Saturday, July 1st
Got up at five and scrubbed out the room and then went on parade at a quarter to seven. Did the physical drill with arms and dressing drill, was dismissed at a quarter to eight. Breakfast, afterwards scrub the tables and then blackleaded the tins and forms and cleaned up the fireplace and cleaned the windows. Finished about twelve, dinner atone, sea pie and potatoes. After dinner went down into the library and did some writing till four, then had some tea. O went for a walk into Plymouth and up the market, the places being vdry lively, then on to the Hoe and saw the moon rise out of the water and it did look beautiful. Gave 6d for the Victoria fund. Came back through Stonehouse into barracks getting in about eleven thirty.
Sunday, 2nd July
Got up at five and cleared up the room before breakfast, liver and bacon extra. Afterwards cleared up and then got ready for church parade and fell in on the square at ten thirty. Was inspected and marched off to church by eleven, it was communion day and they collected for the Victoria Fund. Came out at twelve, dinner at one, baked beef, potatoes and rice pudding. After dinner laid down till four then had tea and cleaned up my straps till nine and then made down my bed and turned in. The day has been very close.
Monday, 3rd July
Got up at five and got ready for parade, fell in on the square at a quarter to seven, did the physical drill with arms and wheeling in line and column. Was dismissed at eight, had
Breakfast. Afterwards fell in on the square at ten thirty for Commanding Officers Parade in drill order; was inspected and then did marching in column and line and the sword exercises under the command of Colonel Sackville. Was dismissed at twelve, dinner at one, sea pie and potatoes. After dinner scrub the table and then went down into the library and read the paper till tea. After then, got my marching order ready for tomorrow and made down my bed and turned in by nine thirty.
Tuesday, 4th July
Got up at five and swept the room up then went on bathing parade at a quarter to seven. Marched down to Mount Wise steps and stripped and then went in the water – it was very cold so I soon came out and dressed. We got back to barracks by eight, breakfast afterwards went on escort to take a man up to the orderly room for larking in the ranks, he got one hours drill. Another man for having a few white spots on his coat , to parade in drill order at retreat. Then put my marching orders on and fell in on the square at ten thirty, was inspected and then a heavy thunderstorm came on and we had to lay out our field kit under the veranda, and they were inspected by theColonel. Then we were dismissed, the rain coming down in torrents and the thunder and lightening very rapid. Dinner at one, baked meat and potatoes and peas pudding. After dinner scrubbed the tables and then laid down till four, then had tea. I then cleaned up my straps, finished about nine thirty then made down my bed and turned in. It is a very stormy night.
Wednesday, 5th July
Got up at five and went on early morning parade at a quarter to seven. Did the physical drill with arms and marching in line and column. Was dismissed at eight, breakfast, scrubbed out the room and then at ten o clock was warned for musketry fatigue. Had to go and fire ten rounds of blank ammunition at theAdmirals Hand, ass jetty close to the Guard, where people go across the water to Edgecombe Park, the battalion being on the cliffs opposite on Mount Wise, and they had to judge what the distance was from where we were firing. The distance was four hundred and sixty yards across the water. Got back to barracks about twelve, dinner at one baked meat and potatoes and tapioca. After dinner went on a fatigue at a quarter to two down to the married pads. There was four of us and one corporal. We had to sweep up the passages and stairs and finished about three. Laid down till five, then had my tea. After tea went out into Devenport and saw some of the decorations for the marriage of Prince George and Princess May. Then crossed the brickfield into Plymouth, up Union Street and High Street to the four face clock. Saw some flags flying about then turned back into Devonport again to the Lodge, got there by eight. We finished the business of the lodge and then had a supper, tickets 4d each after supper we had some reading and singing. Finished about ten o clock, came out and then went for a walk into Plymouth and back, got back to barracks about eleven thirty and turned in.
