1/2/1893

Got up at half past six and as it was raining hard there was no early morning parade. went on a fatigue at a quarter to nine loading carts with stones what the prisoners have broke at Granby Barracks. Saw 6 prisoners breaking stones. They have to break 3 cwt. in a certain time. Finished the fatigue by twelve o'clock. We had a meat pudding and potatoes for dinner. I scrubbed the room out in the afternoon and cleaned my straps. Made down my bed and turned in at half past nine.

2/2/1893 (Thursday)

Turned out at six thirty and on parade at a quarter past seven. We had physical drill with arms till a quarter to eight. Breakfast at eight, parade again at half past ten till twelve o'clock. We went through a lot of new drill and exercise. Dinner at one o'clock, a plum pudding, roast beef and potatoes. Did a fatigue from a quarter to two to three o'clock, digging in the regimental gardens at Granby Barracks. After tea did some cleaning to my straps and then turned in at half past nine.

3/2/1893

After a very restless night, coughing nearly all the time. Got up at six thirty. The morning was fine and it turned out a fine warm day. I did drill on the square from a quarter past seven till a quarter to eight without arms, one man falling out with the nose bleed. Breakfast at eight. Parade again at half past ten till twelve o'clock. We had to do a lot of marching in column. Dinner at one, mutton baked and potatoes with plum pudding. Coal fatigue at a quarter to two, finished about three o'clock. We nicknamed this job of carrying coal "Garrison Sports". Carried four boxes. Evening tea and read books in library and turned in at half past nine, my cold a little better.

4/2/1893 (Saturday)

Got up at half past six, on the square from a quarter past seven to a quarter to eight. Drill was with arms. We did some marching in column and sword exercise. After breakfast scrubbed out the room and done some repairs to my clothes. Dinner at one o'clock, a stew with curry, rice and potatoes. In the afternoon had a lie down and in the evening cleaned up ready for church parade. Read the newspapers in the library and turned in at half past nine, my cold much better. The day has been a fine one with a few showers.

5/2/1893

Orderly man got up at half past six and drawed the rations, bread and meat before breakfast. Two eggs for breakfast, afterwards washed up and took the potatoes to the cook house. Church parade at half past ten, went to church and heard a sermon on the serpent tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden which was very good. It was communion day but I do not think they collected much money, not off the soldiers at any rate. Came out about twelve, officer came round and inspected the room. Dinner at one, baked beef and potatoes and tapioca. After dinner washed and cleared up and spent the afternoon in cleaning my straps. Fetched up tea at four o'clock, after tea washed up and cleaned the cans. Evening reading and turned in at half past nine. The day has been fine but cold towards the evening. My cold much better.

6/2/93 (Monday)

Got up half past six, orderly man in the morning, swept up the room and made the fire and cleared up the fireplace. After breakfast washed up and cleaned the hearth and got ready for Commanding Officer's parade, at half past ten on the square. We did some marching to the playing of the buglers and some column work and formed several squares. Was dismissed about half past eleven. Dinner at one, sea pie and potatoes. After dinner and some part of the evening got ready my marching order for tomorrow. We had a basin of soup each served out at the cookhouse at eight o'clock. Made my bed down and turned in at half past nine. The day was fine in the morning but turned out a damp wet afternoon. Cold quite well.

7/2/93 (Tuesday)

Got up at half past six and helped to clear up the room before breakfast. Afterwards got my marching order on and fell in on the square at half past nine. We marched off through Stoke to Windmill hamlet and from there we turned off to the right leaving Saltash bridge on the left in the distance. We marched up a very steep and narrow road to Fort St. Braudex, a small fort with a few guns to guard the shore. We halted there and our company had to form an advance guard. From there we went to Crown Point fort close to the Tavistock road and 3 miles from Plymouth. We then turned into the main road and came back through Stoke again and

got in about half past twelve. Dinner at one, roast beef, potatoes and swedes. In the afternoon paid out at two o'clock, received 5 shillings and then was warned for guard. It took me up to eight o'clock to clean my straps and put them together again. We was served out with another basin of soup and then I made my bed down and turned in at half past nine. Cold quite well, the day has been a fine and warm one.

