miles, very very hot. bivouaced at 5.30 PM. & set up a field camp. worked night as bearer. McQuay has to leave us during the night, the varicose veins got broken in his leg. Friday AUG 4 return to our camp at 5 PM. I dont think much to the stunt. The remainder of our unit go away for final leave they only have two days poor beggars. I get night guard again & wood fatigue during the day. Sunday AUG 6 Fatigue all day, cleaning harness in transport lines ready for the big review next day. I went to H.C. in a little tin church with Bill. Monday AUG 7. Reveille at 4.30 AM. March to Hankley common for a review of the whole fourth division. 30,000 men reviewed by Sir Sam Hughes & Lloyd George 16 mile march there & back. I had my pack full of straw. Thursday AUG 10. Eighteen of our boys picked out to be left behind in England.
▸ Where was he?
▸ The war at this time
Two years of war
August 4, 1916 marks two years since Britain declared war on Germany. The war that was supposed to be 'over by Christmas' 1914 has become a grinding war of attrition with no end in sight. On the Somme, over 200,000 British casualties so far for gains measured in hundreds of yards. Sir Sam Hughes, Canada's Minister of Militia, is touring England. His erratic management has created chaos in Canadian military administration; he will be forced to resign by November. David Lloyd George, now Secretary of State for War, will be Prime Minister by December.
