Such a wet day, downpour from about 10.00 p.m. last night. Owing to good work on trenches and draining, we are walking on dry trench boards, instead of water and mud. A quiet night, and I slept from 10.00 p.m.—6.00 a.m. The Elephant is much better than my old calf house on a wet day. No rain drifts in. Fergie made pals with Field Paymaster last time we were out, who said he would like to visit the trenches. Last night he turned up and spent the night in the front line, and passed away this a.m., I expect full of his yarns as to his adventures. The downpour is really a blessing, as it enables us to see where the weak places are in our plans and drainage, etc., and to remedy them before winter sets in. The difficulty always is for officers and men alike to get dry again, once wet, which everyone is bound to be when it rains. Yes, Matthew visited us last night, first time he has been here.

Breastworks near Messines. The high water table prevented digging trenches and the lack of shelter referred to by Lieutenant Colonel Blacker is evident. The enemy occupied the high ground in the distance.