Feb 10 CAMP 18

Fine morning, very cold. Prepare for trenches. Kits etc. packed up & sent away. Trench kits 2.0 pm. Reserve corps carry our blanket. Leave camp for Trenches 3.30 pm by lorry. Meet guides 6.0 pm B D Front A C Reserve. Very slow journey and very cold. Arrive H. Quarters 9.15 pm. Relief complete about 11.0 pm. Relieve 2nd E. Lancs [East Lancashire Regiment] 8D S.M. W. PRICE; good relief. Hd Quarters jar of rum broken. Cold at night not much sleep, turn in about 2.30 am.

Feb 9 CAMP 18

Fine morning, still very cold. Church service at 10.15 am. HC after parade service, very good. Bttn. goes to baths at SUSANNE but no change of clothing. 2 letters from L. Inspection of Hd Quarters, Arms etc. Fritz planes at night, not much rest. Shave upper lip.

Feb 6 CAMP 18

Fine morning, very cold, easterly wind. Div Gen [Divisional General] visits Camp and & is satisfied. S.M. ELLIS RIF [Royal Irish Fusiliers] late Gren Gds [Grenadier Guards] visits me in afternoon & has tea. Very cold again at night, heavy gunning all day. Fine night, strong wind, good sleep.

Feb 5 CAMP 18

Fine morning, very cold rather misty. Sergeants HARROD & PRATT return from leave. We find working party of 250 for MAURE PAS. Surprise at night Draft of 45 including C.O’DELL who has joined as R.S.M but what will be done with him I don’t know. Had a long talk & didn’t write. Chaplain returned from leave about 11.0 pm. Hostile aircraft busy, not much sleep, very cold.