Item 01: James William Dains diary, 21 November 1916-4 June 1917 - Page 35

[Page 35]

were going round that he had been either killed or captured.
We reached home at 5 a.m. Bullets were zipping past us as we walked along the road, they have an uncanny sound as they snip by. Baptised a lad this evening.

Tuesday
We did not get up very early. I did not go to the Trenches today. We went to the Hospital. A shell fell on Houplines road wounding four men. Arnie was only a few yards away riding down to the Canteen. He was greatly scared at the time & I don't wonder. It is a cruel sensation to hear a shell coming at you. This afternoon went to Cemetry.

Wednesday 23rd
Went to Trenches & cocoa stall. They were shelling Houplines. It is a bright day but bitterly cold & still frozen. I had three burials today, lads who were killed on Sunday's Monday's raid.
I buried two German bodies also.