Item 01: W. E. Bendrey diary, 16 May-5 October 1915 - Page 39

[Page 39]

9th Charged in face of a murderous fire, took 3 lines of trenches. Losses very heavy – "Still it was a great victory" - 5 out of 8 of us (mates) left.
10th Had good quiet time on left flank. Digging & building hard.
Picture us digging deeper & deeper into beautifully hard rocky clayey soil. Millions of flies buzzing round – Bullets zip-zipping above shrapnel bursting near our trenches & best of all near the X Turks X Rather warm too. One man on each parapet is watching the enemies trenches for a chance of getting in a shot or noting where our shells fall. No wash yet & no shave. War supposed to be over in week – perhaps!