come down
and landed at Alblain
St Lazare, in the souchey
valley. wounded as he
stepped out of his machine

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a Canadian [-]asted him
in the mush for cowardly
attacking the balloon
observer who was coming
down in a parachute, not
far from where I was
standing one of our scouts
came down with Petrol
tank shot away as he
hit the ground he turnd
upside down. no one was
badly hurt. the Pilot was
a corporal. Kid about 18.
A remarkable thing happen
-ed while the firing was
going on. I came out of
the mess and soon a
bullet whistled past me
it went thru the wall
and hit the plate I had
just left the waiter
gave me the bullet after
was given a tent along
with Sgt Sharpe and went
I sent the plate home.

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to bed after a most
eventful day. Slept
on the cold ground.
Rats as big as cats running
around in the millions
Friday 29th
	Heavy firing all
night "D" Company are in
the front line. Suffered
badly with indigestion.
up at 6 am after
breakfast 1 machine
gun crew reported wiped
out. 6 casualities. went
over to the Horse lives
with Shields and McGown
to get Bass and music
	Called on Charlie and
Berryessa had an awfull
attack of indigestion — had
letter from Jim Brooks
played Concert at night
in Zouave Valley. went
to bed early and slept cold

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Saturday Sept 29
	Up at 6.
practised all forenoon
in Y.M.C.A. tent nearly
froze to death. very little
firing today, working
parties went out tonight.
We were ordered to play a
Concert at Kings Cross
Tent. and the 38th Band
came to ours. We played
magnificently. Charlie
and Walt were there.
Walt & I had a good
old time chat at the
end of "Duck Walk" and
drank free issue tea
out of a dirty can. was
wet on the way home some
38th Bandsman "Stewed"
chewed the rag untill
midnight. stayed with
the boys in front of a fire
in this dugout untill late

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Sunday Sept 30
	Slept in
my clothes all night and
nearly froze to death
Practised all forenoon
and played Concert in the
afternoon in Y.M.C.A. tent
Church Parade at 4.30
after supper watched
Fritz trying to hit our
Balloons. Played again
at 6.30. at 8 took stroll
on the Pimple and saw
heavy black smoke coming
from Lens. guess its on Fire.
Berryessa was at my
hole when I returned he
stayed and chatted for
awhile. A beautiful
day. although very cold
at nights, very little
firing today but lots
of ariel activity. got
letter from Peterson (Dave)

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Monday Oct 1
	Slept
like a log all night
Practised. Poet & Peasant
did excellent work
all forenoon. Major
Keegan asked for details
of N.C.O.s Played again
from 4 to 6 an excellent
Program O.C. well
pleased. B.C lined up
and listened. they are going
in the line tonight to
releive D Company for
4 days. No firing at
all tonight, beautiful
moonlight. stayed in
my dugout and wrote
letters at night.
Tuesday Oct 2
	Up at 7.
Practised all forenoon
Played Concert at 4 to 6
38th Band came over

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to play Concert in the same
tent at 6 P.M. after supper
sat on hill and watched
the Band, Charlie & Walt
afterwards Bandmaster
Hunt, Walt & Charlie
came to my dug out and
chatted for a hour
Walt went to see
Major Keegan about
transfer, filled out
Papers. Got order to
get Polish from the
canteen. There has
been no firing all day
but Heinie came over
tonight on a bombing
raid he fired at some
of the boys and came
pretty close to Buckley
Could not see him but
could see the fire from
his gun and could hear
him quite plain. My

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Indigestion considerabl
better today. owing
I believe to a dose of
salts. beautiful
warm day.
Wednesday Oct 3
	Rained
last night and made
the ridge sticky. up
at 7.30. Practised all
forenoon, went over
to Walts with Buckley
this afternoon to sound
his Bandmaster about
transfer. he consented
had a good chat with
Charlie. Played
Concert at 4 to 6 in
YMCA tent. boys
played well. stayed
in and wrote letters
at night.

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Thursday Oct 4
	No firing
all night. slept well
my indigestion considerably
better. practised forenoon
Got paid 20 Francs at 1.30
Played Concert in afternoon
4. 530 Charlie came
over to see me. Violient
storm came on, mud
every where, very heavy
firing started at 7.30.
B Company lost 4 men
last night. Rumors of
us leaving this locality
out. Had good interview
with Major Keegan Re-Band
Fritz getting Hell tonight
Played Concert at 4 to
6. rainy dark night
Heavy Barage up north
tonight. got ready
to move our digs

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Friday Oct 5/17
	up at
6. had breakfast and left
the ridge for somewhere
promptly played between
B & C. companies. Had to
stop several times Fritz
shelling the road. Had
dinner at the Horse lines
played a short Concert at
noon left promptly at
2. passed thru Villiers
au-Bois, Camblain-L'Abbee
Estree-Couchie. Put up in
a dirty stinking Barn, rained
hard and it was dreadfully
cold. slept on chicken wire
and nearly froze to death.
never slept a minute. mud
everywhere. a miserable
dirty village unprogressive
in every way. Cow Barns
all join their houses.

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Saturday Oct 6/17
	Up at
daylight. lined up for
porridge. moved my bed
to attic above H. Quarters.
rained all day. layed
around dirty Barns to kill
time went to bed early
and slept on the hard
floor but its lots warmer
slept with all my clothes
on. warmer than last night
Sunday Oct 7/17
	Up at 6 am
polished up and got ready
to leave. after dinner
11.30 left between B & C
Companies passed thru
Cauchin-Le-Gal and it
rained torrents. I got
so[-]ked to the hide. arrived
at Olhain at 2 PM was
given our billits, another
dirty attic in a dirty, filthy

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Barn. still raining
and cold tiles off and holes
in the sides, had some hot
tea, walked around the
muddy burg and was glad
to hit the wire netting, slept
a little warmer. rats having
a jamberee.
Monday Oct 8/17
	Up at 7.
all clocks put back 1 hour
Practised all fornoon
in the ruin of old Castle
Played a route march in
the afternoon to Houdain
& Cambree. enjoyed a big
meal of Bully Beaf
went to an estaminet
and wrote the parts of the
Regt March. slept warm
tonight. while in bed I
received 2 letters from
Ninnie, 1 George, Western

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Tuesday Oct 9/17
	Up at 7
boys out for Inspection
helped them clean rifles
etc, finished Regt March
Practised in afternoon
shirt Concert at night
opposite orderley Room
rained so we had to
quit. finished writing Rgt
march untill quite late
recieved orders to see
Brigade Band tomorrow
General Horne 1st Army Corps
to Inspect. slept well.
Wednesday Oct 10/17
	Up early
and polished ready for
Inspection. rained hard
so Inspection was called
off. repacked our boxes
for moving tomorrow
Col. Page took command
over today. played a

