of fire in our direction Saw the “Duke of Wellingtons” go into the trenches after dark. & the “Essex” come out, plenty of machine gun & rifle fire going overhead. Monday Aug 28. Took a patient to the A.D.S. & mailed Belle a letter. Hank Gordon & his son give us a call, one would think they were in No mans land by the way they act. Hough & I get relieved by Jo Johnson & Wilson & we return to the A.D.S about 3 PM. I am looking at a Machine gun in a dug-out when Hank finds me & gives me an awful bawling out for not hurrying back to the A.D.S & getting into a dugout & stay there. Get another rose for Belle from King Alberts ruins. Return to Canal dugout where I remain until Thursday Aug 30. during which time I get two days on the pumps. See a lot of aeroplanes shelled, a few fights in the air, Quite a number of shells break
▸ Where was he?
▸ The war at this time
Trench routine
British units rotate through the trenches on a regular cycle: typically four days in the front line, four in support trenches, four in reserve, then a period of rest. The actual schedule varies by sector and circumstances. Even in 'quiet' sectors, artillery exchanges, sniping, and trench raids cause a steady stream of casualties. The Ypres Salient's high water table means constant pumping to keep trenches and dugouts from flooding. Working parties repair damage, lay wire, and carry supplies, mostly at night when movement is less visible to the enemy.