8/2/93 (Wednesday) and 9/2/93

Got up at half past six and helped to clear up the room after breakfast. Got my marching order on for guard and fell in on the square at half past nine. Was inspected and marched off to the Commissary guard and relieved the Bedfords by ten o'clock. I mounted guard at ten o'clock and was relieved at twelve. The officer for the day came just before twelve and I turned the guard out to him. Afterwards I boiled my potatoes and fried my meat. We have to take our own rations with us when we go on guard. I had a very good dinner and went on guard again at four o'clock and came off at six o'clock. After tea I went on guard again at ten and came off at twelve. While I was on this time the officer came round and I had to challenge him. I said "Halt, who comes there" and he said "Grand Rounds". I then said "Guard, turn out" and the corporal and one private runs up to him and gives the countersign. The corporal then doubles back and says "Advance grand rounds, all's well". I then went on guard from two until four this Thursday morning. After that I had my breakfast and helped to square up the room and we were relieved by ten o'clock. The Commissary Guard is composed of three privates and one corporal. We have to guard a lot of outbuildings close by the seashore. They are used for the store of meat which comes from abroad and another part is used as a bake house where the bread is made for the whole garrison. After I was dismissed I started cleaning my straps. Dinner at one, beef potatoes and pudding. After dinner helped to re-scrub the tables and after that finished cleaning my straps which took me up to about eight. Had another basin of soup and turned in at half past nine. The day has been a very wet one. Received the newspaper.

10/2/93 (Friday)

Got up at half past six and went on early morning parade without arms. Did some marching in column and some doubling. After that had breakfast. Went on parade again at half past ten and did some drill in column and the sword exercise and was dismissed at half past eleven. Had dinner at one, mutton, potatoes and suet pudding which turned out to be rather black and heavy. After dinner helped to sweep up the room and then went on coal fatigue from a quarter to two till half past three. Tea at four. Went out at six o'clock around Devenport and Plymouth. The places were very lively and there were plenty of people about. Got in about half past nine and went to bed about ten o'clock.

11/2/93 (Saturday)

Got up at half past six and went on parade at a quarter past seven till eight o'clock with arms. We did some physical drill and some doubling. Breakfast at eight and then helped to scrub out the room and get it cleared up. Finished about twelve o'clock and then laid down my kit for inspection at half past two. Dinner at one, boiled meat, potatoes and cabbage. My kit was inspected by Lieutenant Oliphant at about three o'clock. We have to lay all that we have got in a certain way on our beds. Tea at four and then cleaned my pouches. Had another basin of soup at eight o'clock and then made my bed down and turned in at half past nine. It has been a very wet day.

12/2/93 (Sunday)

Got up at half past six and helped to clear up the room before breakfast at eight. Ham extra, afterwards got ready to go but at nine o'clock having put in a pass from 9 a.m. until midnight went out through Devenport over the station L.S.W. Railway bridge by Stonehouse church, a very old fashioned one and possessing a fine peel of bells and by the hospital, a large place consisting of 5 block buildings connected by a large veranda. One of the blocks was burnt down a little while ago and is used for soldiers only. As it came on to rain I turned to the right and went through Plymouth and on to the Hoe and had a rest under one of the porches erected there. From there you can get a good view of the sea, the pier in front and then the breakwater and Eddystone Lighthouse close against the skyline or horizon. Her Majesty's Yacht Osborne was just inside the breakwater coaling and while I was there one steamer came in and there were two or three fishing smacks going out. I then left there and went to the Salvation Army Barracks in Plymouth and stopped in there until about half past twelve. As it was still raining I went back into barracks again and had dinner, baked meat and potatoes and tapioca. I was warned for picket then so I did not go out again but got my marching orders together again and finished a book I was reading and turned in at half past nine. The day has been very showery, snow and hail falling at times.

