Mercer papers, 9 December 1917-19 June 1919 / Harold Mercer - Page 28
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[Page 28]
system – electric power pumps the water out of the dugouts, & the water out of the dugouts goes to make power. I pointed this out to Bob Humphries, an officer with whom I have become friendly. He says that the British principle is not to spend time on improving positions as the policy is to move forward: but this position has been held for a long time without any move, & a greater care to comfort would ensure better health among the troops.
Our dugouts are noisome places. The one where I and six others are located has a pool of stagnant water in the entrance, into which planks, sacks and blankets have been thrown to make a track – but going in in the darkness one usually goes in up to the ankles. The water has made two lower bunks near the entrance unusable. There is a stink in the place which some of the men who reckon