The Diary of Private Frederick Thomas Coward

Click here to return to www.cowardfamilyhistoryaustralia.info

The Diary of No. 564, Private Frederick Thomas Coward
10th Machine Gun Company / 3rd Machine Gun Battalion, A.I.F.

In November 1916, 32 year old Frederick Thomas Coward enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, hoping to join the Australian Flying Corps. He had been given a letter of referal by the Principal of the Working Men's College in Melbourne where he had studied plumbing. This read in part; "... a quick worker of more than average intelligence, is a valuable man to be associated with the repair, maintenance or construction of aircraft, and his talents would probably be more efficiently realised in the Air Section than in a Machine Gun Section." In spite of this (or perhaps because of it) he was posted to the 10th Machine Gun Company (later to be amalgamated into the 3rd Machine Gun Regiment) of the Australian Third Infantry Division.

On the 12th of February 1917, Fred Coward and his mates set sail from Melbourne on board the R.M.S. Osterley, bound for England and the British Army's Machine Gun Training Centre at Grantham in Lincolnshire. They arrived at Grantham on the 11th of April where they had two months of specialised training. This was followed by another three months training at Camiers in France.

On the 2nd of October Fred arrived at Vlamertinge near Ypres in Belgium. Next day he came under fire for the first time and was involved in heavy fighting for about 3 days. This might have been part of the allied attack that became known as "the Battle of Broodseinde Ridge". On the 16th he "got a touch of gas" in a German artillery attack on the camp. He was not seriously affected and remained on duty.

The unit departed from Vlamertinge on the 22nd of October and on the 12th of November set up camp at Steenwerck in Northern France. Fred Coward's diary suggests that they saw only spasmodic fighting at this location. However on the 26th, Fred was wounded in the right arm and right leg by "shell fragments" and on the 2nd of December he found himself back in England in the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley, Southampton.

The diary ends at this point but his movements can be traced to a limited degree from his Army file and from war histories. After 5 months convalescence and some leave he returned to the Western Front on the 18th of May 1918. On the 19th of September after taking part in some of the most decisive battles of the war, he received a wound to the jaw and was again repatriated to England. By the time he had recovered, the war was over and he arrived back in Australia on the 19th of February 1919.

Although the diary covers little of his time at the front, it is of interest as it records his impressions of the journey to England and life in camp.

Images of Front Pages
Inside Front 1	Inside Front 2	Inside Front 3

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
February 12, 1917	February 13, 1917	February 14, 1917	February 15, 1917
No entries before this.		Sailed from Port Melbourne pier at 12 .45 PM was disappointed at not seeing two of my friends	Well out to sea Sea calm Saw porpoises for first time also whale at distance
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
February 16, 1917	February 17, 1917	February 18, 1917
Arrived at Adelaide at 5 A.M and saw Aunt Sue & Olly had a sea bath there and left again at 5 30 P.M feeling very fit	Calm weather until about 6 PM felt pretty crook for the first time	Was very seedy and missed a couple of meals	Susannah Massey née Coward (his father's sister) and daughter Olive

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
February 19, 1917	February 20, 1917	February 21, 1917	February 22, 1917
Felt much better but never missed a parade saw flying fish for first time I thought they were much larger than they are	Arrived at Fremantle at 2 P.M. had leave in Perth until 8 P.M had a very good time. Came back after having a good feed. And felt all the better for stretching my legs on land	Went for a route march around Fremantle came back in time for dinner. Got no more leave on account of a few defaulters all machine gunners returned but there were a few A.W.L. We left Fremantle at 6 Oclock and had the last look at Australia for some time.	Well out to sea a bit of a swell on & felt a bit seedy but gradually wore off. Drew rifles for first time on ship to do rifle drill all new rifles Talking to fellow who worked at Aunts Adelaide knew Theo well had many a good time with him
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
February 23, 1917	February 24, 1917	February 25, 1917
Weather very calm saw a lot of porpoises to day following the ship. We had rifle practice on board to day 30 of us fired at a boy (sic) Thrown overboard at different distances Captain was very pleased with shooting. Had some juice supplied by W.A. Ladies to night	Rather rough to day saw two whales near boat but they were not very large. We had boat drill the whistle went at 4.30. Passengers and all had to attend with life belts	Church Parade to day weather rough & raining in morning cleared up in afternoon	This possibly refers to the Massey's bakery in Glenelg Theodore Massey (cousin), son of Susannah Coward

