,a ,,soldi]',s ,,sket*es ,,"u ,,fire    
,illu/ration3 ,,private ,,h>old ,,h>vey4
 ,frontispiece     ,a ,,soldi]',s       
,,sket*es ,,"u ,,fire  ,by ,,h>old      
,,h>vey  ,illu/ration3 ,,slm  ,co4      
,,mdccxciv  ,,london  ,,sampson ,,l[1   
,,m>/on  ,,co41 ,,ltd4     ,,=5ote   ,a 
title su* z ,a ,soldi]'s ,sket*es ,"u   
,fire indicates at once ! nature1 scope 
& limitations ( ?is unpret5ti\s volume (
 annotat$ draw+s to :i* x has be5 giv54 
,fak$ pictures ( ! w> are pl5tiful4     
,sket*es tak5 on ! spot !y depict1      
sometimes by a h& t _h mom5t>ily laid   
d[n a rifle to take !m1 & always by a   
draughtsman :o drew 9 ov]t or cov]t p]il
 ( 8 life1 ga9 9 v]isimilitude :at !y   
mu/ lose 9 elaboration or embelli%m5t2  
are ! ri*] 9 _! realism by reason ( !   
abs5ce ( ! imag9>y & ! m]etrici\s4  ,all
 t ,mr4 ,h>old ,h>vey drew he saw2 b he 
saw mu* t he c\ld n draw4 ,all sorts (  
exploits ( :i* pictures t brilliantly   
misrepres5t !m are easily concoctable 7 
= him impossible subjects = illu/ration4

 ,z he puts x himself1 v mode/ly3       
,!re 7 _m happ5+s--repulsions ( sudd5   
attacks1      tempor>y retirem5ts1      
*>ges1 & ?+s ( t sort t w\ld      h made
 capital subjects1 b ( :i* my notebook  
holds no      'pictur$ pres5tm5t1'      
because ,i 0 tak+ "p 9 !m4  ,he also    
rem>ks3       ,sket*$ 9 circum/ances t  
c]ta9ly _h _! own      disadvantages z  
well z _! special advantages1 ,i pres5t 
^!      draw+s only = :at !y are4  ,j   
because !y are :at !y are !y are (      
endur+ int]e/ & p]man5t value4 ,!y h !  
vividness ( ! actual1 ! conv9c+ t\* ( ! 
true4  ,mr4 ,h>vey 0 among ! v fir/ to  
obey ! call ( ,k+ & ,c\ntry1 t>ry+ only1
 ,i believe1 to f9i% 8 aft]w>ds popul>  
po/] ( ,a ,pair ( ,silk ,/ock+s = !     
,crit]ion production4 ,to jo9 ! ,col\rs 
z a private soldi]1 he left 8 col\rs z  
an arti/1 ?r[+ up an e/abli%$ &         
h>dly-won position 9 ! _w ( 8 pr(ession1
 into :i*--s5t home %ot & poison$--he   
mu/ n[ fight 8 way back4 ,8 ante-w>     
exp]i5ces ( soj\rn & travel 9 ,india1   

,s\? & ,ea/ ,africa1 ,s\? ,am]ica1      
,egypt & ! ,m$it]ranean %\ld aga9 /& him
 9 good /ead1 = ! m an arti/ has le>n$ !
 m compreh5sive 8 treasury ( impressions
 & recollections2 ! m he has se5 ! m he 
c %[4 ,to ,mr4 ,h>vey's /udies (        
,egyptian life1 "* & cu/oms 0 und\bt$ly 
attributable ! success ( 8 ,m>ket ,sc5e 
9 ,cairo1 exhibit$ 9 ! ,royal ,academy (
 #aiji4 ,pur*as$ by a ,fr5* connoisseur1
 ?is picture br\ght its pa9t] sev]al    
special commissions4  ,i v5ture to      
express ! op9ion t ! simple1 direct &   
soldi]ly /yle 9 :i* ,mr4 ,h>old ,h>vey  
has writt5 ! notes t accompany 8        
illu/rations w be appreciat$4 ,8        
retic5ce z reg>ds 8 own do+s1 ! casual  
nature ( 8 ref]5ces--:]e !y c\ld n be   
avoid$--to 8 p]sonal %>e 9 great        
a*ievem5ts1 manife/ a _s (              
self-effacem5t t is *>act]i/ic ( ! m5 ( 
! army 9 :i* he f\ght2 m5 ^: l ! _w has 
nev] kn[n4  ,,rob]t ,,ov]ton4     ,,to  
,,lady ,,angela ,,=bes  ,,^: ,,"w ,,=   
,,soldi]s ,,9 ,,france ,,& ,,at ,,home  

,,has ,,be5 ,,z ,,untir+ ,,z ,,x ,,has  
,,be5 ,,uno/5tati\s4     ,,cont5ts      
,,=5ote   ,,on ,,! ,,way ,,to ,,!       
,,front4  ,*apt]  ,i4--,,f ,,s\?ampton  
,,to ,,malta  ,,ii4--,,f ,,malta ,,to   
,,m>seilles  ,,iii4--,,f ,,m>seilles    
,,to ,,arm5ti,,res   ,,at ,,! ,,front4  
,*apt]  ,,iv4--,,"s ,,sample            
,,excitem5ts ,,( ,,life ,,9 ,,! ,,tr5*es
  ,v4--,,! ,,light] ,,side ,,( ,,tr5*   
,,life  ,,vi4--,,! ,,make ,,( ,a        
,,briti% ,,tr5*  ,,vii4--,,! ,,ruse ,,( 
,a ,,g]man ,,snip]  ,,viii4--,,?ree     
,,dea? ,,traps  ,,ix4--,,g]man ,,bea/s  
,,9 ,a ,,fr5* ,,conv5t  ,x4--,,ano!r    
,,sc5e ,,( ,,bo*e ,,brutality           
,,xi4--,,! ,,trick ,,t ,,didn',t ,,trick
 ,,u  ,,xii4--,,! ,,b>r$ ,,road ,,to    
,,calais     ,,sket*es   ,,private      
,,h>old ,,h>vey ,frontispiece  ,,abo>d  
,,! ,,transport  ,,biv\ac ,,at ,,malta  
,,casem5t ,,g>d5s1 ,,malta  ,,s]geants' 
,,mess  ,,ordnance ,,dep>tm5t1 ,,malta  
,,on ,,! ,,quayhead ,,at ,,m>seilles    
,,quayside1 ,,m>seilles  ,,=ty          

,,pass5g]s ,,9 ,,ea* ,,cattle ,,truck   
,a ,,wa% ,,& ,a ,,wait  ,,doomsday      
,,book3 ,a ,,fr5* ,,lesson ,,9 ,a       
,,cattle ,,truck  ,,lady ,,angela       
,,=bes',s ,,soldi]s' ,,home ,,at        
,,etaples  ,,road ,,to ,,! ,,tr5*es     
,,my ,,sket*-,,book  ,,map3 ,,la        
,,bass,e-,,/4 ,,juli5  ,,outskirts ,,(  
,a ,,village  ,,my ,,fir/               
,,snip+-,,place  ,,captur$ ,,g]man      
,,tr5*  ,,! ,,woodcutt]',s ,,hut        
,,typical ,,figures ,,& ,,figure-,,heads
  ,,hamm]smi? ,,bridge  ,,dirty         
,,dick',s  ,,entr5*+ ,,! ,,piano        
,,sev5ty-,,five ,,hotel  ,,*ick5 ,,f>m  
,a ,,fr5* ,,comrade-,,com$ian  ,a ,,tr5*
 ,,snip]1 ,,re/+  ,a ,,trav]se  ,,!     
,,bir?-,,place ,,( ,a ,,song  ,,tr5*    
,,p]iscope ,,9 ,,use  ,,! ,,:ite ,,f>m  
,a ,,g]man ,,snip]',s ,,ne/  ,,suicide  
,,bridge  ,,suicide ,,signal ,,box  ,a  
,,gha/ly ,,prom5ade  ,,! ,,hole ,,9 ,,! 
,,wall  ,a ,,violat$ ,,conv5t  ,,:]e    
,,g]mans ,,rap$ ,,& ,,murd]$  ,,!       
,,black ,,hole  ,,! ,,black ,,t[]  ,,:]e

 ,,! ,,trap ,,0 ,,set  ,,golgo?a        
,,"p ,i4  ,,on ,,! ,,way ,,to ,,!       
,,front4     ,a ,,soldi]',s ,,sket*es   
,,"u ,,fire4   ,,introductory4  ,,on ,,!
 ,,way ,,to ,,! ,,front4   ,,*apt] ,i4  
,,f ,,s\?ampton ,,to ,,malta4           
,illu/ration   ,on ! outbreak ( ! w> ,i 
jo9$ ! ,royal ,fusili]s1 un9flu5c$ by ! 
appeal ( wall-po/]s or ! bl&i%m5ts ( a  
recruit+ s]geant4 ,my =m] exp]i5ce z a  
troop] 9 ! ,h]t=d%ire ,yeomanry be+     
acc\nt$ unto me = milit>y righte\sness1 
,i sail$ ) my regim5t f ,s\?ampton on   
,septemb] #crd1 #aiad4 ,we ?\ght we 7   
b\nd = ,france direct1 & only discov]$  
on ! passage t we 7 to be l&$1 fir/1 at 
,malta4  ,i ?9k ,i "k ! reason :y ! %ort
 trip across ,*annel 0 avoid$1 b1 z x   
behoves me to be v c>eful ab\t :at ,i   
say on c]ta9 po9ts1 ,i don't /ate x4  ,i
 %[ ! =e "p ( ! boat1 ! b[s be+ visible 
9 ! di/ance4 ,! doorways on ! "r are ^? 
( ! horse boxes1 specially erect$ on !  
deck4 ,9 fact1 ! :ole l9]1 ) ! mo/      
cr$itable complet5ess & cel]ity1 _h be5 

specially fitt$ up = ! use ( ! troops1  
/ill reta9+ its crew ( ,lasc>s1 :o did !
 swabb+ d[n & r\gh "w requir$4  ,my     
sket* %[s a crane br++ up bales ( fodd] 
= ! horses f ! hold1 ) two (fic]s /&+ by
 to give ord]s4  ,illu/ration3 ,,abo>d  
,,! ,,transport4  ,we exp]i5c$ "s excit+
 incid5ts on ! way out2 = in/ance1 9 !  
,bay we ran into a fog1 & ! ord] 0 giv5 
= all to /& by4 ,= ! next two or ?ree   
h\rs all 7 9 d\bt z to :at might        
happ5--( c\rse !re 0 fe> ( torp$oes4    
,we he>d 9 ! di/ance sev]al %ots fir$1  
presumably by ! battle-cruis] :i* 0 our 
escort4 ,:5 ! fog lift$1 we c\ld j see !
 smoke lift+ on ! horizon ( "s enemy    
craft1 :i* _h be5 *as$ (f by our own    
w>%ip4 ,we aga9 /eam$ ahead t[>ds our   
de/9ation & 7 soon sail+ into smoo? &   
calm wat]s1 ! temp]ature becom+ q g5ial 
& w>m z we approa*$ ! ,/raits (         
,gibralt>4 ,z we pass$ ?r\gh ! ,/raits !
 message 0 signall$ t ^? two notori\s   
vessels1 ! ,goeb5 & ! ,breslau1 7 roam+ 
loose 9 ! ,m$it]ranean4   ,,at ,,malta4 

,on arrival at ,malta1 ,i & o!rs 7 put  
?r\gh our fir+ c\rse1 & ! regim5t took  
ov] ! *>ge ( prison]s & int]n$ ,g]mans1 
( :om1 toge!r1 !re 7 on ! isl&--s soon  
aft] ! beg9n+ ( ho/ilities--no few] ?an 
#h1jjj4 ,"o ( ! fir/ sket*es ,i made 0 (
 our ,biv\ac4  ,illu/ration3 ,,biv\ac   
,,at ,,malta4   ,,malta ,,& ,,!         
,,pirates4  ,malta1 :i* has be5 call$ ! 
ma/] key ( ! ,m$it]ranean & ! ,levant1 !
 /epp+-/one to ,egypt & ! ,d>danelles1 &
 ! connect+ l9k betwe5 ,engl& & ,india1 
is "o ( our ,empire's mo/ valuable      
possessions1 & its physical =mation has 
made x = g5]ations pa/ ( great m>itime  
value4 ,! isl& is1 9 itself1 a rock1 &  
all its e>? & m\ld has be5 import$4 ,9 !
 days :5 !re 7 no subm>9es or w>%ips1 x 
0 ! headqu>t]s ( pirates roam+ at l>ge 9
 ! ,m$it]ranean4 ,^! pirate crews1 aft] 
captur+ _! prey1 us$ to br+ _! captures 
into "o ( ! entrances ( ! isl&1 n[ call$
 ! ,gr& ,h>b\r4 ,at ! base ( ! h>b\r is 
! t[n ( ,valetta1 :i* 0 catacomb$ 9 ^?  
e>ly times1 & tunnels 7 made ?r\gh !    

isl& rock4 ,:5 pirates _h br\ght a %ip  
"u cov] ( ! natural h>b\r to ^! tunnels1
 !y took all ! m]*&ise a%ore & !n broke 
up ! vessel1 s z to leave no trace ( !  
incid5t4 ,! crew 7 usually massacr$ to a
 man1 & :5 *ase 0 giv51 no trace :atev] 
c\ld be f\nd ( ei!r ! pirates or _!     
captures1 & lat] on _! ill-gott5 ga9s   
w\ld be %ipp$ (f f ! o!r end ( ! tunnel 
9 ano!r "p ( ! isl&4  ,look+ ?r\gh      
betwe5 ! trees 9 my sket* ( ! ,casem5t  
,g>d5s1 "u ! ,b>racks ( ,floriana1 :i*  
/& on an em95ce ov]look+ ! spot1 a      
portion ( ! h>b\r is se5 :i* comm&s !   
back moor+s1 & ! wat] :]e ! ,p4  ,o4    
l9]s lay up4 ,beyond ! vessel drawn ,i  
indicate ! isl& ( ,=t ,manoel1 :i* is an
 anci5t =tress :i* possesses a v h&some 
gateway1 :i* may h be5 built by !       
,romans4 ,9 fact1 all ov] ?is isl& are  
rem>kable relics1 "s ( !m probably z old
 z ^? ( ,/oneh5ge1 b h[ or by :om !     
orig9al mat]ials 7 br\ght !re or !      
orig9al build+s con/ruct$ is n[ left by 
hi/orians to conjecture4  ,illu/ration3 