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Concert in the main
part of town at 4 to 5.
stayed home? tonight to
get ready for move worth
Thursday Oct 11
	after break
fast at 4.30 we left
Okhain. travelling
N.W. we played [---]
B Co rested [---]
everywhere We were
loaded on Motor
Lorries and left at
2 PM passed thru
Bruay.
arrived at Guarebecque
at 3.30 had some
dificulty in finding our
Billits were located
in a Barn about 1 mile
from the town. have
travelled 23 miles.
played a Concert at 5 o[-]

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opposite old Church
ruined by shell fire
rained hard and my
feet got very wet, had
to change boots. slept
well.
Friday Oct 12
	Practised
in the Town Hall for
Concert tonight. scored
our biggest hit yet
Played Poet & Peasant
and brought the House
down. Colonel came
up and thanked me
Saturday Oct 13
	Still raining
we lined up for
my worst march I
have ever undertaken
we were led to beleive
that we were only going
7 miles but it turned

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out to be 16½ miles
We played most of the
ways rained occasionally
Bob Taylor had to drop
out I had new
Kitchener boots on and
I was badly crippled
we finished playing
but it was a great
effort. I nearly dropped
exhausted. After a
little trouble we
found our billits
in a straw Barn
and we slept like
logs. Had our feet
tended by the stretcher
Bearers. this place (Staples)
Sunday Oct 14/17
	up
at 8 layed around
all day I suffered badly
from a lame foot caused
by new boots.

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Monday Oct 15/17
	Practised in the
forenoon. and afternoon
played a Concert for
"B" Company. 1 Kilo at
supper time met Charlie
and Walt had jolly
time together.
Tuesday Oct 16/17
	Practised
in the forenoon. Went
at 3.30 to No 7 Stationary
Hospital (Canadian) at
Argues. Dr Macdonald was
there. we played splendid
was given an excellent
supper. and a Royal
time we are the first
Canadian Band to play at
this Canadian Hospital.
German Prisoners everywhere
on working parties. made
the trip — 9 Kilos — in a
motor Lorry. arrived Home 9 PM

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Wednesday Oct 17/17
	Inspection by the
Brigadir General at 12 PM
spent all forenoon getting
polished up. I felt awfuly
sick. up all night with
dioriah/trots) stood on Parade
for 3 hours and nearly
collapsed. Played General
Salute and Inspection music
well. returned to our
Billits at 3.30 had a
hurried tea and then
had to return again to
play a Concert for "A"
Company felt nearly
dead. returned at 6 and
went straight to bed
never slept all night.
Thursday Oct 18/17
	Had a bad
headache and high fever
suffered terribly all

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day and slept in
the dirty cold barn all
day. The first time I
have missed a duty
with the Band.
Had a big Hat dose
of salts and had
quick results. slept
better.
Friday Oct 19/17
	Felt consider-
ably better. had a short
practise. very cold day
polished up for Concert
at 10th Brigade H.Q. at
3. oclock played well
quite a number of the
boys sick. Had the
first meal in 2 days
at "Mothers" chips and
salad. Slept fairly
well. received orders
for Inspection tomorrow
by General Currie

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Sat Oct 20th
	Inspection
order cancelled. Church
Parade instead at 10.45
marched 5 Kilos. played
Hymns listned to
Farewell sermon before
boys go into the line
tomorrow felt a little
stronger today but
still very weak. had
a big supper at "Mothers"
Slept well. played a
Concert at "A." Company
Billits had supper there
Sunday Oct. 21st
	Up at
3.30 had breakfast at
4. got ready to leave
and pulled out of Barn
at Staples. Walked 2 miles
with Packs and Instruments
to "D" Company to get on

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motor Lorries. moved
off at 8 P.M. travelling
North, thru Cassell and
Poperingue. to Ypres.
arrived there at 12.30
in the edge of city of
ruins. Australians
got on the Busses and
it was evident that we were
releiving them. they were all
in high glee. we piled our
Instruments and left them
in charge of Eade. We set
out thru the town carryin<g>
our packs and rifles for
our assigned place east
of Ypres. Shells were
bursting all around us
	as we were passing the
ruins of the Cloth Hall
a shell came over and
hit Corp Davies. Twiss and
McDonald and several other
slightly. Corp Davies lay

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prostrate and I though[-]
he was killed. he got a
nasty gash in the leg
a Blighty sure. Twiss
was hit in the arm and
we could not see how
bad. they both were
handed over to the
Dressing Station. McDonald
was lucky to get a small
peice of shrapnel above the
eye and remained on
Parade. Sgt Taylor and
I were walking behind
those [--]t and it was
a miracle we did not
get touched. A man seated
on a horse was killed
and the horse had its
bowels blown out and
legs off several other
horses and men were hit
The most sickly sight
I have ever seen

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the boys are all
gloomy over loosing
our Comrades and I
will have to play the
Solo Trombone myself.
	Heavy shelling continues
and the noise is terrible
we were rushed to a
mud field and told to
make ourselves at Home
I could never imagined
Hell worse. We stole
an old tent from the
Australians and stuck
it up. and we very gladly
crawled in. We were
not in very long before
Fritz began sending
shells over and several
landed close around us
We never slept one
minute all night.
Heavy Guns pounding
away all the time.

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Oct 22 Monday
A terrible gun fire
barrage commenced at
4.30 to our left held
by the French. have
never heard such a noise
We spent the day
filling sand bags and
getting our places of
abode in some kind of
shape. Several times
during the day Heinie
came over and dropped
bombs. rained hard all
day. was very cold and
miserable. The flashes
and lights at night were
a magnificent sight and
got any Fireworks beat
I have ever seen. 9 15 in
gun took up position just
behind us and every shot
fired would raise us about 70 ft

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Oct 23 Tuesday
	Another
bad night of shelling
another Barrage started
about 5 AM to our left.
	Stuck around our sand
bags all day. and watched
several good air scraps.
could see several big explosions
3 Bombs dropped very close
to us and got 16 mules
and some men. one big
shell landed close enough
to throw mud on us and
at the time we thought we
were all hit. All the boys
"got the Wind up" Will be glad
when we get out of this zone.
	Got our Instruments out for
a few minutes to keep our
lips in shape. had "Mulligan"
and went to roast at 6. PM
raining hard and very cold
heavy firing again tonight

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Oct 24 Wed.
	Up at 7
slept a little during the
night. getting used to the
continual Pounding. A Big
raid by Fritz in the morning
nearly got my Bandsmen
working out on fatigue. but
got 4. 10th Bdge Machin gun men
one mans arm blown clean off
another close call for us
Thousands of machines
in the sky today. several
air scraps. Took our
Instruments out at night
for a short toot. raining
again. mud to our
knees. crawled in again
at 6 oclock and layed
awake listning to the
guns & shrapnel bursting
Heavy storm during
the night. slept better.

