DIARY: Proceeded home on 14 days leave.
Category: February 1917
27 February 1917 – Last of the Lady Olive crew get back
DIARY: Arrival of Last party from St Malo It was clear from James's diary entry for 20 February, that when the Lady Olive had sunk, the crew had got into 3 life boats and during the night the 3 boats inevitably drifted away from each other. He wrote: "23 men in each boat and 7… Continue reading 27 February 1917 – Last of the Lady Olive crew get back
26 February 1917- Rest of Lady Olive crew return to Portsmouth
DIARY: Arrival of party from St Malo It was clear from James's diary entry for 20 February, that when the Lady Olive had sunk, the crew had got into 3 life boats and during the night the 3 boats inevitably drifted away from each other. He wrote: "23 men in each boat and 7 went… Continue reading 26 February 1917- Rest of Lady Olive crew return to Portsmouth
25 February 1917 – Sunk after action against U-boat (UC-18) – all hands saved
25 February 1917 Sunday Portsmouth Barracks Dear Mother & Father Just a line to let you know that I am still alive and kicking. We were given a new kit yesterday our old one being lost. We all got ready for leave yesterday & were waiting ready to go when orders came through that the… Continue reading 25 February 1917 – Sunk after action against U-boat (UC-18) – all hands saved
24 February 1917 – Given new Kit
DIARY: Rekitted James is given new kit in the barracks at Portsmouth.
23 February 1917 – Arrives back in Southampton
DIARY: Arrived off Portsmouth and proceed up Solent to Southampton and left for barracks. The Barracks James refers to here are the Barracks at Portsmouth.
22 February 1917 – In Cherbourg and then sailing back to England
DIARY: In the Barracks which are quite a scream after our own Naval Barracks. Very little discipline; pretty good grub. Went ashore in afternoon and had a hot bath and look around the town. Saw dogs helping to pull carts and noticed that the horses are all light. At night we left Barracks and joined… Continue reading 22 February 1917 – In Cherbourg and then sailing back to England
21 February 1917 – Taken to Cherbourg, France
DIARY: Slept aboard the Dunois and had a real decent time. Dinner was as follows: Cheese and bread Soup Potatoes and Beef Preserves. We left the Dunois at 6pm at Cherbourg. They treated us fine and could not have done more for us. We went to the naval Barracks and spent the night.
20 February 1917 – 36 hours in an life boat and then rescued by a French vessel. U boat sunk too.
DIARY: All day in open boats taking turns on the raft knee deep in water. Taking turns on oars then on bailing, wet through to skin. 23 men in each boat and 7 went on ahead in dingy, lost the other boats as it became dark on Monday night. Getting awfully fagged. About 6pm we… Continue reading 20 February 1917 – 36 hours in an life boat and then rescued by a French vessel. U boat sunk too.
WW1 Letters of James Simpson 