Part 2

Hurried off to another part of line where Germans had also broken through. Journey made under terrific shell fire and half Battalion is now gone. Position taken up in reserve trenches to be held at all costs. Very exciting but keeping calm and cool. Never prayed so fervently before, but am quite prepared to face whatever is to come and, please God, we shall stop them. Shell fire is awful.

SUNDAY, _April 25, 1915_

Reinforcements up at dawn and attack in open order started. At first successful, and then to our horror saw our chaps retreating in disorder and Germans behind them a mile to our front. Most awful fifteen minutes of my life--shells everywhere--men being blown to pieces, and we unable to help, but bound to wait for Germans and drive them off. Then our chaps rallied and to our joy turned the tables, driving them back into woods and holding them there despite shells and foul gas bombs. Stayed there all day, shelled whole time. Evening position unchanged and we must stop here.

MONDAY, _April 26, 1915_

At dawn hear more reinforcements are up and we can go. Thank God, it’s over and the position safe. Trench strength of Battalion is now 230 rifles which will show what we have been through (normal strength about 1000).

TUESDAY, _April 27, 1915_

Spent all day just behind firing line in reserve, and shall probably be here for some days. But what a difference a night’s rest does make, and I’m ready to go forward at any time.

WEDNESDAY, _April 28, 1915_

Another day spent in reserve. Did nothing much all day and glad of the quiet. Shells falling pretty close to billet, but none near enough to hurt.

THURSDAY, _April 29, 1915_

Ordered to return to trenches and left at 7 P. M. Arrived firing line at 10 P. M. and spent night on watch. Nothing much doing; just a little sniping, and they got a pal of mine through the neck a few yards from me. Blackguards!

FRIDAY, _April 30, 1915_

Shelled from early morning to late at night. Another rotten experience, and am rapidly developing that awful complaint of “shellitis.” If no attack at dusk we are to be relieved, so here’s hoping they keep away from us.

SATURDAY, _May 1, 1915_

We were relieved during night and marched some way from trenches into a wood, where we are to stay for a day or two. Rigged up a covering of twigs, etc., and slept during day. Sing-song in evening and feeling a bit more cheerful.

SUNDAY, _May 2, 1915_

Quiet day but called out at night owing to German attack. Laid in reserve trenches all night and returned to woods at dawn.

MONDAY, _May 3, 1915_

Slept during day and once more called out at night owing to another German attack. Reserve trenches again all night, but once more attack repulsed and returned to woods.

TUESDAY, _May 4, 1915_

Actually off for rest at last, and marched five miles from Ypres to a village where we spent night. Understand we continue our journey in morning.

WEDNESDAY, _May 5, 1915_

What jolly hard luck we are having. Hill Sixty lost last night and we are to return to Ypres to help in counter-attack. Marched all day back in boiling sun and spent night just behind firing line. Understand we go in to-morrow. Rather dread it, but it’s got to be done.

THURSDAY, _May 6, 1915_

Spent day in dugout whilst troops gathered together for to-night’s attack. Eight from our Company picked out to do nothing else but carry up ammunition as our men advance. Moved up to Hill Sixty at dusk, and at 2:30 A. M. attack commenced. Carried up ammunition with another chap right up to advance trenches. Terribly hot fire from machine guns and whiz-bangs, and rather a terrible experience. Stuck it till my partner overcome by gas. Helped him to dressing station, and then gave a hand helping down wounded. Poor devils, but what pluck most of them have got. Turned in at 5 A. M. after hearing attack partially successful.

FRIDAY, _May 7, 1915_

Day in reserve ready for any counter-attack but none came off. Night on fatigue work: carrying sand bags, etc., to firing line. Off duty at 3 A. M., and moved back nearer Ypres, but are still in reserve. Adjutant killed this morning: fine soldier and great loss to the Battalion.

SATURDAY, _May 8, 1915_

Another day in reserve and night on fatigue, but was lucky in not having to go to trenches. Fetched rations and filled water bottles only.

SUNDAY, _May 9, 1915_

Firing line again, this time digging communication trench and repairing parapets where knocked down by shells. Wonderful view of Ypres on fire in three places and rapidly spreading.

MONDAY, _May 10, 1915_

Carried up rations to West Lancshires. Awful job--sacks very heavy. Man in front of me shot in chest coming away. Carried him into cover and fetched stretcher bearers.

TUESDAY, _May 11, 1915_

Sand bags to firing line after spending quiet day. Our dugouts shelled during day and three men hit.

WEDNESDAY, _May 12, 1915_

Good news! We are to be relieved to-night. Left dugouts at 10:30 and reached camp at 5 A. M. weary and happy.