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
February 26, 1917	February 27, 1917	February 28, 1917	March 1, 1917
Was Troop deck orderly to day also had hammock inspection precaution drill with lifebelts & waterbottles. A lot of birds following ship to night mostly Albatrosses.	Weather nice & calm had rifle drill exercises as usual 2 whales were seen to day Kit bags were taken up from hold to day to get clean clothes out as ship is rather short of water	Weather still nice & calm rifle drill and exercises as usual. Dental inspection to day some of men had teeth out to day Skipper is giving canteen lecture to night	Weather very calm sea like sheet of glass. Word came out to day men were only going to receive £1 this side of Cape Town £1 before we reach England.
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
March 2, 1917	March 3, 1917	March 4, 1917
Weather fair. They fixed crows nest yesterday but they did not have lookout until to day First issue of ships paper to day Osteralia. A Committee is forming to get a paper printed at Cape Town as a souvenir of voyage	Weather not so calm as usual Usual Exercises in morning. Boat drill in afternoon alarm rang at 4 30. Boxing contests in evening 3 knockouts in succession	Church Parade as usual


A game of "saddle me nag" on board ship	A lecture on board ship

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
March 5, 1917	March 6, 1917	March 7, 1917	March 8, 1917
Weather good Pay books issued to day Received £1 as half pay until we reach London. Saw a sailing ship in the distance to day but we did not pass close enough to see the name	We arrived at Durban and went ashore at 2 oclock and marched to Town Hall were dismissed from there and had leave until 10.45 P.M. had first Ricksha (sic) ride went to theatre in evening & saw play Romance had supper & went on board again	Raining this morning Had job of mess orderly for first time Troops had a route march this afternoon but had to be on Board at 4 P.M. We sailed at 6.30 escorted by Hyacinth (Cruiser). It was a very pretty sight leaving Durban	Washing parade to day All port holes were darkened to day no smoking allowed on deck after dark on account of getting into danger zone. Weather very dull to night expected a storm
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
March 9, 1917	March 10, 1917	March 11, 1917
Weather better this morning sighted a ship. It was a hospital ship named Delta It was going to Cape Town the same port as we are bound for we passed it at about 1.15 and it is about 10 mile behind at 6 this evening	Landed at Cape Town at 10.30. Troops went for a route march at 11 .A.M to the city and were dismissed until 11 P.M. We had a good look around the city but liked Durban much better	Anchored in bay at 9.30. Put on bullion at 12. P.M until 2.30 A.M 8 ships sailed at 6 oclock in evening escort


The "Ricksha" Ride Fred Coward on right side	Australian Troops Disembarking at Durban, South Africa

