Saturday April 1st.1893.
Got up at six and helped to clear up the room before breakfast. Afterwards scrubbed out the room and did some blackleading till dinner at 1 roast beef potatoes peas and blancmange. After dinner went down into the library and read the papers till tea. After tea got ready and went out for a walk into Plymouth. At 7 went down Union Street up to the four face clock. Saw a little child about three years squeezed between a cab and a hansom. She was took to the hospital. Coming back saw a boy on a horse ran into a hansom cab and throwed him and his head came in contact with the kerbstone and he was took to the hospital insensible. I came in about half past ten and went to bed.
Sunday 2nd. April 1893.
Got up at 530 and helped to clear up the room before breakfast. Afterwards got ready to go out and being on pass went out at 9 through Union Street off by the four face clock up George Street and then down Trenville St along the turnpoke road and over Liara bridge to Plymstock. Turned off to the right and up the hill to Fort station. When I got opposite the breakwater I went down to the beach and clambered about over the rocks until I was tired and then laid down and went to sleep till about 4. I then had another scramble about and then came back to barracks the same way as I went getting in about 630. Wrote a letter home, made down my bed and turned in at 930. The day has been very fine.
Monday 3rd. April 1893
Got up at 530 and helped to clear up the room before breakfast. Two eggs extra, afterwards helped to scrub out the room and blackleaded the trestles and cleaned some of my straps till dinner at 1 stewed meat, potatoes and tapioca. After dinner laid down till tea. After tea got myself ready and went out for a walk by 630 through Devenport over the railway bridge and back into Plymouth. Went up Union Street to the four face clock and then up George Street and Mutley Road to where the trams start. They was only opened by the Plymouth Corporation this morning to Mutley and back again. The streets were crowded with people and it was a job to get along. The went into the soldiers home and had some supper and then came back to barracks getting in by 10 o'clock and then turned in quite tired.
Tuesday shares April 1893
Got up at 530, orderly man. Swept up the room and then went over to the Church school room and swept up. Came back and cleaned the hearth and filled the basins with tea for breakfast. Afterwards washed up and cleaned the potatoes and took them to the cookhouse and then went over to the school room and chopped up some wood ready for tomorrow's fire. Stopped there till eleven came back, swept up the room and got the tables and plates ready for dinner. Dinner at 1 made it out on the plates, sea pie and potatoes. Afterwards got the hot water and washed up the plates and dishes and then washed out the tins and then swept up the room and brought up some clean water and then had to go and help to draw the April issue of boots. Received one pair. I then had a bath and fetched up the tea at 430. After tea washed up and cleaned the cans. Made down my bed and turned in at 930. The day has been very fine.
Wednesday fifth April 1893.
Got up at 530. Made up my desk and had a wash and brush up. Went over to the Church school room at 630 and let the stove fires and dusted down the forms and desks. Went away at half past seven, breakfast went again as 830 and made up the fires and stopped there watching them till twelve. Went back to barracks, dinner at 1, sea pie and potatoes. After dinner scrubbed the tables and went to gymnasium at a quarter to two till three. Did the dumbell exercise jumping and getting over a wooden wall. I ricked my left shoulder at that and it was rather painful but passed off. Tea at four o'clock then went over to the school from and cleared at the stoves. Came back and was warned for guard. Cleaned my straps up till 7 end went out at 730 to the Good Templars Lodge. We had a pleasant evening at mock auction and received some more members. Finished up by 10 o'clock and went back into barracks and turned in.
Thursday 6 April 1893.
