June 30th 1915

These trenches are not the most pleasant place to be in. In fact this particular spot is known as the “Gate of Hell” and not without reason. We occupied this position until July 8th during which time we lost 21 men (6 killed and 21 wounded). The trenches had only recently been captured from the Germans and required a lot of labour to get them into anything like a safe condition; the Durhams, who we relieved, lost very heavily here. We had to work practically night and day for there were practically no dugouts in the line and nowhere to shelter from shrapnel which caused most of our casualties. During our occupation there were two bombardments of a redoubt and snipers posts just in front of our line; the vibration broke the mainspring of my watch. There was a magazine here containing bombs, grenades and rifle ammunition captured from the Germans which they tried to blow up pretty well every day with shells.

June 30th 1916

Our people made a Gas attack just to the left of us this afternoon. We had a fine view from our trench. K.R.R’s are expecting a mine to go up.