Page 59

[top left] 1916 31 Days [centred] Erquinghem
[top right] July

[centred] 6 Thursday

Route March. In afternoon
inspection of Gas Helmets and
more pay issued resulting in
drunken disorder at night.
Several ruined Aeroplanes
being shelled in distance
Recd letter re Bank Draft.
[centred] 7 Friday

Raining. In morning
filling water tanks of
waggons [sic]. Mail received.
Issued with steel helmets
in afternoon. Mud everwhere,
making things uncomfortable
News that we leave for the front tomorrow
[centred] 8 Saturday

Started out at 9 am and entered
upon a heavy march of 11^1/2 miles
over rough cobblestones, carring [sic] everything.
1000 out of 4000 dropped out up to midday
Passed through Merville & slept in
barn at Estaires. Aeroplane fight
[centred] 9 Sunday - 3rd after Trinity

Estaires a busy night the morn
with military movements. We marched
out about 10.30 passed through Sailly.
Observation balloons overhead. Aeroplanes
numerous. Germans firing at them. Camped
at Farm house in Erquinghem. Eggs butter & milk.
Guns close to us & shells bursting 100 yds off.