A few Notes on my Career as a Soldier.

Chapter 5. The Somme Battlefield

By Horace William (Bill) James

The next day the 29^th Good Friday, 1918, and many a time my thoughts ran home and to different parts of NZ. What could they be doing out there?  We had a very quiet time sitting under a little bit of cover all day with only a few shells flying around and I was not sorry when night came so that we could move around a bit and dig to keep warm, which kept me occupied most of the night.

At daylight we got under cover again and all was quiet once more and was so until 1-pm when our Sargent came up the trench and broke the gentle news that Ruahines were going over the top and we were to support them and the barrage would start at 2-pm.  My heart began to beat a little faster as I started to wonder what was before me but managed to keep myself amused with putting my gear together, cleaning ammunition and giving the old rifle a final touch.  This all finished I asked my mate how the time was going – twenty past one.  I thought about four hours had passed by, instead of twenty minutes and was in hope that peace had been declared and our little stint was a washout.

Finally, we were asked if we were ready and shortly after away went the guns, some sound, and machine guns rattled everywhere. We all got down into the bottom of the trench and waited and strange to say the only thing that troubled me was cramp in the foot.  Here we stayed for some hours and nothing turned up.  Then the guns seemed to ease off and I had a bit of a look around to see what was going on.  A runner went past and told us the boys had got their objective and were digging in and then once more I breathed freely.  Soon we saw prisoners of war coming past.  I began to think war was not so very bad after all.

Then we got orders to move up to the next line of trenches and very soon I found myself running across about 100 yards of open ground with a shovel in one hand and my rifle in the other gasping for breath and was not sorry when I saw the others jump into a trench and quickly followed.  But somehow that was not the finish as they kept going and this time we had about six inches of mud to contend with and every few yards I managed to get tangled up in some wire in the trench and all the time my mates were getting further ahead.  Next we passed a dead German and I gave him a very thoughtful glance as I went by.  Close behind him was one of our boys who had been shot in the head.  I should think he had had a very close call to leave this world.   

At last I got a chance to catch up with the rest who were all held up at a railway line and had to crawl through a small ditch to get to the other side without being sniped, as there were now plenty of those little bits of lead and shell flying about.  My turn came and I managed to get stuck half way and was well smothered in mud by the time I had dragged myself through.  On the other side of this we got into a trench with some small bivvies dug in it and after a bit of a look around I planted myself well into one of these to try and keep a bit dry as I then discovered it was raining and I was getting pretty wet.

My next experience was to learn what a strafe was. For the next hour or so the ground around me simply trembled.  Mud was flying everywhere and one piece landed fair in my ribs as though I was having a few rounds with the gloves on.  A piece of shell just missed my foot and at the time I was rather sorry it did.  One of the boys on my next was evidently more frightened than I was and came crawling along to the Corp. but I don’t know what for unless it was to stop a blast which he got.

The NZ Artillery in action at the Somme

During my sojourn in this little spot I had plenty of time and my thoughts travelled in all directions, but once again I was not extra frightened perhaps because I did not realise the extent of the danger I was in.  Our boys were getting blown out of their bivvies all along the trench yet no one was hit.

Then came the next little scene in the great play and perhaps the star act.  What was happening I did not know but simply sat listening to the shells and bullets flying about.  After a while the Sargent came along and told us we had to go up to the line and help the Ruahines and very soon we were filing off down a very muddy SAP.  I was near the last with our Corporal just behind me who kept telling me to hurry whenever I got tangled up in some wire and I had a big job to keep going.  What with excitement and want of breath I was feeling a bit queer. 

Exactly what I saw during the next half hour is rather hazy to me but I know we had not gone far when I nearly walked on to a dead German lying face up staring at us as we passed.  Then the next one was one of our boys and at the sight of him my heart sank.  I did not look at the next one who was lying on a stretcher and had evidently been abandoned by his rescuers and from then on things grew worse.  Blood was lying in deep pools. In the SAP, men too were lying every few yards and in all positions. Some dead, others just breathing or groaning their last while others were too far-gone even to make a noise and were just quivering as the last of their strength flowed away.

At last we came to the end of this trench and had to wait to find out where to go next and then I felt very queer, sick at the sights I had seen.  We stopped here a few hours and found that our boys had been held up for some two hours on a strong point, but luckily the Huns had given in just before we arrived on the scene. 

 

Less than twenty NZ’s rounded up some sixty prisoners and eight machine guns, so it was little wonder we had been held up.  

All that was left to do now was to dig in so we salvaged some shovels and were ready for the task and our officer (Buckshee) came back to us but knew no more than when he left us, except that he wanted a good man to go back to supports with him.  Things did not look too healthy and then a Sargent (Bill Murray) took things in his own hands and the next I heard was “follow me boys” and we got out across a railway line and into no-mans land where 

we found a few of the boys already digging in. The Sargent stepped out a task for each man and believe me I 

was not long in getting to work on my little piece and can safely say that I worked harder than I ever did before, not even stopping for a drink, although I had a mouth as dry as chips.  After a while I was getting well down in the earth and had a nice little bank between Fritz and myself, which made one feel a little safer.  

The night passed by very quietly, very few shots being fired.  At midnight we stopped for a meal, piece of bully, Anzac wafer and some water and then came a spoonful of rum, which nearly got down my throat.  

All this time a wounded Fritz lying out in front of us had been calling for “mercy Comrade” and finally he was taken away to the hospital very much to his relief and mine too.  About 2-am we found another wounded Hun in a posy just behind us who had evidently been lying low.  He was also sent away on a stretcher but don’t know how far he got.

