March 19
Left for Paris. Rather funny. We paid fare from Marruiel to Etapeles costing 1 franc, 90
ct and when arriving at the Gare du Nord just walked through the barrier looking extremely
silly, so never paid any fare.
March 20
Had a look round the boulevard and up to the Place de la Concord. Up to the Invaledes and
had a look at Napoleon's tomb. In the night went to Follies Begeres. Rotten show. Pan's is
rather slow to my way of thinking.
March 21
Went round to the Gare du Lyon and booked up for Nice. Went out to Nallois and had a talk
with Claudel of carburettor fame about some work we are trying to pull on.
March 22
Left for Nice at 12.20 pm. Went through Dijon and Lyon and arrived at Marseilles at 5 am
the following morning.
March 23
The country from Marseilles to Nice is wonderfully pretty. The train journey is something
to talk about. The rails are laid right down along the sea front and you have the
mountains for a background. Most of the houses are very pretentious and all white with
paintings at the top for a border. Most of the places are built on the eastern style.
Coming into Cannes is a wonderful sight and beats everything I'd ever seen, the colouring
being gorgeous. The soil here is red and shows the other colours up to some order. Arrived
at Nice about twenty to one. Book at the Tarelli Hotel which is a very nice place. The sea
is very blue about these parts.
March 24
When going for breakfast this morning we met a New Zealand sergeant and he put the day in
with us. A very nice fellow, too. Went out to a place called Falicon Old Nice. On the road
up we climbed to a fairly good height up the mountains. Up at one is what is known as
"Canal de Nice" and had a magnificent cascade or waterfall, from here you obtain
a very nice panoramic view of Nice which looks very nice in the sunlight. We reached
Falicon eventually. It is situated on the top of a mount and the view obtained from here
is also extremely pretty. We then went down to the gorge which is simply a track between
the mountains and is very nice for wild scenery. In the gorge is what is called "The
Grotte". This is a cave from which springs come and then the track the water flows
down, must be more than at least 20' down and is wonderful for rugged scenery. In the
afternoon we went for a train ride to Cap Terrat and it is rather nice going up the
mountains and looking back on the different small clusters of houses on the mountain sides
and set in a great variety of different shades of green and flowers. The carnations in
this place are something to make your mouth water at.
March 25
Set out this morning with five others for a trip to La Grasse, for car and cost of 28 frs
a piece. First of all we went out to the Nice Racecourse, which is very small, we then
made for the mountains and eventually came to a place called Gorge de Loop, which is
situated at the bottom of a valley. Here there is a bridge over a stream. Must be ¼ of a
mile long. Orangeries on either side. Then we went to Mt Loop and I picked up a couple of
mountain flowers, met some American nurses and one said "what pretty flowers",
so I gave her some. There are some fine water views coming out from the mountain sides. In
the distance there were several snow clad mountains. Very fine view. From here we went on
to La Grasse and had dinner. Took a walk up the principal streets. Visited a perfumery and
was shown around and had everything explained. Bought a couple of bottles of scent.
Another very fine view. Leaving Grasse went down through Cannes and then on to the Nice
cemetery, and had a look at one of our chap's graves. Eventually we finished up at Nice
about 5.30pm. A day exceptionally well spent.
March 26
Left the Taralle this morning in a fine big Delanay-Belevieu car with four others to do
the Menton trip. Passed through Cap Ferrat, Beauliue, Ville Franches, till we came to
Monte Carlo. It was a bright sunny day and the view obtained was simply superb. The fine
blue sea, on one side and the houses, on the mountain sides, on the other. We were shown
through the Casio and four beautifully decorated rooms, well this beats anything
imaginable. The rooms have a red carpet on the floor, with a design. The walls have all
paintings by old masters and between the pictures is done out with brass work kept
exceedingly clean. The roof is all sculptured work. There are five rooms for roulette,
four being with three tables in, the fifth having four. In this room you must be an
independent man before being allowed to enter. The room when the sun is shining shows up
in a very delicate pink shade, and to see this blended with the paintings and the roof,
makes it marvellous to look at. In the town of Monte Carlo, there are some very fine
buildings and just in front of the Casino, there is a most beautiful park. From Monte
Carlo we went to the Principality of Monaco. The drive up the Avenue St Martin is very
pretty, got out and had a look at the Palace from the outside. We then went to the
aquarium, which is also in a beautiful building and is considered to be the most complete
aquarium in the world. From here went to Mentons up through the mountains, some very
lovely views are obtained. Just out from Menton finishes the French territory. We went
over the Italian border into a town called Ventimiglia, sent a couple of post cards from
there. From this place a fine view of Menton, a bridge with 16 arches. Called Pont St
Low's crossing the boarder. Was very hot in Italy. From Ventimiglia, we went on top
mountain tracks, passing through Cap St Martin, to Avaran to La Turbie. Old masonry at La
Turbie, fine view of Monte Carlo and Monaco. After La Turbie through Cap Ferrat, St
Hospice, St Andre (at bottom of a ravine) to Nice. Had a very enjoyable day. Would like a
month in this place.
March 27
Went to Monaco by tram and some very fine views are obtained. Lunched and then went on to
Menton, returning in the evening to Monaco. Had dinner here. Landed in Nice about 10
o'clock.
March 28
Left Nice this morning for Paris. A great number of fine places are passed up to
Marseilles and then you follow the Rone and a chain of mountains. All dark. Had two hours
at Lyon and walked around the town a bit. Had dinner in Lyon.
March 29
Arrived in Paris nine o'clock this morning, very tired and did not have much sleep in the
train. Went and had a look at Notre Dame church, Tuillenies Gardens, Place de la Concord
and The Arch of Triomphe. The Arch is a very fine piece of work and much more immense than
one would imagine. This was built by Napolean to perpetuate his victories.