Got up at 530 and got ready for a ceremonial brigade parade in the People's Park. Breakfast at 8, afterwards helped to clear up the room and then got ready for parade at 10 minutes to ten. Dress field day order, rolled capes, one pouch, belt and side arms and rifle, busby and plume. No leggings. Fell in and was inspected and we then marched to the park and joined all the other regiments in the garrison. Was inspected by the Duke of Edinburgh and we then marched past three times and then formed into line and saluted. We then marched back getting in by a quarter to 1. Dinner at 1, stew potatoes and greens. After dinner got ready for guard and fell in on the square at a quarter past two. Was inspected. I caught hospital guard, we then marched off. There were six of us, 1 corporal and one sergeant and we relieved the Jocks. There is two posts here, the gates and the prisoners Ward. I copped the prisoners ward in the hospital. Went on then there was only one prisoner with a broken ankle. Was relieved at four had some tea and bread and butter at 5 and heard a band play the Royal salute to the Prince of Wales who arrived just after 5 at Devenport station. One hundred of our men was the guard of honour and there was a lot of people about. He is staying here till Monday. Went on guard again at eight till 10. Was relieved, had some coffee and laid down till two this Thursday morning. Went on again till 4. We have to sit down in a chair all the time so it is a job to keep from sleeping. Came off and laid down till six and then cleared up the guard room. Had some breakfast and went on at eight with pack on. Was relieved by the Bedfords at 10 then marched off back to barracks and was dismissed by 1030. Put my straps up cleaned my shoes and changed my clothes by one. Dinner roast mutton, potatoes and rice pudding. After dinner got ready for gymnasium and fell in at a quarter to two. My arm was no better, I told the sergeant of it but he said it was a stiffness and would soon work off. We had to do gymnasium dumbell which made my arm rather painful, climb up a wooden wall and ran along a plank and hand over hand down a rope. We then had to cross the bridge and then go on the parallel bars. Was dismissed at 3 arm very painful. Cleaned some of my straps till tea. Afterwards tea cleaned the rest had a basin of soup at 8. Did some writing and turned in at 930, arm painful. The day has been fine.'
Saturday 8th. April1893.
Got up at 530 and went sick with my arm. Made up my bed and then packed all my kit up. Had my breakfast and went and saw the doctor at 10 minutes past eight. He gave me some hartshorn to rub on my shoulder and did not send me sick so I had to unpack all my kit again. I then did the blackleading in the room and then went on stairs fatigue and scrubbed them down. Was paid out at 12 o'clock and received five shillings. Paid half a crown for photos. Dinner at 1, sea pie and potatoes. After dinner did some cleaning to my straps up till 8. Had a basin of soup, made down my bed and turned in at 930. Arm a little better.
Sunday 9th April 1893.
Got up at 930 and helped to clear up the room before breakfast. Had two eggs extra afterwards went and got my April issue of clothing, one shirt and one pair trousers. Got ready for Church parade and fell in on the square at 10.40. Was inspected and marched off to Church and as there was no clergyman there we only had the morning lessons read out and came out at a quarter to twelve. Dinner at 1, roast beef, potatoes and plum pudding. After dinner cleaned up my straps and put my marching order together. Finished by eight had some supper and turned in at 930. The day has been fine.
Monday 10th. April 1893.
Got up at 530 and helped to clear up the room before breakfast. Afterwards got ready for parade and fell in on the square at half past ten in full marching order. Was inspected and we then formed into line facing the fence under the command of Colonel Howard just as we had formed up the Prince of Wales drove by in an open carriage and we presented arms for him and he raised his hat in response. We then did some marching in line and column and then was dismissed to put on our April clothing to be inspected by the commanding officer Colonel Sackville at 12. We fell in at 12 in single file with belts on and waited till a quarter to 1 but as he inspected A company first he had not time to see us. We then fell out. Dinner at 1, stewed meat, potatoes and tapioca. After dinner got ready for gymnasium and fell in on the square at a quarter to two. Was marched off and we had to do some performance on the parallel bars and then some jumping over the horse and do the dumbell exercise stopped was dismissed at 3. Did some cleaning to my straps till tea After tea got ready and went out at half past seven to the Naval Star of Peace Lodge in Devenport. We had a very pleasant evening and I got back to barracks by 10 o'clock and turned in.
Tuesday 11th April 1893.
