Damp wet morning. Fritz is quiet. We prepare to go into the trenches, feet rubbing etc. We leave for the trenches at 3.0pm. On the way up I see Lt.Col. HOARE, 17th Welch Reg. Quite a surprise. We arrive at Hd Qrs on the main BAPAUME – PERONNE Road about 6.0pm, relief complete about 9.0pm. No casualties.
Fine morning, slight frost. Fritz gives us a reminder at 9.0 am & keeps it up, but does no damage. A large shell of 9” armour piercing fell in our camp, but after a big bounce, did not explode, luckily for us.
Strong wind & showery morning, plenty of gunning. Heavy showers towards night. We spend a fairly happy Xmas in the dug out, plenty to eat, Adjt. gives us a box of cigars, very strong. Nothing of importance happened except that the Padre brought us a drop of whisky at night.
Fine morning, cold, some showers later. Fine evening. Fritz sends a greeting, some shells, no damage to us. Heavy rain during night.
Wet morning. We move at 12.30 pm. HQ A B C D. Heavy rain. Arrive at MAUREPAS CAMP about 2.30 pm. Strong wind which has blown half the camp down. Hd Qrs get a dug-out in the ravine which is much better than a tent. Fritz sends over about 6 shells about 6.0 pm. No damage, have a good night.
Dull wet morning, very miserable. Fine later. Church service at 11.30 am, very nice also H.C. We get orders to move tomorrow. Wet again at night.
Dull morning, thaw sets in, also rain & wind makes the ground worse than before, quite a bad day still very cold. First 2 letters from L. Fritz fores a long range gun which shells are behind the camp.
Fine morning, sharp frost, able to work on camp. Great air activity, plenty of sausages up & lots of aeroplanes. Dull at night.
Fine morning. Very sharp frost. Ground nice & hard, nothing of importance, parties work on camp trying to improve it.
Fine but dull, very muddy camp & insanitary. Bttn billeted in French huts, very large & cold. We do nothing all day it’s too muddy to drill. Get Div Xmas cards issued, not bad at all. Very cold at night & not much sleep.