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[Page 12]
ities were not to last. The transport vehicles of the brigade being bogged, a fatigue party is "told off" to carry up the rations at a distance of some hundreds of yards. Myself among the unlucky number, sliding, slipping and falling in the everlasting mud, in intense darkness and drizzling rain. I slept soundly - further comment is unnecessary. Next day, the transport not being extricated - more "fatigue". During part of this time, we witnessed a thrilling air duel and had the satisfaction of seeing a Bosche hurtle to earth, but of the Aeroplanes, more anon.
On returning with one of the parties I was ordered to get myself into fighting order immediately for the trenches, and so became one of the unlucky half Company who were in action six days longer than the remainder of the Company. Fighting order means carrying arms, ammunition and equipment, overcoat, waterproof sheet and a day's rations in our haversacks. Such superfluous things as blankets and the few comforts in ones pack are left at the Camp. I hastily stuffed a long woollen muffler Jean gave me and not hitherto worn, some mittens, and a body belt too, into my overcoat. How thankful I was for them later, I cannot properly say; and I have most of them here yet though still covered with the mud and reek of the Somme.
We set off after noon, grateful for a clear sky. The area we were now in was under continual but not heavy enemy shell fire, his object being to "search" for ammunition dumps, stores etc. During the night several shells had fallen close to our billets, but I did not see them. The ground was pitted with shell holes but not closely.
Objects of desolation were strewn all along our march and our eyes were opened by the surprise of seeing literally hundreds of guns in their emplacements in all directions, Howitzers of all calibres from 4.2 to 15 inches. It was somewhat deafening to listen to these guns going off but they were only having the ordinary daily bombardment. I had not yet heard the guns "open out". We rested some time immediately in
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