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Friday 16 March 2012

Diary Entry - 16th March, 1917

Walford: I remained at the guns throughout the day but about nine thirty a.m. I took the remaining gun and cook's cart down Dyke Valley onto the road without the least trouble. The two 18th Division guns were still bogged and they had men from all the brigade to help them so it does not say much for their methods. In the meantime, Cruikshanks had removed the other gun up near the Bapaume Road and had shot the Cook's cart horse, which had been reported dead the night before. He said the poor brute was simply knocked out by exhaustion as it had been frozen in the shell hole all night. In my opinion the Br, Denne\t by name, ought to have been flogged for cruelty and laziness, instead of that he was forgotten about as the next few days were very strenuous. Suttie went to the wagon lines and squared things up there returning with the new subaltern, Evans, who proved to be a middle-aged man - of 45 years. The latter's kit did not arrive, through some mix up with the 71s' Mess cart, so we had to give him some spare blankets off our beds.

Bee:  Frost last night but a beautiful day. Rode to Senlis twice. Rode the first major's horse and had a very strenuous time. It plays up when passing a motor coming towards it. Its first performance was when an army general's car came along. It went up on its hind legs and ran amok. It has evidently got rid of some of its riders in this way. It is not frightened; it is just wickedness. Anyway, I nearly killed a Hun during one of these performances. Put the wind up him but in time I hope to beat her.

2 comments:

  1. the offending Bombardier is probably Alexander Dennett (69194), an original of 1914 when a gunner, who was later an acting Serjeant.

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    1. Thank you again for the invaluable added information. My grandfather was right to be outraged, I think - a bit shocked to think Dennett went on to be acting Serjeant. Will change the spelling.

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