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[Page 85]
plenty of straw to sleep on: germans held this farm twelve months ago: bombardment still going: we seen a aeroplane & observation baloon during the day: the march played up with the "lads" feet some, mine were fairly right & after washing them & a little boracic they were O.K: passing through Steenbeque we were inspected by Gen Joffre: he is just as the photo's show him & was attended by French & English "Knuts": The cattle here are well cared for & stabled night & day during the cold weather: had a good supply of chocolate chewing gun with me & it went well: bed:
Saturday April 8th
Revellie 6.30am: breakfast: cold day: the bombardment was very heavy during the night: fell in 8.45am & set off: solid marching till 12: rested till 1pm for dinner: passed through Steenwercke & were informed that we were in the danger zone for shrapnel: broke up into Companies: all the people wear helmets slung over their shoulders, kids & all: stopped at 4pm & camped in little huts: low built & painted black to baffle aeroplanes: seen plenty of aeroplanes being shelled & one just on dusk made a pretty sight with the shells flashing as they burst: one had about sixty shells after it but got away: big observation balloon close by also shelled: big guns & machine & rifle fire very heavy after dark: had a ride in the transport wagon to pick up blankets that had been dropped: plenty of star shells about: we are in a horse shoe here with the trenches on three sides of us: bed but very cold: Cock Robin was buried along the march
Sunday April 9th
Revellie 7am: heavy frost: breakfast: cleaned rifle & then went to Holy Communion at 10am: very nice: almost 30 men & five officers present: dinner: seen more aeroplanes being shelled but none were hit: on water & ration fatigue: tea: Mick came home merry & caused much fun: bed: singing & telling us about his ancestors photo: beloft: