28th June 1916 (Wednesday Y Day)
“The weather is still rotten. Very, very wet & everything is under water & fearfully muddy. Last night most of the company under Lloyd were out working. We received the usual dose of shells back in the village at 1am & 8am. Our guns are still very rampageous & noisy – but the weather is bad for artillery work …We expected to move “in” to-day but we’ve just had orders to “stand by” & wait further orders, so I don’t know what we’ll do … This sort of life out here seems very unreal: everyone is keyed to a pitch & it all seems like a dream – with England and you as the real thing behind; just like the sun, that I suppose is shining, hot & bright, behind these grey clouds …”
Arthur to Dollie
France, Wednes.
I’m awfully sorry I was unable to write anything more than a note last night. I was pretty busy with one thing & another & had intended to write after dinner. However about 7 the CO sent for me to talk over some matters. He kept me to dinner and I didn’t get into my flea-bag until half-past twelve!
I was sorry there was a rotten mail yesterday – because of Sunday I suppose and there was no dear letter from you. The weather is still rotten. Very, very wet & everything is under water & fearfully muddy. Last night most of the company under Lloyd were out working. We received the usual dose of shells back in the village at 1am & 8am. Our guns are still very rampageous & noisy – but the weather is bad for artillery work.
We expected to move “in” to-day but we’ve just had orders to “stand by” & wait further orders, so I don’t know what we’ll do. Evie is in here with me to-day: he is very fit & cheery. Little Rice got a “blighty” one yesterday through the foot. Lucky chap, he is probably in England by now. Still he has been through everything since after Neuve Chapelle & deserves a soft time…
This sort of life out here seems very unreal: everyone is keyed to a pitch & it all seems like a dream – with England and you as the real thing behind; just like the sun, that I suppose is shining, hot & bright, behind these grey clouds…