It was Sgt. C’s evidence that I wrote to Mr. Atkinson. I don’t think the Border Regt. would know. Identity discs are taken from the dead (or should be) and sent to the Regt. or base. Of course one doesn’t know what the Huns do with them. The relief was quiet; passed off all right, and was very easy, being so near. M.G. fire at night is bad, it’s hard to move about anywhere, but the days are very quiet. H.Q. very good and well hidden; sandbag dug-outs. The Bosche has just begun his afternoon hate; heavy stuff on our left. A gas alarm last night about midnight, and every one ‘stood to’, but it was away on our right, and didn’t come near us. Though 500 of the old lot are left they are mostly employed. The slightly wounded, who are back, are ‘nervy’. It will take time before they are all right. The cream went over the parapet on July 1^st. Three new officers just come. One blessing of this place, one can sit outside in the air, not always underground.

I do not go up to the front side at night. I find I cannot see anything, and only stumble about and do no good. Many interruptions, and have a minute to finish. Padre has come up today, I’m glad to say. We could find no room for him at first, but have squeezed him in. Fergie said “Padre is just gasping to come up!” We are 513 strong about, but what with men employed, etc., only 200 trench strength.

Footnote

The term ’employed’ refers to those men in appointments precluding them from being used in the trenches. This included the men working for the Quartermaster and in the Battalion Transport, clerks, some of the signallers, etc, and men detached to posts in the rear area and the Base Depot.