Mercer papers, 9 December 1917-19 June 1919 / Harold Mercer - Page 22
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[Page 22]
Dec 30 contd
interfering with the rest of the equipment. It proved very convenient during the short halts. We moved off in platoons at fifty paces distance, directly darkness commenced – at I suppose 5.30, though we fell in at 4.30. We moved off by what is known as the "Gordon Road"; and, directly we struck it, orders were passed back in whispers, and strict silence was insisted upon. This must have been quite unnecessary, as it was quite 5 or 6 kilos before we got to our position in supports, and nothing could have been heard ten miles away; but the enforced silence, and the shuffle of the long shadowy line through the darkness was awe-inspiring to a new man. It gave a sense of impending danger We progressed slowly, with many halts; and I thought that we were near the end of our journey when we left the road & took to the "duckboards". By this time the