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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put your respirator on, I said in Johnson’s ear, “I believe there’s gas coming” “Its the lyddite”, I think I heard Johnson say, so I contented myself with merely unbuttoining my wallet. The germans were evidently expecting our whole line to attack as they started the biggest mortar bombardment I’ve ever been under. These mortars were slung over (about 250 yards) but catapaults and the companies on our right were the first to get it. Then it extended along the line. But our artillery was magnificent, such a rain of shells they put over you can’t even imagine. The ridge the germans occupied was a sheet of flame. Once when there was a lull I could hear a long wailing cry - some pour soul wonded over in the german lines. They knocked these slimy catapaults out of action, or perhaps it was the gunners our artillery killed. But I find my pen unable to do justice to the night’s battle.
I really never expected to live through it and thanks be to God that I am alive and well.
I will never forget the night’s adventures all my days you may be sure.
Our Battalion had the best of luck taking it all around, considering there was so little shelter anywhere. Our casualties were 6 killed, 2 missing (burned in a mine that was put up) and a good many wounded. Several in our platoon were slightly wounded but stuck it out with us – one has his eye in a sling, another a bandaged arm, 2 or 3 shrapnel wounds (slight) in the head, and another a small piece of shrapnel in his boot. The regt. on our left suffered worst. They left 10 lying between the lines, being unable to bring in the men on account of the artillery opening up so quickly. They took some prisoners.
It was a hell on earth all night and it was dawn before the artillery quietened down. We had such a night of it that we were sent down here for the day so as to get a complete rest and sleep. We return to firing line tonight. The day has been exceptionally quiet, only a few rifle shots, altho as I write I can see our anti-aircraft guns giving an alleman bloody hell just over “no man’s Land”.
Well, old boy, do let’s hear form you, and please forgive my few letters, rather put it down to the distrctions and horrors of war.
Will write Jess shortly and thank her for the snapshots. They were A.1, and most interesting and I often look at them in spare moments, and think what I would give to be back once more out West, away from this hell on earth.
I will close now, and with love to Jess, David & Dorothy and cheers to yourself.
Your old pal,
Pte. J. Gunn, #2587
D.Co. 1/8 A. & S.H.
P.S. I will send more of those little books as soon as I get a chance and am glad David likes them.
“J.S.”
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.