March 30
Went out this morning and had a look at the Eiffel Tower and Ferris wheel. These were both
built for the Paris Exposition and were one of the few things left standing. The base of
the Tower must be 80 yards between the base of each leg and stands 300 metres high. Ferris
wheel is also a big thing and has railway carriages around it. This must be 280 ft in
diameter. Had a look at Trocadero. Most of the Philamonic societies hold their concerts
here and is a beautiful building from the outside. We then went down and lunched at the
Hotel d'lnna which is the Canadian YMCA in Paris and is also a very fine place. They serve
up a fair meal in the hotel. After lunch we went to the Bols de Boulogne and spent the
afternoon at La Superius and Lae Inferius. Saw President Wilson and his wife drive up the
Bois.
March 31
Went out to Verseilles Palace today and one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever
seen. I think the inside of the place takes the cake. The rooms are all done in gilt and
have some exceptionally fine paintings on the ceilings and walls and some of the tapestry
one would mistake for a painting. Went through the room of mirrors where most likely Peace
will be signed and this is a wonderful room also. There are mirrors all down each side. A
grand view is obtained from this room of the large gardens at the front of the palace.
Finished up at the Alambreh Theatre.
May 25
Left France and have been through Harve to Heytesbury RBAA Camp. Went on 14 days' leave,
spending six days at Aberystwyft in Wales.
May 26
Have put in for a job with the Mansion Motor Garage. Could have been on the SS Somalia but
turned it down owing to this job. Lionel Woolf has put in for a job at the same place, he
is a fine chap and the best tempered lad I ever came in contact with.
May 27
Sent a cable home for £50 worded "send £50 accepting position". The WA's of my
crowd are drawing their boat pay today, more than likely they will be sailing on Monday
night.
May 28
Put in for four days' special leave, which was granted from 5 - 8 June. Found out that my
NMC had not been recommended owing to having had no previous mechanical experience. Seen a
Lieut. Gregory who told me that I could start on the 23rd . Had to sleep on
Swindon Station last night as there was no train through to Heytesbury. There was no money
at the bank in London.
June 14
Received a letter from the bank saying that the cable had arrived for me, this is the
money I cabled for some time back. No news of my NME yet.
June 16
Bill Davies, Lieut. Norfolk, with about 40 men of the Coy marched out with 37 Quota at 6
this morning for Devonport, sailing at 4 o'clock this afternoon by the Ormonde.
June 17
Received letter from the bank with draft for £10. Letter stating that was full amount of
the cable. Alcock and Brown completed the Atlantic flight on the 15th. Some
flyers! Do not know if £50 was sent.
June 21
Received orders that we have to move to Longbridge Deveril at 9 am Monday morning. Shall
put in for leave as soon as I get over there, most likely be in London on Wednesday.
Other Diary Entries:
Correspondence received from December 13th
Sunday Times; Card Mr & Mrs Whiskin; Letter Mum & Dad; Letters Lam; S.T.;
Letters from Dad; Referee from Norm; Letters Lam 3; Letters Mum; Letters Mulvie; S.T.;
Parcel; Lam; Lam; Mum; Jabe.
Correspondence written from Dec
13th
Table Centre; Les; Mum; Lam; Lam; Mac; Mum; Lam; Lam; Lam; Mum; Lam.
There are many pages
detailing cable, lights, pumps, etc. for the Munster and Vermelles jobs.
Addresses were also recorded:
- Pte N Dodd, 4TB AIF, Codford, England - Sig, School
12TB Codford
- Bert Chalmers, c/- Whitehall House, Belverdere,
Kentish Rd, Kent
- Miss Phoebe Bryant, 125 Nithdale Rd, Plumstead SE 18
- Sgt McCormick, 3 d Gordons Balanelgask, Aberdeen.
- Neill, 59 Spit Rd, Mosman N.S.W.
- E, Gorfin, 1 Walevand Rd, Lewisham, London SE 17
- Davies, c/- Mrs J Heron, 26 Falcon St, North Sydney,
N. SW.
- Davies, c/- Mrs L Butler, 89 Bondi Rd, Bondi, N.SW.
- Somerset, "Fenloe House", Hicksborough,
Wonthaggi, Victoria.
- Ernest B. Fry, "Mayburn", Penhurst St,
Willoughby, Sydney, N.SW.
- Henry J. Ayres, 12 York St, Forest Lodge, Sydney
- Duncan, Invennass, Bourke Street, Warwick East,
Queensland
- Thurlow, c/- Braye & Cohen Solicitors,
Newcastle, N. SW.
- Alderton, Clarence St, North Harbour, Manly, Sydney
- McPherson, Winbourne Ave, Chelsea, Melbourne
- Edmunds, 9 Charles St, West Subiaco
- Jack and Charlie Lyons, Plumbers, Fitzgerald St,
Perth
- Mrs J R Brown, 181 Brisbane St, Brown Hill.
- Mrs James, Chapel St, opp St Mary's Church,
Penzance.
This concludes the diary entries.
Hughie undertook a course of Motor Engineering at the Mansion Motor Training Garage, 78
York Street, Westminster, London from 28th June, 1919 to 28th
September, 1919. His Military records indicate that Sergt Dodd made very good progress on
his course of motor driving and mechanics.
Hughie embarked on the Pakeha on 6th
October returning to Australia on the 16th November, 1919. SS Pakeha was a chartered steam
ship, one of several employed as troop transports to carry troops of the First AIF. He was
awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
His health had been severely
affected by gassing which plagued him for the rest of his life. Hughie died on the 27th
November, 1957 and his ashes are in the War Graves Memorial Wall, Karrakatta, W.A. |
