Mercer papers, 9 December 1917-19 June 1919 / Harold Mercer - Page 121
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[Page 121]
number of shells were sent over to find the trench positions. and there were, also mortars & bombs.
May 23
Our relief arrived promptly at 10.30; and we dropped back to support trenches, in which our positions were simply portion of the trenches roofed with boards etc. Just before we went a severe dose of gas was given to Fritz.
May 24
An attack on our line is expected. Supports were heavily shelled; and, when the heavy shelling was over, Lt Wilkinson who was wounded by a chance burst of shrapnel. Usual fatigues.
May 25
Very heavy shelling in the morning, during which the fire scorched the whole neighbourhood. Phil Knight is again in charge of the platoon. Shrapnel wounded another man - Beesly Beesley – while he was standing in the trench. More sickness, though it didn't keep me off fatigues. Action appears to benefit me; it is lying in the trench that hurts.
May 26
The boys in the line repelled an attack easily. We "stood to" but were not wanted
May 27
Fritz makes every fatigue a nightmare by sniping reserve lines with machine guns. He seems to have all our tracks well marked. On a front line fatigue nine out of sixteen of us were hit and getting the wounded out was strenuous.