TOPIC:

( Lynn Duplicated Date )

Tuesday July 17, 1900

Got up at 7. Go to bridge in morning. Nothing to do all day. Got medicine in hospital. Hear very little news from front.

Wednesday July 18, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Orderly man for day. Inspection of arms by camp C.O. On little fatigues in morning. Had treat for supper today two eggs I traded for tin jam. Have Church of England service at 7. Ready for bed at 9.

Thursday July 19, 1900

Roll call & Dr's inspection at 9. Went to river in morning and did my washing. Having good time by river. Nothing to do in afternoon. Walking about camp most of evening. To bed at 9.

Friday July 20, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Inspection of arms at 10. Nothing to do in morning. Nothing to do in afternoon. Soldiers Home ay night. To bed at 9.

Saturday July 21, 1900

Got up about 7. Dr's inspection about 9. All convalescent camp have to keep arms and ammunition in case of attack. Nothing to do in afternoon to bed about 9. Rev. Almond comes to camp & tells us we are going home.

Sunday July 22, 1900

Got up at 7. Very cold windy today. Church at 11, did not go to service. Got razor, brush & cigarettes & 2 bob given to us by Rev. Almond. Rains most of day. Nothing to do in afternoon. To bed at 9.

Monday July 23, 1900

Got up about 7.30. Very cold day. C.O. inspected our arms this morning. Morning much doing in camp and am getting tired of my inactivity in campaign. Troubled very much with tooth. In bed at 9. Rain very heavy during night.

Tuesday July 24, 1900

Got up about 7.30. Inspection of arms at 10 by C.O. troubled very much by tooth to bed at 6.30.

Wednesday July 25, 1900

Got up at 7.00. Dr. inspection at 9. Went to hospital to have tooth extracted by Dr. from Edinburgh Hospital. Church of England service at 7. Men got issue of rum. Ready for bed at 9.

Thursday July 26, 1900

Got up at 7. About 200 convalescents leave here for Cape Town. Inspection of arms at 10. Have neuralgia bad. Men in camp most of the time laying in tent.

Friday July 27, 1900

Got up at 7. Orderly man for day. Dr. inspection at 9. Doing some mending on my clothes most of day. Had supper at 4. Bed at 9.

Saturday July 28, 1900

Got up at 7. Dr's inspection at 9. Got mail 11 letters. First in a long time spent most of day reading my letters. Went to Chaplains tent for talk. Wrote letter home. Bed at 9.

Sunday July 29, 1900

Got up at 7. Paraded at 9 to be told off for church. Wrote letter to Clark. Man in tent had fit. Sent for Dr. and he would not come to see him. Told us to carry the man to him. Men got issue of rum. Seymore plays organ at our service. To bed at 9.

Monday July 30, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Dr. inspection at 9. Been picked out for Cape Town but did not go. Laid in bed telling tales until near midnight. Lights go out at 9.

Tuesday July 31, 1900

Got up at 7. Paraded sick at 9. All convalescents able to walk and carry a rifle a mile have to march and take up positions that they would have to in case of an attack. Went for long walk around Kopje's. Supper at 4.30. To bed at at 9.

Wednesday August 1, 1900

Got up at 7. Went to hospital for medicine. Cricket match Cornwalls and Camp V.S. Edinburgh Hospital. Did not go. Went to Church of England service at 7. Laid in bed till midnight telling yarns.

Thursday August 2, 1900

Got up at 7. Dr. inspection at 9. Go to hospital for medicine. Nothing to do in camp. Have concert in camp, program furnished by the Drs. And orderlies from Edinburgh Hospital. Men get issue of tobacco. Bed at 9.

Friday August 3, 1900

Got up at 7. Have new medical inspection Col. Falvey (?) leaving this camp. New Dr. very strict. Got news that De Wet had captured and wrecked another train. To bed about 9.30.

Saturday August 4, 1900

Got up at 7. New Dr. inspected men and sent most of them to rest camp many new supplies come into camp. Wrote couple of letters home. Came near to having a scrap with and English soldier who spoke very rudely about Canada. He apologized for it. Nothing to do in evening. To bed at 9.

