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Sunday July 10th/15

Moved into Front Line of Trenches at Alderson Ave - There being fear of gas --- & Capt Wood being nervous - we have to "stand to all" night in Webb equipment - Sleep from 4 am to 8 am - 2 hrs. off guard & I on all day - Everybody clean played out - Very clever periscope my corner - rough stake bored through - exactly resembles barbwire stake.

Monday July 11th/15

Same dose again tonight & cold withal Foggy morning, and stand to kept until 6 am- One poor batman looks over the parapet and gets the half of his head blown off - Must have been an explosive bullet. - Is carried out for burial - a blood soaked gunny sack drawn over his shoulders & what was left of his face - short night - at the angle I moved guard at two.

BC Archives, MS-0392 Box 1 Volume 4 / FRANK SWANNELL PAPERS / Diary and enclosures, 1915.