First World War diary - August 1918 - Wakefield Museums and Castles

First World War diary - August 1918

An actor playing George Kellett reading his diary entries from August 1918

1 August 1918

Out to work at 2am. Inspection at 3pm. Went to range at 4pm did not get back to camp until 8pm

2 August 1918

Had a days rest today. Were told to clean up for the CO to inspect us in full marching order at 3pm but he did not turn up. Sent 5 franc note for Dorothys birthday which is on the 7^th.

3 August 1918

Out to work at 3am. Finished with the stretcher bearers job had to start again making LG Post Douchy Avenue. Inspection at 6pm

4 August 1918

Work at 3am laying beachwood track in Adinfer wood got back to camp about 9:30am. Inspection at 3pm

5 August 1918

Days rest today. Went down to the range after dinner but it rained and we had to come away without firing. Inspection at 10am

6 August 1918

Work at 3:15am in Adinfer Wood. Back in camp again at 8:30am. Inspection at 4pm. Our man in Y coy goes on leave tomorrow. Received a letter from Ada saying Willie is in the infirmary but progressing favourably

7 August 1918

Put on as permanent stretcher bearer. Out at 3am digging new trench in Purple line. No inspection today Clean up for tomorrow Dorothy four years old today

8 August 1918

Days rest today. Inspection at 11am

9 August 1918

Work at 3am Purple line, deepening trench to 8’6” and cutting fire steps. Baths at 3pm. Inspection at 6pm

10 August 1918

Work at 3am. Inspection at 6pm

11 August 1918

Work at 3am. Went to Headquarters to pull against the tug of war team and selected to train with the team.

12 August 1918

Took my kit to Headquarters to go into training for tug of war team. Day off today scrubbed equipment

13 August 1918

Did 2 hrs work on the tracks had a bath before dinner. Had two pulls on the rope dinner and two more after tea.

14 August 1918

Did 1 ½ hrs work on the tracks and had a bath before dinner. Had one hours pulling and football in the afternoon.

15 August 1918

Did 1 hours work on the tracks. Had a bath before dinner, afterwards we held on the rope for 10 minutes and had half an hours football

16 August 1918

Did not turn out at all today, I did not feel very well and Sergt Reid said I had better stay in for the day.

17 August 1918

Went on the tracks for an hour and had a bath. After dinner fell in Battle orders as Jerry has actioned on our front but we were dismissed again with the order to stand to.

18 August 1918

On the tracks for a couple of hours and a bath before dinner.

19 August 1918

Besides gas [?] training we had fatigues to do today. Did not get to bed until 11:45pm

20 August 1918

No work on the tracks today. Had a good walk and [?] before breakfast. PT after breakfast and a couple of pulls on the rope and another pull at 12:15pm

21 August 1918

Big push started on our front bombardment started about 5am. Our Division on the attack y company went over after the first wave.

Demonstration of and information about bayonets used in the First World War

22 August 1918

Had to stand to all day at Headquarters had to load pack mules and GS waggons case of an attack.

23 August 1918

Came up to Quesnoy farm to act as [?] all the tug of war team left together our division went over again this morning. Done very well. [?] battalion went in the line at 5:30am