The War Diaries of Francis James Whiting

Beaumont and 3 others wounded by shrapnel. 105 Wrote to his people
relieving anxiety. Wrote home.
March 25
Wrote a farewell letter home as we are going into some particularly bad
trenches tonight behind Ypres. Hardly expect to come out. Left camp at 6
PM. Stopped before going very far, told to report at once to paymaster
before going on pass. [T.G.G.] Ellis, [F.T.] Mabson, [D.E.] Donnelly and
myself. Got to Poperinghe by 1 AM. Only got 5 Fr. From paymaster.
March 26
Boarded train at 4 AM. Got to Boulogne about 12 noon. Am writing this on
the quay waiting for the boat to take us. Loaded onto boat but was taken
off shortly and marched to top of hill above Boulogne to a rest camp. Had
quite a job getting supper. [F.J.] Crofts and I went downtown – broke
bounds – and succeeded in getting some fried eggs but on the way back
Crofts was pinched by 2 police. I ran for it and got away. Cost Crofts 2 Fr.
to get loose again. Embarked and started off, passed by the boat Sussex,
sunk yesterday by the Germans. Saw her masts sticking up. Got to
Folkstone by dusk. London 9:30. Home by 11 PM. Folks all in bed. Left
[T.G.G.] Ellis at Peel House.
March 28
Said “Howdy” to all the folks. Hunted up [T.G.G.] Ellis. Went with him to get
some new uniforms. Went round to Gamages. 106 Got polished up in great
style.
March 29
[T.G.G.] Ellis and I visited Westminster in the morning and the Victoria and
Albert Museum in the afternoon.
March 30
Went down to Ramsgate. Met an old pal named [S.] Needs [Needes]. He
tried hard to arrange a meeting with Maj [J.H.] Lindsay, who is here
wounded. If I could have seen him, think I could have worked an extension
of leave. All the folks and I went to a revue “A Devonshire Girl”. Very good
show.
105 Dick was one of “2 O.R. [other ranks] wounded” on March 22.
106 Gamages was a department store in London. See photograph here.