Sunday August 5, 1900

Got up about 7. Heavy rain storm early in morning. Paraded at 8.30 told off for church service at 11 a.m. Rain most of day. Got an army testament given to me here in camp. Get issue of rum.. To bed at 9.

Monday August 6, 1900

Got up at 7. Dr. inspection at 9. Very cold windy day. Lay in tend reading most of day. Took walk about camp. Bed at about 9. Very cold at night.

Tuesday August 7th, 1900

Got up at 7. Roll call at 9. About 200 men go to rest camp. Nothing to do in afternoon. Mr. Stewart of Soldiers Home learns he is to go up country. Got an Army Testament. Ready for bed at 9.

Wednesday August 8th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Orderly man for today. Had to peel spuds for dinner. Men had issue of rum today. Went to Church of England service at 7. To bed at 9.

Thursday August 9th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Inspection of arms at 10. Got new shirt issued to me. Neuralgia bad. Mr. Gregson preaches at Soldiers Home. He is head of A.T.A. Ready for bed at about 9. Cold Night.

Friday August 10th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Have no Drs. inspection. Went to river & had a swim. Big wind and sand storm most of day. Walk to where Kaffiers do their washing and talk to them most of day. Boer tells them that no black man go to heaven but the Devil takes them. To bed at 9.

Saturday August 11th, 1900

Got up at 7. Very windy day. Took walk over kopjes. Received couple of letters from home. Heavy wind and rain storm most of day. Go to Soldiers Home to hear Mr. Gregstone the founder of the Home. Lights out to bed at 9.30.

Sunday August 12th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. To church at 11. Got 3 letters from home. Had good dinner at 12.30. Laid in tent writing letters most of afternoon. Have neuralgia bad. Ready for bed about 8.

Monday August 13th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Nothing much to do in camp. English mail is collected on Mondays. Men in camp are very tricky with one another . After man has made his bed and goes out of tent they make a French one of it. To bed at 9.

Tuesday August 14th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Had to go on parade and march to bridge got back at about 11. Supper at 12.30. Reading most of the afternoon . Cricket matach between Con. Camp and Edinburgh Hospital orderlies. All men in camp get issued with extra blanket as did the horses after all the cold weather is over and not much need for them. Ready for bed at 9. Lie in tent telling tall tales half the night.

Wednesday August 15th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Medical inspection at 9. Went out to spring and sit and talk to Kaffiers all day while they are doing their laundry. Kaffiers use a stone for a washboard. Back to camp for Dinner. Reading for most of PM. Men in camp get issue of rum. Went to Church of England service at 7. To bed at 9.

Thursday August 16th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Inspection of arms at 9. We have the same type of grub all the time. We have a Kaffier servant come and clean our tent for us for what meat we do not eat. Started letter to Ern. Caverly. Quite windy and dusty today. Received word that De Wet was captured today but not confirmed. Had open air concert at 8. Bed at 9.

Friday August 17th, 1900

Got up ay 7.30. Took a walk out to spring. Got back to camp to late for dinner. Laid about reading most of afternoon. Men in camp issued with tobacco sold mine for ticky. Bot bun and coffee with proceeds. To bed at 9.

Saturday August 18th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. No parade today. Went out to spring and had my washing done by Kaffier women. Kaffier's made coffee for us. Supper at 4.30. Took walk about camp after supper. Nothing to do. To bed at 9.

Sunday August 19th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Breakfast at 8. Parade at 9 to be told off for church. Went to church at 11. Writing most of afternoon. Got issue of rum and sold mine for ticky. Most Sisters go to church at night. Made french bed for one of the men in tent and he got mad & fight with man he thought made it.

Monday August 20th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Never in any hurry to get up early as there is nothing to do. Inspection of arms by officers in camp. Took walk to springs & had my washing done by Kaffier women. Did not come back to camp for dinner. Lie in tent most of night talking about Canada & Britain. To bed at 9.

Tuesday August 21st, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Drs. inspection at 9. Very windy and dusty day. Dinner at 12.30. Reading most of afternoon. Reading most of day in reading room. About 100 men sent to rest camp where they were given light duty. To bed at 9.