By dawn our part of the trench was finished and we had a couple of posy’s dug for ourselves and of course daylight prevented us from doing any more digging as no one was looking for any excitement.  Up until dinnertime everything was fairly quiet and each of us made use of our bivvies and we tried to get a little sleep but was not very successful.

In the afternoon the Heads got the wind up and we were standing too most of the time as some airman reported that he had seen Fritz preparing to counterattack and this even went as far as an order being sent along that he was coming, which I might say put the wind up me.  But luckily it was only a false alarm otherwise this may not have been written as our defenses were very poor and I think it was a case going west or Berlin.

Sunday night, my Coy was coming into the front line to relieve the Ruahines and we were told that our section would have to stay on and my hopes went very low as I was expecting to go back with the rest.  However, there was still a doubt and when the Heads came in, our Corporal went to find out and I anxiously waited his verdict and was excited as though I was to get a trip home and when he put his head over the top of the trench and said to get out, I nearly jumped up and kissed him.

Aerial Photo of the Somme Battlefield.

We were soon changing over and got up to the top of the trench and were just moving off when a nice little strafe from Fritz. There was very soon a scatter for an old trench in which we had to wait for a while before making a dash for the next trench across the open country which we did without wasting any time.  There we landed in a SAP and waded off through the mud and I was only a bit tired when we reached the supports.  Here we got into some old bivvies for a sleep but a good heavy frost and no coats soon settled that argument so I again spent most of the night digging to keep warm.

As soon as it was a bit light I got out looking for some food and water and had a good win.  Also found an old dug-out, which we made our home.  First thing we made some cocoa on a small fire and it was a real treat as we had not had anything hot for some time and it softened our biscuits.  During the day the sun was shining and we got some of the mud off ourselves and fixed up our dug-out for the night.  That night we had a good sleep.  Many times during the day I was wondering what was going on in NZ and spent a lot of time thinking over my 

previous Easter Mondays, the last one in particular.  In the evening I had to go up to the front line with ammunition but did not get any excitement.

Tuesday, the next day we slept most of the time and had to go out for water again and very nearly struck a shell, missing it only by a few yards.  That night we were being relieved and were all ready to go when we got orders to supply a burying party.  The job not being a very pleasant one and rather risky, the Corporal decided to “Sell a horse” instead of detailing two of us and strange to say this is the first time I have ever won a little lottery but I sat low and thought a lot as this was one of the little duties I did not fancy.

As soon as it was dusk we moved up to Supports and after a bit of a spell our Sargent asked for the party and with him we crawled over the top and soon found the body, an Auckland Lance Corporal.  The Sargent got his discs and papers etc., and then we placed him in a shell hole.  F.M.O. started our task and I am sorry to say it was a very rough burial but the fact that old Fritz kept playing his machine gun on us made it impossible to spend too much time over the job and I was not sorry when my mate said “that is good enough, go for your life”.  I put the chaps steel hat at the head of his grave and was very soon back in the trench again breathing a little more freely.

We had to wait in the trench for a good while and then set off back as soon as our relief arrived.  A cross-country trip soon brought us into Mailly Mallet and we pulled up at a small wood just behind the village and got into some old bivvies already there.  We found a hot meal waiting for us, the first we had had for ten days, and I reckoned that stew was the best food I’d ever had.

Needless to say we slept in the next morning.  After a while we got breakfast and then had a good wash up, shave, etc., and spent the rest of the day resting.  Towards evening the boys found a cellar of wine and left it severely alone (I don’t think) and were all feeling good enough for anything that came their way.  A few shells were the only excitement we had that day and one or two came a bit close but no damage was done.

April 4^th we moved off again to a new Camp.  This time we were out in the open paddocks under canvas shelters but had plenty of straw, as there were a few haystacks close by.

The next day there was a bit of a parade.  As we were on the side of the hill facing Fritz I guess he must of got his optics on to us, for a few minutes after the parade he winged a couple of shells into our Camp killing one man and wounding three. We were not very long in getting out of that spot.  Every man grabbed his gear and made off over the hill but another shell dropped amongst us stopping another man who was only a few yards in front of me, but landed between us and I was luck enough to be behind it.  We fixed up another Camp that night and dug out an old trench in case he repeated his dose.

The next couple of days we were working on the road between Courcelles and Bertrancourt and I landed some mail from home, which was more than decent and we were getting plenty of mud and rain while here and the stay was not too pleasant.

Monday the 8^th April, 1918.  We got orders to go up the line.  So we got a bath and clean clothes just to keep the stock down.  Just before dark we moved off and had a good way to go and after a while it started to rain just to make things a bit more pleasant.  We passed through Mailly, which we hardly knew as the same village.  It was now a complete heap of wreckage, hardly a house that had not been hit and there was a lot of our guns firing from there.

Soon after we got through the village we struck some machine-gun fire and from there, until we got to the front trench, were dodging along between the bursts of fire and flares that were going up every few minutes.

We were put into a very crook trench and in places it was hardly eighteen inches deep.  We had a big front and old Fritz was very close to us, a fact that did not please me very much.  But the night proved a fairly quiet one as did the next day.  The following night we took over some more trench which was even worse than the last one and this time my section was placed at the head of a gap running across no mans land, which old Fritz used to come into during the night so it was not a pleasant spot.  In the morning we got a good strafe, which put a few of our boys out, but we had a fairly quiet time, so it was not so bad. 

