Links to original posts ...

>> Introduction

>> Prologue and Training in England
>> Across the Channel to France
>> Joining the Battalion at Duisans
>> Into the trenches - The Battle of Arras
>> Heading north to Ypres
>> Into the trenches - The Third Battle of Ypres
>> Back to England

>> Bradley - Closest friend and companion
>> Postscript


18th June 1917 - Postcard


Postcard home to Mum and Dad ...



18th June 1917 - Letter

Letter to Ernie's sister Daisy and her husband Ralph ...




18th June 1917

The day broke wet and stormy.  Bivvies gave but little protection from the unending torrents and the glamour of those first few days in the line was no more.  The sodden chalky trenches became treacherous underfoot.  Burdened with picks and shovels the nightly stint was the construction of a new trench some yards ahead of the front line position.  The results were meagre and unrewarding but nobody seemed to mind.


Wet and stormy - otherwise quiet.
Trench digging in advance of front line.
Mr Smith leaves for the RFC.

Original diary entry
Original journal notes