January 22nd 1915
I have got issued with a pair of boots at last, feel fit again now, a few bombs from an aeroplane drop on the village where we are billeting they tried to get the railway but missed.
Diary of Private W Tapp, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, November 1914- January 1915
Imperial war Museum Archives
January 21st 1915
Came down to La Criche for our rest about 8 miles, feet very bad boots full of grit and mud I have borrowed a pair of boots off the woman at the billet, I think she took pity on me.
Diary of Private W Tapp, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, November 1914- January 1915
Imperial war Museum Archives
January 16th 1915
Back in the trenches again we have got some territorials with us this time so it looks as if we are going to get relieved from this position, I guess we shall go to get another position ready for the next lot of terrors, they have got the range of these trenches, they were shelling heavily this am one shell put 2 of our men out, one of them had just got the news about his childs death and that his wife was dying, bad luck, the G’s have brought some more guns up. The weather is still bad making it impossible to advance yet.
Diary of Private W Tapp, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, November 1914- January 1915
Imperial war Museum Archives
January 12th 1915
Had a quiet time in trenches this time, very little sniping, I am getting fed up, as there is no excitement we can fetch water now without being sniped at. We are still having lots of cigs and tabac sent out, we smoke quite a lot.
Diary of Private W Tapp, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, November 1914- January 1915
Imperial war Museum Archives
January 1st 1915
We return to the trenches after 3 days rest, the war has started again.
It is still raining, our dug out leaks, keeps dropping in, my blanket is wringing wet weighs three times as heavy and has got to be carried besides an oil sheet, top coat, fur coat, cooking utensils, they begin to get heavy after doing about 8 miles, we are having 5 days in trenches and 3 out, much better than 6 in and 2 out as we do get 2 clear days rest, I hear the piggeries where we stayed has been shelled killing 17 of the kilties.
Diary of Private W Tapp, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, November 1914- January 1915
Imperial war Museum Archives
DISTRICT INTELLIGENCE
Fenny Compton
Fire at Fenny Compton Wharf
On Tuesday a fire occurred at Fenny Compton Wharf on the premises of Mr Guest Brown. The outbreak occurred in the packing room and only slight damage was done and the loss covered by insurance in the County Fire Office (agent Mr F. Awken)
Banbury Guardian Dec 31st
December 30th 1914
We are at our billet, have a bath and a change, received a Xmas card from King and Queen and one from the General of our Division, am sending them home as souvenirs.
Diary of Private W Tapp, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, November 1914- January 1915
Imperial war Museum Archives
Road Offence: Charles Griffin, farmer of Farnborough, was fined 2/6 for allowing two swine to stray on to the highway at Farnborough.
Banbury Guardian Dec 31st
December 28th 1914
At 2am this morning we were working on our barbed wire but of course they could hear us and I guess they thought we had been at it long enough so they sent one of their lights over but no bullets, which I think was very sporting of them.
Diary of Private W Tapp, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, November 1914- January 1915
Imperial war Museum Archives
December 27th 1914
Another day and night goes by and still they walk about on top of their trenches, but they don’t come over we have been told that this friendship has got to stop, so we keep apart, although we walk about on top without fear of being shot…eight of them come to surrender but we send them back as I think we are out for larger fish.
Diary of Private W Tapp, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, November 1914- January 1915
Imperial war Museum Archives