Wednesday August 22nd, 1900

Up at 7. Had to go on parade & march to bridge. Walked over bridge which is 80 feet above water and has no railings. Dinner at 12.30. Nothing to do in PM. Had to go to office and got 3 days CB. Men in camp got issue of rum. Went to Church of England service which is held every Sunday & Wednesday. Had a little practice singing after service.

Thursday August 23rd, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Inspection of arms at 10. Orderly man for day. Dinner at 12.30. Helped cart wood for Soldiers Home, get a bun and coffee. I want to eat. Have a sacred concert assisted by Lady Gilforn & Mrs. Seymore who have a hospital for officers here. To bed at 9. Rain most of night.

Friday August 24th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Camp inspected by P.M.O. Very cold in morning. Flurry of snow. Did not have any parades. Working at Soldiers Home sawing & chopping wood. Dinner at 12.30. made saw horse. Supper at 4.30. Cold in the evening. Got 3 letters from home, 1 Mrs. Clark. To bed at 9.

Saturday August 25th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Drs inspection at 9. Inspection of arms at 10. Party of invalids leave for Cape Town. Went to Soldiers Home to hear Mr. Gregston speak who was the founder of Soldiers Home and also a personal friend of “Bob's”. helped sweep out service tent for Sunday.

Sunday August 26th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Had a parade to be told off for church at 9 and then dismissed. Have parade at 11 for church. Supper at 12.30. Men in camp get issue of rum. Sold mine for tickey. Went to Church of England service at 6 p.m. Mr. Gregston speaks at 7. Fine day, weather getting warmer. To bed at 9. Wrote letter home.

Monday August 27th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Breakfast at 8.30. Did not have any parades today. At Soldiers Home most of evening. Went to see A. Cramm at rest camp. Went to station after bun for Soldiers Home. Get news in camp that Gen. Oliver & his 3 sons along with a number of burgers were captured. Hans Cordua leader of the plot in Pretoria to kidnap Lord Roberts shot at daybreak. To bed at 9.

Tuesday August 28th, 1900

Got up about 7. Very warm day. No parades today. Reading in tent most of day. Went to station for load of buns. Was cutting wood at Soldiers Home. Bed at 9

Wednesday August 29th, 1900

Got up at 7.30. Thunderstorm in morning. Ordered to bridge but order canceled. Heavy rain most of day. Gen. Oliver and his sons go down line, fine looking man. Very heavy rain at night. Soldiers Home tent blown down and much damaged.

Thursday August 30th, 1900

Up at 7.30. Work most of morning. Dinner at 12.30. Got warned for fatigues to pitch Soldiers Home tent. Got load of cinders for tent floor. Had concert in Soldiers Home at night. British prisoners escape from Boers while being shelled. Bed at 9.

Friday August 31st, 1900

Up at 7.30. Inspection of arms at 9.30. Went to spring at 9.30 and had washing done. Away from camp most of day. Mr. Gregston still at Soldiers home. Had practice singing after service. To bed at 9. Lights out goes at 9.30.

Saturday September 1st, 1900

Up at 7.30. All Canadians in camp were summoned to station & got 3 bob from Chaplain of C.M.R. Inspection of arms at 9.30. Working at S.H. most of morning. Nothing to do about camp at all. Supper at 4.30. Transvaal was annexed to the Empire of Great Britain.
Ready for bed at 9.

Sunday September 2nd, 1900

Up at 7.30. Parade at 9 to be told off for church. Litany service at 11. Weather getting very hot. Laid in tent writing most of day. Heard the B.P. Had fun negotiating with Grobler as to surrendering and in the mean time had reinforcements hurried up & captured him. Get word that Buller is heavily engaged with enemy. Ready for bed at 9.

Monday September 3rd, 1900

Got up at 7. Did not have any sleep. Had bad attack of malaria. Laid in tent most of day. Did not parade sick to Dr. Could not eat anything all day. Very weak & dizzy at night and try to get some sleep but cannot. Will try to work it off.

