SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18th

Poor Joseph Johnston was killed by a sniper about 7.00 a.m. today; shot through the head and killed instantaneously. He is being buried this afternoon, and I am going down. He is a fearful loss to the Battalion. Always cheerful, with a thorough knowledge of his duties, keen and splendid at handling men. I am very low at the thought I shall not see his cheery face again, and at the serious loss the Battalion has sustained. Would you go over and see Mrs. Johnston. I will write to her.

There are a good lot of schemes on hand, which worry me rather. The raid yesterday of a neighboring Div. was quite successful I hear. A good deal of damage done and many Bosche killed.

6.30 p.m. We laid Joseph to rest this afternoon, and accustomed as one is to death out here, there were not many dry eyes amongst those of us who stood by his grave. His loss takes me back to the July days. He was a man one could absolutely rely on; when he was in the front line I was quite happy.