Friday 15th October 1915

Bois Grenier Line trenches

As on the previous day, the weather remained fine, though foggy overnight and in the early morning, and conditions in the sector very quiet.

In the evening, orders were received for the Battalion to move into the front line next day, to relieve 11^th West Yorkshires.

Sgt. Henry Herbert Calvert (see 15^th September) wrote home with reflections on his recent experiences:

“We arrived here August 27 and have had a strenuous time as most units of this vast army. We have been in bombardment as heavy as any that has taken place, and I don’t think any regular line battalion behaved better under fire and under the muddy conditions of September 25. Few will forget it. We had 12 days straight off, some more, so we did very well for novices. We had few casualties – about 6 killed and 16 wounded. Lost no officers; we are proud of those we have. Have had 7 days’s rest and are back in the trenches but another part. Weather is much the same here as in England, damp and foggy mornings. We get up about 4 in the trenches so there will be no surprise from the enemy. I must mention the sleeping accommodation; great wooden ‘feathers’, a great coat, nothing to make you not want want to get up and any amount of company, ie mice and rats. I think we shall train a few of them to do odd jobs here; they can eat the food alright and can run all over you during the night. Never mind, you get used to anything, and I shall not be particular whose doorstep is the softest, as long as it has a corner for my back. It would do some of those young men good to screw courage up to come out to us. Why prefer to hang about Commercial Street and the Palace?”.