Item 06: John D. Wilson diary, 17 May-19 September 1917 - Page 189

[Page 189]

On Tuesday 10 men from the Transports are to go to Boulogne with the companies in Motor Lorries, & return the next day.

Monday Sept. 17. 1917. (1141.)
Fine but threatening rain. Mathews, Ryan & I put on 13 shoes today.
I made 4 needle boxes for J. Lawless & 1 for my self out of cartridge cases this evening. I unfortunately put one in the fire without noticing that the cap was not exploded. It went off and the cap blew out and entered the back of my hand. I washed it well in the creek, & went to the A.M.C. to get it dressed, the Doctor was away, & the corporal attended to it. I must have washed the cap out in the creek for the [corporal] could not find it by probing.
I paraded sick this morning because I had a sore throat & chest, was given medicine & light duties.
Reveille will be at 5.45 to morrow morning, breakfast at 6.30, & we are to be ready to parade at 7.15 for the motor journey to Tardinghem. Troops will parade in fatigue dress, blankets & water proof sheet to be rolled & carried on the right shoulder Mess tins with cover, also Haversack & shaving outfit to be carried. Tardinghem is on the sea coast near Boulogne.

Tuesday Sept. 18. 1917. (1142)
We were up at the appointed time, had an early breakfast & got away in time. 3 motor lorries took away the H.Q.D. and the companies followed later. We passed through numerous Hamlets & villages on the way. In one village there were large works for making Portland cement, the quarries being on the outskirts of the town Other important villages were