Letter · 8 Aug 1917 · Flanders Fields, Belgium
Taking cover
Citation for Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM): 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. He led a small party on his own initiative to fill a gap between his company and another unit. He rushed a pill-box which was inflicting casualties on two battalions and captured thirty prisoners and three machine guns. He showed the greatest initiative and courage throughout.' (London Gazette, 26 November 1917)
Extracts from this letter
"The conditions were awful. I was wet to the skin for four days, the trench was wet & up to the knees in mud. The ground was worsened by bursting shells and the trenches kept falling in in places. Men were lying in the mud trying to get sleep."
"Shellfire smashed the trench & in every little hollow men were lying trying to get as much cover as possible from bursting shells."
