“We were delayed here because we thought this was our destination; but we were informed that we were to go on to some ramparts, wherever they might be!  I had not the faintest idea where they were.  Anyhow I followed those in front along the ghastly streets of the city.  Shells were dropping all round.  One shell exploded ten yards away.  A moment later Sergeant Baldwin and I noticed one of the men in rear of the platoon fainting and pulling horrible faces.  I asked him whether he was hit.  It appeared that he had got shell-shock.  So we got hold of him and called out for the stretcher-bearers.  Meanwhile, we got completely out of the platoon; they, of course, went on.  So we were left behind by ourselves.  A stretcher-bearer turned up in a minute or two; then another.  So we got Private Armstead off to the nearest dug-out we could find; it happened to be a Brigade Headquarters of some other brigade.  There was a Medical Officer there; so he saw to the man, and gave me a chit to take back with me concerning him.  Baldwin and I thought that we might as well have a rest for a short time as it was quite comfortable here!  So we did.  I happened to have a couple of oranges in my haversack, so we each had one; we then felt refreshed.  At about 11.40 we thought it would not be a bad idea to get a move on; so we went outside amongst the nasty shells again.  It was decidedly exciting in that we did not know how far we had to go, or whether we were ever likely to find the dug-outs whither our platoon had gone!  We kept asking everybody we passed whether they had ‘seen any L.F.’s?’ We thus kept in the right direction as we were generally told that they had gone over yonder!  We came to a spot having a very sinister tradition attached to it (the Menin Gate).  So we doubled across here as fast as possible!  Eventually we managed to find the dug-outs where our people were.  We had arrived safe and sound.  So Baldwin went to his dug-out with the others and I looked for Captain Andrews and reported to him when I found him.  I then went into my dug-out, which is the same one as his.  It is very cosy.  I lit a candle and read the four letters which I had received by the mail which arrived just before we left the tents, and also the newspapers which you have sent....

“As regards the papers—­they are very interesting indeed.  The Mesopotamian Commission Report seems to have caused a great sensation.  A good many public men are censured.  I am glad to find that the one reputation made, or rather restored, is that of Earl Curzon!  I have been discussing it with Captain Andrews at breakfast this morning.  We had breakfast in the mess dug-out at 12 this morning.  The other B Company officers stayed in bed for breakfast.