Ordered to parade to march to trenches at 4:30. Understand we are going in for eight days, four each in firing and support trenches. Arrived in firing trench at 9:30. Cold, wet night, and continually sniped at during last mile. Relieved Cheshires in trenches opposite Messines Ridge, and just to encourage us, Williams and I, who were together in a lookout, were told by a sergeant we were in one of the most dangerous parts of the line, as they had had eight casualties there during the day. Surprised at the calm way in which we both took this; and we spent the night on watch, hour in and hour out, without being worried beyond a few sniper shots. SUNDAY, _February 28, 1915_ A very interesting day. In the morning had a glorious view of an English airman shelled by anti-aircraft gun. In the afternoon had my first taste of shell fire, but the Germans are not good at it and did very little damage. MONDAY, _March 1, 1915_ Sunday night was a perfect beast. Cold and wet and snipers very busy. As for to-day, my first real feeling of funk. A shell burst on parapet just in front of me and gave me a bad shaking. Upset me for about a quarter of an hour, but kept it to myself and pulled myself together again. In the evening, while fetching water, a man shot down three yards from us. Also rather upsetting but kept my head this time. Reached support trenches about 10 o’clock, and had a ripping sleep safe from snipers and fairly so from shells. TUESDAY, _March 2, 1915_ Nice calm day to-day in redoubt behind firing line. Nothing to do all day but sleep and did that very well indeed. Worked all night in cutting down hedge so as not to affect fire in case of attack--rotten job, and sniped at all the time. WEDNESDAY, _March 3, 1915_ Another calm day. In the afternoon watched German shells smashing into a village about one half mile from redoubt. Very interesting and a sight never to be forgotten. Thank Heaven, the people had gone. Returned to firing line at night. THURSDAY, _March 4, 1915_ On Sunday the 28th I wrote the Germans are not much good with their shells. I now beg their pardon. The beasts shelled us with heavy guns from 7 in the morning until dusk, and I sincerely hope I never have a similar experience. It’s a horrible nerve racking job and I felt it pretty badly, but everyone was the same, so there is no need to blame myself. No sleep all day and all night; I did lookout hour in and hour out. FRIDAY, _March 5, 1915_ A fairly calm day after yesterday, but in early morning surprise fusillade from Germans. Machine guns and heavy rifle fire. Gave them plenty back and they soon stopped. Returned to redoubt at night absolutely done to the world. SATURDAY, _March 6, 1915_ My twenty-fourth birthday. Woke at 2 P. M. and felt much better for long sleep. Wrote Jim and Mother, and spent afternoon chatting and generally lazing. On guard from 7 to 9 in evening and 1 to 3 early Sunday morning. SUNDAY, _March 7, 1915_