Friday JULY 28 Permission from ADMS for 100 men to have weekend leave 3 days from 12 noon. I get away leave Liphook at 8.25 PM. arrive at N’pton Saturday JULY 29 at 2 AM. straight home could not get a taxi or hotel. with Olive & Len all the morning, Annie Olive & Len in afternoon. cemetery & park. & new Theatre first show in the evening. To Motts after the show. to bed 4 AM Sunday July 30. to Mass at the cathedral with Coleman of the 48th. Aunt Fan in the afternoon. Evensong at St Laurences 6.30. Band concert & Motts. Bed 3.45 AM. Monday JULY 31 To G.M & I in the morning. & to see Edie Smith Hollie. Dinner at home. Aunt Maggies for tea, left castle station at 6 PM. & arrive at camp 12.45 mid-night. Tuesday AUG 1. General service, Limbers, water-carts etc delivered & full war equipment. I am night guard, dark but fine. Wed AUG 2nd. Leave camp at 2 PM with A Section for a nights manouvers. march 5
▸ Where was he?
▸ The war at this time
The Somme: a month of attrition
The Battle of the Somme is now four weeks old. British and French forces have gained roughly two miles at a cost of over 200,000 casualties. The original breakthrough has not materialized. Fighting is now focused on small-scale attacks for local objectives: woods, fortified farms, ruined villages. The Australian divisions are fighting at Pozières, where they will ultimately suffer 23,000 casualties over seven weeks. The Canadian Corps remains at Ypres but will begin transferring to the Somme in late August.
