Flanders, 1915,
A Quiet Day or Two in Quiet Trenches.
46 THE YPRES TIMES
Lt.-Col. Hon. A. C. Murray, C.M.G.D.S.O., late 2nd King Edward's Horse, sends us the following
short diary which he wrote in 1915 with the object of endeavouring to convey to relatives at
home a picture of trench life in a quiet part of the front.
June 27th.
9 p.m.March up from reserve
trenches to relieve "A" Company, X
Regiment, in fire trenches 200, 201,
202. Pouring cats and dogs.
10 p.m.Relief completed. O.C.
"A" Company, X Regiment, answer
ing the usual question, What sort of
trenches are they?" replies: "Very
bad, and I think there's a German mine
under 201." I send him away with my
blessing
10 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.Walk round
trendieswading through mud and
waterand familiarize myself with
them, and with machine-gun and bomb
positions. See that sentries properly
posted on parapet; reserve ammunition
and gas solution handy; gas weather
cock and gas bell in position, etc., etc.
While in trench 202 receive message
from one of my subalterns in 200 that a
portion of his parapet has iust been
blown in by a whizz-bang," and that
he is building it up again. One man
wounded. Cheering newsmight have
been a "Jack Johnson," and many
more casualties.
June 28th.
11.30 p.m. to i a.m.Out in front
of my trenches. Inspect parapet and
wire. Stray whizz-bang destroys a
few yards of wire close to mesend in
message for repairing party. Visit
listening posts (two men each) in
front of trenches, and listen. Hear
nothing owing to incessant firing of
"jumpy" battalion on my right.
Return to trench. Curse the maker of
the mackintosh proof against the
heaviest rain."
1 a.m. to 1.30 a.m.Get into touch
by telephone with officers commanding
trenches on my right and left, and with
my covering batteries.
x.30 a.m. to 2 a.m.Listen down
bore hole in trench 201 for German
mine. Hear tappingno doubt at all
that there is a mine. Tapping stops
few minutes afterwards party sent out
to repair wire comes in over the para
pet. Tapping evidently caused by the
party driving in stakesCheering
thought!
2 a.m.Germans open rapid
machine-gun and rifle fire from their
trenches on my parapet. Doubtless
heard my wiring party and trying to
catch it. A little too late! I send
across a few rifle grenades into their
trencheshear a German howlone
more good deed done
2.15 a.m.Every man in trenches
stands-to-arms."
2.45 a.m.Dawn breaksthe rain
stopsthankful for small mercies.
3.30 a.m.Daylightthe critical
morning hour between dawn and day
light, most favourable for an attack,
has passed without incident. Stand-
down putting on day-sentries, one
out of every eight instead of, as at
night, one out of every two. German
snipers commence early-morning
operations, and our snipers do a bit
here and there, too. Men light fires
and have a dish of teaGermans do
likewiseI write usual morning re
port for information of G.O.C. Bri
gadebegins: "From O.C. trenches
200, 201, 202. A quiet night, nothing
unusual to reportRation
party starts off for reserve trenches to
bring up rations for the day.
4.30 a.m. Commencement of
morning hymn of hate." Lasts
about a quarter of an hourgood
many whizz-bangsand a few
Jack Johnsons." Makes trenches a
little untidy here and there, but only
one casualty.
5 a.m.Turn into my "dug-out."
5.2 a.m.Fall asleep.
6 a.m.Friendly rat thinks my dug
out specially made for him to play in.
Drive him out.
