All battery 15 [?]. Drill in morning. Maj. flies off handle & strafes my layer - threatening boy wit arrest - although he was doing as I ordered - wants auxiliary mark quite impossible with 15 [?} - much perturbation among non-com.

Range officer in pm - 122 Bty shooting - in SP. only 260' from target - send most of men to Lyddite SP - but first shell bursts 40 yds from them - 21 rounds in all & no direct hit. Draft of 21 men overseas - very unwilling - queer spirit. Morning puffing scheme. Heavy rain - Corp. Belfield & I got caught while laying out range. Afternoon major repeats all plans - get started [?] I range 12 shots - telephone very slow & inaccurate. Feels thoroughly discouraged as I don't seem to pick up things quickly. Walk to Lydddite Hut with Wheatly & Jenkinson. Capt. Cotton R.R. 16th killed. Hear through "Tuck" Sgt. Birch got a good blighty in the leg, walked out. had observers out getting line of fire thru flashes blackpowder & cordite - afternoon took 5 reading angles. Lecture Maj. Myers " Ranging on the line" Take long lonely walk after dinner - pretty homesick. Canadian casualt. 416 rank & file 17 officers British 1476 rank& file 61 officers Wnd. 77932 Chapple F.G.