The War Diaries of Francis James Whiting

February 29
Wrote home. Lovely day. Lots of aeroplanes around. Lively shelling.
March 1
Fatigue down to Regent Street dugout last night. Tonight all stand-to.
Lively bombardment during night to divert attention from an attack to be
made up Ypres way. No fatigue tonight. Walked down, but officer (R.E.)
was away. 92
March 4 [3] 93
Marched down to [Kemmel] Chateau tonight. [Kemmel] Huts shelled
shortly after we left. Learned later there was several casualties. Chateau
badly looted. Some men of 52 nd Batt. along with us for the night. 94
March 5 [4]
Moved into F4 trenches south of our old G. trenches. Everything in rotten
shape. Snowed the last day or two. Dugouts tumble down. Trenches in
bad shape. 95
92 The PPCLI War Diary, March 1, stated, “Work parties cancelled because of strafe up North.”
On March 2, there were “Work parties P.M. only.”
93 Frank Whiting’s dates were out by one day. In fact it was the 3 rd . Considering the cold and
snow, the terrible conditions of the trenches, the bombardment, and the stress of manning a
listening post in No Man’s land [March 5], it is little wonder that Frank could be out a day in his
diary!
94 The War Diary, March 3, noted that “one Platoon of B. Coy 52 nd Bn. with each Coy for
instruction.” Adamson wrote, “We received orders this morning [Mar 3] to occupy our trenches
tonight instead of tomorrow night. A company of the 52 nd Battalion is to be attached to us for
instruction. We have also been given a longer piece of front line. Our formation will now be 3
companies in the fire line and one in immediate support. The new piece of trench has not a good
reputation and a lot of work will have to be done on it.” Letters of Agar Adamson 1914 to 1919,
156.
95 According to the PPCLI War Diary, March 4, “No 2 Coy took over F4 and F5, and half Regent
St Dugouts from 29 th Bn.” Adamson wrote, “We got in last night and are taking over the new piece
of line tonight. The C.O. and I went over it today, it is in a very bad state and the Regiments in it
before ought to be ashamed of themselves for neglecting it. When a piece of parapet was blown
in, they built a traverse in rear of it and when it was blown down, one in rear of it and so on, until
there is no line and no connection. The Battn. H.Q. is a mile and a half back and none have any
parados or wire in front. The Boche could have easily broken through and if in any strength make
it very uncomfortable for the Regiments on each flank who would have to counter attack from a
flank. All the officers in the trench were lunching in one dugout, no officer on duty in the trench or
no Sergeant, the sentries relieved themselves, few of them had smoke helmets on and most of
the Ross Rifles were so dirty and rusty that I doubt if they would shoot. Everybody seemed very
pleased with themselves and interlarded their remarks with the usual western blasphemy. The
British had a very bad time in these trenches and are accordingly named the Glory Hole, Suicide
Corner, Dead Man’s Corner, Mount Pleasant, etc., etc.” Letters of Agar Adamson 1914 to 1919,
157.