,,casem5t ,,g>d5s1 ,,malta4  ,o!r public
 g>d5s are ^? ( ,biracca & ,floriana4   
,public e/abli%m5ts include ! bigge/    
,fev] ,hospital 9 ! _w1 ! ,ca/ille      
,prison1 & ! ,gov]nor's ,palace4        
,,s]geants' ,,mess4  ,illu/ration3      
,,s]geants' ,,mess ,,at ,,floriana1     
,,malta4  ,! view ( ! site ( !          
,s]geants' ,mess at ,floriana gives a   
good idea ( ! massive /yle ( ar*itecture
 & ! palatial design ( _m ( ! build+s4  
,! big con/ruction ( ! walls w be not$1 
& ! height ( ! *imney4 ,all ! h\ses h   
flat ro(s1 & on !m p sleep at night     
because ( ! int5se heat4 ,f ! ro( ( ?is 
h\se is obta9$ ! be/ view ( ! isl&4     
,al?\gh ,malta is compos$ entirely (    
rock1 fl[]s gr[ pr(usely1 & a v>iety (  
creep]1 v simil> to our own azalea1     
climbs up ! front ( ! =ts1 requir+      
little or no root4 ,a g>d5 ( ?is fl[] 0 
atta*$ to ! ,s]geants' ,mess h\se4      
,,=tifications4  ,illu/ration3          
,,ordnance ,,dep>tm5t1 ,,malta4  ,!     
anci5t =tifications prov$ impregnable = 

ages1 & are n[ mod]nis$ = ! use (       
up-to-date artill]y equipm5t4 ,i %[ !   
ext]ior ( ! ,army ,ordnance ,dep>tm5t1  
,=t ,tigne1 & on ! extreme left1 on !   
o!r side ( ! h>b\r1 a portion ( ,=t     
,manoel4   ,,! ,,maltese4  ,! habits &  
mann]s ( ! ,maltese h long be5 notori\s 
= _! rude *>act]i/ics1 probably         
attributable to ! p's ,moori% orig91    
al?\gh ! race has n[ bl5d$ ) ! smoo?    
,italian4 ,?r\gh\t ! ,levant !y h ! bad 
"n fir/ des]v$ by _! robb]ies & murd]s4 
,briti% rule has effect$ great re=ms1 b 
x _c *ange ! leop>d's spots4  ,!        
exp]i5ce ( our boys 9 "s ( ! outly+ p>ts
 ( ! isl&1 & ev5 9 _m /reets & cafs1 0 t
 ^! primitive p _h n altoge!r lo/ _!    
primitive in/9cts 9 ! c\rse ( becom+    
civilis$4 ,"o ( _! cu/om>y tricks is to 
(f] "o ( _! bangles1 or "s o!r s\v5ir1  
to get y to sp5d money 9 ! cafs & danc+ 
saloons1 & he w\ld be a clev] man :o ev]
 succe$$ 9 obta9+ "o ( ! s\v5irs promis$
 him f day to day4 ,! wom5 ( ,malta     
c]ta9ly h /rong claims to beauty1 at any

 rate up to ! age ( sixte51 = !y mature 
e>ly4 ,!y h l>ge & lu/r\s black eyes1 & 
are ( a sw>?y & some:at ,spani% type4   
,!y /ill we> ! traditional hood1 a black
 sc>f1 call$ a ,faldetta1 ?r[n ov] !    
head & %\ld]s1 & dispos$ 9 su* a /yle z 
to exhibit ! c\nt5ance ( ! we>] 9 ! mo/ 
allur+ =m4 ,al?\gh picturesque 9 !      
di/ance1 !y are v slov5ly 9 _! hair &   
dress on clos] acqua9tance1 & g5]ally   
exhibit ! traces ( _! ,ori5tal orig94   
,!y are great exp]ts 9 ! mak+ ( ,maltese
 lace1 = :i* !y h won a _w-wide         
reputation1 & _! native filigree "w is  
also v fam\s & v beautiful4 ,*ur*es 7:]e
 w$d+s are celebrat$ 9 ! ev5+7 are v    
num]\s1 & prie/s & fri>s are always to  
be se5 9 ! /reets4 ,! boys ( our regim5t
 said t ,malta 0 *iefly notable = yells1
 smells1 & bells4  ,we pass$ a v m]ry "t
 "h = ne>ly ?ree weeks--su* a "t z _m 7 
de/9$ nev] to "k aga9--& !n 7 %ipp$ to  
,m>seilles1 en r\te = ! tr5*es on !     
,we/]n ,front4  ,9 ! ,ma9 ,gu>d ( !     
,gov]nor's ,palace at ,valetta we left  

beh9d u a fresco memorial ( our %ort    
soj\rn on ! isl&4 ,= _m g5]ations x has 
be5 ! cu/om ( regim5ts /ation$ 9 ,malta 
to pa9t or draw regim5tal cre/s1        
portraits 7& c>icatures71 etc41 on !    
int]ior walls ( ?is ,ma9 ,gu>d1 & on its
 doors also4 ,walls & doors1 bo? are v  
full ( ^! m or less arti/ic mem5toes1 b 
space 0 f\nd :i* ,i 0 ask$ to cov] ) a  
black & :ite s]ies ( c>toons ( prom95t  
memb]s ( our 7! #bnd7 ,battalion ,r4,f4 
,,*apt] ,,ii4  ,,f ,,malta ,,to         
,,m>seilles4   ,f ! b[s ( our boat z %e 
lay 9 h>b\r at ,m>seilles1 ,i spott$    
?ree typical figures4 ,! "o hold+ ! rope
 is a ,fr5* sailor1 ! "o at ! bottom ( !
 picture is a ,fr5* g5d>me1 & ! ?ird is 
a ,ghurka1 "o ( our f9e /urdy hillm5 f  
,india1 :o _h come out to ,france to /& 
by ! ,empire4  ,m>seilles 0 a mo/       
wond]ful sight at ! "t ,i 0 !re1 &      
al?\gh ,i _h made _m previ\s visits 9   
normal times1 :5 ,i _h greatly admir$   
its gr& proportions1 none ( !m _h giv5  
me any idea ( :at its appe>ance w\ld be 

:5 x became ! cle>+ /ation 9 ! "t ( su* 
a great w>1 & "o ( ! *ief bases ( all   
food supplies4 ,troops ( all            
descriptions 7 work+ l ants by day & by 
night1 unload+ boats to ! huge /ores (  
all descriptions ( prov5d]1 & load+ !   
tra9s ) all k9ds ( artill]y1 ammunition1
 ,r$ ,cross wagons1 motors1 horses1 &   
all ! p>aph]nalia ( mod]n w>f>e4  ,! t[n
 is ! ?ird l>ge/ 9 ,france1 & ! *ief    
,m$it]ranean seaport4 ,its hi/ory teems 
) excit+ incid5ts ( plague1 fire1 sack+1
 siege1 & h&-to-h& fight+1 s x is q 9   
keep+ t x %\ld take s important a "p 9 !
 pres5t conflict4 ,x 0 "h ,monte ,cri/o 
0 hurl$ f ! ,*ateau d',if 9 ! sack f :i*
 he cut 8 escape4 ,francis ! ,fir/      
besieg$ x 9 va91 & x prosp]$ "u ,k+     
,r5e4 ,9 ! ,fr5* ,revolution x figur$ s 
conspicu\sly z to give ! title to !     
national hymn ( ! ,fr5*4   ,,! ,,/ory   
,,( ,,! ,,m>seillaise4  ,is x too late  
to tell aga9 ! /ory ( ! orig9 ( ,!      
,m>seillaise8  ,illu/ration3 ,,on ,,!   
,,quayhead ,,at ,,m>seilles4  ,its au?or

 & compos] 7or x might be m correct to  
say compos] & au?or1 = 9 ?is case music 
prec$$ words71 ,r\get de ,lisle--a "y   
ari/ocrat & an artill]y (fic]--_h z a   
fri5d a citiz5 ( ,/rasb\rg1 to ^: h\se1 
9 ! e>ly days ( ! ,revolution1 he came  
on a visit "o ev5+4 ,! tir$ gue/ 0      
cordially welcom$ by ! citiz5 & 8 wife &
 daught]4 ,to celebrate ! occasion 8    
fri5d s5t ! daught] into ! cell> to br+ 
up w9e4 ,exhau/$ z he 01 de ,lisle drank
 freely1 &1 sitt+ up late ) 8 ho/1 did n
 tr\ble to g to b$4 ,he _h be5 amus+ !  
family by play+ "s ( 8 orig9al          
compositions on ! sp9net4 ,:5 ! ho/     
retir$ = ! night he left de ,lisle      
asleep ) 8 head re/+ on ! in/rum5t4 ,9 !
 e>ly h\rs ( ! morn+ ! "y (fic] awoke1 &
 runn+ ?r\gh 8 head 0 a melody :i*1 9 8 
semi-drunk5 /ate ! ev5+ be=e1 he _h be5 
attempt+ to extemporise4 ,x seem$ to    
haunt him1 &1 piec+ x toge!r z x came   
back to 8 memory1 he play$ x ov]4 ,!n1  
feel+ inspir$1 he imm$iately set words  
to x4 ,:5 ! family came d[n he play$ &  

sang x to !m1 & 8 ho/ 0 s mov$ by x t he
 became q excit$ & call$ 9 ! neighb\rs4 
,! in/rum5t 0 :eel$ out into ! g>d51 & 9
 ! op5 air "y de ,lisle sang ! song t 0 
to become ! national air ( 8 c\ntry to  
?is local audi5ce4 ,! effect ^u !m 0    
t]rific1 & f t mom5t ! song became !    
rage4 ,x seem$ to embody ! :ole _s ( !  
,revolutioni/s1 & spread l wildfire     
?r\gh\t ,france4 ,x 0 to ?is song t !   
unbridl$ spirits ( ,m>seilles m>*$ to   
,p>is1 h5ce its "n1 ,! ,m>seillaise4    
,%ortly aft] ?is1 de ,lisle receiv$ a   
lett] f 8 "m1 ! ,b>oness1 dat$ f h]     
*ateau1 say+1 ,:at is ?is dreadful song 
we he>8 ,fe>+ t 8 own life might be 9   
dang]1 he be+ an ari/ocrat & a suspect1 
he _h be=e long to take flight across ! 
m\nta9s4 ,z he w5t f valley to crag1 &  
crag to valley1 he "t aft] "t he>d !    
populace s++ 8 song1 frequ5tly hav+ to  
hide beh9d rocks le/ !y discov]$ him4 ,x
 s\nd$ to him l a requiem1 = he knew t  
_m ( 8 fri5ds 7 be+ m>*$ to ! scaffold  
to 8 own impassion$ /ra9s4              

,illu/ration3 ,,quayside1 ,,m>seilles4  
,,*apt] ,,iii4  ,,f ,,m>seilles ,,to    
,,arm5ti,,res4   ,! incid5ts ( ! railway
 j\rney f ,m>seilles to ,etaples1 en    
r\te to ,arm5tires1 told 9 detail1 w\ld 
fill a book4 ,x 0 made 9 ord9>y cattle  
trucks1 9 :i*1 pack$ =ty to a truck1 we 
sp5t f\r days & a half at "o /ret*4 ,yet
 0 x a bright & m]ry trip1 = our spirits
 7 rais$ to ! highe/ by ! ?\ght t we 7  
go+ into action1 & we 7 at all sorts (  
exp$i5ts to make ourselves com=table4 ,=
 in/ance1 be=e we />t$ ! ,/ationma/]'s  
,(fice 0 ransack$1 & e available nail   
pull$ out to make coat & hat pegs ( 9 ! 
cattle trucks4 ,we _h to sleep on !     
floor4 ,our corporal1 :o 0 an old soldi]
 ( _m campaigns1 ( iron physique & a    
p]fect ,golia?1 & ! life & s\l ( our    
p>ty1 0 s tir$ :5 he got abo>d ! tra91  
aft] /r5u\s ef=ts1 t he fell dead asleep
 on ! floor1 & !re 0 s little available 
space1 & 8 massive =m took up s mu* (   
:at !re 01 t no few] ?an n9e m51 z !y   
became tir$ & dropp$ d[n f ! walls ( !  

