61 Trench 128 near Seaforth Ave Ploegsteert 19th, Mn's first qu. 9.9 p.m.] JULY, 1915. [23rd, Sun rises 4h. [?]

SUNDAY 18 [199-166] 7th after Trinity Blazing hot in daytime and plagued by hordes of 'bluebottles" I am cook and obtain marvellous results by combining MONDAY 19 [200-165] "Maconochie" (M. + V. Ration) "Bully Beef" & Pea-soup Tablets with Oxo thrown in for luck. Order comes to cut-out niches for rifles - I get jumped on for telling Lieutenant that rifles - bayonets fixed, in niches will be dangerous in case a wiring party has to suddenly retire over the parapet - am told " Wiring parties have proper means of entrance" - Common-sense + shrapnel to the contrary. Jack and I go rustling & steal boards from the engineers for firewood

TUESDAY 20 [ 201-164]