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Oct 25 Thursday
	up at 7.
very cloudy and a strong
wind blowing. Heinie
bluffed out this morning
ground dried up consider
ably today. stayed in
tents and wrote letters
44th getting ready to go
up the line. men Played
a short Concert tonight
went to bed early. 6 P.M.
ideal night for air Raids
about 9 oclock Fritz
came over and had us all
scared. He dropped bombs
all around us. no reply from
our machines or guns. He
came back again about 1 PM
and gave us one Hell of
a night Heavy firing
later all around us slept
fairly well, rained hard at night

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Friday Oct 26/17
50th over at Passandale
	Slept fairly
well. still raining. A
heavy barrage started at
5. A.M. and continued
untill about 6.30. rumor
that our boys are going
over the top to take remaind
-er of ridge. cold miserable
day. Big air raid tonight
at 6. dropped bombs all
around us. boys expected
to come out the line tonight
but order cancelled. caught
322 lice to date. Heavey
shelling all night.
Saturday Oct 27/17
	Very
bad night for noise.
air Raids all night very
beautiful day. 1st day it has
not rained for a week, boys

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on fatigue all day
played a few tunes tonight
to get our lips in shape
for when the boys come out
Big raid by fritz at 6 oclock
air raids all night but
slept well. Word comes
from the line that a number
of the old boys are na[---]ed
Lt McDonald, Mackensie Jones
Sunday Oct 28/17
	Up at
7. Another fine day, but
bad for the air service
Walked over to Ypres
Cemetry and was looking
over terrible carnage to the
tombs when Fritz came over
about 11 oclock. 1 Big Gotha
also. some raid. Saw the
grave of Prince Maurice of
Battenburg killed Oct 1914
common Privates grave caught
346. boys came out tonight

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Monday Oct 29
Up at 6. had orders
to move out of this
Hell hole. boys all
tired, unshaven, and
[---]d up to their necks
all glad to get back
to us alive and was
continually telling
experiences and how
come of the boys died
	Struck our tents
at 7 and moved out
at 10. passed thru
Ypres breathless.
expected any moment
shell coming over
got thru OK and
got on train. rode
about 3 miles and
walked about [-] to
a place west of
Vlad[---]e

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arrived at 1 oclock
was given a swell
wooden Hut. soon
made ourselves at
home and it indeed
is a home confered to
Ypres. Fritz shelled
Poperinge and we
could hear them
passing over us. He
came over and dropped
bombs later. slept
well but very cold
and hard.
Tuesday Oct 30
	Up at
730 had breakfast at
8.30 Had Master
Parade to see how
many killed and m[-]
played a short
concert at mess
time. big air raid
tonight, very restless

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Wednesday 31st
	Grand total
492. Played all
forenoon and
afternoon big music
b[--]s played well
big raid on tonight
several casualities
all around us
bad night for sleep
Thursday Nov 1
	Had the first
bath for 6 weeks.
Got 4 new blankets
and new underclothes
Played in the afterno[-]
a Concert in the lines
very cloudy tonight
Heinie did not
come over. Slept
the best yet.

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Friday Nov. 2
	Up at
6. got our boxes
packed up played
in front of orderley
Room in forenoon
and in the lines
in the afternoon.
Struck tents and
lived up on Parade
ground at 4.30 ready
to leave for Brandhock
Station arrived there
at 6 and we lugged
our packs and rifles
around in the dark
got on the train in
box cars and arrived
at Caestre at 8.30
marched thru the
city and was billited
in a Barn along with
all HQ Staff & we

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were badly crowded
and slept uncomfortably
warm.
Saturday Nov 3
	Up at
7. had a fairly
good practise in the
fornoon on the grass
lawn. Sgt Taylor
feeling sick. played
a Concert at B.C.D
lines. did not play
any too well. went
up the town with
Cory and Young
and finally located
some eggs and coffee
slept well. no
sounds of guns or
air raids. Just like
heaven.

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Sunday Nov 4
	Up at 7
Played Church Parade
at Horse lines and
played a company
back to their billits
about 3 miles. came
back home across
fields. played a
concert for a Co
at 4 oclock, wrote
letter to Rose in
afternoon first one
since the scrap
Monday Nov 5
	Polished
up all forenoon for
Inspection this afternoon
Practised with the
Bugle Band combination

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marches left
for OC inspection at
2.30 played Battallion
to Caëstre for Brigade
Inspection. lined up
with 44 & 46th Bands
Played our Batt march
past General Currie
made a speech no
concert tonight
slept well but was
suffering with Piles
Tuesday Nov 6
	Practisi[--]
with Bugle Band and
practised "John Brown"
Was told at 2.15 to play
for Brigade at 2.30 most
of boys were at "shoe
parade. we doubled up
and got there OK.
Berryessa was just
coming to report. so
Grabbed him. played

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in the Market Place
and did well went
over to a house at
Ecke for chips. slept
well all night. but
had a bad dose of
Piles.
Wednesday Nov. 7.
	Up at 7.
Practised all forenoon
Played for Battallion
up at Horse lines
had more Eggs and chips
at Ecke. Piles a little
better. slept well.
This is sure some
heaven. sleep on straw
in well built brick Barn
grass field to practise in
beautiful spring to wash
and shave. no firing
heard and very few
areoplanes to be seen
Heaven to be sure

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Thursday Nov 8
Practised with the
Bugle Band also
Concert program very
cold and rainy. so
played in front of
officers in afternoon
chips and eggs again
at Eecke tonight
was Paid 50 francs
today. slept Jake
received letter from Rose
Friday Nov 9
	Practised
with Bugle Band.
Individual work and
Played Concert for
Battallion in the
afternoon while they
played football.
Eggs and chips tonight
Walt Jones Farmer and
Pickering

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Saturday Nov 10.
	Rained
hard all day. did
nothing all forenoon
played short Concert
afternoon in front of
officers. went over
to French house at
Eecke for my Laundry
have won a home here
the good lady was
busy darning my socks
spent another enjoyable
evening. another good
nights rest.
Sunday Nov 11
	Rained
all night and all day
Had Church Parade at
10.30. packed up boxes
and played short Concert
at 4. standing in 2 ft
of mud and rain.
Played a Concert for

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2 hours for officers
while they had a farewell
supper and boose before
going up the line tomorrow
called me in for thanks
and promised to buy me a
swell Baton. Got a bawling
out from the Doctor for
getting him to him. slept
well.
Monday Nov 12
	Up at
2.15 am breakfast at
2.30. left at 3.30
with all our equipment
and Instruments. arrived
at Caestre Station at
4.15 was packed away
in a Box Car. pulled
out in the dark cold night
at 5.15. nearly froze to
death. arrived at Ypres
Station? and stayed
around the brush await

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orders to move up. feet
nearly froze off. played
a few times, had Iron
rations and left at
11. oclock carring all
our load. walked thru
the streets of Ypres now
familiar to me was
located about 1 mile
nearer the line than
previous time. Berryessa
Jones. Taylor, and I made
a dugout and slept
warm. most all of
the big guns have moved
up now nearer the
line. big guns firing
all night.
Tuesday Nov 13
	Heavy firing
all night. violent
barrages. up at 7.30.
after a good nights sleep