truck1 fell on him & w5t to sleep on !  
top ( him4 ,h[ev]1 t corporal slept !   
sleep ( ! j = f\r or five h\rs1 & ev5 !n
 did n awak5 until1 ! tra9 halt+ &      
somebody m5tion+ w9e1 !re 0 a scuffle1 &
 ano!r man /epp$ on 8 head1 :]eupon he  
flung him (f & made a good fir/ out ( ! 
tra94  ,illu/ration3 ,,=ty ,,pass5g]s   
,,9 ,,ea* ,,cattle ,,truck4  ,we 7      
regal$ at ea* /ation by ! populace1 :o  
br\ght u cakes & w9e1 small flags1 toys1
 t9 trumpets1 oranges1 & o!r fruits1 &  
we p>t$ ) ne>ly all our buttons z       
s\v5irs4   ,,tub1 ,,tea ,,& ,a ,,halt4  
,at "o /opp+ place a l>ge lea!rn hose 0 
dep5d+ f a wat] ma9 = giv+ ! eng9e wat]1
 & somebody turn+ ?is on1 we all took   
%[] ba?s "u x1 or plung$ into ! huge tub
 alongside1 "s be+ s ke5 on n miss+ _!  
*ance t !y took _! ba?s 9 _! clo!s1     
tunics & all4 ,try to imag9e our feel+s 
aft] be+ coop$ up 9 ! tra9 = j on ?ree  
days & nights & !n gett+ a wa% or       
prehi/oric ba?6  ,we _h a two h\rs' wait
 "h1 & ! dixies 7ab\t a doz5 9 all7 7   

fill$ ) wat]1 & a huge fire 0 light$1 & 
soon a long felt want 0 satisfi$ 9 ! =m 
( tea4 ,?\gh x 0 l ,indian ink1 x w5t   
d[n ) a r>e reli% 7,i ?9k my little lot 
0 ! be/ dr9k ( tea ,i ev] enjoy$72 b    
un=tunately !re 0 no second edition4    
,illu/ration3 ,a ,,wa% ,,& ,a ,,wait4   
,aft] our tub we made a l9e = ! /ation1 
! tra9 be+ s long t only a portion ( x 0
 9 x4 ,we receiv$ a pleasant surprise 9 
! =m ( a /all1 :]e !re 7 cakes1 buns1   
bottles ( r$ w9e1 fruit & _m o!r        
luxuries4  ,aft] we _h cle>$ out ! :ole 
lot1 ! ,fr5* p liv+ 9 ! t[n came to !   
rail+s at ! side ( ! /ation & bomb>d$ u 
) all k9ds ( food & da9ties4 ,j z we 7  
all ?or\ghly /ret*+ our legs & enjoy+   
ourselves1 ! ord] 0 giv5 to bo>d tra91  
s1 ) mu* *e]+1 s++ & %\t+1 we resum$ our
 seats--or r our /&+ room only4         
,,doomsday ,,book4  ,illu/ration3       
,,doomsday ,,book3 ,a ,,fr5* ,,lesson   
,,9 ,a ,,cattle ,,truck4  ,our corporal 
7behold him ) an op5 book ( ,family     
,bible dim5sions7 (t5 busi$ himself )   

exp\nd+ 8 views on ! ,fr5* language1 9  
:i* he 0 lab\r+ to become pr(ici5t4 ,8  
l+ui/ic ambitions did n end at          
self-pr(ici5cy1 = he 0 solicit\s to     
in/ruct 8 fell[s1 & we _h q a numb] (   
,fr5* lessons f him1 al?\gh x mu/ be    
admitt$ t !y suff]$ _m int]ruptions 9   
good old pla9 ,engli% f ! ,tommies1     
provok$ by ! jolt+ ( ! tra94 ,!y        
nicknam$ ?is huge ,fr5* diction>y !     
,doomsday ,book1 because x 0 _! doom to 
h its cont5ts ?r[n at !m e day4   ,,!   
,,la/ ,,/age4  ,! wea!r set 9 v cold &  
sn[y1 & z ! cracks 9 ! bottom ( ! truck 
measur$ ?ree in*es 9 wid?1 x c be guess$
 :at a draught !re 04 ,b 9 spite (      
ev]y?+ & ! g5]al discom=t ( ?+s1 jam &  
biscuits 7 l[]$ 9 pl5ty4 ,i amus$ ! boys
 by mak+ sket*es on biscuits & ?r[+ !m  
out ( ! w9d[ at ! v>i\s /ations we pass$
 ?r\gh to ! cr[ds ( ,fr5* civilians1    
soldi]s1 & ,r$ ,cross nurses4 ,p]haps "s
 ( my comrades w f9d "s ( ^! biscuit    
s\v5irs at _! homes--if !y ev] get      
!re--= n a few 7 kept to ! end ( !      

j\rney & po/$ to fri5ds 9 ,engl&4  ,we  
pass$ ov] sev]al bridges :i* ! ,g]mans  
_h de/roy$1 b :i* _h be5 made tempor>ily
 good aga9 by ! ,fr5* eng9e]s4 ,ov] ^!  
our tra9 _h to travel g+]ly4 ,z we ne>$ 
! fight+ zone ! boom+ ( ! guns c\ld be  
he>d1 & a little fur!r on ?+s became m  
w>like4 ,we notic$ ! deva/at$ /ations1  
villages1 & l>ge %ell holes 9 !         
embankm5t ( ! l9e4  ,all ?is seem$ to   
br+ to ! surface our fight+ spirits1 &  
we only want$ to be out & at ! ,huns4   
,on arrival at ,etaples1 aft] a re/ (   
two h\rs or s 9 ! /ation y>d & /reet    
adjo9+ same1 we m>*$ 9 full pack & kit1 
includ+ blankets & our wat]pro( %eets1  
to a fi%+ village1 :]e we /ruck a camp &
 turn$ 9 = ! night4 ,we 7 "u canvas =   
f\r days--! only f\r days "u canvas dur+
 ! :ole "t ,i 0 9 ,france4 ,! ,colonel  
gave ord]s t all ! m5's heads 7 to be   
%av$1 z we 7 proce$+ to ! tr5*es4       
,,lady ,,angela ,,=bes',s ,,soldi]s'    
,,home ,,at ,,etaples4  ,illu/ration3   
,,lady ,,angela ,,=bes',s ,,soldi]s'    

,,home ,,at ,,etaples4  ,a nev] fad+    
recollection ( ,etaples w be t ( !      
k9dness & hospitality we receiv$ at !   
h&s ( ,lady ,angela ,=bes & ! v gallant 
g5tlewom5 :o assi/$ h] 9 ! managem5t (  
h] ,soldi]s' ,home !re4 ,! w>me/ (      
welcomes & ! be/ ( *e] await$ e soldi]  
:o cross$ its ?re%old4 ,no?+ t          
?\ghtfulness c\ld sugge/ & lib]ality    
c\ld provide 0 lack+4 ,tact & an und]/&+
 sympa?y *>act]is$ ! adm9i/ration ( e   
dep>tm5t4 ,we left beh9d u bless+s &    
?anks we c\ld n express 9 words4   ,,on 
,,! ,,road ,,to ,,! ,,tr5*es4  ,we _h a 
?ree days' m>* 7mo/ ( ! way on cobble   
/ones7 f camp to ,arm5tires1 via ,aire1 
,hazebruck & ,bailleul1 ?+s gett+ hott] 
& hott]4 ,9 ! c\rse ( ! fir/ day !      
enemy's aircraft dropp$ bombs on our    
r\te4 ,we scatt]$ 9 ! h$ges & dit*es1   
ly+ flat & gett+ :at cov] we c\ld4 ,we  
_h sev]al m5 w\nd$ by ! spl9t]s ( !     
bombs1 b =tunately no?+ s]i\s occurr$1 &
 all w5t well t day4  ,illu/ration3     
,,road ,,to ,,! ,,tr5*es4  ,! ?ird day  

we rea*$ a village & 7 billet$ 9 "s     
b>ns4 ,we _h j got d[n to x com=table :5
 a %ell took ! ro(s (f1 & a l\d *e] w5t 
up z x 0 realis$ t ! enemy _h miss$ !   
m>k4 ,!y put ab\t twelve ( ^! huge %ells
 9 ! place1 b !y all w5t high4 ,aft]    
?ree h\rs ! ord] 0 giv5 to creep out &  
get into "s cottages fur!r d[n ! road4  
,^! cottages 7 inhabit$1 & ! t]rifi$ p  
made u welcome inde$--_h n we come to   
protect !m f ! ,g]mans8 ,we _h a %ort   
re/ "h & !n _h to pu% on & make ! mo/ ( 
! d>kness4  ,z ! fir+ grew heavi] we    
made a circul> r\te ov] fields1 etc41 to
 ! tr5*es1 = ! re/ ( ! way4 ,! enemy    
made an attack on our second night 9    
!m--& _! loss 0 pretty heavy4     ,,"p  
,,ii4  ,,at ,,! ,,front4     ,,*apt]    
,,iv4  ,,"s ,,sample ,,excitem5ts ,,(   
,,life ,,9 ,,! ,,tr5*es4   ,illu/ration3
 ,,my ,,sket* ,,book4  ,i don't ?9k ,i'm
 a bit s5tim5tal 9 ! matt] ( s\v5irs1 & 
anyway ,i c't ne$ any?+ to rem9d me ( ! 
un=gettable1 b all ! same !re's "o      
s\v5ir ( my exp]i5ces 9 ! tr5*es & !    

fir+ l9e t ,i %all nev] "p )--& t's !   
little notebook 7measur+ #e-a_/b ins4 by
 #c-a_/b ins41 b\ght 9 ,arm5tires7 :i*  
,i c>ri$ ) me ?r\gh ev]y?+1 & 9 :i* are 
! orig9als ( ! sket*es "h collect$1 tak5
 "u fire1 ei!r lit]ally or 9 ! s5se t !y
 7 tak5 )9 ! zone ( fire4 ,9 ! nature ( 
?+s ,i might h be5 f9i%$ myself by %ot  
or %ell be=e ,i c\ld h f9i%$ any "o (   
!m4 ,sket*$ 9 circum/ances t c]ta9ly _h 
_! own disadvantages z well z _! special
 advantages1 ,i pres5t ^! draw+s only = 
:at !y are4 ,!re 7 _m                   
happ5+s--repulsions ( sudd5 attacks1    
tempor>y retirem5ts1 *>ges1 & ?+s ( t   
sort--t w\ld h made capital subjects1 b 
( :i* my notebook holds no pictur$      
pres5tm5t1 because ,i 0 tak+ "p 9 !m4   
,,at ,,arm5ti,,res4  ,illu/ration3 ,map3
 ,la ,basse-,/4 ,juli5  ,we rea*$       
,arm5tires 7reliev+ ! ,le9/] ,regim5t & 
! #i? ,lanc]s 9 ! fir/ l9e tr5*es1      
di/ant f ! fir/ l9e ,g]man tr5*es #cj   
y>ds7 at a critical "t4  ,! ef=t 9      
progress 0 to /raight5 out our l9e s z  

to get x level ) ,ypres1 & ! :ole       
position all ar\nd 0 a v p]il\s "o4 ,we 
7 %ort ( m5--v %ort--& _h practically no
 res]ves4 ,almo/ e available man _h to d
 ! "w & duty ( ?ree4 ,= a mon? or s     
almo/ all ! heavy "w fell ^u ! l9e      
regim5ts1 we do+ ! wir+1 digg+1 & !     
usual "w ( ! ,royal ,eng9e]s1 ! numb] ( 
^! be+ relatively scanty inde$4  ,!re 0 
also "s %ortage ( %ells & ammunition =  
guns & rifles1 :ile ( tr5* mort>s a     
division _h b few4 ,we _h to make our   
own bombs out ( jam t9s4 ,^! 7 *>g$ &   
/uck d[n1 a detonator be+ ins]t$1 & we  
crawl$ out ) !m at night & heav$ !m into
 ! ,g]man tr5*es4 ,we _h to "t ea* heave
 ) ! mo/ extreme accuracy1 = ! fraction 
( a mom5t too late meant ! bur/+ ( !    
bomb 9 our h&s4 ,! game we play$ ) !    
,huns 7keep+ up a cont9u\s fire all     
night1 = in/ance7 0 "o ( pure bluff4 ,!y
 7 mass$ 91 we e/imat$1 f\r army corps1 
& c\ld h walk$ ?r\gh u--if !y _h only   
kn[n4  ,z my illu/rations d n foll[ all 
! movem5ts ( my deta*m5t1 ,i w say "h t 

f ,arm5tires we 7 %ift$ to ,h\pl9es1    
ab\t #d-a_/b to #e miles nor?-ea/1 :]e  
we made an advance ( a hundr$ y>ds or s 
to /raight5 up4 ,f ,h\pl9es we 7 mov$   
s\? to ,la ,basse1 & f ,la ,basse to    
,neuve ,*apelle 7:]e our #crd ,battalion
 0 almo/ wip$ out 9 ! indecisive victory
 t prov$ mu* & won little71 & !n back to
 ,arm5tires1 :5ce we 7 s5t nor? to ,/4  
,eloi1 aft] mak+ a %ort advance 9 !     
vic9ity ( ,mess9es4 ,f ,/4 ,eloi we 7   
ord]$ to ,hill #fj1 tak+ "p 9 ! n[      
hi/oric battle !re4 ,aft] ,hill #fj1    
,ypres1 :]e %rapnel & poison gas put an 
end to my soldi]+ days--,i am afraid =  
ev]4  ,to come back to our fir/ arrival 
at ,arm5tires1 our position 0 9 t\* ) a 
small village n m>k$ on ! map1 9 !      
direction ( ,h\pl9es4 ,?is village1 :i* 
became almo/ :olly de/roy$1 _h be5      
knock$ ab\t by ! enemy fire1 b ! tall   
*imney ( a di/ill]y _h be5 sp>$1 no d\bt
 because ! ,g]mans want$ x !mselves1    
intact4 ,h[ev] mu* !y wi%$1 & (t5 & h>d 
z !y tri$1 to take x--especially z f x  

c\ld be conn$ n only our l9es b ! lay ( 
! surr\nd+ c\ntry--!y nev] did take x1 &
 x nev] fell1 ?\gh x 0 hit 9 two places 
& crack$4  ,at #aj4cj "o morn+ ,i crawl$
 ov] ! p>apet--t is1 ! s&bags--( our    
tr5* to sket* ! picture ( :i* ?is       
di/ill]y %aft is ! c5tral feature4 ,!   
tr5* also ne> ! middle we _h dug        
ov]night = communication purposes4 ,!   
enemy 7 to ! left ( ! build+s %[n1 & our
 own m5 7 occupy+ ! position to ! "r ( !
 *imney at a range ( #bej y>ds4         
,illu/ration3 ,,outskirts ,,( ,a        
,,village4  ,our boys 9 ! tr5*es c\ld   
nev] und]/& a bright light :i* 9 daytime
 issu$ f ! g>d5 adjo9+ ! f>m-build+s on 
! ,briti% side4 ,b "o day a spy1 :o did 
"w disguis$ z a f>mh&1 0 discov]$4 ,he  
us$ a t9 b[l z a reflector to s5d !     
enemy signals4 ,! rascal 0 duly att5d$  
to4   ,,fet*+ ,,wat]4  ,illu/ration3    
,,my ,,fir/ ,,snip+ ,,place4  ,"h is a  
little view ( ! outskirts ( ! same      
village1 made a few days lat]1 :5 ,i 0  
told (f ) two o!rs to g to ! h\se on !  