The next night we fixed up our trench and bivvies.  Our guns kept up a solid fire all night.  While on sentry just at daylight, I sighted a big Fritz patrol just in front of our trench, which put the wind up me for a while, as I thought he was coming over. I was not long in getting the rest of the boys out and we soon had our Lewis gun talking to them.  There was a big scatter and we saw no more of them.

Just after daylight I witnesses my first falling plane.  One of our Archies got him but he fell in his own lines.  We had another quiet day and also night and the following morning I was a bit crook so came out to see the Quack.  I had a pretty crook trip.  Had to come up a SAP, which had no small amount of mud in it and was well over my knees in most places and a good few dead Fritz did not make things any more pleasant.  However, I got to the end of my journey without any excitement.  After I got to a good spot, had a long spell and then went in search of the R.A.Q. where I landed a good cup of cocoa and was sent back to the next post pulling up at the Y.M. on the road.  I had some more cocoa and biscuits and a good spell.  At the next post we got some more cocoa and cake this time and with a few more chaps we were taken back still further to a dressing station and the cocoa act was repeated.  From here we were sent per ambulance to the 3^rd field ambulance hospital.

to be continued

A few Notes on my Career as a Soldier.

Chapter 4  Travel across to the battle lines.

By Horace William (Bill) James  

About 12-pm we detrained at Hazebrouck and marched a short distance out to temporary billets.  The one I struck was very temporary indeed being a small brick building without either doors or windows and in places large pieces of the walls were minus, and the floors covered with little straw. I was not long in looking up something better and got into what was once a hospital but Fritz had given it a bad shaking with a couple of shells.  In the building I found a nice little room, which was not very airy, and in there with two of my mates we had a decent little posy.  

The next thing was a bit of a clean up etc. and then we went out to have a look round the town, which is a fair sized place with a couple of fine churches.  There are a lot of people here still in business although I believe a great number have made a bit of a move away on account of old Fritz putting over something like 140 shells in two days, a month or two back.  Evidently they are looking for a better life.  Needless to say I had a good binder tonight.

The next morning, Sunday the 10^th March, 1918 I lay in bed and had breakfast brought to me.  My friend Pat volunteered to get up and get enough for three, which amounted to three dixies of tea.  We had scored a bit of Frogy bread the night before.  The night before leaving Abele, I received a parcel from home containing a tin of butter, which I had securely placed in my pack.  So with the addition of a tin of bully we had a good breakfast and got under the blankets again.

At 9.30-am we all got up and when we got outside found that the clock had been advanced one hour for the daylight saving scheme making our rising hour 10.30-am, which is some hour for a soldier to rise.  What was left of the morning I spent out in the sun writing home and in the afternoon went for another walk round the city arriving back at 8.30-pm.  

On Monday the 11^th March we were again up rather late and 10-am got ready to move off, having been lined up in a small paddock close by where I might say we waited until 22-pm, when at last came the joyful order “Packs up”.  Very soon we were off making for the Battalion.  A few enquires on the way as to the how far it was proved to be very far from satisfactory for after walking a few miles we still got the same answer.  Just a few miles although we still kept moving along and the old packs grew heavier and my feet more sore.

On Parade with full Kits

Just before 6-pm we came into a small village known as Bavinchove, which is just outside Cassel.  In this village was the Headquarters of the 1^st Wellington Battalion to which we were to be attached.  Another small wait and we were lined up, numbered off, inspected by the R.S.M., roll call, then inspected by the Adjutant and finally drafted into our different Coys.  Yours truly getting into the 9^th Hawke’s Bay Coy. with two of my mates, Patterson and Rossbridge, known as Pat and Rusty.

Then came the runners who were to show us the way to our companies.  Ours turned out to be Tom O’Carrol who gave me a little news from NZ and the Thames in particular.  Two km back the same road we had just arrived by, brought us to our Coy., feeling only a little bit weary.  The first thing was a feed and then we were put into a barn for the night.  Rusty and I were soon fast asleep under one blanket. 

The next morning we all went out on Company parade and after the C. O.’s inspection, he kindly asked to see me and two other Buckshee Corps and after a little explanation kindly asked us to return to the ranks so that now I am just one of those common soldiers known as privates or in other words something to hang things on.

On Parade in France

Sunday 24^th.March, 1918. We have now been here just under a fortnight and have had rather a decent time although we had plenty of drill and have been inspected by the G. O. C. But a nice little shower came on at the right moment and cut things a bit short.  I had three days in bombing school learning the art of throwing these little crackers.

We have had some good games of football and I went fairly close to getting into the Battalion team who won the 1^st Wellington competition.  I have met quite a few Whangare-ites since I came here.  Some of them are A. Jack, E Heape, L Gill, J Hinter, H Bechne, F Eceles, R Cadman, W Baker, H Willis, and others.

On Friday last the Heads all got the wind up a bit and we got packed up in a hurry ready to move off at any moment as old Fritz was supposed to have broken through.  We were off to push him back but after waiting about all day the gale went down a bit and we were given orders to make down for the night.

Yesterday we were on parade as usual but today we are all packed again and now we are waiting orders to move off but I think it is a dinkum go this time and I guess there will be something doing in a few days now.  Our little holiday has come to an end.  My pal Rusty had his leave stopped.

Sun night the 24^th March, 1918 we left Bavinchove moving off at 9-am.  I was in a loading party getting our transports on board the train.  We had just completed this task and were having a buckshee cup of cream at the G. M. when an old Fritz dropped three bombs close by just to remind us as we were going to war.  No damage was done.