Thursday 6th July
Got up at five and as there was no early morning parade I helped to clear up the room before breakfast. Afterwards got ready for a Garrison parade in review order in honour of the wedding day. Fell in on the square about a quarter to eleven, dress tunic, belt sidearms and one pouchs on right side, rifle and busby with plume. Was inspected and then marched off to the brickfield and fell into line. We then got ready and just as the clock struc twelve fired three volleys into the air and saluted, the band playing God save the Queen. We then fell into columns and marched past. We then marched past in brigade order and then formed into line and advanced towards the saluting point and presented arms to the Commander. We then marched back to barracks, one chap got seven days extra drill for firing out of his turn. We had dinner at one, baked meat, potatoes and piece in the corner. After dinner went on coal fatigue at two thirty, carried two boxes, was dismissed at three, laid down till tea, then got ready and went out down to Plymouth up Union Street to the four faced clock and then on to the Hoe, the place was crowded with people and the H O S B Band was playing there and the Pipers as well, About nine o clock they soaked a large ship filled with tar barrels in front of the pier and at nine thirty they set her alight and at the same time all the vessels in the harbour showed coloured lights on their masts and all round the decks and fort station was also illuminated and a lot of fireworks was let off. I came away about ten, the vessel sbeing all one mass of fire, went and saw the coloured camp and different devices lit up all round the Guildhall and other large buildings. There was a magic lantern views set up in front of the Singers sewing machine shop and they showed all the different nations of the word at work with their machines. Came down Union |Street and went into the soldiers home and had some supper and then came back to barracks and turned in by eleven. It has been quite queens weather today. Received the paper.
Friday, 7th July
Got up at five, orderly man, cleared up the room and collected the bread at seven thirty and fetched up the tea at eight. Afterwards washed up and took the potatoes down to the cook house, got the meal at a quarter to nine and then got ready for Adjutants drill. Fell in on the square at ten thirty and then we had to go through the drill of a recruit up to the drill of a trained soldier. Was dismissed at twelve, drawed the rations at quarter past fetched up the dinner at one and served it out, baked leg of mutton, potatoes and rice pudding. After dinner wash up and then scrubbed the paint work of the room, then cleaned my straps, fetched up the tea at four, after tea wash up and clean the tins and cans then cleaned my straps for tomorrow. Made down my bed and turned in by nine thirty. The weather is very dull like rain, sent home a paper.
Saturday, 8th July
Got up at five, helped to scrub out the room till a quarter past six, then got ready and went on parade at a quarter to seven. Did physical drill with arms and the sword exercise. Was dismissed at eight, breakfast afterwards,went on parade at nine o clock under the command of Lieut King, an officer passing his examinations. Did the recruits drill, manual exercise, firing exercise and sword exercise, was dismissed at ten o clock, then laid down my kit. Was paid out at twelve, received five shillings. Dinner at ones, sea pie and potatoes, after dinner had a read. The officers came round at three o clock and inspected the kits packed up , tea at four, after tea went down into the library and read the papers till nine, then made down my bed and turned in – it is very showery at present.
Sunday, 9th July
Got up at five and cleared up the room before breakfast, two eggs extra, afterward got ready for church parade and fell in on the square at ten thirty, was inspected and marched off by eleven. The sermon was about Saul trying to kill David. Came out at twelve was dismissed, dinner at one, baked meat, potatoes and tapioca. After dinner laid down till tea. Had tea and then cleaned my straps up for tomorrow. Finished about eight, then made down my bed and turned in it is still showery.
Monday 10th July
Got up at five, orderly man, cleaned up the room and drawed the bread and fetched up the tea for breakfast. Afterwards got ready for Commanding Officers parade and fell in on the suare at ten thirty. Was inspected and then marched off to the brickfield under the command of Colonel Sackville. We then went through the new drill in quarter column, marched back to the square by twelve and then dismissed. I drawed the rations and then we received our April issue of Glengarry. Dinner at one, baked meat, potatoes and piece in the corner. After dinner, wash up, and then I was warned for guard tomorrow and cleaned up my straps by tea time.After tea, wash up, and then put my marching orders together and then cleaned the cans by ten oclock. Then I made down my bed and turned in; it has been showery all day.