"r ( ! sket* to get wat] f ! pump1      
expos$ to ! enemy's fire4 ,:ile p5cill+ 
! sket* ,i saw ! wide gap made 9 !      
tree's bran*es1 z %[n by a %ell pass+   
?r\gh x1 :i* bur/ on ! road "s fifte5   
y>ds away f u4 ,?is 0 an indication !   
enemy _h spott$ figures mov+ 9 !        
direction ( ! h\se4 ,h[ev]1 hav+ got !  
wat]1 we all rea*$ home safely1 ?\gh we 
ran a fur!r risk 9 rummag+ 9 ! or*>d1   
:]e we f\nd "s b$s ( lettuces1 ( :i*    
welcome vegetables we br\ght back ) u   
en\gh to supply ! :ole section4  ,! h\se
 on ! left ( ! %ell$ tree 0 ! position f
 :i* ,i & two o!rs 7 ord]$ to snipe4 ,we
 climb$ ! ricketty build+ & fir$ f !    
eaves & f ! cov] ( ! *imney4 ,! build+ 0
 9 a /ate ( almo/ total ru91 b we took  
our places on ! %ak5 beams & consid]$ we
 made a q successful bag1 = we c\ld     
gu>antee t at lea/ five or six occupants
 ( ! enemy's tr5*es w\ld give u no m    
tr\ble4 ,?is 9 ! c\rse ( "o morn+4      
,f9ally ! enemy saw u & we _h to vacate 
our position1 z bo? ! build+ & !        

b>ricade across ! road 7 be+ rapidly    
hit4   ,,capture ,,( ,a ,,g]man ,,tr5*4 
,illu/ration3 ,,captur$ ,,g]man ,,tr5*4 
,)\t _! covet$ obs]vation po/ ! ,g]man  
gunn]s got ! range ( ! t[n beyond !     
village s completely t "o day !y p\r$ a 
cont9u\s /ream ( %ells ov] our heads f  
#d4cj 9 ! morn+ till mid-day4 ,x 01 ,i  
rememb]1 at day-break next morn+ t "u   
cov] ( our own artill]y1 we made an     
advance & took ! tr5* "h depict$ j z x 0
 left by ! turn$-out4 ,s hurri$ 0 _!    
exit :5 fac$ by ,briti% bayonets t !y   
left beh9d !m 9 ! tr5* q a numb] (      
articles mo/ useful to u--su* z saws1   
snip]'s rifles m\nt$ on tripod /&s1     
hav]sacks1 & a quantity ( o!r equipm5t1 
also a v f9e selection ( cig>s1 :i* came
 z q a gods5d to u4 ,p]sonally1 ,i      
click$ on a pair ( ,g]man jack boots1   
:i*1 z ! wea!r 0 wet & ! gr\nd s(t &    
muddy1 z usual1 came 9 v h&y4 ,i also   
came across a =age cap & a pocket knife1
 & pick$ up a photograph--t ( a typical 
,fraule91 probably ! swee!>t ( ,he9ri*1 

,fritz or ,k>l4   ,a ,,night ,,relief4  
,duty 9 ! tr5*es & re/ & sleep 9 our    
billets 9 _! re> alt]nat$ ) some?+ l    
regul>ity1 b x 0 a regul>ity always     
liable to int]ruptions1 su* z 7         
necessitat$ by n infrequ5t exig5cies4   
,= in/ance1 we _h j got back to ! latt] 
"o night1 at exactly #aj4cj1 aft] sev5  
consecutive days 9 ! tr5*es ( our mo/   
advanc$ position1 & 7 ?9k+ t n[ we %\ld 
get a few h\rs' quiet repose--subject1 (
 c\rse1 to ! di/urbance ( %ell+--:5 a   
sudd5 ord] 0 giv5 to fall 94 ,we turn$  
out1 7 numb]$1 "r turn$1 & m>*$ (f1 s++ 
& :i/l+ m]rily4 ,aft] proce$+ 9 ?is     
fa%ion = half a mile1 ^w 0 pass$ d[n to 
=m ,indian file1 sev5 paces ap>t4 ,we   
mov$ ?us = ab\t a qu>t] ( a mile1 & !n  
^w 0 aga9 pass$ d[n--no smok+1 :i/l+1 or
 talk+4 ,! night 0 pit* d>k1 foggy1 & a 
drizzle 0 beat+ 9 our faces4  ,we 7 n[  
)9 range ( ! enemy's rifle fire & he>d  
sp5t bullets z !y p+$ & splutt]$ into ! 
mud4 ,we cross$ a railway l9e1 & m>*$ or
 crawl$ ! be/ way we c\ld along ! dit*  

p>allel ) x--tru? to tell1 curs+ &      
swe>+4 ,we pass$ an old signal /ation1  
n[ j a pile ( bricks1 ) "o side wall    
/ill erect & "o glass w9d[ intact4 ,we  
_h come to "k well t wall & t w9d[ & !  
/rewn bricks ar\nd1 = we _h pass$ ! spot
 s (t5 9 our little excursions f tr5* to
 billet & billet to tr5*4 ,a little     
fur!r along ! :i/le ( ! bullets grew    
l\d] & m cont9u\s--_! s\nd some?+ l !   
s\nd ( s(t notes :i/l$ by a boy4 ,ma*9e 
guns--motor bikes 9 our                 
nom5clature--rattl$ our left & "r1 our  
position be+ t ( ! f> apex ( a triangle1
 expos$ to inflat$ fire all ! way up4   
,arriv+ )9 a few y>ds ( ! op5+ ( ! tr5* 
we 7 to occupy 9 relief ( ! ,nor?       
,/af=ds1 ! fir/ section ( :om 7 mov+    
along ! dit*1 a /> %ell bur/ above z !  
se>*light 0 turn$ on1 & e man /ood /ock 
/ill till all 0 d>k aga94  ,betwe5 m5 ( 
! incom+ & outgo+ battalions su* casual 
greet+s 7 ex*ang$ z3 ,wot's x l up "h1  
matie82 ',ow are y] go9'1 son82 ,y] want
 to keep y\r 'ead well d[n 9 ?is "p--x's

 a bit 'ot2 ,s long1 sonnie4 ,sprawl+1  
duck+ & div+1 we got 91 & safe beh9d !  
s&bags4 ,j z my *um & ,i _h ent]$ !     
dug-out1 & 7 prep>+ to make ourselves   
com=table1 z our turn = s5try-g w\ld n  
be = two h\rs1 ! s]geant %ov$ 8 head 9 &
 %\t$ t we 7 want$ = a ration p>ty4     
,,ration ,,p>ties4  ,a ration p>ty      
consi/s ( f\rte5 m5--few] sometimes1 b  
f\rte5 if possible1 z ! prop] full      
complem5t4 ,! small c>ts 9 use are      
g5]ally ( rude & primitive con/ruction4 
,z ev]ybody kn[s by n[1 rations comprise
 bully beef ,spratt's biscuits--v l>ge &
 r h>d--loaves ( bread pack$ 9 sacks1   
bacon1 jam1 m>malade1 ,macono*ies 9 t9s1
 &1 :5 possible1 kegs ( wat]4 ,let n !  
rum be =gott54 ,no soldi] is m grateful 
= any?+ ?an = 8 tablespoonful ( rum at  
half-pa/ six 9 ! ev5+ & half-pa/ f\r 9 !
 morn+4 ,8 tot has sav$ _m a man f a    
*ill1 & kept him go+ dur+ long & dre>y  
h\rs ( wet & press4 ,z to bread1 by !   
bye1 x is highly probable t "o small    
loaf1 ab\t half ! size ( an ord9>y loaf1

 w be divid$ betwe5 sev5 m54 ,) ! good  
?+s already enum]at$1 a pl5tiful supply 
( *>coal & coke is usually to be        
expect$4 ,! horse transports ) ^!       
provisions nev] get ne>] ?an1 at !      
close/1 say half-a-mile ( ! front tr5*  
itself1 :5 ! m5 9 *>ge dump _! loads d[n
 & get away back to _! /ores & billets z
 quickly z possible4 ,!re is a lot to   
risk1 = z a rule ! enemy h ! road well  
set1 & ! %ell+ is (t5 v sev]e4  ,x is ! 
duty ( a ration p>ty to br+ up ! loads f
 :]e !y h be5 left4 ,on rega9+ ! op5+ to
 ! tr5*1 !y take ! rations to !         
qu>t]ma/]-s]geant's hut or dug-out4 ,!  
s]geants ( ea* platoon come to ?is hut  
or dug-out1 & to !m ! ?+s are deliv]$ 9 
quantities proportionate ) ! numb] ( m5 
9 ! section ea* repres5ts4 ,! s]geants  
!n s5d along two m5 to c>ry ! :acks to !
 respective trav]ses 9 ! tr5*4 ,?is goes
 on night aft] night4 ,s on ! occasion  
,i am recall+ we 7 v late--& ! di/ance  
we _h to g 0 z mu* z a mile &           
?ree-qu>t]s4  ,?is ration c>ry+1 ! f9al 

/age ( ration transport1 is an ev5 m    
dang]\s & risky job ?an ! prec$+ /age1  
&1 z usual1 snip]s got busy on u1 hitt+ 
?ree m51 ?\gh none 0 kill$4 ,! rattle ( 
bullets f ma*9e guns on ! ricketty sides
 ( ! old c>t add$ to ! programme ( !    
night's ent]ta9m5t1 & !re 7 frequ5t     
int]vals1 n = refre%m5ts1 b = gett+ flat
 & wait+4   ,,ga!r+ ,,9 ,,our           
,,firewood4  ,*opp+ up firewood 0 reg>d$
 n s mu* z "w z x 0 reg>d$ z "o ( our   
recreations 9 ! tr5*es--( :i* ,i %all h 
a little to say pres5tly4 ,b x (t5      
happ5$ t !re 0 no recreation1 b only !  
excitem5t ( dang] 9 ! night-"t job (    
br++ 9 ! firewood = day-"t *opp+4 ,x    
w\ld happ5 t a man _h spott$ 9 "s %ell$ 
h\se or fall5 f>m-build+ a beam1 plank1 
door1 or some?+ else wood5 & burnable1 t
 he c\ldn't c>ry )\t assi/ance1 or t he 
c\ldn't /op to br+ away at ! "t4 ,x mu/ 
be fet*$1 = fire we mu/ h4 ,x might be  
only a few score y>ds away measur$ by   
di/ance1 b an h\r measur$ by "t--?\ art 
s ne> & yet s f> sort ( ?+4 ,fet*]s     

might get hit at any mom5t1 & _h to     
creep & wriggle v cauti\sly ov] op5     
gr\nd all ! way4 ,by "s /range twi/ (   
m5tal association1 :5ev] ,i 0 a fet*] 9 
^! circum/ances ,i f\nd myself m5tally  
quot+ ,longfell['s l9e 9 ,hiawa?a--,he  
is ga!r+ 9 8 firewood6  ,illu/ration3   
,,! ,,woodcutt]',s ,,hut4  ,our *ampion 
at ! game 0 a ,private ,hyatt--q a      
y\ng/]1 b ( f9e physique & fe>less d>+4 
,8 dug-out 0 call$ ,! ,woodcutt]'s ,hut4
 ,he made a regul> hobby ( wood-gett+4  
,he 0 an exp]t1 a speciali/4 ,on c]ta9  
occasions he ev5 w5t out aft] wood 9 !  
daylight1 sli!r+ along on all f\rs t[>ds
 8 objective1 & w\ld be fir$ at until   
recall$ by "o ( 8 own (fic]s4 ,on "o    
occasion :5 he _h crawl$ out & into a   
build+ to collect wood1 z he crawl$ back
 ?r\gh ! doorway we saw little cl\ds (  
du/ ris+ f ! brick-"w surr\nd+ him1 :i* 
%[$ t ! enemy's snip]s _h spott$ him1 & 
we %\t$ to him f ! tr5* to keep d[n4 ,he
 took refuge beh9d ! wall ( ! doorway1 &
 lay !re ?ree-qu>t]s ( an h\r1 & !n     

return$1 br++ ) him ! mu* priz$ plank ( 
:i* he _h gone 9 se>*1 & :i*1 :5 *opp$  
up1 suppli$ our section ) suffici5t     
firewood = a :ole day & night4 ,9 !     
sket* x w be obs]v$ he is read+ a lett]4
 ,?is he _h receiv$ j aft] ! above      
incid5t1 & sat d[n on 8 valise q unaw>e 
t ,i 0 sket*+ him4 ,lat] on ,i gave him 
a copy ( ! sket*1 & he enclos$ x 9 8    
affectionate reply to 8 folk at home4   
,,/& ,,to4  ,! mo/ anxi\s "t a soldi] c 
"k is ! "t1 be x long or %ort1 t foll[s 
! comm& to /& to4 ,_m a "t we _h to /&  
to ! :ole night--! entire battalion1 f  
ev5+ twilight till ! full dawn ( day--z 
an attack 0 expect$4 ,ev]yone 0 at 8    
fir+ position1 ) bayonet fix$ & 8 rifle 
load$--& 9 tip-top work+ condition1 !   
daily rifle inspection hav+ tak5 place  
at dusk4 ,sometimes our artill]y w\ld   
pres5tly op5 fire = ! enemy's fir/ l9e1 
p]haps = five or six m9utes--x might be 
m1 x might be less4 ,!n a wait ( six or 
sev5 m9utes1 :5 ! enemy return$ ! fire1 
& we all got well d[n4 ,x 0 z well to   