13/2/93 (Monday)

Got up at half past six and helped to square up the room before breakfast. Afterwards got ready for the picket and mounted with the guard at half past nine. Was inspected and as it was Monday morning we had all of us to go and parade in front of the General's house at Mount Wise. All the other guards and pickets of all the regiments stationed here have to do the same and a band comes with each lot. We have to do a march past. We got back about half past ten. Was dismissed and then I had to go to the Tailor's shop and try on my April clothing a seirgh and pair of trousers. After that I had to help change the barrack room furniture, that is take the brooms, mops, pails, tins, baths etc. that are worn out to the stores and get new ones in the place of them. Dinner at one, boiled meat and duff and potatoes. After dinner helped scrub the tables and helped to change the sheets. Got done about four. We had, that is the picket four of us, to fall in on the square at a quarter to five retreat with belt and side arms on. Was inspected and dismissed. I then made down my bed and then got ready to fall in at a quarter to nine with greatcoats and leggings on. Had a basin of soup at eight o'clock and then fell in with the picket in front of the quarter guard and was marched off to the main guard where all the other garrison pickets assemble. We were then told off to our different stations by the military Foot Police. Our place being at Devenport

From the quarter guard gates to Devonport post office through Fore Street we had to march up and down this street at slow time till we was dismissed by the Police. The street was very dull, I saw only one row, that was a man turned out of a tramcar by the civil police. As it started to come on to rain about eleven o clock we took refuge under the doorway of a greengrocery shop kept by a woman whose husband is doing a job for government for trying to murder her about a week ago. We was dismissed about twelve 0clock and I went to be quite tired.

Tuesday 14th February 1893.

Got up at half past six and it was raining hard. I helped to clear up the room before breakfast, afterwards I got my marching order, and as it was still raining there was no route march. We paraded in our barrack Rome and were inspected by our lieutenant Oliphant and then we had to lay down our field kit which is a kit we carry packed in our valise. On our backs it consists of shirt, towel, socks, and holdall complete which holds knife, fork, spoon, razor combined with a lather brush and case. also pocket book two brushes soap blacking and laces and last of all cap. After that we was dismissed and paid out at 12. Received Four shillings. Dinner at 1, roast beef and potatoes and cabbage. After dinner helped to scrub the tables and then went on fatigue from two till 3, shifting bedding. After that I cleaned my straps which took me up to eight. Had another bason of soup and turned in at half past nine. Wet all day, received the paper this morning.

Wednesday 15 February 1893.

got up at half past 6 and as our company has started military training we paraded at a quarter last seven with side arms and rifle in sections on the square. We did some volley firing and some doubling and was dismissed at eight o'clock. After breakfast we went on parade at half past nine. Was marched off to the brick field, a large field in front of the barracks. We did some skirmishing and marched off about half past eleven to the barrack room where we had a lecture on the attack and defence till half past 12. Dinner at 1, stew and pudding. Helped to scrub the tables After that. Got my straps cleaned. After tea went out at half past six to an eating house in Davenport and joined a club called the Independent order of good Templars and was elected financial secretary for three months. The admittance is one shilling for three months. Stopped there till half past ten. We had some singing and came back to barracks and turned in at half past nine. The day was very wet.

Thursday 16th February 1893

Got up at half past six and as it was wet we did the manual exercise under the verandah from half past seven till 8. After breakfast we fell in on the square at half past nine. Was inspected and marched off in sections.We did some volley and independent firing on the square till half past ten and then we went through the formation of the attack and I had to fall out as a casual. We finished that about 12. We then went to a barrack room and had a lecture on the formation of the attack and learned some bugle calls. Dinner at 1, roast beef and potatoes with duff in the corner. Afterwards helped to scrub the tables and then get my straps ready for tomorrow. After tea wrote a letter and sent four shillings. Had a basin of soup at eight o'clock and then turned in at half past nine. The draft very noisy tonight.

