Well, I think I must have a charmed life. At least I am a very lucky fellow to be here at all. I went to France on February 9 and went into the trenches at Armentiers on February 18. We were in the front line for two days, in reserve and digging trenches for several days. It was not very busy then, although we lost a few men with shellfire and snipers.

After leaving there we went to the trenches at Fleurbaix on March 1. We were in the trenches at Fleurbaix until April 1. This is three days in front and three days in reserve. The trenches were knee deep in mud and water. A number of our boys were taken out with rheumatism and frozen feet, but I was OK.

During our stay in Fleurbaix we lost about 100 men which was giving us a taste of the real war. We were relieved by a British division and went back to the town of Estaires for 21 days. Estaires is a typical French town of about 30,000 population, which fortunately has not been ruined by shelling, although it is only seven miles from the firing line. From Estaires we moved to Steenvoorde, where we were located for three weeks in billets. We were reviewed by General Smith-Dorien and General Alderson on Sunday, April 10, who told us of the good work we had done, and as he was pleased with our work and excellent appearance he would send us to the most important part of the line.

We left Steenvoorde on the following Wednesday. Little did we know what was before us.