Item 07: John D. Wilson diary, 19 September-28 December 1917 - Page 139
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[Page 139]
This afternoon has been exceptionally quiet and there is no bombardment to night.
[Shorthand transcribed as follows]
I wrote to Tom Douglas, Miss Annie McKinly and my sister Mrs. Sally Kittson tonight. [End of shorthand]
Sunday Nov. 18. 1917. 1203.
Dull & foggy.
There was a church parade this morning for those who could get away. Protestants 9.30, R.C. 10 A.M.
There was also an inspection of the harness & horses by the A.S.C. and our vet Cpt. Davidson. One of our horses has the mange and the back stable were disinfected in consequence.
For months past we have had a plague of lice in our clothes. The bites itch very much & we have to frequently change our clothes & wash them, or they would crawl away. Now a kind of rash is breaking out on a lot of the men which is similar to scurvy. It is very itchy at night. The probable cause of it is a lack of sufficient vegetables, and clean clothes.
There is not much bombardment today, & none this morning. What there is is up towards Ypres and Passchendaele.
Monday Nov. 19. 1917. 1204
Cold & cloudy.
The front is very quiet this morning.
I have now 2 horses to look after, groom, water, & feed. Also 1 saddle to keep clean.
I finished reading a book to night "The Four Feathers" a military tale by A.E.W. Mason.
I am on picquet to night