Frank Swannell Diaries: Part I
Diaries of Frank Cyril Swannell Learn more.
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BC Archives MS-0392 - Box 1, Volume 4-5
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59 Trench 125c Bois de Ploegsteert 12th. New Moon 9.31 a.m.] JULY, 1915. [16th, Sun rises 4h. 3m.
SUNDAY 11 [192-173] 6th after Trinity Still holding our Traverse - and made to sleep with all equipment on -
MONDAY 12 [193-172] Moved into high command Trench on old line - line of little 2 man forts here (large drawing ) trench 125 high command -some with steel
my sentry post loophole plates
fort
step I Lower Firing Tiene
Wind favorable + god feared- stand to all night with helments + respirators handy -
TUESDAY 13 [194-171] This evening moved iNTo dugouts on HunTeroTon Ave - Nasty night heavy rain, + German bulleTs cuTTing Three Trees ( Bois de PloegsTeerTs) - On guard 11- 1 am. -CaTch The new machine gun officer vainly hunting for his command - cohich aT daybreak we find aT moasT Farm - Batman carried ouT for burial - Caught There head by a German sharpshooTere - explosive bullet - no head left - unapped in blood sTained sack + hands Tied Together over his breast - Was Killed nighT aT my sentry post (above) of 12th insT
WEDNESDAY 14 [195-170] - Also one of our own boys caught in The arm with shrapnel - "a BlighTie one" - Very pale and groggy buT insisted on walking ouT To The dressing sTaTion. Our dugout leaks badly and nearly drowned Tuck while asleep - little lake suddenly drains on him Tonight we are moved back To near The "Piggeries" - Make brush + shelTers in The woods, buT might Turns ouT west + we are crammed into Grande MunKue Fme
BC Archives, MS-0392, Box 1 Volume 4, FRANK SWANNELL PAPERS, Diary and enclosures, 1915.