Frank Swannell Diaries: Part I
Diaries of Frank Cyril Swannell Learn more.
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BC Archives MS-0392 - Box 1, Volume 4-5
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Trench 127 Ploegsteert "PlugSt" 58 Sets 8h. 14m.] JULY,1915. [Day 16h. 18m. long
THURSDAY 8 [189-176] Tenof us Tonight setting ouT bank wire entanglements 'Tripwire' pattern (small drawing) - 10" high in long grase
Ran ouT of sTakes and goT home early. I am Tremendous raTTle of musketry + TuT-TuT
of machine guns To The right - German flares conTinuous buT long grass screens us. Hear laTer firing is a blind, deering which a German sap is exploded
FRIDAY 9 [190-175] Fire Insurance expires Trench 127 LefT for Trenches Tonight - in front line in new Trench (large drawing of trench)
Firing Plats Firing plats galvanized iron sandbags
Traverse dugout wood float
On guard '2 one' + 4 off. "Stand To aT <- 6' --> 18"
230 To 330 Dan McGregor, Jack Ensch, (Killed Oct 15) MiTchell + J hold This Traverse - room for Three of us To sleep aT a Time -- Everything holds quiet.
SATURDAY 10 [191-174] 28th Week Oxford Trinity Term Ends Foggy and misty until 7am. - kept 'sTanding' Too 230am. To 7am - 'rapid fire' ordered - CapT. Wood exceedingly nervous _ anticipating an aTTack. (CapT From our Traverse can only see The high grass Wood Wnd. SepT killed on a little ridge 150'in front - German Trenches 250yds, buT snipers firing from Trees along The "Avenue" Not safe To expose The heads for more Than a moment. BC Archives, MS-0392, Box 1 Volume 4, FRANK SWANNELL PAPERS, Diary and enclosures, 1915