Tuesday September 4th, 1900

Got up at 6.30. Did not have any sleep last night. Paraded to hospital sick. Got medicine and laid in bed most of day. Inspection of arms at 10. Did not go on. Eat nothing all day. Took short walk about camp so to be able to sleep. To bed at 5.30.

Wednesday September 5th, 1900

Got up at about 6. Went to Hosp. for medicine. Drs. inspection at 9.30. Got bottle of milk. Get news that Buller is heavily engaged with Botha and that Boers had recaptured the waterworks at Bloemfontein. Ready for bed at 8.

Thursday September 6th, 1900

Up at 7.30. Inspection of arms at 10. Civilians of town hold concer in school house. Have lecture in camp by Rev. Mr. Croonstanof Johannesburg of soldiers stopping to live in South Africa. To bed at 9.

Friday September 7th, 1900

Up at 7.30. At Soldiers Home most of morning reading. Some of boys get letter telling us of Mr. G. Stewarts death in B. B.P. go through station on way to Capetown. Bed at 9.

Saturday September 8th, 1900

Up at 7. Inspection of arms at 10. Was working most of morning sawing wood. Spent most of day in making a bird cage for some Colony Canaries we trapped. Concert given in evening by Lady Gifford and Mrs. Seymore at their Officers hospital. Did not go. To bed at 9.

Sunday September 9th, 1900

Up at 7. Paraded to church at 11. Writing in tent most of day. Men in camp get issue of rum. One of our Canadian Nurses in our camp here. Lay in tent disputing weather or not this is the 20th century.

Monday September 10th, 1900

Up at 7. Inspection of arms at 10. Names of men taken for pay on Wednesday. Took a walk to spring & had my washing done by Kaffier women. Stayed at spring most of day. To bed at 9. 100 Men come to camp from Bloemfontein.

Tuesday September 11th, 1900

Up at 7.30. Inspection of arms at 10. Cutting wood most of morning. Took walk to afternoon through kopjies. Inspection of clothing. Got new pr. of trousers. Bot pr. of extra trousers. At S.H. most of evening very warm night. To bed at nine.

Wednesday September 12th, 1900

Up at 7. Dr's inspection at 9.30. Cutting wood in morning. Made bird cage for birds we catch in snares. Working in S.H. most of night. Mail train catches fire going over burning bridge and is five hours late. Bed at 9. Last post goes at 9. Lights out at 9.15.

Thursday September 13th, 1900

Up at 7. Inspection of arms at 10. Cutting wood at home to get some strength. Very warm day candles we have in tent melt and run into oil. Coming on summer. Nothing to do in afternoon. Heard that Kruger had been captured with all his baggage. About 100 men go to rest camp. To bed at 9.

Friday September 14th, 1900

Got up at 7. No parade today. Got letter from home. Got news that Kruger Staff have left S.A. Nothing to do in afternoon. Took walk among hills chasing baboons. Very dusty & windy today. Bed at 9.

Saturday September 15th, 1900

Up at 7. Very warm today. Orderly man for the day. No parade in the morning. Got paid 21 Lb. Sterling cutting wood most of afternoon. Got news that French had captured much stock at Barberton. Got handkerchiefs and soap at store. Ready for bed at 9.

Sunday September 16th, 1900

Up at 7. Parade at nine to be told off for church. Communion and service at 11. In tent writing most of afternoon. Quite cool today. Men get issue of rum today. Went to English church service in village school house at night good service mostly civilians of village. Made ready for bed about 9. Windy tonight.

Monday September 17th, 1900

Up at 7. Inspection of arms at 10. Went to spring to get my washing done by kaffier women. Had good swim. Stayed at spring most of day talking to Kaffiers. At Soldiers Home after supper making tea. Got news that General French had captured a large number of locomotives. Ready for bed at 9.

Tuesday September 18th, 1900

Up at 7. Inspection of arms at 10. Get an issue of Canadian cheese in lieu of short rations of meat. Had supper at 4.30. Very warm day. Between 50 & 100 convalescents come down every night from Bloemfontein. Sitting about tent arguing most of evening with Imperial Soldiers. To bed at 9.

