TCD MS 10821 folio 36 recto
[July 24th 1916] every now & then amused himself by shelling Arras. I was nearly caught in the afternoon by a big shell when out for a walk. Otherwise the day passed quite quietly. There was a great bombardment going on all the afternoon & evening towards the South, but this has become a common occurrence now. The night passed quite quietly.
July 25th. A peaceful morning to be followed by a noisy afternoon. The Boche put over a lot of shells into the town & one unfortunately set alight to a store of 6 inch shells. Clouds of smoke rose into the air, whereupon the Boche amused himself by sending over shrapnel all the afternoon round the smoke in order to prevent anyone putting out the fire. The 6” shells were meanwhile going off with loud reports as the fire reached them.
July 26th. We hear we are to move out tomorrow into the country to be fattened up for the push further South. No one is particularly pleased but realize that it has got to be done. The weather is still gloomy & grey & most unlike summer. I dined with Maurice Crum & then we went on to a regimental concert which was quite good. A quiet night & very little shelling.