24th May 1917

We halted in front of the billet and on dismissal the usual scramble for the best places ensued.  The quarters consisted of the usual barn but with a variation.  Two tiers of bunks had been erected around the four walls and we slept on chicken wire instead of the cold stone floor to which we later became accustomed.

Since the lower tier was more easily accessible and had obvious advantages for manipulating equipment and other gear the first comers naturally took possession.  I was in the first rush and immediately staked my claim by depositing pack, rifle and other impediments on the ground floor.  My satisfaction was short lived.  Uncles (his real name) was, at a guess, a well domesticated bachelor with an overwhelming passion for evening cocoa.  Climbing into the upper bunk he neatly arranged all his goods and chattels; set up an abominable primus stove of sorts and balanced his mess tin precariously on the top.  I lay on my back apprehensively watching events through the slackened chicken wire above my head.  That was the one night Uncles went without his cocoa.  A few extra stains on my uniform was not of great import but the full contents of one mess tin of boiling mixture on the chest was not to my liking.


Moved to Agnez(-lès-Duisans).
Wire beds, etc.

Original diary entry
Original journal notes
Google Maps entry for Agnez-lès-Duisans here