keep z h>d up aga9/ ! p>apet z possible1
 & to keep out ( all dug-outs1 = into !m
 ! =w>d impetus ( bur/+ %rapnel 0 likely
 to ?r[ a lot ( spl9t]s4 ,aga9 sil5ce1  
comrades & pals pass+ a few rem>ks 9    
anticipation ( :at ev]ybody knew 0 com+4
 ,! (fic]s ) u 7 "o ) u1 & at _! words1 
,well1 come on1 lads1 !re 0 nev] a      
lagg>d 9 gett+ ov] ! tops 79 our own    
phraseology74 ,z soon z we put our h&s  
on ! s&bags to clamb] ov] ! top ( !     
p>apet a hail/orm ( bullets pelt$ u4 ,x 
is impossible--at all ev5ts = me--to    
describe a *>ge4 ,speak+ = myself1      
always my bra9 seem$ to snap4 ,x 0      
simply a ru% 9 a mad l9e--or z mu* ( a  
l9e z c\ld be kept--t[>ds ! enemy's b>b$
 wire entanglem5ts1 :i* our guns _h bl[n
 to smi!re5s 9 prep>ation = ! assault4  
,we scrambl$ on to _! p>apet1 ea* gett+ 
at ! fir/ man he c\ld t\*4 ,:5 we _h    
tak5 _! position 7we didn't always7 we  
might h to wait "s "t till our artill]y 
_h %ell$ ! second l9e1 b !re 0 a lot (  
"w to be done at once4 ,! p>apet _h to  

be rev]s$4  ,aft] an attack !re 0       
g5]ally a roll call--f :i* !re 7 _m     
abs5tees4  ,m try+--m we>+ & te>+ to !  
n]ves--?an any?+ t 9 my exp]i5ce ev]    
foll[$ x 0 ! /& to itself4 ,! mom5ts1   
m9utes1 ev5 h\rs1 t foll[$ t old famili>
 ord]1 /& to1 7 ! wor/ ,i ev] w5t ?r\gh4
 ,z e ev5tide comes on ,i /ill feel j a 
little--j a v little--( :at ,i felt !n4 
,ev5 n[3 & ,i fe> me ,i always %all till
 dea? bids me /& to4  ,i see ,i h writt5
 s mu* ) only "o illu/ration1 t p]haps x
 won't be amiss if ,i place "h a few    
typical heads & a c\ple ( typical full  
figures1 ! orig9al sket*es ( :i* ,i     
p5cill$ 9 sp>e places 9 my notebook at  
odd times4 ,if !y be really typical !y  
ne$ no labell+4  ,illu/ration3 ,,typical
 ,,figures ,,& ,,figure-,,heads4        
,,*apt] ,v4  ,,! ,,light] ,,side ,,(    
,,tr5* ,,life4   ,t !re 0 7& is7 a      
light] side1 a social side1 ( tr5* life1
 z ( ! life g5]ally ( a soldi] on active
 s]vice1 ev5 9 ?is w>1 m]ely incid5tal  
rem>ks ( m9e su* z c\ld n be omitt$ f   

any true & fair description ( t life mu/
 furni% abundant evid5ce2 b ?is light]  
side 01 9 my exp]i5ce1 s v real & s     
pron\nc$ t to illu/rate a few set       
obs]vations !reon ,i take a few sket*es 
f my notebook out ( ! ord] 9 :i* ,i f9d 
!m 9 x4   ,,s+-,,songs4  ,our conc]t    
p>ties 7 imm5se1 & !re 0 no =c$ gaiety 9
 our enjoym5t ( !m4 ,"s ( ! be/ s+-songs
 7 9 ,leice/] ,l\nge1 nam$ aft] !       
luxuri\s resort 7:i* x didn't resemble7 
h>d by ! ,empire ,!atre4 ,! reflection  
occurs to me = ! fir/ "t t only m5 ) :om
 high spirits 7 rampant w\ld or c\ld h  
be5 s fond ( inv5t+ su* nicknames z--9  
mood jovially ironic--we co9$ = all     
sorts ( places1 p]sons & ?+s4 ,leice/]  
,l\nge 0 a dug-out adjac5t to ,hamm]smi?
 ,bridge1 & ! surr\nd+s ( ,hamm]smi?    
,bridge1 !re be+ no?+ 9 connection ) !m 
to sugge/--save by abs5ce--ei!r a g>d5  
or a city1 7 ! ,g>d5 ,city4             
,illu/ration3 ,,hamm]smi? ,,bridge4  ,x 
0 ! bigge/1 roomie/1 & mo/ palatial     
dug-out we _h4 ,! top 0 j a small       

ro(-g>d51 c>efully plant$ & laid out4 ,x
 _h /atu>y1 too1 9 gr\ps4 ,! /atues 7   
fa%ion$ 9 clay by amateur h&s1 & !      
arti/ic effects 7 orig9al & novel1 to   
say ! lea/4 ,x 0 also ! safe/ place1 ?is
 ,l\nge1 because x 0 sunk f\r feet bel[ 
! level ( ! tr5* itself4 ,x accommodat$ 
twelve easily4 ,impromptu conc]ts 7     
frequ5t "h2 our f>-fam$ m\?-organ b&    
p]=m$ at su* int]vals z our own milit>y 
duties & ! enemy's cascades ( %ells     
p]mitt$4 ,x 0 "h ! names ( neighb\r+    
/reams & nullahs 7 *os5 f :i* we drew   
our daily bev]age ( ,adam's ,ale        
7untax$1 & r ?ick71 su* z ! port5t\s    
,cs>'s ,well4 ,9 ano!r spaci\s dug-out  
we _h our ,times ,book ,club4 ,?is      
eligible t5em5t _h ! special di/9ction (
 a /ove & *imney 7purlo9$ f a ru9$      
f>m7--t is1 x _h a *imney till ! enemy  
spott$ & s riddl$ x t x collaps$4 ,x _h 
a glass w9d[ 7fix$ 9 clay71 /atu>y      
7modell$ 9 clay71 decorations 7log-cab9 
ord]71 "o *air 7also purlo9$1 back brok5
 (f71 "o table 7v trea*]\s72 & ,i mu/n't

 =get ! presid5t's bell 7tobacco t9     
%ell1 & a c>tridge = a clapp]74 ,x 0 lit
 by _m c&les1 & z ! fee = memb]%ip 0 a  
book or magaz9e f home1 x s]v$ a good   
purpose4    ,,dirty ,,dick',s4          
,illu/ration3 ,,dirty ,,dick',s4  ,aft] 
a "t ! s+-songs 9 a tr5* "s little      
di/ance away f ,leice/] ,l\nge knock$   
spots (f all ! o!rs any:]e1 ?anks to !  
acquisition ( a piano = !m--probably !  
only in/rum5t ( its k9d :i* has ev] be5 
9 ! ,briti% tr5*es at ! front4 ,x came f
 ,dirty ,dick's4 ,! picture ( ,dirty    
,dick's gives a r\gh idea ( ! deva/ation
 ( w>4 ,! portion ( a build+ to ! "r 0  
all t rema9$ ( :at1 b a few weeks be=e1 
_h be5 a h&some & prosp]\s hotel1 & !   
wall ) w9d[ & door spaces left1 %[n to !
 left1 _h be5 ! resid5ce ( a prom95t    
citiz54 ,all t 0 left ( ! hotel 0 a %aky
 wall1 ?\gh ! sign-bo>d rema9$1 hav+    
escap$ ! enemy's fire4  ,we 7 plac$ 9 ! 
tr5* %[n 9 ! =egr\nd1 & ! ,g]mans 7 also
 entr5*$ 9 ! space se5 9 ! di/ance      
betwe5 ! ru9s4 ,:5 we fir/ took up our  

position ! hotel 0 intact except t ! ro(
 _h be5 de/roy$4 ,! wall t[>ds our tr5* 
0 /&+1 & :5 x fell ! bricks came tumbl+ 
ov] u1 & ! du/ ( ! r$ masonry turn$ u   
into copp]-col\r$ m54 ,b prior to ?is   
?ree ,jocks & ?ree ( our own regim5t    
crawl$ out ( ! tr5* & into ! h\se1 & we 
spott$ a piano on ! gr\nd floor4 ,!     
temptation 0 too great2 we decid$ to    
remove x4 ,! op]ation took u two & a    
half h\rs' h>d /ruggle4 ,ev5tually we   
got ! in/rum5t into our tr5*1 some:at   
batt]$ ab\t & m9us "o leg1 b /ill answ]+
 to ! keybo>d4 ,un=tunately two ( ! p>ty
 7 w\nd$ 9 do+ ?is1 b !y didn't m9d4    
,night aft] night we _h s+-songs        
accompani$ on ! piano 9 prop] /yle1 &   
us$ to give =? ) ! full /r5g? ( our     
lungs--      ,! ,g]mans are com+--      
,hurrah6 ,hurrah6  ,! h>mony ( ?is /unt 
us$ to be waft$ on ! sil5t night air to 
! ,g]man tr5*es1 & we soon saw h[ x     
upset ,fritz & ,k>l4 ,!y got s annoy$ t 
!y tra9$ _! artill]y 9 ! direction ( !  
s\nds1 & us$ to %ell u all along ! l9e 9

 ! hope ( sil5c+ our conc]ts4 ,h[ev]1 !y
 c\ld nev] q locate ! exact spot 9 :i* !
 in/rum5t 0 tempor>ily plac$4           
,illu/ration3 ,,entr5*+ ,,! ,,piano4    
,"o night1 :ile "o ( our conc]ts 0 at   
its height1 ! (fic]s ev5 jo9+ 91 ! ord] 
came to advance4 ,s we _h to bid a ha/y 
f>ewell to our mu*-priz$ ,johanna1 :i*  
_h giv5 u s mu* pleasure4               
,,sev5ty-,,five ,,hotel4  ,illu/ration3 
,,sev5ty-,,five ,,hotel4  ,n[ ,i ?9k (  
x1 !re 0 ano!r ex-pub :]e we t\*$ lucky 
9 ! matt] ( f9d+ ?+s--?\gh !y didn't    
include a piano4 ,?is 0 ,sev5ty-five    
,hotel4 ,we call$ x t because ! enemy   
fir$ sev5ty-five %ells into x 9         
sev5ty-five m9utes on "o memorable      
occasion1 & !n only kill$ "o man4 ,!    
build+1 :i* _h be5 ! sc5e ( fi]ce fight+
 ev5 be=e our battalion arriv$ on ! sc5e
 ( action1 /ill bore ! sign ,e/am9et1 & 
s we c\ld safely conclude t x _h be5 !  
village pub1 or w9e lodge4 ,!re 7 a few 
bottles ( w9e /ill 9 ! cell>1 :i* !     
,g]mans mu/ h ov]look$ :5 !y 7 9        

possession1 or _h n "t to take away4 ,we
 f\nd _m articles1 "s useful1 "s        
o!rwise2 among/ !m a l>ge w>m+-pan1 :i* 
caus$ amusem5t4 ,! article we put to !  
be/ use 0 ! d9n] bell4 ,?is 0 turn$ to  
great acc\nt4 ,9 front ( ! e/am9et 0 our
 li/5+ po/1 :]e we kept wat* & gu>d at  
night4 ,well1 by aid ( ! d9n] bell we   
in/all$ our own br& ( telephone sy/em4  
,?is 0 to connect ! bell by /r+ to !    
wri/s ( ^? out on ! wat*4 ,:5ev] !y saw 
anyone approa*+ or any o!r indication ( 
possible dang] !y g5tly pull$ ! /r+1 !  
bell t9kl$1 x 0 he>d by our companions 9
 ! tr5*1 ^w 0 pass$ along1 & ev]yone    
prep>$ = em]g5cies4   ,,*ick5 ,,f>m4    
,illu/ration3 ,,*ick5 ,,f>m4  ,"h some?+
 really l a little bit ( sport came 9   
our way4 ,:5 we arriv$ !re ! f>m 0      
des]t$1 its lawful own]s hav+ f\nd !    
situation too hot = !m4 ,c[s roam$ ab\t 
at r&om1 & s did pigs4 ,b aft] we _h dug
 ourselves 9 & made our position secure1
 ! *ick5s 7 :at int]e/$ u mo/4 ,!re 7   
two hundr$ & fifty ( ^! at ! lea/1 & !y 

us$ to p>ade on ! /rip ( gr\nd %[n 9 !  
picture & ! bold] spirits peep ov] !    
edge ( our tr5*4 ,cat*+ !m 0 good sport1
 b eat+ !m 0 some?+ f9]4 ,:at a nice    
*ange f bully beef & biscuit6 ,cook+ n q
 a la ,c>lton or ,ritz1 b m on          
prehi/oric pr9ciples4 ,s _m f[ls 7      
caught1 kill$ & pluck$ = cook+ & eat+ t 
! wet mud 0 completely cov]$ ) fea!rs1 &
 resembl$ a fea!r bank4 ,z = ourselves1 
! fea!rs1 /ick+ to ! wet mud on our     
uni=ms & equipm5ts1 turn$ u into ,zulus1
 wild m5 ( ! woods1 or ,*ippeway        
,indians4 ,! enemy presumably did fairly
 well also ) a p\ltry f>m 9 ! di/ance4  
,!y appe>$ to h a portable kit*54 ,we   
(t5 wat*$ ! funnel mov+ ab\t _! tr5*4   
,"o day a l9e 0 /ret*$ f ?is funnel to a
 pole & ,g]man (fic]s' uni=ms 7 hung out
 on ! l9e to dry ov] ! /ove4 ,x made u a
 lovely t>get4 ,%oot+ at (fic]s' uni=ms 
0 a pleasant div]sion1 & !y _h be5 well 
pi]c$ ) bullets be=e !y 7 tak5 94   ,a  
,,fr5* ,,com$ian4  ,lat] on1 & f>!r     
on--aft] our capture ( a position ,i    

