Ralph Fifth and last Diary began on the 12th August with the Bty’s first marching orders coming through to leave ‘St Seger’ on the 15th and move onto ‘Val de Maison’ for a rest, then move onto ‘Vadencourt Wood’. After a good nights rest at ‘Vadencourt Wood’ the Bty moved into the Firing Line to take over the guns of the 12th Bty. The Bty was to continue with artillery work until the 31st August when Ralph headed off and rode into ‘Armentieres’ (‘Ypres’ way) to collect his pay then he rode into ‘Bailleul’ for his dinner. More marching orders came to hand on the 1st September to take the Bty from ‘Godewaersvelde’ at 1pm to arrive at ‘Reninghelst’ at 4pm. On the 2nd Ralph went to the 27th Bty A W.L. to hand over 4 guns then rode into ‘Poperinge’ and got back to W.L. at 6pm. Orders then came to hand to take Ralphs section into action that night. They rode to the rendezvous and “embarked” on a G.S Waggon to be driven up to their Position. On the way they passed through ‘Ypres’ and saw what was left of ‘Cloth Hall’ and ‘Cathedral’ with Ralph commenting that they were not ‘looking very pretty after their sundry bombardments. ‘Ypres’ is blown to blazes generally’. And that it must have looked like a decent city once upon a time. They were to get within a ½ mile of the Battery when a gas alarm signal was reported, but it missed them but they were harassed by Stun machine guns. On the 3rd they had moved into the ‘Ypres Salient’ that was noted for gas, 15 inch Hows, and machine guns and they were within about 1600 yds from their friends. On the 4th Ralph collected his maps and reported that they were to head into the Firing Line and ‘teach the ‘Huns’ up this way that they’re not dorgs and that their not the only people around Belgium’. Up until the 23rd September Ralph and the Bty worked the springs of their guns, then Ralph finally got his long awaited for leave on the 24th so he left ‘Poperinge’ at 6.15am to arrive at ‘Hazebrouck’ at 8.15am to have a break at some hotel. On leaving ‘Hazebrouck’ he travelled onto ‘Boulognestraat’ to arrive at 1.30pm and had dinner at the officers club. Ralph was not able to get a boat across the Channel to England because of the bad weather so he had to wait a night. He was then escorted with other soldiers across the strait by a destroyer and other escort ships to arrive at ‘Folkestone’. Passing up through ‘Kent’ and ‘Sussex’ he arrived at the village of ‘London’ to be put up at the Regent Palace. On the 26th Ralph travelled by N.W. Express and headed for Manchester to arrive there at 3.57pm. He spent time with his family there and enjoyed it very much, as much as the family did as they had not seen him for at least 2 years. Ralph returned to London on the 3rd October and was put up again at the Regent Palace, to leave on the 5th and arrive at ‘Folkestone’ to travel over the strait, back through ‘Boulognestraat’ then ‘Poperinge’, to walk 2½ miles on a muddy read, but ‘I’ve had my leave and enjoyed every moment of it’. Ralph headed straight back into Bty work on the 8th until the 17th when they were on the move at 6.30am to arrive at ‘Bonnay’ to then pass through the town of ‘Corbie’. On the 20th orders came to hand for a move down the ‘Somme’ way so the Bty left on the 22nd to move into Position on the 25th. He then got a ring on the 8th November from the Major who passed on the following message to the Bty: ‘From OC Basket to OC 'Blow' WB15 From General Willis. Thanking the artillery Liaison Officers for the good work done yesterday. Please convey congratulations to Lieuts. Hogan, Shaw, Doughty’. On the 14th November after being in constant artillery work since Ralph had returned from his leave he had suddenly got orders to get back into action to protect the chaps as they took Bayonet trench, while the Guards took at least 3000 prisoners, Ralphs sector was to take about 700. Ralph and the Bty also sprayed the road to Thilloy with shrapnel, and the ambulance was wanted several times. But they got pasted with 5.9 and 8.2 shells for their trouble. Ralph was to spend many days and nights either up at the Firing Line or back at the W.L. during many days and nights, up until the 17th November when unfortunately he received the injury shown below; '17th November 1916 Major crack on the head. 'Knocked' Funny things that happened . . . 18th November 1916 to 8th February 1917 [These pages are pinned into the diary.] Don't remember much about getting knocked with the exception of seeing a beautiful 'solar' sun then somebody turned out the light. Got to the 8th General Hospital in Rouen after being carried out from the line during a snow storm and after a short 14 hours there, was sent direct to England via ‘Boulognestraat’ on the way across. Channel run Hospital ship picked up survivors of the City of Mexico, a steamer which had just been sunk by a Hun Sub. Managed to get a glimpse of the Sub, but it didn't molest us. Arrived in Southampton and was put in 'Z' ward and got special attention. Thanks to it and decent constitution managed to get out in three weeks or so. Also able to get out of going to a Convalescent Home, but got a fortnight leave instead. Met the train and went to Manchester. Stayed at 48 M R then went back to London for another Board. Stayed out with Capt. Richardson whom I met in Hospital. Had a gorgeous time. Was given another weeks leave and made the most of it. Had Xmas dinner with Dr. John Broadbent. Left for Perham Downs about New Year time. Tried to get straight back to France from London but no go. After annoying everybody and with assistance managed to get away on the 1st. Went up to London at night. Left the next morning for Portsmouth. Stayed at the South Western while awaiting a boat. Visited Capt (I of M) one day. Left next day for ‘Le Harve’. Detained there for five days also received a request which was sent by the CO on Dec 31st for my return to the Bty in reply to my application to be sent back. Swore a few. Major worked a good scheme and we got to ‘Le Harve’ by passenger boat. Got to Rouen and told that it would be at least seven days before we could get back to our unit. Anyhow we were desperate and by further scheming managed to get back on the 8th via Paris and Amiens. Had a great 24 hours in Paris. Saw quite a good bit of the city. General Brown motored us from Amiens to our HQ. Find on my return that we are made into a 6 gun Bty and have another officer available to us. Cooper is his name. Anyhow here we are and Hurrah for more strafe.' On the 9th February Ralph was ordered to rejoin the old 9th again. On the 20th Ralph went up to the Front Line and had a bit of a war on his own in trenches thigh deep in mud and water. Unfortunately Ralph received orders that on the 26th he was to report to the 7th Bty for duty with Ralph mentioning in his diary ‘Have exhausted all my swear words so won’t say any more but will endeavour with the Major’s help to do things and it also means that that bridge doesn’t get strafed’. Had a ride into Albert on the 11th March and visited the Officers Club there and had afternoon tea. Ralphs final entry in his fifth dairy was such an appropriate entry, this was, ‘16th March 1917’ Better day today. Very heavy bombardment on both left, right and centre.