On June 21, 1917, I was detailed to proceed on leave to England for 10 days. First I was paraded to the battalion M.O. and was passed as free from scabies and sound in wind and limb and then was given a certificate to say that I was in possession of all my gear. Then I reported to the R.T.O. at Bapaume station and had my leave warrant stamped with the date I left Bapaume. About midday I boarded a troop leave train, composed of box carriages, which shortly after pulled out of the station en route for Boulogne. After a comparatively comfortable journey via Albert, Amiens, Abbeville and Etaples, I arrived at Boulogne station, having been just 24 hours on the train. Arrived at the railway station, the assorted train load of leave men, numbering over 1,200 were herded to a huge building called Vidors Billets where we were kept as prisoners all night.

In the morning, we each received a clean change of clothing and were given a certificate certifying that we were free from lice. We then had breakfast, after which we fell in in column of route and were marched to the Quay side where a packet steamer was lying in wait to receive us. The name of this steamer was the “Invicta” and shortly afterwards, we began to file up the gangways on to her decks showing our leave warrants and carrying our gear as we passed from the wharf to the boat. Within an hour, the boat steamed out of Boulogne harbour, bearing its load of troops on leave, and presently joined two other packet steamers. Then three destroyers arrived and the whole convoy set off with full speed across the Channel, towards Folkstone on the English side. Soon we lost sight of the French coast and after about two hours or less were within sight of the white cliffs of Dover and Folkstone and could discern the fine big white houses which were built on the brinks of the cliffs.

Presently we steamed in through the opening of the Harbour breakwater and within a few minutes were at anchor alongside the Quay. Disembarking, we walked across to where a leave train was waiting into which we got and took a seat. After ten minutes wait, the guard blew his whistle and we steamed out of the station and very soon were racing across the picturesque county of Kent towards London. After 2 ½ hrs. journey, we arrived at Victoria Station, at 5 pm and were met by an Australian Sergeant who led us to Australian Infantry Force Headquarters at Horseferry road, Westminster.

We then went to the clothing store and changed our worn clothing for new stuff, after which we went to the pay office and drew our leave pay. We were then paraded in the yard of the Headquarters and received our instructions and warnings and advice and were then informed that we were free to enjoy ourselves during our hard earned rest. I left my rifle and equipment at the pack store, and then walked round to Victoria Street where I caught a bus to Putney High St. After a journey lasting forty five minutes, I arrived at Putney and then proceeded, to search for my Uncle’s residence in Woodborough Road, and after one or two enquiries, managed to find his house.

Here I was made most welcome and rested for the following day which was Sunday. On the Monday, I went out to No. 1 London General Hospital at Camberwell Green, where I paid a visit to Harold Mitchell who was still in Hospital since his wound at Bullecourt on May 5th. In the afternoon, I called on my uncle at his office in Poultney Lane near the Bank of England, and together we spent the afternoon in sightseeing. First, we inspected London Bridge over the Thames and caught a glimpse of Tower Bridge and Waterloo Bridge in the distance. We then turned into St. Saviour’s Church, where lies the tomb of Chaucer. Coming back over London Bridge, we walked down Lombard Street to the Bank of England and then on to the Stock Exchange, at which place we inspected the frescoes of historical events in the history of the Stock Exchange, after which we continued our walk and inspected the statue to William IV.

Then we inspected the Mansion House and entered the Guildhall and saw where all the Great Men of England congregate at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet, after which we inspected the Council Chamber and Public Library. After that we walked down Cheapside to St.Pauls Cathedral and going inside, we remained for the evening service. We then moved down towards Westminster and saw Salisbury House, the Middle Temple of the Law Courts and the Houses of Parliament. We then caught the underground tube train and went to Putney and returned home, after having spent a very interesting day.

Next morning I went to Muswell Hill, London North and looked up Mrs. Hookham and her husband who were the parents of my friend Will Hookham, who was badly wounded at Pozieres and died later. They had been corresponding with me in France for months, and expressed a wish that I should look them up, so being in London and being myself anxious to thank them for the kindness they had shown me on many occasions, I called upon them. Here, I was most hospitably received and so I spent the day with them and together we went to see “Zig-Zag” at one of the theatres, having dinner after the matinee, at Monico Restaurant in Piccadilly.

Next day, I returned to Putney and there spent the day in walking out and in conversing with my two aunts from Worthing and in the evening, motored down to Essher, twenty three miles from London on the South side in order to visit a cousin. Next two days I spent at St. Margarets Bay near Dover, having been invited down by one of my married cousins and had a rather enjoy able time. On arrival back in London, I went to stay with Mrs. Hookham at Muswell Hill and there remained for the rest of my leave.

I stayed practically all my time in London, seeing the sights and during the next three days I visited St. James Palace, Westminster Abbey, The National Art Gallery, Law Courts, Hyde Park and the London Zoo. Having seen all the above places, I decided I had seen enough of such things for one visit and the remainder of the time was spent in theatre going and enjoying myself as a soldier on leave knows how to do.

Thus I spent my eight clear days leave in London, arriving on the first day and returning on the tenth day to Horseferry Road to collect my fighting gear. On July 3rd, I caught the tram at Victoria Railway station and two hours later arrived at Folkstone where we were kept in billets until about 5 pm. We were then marched to the boat and were soon racing at full speed across the Channel towards Boulogne, guarded on either side by a destroyer.