We were soon seated in the usual class carriages and were moving off.  By daylight we had reached Bolongne but not the end of our journey for we kept on going passing numerous village towns etc. until 2-pm when we pulled up at Ailley Sur Somme, a small place on the river Somme.

Here we detrained and unloaded all the transports and then got into a small wood.  Had a much needed meal and wash and then got orders to get into battle order.  Ready to meet Fritz who according to rumours was close at hand and coming strong but we had to a march of 26 miles to do.  So we dumped everything to make the old packs as light as possible and then we anxiously waited orders to go, but instead we were told to bunk down for the night. The next task was to get some grass for a bunk.

Midnight we were roused and were soon on the march, which finished at the end of the first mile to wait for the M.F.’s   As there was a heavy frost on by now and we had no coats or extra clothing we were beginning to feel a bit cool and very soon small fires were soon blazing up in the street, which grew both in number and size.  A few cocoa and coffee drinkers soon had their dixies on the fire.  Wood was a bit scarce and I had a little excitement when trying to gather some.

In the morning we were still on the road so moved back to the wood we had left and made some breakfast as best we had with us.  Then rested until 11-am when we got into wagons and were off, passing through the city of Amiens on the route.  We travelled for about two hours and were put out to finish the trip per boot.  A hurried lunch and we moved, meeting returning soldiers and refugees all along the road.  At last we came in sight of our guns and could see the many enemy shells exploding on our side.  Then another bomb close to us jogged my memory once more and it took my mind away from Whangarei.

After driving 10 miles we finished up in an open paddock.  Had the usual meal. Found a haystack and were soon down for the night but were only allowed to sleep until 12-pm and were then aroused to move out which proved a wrong order and so had to get under the straw once more.  But it was far too cold for sleep and I spent most of the time walking about.  

The next morning we built fresh bivvies but did not have the pleasure of using them as we were again moved up a little closer and after about an hours march found ourselves in Mailly Wood with orders to dig in.  A few shells made us work all the faster, one of them giving an officer a nice Blighty.  The next day we built a decent posy and were again disappointed we did not use it. 

At 8-pm that night we moved off in single file up through the village of Mailly Mallet and could soon see the first of the flames and lights of the front line and then the whistle of machine-gun bullets over our heads.  At last we reached the support trench wet through and after standing on the bank for half an hour we were dumped into an old filled in trench much to my relief.  The first thing was dig and that lasted until morning when we had to get well down with a bit of cover over our heads, but it was more than cold.  

A Few Notes on my Career as a Soldier.

Chapter 3  Life on the move towards towards Fritz

By Horace William (Bill) James  

20^th December 1917.  We left for No. 5 Camp Cayeux.  It was some trip.  That morning was the heaviest frost I have ever seen, a real stunner.  To start off with they kept us standing on the parade for half an hour.  Then we marched to the Station about one mile.  Here we waited another two and half hours and golly was it cold.  The F.M.C.A. stall supplied us with hot cocoa and it was a treat.  

At half past twelve our train arrived and we got into vans without seats that had as much frost inside as out, also cracks in between the floorboards to prevent overheating.  Just on 1-pm, we left and after travelling for three hours including stops we arrived at Cayeux only a little bit cold.  We had no dinner but of course being convalescent we did not need any.  I had the end of a loaf in my jacket and it served the situation for my pal and I.  

We had a little over a mile to walk to the Camp and soon as we got there.  Had some tea after which we were taken to our tents.  I got into one with six other diggers, which proved a happy little family.  The names are as follows: Tom Roberts, Bill Muller, Gelhuish, Dick Saunders, Bill Dobson, Jack Fay and yours truly.  This is a canvas camp and is on the coast and seems as though we are to spend a good time here, as they don’t worry us.

Sunday 23^rd December 1917.  We went into the village and had a good look round.  Got into some of the shops and asked a lot of questions but bought nothing excepting a meal and a good one.

Monday the 24^th was a very tame Xmas Eve for me.  I spent most of the day sewing up a pair of trow and in the evening went for a walk and had a bottle of wine and finished up writing letters.  

Christmas Day, 1917.  In the morning there were a couple of football matches and a church parade that I missed.  Had to go on guard.  Dinner of course was the main question and when the bugle sounded everyone lined in great style.  The dinning hall and tables were well decorated and just on two thousand men sat down to a real good dinner of roast beef and duff, fruit, sweets, cigarettes and many of Lloyd George’s beers.  In the afternoon there was a boxing tournament and pictures and at night a pantomime by the Camp concert company, but as it was on for two nights I waited for the second night and went to church and did some writing the first night.  I went to bed feeling that we had been well treated.  

Boxing Day there was nothing special except the panto, which was a real good one.  

New Years Day 1918.  The usual routine was kept and there were no celebrations.  In the evening I went to a “Jack” tea and concert, another real good night.

January 3^rd.  I was put on a job building huts.  My work was cutting sheet iron with a cold chisel. 

January 24^th.  I am still in No 5 Camp and my piece of string seems to be wearing well, as the job is still going on.  My pal Jack has lost his but is still here with me.  I have had the good luck to strike a mail 42 letters in eight days, some good.  My pals have had some parcels and all the last week we have been trying to find a way to boil water to use up some cocoa etc., that was in them and, overcoming the difficulty after many little experiments, had the lot finished today.  I have also had the bad luck to get touched for two razors, one a presentation, worst luck, but it won’t stop me from having a “spruce up”. 

