POW diaries - Captain Percival Lowe, item 7

• November 3, 2017 21:54:02 Thomas A. Lingner

  1.  Written in the upper right corner 

  Sept 20th 1914. My first clear impression was, that I was in the enemy's

  field Hospital. This was in a farm building. We were halted and allowed

  to lie down. Immediately we were surrounded by a crowd of inquisitive

  soldiers. They seemed none too pleased too see us! I on the outside of

  the circle we had formed, was kicked by one of these apostles of

  culture, in the ribs. After waiting about an hour or so it was

  evident that this hospital would have nothing to do with us.

  We left one of our number who was too badly wounded to move here, and continued

  our journey. We were a party of between 50 + 60, all wounded.

  We were marched at a slow pace, apparently along a road which

  ran more or less parallel to the Aisne. We passed the batteries

  which had been shelling us in the morning, and the captive

  sausage shaped balloon which had directed their fire. We met a large number of troops, 

  who were for the most part abusive. The walk seemed interminable.

  It was night when we reached a small town.

  Here again the hospital would have none of us. Later we were

  placed in a church. This had been laid out with matresses

  for the wounded - the enemy's wounded. We were all placed in

  a kind of chapel. I think there was straw on the floor. Our

  captors gave us nothing to eat. At a later hour however

  a French sister of mercy brought us bread and soup - and

  kind words. We were naturally surrounded by a ring of bayonets.

  It was very cold. Fortunately I had a flask of whiskey.

   

   Lines drawn leading from the adjacent page indicating this place for the insertion of the text: 

  To give the devil his due it is but

  fair to state that I had has as yet neither

  money nor personal property removed.

   
  

  We three officers had a nip and then managed to doze.

  Sept 21st After being given some so called coffee we were ordered to fall

  in and march. After a comparatively short walk we reached our

  destination LAON. This is a town perched on the top of a hill. And to

  the very apex we went. Here we had to wait on the side of the

  street, whilst herds of the enemy, slightly wounded, were marched

  past. It was surprising the number that seemed to be hit in

  
  

  • Revert to this revision
• November 3, 2017 21:52:47 Thomas A. Lingner

  1.  Written in the upper right corner 

  Sept 20th 1914. My first clear impression was, that I was in the enemy's

  field Hospital. This was in a farm building. We were halted and allowed

  to lie down. Immediately we were surrounded by a crowd of inquisitive

  soldiers. They seemed none too pleased too see us! I on the outside of

  the circle we had formed, was kicked by one of these apostles of

  culture, in the ribs. After waiting about an hour or so it was

  evident that this hospital would have nothing to do with us.

  We left one of our number who was too badly wounded to move here, and continued

  our journey. We were a party of between 50 + 60, all wounded.

  We were marched at a slow pace, apparently along a road which

  ran more or less parallel to the Aisne. We passed the batteries

  which had been shelling us in the morning, and the  captive 

  sausage shaped balloon which had directed their fire. We met a large number of troops, 

  who were for the most part abusive. The walk seemed interminable.

  It was night when we reached a small town.

  Here again the hospital would have none of us. Later we were

  placed in a church. This had been laid out with matresses

  for the wounded - the enemy's wounded. We were all placed in

  a kind of chapel. I think there was straw on the floor. Our

  captors gave us nothing to eat. At a later hour however

  a French sister of mercy brought us bread and soup - and

  kind words. We were naturally surrounded by a ring of bayonets.

  It was very cold. Fortunately I had a flask of whiskey.

   

  Lines drawn leading from the adjacent page indicating this place for the insertion of the text:

  To give the devil his due it is but

  fair to state that I had has as  yet neither

  money nor personal property removed.

   
  

  We three officers had a nip and then managed to doze.

  Sept 21st After being given some so called coffee we were ordered to fall

  in and march. After a comparatively short walk we reached our

  destination LAON. This is a town perched on the top of a hill. And to

  the very apex we went. Here we had to wait on the side of the

  street, whilst herds of the enemy, slightly wounded, were marched

  past. It was surprising the number that seemed to be hit in

  
  

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• June 16, 2017 11:41:09 L G

  1.  Written in the upper right corner 

  Sept 20th 1914. My first clear impression was that I was in the enemy's

  field Hospital. This was in a farm building. We were halted and allowed

  to lie down. Immediately we were surrounded by a crowd of inquisitive

  soldiers. They seemed none too pleased too see us! I on the outside of

  the circle we has formed, was kicked by one of these apostles of

  culture, in the ribs. After waiting about an hour or so it was

  evident that this hospital would have nothing to do with us.

  We left one of our number who was too badly wounded to move here, and continued

  our journey. We were a party of between 50 + 60, all wounded.

  We were marched at a slow pace, apparently along a road which

  ran more or less parallel to the Aisne. We passed the batteries

  which had been shelling us in the morning, and the  captive 

  sausage shaped balloon which had directed their fire. We met a large number of troops, 

  who were for the most part abusive. The walk seemed interminable.

  It was night when we reached a small town.

  Here again the hospital would have none of us. Later we were

  placed in a church. This had been laid out with matresses

  for the wounded- the enemy's wounded. We were all placed in

  a kind of chapel. I think there was straw on the floor. Our

  captors gave us nothing to eat. At a later hour however

  a French sister of mercy brought us bread and soup- and

  kind words. We were naturally surrounded by a ring of bayonets.

  It was very cold. Fortunately I had a flask of whiskey.

   

  Lines drawn leading from the adjacent page indicating this place for the insertion of the text:

  To give the devil his due it is but

  fair to state that I had has as  yet neither

  money nor personal property removed.

   
  

  We three officers had a nip and then managed to doze.

  Sept 21st After being given some so called coffee we were ordered to fall

  in and march. After a comparatively short walk we reached our

  destination LAON. This is a town perched on the top of a hill. And to

  the very apex we went. Here we had to wait on the side of the

  street, whilst herds of the enemy, slightly wounded, were marched

  past. It was surprising the number that seemed to be hit in

  
  

  • Revert to this revision
  • Show revision
  • Compare to current version
  • Compare to previous version

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