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War Diary

1914-12-18
Regiment 1st Royal Berkshire
Location Belgium, CAESTRE
Entry From Dec 6th - 18th there is little of interest to record. The whole period was spent in billets in Caestre, but owing to the incessant bad weather it was impossible to carry out much beneficial training. Whenever possible companies went out, and on one or two occasions the whole battalion practised the attack. Special attention was paid to the training of specialists - ie. Machine Gunners, Telephonists, Range Finders. A great deal of clothing etc was drawn from store, and with the large number of gifts sent out from home every man in the battalion was issued with a complete new outfit. Bathing facilities were arranged in the Maire, where every man obtained a hot bath twice a week. Concerts and football matches were arranged weekly. Every 4 days we had to stand by ready to move at an hours notice as part of a flying column. 2/Lt Leach and 2/Lt Lancaster from 3rd Dorsets joined battalion.