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about 9.30 Berryessa
walked over to the
Rifle Brigade Band
practising about
½ mile away. while
there Fritz came over
with about 10 Gothas
and beleive me we had
a close call. he
dropped bombs all
around us and every
minute we expected
our finish 1 piece of
a bomb lit at our feet
another about 8 inches
long landed a short
distance away put
more work on our
dugout and crawled
in at 6 oclock. worked
on the brass shell case
and finished the word
"Ypres" as twilight

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came a most violiant
gunfire commenced
something doing up th[-]
line. sure
Wednesday Nov 14
	Up at 7.15
received orders to be
ready to move with the
transport section to
Vladamartinge 3 miles
back. got our packs
ready and then order
came to cancel it.
Received orders a
few minutes later to
send all the Band up
the line tonight on a
working party. boys
feeling pretty blue
Have just heard
that Fritz tried to
come over last night
and got badly cut up
have not heard our

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casualities yet
filled sand bags
and made our dugout
more secure. went
and played for the
Battallion. was told
that we were the nearest
Band to Fritz. shells
bursting all around us
8 Casualities today.
working party called
off for tonight. slept
well. foggy night
and rainy. heavy
shelling all night
Thursday Nov 15/17
	Up at 7.30
Fritz came over with
his Gothas at 8. oclock
1 machine came down
in flames. came
over again at 11 and
again at 3 oclock
killed 1 horse and

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wounded 3 men
badly. 1 poor fellow
got hit in the privates
and his testicle was
protruding. got the
order 30 minutes
later to send 18
men on a working
party to night. boys
feeling pretty blue
after what they have
just seen, they left
in battle order at
4.20. beautiful
clear day all day
heavy firing all
day. received a letter
from Rose. Father and
Jas Card. all cheerfull
went to my dugout
to try to get sleep
but felt too uneasy
about the boys boys
returned at 11.45

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Dunlop and Eade
wounded Dunlop
badly. compound
fracture of the leg
boys all in and feel
the loss terrible. they
had thrilling experien[--]
carrying barb wire
up to the line. they
all got issued with
[---] and they soon
forgot their fatigue
and got very talkative
heavy firing all
night.
Friday 16/17
	Up at
6. had breakfast at
transport lines. struc[-]
our tents and got
ready to leave for
somewhere west. left
promptly at 10 A.M
for Ypres. Walt a

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I walked together
made the trip without
a shell dropping
arrived at the station?
and waited 2 hours
for the box cars
arrived. finally arrived
at Brandhock at 1.15.
played the Battallion
to Toronto Camp where
we are to make our
home for two days.
played a short Concert
tonight 4 to 5. found
a man to take Dunlops
place on Bass. Walt
& I took a walk
thru the mud to
where we camped
last trip 3 weeks
ago. had a great
talk wtih Imperial
Lorry driver who had
been here for 3 years

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Saturday Nov 17
Orders for Inspection
this afternoon. spent
all forenoon polishing
was Inspected at
2. P.M. by Major Parry
made good. Played
a short Concert at
4 to 5. played well
received letter from
[illegible deletion]
wrote Rose. Father
and Jos Card. orders
to leave here 6 A.M.
in the morning. Runn[---]
came in the middle of
the night with chang
-ed orders to be ready
at 445. slept well
Sunday Nov 18
	Up at 4.15 break
-fast at 4.30, left at

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5.30. had a hurried
exit owing to blunder
of Buglar. arrived
at Brandhock station
at 6 and left at 7.15
after travelling in a
first class box car
we soon passed thru
and left behind "Dear
old Belgium" and arrived
at Castre at 9 A.M.
played thru the main
streets and passed thru
to La Poupier and was
billited in a 1st Class
Barn. not many holes
and nearly a whole
roof on the Barn for
once we were billited
alone. got our blankets
and Packs after a 3 mile
hike and slept like
a log. plenty of good
straw

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Monday Nov 19
	Played a
football game betwen
Band & C. Company.
balance of Band played
while we played football
I played centre forward
we won 2-0. got ready
for big hike tomorrow.
Tuesday Nov 20
	Up at
4.30 marched to the
starting point about
3 miles. thence to a
villiage where we rode
for about 12 Kilos on
a London Bus and
arrived at Merville
a beautiful large town
at 12.30 marched
from there to La Sal
about 2 miles. was
given our billits in

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a barn with bugle
Band. found ourselves
about 3 miles from the
Cooks. after dinner we
took our supper rations
cooked our own supper
some feed. got a bed
at a fine old Ladys
house for Walt and I
the girl 16. wrote in
in my Album and drew
a French flag for me
slept rotten. bed
too soft and springy
Wednesday Nov 21
	Old Lady up
at 5.30 and called us
got us a cup of coffee
each and only charged
us 1 franc. We lived
up for a long hike at
10.30 played between
B & C. company

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made 12 miles
in rain & slush
arrived at Basnetts
at 4.30 very tired
slept with one blank
et Jake all night in
a Barn.
Thursday Nov 22
	Left Basnetts
at 8 PM for Bruay
Played behind B. Co
Passed thru Bas. Rin[-].
Haut Rius. Lozinghem
where I met Charlie
he was leaving for
Blighty pass tomorrow
arrived at Marles-les
mines at 1.30 and at
Bruay our destination
at 2 P.M was billited
in a swell part of
the town. Have a
feather bed with
the Drum Major

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Friday Nov 23
Bruay got cleaned up
played a couple of
tunes in the back
yard. got our music
hauled up and went
to the H.[-]. for speech
by Colonel. He told
us we would be here for
1 month and we could
have every afternoon
off. went up town
with Walt at night
seems like a big
Holiday. great market <day>
Saturday Nov 24
Bruay up at 7.30
Practised in the
forenoon. cold and
rainy wrote letters
in the afternoon and

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went up town with
Walt went to see the
Pictures Paid 100 Frs
Sunday Nov 25
	Church Parade
at 9.30 assembled in
the Market Place and
played thru city to
the Bruay Theathre
occoupied the Pit
wrote letters in the
afternoon and had
a Walk up town
with Walt at night
went to see the
Maple Leafs at the
Bruay Theathre they
were very good.
44th Band played
fairly good.
Monday Nov 26
1 hours musketry drill

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on the Market Place
for all H.Q. Staff
I went to look for
a place to practise
called on the Band
Secretary Lt Slade
Practised in the
Sgts Mess Hall in the
afternoon. had a
good practise. after
supper had a walk
up town and Picture
Show. beautiful
fine day
Tuesday Nov 27
	Rained hard all
morning. no drill
Practised all foreno[--]
Parade at 1.30 and
went to No 22 casual
[-]ity Clearing Station
Played a Concert

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in the receiving
shed from 2 to 4
while we were
playing cases from
the line came in
were dressed and
put to bed several
pitiful sights. gave
us a swell supper
had a good walk
around town after
Wednesday Nov 28
	Practised all
forenoon. Major
Parry gave me
200 Frn to buy a
clarinet which I
did. Practised