Wednesday September 19th, 1900

Up at 7. Medical inspection at 9. Making large bird cage most of morning. Nothing to do in the afternoon. Heard that Regt. was mobilizing for home. Making tea at Soldiers Home tonight. Heard that Kruger had been captured, again. Bed at 9.

Thursday September 20th, 1900

Up at 7. Breakfast at 8. Inspection of arms at 10. At Soldiers Home most of morning. Heavy wind and sand storm. Number of men go to rest camp. Supper at 4.30 Ready for bed at 9.

Friday September 21st, 1900

Got up at 7. Inspection of arms at 10. Nothing else to do today. Very warm day and dusty. To walk down to village. Concert held in village by civilians did not go. Laid in bed talking. Lights out at 9.

Saturday September 22nd, 1900

Up at 7. Inspection of arms at 10. Working at home most of morning. To walk to river for swim. Nothing to do all day. Took walk to village. Had hair cut by Indian Baerber. Fine day warm. Bed at 9.15.

Sunday September 23rd, 1900

Up at 7.30. Parade at 9.30 to be told off for church. Laid in tent writing most of afternoon. Very hot day. Went to service at 6. Took walk about camp after service. Men got issue of rum. Two Non-Comms. go down to Cape Town they told us the Regt. will be down on Tuesday. Ready for bed at 9.

Monday September 24th, 1900

Got up at 7. Inspection of arms at 10. Went to spring to get some washing done. Did not come back for Dinner. Very warm day. Wind and Sand storm. Ready for bed at 9.

Tuesday September 25th, 1900

Up at 7. Inspection of arms at 10. Nothing to do in morning. Laid about tent most of afternoon. Ready for bed at 9.

Wednesday September 26th, 1900

Up at 7. Dr's inspection at 9. Dinner at 12. Went to river to help get wood for Soldiers Home. Got back to camp at 5. Had supper at home. Got orders to be ready to go down with Regt. in morning. Examined by Dr. and passed fit to travel. To service at 7. To bed at 9.

Thursday September 27th, 1900

Got up at 6. Got kit ready but Regt. did not come. Breakfast at 8. working round home most of morning. Went for walk to river. Supper at 4.00. Bed at 9.

Friday September 28th, 1900

Up at 6. Slept at Soldiers Home. Regt. got to station and had good breakfast at 10. Departed at 10.20. Only 6 Companies come down. A & B stay with Col. Otter to go home by way of England. Had dinner at Naaupoort at 2. Left at 3. p.m. Got to De Arr & had supper at 9 and left at 10. Have to ride, sleep and eat in open coal trucks. Got very little sleep. Was very cold night. Passed Victoria West at 1 a.m.

Saturday September 29th, 1900

Feeling tough this morning mot much sleep. Still sliding along on the train. Had breakfast at Beaufort West at 9. Every man that has or can buy a flag has it fastened on the train. Had dinner at Prince Albert Road at 2 p.m. Left at 3 p.m. Nothing particular to note. Having supper at Majersfontein at 8. It is the prettiest place in Cape Colony. Number of ladies going along giving cigarettes and other things to eat and drink. Man fell off train and was cut to pieces was not missed for some time. Train went back to pick him up. Belonged to “E” Company.

Sunday September 30th, 1900

Have very little sleep again. Still on train. Have breakfast at Wellington and a good one too given to us by the ladies in the town. The traveling is getting interesting grand scenery field green with grain and kopjes covered with green foliage of some kind. We are sometimes under and sometimes over the clouds as we are going up a very high plateau. Railroad is cut in side of mountains. All flags have to be taken off train on account of accident. Given good reception all along line. Got to Cape Town about 12. train run out on dock and we have to get aboard boat. Allowed out of dock in afternoon. Citizens of Cape Town send band down to play for us. Raining most of afternoon. Had to go on guard at 6. lots of prisoners in cells belonging to Regt.

Many thanks, Mike.

I have appended to the full diary page here: www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/ca...-of-infantry?start=1

Thanks David.....

Not much more now......

Mike