Sunday 26 September 1915 – fair

Rifle inspection at 9. Spent rest of day talking to French soldiers and bathing in Somme Canal. At 9:30 pm a sudden order comes from Head Quarters to pack up immediately for the trenches. All is hurry and scurry but we only took 5 minutes to “fall in”. I had a big mail of parcels and papers etc, heavy laden. On the march at 8 pm over wet soggy and muddy ground. The flares of the Germans make the scene weird. Our big guns make devilish noise. Landed in trench and “put up” at a dugout, very cleverly made – dry. All the “Old Pats” are put on sentry go. I go on sentry with Private Creed and stay from 9 pm till 5:30 am. A German sniper has this spot for a target as he makes it very uncomfortable for both of us.