Got up at 530 made up my bed and got ready for parade at a quarter to seven. Fell in and was inspected. We did the physical drill, marching in line and column and some doubling. Was dismissed at a quarter to eight. A party of recruits came in about 8. 72 of our band went and met them and played them in. Breakfast afterwards got ready for commanding officers parade at 1030. Fell in and was inspected. We then formed into two companies and was drilled by the different lieutenants in column and line. Was dismissed at half past eleven. Dinner at 1, baked meat, potatoes and greens. After dinner got ready for drill and fell in on the square at two o'clock. Was drilled by a young officer in all the recruits drill till 3 and then dismissed. We then whitewashed out a room, finished by 6, had some tea and basin of soup at 8. Did some writing and then turned in at 930. The day has been fine with a lot of dust about.
Wednesday 12 April 1893.
Got up at 530 and took my bed down to the ball alley and emptied it then was for fatigue. We fell in at a quarter to 7 and got wet canteen. I had to scrub the tables in the tap room and clean the seats. Went to breakfast at 8, afterwards went back at a quarter to nine to clean the pots and cleaned the shoes and then clean the windows. Finished by half past ten then I finished scrubbing our room out by 12. Then went down to Straw Yard bed filling till 1. Dinner, baked meat, potatoes and jam pudding. After dinner went on gymnasium at a quarter to two. Did some performance on the parallel bars and on the crossbar and some jumping over the horse. Was dismissed at 3, then cleaned up my straps till tea. After tea got ready and went out to our Lodge at half past seven. We had a very nice evening. Got back to barracks by 10 and turned in.
Thursday 13th April 1893.
Got up at 530 and helped to clear up the room before breakfast. Afterwards got ready for brigade parade in the People's Park and fell in on the square at 10 minutes to ten. Dress rolled capes, sidearms, belt and one pouch with rifle and busbies with plumes. Was inspected and marched off to the park where all the other troops was assembled. Was inspected by General Harrison Commander of the Western District. We then marched past and then did some forming in column and line. Finished by half past 12. Dinner at 1, baked meat, potatoes and rice pudding. After dinner went on coal fatigue at a quarter to two. Carried 8 boxes. Was dismissed at a quarter to 4. After tea cleaned up my straps. Had a basin of soup at eight and turned in at 930.
Friday 14th April 1893.
Got up at 530. Orderly man, swept up the room, cleaned the hearth, made the fire and got the basins clean for breakfast. Afterwards washed up and washed the potatoes and took them to the cookhouse. Then got ready for musketry drill and fell in on the square at half past ten, dress, rifle, sidearms, belts, two pouches and braces. Did some volley firing and firing practice by numbers. Was dismissed at half past eleven. Dinner at 1, roast mutton, potatoes and cauliflower. After dinner scrubbed the tables and went on parade at a quarter to two for gymnasium. Was marched down there but the Jocks sergeants ball was on so we was marched back. I had to do a fatigue carrying sheets and blankets, they were giving them in dirty ones at the Quartermaster's stores. It took as till 3. Was dismissed, I was then warned for guard and I got my straps ready. Had a basin of soup at eight and turned in at 930. The day has been fine but cloudy. Received the paper.
Saturday 15th April 1893.
Got up at 530 and helped to clear up the room before breakfast. Afterwards got ready for guard and mounted at half past nine in full marching order. Caught quarter guard number two post that is in the coal yard with a stick. I had to go as a witness to the orderly room. Another chap took my ramrod on guard with him and put his in my place so when he came off he was made a prisoner and he got two days defaulters for it. I had my dinner and went on sentry go from two till 4 with stick. Was released, had my tea and then went on again from eight till 10. Was took off at 10 and the place locked up. The orderly officer came about eleven and I then laid down and went to sleep till 5. This morning got up and turned out at half past. We had three prisoners for drunk, went with them to the wash house I had a wash then had some breakfast and went on sentry go at eight in marching order and we was relieved by the new guard and marched off and dismissed by 10 o'clock. I then did some cleaning to my straps till 1. Dinner, roast beef, potatoes and plum pudding. After dinner washed up and cleaned the yable cloths and then did some more cleaning to my straps. Finished about 8, had some supper and turned in at half past nine tired. It has been raining a little. Paid 4 shillings, half crown for photos.
Monday 17th April 1893.
