I.G. S.M. lecturing on our 26 cwt. howitzer. " The recuperator filled with a mixture of 50% glycerine & 50% water & 4% caustic soda Attend morning "strafe" on 28th shoot. Lecture on shells & fuses. Grand concert by 133rd Siege Btry. - very good talent indeed.

Usual routine - don't quite know what I am doing LO. & ROs out in afternoon, who make a lamentable failure of laying out lines of fire.

Observation - on line OT - Instrumental observation. Rush off & meet Sharp at Ashford - ceremony of placing battle flags of the 'Kent' in Canterbury Cathedral in progress - motor to Wickhambreaux - Mrs. Sharp very nice. P.O. old manor of Black Prince's wife. Spend day quietly - consult Dr. Morris about my condition.

77104 Sgt. Birch wounded (military cross)

Canad. Inf Killed 78 wounded 609 Imperials killed: officers 33 O'Ranks 1696

BC Archives, MS-0392 Box 1 Volume 5 / FRANK SWANNELL PAPERS / Diary and enclosures, 1916.