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*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum.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]
63 surveys Ploegsteert E Fme Grand Westhof 26th, full moon 0 11 p.m.] JULY, 1915. [30th, Sun rises 4h. 22m.]
Sunday 25 [206-159] 8th after trinity
St. James. Last Day Lodger old Claims
Still on survey - get sniped at from messines
MONDY 26 [207-158]
Hill while pacing fish Ho Road- bullets fly a little high. Supercilious staff-maj. 1st Bde very oniffy - Privates should not be given a job they are incapable of doing etc. Have To Take it all, bat see a bit red.
- - Col. Rennie on the contrary greatly interested in the notes Combat of aeroplanes Sunday night our artillery opens fire 830 pm. on Messines. Then Fritz starts, mostly on chateau, but half a doz shells land near us. Complete survey today.
TUESDAY 27 [208-157]
Germans shell ridge 1/2 mile from Headquarters and drop 32 shells into Niappa. Made attack near Hooge by liquid fire and reported to have taken a front of 400 metres. Go back to Regt & report to Maj. Tech- Leckie - sent on to Bde Hgrs. put to work in the General's dining room at Ferme Grand-Westhof - Buy a little hay for 10 sous[?] & sleep in a disused stable. Get a cake from Miss Ethel Elliot - divide up with the section
WEDNESDAY 28 [209-156]
Very quiet day. - Working at Headquarters' Ferme Grand Westhof. Some of the batmen steal a little hay & mme appeals to me "lls sont des voleurs, des voleurs" maid -of-all work Marie very buxom - Paddles around with bare feet stuck into huge sabots.
- Rennie was Col. of the Bn. who took over from the 16th He has Told this Staff-Maj about us. The latter had demanded to see my pose. He then took my field-book, snorted & threw it in the mud. exclaiming "all wrong, quite wrong" Rennie saw this incident & later said he was awfully sorry
BC Archives, MS-0392, Box 1 Volume 4, FRANK SWANNELL PAPERS, Diary and enclosures, 1915.