TCD MS 10822 folio 28 recto
[July 23rd 1917] shell holes in every direction. A Brigadier and his Brigade Major were both killed on the road we were on. We had luck and managed to avoid the shells and after a very long walk arrived back to find that the bus had gone. However in time we found some empty lorries and climbing on to them we came home very weary.
July 24th. Had an early start and practised an attack before the Brigadier. It was a very hot sultry morning.
July 25th. The Russian news is very bad and the papers are most depressing. Steady rain all the morning.
July 30th. Lunched at Corps H. Q. with Willan and then got a car and went on to Dunkirk to see the 2nd Bt. They had been made up to strength again and were in good form. We dined there and motored back after dinner.
July 31st. We have to stand by to move at a moments notice. The big attack has begun early this morning and the noise of the guns is unceasing. The weather is however very bad.
Aug 3rd. We are still here and have not moved. It has rained steadily since the 31st and the mud everywhere is awful making movement quite impossible. Providence is certainly on the side of the Boche. In the afternoon I had a very wet drive to Hazebrouck to try and buy canteen goods. I only succeeded in buying some wine. On the way back went to Cassel to see Charles Butler who is on 2nd Army H. Q. He told me much that was interesting and gave us our moves.
Aug 4th. Another very wet day. Gave a lecture to all Officers and N.C.O.’s in the morning and after lunch rode over to see 7th Bt who were all very flourishing. Stopped there during a very heavy thunderstorm and then rode back over by roads that were only torrents. Wood was suddenly taken ill with appendicitis this afternoon and has had to go to Hospital to be operated on at once.
Aug 5th. A fairly fine day but the ground did not dry up much. Many men are I believe being drowned in the trenches and others are so stuck that they are unable to be brought out. Several wounded are I am afraid like that and have been stuck in the mud for 48 hours. We