%all %ortly h occasion to describe--we  
made ! acqua9tance ( a ,fr5* born       
com$ian1 :o 0 a t[] ( /r5g? at our      
ent]ta9m5ts1 & :o 9 v>i\s o!r ways 0 a  
cause ( con/ant amusem5t4 ,he _h be5    
left beh9d by 8 regim5t1 & we f\nd him  
hang+ ar\nd ! place4 ,x _h be5 8 home1 &
 x seem$ t ! magnet ( life-long         
associations held him to x4 ,he 0 v     
useful 9 tak+ u r\nd to cottages :i*1 to
 our surprise1 we f\nd to be /ill       
inhabit$1 & 9 giv+ u ! tip :]e to f9d   
*eap1 if v ?91 be] & o!r refre%m5ts4 ,he
 0 p>ticul>ly pr\d ( 8 ,g]man           
jack-boots--made = legs v mu* bigg] ?an 
8 own4 ,:5 we _h conc]ts he us$ to give 
u clev] imitations ( ! late ,h>ry       
,fragson 9 8 ,m>g>ita & o!r v>ieties1 to
 ! accompanim5t ( ! m\?-organ b&4 ,he   
us$ to say3 ,ze ,englee% soldi]--trs    
bon--ze ,fr5* soldi]--bon--mais ze      
,allem&--no bon6 ,on "o occasion he told
 u3 ,aprs la gu]re1 ze ,englee% soldi]  
beauc\p admir]s--ladees6 ,ze ,fr5*      
soldi] admir]s1 too4 ,ze ,allem&--non6  

,illu/ration3 ,a ,,fr5*                 
,,comrade-,,com$ian4  ,he got hold (    
peasants to wa% our clo!s = u &         
introduc$ u to a little mill-race1 :i*  
we rea*$ ?r\gh a ?icket :i* conceal$ u1 
& ! spectacle ( our m5 /ripp+ & div+    
into ! /ream 9 cold wea!r amus$ him     
hugely4 ,he jump$ ab\t 9 8 big boots1   
exclaim+3 ,vat y\r vife say if %e see y 
9 ze wat]8 ,vat %e say if %e see y ici8 
,! ,engli% repli$1 9 ! be/ ,fr5* at _!  
comm&1 beauc\p lav--trs bon1 at :i* our 
comical comrade-at-arms laugh$ m he>tily
 ?an ev]4 ,:5 8 regim5t f\nd out :]e he 
0 a gu>d 0 s5t up1 & he 0 oblig$ to     
rema9 9 *>ge ( x1 to 8 great regret1 :5 
we mov$ on4 ,he wi%$ u bonne *ance1     
assur+ u t x 0 8 "o desire aft] ! w> to 
get to ,anglet]re1 :]e he _h nev] be52 b
 n[ t he knew ! ,engli% he mu/ visit u  
to make our fur!r acqua9tance4 ,s mu* = 
our comical ,fr5* fri5d1 ev] s amus+ &  
ev] s polite4  ,we f\nd fun 9 all sorts 
( ?+s1 made fun ( all sorts ( ?+s4 ,t we
 c\ld d s & did d s may appe> /range--x 

seems /range sometimes to me n[4 ,b     
'twas a m]ciful ?+ t we 7 able to4      
,,*apt] ,,vi4  ,,! ,,make ,,( ,a        
,,briti% ,,tr5*4   ,! f\r foll[+ sket*es
 w1 ,i hope1 give a fairly cle> &       
accurate idea ( ! con/ruction ( a       
,briti% tr5*4 ,! fir/ depicts "o ( my   
comrades 7:o 0 also a bro!r-arti/ by    
pr(ession1 & a bro!r-snip]7 sitt+ read+1
 dur+ a surcease ( ! fir+1 on ! fir+    
plat=m 9 a tr5* corn]4 ,x w be notic$ t 
he we>s 8 sleep+ cap4 ,v close & h&y are
 8 tall jack-boots--s s]viceable 9 wet  
wea!r & heavy mud4 ,my arti/-fri5d1 ,i  
%\ld l to rem>k1 0 consid]$ among snip]s
 a great %ot1 & !re is no d\bt t he (t5 
did deadly "w ) 8 rifle4  ,illu/ration3 
,a ,,tr5* ,,snip] ,,re/+4  ,aft] ! tr5* 
has be5 dug out ! s&bags are plac$ along
 ! top s z to =m :at is call$ a p>apet4 
,!n ! tr5* is dug deep] /ill & ! fir+   
plat=m is put 94 ,next ! v]tical /ruts (
 wood are put 9 position ) wir+ 9 betwe5
 to hold back ! mud1 & 9 places :]e x is
 possible blocks fill 9 gaps to /r5g!n !

 /ructure4 ,f9ally ! b$ ( ! tr5* is     
bo>d$ ov] ) long heavy planks1 "s ( :i* 
require two m5 to c>ry !m2 ^! are v (t5 
plac$ on bricks or blocks ( wood to give
 air spaces und]nea? to keep !m dry z f>
 z possible4 ,! tr5* is n[ complet$ z f>
 z its con/ruction is conc]n$1 b x is   
left to be furni%$ ) any supplies t     
happ5 to be h&y4 ,"o ( ! fir/ ess5tials 
is naturally ! fireplace4 ,?is1 z 9 !   
pres5t in/ance1 is v (t5 an old t9 pail 
) a few holes knock$ 9 x1 some:at simil>
 to ! "o us$ by ,mr4 ,wilkie ,b>d 9 8   
fam\s sket*1 ,! ,night ,wat*man4 ,! fuel
 consi/s ( *>coal1 wood & coke1 to get  
:i* fully lit x is usual to sw+ !       
receptacle r\nd & r\nd s z to create a  
draught & />t ! cont5ts ?or\ghly on ! g4
 ,!re is a great dang] att5d+ ?is1 = if 
! ,g]mans cat* a glimpse ( ! brazi] be+ 
:irl$ 9 ! air !y imm$iately locate !    
:irl] & beg9 fir+ 9 8 direction4  ,!    
black pat* 9 ! c5tre ( ! picture        
repres5ts ! snip+ place1 :i* is a ?ick  
piece ( iron let into ! p>apet ) a hole 

bor$ ?r\gh x l>ge en\gh to take ! muzzle
 ( ! rifle4 ,x also all[s en\gh space = 
! snip] to see ?r\gh1 &1 ) ! aid ( !    
p]iscope1 held usually by a comrade at 8
 side1 he is able to get ! sight = 8    
fir+4   ,a ,,trav]se4  ,illu/ration3 ,a 
,,trav]se4  ,"h is a trav]se 9 a tr5*4  
,! s]geant is read+ ! ord]s ( ! day to  
"o ( 8 m54 ,?is 0 a v damp corn]--on !  
top ( ! dug-out to ! left tunics 7 hang+
 to dry 9 ! e>ly morn+ air4 ,! soldi]   
/ill has on 8 sleep+ cap 7l ! figure 9 !
 la/ picture72 8 mess-t9 is by 8 side1 &
 8 rifle1 encas$ 9 a wat]pro( cov]4 ,he 
is sitt+ on ! fir+ plat=m1 & ! dep? ( ! 
tr5* is noticeable1 %[+ h[ l[ ! m5 are 9
 ! gr\nd4 ,! s&bags %[n x took u f\r    
h\rs "o night to place 9 position4 ,z   
fa/ z we put !m up !y 7 %ot d[n aga9 by 
! enemy's maxim fire4 ,we 7 all s tir$ &
 sleepy t1 work+ on automatically1 we   
h>dly knew :e!r we 7 putt+ ! mud 9 !    
s&bags or outside !m4  ,x 0 n only !    
dampness & ! incessant maxim fire we _h 
to cont5d ) "h1 b an army ( insects1 :i*

 jump$ ab\t u 9 battalions1 & saw to x  
we 7 nev] lonely4 ,a ,cockney memb] (   
our company1 aft] cat*+ a p>ticul>ly    
active jump]1 call$ out3 ,n[ !n1 y      
blight]1 :]e is y\r respirator8  ,!     
enemy 7 only ?irty y>ds away1 & we c\ld 
(t5 he> !m %\t+ at u & w\ld answ] back4 
,_m ( our m5 7 hit by snip]s1 :ile !    
%ell+ 0 (t5 t]rific1 b we /uck on1 z we 
7 hold+ a "p ( an important milit>y     
position4 ,i rememb] h[ on an occasion  
:5 ! %ell+ 0 v heavy "o man engag$      
himself 9 mak+ s\p z coolly z if no?+ 0 
happ5+ until ! e>? knock$ up by ! %ells 
began to drop into ! mess-t91 :5 he gave
 u 8 op9ion ( ! ,bo*es 9 8 own =cible   
v]nacul>4 ,we (t5 laid = h\rs at !      
bottom ( ! tr5*--flat on ! gr\nd 9 !    
wat] & mud to escape ! %ells4   ,,!     
,,bir?-,,place ,,( ,a ,,song4           
,illu/ration3 ,,! ,,bir?-,,place ,,( ,a 
,,song4  ,! ?ird bit ( tr5* ( ?is *apt] 
has a claim to fame z ! bir?-place ( a  
song4 ,! song 0 "o :i* only ,briti%     
soldi]s c\ld h concoct$1 & none b       

,briti% soldi]s w\ld h sung4 ,x _h no   
kn[n au?or & no kn[n compos]4 ,x sort ( 
gr[$1 l ,topsy4 ,if x _h _h a title giv5
 to x ,i suppose x w\ld h be5 call$ ,i  
want to g home1 = t 0 its dirge-l       
refra91 always sung v *e]fully inde$1 or
 ) mock e>ne/ness4 ,"t & aga9 ,i he>d   
its *orus tak5 up ) t]rific gu/o f end  
to end ( ?is tr5*1 & ! :ole extraord9>y 
composition spread to o!r tr5*es l a    
contagion4 ,its popul>ity 0 in/ant &    
endur+--& z unacc\ntable z ! popul>ity (
 _m o!r popul> songs4 ,i ?9k ,i quote ! 
inspir$ words ( ! *orus correctly3--    
,i want to g home1     ,i want to g     
home--     ,?o' ! ,jack ,johnsons &     
%rapnel     ,may :i/le & ro>1     ,i    
don't want to g 9 ! tr5*es no m2     ,i 
want to be     ,:]e ! ,alleymonds c't   
cat* me3     ,oh my6     ,i don't want  
to die--     ,i want--to g home4  ,?ree 
rifles are deposit$ on ! /eps ( !       
fireplace--! usual position = rifles :5 
n 9 h&1 dropp$ inside canvas bags1      
bayonets protrud+--kept well greas$1 to 

prev5t !m f gett+ ru/y4   ,,tr5*        
,,p]iscope4  ,illu/ration3 ,,tr5*       
,,p]iscope ,,9 ,,use4  ,! uses ( a tr5* 
p]iscope are s well kn[n t !y ne$ n be  
describ$4 ,! feature ( my la/ sket* ( a 
tr5* f ! inside is t x %[s "o 9 actual  
employm5t4     ,,*apt] ,,vii4  ,,!      
,,ruse ,,( ,a ,,g]man ,,snip]4   ,snip]s
 on bo? sides exhibit$ ! mo/ extraord9>y
 artfulness1 cunn+ & +5uity 9 !         
discov]y1 adaptation & inv5tion ( cov]4 
,! great desid]atum1 ( c\rse1 0 to hide 
:]e we c\ld see )\t be+ se51 to %oot f  
:]e !re 0 lea/ dang] ( be+ %ot4  ,i     
help$ to track & put an end at ,h\pl9es 
to "o ,g]man snip] :o _h resort$ to a   
ruse t ,i really ?9k des]ves ! dignity (
 a %ort *apt] all to itself4 ,! /ory is 
tellable 9 a few words1 & may be        
introduc$ by ?is draw+ ( ,! ,:ite ,f>m1 
s *ri/5$ because ( ! :it5ess ( ! walls (
 its h\se2 al?\gh1 z w be notic$1 !re 0 
little ( ?is or any?+ else left up/&+ :5
 ,i drew my sket*4  ,illu/ration3 ,,!   
,,:ite ,,f>m4  ,! position %[n is !     

