Nearly killed by shellfire

On 26th we went down to the Rest Camp; had hot bath in the afternoon in half-barrels.  We slept in dug-outs without roofs - water-proof sheet rigged up, but the rain came on and came in between the sheet and the side, and drenched our blankets.

dug outs

Our clothes were disinfected in a steam boiler on 27th.  On 28th I was on fatigue 5.30 to 7.30 pm.  Reveille was at 2.30 am. on 29th.  We left the Rest Camp at 4 am. for the firing-line.  We relieved the Ayrshire Yeomanry in a trench 120 yards from the Turkish trenches.  Enfilading shellfire caused great damage.  We had to get into funk-holes 10 am. to escape shell-fire.

funk holes

At 1 pm. a mine was blown up, and the R.S.F. made an advance.  A shell landed in the traverse where I was standing during the bombardment; five men were killed and four wounded out of eleven.  I was only about one foot from a corner and escaped.  We evacuated the traverse during the day, but returned at night.  On 31st Dec. there was five minutes rapid fire and then a bombardment by our artillery.  During the four days in the firing-line I had to do one hour on and one hour off duty.  I could scarcely sleep for the cold (we had only one blanket).  On 1st Jan.,1916, I had to do fatigues while off duty till 11pm.  On 2nd Jan. we were relieved at 7 am.  We went to the Support Trenches (Parson's Road).  We were on fatigue leveling the roads to the beach, from 1.30 to 6 pm., and were on 3rd from 8.30 to 12 noon. All side roads were barred by finger-posts.  I was on guard over-night on 3rd.