March 1915

Chyebassa

On 28 February 1915 Frank's 3rd Field Ambulance travelled overnight by train from Newport Essex, to Southampton.After a couple of days in a transit camp they boarded an old British India Steam Navigation Company grain ship, the Chyebassa, and after a further two days waiting for a Royal Navy escort, they sailed to Le Havre

[See Diary entry 3 March 1915]

March 1915

1 Monday

Still at rest camp.

Arrived at same 9.30.

2 Tuesday

Still under canvas.

3 Wednesday

Aboard Chyebassa at 12 o’clock. Did not sail that day.

Lived on jam, bully beef and biscuits.

4 Thursday

Did not sail. She was manned by a black crew, ellacase (?) white officers, the vessel was used for carrying grain in peace time.

5 Friday - 6 Saturday

No bread since leaving Southampton.

Sailed for France on the Chyebassa at 8pm o’clock, escorted by two light cruisers, anchored out in the Channel at 5am until 1130.

Landed at Havre 1 o’clock mid-day. 17 hours.

One night at that place. Unloaded horses and waggons until 6pm. Had tea in recreation room. Fur coats issued.

10.30 Slept in open air all night Havre station. Up at 5 o’clock Sunday morning.

7 Sunday

Left Havre at 9pm. Travelled 24 hours by rail in large carriage, 30 in a carriage. 300 miles. Slept on straw. Arrived Cassel.

8 Monday

Marched to - arrived Arneke 5 miles. Slept in club room.

9 Tuesday

Left Arneke and marched to Borre 15 miles. Bitter cold weather.

Waggon orderly.

10 Wednesday

Billeted in private house: Borre.

Day rest.

11 Thursday

Left Borre; stayed Estaires 9 miles near Sailles.

Waggon orderly.

12 Friday

House shelled by Germans.

‘Estaires: 32Km Lille 92Km Calais’. [Taken from a signpost possibly?]

Valet for Mr Pratt. [Chaplain]

Visited clearing hospital.

13 Saturday

Mr Pratt gave me a French bullet.

Estaires. Rest.

French - Alamans; English - Germans.

Mem: Mr Pratt stayed at Farmhouse. Slept with Dent.

[Probably shared accommodation with Colonel Dent - mentioned later]

14 Sunday - 15 Monday

Estaires.

Church parade.

Rest.

Pratt.

Battle of Neuve Chapelle. Some of the heaviest cannonade by our artillery in history. I watched it from a distance.

Started to march but was turned back after 3 miles. Rest.

Casualties: Germans 20,000 British 18,000.

16 Tuesday

Left Estaires. Marched 9 miles. Outtersteene. Billeted in barns.

17 Wednesday

Outtersteene. Rest.

Spent most of my time with Pratt in village.

18 Thursday

Outtersteene.

March out 6 miles.

19 Friday

Outtersteene.

Stretcher Drill.

20 Saturday

Left Outtersteene arrived Armentieres.

Staffords Brigade go into action for first time. Shelled by Germans.

Went out collecting for the first time.

Billet in a large hospital with regular RAMC. Had beer.

21 Sunday

Armentieres.

No church parade. I went up trenches, collecting wounded.

22 Monday - 23 Tuesday

Armentieres.

Up to trenches. Not many casualties.

Mr Pratt stays with all Staff officers at a fine mansion, & hope for several days in garden, result of a German shell.

Armentieres.

Watching our Artillery in action.

24 Wednesday

Watched our Artillery & aircraft guns in action with German aircraft.

25 Thursday

Had my breakfast with Pratt. Left Armentieres. Returned to Outtersteene.

Marched 10 miles. Rain.

26 Friday

Kit inspection. Outtersteene.

March out 8 miles.

27 Saturday

March out.

Afternoon rest.

Mem: I was allowed out the whole time in Armentieres, under special Valets pass, no men allowed out at all.

28 Sunday

Shelled Outtersteene.

Church parade.

Celebration of Holy Communion. Mr Pratt.

29 Monday

Outtersteene.

Stretcher Drill. March 3 miles. Company Drill.

30 Tuesday

Ditto

Evening open air Church Parade by Bishop of London.