Back to the Job

Well chums I thought we were going to have a nice rest in Vlamertinghe but just as we had got settled into our new surrounds we received orders to move back to the front to relieve a French Battalion. That was on the 6th of June.

Before I update you ast my current position I'll give you the details on Vlamertinge.

We arrived in Vlamertinghe on the 31st of may and set up our bivouac. We were in the grounds of a chateau. It was the Divisional HQ. It was grand place. I put a photo of it in my last post but I have some better ones here.

Vlamertinghe Château

This is another looking at it face on.

Vlamertinge Château

We set up camp amongst the large chestnut trees in the extensive grounds of the chateau and set about cleaning and repairing our kit. This is also a regular resting or billeting area for other battalions at the front. The Royal Warwickshire Regiment bivouac here also.

There's a cracking field kitchen serving up some good grub and like our time at Armentieres there's a baths setup in an old brewery so we can get a good wash.

Our bivouac, or tent, is quite plain, we just have a piece of rectangular canvas that has a pole at the front and back end. They are quite quick and easy to put up and give you cover from light rain but if a gail blows then you've had it. Mind you its the start of summer now so the weather isn't that bad. This snap shows two tents with belongings laid out to dry. Its not too clear though.

Bivouac in Fields

This second snap shows one of the men getting a wash in the open. When we don't go to the baths this is how we wash. You can see the chaps tent behind him. He has secured it with some sturdy wooden poles and branches.

Getting a Wash in the Field

Well chums we were in Vlamertinge until the 6th. It was 6 days of bliss. During the day we had drills, route marches and then gymnastics. In the evenings we went to the estaminets in the town. We weren't allowed much time and the number of estaminets were limited but we had en enjoyable time.

On the 6th we were given our marching order, back to the front it was. We relieved the French Zouaves in the front line to the left of Ypres. Its quite a warm spot. We have been heavily shelled every day.

2nd lieutenant MacIver joined us on the 6th. He didn't bring much luck with him, we've had six blokes injured by shelling yesterday and then today one man got wounded by a sniper.

Well chums were back on the job and with the reinforcements and replacements that we've received over the last few weeks were getting back up to strength. I should imagine were now fulltime back in the front line.

I'm not sure when I'm going to see blighty again, I miss the old place. I've just had some bad news from home, our George has been killed. He was at the front with his regiment and they sustained a heavy attack. George was killed and his commanding officer wrote home letting his wife know. I'm going to try and find out what happened. Its hit me worse than the Hun has. He has a bairn on the way who will never know him. What a bloody war.

Albert  x