February 18^th 1918.  I have now been in this Camp just over eight weeks and tonight I have been given my moving card, which came all of a sudden in the end but can’t complain as I have had a real good time here.  My pal Jack went out a few days ago so perhaps I shall meet him again soon.  I received seven parcels while down here, all in a few days, and what I could not eat I “peddled” away and landed a few francs.

Feb 26^th. I left Cayeux last Tuesday.  We were up bright and early that morning, a bit of change to eight-am.  The first thing was a good binder and then the usual inspection and by 8.00-am, were on the road.  A couple of miles march landed us on board the old puffer and very soon were heading for our base, where we arrived about midday after a nice little run through some good country in one of those nicely cushioned carriages generally known as cattle trucks but seeing that I have lost all my pride now and are not particular what class I travel and nearly always come at the 32^nd that is if there is no 33^rd.

Behind the lads a typical carriage on war train (cattle crate).

On our arrival at the base the first thing was a meal and the rest of the day we had to ourselves and making preparations for the coming nights.  I met several of my old friends during the afternoon amongst them were Claude Dando, Hiwi Bedlington, Percy North, Long, and last and nearly least, little Scotty McKay who very soon put a barrage of questions all around me.

The next morning I was eating my humble meal at 6.15-am, a bit of change, and the first stint was a visit to the Quack who took very little persuasion to discover that I was in good fettle and fit and consequently marked me active so that I now have to declare myself once more hostile.  I guess in a few weeks I will be raining some hammer like blows over old Fritz.  The next thing was an overhauling by the army Gun Diggers who did not allow me to forget that I had a few nerves left and was kind enough to tell me not to flinch.

The following day after several different little parades such as to the boot-maker, barber, A.M. Stores, etc.  I found myself fitted out in a set of harnesses and one of those toy guns on my shoulder and I began to realise that I was a dinkum soldier once more.

Then the C.S.M. was kind enough to inform me that we would be marching out to A lines that afternoon, although it was only a matter of fifty yards and in the same Camp.  Still it was quite unnecessary that we should move off on full marching order to be inspected by the O.C. and stand about with the old pack up for an hour or so.  After the distance was reached we were dismissed for the day.  That night Scotty and I spent down in the village of Etaples and of course had a real good parley over the old days spent at home and all the different folks up there.

The next day, Friday, I swung the lead on a dentist appointment so did nothing and on Sat. had a little march down to the Bull Ring to try our joints and receive a present from the Heads, a gas mask and was again told the old story and shown how it was worn etc.  By the time we made Camp that night was feeling a bit tired and hungry only having a piece of bully and bread all day.

Sunday, 24^th. February 1918.  Mc. and I went for a walk through the city again and finished up with a good supper.  

Tuesday I was warned for draft to go up to the lines, which followed another succession of parades and by 12.30 found myself with a full pack up again waiting for another inspection, which was by the same man but of course that does not matter.  This time I had a tailor-made suit on with shiny buttons and was looking quite fit and flash.  The next thing we were given our orders for the following day and there was something about 4.30-am which was about the only thing I remembered.  A bath, a medical inspection, finished the day.  There was a draft going to NZ tomorrow and believe me I know which I’d sooner to be in.  None of them seem to be very down in the mouth over it.  

28^th February, 1918.  Yesterday we made a shift of a few miles closer to our friend Fritz. As promised we were pulled out from our blankets at 4.30-am and a few minutes later were parading with those beautiful parcels known as packs.  Then a good breakfast and by 5.30 we had gone through all the necessary forms of inspection and we were very soon on the march and just to make things a little more interesting “yours truly” was told off.  I was made an example for some poor sod who did not like the game so turned it up and went home.

A little march of about a mile landed us at the station.  Here we were told we could take our packs off as the train was not quite ready.  We waited a few minutes but I’m afraid they were not the usual ones as it was just 11-am when our Auto moved out of Etaples siding.  As usual we travelled 33^rd class and the springs took my memory back to the days I used to drive a dray on the farm.  However, the trip turned out rather interesting and although a bit rough I quite enjoyed it.  We passed through Boulogne, Calais, Saint Omer, Hazebrouck and everal more towns not quite as big.  I also had a fairly good look at some of France and, owing to the fact that spring is starting to show itself,  I must confess that I rather liked the look of parts of it.  Soon after 8-pm we pulled up at Abele Station and I might say I was not sorry when I left that carriage.  

Another little march and the Camp was reached, and after a few particulars being taken such as name, number, rank, age, unit, service, occupation etc., the kind Q.M. dished us out some tea.  We had put the day in on a couple of Anzac wafers so needless to say we did justice to our tea.  

Today as usual we have to be inspected by the U. C. Camp, the Dr. (no one knows what may have developed during the day) and last but not least the popular Q.M. had to hold a kit inspection to see if there were any holes in our socks and make sure that no one had lost his iron ration and S.M. once more read extracts from Camp routine orders and reminded each and everyman to salute all officers at all times. This afternoon we were on a practice review, as I believe the soldiers’ friend, Alex, is paying us a visit tomorrow.  So it was quite necessary that all the brass on your equipment must be properly polished

5^th March, 1918.  Once more I have got my marching orders and tomorrow I guess we go up the line for a bit of a change.  I have been in this Camp now just nine days and cannot say that I am at all sorry to leave it as I consider it is well on a level with Sling.  There are one or two gentlemen in this Camp who like covering themselves in glory and I guess they will get it some of these days.  

