Over The Top

h lasted four days, and then we

ugh we were cold and wet, and every bone in our bodies ached. It m

try man rides is when he is wounded and is bound for the base or Blighty. These limbers carried our reserve ammunition and rations. Our march to rest billets was thoroughly enjoyed

and 119. Billet 117 was an old stable which had previously been occupied by cows. About four feet in front of the entrance was a huge manure pile, and the odor from it was anything but pleasant. Using my flashlight I stumbled th

simply means that in case of an attack, this billet will accommodate fifty

r this that I was on

t asleep, even my friends the

fire, carry water from an old well, and fry the bacon. Lids of dixies are used to cook the bacon in. After breakfast was cooked, I carried a dixie of hot tea and the lid full of bacon to our section, and told the C

ore. Then I had the pleasure of seeing them dig into the bacon with their dirty fingers. The allowance was one slice per man. The late ones received very small slices. As each Tommy got his share, he immediately disappeared into the bill

om, because at 8.45 A.M., they had to fall in for inspection and parade, and woe betide the man who was unshaven, or had mud on his

his time we had two ten-minute breaks for rest, and no sooner the word, "Pull

ife Rays" comes along. Then the older Tommies immediately get busy on the recruits, and trade these for Woodbines or Goldflakes. A recruit only has to be stuck once in this manner, and then he ceases to be a recruit. There is a reason

ide of a Tommy who has been hit, the following conversation usually takes place-Stretche

e. Dinner consisted of stew made from fresh beef, a couple of spuds, bully beef, Maconochie rations and water,

his dixie four or five double handfuls of mud. Then he poured in some water, and with his hands scoured the dixie inside and out. I thought he was taking an awful risk. Supposing the cook should have seen him! After half an hour of

d up my only remaining shirt in the attempt. With a look of disdain,

busy with the mud, and soon my

got back just in time to issue our third meal, which consisted of hot tea, I rinsed out my dixie and returned it to the cookhouse, and went back to the bille

rnin' tea? Do you think I'm a'goin' to? Well, I'm not," and he left. I filled the