Tuesday, 11th July
Got up at five and cleared up the room before breakfast, afterwards got ready for guard and fell in on the square at nine thirty. I was inspected and marched off to quarter guard. I went on sentry go at ten and came off at twelve. Dinner at one, fried meat and potatoes, after dinner, laid down till four then went on guard again till six, then came off and had some tea.. The volunteers came on our square and did some
Drill. Went on guard at ten and came off at twelve, then laid down till four this morning and then went on guard again till six, then cleaned up the guardroom and had my breakfast, put my marching orders on at 9.30 and was relieved by the new guard and dismissed by ten 0 clock. I then helped to get our new bedding out. +Dinner at one baked ++meat potatoes and cabbage after dinner filled our beds with new straw which took us up to five then had tea and was served out with clean sheets, then +was warned for picket and put my straps together, then made down my bed and turned in by eight.
+Thursday, 13th July
Got up at five and cleared up the room before breakfast, afterwards put my marching order together for picket and fell in on the square at nine thirty. Was inspected and dismissed, then got ready for parade at ten thirty under the command of
The Captain of the week, de la Pole Beresford. Was inspected and then we had marching in line and column and wheeling and then we was drilled by our Lieut in forming in lines, etc. Was dismissed at twelve, dinner at one, sea pie and potatoes, the pudding was rather clammy and the meat would have done very well to nail on our shoes as boot protection. Went on fatigues at one thirty, taking dirty bedding to the stores, finished about three, then went down into the library and wrote a letter home and ready the papers till tea, after tea made down my bed and then got ready and fell in at retreat orders; was dismissed and then waited till nine, fell in in front of the guard room and marched off down to the main guard and then was ordered to our beats. We had from the Exmouth to the Antelope, there was not much moving, a few people about. We marched up and down our beat till twelve, was dismissed, got back to barracks and turned in.
Friday, 14 July
Got up at five and was warned for cells escorts. Got over to the cells by six and marched the prisoners up to Granby barracks for stone breaking. There was nine of them. Marched them back at eight and then had breakfast as there was a complaint made about the butter, it was margarine. We had dry bread for breakfast, got back over to the cells by eight thirty and marched the prisoners up to their job again and waited there till twelve then marched them back again. Dinner at one, boiled mutton, potatoes and tapioca. After dinner laid down till four, then had tea, we had our butter for tea, it was a little better. After tea cleaned up my straps till eight, then went down into the library and read the papers till nine thirty; came back and turned in. I received a parcel this morning and a letter this afternoon. A draft of twenty six recruits came in about twelve from the depot, it has been fine all day.
Saturday, 15 July
Twenty years old today. Got up at five and went on early morning parade at a quarter to seven. Did the physical drill with arms and marching in line, was dismissed at eight, breakfast afterwards scrubbed the tables and then scrub out the room, finished about eleven, was paid out at twelve received five shillings, dinner at one, boiled meat, pie and potatoes. After dinner laid down till four, then had tea and then got ready and went out. Saw the artillery volunteers at work on mount wise batteries. Got into Plymouth and saw the mad man of Plymouth and Devonport, his hands tied behind his back by anybody, and when he gets two shillings in his hat he gets the rope undone by himself. It looked as though he was tied by a chim of his to me, for he got the ropes off his wrists very easy. Went from there to the city and saw a temperance procession headed by the Salvation Army brass band and followed them up to Saint Andrews Hall opposite the Guildhall, and went in and heard a lecture on the temperance question. As a clergyman was going away they presented him with a bible and a picture. Came out about ninethirty and came back through Union Street and saw a street fight, the police snapped them. Went into the soldiers home and had some supper. Got back to barracks about eleven and turned in. Received a letter from Yorkshire.
