Wednesday, 2nd August
Got up at five and went on early morning parade at a quarter to seven. Went through the manual firing and sword exercise by numbers. Was dismissed at eight, b reakfast afterwards. Got ready for parade in drill order under the command of the General Officer commanding the Western district. Fell in on the square at a quarter to ten, was inspected and then marched off to the Peoples Park. We had to practice the attack from there to the other end of the brickfield and retiring as well. The General said it was done very well, only that we covered too much ground. Got back to the square about twelve and then we had to go through the sword exercise by numbers and in quick time; finished about quarter to one and was dismissed. There was a good bit of growling over that sword exercise after doing two hours work at the double. It was a little bity stiff. Dinner at one, roast beef, potatoes . After dinner went on fatigue at a quarter to two, cleaning up a piece of cricket ground on the brickfields. Finished about four, had tea, and got ready to go out to our lodge in Devonport. It was the election of officers and I was elected treasurer for the next three months. We then had some singing and closed about ten and I then went for a walk down into Plymouth and up to the four face clock and back. Saw two women having a scrap and they were taken by the police. Had some supper at the soldiers home and got back into barracks about eleven and turned in.
Thursday, 3rd August
Got up at five and went on parade at a quarter to seven. Did the physical drill with arms and then the sword exercise by numbers, was dismissed at a quarter to eight, breakfast afterwardsd. Got ready for judging distance parade, was warned for escort at nine. Paraded at the guardroom at nine thirty and took five prisoners of our company up to the orderly room where they were told off. One got extra drill for a week for cheeking a noncom, another wad admonished for being one hour absent and the other three got two days pay stopped and ten days defaulters for being over twenty hours absent. Fell in on parade at ten thirty, dress the same as musketry paraded. Marched to the brickfield and then judged how far different objects were away from where we stood. Got back to barracks about one, dinner, sea pie. After dinner went on coal fatigue and carried three boxes, two to the officers mess and one to the married pads. Finished about three, then cleaned up my straps and finished about eight. I then made down my bed and turned in. It is very wet tonight.
End of volume one.
Volume 2
Still in Plymouth
Friday, Saturday August 4 and 5
Usual routine all day. On the 5th had to get up to deal with about 40 Tipperary Militia who had been "on the spree". They bolted home when they saw us coming.
Sunday August 6th to Sunday 13th August – Usual routine.
Monday 14th August
Started route march on Tavistock Rd with the Bedfords, the H O S B and the marines. Marched 10 miles passed robourby rock, then pitched tent for the night. Very hot.
Tuesday 15th August
Got up at four, marched through Tavistock , the men started falling out with sunstroke, 150 soldiers fell out and two died due to the heat. Slept in tent.
Wednesday, 16th August
Marched to Oakhampton and pitched tent. Feet very sore. Some drill in morning then free time.
Friday 18th August
Marched to Dartmoor to do some skirmishing and firing, joining with artillery regiment, ground very boggy, some places sinking to knees, very tired.
Saturday 19th August
Bedfords marched off to go by train to Wales to prevent a miners riot taking place. We went back to High downs and pitched our tent.
Sunday, 20th August
Raining hard. Marched back through Tavistock to Robourby Rock and pitched tents.
Monday 21st August
Marched back to barracks.
Tuesday 22nd August – Thursday 31st August.
Usual barracks routine.
Friday, September 1st, Saturday September 2nd
Usual barracks routine.
Sunday 3rd September
I was on pass so went out at 10 oclock, though Plymouth and over Lieria bridge where several French barges were loading granite stone. Then through Plymton, a long rambling village, then to Berligh Park. This Park is at the bottom of a ravine and the hills we crossed were covered with evergreen trees – looks like Swiss scenery. From there I went to Roburery and then back to barracks on the Tavistock road. I had covered about 16 miles.
Monday 4th Sept to Tuesday 12th Sept.
Usual barracks routine.