Got up at 530 for and got ready for early morning parade and fell in on the square at a quarter to 7. Dress belts, sidearms and rifles. We did the physical drill with arms and marching in line and column and some doubling. Was dismissed at at quarter to 8. Breakfast afterwards, got ready for commanding officers parade and fell in on the square at half past ten under the command of Major Thornton and two companies had to go round to the Devenport side of the People's Park and drive another company back that had took up a position in the park. I was with the attacking force. We drove them out of the park and across the brick field and finished about 12 doubling nearly all the time. Dinner at 1, roast beef, potatoes and tapioca. After dinner scrubbed the tables and then went on gymnasium at a quarter to two. Did some performance on the parallel bars and then on the obstacles outside. Was dismissed at 3. Just before three a chap of the name of Johnson, one of my draft and in our company met with an accident jumping over the horse between his hands his feet caught the top of it and he was for pitched off and fell on the top of his head on the mattress and called out "Oh" and then laid still. They took him to the hospital on a stretcher. I then cleaned up my straps till tea. After tea got ready and went out at 7 o'clock down the town to St James Hall Theatre of Varieties which was very good and worth seeing. He came out about 10.30 and had a cup of cocoa in the soldiers home and got back to barracks and turned in at eleven o'clock.
Tuesday 18th.April 1893
Got up at 530 and was warned for poiners. Fell in with the fatigues at a quarter to 7 and was marched off. There was eight, we swept down the officer verandah and steps, finished about a quarter past seven. Breakfast at 8, afterwards fell in at a quarter to nine and swept out the officers yard and cleaned out the men's W.C.and the rears and then cleaned out the wash houses. Finished about 12. Dinner at 1, baked meat potatoes haricot beans and blancmange. After dinner laid down till 4 and after tea cleaned my straps. Has a basin of soup at 8. Just learnt that Johnson is still insensible and then turned in at 930. Received the paper this morning.
Wednesday 19th. April 1893.
Got up at 530 and got ready for parade and fell in on the square at a quarter to 7. We did all the drill by numbers and was dismissed at a quarter to 8. Breakfast, after that got ready for musketry parade and fell in on the square at half past ten. Dress, belts sidearms two pouches braces and rifle. We did the individual practice of and volley firing. Was dismissed at half past eleven. Dinner at 1, sea pie and potatoes. After dinner scrubbed the tables and then got ready for four gymnasium at a quarter to two. Whilst we were waiting we heard that Johnson had just died. As there was no gymnasium we were dismissed and then done some cleaning to my straps till tea. After tea got ready to go out and went to the Club at 730. We had some songs and recitations and I came out about 10. Went for a walk down to Plymouth and back getting in about eleven thirty and then turned in.
Thursday, 20 April
Got up at 5.30 and was on poiners and fell in on the square at a quarter to sevenswept down the officers quarters and then front of the barracks, was dismissed and had breakfast. Afterwards fell in on the square at a quarter to nine and then did some sweeping and then cleaned out the rears and the washhouses, was dismissed about eleven thirty. Got ready for parade at three thirty, dinner at one, baked pie and potatoes. After dinner put my straps together and fell in on the square at three thirty, dress belt sidearms rifle rolled coat, one pouch with fiveteen round of blank, waterbottle and haversack, We was served out each with a pork pie, we marched off to Mutton Cove. Devenport and embarked on the Elliot. A Government steamer. We then steamed down the sound past Drakes Island by the Hoe and by the breakwaterand the steamer started pitching a bit. We then went to the left along the coast and into the mouth of the river Jealm and there we disembarked in boats and was landed. We then marched up a steep hill towards fort station. Got to the top by a quarter past seven and rested to a quarter past eight. We then marched off again, advancing on the fort. It was quite dark and the searchlight on the water from the ships showed up plain. We marched right up to fort station and saw nothing of the enemy and we then marched down to Fort Bovis and close to the water and when we got close the cease fire sounded. We then embarked again getting back to mutton cove
and into barracks by twelve. We were then served out with a basin of soup and a pound of bread. I then turned in quite tired.
