More heavy rain fell during the day as the Battalion again
found large working parties for the Royal Engineers. Orders were received for
the Battalion to move into front line trenches next day, relieving 11th
Battalion King’s Royal Rifles.
Pte. William Knox (see 28th October) wrote to his wife, Ethel. (I am most grateful to Rachael Broadhead and family for allowing me access to William’s letters).
“... I had a parcel on Sunday from Grace. She sent me a big cake, some sweets and apples, macaroons and 2/- so it was a very nice present. I had a feast off of those buns you sent. On Sunday we were on guard so we had quite a nice afternoon tea together but it would have been far better if it had been at 25 Grosvenor Square (what do you say?) (this was Knox’s home address in Sheffield). It is a very lonely spot where we are now. We have not gone in the reserve trenches. We are nearly a mile from the firing line. There has been a very heavy bombardment early this morning. It was just like heavy peals of thunder and it lasted for over four hours. I think when this war is over and I come through quite safe I shall be able to do any sort of job. We went to empty a barge of granite. We are Jack of all trades and master of none. You ought to see us when we come out of our trenches. We are plastered up to our eyes in mud. It is the rottenest place as we can be in. It is all clay. The Oxo heater came in very useful about 2 o’clock this morning. I made two lots and it did warm me up. … We heard that some of the other chaps from Lichfield are coming to us, so we shall be having old Sugden and Terry this time. Also O’Donnell, the cook, you know that Irishman. It is a rotten billet where we are now. It has been a farmhouse once a time but it is a mass of ruins now. Windows are stuffed with bags and talk about rats, they are nearly as big as cats. They run all over you as you lay down to sleep. …”
Pte. William Knox (see 28th October) wrote to his wife, Ethel. (I am most grateful to Rachael Broadhead and family for allowing me access to William’s letters).
“... I had a parcel on Sunday from Grace. She sent me a big cake, some sweets and apples, macaroons and 2/- so it was a very nice present. I had a feast off of those buns you sent. On Sunday we were on guard so we had quite a nice afternoon tea together but it would have been far better if it had been at 25 Grosvenor Square (what do you say?) (this was Knox’s home address in Sheffield). It is a very lonely spot where we are now. We have not gone in the reserve trenches. We are nearly a mile from the firing line. There has been a very heavy bombardment early this morning. It was just like heavy peals of thunder and it lasted for over four hours. I think when this war is over and I come through quite safe I shall be able to do any sort of job. We went to empty a barge of granite. We are Jack of all trades and master of none. You ought to see us when we come out of our trenches. We are plastered up to our eyes in mud. It is the rottenest place as we can be in. It is all clay. The Oxo heater came in very useful about 2 o’clock this morning. I made two lots and it did warm me up. … We heard that some of the other chaps from Lichfield are coming to us, so we shall be having old Sugden and Terry this time. Also O’Donnell, the cook, you know that Irishman. It is a rotten billet where we are now. It has been a farmhouse once a time but it is a mass of ruins now. Windows are stuffed with bags and talk about rats, they are nearly as big as cats. They run all over you as you lay down to sleep. …”
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