The War Diaries of Francis James Whiting

May 7
Battalion moved from lakeside to trenches. 122 [J.R.] Riddel [Riddell] and I,
receiving no orders to proceed with company stayed in dugout until
morning. Came up and joined by 9 AM [May 8]. Fred Dobie and Lt. [C. A.]
Pope killed last night. Eddie Howse [Howes] and [E. L.] Hanson wounded.
Several other casualties. No sentry go for me. Found a dugout big enough
for a small dog and crawled in. 123
May 8
Very quiet all day. Anniversary of famous battle the P.P.s put up last year
here at Ypres. 124
May 9
Bombardment this morning. No sentry go except during afternoon.
May 10
Brisk bombardment this morning. Out wiring for 3 hours tonight. They
spotted us and turned a machine gun on us. Nobody hurt. Pulled out about
2:15 AM. Bill [W.] Milne and Les Hancock came back off pass. Reported a
whale of a time.
May 11
Brisk bombardment this morning for an hour and a half during and after
stand-to. Very heavy stuff sent over by both sides this afternoon. This
morning was the first time I ever saw shells landing. Lots of times noticed a
bunch of 3 or 4 from a height of 20 feet dive into the earth and explode.
Saw lots of trench mortars, both mannewerfers [minenwerfers] and ours go
122 As mentioned by Adamson on April 21, they were just beginning “eight [days] in the firing line,
although in another part of the line called Sanctuary Wood, for rather gruesome reasons.” Letters
of Agar Adamson 1914 to 1919, 168.
123 st nd rd th
1 and 2 Companies were on the front lines in Sanctuary Wood. 3 and 4 Companies were
in Supports.
124 Frank was referring to the historic Battle of Frezenberg, “The Patricias served one year with
80th Brigade (named the "Stonewall Brigade" after its defence of the Ypres Salient in May, 1915).
The historic battle of FREZENBERG was fought on 8 May, 1915 at Bellewaerde Lake. The
enemy attacked behind clouds of poison gas; however, the Regiment held the front even though
they were fighting from ditches and shell holes and were under fire from three sides. The
Regiment came out of action commanded by Lt H.W. Niven with 154 effectives. The anniversary
of this famous battle is commemorated annually by the Regiment. “ See The PPCLI & the Great
War.