September 3rd 1914. Leaving England

September 3^rd Thursday

Went and had a bathe in the Hornsey Road Baths and then went down to the Seven Sisters and Holloway Roads, to make various purchases such as socks and shirts which were necessary.  Went home and made myself presentable and then had dinner.  After that said good-bye to all for the last time and then rushed off to report at Headquarters, was ½ hour late but did not care.  Crowds of people are waiting outside barracks, weeping and trying to get a last sight of their relatives.  As is usual many of the old soldiers were drinking hard.  

After roll-call and being checked we were allowed out for 2 hours, but I did not go home again, so my chums and I went to find a teashop and had a light tea.  Then explored the back streets of City Road to pass the time away.  barracks at 5.00pm.  About 8.00pm Capt Stilwell and Lieut Stanham (Officers of G Company) bid us goodbye as they had other work to do, and then handed over command to Lieut Saunders.

Companies paraded and lay down in long lines, waiting to move.  In the meantime, they gave us bread and jam to eat.

September 1914

September 1^st Tuesday

Had a medical exam that afternoon I passed alright.  Am supposed to be 19 to go, but I managed to spruce them.  Home again at 3.00pm.  Washed and dressed then went off to Thornton Heath.  Went to Cadets Drill Hall and bade farewell to all the old friends.  Had a fine time with them all.  Lodged at Doust's. 

September 2^nd Wednesday

Had a nice breakfast and took a nice wreath down to the graves at 9.00am.  Hilda accompanied me to Croydon to make purchases.  Said goodbye to B. Doust and Fred Caurton, also Aunt Polly.  Then returned home and cleaned up to report myself as usual.

Brigadier General Lord Lucan, Commander of the 1^st London Infantry Brigade made a speech and said that the Brigade was to relieve the regular troops at Malta.  Then went home again.  Paid a visit to the firm D & Co.  Said au revoir to Misses Berry and cousins and Mr Jay our warehouseman.  After that went off to see Tottenham Hotspur play their first match of the season against Everton, who won 3-1.  Home to tea.  Then went off to Collins Mosic Hall Islington and heard a man give his experiences of the first Naval Actions.  Union Castle Liner ‘Galician’ captured by German Cruiser Wilhelm der Grosse and then recaptured by HMS ‘Highflyer’.  Wound up the evenings enjoyment by going to 2^nd House Finsbury Park Empire and got home at 1.00pm just after closing time.