A dry ditch full of mud-stained but cheerful men

TCD MS 10853 folio 69 recto

TCD MS 10853 folio 69 recto

[1915]

side of the hill.
At last we got to a wood and after wandering about aimlessly we eventually found ourselves in a dry ditch full of mud-stained but cheerful men.
They were the 1st. Bedford Regt. and very decent they were to us. This was a surprise trench, in the first line but concealed in the wood, and we had orders not to fire at all, but just keep a good look out. We were mixed up with the Bedfords who were to show us our various duties. Most of the night was spent on guard but I got a little sleep in the early morning. Next day very early some of our boys were sent to the wood behind into dug outs and I went with them. Ben did not come just at this time, as he was not there. We soon had a big fire going and were warming and drying ourselves at it. Then we got some breakfast going.