Frank commenced the writing of his war diaries at the beginning of 1915 and rather that reproduce every entry in the blog, we will summarise the diary along with information gleaned from Frank's letters to his sweetheart, Ethel. This first summary covers the time between 4th August 1914 and 6th March 1915.
Frank went off for training soon after the declaration of war on 4th August 1914. First the men were toughened up with physical drill and long marches. The marches took place several times a week, and averaged twelve miles, although one was twenty-two miles. There was also training on the grimmer aspects of their job, with medical lectures on wounds, as well as the practical aspects of bandaging and carrying wounded men from the battlefield, running casualty stations, provision of clean water, and so on.
On 28th February 1915 Frank’s 3rd Field Ambulance travelled overnight by train from Newport, Essex, to Southampton. After a couple of days in a transit camp they boarded an old British India Steam Navigation Company grain ship, the Chyebassa, and after a further two days waiting for a Royal Navy escort, they sailed to Le Havre in France. Frank was not to see his home and his sweetheart again for another year and three months. By then he was to see and experience the full tragedy, horror and heroism of mechanised warfare.
Frank went off for training soon after the declaration of war on 4th August 1914. First the men were toughened up with physical drill and long marches. The marches took place several times a week, and averaged twelve miles, although one was twenty-two miles. There was also training on the grimmer aspects of their job, with medical lectures on wounds, as well as the practical aspects of bandaging and carrying wounded men from the battlefield, running casualty stations, provision of clean water, and so on.
On 28th February 1915 Frank’s 3rd Field Ambulance travelled overnight by train from Newport, Essex, to Southampton. After a couple of days in a transit camp they boarded an old British India Steam Navigation Company grain ship, the Chyebassa, and after a further two days waiting for a Royal Navy escort, they sailed to Le Havre in France. Frank was not to see his home and his sweetheart again for another year and three months. By then he was to see and experience the full tragedy, horror and heroism of mechanised warfare.
Transcription
Sunday 28th February 1915
Left Newport 11o’clock pm.
By Elsenham station 2.30am.
Southampton 8.30 under the canvas.
March
1 Monday
Still at rest camp.
Arrived at same 9.30.
2 Tuesday
Still under canvas.
3 Wednesday
Aboard Chyebassa at 12 o’clock. Did not sail that day.
Lived on jam, bully beef and biscuits.
4 Thursday
Did not sail. She was manned by a black crew, ellacase (?) white officers, the vessel was used for carrying grain in peace time.
5 Friday - 6 Saturday
No bread since leaving Southampton.
Sailed for France on the Chyebassa at 8pm o’clock, escorted by two light cruisers, anchored out in the Channel at 5am until 1130.
Landed at Havre 1 o’clock mid-day. 17 hours.
One night at that place. Unloaded horses and waggons until 6pm. Had tea in recreation room. Fur coats issued.
Sunday 28th February 1915
Left Newport 11o’clock pm.
By Elsenham station 2.30am.
Southampton 8.30 under the canvas.
March
1 Monday
Still at rest camp.
Arrived at same 9.30.
2 Tuesday
Still under canvas.
3 Wednesday
Aboard Chyebassa at 12 o’clock. Did not sail that day.
Lived on jam, bully beef and biscuits.
4 Thursday
Did not sail. She was manned by a black crew, ellacase (?) white officers, the vessel was used for carrying grain in peace time.
5 Friday - 6 Saturday
No bread since leaving Southampton.
Sailed for France on the Chyebassa at 8pm o’clock, escorted by two light cruisers, anchored out in the Channel at 5am until 1130.
Landed at Havre 1 o’clock mid-day. 17 hours.
One night at that place. Unloaded horses and waggons until 6pm. Had tea in recreation room. Fur coats issued.
Monday, 7 April 2008
Embarkation
as he prepared to embark for Le Havre
in a converted grain carrying cargo ship "The Chyebassa
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