TCD MS 10822 folio 27 recto
[July 15th 1917] the 7th Bt and after tea rode on through Kemmel to the Wytchaete ridge whence we had a grand view over the Boche lines and to the towns behind them. We had not been there long when several shells came very close, as we had evidently been seen. The desolation and ruin all around was dreadful. It was almost impossible to find the site of the village – not one stone remains upon another. Chestermaster who commands our 13th Bt came to dinner and then we had an open air Concert afterwards.
July 16th. Another quiet night. Went for a ride in the afternoon and saw a Boche plane attack four of our Kite balloons. The crew dropped out in parachutes at once but the balloons were not brought down.
July 21st. No great excitement during the last five days. We are still at the same place. One day I lunched with Rennie, Seymour and Chestermaster were there too, so that there were 4 C.O.’s of Rifle Battalions there together and we then and there drew up a programme of sports and football. These were held on our ground on the 21st and were most successful. Many came from the 18th & 21st Bts and the whole of the 7th, 8th and 13th Bts marched over. It was a unique occasion and everyone was very pleased at meeting so many old friends. One afternoon I rode up to the top of Kemmel Hill to view the bombardment which began two days ago. It was a magnificent sight as we could see right up to Ostend. Ypres seemed almost at ones feet and the chimneys of Lille appeared clear on the horizon.
July 23rd. We went to reconnoitre the line that we are soon to take over. We went by bus to Voormezeele and then had a long and dusty walk across country to Brigade H.Q. which were in a tunnel. Just as we approached the Boche started shelling and we hurried inside. As he continued shelling we went up the tunnel for about 800 yards and then across country to Battalion H.Q. It was the most desolate and dreadful looking country that I have ever seen. Once it was covered with woods, now there are only grey tree stumps four or five feet high, not a leaf or a blade of grass anywhere, only miles of craters &