entrance to ! tr5* at ?is po9t1 & !     
%ovels1 b>rels1 pails & wat] tr\gh are  
all su* implem5ts z _h be5 us$ 9 mak+ & 
dra9+ ! cutt+4  ,! c>t %[n is ! ration  
c>t us$ at night = br++ provisions f !  
,transport ,corps wagon4 ,x 0 usual = ! 
ration p>ties 7z else:]e7 to g out e    
night aft] dusk4 ,^! 7 ev5 m ?an        
ord9>ily dang]\s excursions1 z ! enemy  
tr5*es comm&$ ! road1 we hav+ captur$ ! 
position f !m %ortly be=e4 ,h5ce snip+ 0
 cont9u\s1 & ! c>t 0 (t5 hit & our m5   
kill$ or w\nd$4 ,we !re=e took          
obs]vations4   ,,! ,,snip] ,,:o ,,liv$  
,,9 ,a ,,tree4  ,illu/ration3 ,a ,,g]man
 ,,snip]',s ,,ne/  ,9 c\rse ( "t we came
 to notice t ! mo/ dang]\s "p ( ! road  
lay betwe5 a will[ tree-/ump & ! ,:ite  
,f>m4 ,our m5 7 %ot "h nightly 9 gett+  
back to ! tr5*es4 ,a p>ty 0 =m$ to make 
a t\r ( ! field 9 :i* ! tree-trunk /ood4
 ,! fir/ ?+ we notic$ 0 t aft] we ent]$ 
?is enclosure ! %ots 7 less num]\s4 ,we 
split up 9 op5 ord] & approa*$ ! will[1 
tak+ c>e to drop to ! gr\nd on our h&s &

 knees4 ,z we ne>$ ! tree1 lo & behold6 
a %ot rang out f x & only j miss$ !     
corporal4 ,he jump$ up at once & we all 
foll[$ suit4 ,all da%$ on = ! tree4 ,:at
 did we f9d8 ,x 0 no?+ b a purposely    
holl[$ trunk us$ z a %ield$ ne/ = a     
,g]man snip]1 ! inside be+ fitt$ ) a    
%elf to re/ 8 arm on z he coolly pick$  
(f our m5 ?r\gh a hole4 ,he endeav\r$ to
 make 8 escape 9 ! d>kness1 b we br\ght 
him d[n4 ,he _h evid5tly be5 us+ ?is    
snip+ place = weeks1 ?\gh ?is 0 ! fir/  
"t we _h locat$ him4     ,,*apt] ,,viii4
  ,,?ree ,,dea? ,,traps4   ,i suppose x 
may be said1 )\t exagg]ation1 t we 7 9 a
 dea? trap all ! "t1 b ,i h sket*es to  
%[ ( ?ree p>ticul> & extra special sort 
( dea? traps4 ,! fir/ is (3--           
,,suicide ,,bridge4  ,illu/ration3      
,,suicide ,,bridge4  ,?is bridge1 made  
by ! ,briti%1 0 call$ ,suicide ,bridge1 
because x 01 & 0 at1 su* a specially    
dang]\s spot4 ,! ,briti% tr5*es 7 9 !   
=egr\nd & beyond ! bridge4 ,we held ^!  
tr5*es = f\rte5 days aga9/ ! enemy's    

attacks4 ,! gap 0 n9e feet deep at ?is  
corn]1 & ! black hole on ! left fa9tly  
%[+ a fireplace 0 our kit*51 sc>r$ by   
bullet m>ks made by snip]s4  ,! place 0 
infe/$ ) rats4 ,great wat]-rats 7       
cont9ually gett+ at our food & *eese 9 !
 dug-outs4 ,9 "o rat hunt we kill$      
eighte5 ( ^! rod5ts 9 "o morn+4 ,! /ream
 itself suppli$ u ) dr9k+ wat]1 b "o day
 our m5 began to fall ill4 ,! doctor    
analys$ ! wat] & discov]$ t ! da/>dly   
,huns _h poison$ ! /ream high] up1 :]e x
 ran ?r\gh _! l9es4 ,we w>n$ ! re/ ( !  
battalion by ! field telephone wires &  
sav$ !m all f be+ poison$4  ,an         
exasp]at+ ?\gh n murd]\s kultur trick 0 
to s5d u insult+ messages d[n ! /ream   
enclos$ 9 bottles1 call+ u dirty dogs1  
,engli% sw9e1 etc41 etc4  ,! f9al furi\s
 attempt ( ! ,g]mans to dislodge u began
 9 ! daylight4 ,_! snip]s advanc$ fir/ 9
 an op5 field beyond ! trees & took cov]
 9 a wagon1 :i* we locat$ by ! ridge (  
flame4  ,at night !y advanc$ 9 great    
masses = h&-to-h& fights1 :i* took place

 9 ! /ream4 ,! c>nage 0 t]rible4 ,!     
poison+ tricks _h work$ our fell[s up to
 a high pit*1 & !y f\ght ) reckless     
brav]y4 ,we manag$ to explode a m9e &   
caught _! res]ves4 ,!n _! artill]y op5$ 
on ! /ream & we ru%$ out to meet !m4 ,!y
 didn't get ,suicide ,bridge f u1 b !   
losses 7 heavy on bo? sides & ! /ream   
itself 0 r$ ) blood4   ,,suicide        
,,signal ,,box4  ,illu/ration3 ,,suicide
 ,,signal ,,box4  ,! sket* ( ,suicide   
,signal ,box takes u to a spot on !     
railway l9e close to ! sc5e ( "o ( !    
bigge/ battles ( ! w>4 ,its *ief feature
 is ! dug-out actually "u ! l9e itself4 
,( c\rse ! l9e 0 n be+ us$ across ! top 
( ! dug-out4 ,z a matt] ( fact1 at ?is  
"t a railway truck 0 run up to ! edge   
nightly propell$ by =ty ( our m51 br++  
fill$ s&bags = mak+ a b>ricade across ! 
l9e1 ?us af=d+ ! reliev+ p>ty cov] :5   
gett+ out ( tr5*4 ,! position 0 kn[n to 
u z ,suicide ,signal ,box1 because x 0 s
 dang]\s z to be almo/ suicidal to cross
 ! l9e1 z 0 necess>y to rea* ! road only

 five y>ds beyond4 ,! ru9$ build+ is !  
signal box itself1 protect$ by ! l9e (  
s&bags 9 front ( telegraph poles & %ell$
 trees4  ,a mo/ curi\s fact ab\t ?is    
place 0 t1 ?\gh x 0 be+ cont9ually %ell$
 by ! enemy & _! maxim guns 7 tra9$ day 
& night on ?is v important position to  
cat* troops com+ up z reliev+ p>ties1 x 
0 a wond]ful place 9 :i* to he> ! birds 
s+4 ,! l>ks trill$ at e dawn to h]ald ! 
com+ day1 & nev] seem$ 9 ! lea/ di/urb$ 
by ! ro> ( artill]y4 ,9 ! left-h& corn] 
( ! sket* w be notic$ ! fir+ plat=m1 ov]
 :i* is ! funk hole1 s call$ f its be+ !
 refuge to run to :5 ! %ells arrive4 ,! 
soldi] buries 8 head l ! o/ri*--only he 
beats ! o/ri* by gett+ 8 %\ld]s 9 z     
well--& !n feels fairly secure4   ,a    
,,mile-,,&-,a-,,half ,,( ,,hell4        
,illu/ration3 ,a ,,gha/ly ,,prom5ade4   
,i %[ a little bit ( a gha/ly prom5ade  
ne> ,mess9es1 "s six miles f ,arm5tires4
 ,! road ( :i* ! bit 9 ! =egr\nd leads  
to :at rema9s ( a v h&some gateway to a 
p>k is a mile-&-a-half 9 l5g?1 & _h to  

be trav]s$ by our m5 9 ord] to get to ! 
,briti% position1 :i* 0 plac$ beyond !  
left corn] ( ! picture 7:]e ! brok5 tree
 slants74 ,reliev+ p>ties _h to cov] !  
:ole ( ?is di/ance expos$ to ! enemy's  
enfilad+ fire f two sides ( ! triangle  
"r up to ! apex4 ,! apex 0 a ,briti%    
tr5* 9 ! mo/ advanc$ position we c\ld   
possibly hold4 ,our det]m9ation to ?r[  
back ! enemy made x absolutely necess>y 
to hold x4 ,! road 0 cov]$ by ! ,g]mans'
 maxim guns f ?ree po9ts1 bo? d[n ea*   
side & f ! c5tre betwe5 ! pill>s ( !    
gateway4 ,our me?od ( advance 0 9       
,indian file at sev]al paces ap>t1 &    
in/ructions 7 giv5 t :5ev] ! maxims fir$
 ^u u we 7 to drop flat on ! gr\nd      
imm$iately1 & :5 ! se>*light 0 turn$ ^u 
u 7:i* x frequ5tly 0 ) bl9d+ =ce7 we 7  
to /& /ock /ill 9 :atev] position we 71 
! reason be+ t ev5 ) su* p[]ful         
se>*lights z are us$ by ! enemy1 :i* h a
 p]fect range ( five miles1 x is easi] =
 !m to di/+ui% a mov+ object ?an a      
/ation>y "o4 ,x 0 almo/ un5durable to h 

our rifles 9 our h&s--! b>rels frequ5tly
 hit by ! enemy's bullets--& to h to /& 
/ill unable to use !m--by ord]2 b (     
c\rse x w\ld h be5 fatal to h op5$ fire4
 ,we %\ld all h be5 annihilat$4   ,,!   
,,hole ,,9 ,,! ,,wall4  ,illu/ration3   
,,! ,,hole ,,9 ,,! ,,wall4  ,z a        
pictorial sequel to ,suicide ,bridge &  
my little acc\nt ( ! great fight !re1 h&
 to h& 9 ! d>kness1 ! next illu/ration w
 n be out ( place4 ,! b>ricade across ! 
road1 at ! entrance to a village1 m>ks !
 spot to :i* we advanc$ f ! /ream aft] t
 /ruggle 9 x4 ,! clean hole 9 a rema9+  
wall ( ! almo/ demoli%$ h\se on ! left  
_h be5 cut by a %ell4 ,! h\se 9 ru9s on 
! "r _h be5 a mansion1 & pictures &     
furniture 7 /rewn ab\t--"s ( :i* we us$ 
9 ! tr5*es4 ,a case ( w9e _h be5 left   
beh9d unbroa*$4 ,a cat left beh9d1 t    
refus$ to quit1 bore a *>m$ life--nev] 0
 hit--& (t5 ran ab\t on ! p>apet4 ,!    
p>apet b>ricade ( s&bags 0 call$ ,!     
,high ,jump1 because we _h to m\nt x &  
get ov] x ea* night & jump = our lives1 

to take up our positions by our advanc$ 
li/5+ & obs]vation po/4 ,x 0 absolutely 
fatal = anyone to %[ himself on ! road 9
 ! daytime4 ,_m a "t we %\ld h lik$ to h
 /ret*$ our legs1 b d>$ n4 ,b aft] !    
f\r? day we did actually get on ! road1 
z ! enemy %ift$ _! position1 & ! relief 
0 wond]ful4 ,x _h be5 a speculation :e!r
 we or ! ,g]mans w\ld get on ! road1 &  
aft] dislodg+ !m we manag$ x4 ,our m5   
ran ab\t1 "s skipp+ ) a piece ( wire1   
o!rs roll+ on ! gr\nd1 9 _! enjoym5t (  
newly-f\nd fre$om1 occasional sp5t      
bullets rea*+ u f a great di/ance4 ,!   
position 0 always ref]r$ to z ,hole 9 ! 
,wall4     ,,*apt] ,,ix4  ,,g]man       
,,bea/s ,,9 ,a ,,fr5* ,,conv5t4   ,x is 
fitt+ t my sket* ( a ,fr5* ,conv5t1 z ! 
abode ( holy wom5 ^: innoc5t lives 7    
d$icat$ & devot$ to ! s]vice ( ! ,pr9ce 
( ,peace1 %\ld /& by itself1 ap>t f any 
draw+s sugge/+ less fa9tly ! devilry (  
w>4 ,! nunn]y _h be5 9 ! possession ( ! 
,g]mans = "s %ort "t be=e we arriv$ on !
 sc5e1 & bore traces ( _! cu/om>y       

depr$ations & violations4 ,! /ories     
relat$ by ! nuns !mselves 7 n ( a       
description to be> retail+ 9 ! public   
,press4 ,i w\ld to ,god t !y c\ld be    
told to e c[>d ( a %irk] at home1 to e  
skunk ( a consci5ti\s objector1 to e rat
 ( a /op-!-w> pacifici/4 ,!y w\ld /ir to
 boil+ indignation ! dregs ( _!         
manhood--if !y h any dregs4 ,!y w\ld    
make !m sick--ev5 !m2 & ,i %\ld l !m all
 to be sick--sick unto dea?4 ,!re are n 
_m ( !m1 all told1 b !y are noisy z well
 z noisome4 ,! good si/]s hail$ !       
,briti% z deliv]]s1 & gave u a welcome  
,i c nei!r describe nor =get4           
,illu/ration3 ,a ,,violat$ ,,conv5t4  ,!
 enemy _h ab/a9$ f de/roy+ ! build+1    
probably f a subtle motive4 ,!y _h      
retir$ to a wood 9 ! re>4 ,we made a %>p
 attack ^u !m to ! "r ( ?is wood ! next 
day2 caught !m at night completely      
unaw>es1 &1 aft] a v /iff fight1 r\t$   
!m1 & !y left #aej dead on ! gr\nd4     
,!re 0 a pond 9 ! ,conv5t gr\nds1 & :ile
 gett+ wat] = our transport teams we    

came across "s t9 cases hidd5 away by ! 
enemy--a great f9d1 = on gett+ !m out we
 f\nd !y conta9$ _m ?\s&s ( r\nds ( !   
enemy's ammunition4 ,x 0 p]fectly dry1 z
 ! cases 7 wat]tight2 s we made a big   
haul ( mo/ useful supplies4     ,,*apt] 
,x4  ,,ano!r ,,sc5e ,,( ,,bo*e          
,,brutality4   ,! accompany+ sket* is ( 
! ,m>ket ,squ>e ( ,arm5tires1 ! build+  
%[n 9 ! c5tre be+ ! ,t[n ,hall4 ,!      
cobble /ones ( ! roadway & !            
lattice-%utt]$ w9d[s are ( ! /yle :i*   
has la/$ = g5]ations4 ,?is qua9t &      
picturesque t[n 0 deva/at$ & almo/      
totally de/roy$2 9 fact1 ! bit ( x ,i %[
 0 ! only portion ! enemy left un9jur$4 
,we captur$ ! place1 tak+ f\r ma*9e     
guns1 sev]al horses1 a quantity (       
equipm5t & ammunition4 ,two ( ! ma*9e   
guns 7 m\nt$ 9 ! clock t[]1 a position  
comm&+ ! range ( ! /reet4 ,x is revolt+ 
to recall ! /ories we 7 told "h1 &      
c>efully v]ifi$1 ( ! %ameless atrocities
 ( ! ,huns4 ,! populace 7 /ill 9        
occupation ( ! build+s :5 we 7 driv+ !  

