Now that the men are done with their quarantine , a couple of weeks leave, and are well rested and well fed their training starts in earnest. As shown in Robert’s personnel records Robert trains at the camp at West Sandling May 15th appointed Staff Sergeant
July transferred to the 36 Battalion on July 6, 1916
Shornecliffe is divided into two camps – East and West Sandling. Behind the Camps – as shown above was Telford Hill. From what I can tell from Robert’s personnel records he was most likely stationed in one of these tents in West Sandling. There would be about 8 men to a tent. Robert would now undergo four months of intense training before being ready to move across the English Channel to France. France was not far away – apparently from Telford Hill the men could see France, and at night they could faintly here the sounds of war. Robert benefits to some extent from the learnings on the battlefields experienced to date and the realization that the men needed better training for what they were about to face. As a result the training ran the gamut. Rifle shooting practice, bayonetting, Signal practice, mortar practice, barb wire routing and cutting practice. The men were about to experience trench warfare. Telford Hill would be the perfect place to practice both digging trenches and practicing fighting in the trenches they had dug. Robert must have been handiing it all well, those in charge must have seen in him some leadership qualities for soon after the training begins in May he is made a Staff Sergeant.
And the training continues. And training involves a lot of Marching. In one post card I read that the men would March as far as Canterbury. That is six hours north from the coast. And that isn’t marching without any baggage. That is marching in full kit and rifles. And Robert, though he doesn’t want to admit it is in pain. HIs right leg is especially bothering him, and he isn’t sure why. Some men of the 33rd Battalion have already been sent to France. Those remaining like Robert are transferred to 36th Battalion on July 6th, 1916.
The 36th Battalion has just arrived from Hamilton, Ontario so if makes sense to transfer the remaining men of the London, Ontario 33rd Battalion into the the 36th. Robert is in serious pain. He is also probably upset to see some of his friends head off to the front lines without him. In hindsight we can safely say – Thank God – the Battle of the Somme has just begun – and thank god – Robert is not there.