THURSDAY, _May 13, 1915_, to THURSDAY, _May 20, 1915_

Most enjoyable week’s rest in camp at Locre. Did nothing of any importance and heard no guns and had no shells over. Felt all the better for it, but has gone all too quickly.

FRIDAY, _May 21, 1915_

Moved to huts nearer firing line and once more in sound of guns. Rotten!

SATURDAY, _May 22, 1915_

Moved further up into dugouts and are now back in line once more.

SUNDAY, _May 23, 1915_

Quiet day, but hard at work all night. Germans attacked 2 A. M. Monday morning and used gas. Horrible stuff. On our way to dugouts had fifteen in front of me knocked out by a shell. Awful sight and very upsetting.

MONDAY, _May 24, 1915_

Quiet day spent in recovering from effects of gas. Hard at work again all night.

TUESDAY, _May 25, 1915_

Remarks of yesterday apply to to-day. Hope this comparative calm continues whilst we are up.

WEDNESDAY, _May 26, 1915_

Shelled on way to dugouts, early morning, with shrapnel but luckily no casualties. Evening left dugouts for fire trenches at St. Eloi. Arrived at midnight and relieved the Liverpool Scottish. Quiet night.

THURSDAY and FRIDAY, _May 27, 1915_, and _May 28, 1915_

Two quiet days in trenches. Nothing doing beyond sniping. Friday evening we left trenches for reserve line in a wood.

SATURDAY and SUNDAY, _May 29, 1915_, and _May 30, 1915_

Two lazy days in wood. On Saturday night carried rations to trenches, and on Sunday returned to trenches for another spell.

MONDAY, _May 31, 1915_

TUESDAY, _June 1, 1915_

WEDNESDAY, _June 2, 1915_

THURSDAY, _June 3, 1915_

Four days on detached post connecting Queen Victoria Rifles with West Kents. Thursday night returned to supporting line about two hundred yards behind fire trenches.

FRIDAY and SATURDAY, _June 4, 1915_, and _June 5, 1915_

On fatigue duty in supports; both days improving communication trench. Returned to woods Saturday night.

SUNDAY and MONDAY, _June 6, 1915_, and _June 7, 1915_

Two days spent in reserve in woods. Quite enjoyed the rest from bullets and shells.

TUESDAY, _June 8, 1915_

WEDNESDAY, _June 9, 1915_

THURSDAY, _June 10, 1915_

FRIDAY, _June 11, 1915_

Four days spent in fire trenches. Nothing doing much beyond sniping, except last two days when we were shelled by pretty heavy stuff. Not much damage done.

June 24, 1915

MRS. STUBBS:

_Dear Madam_: In answer to your inquiry by telegram, I regret to inform you that Rifleman Stubbs, B. C. No. 2655, was wounded by shell fire on Tuesday, June 22, and has, we are deeply sorry to say, since passed away, having succumbed to his injuries.

His death is much lamented by his officers and comrades, two of whom were wounded by the same shell, one rather seriously.

Deeply sympathizing with you in your terrible loss, I am,

Yours sincerely,

No. 66, M. BROWN, Co. Q. M. S.

BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE

June 29, 1915

DEAR MRS. STUBBS:

This is to convey to you my sincere sympathy in the death of your son, Pr. Stubbs, who died from wounds received last Tuesday. His death was most unfortunate, a large German shell falling right in our trench, severely wounding your son and two others; when I saw your son’s wound (a severe gash on the scalp), I was sure that there was very little hope of his recovery and I was surprised that he survived so long. Mercifully he was quite unconscious all the time, and so, I think, suffered no pain.

Although he did not come out with the battalion in November, he joined, I think, with the first draft and so has been through all the heavy work we have done. I am sure you will be glad to know what a good soldier he was, and that he was always cheerful and did his work well during the hardships of the winter months.

You may be sure his loss will be felt very deeply both by myself and by the rest of the platoon. But take comfort in this, that he died a noble soldier’s death in a magnificent cause.

Again assuring you of my deep sympathy, I am,

Yours very sincerely,

P. S. HOUGHTON, 2nd. Lt.

O. C. No. 8 Platoon,

Q. V. R.

Never the lotus closes, never the wild fowl wake, But a soul goes out on the East-wind that died for England’s sake-- Man or woman or suckling, mother or bride or maid-- Because on the bones of the English the English Flag is stayed.

RUDYARD KIPLING

PRINTED BY R. R. DONNELLEY AND SONS COMPANY, AT THE LAKESIDE PRESS: CHICAGO

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:

Text in italics is surrounded by underscores: _italics_.

Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.