Item 02: T. J. Cleary diary, 20 August 1917 - 23 August 1918 - Page 53

[Page 53]

is one very big gun hereabouts. The one that has been knocking Bailleul about. It must be 6 or 7 miles away at least & yet it shakes our hut every time it is fired. I received that book from Hugo's yesterday. Wrote to Mollie Thursday.

Sunday 31/3 While I was away the Cyclists were sent up into the the line to assist the Infantry. This front is now very lightly held. The 3rd 4th & 5th Divisions have not returned yet. It is said that the 4th divvy were in action 12 hours after they arrived on the Somme.

Tuesday 2/4 A Tommy told me that the 4th Div. drove the Germans back 2 kilos at the point of the bayonet. The 19th & 25th Divisions are relieving the 1st & 2nd here. I suppose that means we are going to leave. I received 5 letters yesterday from Kids 1 Mollie 2 Maurice 1 Lilly 1

Wednesday 4.4.18 Left the dump at 10A.M. and arrived at Fletre reinforcement camp. When passing through Bailleul it looked like a city of the dead. Fritz scored some lovely hits on it, quite a number of the houses and the Churches having been "Knocked rotten". Practically all the Civvies have left. Had a look at Castre this afternoon. Nothing to write home about. Just discovered I have forgotten young Jacks Birthday. Only 3 weeks to go & I have'nt sent him anything.

Thursday 5/4 Went to Fletre last night. This camp (Rev) is right alongside Castre. While having a wash this morning I was simply paralyzed by the number of Gray Hairs I noticed in the Glass. It was rather a