Item 01: William Daniel Hardy diary, 9 October 1915-31 December 1916 - Page 141

[Page 141]

18 Monday
Everything was cleaned up during the morning ready for departure. Fell in at 2 pm & marched to the railway siding about a kilometre the other side of Buire. Owing to being ill I never carried my equipment or blankets. We entrained & left about 5 pm for Vignacourt about 24 miles distance, arriving there about 10 pm. We are billeted about 10 mins from the railway station.

19 Tuesday
Went on sick parade this morning, I have nearly lost my voice through the cold I have got. Our billets aren't up to the standard here, we are very cramped for room. This is a fair size town, with a large catherdal. It started snowing at dinner time & is still continuing. I think it has set in. Got three letters by todays mail, but they were old ones.

20 Wednesday
Doing nothing all day. Feeling pretty crook & very weak. Leave is given to Amiens but it is very difficult to get in & out of that place, as there is no train service here you have to depend upon a lift in a motor lorry or else walk, it is about ten miles from here. It was rather a nice day today, the sun was shining nearly all day, but it wasn't too warm.