EXCERPTS FROM A WWI DIARY: Billy Roger
William Ernest (Billy) Roger lived on his homestead at SW 15-24-26, coming from London, England, in 1910. The history book A Past to Cherish noted that he saw the First World War as an opportunity to visit his homeland and serve his country, so off he went.
He saw action in France and was wounded, briefly documenting some of his experiences in a diary. Here are some excerpts that give readers a glimpse of what it was like in the field.
William (Billy) Roger, WWI. PHOTO: A PAST TO CHERISH
Feb. 26, 1916: At Imperial Army Training Camp. Got issued shovels and shovelled snow.
Friday, March 10, 1916: In Trenches C3. German lines about 300 yards distant. Can see Mercinnes plain. Don’t look good to me.
March 19, 1916: Nice day and as we were being strafed lots laid on the ground, watching the shells explode.
March 27, 1916: Wet. British bombarded German front lines at 4:30 a.m. Returned about 10:00 p.m. Marched to Dunout. Arrived 1:30 wet thru, hungry and tired. Revived when I found my first parcel from home from Nellie. Slept on concrete barn floor - no blankets.
March 29, 1916: Battalion muster parade, then inoculations and I suppose next they paid us to make up for the abomination. It sure catches me. Am very stiff. Confound doctors.
April 12, 1916: Our front line enduring awful hardships. Mockery of a trench - bullets go clear thru.
April 16, 1916: Well here we are. It’s hard to believe. Dodging shells, bullets, going for rations, taking out casualties are mere details. It’s the lack of sleep that hurts.
May 5, 1916: Observing and making sketch of Hill 60. Awful looking joint. Got two cigars from Slack. Hill 60 looks as if the bottom of the hill is on top.
June 20, 1916: Had good chance of observing effects of our artillery fire which was fearful - above all human imaginings. Dantes Inferno a garden of Eden alongside.
July 9, 1916: (Horton Hospital, England) Helping to make beds. Saw Doc about 9:30 - that done it. He operated immediately - engaged in grinding teeth. Doc used freezing where he was going to cut, but damn place was rotted inside. Rather lonely. Other chaps are up and out.
July 12, 1916: In bed - tube is to be taken out every day, cleaned and boiled. I suppose they iron it too!
November, 1917: Back to tents. Arrived at 3 or 4 a.m. Started to open letters and parcels when Fritz made air raid. Upset things in general. Parcels from Nellie and Fred. Marches to Ypres. Entrained for Flamintang.
July 8, 1919: Chilly on deck. Dock at Halifax 5:30 p.m.
July 15, 1919: Caught Imperial Limited at 10. Swift Current at 4 p.m. 5:15 caught train to Prussia (Leader). Arrived after 9 p.m.