| Regiment | 1st Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Belgium, Kemmel |
| Entry | In trenches. Trenches shelled slightly, but, no damage, continuous sniping which dies away at dawn. One man killed. Notes on the Operations during the past month. The weather on the whole has been bad, and the conditions of the trenches has at times been of the worst. Towards the latter end of the month owing to better weather conditions, and also to the better supply of material, and the experience gained, the condition of the trenches has been much improved. The attached sketch [separate pencil drawing in handwritten book] shows roughly the type of trench used, but, trenches vary with the condition of the ground and the material which is available. Pumps have been found of the greatest value for keeping the water in the trenches under control. Sump pits at intervals in the floor have been left for boiling purposes. Some trenches have to be built almost entirely of sandbags. Communication trenches almost invariably get full of water, and for the most part are not practicable. The trenches are provided with a few loop holes at intervals for look out men and snipers. When not in use these are blinded. Loop holed iron plates are used to a certain extent, but are difficult to conceal and afford a mark for the enemy. The system of relief is 4 days in the front line, and 4 days rest in billets about 3/4 miles in rear of the front line. When in the front line as far as possible - that actually front firing line trenches are relieved every night - it is found that a longer period causes the sickness to go up very rapidly. When resting every effort is made to keep the men fit, and to rest them: hot baths are supplied and if possible clean washing for every man, short route marches, fatigues work, classes of instruction etc. are carried out. There have been no actual active operations, the fighting being confined to intermittent shelling of our trenches, hardly a day passing without some shelling and artillery duels. As regards Infantry there has been continued sniping, mostly by night and not so heavy by day, occasional more my nervousness than anything else. The waste from battle casualties has been 18 killed and 16 wounded. |
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