War Diaries of Stapleton Tench Eachus

While searching for any references to Stapleton I came across the War Diaries of Stapleton Tench Eachus
The entry for the 9th June reads:
"Another cold night. Poured with rain all night, which has made the ground quite sodden. We have only one blanket and ground sheet per man and no wooden floors, which in such weather is both uncomfortable and dangerous for the men to lie down. Went on route march after the 2nd parade through the most beautiful country imaginable. The fair fields of France are fair indeed to look upon and are justly entitled to such distinction, for an hour I passed through waving corn-fields and rich pasture lands, all ablaze in brilliant colours, vivid red poppies, blue corn-flowers and flowers of countless hues, intermingled with the growing corn and spread out in all directions in picturesque patches on the cultivated slopes and in the valleys, Abbeville with its elegant spires and pinnacles could be plainly seen in the distance. It was indeed a truly glorious spectacle of peace and prosperity. Our path suddenly dipped sharply down into the valley of the Somme towards the village of Epagnette and upon gaining the main road, halted and adjourned into a cafe, where we indulged in some selections of light French wine. Arrived back in camp about 12 noon. Dinner 1 pm, parade at 2 pm, when we were tested in telegraphy which lasted until tea time, afterwards had shave and clean up and went down to the cafe where I called yesterday and conversed in French with Monsieur et Madame and their daughter. I remained with them until 10 pm partaking supper at their table, which consisted of steak, sausages and beans together with beer followed by a couple of eggs especially fried for myself and two cups of tea. The whole only costing me 1f 50c."

This paints an idyllic view of the war in France , with a very poignant remark about the flowers in the fields, but it was only his 3rd day in this country. Things will soon take a turn for the worse.

The diaries had been kept in a box and used as payment for a car repair inthe 70's. The new owner had held on to them until 1998 when he sold them to Jon Wickett. Jon has since transcribed the 15 diaries in their entirety , believing that they stand as a remarkable record of the times. The 1st diary is available online , the rest are for sale. Canny fellow!