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
March 12, 1917	March 13, 1917	March 14, 1917	March 15, 1917
No land in sight this morning foggy early this morning fog horn blowing. Cruiser Kent (escort) a little ahead. Ajna. Solway Castle. Lead Boat. Osterley Wiltshire Airshire (sic) miles behind. last. Wireless news capture of Bagdad & general good news	Weather tip top Cruiser dropped back a bit to day & had a little firing practice with Machine gun Airshire is well up with us to day. We had to slow down last night to enable her to get up with us 60 men were picked for guard submarine in relief of 20 men having 24 hours duty	Weather still perfect. Our ship steamed ahead of all others to day. The Cruiser caught up to us and we both stopped A boat was lowered from the Cruiser and they took some fresh meat from us. They then left us and we resumed our old positions. The awnings were spread to day.	Weather nice and fine. Nothing of importance happened to day. We had our work down below almost finished when a big wave came through the porthole and swamped our table and we had to go over all our work again
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
March 16, 1917	March 17, 1917	March 18, 1917
Cruiser was doing practice to day. 1 inch shells from Morris Tube. Nothing else of any importance happened to day. Weather was splendid but getting warmer on account of getting into the Tropics	The Gun on the back of Osterley did some firing practice it fired 3 shots after which the guard had rifle practice. St Patricks sports on board to day. 30 mm gun	Church Parade as usual crossing Tropic of Capricorn to day find it getting warmer	This probably should read "Ajana". Soldiers armed with rifles were placed around the ship and instructed to fire at any U-boat's periscope they sighted. (REF: "Defenders of Australia - The Third Australian Division" by Albert Palazzo. Page 17) MORRIS TUBE: A false barrel or inner tube fitted into the bore of a larger gun or rifle to decrease its bore size. This allows the weapon to fire lower power and therefore cheaper ammunition. (REF: "FOR KING and Country" Stanley I. Hillier and the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve) This little sketch apparently shows the location of the gun.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
March 19, 1917	March 20, 1917	March 21, 1917	March 22, 1917
For some reason the cruiser signalled all ships and changed her course from N. to nearly West late last evening. We had some good war news to day saying that the British had captured trenches 10 miles deep by 45 miles long.	Weather fine. Nothing particular happened to day. Cruiser pulled along-side to day and took some more meat. It is getting a bit monotonous would like to see land. Changed over from mess orderly to drill tonight.	Weather fine and crossed the line at 6.20 P.M. They have started an issue of lime juice to be had every second day while in the tropics.	Weather still fine. Nothing of importance happened to day. P.S. Boswain’s (sic) Mate accidentally discharged rifle on boat deck which give him a shock.
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
March 23, 1917	March 24, 1917	March 25, 1917
A boat was seen in the distance and was signalled to but did not respond. The cruiser caught up to it and investigated it & found out it was Swedish and everything satisfactory.	Sports continued from last Saturday there is also a cricket match on board between NSW and Victoria	Church Parade as usual Arrived at Free-Town Sierra Leone and dropped anchor at 4.45 P.M

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
March 26, 1917	March 27, 1917	March 28, 1917	March 29, 1917
We were not allowed ashore here but natives in their canoes came to the boat with fruit and cocoanuts (sic). Another convoy of 4 ships arrived to day. There are 8 warships anchored here now	Left port to day at 11/20 A.M escorted by the Battle Cruiser Brittanic 7 Boats in all. The Brittanic carries 12” Guns and looks much broader than the Cruiser Kent that escorted us from Care Town	The Cruiser had firing practice to day with big guns 12” We thought at first that she was in action by the way she was firing. We could see the flashes of her guns. We also saw a lot of porpoises to day these must have been more than 1000 altogether.	Nothing of any importance happened to day. The weather is getting cooler and the sea is much rougher than previous.
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
March 30, 1917	March 31, 1917	April 1, 1917
The weather is still rather rough. The Captain of the Machine Gunners is giving us a few lessons in French of an afternoon.	Weather is calmer now we had ordinary work until 12 o’clock after which we were free until Boat drill at 4.30 P.M. We also altered our course we are no (sic) going nearly due north	Church Parade as usual. We are under new escort now The Swiftshore. The Brittanic left us at 8 AM

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
April 2, 1917	April 3, 1917	April 4, 1917	April 5, 1917
Weather fine & calm. Orders were issued to day for every man to carry his life-belt & water bottle wherever he went as we are getting into the most dangerous part of our voyage.	Weather calm everything going on smoothly. The sailors got boats all out to day and got the sails set to see that everything was all right in case of anything happening	Some of us had rifle firing to day. One of the boats dropped to the rear during the night & we had to slow down to allow her to catch up. Nothing of any importance happened to day	Sea much rougher than Yesterday. We passed a sailing boat with 3 masts and it looked well in the distance.
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
April 6, 1917 - Good Friday	April 7, 1917 – Easter Eve	April 8, 1917 – Easter Day
We had a hot cross bun each to day and only had an early morning parade after which we had all day off We met a sailing boat & passed close to it to day & also altered our course to N.E.	Started to zig-zag our course to day nothing of much importance happened to day. We passed several ships at a distance.	Church Parade as usual & special service in Evening

