Bill's Diary (Part One) - January to June 1940
The following is a transcript of Bill O'Callaghan's diary which he kept during 1940. Significantly the pages leading up to the massacre and immediately after have been torn out:
"My father obviously realised that being caught with diary entries after the massacre would not have been good for him if it had fallen into certain hands," said Dennis O'Callaghan.
The original diary is written in pencil and has faded significantly over the years, but has been transcribed by Dennis and reproduced with his full permission and co-operation. The entries in italics are Dennis' comments.
December 31st, 1939
Arrived at front line, weather very cold indeed, good billet, took over telephone exchange eight hours' duty.
1940
January 1st
Went on duty at 6 am, came off at 2 pm. Slept for four hours, on duty at 10 pm. Weather very cold.
January 2nd
Aerial battle German planes brought down, weather still very cold
January 3rd
Nothing much to report. Usual duties on exchange. Weather very cold.
January 4th
Heard rifle and machine gun fire also grenades and mortar patrols active. Weather still very cold.
January 5th
Battalion left front line, nine volunteer for another five days. Weather very cold indeed.
January 6th
Nothing much to say, weather the same. One officer captured by the Germans. We lose a very good officer out on patrol. He was shot by a machine gun from railway track. (Editor's Note- This was Lieutenant Everitt)
January 7th
Search for officer but no luck. Found his imprint in the snow, looks as though he had been dragged through snow.
January 8th
Message saying no sign of officer presumed captured. Lost with him one Thompson sub machine gun.
January 9th
Advance party of Royal Scots take over battalion headquarters. We prepare to leave. Weather still very cold.
January 10th
Another aerial battle. Archie fire very pronounced. Man nearly hit with piece of shrapnel. I leave front line.
January 11th
In a new billet in a wood in wooden huts, very cold indeed. The tracks are solid ice, walking very difficult.
January 12th
Had first bath for twelve days. Still very cold, left billet. Very glad to have arrived.
January 13th
Usual routine weather, still very cold. We have beer for first time for two weeks.
January 14th
Church parade in field. Weather still cold, skating on village pond, several spills.
January 15th
We prepare to leave the village, packing and such. Had another sing song in the cafe.
January 16th
We leave the village, march to station, snowing when we leave. Thirty in a truck. Very cold, no hot meal, only tea and cocoa. Ride all night.
January 17th
Arrive Rumiges 10.30 pm. Terrible journey in the rain, everyone complains, but we stick it. No hot meal when we arrive.
January 18th
Back again to Madame and her supplies, very good people. We hear news of another move, not official.
January 19th
We prepare to leave for new billet. Weather very cold. I am left behind on brigade telephone.
January 20th
The brigade advance party leaves for Aorchies, weather the same.
January 21st
The rest of the brigade leave. I am still on brigade phone. Our relief arrives. Weather cold, it is snowing. I arrive in new billet.
January 22nd
There is a picture house here, full house, first night, French and English talking.
January 23rd
Usual routine, fatigues and inspections, bags of spit and polish here.
January 24th
No report
January 25th
Nothing much to report, usual duties. PT has crept in again. Weather cold, very bad walking about.
January 26th
I report sick get AIRSA, same old complaint, get no proper treatment. Weather turns to rain.
January 27th
Usual inspections, parades as usual, PT again. Weather still raining, very treacherous walking under foot.
January 28th to June 6th
No entries made during the dates above as heavy fighting took place on the retreat to Dunkirk. In my father's case this was to culminate on the fateful date of May 27th, 1940, at the French village of Le Paradis when 99 men of the Royal Norfolk Regiment and other regiments were captured by the Deaths Head Division of the SS, taken into a field and massacred by these evil troops.
My father, along with one of the other men, survived the massacre, both men being wounded. Both came round and night had fallen. My father had gone to sleep and was woken by Pooley, the other wounded soldier, pulling at his leg, realising he was alive. So my father surveyed the scene and then picked up Pooley on his back and carried him away from the scene to a barn complex some several hundreds of yards away, as the SS Totenkopf troops were still in the close vicinity.
Both men vowed in the barn that should they survive the ordeal they would bring those who perpetrated the atrocity to justice and this they eventually did and their experiences are detailed in the book "The Vengeance of Private Pooley" by Cyril Jolly.
Many of the pages of his diary are torn out between the dates above, but they start again on.
June 6th
I have my first wash for 12 days. We are treated very well here, the weather is very fine.
June 7th
I haven't had a shave for 14 days and have got a lovely beard
June 8th
I am still unshaven. Two German officers came round this morning, they were very smart, glad some French tobacco given us.
June 9th
I have my first shave for 16 days. There is some English books sent in. I get up for a couple of hours. The weather is warm. My arm is nearly better.
June 10th
We get a new pair of pants and socks, also two towels, nothing more to say now. Weather sultry, a storm coming I think
June 11th
Nothing much to say, the weather is fine.