,g]mans back f ! b>ricades4 ,( c\rse !y 
7 greatly t]rifi$1 & we did our be/ to  
pacify !m & soo! _! n]ves z we came 9   
contact ) !m4 ,h[ diff]5t 0 ! treatm5t  
!y receiv$ f ! enemy4 ,take ! h\se on ! 
left ( ! picture4 ,"h ,g]mans walk$ _!  
horses ?r\gh ! door %[n1 along ! passage
 into ! y>d 9 ! re>1 z a m]e piece (    
bravado--an incid5t sc>cely wor? m5tion+
 9 view ( ! crimes !y proce$$ to commit4
 ,! h\sehold]1 ) 8 wife & two daught]s1 
0 sitt+ eat+ 8 d9n] :5 ! p>ty arriv$4 ,!
 c[>dly brutes %ot ?is man on sight--9  
full view ( 8 family--c>ri$ 8 body out &
 lat] on buri$ x 9 ! *ick5 run4         
,mean:ile1 !y came back & ate ! d9n]4 ,!
 v>i\s memb]s ( ! family 7 ti$ up to b$s
 & subject$ to ! grosse/ ( infamies &   
greate/ ( cruelties4  ,illu/ration3     
,,:]e ,,g]mans ,,rap$ ,,& ,,murd]$4  ,i 
repeat t we v]ifi$ ! /ories ( ^!        
horrors1 z we _h v]ifi$ else:]e o!r su* 
/ories be=e1 & z we v]ifi$ else:]e o!r  
su* /ories aft]w>ds4  ,naturally1 our m5
 f\ght _! h>de/1 & by f\r o'clock 9 !   

aft]noon ( ! day we advanc$ we drove !  
,bo*es at ! po9t ( ! bayonet4           
,,*apt] ,,xi4  ,,! ,,trick ,,t ,,didn',t
 ,,trick ,,u4   ,illu/ration3 ,,!       
,,black ,,hole4  ,return+ to ! gr\p     
sy/em1 ! ?ree foll[+ sket*es 9          
juxtaposition relate to "o & ! same     
happ5+--our tak+ ( a di/ill]y 7on !     
outskirts ( ,arm5tires7 ( :i* ! ,g]mans 
_h be5 9 possession = ab\t ?ree weeks1 &
 )9 ! b\nd>ies ( :i* !y set a big trap t
 didn't cat* u4 ,! air 0 poison$ ) ! /5*
 ( dead animals z we arriv$ )9 smell ( !
 block ( build+s ,i %[ fir/--&1 ) ?\ghts
 9 ! m9ds ( "s ( u ( :at we _h read ( ! 
ill-sav\r ( ! ,black ,hole ( ,calcutta1 
! ,black ,hole 0 an ejaculation be=e x 0
 a designation4 ,! enemy occupi$ !      
portion ( y>d %[n 9 ! =egr\nd & us$ !   
front ( ! build+s & ! gateway = cov]4 ,!
 ,briti% advanc$ to a position )9 tw5ty 
y>ds ( ! gateway 9 front ( x1 &1 aft]   
sev]al nights' "w1 erect$ a b>ricade (  
twigs1 grass1 & e>?1 rapidly collect$ & 
?r[n into place4 ,by "o ( _! clev]      

tricks ! ,g]mans _h made ! build+s look 
z ?\gh entirely des]t$4 ,!y _h be5      
c>eful n to %ell !m :5 !y took !m f !   
,fr5*1 & x 0 _! int5tion to draw u on   
into ! y>d unsuspect+ly & s get u at _! 
m]cy4 ,= ! surr\nd+ build+s conta9$     
ma*9e guns1 ?\gh we did n !n "k ! fact1 
& s quiet 0 ev]y?+ t ,i 0 able to make  
my sket*es undi/urb$4 ,! y>d c\ld h     
accommodat$ q #c1jjj ( our m51 :o1 if ! 
enemy _h _h _! way1 w\ld h be5 riddl$ ) 
%ot4 ,h[ev]1 we naturally proce$$ )     
milit>y caution4 ,sc\ts advanc$ fir/1 & 
7 some:at deceiv$ because ! ,g]mans _h  
artfully left a c>etak] & 8 wife 9 !    
build+ se5 adjo9+ ! c5tral ar*4 ,^! p1  
d\btless "u ord]s1 pass$ out milk ?r\gh 
! w9d[ to ! sc\ts at night to give !    
idea t ! build+s 7 /ill peacefully      
occupi$1 ?\gh1 z a matt] ( fact1 !y     
conta9$1 n only ! enemy soldi]s1 b _!   
ma*9e guns z well4 ,really we might h   
be5 drawn into ! trap b = "o lucky      
incid5t4 ,! enemy 7 fooli% en\gh to d "s
 secret signall+ ) a light at night f ! 

t[] above ! gateway4 ,?is 0 imm$iately  
obs]v$ by ! sc\ts1 & ! game 0 up4       
,,jam-,,t9 ,,artill]y ,,p>ty4  ,:5 !    
sc\ts gave ! w>n+ t ! enemy 7 9 !       
build+s1 volunte]s 7 call$ = to make up 
a bomb+ p>ty to bl[ up ! t[] :]e !      
signall+ _h be5 obs]v$4 ,we _h no idea  
h[ _m ,g]mans ! t[] conta9$1 b lat] f\nd
 traces ( only "o4 ,!re 7 evid5ces t he 
_h be5 !re = "s "t1 & he _h /ores ( milk
 & food = a long] /ay2 !y 7 n wa/$1 b he
 _h no "p 9 _! consumption4 ,! volunte]s
 7 kn[n z ! ,jam-t9 ,artill]y ,p>ty1 f !
 fact t _! bombs 7 made ( jam-t9s fill$ 
) gun-cotton1 cordite1 etc4 ,! p>ty _h  
to d all ! /icky "w1 & ?is 0 a v /icky  
job4 ,! plan 0 to lay a trail ) a fuse  
to bombs1 :i* we plac$ "u ! floor at !  
top ( ! /airs lead+ to ! upp] /orey (   
?is old & disus$ gateway4 ,we crept up  
^! /airs sil5tly = ?ree nights runn+    
be=e we 7 successful4 ,"o hit* & ! :ole 
%[ w\ld h be5 giv5 away4 ,h[ev]1 we     
manag$ to place ! bombs1 light ! fuse1  
bl[ up ! floor1 & bl[ (f ! top ( ! t[] z

 well1 ! ,g]man signall] be+ bl[n up )  
x4 ,!n we wait$4 ,/ill ! enemy %[$ no   
sign ( mov+1 & ^w 0 s5t back to our     
artill]y to %ell ! build+1 :i* x did to 
great effect4 ,we 7 !n ord]$ to advance 
) fix$ bayonets1 9 platoons1 to take    
v>i\s build+s4 ,! place :5 we captur$ x 
0 f\nd to be fitt$ up l a =tress inside1
 ) ma*9e guns tra9$ on ! y>d to m[ our  
m5 d[n z !y came ?r\gh ! gate1 if !     
enemy's plan _h succe$$2 b x entirely   
fail$4 ,we f\nd b little resi/ance4     
,inside 7 a numb] ( dead ,g]mans kill$  
by our artill]y fire1 a v sci5tific     
signall+ app>atus1 & a complete         
telephone sy/em to ! army corps :i* 0   
int5d$ to h wip$ u out4 ,x 0 solely due 
to our sc\ts & ! ,jam-t9 ,artill]y ,p>ty
 t we 7 n all kill$4  ,illu/ration3 ,,! 
,,black ,,t[]4  ,! sket* entitl$ ,!     
,black ,t[] exhibits ! o!r side ( !     
gateway1 & %[s ! road ) ! c>etak]'s     
h\se1 & our b>ricades to ! "r4          
,,dilapidat$ ,,qu>t]s4  ,illu/ration3   
,,:]e ,,! ,,trap ,,0 ,,set4  ,! "p ( !  

di/ill]y build+s /&+ 9 its y>d int]ior1 
:]e we blew up ! t[] & ! spy1 & into :i*
 ! enemy _h hop$ to entice u to our     
de/ruction1 0 v old1 v dirty1 & v       
dilapidat$--9 fact1 _h app>5tly n be5   
us$ = ye>s4 ,we _h to sleep 9 x = sev]al
 nights1 & made ! acqua9tance ( ?\s&s ( 
rats & o!r pe/s4 ,!re 0 only "o         
/aircase1 by :i* "s hundr$s ( troops _h 
to f9d access & egress4 ,a curi\s fact 0
 t ! fumes ( ! _s _h eat5 s into !      
woodwork1 :i* 0 g5]ally worm-eat5 &     
rott51 t to /rike a light ne> x 0 to    
incur ! dang] ( ignit+ x & burn+ !      
build+ d[n4 ,b our boys f\nd a wall$-9  
y>d 9 ! backgr\nd cov]$ by a t>r$ ro(   
:i* _h no w9d[s1 & ?is !y conv]t$ into a
 smoke-room4 ,room9ess & a cov]+ (f]$ a 
welcome *ange f ! mud1 dirt1 & ra9 ( !  
tr5*es1 & ,tommy's spirits kept up1 9   
spite ( all %ortcom+s4 ,our musical     
ev5+s cont9u$ z be=e1 & we ?or\ghly     
enjoy$ be+ able to /ret* our legs4 ,9   
fact1 we _h become q reconcil$ z well z 
q us$ to our surr\nd+s by ! "t we 7     

call$ away4 ,aft]w>ds we look$ back )   
pleasure to our /ay 9 ! di/ill]y1 = we 7
 mu* worse (f 9 ! next place at :i* we 7
 /ation$4 ,we 7 mov$ f "h into "o ( !   
mo/ dang]\s positions 9 ! l9e at ,ypres4
     ,,*apt] ,,xii4  ,,! ,,b>r$ ,,road  
,,to ,,calais4   ,almo/ on ! la/ page ( 
my ,sket* ,book ,i come on ! la/ sket*  
,i took "u fire4   ,,golgo?a4  ,x %[s ! 
mo/ advanc$ positions tak5 by ! ,briti% 
9 ! c\rse ( "o ( ! bigge/ battles ( !   
w>--at ,/4 ,juli54 ,! tr5*1 :i* 0 a v   
r\gh "o1 0 orig9ally dug by ! ,g]mans & 
captur$ by our =ces 9 our advance4 ,!   
fight+ 0 s int5se at ?is spot t !       
casualties w5t f> into five figures on  
bo? sides1 ! losses ( ! enemy be+       
admitt$ly mu* high] ?an our own4        
,appropriately en\gh 0 x call$ ,golgo?a4
  ,illu/ration3 ,,golgo?a4  ,to ! left (
 ! picture w be se5 ! rema9s ( a build+ 
:i* 0 all t 0 left ( :at once 0 a       
magnific5t *ateau4 ,! av5ue ( trees     
outl9$ ! road to ?is *ateau4 ,sev]al    
trees1 x w be notic$1 _h be5 ei!r cut 9 

two or brok5 (f by ! enemy's %ell+2     
by-&-by !re 0 n "o left /&+4 ,on ! "r ( 
! picture ! ru9$ build+ 0 :at 0 left ( a
 l>ge f>m :i* _h a moat ar\nd x4 ,! ru9$
 walls ( ! f>m 7 f\nd v useful cov] =   
our m5 to take :il/ snip+ ! enemy1 & by 
! road1 at a mu* l[] level1 ran ! /ream 
:i* f$ ! lake 9 ! gr\nds ( ! *ateau4 ,! 
elevation ( ! road giv+ u fair          
protection f ! enemy's %ots1 we 7 able1 
by /r++ a numb] ( bo>ds toge!r & mak+   
rafts1 to indulge 9 ba?+2 until ! wat]  
became s dirty f ! e>? dislodg$ f its   
banks by ! %ells t x 0 repugnant = u to 
indulge 9 ablutions 9 x any long]--none 
( u hav+ be5 ord]$ mud ba? treatm5t by !
 m$ical (fic]4         99       99      
99       99       99  ,on ! ?ird day ( !
 second gr& attempt ( ! ,g]mans to break
 ?r\gh to ! road to ,calais ,i 0 b[l$   
ov] by %rapnel & poison gas4 ,gas 9     
cyl9d]s & gas 9 all mann] ( %ells 0 us$ 
aga9/ u--& our regim5t _h no respirators
 !n4  ,be=e ,i dropp$ ,i _h !           
satisfaction ( kn[+ t ! ,royal          

,fusili]s1 support$ by ! ,hamp%ires & ! 
,durhams1 _h tak5 five l9es ( ! enemy's 
tr5*es 9 c\nt]-attack2 & aft]w>ds ,i _h 
! satisfaction ( le>n+ 9 hospital t !   
,g]man casualties = ! day am\nt$ to     
#fj1jjj aga9/ ,briti% casualties (      
#bj1jjj4 ,m9e 0 "o ( ab\t #ejj gas      
cases--p]haps m4   ,,9 ,,hospital4  ,my 
hospital it9]>y 0 f ! field to ! dress+ 
/ation at ,bailleul1 !nce to ,b\logne2 f
 ,b\logne to ,r\51 & f ,r\5 to          
,s\?ampton & ,brighton4  ,i l to rememb]
 t ! day on :i* ,i f9i%$ my little bit =
 ! ,empire--or r ! day on :i* x 0 f9i%$ 
= me--0 an ,empire ,day3 ,monday1 ,may  
#bd?1 #aiae--;a day on :i* ,britons ( e 
clime salute ! symbol ( _! unity & !    
pl$ge ( _! em]g5ce f e p]il2 t de> flag 
"u :i* ,i did :at ,i c\ld4      ,good   
bann]6 sc>r$ by hurtl+ w>1       ,b nev]
 9 di%on\r furl$2     ,& de/9$ /ill to  
%9e1 a />       ,above an aw$ & wond]+  
_w4         99       99       99        
99       99   ,hav+ read ,a ,soldi]'s   
,sket*es "u ,fire1 ! read] %\ld foll[ ) 

a v ent]ta9+ volume1 entitl$--       ,) 
,cavalry 9 #aiae4       ,! ,briti%      
,troop] 9 ! ,tr5* ,l9e4      ,?r\gh !   
,second ,battle ( ,ypres4       ,by     
,,fr$]ic ,,coleman4       ,au?or ( ,f   
,mons to ,ypres ) ,fr5*1      ( :i* x is
 a cont9uation4       ,cr[n #hvo4 ,fully
 ,illu/rat$4       #f_/- net4           
,,pike',s ,,f9e ,,art ,,press1 ,,limit$1
 ,pr9t]s1 #dg  #dh1      ,,glo/] ,,road1
 ,,brighton4