Item 02: Cameron Robertson war diary, 21 December 1914-16 December 1916 - Page 59

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[Page 59]

Here we renovated the old dug-outs and prepared for a long stay. Bombardment continues all night.
30th Very hot all day. Made two trips to the trenches. Shrapnel falling fairly heavily. The convoy was halted in a maze of trenches dug in the town of La Boisele. What was once a charming village is a heap of debris. Fricourt & Poizieres are also battered beyond repair, in fact all houses within a ten mile radius of the trenches are smashed up.
31st Very warm. Three trips to trenches. "Fritz" very busy. Several killed & wounded. Shells burst very close to convoy blowing up roads. About 3 pm shells commenced falling in the billets of the Companies. A whole terrace of houses was razed to the ground. 1 man killed & several wounded. Practically everyone was out at work at the time. At 5 pm I was detailed to take a wagon to remove the body to the cemetery. It was pitiful. Capt Tauvelle & myself carried the body to the grave where the Burial Service was read. It was all over in about 15 minute, the only mourners being myself, team mate Capt Tauvelle & several Tommies. Someone's heart will break to-night & tomorrow.

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