I stood by the bridge watching them pass and, thinking it was the right and conventional thing to do, wished them all a Merry Christmas.

My intentions were of the best, but I was afterwards told that it sounded to the men like the voice of one mocking them in their misery.
However, as it turned out, the wish was fulfilled on the next day.
As soon as I could cross the bridge, I made my way to the trenches which the 16th Battalion were taking over.

They were at a higher (p.

119) level and were not in a bad condition.

Further up the line there was a barn known as St.Quentin's Farm, which for some reason or other, although it was in sight of the enemy, had not been demolished and was used as a billet.