30th August 1914 (Sunday) 

I go back to Market Place at CROUTOY to bring back 33 sick and wounded. Arrive back at 10 pm. For several days have been on short rations and should have fared very badly but for the generosity of the people who supplied us with all sorts of food, bread, fruit and drinks along the route. We were billeted on a fine farm at the back of which was a splendid old garden. We again slept on straw which is more comfortable, than other ways of sleeping we have tried in the field. A defeated German body of troops, Infantry and Cavalry without guns, passed through a town just before us. 

When on the hills the scenery in the valleys was beautifully picturesque and though one would be dead tired the supreme beauty of the scenery would still appeal, so varied with wood, hill and dale, avenues of elm and chestnut, nestling farm and quaint French church. The golden grain ready for the harvest and the pretty trim patches of vegetable garden interspersed with orchards riotously luxurious in all kinds of fruit, formed pictures so peaceful and so much at variance with the war with all its fatigue and all its train of horrors that one wondered.

29th August 1914

Horse stampede.  Move off at 2am,  marched on plateau near CROUTOY.

28th August 1914

Marched to PONTOISE through NOYON, a fine cathedral city. Swale turned up with 3 vehicles, 3 horses and 1 bicycle. NOYON, central situation with broad avenues converging from Paris and all directions. Here we were rejoined by a large portion of of No.137 Ambulance that had become separated. March off from PONTOISE at 7pm and arrived at midnight at CARLEPONT and slept in straw barn.

27th August 1914 

13th Field Ambulance march through ST QUENTIN today.

26th August 1914 

Roused at 4am and prepare a Dressing Station. Great battle on the REAUMONT-LE-CHATEAU ridge. Wounded began to arrive at 10.30am. These were redressed where necessary and placed under improvised shelters. The wagons continue to come in and go off again. At 12 there was a partial stampede. A general retirement was ordered at 4pm, 35 bearers left behind.

25th August 1914

Roused at 4am, march off 5.30am via ENGLEFONTAINE,  arrived 2.30pm at REUMONT and bivouac in wheat meadow at 9pm.  Enormous number of French Cavalry pass by.  They appear to be in happy vein singing songs and passing jokes with us.  The long hair hanging behind their helmets down their shoulders looked somewhat peculiar.  Long and very tiring march.  Passed over battlefield.

24th August 1914

Roused at 2am.  Moved from school at 11.15am and saw town burnt down by Germans 1 hr after. Exciting battle between British and German biplanes.  Shots were exchanged but presently, after circling the Briton rose and got exactly over the German and fired downwards.  This happened over our heads.  The German turned and then outdistanced the Briton.  I heard subsequently that the French went after and brought down the German.
Arrived at VILLIERS POL at 7.30pm, moved off again at 9pm.  Arrived at park and bivouac at 12.40am,  VILLE BEAUPRAT.