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
April 9, 1917 – Easter Monday	April 10, 1917	April 11, 1917	April 12, 1917
We had a full kit inspection to day as we will be at our destination in a day or two to see if everybody had all their gear.	8 Torpedo boats joined us last night at 8 oclock The Osterley then put on full speed and left the others behind. We were accompanied by 1 Torpedo boat No 37	Landed at Plymouth this morning and got ashore at 12 oclock entrained for Grantham at 1 oclock & reached station at 1.00 We had to march to camp about 3½ miles had supper and got to bed at 2 A.M.	We were allotted to our different companies to day. When we got up in the morning the ground was covered with snow
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
April 13, 1917	April 14, 1917	April 15, 1917
Squad Drill & lectures to day also examination by the doctor & dentist	We went for a route march to day and got back to camp about 12 oclock & had dinner after which we were dismissed. Went to Grantham for afternoon & evening	Church Parade as usual


Camp Gardeners Fred on left	Camp Gardeners Fred on right

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
April 16, 1917	April 17, 1917	April 18, 1917	April 19, 1917
Squad drill and Physical jerks lectures. Went to Grantham in the evening. came home about 9 P.M Weather nice but a bit cold	Raining this morning I was mess orderly to day & have to go on parade at 1.45 P.M. It is a common sight to see half dozen giroplanes (sic) in the air together here	It is a week tonight since we arrived here. The people say that it is the coldest winter on record for about 260 years It is also pay day to day	We were put through our first bomb throwing practice with dummy bombs and had a couple of lectures on machine gun
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
April 20, 1917	April 21, 1917	April 22, 1917
We fitted on gas helmets for the first time to day and I can say we looked like a lot of divers. We were inspected by a Tommy Officer.	Route march in the morning about 7 miles after which we were dismissed. We went into Grantham & got a group photo taken	Church Parade as usual in Y.M.C.A. Hall.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
April 23, 1917	April 24, 1917	April 25, 1917	April 26, 1917
We started machine gun drill to day. My mate and I went to the camp pictures and saw a fair programme	Stoppages & general machine gun work to day also a lecture by Lieut. Hawkes in the evening on visual training	We had a half holiday on account of anniversary of Anzac day. I went into Grantham and had a look around. Richard Hornsby has a big factory here. I saw pay lists up to 3700	Gun drill. squad drill & physical jerks There was also a court marshall (sic) and a fellow named Layton got 9 months for desertion
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
April 27, 1917	April 28, 1917	April 29, 1917
We had bombing practice to day and a bombing team was picked to give an exhibition before some French Generals on Monday.	There was a military funeral to day. One soldier died at the Hospital through fits. I was to have marched but one of the took ill (sic) & I had to take his place	There was a church parade in Grantham to day but being on guard I could not go	Probably Lieut. Waldemar Robert Hawkes of Koonoona Station, Kooringa South Australia. K.I.A. 1^st November 1917 near Ypres, Belgium. Richard Hornsby & Sons was an engine and machinery manufacturer

