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Thursday, July 20, 1916

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we are now doing no drill. Take a swim in the sea at Seabrook. & have some snaps taken. Orders at 9.35 PM we leave for Bramshott early next morning, strike camp & most of the boys sleep out. Thursday JULY 20. Reveille at 4.15 left Shorncliffe station at 7.30 AM. Spend one hour in Guildford noon to 1 PM. G’ford is a very pretty place with some very pretty girls. Arrive at Liphook Station, 2 miles from Bramshott camp at 4. P.M. Six to a tent.

Friday JULY 21. Belles birthday. had the humps all day. & a glad feeling at the same time. Sat JULY 22. San. fatigue Rained all morning. Told we get no leave, might get a weekend. Sunday JULY 23rd Open air Mass at Tintown. very impressive, leggins, confessions, wounded, kneeling. good sermon, 1500 or 1800 present. had a chat to chaplain.

Monday JULY 24. Horse ambulance & waggon drill. Tuesday JULY 25 In camp all day. Wed JULY 26 Our unit to go over to France with 4th Can Div. Thursday JULY 27. In camp all day.

Where was he?
The war at this time

Three weeks into the Somme

The Somme offensive has now been grinding on for three weeks. The daily casualty rate is relentless. The battle will continue until November, costing over one million casualties on both sides for a gain of about six miles. The 4th Canadian Division is the last of the Canadian divisions to form. When it arrives in France in August, the Canadian Corps will be at full strength for the first time.