June 1915
Dinner time, (thank god) over all I thought the quality and quantity of the food rations was pretty good. Even if it was mainly corned beef for a main meal, and jam for pudding. Today was great, I got my parcel from home, inside it had ham (witch is quite a luxury in a trench), custard and some smokes. We all share our food in the trenches (got to keep up the morale). A decent meal as far as I’m concerned especially for the frontline troops.
Around 100 troops moved out last night, heading to the reserve trench. I wish one of them was me, I’ve been here for about 15 days (quite unusual, they normally change every 12, bad luck I guess).
Most of our troops have got trench foot, not nice at all. It’s hard enough trying to eat knowing that you could be called out any minute and keeping all ears open for the slightest sound, without feet rotting away around you. (I’ve only got a small cold which the medic said would pass on its own).
On a nicer note, the weather’s great today, sun fully out and no clouds in sight, it’s going to be cold tonight though if it stays like this. Speaking of which I better get some kip, even if it is 1 o’clock midday. Overall it’s been good so far, but we will see how tonight goes.
April 1916
Finally the new steel helmets arrived. Only a few soldiers got them, around 300 (more should be on the way soon). Some of the troops are happier today probably because of the good grub (around 20 of the guys got food packages from home and shared them out).
The weather wasn’t great today, it was damp and raining again. It has been like this for the past few days, although you don’t count the days in this place, you just get on with what you’re set and hope to survive. I sent a letter to my family today, I knew it was going to be censored or not even sent, so I didn’t write much about the troops or trenches, I wrote:
Hi,
How are things back home? I wish I was there, things are fine here. Thanks for the food package, it came in handy. I got it about 3 days ago (16thApril date today). The smokes were brilliant. I hope you’re keeping the kids at bay, tell them not to worry, things are fine. I should be moved to the reserve trench soon. I will send another letter then.
Take care,
John
xxx
Its 6 o’clock now, I only got up because of a false alarm, I hate them, they happen quite a lot there’s no point in attempting to go back to sleep now.
December 1917
I’m bored it’s the middle of the say and I’m waiting for food, apparently they got held up transferring it. It’s going to be cold by then I’m going to do a diagram of our trench below (to cure the boredom really).
I think I’m getting to be quite the artist if I do say so myself. I’m pleased, it’s taken me about 20 minutes (I’m not keeping track of time). Must dash the food’s arrived.
I’ve now eaten, I’ve heard a rumour that they now have some kind of engine based fighting machine (man-driven of course). I’m not sure if it’s true though, I would have to see it myself. I was told at lunch that I’m going out on another patrol later today (won’t that be fun). I will write about it when I get back.
September 1918
All work, no rest. About 50 troops (including me) started digging for a mining operation today, basically it’s a tunnel built underground all the way to the enemies’ trench, the idea is to plant explosives to blow apart their trench. There were quite a few photographs of some of the lads using some of the more advanced machine guns being passed around at tea time, I managed to take one for myself, thought I’d stick it here.
While we were eating we saw a couple of tanks passing in the distance (using our periscopes of course). It was my first sight of these amazing machines, they literally smashed through defences! From a photograph from a friend of mine which I was given, I managed to try out my drawing skills yet again (practice makes perfect). Below is one of my tank drawings.
It’s now 8 o’clock, I better get back to digging. I’ll write again soon.