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
April 30, 1917	May 1, 1917	May 2, 1917	May 3, 1917
I was issued with my water proof cape to day as we wanted them for going on leave. Drill as usual	We have had nice weather for the last fortnight a little cold in the mornings but fine after. The same old thing again to day	Payday to day and we drew £4- as we were going on leave on Friday. Had Machine gun drill as usual	Was one of a firing party at the funeral of one of the chaps who came from Australia with us. He died from pneumonia and was bad on the boat coming over (Cobber Brown)
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
May 4, 1917	May 5, 1917	May 6, 1917
Left Camp on our 4 days leave & arrived at Horseferry Road London at 1 P.M. Booked bed and fixed up things also had a walk around Thames Embankment in the evening and saw play called (Good News)	Had a tour around London and visited several places of great interest St Pauls Westminster Abbey House of Lords & Commons Albert Memorial Tower of London Hyde Park Dog Cemetery etc.	No entry for this day.	Private Charles Thomas Brown died of pneumonia 30^th April 1917.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
May 7, 1917	May 8, 1917	May 9, 1917	May 10, 1917
Went to Commonwealth Bank to day & cashed a torn £ note which I tore in half after which we had dinner then went for a walk to Trafalgar Square. We then took train for Grantham after having a good time	Back in camp again and had to get up at 6 oclock as we had started early parade. We also had practice with respirators Machine Gun drill as usual	Some of the fellows in the hut were caught for not getting up early enough and had to do 6½ hours drill after parade tonight. Drill as usual	Gun drill as usual
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
May 11, 1917	May 12, 1917	May 13, 1917
Gun drill as usual	Cleaning guns to get ready for shooting on Monday Squad drill & lectures	Church Parade as usual in the afternoon I went to Welby and had tea there

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
May 14, 1917	May 15, 1917	May 16, 1917	May 17, 1917
We had shooting practice to day also had a test with gas helmets in the gas chamber & everything was satisfactory	Gun drill on rough ground combined gun drill Physical Jerks and finished up with a couple of lectures one on first aid and one on use of cover on rough ground	Gun drill as usual	The usual programme Stoppages Immediate Action Stripping Care & cleaning Physical Jerks etc
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
May 18, 1917	May 19, 1917	May 20, 1917
Gun drill over rough ground after which we had the usual programme	We had our blankets fumigated to day after which we went to Grantham for the evening	Went to Belton Castle to day after Church Parade	Belton House, Grantham, Lincolnshire

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
May 21, 1917	May 22, 1917	May 23, 1917	May 24, 1917
Belt repairing this morning in the afternoon some of us had to go on coal fatigue as we were duty company this week	I am a bit behind with this job and cant remember anything particular Gun drill as usual	Gun drill as usual	Gun drill as usual
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
May 25, 1917	May 26, 1917	May 27, 1917
Had weekend leave from 4. 30 P.M to day and caught a train for Leeds at 6.30 P.M arrived there at 8.45 PM and stayed at Y.M.C.A.	Had a good bath and a look around the streets met some nice girls who showed us around. We had tea together then went to theatre.	Met girls again went to Roundhay Park & had a good time. caught train at 5 .25 P.M.	Probably May and Dorothy Dunn. Their address appears in the rear of the diary. 55 Northcote Street Beeston Road Leeds

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
May 28, 1917	May 29, 1917	May 30, 1917	May 31, 1917
I received a parcel from G. R. to day Gun drill as usual we also had bombing practice as we were going to throw live bombs to-morrow. Our pay books were taken to day to get ready for pay on Wednesday	80 of us threw live bombs to day everything went off satisfactory and we got back to camp rather late	We had field practice to day. picking up guns in an open field from a distance	Went to Peascliffe rifle range to do our final rifle practice after which we got our identification discs
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
June 1, 1917	June 2, 1917	June 3, 1917
We got warned for draft to day and were busy cleaning up equipment and getting ready as we had inspection soon after	Scrubbed out huts and did some gardening after which we went to Grantham for the evening	Church Parade as usual

