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[Page 10]
21 August
Have breakfast with the New Zealanders. We march up behind the firing line on the left. Expecting a big advance against Hill 971. Pte Vanstone. Hit Shrapnel. Well, we are preparing for a bayonet charge.
22 August
"18"th in action lose 600 men. "C" & "D" Coys. sent into the firing line to relieve 13 Batt. "17"th in a gully in rear of the 16th.
23 August
See Pte Styles of 13 Batt. Am on guard. A & B Coys of 17 ordered into the firing line with the 13th.
24 August
We go into the trenches of the 13th Batt. I have dinner with 3 of my old mates of the 5th of the 13th. See Brierly & Clark.
25 August
Am on well fatigue with Harman in the valley behind our firing line. Our duty is to draw water out of a 40 ft. well for the 17th Batt.
26 August
Harman and I get the water supply job for good. See Pte Lewis & Hickson.
27 August
Harman & I brave the shapnel & go down to the beach for a swim. Big advance on the left by the 13th, 15th, 17th & 18th Batts. 4 Platoons of "A" 17th held in reserve. Lieut Pye & Corp. Wolf wounded. Lieut Gombert & Serg. Robertson killed. 17th take 2 trenches. Brierly & Clark wounded.
28 August
No. 4 in the trenches. Some of the men in the charge turn up for rations. Lance Corp. Bennet give us a vivid account of the charge.
29 August
Taube flies over and drops 3 bombs misses us by a ½ mile. The Turks drop plenty of shrapnel round us, some of it comes within 3 yds. of us. Harman & I go into the trenches at 7 PM.
30 August
Come out of the trenches at 7 AM. Sgt. Chisolm wounded. 1 Platoon of the Essex wiped out by shrapnel in Reserve Gully.