Had a long hod round the line with Duke this a.m. He’s such a nice fellow. I strafed them last night about the slackness of Brigade staff, etc., etc. He absolutely agreed. I’m putting in for three weeks’ special leave for Fergie. He has had a hard time and deserves it. The next Div. South of us had a strafe this morning, in which our guns took part, from 11.00 a.m. to noon, and the Bosche retaliated a bit on our line. Haven’t heard of any casualties. Thaw still continues gradually, but ground very greasy and walking is fatiguing exercise after have been so long on the top of the ground. The Boss Army Chaplain is still trying to get Padre away from us to the Div.