Our first days work was the review by the ever popular Alex who was kind enough to keep us standing in the mud with packs up for two hours and during that period there was a couple of snow showers just as a reminder that we were not in NZ.  But as the said gentlemen was kind enough to congratulate us I guess no one would complain.  Some say “Good old Alex”.  Since then we have done a fair amount of training such as route marches, firing, bombing squad drill, and standing steady at attention and turning.

I have met a few boys here that I know, amongst them Eric Garrey, Arthur Johnson, Alf Barkle, and a few others.  I visited two little villages Abele and Boeschepe, which were both very small.  From this Camp we can hear the gunfire from the line and at nights the flashes and lights are visible so even though you wake up from a dream of home you very quickly have something to remind you where you are.

9^th March, 1918.  The day started at 7.30am when the welcome order “Fall in” came to our ears.  The first thing was to load ourselves up with 120 rounds of ammunition.  Just for ballast and to improve my already beautiful pack that was starting to bring my knees close together.  Then we had a few kindly words from the O. C. who advised us not to eat our rations, as we would be joining our units before midday and then another inspection by the C. O.  A few minutes wait until 10.30 when once more came the “packs up” and we were on the march.  A mile march landed us on the Abele Station.  Soon we were on the train going south and most of the boys looked pleased. 

A Few Notes on my Career as a Soldier

A Few Notes on my Career as a Soldier

Chapter 2  Arrive in England, Training and transfer to Europe

By Horace William (Bill) James

The next day the 25^th September we were taken off our good ship (which I was sorry to leave) and were landed at Southampton and after the usual delay, a good meal, were put on board the train and started for Sling Camp.  The trip through the fresh country was a real treat.  That night when I went to bed, after being chased about the Camp, I felt anything but happy and I thought a good deal about old NZ.  

The next three weeks I was in another N.C.O. class and got well chased around so was very pleased when it came to the finish.  I had lost one of my stripes and had to go through the class to keep the other two, which somehow I managed to do.  

On October 29^th 1917, we were granted four days leave, which of course I spent up at the Big Smoke, London.  I was rather disappointed with this little village but overall, I had a very enjoyable time there visiting a lot of the most interesting places there including Westminster Abbey, House of Parliament, Whitehall, Buckingham Palace, Royal Stables, Hyde Park, Wax Works, Lloyds, Towers of London Bridge, Central Time Station. I also went to a couple of good operas, which were very enjoyable and visited a suitable restaurant getting a good idea of the nightlife of the city.  

From here on I am giving some more detail of my doings in old Blighty, including on the 7^th July 1917.  

On the third night of our visit old Fritz came over and there I experienced a London Air Raid, which was an eye opener for me, but I cannot say that it caused me any excitement.  Leaving Waterloo Station at 8.30 on the fourth night we arrived back in Camp once more at 1.30 in the morning feeling only a little bit tired and with the thought that Whangarei is not the largest city in the World.  

November the 3^rd 1917, I received word that I had passed my exam and my rank of Corporal had been confirmed. The same day I got orders to proceed overseas so that the next two days were taken up with the usual preparations.  

On the 5^th we were to leave and all that day were being inspected by all the “brass hats” and what little time I got to myself I spent on fixing up my own little affairs and writing a few notes etc.  At 7-pm the final fall in went and we all lined up without gentle little packs, roll call and, of course, marched on the battalion parade ground.  Eight o’clock and we were off.  We marched to the Bulford Station headed by the old pipe band and we were put on to the train.  

At 4.00-am the next morning we arrived at Folkestone, cold as ice and shivering like little dogs.  We were taken to the barracks and after climbing about four flights of stairs landed into a small room, dropped our packs, lay on the floor and soon fast asleep.  

In the morning we were roused out with a lot ceremony and after having a wash (I don’t think) we were served with breakfast.  Yes a real live breakfast including a piece of bacon (cold) and a lump of dry bread.  Dinner was if anything a little worse.  I wrote several cards etc. from here and a couple of letters and then about 3-pm we embarked once more and were soon heading for sunny France. 

After a short run we arrived at Boulogne where we stepped on to the Frog Land.  A short wait and we were marched off to the famous One Blanket Hill, a rest Camp, and we were soon put into tents.  When I say soon I mean it was not more than an hour and that is nothing for a soldier to stand in a freezing wind.  Oh no! He never feels it especially if he has his pack on.  It keeps him nice and warm.  

Next item of course was tea.  It being then about 8-pm we were beginning to feel a sort of slackness under the ammunition pouches.  “Any N.C.O.’s there” came the next order.  (Poor devil) One of my comrades, who was rather keen, stepped his frame out and was told to get one man from each tent for rations.  Away they went after the usual number, form, forms, etc., we all sat and waited their return.  How much longer? At last they arrive with our meal, which was much the same as breakfast only this time we had the bacon raw by way of a change and you had to go to number 16 tent to get it.  They had the Company’s issue.  Tea and sugar was also served a la Grocer and by going to the cookhouse you could get hot water. I enjoyed my tea that night.  After that we got our blanket and very soon made use of it.  

In the morning it was raining a treat and after a good breakfast of bully and bread we had a bit of an argument over our blankets, which cleared off after being threatened with a trip to the guardroom.  I began to realise for the first time that I was a real soldier and was wondering how long it would be before I saw the shores of old NZ again when the whistle sounded for us to fall in.  

