Transcription Page

Frank Swannell Diaries: Part I

Diaries of Frank Cyril Swannell Learn more.

*All transcriptions are provided by volunteers, and the accuracy of the transcriptions is not guaranteed. Please be sure to verify the information by viewing the image record, or visiting the BC Archives in person. 

BC Archives MS-0392 - Box 1, Volume 4-5

*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum. Some materials may contain content that is racist, sexist or otherwise offensive. The Royal BC Museum is only the custodian of archival materials; the content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Royal BC Museum.

Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]

61

Trench 128 near Seaforth Ave

Ploegsteert

JULY, 1915.


Blazing hot in daytime and plagued by hordes of 'bluebottles" I am cook and obtain marvellous results by combining "Maconochie" (M. & V. Ration) "Bully Beef" & Pea-soup Tablets with Oxo thrown in for luck. Order comes to cut out niches for rifles - I get jumped on for telling Lieutenant that rifles-bayonets fixed, in niches will be dangerous in case a wiring party has to suddenly retire over the parapet - am told "Wiring parties have proper means of entrance" - Common-sense & shrapnel to the contrary.

Jack and I go rustling & steal boards from the engineers for firewood

Pretty jaded & tired on account of insufficient sleep - & can't sleep well when off guard in the daytime on account of heat & flies. Germans throw 4 shrapnel 250' to our left - Get one of our company - thru the knee - am on water fatigue & meet the stretcher-bearers parking him out. Very cheerful - "Got a Blightie one" Much fusillading on our left & right tonight.

Relieved today by 1st Brigade, and batt. put in canvas huts near Neuve Eglise. Am instructed by Maj. Peck & Capt. Morison to survey trenches - choose Baxster as assistant - Move down to dugout near Prouse Pt & draw rations from Red Cross 3rd Batt.

Get a bullet thru the hair while standing "sizing up" on the Messines Road - arrested as German spies & haled before Col. of the 8th - Insult to injury! Rustle up 6 tins "Maconochie" - Fine dugout, with a table and gunny sack doors.

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

Current Page Discussion [edit] [history]

Image 118 of 561