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Extracts from Diary number one - page 4

6/1/19

Fairly good nights rest was up at about 7 am, making preparations for breakfast and a much needed wash, the first since leaving Etaples. Had a long walk with our Belgium friend, who had be en route from Switzerland for 8 days. Among his souvenirs was the skin of a Chamois (wild goat) which he had shot (with a Winchester) on the mountain slopes of Switzerland. Passing by a German train, with German driver’s, I saw for the first time, a visible expression of German hate, which was directed at my Belgium friend, who stood by my side. The German a fine looking young chap, looked a perfect picture of disdain as he fixed with his eyes our comrade in arms, for two or three seconds. Glancing from one to the other, I noticed that this untimely expression of feeling was dull reciprocated by this sturdy son of little Belgium, who in addition shook his fist menacingly. I may here make note of something, which has come to my knowledge recently. The Germans compelled everyone in Belgium to work, or they were imprisoned without food, for failing to salute German officers, two days imprisonment or a fine of 1 mark was imposed. The people it seems never submitted to this tyranny and preferred solitary confinement to paying fines. This I hear accounts for the number of broken windows in Lille, for example, where the friends of these ill-used people come to bring them bread and threw it through the windows of these private houses, which the Germans used as cells. I must not omit to mention, it would be impossible to describe, the terrible spectacle of destruction, which we witnessed on arriving at the big junction of LUTTRE. It would seem that the enemy had concentrated a vast number of ammunition trains and then blew them up. To give him his due he is certainly a master hand at systematic destruction and here the result of his handiwork is frightfully complete, never again perhaps shall we be permitted to look upon such diabolical devastation. The blowing up of so much explosive had fulfilled the double purpose of ripping up the metals and leaving large holes in the permanent way. The station buildings and houses in the vicinity had shared in the general demolition, shells of every size lie strewn about not having all gone the way of their kind. Except for this our journey today has been through a country, which bears little or no evidence of the scorching breadth of war. Passed through Courcelles and Rous, at which place our Belgium friend descended and about midday we ran through the big station of Charleroi from there we passed through a great industrial and mining centre. At no time have we stopped for more than a few minutes and so must write these notes as we move slowly along. Fortunately the weather today has turned most fraciously in our favour, and at this moment the sun is giving to us the welcome pleasure of its radiant smiles. We are now at Montigies, a busy mining district and I noticed that women are doing the same work as men and pushing great trucks of coal in and out of the lifts, with as much agility as strong men. The number of towering slag heaps all the way along from Charleroi is prodigious and one can see the little trucks mounting to the summit, where they are relieved of their burden by men, who look to be mere specks from below. A noticeable feature of both the French and Belgium railways is its diverse rolling stock, which includes engines and wagons lent by uncle Sam, engines belonging to R.O.D, and the vast number of German wagons and a few passenger trains. The trucks from the fatherland are easily distinguishable by their red coating of paint and the German eagle painted in black with brown skeleton markings on a white background. It must be noted that this once proud eagle has been erased on almost every coach by a cross of white painting the manner X. After leaving TAMINES a soldier, who had been drinking fell off the train and was killed. It is a peculiar fact that although the actual fighting has ceased, many men will lose their lives from one cause or another. At Namur we stopped for half an hour or so in the station. I managed to procure half a loaf of bread for a Franc at a shop near by. Shortly after leaving Namur we ran along the left bank of the Meuse, which in spite of a cloudy moon, we could distinguish out of the gloom, the beautiful scenery through which we passed. The massive rocks which guard its banks must present a charming spectacle in daylight. Stopped for a few moments at Statte and Huy. I then made down my kip and got down for the night.

7/1/19

Woke up this morning to find myself in Germany, with a German Engine and drivers. We are stopped for a few minutes at a place called Ronheide. Have just passed through aix la chapelle, which is a beautiful city and is the first large town in Germany over the Belgium frontier. The French tricolour is flying proudly over one of the big buildings in the city. The wide streets is a pleasant feature in the town planning system of this German town. Arrived at Duren shortly after 10 am, where we ??? the 62nd and several other divisions had to change. We are due to catch the train for Mechernich at 1.12 pm. Am writing this in the warteraum, which I suppose means refreshment room. It is a spacious compartment and is full of Tommies, Belgians and German civilians, some of the later are beguiling away the time at a game of cards. Have just had a small tankard of beer, which I presume is really the favourite drink called lager for 2d. The people are remarkably friendly and the girls wave their hands to our troops - nearly as cordially as do the women of Belgium, although perhaps with not quite the same feeling of thankfulness, at this moment a German woman is showing photographs to one of my friends and everyone appears to be happy and contented. Our train which is a, passenger and contains a crowd of civilians started away promptly to the scheduled time. We are travelling 3rd class and is of course decidedly inferior to our own comfortable coaches in Blight, the seats and backs are of plain wood, at one side there is a narrow opening, which gives access to the next compartment. For companions we had a Fraulein and her male friend, she was obviously what Tommy calls “hot stuff”. She was pleased to accept a cigarette, which she smoked and it was noticeable that she was not content until by a number of dextrous movements quite feminine, she had succeeded in drawing her skirt a short way above her high brown boots in order to make visible her open work brown stockings, at which her friend placed his finger inside the said boots, which action the Fraulein resented greatly as of course she realised that she was found out. We arrived at Euskirchen about 2 pm, where we found that we could proceed no further as the train we were in was going on to Bonn. We marched to the local infantry barracks a distance of about 1 1/2 miles and there billeted temporarily. This building is comparatively new and of a very modern type, with wide clean passages and glazed walls. The beds unlike our own collapsible ones in the barracks at home, are strong wooden structures with thick but not hard mattresses, with springs underneath. The washing place is original, and the water instead of splashing all over one when the taps are turned on, flows directly into the trough. The first thing I did upon arriving here was to shave, have a good swill down, polish my boots and thoroughly brush my clothes, all of which I was badly in need. Had tea, then went into the town with my chum. There are quite a few khaki clad heroes walking about. Entered a large hall which the YMCA had taken over, where we found a throng of Tommies and someone was playing a piano. The whole place was gay with bunting and garlands in the good old Christmas fashion. Bought some views of Euskirchen, and one specially for my own dear little boy. Am at this moment in a cafe “for British soldiers only, N.C.O’s too have certain cafe’s set apart for them, the principal “draw” is a big organ, which makes as much noise as a full orchestra. To give it its rightful due I must admit that it is turning out some beautiful tunes and I am quite a delighted listener. Germany you are a wonderful and beautiful country, Germany you are intellectually highly efficient, you have erected a civilisation of unique ideals and polished cultivity, you are the first nation to lose by arms what you have acquired by skill. It is the verdict of progress, which has willed that you should not lose your incentive to accomplish yet higher things. Victory would have brought you too much power and instead of conquest in the field you must seek fresh fields of action and take your place of honour and of right in those particular spheres in which you excel and deservedly so. Returned to barracks at 9 pm. There are no restrictions whatever in respect to times for being back in billets, nor is there a roll-call at night or in the morning.

Stapleton

Cap Badge

Signals

The Basilica in 1916