Sunday, 16th July
Got up at five and cleared up the room before breakfast, brawn extra. Afterwards as I was on pass, got ready and went out for a walk about ten down into Stonehouse and up to mill bay and along the sea front of the Hoe and by the pier and citidel into the Barbican. Theire was a strong smell of fish, some smacks had just come in. Had a look at a steam shovel at work, they are making the bay deeper. I then went along some of the back slums and got into the main road of Plymouth. I turned to the left up Treville Street, saw a little girl run across the road and was knocked down by a pony and trap, the wheel going about half on the child, but the man backed it in time and the child only reeived a severe shock. I came into George Street and down Union Street, getting back into barracks about twelve thirty, dinner at one, baked meat, potatoes and rice pudding. After dinner, laid down till four, then had tea and then got my marching order ready for tomorrow. Made down my bed and turned in by nine thirty; it has been a showery day.
Monday, 17 July
Got up at five and did stairs fatigue before breakfast, bread and marmalade, afterwards scrub the tables and then got ready for Commanding Officers parade in marching order and as it was raining hard we paraded in barrack rooms and was inspected by Lieut Oliphant and then we had to lay down our field kits and they were inspected; we had to show our shirts and the officer asked me if I had been having a rough house with mine as it was rather holey in front. Packed up our kits and then dismissed. Dinner at one, stewed meat, potatoes and peas, after dinner, clean up my straps, which took me up to eight, then made down my bed and turned in.
Tuesday, 18th July
Got up at five and cleared up the room, then fell in on the square at a quarter to seven for bathing parade, marched off down to the bathing place, Mount Wise steps. The water was cold. Got back to barracks by eight, breakfast afterwards, got ready for Commanding Officers parade and fell in on the square at ten thirty in drill order. Was inspected by our Captain, theHon Fortiscue Esq. We then did battalion drill under the command of Major Howard. Was dismissed at twelve, dinner at one, stewed meat, potatoes and tapicoa. Afterwards, scrubbed the tables and then laid down till four. I then had tea and cleaned up my straps for tomorrow and then got ready and went out at seven o clock to a loge called the Truth and Grace Lodge in Bath Street close to the railway arch. We had some songs and spent a very nice evening. Came out at nine thirty and went up as far as the four face clock and back to barracks, getting in about eleven, then turned in.
Wednesday, 19th July
Got up at five, orderly man, swept up the room and cleaned the hearth. Drawed the bread at seven thirty and fetched up the tea at eight. Breakfast afterwards washed up and then got ready for musketry parade at ten thirty. Fell in on the square and was inspected by our Captain, then had to go through the firing exercises and then we had to do volley firing as a battalion. It came on to rain soon after eleven but we had to stop out in it till twelve and we got into a nice mess and our rifles were as brown as a berry. Then dismissed, dinner at one, stewed meat and potatoes; there was about three pieces of meat and two potatoes for each man. After dinner, wash up and then clean my straps till six then went out to the meeting of our lodge. Got there about eight. We had a little business to do and then some of them did some singing. Came out about nine thirty and went for a walk down to Plymouth and up to the four face clock, then turned back and went into the Soldiers home and had some supper, then came back to barracks and turned in about eleven thirty.
Thursday, 20th July
Got up at five and got ready for parade. Went on parade at a quarter to seven; did the physical drill with arms and then we did wheeling in line and column. Was dismissed at eight, breakfast afterwards, then got ready for commanding officers parade and fell in on the square at ten thirty in drill order and was inspected by the Captain. Then we had to go through the volley firing exercises in line and it took us one hour before we could do it properly to please the Major. Then we had to do the new section drill.
We were dismissed at twelve, dinner at one- baked pie and potatoes. After dinner we scrubbed the tables and then went on coal fatigue at a quarter to two. I carried two boxes and was dismissed at two thirty, then went down into the library and did some writing till tea. After tea I got ready and went out for a walk down into Plymouth and up to Mutley, then turned to the right by Mutley Goal and through Beaumont Park into Liaria and then turned to the right up Treville Street and into Guildhall Square and back down to Union Street and into barracks, getting in about eleven.
