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Frank Swannell Diaries: Part I

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Revision as of Jun 8, 2015, 1:13:02 PM, edited by 65.61.234.59

Festubert - May 20 - 1915
[29th, Sun rises 7 h 45 m.
Sunday 24 [24 341] 3rd after Epiphany
- Crossing ditch going back noticed a Kiltie lying in the water
- Found afterwards he was wounded, thought we were Germans & so kept quiet.
Monday 25 [25 - 340]
Germans shelling the road so we hit for the British Trenches. Worst sight of all in the half light - Blown to pieces - sand bags & odds & ends of humanity - stumbling along, catching ones feet in the dead men's accoutrements - Some of the relieving battalion tried to hit back with us - we were ordered to block the way with the bayonet, but they ran around us - We wanted to shoot.
Tuesday 26 [26 - 339]
[?] Arriving at the trenches we had held for two days found our supports had used out greatcoats as roofing for new head cover & rifled our packs. Found Lieut. Morton's greatcoat & revolver undisturbed, brought it out.
At the back line ran into a wounded 15th man, helped him to the dressing station. He fainted directly he got there
Wednesday 27 [27 - 338]