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
June 4, 1917	June 5, 1917	June 6, 1917	June 7, 1917
Got the hardest knock I ever had Most of my pals went to France two of us were cut out at the last minute I paraded about it but did no good Saw the boys off at night	Cleaned up the hut to day and finished up doing some gardening. As I have finished my shooting am doing duties gardening etc. about the camp. Received souvenir Osteralia's to day	Still on the same old job sent some letters on to my pals and sent parcels away for them. I wish I was amongst the boys instead of being here but O.C said you will be over there soon enough	Went on guard for the second time at 4 PM was busy cleaning up to day as we are expecting a visit from some of the heads tomorrow
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
June 8, 1917	June 9, 1917	June 10, 1917
On guard till 4. P.M call out the guard to the visitor and was not sorry when 4 oclock came	Gardening in the morning went to Grantham in afternoon and sent bag away for R.E.H.	Church Parade as usual visited Flying school	Ship's newspaper. See entry for March 2.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
June 11, 1917	June 12, 1917	June 13, 1917	June 14, 1917
More gardening to day Cutting sticks to train beans & peas in the woods had an easy day. There was a fire alarm to day (practice)	Road making to day. Weather warm and lost some sweat	Road making to day and raised a few blisters	Went to Peascliffe. marking for those who had not finished their shooting A game of billiards in morning
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
June 15, 1917	June 16, 1917	June 17, 1917
Leveling (sic) off ground & fixing tent for Y.M.C.A. There was an air raid alarm at 11 P.M. tonight and all had to turn out We got dismissed after ½ hour	Fixing up tent for Y.M.C.A.	Church Parade as usual

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
June 18, 1917	June 19, 1917	June 20, 1917	June 21, 1917
Route march in morning Y.M.C.A. leveling (sic) up in afternoon	Route march in morning Took some washing up to Londonthorpe in evening	Garden fatigue everything looking well At Belton House rolling cricket pitch Peascliffe marking for the run up stunt	Went to Harlaxton to day to do some trench work with guns arrived home at 6 P.M
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
June 22, 1917	June 23, 1917	June 24, 1917
Came a gutser to day was warned for draft Went for washing escorted by O.C. Gardener & Sargeant (sic)	Cleaning up equipment to day and getting fixed up generally. Went to town in afternoon and had a couple of snaps taken by F.H. Cunningham	Parade with full packs at 10.30 to see if we had all our gear.	Presumably a local photographer

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
June 25, 1917	June 26, 1917	June 27, 1917	June 28, 1917
Was inspected at 2. 30 P.M then examined by doctor and had to fall in again two or three times. We left Belton Park at 9.30 P.M and embarked at Grantham at 11.30. and arrived at station near Folkstone at 5.10 A.M	Arrived at Folkstone at 6. A.M and left again at 5.30 P.M then marched to the boat and left England at 7.30 and arrived at Bologne at 9.30 P.M then marched to camp and put the night in there	Left Bologne at 8.30 A.M and arrived at a rest camp at 11.45 A.M. left again at 1.45 P.M. and arrived at Camieres at 3.40: a distance of about 15 miles. We went before the doctor to see if we were alright and was passed	Heard a lot of firing last night practicing night firing and bombing. Had a test of respirators and went through tear gas test kit inspection & was issued with tin helmets and respirators
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
June 29, 1917	June 30, 1917	July 1, 1917
Marched to Etables for our rifles a distance of about 4 ½ mile & had to go through gas test on the way. Arrived back in time for dinner. On range in afternoon on stoppage test	Test in shipping gun and lock. General description of German Gun. (Machine) captured from Germans by Berkshire Batt First time since I enlisted that I had to work on a Saturday afternoon	Breakfast same time 6.15. no chance of sleeping in here	Probably Boulogne-sur-mer

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
July 2, 1917	July 3, 1917	July 4, 1917	July 5, 1917
We had a route march with all packs & rifles in the morning in afternoon instruction on Guns	Instruction on Guns & rifle & bayonet drill Bath parade in afternoon steam bath after which we had to take up tent floors & have general clean up	Gun practice on 400 yds range to day after which we had a swim in the sea	Gun drill in morning also mechanism of German Machine Gun Route march with packs in afternoon to the seaside
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
July 6, 1917	July 7, 1917	July 8, 1917
Shifted all lines to day and the Queen visited the camp in afternoon	Gun drills & physical jerks also filling belts	Steam bath and a look around the villages

