Mercer papers, 9 December 1917-19 June 1919 / Harold Mercer - Page 122
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[Page 122]
Poor Phil Knight was wounded on another fatigue carrying wire; and at the same time bullets struck the wire I was carrying on my shoulder. Knight subsequently died. At 10 pm relief came & we moved out to a position near Borre. Had to wear gas masks as we went out for a time
May 28
Our camp was shelled with a result of nine casualties, including D Company's assistant cook who was blown into the air. Selected for a picquet at St Marie Cappel, but I was hardly able to march there. Have been queerish ever since the platoon was smashed, but fancy that if I can stick it till we get a real spell which the Battalion has been anticipating, I will pull through. What has made matters worse is my inability to rest. I can only sleep for a few hours, and all the rest of the time I feel I must be doing something. I put myself on all the fatigues and patrols there are, and if nothing is doing get digging, improving the trench position. The sweat pours off me immediately, & I get in a fever, & soon become exhausted with exertion; but almost immediately, after I have been told to rest, I want to get back & do some more. My shaking fits have been recurring during the last few days; and carrying my pack or blanket & equipment, for a few weeks now, has seemed a nightmare.