Morn Hill Camp, Winchester, November 1914 - The stormy night when the marquee housing the beer canteen blew down and some of the boys rolled out a barrel of beer during the confusion. Only to see it take charge, roll down the hill gaining momentum every years, and finally to crash through the open ditch latrine much to the discomfort of the Provost Sgt. sitting on the 2 by 4 rail attending to the call of nature.
W. H. Roffey
The Regiment moved to Winchester where we joined the 80th Brigade, 27th Division, which had just landed from India. We were glad to turning our Ross Rifles and get issued with the Short Lee Enfield, which was a wonderful rifle for the type of warfare we were to encounter in Flanders.
H. F. O'Connell
(Letters from the collections of PPCLI Museum and Archives)
War Diary Entries:
Mon, Nov 16, 1914 MORN HILL CAMP, WINCHESTER, ENGLAND
WINCHESTER 16.11.14. Bn moved to WINCHESTER in 3 trains and camped at MORN HILL.
Wed, Nov 18, 1914 MORN HILL CAMP, WINCHESTER, ENGLAND
WINCHESTER 18.11.14. Orders to hold Bn in readiness to entrain at 2 hours notice.
Fri, Nov 20, 1914 MORN HILL CAMP, WINCHESTER, ENGLAND
WINCHESTER 20.11.14. Bn joined 80th Bde Expeditionary Force: other Bns 2nd Bn Shropshire L.I. 3rd & 4th Bns K.R.R.C. & 4th Bn R.B. under Brig. Gen. Hon. C.G. FORTESCUE. C.B. C.M.G. D.S.O.
Sun, Nov 22, 1914 MORN HILL CAMP, WINCHESTER, ENGLAND
WINCHESTER 22.11.14. Emergency duty ready to entrain at 41/2 hours notice from 6 pm until 6 pm 23.11.14.
N.B. Essential that preserved rations, biscuit et should be issued to Battalions on mobilization & held by them ready for a move: none could be issued at WINCHESTER so it was necessary to purchase in order to have one days rations in case of move.
Wed, Nov 25, 1914 MORN HILL CAMP, WINCHESTER, ENGLAND
25.11.14. Battalion inspected by Major Gen D'O SNOW. Commdg 27th Divn. accompanied by Brig Gen HON. C.G. FORTESCUE Commdg 80th Bridgade.
Bn on Emergency Duty ready to move at 81/2 hours notice.