Another half hours wait in the rain and we marched off once more, to where we did not know.  We passed through a sort of little French village.  I do not know the name of it or whether it has a name but it gave me a very bad impression of France.  All along the road French girls and women of all ages were waiting to give us fruit and chocolates, of course we had to give the money to them first.  We did not go very far before we halted and waited for motor vans to complete the journey.  

T

hey soon came along and we packed into them like sheep and were soon on our way to Etaples where our base is situated.  Along the road I watched the country and all the different ideas to those in old NZ.  We passed through a couple of little villages and the conditions of the people, their streets and their habits, made me think they were a very dirty mob and only half civilised.  It was after midday when we arrived at our base that day.  

November 7^th 1917 and the first thing was a bit of a feed and then we were allotted to our different tents, inspected by the D.C. and all the usual ceremony over again and the rest of the day we were cleaning ourselves up a bit and making ourselves down for the night and after a good tea I turned onto bed.  

The next day 8^th November I met a couple of boys I knew from Whangarei and of course had a good talk.  We also started our training of which I intend to say very little, excepting that it was fairly easy and a good deal changed.  The first two or three days we had to take our days ration with us, which consisted of a small piece of bread and cheese.  

November 10^th Saturday night.  I went in company with two Whangarei-ites, Ponny and Bert Cleary, into the village of Etaples.  Had a look around, also a supper, came home not feeling in love with the place.  

The next day, the 11^th I visited another village called Paris Plage.  This is rather a decent little place on the Coast and much cleaner then the last.  I spent the afternoon there and also had a real good tea.  

14^th November 1917. Was feeling a bit out of sorts so went to see the Dr. who told me I had measles and would have to go to the hospital.  What? OK. I went back to my tent to get my belongings and my mates went very crook as it was nearly dark and they had to shift their tent and go into isolation, but that did not trouble me.

I went back to the medical hut with all my earthly belongings and was told to wait there for the ambulance.  I began think I must be crook if I was to have a joy ride.  However, I sat down and waited and yes for just an hour and the car came, a lady driver, which I have, no doubt explained the delay.  I could have walked the distance in a quarter of an hour but of course I was ill.  Anyway this lady directed me to get into the ambulance, shut me in and I was off.  

On arrival at hospital I was again examined and then put into my ward.  Had a wash. Got into a suit of pyjamas, bed socks etc., and then got into bed and had a bowl of hot milk.  Then the nurse came in and held my hand and after a few remarks tucked me in for the night.  

There was only one other patient in the ward and he seemed to have a stoppage in the speech, so I had plenty of time for thought.  In the morning when I woke up I wondered why I could not see the old canvas tent but soon came to my senses and thought I was far better off.  

The next three days I went through some new experiences, and not being allowed to either read or write and having no company I felt pretty miserable and passed the time playing with my few personal belongings, but I was having a good spell and was feeling quite well.

After this a few more Diggers came into the ward so I was set, and on Sunday night, 18^th November 1917, I got three letters from home.  They were worth thousands to me.  

On the 29^th they told me I could get up in the afternoon so I fitted myself out in a suit of blues, some flash.  I felt a bit groggy when I stood up but soon got over that.   After about three hours I was politely told to go back to bed again. The next day I was up again and was told I could get out every morning before breakfast.

22^nd November 1917.  I landed a parcel and after allowing the Sister to examine it I opened it to find a decent cake.  That night we had a feast.  We also had another supper one night of some potatoes that I fried after the Sister had gone.

I was now feeling fairly well and on 26^th went before the Colonel In Charge who marked me out.  The following day I started to get my things together taking good care to have a “sleep in” that morning. In the afternoon we left for Regimental Company Convalescence Depot, which was only a few minutes walk, so we were soon there and into our Coy’s and also huts.  I landed a good bed, a wire mattress.  

There was another E. Coy. 38^th man in the party, J Foy, so of course we kept together.  There were nearly all Tommies in the Camp although I think every corner of the British Empire was represented even in our hut.  The food was rough and we could not get half enough.  One loaf of bread had to be divided between eight - butter was a luxury.

Nearly every night my friend Jack and I would have a tin of fish or something to keep us going or else walk down to our base and have tea.  On Dec 14^th 1917 I was down there and met several of the old boys including Lew Morgan who I spent several nights with afterwards.  

On entering this Camp we had to go before the Dr. and he classed us C., which meant that we would be going into another convalescent Camp, which was a bit warmer.  We had now been here eight days and several drafts have left the Camp and I was beginning to feel worried.

On Dec 8^th they sent away nearly all the NZr’s and my spirits dropped to zero.  Thought I was not going to get a trip at all but my friend Jack cheered me up.  The next day we paid another visit to Paris Plage and as usual we had a good meal, which was a welcome change from the dry bread, and bacon and once more I felt my belt tight.  A couple of days later I received another cake, which Lou, Jack and I gave a terrible thrashing.  The weather was now getting very cold.  We had had some very severe frosts, a pond close by being frozen hard.

On Dec 16^th it started to snow in the afternoon, which was a great novelty for me and it kept on all night.  In the morning everything was well covered and believe me we had some fun, my first experience of snowballing.

Dec 19^th we got orders to parade before the Dr. and having been here for three weeks I thought I was a model for the base. But luck was not by my side and to my surprise he again marked me C. without even asking me how I was feeling.

To Be continued.

A few Notes on my Career as a Soldier.

