Alma Russell Letters
Letters of British Columbia men on active service with Canadian and British Expeditionary Forces, 1914-1918. Learn more.
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meanwhile everyone was pressed into service, miners, sappers, royal engineers, Indians (working here on fatigue). These all manned the fire parapet along with us and we gave the enemy rapid fire right along the top of the parapet. Our machine guns were busy all the time and the huns never got a chance. Their artillery started and we get shrapnel and some of their short pitched heavy shells. Fortunately we were rather too near their own line to suffer much from their shells, our second line (supports) getting the brunt of it.
When the mine went off the shock and concussion was terrific. Earth clods, stones, sandbags, clay and mud, and grit were lifted hundreds of feet into the air. The falling earth lasted over a minute and sounded like the rushing of express trains. One huge clump of earth as big as a man’s body fell within a couple of yards of me. The mine altered the whole appearance of that part of the front line, a huge mound of earth forming a miniature mountain between the german and British lines. This is what is called a mine crater and was occupied by us after a bombing fight; to show how hot it was, we used up to 1500 bombs in less than two hours. Our casualties were 9 killed, including 3 officers and many wounded.
Just before I went on leave something very similar took place, by the germans on that occasion got right into our trench, and after a hand to hand fight we succeeded in keeping the line, - hardly one german left the trench alive. One of our chaps “Baker” killed 9 germans alone.
In our Battalion during the last two months some of our chaps have got honours. We have not got 3 D.C.M.’s (a sargeant and 2 privates), a Military Cross, and a D.S.O., and in this last scrap I understand one of our stretcher bearers is recommended for a D.C.M. Our Battalion is making a name for itself, as in every bombing raid or scrap we always succeed in more than holding our own.
5. p.m. July 2nd.
I am writing this in reserve trenches. We duly went back to firing line, but after last night’s events we were relieved for day time in order that we might be able to get rest and sleep. We return to firing line tonight. Another new crowd relieved us at dawn this morning.
Well, old chap, I never expected to be sitting here writing you. I must tell you all about what happened last night, a night which will live in my remembrance while memory holds a seat in this distracted globe.
Just after dusk last night we were all standing to on the
BC Archives, MS-1901 Box 1 File 5 / RUSSELL, Alma M., 1873 - 1964. Victoria; librarian. / Letters and associated items from Private Jack A. Gunn, 1915 - 1916.