by the explosions enveloped me; and, to crown all, gas shells came over.  But I did not trouble to put my box-respirator on; the gas was not so bad as that.  I simply dashed from bay to bay, crouching behind each traverse as the shells or bombs exploded and then bounding on to the next.  In many places I went down into thick mud and water up to my knees; but when it is a question of life or death things like that do not trouble one.  At last I reached Bilge Trench in safety.  It was crowded with fugitives from working parties—­amongst them many wounded men.  There have been a whole crowd wounded and some, including Sergeant Fergusson of the patrol, gassed.  Having got back, I reported the proceedings to Captain Blamey, and then went to sleep.

“At 4 a.m.  I got up again and went on duty as officer of the watch.  Sergeant-Major Stanton relieved me at 7.  Writing in the morning.  Much aerial activity.  Sleep in the afternoon until 7.30 p.m.  Working party with Sergeant Noden in New John Street from Monmouth Trench to Dead End in the evening.”

On July 8 I wrote home from Bilge Trench as follows: 

“I have just received two letters from home—­July 4 and July 5—­and I am sorry to observe that you are both becoming anxious just because you have not heard from me for a day or two.  You really must not do this.  Circumstances may easily arise at any time out here which would prevent my writing for a week or two; it is absurd to put a bad construction on everything.  I always write when I can.  By the way, blotting paper would be a great aid to writing.  But some is probably on the way by now.  I received a parcel from home yesterday containing parkin, chocolates, socks, writing material, and magazines.  Thank you very much indeed.  They have been duly appreciated.

“We had three artillery officers from the 36th Division here yesterday reconnoitring as to where to place their guns.  They were at the Battle of Messines and are now coming up here.  Recently we have had hardly any guns here; we have been biding our time; if we had had them here now the Germans would have found them out; as it is, they will come as a surprise upon the enemy now; he will not have time to locate them before the great push.  We are having the same artillery which did the job at Messines.

“I spent yesterday afternoon sleeping.  At dinner I found that Second-Lieutenant Talbot Dickinson, M.C., had returned from leave.  He ought to have had his investiture while on leave, but, as there was not one fixed at Buckingham Palace until a few days after the date on which he should return, he had to come back without it.