Sunday September 15^th, 1918

Church Parade.

Day of Rest

Despite Frank’s description, today the Church Services are voluntary rather than mandatory as per the more formal Church Parade.

Today the duties of the Battalion, as written in the Programme of Training, include ‘striking of tents and scrubbing of tent boards‘ and ‘domestic fatigues‘. The latter includes ‘washing and ironing clothing‘ and is followed by a ‘kit inspection‘.   After this, the lucky lads get ‘recreation‘.  So much for observing the Sabbath.

Tents

According to various contributors to the Great War Forum, the main tentage on inventory to house troops in 1915 and throughout the war were circular ones.  They were ‘bell tents’ made of either single or double linen with an approximate radius of 10 feet.¹

The first photograph shows this style of British Army tent at Cayeux in September 1917.  Behind them is seen a Church Army and Church of England Men’s Society Recreation Hut.*

Such 20 foot diameter bell tents housed the following:

• One General, Colonel, or commanding officer; or
• Three other commissioned officers; or
• Four Warrant Officers; or
• Seven Sergeants; or
• 15 men. ¹

The second photograph shows British troops outside their tents at a camp in Bergues in August 1917.^ There are 16 soldiers in the picture.  It is unclear whether or not they all share the same tent. Apparently the men would sleep with their feet towards the centre pole of the tent – a bit like the spokes of a wheel.

In both photographs you can clearly see tent boards on the ground. Presumably these are similar to those  being scrubbed today by the men of the 9th Battalion.

9^th Battalion War Diary – 15^th September 1918 – Haudricourt

Church Services as usual. Result of Cross Country Run. 1^st 5^th Connaught Rangers 166,751 points, 2^nd 9^th Manchester Regiment 124,829 points, 3^rd 6^th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers 74,283 points. Points for Brigade Championship will be counted as under:- 5^th Connaught Rangers 10 points; 9^th Manchester Regiment, 4 points.

References & Further Reading

¹ Thread on the Great War Forum

* Q 6379, copyright Imperial War Museums

^ Q 78155, copyright Imperial War Museums