AUGUST 1917

1 Wednesday

Arrived Durham after 5am got the train home at 6.20.  When I got home, all in bed so had them to knock up.  I was not able to let them know by telegram that I was coming as I landed unawares.

2 Thursday

Went to Darlington to meet my brother coming home, brought him around by Durham where we had a trap waiting and reached home about 1.15 in the morning.

This book too small and bulky continued in another diary of more convenient shape.

—————————————————————————————

Continuation commencing Aug 29^th/17

463163 Sergt. T. Rowlandson 50^th Divl Sig Coy RE 50^th Divl Hdqrs

T. Rowlandson, 5 Albert St., Willington, Durham

August

29 Wednesday

Left home about 10.15pm with a trap to catch express at Durham 11.19pm.  Good company the whole journey

30 Thursday

Arrived Kings X 5.50am Had breakfast and a good wash at the YMCA then crossed to St. Pancras and caught a train at 7.40 for Napsbury arriving there 8.33am.  Saw my brother[1] in hospital there and had two hours talk with him.  Came out, had dinner and left again at 2.10pm.  Reported at Victoria but no leave trains were running that day so I got a bed in the Salvation Army Hostel, Belgium Road.  At night had a good trip around London.

31 Friday

Got up 5am left Victoria 5.45 arriving Folkestone about 2 hrs later.  Taken to billets until following day.  Had a look out onto sea front.

Notes:

[1] 463164 Corpl. J.R. Rowlandson, Napsbury War Hospital, St. Albans, Herts.