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Thursday July 14th

Moved out to Grand Mankue Fme - First bivouacked in woods, but driven out by heavy rain - Henry & I sleep on the brick pavement under the big entrance gate, which we partially barricade with SAA boxes to break the driving wind & rain.

Friday July 15th

- Working party tonight in spite of the rain - Each given a big stake or reel of wire to carry. Guide gets lost in the maze of trenches & we wander around in the mud & rain three interminable Com. Trenches - Getting tangled up with the telephone wires & burdened with rifle, bandolier, spade & gas-helmet- Arrive at 1pm - start comm trench to front line - Very near the Germans & sniped incessantly - one boy hit near me. Fall in the mud & am plastered from head to foot - dried shell of mud all over when I wake

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