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How they got there. This is the first entry in the diary:

1914 Aug 23. Arrived Southampton 1 pm. Embarked XXXX (Cattle boat Johnstone line). Sailed at 9 pm.

The horror of war - less than a month later:

Sept 14 Marched all last night with the convoy: survived a circle of shellfire, first to come through safe, though at present it looks blue; slightly quiet now. 10 am commenced again heavier than ever. News just came through that the Colonel was killed two hours ago. Can scarcely realise it but unfortunately it is true.

12 noon. Fearful fighting and we are helpless where we are with the convoy. The din of large guns, m. guns & rifle fire is terrific, although up to the present they are apparently holding out. Darkness setting in and the guns are quiet. The Colonel, Lieutenant Williamson and Lieutenant Murray of the Gordons & 7 men buried at 8.30.

Three days later:

Sept 17 We are still holding the same position. Fighting only on left front. Convoy Park shelled considerably. H. artillery. Enemy’s battery of Long Toms bombarding convoy. 90 pounder shells dropping everywhere. We couldn’t get cover anywhere. Houses coming down and breaking into flames. I can’t describe the awful scene; men, horses and wagons smashed up and shells finding us always.

3 pm. After short lull the shells are dropping worse than ever and the scene is indescribable. A man came out of a house with awful wounds in head and legs and another man and I carried him away and dressed him. On the way back a shell struck a house about a yard from me and one of the falling stones knocked me down. My arm and shoulder seemed dead and I was stunned for the moment. Those who witnessed it reported me blown to pieces. Houses falling everywhere and breaking into flames. I’m wondering how we lived through it. After the firing ceased, I saw sights which I hope to God I shall never see again. In one shed I saw six men absolutely smashed to pieces, heads, arms and legs in one awful heap. I helped to get their identity disks from the bodies and seem to have lost all feeling. The village is now one mass of ruins and flames, with wounded and dead being carried to temporary hospital.

6 pm. All quiet and I can scarcely believe that I’m alive. Considering the awful shellfire, the casualties are very few.

His Commission:

Oct 59am. Just finished breakfast and orderly came to tell me that I had been granted a commission. Wonder what the new life will be like. Found Officers very nice and all were very kind and helped to fix up kit. Marched to Hartennes.

Being Quartermaster did not mean that he was out of the firing line:

Oct 13 Drove enemy from position at Fletre. Casualties in Battalion 90 k&w. Bayonet charge – led Platoon in action for first time.

2 Oct 20 General attack on enemy’s lines. Battalion cleared them out with the bayonet. Very gallant stand by the Germans. Captain Methven killed.

In the trenches:

Oct 26 Enemy have brought up a mortar and started shelling us.I’ve cleared us out. My house blown to pieces. Whole Battalion took up new position. “C” Company in ditch, up to knees in mud from 9 am to 6.30 pm. Worst predicament I have ever been in

Oct 29 Still raining and the place is a proper mud hole. Mackie of No1 section killed by a sniper. Tonight attack.

Scottish understatement:

Nov 24 Quiet night but very cold and had small showers of rain. Nothing unusual – my hut burnt down. News of birth of Baby. (That would be my Auntie Aisne – named after the battle of the same name)

St Andrews Night:

Nov 30 What a change from St A. of last year. Makes on wish to be home with their dear ones. Hepburn killed. MORE>>

Major Donald Munro MC Seaforth Highlanders

Ancestor Major Donald Munro