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
July 9, 1917	July 10, 1917	July 11, 1917	July 12, 1917
Drill in morning A march to the beach in afternoon and had a swim in the sea it was very rough and rather cold but enjoyed it all the same	Rifle drill machine gun work in afternoon had a steam bath after which I did a little sewing and mending	Rifle drill and machine gun work. in afternoon a route march	16 mile route march to day through a few French villages and a lot of country well cultivated We had a good time and rather enjoyed the march
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
July 13, 1917	July 14, 1917	July 15, 1917
Rifle drill & stoppages on machine gun. blindfolded physical jerks etc	Thunderstorm this morning no early parade as it was wet Belt filling in the afternoon and mounted armed picket at 6.P.M.	Issue of cigarettes or tobacco to day.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
July 16, 1917	July 17, 1917	July 18, 1917	July 19, 1917
Route march with full packs in morning Rifle shooting on miniture (sic) range in afternoon	Saw Anti aircraft guns near beach Swim at beach in morning also had lunch at beach after which we took Machine guns to long range & had some shooting at plates. I got all my plates down. Pay tonight but I did not draw any	Rifle drill and machine gun work as usual Lecture in afternoon.	Rifle drill in morning also instruction on German machine gun. Shooting with machine gun on short range in afternoon
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
July 20, 1917	July 21, 1917	July 22, 1917
Route march near beach and past anti air craft guns lecture & machine gun work in afternoon.	Shooting at range with rifle grouping practice I got a 1 inch group a good shoot Belt filling & drill in afternoon	Washing tent floors and cleaning generally also bath parade Steam bath

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
July 23, 1917	July 24, 1917	July 25, 1917	July 26, 1917
Route march in morning for half pay I was on pick and shovel work getting slabs for steps German Machine guns in afternoon	Making out range cards on hill Machine Gun drill. Inspection to see if any of us had Dysentery or any of those diseases Wash & mend parade in afternoon	Heavy thunderstorm in morning no early parade P.T & I.A until 12.30 Bathing Parade at beach in afternoon	Route march to beach we had a good spell there tide was out & we saw fishermen fixng nets I.A. in afternoon followed by a lecture on Machine Gun work. We were shown a few battle actions
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
July 27, 1917	July 28, 1917	July 29, 1917
Machine Gun firing in morning on stoppages at 80 yds range. Rifle drill & lecture in afternoon An American General named Pershing visited camp to day	Cleaning tents & washing floors also fatigue work Went for a sea-bath but was unable to go in owing to tide being out and barage (sic) going on	Sports at Etaples to day. Thunderstorm this morning	Not sure about this. Not sure if this is correct. I would think that no inspection would be required to discover that someone had Dysentery.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
July 30, 1917	July 30, 1917	August 1, 1917	August 2, 1917
Shooting on short range with rifles in morning and on fatigue work clearing out trenches which had fallen in from 2.15 till 4 P.M.	Route march to beach we then had some sport on the sand. we had some rain and we came back to camp. After dinner we had bath parade etc at 5.15. I was on Picket (fire)	Rain set in early this morning & continued all day. Instruction on guns in shed and a lecture which was very interesting followed. The ground was very sloppy & things in general was in a devil of a mess. More gun instruction in afternoon	Still raining and damned unpleasant but we all continued to smile. A lot of wounded came in to hospital yesterday mostly leg arm & wounds on face. A lot more wounded came in to day. Gun instruction and P.T. to day
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
August 3, 1917	August 4, 1917	August 5, 1917
Still raining like hell and mud up to your knee no matches in camp and it is a hard job to get a light to have a smoke Gun instruction & Rifle drill P.T. and other work in sheds. Never the less we still keep smiling	to day is the start of the 4^th year of the war and there is a great lot to do. Went to Etaples to draw rifles. Afternoon gun drill	Church parade but as hall was full we could not get in