Friday 17th February 1893.

Got up at half past six and helped to clear up the room before breakfast. The draft has just gone. Afterwards cleared up and fell in on Parade at nine o clock with right hand pouch rolled cape and side arms and rifle. Was inspected and served out with 10 rounds off blank ammunition per man and then we marched off through Devenport by the naval barracks to St Budeaux which is a small hamlet with an old fashioned Church. On then to Fort Woodland, a very small place. We then went out into the fields and there practised the attack which once very well done. We then marched back to barracks the same way as we came and as it came on to rain we put on our capes. The roads was very stony and rough and I was quite tired. We got back about half past one. Dinner was mutton, potatoes and cabbage. I then did a fatigue of shifting bedding and cots. After tea cleaned up my straps, had a basin of soup and then turned in at a quarter past 10.

Saturday 18th February 1893.

Got up at 6.30 and helped to clear up the room before breakfast which was at eight afterwards helped to clear up the room then got ready and fell in on parade at half past eight, dress one pouch, rolled cape, side arms and rifle. Was inspected and then we did some drill by sections on the square, skirmishing and practising the attack till 10 o'clock. Was dismissed and then we scrubbed and cleaned our room out . and got done just before 1. Dinner at 1: stewed meat, curry, rice and potatoes After dinner cleaned my straps, went down the library in the evening and read the papers. Had another basin of soup at eight and then went to bed at half past nine. The day has been very wet and it is raining hard now.

Sunday 19 February 1893.

Got up at half past six and helped to clear up the room before breakfast. For breakfast, ham and pickles extra. Got ready for Church parade and fell in on the square at half past ten. Was inspected by lieutenant Oliphant and marched off to Church. The Church is rather a small one. Today the rifle Brigade was there and the Bedford and Dorsets, the artillery and the O.S. Corps,. The sermon the Chaplain preached, being the first Sunday in Lent, was God appearing on Mount Sinai and giving the commandments to the people. We came out about 12 and were dismissed. Dinner at 1, roast beef, potatoes and currant and raison Duff with peel. after dinner cleaned my straps and then laid dam and went to sleep till tea time. After tea cleaned my straps ready for tomorrow and then turned in at half past nine. The day was fine this morning but came on wet about midday and it rained all the afternoon and evening.

Monday 20 February 1893.

Got up at 630 fell in on the square at a quarter past seven. Did some skirmishing and doubling till eight o'clock breakfast. Afterwards helped to clear up the room and got ready for next parade and fell in at half past nine. As it was raining we got on our caps, were inspected and then we marched off as a company with an advance guard. . we went through Stoke on to the Tavistock road by Milehouse to Devenport flower gardens. .We then turned to the left up a narrow lane for about half a mile. We halted and then me and four more, including a corporal, had to advance down another lane back towards Milehouse again. We were flankers, that is we had to double out and try to find the enemy. We came on them about half way down the lane and after firing a volley they retreated as we advanced until we got to Rose Cottage where the cease fire was sounded. We then marched back with a rear guard thrown out. By the cemetery through Stoke to the barracks where we had to take our belts and caps off. We got back about half past eleven and as it rained

nearly all the time we were in a nice state. We then had a lecture on advance and rearguard and its uses till half past 12 . Dinner at one, baked beef potatoes and tapioca afterwards cleared up the room and then cleaned my straps till tea time. After tea got ready and went out to a Good Templars meeting called the Star of Peace. It is in the centre of Fore Street, Devenport. There was some songs and reciting and I enjoyed my self-. Came in at half past nine and went to bed about 10 o' clock.

