July 23rd

What a journey we had coming up; marched part of the way then came along in the springless transport wagons over one of the roughest roads imaginable, raining the whole way; it was anything but a joy ride; more like slow torture. We are in reserve here our platoon in a redoubt and the remainder of the Company in Zouave wood just opposite to the Chateau of Hooge – or what remains of it; a mine has quite recently exploded here forming a huge crater about 150 ft wide and about 40 ft deep; this forms part of our line.