TCD MS 10822 folio 37 recto
[Sept 9th 1917] bad, swarms surround our dug out. The night was quiet: apparently the gas that was sent over the night before both to the N & S of us proved a good sedative. There are excellent turnip fields around here evidently planted by the Boche and we collect large numbers every evening which go into the dinners the following day.
Sept 10th. A very quiet night and a foggy morning. The 8th R. B. came up by 9 A. M. and relieved 3 of our Companies in daylight, the fourth having to wait till night before the 7th K. R. R. came up to take over. We marched back to our old camp near Neuve Eglise. Had tea with George Rennie. Their Band played very nicely outside.
Sept 11th. A rather disturbed night as aeroplanes were over all night dropping bombs all round the district. The Doctor too next door snored so loudly that between him and the bombs sleep was difficult. It turned into a very hot day and we had the 7th Bt Band playing in Camp in the afternoon and a Concert in the evening.
Sept 12th. Working parties and training filled up the days work and in the evening a Concert. Pickering and the Goose came to dinner with Fairlie & Irving.
Sept 13th. A cold and raw day. We are finding many working parties. The 7th Bt Band played to us followed by a Concert in the evening. Everything sounds very quiet up in the front line. From our camp we overlook Armentieres and the German lines beyond.
Sept 14th. Nothing of interest to chronicle. In the afternoon I rode over to see a new camp that we are to take over on the 18th. The Boche was firing at a Kite Balloon over our head with a naval gun and clockwork fuze. Great pieces of shell landed all around.
Sept 15th. On the move once more. Started at 8.20 a.m. to march to the Doulien area behind Bailleul. It was a hot and dusty march and we found or billets terribly scattered. It took me over two hours to ride around them. They were very comfortable however and the people round here are extraordinarily kind, going out of their way to help us.
Sept 16th. Sunday and a quiet day. Went for a ride through Steenwork