Tuesday 21st February 1893

Got up at half past six and helps to clean up the room before breakfast. Afterwards cleared up the room and as it was raining we paraded in our barrack room. Was inspected at half past nine. . We then did manual exercise till half past ten . We then went through a lesson off making different knots with pieces of cord till 12. We then had a lecture on digging shelter trenches. After that we was paid out. I received five shillings. Dinner at 1, roast beef, potatoes and a bit in the corner. Afterwards helped to scrub the tables and then cleaned my straps which took me up till about eight o'clock. Made down my bed and turned in at half past nine. Received the paper this morning, it has been showery all day.

Wednesday 22nd February 1893.

Got up at half past six and fell in on the square at a quarter past seven. Dress belt, side arms, and rifle. We did some marching in column and in line and practised the attack till eight o'clock. Breakfast afterwards got ready and fell in on the square at half past nine. Dress, belts, side arms, rolled cape and pouch with 10 rounds off blank cartridges. Leggings and rifle was inspected and then marched off to attack a small section posted at Weston Mill. We went through Stoke by Milehouse to Weston Mill. Just before we got there we opened out in skirmishing order and soon found the enemy and opened fire on them. They retreated into a wood and me and some more went to cut some of them off. We made prisoners of some of them and then we went on after the rest. We went through a stream or two and through several fields and over hedges. The barbed wire of some of them being very nasty to get over without tearing our clothes. Just before we came up with the last party of the enemy the cease fire and the assembly sounded. We then all fell in and was marched back the same way as we came and got back about 12 o' clock. The day being fine I enjoyed the sham fight very much. Took over orderly man, drawed the rations, potatoes at a quarter past 12. Dinner at 1, stewed meat, potatoes and cabbage. After dinner washed up the plates and basins and helped to clear up the room. Then got ready for the next parade at half past five, a night attack. Tea at 4, washed up and swept up the room and then fell in on the square at half past five. Marched off through Stoke and took up the position on the main road to the left of Stoke. We threw out a patrol along the road with connecting files and I was one of a picket off nine men stationed at the mouth off a bye-road. Presently the patrol doubled back and told us there was one section of the enemy coming. We then had to march down the road towards them and was extended across the road and we fired on the enemy as they advanced but as they was three times as strong as us they charged to within six paces of us and then the cease fire sounded. They gained the day by having more men on the road. Then we had our supports not coming up in time. We then all marched back to barracks tired and got back about half past seven. I then cleaned up and went to a Templars lodge in Devenport. We made some more members and then we had songs and recitations and altogether we had a very pleasant evening and I got back to barracks and went to bed at half past ten quite tired out.'

Thursday 23rd February 1893.

Orderly man, got up at half past six cleaned up the room and made the fire before breakfast. Afterwards washed up and cleaned the hearth and got ready for parade and fell in on the square at nine o'clock. Was inspected and marched to the rear where we slung arms and then received a pick and shovel each. We then marched off to Mount Pleasant in Stoke, a small Fort with three or four guns overlooking the armoury. We was then ordered to dig a shelter trench 18 inches deep and two foot 6 wide. After we had about half finished it we had to fire at the enemy approaching and then do a charge with fixed swords. After we finished it we had to fill it all in again. We was then marched back and got in about half past 12. Dinner at 1, roast beef potatoes and tapioca afterwards wash up and clear up the room. I then cleaned my straps ready for tomorrow. Tea at half past four, cleared and washed up and cleaned the cans and then went down in the library and read the papers. Had a basin of soup at eight. Made down my bed and turned in at half past nine. The day had been very fine but cold.

