I’ve noticed Bertram is suffering with his nerves. Hopefully this break will help him recover. David and I have tried to talk to him about it, but he’ll have none of it. He hasn’t lost his sense of humour though! The other day he made a crude sign to stick in our parapet which read. ‘OPEN ALL YEAR HUNTING SEASON, NO PERMIT REQUIRED.’
But don’t you worry my love, the line is a bit quieter lately and only now and again do we get a shelling, I’m getting used to it now anyway. And as long as we all keep our heads down, we are comparatively safe.
I’m hoping soon we’ll be told our leave dates, we’ve been here nearly five months now, so we stand a good chance. I am so looking forward to seeing our son Archie junior again. I bet he takes up all your time, give him a big kiss from Daddy. By the way your brother David and Bertram send their love. Well, I must now conclude…
Love and miss you both with all my heart.
During bouts of inactivity it seemed to the men that life in the trenches wasn’t all bad, but the constant thunder of artillery in the background was a reminder that things could change in an instant.
Archie was on watch while David and Bertram spent some time sitting on their makeshift chairs, (ammunition boxes) cleaning their weapons.
‘Have you noticed something David, the mud has gone, it’s all dried up, maybe it’s a good omen. No more swimming from trench to trench.’
‘For now at least but it’ll be back, you can count on that,’ David replied.
‘That’s a shame, I was considering starting my own ferry service,’ Bertram joked.
‘I see Collins and Green drew the lots for leave, the lucky blighters.’
‘Really, Archie won’t be pleased, he was hoping to be one of the lucky ones,’ Bertram said.
‘I’m not bothered one bit about leave. I just want to get this war out the way, so I can get on with my life. If I’d been one of the lucky ones I’d have given it up to one of you two anyway’, David replied.
‘Come on David, you must miss your mother and father.’
Of course I do, especially my mother’s cooking, but what’s the point eh, I’d just have to say goodbye all over again. It almost killed my mother last time. No, they can keep their leave.’
‘If I got it, I probably wouldn’t come back,’ Bertram said.
‘That’s just stupid Bertie, you would be shot for cowardice.’
‘No, stupid would be if I came back here. It would be like jumping off a sinking ship and heading for the lifeboats, only to turn around and get back on the ship, and anyway, they’d have to catch me first.’
‘Where would you go, what would you do? You’re no coward Bertie.’
‘No, not a coward, just sensible. I’d probably go to Africa, no one would find me there. I’d live in the jungle with the natives, I’m sure we’d get on just fine.’
‘What about all the wild beasts, such as the lions?’ David asked.
‘Oh, I’m not worried about lions. As long as I have a chair with me I’ll be safe, just like at the circus. Lions are scared of chairs.’
‘Bertie you don’t half talk shit sometimes.’
‘Bugger!’ said Bertram jumping up from his seat. ‘I was supposed to report to Sergeant Johnson. I’m on latrine duty again.’
Then Archie returned and sat on Bertram’s vacant ammo box.
‘Where’s he off to in a hurry?’ he asked.
‘Who Tarzan? He’s off to Africa to find his Jane,’ replied David. ‘Hold up Bertie, you forgot your chair◦– the lions will get you!’ David called out laughing.
Archie was clearly baffled.
‘It’s a long story,’ David said, still laughing.
‘By the way, who won the draw for leave?’ Archie asked.
‘Have you noticed the mud’s gone, Archie,’ David replied, trying to change the subject.
Those days of rest went by quickly and the revitalised men were soon on the move again. On the morning of the 8th February, the 17th Division relieved the 3rd division in the Bluff and Hill 60 sectors on the front line. The Battalion took up the position of reserve at a camp called La Clytte.
Chapter 11
In early 1916, the Germans had the advantage over the opposition regarding trench warfare equipment. It was being supplied to them in larger quantities and their hand grenades, rifle grenades and trench mortars were more superior.
On the night of 13th February, the 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters relieved the 7th Lincolnshire Regiment who were holding the Bluff, south east of the Ypres Comines canal.
When the canal was first dug, the spoil was heaped on each side of the excavation and over the years a thin wooded area had grown on the mounds. There was also a large accumulation of spoil which rose up high above the level of the rest, forming a ridge. This ridge was known as the Bluff. The ridge to the south east presented a sheer face to the enemy. On the other side of the Bluff, the spoil bank sloped gradually, towards the north west. The high ridge, that faced the enemy, was peppered with sniper’s posts. North of the Bluff, the 10th Battalion and the men of C Company occupied a row of trenches called Trench 31.
From their position, the men of C Company were able to completely overlook the German front trenches that ran almost at the foot of the Bluff. The company knew the next few days were going to be tough when the order went around that all ranks were to wear their tin helmets at all times. The trenches here were as inadequate as ever because of the high water levels and the interminable mud. The relief operation was a strangely quiet one, but the next twenty-four hours on the front line tested the fighting skills of the men of the 10th Battalion severely.
‘Wow, what a view from here!’ David exclaimed.
‘Do you think that we stick out like a sore thumb?’ Bertram asked.
‘Yes, but we do have the higher ground and if we look to our rear we can see for at least ten miles. A great spot for tonight’s illuminations eh Bertie,’ David answered.
‘No, the best spot will be at the bottom of this stinking, muddy trench,’ Bertram replied.
The support lines were situated to the west, along with what was once a wood, now just a mass of tangled undergrowth and broken trees.
‘I can see why this position is so important, better not let the Hun get their hands on it. That won’t happen while we’re here, will it Bertie,’ Archie said.
‘Definitely not,’ Bertram answered, whilst tucking into a can of bully beef.
‘Good God, what’s that smell, we’re not being gassed, again are we?’ Archie pinched his nose as he spoke.
‘That’s the smell of rotting corpses, surely you’re used to it by now,’ said David.
‘Thanks a lot David, I’m trying to eat here.’ Bertram threw his can of bully beef aside in disgust.
‘If you think it smells bad now, wait until the summer,’ continued David.
‘I really hope we are not here then,’ said Bertram.
Later that day the shelling was renewed by both sides. The crash and thunder of the guns shook the earth beneath them. Trench 31 took some large hits, resulting in many casualties.
‘I wish Fritz wasn’t so bloody reckless about where he tosses his shells,’ Bertie remarked.