I saw a few old friends there, but how many more had gone.

TCD MS 10821 folio 53 recto

TCD MS 10821 folio 53 recto

[August 21st 1916] was in command, as Atkinson was hit. Wilson was badly hit & poor Stokes killed after doing extraordinarily well. In the afternoon I rode up to Montauban to see the Battalion & had a few high shrapnel over me on the way. There was a terrific bombardment of Guillemont going on while I was there: we were also making an attack on Devils Wood. Every gun & howitzer was barking as fast as it could & there was a ceaseless stream of shells passing overhead. Everyone seemed very cheery & the Battalion were going up to the trenches that night into Devils Wood where I hope they will have a peaceful time. Our 11th & 12th Bns are close by & Hughes & Paul rode over to dinner.
August 22nd. A beautiful day & a fairly quiet night. I went over to lunch with the 2nd Bn & saw  <a few> old friends there, but how many more had gone. Their stories of High Wood were very gruesome. Some Boche aeroplanes came over in the evening but ours eventually drove them off.
August 23rd. An order came to send up all spare officers to Montauban so that I am left alone in the camp. It was a very peaceful day all along the line & the battalion had very few casualties.