At last, as it was night, we approached the ruins of Ypres, and the roar of the guns was tremendous. We marched past the famous Cloth Hall (even then badly knocked about), and began to move at the double, so as to escape being shelled. It was too late, however, and we were brought to a halt in the grand square of Ypres, opposite the cathedral. Shells were bursting all round us, and the Brigadier seemed uncertain whether he should proceed. It seems that spies were sheltered in the place, and signalled our arrival to the Germans, who gave us a very uncomfortable ten minutes. The first casualties occurred in No. 1 Platoon, a shell bursting at the head of the battalion, and wounding several men. For a moment there was almost a panic; but by great efforts we kept the men in their places, and after that they behaved splendidly. I had a close shave for a start, a shell bursting close to my platoon, and wounding Private Henderson, who was next to me, in the foot. The cathedral was on fire, and made a glorious, but sad, spectacle. At this time it was still more or less intact, as were the majority of the deserted houses. At last we moved on, and debouched from the town without further loss. We could clearly see the German lines, which were lit up by large coloured flares, as a safeguard against night attacks. The flares reminded one of fireworks and were quite pretty to watch. We had not gone far before we turned off into a field, and lay down and rested. Each platoon lay in a group by itself, so as to minimise the danger from the enemy’s shells, which were falling thick and fast. It was also wet and damp, and however elevated we might be morally, we felt extremely miserable. An hour or so before dawn on the 25th we were collected together, and more ammunition was issued. This operation took some time in the dark, and ought to have been done before we entered Ypres, as a few shells might have wiped us out. At last we were on the forward road again, and after a mile or two turned to our left down a narrow lane, and were there halted. Dawn was now breaking, and none of us had the least idea what we were going to do. It was cold, muddy, and sopping wet. I never felt more miserable in all my life. However, there was nothing we could do but try and make the best of it, till the sun should come out and dry us.