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in the afternoon
Gerald Cahoon
came in to see
Walt & I. was
busy playing at the
time. we were
all glad to see
each other. met
again at 6.30 in the
evening had a great
chat and ate oysters
walked part way
home with him. he is
at Divion. 3 Kilos.
Thursday Nov 29.
	Up
at 6. Played the Batt
off the square and to the
drill area for target
Practise. layed around
all morning and tried
over combination Bugle

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march returned
at 1.30 and had
a good snooze in the
afternoon. after supper
called on Major Parry
and learnt a few
things about my Rank?
went home and wrote
a letter to the Colonel.
Friday Nov 30
	Played the
Battallion to the drill
area again. came back
and got our instruments
Polished up for this
afternoon. Met Capt
Riley and Capt. now
Lt. W. H Williams had
a good old talk with
them Maket Day.
dense crowds in the
square today. By arrange
ment Lorry called

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for us to play at
#23 Casualty Clearing
Station at Loginghem.
arrived there at
2.15 and played
a good Concert untill
4 oclock. Gave us a
good tea, toast?
returned home to Bruay
at 5.30 wrote letters.
Saturday Dec 1
	Played Battallion
to the musketry area
and was ordered back
to town, Bugle Band
stayed, we met them
on return at Fosse 3
and played them into
town. practised in the
afternoon untill 3.30
Went with Walt to
Picture show at night
cold day & rainy

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Sunday Dec 2
	Church Parade
at 10. Played Largo
and Lost Chord at the
church made a good
impression. Played
a short Concert in
the afternoon but
on account of the
cold we had to quit.
	Sgt Girling (Drum Major
drunk tonight stayed
in and wrote letters
cold rainy day. a
very typical Winter day
Monday Dec 3
	Practised
Went to Gas school at 10.
lined up for Pay at 2.
received 50[-]. All the
Frenchmen were given a
holiday and were
celebrating the first

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battle of Verdun
they were all drunk
We volunteered and
played them a Concert in
the middle of town
played French National
Defile March. had a very
large crowd. Colonel
Page was present and
was well pleased with
us. Went to Picture
show at night with
Walt. Eggs & chips
for supper. very cold
Tuesday Dec 4
	Practised
in the forenoon. Gave
the boys Holiday in
afternoon. wrote
letters afternoon and
night. very cold
all day. wrote
letters tonight

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Wednesday Dec 5
	Practised
all forenoon and
had holiday again
in the afternoon.
went to Pictures with
Sgt Taylor. good
Pictures. Had a big
meal of eggs tonight
Thursday Dec 6
	Played Battallion
to Training area. came
back and the Town
Major of Bruay came
and got us to play
for the French troops
passing thru. they
were sure a worn
out looking bunch
mostly old men.
practised marches
in the afternoon—
drawed a picture
in autograph album

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tonight, eggs
again tonight
Friday, Dec 7
	Played
Battallion to ranges
came back and
practised. laid off in
the afternoon. went
up town with Farmer
had eggs & chipps.
Saturday Dec 8
	Played
battallion to training
area came back to
practised all forenoon
& afternoon. played
a Concert in Bruay
Theathre at night
put up a good
Concert. although
we were lame. had
Billy Carroll, Biggs
and two Clarinet men.

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from the 46th
made a great [--]t
Sunday Dec 9
	Played
Battallion to Church
Parade and stayed behind
to play Church for the
Canadian Engineers also
met Ronald of the
old 13 O.M.R. Painted
in my autograph album
in the afternoon and
night. cold day
Monday Dec 10/17
Voted today. Practised
in the forenoon and
individual in the
afternoon. went up
town (Bruay) at night
and while eating
tea Heinie came over
and dropped bombs
and killed 9. and
wounded 27. entirely

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leveled one house
and killed the mother
baby and 4 children
the house we were at
we all excited and
began to cry. we had
a job to keep them
cool. went with
Farmer afterwards to
a Band Concert given
by the 46th Band
which was very good
Tuesday Dec 11/17
	Practised
in the forenoon also
by order of the Town
Mayor we played some
French troops thru
the city. we played
at No. 22 Casuality
C. Station in the
afternoon. Lorenzo
reported sick and
was detained. we

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went from there
to the Bruay Opera
House and played
for the Maple Leafs
in the absence of the 44th
made a fairly good
show with 3 men
short. Cory & Young
went to Grand Servic[-]s
to get extra Instruments
Wednesday Dec 12
In orders today as Segt Reported
at the cross roads to
Hallicourt and took
the 4th Division C. F. H.
on a route march thru
Bruay and Hallicourt
covered about 5 miles
altogether. they gave
us 3 cheers and appeared
well pleased with us
played rummy with Walt
Jones & Taylor and wrote
letters home. received

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magnificent parcel
from Rose today.
Thursday Dec 13th
	Practised in
forenoon. Orchestra in
the afternoon. and
played Brigadiers dinner
at our officers mess
with 12 men up in a
bedroom. Colonel thank[-]
before the big guy and
I had quite a conversation
with them. very cold
night.
Friday Dec 14th
	Played
Battallion to the drill
area to be inspected by
General Currie. saw the
damage done by bombs
on our return. practised
in forenoon. laid off
in the afternoon Had
a walk and chat with

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Farmer. bed at
9.30. very cold day
Saturday Dec 15
	Played troops
out to training area and
returned for practise
Band went to rehersal
at Houdain for massed
Brigade tomorrow. while
away I played football
for Sergeants against
officers I scored 3
goals and we won 4-1
a very hotly contested
game. I felt very
stiff afterwards.
Sunday Dec 16th
	Up at
7. Church Parade at
9. Marched to the
grounds at 9 and
lined up for massed
Bands. Divisional
General distributed

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medals. had 2 Bands[---]
Grant & Chipperfield.
We nearly froze to
death returned at
12.30. painted in
the afternoon and went
to Picture Show with
Farmer. very cold
day.
Monday Dec 17th
	Snowed
very hard and was
extremely cold, too
cold for Parades. went
to the Hall for Practise
for 1 hour. Painted
in the afternoon. stayed
down in read.
Tuesday Dec 18
	Up at
7.30, practised 1 hour
got ready for moving
received 935 Frs from
Major Parry. had a

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big feed at night
slept well
Wednesday Sept <Dec> 19
	Up at 6. had
breakfast at "eggs and
chip house" moved
our packs down to
H.Q. and moved down
to fall in on Market
Square. left Bruay
at 8. P.M. marched
thru to [---] playing
our packs rifles ect
were transported.
Grant stayed behind
to look after kits etc.
passed thru Houdain
very cold and froze
up between every tune
Fresoncourt. Olhain
Services. passed
1st Division. Saw the

