While looking over the top of the trench a shell burst in front, and
something hit me in the eye. It seemed like a blow from a sledgehammer,
and down I went. When I came to about an hour after I found our chaps
had beaten the enemy off, though the shells still came over. I had
a bandage round my head, also a terrible aching. To improve matters
rain started falling heavily, but I could not be moved till daybreak.
I was then taken to the nearest field hospital, had my wound bathed
and dressed, and then was moved by motor ambulance to another field
hospital about ten miles away. I stayed there a day, and again motored
some distance to a town, and from there came by rail to this hospital,
the train journey taking thirty hours: _Sergt. Guest, Black Watch_.
“’Nuf Said”
I had a bullet taken out of my leg yesterday, and I shall have to have
my own back. You see, we were in the field, and the Germans were in the
bush, and our officer told us to retire for a few yards, as he could
see better cover from the enemy’s shot and shell. The first man got up
and got back safely. Your humble was No. 2. I got up to go, and one of
the Germans took a penalty. “’Nuf said!” Final score--One, nil. But,
you see, we always play a return match, and it will then be my turn for
both points. The Germans are a very big set of fellows, taking them
on the whole; but what rifle shots! If the majority of them were in
an empty house, they would not be able to hit it, because the bullets
would go up the chimney. You may say, “They were good enough to hit
you.” But that was more by good luck than by good management: _Private
J. B. Coates_.