By Horace William (Bill) James

1916-19 World War 1

Horace William (Bill)  James

Preface

These notes are taken direct from a small diary that was part of Bill James’s personal effects given to me, his grandson,  in August 2002 by his daughter, Shirley Richards.  The photographs included are from his personal collection.  As far as I know Bill never spoke of his wartime experiences to the family.  In fact, I am not even sure any family member ever read the diary except perhaps my late Uncle Jack Richards, a WW2 veteran.

My grandfather Bill teaching me to drive a the tractor (circa 1948).

Bill James was everything a boy could wish for in a grandfather.  He had me out on the farm doing all the dangerous things kids these days can't do; like driving the old Case tractor as a preschooler, while he fed the cattle from the trailer behind. I used to ask endless questions about the farm and how things worked.  He had great patience. Perhaps, his greatest gift was to introduce me to sea fishing and walking in kauri forest, activities which have influenced my life ever since .

This diary is a window on his personality and survival through that terrible war.  Although I was only nine years old when he died,  I recognise his personality and humour in the notes.  The same traits are inherited and expressed in his descendants today.

I am a humbled by Bill's dedication to public service in throughout his life. He served on a vast array of public bodies and in his final years he became Mayor of Whangarei.  It is wonderful to share these notes written by him so long ago.

Ian James

Okarito

A Few Notes on my Career as a Soldier

By Horace William (Bill) James 44936

IX HB COY

Chapter 1  New Zealand to United Kingdom.

After a little over two years of careful consideration I decided to become a real soldier and on the 27^th September 1916 wended my way to the old Drill Hall in Whangarei and signed on.

On the Xmas Eve that year I handed over my business to my trusty friend, Edward Whimp who past promised to look after it during my absence.

HW James engineering circa 1915.

The next two weeks I spent as a bit of a holiday, which was very enjoyable and I shall be a long while forgetting it, especially the little trip over to Dargaville and the five pleasant days I spent there.  

January 9^th 1917 was the day on which my career started.  My draft left that day and, after a lot of painful goodbyes and speeches, I was onboard the train for Trentham, which we reached the following night and was soon fitted out as a new recruit.

Tent camp at Trentham

After three months training as an N.C.O. I was granted leave to go home where I spent a very pleasant ten days and on return back to Camp was posted to my Company with the men.  Another three months work and we were granted our final leave, which I nearly missed, but in the finish got fourteen days, which I spent in various ways at home and had a really good time.  But as the end drew near and as the last day came for me to leave and say goodbye to all, it knocked the shine off me.  I shall never forget that day and hope never to go through another the same. 

On my way back I went to the Thames to see my brothers who gave me a good send off and joy ride down to catch the boat.  I spent two days there and then left for Camp once more in company with Lew and Pete who came down to Wellington with me.

  

Boys relaxing at Hut 152, Trentham

The rest of our time in NZ we did very little besides getting ready for our trip across the briny.  On Wed 11^th July 1917 went into Wellington to spend the night with Lew and Pete and to say goodbye.  Once more wished I was not a soldier. 

We received orders to embark on the 14^th July 1917 and little I knew on that sunny morning what was before me.  We started off from Camp at 8-am and by 12-noon we were on our ship waiting to sail.  For an hour soldiers relatives flocked along the side of our tub and there were some sore hearts when we began to move out.

On the Wellington Wharf before departure.

We had started, but had to wait in the harbour for a while, but then started out of Wellington Heads in the evening and for the next fourteen days very little interested me excepting the land market and I would have bought it at any price during that period.  I would have made any agent a very fair offer but no business was done.

“Land” someone said and in a few minutes I was twice the man.  It was Sunday morning 29^th July and was nice and fine when we sighted the shores of Australia and soon everyone was dressed ready to go on leave (Very Sorry!).  By midday we steamed into Albany Harbour and that afternoon all hands went for a march on shore and it was a treat to get on to firm land once again.

We left again that night and I took up my old position hanging over the side. But after that I recovered and began to eat a bit.  For the next three weeks our old ship, (Waitemata) steamed ahead without seeing anything but water and seabirds.

The Waitemata in Capetown

On Sunday morning the 19^th August 1917 we again sighted land, the coast of Africa.  That afternoon we meet a transport, which may I say caused me no little excitement being the first object we had seen for three weeks.  Soon after this we sighted the famous Table Mountain and as we were going into port in the evening a hospital ship passed close by, a grand sight, she was all lit up.

That night we anchored at Cape Town where we stayed for ten days spending most of the time out in the harbour but got ashore for three days. Had a good look around visiting the most important places and did full justice to the fruit etc.  I also secured a few souvenirs.

At this port our old ship was turned down and very much to all the boys pleasure and we were transported to the Onerahi, which is some ship and we all had a real good time while we were aboard her. 

On the 29^th August 1917, we left Cape Town with another two transports, the Hiboana? and the Zorman?, and we were under escort of an armed liner.

September 11^th we arrived at Sierra Leone where we stayed for three days but did not get ashore and were a bit disappointed, although we had a lot of fun with the natives who came around our ship.  We left this port with seven ships and a fresh escort and a few days before our destination we were picked up by an escort of destroyers who guided us safely into port.

Early in the morning on September 24^th, we sighted the shores of old England and then our convoy parted, most of the other boats making for Plymouth.  We steamed on up the coast in company with a cargo boat and two little Bulldogs.  In the afternoon we passed the famous Isle of Wight and soon afterwards arrived at Portsmouth where we stayed for a few hours and then shifted to Southampton water and dropped anchor for the night.

To be continued