Such a wet day. Poured all day without ceasing. Lovely day after the rain storm—much milder. They are issuing a second blanket per man, I am glad to say. No, I’m not made a Brigadier, nor any chance of it. I didn’t leave the R.A. [Royal Artillery] to become a General, but because I thought my duty lay with my own people.

A quiet day. Went round billets of two Coys. in a.m., and searched for bombing ground in p.m. Bombing is all the rage now; everything else is forgotten. Every man to be a bomber—drill pamphlets, instructors, etc., flood in every minute of the day. Every place a sea of mud after the rain. The men quite cheerful and washing their clothes. Some of the skin coats only issued last night were found full of lice.

The men have kept wonderfully clean so far. No illness among them, only a few sore feet, I suppose the open-air life, for their feet can never be dry. I’m rather dreading Adjutant’s departure. Suppose I am getting lazy. He has been excellent out here, in every way, keen energetic, and untiring, and he has a sound opinion. Berry, Fergie, and Padre sleep in one room, three little spring beds alongside one another. They are very cosy and have a fire. I’m glad to say I haven’t had a fire in my room since I came out. Consequently have been free from cold. ‘A’ Company returned at 2.00 a.m., after 24 hours hard work, all in the rain. They marched and unloaded for 18 hours out of 24, unloading guns and wagons out here. I think we shall remain here for a bit, possibly a month! Anyway we are starting reading room, company sgts. messes, and all the sanitary fads. Billets quite good except for a few. I believe we may get eight days leave after three months out, if we are not going into the trenches, or otherwise just then.