Item 03: Thomas Alexander White diary, 18 May-13 November 1917 - Page 58

[Page 58]

who were supposed to be 200 yards behind the 16th. were anxious & had come close up. We won't wait for the - barrage, we'll show it the - way" I heard from a 14th. Then the  "What the hell are you in a hurry for?" replied an older soldier; "we'll get enough before we've finished." "Oh, go and get your face camouflaged," was the reply courteous.

Then the swish lifted, the line of dust churned ground & hurtling lead & iron crept slowly forward never missing a square foot of ground. "Come on 16th" some officers exclaimed. "Here help me over your trench 13" said one after another as they hurried to take their place. And the whole line moved forward. We watched them mingle into the smoke  & dust - (am going to issue rum now), then the line of 14th & 15th went over. Soon they too were lost to sight. Then the wounded began to trickle back; first walking cases then stretcher cases. Then a batch of