Mosman 1914-1918

April

Belgium. 24th Got motor lorries and went out near Hazebrouck, 26th Got word that we are going on the Somme. Went in the train to Doullens & marched 16 kilos. Got to bed 1 a.am. To 27th Up again at 4a. Got in Busses and came down near Corbie. Will Marsden & I made runners. 28th Tom Reid killed 29th Good Friday still running. 30th Easter Saturday got word that the Btn. moved & left us, went to Corbie, but got no instr -uctions. 31st Waiting at B.H.2. for [?]. Left 4p. 1st gaurd Btn. in the line 9p. nothing much doing. Did post of a night. Daylight 4th Barrage opened. Fritz "straffed" for about 40 mins. then started to come over on the left. Tommies give way & B coy almost surrounded. General retirement Rough time all day. We were retiring

August

17th More gas. 18 Left Havre & went down down to Div. wing at St Leger. 20th marched to Vignacourt & got on the Light Railway & went to Dahors. March to the Div. rest camp. 21 Left camp & marched through Sailly-Le-Sec. The village is blown to pieces. We had dinner by the river & then a swim to cool us off. It is beautiful weather, a bit hot, but there are plenty of creeks etc, to swim in behind the line. Reached the Btn Horse Lines & heard that the Btn is to hop over in the morning. a pleasant welcome back. Later we went back to Corbie. 22nd I have been down in the lake all day swimming, it is just the weather to lie in the water. 23 Swimming again, got