The widow of an officer who was killed at Albert told me the cross which I gave her husband was taken from his dead body, and she now had it, and would wear it to her dying day.

I was much surprised and touched to see the value which the men set upon these tokens of their faith.

I told them to try to never think, say or do anything which would make them want to take off the cross from their necks.
The dugouts in which the officers made their homes were quite comfortable, and very merry parties we have had in the little earth houses which were then on the surface of the ground.

One night when some new officers had arrived to take over the line, one of the companies gave them a dinner, consisting of five or six courses, very nicely cooked.

We were never far however, from the presence of the dark Angel, and our host on that occasion was killed the next night.
Our casualties at this time were not heavy, although every day there were some men wounded or killed.