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famous 10th Batt.
arrived at Chateau
de la haie at 2.30.
very cold and tired
was billited in a cold
drafty moon shaped Hut
slept extremly cold.
learnt that the 31st
were billited at Villers
au bois took a stroll
to find them. Saw
Corporal Nesbitt and
Herbert & Bowler.
Thursday Sept <D[--]> 20
	Up at
7. after breakfast
went with Jones to
Hospital close by and
tried to make arrange-
ments for a place to
practise. failed
walked down to
Villers Au Bois. 31 were
just leaving. "Practised

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in the afternoon.
walked over to
villers au Bois again
tonight. slept warmer
Friday Sept <Dec> 21
	"Practised"
1 tune. in Movie
House. kept out of
the way all forenoon
and the same afternoon
went with Bob Taylor
and Warner to visit
old 175 boys at
Villers au bois. saw
Nesbitt. Anderson.
Herbert and others
slept well tonight
Saturday Sept <Dec> 22
	Practised
"1 cold tune" in the Cinema
arranged for a Piano
to play at the Chateau
tonight. Had orchestra
practise in the afternoon

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played for General
Watson. commanding
4th Division at mess
at 7.50 untill 9. PM.
I played Piano. Smith
Flute. Cory Clarinet.
Jones Cornet, Buckley Cello
played well.
Sunday Sept <Dec> 23
	Church
parade at 8.30 had
a very bad slippery
march to Church.
Played Xmas Hymns
well. very cold day
slept warm.
Monday Sept <Dec> 24
	Spent all
day getting ready for
tomorror[-]. made
3 trips to Capt Smith
for a Piano. At 9.30
played carols in front
of General Watson's <Billit>

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at the Chateau. also
in front of Colonel Pages
gave us a box of cigars
& Merry Xmas. Staff
Officer came for us to
return to chateau for
drink of rum. boys
played well. Battallion
well pleased with us
Xmas Day Dec 25.
	up at 8.
had a very poor breakfast
Played Concert for
men at 10.30. Band
had swell big dinner
at 12.30 Sgt Taylor and
I waited tables.
Played another Concert
at 2.30 for C & D. Co
	Sgts Mass Xmas Dinner
served at 6.30. all kind
of boose. Col & Mg Keegan
also other officers present
a very noisy time

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didnt get to bed
untill 1.30 A.M
Dec 26 Wednesday
	Played Battallion
on route march via
Gome[-] Servi[--]s. Grand
Servi[--]s and Petit Ser[--]
cold snowstorm
enroute. Gen Watson
met us enroute. went
over to see Capt Smith
re- Hospital job
while Batt in line,
at 330 played short
Concert, at night met
and played in to the lines
16 Platoon. Winners of
4th Division Competition
Dec 27 Thursday
	Over
to see Capt Smith again
and to get loan of Piano
for officers mess tonight

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arrangements under
way to have Band
stay at Maisnel Busch
Training school while
	Played Orchestra
for officers Dinner
from 7 to 9.30
Gen Watson of 4th
Division. Gen — of
10th Brigade and all
company commanders
present. was called
[--] to them at 9.30
boys played exceedingly
well. Carter. McMurray
Violin Cory. Clar. Smith
Oboe Flute. Chip Oboe
Jones Cornet Buck. Eup
Farmer Bass Barrigan
Horn. myself Piano.
Friday Dec. 28
	Bathing Parade
in morning. had early

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supper and went to
Maisnel Busch to
play a Concert at night
a very cold stormy
night boys played
well considering
learnt tonight that
Bugle Band had
worked on my original
idea and thru Mayor
Keegan landed the
school job. boys
naturally sore. got
ready to leave for
horse lines. when
orders arrived for
Brass Band to report
to 182 Tunnelling Co
for duty for 14 days
a Rotten way to treat
us after the promises
made to get us out here
2 men short of numbers
getting 2 from B. co

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Saturday Dec 29
	Boys are
taking rotten deal
with fairly good spirit[-]
got ready and left
with full pack in
charge of Sgt Taylor
at 9 P.M. I left the
Chateau for the horse
lines at 1. P.M. Deurie[-]
sick and detained went
ahead and Adam MC
stayed behind to look
after the Instruments
located a billitt at
the horse lines and
slept with Sgts Strange
and McLean slept warm
Sunday Dec 30/17
	up at 9.30 had
a make shift breakfast
after dinner went with
Sgt Treswell to get a
bath at Careway

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got fooled and
have to go tomorrow
Smith & Evans came
in for mail reported
the Band in the front
line digging junk
holes and gun enplace-
ments. they are all O.K.
billited at Marin Court
a very cold day

Monday Dec 31/17
Walked over to
the Chateau with
Adam to kill the day
was given a dandy
time by Bandmaster
Marshall and she Maple
Leafs. Saw the rehersal
of the Pantomine and
had dinner with them
afterwards listned to
a superb Concert

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by the Royal
Artillery Band of
Aldersho[-] touring
thru France. a
very fine Band
sat in the cold hut
and talked the old
year out and new in
Tuesday Jan 1, 1918
	Up at 8 layed
around all day and
went with 9 others
to see the show at
Chateau De la hai
a very fine show.
a big scrap on tonight
by the sound of guns
Wednesday Jan 2/18
	Got the Instrument
and music moved
got some Instruments
repaired and arranged

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some music very
cold day
Thursday Jan 3/18
	went right
after the Instruments
and music. got paid
35 Francs. beautiful
clear day. much
ariel activity.
wrote letters at night
Friday Jan 4/18
	Snowed
all day. wrote parts
and went thru all
the music pouches
miserably cold.
Saturday Jan 5
	Rained forenoon
moved in to seperate
"bed" 50th Captured
German Prisoners, wrote
Granma. miserable day

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Sunday Jan 6
	Wrote
parts all day. heard
that boys are all OK.
wrote letters after
supper. received
7 letters from home
2 from father. 2 Rose.
Monday Jan 7
	Snowed again
today. very cold.
Capt Everley came out
of the line and cleaned
up the Horse lines
Sent all available men
up the line. made
Adam go. wrote
letters at night
Tuesday Jan 8
	Major
Parry returned from
leave and promised

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to send Adam back
wrote music all day
very cold night.
Wednesday Jan 9
	Got busy early
and wrote music.
Rushton & Evans came
in for mail followed
later by Sgt Taylor and
Grant. received a
parcel. Cake & candy
from mother. Berryessa
returned from leave
and Adam came
back from the line
Thursday Jan 10
	Wrote music
all day. new men
arrived. Teasdale
Carroll and Wheeler
the latter remained behind
other two went up the

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line. Spent the
evening writing letters
Friday Jan 11th
	Wrote all
day. Carroll reported
back from the line
sent back because he is
a Bandsman. wrote
OBoe parts all day
Chipperfield in to get
mail reports all boys
well. wrote untill
late at night
Saturday Jan 12
	wrote
again all day. a beautifu[-]
day. unusual ariel
activity. 50th lost a
Prisoner and captured
one. had 3 casualities
wrote untill late
tonight.