Friday, 21st July
Got up at five, raining in torrents and as it still continued there was no parade before breakfast. Afterward I got ready for Adjutants drill and fell in as it had left off raining on the square at ten thirty, dress, belt, sidearms, rifle. Went through the new section drill and then had to practice the new way of charging with fixed swords. One man had his cheek cut and several falling down, then we had to do the manual and firing exercises. We were dismissed at twelve,dinner at one, boiled mutton, potatoes and tapioca. After dinner went on a fatigue taking old clothing down to the Quartermasters stores; took about an hour. Then cleaned up my straps till tea, after tea got ready and went out to the Theatre Royal in Plymouth, saw Rob Roy. The drama was played by the H.O.S. Borderers and was very good, especially the sword dance. Went in at seven and came out about eleven, getting into barracks about half past and turned in. It has been fine this afternoon.
Saturday, 22nd July
Got up at five and went on parade at a quarter to seven; did the physical drill with arms and then manual and firing exercises. Was dismissed at eight, breakfast afterwards, then scrubbed the tables and did the blackleading, finished about eleven. Was paid out at twelve, received five shillings. Dinner at one, boiled beef, potatoes and cabbage. After dinner, laid down till tea and then went down to the library and read the papers till nine, then had some supper, liver and bacon. I then made my bed and turned in by half past nine.
Sunday, 23rd July
Got up at five and helped to clear the room up before breakfast, two eggs extra. Afterwards got ready for Church and as it was raining we paraded in barrack rooms and had capes on. We were inspected by the Captain and then marched off without the band. The sermon was about our character. We came out at twelve, dinner at one, stewed meat, potatoes and rice pudding. After dinner, cleaned up my straps, had some tea at four and then finished cleaning the rest by eight, then made down my bed and turned in.
Monday, 24th July
Got up at five and got ready and went on early morning parade, did physical drill with arms and then the Sergeant Major gave us an hours sword exercise. Was dismissed at eight, breakfast then and afterwards got ready for Commanding Officers parade. We fell in on the square at ten thirty in drill order under the command of Colonel Sackville. Was inspected by our Captain and as he was Captain for the week, he gave out the orders. We marched out to the brickfield and then practiced the attack and retiring and repulsing cavalry charges. Came back to the square and then had to go through the sword exercises two or three times. Was dismissed at twelve thirty, dinner at one, sea pie, after dinner, scrubbed the tables and then laid down till four, then had tea and then cleaned up my straps for tomorrow. Finished about nine, made down my bed and turned in. It has been showery today.
Tuesday, 25th July
Got up at five, orderly man today, cleared up the room and drawed the rations at seven thirty, breakfast at eight. Afterwards wash up then got ready for commanding officers parade. Fell in on the square at ten thirty, was inspected by the Captain and we then marched off to the brickfield, but just as we got there it came on to rain and we retired at the double back to the barracks and were dismissed. The rain was so heavy that it wet us through. I cleaned up and then fetched the dinner up at one o clock, stewed meat potatoes and harricote beans. After dinner, washed up and then helped to scrub out the room which took us till four o clock. Fetched up the tea at four thirty. After tea cleaned the cans and then cleaned up my straps, finished about nine, made down my bed and turned in.
Wednesday, 26th July
Got up at five and went on parade at a quarter to seven. Did the physical drill with arms and the manual and firing exercises. Was dismissed at eight, breakfast afterwards. Then we cleaned up the room and got ready for musketry parade. Fell in on the square at ten thirty, dress, belt, sidearms, two pouches, braces and rifle. Went through the firing exercises and volley firing in company. Was dismissed about eleven thirty, dinner at one, baked meat, potatoes and carbbage. After dinner went down into the library and read the papers until tea. After tea got ready and went out to our lodge in Devonport. Had a very pleasant evening, closed about nine thirty and then went for a walk down into Plymouth, up to the four face clock, saw the nobs come out of the Theatre Royal, then went down into King Street and back into Union Street. I then turned in to the Soldiers Home and had some supper and came back to barracks and turned in about eleven. It has been fine.
