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Friday, September 29, 1916

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just got my bean under the flap of the tent in time. The 11 F.A. mb beat us 1-0 in a game of football Friday SEP 29. Go out for supper with Bill. but he gives me the skiddoo. Route march & we have to draw maps of area we cover. Hank gives us a calling down over our mail. waggon drill in the afternoon Saturday SEP 30. Route march in morning Gas drill in the afternoon with the new box respirators, Church in the evening. Sunday OCT 1.

H.C at 8 AM confession before Mass. wrote Belle after church Went to St Omer with Bert Dent & Jack Johnson, had a real good time. waited outside No 4 for Jack & Bert. about 10 other boys of the 12th also go. all kinds of fun for the lookers on. Had a look at Belles picture & stood pat. Hurrah !!! Had a double supper & some fun with Matilda. turned out every light in the place, walk to camp 6 miles, the unit had had roll call on Summer time we had put our clocks back to

Where was he?
The war at this time

New equipment for new conditions

The Small Box Respirator is being issued to troops across the BEF. It replaces the older PH helmet (a chemically-treated cloth hood) with a rubber face mask and separate filter box. The improvement in protection is significant; gas remains a constant threat. The autumn rains are beginning on the Somme. The battlefield, already churned by millions of shells, is turning to mud. Movement becomes increasingly difficult. The final phases of the battle will be fought in conditions that make the earlier fighting seem almost bearable.