TCD MS 10822 folio 4 recto
[Dec 19th 1916] was a very quiet morning; we have had more shells at Beaumetz than came over us when going round. On the way back I stopped at Brigade H.Q. where I had lunch. They were most comfortable & astonishingly close to the front line in a very comfortable chateau. On the way back it snowed hard.
Dec 20th. Very cold but bright and sunny. Rode over in the afternoon to Bernville but all the 9th Bt were out. In the evening Clarke came to dinner and we had a very amusing meal.
Dec 21st. Vile day, wet and cold. Pigs killed for Xmas.
Dec 22nd. We started about 10 a.m. to relieve our 8th Btn which were in the trenches near Bretencourt. It was a horrible wet morning, but about midday it cleared up. The relief was completed by 2 p.m. Our trenches were in fairly good condition and I went round in the afternoon and again in the evening with the General to examine the work on the saps and the wire in front of them.
Dec 23rd. Weather is very bad, trenches falling in everywhere. The heavy rain and thaw following after the frost have ruined the front line. I was round the line in the morning and again after dinner, investigating all the saps. The Boche was heard shouting and singing.
Xmas Day. A very showery day, but not cold. The mud in the trenches was very bad and everyone was hard at work trying to cope with it. Went round the line morning and evening and up the saps where I got extremely muddy and wet. Had a very good dinner in the evening and champagne. The night was very quiet.
Dec 26th. Wind from the East and a gas alert. Walked round the trenches with the General. Their state is rather better, thanks to the amount of work put in. The Boche have got gas in their trenches which they may let off at any moment so we must be careful. Much more artillery activity during the afternoon. Went round the line during the night. Extremely dark and pouring with rain. Returned home covered with mud from head to foot.
Dec 27th. Owing to the heavy rain in the night, more of the trenches fell in, but the day was really fine and sunny. Gas alert still on