Many thanks for the letters received these last few days, also for the parcel from home yesterday.
We are out of the trenches again and we have had a pretty rough time of it. After doing our 4 days in the trenches we were taken about 200 yards behind our lines into a lane and we had to stay there 2 days in case the Germans made an attack and we were within rifle and shell fire all the time and we fairly got it too. We were not allowed to show ourselves above the grass as we had no dug-outs and there were no trenches. The worst of it was it poured with rain almost the whole 2 days and we never had anything hot the whole time. Our menu was water and my lime juice, cold bacon in the
mornings and bread and jam.
I got Janey's parcel the second day we were on this game, so we were a bit better off, but we could have done with a good cup of hot tea.
We had a rough time in the trenches last time for shells, the most we have ever had. We had them all night and day and they sent some jolly big ones. Four of us were sent out as a covering party, the second night in, as some of our chaps were on with the wire work in front of our trenches, so we were sent out 50 yards in front of these men to prevent the enemy paying us a surprise visit and catching our working party. We could hear the Germans talking in their sap holes - quite distinctly - and we were just waiting with our rifles up to be ready but they thought it better to stay than to come. We thought we were going to get a chance at them after we had been here a couple of hours, we heard someone kick a tin in front of us, but he did not come near enough for us to see him, or them I should say as they never come out singly, but in half dozens.
The grass is about 2 feet long in front of us, so it is difficult to see, but you can hear the grass moving when there is anyone coming. While out we gathered some "Poppies" and they were fine ones - extra large and such a rich colour, they were a treat. Of course all during this there was firing going on each side. Fortunately we were in a dug-out and out of the way of low shots. However we were pleased when daybreak came and we could get back to the trench, as the midges were something awful and there was a dead cow in front of us besides numerous graves.
We had it scorching hot all the time in the trenches and very foggy in the early morning, so we could not see 10 yards in front of us. One morning a good number of Germans came down the wood and shouted to us, but we answered them in another way and they took their hook. We are having four days' rest and are in the huts, we think we are to be moved to another part of the line to allow some of the other chaps to have a few days' rest. We have got the helmets now for the gasses and they cover the whole of our heads and faces, and we look more like ghosts with them on.
I was pleased to hear all are well. I'm in the pink. I've had a couple of letters from John and he's having a decent time. I've written him twice.
Well I must close now. Cheer up we will be home before Christmas. We've had some dreadful thunderstorms these last few days. I've had a letter from the manager and his wife of my shop a day or two ago. The 5th Borders have fairly had a time of it. No, I've not seen Billie Yeowart or Jack Wightman yet but am looking out for them. Just had some good fags sent from Bournemouth.
Give my kindest regards to all my friends.
Your loving brother Billie.
No comments:
Post a Comment