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Frank Swannell Diaries: Part I

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79. H.Q. 3rd Inf. Bde 1st Lan. Div. Petite Mungue Fme Day 12h. 29m. long] SEPTEMBER,1915. [17th, Sun rises 5h. 40m.

SUNDAY 12 [255-110] 15th after Trinity Spent whole day in orderly Room plotting 1/2500 map 18pdr BTy W. of HQ leTs loose This afternoon - one shell lureTs[?] prematurely - we geT full benefit, buT luckily no one hiT. Defective luze[?] on mistake in setting.

MONDAY 13 [256-109] -The gunners say iT is U.S. made Ammunition and was probably Tampered wiTh in The factory by pro-Germans. - Evidently" Too proud to fight." Hear example of officer - English aT HQ Today "Twas him That learned me" corrected to "Twas him That Taught me". Refer - "The applicant for a commission must have a good sTandard of education" Boche aeroplane Tackled by a Britishes near STeenwerck - Brought down wiTh shoT There reservoir - When near ground opens fire wiTh M.G. on route-marching BaTTalion K.R.R's - who return fire + riddle aviator Brand new biplane, which I inspect

TUESDAY 14 [257-108] Holy Cross Day Germans sTill shelling Trench 140-142 - one casualTy our bunch. 5"9 H.E. Our artilleryreTaliaTe wiTh futile shrapnel. Biche artillery "registering" 4 shells near DereumaTiey [?] shop, Romania 2nd Con. Div. now over + Con. Army Corps formed under Gen. Alderson. Baxter gets a happis which Flore cooks for him - one TasTe enough for me - Flore calls iT le p'+T', cochon. * At U.3. earThworks being built more sTakes were added - Two large coils Thick black wire left on righT hand of messines Road 1/2 ' diam. no barb Boches put notice up opp. 13A "Brest, LiTowsk The last fortified place in Polarie is fallen. We only lost 3 Torpedo boats in The basin Riga. all oTher news about That noT are True"

WEDNESDAY 15 [258-107] Working on 1/2500 from aeroplane photos. Division sends Telegram for me To report about my commission Heavy gun firing on left aT 930pm - Notice That after 3 flares from German Front Line There guns sTarted. Ordered To report llieppe wiTh full kit *Flore asked what sauce was served wiTh haggis in ScoTTland - Baxter said whisk which Flore ThoughT might be strong enough To destroy The TasTe, she hoped so!

BC Archives. MS-0392, Box 1 Volume 4, FRANK SWANNELL PAPERS, Diary and enclosures,1915.