TCD MS 10821 folio 43 recto
[August 7th 1916] night: it was nice to see electric lights a big & busy station again. After waiting about half an hour we went on up the valley of the Ancre & got out at Mericourt soon after midnight. Opposite us was a great cage with German prisoners in it, which caused much interest to the men. We only had a mile & a half to march to Buire sur l’Ancre where we were given billets, but it was not till 2.30am before we were settled in.
August 8th. We are living in tents in a field & in this fine hot weather, it is the pleasantest spot. The roads all about here are horribly dusty & in very bad condition. There is a loud continuous roar from the big guns the whole time, & the Boche must be having a poor time of it. In the afternoon we all bathed in the Ancre; the water was muddy but pleasantly cool.
August 9th. A very hot day – bathed in the river which was very refreshing. In the afternoon I rode over to Corps H.Q. but found Currie out. The guns are somewhat quieter today. We have orders to be ready to move at three hours notice as the attack on Guillemot has apparently failed & with heavy casualties to us. There was a display of flammenwerfer in the afternoon – a terrifying