TCD MS 10822 folio 34 recto
[Aug 25th 1917] marched back to the Café Belge. The relief was not complete till 8.30 p.m. and I was very nearly caught by some shrapnel just before we left. We had one or two narrow escapes on the way down as they were shelling the road, but we did not linger. On arrival at camp we were bombed by aeroplanes, but no damage was done though our champagne supper was rather interrupted, which we had arranged for the night we came out of the trenches. We have been the luckiest Battalion in the Division in the way of casualties 4 officers and 150 men only – some of the other battalions have been practically wiped out.
Aug 26th. We embussed at 9 a.m. and came through Poperinge to near Abele where we went into Camp. Not a bad place.
Aug 27th. A day of rest in Camp. It poured with rain and the ground is again thoroughly sodden. At night a violent gale arose with the rain which nearly blew our tents down.
Aug 28th. A terrific gale blowing and occasional rain showers most the hop fields have been laid flat. In the afternoon I went for a ride and had tea with Brigade. I hear that we are to move to-morrow
Aug 29th. A showery day but the march was only a short one of about 5 miles. We passed through some quite pretty country near the Mont des Cats and billeted in Thieushook. Most of the men are in tents but some are in barns and we have got a very nice mess where the people are most friendly.
Aug 30th. Ordinary parades in the morning. After lunch I rode up to Cassel to see Charles Butler who was not in but I had tea with B.C. there. In the evening the Brigadier came to dine and we then had a Concert in one of the barns – it was a very successful one
Aug 31st. A showery morning rather interrupted parades. Charles Butler came to lunch, and in the afternoon I rode over to see the 7th Bt who were near Meteren and I had tea with them. A football Match took place between us and the 43rd Field Ambulances in which we were victorious and then we had the Oxford’s Band to play in Camp, followed by another Concert. I dined at Brigade H.Q. Our new Brigadier