McC-06

France
Wednesday
19.11.1915

G.H. Elliott Esq.

Sir,

Pardon me for wasting your time reading my letters but I have got a little time to spare as I am writing my friends, letting them know how I am going here. Well Sir, I am in the trenches again doing our turn which lasts 7 days, we came in on Sunday night, we left our billets about 3.0.pm marched up to the firing line, arrived about 8.0 pm. It is stiff work getting up to the line in our heavy kits. I will try and give you an idea of how one feels going into action. At the appointed time we all "fall in" outside our billets in full marching order, the roll is called each section commander reports his section present or otherwise, we are numbered off etc the Company Commander gives the order "form fours", "Right", off we go singing or smoking for the first few miles then all gets quiet, all that can be heard is the regular tread of the marching column. When we get within 2 or 3 miles of the position the company breaks into small parties advances along the road in the dark, in case of shell fire a small party would escape where a large party would be cut up. We close up again then go into the trenches by platoon. We are marching along in the dark, then suddenly you find you are in a sort of a big drain which is the Communication trench, then along endless section of trench all the time bullets whistling overhead, shells bursting, guns large and small roaring. Men all as one & bright light flares up lighting the country all round, then all is darkness once again.

The trenches are in a bad state, we had snow for 2 days. It is very cold at night now the snow is melting leaving everything and place covered with soft mud. At times I be up to the knees in it. I have got a pair of rubber boots up to my waist sometimes I get stuck in the mud, it is a job getting along a bad part of trench with a rifle, ammunition etc. Much more difficult than attending customers in the Library.

I have been promised full Corporal as my duty increases. Since Sunday night I have had only a few minutes sleep., on Monday night I was in "No man's land" that is the space of ground separating the German trenches from ours. I was put with a party examining the barbed wire entanglements, it is a risky business; you never know the minute a German sniper may spot you, well then your number is in all probability up, but we came through alright. What strikes me most is the daring of our officers they show a splendid example to the men under them. I tell you I was a bit nervous going over the parapet of our trench on Monday night, but when I saw our officer just as if he was out pleasure hunting instead of dangerous duty taking things cool all my fears vanished, I would have followed him anywhere.

Today I got an easy job at Headquarters away from the firing line. I will have plenty of rest and sleep for the remainder of the time we are here. I am in luck getting such an easy time much more better than doing my usual trench duty. Of course "fortune favours the brave". I must be extra brave, I have been fortunate enough, up to the present perhaps the tide may turn. I hope not at least for the remainder of the week. I hope it continues. The Germans must be "fed up" to use a military "term" with this war, they must know they are playing a losing game they may throw up the sponge any time, their doom is sealed, it is only a matter of time, hunger and want of men, money munitions we will do the rest. Although we are away from home we know how the land lies. Common sense tells us it must come to a finish soon, but we hope to have peace with honour, we don't want anything else; after being out here and getting used to our work we want to see it through at all costs.

I must draw to a close soon. I would like to remind some of the young men at home that glory awaits them out here, now is the time for them to roll up; a volunteer is worth dozens of conscripts, it is only the matter of a few months until everyman has to do his share. Of course it is every man's duty, country first, self after, but the few should not have to fight for them many, as perhaps I remarked in my first letter, there is no such a thing as coaxing the young men in this country; they have to do their portion whether they like it or not.

Please excuse any mistakes etc as I am in a bad place for writing, no desks, pen or ink here, I consider myself jolly lucky if I can get hold of a pencil, when I do get a pencil the difficulty is keeping it.

I am Dear Sir,

Yours respectfully,

JMcC