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Sunday Jan 13
	Received 2
letters from Rose—made
me feel blue. wrote
back the same night
went up the line with
Haystead and Ropes
saw some very interesting
sights from Vimy Ridge
had a very foot.
returned at 5 P.M
tired and lame.
Monday Jan 14
	Wrote music
all day. received
letters and Parcels
from Rose (2) Father
2 T. Eade. Whitfield
wrote letters at
night.
Tuesday Jan 15
	Wrote music
again today. very cold

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all day.
Wednesday Jan 16
	Wrote all day
again, letters at night
Thursday Jan 17
wrote music started
to pack up. repair
Instruments Adam
McGown sick.
Friday Jan 18th
	Battallion coming
out the line tonight
Cooks barbers etc
packed up and
moved to the Chateau
Adam sent to the
Hospital very high
temperature. wrote
letters at night
	Band not coming
out untill Sunday
night.

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Saturday Jan 19
	Went over to
Chateau de la-Haie [---]
for orders. returned to
Horse lines and
packed up Instruments
etc moved to Batt
in the afternoon
Berryessa. Carroll
[-]ewies. Wheeler came
also. Rushton returned
from Hospital. Teasdale
reported for Band duty
Sunday Jan 20th
St Laurence Camp
	Voluntary Church
Parade no one attended
layed around all
day. Band not
returned yet. very
muddy camp and
cold all day

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Monday Jan 21st
	Church Parade
at 2.30 Band not here
got Marshall 44th Band
to play for us. at 12 oclock
Boys returned all
dirty, unshaven and
tired. clothes all
torn. All glad to
get back. had a dirty
deal. Had 14 days in
the line without a relief
Got them clothing. Hair
cut and shoes. Boys
all eager to tell experiences
Tuesday Jan 22
	Practised for about
1 hour. boys lips all in
Played a very short
Concert in the afternoon
boys did very well
Buckley trying for

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transfer to 78th
Bandmaster came over
to see me
Wednesday Jan 23
	Played Battall[--]
over to the Ranges
Band fired. Adam
McGown returned from
Hospital. layed
around all night
Thursday Jan 24
	Practised all
forenoon, boys
getting better.
Played concert in
the afternoon. wrote
letter to Rose in the
afternoon evening
Friday Jan 25
	Practised fore-
noon. Billy Monkton
of old 13th M.R. came

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p114.jpg)

over to see me. he
belongs to 24th wants to
Transfer. played a
good Concert in the
afternoon
Saturday Jan 26th
	Practised in the
Y.M.C.A tent. played
a good Concert in the
afternoon Battallion
all lined up at
5 P.M. to proceed to
Concert (Pantomine)
by the Maple Leaves)
spent a very pleasant
evening.
Sunday Jan 27
	Played Church
Parade to the Theathre
44th Band played the
Hymns. returned to the

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Parade ground
and and (Saw?) demonstrate
at rocket signals. too
foggy to see good
Billy Monkton came
over and I paraded
him over to the O.C.
he signed transfer papers
Went to hear good
Band Concert by the
44th Band. after supper
Sgt Taylor & I went to
villars-aux-Bois to see
Billy. listned to a
fine sermon, after
wards met Billys
Bandmaster had a
fine chat with him
returned about
9 am. most enjoyable
evening
Monday Jan 28th
	Practised out
in the Woods, forenoon

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p116.jpg)

Played Concert in
the afternoon receivd
letter from Rose. answer
tonight. Boche airplane
over tonight dropped
bombs, close to Chateau
Beautiful clear
starry night.
Tuesday 29th
	Practised in the
Woods, very frosty
had to stop to get
warm. Played an
excellent Concert in
the afternoon. packed
boxes for moving
tomorrow.
Wednesday 30th
	Spent all forenoon
getting ready for moving
Pickering and Grant
left with the Packs
extra Instruments etc

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p117.jpg)

at 11.30. after
dinner lined up at
2 PM on the Parade
[-] ground and marched
off headed towards the
line. past the Brigadier
at Carency. lined up by
him and played the
Battallion past him.
arrived at Alberta Camp
(Vimy) at 3.30. located
in Huts with "A" Co went
to a Concert in the YMCA
Carency with Bob Taylor
87th Band played very
poor Concert followed
by a short Service
and sing song.
Thursday Jan 31st
30 years old today.
Practised hard all
forenoon for Concert
tonight in the YMCA

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p118.jpg)

Carency. Played
a very fine Concert
and was well received
crowed house. had
tea and buiscuit after
Friday Feb 1st
	Practised hard
all forenoon. played
short Concert for
"B" Co in the afternoon
Sat. Feb 2
	Practised
all forenoon. Played
Concert for "C." Comp
stayed in at night
Heavy firing over
the ridge
Sunday. Feb 3
	Played a
Church parade at
10.30 to the YM.CA
and return, played

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p119.jpg)

Concert at "D" Co.
Had fine chat with
Capt Fraser. old 13th
Played boys on working
party to Lens Junction
Monday. Feb 4 3 years today
	All "A" Company
were out late last night
Had boys write music
"Eary little While" In the
afternoon Played them
a fine Concert and then
to Lens Junction. wrote
letters at night
Tuesday Feb 5
	Took a hike
over to Horse lines
and around to Chateau
with Corp Chipperfield
to try and locate a
plase for when the
Batt is in the line. Had
dinner with Marshall

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p120.jpg)

BM of 44th Played
a Concert for H. Quarters
and played for 1 hour
at night in Hut next
to officers for special
Officers mess
Wednesday Feb 6th
	Practised all
forenoon. Played
at Y.M.C.A for 13th
Field Ambulance Concert
Party, short Concert after
at "B" Co Played for
officers mess at night
for "C" Co all boys
got 1 Bottle of Beer
Mables Birthday today
1 year old.
Thursday. Feb 7
	Practised all
forenoon. rainy day
so we laid off for
today. Every body

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p121.jpg)

getting ready for the
line in a few days
Played Concert in the
Hut next to officers in
"A" Co for mess.
Friday Feb 8
	Practised
all forenoon for the
Concert tonight at the
YMCA orders came
to cancel concert and
play for H.Q. officers
mess Colonel Page
well pleased. Jock Rattey
tanked up and caused
lots of amusement in
the Hut.
Sat Feb 9
	Practised
all forenoon for
Concert tonight at
Carency YMCA

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p122.jpg)

in conjunction with
87th Concert Party
boys played well. got
Coffee & biscuits
afterwards
Sunday Feb 10
	Played Batt
to Church Parade at
YMCA Hut Carency
got packed up and
sent 7 men up to the
Horse lines to arrange
billits for us. order
came for to cancel
Go[-]y [---]wins Y.M.C.A
Job. all the boys
dissappointed had
an early dinner
and played the Batt.
up the line at 5. P.M
"A" leading. went as
far as we dare and
then waited at

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p123.jpg)

