Photostat copy of diaries of Benjamin Bennett Leane, 1915 - Part 23
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in Tommy's tunic, and he doesn't
like that. It fitted him splendidly
everywhere - except the stomach
and it wouldn't meet by inches
there. We have a new
arrangement now as regards the watches.
Instead of one officer on duty for each
company we only have one xxx
two companys. It gives us more line
to supervise, but makes the work
much lighter. Instead of six hours
on and twelve off we now do four
on and sixteen off. And ten hours
less, especially in a night watch, is
something to be thankful for.
I can hear the motors of an
aeroplane buzzing away up in the
sky. Lucky beggar, I'd give
much to be up there with him.
I've got a digging party on
those improvements I told you about,
and although we are only doing
a little preliminary work just now
I hope to see my ideas carried out
in full before long.
Wednesday. Aug ^Sept 22nd, 1915
Have been arranging for winter
huts today. Hope we are not here
xxx occupy them all the same.
Received a letter from mother
(Aug 11th) this morning, whe enclosing
one from you to her (Aug. 9th). Dear
old girl, I am glad you offered to
help her if she wanted you. I hope
she is better long ere this. I am
afraid she worries too much about
her boys. I wish the confounded
war would end. Later on I
received one from Aunt Agnes, written
from Cornwall.
Had a long yarn to Capt. Hamilton
tonight. He, like good old Heritage,
14 22
is doggedly hanging on. He has
been ill for weeks past, and
can hardly walk the length
of our lines, but still he won't
give in. He is a fine man.
I have written to Heritage today
and enclosed the £2.10.0, as I
think he may possibly be short
of funds, as I know how difficult
it is to get money in hospital.
Thursday Aug ^Sept. 23rd 1915
A quiet night and a quiet day.
These beautiful moonlight nights
are rather too bright for either side
to try any funny business.
Had porridge for breakfast this
morning, followed with some nice
rashers of bacon and dry toast.
Also I managed to get hold of a
couple tins of Nestle's milk. It goes
great with biscuits and jam.
Prices are hot though, milk 1/6 tin,
eggs (almost unprocurable) 3/- dozen;
milk chocolate (ordinary P bars)
4c each bar. Worse than Adelaide.
Friday 24th. -Nothing doing all day.
We have another stunt tonight, so
that will break the monotony a
little.
Saturday 25th Aug ^Sept. - The stunt was a
fair success. Between 7.45 and 8pm
we made a pretence of getting ready
to advance. It was bright moonlight
so our movements were fairly
visible from the opposition benches-
trenches, I mean. Bayonets were
fixed all along the line and
dummy figures looked over the
parapet occasionally, and there
was much subdued movement generally.
At 8pm. a flare burned on our
right and was answered by a
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star shell from the left. As though
that was some pre-arranged signal
the military instantly opened
with a bombardment of the Turks'
trenches. This lasted for about
ten minutes, during which the
enemy replied with their '75" and
shrapnel, as well as rifle fire
As soon as our guns ceased
firing whistles were blown, bayonets
flashed over the parapets and a
general scrambling noise with
jam tins etc, as though we
were advancing to the attack.
This drew a good burst of
fire from the Turks which lasted
for about 15 minutes and then
gradually died away. A lot
of the shells burst fairly close
to our line, and of course
the flash of light and rush
of air caused by the explosives
made them appear to be closer
than they really were, so that
many of our latest reinforcements
thought they were in for a
bit of the real thing. I expect
I will read some hair raising stories when I come to
censor their letters tomorrow.
Another mail in today. So far
I have received two - one from
mother (returned from England and
dated July 20th) and one from
Mrs Wood, of Manchester. It is not
all sorted yet, so I am hoping
to get some more directly.
Sunday, Aug ^Sept 26th. 1915
Saw Ted this afternoon. Also a
number of the 27th Bn came through
the trenches today, among them
being Norman Cameron (a corporal)
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