Norwich: Winter 1915-16
After arrival at Trowse Camp, Norwich, I was detailed to prepare a scale plan of the camp and district, following which Major Hordern detached me for a few days during the following week to attend daily at a private residence in Norwich for the purpose of preparing confidential maps and plans of Norfolk shewing anti-aircraft gun positions, aerodromes, railways, telegraph and telephone lines, military camps, etc. Following this a big “Scheme”, involving all types of signalling – cable, air-line, and visual, and embracing all troops in the Eastern Command, was successfully carried out.
Zepps were at this time very busy, passing frequently over our camp, but fortunately their messages dropped outside the city area. On these occasions the camp was roused, and emptied, each man taking a horse to avoid any stampeding. A second big “scheme” was carried out, embodying all Norfolk troops. This lasted 10 days and nights and we took over Norwich P.O. as Headquarters. I was night duty N.C.O. in charge of the office and staff of the A.D.M.S. (1st Cyclist Division) during the absence of the Sergt on sick leave and acted as confidential clerk to Colonel Blandford (A.D.M.S.) and to Capt Baxter (D.A.D.M.S.). They were two splendid officers and I greatly enjoyed the change, especially as I was given a good private billet and was freed from all camp duties.
After returning to my own Company we went to Horsford for our second musketry firing course. I scored exceptionally well. We were now ordered to quit camp and once again I was detailed for plan-drawing, spending several days at Eaton Hall, our new winter quarters, preparing scale drawings of rooms in the Hall and of stabling and outbuildings for 120 horses and equipment.
Our stay here was short, but agreeable, and I took the opportunity to visit old friends at Fen Road Farm, proceeding the 40 miles by motor bike. Had a bad spill on the return journey, caused by skidding on the wet tramlines in the Norwich suburbs. Damaged the bike pretty badly and my knee. We next received orders to proceed to Hitchin to be disbanded as a Territorial unit. After handing over Eaton Hall, our horses and other impediments we proceeded by motor lorries taking all our stores to Hitchin, via Wymondham, Attlebore, Thetford, Newmarket and Cambridge.
Hitchin
Spent harassing days handing over all stores etc to Qtr Master. Next, disbanded and transferred to the Regulars. Inspected by Brig-General Boyes after standing, for 3 hours, waiting his pleasure. Following this we entrained for Bletchley taking up quarters at Fenay Stratford.
Fenay Stratford
From here the Sappers were sent to Newport Pagnell, and NCOs retained for NCO special course of instruction under Q.M.S.I. Lewis. Afterwards spent a few weeks of drilling squads of raw recruits from Birmingham, performing guard duties at frequent intervals. Passed through gas course, (lectures, marching in gas masks, etc: then vaccinated and inoculated – (third time)). After “standing by” one wet wintry night, on the parade ground from 10.0pm to 3.0am, as a test of quick mobilization, 60 men of the Company failed to attend or were late on first parade (6am). As a punishment the whole Company was paraded on the Saturday afternoon, (our half holiday), lectures on discipline, and taken a 10 mile route march. We were shortly afterwards placed on a “French” draft and granted final leave.
Hitchin
On our return we proceeded to Hitchin – the RE Draft Depot – for equipment, pay-books etc: and spent an idle few days, attending only two check parades daily. The weather was very severe but I was feeling as fit as the proverbial fiddle.
For reasons not known to us our Draft was cancelled; all our new equipment was handed in and we became Draft Reserves. A few days later however I was placed in an E. African draft: hurriedly formed, to replace one which was isolated owing to an outbreak of infectious disease. “Eastern” kit was next drawn from the quarterbloke. Spent a fortnight in a manipulation school which had been specially fitted up in the Town Hall for the purpose of final telegraphic training. Occasional Guard duty and long route marches varied the work. Visited Letchworth: – the garden city – and Baldock on these route marches. Finally the Draft was inspected by the Brass Hats and marched with full new kit, including ground sheet, blanket, rifle, etc, by our new Draft officer to Stevenage for short final training and to await embarkation orders. I had now parted from Arthur and other friends and joined an entirely fresh company but there were many fine fellows amongst them. I naturally missed the close companionship of breezy pals like Buckley, Hedges, and Cahill, who ultimately were drafted to France, Egypt and India respectively.
Stevenage
I was now appointed Full Corporal and billetted with Sgt Snow in a splendid billet at Miss Scillitoes, 11 Grove Road and spent an enjoyable month here. Our training comprised lectures on East Africa, trench digging, route marching: with football each afternoon to keep us fit. We were then medically examined and after a thorough overhauling from head to foot I was pronounced “A1 and fit for anything”. I felt it too. The Draft was specially equipped, paraded, and inspected by General Roper prior to going abroad. The following day we were informed that all embarkations were temporarily suspended owing to loss of transport, (not reported in the press) and keen submarine activity in the Channel.
A few days later I had a nasty cycle accident, returning in the dark, without lamps, from Hitchin. In descending a hill the brake failed to act and I was thrown over the handle-bar into a ditch. No bones were broken but I was badly shaken and bruised. At long last we received marching orders and returned by road to Hitchin for paybooks. The same evening we marched to the station, accompanied by the Regimental Band and the usual crowds of civilians and entrained to our port of embarkation, but which port we could not ascertain. At midnight we reached Paddington: Exeter was our next stop in the early hours of the morning, and we then correctly premised that our destination was Devonport. At Exeter we were regaled by the Lady Mayoress and other ladies with very welcome hot coffee and refreshments. Arriving at Devonport we went immediately on board the troopship which was already crowded by men of many regiments.
Devonport
On board the troopship “Medic”, a converted White Star liner, were accommodated 2000 men and non-commissioned officers, and 50 officers. After two days wait, during which no shore leave was allowed, and no communications left the boat, we set sail, amid great excitement at the forthcoming adventure to which we looked forward so eagerly. We were accompanied by six other transports, six destroyers, several torpedo boats, and a sausage balloon through the beautiful Plymouth Sound. It was an impressive and imposing convoy and one not soon forgotten by the 2000 men setting out to unknown lands with an unknown future before them.
WW1 Diary in East Africa 