Thursday 7th January 1915

Fair weather but gloomy at reveille 6.30. Mess orderly, took tins to cook-house and fetched food. Bacon for brekker. Excellent. First attempt at digging trenches with traverses at 9-10.15am. 10.15-11 acted as screen, practising attack and retreat and passing messages. 11-12.15 more trench digging. Rain 12-rest of day. Enjoyed dinner but had slight cold. Afternoon beat Foster at chess, went to library and read Land and Water by Belloc, played solo whist. Rained heavily. Night march 6-8.45pm, all companies. Route:- Wyming Brook Rd, Hollow Meadows, back along Manchester Road, round dams and up Wyming Rd. Sleet and finally snow fell heavily. Hot soup for supper. Sing-song. Read Chap. I, Part II. Lodge “Hints on teaching”. Old Testament history of early people, suitable to childhood of world and to individual children.