Thursday, 27th July
Got up at five, warned for duty and fell in with the fatigues at a quarter to seven. Swept down the steps in front of the officers mess and then dismissed. Breakfast at eight, afterwards scrubbed the tables and then went on fatigue at a quarter to nine. Cleared up the yard of the officers quarters and then went over to the married pads, swept up the gutters and cleaned out the rears, then cleaned up the square and all round the barracks. Finished about eleven. I then cleaned some of my straps till one, dinner – sea pie and potatoes. After dinner laid down til tea then finished cleaning the rest of my straps, then made down my bed and turned in about nine thirty.
Friday, 28th July
Got up at five and got ready for bathing parade. Fell in at a quarter to seven and marched off down fore street to mountwise steps. The water was very cold and the tide was out. Got back to barracks about seven thirty, dismissed, breakfast at eight.Afterwards we got ready for Adjutants parade. Fell in on the square at ten thirty, dress, belt, side arms and rifle, under the command of Lieut Magendie, Adjutant, we went through the new drill and had to do the new section drill at the double. Was dismissed at twelve, dinner at one, boiled mutton, potatoes and sago. After dinner went on fatigue to the married quarters, Raglan Barracks. We did a lot of sweeping and cleaning downstairs, finished about half past three, tea at four, then went down into the library and read the papers till eight, then made down my bed and turned in. Received the papers today.
Saturday 29th July
Got up at five and was warned for Officers Mess fatigue. Fell in at a quarter to seven and marched off to the mess. I got the washing and wiping up in the scullery. Was there washing up till breakfast, afterwards scrubbed the tables and then went back to my job at nine o clock. I kept on washing and cleaning up till twelve, dinner at one, baked pie and spuds. Went back to the mess at two o clock and finished about three, then laid down till five and then had some tea and cleaned up my straps for tomorrow. Finished about nine, made down my kip and turned in. It has been fine all day.
Sunday, 30th July
Got up at five, orderly man today. Swept up the room, cleaned the hearth and drawed the bread and meat at seven thirty fetched up the tea at eight for breakfast, mutton chop extra. Afterwards I washed up and as I was on pass I got ready and went out for a walk by ten o clock. I went into Plymouth up Union Street to the four face clock then turned to the left up George Street to Trenville Street. Turned down that road and went on to Laria embankment close to Plymton bridge. Turned off to the left through the toll gate and along the top of the embankment, then turned sharp left through the village and came into the top of Mutley. I then came down through Mutley into the top of Plymouth and back into barracks, getting in about twelve thirty. I changed my clothes and fetched up the dinner at one and served it out – roast beef, potatoes and tapioca. After dinner, washed up and then cleaned up my straps till tea. After tea washed up and cleaned the cans and then put my marching orders together ready for tomorrow, I finished about nine, made down my bed and turned in.
Monday, 31st July
Got up at five and helped to clear up the room before breakfast. Afterwards got ready for guard and fell in on the square at nine thirty in full marching order with rations. Was inspected by the Adjutant, then was picked out for our guards. I caught hospital guard. We then marched off to mount wise with the band playing in front and fell in with the other garrison guards and was inspected by the General. We then marched passed and were sent to our different guards. Our guard which has two posts, one at the hospital gate and number two, a prisoner in the hospital ward. We relieved the Bedfords at eleven and then got the spuds ready and fried the meat. I had my dinner and went on guard in the prisoners ward at two. Our corporal came round about three and gave me my pay – five shillings. Saw the hospital staff at stretcher drill and was relieved at four. I then had my tea and read the papers till eight, then went on guard again, we carried no rifle, till ten then came off and had some supper and then laid down till two this morning. I then went on guard again and was relieved at four. The prisoner was very restless, he had inflammation of the glands. I then had a wash and some breakfast and put my marching order on and went on guard at eight without rifle until I was relieved by the new guard. We then marched back to barracks and was dismissed by ten thirty, put my bed and straps tidy, dinner at one, roast beef, potatoes and cabbage. After dinner cleaned up the room then started cleaning my straps; tea at four, finished cleaning about nine, made down my kip and turned in. It came on to rain about five and is raining hard still.