Friday, 21st April
Got up at five thirty rather stiff and tired; orderly man, cleaned up the room and drawed the rations, bread and meat at seven thirty, fetched up the tea at eight.
After breakfast wash up and then cleaned my straps till twelve then drawed the rations for tomorrow and then fetched up the dinner at one and made it out, baked mutton potatoes and rice pudding. After dinner, wash up and then got ready for parade at two thirty for the burial of Johnson. Fell in on the square was marched off there being the band, a fireing party of twelve and our company. We then marched to the mortuary and saw the face of him before he was screwed down. The coffin was then placed on a gun carriage and we then slow marched to the cemetery stone house the band playing the Dead March. We got there about halfpast three, we had a short service and then they fired three volleys over his grave. Our company got a wreath for his grave. We then marched back to barracks getting in about four, fetched up the tea after tea cleared up and then did some writing and sent home a letter and paper, and then turned in at 9.30 quite tired.
Saturday, 22nd April
Got up at five thirty and got ready for parade and fell in on the square at a quarter to seven, was inspected and then went through the physical with arms and then we was drilled by the sergeant major in the manual exercise till a quarter to eight. Dismissed, breakfast, afterward went on a fatigue at a quarter to nine carrying coals for the garrison. Took one box to the infants school, one to the married pads and one to the garrison serjant majors house in Devonport, and one to the main guard and was dismissed by ten o clock, then cleaned the windows in the barrack room till twelve.
Was paid out at a quarter past twelve, received five shillings, paid two and six pence for photos. Dinner at one, baked beef, potatoes, peas and blancmange. After dinner cleaned some of my straps and went over to the hospital and fetched back Johnsons clothes. After tea got ready and went out to a tea fight in Hope School, Evermenton Street. Got there by six thirty , had a very good tea and a nice entertainment afterwards, it was in connection with the Good Templars Lodges. Came out about half past ten and as it came on to rain hard when I got to the four face clock, took a tram and as the lines run by our gates, got in by half past eleven, fare, twopence, and then turned in.
Sunday, 23rd April
Got up at five thirty and helped to clear up the room before breakfast, two eggs extra afterwards as I was on pass I got ready to go out but as it was damp I did not go.Dinner at one, roast beef,potatoes, and plum duff. After dinner laid down till four then had to clean my straps, finished by eight. Did some reading in the library and then turned in at nine thirty.
Monday, 24 April
Got up at five thirty, orderly man, cleaned up toe room and drawed the rations before breakfast. Afterwards wash up and then got ready for Commanding Officers parade at ten thirty. Fell in at the time appointed, was inspected. We then marched off to the brickfield where we done some marching in column and then our company had to open out in schirmishing order and retire across the brickfield. We got back in the square by twelve, was dismissed, dinner at one, baked beef, potatoes and tapioca. After dinner, scrub the tables and then went to the gym at a quarter to two, did the circle bar exercise and the dumbbell exercise. Was dismissed at three then cleaned my straps for guard tomorrow, finished about nine and turned in by half past.
Tuesday, 26th April
Got up at five thirty and helped to clear up the room before breakfast, afterward got ready for guard and fell in at nine thirty in full marching order with rations for quarter guard. Was inspected and marched off and relieved the old guard by ten, me and another man had to escort a prisoner up to the orderly room for drunkenness. He was one of the last draft we took him before the commanding officer Cornel Sackville who gave him a good talking to and as it was his first crime he was admonished, marched back. I had my dinner at one, baked pie and potatoes, went on sentry go in front of the guard room from two till four and was relieved and had my tea. There was three prisoners in the clink, one of the last draft waiting courtmartial for desertion, one for drunk, and one of my draft of the name of Birt belonging to my company was brought in just now for swearing at a lance corporal. Went on guard again at eight and was relieved at ten. A man from A company was just brought in drunk and was put in the digger. Had some cocoa and some meat and onions. Turned out to the orderly officer at eleven thirty and after that laid down on the benches till two then went on till four, was relieved and then laid down till reville this morning, turned out, and after that squared up the guard room and had a wash and a brush up and then escorted the prisoners to the washouse, had some breakfast. Then went on sentry go at eight in full marching order, till we were relieved by the new guard. Birt was took up to the orderly room and got seventy two hours cells, he was took over to the clock tower at two o clock. We was relieved at ten, we then marched off and was dismissed. Took my straps to pieces and changed my clothes. Dinner at one, stewed meat, potatoes, and haricot beans. After dinner, scrub the tables and then went to gym at a quarter to seven, did the parrellel bars exercise and across the bridge at half arm and then get up a shelf. You have to catch hold of it with both hands and then raise oneself until you get your chest on it and then work yourself up. Coming down you stretch full length with your hands clasping the edge of the shelf and then turn a sommersault coming down on your feet. Was dismissed by three then got my straps ready for musketry tomorrow. Then got ready and went out to the lodge at half past seven as it was supper night. We finished the business of the lodge by eight and then had our supper, tickets fourpence each. Had a very good feed and as I was tired I went back to barracks and turned in by ten o clock.
