A wet day yesterday, and a wild night; rain stopped now, and turning
very cold. Pleasant for the trenches, but I anticipate cold weather up
to the middle of April at least, and very bitter weather in March. The
Germans seized the opportunity to shell us and knock down the house
next to mine, laying out two of my men and a sergeant of the
Berkshires. Fortunately none of them were killed. They smashed the
roof up, so we went round to get safer billets for the men. The house
we took was inhabited by a very rich old man, who said he kept a house
to live in and a shop to work in, not to put soldiers in! Pleasant
loyal fellow! We simply said that he would have 125 soldiers there
within half an hour. However, we asked the men, and they said they
preferred to stay where they were. I expect, as much as anything, they
were too tired to move. Well, I rode out with Major Baker to the
Northamptonshire Yeomanry. They were commanded by a Col. Wickham, of
the Scots Guards, an old gentleman who joined the Guards in 1874. They
told me the sad news that when they applied for their second leave,
they were refused, so I am afraid it looks as if none of us will get
it, which is more than a nuisance. I enclose a letter from Athelstan
Riley; it will interest you. Major B. has been decidedly ill several
times on this campaign, and I have literally ordered him to stay in
bed to get better, as he would not do so otherwise. I should like, if
it comes my way, to bring out a Brigade; I am all for it! Percy's
regiment, the Scots Greys, are in the trenches at present having a
hard time. Many thanks for the prospect of another plum pudding; and
jam tartlets of some sort, not made with plums, might be very good.
Apple tartlets, very sweet, well covered in at the top, would be
perfectly splendid. I do not think we require many things now. A lot
of cigarettes and tobacco have been sent to us lately....

IN BILLETS.
_February 15th, 1915._

Such a wet day yesterday. We had service about 11 a.m. in the
conservatory of a convent which in some curious way has escaped being
destroyed. The enemy were shelling the town, so I put a corporal on
the watch to give notice as the shells drew nearer. However, after
coming fairly close they stopped firing. In the afternoon I went to
see about my crosses for graves. I get a certain number sent down most
nights whilst we are in