29th September 1916 – Morlancourt
Arthur is still in command of the Battalion – they were unexpectedly called forward – to the enemy lines outside Combles – but are now safely back in billets: “We were relieved yesterday early in the morning about 1am & moved back. I was pretty nearly done. Yesterday afternoon we trekked back again for about 4 hours. We are now in a village. Heavens, it’s a dirty little place – but anyway there are cottages standing & trees that have leaves and are not blighted & smashed to bits. Combles was rather wonderful. The Huns are cleared off in a desperate hurry, & left masses of stuff behind – bombs & rifles, ammunition, machine guns, minenwerfer, Flammenwerfer, maps, rockets, electric light, plans, papers & about 100 wounded. Dead everywhere. Our total casualties I think are about 18 officers & 325 men but we have had many drafts & are still about 18 Officers & 500 men strong”.
Arthur to Dollie
Fri. 5pm
… I’m awfully sorry, little one, I was interrupted. We had to move up. Thank heaven we are out – right back – & all the fitter for being under a roof. Let me give you the news. We moved up to the enemy lines outside Combles. We got in during the day & dug ourselves in. The French held that part of Combles S & E of the railway. I joined on with them – between them & Morval – so that really I had the greater part of Combles. During the dark we advanced again & dug in. We are now well to the NW of the town.
We were relieved yesterday early in the morning about 1am & moved back. I was pretty nearly done. Yesterday afternoon we trekked back again for about 4 hours. We are now in a village. Heavens, it’s a dirty little place – but anyway there are cottages standing & trees that have leaves and are not blighted & smashed to bits.
Combles was rather wonderful. The Huns cleared off in a desperate hurry, & left masses of stuff behind – bombs & rifles, ammunition, machine guns, minenwerfer, Flammenwerfer, maps, rockets, electric light, plans, papers & about 100 wounded. Dead everywhere. Our total casualties I think are about 18 officers & 325 men but we have had many drafts & are still about 18 Officers & 500 men strong.
The weather to-day has been beastly – very damp & wet! Still we’re under cover & so can afford to laugh at it. This morning I had to go off to a pow-wow with the Divisional Commander – I am still in command, you see!
To-day is Minshull’s 21st birthday (he is my Adjutant). Bobby Page I hear is in England, also Lloyd. I must try & get hold of the latters address. My thoughts are full of you, darling little girl. I just long to get home … I am all impatience. God bless you, dear. I hope the time will not be very long now. Remember me to all, especially to your dear Mater…
Last page of September War Diary signed by Arthur.
