Item 04: Harry Pidcock Mason war diary, August - October 1916 - Page 25

[Page 25]

1916

Wednes Sep 27th
This day was eventual.

At 8.15 a.m. we were paraded in full review order as we are to be reviewed by Gen Birdwood who arrived punctually at 9 in his car. After reviewing & addressing us he decorated 3 of our boys with the Military Medal. Who should come with him but Andy Fisher the X Premier who stood there like a dummy & spoke not a word.

The General reminded us that we would have many trench feet to deal with. After the address he visited the wards then departed.

This evening there was an interesting & exciting 20 minutes. An observation baloon broke loos and after drifting in the sky some [indecipherable] towards the enemy lines. We not being able to recover it. Some of our planes came on the scene & hovered over it just like birds & almost before we wondered what they were going to do a tongue of flame shot up out of the baloon