Wednesday, 13th September
Put on my marching orders and fell in on the square at 9.30. On main guard duty under command of Lieut Campbell. Marched off and relieved the Bedfords. Went to Admirals House. The Devonport regatta was on and there was a lot of people passing. Just before eight went down the road and took a drunken soldier that was resisting the MFP into guard room. Then on guard until 4. About 25 soldiers were brought in this morning for being absent or drunk.
Friday 15th September
Kit inspection. Then guard duty again at nine. We then marched to our beats. I had from Exmouth to the Auldope, and we marched up and down. About eleven I was called to help the police take a marine to the police station. Then we took two more of our chaps in for being drunk.
Sat 16th Sept – Tuesday 19th Sept.
Usual barracks routine, except that I am going to school in the afternoons.
Wednesday, 20th September
Usual routine, visited the lodge in the evening.
Thursday 21st Sept – Monday 26th September.
Usual barracks routine with plenty of drill.
Tuesday 27th September
Fall in for parade, inspected by Lieut Fojambe, then marched under command of Colonel Sackville to brickfields for ceremonial drill with other tropps of the garrison. We did the general salute, march past and firing exercices. There was one thousand men on parade.
Wednesday, 28th September
General salute again, then we were served with a bottle of pop and a cake each. Went to Lodge in the evening.
Thursday, 29th September
Two court marshals read out to us on the square, one chap got six months for leaving his guard room without permission and stealing clothes from the sailors shop. The other was desertion and loss of kit. He got 56 days and had to pay for the lot.
Friday 29th September
Usuala barracks routine with drill.
Saturday, 30th September
Warned to get to Head Office for a course for telephone operators. Had to check all the telegrams that came and went out and send them off. Went out in the evening to the Burrough Arms, came out at ten. Heard Mr Gladstones speech on the phonograph and saw a fight or two.
Sunday, 1st October – Monday 2nd Oct.
Usual barracks routine.
Tuesday, 3rd October
Now working during the day in the office, helping with the telephones. Went to Theatre Royal in evening and saw "In the ranks". It was very good.
Wednesday 4th October – Monday 9th October
Usual barracks routine.
Tuesday 10th October
Woken up just after four by the fire alarm. Dressed and fell in on the square and waited half an hour, then dismissed to barracks. Ceremonial drills later. The fire turned out to be a small cottage in Devonport which burnt out.
Wednesday 11th Oct, Thursday, 12th October
Usual barracks routine. Went to Lodge in evening on Thursday.
Friday 12th October
Sentry duty today at Mount Wise steps and then the hospital through night and next day.
Sunday, 15th Oct to Tuesday 17th October
Usual barracks routine.
Wednesday 18th October to Tuesday 24th October
Have been very bad with a slight touch of English colic and not able to write much.
Wednesday 25th October
Went on manoeuvres through Plymouth to embark on the Drake and sailed to the other side of harbour. Marched back in the evening and went to Lodge meeting.
Thursday, 26th October to Saturday 28th October
Usual barracks routine.
Sunday, 29th October
Went for a walk around Devonport and Plymouth.
Monday 30th Oct – Tuesday 31st October
Usual barracks routine.
Wednesday 1st November to Sunday 5th November
Usual routine. Went with the AAG of BS orderly to know my duties as I am to relieve him.
Monday, 6th November
Usual routine, passed my third class artificer.
Tuesday 7th November – Thursday 9th November
Usual routine.
10th to 18th November
Have been at my job all the time.
Sunday 19th November to Thursday 30th November.
Usual routine.
Frudat 1st December to Sunday 10th December
Usual routine
Monday, 11th December
Attended a lecture by General Harrison on "How we forced the road from Hankin to Pekin in 1860" It was very good, he was on the surveying staff. He showed us some of the things he took from the Temple of the Sun.
Tuesday 12th – Friday 15th December
Usual routine.
Saturday 16th December
Got up about six and received my months pay. Caught train to London about three and got home to Sevenoakes about five. Was there on leave until 1st January. Had a good time there.
Tuesday Jan 16th 1894 to 31st January.
Usual barracks routine.