27th September 1914 (Sunday)

Breakfast with the Sergeants in bell tent formed into a sort of Mess.  100 patients from No.12 Stat Hosp sent home.  Large numbers of civilians visit hospital.

26th September 1914

Met Qm Higdon at station.  Entrian at 9am, ANGERS 1.50pm large town, NANTES 4.30 large town, ST. NAZAIRE 7.30,   Lt Qm Dring, QM Sgt McKay, S Sgt Griffiths, Sgt Morgan, Qm Sgt Wheeler and Sgt Martin.

25th September 1914

Marketing day. Taken to No.1 Stationary Hospital, met Cpl. Taylor.  Passed may buildings with a fine architectural style.  Great enthusiasm of people en route to base.  Passed train load of cheering R.G.A. taking heavy siege gun battery up country.

24th September 1914

Letter sent to Lena.  Watch French soldiers in the workshop manufacturing mess tins.  Round the walls of the cavalry stables are placed various names,  it would appear that each horse has a favourite name.  Fine sunny weather continues.  Have a lesson in French from a French Cavalryman.  Met Tunnicliffe at the Bazaar (market), he lost his unit (5th Lancers) a week ago.

23rd September 1914

French troops going through infantry drill. Heard the Artillery trumpeters at practice.  Bright sunny weather, cool in the morning and evening.
Met here at LE MANS Sgt Major of Royal Fling Corps and he told me that he was awarded a French honour for valour.  Apparently there have been no aviators among the British who have met with any ordinary flying accident, which appears remarkable in view of the fact that before the war we read every week of officers being killed by flying accidents over Salisbury.  Although we saw numbers of aviators every day I never saw one come to grief in a flying accident.  The Sgt Major of the RFC said that he placed steel sheets in the seats of the aeroplane for protection and at his own suggestion.
I hear it was at these barracks that Dreyfus was stationed before the trial.  Hear of the capture of 10,00 Germans and 30,000 Austrians by the Russians.

22nd September 1914

Watched cavalry recruits being taught all about saddle, harness etc and management of horses.  Splendid weather.

21st September 1914

Large number of French Artillery and Cavalry in training at these barracks. Squads being instructed in the management of 10lb guns.  Post Card sent to Lena.  Weather fine.