And So It Continues

Hi Folks,

Well I've completed another stint in the front trenches. Its starting to get like clockwork. One day is the same as the next whether it be in the trenches or out of them. Right now I'm in billets and due to go back into the trenches this evening. The last time I wrote to you I had just gone into the trenches again. That was the evening of the 26th.

There were a couple of differences this time, first of all it was the Kaisers birthday, this was on the 27th. We expected the Hun to put up a show but to our surprise the day passed very quietly, maybe old Bill had given them the day off. We were all on stand to throughout the day and night but there was nothing, not even a volley of celebratory firing.

To warm the Hun up our battery, nicknamed Amelia, gave them a volley on the 28th. This was aimed at the houses and front trenches. The volley completely demolished a house and we expected the Hun to scurry out but we didn't see any.

The Hun was there alright, if you popped your head up to take a look it would attract no end of fire. It wasn't a wise decision to stick your head above the parapet.

We have regular sentry positions along the trench where we can observe no mans land and the Huns line with a reduced risk of being shot. These positions are protected by mud banks around the parapet with peep holes in them or there are bags of clay piled up with small gaps in them. This offers you good protection. If you try and take a look anywhere else you are asking for it. The following diagram is taken from a trench manual showing the general construction of a trench and sentry post.

So it brings me to a tragic event that befell a new chap who had recently joined the Battalion. This was his first time in the trenches. He had been put on sentry duty and had been doing this for a while when he decided to step down and partake in a bit of banter with me and my mates. He had wandered from the Sentry point and was having a good old natter with us when he heard the Corporal coming. Not wanting to be seen away from his station he jumped up onto the nearby firestep and stared out into no mans land to show he was still on lookout. He stopped there a second too long, there was a thwack and his head reeled back and his body fell into the trench. A sniper had got him.

He was lying there in the trench his face a mass of blood and bone with gargling noises coming from his mouth. We only had basic dressings and we shouted for the Doctor and first aid. The poor chap was trying to mumble something whilst we were trying to bandage his head. There was blood everywhere. We were all fingers and thumbs. It really shook us up.

We were waiting for the Doctor and stretcher bearers but the poor chap died in our arms before they arrived. It was his first time in the trenches. What a waste, what a bloody waste. That evening we carried him behind the lines and buried him leaving a simple cross on his grave. A few words were said and then we went back into the front trenches. It was surreal a person had been snuffed out as though they had never been a part of life. What a bloody war.

We left the trench the next day, on the eve of the 29th. This was also somewhat different. The sky was clear and it was a full moon. Our little run back to smokers corner was more like a duck shoot. The Hun didn't need to send up any star shells, it was almost as light as a dull day. We had to break up into groups and run from shell hole to shell hole, timing our runs so they were erratic and the Hun couldn't guess when or where we would appear next. We all made it safely back, how no one got shot or injured I don't know.

This time in billets we did get a bath. We had to march to Nieppe where they have a larger set of baths, ours at Le Touqet got flooded out by rain last week and still aren't back in action. We also got a nice present. We were all issued with fresh shirts and undergarments. It wasn't before time, mine were almost marching off to the trenches without me.

We have now been in the billets for four days from the 30th until today the 2nd. We've had a grand old time whooping it up at the estaminets. After seeing all the death and destruction and how easy it is for a life to be rubbed out we just live for today.

I was going to tell you about the bombing parties and this art of war, however I'm now ready to go back into the trenches, I'll have to tell you next time.

So my friends its once more to the breach, stiffen the sinews and summon up the blood.....

and so it continues

Albert x