uite happy despite the rain and mud. One night the German
aeroplanes came overhead. The order came to put out the lights and
just to show you how little the boys thought of Fritz's bombs, a crowd
of men in a few of the tents who had just came back from a working
party and were turning in when the signal went to put out lights
ignored it saying: "Just wait a few minutes as we have to turn in." I
wonder if Fritz's planes would wait? I guess not. Anyway he did not
get us that night. Now and again Fritz would drop an occasional shell
over quite close to us but he never did us any damage.

We had come through one of the heaviest engagements that had taken
place up until this time and though very muddy, we were as happy as
anyone could be. Well, as I said, we stayed here for a few days and
then we went up the line and stayed in supports for a few days. Col.
Bauld was in command and I must say that he has done good work for the
whole time that he was out there. He was such that no matter who the
man was he would do all in his power to assist him. We stayed in
supports for a few days and then we got the order to move up into the
front line trench--trench in name only as it really could only be
called a ditch. On the way up Fritz shelled us pretty badly. I tell
you, whilst we were up on top of the ridge, Fritz just peppered us.
But strange to say, although he got our wind up and made us feel a
little shaky he never inflicted any casualties and that is the main
thing. Well, after a long march we arrived at our destination.

How easy to write this back here, but what a feeling whilst going up.
An occasional shell bursting close to you. Now and again a machine gun
opening up. You are marching along very quietly when a battery of our
own guns open up alongside of you and I tell you honestly there are
times when the bravest of us get the creeps. We were in our new home,
and had to see about some shelters. We would dig into the side of the
parapet just enough for a man to crouch up into. I can tell you that
although it was clammy and wet it seemed like heaven to us at times.
Well, there was an attack planned for the 28th of April. The night of
the 28th we dug a jumping off trench and it was understood that "D"
Co. should form the left flank of the attack. "C" Co. digging in No
Man's Land and connecting with the 26th Battalion. My platoon of "D"
Co. formed the left flank of the "C" Co. Lieut. Bell was in charge of
"D" Co. that day