TCD MS 10822 folio 3 recto
[Dec 10th 1916] day and on arrival at the village, we found our billets occupied by a Company of R.E. On complaining to the Brigade, we got orders to turn them out. The R.E. left after a couple of hours. The billets were not particularly good. The following morning I received a message that I was to join the 7th Bt and take over command temporarily. In the afternoon I rode over to Sombrin some six miles away where I found them. There was already a Colonel there belonging to the Essex Regiment, but he had orders to go to the Royal Scots. What I saw of the Officers, they seem a very nice lot.
Dec 11th. The weather continued very wet and nasty. In the morning I was busy taking over everything, going round billets, seeing Officers and N.C.O’s. There was also a certain amount of Office work to be done. In the afternoon I took a walk round the country and got very wet. We had a very cheery dinner party and did not go to bed till past one.
Dec 12th. Colonel Richard left this morning. I was very sorry for him as he was such a nice man. The weather is vile with a couple of inches of wet snow on the ground. Went for a walk in the afternoon to get warm. No parades out of doors possible.
Dec 13th. Usual routine. Went round the training grounds, watched the Musketry and company parades. In the afternoon I rode over to Magnicour and had tea with 9th Bt.
Dec 17th. Usual work, training, firing on the range etc. On Sunday we marched 8 miles to Beaumetz, where we relieved a Battalion of the West Kents. The billets seem very comfortable and better than at Sombrin. The rest of the Brigade have moved up into the line and we are now in reserve. The weather is beastly, rain or cold snow every day. Great news has come in about the French success at Verdun.
Dec 19th. Spent the morning reconnoitring the trenches that we are to take over on the 22nd. We relieve our 8th Bt and it was about an hours walk to their Headquarters. Frewen took me round the front line, which has been knocked in in several places. The trenches were however wonderfully dry, considering all the rain we have had. It