Friday 24 February 1893

Orderly man, got up at half past six. Helped to clear up the room and drew the rations, bread and meat for the day. After breakfast washed up and got ready for parade at half past nine. Dress, rifle side arms rolled cape and pouch with five rounds of blank the man. Fell in and was inspected and then marched off at 10 o'clock our object being to take possession of a bridge held by the enemy a small section sent, in advance we went through a part of Stoke and then through Ford, a village on the left of Stoke. We then left the road and went across some fields and came out opposite the naval barracks. We then advanced along the road towards St Budeaux station and when we got to the bridge we were fired upon by scouts which we soon captured. We then skirted the road until we got to the station and then turned to the right up a long lane. We got nearly into Weston Mill before we came up with the enemy who fired on us. We returned the fire and they retreated through the hamlet and then up the road a little way. We advanced at the double and then the cease fire sounded and we fell in together and marched back to the station and from there past the naval barracks through Devenport to the barracks. We got in at half past 12. Dinner at 1, mutton, potatoes and army duff. Afterwards washed up coal fatigue at a quarter to two till half past three. Carried six boxes, raining hard all the time so I got nicely wet. Tea at four afterwards washed up and cleaned the tins and then I cleaned my straps. Had a basin of soup at eight o'clock, made down my bed and turned in at half past nine. The day has been cold with showers.

Saturday 26 February 1893

Orderly man, Got up at half past six. Made the fire and swept up the room before breakfast. Afterwards washed up and then helped to scrub out the room. Got it done by eleven then laid down. My kit was inspected at 12. After that had a lecture on patrol duty till half past. Dinner at 1, stewed meat and curry, potatoes and rice. After dinner washed up then did a fatigue from two till half past three, scrubbing out the gymnasium. Tea at four, after tea cleaned my straps and did some reading. Had a basin of soup at eight o'clock and turned into bed at half past nine. It has been a dull day and has come on very wet this evening.

Got Sunday 26

Got up at half past six drew the rations for breakfast which was at eight. After that, washed up and as I was on pass I went out at half past nine. Through Plymouth to Mutley and from there too Egg Buckland, a small hamlet on a steep hillside about six miles from here. By that to Plympton and from there along the embankment to Plymbridge and back into Plymouth again. I then went to the Salvation Army hall till five then went into the soldiers home and had some tea and got back into barracks about six having had a pretty fair walk only that there were some hail storms now and then. Went down into the library and read the papers then turned into kip at half past nine.

Monday 27th February 1893

Orderly man got up at half past six and cleared up the room and helped to do the stairs down and made the fire. Breakfast at 8, washed up and cleared the tables afterwards. Then got ready for parade and as it was raining hard we paraded in our barrack rooms at half past nine. Dress, sidearms rolled cape, rifle and leggings. Was inspected and then we had a lecture on the formation of patrols till half past eleven and as it cleared up a little we went out on to the brick field and practiced the formation of patrols and visiting sentries and pickets till half past 12. Dinner at 1, stewed meat potatoes and greens. After dinner washed up and then did some cleaning to my straps till tea Got up after tea read a book, had a basin of soup at eight and then turned in at half past nine.

Tuesday 28 February hitting 93

Got up at half past six. Helped to clear up the room before breakfast, afterwards got ready for parade and fell in on the square at half past nine. Was inspected and marched off to Fort Woodland through Stoke to Milehouse. Turned to the left to Weston Mill then turned to the right hand up a very steep hill and came out opposite the Fort. We then went into a field close by and practiced outpost duty and patrol work. After that we came back home through Pennycross and came out at the Devenport Murcies on the Tavistock road and back through Stoke again. We got in about half past 12. Dinner at 1, stewed meat potatoes and greens. After dinner cleaned up my straps again for night attack. Was paid out at two, received three shillings and ten pence. Tea at four, then got ready for parade and fell in on the square at six o'clock. Dress, rifle sidearms and busbies. We marched off through Stoke along the Tavistock road to the road that leads to Fort Woodland. There we formed single file and crept along the hedges for about three miles till we came on an outpost of the enemy in a small village called Honicknowle. We drove them back and one of their sections came round the rear of us and was captured although they tried to charge through us. The cease fire then sounded and we then marched back getting in about half past eight. I then made down my bed and turned in quite tired. Received the paper this morning.