Sunday, 26 July 2015

from Peebles to Galashiels then Plymouth

We left camp for billets in Galashiels on 10 Nov. - 19 miles march.  I was billeted with Mrs Hume Sime Place, Galashiels, along with Pte. W. Hutchins, Burntisland.  I had a kit inspection at midnight, 11 Nov.; paid up-to-date; entrained 12th Nov.  7.5 a.m.; reached St. Budeaux, Devon, 13th at 8.30am.  In huts at Ernesettle Rest Camp till 9.15 am. no Monday, 15th Nov.  Food very scarce and very irregular.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernesettle#Ernesettle_Fort

On this day:
11 Nov -
Naval and Overseas Operations
Transport "Mercian" attacked by submarine; 103 casualties
 
German mission to Greece.
Greek Chamber dissolved; new elections to be held.
Lord Derby warns unmarried men of compulsion if fail to enlist voluntarily before 30 November

14th Nov
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
Turks and Germans defeated by Russians in Persia.
Turkish Ambassador and Austro-German Ministers leave.
Naval and Overseas Operations
Loss of submarine E.20 in Sea of Marmora.

15th Nov
Southern Front
Very successful attack on Turkish trenches by 52nd Division at Gallipoli.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
Publication by Foreign Office of attacks on British officers, etc., in Persia.
Political, etc.
Mr. Winston Churchill's speech re: Antwerp and Dardanelles expeditions.  Rejoins his regiment.

waiting for something to happen

Inoculated 7th and 28th Aug.  (Had been vaccinated 8th Dec.,1914).  Picked for draft 24th Oct.,1915.  On leave till 29th Oct.
While in 3/4th was friendly with J.M.S. Mair, No. 3839, B Coy.  We spent many evenings with Miss Aithie, High Street Peebles (whom Jack Mair knew).  Mair's address was Queen Str., Newton Stewart.

Saturday, 11 July 2015

Private Robert Loudon No 3813 (from stationery to soldier)

Private Robert Loudon, No 3813, No 1 Platoon, X Coy., 4th Royal Scots (QER), 156 Brigade, 52 Lowland Division, British Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.
(Second Division Clerk in Stationery Branch of National Health Insurance Commission (Scotland), 83 Princes Str., Edinburgh.  -  Lodge with Miss Neil,  XXXXX, Joppa, Edinburgh).
Enlisted in 3/4th Royal Scots (QER) on 13th July, 1915; attested.  At home till 17July; went to camp at Peebles on that date - same day as R. Lawrie.

Next post on or about 7 Aug