June 12th
The weather has changed, thunder and plenty of rain, nothing more to say
June 13th
The weather is still dull. Visitors' day. We have some toffees given us. I am very bad. I am sick and have a very bad night.
June 14th
Much better today, but still a slight headache, the weather is improving.
June 15th
I am myself again, there were some English aircraft about last night. There was intense AA fire and three civilians were brought into our ward, wounded by shrapnel.
June 16th
The weather is dull, some rain. Visitors' Day. I wrote a letter home. My arm is practically better, no cigarettes or tobacco.
June 17th
Rhoda's birthday. Here's wishing her many happy returns of the day.
June 18th
The usual routine, weather fine, but cold wind. Nothing of importance to write.
June 19th
Hear news of peace plans, but England won't accept. She fights to the end.
June 20th
Visiting Day again. I wonder if i will get anything today. Weather cold and dull.
June 21st
My name is checked on the list this morning. I am told in the evening that I am leaving in the morning at 6 am. Where we are going I don't know. The rumour is Belgium. We are given 24 hours rations and a bottle of wine, weather fine.
June 22nd
Left the hospital at 6 o'clock. Rode in lorries to a place called Sedin, was there all day. Left again Sunday morning for Tournai in Belgium. Rained very hard at night.
June 23rd
Arrived at Tournai about 11.00, rest of lads arrived at 1.30. Had a nice wash. We leave again tomorrow, we march I think.
June 24th
We marched to a place called Renaix about 25k, sleep underneath a veranda, stone floor very hard. Had coffee and bread when we got there.
June 25th
Left at 6 am, had a short march today, only 16k. We moved into a field and stopped the night. Very cold and it rained a bit. We had bread and coffee at 6 pm.
June 26th
We marched off at 7 am, no breakfast. We marched for three and a half hours without stopping, had half hour's rest, then on again. Arrived at Saalst about 2.30 pm. Had food at 7 pm. Very wet marching. Thunder and lightning and bags of rain.
June 27th
Marched 25k put up in a school. Had bread and coffee. Feet were very sore, weather fine at times, rumour that we are going on a train.
June 28th
Marched about 14k, get on a cattle truck and ride about eight hours. We go into Holland, a very nice country, leave train and get on a barge. We are packed in very tight, weather fine.
June 29th
Still on barge, very nice scenery. Reach side of river. We are on the Rhine now. Some of the lads are sick. The people in Holland are very kind. They come out with sandwiches and soup etc. I got some and shared it with my mates.
June 30th
Still on barge. We are nearing Germany, we are getting off this evening. A pot of jam just got sent down the hold to be shared amongst 72 men. It was only a 1lb pot and it did not go round.
"My father obviously realised that being caught with diary entries after the massacre would not have been good for him if it had fallen into certain hands," said Dennis O'Callaghan.
The original diary is written in pencil and has faded significantly over the years, but has been transcribed by Dennis and reproduced with his full permission and co-operation. The entries in italics are Dennis' comments.
December 31st, 1939
Arrived at front line, weather very cold indeed, good billet, took over telephone exchange eight hours' duty.
1940
January 1st
Went on duty at 6 am, came off at 2 pm. Slept for four hours, on duty at 10 pm. Weather very cold.
January 2nd
Aerial battle German planes brought down, weather still very cold
January 3rd
Nothing much to report. Usual duties on exchange. Weather very cold.
January 4th
Heard rifle and machine gun fire also grenades and mortar patrols active. Weather still very cold.
January 5th
Battalion left front line, nine volunteer for another five days. Weather very cold indeed.
January 6th
Nothing much to say, weather the same. One officer captured by the Germans. We lose a very good officer out on patrol. He was shot by a machine gun from railway track. (Editor's Note- This was Lieutenant Everitt)
January 7th
Search for officer but no luck. Found his imprint in the snow, looks as though he had been dragged through snow.
January 8th
Message saying no sign of officer presumed captured. Lost with him one Thompson sub machine gun.
January 9th
Advance party of Royal Scots take over battalion headquarters. We prepare to leave. Weather still very cold.
January 10th
Another aerial battle. Archie fire very pronounced. Man nearly hit with piece of shrapnel. I leave front line.
January 11th
In a new billet in a wood in wooden huts, very cold indeed. The tracks are solid ice, walking very difficult.
January 12th
Had first bath for twelve days. Still very cold, left billet. Very glad to have arrived.
January 13th
Usual routine weather, still very cold. We have beer for first time for two weeks.
January 14th
Church parade in field. Weather still cold, skating on village pond, several spills.
January 15th
We prepare to leave the village, packing and such. Had another sing song in the cafe.
January 16th
We leave the village, march to station, snowing when we leave. Thirty in a truck. Very cold, no hot meal, only tea and cocoa. Ride all night.
January 17th
Arrive Rumiges 10.30 pm. Terrible journey in the rain, everyone complains, but we stick it. No hot meal when we arrive.
January 18th
Back again to Madame and her supplies, very good people. We hear news of another move, not official.