Thursday 27th April
Got up at five thirty and as our company is going through their annual course of musketry we went on the square at a quarter to seven in musketry order, two pouches sidearms, belt, braces and rifle. We did some volley firing and individual practice and pokeing drill. Was dismissed at eight, went to again at nine in the same order, we did some volley firing and loading our magazines using dummies for loading then , went on the tripods and did some sighting. Was dismissed by half past ten, then had a lecture in the barrack room on the rifle till eleven. Fell out, dinner at one, stewed meat and peas, potatoes and blancmange. After dinner went on coal fatigue at a quarter to two, carried five boxes, was dismissed at three, then cleaned my straps till tea. After tea put them together and then went down in the library and did some writing till nine. Then made my bed and turned in.
Friday, 28th April
Got up at five thirty and got ready for musketry parade and fell in on the square at a quarter to seven. We went through all the firing exercises, was dismissed at eight, breakfast, went on parade again at nine o clock and received fiveteen round of blank. Was marched to the brickfield and fired seven round volley firing, we then did the attack and fired the other blanks as we advanced we then laid down on the grass and he gave us a lecturing on firing. We then marched back and was dismissed at twelve, dinner at one, boiled mutton, potatoes and cabbage. After dinner scrub the tables and then I cleaned my straps till four, tea, back on extra. After teaa put my marching order together and packed up my kit for Tregentle tomorrow. Made down my bed and turned in at nine thirty.
Saturday, 29th April
Got up at five thirty, orderly man. Cleaned down the stairs and drawed the rations at seven thirty breakfast, afterwards wash up and then put my kit up for Tregantle. Was paid out at ten received five shillings and five pence. About eleven there was a false alarm of fire and we all turned out and fell in on the square. We stood at ease for about half an hour and then was dismissed. Fetched up the dinner at twelve, roast beef, potatoes and rice pudding. After that put my marching orders on and fell in on the square. At a quarter to one was inspected and then fell out with two more to cleanup the dinner things and lock up the rooms. We stayed there until two and then marched off to Tregantle. We went to Torpoint Ferry which took us across to torpoint. We then marched across the fields to Tregantle. We got there about four, it was rather dusty coming along the camp as in front of the fort close to the old range we sleep fourteen in a tent. Had some tea at six and our rifles were inspected at seven. Then made down our beds of five blankets each in the tent and then turned in by eight o clock, it was rather warm.
Sunday, 30th April
Got up at six and then cleared out all our blankets and folded them up and put them in a pile outside our tent, then went and had a wash at the tank then cleared out our tent and struck it, and took out our floor boards and swept them, put down our boards and put up our tent again. Had some breakfast, two eggs extra, made a fire and cooked them in an old tent on the beach. We then cleaned our belts and sidearms ready for church and as it came on to rain we put all our things inside and then changed my clothes and just on the half hour the order came that there was no church parade, then changed again and helped to strike some more tents and then went for a walk down to the sea shore till twelve. Dinner at one, boiled mutton and potatoes, we have to use our canteens. After dinner went down on the sands and had a long walk till four, came back and had some tea and then made down my bed, had some supper and turned in by nine o clock.