Donald returns from leave; move south to the Somme

After a brief trip back to the Ypres area, the 4th SAI start a long journey south back to the Somme area.

Donald returned to the regiment on the 25th from leave. However, it is not clear when it was he went on leave.

  • 1st Nov
    Baths at St. Idesbald
    Shooting practice
    Detachment to work for the 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company
    Visit from the Divisional Band
  • 2nd Nov
    Uneventful
  • 3rd Nov
    Medical inspections
  • 4th Nov
    Visit from Brigadier-General
    500 ORs to 1st SA Field Ambulance & underwent treatment for trench feet.
    No church parade owing to trench feet situation
  • 5th Nov
    Remainder of battalion underwent trench feet treatment
  • 6th Nov
    C.O., 2nd-in-command & company commanders inspected coast defence system
  • 7th Nov
    Relieved by the 16th Infantry battalion
    Moved to Coxyde Bains
  • 8th Nov
    Training
  • 9th Nov
    “C” company (4 officers, 178 ORs) moved to be under the C.O. 3rd SAI
  • 10th Nov
    Moved to Middlesex camp
    Working parties to help “F” special company  Royal Engineers in carrying.
    Baths
  • 11th Nov
    Baths at Yorkshire Camp
    Training
  • 12th Nov
    Nothing to record
  • 13th Nov
    All officers reconnoitred the line
  • 14th Nov
    Training as usual
    Working parties to repair huts in camp before handing over
    Enemy shelling
  • 15th Nov
    Enemy shelling in camp without doing any damage
  • 16th Nov
    Relieved by 141st Royal Infantry Regt.
    Proceeded back to La Panne Bains
    “B” company rejoined from 2nd Australian Tunnelling Company.
  • 17th Nov
    Foot inspections
  • 18th Nov
    “C” company (attached to the 3rd SAI since 9th Nov) rejoined after only 2 wounded casualties
  • 19th Nov
    Marched to huts in Ghyvelde. No stragglers
  • 20th Nov
    Marched to Teteghem. Billets filthy.
  • 21st Nov
    Moved to billets in Esqelbecq
  • 22nd Nov
    Moved to La Reicle (27.i.17.d on the Wormhoudt-Cassel road)
  • 23rd Nov
    Moved to very good billets in Wardrecques
  • 24th Nov
    Marched to good billets in Assinghem
    G.O.C. Division paid a call
  • 25th Nov
    Marched to inadequate barracks in Renty
    Major Hunt returned from leave
  • 26th Nov
    Reorganizing platoons
    Rearranging billets
  • 27th Nov
    C.O. and adjutant to conference at B.H.Q.
  • 28th Nov
    Training
  • 29th Nov
    C.O. and Lewis Gun officer to Lewis Gun demonstration at Le Touquet
    Brigadier General visited
    Football
  • 30th Nov
    Training
    Guest night at mess
    Brigadier & staff visited
    Warning order to move received
    War diary of the 4th SAI signed by D.R.Hunt Major for Lieut Colonel Commanding 4th South African Infantry

 

  • Donald returns from leave (unclear when he went on leave)
  • Brief excursion back to Ypres area
  • Started moving back to the Somme area
  • Donald commanding 4th SAI