January 19th
We prepare to leave for new billet. Weather very cold. I am left behind on brigade telephone.
January 20th
The brigade advance party leaves for Aorchies, weather the same.
January 21st
The rest of the brigade leave. I am still on brigade phone. Our relief arrives. Weather cold, it is snowing. I arrive in new billet.
January 22nd
There is a picture house here, full house, first night, French and English talking.
January 23rd
Usual routine, fatigues and inspections, bags of spit and polish here.
January 24th
No report
January 25th
Nothing much to report, usual duties. PT has crept in again. Weather cold, very bad walking about.
January 26th
I report sick get AIRSA, same old complaint, get no proper treatment. Weather turns to rain.
January 27th
Usual inspections, parades as usual, PT again. Weather still raining, very treacherous walking under foot.
January 28th to June 6th
No entries made during the dates above as heavy fighting took place on the retreat to Dunkirk. In my father's case this was to culminate on the fateful date of May 27th, 1940, at the French village of Le Paradis when 99 men of the Royal Norfolk Regiment and other regiments were captured by the Deaths Head Division of the SS, taken into a field and massacred by these evil troops.
My father, along with one of the other men, survived the massacre, both men being wounded. Both came round and night had fallen. My father had gone to sleep and was woken by Pooley, the other wounded soldier, pulling at his leg, realising he was alive. So my father surveyed the scene and then picked up Pooley on his back and carried him away from the scene to a barn complex some several hundreds of yards away, as the SS Totenkopf troops were still in the close vicinity.
Both men vowed in the barn that should they survive the ordeal they would bring those who perpetrated the atrocity to justice and this they eventually did and their experiences are detailed in the book "The Vengeance of Private Pooley" by Cyril Jolly.
Many of the pages of his diary are torn out between the dates above, but they start again on.
June 6th
I have my first wash for 12 days. We are treated very well here, the weather is very fine.
June 7th
I haven't had a shave for 14 days and have got a lovely beard
June 8th
I am still unshaven. Two German officers came round this morning, they were very smart, glad some French tobacco given us.
June 9th
I have my first shave for 16 days. There is some English books sent in. I get up for a couple of hours. The weather is warm. My arm is nearly better.
June 10th
We get a new pair of pants and socks, also two towels, nothing more to say now. Weather sultry, a storm coming I think
June 11th
Nothing much to say, the weather is fine.
June 12th
The weather has changed, thunder and plenty of rain, nothing more to say
June 13th
The weather is still dull. Visitors' day. We have some toffees given us. I am very bad. I am sick and have a very bad night.
June 14th
Much better today, but still a slight headache, the weather is improving.
June 15th
I am myself again, there were some English aircraft about last night. There was intense AA fire and three civilians were brought into our ward, wounded by shrapnel.
June 16th
The weather is dull, some rain. Visitors' Day. I wrote a letter home. My arm is practically better, no cigarettes or tobacco.
June 17th
Rhoda's birthday. Here's wishing her many happy returns of the day.
June 18th
The usual routine, weather fine, but cold wind. Nothing of importance to write.
June 19th
Hear news of peace plans, but England won't accept. She fights to the end.
June 20th
Visiting Day again. I wonder if i will get anything today. Weather cold and dull.
June 21st
My name is checked on the list this morning. I am told in the evening that I am leaving in the morning at 6 am. Where we are going I don't know. The rumour is Belgium. We are given 24 hours rations and a bottle of wine, weather fine.
June 22nd
Left the hospital at 6 o'clock. Rode in lorries to a place called Sedin, was there all day. Left again Sunday morning for Tournai in Belgium. Rained very hard at night.
June 23rd
Arrived at Tournai about 11.00, rest of lads arrived at 1.30. Had a nice wash. We leave again tomorrow, we march I think.
June 24th
We marched to a place called Renaix about 25k, sleep underneath a veranda, stone floor very hard. Had coffee and bread when we got there.
June 25th
Left at 6 am, had a short march today, only 16k. We moved into a field and stopped the night. Very cold and it rained a bit. We had bread and coffee at 6 pm.
June 26th
We marched off at 7 am, no breakfast. We marched for three and a half hours without stopping, had half hour's rest, then on again. Arrived at Saalst about 2.30 pm. Had food at 7 pm. Very wet marching. Thunder and lightning and bags of rain.
June 27th
Marched 25k put up in a school. Had bread and coffee. Feet were very sore, weather fine at times, rumour that we are going on a train.
June 28th
Marched about 14k, get on a cattle truck and ride about eight hours. We go into Holland, a very nice country, leave train and get on a barge. We are packed in very tight, weather fine.
June 29th
Still on barge, very nice scenery. Reach side of river. We are on the Rhine now. Some of the lads are sick. The people in Holland are very kind. They come out with sandwiches and soup etc. I got some and shared it with my mates.
June 30th
Still on barge. We are nearing Germany, we are getting off this evening. A pot of jam just got sent down the hold to be shared amongst 72 men. It was only a 1lb pot and it did not go round.