It was my job for about two months, somewhere in the summer of 1917, to
take Jennie the mule up to the trenches twice a day with rations, or
shells, for the 35th Trench Mortar Battery, to which I was attached. We
had to cover about 5 kilos. from the Q.M. stores at Rouville, Arras,
to the line. When Jerry put a few over our way it was a job to get
Jennie forward.
One night we arrived with a full load, and the officer warned me to get
unloaded quick as there was to be a big bombardment. No sooner had I
finished than over came the first shell--and away went Jennie, bowling
over two or three gunners.
Someone caught her and I mounted for the return journey. Then the
bombardment began in earnest.
You ought to have seen her go! Talk about a racehorse! I kept saying,
"Gee up, Jennie, old girl, don't get the wind up, we shall soon get
back to Rouville!"
I looked round and could see the flashes of the guns. That was the way
to make Jennie go. She never thought of stopping till we got home.--_W.
Holmes (9th Essex Regiment), 72 Fleet Road, Hampstead, N.W._