Souchez Napoo Corner
and played the boys
fast with "Our Director"
very touching as the
boys said "goodbye"
very still night
sure Heinie can hear
us playing. returned
to the Transport lines
about 8. P.M had a
late supper, was
billited in the same
Hut with Bugle Band
Monday Feb 11
	Cleaned up
and got our bunks
arranged. very cold
day
Tuesday Feb 12
	Practised all
forenoon and worked
on ditch in the

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p124.jpg)

afternoon, layed
around the hut at
night miserable
Wednesday Feb 13
Practised all forenoon
Major Parry came in
from the lane and
raised. "C", for so many
men being here, Jock
Rattery, and mountain
Horse wounded badly
in Leivien. played
football at night.
Thursday Feb 14
	Physical drill
8.30. Practised all
forenoon. Berryessa
kicked the bucket.
put him up the line
played football at
night received

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p125.jpg)

letter from Rose
Friday Feb 15
	P.T. 8.30.
Practised all forenoon
sent 7 men up to
Leivien for salvage
fatigues in afternoon
football at night
played for No 2
company Field Train
dinner. had the
biggest feed of my
life — 9 Piece Orchestra
played well.
Saturday Feb 16
	Practised all
forenoon. Sent 6
men up the line
salvageing was paid
40 Francs packed
our boxes and sent
them to Villers-aux-
Bois for safe keeping

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p126.jpg)

while Batt moves
back for rest.
Sunday Feb 17
	Practised all
forenoon. sent 3
men up line for
salvageing, Played
4 Church Parades
for Capt Farrell
finishing up with
a song service
in the transport
Hut at night.
Monday Feb 18
	6 men up to Leivien
for coal. Bugle Band
none. Practised all
forenoon. worked
afternoon. got letter
from Father

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p127.jpg)

Tuesday Feb 19
	Practised a
little while packed
our Kits and got ready
to leave. put one over
the Bugle Band. they
had to send all men to
Lens Junction. We left
for Go[--]y [-]ervi[--]s
at 2 P.M arrived
at 3.30 was billited
in a big Chateau. had
eggs & coffee in Estaminet
met boys coming out
of the line at the
railway line at 8.30
untill 12.30 played
them to billits. scored
a great hit had big
feed of mulligan after
beautiful starry
night every body happy
and drunk

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p128.jpg)

Wednesday Feb 20
Played all forenoon
for the boys outside
the billits. played
a swell Concert at
[---] Servi[--]s YMCA
3rd Division Concert
Party put up good
show. Brigadier
and Colonel Page there
Band played well
Thursday Feb 21
	Practised all fore-
noon. got ready and
pulled out at 1.30
Evans stayed with
Kits. Band led Parade
reached Coupigny
Huts at 4.30 had
good supper waiting
for us. Blankets
arrived late. slept

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p129.jpg)

with men.
Friday Feb 22
	moved up to
the Sgts Hut. Got
a Hut to practise[--]
Bugle Band beat us to
one we slept in
practised all day
wrote letters at
night. 2 letters for Rose
Saturday Feb 23
	Practised all forenoon
went up to play the
Battallion back
from the training
grounds at 12.15
went to Play at a
football match
in the afternoon
Band had to quit
on account of too
much noise. whistle
could not be heard

----- new page (MSS_9164_f2_p130.jpg)

orchestra played at
night at the Corps
Signal Hut
Sunday Feb 24
	Church Parade
at 10.30. held in
front of the Brigade
H.Q. all Brigade
details were there, we
played Hymns. Captain
Farrell Chaplain
Played march past
the Brigadier. R.S.N.
Bawled me out for not
playing the Regt march
met Col Nelson
Spencer and arrange[-]
to gather all old
175 boys in my Hut
at 2 oclock.
About 25 met him
and [---] we had

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a dandy informal
talk. He said he
would only be over here
2 months attached to
the 31st but was going
to wait in London untell
after the war to take
all of the 175 boys
back he could.
Played again at
the Corps Signal
Hut. and painted
some in my Autograph
Album. very beautiful
Starry night, Heinie
coming over sure.
Monday Feb 25
	Practised all
forenoon in the Hut
Had hard time get
miller to savvy his
part. Berryessa asked

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to come back on
Cornet. Jones sick
Played Battallion
back from the
training ground
Did painting work
in my Alb[---] in
the afternoon.
	Still trouble between
the Bands (Bugle)
Authority granted
for only one Band
of 24. we are
very likely to win
out. Played again
at the Corps Signal
School with the
orchestra wrote
letter to Rose at
night. very cold
day today, beautiful
moonlight night
Heavy firing to our left

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Tuesday Feb 26
Owing to a shortage
of men in "A" Co. so
many being on leave
or at school. we had
to furnish 25 men
for a working party
wiring on the "Haig"
line. Painted in
my album all
forenoon and
wrote letters to father
and Minnie. boys
did not return untill
after 4.30 and they
were all in.
Some had badly
cut their hands on
the wire and it
was impossible to
have any orchestra
practise tonight

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good joke or our
officers they had
been bragging about
the swell orchestra
but never dreamt
it was their own.
Boco bombardment
tonight. beautiful
moonlight night
great airiel doings
Lt Slade secretary
of the Band sent
for me to tell me
the decision to
keep the Brass Band
and attach Bugle
Band to the Companion
Poor old Girling looking
blue after his open
threats to bust us
up. Also told me about
b[-] order of Revus

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and "Rags" suggested
to the officers. Concert
Party organised and
W Farmer & Corp Chipperf[-]
busy every night
writing out a play
concert Party to
consist entirely of
the Band. late
moon tonight but
going to be a dandy
night. heavy firing
all day.
Wednesday Feb 27
	Practised all
forenoon in the
Hut, and played
for the Football
match in the afternoon
good match. painted
again in my album
and wrote out

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orchestrations for
"The trail that leads
to home" Played a
dandy concert at
night in Corps
Signal Hut, Lt
Slade came in a
was suprised we had
such an orchestra
all the boys came
in my Hut afternoon
and I gave them
Hot cocoa and
biscuits. Tonights
orders gives the
names of Buglers
and Drummer as
attacked to Companies
instead H.Q.
Concert Party hard
at work on the
"Trip to Blighty"

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Thursday Feb 28
	Practised in the
forenoon went up
to the training ground
at 11.30 to play the
Batt back to camp
on our way up we
bumped into General
Horne commanding
1st Army Corps and
his staff who were
waiting for Sir Dougl[-]
Haig to come along
the road. We were
just moving on to the
road when Sir Douglas
Haigs car with a
union Jack on the
front came along
saw him step out
and meet General
Horne & Staff. the

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Band was just playing
"Blighty" and they
never played better.
we came down the
road with perfect
step and just as
we started to play
O Canada (old Quebec)
we bumped into
General Currie
standing on the roads
also waiting. we passed
our lines perfectly
and the Band never
received more praise.
Played a Concert
at 4. for the men
out side their Huts
Band again played
well. played the
orchestra at the Corps
Hut at night and

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again scored a
hit. rain fell tonight
Canadian mail
today none for me

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Cauchin-le-Gal 150

90
25
15
130