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
August 6, 1917	August 7, 1917	August 8, 1917	August 9, 1917
Route march saw anti aircraft guns afternoon clothes got fumigated we also had a steam bath chats all exterminated. Slept well tonight.	Rifle drill after which we had fatigue work digging a well. Compulsory bath parade this afternoon	Route march with Australian officers in morning Fatigue work in afternoon. A heavy thunderstorm after tea and lasted about 2 hours	Weather good this morning and I was on fatigue work until dinner Road making in afternoon
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
August 10, 1917	August 11, 1917	August 12, 1917
Casting sand in bags for lines P.T. & instruction	Machine Guns & belt filling digging gun emplacements for long range	Steam bath to day	body lice

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
August 13, 1917	August 14, 1917	August 15, 1917	August 16, 1917
Route march to beach and had 2 hours sport then came back to dinner at 12.40 : Fatigue work in trenches in afternoon	Pick & shovel work on new range in morning afternoon washing and bathing parade pay was issued at 6 . p.m. drew 40 Francs and finished up with a good feed	Route March it came on to rain and we had to put our water proof sheet on our shoulders but got wet about the legs Range cards and Visual Training	Physical training and belt filling. Gun practice on short range stoppages etc. J Skalberg was caught sneaking off parade to day Orderly room in morning
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
August 17, 1917	August 18, 1917	August 19, 1917
Gun drill on sand dunes near beach. Judging distances and lecture by Archdeacon Ward on V.D. fine speaker J. Skalberg got 7 days C. B.	Route march until 12.30 stripping & care & cleaning Cigarettes & Tobacco issued in evening	We were issued with improved respirator this morning afternoon off	On the Australian Army file of John Skalberg there is a note from the Imperial Russian Consulate, Melbourne, dated 5^th December 1916 that reads: “The bearer Jan Skalberg -- A Russian Subject is a reservist of the IMPERIAL Russian Army and has to Join the Australian Expeditionary Force owing to his inability to return to Russia.” Skalberg is believed to have returned to Australia after the war and lived in the Melbourne suburb of Burnley for a time Confined to Barracks

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
August 20, 1917	August 21, 1917	August 22, 1917	August 23, 1917
March up hill gun drill stripping. Indication and recognition P.T. A draft left at 5.30 P.M. for the line	Went to Officers training school near beach with a fatigue party to clean guns and empty ammunition which had been used for barrage fire. Had a swim in the sea at 2.30 P.M.	Rifle practice at short range Very good. Was picked for hospital guard to day and cleaned up equipment etc and was inspected by Q.M. at 3.30 A large draft of Canadians left at 5.30 P.M.	On Hospital guard to day mounted at 9 A.M. It rained heavily at 11 P.M. just as I was relieved from my post.
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
August 24, 1917	August 25, 1917	August 26, 1917
Dismounted guard at 9. A.M. and had the rest of the day off.	Route march to beach got back for dinner. Range cards and P.T. Pay books were put in to day as pay day is on Tuesday	Washed tent boards in morning Went blackberry picking in afternoon and had a good feed

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday
August 27, 1917	August 28, 1917	August 29, 1917	August 30, 1917
At short range with machine guns on stoppages it started to rain and we had rifle exercises & P.T. in sheds. It started to blow early this morning and two of us had to get up & fix tent	A very rough day blowing & raining like blazes. A lot of tents blew down and the roof of the drill shed blew off and some of it landed on tents in Canadian lines 5 of them got hurt but none seriously. When the iron was lifted up two or 3 men crawled out	Wet this morning First parade at 9 A.M. advanced gun drill on sand dunes. Early dinner as we had to go to Etaples to draw rifles. It rained heavily while we were there but we had our waterproof sheets with us	Rifle drill & at short range rifle shooting got a good shoot to day marksman belt filling afternoon
Friday	Saturday	Sunday	Transcriber's Notes
August 31, 1917	September 1, 1917	September 2, 1917
Route march to beach in morning road making afternoon	Fatigue work road making at Camp (Camiers)	Church Parade. Had a feed of blackberries this afternoon with Nestles milk in the fields	sweetened condensed milk in a can