Private Joe F Jacques

The part where we are now fighting is much more hilly than the last place, all great chalky hills, and we are under the ground about 20 or 30 feet in places. Our front line is about 200 yards from the Germans, and in some places saps run forward so as we pretty well meet them. In one part of the line a communication trench runs from our front line to the Huns, and this is still held by our bombers. We get hundreds of shells every day and night, but thank god I have managed to dodge them so far. They now send us large tin canisters, which are filled up with old pieces of iron, razor blades and scissors which do awful damage. Last night they gave us a pretty stiff time of it. One large shell came right through our parapet in our second line and killed two men and wounded seven, but this morning our artillery are paying them back with interest. Yes, it will be a good job when it’s all over but the end seems a long way off at present. All the Croxton boys are well, also Bunny and Pte. Milton from Abbotsley.